The idiomatic expression "Squaring the Circle", a term used as a metaphor for trying to do the impossible, is a mathematical problem proposed by ancient geometers. /G\
It is the challenge of constructing a square with the same area as a given circle by using only a finite number of steps with the aid of the compasses and the straightedge or a square.
In 1882, the task was proven impossible, as a consequence of the Lindemann-Weierstrass theorem which proves that pi is a transcendental number.
As result, the expression "Squaring the Circle" is now used as a metaphor for trying to do the impossible.
According to ancient belief, man arose from the coming together of a soul and a body. The Circle (formed with the aid of the Compasses) is a symbol of the sun or that which is Above (the heavens, the unseen, the spirit, the soul); while the Square represents that which is Below (the body, the building block, the material). As Above, So Below.
Now that we have this picture, we can arrive at the conclusion that man himself, therefore, is the key to this seemingly impossible problem. The Square and Compasses is the symbol of the unified man.
Our beloved Masonic emblem shows that great impossible things can be made possible by those who remain true to the ideals of the Gentle Craft. -
The S&C is a visual reminder that our potential is limited only by the bounds of our creativity and imagination. Impossible is merely a state of mind.
When I learned that this month was chosen because it symbolizes family, warmth (despite the cold weather), and gathering, I got pretty excited because it all rings true and hits close to home.
November is quite a special month for us. It is the month when I first set foot on this great land and- before I forget, it also happened to be my wedding anniversary month with my beautiful wife Rechelle!
To know more about this declaration, please follow this link.
Since November is Scottish Rite month, we feel that it's a great time to showcase to make new additions to our Scottish Rite necktie series.
Below are some of the Scottish Rite Freemason neckties which I have personally designed. Please note the colored ones are sold-out. However, you may pre-order the 2018 Black Edition. Disclaimer, I am not a member of Scottish Rite yet.
The original 33° Scottish Rite necktie. The foundation of the design is a repeating pattern of equilateral triangles. Equilateral because it symbolizes the tri-nature aspect of the Supreme Architect and to remind us that all good things come in threes. Notice that the double-headed eagle is mirrored by another double-headed eagle below, a tribute to the Hermetic axiom, "As Above, So Below". The fabric of this necktie was designed when I was about to turn 33 years old. I also happened to be going through a dark moment in my life during that time. Designing this tie helped me clear my thoughts always keeping in mind that Order will come out of Chaos. Please note that this necktie is no longer available. A newer version is available for Pre-order- please see below or click here.
The original Ordo Ab Chao 2013 necktie sold out almost immediately and we have been getting many requests for a rerun ever since. The thing is we know that there are not really many 33°'s out there so we refused to make more. 5 years later we feel like everyone's ready for this long-awaited return of the Ordo Ab Chao necktie- Black Edition this time. We're taking pre-orders right now. You may click the photo above or this link to pre-order.
This gold and black version is the first in our 32° Scottish Rite Freemason necktie series. The double-headed eagle embroidery is an obvious Scottish Rite symbol, but take a closer look and you will see the Masonic Square and Compasses connected to each other by the symbolic Chain of Brotherhood. Please note that this necktie is no longer available. Please note that this necktie is no longer available. A newer version is available for Pre-order right now- see 32° Scottish Rite necktie Black Edition below.
Brethren from the Valley of Covington in Kentucky rocking the 32° Scottish Rite tie.
This Midnight Edition is the second in our 32° Scottish Rite Freemason necktie series. Please note that this necktie is no longer available. A newer version is available for Pre-order- see 32° Scottish Rite Freemason necktie Black Edition below.
It's been 3 years since our last 32nd Degree Scottish Rite necktie so the time is right for this one. We're taking pre-orders right now. You may click the photo above or this link to pre-order.
FraternalTies was commisioned to produce this Jacquard woven gold on gold Scottish Rite necktie back in 2016. Only a very limited number was produced. Status: Not available.
A lot of people like to call Freemasonry the "Gentle Craft". To me, it is deemed "gentle" it gently guides our hearts and thoughts to do the right thing no matter how big or small.
For those who like to get reminded of the silent and sacred work that we do as Freemasons, we have mobile HD wallpapers for you. Simply click this imgur link and download the wallpapers from there.
Feel free to leave your comments / suggestions below.
A golden Square and Compasses on a background of a rough black stone printed on a 10 mil thick Premium Luster Fingerprint-resistant photo paper. A FraternalTies original. Not available anywhere else. Click the images below to buy.
We hope that everyone is having a great Canadian Thanksgiving day so far! We are feeling so blessed to be here in this great land of great people! My wife Rechelle and I are feeling very excited today knowing that we will take the Canadian Citizenship Test tomorrow! Wish us luck! Watch and listen to our twin toddlers sing O, Canada here. :-)
In 2014, we produced a small batch of this awesome 100 % Made in Canada t-shirts!
I took inspiration from 3 things:
This project was funded by my good friend and Brother Ben San Juan when he was still fairly new to the craft. Those from Toronto might recognize the name as he is the current TDV District Secretary.
Because only a small batch was ever produced, the production cost of the t-shirts is up which meant higher retail price. The market wasn't ready. The retail price was simply too high at around $40 CAD. We decided to stop offering them and have forgotten about them until today because today is such a Canadian day for us (Thanksgiving today and Citizenship Test tomorrow)!
At this moment, we have Medium sizes only (10 units white, 12 units red). I'm pretty sure there are other sizes somewhere but I don't have the time to go through our stuff. I'll update this if in case we find other sizes.
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia on Saturday, triggering a massive tsunami and killing more than 1,200 people, with more deaths expected in the coming days. An estimated 59,000 people are now left homeless.
100% of the proceeds from the sale of this t-shirt will be donated to Oxfam America to be distributed to those in need in Indonesia.
As with our previous charity campaigns (Texas 2017, Puerto Rico 2017, and North and South Carolina 2018), the "Hearts for Indonesia" design features hundreds of tiny hearts forming the shape of the map of Indonesia.
The Masonic Service Association has received the following from the Grand Secretary of South Carolina, MW Gerald L. Carver:
"The Eastern Part of South Carolina is now having devastating flooding from the flow of Hurricane Florence water from North Carolina through the rivers in the Eastern Part of the State. Three Lodges have already been flooded, and several Brethren and many other South Carolinians have had to leave their homes which are now flooded. Unfortunately, the worst is yet to come with the rivers cresting later this week. Also, the pollution from the North Carolina pig farms and chicken houses is and will be causing major pollution in the flooded South Carolina rivers which flow through cities and towns along the inter-coastal waterway where hundreds if not thousands have been ordered to evacuate in anticipation of the flooding later this week. Our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Michael D. Smith, Sr requests that you make an appeal to our Sister Grand Jurisdictions on behalf of the South Carolina Brethren."
In line with our previous charity campaigns (Texas 2017, Puerto Rico 2017, and North Carolina 2018), the "Hearts for South Carolina" design features hundreds of tiny hearts forming the shape of South Carolina with the Masonic Square and Compasses silhouette in the middle. 75% of the proceeds will be forwarded to the Masonic Service Association of North America.
