Masonic Muscle

IWhy do prospects choose Freemasonry today? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I interview two prospects at Palm Springs Lodge No. 693 , John Strozier and Steve Grasha , who recently received applications for the degrees of Masonry. We discuss what their experience has been like so far, what attracted them to the lodge, what surprised them, and why the Trivium Discussion Group helped them see Fre...

Which Masonic origin theory is true? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we examine ten major theories on the origins of speculative Freemasonry summarized by Bro. Roeinton B. Khambatta in his inaugural paper delivered to Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 on November 9, 2000. Khambatta’s paper reviewed views expressed in Ars Quatuor Coronatorum during the twentieth century on the origins of speculat...

How can a man take back his health after years of bad habits? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I introduce my best friend David Perez , also known as “Darkness.” After a hard workout in David’s dungeon, we sit down, pop open a beer, and have a real conversation about friendship, football, health, discipline, bad habits, diabetes, training, and Freemasonry. David and I have known each other sinc...

What are the three classes of Masons , and why should lodge officers care? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we celebrate a major lodge moment: after much work, patience, and perseverance, three prospects receive applications for the degrees of Masonry at our lodge. Then we turn to William Preston’s Illustrations of Masonry , first published in 1772 , and read what he had to say about the three...

What does it mean to actually put in the work? In EP 53 of Masonic Muscle , I sit down with Daniel Duardo for a conversation about Palm Springs Lodge No. 693 , lodge culture, prospects, fitness, Freemasonry as hard work, and the esoteric side of the Craft. Daniel and I talk about his experience at the lodge, how he views Freemasonry, what we are trying to build at Palm Springs Lodge, and what happ...

Did Freemasonry develop from secret monastic cells trying to survive religious persecution? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we continue Brother Cyril M. Batham’s theory that Freemasonry may have been shaped by monks, secrecy, hidden religious practice, and the dangerous political climate of England during the suppression of Catholic power. This episode asks one hard question: What if some part...

Did monks help create Freemasonry? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we begin examining Brother Cyril M. Batham’s 1992 two-part lecture to the Philalethes Society , published through The Philalethes Magazine , one of the premier Masonic research journals in North America. Batham presented a bold theory: that the Craft may not have simply “transitioned” from operative stonemasons into speculative...

What is true failure? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I read an email from a Brother at Wendell Lodge No. 565 in North Carolina who shares his perspective on failure, effort, strength training, and why failure can be a good thing when it is understood and used correctly. He also introduces a workout system built from his own little lizard brain: Solomon Sets . Brother Cole takes Masonic langua...

Where is Freemasonry headed? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I sit down with Past Master George Whitmore , Past Assistant Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of California , for a direct conversation about Freemasonry, leadership, ritual, moral decline, lodge standards, and the future of the Craft. Brother Whitmore shares what he has seen through years of service, what his research suggests abou...

How should a Masonic lodge guard the West Gate? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I sit down with Past Master Dago Rodriguez of South Pasadena Lodge No. 290 for a serious discussion about lodge standards, Observant Masonry, candidate education, Masonic education, and what it takes to build a stronger lodge culture. We talk about his time in the East, the process South Pasadena Lodge went through...

Is the Spring Equinox connected to Freemasonry? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we look at the Spring Equinox as a symbol of renewal, balance, light, growth, and new life. Spring has always carried the sense that something is beginning again — but does that seasonal rhythm have any connection to Masonic symbolism? We also explore the Four Cardinal Virtues and ask whether astronomical knowledge...

How old is the Masonic Installation of Officers ? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk about Palm Springs Lodge No. 693 holding its 75th Installation of Officers on February 26, 2022 , while lodges across the country continue this important tradition of passing leadership from one group of officers to the next. But what does installation really mean? Is it just a ceremony? Is it a transfer o...

How does a lodge actually rebuild? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I sit down with Past Master Jeff Bayer , the original Curmudgeon Supreme and Wolverine’s Grandpappy, for Part 1 of a strong conversation about his 30 years in Freemasonry, his rise through the chairs at Palm Springs Lodge No. 693 , and what he observed about how Freemasonry was practiced in earlier years. Brother Jeff talks abo...

