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Post by leonardo on Mar 15, 2008 17:13:53 GMT
How can I express my joy in finding this website? To the best of my recollection, I was initiated into a LDH lodge around 1955. Subsequently I moved to NYC and was raised in a L that met at the local Theosophical Society. Later on I found that the working at Marie Deraismes L, in the same city, was closer to AF&AM and joined that L. When visiting in England I attended many meetings in the T located near Nottinghill Gate. When I moved to the Caribbean, where I lived for many years, I gradually lost contact with stateside Masonry. Now I'm back in the States, retired, and completely confused by the changes in the Order I saw on the web. I wonder if any of the BB can fill me in on the details. Hi Brother stepnwolf, and welcome to the forum. I am with LDH UK so it's nice to make the acquaintance of another Co-Mason from the same Obedience. I am not sure what changes you mean exactly but I suspect you might be referring to how some who were once part of LDH but have now gone in their own direction. If this is the case then more senior members from our Obedience would be better placed than I to respond. Again, welcome!
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Post by lauderdale on Mar 15, 2008 19:23:38 GMT
A warm welcome and HGW from me too Bro Stepnwolf.
Please PM me regarding changes to which you refer.
R:.W:. Bro Stephen J Foley 18˚ Lodge Light of Amen-Ra No 717, Orient of Surbiton Phoenix Triangle, Orient of Southampton (WSW) St Francis Lodge No 817, Orient of Camberley Rose of Sharon Chapter No 94 Rose Croix ,Vale of Surbiton Lodge Iona of Kilwinning No 1, Royal Order of Scotland, Province of Surbiton British Federation International Co-Freemasonry "Le Droit Humain"
or for short Steve.
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Post by corab on Mar 16, 2008 9:33:24 GMT
Bro:. Stepnwolf,
Welcome on board! ;D
Yes, our Order certainly did experience some dramatic changes while you were 'on leave'. Feel free to PM me -- I'd be delighted to give you some insights and if so desired, help you 'back on track'.
I'm in Manchester this weekend with limited access to internet, but will be at HQ most of the day tomorrow, so may be able to pick up any questions from there.
Things have changed here as well, btw -- HQ is no longer at Ladbroke Terrace near Notthinghill; we moved to Surbiton some 10 years ago. It's called Hexagon House and is a truly beautiful place, althose we young ones are still regaled with the tales of the Temple at Ladbroke Terrace... ;D
h.g.w.,
Cora
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FireMist
Member
Then rally boys, and hasten on.To meet our Chiefs at the Green Dragon.
Posts: 293
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Post by FireMist on Mar 17, 2008 1:45:29 GMT
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Post by lauderdale on Mar 17, 2008 1:58:54 GMT
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FireMist
Member
Then rally boys, and hasten on.To meet our Chiefs at the Green Dragon.
Posts: 293
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Post by FireMist on Mar 17, 2008 2:08:12 GMT
Cool thanks I had seen it before but had not been able to find it again. (Just the French spelling one and I only speak English)
The saga continues for me though: I was going to post in the other section of 'thinking of becoming a freemason' but due to spamware controlls on this computer couldn't put a new post. Let me know if I need to repost this there.
I spoke with my mother yesterday about Masonry, her experiences in the rainbow girls, what she new about her dad's membership and why my dad never joined. (Ans. time and money) She is supportive of my decision to seek a Masonic lodge and was not surprised though she was not aware of any women being able to join. I explained what I've learned. She seems quite interested.
I'd spoke in '04 to my friend who is a mason. He is a very good friend and I consider him as a father to me. (My dad died in '92) He has mentored me in many of my decisions.
He stated then and again last month that I already knew and act much as a mason and if I were male would make an excellent one. Last week, I mentioned to him about more seriously considering requesting applications to a lodge. He didn't object, but also didn't say much about that other than that I already knew how to live and didn't really need to be a mason.
Now yesterday he said again that statement, and related a story of his wife feeling like she was missing out on something. He said he had his sister who is an Eastern Star member talk to his wife to explain and that put aside her concerns.
I respect the Eastern Star, but I do not feel that is the path for me. I'm feeling drawn to the Masonic side. (I didn't intend to phrase it that way but I suppose that's actually fairly accurate. Drawn to the light?) However, I do not want to cause bad feelings with my mason friend. He is family though not blood and I'll not do anyting to hurt family. Likewise with my Fraternal Brother firefighters.
