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Vol. 4 - Issue 4 SUMMER 2013
Northern Lights District Grand Lodge of Alberta
AMALGAMATION!
Mayerthorpe Lodge #148 amalgamates with Whitecourt Lodge #153 On May 9, 2013, the twenty or so members of Mayerthorpe Lodge #148 officially amalgamated with the approximate fifty members of Whitecourt Lodge #153 making Whitecourt Lodge the second largest lodge in the District. Several Grand Lodge officers were in attendance and the Installation and Investiture ceremony went off without a hitch and the lodge looks forward to the future.
Kananaskis Country
In this Issue… 26 pages!
Message: DDGM’s Year-End by K. Glazebrook Message: DDGM-Elect’s First by K. Culbertson Notice: District Information Event: DDGM Official Visits and Installations Article: A New Social Contract by S. Krause Event: Masonic Spring Workshop Pictures Article: Alchemy In Our Masonry by M. Bayrak Event: Evergreen’s Wild West Rite Nite Notice: Masonic Speakers’ Bureau Article: The Language of the Lodge by R. Carson Event: Edmonton Queen River Cruise Event: Grand Lodge Communication Events: District & Perpetual Calendar Notice: Northern Lights now online Notice: Lodge Directory
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We Unified, Connected, & Communicated District Deputy Grand Master’s Year-End Message
As
we come to the end of this chapter in our District’s history it is a time to pause and reflect on what has transpired over the last year. This year our goal was to unify the district and provide opportunities to create unique experiences that allow the brethren to connect on a different level or establish new connections. We can confidently say we achieved that goal through: 1.
The changes we made to the District Meeting format, instead of having the meeting in the host lodges hall we move it to Onoway not only as a central location for the meeting to a majority of the lodges but a way to support the rural lodges and create a buzz with the activities within the community. We also decided to have a ladies program and banquet which was extremely successful.
2.
The Northern Exposure tour is officially on a three year rotation for the District where we will have a large scale contingent of brethren and guest attending the weekend in Yellowknife to celebrate the lodes installation.
3.
We found ways to communicate and promote the District and Lodge activities, therefore with the tremendous effort put forth by W. Bro. Mike Bayrak (142) Northern Lights District Education Chairman we are now on the web and with the introduction of social media networking, new website and continuation of the popular Luminaries Newsletter we are well on our way.
I would like to take the time to thank my wife Kirsten and our daughters Kenna and Kallista for their patience understanding and support. I want to thank V. W. Bro. Kenn Culbertson, W.
Bro. Mike Bayrak and W. Bro. Wayne Barker for their dedication and contributions to the district. R. W. Bro. Angus Stewart and R. W. Bro. Jack McBride for their guidance and support. I want to acknowledge V. W. Bro. Stuart Krause, W. Bro. Martin Brown and Bro. John Lochtie for their doing what ever was needed, thank you. This has been an exciting, challenging and rewarding year and I thank the brethren of Northern Lights for the opportunity to serve as District Deputy Grand Master and your support. I know the District is in good hands with V. W. Bro. Kenn Culbertson and I look forward to supporting him and the lodges in our district. Sincerely, R.W. Bro. Ken Glazebrook District Deputy Grand Master 2012/2013 Grand Lodge of Alberta AF&AM GRA
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“I will uphold your good name…” District Deputy Grand Master-Elect’s Message
G
reetings Brethren,
As DDGM Elect 2013-2014, I thank the brethren for their support in electing, encouraging and helping with the planning for the upcoming year. The Grand Master’s theme for the upcoming year will be announced in his address to the Grand Lodge Communication on Saturday June 15th in Edmonton. It is the duty of all Grand Lodge officers to bring this theme and message to the brethren while attending lodges throughout this jurisdiction, which will be my pleasure. As district deputies we have also a duty to oversee the running of all the lodges in our particular districts. It is not the purpose to rule over any lodge but to encourage, assist, and report the successes and not so successful operations of those. You will be seeing the brothers who have agreed to be part of the Northern Lights District team throughout the year. They are W. Bro. Mike Bayrak (142) continuing as District Education Coordinator and Newsletter Editor, W. Bro. Aaron Batty (92) as the Masonic Higher Education Bursary Representative, and W. Bro. Wayne Barker (166) as District Secretary and Masonic Foundation Representative. I thank them for their dedication to our Masonic Fraternity. I do look forward to my official visits to lodges, my first being West Edmonton Lodge #101 Wednesday September 4th, tyling at 7:30pm Freemasons Hall. This is a personal choice for myself as West Edmonton was where my father and grandfather were members. While they passed long before my being made a Mason, their way of living brought my brothers and myself up with proper morals, good manners and a healthy work ethic. I want to bring one message in this year we need to remember and always maintain a very important part of Freemasonry:
“I will uphold your good name in your absence as I would in your presence.” I am not perfect in this regard, but as I move from the rough ashlar to a more perfect ashlar, it will be utmost on my mind and behavior in the coming years. There is nothing that I can possibly think of that beguiles a brother more than a hurtful remark that when said may seem minor but as we all know rumours whispered in one setting often run the way of a oversized monster. Please be thoughtful to your fellow Brothers. He may the next person to sooth your afflictions and relieve your necessities. In closing, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve you and thank you for your support. Sincerely, R. W. Bro. Kenn Culbertson District Deputy Grand Master-Elect 2013/2014 Grand Lodge of Alberta AF&AM GRA Northern Lights District
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About The District
Thank you for your input!
