Neptune 5150
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Neptune Lodge was founded in 1930 when a group of like-minded Masons of the Temperance Lodge decided that a new lodge was warranted, perhaps one where members could enjoy a beer or two. Our history page will add insight to this event and more.
Today, Neptune Lodge is still thriving and many new members have joined our Lodge, both from within the fraternity and outside, but like all Freemasonry, we are open to new members. Neptune is a very friendly lodge and welcome visitors to enjoy our ceremonies with us; we are not afraid to laugh a little, sometimes quite a lot.
Neptune’s contribution to Charity has, on many occasions, proved its worthiness. We received a Platinum Award for contributions to the 2016 Festival, having received the Gold Award in 2014. We are now on our way with our contributions to the 2027 Festival. We had 44 members in 2014 and, although we have fewer members these days, Neptune Lodge remains very proud of its achievements.
Details of the Freemason’s Masonic Charitable Foundation, can be found here: Masonic Charitable Foundation
So, just what is Freemasonry?
Surprisingly, Freemasonry’s aims, rules and rituals can be found in libraries, bookshops and on the Internet, not quite the secrecy one might have expected. The fact is however, although there is much published about Freemasonry, much, especially on the Internet, remains led by one of the greatest conspiracy theories ever to embrace society, and one of the oldest too; so beware of what you believe. Freemasonry, simply put, is a worldwide, secular, non-political, fraternal and charitable organization. One of its aims states that it “makes good men better,” but today, as women Freemasons are an accepted norm, use of gender in this statement has become futile; there has been women in Freemasonry in England since 1902, in Europe long before this. It does “make good people better” through teaching self-knowledge through the participation in a progression of ceremonial rituals or plays, better known historically as “morality plays.”
In response to the question “what is Freemasonry,” you will often hear this:
A peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
However, to me this response is quite ‘peculiar’ (odd), and I’ve heard and read a lot of definitions, as I am sure you have to, but what on earth does that mean? Well, let me first say that there is nothing ‘peculiar’ (odd) about ‘morality,’but this use of ‘peculiar’ means ‘distinct’ or ‘unique;’ so correctly speaking, ‘a unique system of morality,,,’ suggesting that ‘morality’ is not ‘strange’ or ‘odd’ as implied in the second of my uses of ‘peculiar,’ which means odd, strange, etc.. Then comes ‘veiled in allegory,’ that’s interesting, as allegory can mean:
A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
In Freemasonry it can only mean “moral’ as politics, along with religion, are never to be discussed in a Freemasons’ Lodge.
Albert Pike in his book ‘The Porch and the Middle Chamber’ where he has a version of the
first degree, had this to say about Freemasonry being:
A fraternal system of morals, illustrated by symbols, in association with honest brothers, who seek the perfection of human morals.
Another explanation I read on Facebook, this I’ve modified slightly as it was way too male
orientated:
The Mission of Freemasonry is to promote a way of life that binds members together in a
fraternity that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences by
emphasising the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth.
However, you can make of the above what you will, Freemasonry has the following aims:
- To practise universal charity
- To foster high moral standards
- To build friendships
- To serve the community
- To develop values such as integrity, respect, self-discipline, discretion, virtue and responsibility.
What Freemasonry is not, however, is that it is a not a society where members secretly help each other advance in business or any other selfish pursuit, and it most definitely doesn’t rule the world nor have a secret inner circle unknown to ordinary members. This myth is just historical misunderstanding based upon a defunct 18th century Rite known as the “Rite of Strict Observance,” which, in an attempt to legitimise itself with regular Freemasonry, invented such an “inner circle” known as the “unknown superiors” suggesting these were members of regular Scottish Freemasonry.
It is, however, to be understood that to become a regular Freemason a belief God is a requirement. And no matter what “pathway to God” is followed, a belief in such is necessary for membership. Members, therefore, are welcomed from all monotheistic religions and we pride ourselves on the harmony within each lodge that this philosophy so readily promotes. Masons must also have reached the “mature age of 18 years” (21 in some cases) before they can be considered for joining. The practice of universal charity remains close to the heart of Freemasonry, so not just within their own fraternity but also for the community as a whole.
Becoming a Freemason
Neptune’s membership is rising slowly, new and approved members are always welcome. So why become a Freemason? The United Grand Lodge of England has some suggestions here: https://www.ugle.org.uk/become-freemason/why-become-freemason.
Still interested in becoming a Freemason? Please visit here if you live in England or Wales: https://www.ugle.org.uk/become-freemason, or if you live elsewhere in the world, find your Grand Lodge here: https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-us/foreign-grand-lodges, if you live in the Portsmouth, Fareham area, mention Neptune and hopefully you’ll be steered in our direction. If you live anywhere else in England and Wales, give us a mention anyway to let them know the source of your enquiry. All these Grand Lodges are managed by regular Freemasonry. If the Grand Lodge that’s in your mind is not listed here then it’s not pure, regular, Ancient and Accepted Freemasonry.
For ladies who wish to become lady Freemasons, here’s a great place to start: https://www.owf.org.uk/join-us/i-want-to-join/ or here: https://hfaf.org/hfaf-official/how-to-join/
Social Neptune
Neptune is a very social lodge, we enjoy visiting other lodges and we welcome all visitors from other lodges to Neptune. We meet at the Masonic Hall in Albert Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3DD UK on the first Thursday of each month, except July and August. Find us on Facebook here
