How to become a Freemason
How to become a Freemason
In order to become a Freemason belief in a Supreme Being is fundamental. If you hold this belief you are eligible to become a Freemason and are able to join a Masonic Lodge. There is a process from applying to becoming a full member which all Masons, without exception, have to go through. The procedure is conducted at every stage in a dignified manner. There is no reason to feel apprehensive about taking that first step.
When you have decided which Lodge you wish to join, ask for an application form. This is a standard questionnaire provided by the Grand Lodge of Scotland via all Lodge Secretaries. All the questions must be answered completely and truthfully. Alternatively, if you know of friends and or family members who are Freemasons you can make your initial enquiries through them.
All Lodges charge an annual fee as well as a one-off joining fee. Be sure you fully understand all costs before joining. Once you have declared an interest to a given Lodge, you will be contacted by the Secretary who will arrange for you to meet with two members of the Lodge. They will become your sponsors throughout the process of your application and thereafter.
Once your application is submitted (which includes the recommendation of your sponsors), the lodge Secretary presents your petition to the members of the Lodge at the next available regular meeting. Your petition is read to all the members, who are present at the meeting and the application is also committed to the minutes of the Lodge.
A committee of enquiry, chaired by the Master of the Lodge, will meet with you in an official capacity to discuss your application. This meeting is normally held at the Lodge. The enquiry committee reports to the members at the next regular meeting, following which your petition is immediately voted on. The election of you as a candidate in a Masonic lodge is conducted by a ballot.
Once elected, you will receive the Degrees of Masonry. These are scheduled by the Lodge to take place soon after you are elected a member. Normally the degrees are conducted on consecutive months but there are other considerations and breaks which, may mean the degrees are not conferred consecutively. After each degree working the members gather socially at Harmony, where the evenings are concluded with supper, toasts and entertainment. Apart from the high, moral values nurtured by Freemasons there is a social aspect to membership of a Lodge. In addition, there is also an on-going commitment to worthwhile and charitable causes.
After you have completed your first degree, you will be eligible to visit other Lodges in Scotland and in other countries.
We prefer you to go through your degrees by yourself, one at a time, with a certain waiting period between them. You will have to prove your proficiency (knowledge of each degree) before moving to the next one. Your sponsors will be in a position to help you with this process as well as look after you in the early stages of your Masonic career.
When you have completed your Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason degrees, you are a full member. There is a further degree to be conferred on you which is an extension of the Fellow Craft Degree which is known as the Mark Degree or Ceremonial of the Mark.
All Lodges have their own particular history and peculiarities which makes every Lodge unique and different to each other. This is especially so in Scotland, where the differences between the Lodges can be wide and varied.
If you are interested in becoming a member of this most ancient and venerable Lodge, write to or email the Lodge Secretary through our contact links on this website with your details and we will contact you to discuss your application further.
In order to become a Freemason belief in a Supreme Being is fundamental. If you hold this belief you are eligible to become a Freemason and are able to join a Masonic Lodge. There is a process from applying to becoming a full member which all Masons, without exception, have to go through. The procedure is conducted at every stage in a dignified manner. There is no reason to feel apprehensive about taking that first step.
When you have decided which Lodge you wish to join, ask for an application form. This is a standard questionnaire provided by the Grand Lodge of Scotland via all Lodge Secretaries. All the questions must be answered completely and truthfully. Alternatively, if you know of friends and or family members who are Freemasons you can make your initial enquiries through them.
All Lodges charge an annual fee as well as a one-off joining fee. Be sure you fully understand all costs before joining. Once you have declared an interest to a given Lodge, you will be contacted by the Secretary who will arrange for you to meet with two members of the Lodge. They will become your sponsors throughout the process of your application and thereafter.
Once your application is submitted (which includes the recommendation of your sponsors), the lodge Secretary presents your petition to the members of the Lodge at the next available regular meeting. Your petition is read to all the members, who are present at the meeting and the application is also committed to the minutes of the Lodge.
A committee of enquiry, chaired by the Master of the Lodge, will meet with you in an official capacity to discuss your application. This meeting is normally held at the Lodge. The enquiry committee reports to the members at the next regular meeting, following which your petition is immediately voted on. The election of you as a candidate in a Masonic lodge is conducted by a ballot.
