Universal Freemasonry
TO THE GLORY OF GOD & THE PERFECTION OF HUMANITY
Category: Universal Co-Masonry
Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry: Part 4
The third aim of Esoteric Freemasonry, as outlined in our first three posts, is that of henosis, or the unity of the human with the divine. To understand henosis, we need to briefly look at the Neoplatonist cosmology. The Spiritual Universe, according to Plotinus,… Continue Reading “Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry: Part 4”
Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry: Part 3
The second aim of Esoteric Freemasonry is to guide the neophyte to understand the cycle of life and death, and the physical/spiritual path we are all destined to take. This is achieved through what the Pre-Socratic philosophers called katabasis. The meaning of this word… Continue Reading “Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry: Part 3”
Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry: Part 2
I believe that theurgy is not commonly understood in the wider modern world. To define it in modern terms, we call it “divine magic.” Jeffrey Kupperman, author of Living Theurgy: A Course in Iamblichus’ Philosophy, Theology and Theurgy., noted it’s origin is “god-working.” While… Continue Reading “Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry: Part 2”
Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry: Part 1
“The sun god (Atum) Ra was described as the ba which “came forth from Nun,” the ba “which Nun created.” In these terms, the ba is a potentiality which is actualized. According to these statements, Chaos produced Order. Nun, primordial Chaos, generated the god… Continue Reading “Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry: Part 1”
After the East
After serving in the East, what characterizes the office of Past Master (P.M.)? If anything, the P.M. has a wider range of service than ever before; there’s a world of Freemasonry that requires their experience, much as we need the Masters of crafts to mentor and teach new workers. Life for the P.M. is not fading, not at all. If anything, the world becomes far vaster than they could ever imagine.
Yggdrasil
What, the curious Freemason asks, has the Yggdrasil to do with Freemasonry? In the first instance, it is a symbol of something, and we Freemasons enjoy a good romp through symbol dissection. Second, Freemasons have their own tree, and it is interesting the symbolism that coincides and collides when we look at the two motifs. The Tree of Freemasonry is the acacia (Western), or in Latin, Acacia Vera or vachellia tortilis. The tree is an evergreen tree, common in warmer climates, and is found in Africa, the Middle East, and other temperate climates. The tree’s wood is used to build weapons and furniture, and its resin is used in incense and perfumes. Biblically, it is referred to as the shittah tree and was the wood Moses used to build the Ark of the Covenant and it was used in the construction of the Tabernacle. While it has many practical uses, I see there is one reason it is such a symbol of immortality: it is an evergreen.
Dharma and Freemasonry
What do Dharma and Freemasonry have in common? Dharma is, according to the ancient Sanskrit, “to hold, to maintain, to preserve.” In the early Vedas and other ancient Hindu texts, Dharma referred to the cosmic law that created the ordered universe from chaos. According to theosophy, Dharma [from the verbal root dhṛ to bear, support] means equity, justice, conduct, duty; right religion, philosophy, and science; the law per se; the rules of society, caste, and stage of life. This definition of Dharma ties immediately to what we know is the goal of Freemasonry: Ordo ab Chao – Order from Chaos.
The Luxury of Anger
Do Freemasons have the “luxury of anger”? The longer one stays on the path of Freemasonry the less we have the luxury of anger or hatred, nor the privilege of animosity or of fear of any kind. The Mason learns that the divisions of people, of whatever kind they might be, are meaningless and unnecessary, and that we Freemasons are dedicated to the eradication of division and strife. Our personal quarrels and piques do not matter one whit to our work as Freemasons.
The Flaming Sword
THE Flaming Sword, more popular in literature than perhaps in actual use or fact, seems to be symbolically related to several key concepts, all appropriate to the office of the Tyler, or guardian of the Temple entrance. It may represent that only those that hold Truth or Wisdom may enter holy places or stand in the presence of that Truth.
What Is Evil?
What is evil? Evil is division, and Good is unification. This is not at the base physical level but at the level of humanity where the human form is irrelevant – the higher concept that we are a part of a natural world, far more vast than we know. When we divide ourselves from this, we create chaos, ignorance, suffering, and separateness. Freemasonry delves into this moral dilemma, not only in symbol and allegory but also in ritual.
KAREN KIDD: Masonic Mouse
MASONIC PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
Nirīśvaravāda: The Path of Non-Theism in Hinduism
Who are the Moonies? A Story of Assassinations, Second Comings, and Mass Weddings
Catharism: The Strange History of the 13th Century French Gnostics
The English Civil War: A Wild Ride to Democracy
Of Piety and Pedagogy: Catholicism and Education in Poland
bpkcjgorr
jonathandinsmore
karenakidd
karenaphelps
KatieCumsille
Elaine Paulionis Phelen
Kristine Wilson-Slack
universalfreemasonry
Pamela McDown
Universal Freemasonry 