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As of June 2021, Academia is once again meeting at the Oakland Scottish Rite on
Wednesday evenings! If you wish to visit, please email the Secretary in advance,
per Grand Lodge COVID Protocols.
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ACADEMIA LODGE


№ 847









A CORDIAL AND ENGAGING MASONIC EXPERIENCE.

 

Academia Lodge was instituted in 2004 under charter from the Grand Lodge of
California, with the intention to provide a traditional environment in which
Masonic studies were deeply interwoven with the degree work and overall culture
of the Lodge. We are committed to the idea that Freemasonry, to be relevant,
must be put into meaningful practice in the lives of its members.

In support of that goal, we encourage serious reflection on the centuries-old
Masonic tradition through a carefully-maintained atmosphere of fraternal
respect, individual exploration and general conviviality. It is by means of this
sincere and thoughtful fellowship that we strive to understand the Craft in its
full historic and philosophic depth.

We invite you to learn more about the precepts of Academia Lodge, and to contact
us with any questions you may have – we would be honored to make your
acquaintance! Check out our Instagram page to see more about Academia’s
activities, Brethren and uniquely-commissioned regalia! If you are considering
joining our Lodge and would like to attend an open meeting to learn more and
meet us, please email our Secretary.

We very much look forward to hearing from you!





STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES






I

Academia Lodge is a fellowship of Brothers devoted to the observance of
traditional Freemasonry and united in the conviction that the beautiful
ceremonies of Freemasonry are best complemented by an adherence to the
atmosphere and forms that existed at the time during which they were originally
developed. Thus, the activities and atmosphere of our Lodge are informed by a
close and continual study of the classical phase of Masonic practice, especially
as exemplified during the eighteenth century.


II

Academia Lodge holds that the officers of a Masonic Lodge should be selected
according to their merit and only after their good faith, commitment and
exemplary discharge of duties have been clearly demonstrated. The honor and
responsibility of the office of Master are particularly reserved for those
well-versed in Masonic teachings, whose character and behavior consistently
express Masonic values, and who are unwaveringly committed to the preservation
of traditional Masonic practices.


III

Academia Lodge believes that determining the true qualifications of men seeking
admission is essential to the integrity of our ancient institution. The
investigative procedures of this Lodge are rigorous and the Brethren are willing
to reject candidates when circumstances require.


IV

Masonic Formation at Academia Lodge is a slow and careful process that requires
great care and effort by both candidates and Brethren of the Lodge. Each Brother
advances only when – after due study and contemplation – he can demonstrate
sufficient progress in his understanding of Freemasonry and himself.


V

As silence and circumspection have always been Landmarks of the Order, no
Brother of Academia Lodge seeks to disturb the sacred space of the Lodge with
idle speech or disruptive action; the highest standards of personal and Masonic
decorum are demanded of all members and guests.


VI

The meetings of Academia Lodge reflect an initiatic focus and promote a deeper
understanding of Freemasonry, as Brothers present thoughtful and well-researched
papers on the symbolism, history and philosophy of the Order. We cultivate
fellowship by holding a regular Agape after Lodge is closed, where ideas
inspired during the ceremony are discussed and debated in the spirit of
fraternal conviviality, and where fine food and drink are enjoyed in token of
Brotherly Love.


VII

As every Craft lodge represents the Temple of Solomon, every Brother of Academia
Lodge demonstrates due regard and respect for the tiled assembly as a proper
place for the most solemn and sacred reflections, bearing in mind his faith in
the Great Architect of the Universe, and continually strives to exemplify that
unfeigned piety which is so memorably inculcated within the Craft tradition.





WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

Masonry is a community of worthy men stretching back 300+ years – together, we
strive to exemplify integrity, honor, wisdom, love, trust, and knowledge,
seeking to connect with other men of similar mindset.

Specifically, Masons (aka Freemasons) are members of the oldest and largest
fraternity in the world, with more than six million active members and Lodges
have been opened on all 7 continents (yes, even Antarctica!).

We are Brothers regardless of race, color, religious beliefs, political views,
sexual orientation, physical ability, citizenship, or national origin. We are
friends as well as Brothers, and are connected through this vital and uplifting
organization of moral men.

