Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular associations with its modern origins dating to the remnants of the medieval stonemasons' guilds in the late seventeenth century. Today it is a major contributor to charities and promotes high levels of moral conduct and integrity in its members, who number about 250,000 in England and Wales. In the past, over-zealous notions of privacy created an impression of secrecy and mystery which led to misplaced accusations of corruption and improper behaviour by its members. The resulting and very welcome official policy of openness and transparency has led to a wider understanding of its aims and ideals. One of the most important aspects of Freemasonry is to provide its member with tools to enable them to embark on a voyage of self-discovery and self-improvement, ultimately enabling them to gain a better understanding of their spirituality. This book looks at some of the images and objects used in Masonic ritual to illuminate the Freemason's s journey of self-discovery and examines how Freemasonry's use of symbolism and allegory can provide the Freemason with tools to assist him in both facing the challenges of his everyday life and in exploring his spirituality. By looking at the development of these symbols and ritual objects and by the examination of contemporary images it also sheds light on the evolution of English freemasonry itself.

There have been books written in the past purporting to expose the secrets of Freemasonry. By and large these have been written by non-Masons and have generally been somewhat negative and antagonistic towards Freemasons and Freemasonry; missing critical nuances and making unjustified assumptions. There have also been books written by Freemasons and aimed primarily at new Freemasons, as an introduction to Freemasonry, and as such have tended to go over the heads of non-Masons. This book is written by a Freemason specifically for the non-Mason. It does not set out in any way to proselytise, neither does it attempt to justify the case for Freemasonry nor to try and make Freemasonry more acceptable or sanitised. Indeed having read the book a reader may well still continue to be left antagonistic towards Freemasonry but at least will be better informed and know the reasons why.

The author has previously stated on many occasions that if we don't take the time to understand what the contents of our ceremonies mean, and explain them, then we are in danger of them becoming empty shells devoid of any relevance, just empty words and empty actions. They are really based on practical knowledge This book starts by looking at: * Where the Royal Arch degree comes from * Factors that influence it both historically and through religion. * Changes in fashion * Changes in knowledge * The moral lessons it teaches * How those moral lessons were derived * The meaning behind the allegory. * The place of Royal Arch in our modern world Chapter outlines - Chapters to cover: * Tracing the origins of Royal Arch * 3 most important buildings in Britain, for Royal Arch Masonry * Religion, Faith and Fact in the lectures o Key figures and their pedigree * RA Symbols - what they mean and how they are derived * Roman, Greek and Norman influence * The Greek philosophers influence in Royal arch * Wisdom recovered and featured in Royal Arch * Two great rebellions and their consequences for Royal Arch * The third rebellion that never came that influences freemasonry * The influence of James I & VI * William of Orange at Hampton Court * The square and compasses rediscovered o The allegory of the square and compasses * Solomon's Temple o Egyptian benefit o Defeat and catastrophe o The child burners o Exile o Return of the child burners and rebuild o Destruction again o Rebuild again without Royal Arch foundations * Why a pick, shovel and crow? * Colour symbolism o Influence on ceremonies * RA lectures explained * The arrival of five nobles from afar and their influence.

Contents include: Chapter One - Living Landmarks of Freemasonry Chapter Two - 1723 and All That Chapter Three - Father Christmas and Charitable Giving Chapter Four - Darkness Much More Visible Chapter Five - 2nd Duke of Richmond - Grand Master 1724-1725 Chapter Six - Freemasonry and the Bible Chapter Seven - Freemasonry under Adversity Chapter Eight - English Nobility and Freemasonry Chapter Nine - Not Just Geometry Chapter Ten - Ritual and Freemasonry Chapter Eleven - Who Was Adoniram? Chapter Twelve - Hogarth's "Night"

The artist Steve Cadburn is a full-time professional cartoonist and caricaturist and has the ability to capture facial expressions perfectly. So much so that sometime you wonder if the you're looking at a portrait from your very own lodge! If you love freemasonry this book is sure to amuse, entertain, and offer a unique insight into how Freemasons balance their commitment to families and work. With the duties, obligations and fellowship to be found in Freemasonry A must for all Masons as well as their families and friends.

