The Order of the Skull and Bones The Order of Skull and Bones, a Yale U society, was first called the Brotherhood of Death. It’s one of America’s oldest student secret societies, founded in 1832 and open only to a select few. They still use Masonic-style rituals. Members meet weekly in a building they call the “Tomb”. Until the 1970s, only the rituals were secret; names were out in the open. Both Bush presidents were members at Yale, and many others hit the big time. It’s swamped in conspiracy theories, like the idea that the CIA grew from it. The CIA denied it in 2007 (when The Good Shepherd film was hot). You can read that denial here.
Freemasons The Grand Masonic Lodge formed in 1717 when four small lodges joined. It started with two membership levels, then added a third in the 1750s, which caused a split. Reach the third degree and you’re a Master Mason. Masons meet ritually, using architectural symbols like the compass and square. They call God “The Great Architect of the Universe”. The three main Masonic degrees are: 1: Entered Apprentice, the basic level. 2: Fellow Craft, an intermediate step to learn more. 3: Master Mason, needed for most activities. Some rites, like the Scottish rite, have up to 33 degrees. Masons use signs and handshakes to get into meetings and ID each other. These vary by region and change to keep impostors out. They also wear medieval-inspired garb, like the apron. To join, you generally need a current Mason’s recommendation, sometimes three times. You must be 18 and of sound mind. Many religions frown on it; the Catholic Church bans Catholics on pain of excommunication.