Book Review "The 32 Secret Paths of Solomon - A New Examination of the Qabbalah in Freemasonry"

Okay, so let me start this review by saying I don't personally know the author.  While that shouldn't have to be said review of new Masonic books sometimes ( a lot of times) are done by men and women who personally know the author and want to give him/her a good review.  Go and look up recent Masonic publications on Amazon, and you will see what I mean.  The problem is that today, most anyone can publish either through an e-book or through hard copy.  So I believe I am as impartial as they come when it comes to  this review.

The Book "32 Secret Path of Solomon A New Examination of the Qabbalah in Freemasonry"  written by Bro Timothy Hogan is a quick primer and look at potential applications of the Qabbalah in Freemasonry.  Bro. Hogan wrote in the introduction:

"Within Freemasonry itself, in the fourth degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (SJ), we are likewise taught that qabbalah is the key to Freemasonry, and in fact, Freemasonry cannot be understood unless one has at least a preliminary understanding of qabbalah."

I was drawn to this book, as more and more books coming out about Freemasonry concern themselves with an historic account or accuracy of our Craft.  Either within a specific time period (Civil War, French Revolution, etc) or trying to explain the reality of the events depicted in our rituals as being either historic or rather "Masonic Tradition".  This book refreshingly does not attempt any of that, rather to give the reader the basic tools and understanding of the qabbalah in regards to western esoteric thought.  The challenge the author had is that qabbalahism is one of the most studied and written aspects of the Hebrews, and is very complex.  The author attempted to break it down simply in how it relates to our Masonic initiation, and how we may meditate and apply it when attempting to apply the rich ritualism and symbols we are taught.

My knowledge of qabbalah before reading this book is little to none, which made me the target audience for the author who wrote this pithy 96 page book as a quick primary to the qabbalah and how some of these concepts directly relate to Freemasonry.  The book does a good job of introducing what are very basic concepts of qabbalah, different schools of interpretation and explanation of the tree of life.  The author does a good job of picking concepts within qabbalahism such as the Sephir Yetzirah and the explanation of said concept.  Hogan also does a good job in relating the symbolism threads within the first three degrees of Freemasonry and qabbalah, and if you were not an initiated as a Freemason, would be somewhat confusing.

The down side of the book?  For 96 pages you pay $15 (or $10 if you own a Kindle).  Also, while someone did go through and edit the book, there are repeated phrases in the book like "I should also mention", which after a while I think the author is sending us code.  Also, there are some parts of the book that I don't understand, including his personal interpretation of the Tree of Life and the "correct path", which seems contrary to any rudimentary look up of the tree of life (along with his own incorporation of Tarot Cards).  It appeared that he started to make assertions, that were left unfinished, or under defended.

I would recommend this book as it is an excellent way to start examining your Masonic journey and the potential incorporation of the qabbalah.  It is also refreshing to see an honest look at applications of qabbalahism without it taking over all of your free time. 

The Death of a Rite

For the record, before I start this article, I have never been, nor was I ever approached to be a member of the Scottish Rectified and Reformed Rite.  As I posted in my blog a few months ago, the Rite was forbidden by our then Grand Master to take part of the degrees, even before that I was never contacted.  So I want to make it clear that I am on the outside looking in on this situation, and am confident that I don't know the facts as they are, but are my simple observations.

Those who have not read on Chris Hodapp's Blog the Grand Encampment is disbanding the Scottish Rectified and Reformed Rite in America.  While Most Eminent Grand Master Goodwin said that in his mind The Grand Priory of Occitania is a regular body, the questioning from Grand Lodges and aggressive actions taken that puts at risk the regularity of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar could no longer be ignored.

The start of the Rectified Rite was always on shaky ground from controversy as to why Sir Knight William H Koon II attempted to bring the Priory to the United States.  Some claimed that Sir Knight Koon, brought the Priory to America because he was denied admission into the super exclusive CBCS, as to what he and others called a glorified supper club.  The Rite was brought over by Koon attempting to swoon high ranking national Masons to join his new camp, upset the established CBCS in America.  This started a turf war that has lasted for about 5 years regarding the regularity, including a recommendation from the COGMNA not to recognize the Rite.  It seemed to be somewhat put at rest when the Grand Encampment recognized the Scottish Rectified and Reformed Rite.  This only seemed to fuel some fires, caused threats of no longer recognizing the Grand Encampment in some jurisdictions, the tug of war continued until yesterday, when the Grand Encampment put out General Order No 4, folding the Scottish Rectified and Reformed Rite.

