This article is taken from the February 2019 issue of Fraternal Review titled, “Magic & Freemasonry”.
The expression, “the magic of Freemasonry,” takes on a different meaning when one realizes the great number of professional and amateur magicians who are and have been members of the Ancient Craft. It was only natural that these skilled performers of the art of producing baffling effects and illusions should band together to share their interests with the Fraternity.
The Invisible Lodge
“The Invisible Lodge” is not actually a Lodge. It is an international organization of Freemasons who also have as their vocation or avocation—MAGIC. The Invisible Lodge was formed in 1953 by Sir Felix Korim of England, who served as the organization’s first President. Membership in The Invisible Lodge has been accorded to more than 800 selected Masons throughout the world, including such notable and well-known figures in the world of magic as Harry Blackstone. [The famous escape artist Harry Houdini was a Mason, but not a member, as he had passed away in 1926.]
Joined by the common bond of magic, these Brethren who may be or have been professional entertainers, hobbyists, collectors, or students of both magic and Freemasonry, combine those interests to produce the organization known as “The Invisible Lodge.” … Masonry, in its language and ritual, retains much of the various sects and institutions it passed through before arriving at its present state. In Masonry, as in Magic, we meet with Chaldean, Indian, Egyptian, Jewish, and Christian symbols and ideas. It is little wonder then that at some time in history a group of men with an interest in both Magic and Masonry would form an organization that would embody the two as its focus.
Masonry and Magic Around the Globe
Many famous and world-renowned magicians have been Masons. [Long before the days of The Invisible Lodge,] Brother Harry Houdini [1891-1926] was president of the Society of American Magicians and remained so until his death. Houdini was the most recognized escape artist and magician in the world.
The [Invisible Lodge] has had members in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, India, Israel, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, and South Africa, as well as the United States. [In some countries it] has met on a regular basis as most Masonic lodges do. Some of these groups have even performed public shows to raise funds for charitable causes.
To become a member of The Invisible Lodge you must have been raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason (and be in good standing). Then you must be able to confirm that you are a member of a magic or related organization and can verify a relationship as an amateur, semi-professional, or professional magician, collector, author, enthusiast in magic, or a related art form. Whenever possible the member seeking membership is vouched for by an active member. Once a member, the membership is an endowment for life. When it is possible, the member is put through a formal initiation called the “Magic Wand and Square” ceremony. This is usually done at a meeting held in conjunction with a major magic convention.
Awards and Books
[Among Invisible Lodge awards,] the Zina Bennett Award, named after the former [Lodge] president, was given to those members who had given a minimum of five performances to entertain at Shriners’ hospitals or burn centers, Masonic orphanages, Masonic homes, or other Masonic institutions. This was to be done without remuneration. The Master’s Award goes to Invisible Lodge members who were raised to the Honorary 33rd Degree.
The organization has published two books pertaining to magic. Masonic Magic, authored by Bro. Bert Douglas, offered Masonic-oriented magic for the performer to use in a Masonic setting [and] has been made available to members only. The other publication is The Magicians in Masonry. This book was authored by David Price II for the Texas Lodge of Research in 1969. In 1972 Price revised it for the use of The Invisible Lodge. David Price was probably right when he stated, “I am sure that no profession contains a greater percentage of Masons as that of Magicians.”
[Excerpted and paraphrased from The Short Talk Bulletins. (Burtonsville, MD: The Masonic Service Association, 2013), S. Brent Morris, Ed. Vol. IV: “The Invisible College” by Walter J. Harmon, Feb. 1980, 567-569; and Vol. V: “The Invisible Lodge – 2001 Update” by John K. Miller, Aug. 2001, 740-742.]