‘The beauty of math at The Met’

     

The Invention of the Compass (Plate 2) – Second plate from a print series titled New Inventions of Modern Times, engraved by Jan Collaert I, after Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus, and published by Philips Galle. Illustration of man working with a compass at his desk in a large room. On the right side of the room is a bed. There is another desk with other books and geographical tools. To the man’s left a dog lies on the floor. Hanging from the ceiling is a model ship. The window in the background provides a view of boats sailing in the ocean and people walking along the beach.

“A Point is the beginning of all geometrical matter. A Line is a continuation of the same. A Superfices has length and breadth without a given thickness. A Solid has length and breadth with a given thickness, which forms a cube and comprehends the whole.”

Middle Chamber Lecture
Fellow Craft Degree


Through May 8, the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibits a collection of drawings, prints, and other works that celebrate, as the Middle Chamber Lecture phrases it, “the powers and properties of magnitudes in general, where length, breadth, and thickness are considered. From a point to a line from a line to a superfices, and from a superfices to a solid.”

“Picturing Math” is a collection of art created by ten mathematicians and scientists spanning 500 years. From the publicity:

“The visualization of mathematics has taken many forms since the advent of printing. Animated by tensions between the abstract and the figural, the geometric and the gestural, these works from The Met collection show how artists from the 15th century to contemporary times have engaged in the creation and communication of mathematical knowledge through the use and production of images.”

All images courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art. Click to enlarge.

Francesco Curti, “Garden of Mathematical Sciences,”

(engraving, Italy, 17th century).

Johann Sadeler I, “Geometria,” (from The Seven Liberal Arts,
after Maerten de Vos, 1570-1600, engraving and etching).

Georges Reverdy, “The Architect,” (etching, France, 1529-57).

“Plate 24: Geometria XXIIII,” from E-Series Tarocchi Cards,

(engraving, Italy, 15th century).

Albrecht Dürer, Underweysung der messung mit dem zirckel un richt scheyt, printed by Hieronymus Andreae, called Formschneyder, (woodcut in book, 1525).

Peter Flötner, “Perspectival Drawing with Three Cubes,”

(pen and black ink, brush and grey wash, 1528).

Underweissung der Proportzion und stellung der possen, designed by Erhard Schön, printed by Christoff Zell, bound by William Chatto, (woodcuts in book, 1538).

     

‘The conference has a contest’

     

Courtesy COGMNA

The Conference of Grand Masters of North America was held a few weeks ago, and evidently one of the ideas that sprung forth was of an essay contest on the subject of Masonic Renewal. The details are popping up on social media. After reading Rule No. 2, the inventive sentence structure, punctuation, syntax, grammar, and other oddities in the message are even harder to gloss over—actually, just look at No. 3. I won’t edit any of this to make it professional, but I’m willing to share it here in case someone wants to explain to the grand masters that the answers to Masonic Renewal are found in the rituals, lectures, charges, etc. of the Craft degrees, and have been promulgated excitedly by the Knights of the North, Masonic Society, Masonic Restoration Foundation, and others for years. I better not say more.


Competition Rules

1) There will be one category open to all Masons of North America regardless of age, race, religion, ethnicity with this year’s competition.

2) Entries in this essay competition must be titled, “Concept of Masonic Renewal – What does it mean to you now and in the future?” While the content of the essay is of primary concern, proper grammar and spelling will also be factors in the judging.

3) Each entrant must be an active Mason in good standing of the competition and the deadline for submission, with his Masonic lodge.

4) The essay must be an original work by the entrant and must be 1000 to 1500 words. The absolute minimum or maximum number of words must be observed.

5) Prizes will be awarded for first place, second and third places, respectively, solely at the discretion of the judging panel.

6) All entries must be typed, double-spaced and must be submitted electronically using the word.doc format. The author’s name, address, phone number, e-mail address, lodge name and jurisdiction (Grand Lodge) must be the only items on the cover page.

7) Only one essay will be accepted from each author.

