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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 RockGuru |
Hi,
I believe the meaning of Masonry or at least the reason it was started was to try and keep alive the true teachings of occult sciences and the universe.
Some might say as the Christian Church merged its interest with that of the Roman Emperor's in the third century, the true mystical teachings that were part of the Christianity such as reincarnation, the link between Jesus' teachings and that of the Brahmins of India had became distorted and detached from their source.
It has been suggested that the person who started Masonry was called Albanus, born into a Roman family in the town of Verulam , England . Albanus returned to Rome where he became a Mason then journeyed back to Verulam and became active in public affairs. Yet by order of the Emperor in 303 AD, Albanus was subsequently beheaded along with other Masons and heretics.
Now this is something I read, Im not saying its true and Im not saying it isnt true but its interesting to note that both Rodger Bacon and Francis Bacon were from or were connected to the town of Verulam. Both were pioneers of science and seekers of truth.
This brings me then to a man who went by the name of Le comte de st Germain. The Rosicrucian organizations were certainly helped by him. While Christian Rosencreuz, the founder of the Order, transmitted his teachings orally, St. Germain recorded the doctrines in figures, and one of his enciphered manuscripts became the property of his staunch friend, Prince Karl von Hesse. H.P.Blavatsky mentions this manuscript in The Secret Doctrine (II, 202) and quotes at length from another (II, 582). While St. Germain was living in Vienna he spent much of his time in the Rosicrucian laboratory on the Landstrasse, and at one time lived in the room which Leibniz occupied in 1713. St. Germain also worked with the Fratres Lucis, and with the "Knights and Brothers of Asia " who studied Rosicrucian and Hermetic science and made the "philosopher's stone"(1) one of the objects of their research.
Although an effort has been made to eliminate St. Germain's name from modern Masonic literature, careful research into Masonic archives will prove that he occupied a prominent position in eighteenth century Masonry. He acted as a delegate to the Wilhelmsbad Convention in 1782 and to the great Paris Convention of 1785. Cadet de Gassicourt described him as a travelling member of the Knights Templar, and Deschamps says that Cagliostro was initiated into that Order by St. Germain.
I believe this to be true but believe it or not it might be worth looking into further!
The RockGuru
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By The Keeper |
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As a female who has no allegience to any religion, but who does have the greatest of interest and respect in the history of the afore mentioned subject, I am at odds as to why the Freemasons are a male dominated society? Surely your acceptance of all religions should include acceptance of females who share the same thoughts as yourselves? I read The Hiram Key many years ago and I am half way through The Book of Hiram, and I am intrigued with the amount of biblical content in relation to Freemasonry. It would be in everyones interest to have a melding of minds and it serves no purpose to restrict ones self when they are searching for the knowledge that has been lost. |
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By Druid |
A conversation about Richard Dawkin’s book, “The God Delusion” on the post-mormon web bulletin board (http://www.exmormon.org/) recommending one of your books led me to your site.
As an Ex-Mormon my views of Masonry have been shaped by the discovery that the Mormon Temple ceremony was borrowed (plagerized) from the Mason ceremony. The founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith joined the masons around 1830s in the USA. When writing his “inspired” Mormon temple ceremony he took large parts of the Mason ceremony and “corrected” what he viewed as errors that had crept in from the times of Solomon used them for his church temple cerimony. Of course, in spite of being sworn to secrecy some apostate Mormons did reveal the Mormon ceremony. Some people speculate, the vigilante mob that killed Smith consisted of vengeful Masons. His leap to an open window where he was shot, may have been an attempt to identify himself as a mason. However, there were already enough religious and political issues surrounding Smith that could have resulted in his death even without a mason connection. In the wild West of America mobs were fairly common.
The Mormon ceremony has been changed a number of times since then in consideration of more modern sensitivities of it’s members. Most Mormons have no idea their religion has any connection with Masons. If a Mormon joined the Masons today they would be quite surprised to see numerous ceremonial similarities.
