This is my page on Freemasonry

Introduction:

My occult experience:

First Masonic Contact:

My experience so far:

Finial words:

Introduction:

I first became interested in Freemasonry at an early age when my mother explained to me my Grandfather JJ Johnston of New Westminster was a Mason. I had not always wanted to be a Mason. I had always associated Masonry with the occult. In the 1960’s Masonry was as unknown to me as Aleister Crowley or even Scientology. I was just a kid growing up the 1960’s playing with my friends. For my brothers and sister our life was centered around our little neighborhood. We had no concept of Politics, or Religion. Our World view hadn’t even manifested as an inkling on our minds. Getting by a day at school was all that mattered and the weekend. We were really into the music of our time, the Beatles and the new Rock n’ Roll music of our generation. I did like to read Dr. Strange comic books though (when I could get them) In 1967 at the age 15 my mother discovered I had scoliosis of the spine and my life would change forever. I had no encounter with the psychedelic except what I saw on TV from my scoliosis-recovery-bedside in 1968. In 1969 I heard ramblings of the psychedelic period and the hippy movement. This was a cadre for mystical awareness in the “Age of Aquarius” and Woodstock. I was 17 and still too young to know what was going on to appreciate it what with the preoccupation of recovering from my back operation. 1970 saw the end of the Beatles and an end of an era. In 1971 I saw my first ever rock concert with Alice Cooper. The Hippie movement was just a smoldering ember in the campfire by this time. From 1971-1973 I was involved in the Church of the Nazarene, chasing after Patti Rennick. The rest of the 1970’s I was just trying to stay alive carving out a living for myself. In 1977 I moved to Calgary for a time and discovered the Punk Rock scene. Watching Star Wars and it’s mystical like elements was as close as I got to anything magical.

My occult experience:

It wasn’t until 1980 that while involved with Ellen I followed her into the OTO. And discovered Aleister Crowley. I got right into it too trying to impress Ellen who really had eyes for Richard the guy that was our so called handler. Richard was using her for sex. I was an emotional basket case in love with her like a blubbering idiot. You couldn’t tell me that at the time 27 years ago. It was also this same year I discovered Scientology through Richard and I befriended Reg and Darlene. Richard thought Scientology was a good way for me to center myself and to get control of my emotions if I wanted to join his Thelemic house of “Khonsu.” So I flirted with Scientology as well but not really interested in it. People in the OTO here were often mocking Freemasonry, comparing it to the OTO University and Freemasonry as Kindergarten. Little did I know. But I received my Minerval OTO initiation in September 1981 Jane Wolf Chapter with Russell. It just blew me away. I was captivated by the mystical properties of the initiation, the incense and how the initiation itself reminded me of a play. I was a bit actor in this small event. Ellen had gone off to Marry Charles that same month. I began to live with Theresa at the time as well. I received my first initiation in 1982 or 1^st degree initiated by Grady MacMurtry up here in Edmonton on tour. I moved out to the West End in 1983. In 1984 the Edmonton Oiler’s won their first Stanley Cup. I was establishing myself at the A&N Cobogo warehouse, nursing a diet of Coca-cola soda pop. By this time minters in the Occult waned. It wasn’t until 1987 I received my 2^nd degree initiation under David McPherson’s OTO Heru Anapu Chapter. In 1989 I lost my job at A&N and on unemployment. With time on my hands I began writing science fiction. Another interest in Scientology emerged for awhile and I read “Holy Blood Holy Grail.” After reading this book I thought more about Freemasonry. In 1992 I received my last OTO initiation. But during those years in Nepthyse lodge with Eugene I noticed he had a sash and a lot of impressive pins he said were from his Masonic lodge. This also made an impression on me. My 3^rd degree. In 1994 I heard the tragic demise of what happened to Russell.

First Masonic Contact:

I had a nice security guard job working at the Pacific Rim Mall and I enjoyed that but the hours weren’t many. The job allowed me to read a lot durring the moe quiet times on the site. I read “Temple and the lodge” from the HBHG people and I knew at that time, I wanted in. I needed to become a Mason. I knew there was a Masonic building downtown. Everyone that’s lived here in Edmonton for any length of time, knows where it is. It was Richard that initially pointed this out to me one time while he was working at the McDonald Hotel and we were walking back from there to his apartment in the General apartments. It sort of stuck in my mind. I went down there and asked somebody about the lodge and how do I join. I didn’t know the overall mechanics of how to join but at my request, I was met by a couple of Masons at my bachelor apartment on a Saturday afternoon in 1994. This was a week later. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t accepted and it was quite a blow to me at the time. Fast forward to present day I knew I wasn’t accepted because I had no petition. I didn’t have a lodge sponsor and I didn’t have a $200 cheque for them to take back to put it in the bulletin so they could ballot me. I could have been a Mason as of 1994 if I planned it right.