Founded as District 12 on 30 May 1917, the Northern Lights District is constituted under the Grand Lodge of Alberta, AF&AM and holds jurisdiction over 11 lodges: 7 in Edmonton that meet at various times in Freemasons’ Hall downtown, as well as country lodges that meet in Mayerthorpe, Onoway, Whitecourt, and Yellowknife, NWT. All the lodges practice the Canadian Rite working. The geographical area covered by the District constitutes one of the largest in the history of Freemasonry.
We thank all brethren for their submissions this month. It is just that type of input we are looking for which make this very publication informative, thought-provoking and interesting.
The District Deputy Grand Master
In order to make this a continued success and valuable to the lodges in the district we need your help. If you have any articles of interest, Masonic trivia, jokes, pictures, cartoons, stories, pictures or just want to promote an up-coming or past event please make your submission to the editor at northernlightsdistrict@gmail.com they will be thankfully received and faithfully applied.
The district is headed by the District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM), who is titled “Right Worshipful Brother”, and who represents the Grand Lodge on his official and fraternal visits to the lodges. A new DDGM is elected at the annual district meeting in October with his term beginning at the official installation of the Grand Lodge officers at the Communication in June. To be nominated, the brother must have served as Worshipful Master of a regularly constituted lodge.
The deadline for submissions for the next issue is August 15, 2013.
Official Visits
District Committee 2013-2014
The DDGM is required to visit all lodges in the district (with exception) and receive standard report returns from the lodge secretaries. The DDGM inspects the lodge to ensure it adheres to proper Masonic regularity. The DDGM is received “in form” by the lodge after the opening of the lodge.
EDITORS NOTE: The Editors of the Northern Lights District Luminaries reserve the right to modify or edit articles for content, space and harmony. The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not reflect the views and opinions of the Grand Lodge of Alberta, Northern Lights District, Lodges or individual members.
The following brethren will assume their duties and titles upon declaration by the Grand Master at the June 2013 Communication:
R. W. Bro. Kenn Culbertson (166) District Deputy Grand Master 780-914-3952 kpcul@telus.net
W. Bro. Wayne Barker (166) District Secretary, Masonic Foundation Coordinator 780-475-1500 wabarker@shaw.ca
W. Bro. Michael Bayrak (142) Masonic Education Coordinator, Newsletter Editor 780-982-5985 mikebayrak@gmail.com
W. Bro. Aaron Batty (92) Masonic Higher Education Bursary Coordinator 780-995-5117 aaron.batty@abelectricalengineering.com
R. W. Bro. Angus Stewart (166) District Nomination Committee Chairman
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DDGM Visits and Lodge Installations
Whitecourt #153 Installation following the Amalgamation on May 9, 2013
DDGM Official Visit to Mayerthorpe Lodge #148 on Thursday, March 14th, 2013. This would be the Lodge’s last meeting.
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A New Social Contract V. W. Bro. Stuart Krause (191)
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t pleases any organization when they see growth in their membership; it is somehow comforting to see the numbers on the page increasing as time passes. Freemasons are especially vulnerable to this stimulus, simply because we hear so much talk of our decline, that membership numbers are dropping quickly, and that we must “correct� that problem. When it comes to the Masonic Lodges, I think we need to chart a new course, do what the Craft as a whole should seriously consider; focus on the quality of our membership, not the quantity. In the years since I was granted the privilege becoming a Freemason, I have the pleasure of meeting with many fine brethren, either on the road, or in Lodge, or at a casual encounter intended for some other purpose. One theme that has occupied many of our discussions was membership; our numbers, are they growing or shrinking, what should the membership expectations be, and questions of this nature. In amongst those chats and conversations was another theme, one that is much less appealing; all too often I have heard from many of you that we spend far too much of our time chasing certain of our members. We track them down to see where they are at, or perhaps to ask why they have not been out; we invite them to our next meeting or social event; and, all too frequently we are placed in the difficult and awkward position of having to chase them down to obtain our dues payment. It seems to be the case that all too frequently is it among our least active members that we find the greatest degree of challenge with these issues. (Continued on page 7)
Photo by Bro. Joe Zasada
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A New Social Contract continued... (Continued from page 6)
What then, is the social contract inherent with membership in the craft? Is it merely a commercial contract, an exchange of fees for initiation and annual dues, when they are paid…. In return for which the “member” is given privilege of membership? Or, is it something more? The opportunity to be a part of a lodge, call themselves a Freemason, in exchange for which the true Mason will take an active role in what we do, and become an essential part of who we are? I challenge each of you to consider what belonging to the Craft means to you, and what you expect to gain from this organization. Further, I believe we must carefully consider what we have a right and duty to expect and require from each of our members. Too frequently inside Freemasonry is the tendency to treat our multiple memberships like checklist items, meaningless cards in a wallet that, once obtained are largely ignored. These are questions your lodges should ask, and attempt to answer, as we re-write our “Social Contract” with one another and set the expectations for current and future members. My Brothers, I believe that our Craft has a duty to “add value” to the lives of its Members; that said, I also strongly believe that we must require that each of our Members make a positive and meaningful contribution to our lodges, beyond the regular payment of dues. What do you think?
