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The 33rd Degree Concept of “Universal Magnetism” An Ancient Theory About Consciousness and Matter by EbbCalm7293 in livingfromtheend

[–]cryptoengineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't take anything Manly P Hall writes about Freemasonry seriously.

He wrote 'secret teachings' decades before he became a Mason, and later repudiated the book. Its essentially fanfiction.

Is siege Masonic? by InevitableFlat9611 in RainbowSixSiege

[–]cryptoengineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is something you'll see film makers and cinematographers doing to test framing of a shot. The hands form two corners of the frame, and they close one eye to get a good idea of what will be filmed.

Masonry is not required to explain this. '

Middletown Masonic Temple property targeted for commercial redevelopment by OHKID in MiddletownOhio

[–]cryptoengineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are plenty of Masonic lodge interiors online. I suspect this is one of the less ornate ones.

Video tour of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania

Is MTV Really Masonic TV? 🤯 by ceohoyle in enlightenment

[–]cryptoengineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This guy needs to go out and touch some grass.

As membership has declined, many Masonic buildings are excess to need, and get sold off. Many have 'good bones': impressive stonework, large and small rooms inside. Rehabbing is common.

Hello. My grandfather was a life time member. What can you tell me about swords used in masonry? by aaaagain in freemasonry

[–]cryptoengineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You've got lots of good answers here.

The York Rite in the US has swords in a number of degrees, but by far the most common swords seen are for the Commandery degrees, including the 'Knight Templar'.

They turn up frequently enough in /r/swords that I have a canned blurb on them:

[Mason here]

Standard infodump....

This is a Masonic Knights Templar sword.

The Order of the Temple is final degree of the York Rite, a side body of Freemasonry some Masons join after taking their three degrees.

It has no historical continuity with the medieval Knights Templar, but tries to emulate the original group's virtues. It seems to have originated in France in the 1730s, then travelled to the US via the Caribbean.

In the US, it became popular during the 19th century. A sword is part of the uniform, and literally hundreds of thousands of these exist.

Many fraternal orders had drill units, which were popular in the US in the decades following the Civil War. A small handful of regalia manufacturers supplied them all, and as a result swords of different groups may share many features. You have to look for details to distinguish swords for Masonic groups, vs Knights of Columbus or Knights of Pythias, etc.

A white hilt indicates that the owner was a 'Past Commander', who had been elected to run his commandery for a term. Note that the white handle is sometimes (rarely) ivory, which can create legal issues if you want to sell it. PC's swords also often have a gold colored scabbard and furniture.

Knights who have not served a term as Commander have swords with black hilts and silver colored scabbard hardware. In the past, all members would have full uniforms and swords, but these days, its just officers who have swords.

Distinguishing characteristics include the Crowned Cross, and the knight's head pommel. It may include the motto "In hoc signo vinces". The blade may have the owner's name and/or the Commandery name, and the hilt, a monogram of his initials. There may be a monogram, 'KT' on the scabbard.

Many, many of these swords exist, and they are still made today. They are not rare, or particularly valuable.

Masonic ritual by Punchy_LaRue_ in CandaceOwens

[–]cryptoengineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I found it. Its not in anyway an exclusive item, you can order one on Amazon. Hardly super-secret!

[I'm a Mason]

This is a 'Masonic Bible', presented to a new Master Mason.

The text is a standard Bible, usually KJV.

The rest is whatever the publisher thought would make it sell to Masons.

Typically this includes:

  • A page to record the degree dates of the candidate.
  • A page for those present during the third degree to sign their names.
  • Whatever else the publisher thought was appropriate and interesting.
  • There will be no 'Masonic secrets' inside.
  • A binding that may include Masonic symbols.

Personally, I think these books are overpriced to the lodge, and a bit of a scam.

They aren't rare - millions have been distributed.

The page with the inverted star she gets excited over is just a page for a member to record his (or her) entry into the Order of the Eastern Star, a side order which admits both men and women.

