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Acacia Lodge #1 |
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Acacia Lodge #1 |
CANDIDATE MATERIALS
The first thing you need to understand is the use of the terms Mason and Freemason. Our ancient brothers coined the word "Speculative Mason" to differentiate themselves from the "Operative Masons" who made their living as a brick or stone mason. Masons are construction workers who erect buildings using stone, brick and mortar. Speculative Masons are workers who strive to improve themselves through practicing the moral tenets of Masonry.
The word Freemason indicated that the person becoming a mason was free. Our ancient brothers meant that the person was "free." This meant the individual was not a slave, woman or child since slaves, women and children were not "free" but the property of their "owner." The word "owner" included such words as master, father, husband, and in some cases, oldest brother.
Today we say the individual is free of prejudice and hatred. Thus a modern Freemason is a person of lawful age who declares himself or herself free of all undue hatred and prejudice and ready to start a spiritual program of self-improvement. If you declare this is true, you're invited to join our organization and partake in our degrees designed to help you become a better person. If this is not true, we encourage you to continue studying the materials we freely offer here to the public.
The second thing you need to understand is the difference between a "regular" or Speculative Mason and an Esoteric Mason. Regular Masons desire to morally improve themselves. Esoteric Freemasons seek to spiritually improve themselves. Most of the work done by Esoteric Masons is individual inner work. Most of the work done by regular Masons is the rituals of opening and closing their lodges and initiating new members.
The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Accepted and Esoteric Freemasons presents the Speculative Masonic materials, rituals and initiations available to the public and does not share any secret information about regular Masons which is not easily available to the public. We invite you to read through these materials so you can make an informed decision about becoming an Esoteric Mason or a Speculative Mason.
If you read nothing else, read these documents:
[ The Greatest Secret in the World ]
[ Truth ]
The following four sections contain information about:
Study of these materials can take a lifetime, but becoming familiar with them is usually helpful as you follow the Esoteric Masonic path. Several of these files require Adobe Acrobat in order to read the material. Adobe Acrobat is available for free over the Internet from Adobe and from a number of other locations.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: Nobody has the right or the authority to tell you what you must study or how you must perform any of our rituals or initiations. You alone have the right and the authority to decide what you will read, what you will learn and what you will do to complete the requirements for each degree. We encourage you to read the esoteric lectures and lessons and to initiate yourself in each esoteric degree. Beyond that, you have the right and authority to study anything you desire.
RECOMMENDED READING ABOUT ESOTERIC MASONRY
Dr. Dianne Fullerton and Brother John Gilbert presented this paper in 1978 to the Grand Lodge proposing changes which were implemented several years later. It gives the reader a great deal of insight into the differences between Speculative Masonry and Esoteric Freemasonry.
The Grand Lodge recommends that you learn as much as you can about the basics of both regular Freemasonry and Esoteric Freemasonry. Then, if you believe this path is for you, petition the lodge for membership.
This is one of the first articles we recommend to all who visit our website. If you have not already read it, please take the time to read this important information now. As you read it, the Esoteric Grand Lodge attempts to honestly compare the principles for "regular" Freemasonry with those of Esoteric Freemasonry. The major different, of course, is that Esoteric Freemasonry is more about individual inner work.
The Master Mason's Lodge is both an exoteric and an esoteric building. All candidate's for Masonic degrees need to understand the Master Mason's Lodge before being initiated as a Mason. We recommend you read this lecture before visiting a Masonic Lodge whether in your imagination, on-line or in the flesh. While Esoteric Masons use the same kind of lodge room as regular Masons, the work that Esoteric Freemasons do is very much different.
CANDIDATES RITUAL AND LECTURE
This ritual is typical of the form and content of all Masonic rituals and is presented here to help the Candidate decide whether to become an Esoteric Mason or not. Please note that the Esoteric Grand Lodge recommends all candidates read the four papers above before seeking to become a candidate.
This lecture is typical of the form and content of all Masonic rituals and is presented here to help the Candidate understand the process used by Esoteric Freemasons to teach important concepts. The Grand Lodge recommends you complete the above ritual before reading this lecture.
OPTIONAL READING ABOUT ESOTERIC FREEMASONRY
The International Sovereign and Independent Grand Lodge of Ancient, Accepted and Esoteric Freemasons.
Interesting Facts About Esoteric Freemasonry
The International Sovereign and Independent Grand Lodge of Ancient, Accepted and Esoteric Freemasonry publishes these interesting facts about Esoteric Freemasonry.
A woman's viewpoint of being a Freemason and Masonic initiation - recommended reading for everybody considering Freemasonry.
Introduction to Esoteric Freemasonry
Learn about what makes Esoteric Freemasonry different from regular Masonry.
Masonic rituals all contain penalties horrible beyond words to describe. These penalties are symbolic and not intended to be enforced. We recommend you read this lecture before taking any Masonic obligation of any kind.
