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The Year of a Busy Mason Pt.2 – The end of the Year.
The masonic year has ended!
So the second year of a a busy Mason has come to an end, and how busy did it turn out to be? Well I went to 42 meetings of which 10 were visits across 13 Masonic Halls. I attended 16 rehearsals, 9 committee meetings, 4 AGM’s and 2 special events. I did unfortunately have to miss 2 meetings, and 5 rehearsals. So all together 74 events, which is what happens when you get a busy year and the “It’s only 8 nights a year” goes out the window.
I now get a couple of months holiday from all things Masonic. Apart from some papers to write, and work as the Provincial Secretary that will come up.
This will probably be my last blog series on this topic because next year should be a lot quieter. I have resigned from one of my Royal Arch chapters (4 meetings, 4 rehearsals, 2 committee meetings), I will be resigning from a Lodge after the summer break (8 meetings, 8 rehearsals, 4 committee meetings) so that frees up 30 nights a year. Not to mention stepping down as the Assistant Provincial Grand Mentor in Craft and Royal Arch, Provincial Pathway Team member, and a NWAMS committee member, along with active roles like Secretary of MLIM. My next year is set to be a lot less busy.
Vault of the Adepts 2025
Today was the Vault of the Adepts (Second Order) meeting for the Province of Western Counties and North Wales.
We have one Second Order meeting a year, normally in Macclesfield Masonic Hall, but due to several reasons we were unable to hold the event there this year, and so we held it at Cheshire View. Which in my opinion was a much better choice, especially since the weather for the Summer Solstice was Sunny and 1 gazillion degrees centigrade! (or 29ºC in real figures) and at least Cheshire View had air conditioning.
As well as being held in a different location, today was also special because I had NOTHING to do, I got to sit back, watch and enjoy the day.
The first time I attended a Vault of the Adepts meeting was to get my Grade Vº, the following year I got my VIº (And got to watch a Vº which up until today was the only one I ever saw), the following year I got my Grade VIIº and then acted as Conductor for grades VIº & Vº. And every year since then I have been the Provincial Conductor and conducted the ceremonies, until today!
Now some people assumed I was busy as the Provincial Secretary organising the day, and booking things, sorting people out, doing minutes and the other endless paperwork. But NO! In the Province of Western Counties and North Wales, the Second Order meeting is organised and run in full by the Assistant Secretary. So I had absolutely nothing to do.
I really enjoyed being able to sit back and watch, but maybe next year I will volunteer to do one of the volunteer roles for the meeting to feel more useful.
Grade VIIº
Grade VIº
Grade Vº
All in all it was a great way to kickoff the summer solstice.
Four people down for each grade (although one of the Vº’s could not make it on the day), followed by a lovely festive board, with great food and ever greater company.
There was even a conversation about the Coronatio Quadrans magazine, and the Secretary of Coronation Lodge informed me that I had won this quarters competition.
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.)
The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.) stands as the world’s oldest independent society of Rosicrucian Freemasons, proudly composed of Master Masons from Lodges acknowledged by the United Grand Lodge of England.
Our Colleges are strategically located across the globe, including England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Wales, France, and Holland. To find the most convenient location for you, please click HERE to access our interactive map of S.R.I.A. College Locations.
For more information on the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, please click on the link to the Societies website, or the Province of Western Counties and North Wales website.
£400 donation to 1st Gwersyllt Scouts Group
Coronatio Quadrans – “To what extent are Masonic rituals Theurgic Rites”
Coronation Lodge No. 2927 has a quarterly Masonic Publication associated with it called Coronatio Quadrans, or CQ for short.
One part of the publication is “Question from the Master” This is where the Lodge’s Worshipful Master asks a esoteric or masonic question to the Lodge Mentor who will answer it in an article in the next edition. After the Mentor answers the question, the “Question” is thrown open to all, and anyone can try and answer it themselves anonymously. The CQ Editors will read all the submissions and pick the best which gets published in CQ.
The Question in CQ Vol 6 was “To what extent are Masonic rituals Theurgic Rites?“. Just before the Magazine was due to be released the Editors mentioned to me that there had been no entries for this edditions question. So to make sure thay had at least one paper to publish, I knocked up a response to the question.
It turns out they had a few last minute entries, I guess the Editors moaning no one had responded, encouraged multiple people to actually submit something.
So, I won.
“What did you win?” you ask, (yes I heard you. I have explained in an old blog post, I can hear you when you speak out loud while reading this site).
Well my prize is that I get to write an article on any topic of my choice, and it will get published in the next edition of CQ.
ANYTHING!
So now I need to think of what I would like to write about.
Volunteer Week 2025
I first heard about Blood Bikes Wales during the organisation of the 2016 charity 3-Day Motorcycle Tour of wales. We had decided to run that years tour to raise money for Blood Bikes Wales after they had reached out to us.
After hearing about all the good they do, and how much money they save the NHS each year, money which can then be used on other more important things. I decided I wanted to help out more, than just helping organising the tour.
Therefore way back In 2016/17 (I forget which, since the times before the great Covid Lockdown seem to be all hazy now, what was life like back then?) I joined as a member of the Wrexham group of Blood Bikes Wales.
I have never regretted volunteering my time to Blood Bikes Wales. I would strongly suggest that everyone find a cause or organisation they feel strongly about, and during this National Volunteer Week, maybe reach out to them and offer to help. You will not regret it.
At some point of our lives, we or our family will probably need the assistance of the NHS, so it makes sense to do what you can to help them out, so that when you need them they are as prepared as possible.
Unlock the Secret – Robert Langdon Returns in The Secret of Secrets
I received an email today that linked to the Dan Brown website, it stated there was a new book in the Da Vinci Code series of books (I hate that people refer to it as the Da Vinci books, since Angels & Demons came out first. Lets just call it the Robert Langdon series!). The email had a link advertising the new book, which took me to page that read: –
Before the return of Robert Langdon in The Secret of Secrets on September 9, revisit the world of Dan Brown with a brain-teasing series of puzzles based on The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol, Inferno and Origin!
Click here to see if you can unlock the secret
I love a good puzzle, so lets play the game and unlock the secret.
Puzzle 1.
THE DA VINCI CODE
Paris was once considered the “prime meridian” of the world.
Invert the sixth letter of the city to which it eventually lost that honor.
Well puzzle 1, was super easy.
I know “It’s only easy if you know the answer”, but doesn’t everyone know the answer to this one?
Confession, I have recently been looking up a lot of historical information on the Prime Meridien, and its location, and changes to it over the years as research for a paper I am writing.
Puzzle 2.
THE LOST SYMBOL
Use the Masonic Cipher to decrypt this message carved atop the Washington Monument.
Well puzzle 2 is also easy, ok, ok! It is easy for me because I am a Freemason, and one who loves to read and learn, and as such I have been able to read and write using the “Masonic Cypher” since around 2007.
I say it is easy, but it did take me TWO attempts to solve this puzzle.
In my defence I may be too smart! (I do often claim to be an egomaniac). I decrypted the text which gave me a Latin phrase, so I entered the English, only to be told I was wrong. I guess decrypting does not me answering with the final answer. So I retried putting just the Latin in and it was correct.
The page then explained to me the words were in Latin, and gave me the English translation. (Note to self: do not be too smart when answering the questions)
Puzzle 3.
INFERNO
MATEMATICA INFERNALE
Puzzle 3 continues the easy trend.
I will confess I did have to double check some of the numbers since I could not recall the correct order of the circles of Hell.
This is understandable, since I am such a pure and sweet person that I would know nothing of Hell.
Puzzle 4.
ORIGIN
MODERNISME
Faith and nature merged in stone.
God and Gaudi call this home.
A deadly kiss beside a square,
Its magic sum you now must share.
Puzzle 4 was also easy, in that I guessed what it was asking.
I did have to do a quick google search to grab the important missing bit of the statute that was showing with the question. But once I had the full picture, it was as simple as 1 + 2 + 3.
And that was that.
Four simple questions that were a lot of fun to do, and have got me into the mood ready for the new book, which is apparently due out on the 9/9 (I wonder if 9 will be a thing in the book).
I may have to time the release so that I can re-read the existing books and end just as the new book comes out.
The End of an Era
Today was the end of an era.
I joined Wynnstay Chapter of the Holy Royal arch way back in 2007 when I took my fourth step in Freemasonry. And in the following 18(?) years I have only ever missed one meeting. That one missing meeting was due to a very rare clash, where Wynnstay Chapter had moved the date of their meeting at short notice to a date I was already booked to attend Bala Lodge where they had asked me to come give a them a talk on the Widows Sons. On top of that the Provincial Grand Master was was having an official visit to Bala Lodge, and as a ProvGStwd, I was booked to go with him. Even back in 2018 I was getting double and triple booked (Fun fact, 2018 would have made a great year to run the Year of a Busy Mason. I think I had 20+ Christmas dinners that year).
I have enjoyed my years in the Chapter, and I just realised I may have made it into the half dozen longest members, damn I am getting old! but all things must come to an end, and tonight it was the end of my time at Wynnstay.
The other week we had a committee meeting to finalise the procedure and officers for tonight’s installation, and to sort some things out for the following few meetings. During the sorting of tonight’s agenda it was mentioned we had a joining member. A person with who there is mutual animosity between them and myself. It would not be good for the harmony of the Chapter for both of us to be members.
I informed the committee of these facts, but when the choice comes down to: –
- Person 1: A Past Zerubbabel of the Chapter, who has missed just 1 meeting in over 18 years, and helps out with the ceremonies whenever needed.
- Person 2: Only joined the Royal Arch to be eligible to join another order, and has not attended his own Chapter once in many years.
It is preferred to pick the person in KT’s with several influential members of the Chapter.
So according to Masonic tradition and rules. “if, unfortunately, your differences are of such a nature as not to be so easily adjusted, it were better that one or both of you retire, than that the harmony of the Lodge should be disturbed.” I had to tend my resignation to Wynnstay Chapter. (He would not since he needs to be in a Chapter to keep his membership in KTs, so it had to be me.)
