Freemasonry is often looked upon as an all-male pursuit, a social activity. But since 1893, when French Freemason Georges Martin founded the mixed masonic Order Le Droit Humain, Freemasonry for men and women has flourished and grown from strength to strength, currently boasting more than 30,000 members in over 50 countries. The International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women Le Droit Humain forms part of a larger Masonic family, namely the liberal branch of Freemasonry alongside Orders such as the Grand Orient of France and many others worldwide. The British Federation of Le Droit Humain prides itself on being the home of spiritual and esoteric Freemasonry in the United Kingdom.
This book sets out to show how in this Masonic Order a truly liberal, spiritual, esoteric and philosophical Freemasonry is followed, detailing some of the practices and aims of its members. The authors draw on the various strands that have come together to make Freemasonry what it is today, from the Ancient Mysteries, Mithraism, Eleusinian practices and medieval stonemasons, in addition giving us some fascinating insights into the ritual and ceremonial dimension.
More Light will be a revelation to many, men and women alike, whether already members of a masonic Order or not.
Nowadays in our lodges degree ceremonies seem to be the first and most important thing in the plan of work for the lodge. But all the evidence suggests that the practice of Freemasonry in the eighteenth century was very different from present-day convention. What records we have suggest a number of important differences. The chapters in the book deal individually with The Power of Allegory, Ornaments, Furniture, Movable Jewels, Immovable Jewels, and Art, Architecture and Image.
At last an easy-to-read 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, explaining how best to gain insight from the study and application of the allegories, symbols and teachings. For the newly made Mason, this book provides an explanation of the ceremony and a glossary of Masonic terminology. It also provides a similar guide for future degrees of Masonic progression. For the experienced Freemason it illustrates interesting and largely unknown aspects of the symbolism of the three degrees. To discover the true Masonic secret, we have to work to bring it forth; this book is the manual for that great work.
Although all Freemasons will be familiar with the Tracing Boards – painted or printed boards developed in the early years of Freemasonry which are used in Lodges to illustrate Masonic symbols during lectures – little has been published on them. Terry Haunch’s book, Tracing Boards: Their Development and their Designers, has been in print for over forty years but is primarily an historical treatise. The Tracing Boards are an essential part of the three Craft Degrees in the way they illustrate the allegories and symbols used. There is no publication which adequately explains the Tracing Boards, their use and the meaning of their symbolism, and this book fills that gap in the market. The first part of the book gives a history of the development and use of Tracing Boards; the book then concentrates on explaining the role of the Tracing Boards in the First, Second and Third Degrees, and the specific symbolism of the Board used for each. Detailed descriptions of the Boards are given, particularly those used in the three degrees by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement, known as the Harris Boards, which contain the elements of most of the Tracing Boards used in lodges throughout Britain. The book is A4-size and contains a wealth of full-colour plates showing the variety of historical and colourful Tracing Boards throughout the world.
For any inquiring mind, this little book sets out to help answer questions – not so much: ‘What does it mean?’ but rather: ‘What can it mean?’, since the journey is concerned not with learning other people’s answers, but in working out answers for yourself. This is a book about what it means to walk the path of a Freemason; to be inspired by its rituals, to live your life by its precepts and to cultivate virtue within yourself. You may want answers to questions such as Why can I not become a Freemason by reading about it in a book? What does initiation do for me? What is the point of secrets in Freemasonry? Why are the square and compasses in Freemasonry such a universal symbol? What are Masonic symbols for? Do they mean anything? Can Freemasonry be as meaningful for me as my religion? By being a Freemason, can I be closer to God? Why are we called ‘Free’ Masons? If secrets in Freemasonry are not to hide something, what are they for? What does the ritual mean when it talks of avoiding fear and rashness? How can symbols best be used? Can working tools really be used to make me a better person? If so, how? Why is it said that lodges stand on holy ground? How am I to understand light in a symbolic sense? At the end of each little talk there are some questions to be answered. This book can be used either as a list of short talks to be given in Lodge, or as an individual study for the Freemason in his own home.