If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called If You Only Read 6 Things This Week. Augustus, Edward Duke of Kent Father of Queen Victoria and last Grand Master of the Ancient Grand Lodge of England in 1813. Battery: [4], denoting life, death, virtue, and . Not so with stonemasons. The three above colors are the essential colors in alchemical symbolism, denoting successive stages of the alchemical transformation or "work". In 2000 the Southern Jurisdiction revised its ritual. A French trader, by the name of Estienne Morin, had been involved in high-degree Masonry in Bordeaux since 1744 and, in 1747, founded an "cossais" lodge (Scottish Lodge) in the city of Le Cap Franais, on the north coast of the French colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti). It is now trying to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions that have become. In 1857 Pike completed his first revision of the 4-32 ritual, and printed 100 copies. The Scottish Rite appears in a major role in Dan Brown's novel (and the 2021 Peacock network streaming series), The Lost Symbol. 5 out of 5 stars (109) $ 14.99. This manuscript was later revised and published by another German Freemason named Friedrich Mossdorf (17571830). 1641 in Edinburgh, says: "It was one of the most frightening experiences I have ever had and I have no idea why. Freemasonry is alleged to have a total of ninety degrees when you combine both the Rites of Memphis, and Misraim. Morin appointed him Deputy Grand Inspector General (DGIG) as one of his first acts after returning to the West Indies. Video, 'Trump or bust' - grassroots Republicans are still loyal, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Alex Murdaugh jailed for life for double murder, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, Zoom boss Greg Tomb fired without cause, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Biden had skin cancer lesion removed - White House, US sues Exxon over nooses found at Louisiana plant. [12]:6668 According to Fox, by 1801, the Charleston bodies were the only extant bodies of the Rite in North America. Finally, the charter of this organization (written January 7, 1815) added, We think the Ratification ought to be dated 21st day May 5815. [4], A German bookseller and Freemason, living in Paris, working under the assumed name of C. Lenning, embellished the story further in a manuscript titled "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry" probably written between 1822 and 1828 at Leipzig. The York Rite is a collection of ten Masonic degrees and orders which are conferred in the United States under a trilateral system of governance consisting of Chapters, Councils, and . However, the list of degrees for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States is now somewhat different and is given in the table below. It was revived by Giles Fonda Yates about 1820 or 1821, and came under authority of the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction until 1827. He met influential people who could help with his development of the steam engine - an invention which changed the world. 32 Scottish Rite Freemasonry supplements and amplifies the teachings conferred in the symbolic lodge (also known as blue lodge). Rather, it was named "Clermont" in honor of the French Grand Master, the Comte de Clermont (Louis de Bourbon, Comte de Clermont) (17091771), and not because of any connection with the Jesuit College of Clermont.[11]. The Scottish Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry that a Master Mason may join for further exposure to the principles of Freemasonry. The name originated from the oldest symbol in the ancient Sumerian city of Lagash. Although most of the thirty-three degrees of the Scottish Rite existed in parts of previous degree systems,[18] the Scottish Rite did not come into being until the formation of the Mother Supreme Council at Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1801 at Shepheard's Tavern at the corner of Broad and Church Streets (the tavern had been the location of the founding of Freemasonry in South Carolina in 1754). Ad vertisement from shop 357Designs. If the apron is a badge of a Mason in Blue Lodge, the cap can be said to be the public badge of a Scottish Rite Mason. [75] Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. But in many ways, Freemasonry as we know it today is as Scottish as haggis or Harris tweed. Co. Inc. These subordinate bodies are designed to allow Scottish Rite Freemasons to focus on specific lessons that the Scottish Rite condensed into four subgroups. [15], Henry Andrew Francken, a naturalized French subject born as Not many people know that Freemasonry is as Scottish as tartan, whisky and shortbread. Eddie L. Gabriel, Sr. This revision, which Mackey dubbed the "Magnum Opus", was never adopted by the Supreme Council. Shop online for tees, tops, hoodies, dresses, hats, leggings, and more. The red fez with a black tassel is the official headgear of a Shriner. The Scottish Rite is one of the two dominant branches of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed. The oldest minutes in the world, which date to January 1599, is from Lodge Aitchisons Haven in East Lothian, Scotland, which closed in 1852. Scottish Rite Freemasonry begins once a Brother Mason has completed his 3rd Degree and is considered a Master Mason. 