Whence Came You? - Freemasonry discussed and Masonic research for today's Freemason

This week, we look at the history of the Tarot. Where it came from, who used it and what it was used for. We'll have an article from Jamie Paul Lamb about the Tarot as well, giving his high-level overview on the tarot significance. We also get a great look at the Tarot from a quasi-Masonic point of view. And if that's not cool enough, we will draw a card and see what that card could mean for us. W...

This week, we have a special guest, RW:.Brother, Christopher Earnshaw.  RW:. Earnshaw is a Past Grand historian for the Grand Lodge of Japan, Past Master of the Lodge of Research for the Grand Lodge of Japan, a Past Chairman of Education! Brother Earnshaw takes us deep into the alchemical symbolism represented in Freemasonry through the East. Freemasonry often claims that light comes from the East...

This week, we travel back to 1915 with the birth of a National Masonic Research Society. That's right, the Builder Magazine. We'll read from Brother Joseph Fort Newton, who lays out the mission of this new organization. Then we'll hear from Ill. Bro. Steve Harrison in a segment all about reaching the East. What happens when we leave? Are we valued anymore? Do people still need us? Where can we fin...

This week, we look at society's decline through perhaps one of the most influential platforms in our lives today--social media. Brother Greg Knot talks about this issue and how Freemasonry can bring society back together. Then we've got a brand-new segment from Brother Matt Gallagher. In his segment on Practical Freemasonry, he talks about just what is "Practical Freemasonry" and some of the dange...

This week, we talk about the magic in ritual. Is it truly magic, or is it a psychological change that rearranges how man thinks about life? In this great piece from Brother Akram R. Elias, PGM, we talk about the "magic" of ritual. Then, we'll hear the tale of William Dodd. A Freemason who got into some trouble, forged his signature in order to pay back some debts, and got caught up in a wild tale...

This week, as we travel through the year Masonically, sometimes things become a little laid back--things become not exciting, and then one day, our thumbs stop scrolling. We see something inspiring, and that's just what Brother Randy Sanders has in store for us as he talks about inspiring events happening in Freemasonry. What could it mean for all of us? Then we'll hear from Brother Matt Gallagher...

This week, we ask the question, what is moral courage? How many of us have moral courage in the lodge room? Can we stand up for what's right regardless of who is infringing on the rules of Freemasonry? Then, we'll hear the story of one of the most prolific computer programmers ever to be on this planet in an all-new Masonic Minute from Ill. Bro. Steve Harrison. Finally, we wrap it up with a great...

Does Freemasonry have a mascot? If it had a mascot, What would it look like? What would it represent? What does it send as a message to the outside community? Then, we'll talk about the origin of the human species. What traits does the Homo sapien have, and how did they lead to our current state of modern survival and comfort? And likewise, what are the virtues that have been collected over time t...

This week we explore what the New Age Magazine once thought about Martian life and how to communicate with Mars. A Masonic magazine talking about communications with Mars? That's right. We'll be shooting for the stars as we check out this awesome article from Dr. John Bozeman. Then, we hear from Illustrious Brother Steven L. Harrison as he gives us the perfect recipe for putting on a Masonic event...

Join us this week for an incredible interview with Brothers Dago and Ian of the Fraternal Review! In this episode, we discuss the results of the latest book poll, "The Best Masonic Books of the Millennium...so far." We also have a candid conversation about the role of literature in Masonic culture and the importance of recognizing what today's Freemasons are reading. What can we learn about growin...

This week we explore a conundrum about Lodges. For those of us out there who have no specific dogma in our religions, if we even have one, could Lodge be considered a church? We'll explore this question in great detail. Then, what do female hummingbirds and their flashy feathers have to do with Freemasonry? Here's a clue, flashy colors equals lapel pins and medals. How do we use those? How do we d...

This week, we ask the question, "Is honesty the best policy? Or is there something else?" Then, we hear about an organized protest in 1874 from the nefarious Ezra A. Cook. What was he protesting, and why? We'll dive into this and uncover the proverbial storm over a corner laying ceremony. All this and a little bit more in this episode of "Whence Came You?" Stay tuned! Links: Illinois Lodge of Rese...