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“Say NO to Nostalgia!” The 2013 Masonic Spring Workshop April 27- 29, 2013 Photos by Mike Bayrak
Keynote speaker: Pete Normand
Guest author Cliff Porter with Bros. Dave Buffel, Joe Zasada, Ruben Kufeld in the Ivanhoe Hospitality Suite
MWBro. David Roth, Bro. Lawrie Bruton
Bro. Doug Bewick giving his talk on the 3-Legged Stool
Bro. Mike Bayrak on his talk on Education in Lodges
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More Workshop...
Bros. Normand, Chairman John Hayes, and Porter
Gift presentation to Bro. Normand
2013 Chairman Bro. John Hayes gives report
Presentation to Bro. Garth Cochrane on his long service to the Workshop
Bros. McIntyre, Bewick with wife, and Highlands-Unity brethren: Choptiany with wife, Kampjies, Allen, and Mansell
Ivanhoe brethren Bewick, Wright, Bayrak, Kristensen, Shutt, and Kufeld pose with their lodge shirts
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Alchemy In Our Masonry? W. Bro. Michael Bayrak (142), District Education Chairman
B
rethren, my educational topic for this past year in our district is about something that plays a profound role in our Masonic ritual, if not one of the most profound, yet we as students of the Craft rarely discuss it. The words and symbols of this topic are presented to us all the time during degrees but we tend to pass them over and not spend much time contemplating their meaning. I myself, being a Mason of over 15 years am just getting around to understanding them. Tonight, I hope to open your mind as much as it has opened mine as of late. Algebra, Alcohol, and many other words that start with “Al” passed from the Arab world many centuries ago also passed us the word Alchemy, which eventually became Chemistry. Al-KHEM, where Khem is known as the land of Egypt. So what is Alchemy? From Wikipedia… Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners' claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base metals into the noble metals gold or silver, as well as an elixir of life conferring youth and immortality. Western alchemy is recognized as a proto-science that contributed to the development of modern chemistry and medicine. Alchemists developed a framework of theory, terminology, experimental process and basic laboratory techniques that are still recognizable today. But alchemy differs from modern science in the inclusion of Hermetic principles and practices related to mythology, religion, and spirituality. So we can see that alchemy is an unusually difficult topic to discuss because at first glance we’re not sure if we’re talking about actually doing science experiments with chemicals in various forms to transmutate them into other substances, or if we’re just contemplating on the symbolism of such substances and how they equate to aspects of our own human character and how we fixate on them emotionally or spiritually to transform ourselves into better men. (Continued on page 11)
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It’s actually both, but we’re more interested in the latter… on the symbolism and metaphor, because Freemasonry, is it not “illustrated by symbols”? The first time I encountered alchemy was in the great Masonic author, Manly P. Hall’s encyclopaedia of a book “The Secret Teachings Of All Ages” (see left). There were numerous chapters, complex diagrams, zillions of symbols, and pictures galore it was very difficult to comprehend. I’ve read this over many times. I think it confused me even more to a degree. But one symbol stood out and that is the Philosopher’s Stone. And yes, I actually do mean in the Harry Potter sense. More on that later. But then, W. Bro. Timothy Hogan (left-middle) who was the featured author at the 2011 Masonic Spring Workshop wrote a simple, easy to read book called “The Alchemical Symbols in Masonic Ritual”. It plainly sheds light on alchemy and actually how prominent of a role it plays in our degrees, and in the Holy Bible. That’s right, Alchemy is rife throughout our rituals and symbols. Its main purpose is to connect the physical with the spiritual and that’s exactly what we try to do in Freemasonry. Let me explain. Let’s start with the basics of alchemy and that is with the four ancient elements: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Now let’s look at where these four elements are mentioned in: The Symbolic Penalties and Signs EA – Earth, Water FC – Air, Earth MM – Fire, Earth, Water, Air If we violate our oath, our honour, the penalties are executed immediately within and our souls are symbolically subjected to their punishment via interaction with the physical world of earth, air, water, and fire. The penalties are horrific and they should be. Do you think a slap on the wrist would have as much of an impact on your mind than being burned to death? The signs of each degree are also related to the symbolic penalties and our physical body. (Continued on page 12)
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Now let’s look at other symbols and words in our Masonry that really have nothing to do with carving and measuring stones. Why are they mentioned? FC PW An interesting word. But not being able to use the Hebrew letter Shin wasn’t because the tribe had a lisp, but because they had a “defect in aspiration”. What were they aspiring to be? Certainly not Jesus-like being that His actual Hebrew name, Yahushua, is simply the Ineffable Name with the letter Shin placed in it. In a sense, without being able to pronounce Shin, you had no aspiration to improve yourself into a spiritual being and therefore weren’t allowed to cross the River Jordan. You remained earth-like, physical, and could not even transform into water. Ssshhhame on you. That password, we are told, is depicted by an ear of corn near a stream of water. Of course it is. Corn you say? Corn? What the heck does corn have anything to do with rocks and measuring lines and squares? Well, translating the password into Greek it means “I revere a stone”. Well there we go. I hope you do revere a stone. So speaking of corn…. Corn, Wine, and Oil These symbols are mentioned in the SW’s lecture on how EAs were paid their wages. They are also actually used during our formal cornerstone laying ceremony by the GM himself. Can anyone tell me what happens during this ceremony? Can anyone tell me why this happens? Doesn’t make any sense why you’d pour oil and wine on a stone, does it? Serves no practical purpose. But there we go and do it, like we had some magical powers to make the cornerstone even better than it is. Corn, Wine, and Oil are traditional alchemical particulates and relate to salt, mercury, and sulphur. “Corn represented the body, or salt of the herb, wine carried the symbolic mercury or spirits, and the sulphur or an herb was its oil.” (Hogan) (Continued on page 13)