As I discovered Mormonism to be little more than a religious cult, I have judged Masons rather harshly. While I have respect for Masons, I can’t help feeling their secret ceremonies to be unnecessary and that Mormonism would have been quite different if no temptingly secret Mason ceremony had ever existed. Even better, while wishing, had Smith never been.
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By Apprentice |
I am new to Freemasonry, having been initiated about six weeks ago. I'll answer such of your questions as I am able as an Entered Apprentice, but in a different order to the one in which they were presented, so as to preserve the flow of my thoughts.
When I was initiated I felt an indefinable sense of energy in the Lodge room, and when the ritual was over I felt that I'd participated in (and had, indeed, been the focus of) something timeless, something that felt very right to me. In a sense I felt that I had 'arrived at the beginning', if you will; a feeling of accomplishment laced with anticipation of what is to come. I was very fortunate in that the Brethren of my Lodge new their ritual well, and delivered it with great conviction.
It's my belief that, if Freemasonry were to throw wide the doors of the Lodge room and make every detail of ritual public, ritual would lose a lot of its value and impact. I do, however, think we could perhaps call Lodge matters "private" rather than "secret", and preserve as true secrets only those things with which the rituals specifically entrust us. This seems to already be pretty much the case in my locality anyway. I further believe that the secrets are of incalculable value as a lesson to the candidate, and as a reminder to the Brethren observing or conducting the ritual; a lesson and reminder that in order to be true and trustworthy to others, one must first be true to, and trust, one's self. Masons reading this might recall the charge spoken to the first degree candidate when he enters the Lodge room for the first time. My understanding, thus far, is that the secrets provide a vehicle (a very effective one at that) for the important moral lessons they convey. If the secrets are done away with, the lessons will also be lost. Throwing the baby out with the bath water, in other words.
Even though my experience of ritual is limited, I think it would be safe to say that each Mason's experience and opinion as to the effect that ritual has had on his life would be unique, so there would be as many descriptions as there are Freemasons. Putting it on paper would be of limited value and would tend to confuse rather than enlighten non-Masons.
Do I think Freemasonry benefits society? Of course I do. It's one of the primary reasons for my becoming a Mason, along with the attraction of being a member of a fraternity with a vastly rich heritage, the roots of which can be traced to remotest antiquity.
Fraternally,
Tony
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By robert |
I recently found out that my now deceased grandfather in law was a freemason. As soon as I found out I was not surprised. He was a great man and hired people with disabilaties and also minorities before it was common practice.
I am not a freemason but I am working towards becoming one. I consider myself a seeker of truth, knowledge and wisdom. I am constantly looking for ways to improve myself and am working towards becoming a better person. I also love helping people. These qualities, I believe will help elevate me to becoming a master mason. My ultimate goal is to be a Grand Master Mason.
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By mommydearestt |
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Thank you for all the time and effort you have spent researching and writting your books to share this information with others. There are many people from this time who have always felt "different" and that there was "more" to life, and didn't agree with certain dogma's that exist today. The "truth" is inside all of us. It is a matter of "seeing" the peices and putting them together. One thing I wonder is "why" at some point women were "exiled" out of their roles in the "past" and "future". Jesus Lineage was from the womans line not the man's and now were are learning how mit. dna is handed down through the females and through females you can trace back through time. "What" is special about this "virus" dna. What happened to the human race that all of a sudden "changed". One thing I would like is further research on this magnetic field and the reactions of the charge a collision from a "falling" star would produce. What is it the "guardians" are truly waiting for. I dont believe all masons at the top are bad or corrupt even though the hearts of men are easily corrupted. Just as their are "bad" watchers, and "good" ones. |
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By Ike |
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I have been a Freemason for three years now and it has filled a philosophical hole that has always bothered me. For many years I could not understand the schism that has existed between schools of religion and schools of science. Anytime science gave me knowledge, I searched for the wisdom that could be learned from it. I feel as though I have now a historical connection with the masons of the past who have shared my quest for wisdom and to those who have been inspired by the glorious works of creation. |
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By campbell |
I think the mystery of Freemasonry should be maintained. There is ultimately more attractiion to the unknown than the known.