I am saddened to have left, Wynnstay is was my longest membership of a masonic entity.
Wynnstay Chapter = 18.5 years- Bishop Wilkins College = 14 years
- Valle Crucis Chapter = 13 years
- Wrexhamian Lodge = 12 years
Llannerch Lodge = 9 Years- Stewards Lodge = 8 years
- Maesgwyn Lodge of IM = 8 years
- Clwyd College == 7 years
- Wrexhamian Chapter = 6 years
- Rhodri Fawr Chapter = 4 years
I am pleased that Bishop Wilkins College S.R.I.A. is now my new longest membership, and with Valle Crucis Chapter Ancient & Accepted Rite in second place, does make me now primarily a Rosicrucian.
Assistant Provincial Mentor (Retired)
Unfortunately the same person who forced me out of the Provincial Webmaster role so his wife could have the role, has now become the new Provincial Grand Master for North Wales.
This has led to multiple knives in my back which I will probably explain in a dedicated post. But it has led me to stand down from multiple things I did to help the Province.
So I am no longer the Assistant Provincial Grand Mentor.
BBW – Group 6 Bavarian Night Donation
Today, Welsh Nev and myself popped along with Hugh (on Buddi 2) and Keith (on Chloe Lou 2) to the Fairfield Masonic Hall.
We were there to meet up with Group 6 chairman Raymond Houlbrook, and big supporter of Blood Bikes Wales Gary Evans (He ran the London Marathon to raise money for us a few years ago) to receive a cheque for £407.
Last year Group 6 held a popular Bavarian Night to raise money for charity (and to have a good time), this was the second Bavarian Night they had held where they gave money to Blood Bikes Wales.
We really appreciate all the support we get from Group 6.
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.
SRIA High Council Weekend
I have just got back from the 2-day High Council Meeting of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (or SRIA).
Day 1 (Friday):
So I had to wake up at silly-o’clock to head off into England and to sunny Lamington Spa, and the fantastic conference centre Woodland Grange. Arriving early so that I could get the lay of the land, I wandered over the the SRIA registration table, where I discovered my nametag had not been printed, so I therefore got to write my own.
For the weekend I shall be “Lord Fauntleroy De Richleau the Third“, I then collected my welcome bag of mints, pen, notebook, bookmarks, and other goodies and entered looking for coffee. You will see that a big part of this weekend will involve coffee. But I must insist I am not an addict!
There was free coffee, everywhere had free coffee machines, it was HEAVEN!
After catching up with many people, and drinking even more coffee the High Council started at 1pm. We had a Requiem for those who passed, and then reappointed, and appointed those in office, including our own new Chief Adept for the Province of Western Counties and North Wales Dr. Steven Markham.
Out with the old and in with the new.
Our old Chief Adept hands over the baton to the new Chief Adept
We then had the first talk of the weekend, the CCR winning paper on “Allegories of Internal Alchemy in the Fama Frateritas Rosae Crucis” before breaking for coffee.
Everyone then split up either to hear the second talk of the event, or go for the rituals of grades 9 and 8. I was honoured to join the Third Order and go for my grade 8. It was a fantastic ceremony, and it will take me a few days to read the ritual and understand all that was involved.
Coffee break! then Dr A. Fear gave a talk on “Journey into the body: Know yourself” we then broke for a meal at 5:30pm.
Afterwards I booked into my room, grabbed a change of clothes to relax, and off to the final talk of the day which was “a demonstration of Esoteric Music Through the Ages” which involved singers, music, talks.
It was then time to go sit and chat in the bar until the wee hours of Saturday morning….
What a Day 1.
Day 2 (Saturday):
I was up and on my second coffee of the day by 7am. Then when breakfast started serving it was time for a full English, before dropping my bags off in the car, and signing out of my room before the day started at 9am.
Well most people’s day started at a more reasonable 10am, but I attended the Director of Studies meeting at 9am. Where we heard about the new diploma scheme and how to volunteer to be part of setting it all up. It was an interesting meeting and worth skipping that 4th coffee to go to.
It was then time for the 3rd or 4th talk of the weekend (I have lost count) which was “CRC’s Journey“. I say it was a talk, but it was a performance. A video played of the Metatron giving CRC permission to return to earth for a one night only special. And the speaker came in wearing a monks robe and bald cap, and without breaking character (or voice) gave an account of CRC’s journey as if from CRC himself. Best performance of the weekend!
Then it was time for a quick coffee break, before the next talk “Enoch – Who walked with God – The lost patriarch of Englsh Freemasonry” which was another very interesting talk.
We then did the High Council work of appointing officers for the year, hearing and voting on the reports, an address by the Supreme Magus. Then High Council was closed, and we all left for food. lots and lots of food.
After lunch there was a chance to re-hear some of the previous talks if you had missed them, a group of us decided to play pool, then have a cold drink outside in the sun before heading in for the last talk of the weekend. “The Camino de Santiago – A Masonic and Rosicrucian initiation into The Self“
What a weekend!
The Supreme Magus of the SRIA along with the heads of our sister organisations