I once thought of secret societies as a thing of capes and candles — pure late-night fiction. That changed abruptly when, at a family barbecue, an old uncle slipped out a story about side rooms, blindfolds, and oaths he'd sworn to keep to the grave. It sent me spiraling into research, leading me smack into Bill Schnoebelen’s unbelievable journey from would-be priest, to witch, to high-ranking Mason, and finally, to whistleblower. This post isn’t about demonizing — it’s about daring to ask uncomfortable questions, trading safe assumptions for personal stories, and letting curiosity tug at the edges of what we call truth. Who knows, the reality behind the ritual might just be stranger than the rumors.
Initiation and Oddities: The Masonic Lodge Up Close
If you’ve ever wondered what really happens during a Masonic lodge initiation, you might be surprised by how strange and secretive the process is. Imagine being the youngest person in the room by decades, surrounded by men who have been part of this world for most of their lives. That’s exactly how Bill Schnoebelen describes his first steps into Freemasonry in 1975—an experience marked by both curiosity and a sense of isolation.
Inside the Bizarre Entry Ritual
Before you can even call yourself a Mason, you’re asked to strip down to your underwear. As Bill recalls, “They make you take off all your clothes except your undies. ...your left breast and your right knee... you’re blindfolded. You have a cable around your neck.” The ritual pajamas you’re given leave your left breast and right knee exposed. A velvet rope, called a “cable toe,” is looped around your neck. Blindfolded, you’re led by another Mason to the lodge door, where the formal process begins.
- You knock on the door, guided by a senior member.
- A voice from inside asks, “Who comes here?”
- Your guide answers, “Mr. [Name], who has been long in darkness, now seeks to be brought to light.”
This phrase is more than just ritual—it’s a declaration that you’re leaving behind your old life for something hidden and, perhaps, profound.
Freemasonry Rituals and Oaths: Pageantry or Something Deeper?
Once inside, the ritual continues with a practice called “circumambulation”—walking around the room, still blindfolded, as officers stand at different points. Eventually, you kneel at an altar, your hands on a massive Bible. Here, the Freemasonry rituals and oaths reach their most intense moment.
The oath you swear is not just a promise; it’s a chilling vow with graphic consequences. Bill shares a direct excerpt:
"I swear that I will have my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the roots and buried in the sands of the sea where the tide ebbs and flows twice in 24 hours should I ever knowingly violate this my entered apprentice obligation."
This bloodcurdling language is meant to enforce secrecy. For many, especially those with a Christian background, it raises serious questions about the line between ritual pageantry and something darker.
Christianity vs Occult: The Clergy Connection
One of the most surprising oddities is how many Christian leaders have joined the Masons. Historically, up to 40% of Southern Baptist pastors were reportedly Freemasons. This overlap between Christianity vs occult practices is hard to ignore. Bill points out the contradiction: if you’re a Christian, how can you declare yourself “in darkness” and swear such oaths?
For many, the Freemasonry secrets and the journey to higher degrees—like becoming a 32nd degree Mason—are shrouded in mystery. Even after years in the lodge, Bill found that only a rare few could answer the question: “What’s the royal secret?”
So, is it all just elaborate pageantry, or does it hint at something deeper and more unsettling? The initiation process, with its blindfolds, exposed knees, cryptic vows, and velvet ropes, certainly leaves a lasting impression—one that blurs the line between fraternity and the occult.
Between Light and Darkness: Witchcraft, Druidism, and Satanic Detours
Bill Schnoebelen’s journey into occult teachings began in an unexpected place: a Catholic seminary. As a young man, Bill was driven by a deep desire for spiritual truth, even aspiring to become a priest. But a pivotal moment came when a priest, who Bill recalls as almost godlike in authority, gave him some startling advice.
"This priest told me to study the occult — he said Jesus studied with gurus in India and magicians in Egypt."
This suggestion set Bill on a path far from traditional Christianity. Without the internet, resources were scarce, but Bill found Diary of a Witch by Sybil Leek. The book painted witchcraft not as evil, but as an ancient, misunderstood spiritual path. Leek even claimed that Jesus was a witch, and his apostles were his coven. Inspired, Bill reached out to Alex Sanders in London—known as the “King of the Witches”—and soon found himself initiated into a coven in Rockford, Illinois.