The bitterness over this aside, attempting to bring The Grand Priory of Occitania to America seemed to spark a small fire of interest in esoteric Christianity within Freemasonry.  Men who seemed to shirk the problematic identity of the Grand Encampment seemingly had a new interest in how masonic esoteric traditions in the 1800s can bring them to a closer to our Father and His son Jesus Christ.  Suddenly the posts of how the perception of Christian Orders within Freemasonry are not inherently unmasonic, but a new interest in the Martinist Orders sparked further interest in esoteric, and Rosicrucian ideals within the family of Freemasonry.  For this fact alone, I don't see the introduction of these orders to America while problematic, not completely in vein.

The spreading of light is never a bad thing, even though this time it came with some bigger than life drama.  I hope that the men who had an interest or were apart of this order continue on their path.  I hope that men like myself that have never touched the order continue our independent pursuits of esoteric Christian ideals within the body of Freemasonry.

 To quote the old saying "You win some, you lose some".

S&F,
-Bro Vick

Freemasonry MC MEME

Richard, My Brother, My Friend

Freemasonry in its current state means that younger Masons such as myself become close to men who are 40 years our senior, and feel their loss much more than the average American, I was reminded of this fact again this past Saturday, when I received the phone call that my brother, and friend Richard Adaszczyk passed away.

In 2006 when my job ended in Laredo, TX I thought it was time I became a Mason.  When my Grandmother died in August of 2006 my mother gave me all of my Grandfather's Masonic goods.  I read some about the fraternity, and really thought that this is where I want to be going.  I found a lodge through the Grand Lodge of Texas Website, called Army Lodge #1105.  I sent Richard who at the time was the Secretary of the Lodge, an e-mail requesting more information.  He called me a day later as I was packing out of Laredo, the conversation went something like this:

Me: "Hello?"

Richard: "This Vick?"

Me: "Yes, who is calling?"

Richard "This is Richard Adaszczyk from Army Lodge, you wanted to know more about being a Mason?"

Me: "Yes, I do"

Richard "So what do you want to know?"

While this conversation may seem confrontational to most, I realized that bound that we had at that moment that can't be described to most men.  A young officer interacting with a hardened SNCO, trying to steer the young officer, but being hard at the same time.  He told me where to show up on the second Tuesday of the month around 1800, to meet some of the guys.

I was nervous, I showed up and sat in the parking lot.  After being waived in, I went to our lodge office and there were 5 men in there, and Richard was sitting behind the desk and said "Who are you?"  I responded "I am Vick, I talked to a Richard Adaszczyk?"  I butchered the pronunciation of his name he then corrected me and said "So you want to know about Masonry?  There is over a hundred years of Freemasonry in the room, what do you want to know?"  I asked him about the lodge and he started to explain.

He was gruff, and to the point, again there was the bound between SNCO and young officer.  He gave me an application and told me to fill it out.  When I asked about costs for the fraternity I thought it would be in the thousands, it was nothing, and he told me "Don't worry about it, you are young.  A working professional"

After initiation  my instructor, and Masonic inspiration, Garland Kreger said about Richard "I could call him up in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve, needing his help.  He would cuss, complain, but would come out and help me out."

I can't think of a better way to explain Richard.

Richard became apart of the three great pillars in my Masonic mentoring, the mentors I learned to count on and lean on understanding my masonic journey.  Richard recognizing my interests in Freemasonry beyond the memorization encouraged me to present more about Freemasonry in lodge, my first presentation of Freemasonry was on the Traditional Observance Lodge movement in America.  He was skeptical of the movement, and again asked hard questions, but than there was  that unspeakable bound of brotherhood and service to this country.

When the deployments to Afghanistan started, unfortunately Richard's and I relationship changed and not for the better.

I became disconnected from my brothers, and especially Richard.  It doesn't help that when you are in a warzone you carry a very large chip on your shoulder.  You feel like everything you do is in vain, you see death all around you, it becomes so futile.  So any interaction from home becomes overly hurtful when not sweet and loving.  Richard was never sweet and loving, but he cared, and he cared a lot.

In December 2011 when I was elected as Senior Warden to Army AMD Council #373, Richard came as our treasurer   We sat in the office and talked, and I expressed some of my issues.  He was sympathetic and pretty much told me he had no idea.  It really helped me move on, whether he knew it or not.

In spring of 2012 I sat in lodge for the last time to date, during that stated meeting I sat next to my mentor, my friend and my brother, Richard Adaszczyk.  I put my arm around him and enjoyed his company.  I for the first time, in a long time, felt at home in my mother lodge.  I didn't go back after that, not out of any conscious choice, because life became busy for me, and my other vocational and Masonic obligations.

I have lost a lot of friends and soldiers in my life, I have lost men to suicide, drug addiction, the hands of our enemies and pure accident.  Those are hard pills to swallow.  Richard wasn't doing well for a while, and we all knew it.