Masonic Brothers have included Kings, Presidents, scholars, and religious
figures, who in Lodge are considered as equal to the humblest member. Want to
know more? Learn how to become a member of our esteemed Brotherhood!







MORE ABOUT ACADEMIA LODGE:

At Academia Lodge № 847, we look to Freemasonry as a path to follow for truth –
it is a vehicle for self-improvement, philosophical development, and the
discovery of one’s inner potential to be shared with men of similar mindset and
equal good character.

To be clear, we are named Academia not because we are academics (though we are
so inclined temperamentally) but rather after Plato’s Academy.

The Academy (Ancient Greek: Ἀκαδημία) was founded by Plato in c. 387 BCE as a
school outside the city walls of ancient Athens, located in or beside a grove of
olive trees dedicated to the goddess Athena.

The school did not have any particular doctrine to teach; rather, Plato (and
probably other associates of his) posed problems to be studied and solved by the
others as well as giving lectures on philosophy.

Above the entrance to the Academy was supposedly inscribed the phrase “Let None
But Geometers Enter Here.” This has relevance to Freemasonry today and we are
proud to carry on the tradition of critical thinking and esoteric study
established by these ancient masters.





ARE YOU SINCERELY INTERESTED IN FREEMASONRY?

Many people claim to know the secrets of Freemasonry, but only the initiated
understand the vital, uplifting, and profound difference it makes in the lives
of Brothers and their communities.

If you are interested in the Fraternity and seek to make common cause with other
men of good will – you may be ready to ask more questions and take the next
step.

Every Lodge is unique, with a specific culture and goals shaped by the vision of
its founders and shared by its membership. We at Academia Lodge № 847 offer our
Brothers – those initiated here, and visiting – an opportunity to explore
esoteric wisdom and virtuous knowledge with a special emphasis on tradition,
research, and strict observance of Masonic ideals.

Academia Lodge № 847 is proud to have been one of the first Lodges in the United
States to be formed around these specific precepts and remains a guiding light
today as good men seek out nobility, honor and sensibilities in an often chaotic
world.

Our renowned online research library (for Masons only) has thousands of rare
esoteric texts to assist our members and Masons worldwide in writing papers (a
cherished Academia tradition) on a variety of subjects related to our interests.






FORMAL MEETINGS

In accordance with Academia Lodge № 847’s mission to meet in strict observance
of Masonic ideals and our ancient traditions, we conduct all our meetings with
reverence and respectful intent.

The presentation of papers is viewed as an essential aspect of the life of the
Lodge and promotes the continued study of Masonic lessons by the brethren,
addressing esoteric work, symbolism, initiation, ritual, metaphysics, history,
philosophy and art.

While the true and self-evident principles of the Craft provide the cornerstones
of our work, our Brothers place their Masonic research in the context of the
major world religions and schools of mysticism such as Gnosticism, Hermeticism,
Neoplatonism, Rosicrucianism, Kabbalah and other rarefied traditions.

Our ritual, full knowledge of which is the sacred preserve of the initiated,
reinforces our common commitment to Masonic ideals and connection with other
Masons from all over the world.

Once a month, after the close of Lodge, brethren are proud to partake in the
Agape, which is a festive board resounding with formal toasts according to a
traditional order of ceremonies, during which a discussion of the main paper
presented earlier takes place.

In conclusion, Academia Lodge № 847 seeks to provide its members and visitors
the opportunity to practice a ritual-based system of learning, morality, and
sociability found nowhere else.





THE HISTORY OF THE FRATERNITY

No one knows with certainty how or when the Masonic Fraternity was formed. A
widely accepted theory among Masonic scholars is that it arose from the
stonemasons guild during the Middle Ages. The language and symbols used in the
Fraternity’s rituals come from this era.

The oldest document that makes reference to Masons is the Regius Poem, written
in approximately 1390 (which was itself a copy of an earlier, now lost work). In
1717, four Lodges in London formed the first Grand Lodge of England, and records
from that point on are more complete.