435. Slim Line Apron Case made of Real Black Leather for aprons size 13 x 15 or 14 x 16. That year it was transferred to the Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction.). It is a dominant ritual, out of the other rituals in use, in the Grand Lodge of Spain. The Northern Jurisdiction Supreme Council meets yearly, in the even years by an executive session, and in the odd years, with the full membership invited. Walk slowly, though, and you might notice something odd. Freemasonry is widely-known for adding to the sacred text, revising it and then applying it to its fictional religious heros or esoteric concepts. On 27 December 1922, the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite of Romania, received the recognition of the Supreme Council of France in 1922, and recognition from the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States in 1925. Coil, Henry W. (1961) Article: "Clermont, Chapter of", pg. Subsequently, other Supreme Councils were formed in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) in 1802, in France in 1804, in Italy in 1805, and in Spain in 1811. It became fully independent in 1904, when the Supreme Council of France ceased chartering new lodges. The black silk cap, adorned with the recognizable Scottish Rite double-headed eagle, is the cap of a Master of the Royal . This Patent was signed by officials of the Grand Lodge at Paris and appears to have originally granted him power over the craft lodges only, and not over the high, or "cossais", degree lodges. Additionally, each Deputy has one or more "Actives" to assist him in the administration of the state. Other heads of the various Orients who are not members of the Supreme Council are called "Deputies of the Supreme Council". See his Address, in. In many cases, such as the York Rite, it can be a collection of separate Masonic organizations that would otherwise operate independently. Richmond, Va: Macoy Publ. The Scottish Rite in the U.S. is divided into two geographical territories: the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (NMJ) and the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction (SMJ). BLUE is the color of water and sky, life, motherhood, eternity, the heavens. black scottish rite masons. He says that when he was transferred to the Black Isle in 1974 half the police section were active freemasons. The Scottish Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry that a Master Mason may join for further exposure to the principles of Freemasonry. Those who are elected to membership on the Supreme Council are then designated "Active." While in New York City, Francken also communicated the degrees to Moses Michael Hays, a Jewish businessman, and appointed him as a Deputy Inspector General. Even if lodges existed earlier, though, the effort to organise the Freemason movement dates back to the late 1500s. At one time, it would have been, Oh, youre a Freemason Im a Free Gardener, hes a Free Carpenter, hes a Free Potter.. The Freemasons believe in supporting the dignity of man and the liberty of the individual and, thus, were very attractive to free African-Americans during the revolutionary period. [81] Extracts from the minutes of the same meeting relate the instances of the Concordat and agreement. Untitled "Preamble & Resolution," dated November 18, 1854, in the handwriting of Charles Laffon-Ladbat. Freemasonry in Scotland can trace its history back 400 years but its heyday of mass membership was a century ago. Mr. Worrell, 33rd degree is the highest degree you can obtain through the Scottish Rite body (have to be selected), otherwise, 32nd degree is the highest, 13th degree is the highest degree you can obtain on through the York Rite body. ", "Masonic Rites and Degrees Explained Why the Scottish has 33 and the normal only 3 degrees? [84], However, on October 7, 1856, a year after the Supreme Council of Louisiana had formed its concordat with Charleston, Foulhouze (who resigned in 1853), Thomas Wharton Collens (resigned December 19, 1853)[85] and J.J.E. They included instructions such as: "They shall be true to one another and live charitably together as becometh sworn brethren and companions of the Craft. There are several subordinate bodies that a Consistory governs. In the Northern Jurisdiction, the Supreme Council consists of no more than 66 members. The list of degrees for the Supreme Councils of Australia, England and Wales, and most other jurisdictions largely agrees with that of the Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S. Statement of Unity Signing Brightens a September Day They dont have a museum you can wander into., Cooper points to the Masonic symbols on one of the many historic documents in the lodges archive (Credit: Amanda Ruggeri). St. Paul's, No. Thurgood Marshall (1908-93), the first black member of the US Supreme Court, was supported by his Prince Hall lodge in Louisiana. "That's not what freemasonry intends to do. Orient of Alabama. 