German Conference on Symbolic Gardens

A conference was held recently on the symbolism of eighteenth-century gardens at Schloss Schwetzingen, south of Heidelberg, and was organised jointly by OVN, a foundation for research into Freemasonry in the Netherlands, ‘Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg’, the Institute for the Scholarly Study of Religions, and the Institute for the History of Art of the University of Heidelberg. Around eighty delegates attended the two-day event under conference organizer, Dr. Jan Snoek of the University of Heidelberg.
    The official conference title was ‘Symbolism in eighteenth-century gardens – the influence of intellectual and esoteric current, such as Freemasonry’. The event drew speakers from Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Dr. James Stevens Curl, Professor Emeritus of Queen’s University Belfast, gave the opening presentation with an introductory talk on symbolism in gardens. Presentations were given on the symbolism of plants and planting, politics and masonic symbolism in eighteenth-century Venetian architecture and garden design, the influence of Freemasonry and esoteric ideas on landscape design during the Polish Enlightenment, as well as case studies of gardens in Denmark, France, and those at Schwetzingen itself.
    Schwetzingen’s enigmatic castle and grounds date back to the fourteenth century, although they were subsequently transformed in the eighteenth century by the Elector, Carl Theodor, who wanted to create an idyllic summer residence. Although it is unclear whether Carl Theodor was a mason himself, the intriguing symbolism of the castle’s gardens provided a perfect backdrop for the subject matter being discussed. email: info@stichtingovn.nl

Freemasonry Today Editor Attends Italian Grand Lodge

At the annual communication of the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy held at Rome by the Grand Master, Fabio Venzi, and attended by over 500 Brethren, the editor of Freemasonry Today, Michael Baigent, was honoured by the award of the Ordine della Pietra Angolare (Order of the Cornerstone), the premier Order bestowed by the Grand Lodge. The previous day Baigent had delivered a lecture, ‘Initiation and Freemasonry’ to the research lodge in Rome, Quatuor Coronati, No.112.
    The Grand Lodge of Italy is focussed upon the initiatory and moral importance of Freemasonry and at the annual communication this aim was further advanced by an address by the Grand Master in which he explained that the authentic identity of Freemasonry was that of an initiatory society and he wished to take every opportunity to increase the general awareness of this. During his address he reviewed a number of books which Brethren might study. Quoting the French writer Pierre Riffard he noted that the esoteric does not deny reason, ‘it simply considers it as one of the many ways of knowing.’ In particular Grand Master Venzi drew attention to the Hermetic texts which were so influential in the Renaissance as well as the work of Frances Yates, and Mircea Eliade among others. As he explained: ‘Freemasonry is not a religion but its relationship with the sacred is evident and undeniable.’ We should, he said, remember that in the masonic Temple ‘the door is the boundary between the profane world and the sacred one…the sacred space of the Temple.’

Children's Theatre in Texas

A new approach to falling membership has been adopted by members of the Scottish Rite in Texas, USA; becoming involved in the communities led to them setting up The Scottish Rite Community and Children’s Theatre, Inc. They took over the comfort and beauty of the oldest theatre in Austin, the historic 1869 opera house, with the aim of opening it to the public as ‘a place where good things happen’. Freemasonry, they decided, and its Temple, would no longer be referred to as ‘that spooky uninviting building on the corner with grumpy old men shuffling in and out’.
    One of the most interesting observations they have made in their short experience with children’s theatre is that both the children and their parents are very respectful of the historic building; it has proved an experience for them to see how the Freemasons have preserved history.
    The Scottish Rite Freemasons realised that publicity was the single most important ingredient in making the venture pay off and so they hired a freelance graphic artist and publicist and began a campaign of positive advertisements in publications read by young parents.
    To date, they have successfully staged The Sword in the Stone, The Clown Prince, Treasure Island, James and the Giant Peach and Aladdin. The shows ran in length from 45 to 60 minutes and played to near their capacity of 300 audience.

With acknowledgement to Gordon W Kelso/Scottish Rite Journal.

East African Masons Donation to Museum

The District Grand Lodge of East Africa has donated to the National Museum of Tanzania, chairs and a set of ivory working tools, used by Zanzibar Freemasons in their meeting between 1926 and 1964. Accompanied by colleagues for the District Grand Lodge, Sir Andy Chande, Past District Grand Master, made the presentation to the National Museum Director, Dr. Paul Msemwa at the Museum in Dar-es-Salaam.
    Sir Andy had earlier made a presentation to the Museum in London of the chain of office of the District Grand Master of Egypt and Sudan, Freemasonry having been banned by Nasser when he took over the Suez Canal exactly fifty years ago.
    Freemasonry was introduced into East Africa through Zanzibar in 1904. The District covers Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and the Seychelles Islands.

International Conference on the History of Freemasonry to be held in Scotland

The past thirty years have seen a remarkable upsurge of scholarly interest in the history of Freemasonry. Scholars have investigated and illustrated the connections of Freemasonry to such major subjects as the Enlightenment, the American and French Revolutions, the rise of nationalism and imperial expansion. In addition we have seen research into the relationship of Freemasonry to such themes as gender and the public sphere, as well as its interaction with such disciplines as literature, film, art and music and its role in anti-masonic movements and conspiracy theory. The masonic elements in the lives of historical figures ranging from French philosophers such as Montesquieu and Voltaire to pillars of nineteenth century Britain such as Sir Walter Scott, Sir Henry Irving and Sir Arthur Sullivan have been investigated. Historians of religion have considered the place of Freemasonry in western esoteric traditions. The connection between Freemasonry and friendly societies and fraternal orders has been discussed. Economic historians have considered the role of Freemasonry in business networks and consumerism. Social historians have looked at the role of Freemasonry in the development of class.
    An International Conference on the History of Freemasonry, to be held at Freemasons’ Hall in Edinburgh 25-27 May 2007 in order to illustrate the wide range of recent scholarly work on the history of Freemasonry and will cover all aspects of historical research in this area. Such conferences provide an opportunity for scholars in this subject to make contact with each other and, importantly, allow masonic and non masonic scholars to compare research. It is gradually becoming appreciated by non masonic academics that Freemasonry has a vast archive of ariginal data relevant to the social, political, and economic over the last 300 years.

Past Grand Master of North Carolina to Chair English Lodge

At a recent meeting of Internet Lodge, No. 9659, Charles Lewis, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina was elected to serve as Worshipful Master of Internet Lodge for the year 2007-2008. This undlerines the stature of the Lodge in the world-wide masonic community. It is believed that the appointment of a Past Grand Master of an overseas Constitution to the Chair of a Lodge within the United Grand Lodge of England is unique for an English Lodge.
    At his election held in Winchester, Charles Lewis said, ‘I am honoured and delighted to be the first Past Grand Master of an overseas Constitution to be invited to serve Internet Lodge as their Master. In the nine years since it was founded, Internet Lodge has strengthened Freemasonry across the world. With members in nineteen countries around the globe Internet Lodge can truly be said to be practicing masonry universal. I am also honoured to follow other distinguished Masters of Internet Lodge from England, from my own country of the USA and from the Netherlands. I look forward to following Internet Lodge custom and presenting my address to the Lodge at my installation meeting next March. Modern technology strongly influenced the founding of Internet Lodge and, using modern technology, I will guide the Lodge in extending the principles of masonry to its membership throughout the world, whilst also seeking to increase that membership even further’.
    The current Master of Internet Lodge, Larry Porter said, ‘I am pleased that Charles Lewis has been elected to serve as my successor. I look forward to the meeting in March next year when I will have the pleasure of installing him in to the chair of this special Lodge’.