Freemasonry: Initiation by Light

by Christopher Earnshaw 33°

Modern Speculative Freemasonry was born at a Lodge meeting at the Rummer and Grapes Tavern, later moving to the Horn Tavern. The first three Grand Masters had changed the existing Operative Masons' rituals in some way, and the only way to find out what those changes were, was to compare the current ritual to the bits of ritual that exist prior to the establishment of the Premier Grand Lodge in 1717, the event Masonic scholar Albert Pike calls the “Revival.” The allure of researching the early days of Freemasonry is that we can learn about the objectives of the first three Grand Masters, and thus answer some or all of the following

•Why the Lodge at the Horn Tavern was so different from the other three Lodges whose “Constitution is Immemorial.”

•What was the secret scroll owned by a librarian at the University of Oxford that might hold the formula for alchemy’s ultimate prize, the Philosophers’ Stone?

•Why valuable documents were destroyed during the early days of the Grand Lodge of England.

•How did the son of the only “black” queen of England become Freemasonry’s first royal Grand Master?

•Why the Bishop of London treated Pocahontas as “visiting royalty,” and what became of her?

•Who was the Chinese mandarin, who may hold the secret to one of the degrees?

•Why a rival “Chinese” secret society tried to bring down Freemasonry.

This book answers these questions, and many more!

331 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2020

About the author

Thirty years in Japan, in banking and pharmaceuticals.

BA Japanese and Chinese
MA Transpersonal psychology
PhD Neuroscience

Hobbies: Aikido, 'cello, cooking and writing

I tend to study a subject in detail, then summarize my opinions/ideas/experiences in a book. I only write non-fiction. To date I have written a dozen books on subjects as diverse as Japanese calligraphy, Tarot and Asthma. I have also written a University-level EFL book, and a pharmaceutical industry manual.

Future projects include books on cooking, theology and spiritualism.

My most recent project is a quadriliogy: "Spiritual Freemasonry."

Spiritual Freemasonry

Reviews

[Tom Stanger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freemasonry: Initiation by Light by Christopher Earnshaw is the first of four books exploring the origins and mysteries of Freemasonry. Often today, an organisation that is held with good humour or as part of some conspiracy theory in certain areas, Freemasonry is a highly regarded charitable organisation with a rich history, weaving its way through social and international circles. Yet, how did this come to be? In Freemasonry: Initiation by Light, Christopher Earnshaw answers many of the questions that have been raised following the revival of 1717.

Although much of the origins of freemasonry haven’t been in the public eye since their creation, they have indeed been brought into the public attention through the works of religious historians and theorists and brought into more popular limelight through the work of popular authors such as Dan Brown. However, the origins of the organisation are much more intricate than any of these authors have detailed, it is here that Christopher Earnshaw’s experience as a Freemason comes as a valuable resource into the history of Freemasonry.

Although Freemasonry: Initiation by Light is essentially written for those within the organisation, it should certainly not put any lay reader off from delving into this very rich and detailed book. For anyone researching the eighteenth Century, including the Freemasons is almost vital, and after reading a clearer picture emerges on the period and the institutions of the time.

However, what Earnshaw brings to the attention of the reader is something that one would likely never have considered previously, and that is not just a tale regarding ‘secret societies’ but the secrets within the society, not just regarding the initiations but the construction of the ‘degrees’ that form the first ‘levels’ (if you will) of the society.

What is generally unknown, and refers to a question raised by Victorian Freemasons, is a Chinese influence within early Freemasonry, that not only helped shape its early revival period in the eighteenth century, merging aspects of a Daoist initiation with aspects of Christianity and spiritual alchemy focused on the transformation and maturity of the soul.

Freemasonry: Initiation by Light is certainly not a ‘light read’, it is meticulously detailed and seeks to not only help new members on their journey within the Freemason structure but also assist those with an interest in the period seeking to see a fuller picture of the Enlightenment, which saw many changes in religious thinking and philosophy towards the modern views we have today. In Freemasonry: Initiation by Light Christopher Earnshaw highlights the rich tapestry of Freemasonry origins, explaining the characters and events with incredible depth and detail vital to any historian and member.

[Gordon Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Master Mason, this book provided me with information that I never knew about the Craft. It is an excellent book, a must-have for all Mason's libraries.

I couldn't put it down; and found myself wishing I had read it before being raised.

Earnshaw gives you additional information about the objectives of Masonry that normally aren't written down. He explains the origin of Freemasonry and the meaning of the First Degree ritual - it's packed with interesting information. It reads very well and will be a resource for years to come.

The completely new presentation about the Chinese connection to Masonry is compelling! I recommend Initiation by Light for all Master Masons’ bookshelves.