The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

Of Freemasonry

The Bodies of the Rite

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, is organized into four “Bodies” or subgroups.  Each is technically autonomous, and, in earlier days, it was common for an area to have only a Lodge of Perfection, or perhaps a Lodge of Perfection and a Chapter of Rose Croix, until the Valley became large enough to support all four bodies.

 Lodge of Perfection

4° ~ 14°

The Lodge of Perfection generally serves as the administrative Body of a Temple.  It pays the bills, oversees the day-to-day operations, signs contracts for services, and the like.  The title of the leader of the Lodge of Perfection is Venerable Master.

Chapter Of Rose Croix

15° ~ 18°

The Chapter of Rose Croix is the second of the four Bodies of the Scottish Rite.  Technically, the name should be pronounced Rose’ae (rose’, like the wine) kwah (rhymes with “paw”), but it is almost universally pronounced Rose Croy (rhymes with boy).

In the early days of the Scottish Rite, many if not most Brethren did not advance past the 18°, and so it was, in essence, a terminal Degree of the Rite.  Old records show many Brethren signed themselves as 18°.  Masons of the 18° had, and have, a special symbol to draw before their signatures.

Chapters of Knights Rose Croix are not opened, because they are never closed—in recognition of the fact that the work of a Knight Rose Croix is unending.  Instead of closing a Chapter goes to refreshment.  Rather than opening, a Chapter returns to labor.

The duties of the Knights and Chapter are to instruct Brethren who are less well informed; to practice and teach the new law of love as propounded by Jesus of Nazareth—that each man and woman is of worth and dignity, and that no one may compromise that dignity.  And especially to teach toleration at all times and under all circumstances.

Council of Kadosh

19° ~ 30°

The Council of Kadosh is the third of the four bodies which comprise the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.  Kadosh (the “o” sound is long, as in the word “doe”) means “Holy”, or “set apart.”  The legendary material for some of the Council Degrees comes from the traditions of the Knights Templar, and the Degrees are generally known as the Philosophic, or Chivalric Degrees.

Consistory

31° ~ 32°

The last of the four bodies of the Scottish Rite is known as the Consistory. It

Confers the Thirty-first Degree, Inspector-Inquisitor, and the Thirty-second

Degree, Master of the Royal Secret.

The Officers of the Consistory are:

Master of Kadosh                                        Registrar

Prior                                                            Prelate

Preceptor                                                    Marshal of Ceremonies

Chancellor                                                  Expert

Minister of State                                         Assistant Expert  

Treasurer                                                    Captain of the Guard