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What Masonry means to people
Their thoughts on the Meaning of Masonry
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Turning The Hiram Key
Find out what Masonry means to Robert by reading his latest book,
Turning The Hiram Key.
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By Heather |
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Masonry. No different really to any religion it's all about finding the truth within, just different ways of 'getting there'. The roots are traced back to the ancients, whether you look north,south,east or west. I have enjoyed reading your books. Nothing is by accident or co-incidental and everything has a purpose especially now, the grand awakening has begun and people like you have a part to play. |
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By N. Burton |
I am 17, and a Deist, and when I am old enough will be looking to petition to join the Coven Garden Grand Lodge.
Freemasonry is very attractive to me personally, as a student of the esoteric, as well as my beliefs in Deism and reincarnation (perhaps I was a brother in a past life!
I have mentioned this to masons who have been very prominent within the fraternity whom I have been lucky enough to meet, and have been shown encouragement to do so.
Freemasonry, I believe will go from strength to strength, and I hope to be a strong part of it’s future |
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By Bob Findlay |
Having been a Freemason for a comparitably short period (joined Anchor and Hope Lodge No 37 in the Province of East Lancashire) I have become very involved, I am PM of my lodge, IPZ of my chapter, I joined Rose Croix and I am a Mark Mason.
I currently spend most of my time in Spain and therefore not as active as I have been, I went to a Lodge meeting in Fuengirola to see a friend initiated, and it was the basic accommodation and 'make do and mend' approach that the Spanish Freemasons take (mostly ex-patriot but still Spanish Constitution) that enforces my view that being a Freemason is more of an inner journey than one that covets grand temples, adornments and jewelry. Wherever I find 1 Freemason or several I have instant friends.
'Turning the Hiram Key' reminds me of my own initiation, sense of confusion, even some sense of humour. My installation into the thrid principals' chair of my chapter involved some uninvited guests namely Bolton fire Brigade when the incense set off the smoke detectors, and the 'tutting' group were very put off by the lady firefighter.
It is an excellent way to show the world what freemasonry is really about in writing 'Turning the Hiram Key'. My degree was in history and I have a great affinity with Robert wishing to discover the origins of Freemasonry, I have read most of the historical books written on the subject from both Freemason and profane. In many ways Rose Croix answered some questions and raised many more.
I will continue to read books about Freemasonry and long may you write your books Robert they are excellent. But I urge all Freemasons to be proud of their society. As for secrets, well there has to be some enjoyment for initiates and those who progress in the craft, so it seems fair that if you join you have something to look forward to learning, but whatever can be shared with the world should be, I am immensly proud of my Masonic acts and experience and never shy from proudly telling people I am a member.
Lets hope we see a resurgence of those seeking 'That bright morning light'!
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By Mary Brown |
I love the story of the Templar Knights (a la Umberto Eco!) and the idea they came to Scotland with their hidden treasures/ancient knowledge of the meaning of life etc etc. I live not far from a Templar site (Maryculter, Aberdeenshire) and fantasise about finding Templar documents which proves they understood Egyptian mysteries about Jungian alchemical...stuff!
So, if Masonry is all about that sort of thing, good luck to Masons (although most men I know - ie my husband! - would think this is a lot of eyewash). But, if it's about finding jobs for your chums, that's a different matter entirely. I used to work with a Mason who was an arrogant ignorant creep, and as our boss at that time was also a Mason, I suspected that's why he got the job. That is NOT accceptable. I don't need to know what the masonic mystery stuff is all about, but it should be clear who is a Mason, so they can't misuse the organisation or order, whatever you call it, for unethical means.
Hope this is clear - will continue to read enthusiastically about weird goings on amogst the Templar Knights!! |
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By AK-47S Isis Temple, Salina KS USA |
The Ritual of our Degrees should remain undisclosed, but the Source Materials (Biblic Verses, Greek Myths,et cetera) should be published on our official Website. We also need a York Rite Magnum Opus, just as Albert Pike penned 'Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.' The book 'Bourne in Blood' helps explain our History and subsciquent need for secrecy in order to protect us from the Profain.
The Signs, Words, and Tokens should remain secret. This will incourage new members who are interested to join rather than simply reading about us online or in print.
Masonic Ritual is Mystical Allignment with the Godhead and Creation. We enter the Lodge as a newbourne child and create a Spiritual Temple for our Eternal Abode.
I wasn't "made" a Mason. I was Innitiated, Passed and Raised. Each step was a Rite of Passage like the Ancient Greeks and Egyptions experienced. Each Step prepaired me for Life's Greater Lessons.
I view the Masonic Tapestry as Organic because it both shapes, and is shaped by, my Mortal Existence.
Our Ancient Symbols convey the TRUE MEANINGS of the Ritual. Words help some understand what they have experienced, but noone who reads of the Ritual can truely grasp the MEANING without undergoing the Ritual. |
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By Dauphinee Powell |
Masonry has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old, but that is not what this communique is about and yet it is related. I do not know, beyond writing a letter to your publisher. Dr. Lomas of passing on to you something that may or may not be of interest. I have followed your books with interest from many aspects, Masonry, Ethnoarchaeology, Metaphysics (under which I include many fields of science, religion, philosophy)...anyway....I am currently re-reading Uriel's Machine and you relate something that piqued my interest, for whatever reason, this time...The reference to Solomon's Temple being constructed without the use of metal tools, as well as the Megalithic sites, but I also vaguely remember reading something similar about one of the pyramids...and you refer to a technology that is lost....
I could not begin to tell you why what you said in your discussion of the Megalitic technology or the reference to the Temple that brought this forward in my mind, but here it is...a possibility...
In the art of Lithography, before modern implements, to shape and smooth a stone in preparation for the drawing of the picture, this is how it was done...some still do this...
In the case of Litography, two stones, limestones to be specific, of the same length and width, same depth not being necessary, are given a water bath. The surface of these stones is rough...Next one of the stones is placed on a table and water is poured on the stone, then a "ground" is sprinkled on the surface, in Lithography carborundum is used. Next the second stone, which has also been wetted, is laid atop the first. The top stone is used to "grind" smooth, as it were, the bottom stone. The top stone is moved around the bottom stone in all directions, once it seems to be drying the stones are separated and washed and the process repeated until the contacted surface of the stone is glassy smooth. The advantage is you get two polished stones, not just one. I see no reason that this process could not be done with other stones. The problem is the "ground" and the type of stone...
Certain stone, such as Sandstone, Serpentine,and Black Soapstone are, in sculpture, not capable of being chisled with normal metal chisels, but require diamond tipped intruments, if not modern diamond tipped pneumatic chisels....but, with the exception of sandstone, they can be burnished or poslished by use of a "ground"...So, if in ancient times there was a knowledge of shaping and smoothing stone without the use of metal, why not stone on stone with a suitable ground...I would go as far to speculate the use of crushed diamond or some other crystalline material may be used as the "ground", further that the stones would not necessarily, as in Litography, have to be of the same size. A more practical size stone used in much the same manner as a carpenter's sanding-block would probably work.
Also, while on a dig in the Great Basin here in the U. S. out of curiosity, after being exposed to "flint-knapping" techniques, I tried to shape a 7x7 inch chunk of chert using a "hammerstone" and a wedged-shaped stone of Basalt I had found that was shaped as a sort of natural chisel....I wanted to see if I could alter the shape of the larger stone, not for the purpose of creating "flakes" for making arrowheads or spearpoints, but to do something "different". It was a reasonably successful experiment for the time I had to try it in. The variation in hardness of the "tool", stone chisel, vs. the less hard chert seemed to work...I did not get to pursue the idea any further, unfortunately...but again it's a thought...It would be interesting to me to see someone investigate these possibilities further. I, unfortunately, am no longer physically capable of doing so.
As to Masonry, which I feel I should say something more about, when I was initiated into the "youth" version of masonry, there was always something nagging me at the back of my brain. I had the fortunacy to be brought up in an environment that gave me exposure, not only to Christianity, but to Judaism, and Buddhism, and later Vendata and Tao...But it was the first two of the list that while associated with the masonic traditions, I seemed to find some interesting relationships, especially when I was initiated into a special degree only for members who possessed a "Grand Cross of Color". The Degree opened up information that was not "knowable" at lower levels and there was allusion to far more ancient rituals, which did not to me seem "Masonic" at the time, but like I always do I put it on the back burner for later. Along with that, were grumblings from very old, in their 80's, 33rd degree Masons, who would complain about the lack of "older" rituals, which they considered pertinent to a full understanding of the purpose of Masonry and were being or had been abandoned... The snippets of that conversation between those three gentlemen always stuck with me. During my college years, I did a great deal of tutoring in various subjects, and one of my tutees was part of a "Ritual Team" in Demolay, he was also investigating various forms of "pagan" beliefs currnetly in vogue, and Hermetics. He had made the observation that there seemed to be similarities between some of the Hermetic information he was reading and Masons, such as similarities in some aspects of rituals and other "things"...My comment at the time was keep digging, you'll be amazed at what you'll find. It's like connect-the-dots. It will take you places you never would believe you would go. As for myself,when I got older and aside from reading all the "Mythology" from everywhere that I could lay my hands on, including a Guttenberg version of the Bible, and then Hermetics, especially Egypt, Babylonia, and Sumer there were "things" that I couldn't put my finger on, then, but since have...so I appreciate the linking of the puzzle pieces that you and your co-authors have done. I came to Ethnoarchaeology by way of Biology and Primate Behavior...which is still a relatively new area of Archaeology, but what drew me to it was the ability to NOT ACCEPT much of the "stand-by" simplistic explanations for things...like everything is a "tomb" or "just a ritual site"....I was once asked how I defined Ethnoarchaeology, by a rather eminent archaeologist, himself of not the sooo traditional sort, this was shortly after the release of the first "Indiana Jones" movie...my response was...I see Ethnoarchaeology as the place where all the "Indiana Jones" types and the "too much time locked in the library'' types come and say....Please , oh please, telll me what I have found and, more importantly, what it was used for or how did they make it...
