In this video, The Twenty-First Century- A New Beginning, Manly P. Hall touches upon themes that should resonate within the hearts of all true Masons.

Discussion was held concerning the issue of inviting Santa Monica Bay Royal Arch to join our Society.  The members were very enthusiastic about this possibility.  A vote was taken to draft a letter inviting the Royal Arch Chapter to join with us.  Santa Monica Bay Royal Arch contains a vibrant membership of intelligent gentlemen who could contribute a great deal to our work.  In addition, it is believed that the fostering of a closer relationship between the Blue Lodge, the Eastern Star Chapter and the Royal Arch would be beneficial to each of our respective organizations.  Based on this, the vote to extend an official invitation to join our Society was passed unanimously.

The upcoming schedule of speakers was reviewed.  The list for the year will be published on our website by the end of January.

There being no further business to discuss, Brother Michael Wamback then presented an interesting lecture on Hermetic Philosophy, and how the Hermetic view of God is consistent with our Masonic Philosophy.  He pointed out parallels between the core beliefs and principles of Hermetic thought, with the elements of our Masonic and Eastern Star ritual work.

The evening ended with good fellowship.

Brother Iwanski indicated that the Santa Monica Bay Royal Arch Chapter was expressing interest in forming a study group.  As the Chapter currently meets at our lodge, it was determined that we would poll the membership of Solvitur Ambulando at our January meeting to see if interest was there in extending an offer to Santa Monica Bay to join our Society.

We reviewed the calendar for the upcoming year and a number of members expressed an interest in giving talks this year.  We also discussed the possibility of starting a book study session to begin in February.

Good fellowship prevailed.

It was agreed that meeting off-site to hold the banquet was a very positive thing, as it allowed us to socialize in a relaxed setting.  We believe that this may well become an annual tradition.

New Business – A motion was made and passed that the Society hold our annual year-end festivities off-site at a local restaurant or other suitable accommodation.  Sister Krista Schwimmer will make the arrangements and let everyone know prior to the November meeting.

There being no other new or unfinished business, the meeting was turned over to Sister Krista who gave an outstanding talk on the Tibetan Book of the Dead.  A lively discussion followed with good fellowship.

The Liberation Through Hearing During the Intermediate State (Tibetan: bardo “liminality”; thodol as “liberation”), sometimes translated as Liberation Through Hearing or Bardo Thodol is a funerary text. It is often referred to in the West by the more casual title, “Tibetan Book of the Dead,” a name which draws a parallel with the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, another funerary text.

The Tibetan text describes, and is intended to guide one through, the experiences that the consciousness has after death, during the interval between death and the next rebirth. This interval is known in Tibetan as the bardo. The text also includes chapters on the signs of death, and rituals to undertake when death is closing in, or has taken place. It is the most internationally famous and widespread work of Tibetan Nyingma literature.

Date: Friday, October 9th 2009
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Sunset Lodge, 1720 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica CA
This event is open to the public

Michael Wamback reviewed the schedule of upcoming events.  There being no unfinished or new business, the floor was turned over to Brother Vito Lappicola who presented a fascinating talk on kundalini energy and the chakras.  Vito’s talk was very informative and highly entertaining.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned and fellowship was enjoyed.

The Huntington Library features one of the world’s greatest collection of American and British literature, as well as an impressive collection of art. It also features a world-class botanical gardens.

The trip will be leaving via carpool from the Lodge at 10:00 am, or you can meet us at the gardens itself. Following an afternoon at the Huntington, we will be dining at a local eatery.

Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $6 for youth.

Please join us for this wonderful event, and be sure to invite your family and friends.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
626.405.2100

Gawain (pronounced /ˈɡɔːwɪn/ or /ɡəˈweɪn/; also called Gwalchmei, Gawan, Gavan, Gauvain, Walewein, etc.) is King Arthur’s nephew and a Knight of the Round Table who appears very early in the Arthurian legend’s development. He is one of a select number of Round Table members to be referred to as the greatest knight, most notably in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He is almost always portrayed as the son of Arthur’s sister Morgause (or Anna) and King Lot of Orkney and Lothian, and his brothers are Agravain, Gaheris, Gareth, and Mordred. In some works he has sisters as well. Gawain is often portrayed as a formidable but brash warrior, fiercely loyal to his king and family. He is a friend to young knights, a defender of the poor, and a consummate ladies’ man. In some works, his strength waxes and wanes with the sun; in the most common form of this motif, his might triples by noon, but fades as the sun sets. His knowledge of herbs makes him a great healer, and he is credited with at least three children: Florence, Lovell, and Gingalain, the last of which is also called Libeaus Desconus or Le Bel Inconnu, the Fair Unknown. In later Welsh Arthurian literature, Gawain is considered synonymous with the native champion Gwalchmei.

Please join us for this fascinating look at one of the heroic characters of early literature and his connection to the ideals of Masonry.

Date: Friday, June 12th @ 7:30 PM
Location: Sunset Lodge, 1720 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica CA
This event is open to the public

In fact, the “Ancient Mysteries’ Magi” specialized in “science” as it was perceived in those days, with the considerable influence of their “specialization” in paganism. The sparse knowledge of the Magi and the surrounding society caused the secrecy and mysticism.

(Read article here)