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Post by middlepillar on Jun 10, 2006 22:06:11 GMT
This is a quick Post to thank Cora and all the brothers & sisters of Lodge Amen Ra (I think thats right?) For hosting The Open St Johns Ceremony.
I had the pleasure of attending the 'open' part of the day, which reminded me a little of a White table do! Except this time I was on the outside! I will leave the other members of this Forum to post thier thought if they wish!
Cora gave a very interesting talk on the History of Le Droit Humane and also of the Lodge itself, you know I absolutely love seeing people talk who are passionate about thier subject mix that with a certain amount of nerves (understandably) from our host and you will get a perfect picture! Cora your talk was really superb!
The Lodge then carried out the Ceremony of St John which was a very short and beautiful ceremony, opened the floor for questions and comments and The IPM? then gave his interpretation of the ceremony, this again was a very well read and delivered piece on his own interpretation.
All the visitors were kicked out and The Lodge closed (It would of been lovely to of stayed!) Everyone then moved downstairs for refreshments. A really lovely afternoon, it must of been good because I did not think of football once!
I then had the added bonus of being shown the museum and old memorabillia (Including Annie Beasants 33rd Degree sash!) by Susanna (32nd Degree) This really was a fantastic experience.
Cora, many thanks for inviting us and I hope your Lodge continues to grow and be successful. And more importantly I hope you continue your masonic Journey! (Please give your husband my very best wishes and good luck in whatever he decides to do!)
Sincerely & fraternally
Chris
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Post by taylorsman on Jun 10, 2006 22:23:35 GMT
I too was there and like Bro MP I had a most entertaining and educational afternoon, followed by a very enjoyable meal. I too hope, Cora, that your husband will join you in Lodge Amen-Ra when he feels it is right for him so to do.
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Post by Garuda on Jun 11, 2006 9:58:05 GMT
Very enjoyable day at Lodge Light of Amen-Ra No.717, which promps me to ask Should UGLE recognise Co-Masons. After my experience yesterday, I would vote yes.
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Post by corab on Jun 11, 2006 11:20:19 GMT
Hi guys,
Thank you for your kind words -- I'm blushing behind my monitor here (though not as much as when my RWM introduced my talk, yesterday ;D)
It was brilliant to have you there, and MP -- you and Simon missed (and were missed at) a wonderful meal; we had a brilliant time comparing notes and enjoying the opportunity to get to know the person behind the moniker/email address.
It's a pity you guys couldn't attend the Lodge meeting; I'm sure you would've have enjoyed it -- esp. when the SD couldn't for the life of him to get that blasted candle to light, a theme which, as you have noticed, was repeated during the open ceremony! ;D St John's it may have been, but the Fire sure as heck was playing silly buggers!
As for Patrick -- he struggles with the same thing that kept me from joining for so long; the requirement of the SB. It takes time to get your head around that and learn to see beyond the word in order to recognise the universal principle underlying it. We'll see. I think Steve's tale of stewardship was enough to push him very firmly in the direction of LDH, though*G*
With fraternal love, and HGW,
Cora
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Post by taylorsman on Jun 11, 2006 11:49:47 GMT
Garuda, I second that unconditionally!
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Post by a on Jun 11, 2006 12:49:20 GMT
And the mountains begin to move....
Exciting times.
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Post by corab on Jun 11, 2006 14:07:24 GMT
And the mountains begin to move.... Exciting times. I hope with all my heart you are right there, Stewart. If one such a look in each other's proverbial kitchen can open hearts and eyes like that, imagine what could be achieved if Lodges throughout the world and of all obediences would host public events and welcome Brethren from different obediences. To stay with the culinary theme -- each obedience may come with its own unique flavouring, but essentially the recipe is the same. It would be good if the Grand Chefs could recognise that although the dish may be differently flavoured, it is no threat to their own varieties. Here's to moving mountains! With fraternal love, Cora
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Post by a on Jun 11, 2006 14:43:34 GMT
Cora
Freemasonry in our world is going through a process leading to it flourishing once again. There are difficulties but as more and more of the darkness that has weadled its way into the fraternities is being made visible (recognising problems is the first step to dealing with them, and often the most difficult step), more and more hearts will open further, and the will to take positive steps forward will strengthen. At this stage moving mountains will be easy, and all the Masonic world, and indeed the wider world, will benefit enormously.