Once elected, you will receive the Degrees of Masonry. These are scheduled by the Lodge to take place soon after you are elected a member. Normally the degrees are conducted on consecutive months but there are other considerations and breaks which, may mean the degrees are not conferred consecutively. After each degree working the members gather socially at Harmony, where the evenings are concluded with supper, toasts and entertainment. Apart from the high, moral values nurtured by Freemasons there is a social aspect to membership of a Lodge. In addition, there is also an on-going commitment to worthwhile and charitable causes.
After you have completed your first degree, you will be eligible to visit other Lodges in Scotland and in other countries.
We prefer you to go through your degrees by yourself, one at a time, with a certain waiting period between them. You will have to prove your proficiency (knowledge of each degree) before moving to the next one. Your sponsors will be in a position to help you with this process as well as look after you in the early stages of your Masonic career.
When you have completed your Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason degrees, you are a full member. There is a further degree to be conferred on you which is an extension of the Fellow Craft Degree which is known as the Mark Degree or Ceremonial of the Mark.
All Lodges have their own particular history and peculiarities which makes every Lodge unique and different to each other. This is especially so in Scotland, where the differences between the Lodges can be wide and varied.
If you are interested in becoming a member of this most ancient and venerable Lodge, write to or email the Lodge Secretary through our contact links on this website with your details and we will contact you to discuss your application further.
What is Freemasonry?
It is often said that Freemasonry… ‘Makes good men better.’ As well as being one of the World’s oldest secular fraternal societies, Freemasonry is an enjoyable association of like-minded men who work towards a common goal of being happy and communicating happiness to others. This is achieved by work in the Lodge and through our work in the community. The work in the Lodge is largely based on a series of ritual ceremonies. Their purpose is to seek to instil morality by teaching and practising high standards of conduct. This aim is furthered at the ‘Harmony’ held after Lodge meetings and at other social occasions involving wives and families.
Why become a Freemason?
People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others on the introduction of a friend or just out of curiosity to find out what it’s all about. Freemasonry means different things to each of those who join. For some, it’s about making new friends and acquaintances. For others it’s about being able to help deserving causes – making a contribution to family and community. But for most, it’s an enjoyable hobby. They enjoy the challenges and friendship that Freemasonry offers and the participation in the ceremonies, providing a member with the opportunity to learn about himself and become a better person.
Who can become a Freemason?
Under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, candidates shall be 18 years and over. We do not admit women, but equally, there are other branches of Masonry that accept both men and women, or women only such as the Order of Women Freemasons.
What are the requirements to become a Freemason?
You should believe in a Supreme Being.
You should be coming to Masonry “of your own free will and accord”.
You should not have any criminal convictions.
You should enjoy the company of other’s from a wide range of social and working environments.
If you are a family man, it is very important that your family obligations come first, and your partner is supportive of your membership.
You should be able to afford the joining fees and continuing membership fees without hardship to your family.
Your time commitment will be to attend eight meetings per year, and as you progress you will be invited to attend committee meetings and practices.
You should be willing to take part in our rituals.
You should understand and accept that Freemasonry does not exist to assist its Members in their business or employment.
Kelso & Tweed 58 raises money for Masonic and non-Masonic charities through raffles, collections and social events. Members of the Lodge are not expected to contribute beyond their means and an individual’s contribution is very much a personal matter.
You should be coming to Masonry “of your own free will and accord”.
You should not have any criminal convictions.
You should enjoy the company of other’s from a wide range of social and working environments.
If you are a family man, it is very important that your family obligations come first, and your partner is supportive of your membership.
You should be able to afford the joining fees and continuing membership fees without hardship to your family.
Your time commitment will be to attend eight meetings per year, and as you progress you will be invited to attend committee meetings and practices.
You should be willing to take part in our rituals.
You should understand and accept that Freemasonry does not exist to assist its Members in their business or employment.
Kelso & Tweed 58 raises money for Masonic and non-Masonic charities through raffles, collections and social events. Members of the Lodge are not expected to contribute beyond their means and an individual’s contribution is very much a personal matter.
What Is Meant By ‘A Supreme Being’?
The essential qualification for admission and continuing membership is a belief in your personal Supreme Being, irrespective of its origins – usually known in Masonic terms as The Great Architect of The Universe, The Grand Geometrician of the Universe or The Most High. These descriptive names show the importance a Freemason places on his personal Supreme Being in the order of things in life. Membership is open to men of any faith who can fulfil this essential qualification and who are of good repute. How you practice your faith is regarded as a strictly personal matter and members of different faiths happily co-exist within Freemasonry.
How much does it cost?
On entry to Lodge Kelso & Tweed 58, there is a one-off joining fee of £270 which includes the first year’s annual subscription. You’ll then pay an annual subscription of £60 which covers your membership of the Lodge.
