First a “Note to Readers”: Yes, I’m experimenting with AI-generated images and I’m still figuring it out; I hope and expect to improve as I go, but for now we get what my experience produces (sorry about that)…
Do you ever wonder about how certain aspects of our ritual originated, if they have other meanings, or even if they come from another place and another time? How about why some became central to our practice? I do; I think about these things a lot. I think about them so much I’ve written several books that have provided vehicles for me to examine these questions from the perspective of my fictional protagonist, Noah Lewis. I want to pull some of that work out of my books and share some brief thoughts for your own consideration and this blog provides me a great venue to do that, so let’s get started!
So, what’s really going on with that northeast corner and why is it so important? We put a lot of emphasis on the northeast corner of our lodge room in one of our degrees and I’m not sure that all of us investigate all of the interesting aspects – or coincidences – of its significance as we instruct and mentor our newest masons.
The northeast corner is where we traditionally place the cornerstone of a new building in token of our hope for the strength, service, and longevity of the building in service to the community and in recognition of its builders and their labors. It is also true that the northeast corner plays an indispensable role in the travels of a new mason; providing a moment and place of purity from which to launch his journey and begin his travels as a true and upright brother. But what else is it? What other significance does the northeast corner hold for us as masons? Let’s see if I can shed some “light” on the question.
Think back to what you learned in school about the Summer Solstice; we know that it occurs in June each year, but what is it really? We were taught that it is the longest day of the year (which can fall on June 21st or 22nd) and it is the day that the Sun reaches the northernmost point on its ecliptic; it signals the first day of summer. But here's the question, do we know where the Sun rises on that particular day? It just so happens that the sun rises in the northeast sky on the morning of the Summer Solstice as the image below illustrates, and it signifies longer, brighter days ahead. Much like the new mason who we charge to take heed of his instructions, begin his work, and embrace the light that will come his way in the days and that lays ahead in his travels as he begins his personal masonic journey. One might paraphrase it thusly: “as the Sun rises in the northeast sky to open and welcome longer and more bountiful days, so rise our new masons in the northeast, to begin their labors and embrace the light that brightens their paths and illuminates their way ahead”.
It is also worth noting that we as masons typically celebrate our patron saint, St. John the Baptist in conjunction with the Summer Solstice and, like the new mason beginning his masonic journey from the northeast corner of the lodge, many Grand Lodge jurisdictions begin their new masonic year every year on St. John the Baptist’s Day, June 24th.
As we all know, St. John the Baptist is one of our two patron saints and he is said to be the Patron Saint of Stone Masons; we celebrate him coincidental to the Summer Solstice when the Sun rises from the northeast sky to proclaim the beginning of summer, the time for a fresh start, a new beginning. Can we consider this yet another touch point for our masonic traditions in the northeast corner? Are we to believe this is all merely a coincidence? Do we believe this is all a grand coincidence? This is a question for each of us to consider and either accept or reject as we might, and I simply ask that you ponder the meaning and relevance and apply or discard the idea as you see fit.
I intend to continue to look at some of our traditions in the course of my next few blog posts and I am using Noah as my guide. I am working on my next book, and I’ve got Noah out on his next quest researching and learning about some of the possible origins of some of our ritualistic practices. When I started writing the book, the original working title was “Noah’s Legacy: Finding Time”, but I have since changed it to what will become its true name that I will announce closer to publication. It is typical for me to start writing a book under a “working title” that merely expresses the idea behind the story and then change it later after a better, more descriptive name emerges during the creative process.
I also have some more immediate news related to some of my earlier works. On Sunday night, just after the Super Bowl, I received an email through my website from a brother named Nate; in his email he provided “the key” to “Noah’s Quest” and then went on to correctly describe the hidden (or parallel) storyline of the series. This brings the total of brothers recovering my “lost theme” so far to two and I am thrilled that there are brothers out there reading and enjoying my books. I know the stories are not to the liking of all, and some brothers do not care for “masonic fiction”, but the goal of my “Noah” books has always been to stir the thought and imagination of the readers and among my brethren. It is both satisfying and rewarding to know that there are brothers who are reading my stories and ideas and who are able to relate to my concepts! Thank you to all of you who are enjoying the journey of my (fictional) friend and brother Noah!
I have several upcoming speaking engagements, and I will make sure they are posted on my website. Typically, I will create them as “RSVP” events because the only choice my web host gives me is either “RSVP” or “Ticketed Event”, so I use the RSVP option so I can post it. You can check my Events Calendar by clicking HERE.
Thank you, my brothers, for this moment of your time. I hope you have found something of interest or of use in my words! Until next time, please travel safely and keep focused on your journey!
~BroBill
A Mason’s Journey
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