The North Carolina Mason

"Esoteric Freemasonry" simply means looking at Masonic ritual as having a deeper meaning than is immediately apparent and understanding that it can (and should) effect positive change in a brother's life. Masonic ritual as having a deeper meaning than is immediately apparent and understanding that it can (and should) effect positive change in a brother's life. Regardless of our perception of the word "esoteric," we can all agree that Freemasonry should make us better men. The various lectures of our degrees introduce a multitude of symbols with the recommendation that we study them further to fully ascertain their meanings. Early in our Masonic journey, we are told that Freemasonry is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols. To truly understand and benefit from this system, we must pierce this veil and contemplate the symbols and allegory contained in our degrees. Hundreds of books have been published attempting to illuminate the deeper meanings of our symbols, and programs like the Middle Chamber encourage brothers to apply them to their everyday lives to become better men. Is this a modern invention being superimposed on our order? Quite the opposite. We open our lodges with the Holy Bible upon the altar, inviting God to be present during our meetings and degrees. In the Entered Apprentice degree, we specifically ask God to assist us in making the candidate a better man. Would this be necessary if Freemasonry was simply telling a candidate a story about Solomon's Temple so that he could vote to pay the water bill? Of course not. The spiritual and transformative nature of the Craft is what separates us from other fraternal and civic organizations. Let's embrace this aspect of our art by engaging in the transformation spoken of in our degrees. In doing so, we will become better men and consequently help to build a better world. S P R I N G 2 0 2 3 | 7

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