Table Lodge Re-Enactment

Hello friends, Last night David and I went to a table lodge dinner. As many of you know, David is a mason so we had an opportunity to do this. For lack of a better description, table lodge is banquet which involves men in Colonial dress, a rather military precision (in fact all of the men in this group are veterans) and history of the founding fathers and prominent colonial masons including Ben Franklin, George Washington, Paul Revere and others. There are 7 formal toasts and 7 informal toast given. A history of the flag and the pledge of allegiance is given as well as tributes to the armed forces and influential women of the time.

The Ceremony of the Seven Toasts

(The following commands are to be given by the Worshipful Master for all toasts except the third toast when the Senior Warden will give them).

Right hand to arms. (The right hand touches the glass).

Ready. (The glass is raised breast high, aim extended forward).

Aim. (The glass is brought to the lips).

Fire, Good Fire, Fire All. (All drink).

Present Arms. (The glass is brought to the second position in unison with the Worshipful Master, then the glass is brought to the left breast, then to the right breast, then again to the second position so that the movement makes a triangle. This triangle is made three times: then the glass is brought to the table in three moves - it is first carried a little to the left, then to the right and finally forcibly in unison to the table).

The Battery, three times three. (Done)

ALL Vivat, Vivat, Vivat. (Right arm thrust upward with each Vivat).

Advance swords. (Knife is raised breast high, arms extended forward).

Poise swords. (Knife blade is elevated slightly, about 45°)

Salute with swords. (Knife handle is brought to within a few inches of the chin with the blade elevated about 45°)

Swords at rest. (Knife handles are carried in unison forcibly to the table - preferably in a flat position to prevent table damage).

The Battery, three times three. (Done)

ALL Vivat, Vivat, Vivat. (Right arm thrust upward with each Vivat).

After drinking the toast, the cannons (shot glasses) are brought down in unison on the table. Essentially tapping the glass on the table between each toast as the cannons (glasses) are refilled.

For more information there is a general discription here: http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/table_lodge_history_ritual.htm