8 was founded in 1578; this lodge was built for it on Blackfriars Street in 1870 (Credit: Amanda Ruggeri). 374, E.R., Montreal, 1847. Masonic references abound in these cultures with the membership in both societies observing 33 ranks as in Scottish Rite Freemasonry. It is often said that the goal of Freemasonry is "to take good men and make them better.". The first 33 degrees are those of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in which the degrees of one, two and three are earned in the Blue Lodge. He was born in London in 1743, and immigrated to Charleston in 1771. And, while they already had traditions, Schaw decided that they needed a more formalised structure one with by-laws covering everything from how apprenticeships worked to the promise that they would live charitably together as becomes sworn brethren. The Lodge is hung with green cloth from eight white columns, and a black altar is in the East, with the coffin of Hiram. All regular Scottish Rite bodies today derive their heritage from this body. At 19 Hill Street, look up to see this six-pointed star, a Masonic symbol (Credit: Amanda Ruggeri). Massicott (resigned December 3, 1853),[86] declared the Sup. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in each country is governed by a Supreme Council. Freemasonry, the teachings and practices of the secret fraternal order of Free and Accepted Masons, the largest worldwide secret society. Freemasonry has always been a men-only club in Scotland. To join the Scottish Rite you must: Be a Master Mason in good standing in a COGMINA lodge; Complete a petition and include the appropriate fee; and Attend a "Reunion" where the Scottish Rite Degrees are conferred. [31] The current titles of the degrees and their arrangement in the Southern Jurisdiction remains substantially unchanged from the beginning. 49 at Covent Garden in 1736. Also a Sephardic Jew, he was by trade a merchant and auctioneer. This folly was then embellished by John Robison (17391805), a professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, in an anti-Masonic work published in 1797. . Here and there were cardboard boxes, the kind youd use for a move, each heaped full with dusty books and records. They created "articles of Concordat & agreement" with the Southern Jurisdiction, and issued a "Preamble & Resolution," prepared during their meeting of November 18, 1854, which stated that it was "Resolved that a Committee of Three be appointed with full power & authority to adopt and accept, in the name of this Consistory, the articles of the agreement or Concordat" by which it would pass under the jurisdiction of Charleston. [2][3] It is also concordant, in that some of its degrees relate to the degrees of Symbolic (Craft) Freemasonry. Continuing to the 30th degree is restricted to those who have served in the chair of the Chapter. A Rite is a progressive series of degrees conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, each of which operates under the control of its own central authority. Since no Black Man had been initiated in Georgia Freemasonry in 275 years, the charges were interpreted that "Ancient Lights" of the Grand Lodge of Georgia prohibited Black Men from becoming F & AM. The black silk cap, adorned with the recognizable Scottish Rite double-headed eagle, is the cap of a Master of the Royal Secret of the 32nd Degree. Despite giving the BBC access to film in its lodges, its initiation ceremonies have never been filmed, leading to many theories about what happens. Based on his new Patent, he assumed powers to constitute lodges of all degrees, spreading the high degrees throughout the West Indies and North America. Freemasonry "came out" at that time. Co. Inc. The first of these is the Craft Lodge, which confers the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason degrees. On the contrary, Freemasons of Scottish Rite wear cufflinks with eagle's wings slanted upward. On May 21, 1814 this Supreme Council reopened and proceeded to "nominate, elect, appoint, install and proclaim in due, legal and ample form" the elected officers "as forming the second Grand and Supreme Council". Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia (rev. Located at number 19 Hill Street, Marys Chapel isnt a place of worship. No.,Scottish Rite of FM Royal Order of Scotland High Twelve Int. The first set of degrees, from 4th to 14 are part of the "Lodge of Perfection" aspect. Located at number 19 Hill Street, Mary's Chapel isn't a place of worship. Model # 359437 33rd Degree Contoured Scottish Rite Band $ 149.00 . In the French and Scottish Rites, the lodge in the third degree is decorated in black and is strewn with white or silver tears, representing the sorrow caused by the death of Hiram Abif. The masons grouped together into something like a trade union to protect the secrets of their craft and hand them on to the next generation. 5 out of 5 stars (1,180) Sale Price 98.39 . I met Cooper in his office: a wood-panelled, book-stuffed room in the Grand Lodge of Scotland at 96 George Street, Edinburgh just around the corner from Marys Chapel. In the United States the Scottish Rite is officially recognized by Grand Lodges as an extension of the degrees of Freemasonry. Thus the highest ranking Scottish Rite officer in Ohio, is titled, "Deputy for Ohio", and so forth for each state. All candidates for membership must profess the Trinitarian Christian faith and have been Master masons for at least one year.[65]. "When I left the force at the back end of 2003, I was the only active senior officer in Northern Constabulary that was involved in freemasonry," he says. Scottish Rite Grand Archivist and Grand Historian de Hoyos[25] created the following chart of Pike's ritual revisions: Pike also wrote lectures about all the degrees, which were published in 1871 under the title Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.[26]. [13]:16, Francken traveled to New York in 1767 where he granted a Patent, dated 26 December 1767, for the formation of a Lodge of Perfection at Albany, which was called "Ineffable Lodge of Perfection". Alchemy influenced strongly various degrees that eventually became part of the Scottish Rite. harv error: no target: CITEREFRevue_"Points_de_vue_initiatiques"1980 (, harv error: no target: CITEREFDaniel_Ligou_et_al.2000 (, harv error: no target: CITEREFRiandey1989 (. Standard Scottish Rite Wings Down/Red Crown. According to Arturo de Hoyos, 33, the Scottish Rite's Grand Historian, the Magnum Opus became the basis for future ritual revisions.[24]. James II died in 1701[9][10] at the Palace of St. Germain en Laye, and was succeeded in his claims to the English, Irish and Scottish thrones by his son, James Francis Edward Stuart (16991766), the Chevalier St. George, better known as "the Old Pretender", but recognized as James III & VIII by the French King Louis XIV. In the United States, members of the Scottish Rite can be elected to receive the 33 by the Supreme Council. The head of the NMJ is titled the Sovereign Grand Commander, currently Bro. He was a Major in the Continental Army and a printer by trade. And what is more, we now know it was a national network. They are real secret societies. Similarly, the Grand Consistory of New Orleans under Charlestons jurisdiction resolved, at their sitting of November 25, 1854, to sign and execute the agreement and Concordat. 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Masonic Polo Shirt. The 100th Anniversary of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Cornerstone Laying and the Scottish Rite On November 1, 1923, Freemasons from across the United States gathered in Virginia to participate in a special Masonic cornerstone ceremony. In Edinburgh, the masons have launched a university lodge to attract younger members. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the and, while the English Constitution in the United Kingdom omits the Scottish ), commonly known as simply the Scottish Rite (or, in England and Australia, as the Rose Croix [1 . In 2000, the Southern Jurisdiction in the United States completed a revision of its ritual scripts. John Mitchell Received a patent April 2, 1795, from Barend Moses Spitzer granting him authority as Deputy Inspector General to create a Lodge of Perfection and several Councils and Chapters wherever such Lodges or Chapters were needed. During this time, the Northern Jurisdiction consisted of John James Joseph Gourgas and Giles Fonda Yates who were "effective a Supreme Council of two people. Before freemasons there were stone masons, skilled craftsmen employed to work on Scotland's landmark buildings. Conspiracy theories abound about the Freemasons. The Scottish Rite, however, considers itself as an extension of the third degree of Freemasonry. These titles are taken from the ritual. Scottish Rite; Red Cross Of Constantine; Royal Arch; Royal Ark Mariner; Royal & Select Masters, Cryptic Rite . Read about our approach to external linking. Brother Ewan Rutherford, of the Sir Robert Moray Lodge No. The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter', Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, 'Trump or bust' - grassroots Republicans are still loyal. About 1870 he, and the Supreme