The Royal Arch, also known as 'Red Lodge' or Chapter is one of the most popular and enlightening of the Orders beyond the Craft. Published to coincide with the celebrations of 200 years of Royal Arch Freemasonry, this extensive volume encompasses much more than the title implies. Divided into three parts with added appendices, the book covers the story behind the creation of Supreme Grand Chapter within the context of Craft Freemasonry, to which it is so closely attached.

For more than 500 years, the symbology of Freemasonry has fostered a secret stream of radical ideas running just beneath the surface of popular culture today. These ideas, illuminated by public symbols hidden in full view, have influenced and shaped the society we have today. Despite this ongoing record of inspiration, no illustrated guide book to the basic ideas of Masonic Symbology has even been published and the story remains mysterious-until now. This authoritative guide reveals how this symbology has been the backdrop to key historical events in the history of humanity from ancient times and how, in more recent times, inspired leaders have harnessed the symbols' power to bring about change in society. Renowned Freemasonry historian Dr. Robert Lomas takes you inside the Secret Order and shows you how Entered Apprentices first learn their craft and how continual exposure to these mystical symbols can change the way you think. You'll explore the six mysterious Tracing Boards that are at the heart of every Masonic Grand Lodge, ending with the final, most mystical symbol, known as "the Centre." Let The Secret Power of Masonic Symbols be your personal guide and show you how these symbols have made their indelible mark on the past, and how they will continue to influence society in the future.

Nowadays in our lodges' degree ceremonies seem to be the first and most important thing in the plan of work for the lodge. But all the evidence suggests that the practice of Freemasonry in the eighteenth century was very different from present-day convention. What records we have suggest a number of important differences. The chapters in the book deal individually with The Power of Allegory, Ornaments, Furniture, Movable Jewels, Immovable Jewels, and Art, Architecture and Image.

A collection of articles by Ronald J. R. Hart, PProvJGD, SLGR, with particular emphasis on his many years of research into the architecture and symbolism of Freemasonry. The book contains chapters on the most ancient Lodge and Temple (Kilwinning), the origins of our Lodge columns, the symbolism of the Past Master's jewel, myth and legend, glimpses of Royal Arch Ritual and the Vault, some of the symbols of the First Degree, and the symbols of the Second Degree. Do you want to enhance your Masonic knowledge? This book will give you answers to many of the Masonic questions commonly asked. Where does Freemasonry come from? What does the Past Master's jewel really symbolize? What do the columns in our Lodges signify? What is the symbolism within our Three Degrees? Which Lodge is the oldest? What does the Holy Royal Arch and its Ritual symbolize?

This book follows on from the successful series Fred's Five Minute Papers published on a quarterly basis in The Square magazine for the past two years. There are more than seventy topics, plus some short poems, in total about eighty, covering a very broad spectrum. They are an ideal aid for Lodge Mentors and give answers to questions very often asked by new or less-experienced Masons. Mentoring has recently taken on a very high profile brought about the United Grand Lodge of England's decision to make Mentors an official appointment in lodges. It is currently being given very high priority in many Provinces.

This book contains a complete set of instantly adaptable responses to any masonic toast, each one lasting about four minutes. The book is written in the inimitable style of professional Speechmaker and public speaker, Yasha Beresiner, author of the bestselling "Masonically Speaking. "Which means that each and every toast is witty, entertaining, easy to perform and adapt to one's own needs. The small format will be popular with Freemasons as it will give them a product that they can carry in their bag or pocket.

"Beyond the Craft" has been one of Lewis Masonic's best-selling titles since it was first published in 1980. Since then, author Keith Jackson has updated the book through five editions, most recently in 2005, but there is now scope for a major revision of this book to bring in all the newly founded orders that have not been included up to now and to reflect the expansion in membership of many of these orders in recent years. To accommodate this extra material, the book will be produced in a slightly larger paperback format. This fully revised edition, fully illustrated in color will be an indispensible guide to Masonic Orders practiced in the UK, giving invaluable in-depth information about the history of each Order, as well as detailing the joing qualifications, hierarchy, important rituals, teachings, regalia and much more. The book is recognized as one of the most relevant books a Freemason can acquire and the updates will allow it to continue to keep its position as an indispensible guide for all those Freemasons wishing to explore other degrees within the Masonic structure.

