Modern physics has provided us with a further concept by which we might understand our reality. There is a well known adage, used to explain Chaos Theory, that a butterfly flapping its wings over the Amazon might, by a series of cascading effects, cause a storm over New York. Now, there are a great number of butterflies in Brazil and not so many storms in New York, but the point is clear. Big effects can come from small beginnings. This brings me to the Pro Grand Master’s tie competition.
    You may ask in bemusement: what can sartorial variation have to do with anything? Certainly, meeting with friends dressed as though I am attending a funeral has always seemed odd to me. But does it really matter?
    The black tie was adopted after the First World War as a mark of mourning for those huge numbers of young men who lost their lives. But this period of mourning became enshrined in tradition, and we have mourned ever since. Thus a mark of respect has turned into a mark of unreality. Life must go on. The world, for all its tragedy, is also one where new life and beauty are reborn every second. To dull this is to fail to understand the point of life itself. The task of tradition is to midwife, nurture and guide the new, not to restrict or suppress it. Tradition serves to provide experience and caution to those who move ahead eagerly, perhaps impetuously. It fails in its task if it produces instead domination and restriction.
    And so back to our black ties: they are not part of our ancient landmarks, they are not a necessary or symbolic feature in our rituals, and they are not a good advertisement of our concerns as Freemasons, so lets be rid of them. And the sooner the better in my opinion. But the tie is just a butterfly wing flapping over the Amazon. There is more at stake: much exists in Freemasonry solely because it exists. It does not augment our humanity, or our insights drawn from a daily advancement in knowledge, or our ability to affect deep changes in our being from our rituals. It exists simply because it was introduced, undoubtedly for a good reason, a long time ago, and has never been removed. But the context of Freemasonry has changed, much about the way we experience it must also. But with a caution: change, simply to have something new, is not change but variation; the problem which gave rise to the aspiration for change will still be there. Change must emerge from within the need to derive a deeper meaning from our experience as Freemasons, a deeper understanding of that which lies at the heart of Freemasonry so that our Craft continues to produce men of insight, knowledge and wisdom who can contribute creatively and benevolently to their fellows whoever they may be and wherever they may live.
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    The Board of Freemasonry Today continues to reflect the expertise and ability with which Freemasonry is moving ahead in the modern world. Two new and highly experienced men have joined our Board: Gavin Purser, Assistant Grand Master of the Mark Degree and until recently, President of the Board of General Purposes; and Simon Waley, President of the Masonic Foundation, and formerly District Grand Master of Cyprus and Provincial Grand Master of West Kent.
    It is very pleasing to report that the readership of Freemasonry Today is now the highest it has ever been. But we know that some readers have too many calls upon their finances to subscribe so we have decided to offer, for a limited time only, an opportunity for existing subscribers in the UK to take out a gift subscription for a friend at a reduced rate. Please see the enclosed leaflet or contact our office for details.
    Despite our best endeavours, errors occur: contrary to the caption under the photograph of the Scottish Rite Bicentennial celebrations in Atlanta in our last issue (page 12), Grand Secretary General Alan Englefield 33º was, in fact, accompanied by the Grand Treasurer General, Gerald Tedder, 33º.
    Finally, international events have impinged upon us here at Freemasonry Today. The tour of Egypt which we had arranged for April has had to be postponed. We are now planning to visit that fabulous country in late November so will all of you who enquired please look at your diaries again and think about booking for this new date.
    Michael Baigent MA – Editor