8) All essays must be received by the Secretary William H. Berman, PGM of New Jersey, of the Masonic Renewal Committee at mrcessaysubmission@gmail.com no later than November 30, 2017. A national judging panel will be established through the offices of the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction. At all levels of judging, the panelists will not know the name of the author or home jurisdiction.

9) Prize winners will be informed by mail and appropriate presentations of prize checks made. The announcement of prize winners will be made at the 2018 Conference of Grand Masters in Indianapolis, IN. The Masonic Renewal Committee of North America reserves the right to publish winning essays in appropriate publications. All essays become the property of the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America.

10) Previous winners of the essay competition will not be considered for another prize.

THE MASONIC RENEWAL COMMITTEE OF THE CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS OF NORTH AMERICA

2017 David R. Bedwell Memorial Masonic Renewal Essay Competition

Sponsored by The Masonic Renewal Committee of North America in collaboration with the Conference of Grand Masters of North America

Interested in Winning some cash? The Essay Competition awards to the three top levels:
Champion- $1500
2nd Place- $1000
3rd Place- $500

Turn that spare time into cash…express your feelings on a thought provoking issue…use your computer skills…and walk away a winner!

2017 ESSAY THEME

“Concept of Masonic Renewal – What does it mean to you now and in the future?”

Yours thoughts in conveying about the concept of Masonic Renewal are needed by the Masonic Renewal Committee to reunite and re-generate our efforts to revitalize Freemasonry. The MRC Committee has in the past published the following resources to assist Lodges in their efforts to revitalize Masonry in their Lodges: 101+ Ways to Improve Interest and Attendance in Your Masonic Lodge; 150+ Ways to Involve Your Lodge with the Family and in the Community; Leadership Development Program and recently a Leaders Resource Handbook. These publications are available and in use by Lodges today. Also, in the 1990’s, the Committee was instrumental in the collection of data about Masonry and the profane. This survey was very useful by Grand Lodges and Lodges to pinpoint and concentrate efforts to expand the knowledge of the profane about Freemasonry.

Enter the 2017 Masonic Renewal Essay Competition and share your thoughts and ideas on the theme: “Concept of Masonic Renewal – What does it mean to you now and in the future?”

WHAT IS Masonic Renewal?

The Masonic Renewal Committee (MRC) of Canada, the United States and Mexico is charted by the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, Inc. Its purpose is to facilitate the innovative endeavors of Masonic Jurisdictions as they strive to move the Craft forward. To do this, the MRC draws on the expertise of a number of Past Grand Masters as well as representatives from the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions of the Scottish Rite and Shriners International. In addition, the MRC gathers information provided by a growing number of contacts from within various Masonic Jurisdictions. This way, the MRC is able to collect information from both the top down and grassroots sources of Masonic development. The reason why the MRC collects and organizes this information is so the innovative efforts of lodges, Grand Lodges, committees and so forth are able to be researched and viewed so other Masons do not waste time, energy and resources reinventing the wheel. In addition, it will serve as a means to give credit to those efforts and help inspire others to follow.
     

‘Illumination Lodge (UD)’

     
RW Bro. Ted Harrison is leading an effort to lend purpose to this newfangled trend of bringing teenagers into Freemasonry with an approach I can agree with, so I thought I should promote it here.

While I disagree, for reasons I think are obvious, with the growing movement in American Freemasonry to lower the minimum age for initiation to 18, in New York there now is a plan to make it worthwhile for the fraternity to make that change. I still don’t want to sit in lodge with teenagers, but I’ve been an admirer from afar of the United Grand Lodge of England’s Universities Scheme, and I like the idea of New York Freemasonry attempting something similar, although this endeavor is not quite the same thing. (As an aside, years ago I tried to work with my alma mater’s alumni relations department, which was working to organize “affinity clubs,” to create a Masonic club for NYU people, but to no avail.) Ted circulated an e-mail yesterday on the subject:

Courtesy CUNY

“Some of you may be aware that, at our last Grand Lodge session, a motion was passed to lower the admission age to 18. Since then, the Grand Master has formed the Fraternity on Campus Committee which was tasked to establish lodges to be dedicated to serving specific institutions of higher learning, and identifying young men who are interested in Freemasonry and facilitating a safe environment for them to learn and grow. After months of meetings and planning, the Committee is finally ready to start working on a lodge under dispensation which will cater to City University of New York students. Any alumni, faculty, or staff from any CUNY institution, who wishes to take part in this historic event and become founding members of this lodge, are encouraged to contact the committee here.”
     

