What is Esotericism in Masonry?

On the Lodgeroom US, a brother asked if our lodges allowed or encouraged the study of esoteric masonry. This made me think, because in my experience, the study of what is termed esoteric masonry is a rarity, and in fact, many of the members are if not disapproving of it, they are downright discouraging about it. In fact, many will argue against any kind of esoteric masonry existing at all!

Before we go any further, let’s start with a definition of what esoteric means, so we are all on the same page. From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

1 a: designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone (a body of esoteric legal doctrine — B. N. Cardozo)

1b: requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group (esoteric terminology); broadly : difficult to understand (esoteric subjects)

2 a: limited to a small circle (engaging in esoteric pursuits)
2b: private, confidential (an esoteric purpose)
3: of special, rare, or unusual interest (esoteric building materials)

Looking at the definitions, 3: of special, rare, or unusual interest seems to be the most appropriate. However, reviewing the other definitions, it can easily be understood why object to esotericism in lodges. It is also easy to see where the elitist label comes from… 1b, 2a, and to an extent, are true, sort of. 2b alone pretty much describes freemasonry, so it could be applied to a subset of freemasonry.

Esoteric studies are not aimed at excluding anyone, but are aimed at expanding the understanding of the symbolism and teachings of freemasonry as they apply to our daily lives and our civilization. Esotericism, that is, the philosophy and study of symbology as it pertains to freemasonry should not run anyone off. The problem is that some men are very comfortable with what freemasonry is today… easy, without the need for deep contemplation and study.

The young men joining today are looking FOR the promise of freemasonry, if the fraternity does not allow those who are interested in the foundational principles of freemasonry to practice that freemasonry, then the will of those not interested is being imposed of them, by preventing them from Masonic education and philosophy in lodge. Must it be all or nothing? Fraternal association, ritual and paying the bills is just a slice, a single piece of what freemasonry is for all of us and it would be wonderful to see the brothers tolerate a few minutes of esoteric thought and discussion.

Traditional Observance/European Style/Esoterik Lodges are forming all over the United States right now. They are forming because it is often easier to start a new lodge focused on study, philosophy, discussion and so on than it is to change an existing lodge. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the men who start new Esoteric lodges are also active in their mother lodges, so everyone benefits. The better news is that, in my experience, many lodges are beginning to offer what the Grand Lodge of California is calling Masonic Formation, since the goal is not just education, but the formation of a mason.

The future of freemasonry is a blend of what the lodges are today and the esoteric, traditional observance type lodge. That is the promise we have made to the public and to our new brothers, philosophy, brotherhood, fraternity, charity, education… MORE LIGHT. Its good to see that light being turned up in the lodges.

May the blessing of heaven rest upon us and all regular masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue, cement us.

Is the "Traditional Observance" Movement Elitist?

In the interests of full disclosure, I am in the process of forming a European Concept lodge (ECL) that closely follows the "Traditional Observance" format developed by the Masonic Restoration Foundation. I Just wanted to get that out of the way before we started. In the furtherance of full disclosure, hereafter I will use ECL to describe the lodge, as the term “Traditional Observance Lodge” is trademarked by the Masonic Restoration Foundation and has a specific, defined meaning.

First, what IS an ECL? First and foremost, it is an attempt to return to the foundation of Freemasonry as a philosophical and moral society. ECLs have a focus on the initiatic process in all their activities. A deep, contemplative atmosphere is what these lodges strive for in all meetings, often employing darkness, candle rather than electric lighting, music, periods of silence and meditation.

Degree conferrals are also very serious affairs, with strict rules for candidate advancement and participation. Often six moths to a year elapse between degrees, with the candidates encouraged to prepare and present research papers to the brethren as part of the process.

There are differences between the ECL and TO lodge concept, but they are essentially the same in practice, in my opinion. The ECLs are places where ideas can be discussed in a brotherly atmosphere, where learning is promoted, and fellowship fostered.

