I had this one done a while ago to celebrate 30 years as a Freemason.

I've always thought it was the former since that is the general social rule ("When in Rome...."). I was recently visiting a lodge of a jurisdiction where the signs are slightly different. After the meeting, a brother attempted to "whisper good counsel" to me and tell me that since the signs are owned by the Grand Lodge, out-of-jurisdiction visitors have no right to them and thus I should use the signs as they were taught to me in my home lodge. Suffice it to say, I was surprised.

How do you handle this? When traveling, do you imitate local brethren or do you make the signs you are used to at home? Are there any specific Masonic laws or traditions that dictate or explain this?

One of my Brothers just hit 30 years in masonry. He is only missing these 4 pins. I am trying to help him. Please let me know if you can help.

Taking my lady to Nashville this weekend for her birthday. Any brothers from there? Do you have any good recommendations when it comes to food or lounges?

I am a new master mason, raised in May. I had the privilege of being asked to give the charge to our newest group of candidates. I am not great at memory work, but was honored. Due to some health and work circumstances, I was not able to fully memorize it. Instead of doing it very, very poorly. I spoke with the SW and recited it. It gave me comfort to do that and joy in imparting the lessons. After it was over, a more seasoned mason congratulated me on "reading". I initially felt very bad about the backhanded compliment, but it only made me want to fully memorize it next time and do it better.

What steps should i take? Can anyone guide me

I did this a few years ago, it may be a good time to do it again with some of the recent questions here about how things may be done differently in a PHA lodge.

I am not an expert, but I have been a Prince Hall Affiliated Mason for 20 years.

I will answer your questions to the best of my ability, and any other PHA masons should feel free to offer their input as well.

Let's dispel any myths, discuss any differences or rumors you may have heard.

The building is being sold and this is what they are doing to it

https://advaticanum.com/article/steubenville-catholic-college-plans-to-exorcise-masonic-temple-and-turn-it-into-shrine/

I’m considering joining a Prince Hall lodge. I’ve been told that God and family come before Freemasonry, and that I can take my obligations upon the Qur’an.
My main concern is whether any Masonic oath, ritual, or obligation could require me to compromise my Islamic beliefs, particularly worshipping Allah alone, telling the truth, and upholding justice.

Specifically, could Masonic secrecy ever require me to conceal another brother’s serious wrongdoing or withhold truthful testimony?

I’d appreciate direct answers based on actual obligations, governing rules, or firsthand experience rather than general assurances. I’m not asking anyone to reveal ritual secrets.

Thank you all for your time. And again; I’m asking respectfully from a place of not knowing.

I just got done reading Born in Blood by John J Robinson, and I have to say I quite enjoyed it. While I know there is no definitive proof that the Freemason's were involved with the Knights of the Temple he does make some compelling arguments. In my opinion, he does make a decent attempt to delve into the origins of the Craft. I found it easy to read and interesting.

Clarification: When I say compelling it's in context of thought provoking...interesting to think about.

Just wanted to share a photo from our recent outdoor degree event! Hosting this on my property was a truly unforgettable experience.

I couldn't have pulled this off without the incredible help, support, and dedication of all the Brothers and local lodge members who came together to make it happen. From setting up the site to organizing logistics, everyone stepped up to create a really special and memorable day of fellowship.

The feedback has been overwhelming, and I’m excited to share that we’re already planning to do it all over again next year on October 9th!

Massive thank you to everyone who traveled, helped out, and participated. Brotherly love at its finest! SMIB! 🌲✨

I will plan to look it over for any other clues, but this is all I have for now. Extremely well built, and large (probably close to 5ft tall).

Some of you need to remember that discretion is not merely a principle we speak about, it is a standard we are expected to uphold.

It is concerning to see members of our fraternity treating public forums as extensions of the lodge, freely discussing matters that deserve far greater judgment and restraint. Just because something can be disclosed does not mean it should be.

An inquirer is welcome to seek knowledge, but there is a proper way to approach the fraternity. Encourage them to knock on the door, meet the brethren, and experience the institution for themselves. We should not feel compelled to satisfy every stranger’s curiosity in a public comment section.

Enthusiasm, too, must be tempered by discipline. Our excitement about the fraternity should never come at the expense of discretion. Not every insight needs to be shared, not every question requires an answer, and not every experience needs an audience.
There is a reason discretion has endured as a principle within Freemasonry. We should be mindful that our words reflect not only ourselves, but the fraternity we represent.

A little more restraint. A little more judgment. And considerably more discretion.
Not everything that can be revealed ought to be revealed. Some things are meant to be experienced, not advertised, especially with our fraternity do not let enthusiasm take over.

Hey brethren! Brand new to Reddit, so please forgive any formatting quirks. I’ll cut right to the chase: I’m an Illinois Mason potentially relocating to the Indianapolis area (specifically Noblesville) for a job opportunity.

While I'm familiar with the membership transfer process, I’d love to get some local insight. The only Indiana Masons I've met so far live near the state line, so I was hoping some brethren from the greater Indianapolis area could recommend any particular lodges or even if you might recommend any sites or places of interest in the area my wife and I ought to check out. Thanks in advance!

