Will Highsmith

MIC Kevin Sample Born: May 29, 1963 Norfolk, Virginia Education: Greenville High School Graduate, Greenville, MO………………………………. 5/1981 Community College of the Air Force, Avionics/Inertial/Radar Navigation Systems Specialist Troy State Community College, Hurlburt Field, Florida (no degree) Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff, Missouri (no degree) Employment: United States Air Force (E-5 / Honorable Discharge) ………………..6/16/81-

Registration Information The registration deadline is Monday August 10, 2026. No exceptions. Registration for this Triennial is very different from years past. There have been many changes in the way hotels and venues do business. In order to secure a venue for our meeting they are requiring more guarantees for rooms, meals and functions. In

RPC Mark E. Irwin The General Grand Council has a long history of preserving the degrees and records of Masonry. The lessons taught in the Cryptic Degrees are important to complement the full York Rite Story. I embrace the preservation of Masonry, in particular the Cryptic Rite, and look to help it grow in the

RPC Sean H. McNorton Companions, I want to speak to you plainly — not just as a candidate, but as your Brother, a Brother who has walked this journey with you for many years. We have broken bread together, sat beside each other, helped one another, whispered and received friendly counsel, served alongside one another,

CMMRF Logo The 2025 year-end donations for CMMRF were recently finalized. Forty-seven states donated a total of $311,056.34. Indiana was the leader with donations of $65,535.75. Here are the donations ordered by amount: Rank State Sum of Paid Amount 1 IN  $                    65,735.75 2 FL  $                    33,148.84 3 GA  $                    21,443.00 4 AL  $                    18,260.75

RPC Keith Powell I am William Keith Powell, your current Deputy General Grand Master, and I respectfully request your support for the office of Most Puissant Grand Master. I was elevated to my present position on March 26, 2025, due to a vacancy, and was duly obligated and installed by Most Puissant General Grand Master

RPC G. Thomas Taylor My name is G. Thomas Taylor, and I am a candidate for the office of General Grand Master of Cryptic Masons International.  In 2020, I was elected and installed General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work.  In 2023, I was elected and installed Deputy General Grand Master.   During my tenure

CMMRF Logo   To all Cryptic Councils and Cryptic Masons where so ever dispersed over the face of the Earth,   In remembrance of the chartering of the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF) on March 6, 1986, the CMMRF Board of Trustees has declard March 2026 as CMMRF Month. All Cryptic Councils are called

2025 General Conference of Grand Councils, PHA By RPC Corey Curtiss, General Grand Conductor of the Council   General Conference of Grand Councils of Royal and Select Masters, PHA, of USA and the Bahamas Inc holds their annual meeting and installs new officers!   On May 2-3, 2025 the General Conference of Royal and Select

MPC Bill SnyderGeneral Grand Master As some of you may have noticed, there have been a few announcements concerning candidacies for elected offices in the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America (GEKT-USA), the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International (GGCRAMI), and the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons

RPC William “Keith” PowellGeneral Grand Deputy Master, 2025-2026 The General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work 2023-2026, William Keith Powell, was duly installed as the successor Deputy General Grand Master 2025-2026 (DGGM) on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. By Cryptic laws, Right Puissant Companion (RPC) Powell immediately succeeded to the Office of DGGM upon the resignation

General Grand Council Logo The INITIAL Deadline for Submission of written Declarations of Availability for election to one of the five General Grand Elected Officer Positions listed below for publication in the DeCryption Newsletter is: June 1, 2025. At that time, all Declarations received bythe General Grand Recorder will be sent to the DeCryption Editor

General Grand Council Logo Date of Promulgation: 7 May 2025 Upon the occurrences of recent declarations for various elective offices for the 2026-2029 triennium term and in anticipation of further declarations in the near future, it is necessary to set forth certain agreed-upon Rules to be followed at Regional York Rite Conferences by the Regional

Nevada Super Excellent Master DegreeCast and Candidates   On the weekend of July 27-28, the Companions from California and Nevada got together in Reno to perform the Super Excellent Master Degree.   The degree has not been performed in Nevada in several years and California brought their ritual team to show the companions from Nevada

General Grand Council Logo Many of you have taken advantage of purchasing items through the Cryptic Masons Store at www.crypticmasons.org. As costs have risen throughout the economy, so have the costs of shipping and PayPal fees for the General Grand Council. With this in mind, we have had to make decisions about what we are

Submitted by Brian Ragain CMMRF Logo Science might have advanced at a more substantial rate than you expected. Around the turn of the century, the controversy over stem cells was centered around how they were obtained. Umbilical cord blood seemed to be the source of the most abundant supply, and bone marrow was also an

General Grand Council Logo A Special Assembly of the General Grand Council to be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, by electronic means UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE GENERAL GRAND MASTER 2023-2026 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Order of the General Grand Master and the Deputy General Grand Master

  Submitted by MIC Gary Wyne, Executive Secretary, CMMRF Artery Bypass Diagram   In the latest news release from the research team for CMMRF, a new cell type has been discovered that has the potential to grow new blood vessels around dysfunctional blood vessels. This can prove to be life changing for those suffering from

Article courtesy of: The Masonic Trowel Website.http://www.themasonictrowel.com/masonic_talk/stb/stbs/60-10.htm Trowel   “The trowel is an instrument made use of . . .”, but until it is actually employed, it is useless. If the greatest need of our time is for men who understand friendship, morality, and brotherly love, . . . if the greatest danger to modern

    General Grand Council Logo Call AND NOTICE TO THE VOTING MEMBERSHIP for A Special Assembly of the General Grand Council to be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, by electronic means   UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE GENERAL GRAND MASTER 2023-2026 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Order

  Submitted by MIC Gary Wyne, Executive Secretary, CMMRF (L to R), G. Thomas Taylor, III, President of the CMMRF Board of Trustees, presents a check for $270,000 to CMMRF Endowed Chairholder, Dr. Michael Murphy, with Gary G. Wyne, Executive Secretary of CMMRF.   Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation was richly blessed during the 2023

Submitted by RPC William Keith Powell, General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Louisiana Super Excellent Master Degree   The Super Excellent Master was presented at the W. A. Morris York Rite Workshop on Saturday, January 20, 2024 in Alexandria, LA.   M: I: Michael Laurence, PMIGM 2018, LA State Ambassador for GGCCMI, was the

Arizona Super Excellent Master Degree On February 24, 2024, Valley of the Sun Council in Phoenix, Arizona held their Degree Festival and conferred the Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master Degrees. They had thirty one candidates attend the Super Excellent Master Degree and had a very successful day.

The TrowelPart Two The Trowel, Part Two Article courtesy of: The Masonic Trowel Website.http://www.themasonictrowel.com/masonic_talk/stb/stbs/60-10.htm Trowel   Masonic brotherly love is not merely a breezy, cheerful “glad hand”, which manifests itself in a bubbling demonstrativeness with old and new acquaintances, but rarely has time to look or listen for the sounds of spiritual distress or human

Submitted by Illustrious Companion Will Highsmith, Cryptic Masons International Technology Committee North Carolina Grand York Rite Table at Grand LodgePhoto Credit: Genesis Group Photography This year, I am serving as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of North Carolina. I decided it would be a good idea to have some kind of presence at

Article courtesy of: The Masonic Trowel Website.http://www.themasonictrowel.com/masonic_talk/stb/stbs/60-10.htm Trowel Operative reasons use trowels to spread the cement or mortar which unites the bricks or stones of a building into a commonmass. The trowel is the instrument which is used to distribute the bonding material in the proper proportions between theseparate building units of a structure. Speculative

On Monday August 14, 2023 as part of the 48th Triennial of the General Grand Council, the following Officers were elected to serve during the 49th Triennium, 2023-2026: General Grand Master: MPC Bill SnyderDeputy General Grand Master: RPC G. Thomas TaylorGeneral Grand Principal Conductor of the Work: RPC W. Keith PowellGeneral Grand Treasurer: RPC Chuck

