Masonic Muscle

Could Benedictine monks have played a role in the early development of Masonry in Britain? In this episode, I read and discuss Brother Jack Nichols Mogas’ article from The Philalethes Masonic Journal, originally presented to A. Douglas Smith Jr. Lodge of Research.

The article raises a serious question: did Benedict Biscop and early monastic building programs help bring skilled stone masons, architects, and craftsmen into Britain in a way that later influenced Masonic development? This is not proof. It is a theory. But it is one worth examining because Freemasonry did not appear out of thin air.

Write to me at [email protected] and send me your best source on monastic influence, medieval builders, or the origins of Freemasonry.

What should Masons expect at Masonic Con?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I preview Masonic Con, taking place July 22–24, and talk about what Brothers can expect from one of the most interesting Masonic education events of the year.

Masonic Con brings together Masonic authors, researchers, speakers, podcasters, and Brothers from across the country to discuss Freemasonry, history, symbolism, education, research, philosophy, and lodge culture.

I also discuss being selected to sit on one of the panels alongside Robert Johnson, creator of the Whence Came You podcast, who recently celebrated ten years of episodes.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can Masons find serious education, better conversations, and a wider community beyond their own lodge room?

We discuss:

• what to expect at Masonic Con
• Masonic authors and researchers
• Masonic podcasting
• panel discussions
• Whence Came You and Robert Johnson
• why events like this matter for Masonic education
• how Brothers can find more light outside their local lodge
• why serious Masonic conversations need real rooms, real people, and real work

For more information about the event, visit:

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?

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[email protected]

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Why does the Trivium Discussion Group work?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we examine why the Trivium Discussion Group has become such a valuable, effective, and profound tool for Masonic education, lodge culture, and serious conversation.

The Trivium — grammar, logic, and rhetoric — is not just an old educational model. Properly practiced, it teaches men how to define terms, organize thoughts, test ideas, listen carefully, disagree respectfully, and communicate with more precision.

That matters because too many conversations today are shallow, emotional, reactive, and sloppy.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can a lodge create better conversations that sharpen men instead of just filling time?

We discuss:

• the value of the Trivium Discussion Group
• grammar, logic, and rhetoric
• why defining terms matters
• how structured discussion improves Masonic education
• how prospects and Brothers can learn together
• why respectful disagreement builds stronger bonds
• how a lodge can become a place of real intellectual labor
• why Masonic education should teach men how to think, not just what to repeat

A strong lodge does not only need good ritual.

It needs men who can think, speak, listen, question, and reason.

That is what the Trivium Discussion Group is trying to build.

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?

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[email protected]

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What does the Fourth of July really mean?

In MM EP 70 of Masonic Muscle, we go deeper into July 4th, sovereignty, self-reliance, founding documents, Freemasonry, money, war, and the possibility that George Washington may have used the Masonic lodge system as a network to pass information.

We also talk about the oldest whiskey distillery in the United States, because apparently this episode needed freedom, secret networks, war finance, and whiskey.

This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem:

How can Masons talk about freedom, sovereignty, and American independence without reducing July 4th to fireworks, slogans, and one day of shallow celebration?

We discuss:

• the deeper meaning of July 4th
• sovereignty and self-reliance
• the Declaration of Independence
• founding documents of freedom
• George Washington and possible Masonic communication networks
• whether lodges helped move information
• colonies, war, spies, and secret correspondence
• money, debt, finance, and warfare
• the fall of Sparta
• alliances, weapons, clothing, training, and military logistics
• who pays back the debt after war
• America’s oldest whiskey distillery
• MasonicCon at South Pasadena Lodge No. 290

Too many Americans take freedom for granted.

Too many Masons do the same.

We give the Fourth of July one day, eat food, watch fireworks, say the word freedom a few times, and move on. But if we really believe in liberty, sovereignty, self-reliance, and responsibility, then we should know the documents, the sacrifices, the arguments, the economics, and the systems that made independence possible.

Freedom is not free.

But it is also not maintained by slogans.

It requires knowledge.
It requires discipline.
It requires memory.
It requires men who understand what they inherited.

MasonicCon is July 22–24 at South Pasadena Lodge No. 290. Get your tickets and join us for one of the strongest Masonic events in Southern California.

Have a Masonic question, old document, origin theory, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or thought on July 4th and sovereignty?

