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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Mar 12, 2005 1:09:03 GMT
If anyone knows Giovanni (fron Italy) on the TFM site I would suggest they advise him to post here.
He opened a contentious subject under "CoMasonry" there, which was immediately "locked" before any replies could put him right.
The subject concerned "womans' energy" or rather lack of it, in the initiatory process. Exactly the ignorant sort of comments closed minded individuals adhere to.
This subject really needs debating on this forum as we can all contribute, without fear or recriminations for the enlightenment of ALL.
I for one beleive that we cannot perform TRUE ceremonial without both Male & Female energies in a unifom mix,
COMMENTS PLEASE!
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Post by taylorsman on Mar 12, 2005 8:17:40 GMT
Could it be that the female energy is of a restorative, receptive, curative nature to counterbalance the male aspects? I agree that in any well balance system both are required , but where I feel that many of the political feminists fall into error is that they try to make women be more like men in business, politics, the workplace etc. We should accept that both genders have essential differences but consider these as Strengths not weaknesses.
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Post by a on Mar 12, 2005 8:23:59 GMT
Clearly with regard to ceremonial work I cannot comment.
But more generally balance is ever so important.
We, each and every one of us, have both masculine and feminine energy within us, and I guess that if this was all perfectly balanced then there would be little problem. But I would imagine that few people do have their masculine and feminine energies in balance, which means that a group of single sexed people, all invoking energies in a group (even if they don't realise that this is what they are doing), will I would imagine find it hard to achieve balanced growth.
I would imagine that, generally speaking, it would be much easier, to the power of several factors, for a comasonic Lodge to work effectively in this regard than a single sexed lodge.
And if you have a well balanced Lodge, performing skillful work, then I would imagine that the balanced outpouring of energies would be a real benefit to all. Though I can only imagine that it could also be quite exausting.
Regarding recriminations, I wonder how many realise that that the fear of recriminations is a fast route path direct to darkness and away from illumination.
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giovanni
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odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
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Post by giovanni on Mar 14, 2005 10:06:42 GMT
Thanks to all for giving me the opportunity to go on with the discussion. I know that this is a hard matter, since it is not "politically correct". Let me draw your attention on our symbols: sun and moon. Moon has a great influence on both i) mind (ascending) and ii) sexual apparatus (decreasing). The aureole of the saints is a symbol of their intellectual activity which was expanded to the utmost in the direction of the One. In the lodge, the secretary seat is under moon. Moon has a great influence on "water", menstruation and childbirthing. Psycology has demonstrated that we are what we think and viceversa: we cannot separate mind from body. Energy is thus a mixed result of feeling, sexual desire, mental activity: in other words, a whole. When I say that our rites excite our energies, I refer to my experience: how many times I entered in lodge with headache and I went out without it! Of course, we do a sublimation: we let this energy flow and then we soothe it. Tthis did not happen in the past, in Dyonisiac mysteries, which ended with the (ritual) orgy. Since this may no more happen, male and female - in my opinion - cannot work together in a masonic way.
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Post by taylorsman on Mar 14, 2005 10:28:01 GMT
Thanks for your comments Giovanni. On this Forum you can post freely and develop your argument. Only abusive postings will be deleted, so please continue.
I have to differ from Hubert, I do NOT personally consider your points to be ignorant, but neither do I necessarily agree with you either. I will be interested to see how this thread develops and hope it does so both without misplaced "humour", racour, or vulgarity.
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Mar 14, 2005 18:21:34 GMT
Wow !!!!
Explosive stuff !!!
Good post Gio and it will be interesting if Russell is tempted back on this one.
I know Ruff will love this
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Mar 15, 2005 5:09:25 GMT
Welcome Giovanni, I'm pleased to see your comments. Maybe "ignorant" was rather too strong a word, but I constantly come accross people who claim only men can handle certain energies. This to me is totally irrational, THE CREATIVE SOURCE is certainly androgeonous and hermaphroditic, in that it encompasses ALL energies. We MEN have both masculine & feminine attributes flowing thru' us. For perfect ritualistic work, which for me is what Freemasonry is all about, there MUST be a balance, -To raise Kundalini, Ida & Pingali entwine the central CORE, which is sexless. We need too learn to BALANCE that energy to properly activate it. That is why so many go wrong in the attempt! Real mixed masonry NEVER considers ORGIES, as we are there for a HIGHER purpose. The balance required in the entwined serpents is just that sublimation of our "little" wants into the "spiritual" awareness symbolised by the Caduceus.
