The Master Masons Handbook

Book: The Master Masons Handbook by John Sebastian Marlowe Ward

THE third degree in Freemasonry is termed the Sublime Degree and the title is truly justified. Even in its exoteric aspect its simple, yet dramatic, power must leave a lasting impression on the mind of every Candidate its esoteric meaning contains some of the most profound spiritual instruction which it is possible to obtain to-day.

As in my previous books, I freely confess that I have not covered the whole ground. Not only would it be impossible to do so in a book of this size, but in so doing I should have defeated one of my principal objects in writing namely, to
inspire others to study for themselves and endeavor to find in our ceremonies further and deeper meanings.

The success of the earlier books shows clearly that my efforts have not been in vain, and that the brethren are more than anxious to fathom the inner meaning of the ceremonies we all love so well. This book completes the series dealing
with the meaning of the three craft degrees, but their popularity has convinced me that the experiment of producing a small and inexpensive handbook has been completely justified. I have therefore been encouraged to write further
volumes, and the next of the series will be an outline history of Freemasonry " from time Immemorial."

The success of the first edition of this book has necessitated a second wherein I have corrected a few printing errors and added a few points which may help my brother students.

From the number of letters I have received from all parts of the world, thanking me for the light these books throw on the meaning of our ceremonies, it is clear that the new members who are entering our Order are tending to take an
increasing interest in the meaning of our Rites and are no longer content to regard the Ceremonies merely as a pastime for an idle hour.

Download John Sebastian Marlowe Ward's eBook: The Master Masons Handbook

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John Sebastian Marlowe Ward - The Master Masons Handbook

Isaak Newton And The Rosicrucians

Perhaps the movement which most influenced Isaac Newton was Rosicrucianism. Though the Rosicrucian movement had caused a great deal of excitement within Europe's scholarly community during the early seventeenth century, by the time Newton had reached maturity the movement had become less sensationalized. However, the Rosicrucian movement still would have a profound influence upon Newton, particularly in regard to his alchemical work and Philosophical thought.

The Rosicrucian belief in being specially chosen for the ability to communicate with angels or spirits is echoed in Newton's prophetic beliefs. Additionally, the Rosicrucians proclaimed to have the ability to live forever through the use of the elixir vitae and the ability to produce limitless amounts of gold from the use of The Philosopher's Stone, which they claimed to have in their possession. Like Newton, the Rosicrusians were deeply religious, avowedly Christian, anti-Catholic, and highly politicised. Isaac Newton would have a deep interest in not just their alchemical pursuits, but also their belief in esoteric truths of the ancient past and the belief in enlightened individuals with the ability to gain insight into nature, the physical universe, and the spiritual realm.

At the time of his death, Isaac Newton had 169 books on the topic of alchemy in his personal library, and was believed to have considerably more books on this topic during his Cambridge years, though he may have sold them before moving to London in 1696. For its time, his was considered one of the finest alchemical libraries in the world. In his library, Newton left behind a heavily annotated personal copy of "The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity R.C.", by Thomas Vaughan which represents an English Translation of The Rosicrucian Manifestos. Newton also possessed copies of "Themis Aurea" and "Symbola Aurea Mensae Duodecium" by the learned alchemist Michael Maier, both of which are significant early books about the Rosicrucian movement. These books were also extensively annotated by Newton.

Newton's ownership of these materials by no means denotes membership within any early Rosicrucian order. Furthermore, considering that his personal alchemical investigations were focused upon discovering materials which the Rosicrucians professed to already be in possession of long before he was born, would seem to exclude Newton from their membership. During his own life, Newton was openly accused of being a Rosicrucian, as were many members of The Royal Society.[22] Though it is not known for sure if Isaac Newton was in fact a Rosicrucian, and he never publicly identified himself as one, from his writings it does appear that he may have shared many of their sentiments and beliefs.

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What Are A Master Wages

According to the ritual, corn, wine and oil are symbolic of the payment a Freemason earns today by "good work, true work, square work." "A Master's Wages" may be the same, may be different, for every brother. They are the friendships formed through Freemasonry; the consciousness of unselfish work; taking part in movements and actions for the betterment of the condition of neighbors; inherent in learning and in making it possible for other men to learn that men of widely different beliefs, convictions, circumstances, education, skills and character may live and work, play and love together in peace and happiness. A Master's Wages are intangible, but the more real because any brother may earn as much as he will.

"I worked for menial's wages Only to learn, dismayed
Any wage I asked of lodge, Lodge would have paid."

This is a paraphrase indicating that there is no limit to the Master's Wages any brother may receive, except that which he may put upon himself.