Right Puissant Companion Jim Bard and Most Puissant Companion Bill Snyder Submitted by RPC Jim Bard, RDGGM, PMIGM The Grand York of Michigan met at the Doubletree Hotel in Bay City, MI. on Aug 17-19.  The sessions immediately followed the Triennial in Branson and MP Companion Bill Snyder wasted no time representing General Grand Council at this

Most Puissant Companion Monty GloverPast General Grand Master, 2020-2023 Most Puissant Companion Monty Glover gave his allocution on Monday August 14, 2023 as part of the 48th General Grand Council Triennial Session. We are pleased to present it here in its entirety for your review. An excerpt from the Allocution of Monty Jerome Glover, General

Submitted by Alan F. Rhody, Alabama CMMRF Chairman CMMRF Logo We can all agree as to the value of the research that is being conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine, as sponsored by the CMMRF program. Whether it is research into Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), or any of

ANNOUNCEMENT – DECLARATION OF AVAILABILITY FOR ELECTION TO GENERAL GRAND COUNCIL ELECTIVE OFFICES – NOTICE OF OPENING DATE AND CLOSING DEADLINE The General Grand Council Board of Trustees, acting in its role as the election authority for the conduct of the election of General Grand Council Officers to serve as General Grand Master, Deputy General Grand Master, General Grand

CMMRF Logo American Heart Association is Taking Notice of Our Work Last week, the American Heart Association reported on some of the causes and treatments for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Although this remains as the 13th leading cause of death in the United States, there is some new information on it. Recent studies are showing

S Stephen Balke, GGR Faculty York Rite Leadership Program https://yorkriteleadership.org ONLINE CLASSES STARTED! Been waiting for the BEST time to START the program? Looking to get a jump start on the training before your Conference? Want to re-take a course to get MORE? Downloadable Flyer Classes are forming now for both virtual and-in person events starting Step 1:

Submitted by MIC John Ridenour, CMMRF Board Member CMMRF Logo Late last September, a Companion approached me and asked why CMMRF wanted to buy a $75,000 pencil? I must admit to being completely caught off guard by this question. As the next Board of Trustees meeting was just a few weeks out, all I could

CMMRF Logo We have given you plenty of information about CMMRF, what we do, and what we are planning to do. What you might not know is WHY we do it. CMMRF is working on medical issues that affect US. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm isn\’t something that affects the general population. It affects our age group.

Stephen A, BalkeGeneral Grand Recorder The lessons and charges from our Symbolic Lodge degrees should continue to be inculcated in our lives and actions throughout our Masonic journey. This talk provided some perspectives that may be useful in further exploring or refocusing our energies to make the most of the continued lessons, as well as

CMMRF: Our donations are funding research that could be lifesaving for many. The BioPencil By James Bard, MIPGM CMMRF Logo As we approach CMMRF month, you will read about many of research projects being funded by your donations to CMMRF. One project in particular the BioPencil, a hand-held 3-D bioprinter has the potential to be

Bill SnyderGeneral Grand Deputy Master Right Puissant Companion Bill Snyder, General Grand Deputy Master, recently recorded a video on \”What Are the Cryptic Degrees?\”. The video is now available at the link below: What Are the Cryptic Degrees? Video

Submitted by RPC Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder As Masons, we have been introduced to a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols; a course of instruction on how to live. But how often do we go under the hood to learn about the engine? An English Professor from Australia, while pursuing her doctorate,

CMMRF Logo PDF of Proclamation A PROCLAMATION FROM THE MOST PUISSANT GENERAL GRAND MASTER WHEREAS, the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation was incorporated in March, 1986; and WHEREAS, from 1996-2000 the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation fully funded an endowed Chairmanship at the Indiana University Medical Center, first held by Dr. Keith March, and now

Submitted by RPC Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder The first degree given to a Candidate and his participation in a Lodge of Entered Apprentices gives a good man a road map to preparing himself for personal growth. The ceremony of initiation redirects his focus and broadens his perspective on how he perceives the world. The

Consider Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF) By Alan F. Rhody CMMRF Logo Consider; if you will, the family members, friends and perhaps even yourself, who have been afflicted with such illnesses as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or diabetes, or arthritis, or Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) for which there is a 75% mortality rate, or

Historical Lecture of the Select MasterProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles and Papers in the November 2022 Issue The Cryptic Vault The following is a supplement to the “Historical Lecture” traditionally given during the conferral of the Select Master degree and may be found on pp. 25-33 of

CMMRF: 2022 Thank you! Submitted by: RIC G. Thomas Taylor, Vice President, CMMRF CMMRF Logo Each year for the past several years, the Board of Trustee of the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation has set a goal of raising $500,000 to support our charity. Each year, we have fallen short. The next year we redoubled

The Circle of Perfection & the Charge to the New Select MasterProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the November 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Select Master degree appear on pp. 44-47 and pp. 71-72 of “Cryptic Masonry: A

The Ineffable Name Part 5Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the November 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following appears as Chapter XXIV on pp. 176-197 of the 1869 edition of “The Symbolism of Freemasonry” by Albert G. Mackey. In the mediaeval history of the

The Ineffable Name Part 4Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the November 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following appears as Chapter XXIV on pp. 176-197 of the 1869 edition of “The Symbolism of Freemasonry” by Albert G. Mackey. We know, for instance, from the

Most Puissant Companion Monty GloverGeneral Grand Master Most Puissant Companion Monty Glover was the featured guest on Episode 42 of the Meet, Act, and Part Podcast. List as he talks about Cryptic Masonry, CMMRF, growing up in Central Illinois, Hawaiian Freemasonry, and other topics. Episode 52 Monty Glover – Meet, Act and Part (meetactandpart.com)

The Ineffable Name Part 3Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the November 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following appears as Chapter XXIV on pp. 176-197 of the 1869 edition of “The Symbolism of Freemasonry” by Albert G. Mackey. Elsewhere I have very fully alluded

CMMRF: Finishing the Year Strong CMMRF Logo Donate Now! In the 4th quarter of each year, the Board of Trustees of CMMRF meet and establish a budget for the following year. The budget includes a fundraising goal for the following year. Our fundraising determines the amount of money CMMRF donates to Indiana University for stem

The Ineffable Name Part 2Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the November 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following appears as Chapter XXIV on pp. 176-197 of the 1869 edition of “The Symbolism of Freemasonry” by Albert G. Mackey. From the sacredness with which the

    Sandy Karstens On Sunday October 23, 2022 during the October Fire Side Chat, RPC Sandy Karstens spoke on \”Love of Learning is a Guide of Life\”. The video is now available at the link below. Love of Learning is a Guide of Life Video About RPC Sandy Karstens William “Sandy” Karstens IV was

The Ineffable Name Part 1Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the November 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following appears as Chapter XXIV on pp. 176-197 of the 1869 edition of “The Symbolism of Freemasonry” by Albert G. Mackey. Another important symbol is the Ineffable

Submitted by MIC John Bridegroom, Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of Indiana   Check Presentation to CMMRF The Grand Council of Indiana held their Ish Sodi Banquet on October 1, 2022 at the Sahara Grotto in Southport, Indiana. The Ish Sodi Banquet is an annual event that the Grand Council hosts as a fundraiser for

    James B. Walsh, Mid-Atlantic Deputy General Grand Master and David H. Laucius, Most Illustrious Grand Master of Delaware Several years ago, the Grand Lodge of Delaware sold their Masonic Home and took the proceeds and formed an endowment called the Masonic Charities of Delaware. The fund has made donations to several charities and

    Michael Doxsee On Sunday October 9, 2022, the General Grand Council Presents hosted Michael Doxsee speaking on Communicating with Angels: An esoteric look of Cherubim, Nephilim, and other angelic entities in the side Degrees of Freemasonry.  This presentation will provide an esoteric look of Angelic presence in the side Degrees of Freemasonry. Ill.