‘A singular surprise at Masonic Week’

     
I better get to the Masonic Week coverage, although there won’t be much this time because I attended only three functions before heading home too early on account of a medical concern. So, I attended The Masonic Society’s ninth annual banquet, the Society of Blue Friars 73rd annual Consistory, and the Grand College of Rites’ annual meeting. But this edition of The Magpie Mason concerns the Allied Masonic Degrees meeting on Saturday, by which time I was well on my way home, where Bro. Mohamad was honored with a singular surprise.

I was there in 2002 at the former Hotel Washington when Grand Master James Olmstead inaugurated the Marvin Edward Fowler Award as his final action in office, presenting it to Herb Fisher (MVGM of AMD in 1981). Olmstead designed the glass piece, having a gentle green hue added to symbolize AMD beyond the fraternity’s emblem and wording on the surface of the beveled glass. It is awarded, and not necessarily meant to be given every year, to those designated by the grand master in thanks for outstanding service to the fraternity. Its namesake had died just two months before our meeting in Washington, DC. Marvin Fowler was one of those Masons who provided backbone to American Freemasonry, having served as grand master of AMD and grand master of the Grand Lodge of Washington, DC, and was a VIP in many other apartments of the Temple. He is remembered as one of the Masons who ensured the Masonic Week (then known as AMD Weekend) tradition continued through the years as chairman of the planning committee. He had been around for some time, having been coroneted at 33° Scottish Rite Mason back in 1943! (He was made a Mason at age 22.) I did not know him; in addition to the age difference, I was still somewhat new to AMD in 2002. Nevertheless, I felt it was a pretty emotional moment when the award was revealed to the brethren present, and its first recipient was asked to approach the East to accept it. Fowler’s son Ed was junior grand warden of the Grand Council of AMD at the time too, adding more fraternal warmth to the occasion.

Courtesy Moises Gomez

Fast forward 15 years, and it is Bro. Mohamad’s turn. Here he is, at left, receiving the award from outgoing Grand Master Lawrence Tucker.

One unusual detail: Mohamad is a past master of Atlas-Pythagoras Masonic Lodge 10 in New Jersey. There are three other Fowler Award honorees who have links to the lodge. First, of course, is Thurman Pace, who served as grand master of AMD in 1994. In addition—and I had no idea of this until Bro. Moises Gomez pointed it out in the lodge’s March trestleboard—two honorary members of A-P 10 have received it: James M. Ward, past grand master of Mississippi (2004), and William R. Logan, past grand master of South Carolina (2016).

Congratulations, Mohamad! In addition to being proud to be your friend, I am in awe of your commitment to Freemasonry, and enjoy watching the tokens of esteem come to you.
     

‘300: Freemasonry’s Legacy, Freemasonry’s Future’

     
Unless I’m particularly out of touch, which is not impossible, I’ve been missing announcements one might expect to see of Masonic celebrations of the tercentennial celebration of the London revival. June 24 is the date. It lands on a Saturday this year, so I’m thinking the timing is perfect for a weekend of commemoration—swinging from the reflective to the raucous.

But, again, I’m failing to see any announcement of a party, except of course for the United Grand Lodge of England’s widespread events...

And The Masonic Roundtable’s plans. From the publicity:

300: Freemasonry’s Legacy,

Freemasonry’s Future

June 23-24

Friday, June 23:
Early arrivals and registration ■ Masonic tours of DC and surrounding area (TBD)
7 p.m. dinner at local restaurant (TBD) ■ Agenda to be revealed as details emerge!

Saturday, June 24:
George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Notable Masonic speakers highlighting the past and future of Freemasonry! ■ Trivia games with Prizes, Prizes, Prizes! ■ Masonic vendors! ■ Fellowship! Much more coming soon!!!

