The Bee Hive: Further Light on This Symbol

I have the pleasure of being part of several interesting groups on Facebook, and it never ceases to amaze me as to how seemingly unrelated groups can post items that I find of interest for the other groups to which I belong. Recently, I came across an article that, while discussing human evolution, noted some interesting facts about bee's. I found the writing so interesting, and the implications so far reaching, that I felt it had to be shared among the Brethren. Below, you will find the article's excerpt regarding bee culture. If you would like to read the article in its entirety, here's the link: 

Could Humans Evolve into a Giant Hive Mind?

"Generally a group of insects like bees will move from behaving as individuals to forming colonies when they are storing food (like honey or pollen) that comes from multiple sources. At that point, a colony has a better chance of surviving than an individual.

But the big transition moment from individual to colony — like the yeast snowflake moment — comes when two bees engage in a division of labor. Hölldobler believes the first division of labor is probably when one insect becomes a reproducer and the other takes care of her babies instead of reproducing herself. She sacrifices her ability to reproduce for the greater good of the burgeoning colony. This crude division is between a reproductive caste and a worker caste. In a typical bee colony, you have bees who care for the young, make honey, and forage for food — and that's just the beginning. Highly complex ant societies have many other castes, including things like farmer castes, garbage collector castes, and major fighter castes who are ants fed special foods to make them grow much larger than other ants in the colony.

What's truly amazing about these insect societies is that, despite the familiar terminology, they don't actually have a queen or ruling class. The queen is simply part of the reproductive caste, ensuring that the hive has a lot of genetic similarity (like our multicellular yeast) and continues to produce young. But each worker has evolved what Hölldobler calls an "algorithm" for making decisions about what jobs to do when, based on communicating with other insects and what caste it is currently in (bees, for example, pass through several castes as they age). There is no insect who is a master controller, who understands the totality of what's happening in the hive.

So colony societies or superorganisms evolve when some individuals give up their reproductive rights and create a division of labor. This scenario is often a response to environmental pressures, such as the need to store food from many sources and protect against many enemies at once. Colonies only survive because they are fitter than individuals in such environments, and there are examples of colony organisms gradually evolving back into individuals when the environment changes.

It seems to me that it is possible that our earlier Brethren understood this dynamic, and alluded to the success of bee colonies as a template for the success of Freemasonry as an institution. Is this not what is encouraged within our Lodge rooms so as to perpetuate our noble and glorious Craft? In this metaphor, the Temple becomes the hive, and all act accordingly. 

I would be interested to hear from the Brethren regarding this thought Please sound off and voice your opinion! For more reading about the beehive, check out what the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon have to say about it: Freemasonry & Bee's.

Bro. Earnest

Fiction of the Weeping Virgin by Robert B. Folger, 33°

The Weeping Rhea Virgin

Brethren, I found a great article that gives a quaint and concise interpretation of this astronomical imagery. If you are interested in pursuing this line of inquiry, please click the links in this post.

The Virgin Rhea Weeping

I hope and trust that you will enjoy it as much as I have.

Brother Earnest

Mozart Kantata

Our Dear Brother

Grand Masonic Lodge of Japan

Brother Joe Diele, whose Masonic items we will be investigating on Monday, February 20, was instrumental in funding and constructing the Grand Lodge building for the Grand Lodge of Japan. This video shows how it was so beautified and adorned. Exquisite workmanship indeed!

Diele, Joe A, Deputy in Japan and Korea- Appointed 9-1-76

Master- Sinim Lodge , Japan, under the Grand Lodge of MA -1986

Grand Lodge: District Deputy Grand Master, China District, Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts- 1980, 2000

The Searchers Club

Presents a Very Special Evening…

“The Masonic Legacy of Bro. Joseph Diele:  

An Examination of a Life in the Quarries.”

Brethren of all Ranks, Stations, and Places are cordially invited to attend!

