Editing Freemasonry (section)

== Lodge activities and meetings ==

The Masonic Lodge meets regularly to conduct various activities. While practices vary by [[Masonic jurisdiction|jurisdiction]], [[Masonic Rite|Rite]], and local tradition, there are common elements across Freemasonry.<ref>[[Christopher Hodapp|Hodapp, Christopher]], ''Freemasons For Dummies'', 2013, p.145-150</ref>

In many jurisdictions, Lodges conduct the usual formal business of any small organisation during regular meetings. This includes approving [[minutes]], electing new members, appointing officers and taking their reports, considering correspondence, reviewing bills and annual accounts, and organising social and charitable events.<ref name="UGLEFAQ">[http://www.ugle.org.uk/what-is-freemasonry/frequently-asked-questions "Frequently Asked Questions"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022154544/http://ugle.org.uk/what-is-freemasonry/frequently-asked-questions |date=22 October 2013 }} ''United Grand Lodge of England'' retrieved 30 October 2013</ref>

However, some Lodges, Rites, and jurisdictions consider an opened Lodge to be a sacred space where profane business activities are strictly forbidden.<ref>[[Albert Pike|Pike, Albert]], ''Morals and Dogma'', 1871</ref> In these traditions, administrative matters are typically conducted either before the Lodge is formally opened, in a separate business meeting, or handled by special committees outside of Lodge meetings.<ref>[[Thomas Smith Webb|Webb, Thomas Smith]], ''The Freemason's Monitor'', 1818</ref>
[[File:Early-1740-Lodge.png|thumb|Depiction of Masons at work in Lodge in the "three globes Lodge" in Berlin, circa 1740. Free-Masons can be seen measuring globes and discussing various topics whilst holding masonic instruments]]
Whether business is conducted during an opened Lodge or not, all Masonic meetings include ritual work and also educational activities such as:

* Performing [[Masonic ritual and symbolism|Masonic ceremonies]]
* Conferring [[Masonic ritual and symbolism|Masonic degrees]]<ref name="UGLEFAQ" />
* Receiving lectures on aspects of Masonic history or ritual<ref name=":5">[http://www.pglel.co.uk/Education&Development/materials/MasonicLecturersAndTopics.asp "Materials: Papers and Speakers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111133930/http://www.pglel.co.uk/Education%26Development/materials/MasonicLecturersAndTopics.asp |date=11 November 2016 }} ''Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire'', retrieved 30 October 2013</ref>
* Reading of Masonic papers (also called "Piece of Architecture" or "Planche" in some jurisdictions) - Can be on a wide variety of topics including Masonic, philosophical, technological or personal<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thesquaremagazine.com/mag/article/202201the-pieces-of-architecture-and-the-origin-of-masonic-study/ | title=The Pieces of Architecture and the Origin of Masonic Study – the Square Magazine }}</ref>
* Philosophical discussions<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924030286466/mode/2up | title=Lectures on the philosophy of freemasonry | date=1915 }}</ref>
* Research on a particular topic
* Sharing personal Masonic experiences<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2018/12/my-masonic-journey.html | title=My Masonic Journey }}</ref>
* Proving proficiency to the Lodge to obtain a new degree (also called a wage increase)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://carmel421.com/the-importance-of-proficiency-in-your-masonic-journey/ | title=The Importance of Proficiency in Your Masonic Journey | date=11 March 2024 }}</ref>

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Lodge may hold a [[formal dinner]], called ''Agape''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esonet.com/News-file-article-sid-579.html|title=Esonet.com-Selected Esotericism Readings - The Agape or Masonic banquet|website=www.esonet.com}}</ref> or ''festive board'', sometimes involving toasting and song.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Toasts for the Festive Board |url=https://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/toasts.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=freemasonry.bcy.ca |archive-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910084059/https://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/toasts.html |url-status=live }}</ref> These meetings are typically held in a [[Masonic Temple|Masonic temple]], though other venues may occasionally be used.