Stephen Balke, GGR Faculty York Rite Leadership Program https://yorkriteleadership.org New Courses – Updated Site! The York Rite Leadership Program turned eleven this year and has had some exciting additions to help the Craft! In-Person IS Intentionally Interactive In response to COVID the YRL 101 Personal Effectiveness and YRL 201 Group Dynamics courses were streamlined to

Provided by RPC G. Thomas Taylor, Vice President, CMMRF Author: Christopher Wagner: Senior Vice President, Wealth Management; Christoph Wealth Advisory Services of Raymond JamesUsed with Permission CMMRF Logo     As families grow in size and overall wealth, a desire to \”give back\” often becomes a priority. Cultivating philanthropic values can help foster responsibility and

It\’s Ashlar, not Albatross Video The video of the August GGC Presents by RPC Stephen Balke, Grand Recorder, is now available at the link above.  The program is entitled \”It\’s \’Ashlar\’, not \’Albatross\’\”.  As we keep up with the Jones’ 4K hyper-sensationalized technicolor surround-sense immersion compulsion, how can we keep the space between thoughts a prominent

Symbolical Design and Charge of the Past Master DegreeProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to It\’s Monitorial Column in the September 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Symbolical Design and Charge of the Past Master Degree appear on pp. 47-48 and pp.

Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas TaylorGeneral Grand Principal Conductor of the Work On the July General Grand Master\’s Fire Side Chat, Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas Taylor, General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work and Vice President of CMMRF, spoke on CMMRF. The video for this presentation is now available below. CMMRF Video About RPC

September 5, 2022 Triennial Session Two Agenda and Registration General Grand Council Logo Monday, September 5, 20225:00 PM MT Agenda Call to Order Opening Prayer (General Grand Chaplain) Pledge of Allegiance (General Grand Marshal) Declare Open (General Grand Master) Welcome (General Grand Master) Sickness and Distress (General Grand Chaplain) Officer Reports General Grand Treasurer Budget

General Grand Council First Responder Award When a General Grand Council Award is presented, the presenter can send information on the award presentation in for the web site and Decryption. This is strongly encouraged as it recognizes our Companions a little further, encourages Companions by seeing other Companions recognized, and encourages other Companions to nominate

Adoniram: The Fourth Grand Master RIC Charles Varn by RIC Charles Varn, Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, Grand Council of South Carolina In the present landscape of Freemasonry, Adoniram is most important to the Scottish Rite, particularly the Southern Jurisdiction. Adoniram may appear in every version of the Southern Jurisdiction’s Lodge of Perfection in

Two Weeks Until September 5, 2022 Triennial Session Two General Grand Council Logo PDF of Announcement The Triennial Assembly Session II of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons, International is coming in less than two weeks! Monday, September 5, 20225:00 PM MT This is a virtual meeting being held via Zoom. This meeting is

General Grand Council Seal During the May 2022 Fire Side Chat, Most Puissant Companion Dick Eppler spoke on The Origins of Cryptic Masonry. The presentation covered the sources of the Cryptic Degrees, and how the Rite was put together.  This video is now available at the link below: Origins of Cryptic Masonry Video About MPC

Adoniram: The Fourth Grand Master RIC Charles Varn by RIC Charles Varn, Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, Grand Council of South Carolina There are many characters in the legends of masonry that we have become familiar with: King Solomon of Israel appears in a great number of degrees and is the anchor of many

Albert G. Mackey on The Triple Triangle (or Pentalpha)Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles and Papers Column in the August 2022 Issue Broken Triangle and Ark of the Covenant by Cliff C. Cameron, D.D. This article originally appeared under the title “What Do You Know About the Square,

Albert G. Mackey on The Triple Triangle (or Pentalpha)Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the August 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on p. 553 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert

Albert G. Mackey on the Broken Square and Alpha and OmegaProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the August 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Royal Master degree appear on pp. 23-24 and pp. 30-31 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual

Time Capsule Box On Monday July 11, 2022 at the Masonic Monument in Maggie Valley, the Grand Council of North Carolina opened the time capsule that was previously sealed in 1972. Every 50 years, the time capsule at the Masonic Monument is dug up, opened, the items taken out and new items deposited. The last

2022 Maggie Valley Super Excellent Master Degree Candidates and Companions On Saturday July 9, 2022 at 2pm prior to the official start of Maggie Valley, North Carolinas\’ Councils of Royal and Select Masters held a Super Excellent Master\’s Degree. The Degree was held at the Waynesville Council\’s meeting place. The Raleigh and Fayetteville Councils are

GGC Seal This week\’s video was presented by Dr. Danny Drew and is entitled George Washington: Our Founding Father, His Life, and Influence.  The Video is available at the link below. George Washington: Our Founding Father, His Life, and Influence Video

The Origins of Scotland: An Alternative Historical Outlook of the Origins of Freemasonry Part Three of Three Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Before discussing what connotations, as to the origins of Freemasonry let us first examine the story of Gaythelos

The Origins of Scotland: An Alternative Historical Outlook of the Origins of Freemasonry Part Two of Three Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Thus far, I have provided a somewhat detailed history of Scotland, however as the title reads, we are

The Origins of Scotland: An Alternative Historical Outlook of the Origins of Freemasonry Part One Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   If you pick up a history or a science book it will tell “us that ancient Scots first appeared around

Frederick Joyner, KYGCHGeneral Conference Thrice Illustrious Grand Master     Submitted by RPC Bill Snyder, Deputy General Grand Master Below is the address of the General Conference Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of the General (Grand) Conference of Grand Councils, Royal and Select Masters, Prince Hall Affiliation (PHA) that was received on April 30, 2022. GC

Ken JP Stuczynski During the February 13, 2021 GGC Presents, Ken Stuczynski will be presenting a presentation entitled \”Arabic Cypher Hypothesis\” which is about the origin and encryption of Templar banking.  The video of this presentation is now available below. Arabic Cypher Hypothesis Video About Ken Stuczynski Bro. Ken JP Stuczynski is a member of

Save the Date: Triennial Session Two General Grand Council Seal     Session Two of the Triennial will be a virtual meeting this year. The meeting will be held on September 5, 2022 at 4 pm Mountain Time. Registration will be available soon. The meeting will include 30-60 minutes of time involving CMMRF and will

Why Do We Labor?Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Articles and Papers Column in the June 2022 Issue Man Holding Question Mark (Public Domain)     By John W. Simons This article originally appeared in 1868 on pp. 75-79 of “The Masonic Token: A Gift Book” (edited

Submitted by Companion Brian Ragain, RN, Area Coordinator CMMRF Logo and Breast Cancer Ribbon     Dr. Michael Murphy is involved with research involving heart failure associated with anthracyclines, a chemotherapy drug derived from bacteria. Like any other medication, the benefits must outweigh the risks, but for some patients, there can be unforeseen and unwanted

New Decryption Form Signup, Facebook Page, and Youtube Channel General Grand Council Seal     Please let your Councils know about the new signup form for the Decryption. It is available at the link below. The Decryption is an e-mail newsletter sent out regularly highlighting articles added to the General Grand Council Web Page. Decryption

December 2021 General Grand Council Presents T.S. Akers Video T.S. Akers     During December 12, 2021 General Grand Chapter Presents, T.S. Akers presented a presentation entitled \”Mount Moriah: McAlester\’s Lost Masonic Temple\”. The video is available at the link below. The mountains and woods of southeastern Oklahoma have hidden many things throughout history, but

Albert G. Mackey on the Wages of the Workman at the TempleProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the June 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on p. 834 and p. 552 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry

Ronald L. Thomas Ritual Award The General Grand Council Ritual passports are designed to assist you in completing the requirements for each of the degree bars for the Ritual Award. Their purpose is to centralize the documentation for each of the qualifying tasks of that degree and serve as a beautiful memento of your journey.

The Three Epochs of FreemasonryProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles and Papers Column in the April 2022 Issue The following is a version of the “Historical Lecture” traditionally given during the conferral of the Royal Arch degree in many jurisdictions. There are three epochs in Freemasonry which particularly

Cryptic Cosmology –Video – GGC Presents August 8, 2021 Jeff Bennett   In this presentation titled “Zabud: Friend of the King – A deeper look into the Select Masters Degree”, we will explore the back story, biblical history, and cultural undertones running below the level of the dramatic events occurring in the Cryptic Degree of

Symbolical Design and Historical Summary of the Select Master DegreeProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the May 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Select Master degree appear on pp. 35-39 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual of the Council” by

Cryptic MasonryProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles and Papers in the May 2021 Issue The Cryptic Vault by Hugh McCurdy This article originally appeared in “The Voice of Masonry” in 1880 and was most recently reprinted in the Fall 2019 issue of “The Cryptic Freemason” (Vol. 4, No.