Respectfully,
Dauphinee Powell |
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By Vagabond |
As a non-Mason, but one who has done light research on the subject.
I am intrigued by what generalities I think I know about the Masons. I know I like what the Shriners do for children.
I am turned off by a complete lack of any information about what the organization stands for or against and what it does or does not require from members. I have a few friends who are Masons although both good people one has many ideas and views similar to mine on surface one opposing on some very basic and inportant issues (involving race). How am I to judge whether I would consider taking an organization seriously, much less legitimately if they insist on keeping so many basic principals a secret.
I think, in todays world, there are many like me who are "free thinking" , as in do not prescribe to any one religeous belief or non-belief. I would like to be be part of a non-denominational organization which does charitable acts and promotes self betterment and to help and associate with others of like mind. The above is the general idea I get from what knowledge I have found and the little I could gain unknowingly I hope from the few Masons I know.
As such a person, I would never join into, attemp to join into, or advise anyone to join into a group, club, organization, cult, religeon or fraternity, which they didnt have any first hand knowledge of. I am a person who believes in the benefits of knowledge and informed intuition, not blind faith or uninformed chance.
I have also read that Masons do everything from levitate buildings to sacrifice new borns, both of which I have so far dismissed :)
This is a long winded way of saying YES the masons should be less secretive. |
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By L C |
Hello, I am from Argentina. I will consider this question:
"Is a member of your family a Freemason, and how do you feel about that?"
My great-grandfather was a Freemason. His name was Robert Lomas, son of Robert Lomas and Elizabeth Ebston. He was an English engineer. I do not know where he was born, nor why he came to Argentina. My father used to remember his grandfather had travelled to distant places, and that there was a trunk with special objects he had brought from these trips. That´s all I know.
I once entered a temple in my city, Rosario. And one day I saw your name on a book in a bookstore.
I don´t know... It feels strange.
I wish I could travel back in time and meet him in person. |
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By Fabrizio Gerada |
I am not a Freemason myself (in Malta it is still something not to be proud of either, religion etc), however from the various books I read, especially by Lomas & Knight and by Lomas himself, something internally, my soul, told me that this concept is very correct and very mean.
I understand the concept of what Freemasonay is all about and I fully support the vision and the teachings as they do not support any particular religion, but only The Great Architect Of The Universe, where again I believe in that concept.
What I think is that you do not have to be a Freemason to live such a life, however to be in the order would give you a much better boost to live that kind of life. At least that is what I think cause I never experienced the rituals themselves. |
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By Wesley1979 |
Should Freemasonry be secret, or should we be more open about it?
If the rituals, pageantry and esoteric imagery have great value to masons, doesn't opening the floodgate and offering it to the public at large act to devalue all of it? Ties and friendship are built on trust and honour and secrecy is a profound expression of trust and respect; so no, I don't think being more open about the rituals and symbolism serves any purpose other than to placate those who point fingers at masonry for being secretive. In this day and age of proprietary technology and protection of intellectual property there is more reason than ever to believe that protection of these things should be accepted more by society at large. If lodges want to keep Freemasonry strong- they should keep the allure alive and keep the secrets secret.
What does Masonic ritual mean to you? Masonic ritual means nothing to me as I am not a mason and cannot claim to understand the nuances and implications no matter how well versed I may think I am and how well read I may think I am concerning the issue.
How do you feel when you were made a Mason? I'm looking forward to receiving my first degree this fall, I can only imagine a combination of excitement, intimidation and the warmth of acceptance. I imagine a certain amount of gravity will surround the feeling too, as the ritual is likely to be quite serious I imagine.
And what role has Masonic ritual played in your life since? None yet
Do you feel it is something which can not, or perhaps should not, be put into words? If this site is still taking this poll I will let you know. |
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