THE Victorian era saw a proliferation of occult and esoterically inclined orders and society, from new formations of Martinism to the Theosophical Society and its Esoteric Section to Numerous Masonic appellate bodies. Possibly the most well-known, and immediately influential, is the Order of the Golden Dawn. Originally envisaged as an initiatory school of theoretical magic, it because, with its Rosicrucian Inner Order, both a school of initiates and a college of Adepts, practicing both and theurgy. The Golden Dawn existed from the late 19th to the early 20th century in Great Britain and France, and into the 1970s in New Zealand. Its teachings, rituals, and initiations are still influential today.
The Elohim – Part II, A Crooked Path
In the first section of this article, I introduced the term “Elohim” and examined a variety of potential explanations for the esoteric and etymological meaning of the word. There possible connections to […]
The Power of Words
Freemasonry reminds us, consciously and unconsciously, that our words matter – that our verbal expressions reflect outwards, radiate with import, and display an image of who we are on the inside.
Self-Improvement and the Neuroscience of Freemasonry: Part I
The Temperate Mason is free because his passions, or uncontrolled limbic system, are no longer in control. His rational mind takes hold of the reins, establishing executive functioning and the willpower to overcome. This is done vis-à-vis the development and strengthening of the Pre-Frontal Cortex (PFC).
Why Are We Here?
Weird as that may be, maybe that’s what our ancestors were also trying to say when they said that God made humans in their image, and God became “Word” so that we could understand what it was like to be God. In our limited capacity as human beings, in a mortal world, we only see part of the whole.
Symbolism and The Literalists
Fundamentalism is everywhere. Let’s be clear: fundamentalism is strict adherence to the basic principles of any subject or discipline. In most cases, people use it to discuss religious adherence to the “word” […]
What Can Science Teach Us About Racism?
The Masonic Philosophical Society is an organization which values not only ethnic diversity, but also approaching problems with wisdom and objectivity. Science can be an excellent source certainty on many topics. In the case of the issues brought to the surface by the death of George Floyd recently, what can science tell us about racial bias?
The Science Debate
One would think there is no debate about science. The scientific method is, quite simply this: “a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic […]
Curiosity and Intuition
Not long ago, a friend asked how I’ve come to this point in life with the vocation and avocations that I have. Were these all conscious choices or not? I thought long […]
PRISONERS OF THE MIND: Shining Masonic Light on the Mysterious Meaning of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
What is the meaning of Brother Plato’s Allegory of the Cave in Book Seven of his immortal work, The Republic? And why is this allegory so widely read and studied in the world of “higher education” today, […]