Trance Dances, Rebels, & Bygmester Finn: Irish Freemasonry

Since we are coming up upon that date which represents perhaps the most despicable demonstration of misplaced national pride in the world, Saint Patrick's day, rather than adding to the volume of frankly embarrassing behaviors that Irishmen, and many who are not Irish indulge in in the name of a most sober saint, Patrick, I thought it might be interesting to note a few articles which touch upon some perhaps not so widely known aspects of Irish Freemasonry.

Today, many assume, wrongly so, that Freemasonry in Ireland is associated with the Orange Order, and has always been primarily anti-Irish and anti-revolutionary in character. As with most else that they've had to say about the Irish or about Freemasonry, the English lie. They lie through their teeth.

Freemasonry was not founded in 1717, much less in London, and no, it has not always been anti-Irish. It was after all, originally founded by the people who ultimately came to support the Jacobite cause. Many Irish died fighting for the Jacobite cause, and the Jacobites were in the main supportive of the native Irish cause. Freemasonry has been active in Ireland fairly much as long as it has in Scotland.

In Ireland, Freemasonry has taken some fairly interesting twists and turns, both in relation to cultural practice, the arts, and politics.

The notion that Freemasonry, whether Operative or Speculative would first arise on English soil is, if one contemplates the idea for more than a moment, a preposterous notion. When the English, latecomers to insular Europe arrived in Post Roman Britain, they had little skills in stone working. All the early Saxon churches were produced, like the rest of English architecture, out of wood and wattle, in true barbaric fashion. The Celtic speaking peoples, and their predecessors, had been building with and carving magical and esoteric symbols in stone there for millennia already. Ultimately, they were most likely responsible for teaching the English what they understood of both the operative craft and ultimately the speculative as well. And if, as it has been noted, English Speculative Freemasonry owes its birth to its northern neighbor, Scotland, it later required the Irish, in the guise of the antients to sort out the mess they promptly made of it.  The Irish were present in France after the defeat of the Jacobite cause, and the existence of the Irish Master Degrees and the record of Irish masons who founded what ironically was called the first "English" lodge in France, is in fact well documented. (Hayes, Richard. The Irish Brigade and Freemasonry. Reprinted in "Ireland and Irishmen in the French revolution. 1932)

Irish Freemasonry is ancient indeed, and the quintessentially Irish symbol of Freemasonry, the Baal's Bridge Square, is dated to 1507.  It represents undeniable evidence that Masonic philosophy and practice was kicking up its heels in Ireland long before 1717.

Various scholars have tackled the quandaries presented by the remnants of Irish culture, long in duration and unfortunately subject to confusion due to the destructive influence of the English invasion, cultural as much as military. One such scholar, Alan Nowell, has written a number of articles in the academic journal, Irish Archaeology, on the subject of early Irish dance, archeological evidence, and its possible relationship with Freemasonry. In his view, the Irish dance Fer Cengail, (O.I. meaning tied or connected men) may have middle eastern roots and may be related to other lore associated with the Freemasons. Whatever reaction one may have to his position, it represents both a fascinating read, and an amazing research topic. (Nowell, Alan. "An Insular Dance: The Dance of the Fer Cengail?" in Archaeology Ireland, Vol. 19, No. 2, Summer 2005. pp. 36-39.)

It should be noted, from a purely historical perspective that Freemasons were very involved with Irish efforts at gaining independence prior to their more successful attempts in what became the United States. The American Revolution was aided and abetted by many Irish and Scottish Masons. The claims that all Irish masons involved in revolutionary activity in Ireland were "Hedge" or unrecognized Masons is about as honest as the claims of the First English Grand Lodge that Masons did not discuss politics in their meetings, and were politically motivated claims.  The Irish connection must also be noted in the case of Elizabeth St. Leger who in the 1600s was the most noteworthy Female Freemason, and also that Prince Hall and his first African American Freemasons were initiated by an Irish Military Lodge.

