Post by Jumile on Nov 17, 2004 15:34:21 GMT
As my profane (pre-Freemason) days are still very recent, I remember what it was like going from deciding to become a Mason, filling in the form, waiting for the interview date, the interview itself, and then the big night. In the short time I've been reading Masonic forums, I've read posts from people who vary from excited anticipation to abject fear of this whole process, the latter largely resting on the "deep, dark deeds" that are the Initiation ceremony. With this in mind, I thought I would put together my thoughts and the various posts I made during my journey to Entered Apprentice as a guide here to those of you who could benefit from it. Unfortunately the fora I posted most of these messages to have had changes, archived and/or misplaced some messages, so it won't be complete.
So bear with me - this is a long post...
I first heard of Freemasonry when I was in my mid-teens, but it was in the form of a schoolfriend telling me that his dad was going to his "lodge" tonight. At the time I thought of the the Flintstones' Water Buffalo Lodge or Happy Days' Leopard Lodge, so that was that. I later discovered my great-uncle was a Freemason, but could get no information from him (some of the old guard seem to believe one must be Initiated before any information can be provided). Earlier this year I discovered that a good friend is a Freemason and asked him to tell me more, which he was more than happy to do. There were certain things he couldn't tell me, but he did what he's supposed to do: gently let me know whenever I asked something he couldn't tell me, and then encouraged me to ask more.
In March I decided to fill in the form he'd given me and apply for membership. This is when I discovered his (now my) lodge meets in February, April, September and November. Once my application was complete, he took it to his next lodge meeting and Proposed my application, and the process was begun. Afterwards he told me that the next step was an interview to ensure I was a worthwhile Candidate.
Due to the timing of my application date, and the summer break - called "going dark" - September was the earliest I could be Initiated. My interview occurred in July, and was attended my the Master and lodge officers (one of whom was my friend, as he was both the secretary and my Proposer). The questions were simple and straightforward: 6 or 7 in total, and simple, honest answers are all that is required. They're nothing scary: whether you believe in a supreme being, whether you expect to gain from membership, etc. It took about 10 minutes in total, and the rest of the time was spent chatting and getting-to-know-you. My understanding is that this meeting is really the main yes or no point of the membership process, with the subsequent ballot that occurs on the night of Initiation normally being both formality and tradition.
During the whole period from being interested in joining and being Initiated I frequented various Masonic fora, joined mailing lists and visited numerous websites. I do a lot of R&D in my work, so it's force of habit. During this whole period I was careful to avoid learning things that are considered secret, both because I consider it wrong and I was told it is very easy to spoil the whole Initiation experience. Some take issue with the latter point, but the degree process are stories - so why ruin the punch line?
In September my Initiation date finally arrived after 6 months of restless waiting. All trepidation aside, it was a beautiful night. A number of us (my Proposer, great-uncle and atarnaris) met up with a few other lodge members at about 3pm. We then headed to London Masonic Centre and met more people, and then everyone headed up into the room leaving me to be called by the Tyler. During this period I chatted with the Visiting Grand Officer (VGO) who was happy to wait with me to keep my company.
Upon calling me, the Tyler put me at ease, chatting away the time, and he explained everything that was happening and what was required of me. After a while I was made ready, and it all began.
The whole event was marvellous. Seeing my great-uncle sitting there smiling on, and atarnaris grinning away, was great. And having so many accomplished and respectable men participating in a ceremony just to welcome me was the most humbling experience of my life. I can't begin to convey it... but for the Freemasons reading this, I don't need to.
The meal was magnificent, and the FB as a whole was an event by itself that just added to the whole experience. What a incredible evening.
If I were to be asked what I would say to anyone contemplating the path I've just begun: do it. Providing you meet the requirements and can accept a man whatever his religion or creed, there is nothing incompatible with any physical, moral or religious beliefs you may have.
So bear with me - this is a long post...
I first heard of Freemasonry when I was in my mid-teens, but it was in the form of a schoolfriend telling me that his dad was going to his "lodge" tonight. At the time I thought of the the Flintstones' Water Buffalo Lodge or Happy Days' Leopard Lodge, so that was that. I later discovered my great-uncle was a Freemason, but could get no information from him (some of the old guard seem to believe one must be Initiated before any information can be provided). Earlier this year I discovered that a good friend is a Freemason and asked him to tell me more, which he was more than happy to do. There were certain things he couldn't tell me, but he did what he's supposed to do: gently let me know whenever I asked something he couldn't tell me, and then encouraged me to ask more.
In March I decided to fill in the form he'd given me and apply for membership. This is when I discovered his (now my) lodge meets in February, April, September and November. Once my application was complete, he took it to his next lodge meeting and Proposed my application, and the process was begun. Afterwards he told me that the next step was an interview to ensure I was a worthwhile Candidate.
Due to the timing of my application date, and the summer break - called "going dark" - September was the earliest I could be Initiated. My interview occurred in July, and was attended my the Master and lodge officers (one of whom was my friend, as he was both the secretary and my Proposer). The questions were simple and straightforward: 6 or 7 in total, and simple, honest answers are all that is required. They're nothing scary: whether you believe in a supreme being, whether you expect to gain from membership, etc. It took about 10 minutes in total, and the rest of the time was spent chatting and getting-to-know-you. My understanding is that this meeting is really the main yes or no point of the membership process, with the subsequent ballot that occurs on the night of Initiation normally being both formality and tradition.
During the whole period from being interested in joining and being Initiated I frequented various Masonic fora, joined mailing lists and visited numerous websites. I do a lot of R&D in my work, so it's force of habit. During this whole period I was careful to avoid learning things that are considered secret, both because I consider it wrong and I was told it is very easy to spoil the whole Initiation experience. Some take issue with the latter point, but the degree process are stories - so why ruin the punch line?
In September my Initiation date finally arrived after 6 months of restless waiting. All trepidation aside, it was a beautiful night. A number of us (my Proposer, great-uncle and atarnaris) met up with a few other lodge members at about 3pm. We then headed to London Masonic Centre and met more people, and then everyone headed up into the room leaving me to be called by the Tyler. During this period I chatted with the Visiting Grand Officer (VGO) who was happy to wait with me to keep my company.
Upon calling me, the Tyler put me at ease, chatting away the time, and he explained everything that was happening and what was required of me. After a while I was made ready, and it all began.
The whole event was marvellous. Seeing my great-uncle sitting there smiling on, and atarnaris grinning away, was great. And having so many accomplished and respectable men participating in a ceremony just to welcome me was the most humbling experience of my life. I can't begin to convey it... but for the Freemasons reading this, I don't need to.
The meal was magnificent, and the FB as a whole was an event by itself that just added to the whole experience. What a incredible evening.
If I were to be asked what I would say to anyone contemplating the path I've just begun: do it. Providing you meet the requirements and can accept a man whatever his religion or creed, there is nothing incompatible with any physical, moral or religious beliefs you may have.