Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm
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The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm (M.O.V.P.E.R.), otherwise known as "The Grotto," is a Masonic body founded in 1889 by Herman LeRoy Fairchild and the members of Hamilton Lodge in Hamilton, New York.[1] M.O.V.P.E.R. refers to itself as a "social organization for the Master Mason." Although its members are required to be Master Masons in good standing, M.O.V.P.E.R. "is not and makes no claim to be a part of Symbolic Craft Masonry."[2]
History
[edit]On September 10, 1889, Fairchild, along with other members of Hamilton Lodge #120 in Hamilton, New York, formed a group known as the "Fairchild Deviltry Committee," with membership limited to Master Masons in good standing.[3] The group's popularity grew, leading to the formal establishment of the Supreme Council, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm (M.O.V.P.E.R.) on June 13, 1890.[3]
The first "Grand Monarch" (the leader of the order) was Thomas Lemuel James, ex-Postmaster General of the United States.[4] Other founders included Professor Oren Root of Hamilton College, Joseph Frank McGregory of Madison University, General William M. Nest and Fairchild, both of Hamilton, New York, as well as Naval Officer William Colgate Eaton.[5] The original ritual of the order was authored by George Beal, with assistance from Adon N. Smith and Rudolph R. Riddell, the latter of whom later revised it to incorporate mythological elements and Persian imagery.[6]
The Veiled Prophet
[edit]M.O.V.P.E.R.'s emblem features a depiction of "Mokanna," symbolizing the veil of secrecy, which represents the mysterious and esoteric nature of the Order, reflecting the hidden knowledge and symbolic lessons that members of the Grotto are encouraged to explore.[7]
While the emblem and ritual of the Grotto are often believed to be inspired by Thomas Moore’s poem, Lalla Rookh, which tells the story of the “Veiled Prophet of Khorasan,”[8] the contemporary ritual of the Grotto organization actually draws inspiration from Masonic traditions, incorporating elements that evoke the themes of Moore’s narrative. Each Grotto branch is allowed to add its own interpretation of the story.[9]
Philosophy
[edit]M.O.V.P.E.R. is guided by a philosophy that is deeply rooted in the concept of “Good Fellowship”[1][10][clarification needed] which, according to The Grotto, represents a “spirit of wholesome fun.”[11]
Attire
[edit]Members wear a black fez with a red tassel, sometimes with a Mokanna head emblem in the center.[12] A Monarch (the president of a single Grotto) wears a black fez with a purple tassel, while a Grand Monarch wears a black fez with a yellow tassel. Other Grand Officers wear a black fez with a white tassel.[13][14]
Female Auxiliaries
[edit]Daughters of Mokanna
[edit]History
[edit]The Daughters of Mokanna, a women's auxiliary organization, was founded in 1919.[15] Four original subchapters Daughters of Mokanna were also opened, including "Amoo" in Rock Island, Illinois; "Mohassan" in Davenport, Iowa; "Ankara" in Kansas City, Missouri; and "Zal" in Moline, Illinois. Together, they formed the Supreme Daughters of Mokanna.[16]
To be eligible for membership, candidates must be adult women, relatives of a Veiled Prophet (a Grotto member can also be invited),[further explanation needed] related to a Master Mason in good standing, or be a member in good standing in an organization recognized by the Masonic Lodge (i.e., Eastern Star, Amaranth, etc.).
Attire
[edit]Different fezzes are worn to signify various ranks within the organization:
- The Regulation Fez is blue and adorned with a red tassel and lettering. This is the standard fez worn by members of the order.
- A red fez with a golden tassel is worn by The Mighty Chosen One, a distinguished position within the order.
- A Past Mighty Chosen One, someone who has previously held the position of the Mighty Chosen One, wears a white fez with a purple tassel and lettering.[citation needed]
Mysterious Order Witches of Salem (M.O.W.O.S.)
[edit]History
[edit]Sometime before 1917, the Mysterious Order Witches of Salem (M.O.W.O.S.) was founded as another female auxiliary to The Grotto. The first “Cauldron,” the term used for a local chapter of the Order, was founded in Chicago, Illinois and was known as Aryan Cauldron No.1.[17]
Like its counterpart, the group's stated purpose is fun and fellowship. It also participates in charity activities directed toward improving dentistry for the disabled and those with cerebral palsy.
The M.O.W.O.S. has elaborate rituals only known to initiates - no written account of them exists.[18]
Membership in this group is by invitation only. To be invited, one must be a female relative or a female friend of a member of a Veiled Prophet (a Grotto member can also be invited).[19]
References
[edit]- ^ Alan Axelrod International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders New York; Facts on File, inc 1997 p.110
- ^ https://anokamasons.com/selim-grotto/ [bare URL]
- ^ a b "Grotto and Related". The Museum of Fezology. August 1, 2011.
- ^ Melton, J. Gordon, editor. Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, 5th ed., Gale, 2001. 2 vols. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/pub/5CNN/GVRL?u=tusc49521&sid=bookmark-GVRL. Accessed 16 July 2024.
- ^ Stevens, Albert Clark (1899). The cyclopædia of fraternities; a compilation of existing authentic information and the results of original investigation as to more than six hundred secret societies in the United States. New York city, Paterson, N.J., Hamilton printing and publishing company. p. 97. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Mackey, Albert Gallatin (1929). Encyclopaedia of freemasonry and its kindred sciences. Chicago, Illinois : Masonic History Company. pp. 426–427. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ Mackey, Albert Gallatin (1921). History of Freemasonry. Masonic History Company.
- ^ Moore, Thomas (1890). Lalla Rookh: an Oriental Romance. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company.
- ^ Cooper, William. A Drama, in Three Acts, entitled Mokanna; or, the Veiled Prophet of Khorassan. With choruses and song. Unknown.
- ^ "What is the M.O.V.P.E.R.? – Ormazd Grotto". www.ormazdgrotto.org. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm – Selim Grotto – Anoka Masons". Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "Some of the Many Privileges of Being a Grotto Member".
- ^ "What is the Grotto?". Sahara Grotto MOVPER.
- ^ "Grand Line Officers & Staff". scgrotto.org.
- ^ Mokanna, Daughters of. "Daughters of Mokanna". Daughters of Mokanna.
- ^ Mokanna, Daughters of. "Daughters of Mokanna". Daughters of Mokanna.
- ^ Rock Island Argus. Amod Becomes High Caldron. March 6, 1919, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92053934/1919-03-06/ed-1/seq-10/#date1=1789&index=2&rows=20&words=Mysterious+Order+Salem+Witches&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1924&proxtext=mysterious+order+witches+of+salem&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
- ^ Bungert, Heike; Heitmann, Jan G.; Wala, Michael, eds. (2003-05-01). Secret Intelligence in the Twentieth Century. doi:10.4324/9780203498859. ISBN 9780429233678.
- ^ Masonry 101, October 8th, 2021, https://masonry101.com/the-grotto/