Scottish Rite Freemasonry

08/07/2025

"The hissing lasted for several seconds, and my un-indicted co-conspirators stared with raised eyebrows. I could almost hear them thinking: ‘No way this thing works.’ As the hissing continued, I was about to agree with their unspoken doubt. But then there was a short crackle in the speakers, quickly followed by a clear, baritone voice ..." —M. Edwards

Find out what happened next in "The 'Basement' Tapes: Exploring and Preserving the House of the Temple Lost Media Archive" in the July/August 2025 Scottish Rite Journal.

In the Online Edition—
📖 https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=847897&p=14&view=issueViewer

On the SRJ Podcast—
🔊 https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-basement-tapes-exploring-and-preserving-the-house-of-the-temple-lost-media-archive--67251482

Image: A vintage 8mm Ansco Memo 80 Film Strip Projector behind reel-to-reel tapes from the Temple archives

07/31/2025

“Br. Gettings, the author of an engaging “Friends of the Library” article from a quarter century ago, argues that [the] beast fable [of Reynard the Fox], while a witty children’s story on the surface, has deeper, more refined meanings for those interested in the esoteric to contemplate.” — M. Dreisonstok

Learn more about this tale in “Finding That Which Was Lost: ‘Reynard The Fox’ at The House of the Temple Library” from the July/August 2025 Scottish Rite Journal

In the Online Edition—
📖 https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=847897&p=26&view=issueViewer

On the Podcast—
🔊 https://sms.scottishrite.org/reynard-the-fox

Illustration: Renart [sic] the fox, drawn by Ernest Henri Griset, from a children’s book published in 1869

07/23/2025

"The Masonic oath does not bind the soul to tyranny. Rather, it pledges the initiate to a principle of ordered liberty, a civic virtue illuminated not by the will of kings but by the light of reason, fraternity, and moral discernment." —C. Lincoln IV, A. Antonescu, & A. Uhlman

Learn more about "The Paradox of Loyalty and Rebellion," in the July/August 2025 Scottish Rite Journal.

Via the Digital Edition—
📖 https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=847897&p=5&view=issueViewer

On the Podcast—
🔊 https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-paradox-of-loyalty-and-rebellion--67056740

Illustration: Top portion of the U.S. Declaration of Independence (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

07/16/2025

"Joseph Fort Newton’s observations are a poignant appreciation of the wisdom accumulated with age, the ability afforded by age to appreciate life differently in light of the nuances time casts upon it." —A. Hammer

Learn more in "The Patriarchs: Joseph Fort Newton and the Contemplation of Wisdom in a 'New Age'" in the September/October 2023 Scottish Rite Journal.

In the Online Edition—
📖 https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=801044&p=24&view=issueViewer

On the Podcast—
🔊 https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-patriarchs-joseph-fort-newton-and-the-contemplation-of-wisdom-in-a-new-age--66978783

Illustration: Historic glass slide depicting the hour-glass, a Masonic emblem of human life. Source: Patmos-Solomon’s Lodge No. 70, Savage, Maryland

07/09/2025

"The True and Upright Mason must work towards self-improvement, but he also must look to the 24-inch gauge and learn the patience to rest after a day’s labor." —J. Reiswig

Learn more in “Lessons from the 19th Degree: Work, Wait, and Be Patient: Leave the Rest to History and Fate” in the July/August 2025 Scottish Rite Journal.

In the Digital Edition—
📖 https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=847897&p=12&view=issueViewer

On the Podcast—
🔊 https://sms.scottishrite.org/lessons-from-the-19th-degree

Illustration: Stylized image of King Solomon’s Temple. The author applies the notion of the slow and steady building of King Solomon’s Temple to the contemporary relevance of patience as an active process within the individual. Source: Heilige Schrift. Historic Bible of Arminius Lodge, Washington, D.C.: Edward W. Koch, 1882 (color added)

07/08/2025

"Freemason Stonemasons and Their Role in the Construction of the U.S. Capitol" is now playing on the Scottish Rite Journal Podcast:

🔊 https://www.spreaker.com/episode/freemason-stonemasons-and-their-role-in-the-construction-of-the-u-s-capitol--66796563

Prefer to read the article?
📖 https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=847897&p=10&view=issueViewer

Image: Photograph of the U.S. Capitol by J. Mongardini

07/08/2025

A good friend of the Scottish Rite Always! Can't wait to learn the Secret of Secrets on September 9th!!

07/05/2025

Please share.

See Dan Brown’s page about the House of the Temple. Dan has been a good friend and supporter of the Scottish Rite. It would be nice to see a lot of positive comments on his Facebook post about the House of the Temple. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LozFyf9zB/

Bonus Travel Guide location: No stop in DC is complete without a trip to the House of the Temple

06/18/2025

"In the search for common ground among the world’s various faiths, we find that compassion, empathy, and selflessness make up the trunk of the tree from which all religious traditions branch. Even further, it is the practice of compassion, empathy, and selflessness which enables us to look beyond our religious differences and find unity in our brotherhood." —M. Wharton

Find out more in "Compassion: At the Foundation of All the World’s Religious Traditions" from the January/February 2021 Scottish Rite Journal

On the SRJ Podcast—
🔊 https://sms.scottishrite.org/compassion-at-the-foundation-of-all-the-worlds-religious-traditions

In the Digital Edition—
📖 https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=686511&p=23&view=issueViewer

Illustration: Photo of an outstretched hand

06/12/2025

"By turns serious and playful, [Br. Gotthold Ephraim ] Lessing’s 'Ernst and Falk' is an important document of the history of Freemasonry in Germany and reveals how Lessing thought about the role of secular institutions in effecting long-lasting social change." —M. H. Dupree

Learn more in "Thinking Aloud with a Friend: G.E. Lessing’s 'Ernst and Falk: Dialogues for Freemasons'" in the May/June 2025 Scottish Rite Journal:

In the Digital Edition—
📖 https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=844005&p=14&view=issueViewer

On the SRJ Podcast—
🔊 https://sms.scottishrite.org/lessing-ernst-and-falk-dialogues

Illustration: Br. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Portrait by Ill. Travis Simpkins, 33°

06/11/2025

Join us for a tailgate evening at the Scottish Rite for the June Lodge dinner. The Culinary Masters are planning a relaxed evening with freshly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, macaroni salad, and watermelon. No Lodge meeting to follow.

Cost is $15/person. Babysitting available ($5).

Please make reservations in advance so the Culinary Masters can properly plan ahead.

06/04/2025

"The Masonic Traveler recently took the opportunity to make a brief California trip to downtown Los Angeles and specifically Hollywood. The area is filled with interesting places and activities, both Masonic and non-Masonic—more than one person could possibly visit in a few short days!" —J. M. Bozeman

Tag along as "The Masonic Traveler Goes to Hollywood" in the May/June 2025 Scottish Rite Journal!

In the Digital Edition—
https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=844005&p=24&view=issueViewer

On the Scottish Rite Journal Podcast—
https://sms.scottishrite.org/masonic-traveler-goes-to-hollywood

Image: “The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever.” Photography: J. M. Bozeman