Freemasonry is the largest and most public of the philosophical fraternal orders, and at its heart lies the process of initiation for instructing new members. What exactly is the process of initiation? How did it originate? What changes does it seek to bring about in the candidate? How does it work? More importantly, why is it so integral to Freemasonry? Through works written by Freemasons, scholars of history, and mainstream authors and practitioners, The Art and Science of Initiation brings together thirteen all-new essays from some of the biggest established and upcoming authors of Freemasonry, spirituality, and esotericism, featuring work by Angel Millar, Joscelyn Godwin, Mark Booth, Richard Smoley, Donald Tyson, Susanna Åkerman, Herbie Brennan, Richard Kaczynski, C.R. Dunning, Jr., Greg Kaminsky, Jeffrey S. Kupperman, Adam Kendall, and Timothy Scott. In paperback