International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women*
Le Droit Humain
British Federation
Freemasonry unites
More Light – Today’s Freemasonry for Men and Women
More Light is available in softback, 140 pages, richly illustrated and is available from Amazon at £16.99. (Kindle version also available)
The Other Brotherhood: When Freemasonry Crossed The English Channel
Freemasons, when considering their art and science, almost invariably identify with one single form of the pursuit, namely that system propagated by what has come to be known as mainstream Freemasonry and known to the world at large as regular Freemasonry. This form is typically one which acknowledges the English Grand Lodge (UGLE) as the standard-bearer of regular Freemasonry throughout the world, and one finds that, for example, all-male Freemasonry in USA adheres to this as the absolute and immutable standard of masonic exactness. The truth of what Freemasonry really is, is far more complex, and even the most superficial scholarship shows that, far from there being one single strand of this fascinating system of morality, there are many forms and organisations all calling themselves Freemasonry. Whereas the form of Freemasonry propagated by English all-male Freemasonry is a dogmatic form, insisting on rigid adherence to certain principles regarded by them as central to the masonic raison d’tre, one finds that when the English forms were exported to continental Europe they underwent an important change, resulting in European, and more especially French Masonic practice, being essentially adogmatic or liberal, and not as hide-bound by civic and other traditions, whilst remaining true to the core principles of what makes Freemasonry the secular spiritual pursuit that it is.
The Other Brotherhood is available in softback, 122 pages, richly illustrated and is available from Amazon at £18.27
A Tale of Six Triangles
Our Federation is putting out green shoots
Growth in our Federation is vital if we are to survive and flourish, and there are many initiatives in hand at the moment, spearheaded by energetic and committed Brethren to found new Triangles and to grow recently formed ones. Below is a progress report on our six Craft Triangles. A Triangle is, in effect, an embryonic Lodge, without the necessary minimum number of M∴M∴s to be consecrated as such. Hence they cannot confer degrees, and when a candidate comes forward, the MPGC or another member of the Triangle of the 33° must confer the degree on behalf of the Triangle.
Kenilworth – Warwickshire
The Kenilworth Golf Club in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, is the meeting place for the new fledgling Triangle. Their inaugural meeting was held on 13 January when they interviewed their first candidate.New applicants are welcome. All went well and that their first initiation will took place in February. The name of the Triangle is Love and Unity and their motto will be ‘We are all one divine image of your reflection’.
Glenrothes – Fife, Scotland
Two esoterically minded people from this town were keen to become Freemasons. They are a couple in their early thirties who want to be initiated and establish a triangle in Scotland, the first LDH presence there for quite a few years since Lodge Osiris went into abeyance. They have been interviewed and later initiated at a special lodge meeting at Hexagon House on 9 February. There will then be publicity and marketing initiatives in their home town and surrounding area to attract others who might wish to be involved in the formation of a triangle.
Norwich – Norfolk
A male applicant from Norwich, not just content with being initiated into an existing lodge, is keen to become a member of the British Federation and spread the light of Freemasonry for Men and Women in East Anglia, by finding other like-minded people local to him and working with them to form a triangle. He has been interviewed and now initiated along with others at a special event in February. As a result of the above three initiatives, a special meeting was held at Hexagon House on Saturday 9 February in order to initiate applicants from the three above embryo Triangles. The Consistory sought the help of AIM members and provide officers to conduct this ceremony.
Brighton & Hove – Sussex
On Thursday 29 November the Brighton & Hove Triangle was consecrated at the Village Hall, Ovingdean, Brighton. The Triangle first met in January 2018. One or two Brethren had been discussing the idea of re-establishing a Droit Humain presence in Brighton and Hove for a year or so but it wasn’t until August 2017 that a plan was agreed. The first step was to find suitable premises which was not easy. Eventually, by November 2017, they had found a Jewish Community Centre in Hove who were happy to let them meet there. They subsequently decided to move to the Ovingdean Village Hall in April 2018. They have now had requests from two non- masons as applicants and both have now been initiated.