Brother Joe A. Diele lay down his working tools of life about five (5) years ago, leaving behind a small treasure trove of items that Masons tend to collect in the journey to their final quarry.  Not knowing what to do with it, his daughter turned it over for disposal to the Searchers Club- to examine and investigate these items and glean what we can from the Masonic work of a Brother.  Everything is collected within two (2) boxes except one Certificate of his Conferral to the Exalted 33rd Degree. Bro. Diele was a Deputy in Japan and Korea; appointed 9-1-76.

·     *Grand Lodge: District Deputy Grand Master, China District Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts- 1980, 2000

·    *Master- Sinim Lodge , Japan, under the Grand Lodge of MA -1986

As he was active in the Japan and China Grand Lodges, we have invited, Ret Army Col. Brother John Chang to participate and share any knowledge he may have about the Lodges and the artifacts. Additionally, DDGM William H. Sohni- Seventh Manhattan, RW Ron Steiner-Grand Lodge Public Relations, and RW Tom Savini- Director of New York's Livingston Library, will also be on hand to lend their Masonic expertise and experience.

We expect the evening to be by turns somber, interesting, engaging, and informative.

Monday February 20, 2012

The Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of Grand Lodge

71 W 23rd St., 14^th floor

New York, NY 10010

(212) 337-6620

6:30 PM

Electronic Devices in Lodge?

My Brethren,

This was the name of the title on the most recent Masonic Services Association that I received today. It specifically dealt with the increasing use of electronic devices within the Lodge room. I have personally felt that to have a personal device in use within the Lodge untyles the Lodge, and defeats the purpose of solemn and sublime contemplation. How can I be reflective of my inner self when I am indulging and inundating my profane self with the mental distractions of everyday life? In my humble opinion, I don't believe Masonic work can be optimally done under such conditions, although I am sure that there are many who would disagree with me on this topic.

To formally address this issue, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts sent a communication to other Grand Lodges explaining, "Not only for the annoyance of the phone ringing, but also, the member answering and talking during the meetings. Some are constantly texting or reading email. Also, the use of the camera or video to record the meeting or degree work. We have some Lodge officers who have written the ritual into their phones and use them as teleprompters during degree work."

As reported by the MSA, the Grand Master of Massachusetts, the Most Worshipful Brother Richard J. Stewart, issued the following edict on September 14, 2011:

"All cell phones carried into a Lodge room must either be turned off of silenced prior to entering the Lodge room.


The Master will announce prior to opening that all cell phones and other electronic devices are to be shut off or silenced.


If an emergency call is received while the Lodge is in session, the Brother must not answer the call within the Lodge room. He must exit the Lodge room according to proper Masonic protocol and respond to the call outside the Lodge room area.


If a cell phone rings within a Tyled Lodge, the Master will instruct the Lodge Marshal to escort the Brother from the room. Re-admittance of the Brother to the Lodge will be at the discretion of the Master.


Use of cell phones or other devices for texting, audio recording, video recording, or photography within a Tyled Lodge is strictly forbidden, except as has been previously approved for photography. Any reported infraction of this rule is subject to reprimand, suspension, or expulsion from Freemasonry."

I personally applaud the efforts of this Grand Master, although, as I said previously, I am sure there will be a sincere contingency that will disagree with this same sentiment. It will be curious to see what affects the advent of convenient electronic devices will bring upon the governing of both the Lodge room, and the Craft as a whole.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Brother Earnest
Joseph Warren-Gothic Lodge No. 934

Masonic Restoration Foundation (MRF) update!

As you have seen from previous posts, I had a GREAT time in August 2011 at the MRF Symposium in Alexandria, Virginia. It was a weekend full of excellent opportunity to form the bonds of Brotherly love and friendship. I got to know Brethren that I already knew- better, and I got to meet tons of Brethren that I didn't know previously- one of the many joys of Masonic travel. I recently had a conversations with a Brother from Abravanel Lodge No. 1116, and he informed me that the MRF has posted the dates for the 2012 MRF symposium. As per their posted update: 

MRF Updates

THE THIRD MRF SYMPOSIUM WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 24, 25 & 26, 2012 IN SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND , CA. -- Details to Follow Soon!

