The creation of a brand new Masonic lodge is a daunting task, under any circumstances. Those of us who where very interested, almost obsessed with the Egyptian Rites especially the Rite of Misraim faced almost unsurmountable odds.

First of all the Rite of Misraim offers tremendous appeal to those who are already involved with Freemasonry. The rite itself has been "blackballed" and thus became "forbidden fruit."  Not always a good thing but there is always a "buzz" surrounding the Rite.

Secondly, was just the size and scope of the landscape. If we are dealing with a traditional lodge concept you first have to find at least seven and sometimes up to twenty Master Masons who;  A.)  share your passion. B.)  You get a long with. C.)  Live in your hometown or within driving distance.  D.)  Will be tirelessly dedicated to lodge to the point where it is almost a full time job, one with no pay.  E.)  You have to operate "outside the mainstream" due to the fact that the Rite of Misraim is not officially "sanctioned" anywhere within the "mainstream" USA and Canada.

So, how do we overcome these obstacles we have identified?  The first step is recognizing the failures of your previous attempts; but what is even more valuable is to recognize the failures of other Orders.

There are a few Grand Lodge systems who do work in the Egyptian Rites.  Albeit Memphis-Misraim and not the original Misraim.  But these we found posed difficulties.  Lodges only in a few places and very small in number.  Requirement to attend the physical lodge on a regular basis.  This would rack up frequent flyer miles not to mention put a huge whole in the individual budget. Then we found also that the bureaucratic system within these Orders was just as rigid and stagnant as what we wanted to leave behind.  This is something we wanted to avoid at all cost.

So, we had a few strong and dedicated Freemasons who all shared a common love, the Rite of Misraim.  We all seemed to on opposite sides of the country, and even the globe.  Email can only get you so far. Then a epiphany.  Why not take on the approach of Fortune 500 companies with large virtual workforces?  This was an idea we needed to investigate.

What we found was a plethora of tools that were available to us.  Web 2.0 turned out to be our best asset. Pod casting, video conferencing over Skype, desktop sharing applications.  Real time SMS and file sharing.  The ability to build the worlds most powerful member only Masonic portal.  Real one on one collaboration with Brethren not only on the other side of the country, but the planet.  These best practices took the brick and mortar structures of  the Antients and Moderns and replaced them with communication at the speed of light.  The Post-Modern era had begun.  If it weren't for the Pragmatic problem solving and constantly evolving approach of Post-Modern Freemasonry none of this would even be possible.

We have determined that in the day and age of instant and real time communication we should take full advantage of all the resources that are available to us. This is indeed the case and it is in this realm that we are able to function as a working lodge that services a membership regardless of an individual members location.

Now, it must be clarified that Lodge Napoleon is not  just  a "web lodge."  We do all of our ritual work the old fashioned way.  In person, in a tyled and consecrated lodge, one at a time, the long way.  No shortcuts here, no side liners. 

We do not now nor will we ever employ the practice of "Astral Initiation."  That is not to say that we think it is an invalid practice. We have noticed that the success rate of Orders who employ that particular model to be below our standards.  Post-Modern Pragmatism at work again.  Learn about it, understand it.  If it works apply it and then improve on it. If it won't work forget about it and move on, your time is valuable.

As a potential member of Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte there is no doubt that you have questions as to the benefits of membership.  After all, you can't just go down to the local Masonic lodge and walk through the West Gate.  In public if you are met by a "mainstream" Mason chances are they will not be too nice to you. On the web they may be downright brutal and inhuman.  What could possibly make the juice worth the squeeze?

The answer to this question lies in what you will receive. For starters,  some of the very best ritual and ceremonial workings on planet Earth.  This is not to brag or to thump our chest.  This is the evidence of our Ritual as well as the skill of our Craftsman who serve it.  Our Initiations are not just a formality to punch and pie afterwards.  We don't do fast tracks to wear a ring.  Our Initiations, Passings and Raisings are self-trans formative.  They are powerful magickal ceremonies that forever change the neophyte from profane to initiate.

You will have access to the most powerful membership web portal that has ever been in the Masonic world. This is no simple calender with email and a Php message board.  This includes a full dashboard, access to hundreds of in depth educational files, case studies, power point educational presentations, recorded and streamed precise alchemical and magickal operations.  Not to mention you'll never be alone. You'll be able to instantly communicate with your Brethren.  Help, guidance and mentor ship. 

The work can be difficult and it is most certainly demanding. We are confident that you will agree that it will be the best thing that has ever happened to you.