California Opens Starfleet Lodge U.D.

by Christopher Hodapp

The Grand Lodge of California has officially established Freemasonry’s first Star Trek-themed affinity lodge. Starfleet Lodge U.D. was consecrated on Sunday in the Pleasanton Masonic Hall. Grand Master Garrett S. Chan was on hand for the occasion. (Photos from Jonathan Hirshon’s Facebook page) 

Their location makes sense as Pleasanton is neighboring city of San Francisco, where, according to the canon of the Star Trek universe, is the location of Starfleet headquarters and the Earth location of the United Federation of Planets. Or will be in the 23rd century. No word yet on whether they can be numbered 1701 once they satisfy the requirements of being under dispensation.

WB Adam Hanin is the lodge’s founding Worshipful Master, WB Nicholas Hayworth, Senior Warden, WB Dinesh Chhabra, Junior Warden, and WB Gary Sparks, Senior Deacon. Yes, the Tyler is armed with a very sharp Bat'leth to repel boarders.

Dilithium crystal-powered gavel

Festive Board on Deck 5

As they say in Scotland, "The lodge is closed, and the bar is open!"
But where is the Saurian brandy?

Food replicator needs reprogramming: no green beans in sight.
And that spaghetti on a paper plate is "best served cold."

In recent years California has been encouraging the establishment of affinity lodges, made up of members with a special interest in common. As many as twenty years ago, my friend WB Jeffrey Naylor strongly advocated for affinity lodges based on shared outside interests of groups of Masons. He encouraged embracing ideas like a “Lionel Lodge” for train enthusiasts, arguing that common passions could attract quality men to Freemasonry without conflicting with its principles. 

Many jurisdictions have hundreds of lodges, creating opportunities for unique, non-cookie-cutter experiences rather than identical ones. In England, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) has long supported this approach with numerous affinity lodges for hobbies and occupations—such as fishermen, gamers, F1 racing fans, actors, musicians, and rugby players—alongside their Universities Scheme to attract students and faculty. A new science fiction and fantasy-themed lodge in the UK recently drew over 130 attendees at its consecration. One member noted that these lodges simply combine two passions, strengthening both the lodge and the fraternity, while maintaining standard ritual and meetings.

Sadly, affinity lodges have still not became widespread in the United States, which is a missed opportunity. My own jurisdiction of Indiana has seen a few special-purpose lodges over the years, including ones for handicapped candidates (Bartimaeus Lodge), a blood drive (Transylvania Lodge), historic preservation (Schofield Lodge No. 1818), and medical professionals (St. Lukes Lodge No. 761), plus historic foreign-language lodges in German back in the 19th century. There is, however, increasing interest in contemplative, philosophical, and esoteric-minded lodges. With so many possibilities within our basic framework, there is ample room to experiment while honoring Masonic landmarks and thinking creatively to attract (and retain) new members and revitalize the fraternity.

California's Newest Lodge: Sonora 887

by Christopher Hodapp

California's newest lodge, Sonora Lodge No. 887, in the historic Sonora Masonic Hall held its grand opening on Saturday, February 22, 2025. According to a press release about the event,  membership interest has been growing statewide, and the new lodge has already welcomed 21 new members to the fraternity. 

From Globe Newswire:

The opening of Sonora Lodge No. 887 is yet another milestone in the Sonora Masonic Hall’s rich history. Built in 1850 during the peak of the California Gold Rush in Tuolumne County, the Sonora Masonic Hall is one of the very first Masonic establishments in the state. Over the past 175 years, it has housed Lodges for numerous notable Masons including California State Senator George S. Evans (1865-1877), California Secretary of State Anson H. Tuttle (1863) and U.S. Senator James Graham Fair (1881-1887).

 

“The Masons of California are proud to renew our values of community, philanthropy and brotherhood in a city that has been so foundational to our shared Masonic history,” said Mark McNee, Sonora Lodge No. 887 Lodge Master and Vice Chair of the California Masonic Foundation. “The grand opening of Sonora Lodge No. 887 marks another chapter in a long legacy of Tuolumne County Masonry, and we look forward to watching the positive impact of our programs and people spread through Sonora and beyond.”

 

The new Sonora Lodge No. 887 was chartered on October 27, 2024, and held its Ceremony of Constitution on November 16, 2024. Sonora Lodge No. 887 officially opened its doors to potential new members and the community at a grand opening celebration on Saturday, February 22, 2025, which included a formal Installation of Officers ceremony, ribbon cutting and remarks from Mark McNee, Masons of California Grand Secretary Allan Casalou and Past Grand Master of George Washington Union Freemasons Nathalie Valkov.

