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Origin of the word Freemasons.
The first-known use of the word Freemasons - in the form Free Masons - occurs in City of London Letter-book H of 9 August 1376, though the word is in fact deleted in favour of Mason. Masons and Freemasons were interchangeable during the 15th and 16th centuries and Freemasons were generally meant to denote hewers or setters of freestone, Masons being used to embrace all stoneworkers. Ashmole in his diary wrote that he was made a Free Mason and referred in 1686 to the "Fellowship of Free Masons". James Anderson when writing his 1723 Constitutions did not use the single word - Freemasons - once. Whatever the reasons, the 1723 Constitutions contain approximately 126 references to Masons, 12 to Free Masons, 10 to Free and Accepted Masons, 9 to Free-Masons, one to Accepted Free Masons and none to Freemasons. And such is the tenacity of tradition that to this day the most of the Constitutions are addressed to Free and Accepted Masons and not to Accepted Freemasons. The earliest-known anti-masonic leaflet, of 1698, warns the public against "those called Free Masons" - almost certainly what we now know as speculative Freemasons.
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There are many Masonic Magazines online on the net, a few are excellent, some are good, others less, but among the Masonic Magazines, our Review of Freemasonry is unique, because it is made by the readers themselves. Furthermore it is Free of Charge and Without Advertising.
The International Freemasons Magazine on Freemasonry and Research into Freemasonry
The Masonic Magazine where Freemasons find educational material for Masonic lodge lectures and their daily advancement in Masonic knowledge after initiation. A free Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, a comprehensive tool for the Freemason looking for more light and an open door to the world of the Free Masonry for non-Freemasons.
The premier Educational Resource for the Freemason written in 5 languages
PS Review of Freemasonry is the oldest, most popular and famous Freemasons' online publication written by Master Masons of a Grand Lodge of Ancient, Accepted Free Masons. Freemasons recognized as regulars by the United Grand Lodge of England or by a Grand Lodge of the United States of America, Prince Hall Masonry included.
PS Review of Freemasonry has been established on July 17, 1996 and since then eminent Freemason Scholars, members of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 United Grand Lodge of England, Australian and New Zealand Masonic Research Council, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Research Society USA and The Philalethes Society USA, have published their Masonic papers on this site.
Mainly in English , but with a lot of Masonic research papers available also in Italian , French , Spanish and Portuguese , PS Review of Freemasonry is a reliable resource of Masonic Education on the net allowing the Freemason to be more acquainted on the Origin of speculative Masonry as far as on the Ritual performed in a Masonic Lodge and the Degrees of Freemasonry.
You read excellent research papers about Freemasons history, symbols of Freemasonry, Freemasons rituals written by Freemasons scholars furthermore we publish several Masonic Books readable for free and the Freemason has a section dedicated to Masonic Jokes, if he is tired to read ponderous papers.
You find out why the fraternal Order of the Freemasons is not coming from Knights Templar. You listen Masonic music for Lodge and Chapter and read essays about Arts and Freemasonry.
The Freemasons' educational resource open to non-masons where they find the most relevant information on the oldest and largest world wide fraternity. It must be very clear that Free Masonry is not a secret society. The secrets of the Masons are the traditional modes of recognition - handshakes - which are used solely as a test of membership when visiting a lodge where you are not known. You don't become member of 'the occult order of the Freemasonry', when you join Masonry and definitely in our Masonic Lodges we are not building a secret and occult new world order ruled by Freemasons!!!
We warmly invite you to subscribe both our News RSS Feed and Quarterly Newsletter to get fresh information about our Masonic fraternal Order. Last but not least don't forget that our readers make the Magazine: How to Contribute your Masonic Paper.
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CRAFT IN SPIRIT
by Julian Rees
Why tracing boards?
Why tracing boards? Well, we can find rich justification for them from within the Masonic ritual itself. We find also, from earliest recorded Masonic history, accounts of our forebears tracing symbols on the floor of the lodge room, a practice that became codified and then embellished later to produce some examples of truly outstanding artistic achievement. And art, after all, is one of the glories which adorns the Masonic vocation; the second Emulation lecture speaks of painting and sculpture decorating 'the buildings fair science had raised, while the curious hand designed the furniture and tapestry, beautifying and adorning them...' But why draw at all? Why trace anything? What does man achieve by recording in this way visual images of his surroundings, of his relationship to the world around him, visual images of the human condition? To understand this, we might want to go back to the earliest endeavours of man to depict images of his surroundings, images of his world and the objects in it, images of his own situation in his world. The earliest examples of art... read more»
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King Solomon's Temple - A Landmark Symbol for the Freemasons
Collection of papers exploring the Masonic symbolism of King Solomon's Temple. References to the construction of King Solomon's temple at Jerusalem have been included in the rituals of the operative Freemasons since ancient times. In each of the several degrees of Freemasonry, the candidate Freemason progressively represents the various types of stone used in the building. ¨ King Solomon's Temple
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A Seeker After the
Inner Meaning of Freemasonry
Essays and Short Papers by W. Bro. Julian Rees, Masonic Author, PJGD of the UGLE.
