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As the title says, I just joined the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners, which in England is its own fraternity run under the purview of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, rather than being a part of Allied Masonic Degrees.

What a unique experience! The symbolism was beautiful, even with pretty plain ritual. It was lovely to have a lot of friendly faces around that I recognised from the Mark.

Being the nerd that I am, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the Graham Manuscript and older Noachide Masonic texts, no matter how slim the connection to current RAM is. I'm excited to experience the fraternity more!

Hi all!

I was wondering how many of you are members of Theosophical Society lodges that meet in person. I live in Leeds, England, and we have a stunning TS building. When I asked about joining I was taken around, shown the building, its library, artwork, it was spectacular!

I was told we meet every other week, which was even more exciting! Until I found out it was online only (other than very rare occasions). I was hoping for a community, but online I've not got to get the connection I'm looking for.

Does your Theosophical group meet in person? Do you have any recommendations for my situation?

Thank you!

Hello all,

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I couldn't find any answers for a quick search.

Is there any real negative effect to doing ceremonial magick without the right "tools"? For context, I practice magick that comes from the Golden Dawn, Élus Coëns, and Thelemite traditions blended into one practice. Unfortunately, I don't have all the "things" I'd need — no sword, cup, dagger, pentacles, etc. etc.

Whilst doing rituals I focus on these items and in my mind I am using hem, but physically, I don't have them and frankly have nowhere for them in my current living conditions.

Any thoughts on this?

Last night I had the pleasure of being advanced to the degree of a Mark Master Mason, surrounded by many friendly faces, new and old.

It was certainly the most fun I've had in a lodge room so far, and the ritual was very interesting and I'm excited to get to study it more. Looking forward to a future in Mark and visiting other Mark lodges sometime soon!

Hi all, just a question that came up recently, with a brief prelude as to why I'm asking.

Being a member both in the US and England, I'm used to the appendant bodies, including the Ancient and Accepted (Scottish) Rite being separated out from the first three Craft degrees.

Recently, I was speaking to a brother visting from a regular lodge in Blovia, who was explaining to me that this is not the case in much of Latin America, and that there is an expectation to continue through the Scottish Rite through to it's conclusion, rather than a formal "end" at the third degree and a continuation of other degrees. I asked if this was similar to how brethren in England are expected to go into the R

Potentially silly question, but I can't find a straight answer: does the OTO teach ceremonial magick (like the HOGD) or is it more of just a fraternal group based on Crowley's philosophy (kind of just a Thelemite version of Masonry)?

If it's not the former, what would a recommended order/group to join to work on ceremonial magick?

Thanks for any advice!

Hey all, questions in the title really. For context, I've been watching American Primeval which has a couple references to Brigham Young and some others being Masons, and earlier I was listening to a podcast that talked about the founders of the Republic of Texas all being Masons, so I just got curious.

Was it like it would've been in early English Masonry? Meeting in taverns and drawing stuff onto the floor? Did they have traveling regalia and the like?

I'm just curious and was wondering if anyone knew a good read on the subject. I've seen a lot about famous Masons in the Wild West, but not particularly about how they functioned.

Hey all, I just wanted to hear people's advice on what to do about a situation I'm in. As I'm a newly raised MM, I'm not quite sure what to do.

My lodge has a new candidate who has been coming to our social boards for the last two months, and he's a stellar guy. I've met with him outside of lodge at the pub a couple times, we've talked at his accomodation, and walk home together from the hall occasionally — I really do like the guy.

As the university scheme lodge, all candidates from local universities are pointed towards our lodge, this included international students. I was an international student at university, it's how I ended up in my lodge.

With that in mind, the candidate is fr

Hey all, extremely late notice, I know, but I was asked today to go to London tomorrow (8th of April) for a meeting for my work, and I figured I might as well pack my apron and gloves as I've got my suit already, but...

Does anybody know of any meetings happening? The only one I knew of (Vaudville 5592) has been moved unfortunately to the 14th.

Any pointers would be nice, if not I get it though — late notice.

Hi all,

I've said the Prayer of the Apostle Paul a few times before without really critically considering what it says, but I've got a question about the last verse of it.

"Grant what eyes of angels have not [seen],/ what wars of rulers have not heard,/ and what has not arisen in the human heart,/ which became angelic,/ made in the image of the animated God[…]"

I don't quite understand the element here about the human heart becoming angelic, the notes to the text state that the animated God is the Demiurge, which makes sense, but why then would the phrase angelic be used? Is angelic being used in an almost negative manner here, where angels are seen as impure, like when the Tripartite Tr

Hello all, I know it's a question more-or-less for my lodge's secretary, and I will ask them if it's something I seriously consider to do, but I was wondering if anyone knows how being a member in more than one constitution works?

For context, I live in England, but for familial and professional reasons I spend a chunk of the year in the state I grew up in — and it's a long process to get permission to visit when I return.

Would it be possible to join a lodge even if I'm not a resident in the region? Do many US constitutions have the concept of a "country member"? (A member who lives far away, thus doesn't pay full dues and cannot be an officer of the lodge).

I'd likely be looking at jo

So, to start, I'm going to briefly at one point quote a segment of the ritual my lodge performa, that's not breaking my obligation before I get any flak for that.

Also to clarify it is a regularly warranted UGLE lodge.

I was recently raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, and it was a wonderful experience — since then, I've got to see three other raising (two in variations of Modern York ritual, one Emulation) — these were obviously different than my own and very interesting to see.

The ritual practiced by my lodge pre-dates UGLE by a bit, it was at least used by the Grand Lodge of All England (1705-30s then 1779-1789 before it folded up) and it's subordinate lodges, which we

Hi all, just an update:

Earlier this week I had the pleasure to be raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, and it was an absolutely spectacular and life changing experience. I had the opportunity and pleasure of visiting and seeing my friend and brother's raising the night after, which was lovely.

I an very excited to get to start doing my part in the rituals and take office in a couple of months.

Thank you all for being here for discussion and advice along the way, long may the journey continue.

Is anybody on here a member of the HOM? I've recently had a brother of mine suggest joining, but there doesn't seem to be much out there about it, so I was looking any information on it really.

I'd ask the brother who suggested it, but he's only just started the process of joining it himself, so he's not really got that much advice, he's just drawn by the mystic element of it.