"You're wearing your ring the wrong way, you know."
The Past Master tried to be nonchalant, but the way he slightly emphasized the "you know" implied that he didn't actually think that I did know, and he was going to make sure that I knew I didn't know.
You know how some people are.
"That's odd," I replied, "I was sure it was on correctly when I left the house."
I shifted the glass of Jameson's to my left hand and held my up my right, wriggling my fingers.
"Yeah, see?" I pointed out. "The big part of the ring is on the outside and the the skinny part is on the inside. It would really be uncomfortable the other way."
To his credit, he didn't take the bait, being more interested in pointing out my mistake.
"No, you're wearing it with the points out. You should be wearing it with the points in."
"In where?"
"Pointing in, toward you," he said.
I curled my fingers and moved my hand around a bit. "Aren't they pointing in now?"
"No, I mean pointing in on your finger." He was obviously being very patient with me. "The points on the compasses should be pointing up your finger to your hand, back to you."
"What? Why's that?"
"Because you're not a Past Master, that's why."
He sipped his beer and gave me a knowing look. I swirled the glass of Irish whiskey, hearing the tiny cubes tinkle in the glass.
"I don't remember that being in the ritual monitor," I said.
"There are lots of things about Masonry that aren't written down," he replied. "You just have to learn them the hard way."
He took another sip of his beer. "Do you always wear it that way?"
"Well, maybe," I replied. "I hadn't really thought much about it until now."
"I'm surprised that nobody else has mentioned it before," he said. "I guess I just must be more observant."
"What possible difference could it make?" I asked "It's only a ring."
"It's the symbolism," he explained, "Only a Master can give light; you have merely received it."
"I'm pretty sure that the flashlight is the working tool of one of the other degrees."
"Now you're just being a Mr. Smarty Pants. The Worshipful Master gives light during the degrees. You, however, haven't done that; you should wear your ring with the points in, the way you saw them on the altar."
"Points in?"
"Yes. Look, how were the points arranged when you were brought to light?"
"The same way they always are," I replied.
"Exactly - with you looking up at them."
"Uhh... up?"
"Right. So, when the ring is on your finger, the points should be arranged the same way as when you first saw them, to remind you of that experience."
"Unless I've given light, right?"
"Yes, now you're getting it."
I politely declined his offer of a little cigar, and pulled out my own pack of cigarettes. I struck my lighter, a small butane novelty, and offered it to him. We stood for a few moments, enjoying the cool evening on the back stairs.
"I don't suppose that counts as 'giving light', does it?"
He shook his head. "No, and you're being a Mr. Smarty Pants again."
"I'm just trying to be clear on this," I explained. I took another sip of my Irish whiskey and thought for a moment. "I sort of get the symbolism - sort of. But, as a Junior Warden, though, I've done degree work. I've initiated new brothers. That sounds like I've given light - at least, partially."
He paused for a bit, and then answered. "No, that doesn't count."
He didn't seem compelled to explain why, so I asked him.
"Because, only the Master can give light."
"But I was in the chair doing the work."
"Yes, but you weren't the Master."
"But I was doing the work of the Master."
"That may be, but you were not the actual Master."
"So, are you saying that those new brothers aren't real Masons?"
"Hmm?"
"Because the candidates certainly didn't notice the difference." I went on, "But if I didn't actually give any light, and if I follow what you're saying, then they must not actually be Masons. It would really be a bad thing if all of those lodges that have the Wardens do degree work turn out to not actually be initiating Masons. Why, half the members in this district are probably invalid, if that's the case."
He thought for a moment. "No, that's not right. You did it with the permission of the Master, so you were acting through him."
I conceded, but then asked "So, what if the master called out sick that night? I'd still have been doing the work, right? Would that mean that..."
"No, you're purposely making this difficult," he pointed out. "Only the Master gives light, so only he is entitled to wear his ring with the points out," he insisted. "It's symbolic."
"And we're big on symbols around here, I've noticed."
"Right." He took another sip of beer. "Besides, when you go around with the points out, pretty much anybody can see them.
"Well, it is a ring..."
