Solomon’s Staircase Masonic Lodge

Thank you to Austin Shifrin for spending some time with us to discuss his new book, Black Ink, Farther Stars. His book is available on Amazon around the world. https://www.amazon.com/Black-Farther-Stars-Austin-Shifrin/dp/B0DBCD7PBM “Black Ink, Farther Stars”: The title derives from a mixed metaphor, combining a theurgic practice used by the ancient Greeks to talk with their gods, and the modern use of parallax by astronomers to estimate the distance to celestial objects.The book is 164 pages, and consists of 5 chapters, each a topic that was originally custom-written for presentation to a Masonic audience:“Ritual Across Time and Space” – how theater and the performing arts have been used by different societies around the world and throughout history for cultural and moral instruction.“The Chamber of Reflection: Mortality, Morphology, and Meaning” – how contemplation of death can enrich and inspire our lives, drawing on sources from Paracelsus to podcasts.“The Tarot of Virtue” – how Tarot cards can be used as a visual aid to study the 18 progressive virtues in the system of modern French philosopher Andre Comte-Sponville.“How the Allied Masonic Degrees and Grand College of Rites Complement Each Other” – the history of two lesser-known Masonic institutions, and the unique and colorful rituals that they preserve.“The Stuff Freemasonry is Made Of: Physical Properties of the Old Testament” – How we can better understand the stories of Freemasonry and the Old Testament when we have a better grasp of the physical settings and artifacts being referenced; examining both the hard science, and the lore.

In this episode we share several articles on leadership in the lodge. Some for the first time and some from older episodes. Big special thank you to Worshipful Carlos Diez Jr. for his input.

Master's message Jr Warden's message Freemasonry and Religion are Compatible Editor's Notes

Join us for this short episode bringing in the year 2023. Master Elect's Message Jr Warden Elect's Message Editor's Notes

Mackey's Revised History of Freemasonry- chapter 62: The Cathedral at Strasburg

Master's message Jr Warden's Message Editor's notes Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy Stoicism & Freemasonry

Master's message From the South Charity Editor's Notes Ask ChatGPT

https://sacred-texts.com/mas/sof/sof20.htm https://www.masonicsites.org/discalceationrite.htm https://www.masonicworld.com/education/files/artoct02/rite_of_discalceation.htm

Master's message Sr Warden's message The Brotherhood of Man Editor's Notes Ask ChatGPT - Why should men become Freemasons?

Master's Article Sr Warden's Article Charity Editor's Note ChatGPT

Master's Article Sr Warden's Article Jr Warden's Article Editor's Notes Estate Planning

Master's message - The Greatest of these is Charity Chaplain's Corner - Charity is a Godly Act (Updated with audio from author) From the West - Charity Springs from Love Charity, oh how Significant Interview with MW Jeff Wilkins one more thing...

In this updated episode we re-share an article written by California Past Grand Master Jeff Wilkins, as well as a few other articles on the beehive.

Master's Message Senior Warden's Message Editor's Notes The Modern Cowan

Master's Article: Giving Thanks From the West: Thankfulness From the South: Giving Thanks MOS and Sabrina Montes Editor's Note: Giving Thanks

Master's Article From the West From the South Editor's Note The Cornerstone Society

The York Rite and the Scottish Rite Compared Our English Brethren and the York Rite Royal Order of Scotland Allied Masonic Degrees

King Solomon The two saints John More Masonic Light: The Sublime Degree of a Master Mason The Lost Master's Word Consider a Table Lodge and Festive Board

In this episode we share information about brothers Douglas MacArthur, Dr. Joseph Warren, Harry S. Truman, Samuel Penfield Taylor, and Albert Belmont Graham

Hiram... A Different Look Jack Welch on Leadership The Monument of the Broken Column Faith, Religion and Freemasonry

John Wanamaker, an exceptional merchant and Mason Andrew Johnson, president, Freemason Boeing and j Earl Schaefer, The aviator Mason Brother Arnold Palmer Brother Edward Preble

Chapter 60 - The Traveling Freemasons of Lombardy

Big thank you to Austin for his time. A few audio glitches, but you'll get the point. Title: More Light: Collected Masonic Writings 2017 - 2021 Author: Austin R. Shifrin Publisher: Gatekeeper Press Hardcover - ISBN: 9781662923791 Date of publication: 3/14/2022 number of pages: 130 price: $21.99 retail Paperback - ISBN: 9781662923807 Date of publication: 3/31/2022 number of pages: 128 price: $9.99 retail Media / coverage: Book review, Marge Gonzalez - https://www.margegonzalez.net/forum-books/nonfiction/more-light-collected-masonic-writings-2017-2021 Book review, Cameron Bailey, Past Grand Master of Masons in the state of Washington - https://emeth.substack.com/p/more-light-collected-masonic-writings Author profile, Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle - https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/local-jewish-freemason-aims-to-correct-misconceptions/ Description: This book delivers a collection of the author’s articles from RiteNow, the magazine of the Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh, along with a history of Freemasonry – both worldwide, and in the Pittsburgh area specifically. It provides the reader a comprehensive overview of the roots and tenets of the world's most ancient and honorable Fraternity. Intended audience: Suitable for existing members who want to learn more about the fraternity; also, a really good place to start for members of the general public who want to know more about this historic yet secretive organization. Where it can be bought Amazon Barnes & Noble Ingram Content Group Wheelers Books and many others... see https://gatekeeperpress.com/retailers/ Libraries where it is currently in circulation: Harry C Trexler Masonic Library - Allentown, PA  Louisiana Masonic Library and Museum - Alexandria, LA Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Master's Article From the West From the South Editor's Note

Master's Article From the South From the West Editor's Note

Master's Article From the West From the South Editor's Note

Master's Article From the West From the South Editor's Note

La Jolla #518 Santa Barbara #192 Napa Valley #93 Santa Monica-Palisades #307 Morning Star #19 Prometheus #851

Stated Meetings and Entered Apprentices Who was Josephus? Geometry or Masonry The Warden's Columns

How does Freemasonry add value to our lives? The nature of Masonry The thoughts of the candidate The warrior poet

Master's Article: Seasons of Change  From the South: Seasons of Change  From the West: Seasons of Change  Editor's Note  Cornerstone Society

In this episode we share articles from the Summer 2021 California Freemason Magazine - The Filipino Issue

Chapter 57 - Early Freemasonry in Scotland

Master's Article From the West From the South Editor's Note

Master's Article From the West From the South Masonry 101 Masonic Musings

Master's Article From the West (Heading East) Sr Warden Elect's Article Jr Warden Elect's Article Charity

Master's article Junior Warden's article Chaplain's corner Interview with MW Jeff Wilkins, Part 1 (From freemasonry.org)

Master's Article  From the West  From the South  Editor's Note  Donating Retirement Assets

Americana Brazil The Guthrie Oklahoma Scottish Rite Temple A Walk Through History at Fort Monroe

Chapter 55 - The General Assemblies and Lodges of Mediaeval Freemasons

AF & AM versus F&AM States The Compass and the Constitution The Ornaments of a Lodge What is the Meaning of Worshipful?

54 - London Companies and Masons' Company

Chapter 53 - The Early English Masonic Gilds