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(Continued from page 12)
Miraculous Pillars Further in the SW lecture, he tells us about the “Miraculous Pillars of Fire and Cloud which gave light to Pharaoh and his followers”. There we go with fire and water (or air) again. Ecclesiastes “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” There we go with the earth, the original state from whence our bodies came. But our spirits return. Point Within A Circle This is likely the most important symbol in our noble craft. Why? Well, we go on and on about it for some reason in the opening of the MM degree, and closing of the FC degree. Yes, understanding where the centre of a building is definitely related to constructing a building and Masonry, but read or recite the MM opening catechism again. Then do the same for the FC degree closing… So, we’re looking for those Ss in the C of the building where we cannot err. Yeah good luck with that, Mr. Perfect. Good thing we Hail the MH when we do. But without that journey to find the C, that point, where one end of the compasses and skirret sits to “mark out the foundation of the intended structure”, we can’t build anything in the first place because we have to know where to start. Without the desire and passion to transform yourself, you have nothing to build upon. That point within a circle is also the starting point that keeps us within due bounds too. That point within a circle? Funny thing about it, it is also the alchemical symbol for Gold. GOLD! In mathematics, there is the Golden Mean, or Golden Ratio that we find prominent in the natural proportions of the universe—in spiral galaxies, in hurricanes, in seashells, in tree growth, in flowers, in the geometry of our own pretty faces and bodies. This ratio is equated with beauty and perfection. These spirals and repeating fractals must begin at a single point. (Continued on page 14)
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The closer we find out where the point is, the closer we are to that perfection. Perfection—an impossible state for us to achieve, but worth the journey. Now as promised, back to the Philosopher's Stone… the ultimate achievement in Alchemy. Philosopher’s Stone We mentioned Corn, Wine and Oil pertaining to salt, mercury, and sulphur. And who got paid Corn, Wine, and Oil for their efforts? Apprentices did. Apprentices?! Are you kidding me? Right from the get-go. Sure they might have them, but do they know what to do with them? In Masonry, we also study philosophy. In Greek, it literally means you are a “lover of Sophia”, or wisdom. So labouring on your stone, you are rewarded with the key ingredients. Once you’ve made that stone square and perfect enough and suitable for placement at the corner, only then can you apply those ingredients to transform the stone into a higher state—from the earth into fire, from the physical into the spiritual, from a perfect ashlar into the Philosopher’s Stone. Brethren, there are even more examples of symbolism and metaphor in our rituals related to Alchemy than what I have described here. I challenge you to pay close attention next time you are watching or participating in a degree or even during the openings and closings. I hope I have illuminated and opened your minds to the study of Alchemy in our Masonry as much as it has for me. Now, let’s get to work!
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The Wild West Rite Evergreen’s Annual Wild West Rite on May 27, 2013 saw M. W. Bro. David Roth and R. W. Bro. Ken Glazebrook get inducted into the Rite in fine style! Pictures by Bro. Joe Zasada (191)
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Yippie Eye Ay!
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The New
Edmonton Masonic Speakers’ Bureau
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odges in Edmonton have been seeing more and more Masonic educational presentations as part of regular meetings and festive boards. While the Grand Lodge website has a Speakers Bureau list, a group of Edmonton brethren have decided to offer local lodges their services in giving interesting and interactive presentations regarding various topic on Freemasonry. If your lodge is interested in hosting any of the brethren listed below, feel free to contact them directly.
W. Bro. Doug Bewick (142) dougie@bewick.co “Scottish Freemasonry (of its own
Freewill and Accord)” Investigating the structure of the Scottish craft, its uniqueness and why it is important to unravelling the roots of speculative Masonry (45 minutes). Suitable for EA’s. “Rosslyn College”
Investigating the relevance of the Collegiate Church of St. Matthew to modern Freemasonry (30 minutes). Suitable for the General Public. “From Hall to Temple (a Countdown to Renewal)”
Restoring the solemnity of our rituals (25 minutes). Suitable for EA’s. “The Rituals and Ceremonies of the Operative Craft”
Exploring the work of the operative craft lodges and the development of the modern three degrees (30 minutes). Suitable for Master Masons.
W. Bro. Chris MacKenzie (142) cgpersonal@gmail.com “Lifting The Veil”
An exploration of esoteric ideas. In this presentation, I discuss the concept of the Veil from our own ritual work, and Jungian concepts of Archetypes and Individuation. It is a 20 min presentation with an extra time requirement for questions and answers. There is a small part of this presentation which refers to some details from the 3rd degree, but it is easily omitted in a lodge where not all Brethren are MMs. Includes PowerPoint presentation.
