A personal comment by the webmaster: This is an issue that will surely one day be resolved. I welcome all discussion, and very much wish for more women to be involved in our gentle craft in some way, while protecting all that regular masculine Masons hold dear. There are certainly many opportunities beside "regular Masonry" for ladies to join in the craft, but as of yet, there is no recognition between these organizations and the mainstream. Here is an exploration of the reasons from Brother Rashied Al Bey and myself. Following the essays are some thoughts from Sister Lynn Chase, a friendly sister Freemason from the Rite of Memphis/Misraim.

Information about women's Masonry can be found at:
http://www.luckymojo.com/comasonry.html
and
http://www.co-masonry.org/ and at http://www.aletheiawl.org/index.html

Women and Masonry

Many folk think that women cannot be Masons because there is something that they cannot understand, or some other such. That is patently not the case. There is a certain value to Masonic teachings that a man cannot hope to understand if he is unwilling to access his intuitive and empathetic faculties, which are distinctly feminine (it's only my belief). Not female, feminine. Some people don't realize that there is a difference between female and feminine, or male and masculine. Their misfortune.

Now, it is true that there are certain physiological and psychological/spiritual energies that do not mix for the optimum in all circumstances; let me give you a basic example of what I mean as it occurs in magnetism. Magnets are basically pieces of iron or steel that have the molecules organized in such a way that they promote rather than obstruct the flow of magnetic force through the iron. We call the flow of this force the lines of flux, and it flows from south to north in all magnets.

The effect of the south pole of a magnet is physiologically determined, because the south pole of a magnet *receives* lines of flux. The lines of flux emanate *from* the north pole of a magnet, and it is this way with *every* magnet, no matter where you find it. This is a matter of physics. Thus, whenever you put two north poles together, they repel one another, and with two south poles each is trying to receive an energy that neither is radiating, so there is no force of attraction.

When you put a south and a north pole together, they attract because the lines of flux, or magnetic force, come from the north pole, and go directly into the south pole, strengthening the bond between the two. If the magnets are electro-energized (as in an inductor, or coil), then the magnetic effect is even more pronounced. This is one of the sources of the term, "rule of thumb."

So it is no different with male and female human beings. We also have energies that are specific to our genders. It is not because a woman cannot understand the teachings, it's because the energy of women is different from the energy of men, and the Lodge is intended to help men develop their psycho-spiritual character. Now, the argument could be made that in a Lodge of men, the female energy would be deleterious, and that in a Lodge of women, a male's energy would be deleterious, and that the work takes on a different energy with different results if you have a mixed Lodge. I believe that I probably agree with that more than I disagree.

There is a modern myth that women and men are equal. This is one of the biggest lies that has emerged in recent times. Some would be upset with my stating this, but that doesn't make it any less true. Equality is a mathematical concept, and there are no two human beings that are equal. However, there is a kind of equality that pertains to the inherent human value of each person. There is a social equality, in that sense. The social role assignment was anciently assigned with an acknowledgement and an understanding of where people's strengths were. From the remotest antiquity, there have been men's mysteries, and women's mysteries.

There are physiological differences in even the brains of men and women, which you can probably still catch on the Discovery Channel, where there is currently a genetic science series called _How to Make a Human_ (I believe that's the correct title). Not only are the physical brains different, but the processing of thoughts follows a different methodology, and the use of various faculties is different also. Neither is inherently superior to the other, each is simply different than the other.

The form of the Lodge is that there is a balance of feminine and masculine energies in terms of planetary assignments, physiological correspondences of the Officers, etc. A portion of the physical Lodge is assigned to the feminine energy, another to the masculine. The Work is intended to teach us to discern these energies within ourselves, and to learn by the use of certain processes (analogized as tools) to integrate and balance these energies to become effective human beings.

To be quite frank with you, too many Brothers and Sisters aren't yet of sufficient emotional maturity to able to be in the same vicinity with members of the opposite gender to retain focus on this kind of Work; the distraction factor is legendary in some quarters. I know that someone could perhaps take great exception to my saying that, but you and I have been around for a few years, and we both know of any number of examples of this that we've observed and the impact of this that we've independently discerned.

