Best freemason books according to redditors
We found 76 Reddit comments discussing the best freemason books. We ranked the 32 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 76 Reddit comments discussing the best freemason books. We ranked the 32 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Freemasons for Dummies
The author is also a regular here in this subreddit.
He's the author of Freemasonry for Dummies and other books. He is founder and editor emeritus of the Journal of the Masonic Society. He knows what he's talking about.
I'm not sure about essential to every occult library (and I realize some of these aren't necessarily considered primarily 'occult' texts), but here are a few I've found useful:
The Mason's Words: The History and Evolution of the American Masonic Ritual is a good look at how things have evolved in the United States.
This dumb book will answer all of your normal questions.
https://www.amazon.com/Freemasons-Dummies-Christopher-Hodapp/dp/1118412087 is the best book about Freemasonry that I've ever read.
Banking was seen as a low profession. No one liked bankers. Early Jews were somewhat forced into working in banking since no one else wanted the job. It created this cycle of hatred and resentment. Then you get Shakespeare pushing the Shylock stereotype and it just snowballs.
When Germany was taken from super power to broke and humiliated nation after WWI, you had a proud people who were looking for a scapegoat.
But antisemitism on a larger scale still exists all over the place, and I really believe a lot of it stemmed from the long tradition of Jews in banking, which leads to the stereotypes of them controlling everything.
As for secret societies, most cultures had forms of secret societies and initiation. There is a fantastic book on the subject:
https://www.amazon.com/History-Initiation-George-Oliver/dp/1605320544
> Freemasonry for Dummies
That
https://www.amazon.com/Freemasons-Dummies-Christopher-Hodapp/dp/1118412087/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485737448&sr=8-1&keywords=Freemasonry+for+Dummies
I would also recommend that you check out some channels around this.
The Round Table
https://www.youtube.com/user/MasonicRoundtable
What is a mason
https://www.youtube.com/user/OneFreemason
There is a few others. But, I don't know any other active ones. I was going to make a channel on it, but not many people are looking for that type of content. So it's not profitable enough for the amount of time it would take to keep up a channel like that.
So - here's the dangerously short version.
18th French Masons had difficulty accepting the idea that Freemasonry was of "rude" origin, viz. stoneworkers. Common replacements became religious heretics, chivalric orders (eventually everyone agreed KT was the best story), the Rosicrucians, Ancient Egypt, lost heirs and pretenders, gray aliens, Knights with red feathers on their head... you name it.
The origin of eccosais (french for Scottish) is that during the Glorious Revolution when the Scottish King - er, um - bravely ran away to France (circa 1786) a number of Scottish Masons/Engineers were in tow thus bringing Freemasonry to France.
Eccosais currents were often Jacobite, almost always include the preservation of the Word (a direct jab at the English for loosing it), and gear towards the Qabbalah, not chivalric currents - though in time, as seen in the AASR, everyone learned how to play along and chivalric Masonry was placed firmly above everything else - unless you count the secret work, which is a whole other discussion.
Reading List
I would start by reading Freemasons for Dummies. It will give you some great background on the Fraternity. You can also check out The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry. Both have just been updated and in their second editions.
I have never personally experienced any derision for being a Mason but I know other Masons who have. At some point, it's impossible to debate those who have developed a Anti-Masonic stance.
I highly suggest you read this book as it is quite enjoyable. That said, it is not really, as mentioned below, accurate.
I recommend you follow up reading Born in Blood with reading Compasses and the Cross.
http://www.amazon.com/Compasses-Cross-Stephen-Dafoe/dp/0853182981
I seem to recall you being in the US somewhere. If so: https://www.amazon.com/Masons-Words-History-Evolution-American/dp/061585382X/
It's not that long of a read, and it can pretty easily be broken down.
The Mason's Words: The History and Evolution of the American Masonic Ritual by Robert G. Davis is an excellent history. I really recommend not reading until after you're a Master Mason. A major part of the Degree experience is not knowing exactly what's going to happen next.
I wouldn't recommend that book. If you'd like a factual, well-researched look at the masonic significance of the District, I'd recommend Solomon's Builders by Chris Hodapp (who also wrote Freemasons for Dummies). I can't comment on the DVD, since the link was broken.
https://www.amazon.com/Freemasons-Dummies-Christopher-Hodapp/dp/1118412087/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3VU815UWFMKD4&keywords=freemason&qid=1555553244&s=gateway&sprefix=freemas%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-4
Just started it myself.
