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The Masonic Magazine on Freemasonry and Research into Freemasonry made by Freemasons
MASONIC CURIOSITIES: ORIGIN OF THE WORD FREEMASONS
The first-known use of the word Freemasons - in the form Free Masons - occurs in City of London Letter-book H of 9 August 1376, though the word is in fact deleted in favour of Mason. Masons and Freemasons were interchangeable during the 15th and 16th centuries and Freemasons were generally meant to denote hewers or setters of freestone, Masons being used to embrace all stoneworkers. Ashmole in his diary wrote that he was made a Free Mason and referred in 1686 to the "Fellowship of Free Masons". James Anderson when writing his 1723 Constitutions did not use the single word - Freemasons - once. Whatever the reasons, the 1723 Constitutions contain approximately 126 references to Masons, 12 to Free Masons, 10 to Free and Accepted Masons, 9 to Free-Masons, one to Accepted Free Masons and none to Freemasons. And such is the tenacity of tradition that to this day the most of the Constitutions are addressed to Free and Accepted Masons and not to Accepted Freemasons. The earliest-known anti-masonic leaflet, of 1698, warns the public against "those called Free Masons" - almost certainly what we now know as speculative Freemasons.
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PS Review of Freemasonry Top 10 News
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After the prayer in the first degree, the aspirant is led round the temple by the Deacon in a clockwise manner, past the Master in the east, and halting at the Junior Warden and Senior Warden for an examination.
In times gone by, in all pursuits of self-discovery and self-improvement, as well as spiritual quests, a pilgrimage was necessary. In the ancient world, the deities who controlled certain areas of life were unable to operate outside those areas. Their power to favour or to destroy only operated within their own area. So a man from the mountains who found himself in the plain and was in need of divine help, had to make a pilgrimage back to his place of origin in order once again to be one with the deity controlling the mountainous regions. Pilgrimages therefore are journeys with a sacred or spiritual intent, and since the whole of Freemasonry is a journey, we have here a little pilgrimage, a part of that total journey.
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Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry is written by Master Masons and Masonic Scholars
The Masonic Magazine where Freemasons find educational material for Masonic lodge lectures and their daily advancement in Masonic knowledge after initiation. A free Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, a comprehensive tool for the Freemason looking for more light and an open door to the world of the Free Masonry for non-Freemasons.
The premier Educational Resource for the Freemason available in 5 languages
PS Review of Freemasonry is the oldest, most popular and famous Freemasons' online publication written by Master Masons of a Grand Lodge of Ancient, Accepted Free Masons. Freemasons recognized as regulars by the United Grand Lodge of England or by a Grand Lodge of the United States of America, Prince Hall Masonry included.
PS Review of Freemasonry has been established on July 17, 1996 and since then eminent Freemason Scholars, members of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 United Grand Lodge of England, Australian and New Zealand Masonic Research Council, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Research Society USA and The Philalethes Society USA, have published their Masonic papers on this site.
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 This volume contains the earliest recorded account of accepted masonry and is considered the most implicit report on the fraternity available for the period at the end of the 17th century. It is printed in paragraphs 85 to 88 inclusive, on pages 316 to 318 of the tome. This text is referred to as the Plot Abstract. Its importance lies with regard to its content i.e. the summary of the legendary history, the description of contemporary freemasonry, and the criticisms of the fraternity and as to the sources from which Plot may have derived his information, most importantly, what he refers to as the ‘large parchment volum they have amongst them . . .’ The purpose of this article is not to analyse the text and its content but rather to identify and clarify the reasons behind the importance of this volume in the context of Masonic bibliography and history. Continue Reading »
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Researching Freemasonry
in the 21st Century:
Opportunities and Challenges
by Prof. Pierre-Yves Beaurepaire
Professeur d'Histoire Moderne
Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis
Masonic academic research today has
reached a turning point. Carried on for decades by academics belonging to the
Masonic order or philosophically near to it, Masonic scholarship continually
sought out legitimacy from university and scholarly authorities. The research
centres, chairs, seminars, and applications for high level international
projects have multiplied, often with the support of Masonic Grand Lodges. In
parallel, these obediences created, welcomed or financed their own research
institutes or conference centres. They understand the importance of their
heritage: archival materials, pictures and artefacts represented a powerful
support for the organization, illustrated by the often remarkable public
artistic exhibitions.
However, the assessment remains mixed.