It's a side-issue, I know, but if that last name threw you, George Washington Union Grand Lodge is an American offshoot of the Grand Orient of France and is an independent co-Masonic (men and women) obedience. The GL of California does not recognize them – by the rules of regularity and recognition, GWU is irregular and their members cannot sit in each others lodges. But the GL California acknowledges that other obediences do indeed exist, and if a female enquires about Masonic membership, or if a male seeks a lodge with both men and women as members, they take a pragmatic approach similar to the United Grand Lodge of England: they steer them to the GWU as an alternative. 

Would that more American grand lodges took a similar view. Better to grow Freemasonry throughout the world than to pretend different types of Masonry simply don't exist because 'WIMMIN!' Our obligations say nothing that forbids us from talking to each other, discussing Masonic philosophy, symbolism, or much of anything else. We won't burst into flame. We merely promise not to be present if a lodge decides to confer the degrees of Masonry on a woman, and they can't sit in our open lodge doing business.

UGLE regularly invites England's two female grand lodges to public events, and they all cooperate on outreach programs like their Universities Scheme, which promotes Masonic lodges at colleges and universities. UGLE has even joined forces with the female GLs to create a cooperative 'Council For Freemasonry' to combat anti-Masonry in the U.K.

Likewise, if Masons from an irregular, unrecognized obedience desire an authentic Masonic lodge room to meet in, there should be no reason why a regular male-only lodge can't rent or otherwise make their lodge room available to a Prince Hall, female, or co-Masonic lodge. For that matter, local lodges should have the leeway to rent to Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, even the Knights of Columbus, if they so desire. Better to have our buildings in use as often as possible than to look abandoned for 29 days of every month. 

But I digress.

  PHOTOS: Sonora Lodge 887 Facebook page

California Masonic Homes Offers Aid and Assistance to Masons Affected By SoCal Wildfires

(Reuters)

by Christopher Hodapp

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCLUDE AN OFFICIAL MSA DISASTER APPEAL

In the wake of the massive devastation from the Southern California wildfires over the last few weeks, the Grand Lodge of California's Masonic Homes website has posted the following message offering assistance to Freemasons and their loved ones:

The wildfires that have spread throughout Northern and Southern California this year have been the most destructive in our state's history. They have caused billions of dollars in damage and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

If you or a brother or sweetheart you know has been affected, the Masonic Homes can help. Please call Masonic Assistance at (888) 466-3642 for help accessing relief resources. If you call on behalf of another brother or widow, it is recommended that they are present for the call to expedite relief.

Available resources include:

Direct relief: Housing, food, clothing, and transportation
Counseling for grief and emotional distress
Relocation assistance
Referrals to organizations providing financial guidance, including assistance with mortgage payments and insurance matters
Information about and referrals to agencies providing local support

Even if your need is not included in the list above, assistance may be available. Please call Masonic Assistance to learn more about how our compassionate staff can support you and your loved ones.

Relief provided through the Masonic Homes of California is made possible by the generosity of brothers and friends statewide. CLICK HERE to make a gift to support the Masonic Homes’ mission of relief.

Note: If you are donating from out of state, ignore the drop-down menus asking for your lodge name, etc.  When asked where to direct your donation, choose the 'Distressed Worthy Brother Relief Fund.'

UPDATE FEBRUARY 8. 2024: 

Since this story was first posted, California Grand Master Arthur Salazar Jr. has also requested the Masonic Service Association of North America to issue an official Disaster Appeal over the California fires. 

From the MSANA website:

California Wildfires Relief Appeal

Grand Master Arthur L. Salazar Jr of California has requested the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) to issue this Disaster Relief Appeal.

Earlier this month, large parts of Los Angeles County were ravaged by several horrific fires which took several lives, destroyed entire communities, and flattened thousands of structures. While we are not aware of any of member lives that were lost, we have received daily requests from members who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their worldly possessions. Now they need your assistance.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Craig L. Davis, PGM
Administrator, MSANA

To Donate by Mail:

Please make checks payable to MSA Disaster Relief Appeal.
Please clearly mark the appeal that you wish the funds to go to and send to:

Masonic Service Association, 813 1st Ave SE, Suite 357, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

To Donate by credit card online, CLICK HERE  Be sure to use the drop-down box to direct it to the California Wild Fires

MSA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations made through them are tax deductible.

Carlos Diez Jr.: A Masonic Message Through The Noise

Credit: Rick McKee, Counterpoint / CTNewsJunkie via Cagle Cartoons

by Christopher Hodapp

Hopefully, all of my readers had a happy – and mostly harmless – post-election Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends, with as few fights on the lawn as possible. WB Carlos Diez Jr., Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of California, recently posted a message to the Brethren of that jurisdiction, called A Masonic Message Through The Noise. It's a timely subject all of us need to bear in mind as Freemasons in a world of tumult and chaos. Especially before somebody gets stabbed in the hand by a pickle fork or whacked in the noggin with a gravy boat.