Questions & Answers about Masonry
Answers to commonly asked questions about Esoteric Freemasonry
The Secrets of Esoteric Freemasonry
Regular Masons are required to keep many secrets concerning each degree. Esoteric Freemasons have far greater latitude in discussing our lodges, rituals, lectures and work. You may talk about anything on this website except the secrets of Esoteric Freemasonry which is fully described in this article.
OPTIONAL READING ABOUT REGULAR FREEMASONRY
Please read through the materials listed below to gain a deeper understanding
of Freemasonry
[also called just simple Masonry].
When you feel you're ready to consider becoming a Candidate for Freemasonry, we
invite you to use the link near the bottom of this page and learn how to become a Mason.
Freemasonry is a
complex system comprising hundreds of degrees. It's not necessary to
understand the intricacies of these degrees at this time. However, if you'd
like to get a preview of what's possible, here are some good references:
Introduction to the Higher Degrees of Masonry
Master Masons are eligible to continue their Masonic degree work through several different paths. This introduction is supported by two other articles:
1. Outline of Higher Degrees of Masonry
2. Discussion of the Higher Masonic Degrees
This paper from the Louisiana Grand Lodge explains how the ritual in that state has evolved from 1717 to 2000 in the opinion of one brother Mason.
Examples of Masonic Paraphernalia
As an Esoteric Freemason you are neither expected nor required to purchase or make any apron, cordon or jewel for any reason whatsoever. If you do decide to obtain an apron we suggest a small one foot square fabric apron without any adornment of any kind. We place absolutely no requirements on you for owning any Masonic paraphernalia of any kind whatsoever. It is not your adornments that make you a Mason but the way you live your life.
Freemasonic Order of the Golden Centuriam
Franz Bardon mentioned the F:. O:. G:. C:. in one of his books and raised an issue that is debated to this day about the existence of this "black magick" order. The "official" position of A.·. A.·. & E.·. F.·. on this issue is the whole argument is ridiculous and blown all out of proportion. The "unofficial" position is there may be something there.
Alchemy, and especially Spiritual Alchemy, has always been closely aligned with Freemasonry and especially Esoteric Freemasonry. Esoteric Freemasonry is most closely tied to the Octagon Society within the Order of Spiritual Alchemy.
There is some evidence the early Masonic rituals included some of the teachings of the Druids. The Ancient Order of Druids in America is a former organization of Masonic Druids still currently operating.
Freemasonry and the Golden Dawn
The Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn was founded by a group of English Masons. The two paths have diverged since. Today there are several dozen functioning Golden Dawn groups though they do tend to come and go. The Esoteric Masons are most closely related to the Magical Golden Dawn.
The Kaballah is an ancient Pagan-Judeo-Islamic-Christian teaching about the creation of he world and spiritual paths back to the Divine. Esoteric Freemasonry combines the teachings of the Kaballah into their system of morality and spirituality.
Freemasonry is not a religion but it supports all Masons who choose to follow the religion of their choice. Good paper.
The Masonic Renewal Committee gives all Masonic Lodges permission to reprint their brochure discussing the purpose of Masonry.
History of Freemasonry by Kilwinning Lodge
This is a short history of Masonry published by the Mother Lodge at Kilwinning concerning the history of English Masonry.
History of Freemasonry by Albert Mackey
Mackey's "History" is the most comprehensive and accurate history of Masonry ever published. It's the most widely quoted source of Masonic history ever written. The copy we have is an older version which is out of print and out of copyright. A newer version is currently available through your local bookseller. The version we present here is divided into fourteen separate Adobe Acrobat files:
History Part 1
History Part 2
History Part 3
History Part 4
History Part 5
History Part 6
History Part 7
History Part 8
History Part 9
History Part 10
History Part 11
History Part 12
History Part 13
History Part 14
Interesting Facts About Freemasonry
The Grand Lodge of Michigan used materials provided by the Grand Lodge of Iowa to create this lengthy and interesting expose of Masonry which is now in the public domain.
The Grand Architect of the Universe is Masonry's name applied to Deity. Non-Masonic groups have attacked this concept as being Satanic. Masons Against Slanderous Offensive Nonsense [MASON] is one organization that answers this accusation.
The Toronto Society for Masonic Study and Research published this 1930 paper to enlighten both prospective and brother Masons in Canada.
Our ancient Masonic brothers used this phrase in response to prayer rather than the usual response of Amen. In honor of this ancient tradition, most regular Masons continue to use that phrase to this day. There is no requirement that Esoteric Masons use the phrase, but most do. Though there is considerable debate over whether Pagans or Masons first used this phrase, the evidence tends to prove that Pagans did.
The Grand Architect of the Universe [TGAOTU] is the official name applied to the Creator of All That Is. There are other options available to members of the Lodge.
This paper by author or authors unknown is considered a "classic" analysis of the secrets of Masonry.
When you've read what you want to read you need to decide if you're ready to join the Lodge of Esoteric Freemasons. If you are, please complete a petition for membership. If you're not interested in proceeding, thanks for taking the time and making the effort to learn more about Masonry.
