We see it in books, in movies, in documentaries and even on the 1$-bill. We hear references in Jazz and Classical Music, now there is Pop music inspired by the rich tradition of Freemasonry. With the concept album The Temple of Humanity by Freestone, Freemasonry is entering Popular Music for the first time. What is Freemasonry, what is its purpose, what are freemasons up to in their lodges, do the United States of America have Masonic roots and what is the meaning of the all-seeing eye?
The Temple of Humanity doesn’t directly give answers, but provides a discovery through symbols and rituals of the mystical tradition of Freemasonry. References can be found in music, lyrics and artwork. No conspiracy theories or unnecessary secrecy, but an authentic story based upon personal experience. With twelve powerful songs the album proves that Freemasonry is alive and is moving forward.
The album is composed and produced by someone who is initiated, both in Freemasonry as well as in music. In co-operation with experienced musicians, The Temple of Humanity is a professional produced authentic and unique album. The packaging and booklet contain fascinating art and artists from different countries (of whom a few are masons themselves) have contributed their work. Freestone makes pop- and rock music based upon different themes that can be commonly found in pop music. Music and artwork are contemporary and the album shows that in the pop community and in the changing music industry, there is still place for something new. Discover the mystery and listen to The Temple of Humanity.
Millions of men have become Freemasons throughout history, and yet it is not commonly known how one actually becomes a Freemason. An ancient landmark (custom) of regular Freemasonry that one is not asked to become a Freemason – a man must do it of his own volition. Some jurisdictions require that a man ask more than once. Membership is for men, 18 years of age or older, who meet the qualifications and standards of character and reputation, who are of good moral character, and who believe in the existence of a supreme being.
The doors of Freemasonry are open to men who seek harmony with their fellowman, feel the need for self-improvement and wish to participate in making this world a better place to live. Any man who becomes a Freemason is taught a pattern for living – reverence, morality, kindness, honesty, dependability, and compassion. He must be prepared to honor his country, uphold its laws, and respect those in authority. He must be prepared to maintain honorable relations with others and be willing to share in Masonic activities.
To become a member of this ancient and honorable Fraternity, a man must apply of his own free will and accord and with an open heart. Invitations are not issued to prospective members, nor are members solicited.
If a person is interested in joining, he should ask a Masonic friend for more information or contact a local masonic lodge. Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternity in the world.
The full title of this order is The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta.
Knights Templar is an international philanthropic Masonic order affiliated with Freemasonry. In some countries it forms part of the York Rite, while in others it is a separate order on its own. In the mid 1700s the Freemasons began to incorporate symbols and traditions of the medieval Knights Templar. The original medieval Order of Knights Templar was established after the First Crusade, and existed from approximately 1118 to 1312.
Officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church around 1129, the Order became a favored charity throughout Christendom, and grew rapidly in membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. Non-combatant members of the Order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques that were an early form of banking, and building many fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land.
The Templars’ existence was tied closely to the Crusades; when the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumors about the Templars’ secret initiation ceremony created mistrust, and King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Order, took advantage of the situation. In 1307, many of the Order’s members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at the stake. Under pressure from King Philip, Pope Clement V disbanded the Order in 1312. The abrupt disappearance of a major part of the European infrastructure gave rise to speculation and legends, which have kept the “Templar” name alive into the modern day.
Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, or simply Morals and Dogma, is a book of esoteric philosophy published by the Supreme Council, Thirty Third Degree, of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States.
It was written by Albert Pike and first published in 1872. There have been several subsequent editions. While now out of print, copies are still widely available.
The book is composed of Pike’s ruminations and essays on the Degrees of the Scottish Rite, from the 1st to the 32nd. It is intended as a guidebook for people entering the Scottish Rite, and explains Pike’s understanding of the symbolism and allegory in the degrees he wrote. However, it is a truly imposing tome.
There are 861 pages of text and a 218 page index; the book itself is over two inches thick. There are thirty-two chapters, each discussing the philosophical symbolism of a degree of Freemasonry in extensive detail.
Rosslyn Chapel, properly named the Collegiate Church of St Matthew, was founded on a small hill above Roslin Glen as a Roman Catholic collegiate church (with between 4 and 6 ordained canons and two boy choristers) in the mid-15th century. After the Scottish Reformation (1560) Roman Catholic worship in the Chapel was brought to an end, although the Sinclair family continued to be Roman Catholics until the early 18th century. From that time the Chapel was closed to public worship until 1861 when it was opened again as a place of worship according to the rites of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
The purpose of the college was to celebrate the Divine Office throughout the day and night and also to celebrate Holy Mass for all the faithful departed, including the deceased members of the Sinclair family. During this period the rich heritage of plainsong (a single melodic line) or polyphony (vocal harmony) would be used to enrich the singing of the liturgy. An endowment was made that would pay for the upkeep of the priests and choristers in perpetuity and they also had parochial responsibilities.
Rosslyn Chapel and the nearby Rosslyn Castle are located at the village of Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland. The chapel was founded by William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness of the Sinclair family, a noble family descended from Norman knights, using the standard designs the medieval architects made available to him. Rosslyn Chapel is the third Sinclair place of worship at Roslin – the first being in Rosslyn Castle and the second (whose crumbling buttresses can still be seen today) in what is now Roslin Cemetery.
We see it in books, in movies, in documentaries and even on the 1$-bill. We hear references in Jazz and Classical Music, now there is Popmusic inspired by the rich tradition of Freemasonry. With the conceptalbum The Temple of Humanity by Freestone, Freemasonry is entering Popular Music for the first time. What is Freemasonry, what is its purpose, what are freemasons up to in their lodges, do the United States of America have Masonic roots and what is the meaning of the all-seeing eye?
The Temple of Humanity doesn’t directly give answers, but provides a discovery through symbols and rituals of the mystical tradition of Freemasonry. References can be found in music, lyrics and artwork. No conspiracy theories or unnecessary secrecy, but an authentic story based upon personal experience. With twelve powerful songs the album proves that Freemasonry is alive and is moving forward.
The album is composed and produced by someone who is initiated, both in Freemasonry as well as in music. In co-operation with experienced musicians, The Temple of Humanity is a professional produced authentic and unique album. The packaging and booklet contain fascinating art and artists from different countries (of whom a few are masons themselves) have contributed their work. Freestone makes pop- and rockmusic based upon different themes that can be commonly found in popmusic. Music and artwork are contemporary and the album shows that in the popcommunity and in the changing music industry, there is still place for something new. Discover the mystery and listen to The Temple of Humanity.