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Shreveport Scottish Rite
Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Valley of Shreveport, Orient of
Louisiana
Southern Jurisdiction,
U.S.A.
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The Lodge of Perfection
VIRTUS JUNXIT MORS NON SEPARABIT
" Whom Virtue Unites Death Shall Not Separate"
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4°-
Secret Master
Duty,
reflection and study are the gateway
to opportunity, as such one honors
those relationships to God, family,
country and Masonry. The apron of
the 4th degree is white and black,
with a letter "Z" and all-seeing
eye. The jewel of this degree is an
ivory key with the letter "Z" on the
wards. The teachings: secrecy,
obedience and fidelity. |
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5°-
Perfect Master
The degree teaches
Masonic honor; that honesty and
trustworthiness is the cornerstone
of the foundation of such. This
virtue should be in all of our
undertakings with mankind. The apron
of the 5th degree is white and
green, with a cubic stone and a
Hebrew YOD. The jewel is represented
by a compass open on a segment of a
circle, to an angle of sixty
degrees. The teachings: honesty,
sincerity, and good faith.
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6°-
Intimate Secretary
In this degree one should expand
their knowledge of duty, charity and
toleration. We are instructed to
reshape ourselves and our thinking
into charity, self-control, and
success i.e. to be a peacemaker. The
apron of the 6th degree is white and
red, with Hebrew letters YOD HEH in
the center and a small triangle
containing the Hebrew letters
(clockwise from top) BETH, NUN, and
SHIN. The gold triangle with the
same three letters inscribed is the
jewel that represents this degree. |
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7°-
Provost & Judge
We learn that
impartial justice protects person,
property, happiness and reputation.
We are instructed to judge with
patience and impartially. The apron
of the 7th degree is white, edged
with red, with a key and five
rosettes. The jewel is a golden key. |
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8°-
Intendant
of the Building
We should strive for perfection by
using the great principles of "God's
inherent love, charity, morality and
kindness". The apron of the 8th
degree is white, with red and green,
with a balance, a nine-pointed star,
and a triangle with the Hebrew
letters BETH (for Ben-Khurim), YOU
(for Jakinah), and ALEPH (for Achar).
The jewel of this Degree is a gold
triangle with the same three
letters. |
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°-
Elu of
the Nine (Elected Knight of the
Nine)
Truth, candor and generosity; the
foundation of Scottish Rite Masonry
is most reflected in this degree. We
should use these truths to shape our
lives and conduct. The apron of the
9th degree is white, lined with
black, and sprinkled with blood,
with an arm holding a dagger and a
severed head held by the hair. The
jewel of this degree is a dagger,
hilt of gold and blade of silver. |
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10°-
Elu of
the Fifteen (Illustrious Elect of
the Fifteen)
This degree teaches
us to be tolerant and respect the
opinions of others. Freedoms of
political and spiritual ideologies
should be shared by all. The apron
of the 10th degree is white, with a
black flap, and with three
arch-shaped gates - over each a head
on a spike. The jewel of this degree
is a dagger as in the 9th degree. |
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11°-
Elu of
the Twelve (Sublime Knight Elect of
the Twelve)
This degree teaches
sympathy. We should be compassionate
to our brother Masons and to all
mankind as well. The apron of the
11th degree is white, lined with
black, with a flaming heart in the
center. The jewel being a dagger
suspended from a black cordon
inscribed with the words "Vincere
aut Mori" the pledge "that you will
rather die than betray the cause of
the people, or be overcome through
your own fear or fault." |
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12°-
Master Architect
This degree teaches faith in
morality and virtue and in God.
"Life is what each man makes of it;
the optimist turns a trial into a
blessing. The apron of the 12th
degree consists of a white outer
shell, lined with blue and gold
(symbolizing the Craft degrees),
with a protractor, plain scale,
sector, and compasses. The jewel is
a heptagonal medal of gold. |
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13°-
Royal Arch of Solomon (Knight of the
Ninth Arch)
Liberty; in our mind
and our hearts, motivated by duty
and honor are the lessons of this
degree. The apron worn is purple,
bordered with white, and with the "Enochian
delta" (hexagram with inscribed
Tetragrammation) in the center. The
jewel comprises a circular medal of
gold. |
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14°-
Perfect Elu
(Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime
Mason)
This degree teaches us to reflect
and scrutinize oneself. We should
strive to be true to ourselves and
our God. The apron being of white
silk, bordered in gold, with the
Ineffable Delta in the Center is
truly emblematical of the degree.
