October 2021 Issue articles. Was Elias Ashmole truly a Masonic hero, or is there a more complex story waiting to be uncovered? Two eminent Masonic scholars engage in a groundbreaking debate, challenging long-held beliefs about one of Freemasonry's most significant figures. Delve into the controversy and decide for yourself what to believe.
Editor
Discover the spark igniting global Freemasonry today! Dive into a compelling message from the editor that champions the pursuit of Masonic knowledge, emphasizing daily advancement and embracing diverse branches of the Craft across continents. This extract teases the magazine’s groundbreaking aim, to unite dispersed brethren and inspire deeper learning.
Elias Ashmole: Masonic Hero or Scheming Chancer?
Was Elias Ashmole a visionary or a scheming opportunist? Elias Ashmole emerges as a captivating enigma, his role in early Freemasonry entwined with ambitions in alchemy and antiquarianism. He amassed the Tradescant collection to found the Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s first public museum. His motives may provoke curiosity and compel you to explore further.
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Masonic Miscellanies – The Mystery of the Tattooed Freemason
Imagine the first-ever Tattooed Freemason, discovered in 1849 beneath San Francisco’s waters, his body engraved with every Masonic emblem imaginable. From square‑and‑compass tattoos to the blazing star and forty‑seventh Euclid’s problem, this mysterious drowned brother received California’s inaugural Masonic funeral. Curious? The full tale unveils remarkable symbolism and haunting secrecy.
Masonic Blogs – The Hedge Mason
Curious why so many Masons rely on recycled opinions instead of genuine insight? This spotlight on masonic blogs for international Freemasons reveals a groundbreaking tension: as Liberal Freemasonry expands, the urge to rehash others’ arguments eclipses independent thought. Dive in to discover how responsible, thought‑provoking writing challenges the status quo and invites deeper exploration.
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Discover the uncompromising spirit of a man who saw Freemasonry not as tradition, but as a crusade. Dr J.D. Buck, a militant Mason, championed free thought and spiritual patriotism, fiercely defending the sovereign right of conscience against creeping hierarchy. His groundbreaking fusion of psychology, economics and theosophy reveals a deep commitment to universal religion and …
Freemasonry and Women’s Rights – Part 4
Spark curiosity right away: co‑Freemasonry shattered centuries of exclusion by initiating women and men side by side. In France in the 1890s, co‑masonic lodges under Le Droit Humain broke with tradition, challenging orthodox male‑only structures and even influencing legal definitions of women as “persons.” Dive deeper to uncover how this radical change reshaped Masonic and human rights.
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Imagine over 500 Scottish Freemasons, tools in hand, scaling a Perthshire hill to lay a memorial stone in 1865—an enactment steeped in ritual and brotherhood. Blending Masonic pomp with the legacy of the 6th Duke of Atholl, this foundation‑stone ceremony reveals a forgotten chapter of Grand Lodge intrigue and heritage. Intrigued? Dive deeper.
Hooked on ritual splendour? The article unveils how Masonic dining and banquets at Kent Lodge No. 15 transformed annual Investitures into mesmerising spectacles. Amidst sumptuous feasts and playful burlesque, traditions of the Atholl lodge are re‑imagined with both respect and a mischievous spark. Intrigued? Discover how these lavish Investitures challenge convention.
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The Christianising of British Freemasonries – Part 2
Imagine Freemasonry at a crossroads—split by faith and fraternity. The Christianising of British Freemasonries dramatizes how, from 1877, senior lodges shifted decisively into Christian‑Trinitarian orders, sparking a profound separation from the Grand Orient of France and reshaping fraternity with the Prussian Grand Lodge. This battle for the soul of Freemasonry raises urgent questions, what legacy …
Continue reading "The Christianising of British Freemasonries – Part 2"
The Masonic Art of Being a Gentleman
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to live the masonic art of being a gentleman? In this enlightening extract, Craig Weightman argues that Freemasonry isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way of life rooted in excellence of character, where discretion, fidelity and obedience guide every action. He challenges modern norms by highlighting how preserving …
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Rediscover the art of learning Masonic ritual with proven strategies that transform practice into purpose. From mastering the mind‑palace technique to adopting the efficient 5‑Minute Ritualist method, and switching between focused and diffuse modes for optimal retention, this extract reveals groundbreaking ways to internalise ritual. Curious? Dive deeper to elevate your craft.
