memphis-misraim rites

I plan on getting my Scottish Rite and York rites in the next year or so...someone on here lead me to look at memphis-misraim rites from apparently france.

I have looked at their application and other info that has been posted on ATS...

here is my question, as a mason, I have to wonder why they want two copies of your birth certificate and two pictures of your passport photo...now trust me I am not looking forward to the conspiracy novels that are going to follow but...it kinda is fishy? (maybe that's why it's not exactly pushed in your face like the other two)

I know in regular applications and petitions you do have to give a social security number...but still?

any thoughts and or relevant info into how to become one or from someone who is...I know Napoleon was initiated

I don't have much information on them but I have seen a few members here post on the topic. Masonic light is a good source for anything masonic, as is senrak. I had heard that they were just a money pit for degrees and not recognized, but I am not sure that is 100% accurate. Just hearsay. If I am not mistaken, there is a member here who claims to be a memphis-misraim mason, but I can't remember who that was. From what I have learned the Scottish Rite is big around here while the York Rite is big on the west coast. I did the Scottish Rite in Wilmington and really enjoyed it. I did the one day thing, and I would recommend the 3 day event if possible. Sleep less, learn more. The backdrops in Wilmington are apparently a pretty big deal in the art world. I thought they were cool, but I guess you would have to be an art student to get all googly over them. Good luck and please post any info you get on this order so we can all learn something.

Have a great day brother.

reply to post by Richardfromoxford


All of the various rites calling themselves "Memphis" and/or "Mitzraim" are clandestine. Regular Master Masons who join such organizations are subject to expulsion.

[edit on 16-7-2009 by Masonic Light]

Further, I do believe that Memphis-Misraim is not recognized by the GL of NC, which would make it an irregular activity for any member of the GL. However, I cannot confirm that, as THE CODE on the GL website is currently down, and my personal copy is packed away for our impending move.

Apologies if my hipshot is incorrect. Trusting my 41 year old brain is fraught with peril.

reply to post by Masonic Light



Bro. ML:

Sorry for stating the same thing after you, I spent time looking for THE CODE reference, and did not look to see if anyone had posted while I was fumbling around.

Originally posted by Viking04


Bro. ML:

Sorry for stating the same thing after you, I spent time looking for THE CODE reference, and did not look to see if anyone had posted while I was fumbling around.

It probably is not stated specifically in the Code (it's not in ours), except for the statement that no Master Mason can sit in an irregular and/or clandestine Lodge.

The 2009 Book of Lodges, which is kept by Secretaries, lists all the regular Masonic bodies in the world. Any organization not listed is not legitimately Masonic.

[edit on 16-7-2009 by Masonic Light]

I really appreciate everyone looking for me...I knew something was fishy...

So because they are Clandestine does that mean that they are doing something secretive that makes them a disgrace to our grand lodges or are they the money pit? or both?

I mean I had to look to pull the application up on line...everyone here knows that isn't exactly how looking up masonic info goes on the net...

I wonder how big it is in the US?

oh and any particular one I should go through first...I'm gonna try to do both???

thanks again for your help

To a Mason of the Grand Lodge any branch of irregular Masonry is considered "clandestine".

I wasn't aware that any modern irregular Lodges were still practicing the Rites of Memphis and Misraim, although all of their rites and documents have been published years ago, and technically anyone with an interest could re-enact them and start their own Lodge (without a pedigree or charter to give them credibility).

The Rites of Memphis and Misraim were very intriguing, despite having a rather questionable origin (Cagliostro was one of those enigmatic guys whom History either hates or is entirely fascinated with, depending on who is telling the story). I personally feel that these Rites hold a very unique Initiatory Process that rivals GL Masonry. However, I lost interest in these Rites when I realized all of these Rites are pseudo-Egyptian, created long before the West actually had begun earnest research into the Egyptian Culture. There is nothing Egyptian about them, although they portray many things as "Egyptian". It's like going to Luxor Casino in Las Vegas to learn about Egypt.

Oh, I just looked up the Modern M.E.A.P.R.M.M. Rite of Memphis-Misraim Lodge that is run by Galbix Red and Gabriel López de Rojas. This is an off-shoot of S.O.T.O. which association with them or any of their dozens of of fronts (including H.O.O.R., O.I.S., and countless others) will gain one expulsion from even more liberal groups such as the Ordo Templi Orientis. Any group that boastingly posts "Enemy Lists" on the frontpage of their Website should set off warning bells. A search of the Founders names on Google will give you a better idea as to the disposition of this group, if there is any further question as to their character.

thank you so much!

where might I find these and look at them...I'm trying to stay on the level...but it does sound interesting.

thanks again

Originally posted by Richardfromoxford


oh and any particular one I should go through first...I'm gonna try to do both???

thanks again for your help

Bro. Richard:

This is my opinion only, however, as you asked for which to go through first, spend some time working in the Blue Lodge. As you stated, you are newly raised, and are in the GL of VA for Law School. Attend Blue Lodge meetings up in VA as much as you can. I believe that a man is best served by grounding himself well in the the Master Mason Degree, rather than immediately joining other Bodies (York, Scottish, Shrine, OES, etc). You will likely not have a whole lot of time to devote (or money for dues, dues and dues). If you spend your little free time now, focusing on Blue Lodge Masonry, you will be better served long term, than having penny packets of Masonry here and there.

Again, this is simply my opinion, and other Brothers may well have a different opinion on the subject.

Good luck with it

Viking...

I appreciate it...Yes I hang out with many masons at school...and we try to devote much of our time to masonic talks and going to lodge...

I have another question...is it illegal for a KOC to join the masons?

I've always wondered because of the alleged hatred and tension between one of the popes and freemasonry...???

Originally posted by Richardfromoxford


I have another question...is it illegal for a KOC to join the masons?

In the GL of NC, there is nothing in THE CODE that would prevent a member of the KoC from joining. He would be investigated, and stand the ballot box as any other man. His parish priest may not be pleased about it, or he may not care, but as Masons, it would make no difference.

A KoC would not have to renounce that membership to petition a Lodge here.

Certainly, there is no bar of membership to Catholics generally either. As Bro. Network Dude has noted, he is a confirmed Catholic.

I hope that this answers your question.

Def. has...

my next door neighbor is one and we joke back in forth about it...now we are gonna see if he puts his money where his mouth is!

I'm very glad to hear that...and yes I don't think his parishioner is gonna be happy...

thanks so much again...

reply to post by Richardfromoxford


I would second Vikings advice. I joined the SR only 6 months after being raised and had very little idea what masonry was about let alone SR masonry. I am sure I would have gotten more out of it, had I waited a year or two. I am progressing through the chairs now (JD) and look forward to sitting in the east. When I am done with that, I plan to join the Shrine, but I feel I need to understand the whole of the blue lodge first. That is my opinion. It's free and you get what you pay for.

edit to add: A good friend of mine is a KofC and since I am catholic, he let me in on the big secret, you guessed it, just like masonry. Since masons are very tolerant of other religions, he is welcome to masonry, however, I don't think the same is true of the reverse.

[edit on 16-7-2009 by network dude]

Originally posted by Richardfromoxford


So because they are Clandestine does that mean that they are doing something secretive that makes them a disgrace to our grand lodges or are they the money pit? or both?

It is because that their members are not really Masons. If you belong to a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of NC, you are a real Mason, belonging to the organization that can trace its lineage back to the Ancient Craft. It would be unlawful for you to Masonically associate with pretenders.

I wonder how big it is in the US?

It is much smaller than regular Masonry, and may very well be a "mail order" lodge.