To all of my Brothers and Sisters of the Armed Forces, past and present, I wish you all a Happy Veteran's Day. God bless all of you and God bless the United States.
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
The Cradle of Liberty
This last weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to the Boston area for work. Thursday night I flew in and, after checking in to my hotel, I went into downtown Boston where I took part in the Ghost and Gravestone Tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and got into her role.
After finishing work on Friday, I traveled to Lexington to visit the Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Museum. I then took a tour of Buckman Tavern where the Colonials were staying before fighting the British on April 19, 1775. I walked the Minuteman Trail to Concord before driving up to Salem where I bought a ticket for the Boos and Brews Tour.
I recovered Saturday night after work and got some needed rest. When I finished with work on Sunday I drove around Harvard, MIT, and Northeastern Universities before I walked around Boston and had dinner at Ye Old Union Oyster House then had a beer at the Bell in Hand Tavern and the Green Dragon Tavern.
On Monday I toured the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and then walked the Freedom Trail. I started at the State House then went to the Granary Burying Grounds, Kings Chapel and Burying Grounds, Ben Franklin Statue, Old South Meeting House, Old Statehouse, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copps Hill Burying Ground, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill.
Now I'm off to Kentucky for the annual meeting of the High Council of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Masonic Week 2024
The preliminary schedule of the 2024 Masonic Week has been released. It will be held from February 8-11, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City near the Reagan National Airport.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
8:00 AM - Trinity Chapel No.2, Ye Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon
10:00 AM - Grand Master's Council, Ye Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon
Terry Plemons - Grand Master
John Elkinton - Grand PriorJeremy Vaughn - Grand Secretary
12:00 PM - St. Thomas of Acon Festive Board
1:15 PM - Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor
D. Allen Surratt - Grand PreceptorLarry Tucker - Grand Recorder
1:30 PM - Order of Holy Wisdom, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
3:00 PM - Potomac Court No.107, Masonic Order of Athelstan
4:30 PM - Provincial Grand Court, Masonic Order of Athelstan
Bryce Hildreth - Provincial Grand Master
David Cashion - Provincial Grand Secretary
7:00 PM - Athelstan Banquet
9:00 PM Masonic Order of the Bath
Barry Newell - Commander-General
Bill Snyder - Keeper of the Bath Records
9:00 PM - Masonic Order of Pilgrim Preceptors
Jonathan Roberts - Grand Master
George Haynes - Regional Governor
Alan Beidel - Regional Secretary
Friday, February 9, 2024
7:00 AM - York Rite Sovereign College Breakfast
8:00 AM - Allied Masonic Degrees: Installed Sovereign Master
8:45 AM - Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri: Knight Commander
9:00 AM - Ladies Breakfast
9:00 AM - Grand Council of Knights Masons of the United States of America
James Winzenreid - Great ChiefDavid Cashion - Grand Scribe
12:00 PM - Knights Masons Luncheon
1:00 PM - Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
Bill Riggs - Grand Preceptor
Larry Tucker - Grand Registrar
3:00 PM - Grand College of Rites
Russell Bridges - Grand ChancellorChris Gamblin - Grand Registrar
4:30 PM Society of Blue Friars
Arturo de Hoyos - Grand AbbotMark Tabbert - Deputy Grand Abbot
Richard Fletcher - Secretary-General
5:30 PM - Allied Masonic Degrees: Worshipful Commander Noah
6:00 PM - Allied Masonic Degrees: Installed Supreme Ruler
7:00 PM - The Masonic Society Dinner
7:00 PM - CBCS Dinner
9:00 PM - Ye Antiente Order of Corks
Marion Humphreys - Grand Bung of the Americas
Saturday, February 10, 2024
7:00 AM - All Masonic Breakfast
8:00 AM - Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord: First, Second, and Third Grades
9:45 AM - Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord: Fourth Grade
10:30 AM - Philalethes Society
12:00 PM - Philalethes Society Luncheon
1:15 PM - Council of the Nine Muses No. 13, AMD
2:30 PM - Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees
W. Berry Rigdon - Sovereign Grand Master
Seth Anthony - Grand Secretary
2:00 PM - Ladies Tea
6:00 PM - All Masonic Social Hour
7:00 PM - All Masonic Banquet
Sunday, February 11
8:30 AM - Washington Monument Assemblage
9:00 AM - Lodge of Menatzchim, V
10:30 AM - Lodge of Harodim, VI
12:30 PM - The Operatives Brunch
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Knight Commander of the Court of Honor
In the 12 years that I've been a Scottish Rite Mason, I had never attended the Honors Weekend so I learned a few things that I did not know before. The Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, or KCCH, was not a part of the Scottish Rite originally, but was instituted on May 5, 1870, during the governance of Albert Pike when he was the Sovereign Grand Commander. Like any honor should be, the KCCH is by invitation only and a recipient must have been a 32° for 46 months to be eligible for nomination. The nomination must be sent by the Orient's Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy to the Supreme Council where they must cast a unanimous ballot.
