Masonic Stones: Etched Ashlars

 The Hedge Mason (Eoghan Ballard) can create etchings on slate, wood, leather, and plastic. I like making veves, firmas, pontos riscados, and masonic designs, but can produce pretty much anything you want. I'll offer a quote based upon the design, material, and size. Email me at eoghan.ballard@gmail.com . I can also produce multiples of any design.

The Doubting Mason

 

Every so often a Masonic book comes along that catches my attention. One such title just made itself known to me. I generally do not warm to books that fit the genre that offers daily or in this case weekly Wisdom. Books that purport to offer a gem a day usually lose me by day two. This book is different. First of all, it doesn't really offer "a gem a day" and as the title suggests it offers doubt.  WEEKLY MASONIC DOUBTS: A pocket companion of squarely critical ponderings for the 21st century by István Horváth is well worth your time.

 To begin with, in the beginning of the book he offers two quotes. The second of them is what told me before the book even began that this was going to be a good read. 

"Let Masonry use the pen and the printing-press in the free State against the Demagogue; in the Despotism against the Tyrant." - Albert Pike

That is a very relevent observation today,

Brother Horváth manages to cut through the usual noise to pinpoint some very significant if obvious truths which most masons tend to ignore. One of these truths is that there are multiple Freemasonries in the world rather than one. He also notes that it should give us pause for thought that an institution that prides itself as being the most tolerant fraternity in the world cannot get the two major branches of their institution to talk to each other and respect each other.

This book is in part about looking at ourselves as masons, warts and all. Go read it.

CROSSING INTO SPIRIT

CROSSING INTO SPIRIT: A  Bootcamp for Espiritismo Cruzado

In a little over 1 week I will be beginning another four week mini-course on Espiritismo Cruzado. This hasn't been offered in over a year and is not likely going to be repeated anytime soon. There are no prerequisites for taking the course. 

Unlike other materials on the subject, this course offers both history and practice.

The classes will be in a lecture format and available online. There will also be a chat feature that will allow for discussion during the month (asynchronously). The course will consist of four one hour lectures, as follows:

1 - History. This will be an indepth history of the antecedents and developnent of Cuban Popular Espiritismo Cruzado, it's relation to other espiritismos and other religions.

2 - The detailed Structure and Pantheon of Espiritismo Cruzado.

 

3 - The basics of setting up an altar and how to attend to it, and it's spirits.

4 - Development and Study. A discussion of how one approaches spiritual development and practice within Espiritismo Cruzado.

The entire course will cost $300. Pm me in messengea for specific details or email me at eoghan.ballard@gmail.com . But don't delay.

 

A Rare Text in the History of the French Rite

A communication shared by Q.'. H.'. Joaquim Villalta:

 

I present this rarity edited in 2002 and currently out of print, of which the Academy of the V Order of the Universal Masonic Union of the Modern Rite has a copy as well as a digitized copy. This work is of great value for the documentation that it contributes in the process of re-founding the French Rite in the French "regular" Freemasonry in all its degrees thanks to the transmission received from the Supreme Council of Modern Rite of Brazil, and the exposition of said trajectory from the time of Girard to the transmission of the V Order in the time of Onías Neto, with its mutations, dissensions and events of all kinds. An essential book for scholars of the Modern French Rite.

Acerco este incunable editado en 2002 y fuera de venta actualmente, del que la Academia de la V Orden de la Unión Masónica Universal del Rito Moderno posee un ejemplar así como copia digitalizada. Esta obra es de gran valor por los documentos que aporta en el proceso de refundación del Rito Francés en la masonería "regular" francesa en todos sus grados merced a la transmisión recibida del Supremo Conselho do Rito Moderno del Brasil, y la exposición de dicha trayectoria desde la época de Girard hasta la transmisión de la V Orden en la época de Onías Neto, con sus mutaciones, disensos y eventos de todo tipo. Un libro imprescindible para estudiosos del Rito Francés de los Modernos.

Kelly Ranasinghe: On Masonic Diversity

As someone who participates in many Masonic groups online and on Facebook, I have on occasion asked myself why. The answer is that on occasion one meets an outstanding Brother whose insight renews both optimism and enthusiasm. One such Brother is Kelly Ranasinghe, of El Centro, California. He wrote a post that deserves to be shared and taken to heart. In fact, although specific to Freemasonry, the advice he offers is applicable to all areas of human interaction. Thank you, Brother Ranasinghe.

Kelly Ranasinghe is a Mason from California and past master of Imperial Valley Lodge 390. He currently serves as the Senior Warden of that Lodge. He was raised in San Diego Lodge 35 in 2010.

"Hey brothers, we need to talk about some racism and microaggressions against Masons of color and Masons who are not from western countries. We are all brothers here, but we may want to keep in mind:

1) Ritual is NOT the same everywhere and neither are obligations, degrees, ceremonies, and literally every other aspect of Masonry. Your Masonic experience is not indicative of everyone's experience, and the American Masonic experience is not universal. For example here in the Southwest, we sometimes do our rituals outside. Just across the border, our sister lodge in Mexicali has entirely different ritual more akin to a Commandery or appendant order. A few miles down the road in Yuma, people wear their aprons differently. All that happens within a few miles of us, so imagine what it is like when the distance is far greater.

2) English is not the lingua franca (pun intended) of Masonry or the world. In fact, it's tied with Mandarin for the most populous language with Hindi and Spanish coming in second. Remember that Brothers may be using English as a second language and be respectful. The way you speak and communicate in your jurisdiction may be socially and culturally different from other jurisdictions.