Masonic studies remain isolated and still suffers from a recognition
problem. It is therefore collectively that we need to think of the question of
the bonds which still link Masonic research to the patronage of Grand Lodges and
to all kind of Masonic institutions. There also exists an equally difficult
second challenge: the ritual invocations to Georg Simmel or Jürgen Habermas
aside, how can we integrate Masonic studies into research on public space,
social networks and networking, history of ideas, studies of individual
trajectories or of the birth of a political culture for Latin Masonry (what do
you mean by "Latin"? Latin America? Not clear for English-speaking audience),
without making lodges and their members a simple pretext, but by considering them
as such and for themselves? The positivist, factual, chronological history of
Freemasonry has undoubtedly its own interest. It constituted even a necessary
stage. But from now on Masonic research must not only integrate the academic and
professional rules of a researcher in the humanities and social sciences, but...
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King Solomon's Temple - A Landmark Symbol for the Freemasons
Collection of papers exploring the Masonic symbolism of King Solomon's Temple. References to the construction of King Solomon's temple at Jerusalem have been included in the rituals of the operative Freemasons since ancient times. In each of the several degrees of Freemasonry, the candidate Freemason progressively represents the various types of stone used in the building.
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A Seeker After the
Inner Meaning of Freemasonry
Essays and Short Papers by W. Bro. Julian Rees, Masonic Author, PJGD of the UGLE.
 "Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge. Here Masons take their stand. From this point, we as Freemasons start our journey, our quest for self-knowledge, a path leading us to the inmost parts of ourselves, our own psyche and soul".
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The Influence of Plato's Republic
on Freemasonry and Masonic Ritual
a book by V.W. Bro. Stephen Michalak
D,G. Lecturer, G.L. of South Australia&N.T.
Plato’s philosophy is at the core of modern Freemasonry. The Author provides evidence of the correspondences between Plato’s writings and our Emulation Ritual. A researched interpretation of Emulation Ritual Freemasonry from the perspective of Greek philosophy and mythology.
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A GUIDE FOR THE NEW ESOTERIC FREEMASON by Bro William Steve Burkle KT, 32°, KCRBE
The body of Freemasonry is comprised of many types of individuals whose Masonic pursuits vary according to that individual’s personality and interests. Freemasonry has been very aptly been compared to a complex tapestry composed of many colorful overlapping individual threads which taken as a whole form a larger picture. Brother Mason Pratt developed a list of different “Brands” of Freemasons based upon behavioral characteristics which included: “Socialite”, “Historian”, Ritualist”, “Philosopher”, “Masonic Law”, “Symbolism”, and “Collector”. I would add to this list the brands “Charitable” and “Fiduciary”. I suspect that most of us can think of Brothers in our own Lodge who fit one of these diverse profiles.
Esoteric Freemasons usually fit into one or more of these “Brand” categories, although “Historian”, “Ritualist”, “Symbolism”, and “Philosopher” are the most common. Every initiated Freemason however is a potential Esoteric Mason, since all Freemasons seek illumination (light) through the initiation process. It is this quest for light revealed through the comprehension of hidden spiritual knowledge which distinguishes the Esoteric Freemason and defines Esoteric Masonry.
Esoteric Freemasonry is not for everyone, not even for everyone who receives the gift of illumination. This is in no way a reflection upon the character or works of Masons who for various reasons find themselves disinclined to pursue the esoteric path. Unfortunately, there are many Masons who pronounce that there simply is no esoteric content at all to be had in Freemasonry, even though Masonic Ritual is ripe with evidence to the contrary.
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Freemasons and Freemasonry - Top Stories |
 THE CRAFT IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES: an Analytical Review
by WBro Kent Henderson, KCSJ, PJGD, UGL Victoria, Australia
Fellow, Australian and New Zealand Masonic Research Council
The purpose of this paper is to examine the causes of Islamic antipathy towards the Craft, locate them within an historical perspective, and discuss the surrounding issues.
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A HISTORY OF BRITISH FREEMASONRY 1425-2000
by Dr Andrew Prescott, Director of the University Research Centre University of Wales, Lampeter.
...the history of British Freemasons will only begin to make sense if we interpret it in the light of wider history... |
EXPLANATION OF THE MASTER'S WORDS
by W.Bro. David Barrett, Grand Marshal of the G.L. of Israel.
A probable derivation to the origin and a revealing explanation of The Words given today during the 3rd Degree Raising in Freemasonry |
THE POLITE REVOLUTION
The Formation of American Grand Lodges, 1777-1806
by W.Bro. S. Brent Morris 33° Grand Cross
Director of Membership Development Supreme Council 33° SJ, USA
Managing Editor, The Scottish Rite Journal, Supreme Council 33° SJ, USA
The independence of American Freemasonry -as that of the American colonies- established a pattern that has inspired many followers.
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THE INITIATION IN THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE
by RW Bro. Leon Zeldis 33, Past Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme Council of the AASR of the State of Israel.