The bulk of [[Masonic ritual]] consists of degree ceremonies. Candidates for Freemasonry are progressively ''initiated'' into Freemasonry, first in the degree of '''Entered Apprentice'''. At some later time, in separate ceremonies, they will be ''passed'' to the degree of '''Fellow Craft'''; and then ''raised'' to the degree of '''Master Mason'''. In each of these ceremonies, the candidate must first take the new obligations of the degree, and is then entrusted with secret knowledge including passwords, signs and grips ([[secret handshake]]s) confined to his new rank.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Symbolical Masonry: Part One: The First Step: Chapter XVIII. Words, Grips and Tokens |url=https://sacred-texts.com/mas/syma/syma22.htm |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref> Although these symbols and gestures are nominally secret, they are readily found in public sources, including those published by Masonic organisations themselves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAONMS Ritual Book |url=https://www.shrinersinternational.org/en/news-and-events/news/2022/05/aaonms-ritual-book |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=www.shrinersinternational.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Learn about freemasonry: What is the freemason handshake? |url=https://museumfreemasonry.org.uk/blog/learn-about-freemasonry-what-freemason-handshake |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Museum of Freemasonry |language=en |archive-date=17 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517180729/https://museumfreemasonry.org.uk/blog/learn-about-freemasonry-what-freemason-handshake |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another ceremony is the annual installation of the Master of the Lodge and his appointed or elected officers.<ref name="UGLEFAQ"/> In some jurisdictions, an ''Installed Master'' elected, obligated, and invested to preside over a Lodge, is valued as a separate rank with its own secrets and distinctive title and attributes; after each full year in the chair the Master invests his elected successor and becomes a Past Master with privileges in the Lodge and Grand Orient.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150711032730/http://www.masonicdictionary.com/past.html "Past Master"]}} ''Masonic Dictionary'', retrieved 31 October 2013</ref> In other jurisdictions, the grade is not recognised, and no inner ceremony conveys new secrets during the installation of a new Master of the Lodge.<ref>[http://www.gadlu.info/macon-celebre-le-maitre-installe.html "Maçon célèbre : le Maître Installé"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004062533/http://www.gadlu.info/macon-celebre-le-maitre-installe.html |date=4 October 2018 }} ''GADLU blog Maçonnique'', 3 March 2013, retrieved 2 November 2013</ref>

Most Lodges have some sort of social functions, allowing members, their partners, and non-Masonic guests to meet openly.<ref>For instance [http://www.pglherts.org/about-freemasonry/introduction/ "Introduction into Freemasonry"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109023055/http://www.pglherts.org/about-freemasonry/introduction/ |date=9 November 2013 }}, ''Provincial Grand Lodge of Hertfordshire'', retrieved 8 November 2013</ref> Often coupled with these events is the discharge of every Mason's and Lodge's collective obligation to contribute to charity. This occurs at many levels, including in annual dues, subscriptions, and fundraising events; and may be organized at the local Lodge level, a regional/district level or at the Grand jurisdiction level.  Masons and their charities contribute for the relief of need in many fields, such as education, health and old age.<ref>[http://www.ugle.org.uk/charity "Charitable work"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022081813/http://www.ugle.org.uk/charity |date=22 October 2013}}, ''UGLE'', retrieved 8 November 2013</ref><ref>(editors) John Hamill and Robert Gilbert, ''Freemasonry'', Angus, 2004, pp 214–220</ref>

Private Lodges form the backbone of Freemasonry, with the sole right to elect their own candidates for initiation as Masons or admission as joining Masons, and sometimes with exclusive rights over residents local to their premises. There are non-local Lodges where Masons meet for wider or narrower purposes, such as in association with some hobby, sport, Masonic research, business, profession, regiment or college. The rank of Master Mason also entitles a Freemason to explore Masonry further through other degrees, administered separately from the basic Craft or "Blue Lodge" degrees described here, but generally having a similar structure and meetings.<ref name="Johnstone">Michael Johnstone, ''The Freemasons'', Arcturus, 2005, pp. 101–120</ref>

There is much diversity and little consistency in Freemasonry because each Masonic jurisdiction is independent and sets its own rules and procedures while Grand Lodges have limited jurisdiction over their constituent member Lodges, which are ultimately private clubs. The wording of the ritual, the number of officers present, the layout of the meeting room, etc. varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.<ref name="Johnstone"/><ref name="Maconnieke">[http://www.vrijmetselaarsgilde.eu/Maconnieke%20Encyclopedie/RMAP~1/Russmixte/officiers.htm "Les Officiers de Loge"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103023124/http://www.vrijmetselaarsgilde.eu/Maconnieke%20Encyclopedie/RMAP~1/Russmixte/officiers.htm |date=3 November 2013 }} ''Maconnieke Encyclopedie'', retrieved 31 October 2013</ref>

Almost all [[Masonic Lodge Officers|officers of a Lodge]] are elected or appointed annually. Every Masonic Lodge has a Master, two Wardens, a treasurer and a secretary. There is also always a [[Tyler (Masonic)|Tyler]], or outer guard, outside the door of a working Lodge, who may be paid to secure its privacy. Other offices vary between jurisdictions.<ref name="Johnstone" />

Each Masonic Lodge exists and operates according to its own by-laws and the rules and regulations of its own Grand Orient or Grand Lodge, which elude any universally accepted definition and vary depending on the Jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS Review of Freemasonry |url=http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/bernheim27.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=PS Review of Freemasonry |language=en-US |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709203449/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/bernheim27.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Joining a lodge===
[[File:Washington Masonic print.jpg|thumb|alt=Worshipful Master George Washington|Print from 1870 portraying [[George Washington]] as Master of his Lodge]]

The process of joining a Masonic lodge follows similar general patterns worldwide while preserving regional and local variations between individual Lodges, Jurisdictions, Conservative and Liberal traditions. Historically, candidates "were not to be admitted but by unanimous consent," a principle that continues in many lodges today, while some other jurisdictions have developed different systems to counter a potential problematic situation with a single [[Blackballing|black ball system]]. Additionally, some Lodges use black cubes instead of black balls to avoid confusion.<ref>Mackey, Albert G. ''The Principles of Masonic Law: A Treatise on the Constitutional Laws, Usages And Landmarks of Freemasonry'', 1856.</ref>

==== Initial approach ====
In the early days of Freemasonry, one had to be approached and "co-opted" to the Fraternity by an existing member but had to do it of his "own free-will and accord".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thelaudablepursuit.com/articles/2015/8/17/of-my-own-freewill-and-accord#:~:text=That%20a%20person%20enters%20of,moral%20judgment%20and%20to%20defend | title=Of My Own Freewill and Accord | date=18 August 2015 }}</ref> This tradition continues in many jurisdictions mainly in Europe, Africa and South America. However, many obediences have adapted their approach methods, now allowing those without prior Masonic connections to express interest through online forms or during public events such as Masonic exhibitions and open conferences.<ref>[http://www.godf.org/index.php/pages/details/slug/foire-aux-questions "FAQ"], ''Grand Orient de France'', Retrieved 23 November 2013</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://freemason.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Opening-the-Door-Guide-to-Masonry.pdf |title=Opening the Door: A Simple Guide to Understanding--and Talking About--Freemasonry |publisher=Masons of Californio |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mackey |first=Albert G. |url=https://www.scgrandlodgeafm.org/uploads/1/9/0/8/19088243/textbookofmasonicjurisprudence-mackey-1865-7thed.pdf |title=A Text Book of Masonic Jurisprudence; Illustrating the Written Laws of Freemasonry |publisher=Macoy & Sickels, Publishers |year=1865 |edition=7th |location=New York |access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

A consistent rule throughout most Jurisdictions worldwide is that Freemasonry is not allowed to blindly recruit members. The prospective candidate must be qualified and either contacted by a member or reach out on his own. 

In some Lodges the candidate is allowed to meet the members of the lodge they wish to join before being proposed for initiation; this allows all of the members to meet and get an idea of the candidate. While in other Lodges it is strictly prohibited for a non-mason (profane) to meet the members of the Lodge (besides the Master and proposer) before initiation in order to protect the identity of the members.

An old masonic term for the brother that proposes a candidate to a Lodge is that he becomes his 'Godfather' after invitation. This term is found in one of the earliest Masonic exposures "Reception of a Frey-Macon, 1737": 
::"the recipient is led by the Proposer, who becomes his Godfather, into one of the Lodge's rooms, where there is no light, & where he is asked if he has the vocation to be received."
<ref>{{cite web | url=https://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/expose.html | title=Masonic exposés }}</ref>

==== Sponsorship and investigation ====
Once initial contact is established, the candidate is typically introduced to the lodge through sponsorship, typically by finding two members to sign the petition, the top-line signer becoming the godfather. The sponsor assumes significant responsibility toward the lodge by presenting a non-Mason, evaluating the alignment between the candidate's aspirations and Masonic values. This preliminary phase can last from a few months to several years depending on the Lodge and jurisdiction and generally includes several informal meetings to establish mutual trust and clarify expectations.<ref>Pozarnik, Alain. ''Devenir Franc-maçon au XXIème siècle'', Dervy, 2009.</ref>

