To some, the Freemasons are a cult-like society practicing rituals, secret handshakes, and passphrases- but the modern-day organization is far from a secret Illuminati-like group.
While it still adheres to secret handshakes and shrouded rituals, it has become increasingly transparent in recent years, opening its doors to a range of people who had previously been excluded.
The Freemasons operate out of ‘lodge’s dotted around the country. While the majority of the lodges practice as normal, a number of specialist lodges have cropped up in recent years—from the Rock music freemasons to the classic car freemasons and even a motorcycle-focused Freemason group.
All of these specialist lodges have their own special interest in a particular shared aspect. Their members often attend traditional lodges as well as their specialists lodges to meet like minded individuals who share a common interest.
Andy Glaves has been with the Derbyshire Freemasons since 2016, and now acts as their provincial communications grand master, he told Derbyshire Live: “The Freemasons operate in the old historical counties, so I actually operate out of the masonic lodge in Dore in South Yorkshire.
“So while the counties have changed in modern times we still abide by the old historic counties. In Derby there are fifteen lodges that meet at the central masonic lodge in Derby. But there are 77 across Derbyshire, with our newest lodge being created in July of this year.
“This is the rock music lodge which aims to celebrate the evolution of Rock music. While most of the lodges usually end with a collective meal, this lodge would usually end with a concert of some sorts.”
In recent years the Freemasons have opened up their membership to people who are not referred by someone who is already in the group (as membership was previously closed off to only those who knew a Freemason or had family members already in the organisation).
Andy said: “The criteria for membership is that you have to be over 18, of good standing, which basically means that you don’t have a criminal record and that you believe in a supreme being, from whatever religion that may be.”
This has allowed the membership to flourish in recent years, with over 200,000 members registered across the 6,800 lodges in the UK. With various lodges across the county and thousands of members, what do the Freemasons actually do? Andy stated that the organization focuses on self improvement in a range of ways, as well as a massive focus on charity work across the country.
Derbyshire Freemasons from yesteryear parading in a civic ceremony
(Image: Derbyshire Freemasons)
The Freemasons of Derbyshire aim to adhere to four principles, including integrity, friendship, respect and service. They hold regular meetings where they meet, perform rituals and eat together, sharing their connections and building life long relationships.
The rituals of the Freemasons sound like a cult-like practice, however Andy stated that they are more like plays that teach important moral lessons to its members.
Andy said: “The word ritual throws up a lot of preconceptions. They are called rituals but they are like a play, they tell stories. The elements of those stories are all about self improvement. They all have different meanings.
“For example, we have two stones in all the lodges: a rough ashler and a perfect ashler. Now the rough ashlar is basically a rough stone, whereas a perfect ashlar is a stone cube, smooth and perfect on all sides. We take it as a rough ashlar represents us before our journey of self improvement.”
Andy went on to explain where the idea of secret handshakes and code words originated from in masonic history, he said: “It all started with stone masons in the middle ages being given certain words to use to show their proficiency.
“As when they travelled around they wouldn’t be able to get out a CV or such, so they would have code words to use to show that they are at a certain level within their craft. You would also be given a token, like a handshake, people didn’t know who was who so they used handshakes and words to identify themselves.
“Traditionally as a part of the meetings and ceremonies you are given a word and a token (a handshake) to show you are a Freemason and what the standing you have.”
Andy explained that in England and Wales they have the same beliefs however this differs when you visit Scottish Freemasons that have slightly different practices.
Andy also explained a type of ceremony that is used when they are initating a new member that involves the current members of the group, all coming casting votes. The votes are cast by placing either a black or white ball into a bag that is passed around every member. The black balls indicate that some more investigating needs to be done on the proposed indivdual trying to join the lodge, while a white ball represents the approval for the new candidate.
The Freemasons are a male only group, however in the last 100 years groups have formed to create women’s only lodges. While they fall under the same national umbrella organisation, they practice in their own lodges with their own right separate to the other male only lodges.
Andy also explained where the connotations of the Freemasons being a secret society have come from, as he explained that the Freemasons have been prosecuted across the globe for their practices. Therefore historically they were forced into secrecy, but it doesn’t help their new “transparent” image if the group still utlitilises code words and secret hand shakes.
Despite the newly established “transparent” guise of the Freemasons, little is known about what is talked about within the organisation. Yet the Derbyshire Freemasons have very openly advertised their charitable work that they have done over the years, such as the £1.5million fund that they have been collecting for five years.
Andy expressed that when the target is reached the Derbyshire Freemasons will then distribute every penny to local charities across the county.