W. Bro. Mike Bayrak (142) mikebayrak@gmail.com “Alchemy In Our Masonry”
A 15 minute talk on the basics of Alchemy and where it is found in our Masonic ritual. Suitable for MMs, but can be revised for EAs. "e-Masonry"
A 30-minute Powerpoint presentation on the history of the Internet, the progression of Internet Masonry (aka "e-Masonry"), how the Internet has affected Freemasonry (with graphs), my own experience, and Internet tools your lodge can easily use to communicate effectively with members and the public. Suitable for anyone, including the public. Presented at the Masonic Spring Workshop 2011. "n-Dimensional Masonry"
A 30-minute Powerpoint presentation on Masonic metaphysical geometryand the dimensional progression of the working tools.
W. Bro. John Hayes (168) r_john_hayes@hotmail.com "The Poetry of Freemasonry"
How to understand and improve ritual through an understanding of what poetry and language provides - 30 minutes, power point, music. Plus discussion. EA and up. “The Fundamentals of Lodge Operation”
The offices, how a lodge meeting works, how to move around and speak in a lodge - 20 minutes. Plus discussion. EA and up. “The Mythic Spirit”
An approach to spirituality and closer fraternity through Dine teachings and story - 35 minutes. Plus discussion. MM only. “Labours of Love”
How Freemasons can grow through Masonic work within the lodge and in outreach within the Craft - 30 minutes. Plus discussion. Presupposes knowledge of Laudable Pursuit, Internet. MM generally, although nothing that an EA can't see. Includes PowerPoint presentation.
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The Language of the Lodge by Bro. Robin Carson (166) First delivered to Evergreen Lodge #166, February 7, 2005
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ne of the first surprises an initiate has when the hoodwink is removed is that the very formal and precise English he has been hearing is being spoken, apparently, spontaneously. When one of the brethren forgets, though, and is prompted or corrected by the D of C, it becomes apparent that the language has been memorized and is not spontaneous at all. After the break, when street clothing and new aprons have been donned, the initiates are in a position to truly appreciate the amazing effort of memory made by the JW in his tracing-board lecture. A later shock to the new brother is that he himself is expected to participate in the workings of the lodge, and may not progress as a Mason until he has proven his ability to do so through memorization. Since part of the EA OB is never to write the Ss (and by extension, the ritual itself), two of the most basic types of learning in a literate society—reading and writing—are removed. All that is left is the kindness of other brethren to teach by rote to the new mason a very complicated and relatively unforgiving text. Even worse to the new brother is that he is expected to repeat that text from memory before the entire lodge. Writing is a relatively new invention. If we leave aside cave-paintings seen in the Pyrenees, the first true writing we know of is only about 5000 years old from the time of the Babylonians. Since modern man is at least 30,000 to 50,000 years old, that leaves an enormous gap for our illiterate human ancestors to fill. Before writing, how did people remember history? How did people pass on stories? What did people do before writing? (Continued on page 19)
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(Continued from page 18)
The answer is that people relied on memory far more than we do today. Today, if we have an event in the future to remember, we write it down (or add it to our calendar in our phones! - Ed.). If we have an event in the past to recall, we do so in a journal or diary. Written histories recall for us the great events of the past. With the exception of live poetry readings or audiobooks, all of our literature depends on being able to read from a book, or from a screen. But it has not always been this way. There is an entire branch of literature and history called the ‘oral tradition’. In this tradition, nothing is written (because in pre-literate or illiterate societies it cannot be), but is passed along with extraordinary care from generation to generation strictly by word of mouth. In the past, men called bards (or troubadours or trouvières or scops) learned history and literature in great chunks, all orally, and did so as the core of their highly respected profession. The storyteller would have apprentices who would work with him just to learn those stories verbatim. These apprentices would practice and try their memories against the originals of their master until every word would be perfect. That was the only way history or literature could be passed along without error to subsequent generations. Freemasonry is part of this oral tradition with our insistence on memorization with every word correct. Those who work in the oral tradition have tools to assist memory called mnemonics. We use mnemonics all the time to remember tricky things such as the number of days in the month of May. To find out, we either count on our knuckles, or use the little rhyme, “Thirty days hath September ….” A mnemonic is just a trick to get the mind to remember difficult material. Bards used to be able to memorize huge amounts of poetry. The poem Beowulf, for example, has over 3100 lines. Any bard with Beowulf in his repertoire not only knew that entire poem, but could access it at any point, for example retelling on request just the part that deals with Beowulf and the dragon. In addition, this poem would only be one of many that (Continued on page 20)
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the bard would be capable of reciting flawlessly. How is such a feat possible? Through mnemonics. A poem like Beowulf is structured so that the lines dovetail through alliteration, the repetition of consonants that begin words. In addition, there is a strict rhythm to the lines. If the rhythm is lost or the lines do not dovetail during performance, the bard becomes aware that he is in error. Work that isn’t poetry is harder to memorize; but even good prose has a poetic quality to it. Shakespeare’s plays are mostly written according to strict rhythm; and any actor will tell you that Shakespeare is easy to memorize. The King James Bible is prose, but highly poetic prose. It sticks in the memory too. The language of the lodge is prose, as well; but unlike the VSL, its poetic quality is not obvious at first glance. In fact, it seems to almost have a deliberate quality of difficulty to it. For one thing, although modern ritual dates to around 1720, many of the words in it were archaic or obsolete even at the time it