Within thirty years, the Fraternity had spread throughout Europe and the
American Colonies. Freemasonry became very popular in colonial America. George
Washington was a Mason, Benjamin Franklin served as the head of the Fraternity
in Pennsylvania, as did Paul Revere in Massachusetts.

Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a worldwide fraternity
emphasizing personal study, self-improvement, and social betterment via
individual involvement and philanthropy.

During the late 1700s it was one of the organizations most responsible for
spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity of man and the liberty of
the individual, the right of all persons to worship as they choose, the
formation of democratic governments, and the importance of public education.
Masons supported the first public schools in both Europe and America.

During the 1800s and early 1900s, Freemasonry grew dramatically. At that time,
the government had provided no social “safety net”. The Masonic tradition of
founding orphanages, homes for widows, and homes for the aged provided the only
security many people knew.

Today in North America, the Masonic Fraternity continues this tradition by
giving $2.6 million each day to causes that range from operating children’s
hospitals, providing treatment for childhood language disorders, treating eye
diseases, funding medical research, contributing to local community service, and
providing care to Masons and their families at Masonic Homes.

Millions of Masons worldwide continue to help men and women face the problems of
the 21st century by building bridges of brotherhood and instilling in the hearts
of men ideals for a better tomorrow.





A PARTIAL LIST OF FAMOUS FREEMASONS


 * Founding fathers: America’s most famous Freemason – George Washington – was
   initiated in 1752 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Other founding fathers who
   were also Masons include Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, the Marquis de
   Lafayette, Robert R. Livingstone, John Hancock, and Aaron Burr.
 * U.S. Presidents: George Washington, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, James Polk,
   James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, James Garfield, William McKinley, Theodore
   Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt,
   Harry S. Truman, and Gerald R. Ford.
 * Explorers and adventurers: Freemasons who blazed new trails include Davey
   Crockett, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, Christopher “Kit” Carson, Lewis and Clark,
   Charles Lindbergh, Sir Richard Burton, Sir Ernest Shackleton, John Glenn and
   Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.
 * Science and medicine: Many Freemasons have played important roles here,
   including Edward Jenner (discovered the cure for smallpox), Joseph Lister
   (pioneered the concept of antiseptics in medicine), Enrico Fermi (Nobel
   Prize-winning nuclear physicist), Luther Burbank (world-renowned Botanist)
   and Alexander Fleming (won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of penicillin).
 * Athletes: Famous athletic Masons include “Sugar Ray” Robinson, Jack Dempsey,
   John Elway, Shaquille O’Neal, Arnold Palmer and Scottie Pippin plus baseball
   legend Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner (the most valuable baseball card ever!).

 * Actors and entertainers: The entire entertainment industry has its fair share
   of Masons, including William “Count” Basie, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington,
   John Wayne, Harry Houdini, Richard Pryor, Clark Gable, Roy Rogers, Will
   Rogers, Timothy Hutton, Pat Morita, Don Rickles, Peter Sellers, and Mel
   Blanc.
 * Businessmen: A wide range of legendary tycoons have been Masons, including
   Henry Ford, Walter P. Chrysler, Nathan Meyer Rothschild, John Jacob Astor,
   Charles Hilton, Colonel Harland Sanders, and Steve Wozniak (co-founder of
   Apple Computer).
 * Statecraft: Masons have made great world leaders across several centuries.
   Among them are Sir Winston Churchill, Fiorello Laguardia, Kalakaua (King of
   Hawaii), and many English Kings (including William IV, Edward VII, Edward
   VIII, George IV, and George VI).
 * U.S. Civil Rights leaders: Masons who have been active in the quest for equal
   rights for all citizens of the United States include Booker T. Washington,
   W.E.B. DuBois, Jesse Jackson, Thurgood Marshall, and Medger Evers.
 * Classical Music and letters: Classical music and literature wouldn’t be the
   same if not for the contributions of artistically-inclined Masons, including
   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jean Sibelius, Aleksander Pushkin, Jonathan Swift,
   Oscar Wilde, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Alex Haley, and Mark Twain.




REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A MASON

Freemasonry was founded by men who shared a commitment to supporting each other
in friendship, fellowship and service to mankind.

