Acacia Lodge #1
Ancient, Accepted and Esoteric Freemasons
A.·. A.·. & E.·. F.·.

Interesting Facts About Esoteric Freemasonry

 

Regular Grand Lodges of Masons in north America generally group their degrees into five Masonic Bodies or "Rites."  These Rites are:

  1. Ancient Craft Rite - Lodge of Master Masons

  2. York Rite - Chapter of Capitular Masons

  3. York Rite - Council of Cryptic Masons

  4. York Rite - Commandery of Knights Templar

  5. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

Master Masons may join the York Rite and/or the Scottish Rite.  In some Grand Lodges, Master Masons may also join several other organizations.  Some Grand Lodges place other requirements on the Master Mason and some bar these optional organizations:

  1. Knight Masons [Ireland]

  2. Royal Order of Scotland

  3. Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine [The Shriners]

  4. The Grotto

  5. The Timbers of Lebanon

  6. Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis [Rosicrucians]

  7. Masonic Order of Bath

Master Masons who also belong to the York Rite may have the opportunity to join any of these prestigious organizations:

  1. York Rite College

  2. Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor

  3. Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

  4. Knights York Cross of Honor [KYCH]

  5. Red Cross of Constantine

The Scottish Rite in the United States is under the jurisdiction of either the northern or southern Supreme Council.  The Scottish rite degrees are divided into four bodies but dues are usually collected for all four in one payment.  These four bodies are:

  1. Lodge of Perfection

  2. Chapter of Rose Croix

  3. Council of Kadosh

  4. Consistory

In Esoteric Freemasonry we divide the Rites in the following manner:

  1. Ancient Craft Rite

  2. York Rite

  3. Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite

  4. Memphis Rite

  5. Cagliostro Rite

  6. Swedenborgian Rite

  7. Rosicrucian Rite

The Ancient Craft Rite is a Lodge of Master Masons.  Master Masons may continue through the York Rite Chapter, Council and Commandery degrees.  Or they may pursue the Scottish, Memphis, Rosicrucian, Cagliostro and/or Swedenborgian Rites.  Other options are available.

The Ancient Rite Craft, Swedenborgian Rite, Cagliostro Rite and Memphis Rite are under the jurisdiction of The International Sovereign and Independent Grand Lodge of Ancient, Accepted and Esoteric Freemasons.  The Grand Lodge is  the repository for several quasi-Masonic degrees and orders.  The Grand Lodge is investigating the possibility of starting a Research Lodge.

The York Rite degrees and orders are under the jurisdiction of the International Chapter of Esoteric Royal Arch Masons, the International Council of Esoteric Cryptic Masons, and the International Encampment of the Holy Knights Templar.  The York Rite also supports a York Rite College.

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite degrees and orders are under the jurisdiction of the Supreme and Sovereign International Council of Ancient, Accepted and Esoteric Thirty-Third Degree Masons.

The Rosicrucian Rite is under the jurisdiction of the Esoteric Society of Rosicrucians.

[ Candidate Index ]