So needless to say, I'm excited! Several of the Brethren that I know have already purchased plane tickets for this event, so it looks like I am inclined to follow suit. As the MRF posts its details, I will do the same hear to ensure that all interested parties are informed. If you didn't make it last year, I strongly encourage you to attend this year! For the cost, and the opportunity of taking fellowship with so many like-minded Brethren, it's a hard to beat Masonic weekend!
...And for those of you that are unawares of what a Traditional Observance Lodge is defined as, here is a link to the MRF's definition of such: Please click here.

Masonic Symposium in Albany

An Educational Gathering on Topics of Freemasonry

The Northeast Masonic Symposium (NEMS) is devoted to providing a forum in the Northeast corner of the US a place for brothers to listen to lectures on topics of Freemasonry.   To learn about Masonic history, expand their knowledge and to be inspired for their own works is the aim of the symposium for all who attend.    NEMS first gathering is taking place in April of 2012 in Upstate NY. 

This event brings lecturers from across the country and will bring together brothers from all over the region. The symposium is constructed with several tracks of lectures, allowing its attendees to select topics of interest to them. The current agenda offers a full day of food, lectures and social opportunities.   

​You won’t want to miss this event!

​Cost

The cost for attendance is $50 per person (plus applicable payment processing fees) and includes continental breakfast, a commemorative gift, lunch, a cocktail reception, and a full day of lectures.

Attire 
Business casual, or business suits.

Who Should Attend

The event is currently open to all Master Masons.

To register, please click here!!!

Festive Board in Honor of Poet Robert Burns

Brethren,

You are invited to participate in this Festive Board in honor of the birth of our late Brother Robert Burns, poet laureate of Scotland.  This is a traditional meal, observed worldwide, including the traditional Ode to the Haggis accompanied by a bag piper.  Beginning at 9:00 after our meeting.  We will enjoy two hours of free-flowing scotch whisky and beer, and a full three course meal.  The cost of this has been advertised at $55.00 per person with $10.00 benefiting the Seventh District Association.  The lodge will subsidize this cost at $10.00 per person which brings downs the cost to a more affordable $45.00.   Please make your reservations ASAP to master@JWGL934.com.

Fraternally,

Stephen Rumpf, Master

 

Aurora Grata-Day Star Lodge No. 647

(Third Kings District)

&

The Seventh Manhattan District Fellowcraft Club

will be co-hosting the annual

Robbie Burns Festive Board

on

Wednesday, January 25th, 9PM

Masonic Hall

71 W 23^rd St, American Room (19^th Fl)

$55.00 per person

(includes appetisers, dinner, desert, open bar & piping)

(Free to AGDS647 members in good standing for 2012)

Brother bring a friend

(Stag / Attire: Tux or Tartan)

RSVP (by 01/11/2012): grsolberg@verizon.net

Gie her a haggis!

 

The Interest in Shaquille O'Oneil Continues!!

I posted a comment about Shaq, and what's interesting is the number of Brethren on Facebook who have expressed concerns regarding either Shaq's credibility as a representative of Freemasonry, or the manner in which he was made a Mason. Let me state publicly that I do not question either Shaq's credibility or status as a member of this Craft. If a Brother was made in a Regular Lodge, then he is a Brother Mason, period. As a Mason, there is a reality that I must at least FUNCTIONALLy accept- the rights of a Grand Master.  


To relieve confusion and restore good will and peace amongst Brethren, perhaps I should re-word my initial thought: Is National Television the best forum to bring to light such information, particularly in the manner in which it was done? If I wear a diamond encrusted ring of any kind, I can be sure that it will both attract attention and incite inquiry. Am I, in essence, intentionally drawing attention? And once that attention is drawn and I have a captive audience, do I educate the questioner or play coy and naive to the moment at hand?

