Travis Simpkins: September 2021

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Ancient Egyptian Head of a Priest. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. by Travis Simpkins

Ancient Egyptian Priest. The Boston Green Head. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of an

Ancient Egyptian

Head of a Priest

The Boston Green Head

380 - 332 BC

Excavated at Saqqara, 1850's

Collection of the

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

by Travis Simpkins

MFA, Boston: Funerary Spells- An Ancient Egyptian Coffin

For more info, please visit:

www.mfa.org

Head of a Priest. Ancient Egypt. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. by Travis Simpkins

M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Official Portrait of

Most Worshipful

Paul Fulton Gleason

89th Grand Master

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

(2017 - 2019)

Past Master of

William Parkman Lodge

Winchester, MA

(1975 - 1976)

33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason

Valley of Boston, MA

Oil on Canvas

by Travis Simpkins

Collection of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, A.F. & A.M.

Photography by R.W. Philip Nowlan

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

For more info, please visit:

massfreemasonry.org

M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Freemasonry by Questions and Answers. Translated by Kamel Oussayef, 33°. Scottish Rite, NMJ

I was happy to see my friend Kamel Oussayef, 33° earlier today at Supreme Council headquarters and get a signed copy of his new book, hot off the press. "Freemasonry by Questions and Answers" is Ill. Bro. Oussayef's annotated translation of a 1761 French manuscript. It even includes a Q&A section from a Lodge of Adoption.
The physical book will be available through the Scottish Rite, NMJ website soon. The e-book is already available on Amazon.

A glance at Freemasonry during the Enlightenment and the American and French revolutions. Kamel Oussayef's annotated translation from a 1761 French manuscript no only describes the rituals that were used at the conception of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, but it also includes a groundbreaking ritual in three degrees for a female Masonic Lodge and takes the reader on a journey through the history, philosophy, religion, and social politics of the Enlightenment, presaging revolutions to come.
The manuscript is dated 1761, which may pique the interest of Masonic scholars. Though sources attest to Scottish Rite rituals being practiced in Paris and Bordeaux as early as 1743, it wasn't until August 27, 1761, that the higher French Masonic authorities granted Brother Stephen Morin—an intercontinental merchant—a patent naming him Grand Inspector General and "authorizing and empowering him to establish perfect and sublime Masonry in all parts of the world." In 1762, Morin first traveled to the West Indies, an important French colony at the time, taking with him these advanced degrees to disseminate their teachings. Soon after, in 1767, Brother Henry Francken, a trusted Deputy, was authorized by Morin to create in Albany, New York, the first Scottish Rite Lodge of Perfection in continental America. A few decades later, this institution, intended to be international in scope, firmly established itself throughout much of the Masonic world.
In the introduction to the book, the author places the manuscript’s translation in historical context with an overview of the French and Indian War, the publication of the first encyclopedias, and the declaration of the rights of the man and of the citizen. We also learn about General Washington’s victory at Yorktown that ended the American War of Independence against the British, and the slave revolt in San Domingo (modern Haiti) with Toussaint Louverture. We end our historic synopsis with the end of The French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte’s “coup-d’état and his accession to the imperial throne after his orchestrated election as Emperor of the French.” Accompanying the reader on this journey are Steven Morin, General George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Voltaire, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, John Locke, and Sir Isaac Newton, to name only a few.
Finally, the document includes a regrettably brief, but interesting ritual for a Lodge of Adoption or Women’s Lodge. At the time of the creation of these Lodges in the 1760s, they were all under the control of Masonic Brothers, who had to be members of regular Lodges. These Brothers presided over their meetings, assisted by Grand Mistresses and other female Officers. These men were like responsible legal guardians watching over minors. After years of trials, trepidations, and tribulations, these Lodges would, in the 20th century, metamorphose into the present day exclusively female or mixed Lodges. Similarly, these Lodges eventually found themselves under the authority of female or mixed Masonic Grand Lodges. This only stands true in a few of the most advanced and progressive countries in the world.
The Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library in Lexington, Massachusetts, commissioned Kamel’s book. It is available in a printed version as well as electronically on Amazon/kindle.

