Arch Angels have been mentioned over the centuries in various Masonic rites, and though they are more familiar to the magician who calls on them for protection, they have been summoned for similar use in certain Masonic rituals in the … Continue reading →
The moon is a prominent symbol in Freemasonry, and can be seen in Masonic prints and banners dating back to the eighteenth century. The moon is mentioned in the ritual as one of the lesser lights; the light in the … Continue reading →
In my latest book, due out in the autumn, one of the many themes I discuss is how a Masonic story is displayed in the collection of Richard Carlile’s rituals in his Manual of Freemasonry, a work that emerged in … Continue reading →
The Tree of Life appears in many religions and cultures, in Islam it appears in the Quran as the tree of immortality, the tree which is forbidden to Adam and Eve by Allah. In Catholic Christianity it represents the immaculate … Continue reading →
George Canning (1770-1827) has gone down in history as having served the shortest period as Prime Minister in Great Britain, but he also had another side to his life; he was a Freemason, he fought a duel, and was a … Continue reading →
I was kindly invited to give a talk last Friday at Setantia Lodge which meets at Preston Masonic Hall and was lucky enough to have a tour of the Temple Rooms. Every Temple room I’ve ever visited has … Continue reading →
Arthur Conan Doyle was initiated into the Phoenix Lodge, No. 257, at Southsea, Hampshire, on the 26th of January, 1887, and he made many literary references to Freemasonry in his work, especially in the Sherlock Holmes stories. According to Masonic … Continue reading →
Chevalier d’Éon is perhaps one of the most intriguing Masonic characters of the eighteenth century. Born in Tonnerre, Burgundy, France in 1728 to a noble family, d’Éon entered into the secret network of spies called the Secret du Roi … Continue reading →
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, writer and Freemason, became mesmerised by the occult, and this filtered through into his writing, most notably in his Sherlock Holmes stories, such as the hints of vampirism displayed in the Adventure of the Sussex Vampire, … Continue reading →
It sometimes takes a while for the reviews to be published for a book. Here is a great review for my latest book The Lost Rites and Rituals of Freemasonry that was recently published in the excellent Square magazine, the … Continue reading →
