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Latest News and Blog Posts from Wayne “Pendragon” Owens.
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
TWO Talks in TWO Days
In the last two days, I have been to two masonic events to listen to two talks.
On Friday evening I attended Wrexhamian Chapter in Wrexham where I heard a talk on the Gresford Disaster from someone who worked at Gresford Mine many years after the event, and has spent years helping to spread the story of the disaster, and assist with the museum.
For those who have never heard of it, The Gresford disaster occurred on 22 September 1934 at Gresford Colliery, near Wrexham, when an explosion and underground fire killed 261 men. Gresford is one of Britain’s worst coal mining disasters: a controversial inquiry into the disaster did not conclusively identify a cause, though evidence suggested that failures in safety procedures and poor mine management were contributory factors. Further public controversy was caused by the decision to seal the colliery’s damaged sections permanently, meaning that the bodies of only 8 of the miners were ever recovered. Two of the three rescue men who died were brought out leaving the third body in situ until recovery operations began the following year.
On Saturday morning I visited Old Ruthinian Lodge in Ruthin where I heard a talk entitled “The Death of an Admiral” from W. Bro. Michael Crumplin.
This talk was all about Doctors and Surgeons in the time of the Napoleonic wars, and Lord Nelson (the mentioned Admiral). The speaker was a retired Surgeon and an expert in the subject, having written several books and was the advisor on the film “Master and Commander”. It was very informative and everyone there said they could have keep listening for hours more. We also only had one person who was a bit upset by some of the graphic medical pictures and drawings that were on the slides. And everyone loved the actual old surgical tools that were brought for us to look at.
BBW – A Talk to the Clwyd Veteran & Vintage Machinery Society
This evening Nev, Hugh, and Myself went along to the “Clwyd Veteran & Vintage Machinery Society” to give a talk on Blood Bikes Wales,
The talk started a bit chaotic since our laptop decided to crash in the most spectacular manner and lock us out, and our backup laptop could not login due to Windows updates. So we had to ad-lib the talk while I setup my phone to stream to the projector. Even though we had these issues the talk went down very well, with the audience laughing and taking part. Several members even came up to us after the talk to ask if the technical issues was an act to add comedy and entertainment to the talk.
The Clwyd Veteran & Vintage Machinery Society gave us a speakers donation of £200 which was increased by a bucket collection to a total of £302.48.
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.
BBW – VE Day 80th Anniversary
Today we were at the Hafod Club Rhosllanerchrugog for their event marking the 90th anniversary of VE Day.
We had taken a Blood Bike down, to let people have their photos taken on it, and to do a bit of advertising for Blood Bikes.
The event was extremely well organised, and I am not just saying that because the organisers gave us free cup cakes, coffee, and burgers. I can in no way be bribed (edit: Yes I can)
It is good to spend the day in the sun talking to people, and yes eating cup cakes and ice cream. And a shout out has to go to the ice-cream man since he threw a load of the loose change he had from selling ice creams into our bucket.
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.