Carl Abrahamsson: Handshakes and Mindquakes

Mere frat clubs or real deal-changers on the grand and global scale? Murky conspiracy strategists or beacons of individual liberty? Esoteric dreamers or intelligent architects of human development? The Feral House book Ritual America (by Adam Parfrey & Craig Heimbichner) presents a wonderful and quirky peek into a freemasonic world most of us can only fantasize about. Or... Perhaps you, dear reader, are a mason? Even so, this book is amazing in its abundance of radical and sensational(istic) tidbits and images from a world of secret handshakes and initiatory mindquakes.

Perhaps there is an inherent human need to be a part of an order structure, ie a collective with very set rules and regulations that are more concrete than those of society in general? If you have a structure like that, some esoteric bling to dazzle with and promises of something revelatory higher up on the initiatory ladder, you're in for success. The interesting thing about fraternal orders is that they often claim to be models of an ideal structure but quite often become overwhelmed with the ego-driven chaos and disorder emanating from the "real" outside world anyway.

Care to join the Shriners?

Freemasonry is especially interesting not only on this psychological level but of course also because "they" have really been an integral part of creating large chunks of modern history as we know it. The usual example given is the history of the USA, a country or phenomenon that simply wouldn't have existed without masonic engineering (and perhaps that's still the case). If we generalize and say that the USA is a masonic blueprint for the rest of the world and an experiment still in the making, then we have to seriously look at both the ups and downs so far. There are many of each, and we are presented with them both daily in the media. The greatest mistakes this far, from a strictly masonic perspective, have been constitutional upheavals or changes. The bedrock of the masonic presence and thought exists in the American constitution. When one messes with that, the nation as such no longer exists as a masonic experiment. What then remains...?

For good or bad, the republican, democratic and individualistic energies have all been mason-driven for the past 250 years, both in America and Europe.

But what happens when things are in (masonic) place? When there's an existential platform to build one's life on in liberty and, most often, peace? Then the fraternal aspects become more social, visible and generally nepotistic of course. This is where Ritual America comes in handy. It's not a heavy study or analysis of masonic history, themes or ideas as such. It's rather a highly entertaining volume of ephemera and freeze-frames from a wonderfully bizarre piece of American/Western history. Where masonry has always been a conservative and esoteric business/endeavor in Europe (the Scottish & Swedish rites, for instance), its sections in America have taken on a multitude of expressions (with ditto costumes and hats) not only in masonry proper but also in the kook contingent (Ku Klux Klan, Shriners, Elks et al).

Shriners showing off a good fraternal spirit in style...

It's no secret that freemasonry (and its many offshoots) is an integrated part of the civilized world. The conspiracy buffs' paranoid delusions about global control via masonic orders must be taken with a huge pinch of salt though. The general consensus among freemasons I've talked to in different countries is that there is a strong need for new blood and influx. The organizations have become static, stagnant and geriatric. When young people prefer to get their networking kicks and possible nepotistic fringe benefits online, it's hard to compete.

It's no secret either that freemasonry, just like other more minor occult orders and groups, attracts oddballs and crazies. Most often perhaps just dreamers steeped in a lore and mythology of ancient teachings and magical secrets, happy and satisfied to pass through psychodramatic rituals together with equally romantic "brothers". Considering how many people are masons in the world today, no wonder that there are also unwanted or renegade expressions. From earlier offshoots with even more goofy, humorous and perhaps cosmic theories (the Benevolent Order of Monkeys, the Ancient Order of Froth Blowers, the Supreme Order of White Rabbits et al) to concrete and contemporary criminals like mass murderer Anders Breivik (who was immediately expelled from the Norwegian freemasons after his assassination spree in 2011).

Serious study would likely show that influx into masonry has been greatest during times of general depression. When people become angst-ridden because of existential movements beyond their personal control, they look for solutions that are safe and solid and integrate the individual in an environment that promotes mutual assistance and gradual self-aggrandizement – real or illusory.

Hollywood tough guy John Wayne receiving his masonic 33°.

"... Sometimes the richest and most exotic aspects of the fraternal brotherhoods can be seen in personal snapshots, newspapers, magazines, and period scrapbooks – the extraordinary once passed over as ordinary and, to those who opposed the uncoventional, perhaps the profane was made mundane." (Parfrey & Heimbichner, from the book's introduction)

As with many books from Feral House, this literally great tome serves as an introduction to the kooky, sinister and oddball side of things. Packed with incredible illustrations, quotes, illuminating passages and much fodder for thought, Ritual America sums up a part of Western culture that is usually either kept unnecessarily secret by the protagonists or unnecessarily exposed by the antagonists. The truth usually lies somewhere in between. Ritual America is an entertaining introduction to that sphere of strange inbeteweenness.

Ritual America: Secret Brotherhoods and Their Influence on American Society – A Visual Guide, by Adam Parfrey and Craig Heimbichner, FeralHouse, 2012.