Visit to Grand Lodge of Colombia in Bogota - Four Elements

[Steve Crane]

I recently had a great opportunity to visit the Grand Lodge of
Colombia in Bogota. It was a very interesting visit and as usual
Brothers are Brothers wherever you go. Very gracious, very helpful. I
was given a tour of the 4 Chambers of Reflection - Fire, Water, Air,
and Earth. This is a Masonic ritual I am unfamiliar with in any of the
US Lodges I have visited. Clearly this is a very moving and very
inspirational ritual. My question to all - is this ritual, or
something similar to it used in other GL jurisdictions?

Steve Crane
Lakeside #42, Sandpoint ID
Creston #54, Creston BC
Topeka #17, Topeka KS

[Doug Freyburger]

I was given a tour of the 4 Chambers of Reflection ...

So far I've only seen one chamber of reflections. It was used by
the only French speaking lodge in California for their first degree
which was unique in California. They had gotten their first degree
from a different historical linage than most US lodges and they
got to keep it when they joined the California GL.

Valley de France Lodge was a tenant in the building owned by
Pasadena 272. At some point since I relocated out of the area
they have since consolidated with Pasadena 272. I don't believe
that any French first degrees have been presented since the
consolidation.

To my knowledge no other California lodge has or uses a chamber
of reflection. To my knowledge no Illinois lodge has or uses a
chamber of reflection.

Fraternal regards,
Doug Freyburger
PM 2007-8 Arlington Heights 1162 Illinois AF&AM
PM 1999 Pasadena 272 California F&AM

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by Steve Crane
I recently had a great opportunity to visit the Grand Lodge of
Colombia in Bogota. It was a very interesting visit and as usual
Brothers are Brothers wherever you go. Very gracious, very helpful. I
was given a tour of the 4 Chambers of Reflection - Fire, Water, Air,
and Earth. This is a Masonic ritual I am unfamiliar with in any of the
US Lodges I have visited. Clearly this is a very moving and very
inspirational ritual. My question to all - is this ritual, or
something similar to it used in other GL jurisdictions?
Steve Crane
Lakeside #42, Sandpoint ID
Creston #54, Creston BC
Topeka #17, Topeka KS

Bro Steve
One of the French speaking lodges in Montre ( I think it is
Couer Unis/United Heart) performs that ceremony in the 1st degree.
Quiet impressive as I seem to recall.
It was explained to me it is a custom relating to the old initiation
of the lodges that originally
used the SR ritual.

I also know of 2 brothers in the USA who while posted to an air force
base in France in the early 50's were initiated into the craft, using
the same ritual.

It is something to behold, and really stresses the difference in
initiation ceremonies in some jurisdictions while maintaining the
almost the same verbage.

While the ceremony was 80% in French and 20% in English, it was fairly
easy to follow.

Ben Geisler
York 156
Ionic 25\
Toronto

[Steve Crane]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by Steve Crane
I recently had a great opportunity to visit the Grand Lodge of
Colombia in Bogota. It was a very interesting visit and as usual
Brothers are Brothers wherever you go. Very gracious, very helpful. I
was given a tour of the 4 Chambers of Reflection - Fire, Water, Air,
and Earth. This is a Masonic ritual I am unfamiliar with in any of the
US Lodges I have visited. Clearly this is a very moving and very
inspirational ritual. My question to all - is this ritual, or
something similar to it used in other GL jurisdictions?
Steve Crane
Lakeside #42, Sandpoint ID
Creston #54, Creston BC
Topeka #17, Topeka KS

Bro Steve
One of the French speaking lodges in Montre ( I think it is
Couer Unis/United Heart) performs that ceremony in the 1st degree.
Quiet impressive as I seem to recall.
It was explained to me it is a custom relating to the old initiation
of the lodges that originally
used the SR ritual.
I also know of 2 brothers in the USA who while posted to an air force
base in France in the early 50's were initiated into the craft, using
the same ritual.
It is something to behold, and really stresses the difference in
initiation ceremonies in some jurisdictions while maintaining the
almost the same verbage.
While the ceremony was 80% in French and 20% in English, it was fairly
easy to follow.
Ben Geisler
York 156
Ionic  25\
Toronto

Thanks Bro Ben, There would be some interesting history in looking at
how the various Lodges received the traditions they receive. I've
found a kind of "geneology" of where each state received its' ritual,
but never seen a global version.