Is the Masonic history rooted in the mystery cults of the Ancient Egypt?
:: OvS’s reply. As an introductory help to such questions the following books can be recommended – although they have no immediate sources about the beginning of the Masonic activities. Yet, the writer of the Moses series – with observed neutrality – cannot be considered a special guarantee for the contents: For instance, among older works of relevance are those by C.W. Leadbeater, the Theosophist. Related and connected information can be found in a book by Christopher McIntosh, i.e. “The Rosicrucians”. Among English classics is “The Rosicrucian Enlightenment” by Frances A. Yates, the great researcher (Routhledge & Keagan Paul, London 1972); and “Who was Hiram Abiff” by J.S.M. Ward (Baskerville Press, London, 1925) Among later books or reprints, Leadbeater’s “Freemasonry and its Ancient Rites” (Gramercy Books, New York) was published in 1998. “The Hiram Key” by Christopher Knight & Robert Lomas (Barnes & Noble, New York, 1996) should also be mentioned.
