The
Scottish Rite is one of the two branches of freemasonry in which a Master
Mason may proceed after he has completed the three degrees of Symbolic or
Blue Lodge Masonry. The other branch is known as the York Rite, consisting
of Royal Arch Masons, Royal and Select Masters and the Knights Templar.
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
is commonly known as the Scottish Rite. It is one of several appendant groups
of the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry. Each Valley has up to four
Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. In the Southern
Jurisdiction these are the Lodge of Perfection (4°–14°), Chapter of Rose Croix
(15°–18°), Council of Kadosh (19°–30°), and the Consistory (31°–32°). The Supreme
Council confers the 33rd Degree of Sovereign Grand Inspector General.
