Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory

See below from Australia, it appears as the Grand Master has directly defined what is considered 'esoteric' within the confines of his definition of Freemasonry. He also outlines what is not "esoteric" as "occultism, sorcery, alchemy, astrology, profane mysticism, transcendentalism, supernaturalism, druidism, rosicrucianism, satanism or any concept or movement related to any of these."

The argument for this edit was that there were certain lines and teachings occurring that were about as closely related to Freemasonry as I am related to the president of the United States. Charges are that certain Freemasons were using the term 'esoteric' as a way to teach/preach non-mainstream religious tendencies and as a recruitment tool within the order.

The glaring issue is that of course this stifles any discussions of the above and how Freemasonry works and is inspired by them. Rosicrucianism for instance is still a topic of debate and its influence on Freemasonry (some believe it was the foundation, others deny that as its foundation on faith, hope and charity). The issue with this edict is that stifles these types of debates, academic research, etc.

On the other hand the use of Freemasonry as a recruiting tactic for some cult should be addressed as it has the potential to bring serious shame to our order.

I don't believe that this edict was the right approach to curb illegal recruitment, but will cause stagnation in the spiritual growth of a Freemason, no matter path it may take him.

S&F,
-Bro Vick


GRAND MASTER'S EDICT

ANNOUNCED AT THE GRAND COMMUNICATION - 13th JUNE, 2012

On 12 May 2010 the Board of Management passed a resolution stating the principles governing esoteric research. These principles are central to the practice of Regular Freemasonry. In order that there be no doubt that they bind every brother and Lodge in this jurisdiction I have decided to make them the subject of a Grand Master's edict. At my request the Board of Management has rescinded its resolution so that it may be substituted with the following edict which takes effect immediately.

1. Authorised, official Masonic Education and Instruction is only 'Regular' when applied to Free and Accepted or Speculative Masonry (Regular Freemasonry).

2. Because of the widely divergent interpretations which can be placed upon it, I am concerned about the unqualified use of the word "esoteric", or any of its derivatives or extensions, within Regular Freemasonry. Such use needs to be avoided as it has been and can be misconstrued to the detriment of the Craft.

3. I encourage all Masons to make daily progress in the acquisition of Masonic knowledge. Speculation and discussion within the Landmarks of the Order are to be commended.

4. Within Regular Freemasonry, interpretive discussion and exposition concern only the progressive acquisition of Masonic knowledge towards an understanding of the secrets and mysteries of the Craft, promoting the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God. To avoid any misapprehension, such regular discussion and exposition shall be described as "speculative" and the term "esoteric" shall not be applied.

5. Regular Freemasonry does not permit within it any form of esotericism which encompasses or tends towards – occultism, sorcery, alchemy, astrology, profane mysticism, transcendentalism, supernaturalism, druidism, rosicrucianism, satanism or any concept or movement related to any of these. The presentation, endorsement and/or promotion of such subjects in any Lodge holding under the UGL of NSW and ACT whether the Lodge be open, adjourned, at refreshment or closed or at any connected or associated Lodge function should be deemed irregular and is strictly forbidden.

6. Any breach of this Edict constitutes serious unmasonic conduct and shall be treated accordingly.

7. The Grand Master from time to time may grant dispensations to permit the presentation of papers on esotericism which would otherwise constitute a breach of this edict. A dispensation may be granted on such terms and conditions as the Grand Master may impose. An application for a dispensation must be made to the Grand Master in writing through the Grand Secretary. Normally it will only be granted if the proposed paper is a genuine and proper piece of masonic research.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

The edict doesn't prohibit masons from indulging in occultism. It merely requires that it not be presented within a Lodge.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

BryanMaloney said:

The edict doesn't prohibit masons from indulging in occultism. It merely requires that it not be presented within a Lodge.

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Correct, but there is already disagreement regarding whether it means that an Australian Freemason can discuss occultism in terms of Freemasonry in any type of Masonic forum. Also, discussion of some of the topics above happens all the time in the Scottish Rite, and bleed into the blue lodge/

I would personally not like to see discussions regarding occultism and Freemasonry some how be banned, from a Masonic event. It is all good information that may expose men, who wouldn't be exposed otherwise.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

How can you not discuss this in a Lodge? Why is he saying the very things that are in fact Esoteric are not? Esoteric is not recitation as most in Texas like to think.

The things that he has labeled occultism are part of the foundations of Freemasonry, the founders of Freemasonry in England were Rosicrucians!!!! They practiced alchemy, astrology, tarot, magick, kabbalah, etc.

I will admit it isn't for everyone but it does have a rightful place in the Craft and it should have a much larger place than it does now. Without an understanding of what he is terming occultism, the true meaning of the symbolism of Freemasonry will never be known.

I was a member of the AMORC for many years while attending Lodge and spoke about it often along the lines of its connection with Freemasonry, would this be disallowed in Australia?

If it wasn't for what he is calling unmasonic conduct, a lot of Brothers wouldn't be members, especially those who have come to the Craft in recent years, hoping to gain further Light in these areas. This is a horrible and deadly thing for the future of Freemasonry.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

Some lodges ban,others authorise,it may be a matter of spiritual depth

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

Whether or not the founders of Freemasonry were Rosicrucians is actually a matter of debate, not a settled issue, no more than the alleged origin of Freemasonry among the remnants of the Knights Templar is a matter of settled fact.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

promason said:

Some lodges ban,others authorise,it may be a matter of spiritual depth

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It would be acceptable if an individual lodge wanted to ban this type of conversation, particularly if it helps the WM keep Peace and Harmony. Sometimes these type of things can spill over into other aspects of the Work.

Still, a Grand Master making this edict seems to be an over reaction to what ever has spurred this edict (I still haven't heard word one as to why this happened) and in the end suffocates the light from the fraternity.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

UPDATE: News is trickling down that this was directed at the "discovery Lodge of Research" which was sent a separate edict outlining specifically what they can and cannot research.

Word on the street was they started doing research into things that were not Masonic and the Grand Master had to step in. Again, I will ask the question if that is the case than why not take that up with the lodge and not use a "sledge hammer to crush a walnut"?

As more information becomes available, I will post it here.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

If this edict had been issued in Texas.....then they would have to burn or at least lockup half the books in the GLoT Library!! In Fact.....the aforementioned library is probably the foremost Occult/Mysticism/Alchemical/Kabbalistic/etc. collection in the whole state of Texas....and all surrounding states. Dont take my word for it.....go see for yourself.....when I first visited the library I was absolutely shocked at the extremely valuable compendiums and collections that are there. Some of these old books were donated to the library by our forefather Masons......so obviously THEY did not have a problem researching into these subjects (like Magick)....and I am sure they lived by the same maxim of conversing with well informed brethen. Sometimes it seems when we take two steps foreward ...we take one upright step backwards. It is enough to make me use a fore letter word...

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

Star Mztyk said:

If this edict had been issued in Texas.....then they would have to burn or at least lockup half the books in the GLoT Library!! In Fact.....the aforementioned library is probably the foremost Occult/Mysticism/Alchemical/Kabbalistic/etc. collection in the whole state of Texas....and all surrounding states. Dont take my word for it.....go see for yourself.....when I first visited the library I was absolutely shocked at the extremely valuable compendiums and collections that are there. Some of these old books were donated to the library by our forefather Masons......so obviously THEY did not have a problem researching into these subjects (like Magick)....and I am sure they lived by the same maxim of conversing with well informed brethen. Sometimes it seems when we take two steps foreward ...we take one upright step backwards. It is enough to make me use a fore letter word...

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Just another example of the push since the 1950's to make Masonry purely a social club and strip it of any esoteric meaning. Might as well join Moose lodge or whatever if ideas like this one in Australia continue.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

In my humble opinion,an eye on the occult can rise spiritual level and vibration

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

In my opinion,knowing the occult makes the initiate spiritually stronger and provides a solid serenity

