The Challenges of Freemasonary

Apprentice Freemason about 1800

Your whole life is made up of

Abilities, Time and Possessions,

Gifts from God.

Your Abilities include natural talents

and skills which you have learned.

Your Time is divided between

work and rest

Your Possessions divide between

Property you hold and money you earn.

How you manage your whole life,

responsibly or carelessly, 

generously or selfishly,

imaginatively or fearfully,

is your Stewardship

All gifts belong to God and you are the

responsible caretaker for a little while.

To be a good steward

is to be able to offer each day,

as an act of worship.

Abilities well used.

Time well spent, 

Possessions well distributed.

See also:

Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason

My Short Police Career And The Freemasons

This is just me rambling on. I was talking to someone today who was going on about how much influence the Freemasons have within many countries, including the UK and USA. He said not to be fooled by their charity work, as there is a lot more to the organisation than that.

I guess I knew this myself as I have published a few post about the Freemasons including Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason. Strangely though, talking to this man, rooted out a long distant memory.

When I left school at 16 years 9 months I went into Police College in London. After some training I was given a police cadet's uniform and a chain with a whistle and a key to open Police Boxes - like Dr Who's Tardis - and was attached to a Police Station. A naive boy in the big, wide world!

 I got on okay, at least I thought I did. There was a panic one day as the Police Commissioner (in charge of London policing) was arriving. I was told I would have to offer him tea when he arrived. "Okay," I said. The old sergeant looked at me, shook his head, and said, "You'll make a good copper one day, because if I'd said Jesus Christ was coming you still wouldn't have been bothered" That was the nearest I ever got to any praise or compliment.

Then they posted another cadet to the Police Station. We often had to work on things together but, to my mind, he never knew what he was doing! I worked very hard on one particular project but when it was finished the Superintendent in charge praised the other cadet for a job well done.

I was a bit miffed as I felt I had done all the work. The old sergeant noticed this and took me to one side and explained that the Superintendent's attitude was because he, and the cadet's father were at the same Lodge. I didn't know what a Lodge was, let alone who the Freemasons were. The sergeant went into great detail and explained that if I wanted to get on within the Police I should somehow join the Freemasons at the earliest opportunity. According to him this was how to get rapid advancement, and was why he, who wasn't a Freemason, never made it further than sergeant.

Okay, that was all a long time ago, but it makes you wonder ...

As for my police career. it ended at 18 years 9 months when I failed the eyesight test in a medical and was told I would have to wear glasses. This meant it was the end of the police for me and my wish of becoming a detective!

Looking back, though, I'm very glad things worked out as they did!

Were The World Wars And World War III Planned By The Illuminati?

Photo Source: Flickr

I can't remember hearing about Albert Pike before but, as there is statue of him (photo above) outside Judiciary Square in Washington, USA, I guess he must have been important enough to warrant this.

He lived from 1809 to 1901 and is said, by some, to have forecast the two world wars and a possible third. Others will say though that he actually helped to set into motion the circumstances for the wars - with the aid of the Illuminati disguised within the Freemasons. Yes. a conspiracy theory.

Whether Pike was prophetic or an instigator, the story about him and three world wars is based on a supposed letter between him and Giuseppe Mazzini, dated August 15, 1871. No actual proof has been established regarding the authenticity of such a document. But, of course, there wouldn't be if there was manipulation going on behind the scenes by the likes of the Illuminati - or whoever.

Anyway, lets see what was written about these three world wars - and how they would allegedly be brought about. These are quotes from the said letter:

First Word War
"The First World War must be brought about in order to permit the Illuminati to overthrow the power of the Czars in Russia and of making that country a fortress of atheistic Communism. The divergences caused by the "agentur" [agents] of the Illuminati between the British and Germanic Empires will be used to foment this war. At the end of the war, Communism will be built and used in order to destroy the other governments and in order to weaken the religions."

Second World War
"The Second World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences between the Fascists and the political Zionists. This war must be brought about so that Nazism is destroyed and that the political Zionism be strong enough to institute a sovereign state of Israel in Palestine. During the Second World War, International Communism must become strong enough in order to balance Christendom, which would be then restrained and held in check until the time when we would need it for the final social cataclysm."

Third World War
"The Third World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences caused by the agentur [agents] of the "Illuminati" between the political Zionists and the leaders of Islamic World. The war must be conducted in such a way that Islam (the Moslem Arabic World) and political Zionism (the State of Israel) mutually destroy each other. Meanwhile the other nations, once more divided on this issue will be constrained to fight to the point of complete physical, moral, spiritual and economical exhaustion."

"We shall unleash the Nihilists and the atheists, and we shall provoke a formidable social cataclysm which in all its horror will show clearly to the nations the effect of absolute atheism, origin of savagery and of the most bloody turmoil. Then everywhere, the citizens, obliged to defend themselves against the world minority of revolutionaries, will exterminate those destroyers of civilization, and the multitude, disillusioned with Christianity, whose deistic spirits will from that moment be without compass or direction, anxious for an ideal, but without knowing where to render its adoration, will receive the true light through the universal manifestation of the pure doctrine of Lucifer, brought finally out in the public view. This manifestation will result from the general reactionary movement which will follow the destruction of Christianity and atheism, both conquered and exterminated at the same time."

In the above extracts it will be noted that Nazism and Zionists are mentioned - which wouldn't have been known at the time of the letter being written. This is generally explained away by saying that the Illuminati created these organisations - and thus knew of them in advance of them being general knowledge.

Many will say that most of this is codswallop but it has been established that Pike was an important Freemason and immersed himself in re-writing the rituals of Freemasonary and he became the Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite Masons. He is also said to have been a Satanist and a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

Giuseppe Mazzini

As for Giuseppe Mazzini the recipient (or sender) of the aforementioned letter he was 33rd degree Mason and was supposedly selected by the Illuminati to head their worldwide operations at that time.

I'll leave it there as I don't think blog posts should be too long, but I'm sure - if interested - you'll find lots more information on the Internet.

There is a copy online of Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry here.

Other Freemason Posts:
Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason
A Secret Freemasons View Of Old Age And Death
The Magic Behind The Secret Lodges

The Original Hell-Fire Club Who Celebrated Women And Wine And Mocked Religion

One of the secret organisations, often featured in popular fiction, is the Hell-Fire Club from the early and mid 1700s. The name of the club actually came later and was originally known by several names at the time such as: The Brotherhood of St. Francis of Wycombe, Order of Knights of West Wycombe, The Order of the Friars of St Francis of Wycombe and even the Monks or Friars of Medmenham.

The club is famed for it's outrageous goings on but at the time it was seen as a form of rebellion against the strong Christian religion of 18th Century Britain. It was initially founded in London by the Duke of Wharton - a known atheist - in 1719 who set out to ridicule religious orthodoxies of that time.

The club soon closed and Wharton went on to become the Grand Master of English Freemasons - not too sure how he could have done this, with him being an atheist. Perhaps that's why he didn't hold the position for very long and went on to organise his own anti-masonic order.

Sir Francis Dashwood

The Hell-Fire Club was resurrected in 1746 by Sir Francis Dashwood and several friends. Some of the rituals were passed on to the new group by Lady Mary Wortly Montagu, who had previously been a mistress of the Duke of Wharton.

The earliest meetings took place in a London pub - the George and Vulture - but soon moved to Medmenham Abbey where it continued for the remainder of it's existence.

The Abbey was completely overhauled by Dashwood and a celebrated collection of pornography was installed along with a Chapter Room for private 'ceremonies'.

Underneath the Abbey a series of caves were carved out from an existing one. This was decorated with mythological themes, phallic symbols and other items of a sexual nature. The Hell-Fire Caves at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire (England) can still be visited - photo below.

Above a doorway, in stained glass, was the motto: Fais ce que tu voudras - Do what thou Wilt - which was adopted much later by Aleister Crowley.

