SUPREME COUNCIL FOR SCOTLAND 33º ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (Scottish Constitution) Supreme Council for the Thirty-third and Last Degree
Brief History The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (Scottish Constitution) is a Christian Order within Freemasonry which originated from a system of Degrees that emerged in France about the middle of the 18th Century. It is sometimes referred to as Ecossaise Freemasonry as it is thought that some of its ceremonial was influenced by ‘Gaelic Masonry’ which may have originated in Scotland. Historically, the Ceremonies were transmitted through the United States of America, French West Indies, British West Indies, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Brazil, Columbia and Portugal before they surfaced in Scotland in 1845 where the Supreme Council, as we know it, was “erected” a year later in 1846. Scottish Rite Freemasonry is one of the most prolific around the world and is best known for the Degree called the Rose Croix or 18th Degree. So inspirational is the essence of this Degree that it has stimulated many Countries to devise their own variation of the Scottish Rite Degrees and form their own Constitutions. Organisation In the Province of Victoria there are thirteen Rose Croix Chapters which meet across the State from Cranbourne in the East to Portland in the West and these are collectively under the leadership of a Deputy who re-
ports to Supreme Council in Edinburgh, Scotland. Additionally, in Victoria there are four Scottish Rite Grand Lodges or Sovereign Council’s as they are called which work the 30°. Annually the Province works the Higher Degrees which are the 31° in a Sovereign Tribunal and 32° in a Grand Consistory. The highest degree in the Scottish Rite is that of Sovereign Grand Inspector General or 33°. Qualifications for Membership The qualifications necessary for admission to the 18° are that of being a Master Mason in ‘good standing’ for at least three years and, being a Christian Order, requires its Candidate to profess a belief in the Holy Trinity. Progression to Higher Degrees is based on merit and ability and is by invitation. Degrees Admission to the Scottish Rite begins with the Rose Croix or 18° after the “Intermediate Degrees” from the 4° to the 17° are conferred. After a qualifying period of five years, one is eligible for promotion to the 30° but this is an honour which is awarded for distinguished service. Again, before one can be “Admitted” to the 30°, the Degrees from the 19° to the 29° are conferred. The Intermediate Degrees are not worked in Australia except as a demonstration by an Exemplification Team in another Constitu-
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