The most significant modern work of Anglo-Irish literature, indeed it is commonly considered the most important modern novel in the English language, is James Joyce's "Finnegans Wake." The song of the same name is well known by Irish people world wide,  but the book is seldom read by popular audiences.  Most College English majors read the book, and I myself read it while still in High School. Finnegan's Wake is written in highly idiosyncratic, mixing standard English, neologistic multilingual puns (often taken from Gaelic) and portmanteau words, which produce a very dreamlike and surreal reality. In this epic novel, there are extensive references, in Joyce's quixotic language, to Freemasonry. Many articles have been written on the subject, but one, to me which is most interesting is Laura Peterson's "The Bygmester, His Geamatron, and the Triumphs of the Craftygild: "Finnegans Wake" and the Art of Freemasonry (James Joyce Quarterly, Vol 27, No, 4. Summer 1990. pp. 777-792.)

In case you are curious about Finnegan's association with Freemasonry, perhaps it is best to read Joyce's first remarks about the Master himself,

"Bygmester Finnegan, of the Stuttering Hand, freemen's maurer, lived in the broadest way immarginable in his rushlit toofarback for messuages before joshuan judges had given us numbers or Helviticus committed deuteronomy (one yeastyday he sternely struxk his tete in a tub for to watsch the future of his fates but ere he swiftly stook it out again, by the might of moses, the very water was eviparated and all the guenneses had met their exodus so that ought to show you what a pentschanjeuchy chap he was!) and during mighty odd years this man of hod, cement and edifices in Toper's Thorp piled buildung supra buildung pon the banks for the livers by the Soangso. "

Clearly, one cannot doubt that this description demonstrates all the clarity of many a Masonic piece of architecture, but with a great deal more alliteration.  Although we have our own infinitely superior native language, Buidheachas do Dhia, which as all Gaelic speakers know, is the language spoken in heaven, we have seen fit, out of compassion to our less fortunate neighbors, to have vastly improved the literature of theirs.

 Lá Fhéile Phadraig maith daoibh uilig!

GL of Tennessee Suspends Recognition of California, as well as of English Grammar

In a remarkable turn of events, the Grand Lodge of Tennessee has not only suspended recognition of the Grand Lodge of California but has overturned the rules of English Grammar

Regarding appendant bodies, please see:
What the GL of CA said about various appendant bodies

Thanks to the Tao of Freemasonry!

Thanks to Greg Hall for sharing the link which clarifies the position with regards to appendant bodies.

The Politics of Fear and the Masonry of Exclusion

I have been contemplating the current storm surrounding Georgia and Tennessee and attempting to focus my thoughts on the matter. I've shared a few observations, but it continues to occupy my thoughts now and again during otherwise busy days. In the long run, I remain, true to my own nature, ultimately positive in my view of the situation. By that, I mean to say I view this as a good thing. Masons, of any description, have a natural tendency toward complacency. We don't like controversy, we don't like argument, and we like to allow things to evolve. But of course, complacency tends to discourage evolution. It much prefers the status quo. 

I'd like to propose considering at least for the sake of this discussion, a parallel or analogy between politics and Freemasonry. We see the affects of the politics of fear which have governed our nation now for far too long. The politics of fear and the creation of divisions between citizens which has accompanied that have damaged our nation and hurt the lives of many. A rational, thoughtful person, regardless of where their political inclination may position them, will recognize that the effects of such political manipulation is detrimental to society as a whole.

An unsentimental and honest examination of contemporary Freemasonry should make it clear that there exists similar forms of influence within Freemasonry. For the most part however, rather than presented as the claims of political leaders, the politics of division within Freemasonry are hidden in the guise of tradition. Admittedly, that remark alone is probably enough to make certain segments of the Masonic community run in search of their buckets of tar and their feather pillows. However, I am not the enemy of real tradition. False tradition, no matter however hoary it may be, should be subject to critical scrutiny.