Freemasonry was established to lead Society into a better/altuistic mode, the height of which is to work together (man & woman) without any form of discrimination. The male explores HIS female energy, The female HER masculine!
I'm sure there is much more for all forum members to contribute, which I encourage with all my heart, as I seek no controlling voice or opinion, merely the enlightenment and benefit of all.
My views & understanding will be enriched & defined by all your inputs.
WHGW, Hubert
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Post by middlepillar on Mar 15, 2005 12:42:03 GMT
I have only experienced Female energy in a meeting once before, this was a soothing experience, I do not feel I am qualified to comment on this interesting subject, but I will just add my observation on this 'one' meeting.
I was being 'initiated' into an order that is open to both male and female, I was completely unaware who was in the room/temple (Blindfolded) when I am blindfolded I have always been completely relaxed and try to attune in with my other senses, and on this occasion I was amazed at what I was feeling, and I only found out the reason why at the end of the ceremony (75% is conducted blinfolded). I could feel a very real calmness in the temple, and it was definately emanating from the Lady. Absolutely nothing sexual at all.
Like I said I have no other experience or comment to make, I look forward to where this topic goes.
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Post by a on Mar 15, 2005 13:32:48 GMT
on this occasion I was amazed at what I was feeling, and I only found out the reason why at the end of the ceremony (75% is conducted blinfolded). I could feel a very real calmness in the temple, and it was definately emanating from the Lady. Absolutely nothing sexual at all. From calmness can solid structures emerge, flawless from the stresses of more turbulent regrowth. Middlepillar, you say that the calmness was emanating from the lady. Was the "Lodge" able to balance and harmonise the energies, or were they still distinctly individual as you have indicated?
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Post by whistler on Mar 15, 2005 18:28:19 GMT
I have difficulty with this one. My masonry is genderless. It is using the combined energy of my fellow Co-masons, on the earth plain, and those in the higher realms. working towards the light.
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Post by Yoki on Mar 19, 2005 7:34:26 GMT
We live within a realm of duality, good bad, hot cold, male female each balances the other and without one how would we be able to know and experience the other. With out hot how would we know what cold was? Giovanni your use of the sun and moon is interesting as they represents male and female energies the sun male the moon female. These symbols gives some balance to your lodge just as physical males and females working in harmony create a greater balance within a Co Masonic lodge and that without the use of a ritual orgy. What I would like to know is why do you think this can only happen Masonicly with said orgy. Let me assure you Giovanni and any one else that women's energy are strong and potent we are the creators of the human race but we can not as yet do it alone it needs two just as two sorts of energy create a marvellous outflow of power that adds humankind. Females can draw hold and direct universal power just as readily as their male counterparts and despite eons of patriarchal propaganda saying that they can not, have always and continue to do so. This is demonstrated among female healers, those who practice Wicca, modern Priestess (myself) and many more female partitioners and light workers.
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ricardo
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Post by ricardo on Mar 25, 2005 16:44:34 GMT
I would like to welcome Bro.Giovanni. I read his first message on this thread with great interest.
Bro. Giovanni, how important is alchemy in your tradition of Freemasonry? Which Grand Lodge are you a member of? I visited several Lodges under the Grand Orient of Italy in 1998 and greatly enjoyed the experience.
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giovanni
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Post by giovanni on Mar 25, 2005 22:21:05 GMT
Richard, I am happy for your message!
I belong to Grande Oriente d’Italia.
I answer your question, if Alchemy is important in our Tradition: YES. In Italy we had many famous alchemists: Leonardo da Vinci, Raimondo di Sangro, the Marquis of Palombara etc.. Even a Pope, St. Albertus Magnus! A particular mention is due to the Renaissance: Pico della Mirandola and the Florentine neoplatonics.
