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Post by ariel on Oct 26, 2006 20:32:07 GMT
Once a female Mason reaches the Third Degree...thats it, isn't it ? As a Master Mason she cannot be "exalted" to the HRA since its a male domain. I have no particular quarrel with that, but it does make it somewhat "pseudo-Masonic" to the eyes of male Masons. What do our Brothers think ?
Kind regards, Ariel
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Post by maat on Oct 27, 2006 0:59:47 GMT
LDH goes to 33rd.
Maat
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Post by ariel on Oct 27, 2006 1:32:14 GMT
Thanks Maat. I have not read the booklet yet (received today).
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Oct 27, 2006 4:04:42 GMT
My jurisdiction also goes to the 33rd.
As for some malecraft Freemasons (and not a few women, believe me) who might think women Freemasons are "pseudo-Masonic", there are those who will believe this even if the GAOTU were to pin them to the wall and scream the truth into their ears. So worrying about it what they might think, based on one perceived issue or another, is a waste of energy.
This is part of what it is for a woman Freemason, and all Co-Masons (male and female), to walk the walk. To be secure in the knowledge that one *is* a Freemason; and to know in your heart what you are is what you are, even if all the liveth and breatheth and creepeth upon the earth says it isn't so.
We are, as Freemasons, more or less compelled to love all our BB with a deep, fraternal affection. And this includes those of our BB who do not recognize us as such. This *can* be difficult. But if you are secure in the knowledge that you are what you are, then the error of your Brother will in no way persuade you likewise into that error. Indeed, you will be able to pity him his blindness and, if necessary (if his opposition to you becomes personally painful), shake the dust of him off your feet and move on. But even if you have to do this, there is no harm in hoping the scales will, one day, fall from his eyes.
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Post by taylorsman on Oct 27, 2006 4:52:40 GMT
Untrue Ariel. as I understand matters Le Droit Humain which is a Co-Masonic Obedience has HRA, Rose Croix , (A&ASR) , Mark and Royal Ark Mariners. KTs and Royal Order of Scotland as well as Craft and women can be members of these Orders as well as men. and they can go to the very top. Indeed the previous Most Puissant Grand Commander of LDH in the UK was a lady and was 33rd Degree.
"To be secure in the knowledge that one *is* a Freemason; and to know in your heart what you are is what you are, even if all the liveth and breatheth and creepeth upon the earth says it isn't so."
That is my view too. Once one is Initated into Freemasonry it is for life and although the person may for some reason renounce this for themselves, no other person or body can strip them of it .
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Oct 27, 2006 5:37:12 GMT
This is true and and Mackey says as much. Only . . . I've gone over this passage, over and over . . . Mackey was writing before there was Co-Masonry and at a time when women were initiated only in secret. He clearly knew that women could be Freemasons and yet it would seem he would deny women Freemasons the rights and privileges of Freemasonry only because they were women. I came across this in a copy of Mackey's History of Freemasonry, Volume Seven. It has to do with three charters granted to female craft lodges during Mexico's volatile revolutionary period. (with my italics) I really can't comprehend this at all. Oh, and Steve . . . ;D I have something for you. Not that I'm trying to endear myself to you. I mean, I wouldn't. Really. I'm not like that. Not at all. Still, I thought you might like . . . THIS. ;D
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Post by taylorsman on Oct 27, 2006 11:59:53 GMT
Thanks! One of my favourite authors.
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Post by corab on Oct 29, 2006 7:53:47 GMT
Still, I thought you might like . . . THIS. ;D Way to go, Karen -- thanks! :-) I need to pack up now and get myself to Lodge, but just in brief: I totally agree with all that you've said here. Masonry isn't for men or women. It's for people. End of story. S&F, Cora
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Oct 29, 2006 19:30:40 GMT
;D I got to go to lodge yesterday, second weekend in a row (we're dark in November and December). We also did our Dec. 21/Winter Solstice/John the Evangelist ceremony early and I participated, for the first time, in the c*n of u*n. Just . . . beautiful!! ;D Have a wonderful train ride and time in lodge
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Post by mike on Oct 30, 2006 10:13:22 GMT
I'm sure that the HFAF and the Grand Lodge for Men and Women also practise HRA and Rose Croix.