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Founding Fathers Secret Societies Freemasons Illuminati Rosicrucians

Book: Founding Fathers Secret Societies Freemasons Illuminati Rosicrucians by Robert Hieronimus

I loved this book! I've always been curious about the eye in the triangle over the pyramid, but all the books by conspiracy writers who say it's a negative symbol proving our founding fathers were Satanists just didn't ring true to me. I knew I'd seen this symbol in churches and other traditions, but it was not until Robert Hieronimus's book that I finally understood why so many secret societies have used these symbols as talismans to promote growth experiences. This is the only book I've ever read that shows the multi-dimensional levels of Interpretations to these (and all) symbols. By decoding the psychological meanings of our nation's Great Seal, Hieronimus is rejuvenating hope for our country.

An exploration of the influence of secret societies on the formative documents and symbols of the United States

- Reveals the Founding Fathers’ Spiritual Vision for America as encoded in the Great Seal
- Traces the influence of the Iroquois League of Nations upon the Constitution
- Exposes the deep connections the Founding Fathers had with the Freemasons and other secret societies

All children growing up in America learn who the Founding Fathers were. Most, however, never learn of the founders’ connections to the Freemasons, the Rosicrucians, and other Esoteric Orders. In Founding Fathers, Secret Societies Robert Hieronimus investigates these important connections and how their influence can be traced throughout our most significant national documents and symbols, especially the Great Seal. He reveals in detail how the reverse of the Great Seal--which appears on the back of the one-dollar bill--is a blueprint that conveys the secret destiny of America. By understanding the kabbalistic meaning of the Great Seal’s reverse, he shows how our current era presents unique opportunities for the fulfillment of our Founding Fathers’ spiritual vision.

This book is a multidimensional discourse on the founding of a Nation whose history is veiled and obscured intentionally in secrecy. The author presents facts about the contributions of indigenous people in the founding of this Nation not told on any level of formal education. The author mentions there were Masonic symbols found in the wilderness of North America where no white man had ever ventured. These symbols were thought to be centuries old. By reading this book one can better figure how America fits into the national & international landscape from the very beginning. I like how the author breaks down the personal charts of the founders Franklin, Washington etc. Not a conspiracy book at all. I found it hard to put down once I started it. The notes and bibliography presents a vast amount of material for further research. I would highly recommend this book to the real seeker of truth, not for those who can not handle the truth. A good companion to this book would be "The Huevolution of Sacred Muur Science Past and Present" by Noble Timothy Myers-El

Buy Robert Hieronimus's book: Founding Fathers Secret Societies Freemasons Illuminati Rosicrucians

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The Real History Of The Rosicrucians

Book: The Real History Of The Rosicrucians by Arthur Edward Waite

This is Arthur Edward Waite's study of the elusive Rosicrucians, a secret society of which the first public notice was in early 17th century Germany. Was this an actual organization, or just a fantasy? No actual Rosicrucians ever surfaced, but there was plenty of documentation about them. The problem is that these documents are, for the most part, obviously fictional. In time, a mythology grew up around the Rosicrucians. Today there are groups which claim the name. These date at the most to the late 19th century, although they usually claim pro forma to go back as far as Egypt or Atlantis. The Rosicrucians have also been woven by conspiracy theorists into their web alongside the Freemasons, Illuminati, Templars, and so on, even though there is not a shred of evidence for this.

Waite presents complete translations of all of the texts which defined the Rosicrucians, including the Fama Fraternitatis, the Confessio Fraternitatis, and the Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz. The longest text, the Chemical Wedding is a fever-dream which is a thinly veiled alchemical allegory. The authorship of these documents is disputed, but it may have been written by Johann Valentin Andreas, a German theologian and writer. Waite also surveys Rosicrucian literature from successive centuries, including extensive quotes from authors who wrote about the Rosicrucians such as Michael Maier, Robert Fludd, Thomas Vaughan and John Heydon. Heydon wrote Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians, reminiscent of Thomas More's Utopia, about a voyage to an obscure continent inhabited by Rosicrucians, included here in its entirety.

All in all, this serves both as a survey of the literature about Rosicrucians and an invaluable anthology of that literature. Waite, although he had a solid background in the occult, is in a firmly rationalist mode in this book. The Real History will be of use to both academic and general readers, and makes fascinating reading. --J.B. Hare

Buy Arthur Edward Waite's book: The Real History Of The Rosicrucians

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The Picatrix The Goal Of The Wise Planetary Talismanic Magic

Book: The Picatrix The Goal Of The Wise Planetary Talismanic Magic by Steven Ashe

The Planetary Magic of the Picatrix. Very rare teaching volume of the Fraternity of the Sanctum Regnum. A complete grimoire of Planetary Magic from The Picatrix. The elements of the practical planetary magic of The Picatrix are presented here from a new translation. The Nature and theory of the Planetary powers. The Incenses of the Planets and accompanying Invocations The Invocations of the Planetary powers according to the Picatrix. The knowledge and conversation of the heavenly powers. The Planetary aphorisms of Al-Babel The planets and their astral images. This work creates a practical grimoire of planetary magic selected from all four books of the Picatrix.

