Letters, documents, ritual texts, and lectures from the Cognitive-Ritual Section of the Esoteric School: 1904-1919 + Documents of a new beginning after the First World War: 1921-1924 (CW 265) To ground his project of founding the new mysteries of Anthroposophy in spiritual history, Rudolf Steiner always sought to unite with and transform where possible the older initiatory streams such as Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism. In November 1905, both Steiner, who was General Secretary of the German Section of the Theosophical Society and Arch Warden of its Esoteric Section, and Marie von Sivers were invited to "join," in a purely formal way, the Order of Ancient Freemasons of the Memphis and Misraim Rite, allowing him to form his own Mystic Temple, Mystica Aeterna, in Berlin. On this basis, Steiner created--freely and out of his own spiritual experience and inspiration--the Cognitive-Ritual Section, or Misraim Service, of the Esoteric Section. "Everything was done as it must be when spiritual reality is to be investigated directly and experienced in full consciousness." Though outwardly similar to existing Masonic rituals, forms, and legends, the spiritual content Steiner gave was new and vital. Especially important was the ritual work, reverently undertaken with a deep sense of responsibility and of the sacramental nature of all human activity. This astonishing volume of rich, primary materials contains letters, documents, ritual texts, meditations, and lectures pertaining to Steiner's teaching of the Misraim Service. Ritual symbols (such as the mallet, the triangle, the right angle, the compass, the rule, the Rose Cross, and the pillars of Jachin and Boaz), as well as the Temple Legend of Hiram Abiff and Solomon and the story of Cain and Abel, all find their place here. The ritual texts are given in full, with illustrations and descriptions of making the ritual objects. There are numerous fictional and superficial books available on Freemasonry, but this unusual volume reveals the deep, esoteric nature of true Masonic rituals and practices and how they form some of the roots of Anthroposophy. C O N T E N T S Introduction by Christopher Bamford Preface to the German Edition by Hella Wiesberger Introduction to the German Edition by Hella Wiesberger 1. The Introduction of the Misraim Service into the Esoteric School 2. The Contents of the Cognitive-Ritual Section - Preparation for Admittance - Ritual Texts - Notes and Parts of Ritual Texts - Explanation of the Ritual Texts - Sketches and Explanations of Ritual Objects - Explanation of the Temple Legend 3. Documents of a New Beginning after the First World War Freemasonry and Ritual Work contains an introduction, a brief chronology of Rudolf Steiner's life, and an index. It is the first complete English translation of « Zur Geschichte und aus den Inhalten der erkenntniskultischen Abteilung der Esoterischen Schule 1904-1914 » (GA 265).

Interpreting Masonic Ritual endeavors to addresses the depth of the ritualistic experience through a discussion of what ritual means to man as well as what man means to ritual. Ritual teaches us about reality but we will not come to a full understanding of it if we disparage what others do and view their actions from a position of pseudo-intellectual or cultural superiority. Ritual is the core of Freemasonry and is that thing which sets it apart from so many organizations. It is the key to the Freemason’s “secrets” and the manner through which they transmit our “beautiful system of morality.” It is something to be treasured, maintained, taught, elevated, evaluated, and, above, reinforced through proper performance, decorum, and setting.

An exploration of Freemasonry and its history, philosophy, symbols and practices.

