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Product Life Cycle of Freemasonry As a child, I would be given a present that would
An inconvenient truth arrive in a large cardboard box. I would oft en play with
the box, the packaging more than the contents: the
present. Th e box could be a car, a ship, an aeroplane,
or a space rocket in my imaginary world. Sometimes,
I had more fun with the packaging than the contents.
As Freemasons, we focus a lot on the packaging;
the festive board, dressing up, the regalia, Masonic
rank, processing in and out of the lodge, etc. For most
Freemasons, the primary objective is all about the
socializing and the camaraderie.

Th ey are not ready or willing to take offi ce or learn
ritual, let alone consider any additional Masonic
learning.

Some Freemasons, not all, do take a lot of pleasure
with the delivery mechanism, the amateur dramatics
element of the ceremonies. Th ey spend time to learn and
deliver a good, and some-times a great performance.
To them, that is what being a 'good' Freemason is all
about. Th ey couldn't tell you the symbolic meaning,
let alone implement the moral lesson into their daily
lives. For these Freemasons, the primary objective is
about getting their delivery word perfect.
A standard product lifecycle diagram which shows volume over Th en, there are few, very few, who go the extra step
time. It is not to scale but serves as a visual overview. Th ere
are four stages in a a product life cycle: introducation, growth, and investigate a deeper Masonic meaning. Th ey
maturity, decline. generally take one of three specialist subjects. Th ey
study the history of Freemasonry, typically the Craft ,
Where do you think Freemasonry is on the chart especially around the early eighteenth century period,
today? which is a very popular starting point. Th ey may follow
the esoteric study route, looking for deeper meaning
Let's start by understanding Product Life Cycle. in the symbolism. Th e third group, might venture
further into the study of the appendant Orders.
A product, goods, or services comprises three
interlocking parts; packaging, delivery mechanism, For these Freemasons, whichever route they take,
and content. the study of Freemasonry is the primary objective.

In terms of Freemasonry, the "packaging" is the Personally, I am not sure or convinced how the study
bricks and mortar Masonic halls, the lodge room, the of Freemasonry helps them to achieve their principal
festive board/the bar, the dining room, and all that objective - that is to make good men [themselves] a
a Grand Lodge provides; issuing warrants to private better person in the out-side world.
lodges, and Grand Lodge certifi cates to its members.
If Freemasonry were a product, I would simulate it
Th e "delivery mechanism" is the physical process of with a computer operating system. I think we would
conferring the degrees within the ceremonies, such currently be on version 3.xxx.
as the ritual, including the charges, lectures, and
perambulations. It is the use of allegory and symbols
in putting across new complex concepts. Freemasonry Version 1
Th e "content" is the substance of the lessons and Th e transition period from Operative Craft guilds,
concepts encoded in the allegory and symbols. Th e Accepted Freemasonry into speculative Freemasonry
lesson's primary objective is to 'make good men better,' Lodges - up to 1717/1721.
to make us fi t members of a well-organized society.
It is not about being wealthy in money, but rather Th is is based on the idea that operative stonemason
wealthy in knowledge. Th e skill of a Freemason, and guilds began admitting or accepting 'gentlemen' into
it is a skill, is to be able to use that knowledge in our their guilds.
daily and professional lives to our advantage.
Montana Freemason Page 9 Jan/Feb 2021 Volume 97 No. 1