"Yes, but it's almost like you're advertising that you're a Mason."
"Wait, what?"
"You're supposed to be keeping the secrets of Masonry, right? You don't go blabbing it all over, right? You do know that we used to call ourselves 'The Quiet Fraternity', right?"
"Yes, that was one of the things that I liked when I was reading about the fraternity; the lack of blatant self-promotion."
"Exactly so," he answered. "When you have your points out, it makes it easy for anybody to notice them. That's why I said, it's almost like you're advertising that you're a Mason."
"Advertising?"
He nodded. "Like you're showing off, or something."
"Oh, I get it," I replied, "We are quiet and internally directed because we're making ourselves better men; so advertising our affiliation with our rings makes it look like we simply joined for the sake of joining."
Ne nodded again. "Now you understand," he declared, "I'm glad we had this little chat."
He finished the rest of his beer and moved toward the door.
"Umm, one thing," I said.
"Yes?"
I motioned at the two dozen or so cars in the parking lot, almost all of which were sporting decals with the logos of Blue Lodge, York Rite, or the Shrine. Several of them also had the now familiar "2B1 Ask 1" bumper stickers.
"Why do you suppose it is that my small, discreet ring is 'advertising', but all of those decals, badges, and bumper stickers are simply showing pride in membership?"
The old Past Master stubbed out his cigar, and turned toward the door. "Some people," he snorted, "just don't get the point, even when you poke them with it."
Friday, March 06, 2009
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16 Comments:
You have a new name, the Masonic Tao of Smarty Pants.
Did I miss the point(s)?
I still wear my ring with the points facing inwards, because I feel I will always be receiving light, even though I'm a two-time loser PM. I always found the ring direction "rule" to be silly. We have enough things (too many in fact) to separate the brothers from the brothers + some title
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"
- George Orwell
I prefer mine facing out, so if I have to punch somebody, they'll have a mark like The Phantom.
Oh, wait - there's that Mr. Smarty Pants again.
Personally, I love these unwritten rules within Freemasonry because they vary so greatly based on the opinion of the brother giving the rule. I took a little jaunt over to the Goog and noticed an article on the Masonic Lodge of Education website about Masonic rings and found some interesting theories on how the ring should be worn. http://tinyurl.com/df6nre The first is what the PM described to you, Tom, where the brother wears the points as they were when he was at the altar unless he is a PM. The other theory is that the points should face outward. The reason these points should face outward is because, originally, these rings were used as signet rings, meant to leave impressions in wax. When the ring is pressed down with the points of the compass facing you, the impression will be upside down but when the points face out, the impression would be the correct direction. This is why MSANA has stated that it doesn’t matter which way you wear the ring. I agree Tom, I think you should wear it like that to "stamp" out evil.
I am of the opinion that it is not the direction but the type of ring that differentiates a PM and a brother. With a sun in the center, I think the symbolism is more obvious and accurate than right side up or right side down on one’s finger. But as I said, I love the unwritten rules as it adds color and contrast to our Fraternity.
Nick
MF, those unwritten rules are because Masonry is, despite it's acclaimed universality, is truly very parochial.
There is so much variation from lodge to lodge. Little myths and legends spring up, many of them cribbed from stories gleaned from other, slightly more traveled members. But it's always surprising when somebody tells us something new. The more interesting thing is when they come up with some weird reasoning - the explanation of the points, for instance.
I happen to wear mine points out, but admit to not having done so consistently until I was WM, mainly because I didn't want to hear about it. You can argue all you want about whether something is in the ritual book, but "lodge traditions" hold strong.
Another point to consider, though, is that while PM rings are available, I suspect that most people don't bother to get one; after all, you have your favorite S&C ring, perhaps one handed down. And in Conn, many, if not most lodges present you with a PMs pin or jewel or apron at the end of your year. I can't imagine many people opt for picking up yet one more piece of bling.
Now, a PM tattoo would be cool...
Tom Accuosti said...
"I prefer mine facing out, so if I have to punch somebody, they'll have a mark like The Phantom."
I'm glad you said that. Now I don;'t feel so wierd for saying
"In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power... Masonic light!"
