The Secrets of Freemasonry
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Book Description
Inside the hidden world of Masonic lore and symbolism
Product Description
Many people are curious about the existence of secret societies which claim to hold arcane religious or esoteric knowledge and pass it down through the generations via selected adepts. Classic Masonic writers including William Preston, Robert Gould, JSM Ward, AE Waite and WL Wilmshurst have written about secret traditions connected to the Temple of Sion. Each has different ideas about how mystical knowledge came into Freemasonry. Some say that the Charter of Larmenius reveals an underground line of Knight Templar Grand Masters who survived down to the nineteenth century. All agree there is a Secret Lodge or House of Adepts who continue to teach "true" knowledge of the ancient mysteries and that The Craft transmits beliefs linked to the Earls of Rosslyn, the Knights Templar, and Lodge Mother Kilwinning. Masonic expert Robert Lomas has collected together this thread of belief from old Masonic writers and rewritten it in modern English to make the ideas accessible to modern readers.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dr Robert Lomas is known to us for his best selling works depicting his personal journeys in demystifying Freemasonry through science and research, his collaborative works with Chris Knight and his biographical work on the Royal Society and Nikola Tesla. This book, "The Secrets of Freemasonry" is somewhat of a departure from what we've seen from Dr Lomas before. Does this book reveal the secrets of Freemasonry? No. It is a history text comprising the freshly indexed works of five well known writers (in Masonic circles) of the 'secret' traditions of Masonic Lore - the writers being; Preston, Gould, Ward, Waite and Wilmsurst. The five put forward many theories; Is Freemasonry a 'modern' extension of the Knights Templars? Is it Druidic in basis? Is it all from the Temple of Sion? Are some of the rituals Egyptian? How about Roman?
Each of these writers have examined the roots of the traditions of Freemasonry and published their works, and to a lesser or greater degree been flayed in review by the United Grand Lodge of England. Did Freemasonry start in London in 1717? None of the cited writers seem to think so hence UGLEs strange condemnation of them - I say strange because UGLE sanctions the delivery of the "Prestonian" lectures recognising Preston's obvious learned achievements, but insists upon a very non-Prestonian content. Unsurprising as Preston believes in significantly earlier roots reaching into early Briton Druidic practice, somewhat at odds with the UGLE 'party line'. Gould, Ward, Waite and Wilmhurst also disagree with UGLE and the Lodge of Quatuor Coronati, the 'official' historians, although the four and Preston don't agree on a common set of roots.
Dr Lomas offers a commentary and continuity in this work with conclusions summarising the context and the main thrust of each of the writers' five respective works and so has compiled a reference text that should be useful to Freemason and non-brethren alike. The book is a history text so do not expect the usual Lomas explanatory journey, but do expect to see contrasting and sometimes conflicting views of the secret traditions of Freemasonry. In reading the text I am no closer to a documented definitive truth, however, the options offered are certainly food for thought. Additionally, those interested in the history of the 'oldest' and most 'ancient' will find useful information in the form of minutes and commentary from the lodges.
A challenging and informative work, leading to the obvious question to ask yourself - "What do *you* believe?"
Each of these writers have examined the roots of the traditions of Freemasonry and published their works, and to a lesser or greater degree been flayed in review by the United Grand Lodge of England. Did Freemasonry start in London in 1717? None of the cited writers seem to think so hence UGLEs strange condemnation of them - I say strange because UGLE sanctions the delivery of the "Prestonian" lectures recognising Preston's obvious learned achievements, but insists upon a very non-Prestonian content. Unsurprising as Preston believes in significantly earlier roots reaching into early Briton Druidic practice, somewhat at odds with the UGLE 'party line'. Gould, Ward, Waite and Wilmhurst also disagree with UGLE and the Lodge of Quatuor Coronati, the 'official' historians, although the four and Preston don't agree on a common set of roots.