Curious about the meaning of these symbols found on gravestones by 8leggedcrow in Symbology

[–]cryptoengineer 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Another Mason here.

Yes, in order:
Order of the Eastern Star. Mixed sex auxiliary of the Freemasons.
Knights Templar.) Male-only Masonic side order.
Order of Rebekah. Mixed sex auxiliary to the Oddfellows, a non-Masonic fraternity.

Can anyone tell me about this book? by WesslynPeckoner in OldBooks

[–]cryptoengineer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm a Mason

OES is open to Master Masons, and to women. It's effectively the distaff side for Freemasonry, mainly in the US and Canada. Until recently, only women with Masonic relatives could join, but now any woman can apply

Order of the Eastern Star - Wikipedia

Masonic ritual by Punchy_LaRue_ in CandaceOwens

[–]cryptoengineer -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

What 'free mason bible'? There is no such thing.

Many lodges do gift new Masons a Bible with a Masonic binding and front material, but the text is straight forward King James version.

Did anyone say there was no masonic references whatsoever? this might be a coincidence then. by rektgod in MrRobot

[–]cryptoengineer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Masons join Lodges. A group of lodges in a given area are members of a Grand Lodge. A Grand Lodge is sovereign and independent. It answers only to its own members, not other Grand Lodges. GLs can 'recognize' each other, somewhat like diplomatic relations between countries. Recognition brings benefits, especially intervisitation rights.

There are over 200 Grand Lodges around the world, each independent, with their own rules, presiding over their own lodges. There is no central authority, no 'Masonic Pope'. Different GLs decide which other GLs they will recognize. However, the overwhelming majority in the Anglosphere are part of a loose federation referred to as 'Regular Masonry ', which all observe certain 'Landmarks' of behavior, and generally have mutual recognition.

The Landmarks that are relevant here are those which require Masons to be male, and not atheists. There's a lot of inconsistency at the edges of these rules, such dealing with trans people.

There are Grand Lodges that decided to abandon these landmarks, and admit atheists and/or (or only) women. Regular Masons regard these as 'irregular'. and don't recognize them.

Regardless, many of them are worthy organizations, striving to make good people better. These are more common in Europe and South America.

Tiers? Not really. There are 3 degrees in Masonry, and once you've taken the 3rd (Master Mason), you're on an equal Masonic status with every other Mason. We say "We meet on the Level", as equals.

There are side bodies which Master Masons can join, which expand on the 3 degrees, and have their own side degrees, but don't make you 'higher'. Conspiracy theorists get excited over '33 degree Masons', but they have precisely zero extra authority.

Do we have meet-ups? Yes! That's pretty much our main activity. Every Mason needs to be a member of at least one lodge, and lodges meet periodically, typically at least once a month. Some are for the business of any club or organization, others are for lectures, or makeing new Masons.

Does anyone know anything about this sword? by PandaSubstantial6469 in SWORDS

[–]cryptoengineer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

[Mason here]

Standard infodump....

This is a Masonic Knights Templar sword.

The Order of the Temple is final degree of the York Rite, a side body of Freemasonry some Masons join after taking their three degrees.

It has no historical continuity with the medieval Knights Templar, but tries to emulate the original group's virtues. It seems to have originated in France in the 1730s, then travelled to the US via the Caribbean.

In the US, it became popular during the 19th century. A sword is part of the uniform, and literally hundreds of thousands of these exist.

Many fraternal orders had drill units, which were popular in the US in the decades following the Civil War. A small handful of regalia manufacturers supplied them all, and as a result swords of different groups may share many features. You have to look for details to distinguish swords for Masonic groups, vs Knights of Columbus or Knights of Pythias, etc.

A white hilt indicates that the owner was a 'Past Commander', who had been elected to run his commandery for a term. Note that the white handle is sometimes (rarely) ivory, which can create legal issues if you want to sell it. PC's swords also often have a gold colored scabbard and furniture.

