I.A journey through ritual and symbol -- The pursuit of knowledge of one's self -- The thread of the mysteries -- A new look at the Renaissance -- Freemasonry as psychology -- The first degree -- entered apprentice -- The second degree -- fellowcraft -- The third degree -- master mason -- II. Plates -- III. Themes -- Origins -- early theories -- Origins -- recent theories -- Conflicting authority: Formation of the United Grand Lodge -- Evolution of the ritual -- The temple as a model of man and the universe -- Approaches to Masonic labour -- Levels of consciousness -- Violence, danger and death -- Anti-masonry -- Masonry universal -- A nation under God -- Public face -- National style -- Charity.