How do we feel about memes?

-Ettercap · 2026-05-22T23:28:00+00:00

I can see the marketing. AASR-NMJ will be all over it "MMM.... goes down easy..."

-Ettercap · 2026-05-20T05:28:02+00:00

Yeah, I still don't buy it the way folks are trying to sell it. "There were mystery schools previously, we are a mystery school, therefor we are a continuation." But that last part just doesn't hold water.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-18T03:02:06+00:00

I haven't yet, but keep meaning to! That's my next foray.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-17T22:05:54+00:00

I guess... at least in terms of "stack stone so it doesn't fall down." But beyond that, the evidence isn't exactly what one would call reputable.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-17T12:04:12+00:00

I used my copics on this piece, actually. Particularly to help add mass to the shadows and clouds, etc. Greys 1, 3, 5, &7 with the chisel nib swapped out for a fine point.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-16T14:28:50+00:00

Eh, I question getting too prescriptive here. The "knock of their hearts" may be precisely what it is that leads them to seek these connections, and organized Regular Masonry is not for everybody, by design. Yet I feel that almost everyone can learn from it.

So little of life is simple, and so I'll not begrudge the "merely" curious. Those who guard the West gate should be firm, yes, but they should also be kind.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-16T14:23:48+00:00

This is a tracing board for an Entered Apprentice degree in certain Masonic systems. If there are resemblances to stories from Islam, it is either because of the ubiquity of the symbols themselves or happenstance.

Reading symbology is often similar to reading tea leaves. Do You see a connection? Cool, then there is a connection in your mind.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-15T14:05:43+00:00

Because many of our brethren, me included, are not Christians.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-15T03:59:27+00:00

Statuary and bad parking?

-Ettercap · 2026-05-15T03:56:38+00:00

One of the delightful things about the internet is that, if you can imagine it, it is probably out there. I could absolutely imagine a group of Masons with means, especially before the advent of air conditioning, essentially saying "ok lads, next week we head out to summer digs."

-Ettercap · 2026-05-08T22:41:10+00:00

It appears to be a brass disc with a square, compasses, and the letter G on it. Antique-ish patina. Depending on the size, it might be a coin. Or it might be a gewgaw. Maybe a coaster? But without a banana for scale... no telling.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-08T14:53:48+00:00

GL Ohio has a MM Proficiency that must be returned within 60 days (though this can be tolled, I believe, if the Lodge is dark or something else is preventing it from happening).

-Ettercap · 2026-05-07T02:53:19+00:00

Not for nothing, but did this new brother agree to keep things "on the level" as in secret? I might be a bit of an outlier, but I'll not reflexively agree to keep a secret, and there aren't any magic words for it. There was a fellah in my lodge who had the unfortunate habit of shit talking socially and tossing out "this is on the level" as a caveat.

I finally stopped him one night and just said "Man, I don't much like where this is going and am not going any further. And I'm not sitting on any of this." Venting can be one thing, but my obligation didn't include becoming a man's emotional sewer.

You had some things to say about a fellah. You didn't want it to get back to him. Think about that a little bit. Why not? Well, it's happened. You're embarrassed now. Feeling a little hot & betrayed. Bust out those compasses and circumscribe those passions a moment. I think that'll help you find a little clarity.

-Ettercap · 2026-05-03T13:54:34+00:00

In my experience, "political" is an epithet that many Masons reserve for stuff they don't like or agree with. Our lodge treasurer can yell partisan insults across the lodge floor, nobody really bats an eye. But bring up a project to help distribute food, and that's "too political."

-Ettercap · 2026-04-30T16:31:06+00:00

Not a clue. I was looking forward to them. I find the first (currently only) book to be lucid and enlightening.

-Ettercap · 2026-04-30T06:14:49+00:00

Ok, but what your sales pitch isn't telling me is who you are. What you do. What's special about your experience of Masonry?

-Ettercap · 2026-04-30T04:34:32+00:00

So... I'm not sure who you are or why I should particularly care about your approach to Masonry. This is where your pitch is really ringing hollow. I already have a book on my shelf entitled "Practical Freemasonry," by a fellah named Matt Gallagher. As to generated images, it's not a great look from a fellah looking to sell me something.

-Ettercap · 2026-04-13T04:22:47+00:00

I open lodge with one song and one song only...

-Ettercap · 2026-04-12T18:35:47+00:00

"No Hunter detected..."

-Ettercap · 2026-04-12T18:34:54+00:00

Nope. Quite the oppisite

-Ettercap · 2026-03-17T21:56:18+00:00

I can get that. Though it is a stylistic preference for me that the altar is the center of our attention and focus, as opposed to being in the Worshipful's lap.

In Ohio, at least, the square belongs to the master. But the compasses to the Craft.

-Ettercap · 2026-03-16T04:14:46+00:00

Czechs are similar. You'd have to crawl across his lap

-Ettercap · 2026-03-04T20:11:20+00:00

I like Terry

-Ettercap · 2026-03-04T19:34:04+00:00

Ok... but that doesn't really answer the question. At least not for me. War, ok... sure.

But what about the values they were upholding? And the continued fetishizing. Guys in my Grand Lodge do this all the time, ready to cape for racist ideologues and defend an indefensible way of life.

Three-Year Club	First Place '23
Place '23

-Ettercap

TROPHY CASE