Still, I don't want to go back in that lodge room, open it in a EA, FC or MM without him there.  I know I will sooner or later, but it just doesn't seem right

I am thankful to God for being blessed to know Richard Adaszczyk.  He initiated me into this great fraternity, encouraged me and guided me.  He has become ingrained in my Masonic journey and was acting WM when I was initiated, and I am so happy for that.

So as I move forward with things, and my Masonic journey, Richard will always be alive and a corner stone in my Masonic foundation.

Thank you Richard and I know you are in the comfort in the bosom of God and his Son Jesus Christ.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

University Masonic Lodge Foundation

For those who read this blog that are in the South Texas area University Lodge #1190 will be having their Festive Board 17 January 2013.  Their guest speaker will be Bro Chris Hodapp, it should be an exciting night!

For more information please send an e-mail to foundation @ universitylodge.org

I look forward to seeing all of the brethren there!

S&F,
-Bro Vick

Perfect Union #10 Annual Banquet

My lodge will be holding it's Annual Banquet on the 19th of January, with guest speaker Michael Wiggins, Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Texas.
Please see below for cost and reservations. Hope to see you all there!

Annual Banquet. 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Holiday Inn San Antonio Airport, 77 NE Loop 410.

Speaker: Right Worshipful Michael Wiggins, Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Menu: Choice of Chicken Cordon Bleu with Lemon Crème Sauce or Blackened Pacific Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce. Tea, Coffee, Rolls and Desert. Cash Bar, Door Prizes for the Ladies. Cost: $25.00 per guest, and $25.00 refundable deposit for members.

RSVP:ereich@wireweb.net.

Send checks to Perfect Union Lodge #10, 7145 Park Road 37, Lakehills, TX 78063.

Back to the Alamo

On December 14th 2012, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas M: W: Walter M. Rodgers was received in Alamo Lodge #44 which was held in the Alamo.  This is an annual event that was started in 1982 by Alamo Lodge #44 to receive the newly elected Grand Master and his officers within the the confines of the sacred monument of Texas, the Alamo.  For those real long time readers of this blog, know that in 2007 was the first time I attended this event, and was disappointed in the speech given by then Grand Master M: W: Tommy Griffin, who upset over what he considered to be a slighting over the questions and answers during the examination of the candidate.  He used a phrase that today is still upsetting to me "We aren't the men we use to be".  His attempt to hearken back to circa 1955 left a bad taste in my mouth, and my general view on Grand Lodge Officers.  I will say that this past year I had the honor of meeting and having multiple talks with R: W: Griffin and have found him to be a wonderful man, and mason.

Master Masons and their guests met at the Scottish Rite Cathedral a couple of blocks away from the Alamo in their aprons.  When M: W: Rodgers arrived he was sure to introduce himself to every man in the room.  To me this was refreshing as in the past and at other Masonic events the Grand Master has a tendency to cordon himself off from the general public and surrounds himself with his advisers or other Grand Officers.  I have met M: W: Rodgers twice before tonight, but every time he is friendly and out going.

The event this time was also wonderfully coordinated this time, the procession was started by Master Masons, and their guests to the Alamo being lead by a bag piper.  This effort gave notification to the general public that we were marching towards the Alamo.  This was much better than in years past when we would gaggle from the Scottish Rite Cathedral to the Alamo.  We then formed two lines  and properly greeted our District Deputy Grand Masters and our Grand Line Officers.  From here we entered the Alamo and began the meeting.  During it M: W: Rodgers addressed the crowd and emphasized the hollowed ground and the roles that Masons played during the siege of the Alamo.

It felt good to sit in the Alamo again, it felt good after all this time, and after all that has changed.  If any Mason has a chance to participate in this event I would seriously consider it, I am not from Texas and what locals colorfully refer to as a "transplant".  Still as a man, a combat veteran and a Mason it was inspiring being in a place surrounded by my brethren.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

Confederation of French Grand Lodges Formed

Recieved this from Michael Segall on Tuesday, this is somehwat of an update from the Basle Declaration:

A historical development occurred yesterday (18 December 2012) among the regularly operating, even if not yet widely recognized, French Grand Lodges. The following statement has been published (the text between brackets is mine): “Today, the Grand Lodge of France (GLDF), the Traditional and symbolic Grand Lodge “Opera” (GLTSO), the French National Lodge (LNF, not to be confused with the GLNF), the Grand Lodge of the French Masonic Alliance (GL-AMF) and the Independent Grand Lodge of France (GLIF; constituted like the GL-AMF by the many thousands of Brethren who left the GLNF, totally out of the picture by now), have met together.”