The Initiation in the craft degrees of the AASR is completely different from the ceremonies currently performed by most lodges in the English-speaking world.
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LECTURES FOR LODGE AND CHAPTER
by W.Bro. Gary Kerkin, Grand Lecturer, the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of New Zealand.
Ten lectures for presentation in a Lodge or Chapter for educational purposes.
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MASONIC EDUCATION COURSE
by W.Bro. Kent Henderson, PJGrand Deacon, A.F.& A. Masons of Victoria, Australia.
The course is structured in three Sections, with four parts to each section. Papers of Hamill, Cryer, Henderson and others. For the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.
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SOLVE ET COAGULA: ALCHEMICAL SYMBOLISM OF THE DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE
by Bro. Gregory H. Peters 32, Burlingame Lodge No. 400, Grand Lodge of California, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Burlingame
A look at the historical usage of the Double-Headed eagle and an examination of the underlying Alchemical and Hermetic symbolism.
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AN EXPLORATION OF MONASTIC AND MASONIC ORDERS
by Bro. Karel Musch, Middelpunt Lodge 280, Grand East of The Netherlands.
In the XVIIIth century various Masonic Lodges were erected in Benedictine monasteries. Now keeping in mind the attitude of official Roman-Catholic Church towards Freemasonry this seems rather interesting.
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Latest News - Conferences, Events & Exhibitions |
Click  to read all the News.
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 | 12th Annual California Masonic Symposium |
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| 29-26 May, ICHF 2013 - 4th Int'l Conference on the History of Freemasonry |
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| Groupe de Recherche Alpina - Confèrence de Alain Marti |
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| Manchester Association for Masonic Research - 2012 Programme |
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| The Quatuor Coronati Lodge #2076 EC Education Initiative 2012/13 |
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| The Commission on Information for Recognition: 2012 Report |
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| U.S. mainstream Grand Lodges suspend recognition to GLNF |
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| Freemasonry in Afghanistan - Swisher Lodge |
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| UGLE's The Future of Freemasonry Report 2012 - Read the Report |
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| March 27 - Conference at the Free University of Brussels - Music and FM |
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| Symposium on American Freemasonry and Fraternalism - April 28, 2012 |
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| Assn. for the Study of Esotericism, Univ. of California, Call for Papers. |
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| Edges of Freemasonry, Univ. of Tampere, Finland, Call for Papers |
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| Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076 - Meetings 2012 |
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| Exposition. Corto maltese et les secrets de l'initiation, Paris |
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| Events | The Library and Museum of Freemasonry |
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| Masonic Society - Fourth Annual Dinner and Meeting - February 10, 2012 |
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ALL ABOUT FREEMASONRY - for Non-Freemasons
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Freemasons are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides. The essential qualification to become Freemason is a belief in a Supreme Being. A Freemason's duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Masons, and any attempt to shield Freemasons who as acted dishonourably or unlawfully, or to confer an unfair advantage on other Free Masons is contrary to this prime duty. The Freemasons refer to those who are not Freemasons as "cowans" because in architecture a cowan is someone apprenticed to bricklaying but not licenced to the trade of masonry.
Latest Masonic Papers & Essays
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Click to go to What's New Main Index.
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 Freemasonry and the End of Humanism
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Is Freemasonry still relevant ideologically, intellectually and philosophically in a postmodern world? A paper by Bro. Darren Lorente, St. Mary Islington Lodge #5451, United Grand Lodge of England.
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02 May 2012, 15:05:20
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Esotericism of the Game of Chess Related to Freemasonry
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by Bro. William Steve Burkle KT, 32°, Scioto Lodge No. 6, Chillicothe, G.L. of F.&A.M. of Ohio. This paper examines the esoteric properties of the Chess Board and the Chess Pieces, identifies the underlying spiritual meanings of the game and reveals the close ties between Chess and esoteric Freemasonry.
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06 Apr 2012, 16:04:51
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The Knotted Rope in Masonic Esoteric Tradition
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by Bro. William S. Burkle KT, 32, Scioto Lodge No. 6, Chillicothe, G.L. of F.&A.M. of Ohio. The knotted rope is an ancient Masonic Symbol commonly associated with the Tessellated Border. The Author examines the esoteric characteristics and uses of the knotted rope both in non-Masonic traditions as well as in Masonic tradition.
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29 Mar 2012, 18:03:02
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The Development of the Craft in England in the Last Century
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by R.W.Bro. Yasha Beresiner, PM Quatuor Coronati Lodge #2076 EC. A review of Freemasonry in England in the last century is a subject for an entire book. The only logical method to present this brief review is to select some dates of importance in the past 110 years, emphasizing the significance and consequence of the historic events as they occurred in a chronologic sequence.
