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Post by ariel on Oct 12, 2006 0:35:05 GMT
My cousin,a doctor (now deceased), told me (when I showed interest in Kabbalah) that it was not for women ! His views did not deter me from my studying the "subject" ! Being a high degree Mason and very much against women joining Freemasonry may have had something to do with his views. Yes,I think that my path will be somewhat hindered and long,but I will try and that is all I can do,to become a Mason.
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Post by taylorsman on Oct 12, 2006 4:17:05 GMT
As far as I am concerned a person's genitalia has absolutely nothing to do with what they study. I wish you well in a difficult but fascinating subject.
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imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on Oct 12, 2006 4:31:52 GMT
I was told this early on as well. Kept me from approaching the subject until this past year. However, I've since discovered there's no basis for the prohibition, just an oral tradition. And, just like the tradition that keeps many women called to Freemasonry out of the Craft, there's utterly nothing to justify it. But do have fun with it. And remember, always, (looking left, looking right, dropping voice to a whisper) it isn't water
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Post by naphesh on Oct 12, 2006 12:48:29 GMT
Ariel
The Feminine plays an important part in Kaballah and I have never heard anything so wrong as 'women shouldnt study it'.
Good luck in your study/research
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Post by ariel on Oct 12, 2006 12:56:36 GMT
It may well have been my cousin who was an anti-feminist with regards to Freemasonry and esoteric studies and hopefully not all male Freemasons think the same ! I have no intention whatsoever to stop reading Kaballah and learning a lot from it. Kind regards, Ariel
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Post by ariel on Oct 12, 2006 13:59:15 GMT
PS: I forgot to mention that I adapted my UN from Kaballah. It was Uriel or Auriel (the former Fire of God and the latter Light of God,both used synonymously and associated with light) and I thought that Ariel suited me best ! In the Testament of Solomon seven Archangels are mentioned and Kaballah has several kinds of light: nogah(glow), tov(good), bahir(brilliant), zohar(glory), chaim(life) and muvhak(scintillating).....hence the significance of Light ! Ariel
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imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on Oct 12, 2006 17:01:31 GMT
Your cousin is to be pitied his blindness, in life, and nothing more. Nope. Just like all other individuals, each male Freemason is different. My experience, however, is that the vast majority for Freemasons (male and female) are no more distracted by my genitalia than I am by their's ;D And the ones who say I'm not/can't be/ain't allowed to be a Freemason . . . well, I just don't talk to them.
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Post by ariel on Oct 12, 2006 17:08:20 GMT
In which case,imakegarb,I am very happy that you will talk to me (as will other male Masons who are not "distracted by my genitalia) !
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phil
Member
Just me all at sea
Posts: 209
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Post by phil on Oct 12, 2006 17:26:37 GMT
Please permit me to clarify what your uncle was saying. It was not (only) his personal prejudice that led to his comment. Originally, and don’t ask me when, only Jewish men, above the age of 40 and fully versed in the Torah, were permitted to study the Kabbalah (however you want to spell it). That was the rabbinical standpoint throughout the world.
In these modern times, virtually anybody may study Kabbalah and it is even hype these days. Just ask Madonna. Personally speaking, I fear that the Kabbalah classes are also becoming big business.
If you really want to interpret your masonry well, I would strongly recommend that you study at least some elements of Kabbalah, as well as Alchemy, Hermetism and all other streams of esoteric study. There, you will find the roots of much of our craft.
I wish you success.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
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Post by staffs on Oct 12, 2006 20:41:56 GMT
In which case,imakegarb,I am very happy that you will talk to me (as will other male Masons who are not "distracted by my genitalia) ! ariel. you can be assured that your genetalia is NOT even a consideration . We are only too pleased if we can help and on this forum you will not find a negative reaction to women in FM or even those seeking FM. In fact this forum has been privileged to see some women seekers fulfil their ambition assisted and encouraged by this forum. Some of the male gender who belong to a male only constitution may not feel qualified enough to answer some of your questions that arise and therefore these are normally answered by those who do know. whoever we do openly encourage you on your journey .
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Post by gord on Oct 12, 2006 21:59:36 GMT
In which case,imakegarb,I am very happy that you will talk to me (as will other male Masons who are not "distracted by my genitalia) ! ariel. you can be assured that your genetalia is NOT even a consideration . We are only too pleased if we can help and on this forum you will not find a negative reaction to women in FM or even those seeking FM. In fact this forum has been privileged to see some women seekers fulfil their ambition assisted and encouraged by this forum. Some of the male gender who belong to a male only constitution may not feel qualified enough to answer some of your questions that arise and therefore these are normally answered by those who do know. whoever we do openly encourage you on your journey . Yes there are many of us who are male regular freemasons who, through no fault of our own, didn't even know that women participated in the craft. It may have been a bad assumption, at least on my part to think that way. This and other forums have opened my eyes in the last couple of years. I hope you find brotherly love, relief and truth in all your journeys in masonry.
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Post by taylorsman on Oct 13, 2006 3:47:04 GMT
I can agree with Divinator that many Malecraft Freemasons are unaware of Lady Masons and even more so of Co-Masonry. I did have a bit of knowledge that there were Lady Masons when I joined The Craft 18 years ago, but of Co-Masons I was in total darkness until a few years ago when through this Forum and another , and the posts by Whistler and some other Co-Masons, I found out about them.
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Post by vajranagini on Feb 17, 2007 3:46:31 GMT
My cousin,a doctor (now deceased), told me (when I showed interest in Kabbalah) that it was not for women ! His views did not deter me from my studying the "subject" ! Being a high degree Mason and very much against women joining Freemasonry may have had something to do with his views. Yes,I think that my path will be somewhat hindered and long,but I will try and that is all I can do,to become a Mason. ####################################### if you are taking Kabbalah, i.e. Jewish traditional teachings of the TOL, definitely yes, women were barred from learning it, although one finds the occasional exceptions here and there, and much lip service is paid to getting women into it nowadays, though it has been my experience that , as usual, women are expected to sit down and shaddap, and listen while the men tell them what to think. If you wish to study Hermetic Qabalah, gender is no barrier to learning, and indeed , you will likely find you outstrip the brethren in terms of attaining to the understanding of the Tree, since once the Qabalistic mindset is established, and a familiarity with the terminology gained, your progress will be exponential. I found I attained to a startling familiarity with Freemasonic symbolism, although my experience previously had been nominal at best, yet within a very short time (a couple of months), I could converse with Freemasons so easily they were convinced I had been studying the craft for YEARS. I recommend "The Mystical Qabalah" by Dion Fortune, and anything by Israel Regardie. One can also read "Magick Without Tears" by Aleister Crowley with great profit. Whatever might be said of A.C., he was definitely a Qabalistic adept.
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