Customer Reviews

Freemasonry: A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol (Art & Imagination)

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If you are a Freemason, or are even remotely interested in the subject, you should own this book....if, for no other reason than the fact that this book contains many, many full-color, full-page pictures & other graphics, such as Craft Symbolism, the "Tools" of the Craft, Trestle Boards, etc. This book also contains an overview of Freemasonry, including some of the esoteric aspects of The Craft--even mentioning the Hermetic axiom: "As Above, So Below." I honestly believe all Masons should own books like this--esp., since so many still believe in the outdated concept of not talking about Masonry....even to their own sons and daughters...or, Wives. Leave this book lying around your den or on the coffee table. I keep my copy on the top shelf of my Masonic Research Bookshelf, beside "Duncans Ritual" (collectors edition), The Holy Bible and my Masonic antique items. It really sets-off my little shrine to Masonry! This book has more pictures than you can shake a level at....so, stop twirling your compass and get out your credit card!

If you read this book you will have more understanding of the original MEANING of Freemasonry and Masonic ritual than 90% of actual modern Freemasons.

It is well explained in this short, well written, and beautifully illustrated book what all the symbolism of the First, Second, and Third degrees were actually intended to mean. This is because the author is as well versed in the mystery religions and sacred architecture of classical times as were the founders of the Craft. Indeed you come to realise that there is a comprehensive and satisfying overview of universal spiritual wisdom in these rituals, of the self, soul, and spirit (the three Principle Officers.) This is not trivial stuff. Indeed, it is pointed out that the ultimate goal of the Third Degree is to actually die to one's self and be reborn. This was also the end goal of the old Mystery Religions- and of any spiritual path worthy of the name.

There are no "secrets" revealed here. The only secrets are those found in your own soul after deep introspection. But these rituals do point the way, and this booklet does prepare your mind on the proper path.

If you would contemplate profound, mind-expanding truths that will move you closer to the universal architect and his creation, then this is your book. If you are primarily interested in fancy rings, funny hats, and go-carts, then perhaps you should look elsewhere.

This book contains 133 illustrations and 17 of them are in colour. This is not so much a book about Freemasonry as a book about the sybolism in Freemasonry. This is a wonderful book to have, if your interest is in symbolism. The pictures alone make the book worth purchasing.

The graphics are inspiring and meaningful to all true Masons.However, you should carefuly study the text as well. I would recommend this to all good and faithful Masons as something to be lifted up and studied carefully. J.Chapin PM Maugus Hill Lodge AF&AM Natick, MA

Freemasonry describes itself as "a science of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols". This book is a clear example of that definition. All Masons, and even non-Masons, are free to make as much or as little of Freemasonry as they wish. MacNulty's Jungian approach is an interesting new expression of mystical Freemasonry. Deep mysticism or self searching, however, has never been of interest to the majority of Masons, who get a lot out of their Masonry in other ways. Even if you have no taste for the "woo-woo", this book is worth it just for the pictures.

First of all, the 133 illustrations in this thin little volume are excellent, resplendent with Masonic symbolism and indicative of Freemasonry's multifaceted history. True, a few of the pictures are just a bit tangential to the subject at hand, though these do serve the function of showing the larger context of Freemasonry, that which has influenced it and that which has been influenced by it. But by far the majority give the reader a very well-rounded and fascinating visual crash-course in Freemasonry itself. Still, it is a crash-course, a starting point for the uninitiated but interested outsider like me and perhaps a lavish but cursory review for those who have gone deeper into the subject.

The text of the book comes in two parts, an extended introductory essay and brief captions accompanying the many illustrations. The former is a bit eccentric, interpreting the three degrees of Freemasonry in the light of Jungian psychology and briefly explaining the diagrams depicting each along those lines. In general this seemed persuasive for the most part and worked well in making the rituals and images intelligible, but as the author makes clear at the beginning this is by no mean the official interpretation or even necessarily a common one. I can't help but feel that addressing the standard Masonic understanding and then adding the Jungian spin might have made this book a little more helpful. As for the latter, the captions do a pretty good job in placing the illustrations, but very little of the rich symbolism is explained in any depth, and much flies by with no comment. I tended to find this just a bit frustrating, though perhaps the short format of the book makes it inevitable. That being so, it might have made sense to enlarge the spotty bibliography at the end into a "suggested reading" page for those whose curiosity was thus aroused. And with such a wealth of intriguing images, this fine little book can scarcely fail to have that effect.