The crystal is charging and showing brief glimpses of its illumination.
Keep up the good work Cora, you are shining bright.
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Post by corab on Jun 11, 2006 15:02:32 GMT
Keep up the good work Cora, you are shining bright. Thank you, Stewart ;D As I said in my PoA, yesterday: When a candidate comes to a Lodge to seek admission to the Order, he is keenly aware of being in the dark; he knows not what lies ahead, yet he wishes to be received in it. It is that Light within that fires that yearning to understand, and be a Light unto others.
And Light is what the Freemason is – the Light of Universal Brotherhood.
Here, on this hallowed ground we stand shoulder to shoulder and call each other Brother, regardless of faith, gender, race or age. And when we leave this room, we take that attitude with us into the world outside, treating all men and women as our equals in the hope and conviction that one day, maybe not in our lifetime, mankind will unite at last and wage war no more; a world at peace, in full and just union of its resources.My Lodge's motto is "The Light is within you; let the Light shine". May we all take that to heart, and let our Light shine. With fraternal love, Cora
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Post by a on Jun 11, 2006 15:27:52 GMT
in the hope and conviction that one day, maybe not in our lifetime, mankind will unite at last and wage war no more; a world at peace, in full and just union of its resources. Well the war bit does worry me, for I can see man taking his warring habits into space, but that said a strong defense is necessary. Apart from that this moment in time, is one moment where "that one day" you mention, could happen in our lifetime. The carrot is that this time is one of those rare moments where we really can touch what we seek, and the stick of a rapidly changing natural environment on Earth to help us get there. Will the human race find its humanity in time? I don't know, but I dearly hope so. But without the Guardians of Light leading the way, and resolving age old conflicts, illuminating more strongly will remain rather difficult. Or in mundane terms if Freemasons can't come together in harmony, be tolerant, search for truth etc etc then what hope has the rest of humanity? It is really nice to see the magnificant work that you and your Lodge have done here. Exciting times.
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Post by corab on Jun 11, 2006 15:35:37 GMT
Or in mundane terms if Freemasons can't come together in harmony, be tolerant, search for truth etc etc then what hope has the rest of humanity? We are coming together; if anything yesterday was a solid indication of that. But just like the desire to be a Freemason must first be born in the heart, any real change in the way things are at the moment must come from within -- and I believe my Lodge, in its own humble way, has delivered an important contribution to that, yesterday. I know, and I insanely proud of my Lodge right now ;D ;D ;D With fraternal love, Cora
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Post by atarnaris on Jun 11, 2006 16:56:23 GMT
I too enjoyed my visit and was privileged to a very special ceremony.
My first impression was that the Temple was very Egyptian-influenced (Stewart Edwards salivating). I don't know how thw ritual goes but I would be interested to see whether this influence continued its presence within the rituals.
The Temple was beautifully decorated; I cannot say it was better than a male-only Lodge as I tend to love our Lodges, but I can definetely say it was different! It had a more feminine touch. There were more female than male members and I think that is to be expected. The female Brethren were dressed in a majestic white robe and I think that touched me a lot.I still do not understand why we dressed in black. However, some female members were dressed in black.
I have some questions for the learned Brethren?
Could such a ritual (St John's) be used in a UGLE Lodge, and what would it take to introduce that? Apparently the LDH Lodges have a similar special winter ritual (correct me if I am wrong?!) for the soltice.
I too vote for recognition of LDH from UGLE. We are either all equal Brethren under the One God or not.
However, I do not know how I would feel if I saw women in an UGLE Lodge. It is not because I would not like them there, but it is because of the way I visualize our Lodges being male only. An LDH Lodge has a different energy to a UGLE and maybe a female member would disturb that. However, I would welcome a male LDH member and that is why I beleive recognition should be granted.
