How to join the Freemasons used to be difficult. It was hard to know where to look, and where to find information. In pre internet days books tended to be limited to anti-Masonic rants, or dense pages of Masonic records like Lane’s. There was almost nothing on the television or radio, and then it would likely be stitch up job with very little real information. Masonic magazines such as The Square existed, but only marketed to existing masons. Masonic shops would warily welcome in non-Masons, but would offer very limited help to those seeking to find out more. This stemmed from UGLE and other Grand Lodges operating with the general secrecy attitudes that had existed since the formation of modern Freemasonry. Information on how to join wasn’t forthcoming. Some Masonic venues would offer a contact to a passerby who wanted to join, but that wasn’t always the case.
In reality, you had to know 12B1. You had to wait for the “tap on the shoulder”.
These days we have moved to ASK12B1. A much more open book across the whole of Freemasonry. Previously closed venues such as Freemasons Hall are marketed to non-Masons as places to hire, or take a tour. All the information you could possibly want (well nearly all of it…) is available on the internet. Books abound. Anyone can follow Lodges, Freemasons and Grand Lodges on social media. Millions of images exist (beware fakes!) for anyone to view. We’d suggest a lot of the mystery has been eroded forever. In fact there might well be too much information! So we’ve attempted to narrow it down a little. Don’t forget we publish all of the latest news updates from Provincial Grand Loges
How to join the Freemasons
- Google “Freemasonry Lodge” in your area – This isn’t watertight though. If we have built a website for them then that Lodge will be a the top of Google search results. If we haven’t then they might well not appear
- via UGLE – Use this link and they will do the rest
- London based potential Freemasons – Use this link
- Contact your Provincial Grand Lodge if based in the UK. There is roughly one for each county so search “Provincial Grand Lodge of XXXX”
- Ask a Freemason! – if you know a Freemason, don’t be scared to ask them on how to join. Some might immediately try to recruit you into their Lodge, or others might refer you to their Province. Either way all Freemasons are usually keen to help a new member. They might not be able to answer all of your questions right there and then, but arrange a proper conversation when convenient for both of you
- Drop us a message here at MasonicWebsite – Let us know where you are based, and if we have built a website for a Lodge in your area we will direct you to them
- Drop into your local Masonic centre – Opening times vary, but centre officials will be very pleased to help you with your enquiries.
What are the requirements for joining the Freemasons?
To join freemasonry you have to be 21 or over, a free man and have a belief in a supreme being. That means any God of your own choosing.
You should also be able to afford the fees, devote the time, be charitable, be a good man, be honest and trustworthy. Some criminal acts like treason, fraud, murder, serious assaults will bar you, although minor infractions are usually ok.
What questions might I be asked about joining Freemasonry?
These won’t be asked immediately, but you will in effect have an interview at some stage to join a lodge:
- Are you unbiased by friends and uninfluenced by any mercenary motives? – Freemasonry isn’t a get out of jail card for your behaviour in life.
- Do you have a favourable opinion of Freemasonry? – Whilst this seems obvious, you shouldn’t join just to find out how to works.
- Do you agree to follow the rules? – this is fair enough, you agree to the rules of things everytime you don’t read all of those T and C’s when you make an online purchase.
How to join the Freemasons
There are even books about it now!!
