Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE SCOTTISH RITE?

It is a branch of Freemasonry designed to supplement and amplify the philosophical teachings of the first three degrees. To help the Mason understand more about the craft.

HOW DOES THE SCOTTISH RITE ELABORATE ON THE CRAFT LODGE DEGREES?

It presents in degrees from the fourth to the thirty-second an interpretation of the lessons of the Craft degrees by the use of drama and lectures appealing to both the ear and eye to teach the great truths which Freemasonry professes.

HOW MANY DEGREES ARE THERE IN SCOTTISH RITE?

Thirty-three including the Craft degrees. However the Craft degrees (the first three degrees) are accepted as conferred by the Grand Lodges. The Thirty-third is conferred directly by Supreme Council, the governing Body of the Scottish Rite.

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER DEGREES?

The fourth to the fourteenth inclusive are conferred by Lodges of Perfection. The fifteenth to the eighteenth inclusive are conferred by Rose Croix Chapters. The nineteenth to the twenty-ninth are conferred by the Council of Kadosh. The thirtyith to the thirty-second inclusive are conferred by Consistory. Each Lodge, Chapter, Council and Consistory is an organized Body within the Valley (geographical area) served by it.

WHY ARE THESE DEGREES CALLED SCOTTISH RITE?

Any connection with Scotland would seem to be vague. The reason may be that one or two of the degrees were long supposed to have been devised by the Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsay, a learned Scotsman, who was tutor to Prince Charles Edward, the young Pretender. These degrees seem to have afforded a meeting place for those in exile in France who were adherents of the Stuarts, and who were plotting for the restoration of James II and his son to the throne of England. No degree of the Scottish Rite seems to have ever had its origin in Scotland.

WHAT IS THE GENERAL FIELD COVERED BY EACH OF THE GROUPS OF DEGREES?

Lodge of Perfection:   The fourth to the fourteenth degrees amplify the legend of the Master Mason degree and the story of the building of King Solomon's Temple. These degrees are designed to impress more forcibly the teachings of the first three degrees. They are often referred to as the ineffable degrees because of their inquiry into the ineffable name of God.

Rose Croix Chapter:  The fifteenth and sixteenth degrees relate to the rebuilding of the Temple of Zerubbabel. In our rituals of the seventeenth and eighteenth degrees we teach the Christian philosophy. The eighteenth degree is supplemented by beautiful Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday Ceremonies. The fifteenth and eighteenth degrees are obligatory.

Council of Kadosh: confers the chivalric degrees, the 19th through 30th.

Consistory:  thirty-second further amplifies and summarizes the teachings of the previous degrees. This completes the formal lessons of the Scottish Rite.