Thursday, May 31, 2012

Odunde 2012

What is the ODUNDE festival?

 ODUNDE attracts UP TO 500,000 people annually and is one of the largest community- based street  festivals held in the United States. The festival, whose concept originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa, celebrates the coming of another year for African Americans and Africanized people around the world.  It is an occasion highlighted by a colorful procession from  23rd and South Streets to the Schuylkill River where an offering of  fruit and flowers is made to Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of the river.  ODUNDE is also known for its authentic African  marketplace featuring vendors from around the  world selling merchandise  from many African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil.
       
Each year, the second Sunday in June, ODUNDE, one of the nations oldest African American street festivals takes place.  ODUNDE will be celebrating its 37TH year in its traditional south Philadelphia location near 23rd and South streets. The festival started in 1975 with a $100.00 grant and neighbors from Fernandez's South Philadelphia community.  In two years the ODUNDE Festival exploded.  The eclectic mix of vendors, entertainment and music started to draw people from around and beyond the region and each year continues to be no different.  


ODUNDE is not only one of the nation's oldest African American street festivals, it is one of the nation's largest street festivals of any kind.  The area of the festival, including the hundreds of vendors covers over 12 city blocks. The attendees come not only from Philadelphia and the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, but fully a third of the attendees come from further away. It is phenomenal. This year there will be a special emphasis on events and entertainment connected with Bahia, Brazil. 

Special Events include: Coffee Tasting next week at Reading Terminal Market...Coffee from Bahia, and AMMA choclate...organic choclate from Bahia... In honor of 100 years of Jorge Amado who wrote about coffee, "numa xicara de cafe, pode-se colocar a beleza do mundo. Numa xicara de cafe, pode -se sentir o sabor amargo e doce da vida ... in a cup of coffee, one can put all the beauty in the world...in a cup of coffee, one can feel the bitter and sweet taste of life. " Salve Jorge....June 7th..come have coffee.


Special Thanks to Dr. Ken Dossar, Suzana Silva, and Julio Casoy whose hard work helped to bring many Brazilian dignitaries and FIFA World Cup officials to the City of Philadelphia this year!!!!

Friday, May 25, 2012

A Cerneau Rite Research Yahoo Group


The Cerneau Rite Yahoo Group: Masonic Education for the Rest of Us!

For those of you who might not be familiar with the name of Joseph Cerneau, he was the victim of the nastiest smear campaign probably ever launched in the United States. To read what the illustrious but sometimes problematic Albert Pike had to say about him, one might be forgiven for thinking he was the demon seed. Unfortunately, Pike was as wrong and as biased about Cerneau as was humanly possible. This is particularly unfortunate as he has become practically the only viewpoint permitted in polite company on the subject here in the U.S.A.

But don't take Pike's word on the subject, and don't take mine, either. I may be right, but in the service of healthy discussion, and because while to pit myself against Albert Pike as the source of masonic truth may in this case be justifiable, it is far and away too immodest. I certainly wouldn't compare myself to Albert Pike, even after several single malts and the best Cuban Maduro.

In all honesty, while I think that to say that Pike was factually challenged about Cerneau is an understatement, I am not writing this blog entry to blast Pike, whom I find a fascinating figure in his own right. Rather, my intent is to raise a little attention for two subjects of which I am fond.  They are interrelated. That is to say, they are both part of my fascination with Joseph Cerneau, the Freemason who is almost more despised in North America than Morgan.


Masons really ought to think twice about Cerneau and his role in the Development of Freemasonry in the Americas, because he was every bit as important as Pike, and perhaps even a little more so. At any rate, his influence during his own lifetime extended geographically much further than did Pike's. And, Pike's spleen not withstanding, he was a pretty good Mason. One who died, by the way, penniless and disenchanted by the ugliness of Masonic politics, back in his native France.