Each aspect of lore is referenced according to its place within the original text. This version takes into account the colloquialisms of the Arabic original and improves upon extant translations. From the Magical curriculum of the Fraternity of the Sanctum Regnum.

Picatrix is a grimoire (grammar) of the Art of Magic & Astrological Lore written around 1200 A.D. offering talismanic and Astrological guidance. The Picatrix was a primary source for 'alchemic scholars' such as Michael Scot. The book had a major influence on later West European magical thinking from Marsilio Ficino in the 1400s, Cornelius Agrippa, Thomas Campanella, Dr John Dee and Paracelsus in addition to the anonymous authors of magical grammars such as the Key of Solomon. The edition in the British Library passed through several hands: Simon Forman, Richard Napier, Elias Ashmole and William Lilly. Presented in the original Arabic, the talismanic property of this work will be of interest to specialist collectors of seminal grimoires & Golden Dawn source works. Reproduced in the original authentic Arabic.

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The Morality Argument Of Masonry

The first conclusion is that Atheists are incapable of following God’s Moral Law, and they are therefore incapable of meeting on the Square. The most often-quoted example of this comes from James Anderson in his Constitutions of Free-Masons (p. 50): “A Ma?on is oblig’d, by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law; and if he rightly under?tands the Art, he will never be a ?tupid Athei?t, nor an irregular Libertine.” Can Atheists follow moral law? Again, from an areligious perspective, an Atheist can hold the same values that a non-Atheist holds, but for different reasons. A religious man may hold moral law to be a sacred or divine teaching, whereas a man without religion may believe that “doing good” is beneficial to himself and all of humanity, though not link it to God. Therefore, Atheists are capable of reaching the same end, that of acting uprightly, though they may have used different means to arrive at their conclusion.

If Atheists can practice brotherly love, relief, and truth, then why deny them admittance to our Order? Paton (p.154) suggests that the Atheist “… acknowledges no relation to God which should lead to fear, or hope, or love, or obedience. To him, as to the most absolute speculative atheist, the moral law is nothing.” Paton suggests that following moral law is but a whim, a fleet of fancy which may be turned upon because a man who does not fear God has no reason to remain moral. Perhaps the best example of this philosophy was given by Albert Pike (ch. 23):

The intellect of the Atheist would find matter everywhere; but no Causing and Providing Mind: his moral sense would find no Equitable Will, no Beauty of Moral Excellence, no Conscience enacting justice into the unchanging law of right, no spiritual Order or spiritual Providence, but only material Fate and Chance. His affections would find only finite things to love; and to them the dead who were loved and who died yesterday, are like the rainbow that yesterday evening lived a moment and then passed away. His soul, flying through the vast Inane, and feeling the darkness with its wings, seeking the Soul of all, which at once is Reason, Conscience, and the Heart of all that is, would find no God, but a universe all disorder; no Infinite, no Reason, no Conscience, no Heart, no Soul of things; nothing to reverence, to esteem, to love, to worship, to trust in; but only an Ugly Force, alien and foreign to us, that strikes down those we love, and makes us mere worms on the hot sand of the world. No voice would speak from the Earth to comfort him.

Paton adds the idea that Masons believe in a “Future State,” which he defines loosely as rewards and punishments to be given in the next life or in the afterlife. In this case, Paton makes the point that without a belief in a Supreme Being or the afterlife, there is no immortal consequence to breaking moral law. This has historically been a key reason for denying Atheists positions in Masonry—they cannot be trusted to maintain morality. Although it is true that Atheists have no belief in immortal consequences, good men tend to be good men; using this as the only argument to keep Atheists out of Masonry is hardly sufficient.

The other perspective often repeated in Masonic literature dealing with the subject of Atheists is that those who do not believe in a Grand Architect are somehow baser than those of us who do believe. The effect of allowing Atheists entry into Masonry

would be to lessen confidence and weaken friendship, and no obligation would be regarded as binding among men … Mankind would give way to the most unrestrained, cruel, and base passions of their worst natures. The very foundations of good order would be subverted, and society would soon degenerate into a state of anarchy. (Ernst, p. 69-70)

This is an even more prejudiced view than the view that Atheists cannot be trusted to uphold moral law, though there are connections between them. Anderson’s reference to Atheists as “stupid” (meaning base, not of lower intelligence), implies the belief that non-believers are less of men. This, in addition to the aforementioned arguments, makes up the bulk of the arguments opposing the Atheist’s admission to the Lodge.

