The Masonic Egregore
Throughout our masonic journeys, I expect that every mason has felt the power and emotion of his lodge. It is the feeling of being united and elevated by his brotherhood. Through these emotions and moments of clarity exists an intangible thread, a force that binds us in our work. I have heard many of my brothers express their views and imaginings of what form that force might take. The perspective that I would like to present tonight, is that of the Masonic Egregore.
An Egregore is defined as, “A thoughtform or collective group mind, an autonomous entity made up of and influencing, the thoughts of a group of people”. The term derives from the Greek word Grigori and means to ‘be awake’ or ‘to watch’, the term being strongly linked with the experience of enlightenment, and awakening. These obscure entities are brought about by either a group’s conscious effort, or are the unconscious result of a group’s energies blending over time. The masonic Egregore falls into the latter category. It’s properties and functions are relative to the group which produced it, resulting in an agent for that group’s ambitions.
Masonic lodges are uniquely capable of creating and sustaining an Egregore. While the creation of an Egregore is an occult practice and that the average Lodge may not be esoterically minded, the thought form could come into existence through the unconscious thoughts and energies generated by a Lodge of Masons. Masonry by its nature draws in men with strong wills and a desire to grow. Much like the rough ashlar, the rough energies of a lodge are shaped and refined by those strong wills, resulting in a perfected Egregore. The Egregore’s purpose is a reflection of the will of its Lodge and stands as a trestle-board for their designs.
The functions of the masonic Egregore are numerous. Awakening when lodge is opened, the Egregore is felt as an ambiance, relating to all Masons in attendance that our work has begun. It aids in the rituals we perform, a tool unconsciously directed by our words and actions. The Egregore exists between the realms of the material and the spiritual, this is where the thought form serves its greatest purpose. We as Masons also do our work between those realms, as represented by the square and compass. Each Mason seeks to be raised from a lower level to a worthy and upright state, and the Egregore’s true purpose is to assist in that ascent.
The range of the Masonic Egregore may carry beyond the walls of its mother lodge, a passenger in the breast of each Mason. Alive in that mason’s thoughts and speculations, further binding him to his brotherhood. While that Mason is away from his lodge he is reminded that the path he is on is well tread. He follows in the footsteps of countless brothers, who like him, have felt this immaterial connection. While every lodge will produce an Egregore as unique as its members, the thought form should always reflect the Masonic lessons and symbols that are immovable. This facilitates a union, that through the energies of our lodge we hold a connection to all past, present and future Masons.
At its most basic The Masonic Egregore is our collective emotions, and is the atmosphere that each of us encounters when we enter lodge. It is that feeling of entering into a place of great work, a thread sewing unity between brothers, and masonry as a whole. At its macro this Egregore is the cement of a Speculative Mason. It is the material with which we build our inner temples, and find ourselves worthy of the habitation of God.
By Devin Roberts 32° Portland Valley and Esoterika Lodge 227 in Portland Oregon.