It was established not as an additional degree, but as an honor for those 32° Brothers who had served the Scottish Rite well. The KCCH also serves as a pool for those to be selected for the 33° Honorary, but receiving the KCCH is by no means a guarantee that a Brother will receive the 33°.
The jewel of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour is a 'Cross Patee Fitched' or a passion cross with fitched ends (see picture). The cross rests on a circle of gold laurel leaves. On the cross is a raised gold circular plate, with gold beads around the circumference. The plate is enameled in white. On the white plate is a green trefoil (a shape like a shamrock). Around the trefoil, in letters of gold are "KT:. COMM:. COURT OF HONOUR."
After being knighted by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Idaho, the recipients were all given their red cap which is meant to "symbolize that nobility of soul which is the parent of all knightly virtues."
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Joint York Rite Conference
I enjoyed the Friday session with Chapter and Council where one presentation on membership was given by the Assistant Grand Secretary of California who is also the Deputy Grand Commander of Knights Templar of California. Saturday was all for the Knights Templar and presentations given by the Grand Encampment.
It was a pleasure to see old friends and make new ones.
Friday, October 13, 2023
William Wynn Westcott
William was involved with his community and served in many capacities and appointments such as Factory Surgeon, Public Vaccinator, Medical Officer of Health, and Quartermaster to a Battalion of Volunteers.
On February 18, 1873, he was married to Elizabeth Burnett. Together they had four children and moved back to London in 1879. From 1879 to 1881, he seemed to have taken a sabbatical where he studied Kabalistic, Hermetic, Alchemical, and Rosicrucian philosophy and teachings.
In 1881, he was appointed Deputy Coroner for Central Middlesex and Central London. In 1894, he was appointed Coroner for Northeast London; he served in this position until 1918. In 1918, he moved to South Africa.
William Wynn Westcott was initiated into Parret and Axe Lodge No. 814 in Crewkerne (England) on October 24, 1871. Little is known about his advancement, but he served as the Lodge's Master in 1877. He was also a member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, the premier Lodge of Research in the world, and served as its Worshipful Master in 1893. He would also serve as Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in Somerset and be awarded the rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon by the United Grand Lodge of England.
In Capitular Masonry, he was exalted into the Chapter of Brotherly Love No. 329 on April 30, 1873, and served as the First Principal (equivalent to Excellent High Priest in the United States) in 1889. He would go on to be a Past Grand Standard Bearer of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England.
Unlike the US, Mark Masonry is a separate body in England. Westcott was advanced to Mark Masonry in William de Irwin Lodge No. 162 and served as its Master in 1887. He would serve as the Provincial Grand Senior Warden of the Mark Province of Somerset.
He is said to have joined the Order of the Temple or Knights Templar, but the dates are not known nor what offices he held, if any. This claim is disputed.
He joined the Ancient & Accepted Rite in 1875 and was promoted to the 30° in 1878.
He was a member of Rose and Lily Conclave No. 10 of the Red Cross of Constantine.
He was a member of the Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri where he was instrumental in reviving and reorganizing the order, and served as its Grand Master and its senior Knight Grand Cross.
He was admitted to the Swedenborg Rite in 1876 where he served as Worshipful Master of Emanuel Lodge No. 1 and Junior Warden of Hermes Lodge No. 8 in 1886, District Senior Grand Warden and Supreme Grand Senior Deacon in 1877, Worshipful Master of Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction in 1887, and Supreme Grand Junior Warden and Supreme Grand Secretary in 1891.
