A couple of weekends ago, I had the privilege of attending the 236th Reunion of the Scottish Rite here in Utah. It happened on the 1st year anniversary of my becoming a Master of the Royal Secret. During my reunion (234th), many of the degrees were communicated as it was only a 2 day event. This was the first reunion after Covid shut everything down. There were nine of us in that class. Even though it was shorted, it was a very impressive experience that left a lasting impression on me. The vows I took, I took them very seriously. I vowed to devote myself to them and took upon myself the great and awesome responsibility to continue my work in the Rite, be an active member by working arm-n-arm with my brothers, and to continue and learn the lessons taught in the degrees.
So I pushed forward. During our next meetings, I volunteered myself and was accepted into the Utah Scots Guard. The Scots Guard is the service arm of the Valley. We tile meetings, make sure the lodge room is setup for our meetings, give educationals at these meetings, make sure breaks are provided, fill in some non-speaking parts in many of the degrees, do what ever is asked of us, and fill in anywhere we are needed. It has been great! I personally feel that Masons need to be actively working and needed by their organizations if we are to keep them happy and active. This I wanted, for myself, so I have thrown myself in the work. In the process I have made good friends/brothers and have throughly enjoyed the benefits of being in active service.
In the 235th reunion, I took a more active part by taking some speaking parts in the degrees. During that reunion, I also helped with food, the flag ceremony, and tiled several of the degrees. As such, I was not able to see some of the degrees that were communicated during my reunion. Even though I could have sat inside the door and was invited in to see them, I felt my place was without the door, making sure things were quite, that no one entered the degree that was not supposed to, and to ensure the degree was uninterrupted. I felt I was still learning my duties as a Scots Guard so seeing the degree was a lower priority at the time for me. This changed at the 236th reunion.
This spring reunion, there were several of the degrees I was able to see. Serval of these degrees I had not witnessed in person before. I was able to still preform my duties, but was able to enter the room and see and hear the beautiful lessons for several of the degrees I had only heard about. Two degrees left a special impression on me. The 27th and the 31st!
The 27th (28th in other Valleys – Knight of the Sun or Prince Adept) is a special degree as it teaches Mason how to decipher the symbols communicated in the degrees. Special lessons taught by angels/gods who communicate special meanings covering many aspects taught the esoteric thoughts and the various multitudes of civilizations of man. Today, even two weeks later, I am still pouring through the material that was given to me for this degree and every day I learn something new that enlightens me and helps to improve me as a man and Mason. There were several in the audience that stated they hated this degree as is was long, technical, and boring. I disagreed. I found it absolutely fascinating!
The 31st degree (Inspector Inquisitor) also left a special impression on me. It covers the experience of being put on trial of a life of a man/candidate following those items described in the ceremonies in the Egyptian Book of the Dead. The degree is beautiful and I was constantly reminded that I could learn from my failures and improve myself as I grow older and learn more of what is right and what is wrong. It was also kind of funny that Disney released Marvel’s Moon Knight episode 5 this week. Many of the things that were acted out in the degree as part of Egyptian culture in this degree were also on display in this latest episode. So it was fun to see this episode and re-feel those feelings I felt while watching the degree. If you have seen the degree, you will see that it is really a reflection on learning from those who proceeded us in the past and the valuable lessons we can learn from them. We shouldn’t destroy our history or cancel it because we don’t like it or it does not jive with what we currently believe. We should learn the lessons from it and use the information garnished from it and improve ourselves from it. Today, especially since the pandemic started, we are too quick to dismiss the valuable information we can learn from our history. We should do all we can to preserve it. As I am fond of saying (due to my past experience), we can always learn good lessons from bad experiences and bad people. Even if that little lesson is to not act and behave as we have been treated or have seen.
Just a note for myself, I had three speaking parts in this reunion. The 12th, 21st, and 30th degrees. The 30th is especially special as I had a great time working with the director on several occasions (both in person at his lodge and by several phone calls and emails). He took me under his wing and make sure I knew my part, where and how to go, and especially the meaning behind what I was doing. All directors should be like this good brother. When that day comes for me to direct or assistant direct a degree, I will be taking his example, leadership, and practice to heart in my own efforts. Also in this degree, our valley does something really special with the candidate that no over valley does (that I am aware of). If you know the secret, the degree really becomes powerful to the class and those brothers who are also in attendance.
To end this post, my advice to you is to take full advantage of the Scottish Rite. Become a member. Commit yourself to it. Be active and attend every degree you can. It will even strengthen your ties to your Blue Lodge brothers. The Scottish Rite is truly the University of Freemasonry!