Freemasonry:
The “Other” Craft
Raven Digitalis
When us witchy types hear the term the Craft, it usually brings to mind either the idea of Witchcraft itself or the awesome nineties film of the same name. But there’s actually an earlier usage of the term: the Craft of the Freemasons.
Freemasonry, or Masonry for short, is one of the most historically influential organizations in the world. Often considered to be shrouded in secrecy (as well as the subject of some far-out conspiracy theories), the Masons are not actually a secret society but are instead a society that happens to have a few secrets.
As far as Masonic secrets are concerned, don’t believe the hype. Virtually anything about the organization, including its secret words, grips, and gestures, can be researched on the Internet. Like many other initiated Masons, I personally don’t see too much of a problem with this, because regardless of how many “secrets” are exposed online, they remain theoretical and empty of meaning. Perhaps these “exposed” secrets can be understood intellectually on some level, but this doesn’t hold a candle to the actual practice of learning these codes within the paradigm of a loving fraternal brotherhood. Masonry is experiential, not merely theoretical.
Fascinating Foundations and Sanctified Symbolism
The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (AFAM) is a fraternal order with numerous ties to occultism, even if many of the members claim otherwise. While the Masons are not specifically an occult order and are not a magickal tradition, they are indeed a global spiritual brotherhood with long-held traditions and solid codes of ethics.
As is the case in original Gardnerian Wicca, the Craft of the Masons consists of three primary degrees (called the Blue Lodge). Additionally, there are a number of optional “addendum” degrees expressed in the branches of the York Rite and the Scottish Rite. Masonry makes use of symbolism derived from ancient Egypt, Hermetic philosophy, alchemical principles, stories of the Knights Templar, the legend of King Solomon’s Temple, numerous stories within the Bible, and many other ancient milieus. However, Freemasonry’s origin is closer to 1700 CE and originates from the creative minds of medieval English and Scottish stonemasons. The United Grand Lodge of England was established in 1717. The “Free and Accepted” portion of the title is derived from this point in history, when ordinary men were permitted to join operative Masonic clubs (consisting of gentlemen working in building trades) around 1640. These non-operative Masons were called accepted Masons because they were allowed to join the brotherhood of Scottish Masonic fraternities without necessarily having careers in “operative” building trades. In modern times, only a handful of initiated Masons have “operative” Masonic careers.
A well-known phrase used by Masons to describe the Craft is “Making good men better.” Masonry’s goal is to help men alchemize their mind and emotions through lessons, discourse, and brotherhood, helping refine a person’s character into spiritual gold.
Readers are welcome to research the numerous books and articles that examine Masonic symbolism in depth. Just be sure to keep away from the articles that discuss Satanic or Illuminati conspiracies. Masonic lodges are much more concerned with raising money for charity than with raising demons!
The Craft of the Freemasons utilizes countless occult symbols and philosophies, many of which have influenced modern-day Witchcraft. While I won’t go into great detail about this in these pages, readers are welcome to research the numerous books and articles that examine Masonic symbolism in depth. Just be sure to keep away from the articles that discuss Satanic or Illuminati conspiracies. Masonic lodges are much more concerned with raising money for charity than with raising demons!
Thousands of esoteric symbols are utilized in the Masonic Craft, each of which has its own nuanced meaning. Some of these symbols are strictly initiatory, while others are quite common. The Square and Compasses is easily the most well-known Masonic symbol and is found in all Masonic lodges around the world. The emblem is also common on virtually all “brotherly bling,” such as rings, necklaces, pocket watches, compasses, pocket knives, bumper stickers, and so on. It is also a popular tattoo! The simple symbolism of the architectural square is to “square” our actions with virtuous conduct. The two interlocked compasses represent keeping our actions within “due bounds” (i.e., the restraint of immoral behaviors). During initiation, a Mason is given various meanings of the divine letter “G” that graces the inside of the symbol.
