Scottish Rite vs. York Rite

HarrisonK

New Member
Looking into Masonry I've found that after one become a 3rd degree master mason he can move up, but it is my understanding that he has to chose Scottish Rite or York Rite. Why is this? Why can't he do both?

How come Scottish Rite goes from 4th degree to 33rd degree but York Rite doesn't have numbered degrees and there are much fewer "steps" in between the lowest "step" (Mark Master) and the highest "step" (Order of Knights Templar)?

From talking to Masons, reading books and forums like this one, it seems like more masons tend to continue their journey in the Scottish Right rather then the York Rite. Why is this?

Please forgive me if I used the wrong terminology.
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
The YR and the SR are not up , they are out to the sides . The Scottish Rite and The York Rite are EXTRA degrees to gain more knowledge concerning Freemasonry , but do not make a Mason higher . Nothing is higher than a Master Mason .

A Freemason can go in both , they do not have to choose one . The Holy Royal Arch and other degrees in the Chapter of the York Rite is older than the Scottish Rite . The Holy Royal Arch degree is considered the most beautiful degree in All of Freemasonry , it puts the Master Mason degree in a tidy little box as it finishes it up and makes everything much clearer .

The Council degrees of the YR explain the events leading up to the Master Mason degree . And the Commandry has nothing to do with Freemasonry and is Christian in Nature , but are beautiful none the less .

Sadly many go Scottish Rite because they like the sound of being called a 32nd degree Mason , most I know have no idea what the York Rite is about because they are after rank instead of knowledge .
 

Duncan1574

Lodge Chaplain & arms dealer
The YR and the SR are not up , they are out to the sides . The Scottish Rite and The York Rite are EXTRA degrees to gain more knowledge concerning Freemasonry , but do not make a Mason higher . Nothing is higher than a Master Mason .

A Freemason can go in both , they do not have to choose one . The Holy Royal Arch and other degrees in the Chapter of the York Rite is older than the Scottish Rite . The Holy Royal Arch degree is considered the most beautiful degree in All of Freemasonry , it puts the Master Mason degree in a tidy little box as it finishes it up and makes everything much clearer .

The Council degrees of the YR explain the events leading up to the Master Mason degree . And the Commandry has nothing to do with Freemasonry and is Christian in Nature , but are beautiful none the less .

Sadly many go Scottish Rite because they like the sound of being called a 32nd degree Mason , most I know have no idea what the York Rite is about because they are after rank instead of knowledge .
I may contemplating SR so I can wear my kilts more often. :eek:
(I can see thread starting: Whats under a Scotsman's kilt?):D:D:D
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
I would go into more detail about each Rite but to be honest I will let someone else .

Everyone has their favorite for one reason or the other . Some like me have went into both Rites even though I demitted from the Scottish Rite later as I did not like it . I can buy the books for $35 and get all the knowledge I want , I was paying $75 a year for nothing more than to carry a Scottish Rite dues card in my wallet . My York Rite bodies meet every month , are set up like the Blue Lodge , so I get more bang for my buck .

Oh and I forgot , the York Rite degrees are not numbered , IMHO , because we do not need numbers .

I would much rather be called a Companion & Sir Knight , than a 32nd degree SR Mason .
 
I am going SR first because in my area, to go through the YR degrees, you would have to travel all over to get the degrees....we dont have all the YR bodies in one central location here.... not that I am against traveling...SR at this time is easier for me to go through.... YR is still a to do for me....
 

motorcycle mike

New Member
Remember that wether you go YR or SR is up to you, but you will only get out of it what you put into it no matter what direction you choose.
 

icarus256

New Member
First of all, I urge that you wait a minimum of a year after you become a Master Mason before you consider other appendant bodies. You don't have to, you can do whatever you like but my experience is that there is so much to be learned in the blue lodge that by going through the Rites you will have far more info on your hands than you can absorb. Think of it as trying to take a sip from a fire hose.
That said, both Rites offer totally different yet similar Masonic experiences and I highly recommend both, but don't do it to wear a kilt - it is perfectly appropriate for a MM to wear a kilt to any Masonic event, so if its just about that for you then skip it. Freemasonry offers men alot of merit badges that you may wear in the form of rings, lapel pins, kilts, and so on, but don't become a Freemason for that. Do it because you want to be a better person, to be better for your family, your community, or for a bigger cause. I know more 3° Master Masons that are far better people than 32° Scottish Rites or Knight Templars. use the experience of Freemasonry to reexamine yourself and refine what is good about you and share that with others; you don't need merit badges to know when you are getting it right.