Westcott joined the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA) on April 15, 1880, at Metropolitan College. He was admitted to the Grades of the Second Order on December 12, 1881. In 1883 he served as Secretary General of the Society. In 1889, he served as Celebrant of Metropolitan College, and in 1891 he was enthroned as Most Worthy Supreme Magus of the SRIA.
Westcott was targeted by anti-Masons of the age. In 1896, he was listed as the “Chief of English Luciferians” in a French anti-Mason publication called “Mémoires d'une Ex-Palladiste”. This was supposedly written by Ms. Diana Vaughan which of course was a pseudonym used by the hoaxer Leo Taxil.
Westcott was also a member of several non-Masonic esoteric societies like the Hermetic Society and Theosophical Society. The latter organization he advanced to the “inner circle.” But it was with another group that Westcott is highly remembered, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
In 1887 Westcott acquired a ciphered manuscript that proved to be a series of initiatory rituals. In working with his fellow Rosicrucian Frater, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers worked the rituals into a workable form. He, Mathers, and Dr. William Robert Woodman (the then Supreme Magus of the SRIA) established the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in February 1888.
Being a public official (the Coroner), he was pressured into retiring from his public life as a member of the Golden Dawn and stepped down from his officer roles. There also seems to have been an internal dispute between him and Mathers who accused Westcott of being a forger and liar. Some speculate that it was Mathers who had informed Westcott's superiors of his involvement in the Golden Dawn to force him out of power. Mathers accuses Westcott of fabricating the documents authenticating the origins of the Golden Dawn.
William Westcott died of Brights Disease (a kidney disease) on July 30, 1925, in Durban, South Africa. He was predeceased by his wife in 1921, both of his sons (1906 and 1907), and both of his daughters (1918 and 1924). While some of his life may be left in controversy, he was clearly a revered and respected Mason in his time and left a legacy with the Golden Dawn as well. While unknown to most Masons in the US, he was a contemporary of men like AE Waite, John Yarker, Theodore Reuss, and Albert Pike.
References
1. Dr. William Wynn Westcott. (n.d.). Retrieved from The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: https://hermeticgoldendawn.org/biography-dr-william-wynn-westcott/
2. Gilbert, R. A. (1987, February 19). William Wynn Westcott and the Esoteric School of Masonic Research. Retrieved from ARS QUATUOR CORONATORUM: https://freemasonry.bcy.ca/aqc/westcott/westcott.html
3. Parsell, H. V. (n.d.). Dr. William Wynn Westcott: An Appreciation. Retrieved from Societas Rosicruciana in America: https://sria.org/dr-william-wynn-westcott-an-appreciation/
4. Westcott, William Wynn. (n.d.). Retrieved from Occult World: https://occult-world.com/westcott-william-wynn/
5. William Wynn Westcott. (2016, August 14). Retrieved from Geni: https://www.geni.com/people/William-Westcott/6000000009428109687
6. William Wynn Westcott and the Esoteric School of Masonic Research: Appendix A. (n.d.). Retrieved from MasterMason: http://www.mastermason.com/luxocculta/appendix4.htm
Saturday, September 30, 2023
A Masonic Month
Well, September is done. For most of the US, September means the resumption of Masonic activity since most go dark for the summer (and hot) months. For me, September started with attending the Convent General of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor. This month had two Blue Lodge meetings, including celebrating the 113th Anniversary of my home Lodge, Oriental Lodge No.60 in Boise, and conferring two Third Degrees where I conferred one of them and gave the Third Degree Lecture to both. I also attended a Commandery of Knights Templar, the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Idaho, and the Masonic Order of Athelstan.
I have been a member of the Masonic Order of Athelstan since 2015, but due to work and Masonic obligations, I haven't been able to attend a meeting in some time so it was nice to make it. The one I belong to is in Issaquah, WA, so I flew up as it would be over 9 hours of driving. The Court instructed (or initiated) 4 candidates and we voted on more. The installation of officers for the 2023-2024 year happened and I was appointed as the Captain of the Guard.
Now, I'm back home getting ready for a busy last quarter of the year.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Grand Lodge of Idaho
Thursday morning, I and three other Sir Knights served as the Flag Bearers for the Opening of the Grand Lodge. Introductions were performed; there were visitors from Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Arizona, Hawaii, and Paraguay.
We had 12 Resolutions this year that could be combined into 4 groups of resolutions: 1 was adding another certificate of proficiency for those wishing to serve as Masters of Lodges, 7 of them concerned amending and cleaning up our Penal Code, 3 concerned adding a Budget Committee and the procedures it would follow, and the last one wanted to allow lectures to be done through a video presentation. The only ones that were approved by the voting members of the Grand Lodge were those concerning the housekeeping of the Penal Code. All others were soundly defeated.
The first one, in my opinion, further muddied the waters. In Idaho, our Wardens must demonstrate proficiency in opening and closing a Lodge in all three degrees and pass the designated examination on Masonic Law. To serve as a Worshipful Master, a Brother currently needs a Full Worshipful Masters Certificate of Proficiency or an alternate Worshipful Masters Certificate of Proficiency (known as a "Secondary Worshipful Masters Certificate of Proficiency"). To gain full proficiency, one must have done everything in the Warden's Certificate as well as confer all three degrees, deliver the Masters Geometry Lecture in the Second Degree, serve as Master in the Second Section of the Third Degree, conduct a Stated Communication, deliver the First Degree Lecture, the Senior Deacons Lecture (often called "The Staircase Lecture") in the Second Degree, the Third Degree Lecture in open Lodge or before the District Deputy Grand Master of his District. An alternate certificate only requires one of the lectures instead of all of them. Some Lodges are struggling with getting Brothers to meet these standards and instead of mentoring they are trying to lower the bar.
Saturday morning, Masons and guests assembled at the Westgate Masonic Center, the new location for Boise Masonry, and performed a Cornerstone Dedication. I counted 94 people in the room and there were still several without the door that I wasn't able to get a good count on. I wore my Templar uniform and represented Idaho Commandery No.1 (one of the six owner bodies of the Westgate).
I want to congratulate Bro. H. Sherman Burger III, now Junior Past Grand Master of Idaho, for his year in the East and governing this Grand Lodge. I want to thank him for appointing me as Chairman of the Committee on Masonic Research and Education. I wish the best for the new Grand Master, Bro. Gary A.S. LaBruyere, and his officers. I've known Gary for some time and have served with him in several capacities in the Grand York Rite of Idaho where he has served as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Idaho, Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of Idaho, and Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Idaho. I also wish the best of luck to the newly elected and installed Grand Secretary. Our last Grand Secretary decided to retire after 15 years of service and a Past Grand Master stepped into that position.
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Sovereign Great Priory
A Preceptory of Knights Templar is presided over by an Eminent Preceptor and the following officers:
Chaplain
First Constable
Second Constable
Treasurer
Registrar
Marshal
Deputy Marshal
Almoner
First Herald
Second Herald
Standard Bearer (Beauceant)
Standard Bearer (Vexillum Belli or Banner of War)
Banner Bearer
Captain of the Guards
Organist
Guard
An Eminent Preceptor only needs to appoint a Chaplain, First Constable, Second Constable, Treasurer, Registrar, Marshal, Captain of Guards, and Guard. There could be a Pro Preceptor appointed if a Prince of the blood royal is elected and accepts being Preceptor.
Most Preceptories fall under a Provincial Priory which is presided over by a Right Eminent Provincial Prior and the following officers:
Very Eminent Provincial Sub-Prior
Eminent Provincial Prelate
Eminent Provincial Chancellor
Eminent Provincial First Constable
Eminent Provincial Second Constable
Eminent Provincial Treasurer
Eminent Provincial Registrar
Eminent Provincial Vice-Chancellor
Eminent Provincial Marshal
Eminent Provincial Deputy Marshal
Eminent Provincial Almoner
Eminent Provincial Herald
Eminent Provincial Standard Bearer (Beauceant)
Eminent Provincial Standard Bearer (Vexillum Belli)
Eminent Provincial Banner Bearer
Eminent Provincial Sword Bearer
Eminent Provincial Aide-de-Camp
Eminent Provincial Warden of Regalia
Eminent Provincial Chamberlain
Eminent Provincial Captain of the Guard
Eminent Provincial Organist
Eminent Provincial Guard
Every Provincial Priory shall be composed of the Provincial Prior, past and present officers, Preceptors, Past Preceptors, Constables of every Preceptory in the Province, and any Installed Preceptors who are members of a Preceptory within the Province.
