“True Masonic Light”

Bret Iddings, 32°

Through my continuous labor in the quarries of Masonic research, it has dawned on me

that the true secrets of Freemasonry have been lost for a great majority of the current

members of our ancient fraternity. In the brilliant book, “Esoterika”, Brother Albert Pike states,

“the highest claim of Freemasonry to consideration is that it is philosophical truth, concealed

from the masses and taught to the adepts by symbols. But every intelligent Mason knows that

of every hundred of Brethren… not more than two or three regard the symbolism of

Freemasonry as of any real value, or care to study it. To do so, it seems to all the others, would

be idle and unprofitable labor”1. Today this still rings true, as many of our beloved brethren

remain barely beyond the realm of darkness of the profane world and have not raised

themselves to True Masonic Light, remaining confused as to the true meaning of the symbols

used in the degrees, the lessons contained therein and more importantly, what it means to be a

Free Mason.

Could it be that our Masonic forefathers so ingeniously crafted every aspect of our

organization as to stealthy conceal the infinite truths of ancient wisdom so that future

generations would eventually lose them and should we literally look no further than the

symbols and the allegories in our ritual work, remaining satisfied with what we see on the

surface? Or is it that the current generation of Freemasons are lazy and so caught up in the

distractions of the present time that they are unable to devote any of their time and energy to

discover the true secrets of Freemasonry? Let us endeavor to explore this subject more from a

speculative standpoint, keeping in mind that my opinions are my own and are based on

conclusions gathered from reading many older books on the Craft and observing how the spirit

of Freemasonry today appears to differ quite a bit from that of our fraternal ancestors. I

believe it would be impossible to divulge the true secrets of Freemasonry by means of human

communication, however, I will, to the best of my ability, fulfill my duty to aid my poor and

distressed brothers by being a beacon of Masonic light, to assist them in their travels as they

journey to the East.

Freemasonry is often called a “science of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated in

symbols”. What exactly does this mean? Let us first break down this phrase word by word to

better understand the statement.

“Science” is defined by the Merriam Webster’s dictionary as “a branch of systematic

study, especially of the physical world”2. As we are all members of the physical world and

everything we observe with our visual faculties is the physical world, it makes sense that

Freemasonry is a science of the physical world.

The dictionary goes on to define “morality” as “relating to principles of right and wrong;

conforming to a standard of right behavior; relating to or acting on the mind, character or

will”3. In its singular form, it means “the point of a story” and its plural form as “moral practices

or teachings”. We can extract from those definitions of morality that Freemasonry is a story of

moral practices and teachings that express a standard of right behavior relating to the mind,

character and will. The first portion of the statement is now forming a very precise mental

picture for us of what Freemasonry is.

Continuing on, we come to what I believe is the most important word in this statement

and the system of Freemasonry itself: “veiled”, which means “sheer material to hide something

or to cover the face and head; covered with a veil”4. This very important word denotes that

something is being concealed. Since we have already established through the previous words

that it is “a branch of systematic study” (especially of the physical world) and also “relating to

principles of right and wrong; relating to or acting on the mind, character, or will”, we now can

add that there is something contained within Freemasonry that is veiled or concealed from us.

Let us determine what then is concealed…

“Allegory” is the next word of this statement and is defined as “a story in which figures

and actions are symbols of general truths”5. The younger generation of Freemasons are very

interested in allegory, which can be paralleled with the word esoteric, meaning “mysterious or

secret”6. Many of the newer brothers today are very interested in the esoteric aspects of

Freemasonry and are inclined to lose interest in the Craft when their needs are not met. I have

seen some apprehension to the word “esoteric” being mentioned in Blue Lodge on a couple

occasions, which is a shame and quite unnecessary because it represents the same concept as

allegory, which is freely spoken about in our instruction.

Moving on, we come to “illustrated”, which means “explain by example; provide with

pictures or figures”7. What examples, pictures or figures do we use in Freemasonry?

“Symbols”, which are defined as “something that represents or suggests another thing”8.

Concluding with the latter portion of the statement, we can summarize that what is

being concealed is hidden in “a story in which figures and actions are symbols of general truths”

and that the answers are “explained by example” in the form of “something that represents or

suggests another thing”. At this point, you are either lost in the chaos of confusion or grasping

at one of the wittiest play on words ever demonstrated by the mind of man.

To further understand the bigger picture of this “science of morality, veiled in allegory

and illustrated in symbols”, I believe it is important to explore the means of transference that

has been utilized by the creators and custodians of the Craft to confer the mysteries of

Freemasonry on its initiates over the ages.

First, we must consider the whole process of what transpires when a person joins and

goes through the initiatic experience. A man must first be aware that Freemasonry exists to

make a conscious and willful decision of whether he will attempt to petition to join a lodge.

