Ritual Approach

1. Where is the VSL opened in your lodge? 2. Why are wardens’ columns up/down (not when)? 3. What orders of architecture do the master ad wardens represent and why? 4. The numbers 3, 5 and 7 are important—what can they represent? 5. Give two important points you remember in the closing charge of an EA. 6. Why do we have signs and secrets? 7. What moral significance do you attach to the chisel?

Now these are straightforward questions with the answers in the ritual. However, if you ’re struggling to answer at least 5 then perhaps the procedure of expecting candidates and brethren to sit and listen are not working. I have already written before about bite size chunks, Twitter expecting less (although they have increased their tweet length), etc but it is a reality and just saying they need to listen more simply doesn’t work. How many teachers write in reports that pupils should listen more but still fail. Empty words!

However, we should do something! It used to annoy me when I asked a PGL or GL OB a question and he was as knowledgeable as I was when I joined. Then I realized it was the norm and often the response was “listen to the ritual more carefully.” If it was that simple, why could they not give me a response? Because they didn’t know the answer!

As time moves on, our archaic ritual becomes even more archaic to younger and newer brethren. Having an archaic ritual in many ways is what the Craft is all about—it allows brethren to go to their lodge and forget much of the outside world. They can sit with like minded brethren and enjoy a ceremony similar to one that might have been conferred well over 100 years ago.

So if we don’t change the ritual what do we do? We have fewer degree meetings (which is not difficult with fewer candidates) but more meetings with the ritual explained. I’ m not suggesting lectures as some enjoy these, but many have found them tedious after lockdown. However, there is most defimiately a place for lectures.

What we need are more meetings where aspects of the ritual are focused upon—perhaps a young OB could recite the working tools in a degree and these are then discussed especially in a modern context. The EA tracing board could be given (rarely heard in Scottish lodges today) and again this could promote discussion on certain aspects leading to the layout of a lodge room.

The possibilities are endless, but brethren need to take the initiative and put more masonry into freemasons. This was actually the reason why the Cross Keys was started way back in 1994. It’s as relevant now as it was then.

February edition will have a follow on about rituals.