Requirements for Joining the Order
HOW to JOIN FREEMASONRY
Thinking of becoming a Freemason?
What are the requirements to join Freemasonry?
Fit and proper persons to be made Freemasons are just, upright and free women, of mature age, sound judgement and strict morals. Those of any race or faith can join the Order of Women Freemasons, but you must:
- Believe in a Supreme Being – it does not matter which religion you belong to
- Be over the age of 21 years
- Be of good character
- Be in the position to afford your annual membership fees
If you are interested in joining the Order you should initially write to the Secretariat via our online form by clicking on the button below, giving your own contact details. You will be put in touch with a senior representative in the area in which you live. Lodge Protea is based in Johannesburg and our fellow lodge, Flame Lily No 338, is based in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal. If you already know a member in one of our Lodges, please supply their name when you enquire.
Who should not consider joining Freemasonry?
You're looking for business contacts
It does happen that business contacts are made within a lodge, and is sometimes unavoidable, but joining a lodge with the aim at networking would be futile as no one there is interested in your ‘pitch’. Freemasons come from all walks of life and many non-masons often have pre-conceived ideas that all freemasons are ‘rich’. If therefore, you want to expand your client base, it is best to do so in a proper business environment.
Your focus is based on community service
Though one of Freemasonry’s core principles is based on relief, it is a brotherhood, not a community service institute. It is known however, that many Masonic Lodges arrange community events, but these are done for fundraising of its nominated charities.
You believe Freemasonry is a Secret Society
It is unfortunate, that there are so many conspiracies on the internet and due to people distributing such conspiracies, Freemasonry is often, and unfairly, painted in a very dark light. Freemasonry is not a secret society, but it is an organisation that values confidentiality. A freemason can freely tell people they are a mason and there is no secret in that. Freemasons are however, required not to reveal certain aspects of Freemasonry which also forms part of person’s character in terms of honour and trustworthiness.
If you're looking for a social club
Any good masonic lodge will have a great fraternity which is formed through dedication, discipline, ritual and further advancement in masonic knowledge. It is important to understand that Freemasons are not friends, but brethren. If therefore, you were looking to hook up with some casual mates and pub-crawling pals, and if you were not willing to commit yourself to the duties expected from you as a Freemason, you will very quickly find that it is a hollow pursuit.
If you're a "badge collector"
In a lodge, the person who holds the symbolic power, is the Master. However, as anyone who has ever sat on King Solomon’s Chair soon realises, the job of a Master of one lodge, has no more rights than the youngest brother and holds more duties than all other Freemasons. If you were, therefore in the belief that climbing the ladder to the position of Worshipful Master would earn and demand social influence, it would be best that you abstain from trying to join Freemasonry as all brethren are considered equal.
If you're a classist or a racist
Freemasonry were the first advocates of equality. The fraternity has always disregarded social distinctions and was one of the first organisations in the world to believe that all men are equal. This also coincides with our values against racism. Freemasonry therefore welcomes those of any race, class and faith.