Additionally there are two possible lodges about equal distance (3 to 4 hours) from me The Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry to the north of me with an established lodge. To the south is the Le Droit Humain's American Federation with a lodge just starting and apparently without regular meetings to this date. Distance wise, the only benefits of the southern one is that it is on the way to some property my mom has another 3 hours further south. Property I do try to help maintain. To the North in inclement weather I have friends who live along most of the route taken so I'd have shelter in case of storms or snow.
Thoughts; Ideas; Dissention; Questions I should ask others,myself, my masonic friend?? ??
Lost and confused all over again.
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Post by corab on Mar 18, 2008 12:56:45 GMT
Hi FireMist,
Sounds all positive! As mentioned elsewhere, you needn't be worried about the lodge that's only just starting out -- Bro:. Steve will doubtlessly confirm that it is a very challenging but deeply rewarding endeavour, and that it brings with it an enormous amount of fun!
Keep asking questions. The mere act of vocalising a question kicks the answering process into gear. Chances are you'll find your answers to the big questions long before anyone's even had chance to respond.
Questions are your friend:-)
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FireMist
Member
Then rally boys, and hasten on.To meet our Chiefs at the Green Dragon.
Posts: 293
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Post by FireMist on Mar 18, 2008 13:18:05 GMT
I'm always up to a challenge. lol I have indeed find many of the answers to questions I have not yet asked here and in other areas. I thank you all for that. Quite frankly, it all has me confused....and is why I signed the other message the way I did. The decision for me is between the two groups and the direction to travel...I suppose I should meet with members of both groups??? I've already asked for an application to petition from one of them. I have a good background and think I've done right in my life. I don't think they will turn me away. However, I'm thinking I may have jumped the gun at this point. Though my decison has been made as far as yes and no, the question of when and where still remain. I don't want to hurt those closest to me. I have my mom's blessing but right now the main concern is my masonic friend's reaction. I'd not hurt him for the world, but am concerned as to why his apparent turn of opinion.... ...is it his teachings he's learned that women can't be masons, or is it deeper than that? What do you all think about this? If you think I should discuss it further with him, how do you think I should approach the subject? Darylee added 3/19/2008 Thank you for your assistance Bros. Karen, Cora, and Brad. I take your advice and thoughts to heart to ponder.
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FireMist
Member
Then rally boys, and hasten on.To meet our Chiefs at the Green Dragon.
Posts: 293
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Post by FireMist on Mar 21, 2008 15:03:48 GMT
......Keep asking questions. The mere act of vocalising a question kicks the answering process into gear. Chances are you'll find your answers to the big questions long before anyone's even had chance to respond. Questions are your friend:-) Very true. Thank you. I believe I"ve come to a decision of where. The hill in my way is the when. My concern over my masonic friend is still very real. If I understood his position better, I may be better able to make a decision. He's been a member of his lodge since 1961. Right now my decisionis when. Now, or wait so I don't make him feel dishonored, or cause him further difficulty. As I said, I respect him as my father. I know my father would give me advice and if against the idea he would support my decision no matter what it was. Proof of that was when I joined the fire department leaving the enginering company I was with. He just didn't watch any news when I was on duty, but I know he was very proud of me. I took his advice about not joining the Navy and Navy reserves when I was a young adult and after becoming a paramedic. But this fellow and his family are close friends, yet a true friend's reaction should be much the same. On the other hand, if I'm a true friend I'd not hurt them in any way either... Quite a quandry, and a bit of a catch 22 for me.
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Post by stepnwolf on Mar 21, 2008 17:43:35 GMT
I wish to thank all the BB for their warm response to my first post. I am indebted paticularly to Bro CoraB, who moved both heaven and, perhaps, hell to put me in contact with the MPGC in the States, who happened to be in Cyprus on business this week. An e-mail from him put me in contact with RWM of my mother L, Marie Deraismes. All this took place in just a few days and many e-mails. As it happens, the MPGC lives just north of me and the closest L. is located just south of me. Thank you all, but special thanks to Bro. CoraB.
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Post by leonardo on Mar 21, 2008 18:29:02 GMT
I wish to thank all the BB for their warm response to my first post. I am indebted paticularly to Bro CoraB, who moved both heaven and, perhaps, hell to put me in contact with the MPGC in the States, who happened to be in Cyprus on business this week. An e-mail from him put me in contact with RWM of my mother L, Marie Deraismes. All this took place in just a few days and many e-mails. As it happens, the MPGC lives just north of me and the closest L. is located just south of me. Thank you all, but special thanks to Bro. CoraB. That is truly wonderful news. Welcome back to the fold!
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Post by corab on Mar 21, 2008 22:18:19 GMT
Oh, but you overstate my efforts, dear Brother of mine. It was but a single email from me to the right person within our Federation ... the rest took care of itself. And it's been an absolute joy to see events unfold.
