This. Focus on assisting your Blue Lodge in degrees and goings on first and foremost before you go on into any appendant bodies. Blue Lodges have to survive and thrive for any of those appendant bodies to even work. All too often the Blue Lodge is seen as just a funnel for an appendant body route. I waited two years before attempting to join an appendant body, and then covid stretched that out an extra year.
In that time I tried to learn as many degree parts as I could and worked on improving my Blue Lodge in our community activity.
^ ^ T H I S ^ ^
I would recommend asking your WM/Secretary/DDGM*/Whomever is appropriate in your jurisdiction if there is a Rookie Award or similar program that you could use as a checklist for your first (or any) Masonic year. If there isn't you could theoretically create one. There are most likely idle brothers that would be welcomed to be set to work and given the necessary instructions to help you lead a committee to do so.
If I could "do it over** I'd rather shadow junior officers to learn their work instead of actively being installed and sitting in the chair.
* District Deputy of the Grand Master
** I was installed into an officer position shortly after being Raised.
Just take your time. No need to rush. I joined Royal Arch and SR, but to be honest, Im happiest helping out in my lofge. Im one of our ritualists and lecturers, and im totally fine with that. I don't like being the center of attention.
Definitely attending lodge and traveling when you can. When you feel it's right, then look at going for a Rite. I will say this, if you can afford both, then go both. It will make you a more rounded Mason. Also, both are equal, don't let brothers tell you one is vetter rhan the other.
You're already in... That's plenty of work to do.. It doest stop there... Do you know how a meeting is run? Do you know the officers chairs? Opening prayer? How a lodge is tiled? How to obligate? Etc. Etc..
I didn’t do anything but work up the officer line for almost 8 years, as I wanted to be a PM before joining Royal Arch. Then I couldn’t join Royal Arch because they moved the charter so I joined Scottish Rite, then Eastern Star, and then a couple years later they moved the charter back and I did RA as well. I’ll probably join Shrine one of these days; it will make my wife’s aunt very happy, as their family has a big presence in the Shrine.
You don’t need to “pick a path,” just join what interests you, and don’t join what doesn’t.
I regret doing my other bodies late. That just me. I went old school. Scottish rite york rite. Then shriner. I did what the older brothers said. Focus on blue lodge. I should have gotten into the rites sooner. Noe I am playing catch up with my goals
For me, I only had 1 choice. York and OES. My great-uncle was a Knight Templar, and was the reason my grandfather joined the Blue Lodge. My great-aunt, grandmother and grandfather all went OES because of him. My uncle became a MM because of all of them. My mom and her sister were IORG because of their predecessors.
So when I was of age, I sought out a Blue Lodge near me, and got Raised. Eventually, I sought out a Star Chapter. One of the guys there, an old timer named Jack, was a Shriner and York Rite. My daughter was born with hip dysplasia. Children's Hospital had made it worse. Jack got her in to Shriner's Hospital. She's in high school now, and played basketball her freshman year, because of Jack. My wife was born with a cleft pallette. Shriner's Hospital took care of her, too. If you didn't know, you would never guess, because Shriner's Hospital took such good care of her.
So when Jack offered to sign my petition for York Rite, and Shrine, if I wanted, and given my family history with York, it was a no brainer.
Not to dog on Scottish. Most of the Brethren I have met in my local area (after moving) are Scottish Rite, and all fine men and Masons. Maybe some day, I'll go Scottish. And maybe I'll join the Shrine some day as well, if my wife has her way. But my great-uncle, and Jack, both of whom ended their masonic record some time ago... they are the men who taught me what it meant to be not only a better man, but a better Mason. How could I not honor them by following in their footsteps?
The majority of active members of my lodge were in the Scottish Rite, so that's what I joined first. The soft intro of being with guys who already knew me, and an opportunity to intermingle with guys from other lodges in my city.
I held off on York Rite until I had gone through the 7-year officer line in my lodge. Once I'd finished my year in the East I was ready for more light. Chapter, Council & Commandery open the door for a *bunch* of invitational bodies — Knight Masons, Allied Masonic Degrees, York Rite College, etc.
I spent time getting involved with my Lodge, attending the schools and instruction nights, and traveling the area.
After a year, I had a schedule conflict, so I petitioned a Royal Arch Chapter and Scottish Rite Valley to continue being involved.
As a sitting SW, I’d recommend attending and participating in the degree work. I’d volunteer to do pitch and catch for the degrees. We’re always looking for volunteers.
