A Mason's Work

The Unspoken Symbol: Beneath the Degrees, Behind the Work


Listen Later

This episode explores a symbol never named directly in the degrees, yet present everywhere in the Masonic experience: curiosity. It’s the force beneath every inquiry, every tool, every ritual. And while it may never be etched in stone or inscribed on a tracing board, it animates the Craft from within.


We reflect on how curiosity fuels the pursuit of symbolic knowledge, transforms discomfort into growth, and keeps Masons aligned with their deepest purpose—even when the work is hard to explain.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Some of Freemasonry’s most powerful symbols are never named—they are felt.
  • Curiosity is the engine of symbolic work—it drives exploration, insight, and transformation.
  • Becoming an agent of change starts with a willingness to uncover what lies beneath the surface.

💬 Featured Quotes

“It’s swimming under the water of the entire craft… that concept that is implied by Freemasonry is curiosity.”  — [00:00:35]
“Covers off of things and finding out how they work… that kind of approach to the Craft is implicit.” — [00:00:57]
“The tools are designed to help you become an agent of change in the world—and curiosity is a fundamental component of that.” — [00:04:40]

🔗 Explore Related Episodes

🎧 Ep. 60 – Thinking in Symbols 
Explores how symbolic insight emerges not from answers, but from asking better questions.

🎧 Ep. 73 – Geometry as truth between things 
Discusses curiosity as a tool for exploring structure, space, and relationship.

🎧 Ep. 69 – The Grammar of the Lodge: Structure, Symbol, and the Spoken Word
Examines how linguistic structure reflects the search for meaning and intentional communication.


Creators & Guests

  • Brian Mattocks - Host
  • Click here to view the episode transcript.
    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    A Mason's WorkBy Brian Mattocks


    More shows like A Mason's Work

    View all
    Whence Came You? - Freemasonry discussed and Masonic research for today's Freemason by Robert Johnson

    Whence Came You? - Freemasonry discussed and Masonic research for today's Freemason

    317 Listeners

    The Masonic Roundtable - Freemasonry Today for Today's Freemasons by Jon Ruark, Jason Richards, Nick Johnson, Juan Sepulveda & Robert Johnson

    The Masonic Roundtable - Freemasonry Today for Today's Freemasons

    203 Listeners

    Tyler's Place Podcast by The Tyler's Place Podcast

    Tyler's Place Podcast

    42 Listeners

    Masonic Lite Podcast by Masonic Lite Podcast

    Masonic Lite Podcast

    46 Listeners

    Short Talk Bulletin by Short Talk Bulletin

    Short Talk Bulletin

    85 Listeners

    Scottish Rite Journal Podcast by The Tyler's Place Podcast

    Scottish Rite Journal Podcast

    33 Listeners

    The Working Tools Podcast by The Working Tools Podcast

    The Working Tools Podcast

    16 Listeners

    The Traveling Man Masonic Podcast by Jim Hall

    The Traveling Man Masonic Podcast

    34 Listeners

    Craftsmen Online Podcast by Craftsmen Online

    Craftsmen Online Podcast

    39 Listeners

    Masonic Muscle by Cesar Rubio

    Masonic Muscle

    27 Listeners

    Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries by Reed Endersbe and John Schwietz

    Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries

    9 Listeners

    Further Light Podcast by C Luedke

    Further Light Podcast

    12 Listeners

    The Third Degree Masonic Podcast by Brothers Samuel , Gabriel,  and Ryan

    The Third Degree Masonic Podcast

    7 Listeners

    The Square Magazine Podcast by Square Magazine

    The Square Magazine Podcast

    2 Listeners