Journey through Freemasonry

The three degrees of Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry are those of:

– Entered Apprentice
Fellow Craft
Master Mason

The degrees represent stages of personal development. No Freemason is told that there is only one meaning to the allegories; as a Freemason works through the degrees and studies their lessons, he interprets them for himself, his personal interpretation being bounded only by the Constitution within which he works. A common symbolic structure and  universal archetypes provide a means for each Freemason to come to his own  answers to life’s important philosophical questions.

The first degree is that of Entered Apprentice, and the ceremony is known as Initiation, which makes one a Mason thus becoming a Brother. The second is the Fellow Craft Degree, known as Passing, while the third is called the ‘Sublime Degree’ of a Master Mason, and is known as Raising. A Master mason can then participation in almost any aspect of Masonry.

Thus, a Mason who has experienced all three ceremonies is said to have been Initiated, Passed and Raised. It is only when he becomes a Master Mason that he is enabled, if he wishes, to take office in his lodge. When these ceremonies are not being worked, the monthly lodge meeting is likely to be given over to lectures or discussions on Masonic subjects.

After a Brother receives his Third (or Master Mason’s) Degree, he may, if he so desires, become a member of any number of Masonic Organizations within the ‘Family of Freemasonary’.

WHY DO MEN JOIN ?

The doors of Freemasonry are open to men who seek harmony with their  fellow man, feel the need for self-improvement and wish to participate in making this world a better place to live.

Masonry is the activity of closely united men who, employing symbolical forms borrowed principally from the mason’s trade and from architecture, work for the welfare of mankind, striving morally to ennoble themselves and others, and thereby to bring about a universal league of mankind, which they aspire to exhibit even now on a small scale.

Any man who becomes a Mason is taught a pattern for living; reverence, morality, kindness, honesty, dependability and compassion. He must be prepared to honour his country, uphold its laws and respect those in authority. He must be prepared to maintain honourable relations with others and be willing to share in Masonic activities.

WHO CAN BE ONE ?

One of Freemasonry’s customs is not to solicit members. However, anyone should feel free to approach any Mason to seek further information about the Craft.

Membership is open to all men, 21 years of age or older, of good reputation and integrity and who are of good moral character, of any race or religion that believes in a Supreme Being. He is also required to acknowledge obedience to lawful authority and the laws of the land in which he resides.

The fundamental requirement of members of the Masonic order is that they aim to adhere absolutely to all virtuous principles, including benevolence, charity, prudence, emperance, fortitude, justice, mercy, honour, obedience and fidelity.