The jewel of the 14th Degree is
split; one being a quadrant (compass
open to ninety degrees) topped by a
crown and with a nine-pointed star
on the obverse, the other being a
five-pointed blazing star (with the
Tetragrammaton) on the reverse. The
compass is opened on a segment of a
circle, inscribed with the numbers
3, 5, 7, 9.
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Chapter of Rose Croix
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The degrees of the Chapter of Rose Croix
are very complex. They attempt to invest
the candidate with a deeper
understanding of Religion, Philosophy,
Ethics, and History. The intellectual
challenges presented in these degrees,
is at times overwhelming, and can take
years to master. A thorough reading of
the chapters related to them in
Morals and Dogma and in the
Legenda and Readings is
essential to achieve even a basic
comprehension of their true meaning
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15°-
Knight of the East, of the Sword or
of the Eagle
Fidelity to
obligations and perseverance of
purpose under difficulties and
discouragement are the lessons of
this degree. The striking crimson
velvet apron of this degree is edged
with green, having a bleeding head
above two crossed swords, and a
triangle (top point to the left)
with three interlaced triangles
inside it. The jewel is three
golden concentric triangles
encompassing two crossed swords. |
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16°-
Prince of
Jerusalem
We learn "heroism of patience, the
nobility of self-sacrifice" and
compassionate judgment, along with
charity, fidelity and brotherhood.
This crimson apron is edged in gold
and aurora-color, and with a square,
shield, Delta (with three
YODs),
balance and a hand of justice. The
jewel worn is a mother-of-pearl
lozenge with a hand holding a
balance in equipoise; under it a
sword with five stars surrounding
the point. On the left is a Hebrew
D, on the right is a Hebrew Z. |
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17°-
Knight of the East & West
The wisdom of this
degree is that loyalty to God is
man's primary allegiance and the
temporal governments not founded
upon God and His righteousness will
inevitably fall. The apron worn is
of yellow satin, with crimson and
gold, and with a sword and
Tetractys
(of the
Tetragrammaton) on it. The
jewel is a heptagon of half silver
and half gold, with crossed swords
on a balance on the obverse and a
lamb on the Book of Seven Seals on
the reverse. The jewel is hung from
a double order - one black
(left-to-right) and one white
(right-to-left), representing good
versus evil. A gold coronet is also
presented. |
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18°-
Knight Rose Croix
This degree
emphasizes that life and its
strength come from God. The rose
signifies the dawn and the cross is
a sacred symbol of antiquity in many
cultures. One is also taught to be
tolerant of others errors and their
faults. The apron worn is of white
leather or satin, bordered in red,
with a skull and cross-bones, a red
passion cross, and three red
rosettes. The grand jewel is a gold
compass open a quarter circle. A
rose-cross is between the legs of
the compass and under it is a
pelican, tearing its breast to feed
its seven young on the obverse and
an eagle with wings extended on the
reverse. On the circle are the
letters I.N.R.I. |
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19°-
Grand Pontiff
We learn from the past and how
it affects the present and the
influence we live in the future
in this degree. We as mortals
strive to endure, produce and
improve the world as it
surrounds us. There is no apron,
but the jewel is a gold
"parallelogram" (rectangle) with
a Greek Alpha on one side and an
Omega on the other.