It is entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity, but it should always be without detriment to his other responsibilities. Similarly, he may join as many Lodges as his time and pocket can allow.
It is entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity, but it should always be without detriment to his other responsibilities. Similarly, he may join as many Lodges as his time and pocket can allow.
What happens in a Lodge Meeting?
A Lodge meeting is usually in several parts. There is a certain amount of administration such as reading and approving minutes of the last meeting, proposing and balloting for new Members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of Officers bearers, news and correspondence.
Then there are the ceremonies for making new masons and the annual Installation of the Master and Office bearers.
Each of the three degrees, for making a new Mason, involve a series of short rituals based on ancient stories and customs, teaching the principle of the craft and the candidate’s various duties using drama, allegory and symbolism. Inside the Lodge everyone is equal and everyone must pass through the historic rituals that have remained essentially the same for hundreds of years. They may seem a bit strange, taken out of context, but they have a genuine and sincere purpose.
After the Ceremony is completed more administrative matters take place before the meeting is closed.
After the meeting we have a ‘Harmony Board’ which is an informal sit-down among friends with a light snacks, tea, coffee and drinks from the bar. On some occasions formal toasts are made by the Right Worshipful Master. A raffle is normal, with proceeds going to good causes supported by the Lodge and our members.
Then there are the ceremonies for making new masons and the annual Installation of the Master and Office bearers.
Each of the three degrees, for making a new Mason, involve a series of short rituals based on ancient stories and customs, teaching the principle of the craft and the candidate’s various duties using drama, allegory and symbolism. Inside the Lodge everyone is equal and everyone must pass through the historic rituals that have remained essentially the same for hundreds of years. They may seem a bit strange, taken out of context, but they have a genuine and sincere purpose.
After the Ceremony is completed more administrative matters take place before the meeting is closed.
After the meeting we have a ‘Harmony Board’ which is an informal sit-down among friends with a light snacks, tea, coffee and drinks from the bar. On some occasions formal toasts are made by the Right Worshipful Master. A raffle is normal, with proceeds going to good causes supported by the Lodge and our members.
How Do I Apply to Join?
It’s a lot easier than you might think. You can ask someone you know is a Mason or send our Secretary an e-mail, providing him with your contact details. A Member of our Lodge will then contact you to explain in more detail what is involved.
What Happens When I Apply?
If you have any other questions about how to become a Freemason we are very happy to help. To be a Freemason is an honour and a privilege, so to start your journey get in touch and we’ll do all we can to make it happen. Please email the Lodge Secretary at [email protected] or write to us at the following address,
Lodge Kelso & Tweed 58
11 Shedden Park Road
Kelso TD5 7AJ
Lodge Kelso & Tweed 58
11 Shedden Park Road
Kelso TD5 7AJ
Do you have to believe in a God?
Members are expected to be able to affirm a belief in a ‘Supreme Being’. This is deliberately phrased so as to be fully inclusive, and we celebrate the diverse nature of the beliefs of our members. There is no requirement to be an active practitioner of any particular religion.
What goes on in a Lodge Meeting?
There are three ‘degree ceremonies’ performed during masonic meetings. They are essentially one act plays and teach members how to be better people and each play represents a different stage in life.
As an ‘initiate’ or Entered Apprentice, Freemasons are taught we are all born equal, we learn that in life some do better than others and it is up to those that do well to look after the less fortunate. From this stems our belief in the importance of Service.
The next stage is to become a ‘Fellow Craft’ where Freemasons are taught the importance of improving yourself as a person, and finally as a ‘Master Mason’, where we learn that we have but one life, and the importance of using it wisely.
The details of the ceremonies can easily be accessed online but nothing beats experiencing it for yourself.
After the meetings members dine together informally in order to enjoy good food, good wine, and good company. And most importantly, to have fun together.
As an ‘initiate’ or Entered Apprentice, Freemasons are taught we are all born equal, we learn that in life some do better than others and it is up to those that do well to look after the less fortunate. From this stems our belief in the importance of Service.
The next stage is to become a ‘Fellow Craft’ where Freemasons are taught the importance of improving yourself as a person, and finally as a ‘Master Mason’, where we learn that we have but one life, and the importance of using it wisely.
The details of the ceremonies can easily be accessed online but nothing beats experiencing it for yourself.
After the meetings members dine together informally in order to enjoy good food, good wine, and good company. And most importantly, to have fun together.
