Some reason I look a little strange in the photos, not sure why they came out like they did but anyway 😂

It was a great night and an awesome experience, I enjoyed the ritual thoroughly and knew my q&a perfectly.

I have applied to become a mason and I have met two wonderful people (a third is pending because of availability from both sides) and had the most wonderful conversations with both of them. Both were extremely chill and helped me understand in depth if freemasonry would be a good fit for me, which I think it is since its intellectual side attracts me. I just wanted to share how happy I am to have met those people. I really hope I get accepted in due time.

I discovered a very angry brother on threads and I'm just wondering if this is what you consider an just and upright character.

Someone really should check on him to make sure he's okay.

Just because I'm playing this banger on repeat again in the moment.
For all those who didn't got a chance to watch and hear it.

Edit: shoutout brother armor. :)

The Work - London Freemasons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAlsrxuY7qc

I came from the curb with a rough cut edge,
now i square my steps, take solemn pledge,
grip got weight, that's bond not flex,
truth in the lodge, not in text.

Apron clean, heart pure, that's code,
walk through pillars, heavy load.
Bro got light now we share that road,
three knocks deep, doors unfold.

Do the work, set that stone,
lay that mark, make it known.

Tools on deck, that's trowel, that gauge
measure my mind, not age,
chisel my flaws, engage, still on the square,
same stage, tracing board dreams, all signs align.
Plum line, straight, keep line, divine,
temple ain't brick. Its time,
east light rise, that's mine.

Bro to bro, that's grip, not talk,
faith, hope, charity,
Man walk the walk, level with kings.
Same chalk, light on path, no fork.

Do the work, hold your line.
Guard the gate, keep it fine.

Two pillars stand, one truth remains.
Built through loss, built through pain.
From dust to craft, from night to flame.
The works the work, rememer the name.

I just learned that the modes of recognition are not kept secret in Australian Freemasonry. In my jurisdiction within the US, modes of recognition are the most important true secrets to be maintained. So then what do brothers in Australia promise to never reveal? Do they consider something else even more secretive, or do they forgo the whole secrecy thing altogether in their oaths? And how can my jurisdiction keep off cowans if the modes of recognition are shared publicly (dues card in good standing, I know, but.....)?

Now I wonder if there are things they keep secret that we don't over here. Must be tough to moderate.

Edit: Thank you for your comments, but everyone seems to be missing the point of my question. I am not asking about the nature of secrecy in Freemasonry. I am asking specifically what is intended to be kept secret in Australia? It's really an operative, not a speculative question, in a sense. I'm just curious about practices in other jurisdictions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSBcbpJGWjA

For those who enjoy it, those who already know it but havent listend to it in a while, but also for those who had "mixed feelings" about The Work.

Much love. :)

Does anyone have or know of a way to review the bylaws of WV's Grand Lodge bylaws. My family has a few members in state, but I'm in Ohio and need / want to review details for some issues at hand.

I'm guessing they are not published online but a link or even older bylaws would help immensely.

Im looking to become a Freemason and I’d love to join within these next few months. I will be traveling to Switzerland sometime in the next 5-6 months.

My question is…

1. What’ll happen with my initiation?
   
2. Can I visit the lodge over there?
   
3. Would I receive anything from the lodge? (I’d love anything to take home)
   
4. If I can visit what’ll be like?

My jurisdiction defines Masonic Education as any activity, properly framed, that teaches Brethren Masonic values and how to incorporate them into their lives. The most important words being 'properly framed;' because a program about cheese selection in the right hands can be more educational Masonically than a program about the use of grammar in Ritual in the wrong hands.

In that vein, if your jurisdiction has Lodge Education Officers and yours are looking for ideas for educational programs, encourage them to look at Aesop's Fables. Two that come to mind:

The Man and the Stone (JBR Collection): Aesop was sent one day by his master Xanthus to see what company were at the public bath. He saw that many who came stumbled, both going in and coming out, over a large Stone that lay at the entrance to the bath, and that only one person had the good sense to remove it. He returned and told his master that there was only one man at the bath. Xanthus accordingly went, and finding it full of people, demanded of Aesop why he had told him false. Aesop thereupon replied that only he who had removed the Stone could be considered a man, and that the rest were not worthy the name.

