Masonic Publications to Look Into

by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Robert H. Johnson



Often times we find ourselves looking for something to read or maybe just wishing for it. If you're lucky enough to have free time that doesn't require also splitting it with paying attention to the little ones, congratulations...I digress.

As a podcaster I find myself constantly looking for material to either write about or read on the show, (if the publication is cool with it). The list of publications I'll give here are ones that I enjoy, even though some of them do not allow reprinting or readings ;) Take a look and if I can assist you in answering questions about them, please feel free to email me.

The Plumb Line - A publication of the AASR Research Society. You essentially join the Research Society. Cost is about $50 and you get a quarterly newsletter (usually with a great article in each one) and a hard cover book (usually by de Hoyos). Totally worth it.

The Fraternal Review - Probably the hippest and most relevant in terms of knowing what it's readers love, and is inexpensive for what you get. 11 issues for $37. In fact probably the coolest damn thing is that they do is a "Lodge Subscription" for $92. A lodge subscription gets you 3 physical print copies of each issue. They also offer a digital subscription for $27. It's printed on nice paper, is in color and usually comes in the usual length of a good magazine, sans all the advertisements. Just do it.

The Journal - A publication of the Masonic Society is  similar in nature to the Philalethes. Cost is $45 per year and is released quarterly. This magazine is also printed in a very nice way. Full color, good paper weight and consists of slightly more academic papers. They adhere to their quarry style guide as well, which is Like Chicago Style. Anyone in good standing can subscribe. Cost is $45.

The Philalethes - The oldest Masonic research publication in the United States, the Philalethes is Americas version of AQC, (at least that's how it feels to me.) In any case, this publication is also in color, published quarterly and has good paper weight. The cost is $50 for 4 issues.

The Rocky Mountain Mason - Another full color Masonic publication with great articles and who is more concerned with it's readership than the pomp and circumstance of other publications. That is not to say that those who are published in the magazine are not scholars, to the contrary they are. In fact many propose amazing and new research not examined before. Subscription to this publication will set you back a whopping $33 bucks for this quarterly masterpiece. ( I'm not being sarcastic. I legitimately enjoy the heck out of this one.)

The Working Tools by Cory Sigler was a wonderful magazine as well. Alas it's no longer in print. In addition, The Living Stones magazine which was published by Robert Herd was also just amazing. Although it too is out of print, Robert made all issues available for free in digital format. You can access them at the link below. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE LIVING STONES MAGAZINE.

Happy subscribing and happy reading everyone!

~RHJ

RWB, Robert Johnson is the Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. He currently serves as the Secretary of Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183 UD. He is a Past Master of Waukegan Lodge 78 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs)Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatre which focus on topics relating to Freemasonry. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four, works full time in the executive medical industry. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry" and is currently working on a book of Masonic essays and one on Occult Anatomy to be released soon.

1 comment:

  1. I must disagree on "Fraternal Review." You describe it as the "usual length of a usual magazine." In fact, it's only a few pages each issue. I could usually read the whole thing in about a half hour. I understand that there's a market for the kind of fantasy that they were pursuing (Freemasonry and Star Wars? Really?) but it wasn't for me.

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