Papus. Gerard Encausse. Occultist and Mystic. Martinist Order. Martinism. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait of

Papus

Gerard Encausse

( 1865 - 1916 )

Physician, Hypnotist

Occultist and Ceremonial Magician

Co-founder of the modern

Ordre Martiniste (Martinist Order)

l'Ordre des Supérieurs Inconnus

and the Kabbalistic Order of the Rose Croix

Grand Hierophant

Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim

Member of

Hermetic Brotherhood of Light

Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

Ordo Templi Orientis ( O.T.O. )

by Travis Simpkins

Introduction to Martinism

Papus. Gerard Encausse. Martinism. Books Translated by Piers Vaughan. Portrait by Travis Simpkins

For more info, please visit:

rosecirclebooks.com

Papus. Gerard Encausse. Occultist. The Tarot of the Bohemians. by Travis Simpkins

M.W. Robert V. Monacelli. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of New Jersey. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Most Worshipful

Robert V. Monacelli

Grand Master

Grand Lodge of New Jersey

33rd Degree Freemason

Past Deputy's Representative

(to David A. Glattly, 33°)

Valley of Northern New Jersey

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite

Northern Masonic Jurisdiction

by Travis Simpkins

M.W. Robert Monacelli. Grand Lodge of New Jersey

For more info, please visit:

newjerseygrandlodge.org

Robert V. Monacelli. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of New Jersey. by Travis Simpkins

Alfred Hitchcock. The Master of Suspense. Film Director. Suspicion. by Travis Simpkins

Alfred Hitchcock. The Master of Suspense. Film Director. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Sir Alfred Hitchcock

( 1899 - 1980 )

"The Master of Suspense"

Film Director and Producer

Regarded as one of the Most Influential

Directors in the History of Cinema

Created over 50 feature films

in a career spanning six decades

by Travis Simpkins

Alfred Hitchcock interview

Alfred Hitchcock documentary

Alfred Hitchcock Lifetime Achievement Award

For more info, please visit:

imdb.com/AlfredHitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock. The Master of Suspense. Film Director. Suspicion. by Travis Simpkins

R.W. Mohamad Yatim. Grand Education Officer. Grand Lodge of New Jersey. by Travis Simpkins

Mohamad Yatim. Past Grand Historian. Grand Lodge of New Jersey. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Right Worshipful

Mohamad Yatim, 33°, MSA

Valley of Northern New Jersey

Administrator for the

Hauts Grades Academy

Scottish Rite, NMJ

Past Grand Historian
Grand Education Officer
Grand Lodge of New Jersey

Past Master of

Atlas Pythagoras Lodge No. 10

Westfield, New Jersey

by Travis Simpkins

Scottish Rite, NMJ - Seeking Further Light

For more info, please visit:

scottishritenmj.org

Mohamad Yatim. Past Grand Historian. Grand Lodge of New Jersey. by Travis Simpkins

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

M.W. Robert G. Davis. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Most Worshipful

Robert G. Davis

Grand Master

Grand Lodge of Oklahoma

33° Scottish Rite Freemason

Grand Cross of Honour

Past Executive Secretary of the

Guthrie Oklahoma Scottish Rite

by Travis Simpkins

Robert Davis: Scottish Rite Temple. Guthrie, Oklahoma

For more info, please visit:

gloklahoma.com

and

guthriescottishrite.org

Robert G. Davis. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. by Travis Simpkins

M.W. Richard J. Stewart. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Most Worshipful

Richard J. Stewart

Grand Master

2011 - 2013

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

33rd Degree Freemason

Scottish Rite Valley of Worcester, MA

by Travis Simpkins

(official photo and background photo below by Philip A. Nowlan)

M.W. Richard J. Stewart and Travis Simpkins. Masonic Temple. Worcester, Massachusetts

M.W. Richard J. Stewart. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

For more info, please visit:

massfreemasonry.org

M.W. Richard J. Stewart. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Monday, September 27, 2021

M.W. William L. Greene. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Connecticut. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Most Worshipful

William L. Greene

Past Grand Master

Grand Lodge of Connecticut

by Travis Simpkins

Not Just a Man, a Mason

For more info, please visit:

ctfreemasons.net

M.W. William L. Greene. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Connecticut. by Travis Simpkins

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Rossman, 33°. Supreme Council. Scottish Rite, SJ. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait of

Thomas A. Rossman, PhD, 33°

and his wife

Patricia A. Rossman

House of the Temple Benefactors

Members of the

Intendant of the Building Society

Mr. Rossman is a member of:

Center Line Lodge No. 550. Detroit, MI

Scottish Rite Valley of Detroit

Scottish Rite Valley of Honolulu

Mrs. Rossman is a member of:

Lei Aloha Chapter No. 3

Order of the Eastern Star

Oil on Canvas

by Travis Simpkins

Commissioned for the Pillars of Charity Hall at the

House of the Temple. Washington, DC

Collection of the Supreme Council, 33°

Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction

Supreme Council, 33°. Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction

For more info, please visit:

scottishrite.org

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Rossman, 33°. Supreme Council. Scottish Rite, SJ. by Travis Simpkins

Sunday, September 26, 2021

M.W. William L. Morris. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of New Jersey. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Most Worshipful