This book reads a lot like an entry-level psychology textbook where you get a taste of what is about to come, but you never quite get there. The author has gone to some great pain to provide you a psychological overview of what various signs and symbols mean in regard to Freemasonry. Instead of taking the symbology at face value, as most people would do, the author has "read between the lines" and interpreted what is "really meant" by the working tools, and so forth, of the craft. My impression is that much of the interpretation is a bit far fetched. Case in point, the author states on page 31, "This collection of symbols, and particularly their proximity to the place in the Temple where Divinity is said to reside, indicates that a Master Mason, in the sense that we are defining him, is a person who is conscious at a psychological level which relates to the World of the Spirit in the same way that our ordinary ego is conscious of the body and the physical world." Overall, this book is a rapid fire snapshot of many works of art regarding Masonry, but the emphasis is more-or-less on a pseudo-psychological impression that one man has attempted to define and apply to the craft. The message throughout the book seems a bit juvenile for such a strong subject. The text is well written though and has found a place on my bookshelf, if for no other reason than the pictures that accompany the text. The photographs throughout the book make it worth buying if no other reason applies.

Though not a book of great length, it's only 96 pages, "Freemasonry: A Journey through Ritual and Symbol" offers the reader a glimpse into the Craft of Freemasonry through its 133 illustrations and the secrets hidden in its text.

Freemasonry has been defined in many ways, but herein W. Kirk MacNulty gives us a workable definition in a single sentence when he writes `Freemasonry is a very old, secular, fraternal society which requires the belief in a Supreme Being as its principle qualification for membership and which is dedicated to the practice of tolerance, respect and understanding of others; the encouragement of high standards of morality among its members; and the performance of charitable works.

We see the history of Freemasonry from its ancient past, to the formation of the Grand Lodge in London, England in 1717, followed quickly by Grand Lodges being established in Ireland in 1725, in Scotland in 1736, in Germany in 1737, in Denmark in 1745 and in the Netherlands in 1756. We also see Lodges established under the Grand Lodge of England being formed in America, in Boston in 1733, and in Charleston in 1735.

We are then introduced to the three degrees of Freemasonry: The First Degree Entered Apprentice, The Second Degree Fellowcraft, and The Third Degree Master Mason. While W. Kirk MacNulty tries to explain the significance of each of these degrees, he does not seek to reveal the arts, parts and points of the hidden mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry. We are offered insight into the psychology of each Degree without, as is too often the case, simply reprinting the candidate's manual for these Degrees.

"Freemasonry A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol" has numerous illustrations showing the beauty of the operative Mason's Craft. We are shown the 16th Century stone-carvings from the flying buttresses at the Cathedral of St. John at S'Hertogenbosch, Holland; we see illustrations of the Masonic Tracing Boards, and we see illustrations which conceal or reveal many of the secrets of Freemasonry. Each of these many illustrations is interesting in its own right as examples of the artist's skill, but more so when one studies each illustration seeking the hidden mysteries it may contain.

I enjoyed "Freemasonry A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol" and consider it a worthy addition to the library of any Freemason or Masonic Scholar.

The historical illustrations of Masonic tracing boards are a rare find, and the incorporation of Jungian psychological principles into an explanation of the Blue Lodge degrees made quite fascinating reading; provoking some insight into the dreams I experienced while going through the Masonic rituals.

The illustrations and pictures in the book are wonderful....if nothing else, people interested in Freemasonry should get this book for the pictures. The illustrations helped make the stories and principles behind Freemasonry easier to understand and visualize. The pictures and illustrations, by the way, are not MacNulty's creation, rather they are a collection of pictures and illustrations taken from various museums and Lodges from around the world.

Unfortunately, much of the text is infused with Freudian/Jungian dribble and psychobable which diminishes the book by giving it a junk science/pseudoscientific flavor. MacNulty tries to do what some psychologists tried to do with Beatle music many years ago. Most people back then listened to the music because it sounded different and made them feel good. However, some psychologists tried to psychoanalyze the lyrics and the musicians (John, Paul, Ringo, and George) by equating the whole thing with the Id which really represents the ego who is undergoing a catharsis because the superego is in denial. All this because the ego wanted to murder the father and marry the mother.... Well, you get the idea. It's so grating, like listening to someone scratch the blackboard with their fingernails.

To sum up: If you get the book and are turned off by psychobable, then look at the pictures and cover the main text up with your hands. It's okay to peek at the captions though.