Every Master Mason should aspire to continue his Masonic journey from Initiation in the Craft to Exaltation as a Companion in the Royal Arch. It is not a separate journey, but a continuation of the same Masonic path.

One Journey, One Organisation

In English Freemasonry, the Craft and the Royal Arch are closely linked. When the Antient and Modern Grand Lodges came together in 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England, they declared that Pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees: the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Royal Arch.

Preliminary Declaration

By the solemn Act of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Free-Masons of England in December 1813, it was ‘declared and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch’.

This declaration still stands at page 1 of the Book of Constitutions. Therefore, the journey of a Freemason has four parts. The first three degrees sit within the Craft, while the Royal Arch continues and completes the story.

From Initiation to Exaltation

Every Brother begins his journey as an Entered Apprentice. At Initiation, he is placed in the North-East corner of the Lodge, representing the foundation stone of a new building. He is encouraged to raise a superstructure perfect in all its parts and honourable to the builder.

As he progresses through the Craft degrees, he discovers moral lessons that aim to help him live a better life, serve others, and act in harmony with society. However, by the time he becomes a Master Mason, he also learns that the genuine secrets of a Master Mason remain lost.

This important lesson suggests that the journey has not ended. Rather, it points the Brother towards further discovery.

Discover More

Many Master Masons eventually ask important questions. What comes next? How do I discover the secrets that were lost? What does it all mean?

The Royal Arch helps answer these questions. It gives the Brother an opportunity to explore more of the meaning, symbolism, and beauty of Freemasonry.

In addition, the Royal Arch allows a Mason to expand his circle of friendship beyond his Craft Lodge. It opens the door to new Companions, new ceremonies, and a deeper understanding of the lessons already introduced in the Craft.

Continue the Journey

The Craft degrees begin a lifelong journey of personal improvement. They use allegory and symbolism to teach lessons of morality, duty, charity, and service.

Although these lessons first developed many years ago, their principles remain just as important today. Freemasonry still encourages men to improve themselves, support others, and live honourably.

The Royal Arch continues this journey. It does not replace the Craft. Instead, it builds upon it and gives the Master Mason a fuller understanding of the path he has already begun.

Follow the Clues

By the time a Brother becomes a Master Mason, he has made great progress in his Masonic journey. However, the Third Degree also teaches that the journey remains incomplete.

The Royal Arch reveals the genuine secrets of a Master Mason, although perhaps not in the way a Brother may first expect. The discovery is deeper, more personal, and more meaningful.

Enjoy Companionship

As a newly exalted Companion, a Brother discovers further friendship and companionship within the Order. He also learns the value of working together in harmony with others.

This companionship remains one of the great joys of the Royal Arch. It brings together old friends and new Companions in a shared journey of discovery.

Discover Answers

As the journey unfolds, a Brother begins to understand Freemasonry in a new way. His understanding of the builder, first referred to at Initiation, becomes clearer. Therefore, the Royal Arch does not only provide answers about Freemasonry. It also encourages a Brother to discover more about himself.

Freemasonry in the Twenty-First Century

The lessons of the Royal Arch remain valuable in the modern world. Although its allegories come from an earlier time, the principles still speak clearly to men today.

Through the Royal Arch, a Companion learns more about duty, humility, companionship, and personal improvement. These lessons help him become more useful to society and improve himself.

For this reason, the Royal Arch continues to hold an important place in English Freemasonry. It links history with present-day practice and helps each Mason continue his journey with purpose.

When Can I Join the Royal Arch?

A Master Mason may become eligible to join the Royal Arch four weeks after being raised, depending on the rules and practice of the jurisdiction.

In the past, some believed that a Brother should wait until he had gone through the Chair of his Lodge before joining. However, that idea comes from outdated rules and old customs that no longer apply in the same way.

The best answer is simple. A Brother should find the most suitable Chapter and join when the time feels right for him.

Just as in the Craft, Royal Arch Chapters have their own histories, traditions, and character. Some Chapters also have special interests. Therefore, a Brother should speak to his Lodge Royal Arch Representative, his District or Provincial office, or any Companion wearing a Royal Arch jewel.

The Next Chapter

The Royal Arch offers a Brother answers, splendour, companionship, and a deeper understanding of himself. It allows him to follow the clues from the Third Degree and complete his journey in Pure Antient Masonry.

It also offers the joy of working with old friends and new Companions while building upon the principles of the Craft.

For every Master Mason who wishes to discover more, the Royal Arch provides a meaningful and memorable next step.

Conclusion

The Royal Arch completes the journey that begins in the Craft. It deepens the lessons of Freemasonry, reveals more of its symbolism, and strengthens the bonds of companionship.

From Initiation to Exaltation, the journey encourages a Brother to grow in knowledge, character, and service.

Therefore, every Master Mason who wishes to understand more about Freemasonry should consider continuing his journey in the Royal Arch.

Continue the journey. Discover more. Complete the story.

The post The Royal Arch: Discover More and Continue the Journey appeared first on KZN Freemasonry.

The Craft degrees teach through allegory, symbol, ceremony, and reflection. They lead a Mason from his first steps as an Entered Apprentice, through the growth of the Fellow Craft, and into the powerful lesson of the Master Mason degree.

Yet, the story does not end there. The Royal Arch continues the symbolic journey and gives further meaning to the lesson of loss, search, recovery, and discovery.

Therefore, a Master Mason who wants to understand more should consider why the Royal Arch holds such an important place in Masonic teaching.