What are Masons supposed to speculate on? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , Brother Steve writes in, and we explore what it actually means to be Speculative Masons . Are we supposed to speculate on symbols? Morality? Conduct? Architecture? The origins of Freemasonry? The working tools? The builders who came before us? The age of the Craft? We also ask the hard historical question: How old is Fre...

What freedoms should Freemasons and American citizens defend? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I read another email from a Brother back east, then turn to a 1948 article by Charles G. Reigner, M.P.S. , written in May of that year. Even though the article was written decades ago, its message still hits hard today. Reigner wrote about the essential freedoms that matter to Americans: liberty, free...

What can Masonic history teach us? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I read an email from a Fellow Craft Mason at Wendell Lodge No. 565 in North Carolina , who shares part of his health journey and some Masonic connections. Then we move into Masonic history. I read from an article written in 1948 by Dr. Ross Hepburn, M.P.S. , of Christchurch, New Zealand, titled “Notes on Masonic History.” We al...

How do the 24-Inch Gauge and Common Gavel apply to daily discipline? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I use my little lizard brain and work through how two of the most familiar Masonic working tools can be applied to a workout, daily structure, self-mastery, and the work of becoming a better man. I also look at what W. L. Wilmshurst had to say about these two working tools and their deeper mean...

Did Benedictine monks influence Masonic ritual, symbolism, and lodge customs? In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we dig into the possible Benedictine connection to Freemasonry, including Jacob’s Ladder, monastic discipline, sacred symbols, and Alberto Moreno Moreno’s work on The Rule of Saint Benedict and Masonic Ritual . This episode solves one Masonic problem: how can Masons study possible monas...

Did the Rule of St. Benedict influence Masonic philosophy? In EP 39 of Masonic Muscle , I read and discuss an article from Philalethes Magazine written by Millard Lane Fretland, M.P.S. , titled: “Parallels Between the Rule of St. Benedict and the Philosophy of Masonry.” This article lays out several striking similarities between the Benedictine Rule of Order and Masonic philosophy. The question is...

Are the Knights Templar connected to Freemasonry? In EP 38 of Masonic Muscle , Worshipful Jeriel Smith, Past Master , returns to talk about one of his passions: Knights Templar history . We discuss the rise and fall of the Templars, the mysteries surrounding them, accusations made against them, their role in early international banking, and why the Templar question continues to attract Masons, his...

Did some of Freemasonry’s spiritual teachings come from China? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk with Brother Christopher Earnshaw , author of The Spiritual Freemasonry Series , about his research into the possible Chinese and Daoist influences behind Freemasonry’s spiritual teachings, symbolism, and ritual structure. We ask some serious questions: Where did the symbolic use of the Square...

Why don’t Masons get directed to better books? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I read from a 1946 article in Philalethes Magazine that promoted a little-known Masonic book with a limited printing of only 500 copies . That raises a serious question: When a man enters the Craft, why is he not guided toward books that help him understand how our ceremonies, rituals, symbols, and traditions evolve...

How did Masonic variants spread? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we continue the thread of the Masonic Variant coming out of England and ask how Masons, Grand Masters, and lodges tried to protect the Craft from dangerous variations in ritual, practice, doctrine, and organization. We ask: Did these Masonic variants reach America? Did they influence colonial Masonry? How did Grand Masters try to...

What is a Mason’s duty as a citizen? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I review the First Degree Charge and what it says about our duty as citizens, especially during times of public pressure, government restrictions, emergency powers, mandates, and rising public resistance around the world. The hard question is this: Does the First Degree Charge tell a Mason to obey blindly — or does it require...

Has Freemasonry dealt with variants before? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we use the idea of a “new variant” as a starting point for speculation, critical thinking, Masonic history, lodge safety, degree development, and physical training. The question is bigger than public health. Freemasonry has had variants before — variant degrees, variant rituals, variant practices, and different ways of...