I am going to be raised in almost exactly 48 hours :)

A question I’d like to hear some opinions on:  when did you consider yourself “ready” to join an appendant body?  Obviously each man is unique & will feel differently about when and how much to go beyond the MM degree, I’m just curious what led everyone to decide it was time to become more involved that way.  (or, not involved, as the case may be)

Today my lodge had a fundraising breakfast and an officer from the local York Rite chapter/council made a point to introduce himself, tell me he was looking forward to participating in my raising, and would like to see me get involved with the York Rite and plugged their version of a one-day class coming up in the spring.

Personally I’d rather spend time learning Blue Lodge stuff well, sit in a few officer chairs first.  It’s not that the appendant bodies don’t interest me, it just feels too rushed for me.  I mean no offense to any brothers who chose to continue on right away.

Dear Brother,

This is an excellent question and I’m glad you asked it. There is, of course, no answer that applies to everyone.

In my case, many, in fact probably most, of the past masters of my lodge and the brothers I was in line with were active members of the York Rite. They did not press me to join right away, but I knew they were hoping I would. Also, my father and grandfather were zealous members of the Scottish Rite and I knew my father wanted very much for me to join so I could work with him.

Since the SR valley where my father belonged confers the degrees in the reunion style for 2 days twice a year, that wasn’t a big deal, so I joined there at the next reunion after I was raised. I have enjoyed it very much for over 40 years now and I’m still active.

The York Rite presents a different set of choices. As you may know, it consists of the Royal Arch Chapter, the Council of Royal & Select Masters, and the Commandery of Knights Templar, which is the order (in most jurisdictions) in which you progress. It is not necessary to join all three at the same time, or ever. You can join the Chapter and stop there; this used to be quite common, but rare nowadays. You can join the other two at any time after being exalted to the Royal Arch. You can join them in different localities, if that is convenient.

In my case, I decided to wait until I became W. Master and finished my term. I joined the Chapter and Council a year or two after leaving the East, but did not join the Commandery. I got in line in the Council but didn’t do anything in the Chapter. After serving as Ill. Master of the Council, I then got in line in Chapter and became High Priest. Several years after that, I finally decided to go for the Commandery and after several years became Commander (and ended up serving in that chair 8 years). Over the years, I have found working in the York Rite to be the most satisfying and enjoyable part of my Masonic activities.

So, to sum up: from what you said in your posting, I suspect that you would probably do best to wait a bit until you have had a chance to enjoy the “blue” lodge for a while and maybe to give you more time to serve in the officer line and maybe as WM. But by all means, keep the YR in mind. I think you will enjoy it very much.

And one last piece of advice to you and anyone thinking of joining the York Rite:  DON’T GO IN A ONE-DAY OR ACCELERATED CLASS !!  One of the great features of the YR, as contrasted to the AASR, is that you progress through the degrees one at a time (maybe two in the case of the shorter ones) and in a personal way, the way you receive the degrees in the Lodge, and you actually participate in them, not just sit and watch them. Also, there is too much content to take in at a single go. Imagine receiving the 3 lodge degrees in one day (shudder). I know it’s done at some times in some places, but it’s hard to imagine what anyone gets out of it.

Best wishes on your being raised—it will be one of the great experiences of your life. And good luck in your masonic life.

Nice discussion of the York Rite Bodies, Brother Robert.
Dear SKh32, On your question on direction:
If you believe in continuity in the process, then the degrees of the York Rite may fulfill the role of completion of the lessons of the first three degrees.  There is a normal process and the further enlightenment of the ancient masonic messages. The lessons are filled with color and beauty. These degrees offer so much and should be enjoyed early in a Masons life, if possible.
The Chapters, Councils, and Commandrys of the York Rite offer their own strong human bond to their active members.  As I am involved in the York Rite, Active in my RAC, two of them, I find that I do not have conflict in my Blue Lodge Schedule. It is also an expansion of frienships to many more Companions that I would not have met.
Just a thought!
Ronald Doucette - Forum Moderator

An excellent question. And of course, there is no “one size fits all” response. I took the Craft degrees in 1982, and I just did not consider any of the appendant bodies. I was in college, and preparing to graduate, and I already had a lot on my plate.

In 1987, I met a Mason who was a recent Scottish Rite “grad”. I respected this man, and I asked him for a petition. I took the SR degrees that fall.  The Shrine was having a ceremonial immediately after the SR, so I thought why not go ahead and join the Shrine right away. (Back then you had to be either an SR mason or a YR mason to join the Shrine).

I am glad that I postponed the SR. However, not every man will benefit from waiting 5 years, before pursuing an appendant body.

I like to think of Masonry as a “cafeteria of organizations”. With over 100 (one hundred) appendant and concordant bodies, a man can easily find the right “mix” of masonic experiences to suit him. My work requires frequent transfers, both in the USA and internationally.  I drop in and out of the bodies, depending on my situation.

