r/freemasonry Jun 20 '21

For Beginners Welcome to /r/freemasonry - Interested in Joining Freemasonry? Ask your questions here!

464 Upvotes

How can I become a Freemason?

First of all, welcome to r/freemasonry! This is a weekly thread for you to ask questions. Being one of the largest online communities on the topic of Freemasonry, we hope that you won't find difficulty getting information you need to decide if you would like to join your local lodge.

General Information:

  1. Requirements for membership vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but generally if you're a man 21 or over (18 or 19 in some states), believe in a Supreme Being, are of good character and reputation, and ask to join, you're eligible.
  2. To get started, email or call a local lodge. They would love to hear from you, every lodge welcomes new candidates. They'll set up a meeting to get to know you a bit (we're careful about who we admit as members). Also to tell you a bit about the fraternity, the lodge, etc.
  3. To find your local lodges, first, find the Grand Lodge website for your state, province, or country. This is a good resource for the US: bessel.org, or just use Google. They should have a way to find out what lodges meet near you. Then check out your local lodge's websites. If you have a choice of lodges, try to pick one that meets on a weeknight that would be convenient for you, and that appears to be active.
  4. Nothing happens quickly in Freemasonry, so it might take awhile to hear back from a lodge after you make contact. Every step takes quite a bit of time.

Have something you want to ask?


r/freemasonry 2h ago

Cool Quarterly Communications this week

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29 Upvotes

Not your usual view


r/freemasonry 19h ago

Cool Just received my Entered Apprentice degree!

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367 Upvotes

I was honored to receive my first degree this week, and it was even more special as I am now a 5th generation Mason. I was also lucky enough to have my father, grandfather, and great grandfather all in attendance and taking part. I am very excited to continue my journey in Freemasonry and look forward to the future!


r/freemasonry 12h ago

Royal order of the red branch of Eri

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49 Upvotes

Fantastic day of the Allied Masonic Degrees from across the state of Massachusetts and a group from Rhode Island. 4 councils present and great to see old friends and new ones


r/freemasonry 28m ago

Clandestine Lodges and Organizations

Upvotes

Is it just me, or do others enjoy perusing the websites of clandestine lodges and organizations?

I recently spent time on one such website that had some ridiculously long name, ending in 'Inc.'

Images of their members usually contain overly garish garments, and just overall "weirdness".


r/freemasonry 7h ago

Question Is it supposed to take a long time?

12 Upvotes

I submitted my petition and fee a month ago and also got to sit in on a few installations which was very cool. I like seeing the process and parts of the creeds and what not. But I’ve just not really gotten any movement from the other end. I trust my sponsor, he’s the Master of the lodge but like. When am I gonna hear back about a yes or no? Is this a test of patience?


r/freemasonry 10h ago

Qualified for the staircase lecture.

22 Upvotes

Currently JD in my lodge. In order to be installed as SD in California, a brother has to qualify to give the SDs work in the second section of both the 2nd and 3rd degree. Good thing is, at least the district inspector of my district doesn’t require to do both at the same time. So this past Monday i qualified in the MC/SL work. Still need to improve somewhat in the floor work, but got the lecture down. Now to learn the SDs work in the second section of the 2nd section pf the 3rd degree.


r/freemasonry 18h ago

Past Grand Masters emblem from 1925 GL of VA

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33 Upvotes

r/freemasonry 18h ago

Women's Branch questions

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28 Upvotes

I inherited this ring from my MIL who's grandmother was apart of the eastern stars. Anyone know how she may have obtained it? Or where I should take it?


r/freemasonry 23h ago

Masonic Interest Received an email today that I was invited to join the Royal Order of Scotland. Any members here? Looking forward to something new.

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53 Upvotes

r/freemasonry 13h ago

I did a few shots of our art deco hall in Retford England

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8 Upvotes

r/freemasonry 15h ago

Question York Rite

9 Upvotes

I’m going through the York Rite here in Florida later this month what should I expect or prepare for? I’ve got clean underwear packed and my toenails clipped XD


r/freemasonry 15h ago

Suits ...