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Masonic Papers By W Bro Julian Rees

Julian Rees was initiated in the Kirby Lodge No. 2818 in London in 1968, was Master in 1976/77 and again at the centenary of the Lodge in 1999/2000.

He is a holder of the silver matchbox*** award of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement, and has also served there on the Precepting Committee.

He was Master of the German-speaking Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 in 1978/79.

He was a regular contributor to the quarterly magazine Freemasonry Today since its founding in 1997 and from 2003 to 2007 he was Deputy and News Editor.

In 2003 he delivered the prestigious Wendel K Walker Memorial Lecture in New York, entitled Through ritual to Enlightenment.

He was one of the founding members of The Cornerstone Society, serving as Secretary for a number of years, and has lectured to lodges in this country, in USA and continental Europe.

He has been honoured by the Institut Maconnique de France with the Ordre Maconnique de Lafayette.

He is a Past Junior Grand Deacon of the United Grand Lodge of England.

He is the author of Making Light – a Handbook for Freemasons, and The Stairway of Freemasonry – 30 Short Talks and Questions.

His two latest works So You Want To Be a Freemason? and The Tracing Boards of the Three Degrees in Craft Freemasonry Explained will be published in 2009.

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Get Masonic Membership

If you've read this far and are now interested in Masonic membership for yourself, simply visit your local Masonic lodge or call the Grand Lodge for your area. Masons, except in countries where persecution may require it, don't hide: our buildings (unlike most of our detractors) are clearly found in virtually every city and town throughout the inhabitable planet! Click HERE for a list of Grand Lodges. Nearly all of them have locator lists on their site to assist you in finding your local lodge.

If you know a man who is a Mason, ask him how you can join: we suspect that you'll both be glad you did! In many parts of the world, Masons wear jewelry which makes them easily identifiable. We further elaborate on this here. Hope it helps!
Remember that not all of Freemasonry is '"web empowered". As a result, phone calls, letters, and personal contacts might work far faster than using electronic means. Also, during summer months, many lodges close so that Masons can enjoy some rest and relaxation. As a result, requests for information during that time might languish while members are off enjoying summertime activities with their friends and family.

Finally, if none of these work, drop us a note: we'll be glad to try and provide contact information for you! As we said before, there are no membership contests and we don't earn "brownie points" for connecting folks with the right place but we do know from our online activities that the Internet makes knowledge of Freemasonry far more available than at any time in the past. As a result, serious men of high caliber are seeking membership in ways totally unimaginable just twenty years ago. It would be an honor to know that we've helped in your decision making. If your years in Masonry prove to be only one-fifth as pleasurable as ours, you'll consider yourself richly rewarded!

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Fremasons Lodges

Contrary to popular belief, Freemasons meet as a Lodge, and not in a lodge. (This is similar to the distinction made by Christians who meet as a church, with the church building associated with the meeting of the faithful.)

The operative lodges constructed a lodge building adjacent to the work site where the masons could meet for instruction and social contact. Normally, this was on the southern side of the site (in Europe, the side with the sun warming the stones during the day.) The social part of the building was on the southern side, hence the social gathering of the lodge is still called the South.

Early speculative lodges met in taverns and other convenient public meeting places, and employed a Tyler to guard the door from both malicious and simply curious people.

Lodge buildings have for many years been known as a temple. In many countries this term has now been replaced by Masonic Centre. (See also reference to the Shriners and their Temples. Until 2003-4, the Oscars were held at the Shriners temple/auditorium in Los Angeles.)
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Freemasonry in the language

An expression often used in Masonic circles is "to be on the square", meaning to be a reliable sort of person, and this has entered common usage. Other phrases from Freemasonry in common use include "meeting on the level" (without regard to social, economic, religious or cultural differences). The practice of Freemasonry is referred to amongst its members as "The Craft".

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Fremason Lodge Membership

Freemasons are expected to exhibit the utmost tolerance both in "Lodge" (the meeting place of a group of Freemasons) and in their daily lives. Freemasonry will thus accept members from almost any religion, including all denominations of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and so forth. Exactly how far this goes depends on the particular branch or "jurisdiction" of Freemasonry one is dealing with. Deists have traditionally been accepted. In Lodges derived from the Grand Orient of France and in certain other groups of Lodges, atheists and agnostics are also accepted, without qualification. Most other branches currently require a belief in a Supreme Being. But even there, one finds a high degree of non-dogmatism, and the phrase "Supreme Being" is often given a very broad interpretation, usually allowing Deism and often even allowing naturalistic views of "God/Nature" in the tradition of Baruch Spinoza and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (himself a Freemason), or non-theistic views of Ultimate Reality or Cosmic Oneness, such as found in some Eastern religions and in Western idealism (or for that matter, in modern cosmology). In some other (mostly English-speaking) jurisdictions, Freemasonry is not as tolerant of naturalism as it was in the 18th century, and specific religious requirements with more theistic and orthodox overtones have been added since the early 19th century, including (mostly in North America) belief in the immortality of the soul. The Freemasonry that predominates in Scandinavia, known as the Swedish Rite, accepts only Christians.