was composed. Take the word ‘hele’, for example, found in the solemn OB of an EA. Even in the early 1700s, that would have been a word to send the EA scrambling for interpretation. Of course it just means ‘hide’, and the meaning is pretty clear from the context; but to the newly initiated, it is new, and must be memorized just as if it were a totally foreign word. Another word that is difficult is the word ‘slipshod’. In modern usage, ‘slipshod’ means ‘bad work’. To the new initiate, he finds that he has been ‘slipshod’, but not at all in the modern meaning of the word. What about ‘specie’? Or the long-standing debate about a cable-tow? One of the working tools of the MM degree in the Canadian Rite is not even in the dictionary, but neither is the word made up. Ritual is full of such words, and it would be wrong to assume that they were current when the ritual was first composed. Rather, it seems probable that those responsible for the making of the ritual deliberately set little traps so that the learning would not be too (Continued on page 21)
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easy. There is no doubt, though, that the usual mnemonics that bards, poets and actors use do not work with our ritual. Similar difficulties can be found in the style of the ritual, too. Take, for example, the response to the question asked of the EA who wishes to pass to the second degree: “How do you know yourself to be a ….?” The answer begins with the pattern ‘by this, and by that’ but then turns a right angle with an “and I am willing” plunked into the middle of the sentence. Stylistically, the ear predicts that the sentence should conclude with repetition of more of the little ‘by’ phrases; but it does not. Again, it is not hard to find many of these stylistic speed bumps in the language of the lodge. In this way, the standard mnemonics that might be used to learn ritual are eliminated, or at least diminished. Considering the importance of what is to be learned, it is highly unlikely that those who composed it were malicious in their choice of language. Rather, it is likely that they intended the learning not be too easy. Little difficulties cause the learner to pay attention and to have to render the material into memory using mnemonics of his own invention. Such a struggle means that the learner must interpret—and think. Besides, difficult tasks accomplished are always rewarding in and of themselves. Masonic language, therefore, has its difficulties, but is still enormously beautiful. In a way, it is rather like a rose with its thorns: wonderful to contemplate and to experience, but just a little prickly!
Edmonton Queen River Boat Dinner and Cruise Sunday July 14, 2013, 5:30 PM
For Reservations Contact: Kenn Culbertson 780-456-2181 Home 780-914-3952 kpcul@telus.net
On Sunday July 14, 2013 the Northern Lights District will be having an evening of fellowship aboard the Edmonton Queen. There are at the moment 50 seats reserved on the boat. The evening starts with Boarding at 5:30pm, Dinner Buffet at 6:30pm and at 7:30pm a Cruise on the North Saskatchewan River. Please reserve your tickets with Kenn Culbertson as soon as possible, they go fast. Payment and reservations for the Cruise must be made before Saturday June 30, 2013. This function is open to all Masons, family and friends. Cost for the Evening is $55.00 per person, tax and gratuity included.
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Grand Lodge Communication June 13-15, 2013 Ramada Hotel Edmonton Inn (11834-Kingway Ave.) Thursday, June 13th, 2013 7:00 PM: Grand Master's Social informal gathering - Open to all Freemasons & guests with tickets – bonaniCa Lounge Friday, June 14th, 2013 8:00 AM: Registration/Balloting Opens Convention Centre Lobby – Wildrose Ballroom Under the direction of: Grand Registrar 8:00 AM: Board of General Purposes Meeting – Wildrose Ballroom 9:15 AM: Formation of Grand Procession 9:30AM: Grand Lodge Procession Reception of: - Past Grand Masters - Visiting Grand Lodges - Concordant Bodies - Special guests Presentation of the Colours Excuse non-Masonic guests Opening of the 108h Annual Communication (Tyled) - Motion of Loyalty - Confirmation of the Proceedings of the 107th Annual Communication - Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving - Grand Chaplain - Rules of Order 11:30 to 1:00 – Lunch 1:00 PM: Reconvene the 108h Annual Communication Presentation of the following reports: Block A – Reports - Operations a) Jurisprudence b) DGM’s Implementation c) Committee on the Condition of Masonry d) Masonic Higher Education Bursary Block B – Reports – Information e) Grand Librarian f) Grand Historian g) Committee on the Grand Lodge Bulletin h) Public Awareness & Communication i) Masonic Spring Workshop Block C – Reports – Financial j) Grand Treasurer k) Finance Committee l) Auditor and Financial Statements m) Board of Benevolence Block D – Reports – Administration n) Fraternal Relations o) Publication and Forms Committee p) Grand Secretary’s Report 2:30 PM: Grand Secretary's Announcements
- Correspondence and regrets - Recognition of Grand Representatives 3:00 PM: Adjournment 6:00 PM: Balloting and Registration suspended 5:30 PM: GRAND LODGE BANQUET Wildrose - 5:30 Reception - 6:45 Seating - 7:00 Dinner Toastmaster: Junior Grand Warden 8:00 PM: Entertainment 8:45 PM: Presentation of Symbolic Bursary Award Saturday, June 15th, 2013 8:00 AM: Balloting and Registration resumed in the 9:00 AM: 108th Annual Communication reconvenes Any reports not completed from Friday’s session Block E – Reports – Legislation q) Committee on the Work r) Board of General Purposes 1. Appointment of Auditor 2013 2. Approve 2014 Capital & Operating Budget 3. Confirm Grand Secretary Appointment 4. Notices of Motion 10:00 AM: Balloting and Registration Close - Report of the Credentials Committee - Report on the Elections - Other Masonic Awards 10:30 AM: Grand Master’s Address 11:00 AM: General and Unfinished Business - Election of Grand Tyler Any unfinished business of Grand Lodge will be tabled to next Communication - Grand Master’s Comments 12:00 Noon: Lunch 1:30 PM: 107th Annual Communication Reconvenes - Installation of the Grand Master and Investiture of the Grand Lodge Officers for 2013-2014, under the direction of MWBro Peter Dunlop 3:30 PM: Grand Lodge Closes 3:45 PM: 2013-2014 Officers' Pictures 5:30 PM: Incoming Grand Master’s evening - BBQ ** Ladies’ Hospitality botaniCa Lounge NOTE: There will be an enjoyable Ladies’ Program (details to be forwarded to the Lodge Secretaries) NOTE: Tuxedos to be worn by Grand Lodge Officers at the Grand Master’s Banquet, Grand Lodge Banquet and Installation of the Grand Master and Investiture of the Grand Lodge Officers.