Yeah don't read about the actual degree work until you go through it. A great book to read after you are raised is "the meaning of masonry". By wilmhurst. http://www.amazon.com/The-Meaning-Of-Masonry-Wilmshurst/dp/1595479120
What he says in that book about the first degree has stuck with me for years, and I didn't make the connection having gone through the degree until I read it.
Ok, I'm on a trow-away/bug-me-not account too, and after reading this whole thead (and even commenting as I read it) I'm going vote this to be a TROLL. I too am a Past Master (in Indiana), and he is leaving out a lot of the ritual that is not posted all over the internet.
Then I visited the link that he keeps peddling (emfj.org), and he has never mentioned the wording of the Bible lecture. Also, he has not mentioned something that is mentioned in ritual too: "By the exercise of Brotherly Love we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and low, the rich the poor; who, as created by one Almighty Parent and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other. On this principle Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance."
For more details you can check out Chris Hodapp's book Freemasonry for Dummies. He is a Past Master from Broad Ripple Lodge in Indiana.
Here is what I read prior to joining Declarations of Priciples -- Indiana.
I'm going back to the ritual. I've got to brush up a bit for the MM degree on Wednesday (that us PMs have to put on). Hope to see the other Reddit Brothers there!
Anyway, I wish all of you the best, and I apologize to the everyone for the username that bug-me-not has blessed me with today. For a long time I kept getting "ReverseRacism".
Best place for you to look at would be the Lodge he was a member of. They'd likely be able to tell you a TON of information about him and there may be people there that were friends with him that could tell you tons of stories.
32nd degree means he was a member of the Scottish Rite and attained that degree within that body. Scottish Rite is an appendant body, you have to be a 3rd Degree Master Mason to join it. 3rd Degree is the highest degree, all the other degrees just "branch out" so to speak. I'd recommend hitting up a local Barnes & Noble or book store and check out this book Freemasonry for Dummies written by Bro Chris Hodapp, or if you want you can buy it. It's got a lot of great info, more than we could probably address here.
Any one of these books should ameliorate your fears.
Failing that, he really can tell you everything you want to know about what he's been through/doing apart from the secrets, which are just a couple of words and salutes.
The Freemasons Guide and Compendium - Bernard E. Jones
I would take a look at Claudy's Entered Apprentice Manual after you're initiated and as you work on your proficiency. It gives a bit of a historical perspective on what you went through along with a bit of review of what's taught in the lectures.
I'd also recommend reading /u/chodapp 's book at your leisure along with the Idiot's Guide.
Freemasonry for Dummies was a huge help for me. Just skip the chapter on the degrees.
https://www.amazon.com/Freemasons-Dummies-Christopher-Hodapp/dp/1118412087
"The Royal Arch of Eunuch."
Here's one of the books that started it all, if you're interested.
Thanks, I should have been more specific on the General Ahiman Rezon. There is actually a book called "General Ahiman Rezon And Freemason's Guide: Containing Monitorial Instructions In The Degrees Of Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft And Master Mason" "http://www.amazon.com/General-Ahiman-Rezon-Freemasons-Guide/dp/1484070151/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1394037897&sr=8-2&keywords=General+Ahiman+Rezon"
It was written in the 1890's. The actual, or original Ahiman Rezon was written in the 1750's, to which your link accurately directs to.
I am trying to find out if the Civil War General Sickles, who seemed to be pretty loopy in the eyes of history, is the same guy who wrote the book in the 1890's, which is a fairly decent and educational book.
Thanks for replying though.
Sorry? I think you are mistaken sir. The only official secrets we have are our modes of recognition. Everything else more than fair to be shared. It makes me wonder if you are in fact a mason, and if you are, if you bothered to open up the copy of the constitution they handed you as soon as you finished your first degree.
Have you never wondered why lodges have entire WEBSITES set up explaining the things I am? How authors like these are still members:
http://www.amazon.ca/Freemasons-For-Dummies-Christopher-Hodapp/dp/1118412087
You should apologize to me for that comment. Or even better, how about we place a wager? We both put $1000.00 In an escrow account. When I get home tonight, Ill post my certificate(s) as well as the relevant passages in our constitution. If I check out your $1000.00 goes to a charity of my choice. If I don't, my money will go to you or your charity?