CMMRF: Leading the Way in Funding the Use of Stem Cells CMMRF Logo The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF) has for many years funded research being done at the Indiana Center for Vascular and Biologic Medicine (ICVBM) at the University of Indiana. However, some our Companions have shown a hesitancy to support this based

Cryptic Cosmology –Video – GGC Presents August 8, 2021 Robert G. Davis   The General Grand Council hosted a presentation by Robert G. Davis entitled The Journey of a Man Living in the Image of God. The journey a man takes in Capitular and Cryptic Masonry is both an ascent and a descent–an ascent in

Albert G. Mackey on the Select Master DegreeProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the May 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on pp. 678-679 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G.

General Grand Council Tartan General Grand Council Kilts and Accessories now available for pre-order! https://crypticmasons.org/shop We are pleased to offer kits and tartan items using our registered General Grand Council Tartan, woven in a 13 oz, 80% Wool/ 20% Cotton blend. In addition to our 5 yard Kilt and 7 yard Great Kilt, we have

Submitted by Companion Robert Whyte; Peninsula York Rite; Burlingame, California

The Symbolism of King Solomon\’s TempleProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the February 2022 Issue The following entry appears on pp. 85-99 of the 1869 edition of “The Symbolism of Freemasonry” by Albert G. Mackey. I have said that the operative art is symbolized–that

Cryptic Cosmology –Video – GGC Presents August 8, 2021 Jaime Paul Lamb   The General Grand Council hosted a presentation by Jamie Paul Lamb on Cosmic Cosmology.  In this presentation, the cosmological implications of the Cryptic degrees are investigated, from the Pseudo-Dionysian angelic hierarchies and the Cabalistic Tree of Life to the Ptolemaic planetary model

Submitted by Companion Robert Whyte; Peninsula York Rite; Burlingame, California

Most Illustrious Companion Bob WhitfieldPast Most Illustrious Grand MasterGrand Council of California At the General Grand Master\’s Next Fire-Side Chat on Sunday, June 27, 2021, Bob Whitfield spoke on \”A Paradigm Shift\”. The only view that really matters comes from those I serve. Did I make a difference today? The Video is now available at

The following article appears in the According to Mackey Column of the April 2022 Oklahoma York Rite Education E-Newsletter, https://okyorkrite.com/ Mercy SeatPhoto Credit: Clipart Panda The following entry appears on pp. 76-78 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G. Mackey. In the ritual of the American

On the Super Excellent Master Degree Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Although not a fact for everyone, many Brethren regardless of Masonic jurisdictions are familiar with the Craft Lodge term known as “blue Lightning” or “Making a Mason on Sight”

CMMRF in Action: March 2022 By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas Taylor General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Check Presentation to Dr. Mike Murphy Last Fall, CMMRF solicited donations for a one-time gift to The Indiana University School of Cardio Vascular studies. The need was for reagents for use on the Codexx machine.

Ego and the False Self – Video – GGC Presents June 15, 2021 Submitted By Most Illustrious Companion Reed FanningPast Most Illustrious Grand Master, Grand Council of Utah Matt Parker   On June 15, the General Grand Council presented an educational presentation.  Companion Matt Parker will present an educational program entitled Ego and the False

The CherubimProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the January 2022 Issue Ark of the Covenant (Public Domain) The following entry appears on pp. 145-147 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G. Mackey. The second order

The Ark of the Covenant Discovered in the TalmudBy Companion Matthew R. StolzDecatur Council No. 16, Decatur, IllinoisOriginally printed in \”The Cryptic Freemason\”, Spring 2011 Issue Mercy SeatPhoto Credit: Clipart Panda The overwhelming majority of Christians get their understanding of Judaism from the Old Testament alone. The academic world, by the way, currently prefers to

Albert G. Mackey on The Destruction of the TempleProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the March 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Super Excellent Master degree appear on pp. 84-89 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual of the Council” by

Daniel HanttulaPast Most Illustrious Past Grand Master of Oklahoma During the August 22, 2021 Fire-Side Chat, Most Illustrious Companion Daniel Hanttula spoke on the \”The Amazing Accomplishments of Cryptic Masonry\”.  The Cryptic Rite has achieved numerous unbelievable accomplishments, many of which have been lost in our extensive history. This brief talk covers the astounding successes

GGC Logo by Richard A. Eppler Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles & Papers Column in the March 2022 Issue This article originally appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of “The Cryptic Freemason” (Vol. 4, No. 10). The allegory of the degree of Super Excellent Master is a

CMMRF Update March 1, 2022 By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas Taylor General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo I have taken a break from writing articles about CMMRF for the last few weeks. Do not mistake this for a waning interest in CMMRF; quite the opposite. We have set a goal of

Albert G. Mackey on the Super Excellent Master DegreeProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the March 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on pp. 737-738 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert

CMMRF Day: March 6, 2022 By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas Taylor General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Day Information March 6, 2021 will mark the sixth, (6th), celebration of CMMRF Day. CMMRF Day celebrates the chartering of Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, Inc., (CMMRF),on March 6, 1986. CMMRF is the youngest of

Martin Faulks   On January 9, 2022, Martin Faulks presented a presentation entitled \”Remembering the Royal Secret\”. The video for this presentation is now available at the link below. In 1977 Renaissance scholar and memory expert Dame Frances Yates was viewing a collection of Masonic prints. She paused on a symbolic woodcut and her heart skipped

Albert G. Mackey on the Rite of DiscalceationProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the December 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on pp. 125-129 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G.

PD Newman   On July 11, 2021, Companion PD Newman presented an educational program entitled What Goes Up Must Come Down: Katabasis, Anabasis, and Their Significance in the Craft.  The video is now available at the link below. What Goes Up Most Come Down Video P.D. Newman is a member of Tupelo Lodge No, 318

Albert G. Mackey on the Rite of CircumambulationProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the August 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on pp. 152-153 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G.

The Temple of Solomon by Daniel Rivera Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles & Papers Column in the June 2021 Issue This article was originally posted to the “Further Light” blog of the Southern California Research Lodge on October 27th, 2017. Throughout history, men of great learning and spiritual insight have drawn

Spanish to English Translation by Google Translate Panama Presentation Good morning companions. In Panama, on Saturday, February 5, 2022, under strict COVID-19 precautions, we carried out the Installation of CC Juan Carlos Cedeño as the new Powerful Sovereign of the Conclave of San Lorenzo of the Red Cross of Constantine, with the distinguished presence of

Progress on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm TrialsSubmitted By Companion Brian Ragain, RN, Area Coordinator CMMRF Logo The results are in! Dr. Murphy and his team at Indiana University have finalized the findings of the ARREST TRIAL for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) and they are exactly as expected. With our donations to CMMRF and the provided funding

Walter L. Wilmshurst by Walter L. Wilmshurst Provided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles & Papers Column in the August 2021 Issue This article is excerpted from the two papers “The Ceremony of Initiation” and “The Ceremony of Passing.” (from “The Ceremony of Initiation”) Next follows the Perambulation. But

GGC Logo During the January 22, 2022 Fire Side Chat, Oscar Alleyne spoke on “Of Arches and Men: A Candid and Cryptic Examination of Man’s Argument with His Inner Self”.  The video for this presentation is now available on Youtube at the link below.  “Of Arches and Men: A Candid and Cryptic Examination of Man’s

The CherubimProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the June 2021 Issue The following entry appears on pp. 767-769 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G. Mackey. The first Temple of the Jews was called hecal Jehovah or beth

CMMRF Zoom Account SupportSubmitted By Right Puissant Companion Stephen BalkeGeneral Grand Recorder CMMRF Logo Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation is asking that you consider participating in the Zoom account managed by General Grand Council to help promote our charity and the research being done at Indiana University through the Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and

The Extended Wings of the CherubimProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the January 2022 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Royal Master degree appear on pp. 21-23 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual of the Council” by Albert G. Mackey. “And

Defining Esoteric Masonry Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   There are many reasons why men choose to become Freemasons, some of these reasons include a thirst for knowledge, a want for belonging, connections whether political or not, etc.  However, once you

The CherubimProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles and Papers Column in the January 2022 Issue Ark of the Covenant (Public Domain) This article originally appeared 180 years ago on pp. 32-33 of the December 31st, 1841 issue of “The Freemasons’ Quarterly Review.” The mind of man is so

The Crypt of Your Heart By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey La Sainte Chapelle(Public Domain)   My Companion: A crypt is not an unlit, dirty place, fit only for burying something. It is a place of strength and beauty. It is

CMMRF: 2021 in ReviewSubmitted By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas TaylorGeneral Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo At the beginning of 2021 the Board established a very aggressive goal for fund raising. The goal was established as $500,000, or more than 50% of previous amounts. While we knew the goal was aggressive, we

History and Symbolism of the Stone of FoundationProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the November 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on pp. 722-727 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G. Mackey.

