Kjole & Sort er flyttet

This website is moving. The whole site is in dire need of an overhaul, and one of the things I intend to do is split off the English and Danish sections into separate sites. The new Grail Quest home will be http://grailquest.wordpress.com/ This is something that I will be messing with over Christmas, and it should be ready for the new year. The feed to King Solomon's Lodge will be updated in due time.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – see you on the other side! 

I keep running in to this. Surfing and participating in online Masonic forums and blogs, one issue that surfaces every now and then, is the question of the Christian exclusivity of Swedish Rite being un-Masonic. Ticks me off, and I no longer want to get pulled into these discussions, as they make me angry and sad, and I think they are generally based on false preconceptions and intolerance, the very thing the critics want to oppose.

I started getting into this whole explanation about the rite, but the critics aren't really interested in anything but their own agenda, and I honestly don't want to agonise over this.

So, here's the bottom line: I could, generally speaking, care less about recgnition. I think there are women and atheists that are deserving of being called freemasons, and I will do so, regardless of their status in the traditional ranks of recognition. If someone deems Swedish Rite unworthy of the regularity label, so be it – I wouldn't change anything. They can make an argument for the rite being irregular, but not for its members not being feemasons.

My Swedish Rite link collection.

The Vigil, John Pettie 1884

So, finally getting around to looking back over the past three months ... It's difficult because from just a handful of lodge visits, I am obviously in no position to make any sort of judgement on the state of American freemasonry.

But I was fortunate enough that I got to see all three Craft degrees as they are worked in California, according to the Preston-Webb ritual, so I have a sense of how the "story" plays out in their version. Of course I cannot here get into details concerning the many (many!) differences with what I am used to from Denmark. I am sure both would disagree vehemently, but to me the ritual seemed pretty similar to the first degree Emulation ritual that is also practised in Denmark.

Mission Lodge had that "open-door", relaxed, friendly attitude that I would expect from an American lodge. But at the same time the ritual work was impressive - you can be nice over a cup of coffee and still kick ass in the temple! And all agreed that I didn't have to go very far outside of the city to find lodges that were even more laid back. Academia Lodge was no less friendly, but more formal in how they approached the work in the temple, education of its members, presentation of papers, dining, dress code etc. Academia, as a Traditional Observance lodge, is the odd man out, and Mission is probably more typical of the US.

I missed the Grand Lodge Annual Communications, but from what I heard it's lot more democratic organisations than ours. In the Danish Order of Freemasons, pretty much everything comes down to the Grand Master's decision (and he can hold that chair for a looong time), and there is no forum where things can be brought up for open discussion like in the states.

In no way do I want to sound dismissive of the brethren who gave me such a warm welcome, but I have to say that when push comes to shove, I think secrecy and formality has its place in freemasonry, and having kept unto those values is part of what makes it such a strong and healthy oraganisation in Scandinavia today. That, and keeping the spiritual advancement of its members in the forefront.

Grand Lodge, CA © Morton Beebee/Corbis

The first, jetlagged week has passed since we came to Dublin. We are staying in a nice little tourist/fishing town called Howth, just north of the city. Being back in Europe is actually a bit of an anti-climax after the friendly laziness of California, but I do love this time of the year (and seasons is one thing that California does not have!) – the sun is still warm and the air is clean and sweet. Mmm. Unfortunately the apartment doesn't have Internet as promised, so my online time is a bit limited at the moment, but I'll get to looking back over the last three months sooner or later.

Grand Lodge of Ireland, under a sunny autumn skyYesterday I went to the city for a walk and naturally one of my first calls was Grand Lodge in Molesworth Street.

They were a bit understaffed on the day – a young girl pretty much handled the house alone, turned on the lights in the museum for me, found a trestleboard for the lodges meeting in the building, and would have shown me around in the temple halls, if it hadn't meant deserting the door. The museum is public and has some fine stuff on display, but not very big. Again, I feel this is a good way to go: some select items that may also be of interest to the public. Once we get a little more settled in, I'll get in touch with some of names the girl gave me, and be back for a meeting and a tour of the halls. But “other stuff” is filling my time these days ...

I also planned to visit the Heraldic Museum, but they seemed to be refurbishing, so I'll have to get back to that one. More later.

Before I get in to the thoughts that have sprung up from living in California these past three months, here is a quick resume for the reader (the posts are easily accessed through the archive):

Sitting in lodge
I visited Academia, Oakland for a First degree and a Lodge of Instruction cum Grand Master's dinner, and Mission, SF for a Second and a Third. Not so terribly much, but I still got to see the three Craft degrees as they are worked in California, and it's a lot better than back in Denmark where lodges are dark through the summer. I also made attempts to visit two other lodges during daytime, but we couldn't make the schedule fit.

Grand Lodge
I went to the GL building on California St, going up the steep hill on the city's famous streetcars a couple of time: I saw Rufus Wainwright in concert, the exhibitions on anti-masonry (Sacking the Temple) and masonic architecture (The Initiated Eye), and I went to Chris Hodapp's guest lecture. Didn't have time for the Annual Communications, but that would have been interesting to see.

Other than that ...
I got a tatoo, I had a lucid dream, I visited a cemetary (with Masonic grave markers), I worked on the BOTA-lessons, I followed in the footsteps of Danish pioneer, Peter Lassen, and I took up running again. And I began a new life working freelance, which is probably the biggest thing.