Generally, to be a Freemason, one must:

1. be a man
2. believe in a "Supreme Being"
3. be at least the minimum age (18-21 years depending on the jurisdiction),
4. be of sound mind, body and of good morals, and
5. be free (or "born free", i.e. not born a slave or bondsman).

The "sound body" requirement is today generally taken to mean physically capable of taking part in Lodge rituals, and most Lodges today are quite flexible in accommodating disabled candidates.

Freemasonry upholds the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth". It teaches moral lessons through rituals. Members working through the rituals are taught by "degrees". Freemasons are also commonly involved in public service and charity work, as well as providing a social outlet for their members. There is considerable variance in the emphasis on these different aspects of Masonry around the world. In Continental Europe, the philosophical side of Freemasonry is more emphasized, while in Britain, North America, and the English-speaking parts of the world, the charity, service and social club aspects are more emphasized.

While Freemasonry as an organization does not directly involve itself in politics, its members have tended over the years to support certain kinds of political causes with which they have become associated in the public eye: the separation of Church and State, the establishment of secular public schools, and democratic revolutions (in the American United States and French France on a smaller scale, but on a larger scale in other places such as Mexico, Brazil, and repeatedly in Italy).

Many organizations with various religious and political purposes have been inspired by Freemasonry, and are sometimes confused with it, such as the Protestant Loyal Orange Association and the 19th century Italian Carbonari, which pursued Liberalism and Italian Unity. Many other purely fraternal organizations, too numerous to mention, have also been inspired by Masonry to a greater or lesser extent.

Freemasonry is often called a "secret society", and in fact is considered by many to be the very prototype for such societies. Many Masons say that it is more accurately described as a "society with secrets". The degree of secrecy varies widely around the world. In English-speaking countries, most Masons are completely public with their affiliation, Masonic buildings are clearly marked, and meeting times are generally a matter of public record. In other countries, where Freemasonry has been more recently, or is even currently, suppressed by the government, secrecy may be practiced more in earnest (again, depending greatly on the particular country). Even in the English-speaking world, the precise details of the rituals are not made public, and Freemasons have a system of secret modes of recognition, such as the Masonic secret grip, by which Masons can recognize each other "in the dark as well as in the light," and which are universally kept strictly secret. (Although these "secrets" have been available in printed exposes and anti-Masonic literature for many years.)

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John Robison

John Robison (1739-1805)1 was Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh, Secretary of the Royal Society in that city, and author of "Proofs of a Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe carried on in the Secret Meetings of the freemasons, Illuminati, and Reading Societies, collected from Good Authorities."2 Due to the anti-Jacobin sentiments of the day it was received with some excitement but the Encyclopaedia Britannica says that this book, "betrays a degree of credulity extremely remarkable in a person used to calm reasoning and philosophical demonstration." Robison had been initiated into Freemasonry at Liege.

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Freemason Jailed For Cheating Masonic Friends

Freemasons protect each other don't they...

A former senior Freemason from Northampton has been jailed for fraud after conning his Masonic colleagues into letting him draw up their wills.

David Bell, of Ecton Brook, pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to defrauding four of his friends in 2007, by creating wills after leading them to believe he still worked for The Will Writing Company, based in Nottingham.

But the court heard the 59-year-old, who was secretary of a Masonic Lodge in Northampton at the time, had resigned from the firm after an investigation into his conduct and was pocketing the cash himself.

The victims, whom he knew through his freemasons' lodge, were led to believe through emails and company notepaper that they were insured and the wills had been examined by a team of expert solicitors.

The court heard experts later declared the wills "not fit for purpose" and said family members may have needed to sue each other over the estate, had any of the victims died before the con was discovered.

Neena Crimion, prosecuting, added: "In terms of potential loss, had the wills not been checked, there could have been very serious financial consequences for the four victims."

The court was told that all of the victims now had new wills drawn up, but they were still owed about ?2,500 for will-writing services and about ?2,000 loaned to Bell by one of the victims.

Mrs Crimion said The Will Writing Company held an internal investigation into Bell in 2006.

He was paid commission for handling customers' cash, over alleged "mismanaged payments", but he did not attend the disciplinary hearings and resigned in January 2007.

However, managers became suspicious that he was still continuing his work under the company name after one of the victims contacted The Will Writing Company about his will, of which it had no record.

After similar calls, police were called and officers arrested Bell in September 2007 and raided his home in Woburn Gate, Ecton Brook.