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District Calendar Lodge Degrees / Presentations
Other Events and Meetings...
Lodge
Date
Sunday July 14, 2013
Ivanhoe #142 Education Night Freemasons’ Hall, Edmonton
June 20, 2013
District Dinner and River Cruise Edmonton Queen
Evergreen #166 FC Degree At Fort Edmonton Park Masonic Hall
June 24, 2013
Event
Lodge Installations Patricia #91
June 11th, 2013
West Edmonton #101 & Mystic Tie #188 Joint Installation
June 12th, 2013
Northern Lights District is presenting an evening on the Edmonton River Queen as a Masonic Fellowship Gathering. The information on the event is: Date Sunday July 14, 2013 Boarding of the Ship at 5:30pm Buffet Dinner 6:30pm and Sailing on the North Saskatchewan River 7:30pm all Masons, Family and Friends are welcome to attend. The cost for this wonderful evening in Edmonton is $55.00 this includes Gratuity and Taxes. For tickets contact VWBro. Kenn Culbertson 780-914-3952 Cell or 780456-2181. Payment would gratefully be received by June 30, 2013 Reserve you tickets now don't be disappointed.
DDGM Official Visits 2013/2014
June 14 - 16th, 2013
NOTE: The dates listed on this page are tentative and scheduled to change, please watch for updates.
Grand Lodge Communication 2013
Wed. Sep. 4, 2013 Wed. Sep. 25, 2013 Thu. Oct. 3, 2013 Thu. Nov. 7, 2013 Tue. Nov. 12, 2013 Sat. Nov. 30, 2013 Wed. Jan. 8, 2014 Mon. Feb. 10, 2014 Thu. Feb. 13, 2014
West Edmonton #101 Onoway #138 Ivanhoe #142 Whitecourt #153 Patricia #91 Jasper #14 Yellowknife #162 Evergreen #166 Saskatchewan #92
Please make every effort to attend this years Grand Lodge Communication and cast your vote. The M.W. Bro. David Roth the Grand Master will preside at the Annual Communication of The Grand Lodge of Alberta, AF & AM being held in Edmonton at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre 11834 Kingsway Ave. 1-780-454-5454 Ask for the Grand Lodge rate.
September 8, 2013 DDGM Training by R. W. John Slade, DGM Masonic Hall, Red Deer Anyone interested in becoming DDGM can get valuable training from an experienced brother. 10:00 AM Training begins 12:00 PM Lunch 1:00 PM Training continues 5:00 PM Close
Saturday, October 5, 2013 Annual District Meeting Freemasons’ Hall, 103 St. 100 Ave., Edmonton 10:00 AM Registration 11:00 AM Education Presentation 12:00 PM Lunch ($15) 1:00 PM District Meeting and Elections
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District Perpetual Education Calendar Year 2013
2014
As introduced by R. W. Bro. Charles Burns, DDGM, Northern Lights District 2002/2003.
2015
This is a program of lodge visitation featuring education research. Each lodge will visit another lodge each year and present a paper and receive a return visit plus paper from each lodge in the District. Objectives  
2016
To sponsor visitation To encourage education research
The visiting lodge is to come as a group, not just one Mason!