Why the Royal Arch Completes the Master Mason Degree

The Master Mason degree contains one of the most powerful allegories in Freemasonry. It teaches the lesson of loss and the search for that which has been lost.

This lesson touches the heart of every thoughtful Mason. It reminds him that truth, wisdom, and understanding may sometimes become hidden, obscured, or forgotten.

However, the Craft degrees do not fully resolve this symbolic search. Instead, they leave the Mason with a sense that there is still more to discover.

For this reason, the Royal Arch becomes significant. It continues the story and helps complete the lesson introduced in the Master Mason degree.

The Journey Through the Craft Degrees

The journey of a Freemason begins with the Entered Apprentice degree. In this first stage, the candidate takes his earliest steps toward moral improvement, discipline, and self-knowledge.

The Fellow Craft degree then expands that journey. It encourages intellectual growth, learning, and the pursuit of knowledge.

By the time a Mason reaches the Master Mason degree, the lesson becomes deeper and more solemn. He encounters an allegory that speaks of fidelity, loss, mortality, and the search for truth.

As a result, the Craft degrees build a progressive path. Each degree adds light, meaning, and responsibility to the life of the Mason.

The Lesson of Loss

The Master Mason degree teaches that something valuable has been lost. This loss is not only part of a ceremonial story. Rather, it represents a deeper spiritual and moral lesson.

Every Mason can understand the idea that truth may be hidden, wisdom may be neglected, and understanding may require patient search.

This is why the degree remains so powerful. It does not offer a shallow answer. Instead, it invites the Brother to reflect on his own life, his own conduct, and his own search for light.

However, a search naturally points toward discovery. Therefore, the lesson of loss prepares the Mason for the lesson of recovery.

The Royal Arch and the Lesson of Recovery

In the Royal Arch, the narrative continues. The setting moves from the building of King Solomon’s Temple to a later period of rebuilding after its destruction.

During this rebuilding, something long hidden is discovered. This discovery carries great symbolic importance.

Where the Master Mason degree teaches loss, the Royal Arch symbolises recovery. Where the Craft teaches the search, the Royal Arch reveals the discovery.

Therefore, the Royal Arch does not stand apart from the Craft. Instead, it gives further meaning to the Craft and completes a symbolic movement already begun.

A Continuation, Not a Replacement

The Royal Arch does not replace the Craft degrees. It also does not lessen the importance of the Master Mason degree.

Rather, it continues the Masonic story and helps a Brother look back at the Craft with greater understanding.

A Master Mason may already know the ceremonies of the Craft. However, the Royal Arch can help him see the journey with fresh eyes.

In this way, the Royal Arch strengthens his appreciation for the Craft. It adds depth, context, and completion to the lessons he has already received.

Search and Discovery

The connection between the Craft and the Royal Arch can be understood through two great ideas: search and discovery.

The Master Mason degree teaches the search. It shows the Mason that what is valuable may be lost, hidden, or incomplete.

The Royal Arch teaches discovery. It shows that faithful labour, patience, and perseverance can lead to recovery and greater understanding.

Together, these lessons form a powerful Masonic pattern. A Mason loses, searches, discovers, reflects, and grows.

The Symbolic Importance of Rebuilding

The Royal Arch setting of rebuilding is also important. Rebuilding suggests renewal, restoration, and hope.

This is a meaningful lesson for every Mason. Life often brings loss, difficulty, and uncertainty. Yet, through faith, discipline, and perseverance, a man can rebuild what has been broken and recover what has been neglected.

Therefore, the Royal Arch speaks not only to Masonic history and symbolism. It also speaks to the personal journey of moral improvement.

A Mason who continues the journey learns that rebuilding is part of growth.

Why Many Brethren Seek the Royal Arch

Many Master Masons seek the Royal Arch because they feel that the Craft has opened a door to further understanding.

They may want to explore deeper symbolism, continue their Masonic education, or experience a fuller expression of the story begun in the Craft degrees.

In addition, the Royal Arch offers another circle of companionship and reflection. It brings together Brethren who desire more light and a wider view of the Masonic journey.

For this reason, it remains one of the most meaningful steps a Master Mason can take after the Craft degrees.

Continuing the Masonic Journey

Freemasonry is not meant to be a single moment of achievement. It is a journey of continued learning, service, reflection, and self-improvement.

The Royal Arch reminds a Mason that there is always more to discover. It encourages him to keep seeking light and to deepen his understanding of the principles he has already received.

However, the value of the Royal Arch depends on the heart with which a Brother approaches it. If he comes with humility, patience, and sincerity, he will find much to reflect upon.

Therefore, the Royal Arch should be approached as a continuation of duty, not merely as another title or honour.

Conclusion

The Royal Arch completes the Master Mason degree because it continues the symbolic story of the Craft. The Master Mason degree teaches the lesson of loss and the search for that which has been lost. The Royal Arch then teaches the lesson of recovery, discovery, and renewed understanding.

Together, the Craft and the Royal Arch form a fuller Masonic journey. One teaches the search. The other reveals the discovery.

For the thoughtful Master Mason, this makes the Royal Arch a natural and meaningful continuation of his progress.

This is the true lesson of Why the Royal Arch Completes the Master Mason Degree: what is lost must be sought, what is hidden may be discovered, and the journey toward light must continue.

The post Why the Royal Arch is Called the Completion of the Master Mason Degree appeared first on KZN Freemasonry.