Council, moved to Washington, DC. In Freemasonry, a Rite is a series of progressive degrees that are conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, [1] each of which operates under the control of its own central authority. A real secret society is the Mafia, the Chinese triads. Well, you will usually generally hear that York rite is more theological and that Scottish rite is more philosophical, meaning in general, that York rite focuses more on the religious aspects or how Freemasonry can be applied religiously or what Freemason kind of teachings we can get out of religion back and forth, however. The curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Robert Cooper, looks over the lodges museum (Credit: Amanda Ruggeri). 1946). But there was a significant difference between the tradesmen. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital, Travel and Autos, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Alex Haley (1921-92), the writer of Roots and biographer of Malcolm X, was a 33rd-degree mason in the same order. Fellowcraft, and Master Mason (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). For that to remain untouched as a source a primary source of history is really rather odd.. Rebold's claim that the high degrees were created and practiced in Lodge Canongate Kilwinning[7] at Edinburgh are entirely false.[8]. It is in some ways a bit bizarre when you think of the fact that we have written records, and therefore membership details, and all the plethora of stuff that goes with that, for almost 420 years of Scottish history, he said. These are considered to have become in 1801, The Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction. In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the bodies are the: Lodge of Perfection (4 - 14) Council of Princes of Jerusalem (15 - 16) Chapter of Rose Croix (17 - 18) Consistory (19 - 32) Philosophy: Treason is a crime over which Masonry casts no mantle of charity. Thanks to this treaty, the Grand Orient of France took ownership, as it were, of the Scottish Rite. "I think if we are tolerant of that fact then freemasonry provides the ideal outlet for men.". Francken worked closely with Morin and, in 1771, produced a manuscript book giving the rituals for the 15th through the 25th degrees. That internationalism was on full display in the Grand Lodge of Scotlands museum, which is open to the public. And in the centuries since, Freemasonrys Scottish origins have been largely forgotten. The Two-headed Masonic eagle is also known as the ' Eagle of Lagash .'. The infamous Masonic handshake arose with a practical purpose, according to Mr Cooper. The current Sovereign Grand Commander is Illustrious Brother James D. Cole, 33. Prof Gerry Carruthers says the freemasons developed through the Scottish Enlightenment. "One of the basic tenets we have for freemasonry is taking good men and making them better.". Video'Trump or bust' - grassroots Republicans are still loyal, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry. [19], On May 1, 1813, an officer from the Supreme Council at Charleston initiated several New York Masons into the Thirty-third Degree and organized a Supreme Council for the "Northern Masonic District and Jurisdiction". It is an institution that unapologetically derives it origin and inspiration from religious mysticism and pagan tradition. Unique Scottish Rite Masons clothing by independent designers from around the world. The new Scottish Rite Mason may at first be confused by the several different colored caps he will encounter at the first few meetings he attends. The address is usually by title only-such as "Wise Master" (Chapter of Rose Croix), "Venerable Master" (Lodge of Perfection and Council of Kadosh). However, the College and the Chapter had nothing to do with each other. "I can tell you, it didn't work," he says. . Color. Article: "Pike, Albert" pp. He was succeeded in his claim by Charles Edward Stuart ("Bonnie Prince Charles"), also known as "the Young Pretender", whose ultimate defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 effectively put an end to any serious hopes of the Stuarts regaining the British crowns. The Scottish Rite builds upon the ethical teachings . The seed or the myth of Stuart Jacobite influence on the higher degrees may have been a careless and unsubstantiated remark made by John Noorthouk in the 1784 Book of Constitutions of the Premier Grand Lodge of London. "Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia" (rev. Theres an old saying that wherever Scots went in numbers, the first thing they did was build a kirk [church], then they would build a bank, then they would build a pub. The story was then repeated by the French writers Jean-Baptiste Ragon (17711862) and Emmanuel Rebold, in their Masonic histories. This story is a part of BBC Britain a series focused on exploring this extraordinary