My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

What to study after sending petition for membership

Donald V. Westbrooks

Registered User
I seek to join freemasonry. Need to know what I will need to study or know as a Petitioner trying to become a Master Mason, like memorizations or things I will need to know in terms of conduct during initiation process.



Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
If you feel you MUST actually read something before the degrees, I recommend FREEMASONRY FOR DUMMIES(R) or THE COMPLETE IDIOTS GUIDE-FREEMASONS.
While reading about the history of the Freemasons is fine, generally trying to find information on the rituals is not


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
Do confirm that you are joining a regular lodge: in Texas we have only 2 - MW Grand Lodge of Texas at Waco TX and the historically, but not exclusively African-American Prince Hall Affliated MW Grand Lodge of Texas PHA at Ft Worth TX


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
In California www(dot) mwphglcal(dot)org for PHA (based in Los Angeles) or the regular predominately and historically but not exclusively European-American MW Grand Lodge of California at www(dot)freemason(dot)com (based in San Francisco).


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Read as much as you like of the history or philosophy but please not material that claims to tell our rituals. There are many reasons for this.

The ritual is supposed to have emotional impact. Reading exposes reduces the impact. When we enter our degrees without knowing, that is an act of trust that our friends will take good care of us as their friends had taken of them. Reading exposes is an act of distrust. Exposes tend to be other versions so you end up bogged down in the differences at a time when you should be experiencing the big picture of the experience.

There is plenty of study of ritual but it comes after each degree not before. The amount of work for each degree is roughly similar to taking one class at city college. plus or minus. For the history and philosophy, read all you wish.

Now is the time to find a local lodge and make sure they are "regular and recognized" as Brother H Tony Flores has described. Then to show up in person and get to know them to the point my are willing to sponsor you. Masonry is practiced face to face, hand to hand, in person. Now is your time to move through the in person part.
 

Thomas Stright

Premium Member
I seek to join freemasonry. Need to know what I will need to study or know as a Petitioner trying to become a Master Mason, like memorizations or things I will need to know in terms of conduct during initiation process.

There is nothing that you need to know or study before being initiated as an EA.
You will be given correct instruction before and during the time you are learning your work.
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
I would like to make a quick statement of opinion here - I am glad to see this forum in existence at this time-when I inquired in the early 1990s and even when I joined in 1996 these forums didn't exist - it does permit (within reason) prospects to ask questions in a convenient matter more or less discreetly: however, the main point of contact for a prospective candidate for the Mysteries of Freemasonry should be their local lodge and in person.


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Honestly I wouldn't read or study anything if at all possible. The main reason that is is because every Grand Lodge is different. So there's no amount of memorizing you could do from the Internet or a book that would be correct in relation to your grand lodge. Assuming you're in the United States, every state has at least one Grand Lodge that all of the Blue Lodges fall under. Assuming also your lodge you petitioned is considered regular. All that basically means is that it falls under or is recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England.
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
Freemasonry is unusual in that you are given the degree and then study and be tested on the degree (EA,FC,MM) so don't worry-you'll be briefed at the right time with the right info.


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I would like to make a quick statement of opinion here - I am glad to see this forum in existence at this time-when I inquired in the early 1990s and even when I joined in 1996 these forums didn't exist - it does permit (within reason) prospects to ask questions in a convenient matter more or less discreetly: however, the main point of contact for a prospective candidate for the Mysteries of Freemasonry should be their local lodge and in person.


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
In 1993 and 1994 I was on the Compuserve and Prodigy Masonic fora; Hiram’s Oasis, and Usenet Masonic list.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Mason for over 21 years now and one of the things unique to Freemasonry is that the LESS that you know about our rituals before being initiated the better (the more impact the rituals will have on you).
Agreed!
Honestly I wouldn't read or study anything if at all possible. The main reason that is is because every Grand Lodge is different. So there's no amount of memorizing you could do from the Internet or a book that would be correct in relation to your grand lodge.
Agreed!
 

LK600

Premium Member
While nothing is required prior, I would suggest (if you are so inclined) reading anything that interests you on Freemasonry besides anything ritual related. Never stop reading/learning about Freemasonry and it's teaching. Avoiding things ritual related is more to keep you from ruining your own experiences. Best of luck.
 

Mike Martin

Eternal Apprentice
Premium Member
I seek to join freemasonry. Need to know what I will need to study or know as a Petitioner trying to become a Master Mason, like memorizations or things I will need to know in terms of conduct during initiation process.
Looking at your profile it would be simpler for you to ask your father.

In the meantime you are not expected to learn anything an Apprentice comes to learn he has not already learnt.
 
Top