Is this elitist? I don’t think so, though I can see how a brother from a contemporary blue lodge could feel that way. Most blue lodges, in my experience, have gotten away from education, and gotten away from the contemplative aspects of Freemasonry. This is not a criticism of contemporary Freemasonry, but, rather, is an observation of the state of being.

TO Lodges are formed by Brethren who want a return to the more philosophic aspects of Freemasonry, in a more traditional, somber, and contemplative setting. We're the guys who yearn for what our Mother Lodges promised, but didn't deliver. We want the Masonry of Goethe, Voltaire, Franklin, etc., and recognize that it is tough to find that in the current system.

Elitism has nothing to do with it. TO Masonry isn't for everybody, and we're not out to convert the entire system. It works for those who are looking for traditionalism, formality, and the great, deep teachings we have to offer, that are often overshadowed by fish fries and membership drives. Visit a TO Lodge, if you have one in your area. We are anything but elitist- intellectual, yes. Philosophical, yes. Serious about our Masonry, yes. And we will have you busting a gut laughing by the time the night is over. We're good, honest, funny dudes, and we treat our visitors like kings.

Cult? Nah. If you knew me, you wouldn't even entertain the idea. I'm hypercritical of everything of which I'm a part, and TO has it's problems, like every other Lodge. But it works for us, and the net effect is that Brethren who were ready to leave the Craft out of disappointment now have a home, and are still members. I'm one of those; had I not found my TO Lodge, I would have demitted, entirely, never to return.

…We joined seeking the promise of Freemasonry, the philosophy, the great work, the fellowship with other like minded, good and honorable men.

Dave Mavity, TO Lodge Member http://excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=54969&threadid=1395167

We find lodges focused on moving men through the degrees by making it as easy as possible for them, and of course, loosing the purpose along the way to a certain extent. Masonic philosophy is something a brother is expected to find in the dusty disused books in the lodge library, and education is a pamphlet and the ritual lecture.

Even the memory work, so much a part of the tradition of Freemasonry has been, to a large extent, reduced or eliminated. There are even grand lodges that have instituted programs that are often terms “All the way in a day”. A candidate is brought to a lodge in the morning, and by late afternoon, is often a 32^nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. Exhausted, and having achieved nothing but a certificate, a stack of books, and it is hoped, the will to persevere.

So when a group of brothers comes along, calls for extensive Masonic education, Masonic Formation is what the Grand Lodge of California calls it, and calls for extending the length of time it takes to get from degree to degree, and calls for the ritual to be conferred in a solemn, serious manner, it can be seen as elitist.

The reality is, the movement toward ECLs is a move to the past, to the rich history and tradition that made Freemasonry the great and enduring institution that it has been, and can be again. Men join Freemasonry for a variety of reasons: because their dad, uncle, grandfather, neighbor are Masons, because they met or have seen Masons in the community and formed favorable opinions of them, or to be a part a something greater than themselves.

Regardless of the reason(s) they joined, they deserve to receive all the light that can be conferred upon them in a lodge of master masons. This is not to say or imply that a non ECL is less than any other lodge, because its not true. There are millions of men in the United States today that enjoy their Masonry, as they should.

There are others though, that want… more. As brothers and fellows, we should be glad that they are finding it, and should be ready to lend a hand to them along the way… and maybe, just maybe, we might peek into the ECL lodge to see if there is something there we might want for ourselves.

I was privileged to be invited to Academia Lodge #847, the first chartered Traditional Observance Lodge in the State of California. To say that I was impressed and left breathless would be an understatement. Since that day, I have prepared myself to form an ECL lodge in my district, and was surprised to find the number of brethren that are interested in participating in such a lodge.

Are ECL/TOs elitist? Not at all… but we do want to continue to search for more light, as all brothers and fellows have done, who have gone this way before.

May the blessing of heaven rest upon us and all regular masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue, cement us!