The Chain of Friendship By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey MIC John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of New Jersey   My Companion: In the opening of your Council, the Deputy Illustrious Master talks about polishing the chain of

Online and In-Person January 2022 York Rite Leadership OpportunitiesSubmitted by Stephen Balke, York Rite Leadership Faculty York Rite Leadership Logo Professional leadership development courses offered to all Members of the Masonic Family. (Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, OES, DeMolay, Rainbow, Jobs Daughters, etc.) Start 2022 for your Lodge or Masonic Group with a super charge! 

The SuperstructureProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles and Papers Column in the November 2021 IssueBy William L. Wilmshurst Masonic Cornerstone (Photo Credit: Wikimedia) This article is excerpted from Chapter II: Light on the Way of the text “The Masonic Initiation.” The novitiate Mason is taught to regard his

Celebrate Wholeheartedly! By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey Happy Holidays (Public Domain) Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.   – Robert Louis Stevenson My Companion: In the Select Degree,

Jason Mitchell: Which Rite Is… Right? Fire Side Chat Video Most Illustrious Companion Jason Mitchell, PMIGM During the October 24, 2021 Fire Side Chat, MIC Jason Mitchell spoke on \”Which Rite is… Right? How to Min/Max Your Masonic Experience\”.  The video for this presentation is now available on Youtube at the link below. Which Rite

Symbolism of the Stone of FoundationProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the November 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Select Master degree appear on pp. 62-70 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual of the Council” by Albert G. Mackey. The

LOOSE ENDS TO TIE UP BEFORE DECEMBER 31 for CMMRF!!!Submitted by Right Puissant Companion Bill Snyder, President, CMMRF 2020-2023 RPC Bill SnyderGeneral Grand Deputy Master As we approach the end of the calendar year of 2021, most of Freemasonry gathers in social events before the Holidays with good intentions of great deeds that will be

Symbolical Design of the Royal Master DegreeProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the September 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Royal Master degree appear on pp. 13-15 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual of the Council” by Albert G. Mackey.

A Just Scale By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey MIC John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of New Jersey   \’\”Let me be weighed in an even balance,\” said Job, \”that God may know mine integrity\”; and Solomon says

Masonry Is Like a Garden By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey Snow (Public Domain) In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.  – Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays My Companion: In spite of

Regional Deputy Conference Call – October 25, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On October 25, 2021, a conference call was held with the Regional Deputies. A summary of the call is below. Africa Not present – report sent via

With Perseverance, Truth Will Be Found HereProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles & Papers Column in the September 2021 IssueMichael S. Wright Royal Master LogoPhoto Credit: MIC John Bridegroom This article originally appeared in the Fall 2017 issue of “The Cryptic Freemason” (Vol. 4, No. 1). The Royal

Historical Summary of the Royal Master DegreeProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the September 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on pp. 650-651 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G. Mackey.

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part Nine Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Conclusion My research paper dealt with a particularly sensitive topic, it dealt with events that occurred during the Civil War by Freemasons that were at

CMMRF: What is Giving Tuesday?Submitted By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas TaylorGeneral Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo Celebrated annually every Tuesday after Thanksgiving, The National Day of Giving is dedicated to encouraging giving among people and organizations to their communities to make the world a better place. Started in 2012, also known

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part Eight Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Problem Resolution The cause and effect here can be clearly identified when considering the instances where treasonous acts were committed by Freemasons on either side

CMMRF: Giving Day 2021Submitted By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas TaylorGeneral Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo The first Tuesday after Thanksgiving is designated a Day of Giving to Charity. The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation is a charity participating in the Day of Giving. This year the Day of Giving will be

Albert G. Mackey on NumbersProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the July 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on pp. 520-521 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G. Mackey. The symbolism

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part Seven Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Integrated Literature Review/Critical Analysis In the article written by Justine Love (ND) entitled Freemasonry And The Civil War – A House Undivided, Love describes the

CMMRF: Thank you! Thank you!Submitted By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas TaylorGeneral Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo We established a goal of raising $75,000 during the month of October. The $75,000 is to be used to purchase reagents for validating stem cells. Thanks to all of you we surpassed our goal!!! While

The Hidden Mysteries of the Number Twenty-SevenProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles & Papers Column in the July 2021 IssueDaniel D. Hanttula This article originally appeared in the Summer 2016 issue of “The Cryptic Freemason” (Vol. 3, No. 8). The Cryptic Vault My Companions, I am honored to

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part Six Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Integrated Literature Review/Critical Analysis In the article entitled Echoes from the Civil War written by Bro. Henry L. Zelchenko; the author writes about the mercy

2021 Grand Council of Indiana Ish Sodi BanquetSubmitted by Right Illustrious Companion Todd T. CarpenterIndiana CMMRF State Chairman Vice President of the Board of Trustees for CMMRF, Tom Taylor and Gary Wyne, Executive Secretary, presenting a check for $45,000 to Dr. Murphy for Stem Cell Research The Grand Council of Indiana held its Ish Sodi

2021 Tri-State Cryptic FestivalSubmitted by Right Illustrious Companion Stephen A. RubinsteinDeputy Grand Master, Grand Council of New York, and GGC Ambassador to Massachusetts 2021 Tri-State Cryptic Festival   After many fits, starts, scheduling, and re-scheduling over the past two years, the Northeast Tri-State Cryptic Festival was finally opened on October 9 in Saugerties New York.

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part Five Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Integrated Literature Review/Critical Analysis In an article written by The Carolina Trader we are introduced to various acts of Masonic charity among brethren throughout the

The Glass Is Half Full!Submitted By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas TaylorGeneral Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo As I write this article, it is the Middle of October, we are half way to reaching our goals for the month and for the year. We established a goal of raising $75,000 in October

Grand Council of New York: 2021 Annual Assembly Overview Submitted by Right Puissant Companion Sandy Karstens, Regional Deputy General Grand Master – Northeast Grand Council of New York 2021-2022 Officers   It was my distinct pleasure to attend New York’s Annual Assembly this year on August 20-21 and most especially to see all the companions

Grand Council of Ohio: 192nd Annual Assembly Overview Submitted by Most Illustrious Companion Bobby G. Campbell, Grand Recorder, Grand Council of Ohio RIC Bobby G. Campbell, Grand Recorder, Grand Council of Ohio   On October 4, 2021, Adoniram Council No. 131 convened and opened a special assembly at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio for

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part Four Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Integrated Literature Review/Critical Analysis Ill. Bro. Todd E. Creason and Midnight Freemasons Contributor in his article entitled “Was a Freemason Responsible For the American Civil

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part Three Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   Integrated Literature Review/Critical Analysis In the article entitled Masons During the Civil War written by John Howey (ND.) we witness several acts of Masonic Charity

Let\’s Take a Closer Look at the CODEXSubmitted By Companion Brian Ragain, RN, Area Coordinator CMMRF Logo The newest piece of equipment in use by CMMRF’s Dr. Michael Murphy at Indiana University is the CODEX, or CO-Detection by indEXing is an Ultrahigh Multiplexed Imager used to take a closer took at the cellular mechanisms of

General Grand Council At Your Service   Stephen A. Balke, General Grand Recorder Cryptic Masons International   https://youtu.be/mldAcHC4t4s General Grand Council At Your Service A review of the current status of the General Grand Council with emphasis on reviewing the programs currently available. Join Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, who was invited by Monty Glover, General

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part Two Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois IC Kevin A. Wheeler   The first portion of this research paper deals with all the information regarding Freemasons during the Civil War Era, to include identifying many situations where

Freemasonry During the Civil War: Acts of Treason?  Part One Submitted by Illustrious Companion Kevin A. Wheeler, District Inspector 4th District, Grand Council of Illinois Editor\’s Note: This is the first part of a paper which will be released in a nine part series.  Additional parts will be posted over the upcoming weeks. IC Kevin

Regional Deputy Conference Call – September 27, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On September 27, 2021, a conference call was held with the Regional Deputies. A summary of the call is below. Africa TOGO: I organized the General Assembly

Fall York Rite Leadership OpportunitiesSubmitted by S. Lane Pierce, Program Executive, York Rite Leadership Program York Rite Leadership Logo Professional leadership development courses offered to all Members of the Masonic Family. (Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, OES, DeMolay, Rainbow, Jobs Daughters, etc.) Enhance YOUR journey East – get the entire TEAM together. Communication……….     Planning………. 