In Columbus Ohio, in 1990, I belonged to 5 (five) Shrine clubs, and I was president of one. I was doing some kind of Shrine every weekend. Now, I do not even participate in the Shrine.

I would encourage you to complete your craft degrees. Then, after a reasonable time, investigate at least some of the appendant bodies. If you have dependent children, you may wish to participate in the Job’s/Rainbow/DeMolay. If you like to be more public in your Masonic experience, then the Shrine is the ticket.

I wish you every possible success in Masonry, even if you never “progress” out of the Blue Lodge.

SMIB!

If you want reality that`s when I believe you are ready.
But then again that`s just me there is bound to be people here who really hold   knowledge and wisdom that everybody wishes and dreams to achieve. I believe you all should feel proud and honored to be accepted.

Dear Student in Mexico:
Your interest in Masonry is welcome. Your thoughts of rising to a greater level of reason and truth are noble. As you are a student at the High School level in the Country of Mexico, I refer you to explore the Regional Grand Lodges of your country. World regions are quite different in Masonic custom and thresholds to entry. Contact that contact listed below to review their needs. On the simple subject that you present on several posts:
Masonry does not profess to be a organization comprised of “intellectuals”. The tenets of a Mason are belief in a Supreme Being, Charity to mankind, and Truth. All the above make for a good man to be greater. Masonry is made up of all walks of life, professions and skills. Some may be professors, writers, scientists and statesmen; most are not. Masonic Lodges do not profess to search out only those of “intellectual talents”. Again, search out Masons in your region and have opportunity to meet them personally.

Nearest to Juarez:
Gran Logia de Estado de Neuvo Leon
Apartado Postal 309
Monterrey, N.L., Mexico 64000
t: 342-30-47
f: 343-14-93

Ronald Doucette - Forum Moderator

To the OP: I felt the same, but I wouldn’t sweat it too much.  I have heard of masons who took them too “early” for themselves… and simply returned to them later when it felt right.

I am curious if anyone here has a strong opinion about the Council degrees.  They seem to get overlooked between the RA and the Templars, not to mention Scottish Rite.  I am debating if I should join -I am in it mainly for the ceremony- but frankly I haven’t heard anything of “value” in them, in comparison to the RA and SR.

Sanborn 90,

You seem to have divined a somewhat unfortunate fact: that the Council is in a way the “stepchild” of the York Rite. Consisting of two short degrees (Royal Master and Select Master), usually conferred at the same communication, and an optional third degree (Superexcellent Master) which is seldom conferred because of its length and the large cast required, it has less overall content than the Chapter or Commandery. Also, it is the last arrival in the YR system, having become developed and started to be worked towards the end of the first quarter of the 19th century, whereas the RA was being worked (in lodges) at least by mid-18th century and the Order of the Temple was worked by late 18th century. Then there is the mysterious origin of the Council degrees in the Scottish Rite. To top it off, when the Council did become common, it was in many places a part of the Chapter, not an independent body. It is that way to this day in Virginia and West Virginia, where the Chapter includes a Council which confers the Royal Master and Select Master after the Past Master and before the Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch. This ambiguous status is the reason why in most jurisdictions until fairly recently the Commandery only required prospective members to be Royal Arch masons—the Council was not a prerequisite, and many men never bothered with the Council.

But whatever the history or status of the Council may be in your jurisdiction, I recommend it most highly. The Royal Master contains one of the most beautiful pieces of masonic ritual that I know. The Select Master builds upon all the preceding degrees to complete the story which they relate. It does not extend the masonic saga, but it adds to it.

The Royal Arch chapter begins with an amplification of the Fellowcraft Degree, then takes a little technical detour with the Past Master, then takes up the historical record with the Most Excellent Master, and in the Royal Arch extends the saga of the Ancient Jews and the Temple, touching very briefly on the destruction of King Solomon’s Temple and the exile of the Jews in Babylon, continuing with their return to Judea and the rebuilding of the Temple.

The Council degrees do not extend the history further in time—that comes in the first of the Commandery orders. What they do is to amplify and fill in the gaps in the previous degrees. The Royal Master backtracks to the time before the first Temple was finished and Hiram Abif still living and working on the building. The Select Master covers the same timeframe and gives certain lessons crucial to understanding the Royal Arch degree. The Superexcellent Master takes place in Judea and Babylon and covers the destruction of KS Temple and the period of the exile.

You can not fully understand or appreciate the Royal Arch degree, or certain aspects of the Master Mason degree, without the two Council degrees, no matter when you receive them. They are fascinating and enjoyable and, incidentally, are a favorite place for men to start doing YR ritual work, since they are not too difficult to learn or confer. By all means, give the Council due consideration.