Bill’s involvement deepened as he became a high priest in the Alexandrian tradition, a branch of witchcraft with roots in England. He describes the rituals as “white witchcraft,” focused on nature, the moon goddess, and the horned god. The practices included gathering herbs, dancing nude in the woods, and even sex magic. Bill notes that, at the time, they did not believe in Satan or demons—just a dualistic nature spirituality.
"I found this book called Diary of a Witch by Sybil Leek… I wrote Alex Sanders in London, became a witch."
But the world of occult practices is rarely static. While teaching witchcraft classes in the basement of a Milwaukee occult bookstore, Bill encountered Eli, a self-proclaimed grandmaster druid. Bill and his wife spent a summer in Arkansas at Eli’s organic farm, immersing themselves in druidic rites and becoming high priests in that tradition as well. Druidism, Bill explains, was like a different denomination—akin to the difference between Baptists and Methodists.
The bookstore owner, a manipulative figure, then pushed Bill further down the rabbit hole. He handed Bill a copy of the Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey, insisting that true magic was rooted in Satanism—even if Satan was just an archetype. Bill’s curiosity led him to join the Church of Satan in San Francisco, where he eventually became a “warlock.”
"He handed me the Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey… I became a warlock in the Church of Satan."
Throughout this spiritual unraveling, Bill’s mentors recommended joining the Mormon church and Freemasonry as part of his occult journey. Eli, the druid grandmaster, claimed the Mormon church was a safe haven for witches, sharing many occult beliefs under a wholesome exterior. Freemasonry, meanwhile, was presented as a gateway to deeper occult knowledge—an idea echoed by Bill’s own experience as he became a Master Mason while still active in Satanism and witchcraft.
Bill’s story highlights how the lines between religious, occult, and spiritual pursuits can blur, with institutions like the Mormon church and Freemasonry sometimes serving as both cover and continuation for occult networking and practices.
Secrets, Deliverance, and the Messy Intersection of Faiths
When you start exploring the Freemasonry journey, you quickly realize that the deeper you go, the more questions you have. One of the most persistent is: What’s the real ‘royal secret’ of Masonry? As Bill Schnoebelen puts it,
“What’s the royal secret? And again, this is something that probably only one in a thousand Masons in America understands.”Even among those who reach the highest levels—like the Scottish Rite’s “sublime prince of the royal secret”—the true core remains hidden. Bill claims that at the heart of these rituals is something “dark,” a secret that most members never truly uncover.
During his time as a 33rd degree Mason, Bill saw firsthand how Freemasonry secrets revealed can shake a person’s spiritual foundation. The initiations are not just symbolic; they involve oaths with severe penalties—like having your throat cut or tongue torn out if you ever reveal what you’ve learned. Would you ever take an oath with a penalty like that? Why or why not? These are not just words; they are rituals that bind you, body and soul. Bill often asks Christian Masons, “How can you say you’re in darkness when you have Jesus in your heart?” The overlap between Christianity and esoteric ritual is not just theoretical—it’s lived out in lodges across America.
Bill’s own story is a journey from occult involvement to spiritual deliverance. After years in Masonry, Satanism, and witchcraft, he found freedom through faith and now helps others break free. His deliverance ministry experiences are at the core of his work, and he’s written extensively about this in Masonry Beyond the Light and other Bill Schnoebelen books. He contends that the rituals and oaths of Masonry can have real spiritual consequences—not just for individuals, but for families. “You may inherit more than just holiday recipes,” he warns, suggesting that spiritual ties can pass down through generations.
Schnoebelen is clear:
“Masonry is a religion... it has all the qualities.”He points to Webster’s dictionary: belief in a deity, ritual, and a system of ethics. Despite official denials, he argues that Masonry fits every classic definition of a religion. This raises tough questions for Christians: If you wouldn’t join another religion, why join Masonry?
For many, the secrecy and ritual are just tradition. But for those who dig deeper—or who seek deliverance ministry—the impact can be profound. Bill’s later years have been dedicated to helping people disentangle from these spiritual ties. He’s seen families affected in ways they never expected, and his ministry is built on the belief that oaths and ceremonies have unseen consequences.