3) Telling people to "remember their obligation" when the basis of their offense is entirely subjective is called "gatekeeping" but not in the Masonic sense. Gatekeeping is bad. It is when you limit who can and cannot be part of a community or identity based on subjective and arbitrary rules, which often are racist, sexist, elitist, ableist, colorist or other similarly bad subjective judgment calls. Gatekeeping exists in every community, but should not exist in Masonry among people who are Masons. Said another way, it's a way of saying "you don't belong here."

4) Finally, remember that the way you act cordially and friendly is ENTIRELY different based on where you are, your age, your region, your job, and a hundred other dimensions of your identity and subcultures. A Mason in Virginia or Massachusetts is going to speak and communicate differently than me, who lives in the rural border community of South-eastern California. That's the beauty of Masonry, we pull together people who are from entirely different areas for common purposes.

So please, remember we are all walking a very long road to the East, and we ALL can use help to carry the load.

Peace brothers "

2nd Anniversary of the Letter of Porto

 JUNE 23, 2021

Second Anniversary of the "Letter of Porto" and of the 2nd International Academic Congress of the Modern Rite / French Rite

Today is the Second Anniversary of the preparation and signing of the "Letter of Porto" emanating from the 2nd International Academic Congress of Modern Rite - French Rite held on June 21, 22 and 23, 2019 with the logistical collaboration of the Sovereign Grand Chapter of Cavaleiros Rosa-Cruz of Portugal and of the UMURM (International Masonic Union of the Modern Rite) being open to all Masonic Powers.

This event was warmly welcomed by the Host and Co-Director of the Congress, the Very Illustrious Brother Belmiro de Sousa, Very Wise and Perfect Grand Venerable of the Sovereign Grand Chapter of Cavaleiros Rosa-Cruz of Portugal. Said act counted as Director of the Congress with Brother Joaquim Villalta (President of the International Academy of the Vª Order) and as Academic Director with Brother Víctor Guerra (President of the Circle of Studies of the Modern and French Rite “Roëttiers de Montaleau”), who were in charge of declaring it open, held at the Losófona University of Porto.

The congress had some extraordinary quality presentations covering such diverse fields, but at the same time intertwined, such as the historical, the symbolic, the sociological and obviously the reflective one on the evolution and prospective of the Modern Rite - French Rite whose values ​​remain in full force 21st century and that must be at the height of a free society tending to an ethical, moral, egalitarian and respectful improvement with the future of all humanity. Likewise, we had the pleasure of enjoying artistic musical interpretations, which interludes of pure gold, in charge of first-rate lyrical voices, reflected a careful organization in detail.

The presence of Illustrious Brothers and Sisters such as Jean-Pierre Duhal, Luigi Sorrento, Antonio Fonseca, Fabrizio Frigerio, Claudie Sorrento, Eric Decanis, Belmiro de Sousa, Rui Alburqueque, Olga Vallejo and Víctor Guerra, among other of the most relevant referential personalities of the French Rite / Modern Rite worldwide made their exhibitions and interventions of the highest level highly valued by some attendees who prevailed the reigning Masonic quality.

The Letter of Porto 2019 signed as the culmination of this Congress of Modern Rite - French Rite by members of the Vth Order from different countries and Masonic Powers, to which other Very Illustrious Brothers adhered whose physical presence was not possible for various reasons beyond their control. will, brings together the essence and the procedural framework that is still in full force. We remember with great gratitude the welcome of the hosts, the historical Sovereign Grand Chapter of Cavaleiros Rosa-Cruz of Portugal, of 1804, who appointed some of us Honorary Members of their Masonic Power, which flooded us with a feeling of infinite joy and healthy pride, aware that the Modern Rite - French Rite is very much alive and present in various continents, committed to working as a Union Center and a model of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, since it is the Universal heritage and property of all the Masonic faithful to the highest values ​​of the Order, above acronyms, cases or crude messianic attitudes that claim to be the sole guarantors.

This rich Masonic experience and experience of ethical-moral and intellectual growth, despite the pandemic that has hit the planet, generated an unstoppable push of constructive synergies, which has led us to successfully probe different methods of progress and interaction, and that It has given fruitful results on the Masonological level, and relational at all levels. With absolute certainty, we will soon begin to design and coordinate all the procedures leading up to our next meeting since the values ​​of the aforementioned "Charter of Porto" remain intact and its content is a radiant beacon and an example to be followed by its universal values ​​that all of us seek to emulate.

Joaquim Villalta, Vª Orden, Gr. ·. 9.

Director of the International Academy of the Vth Order - UMURM

Joaquim Villalta at 7:46 p. m.

Angels in Vermilion

Our intrepid entheomason has been hard at work. The results are at hand.  A new book by P. D. Newman, Freemason and author of what is arguably the most radical (not to mention interesting) book on Freemasonry ever  is availabee to grace your bookshelf.

Once considered the "Holy Grail" of hallucinogens, over the last quarter century, DMT has entered the public mind like never before. No longer a taboo topic to be discussed in the hushed tones among an esoteric elite, P.D. Newman's Angels In Vermilion traces the secret lineage of transmission, beginning with Elizabethan alchemists, Dr. John Dee and Sir Edward Kelley, winding through the Royal Society and Masonic fraternity, and leading all the way up to the nineteenth-century occult revival - and beyond. Fathoming Hell and soaring angelic, Newman leaves no stone unturned in his quest to uncover the hidden, hallucinatory history of the "Spirit Molecule," DMT.

As the publisher's site notes, "In Angels in Vermilion, Newman uncovers the story of the fabled red power known as the philosophers’ stone, while revealing a history of sorcerers, Freemason’s, con-men and alchemists. He makes a compelling argument for where the hallucinogenic powder might have come from as well as why it was such a jealously guarded secret."

More to follow!

Click here to buy the book!