Feel free to email me if you would like further information.

Fraternally yours,

Bro. Bill Paxton, 32°

Jupiter Light Lodge #340 F. & A.M.
Lake Worth Scottish Rite, Valley of Lake Worth, Orient of Florida

Spes mea in Deo est
 

jason

Seanchaí
Staff member
I plan on doing both. Today was the first day of the Reunion for the SR. Have to go back next Saturday. There is a lot to it, they through a lot of information at you, and it is hard to retain it all.

Why did I choose SR before YR? SR was easier to get information for to be honest. I'm trying to find someone that can get me the information I need locally to join. But it is hard finding them. It is a shame, because it worries me they may not be around much longer.

SR also deals with Learning Disabilities which I have first hand experience with.

I know our local SR Valley meets once a month. Not sure on YR info.
 

Winter

I've been here before
I did both as well, way back in the day. I reccomend them. The degrees are beautiful. But I also concur that a new Mason should wait a minimum of a year before joining the appendant bodies. Get a good foundation in your Craft Lodge first.

And, as far as I know, Scottish Rite isn't Scottish, having been created by a German living in France in the 1700's. :)
 
G

Gary

Guest
I plan on doing both. Today was the first day of the Reunion for the SR. Have to go back next Saturday. There is a lot to it, they through a lot of information at you, and it is hard to retain it all.

Why did I choose SR before YR? SR was easier to get information for to be honest. I'm trying to find someone that can get me the information I need locally to join. But it is hard finding them. It is a shame, because it worries me they may not be around much longer.

SR also deals with Learning Disabilities which I have first hand experience with.

I know our local SR Valley meets once a month. Not sure on YR info.
I've got a YR contact for you when you decide you want a petition.
 

PatrickWilliams

I could tell you ...
I did both as well, way back in the day. I reccomend them. The degrees are beautiful. But I also concur that a new Mason should wait a minimum of a year before joining the appendant bodies. Get a good foundation in your Craft Lodge first.

And, as far as I know, Scottish Rite isn't Scottish, having been created by a German living in France in the 1700's. :)
Winter, while I tend to agree with you, what I've been reading out on the net suggests that this is 'old thought'. These days, those young Masonic whippersnappers are suggesting that you grab up those newly raised Masons and involve them in YR and/or SR as quickly as you can.
 

HarrisonK

New Member
Winter, while I tend to agree with you, what I've been reading out on the net suggests that this is 'old thought'. These days, those young Masonic whippersnappers are suggesting that you grab up those newly raised Masons and involve them in YR and/or SR as quickly as you can.
I would tend to agree with you.

Although I am not a mason yet, I've been doing a lot of research and talking to friends and family and I have come to conclusion that I'd like to be involved in the SR and/or YR as soon as possible.

I'm planning on petitioning sometime within the month at the age of 19 in Washington, DC. This will allow me the opportunity to begin my journey into Freemasonry and into the Appendant Bodies earlier. I think I will be able to enjoy the experience of both the SR and the YR better while I am younger and I do not have to spend a lot of time with a family and other time consuming but joyous things.
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
I was being hounded to join the Scottish Rite and the Shrine before I was even Raised . We in my YR bodies let them come to us .
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
This is true , but I am uncomfortable asking men to join the other bodies . If a new Master Masons does ask me which Rite they should go I will lead them toward the York Rite . My only concern is the Blue Lodge and having the new Master Mason coming back .
 

PatrickWilliams

I could tell you ...
This is true , but I am uncomfortable asking men to join the other bodies . If a new Master Masons does ask me which Rite they should go I will lead them toward the York Rite . My only concern is the Blue Lodge and having the new Master Mason coming back .
Well, my experience (from a smallish Lodge) is that these young pups that we get into YR as fast as they become MM's are active in BOTH. I likes me that.
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Now this is a true statement . I have found that our active YR Masons are more active Masons in their Blue Lodges and the other way around .

Now I am not completely correct in that we do not push the YR . Once a year we present each lodge with a YR presentation and that is it .

I gave it to my lodge last year and I am the only YR mason in my lodge . One question that stumped them was about their wages , York Rite Masons will know what I am talking about .

Edit: Had second thoughts on what I posted
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Alright Patrick , you have gotten me thinking about this . I just may start pushing the YR , and maybe get a real fire lit under their butts . Because I still say that those who have not went York Rite do NOT know what they are missing .
 
G

Gary

Guest
I think it's a worthy path. I plan on doing both YR & SR. A plus for YR, is that I'm with Ashlar on the thought that anything that keeps brothers active in the Blue Lodge is good.
 
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