The life of Thomas Dunckerley was one of a major importance to the Craft. No other 18th century English Freemason occupied so many distinguished offices as he did. His story is an engaging reading that will also fill your mind with questions. Thomas ’s motto was “Fato non Merito” [1] and nothing summarises his life better … Continue reading Thomas Dunckerley – The founder of Mark Masonry
Masonic Etiquette is very much an unpublished as well as an unspoken code of behaviour and therefore it can only be learnt in time or through observation. But in general it is expected that a Freemason exhibits ,at the very least and from his initiation, a decorum that is appropriate in polite societies, before s0meone … Continue reading Twenty Major Points of the Masonic Galateo
The Italian magazine of esoteric and Masonic studies – “Il Laboratorio” [1] published in 2012 an article entitled : “Masonic Galateo – or the manner to best behave in a Masonic lodge”. The original Galateo is a treaty on the rules of polite behaviour, written by Giovanni della Casa [2] and first published two years … Continue reading Masonic Galateo
All men possess some real worth but Genius is a unique gift of God to man. The word “genius” signifies original, from the Latin of Gignor, to be born; or, older still, from the Greek of Gennao, to generate, to produce. A man may be a good historian, a good soldier or politician but only … Continue reading Robert Burns: A poet and a Freemason
The article by De La Riviere of February 2017 referred to the claim that the Chevalier Ramsay made in his speech of 1736 to the Grand Lodge of France in Paris, that the Freemasons descended from the Knights Templar. Many eminent Freemasons share such perception and historians concur that the roots of Freemasonry date back … Continue reading The Transition from Templars into Freemasons
In the minutes of the London Lodge “The Nine Muses” is recorded that on 13th February 1783 the “Marquis Paul de Arconati, Viscount of Milano” was admitted as a member. Since it was founded on 14thJanuary 1977 at the Thatched House Tavern in James’s Street, “The Nine Muses” Lodge has had a large number of … Continue reading The Marquis Arconati Viscont – An eccentric Freemason
In the year 1748 the powerful King of Prussia Frederick II sent a letter of commendation[1] to a little known Italian nobleman who had written an essay called “Best practices of military operations for the foot soldiers”. The author was Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of San Severo born on 30th January 1710 in Torre Maggiore … Continue reading The Prince of San Severo : a Freemason and a sorcerer
For the ancient Romans a new day would begin at midnight, for the Greeks it would start at sunset and for the Egyptians at dawn. The hours are an ancient invention and were codified by the Greeks in the 5th century B.C. by measuring the distance that the sun covers in the sky. But it … Continue reading The Masonic Lodge : an explanation of the traditional opening hour
The Masonic ritual makes references to both St Johns the Baptist and St John the Evangelist and it also contains the principle that the Bible must be kept open on the Gospel in an open Lodge. According to Paul Naudon [1], author of the book “Les Loges de Saint-Jean”, the origin of this tradition is … Continue reading The two St Johns and Freemasonry
Ever since man took his first steps to evolution and left behind himself the condition of ignorance, he has had the capacity to remember and a desire to tell his fellow creatures of his experiences. He has , in other words , always felt the need to pass down the wisdom that cascades from his forbearers’ actions.
The vanquishing Nations always needed to instil fear and respect in the hearts and minds of the subdued people. They need to do it just so that they may have retained a good hold on them . So what better to that purpose than build and permanently display reminders of their military prowess and of the achievements of their military and political leaders ?
At the same time the conquerors, finding the need to integrate the capitulated people , started imposing on them their traditions, religious beliefs and – where present – their legislation or rules of obedience.
In essence, they passed on their “Ars Vitae”.