island, one story at a time. It is now trying to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions that have become attached to it over the years and attract new members to the Craft. It was in Scotland, though, that the first evidence appears of associations or lodges being regularly used. The ability of masons to secretly identify each other has led to accusations of them excluding those who are not part of the society. Answer (1 of 8): I am not a Prince Hall member, but many of the Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA) grand lodges are recognized by my own GL, so I can say a few things here with that disclaimer. Their doors may often be closed to non-members, but their addresses, and existence, are anything but secret. 2023 BBC. Degrees of Freemasonry. This is, really, when things begin, said Robert Cooper, curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and author of the book Cracking the Freemasons Code. . Jean-Baptiste Marie de La Hogue He was a native of Paris who had lived in Saint-Domingue until the revolution there; father-in-law of de Grasse, he was a founding member of La Candeur Lodge in Charleston. Morin died in 1771 and was buried in Kingston. It is used as a symbol of a completed alchemical process. Readers outside of the UK can see every BBC Britain story by heading to the Britain homepage; you also can see our latest stories by following us on Facebookand Twitter. Documented Masonic activity ceased for a time. It was during this period that the Supreme Council of Louisiana emerged, which claimed its authority via "Cerneauism"[77] a type of Scottish Rite Masonry[78] without ties to the either the Northern or Southern Jurisdictions. CLICK ON GRAPHICS for OFFICIAL WEB SITES and CONSTITUENT BODIES. Later copies of this Patent appear to have been embellished, probably by Morin, to improve his position over the high-degree lodges in the West Indies. How could you prove that you were a member of that organisation when you turned up? Richmond, Va: Macoy Publ. Coil, Henry W. (1961) Article: "Stuart Masonry", pp. Israel de Lieben A Sovereign Grand Inspector General and the first Grand Treasurer General. This Council arose through West Indian migration, for Stephen Morin had propagated the Rite there. Simply stated, it is a society of men who symbolically apply the tools of "operative" masonry, to the "speculative" science of character building. They organized a Consistory of the 25th Degree, or "Princes of the Royal Secret," which Masonic historian Brigadier ACF Jackson says became the first Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite. They merged into a single organization: the Supreme Council of France. The thirty-three degrees of the Scottish Rite are conferred by several controlling bodies. Prof Carruthers says there were 612 copies printed of the Kilmarnock edition of Burns' first poetry book in 1786 and two-thirds of the subscriptions were taken up by freemasons. Some dismiss it as a club full of funny handshakes and raised trouser legs but to others it is the heart of the establishment that pulls strings and wields real power behind the scenes. The Grand Lodge of Scotland's curator, Bob Cooper, said people soon became curious about this new brotherhood and asked to join. 9 and Lodge France 1021, both of which are under the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The fact that England can claim the first move towards national organisation through grand lodges, and that this was copied subsequently by Ireland (c 1725) and Scotland (1736), has led to many English Masonic historians simply taking it for granted that Freemasonry originated in England, which it then gave to the rest of the world, writes David Stevenson in his book The Origins of Freemasonry. In the Southern Jurisdiction, a member who has been a 32 Scottish Rite Mason for 46 months or more is eligible to be elected to receive the "rank and decoration" of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour (K.C.C.H.) In 1598 and 1599, William Schaw's statutes set down how masons should behave both on and off the construction site. The Freemasons claim to allow access to anyone who follows its tenets. However, there are 10 lodges in New Orleans[43][44] and 16 in New York City[45] that work in the Scottish Rite Craft degrees. Since then, many popes have made pronouncements about the incompatibility of Catholic doctrines and Freemasonry. The Northern Light Magazine, November 2006; p. 6 "Ritual Changes.". Philosophy: A Mason's word is good as gold anyplace in the world where a man's word still counts for something. In the United States of America there are three Supreme Councils: one in Washington, D.C. (which controls the Southern Jurisdiction), one in Lexington, Massachusetts (which controls the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction) as well as the Supreme Council of Louisiana.