For far too long, Freemasonry, especially in the United States has been defined, far too often by US vs. THEM, by who gets included and who is excluded, rather than by its largely vapid claims of universal brotherhood. And for the defenders of the faith among us, no, I am not attacking the one true Freemasonry. I am however, saying that we need to eliminate our contradictions and get honest, as much with ourselves as with others. 

What is Freemasonry? Is it a club for White Rednecks? Is it a club for old and comfortable businessmen? Is it an adult version of the "Our gang" clubhouse with the hand scrawled sign saying Girls keep out? Or Gays keep out? Or Blacks keep out? And does anyone take seriously the claims of "recognition" between Prince Hall and "mainstream" Grand Lodges when you can go to 99% of the lodges within the country and see either a sea of white faces or a sea of black ones?

It has to be clear to any and all, that mainstream Freemasonry today is not really ready to address the issue of gender. But today it has to face the question of Gender preference. The alternative will be the continued desanguination of  the lodge. Any thinking mason also has to realize, however persistently he pushes the realization to the back of his mind and himself into a state of denial, that eventually, all such issues of separation or division, which ultimately are polite terms for bias, whether they be related to race, gender preference, religion, or gender itself, will have to be grappled with and resolved. Ultimately, we also need to be honest that given our society as a whole, dealing with these things will mean dissolving both in word and in deed, any such barriers to membership, in the long run if not as a short term prospect.  The only real question is whether we tackle these issues while there are still functioning lodges able to consider petitions from potential initiates.

As I write this, I hear the old familiar voices ringing in my ears, that this will never be, that I am simply attacking "real" Freemasonry, etc. etc. Those are all very self applauding, and comforting ideas for those who voice them. They preclude the need to seriously consider the issue. They all reflect the politics of division and fear. "We are 'real', and you are not." "Why do you attack our fundamental traditions?" They are all disingenuous defenses. At the end of the day, I will not be directly affected by the decisions made by "mainstream" North American Freemasonry surrounding those issues. I am not gay, nor am I a woman. And I do not have to abide by the decisions of any of those Grand Lodges as my Freemasonry is less than fraternally described by many as "clandestine," a broad misuse of the term, as I am not remotely clandestine about it. After all, if there are any laws I uphold more fervently than those of the Craft, they are those of good English.

In one way, it might be argued by some that I should see the "downfall" of mainstream Freemasonry as a blessing. It would enable more growth for other forms of Masonry. However, that view, occasionally suggested by mainstream Masons, but never by the liberal masons I know, is simply wrong. The differences, the divisions within the Craft are ultimately artificial and of far less importance than the values we should be upholding. These are merely denominations, sects, and of secondary significance. Are not Baptists, Presbyterians, Catholics and Copts, all Christians? Liberal Freemasonry has far more to gain from a healthy and open-minded "mainstream" Freemasonry, than from its demise. Indeed, although probably one mason in a thousand may view it this way, alas, we are all in this together. As I remarked recently and repeat here, to quote the Revolutionary Motto, and it would indeed be revolutionary for Freemasonry if we as a whole would adopt it, "United we stand, divided we fall."

That motto brings me full circle. "Mainstream" Freemasonry needs to consider what that motto means in relation to the membership of Freemasonry and Freemason's membership in that other universal fraternity - the human race. There is, despite differences of color, ethnicity, religion, language, sexual preference, and gender, only one human race. Are we going to become Universal, or continue to define ourselves by those whom we exclude? How much benefit does anyone really accrue by doing that? How much light can we seek when we limit the spectrum to a small bandwidth? Can we actually define ourselves by what we are, rather than by what we are not? Those are questions that need to be contemplated, because just as for us as a species, our survival as Freemasons depends on getting together while embracing our differences rather than trying to homogenize them.

I cannot make those decisions; other masons have to do so. Although I might wish to see a particular outcome, I offer these thoughts not to influence the decision, but to encourage a thoughtful one. Masons have decisions to make, the Lodge has work to do.