My interest in alchemy began nearly 10 yeares ago. I was initiated 20 ys. Ago, and I was a rationalist, full of certainties. Once a Brother gave me a book, “Aurora Consurgens”, which is probably the most difficult book I ever read. Not for the content itself, which is quite clear, but for its philosophy: as modern men we are son of Cartesius, we reason in terms of duality, material against spirit, whilst the book deals with the the symbols, or, rather, with the unique symbol, considered in its different aspects: botanic, architectural, mathematician, astrological… and human. In other words, the entire Universe, which is, literally, “turned towards the One” (Latin = Uni-versus).
In my lodge we work at esoteric level, but I don’t stress alchemy at all. I think that this goal must be achieved by each Brother in due time. There is no hurry, and I noticed that some Brethren will never get it. I give them stimuli: if they want, they can deepen this item, if and when they are ready.
My passion is “spiritual” alchemy, which was indeed a “proto-psychoanalysis”. If you can, read “Kabbalah and Alchemy”, a book written by Arturo Schwarz. I suppose that you can get the English edition. I had the great luck to meet a brother who introduced me to these themes. He practises “vegetal alchemy” (spagyria) and is a keen astrologist. We meet together in the Rite we chose, Rito Simbolico Italiano, which has no higher degrees than the 3rd one.
At your disposal for further clarifications!
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ricardo
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Post by ricardo on Mar 26, 2005 5:59:33 GMT
Bro. Giovanni,
Many thanks for your detailed reply. I will certainly look out for the book you mentioned. I have an old history by Sherwood Taylor, and a recent dictionary written in light-hearted style by an English lady - I forget her name at present.
I am a PM of Leonardo da Vinci Lodge #238 in the GL of South Australia & NT. We have an English translation of the Italian Symbolic Ritual. The Lodge has been rehearsing the Opening and Closing in English in the First or EA degree, to demonstrate to the Grand Lodge Ritual Committee in July. We hope to be allowed to open and close thereafter using this ritual in English trnaslation, rather than the standard South Australian ritual which is largely based on Emulation. It will take a lot of practice for us to work the EA and other degrees using an English translation of the Italian Symbolic ritual!
I would like to obtain the Installation ceremony, in Italian and if possible in English translation.
Fraternal regards
Richard N
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Post by hollandr on Apr 24, 2005 7:20:47 GMT
Wow !!!! Explosive stuff !!! Good post Gio and it will be interesting if Russell is tempted back on this one. I know Ruff will love this Hello Lee I have not been reading this thread so here is a late post. I was in Co-M with my then wife. We went through together, with me one position ahead - not my decision. So I was Senior Deacon when she was Junior. That seemed to work pretty well with floor work. And then I was in the Chair when she was WSW. That worked pretty well too. I have seen some good ritual using couples . Once in Co-M I saw the Master Elect take an obligation at the altar. Behind him stood an Indian man and his European wife holding hands and making mirror image FC signs. This seemed strong to me. The mirror image FC signs seemed to make a conduit and the red man and white wife was straight out of alchemy. I loved it. Another time, in AMORC, I was roped in as chanter in the South (intone vowel sounds for the brethren to imitate). I had arranged for the chantress in the North to visualise and intend herself as the Earth and I intended myself as Venus rising at the dawn singing to awaken the earth. The energy was really quite strong, and we got plenty of positive comment from the brethren, none of whom knew our inner ritual. In my own love life, I am repeatedly aware of higher entities taking part in proceedings producing strong energy flows on higher and lower levels some of which go out into the landscape. My ex-wife told me that she would invoke the god Pan to stand behind me if I was a bit lack lustre. He would put energy through me to her satisfaction. As in Masonry, there appear to be set grades in the inner polarity work. For example, Grail knight graduates to Swan knight to Grail lord. On the female side you might start as Handmaiden to the Great Mother and the next grade escapes me at present. These are my perceptions of the titles and not in any texts that I know So, my experience over many years in ritual and inner and outer events is that polarity is all the rage. Cheers Russell
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