"A System of Morality, taught by Allegory and Illustrated by Symbols" 
In our continuing mission to be beacons of light we ask you all to "Prepare, Prevail & Prosper" Above all; "Think for Yourself!"
Coming up @ Lodge 693 All meetings will be held via Zoom Conference call. Tuesday, October 6th -Officers meeting at 7pm. Tuesday, October 20th - Socrates Cafe at 7pm "Technology" "Is technology and A.I. good for us and our children?" Tuesday, October 27th - Hall Association meeting at 6:30pm. 
September 2020 From the desk of Worshipful Master Ted Parker . . . . Brothers and friends, I hope everyone is well and in good health. I have been busy negotiating work and sometimes it seems nonstop. I've won a couple of jobs up at Lake Tahoe as well as another one in Palm Springs. We are getting ready to head back up north to start another one (or two-hopefully) before the end of the year. Please check in by sending a short email or text and let me know how you are doing. I'd love to hear from you. On the third Tuesday in August we had another Trivium Cafe. Our topic for the night was; "Freedom" with the question; "Is Freedom Free?". We had a very passionate discussion about this both involving "Yes it's Free"- it is our God given right and "No it's not Free"- you have to fight for your freedom as we have done so many times against those who would try and take our freedoms and ruin our country. I'm pleased to say everyone was engaged and had very good observations. Please feel free to send me a reply to this, my email is listed below. We will post the question on the web page along with any response. The discussion was recorded (video) and we're in the process of learning how to load it on the Trivium page on this website. "Freedom" was/is a great topic and one that should be talked about openly with everyone. Remember to keep it non-political and follow the Trivium Discussion guidelines. You'll probably have an interesting, lively and enlightening conversation. It seems there isn't much hope of the Lodge opening for any kind of meeting in the immediate future. Many of our brothers and I are very disappointed in how all this has panned out with our Grand Lodge. In my opinion, we're not doing much leading these days- both in the fraternity and our communities. At these times we need to have Trust and Faith the wheels are moving in a positive direction with a positive outcome. Please join us for the next Trivium Cafe on October 20, 2020 at 7:00pm (1200h). The topic will be; "Technology" with the question; "Is Technology and A.I good for us and our children?". Reminders will be sent out along with the invitation to attend. If you're not on the lodge email list and would like to participate or just observe, please send us your information with your request on our "Contact Us" page/tab. I'll stay in touch brothers and friends. Please stay safe. Fraternally and Sincerely, Ted Parker, PM Worshipful Master Palm Springs Lodge #693 tedparker93@yahoo.com VISION
To restore Palm Springs Lodge #693 as a beacon of light in Masonry for all worthy and well qualified men. MISSION Our mission is to lead by example. To provide a sanctuary away from the world at large where Brothers are free to teach, learn and explore the symbols, values, morals and principles of the Symbolic Blue Lodge that will help us live a righteous noble manhood, "making good men better" 
Inside The Symbolic Blue Lodge is where every Masonic journey begins. Whether you become a Shriner, Scottish Rite, York Rite or Royal Arch Mason, your search for Light begins and ends...
Inside The Symbolic Blue Lodge. Socrates Cafe/ Trivium Discussion Group
Insightful conversations exploring the key questions of life. We convene every 3rd Tuesday of the month to discuss philosophical questions we ourselves have chosen and to think for ourselves about the life we want to lead. This is open to the public. (Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric)- The Trivium October 20th at 7pm - "Technology" and "Is technology and A.I. good for us and our children?" Previous questions we have explored: "What is government?" "What is COVID-19?" "What is fear?" "Should we elect anyone?' "What is money?" "What is the occult?" "What is a Secret?" "What is Ritual?" "What is Authority?" "What is Freedom, is it Free?" To learn more, click on the Trivium Tab above. 
"The function of the trivium is the training of the mind for study of matter and spirit, which together constitutes the sum of reality. The fruit of education is culture, which Mathew Arnold defines as "the knowledge of ourselves [mind] and the world [matter]." Manly Masonic Maxim of the month: |
Symbolism - "Freemasons study symbolism immediately upon their initiation into the craft. Our fraternity's rich and varied symbolic legacy serves as the nexus, or core, of a Mason's quest for truth."
