The Scottish Rite is a fraternal organization dedicated to furthering symbolic Masonry beyond that of a Master Mason. In application of our tenets we support two major philanthropies. Rite Care of Washington which offers quality speech therapy to children with language disorders at no cost to the family and our Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation offering scholarships to those applicants who qualify.    In the United States of America there are two Supreme Councils: one in Washington, D.C. (which controls the Southern Jurisdiction), and one in Lexington, Massachusetts (which controls the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction). They each have particular characteristics that make them different.

SOUTHERN JURSDICTION

Based in Washington, D.C., the Southern Jurisdiction (often referred to as the "Mother Supreme Council of the World") was founded in Charleston, South Carolina in 1801. It oversees the Scottish Rite in 35 states, which are referred to as Orients, and local bodies, which are called Valleys.

In the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, the Supreme Council consists of no more than 33 members, and is presided over by a Grand Commander. Other members of the Supreme Council are called "Sovereign Grand Inspectors General" (S.G.I.G.), and each is the head of the Rite in his respective Orient (or state). Other heads of the various Orients who are not members of the Supreme Council are called "Deputies of the Supreme Council."

Seattle Scottish Rite

The Supreme Council 

The Scottish Rite research Society

The Scottish Rite consists of four bodies; The Lodge of Perfection; Chapter of Rose Croix; Council of Kadosh; and Consistory.

The degrees of the Lodge of Perfection are better known as the "Ineffable Degrees" of Scottish Rite Masonry because their principal purpose is the  investigation and contemplation of the ineffable (unspeakable) name of Deity.  We provide a brief statement of the moral teachings found within each degree.

Chapter of the Rose Croix attempts to provide the candidate with a deeper understanding of religion, philosophy, ethics and history though a variety of complex "historical degrees".  The intellectual challenges presented in these degrees are numerous, and at times overwhelming and can take years to master.  A thorough reading of the chapters related to them in Morals and Dogma and in  Legenda and Readings is essential to achieve even a basic comprehension of their true meaning.

Council of Kadosh - The word "Kadosh" is a Hebrew word meaning Holy.  Although Pike identifies the degrees of the Council of Kadosh as chivalric and philosophical, they are all intensely mystical with respect to the lessons conveyed and symbols employed. "Faith in moral principles, in virtue and in God is as necessary for the guidance of a man as instinct is for the guidance of an animal." - Albert Pike

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! "Where Freemasonry flourishes, there will be found the highest type of citizenship and the best standard of living." - Albert Pike