Solvitur Ambulando is a club for members of Sunset Lodge #369 Free & Accepted Masons, Ocean Park Chapter #245 Order of the Eastern Star and invited guests. Meeting monthly, we host lectures and study groups on various subjects relative to the moral and philosophical aspects of Freemasonry, Eastern Star and the world’s various spiritual traditions, as well as a general study of the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

‘Solvitur Ambulando’ is commony attributed to Saint Augustine and translates as ‘It is Solved by Walking’. It refers to the process of trial and error, or coming to a conclusion by a series of practical experiments.

Both the Masonic Fraternity and the Order of the Eastern Star emphasize experiential initiatory rites, through which the candidate “travels” or “journeys” towards enlightenment. Solvitur Ambulando seems to beautifully describe the Great Work of the initiates in these Orders, as they seek refinement of body, mind and soul through a life-long process of study and reflection on the great moral teachings portrayed in the degrees of our Orders.

Solvitur Ambulando does confer titles for participation and active membership, but we do not perform any ritual work as we view that as being the domain of the Blue Lodge and Chapter. Lower grades are conferred for attendance at lectures and events, while higher grades are conferred for preparing papers and presentations for the Society. There are thirteen grades in our Order, which correspond to the thirteen Moons in a season. The grades are as follows:

• Initiate
• Neophyte
• Zelator
• Thoricus
• Practicus
• Philosophus
• Dominus Liminis

These seven grades are based on participation in Society events.

• Adeptus Minor
• Adeptus Major
• Adeptus Exemptus
• Magister Templi
• Magus

These five grades are awarded for preparing papers and performing lectures at meetings of the Society.

• Ipissimus

This highest grade is awarded for participation in the Society over a period of ten years or longer.

In addition to the pursuit of light for personal growth and satisfaction, Solvitur Ambulando plays host to a series of public lectures, as well as developing educational programs for candidates and members of our Orders.