Royal and Select Masons

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This page is intended to give an overview for anyone who is not a York Rite member. Non-Masons will find it easier to start at the Freemasonry and Blue Lodge pages for background information.

Royal and Select Masons meet in Councils. Their part of the Masonic story concerns the preservation of various secrets pertaining to Ancient Craft Masonry. These things were concealed and buried in a crypt. Council Masonry is therefore also known as Cryptic Masonry or the Crytic Rite

Freemasonry is both highly philosophic and moralistic. The Fraternity teaches by means of allegories and symbols. As such it is important to tell the whole story when relating a history. Council is the completion of the story between the loss of the Word in Blue Lodge and its recovery in the Royal Arch Chapter. The degrees tell of the preservation of the Word

The Royal Master Degree tells of a way of looking at death. It speaks of its inevitability , but also the need for preparation and resulting lack of fear. It allows the candidate to meet and listen to a well known and inportant Masonic character. The initiate is informed about the furnishings of King Solomon's Temple and their deposition. The Degree prepares one for the events to follow.

The Select Master Degree occurs in the underground vault and explains the preservation of various Masonic secrets until future generations could discover them. The characteristics of fidelity and silence are explored in the context of performing such a task. The bridge from Blue Lodge to Royal Arch is completed in impressive fashion.

Another degree in the care of Cryptic Masons is that of Super Excellent Master. This is only connected to the vault by being a history of happenings in the land above it. Here Biblical characters come to life exemplifying the historical drama of King Zedekiah and King Nebuchadnezzar, found in the Holy Bible. There is prophecy, fulfillment, and the lesson of reaping the rewards of bad choices. The degree is impressive, beautiful, and well constructed.

The Cryptic Rite is widespread, although governing bodies exist only in England, Scotland, Canada, and the United States. In England the Cryptic Degrees are controlled by a General Council. In Scotland, the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter has jurisdiction over the Cryptic degrees. Many American Grand Coucils are organized under a General Council although there is no requirement to do so, and in Ohio we remain separate.