It's generally thought that members of the organisation attended events while wearing black monastic robes. Pseudo-Satanic rituals took place. The men were accompanied by 'nuns' who were hired for the evening. Nuns being the polite way of saying prostitutes.

Leading members of the organisation included the Earl of Bute and the Member of Parliament John Wilkes.

Wilkes described the action at the Abbey as, "... a set of worthy, jolly fellows, happy disciples of Venus and Bacchus, who got occasionally together to celebrate women and wine to give more zest to the festive meeting, they plucked every luxurious idea from the ancients and enriched their own modern pleasures with the tradition of classic luxury."

It is said that Benjamin Franklin - another Freemason - indulged while on a stay in England.

The Hell-Fire Club was in part a rebellion against the moral restraints of the period. It was somewhere that fantasies could be acted out in a safe setting. Early in it's history it made attacks on the dogmatic religious beliefs that were behind political autocracy.

Some of the club's practises were believed to have been influenced by the 'Chevaliers of Jubilation' - a libertine secret society founded in Holland. Members of the Chevaliers produced a book Treatise on the Three Imposters. In this they argued that Moses, Jesus and Muhammed were 'swindlers' who manufactured bogus religions in order to manipulate the masses.

I find it interesting that lurking behind such 'secret' organisations are often the aristocracy, politicians and other so called 'important' people.

Posts About Freemasons:
Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason
The Magic Behind The Secret Lodges
A Secret Freemasons View Of Old Age And Death

The Brotherhood Of The Snake - The Original Secret Society

Like probably most of us I knew that the Chinese Year of the Snake kicked off on the 10th of February 2013. I wasn't too sure of the characteristics of this so went on Google to find out - but got side-tracked!

I came across instead The Brotherhood of the Snake - a very different kettle of fish. Some sort of secret society I read.

Remembering that I had an Encyclopedia of Secret Societies waiting to be consumed, or at least perused, I opened up the virgin book and there it was on Page 100 - The Brotherhood of the Snake.

It's not something I had heard of previously which is surprising as the encyclopedia states, "... writers ... claim to have detected that the Brotherhood of the Snake is behind every secret society in history." Now that's a mighty big claim.

The book goes on to say that this brotherhood is, "... the oldest secret society in the world, founded in prehistoric times to carry out a diabolic plot of world domination and enslavement, culminating in a New World Order in the very near future."

Ah, now the New World Order is familiar. George Bush Snr gave the idea a boost to conspiracy theorists with his speech of January 16, 1991 when he said:

"This is an historic moment...we have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order - a world where the rule of law, not the law of the jungle, governs the conduct of nations. When we are successful, and we will be, we have a real chance at this new world order, an order in which a credible United Nations can use its peacekeeping role to fulfil the promise and vision of the UN’s founders."

Winston Churchill, Woodrow Wilson and others had previously talked of a New World Order but back to the Brotherhood of the Snake. Though there is no documented proof of it's existence the order was seemingly taken over by evil forces in Mesopotamia in the year 300,000BC and all secret societies from the Illuminati to the Freemasons are simply branches or sections of this original brotherhood. At least that is the gist of what my encyclopedia claims.

The snake is symbolic of the Genesis' serpent of The Tree of Knowledge and points to the belief of Satanism i.e. the worship of Satan the fallen archangel and spirit of evil.

But who started this first secret society of the Brotherhood of the Snake? Here's a couple of versions I found:

"It all started thousands of years ago with the "Brotherhood of the Snake", a secret society set up by an alien named Ea or Enki. This story is very carefully told in the Sumerian scriptures, which go back at least 6000 years. There it says man was created by draconian aliens, who came to this planet to exploit its resources - especially gold. But the work was heavy, so the alien race wanted someone else to do the hard work. Thus Ea, who was a brilliant scientist, created homo sapiens as a hybrid between a primitive earth life-form and the alien race. Source.

and ...

