The Art of Memory and Masonry

[Tamrin]

The Art of Memory and Masonry
by Clarence A. Anderson (The Masonic Trowel)

(Excerpt)

When a candidate enters upon the initiatory path of Freemasonry, one of the first things he discovers is that there is a great deal of memorization involved. The officers perform the ritual from memory, and long, memorized lectures are presented to him. Finally, perhaps to his consternation, he learns that he is expected to memorize a dialog before he is permitted to advance to the next degree.

Why is memorization so prominent in Masonry? How did the practice of committing the ritual to memory enter Freemasonry? Does memorization still have value in modern times? Considering the importance traditionally given to memory in Masonry, surprisingly little has been written about it. A search of Masonic encyclopedias and reference books reveals practically nothing.

[siontific]

An interesting point. I have not seen anything written about why, either, but isn't it just better than reading?
From a personal point of view, I see the use of memory as akin to applying the tenets of Masonry. You have to make the effort and do it well, you get the reward.
Even if you don't do it well, you get the reward.
It always annoys me when you see "more experienced" members in a Lodge admonishing, sometimes quite publically, an individual for not having a good memory or forgetting words.
This is not an everyday task for most people these days.
Yes, we can look at the history of Masonry and say, well, people couldn't read back then, but there again, it was probably the more learned people who were in at the beginning of modern day Masonry.
Perhaps the "secrecy" of having to hide the knowledge was due to the oppressive attitude of the church in those days. Not surprising really. Thank God we've progressed.
But for the modern day, I think the relevance of using memory for the ritual is part of the achievement, pride, commitment of individuals in making the experience in Lodge the best possible, especially for the new Candidate.

[Tamrin]

Jul 10, 2008 19:05:44 GMT 10 siontific said:

It always annoys me when you see "more experienced" members in a Lodge admonishing, sometimes quite publically, an individual for not having a good memory or forgetting words.

This is not an everyday task for most people these days.

Hear! Hear!

[jmd]

And in any case, books and the written word were considered as an 'aide-memoire' for those able to read.

[keith]

Many years ago I had a girlfriend who worked at the local repertory company. She would be acting in this week's play in the evenings, rehearsing next week's play in the afternoons and learning her lines for the week after in the mornings! Occasionally she'sd have a week's rest when she would be something like stage manager or run front of house

And she'd already forgotten what she had been doing last week

[Tamrin]

The lay-out of our Tracing Boards may be largely explained in terms of The Art of Memory, in which landscapes and architectural features served as prompts, as described by Frances A. Yates and others.