All hail to the Force that guides our steps.
With h.g.w.,
Cora
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Post by corab on Mar 21, 2008 22:24:16 GMT
Darylee,
This journey is never easy, but all who make it, come to the Temple of their own free will and accord. All who make have, often unwittingly, already passed a trial, and if you persist on this path, one day you will find out what I mean by that. One day you will be asked to answer a question that describes that trial, and you will know then what I am talking about now.
You are doing beautifully. You are doing everything that one who is preparing to enter the Temple should be doing.
Keep asking those questions. When the time is right, the answer will come to you.
Take care,
Cora
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FireMist
Member
Then rally boys, and hasten on.To meet our Chiefs at the Green Dragon.
Posts: 293
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Post by FireMist on Mar 22, 2008 6:19:35 GMT
Thank you so much all of you. And a special thank you to Bros Karen and Cora.
I believe the answer was presented to me this morning while at work. It seems as though I have passed around a curve in the path, which was previously seen as a straight road. In rounding the corner I've realized the hill was a scenic view alongside the path. I think I was seeing his love and respect for me as well as his natural concerns as a loved mentor.
I am awaiting an application to petition. When it arrives, I'll be filing it out. Hopefully I'll be found suitable.
Darylee
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Post by leonardo on Mar 22, 2008 8:24:20 GMT
I am awaiting an application to petition. When it arrives, I'll be filing it out. Hopefully I'll be found suitable. Darylee I'm sure you will be and that soon you will be Initiated into Freemasonry. Good luck to you, and please keep us posted.
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Post by brandt on Mar 23, 2008 12:28:14 GMT
I wish that Co-Masonic lodges were more wide spread, there is a clear need for it. I would like to see such a lodge in every city of the United States. AFHR, LDH, HFAR, GWU, all fine organizations that I would like to see grow. The problem is that we need some Masons to work on this. It takes Masons to open the lodges to get this started. Since there are far more male Masons in the United States than female Masons I would like to see some of our Brothers step up to the plate and assist our Sisters. Some organizations require as few as 7 Master Masons to form a lodge. There are other organizations that allow three Master Masons to form a Triangle that can be used to grow to a lodge. I have this vision of Free Masonry in the United States. I would like to see in every city a healthy male lodge, a healthy Co-Masonic lodge and a healthy female lodge. Each particular viewpoint has something critical to offer for their members. It is true that there is a certain dynamic that exists in a male lodge. Since this is true it goes to reason that a similar but different dynamic exists in a female lodge. It also goes to reason that a Co-Masonic lodge would have its own dynamic that is equally valid. I think that the Masonic world would be a better place if all three types of lodges could exist in the same area. They may even be able to help each other out. This is not a matter of jurisdictions as far as I can see. The lodges don't have to have anything to do with each other. I would hope that they would but that is up to these hypthetical lodges to figure out. I do know that if there were an LDH lodge in my home town my lodge would be more than happy to assist them in ritual work if they needed a hand. We would also be quite open to working with them on a matter of mutual interest. On this forum we have Brethren from several jurisdictions. I would like to hear your opinions on this.
Fraternally, Brandt
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Post by leonardo on Mar 23, 2008 13:13:59 GMT
Good luck with that in the States. Naturally it would be wonderful if such an idea were to spread to Europe and other pars of the Globe, as well. In an ideal world i suppose anything is possible; where there's a will, there's a way, etc.
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Post by brandt on Mar 23, 2008 13:58:17 GMT
One can always dream, and at times work towards that dream.
Brandt
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Post by corab on Mar 23, 2008 14:44:03 GMT
On a strictly personal basis, I would be very much in favour of that, Brandt. It seems the natural way to me, and I hear that call of nature loud and clear.
Having said that, unless and until the necessary restrictions are lifted, I would not be able to do it. And that's a dilemma each of us must deal with in his or her own way.
No matter how much I would wish to be able to sit in lodge with every Bro:. capable of proving him or herself to be a mason, I cannot breach my Obligation. All I can do is ask questions.
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Post by brandt on Mar 23, 2008 16:40:23 GMT
Luckily the tide is changing. It may take awhile and frankly I will most likely not see the full fruition of this in my life time. So be it. I would like to see it starting at least. I understand that there are matters of obligation that prohibit some from having anything to do with an idea like this except on an intellectual or academic level. There are others that are not restricted on this matter. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Not I. On a personal note, what would prohibit a member a member of LDH from participating in something of this nature? You mentioned obligation, is it a matter of jurisdictional rules regarding intervisitation or something more?
Brandt
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