Perhaps if you would pick up _Medicine Woman_ by Lynn Andrews, you will see more directly where I am trying to point you. It's available at Amazon.com.

The women's Lodges that I know of, and the women Masons of my acquaintance, have no desire to have men work in their Lodges with them. They also have no desire to work in men's Lodges. This is why they have formed their own.

Several of the women Masons I know of are also Sisters of OES. I'm neither advocating nor recommending it, and I'm not saying anything else about it either, except that it is so; the fact of its existence. I state this as an observation, not as a judgment. Let everyone else judge for themselves, if judge they must. I have known of some of the negative comments and/or treatments, and my point of view is that basic courtesies ought to still prevail. We are known to be thus and so not by what we say, but by what we do.

If we are not capable of displaying the basic courtesy that every human being warrants simply because of their humanity, then all of our Masonry has not taught us much. I think that we're safe enough to do at least that much, since no lady Masons want to come into our Lodges, and no lady Masons are asking that we come into theirs. There are issues of territorial jurisdiction that some people would raise, but this question does not involve the particular territory that you might have otherwise considered them to be speaking of.

There are also issues of origin; issues of whether the Regius Manuscript actually has references to a time when there were female Masons, etc. The fact is that there are lady Masons in existence, some jurisdictions for longer than many of the mainstream or Prince Hall jurisdictions, or any of their derivatives. History is history; whether we accept its validity is another question.

Fraternally,

.·. Rashied ~

"Si Opus Quadratum vis, angulos praecidere noli..." (If you want Square Work, you don't cut corners...)

Women in Freemasonry?

Often, as Freemasons we are asked why women aren't permitted to join our organization. We would all think that in this day and age, when we have reached equality on so many levels, we should also be able to share the secrets and joys of Masonry with our fairer counterparts.

Well, as a matter of fact, women WERE admitted into the fraternity long before Freemasonry was officially recognized. The forming of the United Grand Lodge of England effectively put a stop to this, however, declaring in 1717 that women were not to be admitted into the craft. There were still many women masons after that point, but no more were admitted and eventually only Men were left. The "Ancient Landmarks" that the Grand Lodge of England assembled, the basic tenets of the fraternity, effectively put a stop to further admission.

There is the story in early 1712 of Elizabeth Aldworth, as a young girl from Cork, Ireland, her father used to have lodge meetings in a room right next to their home. There was remodeling work being done on the building, and this left the walls between the home and the lodge room unusually thin. The mystery proved to be too much for Elizabeth, who was in an apartment next door, and she picked a loose brick out of the wall and witnessed the degree taking place. Apparently so overcome, and rather frightened, by witnessing the first two degrees, she found no other mode of escape than through the lodge room itself. She tiptoed through the active lodge, avoiding notice, but was apprehended by the Tyler, brandishing a sword, as she exited the main lodge door. The brethren of lodge were at a loss for what to do with this eavesdropper, and after much discussion of "silencing" her, they agreed to initiate her through the degrees in order to assure her secrecy. Elizabeth went on to live an honorable life of service to Masons and others in need, and eventually became Master of the Lodge!

Yet, the idea still persisted, and as late as the 1800's, the occasional lady was admitted into the United States fraternity for one arcane reason or another, and the Grand Lodge of Portugal once tried to extend recognition to a lodge of comasons, but when the United Grand Lodge of England threatened to remove their recognition status, they backed down.

Why has almost every Grand Lodge since still persisted in refusing admission to women masons? The first and most important reason... it's always officially been done that way. Masonry has a strong belief in tradition, and continually acting according to the ancient landmarks, or basic rules, of the fraternity. To change our ways and admit women now would entail a tremendous amount of change in our way of thinking, acting, and processing each new member.

In addition, men enjoy their boy's place to go. A place to act in a safe zone, to be true, be just, and honest, to reinforce our strengths, eliminate our weaknesses, and inculcate those strengths for use outside of the lodge. To add ladies to a current active lodge may not only dilute the fraternal bond among brothers, but possibly even cause strife, as "romance and intrigue" take their natural place. Boys will be boys, as they say.