Following this introduction, an investigation is generally started. Candidates can be invited to a series of interviews with various lodge officers or designated members. These meetings, often three in number, examine the candidate's profile, motivations, and compatibility with the lodge's philosophical orientation. The interviews also allow the candidate to ask questions and develop a clearer understanding of the commitment they are considering.<ref name="auto1">Noël, Pierre. ''Guide pratique du Franc-maçon'', Editions Maçonniques de France, 2012.</ref>

==== Formal application and balloting ====
[[File:Sqaure-and-compass.png|thumb|right|Variant of the Sqaure and Compasses with the Masonic [[Three dots (Freemasonry)|tripunctual abbreviation]] in it's center]]
If both the candidate and the lodge wish to proceed after these preliminary steps, a formal application may be proposed and seconded or announced in open Lodge and a more or less formal interview usually follows. If the candidate wishes to proceed, references are taken up during a period of notice so that members may enquire into the candidate's suitability and discuss it.<ref name="MLoE">[http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/become-a-free-mason.html "How to become a Freemason"], ''Masonic Lodge of Education'', retrieved 20 November 2013</ref>

In many Jurisdictions a structured investigation is conducted by three members who do not personally know the candidate. These investigators meet individually with the applicant in different contexts with predetermined questions (or field of questions), examining their moral qualities, philosophical views, and ability to integrate into collective work or their Past, Present/future and Motivations. Each investigator then reports back to the lodge with their impressions, often expressing a favourable or unfavourable opinion. These preliminary interviews help both the lodge members and the candidate better understand each other before proceeding to the next stage.<ref>Pétillot, Sylvain. ''L'Enquête dans les Loges'', Dervy, 2018.</ref>

Following these investigations, some individual Lodges, Rites or Jurisdictions can or must implement a significant procedural step known as passing under the blindfold or sometimes the Low Door.<ref>[https://www.en06.fr/info/wa_files/les%20demarches%20pour%20devenir%20franc.pdf Les Démarches pour devenir Franc-maçon  au Grand Orient de France à Cannes]  </ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/zeldis26.html | title=The Initiation in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite }}</ref> This is not part of the initiation ceremony itself but rather a formal presentation of the candidate to the assembled lodge prior to any vote on admission. The candidate, blindfolded, is introduced to the lodge and must answer questions posed by the members. While previous investigators have reported the candidate's views, this direct questioning allows members to hear directly from the candidate and clarifies any uncertainties that may have arisen during the investigation process. Being blindfolded serves two purposes: it maintains the candidate's inability to identify lodge members if not admitted, and it allows the candidate to focus on the questions without being distracted by unfamiliar surroundings. It is only after this procedure that the lodge votes on the candidate's admission.<ref>Langlet, Philippe. ''Les Sources chrétiennes de la légende d'Hiram'', Dervy, 2009.</ref><ref name="auto1"/>

Finally, the Lodge takes an officially secret ballot on each application before a candidate is either initiated or rejected.<ref name="MLoE"/> This ballot, traditionally using white balls (favourable) and black balls (unfavourable), gave rise to the expression "blackballed" to describe rejection. The exact number of adverse ballots ("blackballs") required to reject a candidate varies between Masonic jurisdictions.<ref>Morris, S. Brent. ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry'', Alpha Books, 2006.</ref>

==== Eligibility requirements ====
Masonic jurisdictions maintain various eligibility requirements, which differ significantly between Anglo-American tradition and Liberal traditions:

In '''Anglo-American Freemasonry''', exemplified by the [[United Grand Lodge of England]] and its recognised jurisdictions, candidates must typically:

* Be a man<ref>{{cite web | url=https://skirret.com/papers/rituals_of_freemasonry.html | title=The Rituals of Freemasonry as performed together by Men and Women }}</ref>
* Be free-born men of mature age (usually 21 years, though some jurisdictions permit 18)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://glquebec.org/how-to-join/ | title=How to join? – Grand Lodge of Quebec }}</ref>
* Believe in a supreme being (though interpretation is left to the individual)
* Be of good reputation and character<ref>A minimum requirement of every body of Freemasons is that each candidate must be "free and of good reputation".[http://grande-loge.lu/?id=20&a=52 "Comment devenir franc-maçon?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825171704/http://grande-loge.lu/?id=20&a=52 |date=25 August 2020 }}, Grande Loge de Luxembourg, retrieved 23 November 2013</ref>
* Unmutilated (not followed in most jurisdictions anymore)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stichtingargus.nl/vrijmetselarij/metsel_en.html | title=Freemasonry }}</ref>

The question of freedom, a standard feudal requirement of mediaeval guilds, is nowadays one of independence: the object is that every Mason should be a proper and responsible person.<ref name="MLoE"/> Thus, each Grand Lodge has a standard minimum age, varying greatly and often subject to dispensation in particular cases.
 