Mr Kirk said his client had been motivated by money problems, which he had kept secret from his family but he had now been thrown out of the Freemasons after 25 years as a member and was facing shame and disgrace.

Judge Michael Pert sentenced Bell to nine months in prison for the offences.

He said: "These are dishonest offences, committed against people who were your friends. "I cannot treat you any differently because you were up until now an upstanding member of society."

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Rituals Of The Societas Rosicrucianis In Anglia

Book: Rituals Of The Societas Rosicrucianis In Anglia by Anonymous

THE Societas Rosicrucianis in Anglia (or "SRIA") i.e. The Rosicrucian Society of England, was founded in 1866 by Robert Wentworth Little, who had apparently previously attained high rank in a Scottish Rosicrucian order: it was this Order which he claimed granted him a charter to open an English version.

The SRIA attracted the membership of a number of talented men in Rosicrucian circles of the 19th Century, including: Frederick Hockley, the crystal?gazer; Kenneth Mackenzie, compiler of "The Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia" - and the three founder members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, William Woodman, W. Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell Macgregor Mathers. Lord Lytton (Sir Edward Bulwher?Lytton, author of "Zanoni") and Eliphas Levi were both awarded
Honorary membership, but there is no evidence they ever attended SRIA meetings.

The SRIA worked nine grades in total: four learning grades,
· Zelator
· Theoricus
· Practicus
· Philosophus
three Teaching grades,
· Adeptus Minor
· Adeptus Major
· Adeptus Exemptus
and two Ruling Grades,
· Magister Templi
· Magus.

Of these, the first seven were the only ones that could usually be attained: however, unlike the Golden Dawn, the SRIA made no pretence that Magistri Templi and Magi were mysterious praeterhuman "Secret Chiefs".

The SRIA proved to be popular enough that Masons in America wanted to set up their own branch. This they did - getting a charter from the English order, to found the "Societas Rosicrucianis in Civitatibus Federatis" i.e. the Rosicrucian Society in the United States. It is from this "SRICF" that the following Rituals derive - they date from around the year 1880. As for these first four rituals themselves - one can make the following observations. They are
strikingly different from the Golden Dawn ceremonies for the equivalent grades. Clearly whoever wrote the Golden Dawn Cipher Manuscripts was not deriving them on the SRIA. The ceremonies tell a four part story concerning a member of the original order, Frater Gualdi. Hard at work trying to find the Elixir Vitae, he rang the ceremonial bell in the middle of the night - which announced his success. However, when the other Brethren reached him, he was lying on the floor, apparently dead. The Brethren tried to discover his last secret by consulting the working papers that lay on the bench... The Initiate is therefore put into the role of a Brother trying to piece together Gualdi’s discovery, by investigating Alchemy, Astrology and Astronomy, etc. At the climax of the Philosophus ceremony, the Initiate sees Gualdi return to life - the hymn which is sung at this point giving some telling clues Rituals of the Societas Rosicrucianis in Anglia as to the real nature of the "Elixir Vitae"

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Anonymous - Rituals Of The Societas Rosicrucianis In Anglia

The Freemasons Key A Study Of Masonic Symbolism

Book: The Freemasons Key A Study Of Masonic Symbolism by Michael Poll

Mike Poll has developed a keen sense of 'what's needed' in the publishing of Masonic books. In this work, he's filled a HUGE gap that has existed practically forever.

Symbolism is the language of Freemasonry. But what is symbolism? Why does Masonry use it? Who else has used symbolism? Some of the great minds in Masonic history (Albert Mackey, Joseph Fort Newton, Oliver Day Street, H. L. Haywood and more) answer these and other questions concerning the Masonic method of teaching as well as explain the symbolism of the Masonic degrees. This is an indispensable work for anyone seeking to better understand Freemasonry and its practices.

When one becomes a Mason, the very first thing they want to learn about is 'symbolism'. What does it all mean? What's behind it all? For several decades, the standard work to address these emergent questions has been Allen Roberts' The Craft and Its Symbols. This book will not take its place but it should easily become the SECOND reference for a new or inquiring Masonic mind. While Roberts has addressed the basics, relating them to each degree in a logical, patterned order, this work expands FAR beyond that and joins together essays from the best and brightest minds from the history of Freemasonry into a book which expands the richness of our symbolism in detail. Having these all in one easily handled volume makes it just SO much easier!

This is not to say that these essays themselves are easy: they are, for the most part, ones to which you will return again and again over the years, each time finding new gems of thought-provoking stimulation. They approach the subject of Masonic Symbolism from varying angles, allowing the rich prism to shine and glow in your mind.