2017
2018
Month September October November February March April May September October November February March April May September October November February March April May September October November February March April May September October November February March April May
Visiting Lodge Onoway #138 Mayerthorpe #148 Whitecourt #153 Mystic Tie #188 Jasper #14 Evergreen #166 West Edmonton #101 Patricia #91 Ivanhoe #142 Saskatchewan #92 Onoway #138 Mayerthorpe #148 Whitecourt #153 Mystic Tie #188 Jasper #14 Evergreen #166 West Edmonton #101 Patricia #91 Ivanhoe #142 Saskatchewan #92 Onoway #138 Mayerthorpe #148 Whitecourt #153 Mystic Tie #188 Jasper #14 Evergreen #166 West Edmonton #101 Patricia #91 Ivanhoe #142 Saskatchewan #92 Onoway #138 Mayerthorpe #148 Whitecourt #153 Mystic Tie #188 Jasper #14
Hosting Lodge Patricia #91 Jasper #14 Saskatchewan #92 Patricia #91 Onoway #138 Saskatchewan #92 Whitecourt #153 Mayerthorpe #148 Jasper #14 Mystic Tie #188 West Edmonton #101 Evergreen #166 Ivanhoe #142 Saskatchewan #92 Ivanhoe #142 Mayerthorpe #148 Onoway #138 Mystic Tie #188 Whitecourt #153 Evergreen #166 Jasper #14 Patricia #91 West Edmonton #101 Onoway #138 Patricia #91 Whitecourt #153 Saskatchewan #92 Jasper #14 Mayerthorpe #148 West Edmonton #101 Mystic Tie #188 Ivanhoe #142 Evergreen #166 Mayerthorpe #148 West Edmonton #101
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Northern Lights now online! Not only do we have this newsletter that we make available, but the District is now online with our own website containing a District lodge map, calendar, and a place to view all the past issues of the Luminaries. And to get the word out about what’s going on with the District and her lodges, we also have a Facebook page and Twitter account. The accounts are as follows:
Website:
www.northernlightsdistrict.org
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/NLDistrict
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/NLDistrict
Email:
northernlightsdistrict@gmail.com
www.northernlightsdistrict.org
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District Lodge Directory Jasper #14 5th Sat, Freemasons Hall, Edmonton, 2:30 pm Worshipful Master Secretary W. Bro. Jason Stewart W. Bro. Reg Reid 780-232-0369 780-721-7528 warhammer1974@hotmail.com regreid@shaw.ca Patricia #91 2nd Tues, Freemasons Hall, Edmonton, 7:30 pm Worshipful Master Secretary W. Bro. Chris Uchman R.W. Bro. Al Vickery (as of June 11, 2013) 780-469-7259 cjuchman@xmg-group.com wilvic@telus.net Saskatchewan #92 2nd Thur, Freemasons Hall, Edmonton, 7:30 pm www.saskatchewan92.org Worshipful Master Secretary W. Bro. Chris Burchell R. W. Bro. Ken Cheel 403-241-8950 780-387-4779 cburchell@nptech.com ken.cheel@telus.net West Edmonton #101 1st, Wed, Freemasons Hall, Edmonton, 7:30 pm Worshipful Master Secretary R.W.Bro John Robertson W. Bro. Travers Roy 780- 487-0941 780-901-2701 granddad13@shaw.ca westedlodge101@gmail.com Onoway #138 4th, Wed, Legion Hall, Onoway, 7:30 pm Worshipful Master Secretary R.W. Bro. Bob Bell W. Bro. Mike Annis 780-967-5133 780-967-3443 rlbell@hotlinkwireless.com mannis85@gmail.com Ivanhoe #142 1st, Thur, Freemasons Hall, Edmonton, 7:30 pm www.ivanhoe142.org Worshipful Master Secretary W. Bro. Chris Mackenzie W. Bro. David Wright 780-299-5881 780-466-2285 worshipfulmaster@ivanhoe142.org secretary@ivanhoe142.org Whitecourt #153 1st, Thur, Forest Interpretive Centre, Whitecourt, 8:00 pm www.whitecourtmasoniclodge.ca Worshipful Master Secretary W. Bro. John Baxter W. Bro. Doug Ling 780-778-6632 780-778-2086 ling@telusplanet.net
Yellowknife #162 1st, Mon, Masonic Hall, Yellowknife, 7:30 pm www.ykmasons.ca Worshipful Master Secretary W. Bro. Thom Jarvis W. Bro. Don Finnamore 867-445-9342 867-873-6897 ctjarvis@theedge.ca donfinnamore@hotmail.com Evergreen #166 2nd Mon, Freemasons Hall, Edmonton, 7:30 pm www.evergreenfreemasons.net Worshipful Master Secretary W.Bro. Charles Cousineau W. Bro. Phil Fitch 780-454-8788 780-458-2015 phil123@telus.net Mystic Tie #188 2nd Wed, Freemasons Hall, Edmonton, 7:30 pm Worshipful Master Secretary W. Bro. Kyle Nickerson W. Bro. Bob Woolnough 780-718-8240 780-437-6144 krnick888@hotmail.com bwoolnou@telus.net
Edmonton Lodge Directory Freemasons Hall 10318 – 100th Avenue, Edmonton, AB Empire #63 1st Mon Norwood #90 1st Tues Eastgate # 192 + 1st Tues Exemplar #175 1st Thur Edmonton #7 + 2nd Tues Dominion #117 2nd Wed Commercial #81 3rd Sat Highlands Masonic Hall 56th St. 118th Avenue, Edmonton, AB Redwood #193 1st Wed Temple Centennial #167 + 1st Thurs Sherwood #183 2nd Mon Highlands Unity # 168 2nd Tues Acacia Masonic Hall 10433 – 83rd Avenue, Edmonton, AB Avon Glen #170 1st Wed Acacia #11 2nd Thur Strathcona #77 + 2nd Fri Ye Olde Craft #196 2nd Sat Greisbach #191 3rd Mon Corner Stone Hall 6 Tache Street, St Albert, AB Balmoral #185 1st Wed
7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 1:00 pm
7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
7:30 pm
+ York Rite Lodges
If you visit just one lodge a month you would have ten more opportunities to gain more light in Masonry, build friendships and enhance the Masonic experience.