Brethren,

Each week, we gather in fellowship. This practice should prepare us for the divisions that strain our society. Our world is filled with external noise (TV, social media, etc.), even in our everyday conversations. This can shape our thoughts and emotion and, if unchecked, can unsettle the inner peace and harmony we strive to maintain.

As Masons, we take a profound obligation: To be beacons of civility within our communities. This obligation goes beyond words. It guides our actions and conduct in the light of understanding and mutual respect. When the world around us is filled with discord, our role is to stand as examples of brotherhood, composure, and harmony—all rooted in the peace we nurture within.

Our Masonic teachings constantly remind us that we aren't just recipients of the world's energy but active stewards of our own consciousness. By recognizing what we allow to influence our minds and hearts, we guard against the intrusion of negativity. We cultivate a peace that is uninterrupted by disturbances.

Our degrees teach us who can "best work and best agree." This wisdom extends to all aspects of life, not just Masonry. They remind us that harmony begins within and prevails beyond the lodge's four walls. When public debates and disagreements overshadow one’s spiritual essence, they risk disturbing the delicate balance that makes you you. By choosing actions rooted in virtue and love, we maintain that sacred harmony the craft seeks to instill.

Therefore, hold fast your commitments. Remind yourself you are the guarantor of your obligation because only you are with yourself 24 hours a day. Conduct yourself as the light and by doing so, you will embody the principles of our fraternity, promote peace, and will inspire those around you.

Carlos Diez Jr.,
Grand Orator of California

California Masonic Symposium: 'Fringe Freemasonry and the Mysteries That Bind Us'

by Christopher Hodapp

The California Masonic Symposium is hosted annually by the Grand Lodge of California. This year's event will be held next Wednesday, August 28th and will feature presentations on some of the most mysterious and esoteric Masonic-related rites and organizations that are often referred to as “fringe Masonry.” Many have borrowed styles, substance, symbolism, and practices from the Masonic fraternity, but while "fringe" may sound derogatory at first blush, the label isn't meant to be pejorative. 

As the Symposium's website explains:

According to the online site CasueIQ there are 3,361 fraternal organizations in the State of California, employing 16,194 people, and earning more than $18 billion dollars in revenue each year. Freemasonry is one of the oldest in the world. With the collected mix of fraternal orders it makes us contemplate the questions: Out of all the fraternal orders, how many were influenced by the Freemasons? And what aspects of Freemasonry were borrowed by these orders? Why did they feel a need to branch off and create their own bodies? These are the questions that will be explored in the 2024 Grand Lodge of California Symposium:Fringe Masonry: Exploring the Mysteries that Bind Us 

The interest in “Fringe Masonry” has grown in recent years as Brothers have turned their attention, once again, towards the esoteric. Yet, the term itself may be alien to many regular Freemasons. Writing in Ars Quatuor Coronatorumin 1972, Ellic Howe states that Fringe Masonry is “not irregular Masonry because those who promoted the rites did not initiate Masons, i.e. confer the three Craft degrees or the Holy Royal Arch degree. Hence they did not encroach upon Grand Lodge’s and Grand Chapter’s exclusive preserve.”

Simply stated, these orders did not bother the Grand Lodge because they did not mock or rewrite the blue lodge degrees; this is probably the reason they were left alone – they were not a threat to blue lodge Masonry. 

Nevertheless, Howe’s description is too broad. Fringe Masonic Rites and Orders are not those (such as the Order of the Temple or the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite) that are recognized by regular Grand Lodges. Rather, active Fringe Masonic organizations are those that exist outside of the world of regular Masonry but that often rub up against it (often claiming to be, in some sense, Masonic). Such organizations have included the Rite(s) of Memphis and Misraim, the Swedenborgian Rite, the Ancient Order of Zuzimites and the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry to the Asiatic Brethren, that claim, in one way or another, to connect to regular Freemasonry. 

Other orders include, but are not limited to: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A), an order influenced by Masonic principles and the Tarot, and Aleister Crowley’s Ordo Templi Orientis, in which he tried to create rituals acceptable to regular Freemasons. 

Historically, the members of these organizations have taken a serious interest in spirituality and, as Howe says of Fringe Masons in England during the late 19th century, many were “identified with occultism.” 

The Fringe Masonry of that place and time was composed of “a small and amorphous group of men, most of whom knew one another,” says Howe. Nevertheless, Memphis and Misraim, the Swedenborgian Rite, the Zuzimites, and many other Rites and Orders of the 19th century, represent a continuation of the explosion of “Masonic” and quasi-Masonic Rites and rituals of the preceding century. 

