Frequently Asked Questions

Like any other club, association or society in the land, all members must be up to date with any subscriptions or membership fees. If you are not, don't worry about it. Many members have been away for years, even 10-15 years, but are now back in among their fellow Brethren.

We know plenty of members who had time away for family, work or other reasons and are back and enjoying the friendship and brotherhood again.

Just get in touch and we can sort out what, if anything, you need to do to get back to being 'in good standing'.

The meeting is in two parts.

As in any organisation there is a certain amount of administrative procedure - minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting for new members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of officers, news and correspondence.

Then there are the ceremonies for admitting new Masons and the annual installation of the Master and appointment of officers. There are three (four in Scotland) ceremonies (degrees) for admitting a new Mason - (1st) the Entered Apprentice degree, (2nd) Fellow Craft Degree, (3rd) the Master Mason degree and (4th) the Mark Master Mason degree. Each are broken down in to two parts - an instruction in the principles, and lessons taught in the Craft followed by a lecture in which the candidate's various duties are spelled out.

We wouldn't want you to see being a Freemason as a burden, more something you look forward to doing.

Your family and work have got to be the priority. We would like you to attend every meeting and join us when we visit other lodges or socialise together, but that's not always possible. Of course, you need to have a level of commitment - we won't admit you knowing we won't see you again.

Our lodge has 9 regular meetings a year (1 per month) and a Ceremony of Installation (in November) - these are held in our own lodge in Douglas Water.

We usually get invited to visit our sister lodges - probably about one a month - this would be to conduct a degree. We would encourage you to join us on these visits - they are great ways of making new friends from other areas.

If you are anything like most of our members, you will probably enjoy visiting other lodges and will just grab one or two of your fellow masons and attend somewhere, whether that be a place you've been before or somewhere new. We encourage this - it's a great way to represent Hozier 912.

We are not, but lodge meetings, like those of many other groups, are private and open only to members. The rules and aims of Freemasonry are available to the public. Meeting places are known and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry. Members are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.

The secrets in Freemasonry are the traditional modes of recognition which are not used indiscriminately, but solely as a test of membership, e.g. when visiting a lodge where you are not known. 

Emphatically not. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. The one essential qualification means that Freemasonry is open to men of many religions and it expects and encourages them to continue to follow their own faith. It is not permitted for Freemasons to discuss these subjects at masonic meetings. 

Freemasonry is not for professional, legal or personal advantage. If you want to be a mason to 'get a step up', you're on the wrong site. You shouldn't expect to be treated any differently by anyone just because you are in the same organisation as them.

You will, however, get immeasurable benefits from the lessons of the Craft - these are based on the moral principles of goodness, virtue, morality, equality, fairness and uprightness. These should hopefully make you a better person and help you to treat those around you with respect, dignity and compassion.

You will also get good friends from all backgrounds and cultures, young and not so young - all sorts - and that's what makes our organisation so rich.

There are Freemasons in every corner of the world - you will bump into one when you least expect it, and that can only be a nice thing.

Our fraternity has a wonderful history, which dates back more than three centuries. It is one of the world's oldest fraternities, a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Founded on the three great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, it aims to bring together men of goodwill, regardless of background and differences.

People might think that to become a Freemason is quite difficult. It's actually straightforward.

The essential qualifications for admission is that you have a belief in a Supreme Being.
It is usual for candidates to be 'mature men' of 21 years and over, but in some circumstances candidates between the ages of 18 and 21 can be admitted. 

If you are interested in becoming a Freemason, we advise that you first talk to a family member, friend or colleague whom you already know to be a member. They will be able to explain to you what they can about the fraternity.

One of the most common misconceptions about Freemasonry is that you have to be invited to join. In fact, the exact opposite is true - you have to ask to join (2 B 1 Ask 1). The problem is - who to ask? Often, members keep their membership private. However, there are avenues open to prospective members.

If you don't know anyone who is a member then get in touch with us (via the 'How to find us' tab). We will help you and talk you through some stuff. If Douglas Water is too far away from you to make our meetings, don't worry, get in touch anyway - we have links all over Scotland and can put you in touch with someone closer to where you live. You'll tell us a little bit about yourself and your reasons for wishing to join.

Arrangements will be made to meet you socially (for a tea or coffee) to find out more about you and to give you a chance to find out more about us.

You would then, in due course, be invited to meet a committee of members from the lodge prior to being balloted for membership.