DEGREE STRUCTURE:
Our Fraternity's private nature sometimes creates misconceptions about our "initiation ceremonies." Rest assured that we are a moral institution whose tenets are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love. Masonry teaches us to practice charity and benevolence, and to revere ordinances of - but not replace - any man's religion. Quite simply, our Fraternity exists to make good men better.
To convey our teachings, we use ritual, ceremony, drama, lectures, and sometimes even musical accompaniment. You'll work closely with a coach who will help you learn some of the key material in the Ritual.
I- Entered Apprentice (EA):When a man takes the first step in Masonry, and becomes an Entered Apprentice, he learns the basic symbols of being a Mason, and promises to keep them secret. The purpose of the Entered Apprentice is to lay the foundation of brotherly love and fraternal support upon which all future degrees in Masonry will build on.
Historically, the Apprentice on an Operative Masonry project was the person who performed the heavy physical labor required to move stones and mortar for the other members of the craft. In Speculative Masonry, an entered apprentice's labor is internal. Not only is an EA expected to spend time with a Master Mason, learning and memorizing dialogue that helps the new candidate fully appreciate the noble and moral lessons taught in a Masonic Lodge, but he is also expected to learn self control, and the importance of purifying his actions and thought for the future degrees.
II- Fellow Craft (FC):
As a Mason matures in his education, and passes to the degree of Fellow Craft, his education regarding the moral virtues of Masonry is increased. The lessons of this degree teach the importance of acting as an upright and fair man, and the importance of living a life of morality.
Operative Fellow Craft Masons were responsible for cutting stones out of the mountain, and cutting trees out of the forest for use in the building process. Speculative Masons are responsible for taking the principles they learn in the second degree of Masonry, and carving out immoral acts from their actions. Further, the word "Fellow" begins to take on additional meaning, as it relates to a Mason's actions with his Lodge brothers. The word "Fellow" means an associate, or an equal, and in this stage of his Masonic development, a man learns the importance of respecting his fellow man and Mason.
III- Master Mason (MM):
The most enlightened degree a Mason can achieve in Blue Lodge Masonry is that of a Master Mason. Upon being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, a lodge member is now considered a full fledged member of the lodge. And, following the degree work accompanying the Master Mason ceremony is considered a "Mason in good standing". Here, a Mason is taught the universal truth that eventually, a man's earthly existence will come to an end. But, if he lives a noble life, he will be raised incorruptible and glorified before the Celestial Architect.
Operative Master Masons were responsible for taking the materials hewn by the Fellow Craft, and transported by the Entered Apprentice, and constructing a structure of strength and beauty- a piece of artwork for the benefit of mankind Speculative Masons have a similar call, to create strength and beauty in themselves, their family, and their communities.