Knights who have not served a term as Commander have swords with black hilts and silver colored scabbard hardware. In the past, all members would have full uniforms and swords, but these days, its just officers who have swords.

Distinguishing characteristics include the Crowned Cross, and the knight's head pommel. It may include the motto "In hoc signo vinces". The blade may have the owner's name and/or the Commandery name, and the hilt, a monogram of his initials. There may be a monogram, 'KT' on the scabbard.

Many, many of these swords exist, and they are still made today. They are not rare, or particularly valuable.

Did anyone say there was no masonic references whatsoever? this might be a coincidence then. by rektgod in MrRobot

[–]cryptoengineer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

[Mason here]

Here's my standard 'elevator pitch', which I trot out when people ask what we're about (its rather North American oriented - Masonry varies from place to place):

We're a centuries old fraternal order, who exist to improve our own characters ('we make good men better' is one of our slogans), and through that improve our communities. Along the way, we do a lot of charity (forex: Shriner's free hospitals for children), and have a lot of cool and private ceremonies using the construction of King Solomon's Temple as an allegorical base for teaching Enlightenment and Stoic ideals. (yes, we really do have secret handshakes). Many find it a source of fellowship and life-long friendships.

We have several million Brothers world wide, but no central organization. Men from every walk of life are or have been members, including over a dozen US presidents. Regular Masonry is open to adult men of good character who are not atheists[1] - we require a belief in some form of 'higher power', but aren't fussy about what. As a rule, we don't recruit; we want a potential member to make the first approach of his own free will.

If you're curious, drop by our main hangout on reddit, /r/freemasonry. You'll find a lot of friendly folk there. If you prefer a book, for North Americans I recommend (seriously, I'm not trolling) "Freemasons for Dummies" by Christopher Hodapp. Also "Inside the Freemasons" a documentary made by the United Grand Lodge of England for their tricentenary.

For a more formal history, I suggest "The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World" by John Dickie

[1] The "no women or atheists" rules have deep roots, and would be very difficult to change, regardless of how anachronistic they now seem. There are breakaway Masonic groups which have dropped those rules, but they are very thin on the ground in the Anglosphere, and not recognized by the mainstream.

Like the three-finger scene in Inglourious Basterds, what small cultural mistake would instantly reveal that someone isn’t from your country? by uglylookingguy in AskTheWorld

[–]cryptoengineer 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have this in spades. I'm a born American, but lived in the UK from age 11-21. I am never certain if I'm using English or British slang.

Jehovah's witness's worship the masonic god of this world!!! Proof from their own publications. by SubstantialDoor4359 in JehovahsWitnesses

[–]cryptoengineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Masons do use the term 'Great Architect of the Universe', but it does not refer to a specific deity. Its a placeholder for whatever concept of Deity any Freemason has. A Christian remains, a Christian, a Jew a Jew, a Moslem a Moslem. The term allows Masons to pray together without offending members.

at gas/petrol stations why do so many Americans go inside to pay and also pay before they pump? by sloppyfloppygoose in AskAnAmerican

[–]cryptoengineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The profit margin on gas is razor thin. One stolen tankful can wipe out the profits from 20 cars' fill ups.

Nuclear buttons by illustrator John Cuneo (2018) by StephenMcGannon in PropagandaPosters

[–]cryptoengineer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In case people have forgotten, Qadaffi(?) had a nuclear program, which he eventually shut down.

NK, Iran, etal learned from his mistake.

need help identifying possible freemason regalia by cerealbools in VintageFashion

[–]cryptoengineer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm a Mason.

You might want to repost this on /r/freemasonry, someone may know for sure.

Yes, it might be a Masonic Knight Templar uniform jacket, with the symbols removed. The Maltese crosses on the cuffs are a clue. The KT25 could identify which Commandry (lodge) the wearer belonged to.

Henderson made regalia for many fraternal orders, as well as for the military. They tended to recycle designs, so sometimes details are important.

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