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[email protected]

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What does independence really mean to a Mason?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I talk about Masonic Con at South Pasadena Lodge No. 290, where Masonic authors, writers, scholars, researchers, and film producers gather to present their work on Freemasonry. I was chosen to sit on one of the Sunday panels, and I talk about why events like this matter for Brothers who want more light, better education, and deeper Masonic conversation.

Then we move into the Fourth of July.

Many Masonic podcasts talk about patriotism and nationalism during Independence Day. That is fine. But there are deeper ideas that should not be ignored: sovereignty, self-reliance, God-given rights, economic warfare, property, liberty, and the willingness to break away from centralized power.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can Masons discuss independence, freedom, and patriotism without reducing them to slogans?

We discuss:

• Masonic Con at South Pasadena Lodge No. 290
• Masonic authors, scholars, researchers, and filmmakers
• receiving more light through serious Masonic education
• the Fourth of July from a deeper Masonic perspective
• sovereignty and self-reliance
• God-given rights
• economic warfare against the American colonies
• the Founding Fathers and the break from England
• why Masons should study ideas, not just repeat patriotic phrases
• fitness, heavy lifting, and strengthening your Masonic Muscle

Masonic education should not be shallow. If we are going to talk about independence, we should understand what made independence necessary, dangerous, and radical.

And yes — if there is a gym at the lodge, we may need to get in there and do some heavy lifting.

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?

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[email protected]

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What can Masons learn from the Fraternal Review 2021 Annual?

In MM EP 69 of Masonic Muscle, I open a package in the mail and review the Southern California Research Lodge Fraternal Review 2021 Annual.

This publication has been a serious light in Masonry for years. The Fraternal Review continues to bring in strong Masonic authors, researchers, writers, and thinkers from around the world, giving Brothers material that can actually strengthen lodge education and personal study.

This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem:

How can Masons build stronger lodge education if they are not reading, discussing, and sharing better Masonic research?

In this episode, I review the 2021 Fraternal Review issue topics, including:

• The Death of Ritual
• The Masonic Legacy Society
• Kabbalah and Freemasonry
• The Middle Chamber
• Stoicism and Freemasonry
• The American Revolution
• The Matrix and Freemasonry
• The Top 10 Masonic Books of the New Millennium
• Brotherly Love
• Relief
• Truth

I also mention:

• Distant Peaks: Masonic Meditations on the Writings of Marcus Aurelius by Jonti Marks
• Washington’s Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade
• United Grand Lodge of England
• American Freemasonry
• Whence Came You Podcast with Robert Johnson
• Thomas Smith Webb
• William Preston

A serious Mason needs more than slogans.

He needs books.
He needs articles.
He needs research.
He needs discussion.
He needs Brothers willing to read and think.

The Fourth of July is not just fireworks and barbeque. It is a reminder to study liberty, revolution, responsibility, civic virtue, and the men who helped shape American Freemasonry.

If Freemasonry is supposed to make good men better, then Masons need to become better readers, better thinkers, and better students of the Craft.

Get the Fraternal Review through the Southern California Research Lodge at:

theresearchlodge.com

You can now support Masonic Muscle through the donation option. Your support helps me keep bringing better content, better conversations, and further light.

Have a Masonic question, old document, origin theory, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or want to come on the show?

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[email protected]

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Is Freemasonry connected to the Summer Solstice and Holy Saint John the Baptist?

In EP 68 of Masonic Muscle, I review our Summer Solstice observance held on June 21st from 6–11 pm, where we gathered to discuss the Summer Solstice, Holy Saint John the Baptist Day, and their possible connections to Freemasonry.

The gathering was high energy, intense, and deeply engaging. The original plan was to sit together in one group, but we had to adapt. Instead, we broke into three groups of five and had an excellent night of conversation, fellowship, and focused discussion.

This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem:

How can Masons turn seasonal observances into real Masonic education instead of just another social gathering?

We discuss:

• our Summer Solstice observance
• Holy Saint John the Baptist Day
• possible astronomical connections to Freemasonry
• Masonic symbolism and seasonal cycles
• why people are intrigued by astronomical secrets
• breaking into small discussion groups
• Trivium-style conversation
• fellowship, focus, energy, and Brotherhood
• La Quinta Brewing Co. in Palm Springs
• why time seemed to disappear during the discussion
• new insights from the evening

We arrived at La Quinta Brewing Co. in Palm Springs around 6:10 pm and got kicked out at 9 pm — but it felt like only 15 minutes.

