Initiation (Freemasonry)

Freemasonry, as the world's largest secret society, has a well-defined procedure for admitting candidates and advancing members through its organizational structure. There are many different masonic groups using different structures of varying complexity. During its history, different schools have incorporated a number of different "mysteries", so that there is considerable variation both in rite and legend. Common to most is the sequence of three craft degrees (entered apprentice, fellow craft, and master mason). These follow a pattern common to initiation rites of the most ancient societies, certainly pre-dating the monotheistic religions, which is steeped in symbolism. The surroundings, the actors and the artefacts all bear complex relations to each other and relate to the basic figures of the square, the rectangle, the triangle, the circle (closed continuity) and the cross (discontinuity, rupture); to the signs of the zodiac; to the points of the compass; to the duality of opposites. They symbolize the relation between the individual, mankind in general and the universe. Progression during the initiation brings these into a mandala-like configuration. Every degree emphasizes death to the old order as the new order is accepted. It has been asserted (Leo Apostel) that the first three degrees demonstrate a means of transcending separation between people without discounting the conflict and negative or dark side of relationships.

The first and second degrees are passive and active respectively. In the first degree there is a symbolic death and resuscitation and a series of tests involving the four elements. There is then a revelation of the mandala-like pattern of relationships with those already initiated and of the common labour that unites them. The process enacts physically the passing from darkness to light and also dwells upon the incompleteness of the lone individual. The person being initiated is obliged to take an oath of secrecy and of obedience to conscience, with sanctions for betrayal, the lodge also taking an oath with respect to the initiate. The second degree follows a similar pattern but is done in the light (not blindfold); it emphasizes the tools of masonry and their symbolism; and the initiate leaves the ceremony alone, on the journey which each man in his self-awareness must make on his own although setting out on his journey with the support of his peers.

The third degree re-enacts the murder of Hiram Abiff (the master builder involved in building the Temple of Solomon) by three companions seeking the secret knowledge - [gnosis]

- of the craft, who bury the body. After mourning his disappearance three (again three) groups of companions seek and find his body and vainly attempt to resuscitate it. They return to the lodge vowing eternal memory of the master and substituting the word of despair at irreversible death, the horror that the putrefying flesh leaves the bones, for that of the lost master word. This degree graphically demonstrates the conflict rather than the peace of human relationships. There is no attempt to "gloss over" the negative side of man's nature. The third degree completes the cycle, as the dead master becomes the neophyte waiting to be lead from the depths of the earth into the temple. This unity demonstrates that the search is fruitless. The secret is that there is no secret but that all masons are nevertheless united in their search for it, a search doomed to failure at their own hands.

The first three degrees are the basis upon which higher orders were subsequently added. The higher orders form a sequence of about thirty further degrees into which the member may progressively be initiated. At each stage it is implied that the individual obtains access to greater insight, notably through understanding of symbols of greater power. The degrees of freemasonry, commonly accepted to be thirty three in all, may thus be considered as an ascending scale of development of the individual, although few freemasons ever proceed beyond the third degree or master mason. Each ascent from one level to the next is marked by a specific ritual relevant to the stage which has been reached, although some orders of freemasonry dispense with a number of rituals between the 18th and the 31st degrees. Although the higher echelons of masonry are cloaked in secrecy, they are invariably men who have achieved very high distinction in their chosen profession and/or in public life.