The Masonic Myth: Discovering the Truth About the Craft

Description

When you drop the word Freemasonry into a conversation you can almost always expect an animated response. Freemasons have been connected to the eye on the dollar bill, the French Revolution, the Knights Templar, and the pyramids of Egypt. They have been rumored to be everything from a secretive cabal of elite power brokers ruling the world, to a covert network of occultists, and pagans intent on creating a new world order, to a millenia-old brotherhood bent on perpetuating ancient wisdom through esoteric teachings. Their secret symbols, rituals and organization have remained shrouded for centuries and spawned theory after theory. "The Masonic Myth" will finally set the record straight about the Freemasons, revealing that the truth is far more compelling than the myths. Authored by Jay Kinney a practicing Freemason, this book examines the myths of Masonry, details the inner workings of a typical Masonic lodge, and explores the impact the Freemasons have had throughout history. As the most dependable and accessible guide currently on the market, "The Masonic Myth" will also detail the symbolic systems of the Craft, delve into its occultist connections and explore whether or not it is truly a universal brotherhood. With the recent publication of Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" interest in Freemasonry will be at an all time high. And this popular, entertaining and accessible history will become the go-to guide for everyone who wants to get to the truth.

Jay Kinney is co-author of the highly praised Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions. For fifteen years, he was publisher and editor-in-chief of Gnosis Magazine, the premiere journal covering esoteric traditions and spiritual paths. In addition, Jay Kinney is a member of Mill Valley Lodge, F&AM, #356, in California, and is a 32degree member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction. He has twice been a speaker at the California Masonic Symposium, and is a Contributing Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society. He has extensive contacts within Freemasonry and, as Librarian and Director of Research for the San Francisco Scottish Rite, has access to many resources and Masonic records that have eluded most popular writers on this topic

"... a book which has the excitement of a thriller with the benefit of being factual. This is real-life (as opposed to "reality") Freemasonry. And it's a great story!"--Jim Tresner 33 Degrees Grand Cross, Book Review Editor, The Scottish Rite Journal "...highly-readable and down-to-earth. Backed up by much scholarly research, Kinney methodically examines, and then busts common myths about Masons."--Boing Boing "Kinney does a great job of sharing a whole lot of never-before-seen inside stuff in an easily understood way."--January Magazine Kinney's book, "Masonic Myth," delves into the mysterious history of the Freemasons and carefully dispels rumors and misconceptions about the brotherhood.--beliefnet "For the history buff or even the student or teacher looking for a one-volume source, this book is probably all they'll ever need to understand the world of the Freemasons. Recommended."--Library Journal XPress "The Masonic Myth finally sets the record straight about the Freemasons, revealing that the truth is far more compelling than the stories."--bookgasm "This should be the first book anyone reads about Freemasonry. Even those who know a lot about it will benefit from the broad and generous perspective that the founder of "Gnosis Magazine" brings to it."--Joscelyn Godwin, Colgate University. Author of The Theosophical Enlightenment and The Golden Thread