Additionally, Grand Lodges in this tradition require a candidate to declare a belief in a [[God|supreme being]] (although every candidate must interpret this condition in his own way, as all religious discussion is commonly prohibited). 

In a few cases, the candidate may be required to be of a specific religion. The form of Freemasonry most common in [[Scandinavia]] (known as the [[Swedish Rite]]), and the [[Rectified Scottish Rite]] for example, only accepts Christians.<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/swedish_faq.html "Swedish Rite FAQ"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913114958/http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/swedish_faq.html |date=13 September 2020 }}, ''Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon'', Accessed 19 November 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://beyondthecraft.net.au/rectified-scottish-rite-rer/ | title=Rectified Scottish Rite (RER) }}</ref>

In '''Liberal Freemasonry''', exemplified by the [[Grand Orient de France]], requirements have evolved to emphasize freedom of conscience, they include:<ref>Dioux, Christophe (14 January 2024). [https://www.ventsetjardins.fr/pdf/20240114_01.pdf ''Lausanne 1875, Tradition et modernité''] </ref>

* Be free-born of mature age
* Be of irreproachable conduct<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ledroithumain.international/devenir-franc-macon/#:~:text=Comment%20devient%2Don%20Franc%2DMa%C3%A7on,travailler%20%C3%A0%20son%20propre%20perfectionnement. | title=Devenir Franc-Maçon - ORDRE MAÇONNIQUE MIXTE INTERNATIONAL LE DROIT HUMAIN | work=ORDRE MAÇONNIQUE MIXTE INTERNATIONAL LE DROIT HUMAIN }}</ref>
* Be of good reputation and character
* No abdication of liberty<ref name="gob.be">{{cite web | url=https://gob.be/devenir-franc-macon/qui-pourquoi-comment/ | title=Qui ? Pourquoi ? Comment ? – GOB }}</ref>
* No commitment incompatible with reason, honour, free conscience, or the laws of the country.<ref name="gob.be"/>

Some obediences have removed the requirement for belief in a supreme being, accepting atheists and agnostics. Many Liberal bodies now accept women, either in mixed-gender lodges or women-only lodges. The emphasis is placed on moral character, philosophical inquiry, and commitment to human progress.<ref name=":1">[http://www.godf.org/index.php/pages/details/slug/foire-aux-questions "Faut-il croire en Dieu?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928021420/http://www.godf.org/index.php/pages/details/slug/foire-aux-questions |date=28 September 2013 }}, Foire aux Questions, ''Grand Orient de France'', Retrieved 23 November 2013</ref><ref name="Buta">[http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/masonic_foreign_recognitions.html Jack Buta, "The God Conspiracy, The Politics of Grand Lodge Foreign Relations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711032237/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/masonic_foreign_recognitions.html |date=11 July 2011 }}, ''Pietre-Stones'', retrieved 23 November 2013</ref>

The diverse approaches to these fundamental requirements reflect the philosophical evolution within Freemasonry over time, with bodies following the Anglo-American style maintaining traditional rules (although still evolving) while Liberal traditions have adapted to changing social contexts.<ref>Révauger, Cécile. ''Freemasonry and the Enlightenment in France: The Liberal Moment, 1725–1789'', Bloomsbury, 2020.</ref>

After successful passage through the investigation process and favourable vote, the initiation ceremony marks the candidate's official entry into Freemasonry.

==== Progression through degrees ====

The time between degrees varies considerably across jurisdictions and individual Lodges. Depending on the specific lodge and jurisdictions, progression can be relatively quick—sometimes within a year to multiple years, while it is difficult to establish an average due to the wide ranges of style. Many Grand Lodges or Grand Orients have a minimum of one year in-between degrees. Being passed to the next degree depends on the requirements established by the individual Lodge and jurisdictions. These can include demonstrating proficiency through presentations of masonic research papers, active participation in the Lodge, memorisation of the ritual or other masonic documents, reading books or even concrete self-improvement.<ref>Weil, Eric. ''La Franc-maçonnerie en France jusqu'en 1940'', SEDEP, 1989.</ref>