That brings me to the main focus of this entry, the work of another good Mason.  Pat King is a thoughtful and studious mason. He founded a Yahoo group 9 years ago, back in May of 2003 to discuss research and other information concerning Cerneauism and the history and memorabilia of the Cerneau Rite. His approach was to let the actual history speak for itself, rather than to further promote the vindictive chatter of the Goliath who slew David, or in this case, Joseph. Bro. Pat actually is much more even handed in discussing the subject than I am being in this post, and he welcomes any and all opposing viewpoints. My approach here, is of course, intended to bait my readers and maybe get them curious enough to check out Bro. Pat's quiet and more objective little group. The serious scholarship that this group hosts, thanks in large part to Pat King, deserves a lot more attention.

Bro. Pat has taken the rational view that since all of the principles in the original debate are moldering together in the clay, perhaps it is time to take an honest look at some old masonic history.

He notes, in one of the earliest posts in the group, what the original fight was all about.

"The crux of the battle between the NMJ and the Cerneaus was a "control issue". The NMJ (and all other current SR Supreme Councils)functions on an autocratic or hirerarchical system. The Actives select the new Actives and no one has a say but Actives. Its a "closed shop". The Cerneau Supreme Grand Council (1880's) was a representative body composed of delegates from every chartered body. It met in the 32' so all could attend. It was representational like our Grand Lodge. The Supreme Council 33' was an appendant body which only controlled thatdegree and had no say in governing the Rite in general.

Bringing it closer to home, ET Carson wanted to keep the AASR in Ohio "under his thumb". There were Lodges of Perfection, Councils P of J and Chapters Rose Croix around Ohio.....but only one Consistory 32' - in Cincinnati (his home). This accounts for the disparity in charter dates around Ohio between the bodies 4-18 and those 19-32. In fact, there was not another AASR NMJ Consistory chartered in Ohio until after the "Cerneau wars" broke out. (Which was in Cleveland, btw).

To put it simply....you could not be a 32nd unless you travelled to Cincinnati and got Carson's approval. That's the way he wanted it. (Talk about "anal-retentive" !!)

The Active 33rds (NMJ) of that era styled themselves "Sovereigns of Masonry" and God Forbid someone introduce democracy into their little kingdom. It was, indeed, "a tempest in a teapot" for the percentage of SR members to blue Lodge membership was quite small (smaller than that ratio today).

The Cerneau Supreme Grand Council, on the other hand, regularly chartered all four bodies in one location at a time. They also got closer to the people in that places like Newark, Felicity, Bucyrus and Upper Sandusky had bodies as well as Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Toledo.

It is interesting to note that at one time the Cerneau SR outnumbered the NMJ SR in Ohio. Carson was desperate and resorted to desperate (and dishonorable) methods. Had he not succeeded in his perfidy, we would all be Cerneau SR Masons today.

Now there's an interesting thought.......

- Pat"

It should further be noted that in the rest of the Americas, Joseph Cerneau is viewed as a father figure for Freemasonry in general. He founded the first Lodge in 19th Century Cuba, and in spite of the absurd suggestions of Pike and his masonic offspring, he was exiled from Cuba for no other reason than that he was French and had been active in Haitian Freemasonry. At that time, no more was needed for the Spanish authorities to banish you, a fate he shared with many other innocent fellow nationals. Today he is viewed with respect as the father of not only Cuban Freemasonry, but of masonry in much of South America. He actually initiated Simon Bolívar and made him a 33° Mason.


Pat King typifies what is best about any variety of Freemasonry. He is thoughtful, fair, and unafraid to speak the truth, which he does with gentleness and usually with more diplomacy than the subject deserves. If this has whetted your appetite, go visit Pat King's quiet Kingdom in Yahoo Groups. You have to be a Master Mason to join, but I don't think it matters whether you are a member of the Southern Jurisdiction, the Northern Jurisdiction, or a Cerneauite or only a local blue lodge. He's a good man and a better mason. Go on, support him! The group is simply called "Cerneau - Cerneau Masonic Research."

