The Orders Within Freemasonry

reply to post by Circle


Most people who would offer the Rite outside of the College are part of a irregular Masonic group.
If a Mason seeks them out, then he's violating a tenant, and can face expulsion for such.
It's not so much for him looking for the Rite, as much as him joining a Irregular group.

Some people feel that the Scottish Rite and York Rite are both degree pedaling systems as well, but some feel they are important.
While it may be relevant to himself, he is not necessarily correct.

Originally posted by RuneSpider
reply to post by Circle

 

Some people feel that the Scottish Rite and York Rite are both degree pedaling systems as well, but some feel they are important.
While it may be relevant to himself, he is not necessarily correct.

What is ironic about all this, is that within a Craft Lodge, a mason can have any creed so long as he believes in a Supreme Being. Yet, within Masonic Orders, if you take part in an "irregular" rite, you can face expulsion.

reply to post by Circle


More, it's to do with being a member of a irregular Lodge, or Order if you will.
A Mason belonging to a mainstream lodge couldn't join Co-Masonry, for example, without facing expulsion.
If he got a copy of the rituals himself, and practiced them in his basement or studied them, he'd be fine.

And I don't know what the treatment of it would be outside of the States.

Originally posted by Circle
That's interesting, I didn't know that the Operatives had made a beachhead in the US. You would think that it would start in a bigger city like New York or one with more political influence like D.C. It's probably because a leading member went to work in Phily. What's the lodge called Senrak?

I can't recall, but I'll send my friend an e-mail and find out.

For ATS viewers who have read this Thread - and wondered what the Eygptian Rite degreees are - I have supplied the following :

The Degrees of the Rite of Memphis-Misraïm Lodge

1º Apprentice
2º Companion
3º Master

College
4º Secret Master
5º Perfect Master
6º Intimate Secretary
7º Provost and Judge
8º Intendant of the Buildings
9º Master Elect of Nine
10º Illustrious Elect of Fifteen
11º Sublime Prince Elect
12º Grand Master Architect
13º Royal Arch
14º Grand Elect Perfect and Sublime Master

Chapter
15º Knight of the East (Knight of the Sword)
16º Prince of Jerusalem
17º Knight of the East and West
18º Knight of the Rose-Croix

Senate
19º Grand Pontiff
20º Knight of the Temple
21º Patriarch Noachite
22º Knight of the Royal Axe
23º Chief of the Tabernacle
24º Prince of the Tabernacle
25º Knight of the Brazen Serpent
26º Prince of Mercy
27º Commander of the Temple
28º Knight of the Sun (Prince Adept)
29º Knight of St. Andrew

Areopage and Tribunal
30º Grand Elected Knight of Kadosh
31º Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander
32º Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret
33º Sovereign Grand Inspector General

Consistory
34º Knight of Scandinavia
35º Knight of the Temple
36º Sublime Negociant
37º Knight of Shota (Sage of Truth)
38º Sublime Elect of Truth (The Red Eagle)
39º Grand Elect of the Aeons
40º Sage Savaiste (Perfect Sage)
41º Knight of the Arch of Seven Colors
42º Prince of Light
43º Sublime Hermetic Sage (Hermetic Philosopher)
44º Prince of the Zodiac
45º Sublime Sage of the Mysteries
46º Sublime Pastor of the Huts
47º Knight of the Seven Stars
48º Sublime Guardian of the Sacred Mount
49º Sublime Sage of the Pyramids
50º Sublime Philosopher of Samothrace
51º Sublime Titan of the Caucasus
52º Sage of the Labyrinth
53º Knight of the Phoenix
54º Sublime Scalde
55º Sublime Orphic Doctor
56º Sage of Cadmia
57º Sublime Magus
58º Prince Brahmine
59º Grand Pontiff of Ogygia
60º Sublime Guardina of the Three Fires
61º Sublime Unknown Philosopher
62º Sublime Sage of Eulisis
63º Sublime Kawi
64º Sage of Mythras
65º Guardian of Sanctuary (Grand Installator)
66º Grand Architect of the Mysterious City (Grand Consecrator)
67º Guardian of the Incommunicable Name (Grand Eulogist)
68º Patriarch of Truth
69º Knight of the Golden Branch of Eleusis
70º Patriarch of the Planispheres
71º Patriarch of the Sacred Vedas
72º Sublime Master of Wisdom
73º Patriarch of the Sacred Fire (Doctor of the Sacred Fire)
74º Sublime Master of the Stoka
75º Knight Commander of the Lybic Chain