Extremely popular during their day, some of these rites and orders were absorbed into regular Freemasonry (the Rite of Perfection forming the basis of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, for example), while others collapsed and disappeared or were absorbed into later Fringe Masonic Rites. 

During our symposium we will notice certain themes or the names of individuals reappearing. Some of these themes (such as Kabbalah, alchemy, and Rosicrucianism) also appear in the degrees of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (most obviously in the alchemical- and Rosicrucian-influenced Rose Croix degrees). 

 Our aim is not to endorse individual esoteric orders, magical practices or fringe Masonry, as such; rather, in keeping with previous symposiums, it is to be part of the current cultural zeitgeist, in pursuit of a deeper understanding of our complex world.  

PLEASE NOTE: This year's symposium will be held online, and there will be no in-person program. The Symposium will begin Wednesday, August 28th at 7:00PM Pacific Time (10:00PM Eastern), and is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. 

The program will be moderated by Gabriel G. Mariscal, Senior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of California. He is currently a member of the Grand Lodge Leadership and Development Committee, which serves as the think tank of the Grand Lodge and creates content for the leadership retreats. He is also a member of the Grand Lodge Masonic Education Committee. He is the chairman of the Public Education Advisory Committee of Sacramento for the California Masonic Foundation.

Speakers will include:

• Angel Millar, editor-in-chief of the Fraternal Review publication and author of Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician; as well as The Crescent and the Compass: Islam, Freemasonry, Esotericism and Revolution in the Modern Age.
• Jaime Paul Lamb, author of Myth, Magick & Masonry: Occult Perspectives in Freemasonry (2018), Approaching the Middle Chamber: The Seven Liberal Arts in Freemasonry and the Western Esoteric Tradition (2020), and The Archetypal Temple and Other Writings on Masonic Esotericism (2021).
• Joe Martinez, Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia and co-host of the Masonic Roundtable podcast.

There is no charge to view the Symposium, but you must register in order to get access to the program online. To register, CLICK HERE.

Partnership of Grand Lodges Purchase Grand View Systems

ByChristopher Hodapp

Grand View Systems, creators of one of the most popular membership management systems designed especially for Masonic organizations, has just been acquired by a joint partnership of grand lodges in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, California, and North Carolina.

From the press release:

Dear Valued Grand View Users,

We’re thrilled to announce that Grand View, your trusted membership management software system, has been purchased by a partnership of four Grand Lodges: the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Grand Lodge of North Carolina, Grand Lodge of California, and Grand Lodge of Minnesota. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the Grand View journey, and we are excited about the future prospects it brings.

Our vision for Grand View is that it’s owned by the fraternity, ensuring that its mission aligns closely with the values and needs of Masonic organizations. We are delighted to inform you that Brother Jeff Clarke will continue to lead Grand View, and all of its dedicated staff will remain in place, ensuring continuity and stability for our users. Jeff and his team will continue to be your main point of contact.

As we look to the future, Grand View’s immediate goals are to assess and enhance its capabilities to onboard new Masonic organizations seamlessly while continuing to provide robust support to its existing users. Your satisfaction and success are our and Grand View’s top priorities, and we and the Grand View team are committed to making Grand View an even more powerful tool for your membership management needs.

We are also eagerly looking forward to the upcoming Users Conference, where Jeff will share more detailed plans and ideas. This will be a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from you about how we can all work together most effectively moving forward. Additionally, we’ll discuss how other Grand Lodges and Masonic organizations can join the ownership group in the future, expanding our collaborative efforts.

Thank you for your continued trust and support in Grand View. We are excited about this new chapter and are confident that under its new ownership, Grand View will achieve great things.

 

2024 Intl. Conference on Freemasonry: March 30th at UC/Berkeley

by Christopher Hodapp

The 2024 International Conference on Freemasonry will be held March 30th on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley. This will be the 12th annual academic conference sponsored by the Grand Lodge F&AM of California, and the theme this year will be "Rites In America."

From the event's website:

“Rites in America” examines the almost countless forms and iterations of Masonry that have sprung up on this side of the Pacific, often in the particular context of immigrant communities or other, larger social movements.

Says event organizer Susan Sommers, a professor of history at St. Vincent College, “Freemasonry is one of the oldest and most successful fraternal, initiatory societies in the Western world. Despite its reputation for secrecy, it is well known and well documented.” As different Masonic and quasi-Masonic groups formed in the Americas, they often built on Masonry’s ritual framework while adding their own features. “Why reinvent wheels when you can simply change the hubcaps?” she says. “Over the centuries, especially since around 1750, Freemasons have added, edited, and invented orders, rites, and rituals with something close to wild abandon, all the while claiming that the landmarks are immutable, and have been since Adam.”

