Confessions of Aleister Crowley

439 (e) The history of freemasonry has become more obscure as the light of research has fallen on the subject. The meaning of masonry has either been completely forgotten or has never existed at all, except insofar as any particular rite might be a cloak for political or even worse intrigue. (f) It has become impossible for people living in modern conditions to devote adequate time even to learning the merest formalities. (g) The complete lack of understanding which is now practically universal has made men inquire why in God's name they should cherish such pretentious pedantries? A few anecdotes will illustrate the situation for the average non- mason. 1. A certain rite in England derives its authority from a document which is as notoriously a forgery as Pigott ever penned. The heads of this gang wished to break, in the most shameless and rascally manner, an agreement made some years previously with John Yarker. Yarker pointed out that their only real authority was derived from their agreement with him, since he, working under a genuine charter, had "heled" their breach with antiquity by recognizing them. They replied that they relied on the forged document. He said that he would cut away the ground from under their feet by publishing the proofs that their charter was worthless. Then they said that they {696} knew as well as he did that the document was forged; but they didn't care, because they had induced the Prince of Wales to join them! 2. Several of the main rites of English masonry are not recognized by each other, and some of these are not even tolerated (that is, if a member of A joins B, or even discusses freemasonry with a member of B, he becomes liable to immediate expulsion); yet a certain royal duke was actually the head of two incompatible rites. 3. There is no uniformity with regard to toleration. Thus A and B sometimes recognize each other, but, while A recognizes C, B does not, so that a member of B and a member of C might find themselves meeting in a Lodge of A, and thereby automatically excommunicate each other. 4. English Craft masons do not permit religious political or commercial motives to enter into freemasonry, yet they are in official relationship with certain masonic bodies whose sole raison d'ętre is anti- clericalism, political intrigue or mutual trade benefit. 5. The Scottish Rite, the degrees of Knight Templar, Knight of Malta and others in England are definitely Christian, e.g. the point of one degree is the identification of prophet, priest and king, three in one, the Trinity of the Royal Arch, with Christ; and in the Rose Croix degree, Christ is recognized as the "corner stone" of earlier symbolism. But in America, the Christian elements have been removed so that wealthy Jews may reach the summit of masonry. 6. I once attended a Lodge whose Master was one of the two local bankers. He used his influence to get business for his bank. The other banker promptly obtained a charter from some "clandestine" body and started an opposition. In this district, the clandestine Lodges greatly outnumbered the orthodox. 7. I have visited Craft Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters in Fraternal Accord in England, where the "raising" and "exaltation" were carried out in shirt sleeves, while cigars were smoked and the legs conveniently disposed on other chairs, and only employed to kick the candidate as he went round. 8. At one ceremony in America, the officers being 33° masons, recognized by the orthodox Scottish Rite in England, there were two candidates, both Jews. They were hoodwinked and introduced into opposite ends of a tube through which they were instructed to make their way. In the middle of the tube was a live sow.