Masonic Jewelry

What do the Fourteenth Degree rings mean? The Scottish Rite Fourteenth degree ring is a flat, plain band of gold, and embossed thereon is a plate in the form of an equilateral triangle and within the triangle is the Hebrew letter yud, the initial letters of Jehovah in Hebrew (yud he vau he). Inside the ring is inscribed the Fourteenth Degree Motto: Virtus Junxit, Mors Non Separabit (Virtue has united and death shall not separate). The rings circle expresses the unbreakable fraternal bond between Masons of all generations. Upon the death of the owner, the ring should go into the hands of his widow, eldest son, the friend who was loved above all others, or another Scottish Rite Mason.   Examles of the 14^th Degree ring can be found at Fox Jewelry. 

Dan Brown, author of the best-selling book The Da Vinci Code, has written a new book that features the noetic sciences prominently: The Lost Symbol.
Dr. Katherine Solomon, the female protagonist, is described as a “noetic scientist” and appears to be based on a composite of many of the leading figures in the real-life noetic sciences.

The real-life Institute of Noetic Sciences is mentioned several times in the book, as are many of the actual experiments conducted by our researchers and their colleagues.

The word “noetic” comes from the Greek word nous. There is no exact equivalent in English. Noetic refers to “inner knowing” or a kind of intuitive consciousness—direct and immediate access to knowledge beyond what is available to our normal senses and power of reason. As defined by psychologist-philosopher William James, noetic refers to “states of insight into depths of truth unplumbed by the discursive intellect. They are illuminations, revelations, full of significance and importance, all inarticulate though they remain; and as a rule they carry with them a curious sense of authority…”

Noetic sciences use scientific methods to explore the “inner cosmos” of the mind (consciousness, soul, spirit) and how it relates to the “outer cosmos” of the physical world. They study how people come to know things or affect things through experiences or capacities (intuitions, synchronicities, psi, “after-death” communication, energy healing, etc.) that have no apparent rational explanation, and what this says about the nature of human consciousness.In many instances in the book, the author refers to the 33^rd Degree Ring. An example of this ring can be found at Fox Jewelry.

I am about 2/3rds of the way through this book.  This book is a stunning follow up to the global phenomenon “The Da Vinci Code. In his latest work Dan Brown once again demonstrates why he is one of the world’s most popular thriller writer. An example of the 33rd degree ring that Dan Brown writes about can be viewed at Fox Jewelry.

My mother is what most working women would refer to as a socialite. Her twice weekly bridge group and tennis team keep her weekdays pretty full. She hardly has anytime to squeeze in her shopping. But when she does, watch out; she has impeccable taste when it comes to clothing and accessories. Her ability to find an outfit and matching shoes that’s been reduced in price is phenomenal.

Though considered a space cadet by many people, she found the ultimate steal for her and her bridge group 3 months ago. She was hosting the final tournament of the season, so she let her girly nature run wild and decided to buy each player a small gift. After what seemed like hours of searching, she stumbled across a timeless accessory she knew all of the girls would love – Masonic pendants. As she gathered each colorfully decorated and handcrafted piece, she knew her presentation at the tournament would be flawless, and she smiled.

After my grandpa passed away last fall, my husband and I found out several weeks later that he had left us his house in his will. A real treasure tucked away in the countryside of Tennessee, it was an olive green, two-bedroom establishment that stood two stories high. Not only did we feel blessed to have inherited the house, but we were excited to see what valuables we could uncover inside.

We began in the attic, thinking we’d work our way down by floor, as we put on our surgical masks and rubber gloves to combat the dust and mold. I started with an old burgundy colored trunk. Dust spewed from the within as I opened its lid. Filled with old newspaper clippings and toupees, I dug my hands to the bottom and felt somethiblue ng small and hard. I gripped it between my fingers and pulled. As my hand resurfaced from the trunk I saw that I was holding one of grandpa’s blue lodge rings. A single tear raced down my check as I reflected upon the memory it unleashed. Then I continued to dig.

“On the 4th of July, 1848, under a clear sky in the presence of the President of the United States and virtually every notable of the government including former first lady Dolley Madison, the cornerstone was set with masonic ceremonies by the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia. One of the principle addresses of the occasion was given by Benjamin B. French, Grand Master, who wore the masonic apron that Washington wore at the laying of the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol. In his address French referred to the masonic master’s chair used by Washington as Worshipful Master of Washington-Alexandria Lodge, and the gavel used by the first President to set the cornerstone of the Capitol, in the custody of Potomac Lodge #5 of Georgetown, D.C.

Within the Degrees of Masonry there are found references to the plumb and plumb-line as instruments of particular significance to the Mason. One of the earliest and simplest instruments used in construction, the plumb and its line were an essential tool of the stone mason. As the level was to insure evenness of a surface, the plumb was to insure perpendicularity and right angles to that surface.

A simple plumb is an instrument of amazing accuracy. From homes to cathedrals, this simple tool has pointed the way upward and indicated the straightness needed to obtain perfection. And so it is that this tool was taken from the operative mason to the speculative mason as a symbol of the best off conduct, unequivocal uprightness, and constant integrity required to build a spiritual temple reflective of the best of one’s efforts.

So, it is that when you hold a plumb and plumb-line in your hand, you hold a working tool of Masonry.
The plumb line shown on the Masonic Ring above is an example of a Master Mason Ring found at Fox Jewelry.

Within Freemasonry, the color blue is a symbol of universal friendship and benevolence, as it is the color of the vault of heaven. Blue is the only color other than white which should be used in a Master’s Lodge for decorations. Within the Blue Lodge are conferred the Craft Degrees.  These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence.  First, the Entered Apprentice Degree, second, the Fellow Craft Degree and finally, the Master Mason Degree. Examples of a Blue Lodge Ring or Masonic Ring can be found at Fox Jewelry.

Father’s Day comes but once a year, and it’s important to celebrate all our dads have done for us. While dads do like to interact with their families and children on Father’s Day, most are also expecting a little something as a gift. But when we ask dad what he wants, the most common reply is “Oh all I want is your love and admiration”, or another phrase that is just as vague. There are a lot of cool gifts that dad is sure to love on his special day. Here are a few to consider:

_Masonic pendant – if dad is a Mason, he’s sure to like a Masonic pendant, ring, or even lapel pin.

_Barbeque tools – most dads love to barbeque, and with a set of barbeque tools, he might even be more inclined to cook on a regular basis!

_USB computer devices – whether it’s a drink warmer, portable fan, or a lava lamp, dads are sure to love fun USB computer devices.