Happy and Deflated

A successful Third Degree:

The candidate is happy, but somewhat deflated.

St. John the Evangelist Day!

Happy St. John the Evangelist Day!

Why do paintings of St. John the Evangelist always depict him with an eagle?

Knowledge and Sorrow

"And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

Ecclesiastes 1:17-18

Why would increasing one's knowledge also increase one's sorrow?

Memorize and Understand

"I'd really like to understand all of this information, and really know what it means, instead of just basically memorizing it."

- Masonry

Ask and it shall be given - Part 2

"It's not just a passing idea.  I am serious!"

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Ask and it shall be given - Part 1

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

"Why not just give us what we ask for?"

"Because, this way, you are absolutely certain that it is something you want, and not just a passing idea."

Royal Arch

What makes the "Royal Arch," Royal?

Master's Grip

What should be done if an Entered Apprentice knowingly gives you the "Master's Grip?"

Definitions and Etymology

When reading old texts, such as our Masonic Ritual, make sure that you apply definitions from the correct time period, to the words that ar eused.

Otherwise you may get confused to their meaning.

For Example: Look up the etymology (or old definition) for the word "Dream."

This may better explain the meaning of Mozart's "Requiem for a Dream,"

or Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Twisted Rhetoric

Deliberate misuse of Grammar and Logic, will undoubtedly produce twisted Rhetoric.

Have you studied the Trivium enough to know the difference?

Sir Francis Bacon - Of Great Place

"For honor is, or should be, the place of virtue; and as in nature things move violently to their place and calmly in their place, so virtue in ambition is violent, in authority settled and calm.

All rising to great place is by a winding stair; and if there be factions, it is good to side a man’s self whilst he is in the rising, and to balance himself when he is placed."

- Sir Francis Bacon

Of Great Place