What is Freemasonry | Nova Scotia Masons

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

Freemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal and benevolent organizations in the world. Its roots can be traced to the traditions of the stonemasons who built the cathedrals and castles in medieval Europe.

It is here that a number of the famous elements of Freemasonry find their roots. In the medieval era, stonemasons often travelled to find work in different building locations. To demonstrate their level of qualification, they would use grips, words and signs to distinguish themselves from unqualified builders. They would also organize themselves into trade guilds or lodges. These concepts of differentiating the levels of masonic knowledge and organizing ourselves into groups of lodges remain today.

Today, masonic traditions use the stonemason trade and fraternity as a symbolic vehicle for instructing our members on how to lead productive lives that benefit themselves and their communities.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF FREEMASONRY

For Freemasons, four important values help define their path through life: Integrity, Fraternity, Respect and Community Service. In today’s world filled with uncertainty, these principles ring as true now as they have at any point in the organization’s history.

Integrity

Building good people

Freemasons are focused on building themselves as people of integrity, and membership provides the structure to help achieve that goal. Being a Freemason gives members a sense of purpose, supporting and guiding them on their journey through life. Collectively, members are bonded through an understanding of unity and equity – principles fundamental to Freemasonry.

Fraternity

Building together

Freemasonry provides the common fraternal foundation for friendships between its members, many of which may last a lifetime. Being a Freemason means something different to each mason, but whether looking to make acquaintances or to work on personal self-development, masons share a deep sense of brotherhood that supports their journey.

Respect

Building unity

Freemasonry brings people together irrespective of their race, religion, or other perceived differences that can divide us as a society. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to talk openly about what the organization does and what it means to be part of it.

Community Service

Contributing to Community

Community service is at the very heart of Freemasonry. Our members make valuable contributions by donating time, resources, and skills to better our communities.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our Purpose
Freemasonry, also known as Masonry, is a worldwide fraternal organization with a rich history spanning over 300 years. Our members are dedicated to personal development, building strong values, serving our communities, and fostering true friendship through shared traditions and purpose.

Having no political or religious affiliations, we comprise members of all ages, races, religions, cultures and backgrounds. We meet in our individual Lodges throughout the country where we have ceremonial traditions which encourage us both to be more tolerant and respectful and actively to fulfil our civic and benevolent responsibilities; we also are available to eat, drink, and meet, and form lifelong friendships.
To attract those from all backgrounds and walks of life, enabling them to develop into more thoughtful and confident people. To inspire and challenge them to practise the core values we celebrate in their private and public lives. To cement our reputation as a force for good in our communities and society at large and as a thriving organization that people aspire to join.
Our Mission
Our Values

Personal Development: Ancient stone masons built structures. Today's Freemasons build character. We believe in strong values, and we embody them through our actions, our relationships, and our service to others.

Friendship: Freemasonry provides a unique combination of shared traditions, purpose, and commitment to relationships making it a great place to meet new friends. Many members have found deep friendship through Masonry, thanks to the strong bonds formed through these shared experiences.

Community Service: Masons are committed to supporting those around them and giving back to their communities. Whether participating in events, fundraising for benevolent causes or volunteering for public or community organizations, community service is at the very heart of Freemasonry. Our members make valuable contributions by donating time, resources and skills. This is reflected in the multitude of ways that Masons contribute, from local drives to provincial efforts through organizations like The Masonic Foundation of Nova Scotia. Through these efforts, Masons strive to make a positive impact in their communities and the world around them.
Simply put, no, nor has it ever been which is quite remarkable given the time it was officially founded some 300 years ago! It is a philosophy. A way of life. We do however require belief in a Supreme Being. We do not allow religious or political discussion in lodge meetings. In lodges, all men are equal, no matter their standing outside of lodge in society. Furthermore, men of all faiths are represented in Freemasonry.
Contrary to popular belief, Freemasonry is not a secret organization. Its mission, goals, principles, constitutions, rules, and meeting locations are all public. Additionally, members are free to acknowledge their membership. However, like many similar organizations, some of Masonry internal affairs and documents are for members only.
Freemasonry, also known as Masonry or Free and Accepted Masonry, has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Originally, the term Masons referred to stonemasons guilds who built the castles and cathedrals of Europe. Over time, the fraternity expanded to include men from other professions, who were known as Accepted Masons. Today, the terms Freemasonry, Masonry, and Free and Accepted Masons are used interchangeably.

