The Hoodwink
T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 97 – April 20, 2007
This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.
“You can’t spell “brothers” without at the same time spelling “others.”
From the Baptist Standard
By: Bro. L.C. Addison II
Montgomery Lodge No. 258
Minnesota A.F.&A.M.
Grand Lodge Education Committee Member
The Hoodwink: Is it just a prop? Or, does it have a deeper meaning?
During our degrees we continuously use a certain object for a certain purpose. That object is the Hoodwink. But, have we ever thought about what it really means? In the Entered Apprentice degree, we are taught that the hoodwink teaches our heart to conceal before our eyes behold the beauties of Masonry. However, is that it? Not by any means! During this lecture (usually given so well in my home lodge by W. B. Kenneth White) it further explains that we could neither see nor prevent danger and with safety put our trust in our conductor.
That one little object now takes on a very important role. Not only is it there as a degree prop, it now takes on the responsibility as a mental cue to our physical and spiritual psyche. It tells our physical mind that we have to be careful; it heightens our senses and enhances the audible sounds from our surroundings. We must, if not normally a trusting person, learn to rely on sometimes a total stranger. During the ceremony we learn to use our full range of senses to guide us.
The hoodwink, is also used as an extension, of the Tyler’s tool. By it he can guard the lodge from those may be unworthy or unwilling to appreciate the value of Freemasonry. Thereby preserving the sanctity of membership into our family and doing his part in protecting the entrance to our lodge. The hoodwink not only teaches us things, it helps us to be able to fully appreciate the wonderful gifts imparted to us in the degree at the right moment. For to receive them earlier would lessen the impact of their importance, as well as cause confusion and to receive them later would cause us to overlook them.
Some cultures refer to the eyes as windows to the soul. In using this reference we begin to the effect of the hoodwink on the spiritual psyche. It is a tool of preparation. It prepares us to be able to fully receive the lessons imparted to us. It allows us to block out the visual distractions and actually listen to what we are hearing. Allowing it to sink into our subconscious so that Freemasonry becomes a way of life and not merely a club that we joined.
In closing we must remember that a mustard seed of faith could move a mountain. So, even though the hoodwink is small in size and often overlooked, it is very important, to our Masonic foundation. Next time you see the hoodwink, take a moment to reflect upon its role. It will surprise you!!
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.
“The Brotherhood of man begins with the manhood of the brother.”
Judge Jacob Braude
Loyauté n’a honte = [French] = Loyalty has no shame
From the Great Light of Masonry: “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 97 – April 20, 2007
This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.
“You can’t spell “brothers” without at the same time spelling “others.”
From the Baptist Standard
By: Bro. L.C. Addison II
Montgomery Lodge No. 258
Minnesota A.F.&A.M.
Grand Lodge Education Committee Member
The Hoodwink: Is it just a prop? Or, does it have a deeper meaning?
During our degrees we continuously use a certain object for a certain purpose. That object is the Hoodwink. But, have we ever thought about what it really means? In the Entered Apprentice degree, we are taught that the hoodwink teaches our heart to conceal before our eyes behold the beauties of Masonry. However, is that it? Not by any means! During this lecture (usually given so well in my home lodge by W. B. Kenneth White) it further explains that we could neither see nor prevent danger and with safety put our trust in our conductor.
That one little object now takes on a very important role. Not only is it there as a degree prop, it now takes on the responsibility as a mental cue to our physical and spiritual psyche. It tells our physical mind that we have to be careful; it heightens our senses and enhances the audible sounds from our surroundings. We must, if not normally a trusting person, learn to rely on sometimes a total stranger. During the ceremony we learn to use our full range of senses to guide us.
The hoodwink, is also used as an extension, of the Tyler’s tool. By it he can guard the lodge from those may be unworthy or unwilling to appreciate the value of Freemasonry. Thereby preserving the sanctity of membership into our family and doing his part in protecting the entrance to our lodge. The hoodwink not only teaches us things, it helps us to be able to fully appreciate the wonderful gifts imparted to us in the degree at the right moment. For to receive them earlier would lessen the impact of their importance, as well as cause confusion and to receive them later would cause us to overlook them.
Some cultures refer to the eyes as windows to the soul. In using this reference we begin to the effect of the hoodwink on the spiritual psyche. It is a tool of preparation. It prepares us to be able to fully receive the lessons imparted to us. It allows us to block out the visual distractions and actually listen to what we are hearing. Allowing it to sink into our subconscious so that Freemasonry becomes a way of life and not merely a club that we joined.
In closing we must remember that a mustard seed of faith could move a mountain. So, even though the hoodwink is small in size and often overlooked, it is very important, to our Masonic foundation. Next time you see the hoodwink, take a moment to reflect upon its role. It will surprise you!!
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.
“The Brotherhood of man begins with the manhood of the brother.”
Judge Jacob Braude
Loyauté n’a honte = [French] = Loyalty has no shame
From the Great Light of Masonry: “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Labels: Symbolism