Customer Reviews

The Alchemical Keys To Masonic Ritual

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To Masons and non-Masons alike,

WB Tim Hogan is much more than a well-informed Mason. He has dedicated his life to the preservation through advancement of the Craft and of the Esoteric traditions. Many Masons want to believe that all they go to Lodge for is for meetings, degrees and fundraisers. That wasn't so in the beginning and should NOT or EVER be our "soul" purpose now.

Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual offers Masons a true reason to not only WANT to go to Lodge, but NEED to go to Lodge. Brethren, it's time to start thinking like students again, and enter into the doors of the School of Mystery when you enter your Lodge.

Read, and re-read. Study, Reflect, Meditate. Be Masons - and continue to make a difference to the Craft.

Matthew James Backus 32*KSA
[...]

For newly raised Master Masons and guys who have been in the Fraternity for a while this book is a valuable resource that looks into the deeper meaning of what exactly a Mason had gone through while going through the Three Degree's of Blue Lodge Masonry. In addition to this, the book touches briefly into the York and Scottish Rites. Also, the book is very short and took me all of two days to read and I feel all the more enlightened on the wonderful degree work that our Fraternity does. For the Masonic researcher this is definately a must to have in your Masonic library as well as for the newly raised brother. I only wish I can give this review more stars. Keep searching for "Light" guys :).

John E. Priegnitz II
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F&AM of Utah
Gateway Lodge #29
Argenta Lodge #3

Some interesting theories are presented, but i'm not sure if I believe them. I have contacted an Alchemist that I know and he knows of Timothy Hogan and my alchemist friend was surprised that I had gotten a copy of this book. Mister Hogan is respected amongst the Alchemical field and some of his theories are very interesting. I am always in search or further light, and Mr Hogan presnts a different type of light.

This is an excellent book that all Masons should be required to read after completing the Master Masons degree. This book explains the true meaning of many of the allegorical charges in Masonic ritual. Once a Mason realizes there is more to the story they can begin their philosophical journey and become a true, "lover of truth".

I think the reason for why so many masons are leaving masonry is becuase they want to find the secrets, but no one knows what they are when you join. A handshake and a password is no real mystery when you can look it up on the internet...

but the hidden meanings behind freemasonry are Alchemical, not just Spirital, they are the keys to work with the hidden mysterys of Nature and Science.

This book is not one man's idea... it is the truth of masonry that the ritual is
all alchemical, and its not until you practice alchemy that you will start to find them hidden in the ritual.

This book sheds a lot of light on the subject and is a must read for all masons.


Loved the book 10/10

LUX

Alchemy is an occult science in most masonic rituals, which is invisible for most rationalist and materialist 'candidates for real initiation'. Particularly the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, worked by most regular Grand Lodges in Latin American countries (as it's indicated very well by Rodrigo of Antofagasta, Chile), contains various alchemical symbols which are communicating the freemason that, someday, he have to re-encounter with this sacred and occult science of Alchemy and, by this way, to convert him in a real initiate.
Speculative freemasonry have lost the ancient knowledge of this Real Art (Alchemy), which allow a real spiritual development (and not merely good intentions by speechs).
Alchemy knowledge have been in possession of various human beings (some of they religious like Alberto Magno and Tomas de Aquino, freemasons like Balsamo and Saint-Germain) across the time in both oriental and accidental cultures. But this sacred knowledge have been protected against unworhty and merely curious people.
I congratulate the autor of this book because he is aware of Alchemy in masonic ritual, considering that Alchemy is a legacy for humankind which has been occult in symbols of most religious traditions. A book like his is neccesary for teachings labours to 'candidates for real initiation', considering that most masonic authors (like O. Wirth) are ignorant in alchemy. I just want to stimulate Mr. Hogan to search for the 'verbum dismissum' (Solve et Coagula) to initiate the alchemical operations into his atanor.
You must know that since ancient times, the 'verbum dismissum' has been passed on by a 'golden chain', from mouth to ear (like it is symbolically represented in most masonic lodges).
Greetings from Chile.

This book should be up on the shelf with every other alchemical book you own. It is essential reading for the alchemist and the mason to understand the corillations between the two. Not only is it incredibly insightful but each page is meaty in content. For those old masons trapped in business-meeting-masonry, this is essential to understanding the craft. This is ancient knowledge for the NEWMASONRY. A fine read by one of the best alchemy teachers out there today!

I applaud Bro. Timothy Hogan for an extremely well written work. I don't think I ever read a book about Masonic ritual that was so easy and enjoyable to digest. A short book, yet full of information revealing Hermetic alchemic aspects of the ritual. I agree that this work is an excellent source for more knowledge for any Master Mason interested in a deeper understanding of the ritual. I would recommend this before tackling heftier works like Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma. It is simply a great source of information, and more; I believe this work reveals some important nuts and bolts about how the ritual was intended to be a transformational experience for the men participating.

I just finished this book and found it very exciting. Especially with Freemasonry on the wane, it is gratifying to read an essay so thoroughly esoteric. I say this because I believe that young, intelligent men seeking Light in Masonry will be interested in our ancient, esoteric roots in alchemy, Kabbalah, Rosicrucianism and Templar mysteries. Without taking on the vexed question of whether there is "historical" proof for such connections, I feel that Wor.: Bro.: Hogan has demonstrated the symbolic connections cogently. I will read this book again and again, along with Wor.: Bro.: Hogan's other books.

A well written book. Take your time in reading it as there is much to take in. I enjoyed it GREATLY.