Enigma of Freemasonry by Ralph Omholt http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/enigma_of_freemasonry/text.htm Dedicated to W. Bro. Richard Roberts 1 of 132 11/30/13 10:43 AM Enigma of Freemasonry by Ralph Omholt http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/enigma_of_freemasonry/text.htm Warrior, Brother, Friend and Mentor Freemasonry is a topic which is encompassed by literally tens of thousands of books and hundreds of years of tradition. Thus, it is naïve to expect the entirety of the “Craft” to be expressed between two covers. Freemasonry evolved from a time when such a society would attract inquisitors, dungeon masters and executioners. Whether one cares to cite simple obscurity or true secrecy, Freemasonry emerged from a bizarre set of shadows; it is NOT a secret society. What you read here is an effort to concisely present not only the essence of Freemasonry, but also an understanding as to the function of Freemasonry in its role of a social enigma, as well as a functioning social and charitable unit in the world’s cultures. Freemasonry maintains a low profile, for a variety of reasons, primarily to evade the power lust of obsessive-compulsive detractors. In the United States, at the time of this writing, the various units of Freemasonry contribute approximately two million dollars per day to charities, which are characterized by their direct application to the needy, versus an income source for the charity managers. Beyond being a social outlet, Freemasonry maintains a standard of morality in time. So often the world witnesses a set of rationalizations which attempt to subvert morality for various reasons from raw emotionalism to the seizure of money and power. Thus, the fraternity provides an independent and perpetual barometer for moral standards. However, from a time when the intrigue of Freemasonry served as a magnet, to the present, the fraternity is waning in numbers. Thus, much of the essence of the fraternity seems to have been lost in time itself. This work attempts to explain the essence of the fraternity and provide a perspective on the true nature of the organization. THE ENIGMA OF FREEMASONRY INTRODUCTION. Ironically, Freemasonry today is a fraternity deserving of fame as a huge charity source, as opposed to its unfortunate and more common ‘darker’ image as a "secret society." While the "Craft" employs the element of intrigue, by emulating a variety of supposed secrecy, city libraries and the internet are quite clear as to the lack of secrecy. Approximately 60,000 books have been written on Freemasonry; what ‘secrecy’ could be possible? The vast range of charitable activities from childrens’ hospitals, charity funds and retirement homes attest to the essence of this society. It’s necessary to mention that while Freemasons were key to the formation of the USA and its prideful evolution; that aspect of the Craft is no longer worth considering as any kind of political force, except in a historical perspective. If one wants high level political intrigue, the elements of the infamous "New World Order" are the appropriate focus. The core of Freemasonry is what is known as the "Master Mason’s Lodge," commonly referred to as a "Blue Lodge," the color ‘blue,’ being said to be "Masonically" symbolic of fidelity, loyalty and friendship. However, the ‘expanse’ of Masonic organizations is huge; attempting to be a "family" fraternity, in sum. 2 of 132 11/30/13 10:43 AM Enigma of Freemasonry by Ralph Omholt http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/enigma_of_freemasonry/text.htm The "Craft" includes a host of "appendant" bodies, such as the ‘male’ Scottish Rite, the York Rite and the Shriners, as well as ‘mixed’ bodies such as the Order of the Eastern Star and the Order of the Amaranth. There are also uniquely female Masonic groups, such as the Daughters of the Nile, and the Ladies Oriental Shrine. There is also a variety of ‘youth’ groups such as Demolay for boys, and the Order of the Rainbow for girls, as well as Job’s Daughters. Freemasonry has gone through major cycles of membership numbers; yet for any loss of membership, the fraternity always rebuilds. What does this organization have to offer, that it simply will not fade into history, as its antiquity might otherwise suggest? There are good reasons for the evolution of Freemasonry, its endurance and its intrigue. Freemasonry is essentially a "British" product, coming to America, as a function of the early colonialism. As Freemasonry spread in what became the USA, its character took on a certain degree of ‘American’ variance, from its British origins. Yet, the American Lodges continue to operate under the umbrella of the United Grand Lodge of England. In consideration of the primary intended audience, the "American" system will be primarily addressed in this presentation. THE MASTER MASON’S LODGE ROOM A Lodge of Masons is originally formed by a minimum number of well qualified members, no fewer, at least, than eight (including the Tyler [door guard] ), in good standing, or holding demits from some other regular Lodge. Often, as many as fifteen members are required, to obtain and maintain a Lodge’s "charter." Those members will petition the Grand Master of the State or Territory in which they reside, requesting to organize a Lodge of Masons at a specific location. Depending on the requirements of a given jurisdiction, the Lodge nearest the applicant Lodge may be required to sponsor the new Lodge. 3 of 132 11/30/13 10:43 AM Enigma of Freemasonry by Ralph Omholt http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/enigma_of_freemasonry/text.htm Upon its formation, at the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge, a Lodge is essentially on probation, described as a "Lodge U. D.," working, "under dispensation." During its first year, the Lodge can only meet and confer the three degrees of Masonry. The primary distinction being that the new Lodge can’t vote in the Grand Lodge of the jurisdiction, and it does not have a permanent Charter. At the next meeting of the Grand Lodge, it will transmit its dispensation to the Grand Lodge, along with its Record Book, for the approval of its "work." If everything is deemed to be ‘regular,’ with any degrees being conferred according to the standard ritual of Masonry, the Grand Lodge will normally authorize a permanent Charter to be issued. LODGE SYMBOLOGY. In the technical concept of Masonry, a Lodge of "Entered Apprentices" (First Degree) is deemed to represent the "ground floor" of King Solomon's Temple. In a Lodge of "Fellowcrafts" (Second Degree), the Lodge represents "middle chamber;" and in a Lodge of Master Masons (Third Degree), the "Sanctum Sanctorum," or Holy of Holies, of Solomon’s Temple. In referring to Solomon’s Temple, however, it must be said that every part of the Masonic system is symbolic; consequently, all allusions made in to Solomon's Temple, symbolize the erection of a perfect spiritual temple in the heart of a Mason - pure and spotless. That is the symbolic goal which Freemasonry desires for every one of its members. TITLES AND DUTIES OF THE "CONSTITUTING" OFFICERS OF A SUBORDINATE LODGE. The presiding officer of a Lodge of Masons, for his "year in the East," is the Worshipful Master. Second in command is the Senior Warden; then the Junior Warden. These officers occupy stations in the Lodge’s symbolic "East," "West," and "South," respectively. In the symbolism of Freemasonry, they represent the sun at its rising, its meridian, and its setting. The "North" is treated as a place of darkness (ignorance), having no officer in a Master Mason’s Lodge. The other officers are the Treasurer, Secretary, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon and Tyler, and respectfully take rank after the Wardens. These officers occupy positions as represented in the Lodge diagram. A Chaplain and Organist, as well as Senior and Junior Steward are also generally appointed, but not always. Each officer wears an emblematic "jewel" associated with his ‘station,’ in the Lodge. In most cases, the appropriate jewel of the officers’ office is suspended from the lowest point of a decorated collar, worn by the officers. The Deacons and Stewards also have marching rods, with their associated jewel, mounted atop the rod. The Worshipful Master’s station is symbolized by a square; the Senior Warden, by a level. The Junior Warden wears a plumb; the Treasurer, two crossed keys. The Secretary wears a set of crossed quills; the Senior Deacon wears a Square and Compasses, with a sun in the center. The Junior Deacon wears a Square and Compasses, with a quarter-moon in center; the two Stewards are furnished with a cornucopia. The Chaplain wears an open Bible; the Tyler wears a sword. Typically, the officers’ aprons are decorated with the same symbols. Worshipful Master. This position is attained by election of the Lodge members, except in "U. D." lodges (lodges ‘under dispensation’), when the Worshipful Master and Wardens are appointed by the Grand Master or his representative. Typically, it is required that the Master must have previously presided as a Warden. The Master presides in the Masonic "East" of the Lodge, usually wearing a top hat. Typically, his station is a podium upon a platform, elevated by three "steps." The Master, along with the other elected officers cannot (typically) resign after his installation. It is somewhere between Masonic law and tradition that all officers hold their respective offices until their successors are installed. In some jurisdictions, at his installation, the Master receives the degree/designation of "Past Master." 4 of 132 11/30/13 10:43 AM Enigma of Freemasonry by Ralph Omholt http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/enigma_of_freemasonry/text.htm The Master’s position is attained by election in a chartered lodge, or by appointment of Grand Master or his representative - if in a lodge working under dispensation.