Speakers will include:

• Jonathan Awtrey - Visiting Assistant Professor, Fairfield University
“Moses Michael Hays and Freemasonry in British North America”

• Jesse David Chariton - Ph.D Candidate, Department of History, Iowa State University
“German Americans and Masonic Baptism in the Antebellum United States”

• Robert A. Gross - Professor of Early American History Emeritus, University of Connecticut
“Canceled and Back! How a Lodge Overcame Anti-Masonry and Regained a Place in Public Life”

• Alexander Towey - Lecturer, History Department, California State University, San Marcos
“Ebb & Flow: Freemasonry’s Rise, Decline, and Renaissance in American Society”

• Dr. María Eugenia Vázquez Semadeni - Historian, author, and expert on Mexican Freemasonry, Mexican political history, and Hispanic-American parliamentarianism; co-author, with Margaret Jacob, of Freemasonry and Civil Society: Europe and the Americas.

“Mexicanizing Freemasonry: The National Mexican Rite ”

• S. Brent Morris - Former managing editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, the world’s largest circulation Masonic magazine, and founding editor of Heredom, the transactions of the Scottish Rite Research Society.
“Robert Benjamin Folger and the oldest English-language version of the Chevalier Bienfaisant de la Cite Sainte—aka the Rectified Scottish Rite.”

The conference is open to the public. Admission is $30, optional lunch is $20. To register, visit the website HERE.

GL of California Continues Its #ImAMason Hashtag Campaign

by Christopher Hodapp

Last July, the Grand Lodge of California created what became a popular social media campaign centered around the hashtag #ImAMason. The strategy was simple: create a written or video message to post on Facebook or Instagram (or both) briefly telling your friends and online followers and subscribers just why it is that you are a Freemason. The goal was to reach as many people as possible to explain what the fraternity is, what we do, what we teach our members, and why it's still important to society after more than 300 years of fostering friendship and true brotherhood among good men all over the world who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance. Most of all, it was a chance to explain to your family and friends just why Freemasonry is important to YOU.

The campaign worked like gangbusters: more than 2.3 million people worldwide were reached by these messages. And Masons all over the world took part in crafting their own #ImAMason messages, not just those brethren in California. 

Photo: Grand Lodge of California

It was so successful that the Grand Lodge of California is asking Masons everywhere to do it once again this year. Between July 10th and the 21st, Masons who are comfortable doing so are asked to record a video, take a selfie, or write a post on Facebook or Instagram that explains what they get out of their Masonic membership, and to include the hashtag #ImAMason. (Adding the hashtag will enable them to compile the posts and easily share them online far and wide.)

From their announcement:

"By showing the people around us that they already know a Freemason—even if they didn’t know it—we can help to demystify Masonry in general, and maybe encourage someone who’s curious about it to reach out. Imagine: That second cousin you’re connected with on Facebook who doesn’t know how much your lodge means to you. Or a coworker who’s always been intrigued by Masonry but never known where to begin with it. Our hope is That those people will see these posts and decide to learn more. 

 

"So please join us in this effort. Tell your story of why #ImAMason. Together, we can help build on the effort to increase positive public awareness and drive the future of the fraternity.

[snip]

"We need to encourage members to talk about Freemasonry and what they get out of it with the people around them. We need to remind them that they’re allowed to talk about Freemasonry without fear of breaking any rules. (This tends to be a misinterpretation of a rule against soliciting membership, which is different than talking about Freemasonry in general, discussing what you get out of it, or describing what happens in a Masonic lodge.) And we need to give them tools that help them talk about Freemasonry and answer people’s questions.

"That’s what the #ImAMason campaign is all about. Don’t know what to say? DOWNLOAD OUR NEW BOOKLET, titled Opening the Door, for some helpful and simple answers to common questions about Freemasonry. Or check out our brand-new webpage, WHAT IS FREEMASONRY, meant to give newcomers a basic sense of things. These are a starting point to help members discuss the fraternity in general and how it works. But the best explanations will come from real members discussing the real things they get out of it."

If you don't happen to be a Freemason but are interested in joining or finding out more, either do an online Google search for "Grand+Lodge+Freemasons+(Your State or Country)," or visit the BeAFreemason.org website for more information and to begin the process of connecting to a Masonic lodge in your area.

