Prominent masonic scholars explore the history, myth and symbolism behind Freemasonry's most prominent character; the one our rituals are quite literally built around. Presented here are the essays: The Story of Hiram Abiff by William Harvey, The Legend of Hiram Abiff by Manly P. Hall and The Hiramic Legend by Albert G. Mackey.

In this ground-breaking book, the author describes his personal journey through the mystical rituals of Freemasonry. Drawing from personal spiritual insights hidden Masonic texts and modern scientific knowledge, he reveals why people join Freemasonry, what they expect to find and how they benefit. The book discloses the inner secrets of Freemasonry, which have hitherto been the preserve of a select few. In doing so, it provides a window into the world which has been shrouded in mystery and suspicion. From the Inside Flap Turning the Hiram Key invites readers to join a gripping journey of discovery to find the real secrets of Freemasonry. Robert Lomas - co-author of the best-selling book The Hiram Key - has finally tackled the big unanswered questions about The Brotherhood... What is the purpose of Freemasonry? What do Masons gain from working the Rituals? Can anybody benefit from the spiritual teachings of The Craft? Does Freemasonry hold the secret to unlocking the hidden potential of the human mind? Are Masonic rituals simple moral plays designed to encourage people to behave well? Are they a secret tradition preserved from a long lost civilisation? Are they meaningless formalities? Or do they serve a deeper purpose? In this ground-breaking new book Lomas describes his personal journey through the mystical rituals of Freemasonry. Drawing from personal spiritual insights, hidden Masonic texts and modern scientific knowledge, he reveals why people join Freemasonry, what they expect to find and how they benefit. IN THE PAST, THESE INNER SECRETS HAVE BEEN PRESERVED FOR A SELECT FEW... ...UNTIL NOW!

Was Jesus a Freemason? The discovery of evidence of the most secret rites of Freemasonry in an ancient Egyptian tomb led authors Chris Knight and Bob Lomas into and extraordinary investigation of 4, 000 years of history. This astonishing bestseller raises questions that have challenged some of Western civilisation's most cherished beliefs: Were scrolls bearing the secret teachings of Jesus buried beneath Herod's Temple shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman's? Did the Knights Templar, the forerunners of modern Freemasonry, excavate these scrolls in the twelfth century? And were these scrolls subsequently buried underneath a reconstruction of Herod's Temple, Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland - where they are now awaiting excavation? The authors' discoveries shed a new light on Masonic ceremony and overturn out understanding of history.

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.

One of the best books on secret societies ever written. Webster was an historical writer who wrote a number of books on the French Revolution. After World War I she was intrigued with the Marxist revolt, so wrote World Revolution, examining how and why people continue to revolt. As her search went deeper, clear meanings surfaced behind our revolutionsand they involved an agenda by secret societies. This book lays out, in historical perspective, how these secret societies and subversive movements have operated from behind the scenes. Not all of them aspire to rule the world or manipulate politics or world currency, but there are some major ones, according to Webster, that are. As a respected writer and world historian, she provides proof from within these pages.

Illustrated Edition: Hiram Abiff (also known as ""the Widow's Son"") is a character who figures prominently in an allegorical play that is presented during the third degree of Craft Freemasonry. In this play, Hiram is presented as being the chief architect of King Solomon's Temple, who is murdered by three ruffians during an unsuccessful attempt to force him to divulge the Master Masons' secret password. It is explained in the lecture that follows this play that the story is a lesson in fidelity to one's word, and in the brevity of life. Numerous scholars, both Masonic and non-Masonic, have speculated that the character may have been based upon one or more Hirams that appear in the Bible. The tale of Hiram Abiff as passed down in Masonic Lodges underpins the third degree.

Fascinated by Freemasons? Freemasons For Dummies is the internationally best-selling introduction to the Masons, the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This balanced, eye-opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites, to its curious symbols and their meanings. Find out what goes on in a Masonic meeting. You'll understand the true purposes of Masonic "secrecy" and philosophy, meet famous Masons throughout history, and discover related organizations like the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Shriners. Explore the controversies and conspiracy theories that swirl around this organization at the center of Dan Brown's novel The Lost Symbol, and discover the changes coming to the Craft.

Reveals the secret spiritual exercises of the Bektashi Order of Sufis • Shows how this order, also known as Oriental Freemasonry, preserves the ancient spiritual doctrines forgotten by modern Freemasonry • Explains how to transform the soul into the alchemical Magnum Opus by combining Masonic grips and the abbreviated letters of the Qur’an • Includes a detailed biography of Baron von Sebottendorff Originally published in Germany in 1924, this rare book by Baron Rudolf von Sebottendorff reveals the secret spiritual exercises of the Bektashi Order of Sufis as well as how this order, also known as Oriental Freemasonry, preserves the ancient spiritual doctrines forgotten by modern Freemasonry. Sebottendorff explains how the mysterious abbreviated letters found in the Qur’an represent formulas for perfecting the spirit of the individual. When combined with Masonic hand signs and grips and conducted accordingly to a precise schedule, these formulas incorporate spiritual power into the body and transform the soul from its base state into a noble, godlike state: the Magnum Opus of the medieval alchemists. Laying out the complete program of spiritual exercises, Sebottendorff explains each abbreviated word-formula in the Qur’an, the hand gestures that go with them, and the exact order and duration for each exercise. Including a detailed biography of Sebottendorff and an examination of alchemy’s Islamic heritage, this book shows how the traditions of Oriental Freemasonry can ennoble the self and lead to higher knowledge.