BRO. SHAQ SHOWS HIS MASONIC RING ON NATIONAL TV

I have mixed feelings about this situation. There is a side of me that says that a freeborn man, of lawful age, and well recommended, should be able to do whatever he circumscribes for himself. On the other hand, keeping one's passions in due bounds may just mean practicing caution and not bringing excessive attention to the Craft, particularly when that attention is not necessarily presented in a positive light...If you can afford it, why not? On the other hand, Light is Light, and your diamond encrusted square and compasses ring shines no brighter than my silver hollowed square and compasses ring...Thoughts?

Observing the Craft Lecture!!

Montefiore Mason:

The Robert R Livingston Masonic Library and Moses

Montefiore Masonic Education Association Present a Lecture 

By Andrew Hammer Entitled "Observing The Craft." 

Brothers please join us on: 

January 24th at 7 PM. 

RSVP IS REQUIRED 

AND SPACE IS LIMITED 

PLEASE EMAIL Masoniclecture@gmail.com to RSVP. 

The lecture will take place at the Masonic Hall in New York

City on 71 W.23st (on the corner of 6th Avenue.)

CHIVAS COMMERCIAL

I found this at X-Oriente Masonic Podcast- Check it out!

Betcha didn't know that Chivas was more than a whiskey…it's a fraternity. Clearly Chivas' "Live with Chivalry" campaign is hitting a chord with young men (Presumably the target of the campaign.) What I find kind of fascinating is that the campaign was done in Euro/RSCG's London office. You know London? That place where Masons seem to be portrayed as sinister characters who have nothing better to do than stalk Lindsay Lohan. (Note to Ms. Lohan: Speaking as a Mason, I can assure you that if I were in London, and if I were the stalking type, I can think of at least 30 women off the top of my head I rather stalk than you. So I think it is pretty safe to say your problem is not with the Brothers).

This is one of those markers that should be an indicator that young men are hungry for what Masonry has to offer. What is important to know is the aspirational quality of the images. Watch the ad:

What is important to point out here is that the images are lush. The experiential qualities speak to an authenticity. These are not the type of guys who are doing one-day classes because it is convenient. These guys aspire to fight fires, jump out of airplanes and go to formal parties. Not really the one day class aesthetic. Discuss.

Masonry will be nothing if it doesn't inspire men to aspire to something better. And if better means it is difficult, well that will make that sip of whiskey at the end of it that much more satisfying.

But I hope if the members of the "Chivas Brotherhood" seek out the real Brotherhood you'll welcome them after their first degree with a proper single malt.

Great Podcast Series!

(Bro. Jerry Butler Interview)

Brethren, 

I have a found a GREAT interview with R:.W:. Brother Jerry Butler on X-Oriente, a masonic podcast. For those of you who do not know, he is an internationally acclaimed Soul pioneer and singer. Although he is from my parents generation, as a child, I grew up listening to his music- my parents didn't buy a lot of new records as adults. I've posted the interview here for your edification. It's pretty good, and provides a perspective of Masonry that I believe is most understood and manifest in our elder Brethren, due to their years of accumulated wisdom derived through life experience.

Keep looking to the East!

click her for podcast

Here's what the interviewer had to say:

"Back in November I had the opportunity to sit down with M.W. Bro. Jerry Butler. Bro Butler is one of the founding members of the Impressions, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, A Past Grandmaster of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Illinois, and a Cook County Board Commissioner. He is also a wise, compassionate and wickedly funny guy.

I went to see him to learn more about how Prince Hall Masonry differs from my own. What I found is that we many more similarities than differences. Special thanks to Bro. Butler, to Bro. Ryan Priester, To the guys of North Star Lodge No. 1 and to Arc Music for granting permission to play some of Jerry’s Music. If you’d like to explore, it can be found on the iTunes Music Store

This episode was brought to you by Stone Guild Publishing, publishers of Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century . Please visit them and help support X-Oriente!"