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Gran Logia de Cuba - Museo Nacional Masónico

Gran Logia de Cuba - Museo Nacional Masónico


Recently I've discovered an interesting series of videos - a brief video tour of the National Masonic Museum at the Grand Lodge of Cuba in Havana. I'd like to share them here to help expand the familiarity with the Masonic presence in Cuba and its involvement in Cuban history. This is part of the Hedge Mason's ongoing efforts to assist North American Freemasons become more familiar with Masonry in other countries and of other varieties than their own, part of the ongoing attempt to dissolve the walls that unfortunately divide us, and can only do us harm.  I hope you will enjoy them. 


Gran Logia de Cuba Video Pt. 1: 




Gran Logia de Cuba Video Pt. 2:





Gran Logia de Cuba Video Pt. 3:

 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

international interdisciplinary conference to honour Professor Lauri Honko (1932–2002)


Call for Panels and Papers – 1st Announcement

The Departments of Folkloristics and Comparative Religion at the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, together with the Donner Institute, are organizing an international interdisciplinary conference to honour the work of Professor Lauri Honko (1932–2002)

THE ROLE OF THEORY IN FOLKLORISTICS AND COMPARATIVE RELIGION
21–23 August 2013
University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University, Finland

Lauri Honko’s research interests covered a vast area, both theoretically and methodologically. He elaborated methods in the tradition-ecological perspective, applied sociological role theory to folklore research, guided the debate on theories of genre, fostered research on cultural identity, and developed methods of folkloristic fieldwork and data archiving. The aim of this conference is to bring together and discuss the new developments, tendencies and theoretical innovations within the areas Honko contributed to.

Suggestions for possible approaches include:

Genre theory
- Genre as a tool of research in the study of religions
- Comparative research on epics
- Genre from the point of view of communication and performance
- The development of genre and the new genres

Functions and ecology of tradition today
- Meanings and uses of folk religion and folklore
- Ecological viewpoints on tradition
- The rite theory
- Variation and context

Tradition processes
- Tradition and cultural identity
- Safeguarding and cultural heritage
- Research ethics
- Epics and their use

The plenary speakers of the conference are:  Regina Bendix, Göttingen University; Marion Bowman, The Open University; Matti Kamppinen, University of Turku;  Håkan Rydving, University of Bergen; Joseph Mbele, St Olaf College; Viveka Rai, University of Würzburg.

The language of the conference is English.

Timetable:
Call for papers, deadline 31 March 2013
Registration, deadline 31 May 2013

For more information, please visit the conference website at: <http://www.honko_conference.utu.fi/> (this will open soon)
Additional information: <honko-conference@utu.fi>

Organisers:
Department of Folkloristics, University of Turku
Department of Comparative Religion, University of Turku
Department of Folkloristics, Åbo Akademi University
Department of Comparative Religion, Åbo Akademi University
The Donner Institute for Research in Religious and Cultural History

In collaboration with:
Kalevala Institute
Folklore Fellows Communications
Temenos. Nordic Journal of Comparative Religion
The Finnish Society for the Study of Religion

The Organising Committee:
Prof. Pekka Hakamies, University of Turku, Chairman
Editorial Secretary Maria Vasenkari, Kalevala Institute, Conference Secretary
Dr Pasi Enges, University of Turku
Prof. Ulrika Wolf-Knuts, Åbo Akademi University
Prof. Peter Nynäs, Åbo Akademi University
Docent Tore Ahlbäck, Donner Institute
Docent Tiina Mahlamäki, University of Turku
University lector Dr Jan Svanberg, Åbo Akademi University
Researcher Dr Sofie Strandén-Backa, Åbo Akademi University
Researcher Merja Leppälahti, University of Turku
Researcher Tuomas Hovi, University of Turku
Researcher Jaana Kouri, University of Turku
Researcher Dr Kirsi Hänninen, University of Turku


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

2012 Esoteric Book Conference


The 2012 Esoteric Book Conference in Seattle, Washington.

