The Secret World of Female Freemasons (Secret Rituals)

The secret ceremonies and rituals of female Freemasons, Female Freemasons have been gathering for more than 100 years - conducting initiations, ceremonies and rituals like their male counterparts. Now, the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme has been given unique access to their secret societies. “What is freemasonry?“ asks a master at the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons. “A peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols,“ replies Dialazaza Nkela. She is taking part in a ceremony to reach the rank of the “second degree“. It celebrates her rise in standing within the society. The “first degree“ was previously marked by her initiation, which involved her baring her “right arm, left breast and knee“ while a noose was placed around her neck. Each of these elements, it is said, has a symbolic meaning - though we are not told anything more. The “third degree“ is said to be “where you experience death to be reborn“, representing “the end of one life and the beginning of another“. What this means in practice, again, is kept from us. But this in itself is a glimpse into the workings of a secretive society. Many people perhaps do not even know that female Freemasons exist. The male Freemasons - who started meeting officially 300 years ago - have always gained greater attention. They are currently led by the Duke of Kent. But between the two female societies - the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons and the Order of Women Freemasons, which split in the early 20th Century - there are nearly 5,000 members, The Order of Women Freemasons meets regularly in lodges, or temples, around the country. During ceremonies, the women dress in white robes, with regalia worn around their necks to represent their place in the hierarchy. The service we see begins with a procession down the centre aisle. Members of the organisation bow as they reach the front, where grand master Zuzanka Penn sits on a grand chair that looks similar to a throne. Prayers are said during ceremonies, and at times it has the feel of a religious group, although Ms Penn is keen to stress this is not the case. “In order to be a Freemason, you have to believe in a supreme being,“ she says, but it can be of “any faith at all“. “We will have people who are very religious, and people who are not as observant - but of any race, any faith,“ she says. Most of the women in the societies are aged 50 or above - something they are keen to change, targeting university freshers’ fairs as a way to recruit younger members. Optician Roshni Patel is having a ceremony to mark her reaching the rank of a Master Freemason. She joined the Freemasons seven years ago. We are not allowed to attend the ceremony, but learn that she was given the “honour“ of sitting on the throne-like “chair“. “The whole process of me being put into the chair, that was very emotional,“ she says, as she exits. “Especially by all my lodge members, who I really care about.“ Asked about becoming a master Freemason, she adds: “I’m in shock,“ while still trying to take in her achievement. But perhaps the Freemasons’ greatest recruitment barrier is their reputation for secrecy and association with corruption, including favouritism in which members help each other rise up the career ladder. It is not something Ms Penn says she recognises. “I’ve been a Freemason for over 40 years and I’ve never been offered a favour or offered anyone else a favour. “You hear the stories, but I’ve not come across it in freemasonry at all.“ All Credit, Rights, and Thanks to original creators and designers for any and all clips, footage, and/or commentary used in the making the final fair use design, commentary, and/or Compilation Videos. Please note Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use“ for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use law is permitted by copyright statute 17 . 106A that might otherwise be infringing.