From a ritual or spiritual perspective, many believe that the energy present in lodge, or any ritual, is more potent when not of a "mixed polarity". Throughout history, ritual has habitually separated men and women, helping them each to focus on their distinctive traits, each practicing their own initiations and celebrations. In some Native American "sweat lodges", each sex is responsible for carrying the elements attributed to their sex - Men carry the fire, women carry the water. Just as many men wouldn't dream of joining a women's interest group, the tradition continues here in American Freemasonry, as men of the western world look for ways to cement their manhood and celebrate their strengths.

Unfortunately, in past centuries, the lodges also became a place for business networking and political contacts in a male dominated society, and this is what ladies have traditionally been denied access to. In that light, it would be very understandable why some suspicion could be held of the Masonic organization, but let me assure you, in today's Masonry, nothing could be farther from the truth. We are truly an organization of men making good men better. No business. No religion. No politics.

Although not recognized as such by the California Grand Lodge, organizations like American Co-Masonry, the Feminine Grand Lodge of Belgium, and “Le Droit Humane” descended from regular Masonic Lodges, but have over time taken a different evolutionary path. I do not personally know, but have heard the degrees are similar to ours, but having become classic in their lodge structure, and more ritualistic and symbolic. However, not quite as physically rough and rugged as our standard ritual.

There are times and places for everything, mutual recognition might be a first step. In addition to being a ritual practice and walk of self improvement effective for both sexes, our lodge night in American Masonry is still also the time and place for men to take a break, joining other men in the long standing mystic tie of mutual Brotherhood and devotion to God. It's good for the soul. To deny the same opportunties to women seems ludricious and outdated, some solution must be proposed. Then differences between the two forms of Masonic disciplines. and their mutual strengths may perhaps be accepted and encouraged, after a dialogue of meeting on the level.

Bro. Andrew Horn

A Woman Mason's point of view:

I have been lingering at entered "Apprentice" for nearly two years because I like to do the meditation and research before writing one of my "required" papers - we do four, in order to be admitted to the next level of "Companion."

Our rite enjoys a rather large membership throughout Europe, was actually begun in France, purportedly with some of the mysteries actually dug up from antiquity by Napoleon Bonaparte himself. We are "The Ancient And Primitive Rite of Memphis Misraim" also known as "The Egyptian Rite." We are "new" in the United States, our founding members having trekked to Montreal, Canada to receive initiation some twelve years ago.

The "feminine" lodge of which I am a member is "Temple of the Veil No. 2" and we meet in a lodge building in Westchester County, New York, about an hour from my home here in New Jersey. There is also an active lodge in the midwest, where some of our members traveled a couple of years ago to hold initiation - and several "triangles" throughout the country (not full lodges).

Although, technically, we have separate masculine and feminine lodges, each with their own installed Masters, it is our general practice to "invite" members of the opposite Lodge to each meeting - so more likely than not, although one Master or the other presides, we generally meet as a "mixed" lodge.

So far, it works. We have had initiates (feminine and "couples") seek us out from considerable distances, which makes me think that the idea of accepting women is a good way to re-ignite interest in th craft. Many of the women have had family members who were "regular" Masons in their background - (as did yours very truly, a former "Rainbow Girl"); others are simply students of esoterica whose paths lead them to our doorstep.

Last spring we had the great honor of hosting the International Grand Lodge. It was quite an interesting week-end, especially considering so many of our dignitaries were from France - but left us all with a more deepened experience of "Fraternity."

I agree with your observations that men and women, as you put it, have different "polarities" and that in fact, there are "masculine" and "feminine" aspects of the Lodge room. However, I feel the need to point out that pure white "Light" is only created by the inclusion of ALL the colors of the spectrum. Is not the feminine aspect an important, if not pivotal, element of the Great Architect's creation? Moreover, the brothers of our "mixed rite" Lodge, (as well as visitors who have attended our meetings) are often heard to comment on how the inclusion of the feminine members seems, to them, to enhance the Masonic experience, rather than to detract from it (as you imagine we might in your paper). WE are an "esoteric" lodge, one that demands constant spiritual "work" of its members, even after their attainment of the highest degrees. In this way the work is ongoing, uplifting and in constant progress, as I believe it is meant to be.