The Esoteric Book Conference will take place at the Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Center is conveniently located in the core of the city of Seattle, within easy walking distance of hotels, restaurants and other amenities. With the highest number of book stores per capita in the United States, Seattle is an ideal place to exhibit, promote and discuss esoteric books and related publishing concerns.
Tickets are required to attend the presentations. The Book Fair, and Art Show are Free and open to the public.

Deluxe Tickets ($120) include Saturday and Sunday presentations at the Seattle Center and an exclusive invitation to the Saturday night performances, where you can sociale with conference attendees and share libations with many of the presenters, book vendors and artists featured at the Esoteric Book Conference. You must be 21 or over to attend the event. Deluxe Admission holders will also receive a special gift, to be announced at a later date.

Standard Admission ($80) includes Saturday and Sunday presentations at the Seattle center.

A Day Pass ($50) entitles you to attend either Saturday OR Sunday presentations.
Deluxe Upgrades ($40) are intended for vendors or conference volunteers, who wish to upgrade their Standard ticket to a Deluxe. They include the Saturday night performance portion of our event and are available on a first come, first-served basis due to limited availability. Day pass admissions may also purchase the upgrade. They DO NOT qualify as standalone tickets, they only serve to upgrade an existing Standard Admission.


http://esotericbookconference.com/

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Announcement of the 2012 Assembly of the GLSE


Announcement of the 2012 ASSEMBLY Ortஃ Valladolid

The Assembly for 2012 of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Spain will be held on Saturday June 2, 2012 in Valladolid. The Ortஃ de Valladolid. RஃLஃ Indivisible no 51 will host the event.

Deputies are invited as representatives of the RஃRஃLஃLஃ and Brothers and Sisters of the GஃLஃSஃEஃ

Please stay tuned for more information.

Supreme Council of the Mixed Modern French Rite of Belgium

January of this year saw the creation of the Supreme Council of the Mixed Modern French Rite of  Belgium,  which is linked to the UMURM

This past January 21, 2012, several Belgian Brothers, members of the V° Order of the Modern French Rite have constitued the Suprême Conseil Mixte du Rite Moderne Français pour la Belgique.

Assembling under it are three chapters: Le Prince de Ligne, founded in 1984 in the valley of Brussels, the Chapter Les Chevaliers de la lumiere in the valley of Mons and the Chapter Diogene Chercheuir de la Lumiere in the valley of Wavre.


The Supreme Council of the Mixed Modern French Rite of Belgium is led by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General Jean van Win.


Thanks to Bro. John Slifko


Thanks to Bro. Victor Guerra who is Director de la Academia Internacional del V° Orden del Rito Moderno/ UMURM.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Dame Frances Yates Chapter of the Modern French Rite

Dame Frances Yates a Sovereign Chapter of the Modern French Rite, Valley of Los Angeles in California, USA | The Modern French Rite | Scoop.it
Dame Frances Yates a Sovereign Chapter of the Modern French Rite, Valley of Los Angeles in California, USA

The Dame Frances Yates Chapter of the Modern French Rite working in the Valley of Los Angeles affirms the wisdom and global relevance of the Charter of Barcelona declared with wide international participation on June 12, 2011 in Spain. The Chapter argues the declaration in Barcelona, and other communiques, are of central importance in preparing the way for the introduction of the Modern French Rite, the Rite of Foundation, to North America in the 21st Century.

Dame Frances Amelia Yates (1899-1961) was an English historian who taught for many years at the Warburg Institute of the University of London. She wrote on the occult and Neoplatonic philosophies of the Renaissance. Geordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition and The Rosicrucian Enlightenment are among her major works.    



Thanks to Bro. John Slifko

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Masonic Conference in Haiti

Masonic conference at Jerusalem Masonic lodge # 38

May 17, 2012, a masonic conference will be held at the Masonic Lodge # 38 Jerusalem Street HI 24, Cap-Haitien on the theme  of  "Spirituality and Society"
This conference is presented by Maître Bell Cherub:  former delegate and North County Director General of Ministry of Interior and local government of Haiti under the government of Jean Bertrand Aristide from  2003 to 2004.