"When we look to discover who founded the Brotherhood, Mesopotamian texts point right back to that rebellious God, Prince Ea. Ancient Mesopotamian tablets relate that Ea and his father, Anu, possessed profound ethical and spiritual knowledge. This was the same knowledge that was later symbolized as trees in the Biblical Adam and Eve story.

In fact, the Biblical tree symbol came from pre-Biblical Mesopotamian works, such as one showing a snake wrapped around the trunk of a tree, identical to later portrayals of the snake in Eden. From the tree in the Mesopotamian depiction hang two pieces of fruit. To the right of the tree is the half-moon symbol of Ea; to the left is the planet symbol of Anu. The drawing indicates that Ea and Anu were associated with the snake and its teachings. This connection is affirmed by other Mesopotamian texts which describe Anu’s palace in the 'heavens' as being guarded by a God of the Tree of Truth and a God of the Tree of Life." Source.

Okay, I think I'll leave it there. It's funny how once you start researching something it can set you off on a trail in a completely different direction - but the scenery remains familiar.

Other Posts:
The Magic Behind The Secret Lodges
The Kundalini Serpent Of Adam And Eve
UFOs And Visits From Reptilian Dinosaurs

The Magic Behind The Secret Lodges

Freemasons Initiation circa 1800

Magic and Freemasonry flourished in the late 1700s in Britain. It was so successful that many trades set up their own similar organisations with their own lodges. After all, they do doubt thought, why should it just be Masons who had mutual support and protection for their trade secrets.

What many members of these newer organisations didn't always appreciate was that they were also dabbling in a form of magic.

Freemasons were initiated by being led blindfolded, bare footed or with one foot slip-shod, with clothes rearranged to expose parts of the body, were challenged with a sword, had a noose round their neck and had to swear a loyalty before being 'reborn'.

This initiation went back to the Ancient Mystery Schools. Millers, Shoemakers, Coopers and many others tried to duplicate these ceremonies and often created pseudo-history for their lodges.

The 1830 Shoemakers Union, for example had 'a full set of secret order regalia, surplices, trimmed aprons etc., and a crown and robes for King Crispin' (the legendary patron of their craft).

Fancy names were developed such as The Ancient Order of Foresters and The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.

The main aim of the organisations seems to have been (and still is) mutual help. This was long before any National Health system and was a way of members getting aid, help and assistance when needed. Thus the secret handshakes and signs to distinguish who should be helped.

There was magic behind the scenes with some very strange ceremonies and rituals. For instance the Foresters had to 'fight' a dual by sword, Oddfellows were tossed into a pile of brushwood and Buffaloes had to have their hair cut or singed.

Though members may not have fully appreciated the significance of any initiations and rituals a Jungian psychologist would no doubt say that primal symbolism and archetypes would affect the psyche - even if only on a subconscious level.

Some of these old lodges and organisations are still around today, though sometimes in a different format. The Foresters, for example, are now a Friendly Society and have 'financial solutions with a human touch'. Their website states:

"The Ancient Order of Foresters was established in 1834, although our origins lie in a much older society called the Royal Foresters, formed around 1723.

Our first members came to recognise they had a duty to assist their fellow men who fell into need "as they walked through the forests of life". This 'need' arose principally when a breadwinner fell ill, could not work and received no wages. Illness and death left families financially distressed and often destitute.

Addressing this need has been the main purpose of Foresters Friendly Society throughout our long history. Members recognised that by paying a few pence a week into a common fund, they would be able to offer sick pay and funeral grants when needed."

Many of the copy cat Freemasons have similar degrees. If we look at the The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes they state on this subject:

"Administratively we are a three-tier organisation. Minor Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge and Grand Lodge and there are four degrees or rank of membership. 1st (Brother), 2nd (Primo), 3rd (Knight of Merit) and 4th (Right Honourable)."

I've also mentioned the Oddfellows. They claim that they can trace their history back to 1066. In their own words:

"In 1810 the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows became officially recognised by the Government. However, Oddfellows social groups in England can be traced all the way back to 1066, making it one of the oldest friendly societies currently operating in the UK."