And I don't know whether the LDH members would have an interest to visit a UGLE lodge as our ritual must be a cut-down, stripped off edition of their ritual....
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Post by a on Jun 11, 2006 17:24:50 GMT
My first impression was that the Temple was very Egyptian-influenced (Stewart Edwards salivating). Andrew, try to sense it/feel the magnetism. You could always ask LDH to help you. You could write to your Grand Secretaries office and hope that the upcoming Grand Secretary sees the value of the strength this would add. As you currently don't have a Grand Secretary you could always write and explain the need to Lord Northampton. But most importantly - talk - encourage thought - amongst your brothers. Make that man Grand Secretary!! Andrew this does not sit easily with your comment above.
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Post by corab on Jun 11, 2006 17:28:55 GMT
Hi Andrew, I too enjoyed my visit and was privileged to a very special ceremony. It was an unexpected but very enjoyable surprise to have you with us at our public ceremony Having only seen our Temple and Great Queen Street (me drooling!), I don't know what makes our Temple specifically Egyptian to you, other than our Lodge banner -- which is a moveable feature, of course. Can you elaborate on your observation, please? The female-white, male-black is a choice made per Lodge, which is why you saw some of our Sisters wearing black -- they were visitors from other Lodges. Our choice is that of white for the women (although not necessarily the flowing robes, as witnessed by my tunic suit!) and black for the gents -- think Masonic Carpet; it's the balance and between two opposites which in their complementary opposites makes a new and unified whole, as you have witnessed when you felt the energies. We do indeed, although for some reason as of yet unknown to me we do not seem to celebrate it as often as St John's in Summer. I am certain it would. As I said to you yesterday: for me a single-sex environment doesn't make any sense, because I cannot see how it could be balanced in the way ours is. I also have no desire -- and I know many, if not most, of my Co-Masonic Sisters feel the same -- to turn malecraft masonry into Co-Masonry. I would dearly love for you guys to be able to join us without concern for your Obligation and fear of repercussion, though. I have said this many times: mutual recognition does not mean a fundamental change to each other's Obedience. If UGLE were to recognise us I for one would not expect to be able to join you in Lodge, and I would not dream of disturbing the harmony in any Lodge in such a manner. As a woman I accept and respect that even if such a recognition were to be made, inter-visitation from LDH to UGLE would be restricted to our male Brethren only, and that is fine. I am hopeful that our public ceremony yesterday has made a contribution towards that form of recognition, and that somehow the powers that be will find the courage to accept that Co-Masonry does not in any way present a threat to single-sex Masonry, be it male or female. I am 200% with you there, Brother ;D Only speaking for myself, of course, and under the obvious recognition that in my case it is hypothetical, I would love to visit a UGLE Lodge and witness the ritual. I would love to see the similarities and differences, as in all likelihood it would drive me to find out more about our own ritual and why we have chosen to make it so. The ritual is key, but it is not the most important thing in a Lodge -- the sense of Brotherhood and fraternal love is, and I do not believe for one moment that this is any less in a UGLE Lodge than it is in ours. We are Masons, all. With fraternal love, Cora
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Post by taylorsman on Jun 11, 2006 18:42:11 GMT
Not only was there an Eqyptian look to the Temple but I experienced inwardly a very Ancient and Egyptian ambience in the non physical plane while I was in there for the Public part of the Meeting. I have only felt this before at FMH in the Grand Temple and in the Main Temple at Brighton. (Russell will be delighted to hear me say that no doubt!)