William L. Morris

Past Grand Master

Grand Lodge of New Jersey

by Travis Simpkins

Created for the

Grand Lodge of New Jersey Museum of Masonic Culture

Not Just a Man, a Mason

For more info, please visit:

masonicmuseumnj.org

and

newjerseygrandlodge.org

M.W. William L. Morris. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of New Jersey. by Travis Simpkins

Audie Murphy, 33°. World War II Soldier, Actor and Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Illustrious Brother

Audie L. Murphy

( 1925 - 1971 )

First Lieutenant

United States Army

The Most Decorated American Combat Soldier

of World War II

Recipient of the Medal of Honor

Actor and Songwriter

Freemason

Member of North Hollywood Lodge No. 542

Scottish Rite Valley of Dallas, Texas

and Valley of Long Beach, California

Honorary 33rd Degree (Posthumous)

by Travis Simpkins

Audie Murphy

For more info, please visit:

audiemurphy.com

Audie Murphy, 33°. World War II Soldier, Actor and Freemason. To Hell and Back. by Travis Simpkins

Saturday, September 25, 2021

William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes. Stage Actor. Silent Film. Gillette Castle. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

William Gillette

( 1853 - 1937 )

Actor, Stage Manager and Playwright

Best Remembered for portraying

Sherlock Holmes

on stage 1,300 times over 30 years

and in one 1916 Silent Film

Owner/Designer of Gillette Castle

Hadlyme, Connecticut

by Travis Simpkins

Sherlock Holmes (1916) starring William Gillette

Gillette Castle. Home of William Gillette. Sherlock Holmes. Hadlyme, Connecticut

For more info, please visit:

sherlockian-sherlock.com/travis-simpkins-interview

William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes. Stage Actor. Silent Film. Gillette Castle. by Travis Simpkins

David Glattly, 33°. Past Sovereign Grand Commander. Scottish Rite, NMJ. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

David A. Glattly, 33°

Past Sovereign Grand Commander

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite

of Freemasonry

Supreme Council, 33°

Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A.

Lexington, Massachusetts

by Travis Simpkins

Scottish Rite, NMJ - Seeking Further Light

For more info, please visit:

scottishritenmj.org

David Glattly, 33°. by Travis Simpkins. Scottish Rite Museum and Library. Lexington, MA

Friday, September 24, 2021

Gerald Gardner. Witchcraft. Book of Shadows. Gardnerian Wicca. Ceremonial Magick. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Dr. Gerald Brosseau Gardner

(1884 - 1964)

Anthropologist and Archaeologist

“Father of Wicca”

Founder of Gardnerian Wicca

Author of the Gardnerian “Book of Shadows”

“The Meaning of Witchcraft”

and “Witchcraft Today”

Initiated in the New Forest coven

Founder of the Bricket Wood coven

Member of

Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.)

Member of the

Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship

Freemason, Member of

Sphinx Lodge No. 107, Irish Constitution

Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

by Travis Simpkins

Interview with Gerald Gardner

For more info, please visit:

british-wicca.com

Gerald Gardner. Book of Shadows. Gardnerian Wicca. Magick. Witchcraft Today. by Travis Simpkins

His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tenzin Gyatso. Tibetan Buddhism. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

His Holiness

The 14th Dalai Lama

Tenzin Gyatso

Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso

(born Lhamo Dhondup)

Reincarnation of

Avalokitesvara, Boddhisattva of Compassion

Spiritual Leader of the

Gelug or "Yellow Hat" School

of Tibetan Buddhism

Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1989)

by Travis Simpkins

The Dalai Lama - Biography

The Dalai Lama - Overcoming Anger and Anxiety

The Dalai Lama - Vision of a Compassionate and Peaceful World

For more info, please visit:

dalailama.com

His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tenzin Gyatso. Tibetan Buddhism. Bodhichitta. by Travis Simpkins

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Scottish Rite Journal. Sept/Oct 2021. Supreme Council, 33°, SJ. Chips from the Quarry. Art by Travis Simpkins

Scottish Rite Journal. Supreme Council, 33°, SJ. Chips from the Quarry. Art by Travis Simpkins

Scottish Rite Journal. Sept/Oct 2021. Supreme Council, 33°, SJ. Chips from the Quarry. Art by Travis Simpkins

The latest issue of the Scottish Rite Journal (September/October, 2021) was just published.

My regular contribution of “Chips from the Quarry” is on page 16. This one focuses on Bestselling authors and Freemasonry. The text was written by S. Brent Morris, 33°, GC.

This issue is also my first byline as a 33° (cool to see it in print)

Read the full issue here:

Scottish Rite Journal Sept/Oct 2021