This evening it was the meeting of Valle Crucis Chapter Rose Croix. Since the Craft PGM is now in the Sovereign’s chair thanks to insider dealings, his friend the Sovereign Grand Commander was in attendance. Oddly, since the person who has attended one meeting in the last 8 years was not able to attend rehearsals, and due to VIPs visiting it was decided to have three additional rehearsals (the guy turned up to none of them, but since he refuses to do any work in his year it makes no difference).

Then there was the voting.

Without any committee discussion it was suddenly decided that we would vote on making the Sovereign Grand Commander an honorary member of the Chapter. A noble idea, except that only white balls were handed out. Our choices were therefore yes or yes. The vote passed. A miracle for the ages.

Next came a vote on a re joining member who happens to be a friend of the Sovereign. This time the Director of Ceremonies had overheard whispers about black balls, so two people went around the room. One handed out white balls. The other simply carried the black ones like a ceremonial prop, never offering them to anyone. Once again our choices were yes or yes. The vote passed with great enthusiasm.

Then came the third vote, this time for two new members. The Sovereigns brother and his close friend. I will let you guess how that vote went. You will not need many guesses.

At least the rest of my meetings this year appear to be free of such creative interpretations of democracy. I look forward to gatherings where the ritual is ancient, the symbolism is rich, and the voting system does not resemble a children’s magic trick.