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Jim Tresner, 33°, Grand Cross
P.O. Box 70, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044-0070
 Originial
oil painting by Bro. Robert H. White, 32°
This is one of the most powerful works of theatre among all the
Degrees of the Rite. The primary story is found in the Rubric*
of the Degree and concerns Constans, a young squire who wants
to become a knight. He is left alone to keep vigil over his arms
and told to "let no consideration tempt thee to forsake thine
vigil and leave this spot. If thou shouldst do so, thou shall
be proven foresworn."
In a scene which reminds the viewer of T. S. Eliot's Murder
in the Cathedral, although written long before Eliot's 1935
work, Constans is confronted with three temptations which represent
(a) life with sensual pleasure but without any faith or spiritual
component; (b) life based on the practical, economic realities
of the world, in which everything becomes relative and there are
no permanent spiritual values; and (c) life based on spiritual
values only, without any true human experience or content.
After struggle, Constans overcomes these temptations, but then
is confronted not with a temptation but with a choice in reality.
The city is attacked, and the invaders enter. The defenders are
losing the battle. Constans is a young, highly trained fighting
man. If he goes to the battle, he may make a major difference
in the lives of many people, but, by leaving his vigil, he will
do so at the cost of his personal honor, and he will lose all
hope of ever becoming a knight. Torn by agony, not knowing what
God's will is, he. . . . Should you have forgotten the outcome
of this dilemma, you will have to revisit the Degree to get what
Paul Harvey would term "the rest of the story."
The apron of the Degree (see facing page) is of scarlet lambskin,
bordered and edged in black. The flap is white. On the flap is
the jewel of the Degree, a black Teutonic cross (a cross with
arms of equal length, ending with a crossbar). On that is a Teutonic
cross of gold, double potent (which is to say, having two crossbars
at the end of the arm). In the center is a shield with a black,
double-headed eagle. On top of the cross is a device of heraldry
called a chief—in this case, a sort of blue cloud.
In the center of the apron is a black key, surrounded by a laurel
wreath. The order or mark of distinction of the Degree is of white
watered silk, with a red border, worn as a collar. Two gold Teutonic
crosses are embroidered on the collar, and the jewel of the Degree
hangs from the point. A second jewel of the Degree is described
in the ritual as a gold triangle, bearing a word upon it in enamel.
As in earlier Degrees, scarlet represents zeal and determination.
Black designates sorrow, death, and martyrdom. Green represents
life and, in the form of the laurel wreath, honor. White represents
purity-that purity of intention which was required of the knight.
But it may possibly also represent transcendence, the condition
of the knight who has met and overcome the enemy (in Masonic terms,
one who has subdued his animal nature and made it subservient
to his spiritual essence).
Though we are told very little about it, the key is interesting.
It may be that the black color is intended to represent a key
made of iron. We have seen keys as symbols before, most notably
in the 4° where a key of ivory appears. In the ritual organization
of the meeting room of the 27°, we are told that the key and
a sword are placed, crossed, upon the central table amid other
symbols of the Degree, such as the traditional working tools.
It is very rare in Scottish Rite symbolism to cross a sword with
anything except another sword. Possibly this crossing is an allusion
to the obligations of the Templars, which included both the use
of force to defend pilgrims and a vow of secrecy. Possibly, if
we draw upon some of the earlier symbolism of the key in the Rite,
it is a suggestion that a Knight is to use force moderated and
directed by thought and reason.
The laurel wreath has its usual meanings of honor and valor,
but here it takes on an additional meaning of union, reminding
you that men who have accepted you as a Brother are entitled to
wear the laurel wreath by virtue of their actions and their lives.
While circles do not play an important part in the regalia of
this Degree, they appear strongly in the ritual setting of the
chamber. The room is circular, or made to appear so with red and
black hangings; light comes from circular chandeliers and from
lighted globes. These symbolize unity and brotherhood.
This Degree, the first of the truly chivalric Degrees, alerts
you that new and higher things will be expected of you. For a
person of intellectual self-honesty, the going gets rough here,
but the potential for personal growth opens wider than ever.
*The Rubric is a separate
book, now sometimes printed in the back of the Ritual, which
contains additional material, some performance notes, and authorized
changes, additions, and emendations made by the Supreme Council
in 1931. There is a Rubric for each of the four Bodies of
the Rite.
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Jim Tresner
is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor
of The Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor to the
Scottish Rite Journal and its book review editor, Illustrious
Brother Tresner is also a volunteer writer for The Oklahoma
Scottish Rite Mason and a video script consultant for the
National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the Director of
the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work
at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma,
as well as a Life Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society,
author of Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument and
Vested in Glory, and a member of the steering committee
of the Masonic Information Center. Ill. Tresner was awarded
the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's highest honor, during
the Supreme Council's October 1997 Biennial Session. |
Scottish Rite Regalia Photos
And Prints
Illustrations of the Scottish Rite regalia paintings by Brother
Robert H. White, 32°, (Twenty-seventh Degree, Knight Commander
of the Temple, painting pictured above) are available in two formats:
(1) individual 8" x 12" or 11" x 14" color
photographs and
(2) grouped photos in a color 22" x 33" poster.
To order individual photos, please contact Bro. George J. Stoklas,
32°, K.C.C.H., 11004 Wickshire Way, North Bethesda, MD 20852.
Credit cards and checks accepted. Tel. (301) 468-5787; Fax: (301)
468-3266; e-mail: embcamera@aol.com
To order color posters picturing all the regalia paintings, Fourth
through Thirty-third Degrees, including the K.C.C.H. and Grand
Cross, use VISA or MasterCard or send a check (domestic only)
for $20.00 payable to The Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., USA
to: Grand Executive Director's Office, 1733 16th Street, NW, Washington,
DC 20009-3103, or visit the online store: www.srmason-sj.org.
These apron essays and illustrations are chapters from Vested
in Glory, The Regalia of the Scottish Rite by Ill. Jim Tresner,
33°, G.C. This book is available (softbound $12.50; hardbound
$25.00; checks payable to The Supreme Council) from: The Supreme
Council, 1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 2002-3103. VISA &
MasterCard accepted. Fax 202-387-1843. Telephone orders: 1-202-232-3579,
Ext. 136
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