MY FIRST YEAR
MY FIRST YEAR
If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be wearing an apron, learning centuries-old rituals, and singing The Twelve Days of Christmas in a Masonic lodge, I would have laughed at you. But here I am, a year in, reflecting on what has been one of the most unexpectedly enriching things I’ve done as an adult.
A Gentle Introduction
For over thirty years, my uncle had talked to me about Freemasonry. Not persistently or with pressure, but now and then he’d drop a comment or share a story. I never really took much notice. It was his thing, not mine. My life, my priorities, my family were all on a different track. I just wasn’t particularly curious.
But something shifted, and in 2024, I found myself standing outside the Masonic Hall wondering what on earth I was doing. My heart thumping, I walked into my first meeting with members of Halsey Lodge.
First Steps
I’ll never forget that first night, a simple chat with some members, I was nervous and awkward, with no clue about etiquette. I had no idea what to expect or how to behave. But whatever trepidation I felt walking in, I left that night absolutely buzzing.
It was the building, I think. It had this odd way of making you feel small when you walk in, and ten feet tall when you walk out.
A few weeks later, I was invited back for what they described as a more formal interview. Again, I was nervous. But once more, the experience was fascinating. It felt more like a chat over a pint than a grilling. The members were warm, open, and made me feel genuinely welcome. It never felt secretive in a sinister way, just respectful. Once again, I walked out buzzing.
Feeling Included
Not long after, I was invited to a curry night in celebration of the outgoing Worshipful Master. I hadn’t even joined yet, but they brought me along to meet more members. It was informal, sociable, and a brilliant way to get to know some of them before my initiation. I appreciated the effort they made to include me and answer what they could. It confirmed to me that I was making a good choice.
When I shared my intentions to join with family and friends, they were supportive. My dad was especially curious about how things would unfold, and I think, secretly, he was as intrigued as I was.
The Initiation
My initiation was unforgettable. A real moment. Although a lot of it is a blur, I’ll never forget it.
Before we started, I stood awkwardly with a cup of tea, making small talk with strangers. My uncle, who wasn’t a member of this lodge, was right at home, chatting away to his brothers like he’d known them forever.
Then they all disappeared up a grand staircase, leaving me waiting alone. It can’t have been more than five minutes, but it felt like twenty. When the Tyler called me, something changed. I wasn’t nervous anymore. It felt more like waiting in the wings of a theatre, not knowing the play or your part, but knowing it was your cue.
What followed was extraordinary, a ceremony unlike anything I’d experienced before.
A Warm Welcome
The dinner that evening was brilliant. Everyone chatted like they’d known each other for years. Someone leaned over and said, “Next time you’re at this table, you’ll be in the big chair.”
Whilst it was my first ‘festive board’, everyone else was chatting and joking like it was the most familiar event, almost like a wedding reception. It was great.
When I got home, I was exhausted but wide awake. My brain wouldn’t shut off. I couldn’t stop smiling. It wasn’t just the ritual, it was the feeling that I’d done something.
Settling In
The very next day, I joined the lodge WhatsApp group and immediately felt part of a team. There was banter, warmth, and a sense of belonging. That small ping of a message thread somehow made it all very real. I was officially one of them. I’ve never seen so many conversations about ‘dessert or cheese’.
A few weeks later, in July, I visited another Lodge and witnessed my first ceremony as a Freemason: a triple initiation. It was a scorcher of a day, the hottest of the year, so jackets and gloves were dropped, apparently unheard of. The Indian buffet after the ceremony added a bit of spice and colour to an already remarkable evening.
I remember how strange I found it to see all the briefcases lined up. I thought, How does everyone know which one is theirs? Of course, now it feels normal.
Learning the Craft
That summer, I started reading more about the Craft. The rituals, the meaning behind the words, the symbolism, things that had seemed abstract during the ceremony now began to make sense. I re-read the Charge and absorbed it more deeply this time.
In September, I began hearing lodge chatter about a visit to London and how our DC had received his “dark blue.” At the time, I had no clue what that meant, but I knew that one day it would make sense.
October brought more experience. I attended a brother’s Third-Degree ceremony. I was kicked out for parts of it but managed to witness enough to deepen my understanding. Observing the openings and closings helped demystify the structure of the meetings.
Joining the Light Blues
Around this time, I also joined a club for Light Blues. When I watched the introductory video, I realised there were more opportunities out there. Putting myself forward was not something I’d ever really done or even considered.
The WhatsApp group had become part of daily life. I even had to mute it once or twice, there was just that much chatter.
A Festive Highlight
The White Table event in November was an absolute highlight. A short meeting was followed by an invitation for guests to enter the temple, where the Provincial Grand Master gave a fantastic talk. Then came the dinner, food, drinks, singing, and a spirited rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
If anyone says Freemasonry is all solemnity and secrets, they’ve never seen fifty adults singing about five gold rings with full audience participation. It wasn’t especially Masonic, and perhaps that’s why it was so welcoming to non-Masons.
A Setback, Then Progress
In February, life threw a spanner in the works. A botched wisdom tooth operation led to a hospital stay that nearly derailed my Second-Degree ceremony. But later that month, bruised but determined, I took that next step.
I was underweight, aching, and still rattling with painkillers. For the first time, I had to properly learn something, answers to questions that would be put to me. I hadn’t revised like that since school, and the old exam nerves came creeping back. I made flashcards to learn it at home, and they were a lifesaver.
The ceremony itself went smoothly. The Tracing Board was delivered brilliantly. I felt a bit ropey through parts of it, but the brethren were kind and made it clear I could pause if needed. I had to leave straight after to rest, but I later heard they raised a toast in my absence, which meant a great deal.
Becoming Part of the Lodge
By April, I was trusted with a role in the Installation Meeting where I orated a piece to the assembled brethren. I was nervous but gave it my all. Members of the “old guard” were complimentary, which meant a lot. Being asked to contribute made the experience far more meaningful. It wasn’t just something happening around me anymore, I was part of it. The pain from my operation still kept me from dining, but I was glad I went.
In the May we met for an informal practice, I went along to practise questions for my Third. I stayed for the first twenty minutes or so, then got kicked out again. In some ways, the secrecy was almost fun, not frustrating.
The Third Degree
Leading up to my Third Degree in June, I could feel the anticipation building in the group chat. Coded messages, excitement, a bit of good-natured chaos about who was doing what. I rehearsed, practised my questions, and got more confident with each run-through.
It was the longest of the ceremonies, but easily the most profound. The story unfolded in a way that tied everything together. I came out feeling like I was beginning to see the bigger picture.
Reflections and Realisations
The very next day, I was invited to a Scottish raising. I mistakenly thought it was on the day after, but I made it, and I’m so glad I did. Their ritual was different in some ways, familiar in others. Seeing a variation of the ceremony helped me reflect on my own experience. It was like the emphasis was on different parts, and it deepened my appreciation of the meaning and structure behind it all.
What Have I Learned in My First Year?
Freemasonry is more than ceremonies and aprons.
It’s friendship, support, laughter, and late-night WhatsApp debates about dessert versus cheese.
It’s walking into a room full of strangers and leaving feeling like you’ve always belonged.
It’s community, tradition, growth, and purpose.
It’s doing your part, and being part of something much bigger than yourself.
And What Comes Next?
The next step… Royal Arch?
Yes, please.
And see you next year!