The meanings of the words used in Masonic ritual have changed over the last 200 years. This handy little book describes the origins and original meanings of the sometime obscure words used in Masonic ritual. This book is a must for any serious mason.

Compelling and engaging, this Handbook on Shrinking Cities addresses the fundamentals of shrinkage, exploring its causal factors, the ways in which planning strategies and policies are steered, and innovative solutions for revitalising shrinking cities. It analyses the multidimensional phenomena involved in processes of shrinkage, where cities experience a dramatic decline in their economic and social bases. Offering a timely response to the endurance of decline in cities across the globe, contributions from top scholars showcase a wide range of perspectives on the ongoing challenges of shrinkage. Chapters cover topics of 'governance', 'greening' and 'right-sizing', and 'regrowth', laying the relevant groundwork for the Handbook's proposals for dealing with shrinkage in the age of COVID-19 and beyond. Leading experts in the fields of urban and regional development contribute novel ideas pertinent to the future of shrinking cities, considering factors such as economic prosperity, liveability, social stability, and innovation, ultimately representing a paradigmatic shift from growth-centred planning to the notion of 'shrinking sustainably'. In suggesting strategies to reverse decline and generate newer, more robust development, this prescient Handbook will prove beneficial to scholars of human geography and urban planning. The wide range of case studies will also make this a vital read for planning practitioners.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Mapping a wide range of civil society research perspectives, this pioneering Research Agenda offers a rich and clear insight for academics and practitioners hoping to embark on future civil society research. Kees Biekart and Alan Fowler bring together over 20 expert contributions from researchers across the globe who are actively engaged in testing the old and generating new knowledge about civil society. Beginning with a concise historical review of civil society research over the last four decades, the book provides a critical insight into the future of research, taking into account the domestic outcomes of major geopolitical changes and the increasing shift towards authoritarian and populist systems of governance. Exploring the norms and values of civil society, as well as key topics such as voluntourism, civil society mapping, democratization, and civic agency, chapters offer a unique overview of civil society research themes and agendas. Its comprehensive analysis of canonical civil society research provides a fertile basis from which novel research can be conducted. A wide audience of development professionals, including NGO staff, consultants, evaluators, and public servants, will benefit from the forward-looking perspectives advanced in this dynamic Research Agenda. It will also be an essential resource for academics and researchers in the field.

Everyone agrees that Masonic speeches should be fun, entertaining and inspiring. So it seems rather strange that previous books on the subject have had none of these qualities! This book is different, it's not a dry ponderous ""how to" guide, it's a hilarious journey. Because it is such an enjoyable read, you will learn and remember whilst being entertained. By the time you have finished the book you will know everything you need to make a confident and enthralling speech, even at short notice. Written by professional after-dinner speaker Yasha Beresiner, this book offers the best guide to help you prepare for any speech, Masonic or otherwise.

Garver's classic Occult novel, originally published in 1894. The reader is swept along with Alphonso Colono as strange adventures, coindences, and happenings stalk his every move!

Garver's classic Occult novel, originally published in 1894. The reader is swept along with Alphonso Colono as strange adventures, coindences, and happenings stalk his every move!

Ten five-minute talks to be performed in a Mark Lodge or just to read at home. Including: About the Mark Man and Mark Master, About the Mark, The true meaning oft he Key Stone and the Cornerstone. Discover the symbolism behind The Mark Tracing Board and much much more.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This Advanced Introduction to Youth Studies analyses the historical development of the sociology of youth in the context of changing population demographics. Howard Williamson and James Cote explore competing paradigms underlying current understandings of youth with reference to key philosophical, theoretical and methodological debates. Young people's transitions to adulthood and youth cultural behaviour are then explored. The authors conclude with a consideration of youth policies and how, in the future, these may be better informed by sociological research. Key Features: Fact-based analysis of key debates Sociological perspectives informed by multidisciplinary analyses Concise coverage of complex topics Policy recommendations informed by years of experience in the field This Advanced Introduction will provide essential reading for scholars and researchers of sociology and sociological theory, as well as youth workers and students looking for an excellent introduction to youth studies.

