Degrees of the Scottish Rite:
10° - Elu of the Fifteen (Illustrious Elect of the Fifteen) This degree teaches us to be tolerant and respect the opinions of others. Freedoms of political and spiritual ideologies should be shared by all. The apron of the 10th Degree is white, with a black flap with three arch-shaped gates, over each a head on a spike. The jewel of this degree is a dagger as in the 9th Degree. The duties are enlightenment of soul and mind, vigilance, tolerance and being on guard for fanaticism and persecution.
11° - Elu of the Twelve (Sublime Knight Elect of the Twelve) This degree teaches sympathy. We should be compassionate to our brother Masons and to all mankind as well. The apron of the 11th Degree is white, lined with black, with a flaming heart in the center. The jewel is a dagger suspended from a black cordon inscribed with the words "Vincere aut Mori" the pledge "that you will rather die than betray the cause of the people, or be overcome through your own fear or fault". The duties are to be earnest, true, reliable and champion of the people.
5 comments:
I went through the degrees this last October and enjoyed the degrees, and their lessons.
Thanks for your comment KSigMason. I know it is difficult to remember the lectures, but seeing in your profile that you are interested in the Templars: the lecture of the 11th degree paralleled what I have come across: that York Rite and the creation of the of the Grand Lodge system was partially done so that the new Kings of England, who were suspicious of the Freemasons, could have some control over them, while the Scottish Rites evolved from the Scottish Stuarts in exile in France. It explains why one Rite has a more conservative feel than the other. I've signed up for the Master Craftsman program and am waiting for my membership number to arrive so I can send in the answers to the first lesson.
Excellent observation. I would add, however, that the Knight Templar degrees in both the YR and SR come from a similar source. A great article from WBro. Jason Mitchell covers the history of both Rites.
Nick
Nick, I mentioned Robert Lomas in another comment. http://www.robertlomas.com/ In the previous post, I was comparing the ideas Lomas writes about the Grand Lodge system that was established by the Tudor King to make sure Freemasons were loyal the King, to the degrees developed by the Scottish Rite with the help of the Stuarts in exile, Jacobites and their French host. It is interesting history I want to explore more. It could explain the differences between the more conservative York Rite (which the 3 degrees of the Blue Lodge come from) and the more expansive Scottish Rite.
Are you familiar with the theory that the Scottish Knights of Saint Andrew were connected with the Templars in exile? That they helped Scotland against the British? Of course, it is not a historic fact. But is Legend. Legend can preserve understanding that history cannot.
I was lucky to be able to visit the Lodge Han Yang No. 1048 Lodge Han Yang No. 1048, attend one of their stated meetings and observe their conferring of the 2nd degree. It was closer to the British emulation degree I attended at the Temple last year than it is to our Blue Lodge degree. It was a pleasure to observe and participate in their Harmony (food, drink and toasting with Scotch, Shochu and Beer.) As a guest, I toasted their lodge officers and thanked them for performing their degree work and my second toast was to General MacArthur (The President of S. Korea was toasted first and a visitor from Africa toasted the Queen of England second (he is the master of and English lodge.) I thought Brother MacArthur was a fitting toast for an American leader, important to South Korea.
I'm some what familiar with the theory. The theory involves Bannockburn if I am not mistaken. I've read the various B&N books but I haven't delved into the bowels of any Masonic libraries to really get into the matter. I hope that when you start digging that you'll let me see what you unearth. I love how Masonry touches on so many different subjects for study.
I'm not sure if you've ever read the first three degrees of the Scottish Rite but I really recommend them. As with all Masonic ritual, there are variations. Albert Pike wrote his own version of them in a Masonic monitor entitled, The Porch and the Middle Chamber. I bought it on Amazon from Kessinger. Again, this is his revision of the three degrees of the SR Craft degrees and does not necessarily jive with other A&AR system around the world. I really found some great insights into the workings of the Scottish Rite. Of course, I have not actually gone through the degrees yet but at some point, I will. I'm serving my second term as High Priest and am in line in the Cryptic Council.
I do find the York Rite to be an interesting mix of degrees. There is no narrative from one degree to the next in the Chapter work bt there is in the Council work. The Cryptic Council degrees are so obviously French in nature that I really love watching them performed.
Nick
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