The Old Man and His Sons: (Perry 53): Among the folk of days gone by, there was a very elderly gentleman who had many sons. When he was about to reach the end of his life, the old man asked his sons to bring to him a bundle of slender rods, if there happened to be some lying about. One of his sons came and brought the bundle to his father. 'Now try, with all your might, my sons, to break these rods that have been bound together.' They were not able to do so. The father then said, 'Now try to break them one by one.' Each rod was easily broken. 'O my sons,' he said, 'if you are all of the same mind, then no one can do you any harm, no matter how great his power. But if your intentions differ from one another, then what happened to the single rods is what will happen to each of you!'

I contacted the lodge of Scotland a few months ago and received no reply.
I had a very well articulated message about why I'd like to join and information about me.
I live in Jordan though, does anyone know how I could actually get in touch?

Hi guys, so here is my question. EDIT (also this is just what I’ve experienced, and is in no way an attack just wanted to ask thought provoking questions):

I originally joined masonry in the United States. Now I am a member living abroad and a member in a foreign jurisdiction and still maintain my membership in the US. But I’ve noticed quite a bit of difference. In America at times it seems like lodges are hurting so bad form numbers they will vote for anyone with a pulse. But in my foreign lodge they don’t care if they are hurting for members they will spend time often a year or 2 getting to know someone before they give them a petition. Also in my American lodge we eat before the meeting and get it over with as quickly as possible so we can get home. Now, in my lodge overseas we eat after the meeting in fact we have an entire festive board after the meeting and often spend hours drinking and smoking cigars and enjoying each others presence. Also my American lodge people are very open about their affiliation. In my overseas lodge it’s very private. Why do y’all think it is? Has American masonry become watered down?

Hola a todos. Hace un tiempo que me interesa ingresar a la masonería porque me atraen sus valores, el desarrollo personal y el aprendizaje.
Tengo 22 años y actualmente estudio, trabajo y entreno, por lo que no siempre tengo mucho tiempo libre. Mi duda principal es sobre el compromiso que requiere pertenecer a una logia en Argentina.
¿Es obligatorio asistir a todas las reuniones o existe cierta flexibilidad mientras uno cumpla con sus responsabilidades y participe cuando le sea posible? No me gustaría faltar al respeto a la institución comprometiéndome a algo que después no pueda cumplir.
También me gustaría saber si hay algo importante que debería conocer antes de iniciar el proceso de ingreso o si tienen algún consejo para alguien que está considerando dar ese paso.
Desde ya, muchas gracias por sus respuestas y experiencias.

I went for a quick and very tightly scheduled trip to the Midwest in the beginning of July. I was in Sioux Falls and really only had the 2nd and 3d of July free to do whatever. On the 1st I went by the Masonic center, found no one inside so took a couple of selfies from the outside. I figured they were dark for the summer.

On a whim I found the lodge website and lo and behold there was a stated meeting scheduled the very next day! I quickly filled out the website form, saying I’d be happy just to come by and shake some brothers’ hands over the dinner if we couldn’t get the visiting protocols sorted in time. At the same time I hurried to write my secretary (for whom it was past his bedtime at that point) to see if he could provide a digital letter of good standing, just in case that helped.

Well it all came together - I presented my secretary’s affirmation and passed examination, and was shown a wonderful time. The MW GM was attending - had a lovely chat with him, and so many others of the brothers. The GM’s son gave me a tour of the building, including the supposedly haunted parts. :)

This is the farthest I have travelled masonically so far. And it really is amazing how you can go halfway around the world and still feel right at home. Huge props to the brothers in Minnehaha #5 for being the brothers they are. Don’t know if any are reading this but thanks!🙏

So kind of a lame question. My friend from college just got initiated a few months ago. He's still an EA. I have an extra that I'm not going to wear and I've been thinking about giving it to him as a congratulations.