Upcoming Lecture

On Tuesday evening, December 27, the American Lodge of Research will be hosting a lecture entitled: The Beginnings of Indian Freemasonry Masonic Hall                71 W. 23rd Street, NYC  8PM This is a tiled communication open to all Master Masons. _____________ (W\) Brother Andrew Hammer will be delivering a lecture on January 24, 2012 at the Masonic Hall in NYC. Brothers are encouraged to read his book: Observing the Craft: The Pursuit of Excellence in  Masonic Labour and Observance …prior to attending in order to enhance your understanding of this extraordinary Masonic thinker. Details regarding this event will be forthcoming.

Brother Moses Montefiore Masonic Education Association

My Brothers,

It is again high noon on this bright Sunday as I sit down to pen this column. In the coming days is the convergence of two commemorations which connect to our Masonic symbolism. The Jewish holiday of Chanukah is the celebration of the rededication of the Great Temple of Jerusalem, (the second Temple to stand on Mount Moriah as the Temple  built by King Solomon was destroyed by Babylonian conquerors). The holiday focuses on the symbol of Light, and the miracle that it can continue to shine despite the efforts of the enemies of that which we hold dear to snuff it out forever. Simultaneously is the marking of the Winter Solstice. This occasion is often wrongly focused on the fact that it marks the shortest day of the year, a day in which the Sun is seen for too few hours…However, more significantly, like a Phoenix, this day also portends the dawn which follows---the day in which the Sun becomes stronger as its rays again begin to shine brighter and the workday of our ancient operative brethren could again be longer and more productive.  

So too should we, under the leadership of our lodge masters, rededicate our Temples and step forward to ensure that our labor is both energetic and focused on our desire to achieve perfection. How do we rededicate ourselves? Pick up a Masonic text and study it…deconstruct its verbiage and genuinely learn its subtle lessons. Increase your Masonic labor by preparing a Masonic paper or lecture. Mentor a brother of the Craft in need of guidance. Visit a brother of your Lodge who you have not seen in the Temple. These holidays are not meant to be days of rest, but rather days of being Freemasons.

Always on the level,

Brother Lenny Lubitz, F&AM

A Interesting Read for Masons

I came across this interesting read at Sacred-Texts. If you haven't been to the site, it's a great place to get books that were printed in the early Twentieth Century or prior. All the Masonic standards are there, i.e. Pike, etc. 

Check it out!

THE ALCHEMY OF HAPPINESS

BY AL GHAZZALI

TRANSLATED FROM THE HINDUSTANI BY CLAUD FIELD

Knowledge of a part is better than ignorance of the whole" (Abu`l Feda)

London, J. Murray

[1909]

{Scanned at sacred-texts.com, November, 2001}

From Darkness to Light

Masonic Speaker at Athelstane Lodge No. 839!!!

ALL BRETHREN- Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Masons are cordially and fraternally invited to attend.

“Why did you leave the West ...?”

R:.W:. RICHARD FRIEDMAN

Chairman of the CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Past Jr. Grand Warden

Brother Richard is one of the most dynamic and interesting speakers in our NY Grand Jurisdiction today.  This will be a night you will not want to miss!!!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

ATHELSTANE LODGE

PEARL RIVER MASONIC TEMPLE

2 South Middletown Road, PEARL RIVER, NY

Reception and dinner- 6:00 PM

Lodge opens- 7:30 PM

Program- 8 PM

Business attire, Aprons and Jewels please

You are also invited to participate in a catered dinner at the modest cost of $10,  payable at the door, but you MUST RSVP so that your name can be placed on the dinner list and we know how many to plan on for dinner.

RSVP FOR DINNER and/or additional information:

R:.W:. Ronald J. Steiner

Secretary,

Athelstane Lodge No 839 F & AM

(Pearl River, NY)

(845) 354 - 4192

nysmason@aol.com

Atlas Pythagoras Lodge No. 10 Presents a Lecture Entitled "Why Ethiopia"

The Officers and Members 
of 
Atlas Pythagoras Lodge No. 10 
F&AM 

cordially invite 

You 

to attend our regular Communications to be held on

 Friday October 7, 2011 
at 

1011 Central Avenue, Westfield NJ.

Dinner at 6:30 P.M. and Communications at 7:30 P.M.

