Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

Why Ancient ? This term refers to the Grand Lodge of the “Antients” which practiced in Scotland and Ireland a Masonry that differed from the English one called “Moderns”. Thus was constituted in 1753 the “Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons according to the Old Institutions”, known as the Grand Lodge of the Antients. The said Rite testifies to the desire to return to the ancient customs dear to the Scots, as well as to the Irish, around Laurence Dermott (1720-1791, Irish writer, and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Elders).

Why accepted ? It is a question of the acceptance in the symbolic Lodges of members outside the Craft (those “of the Craft” are said to be operative), therefore of speculative Masons.

Why Scottish? To distinguish itself from the competing English system, which originated in Scotland and appeared in France in the Stuartist circles that had taken refuge in Saint-Germain-en-Laye at the end of the 17th century. They created Lodges in France which were at the origin of the Provincial Grand Lodge of France in 1736. Scotsism, despite its name, was born in France in the second half of the 18th century.

The beginnings

The beginnings of the Rite are imprecise because they probably come from various sources. We can nevertheless draw some benchmarks.

Around 1740, a Grade higher than the 3rd Degree appeared in France, that of Scottish Master, also called Perfect Master.

A Scottish Master’s Lodge was founded in Bordeaux in 1745, which only received former Venerable Masters (presidents of the Lodges of the first three Degrees, known as the Lodges of St. John, blue or symbolic). It looks very much like what we now call a Lodge of Perfection (Degrees 4 to 14 of the AASR). The Count of Clermont (Grand Master of the first Grand Lodge of France from 1743 to 1771) then created a Rite in 25 Degrees.

Even if the paternity of the Chevalier de Ramsay in the process of founding Scoticism is very questionable, we cannot ignore that his famous speech of 1736 introduced a real chivalric inspiration. Scottish and speculative Freemasonry is strongly tinged with it. According to Ramsay, the Crusades and the construction of cathedrals were the source of this.

The Spirit of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

In the ideal perspective of getting closer to the creative Principle (which some call Primordial Unity, others Truth, or Being…), the Rite proposes to the Initiate a progression by Degrees, or Grades, levels of knowledge which, supported by rituals, exchanges, study, fraternity, action… will lead him little by little, each at his own pace, to the door of Knowledge.

Self-knowledge, first of all, through introspection, to better understand the world and the role that each person should play in it. Do what you must, come what may, is one of the mottos dear to our Rite.

Fraternity: the essence of the initiatory journey cannot be done alone. Listening to others, tolerance, respect, sharing ideas and experiences are all ways to achieve a form of enlightenment, or a higher level of consciousness. The cement of said fraternity, the common denominator, what brings together Masons from all over the world, is the unique experience of initiation.

Action: the AASR asks the Initiate to make an authentic commitment to put into practice in his secular life the values acquired during Masonic work.

The AASR offers him a quest that begins with the Grade of Apprentice, then Companion and Master, and extends to the 33rd. During a slow progression, he will encounter the different traditions that structure the Rite:

• Egyptian (e.g., through Hermeticism),
• Greek (Pythagoreanism),
• Hebrew (the Kabbalah),
• (Gnosis),
• and above all chivalrous (Templar influences).

Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, as well as the great philosophical currents, the sciences, alchemy, have also permeated our rituals.

The Initiate begins a spiritual quest that gradually transcends his individual and raises him as close as possible to the Absolute, towards that intelligence that is designated as the Principle – which we have mentioned above – by attempting a reconciliation between matter and spirit. To spiritualize matter, and to materialize spirit, to use the time-honored formula.

The Scottish method is based on a ternary conception of man: body, soul and spirit (respectively salt, sulphur and mercury of the alchemists). The Initiate’s travels lead him to successive purifications, through stages of destructuring and then restructuring. The multitude of rituals, symbols, mythological or historical stories, allows everyone to find their own way to the unspeakable Truth.

The system of ” High Grades ” (Degrees 4 to 33) provides – among other things – keys to interpretation that make it possible to refine the understanding, often intuitive, of initiation to the 1st Degree (that of Apprentice), of the promotion ceremony to the 2nd (Companion), and of the elevation to the 3rd (Master).

The AASR is therefore defined as an initiatory, traditional and chivalrous Order, with a universalist vocation. It is based on the intuition of the existence of a supreme power called the Great Architect of the Universe, which everyone can define as they wish.

The AASR conceives of Freemasonry as a society whose object is the harmonious development of the human family in general, and of each individual man. The practice of rituals leads him to an inner calm that can itself lead to a kind of liberation. This serenity, this wisdom, has every chance of radiating, of spreading to those around him.

Masonic work is based on the perfection of the Initiate, his understanding of the world, the apprehension of its mysteries, through a questioning of his origins and his supposed designs, a questioning that is described as existential, and which can be summarized as follows: where do I come from, who am I, where am I going?

 It (the AASR) does not interfere in political or religious controversies (4th Principle of the Constitution of the Rite).

6th Principle of the Grand Lodge of Switzerland Alpina from which all the members of the Rite come: The Lodge is a peaceful and neutral where human passions must not be allowed to intrude. The Lodge is not to interfere in any controversy relating to political or religious issues. For information purposes, an exchange of views on such issues is allowed. These discussions must never lead to a vote and must not result in decisions that would compromise the independence of the members.

This does not mean that the Mason must lead a hermit’s life, quite the contrary. Through his inner work, the distance from the event, the wisdom acquired through study and reflection, the cultivation of the spirit of fraternity, he can get involved in a personal capacity, and be an example in the so-called secular world.

Structure of the Rite

After the first three Degrees of the so-called Blue or Symbolic Lodges, or of St. John (Apprentice, Companion, Master), we meet

• The Lodges of Perfection, Degrees 4 to 14,
• Chapters, Degrees 15 to 18;
• The Areopagus (Degrees 19 to 30);
• The Consistory (Degrees 31 and 32) is divided into two entities, one French-speaking, the other German-speaking.
• The Grand Council (33rd Degree) consists of 99 active Sovereign General Grand Inspectors, of which 33 members form.
• The Supreme Council (33rd degree)

Titles and hierarchy

The following nine titles are the members of the College of Officers, the “executive power” of the Rite, so to speak. During a ceremony, they enter in reverse order; However, they are released in the following order:

1. Most Powerful Sovereign Grand Commander
2. Most Illustrious Lieutenant Grand Commander
3. Most Illustrious Grand Chancellor
4. Most Illustrious Grand Treasurer
5. Most Illustrious Great Orator of the French Language
6. Most Illustrious Great Orator of the German Language
7. Most Illustrious Great Orator of the Italian Language
8. Most Illustrious Grand Master of Ceremonies
9. Most Illustrious Captain of the Guards

and finally, the Most Illustrious Honorary Members of the Supreme Council who are:

• Most Illustrious Grand Commanders of Honour
• Most Illustrious Honorary Members of the Supreme Council
• Illustrious Members of the Supreme Council
• Illustrious Honorary Members of the Supreme Council