October is CMMRF Reagent Month! Let’s Drive for 75!Submitted By Companion Brian Ragain, RN, Area Coordinator CMMRF Logo As with any great piece of equipment, the usage of the CODEX analyzer requires consumables, known as reagents, in order to process the hidden data within the cells. The only differences in these consumables, when compared to

CMMRF: October is Reagent MonthSubmitted By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas Taylor General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo The CMMRF Board of Trustees met at the Triennial in Minneapolis in August. During the presentation by Dr. Mike Murphy, the lead researcher for CMMRF at the Indiana University Vascular Research Program, spoke about

Thoughts on Leadership 401Submitted by Will Highsmith, Decryption Editor York Rite Leadership Logo After completing Leadership 101, 201, and 301 several years ago, I was able to attend the Northeast Conference and complete Leadership 401 along with nineteen other companions and one lady on September 11, 2021. The course exceeded my expectations. S. Lane Pierce

Labor Resumes in OklahomaSubmitted by Right Puissant Companion Clyde H. Schoolfield Jr., General Grand Lecturer Front row: Robert G. Davis (Grand Master of Masons in Oklahoma), John F. Carter (Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in Oklahoma), Clyde H. Schoolfield, Jr. (Grand Master of Cryptic Masons in Oklahoma), and Robert R. Rolseth (Grand Commander

Albert G. Mackey on The Mystical Meaning of NumbersProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the July 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on the Select Master degree appear on pp. 59-61 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual of the Council” by Albert

Fan the Flame By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey Fire (Public Domain) ACHISHAR: Mentioned in first Kings IV, 6, under the name of Ahishar, and there described as being \”over the household\” of King Solomon. This was a situation of great

Adoniram: A HypothesisProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles & Papers Column in the May 2021 Issueby Edgar Jones This article originally appeared in Ars Quatuor Coronatorum (107). King Solomon (Public Domain) Not the least of the mysteries which perplex the freemason is the sudden appearance in the Installation

Relying on God By Companion Jack A. Holloway Illustrious Associate Grand Chaplain, Grand Council of Florida Granite Scripture with Square and Compasses (Public Domain) \”I lift my eyes up to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.\” -Psalm 121:1-2 Companions, Whether

Our Crypt Preserves By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey Crypt (Wikimedia) Companions, You hate it when someone else knows something you don’t and doesn’t tell you what it is. When you were a kid, there was always someone who taunted you

What\’s New at CMMRF: Triennial 2021Submitted By Companion Brian Ragain, RN, Area Coordinator, CMMRF, and Most Illustrious Companion Dr. Joe Rouse, Board of Directors, CMMRF CMMRF Logo After jotting down pages of notes from Dr. Michael Murphy’s speeches about CMMRF, this is what we are doing with our contributions to CMMRF… We are awaiting Phase

Albert G. Mackey on Adonhiramite FreemasonryProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the May 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) Of the numerous controversies which arose from the middle to near the end of the eighteenth century on the Continent of Europe, and especially in France,

Adoniram: A HypothesisProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles and Papers Column in the May 2021 Issue The Cryptic Vault by Edgar JonesThis article originally appeared in Ars Quatuor Coronatorum (107). Not the least of the mysteries which perplex the freemason is the sudden appearance in the Installation Ceremony

Regional Deputy Conference Call – July 26, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On July 26, 2021, a conference call was held with the Regional Deputies. A summary of the call is below. Europe: Norman Draine Travel extremely difficult Translators

Albert G. Mackey on AdoniramProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the May 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following monitorial instructions on Adoniram appear on pp. 25-28 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual of the Council” by Albert G. Mackey. The first notice that we

Albert G. Mackey on The Legend of EnochProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the According to Mackey Column in the March 2021 Issue Albert Mackey (Public Domain) The following entry appears on p. 245 of the 1912 edition of “An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences” by Albert G.

COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL CRYPTIC MASONRY (CICM) TO BE APPOINTED!Submitted by Right Puissant Companion Bill Snyder, Deputy General Grand Master RPC Bill SnyderGeneral Grand Deputy Master In the International Sector of Cryptic Masonry and the American York Rite System, there continue to be areas of concern. In some jurisdictions, there are multiple Grand Lodges from which

First Degree Work in Oregon Since COVID-19 By Companion Dale Imbleau Companions and Members in Attendance Champoeg York Rite College and VanPort York Rite College joined forces with Adoniram Council #9 Cryptic Masons in Albany Oregon to welcome 13 new Royal and Select Masters. This is the first degree work after the opening of Masonry

Standing Outside the Fire By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey Fire (Public Domain) Life is not tried, it is merely survived; if you\’re standing outside the fire.– Garth Brooks My Companion: A Country & Western song may seem to be a

The Esoteric Meaning of the Cryptic DegreesWritten by RPC Robert G. Davis, General Grand OratorProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the Articles and Papers in the March 2021 Issue Robert G. DavisGeneral Grand OratorPhoto Credit: Grand Lodge of Oklahoma There are many theories of origin for the Cryptic degrees of

What’s New with the Old Ritual?Submitted by Right Puissant Companion Clyde H. Schoolfield Jr., General Grand Lecturer RPC Clyde H. Schoolfield Jr.General Grand Lecturer The origins of the Royal Master and Select Master degrees have for a very long time been a matter of dispute. Over the years, a number of theories have emerged as

Albert G. Mackey on the Secret VaultProvided by the Oklahoma Chapter and Council Education E-Newsletter (https://okyorkrite.com/)Extracted from the It\’s Monitorial Column in the March 2021 Issue The Cryptic Vault The following monitorial instructions on the Secret Vault appear on pp. 49-53 of “Cryptic Masonry: A Manual of the Council” by Albert G. Mackey. Considered simply

Regional Deputy Conference Call – June 28, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On June 28, 2021, a conference call was held with the Regional Deputies. A summary of the call is below. CMMRF New Awards Tree of Life Plates

Overview of August 2021 Legislation for General Grand Council Constitution & Bylaws: Resolution 48-06Submitted by Right Puissant Companions Chuck McCollum, General Grand Treasurer and Steve Balke, General Grand Recorder RPC Chuck McCollumGeneral Grand Treasurer Editor\’s Note: All Triennial Legislation has been posted on the triennial website at https://triennial.org/resolutions. The full text of the resolution, sponsor

Southeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – June 9, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On June 9, a conference call was held with the Southeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Alabama Full open Festivals 43 new Sir

Triennial Assembly Session 1 Draft ScheduleSubmitted by RPC Steven Balke, General Grand Recorder Stephen A. Balke, General Grand RecorderCryptic Masons International   As you may well know, this Triennium’s meeting is going to be spread over the three years. This decision was made to accommodate the need to cover business we were unable to cover

Appointed Feasts of the Lord By Companion Jack A. Holloway Illustrious Associate Grand Chaplain, Grand Council of Florida The Last Supper (Public Domain) \”The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, \”Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they