Once he is aware that Freemasonry exists and he could potentially become a member, he must

determine just like with anything else in his life of whether it will be beneficial or not, for we as

human beings generally operate entirely off the “what’s in it for me?” mentality. In order to

make this determination, a man must either be told what Freemasonry is by a member that

knows or he must conduct his own research through books, the internet, or any other medium

of second hand information. If what a man forms in his mind about Freemasonry is pleasing to

him, he is going to find out what he has to do to join the fraternity. On the other hand, if what

he forms in his mind about Freemasonry is not pleasing to him, he certainly will not attempt to

join something that he will not enjoy or will not benefit him. It is well known with human

beings that “attention goes where energy flows”. There is no doubt in my mind that the

creators and custodians of the Craft were hip to the “law of attraction” hundreds of years

before it became a popular way of thinking in the realm of New Age thought.

As to what a man will receive if he goes through the petitioning process and is approved

to become a member, is that he will go through the initiatic experience of the symbolic Blue

Degrees of Freemasonry. All members of the fraternity are well aware of this experience and

the symbolism and information that is transmitted to the candidate, whether they fully

understand it or not is a completely different subject. Before I continue further, please take a

moment in your mind and reflect upon the symbols and sublime truths that were sincerely

presented and impressed upon your mind during that process.

The next subject we must take into consideration to comprehend the means of

transference utilized by the custodians of the art whereby we will be better able to understand

the “veiled allegory” of this “science of morality” is to look into the origins of Freemasonry that

gave birth in modern times to the authentic lineage we are members of today. C.W.

Leadbeater establishes a good timeline of modern Freemasonry’s roots by informing us in his

book “Freemasonry and Its Ancient Mystic Rites” that the “written records of speculative

Masonry hardly antedate the revival in 1717, while the earliest extant minutes of any operative

Lodge belong to the year 1598”9. Leadbeater also points out that Brother R.F. Gould, in his

book “The Concise History of Freemasonry”, “affirms that if we can assume the symbolism (or

ceremonial) of Masonry to be older than 1717, there is practically no limit whatever to the age

that can be assigned to it”10. And finally, the most important point that Leadbeater makes

pertaining to the subject of this paper is in stating that “the Solemn Act of Union between the

two Grand Lodges of the Freemasons of England, in December 1813, that pure Antient Masonry

consists of three degrees and no more, viz., those of Entered Apprentice, the Fellowcraft, and

the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch”11.

In continuing to explore the origins of modern Freemasonry in relation to the “science

of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated in symbols”, we must explore the relation of the

Royal Arch degrees of the York Rite to the three symbolic Blue Degrees. Not only do the

current four degrees of the Royal Arch continue the story contained within the symbolic Blue

Degrees, but it is vital to realize that “the Mark Master (4th degree) is an extension of the

Fellowcraft degree while the Royal Arch (7th degree) is an extension of the Master Mason

degree”12. As pointed out by Brother Robert W. Sullivan IV in his modern classic “The Royal

Arch of Enoch”, there was a schism in Masonry in 1751, where “Irish Masons formed their own

Grand Lodge – known as the ‘Ancients’ or Antients which followed the ‘Old Institutions’;

according to the Ahiman Rezon – the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of the Antients authored

by Laurence Dermott in 1756”13. Sullivan further elaborates, “there were now two classes of

Masons in England: the Antients who followed the ‘Old Institutions’ and hence possessed the

true esoteric secrets of Masonry; and the Moderns who fell under the name of the Freemasons

of England. The Antients held the Royal Arch degree as the most sublime degree – ‘the root,

heart, and marrow’ of Freemasonry. The Moderns also embraced the Royal Arch degree but

seemed to practice it in conjecture with the Master Mason degree – the Antients seemed to

have fabricated the Royal Arch degree by dividing or cutting it out of the Master Mason

degree”14.

Brother George Steinmetz, in his book “The Royal Arch: It’s Hidden Meaning”, gives us a

better idea of the creation and evolution of the York Rite by stating that both the Mark Master

and Royal Arch originally were independent, separate degrees that were worked under the

jurisdiction of the Symbolic Lodge15. The fifth degree, or (Virtual) Past Master, was created to

serve the purpose of allowing a Master Mason to “pass the chair” even if they had not officially

served as Master of a Blue Lodge, which was required before becoming a Royal Arch Mason.

Steinmetz further explains “these three degrees then constituted the Chapter as it originally

came into being in England as a separate body, under an independent jurisdiction”16. Later, the

Most Excellent Master degree was instituted to bridge the gap between the Mark Master,

(Virtual) Past Master and Royal Arch degrees and also tied together the complete story of the

building of the “Second Temple” in relation to the symbolic Blue Degrees, which conclude

“amidst the rubbish of the ‘First Temple’ ”17.

Although the Master Mason degree is the penultimate degree in all of Freemasonry in

terms of its teachings, a great majority of Masons are completely unaware of the relation and

history between the Blue Lodge and the York Rite, which I would regard as crucial and pertinent

in understanding Freemasonry as a whole and would be invaluable knowledge for a brother

that is seeking to understand this “science of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated in

symbols”. The same can be said about the Scottish Rite but I will leave that to the reader to

explore on his own.