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21 Mar 2012, 09:03:47
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On the Foundations and Legacy of Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research
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by Bro. Bob James, Discovery Lodge of Research, UGL of NSW & ACT, Australia. The essay explores in detail the context in which Lodge No 2076, Quatuor Coronati, UGLE, was founded and its legacy after 100 plus years as the Premier Lodge of Research. What QC has done, more than any other organisation in the English-speaking Masonic world, is to create an expectation that Masonic research can be, and ought to be conducted with the strictest rules of evidence in mind, but the author argues that this assertion was not always true in the past.
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20 Mar 2012, 16:03:32
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The Spiritual Dimension of Freemasonry
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Freemasonry is a secular organization but also a fraternal society that most definitely deals with spirituality, self-knowledge and self-improvement. A paper by Bro. Darren Lorente, St. Mary Islington Lodge #5451, United Grand Lodge of England.
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06 Mar 2012, 10:03:06
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A.G.Mackey - Selected Writings
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edited by W. Bro. Colin Wilson, SLGR, PProvDepGReg (Middlesex), SLGCR, Bishopsgate Lodge, UGLE. The selected writings are from Mackey's The Book of the Chapter, 1856 and Cryptic Masonry, 1897. Re-typed and placed in chronological order according to how the ceremonies are performed in England and Wales. The writings concern the following degrees: SELECT MASTER, ROYAL MASTER, MOST EXCELLENT MASTER and SUPER-EXCELLENT MASTER.
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05 Mar 2012, 16:03:09
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An exploration of Moral Virtues as applicable to Freemasonry
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by Bro. Prof. Dr. U. Gauthamadas, Lodge Prudentia No.369, Grand Lodge of India. A Freemason is informed, during his initiation, that the practices of moral and social virtue are the foundations of Freemasonry that distinguish it from other institutions. However, the terms mora and virtue are used rather loosely today. This paper explores also the concept of moral virtue in Greek, Roman, Christian, Islamic, Vedic, and Buddhist Literature.
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05 Mar 2012, 09:03:55
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The Influence of Kings on Craft Freemasonry
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with Especial Reference to Great Britain, by WBro David Barrett, PG Marshall, Grand Lodge of Israel.The essay reviews and clarifies the nature of Royalty´s association with Freemasonry and elaborates on each King in particular as to their contribution.
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02 Mar 2012, 07:03:42
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Point Within a Circle
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by RW Bro. Leon Zeldis 33°. A possible cabbalistic explanation. The author is Past Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme Council of the AASR of the State of Israel.
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01 Mar 2012, 09:03:07
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Most Popular Books |
 MORALS and DOGMA by Bro. Albert Pike
MORALS and DOGMA of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry , prepared for the Supreme Council of the Thirty Third Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States: Charleston, 1871.- GOULD'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD by Robert Freke Gould.
This edition in six volumes embraces not only an investigation of records of the organizations of the Freemasons in England, Scotland, Ireland, the former British Colonies, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, but includes additional material especially prepared on Freemasonry in Europe, Asia and Africa also contributions by distinguished Freemasons covering each of the States and the District of Columbia of the United States, Canada and Latin America.
- ILLUSTRATIONS OF MASONRY by William Preston
Preston's work was exceptionally influential and was, together with the Book of Constitutions, one of the books owned by Freemasons in England.
- AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FREEMASONRY and its kindred sciences by Albert Gallatin Mackey
For the first time online on a Masonic site the "real" two volumes of such a basic work on Freemasonry by Mackey. Full text and images.
- AHIMAN REZON by Laurence Dermott
The Book of Constitutions of the Antient Grand Lodge of England. A must to understand Masonry history.
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ALL ABOUT FREEMASONRY - for Non-Freemasons
Freemasonry is an esoteric society only in that certain aspects are private; Freemasons state that Masonry is not, in the 21st century, a secret society but a "society with secrets". Some Freemasons describe Freemasonry as a "confidential" society in contrast to a secret society. Most modern Freemasons regard the traditional concern over secrecy as a demonstration of their ability to keep a promise and a concern over the privacy of their own affairs. Lodge meetings, like meetings of many other social and professional associations, are private occasions open only to members. The private aspects of modern Freemasonry deal with the modes of recognition amongst members and elements within the ritual. In reality, Freemasons are proud of their true heritage and happy to share it, offering spokesmen, briefings for the media, and providing talks to interested groups upon request. On this site curious non-masons can find out the real secret lives of the Freemasons as far as what are the secrets of Freemasons.
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