For hundreds of years, men have found spiritual and philosophical fulfillment as
members of the Fraternity, which still operates on the same core values as when
it was founded. In order to become a Freemason, it is necessary to meet these
requirements:

 * Be a man.
 * Have a sound reputation, and be well-recommended by your peers.
 * You must believe in a Supreme Being, regardless of your religion.
 * Be over the age of 18 years.
 * Be interested in character building and morality. The Freemason motto is
   “better men make a better world.”

Please allow us to help you know the truth about the Fraternity before you
decide to proceed – there is a great deal of misinformation concerning
Freemasonry that has done the Craft a serious disservice.

Books and movies like ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and ‘National Treasure’ have
perpetuated the notion that Freemasonry is a ‘secret society’ with designs on
taking over the world or possessing ancient mystical treasures from long ago.
While they offer pulse-pounding reading and viewing, it is very important to
recognize they perpetuate fictions with no basis in the facts.

The first goal of a ‘secret society’ is exactly that – to REMAIN SECRET. Given
that California Freemasonry alone has hundreds of official Lodge Websites, plus
thousands of members openly wearing symbols of the Craft, we are the very
antithesis of a ‘secret society’ – though it is true we are a group with secrets
reserved only for the initiated.

The simple truth is that people who attempt to join Freemasonry hoping to gain
access to so-called ‘Illuminati’ secrets are not approaching the Fraternity with
the right intentions or a grounded reality as to what Freemasonry truly
offers.  





REQUESTING MEMBERSHIP TO THE FRATERNITY

Potential members in California must approach the Brotherhood of their own
accord, although a few other states do allow members to issue invitations –
given our location, we are not one of them.

Many Freemasons proudly display Masonic symbols on bumper stickers, hats,
clothing or on a ring. They are always happy to talk to people who wish to seek
out more information about the Craft.

If you’re sufficiently intrigued, accept an invitation to meet with us once
you’ve reached out to our Secretary – we have regular open meetings to explain
Freemasonry and how Academia operates.

After several meetings if you decide we are the best Lodge for your needs, then
a formal petition to join can be filed with us. After your petition has been
reviewed, you will be called to the Lodge for an interview with a group of
Freemasons who form an Investigative Committee.

You will be asked questions concerning your reasons for wanting to become a
Freemason, your history, and your character.

The Investigative Committee will spend a week or two contacting references with
regard to your character and conducting a thorough background check. Alcoholism,
drug abuse, abuse of family, or a felony conviction are all grounds for denial.

The Lodge’s members will then vote on whether to accept you. If you are
accepted, you will receive a formal invitation to become a member and be
initiated as a Brother.






BECOMING A FREEMASON

As part of the journey of Freemasonry, you must proceed through the process of
obtaining three symbolic degrees. The Entered Apprentice is the first degree,
and introduces candidates to the basic principles of the Craft. Moral truths are
impressed upon new candidates by the symbolic use of building tools.

Apprentices must become proficient in one catechism before they can move on to
the next step – the Fellow Craft, or second degree.

The second degree continues to instill in candidates the principles of their new
membership, especially their close association with the arts and sciences.
Candidates are tested on their mastery of knowledge learned as an apprentice.

Candidates must memorize the second catechism to complete the degree and become
a Master Mason.

The Master Mason degree is the highest degree a Freemason can earn, and the most
difficult. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the values of Freemasonry.
Completion of the degree is celebrated with a symbolism-rich ceremony.







CALENDAR


March


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HOW TO CONTACT US

We appreciate your taking the time to evaluate our Lodge to see if it meets your
expectations and needs.

If you wish to seek further information, or are considering joining our Lodge,
please feel free to email our Secretary. Thank you so much for reviewing the
Website and we hope it proved helpful!





© 2022 Academia Lodge № 847.



 * Welcome
 * Statement of Principles
 * What is Freemasonry?
 * More About Academia Lodge
 * Are You Sincerely Interested in Freemasonry?
 * Formal Meetings
 * The History of the Fraternity
 * A Partial List of Famous Freemasons
 * Requirements to Become a Mason
 * Requesting Membership
 * Becoming a Mason
 * Calendar
 * Contact Us