What is Initiation?
Initiation in Freemasonry is described as an analogy of man's advent from prenatal darkness into the light of human fellowship, moral truth, and spiritual faith. The term 'initiation' is derived from the Latin word initium, meaning a beginning, a birth, or a coming into being. It represents a common human experience, as we undergo various forms of initiation throughout our lives, such as starting school, entering adulthood, beginning a career, or getting married.
Masonic initiation specifically refers to the process by which a candidate is accepted into the fraternity, marking the start of a new and higher life. It is not merely a formal ceremony; it is intended to confer certain powers and open up possibilities for the initiate. However, the true value of initiation lies in the candidate's willingness to embrace the teachings and responsibilities that come with it. As noted by Carl H. Claudy, 'the lodge puts before him the bread of truth, the wine of belief, the staff of power, and sets his feet upon the path that leads to Light'.