Degrees

From the book

Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry

R. Swinburne Clymer · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Orientation

At a Glance

The wordA degree is a stage or rank within a course of initiation.
In Ancient Mystic Oriental MasonryThe introductory Degrees narrative follows Abdemon toward Egyptian instruction.
In this editionThe heading Degrees is part of the historical book.
A place to readI.6: … “inner work. A Mason who has the three degrees may think that he has all that” …

Meaning

A degree is a stage or rank within a course of initiation. The book distinguishes formal advancement from the understanding and character a stage is supposed to require.

Use in the book

The introductory Degrees narrative follows Abdemon toward Egyptian instruction. Elsewhere a list associated with the African Brothers describes a particular sequence of ranks. The three Craft degrees provide another familiar frame. Clymer also refers to concealed higher degrees of his own order. These sequences are related by his argument, but they are not presented as one identical public syllabus. The rules reserve important authority and knowledge for the higher stages.

Places to read

Original Introduction · Block 6… “inner work. A Mason who has the three degrees may think that he has all that can be had, but little does he know of that inner work, that Grand and” …
Original Introduction · Block 14“In a work of this nature, not too much can be said as regard the Supreme Initiation, and those who may be truly interested I would refer to "The Rosicrucians; their” …
Degrees of the Mystic Oriental Rite · Block 7… “was successful in his efforts and the following degrees were instituted to preserve the knowledge which Abdemon gained in the land of Egypt and his journey and initiation in the Great” …
Foundations of Mystic Masonry · Block 17“This First Temple, under Mystic Masonry, is now known as the Blue Lodge.”
Rules and Regulations · Block 27… “Grand Hierophants. He cannot change any of the degrees nor any of the Lodges. Each Supreme Grand Master must select his successor immediately after he takes charge of his office and” …

In this edition

The heading Degrees is part of the historical book. References to a numbered degree retain their local setting.

Reading the argument

Do not combine the several lists into a single ladder. Identify which institution a passage describes, then ask whether degree means an administered rank, a lesson, or realized attainment. Clymer himself warns that completing three ceremonies does not complete initiation.

degree

“degree” — 31 occurrences in 26 text blocks: I.11, 20; D.6, 9–10; M.21, 44–45, 48, 50, 62, 69; F.5–6, 92, 114, 138, 171; S.37, 43, 45, 116; R.23; N.65, 80, 86.

“degrees” — 49 occurrences in 44 text blocks: I.5–6, 11–13, 16, 29; D.7, 17; M.1–2, 21, 27, 37, 40, 43, 46, 69–70; F.5, 12, 27, 34–35, 49, 87, 92, 118, 132, 137, 139–141, 151, 160; S.34, 152; R.15, 23, 26–27; N.36, 65, 184.

higher degrees

“higher degrees” — 9 occurrences in 8 text blocks: I.12; M.46; F.27, 34, 49, 92; R.26; N.65.