Magicians, Magic and Masonry in California Next Month

by Christopher Hodapp

The 2023 California Masonic Symposium on June 28th may perhaps be the most unusual educational program ever put on by a grand lodge: "Brother Harry Houdini – The Master Mystic & the Masonic Ties to Our Craft." Throughout its modern history, there have been active, practicing magicians within the fraternity of Freemasonry. Ye Olde Cup & Ball No. 880 is a recently-chartered "affinity lodge" in Los Angeles for professional and budding magicians. Appropriately, it meets at the famed Magic Castle private club in Hollywood (clubhouse for the very real Academy of Magical Arts). Additionally, the Invisible Lodge is an international, honorary association of magician-Masons (it was founded by Sir Felix Korim, a well known stage Illusionist in 1953). But how are the practices of magic and Masonry related—and what philosophical ideas underpin them both?

For a very long time indeed, there have been people with active imaginations who have attempted to either discover mystical, metaphysical secrets and powers within what we call speculative Freemasonry, or, when they couldn't really find any, to infuse it with their own notions of white magic, black magic, high magic, or spiritual magic (or, if you prefer, magick). There's always been a small group of people who join the fraternity and are sorely disappointed that we really don't teach them the power to raise the dead, live forever, and amass vast riches, after all. 

But that's not to say there's no place in Masonry for magic. Au contraire. It's the *magic* that depends on showmanship and performance within our ceremonies to most effectively bring our memorized ritual work to life, instead of just being a two-hour drone of meaningless, antiquated, and unfamiliar words. Ritual showmanship – when it's done well – really does work magic on a candidate's emotions and spiritual understanding. It's very serious hocus-pocus that's supposed to be transformative to receptive candidates. Our magic is designed to make the common man actively think about deeply philosophical concepts of life, death, good, evil, honor, integrity, responsibility, the nature of God, the examination of our own faiths, and the very purpose of our brief life on Earth.

The legendary magician, escape artist and master showman, Harry Houdini (1891-1926) was a member of New York's St. Cecile Lodge 568, and one of the main presentations of California's online symposium will be about his incredible life and career. A panel discussion will explore the ties between magic and Masonry: Magic’s relevance to Freemasonry today, the importance of showmanship in our ritual ceremonies, and the very real 'magical' connections between Freemasonry and the ritual. 

This year's theme for the California symposium shouldn't be surprising, as the current Grand Master of California, MW Randall Brill, is an accomplished magician, as are all of the other presenters for this program: Maynard Edwards, S. Brent Morris, and Ralph C. Shelton II. (In fact, if you've ever attended a Masonic presentation given by Brent Morris, he will commonly preface his speech by performing a quick magic trick, and his university dissertation for a PhD  in mathematics was written about the mathematical probabilities involved in card shuffling.)

There will be no in-person presentations this year. The Symposium is expected to last approximately two hours and will be conducted online only. There is no fee – a reservation is required in order to receive the proper log-in credentials. REGISTER HERE.

---

On the same theme, on July 16th, 2023, the Invisible Lodge International (a.k.a. "The Honorary Association of Masonic Magicians at Work Under the Jurisdiction of the Known and Unknown World") will hold a special public celebration of its 70th anniversary at the Long Beach Scottish Rite Center (855 Elm Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813). It will also be the 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini's initiation. 

• There will be two sittings for dinner on Sunday night, beginning at 6:00PM and 7:30PM.
• Magic shows featuring the Lodge's members will begin at 8:30
• The main stage show at 9:00PM.
• An attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of simultaneous escapes (audience help will be required)
• The History of Magical Masons and the Invisible Lodge
• Public initiation of new members
• At midnight, there will be a Houdini séance (just in case he finally has found the secret to coming back again)
• And a surprise Houdini event will end the evening.

All Master Masons are welcome, along with significant others and accompanied guests over age 21. All of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the 2023 Grand Master’s Charity, (the California Masonic Foundation Trade School Scholarship Fund) and the Long Beach Scottish Rite Center building fund.

No word on price just yet, but tickets will soon be available online at the event website HERE.

South Pasadena Masonic Lodge's Masonic Con 2022: "Masonry in the New Millennium" July 22-24

by Christopher Hodapp

Beginning next Friday, July 22 through Sunday July 24th, I'll be in Pasadena, California to take part in the South Pasadena Masonic Lodge's Masonic Con 2022. The theme of this year's event is "Masonry in the New Millennium." 

Masonic scholars from across the country will participate in discussions on various topics geared to enlighten the listener on the far-reaching impacts Freemasonry has among men, and the best practices for Freemasons to become better equipped in the New Millennium. There will also be three panels of well-qualified Masons discussing topics such as: Innovations in Freemasonry; Masculinity and The Craft; and The Masonic Legacy Society,

This event will be open to all Masons and to the interested public. The weekend kick's off on Friday evening with a gala Festive Board that will include a seven-course meal—punctuated with traditional Masonic toasts and songs.

