What is the Scottish Rite ? To André Kervella "Freemasons have never been clear about the origins and the characteristics of this descent of the 18th century, yet if you don't know where you come from, it will be hard to define yourself! " The word "Scotland" is indeed omnipresent in Freemasonry, in the name of its rituals (Scottish Rite, Scottish Rectified Rite) but also of its degrees (Scottish Master). What are the reasons of that, are they geographic, historical, symbolical or initiatory? To answer that hard question, we gathered around Jean Solis three renowned historians and researchers: André Kervella, Robert Kalbach and Roger Dachez.
We are going to discover that behind the words Scottish rite the high masonic degrees, these one are dated back to 1730 or 1710. Indeed, after the two first degrees (apprentice and companion) the freemason, in his myth's and rite's coherence, leaves the two columns of the Temple to enter the legend of Hiram.
His progression on that scale materialized by different degrees: thirty three for the Scottish Rite, and six for the Rectified Rite, lead the mason to a position of opening facing the indescribable. To reach a "high level" isn't an accomplishment, or an award, but an additional step towards sacred.
"To aim at" doesn't mean to reach... there is a trap where many men, intoxicated by their cord, will to fall, whatever the way they chose.
There are many questions about Rite: what about the French Rite and Egyptian Rites: are they part of the Scottish Rite? Yes, according to our participants. What about Scottish Chivalry? And primitive Scottish Rite?
Rite come from Rita in Sanskrit, which means "sacred" which is the origin of the word "Druid" in Celtic an "Truth" in Latin. A fascinating vision in the inner arcanas of Freemasonry which lasts an hour and thirty minutes.
What is the Scottish Rite ? To André Kervella "Freemasons have never been clear about the origins and the characteristics of this descent of the 18th century, yet if you don't know where you come from, it will be hard to define yourself! "
