Although most people think of Freemasonry as a secret society, many masons view the Brotherhood as an esoteric society, and as such it is a society that has some secrets, rather than being a society that is a secret. After all, if you know Freemasonry exists, and can see Masonic Lodges in many towns and cities through America, then can it really be a secret society? So, if Freemasons have secrets, what are they? Before answering that specifically, we need to understand a couple of concepts: esoteric and secret.
The word esoteric is derived from a Greek word that means "within". So, if Freemasonry is an esoteric society, then the secrets are contained within the society. Further, it could be said that the secrets are within the members themselves. The word "secret" is from Latin and means "set apart, withdrawn, hidden," and it has a similar meaning to the word "occult," which also means "hidden". Esoteric and occult are words that are commonly used to describe groups and schools of thought that explore arcane wisdom and spiritual mysteries. Freemasonry, through its ritual, symbols, and metaphorical teachings, could be said to represent a mystery school, esoteric society, or occult fraternity.
The real secrets of the Freemasons are concealed within "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." For example, two of the symbolic tools, that are keys to the Masonic secrets, are the square and compasses. Masons are instructed that they should contemplate them in the following way: to "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to "circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind". As a Mason progresses through the degrees of the Blue Lodge he is said to gain knowledge and understanding of himself. As well as this he should be learning about his relationship with others, and especially his relationship with the Supreme Being (God, or the Great Architect of the Universe to the Masons).
Many of the philosophical aspects of Freemasonry are discussed in Lodges of Instruction or Research Lodges, although various groups of Freemasons publish studies that are available exclusively to fellow Masons, but sometimes to the public in general. Freemasons are encouraged to speculate on the meanings of symbols and purpose of Freemasonry. This is partly where the term "Speculative Masonry" derives, although it is generally used to differentiate between Freemasonry (speculative masonry) and Stonemasons (operative masons).
While knowledge about Freemasonry can be gained from individuals, groups, books, and articles, the true secrets come from the contemplation of meanings of the symbols and through the participation in Masonic ritual, which is an allegorical retelling of the building of King Solomon's Temple. In this sense, the true Masonic secrets cannot be revealed as they need to be experienced. These true secrets tend to be of a personal nature gained by the experience of the rituals, and through contemplation and philosophical thought about the nature of Freemasonry. It is wise to recall the directive from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi : "Gnothi Seauton" (Know Thyself).
The aspects of Freemasonry that most people consider to be the "secrets" are indeed kept hidden from non-members. One of the mains secrets is the Masonic handshake, which is used by masons to identify each other in public. However, Freemasons have various handshakes (generally referred to as grips or tokens) that are only taught to members on attaining the various degrees. In Masonic lodges, the handshake is accompanied by various signs and words (passwords) and are primarily used a ritualized manner over the popular concept of gaining admission to a Lodge. To visit a lodge you generally need a letter of introduction from your own lodge, or to know members of the lodge you are visiting. If you are tested they will likely ask for information you were given in your degree rituals, as well as being tested with these secrets words, signs, and tokens.
A lot of the "secret" information about Freemasonry has now been described in detail in books and articles. While these writings were once kept out of public view in Masonic Lodge libraries, they are now available to the general public. Many of these books and article on Freemasonry are available for free online, while others can be purchased from various booksellers. More information on Freemasonry and Freemasons can be found on the Masonic Secrets website.
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