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Post by whistler on Jun 11, 2006 19:20:05 GMT
Being a tardy Poster for a while, What a Magic Topic to come back and discover. CoraB I always Feel a special connection with your Lodge, One of our Older Members who passed away a couple of years ago, after more than 60 years in Co-Freemasonry always gave greetings from her Mother Lodge "Lodge of Amen Ra' . How wonderful that so many Forumites could attend, slowly the walls are coming down - One day perhaps they will be able to witness Anne Besant's and CWL's contributions to our ritual, I am sure they would really find much to ponder on. Once again Freemasonry is the winner
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Post by a on Jun 11, 2006 19:29:37 GMT
I experienced inwardly a very Ancient and Egyptian ambience in the non physical plane while I was in there for the Public part of the Meeting. I have only felt this before at FMH in the Grand Temple and in the Main Temple at Brighton. Taylorsman, this experience could help you take a valuable step. A few suggestions that may help you travel:- 1. Reflect and see if you can identify any possible connections between the three temples (apart from the obvious one that they are Masonic) and/or differences between them and all the others. If you find any connections explore them. 2. If you have time before London meetings have a wander around (aimlessly wandering can be best) the British Museum and the close by Petrie Museum. When in Oxford try the same with the Ashmolean. You could even try Reading museum but I think that only has one Egyptian exhibit. And if you find that you are attracted to any objects make a note. 3. Over time you may come to see previously hidden conections. And a little bit of the esoteric transforms into exoteric. 4. More to the point this practical, passive, esoteric work may help you take further steps in the future. Just take your time, and don't go looking as such - just be passive. But aware.
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Post by corab on Jun 11, 2006 19:36:00 GMT
Not only was there an Eqyptian look to the Temple but I experienced inwardly a very Ancient and Egyptian ambience in the non physical plane while I was in there for the Public part of the Meeting. I have only felt this before at FMH in the Grand Temple and in the Main Temple at Brighton. (Russell will be delighted to hear me say that no doubt!) Well, being of Pagan 'stock', the thought occurs to me now that maybe through our name we invoke Amen-Ra's presence ... again citing from my PoA: That Light is of special importance to our Lodge may be deduced from our name – Light of Amen-Ra. There is as of yet no official explanation as to why our Founders so named the Lodge, but as we continue to trawl our archives we are confident that one day we will find that prized scrap of paper that has the answer to a question which has long occupied us. In the meantime I should like to offer the following, entirely personal, take on the problem.
Amen-Ra, the great Egyptian Creator-God is effectively a merging of two Egyptian gods, Amun and Ra.
Amun first enters human imagination as a deification of the concept of Air, and thus Wind, one of the four principles held to have created the Universe in the Egyptian cosmogony. You may know that the element of Air traditionally has been associated with knowledge and communication.
Amun’s name means The Hidden One and as such is reflective of the invisible nature of Air and Wind. Through this association with Air and Wind Amun gradually became associated with the Breath of Life, which the ancient Egyptians held to be the creator of the Ba, which can roughly be equated with the Soul.
As his star rises, Amun quickly becomes identified with the solar god worshipped in another region, Ra-Herakhty, in itself a merger of the deities Ra and Horus. Thus Amun becomes Amen-Ra, and takes on the characteristics of Ra-Herakhty in addition to his own, Air-related attributes. Ra-Herakhty had been a sun god, and so in view of Amun’s name meaning The Hidden One, Amen-Ra comes to represent the hidden or nightly aspect of the Sun, whereas Ra-Herakhty continues to represent the visible sun.
There is therefore a dual aspect both of Light and that which is hidden to Amen-Ra, which is eminently suitable to an initiatory Order which guards its inner truths from the outer world yet freely shares it with those who genuinely seek enlightenment.I have never experienced the atmosphere of any Temple while in Lodge, so I cannot make any comparisons, but I do remember a very accute sense of treading on a very ancient path during my initiation. With fraternal love, Cora
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Post by ingo on Jun 12, 2006 8:53:53 GMT
Dear Srs. and Brr., what an exiting topic to read. I think this is the way to meet on the square and to bring freemasonry to a better future.
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Post by corab on Jun 12, 2006 11:17:53 GMT
Being a tardy Poster for a while, What a Magic Topic to come back and discover. CoraB I always Feel a special connection with your Lodge, One of our Older Members who passed away a couple of years ago, after more than 60 years in Co-Freemasonry always gave greetings from her Mother Lodge "Lodge of Amen Ra' . Brilliant -- I didn't know there were others! Do you know whether the Lodge still exists? Always, Whistler -- Freemasonry is the Light; the Light of Universal Brotherhood. Come war, come misery, come political strife -- that Light will never be quenched. With fraternal love, Cora
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