This week, we continue the conversation about ritual--its importance and meaning, as we read a piece from New York Mason. In it, he reveals the secrets of past rituals and rites, what those rites of passages do for modern and contemporary society, and mostly lays bare one of the greatest threats to Craft Freemasonry. Then we'll hear from Ill. Bro. Steve Harrison as he tells a fantastic tale of Sam...

This week – we have a special guest, Bro. Cesar Rubio, the host of the new Masonic podcast Masonic Muscle. Bro. Cesar has a unique angle—personal health and fitness as it relates to Freemasonry and building our Temple. Personal health, followed by a relentless push for success—Bro Cesar and I have an aggressive conversation the likes of which we've never had before. Nothing is off the table in thi...

This week we ask just what it takes for you to commit to going back to Lodge. Greg not applies some tough filters to his lodge experience. Then, Brother Randy Sanders asks, "When's the last time you had a festive board for the heck of it?" He's got some great recommendations and I'll give you some of my own personal insights on the festive board event and what it brings to the Masonic experience....

This week, a recent 3,000-year-old inscription was found in Israel. A name is produced. What is the history of this name? And what's its connection with Freemasonry? Then we'll hear from Illustrious Brother Steven L. Harrison in an all-new Masonic Minute. We all hear that George Washington won the presidency unanimously--but is that factually correct? Steve Harrison puts it all on the line and wil...

This week we have news—an ancient play of initiation is coming back to life! Then We'll get into the education--get in a time machine and heading back to the first time Midnight Freemason contributor Darin Lahners goes to the East—over and over again. We'll explore the history of the often confounded Tracing Boards & Trestle Boards. We'll wrap it up with a practical example of planning your year i...

This week, we take a look at death. What are some of the oldest death rituals we have in the archaeological record? What happens when you die, and you don't follow a particular religion? We're all familiar with what funerals look like in the Western world, but what do they look like everywhere else? And finally, what is a Masonic funeral service? And why do we have them? All this and a little bit...

This week, we discuss a new technology for time. How does time affect our minds, and how do our minds affect how we live? Then, we're going to hear from Illustrious Brother Steven L. Harrison in an all-new Masonic Minute--what exactly was the Star and Garter? Here's a clue, it's not the Star-Spangled Banner, as many passively assume. Then, we'll hear some interesting facts about that great, treaso...

This week, Unified Aerial Phenomena, UFOs extraterrestrials, and Freemasonry. What do these three topics have in common? Has the recent hoopla about UAPs got you thinking about what would happen if disclosure occurs? Then, we talk about the most recent holiday Father's Day, which coincided with the Summer Solstice--the longest day of the year. What are the origins of the Summer Solstice? What othe...

This week we finish up an article we started a few weeks ago about the Great Pyramid and initiation. It asks the question we all want to know, "Does Masonry hold the answers to life's problems?" Then we hear a pitch for a brand new fraternity, in 1928--the Fraternity of Osiris, Temple of Memphis. What could this new fraternity offer America in the heartland of Kansas City? Money, wealth, health? W...

Join us this week as we have a shorter episode--We're behind the scenes with the guys of Esotericon and some immediate reporting on how the event went. The dates for the next Esotericon have been announced! Listen and find out all the details. We close it out with an awesome Masonic Minute with Ill. Bro. Harrison! Ancient Modern Initiation: Special Edition http://www.wcypodcast.com/the-Shop The Ma...

This week, we continue an article on the Great Pyramids at Giza and discuss their significance and their possible use. Can we reconcile the pyramids as both a place of initiation and burial? Then we're going to dive into the science of colors. We search for meaning in the colors of Freemasonry. What do the colors blue, red, yellow, and green even mean? We've got a special guest--Roy G. Biv to expl...

This week, we talk about tattoos as a ritual. How old are the oldest tattoo tools? How old are the oldest tattoos? And what does the whole process have to do with the rite of passage? Then we'll hear from Illustrious Brother Steven L. Harrison in this week's Masonic Minute. The Masonic wedding-- is that really a thing? Finally, we'll wrap it up with a piece from Initiates and the People--a Rosicru...

This week, we take a look at a gleaming book review of the Master's Word , something I found absolutely humbling. Then we look at some modern scientific discoveries in the realm of astronomy. What can the age of stars tell us about a ten billion-year-old collision of galaxies? Who were some famous astronomers who also happened to be Freemasons? Finally, we'll wrap it all up with an article from As...