Within the pages of "The Freemasons Key", Our good Brother, Poll, has edited an excellent collection of essays on Masonic Symbolism by past Masonic scholars and thinkers. Throughout my world travels within the Masonic circles of the U.S.A., Asia, and Europe, Masonic Initiates of all levels (including Initiates of Non-Masonic traditions) often ask me; "What makes Freemasonry so special and unique?" My answer: IT'S SYMBOLISM!! This book explains in detail why Brother Albert Pike felt: "It is in its ancient symbols and in the knowledge of their true meanings that the preeminence of Freemasonry over all other orders consists." Also, Brothers who are members of appendent Masonic organizations such as The Order of Secret Monitor, The Worshipful Society of Freemasons, ETC... or follow the religious traditions of Islam, Christianity, Jewidism, ETC.. will find much Masonic light in this book because of the UNIVERSAL nature of it's subject matter. Freemasons, buy this book, Now! You will not be disappointed. Enuff said. This is a book that has long been needed: I urge ANY student of Masonic symbolism to add it to their 'read this now' list and to their library immediately.

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Was Vladimir Lenin A Freemason

Lenin was not a recognized freemason. Although claims have been made that he was a member of the Grand Orient of Russian Peoples, there is no proof of this. The Grand Orient of Russian Peoples was an irregular and clandestine body, having no relations with regular Freemasonry. The Revue internationale des Societes Secretes (Vol. VIII, 1919. p. 702) claimed, without citation, that Lenin was a member of a secret masonic lodge in Switzerland. Prince Dr. Otto zu Salm-Horstmar said in a speech in the upper house of the Prussian Diet, in August 1918, that Lenin was a Jew and belonged to a masonic lodge in Paris with Trotsky, but his sources are also uncited.

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The Picatrix The Goal Of The Wise In Sorcery

Book: The Picatrix The Goal Of The Wise In Sorcery by Steven Ashe

The Picatrix or Gayat al-Hakim [fi l-siHr] 'The Goal of the Wise [in sorcery]' is a grimoire of uncertain origins, probably written circa 1200 AD. Offering talismanic and astrological guidance. Presented in the original Arabic, the talismanic property of this work will be of interest to specialist collectors of seminal grimoires. The book had a major influence on West European magical thinking from Marsilio Ficino in the 1400s, Cornelius Agrippa, Thomas Campanella, Dr John Dee and Paracelsus in addition to the anonymous authors of magical grammars such as the Key of Solomon. The edition in the British Library passed through several hands: Simon Forman, Richard Napier, Elias Ashmole and William Lilly.

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Duncan Ritual Of Freemasonry

Book: Duncan Ritual Of Freemasonry by Malcolm Duncan

This book is a classic, and a treasure. Reading about the rituals of Freemasonry is fascinating, but to see illustrations of the gestures that are described is to take the study up to the next level. Many Masonic symbols are illustrated and codes for reading certain Masonic Texts are revealed. This is a handbook for Masons, but those who study without the lodge will gain some insight, from previous reading. This book will not give you a free pass into the lodge...but, it may inspire you to petition one!

This is a book a Mason would not want you to have! After reading so much negative garbage about Freemasonry, I bought this book out of curiosity. And when I opened it, boy was I shocked. This book contains all the duegard signs, the illusions, secret hand shakes, and passwords for the first three degrees. It gives the entire initiation process for the first three degrees, from the begining to the ending. It also contains the lectures and the story behind each degree. This book also has the opening of the lodge.

This is a must book for anybody who wants to get a peep inside the lodge. Even though this book is packed with a lot of good information, and give you a lot of insight on the craft and if you study it and somehow be able to master it, you still would not truly be a mason until you come into the Lodge the right way.

This book also contains additional degrees on the York rite side of masonry. The degrees are Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and The Royal Arch. As for me I'm on the Scottish Rite side of masonry, so the additional information is of no use to me, but it's still good information to read.

If you want to try and fool somebody by saying you are a mason, with this book you might can pull it off. All you have to master is the first three degrees. But be aware, a true mason will throw some stuff at you that will make your head spin. Don't read this book and then go buy masonic gear or vehicle emblems, because if you cain't protect it, might get taken from you. Their's more to freemasonry than reading a book.

I highly recommend this book for anybody who is curious about the craft or anyone who looking to join the Lodge.

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Higher Degrees In Freemasonry

While there are many numerically higher degrees, the third degree (or Master Mason degree) is considered the highest degree in Freemasonry. This is because the Master Mason degree, in an extensive allegorical drama in which the candidate participates, teaches Masonry's sublime belief in the resurrection of the body. This drama is also called the Hiramic legend or the legend of the third degree.

In the third degree, the candidate participates in a drama where he plays a biblical character named “Hiram Abif,” a stonemason who worked on King Solomon’s Temple. In the lodge drama, Hiram is accosted in the Temple by renegade Masons who are trying to extort from him the secret Masonic word. When Hiram refuses to divulge the secret Masonic word, the Masons kill him (the candidate is symbolically murdered by being hit over the head with a padded setting maul, knocked off his feet, and caught in a large sack by his Masonic brothers). The Masons then bury the body of Hiram Abif (the candidate is instructed to remain lying down and materials are spread over his body).

