We strongly recommend to only consume materials regarding Freemasonry that are approved and recommended by Masonry 101. The reason is simple – we want to avoid wrong information AND more importantly defend the candidates from any information that might potentially spoil their initiatic experience.

WARNING: Please keep in mind that a lot of these writings were penned down a long time ago and were written in a different style that might not be as easily digestible by today’s standards. More importantly, some of the information contained herein might not be in line with today’s morals or standards. Please take these writings in the historical context that they were provided, and anything that might be deemed questionable or offensive by today’s standards should be viewed in that context.

There is a lot of misinformation available on the internet that are deliberately aimed at slandering Freemasonry. Please be cautious with searching on social media, search engines, or YouTube.

Here are some good books to read before joining a lodge, in no particular order:

1) “Freemasonry for Dummies” by Christopher Hoddap
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119843421

In spite of the name this is one of the best books to provide general information about Freemasonry. It is written by a very learned brother and has been updated several times.

2) “Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry” by Brent S. Morris
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592574904

Similar to the previous book, this is also written by a very renowned masonic scholar. It offers great general information about the craft.

3) “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812968255

Great philosophical text that is easily accessible even to non-philosophy majors.

4) “Philosophy 101” by Paul Kleinmann
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1440567670

Freemasonry has many philosophical underpinnings, and to get a basic knowledge can only be helpful.

5) “Secret Teachings of All Ages” by Manly P. Hall
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486471438

Keep in mind that Manly P. Hall wrote this tome before he became a mason and some of the information regarding Freemasonry might not be absolutely accurate. Nevertheless, it contains many of the underpinnings of Freemasonry and is a solid basis upon which to rear your future Masonic edifice. Other information is just interesting to show some of the ancient knowledge that was available in the past, but has since become outdated.

6) “Age of Enlightenment” by Captivating History
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1647480205

Freemasonry as an organized fraternity is a product of the enlightenment era. If you are interested in its historical roots, this would be a good starting point.

7) “The Art of Virtue” by Benjamin Franklin
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0938399101

Brother Franklin was a prolific writer, and this is one of the  general texts that explains some of this insights into timeless philosophy.

8) “The Craft” by John Dickie
https://www.amazon.com/dp/161039867X

Interesting read by a non-mason that delves into the history of Freemasonry.

9) “King James Bible”
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0199535949

Since many of the lessons of Freemasonry are based on the old testament, it is recommended to read the bible to get a better understanding. Even non-christians would benefit from reading the bible if they are interested in joining the fraternity.

10) “Religions of the World Explained” by Patricia Busque
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ48Z5YN

Freemasonry is open to men of all religions. Understanding some of the similarities and differences between the world religions can be very helpful to break down the barriers that might otherwise keep people at a perpetual distance.

11) Any other religious texts that might be related to your own personal background. Be it the Quran, the Torah, the Bhagavad Gita, the Adi Granth, or the  Sutras, or anything else that might be applicable. Getting a more solid understanding will be helpful for you personally and for your masonic journey to come.

Final Note – Do not read “Morals and Dogma” by Albert Pike. This book is about the 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite. It is simply too advanced to be helpful and would cause confusion to anyone who has not progressed through the degrees of this particular appendant body. The version that is often available in used book stores is the old version that is lacking the annotations that provides the necessary context. Finally, it would reveal information that might spoil your enjoyment of these progressive degrees.

The most iconic and recognizable piece of apparel that Masons wear is the Apron. Some are very basic, white aprons, others are hand-painted ornamented ones. Officers have special aprons with symbols that indicate the office that they hold. Every mason cherishes their apron and remembers fondly the day they received their first apron.

The white leather apron represents the purity and innocence that the Mason is expected to pursue throughout his life.

The Masonic apron is perhaps the greatest symbol of Masonic tradition and history, serving as a reminder to every Mason their commitment to uphold the values of the Craft. When the fraternity was established in the 1700s, the founders adopted the tools and traditions of stonemasons, among them the protective aprons they wore as they worked. Masonic aprons have been based on these utilitarian aprons, over time coming to symbolize a Freemason’s labor of building their lives at spiritual temples.

“According to one researcher, the original aprons worn by operative masons were made of leather and large enough to cover the wearer from chest to ankles. It wasn’t until the 18th century that the modern, smaller textile aprons came into use. As Freemasonry grew, individuals began to adorn their aprons with symbols of the Craft and ornate ribbons. Over time, the apron evolved from the utilitarian garment of the stonemasons to the symbolic garment worn by Freemasons.”

Scottish Rite NMJ, What is a Masonic Apron <https://scottishritenmj.org/blog/what-is-a-masonic-apron>

The Masonic Gavel is used by the three highest officers of the lodge while conducting business in a tiled lodge meeting. That includes the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. The Gavels are symbols of their office and used to indicate when something has concluded or even to get the brethren’s attention. The Gavel is used to maintain order during a Masonic meeting.

Operative Stonemasons used gavels to shape stones in order to fit them into place more perfectly. Freemasons use gavels as a symbol to remind them of the

There are two types of gavels commonly used in Freemasonry. The common gavel, and the setting maul. The common gavel has a flat end and a shaped end. It is used by stonemasons to break off large chunks of detritus as well as smaller pieces to smooth out the final parts of stone. The setting maul has a heavy flat bottom with a single handle on top. It is used by stonemasons to hammer in the stone and set it into place without damaging the surfaces of the stones themselves.

Some Masonic districts have created a program commonly called the “Traveling Gavel”. It is done to encourage Masonic visitations. This specially engraved gavel is proudly displayed whenever a lodge that has won it, opens a meeting. When another lodge does an official visit during a stated meeting, and has more members than the hosting lodge, then the visitors will win the gavel.

