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December 2022 Issue articles

From The Editor

Warm welcome to the December Issue. Unwrap a festive mystery within Freemasonry as Philippa Lee unveils a compelling masonic allegory connections in “A Christmas Carol”, sparking fresh debate across international lodges. In this captivating extract, she bridges Dickens’s ghostly tale with profound Masonic symbolism, weaving in explorations of the mosaic pavement origin, Huguenots influence, and …

A Christmas Carol

Discover how A Christmas Carol transcends festive tradition to reveal deep symbolism echoing Masonic initiation. Through the chilling transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, the novella illustrates Scrooge redemption as a moral rebirth akin to the Entered Apprentice’s journey. It subtly draws parallels with Freemasonry, portraying introspection, charity and inner illumination that will leave readers eager to explore the …

Masonic Ring

Masonic Miscellanies – The Mosaic Pavement

Encounter the hidden geometry beneath your feet—Freemasonry's famed mosaic pavement isn’t just decoration, but a profound symbol etched into ritual. This chequered floor, seen in Solomon’s Temple and early eighteenth‑century lodges, embodies duality symbolism, reminding initiates of life’s moral contrasts. Its origins—whether mosaic legend, tracing board or etymological twist—remain debated, yet its power in Masonic …

Masonic Blogs

A treasure trove for Masonic enthusiasts awaits: Masonic Blogs reveals a curated selection of groundbreaking and occasionally controversial lodges—from Universal Co‑Masonry’s inclusive dialogues to the Midnight Freemasons’ unapologetic takes. These medium‑to‑long‑tail narratives promise fresh insight and perhaps challenge your assumptions. Dive deeper and uncover the full story!

Masonic Pens

8 Schools of Freemasonry – Romantic P8

Imagine Freemasonry tracing its roots back to Adam, Euclid, Solomon and even the Knights Templar—a dramatic blend of legend and symbolism that stirs the soul. Masonic enthusiasts will be enthralled by how the romantic legends of Freemasonry weave biblical narratives, Operative mason guilds and Templar myth into one grand tapestry. From the ancient “Time Immemorial” …

Huguenots and Early Modern Freemasonry

Curious how a refugee shaped Freemasonry’s golden age? Jean Théophile Desaguliers—born to Huguenot exile, raised in secret, then rising to Grand Master in 1719—bridged Huguenot diaspora and early modern Freemasonry. His hand in the 1723 Constitutions sparked controversy and innovation, inviting you to explore how exile fuelled Masonic transformation.

Masonic Watches

Druidism and Freemasonry

What if the esoteric roots of ancient Celtic Druids lie at the heart of modern Freemasonry? This vivid exploration of Druidism and Freemasonry traces how William Winwood Reade’s Veil of Isis unveils shared symbolism, sacred language and ritual echoes from Iron Age priesthood into Masonic lodges. By revealing this unexpected lineage, the piece challenges Masonic …

A Lodge Raised From Ashes

At over 10,600 feet in the Colorado Rockies stood Corinthian Lodge No. 42 — the highest Masonic lodge in the USA, born anew from the ashes of two devastating fires. This extraordinary chapter of resilience tells how a bare‑bones mining community and its lodge rose again after 1881’s blaze, earning global distinction and stirring Masonic curiosity — …

Bricks Masons

Mason’s Relish

Imagine uncovering Victorian-era pottery lids coveted by Freemasons, their secretive symbolism hidden beneath vibrant scenes. Discover how Staffordshire manufacturers like Pratt & Co. created coloured, pictorial lids ranging from Shakespeare series to Garibaldi and royalty, yet conspicuously omitted Masonic icons. This intriguing absence underscores the discreet ethos masons relish and invites deeper exploration of hidden …

High Meridian

Imagine peeling back the layers of Masonry and uncovering hidden truths that challenge every preconception. Ben Zion’s High Meridian guides international seekers through a spiritual labyrinth, from ancient European myths to Judeo‑Christian parables, where Masonic symbolism becomes a gateway to deeper understanding. Intriguing and provocative, it leaves you craving more insight.

Masonic Swords

The Ritual of the Operative Free Masons – P2

A centuries-old ritual lies at the heart of Operative Freemasonry, revealing how medieval master masons directly shaped modern Masonic symbolism. This extract explores the derivation of Speculative Freemasonry from Operative Free Masonry, spotlighting Thomas Carr’s groundbreaking assertion and its controversial challenge to conventional Masonic origins. Intrigue awaits dive deeper into this living legacy.

Manockjee Cursetjee

Discover the untold saga of a visionary Parsi leader who broke barriers in colonial Bombay and Freemasonry. Manockjee Cursetjee, India’s first approved Freemason, championed female education by founding the Alexandra Native Girls’ English Institution and sparked controversy by challenging conservative norms. Curious how his legacy reshaped modern Masonry and society?

Masonic Cases

The Egyptian Rite of Memphis

Ever wondered how Egyptian Freemasonry blends ancient mysticism with Christian and Solomon-inspired doctrine? The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis emerges as a striking fusion of esoteric traditions—claiming roots in Isis, Osiris and early Templar wisdom—boldly reshaping Masonic degrees under John Yarker’s lineage. Discover why its Egyptian initiatory tradition remains among the most groundbreaking and controversial …

The Master Mason’s Handbook P6

Chapter 6 - The Badge - On his re-entering the Lodge, the candidate is presented and in due course invested with the badge of a Master Mason by the S.W. The Badge itself, however, is full of symbolic meaning….

Masonic Regalia

Masonic Podcasts

What happens when ancient tradition meets modern media? Masonic podcasts are reshaping how Freemasons connect, learn, and share knowledge—across generations and continents. With fresh voices, engaging formats, and a deep reverence for ritual, they offer a compelling bridge between the Craft’s past and its digital future.

Craftsmen Online

Imagine discovering the Craftsmen Online Podcast, a weekly gateway into Masonic education that ignites curiosity and reverberates across lodges worldwide. This extract unveils how the series merges leadership development with rich Masonic history, offering groundbreaking insights and sparking vibrant debate among Freemasons. Dive deeper to unlock its secrets.

Old Tiler Talks – So Many Rascals 

Could a “verbal knife” be the only true menace among brethren? In this lively exchange, the Old Tiler unmasks how prejudice, not misconduct, fuels claims of “rascals” in Freemasonry. He contrasts rugged loyalty and financial prudence with intolerance, revealing the greatest danger: a brother armed with harsh words instead of wisdom and compassion. Discover why …

Masonic Jewels

Carl Jung’s “Living Symbols”

In the hidden currents of Freemasonry lies a concept so radical that it challenges orthodox views, a force Jung called “living symbols.” Within this esoteric framework, frequency‑locking between archetypal representations and First‑Cause electromagnetic fields becomes Freemasonry’s true labour—a cosmic resonance guiding One World Self‑Governance. These living symbols, sprung directly from the unconscious, weave moral coherence …

Masonic Ties

Charges of a Freemason

An interpretation of the "Charges of a Freemason", written Bro. Cornelius Moore and published in 1875, that introduce certain opinions that for some readers, will not sit well in contemporary times. - The Freemason's Chronicle, Sept. 11, 1875

Exhibition showcasing Masonic, Odd Fellows art

Art and education in the Hoyt’s newest exhibition, "Mystery & Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Art", explores the art and accessories of two fraternal organizations steeped in symbols and coded systems, from special handles, gestures and passwords to ritualized performances that probably come from the Middle Ages.

Book Intro – Jachin and Boaz (1762)

Thirty two years after Samuel Prichard's Masonry Dissected (1730) a second detailed exposure was published Jachin and Boaz (1762) attributed to the same author, and met with equal distain by Freemasons of the time. However, these exposures offer the masonic historian an invaluable view in to how freemasonry was conducted during its early formation

Masonic KT Regalia

Book review – More Light: Collected Masonic Writings 2017-2021

This book delivers a collection of the author’s articles from RiteNow, the magazine of the Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh, along with a history of Freemasonry – both worldwide, and in the Pittsburgh area specifically.

Lewis Masonic Books

Reviews and new publications from Lewis Masonic

Book Review – Freemasons: 555 Illustrations

Written by one of the highest Masonic dignitaries, this unique book reveals the secrets of Freemasonry in inspiring images and quotes.

Join QCCC

How to join QCCC - the world’s first and oldest Masonic research society established over 135 years ago.

Book Review – Chapter & Verse: 100 years of Royal Arch Talks

The publication of Chapter & Verse is in celebration of the centenary of Authors’ Chapter No. 3456; it takes the form of an anthology of some seventy-five talks presented in the Chapter. The spread of authors ensures divers interpretations of the Royal Arch narrative and dramatis personae.

SQ Masonic Book Store

Selected Masonic Books available at Amazon

SQ Leadership Books

Selected Books on Leadership and Personal Development available at Amazon

SQ Style – Man

Stand out from the crowd with SQ’s Masonic essentials

SQ Style – Feminine

Stand out from the crowd with SQ’s Masonic essentials

SQ Styles

Masonic Apparel made to order, unique designs by Tubal Cain Masonic NFT Artist

Last Page

Final note from the publisher and your feedback ....


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