Esoterika Lodge No. 316

by

WB Stephen M. Osborn

WORD has filtered into the ivory tower in which I live, that questions are being raised by brethren of other Lodges, by members of Grand Lodge and by others as to what our Lodge is about. Why do we wear black? What, exactly, does Esoterika mean? Why do we need yet another Lodge? Won’t this just distract from existing Lodges?

The primary question seems to be, “Why do we wear black? Some have accused us of having sinister reasons, of looking like the mafia, etc. The reason is a simple one, though not spoken of in public as it was not deemed of importance to anyone but ourselves. Our Lodge is in mourning for the death of our Grand Master Hiram Abif. The death of any man who tries to follow his vows and better humanity and this world is a loss to humanity. The death of our Grand Master is an even greater tragedy, for reasons known to the brethren. And so we mourn him even as we honor him. Esoterika means inner or hidden teachings. Exoterika refers to open or visible teachings. Most religions have both Esoterik and Exoterik teachings. Christ, himself, taught by parables. The inner circle, his disciples, understood or meditated upon the symbolism concealed within the simple story. The followers, his parishioners as it were, only understood the outward point of the parable. We members of Esoterika are engaged upon what is, for us, a sacred task. We seek that which was lost. This entails many long journeys to many places in the past, much careful scholarship, discussion and evaluation. There is much literature extant on the subject, but the most valuable is also the most obscure as it was forbidden in ancient times to discuss the mysteries directly. Thus, one finds oneself looking into the symbolism left behind by the ancient schools, of which Freemasonry, if not a direct descendant is at least a philosophical descendant. I wrote an introduction for a Masonic study group years ago, which may not be amiss repeating here.

Some Reflections Upon Beginning the Quest WE are members of an ancient brotherhood, dedicated to seeking the light and illuminating the darkness. This is a noble goal, perhaps transcending the more obvious one of social good fellowship, as valuable as that is in itself. In a serious search, some guidelines are necessary:

1. No idea is erroneous or absurd, no line of investigation ridiculous. Our current reference points are not necessarily correct, they are merely a construct suitable to our present level of development

2. Because we do not understand something does not make it false. If you were to bring, say, a stone age Philippine Tasaday tribesman to lodge and light the lodge room by throwing the wall switch, you would have presented to him an act of magic. An explanation of the theory of electricity would be incomprehensible, and probably considered in the light of an incantation. Showing him the wires, switch and fixtures would leave him in awe that you could control such tiny and invisible demons and make them do your bidding. Should he touch the wires, the shock would teach him that the gods or devils swiftly punish those who trifle with their power. History is replete with acts of "magic" and various unexplained phenomena. Modern science, discounting old explanations and unable to duplicate or explain many of them simply writes it all off as fraud, superstition or fantasy; yet modern science has lately found great value in the herbs and simples that were branded superstitious quackery by the scientists of a generation ago. The expanding and contracting Universe may be found beautifully expounded in the Vedic and pre-Vedic literature of India. The Dogon tribesmen in Africa worship, or seek to propitiate, a dark star orbiting Sirius. Modern astronomers have only recently been able to detect it, yet the Dogon have kept track of its orbit for generations. Science has no explanation, hence it is an interesting coincidence. Is it not possible that, as we have become an increasingly materialistic society, we may have lost more than we have gained? As Shakespere makes Hamlet say, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

We should explore what our brotherhood is, and means, delving deeply into its history and symbolism. Whence sprang our roots? Do we go back as an organization only to the Charter of 1717, or back to the Temple in an unbroken line?

May we perhaps be traced back through time in a different form or forms? Is there an ancient body of secret masters or teachers guiding our destiny?

Our path may lead back through other religions, ancient mystery schools, touch upon "magic," alchemy and astrology. We may find ourselves studying history, prehistory or archeology. We must seek out each glimmer of light, whether found in the Zend-Avesta, Qabbala, Holy Bible, Holy Qur’an, Veda or Book of the Dead. Our track may lead from the African desert to the plateau of the high Himalayas and may span millennia. We may find six dead ends for every flicker of light, but so it has been for every worthwhile quest.

An historian once remarked; "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it." We have a wealth of symbolism in Freemasonry, much of which can be traced throughout the world and ages of man. The more we can learn of the meaning of these symbols, the ideas they preserve and protect, the better idea we may have of our role today and in the future, and how our great international brotherhood can lead this troubled planet to a better life. Great Architect of the Universe, we are gathered here as members of an ancient and noble fraternity, seeking always the light of knowledge. Grant us wisdom to recognize the light, even though it may be enveloped in the mists of time, or obscured by the murk and gloom of ignorance and prejudice. Open our eyes and hearts that we may receive ever more light, that we may someday, by our own illumination, help to light the darkness for other night-bound travelers.
AMEN
So mote it be.

This is the quest the members of Esoterika Lodge m 316 have embarked upon. It is a quest which will probably not be completed in our lifetimes, but it is a noble goal to embark upon. In brief, we seek to perfect our ritual work, and by study and research, to understand the
underlying meanings concealed therein. Our tasks are many, to be followed as a Grail quest. It will include the study of the sacred geometry, upon which the great cathedrals were built and which we find echoed in the petals of the smallest flower of God’s creation. It will include the writings of
ancient scholars of many schools and philosophies, study of ruined temples and cities, we may become astronomers, searching out the Mysteries in the heavens. The road we follow has no clear map, but we welcome fellow seekers amongst the brethren. In due time, as we find glimmers of light,
we will bring them back to share.

We are living on a planet again beset by steadily increasing darkness. In days of old, the monks kept, preserved, and copied, the remaining fragments of the wisdom destroyed by ignorance, greed and prejudice. So, too, must we strive to preserve and protect the light for future generations.

This is what I see as the mission of Esoterika Lodge m 316 and I hope this will answer some of the questions of our brethren.
WB Stephen M. Osborn, 32°, MPS, QCCC, SRRS