Entered Apprentice Degree - Jan. 17, 2011
On Monday, January 17, 2011, Nutley Lodge initiated 3 new brethren into our gentle craft. They were admitted to the lodge to have the Entered Apprentice Degree conferred upon them. The officers, who all were in new stations and places, performed admirably. Upon completion of the degree, the new brothers, in accordance with ancient European Masonic traditions, were presented with a single white rose and informed that it was hoped the rose would induce them to seek the esoteric meaning behind it. 
Also this evening, Br. Joe Apicella presented the brethren his findings on deciphering the ‘strange’ symbols on top of our Trestleboard logo (click on the logo to the right to get a closer look at the coded message). He informed the brethren that the symbols were of the pigpen cipher (sometimes referred to as the Masonic cipher, Freemason's cipher, or Rosicrucian cipher). It is a geometric simple substitution cipher which exchanges letters for symbols which are fragments of a grid. The phrase written in that cipher is ‘As Above, So Below’. He proceeded to impart light upon the brethren by explaining that this was a very old and ancient phrase used in many religions of the ancient and modern world. It was also used by occult and esoteric circles. Hermeticism was discussed as well. The Worshipful Master presented him with a reward for cracking and explaining a little about the code. The reward was a book on Masonic symbolism to aid Br. Apicella in his search for further light in masonry. Masonic Birthday Night was also observed. It was another fine evening for Nutley Lodge!!!
On Monday, January 17, 2011, Nutley Lodge initiated 3 new brethren into our gentle craft. They were admitted to the lodge to have the Entered Apprentice Degree conferred upon them. The officers, who all were in new stations and places, performed admirably. Upon completion of the degree, the new brothers, in accordance with ancient European Masonic traditions, were presented with a single white rose and informed that it was hoped the rose would induce them to seek the esoteric meaning behind it. 
Also this evening, Br. Joe Apicella presented the brethren his findings on deciphering the ‘strange’ symbols on top of our Trestleboard logo (click on the logo to the right to get a closer look at the coded message). He informed the brethren that the symbols were of the pigpen cipher (sometimes referred to as the Masonic cipher, Freemason's cipher, or Rosicrucian cipher). It is a geometric simple substitution cipher which exchanges letters for symbols which are fragments of a grid. The phrase written in that cipher is ‘As Above, So Below’. He proceeded to impart light upon the brethren by explaining that this was a very old and ancient phrase used in many religions of the ancient and modern world. It was also used by occult and esoteric circles. Hermeticism was discussed as well. The Worshipful Master presented him with a reward for cracking and explaining a little about the code. The reward was a book on Masonic symbolism to aid Br. Apicella in his search for further light in masonry. Masonic Birthday Night was also observed. It was another fine evening for Nutley Lodge!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment