Status
Available
Publication
Llewellyn Publications (2007), 264 pages
Description
As one of the world's most famous mysterious societies, Freemasons remain the largest fraternal organization in the world. Some of the most heroic and creative thinkers in history belonged to the order, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Goethe, and Mozart. What links the philosophy of these great minds with the estimated four million Freemasons who actively maintain this ancient brotherhood today? From sacred geometry to legendary Masonic rites, author and Freemason Mark Stavish divulges the philosophy of Masonry and the moral code that all Masons share. Learn how Masonry's higher degrees, particularly Scottish Rite, were influenced by occult beliefs and practices, and how Masonry is linked to King Solomon, Gothic architecture, magic practice, alchemy, and Qabala. With exercises and suggested readings, this fascinating exploration is an essential learning tool that will answer questions and shed light on other Masonic mysteries, including initiation and the Lost Word.… (more)
Collection
Language
ISBN
0738711489 / 9780738711485
Local notes
Given by Br. Jeff Troccoli, 2018
User reviews
LibraryThing member minfo
As the time of this writing, there have been five reviews of this book on Amazon, four of which give it five stars. But look more closely: one is from the author himself, one is from the person who wrote the Foreword and the third from a self-described "Author, Priestess & Sorceress". A fourth
This book should be nominated for this decade's most pompous work about Freemasonry. The author starts with a section on "How to Use This Book". If this were a tome on Euclidian geometry, such a presumption might not be seen as such condescending hubris. He tells the reader to "Have a notebook handy and some colored pencils and pens. Write down key ideas and go back and study them before reading the next chapter." For a book with barely 200 pages titled "Freemasonry: Rituals, Symbols & History of the Secret Society"? Give me a break! Instruction #3 (of 7) in this section might give you a better feel for it: "Pay attention to your dreams as you progress through this book." Dreams? I'm going to be so moved by the author's profound enlightenment that I'm going to dream about it? I hardly think so. And, of course, it's always helpful to have a book about Freemasonry instruct me (#7) to "Give thanks daily for the blessings you have, and spend time in meditation and prayer as often as possible." What this has to do with Freemasonry's rituals, symbols and/or history is an enigma which remained after concluding the work. Even more mystifying is who the author thinks he is to give such instructions to his readers.
As stated above, the book was is about 200 pages long. This includes a summary of each of the chapter's major points which usually consumes at least 6-7 (sometimes a dozen) numbered items, repetitious of what has already been written. So in addition to telling you how to read the book (and dream about it), the author apparently feels that the reader is incapable, even using a notebook with colored pens and pencils, to find or remember the "major points" he has made.
But it gets worse: there are several MAJOR factual errors in the book including identifying the first Scottish Rite Supreme Council in the United States at Charleston, NORTH Carolina. He muses at length about the lack of understanding of Albert Pike by most Masons, apparently oblivious to the fact that Pike had little or no influence on the Rite outside of his own Supreme Council. The book goes on page after page making statements that cry out for documentation but there are no footnotes to be found. When they appear, they add nothing to the understanding of any part of Masonic history. At the end of each chapter is a list of ten or so books which ostensibly are relevant reading. (You are instructed in the "How to" section to read at least one of each, so they must be important!) Sadly, though, most have precious little connection to the book's title and are, in fact, much more closely tied to the ramblings irrelevant to it. In such a small book, perhaps half is spent discussing esotericism as well as what is sometimes referred to as 'fringe' Masonry but without a clear line being drawn for the reader not steeped in Masonic scholarship to see the line between those things and the book's ostensible subject.
In Item #6 of the 7 pompous instructions on how to use the book, the reader is advised, "Take what you have learned and put it to use in the world of action. Join a civic group or volunteer some time regularly to a non-political, nonreligious cause. Make cash donations as well, and see how much you are blessed by helping others and how much you have to give but had not realized it." It seems absurd that someone would spend time reading a book about Freemasonry only to receive advice to go join ANY organization that meets the author's recommendation. May I suggest that the money you might otherwise have spent on this book be employed in getting a blessing from a cash donation rather than enriching the author for such foolishness?
=============
An interesting post-script: within less than 12 hours after my review had appeared on Amazon's website, the author had given it a 'not helpful' mark and had posted a comment indicating that "academic and Masonic authorities" had praised it.
Academic authorities? Two Ph.D.s are quoted on the book's cover. The first is a Professor of Music while the second is a Professor and Department Head for a college's Department of Religious Studies. Both have online biographies indicating a fascination with esotericism to the exclusion of pretty much everything else. Since Stavish's other books include topics like astral projection, it is easy to see the affinity. The academic backgrounds of these supporters, however, reflect no knowledge or understanding of Freemasonry's ritual, symbols and history - the title of the book!
Masonic authorities? It received a mostly positive review from Mason Charles S. Canning, the Librarian for the Masonic library in Allentown, Pennsylvania. However, he admits to having been much involved in its writing. See this link. The second was from a Mason who wrote the Foreword to the book and is himself highly involved in esotericism and the author of books on that topic.
You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours is the norm for such accolades but for the author to argue that these have merit is hubris of the highest order.
Frankly, if the book had been titled "A Rambling Construct of Esoteric Connections to Freemasonry: Proven and Assumed", I could have given it high marks. If you think you're going to learn things based on the current title, however, you'll be sadly disappointed.
Here's the deal, folks: it's just like the 'Fake Masonry' that anyone can run out and join. If you want to spend your money on something that isn't what it claims to be, then knock yourself out. Just don't blame me 'cause - wait for it - 'I told you so!'.
