I am very pleased to inform you all

that tonight

I have dove into the drink, so to speak.

I am now one among you. An Entered Apprentice

My first degree is to be next Thursday.

and I am even more excited at the new friends I’ll meet there.
Tonight was just… They say that you’ll never experience anything
for the first time again after a particular age…

well, who ever said that clearly wasn’t a fellow traveler.

2012 has just began with a loud and boisterous start.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!  I hope you survived the chowder!

I did!

amazingly, and to my surprise… the corn chowder was a dish also served. And I wasn’t
the only one who indulged.

I was a bit nervous before I had knocked on the door
but I was more nervous after the event when it came to dinner
and that dreaded Clam Chowder seemed to be on everyone’s mind.

But that aside. The food was fantastic and the ceremony was amazing.

Congratulations Brother.

May your future journeys be as amazing as your first !

prometheus - 22 January 2012 12:42 AM

I am very pleased to inform you all

that tonight

I have dove into the drink, so to speak.

I am now one among you. An Entered Apprentice

My first degree is to be next Thursday.

and I am even more excited at the new friends I’ll meet there.
Tonight was just… They say that you’ll never experience anything
for the first time again after a particular age…

well, who ever said that clearly wasn’t a fellow traveler.

2012 has just began with a loud and boisterous start.

You technically aren’t a “brother” until you take on your solemn Obligation next Thursday. That’s when you’ll actually be an Entered Apprentice. For now, you are considered a “Candidate”. Before your investigation and vote, you were considered a “Petitioner”.

I look forward to calling you “Brother”, my friend.

whoops…

Perhaps I have gotten a bit over zealous with this post.

Yet be that as it may my excitement is still staggering and afloat with fervor.

I would like to confess…

I am confused here about what I need to do next in preparation
of my first degree work.

The Hand book suggests that I read a bit of that,
then It has been suggested that I read the I.t.FM: 1: E.A.
but then there is the cypher….

what is needed for the step?

or is this cypher to be used AFTER the process… and I am an
official E.A.?

and if the Cypher is to be used, how much am I required to memorize?
To be honest, reading two whole books plus decoding a cypher in four
days is a daunting task.

I congratulate you on your acceptance into the Gentle Craft. You are NOT a “brother” until you complete the portion of the degree work, which binds you to the fraternity. I would suggest that you not read nor study any of the material you reference, until you complete the degree work for the EA. (Ask your lodge secretary, or another Mason, for his advice). I would suggest that you get “the complete idiot’s guide to Freemasonry” and/or “Freemasonry for dummies”. These books are an excellent introduction for any new Mason.

Let us know how your degree work goes after you have completed.

so far according to my mentor he has suggested that I read
the blue book. (intro to..) and that I study the heck outta
the cypher… 

but the LoI is in 4 days and just looking at the cypher
gives me the willies.

however, within the cover of the handbook, it says
that I should read x amount of one section.

Moreover, it seems that there is quite an emphasis on
the reading and understanding of the cypher and the blue book (intro to.)

thus my confusion is born

prometheus - 22 January 2012 07:01 PM

so far according to my mentor he has suggested that I read
the blue book. (intro to..) and that I study the heck outta
the cypher… 

but the LoI is in 4 days and just looking at the cypher
gives me the willies.

however, within the cover of the handbook, it says
that I should read x amount of one section.

Moreover, it seems that there is quite an emphasis on
the reading and understanding of the cypher and the blue book (intro to.)

thus my confusion is born

You don’t need to read or study anything before you become an Entered Apprentice. The preparation you did for that was what qualified you to become a Mason. The cipher and Claudy books only make sense after you have been through the degree they are for. You will have the assistance of the lodge in understanding the cipher books. The Claudy books are very easy to read.

okay…

see, it became confusing because of the emphasis placed
on these readings, and how it should be done before the LoI.

This is very confusing stuff, haha…

but it’s good that help is always readily available.

prometheus - 22 January 2012 09:09 PM

okay…

see, it became confusing because of the emphasis placed
on these readings, and how it should be done before the LoI.

This is very confusing stuff, haha…

but it’s good that help is always readily available.

Not knowing your jurisdiction, I’m actually surprised you would be going to LOI before receiving your first degree. Normally, LOI helps the man understand the degree he just went through.