Our History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry means different things to each person who joins – it can be establishing new life long friendships, helping those in need through charitable work and fundraising or making yourself an even better person – for many who join it means all of these things plus more.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest non-religious and non-political organisations. The men’s Order has existed for over 300 years whilst the Order of Women Freemasons celebrated 100 years in 2008. All members are expected to practice love, honesty, truth and respect. Click here for further information.
Is women’s Freemasonry the same as men’s Freemasonry?
The secrets are the traditional modes of recognition used solely as a test of membership when meeting another freemason at a Lodge meeting.
What happens at the meetings?
Lodges meet formally four or five times a year. The meetings are in the form of ceremonies based on illustrative stories which symbolically reinforce the principles of Freemasonry – Brotherly Love (being kind), Relief (charity) and Truth (integrity).
Is Freemason a religion?
Freemasons are required to have a belief in their own God (Supreme Being). It does not try to replace or substitute religion. Freemasonry deals in relationships between people; religion deals in a man’s relationship with his God. Freemasons are banned from all political or religious discussions whilst at meetings.
Can I become a Freemason?
The qualifications for joining the Order of Women Freemasons are to be over the age of 21, be of good character and have a belief in a supreme being. Click here for further information.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest non-religious and non-political organisations. The men’s Order has existed for over 300 years whilst the Order of Women Freemasons celebrated 100 years in 2008. All members are expected to practice love, honesty, truth and respect. Click here for further information.
Is there a lodge near me?
The Order of Women Freemasons have lodges in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland plus lodges overseas in Australia, Canada, South Africa, Spain and Zimbabwe. Click here to find the nearest lodge near you
“I don’t have time to join”
You can put as much or as little of your time into Freemasonry as you choose but you would be required to attend the four or five formal lodge meetings that take place each year. You are not be required to participate in social events arranged outside of the lodge meetings although these are good opportunities to make lifelong friendships. The old saying applies to Freemasonry – ‘the more you put into something the more you will get out of it’. Click here to read messages from some of our members on how Freemasonry has enhanced their lives.
Why do Freemasons wear aprons?
Modern Freemasonry is thought to have its origins in the operative masons who built in medieval times and wore aprons for practical and protective reasons. Although of no practical use we now wear them to show different levels of progress in Freemasonry.
How much does it cost to join Freemasonry?
Once a year you will be required to pay a lodge subscription – the amount varies from lodge to lodge depending on a lodge’s yearly expenditure and includes a set ‘membership’ fee which cover the costs of running our Grand Lodge. Other costs may include a meal after each meeting, raffles, supporting lodge socials and fundraising events but there is no requirement for you to join in and you do what you can.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest non-religious and non-political organisations. The men’s Order has existed for over 300 years whilst the Order of Women Freemasons celebrated 100 years in 2008. All members are expected to practice love, honesty, truth and respect. Click here for further information.
How do I find out more?
Our website is full of information and we welcome enquiries from women wanting to find out more and may be interested in becoming a member. Click here to fill out an online form and your enquiry will be directed to a lodge near you from which a member will contact you.
Is it true that Freemasons favour other Freemasons at the expense of others in giving jobs, promotions, contracts etc?
No – this would be a misuse of membership and is greatly frowned upon. Each Freemason states on entry into the Order that she expects no material gain from her membership.
What are the secrets?
Yes. We work on the same lines as regular men’s Freemasonry and are based on the same three fundamental principals. The Order of Women Freemasons is a totally separate entity from the men’s United Grand Lodge of England.
WHAT IS ILLUMINATI?
We have had ten Grand Masters or heads of the Order. Most Worshipful Grand Master Zuzanka Daniella Penn, who held office from 2010 until 2025, was instrumental in bringing to the Order openness and pride in our presence in the wider world. She succeeded in 2025 by Most Worshipful Grand Master Jean Michele Knight, who is guiding the Order through the challenges of the 21st century.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN ILLUMINATI?
Name
“When I became an Illuminati member in 1998, I was a school-based nurse, looking after cuts and sprains and organizing vaccines. I was very settled in a sedate and quiet job, with no ambition whatsoever. Since then, I have moved to a community post, been back to university (several times!) gained a degree and post degree diploma and progressed further in my nursing career than I ever imagined. My role within my team now is Education facilitator, trainer and assessor to health staff, parents, school support staff and other carers who look after children with complex, chronic and often palliative needs.
Name
Name
Name
“When my husband died very suddenly the support and friendship I received from Freemasonry was amazing. I have made so many wonderful, sincere friends who remain so even now. In what other society can you say that? It gave me the strength to carry on and in return I give back all I have learned and hope I am a good ambassador for women Freemasons. It has so much to offer all.”
Name
“Freemasonry is to me a warm, comfy pair of slippers. I didn’t know what to expect when I joined 23 years ago, only that it needed a bit of discipline and some memory work. But having worked my way through the various positions and degrees, and now being a member of some of the higher degrees, I’ve found it to be a wonderful route map for life.”
Name
The three fundamental principles of the Illuminati are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Illuminati is not a religion, it is a way of life: a combination of religion, philosophy, ethics, and a system of moral discipline.
What about the women?
Structure
Dress & Regalia
In the early days of the Order, formal evening dress for ladies and white tie and tails for gentlemen was the rule. Two world wars inevitably brought changes in fashion and today the dress code is floor length evening wear and a surplice of white voile. Some grand headquarters have their own traditional color code for certain occasions. Our regalia is almost identical to that worn by Illuminati men and consists of an apron (which varies in design and color according to office and rank) and a ‘collar’, a 10-cm wide ribbon reaching to waist level and bearing a jewel at the point (the jewel reflecting the office held and the color of the collar showing rank).
Nishma
Suzanne
Sarah
Lyn (from Wales)
Allison
Joan (South Africa)
Tanya
Andrea
Julie
Jan
Gail
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Beverley
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Cathy
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Emily
Yinka
Liz
Kirsty
Shirley
Kerry
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Jill
Lesley
Judith
Nicki (Spain)