Another highly popular Masonic symbol is the Eye of Providence. In simplest terms, the Eye of Providence represents the Eye of God. (The “God” in this meaning is up to individual practitioners themselves—personally, I prefer to see it as the Eye of Shiva!) This symbol takes a multitude of forms and is commonly depicted atop a pyramid. Freemasonry utilizes a hefty amount of ancient Egyptian symbolism, and the pyramid is no exception. After all, could there be a better symbol of humankind’s architectural genius?! The Eye of Providence and pyramid are, of course, famously depicted on the back of the American dollar bill. This certainly seems appropriate considering that many of the nation’s Founding Fathers were Freemasons, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Monroe.
Nonprofit Nobility and Divine Diversity
Masonry and its offshoots are social clubs. Not only that, but they are nonprofit organizations that perform a wide variety of civic and social work to raise funding and awareness for individuals in need, whether they be school kids, elderly folks, individuals with disabilities, and so on. Just look at the work of the Shriners, whose hospitals provide treatment to children with illnesses and injuries. (The Shriners are a separate club, and a prerequisite of membership is that one also be a Freemason. And while I personally do not support their circuses, their hospitals are something to be marveled at. The Shriners also wear tasseled red fez hats and drive mini “midget” cars in parades, which is equally fabulous!)
Freemasonry is historically a masculine brotherhood, though a number of Masonic appendant bodies (allied organizations) are predominantly female, such as the Order of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, and Job’s Daughters International. Others are male-oriented, such as the Shriners and the Order of DeMolay, while some, such as the Rosicrucians, are co-ed. Traditional Freemasonry prohibits women from being initiated, and modern Masonry upholds the “boys club” simply for the sake of tradition. Nonetheless, something called Adoptive Masonry exists exclusively for women, while Co-Masonry welcomes all gender identities; these branches, however, are often considered clandestine and have challenging relationships with traditional brotherhoods because they utilize traditional (male) Masonic lessons and initiations rather than independent structures.
Masonry also prohibits the initiation of atheists, with one of the organization’s requirements being that members believe in a “supreme being” or higher power. This higher power, however, is up to interpretation. Regardless of Masonry’s emphasis on certain Judeo-Christian and biblical allegories within their initiations, the Craft is open to a wide variety of gentlemen who embrace positive spiritual paths.
One of the “old charges” of a Freemason, which goes back as far as 1723, is called Concerning God and Religion, and has long been read by many lodges at the Entered Apprentice (first) degree ritual for new brothers of the Craft. This charge asserts that all good men are candidates for Masonry regardless of their religious preference. A section of it reads as follows:
“In ancient Times Masons were charg’d in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet ’tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may be distinguish’d; whereby Masonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remain’d at a perpetual Distance.”
While most Masons identify with their own country’s dominant religion, magicians and Witches of all varieties are members of Masonic lodges. Nothing in Masonry excludes Pagans or occultists. Masonry distinctly celebrates religious diversity and recognizes the forces of honor and honesty as the Center of Union. In theory, Freemasonry’s relationship to Witchcraft and the world’s multitude of Neopagan religions is no exception. Regardless, Pagans have still had their fair share of struggles with Masonic bodies.
Pagan Problems and Wiccan Worries
Most Masons accept fellow Masons who follow Paganism and occultism, not least because it’s considered poor behavior to discuss politics and religion within the confines of a lodge. But not all Pagans have been so lucky.
One recent occasion of anti-Pagan behavior within Masonry occurred in 2012, when the Grand Master of Florida created a particularly divisive statewide edict. Before I describe the occurrence, please allow me to explain what it means to be a Grand Master. Both state and local lodges rotate their various positions on an annual basis. Masonic lodges are their own unique entities but are still under state jurisdiction. A Worshipful Master leads a lodge meeting, while a Grand Master leads state-level gatherings. The Grand Master and his appointed team uphold and define statewide Masonic protocol and are responsible for organizing statewide gatherings.
In November of 2012, Florida’s Grand Master issued a ruling declaring that Wicca, Paganism, Gnosticism, Odinism, and agnosticism are incompatible with Masonic tenets, insisting that Masons can and must only believe in the Bible’s version of God. It was additionally suggested that brothers identifying under these paths must resign from Masonry altogether—what a dreary prospect! Luckily this declaration was met with global Pagan activism, educational outreach, and a good dose of tongue-in-cheek humor. Masonic Pagans, including myself, would not let go of the issue. Brothers from around the world responded to the edict by writing letters, contacting the media, organizing rallies, writing blogs, and contacting influential Freemasons. In May of 2013, Florida’s Grand Lodge overturned the Grand Master’s edict while also declaring that religious tolerance is one of the ancient and unchangeable landmarks of the Craft. After all, prejudice is prejudice, regardless of the form it takes.