But before you take my bet I would advise you to take a look around:
http://www.askafreemason.org/topten/
Here is right from the grand lodge of Albertas website:
http://www.freemasons.ab.ca/primary/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=31&Itemid=290
Why is Freemasonry so “secretive”?
It really isn’t “secretive,” although it sometimes has that reputation. Freemasons certainly don’t make a secret of the fact that they are members of the fraternity. We wear rings, lapel pins and tie tacks with Masonic emblems like the Square and Compasses, the best known of Masonic signs which, logically, recalls the fraternity’s roots in stonemasonry. Masonic buildings are clearly marked, and are usually listed in the phone book. Lodge activities are not secret picnics and other events are even listed in the newspapers, especially in smaller towns. Many lodges have answering machines which give the upcoming lodge activities. But there are some Masonic secrets, and they fall into two categories.
The first are the ways in which a man can identify himself as a Mason — grips and passwords. We keep those private for obvious reasons. It is not at all unknown for unscrupulous people to try to pass themselves off as Masons in order to get assistance under false pretenses.
The second group is harder to describe, but they are the ones Masons usually mean if we talk about “Masonic secrets.” They are secrets because they literally can’t be talked about, can’t be put into words. They are the changes that happen to a man when he really accepts responsibility for his own life and, at the same time, truly decides that his real happiness is in helping others.
It’s a wonderful feeling, but it’s something you simply can’t explain to another person. That’s why we sometimes say that Masonic secrets cannot ( rather than “may not”) be told. Try telling someone exactly what you feel when you see a beautiful sunset, or when you hear music, like the national anthem, which suddenly stirs old memories, and you’ll understand what we mean.
“Secret societies” became very popular in North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There were literally hundreds of them, and most people belonged to two or three. Many of them were modeled on Masonry, and made a great point of having many “secrets.” And Freemasonry got ranked with them. But if Freemasonry is a secret society, it’s the worst-kept secret in town.
It is literally word for word what I said in my AMAA, ONLY OUR MODES OF RECOGNITION. You should be careful pretending to know about something you clearly dont. Every once and a while someone might show up and make you look foolish.
Cleopatra's Needle had 9,000 Freemasons parading the streets of new york when it arrived.
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The Southern California Research Lodge gives them out for free to any of their members that notifies them of a newly petitioned Entered Apprentice.
> Our prime project is in the field of candidate education or awareness. When a member of the Research Lodge notes an Entered Apprentice degree to be conferred in his Lodge, he notifies us, giving the name, address and date of degree. We then mail the member a free copy of Allen Roberts' The Craft and Its Symbols for presentation to the candidate when he receives his First Degree. Reading the book will no doubt smooth his way through the balance of his degrees. Due to the nature of the program, candidates in One Day Classes are not eligible. The candidate's address is their passkey to the second half of our program, in which we put the newly initiated Brother on our mailing list for three months, giving him a brief education and information on our Craft. One Day Class members are eligible for the mailings. Due to time and postage, foreign members are not eligible for the program.
Membership in the SCRL is $20.
Edit: Also, Amazon, but it looks like the "new" versions are way more than what I've been able to find elsewhere on the Internet. If you don't trust the Amazon affiliates program, Macoy's has them, also.
Our Lodge gives a copy of this book to every newly raised Master at the same time he's presented his Bible and apron.
The bit about having your partner's support says a bit more about the last question you had. The lodge wants to make sure that you joining isn't going to cause undue strain on your family. That includes the financial aspect of paying dues as well as being out of the house an evening or two a month (or much more if you choose to be more involved).
If you were joining without concerning your SO's opinion, I'd vote against you. We're interested in making good men better and a man who chooses not to care about the thoughts and feelings of those most close to him isn't ready for Masonry.
Don't let Freemasonry cause problems in your personal or professional life. I've told my lodge brothers that I can't take a chair in the lodge because I end up working after-hours too often and I'm at the point in my career where going the extra mile makes a big difference. I've also told them that I just want to spend some quality time with my fiance. Every single time, my brothers are very understanding.
Truth be told, little to nothing that we keep secret has remained a secret. There have been books published "exposing the masons" for about as long as we've been around. Should you choose to join, you'll better understand the 'secrecy' aspect of our order, but it's not like we've got the lotto numbers or Hoffa's body or something lol. Having said that, I'd encourage strongly that you don't seek out those 'secret teachings' if you do intend to join at some point in your life. The history of initiatic tradition deals so heavily with the aspect of shared experience that trying to get a head-start is nothing but detrimental.