The Continuing Open Debate in Freemasonry Today

It is tempting at moments like this, with such unprecedented discussion and debate taking place in public forums, and we can imagine similar challenging discussions occurring behind closed doors,  to postulate that we could be experiencing a pivotal watershed in the history of contemporary Freemasonry, at least in the United States.

I should like to suggest that, in spite of being well aware that in periods of fluidity such as this, such predictions may come back to haunt an individual, precisely because I am essentially an optimist. I am however also a realist. And so, my reason for believing this to be a possible moment of change, does not rest upon which side of this ethical debate wins.

Of course, there are fears, and these are far from
unspoken, that a decision to remove all obstacles to the public admission of gay men to mainstream Freemasonry in the US will be the impetus to eventually cause the removal of barriers to women joining mainstream lodges. There are of course reasons why that may be arguably true, and also reasons one might argue one will not lead to the other.

However, as significant as any such decision may be, and I do not by any means intend to say that the outcome of this quite public debate will be insignificant in itself, I think the entire situation, as Brother Christopher Hodapp has noted, will ultimately have a big impact upon the rank and file well beyond this event.  I tend to feel that even if that causes the rank and file some momentary discomfort, it bodes well. It will force us all to look more closely at our own values and seek, to pluck the mote, not  as the biblical passage advises us, from our brother's eye but from our own.

What I see as being a watershed in this moment, is not so much what decision ultimately is made, but the realization by the leadership and (hopefully) the majority of the rank and file, that such choices play out in a far more public way with consequences for all, than we previously were content to believe. We must realize that we are a part of the larger society, and that to be a force of good in society we must engage society. That however, means we cannot afford to be too far out of step with it. The choices of each group will from now on, have implications for us all. As Bro. Hodapp notes, and I paraphrase him, time will tell.

More Old Lodges Disappear

While Masonic attention may be focused upon other traumatic events at the moment, there is something else that only occasionally surfaces and is given only sporadic attention. However, although it is usually considered as a singular event, I thought it might be good to consider it as an ongoing phenomenon, because that it is. Every month in the US, at least one, and often many lodges are lost. Some are lost to closings, other represent the sale of a lodge building which may be repurposed, as the one mentioned here in Princeton, New Jersey. Others may be demolished, as is most likely the fate of the Bethlehem , PA lodge mentioned in one of the links below, and still others fall victims to natural tragedies such as the fire which destroyed an old Lodge in Milton, Calaveras County (California).

Whatever the reason, these are individual losses for specific communities, but they represent an ongoing process for American Freemasonry as a whole. Because of that, as unpleasant as it may be, I think people, Masons in particular, need to pay heed to this, and begin to think about it as a series of related events, as part of an ongoing process; one which does not bode well for our fraternity. These lodges, most of them anyway, will not be replaced. While that represents an architectural loss for the nation, it represents even more for Freemasonry.

It is my belief that Masonry as a whole needs to get a lot less dogmatic and a lot less denominational, and start looking for solutions. We needn't unify as a single jurisdiction or obedience, we needn't dissolve our differences and agree on what Masonry is, but we should still be able to find ways to become more accepting of our differences and learn to work together for the common good. Will that ever happen? I have serious doubts, but there was once a common phrase in this country, "United we stand, divided we fall." So, I do believe we fail to do so at our peril.


Bethlehem, PA. Masonic Lodge and Mansion to be torn down:

http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/days-could-be-numbered-for-bethlehems-masonic-temple/38413510
Princeton, NJ Masonic Lodge to be converted to apartments:

http://planetprinceton.com/2016/02/18/masonic-temple-approvals-granted-princeton-witherspoon/

Highland Park (Los Angeles) Masonic Lodge for sale:

http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2014/12/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-4-75-million-highland-park-landmark/

Calaveras County lodge destroyed in fire:

http://fox40.com/2016/01/25/masonic-lodge-destroyed-by-fire/

The One Small Blessing surrounding the Current Scandal involving the Grand Lodges of Georgia & Tennessee

In looking at the past few days turmoil over the Grand Lodges of Georgia and Tennessee, after the latest twist in which the Grand Lodge of California has decided to suspend recognition, showing at least the minimum ethical response one might have hoped for, which has apparently made DC feel forced to do likewise, there is one small and very slight positive element, a minor blessing, in all this mess.