As the drama unfolds, Hiram’s body is later discovered by other Masons who work in King Solomon’s Temple. When he is discovered, King Solomon and the other Masons make a procession to the gravesite and then pray for Hiram’s salvation. After the prayer, King Solomon raises Hiram (the candidate) up by the Strong Grip of a Master Mason. The candidate is then told that he has been raised from a dead level to a living perpendicular in the Masonic faith of the resurrection of the body and the Immortality of the soul.

After a Mason reaches the third degree, he may advance in his Masonic journey to either the Scottish Rite or the York Rite. The Scottish Rite confers the fourth through thirty-second (and honorary thirty-third) degree. The York Rite also confers advanced degrees and is known as Original or Ancient Craft Masonry. These bodies are not under the authority of the Grand Lodges but have friendly Relationships with them. The purpose of these Higher Degrees is to amplify what the Mason learned in his Blue lodge. These degrees, like those of the Blue lodge, require oath-bound secrecy. When a man becomes either a thirty-second degree or York Rite Mason, he is eligible to join the Shriners.

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Further Masonic Reading

MASONIC BOOKS

BEHA, Ernest, A Comprehensive Dictionary of Freemasonry (Arco Publications, 1962).
BOX, Hubert S., The Nature of Freemasonry (Augustine Press, 1952)
CAHILL, E., Freemasonry and the Anti-Christian Movement (Gill and Son, Dublin, 1952).
CARLILE, Richard, Manual of Freemasonry (Wm Reeves,
London, 1845).
CARR, Harry, The Freemason at Work (Lewis Masonic, 1976).
COVEY-CRUMP, Rev, The Hiramic Tradition, (London,1937).
COX, Barry, SHIRLEY , John and SHORT, Martin, The Fall of Scotland Yard (Penguin, 1977).
DEWAR, james, The Unlocked Secret (William Kimber, 1966).
FITZWALTER, Raymond and TAYLOR, David, Web of Corruption (Granada, 1981)
GOULD, R. F., history of Freemasonry (Caxton, 1951).
HANNAH, Walton, Darkness Visible (Augustine Press,1952); Christian by Degrees (Britons Publishing Co 1954).
JONES, Bernard E., Freemasons' Book of the Royal Arch (Harrap, 1957); Freemasons's Guide and Compendium (Harrap, 1950).
'JUBELUM', Freemasonry and the Church of England Reconciled (Britons Publishing Co 1951).
KNIGHT, Stephen, Jack the Ripper.. The Final Solution (Harrap, 1976).
LAWRENCE, Rev John, Freemasonry - A Way of Salvation? (Grove Books, 1982).
LAWRENCE, Rev John T., Masonicjurispradence (A. Lewis,1923).
LENNHOFF, Eugen, The Freemasons (A. Lewis, 1934).
LEPPER, J. Herron, The Traditioners (Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, vol 56, Quatuor Coronati Lodge, no 2076).
LEO XIII, POPE, Humanum Genus, 1884 (Britons Publishing Co, 1952).
MACKENZIE, Norman (Editor), Secret Societies (Aldus, 1967).
MACKEY, Albert G., Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry (3 vols) (Macoy Publishing and Supply Co, Richmond, Virginia, 1946).
MORGAN, William, Freemasonry Exposed (Glasgow,1836).
NEWTON, Joseph Fort, The Builders.. A Story and Study of Freemasonry (Hogg, 1917; Allen and Unwin, 1918).
PICK, Fred L. and KNIGHT, G. Norman, The Pocket history of Freemasonry (Frederick Muller, 1953).
PINCHER, Chapman, Tbei'r Trade is Treachery (Sidgwick and jackson, 1981).
RAINSBURY, Rev A. W., Freemasonry - of God or the Devil? (substance of a sermon preached in Emmanuel Church, South Croydon, 1959).
RUMBLE, Dr L., Catholics and Freemasonry (Catholic Truth Society pamphlet).
THURSTON, H., Freemasonry (CTS pamphlet).
'VINDEX', Light Invisible, A Freemason's Answer to Darkness Visible (Britons Publishing Co, 1952).
VOORHISS. H. V. B., Factsfor Freemasons (Macoy Publishing Co, 1951, revised 1979).
WHALEN, William j., Christianity and American Freemasonry (Bruce Publishing Co, Milwaukee, 1958).

MASONIC PERIODICALS

Freemasons' Magazine and Masonic Mirror
Freemasons' Montbly Remembrancer
Freemasons' Quarterly Review
Masonic Square

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