Michael
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Post by Michael on Dec 1, 2004 13:17:53 GMT
I have been thinking of asking to join a Mark Lodge in the coming year, I do not as yet have one in mind but would welcome the views of the more experienced brethren.
Is it the same as a Craft Lodge, can you visit or would that spoil things, are the costs the same - and all those important questions you always wish you had the answer to before you committed yourself.
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 1, 2004 13:51:35 GMT
Michael
I would always reccommend that 'The Mark Degree' is the first degree that should be taken after Raising, this as you are probably aware goes against the advice of UGLE who insist the first step a newly Raised Bro should take is The Holy Royal Arch. Which after 4 weeks as a Master mason you are entitled to do.
The reason that I feel the Mark degree is so important is that it not only in a way completes the Fellowcraft Degree but it also sets a Bro up nicely for his 'onward' masonic journey if he wishes to explore a lot of the other Side Orders/Degree. Another good reason is that once you have entered the HRA it really spoils the Mark ceremony.
However the fact that you have now chosen to look at joining the mark I will try to answer some questions.
Most London mark Lodges meet 3 times a year, I do not know about Manchester!
The cost of mine (I belong to four!) varies from £35.00 to £45.00 per year. The Mark degree is called the friendly degree and you are actively encouragd to visit, as soon as you have been Advanced you can attend any Mark Lodge.
Most Mark Lodges in and around London tend to suffer from lack of members so if you visit you should always be prepared to step in to help out!!
All I can say it is one of my favorite degrees/orders, go for it, you'll love it!
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Michael
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Post by Michael on Dec 1, 2004 14:01:33 GMT
Many thanks for the info, it gives me something to think about, can I presume the £35 does not include meals?
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 1, 2004 14:11:12 GMT
Sorry, yes £35.00 normally covers the basic yearly fee, I think an Advancement Fee is normally a one off £25.00 ish. And meals of course vary. All of mine are approx £20.00 including wine.
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Dec 1, 2004 17:21:21 GMT
You certainly sem to progress Brn. very quickly in Male masonry. Generally in Co-Masonry it takes about 6 meetings in all (once monthly) between EA & FC then a further 7 meetings from FC to MM. We then require 1 year before eligibility to apply for Mark or HRA. Useally Mark first with HRA a year latter again. Mark is a less strenuous introduction to the lighter side of the craft, and a lot of fun/enjoyment is to be had in its' ceremony, with the HRA going deeper into the mystical symbology. Here in NZ we have to travel to Auckland (from Christchurch) to attend HRA so there is less involvement with that degree.
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 1, 2004 17:36:06 GMT
Mike Picking up on a point from Hubert, when were you raised? Hubert, I was initiated in 1986, Passed and Raised the following year, I was exalted into the HRA in 1993 and Advanced into Mark the same year. And then I really got busy But thats a whole 2 pages worth...... ;D
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Post by leonardo on Dec 1, 2004 17:53:57 GMT
MiddlePillar Oh, go on, go on, go on
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 1, 2004 18:36:43 GMT
Michael,I raised the same discussion a while ago under matk or chapter and from my research and answers from those who are in both and in my opinion are suitably wqualified to give an answer i have chosen that my first side degree whenever it happens after my raising will be that of Mark
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Post by taylorsman on Dec 1, 2004 23:00:37 GMT
Good to see others of a similar mind as myself.
I meant from the start to follow my own advice as I usually do and had made up my own mind to join Mark, then RAM, then and only then Royal Arch. It all makes far more sense that way as far as I am concerned.
So I echo what others have said. Once a Master Mason, take a year to get to know Craft then join Mark before Royal Arch whatever anyone may say to you, then I would recommend joining Royal and Select to get the whole picture of the Hiramic Degrees.
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 2, 2004 6:40:54 GMT
Steve is there a religious qualification to join RSM ?
and hat are the general qualifications to join ?
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Post by taylorsman on Dec 2, 2004 10:04:17 GMT
No, one has to be a member of Mark and Royal Arch only, there is no need to be a Christian as this Degree is Old Testament. The Royal Master is one of the most beautiful pieces of Ritual in Freemasonry.
R&SM or Cryptic as it is often called, completes the story first told in the Craft Third Degree, explained further by Royal Arch and complimented by Mark.
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Michael
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Post by Michael on Dec 2, 2004 10:26:05 GMT
Middlepiller, I was raised in March 2002, and I wanted to get out and about and see how others interpreted things before I even though about moving on to something else. And as Leo said - Go on, go on, go on, go on - you know you want to. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Hubert, I think progression does seem to depend on the number of candidates coming through, It took me 14 months form 1st to 3rd and am now IG and will be JD in January; a good friend of mine had to wait 5 years as a Steward before he could move on to the floor as IG, in fact when I last visited they had some 7 stewards and several EA's A thriving Lodge to say the least.
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bod
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Post by bod on Dec 2, 2004 11:24:18 GMT
I took 2 years from EA to MM - this was grand as far as I was concerned as it meant I took my time, but there again we only meet 4 times per year. I was raised in March this year and was advanced into Mark this month - and very nice it is too! I can heartily recommend the Mark degree - and I would suggest it is better being 'done' before becoming a companion, seems to 'fit' better.
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 2, 2004 16:04:33 GMT
[quote author=Michael And as Leo said - Go on, go on, go on, go on - you know you want to. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
[/quote]
Michael & Leo
I personally believe Freemasonry is an individual path,one which we must all decide how far to travel down, I could write down all the Lodges/orders/degrees I am in but it would probably look to many that I am on an ego trip! and I could understand that.
What I will say is I have been privilaged to be a member of Freemasonry for approaching 20 years, I have joined most of the Orders featured in Beyond the Craft and a few more besides, I have been a founder of several units and have gone through 8 different chairs, 12 times in all. I am in active office in most of the units I belong too. But everyone of us should make our own choice in what direction we want to go (if any) I for one and I know the other 'experienced' masons on this site are only to pleased to offer 'advice and guidance' But I would never tell anyone they should do it this way (only). We must all remain free (in mind) to do what we want to! One thing I must say is that for the last 20 years I have run my own business and have been lucky enough to afford (mainly the time but also the money) my masonry without it affecting my 'life'. It is without doubt for me personally the most intoxicating 'thing' I have ever been involved in.
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Michael
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Post by Michael on Dec 2, 2004 17:03:44 GMT
Middlepiller, You are of course quite right, as we must all find our own level. And I will base my decision on my own circumstances at the time, but it is always useful to hear others views, and I thank you.
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 2, 2004 17:26:06 GMT
Middlepillar you say that masonry has not affected your life and i understand where you are coming from but surely masons lives are affected in a very big way and probably more than we realise. ??
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 2, 2004 17:42:52 GMT
Staffs What I meant by 'not affecting my life' was in the sense that I have been lucky enough to have a lovely wife and 2 children and do all the normal 'life' things due to the fact that as an owner of a business I have been able to find the time for my masonry without it affecting those important things, which I know so many other brethren are not able to do. So your comment I agree with 100%. Freemasonry has affected my life and I am very lucky that I have been able to practise it without it affecting my 'life' (mundane life?). Am I making sense (it sounds like nonsense to me
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 2, 2004 21:19:20 GMT
MP,
Once again i know what you meant and what you mean
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bod
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Post by bod on Dec 3, 2004 6:19:54 GMT
'Without adversely affecting my life'?
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 3, 2004 7:25:10 GMT
'Without adversely affecting my life'? Perfect! Thanks Bod ;D
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