Get your tickets here. Sales end June 1. Early Bird Ticket: $99.00 + $3.47 fee.


I congratulate these Freemasons for getting something going. Unless something materializes in New York, I think I’ll be there.
     

‘AQC volumes on sale at Lewis’

     

I don’t know how to say “Prices so low we’re practically giving it all away!” in Latin, but Lewis Masonic is now selling recent editions of Ars Quatuor Coronatorum for three bucks each. Both softcover and hardcover copies.

You’re welcome.

These are the annual books of transactions of Quatuor Coronati 2076 that are provided to members of QCCC Ltd.

Lots of other great stuff to buy also, of course.
     

‘Masonic fine arts festival coming to Virginia’

     
Ah, the first day of Spring is near, but looking ahead already to Autumn we see the Association of Masonic Arts will hold its second Apollo Festival, a celebration of the fine arts in Freemasonry. From the publicity:

We are beyond excited to announce that the Association of Masonic Arts will be holding the second Apollo Festival, a gathering of international Masonic Artists, from September 28 through October 1 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

The greatest Masonic artists from around the world all in one place. We hope to see you there!


And:

Courtesy Henry W. Coil Library & Museum

Apollo, as depicted on the frontispiece

of Anderson’s Constitutions of 1723.

In the history of the Freemasonry, Apollo appeared on the frontispiece of the Masonic Constitution from 1723, engraved by our extraordinarily talented Brother John Pine.

In honor of our beginning and all reach symbolism related to Apollo, we decided to choose Apollo for symbolic presentation and patron of the World Festival of Masonic Arts.

The first Festival of Masonic Arts was hosted by Grand Orient of Brazil from 15th to 20th of September 2015 in the capital Brasilia. It was organized under the personal patronage of MW Marcos Jose da Sylva, with the invaluable help of our Grand Ambassador RW Brother Paulo Alves Koo, and Honorable Ambassadors Jose Arimateia Soares de Almeida, Jose Eduardo de Miranda, and thousands of Brazilian brethren, supporting the Festival.

Do visit the Association’s website to learn more about this, and to see the lengthy, and presumably impressive, roster of participants. And get to Alexandria to enjoy this festival! Judging from the international presence of the Association’s membership, there is no telling where future events will be held, so take advantage of the convenience of attending in Virginia.

     

‘Masonic March madness!’

     
There are so many great things for the thinking Freemason to do this month! Check out some of these events within the apartments of the Temple and without.

Thursday, March 2 – Washington Lodge 21 in the First Manhattan District will meet at 7 p.m. in the French Doric Room on the tenth floor of Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan). Program: A lecture on American Talmudist and Washington Lodge Brother Israel Baer Kursheedt given by the lodge’s own W. Bro. Tessler.

Friday, March 3 – New York Open Center will host an open house with a discussion of Esoteric Quest at 7:30 p.m. Free admission. 22 East 30th Street in Manhattan. From the publicity:

The Open Center’s Esoteric Quest conferences have now run for over 21 years and are some of the world’s leading events on the Western spiritual paths. We invite you to join us for an informative and engaging evening in which we will briefly review the remarkable history of the Quests and look forward to the upcoming Esoteric Quest in the Western Isles of Scotland in August. The Outer Hebrides in the North Atlantic are where Celtic and Norse cultures mingled, where megalithic standing stones dot the landscape of the isles of Lewis and Harris, and where big skies, mountain vistas, and the ever present rolling sea provide the context for our thirteenth Quest. Join us for a convivial and entertaining evening. All are welcome.

Friday, March 3 – The Gurdjieff Foundation of New York will hold a new introductory session at 6:30 p.m. in the lecture hall at Quest Bookshop. Details here:

Click to enlarge.

Sunday, March 5 – The School of Practical Philosophy will present a new Plato Study Day titled “Plato’s Path to Prosperity.” Click here.

Sunday, March 5 – Anthroposophy NYC will present Anne Keller-de Wild, who will present “The Five Temperments: An Open Secret, Continued.” Details here.

