Once upon a time, in a sunny garden in deepest Kent, I was asked: "What's the point of all this? What does all of this  lead to?"

The person who asked me had been in Masonry for some years, and I was surprised that nobody had explained to them about the ultimate aims and aspirations of Masonry. I gave as simple an answer as I could, at the time, to such a profound question; now, some years later, I feel compelled to answer this question more openly. We spend time, energy and money when we invest in joining a Masonic Order like the EMO UK - the  least  we can do is explain the point of it all.

The Great Journey of Masonry - which is synonymous with the  Great Work - is frequently described as a  Ladder. In Classical Masonry, this is usually associated with the Biblical image of the Ladder of Jacob, but the concept has a much more ancient provenance. In Egypt, the ascent of Osiris from the Tuat to the Heavens was conceived as a Ladder upheld by Thoth and Horus, upon which both Osiris and his aspirants - the Adepts who underwent the regenerative  Osirification  of their Souls - would ascend to reach the Supernal Realms.

I will speak only in my capacity as guide of this Order, but I will speak nonetheless.
In the EMO UK, our aspiration is identical to that of the ancient Osirian initiates. We aspire, through our Degrees and Rituals, to ascend that Spiritual Ladder of Light, step by step, until we reach those same Supernal Realms.

"But how?" You may ask.

As you will know from elsewhere on this website, our Order is conceived as a Great Pyramid, which divides itself into Ten Mansions. It is our upward progression through these Mansions which, we believe, facilitates this aspirational Ascent. Just as the triangular faces of a Pyramid rise from a square base to an apex bordering on Infinity, we believe our Human Consciousness can make the same journey: from  Matter to  Spirit.

In the TENTH MANSION of the Symbolic or Craft Mysteries, we are brought into the Symbolic Mysteries, where the whole system is explained and revealed in symbolic fashion; yet we must master the Symbolism, its Philosophy, its Esoteric and Hermetic Science, and the Spiritual Truths to which it leads, in order to properly comprehend that which the first Three Degrees reveals to us. The high point is to become a  Master Mason, and then to earn the right to become a  Worshipful Master of the Lodge.
In the NINTH MANSION of the College of Perfection, we begin to unfold the perennial arcana to which we have been given access. This is both a philosophical analysis of the Symbolic Systems, as well as an unfolding of the Psychic Faculties which are essential for our inner growth and the widening of our perceptions; to encourage this, we are given the preparatory exercises in Alchemy and Theurgy, and commence the study of Qabalah, Hermetic Science, and Astrology. The high point is the entrance into the  Royal Arch of Enoch, which grants us a certain spiritual dignity and stability.

In the EIGHTH MANSION of the Rose-Croix, we find ourselves crossing several key thresholds which lead us steadily and safely out of the Lower Darkness of ignorance and materialism, through the liminal state of awakening, to that Place which connects the Lower Psychism to the Higher Psychism, or Spiritual Consciousness. The high point is the Reception into the  Eighteenth Degree of the Rose and the Cross, which is the true gateway to Gnosis.
In the SEVENTH MANSION of the Hermetic Senate, we are finally equipped to analyse and gain competency in the practice of what we have learned so far, and the preparatory and introductory exercises in Theurgy, Alchemy and Astrology advance to a more expert level of operation. The high point is the  Elevation to the Hermetic Philosophy, which synthesises the Mysteries of Visible Creation, and its Invisible Forces.
In the SIXTH MANSION of the Supreme Council, we complete the works of the  Lesser Mysteries, which embrace and encompass all the essential skills and knowledge required for genuine Masonic Adepthood. The high point of this part of the journey is the  Exaltation to the Thirty-Third Degree, which is revealed as so much more than a fancy title, or a participation trophy.

In the FIFTH MANSION of the Sublime Consistory, which is the largest Mansion by amount of Degrees, our spiritual evolution takes a quantum leap forward, as we gradually assume the roles of Knight, Priest and Sage in the High Gnostic and Universalist Mysteries - the  Greater  Mysteries - which ensoul and underpin the spiritual traditions of the whole world, revealing to us the Mysterious Workings of the Universal Spirit of Holiness in operation among all illuminated beings, and among all nations and cultures. The high point is  Assumption into the Hall of Sublime Sages, the Halls of Bliss, where there is rest and repose.
In the FOURTH MANSION of the Mystic Temple of the AA, the Great Work is brought to its ultimate culmination. These are the Supreme Mysteries, the  Secret of Secrets, the ultimate synthesis of the Tradition, and of the Spiritual Constitution of the Masonic Sage. Those who enter these Supreme Mysteries "come not forth again".

The THIRD, SECOND and FIRST MANSIONS are exalted spaces, spiritually abstract to those who cannot understand them, where the Leaders and Guardians of the Order and Rite perform their executive and hieratic works in deepest silence. These are the places of the profoundest serenity, for they exist in the Immutable Light where all Opposites are Harmonised -  they can neither exist nor function otherwise.

As you can see, there is clear intention behind the structure of the EMO UK, which provides a guide and a mirror for every individual's personal spiritual progress, supported by those who are also on the Great Journey. We do not intend to stand between you and your Divinity - on the contrary, our purpose is to ensure that you cultivate a personal relationship with the Divine, so that you can understand your true origin, and the  potential  in the deepest part of your nature. This is the purpose of the Mysteries. Such an immense task cannot be completed without stages and degrees to mark our progression; therefore the EMO UK has been created, and is sustained, to assist us.

I cannot share anymore of our Works publicly, as the Veils must be maintained. I just thought this post might help those of you who are curious, or interested to have a clear picture of the Ladder of Light as we conceive it in our beloved and venerable Order.

Climb high, and climb well!