Officer Elections to be held on Theophany 01/06/14

Lodge Hera elections for the 2014 officers line will be held on the day of Theophany at sundown. Followed by an agape feast. Location is at Lodge Hera , San Ramon California. All 1613 Freemasons are welcome as well as guests from other jurisdictions friendly to our lodge.

2014 marks the fifth anniversary for Lodge Hera and the Hellenic Rite of Freemasonry. We hope to see you all there.

IN LVX,
Raum

My Experience with the Foundation of Universal Freemasonry

When I first hear of the Foundation of Universal Freemasonry it sounded like an intriguing idea. Anything that supports Masonic freedom would be something that would have my personal support. I decided to join their public Yahoo Group and that is where things quickly went down hill.

First, I was unable to read any of the topics on the group. When I asked why, the leaders of the Foundation informed me that they did not know how to run a Yahoo group so they where not in a position to help me. Strange, if someone can't run a basic Yahoo group how can they run a non-profit organization?

Whatever.

Not the end of the world but highly annoying. Then I began to notice than none of my posts where appearing on the group. I was being censored for no reason at all. When I asked if I was unwelcome, I was assured by the Foundation leader Stephen Quest that I was "indeed welcomed." Very strange.

After two weeks it was very clear to me. Despite what I was being told I was still not allowed to see current or past topics and was not allowed to post. By this point my patience had started to wear thin.

Then I was informed by Mr.Quest since Mr, Chris Hodapp (who to my knowledge is not a member of the Foundation, the Yahoo group and who has nothing to do with any of it) believes that I am not a real person (whatever) that I was demanded to "prove" my existence.

Funny, ultimatums are hardly the way to solve a customer service issue. As a result, it would be my educated guess that the Foundation of Universal Freemasonry IS NOT recommended for members of Lodge Hera to have any interaction with. Not only are they functionally inept, they seem to be waste of time at best and downright dishonest at worst. This is all based upon my own experience, YMMV and I really hope it would.

I have wasted my own time with this group , it is not a mistake I will make again. Let my experience be an example to my fellow Brethren when dealing with less than honorable groups on the Internet.

H.G.W.

Michelle Walker- SA
Lodge Hera

Spring Lodge Schedule

Brethren and Friends,
Lodge will be held every Saturday this spring. We are increasing the frequency of lodge as this is the time of year that offers the most leeway in member schedules. As per lodge custom, lodge will start at 10:00am sharp at our new location.

We are going to try to make sure every lodge is followed by our famous BBQ festive board. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

See you all in lodge.

H.G.W.

Joshua Walker- WM Lodge Hera

Reminder

Due to our recent developments involving lodge space we will be having lodge meetings the remaining Saturdays in March. These will be the last meetings where we will accept Masonic visitors outside of the 1613 Nation. When/if we acquire a permanent lodge location that does not require the strict privacy that our new location will require, we will again be open to outside visitation.

I have no idea the time frame for such a development even if one will occur. I would suggest those who are interested in attending a tyled meeting do so while the opportunity remains.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me any time.

joshua@1613nation.org

IN LVX,

Joshua Walker-WM Lodge Hera

02/12/11 & 02/26/11

Lodge Hera in conjunction with out local chapter of the Order of A-Ω will be having open Lodges of Instruction as well as agape BBQ's . The festivities will start at 6:00pm PST . If you plan on attending, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make sure all accommodations are satisfactory.

We have been doing these joint events for a while with great success. Please join us for a time of learning followed by fellowship and a fine meal.

H.G.W.

Michelle Walker- Senior Acolyte
Lodge Hera-1613 Nation

Important Announcement- change of lodge location

Brethren,
Do to events, the lease on Lodge Hera's current location in Pleasanton will run out on April 1st. Unless something else happens, the lodge will move to the Walker household at that time.

Unfortunately, this means we need to be extra vigilant in regards to my family security. We will only meet prospective members in public locations until adequate time has been established so mutual trust can be firmly established. We will not be accepting visitors outside the 1613 Nation.

Now for the good news. We will be initiating two new EA's in February and we have three more petitions to read in lodge this Saturday. We will do our best to accomplish the upcoming initiations in our current location so that we may be able to accommodate all visiting Brethren.

Thank you for all of your patience during this time of transition. We appreciate everyone's support and interest in Lodge Hera and the 1613 Nation.

IN LVX,
Joshua Walker-WM Lodge Hera

Monday

There is a lot of discussion these days regarding lodgerooms. I find that many need a physical building to go to every month. This can be for a few reasons.The first is status, they feel that owning or renting a substantial building give their own work validation. They feel that this is some sort of "stamp of approval" from the rest of society. It shows others, in their minds that they are a "legit" order and thus their work is improved.

Another reason is reassurance. To show to themselves that what they are doing doesn't just take place on a world that intangible to us, but by having that same chair in that same space that it gives them the sense of something "real."

Now, to each their own. I don't make it a habit to be overly critical of any one's opinion, even if I passionately disagree. I do find both of these reasoning's though very sincere to be very exoterically focused and I wonder if such a mindset is actually of benefit to what we, esoteric and occult Freemasons are working to accomplish.

For many, Freemasonry is simply a social and philanthropic society. meant to do good deeds in the community and to offer a place of camaraderie and social bonding away from the stress of work and home. That's fine, but obviously not at all on the same page where we are coming from.

For us, Freemasonry, the Craft of the Wise, the Royal Art, the Divine Path is a system of high ceremonial magic, used to enable us to communicate with our divine selves. Under perfect circumstances and in perfect situations it will serve as a conduit for direct communication with divinity. This is a very powerful and real science.

this leads me to ask, to what real purpose the physical lodgeroom? How does it really enhance our work? Aren't both the desires for status and external validations nothing more than manifestations of personal inner profanity? Work that old building though impressive to look at and even more to stand in just lead us away from our inner work and into a state of stasis that is about the lineal here and now?

I really don't know the answers to these question, or even if there are answers. The more on I work on my own ashlar, the more I am finding the value is within the questions themselves. This is a journey of miracles, and even though it is at sometimes an arduous task that seems to lack in reward, the reward is there. Locked within the work we all find ourselves. What is important will be revealed by the G.A.O.T.U. in due time.

Are you ready?

IN LVX,
Joshua Walker-WM Lodge Hera- 1613 Nation