‘Wear your apron on the inside’

    

“Finally, Brethren, be ye all of one mind; live in peace, and may the God of love and peace delight to dwell with and bless you!”

 

The Harris Charge, delivered at the close of the lodge

Congratulations to Columbia Lodge 1190 on hosting this morning’s enlightening and energizing Zoom meeting for a discussion of the meaning of “egregore.” Worshipful Master Les Joynes welcomed RW Bro. Christophe Lobry-Boulanger, Grand Sword Bearer of our Grand Lodge and a Past Master of France La Clémente Amitié Cosmopolite Lodge 410 in the Tenth Manhattan District, who discussed “Unveiling the Egregore: Exploring the Collective Consciousness in Freemasonry.” Columbia 1190 meets on Saturdays, so the timing of these monthly sessions isn’t odd.

This term “egregore” Christophe described is “a mostly Western European concept.” And, yes, I hear it seldomly in our Anglo-American Masonic tradition. When it is employed, it’s not used effectively—is meant synonymously with ambiance or character of a lodge. I think to the minds of most Masons here, egregore is a term that rightly belongs to other paths, such as Theosophy and Martinism, and yet we speak of it incessantly, albeit indirectly, in our lodges. What makes you a Mason? Your obligations. The oaths are what you promise the GAOTU, but those obligations are vows to your brethren.

Christophe Lobry-Boulanger

Christophe led us to a deeper meaning. Egregore has a “mystic sense,” he explained, because it is a non-physical entity, a “group mind” as like Rousseau’s political thought of the “general will” or “collective will” among people. (My ears perked up when he spoke of ways to achieve it, saying education is a “binding and bonding element.”)

Egregore is a French word, but it originates in the Greek egrḗgoros, meaning to be awake or to be a watcher. Christophe referred us to the Book of Enoch for further understanding, but I leave that to you.

The point is, the Masonic egregore is born in our shared virtue and morality. When he says “wear your apron on the inside,” he means the ritual garment we wear outside the suit jacket is just a symbol, and that it should point to what’s in your heart. When we all are of one mind that way, we have the Masonic egregore.

The brethren’s comments at the end of the 75-minute meeting were fitting and stimulating. If your lodge isn’t having conversations like this, speak up. Do something. Even reach out to brethren from other lodges, if necessary, who can discuss the meaning of Masonry.

     

‘A History of Calendars’

    

I have been remiss in helping publicize the activities of the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library, but let me begin again. Next Thursday, one of the Assistant Grand Lecturers of the Tenth Manhattan District will present “A History of Calendars” in an online discussion.

VW Bro. Christophe Lobry-Boulanger will lead us through the chronology of…well, chronology. From calendars of the ancient world to medieval times and onward, with explanation of solar, lunar, and other systems, our lecturer will tell us why we mark the days as we do.

This will begin at seven o’clock and can be seen on YouTube. Make your reservation here.

Anne Frank Center

VW Bro. Christophe Lobry-Boulanger is a Past Master of La Loge France La Clemente Amitie Cosmopolite 410, one of our francophone lodges here in Manhattan. Without the temple, Bro. Christophe serves his fellow man by laboring in humanitarian relief around the world under the auspices of the United Nations. I leave it to you to internet search his name, but it seems to me he is a Mason we all can admire.

Suddenly I crave a chardonnay champagne.