staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
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Post by staffs on Sept 11, 2005 9:15:12 GMT
On Friday we had an American brother from Michigan us visit our Lodge who was accompanied by a Sussex Mason.
It was very interesting chatting with the american brother and finding out what differences there are between our rituals he mentioned that they have an open air meeting, where they cut a square out of a piece of forest and then use all of the waste materials as their working tools !
During the Festive Board with all the Gavelling it was not possible to obtain too much detail.
So of our American forumites is their anyone who can explain a little better and by PM if required.
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Post by Liberty on Sept 24, 2005 4:05:34 GMT
We have a "open air" meeting in my state at least once every year and it is held (for obvious reasons) in a remote area. I have not heard it described as above but since I have not attended I do not know. In some US States there were "moon lodges"; their meeting dates tied to the arrival of a full moon which helped brothers traveling on horseback or foot without the benefit of electricity. I have read that the state of Ohio has at least one lodge that carries on this tradition and does conduct a open air meeting.The idea of an "open air" meeting is interesting and I hope to attend one someday.
Bro. Liberty
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giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
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Post by giovanni on Sept 24, 2005 7:20:20 GMT
Also in Italy there are some lodges which work in this manner, once a year, in summer, in the wood.
I attended twice, as a guest, and it was a new and a beautiful experience.
We call this meeting "Loggia selvaggia", savage lodge.
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Post by windtimber on Nov 11, 2005 17:44:53 GMT
I've participated in "High Vale" and "Low Vale" lodges a number of times. I'll describe the one in particular which I hope a few of you may find interesting.
Some years ago I travelled to Wisconsin and participated in raising my brother-in-law in a memorable "Low Vale" lodge. We gathered just before sunset at a predetermined central location and then walked down a winding woodland trail to a clearing along a river. The lodge was prepared with large cut logs for benches on either side, with separate "stumps" for the three officers and a rustic wooden table for the altar. Lodge opened using three kerosene lamps as the tapers. As night fell bonfires were lighted behind the east and west to illuminate the entire area. Between the fires, lamps, starlight, and the reflection of the lights on the river, it was an absolutely striking experience. I particularly remember an elderly gentleman portraying the wayfaring man coming in from the dark woods, carrying a lantern like Diogenes on his search for the truth, reporting his information, and disappearing again like a wraith into the night. The whole evening had an almost supernatural aura and, at least to me, hearkened back to our fraternity's roots - independent, God fearing men having to pass on their revolutionary and, perhaps, heretical beliefs in covert locations under cover of darkness.
Another memorable "High Vale" lodge has been conducted from time to time by my brothers in western South Dakota. In August a lodge is opened on a point overlooking the Badlands National Monument. The location is essentially only accessible by 4WD high clearance vehicles but results in a breathtaking view, gorgeous sunsets, and, again, a link back to our ancient brethren. Similarly, a Low Vale lodge, which I have not yet been able to attend, is opened every summer in Rowen's Gulch near Wessington, SD.
These are, indeed, special experiences. If you have the opportunity, don't it up!
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Post by squirebentley on Nov 23, 2005 4:57:20 GMT
I shared the East in an outdoor 3rd degree in Massachusetts. It was held on the grounds of the Massachusetts Masonic Retirement home -- about 400 acres. Out in the woods away from the home a clearing had been carved out of the forest. The altar and stations South, West, And East as well as the Secretary's desk all were hewn from stone. Electricity was actually cabled underground from about a mile away so that there were the three lesser lights displayed. The clearing was at the bottom of a steep hill and at the top with a gong and a rawhide door stood the tyler with sword. It was from up at the top of the hill that the candidates gonged on the entrance for admission into the Lodge. That day I participated the Grand Master came and did the charge for the newly raised Brothers.
I HAVE PICTURES IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED
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Post by ingo on Nov 23, 2005 8:26:15 GMT
We work the Feast of Saint John (Summer) in the woods. One of our members has a little cottage there with a fireplace in front. We start at about 10 p.m. and end up at midnight.
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