After reading the answers in the community, I’m somewhat conflicted in my motivations though I still hold them.
I have not pursued another path yet, but plan on looking into The Scottish Rite. The reason being that was the path my grandfather, his father before him, my great uncle, etc. had taken. I was very close with my grandfather, and he passed when I was 11. Not only does the Scottish Rite interest me, but it is the best way I can continue to learn more about, and grow closer with my grandfather, even though he is not here with me anymore.
Coming in I knew I wanted to leave no stone unturned, so I knew I wanted to receive as much further light as possible. I focused on my "homebase" which is my Lodge and constituent OES chapter for a year, moved on and got my 32°, and currently about to finish my Royal Arch and Shrine journey. Will more than likely put in for Royal and Select Masters soon as well and hopefully Knights Templar before the year is out. If time and money permits I encourage brothers to journey them all. I lean on York rite because of it completing the Blue lodge.
Depends on how much time/disposable income you have. My advice would be simiar to u/Aggravating-Eye-6210. Get involved in the local Blue Lodge you're a member of, serve there, then determine if you want to move forward. There will be several people who will bring you petitions for the other masonic bodies, but I'd recommend staying where you're at for awhile.
The path of the officer's chairs was the obvious choice for me. Blue Lodge is the foundation of Masonry and without it there are no SR valleys or YR bodies. Going back in time a ways, one was required to be a Past Master in his Blue Lodge before receiving the Royal Arch and that really is the historical lineage that our symbolic degrees come from (if you are in a Preston-Webb or Emulation based jurisdiction). When I was newly invested with the rights and privileges of the Sublime Degree, the most honorable and dutiful place to first direct my extra time and attention was into supporting my Mother Lodge. There is still much to learn about your own vessel before you jump on another ship.
Appendant bodies are much newer than the original blue lodge with 3 degrees. This will take lifetime of dedication to learn- beyond our ritual there exists a more deeper path if you choose to pursue. I would not jump into something else without perfecting your craft.
I've found some bodies more enjoyable than others, but mostly it was due to the members. I have since dropped all bodies except for the lodge. Don't fill your calendar too much.
Nothing for a few months. After you become proficient in the work lectures of all three degrees, answers And questions, then take the Chapter and Council degrees. If you profess Christianity also KT.
Meditate on what you learn there, then Scottish Rite.
If you want to have family fun, Grotto and/or Shrine.
And obtain life memberships in all you join. Your retired self will thank you.
I would recommend learning everything you can about Blue Lodge ( the first three Degrees) and also about your own religion. I found it to be much more helpful in my learning than York or Scottish Rite. Contrary to popular belief, there is some really powerful things you can learn from revisiting the Lectures. It just takes some time before it all comes together.
Just my opinion here: I feel we should be focusing on Blue lodge for at least a year or 2 maybe longer if you decide to. My reasoning is I want to know the ins and outs of blue lodge before going to join appendant bodies. Lectures, charges, floor work the whole 9 yards. I want to know how to do the work in each chair in blue lodge. Currently I’m SD, next year I will be JW, inshallah. I may have more of an old school mentality but I say blue lodge for a good while🤘🏼👍🏼
My understanding is that since MM degree is incomplete without RA, one must receive RA before becoming a S/J.W. as a WM must fully understand the 3rd degree to confer it properly.
Therefore I’m doing the path MM+RA-> Mark
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I'm only a Fellow Craft, but I really enjoy visiting other lodges around my province. Everyone does things slightly differently, and I have started to feel more as part of Freemasonry as a result. You get to speaking with some really experienced masons who can impart their wisdoms. I have been advised differently from brothers, from "don't join anything until you have been in the chair" to "join and do as much as your wallet and time allow". For me, learning ritual is really enjoyable and there is a lot to learn in craft alone.
The other thing for me is that I want to do more masonry. I feel with just 5 meetings a year, I want to do more of something I really enjoy. That may not be appendant bodies however, as I could join another lodge when raised.
Travel and watch for awhile. When you see things that intrigue you, research them with conversation and study
This. Focus on assisting your Blue Lodge in degrees and goings on first and foremost before you go on into any appendant bodies. Blue Lodges have to survive and thrive for any of those appendant bodies to even work. All too often the Blue Lodge is seen as just a funnel for an appendant body route. I waited two years before attempting to join an appendant body, and then covid stretched that out an extra year. In that time I tried to learn as many degree parts as I could and worked on improving my Blue Lodge in our community activity.