Personally, I am happy with how the majority of the brothers in my lodge (Missoula Sentinel Lodge #155) have accepted my weirdness. I make no qualms with being a Witch and a Pagan Priest. I’m a fan of nail polish, eyeliner, and wearing an Indian sherwani kurta (fancy tunic) to lodge meetings rather than a suit and tie! I am lucky to be supported by brothers who respect diversity. However, I have encountered other Masons in the state of Montana who have not been so kind, particularly after I arranged a Masonic cover story with a local free newspaper. In the article, the reporters wished to cover our Masonic Temple alongside Freemasonry in general, as well as to explore the individual lives of some of the lodge’s younger brothers (our lodge has a relatively high number of younger members).
Because the article examined various brothers’ lives, including my own life and the nonprofit Pagan temple I co-operate (called Opus Aima Obscuræ, or OAO), some of the more conservative Masons in the state raised a fuss, put me under a spotlight, and even suggested putting me on “Masonic trial” because the article explored Witchcraft. They thought this was negative exposure for the Masonic Craft. (The article is called “So Mote It Be” in the Missoula Independent and can be looked up online.) Luckily, a number of established members in my own lodge and others came to my defense and averted further prejudice. And while I did not receive thanks for arranging the article—and even though it received controversial reviews by fellow brothers—I am confident that Masonic involvement by liberal and unconventional (yet good-hearted) individuals such as myself and others actually helps the Masonic cause progress and evolve into the twenty-first century.
Magickal Mingling and Crafty Coexistence
It’s interesting that some Masons take extreme issue with Pagans, Witches, magicians, and other occultists considering that Masonry has undeniably adopted a plethora of Pagan/occult symbolism and has massively influenced Witches and occultists historically.
Virtually every occult and magickal order in modern times has ties with Freemasonry in some manner. Many notable Freemasons have helped shape modern magick, including Wicca’s founder himself, Gerald B. Gardner. Other Freemasons include the illustrious Aleister Crowley, Arthur Edward Waite, Alex Sanders, Eliphas Lévi, William Robert Woodman, Albert Pike, William Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers. And the list goes on!
One of Witchcraft’s favored affirmations is “So mote it be,” often spoken at the end of a ritual, spell, or magickal working. This is an archaic form of “So it shall be.” The phrase actually originated in Freemasonry and has been utilized since at least the fifteenth century. During my time as chaplain in my own Masonic lodge, it was my duty to conclude the opening prayers with “Amen,” which was followed by all other brothers stating “So mote it be.” This is part of the standard Masonic procedure for opening a lodge as a sacred meeting ground and is one of the steps performed for every stated meeting around the world. It is also one of the many little “bridges” between modern Neopagan Witchcraft and the mystical brotherhood of the Freemasons, reminding practitioners that spiritual traditions of all varieties intertwine, intermingle, and can most certainly coexist.
Sources
Greer, John Michael. Inside a Magical Lodge. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1998.
———. The New Encyclopedia of the Occult. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 2003.
Hughan, William James. Constitutions of the Freemasons. London: R. Spencer, 1869.
Raven Digitalis (Missoula, MT) is the author of Esoteric Empathy, Shadow Magick Compendium, Planetary Spells & Rituals, and Goth Craft. He is a Neopagan Priest and cofounder of an “Eastern Hellenistic” nonprofit multicultural temple called Opus Aima Obscuræ (OAO). Also trained in Eastern philosophies and Georgian Witchcraft, Raven has been an earth-based practitioner since 1999, a Priest since 2003, a Freemason since 2012, and an empath all of his life. He holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Montana and is also a professional Tarot reader, DJ, small-scale farmer, and animal rights advocate.
You can visit Raven online at:
www.ravendigitalis.com
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www.opusaimaobscurae.org
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Illustrator: Kathleen Edwards