When I was initiated I was told that you had to be completely raised to wear any kind of representing jewelry.

Is that a discretionary thing or is this legitimate rule?

These have been sitting in a box for quite a while. The little one on the far left is 10k gold. Not sure if people collect these and where they should go. Thanks!

So I have been and for long time interested in joining. But my health issues have and keep hitting me soon as I start doing better. I almost feel like I am being intentionally setback not saying that it is because of them. Just wondering as still a outsider am I frowned upon for wanting join asking but having health issues and not a real job right now? I hate this is messing me up from getting right and pursuing this? I have heard good stories bad stories about it. I choose remain neutral because I personally haven't got to go in myself. Feel like letdown for asking about becoming one and keep getting sick. Like I was working out starting getting up 3 miles day walking etc. Boom sick as dog again. I'm down for whatever they do but I can't get ahead of my back sets not trying make excuses or pity party just looking for advice I guess on what I could should do about this? Hope I didn't make them feel like I was wasting their time. I still seem them everywhere and it bothers me I haven't been able get myself together to join or be apart of what they do. Haven't made best life choices but I keep trying. I like to know what kind are around where I live I know seen shriners logo not sure what the other one was as it was on back of members vehicle as I drove by. Did I make a mistake?

Question for Lodges that have multiple VSLs on their altar. Do you open each VSL during the opening? Just wondering how the mechanics work with different VSLs

I'm 20 years old. half-Canadian and half-English, and I've been circling the idea of Freemasonry for a while. I wanted to ask honestly rather than lurk so here goes (skip to the end if you don't need context).

A bit of background that might be relevant: my great-grandfather and his father before him were Orangemen and I've since found out also initiated into the Black Institution. We still have dozens of their old coins and tokens, some have what the masonic square and compass on the reverse alongside other esoteric symbols I don't recognise. I know those orders aren't the same as the Craft but it gives context into why I am interested in freemasonry.

I'm an entrepreneur and I do very well for myself, but I've got very little in the way of community or people I genuinely relate to. The thing that draws me isn't mystery for its own sake but the idea of a real brotherhood built on something more serious than a networking club. I'll be honest that I also value discretion and privacy in a world that has very little of either.

I lean more gnostic and esoteric in my beliefs. I grew up Christian and left it and I don't connect with the modern church feeling at all. But I felt something completely different when I visited one of the old lodges near Trinity College in Dublin. The age of it and the atmosphere and that's the thing that pulls at me, and it's very much the older lodges not the modern face of any of it.

My honest reservations, since I'd rather be upfront: I'm not interested in ritual purely for the sake of ritual, and I'm not looking to join a group of guys who think a handshake makes them special or just honestly a bunch of weirdos that play dress up (idk?). I'm aware fraternities of every kind can attract that and can be misused and I'm less worried about the institution than about the character of the people actually inside a given room.

So my questions:

1. How does someone actually initiate the process, practically? I gather you approach a lodge rather than the other way around but what does the first real step look like?
2. What is it genuinely about day to day?

Appreciate any honest answers, including the unflattering ones.

hello everyone! does anyone know if a transsexual male (transitioned fully) would be able to become a freemason? thanks in advance for the reply.

Hey everyone!

My family recently found this after going through some of my grandfather’s old stuff. We think it belonged to his father (to the best of my knowledge my grandfather was not a Freemason).

Plugged it into AI and got some cool information but not a Freemason myself so not really sure what any of it means. Would love to learn more about the piece and also learn more about my great grandfather’s involvement in masonry in the process!

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks everyone for all the information. After doing some more research I’ve learned he was the treasurer of his lodge for 27 years and the Worshipful Master of Athelstan Lodge for the year 1900 in Massachusetts.

Kind of wild to think that his involvement in the free masons wasn’t common knowledge in our family- especially because it seems he dedicated significant time to it. I was thinking of contacting the lodge he was a member of to see if they have any historical records related to him- is that a good idea?

This essential book explains the meaning of many of the sacred words and symbols used by Pike.

It also helps you better understand Morals and Dogma.