Serious and urgent question to a Masonic member, page 3

Interesting thread, though somewhat circumspect and a little short on backup...

Freemasonry is the ultimate form of organisation that exemplifies anarchy - in the sense that it is completely distributed and independent. Each Lodge and the bros that comprise it are pretty much sovereign. The various grand lodges exist solely to provide a skeleton that serves to preserve the forms of ritual used (and "Landmarks") and provide a means for masons to "go visiting" - the practise of going to other lodges to meet new people and enjoy "Fellowship". Take a look at the proceedings of any G.L. (not hard to find) and you will find 99% administrivia in it's motions, votes and edicts. Members of this concordant body should be allowed to wear theses medals on such and such occasion...

Lodges are actually fiercely independent, they suffer grand lodges to perform the function of safeguarding the Craft's heritage, but that's it. If it isn't explicitly ruled otherwise in a jurisdiction's constitution they will do what they please.

The only thing that Lodges have in common is the Degrees that they practice, but even those differ in form and substance. In the English speaking world at least, there are 3 degrees with a common theme, but there are quite a few variations within the "general theme".

Does Freemasonry teach anything ? - beyond the basic moral lessons of being a better person and using your brothers as a practice arena for treating the world at large better than one did before, NO.

It does however present the person with a set of symbols, both glyphic in nature (i.e. square & compasses) and also contained within the words of the degrees. It offers no explanation of those symbols, but leaves you entirely on your own to make of them what you will.

There are no right answers, it's purely the realm of philosophy.

A side effect of all this that has been reaped in the past (moreso than the present) is that this ritualised set of symbols has a tendency to promote people to think, and in thinking to 'grow' - in the mental sense...

Ever wonder why so many great people in the past were masons ? Because it was the only darn "school" around at the time.

To where you might find an answer to your (OP) questions - it's in the symbols.

Symbolism is a language of sorts, but it isn't a language that rests in the conscious brain, it's a language of the subconscious - or "raw consciousness" if you like.

The universe has a structure. Reality itself has structure, Symbolism at it's ancient heart is a language that describes the processes that build and operate that structure. It is also the language of dreams (no wonder they don't make sense in the morning !). Sound like B.S. ? Read the works of Jung...

There is no end to the depth of philosophy that can be wrestled from this heritage of symbolism by someone who is prepared to "do the work".

But hey... Freemasonry's symbolistic lore is no different from the lore of other spiritual groups like the Rosicrucians, etc.. and also most religions. The word "Parable" (and who spoke in those?) just means a Symbol painted in words. this is not something that Freemasonry owns, it is COMMON to every spiritual path and religion. Many organisations (societies, religions, and others) are dedicated to preserving this wisdom, and they have mostly done so reasonably well. The only thing that does get mislaid over the ages is the keys to easily unlock the symbolism. In the absence of keys, you have to learn how to fashion your own - you only know when you've got the right keys when the doors open.

Is there a specific prophecy in Freemasonry ? NO.

Is there scope to extract a cosmology from the symbolism (in the same was as it can be extracted from, for example, that magnum opus of symbolism "The Bible" - Yes.

If someone does extract an answer or understanding like that, is there a way to verify it's correctness ? NO - at least not by anyone else... You have to SEE the Matrix for yourself.