Over time, those operating stonemasons have now given way to what we term as "speculative masonry" where we use the stonemason's building analogies to teach members how to lead productive lives that benefit the communities that they live in. For example, In the medieval era, stonemasons wore aprons to protect themselves while working on shaping rough pieces of stone, but in today’s society, Freemasons symbolically wear aprons as part of our tradition to build friendships and communities rather than cathedrals and castles.
The reasons people become Freemasons are varied and personal to them, however, some of the most common reasons include:

Forming lifelong friendships

Working on personal development

A strong bond of brotherhood that helps combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Being part of a historic and global organization that you can take pride in

Meeting people from different life experiences who share your values

Serving your community

Developing leadership skills

Enjoying regular social activities

Connecting with a global network

Exercising your performance and musical skills through engagement in our fairly theatrical ceremonies

Finding a compass and a place of grounding in a complicated world

Our members are, and have been for centuries, drawn from all walks of life. Business executives, military personnel, maintenance workers, scientists, day labourers, and educators. From all walks of life, you will find people with a wealth of different outlooks from all races, religions, classes and backgrounds.

There are also those who enjoy the ceremonial aspects. Our meetings consist of centuries old lessons centered around you as an individual. How you live your life, the decisions that you make and how to become a better person are all found within our meetings.

We also have a huge amount of fun along the way, we eat, drink, meet and form lifelong friendships.
Any good-standing member of the Freemasonry fraternity is known as a Brother, a title given to him at his initiation into Freemasonry.
Symbols transcend language barriers and allow people to communicate quickly. Masons use metaphors from geometry and the architecture of stonemasonry to inform their continuing pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills. The symbol of a square and compass is the most widely known symbol of Masonry.
In the earliest era of Freemasonry, lodges were formed by stonemasons guilds as local organizations to take care of sick and injured Brothers or the families of stonemasons who died on the job. Today, the term refers to both a unit of Masons and the room or building in which they meet and perform many of the same activities of the ancient stonemasons’ guilds. In Nova Scotia, there are over 60 lodges across the province.
Freemasonry is a global fraternity with a significant presence, boasting approximately five million members worldwide. The fraternity is organized into national and state grand lodges, which act as their local governing body. While each Grand Lodge is a sovereign and independent entity for their jurisdiction, there is no single governing body of Freemasonry. Despite this, all grand lodges and lodges, regardless of location, follow the same essential principles of Freemasonry.
No, but Masonic principles do teach the value of relief (charity). Among our other work, Freemasons do contribute significantly to benevolent causes, along with countless hours devoted to community service, but we are not a charity. We refer to ourselves as a benevolent organization.
Masonry does not endorse political candidates or legislation. The discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden. While there are Masons who are politicians, they are not allowed to practice politics in Lodge
Freemasonry is a fraternity, which means it is a brotherhood for men. Similarly, sororities are sisterhoods for women. There are, however, several affiliated Masonic organizations for women, such as the Order of the Eastern Star and the Job's Daughters.
Time
Becoming a Mason takes several months from the time you complete your petition until you have finished your degrees. Until you begin taking your degrees though, very little is asked of you.

Once the degree work begins, you will need to attend your Lodge’s monthly meeting. Different lodges may have additional requirements, such as attending mentoring sessions where you receive further explanation about the degree you just experienced. There is also some memory work that you will need to complete in order to advance through the degrees. Every member of the Fraternity has gone through this process and your lodge brothers will help you.