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

The vast majority of lodges in Texas, and elsewhere, have always had lodge programs that have absolutely nothing to do with Freemasonry. Examples include Fireman Bill giving a program on "safety in the home," Officer Bob talking about the neighborhood watch program, someone from the Highway Department talking about turning your lodge into a highway clean-up crew, someone from the Chamber of Commerce talking about how the new lake will bring tourists to your town, and on and on and on .... So, now we have an Australian Grand-Master-for-the-time-being telling his members they can't talk about Rosicrucianism, which means they can't discuss the symbolism of the 18th Degree. And they sure as heck can't have a program taken from Albert Pike's Morals & Dogma. But, the worst part is that we have devolved to a point where a Grand Master does not understand the relationship between Freemasonry and freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. What a crying shame. It makes me embarrassed to be a member of the same fraternity. Shame, shame, shame.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

Star Mztyk said:

If this edict had been issued in Texas.....then they would have to burn or at least lockup half the books in the GLoT Library!!

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Given the current make-up of movers and shakers in Grand Lodge and other bodies here in Texas I don't believe that it would ever sprout wings, even if it was attempted.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

Grand Masters, be they from NSW or anywhere else, strut and fret their year upon the stage and then, for the most part, fade away into the realm of obscurity. So it goes. I don't know when Grand Lodge meets in NSW, but soon MWB Robson will be little more than a footnote. I'm considering sending him a copy of Etidorpha (you want fringe, try that one on for size) as a going out of office gift.

It may in fact be that a poorly worded headline ("Edict Against Esotericism") is as much responsible for this tempest in a teapot (and Brethren, that's all it is) as the edict in question. Lodges of Research assume the same "governing authority" with respect to paper review committees, do they not?

How many organizations, by their very nature, can more exactly represent the definition of the word "esoteric" than can ours?

Too many these days claim the mantle of Masonic scholar, try to convince the Brethren that we've lost our way and need to (a) change if we are to be relevant, (b) return to our roots (whatever those roots may be), and most importantly, (c) buy their latest book. I don't know how many on these boards have tried their hand at writing a research paper on a Masonic topic, but if you have, you have discovered that it is incredibly difficult to come up with a topic that some Brother somewhere, at some time, no matter how far out, hasn't already addressed (the aforementioned Etidorpha, for example).

All I can suggest is . . . relax. I recently mentioned P.D. Ouspensky's The Symbolism of the Tarot. Personally, I'm not big student of the Tarot. I've read about it some, even have a few decks of cards. A superficial interest at best. That doesn't mean I didn't pick up some interesting bits of, what, Light, along the way? I refer to it as my Virgil Cain approach. Take what you need and leave the rest. As it pertains to Ouspensky, I particularly liked a line in his explanation of the Hierophant:

"Do not expect to hear the truth from others, nor to see it, or read it in books. Look for the truth in yourself, not without yourself."

Will that get past the censors in New South Wales? Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't matter. I can wait.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

Bro_Vick said:

Given the current make-up of movers and shakers in Grand Lodge and other bodies here in Texas I don't believe that it would ever sprout wings, even if it was attempted.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

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I think (hope) most rational Masons the world over would not let that fly.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

Each UGL interprets policy and approach in their won way. I was initiated in a lodge in the UGL of NSW and the ACT, and then moved to Victoria, under the UGL of Victoria. Guess what.... Approaches and edicts are degrees of difference. I'm also the token American in my lodge and many of the approaches are based on the local culture, the history of the given Grand Lodge and their origins, and these evolve over time. I guarantee that each of the 50 Grand lodges in the US differ by degrees on policy so I would not put too much stock or worry too much about the UGL of NSW and the ACT down here in the Antipodes.

Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

Could this be a difference in the approach of American Freemasonry which is liberal and open in nature with the stricter and more conservative interpretation of the English/ Australian lodges. It may even raise the question of whether the Grand Lodge of New York needs to join with the Grand Lodge of England and finally have one global governing body. As an American living in Australia and as a Rockefeller and a Globalist i think it's way about time we went this way. Corporate sponsorship from corps like Chevron would be wise ! Bro Dean Rockefeller.


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Re: Edict From Masonic Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territor

A7V said:

Esoteric is not recitation as most in Texas like to think.

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Many words have a specific definition in Masonry different than their "dictionary" or common usage definitions. The GLoT Masonic definition of "esoteric" is that which is "not to be written" i.e. the catechism and ritual.