In addition to myself, speakers include:

• Jaime Paul Lamb - "The Archetypal Temple"
• Robert G. Davis - "It is Time to Cross the Rubicon and Battle Our 20th Century Ruffians"
• Chuck Dunning - "Nurturing the Renaissance of Masonry in the 21st Century"
• Brad Drew - "The Masonic Legacy Society"
• Chris Murphy - “Upon the Tablets of his Heart”: Creating Harmony through Masonic Myth-making"
• Kirk White - "Nones in the Temple"
• Akram Elias - "The Masonic Legacy Society"
• Michael Jarzabek - "The Masonic Legacy Society"
• Angel Millar - "Manhood and Freemasonry"
• Rod Duncan - "Innovations In Masonry"
• Cesar Rubio - ""Innovations In Masonry"

Three Masonic films will be screened during this weekend, followed by an audience Q&A featuring at least one of the filmmakers.

• Brian T. Evans - "The Masonic Table: The Art of Dining in Freemasonry"
• Mitch Horowitz - "The Kybalion: Hermeticism(s) and Modern Spirituality"

Moderators for the weekend include:

• Erik Strom
• Robert Johnson
• Ian E. Laurelin

For tickets and information, visit the Masonic Con website HERE.

Fire Tears Through San Bernardino Scottish Rite Center

by Christopher Hodapp

On Sunday, the Scottish Rite building in San Bernardino, California caught fire for the second time in just over a year. After a rooftop fire in February last year, the building has mostly been vacant. No injuries have been reported.

The fire was spotted by passing motorists on nearby I-215 and reported just after 5:00 PM. Fire Department investigators have not determined the cause of the fire as of this time.

The building was originally dedicated in 1972 and also served as the site of the San Bernardino William and Beverly Rainbolt RiteCare Childhood Language Center. After the first fire, the Scottish Rite moved out a year ago. Since then, the highly-visible center had become a magnet for vandals and graffiti that could be seen from the freeway.

(Photos: Press Enterprise and the San Bernardino County Fire Department)

California Lodge Restarts Its Youth Groups

by Christopher Hodapp

Turlock Masonic Lodge 236 in Turlock, California got some decent coverage in the local paper this morning. The lodge is bringing back their youth groups, which have been dormant for several years now – Job's Daughters for girls, and DeMolay for boys.

From Job’s Daughters and Demolays give young people a space to foster their growth by Pawan Naidu in the Turlock Journal:

Within the lodge they have separate divisions that help young people grow and develop as individuals. Job’s Daughters help young women ages 10-20 while Demolays helps young men ages 9-21.

Former member of Job’s Daughters, Amanda Sargenti Gomez, said she believes one of the most valuable things the organization taught her was the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community.

“A very important thing for me was being active in the community by volunteering. During my term as Honored Queen we collected toys and books to take to Shriner’s Hospital. We also assisted the Masons by serving at their dinner events,” she said.

“I learned many things from my time in Job’s Daughters. First off, respect for myself, my elders and my peers, as well as proper etiquette. Secondly, I learned public speaking and how to run and organize a meeting. These things have been very important as I developed within my career,” said Gomez.

According to former Demolay member James Banta, the Demolays aim to foster that same growth among young men and have a place where they can be among their peers.

“I think young men in particular find comfort knowing there are other people out there that feel the same way they do,” he said

What sets the Demolays apart from other youth organizations is that it gives their members autonomy about what they want to do.

“The members decide what activities they’re going to do. We do have older individuals there to help guide them along, but the members do all the organizing,” said Banta.

The Demolays do not adhere to one religion and accept members of all faiths as long as they agree to the values of the organization.

“We put our values front and center and as long as you transcribe to those values, you’ll be welcomed,” said Banta.

 

Masonic Symbols On Mothballed Planes Bring Out the Crazies

by Christopher Hodapp

It doesn't take much these days to send the conspiracy lovers into orbit.

A story appeared on the website of Australia's 9News TV station in Sydney on August 19th, reporting on financial losses for Qantas Airlines. Many international flights between the U.S. and Australia have been temporarily halted this year because of the international COVID shutdowns and restrictions. So at the beginning of the report, a half-second long shot showed a mothballed Qantas airliner being towed into storage at the Mojave Air and Space Port as part of a cost-cutting move by the airline. 

Some eagle-eyed viewers looked closely at the fleeting opening shot and spotted black engine storage covers on one jet that were adorned with a giant All Seeing Eye and a square and compass. Consequently, social media had a brief blowup over the last couple of days over the Masonic symbols on the plane. 

A YouTube conspiracy video entitled 'Qantas busted' has already racked up more than 10,000 views over the weekend. And no, I'm not linking to the thing.