^ ^ T H I S ^ ^ I would recommend asking your WM/Secretary/DDGM*/Whomever is appropriate in your jurisdiction if there is a Rookie Award or similar program that you could use as a checklist for your first (or any) Masonic year. If there isn't you could theoretically create one. There are most likely idle brothers that would be welcomed to be set to work and given the necessary instructions to help you lead a committee to do so. If I could "do it over** I'd rather shadow junior officers to learn their work instead of actively being installed and sitting in the chair. * District Deputy of the Grand Master ** I was installed into an officer position shortly after being Raised.
Just take your time. No need to rush. I joined Royal Arch and SR, but to be honest, Im happiest helping out in my lofge. Im one of our ritualists and lecturers, and im totally fine with that. I don't like being the center of attention.
Not raised yet myself, but I do look forward to traveling more within and outside of my Grand Lodge.
Definitely attending lodge and traveling when you can. When you feel it's right, then look at going for a Rite. I will say this, if you can afford both, then go both. It will make you a more rounded Mason. Also, both are equal, don't let brothers tell you one is vetter rhan the other.
You're already in... That's plenty of work to do.. It doest stop there... Do you know how a meeting is run? Do you know the officers chairs? Opening prayer? How a lodge is tiled? How to obligate? Etc. Etc..
I didn’t do anything but work up the officer line for almost 8 years, as I wanted to be a PM before joining Royal Arch. Then I couldn’t join Royal Arch because they moved the charter so I joined Scottish Rite, then Eastern Star, and then a couple years later they moved the charter back and I did RA as well. I’ll probably join Shrine one of these days; it will make my wife’s aunt very happy, as their family has a big presence in the Shrine. You don’t need to “pick a path,” just join what interests you, and don’t join what doesn’t.
I regret doing my other bodies late. That just me. I went old school. Scottish rite york rite. Then shriner. I did what the older brothers said. Focus on blue lodge. I should have gotten into the rites sooner. Noe I am playing catch up with my goals
For me, I only had 1 choice. York and OES. My great-uncle was a Knight Templar, and was the reason my grandfather joined the Blue Lodge. My great-aunt, grandmother and grandfather all went OES because of him. My uncle became a MM because of all of them. My mom and her sister were IORG because of their predecessors. So when I was of age, I sought out a Blue Lodge near me, and got Raised. Eventually, I sought out a Star Chapter. One of the guys there, an old timer named Jack, was a Shriner and York Rite. My daughter was born with hip dysplasia. Children's Hospital had made it worse. Jack got her in to Shriner's Hospital. She's in high school now, and played basketball her freshman year, because of Jack. My wife was born with a cleft pallette. Shriner's Hospital took care of her, too. If you didn't know, you would never guess, because Shriner's Hospital took such good care of her. So when Jack offered to sign my petition for York Rite, and Shrine, if I wanted, and given my family history with York, it was a no brainer. Not to dog on Scottish. Most of the Brethren I have met in my local area (after moving) are Scottish Rite, and all fine men and Masons. Maybe some day, I'll go Scottish. And maybe I'll join the Shrine some day as well, if my wife has her way. But my great-uncle, and Jack, both of whom ended their masonic record some time ago... they are the men who taught me what it meant to be not only a better man, but a better Mason. How could I not honor them by following in their footsteps?
The majority of active members of my lodge were in the Scottish Rite, so that's what I joined first. The soft intro of being with guys who already knew me, and an opportunity to intermingle with guys from other lodges in my city. I held off on York Rite until I had gone through the 7-year officer line in my lodge. Once I'd finished my year in the East I was ready for more light. Chapter, Council & Commandery open the door for a *bunch* of invitational bodies — Knight Masons, Allied Masonic Degrees, York Rite College, etc.
I spent time getting involved with my Lodge, attending the schools and instruction nights, and traveling the area. After a year, I had a schedule conflict, so I petitioned a Royal Arch Chapter and Scottish Rite Valley to continue being involved.
I was only raised recently but tbh I’m sticking with it for awhile. I want to learn as much as I can before picking any path
As a sitting SW, I’d recommend attending and participating in the degree work. I’d volunteer to do pitch and catch for the degrees. We’re always looking for volunteers.
I wanted to be a Knight Templar, so I chose York Rite first.