“Sharing the same criteria of regularity and the same Universal Masonic Tradition, they agreed among themselves to start the construction a Confederation, thus demonstrating their will to reorganize the French Masonic landscape in conformity with the Basle Declaration.”

S&F,
 -Bro Vick

Great Priory of England Vote to Withdraw Recognition of the Grand Encampment of the U.S.A.

I was sent an e-mail with the below image showing of a letter from the Great Priory to Provincial Priors that on the 26th of November the Grand Master's Council voted to recommend at the 15 May 2013 Great Priory meeting that recognition be withdrawn from the Grand Encampment of the Knights Templar of the United States of America.

While reason is not stated in the letter, this most likely stems from the Grand Encampment of USA recognizing the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite of the U.S.A earlier this year.

As I wrote earlier, the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite is not permitted for Texas Masons, while the international developments continue...

S&F,
-Bro Vick

Motorcycle Riding Clubs and Freemasonry -- A Bad Image?

So before I start really writing this article, let me give an honest disclosure.  I am not a Motorcycle guy, I have never been attracted to them, don't care for them, and I find their culture somewhat silly.  I know that middle age men across the country find motorcycles to bring a sense of freedom, unparalleled.

The Grand Lodge of Texas has denied one Motorcycle club, Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association from being recognized as a Masonic body within the state of Texas.  I will explain this story (to the best of my abilities in a minute), but there are others including the Freemasons Riding Club and Ruffians Masonic Motorcycle Group.  These groups are ardent in their belief that they are nothing more than Master Masons that like to get together, and ride.  Some have charitable goals, others are much less formal.  Still the question that is asked is, do these groups cast a disparaging image on Freemasons?  Or are they the 21st century recruiting tool the fraternity has been searching for long and hard?

A good Masonic friend of mine referred to these groups as "Doublewide Masonry", and while the term is inflammatory it makes a point.  Masonic riding groups aren't really doing too much to spread further light in Masonry and working on the internal temple.  Rather using images among our fraternity to exploit the tough guy image of motorcycle riders and doing little more then developing cliches within an already shrinking organization.  Before you give me "its the internal not the external", I am sure you wear those vests not thinking of the image you are projecting, like Larry David said to the lady wearing a skimpy outfit "I am sure you are wearing that so people will look at your shoes."  Realize that dressing like a biker, people are going to judge you like a biker.  It is foolhardy to think you can dress that way, project a certain image, than claim that people are being "judgmental".

Still, the argument of these clubs and attracting men to Masonry has been made, and somewhat convincingly.  A member of the 3-5-7 Brotherhood a chapter of the Widows Sons wrote the following:

The Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Association is still a very new organization by Masonic standards being less than 15 years old. We have seen incredible growth; approximately 38 states in the US plus most territories in Canada, and countries ranging from England, Scotland, and Germany to S. Korea, Japan, and Australia, and more.

On top of it the Widows Sons claim on their website:

The Widows Sons serve as a Masonic Booster Club by helping to raise Masonic Awareness while we attend public motorcycling events, and by supporting our Blue Lodges in whatever capacity we are able. Widows Sons chapters have helped to increase Masonic membership through our presence and visibility during public motorcycle events and rallies.

While growth is a relative term here, the point still cannot be denied that these organizations, not just the Widows Sons have gained popularity in their recent past and seem to be providing an outlet to those men who wish to merge their world of motorcycles with their Freemasonry.  The question that these clubs are attracting members seems somewhat deluded.  If men are wanting to join the fraternity, to better their internal temples, than I completely endorse it, if they are joining to join this specific Riding Club, than I discourage it.

Criticisms of the Shrine include that it has little Masonic meaning or truth and deters from the Masonic principles and foundation of the blue lodge.  No one can make the argument that these Riding Clubs are somehow better than that, and every time I hear from a member "We are motorcycle enthusiasts, who happen to be Master Masons," I role my eyes.  The Shrine philanthropy is undeniable  these organizations, not so much. All I get from their "news" is new chapters opening, or new members, nothing about their charitable activities.

In Texas the Widows Sons were banned as a Masonic organization.  Really, this is hardly news, Masonic politics are nasty, we (Texas Masons) also cannot be members of the Philalethes Society, or the CBCS, so really the Widows Sons are just another organization that doesn't meet the approval of the Grand Lodge brain trust.

Reasons given for this include that the organization never provided information on whether members had to be Master Masons in good standing.  Also the patches and general image did not reflect well on Freemasonry to the general public.

The Freemasons Riding Club is legal as far as I know and the Ruffins are trying to get recognized this year.

So how do I feel about these groups?  If they are an addition to your Masonic journey, than I don't see any harm in it.  If they have become the focus of your Masonic journey, then you need to reevaluate your priorities, both in Masonry and in life.

S&F,
-Bro Vick