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Post by stardust on Mar 1, 2010 3:17:35 GMT
Hello, I have been reading many of the threads on this site. I'm grateful that I found this community and can "talk" with you about masonry. I have been doing research for a few months. I narrowed it down to 3 organizations in Manhattan that I can apply to as a woman: 1. The American Co-Masonry. www.co-masonry.org/2. Le Droit Humain www.comasonic.org/3. Women's lodge of Belgium www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/universalis.htmlAs a newbie at this, I still have a very hard time deciding between them. I am leaning toward LDH because it's mixed, more liberal and recognized world wide. I would love to be able to join a meeting for each one of them, but it's not like you can just visit... Would I be able to apply to all of them at the same time? I would love to hear opinions of people who are members of those lodges or people who belong to both (is that possible?)... or people who have switched from one lodge to another. I hope these questions are ok to ask, I know there are secrets involved, so forgive me if I'm asking something I shouldn't. Thank you so much for reading and I look forward to hearing from you
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Post by magusmasonica on Mar 1, 2010 3:32:36 GMT
Hello and welcome to the forum.
As far as I know you can be a member of an LDH Lodge and a Woman's Grand Lodge of Belgium lodge at the same time as the two recognize each other. You could not be a member of American Federation of Human Rights and be a member of either LDH or the Woman's GL of Belgium.
There is also the Sovereign Sanctuary USA Memphis Misraim that has a lodge in metro NYC. They have two actually, one feminine and one mixed.
One note. Recognition will not come from the "mainstream" male American Masons if you are a Mason in the USA period as no female Masons are recognized by the mainstream.
Good luck in your journey.
Love and Light,
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Post by stardust on Mar 1, 2010 3:45:59 GMT
Thank you for your response.
May I ask if you are a member of any of those 3 I mentioned, or the one your brought up?
Could you share why you chose the lodge(s) that you are currently with and why you chose it?
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Post by magusmasonica on Mar 1, 2010 6:03:26 GMT
Thank you for your response. May I ask if you are a member of any of those 3 I mentioned, or the one your brought up? Could you share why you chose the lodge(s) that you are currently with and why you chose it? Your welcome. ;D No, I am not a member of any of the above. I am a member of the Grand Orient Egyptian www.egyptianfreemasonry.org as well as two independent lodges of Post-Modern Freemasonry. Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte www.lodgenapoleon.com and Lodge Hera www.lodgehera.com. I have friends in Le Droit Humain as well as the American Federation Of Human Rights. I am a member of neither. The main reason is I am deeply attracted to the "Egyptian" Rites of Freemasonry and neither offers that. Plus, the AF HR is a little too dogmatic for my tastes. The Sovereign Sanctuary of the USA is a nice group www.iss-ic-memphis-misraim.com/. My reasons for not joining them was that they require a belief in a supreme being. I want to practice will all sincere seekers regardless of belief or lack of belief. They also do not have any lodges anywhere near me and it talking with them I don't feel that will change anytime soon. Good luck in your search. The good news is that NYC is a real hotbed for liberal and mixed Freemasonry. I have no doubt that you will find what you seek. In Love and Light,
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KNOs1s
Member
I am inclined agree or disagree based on the quality and quantity of proffered information.
Posts: 1,330
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Post by KNOs1s on Mar 1, 2010 6:40:12 GMT
Greetings Stardust, From what I know of my research of the bodies you mentioned, I would recommend American co-Masonry. Just my preference belonging to none of those bodies, yet I have heard great things about that particular system.
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Post by Leo on Mar 1, 2010 8:29:46 GMT
Hi Stardust and welcome to the forum.
I am a member of LDH-UK. My wife and I joined them three years ago because we wanted to be able to share the journey together. The experience is simply amazing.
Good luck to you in your search, which is the right thing to do before making any decision; however, I believe when it comes to Masonry we all ultimately make the right decisions when we allow our hearts to choose freely.
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Post by stardust on Mar 2, 2010 7:06:42 GMT
Thank you all for your commetns and insights. The fact that all the lodges in NYC sound good is wherein my dilema lies - how do I choose? I guess it's a good problem to have I would be curious if anyone else who is a member of those organizations (LDH, AHFR, Women's GL of Belgium or Soverign Sanctuary USA MM) could share their opinions and personal reasons why choosing those lodges - if you had to make the decision between several of them.
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Post by Leo on Mar 2, 2010 7:54:54 GMT
Look to the websites of those GLs you are currently interested in, read all they have to say and if you find one that feels right, then go with it.
I would advise not solely going on what you read here on this forum or elsewhere, or going solely on what one individual or group of individual says. You can't really go only by the opinions of others; what's right for one may not be right for another, so sometimes your intuition needs to be relied on.