Post-COVID Hotel Conventions Submitted By Most Illustrious Companion Kevin B. SampleGrand Recorder, Grand Council of Missouri MIC Kevin Sample   Companions, as we start to resume business-as-usual and even face-to-face grand sessions, I was asked to express some lessons learned from our 5-day Missouri Grand York Rite sessions last week and our relationship with our

Ego and the False Self – Video – GGC Presents June 15, 2021 Submitted By Most Illustrious Companion Reed FanningGrand Master, Grand Council of Utah Matt Parker   On June 15, the General Grand Council presented an educational presentation.  Companion Matt Parker will present an educational program entitled Ego and the False Self.  It was

We Are Still Looking By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey Lookout Sign (Public Domain) We\’d practice in a subway, in a lobby or a hall; crowded in a doorway, singing doo wops to the wall. And if we went to a

Northwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – June 3, 2021by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On June 3, a conference call was held with the Northwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Alaska Grand Lodge – Quiet for a year –

Latin America Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 27, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 27, a conference call was held with the Latin America Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Sepulchra de Monarchas Working from

General Grand Council 48th Triennium Aloha Shirt Now Available General Grand Council 48th Triennium Aloha Shirt The General Grand Council\’s 48th Triennium Aloha Shirt can now be ordered from the General Grand Recorder\’s Office. Sizes up to 2XL are $60.00, and 3XL and up are $90.00. Over the left breast pocket is the GGC logo. 

So That We Are Ready By Companion Jack A. Holloway Illustrious Associate Grand Chaplain, Grand Council of Florida Granite Scripture with Square and Compasses (Public Domain) \”But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all Gentiles might hear it.\” -2 Timothy

North Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 27, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 27, a conference call was held with the North Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Iowa Opened Lodges – no

Mid-Atlantic Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 27, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 27, a conference call was held with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Delaware All bodies are able to open.

Planning to help CMMRF in Retirement YearsSubmitted By Right Puissant Companion Bill Snyder, General Grand Deputy Master CMMRF Logo Many of our faithful York Rite Masons have asked about ways to help support Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation CMMRF). CMMRF is the sponsored charity of the Cryptic Rite. Some of you have asked about Required

Walk through the Door By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey Door Knocker (Public Domain) Life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel the more truth we can comprehend. To understand the things that are at our door is the best

Southwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 26, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 26, a conference call was held with the Southwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Arizona Sessions August 19-21, 2021 Council August

Latin America Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 20, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 20, a conference call was held with the Latin America Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Central America Continues to experience

Diluvian Origins –Video – Utah Presents April 26, 2021 Jason Richards   The Grand York Rite of Utah hosted a presentation by Jason M. Richards on Diluvian Origins: The Influence of the Noahide Flood Myth on the Masonic Third Degree. The edited video containing just the presentation and no discussion is now available at the

Let Your Light Shine! By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey Burning CandlePublic Domain Tradition is not about guarding the ashes, but keeping the flame alive.– attr. Gustav Mahler My Companion: A religious song from my distant youth talked about not hiding

Regional Deputy Conference Call – May 24, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 24, 2021, a conference call was held with the Regional Deputies. A summary of the call is below. Africa Togo Meetings are becoming more flexible

South Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 19, 2021Submitted by Steve Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International John L. Logan South Central Regional Deputy General Grand Master   On May 19, a conference call was held with the South Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Arkansas Government restrictions have been

Northeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 13, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 13, a conference call was held with the Northeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Connecticut No report. Maine Grand Lodge –

Facts Regarding Registration for Triennial General Grand Council Logo EVERY Sir Knight attending the Triennial Conclave, whether a voting delegate or non-voting delegate, is required to register separately and pay the registration fee. The option for an accompanying Lady or Guest is intended for the spouse or significant other of the Sir Knight registering. A

CMMRF: Stem-Cells – A Treatment from the Future for Diseases of the PastSubmitted By Companion Rafael P. Soneghet, MD International Board Member, CMMRF CMMRF Logo Everyone in the world knows or will come to know someone who is afflicted by a vascular disease, being it a consequence of another pathology or a vascular exclusive disease.

Video of May 23, 2021 John Bridegroom Presentation John Bridegroom   During the May 23, 2021 General Grand Master\’s Fire Side Chat, Most Illustrious Companion John Bridegroom, Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of Indiana, spoke about the importance of the Cryptic Degrees.  Much discussion followed about methods that can be used to get Masons interested

Video of General Grand Council Presents Rashied Sharrieff-Al-Bey: A Hero\’s Journey Rashied Sharrieff-Al-Bey   On May 18, Rashied Sharrief-Al-Bey presented an outstanding program called A Hero\’s Journey where he talked through the experience of a Mason as they go through their Masonic Journey. A Hero\’s Journey Video Brother Sharrieff-Al-Bey has published and lectured widely on Masonic topics in

Southeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 12, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 12, a conference call was held with the Southeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below.  Alabama Starting to open back up –

Northwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 6, 2021by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On May 6, a conference call was held with the Northwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Alaska Council meeting – Starting to open up again

What\’s Next with CMMRF?Submitted By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas Taylor General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo It has been said the journey of 100 miles begins with one step. We reached, and exceeded, our goal of raising $50,000 by April 1, 2021. Thank you to all who participate in helping us

Overview of August 2021 Legislation for General Grand Council Constitution & Bylaws: Resolutions 48-04 through 48-05Submitted by Right Puissant Companion Bill Snyder, Deputy General Grand Master RPC Bill SnyderGeneral Grand Deputy Master Editor\’s Note: All Triennial Legislation has been posted on the triennial website at https://triennial.org/resolutions. The full text of the resolution, sponsor statement, and

Southwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 28, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 28, a conference call was held with the Southwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Arizona Meeting in person – up to

Latin America Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 29, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 29, a conference call was held with the Latin America Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Mexico –  Vaccinations are working

Regional Deputy Conference Call – April 26, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 26, 2021, a conference call was held with the Regional Deputies. A summary of the call is below. Africa Health Government has all meetings closed

North Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 22, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 22, a conference call was held with the North Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Iowa Grand Conclave for Commandery

Mid-Atlantic Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 22, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 22, a conference call was held with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Delaware York Rite bodies meeting in person

South Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 21, 2021Submitted by Steve Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International John L. Logan South Central Regional Deputy General Grand Master   On April 21, a conference call was held with the South Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Arkansas Finished Returns – Net

Overview of August 2021 Legislation for General Grand Council Constitution & Bylaws: Resolutions 48-01 through 48-03Submitted by Right Puissant Companion Bill Snyder, Deputy General Grand Master RPC Bill SnyderGeneral Grand Deputy Master Editor\’s Note: All Triennial Legislation has been posted on the triennial website at https://triennial.org/resolutions. The full text of the resolution, sponsor statement, and

Triennial Registration GuideSubmitted by Right Illustrious Companion James McNeely, GGC Technology Committee General Grand Council Logo Hopefully, by now you know our General Grand Council made it a point to hold three sessions during this triennium. The first one is coming up on August 13-14 in Minneapolis just prior to the start of the Grand

Walking Upon the Ashes Now on Youtube Joseph Crociata During the General Grand Master\’s on April 25, 2021, Fireside Chat, Joseph Crociata spoke about a well-known soliloquy from the Royal Master Degree. The twenty-minute presentation is now available for viewing on-demand at the General Grand Council\’s Youtube Channel.  Please watch it, it is a great presentation

Diluvian Origins: The Influence of the Noahide Flood Myth on the Masonic Third Degree Education Now on Youtube Grand Council of Utah Logo   On March 19, Jason M. Richards gave an excellent presentation called Diluvian Origins: The Influence of the Noahide Flood Myth on the Masonic Third Degree. The presentation is now available on

2021 48th Triennial Assembly – August 13-14, 2021 General Grand Council Logo On August 13-14, 2021, the General Grand Council will be hosting Session 1o fhte Triennial Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar has been gracious and allowed us to meet prior to their Triennial Conclave which runs from August 14-18,

CMMRF Fundraiser: Keep or Cut the BraidsSubmitted by John R. Miller, Assistant General Grand Recorder John R. MillerAssistant General Grand Recorder Editor\’s Note: This is a great example of a creative, unique fundraiser for CMMRF. Take a look at it, donate and help our Assistant General Grand Recorder make a decision. Keep or Cut the

Latin America Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 15, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 15, a conference call was held with the Latin America Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Central America Open with social

Southeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 14, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 14, a conference call was held with the Southeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Alabama  No update Florida Wide Open Festivals

Is the Secret Vault Horizontal or Vertical? By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey The Secret VaultJeremy L. Cross\’s 1819 Chart My Companion: Do the Nine Arches go up and down or front to back? Here are two illustrations from Jeremy L.