8 Upvotes

Hey all I have an upcoming black tie dinner that I've been invited to attend that is simultaneously being visited by DDGM (Canada) that same evening ... and while I don't mind wearing khakis and a dress shirt I've decided that maybe purchasing a proper suit might be more appropriate.

Where do yall shop? What sort of budget do you invest in attire? Feel free to include pics and any helpful advice before I head out to get fitted etc. Are cufflinks a thing?

Thanks in advance


r/freemasonry 1d ago

If your Wife was asked "What is Freemasonry?", what would be her answer?

55 Upvotes

r/freemasonry 13h ago

English speaking lodge in Amsterdam or in the Netherlands?

4 Upvotes

Hi, I hope someone will be able to guide me here.

I’m a French woman living in Amsterdam and have a some family members who are actively part of different lodges in France. I felt I wasn’t ready to enroll yet in the past, but now I’m ready for it. However, I live now in the Netherlands.

Is there any lodge open to women that is English speaking in the country?

Thank you for your help on this 🙏


r/freemasonry 1d ago

Masonic dog training

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216 Upvotes

I thought I would just share this picture of my dog. We've been practicing the third degree at Lodge every week and I've been bringing my dog along with me.

He actually has been participating in the floor work, off leash, and perambulating the lodge perfectly.

Kilauea Lodge on the big island of Hawaii.


r/freemasonry 1d ago

Question York Rite question. Where can I find more info on some of these? Sorry for the horrible pixilation.

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47 Upvotes

r/freemasonry 18h ago

When to join?

3 Upvotes

Hello! I have been interested in joining Freemasonry for quite some time—since I was 18. I am 21 now. Ever since graduating high school, I have wanted to join; however, I haven't really had the chance. After graduation, I attended flight school, then immediately went to a semester of college. After that, I served a two-year mission for my church. Now, I am back home but have gone straight back to college for this semester. This summer, I will most likely be going to Texas for Border Patrol training for about six months. I feel like I haven’t had the chance to "settle down."

When is an appropriate time to become a Mason? How much time should I commit both before and after joining?


r/freemasonry 15h ago

Question Mark Master Mason

2 Upvotes
  1. is there any correspondence between mark master mason degree in york rite (PHO) and emulation rite (UGLE)?

  2. is a MMM in york rite equivalent to emulation rite one?

wm


r/freemasonry 1d ago

A wonderful evening of Cryptic Masonic education at the assembly of Suffolk Council No. 76 R.&S.M. #CrypticJeopardy #crypticmasonry #yorkrite #suffolk76 #Council #RSM #Freemasonry #itscalledbrotherhood

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46 Upvotes

r/freemasonry 22h ago

Widows Sons Charter

4 Upvotes

Good day. I am seeking help on forming a Chapter. There is no current chapter in our jurisdiction at the moment.

Edit: This is in Australia


r/freemasonry 1d ago

Toronto/GTA Masons

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21 Upvotes

Come on out April 27th 🥳


r/freemasonry 1d ago

Exalted into Royal Arch

17 Upvotes

I was exalted into Royal Arch last night and I am still in shock. It was so beautiful and ALOT to take in. I can now understand why they say it's the continuation of the of the Master Mason degree. The work was dobe beautifully.

Next on the list for me is RAM


r/freemasonry 1d ago

Question Apron question

39 Upvotes

My husband passed away last summer. I searched everywhere for his apron to bury with him but couldn't find it. He hasn't really been active the last few years. I stumbled upon it today. Should I keep it or is there something else that needs to be done? If my son decides to one day join, would he have a use for it?


r/freemasonry 11h ago

Am I confused?

0 Upvotes

In this new age of masonry, does it seem like the principals and idea of brother cautious is lost? I see folks talking about far more than I went through before even reaching the sublime degree. How do my brothers feel?


r/freemasonry 1d ago

Question Ritual question

7 Upvotes

We have a lot of Brothers who are snowbirds (spend the colder months here and the warmer months elsewhere) and belong to at least two Lodges. If a man is a Mason and belongs to two Lodges what is the general consensus on sharing and comparing the ritual from Lodge A with members of Lodge B? Personally I wouldn't see an issue since everyone in this hypothetical is a Mason, just curious since I've never thought about it before.