As mentioned earlier in this paper, I believe the true secrets of Freemasonry cannot be

communicated, but in order that I may better establish the fact that the creators and

custodians of the Craft have truly encoded the wisdom of the ancient mysteries within this

“science”, I feel it would be proper to explore what two of my favorite Masonic authors have

said regarding this subject.

Brother Manly P. Hall states in his book “The Lost Keys of Freemasonry” that “the

average Mason, as well as the modern student of Masonic ideals, little realizes the cosmic

obligation he takes upon himself when he begins his search for the sacred Truths of Nature as

they are concealed in the ancient and modern rituals… He must realize that the ancient mystic

teachings as perpetuated in the modern rites are sacred, and that powers unseen and

unrecognized mold the destiny of those who consciously and of their own free will take upon

themselves the obligations of the Fraternity”18. More importantly, Hall says, “true Freemasonry

is esoteric; it is not a thing of this world. All that we have here is a link, a doorway, through

which the student may pass into the unknown”19.

The most striking and powerful comment on this subject comes from Brother Albert

Pike, who proclaimed, “Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism and

Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false

explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be

misled; to conceal the Truth, which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them away from it.

Truth is not for those who are unworthy or unable to receive it, or would pervert it… So

Masonry jealously conceals its secrets, and intentionally leads conceited interpreters astray”20.

Being that these statements come from two of the most prominent and prolific Masonic

authors in history, I think it is safe to say that there is some profound truths therein. May these

very powerful quotes resonate with the reader and serve as a point of reflection, for it will be

entirely up to you during your lifetime if you want to explore this realm and discover the

treasures that lie hidden deep within the bosom of Freemasonry.

If by chance you are a new member or an old one that is not very familiar with the

allegories and symbols, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of your lodge’s library (if it

has one), conduct research online and attend the degrees at your lodge and travel to other

lodges in your area. Even more so, I strongly encourage you to become active in the ritual work

if you are not already and seek to fully comprehend the history and allegories contained

therein. I had the wonderful opportunity of founding my home lodge Groton NY #496’s library

and have made sure that it is stocked with resources that will help guide and direct a seeking

brother to “more light” and have made myself available if there are questions or if brothers are

seeking further resources that cannot be found in our library.

The observant reader will be quick to say that I have not revealed anything in regards to

the “science of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated in symbols”, and in fact have only

served to further conceal the sacred mysteries of Freemasonry. This is very true and leads to

the main point of this paper; which is that, we, the current generation of Freemasons must

realize that there is much more to Freemasonry than meets the eye or reaches the ear and the

only way we are going to come to this realization is through participating more, reading books,

and making sure that brothers old and especially new are regularly receiving proper and

instructive Masonic education. Most importantly, only through the proper application of the

tools that have been given to us will we ever earn any true master’s wages within the lodge or

outside in the world, which I must adamantly stress are much more than just material wages.

You will get back from Freemasonry what you put into it, just like with anything else in life. If

you put nothing into it, you will get nothing back from it. Anyone that has reached the level of

Master Mason and believes that there is nothing more to learn or accomplish are not only

hurting themselves but also future Masons and in fact are bringing shame to Freemasonry on a

personal and worldwide level. It brings joy to my heart meeting brothers locally and around the

world that take true pride in being a Freemason and exemplify it in all they do. It is to these

brothers that I dedicate this work. May all who seek the “True Masonic Light” in this “science

of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated in symbols” find what they are seeking, but

remember, the true riches will only be discovered and acquired through proper study, proper

application of tools and a lifelong dedication to “The Great Work”.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Pike, Albert, Arturo De Hoyos, and Ronald A. Seale. "Introduction." Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry: Albert Pike's "Esoterika" 2nd ed. Washington, D.C.: Scottish Rite Research Society, 2011. Page 75. 2. “science”. Merriam-Webster's Pocket Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1995. Page 301. 3. “morality”. Ibid. Page 218. 4. “veiled”. Ibid. Page 368. 5. “allegory”. Ibid. Page 10. 6. “esoteric”. Ibid Page 113. 7. “illustrated”. Ibid. Page 165. 8. “symbols”. Ibid. Page 336. 9. Leadbeater, C. W. Freemasonry and Its Ancient Mystic Rites. New York: Gramercy, 1998. Page 3. 10. Ibid. 11. Ibid. 12. Sullivan, Robert W., IV. The Royal Arch of Enoch: The Impact of Masonic Ritual, Philosophy, and Symbolism. N.p.: Rocket Science Productions, 2011. Page 55. 13. Ibid. 14. Ibid. 15. Steinmetz, George Harold. The Royal Arch, Its Hidden Meaning. New York: Macoy Pub. and Masonic Supply, 1946. Pages 11 – 13. 16. Ibid. 17. Ibid. 18. Hall, Manly P. The Lost Keys of Freemasonry. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2006. Page 27. 19. Ibid. Page 30. 20. Albert Pike. Washington: Supreme Council, 33 A. A. S. R. for the Southern urisdiction, U.S.A., 1950. Pages 104 – 105.