My father is a 33rd degree master mason, Scotish Rite, and Shriner. He hold other titles, but my memory of those honours is faulty.
I have recently read "The Hiram Key" and have just begun "Turning the Hiram Key" and have loaned "The Hiram Key" to my dad.
We have had some good discussions on things I read, I was surprised to learn that you became a mason through your mother-in-law.
We will be travelling to Scotland in September 2007, and I will be visiting Rosslyn as I have been facinated by the findings in " The Hiram Key". I have read and seen "The da Vinci Code" as well as having seen "The Mummy Returns" which brought to mind some phrases or para-phrases linked to Freemasonry.
I am married to a Roman Catholic, and facts uncovered through your research has caused me to question the validity of beliefs/events I have come to accept as truth.
I should very much like to have the opportunity to introduce my father to the beginnings of Scottish Rite, as we will be staying near Rosslyn when we visit.
I found your book, "The Hiram Key" to be very enlightening and look forward to uncovering new mysteries in "Turning the Hiram Key"
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By James Scaddan |
I had been lost spiritually since childhood and I rejected the concept of religion, because I had seen too much of the hypocrisy. I always believed somehow that there was more to this existence than just birth and death and a lot of meaningless stuff in between. The established religions held no allure to me. At a family reunion my uncle gave me a pamphlet on free masonry. At first I just put it aside, but later I read it and became curious. I asked him a little about it but as we lived in different cities I had to rely on some friends of my father to answer more questions. I held these men in great respect as their characters were beyond reproach. They still had fun, had the few beer, told jokes but there was a depth to them that could only be seen if you looked closely. They were not judgemental or mean men. They never put anyone or any group down. It was subtle but was there. In every group situation you can always find someone who will cast aspersions on any other identifiable group than their own. These men never did. I admired that.
After I joined masonry I began to understand why. Especially my lodge as we have many religions and ethnicities. I was 44 when I joined the craft. I told my uncle later that I wished I had found out about Masonry earlier in life. He told me something I'll never forget.
I found it when I needed to. I'm a much better person now than I ever was. Previously I had not been too successful in the life mate area. 3 ex's and I can't tell you how many empty liaisons. Now I'm with a lady who accepts me as I am because I accept who I am. I know I can be better and I work on it daily.
I still don't attend church or will ever join a religion but I am more spirtual and centered than I have ever been. And I treat my fellow man with the respect that everyone deserves. I look forward to Lodge night and I'm especially active in Shriners. You have no idea how humbling it is to see a child in distress because of injury or birth and know that all it takes is a little time of my life to make it better for them. |
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By John Wade |
Dr. Lomas,
I am a 32* Scottish Rite Mason, York Rite Mason and charter member of The Grand Archanum Allied Masonic Degree Council in Dallas Texas. I would like to thank you for your outstanding research which has through your various publications allowed me to have a better understanding of the rituals of Freemasonry. I have just started on The Book of Hiram and I can not wait to finish it.
My thoughts are as folows:
I think we should be more open about Freemasonry. I think it would definately benefit the craft as well as the communities it serves. I think some things should remain secret to uphold some level of mystery for the obligated to share, but if we had a better understanding of the rituals, and could talk confidently with non-masons about the true meaning of our fraterninty's rituals it would benefit us all.
I hope one day your travels bring you to Dallas. I would love for you to visit our lodge or attend a Scottish Rite Reunion in Dallas or York Rite Festival or perhaps be our guest at one of our AMD Conclaves.
Please keep up the good work.
Fraternally,
John K. Wade MM 32*
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