The Freemasons set a trail which many others have followed. Towards the end of the 18th century it is estimated there were over 4 million members of such organisations in Great Britain.

So forms of magic are deep in our roots whether we appreciate it or not. The likes of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, was influenced by Freemasonry and magic, but that's probably best kept for another day.

Other 67 Not Out Posts:
Mark Master Masons Symbolism And Why This Year Is 6012
Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason
Celebrities Linked To Illuminati By Their Photos

Mark Master Masons Symbolism And Why This Year Is 6012

I was walking past this Masonic Hall in Cornwall on Sunday and realised I had never properly looked at the building previously and all of it's outward symbolism.

The hall is of the Mark Master Masons, more of this later.

One of the things I noticed straight away was that the hall was built in 'AL 5900' - see photo below.

AL stands for 'Anno Lucis' and this translated from the Latin means 'Year of Light' and is a calender often used by Freemasons.

As I understand this, the Year of Light refers to Genesis in the Bible where God supposedly said, "Let there be light." Creationists and many old Bibles give this as happening in the year 4004 BC but the Mason's calendar places the 'event' at the year 4000 BC, which ties in with the theory that Jesus was actually born in 3 AD or 4 AD.

Whatever the reason AL is 4000 years different to the calendar popularly used today, so we are now in 6012 AL.

The Mark Master Masons have been on record since 1756 when a 'brother' was first mentioned as being made a Mark Mason at the Newcastle Masonic Lodge.

As with Freemasons the Mark Masons have a degree - for those interested in such things the full ritual for this can be seen here.

So why would anyone want this Mark Master Mason's degree? On literature I have seen they give three reasons.

"Firstly, it greatly enhances his knowledge of Craft Masonry. Secondly, it teaches, in a delightful way, many important practical lessons about life. Thirdly, it gives a greater appreciation of the Royal Arch and provides an essential qualification to other Orders in Masonry."

For more information go to History of Mark Master Masons.

Above and below are photos of some of the symbolism on the Masonic Hall in Cornwall.

Other Freemason Posts:
Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason
A Secret Freemasons View Of Old Age And Death
Freemasonry And Good Stewardship

Celebrities Linked To Illuminati By Their Photos

Lady Gaga

Surely not. Pudsey and Lady Gaga associated with Illuminati symbolism!

Pudsey of Children In Need

I'd better first explain to non UK readers that Pudsey bear is the symbol for the BBC's massive Children In Need charity, which raises many millions of pounds. The next Children In Need day is on the 16th of November.

Note how Pudsey and Lady Gaga both have their right eye covered - a sign, supposedly, that they are showing allegiance to the Illuminati.

Many blogs get quite obsessed with hidden eye symbolism, often by celebrities and wonder if they are being manipulated by handlers even if not true Illuminati participants themselves. Lets look at a few more such photos.

Bono

Celine Dion

Beyonce

Rihanna

Pharrell Williams

Jourdan Dunn British Model

Lionel Richie

There are many, many more examples. Are they really Illuminati inspired, a 'coincidence' or maybe just a style for photos? It's up to what the reader and viewers of the pictures believe.

Eye of Horus

The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol of healing, wholeness, strength, perfection and of the New Kingdom.

Other 67 Not Out Posts:
Major Illuminati Figure Owns One Sixth Of The Earth's Surface
Elvis Presley And Madonna's Satanic Illuminati Links
Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason

Freemasonry And Good Stewardship

The following is something I obtained from an official Freemasonry publication, said to have been 'Published by authority of the Grand Master'. It was written by an 'author unknown' and therefore not covered by copyright.

Your whole life is made up of

Abilities, Time and Possessions,

Gifts from God.

Your Abilities include natural talents

and skills which you have learned.

Your Time is divided between

work and rest.

Your Possessions divide between

property you hold and money you earn.

How you manage your whole life,

responsibly or carelessly,

generously or selfishly

imaginatively or fearfully,

is your Stewardship.

