Salman asks Troy the questions the other brothers won't
Bro. Salman Arif turns the mic around. Troy on journals, lodge politics, and Thelema.
Episode 53 is live, and this week the microphones turn around. Bro. Salman Arif of Duke of Connaught Lodge asks me the questions guys who find me a little unapproachable have been saving up: journals, the 24-inch gauge, why lodge politics crowd out the lessons, the invisible friend, and the religion on which all men can agree. No preamble, no plan, two Master Masons on the level.
Also in this issue: two days to EFC 2026 in Seattle, and the full conversation on the blog.
New Episode
Episode 53: Students of the Work
w/ Bro. Salman Arif | The Microphones Turn Around
Salman starts with his own inheritance: a grandfather in Lahore who belonged to the lodge the locals called Jadu Ghar, the magic house, and a father in AMORC in Nigeria. Five hundred inherited books, including the Ian Fleming originals, send me off on John Dee, the 007 signature, and the crossover between esotericism and espionage. Then Salman asks the big one: why do so many lodges care more about politics than the lessons themselves.
Also: why ten books beat fifty summaries, the 24-inch gauge as the first tool of science, the journal as your own measuring instrument, the invisible friend, Thelema, and the religion on which all men can agree.
In Case You Missed It
The run-up to EFC has been a run of speakers. Episode 52 is Bro. Lon Milo DuQuette previewing his EFC keynote, the three working tools of the Kabbalist. Before that, Episode 51 is Bro. Ike Baker on Wilmshurst's restored tracing board and the Book of Thoth. Follow The Mystic Tye on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes land automatically, and browse the full catalog anytime at mystictye.com/episodes.
Upcoming Events
Esotericism in Freemasonry Conference 2026: two days out
Saturday September 19th | Ballard Masonic Centre, 2006 NW Market St, Seattle, WA
Keynote: Bro. Lon Milo DuQuette, "The Three Working Tools of the Kabbalist"
Also presenting: Bro. Ike Baker, Bro. Doug Russell, Bro. Dago Rodriguez and Bro. Josef Wäges
$50, lunch included. Brethren and invited guests. Business casual dress.
This is the last newsletter before the conference. If you have been on the fence, this is the week to get off it.
We are looking to create a directory of Freemasonic events and publications. If you are aware of something coming up please let me know by email. In the meantime check out the Masonic Conferences website.
From the Blog
Students of the Work: Bro. Salman Arif Asks Troy the Questions Nobody Else Will
The full Episode 53 conversation in print, edited only for readability. Jadu Ghar, the grandfather's lodge in Lahore, John Dee and the 007 signature, the 24-inch gauge, the invisible friend, and the religion on which all men can agree. Thirty-three minutes.
The Three Working Tools of the Kabbalist: Lon Milo DuQuette Previews His EFC 2026 Keynote
Lon's Episode 52 conversation in full: the perfect ashlar that has to work, the giant tuning fork, the flashcards of the Kabbalah, and the Enochian wax table that turned an oven into an eternal flame.
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