Dan Brown, author of the best-selling book The Da Vinci Code, has written a new book that features the noetic sciences prominently: The Lost Symbol.
Dr. Katherine Solomon, the female protagonist, is described as a “noetic scientist” and appears to be based on a composite of many of the leading figures in the real-life noetic sciences.

The real-life Institute of Noetic Sciences is mentioned several times in the book, as are many of the actual experiments conducted by our researchers and their colleagues.

The word “noetic” comes from the Greek word nous. There is no exact equivalent in English. Noetic refers to “inner knowing” or a kind of intuitive consciousness—direct and immediate access to knowledge beyond what is available to our normal senses and power of reason. As defined by psychologist-philosopher William James, noetic refers to “states of insight into depths of truth unplumbed by the discursive intellect. They are illuminations, revelations, full of significance and importance, all inarticulate though they remain; and as a rule they carry with them a curious sense of authority…”

Noetic sciences use scientific methods to explore the “inner cosmos” of the mind (consciousness, soul, spirit) and how it relates to the “outer cosmos” of the physical world. They study how people come to know things or affect things through experiences or capacities (intuitions, synchronicities, psi, “after-death” communication, energy healing, etc.) that have no apparent rational explanation, and what this says about the nature of human consciousness.

In many instances in the book, the author refers to the 33^rd Degree Ring. An example of this ring can be found at Fox Jewelry.

Take any good street map of downtown Washington, D.C. and find the Capitol Building. Facing the Capitol from the Mall and using the Capitol building as the head or top of the Compass, the left leg is represented by Pennsylvania Ave. and the right leg, Maryland Ave. The Square is found in the usual Masonic position with the intersection of Canal St. and Louisiana Ave. The left leg of the Compass stands on the White House and the right leg stands on the Jefferson Memorial. Sitting on top of the White House is an inverted 5 pointed star, or Pentagram. It faces North, with the point down in true occult fashion. It sits within the intersections of Connecticut and Vermont Avenues north to Dupont and Logan Circles, with Rhode Island and Massachusetts going to Washington Circle to the West and Mt. Vernon Square on the East.

Examples of the Compass and Square can be found on the Masonic Rings sold by Fox Jewelry located in Sioux City, IA.

Father’s Day comes but once a year, and it’s important to celebrate all our dads have done for us. While dads do like to interact with their families and children on Father’s Day, most are also expecting a little something as a gift. But when we ask dad what he wants, the most common reply is “Oh all I want is your love and admiration”, or another phrase that is just as vague. There are a lot of cool gifts that dad is sure to love on his special day. Here are a few to consider:

_Masonic pendant – if dad is a Mason, he’s sure to like a Masonic pendant, ring, or even lapel pin.

_Barbeque tools – most dads love to barbeque, and with a set of barbeque tools, he might even be more inclined to cook on a regular basis!

_USB computer devices – whether it’s a drink warmer, portable fan, or a lava lamp, dads are sure to love fun USB computer devices

Franklin was initiated: October 11, 1911 in Holland Lodge No. 8 in New York City. Franklin was Governor of New York from 1929-1933. He participated in the Raising of his son Elliott (1910-1990) on February 17, 1933, in Architect’s Lodge No. 519, also in New York City. He was present, but did not participate in the Degrees when two other sons, James (1907-1991) and Franklin D., Jr. (1914-1988) became Members of their brother Elliott’s Lodge, on November 7, 1935. Brother and President Roosevelt was made the first Honorary Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay on April 13, 1934 at the White House. To see various examples of Masonic Rings visit Fox Jewelry

The Lodge record have been lost for the Seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson and have not been located. It appears as though he was a Member of St. Tammany Lodge No. 1, Nashville, Tennessee, as early as 1800. Tammany Lodge No. 1, was the first Lodge in Tennessee, organized in 1789, under a Dispensation from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. The name of the lodge was later changed to Harmony Lodge No. 1 on November 1, 1800. Brother Jackson is officially listed as a Member in the Lodge Return to the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee for 1805. On December 27, 1813, the Grand Lodge of Tennessee was granted its own Constitution. Brother Jackson was the sixth Grand Master of Masons of Tennessee, serving from October 7, 1822 until October 4, 1824.

So Mote It Be. It has such strong meaning to the true Mason. The word “Mote” is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “may”, but the meaning to the Mason should be much more personal. Whether at the end of one’s prayer, at the pronouncement of the sacred union of marriage, at the blessed birth of a child, or at the solemn bidding good bye to one who is loved and respected, we say those meaningful words, So Mote It Be.

When I say those words, So Mote It Be, I am not speaking to those mortal beings around me, I am speaking directly to the Supreme Deity of all existence, I am asking God to look into my heart and know what is there that I may not know the words to express. I am asking God to recognize my needs; even those I don’t know exist and provide for them to know my weaknesses and frailties of life, to know all that my humble existence cannot comprehend. I yielding to His will and imploring His mercy. What do those words mean to you, my Fraternal Brother? So Mote It Be. It is very common for a Master Mason to wear a Masonic Ring such as the ones at Fox Jewelry.