NB: 1 - The conference will be held at 4:00 PM at the enclosure of this said lodge located in the HI 24 street in Cap-Haitien.

2 to 18 May 2012 it would be a book day with broadcasting documentaries from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Grande conférence maçonnique à la loge Jérusalem #38

17 Mai 2012, une grande conférence maçonnique aura lieu à la loge Jérusalem #38 de la rue 24 H-I, à Cap-Haïtien avec thème: " Spiritualité et Société "

Cette conférence sera présentée par Mtre Bell Angelot .'. ancien délégué départemental du Nord et ex directeur général du ministère de l'intérieur et de collectivité territoriale d'Haïti sous le gouvernement de Jean Bertrand Aristide des années 2003 - 2004.

N.B: 1- Cette conférence aura lieu à 4:00 PM à l'enceinte de cette dite loge sise à la rue 24 H-I à Cap-Haïtien.

2- 18 Mai 2012 ce serait une journée du livre avec diffusion de documentaires de 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Mèsi anpil, frè Sony Pascal Mondestin

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Rosicrucian Chapter of Léman, Valley of Geneva

Tuesday, May 15, 2012, Jean van Win, SGIG SCM of the French Rite for Belgium  announced the establishment of The Rose Croix Chapter of Léman, Valley of Geneva on April 21st this year, 2012, as follows: 

 The Supreme Council Meeting of FMR for Belgium has affiliated with and added to the number of its chapters the sovereign Swiss Joint Chapter of the French Rite "The Rosy Cross Lake Geneva, in the valley of Geneva, Switzerland" This chapter is considered a full member of our jurisdiction. It retains the habits and customs of its own, in the French Rite, while adhering unreservedly to the Charter of UMURM, of which it is now part. This Belgian membership will continue until The Rosy Cross Lake Geneva deems to have been able, with the active assistance of our Supreme Belgian, to create a sufficient number of chapters to be either General Grand Chapter, either by Council or Sublime or by the Supreme Council for Switzerland. We are confident in our valleys of Brussels, Mons and Wavre, that your respective jurisdictions will take to heart, in your valley, a triple battery particularly warm in honor of this happy meeting with Sisters and Brothers of Switzerland.

Thank you for your attention, my SS and my FF.
Semper Fidelis!
Jean van Win SGIG the SCM of the French Rite for Belgium

http://unionmasonicauniversalritomoderno.blogspot.com/

Gracias a Victor Guerra ஃ

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Scottish Rite Symposium in Havana, Cuba


International Symposium
"Freemasonry and Integration in Contemporary Society"

Sept. 12 - 15, 2012  Hotel Meliá Cohíba – Havana - Cuba
The Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for the Republic of Cuba and its subordinate bodies, with the collaboration of the Grand Lodge of Cuba, AL and A.M., is creating a space for dialogue on strategic topics to ensure the relevance of Masonry in contemporary societycalling on all Regular Masons of the Globe and scholars of cultural, social, scientific and environmental disciplines who engage issues related  to the tenets of Masonry.