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20°-
Master of the Symbolic Lodge
This
demonstrates
liberty,
fraternity and equality. These
truths teach morals, religious and
philosophical understandings. This
degree helps one to comprehend
Deity, forces of nature, good and
evil. The apron worn is yellow,
bordered in blue, with three
concentric point-down triangles,
with the
Tetragrammaton (horizontal)
and "Fiat Lux"
(vertical) at the center, forming a
cross. Its triangular shape relates
to the "fourth great light, which
reminds us of the Deity and his
attributes". The jewel that is worn
is made of gold with the same three
concentric triangles. |
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21°-
Noachite or Prussian Knight
The
lessons to be learned from this
degree are that arrogance,
defamation and cowardice are
unworthy attributes of a Mason and
that humility, modesty and courtesy
are the true virtues of men and
Masons. The apron worn is yellow and
contains an arm holding a sword, a
winged figure holding a key in the
left hand and the right forefinger
on the lips (the "Egyptian figure of
Silence"). The jewel can be
described as a point-up triangle,
with an arrow, point downward, an
arm holding a sword, and the motto
"Fiat Justitia,
Ruat
Coelum." |
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22°-
Knight Royal Axe, Prince of Libanus
This
degree emphasizes work ethics: By
doing good work we improve character
and become better citizens. The
apron worn in this degree is white,
bordered in purple, and contains a
three-headed serpent and a table
with instruments and plans on
it. The jewel is an axe and handle
of gold. On the top of the handle
are the initials of Noah and
Solomon. In the middle of the handle
are the initials of
Libanus
and Tsidun. On
the blade are the initials of
Adoniram,
Cyrus, Darius,
Zerubbabel, Nehemiah, Ezra
(on one side) and Shem,
Kham,
Yapheth,
Moses, Ahaliab,
Betselal
(on the other). |
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23°-
Chief of the Tabernacle
We learn in this degree that the man
who forgets his duty to God, family,
country and himself will be in
danger of moral and spiritual
destruction by thoughts and unworthy
ambition. The apron worn is white,
bordered with red, blue and purple
ribbons. These colors, from the
curtains of the Tabernacle,
represent earth, fire, air and sea,
respectively, as well as the Lord's
beneficence, glory, wisdom and
power. On the apron is the golden
seven-branched candlestick,
representing the seven planets and
virtues: Sun, faith "aspiration
toward the infinite"; Moon,
hope; Venus, charity; Mars,
fortitude "victory over rage and
anger"; Mercury, prudence; Saturn,
temperance; Jupiter, conqueror of
the Titans, justice. The jewel worn
is a small silver censer, or
ornamented cup, held by a handle in
the shape of an open hand. |
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24°-
Prince of the Tabernacle
A
Mason must show evidence of
compassion, piety and justice in
this degree. After initiation he
may "manifest faithfully the
social virtues in order to
receive the rewards", to serve
humanity through our
brotherhood. The apron worn is
of white lambskin, with scarlet,
green and blue. On it is a
violet myrtle tree, and a gold
representation of an Arabian
tent. The jewel worn is the
Hebrew letter ALEPH, suspended
from a violet ribbon.
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25°-
Knight of the Brazen Serpent
This degree attempts to explain the
conceptualities of celestial purity
and the eternal soul of man. The
apprentice is driven to look within
his faith, life and God and to get a
clear look at his inner self. The
apron worn is white, lined in black,
and with gold stars on the white
side (Pleiades,
Hyades, Orion,
Capella)
and with silver stars on the black
side (Perseus,
Scorpio, Bootes). Also
on it is a serpent,
ouroboros,
surrounding a scarab, a triangle in
a glory with the
Tetragrammaton
in its center, and the four initials
of the stars
Regulus,
Aldebaran,
Antares,
and
Fomalhaut. The
jewel is a gold
tau cross (crux
ansata)
with a serpent entwined around it,
and the Hebrew words
HLThI
("he has suffered or been wounded")
and NChShThN
("the Brazen Serpent") on it. |
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26°-
Prince of Mercy or Scottish
Trinitarian
In this degree
we explore for "the rewards of
the trinity of Gods attributes -
wisdom or intelligence, force or
strength, harmony or
beauty". The apron is scarlet,
bordered in white, with a green
triangle (point-down) in the
center. In the triangle are the
initials of force, wisdom, and
harmony, and a flaming heart of
gold with the initials I.H.S.
(Jesus
Hominum
Salvator
or Imperium,
Harmonia,
Sapientia). The
jewel is gold and is the same
triangle, suspended by a purple
ribbon.