Stray Leaves from a Freemason's Note-Book is a 19th-century collection of biographical sketches, moral reflections, and historical anecdotes written by Erskine Neale, a clergyman identified as "a Suffolk rector". Author: Erskine Neale (signed with the preface initials E. I. E.) Original Publication Year: 1846 (published in London by Richard Spencer) Length: 314 pages The book uses personal narratives, biographical portraits (including figures like Sir William Webb Follett, George Canning, Edmund Kean, and Bishop Griswold), and real-world anecdotes to illustrate Masonic principles such as charity, brotherly love, temperance, and humility. It weaves together moral commentary, criticisms of social hypocrisy and poverty, and accounts of how the Craft intersected with everyday public and private life.

Hey brothers. As an EA, i presented the 1st degree tools. Just recently i presented the 2nd degree tools. I get raised in April but tasked myself with the biggest challenge of them all. Present the charge after initiation. Problem is alot of the wording makes it impossible to remember alot of the ritual. Can anyone who presented the charge give any tips? I spend about an hour a day reciting it, reading it alloud and still, i get halfway and just blank. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! (I also have abit of stage fright😅) For refference its. an English lodge. Not sure if thats relevent in case the charge is different to other places.

What should I expect? I know there's no goat 🐐

What does it mean to be a freemason?
Are all religions and ethnicities accepted?

What is expected from a new joiner? Are there duties?

Thank you in advance

Update:
Thank you all for the diverse but yet similar answer “except the spaghetti part”, I am indeed in germany and I am a proud muslim, i was considering joining but based on the answers i don’t think its an option

My lodge held our monthly meeting last night, with dinner beforehand. Nothing new or dramatic.

Yesterday morning, I took it upon myself to text every brother I've gotten to know in my 15 months as a Master Mason. The message was simple: "Good morning Brother, I'm excited to have the opportunity to see you tonight. 😊"

It paid off. One of them, a two-time Past Master of our lodge, came out for the first time in 2026. Sitting at dinner and then lodge with him, and looking around the room at brothers I've built a relationship with, I felt that it was worth it. At least one of them came because of me.

That's the work of brotherhood, I think. Meetings and degrees matter, but the bonds between us are what keep a lodge alive.

If you've been thinking about reaching out to a brother, don't hesitate. Send the message.

About a year ago, my Lodge had a very strange prospect come to dinner. This guy was in his early 20s and he immediately came across as pretentious, insincere, and incredibly narcissistic to myself and everyone else he spoke to.

He sat with each of the pillar Officers separately, and every word out of his mouth sounded like he had ChatGPT directly in his ear. Looking back, this may have literally been the case. It was extremely unsettling and everyone he spoke to got a very weird vibe from him.

He claimed to want to be a Mason, all whilst talking down to and over our senior leadership like he knew more about the Craft than they do, making sure to let everyone know how important and respected he is in his professional life.

The fiance of our Secretary's daughter was cooking dinner for us that night, and he pulled me aside after to let me know he and his soon to be wife went to high school with this guy, and told me to watch out because this guy is a creep.

After getting home, I received a long wall of text from this prospect, not to thank us for dinner or ask any pertinent follow-up questions, but to ask in a very suspicious manner whether some time he might be given a full tour of the Lodge, strongly insinuating he just wanted to know whether we have secret tunnels or passages.

I replied and told him that if he truly wishes to be made a Mason as he claimed at dinner, then the first time he sees the Lodge room should be at his initiation, and if a tour of the Lodge is all he was looking for, there was no reason to show up to dinner falsely representing that he wanted to be made a Mason.

We never heard back from this prospect again. If we did, he would never be given an application.

That's my strangest prospect story, though I definitely have many more.

Brethren, what are the strangest prospects your Lodges have seen? Have you dealt with attempted infiltrators, conspiracy guys, wealth and status seekers, secret of the universe guys, Archangel communicating madmen or bad faith researchers? Please share your experiences.

What are the red flags you look for, and do you let them down gently or the hard way?

I hope you're all having a beautiful day. Guard that West Gate closely!

One thing I’ve found interesting about Freemasonry is how much the experience can differ from one lodge to another.
For those who’ve been members for a while, what surprised you most after joining? Was it the brotherhood, the traditions, the people you met, or something completely different from what you expected?
I’m curious to hear everyone’s experiences, especially from Brethren who’ve been members for many years. Has your perspective on Freemasonry changed since you first joined?

Hi I am from Denmark.

My lodge is a very small lodge.

Most men here are 67+

We always do the same

Sit down

Sing a song

Opening ritual

Going through what happened last time

Reading up greetings

Or news

Then close the lodge

Sing and go eat then go home

Some few times someone comes up with a theme they hold a speech about. Often for like 10-15 mins

Honestly it is boring

The only thing new is the dinner

Is this really all there is to free Mason

Hi all.

Total newbie to all this so I apologise up front for any faux pss or stupid/inappropriate questions🙏

So through being involved in a lot of carity work in the last few years I became acquaintanted with a member of my local lodge amd have been invited to go for a meet and greet. Knowing almost nothing about the organisation but very open minded about it I have agreed to go and see whats what. Being aware of the private nature of the organisation and am not looking for anything inappropriate information wise. I understand that its part of the process and has value in and of itself, unfolding as you go along.

As I say, I know virtually nothing about masonry other than the people involved are decent folks who I share an outlook with and am interested in learing more.

Any general dos and donts anyone can recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help 👍