- What do you think—are these rituals just harmless tradition, or do they carry deeper meaning?
- Would you take an oath with such a severe penalty, even for a symbolic purpose?
This messy intersection of faiths, secrets, and deliverance is where Bill Schnoebelen’s story—and his warning—resides.
FAQ: What People Really Want to Know About Bill Schnoebelen, Freemasonry, and the Occult
Did Bill Schnoebelen really reach the 32nd (or 33rd) degree in the Masons?
According to Bill Schnoebelen’s own testimony, he not only reached the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry but was also awarded the honorary 33rd degree—an honor reserved for those who have shown significant influence or service. Schnoebelen further claims to have been initiated into the Memphis-Mizraim rite, reaching the 96th and later the 97th degree, which is extremely rare and not widely recognized in mainstream American Masonry. While some critics question the veracity of these claims, Schnoebelen’s story is consistent across his books and interviews, including Masonry Beyond the Light. His account continues to fuel discussion about the hidden layers and Freemasonry secrets that may exist beyond the public face of the fraternity.
Are Masonic rituals genuinely occult — or just misunderstood tradition?
Schnoebelen describes Masonic rituals as deeply occult, citing personal experience with blood oaths, symbolic death, and rituals he believes channel spiritual energy. He references authors like Albert Pike and Manly P. Hall, whose writings link Freemasonry to ancient mystery religions and occult teachings. However, many Masons and scholars argue that these rituals are symbolic, designed to teach moral lessons rather than invoke supernatural forces. The debate over whether Freemasonry is occult or simply misunderstood tradition is ongoing, with Schnoebelen’s testimony providing a controversial but influential perspective.
How did Bill’s experiences impact his family and faith?
Schnoebelen shares that his deep involvement in Freemasonry, witchcraft, and Satanism had profound effects on his family and spiritual life. He claims that Masonic and occult practices can bring spiritual oppression and even harm to families, referencing the Order of the Eastern Star and its alleged negative influence on children. His journey through Catholicism, Mormonism, and various occult paths led to a crisis of faith, but ultimately, he found what he describes as true spiritual deliverance through Christianity. This transformation, he says, required renouncing all former oaths and seeking a new foundation for his family in Biblical faith.
Is there a real link between Mormonism, Freemasonry, and occult practices?
Schnoebelen draws strong parallels between Mormon temple rituals and Masonic ceremonies, noting shared symbols like the square and compass, handshakes, and oaths. He also points out doctrinal similarities, such as beliefs in secret knowledge and spiritual progression. While mainstream Mormonism acknowledges some historical borrowing from Freemasonry, especially in the 19th century, it firmly denies any occult connection. Schnoebelen’s perspective is that both systems share roots in occult teachings, a claim that continues to spark debate and research into the nature of tradition, secrecy, and spirituality.
What advice does Bill offer those worried about spiritual consequences?
For anyone concerned about involvement in Freemasonry, Mormonism, or occult practices, Bill Schnoebelen’s advice is clear: renounce all non-Christian oaths, seek spiritual deliverance, and embrace Biblical Christianity. He warns that even seemingly harmless participation can have deep spiritual effects. Schnoebelen encourages those seeking freedom to consult resources, including his own books and other works on spiritual deliverance, and to connect with supportive Christian communities. His story stands as both a warning and an invitation to examine the spiritual roots of tradition and to pursue truth with discernment.
In conclusion, Bill Schnoebelen’s journey through Freemasonry, the occult, and various religious traditions raises important questions about secrecy, spiritual power, and personal transformation. Whether you view his testimony as cautionary or controversial, it invites you to look past the picket fence of tradition and consider what lies beneath—encouraging a deeper, more critical exploration of faith and spiritual deliverance.
TL;DR: Bill Schnoebelen’s story dives deep into Freemasonry, witchcraft, and spiritual deliverance, revealing hidden rituals, personal struggles, and why what's beneath the surface may matter more than most suspect. Expect surprising personal accounts and critical questions drawn from decades spent inside secret societies — and wrestling with their implications.
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