Once you have completed your three degrees, we expect our members to attend their lodge’s monthly meeting, although it is not required. Sometimes there will be a special meeting on the second night of the month. Beyond that, there are other activities going on: community service, family and social outings, etc. that take place throughout the year. We hope our members will participate in the events that their time and interest allows. Like many things, you get out of Freemasonry what you put into it; although we also recognize and understand the need for balance between family, work or school, and other interests and commitments.
Considering the cost to join many organizations these days, Freemasonry could be thought of as a bargain. But there are expenses involved in the form of a one-time initiation fee and annual lodge dues. These amounts vary, as each Lodge sets its own fees and dues to maintain their operation.
Cost
Freemasonry is organized in smaller units of members, called Lodges, where meetings are held, and members meet. A Freemason Lodge is a place where members will spend a significant part of their journey in Freemasonry and each member can freely choose the Lodge they wish to be part of.

Lodge meetings are typically held in two parts. The first involves more administrative procedures, such as proposing and balloting for new members, dealing with financial matters, and hearing reports from the various committees of the lodge. The second part focuses on ceremonies, which might relate to areas such as the admittance of new members or the installation of the Master of the Lodge and his officers – a process made up of three degrees, or stages, each marked by a special ceremony. The third component is a fellowship period usually held before, the meeting, after the meeting or both, sometimes involving a meal, where members relax and enjoy each other's company

A common practice is also where the lodge will host a portion of the meeting for Masonic education for its members and guests. These can take on many forms, from formal discourse and debate to the less formal presentation of a topic relative to Freemasonry, its philosophy, symbols, and history.
Masonic membership consists of three stages, or Degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. Each degree represents a member's self-development and increased knowledge of Freemasonry. As a man completes each phase of learning, the Lodge holds a ceremony to confer his Degree, which involves proving his proficiency in the former degree and introducing his next degree of development. Between degrees, the member will be required to devote time to studying the lessons he has learned in order to advance to the next degree.

When a person is initiated into Freemasonry, they complete the First Degree. At this point, they become an 'Entered Apprentice'. The First Degree ceremony reminds us that all are equal – it is our responsibility to look after our fellow man. Upon completion of the Second Degree, a member becomes a 'Fellowcraft Freemason'. This encourages members to better themselves through education and focuses on self-development. After this, the member will then undertake the Third Degree. This ceremony teaches them how to use their life wisely and be remembered for the right reasons. On completion, they become a Master Mason. Degree names are taken from Craft guilds, or groups of Freemasons who practice similar skills. In the Middle Ages, to become a stonemason, a man would first be apprenticed. As an Entered Apprentice, he learned the tools and skills of the trade. When he had proved his skills, he became a Fellow of the Craft. When he gained exceptional ability, he became a Master of the Craft.
Masons wear Aprons to symbolize their heritage, demonstrate pride in their fraternity, and represent their lineage from stonemasons who historically wore leather aprons to protect themselves on the job site. Masons typically wear Aprons when they are in a lodge, at certain public events, and at funerals.
Since Masonry came from England to the Northern American colonies including Nova Scotia, many of the original English titles are still in use. These titles may sound archaic today, but their meanings are simple:

Most Worshipful – This title is bestowed only upon the elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. He is the head of the Masons of Nova Scotia and the highest-ranking member of the Grand Lodge.

Right Worshipful – This title is given in one of two ways:

The Grand Master appoints a Right Worshipful to service of the Grand Lodge such as the Grand Historian, Grand Archivist, and Grand Lecturer.

Grand Lodge members elect a Right Worshipful to office as a senior officer, such as the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Deputy Grand Master, or District Deputy Grand Master.

Very Worshipful – This title is given to those Brothers appointed by the Grand Master to service. Their role is to oversee the standard work and lecturers of our Ritual, act as teachers and coaches, and to improve the work of an entire jurisdiction.

Worshipful - This title can only be given to one who is or has served as the master of a lodge.

A lodge can only give this title to a Brother with a vote from members of the lodge. While a Master operates in a lodge, his power is absolute and managed with much responsibility. He is generally the voting member at the annual Grand Lodge Session and makes up the body of our Grand Lodge when called into session.

Brother - The highest title that can be given in any Masonic organization, Brother is given to the man who is made a Mason at his First Degree—but only after a lodge has thoroughly investigated his character, considered his intentions, and voted him in to be a member.