by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Bro. Brian Schimian
When you think of the Movie, “Field of Dreams”, or when I do at least, I think of the line, “…if you build it, they will come…”.
What exactly does this have to do with the Craft, you ask? It seems
like every day I see something new, something useless and most times
something that makes me think, “…hmm, I should buy that…”. Every single one of these things, in just about every category that you can imagine, has one detail in common.
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| The Masonic Guardian Bell |
Maybe
there is some subliminal message in the Degree work that programs us
recognize the Square & Compasses. When we see it on a piece of
merchandise, we think, I could buy that. Most recently, I came across
this little gem:
Some of you mat have heard of the Guardian Bell, most probably have not unless they are familiar with the motorcycle world.
Guardian Bell
“Legend
has it that Evil Road Spirits have been latching themselves on to
motorcycles for as long as there have been bikes on the road. These Evil
Road Spirits are responsible for mechanical problems and bad luck along
a journey.
Legend
goes on to say that by attaching a small bell onto your bike, the Evil
Road Spirits will become trapped inside the bell where the constant
ringing drives them insane, making them lose their grip until they fall
to the ground. (Ever wonder where potholes come from?)
Legend
also has it that the mystery of the Guardian Bell carries twice as much
power when it is purchased by a friend or loved one and given as a
gift.
Show
someone how much you care. Offer them defense against the Evil Road
Spirits! Give a Guardian™ Bell and share the Legend of Good Luck it
offers to a motorcycle and its rider!”
So,
take that line from the movie and change it slightly to “If you put a
Square & Compasses on it, they will buy it.” Be honest, even if you
have a perfectly good set of screwdrivers at home, if you were walking
through the store and saw a set with the S&C on it, you would at
least look at it and contemplate buying it. Like I said,
there must be some subliminal message in the ritual that makes us want
to buy anything with the S&C on it. And they are doing a good job
of making sure to adorn just about everything with it for our us to buy.
What
is the weirdest thing you have seen for sale or bought with the Square
& Compasses on it that you may or may not have needed?
~BJS
Motorcycle riders have put bells on their bikes for years.
ReplyDeleteI prefer this tradition:
t has been a tradition among some of us, for a long time, to run a brass bell on the left swing arm, to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone down riding. It's a small thing, but the reason a brass bell is chosen is that as we ride it will get dirty and tarnished. Every time we get down and wash and polish it, we are reminded of friends lost, and our thoughts turn to the meaning of being in the wind. As we ride, and hear the bell ring, we know that our brothers and sisters are riding with us. How easy it would be to join them with a single mistake. And maybe, just maybe, the next time a situation comes up, they will be there to help us as long as we remember them by Polishing The Bell.
Ed Nelson
Widows Sons Masonic Riding Assn. of California Inc.State Board Secretary
I didn't think it was weird when I bought one for my friend and brother, now master of the lodge, upon the occasion of him earning his motorcycle license. He appreciated the gesture and has been riding safely ever since.
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