Snoo the Freemason Pin

Snoo Pin!

As I'm sure all of you know, I'm very active on Reddit, in particular, /r/freemasonry. One project that has always seemed to fall apart because issues has been to create the one thing that Masons crave. That's right, a pin. A Mason without a pin is like a Mason without an apron  a shirt on. Well, you are in luck. /u/docere85, one of our subscribers, has put together a Snoo pin for /r/Freemasonry on a site called redditmade. redditmade is Reddit's new crowdfunding site so that subreddits can produce merchandise.

The proceeds of the moneys raised will go to the Seattle Children's Hospital. The campaign has to hit 100% for the pins to be created, so click here to get your Masonic Snoo.

What do you think? Comment below.

Solomon's Builders and Secret Messages

A redditor posted, a few days ago, that he found a secret code on the backcover of Chris Hodapp's book, Solomon's Builders (It's a great read so if you haven't read it, go to your favorite retailer and buy a copy.) When I first read this, I wasn't shocked, to be honest. Codes and secrets are our trade and we really do enjoy our esoteric play. But, when I looked at the result, I was a little thrown.

The code was formed from highlighted letters from the backcover summary of the book. All together, the result was "asondonttrusthi" which can be spaced out as "ason don't trust hi." It doesn't take a rocket scientist to extrapolate the missing Ms to fully spell out, "Mason, don't trust him."

From /u/marciothegreat

If this was intentional, then this is the strangest long play coded message in history. No idea if this was intentional or if all of us are just looking for something that really isn't there but it doesn't seem to be accidental. Sadly, I wouldn't be shocked if the graphic designer put this in intentionally but it seems odd that this would be added.

I would like to give a H/T to /u/marciothegreat for pointing this out. And, again, buy Solomon's Builders. It's an excellent read.

What do you think? Comment below.

Newest Court of the Order of Athelstan Consecrated in Minneapolis

On November 22, 2014 at 3:00pm, the newest court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales and its Provinces Overseas was officially consecrated in Minneapolis, MN. This new Court, Noble Stone Court No. 104, will meet at the Minneapolis Valley of Scottish Rite Temple. It's always exciting to see new Masonic bodies formed. Congrats, brothers, and I hope you all have an excellent time in a new Masonic endeavor.

Freemasonry and Pop Culture: From Hell: the FX series

According to screenrant.com, FX is developing a series based on Alan Moore's From Hell graphic novel. For those of you who don't know, From Hell takes the theory first presented by Stephen Knight in his book, Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution. The premise is that Prince Albert had fathered an illegitimate heir was involved in a morganatic marriage with a Roman Catholic commoner that would not have been able to claim the throne after the Act of Settlement of 1701. This would have been extremely scandalous so, it's supposed, that Jack the Ripper was a part of a cover up of that marriage and child. The Masonic aspect is that this cover up is performed by Sir William Gull, a prominent member of London society and a Freemason, who murders these women as a continuation of male dominance in society (a near religious practice to attack women) with a Masonic twist.

Although I do not believe the premise, the story itself is very well written. It appears that this new series may be based off of the 2001 film of the same name, which starred Johnny Depp, but as of yet, no word on which source material will be used. I'll hold off judgment until I see the new series.

Edit: corrected the nature of the child in relation to the story.

Children's Hospital at the University of Minnesota to be Renamed "the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital"

From http://www.uofmchildrenshospital.org/

In recognition of the $25 million gift made by Minnesota Masonic Charities, the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital (formerly Amplatz Children’s Hospital), will now be named the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. 

From the article:

When adding the Masonic Charities’ donation to $75 million it gave to support cancer research and care since 2008 and additional gifts it made over the past six decades, the Masons’ total support of the university tops $125 million.

Great job, Minnesota Masonic Charities.

If you would like to donate, visit http://www.shop.mnmasoniccharities.org/