And the Grail?
Hmm ... not so much. But it's hard to say – I still have a lot to take in, and the road goes ever on and on.

Grail Quest is now featured on King Solomon's Blog, which aggregates dozens of Masonic blogs.

Used to be, just little over a year ago, there were only a handful of Masonic blogs around, mainly American, and although I am not questioning whether they had a just cause, they did seem generally to run on the belligerent side. The tapestry is a lot more colourful now, with subjects running the gamut – esoteric, practical, journal, topical etc. KSL is an excellent resource in making these blogs readily available, and one of my favourite bookmarks.

Go have a look ...

Alright, this was the last Masonic event for me in California (for now): Br. Chris Hodapp had been invited to the Grand Lodge of California (they are having their Annual Communication this weekend) to speak in relation to the Initiated Eye exhibition.

Br. Hodapp touced on the founding fathers and Masonic architecture in Washington, DC, subjects of both the exhibition and Hodapp's book, Solomon's Builders. It was a very enjoyable (and well-attended) hour. Hodapp is an entertaining and experienced speaker, basing his points on thorough research and pragmatism, rather than going for the cheap thrills and urban legends of the Craft. Br. Adam Kendall, curator of the museum, picked up on Hodapp's myth-busting, pointing out that we as masons are ourselves keeping myths alive – through ignorance and romanticism. An important issue to remember as we interact with our Brethren.

I got a few autographs for some Danish Brethren, and Hodapp revealed that there was a Danish translation of Freemasonry for Dummies underway. It was also an opportunity to meet the Mission candidate (blogging as 'Sarastro') again and had a brief chat, as well as Br. Drew, who is the artist behind The Master's Jewel and the webmaster of Masonic Ink. It was all good.

On Wednesday we are flying over to Dublin, and a new chapter begins. I'll try to summarise some of the experiences of the last three months in a few posts over the next weeks (but we'll see how hard the jetlag hits, and what else may come up in our new home, but fingers crossed there should be Internet in the apartment).

Our time in California is running out, so we are doing a last, few touristy things. Today we had planned to walk across Golden Gate Bridge, but decided to go to Mountain View cemetary instead, as that was closer. And wow – so glad we did: It is a huge plot of land off Piedmont Avenue, hilly and green, with tombs, markers, monuments, headstones and statues in all shapes and sizes, a great view of Oakland and San Francisco in the distance, beautifully maintained (although there should be a part that is kept decrepit and gothic), tranquil and very special.

A fair number of masons are buried there (as well as odd fellows, eastern stars etc.) – here are a few samples:

The official website has more information and some beautiful pictures.

Went back to Mission lodge to see the same candidate* raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

It was quite an experience. Particularly the second part, which is the mystical drama concerning a central Masonic figure, was quite a show. Again, ritually this was so different from the Swedish Rite that it may as well have been a completely different thing. (Although the basic story is the same.) A big thank you to everyone at Mission for making me feel welcome, and for putting on such a quality degree.

 
Photo from the night

*) Said candidate also has a really fine blog on his Masonic journey: Sarastro's Temple. Update: He has now posted on the evening's events: The Raising.

I had the opportunity to see the traveling exhibition, The Initated Eye, at the Grand Lodge of California.

Journey into Light, one of Waddell's paintingsIt is a series of paintings by Peter Waddell, done in the fifties, chronicling Masonic influence on the architecture of the nation's capital. Some of the characters are a little stiff, but many of the paintings have very vivid lighting, the perspectives are good, and the pictures include minute details that will interest masons and history buffs. The exhibition is well presented, and we were shown around by curator Adam Kendall, which enriched the whole experience. The hall also exhibits some relevant effects from California's own museum.

The exhibition also exists as an online gallery, but as always the actual oil on canvas is a completely different thing from a digital reproduction.

Tomorrow my motherlodge, St John's lodge Hafnia (the Latin name for Copenhagen) opens the Masonic year by installing its new Worshipful Master (not a very good translation of his actual title), or rather: He installs himself into the Chair. This piece of Swedish Rite ritual is once again quite different from most other systems. The Rite is very hierarchical, and a WM can hold the Chair for many years – up to eight. So, as can be surmised, it is a pretty big deal and not something that happens every year. The Grand Master of the Order will be present, and I am certain I am missing out on a wonderful evening. But that's the way it is – the price for my little adventure.

I wish the new Master of the Chair all the best for his term of office, and a bright future for Hafnia.

This week I was out visiting again. This time to Mission Lodge in San Francisco. I had planned to try and see the temple, just as a tourist, because the few glimpses from their website hinted at a nice hall. Instead I ended up seeing a full second degree, and had a great night.

Masonic temple in Mission districtThe Mission district of SF is well, colourful. I stood outside the temple for a while, but no one showed up; the door was barred by a metal grate, and the bell was a spring sticking out of the fitting. In the end I decided to walk around to the back, and had more luck (to be fair: the website does metion this!). Anyway, that was the end of feeling left out; the brethren were friendly and inviting, and carried out the ritual beautifully. This was actually the first time I got to see a second outside of the Swedish Rite, and it was radically different and very interesting.

Although this was not the original intention, I will probably go back in two weeks to a third degree (I also hope to be permitted to shoot a few pictures from the two lodge rooms inside).