The primary condition for being admitted as a masson and then remain is to affirm his faith in a god revealed whatever name it is given in a particular religion.

1) The application

To become a Freemason must above all the will. Indeed, Freemasonry is a commitment that requires time, maturity and sense of responsibility.

There are several possibilities to apply for:

- The easiest is to have a mason in his entourage, yet must it a while ago. This can vouch for the applicant and the sponsor.

- It is possible to attend "white kept open, that is to say Masonic meetings open to the public. These meetings allow the profane (non masons) to get an idea of the work made by the brothers and meet them for a possible sponsorship.

- Finally, it is possible to send their applications via simple mail. The persuasions generally respond to all serious letters. He is asked to send a curriculum vitae, a letter and two photos.

Two) First interview

After one of these three approaches, we will contact the applicant for an interview is to assess the strength of his motivation. Following this initial contact, the venerable filled a record autobiographical to the grantee. The photos that the applicant has sent to the authority will support all three investigators, so they must be similar. The record more photos will be used to the secretariat of obedience to ensure that the candidate has not already made an approach followed by a refusal. If this is not the case, he was contacted by three brothers of the lodge where he postulates. The waiting time between sending the letter or the first contact with a freemason sponsoring the candidate, is two months minimum. It was his first trial because if the recipient is informed and impatient, it will be refused. Freemasonry is not a cult or a club, it did not need to proselytize to recruit. Also, each person applying for entry in Masonry must be aware of the possibility of refusal.

3) The three surveys

It says three of his Masonic lodge care to meet the candidate. Theoretically, the three investigators should not know who are their alter egos. This provides three separate reports. The first survey aimed to ascertain the candidate's life: his childhood, his education, his family and his profession. The second interview focuses on the political positions of the grantee. Finally the third interview is designed to show the views of philosophical and metaphysical candidate.

Brother investigator has a heavy load, it must write a true report of the interview which will allow members of his box to vote for or against the initiation of the recipient. Contrary to popular belief, interminable academic curricula and scholarship are not the selection criteria What appeals to the Freemasons, it is about the sincerity of the candidate's humility and ability to surrender question. We can talk about elitism in Masonry if we consider it only searches for people able to question, to accept the opinions of others. This quality is rare and actually not be acquired necessarily on the benches of the university.



4) The passage under the banner

The survey reports are read to the brothers of the box before the entry of the candidate. It will have to answer a number of questions blindfolded. This is a new psychological test course but it's also security for the Freemasons. Indeed, in case of refusal of the candidate, the brothers must ensure that their identity will not be revealed. This is no small security when you know the rage expressed by the right-wing circles against Freemasons. The candidate is a disadvantage which is far from pleasant for him. Nevertheless, the memory of this event is a strong links between the brothers over the world.

For the recipient is admitted, he must have met three quarters of the vote in its favor. The affirmative vote is expressed by a white ball placed in a trunk and the negative vote is represented by a black ball (hence the term "get blackball").





5) The initiation

The introductory part of the alleged "secret Masonic". No secret really, as all Masonic ceremonies were reported and analyzed in many books. The real secret Masonic transferable since it is individual. It is the emotion experienced by each brother at the time of his initiation and his personal psychological development within the lodge. It is better not to know the initiation ceremony in detail so as not to spoil the pleasure of surprise. Describe the contents of this ceremony would make a wonderful gift package to someone, while revealing what it contains. The psychological effect of initiation is more effective if the candidate is innocent of any knowledge about the Masonic ceremonies.