My experience so far:

The rest of the 1990’s I kept occupied with various jobs and writing. I published my first short story in a mimeograph BW magazine called Lost worlds. Long gone now. The story was called “Earth tones” for contributor copies. It never saw print. I got fired from my ACT job the same day I got news about the story. I should have went directly to my current place of employment. This would be my 13^th year. During the late part of the 1990’s I lost my nice bachelor apartment and I got a job with the Edmonton Sun and rescued a cab driver with my name in the paper. My first 15 minutes of fame, so far. In 1999 I ended up pulling some work experience with The Alberta Job Corp. I wanted a nice humble security guard job where I could read books like the one at the Pacific Rim mall. I got a security guard job but it was nothing like the one at Pacific Rim. If anything it was one of the worst jobs I’ve ever had. On a desperate whim for employment I called my friend Don and he said for me to go down to my current place of employment. I got hired on and met my wife Anne. I moved in with her in November of 2000 and by December of 2000 3 days after my mother died we got married. I then thought more about Masonry. Perhaps the Masons had forgotten that ugly incident the first time. Here I am married and a steady job. I felt more secure. I went down to the Mason lodge again one day as my wife and I were in the area. Both of us went down around noon and talked to some people. I went back the following week and in the evening I think it was May of 2001 I got shown around the Freemasons Hal building and was shown the process of how to go about applying for membership. I’d have to wait until the lodge opens again in the fall. I knew what to do this time. So after the summer and in early September 2001 I had a petition and a money order for $200. A fellow by the name of Neil came over to interview me. We hit it off right away. Anne should have been there but was at work at the time. Neil took my petition and money order. He’d make sure I’d be in the bulletin and up for balloting. I got the word I was accepted in September and I’d go in for my Entered Apprentice degree in October 2001. Most people go through the first 3 degrees in a few months. It took me 2001, 2002, 2003 and it’s been quite a ride ever since.

Final words:

My motivations for joining Freemasonry were initially to join a fraternity and to carry on where my grandfather had left off, so that Freemasonry would still be in the family. I also want to be part of a social network where I’d be accepted based on the fact that in a Masonic Lodge everyone is equal. Networking is frowned upon in the lodge but I initially thought this would be where the lodge members played crib go out bowling and other events. Apparently that’s more in the Shrine then it is in the regular craft lodges. I’m not really accepted in our lodge mainly because of my scoliosis and lazy eye. People look at me funny probably thinking that I’m some kind of outreach patient from the mental hospital. Those that know me have seen my memorization and floor work and realize I’m the opposite of a first impression. it’s not that reason (in my head) I’m not accepted or have any friends in the lodge, it’s just that most people in my lodge all center around the trades and I feel kind of left out. I need to find a lodge where I can be more at home. It’s not like I don’t like our lodge, I do and we do good work there. I just feel that I’m not doing anything. I’ve got a position as Register but I don’t even know what a lodge register does. What is my advice for anyone wanting to dip their toes into Freemasonry? First of all, go read up on Masonry. The British Columbia Grand Lodge is a great resource. The Internet has all kinds of material on Masonry but be wary, as meanings and custom differ from concordant body to concordant body. The two main bodies here in Canada are the Canadian Rite (Scottish Rite Masonry.) We just call it Canadian Rite here. The other one is The York Rite (Some say the oldest of concordant bodies. I don’t know about that.) There is also Co Masonry for married couples called The Eastern Star Rainbow for girls, Jobs daughter and Demolay for young men not quite adults. Do a bit of research. Then when your ready go down to your nearest Masonic Hall and see the Hall manager and ask when and if he could give you a tour of the lodge itself. Phone first and announce your intentions. Most Main lodge lounges are open to the public. Most cases the lodge hall manager or secretary is a Mason. don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask about how many lodges are in your area. What the differences are between York and Canadian are. Next pop into the main hall at lunchtime. Chances are you’ll meet Masons there. Introduce yourself, mention your not a Mason and see if you can make some friends. Find out what lodges they’re from and what types of lodges they are. There are lodges for almost everyone. Match a lodge to your vocation and interest. There are military lodges, police lodges, Trades lodges, Blue collar, white collar lodges. Lodges of all kinds. You might not have a choice if your in a small community but usually Masons meet around like minded subjects. I’m a bit of an outsider in my lodge. But I’m going to look around for a Masonic “Home”. The other way to do this is wait while your in a lodge and go Lodge visiting. The officers of the Lodge are the Masons that are usually hardcore and they meet all the time. If you can strike a friendship between several guys then your all right. When you visit another lodge the festive board is free. I love my lodge, even though I’m not well accepted everyone is friendly towards me and treats me equally. The whole thing about Freemasonry is to make good men better.

Hope that helps.

e. Jim