Freemasonry is a fraternal organization whose membership has
shared moral and metaphysical ideals and — in most of its branches
— requires a constitutional declaration of belief in a Supreme Being.
The fraternity uses the metaphor of operative stonemasons' tools
and implements, against the allegorical backdrop of the building of
the Temple of King Solomon, to convey what is most generally
defined as "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by
symbols."
What is Freemasonry?
While it has often been called a "Secret Society", it is more correct to say that it is an esoteric society,
in that certain aspects are private.
From many quarters, Freemasons have stated that Freemasonry has, in the 21st century, become
less a secret society and more of a "society with secrets." 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.
While there have been many disclosures and exposés dating as far back as the eighteenth century,
Freemasons caution that these often lack the proper context for true understanding, may be outdated
for various reasons, or could be outright hoaxes on the part of the author. Freemasons are proud of
their heritage and are happy to share it, offering spokesmen, briefings for the media, and providing
talks to interested groups upon request.
Principles and activities
Ritual, symbolism, and morality
Freemasonic ritual makes use of the architectural symbolism of the medieval operative Masons, who
actually worked in stone. Freemasons, as Speculative Masons, use this symbolism to teach moral and
ethical lessons of the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth" — or as related in France:
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity".
Two of the principal symbols always found in a Lodge are the square and compasses; symbols always
displayed in an open Lodge. Some Lodges and rituals explain these symbols as lesson in conduct: for
example, that one should "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe
their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind".
These moral lessons are communicated in performance of allegorical ritual. A candidate progresses
through degrees gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, his relationship with others and his
relationship with the Supreme Being (as he interprets this for himself). While the philosophical aspects
of the Craft tend to be discussed in Lodges of Instruction or Research, and sometimes informal
groups, Freemasons, and others, frequently publish — to a variable degree of competence — studies
that are available to the public. It is well noted, however, that no one person "speaks" for the whole of
Freemasonry.
The Volume of the Sacred Law is always displayed in an open Lodge. In English-speaking countries,
this is frequently the King James Version of the Bible or another standard translation (there is no such
thing as an exclusive "Masonic Bible"). In Lodges with a membership of mixed religions it is common to
find more than one sacred text displayed representing the beliefs of the individuals present.
In keeping with the geometrical and architectural theme of Freemasonry, the Supreme Being is
referred to in Masonic ritual by the titles of the Great Architect of the Universe, Grand Geometer or
similar forms of words to make clear that their reference is generic, not about any one religion's
particular concept of God.
History
The first Grand Lodge formed in Freemasonry was The Grand Lodge of England (GLE), founded in
1717, when four existing London Lodges met for a joint dinner. This rapidly expanded into a
regulatory body, which almost all English Lodges joined. From the 1750s onwards, two competing
English Grand Lodges vied for supremacy - the "Moderns" (GLE) and "Ancients" (sometimes spelled
"Antients") Grand Lodges. They finally united in 1813 to form the present United Grand Lodge of
England (UGLE).
Goose and Gridiron, Home to a London Lodge forming GLE
The Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland were formed in 1725 and 1736 respectively. Freemasonry
was exported to the British Colonies in North America by the 1730s - with both the English "Ancients"
and the "Moderns" Grand Lodges (as well as the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland) chartering
offspring ("daughter") Lodges, and organizing various Provincial Grand Lodges. After the American
Revolution, independent US Grand Lodges formed themselves within the State boundaries. Some
thought was briefly given to organizing an over-arching "Grand Lodge of the United States", with
George Washington as the first Grand Master, but the idea was short-lived. The various state Grand
Lodges decided to remain independent.
Ashburn-Sterling Lodge in Ashburn, VA was began in 1906. In 2006, we celebrated our 100 Year
Anniversary.
If you are interested in Freemasonry, remember you must ask to become a Mason. Freemasonry does
not recruit members. As we say, 2B1 ASK1.
You can email us at:
info@AshburnLodge.org
Located: 43881 Waxpool Road, Ashburn Virginia
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of eachmonth @ 6:45pm
Phone: 703-470-2188
in that certain aspects are private.
From many quarters, Freemasons have stated that Freemasonry has, in the 21st century, become
less a secret society and more of a "society with secrets." 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.
While there have been many disclosures and exposés dating as far back as the eighteenth century,
Freemasons caution that these often lack the proper context for true understanding, may be outdated
for various reasons, or could be outright hoaxes on the part of the author. Freemasons are proud of
their heritage and are happy to share it, offering spokesmen, briefings for the media, and providing
talks to interested groups upon request.
Principles and activities
Ritual, symbolism, and morality
Freemasonic ritual makes use of the architectural symbolism of the medieval operative Masons, who
actually worked in stone. Freemasons, as Speculative Masons, use this symbolism to teach moral and
ethical lessons of the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth" — or as related in France:
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity".
Two of the principal symbols always found in a Lodge are the square and compasses; symbols always
displayed in an open Lodge. Some Lodges and rituals explain these symbols as lesson in conduct: for
example, that one should "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe
their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind".
These moral lessons are communicated in performance of allegorical ritual. A candidate progresses
through degrees gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, his relationship with others and his
relationship with the Supreme Being (as he interprets this for himself). While the philosophical aspects
of the Craft tend to be discussed in Lodges of Instruction or Research, and sometimes informal
groups, Freemasons, and others, frequently publish — to a variable degree of competence — studies
that are available to the public. It is well noted, however, that no one person "speaks" for the whole of
Freemasonry.
The Volume of the Sacred Law is always displayed in an open Lodge. In English-speaking countries,
this is frequently the King James Version of the Bible or another standard translation (there is no such
thing as an exclusive "Masonic Bible"). In Lodges with a membership of mixed religions it is common to
find more than one sacred text displayed representing the beliefs of the individuals present.
In keeping with the geometrical and architectural theme of Freemasonry, the Supreme Being is
referred to in Masonic ritual by the titles of the Great Architect of the Universe, Grand Geometer or
similar forms of words to make clear that their reference is generic, not about any one religion's
particular concept of God.
History
The first Grand Lodge formed in Freemasonry was The Grand Lodge of England (GLE), founded in
1717, when four existing London Lodges met for a joint dinner. This rapidly expanded into a
regulatory body, which almost all English Lodges joined. From the 1750s onwards, two competing
English Grand Lodges vied for supremacy - the "Moderns" (GLE) and "Ancients" (sometimes spelled
"Antients") Grand Lodges. They finally united in 1813 to form the present United Grand Lodge of
England (UGLE).
Goose and Gridiron, Home to a London Lodge forming GLE
The Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland were formed in 1725 and 1736 respectively. Freemasonry
was exported to the British Colonies in North America by the 1730s - with both the English "Ancients"
and the "Moderns" Grand Lodges (as well as the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland) chartering
offspring ("daughter") Lodges, and organizing various Provincial Grand Lodges. After the American
Revolution, independent US Grand Lodges formed themselves within the State boundaries. Some
thought was briefly given to organizing an over-arching "Grand Lodge of the United States", with
George Washington as the first Grand Master, but the idea was short-lived. The various state Grand
Lodges decided to remain independent.
Ashburn-Sterling Lodge in Ashburn, VA was began in 1906. In 2006, we celebrated our 100 Year
Anniversary.
If you are interested in Freemasonry, remember you must ask to become a Mason. Freemasonry does
not recruit members. As we say, 2B1 ASK1.
You can email us at:
info@AshburnLodge.org
Located: 43881 Waxpool Road, Ashburn Virginia
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of eachmonth @ 6:45pm
Phone: 703-470-2188
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