International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women*
Le Droit Humain
British Federation
Freemasonry unites
More Light – Today’s Freemasonry for Men and Women
The arrival in 2017 of the first book in the English language regarding the International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women Le Droit Humain was heralded as a ground-breaking work.
Here we have the second edition, refreshed and with a new vibrant presentation, which is a must-read for all Freemasons, whether from single-gender Orders or from Le Droit Humain.
This important work, authored by two members of our own Federation, shows how bi-gender Freemasonry forms a part of a larger Masonic family, the liberal, non-dogmatic branch, which includes most of the Masonic Orders in France and in other countries.
This is the story of a truly liberal, spiritual, esoteric and philosophical Freemasonry, which follows a secular spiritual path. The authors draw on the various strands that have come together to make Freemasonry what it is today, from the Ancient Mysteries, Mithraism, Eleusis and medieval operative stonemasons.
More Light will be a revelation, to men and women alike, whether already members of a Masonic Order or not.
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
The Other Brotherhood: when Freemasonry crossed the English Channel by Darren Lorente- Bull, published by Masonica Es in October 2019 explains the story of the other Freemasonry, a freemasonry which accepts women and atheists among its ranks, works the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and how it developed from English speculative Freemasonry. The book has 206 pages and is available from Amazon AT £14.68.
“This new book by Darren Lorente-Bull The Other Brotherhood: When Freemasonry Crossed the English Channel is an excellent book, being perfect for Freemasons and non-Freemasons alike who want to explore the origins of Freemasonry and to examine how it influenced French thought in the eighteenth century to become a unique but equally diverse society. Lorente-Bull also discusses the Grand Orient de France and the development of Co-Masonry, esoteric and philosophical elements, and the many transitions that the society has gone through. In short, this book is a must for everyone with an interest in Freemasonry, and even rounds off with a collection of insightful interviews with present day Freemasons, which give a contemporary view of Masonry. A great book.”
Dr David Harrison
CHAPTER 1 | Seeking a definition 13 What is Freemasonry? 15 CHAPTER 2 | The Origins 27 Where did Freemasonry come from? 29 The Operatives 30 The Ancient Charges 32 The transition from Operative Freemasonry to Speculative Freemasonry 36 The United Grand Lodge of England 40 CHAPTER 3 | French Freemasonry 47 Some early Fringe orders 49 French or continental Freemasonry 53 Philosophical and literary influences 57 Mystical and Chivalric influences 64 The French Revolution 66 CHAPTER 4 | The birth of Liberal Freemasonry 73 The Grand Orient of France 75 The Grand Lodge of France 88 Le Droit Humain 89 Le Droit Humain in Great Britain 93 CHAPTER 5 | The uses of Freemasonry 101 Political Freemasonry 103 Esoteric Freemasonry 107 Philosophical Freemasonry 110 CHAPTER 6 | Universalism 113 The Appeal of Strasburg 115 CHAPTER 7 | Conclusion 125 APPENDIX I | RITUALS 135 A note on Ritual 137 The Emulation Ritual 139 The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite 142 The French Rite 146 Lauderdale Ritual 147 APPENDIX II | INTERVIEWS 151 Javier Otaola, former President of CLIPSAS 153 Julian Rees: Between Masonic Worlds 162 Philippe Bodhuin, Grand Orient of France 172 Lorena Clara: The female perspective 181 REFERENCES 193 ONLINE RESOURCES 194 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 197
The book is available on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Brotherhood-Freemasonry-Crossed
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."