Welcome to the Wider Masonic World!

Be careful: it’s easy to get lost in here!

To vastly oversimplify, there are several general classes of Appendant and Concordant Bodies in Masonry.

• The Scottish Rite
• The York Rite
• Women’s Organizations
• Youth Orders
• Other Allied Organizations

Before you go any further, there is one thing that must be made absolutely clear:

For a regular Mason, there are only 3 Degrees. While all the charts and pictures will always show the 3rd Degree Master Mason as being pretty far down on the picture, it must be stressed that reaching the Sublime Degree of Master Mason is as far as you ever need go to live a complete, fulfilling, and enriching Masonic life. If you never go beyond your Blue Lodge (ie: Ionic Composite Lodge, etc.), that’s totally fine!

These allied bodies are better thought of as being off to the side, rather than set above the 3 basic degrees. They were developed to explore additional esoteric, philosophical, and sometimes apocryphal concepts, theories, and teachings. You are not required to join any of them in order to call yourself a good Mason, nor to be a full member of California Masonry. Taking any of these “higher degrees” does not automatically make you more powerful, influential, or better than your Brethren. They are simply additional opportunities to learn and possibly grow as a person and as a Mason, as well as exposing you to different perspectives and ideas. 

That said, if you wish to join one or more of these groups, there is no reason why you should not do so, as long as you know what you are joining. This guide, which includes links to the various California branches of these organizations, will give you a very brief description of the organizations. Click on the icon of the organization to be taken to their websites in a new tab.

The Scottish Rite

The largest and widely practiced Rite in the world, the Scottish Rite (which originated in Scotland, hence the name) advances on the primary 3 degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry to further expand on and explore the values already taught to Masons during those degrees. The Scottish Rite consists of a number Degrees in a Lodge system broken up into 4 ascending main segments, all under a National ruling Supreme Council. The Scottish Rite is completely non-denominational at all levels, so there is no religious barrier or issue with anyone joining.

1. Lodge of Perfection = 4°- 14°
2. Chapter of Rose Croix = 15°-18°
3. Council of Kadosh = 19°-30°
4. Consistory = 31°-32°

There is also a 33rd Degree, the members of which come in two categories: 1) Honorary 33° Inspector Generals and 2) Active 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector Generals. (SGIG)

The Honorary 33° is bestowed far more widely than is the 33° SGIG title, which is restricted to a small number throughout the Jurisdiction, and who together make up the Supreme ruling council of the Scottish Rite. Their Headquarters is in Washington, DC. 

The York Rite

The York Rite is basically divided into three ascending parts:

1. Royal Arch
2. Cryptic Council
3. Commandry

Each section is divided into three subsections or Degrees, though unlike the Scottish Rite, these Degrees are not numbered, but rather named. For example, the highest Degree of the Commandry is the Order of the Knights Templar. 

Note: While the Royal Arch and Cryptic Council are basically non-denominational and present no religious issues for people of any faith, the Commandry has a very overt Christian tilt. In fact, before joining the Commandry, you are asked to sign a document promising to defend the Christian religion. If you are uncomfortable with this for religious reasons, you may wish to speak with the local representative of the Commandry and discuss whether or not the Commandry is right for you. 

Shriners (AAONMS)

Formally called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.), these Fez-wearing men are often better known than Freemasons in general. Each and every one of these individuals, however, is a Master Mason in good standing.

Sometimes referred to as the “Playground” of Masonry, the Shriners do have a bit of a reputation for very lively events, often featuring alcohol. However, as much as they may play, they are also among the most visibly philanthropic of the Masonic bodies. The Shrines support Children’s hospitals and burn centers where patients are never charged for care, housing, transportation, food, or anything else. Today, the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals are renowned for orthopedic work and their stand-alone Burn Trauma centers are world class. Putting on a float in each year’s Rose Parade, the Shriners know how to go big and make a mark. 

National Sojourners

The National Sojourners is an organization for Freemasons who are serving or have served in any of the country’s Uniformed Services. They take veterans or active service members from all branches of the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. They also welcome Honorary Members, who are non-veteran Master Masons.

Their main purpose is to support one another and promote Patriotic and Masonic activities and values.

 

 

Allied Masonic Degrees

As their Logo indicates, the Allied Masonic Degrees is an invitation-only group focused on Research and Education. 

Membership in each Council is limited to 27 members at any given time, and all members are required to be not only Master Masons in good standing, but also members of the Royal Arch (from the York Rite bodies).

This organization is primarily focused on bringing together small groups of Masons who wish to better serve the Craft through a course of study and research. 

 

This is not a complete list of all the Masonic bodies or organizations, merely some of the most well-known ones. Once you become a Master Mason, you can travel (or not) as far and wide as you wish.

Women’s Groups in California

Masonry has two primary women’s groups in California, though there are other, less-known ones as well. 

Order of the Easter Star

The Order of the Eastern Star is made up of bother Women and Men (Masons), with the goal of living their lives according to the Masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, along with 5 core values: Friendship, Community Service, Diversity, Charity, and Patriotism

 

Order of the Amaranth

The Order of the Amaranth is a Fraternal, Social, and Charitable organization affiliated with Masonry that endeavors to help develop the moral character of its members through the four Values of Truth, Faith, Wisdom, and Charity.