The Hedge Mason: Revisiting the Ritman Library of Hermetic Philosophy

Monday, July 7, 2014

Revisiting the Ritman Library of Hermetic Philosophy

Some time back, in November of 2011, I did a small write up on the Ritman Library of Hermetic Philosophy, or more accurately, the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, which is located in Amsterdam. I haven't revisited the topic in a while, but became aware recently that they now have a Facebook page. If you have any interest in the subject of Hermeticism, then this is a page you want to not only read, but follow.

Their Facebook page has the occasional post in Dutch, but a great deal of very useful and informative posts in English as well. They run the gamut from informative short articles on topics of interest, to brief biographies, announcement of events, and some interesting information about the library and its staff. I strongly urge anyone with an interest to visit it. You won't be disappointed.

Below you will find links, in this order to the Library Facebook page, the Ritman Website, and finally to my post from 2011 about the library.

https://www.facebook.com/RitmanLibrary

http://www.ritmanlibrary.nl/

http://hedgemason.blogspot.com/2011/11/library-of-hermetic-philosophy-jr.html

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Welcome to the Hedge Mason Blog, affiliated with the UMURM

A word or two by way of explanation may be

worth offering concerning the title of this blog.

Hedge Mason, like similar terms Hedge Master,

Hedge Lodge, and the more widely recognized

Hedge School, are terms from Hiberno-English.

The latter of these terms, as many Irish will know,

refers to illicit schools dedicated to the maintenance

of Irish culture and language, alongside the classics

of European Philosophy, including Greek and Latin studies.

These institutions were founded throughout rural Ireland during

the Penal era when Irish Gaelic culture was under attack

by the English occupier. During this time also, the term

Hedge was added to masonic terms to refer to any masonic

individual or institution not approved of by the

Anglophone world. These often were lodges and masons

working to advance the cause of Irish independence.

It seems a very appropriate term then, for me to use to

name this blog.

For quite a while I have observed various blogs and podcasts

relating to Freemasonry, finding both much worth emulating

and a few things worth avoiding among them. Fairly

quickly it became apparent to me that there was little

being published in North America (or elsewhere for that matter)

that dealt fairly and offering a positive perspective on Liberal

Freemasonry or the world beyond the confines of the

Preston-Webb Rites or the AASR Northern or Southern

Jurisdictions and especially with the Modern Rite with which

we are associated.. Such sites exist beyond the Anglophone

Internet, but The Hedge Mason will endeavor to bring some

of that information within the grasp of an English speaking

audience.

It seems to me that it is time for a change, and this blog

will hopefully serve as a small corrective step in that direction.

The goal of this blog will be to provide interesting topics

from time to time on subjects relating to Liberal Freemasonry

and on responsible alternatives to what is exemplified by the

mainstream Grand Lodge system in North America.

While this site will not avoid covering contemporary issues,

it will try to avoid heavy handed critiques of any system or

tradition within Freemasonry. It is my belief that there is no

such thing as clandestine or irregular freemasonry. Such

labels belittle the rich tapestry of our traditions both

contemporary and historical. Further, such attitudes

directly contradict the premise of brotherhood and fraternalism

which is the foundation of Freemasonry.

In short, this site is about education and expanding

the horizons of Freemasons of all stripes and those who

are just interested in the subject. It is not a place intended

for debate or dispute, although if it engenders some that might

be a good thing.

Just in case some object to certain posts being off topic,

please note the subtitle of this blog includes the phrase,

"and other stuff." That of course is because it's my blog and

occasionally I want to ramble.

We look forward to sharing with you!