Some people consider Freemasonry inherently esoteric, while others think the Craft is a fraternity celebrating friendship and mutual support.
Is Freemasonry esoteric, or not? The short answer is “Yes, no, maybe.” Esotericism is any topic “intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.” This certainly applies to Masonry. But on a deeper level, and in a Masonic context, the word esoteric is usually taken to mean that our ceremonies and rituals allude to realities and/or truths not generally understood, or which may have a spiritual component to them.
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In the words of Foster Bailey: “A symbol is an outer, visible, and tangible sign of an inner spiritual reality. If this is admitted, then behind all the outer forms of the Masonic work, latent...
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Masonic Light Prepared by W∴. Bro∴ John Murphy PM May 2009, Hiram & Lebanon Lodge #3, GRPEII started my quest for the precise meaning of Masonic Light after reading a paper written by...
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Innovation within Freemasonry can be something of a dirty word. It conjures up thoughts of changing how a lodge functions from the comfortable, and often ineffective, processes that the lodge has been using for generations. Quite often someone will point to the 25th Landmark of Albert Mackey that "it is no man's power to make innovations in the system of Freemasonry."
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What Makes a Freemason Regular?
Posted by: EditorFor many years I have struggled with the concept of regular freemasonry versus irregular freemasonry. I have asked myself the following questions: Why is it that of an estimated 6 million Freemasons worldwide, more...
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The Origin of European Freemasonry
Posted by: EditorI have recently started to read 19th and 18th-century books about Freemasonry as an ongoing study in the history and origin of Freemasonry.I have always been interested in the transition from the Guilds of...
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The Changing Landmarks of Freemasonry
Posted by: EditorMasonic landmarks are a set of principles that many Freemasons claim to be ancient and unchangeable precepts of Masonry. Issues of the "regularity" of a Freemasonic Lodge, Grand Lodge or Grand Orient are judged...
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The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is normally associated with the 'higher' degrees. However, the AASR does have its own distinctive versions of the Craft rituals (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason).
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The role of the Speaker of the Lodge
Posted by: EditorIn the French and Scottish rites as well as many Grand Orients, the Speaker of the Lodge (Orator) is the fourth official of the Lodge. He sits in the East, to the left of...
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Morals and Dogma (Albert Pike)
Posted by: EditorMorals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, or simply Morals and Dogma, is a...
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