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The Key to Solomon's Key: Is This the Lost Symbol of Masonry?

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The popularity of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code has ignited an explosion of public interest in Freemasonry and the role this ancient and secretive fraternity has played in the untold history of western civilization. What (if any) is Masonry's connection to the intrigues of the Knights Templar - the crusading order of military monks condemned for heresy and sorcery in the 14th century? Did the Templars, as so many modern commentators are suggesting, really possess a secret so astonishing that it threatened the very existence of the Church of Rome, and the monarchies of Europe whose power rested upon the "Divine Right of Kings?"

I am a Freemason, and in my new book, "The Key to Solomon's Key", I share the reasons I believe that the secret of the Templars has, for the last three hundred years, been quietly revealed to those who have eyes to see in the symbols and ceremonies of Freemasonry. I am also a ceremonial magician, and as such it is clear to me that the traditions of Magic and Masonry meld in the person of Solomon, the legendary Magician-King of Israel, and the archetypal centerpiece of both Masonic lore, and the rituals of ceremonial Magic.

Is Solomon's story true? Or do myth and tradition hold the key that unlocks mysteries of human consciousness infinitely more astounding than history?

Perhaps the purpose of Masonry's veneration of Solomon is not to advance an alternate view of history, but to present, however subtly, the archetype of the future human being - men and women who truly possess Solomon's Key - the power to master our own demons and redirect their destructive energy to build the Temple of our own evolving soul. -- Lon Milo DuQuette

The Knights Templar - The Freemasons - and The Most Dangerous Secret in the World are not elements of fiction, and while this book is marvelously entertaining, THE KEY TO SOLOMON'S KEY is not a novel - it's the real thing.

Lon Milo Duquette is also the real thing. He's a high-degree Freemason, a leading figure in esoteric Templarism, and perhaps the most eminent and respected living magician in the world today.

The earthshaking secret supposedly possessed by the legendary Knights Templar and preserved in the rites and traditions of Freemasonry is infinitely more devastating to the religious and political institutions western world than the possibility that Jesus may have had a wife and children.

Yes, he does indeed reveal a mind-blowing secret of history - one that will forever change your view of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. But it is also a true magical key that unlocks the mysteries of the human soul.

Critics have called him the most entertaining author in the field of magic and the occult. But Duquette is more than entertaining - he's the real thing - and this little book is unquestionably his greatest gift to the world.

I was privileged enough to hear a section of this wonderful book read at an open lecture. This is an author who uses common sense with his scholarly pursuits. The reader is definitely in for a fresh new angle to a subject gaining more and more popularity, the "hidden" mysteries which lay right before our eyes. This is book not only meant to be read but reread and studied. Far from being another mass in the mounds the unique approach this author uses will really leave an impact with the reader.

As with this authors other books this is definitely not just a book for the shelves, or just a book full of interesting facts and ideas which leave us unchanged, but a masterpiece full of life transforming tools and insight. He is funny and informative. I wish my school books were written by him, he really keeps your attention. He is so easy to read but gives massive amounts of information. His books can be read over and over each time gaining a deeper understanding. I cannot recommend him highly enough!

In reading his works one soon discovers that this is a man who not only is full of a tremendous amount of information, but a true master who resonates with what he teaches and is able to give a huge amount of knowledge in a simple and straightforward manner.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book and every other book written by this amazing author!

As a Freemason I find the The Key to Solomon's Key to be one of the most useful books I've ever read. And I've read a mountain of very useful books. This is a Master work. I'm also marveling at the timing. I've been working these very issues lately and this book really is the key to helping them fall into their proper place. It is so remarkably well distilled.
Lon Milo DuQuette has recast Masonry in it's original mystical Light, which is long overdue. Many Freemasons may fear this book and it's mystical and magical implications, but the days of American Freemasonry being charity work and funny hats are numbered. It is thankfully quickly becoming charity work, mysticism and funny hats.
Fundamentalists will doubtless use this book to say, "Look, you see, Freemasonry isn't Christian!" Masons will continue to scratch our heads and ask, "Who said Freemasonry was Christian?"
If the trend in American Freemasonry continues to be a shift back to our mystical, philosophical roots, doubtless Masonic numbers will shrink, but to quote the Dikaiosune, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
I'm very glad to see Mr. Duquette affording those Masons who wish to delve into the deeper mysteries of the Craft some new insight to help them do so.

"The Key to Solomon's Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry" is a book that will certainly make those capable of thinking - THINK!

The book itself is divided into two parts, the first consisting of the author's philosophy of Magic and Masonry, and the second consisting of excerpts from the Lesser Key of Solomon.

PART 1 - Solomon's Secret

Prologue - The Kryptos
1 - I Confess, I'm a Freemason
2 - I Confess, I'm a Magician
3 - Solomon the King
4 - Solomon the Magician
5 - A Secret Society of Boys
6 - The Knights Templar
7 - The Templar's Secret
8 - The Most Dangerous Secret in the World
9 - But Masons Love The Bible
10 - The Crucifix
11 - Sorcery
12 - Initiation
12 - The Seven Secrets of Solomon

PART 2 - The Magic of Solomon

Elements of Spirit Evocation
Excerpts from the Lesser Key of Solomon

The author, Lon Milo Duquette, begins by discussing his personal association with the Freemasons and his study of magic. We are then offered a look at the history (or lack thereof) of King Solomon, both from the Bible and as found in other texts.

Next we are presented with a detailed hypothesis about the Knights Templar, and what may be the secret that brought them to power.

