The tie that binds

There is something about Freemasonry that attracts men who think differently. No wonder a lot of national heroes of various nations happened to be Freemasons. They fought for what they believed in even if it meant doing the ultimate sacrifice.

Every 30th of December, the Philippines celebrate Rizal Day, a national holiday commemorating the life and works of Brother Dr. José Rizal. He fought for religious and societal reformation with his pen. He was executed by the Spaniards via firing squad in 1896 125 years ago.

He served as the inspiration for the revolutionary quasi-Masonic organization named the "Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan" or simply "Katipunan" (Brotherhood). It was also known by its abbreviation KKK— not THAT KKK obviously. The Brotherhood's primary goal was to gain independence from Spain through a revolution.

Brother General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippine republic declared, "The successful Revolution of 1896 was masonically inspired, masonically led, and masonically executed, and I venture to say that the first Philippine Republic of which I was its humble President, was an achievement we owe largely to Masonry and the masons." Aguinaldo himself designed the Philippine flag making it as #Masonic as possible.

To this day, Filipino lodges remain to be one of the most active lodges all over the world. A testament to Freemasonry's lasting legacy.

It took a fraud case that costs us more than US$5,000 before we actually seriously looked into this. In case you're curious what it's about, visit our Facebook and Instagram page and look for postings between December 4-8, 2021.

Rechelle and I were very hesitant to consider crypto at first because the concept was so foreign to us. We still have a lot to learn but the fastest way get a working knowledge about it is by doing it. 

Let's see where this goes. :-)

If you're following us in social media you probably know the reason why we decided to auction our earliest Masonic ties in our own collection. 

Anyway, here are some the winning bids. 

 

 

 

This is a milestone! Thank you for supporting us!

-JP and Rechelle Gomez (the FraternalTies Team)

Absolutely not! Not because we can't draw a lodge* means the Gentle Craft is dead. Not because there has been some temporary modifications to the way we do things means our Brotherhood has died. 

Death is defined as the permanent ending of vital processes in an entity. From my point of view, the lockdown due to the pandemic afforded us more time to practice Masonry outwardly through the life that we live outside of our halls (like the way it should be).

As the boxer goes to the gym to perform an endless grind of repetitive exercises, drills and technical footwork in hopes of becoming a better fighter when he finally steps in the ring- so does the sincere Mason goes to lodge to perform an endless grind of repetitive mental, verbal and technical footwork in hopes of becoming a Better Man when he steps in the outside world.

Repetition is key—just like how this article is littered with repetitive words and thoughts. Repetition leads to a realization, realization leads to either an enhancement or, in some cases, a change of thought. Our ritual Work, although as repetitive as it can be, can be humbling and exhilarating especially when performed with such technical precision. With that, I understand and sympathize with the Brethren who truly miss the points of fellowship and the social aspects of our Craft. But not simply because a boxer cannot go to the gym to train means that he is no longer a boxer and the art of sweet science has died.

Financially, I have nothing to gain from this lockdown. And because more and more people are working from home, less and less the neckties we sell. But if there's anything good that the pandemic has given us, it afforded us more opportunities to apply our knowledge of our Working Tools outside of the lodge. It allowed us time to acquire new hobbies and hone the existing ones—and during our quiet moments, connect with what the ancient philosophers refer to as the "inward man".

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." –2 Corinthians 4:16

 

DISCLAIMER: This blog echoes the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Grand Lodge, Grand Jurisdiction, or any appendant organizations within Freemasonry.

*Some jurisdictions, based on the data available to them, have chosen to resume Masonic Labours and are allowing their members to form a lodge.

Edit: First published on May 2020. Edited on September 2021.

A few weeks ago, The First Three Knocks Masonic podcast came to me if I can partner up with them on a special project. They want to sell shirts with 100% of the proceeds going to frontline health care workers- mainly for essential supplies such as masks, gloves, and disinfectants. 

They want to have a logo that says "HAPPY TO MEET AGAIN" as an optimistic outlook on the current events. One of their hosts wrote, "Lodges are closed down and we are missing our brothers, but are 'happy to meet again' once this is all over."

Bro. Darko Zdravic from University Lodge No. 496 in Toronto is in charge of coordinating with charities. Bro. Zdravic is a trained Immunologist,  Hematologist, and chairman of the Toronto West District Blood Donor Program. One of his current roles as an Immunologist is to develop a vaccine for COVID19 with the Provincial and Federal Government.

Design Breakdown

The Staff of Hermes Trismegistus

The defining feature of the artwork which I named "Ad Astra per Aspera" (Latin for “Through Adversity to the Stars”) is the caduceus and the Masonic Square and Compasses in Fellowcraft position. The caduceus is the staff carried by Hermes Trismegistus in Greco-Egyptian mythology. The Freemason's emblem is in 2nd Degree to symbolize ongoing Work.

Tetrahedron and the Sprig of Acacia

The legs of the compasses along with the staff form a Tetrahedron which symbolizes balance and stability. The human body has 5 parts- 1 head, 2 arms, and 2 legs; thus the Five Sprigs of Acacia adorning the emblem represent humankind. A visual way of saying “quintessential”.

 Sacred Geometry

The hinge of the Compasses is formed by Seven Overlapping Circles (also known as the Flower of Life). In this usage, the seven circles represent the Seven Liberal Arts & Sciences. The Five Platonic Solids can be fit within the geometrical “Flower of Life”.  It is also made took like the old Atomic Model to symbolize science. Leonardo da Vinci studied the Flower of Life and its mathematical properties.

How to Help

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