Qantas’ loss of AU$1.9 billion is the greatest drop in revenues in the Australian national airline's 100 year history, and represents a 91% drop in profits. Some 20,000 employees have been laid off, and 6,000 have been pressured to retire (in the chilling English parlance of human obsolescence, "made redundant"). So naturally, lots of people have lots of reasons to look for someone or something to blame. 

Nine News contacted the airline and the Mojave storage facility to get to the bottom of this 'controversy' (which means it's been a realllllly slow news week in Australia). The covers are giant plastic tarps stuck to the engine cowlings with high-visibility yellow tape. And according to the airline, it seems that the ground crews occasionally become artistic or bored, and create designs on the covers with tape, as the smiley faces and other markings show in the photo below.

According to the report today, officials said,

"Aircraft engine cover art is a thing," they said.

"As you can see, the yellow tape can sometimes be used quite creatively.

"We've obviously got a few engineers who are fans of The Da Vinci Code, but we've asked them to stick to emojis and smiley faces."

Something in me thinks the brethren in Barstow are toasting each other and cheerfully singing the Stonecutter's anthem tonight. 

Whether the Masonic symbols were installed by an arty lodge member, or by a prankster who was just trying to excite the Internet crazies, there's no way of knowing. But "the Freemasons" didn't have anything to do with Qantas’ bad fortunes this year.

But then, that's just what you'd be expecting me to say.

Your Goat Gag of the Month

Photo: Flint C. Hollars

by Christopher Hodapp

The Masonic Temple in Healdsburg, California is home to Sotoyome-Curtis Lodge 123. Their ground-floor tenant has apparently been listening at the door of the lodge for inspiration.

Apologies in advance to all goat gag-hating Masons out there. 

Since I brought up murals in the last post, the Healdsburg Temple has one that's not necessarily Masonic in nature, but portrays some of the town's history. At least the horn section has a Mason.

Northern California Artists Paint Masonic Mural

Photo: (George Johnston — Daily News)

by Christopher Hodapp

NOTE: This post has been edited to credit artist Carl Avery who designed this particular mural.

A volunteer group of graphic artists has pooled their talents to cover the exterior walls of their northern California town with public art, and the local Masonic lodge is the newest beneficiary.

The group calling itself Tehama Creatives has just completed a Masonic mural on the wall of Red Bluff's Vesper Lodge 34. The design was created by artist Carl Avery and it's one of several that almost completely line an alley in Red Bluff's downtown area. Tehama Creatives consult with the building owners on the designs, and they hope to eventually adorn every building in the alleyway. They just need funding and the building owners’ approval before doing so.

From the Enjoy Magazine website:

It started with a gathering, a convening of artists who wanted to connect, inspire and be inspired. “We wanted to see the creatives get together,” says Athena Dyer, an original convener of what has become Tehama Creatives. It didn’t take more than a few meetups at what are now affectionately referred to as Drink and Draws for Tehama Creatives to become a firebrand group dedicated to public art and community connection.

This burgeoning art movement in Red Bluff has cultivated enough energy to paint an alley with murals, transform drab downtown planters into vibrant works of art and connect artists to each other. “It’s starting to have practical applications to deal with issues in our community,” says Tehama Creative Michelle Carlson, also an educator, who notes that incidents of tagging are down where art goes up.

“With the Drink and Draw comes the dreaming,” says Carlson, who values the group for pulling her out of isolation exploring her artistic expression. The bi-weekly gatherings at Cedar Crest Brewery in downtown Red Bluff fueled her creative fire and introduced her to kindred spirits. “We’ve carved out a little safe space for people to be artists,” she adds. “It’s providing momentum.”

This is a terrific idea for any town or neighborhood, especially today with so many talented artists connecting with each other online. And I'm guessing if you told a creative artist today that your lodge is interested, there's enough Masonic symbolism to supercharge any artist's imagination. If you have a suitable blank wall on your lodge hall, why not offer it up as a blank canvas? A mural is far more likely to catch the eye of curious non-Masons than just a sign in the yard or a square and compass over the front door. (Check with your local zoning board first for any signage codes that might prevent this.) 

Here are some more photos from artist Carl Avery's Facebook page.

Artist Carl Avery's Facebook page has more photos of the project,
including this wide shot of the completed work posted by Forrest Stamper.

Artist Carl Avery at work painting

Looking for inspiration? here are some previous stories of murals - both interior and exterior - from other lodges around the U.S.:

• Masonic Mural for Naperville, Illinois
• Students Create Masonic Mural in Myrtle Beach
• Gifted Brother Paints Lodge Mural
• Thanks to Kennebunkport Lodge