‘Led Zeppelin: Alchemical Quartet’

    

This just in: Alaska’s research lodge will meet Saturday via videoconference for a talk on symbolism and music. From the publicity:

Led Zeppelin:

The Alchemical Quartet

Saturday, October 3

Noon Eastern

Academia Lux Borealis Lodge 25

Click here

What does Led Zeppelin have to do with Masonry? It doesn’t. However, some of their songs contain some exceptional symbolism and allegory. MW Bro. John May will present “Led Zeppelin: The Alchemical Quartet.”

This presentation is geared toward those brethren who struggle with symbolism and allegory. Come enjoy this musical journey and some new insights into symbolism and allegory through a contemporary and, perhaps, a more familiar lens.

This series is open to all Master Masons.

Last Friday was the 46th anniversary of the death of Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, which caused the dissolution of the group. I remember learning of this over breakfast the following day, listening to Paul Harvey’s early morning broadcast. All these years later, I marvel at how singer Robert Plant is, far as I’m concerned, the only star from the sixties who remains creative and relevant in this second quarter of the 21st century.

     

‘Lodge ◆ Arch ◆ Crypt ◆ Temple’

    

Academia Lux Borealis Lodge 25, the research lodge laboring in the Grand Lodge of Alaska, has a series of discussions on the York Rite planned for the coming weeks. From the publicity:

Academia Lux Borealis and Alaska York Rite present The Quarry, The Arch, The Crypt, and The Temple.

Join us for a four-part presentation that will encompass the hidden history, esoteric design, and organization of the York Rite/American Rite of Freemasonry. Open forum questions and discussions will follow the presentations.

Join online here.

The Quarry

Saturday, June 27

Noon, Eastern Daylight Time

The Arch

Saturday, July 11

Noon, EDT

The Crypt

Saturday July 25

Noon, EDT

The Temple

Saturday, August 8

Noon, EDT

Otherwise, the lodge will meet Wednesday, July 22 for its regular communication at 11 p.m. Eastern. VW Bro. Nick Adair and MW Bro. John May will lead and moderate the discussion “Morality.” 

Looking ahead to September, the lodge will meet for its tenth annual Autumn Retreat, on the weekend of the eighteenth, at Tonsina River Lodge.

     

‘The Knight-Scholars are at labor’

    

Belated congratulations to the brethren of Academia Lux Borealis 25, the lodge of Masonic research and education chartered early this year by the Grand Lodge of Alaska.

This grand jurisdiction has the smallest membership in the United States, with 1,377 accounted in 2023, yet the 665,000 square miles of The Last Frontier make it the largest state in our country. Unsurprisingly, this lodge meets online, monthly on fourth Wednesdays at 7 p.m. local time. So the coming meeting, for example, will be next Wednesday at three o’clock Eastern.

By Travis Simpkins

The lodge’s website conveys the inspiring story of how ALB came into existence, which you can read here. Secretary John May is a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and current Grand Treasurer too, suggesting it’s good to have friends in high places.

But not every gathering is virtual; the brethren meet in person on weekends. In spring and fall, they congregate for their retreats; the Autumnal Retreat was last weekend, in fact. The rules say due and timely notice is disseminated to the brethren ninety days in advance; reply is required; and a request to be excused is mandatory for those who cannot attend.

From the bylaws. Click to enlarge.

Keeping everything simple is a great way to meet on the Level. Setting annual dues at $175 should bolster participation.

Perhaps the most revealing page on the lodge’s website provides the Obligation:

Obligation of Academia Lux Borealis

Darkness gathers and my labor, my quest now begins.

I will be chivalrous, inquisitive, and righteous.

I will take the less traveled, mysterious paths.

I will be without fear in the face of ignorance, tyranny, and fanaticism.

I will always seek and speak the truth, even if it leads to my death.

I shall cast off ego, wear no crowns, and win no glory.

I will live and die at my labors.

I am he that builds, maintains, and sustains the Temple.

I bring Light to the darkness.

I am the sword and shield that guards the Craft, the dawn that wakes the sleepers, a Knight-Scholar of Alaska.

I am the fire that burns against the cold, of the Light that brings enlightenment, the quill and candle of knowledge.

I obligate my labors, my quest to the glory of the Great Creator, henceforth.

It shall not end until my death.