Sometimes if the lodge you're interested in meets with your criteria [and you with theirs] that's all you can really go on. We are all different. Some will feel the closer a lodge is to where they live is the only consideration to be concerned with, while other will feel led to places further afield.
Whatever the reason one should be content in their choice before making a commitment.
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KNOs1s
Member
I am inclined agree or disagree based on the quality and quantity of proffered information.
Posts: 1,330
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Post by KNOs1s on Mar 3, 2010 22:48:40 GMT
Very well put, Leo.
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Post by magusmasonica on Mar 4, 2010 0:54:02 GMT
Stardust, There are plans underway to start a Post-Modern Masonic lodge in Manhattan. The Brethren of this lodge will b very experienced. I am really excited about it.
Just thought I would post a quick note. I will post more as things develop.
In Love and Light,
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Post by stardust on Mar 4, 2010 15:58:38 GMT
Thank you Leo, I'm definitely doing the due diligence, and this website is part of that process, not the only source I'm looking at. I thought it would be useful to see what I can learn here, in addition to books, websites etc.
Magusmasonica, that's great news, thanks for sharing.
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KNOs1s
Member
I am inclined agree or disagree based on the quality and quantity of proffered information.
Posts: 1,330
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Post by KNOs1s on Mar 4, 2010 17:53:56 GMT
Good luck to you, Stardust, wherever your travels lead you.
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Post by magusmasonica on Mar 4, 2010 22:09:11 GMT
Stardust, Feel free to PM me and I will put you in touch with the WM in NYC. In Love and Light,
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Post by theplumbtruth on Mar 6, 2010 19:41:45 GMT
Hello Stardust, I'm a member of LDH in the US and have been for 22 years. For me it's my home even after investigating a few other Orders over the years. If I were you I might try to meet individually with members of any of the Orders you are asking about, even before any formal interview. The interview process, formal or not, is the best way to have all your questions answered and determine which is the best fit for you. I know some of our members of LDH in NYC and they are fantastic people. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Post by magusmasonica on Mar 15, 2010 18:24:56 GMT
Stardust, Our Post-Modern lodge in NYC is Lodge Circumspect. The WM is Elizabeth Lodge. I am sure she would be happy to hear from you. I can put you in touch if you'd like.
Love and Light,
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Post by teddyballgame on Mar 16, 2010 23:29:10 GMT
Hello, I have been reading many of the threads on this site. I'm grateful that I found this community and can "talk" with you about masonry. I have been doing research for a few months. I narrowed it down to 3 organizations in Manhattan that I can apply to as a woman: 1. The American Co-Masonry. www.co-masonry.org/2. Le Droit Humain www.comasonic.org/3. Women's lodge of Belgium www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/universalis.htmlAs a newbie at this, I still have a very hard time deciding between them. I am leaning toward LDH because it's mixed, more liberal and recognized world wide. I would love to be able to join a meeting for each one of them, but it's not like you can just visit... Would I be able to apply to all of them at the same time? I would love to hear opinions of people who are members of those lodges or people who belong to both (is that possible?)... or people who have switched from one lodge to another. I hope these questions are ok to ask, I know there are secrets involved, so forgive me if I'm asking something I shouldn't. Thank you so much for reading and I look forward to hearing from you www.georgewashingtonunion.org/This a decent order from what I have heard about them. Contact all the bodies you are interested in and start a rapport with them and "feel" your way. This is a non-selfish response and a I have no agenda in where you would prefer to join. just answering your question to the best of my ability. Pushing an order seems a little desperate...... You've seen masons of various groups rspond. All the groups you are currently considering are full of great humans. As with any group though, some bad seeds do get in and can make noise. Research, ask questions, and by all means, visit if they are close enough. it is ok to show up to meet people and talk with them before they meet. We would have people with questions find out when a meeting was, and show up a little early to get to know people and ask questions. Visit and Travel as much as you can. Good Luck and follow your Inner Guide. AMOUR ET LUMIÈRE
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FireMist
Member
Then rally boys, and hasten on.To meet our Chiefs at the Green Dragon.
Posts: 293
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Post by FireMist on Jun 23, 2010 2:28:44 GMT
Hello Stardust, I'm a member of LDH in the US and have been for 22 years. For me it's my home even after investigating a few other Orders over the years. If I were you I might try to meet individually with members of any of the Orders you are asking about, even before any formal interview. The interview process, formal or not, is the best way to have all your questions answered and determine which is the best fit for you. I know some of our members of LDH in NYC and they are fantastic people. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I heartily agree with Plumb truth in that you should request interviews.... after all, you are interviewing them as much as they you. Of course my choice was AFHR and have posted here in the past of the reason of my decision. Either way, I don't think You'll be disappointed with either LDH or AFHR. I know a few members of AFHR in NY and in Connecticut. and have sat in lodge with them. They are wonderful Brothers. Enjoy your travels seeking.
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