Welcome to the October issue of The Square
This past month saw many lodges return to some semblance of normality after the long hiatus of Covid-19 restrictions.
Although the pandemic is far from over, the light of Masonry is still burning bright and brethren are keen to get back to their working tools.
Hopefully, the majority of you across the globe are keeping as well as possible, have received your vaccines and can enjoy meeting back up with your friends and brothers face-to-face once again.
There has been much loss over the past 18 months but also many gains: we have learnt to learn online, enjoyed company via Zoom meetings when we have been home alone, enjoyed virtual debates, lectures and conferences but nothing beats the camaraderie and social strokes of meeting in person.
Talking of debates – we have a fantastic article by Masonic author and scholar Robert Lomas who asks the question: Elias Ashmole: Masonic Hero or Scheming Chancer?
How’s that for a teaser – read Robert’s (Scheming Chancer) side of the argument here, and then watch the full debate – with equally eminent Masonic expert and author, Yasha Beresiner (Masonic Hero) – via the link at the end of the article.
The debate was filmed recently and put to a jury – who will win, and what is your verdict?
Masonic Miscellanies this month discovers a real mystery – who was the ‘Tattooed Freemason’ washed up in the Bay of San Francisco in 1849?
The final part of Freemasonry and Women’s Rights looks at the largely forgotten work of eminent Freemason and judge, John, Viscount Sankey and his landmark ruling that women were indeed ‘persons’.
Did you know that there had been a meeting of Freemasons in the Tower of London? I had no idea! Sgt Chas Black enlightens us, along with a wonderful history of Glittering Star Lodge No. 322 – Freemasonry’s Foot Soldiers.
Our regular contributors have given us a veritable smorgasbord of offerings:
Kenneth Jack tells the story of the 6th Duke of Atholl: Chieftain, Grand Master, and a Memorial to Remember – and a day when over 500 Freemasons gathered on a hill in Perthshire to create a permanent memorial to him.
Paul Gardner regales us with tales of Banquets and Burlesque – all part of the history of Kent Lodge No. 15, the oldest Atholl lodge.
In The Christianising of British Freemasonries – Part 2, Gerald Reilly explains what the battle for the ‘essence’ of Masonry was and how it is relevant today.
Craig Weightman defines what it takes to be a gentleman of the Craft in The Masonic Art of Being a Gentleman .
Freemasonry in China – Carlos Francisco Ortiz explores the elusive yet fascinating history of the Craft in China both before and after the Chinese Communist Revolution.
Hugh O’Neill has another handful of Ashlar Chippings, and Brother Hogarth Reveals More!
Stephen Goulding’s Officers of the Royal Arch series continues with #11 The Principals – Spirituality.
Check out our book reviews: we have something old but totally worth revisiting – Tobias Churton’s Invisibles; and the new translation of Robert Fludd’s works Mnemonic Methods by Paul Ferguson.
All this and more – I hope you enjoy the issue. If you do, if you don’t, or if you want to send us something, you know where to email – editor@thesquaremagazine.com
Until next time, stay well –
Article by: Philippa Lee. Editor
Philippa Lee (writes as Philippa Faulks) is the author of eight books, an editor and researcher.
Philippa was initiated into the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF) in 2014.
Her specialism is ancient Egypt, Freemasonry, comparative religions and social history. She has several books in progress on the subject of ancient and modern Egypt. Â Selection of Books Online at Amazon