TRESTLEBOARD
February, 2007

     This first month has gone by very quickly. Our first guest speaker Most Worshipful James Dean Cole gave our re-dedication beautifully, and our new core of officers did a great job with their ritual work. We have raised three new members to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Let’s all congratulate them on completing their degree. Our newest Master Masons are Paul Dennis Sunal, Giberto Rosado, and Anthony Scott Meyer.

     I would also like to thank John Clair, our Junior Warden, along with the help of Worshipful Travis Hilliard, for coordinating the degree teams. Thanks go to Worshipful Don Strehle, for his leadership at our ritual practices and co-chairing our investigating committee with David Dodds. Our Lodge is truly indebted to the service of our Secretary, Worshipful John Frank.

     We’ve visited Columbia Lodge at their Entered Apprentice degree on the 10th of January, and hope to make it to as many other lodges in the 54th Masonic district as possible each month. Thank you to our Past Masters who provide both guidance and patience in this New Year. My kudos would not be complete with out the acknowledgement of the wonderful dinners we’re having this term with hot meals, freshly cooked by Elizabeth Duvall Past Matron of Unity OES.

     Where does the word “blue” come from in blue lodge? Our Virginia Mentor's Manual contains a section saying that it is unknown where, when or why the name Blue Lodge originated, but also pointing out that blue is generally regarded as the color of truth and fidelity, basic teachings of our craft; that blue is the color used to characterize friendship, one of the jewels of a Mason. It also tells us, "some have found some symbolism in the blue arch of the heavens and have urged that for a Freemason the virtues of friendship and benevolence must be as expansive as the heavens." It concludes with the reminder that the proper term is "Symbolic Lodge" rather than "Blue Lodge" although blue as a color and symbol is prominent in our teachings.

     The speculative book, Stonehenge: An Ancient Masonic Temple, offers the following regarding the use of blue for our lodges: "Our lodge since time immemorial has been called the Blue Lodge. The color blue has been indelibly attached to it. Why?? Why wasn't the color yellow selected and called the Yellow Lodge? Blue is derived from the root signifying 'Perfection.' Blue from all ages has been a symbol of truth, secrecy, sincerity and fidelity. There is a reason why the lodge is called the 'Blue Lodge.' It goes back to nature's colors. What color do you suppose the stones are in the inner circle and horseshoe circle of Stonehenge?

     Schools of thought give different answers. Some authorities think that as blue has from ancient Biblical times been associated with truth, with Deity, with wisdom and hope; that, as Mackey taught, the blue of the Old Testament is a translation of the Hebrew tekelet, which is derived from a root meaning perfection, blue came into Masonry as its color by a natural association. Others believe that as our ancient brethren met on hills and in valleys, over which the blue vault of heaven is ceiling; that as Jacob in his vision saw the ladder ascending from earth to heaven; that the covering of a lodge if the clouded canopy or starry decked heaven, these allusions seem to connote that blue, the color of the sky, is that of all celestial attributes for which Masons strive.

     Blue was one of the primary colors used to adorn the Tabernacle (see Exodus 26:1). To the Egyptians, blue was used to represent truth. The Egyptians had two theories about the creation of the world; one, that was created by That, who when he uttered any word caused the object to exist, and two, that it was the work of Ptah, The Great Artificer. Ptah's father was called Kneph, (also Cneph or Nef), and while many of the Egyptian Gods were adorned with different colors, Kneph is always depicted in blue. Kneph journeyed to the lower hemisphere, which appears to symbolize the evolutions of substances which are born to die and to be reborn. Isn't this similar to our belief in the immortality of the soul?

     Blue is also considered the color for the spirit and the intellect. Jesus teaches in a blue garment, and the Virgin Mary is usually depicted in a blue mantle, as is the Norse god Odin. Vishnu of ancient Indian mythology is blue, and one of his incarnations, Rama, is blue-skinned, symbolizing his vastness as deep as the heavens. In Europe, the Blue Flower was the symbol of the greatest aspiration of the spirit.
In French, the word "bleu" is used as a substitute for the word "Dieu", which means God, as swearing, was punishable in the Middle Ages by death. As such swear words such as "morbleu", "sacrebleu" and "parbleu" became popular substitutes in those times.

     Senior Warden’s Night was postponed. Our newly elected David Dodds will a have most interesting evening planned when we can re-confirm a date. Right Worshipful Jay Brannan will be having his official visit on Thursday, February 15th, and our DeMolay Chapter, Mroz DeMolay will be having their installation on February 17th at Kemper-Macon Ware Lodge at 5pm. Bethel 1 will be having their Potato Luncheon on Sunday, February 11th from 1-4pm at AC Glebe Lodge, the cost is $7 for adults and $5 for youth. This is Don’s youngest daughter Lee Anne’s term as Honored Queen. I would like to see as many of Cherrydale’s brethren at these events, that their cable tow permits. Right Worshipful Mickey Ander will be speaking about lodge decorum and lodge etiquette at our first stated in March. At our second stated meeting in March we are having a presentation of the Knight’s Templar, by Dr. John Young, which would be a great night for you to invite a non-mason guest to learn more about this order. My wife is interested in having a ladies pampering event. Please speak with your significant other regarding this activity, and when they may be available for some “ladies” time together.

     If you know of any members that would benefit from a visit from the well members of the Sick Committee, please let myself or Worshipful Dick Robinson, committee chair, know so we can plan a visit. Our other committees are working on plans to update the Lodge at a future meeting.

     The attitude of doing what we can, where we can, seems to be catching on, and reminds me of the story of the two wolves which I will close with. Two Wolves: One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between 2 “wolves” inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.” Author unknown.

     Thank you to all of our fraternal guests that we have each meeting. It truly makes for great fellowship.

See you in Lodge Brother!