Learn the Ritual 'Secret Weapons'... In "Learning Masonic Ritual - The Simple, Systematic and Successful Way to Master the Work", author Rick Smith has combined the Secret Weapons of Great Ritualists into a structured process that anyone can follow. Whether you're new to Freemasonry and looking for a jump-start, or you've tried and failed to learn Ritual in the past, this Three-Stage System will show you how to succeed. Most people are capable of learning and performing Ritual, but many simply haven't found the best approach. This book lays out proven techniques and methods that you can integrate into your everyday life. Eliminate the Common Mistakes... The most common mistakes are explained and removed, you are taught how to plan properly, and introduced to Tips and Tricks used by successful Ritualists to make it look easy. Learning Masonic Ritual equips you with a Complete Coaching System, emphasising Competence, Confidence and Sincerity, to achieve your goals in record time. You could spend years developing and learning these techniques by yourself, or you could master the Secret Weapons in a weekend and vastly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of Freemasonry by becoming an active participant in the Ritual of your Lodge. This version is based on English Craft Ritual; however the techniques and methods are equally valid for any Masonic Ritual system. Here are some of the Kindle Reviewers' comments; "Just finished reading this book and was enthralled by the explanation for time keeping and method of learning. I'm far from the best for remembering long passages so this will help and I will put it to the test. I've just passed to 2nd degree & will start on the 1st degree charge just so I know it. As you can imagine it's a fairly long piece and when you're standing there it's a bit daunting. Thank you for writing this and now I can use this method for future reference". - Mr G. 28 July 2013 "I wish this was available when I first joined the Craft! Essential guidance for both the new Freemason who is daunted by the work that may lie ahead, but also the seasoned ritualist whose advancing years have made it more difficult to recall and retain like he used to! Also a useful tool for Lodge Mentors to have in their armoury to encourage the less experienced mason to progress" - Jim Tull, 28th June 2013 "This book was written mostly for brothers working under the Grand Lodge of England, so the terms used for the various parts of the work, as well as some of the officers' titles can be confusing to those of us in the southern U.S., but Brother Smith still delivers a good lecture on both the joys and importance of the ritual, as well as an effective means to help learn and polish your parts. My mentor took me by a slightly different path, but I still recognized some of the things they made me do; this book offered more light on why to do it that way, and some options to improve the process. An excellent essay, and we'll worth the modest price. I'm sure these methods can be applied to all types of learning. Give it a try!" - Thomas E Ezell, July 2nd 2013 Click on Look Inside to read the first chapter FREE

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1922 Edition.

Today some six million Freemasons around the world continue to perform their rituals regularly – an enormous legacy of spiritual endeavour, kept largely in secret. In Britain alone there are over 7,000 lodges, with a quarter of a million members. What is this wealth, this appeal, and how did the philosopher and spiritual scientist Rudolf Steiner reinterpret or reconstruct Freemasonry’s time-worn legacy? Unless one is a Freemason, the masonic world, with its arcane conventions and language, remains largely unknown: an obscurity that is almost impossible to fathom. Yet understanding its traditions and style are invaluable when approaching Goethe, Mozart, Herder, Lessing and Novalis – as well as Rudolf Steiner. Steiner himself renewed the ‘Royal Art’ of Freemasonry from 1906 to 1914 through his ritual work known as Mystica Æterna. When Steiner invigorated education, medicine, the social order and religion, he fully intended that committed and professional individuals should assume responsibility for the new initiatives. But this was not the case with the Masonic Order he founded, whose leadership he took upon himself. Even the celebration of his passing in 1925, led by Marie Steiner, was entirely Masonic in character. In the context of continuing resistance and misrepresentation, N.V.P. Franklin uncovers the living heart of Freemasonry and reveals why it was – and still is – immensely relevant to anthroposophy. With profound research into its older rituals and teachings, this detailed and conscientious study is a unique contribution to comprehending freemasonry and anthroposophy – both historically and in the present day.

In Freemasonry in Context: History, Ritual, Controversy editors Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris feature work by renown Masonic scholars. Essays explore the rich and often times controversial events that comprise the cultural and social history of Freemasonry.

In Masonic Temples, William D. Moore introduces readers to the structures American Freemasons erected over the sixty-year period from 1870 to 1930, when these temples became a ubiquitous feature of the American landscape. As representations of King Solomon’s temple in ancient Jerusalem erected in almost every American town and city, Masonic temples provided specially designed spaces for the enactment of this influential fraternity’s secret rituals. Using New York State as a case study, Moore not only analyzes the design and construction of Masonic structures and provides their historical context, but he also links the temples to American concepts of masculinity during this period of profound economic and social transformation. By examining edifices previously overlooked by architectural and social historians, Moore decodes the design and social function of Masonic architecture and offers compelling new insights into the construction of American masculinity. Four distinct sets of Masonic ritual spaces—the Masonic lodge room, the armory and drill room of the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, and the Shriners’ mosque – form the central focus of this volume. Moore argues that these spaces and their accompanying ceremonies communicated four alternative masculine archetypes to American Freemasons—the heroic artisan, the holy warrior, the adept or wise man, and the frivolous jester or fool. Although not a Freemason, Moore draws from his experience as director of the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library in New York City, where heutilized sources previously inaccessible to scholars. His work should prove valuable to readers with interests in vernacular architecture, material culture, American studies, architectural and social history, Freemasonry, and voluntary associations.

This volume concentrates on two aspects of the participation of women in Freemasonry: Womena (TM)s agency (i.e. the power women gained and exercised in this context) and rituals (i.e. the role of man and women in changing and shaping the rituals women work with).