tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165751475278710.post4621057844362599790..comments2023-10-28T01:33:58.169-07:00Comments on Masonic Renaissance: The Masonic Spectacle...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04535567668719179167noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165751475278710.post-55305708645181597442007-10-17T21:13:00.000-07:002007-10-17T21:13:00.000-07:00Off-topic comment:How may I send an e-mail to Char...Off-topic comment:<BR/><BR/>How may I send an e-mail to Charles Tirrell, the author of the Masonic Renaissance site? Please let me know at koltkorivera@yahoo.com ; I shall not publish your e-mail address. (Please be so kind as to delete this comment.)<BR/><BR/>Bona fides: www.thesquareandcompasses.comMark Koltko-Riverahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01370779869875050983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165751475278710.post-80139606534602002482007-10-17T21:08:00.000-07:002007-10-17T21:08:00.000-07:00In my lodge in central Florida, the degrees are ty...In my lodge in central Florida, the degrees are typically put on by brethren who are <I>not</I> acting in their typical positions in the line--in fact, they often are not line officers at all. <BR/><BR/>A couple of weeks ago, at an EA degree, I acted in the Junior Warden's position, a brother just barely raised was the Tyler, and neither of us--nor the brother who sat in the East as Worshipful Master--are even line officers at all.<BR/><BR/>It was a complete blast. We had rehearsed every word of the degree (less the lecture) a couple of days before. Everyone knew his part. It was impressive ritual and had a good effect on the candidates. (I write more about it in my own blog, on my MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/mark_koltkorivera ; look for the entry titled, "Reflections on Last Night's Initiation.")<BR/><BR/>I highly recommend your suggestion about changing positions for degree work. It works very well, at least in my own lodge, and I can't see why it wouldn't work well anywhere. <BR/><BR/>Frankly, many of your other suggestions sound very good, too, and I'll be bringing them up at my lodge soon. Thanks for the ideas.Mark Koltko-Riverahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01370779869875050983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165751475278710.post-61345724514103870282007-10-16T12:51:00.000-07:002007-10-16T12:51:00.000-07:00WHAT?! For cryin' out loud, why would you do somet...WHAT?! For cryin' out loud, why would you do something <I>differently</I>? Don't you have any respect for the PMs who are going to "tsk" themselves into an early grave?<BR/><BR/>I ran into some, er, un-positive feedback a few times, notably when, as WM, I stepped down from the East in order to deliver a lecture or piece of ritual. When I first asked a few of the older guys if I could walk down the steps and give the G speech on the floor, directly to the candidates, a few of them said that they'd never seen it done, and couldn't imagine why I'd want to "break tradition."<BR/><BR/>Feh.<BR/><BR/>When I wore the hat, I tried to make things interesting. Even now, when I'm asked to do a piece, I wave my arms around and emote a little. <BR/><BR/>You know - I pretend that the degree should have some drama.<BR/><BR/>Music could be good, too. I've never been to the quarry or any other outdoor degree, but I've been really wanting to do a degree by candlelight or lanterns. We have an old lodge building, and I think it would be a great effect.Tom Accuostihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07005315193581153959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165751475278710.post-47629685961968245772007-10-16T12:06:00.000-07:002007-10-16T12:06:00.000-07:00(disclaimer- am not a mason, but am a member of ot...(disclaimer- am not a mason, but am a member of other groups that make use of rituals.)<BR/><BR/>What you say of rituals can be applied to any group that has them. I've seen good rituals and bad. Sometimes it can be little things that can turn a good ritual into a great one, or a good ritual into a bad one.<BR/><BR/>One group I in mainly does its rituals outside. One time someone used the soundtrack from "Dances with Wolves" as background music. (background music is not required nor forbidden) This touch the ritual 'up a notice' and was very inspiring.<BR/><BR/>In another group I wound up doing a lecture on ritual, and emphasised the need to speak clearly, enunciate, and pronounce things correctly. All things that to me ruin a ritual. I was less then please that the feedback forms I got back, many critizied me for saying this.Michael Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16577632385379561930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165751475278710.post-81012714668777796772007-10-15T12:47:00.000-07:002007-10-15T12:47:00.000-07:00You bring up several great points. One thing I sh...You bring up several great points. One thing I should have included that you mentioned was to not "speed through it." I have seen many good rituals ruined by just going too fast. Brothers should always attempt to slow it down, so that the candidates can have it sink it and the brothers on the sideline can further reflect on the words.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04535567668719179167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165751475278710.post-78173426296255858382007-10-15T10:58:00.000-07:002007-10-15T10:58:00.000-07:00Good charge Brother,When ritual is done right and ...Good charge Brother,<BR/>When ritual is done right and with enthusiasm it takes on a whole new level for the candidate and brothers on the sidelines. There is nothing more boring than ritual mumbled and sped through to get it over with. When I do ritual I try my best to convey through my actions and heart felt speach, the meaning and importance of every part of it. Also when it is done in an exiting way it brings up the level of every one performing.M.M.M. from the North Eastern Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256800876052840450noreply@blogger.com