Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparing for Fellowship Initiation
• Method 2 of 3: Submit a Request for Fellowship Membership
• Method 3 of 3: Obtaining Degrees in Freemasonry
• Tips
• Warnings

Freemasons, or simply Freemasons for short, are members of the oldest and largest brotherhood in the world, with more than 2 million active members. Freemasonry began in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Its members included kings, presidents, scholars and religious leaders. In this article, we will discuss the traditions of the brotherhood and how to become a member.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparing for Fellowship Initiation

1. 1 Understand the basics of Freemasonry. The Brotherhood was founded by men who committed themselves to supporting one another in friendship, camaraderie and service to humanity. For hundreds of years, Freemasonry has brought a certain spiritual and philosophical dimension to the lives of people in a brotherhood, which to this day operates according to the same key principles. To become a Freemason, you must meet the following criteria:
   • Be a man.
   • Have a decent reputation and good recommendations from peers.
   • Most Masonic lodges require belief in a Higher Power, regardless of your religion.
   • Be over 21 years old.
2. 2 It is necessary to be interested in issues of morality and the development of personal qualities. The motto of Freemasonry is: "the better a person, the better the world he will create."The teaching emphasizes the honor, personal responsibility and moral purity of everyone. Fraternity membership provides the following opportunities:
   • Attend Masonic Lodge meetings once or twice a month, which are often held in churches or public buildings. In Great Britain, most lodges are housed in special buildings.
   • Attending a lecture on the history of Freemasonry, etc.
   • Encouraging action for the good of humanity, as well as advice on how to be an exemplary citizen, live in love, and participate in charity.
   • Receive an invitation to participate in medieval Masonic rituals, including shaking and initiation, and permission to use the Masonic compass and square symbol.
3. 3 Share truth and fiction. Books such as The Da Vinci Code have entrenched the consciousness that Freemasonry is a secret society with the goal of taking over power around the world. And secret symbols are supposedly hidden all over Washington and other cities. The truth is that Freemasons are not some kind of secret organization, and people who join the ranks of the brotherhood in order to obtain some secret information simply do not understand the meaning of its existence.

Method 2 of 3: Submit a Request for Fellowship Membership

1. 1 Contact your local Lodge. The easiest way to start the initiation process is to contact the Masonic, district or provincial Lodge, which is usually found in the telephone directory. It's even easier to google and contact them online. There are several other ways, depending on the country of residence, but contact with the local Lodge is the most optimal. You can start with this:
   • Find a Mason. Many of them proudly wear Masonic symbols on their clothes, hats, rings and even stickers on car bumpers. They will be very happy to provide additional information to interested parties.
   • Some jurisdictions are of the opinion that it is up to the applicant to find a way to contact them, but others allow their members to issue invitations. So if one of the members of the fraternity has invited you, then feel free to move on to the next steps.
2. 2 Accept the invitation to meet the Freemasons. After considering your request, you will be invited to the Lodge for an interview with members of the fraternity who are on the Investigative Committee.
   • You will be asked questions about the purpose of joining the fraternity, your past, and your character.
   • You will have the opportunity to ask all your questions.
   • Within one to two weeks, the Investigative Committee will check your recommendations and information about your past. The reason for refusal can be alcoholism, drug use, violence against family members, and more. In some countries, verification may take years.
   • The question of accepting you into the fraternity will be decided by the members of the Lodge by voting.
   • You will receive an invitation if your candidacy is approved.

Method 3 of 3: Obtaining Degrees in Freemasonry

1. 1 Everyone starts with an apprentice degree. To become a Freemason, three symbolic degrees are required. The Apprentice is the first degree at which a gradual initiation into the foundations of Freemasonry takes place.
   • The tools of masons are used to metaphorically express the moral system of Freemasonry.
   • To advance to the next degree, the student must have perfect mastery of one of the catechisms.
2. 2 Get an apprentice degree. At this stage, the candidate continues to familiarize himself with the basic principles of membership in the brotherhood, their close ties with the world of science and art.
   • Candidates are tested for how well they have mastered the knowledge acquired in the first degree.
   • To complete this degree, candidates must have completed a second catechism.
3. 3 Get a master's degree. The Master's degree is the highest and most elusive in the Masonic hierarchy.
   • Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the entire philosophy of Freemasonry.
   • Obtaining a degree is celebrated with a special ritual.
   • In the US, it takes 4 to 8 months to go all the way from application to master's degree.

Tips

• Memorizing catechisms is a laborious process, but the knowledge gained will be very useful in the future.
• There are several movements in Freemasonry that allow women to become Freemasons, but most Freemasons do not consider them to be full members of the fraternity.

Warnings

• You may be denied membership for even a minor reason. However, this does not mean that you cannot apply again after a while.
• Membership in the brotherhood can be suspended or canceled if the Freemason acts contrary to the requirements and principles of Freemasonry.