More info:
https://bricksmasons.com/blogs/masonic-education/the-masonic-gavel

Brotherly Love is one of the principal tenants of Freemasonry.

The Monitor of the Grand Lodge of Texas teaches us that “by the exercise of brotherly love, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family – the high and low, the rich and poor; who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other. On this principle, Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at perpetual distance.”

It teaches us respect and tolerance for people who have differing opinions, believes and ideals. We believe in the best of intentions of our fellow men. Brotherly Love reminds us to be courteous, kind, compassionate and friendly towards all mankind, more especially a Brother Mason.

However, this tenant does not mean that we must like each and every brother, We can have feelings of personal dislike, but we must not let those feelings overcome us and prevent us from growing into the best person that we can be.

Freemasonry inspired many people over the centuries. Some of the most influential musicians of their times, whose works have lasting impact to this day, were members of the fraternity. Here are some of the more well known ones.

Franz Joseph Haydn
1732 – 1809
Was initiated in February 1785 in “Zur wahren Eintracht” Lodge in Vienna, Austria.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756 – 1791
Was initiated on December 14, 1784 in “Zur Wohltätigkeit” Lodge in Vienna, Austria

Ludwig van Beethoven
1770 – 1827
It is generally accepted that he was a Freemason, but the evidence of when he was initiated and what lodge he joined has been lost.

Felix Mendelssohn
1809 – 1847
There is no specific evidence that he ever joined the fraternity.

Franz Liszt
1811 – 1886
Was initiated in 1841 at “Zur Einigkeit” Lodge in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Johannes Brahms
1833 – 1897
There is no specific evidence that he ever joined the fraternity.

Gilbert and Sullivan

Sir William Schwenck Gilbert
1836 – 1911
Was raised on June 23, 1871 in St. Machar Lodge No. 54 in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan
1842 – 1900
Was raised on January 30, 1866 in Harmony Lodge No. 255 in Richmond, England.

John Philip Sousa
1854 – 1932
Was raised on 10 November 1881 at Hiram Lodge No. 10, Washington D.C.

Giacomo Puccini
1858 – 1924

Gustav Mahler
1860 – 1911

Jean Sibelius
1865 – 1957
Was a member of Soumi Lodge, No.1 in Helsinki, Finland.

Irving Berlin
1888 – 1989
Was raised on June 3, 1910 in Munn Lodge No. 190 in New York, New York.

Duke Ellington
1899 – 1974
Was a member of Social Lodge No. 1 PHA in Washington D.C.

Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong
1901 – 1971
Was a member of Montgomery Lodge No.18 PHA in New York, New York.

Count Basie
1904 – 1984
Was a member of Medina Lodge No. 19 PHA in New York, New York.

Nat King Cole
1919 – 1965
Was a member of Thomas Waller Lodge No. 49 PHA in Los Angeles, California.

John Entwhistle (The Who)
1944 – 2002
Was a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Rick Wakeman (Yes)
Born 1949
He is a Past Master of Chelsea Lodge No. 3098 E.C. in London, England.

Phil Collins (Genesis)
Born 1951
There is no specific evidence that he ever joined the fraternity.

Mel Gaynor and Derek Forbes (Simple Minds)
Both are members of Shalom Lodge No.1600, Glasgow, Scotland.

Marshall Goodman (Sublime)
Born 1971
Was initiated in 2015 at Lakewood Lodge No. 728 in Long Beach, California.

Brad Paisley
Born 1972
Is a member of Hiram Lodge No. 7 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Tom DeLonge (Blink 182)
Born 1975
Is a member of Widow’s Sons Lodge No. 17 PHA in Kansas City, Missouri.

Apathy (Hip Hop)
Born 1979
He is a member of Coastal Lodge No. 57 in Stonington, Connecticut.

St John the Baptist was a traveling preacher who lived in the Jordan River Valley in the first century A.D. According to the New Testament John was a Jewish prophet who preached the imminence of God’s Final Judgment and baptized those who repented in self-preparation for it. He is revered in the Christian church as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. After a period of desert solitude, John the Baptist emerged as a prophet in the region of the lower Jordan River valley. He had a circle of disciples, and Jesus was among the recipients of his rite of baptism.

His austere camel’s hair garment was the traditional garb of the prophets, and his diet of locusts and wild honey represented a strict adherence to Jewish purity laws.

Later in his life he as imprisoned by King Herod and was executed by beheading around 28-36 CE.

He is considered a major religious figure by many religions including Christianity, Islam, Baha’i Faith, Druze Faith, Madaeism and Gnosticism.

Freemasons hold St John’s Day in high regard and abstain from conducting Masonic business on these days. It is celebrated on June 24, the Summer Solstice or the longest day of the year. He represents severity and strength of character.

More info:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-the-Baptist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist
https://momason.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2012-December-Masonic-Minutes_-_Meeting-One.pdf

The Volume of Sacred Law, or VSL for short, is what Freemasons call the religious text that is used in their ceremonies and traditionally placed onto their altar while the lodge is in session. In predominantly Christian areas such as the USA, it is most common to display the King James Bible. This is the same sacred text that candidates take their obligations upon.

If a lodge has members of different faiths it is often common to display multiple books upon the altar, to represent each member. The most common books of faiths besides the Christian bible are the Muslim Qur’an, the Hindu Bhagavad Gita, the Buddhist Discourses, the Jewish Tanakh, and the Sikh Granth Sahib. Generally Grand Lodges consider a text as permissible if it represents sacred teachings to the Mason. However, that is entirely jurisdictional.

One of the most notable individual VSL is the George Washington Inaugural Bible. It belongs to St. John’s Lodge No. 1 in New York City and has been used at its meetings since 1767. It is famous, however, for being the Bible used at the first inauguration of George Washington as President of the United States, and numerous presidents since then.

More info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_of_Sacred_Law