All gifts belong to God and your are

the responsible caretaker for a little while.

To be a good steward

is to be able to offer each day,

as an act of worship,

Abilities well used,

Time well spent,

Possessions well distributed.

How the world would change if we all became good stewards.

P.S. I have no personal connection with Freemasonry.

67 Not Out Similar Posts:
Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason
Elvis Presley And Madonna's Satanic Illuminati Links
A Secret Freemasons View Of Old Age And Death

Elvis Presley And Madonna's Satanic Illuminati Links

I had some unexpected free time this morning so I thought I'd see if there was anything I could find on the Internet that would be suitable for a future post. I didn't have any subject in mind.

I went into my blog stats first and saw that for today I had 1111 page views so far. I felt the number significant. It came to my mind that Elvis Presley's come back album, after being in the US Army, Elvis Is Back, was GZS-1111. (I have this on a vinyl original recording). So off I went hunting the King!

I've written previously about how I like early Elvis Presley rock music and somehow while Googling this I found how Elvis was supposedly controlled by the Illuminati! I hadn't heard this before despite having quite a few books about him. The website Educate-Yourself indicated that it was okay to copy their material so here's a sample:

"Elvis Presley was ... programmed by the Illuminati. We know that at times he went by code names, one which is publicly known was John Burrows. His group, called the Memphis Mafia, have talked about his ability to go into altered states of consciousness, even to seem dead."

The web site continued by talking about Elvis' twin who died at birth and as also mentioned in my post The Twinless Twin Mystery

"Cisco points out that Elvis’ twin brother was dead at his birth, and that Elvis knew that this gave him double spiritual power (according to Illuminati beliefs)."

"The Illuminati will often kill a twin, so that the other will get the power of two souls. From what we understand, Elvis Presley’s handler/programmer was Col. Tom Parker." Who was, of course, his manager.

"Elvis belonged to a team of four Illuminati men. Elvis is publicly known to have studied yoga, numerology, drugs, and received some new age spiritual training in an academy overlooking Pasadena, CA. He was an active member in the Theosophical Society."

A little further on the website writes:

"Elvis and the Beatles were chosen by the Illuminati to introduce rock music to the United States. There is no doubt about Elvis’ and the Beatles’ musical talent. Elvis’ close friend Wayne Newton is highly suspected as also being a slave. Elvis worked with Burt Reynolds and Jerry Lee Lewis who also connect in with the Illuminati’s mind-control operations."

"The authors are puzzled why Elvis’ grave, which had millions of dollars spent on its security, has his name misspelled. We are also puzzled why Elvis, who repeatedly stated he wanted to be buried beside his mother, is buried beside his father, who he privately stated wasn’t even his real father. Why has no one ever tried to collect insurance on Elvis’ death? Once again, it seems, the front stories that the public hears are full of inconsistencies. We believe that some people in the Illuminati know the true story about Elvis Presley. For sure Elvis’ mysterious mind-control programmer/handler Col. Tom Parker would know."

Another search and I came across a post about Madonna from a Christian blogger, Stacey Dames. She writes about how she used to be a Madonna fan but ...

"I was pulled from the wreckage by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In honor of the One who saved me, I now write about this woman (Madonna) who has been used willingly since 1983 by Satan and the New World Order elites to further their end time agenda."

Stacey goes on to give a long list that 'proves' Madonna's links with Satan from when she started in show business. One of these links or associations is with Elvis Presley. By coincidence Elvis died on Madonna's birthday, 16th of August. This is what she writes:

"1987: Madonna pays homage to the King of Rock and Roll throughout her career, linking herself to Elvis Presley in various ways. Elvis' death and the continued idolatrous celebration of him also happens to be her birthday - August 16th."

"Elvis Presley is a known occultist who is very fond of satanic theosophist Madame Blavatsky, and even reads to his audiences from her books after performances. Blavatsky teaches that Lucifer is the one true god, Jehovah is satan, and the enlightened one, satan, is coming to rule the planet during the Age of Aquarius."

