‘Astronomical Symbolism in Freemasonry’

    

Ontario Masons’ education committee has an online presentation planned for Saturday night. The image above has all the info, but here’s more from the publicity:

Join us for a special evening in the Grand Lodge Masonic Education Speaker Series as we welcome Bro. John Badowski for a presentation titled “Astronomical Symbolism in Freemasonry.”

Drawing on nearly sixty years as an amateur astronomer, Bro. Badowski will explore the astronomical symbols found throughout Freemasonry and consider their possible meanings, origins, and connections to the ritual of the Craft. The presentation will examine such subjects as the seven stars, the Pleiades, the Northeast angle of the Lodge, seven-pointed stars, and the “bright morning star,” offering insight into how celestial imagery may have shaped Masonic symbolism over time.

This presentation will also mark Bro. Badowski’s 100th Masonic lecture.

This event is open to all. Click here to register.

Click here to enjoy any of the dozens of previous talks.

     

‘Parade of Planets heralds Publicity installation’

    

Let me now beg of you to observe, that the light of a Master Mason is but darkness visible, serving only to discover that gloom which rests on the prospect of futurity; it is that mysterious veil of darkness which the eye of human reason cannot penetrate, unless assisted by that light which is from above…

Charge of the Third Degree

The Perfect Ceremonies of Craft Masonry

1871

From where I now stand, just before sunrise, darkness visible is about all I get from looking skyward, as the impenetrable light pollution of the metropolitan area veils the heavens in artificial lumens. So, I can’t see the Parade of Planets currently on display.

Maybe you have better luck.

Still, the timing is impeccable. Later today, but well before sunset, my lodge will host its annual Installation of Officers. A celestial spectacle on the morning of our installation. Coincidence? I think not!

While I cannot attend this evening, I wish everyone all the best and a happy, successful year.

Astronomy is that Divine art by which we are taught to read the Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty of the Almighty Creator in those sacred pages, the Celestial hemisphere. Assisted by Astronomy, we may observe the motions, measure the distances, comprehend the magnitudes, and calculate the periods and Eclipses of the Heavenly Bodies. By it we learn the use of the Globes, the system of the World, and the primary laws of Nature, and while we are employed in the study of this science, we may perceive unparalleled instances of wisdom and goodness, and on every hand may trace the Glorious Author by His works.

Ibid.,

Second Lecture, Fourth Section

     

‘St. John’s Day planet alignment’

    

New York Post of June 8.

I’ve been watching the skies in recent weeks, enjoying the visibility of Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, which is remarkable given the light pollution around here. I didn’t know an alignment was in the offing, but today I read how in fact six of our nearest celestial neighbors presented themselves linearly today, St. John’s Day.

Read all about it at space.com.

Despite the Second Degree’s encouragement to study astronomy, I don’t know what this means.

Maybe I’ll play the lottery.

     

‘Don’t look AT, but look for the eclipse on the 21st’

     
On Monday, August 21, a solar eclipse will be visible across the continental United States. It will look different depending on where and when one sees it.

Here’s how NASA explains it in less than a minute.