 "Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge. Here Masons take their stand. From this point, we as Freemasons start our journey, our quest for self-knowledge, a path leading us to the inmost parts of ourselves, our own psyche and our own soul".
¨ Julian Rees - Masonic Papers |
The Influence of Plato's Republic
on Freemasonry and Masonic Ritual
a book by V.W. Bro. Stephen Michalak
D,G. Lecturer, G.L. of South Australia&N.T.
Plato’s philosophy is at the core of modern Freemasonry. The Author provides evidence of the correspondences between Plato’s writings and our Emulation Ritual. A researched interpretation of Emulation Ritual Freemasonry from the perspective of Greek philosophy and mythology.
 Plato's Republic and the Masonic Ritual
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CANDIDE'S COLUMN
by Gerald Reilly
From Tower to Temple:
from babble to knowing?
In publishing Masonry Dissected the view could be taken that it was not Prichard’s intention to flatter Freemasonry; this is perhaps confirmed by his assigning its operative origin to the construction of the Tower of Babel! Twice in his Constitutions Anderson refers to 'the confusion at Babel' as a point in a time-line reference and interestingly suggests, '...the
Sciences and Arts were both transmitted to later ages and distant climes notwithstanding the confusion of languages or dialects which tho’ give help to rise the masonic faculty and ancient universal practice of conversing without speaking and knowing each other at a distance...'
What then are we to make of the biblical account of the Tower of Babel? Perhaps we are entitled to some preliminary confusion as prior to its construction we are informed that the families descending from Noah were, 'after their tongues'. This is immediately followed by, 'And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech'. read more»
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Freemasons and Freemasonry - Top Stories |
¨ A HISTORY OF BRITISH FREEMASONRY 1425-2000
by Dr Andrew Prescott, Director of the University Research Centre University of Wales, Lampeter.
...the history of British Freemasons will only begin to make sense if we interpret it in the light of wider history... |
¨ EXPLANATION OF THE MASTER'S WORDS
by W.Bro. David Barrett, Grand Marshal of the G.L. of Israel.
A probable derivation to the origin and a revealing explanation of The Words given today during the 3rd Degree Raising in Freemasonry |
¨ THE POLITE REVOLUTION
The Formation of American Grand Lodges, 1777-1806
by W.Bro. S. Brent Morris 33° Grand Cross
Director of Membership Development Supreme Council 33° SJ, USA
Managing Editor, The Scottish Rite Journal, Supreme Council 33° SJ, USA
The independence of American Freemasonry -as that of the American colonies- established a pattern that has inspired many followers.
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Editor's Interviews with Freemasons |
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Bruno V. Gazzo interviews Masonic authors about their latest books. ¨ Read Interviews
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¨ THE MASONIC CHICKEN AND TEMPLAR EGG SCENARIO
Stephen Dafoe is a well-known Masonic scholar, he is the author of 'Noble Born' and 'The Compasses and the Cross' a History of the Masonic Knights Templar. The Editor asked Dafoe:"Are or are not Freemasons the direct descendants of the Knights Templar?".
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FREEMASONRY CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
In his book Making Light - a Handbook for Freemasons Julian Rees shows many largely unknown aspects of the masonic symbolism. The Editor asked the author: "Isn't esoteric talk of this kind going to put some Freemasons off?"...
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¨ UNE CERTAINE IDÉE DE LA FRANC-MAÇONNERIE
Une référence indispensable pour les historiens.
 Cliquez ici pour lire un Chapitre du livre.
La Préface par Arturo de Hoyos 33º, Grand
Archiviste et Grand Historien, Suprême Conseil
des États-Unis d'Amérique, Juridiction Sud.
L'Entretien avec l'auteur par Bruno Gazzo.
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Latest Additions, News, Conferences & Events
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Click  to read all the News.
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 Musings from the Middle Chamber
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Ten Short Papers written by W.Bro Julian Rees one of the founding members of The Cornerstone Society and a Seeker After the Inner Meaning of Freemasonry.