Dr Lomas offers a commentary and continuity in this work with conclusions summarising the context and the main thrust of each of the writers' five respective works and so has compiled a reference text that should be useful to Freemason and non-brethren alike. The book is a history text so do not expect the usual Lomas explanatory journey, but do expect to see contrasting and sometimes conflicting views of the secret traditions of Freemasonry. In reading the text I am no closer to a documented definitive truth, however, the options offered are certainly food for thought. Additionally, those interested in the history of the 'oldest' and most 'ancient' will find useful information in the form of minutes and commentary from the lodges.
A challenging and informative work, leading to the obvious question to ask yourself - "What do *you* believe?"
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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1 review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
"We have secrets,they are figurative signs and secret words...".
18 April 2008
Format:Paperback
I have always been interested in the Knights Templar and also what became of them and whether there are any societies today that are descended from them.If you read this book to find some hidden secrets;I doubt you'll find any. However; this book is worthwhile reaing if you are interested in the historical connection of the Masons of ancient times,through the Middle Ages to the present Freemasons.
The author makes an attemppt to answer these questions by using the writings of 5 major historians ,who were Masons themselves,to present their views.These 5 writers all conclude that Freemasonry has roots that preceed by many centuries ,the date of 1717 that is accepted as the date that Freemasonry was founded in London. While all these 5 vary in one way or another,the reader will be convinced that the roots go back much further. Also ,the house journal "Quatuor Coronati", the self professed "Premier" lodge of research, rejects the writings and research of these people;and continue to hold to the date of 1717 as the date of founding and Freemasonry has no direct connections to Masons of the past,Templars,or any of the multitude of societies from the Middle Ages or Ancient History.
If you think settling the question,is simple;you are in for one big surprise,when you see the number of societies and organizations involved.The complexity of searching lineage of Royal Families,Politics or even Christianity is relatively simple by comparison.What we are dealing with here goes back past the time of the Druids,Ancient Egypt and the dawn of Civilization, It seem to me,after reading this book;that to say that Freemasonry has no roots past its founding in 1717 would be akin to accepting that The Mormons have no roots to God before Joseph Smith in 1830.
In summary;I found the book very interesting,but that does not preclude the idea that ,it probably leaves more questions than answers and little in the way of revealed secrets.
In the Middle Ages,there were a multitude of secret societies.The Masons seemed to be as much an organization that dwelt with the building trades;much like our present day Professional societies of Architects,Engineers and Tradesmen,Unions etc; where skills were developed and work was controlled and participants were looked after.
In any orgnization involving people,control,beliefs,power,money etc ;it never seems to take long for rifts,splits,power and beliefs,to clash.It seem this was true in the history of "The Masons" as it was anywhere else.
The author makes an attemppt to answer these questions by using the writings of 5 major historians ,who were Masons themselves,to present their views.These 5 writers all conclude that Freemasonry has roots that preceed by many centuries ,the date of 1717 that is accepted as the date that Freemasonry was founded in London. While all these 5 vary in one way or another,the reader will be convinced that the roots go back much further. Also ,the house journal "Quatuor Coronati", the self professed "Premier" lodge of research, rejects the writings and research of these people;and continue to hold to the date of 1717 as the date of founding and Freemasonry has no direct connections to Masons of the past,Templars,or any of the multitude of societies from the Middle Ages or Ancient History.
If you think settling the question,is simple;you are in for one big surprise,when you see the number of societies and organizations involved.The complexity of searching lineage of Royal Families,Politics or even Christianity is relatively simple by comparison.What we are dealing with here goes back past the time of the Druids,Ancient Egypt and the dawn of Civilization, It seem to me,after reading this book;that to say that Freemasonry has no roots past its founding in 1717 would be akin to accepting that The Mormons have no roots to God before Joseph Smith in 1830.
In summary;I found the book very interesting,but that does not preclude the idea that ,it probably leaves more questions than answers and little in the way of revealed secrets.
In the Middle Ages,there were a multitude of secret societies.The Masons seemed to be as much an organization that dwelt with the building trades;much like our present day Professional societies of Architects,Engineers and Tradesmen,Unions etc; where skills were developed and work was controlled and participants were looked after.
In any orgnization involving people,control,beliefs,power,money etc ;it never seems to take long for rifts,splits,power and beliefs,to clash.It seem this was true in the history of "The Masons" as it was anywhere else.
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