EA Candidate Guide What is Freemasonry? Want some good Masonic reading?See our Links and Books page
September 2020
From the desk of Jeffrey Bayer, Senior Warden... Greetings Brothers and Friends! For a while now I've been thinking about the importance of family. Particularly now, with everyone being cooped up in their homes (some of you with children) it's important for each of us to realize the importance of family. Our family offers us many benefits. As a parent there are many rewards I've realized over the years. One of these rewards is the realization you've had an impact on your children and their lives. We set the example for the young, and when they start becoming young adults we see how they've adopted so many of our traits. We try to show them the value of ethics and morality. At some point we see them emulate those traits and in an instant we realize they really were listening. Children are extremely self-centered from the moment of their birth up to the point where (hopefully) they too become parents. Children will do almost anything to get your attention, up to and including doing things they know are incorrect behavior. Even negative attention will satisfy their need for attention. I've witnessed this several times over the years as a parent and when Holly was teaching. Her students knew the rules of the classroom and yet they'd act out to just get some attention from her. For many men family grounds us. It gives us purpose and provides goals. As men, we need those things to help us attain a feeling of accomplishment. I don't know if the need to accomplish is inherent in man or if it's something we're taught as boys. I remember growing up hearing from my dad (who was a great man) saying to me and my brother; "Don't cry, men don't cry". Or the need to "fix" things. As an adult I learned that sometimes our partners just want someone to listen. That goes for our daughters and sons as well because they too are partners in the family. The era of the white knight on a steed is long gone gentlemen. I've also learned real men do cry. It's part of human nature. Crying allows us to grieve and it allows our bodies to have the catharsis necessary to overcome the shock of the stresses on the body when we are at that point in time where we just can't take it anymore. Sometimes frustration will lead us to cry. It's good to allow your body to release the physicality of these things. As men we tend to internalize things because "men don't cry". But in order to have a wonderful and rewarding life we as men, need to learn to release that stress on the body. Doing this will strengthen us (yes, strengthen) and it also is good for our hearts and souls and it can extend your life. As a 28+year Mason, I've seen many times my brothers going through stress, not releasing that stress and it wreaks havoc on their body and shortens their life. Family will cause some of these stresses, our careers cause these stresses, and our simple, fragile egos are at most times the real cause of these stresses. But at the same time, family is the reward, the goal and the success. Sure, we can make a ton of money with our careers but money isn't really as rewarding as seeing your children grow because you set the example. Seeing your family thrive is the real reward. Masonry is a family oriented fraternity. "Family first" is one of the best lessons taught in Masonry. This includes missing a Lodge meeting because our family needs us at home, we had to work overtime, or that last appointment ran long. Supporting ourselves and family is Masonry. Masonry helped me a better man, husband, father, brother and friend. Masonry taught me to be patient with myself. Masonry showed me a way to take criticism, learning and understanding the criticism wasn't an attack, but rather constructive. This helped me "build a foundation" upon which I can erect my current as well as future edifice (mind and body). This is a life-long pursuit. In these times of confinement we begin to let frustration get in the way of being better men. We all as humans need to be outside roaming and as men, hunting and gathering. This is inherent in men. We can't help it, we're "hard wired" to do certain things; hunting, gathering, procreating, teaching and learning. Our family gives us purpose and provides rewards tenfold more precious than all the dollars in the world. We are the example, the tutor, the mentor and the friend our partners need at this time more than ever. Partners include our children, friends and brothers in this great family fraternity. In closing, when frustration becomes so strong we need to get out of the house and go for a walk or take a drive by ourselves because we don't want to take our frustration out on our families. Remember, love is unconditional. This includes when we become so aggravated we internalize our frustration which is bad for the body and soul, and it hurts those we love. Those we love can see the pain we're experiencing and they want to help. God's love is unconditional. He knows what we're thinking or doing before we think or do it. Yet, He still loves us. He is our Father and we are all in the same family. "...Masonry regards the whole human species as one family...who as inhabitants of the same planet... are created by the same Almighty Parent...". If this message has provoked some thoughts for you please respond. Share your thoughts directly with the Master of the Lodge and/or me. Ted's email address is; tedparker93@yahoo.com Mine is; jmilesbayer@gmail.com Fraternally and Sincerely, Jeffrey M. Bayer, PM Senior Warden 
"that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers"
"A book that all lodges should buy, read, discuss and implement in order to revive some of what Freemasonry should be."
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Our Message to All: Welcome!
Vision Statement: To restore Palm Springs Lodge #693 as a beacon of light in Masonry for all worthy and well qualified men.
Mission Statement: Our Mission is to lead by example. To provide a sanctuary away from the world at large where brothers are free to teach, learn, and explore the symbols, values, morals, and principles of speculative Freemasonry that will help us live as righteous and noble men.
Masons meet "on the level." No matter your profession or your economic status (some financial responsibilities required), when our Lodge is in session, we're equals where outside worldly titles and social status disappear while we are in the pursuit of our Masonic labors. We are a sacred society, or band of brothers formed in a centuries-old tradition.
What's Freemasonry all about? Freemasonry is refinement in everything we do. From the way we dress, speak, prepare for our meetings, interact with one another and share meals, it's all about hard work. That work is work we do internally, True, there's a lot more to the vast tapestry of our Craft. Learn more here.
Masons do not solicit new members. Interested men must approach of their own initiative. However, first a friend, then a brother. All prospective members are vetted over a 6 to 12 month period. No one is guaranteed membership, not every man should be a Mason, and not every Mason should be a member of our lodge.
Don't know a Mason? No problem. Lodge 693 welcomes inquiries! Contact us here