Few would expect an ancient fraternity to defy communism’s iron grip, but Freemasonry in mainland China did just that. Emerging in Canton from 1767, lodges flourished under foreign jurisdictions until 1949, before facing persecution under the Communist regime. Yet the Grand Lodge of China survived, relocating to Taipei and preserving its ritual heritage, a testament …
Bold and centuries‑deep, the travelling lodge Glittering Star No. 322, founded in 1759 by the 29th Regiment of Foot, has journeyed across continents; America, Canada, India, Germany and preserved its military warrant and ritual, untouched since inception. Most enticingly, it broke Masonic tradition in 1938 by convening within the Tower of London, a provocative blend of …
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Delve into the intricate layers of Masonic symbolism with "Ashlar Chippings." This collection of insights explores the interpretations of symbols and Masonic procedure and protocol, all veiled in allegory. Uncover the deeper meanings within our craft and contemplate the future of Masonry.
The Entered Apprentices Handbook
Chapter 6. Having taken the first regular step the Candidate is given the Sign. This he is told refers to the Penalty of his Obligation, and no doubt it does, but it also seems to refer to something much more startling.
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Ever wondered what's new in the world of Masonic knowledge? A wave of Masonic podcasts is transforming how we learn, from deep dives into esoteric research to official news from the United Grand Lodge of England. Discover your next favourite listen and unlock a new dimension of Freemasonry's teachings.
Delve into the enigmatic history of the All-Seeing Eye, a potent symbol of divine omniscience far older than the Craft itself. This journey uncovers its true origins, a narrative more complex than many brethren realise, and its ultimate representation of the Great Architect of the Universe, inviting a deeper look into Masonic symbolism.
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Was William Hogarth secretly embedding messages in his art? New analysis reveals Hogarth's hidden Masonic symbolism within his iconic series, ‘A Harlot’s Progress’. His celebrated engravings now appear to be a complex visual cypher of concealed Masonic signs, questioning the very nature of his fraternal allegiance and revealing a controversial, hidden narrative.
Officers of the Royal Arch – Principals
Who were the Principals and how do they link Spirituality ? Providing deeper insights into the esoteric and functional aspects of the Royal Arch, emphasizing the preservation, interpretation, and application of divine wisdom.
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A review of the "Sketch for the History of the Dionysian Artificers," a fragment, by Hyppoli to Joseph Da Costa - This little work may be regarded as, so to speak, the Holy Grail of Masonry. The Freemason's Chronicle 27th February, 1875
Book Intro – The Spirit of Masonry
Books
The Spirit of Masonry by William Hutchinson. An essential source for anyone interested in exploring the inner mysteries of the Masonic Fraternity.
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What if the forge itself forged Freemasonry’s earliest legends? Tubal‑cain, the biblical master of metallurgy, emerges in the 1450s Cooke Manuscript as the founder of smiths’ craft—his myth woven into Masonic ritual, linking ancient pillar lore to Hiram Abiff. Intrigued? Discover the full story.
Book Review – Mnemonic Methods
Books
Within this book 'Mnemonic Methods by Robert Fludd', translator Paul Ferguson introduces us to the English translation of two of Fludd's short treatises on memory
Books
Dive beneath the veil of occult history and uncover a meticulously woven labyrinth of esoteric influence. Invisibles, regarded as the most comprehensive comparative study of the Rosicrucian mega‑meme, exposes how late‑nineteenth‑century European occult revival figures shaped modern esoteric thought. Freemasons will be captivated by the book’s groundbreaking connections, provocatively reinterpreting hidden lineages and inviting deeper …
SQ Leadership & Personal Development Books
Books
Selected Books on Leadership and Personal Development available at Amazon
