Thunderbird Lodge No. 15
Free and Accepted Masons
Volume 14, Issue 7 www.thunderbird15.org July 2007
From the
East:
It sure was good to be back home
in our lodge room for the June 14 stated meeting, after not being able to use
our room for about a month. Sometimes one never appreciates what they have
until they lose it. We will once again be meeting on Thursday nights for
practicing, mentoring and fellowship at
We will be having a first degree on July 19 in our lodge
at
We will also be having a MM degree sometime within the
next two months. It will be scheduled as soon as the candidate gives his
proficiency on the FC lecture. We have a lecturer, Fellowcrafts,
Wayfaring man and Seafaring man, but need to fill parts in the second section
of this degree. All volunteers will be gladly accepted.
We will have an official visit from the Junior Grand
Deacon, Worshipful Michael Meier, at the July stated meeting on July 12.
Jim Drake PM, Worshipful Master
From the Secretary
We
really appreciate your continued membership in Thunderbird #15. If you have any problems or issues that I can
help resolve, please give me a call at 480-759-0253 or send an e-mail to beattyw@msn.com .
Bill Beatty, Secretary
Masonic Birthdays for July:
Stephen R Adkins,
Gustavo M Rodriguez,
Evolution of the Point within the Circle
As
a relatively new Mason and having no real family background in Masonry, my
exposure to the landmarks, symbols and allegory of our craft are unencumbered
by outside influence and opinion. Additionally, it’s my personal preference to
intentionally look towards and discover the future, both personally and in
concert with my Masonic brothers. In the grand scheme of life and spirituality,
I believe we are still evolving and possibly on the verge of a metamorphosis.
Our craft should begin a passionate effort to evolve, and not just practice,
the philosophy of life we hold so dear.
Let
me take an elementary step in that direction and share with you, my brothers, my
allegory of the point within a circle by tackling the confusing phrase of, “the
lines being parallel and perpendicular”. My explanation is greatly influenced
by my passion to discover the evolving meaning of “enlightenment” and the
concepts of the “horizontal” and the “vertical” as it relates to the physical and
spiritual. And, if regulated by the Masonic square, the perfect 90deg, the
perpendicular is defined.
Much
of my understanding of the relationship of the horizontal and the vertical come
from the work of psychologist Robert Godwin. In a recent article published in
“What is Enlightenment”, he goes into great detail of their relationship and
significance. In simplistic terms here, he defines the horizontal as being the
course of physical evolution, the linear progression from “past to present to
future”. Most of us will naturally regard the horizontal dimension as what is
real and provable.
Our
movements and progressions about the Lodge are in the horizontal plane as we progress
through the Degrees. We gain knowledge through an appreciation of history, the exposure
to the liberal arts and sciences, culminating in the study of Geometry as it
relates to both the physical and spiritual experience. The quest for the “light
added to the coming light” that emanates from the Great Architect, sacred
scriptures, and Masonic philosophy defines for me the “vertical” experience of our
existence. The “vertical” represents my attempt to “evolve” to a higher plane,
a higher state of consciousness, and worthy passage, upon my death, to the
spiritual realm.
So
the point within the circle is me, you, the Lodge, the
interaction
with globalization and the human interaction. And the symbol belongs back on
the West face of the altar.
Many
respected scholars from all over the world, as well as like publications
addressing the human higher consciousness, speak of a second “Axial Age” being
upon us. As mentioned above, a development of a higher conscious and personal
spirituality is becoming the focus of more and more people. With Masonic
philosophy and enlightenment coming of age in the 16th and 17th
century, in parallel with the first Axial Age, it only makes sense that Masonry
should likewise become a major harbor in the dawning of the Second Axial age.
That requires a focus on the future…and that is a whole other conversation!
Michael
Gattorna, JD
Calendar:
July 2007:
Thursday 5-Jul-
Thursday 12-Jul-
Official
Visit by Michael Mier JGD
Thursday 19-Jul-
Thursday 26-Jul-
August 2007:
Thursday 2-Aug-
Thursday 9-Aug-
Thursday 16-Aug-
Thursday 23-Aug-
Thursday 30-Aug-
September 2007:
Thursday 6-Sep-
Thursday 13-Sep-
Thursday 20-Sep-
Thursday 27-Sep-
* If the Red
Submit
information for the next publication by the 15th of each month to:
William
D. Beatty, Editor
or by E-Mail to:
beattyw@msn.com
Direct questions or comments to me at 480-759-0253
Contact List
Master: Jim Drake PM: 480-756-1105 Home, jandvdrake@aol.com
Secretary: Bill Beatty PM: 480-759-0253
Home, beattyw@msn.com
El
Website: www.thunderbird15.org
Thunderbird
Lodge No. 15, F.&A.M.
W.M. * Jim Drake PM Trustee 2007 Stan
Wood PM
S.W. * Chuck Bent PM Trustee 2008 Clint Molodow
J.W. * Stan Wood PM Trustee 2009 Bill
Beatty PM #
Treasurer Bob Bell PM $ Trustee
2010 Reza Farrokh
PM
Secretary Bill Beatty PM
Chaplain David Beacco * Also Trustees
Ex-Officio
Marshal Available $ Also Treasurer of Trustees
S.D. Gustavo Rodriguez #
Also Secretary of Trustees
J.D. Michael Gattorna
S.S. Available
J.S. Don Wilcox
Thunderbird Lodge No. 15 F&AM