No, that' is not that these two Grand Lodges have felt obliged to act; they should have done so within 24 hours of the original events. In any case, these same Grand Lodges are always looking for ways to be an embarrassment to anyone not still living in the 19th century. They should have been stripped of recognition permanently ages ago if recognition really meant anything. Of course, we know it doesn't. It's a matter of convenience.

What we should view as a great blessing is the fact that nobody much pays any attention to what happens in Freemasonry anymore. Because, that anybody, anywhere, would be willing to call such institutions as the GL of Georgia or Tennessee "brethren" is absolutely shameful.

It is events such as these that make me eternally grateful that I am not associated with UGLE derived Freemasonry. Vivez la différence!

Brothers Across the Sea: Freemasonry's Spread to Africa and the Middle East (5th Internat'l Conference at UCLA)

The 5th International Conference at UCLA

In the years that followed Freemasonry’s 18th century rise, explorers, merchants, and adventurers brought the fraternity with them as they sought new lands far beyond European borders. Some brothers used the foundational tenets of Masonry to birth the world’s first democracies; yet, the craft endured in unequal societies as well, established by conquerors engaged in exploitive colonization.
Since then, the Masonic contribution to society has endured and expanded, even in societies where cultural values are at odds with Masonic teachings. And, contemporary brothers often find that their fraternity offers a respite from cultural, religious, and economic divides; in some cases even serving as a conduit to political power.
On March 5, join the Institute for Masonic Studies and the UCLA Freemasonry and Civil Society Program for a fascinating exploration of African and Middle Eastern Freemasonry. Learn more about the tensions and permissions that Western social culture has brought to these regions; hear first-person insights on what the fraternity is like there today; learn about contemporary cultural conflicts; and gain a deeper understanding of how Masonic experiences have varied between continents.
This year’s conference will be held in the Grand Horizon Ballroom. This new location features enhanced visibility and acoustics, as well as panoramic views of the UCLA campus.

Registration Fees
International Conference guests may register for the conference only, or may opt to also purchase a catered lunch.

$15     Conference registration
$30     Optional catered lunch

The catered lunch will be served buffet-style, and will feature a hot entrée. Guests may choose to bring their own lunch for consumption at the conference instead. Purchasing or bringing a lunch is recommended, as there are no nearby dining facilities. All conference guests will receive a complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments.
If you would like to buy a catered lunch, you must pre-register through this website by February 26. Advance credit card payment is required.

Saturday, March 5, 2016
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Pacific Time

University of California, Los Angeles
200 De Neve Drive
Covell Commons, Grand Horizon Ballroom
Los Angeles, California 90095
USA

Saturday, March 5
8:00-8:45 a.m.      
On-Site Registration Opens
8:45-9:00 a.m.          
Welcome by John L. Cooper III, Ph.D., Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of California              
9:00-9:50 a.m.          
Presentation by Alain Roger Pierre Coefe, Ph.D., M.B.A., Chairman of the Board, Airtel in Burkina Faso
Question and Answer Session Follows
9:50-10:10 a.m.        
Coffee Break
10:10-11:00 a.m.    
Presentation by Teko Foly, M.B.A., Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge F.A.A.M. of the District of Columbia
Question and Answer Session Follows                                                                    
11:00-11:50 a.m.    
Presentation by Said Chaaya, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the French National Centre for Scientific Research
Question and Answer Session Follows                                                                    
11:50 a.m. -1:00 p.m.          
Lunch
1:00-1:50 p.m.          
Presentation by Michelle Campos, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History, University of Florida
Question and Answer Session Follows
1:50-2:20 p.m.          
Discussion Panel
2:20-2:45 p.m.          
Final Remarks
3:00 p.m.                  
Conference Adjourns

5th International Conference on Freemasonry