"Madonna pays homage to the King by kissing a poster of him in her movie, 'Who's That Girl?'"

I glanced at my clock and as it was 11:11 so I thought it must be time to move onto something else!

So should I now ditch my very old collection of vinyl Elvis records, some will be worth a few quid? And I also have a couple of autographed photos of Madonna (see below). Must that now go too?

No way, I think I'll hang onto them, but it does make you wonder who or what you can believe.

There is no reality just our realisation of how things are.

Seen on Elvis Truth.

Nearly forgot to include this!

"The Memphis Mafia spent the next five years keeping Elvis subdued, feeding him drugs that kept him disoriented and overweight. He struggled to keep up his former life, performing stage shows and spending time with beautiful women, but eventually the poisons became too much for him. Elvis Presley died in August 16, 1977, murdered by Freemasons in retaliation for the death of J. Edgar Hoover."

Of course you won't find anything of this on Wikipedia!

Again, there is no reality ...

A Secret Freemasons View Of Old Age And Death

It's interesting that in the Freemason's third degree they refer to the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. The most relevant parts being the end of Chapter 11 and Chapter 12.

These Chapters give advise and a description of our lives, the way we age, plus a hint that there may be something after death.

Ecclesiastes 11, Chapter 11, verses 9 and 10 gives us an introduction: "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of your youth, and walk in ways of thine heart, and in sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement. Therefore remove sorrow from they heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity."

In other words enjoy your youth but remember that you are still answerable to God for your actions ... and old age will follow.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 12 - with a Freemason's interpretation: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (here is a reminder that our days are three score and ten and, if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow).

"While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened" (youth lives in the sunlight, and even at night the moon and the stars give lumination; but these blessings are not forever; darkness comes to the elderly), "nor the clouds return after the rain." (youth is a time of refreshing showers, but as one grows older the clouds gather).

Ecclesiastes continues with strong imagery. "In the days when the keepers of the house shall tremble" (the hands and arms shake), "and the strong men bow themselves" (the back and legs become bent), "and the grinders cease because there are few" (with age the teeth fall out), "and those that look out of the windows be darkened." (the eyesight fails).

"And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when sound of the grinding is low" (with old age comes loss of hearing, and the outside world becomes cut off), "and he shall rise up at the voice of a bird" (the old man wakens with the birds) "and all the daughters of music shall be brought low." (the quavering voice will be without tune).

"Also when they shall be afraid of what is high" (heights are terrifying), "and fears shall be in the way" (walking in the street is terrifying), "and the almond tree shall flourish" (their hair becomes as white as almond blossoms), " and the grasshopper shall be a burden" ( the withered old man drags himself along), "and desire shall fail" (he has no appetite): "because man goeth to his long home" (death is near), "and the mourners go about the streets." (the professional mourners stand around waiting to be hired).

"Or ever the silver cord be loosed" (before the cord of life snaps), "or the bowl be broken" (before the cup of life becomes cracked and the contents drain away), "or the pitcher be broken at the fountain" (death comes to some in the midst of their work), "or the wheel broken at the cistern." (man is a fragile mechanism which falls into disuse).

All in all a pretty gloomy picture this paints of the ageing process. Though it does end with, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was" (earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust):  "and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (the spirit of man returns to his long home to be with his Creator).

I'm pleased that the Freemasons seem to be saying that there is an afterlife (which is also what I believe) but their description of ageing doesn't have to be.  And this is what I consider to be one of the problems with man having such a short life: we are programmed, and therefore believe that certain things happen at specific ages.  It's the acceptance of this misinformation that we have to overcome.  It will probably take a few generations to do this but we will do so eventually.  Already we read about how 60 is the new 40 and other positive statements.

One day we will learn to live to the length of time required to achieve our full potential.

The above interpretation, together with Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason were taken from secret Freemason manuscripts.