'Take your Masonry seriously but don't take it solemnly', has been one of the author's tenets throughout his many years as a Freemason. The Freemason's Bedside Book is an accessible collection of articles, poems, letters and other bite-sized material from a respected scholar of Freemasonry which will illuminate the subject for those who do not have the time to plough through more lengthy and learned articles or research original documents in which this material is buried. Readers will find the books shows how Freemasonry has developed in the way that it has, bringing to life what people were thinking, believing and wanting in the past, and showing the human face of many of the revered figures in the history of Freemasonry, often with humour. The content varies from poems, short stories and anecdotes to historical extracts and other documents - each chosen for the quality of their writing and the entertainment of the reader as well as their insight into Freemasonry.

This book presents a simple, effective, and time-proven approach to the memorization and performance of Masonic ritual. "Learning Ritual: A Simple Process" offers the reader a simple universal approach to any form of Masonic ritual whether it is Blue or Craft Lodge or that of a high degree. This is the concise and sensible route to delivering ritual to the best of one's ability. Learning a part in a Masonic ritual is a journey. It's something that adds depth, meaning, and a new understanding to what you have already experienced in the Masonic Temple. This is the first time a book has been published that combines information on elements of performance and that of memorization, which of course are interlinked in every way. Andrew Skidmore demonstrates that learning ritual doesn't have to be a stressful and worrying undertaking. This book provides you with the practical advice you need to perform your ritual role without fear of freezing or making a mistake.

This series of books sets out to provide for each Officer of a Lodge as accurate as possible a description of Emulation Working as it applies to his office. It is largely derived from the author's earlier book, "Emulation Working Today", which does not slip conveniently into the pocket of a coat or apron, and it therefore aims to remedy that defect. Each book in the series, like its bigger brother, "Emulation Working Today", is intended as a supplement to the "Emulation Ritual" book. It does not claim to be exhaustive as a description of Emulation Working, for in many, if not most, cases the "Emulation Ritual" is quite clear as to the procedure that is to be followed. There are, however, many instances where, despite what might be thought a clear description in the rubric of the Ritual, Brethren commonly fail to carry out the action described in accordance with the practice of Emulation Lodge of Improvement (which, it should not be forgotten, preserves as far as possible the only Craft ritual that has ever been formally approved by the Grand Lodge). There can be various reasons for such failures: sometimes a weak or ignorant Director of Ceremonies or preceptor may have allowed Brethren to fall into careless habits; conversely a strong Director of Ceremonies or preceptor may have enforced his own idiosyncratic views; whichever may be the case, that fickle and shifting concept, the tradition of the Lodge, is usually invoked as justification. Leaving aside such shortcomings in the ritual actions, there are also several "accident black spots" where the wording of the ritual is liable regularly to be rendered inaccurately. The books in this series therefore set out, first, to provide a second bearing where difficulties are known to arise, rather like the geometric principle which enables a surveyor or cartographer to pinpoint a spot by the process of triangulation. It is hoped that the additional and/or alternative descriptions provided in these books will render clearer those procedures which most often defeat Brethren. Secondly, by warning of the "black spots" and providing mnemonics or other strategies to help pass through them safely, this series is aimed at making the task of the various Officers of a Lodge easier. The first book has two short appendices, the first containing a checklist and the second covering techniques for memorising and remembering the ritual. As far as practicable, the books in this series will be factual and descriptive, though the author does occasionally express his own views on matters that some might regard as mildly controversial. As a final observation, and rather an obvious one, the greater amount of detail now shown in the rubrics of the ritual has undoubtedly encouraged Brethren in the view that there is no longer any need to attend a Lodge of Instruction in order to learn the correct method of working. While it is eminently possible - and it is, indeed, the easiest way - to learn the words of the ritual from a book, the actions are a different matter. For them there is ultimately no substitute for the kind of experience to be gained in a Lodge of Instruction. This book will take a Brother part - perhaps even most - of the way but it is not the same as receiving instruction at first hand from a competent preceptor or attending a Lodge of demonstration such as Emulation Lodge of Improvement. The contents for this first book would be: Introduction; General Remarks; The Office of Inner Guard; Opening, Resuming and Closing; First Degree; Second Degree; Third Degree; Installation; Appendix A: Checklist; and, Appendix B: The Immortal Memory.