THEMES

I. Current and future perspectives of Masonry in the context of culture.
                 a. Mission and vision in the cultural debate.
                 b. Role of Freemasonry as an expression of  cultural identity.
                 cPosition in defense of diversity and cultural influence.
                 d. New challenges for the enrichment of the Traditions.
II. Guidelines and priorities in the forefront against the challenges of scientific and technological development.
                  a. Computer and internet.
                  b. Biology and biotechnology.
                  cothers
III. Freemasonry and Society.
                 a. Global socio-economic problems.
                 b. Financial crisis. Its impact.               
                 c
Imbalance between developed and developing countries.
IV. Masonry against the deterioration of the environment.                 
                  a.
 Urgent measures to global population growth.
                  b. Global warming and its consequences.
                  cPreservation of flora and fauna.
Basis of the Symposium
1 - Topic: no more than 15 (fifteen) and not less than 6 (six) pages A4 type12 point Arial, single spaced and one-half (1 1/2), margins: 2 cm (left) and 1 , 5 cm(top, right and bottom). The paper should express the theme or sub theme, title and author (or authors). The structure must conform to the following academic format: introduction, development, conclusions and recommendations, as well as the literature consulted (in standard formauthor last name and initial-name, title, publisher and year, chapters, headings and pages)Must be sent in digital format (Word), in the author's original language and in Spanish.
2 - Summary: No more than 250 words, written in Arial 12 point, 1.5 spacing (1 1/2 lines.) The abstract should include the objective of the work and keywords. Be sent in digital format (Word), the author's original language and Spanish.
3 - Presentation time: 15 (fifteen) minutes of presentation and 10 (ten) of debate. 
4 - Format of work: plenary.5 - can be presented original papers have been published.
Additionally include as an attachment the following:
A. Name of
 author (s).
B. Nation, Masonic Obedience and highest grade reached.
C. If not a mason: Personal datasynthesis of the academic curriculum and country
D.Logistical or technical requirements for exposure.E. Language to be used in the exhibition.
Deadline for paper submissions is July 10, 2012 at 24:00 hours. 
All submissions or requests for further information should be sent to
 the event's official address:

 simposio.supremo33.cuba@gmail.com

The working languages ​​of the event will be Spanish and English. Depending on the participation of large delegations other working languages may be incorporated.
Papers
 will not be returned to the authors and the Organizing Committee reserves the right to publication. The Scientific Committee is not responsible for the opinions of the authors and will not consider papers reflect partisan positions on political or religious matters.
Les saluda Fraternalmente                                                                 
I.P.H. Lázaro Faustino Cuesta Valdés
Soberano Gran Comendador
Supremo Consejo del Grado 33° para la República de Cuba


Saturday, May 5, 2012

Research Lodge Theorema No. 36


The Rஃ Lஃ Theorema No. 36 is constituted as a Lodge of Research within La Gran Logia Simbolíca Española (GLSE-GOEU) for the purpose of studying hermeneutics, semiotics and the psychological aspects of the Masonic Method, its iconography and rituals, as well as symbolism in general.

Also within their means and according to the needs of Spanish Freemasonry, Lodge Theorema aims to:




1. Develop and promote work in the field of history, sociology, philosophy, ethics and education, as contributions to Masonic thought.
2. Conduct studies on the condition of human life on the planet.
3. Conduct outreach and biographical studies of the life and work of Masons      who have attained the status of persons of interest or are role models as a result of their accomplishments.
4. Organizing Conferences, Seminars, Courses and Symposia on any of the matters referred to in the above points, and the
publication of Minutes and Papers on them.
5. Establish relations with other Research Lodges.
6. Constitute a Masonic library.

No Research Lodge meets regularly for ritual since most of the research work is performed by its members individually. No Research Lodge performs lodge initiations, and members must be people who are teachers in active Masons lodge elsewhere. However, Theorema will hold a meeting at least once a year and develop its work in the Aஃ Aஃ Sஃ Rஃ as the rite of the Grand Lodge with each brother or sister using the apron and the insignia of his home lodge.


Theorema Members during a meeting in 2011.
The Rஃ Lஃ Theorema No. 36 adopted as its logo the Pythagorean theorem, which presents the development of the sides of a triangle into a square. These squares, in turn, are checkered black and white tiles. The hypotenuse is the base of the triangle, the lower leg is on the left and the higher on the right. The white squares of the square building on the lower leg are five in number and the hypotenuse of the twelve in number. At the bottom of this geometric construction is the word Theorema, written in Greek characters as well: Θεορεμα.



The Rஃ Lஃ THEOREMA No. 36 is open to men and women.

Theorema on Facebook

Theorema: Tres Puntos