Freemasons: The Solemn Obligation Of A Master Mason

I wasn't sure what to write today but was handed the following which, I'm told, is part of the Freemasons initiation into the Third Degree of a Master Mason. It is the Solemn Obligation of a Master Mason, and is only a small part of the complete process.

I thought it may be of interest to readers, especially the promise in the final paragraph.

Candidate:
I, full name, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, erected to Him and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will keep and conceal and never reveal any of the secrets belonging to the Degree of Master Mason, which I have received, am about to receive, or may be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall be to a worthy Brother Master Mason, or within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of such, and not unto him or them until by due trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic information, I shall have found him or them justly entitled to receive the same.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will support the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the name of lodge here, also all the laws, rules, and edicts of the same, or of any other Grand Lodge from whose jurisdiction I may hereafter hail; together with the by-laws, rules, and regulations of this or any other Lodge of which I may become a member, so far as the same shall come to my knowledge.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will answer and obey all due signs and regular summons sent me from the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, or handed me by a worthy Brother of this degree, if within the length of my cable-tow.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will help, aid, and assist all poor and distressed Master Masons, their widows and orphans, they applying to me as such, I finding them worthy, and can do so without material to myself or family.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will keep the secrets of a worthy Brother Master Mason, when communicated to me as such, as secure and inviolate in my breast as they were in his before communication.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a Master Mason, except for the benefit of the Craft while at work or for the instruction of a Brother, unless I am in real distress; and should I see the sign given, or hear the word spoken, I will hasten to the relief of the person so giving it.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not give the substitute for the Master’s Word in any other way or manner than that in which I receive it, which will be on the Five points of Fellowship, and at low breath.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Master Masons Lodge, or a worthy Brother of this degree to the value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to be done by another, if in my power to prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not knowingly strike a Brother Master Mason, nor otherwise do him personal violence in anger, except in the necessary of myself, family or property.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not have illicit carnal intercourse with a Master Mason’s wife, widow, mother, sister or daughter, nor suffer it to be done by another if in my power to prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising of an old man in dotage, a young man under age, an irreligious libertine, an atheist, a person of unsound mind, or a woman, knowing them to be such.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising of a candidate clandestinely, nor hold Masonic intercourse with a clandestine Mason, or with one who has been suspended or expelled, knowing him to be such, until duly restored.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind in me whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds of Heaven, that there might remain neither track, trace nor remembrance among man or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I should be, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of a Master Mason. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.

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Hitler And His Divining Rod For Dark Forces
The Lessons Of The Bees As A Symbol

Cornwall Photos on "Mike's Cornwall" Blog

The Lessons Of The Bees As A Symbol

Since I wrote the post Ever Had Bees In Your Pants I seem to have created a buzz (sorry!) about bees. I was sent some more photos by email of the little creatures climbing all over human bodies.

It appears that in China they have competitions to find out who can get the most bees to settle on them - while only wearing shorts and goggles. The guy in the photo above came second to a gentleman called Wang Dablin.

Wang is seen in the photo below brushing away bees after his attempt. He may have won this competition but he didn't beat the world record currently held by Zhang Wei.


The bees are attracted by the scent of Queen Bees.

Now why on earth anyone would want to do this I have no idea. I just hope that none of the bees were harmed - as I've written before I don't believe in any form of killing, even insects.

Since I wrote the first post about bees I've seen them everywhere: mentioned in magazines and newspapers, in conversations and I keep seeing the Magners Cider television advert (which includes a man with a bee beard) on UK television.

It's an example of how, if we think about something, we get more and more info about whatever it is. We attract what we think about. In this case bees - but I've had enough of them now, thanks!

But before I end the post a little about the Bee Hive within Freemasonry. This is used as a symbol best described as within a secret Masonic text:

"The Bee Hive is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven to the lowest reptile in the dust. It teaches us that we come into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down content while our fellow creatures around us are in want, especially when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves.

There is actually a lot to be learned from bees. From even, what appears to be, something frivolous there are lessons of life.