Much has been written over the years about Rosslyn Chapel and its connection with Scottish Freemasonry, as well the St.Clair family, the Knights Templar and a variety of 'lost treasures'. The author looks in depth at the validity of the published material and the legends associated with the Rosslyn Chapel exposing major differences between Scottish Freemasons' view of their history and heritage and that described by those who are not Freemasons.

The author has combined his knowledge of London and its Masonic connections and history to produce this fascinating guide to the historic heart of the capital. The form of the book is a walk from Freemasons' Hall to the Royal Exchange with 26 selected locations on the way. For each a history is provided and the connection with the Masonic movement explained.

Equity is the tool to achieve diversity and inclusion that will help eliminate injustice and fairly distribute the benefits of an equitable environment to everyone. Corporate culture around the world has already stated efforts for sustainable development through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in rural areas. This infrastructure must be strengthened so that the rural community can become an active part of changing the world of work. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts of Businesses in Rural Areas evaluates growth trajectories and educational opportunities in rural areas. It further explores the inclusion efforts of marginalized groups in rural society. Covering topics such as the construction industry, rural populations, and workplace inclusivity, this premier reference source is a valuable resource for policymakers, investors, professionals, business leaders and managers, economists, sociologists, students and educators of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

This is at last a well written easy to read step by step guide to the path of self knowledge and self improvement that is Freemasonry. This volume takes the reader through each of the three degrees of Craft Freemasonry, teaching him how best to gain insight from the study and application of these teachings. For the newly-made Mason, this book provides an explanation of the ceremony he has just been through and an invaluable glossary of Masonic terminology to help him feel at home in the lodge. It also provides a similar guide for future degrees to help him understand and benefit from his future Masonic progression. For the Freemason of many years experience and knowledge, it will show him many interesting and largely unknown aspects of the symbolism of the three degrees and provide him with a resource to answer the enquiries of other brethren. To discover the true Masonic secret, we have to work to bring it forth; this book is the manual for that great work.

Explanations of various aspects of Freemasonry including: the Church's involvement; women and Freemasonry; the influence of operative on speculative Freemasonry; the different origins of English and Scottish Freemasonry; the development of English Freemasonry from 1350 to 1730; discovering the 'Arch' degree; the Geneva Bible and its contribution to the development of the English ritual; what was Dunckerley playing at?; further reflections on the Third Degreee puzzle.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. This timely Research Agenda explores and proposes critical lines of research to support understanding of the conditions under which urban tourism contributes to the development of urban systems, and what can be done to create and conserve these conditions. Chapters highlight conceptual discussions, concrete case studies and policy reviews to address the issues surrounding the economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism on cities. Analysing the trends that have characterized urban tourism in the past, the Research Agenda looks ahead to those that may influence it in the future, including the impact of Covid-19. Chapters further offer a thorough conceptualization and innovative definitions of the phenomenon of urban tourism. The critical issue of the sustainability of tourism development in cities is also discussed in depth. The Research Agenda provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the urban tourism debate, making it a critical read for urban studies and tourism scholars. The detailed case studies from across four continents will also be beneficial to policymakers and urban planners dealing with tourism development.

Bestselling writer and psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom puts himself on the couch in a “candid, insightful” memoir​.

Irvin D. Yalom has made a career of investigating the lives of others. In this profound memoir, he turns his writing and his therapeutic eye on himself.

He opens his story with a nightmare: He is twelve, and is riding his bike past the home of an acne-scarred girl. Like every morning, he calls out, hoping to befriend her, "Hello Measles!" But in his dream, the girl's father makes Yalom understand that his daily greeting had hurt her. For Yalom, this was the birth of empathy; he would not forget the lesson.

As Becoming Myself unfolds, we see the birth of the insightful thinker whose books have been a beacon to so many. This is not simply a man's life story, Yalom's reflections on his life and development are an invitation for us to reflect on the origins of our own selves and the meanings of our lives.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Analysing the causes and effects of widespread gentrification, this Advanced Introduction provides an innovative insight into the global debate instigated by this process. Examining the impact of gentrification on lower income groups and other issues, Chris Hamnett discusses research into the socio-economic causes and effects of gentrification in a variety of cities worldwide. Key features include: A detailed examination of both contemporary and historical sources Exploration of the history, geography and development of gentrification and some of its more recent forms Chapters covering a selection of central topics including urban displacement and social class change. Composed of succinct but highly informative chapters, this engaging Advanced Introduction will prove to be an essential read for urban geography, urban studies and planning students as well as scholars with a particular interest in urban sociology and social policy.

Freemasonry makes use of a great deal of symbolism in its lodges and ceremonies. The sources of some of these are examined and explaned in detail. This title stands above all others as the leading title of Masonic symbolim making it the perfect buy for anyone whating to understand the symbolism of both masonic ritual and practices. 186pp inc b/w illustrations, softcover Freemasonry, in its Lodges and Ceremonies, makes use of a Great deal of symbolism. The origin of the great majority of which of which is open to speculation. Freemasons of earlier times have not left precise records giving the definite origins of most of the symbols they brought into use in the craft. Many parallel instances of the use of symbols may be found by which it is possible that freemasonry could have been influenced, while Masonic symbolism has been a favourite subject for writers in the past. In this book the author has examined a great deal of material in endeavouring to establish the reasons for the incorporation of particular symbolism into Masonry. Colin Dyer is well known for his research into Masonic history an is author of several books on Masonic subjects. The readers knowledge and appreciation of Masonic symbolism cannot fail to be enhanced by reading this important book.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This insightful Advanced Introduction explores the key attributes of cities, identifying their five basic characteristics; innate complexity, the agglomeration of activities, inter-city connectivities, the projection of power, and relations to states. Peter J. Taylor gives a broad and engaging overview of how these characteristics work and relate to each other, supplemented by ten short city insights which offer readers specific examples of cities and themes. Key features include: analysis of cities as the creative nodes of societies discussion of both contemporary and historical cities exploration of the different spaces created by cities and states identification of the demands of cities in relation to climate change. This Advanced Introduction will be a valuable guide for scholars and advanced students of urban studies, cities, urban geography, urban sociology, and social and cultural geography.

Exploring the ways that contemporary urban life takes the Holocene for granted, this multidisciplinary book warns that anthropogenic environmental impacts are on course to challenge the viability of most human settlements. It highlights how, despite increased warnings, most cities appear to be in denial of the potential impending catastrophes and remain ill-prepared to handle major disruptions. Chapters offer a critical appraisal of the end of an urban epoch: the Holocene city. Moving from more general aspects of urban vulnerability in the face of the Anthropocene, the book then looks at more specific issues and cases illustrating alternative adaptation pathways. It further analyses existing approaches, movements and networks for urban preparedness for the climate crisis, offering visualisations of the ways these can be improved, conceiving alternative futures and reinventing the city. A timely resource for this emerging topic, the book will be beneficial to urban studies, environmental science and development studies scholars. Practitioners in urban planning, design, management and evaluation will also find the critical case studies in the book particularly helpful.

Written by some of the founders of complexity theory and complexity theories of cities (CTC), this Handbook expertly guides the reader through over forty years of intertwined developments: the emergence of general theories of complex self-organized systems and the consequent emergence of CTC. Examining studies from the end of 1970 through to the current leading approach to urbanism, planning and design, the book provides an up-to-date snapshot of CTC. Insightful chapters are split into five parts covering the early foundations of the topic, the evolution of towns and cities and urban complexity, the links between complexity, languages and cities, modelling traffic and parking in cities, and urban planning and design. The Handbook on Cities and Complexity concludes with the contributors' personal statements on their observations of COVID-19's impact upon global cities. This book will be an invaluable resource for those researching cities and complexity and also for scholars of urban studies, planning, physics, mathematics, AI, and architecture.

Intended as a companion to 'I Just Didn't Know That', this book provides ten lectures intended to stimulate discussion and to provide information for the giving of talks.