Ronald Murad,Past Master of AP10, PDRI and Secretary

to the GM 2012 will present a lecture 

entitled, 

"Why Ethiopia?"

This lecture is open to 

Master Masons Only

 

Andrew Hammer Lecture!!

"Observing the Craft"

Thursday October 27, 2011

7 PM - 9:30 PM

Middletown Masonic Temple

9 Courtland Street

Middletown, NY

You are invited to an exciting Thursday Night Masonic Lecture: open to all EA, FC and Master Masons. Observing the Craft is a manifesto of sorts for the observant Mason, who seeks quality over quantity in every aspect of Masonry. It is a stringent argument for the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge as the ne plus ultra of the Craft, asking that Masons put actions behind their statements that 'nothing is higher than the third degree.'

It is a book that calls for nothing but the utmost personal effort and commitment to be put into the operation of a Masonic Lodge, and the experience of a Masonic meeting, in search of the transformational experience which Masons define as 'making good men better'.

Click here for the Facebook Event page!

I'm diggin' my hardback ALR "Transactions"

I've just received my American Lodge of Research hardback copy of Transactions in the mail today- great stuff!


For those of you that don't know, the Transactions is a collection of scholarly papers that members of the Lodge have written. As for the Lodge itself,  it "is the oldest Masonic research Lodge in the United States. It was organized in 1931, and has been continuously active and productive since. Although its activities were originally directed towards the study of Masonic history in the United States, the Lodge now encourages work in wider and more general topics of Masonic study." At the website, you can download the FAQ sheet and get "the skinny" on the Lodge. 


I had the fortunate experience to join as a Corresponding Member, but it is my sincere desire to join as an Active Member- "Active Membership is limited to Master Masons who have previously published or read a paper before the Lodge or before some other recognized Masonic Lodge of research, or have exhibited some other academic qualification that commends him to the Lodge." 


I have a few ideas that I'd like to explore and present, and the ALR presents a GREAT venue to do such...Flipping through the pages, there's a pretty interesting paper that contains information about the Egyptian Rites...Hmmm, I think I have some reading to do!


Now, if I can just get my gauge to read 25...


Bro. Earnest

Have You Joined the Masonic Book Club!

Brethren,

While taking fellowship with the Brethren of Allied Lodge No. 1170 yesterday, during a social for a man interested in joining their Lodge, I had an enlightening conversation with Bro. Bill Thomas. We discussed everything from the Baltimore Conference to Lodge Officers, and then some. And as is usual, when having a conversation with one of the Brethren that's been around a while, Bro. Bill removes another veil, thus bringing Freemasonry to greater transparency and exposing me to further Light in the Craft.


"Have you ever heard of the Masonic Book Club?"

Bethren, this was news to me, as I had never heard of such a thing. For $20, you get yearly membership and a reprinting of some Masonic classic, typically written before 1920. As many of you know, such books are timely, and unfortunately immediately relevant to the same issues that we experience today in 21st Century Masonry. Beyond that, it's a great way for a Mason to build up his library of rare classics not so easily found.

I went and joined today at this link- the Masonic Book Club. The site is simple and easy to use, particularly if you have a PayPal account.

There's so much to know and learn within this honorable profession, and this seems like a great departure point from which to begin Travel.

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD!!!

click here for the PDF download!

Brethren,

On Monday March 21, 2011, I had the incredible experience of hearing Bro. Rashied K. Sharrief Al-Bey deliver his lecture "Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy" at Nutley Lodge No.25 in New Jersey- it was well worth the effort of Travelling to that jurisdiction.

Since that time, I have had the fortune of finding a PDF copy online. I was so impressed with the read, that it was only logical to share such Light with the Brethren. So gentlemen, here is the link- Free PDF "Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy".

I am glad that I can share such Light, please enjoy it as I have.

Bro. Earnest L. Hudson, Jr.

Joseph Warren-Gothic Lodge No. 934

GL of F&AM of the State of NY