Explore Freemasonry through surprising histories of women and mythic rites
This volume surveys the hidden side of Masonic life across Europe and America, focusing on ladies’ lodges, mixed orders, and the quirky rituals that surrounded them. It weaves together centuries of practice, scandal, philanthropy, and legend to illuminate how fraternal traditions have evolved.
From the early Adoptions lodges to modern “Order of the Eastern Star,” you’ll see how women engaged with or shaped Masonic ideas, with stories of notable members and curious ceremonies. The book also connects myth and ritual, tracing parallels between Osiris, Isis, and the crafts’ own legends, and it notes how different countries explored mixed or women’s participation in Freemasonry.
- Learn how Ladies’ Lodges and mixed orders formed in France, Germany, Ireland, and the United States
- Read about notable figures and dramatic moments that shaped gender roles within Masonry
- See how myths, symbols, and historic documents intersect with Masonic practice
- Discover connections between ancient rites, modern degrees, and charitable aims within these traditions
Ideal for readers of Freemasonry history, ritual lore, and anyone curious about the social dimensions of fraternal orders.