Cryptic Masonry brings together and explains many aspects of the journey though Craft, Mark and Chapter
The story of Cryptic Masonry
Cryptic Masonry centres around the story of the preservation, loss and recovery of the Word and the Cryptic Degrees are said to complete the ‘Circle of Perfection’ in a Mason’s understanding of the masonic journey.
They explain and demonstrate how the core parts of Craft, Chapter and Mark link together – you begin the circle with the three Degrees in a Craft Lodge and you continue it when you are Exhalted in a Royal Arch Chapter and Advanced in a Mark Lodge. You can then be Chosen as a Select Master. Completing the Circle of Perfection through the Cryptic Degrees gives a new and fuller appreciation of all those preceding Degrees.
The Word represents man’s search for life’s purpose and the nature of God. In essence Craft Masonry teaches of the loss of the Word and the hope for its eventual recovery while Royal Arch Masonry teaches us about its recovery. All set against the preparation and building of King Solomon’s Temple, as featured in the Mark, and dealing with its eventual destruction .
Cryptic Masonry unites, completes and enriches this vast story by teaching of the Word’s initial preservation.
The planning, building and eventual destruction of King Solomon’s Temple is a key background through Craft, Mark, Chapter and Royal & Select Masters.
The chronology of the story
The Cryptic Degrees are also considered part of a series of ‘Solomonic Degrees’, as the historic period they cover goes from his Enthronement to the destruction of his Temple. Each are important links in the allegorical search for the Lost Word and perhaps should be studied in chronological order: –
978 BC Death of King David, Enthronement of King Solomon: Thrice Illustrious Master
974-967 BC Preparation of materials and start of building the Temple: Mark Master Mason
969-968 BC Building in hand and construction of a Secret Vault: Select Master
968 BC Death of Hiram Abif: Royal Master & Craft
967 BC Dedication of the Temple: Most Excellent Master
586 BC Destruction of the Temple, the Word is lost: Super-Excellent Master
534 BC Recovery of the Word: Royal Arch