The Masonic Roundtable - 0570 - Ancient Order of Free Gardeners

In this episode of The Masonic Roundtable, we dig into a lesser-known cousin of the Craft: The Ancient Order of Free Gardeners. Rooted in 17th-century Scotland, where operative gardeners organized lodges for mutual aid, shared horticultural knowledge, and fraternal ritual, the Order grew into a widespread friendly society with degrees, regalia, and symbolism that often mirrored Freemasonry, including the distinctive pairing of the square and compasses with a pruning knife, while remaining its own tradition grounded in the Garden of Eden rather than Solomon's Temple. Nearly extinguished by the late 20th century, a revived Ancient Order of Free Gardeners continues that legacy across North America under the mottos Love, Wisdom, Harmony, and Truth. Join us as we explore Free Gardenery's origins, its parallels and differences with Masonry, and what cultivating the "garden within" can teach today's Craft. Learn more at https://www.thefreegardeners.org/