M
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Oct 31, 2006 4:50:21 GMT
Hi Brothers, I can confirm that LDH and the Eastern Order of International Co-Freemasonry works ALL the degrees from EA to 33rd, including HRA, Mark & Kts Templar, even Ark Marriner. Naturally, as in some Malecraft organisations, some of the intermediate degrees are only dealt with on the surface, but there are books that explain them. Principally we work EA, FC, MM, HRA, Mark, Installed Master, Ark Marriner, Rose Croix, Kts Kadosh, Kts Templar, Sublime Princes, generally in that order of Advancement. Not all Brn. achieve or progress to all those degrees and after Ark Mariner level one has to be invited to advance. Generaly the 33rd is reserved for those in Command of a District/Federation, tho' the French Federation has approximately 30 odd in that degree.
Cheers, Hubert
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Post by ariel on Oct 31, 2006 15:16:07 GMT
Thanks, Hubert. The chances of my ever going beyond MM seem highly unlikely, but it is nice to know that women can (and do) reach higher degrees !
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Nov 6, 2006 1:16:15 GMT
Ariel, I'm not sure why you don't think you'll get beyond the 3rd but bear in mind, the 3rd is the highest. As I understand it (I *am* an EA), the rest are reflections, more information as it were, upon the first three. So if you never make it higher than the 3rd, you'll have gone as high as you can go
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Post by ariel on Nov 14, 2006 6:01:35 GMT
Help ! Can someone tell me how long they had to wait before getting an Application form ? I am twiddling my thumbs ! The nearest Lodges are Plato or Mercury, so I sent an EM to Brian Roberts (The International Order Of Co-Masonry Le Droit Humain British Federation)...hope to hear something soon. I do not think I can wait seven years ! Ariel Ariel
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Post by gipsyrose on Nov 14, 2006 13:57:03 GMT
Ariel I imagine you are feeling frustrated by the wait. I didn't get an application form until I after I had met with people from the lodge I have now joined. However, my first email contact was replied to within days. I emailed all my contact details in that first email, and if I remember right, the person I emailed rang me back very promptly.
My thoughts - energetically - wish the whole situation well, assume it is all working out for the best, and bless the process you are now going through as being, though maybe incomprehensible, absolutely perfect. Also take any practical steps that occur to you.
My thoughts on a practical level - email Brian again and ask for the contact details of the two lodges you are interested in.
All the best
gipsyrose
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Nov 14, 2006 15:28:40 GMT
Oh my, but I remember this wait. Wow. And I'm sure Gypsy and Cora and everyone else here recalls coaching me thru this waiting period. I mean, it was just this past spring and summer I don't actually recall how long it took for the application to arrive because, though I'd requested it, I'd not yet decided. Looking back, I now understand something was withstanding my will and there was a terrific struggle that I doubt I'll ever fully understand. But then there were a few, uh, events that convinced me that this is indeed my path. And, from that moment, I wanted in NOW. Uh, yeah. I applied in March. It was May before the interviews (four) started, early summer before they voted to accept me, late summer before I was initiated. Very, very little communication of any kind in between. In fact, there were times I was told I'd receive a call the following week and didn't. Then I'd timidly email/call to see what was up and things would seem to move a little quicker. Then slow down again. I now understand the waiting is intentional. There's a need to be very, very sure that this is right for the candidate and that this is right for the lodge. So, Ariel, I'd recommend you politely email Brian again. If nothing else, it might remind you that you are, indeed, moving forward. You don't know it yet but you are moving forward at the speed of light. I know it doesn't feel that way. But it will
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Post by ariel on Nov 14, 2006 18:13:28 GMT
Wonderful news today ! I will be contacted soon and my future Lodge hopefull will be either Mercury or Plato, more likely the former. Things are looking up and processing seems to be going smoothly. I am thrilled and want to dance, sing and allow my heart to pound as fast as it is doing now. You are all truely wonderful people and I thank you for all the advice and encouragement you have given me. Kind regards, Ariel
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Nov 14, 2006 20:33:06 GMT
I am very glad to hear it!! ;D
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Post by maat on Nov 14, 2006 23:37:00 GMT
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Post by ariel on Nov 15, 2006 0:10:44 GMT
Got another e-mail, but it was a bit late in the evening to contact the RWM of (hopefully) my future Lodge. I will phone him tomorrow. Maybe a bit premature for celebrating, but I am still dancing. Being happy is a wonderful feeling ! Ariel
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