Some Preceptories do not fall under a Province and are referred to as Unattached Preceptories similar to our Subordinate Commanderies. These Unattached Preceptories report directly to the Great Priory, but they may also be grouped and overseen by a Group Inspector.
Provinces, Groups, and Unattached Preceptories fall under the Great Priory, the supreme Templar authority headquartered in England. The Great Priory is presided over by the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master and the following officers:
Most Eminent and Supreme Pro-Grand Master
Very High and Right Eminent Great Seneschal
Very Eminent Great Prelate
Very Eminent Great Chancellor
Very Eminent First Great Constable
Very Eminent Second Great Constable
Very Eminent Great Treasurer
Very Eminent Great Registrar
Very Eminent President Grand Masters Council
Very Eminent Group Inspector
Very Eminent Great Vice-Chancellor
Very Eminent Great Marshal
Eminent Deputy Great Vice-Chancellor
Eminent Deputy Great Marshal
Eminent Great Almoner
Eminent Great Herald
Eminent Great Standard Bearer (Beauceant)
Eminent Great Standard Bearer (Vexillum Belli)
Eminent Grand Masters Banner Bearer
Eminent Great Sword Bearer
Eminent Deputy Great Registrar
Eminent Deputy Great Almoner
Eminent Assistant Great Vice-Chancellor
Eminent Deputy Great Sword Bearer
Eminent Assistant Great Chancellor
Eminent Great Aide-de-Camp
Eminent Great Warden of Regalia
Eminent Great Chamberlain
Eminent Great Captain of Guards
Eminent Great Organist
Eminent Deputy Great Organist
Eminent Great Guard
For the purposes of rank, the Provincial Prior ranks after the Great Seneschal.
The Great Priory is composed of the Preceptors and Constables of its constituent Preceptories, and all Great Officers must be Installed Preceptors.
A Priory is presided over by an Eminent Prior and the following officers:
Captain General
Lieutenant General
First Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Chaplain
Mareschal
Deputy Mareschal
Hospitaller
Admiral
Conservator
Baillie
Turcopolier
Treasurer
Chancellor
Captain of the Outposts
Guard
Just like the Knights Templar, a Provincial Priory is presided over by a Rt. Em. Prov. Prior. A Provincial Prior may appoint a Provincial Sub-Prior and officers corresponding to the Great Priory.
The Order of Malta is governed by the Great Priory and is presided over by the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master and the following officers:
Very Eminent Great Prior of Malta
Very Eminent Great Captain General
Very Eminent Great Lieutenant General
Very Eminent Great First Lieutenant
Eminent Great Second Lieutenant
Eminent Great Sub-Prior of Malta
Very Eminent Great Prelate
Eminent Great Mareschal
Eminent Great Hospitaller
Eminent Great Admiral
Eminent Great Conservator
Eminent Great Baillie
Eminent Great Turcopolier
Eminent Great Chancellor
Eminent Great Treasurer
Eminent Deputy Great Mareschals
Eminent Great Banner Bearer
Eminent Great Sword Bearer
Eminent Great Captain of Outposts
Eminent Great Organist
Eminent Deputy Great Organist
Eminent Great Guard
The Great Seneschal, Great Chancellor, President of the Grand Masters Council, Great Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Great Registrar, and Assistant Great Chancellor have no ceremonial duties but rank as Grand officers of Malta.
There are also two awards given to those who have earned them: the Knight Grand Cross of the United Orders (KGC) and the Knights Commander of the United Orders (KCC).
Also see: The Rite of Baldwyn
References
Knights of Malta. (n.d.). Retrieved from Mark Masons' Hall, London: https://markmasonshall.org/orders/order-of-malta
Statutes. (2022). Retrieved from Great Priory of the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta of England and Wales and its Provinces Overseas: https://issuu.com/markmasonshall/docs/kt_statutes_2020_website_version