Throughout the book the author tells his story in a way that is entertaining and easy to read, while at the same raising questions and unraveling a thread between Freemasonry and Western magical traditions.

For anyone interested in the study of the arcane "The Key to Solomon's Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry" is a `Must'. For those who enjoy books like `The Da Vinci Code' you will find an enjoyable story in "The Key to Solomon's Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry"

Maestro DuQuette has scored again with an unveiling of Masonic and Magical secrets that Dan Brown will have a hard time topping.
The biggest "Secret" behind Freemasonry is clearly set forth:
That we are all equally ensouled Sons of God and that only within yourself will you ever find the great wellspring of true divinity. Of course this was Jesus's message before Paul and Constantine religio-politicized it. The reason why this secret is so terrifying is that it rips the power from all dogmatic priesthoods and makes every man his own fully empowered high priest! This also, as DuQuette points out, makes him a magician, and THAT is even more terrifying (to "true believers"). DuQuette relates this historically to the Age of Enlightment and the rise of science and reason. The history of Freemasonry reveals that it was originally concieved by such men as Sir Francis Bacon, Elias Ashmole and others of like mind in the early 1700s. Unfortunately the Royal Academy in England insisted on veiling the Great Secret, and the true meaning of The Lost Word in order to please the Church of England. It has taken us 300 years to finally part this veil--and the parting of the veil comes at the right time. Only Freemasonry has the Secret Key to stop Christians, Jews and Muslims from killing each other. However, before the "true believers" descend on us to burn us at the stake as sorcerers, we should mention that guidelines were submitted four years ago to Grand Lodge of California suggesting that no magical operations be permitted on Masonic property, or in any connection with Masonic activity. There may be Masonic Magicians but Freemasonry doesn't practice Magick.
And that isn't just my opinion. Ill. Bro. Albert Pike said the same thing many years ago.

Reviewed by: Carroll "Poke" Runyon, M.A.
author: The Book of Solomon's Magick

This was probably released to coincide with Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code movie as it discusses Dan's theories but also delves more into the Masonic aspects of the era which by default includes a discussion of the Knights Templar.

First of there are no golden secrets here. If you plan on buying the book to learn more about Solomonic - re: Goetia - you're only going to see a little discussion about it in Part Two Introduction's: The Elements of Spirit Evocation. This section is from pp. 122-139 and then you have pretty much the Goetia pulled verbatim and slapped directly onto pages 140-198. Thus if you alredy have a copy of the Goetia, then this book may only hold 17 pages of information that you're paying for.

In the previous 121 pages, DuQuette discusses the issues of Masonry and the charges of Occultism (satanism, Witchcraft, etc.) that have been unfairly levelled at it for several hundred years. He also offers a radical (but well thought out) theory about what the big secret was that the Templars held over the Church's head and why they were able to operate "outside the law".

Chapters nine & ten bored me to tears as they discussed "the Bible" and "the Crucifx". Nothing really amazing in here either and plenty you've heard elsewhere in your spiritual trek.

If you have a copy of DuQuette's earlier works such as _Illustrated Goetia of Aleister Crowley_ and his follow up work _My Life With The Spirits_, then you'll have more than enough material covered that he attempts to rehash in his 17 pages about the Goetia.

I give this book only 2 out of 5 stars for the fact he merely rehashed older material and has tried to make a profit on it from the release of the DaVinci Code.

As a Freemason, I expected a re-hash of usual masonic myth and legend. I was very surprised. The focus is both historical and legend, keeping both in perspective. Observations and conclusions were presented in a very entertaining and balanced manner and the book was easy and fun to read while providing a lot of topics to ponder. Whether a Freemason or not, there is much information contained in the book. Whether one agrees with the author or not, the issues are clear, the suggestions and conclusions are logical and believable. Whether you agree or disagree with the conclusions, this is an excellent book on the roots of both Masonry and organized theology.

With his usual aplomb, Lon spells out the truth about the historicity (or lack thereof) of The Bible and its relationship to magick and Freemasonry. Every magician needs to know this information. Lon's realistic understanding of his subject is complete as only a practitioner with decades of experience can have. The beginner and advanced sorcerer can benefit greatly from this book. However, anyone can enjoy Lon's wonderful sense of humor and direct honesty regarding subjects that some in society consider sacrosanct and unquestionable. He breaks through all taboos and sacred cows to reach the truth of his subject. Well done, Lon!

Lon Milo DuQuette is one of my favorite authors these days, particularly on esoteric subjects. In this book, he connects the esoteric work of Solomon's Key (one of the medieval handbooks of magic) to the traditional work of the Freemasons and the lodge organizations of the 18th and 19th century. Self-transformation is the heart of this system and this work, and he does a great job of laying out the hows and whys of this kind of magical work. I've begun working through some of the system based on his guidelines, albeit cautiously, and I've had fairly positive results so far.

If I have any criticism of the book, it lies in the fact that he expends half of the book laying out the reasons for doing this kind of work, without spending sufficient time on the practicalities of doing them, or figuring out what the results you may or may not get, actually mean. Doing magical work is challenging, and the results are interesting and worthy of deep reflection, but as with many magical authors, DuQuette spends a lot of time on the lead-up and the justifications for the work, but less on the results or on how he thinks they may improve the reader's life.

It's worth noting that this book DID cause me to go out and drop a few dollars on his other works, though, and I found myself highly entertained by his anecdotes and his writing style. An enjoyable evening or two resulted, going through this excellent writer's corpus.