Show More
reviewer (4 stars) claims to be a Mason and yet refers to "Free Masonary". Pretty sad….This book should be nominated for this decade's most pompous work about Freemasonry. The author starts with a section on "How to Use This Book". If this were a tome on Euclidian geometry, such a presumption might not be seen as such condescending hubris. He tells the reader to "Have a notebook handy and some colored pencils and pens. Write down key ideas and go back and study them before reading the next chapter." For a book with barely 200 pages titled "Freemasonry: Rituals, Symbols & History of the Secret Society"? Give me a break! Instruction #3 (of 7) in this section might give you a better feel for it: "Pay attention to your dreams as you progress through this book." Dreams? I'm going to be so moved by the author's profound enlightenment that I'm going to dream about it? I hardly think so. And, of course, it's always helpful to have a book about Freemasonry instruct me (#7) to "Give thanks daily for the blessings you have, and spend time in meditation and prayer as often as possible." What this has to do with Freemasonry's rituals, symbols and/or history is an enigma which remained after concluding the work. Even more mystifying is who the author thinks he is to give such instructions to his readers.
As stated above, the book was is about 200 pages long. This includes a summary of each of the chapter's major points which usually consumes at least 6-7 (sometimes a dozen) numbered items, repetitious of what has already been written. So in addition to telling you how to read the book (and dream about it), the author apparently feels that the reader is incapable, even using a notebook with colored pens and pencils, to find or remember the "major points" he has made.
But it gets worse: there are several MAJOR factual errors in the book including identifying the first Scottish Rite Supreme Council in the United States at Charleston, NORTH Carolina. He muses at length about the lack of understanding of Albert Pike by most Masons, apparently oblivious to the fact that Pike had little or no influence on the Rite outside of his own Supreme Council. The book goes on page after page making statements that cry out for documentation but there are no footnotes to be found. When they appear, they add nothing to the understanding of any part of Masonic history. At the end of each chapter is a list of ten or so books which ostensibly are relevant reading. (You are instructed in the "How to" section to read at least one of each, so they must be important!) Sadly, though, most have precious little connection to the book's title and are, in fact, much more closely tied to the ramblings irrelevant to it. In such a small book, perhaps half is spent discussing esotericism as well as what is sometimes referred to as 'fringe' Masonry but without a clear line being drawn for the reader not steeped in Masonic scholarship to see the line between those things and the book's ostensible subject.
In Item #6 of the 7 pompous instructions on how to use the book, the reader is advised, "Take what you have learned and put it to use in the world of action. Join a civic group or volunteer some time regularly to a non-political, nonreligious cause. Make cash donations as well, and see how much you are blessed by helping others and how much you have to give but had not realized it." It seems absurd that someone would spend time reading a book about Freemasonry only to receive advice to go join ANY organization that meets the author's recommendation. May I suggest that the money you might otherwise have spent on this book be employed in getting a blessing from a cash donation rather than enriching the author for such foolishness?
=============
An interesting post-script: within less than 12 hours after my review had appeared on Amazon's website, the author had given it a 'not helpful' mark and had posted a comment indicating that "academic and Masonic authorities" had praised it.
Academic authorities? Two Ph.D.s are quoted on the book's cover. The first is a Professor of Music while the second is a Professor and Department Head for a college's Department of Religious Studies. Both have online biographies indicating a fascination with esotericism to the exclusion of pretty much everything else. Since Stavish's other books include topics like astral projection, it is easy to see the affinity. The academic backgrounds of these supporters, however, reflect no knowledge or understanding of Freemasonry's ritual, symbols and history - the title of the book!
Masonic authorities? It received a mostly positive review from Mason Charles S. Canning, the Librarian for the Masonic library in Allentown, Pennsylvania. However, he admits to having been much involved in its writing. See this link. The second was from a Mason who wrote the Foreword to the book and is himself highly involved in esotericism and the author of books on that topic.
You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours is the norm for such accolades but for the author to argue that these have merit is hubris of the highest order.
Frankly, if the book had been titled "A Rambling Construct of Esoteric Connections to Freemasonry: Proven and Assumed", I could have given it high marks. If you think you're going to learn things based on the current title, however, you'll be sadly disappointed.
Here's the deal, folks: it's just like the 'Fake Masonry' that anyone can run out and join. If you want to spend your money on something that isn't what it claims to be, then knock yourself out. Just don't blame me 'cause - wait for it - 'I told you so!'.
Show Less
LibraryThing member awholtzapple
Mark Stavish has written a wonderful book for newly raised Master Masons - I think it would be a great gift for a lodge to give a candidate at his raising. "Freemasonry" clearly outlines many of the philosophical and occult concepts behind aspects of Masonry from Blue lodge and its craft degrees to
That being said, I was a little disappointed overall. This book is a powerhouse of solid information and I wish someone would have suggested I read it 5 years ago when I was made a Mason - however, I bought this book expecting it to delve deeper for the more advanced Masonic reader and from that perspective it simply didn't produce.
So to sum it up - great first Masonic book but nothing new for the learned Brother. Congratulations to Bro. Stavish for writing a fabulous introduction to the Craft.
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the other appendant bodies such as the Scottish Rite and York Rite. I personally really enjoyed the chapters that looked at occult masonry and the occult revival from a historical perspective.That being said, I was a little disappointed overall. This book is a powerhouse of solid information and I wish someone would have suggested I read it 5 years ago when I was made a Mason - however, I bought this book expecting it to delve deeper for the more advanced Masonic reader and from that perspective it simply didn't produce.
So to sum it up - great first Masonic book but nothing new for the learned Brother. Congratulations to Bro. Stavish for writing a fabulous introduction to the Craft.
Show Less
Other editions
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