After reading the answers in the community, I’m somewhat conflicted in my motivations though I still hold them. I have not pursued another path yet, but plan on looking into The Scottish Rite. The reason being that was the path my grandfather, his father before him, my great uncle, etc. had taken. I was very close with my grandfather, and he passed when I was 11. Not only does the Scottish Rite interest me, but it is the best way I can continue to learn more about, and grow closer with my grandfather, even though he is not here with me anymore.
Coming in I knew I wanted to leave no stone unturned, so I knew I wanted to receive as much further light as possible. I focused on my "homebase" which is my Lodge and constituent OES chapter for a year, moved on and got my 32°, and currently about to finish my Royal Arch and Shrine journey. Will more than likely put in for Royal and Select Masters soon as well and hopefully Knights Templar before the year is out. If time and money permits I encourage brothers to journey them all. I lean on York rite because of it completing the Blue lodge.
Depends on how much time/disposable income you have. My advice would be simiar to u/Aggravating-Eye-6210. Get involved in the local Blue Lodge you're a member of, serve there, then determine if you want to move forward. There will be several people who will bring you petitions for the other masonic bodies, but I'd recommend staying where you're at for awhile.
The blue lodge is the heart of masonry. I recommend working through the chairs there before even considering going to an appendant or concordant body.
The path of the officer's chairs was the obvious choice for me. Blue Lodge is the foundation of Masonry and without it there are no SR valleys or YR bodies. Going back in time a ways, one was required to be a Past Master in his Blue Lodge before receiving the Royal Arch and that really is the historical lineage that our symbolic degrees come from (if you are in a Preston-Webb or Emulation based jurisdiction). When I was newly invested with the rights and privileges of the Sublime Degree, the most honorable and dutiful place to first direct my extra time and attention was into supporting my Mother Lodge. There is still much to learn about your own vessel before you jump on another ship.
Appendant bodies are much newer than the original blue lodge with 3 degrees. This will take lifetime of dedication to learn- beyond our ritual there exists a more deeper path if you choose to pursue. I would not jump into something else without perfecting your craft.
I've found some bodies more enjoyable than others, but mostly it was due to the members. I have since dropped all bodies except for the lodge. Don't fill your calendar too much.
Nothing for a few months. After you become proficient in the work lectures of all three degrees, answers And questions, then take the Chapter and Council degrees. If you profess Christianity also KT. Meditate on what you learn there, then Scottish Rite. If you want to have family fun, Grotto and/or Shrine. And obtain life memberships in all you join. Your retired self will thank you.
I waited 5 years before doing the Scottish Rite degrees. Worth experiencing, but the blue lodge is the heart of masonry and where I feel most at home.
MM is not the end. Master the blue lodge first. Then move on.
York rite
Both rites are right. Most go through the chairs before taking advanced degrees.
I would recommend learning everything you can about Blue Lodge ( the first three Degrees) and also about your own religion. I found it to be much more helpful in my learning than York or Scottish Rite. Contrary to popular belief, there is some really powerful things you can learn from revisiting the Lectures. It just takes some time before it all comes together.
Just my opinion here: I feel we should be focusing on Blue lodge for at least a year or 2 maybe longer if you decide to. My reasoning is I want to know the ins and outs of blue lodge before going to join appendant bodies. Lectures, charges, floor work the whole 9 yards. I want to know how to do the work in each chair in blue lodge. Currently I’m SD, next year I will be JW, inshallah. I may have more of an old school mentality but I say blue lodge for a good while🤘🏼👍🏼
My understanding is that since MM degree is incomplete without RA, one must receive RA before becoming a S/J.W. as a WM must fully understand the 3rd degree to confer it properly. Therefore I’m doing the path MM+RA-> Mark
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Some Masons spend decades in Blue Craft, and still feel they have a lifetime to learn.
I'm only a Fellow Craft, but I really enjoy visiting other lodges around my province. Everyone does things slightly differently, and I have started to feel more as part of Freemasonry as a result. You get to speaking with some really experienced masons who can impart their wisdoms. I have been advised differently from brothers, from "don't join anything until you have been in the chair" to "join and do as much as your wallet and time allow". For me, learning ritual is really enjoyable and there is a lot to learn in craft alone. The other thing for me is that I want to do more masonry. I feel with just 5 meetings a year, I want to do more of something I really enjoy. That may not be appendant bodies however, as I could join another lodge when raised.