Modern Speculative Freemasonry was born at a Lodge meeting at the Rummer and Grapes Tavern, later moving to the Horn Tavern. The first three Grand Masters had changed the existing Operative Mason's rituals in some way, and the only way to find out what those changes were, was to compare the current ritual to the bits of ritual that exist prior to the establishment of the Premier Grand Lodge in 1717, the event Masonic scholar Albert Pike calls the "Revival." The allure of researching the early days of Freemasonry is that we can learn about the objectives of the first three Grand Masters, and thus answer some or all of the following questions: *Why the Lodge at the Horn Tavern was so different from the other three Lodges whose "Constitution is Immemorial." *What was the secret scroll owned by a librarian at the University of Oxford that might hold the formula for alchemy's ultimate prize, the Philosophers' Stone? *Why valuable documents were destroyed during the early days of the Grand Lodge of England. *How did the son of the only "black" queen of England become Freemasonry's first royal Grand Master? *Why the Bishop of London treated Pocahontas as "visiting royalty," and what became of her? *Who was the Chinese mandarin, who may hold the secret to one of the degrees? *Why a rival "Chinese" secret society tried to bring down Freemasonry. This book answers these questions, and many more!

In 1716 four Lodges of Operative Masons met at the Apple Tree Tavern in London and decided to create a "Grand Lodge" to reorganize Freemasonry, which was slowly dying out. After the establishment of the Premier Grand Lodge the next year, 1717, one of the Lodges, the Rummer and Grapes, took a decidedly new direction that resulted in the creation of what would later become known as Speculative Freemasonry, the basis of modern Freemasonry. However, as there is very little documentation from this period, many questions are left unanswered: *Why three educated and busy men decided to rewrite the ritual of a stonemasons' guild, when they were neither stonemasons nor manual workers. *Why the first three Grand Masters gave eight years of their lives to this cause. Not only that, but why they thought it necessary to add a third degree to the ritual. *Why the literati and aristocracy of Europe were motivated to join these three men, an antiquarian, a Huguenot priest and a possible alchemist, in a room above a tavern to study the new degrees. *Why there is a "key to the rituals" that Desaguliers referred to in the Constitutions of 1723. *Why the first three Grand Masters were interested in "making good men better," when they were also not philanthropists. *Why the first three Grand Masters used steganography to hide secrets in the rituals, making them a puzzle for Freemasons to discover. *Lastly, and probably most importantly, why the English nobility (and later royalty) believed so strongly in what these three men had conceived that they lent their names to the enterprise by becoming its figurehead, Grand Masters. This book answers these questions, and more!

The Fraternity of Freemasonry supplies the necessary resources, that when properly applied, can assist a man in bettering himself not only mentally and physically, but also spiritually. In an attempt to revive the interest, within the Fraternity, of the practical applications of the deeper spiritual lessons provided within the degrees, "The Masonic Initiate - A Guide to Light" confirms for every Brother that his Fraternity is furnished with the necessary tools to erect his spiritual temple. This book provides a foundation to begin the "journey of the soul" through the manifestation of the teachings of the degrees of Freemasonry. This book focuses on the Entered Apprentice degree of Freemasonry, covering it's symbolism, forms and ceremonies. It takes the lessons and symbols of the first degree of Freemasonry, and reveals content that can be applied through both traditional and contemporary forms of spiritual development. This book gives a fresh perspective; it links spiritual practices, like visualization and meditation, to the teachings of Freemasonry. "The Masonic Initiate - A Guide to Light" can be beneficial for the youngest member of the Fraternity, as it attempts to clarify the nature of the forms and ceremonies of his degree, and shed Light on what it means to be "initiated." At the same time, it offers a fresh perspective on some of the symbols and ceremonies that can be well received, enlightening, and even quite refreshing for the elder Brother.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1922 Edition.

Freemasonry has a deep purpose which can be overlooked in the rush of the modern world. Its ritual says it is a high and serious subject. But how can an individual discover the truths it outlines? Robert Lomas has spent thirty years as a university teacher, and twenty years studying Freemasonry. In this book he shares his personal insight into the Craft and outlines the steps a Mason must take to find self-knowledge. His words are illuminated by the unique symbolic drawings of two masters of Masonic Tracing board design. The purpose of Freemasonry is to help its members become Initiates in the science of Life. If you want to know yourself, then Freemasonry offers a path to that knowledge. It is a spiritual adventure, fit for the athletic and adventurous mind. The Secret Science of Masonic Initiation reveals that path.

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

P.D. Newman's bold and daring theory provides a radical interpretation of Masonic symbolism. In the tradition of Wasson, Hofmann and Ruck, in ""The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries"" (1978), and Heinrich's ""Strange Fruit: Alchemy, Religion, and Magical Foods"" (1995), Newman suggests that practical psychoactive pharmacology, rather than philosophy, lies concealed in the root of some of our allegories and mysteries. Admitting to being more than a mere theoretician, Newman draws from his own personal experiences, and a wide range of sources, in presenting his theory in a logical manner, which merits consideration. - Arturo De Hoyos, 33* Grand Archivist and Grand Historian Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction

This is the fourth book in the 21 Brotherhood of Light Course series by C. C. Zain on the Hermetic Sciences, Astrology, Alchemy, Tarot, Kabbalah and the Occult. In this book the author reveals the symbolism and ritual of ancient and modern freemasonry, what it means and why it is important. This is an unprecedented work revealing the esoteric and spiritual significance of the symbols and rituals performed in the lodge room. The first masons of Egypt and Chaldea are discussed along with the concepts of Solomon¿s Temple, the Two Pillars and how ancient masons used the sacred science of Astrology. This book provides fascinating insights into the Mysteries and is a must read for those wishing to delve deeper into western esoteric traditions.

The ultimate book on Freemasonry, with a rich collection of symbols and lore that illuminate the famous fraternal society. "The Craft," with an estimated four million Freemasons worldwide, remains the largest fraternal organization in the world. Written by an active Freemason, this book comprehensively explains Freemasonry through its fascinating visual culture, rich in mysterious and arcane symbols of life, death, and morality that have evolved over centuries of secrecy and that have profound philosophical meaning. Ceremonial regalia, paintings, manuscripts, tracing boards, ritual swords, furniture, prints, ephemera, and architecture: the book is copiously illustrated with many specially researched items from Freemasonry archives. This unrivaled compendium will appeal both to Freemasons wishing to learn the full story of their order and to a general audience that is intensely curious about this traditionally secretive and closed movement. The coverage includes The historical and philosophical background of the order, including the Knights Templar, the medieval stonemasons' guilds, and esoteric traditions such as Kabbalah and Hermeticism Its history from the earliest Masons to the present day, including famous members and scandals Its geographical spread from Japan to California, Sweden to South Africa