Enoch: His Vaults and the Secrets Within Now on Youtube Grand Council of Utah Logo   On April 7, Companion Joe Martinez presented a fabulous program at the Utah Presents Education Series entitled Enoch: His Vaults and the Secrets Within.  The program discussed the aspects of the Enoch legend as well as how it has

East Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 14, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 14, a conference call was held with the East Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Indiana MIC David Ulrich –

Northeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 8, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 8, a conference call was held with the Northeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Connecticut Allowed to meet  Up to 25

Four Easy Ways to Support CMMRF, Part Two By Most Illustrious Companion Gary Wyne Executive Secretary, CMMRF CMMRF Logo CMMRF just successfully completed a 1st quarter 2021 drive to raise $50,000. A larger goal for the calendar year 2021 to raise $500,000 still remains ahead. It seems appropriate at this time to recommend for your

Four Easy Ways to Support CMMRF, Part One By Most Illustrious Companion Gary Wyne Executive Secretary, CMMRF CMMRF Logo CMMRF just successfully completed a 1st quarter 2021 drive to raise $50,000. A larger goal for the calendar year 2021 to raise $500,000 still remains ahead. It seems appropriate at this time to recommend for your

Regional Deputy Conference Call – March 29, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 29, 2021, a conference call was held with the Regional Deputies. A summary of the call is below. Africa I have received the summons for

Northwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – April 1, 2021by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On April 1, a conference call was held with the Northwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Alaska Alaska is limited and restricted on meetings. Opening

CMMRF: We Did It!! By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas \”Tom\” Taylor III General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! WE DID IT!!! Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF) started 2021 with a Challenge of matching a gift from a donor in the amount of $50,000. This

North Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 25, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 25, a conference call was held with the North Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Iowa Government/Covid No understood restrictions

Mid-Atlantic Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 25, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 25, a conference call was held with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Delaware The annual session was held two

Central America Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 25, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 25, a conference call was held with the Central America Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Overall: There is something called

CMMRF: Cell-based therapies to prevent limb lossSubmitted by Michael P. Murphy, MD, CMMRF Professor of Vascular Biology Research Michael P. Murphy, MDCMMRF Professor of Vascular Biology Research Editor\’s Note: This is a republish of an article on the Indiana University School of Medicine with permission. The original article is located here: https://medicine.iu.edu/blogs/regenerative-medicine/cell-based-therapies-to-prevent-limb-loss Critical Limb Threatening

Southwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 24, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 24, a conference call was held with the Southwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Arizona: Government/COVID Opening up overall in Arizona

South Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 17, 2021Submitted by Steve Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International John L. Logan South Central Regional Deputy General Grand Master   On March 17, a regional conference call was held with the South Central Region South Grand Recorders. These calls will be mentioned in the Decryption as

Orders Beyond the York Rite Education Now on Youtube Grand Council of Utah Logo   On March 19, Illustrious Companion Glen Cook gave an excellent presentation called Orders Beyond the York Rite. The presentation covered the bodies of Masonry that require membership in the York Rite. Many bodies were covered from well-known bodies such as

East Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 10, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 10, a conference call was held with the East Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Illinois Governor’s recommendations (varies by

General Grand Council 48th Triennium Tie Now Available General Grand Council 48th Triennium Tie The General Grand Council\’s 48th Triennium Tie can now be ordered from the General Grand Recorder\’s Office. The tie can be purchased for $25 plus shipping and is made of silk. If you would like to purchase one of these ties,

CMMRF: 14 Days Left!! By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas \”Tom\” Taylor III General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo Companions, we only have 14 days to go to meet our $50,000 Challenge Gift. As of this past weekend, we had raised $32,700 toward our goal. Have you made you contribution to CMMRF

Northeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 11, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 11, a conference call was held with the Northeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Connecticut Grand Lodge –  Hybrid degrees, some

Southeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 10, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 10, a conference call was held with the Southeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Alabama CMMRF – Fundraising focus with meetings

Northwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – March 4, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On March 4, a conference call was held with the Northwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Alaska Grand Sessions are March 6, 2021

The Hero\’s Quest: Secrets of the Cryptic Rite Robert G. DavisGeneral Grand OratorPhoto Credit: Grand Lodge of Oklahoma During the General Grand Master\’s February 28, 2021, Fireside Chat, the General Grand Orator and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, Puissant Companion Robert G. Davis gave a presentation entitled The Hero\’s Quest: Secrets of

North Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – February 25, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On February 25, a conference call was held with the North Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Invocation: Dan Hobson Iowa Rusty

Southwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – February 24, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On February 24, a conference call was held with the Southwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Invocation: Craig Phillips Arizona: Mid-year meeting March

As We Three Did Agree: The Solomonic Rule of Three and the Cryptic Rite By Right Puissant Companion Bill Snyder General Grand Deputy Master RPC Bill SnyderGeneral Grand Deputy Master AS WE THREE DID AGREE . . . . As we go forward from the Pandemic and its repercussions, I believe that the core lessons

What is your legacy? By Most Illustrious Companion Robert A.L. Whitfield Past Most Illustrious Grand Master, Grand Council of California MIC Robert WhitfieldPMIGM of California I am a great believer in not reinventing the wheel. If you see something being done well, take note. If you see failure, take note. Build upon success. It is

Central America Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – February 25, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On February 25, a conference call was held with the Central America Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Central America No restrictions (PCR

Ritual Keeps Tradition Alive By Most Illustrious Companion John D. Barnes Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of New Jersey The Cryptic Vault Tradition is not about guarding the ashes, but keeping the flame alive.– attr. Gustav Mahler My Companion: Masonic tradition is not about keeping the ritual alive. It is

Seek and You Shall Find By Companion Jack A. Holloway Illustrous Associate Grand Chaplain, Grand Council of Florida Granite Scripture with Square and Compasses (Public Domain) \”He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with

CMMRF Fundraising in Challenging TimesSubmitted by Right Illustrious Companion Todd Carpenter, CMMRF State Chairman, Indiana RIC Todd CarpenterCMMRF State Chairman, Indiana   The year of 2020 has proven to be one of obstacles. Among other things, the pandemic has made it difficult for fellowship within the cryptic rite. In most cases, we were not able

South Central Region Happenings – February 17, 2021Submitted by Steve Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International John L. Logan South Central Regional Deputy General Grand Master   On February 17, a regional conference call was held with the South Central Region South Grand Recorders. These calls will be mentioned in the Decryption as a

Northeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – February 11, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On February 10, a conference call was held with the Northeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. In attendance: Robert Maddix, Steve Rubenstein, David

CMMRF Area Coordinators By Right Puissant Companion G. Thomas \”Tom\” Taylor III General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work CMMRF Logo As has been reported, CMMRF has been given a Challenge Gift of $50,000. We need to match this amount by April 1, 2021. In addition, the CMMRF has set a goal of raising $500,000

East Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – February 10, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On February 10, a conference call was held with the East Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. In Attendance: David Miller, Bobby

Southeast Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – February 10, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On February 10, a conference call was held with the Southeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. In Attendance: James Bard, Kevin Wood, Buck

CMMRF Fundraisers via Facebook By Right Puissant Companion Mark MegeeGeneral Grand Conductor of the Council Mark MegeeGeneral Grand Conductor of the Council Stephen Covey, used to say “Put First Things First”, meaning what was important to you, you would make sure was on the forefront. Whether it is your relationships, health or retirement, you would

Northwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – February 4, 2021 Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International Cryptic Masons International Collar Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom   On February 4, a conference call was held with the Northwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below. Alaska Virtual Meeting March 6, 2021, 0800