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27°-
Knight Commander of the Temple
This degree teaches the apprentice
to scorn selfishness, and to uphold
the knightly virtues of charity,
truth and honor. We should always
strive to assist the poor, helpless
and infirm. The apron is of scarlet
lambskin, lined in black, with a
Teutonic Cross (cross potent sable,
charged with a smaller cross double
potent or, surcharged with the
escutcheon of the Empire - the
two-headed black eagle) and a black
key surrounded by a laurel
wreath. The jewel is the Teutonic
Cross shown on the apron. |
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28°-
Knight of the Sun or Prince
Adept
We learn in this degree that
our love for God manifests
itself in our love for truth,
justice and nobility of
soul. The apron worn is white
lambskin, with a vermilion
pentagram. The jewel is a gold
five-pointed star.
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29°-
Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew
The virtues taught in
this degree are "Love of God,
loyalty to superiors, faithful
adherence to promise and active
resistance to unfair judgment."
There is no apron. The jewel is a
gold St. Andrew's cross ("X"),
surmounted with a knight's helmet
with a thistle of gold between the
arms at the bottom. In the center of
the cross is a Hebrew YOD, and on
its points, clockwise from bottom,
the Hebrew letters N M I N.
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30°-
Knight of Kadosh or Knight of
the White & Black Eagle
The
lesson of this degree is to be
true to ourselves, to stand for
what is right and to be just in
our lives today with a belief in
God, country and oneself. There
is no apron, but the jewel is a
gold Teutonic cross, enameled in
red, with a silver double-headed
eagle, with wings spread
pointing downward, resting upon
it.
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Consistory
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The Consistory Degrees are very
different from each other in form and
content. The 31° reveals the dynamic
relationship that has existed for
centuries between human law as a means
of achieving justice, and divine justice
as an ideal. The 32° reviews the
degrees of the Lodge of Perfection, the
Chapter of Rose Croix and the Council of
Kadosh. In it we learn the very ancient
roots of Masonic Truth - in the East. |
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31°-
Inspector Inquisitor In
this degree the apprentice learns
prayerful self-examination. The
mistakes today should not be
committed tomorrow. Simply, the
daily look at ones self to learn to
live with the future. No apron is
worn in the Supreme Tribunal, but
the traditional apron displayed is
of pure white lambskin with a
Teutonic Cross of black and silver
embroidered upon the flap. The jewel
is a silver Teutonic cross. The
jewel is suspended from a white
collar, with a gold triangle with a
"31" inside it. |
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32°-
Master of the Royal Secret
The
lessons taught in this degree are
that genuine brotherhood requires
mutual regard, opinion, esteem and
charity. We always look for the good
in all, make allowances for others'
shortcomings. We trust the Supreme
Architect to lead us to friendship,
morality and brotherly love. The
apron worn in this degree is white,
lined in black, with a double-headed
eagle and a plan of the Camp of the
Princes. The jewel worn is a golden
Teutonic Cross. In the center are
the letters XXXII, surrounded by a
green wreath.
The cap
of a Master of the Royal Secret is
black silk with a black band trimmed
in gold. In the center front is a
double-headed eagle emblem with a
rayed equilateral triangle above in
gold. The triangle is red, has 32°
in its center, and is trimmed with
gold.
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33°- Inspector General
Honorary The Thirty-third
Degree is conferred by the Supreme
Council upon members of the Rite in
recognition of outstanding work in
the Rite or in public life. At its
biennial session the Supreme Council
elects members of the Rite to
receive the Degree. Members
unanimously so elected become
honorary members of the Supreme
Council. The Thirty-third Degree may
not be requested, and if requested
must be refused. The Degree is
granted solely out of recognition
for outstanding services. These 33°
Masons are Inspectors General
honorary and honorary members of the
Supreme Council. The active members
of the Supreme Council are chosen
from among them. The cap for an
Inspector General Honorary is white
with a white band edged in gold,
featuring the symbol for this
honorary Degree, a red slanting
Patriarchal Cross.
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Site Designed and Published by:
Byron “Keith” Tindell and Donald W. Grindstaff II
This site was made possible by the
immense contributions of
John L. Atkinson, 33°
Copyright 2008 © The Ancient & Accepted Scottish
Rite of Freemasonry,
Valley of Shreveport, Orient of Louisiana , Southern
Jurisdiction
of the United States: All Rights Reserved.
Revised:
03/05/08.
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