Day 31 of the 100 Day plan to learn the Masonic Ritual to a level required before your Installation Ceremony, and for almost two weeks we have been concentrating on the First Degree Initiation Ceremony. We will continue with that (though the plan isn’t to be word perfect with that, but to have a good grounding with it for future learning the revision), but first we are going to go back to…
Revising Masonic Ritual, Day 31 of 100: Installation Ceremony Revision
It’s been a couple of weeks since you learnt this so you’ll likely be rusty and have a couple of moments where your brain blanks, but hopefully over the last few weeks the bulk of it has been slowly absorbed into your subconscious. I suggest opening the blue book to the required page of the piece, but avoid looking if necessary. In my book Investing the Officers starts on page 214 with the IPM, then picks up with the Senior Warden on page 223, through the Offices to page 235, then Resuming is on page 68 and Closing the Lodge is pages 62-65.
As we did before we started doing the First Degree, try and get through as much of it as possible without looking, making a note of areas that you need help with then skipping over that piece so you don’t get out of the flow, then reviewing these parts afterwards. If in doubt have a guess and see how close you are. I’m willing to bet that you were pretty much there, a case of “the right words, the wrong order” and would have at least been able to communicate the sentiment of the line Whereas before I found I was missing parts (especially with the Junior Warden for some reason!) I now realise that there is ritual, but need a little nudge by way of the first couple of words – proof that it’s working, even if not perfectly just yet.
If possible have someone follow along with the book in their hand. Ask them only to give a prompt when you ask, and only offer a correction if you are making a big mistake or missing some. Then after you have finished the piece they can highlight any minor errors such as missed words, or swapping the order, etc. I hope that you were pleasantly surprised with how much you have retained over the last few weeks and it shows that putting in regular study on a daily basis is building your Masonic knowledge. If you have experienced problems don’t worry as we will be having more revision and rehearsal sessions before your are Installed in the Chair, though I do recommend occasionally revisiting those areas of concern when you have some spare time.
A great tip is to keep the Blue Book in the bathroom for those odd times when you have some peace and quiet for a couple minutes!