That is what happens when men are locked in.

Focused conversation changes the room.

A real Masonic discussion does not need to be boring. It does not need to be shallow. It does not need to die under procedure and stale talk.

Give men a real question.

Give them a structure.

Give them room to think.

Then watch what happens.

This episode asks:

Why are Masons and non-Masons still so drawn to the possibility of astronomy, cycles, seasons, and hidden symbolic structure inside Freemasonry?

Subscribe to Masonic Muscle if you have not already.

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, solstice observation, or research lead?

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[email protected]

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Why does Saint John the Baptist Day matter in Freemasonry?

In this short talk from our June 2022 stated meeting, I point out some correlations between Saint John the Baptist Day, the summer solstice, Masonic symbolism, light, time, and the rhythm of the Craft.

Saint John the Baptist Day falls very close to the summer solstice, and that should make a Mason stop and think.

Freemasonry is full of symbols connected to light, darkness, order, geometry, time, moral instruction, and self-improvement. The question is whether we still know how to read them.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can Masons understand the Holy Saints John as more than names repeated in ritual or lodge tradition?

We discuss:

• Saint John the Baptist Day
• the summer solstice
• June 24
• the Holy Saints John
• Masonic light
• Masonic symbolism
• lodge education
• the symbolic calendar of the Craft
• why short talks can strengthen Masonic education
• why Masons should pay attention to time, season, and symbol
• This is a short episode, but it points toward a larger idea:

  A Mason should not just repeat symbols.

  He should learn how to read them.

  Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?

  Write to me at:
  [email protected]

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  @masonicmuscle

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Share this episode with one Brother who wants more light.

Do you know the origin story of your own Masonic lodge?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I read and discuss the early history of Palm Springs Lodge No. 693, including the local men, places, events, and conditions that helped form the lodge.

Every Masonic lodge has a story.

The problem is that too many Brothers never learn it.

A lodge is not just a building. It is not just a charter on the wall. It is the product of men who came before us, made decisions, built relationships, served their community, and created a place where future Masons could meet, work, learn, and grow.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can a Mason understand his lodge if he does not know where it came from?

We discuss:

• the early history of Palm Springs Lodge No. 693
• why local lodge history matters
• how Masons inherit work from men they may never meet
• why every Brother should study his own lodge’s origins
• the connection between lodge history, lodge identity, and lodge responsibility
• why Masonic education should include local history, not just famous symbols and big theories

If you are a Mason, ask yourself this:

Could you explain the origin story of your own lodge to a new Brother?

If not, start digging.

Have an origin theory, lodge history, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?

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[email protected]

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Did Catholic monks help preserve the building craft that later influenced Freemasonry?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I read and discuss an article from The Philalethes Magazine titled “Another Thought About the Origins of Freemasonry,” published in 2003.

The article continues a theme I have been exploring: the possibility that Catholic monks, monasteries, builders, architects, and stone construction traditions may have played a deeper role in the background of what later became Freemasonry.

This theory reaches back to the period after Roman power withdrew from Britain, when stone-building knowledge may have been weakened or lost in parts of England. The article then introduces Benedict Biscop, an English monk who traveled to Rome and France, learned about stone building, and sought permission to establish a monastery near the mouth of the River Wear.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can Masons investigate monastic influence on the origins of Freemasonry without confusing theory, tradition, and proof?

We discuss:

• The Philalethes Magazine
• the 2003 article “Another Thought About the Origins of Freemasonry”
• Catholic monks and the origins of Freemasonry
• Benedict Biscop and early English monastic building
• the withdrawal of Rome from Britain
• stone-building knowledge after the Roman period
• monasteries, architects, and craftsmen
• the theory that monastic builders influenced later Masonic development
• why lodges need stronger Masonic education
• why origin theories should be studied carefully, not swallowed whole

The point is not to force the conclusion that monks “created” Freemasonry.

The point is to ask whether the standard explanations are complete enough — and whether monastic institutions may have preserved building knowledge, discipline, education, and secrecy in ways that later touched the Craft.

If Freemasonry is going to get stronger, Masons need to stop repeating shallow summaries and start studying the competing origin theories seriously.

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?

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[email protected]

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Share this episode with one Brother who still wants to know where this Craft came from.