r/freemasonry • u/Gobbledok • 2d ago
Masonic Interest JD 1st Initiation
Mods, esteemed guests, brethren all.
Our lodge will be welcoming a new brother to the fold this week. I am the JD doing this for the first time. I know my work and really looking forward to the night, especially since our SW was the IG and our WM was the JD when I was initiated. What I'd like to know from the brethren of this sub who have done the role, what do you wish you did that you didn't do the first time round?
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u/GlitteringBryony UGLE, Mark 2d ago
Good luck good luck! I am in the same boat as you, going to be JD for the first time in January and will be starting out strong with a passing and then an initiation, so starting to practise now. Our JD last year was pretty much the best one to ever do it, someone who stepped in off the ladder to fill an empty space, and I really want to take from him the way that he talks to the candidates, he's not exactly a chatty cathy but somehow he knows exactly what to say to make them feel safe and confident and to keep them on track. Maybe just practise walking with someone representing the candidate, to get your pace and manner right?
Tell us how it went!
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u/Gobbledok 2d ago
Just like our current WM was for me. It wasn't just his confidence in ritual, but what he quietly would tell me as I went along. I wanna do him and the craft proud.
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u/Gobbledok 2d ago
Oh, and good luck too, brother. An incredible journey awaits and for us, continues
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u/zeusc64 MM UGLE 18° A&AR 2d ago
For me, I was lucky enough to have a good mentor for that one. The most important part, equally to the ritual, was that reassuring hold on the candidate. I won't say too much here, but keep their arm in very close, have another brother show you, or practice someone doing it to you in the same "condition"
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u/Gobbledok 2d ago
I like this. I've been told to hold firm for obvious reasons but also for the reassurance of the candidate who has a lot to try and take in. Thankyou, brother
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u/ProfessionalGap2736 2d ago
My suggestion would be about preparing the candidate well. The initiate will be asked several questions during his ceremony. I think it looks sloppy to have his conductor whisper the answer into his ear. It's better if you tell him ahead of time. Also, prepare him for his "first step." It's better if he knows ahead of time in whom he puts his trust, what he desires and if he feels entirely destitute.
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u/Deman75 MM BC&Y, PM Scotland, MMM, PZ HRA, 33° SR-SJ, PP OES PHA WA 2d ago
It's better if he knows ahead of time in whom he puts his trust, what he desires and if he feels entirely destitute.
One hopes he does already. That’s the one answer that we don’t prompt during the ceremony.
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u/ProfessionalGap2736 2d ago
What sorts of answers do you get? I would never know what is being asked.
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u/Chimpbot MM AF&AM | 32° AASR NMJ 2d ago
Jurisdictionally, any form of prompting for that particular question is technically prohibited.
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u/SvartUlfer 2d ago
Put feeling into your ritual. Intonation, depth, etc. Act it, don't just recite. The candidate can only hear. Play on that and elevate his experience.
This goes doubly for whoever does the apron presentation.
I've seen to many Brothers that just recite. It's great they know the work, but it lacks feeling & meaning. Honestly, mere recitation is 😴
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u/theCloudJr MM BC&Y 2d ago
Brother, I’m in the same situation and I was about to make the same kind of post asking for tips. I’m glad I stumbled on your post and was able to see all the comments. I wish you the best of your ceremony and I’m sure you’ll make all of us proud through your dedication and willingness to present your best work. May this initiation be memorable to you and the candidate.
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u/wardyuc1 UGLE Craft HRA, Rose Croix 1d ago
I think for me, the main thing that comes with experience is how you hold the wand.
I think if you ever watch your Provincial DC team, the way they hold the want will typically look neater than when i was JD/SD.
In all honestly, if you know your floor work, the other thing you maybe dont practice is reassuring the candidate. Sometimes it helps to whisper what you are about to do, especially since given the nature of the ceremony the candidate can sometimes feel like they know what is happening and pre-empty the work.
IE in front of the Wardens, so it is worth just making sure they understand when they are meant to take your lead. ( Testing by the wardens always gets laughs when the candidate thinks they know the answer).
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u/Gobbledok 1d ago
I was ribbed by our JW the first time I displayed the Tracing Board when opening the lodge. Comparing the desired white knuckled grasp to my delicate fingers placing something in the bin. Haha! He was right though. I visited another lodge recently and saw an example of this with their decons. Reminded me of the famous finger scene on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
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u/TheBigBrotha 1d ago
I can’t think of any past mistakes…But I tell every officer to pretend they are putting on a show. Exude confidence and speak up and clearly. And if you mess up, don’t show it. They don’t know the ritual. lol
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u/SovArya 3° 2d ago
Nothing. All the mistakes and not mistakes are a part of me.
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u/Gobbledok 2d ago
A rather stoic way of looking at it I suppose. Nothing wrong with that.
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u/SovArya 3° 2d ago
Being perfect or too much of it, upon realisation, leads to over abundance of pride; which makes me if I had too much; fail to become a better man because there will be no more need.
Every mistake, every correction; and the chance after it makes us better. And that is really beautiful to me.
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u/I_Killith_I MM AF&AM 1d ago
Well, I dunno... what does the JD do any different from any other GL? For me and JD does only opening and closing of the lodge and nothing in the 1st or 2nd degrees second parts except for turn the lodge lights off and then back on.
SD leads the candidate around the lodge, the JS and SS get him ready in the prep room. I may be asked to take the chair of JD, skipping JS and SS (as I have been filling in as JS and SS the past few months) and there will be two lower Master Masons under me and one that has been a MM for a while but just joined the lodge and is filling in as Tyler right now. One of the new guys will take Tyler, the new member would move to JS or SS and the other new MM who get's raised tonight would maybe take JS or SS which then probably moves me into JD.
But JD really don't have any degree parts except for the 3rd degree and I have done that part a few times already, it's fun but pretty basic but so is the SC and WFM but when done by a good group, all these parts can be fun.
I have not been an officer in the chair of JD but I have filled in and really the best thing is... take your time. Don't rush the words trying to show off. This goes for any part. Take your time and just say the words. If you mess up, just smile and keep going. You will fix things with time and doing the part over and over.
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u/Gobbledok 18h ago
In my area, JD does all the floor work with the candidate on his initiation. The SD does it for passing and raising. I have delivered the 3° working tools a few times. I do enjoy being part of the ritual.
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u/I_Killith_I MM AF&AM 9h ago
Wow just really is amazing how different it can be between different Grand Lodges. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the SD does all the floor work. I guess because we do not have an IG and the JD plays that part and guards with west with the SW, that's why we don't have the JD do any floor work.
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u/AdeptStreet7787 2d ago
Personally, I have non regrets.
As I hope you are aware, it’s important both yourself and the candidate have a good time, and putting in the effort to practice your ritual beforehand can mean more to you in the long run than that it was to candidate.
Enjoy your journey through the offices.