Every time I put mine on :)
:laughs:
I am so stealing that one!
I used to get the same "you can't DO that" treatment from PM's about wearing my white lambskin apron after my degree work.
"That's only supposed to be for your degrees, and when you die!" they'd chastise me, "You must not be very well versed in Masonry."
"Oh, so, that part in the presentation about 'equal pleasure to myself, and honor to fraternity' was BS?"
They usually shut up after that.
I wear my ring with the points in to remember how they were when I took my oblations. On my ring is a PM signet but the ring is a MM ring like a good cheep Yankee I just had the MM signet switched out for a PM one. So I guess I am wearing wrong but at least on my ring with the points in the trowel faces me and constantly reminds me of the purpose of this Noble and Glorious tool. I don't know about other parts of CT but most of the guys I know in Dist. 1 and 4 (you know the money part of the state) get PM rings.
Jeff
Well written, Tom and enjoyable to read. A first rate essay!
I think the point to be made is much more than about rings. What this article says to me is that when we get caught up in being doctrinaire, elevating dogma above fraternity and in making detailed rules and regulations we strait jacket Freemasonry and ruin it's spirit of liberty and non judgmentalism. In the process we create another ism, or even theology if you prefer, that is no longer a philosophical way of life and a search for the truth but a "we've got all the answers" syndrome and we are going to enforce them.
I talk to Brothers everyday who have the one and only true Freemasonry and who can go on for hours about clandestine, irregular and unrecognized Obediences who they wish to ostracize and eradicate. I grieve that in some places and in some instances we are making war instead of discussing philosophy.
Freemasonry cannot be universal under these circumstances.
Very entertaining Tom. The whole 'way to wear a ring' arguement is an interesting one condidering that the ring itself is not really part of the Masonic regalia, symbology or allegory.
How does one dictate how something should be worn when it is, in simple terms, a brothers way of expressing his obligation to or love of the craft of Freemasonry.
Maybe it's because the sigil on my ring is very small and understated, but I've thankfully never had or witnessed one of these exchanges in my neck of the woods. It strikes me as a terrific waste of energy... have Brethren who get in a twist about these things nothing better to worry about?
The business of "Welllll, it's not official policy but some things in Masonry aren't written down" reminds me of nothing more than the Tchotchkes 'pieces of flair' policy in Office Space: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXHPqj3NcI
My take on rings from last year: http://the-ex-life.blogspot.com/2008/05/on-wearing-of-rings.html
Wow, it is certainly funny to see all the different "rules" people and lodges have when it comes to wearing a ring. At my lodge, I was told to wear my ring with points in, so that when I look down I can see the symbol properly and be reminded of the lessons taught to me. All of our members wear our rings as such. Wearing it points out is considered to be showing off around here, but there is no fuss about. There are more important things than the way a man wears his ring. I don't remember my ring being a topic during any of the examinations.
So, I am a brand new, wet behind the ears Freemason who was raised on Thursday and was given my emblem on Sunday as a father's day gift. My ring was worn by my future father in law. He died 7 years before meeting my beloved.
My sponsor into Freemasonry lives across the street from me and spent the evening tonight, teaching me the signals of Masonry and making sure that I know that the ring has a proper way of wearing it.
I took it off my left hand, since that is the sinister hand. Being a lefty, I am reminded of this often, but still my points were facing out, mistake number two. Mistake number 3 may be not being a master at everything there is to know about being a mason before I wear it. Apparently, many will challenge me and make sure I know my stuff. Being newly raised, I look forward to the experience.
I am very happy to be at the beginnings of this journey and I am just thrilled to look upon my ring no matter how it is worn.
The direction of the man, is more important than the direction of the ring.
How does a Mason wear his ring? Proudly.
I have always worn my ring with the points out so others could see the emblem right side up. (Nobody ever insisted that there was a particular way for a PM to wear it.)
What I like to do is turn the ring the other way when I'm angry at something. Thus I see the emblem right side up, reminding me that I'm a Mason, and that lessons I've learned may apply in the situation. In other words, This reminds me to circumscribe my desires and keep my passions within due bounds.
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