Tuesday, March 7 – My favorite chapter of Piers Vaughan’s latest book concerns the Archangel Raphael, and on this night the Scottish Rite Valley of New York City will host Piers (33°, MSA, PMWM, etc.) for a reading of this very chapter and a book-signing. Details here:

Click to enlarge.

Wednesday, March 8 – Mariners Lodge 67 in the First Manhattan District will meet at 7 p.m. in the Doric Room on the eighth floor of Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan). Program: Voyage into Mystery Chapter X: “Secret Origins of the Illuminati” presented by Josef Wages. From the publicity:

Who were the Illuminati? Why was it formed? Is there a connection to Freemasonry? Does it still exist, and is it behind the “New World Order?”

Bro. Josef Wages is a famed Masonic author who is one of the principal editors of the book The Secret School of Wisdom: The Authentic Ritual and Doctrines of the Illuminati. (Copies of the book and Illuminati jewelry will be available for sale.) Open to Apprentices and Fellows.

Program will be followed by Mariner’s legendary maritime-themed Festive Board at 9 p.m. Reservations are a must. Click here.

Friday, March 10 – The Fourth Manhattan District (my home) will host a Grand Lecturer’s Convention. These are amazing happenings. Bro. Richard Kessler, the Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer, will discuss a certain aspect of the meaning of Masonry. A real treat, especially for those of us new to New York Freemasonry and are unaccustomed to knowing Grand Lodge officers who can discuss Freemasonry brilliantly. At Masonic Hall: 71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan.

Saturday, March 11 – New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786 will host the Magpie Mason! A Past Master of the lodge, I will tender my first presentation to the brethren in a really long time. Titled “Question Everything (And Answer as Best You Can),” I’ll recount the history of Masonic education, and explain how attainable an advancement in Masonic knowledge really is, even for the timid seeker.

We meet at Hightstown-Apollo Lodge 41 in Hightstown.

Thursday, March 16 – The inimitable Andrew Hammer, president of the Masonic Restoration Foundation and author of Observing the Craft, will present the 2017 Wendell K. Walker Lecture, hosted by Independent Royal Arch Lodge 2 in the First Manhattan District. All info on this flier:

Click to enlarge.

Thursday, March 16 – The Mythology Roundtable of New York will meet for Mesopotamian Mythology Class at Brooklyn Brainery at 8:15 p.m. From the publicity:

Mesopotamia, the ancient “Land Between Two Rivers” in present day Iraq, was home to many different gods. Though less-well known today than the pantheons of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, the gods of Mesopotamia had just as many grand adventures, big personalities and poignant observations on the human condition. We know them today thanks to a rich ancient literature, including the famous “Epic of Gilgamesh,” the first example of written epic poetry in world history.

In this class, we’ll meet the most important gods of Mesopotamia: tempestuous Inanna (the original femme fatale), wise Enki, monster-slaying Ninurta, and many more. We’ll hear the story of the great “two-thirds divine” hero Gilgamesh and uncover the original context of familiar names like Ishtar and Lilith. We’ll also learn how these gods were worshipped, and how the worship affected history, up to and including the modern world.

This class is a general introduction to the myths and legends of Mesopotamia. No previous knowledge of the subject matter is required.

Friday, March 17 – Atlas-Pythagoras Masonic Lodge 10 in New Jersey will welcome back Past Prestonian Lecturer (2014) Michael Kearsley, who will speak on “1814 Consolidation and Change: The First Year of the United Grand Lodge of England.” Details here:

Click to enlarge.

Saturday, March 18 – The Rose Circle Research Foundation will bring renowned scholar, author, Freemason, Fama translator, etc. Christopher McIntosh back to the lectern to present “New Light on the Golden Dawn.” From the publicity:

In the founding of the 19th century English occult society the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a key role was played by an alleged German Rosicrucian adept named Fräulein Anna Sprengel, who had the magical motto Sapiens Dominabitur Astris (the wise person overcomes their stars). In this lecture, historian Christopher McIntosh reveals a sensational discovery he made about Fräulein Sprengel, and speaks about its significance for the history of the Golden Dawn.

Ticketing information is still to come.

Saturday, March 18 – A great day is in store at the Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge in Elizabethtown. The publicity:

Click to enlarge.

Monday, March 20 – The Rosicrucian Order will host a celebration of the Spring Equinox. If you’ve ever wondered about your harmonious relationship among your fellow man, nature, and deity, here’s a great opportunity to learn from the Grand Master. 6:30 p.m. at the Rosicrucian Cultural Center at 2303 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. in Manhattan.

Saturday, March 25 – The C.G. Jung Foundation will present a daylong seminar led by Michael Conforti, Ph.D. titled “Time of the Forgotten: Trauma, Memory, and Healing.” Details here.

Monday, March 27 – The Mythology Roundtable of New York will meet to discuss the new issue of Parabola magazine, “The Search for Meaning,” at 6:15 p.m. in the Kristine Mann Library at the C.G. Jung Foundation. 28 East 39th Street (fourth floor) in Manhattan. A mandatory reading assignment to prepare for the discussion.

Wednesday, March 29 – I don’t know what is going on with The American Lodge of Research. It hasn’t published a book in about six years. I haven’t received a mailing in two or three years. The website is gone. The Yahoo! Group is effectively shut down. At Masonic Week a couple of weeks ago, a past officer confided the lodge is basically dead, and yet its Faceypage still hints at activity. A meeting on this evening with RW Pierre de Ravel d’Esclapon, a Fellow of the lodge, presenting “The Vatican and Freemasonry: A History of Misunderstanding?” Eight o’clock in the Jacobean Room in Masonic Hall.

Thursday, March 30 – The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library’s lecture series will continue with DeMolay International Grand Master Bill Sardone speaking on Jacques DeMolay. 6:30 p.m. at Masonic Hall in NYC.

And in April…

Saturday, April 1 – QUEST XXXVII at Scottish Rite Masonic Hall in Rockville Centre, New York. 9 a.m. “A Way of Life.” See flier below:

Click to enlarge.

Wednesday, April 5 – RW Hammer returns to New York City for a great Table Lodge:

Thursday, April 6 – The Scottish Rite Valley of New York City will host its annual Feast of the Paschal Lamb, with Ill. Richard Kessler, 33° delivering the address. This Past Most Wise Master will be there! Details here:

Click to enlarge.

     

‘Tracing Boards and the Ancient Mysteries’

     
Angel Millar will return to the lectern at the Livingston Library’s lecture series this month. From the publicity:

Courtesy Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library

Masonic Tracing Boards

and the Ancient Mysteries

Thursday, February 23

6:30 p.m.

Chancellor Robert R. Livingston

Masonic Library

71 W. 23rd Street, 14th floor

Join us for another fascinating lecture! This month we are featuring renowned artist and author Angel Millar, who will be displaying some of his new tracing boards and discussing their symbolism. In particular, he will focus on the history of the symbols of the Craft and their significance for personal and spiritual development.

Free admission. RSVP here.
Photo ID required to enter Masonic Hall.
Suggested attire: business casual.
White wine will be served!
     

‘His soul is with the saints, I trust’

     

The Knight’s Tomb
Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Where is the grave of Sir Arthur O’Kellyn?
Where may the grave of that good man be?—
By the side of a spring, on the breast of Helvellyn,
Under the twigs of a young birch tree!
The oak that in summer was sweet to hear,
And rustled its leaves in the fall of the year,
And whistled and roared in the winter alone,
Is gone,—and the birch in its stead is grown.—
The Knight’s bones are dust,
And his good sword rust;—
His soul is with the saints, I trust.

You never want to associate a trip to the Philadelphia Masonic Temple with a sad memory, but it was there last evening, in historic Lodge No. 2, meeting in Egyptian Hall, where we said our goodbyes to our friend and brother. The Pennsylvania Masonic ritual, unsurprisingly, is very effective in this regard.

This panel, on the southeast wall of Egyptian Hall, of course is highly appropriate for the funerary service. Here we see Anubis embalming Osiris. The ankh, symbolizing eternal life, would be pressed to the lips of the deceased to impart the Breath of Life needed in the afterlife.