12th Degree: Master Architect

Way of the Hermit

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.

This episode discusses the 12th Degree of the Scottish Rite, exploring themes of leadership, morality, and the philosophical underpinnings of Masonic teachings. The degree ritual centers around the promotion of Adoniram to Chief Architect, symbolizing the elevation of the wise and able to leadership positions. The degree represents a shift in focus from earthly tools to heavenly ones, emphasizing the importance of virtue, the contemplation of human nature, and the quest for moral improvement. Symbols examined include the Seal of Solomon, astronomical symbols, and the Jewel of the Degree.
This series on the Scottish Rite uses the following primary sources (which you are encouraged to read as well):

• Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma: Annotated Edition
• Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide
• A Bridge to Light

Diagrams:

• Jewel of 12th Degree
• Ancient Samaritan Letters

Overview

• 01:14 Introduction
• 01:45 Mythological Setting
• 03:08 Morals & Dogma
• 05:37 The Plight of Humanity
• 07:19 The Arch of Mystery
• 08:33 A Greater Life Beyond
• 10:30 Life is What We Make It
• 12:08 The Lures of Temptation
• 15:21 God Exists, and Cares for Us
• 21:30 Religious Faith is Indispensable to Masonry
• 23:02 Necessity of Society
• 24:08 Virtue Garners an Incomparable Treasure
• 24:56 Sensitivity of the Soul
• 26:35 Cognition Unlocks the Treasures of the Universe
• 28:21 Seal of Solomon
• 29:21 Five Columns and Orders of Architecture
• 30:11 Rule of Benedict
• 31:21 Astronomical Symbolism
• 33:07 Tools of the Master Architect
• 33:58 The Jewel of the Degree

Links:

• Hebrew4Christians.com
• Core Values: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3)
• The Rule of Saint Benedict and the Origin of Masonic Ritual (Amazon)
• Rule of Saint Benedict (Wikipedia)
• Compass (Wikipedia)
• Sector (Wikipedia)
• Slide Rule (Wikipedia)
• Scale Ruler (Wikipedia)
• Parallel Rulers (Wikipedia)
• Polaris (Wikipedia)
• Ursa Major (Wikipedia)

บท

1. 12th Degree: Master Architect (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:01:14)

3. Mythological Setting (00:01:45)

4. Morals & Dogma (00:03:08)

5. The Plight of Humanity (00:05:37)

6. The Arch of Mystery (00:07:19)

7. A Greater Life Beyond (00:08:33)

8. Life is What We Make It (00:10:30)

9. The Lures of Temptation (00:12:08)

10. God Exists, and Cares for Us (00:15:21)

11. Religious Faith is Indispensable to Masonry (00:21:30)

12. Necessity of Society (00:23:02)

13. Virtue Garners an Incomparable Treasure (00:24:08)

14. Sensitivity of the Soul (00:24:56)

15. Cognition Unlocks the Treasures of the Universe (00:26:35)

16. Seal of Solomon (00:28:21)

17. Five Columns and Orders of Architecture (00:29:21)

18. Rule of Benedict (00:30:11)

19. Astronomical Symbolism (00:31:21)

20. Tools of the Master Architect (00:33:07)

21. The Jewel of the Degree (00:33:58)