Sublime Council
76º Interpreter of Hieroglyphics (Patriarch of Isis)
77º Sublime Knight (Sage Theosopher)
78º Grand Pontiff of the Thebiad
79º Sage of the Redoubtable Sada
80º Sublime Elect of the Sanctuary of Mazias
81º Patriarch of Memphis (Intendent Regulator)
82º Grand Elect of the Temple of Midgard
83º Sublime Elect of the Valley of Oddy
84º Patriarch of the Izeds
85º Sublime Sage (Knight of Kneph)
86º Sublime Philosopher of the Valley of Kab
87º Sublime Prince of Masonry
88º Grand Elect of the Sacred Curtain
89º Patriarch of the Mystic City
90º Sublime Master of the Great Work

Grand Tribunal
91º Grand Defender
92º Grand Catechist
93º Regulator General
94º Prince of Memphis (Grand Administrator)
95º Grand Conservator
96º Grand and Puissant Sovereign of the Order
97º Deputy International Grand Master
98º International Grand Master
99º Grand Hierophant

There are NO orders "within" Freemasonry.. there are only 3 degrees in Freemasonry.. there are however many apendant bodies and organizations that accept Freemasons exclusively.. I wouldn't consider any of those organizations within the Blue Lodge.

reply to post by Circle

Also check out the York Rite site. Halfway down there is a list of honorary/invitation-only bodies just inside the York Rite.

reply to post by Rockpuck

Well, Freemasonry isn't just the Blue Lodge, it includes other appendant bodies to include the York Rite where a Brother is conferred the Orders of the Red Cross, Malta, and the Temple.

reply to post by KSigMason


But not "within" .. They are Masonic, only Masons can attend said degrees, and Freemasonry acknowledges (most) of them. But they are not "within" Freemasonry, which is, officially, under the UGLE, the Blue Lodge or 3 degrees.

reply to post by Circle


Where are Masons threatened with expulsion for looking into the Egyptian Rites?

reply to post by Saurus


I don't think we would be expelled for looking into it, but sitting in a clandestine lodge is out. I think that is considered clandestine/irregular.

Originally posted by Masonic Light
From my experience, most seem to focus on the 33rd degree, as if it were the pinnacle of Freemasonry. In reality, the Masonic system of three degrees contains the fundamentals of Masonry. Other Masonic degrees and rites expand upon the first three degrees, but do not replace their original authority.

I've always used the analogy of which is longer: 3 feet or 33 inches? Helps define things a little more visually while demonstrating that numbers alone don't tell the whole story.

reply to post by Fitzgibbon


Thank you so much Fitz! That is such a wonderful way to figuratively explain to someone the degrees.

Man is it ever nice that there are freemasons here ready and willing to explain the craft and what their knowledge is as opposed to maniacal ranting about baby eating and such.

lol

Originally posted by Circle


How difficult is it for a Mason outside the US to join the College of Rites to get access, to say, the Eygptian Rite or other inactive Orders? It begs the question - are they really inactive or just restricted to a certain privileged few?

Any Master Mason may join the Grand College providing his Lodge is recognized by the majority of Grand Lodges in the United States. This includes Brethren under the obedience of the UGLE.

The Rites are inactive in the regular Masonic sense. Members of the Grand College have access to the rituals for the purpose of study and research.

Is the M-M International, the official College Of Rites for Masons outside the US?

No. That organization, if it exists other than just a website, is not a legitimate Masonic body, and a regular Master Mason would place his membership in jeopardy by joining it.

[edit on 12-1-2010 by Masonic Light]

Originally posted by Rockpuck

But not "within" .. They are Masonic, only Masons can attend said degrees, and Freemasonry acknowledges (most) of them. But they are not "within" Freemasonry, which is, officially, under the UGLE, the Blue Lodge or 3 degrees.

