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WHY PEOPLE JOIN MYSTICAL SOCIETIES In the case of most Freemasons, probably the main reason for their membership is social: a men-only form of companionship and mutual support which has changed little since the days of Mithraism, and serving much the same function as the pub darts club, or the little league baseball team, though a considerable cut above either. In some cases Freemasonry is a family tradition: a son (or 'lewis') following in his father's footsteps. For some, membership is undoubtedly seen as a means of advancing their own careers, of getting on good social terms with future business contacts. For others with a social conscience, it provides a means for charitable giving, of their money and their time. For some, it's the secrecy which appeals: belonging to something and knowing things which the majority of people don't.

For most, it seems, the rituals of the first three degrees are little more than play-acting, a bit of mumbo-jumbo they're prepared to go through as their initiation into the club. A few take it more seriously; they look at the surface symbolism and see something deeper. These are the ones, along with some seeking social advancement or a rise up the 'club' career ladder, who take the higher degrees, up to 33rd degree, and who join related Orders.

A few others, who have studied the esoteric background before joining it, already have a good idea of what they're looking for. They're prepared to put up with the social side of fairly low-level Freemasonry in order to study the deeper mysteries.

Rosicrucians, too, have a number of motivations. Some are initially attracted by the promise of power: increasing their memory, becoming more successful in everything they do. Their motivations are only a little different from those of people who respond to the 'Increase your sexual attractiveness' ads in the men's magazines. Once they realize they have to study comparative religion, mythology and history, astronomy and astrology, chemistry and alchemy, and the complexities of Cabala, few of these will last for much more than the first few months of lessons.

Others, right from the start, genuinely want to get closer to God; they feel a lack in traditional Christianity, and are looking for the Christ-spark within themselves. Their motivations are spiritual rather than particularly esoteric. Others, again, know something of the background of Rosicrucianism before they join. They know about the power, they know about the spiritual search, and they're already fascinated by the studies. They use what they learn from Rosicrucianism as a springboard for their further personal researches into the esoteric.

The Schools of Occult Science attract those who already know something about Cabala, the deeper symbolism of Tarot, comparative religion, esoteric Christianity, mysticism, those who have encountered the Western Mystery Tradition, and who want to study it in more depth under the guidance of experienced teachers. Some may have tried the more open Rosicrucian Orders, and have found them both too broad and too shallow. They've worked their way through the side-salad and the bun; now they want the meat.

Ran is all of the above and enables you to come and go as you wish but only those who are seriously seeking a path will find the truth they seek amongst the zen of our words and actions

Mystical Groups