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13 Nov 08, 05:11:07
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Masonic Education Course
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Developed by W.Bro. Kent Henderson, the course is structured in three Sections, with four parts to each section. Papers of Hamill, Cryer, Henderson and others. For the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason. Free online on PS Review of Freemasonry.
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30 Oct 08, 06:10:41
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Latest DVD & Book Reviews
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Click to read all the Reviews
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 Committed to the Flames
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The history and rituals of a secret Masonic Rite. For the first time, all of Folger's ritual manuscript has been deciphered in full. A book by Arturo de Hoyos 33 and S. Brent Morris 33.
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27 Oct 08, 02:10:28
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The Masonic Magician
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by Philippa Faulks and Robert Cooper. The Life and Death of Count Cagliostro and his Egyptian Rite
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17 Sep 08, 06:09:33
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Click to go to What's New Main Index.
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The Broken Column and its Deeper Meaning
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A discussion of the evolution of the Three Great Columns from Plato's Cardinal virtues and the Sephiroth. It then examines the Broken Column as one of the Three Great columns. A paper by Bro. William Steve Burkle.
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10 Dec 08, 09:12:09
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Masonic Knights Templar Legends
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The Robert the Bruce legend and The d'Aumont legend by W.Bro. Stephen Dafoe, Grand Historian, Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alberta, Canada.
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09 Dec 08, 02:12:55
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Alchemical Symbolism of the Double-Headed Eagle
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A look at the historical usage of the Double-Headed eagle and an examination of the underlying Alchemical and Hermetic symbolism of one of the most prevalent emblems of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry. A research paper by Bro.Gregory H. Peters 32.
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15 Nov 08, 04:11:14
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Freemasonry: the Digital Challenge.
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by Bro. Ronald J. Watkins, Wayfarers Lodge #50, Grand Lodge of Arizona.
An examination of the impact of the Internet on Freemasonry, Lodges and Grand Lodges.
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08 Oct 08, 09:10:03
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The Major Arcana of the Tarot and Freemasonry
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Masonic Allusion and Symbolism in the Figures and Interpretations of the Major Arcana of the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite. A paper by Bro. William Steve Burkle.
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04 Oct 08, 12:10:37
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ALL ABOUT FREEMASONRY - For Non-Freemasons
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Freemasons are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides. The essential qualification to become Freemason is a belief in a Supreme Being. A Freemason's duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Masons, and any attempt to shield Freemasons who as acted dishonourably or unlawfully, or to confer an unfair advantage on other Free Masons is contrary to this prime duty. The Freemasons refer to those who are not Freemasons as "cowans" because in architecture a cowan is someone apprenticed to bricklaying but not licenced to the trade of masonry.
Freemasonry is an esoteric society only in that certain aspects are private; Freemasons state that Masonry is not, in the 21st century, a secret society but a "society with secrets". Some Freemasons describe Freemasonry as a "confidential" society in contrast to a secret society. 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. In reality, Freemasons are proud of their true heritage and happy to share it, offering spokesmen, briefings for the media, and providing talks to interested groups upon request. On this site curious non-masons can find out the real secret lives of the Freemasons as far as what are the secrets of Freemasons.
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Almost every day we are inquired about how to become Freemasons and asked for help to join Freemasonry . Sorry, but definitely we are not a Freemasons recruitment point!!!
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Most Popular Books |
- MORALS and DOGMA by Bro. Albert Pike
MORALS and DOGMA of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry , prepared for the Supreme Council of the Thirty Third Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States: Charleston, 1871.
- GOULD'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD by Robert Freke Gould.
This edition in six volumes embraces not only an investigation of records of the organizations of the Freemasons in England, Scotland, Ireland, the former British Colonies, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, but includes additional material especially prepared on Freemasonry in Europe, Asia and Africa also contributions by distinguished Freemasons covering each of the States and the District of Columbia of the United States, Canada and Latin America.
- ILLUSTRATIONS OF MASONRY by William Preston
Preston's work was exceptionally influential and was, together with the Book of Constitutions, one of the books owned by Freemasons in England.
- AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FREEMASONRY and its kindred sciences by Albert Gallatin Mackey
For the first time online on a Masonic site the "real" two volumes of such a basic work on Freemasonry by Mackey. Full text and images.
- AHIMAN REZON by Laurence Dermott
The Book of Constitutions of the Antient Grand Lodge of England. A must to understand Masonry history.
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