Not trying to split hairs, but the UGLE officially says that Antient Craft Masonry consists of three degrees, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch. It does not deny the Masonic status of the other degrees of the York Rite or Ancient and Accepted Rite, but just does not classify them as "Antient Craft".

reply to post by Rockpuck


I'm sorry to have to say this but you are wrong. Orders exist with appendant degrees outside the Craft. Royal Arch is supposed to be a completion of the Master Mason Degree in Craft. There are Chair Degrees in Royal Arch beyond that as well. The 33 Degree Mason in Ancient and Accepted Rite can sit in on the 3rd degree Ceremony of Craft. The Master Mason of Craft, unless he is a 33rd, cannot do the same for the Ancient and Accepted Ceremony. What does that tell you? "Officially" the 3rd is the highest. Draw your own conclusions please.

[edit on 12-1-2010 by Circle]

reply to post by Masonic Light


Thanks for clearing up those points Masonic Light. Much appreciated.

Originally posted by Circle
The 33 Degree Mason in Ancient and Accepted Rite can sit in on the 3rd degree Ceremony of Craft. The Master Mason of Craft, unless he is a 33rd, cannot do the same for the Ancient and Accepted Ceremony. What does that tell you? "Officially" the 3rd is the highest. Draw your own conclusions please.

The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana is a 3rd degree Mason. Because the head of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction, the guy in charge of Scottish Rite Masons in 35 of the United States, happens to be from Louisiana, he falls under the purvey of that state's Grand Master. So a Grand Master, who might not be a 33° Scottish Rite Mason, can, at will, declare that Ron Seale is not a Mason. What does that tell you? That an individual Mason, regardless of affiliation in appendant bodies, answers to no higher Mason than the Grand Master of his jurisdiction who has the authority to recognize said bodies or not as he sees fit, or at the voting of his constituent lodges.

Originally posted by JoshNorton

Originally posted by Circle
The 33 Degree Mason in Ancient and Accepted Rite can sit in on the 3rd degree Ceremony of Craft. The Master Mason of Craft, unless he is a 33rd, cannot do the same for the Ancient and Accepted Ceremony. What does that tell you? "Officially" the 3rd is the highest. Draw your own conclusions please.

The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana is a 3rd degree Mason. Because the head of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction, the guy in charge of Scottish Rite Masons in 35 of the United States, happens to be from Louisiana, he falls under the purvey of that state's Grand Master. So a Grand Master, who might not be a 33° Scottish Rite Mason, can, at will, declare that Ron Seale is not a Mason. What does that tell you? That an individual Mason, regardless of affiliation in appendant bodies, answers to no higher Mason than the Grand Master of his jurisdiction who has the authority to recognize said bodies or not as he sees fit, or at the voting of his constituent lodges.

The Grand Master in Craft has the power to revoke a Master Mason's membership (which I'm sure would be for good reasons and not at a whim.) Yes, the revoked membership would see the unfortunate lose membership in the Appendant Orders. So on that basis I can only agree with what you are saying ( you told me hehe).

However, the Mason who is privy to the teachings and secrets of the Appendant Orders is obviously, more powerfully furnished with masonic knowledge, than the person who just stays within the Craft. That's just common sense.



If a Grand Master ever dared to forbid a recognized "regular" Masonic Order, in his jurisdiction (I can't think why?), then he would be expelled from the wider global community.Grand Masters of the Scottish Rite or Royal Arch would have his balls cut off to put it politely.

[edit on 12-1-2010 by Circle

[edit on 12-1-2010 by Circle]

Originally posted by JoshNorton
So a Grand Master, who might not be a 33° Scottish Rite Mason, can, at will, declare that Ron Seale is not a Mason.

Does the Louisiana Constitution actually say he can do it "at will"?

In most jurisdictions, trials are held for unmasonic conduct. The GM can reverse the decision temporarily, but must answer to the Grand Lodge, which can in turn overrule the GM's decision. I know of no Constitution to expel a member "at will", as there must be a serious reason for expulsion.