Monday, March 6, 2017

Most Worshipful Stanley J. Barclay. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Manitoba. by Travis Simpkins

M.W. Stanley Barclay. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Manitoba. by Travis Simpkins


Portrait Sketch of
Most Worshipful
Stanley J. Barclay
Grand Master
2016 - 2017
Grand Lodge of Manitoba
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons
by Travis Simpkins


Grand Lodge of Manitoba, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons


For more info, please visit:


Stanley Barclay, Grand Master. by Travis Simpkins. Grand Lodge of Manitoba

Sunday, March 5, 2017

George Washington Masonic Memorial. George Washington as a Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

George Washington Masonic Memorial. George Washington as a Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a
Bronze Bust of
George Washington 
as a Freemason
Collection of
The George Washington Masonic Memorial
Alexandria, Virginia
by Travis Simpkins


original sculpture by Edward Valentine, 1876


The George Washington Masonic Memorial


For more info, please visit:


George Washington Masonic Memorial. Alexandria, VA. by Travis Simpkins

"Albert Pike's Esoterika" Transcribed and Annotated by Arturo de Hoyos


Albert Pike's Esoterika
The Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry
Transcribed and Annotated by 
Arturo de Hoyos
The Scottish Rite Research Society, 2005
Notes by Travis Simpkins

     There are a handful of truly essential Masonic texts, and Albert Pike's Esoterika: The Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry is one of them. Transcribed and annotated by Arturo de Hoyos, Grand Archivist and Grand Historian of the Supreme Council 33°, the book contains copious endnotes that both compliment and enhance Albert Pike's previously unpublished original manuscript.
     Born out of Albert Pike's frustration with the lack of explanation he received upon initiation in regard to many of Freemasonry's most prominent symbols, Esoterika offers illumination that expands upon the core teachings contained within Masonic ritual. Interpretations of such symbols as the square and compasses, the weapons and blows of the assassins, the three grips, the 47th Problem of Euclid and the substitute for the Master's Word comprise the center of Pike's focus. Asides regarding the cable-tow, corner stones, Jacob's Ladder, Tubal Cain, Shibboleth, Solomon and Hiram provide further pause for thought. Appendices containing several 18th Century early Masonic exposes provide the reader with context as to some of Pike's sources. I won't go into further detail regarding the symbolic content and explanations here. 
     I purchased the book as part of the Master Craftsman program offered by the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.  and it was worth every penny. Anyone looking for education beyond the Lodge room would be well-advised to look into the program here: scottishrite.org/members/masonic-education



Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: Hermes 

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: Tetragrammaton

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: King Solomon

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: Kabbala

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: REBIS

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: 47th Problem of Euclid

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: Jacob's Ladder

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: House of the Temple

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos