Print Edition | July 2022

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You are likely asking yourself, what in the wild blue sea does Moby-Dick have to do with Freemasonry? Whether you have read the book or not, you likely know the story of Moby-Dick. Although, if you have read the story, it was probably long before you were a Mason.

We promise you that if you read it again, or for the very first time, the connections that you make to our ritual will be meaningful. To prove this, we asked a handful of Brothers to undertake just that task. The chapters in the novel are short and self-contained. With this in mind, we asked them to concentrate on one aspect or chapter and compare it with our ritual. This will allow you to read a small portion of the book to understand the context, though we expect that once you start you won’t stop there.

I want to thank these Brothers for going way outside their comfort zones to help us create this unique offering. Our hope is that, inspired by the meaningful connections made by our authors, you will reread the novel in part or its entirety and continue to make your own connections to our ritual.

An original composition, inspired by the novel Moby-Dick, was written and recorded by Dashmesh to serve as a soundtrack for this issue. The track can be found here or on any major listening channel, like Spotify or Apple Music.

Dashmesh’s other original music can also be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and several other streaming services or here at Bandcamp. - R.W. Michael Jarzabek, Guest Editor

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In this Issue

Cover Story

From family connections to the Craft to the use of its symbols, Michael Jarzabek explores the Masonic influences on Herman Melville.

Moby-Dick and New Bedford

The city of New Bedford and the island of Nantucket feature prominently in Moby-Dick. Here, we explore the social, religious, and Masonic backgrounds of those communities.

Becoming a Better Human

The tripartite nature of man, his mortality, self-betterment, and the five orders of architecture are all explored in relation to Moby-Dick.

Moby-Dick and Platonism

Esoteric symbolism can often be found in unexpected places. Here, we explore Platonic symbolism, Nature, and bees in Moby-Dick.

Melville's Semi-Masonic Club

Melville’s interest in Freemasonry was likely stirred by his involvement with another society: the Young Americans Club, which has an interest in metaphysics.

Final Word

We’re reminded that the Masonic influence on Melville is part of the legacy of his works.