I hope we haven't scared you away too much haha. If you want to take more time to dwell on it, Freemasons for Dummies by /u/chodapp is a fantastic book that answers the most common questions people have about us from the outside. Again, if you think you'll join someday, take the author's advice and skip sections as advised.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or if we can help!
agreed...
part of what's interesting about it is, though, is that's it's been around for a few centuries... and from my own experience - not without reason.
BTW - if you (unlikely) can't find a Masonic Temple near you, check out Freemasons for DUMMIES at your local library
(always been a fan of all the FOR DUMMIES series, BTW, regardless of the topic)
Walking with the widows son.http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Widows-Son-Heather-Carver/dp/0982912838/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449989320&sr=8-1&keywords=walking+with+the+widows+son
Guys i need a book from amazon how i can get it 😢 https://www.amazon.fr/Bible-Nouvel-Ordre-Mondial-ebook/dp/B07LFQ7ZCQ
These definitely have satanic undertones, or more aptly, Luciferian. Hence the eyes. Notice how that one phone case has a Pharoah on it? Egyptian lore is very important for both Masonic and theistic satanism. Just ask the Temple of Set
I totally understand wearing stuff like that, I've worn stuff that had imagery I didn't fully understand the depths of at the time. When I did understand it, I retired those clothes. thats just me though. It just seems a bit sad to me people wear this stuff everywhere lately, and have no idea what it means. I wouldn't want to advertise this stuff.
look at those who push such trends like the aforementioned Jay Z
If you'd like to know more about this stuff, here's a PDF of "Morals and Dogma by 33rd degree mason and klan leader Albert Pike. Notice the top quote:
Lucifer the light bearer! Strange and mysterious name to give to the Spirit of Darknesss! Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! Is it he who bears the Light, and with its splendors intolerable blinds feeble, sensual or selfish Souls ? Doubt it not!
Buy this book share it with your bros
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Its-Symbols-Allen-Roberts/dp/0880530588
Also just read this while at work, and then proceeded to browse his website. I think he has a good insight into certain areas where the craft has lessons and his writing style may appeal to a generation that needs literature to be presented in a different fashion.
My brother and I started a book club at our Lodge (there were 3 of us including ourselves for a first meeting) to encourage some change. We just read Old Tyler Talks, and are working on Operative Freemasonry: A Manual for Restoring Light and Vitality to the Fraternity. I may have to suggest some of these articles as a way for some younger (I'm 29 and feel old) guys that are coming in to make them feel comfortable.
Thanks for the find!
I would like to suggest Kirk White's Operative Freemasonry. The book is "a manual on the art and practice of Freemasonry. By providing detailed information and advice often overlooked or forgotten on how Freemasonry 'works,' this book explores how the fraternity can actually 'make good men better' and keep them active in our lodges and chapters." (http://www.amazon.com/Operative-Freemasonry-Restoring-Vitality-Fraternity/dp/0615617158#)
Kirk is currently a District Deputy Grand Master in the Grand Lodge of Vermont, Past Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Vermont, has served as Illustrious Grand Lecturer for the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Vermont.
Full disclosure, he is a friend of mine. But I would suggest his book (and in person lectures) even without knowing him. He is incredibly well read and knows a great deal about the ritual and history of our fraternity.
This is a great source for quick little bits of masonic trivia
https://www.amazon.com/Masonic-Trivia-Amusements-Curiosities-Champion/dp/146636629X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536941529&sr=8-1&keywords=masonic+trivia
great for meetings when guys are getting restless
Every time one of these pictures is posted I have to recommend the book Aku Aku by Thor Heyerdahl. It's an amazing and true story/history of the people and culture on Easter Island, how they likely got there originally and how they made these fantastic statues. Ties in with his book Kon Tiki about how Pacific Islanders likely migrated. Good stuff, and an easy, great read for the curious.
It really depends on what aspects interest you the most. Arturo de Hoyos has a good suggested reading list here or you might consider taking the Master Craftsman 3 course. It utilizes Albert Pike's Esoterika which was personally one of the most eye opening books on Craft Masonry I have read.
ETA: Hodapp's Freemasons For Dummies is a good read for new Brothers as well.