Y Ddraig – Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire
Y Ddraig Triangle meets in Chipping Sodbury in the Orient of South Gloucestershire, and are planning to form a Lodge within the coming twelve months. While still small in numbers, its members are hugely committed to the success of this Triangle. They conducted an initiation and a passing in November – no mean feat in one day, but helped by members from Hexagon House, it proved to be a very enjoyable day. The fact of having to set up the Temple each time is proving to be useful instruction for younger members. They have had a range of enquiries over the year although, as ever, Freemasonry is not right for everybody and so they keep looking for more enquirers and symbolically open their doors – and always their hearts – to those who are genuine seekers and willing to join them. The Triangle is planning an Open Day for 2019. Meetings are on the third Saturday of the month and the Triangle welcomes visitors from other lodges.
Tir N’An Oige – London
The name of the Triangle - Tir Na nÓg or Tir na hOige - means ‘Land of the Young’ or ‘Land of Youth’ in Old Irish. This is a revival of an old Lodge of the British Federation which went into abeyance and a distinctive feature of the Triangle is the working of the Irish Ritual, an ancient Masonic ritual which predates the Emulation ritual of 1816. Interestingly, the congenial venue of the Triangle is the Civil Service Club in the heart of London’s Westminster, which promises to make this Triangle an ideal Lodge for visiting members of other Federations of Le Droit Humain as well as other masonic Orders in amity with the British Federation. This is a Triangle which attracts people from very diverse backgrounds and disciplines, united in their common interest in esoteric subjects and the role of Freemasonry in the Western Mystery Tradition. The Triangle has five members and three candidates awaiting Initiation which is very exciting. It will soon become a fully fledged Lodge which, given its central London location, we hope will showcase the esoteric and spiritual model of Freemasonry practised by the British Federation of Le Droit Humain.
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is perhaps the best known and oldest fraternity in the world. It is an initiatory system containing the keys to the Ancient Mysteries, which are experienced through a series of mystery dramas designed to open up and deepen our awareness and understanding
Freemasons use terms and traditions of medieval stonemasons as allegories for building temples in our own hearts as we seek greater understanding within ourselves. We therefore tread a path which is spiritual, but secular, owing nothing to any one particular religion.
Defining who we are to non-masons is challenging because often the answers non-masons are seeking defy easy explanations. This sometimes results in Freemasonry being misunderstood.
If masonry is a secret organisation, we are not very good at keeping the secret! Freemasons work in almost every country in the world. Our buildings, addresses, phone numbers and websites are not secret. Our challenge in defining ourselves is that there is no single, simple phrase that can completely describe us.
We offer a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
Masonry uses symbolism based upon the tools of stonemasons who built vast cathedrals and castles in medieval times: the construction of a building is symbolic for building our own individual character.
On the Level
Freemasons are Brothers and Sisters meeting on the level. This means we are all equal, irrespective of who we are and where we come from. We do not accept distinctions based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or philosophical views. Le Droit Humain is the International Order of liberal Freemasonry for men and women. The British Federation is the UK branch of this International Order.
Esoteric
The British Federation of Le Droit Humain practises esoteric freemasonry. Our model is introspective and intellectual.
Liberal
Liberal freemasonry follows the rituals and traditions of ancient masonry, but we believe that neither gender nor lack of belief in God should be barriers to membership.
Speculative
We practise speculative freemasonry, using symbolism to understand deeper truths and build character in individual masons.
For further Basic Information
Today's freemasonry for men and women
New Lodges forming
Brighton & Hove
Tir N’An Oige Triangle No. 990
Bristol lodge
First impressions of a new member
What makes the British Federation such a special and unique Masonic Order? As a recently affiliated member perhaps I can humbly offer an answer to this question being as I am new to the order and, in theory, totally unbiased. Maybe not totally unbiased since I do have a point of reference to which I can compare Le Droit Humain: my previous Masonic reincarnation. Read More
Bro Superabo, Maa Kheru Lodge 975
"Withdraw within yourself, and examine yourself. If you do not yet therein discover beauty, do as the artist, who cuts off, polishes, purifies until he has adorned his statue with all the marks of beauty. Remove from your soul, therefore, all that is superfluous, straighten out all that is crooked, purify and illuminate what is obscure, and do not cease perfecting your statue until the divine resplendence of virtue shines forth upon your sight"
~ Plotinus
Esoteric
(es-uh-ter-ik) "adjective
1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions.
2. belonging to the select few.
3. private; secret; confidential.
4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras."