The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis Misraïm
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Congratulations on your Passing. May you find what is in the Middle Chamber and receive your due wages. (And have fun with your 2-ball cane.)
There's little to know about A&P except as a curio of history. There is no form of it recognized by Grand Lodge of England or any other authority known to me in the English-speaking world. It has had a clandestine survival especially in the Spanish-speaking world, and in parts of Europe (particularly France).
There's little to know separate from the personal history of John Yarker (and a little before, and a little after). The Wikipedia article on the A&P Rite hits some of the basics: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_and_Primitive_Rite
I have outlines of the degrees (and Rite of Memphis rituals from 4° through 18°). Its first 33° are those of the Scottish Rite substantially, although, at different points in its history, there have been different rites. (I think it was Yarker that tried to reduce competition by starting with the 34° and subsuming the lower 33°, just as the side rites include, but never work, the three Craft Degrees.)
The upper degrees AFAIK never existed as more than a few notes about words and insignia (unless someone has developed those further in modern times). The 96° was partly cooped for O.T.O. X° (and some of its insignia for the IX°); the 97° (Grand Hierophant) was coopted for the O.H.O. (The degrees from 91° are called Official Degrees and are reserved simply for officers: Grand Defender, Grand Catechist, Regulator General, Grand Administrator, Grand Conservator, Grand & Puissant Soverign of the Order, and Grand Hierophant.)
The highest of the practical work (so far as one can call it that), and the apex of the Sublime Council (76°-90°) is the 90° rightly called Sublime Master of the Great Work. There is reportedly an actual ritual, though I haven't seen it. The 'mysteries' deal mostly with the number 9. Apparently its foremost symbol is a winged egg. The words exchanged begin with Isis; the third part, given only within the Council chambers, translates to "Giver of light."
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Flipping through my manuscripts to see what caught my eye back in the day... the 53° is Knight (or Sage) of the Phoenix. It has some worthy symbols, though not necessarily anything you wouldn't get somewhere else. They deal with the phoenix, the serpent, and different kinds of fire - symbols of transformation - and much with the astronomy of the star Sirius.
And what seems the really big deal to me is the 65°, Sage of Mythras. (Obviously an important degree in this particular rite.) It claims to be an inheritance of the original Rites of Mithras from ancient times, and centers on the seven planets. But the stated requirements for acquiring the ancient truths are much the smae as Masonry would expect in any degree: uniting an elevated mind to great moral purity enforced by a terrible oath.
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Thank you for the informative posts as well as your encouragement of my career with the Craft.
Do you know if there are any legitimate Memphis Misraïm bodies still extant & conferring the degrees?
729
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@Arsihsis said
"Do you know if there are any legitimate Memphis Misraïm bodies still extant & conferring the degrees?"
Though I don't keep track, and so really don't know, everyone that I've heard of has been irregular.
The Wikipedia article gives links to a Spanish-speaking jurisdiction and to an A&P in Italy. The links at the bottom of that article may be of some use. The rites themselves are apparently preserved in the Masonic Metropolitan College in Paris.
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I recall reading that the masons have an appendant body which is research-oriented and has access to "retired" rites. I believe that Memphis-Misraim was somehow officially put to rest and its rituals are available for inspection. Of course that doesn't mean you would work the degrees but you could study them. If you are a mason, I'm assuming you are barred from joining working "clandestine" lodges?? I'm not even sure how it all works.
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@Arsihsis said
"Do you know if there are any legitimate Memphis Misraïm bodies still extant & conferring the degrees?
"There is this group;
www.iss-ic-memphis-misraim.com/english.htmlLooks like mostly French Grand Masters. I have no idea if they are 'legitimate'. I have never been a mason and would not know how to evaluate that much.
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@Escarabaj said
"I recall reading that the masons have an appendant body which is research-oriented and has access to "retired" rites. I believe that Memphis-Misraim was somehow officially put to rest and its rituals are available for inspection. Of course that doesn't mean you would work the degrees but you could study them. If you are a mason, I'm assuming you are barred from joining working "clandestine" lodges?? I'm not even sure how it all works."
That would be the Grand College of Rites www.grandcollegeofrites.org/ they've published quite a few old rituals. You may also recognize the name of the current vice-chancellor
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@panpiper said
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That would be the Grand College of Rites www.grandcollegeofrites.org/ they've published quite a few old rituals. You may also recognize the name of the current vice-chancellor"I will now read more about this grand college...
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Good afternoon
The Egyptian Rite of Memphis Misraim is still a praticed Rite in some countries (mostly French Countries), It is most likely the Rite with the least amount of pacticing Masons.
In Canada there are lodges in Montreal, and in Quebec City.
The Egyptian Rite of Memphis Misraim is not practiced in any English Country nor the Ritual is translated in English. There is presently some attempts to translate in English the Ritual with hopes of opening English Lodges
At our Lodge meeting we do welcome Brother Masons from any Rite, but because we are considered irregular we cannot visit Lodges from other Rites.
If you want to contact me here is my email: <!-- e --><a href="mailto:normgervais@netscape.net">normgervais@netscape.net</a><!-- e -->
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I have am A M.M. from florida, Manatee lodge #31. I have read little except the one book I have "The MISRAIM SERVICE" "Freemasonry and Ritual Work" by Rudolph Steiner.
"To ground his project of founding the new Mysteries of Anthroposophy in spiritual history. Rudolph Steiner always sought to unite with and transform, where possible, older initiatory streams, such as Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism."
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@MagickMason said
"I have am A M.M. from florida, Manatee lodge #31. I have read little except the one book I have "The MISRAIM SERVICE" "Freemasonry and Ritual Work" by Rudolph Steiner.
"To ground his project of founding the new Mysteries of Anthroposophy in spiritual history. Rudolph Steiner always sought to unite with and transform, where possible, older initiatory streams, such as Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism.""
Does the A.M.M. near you only take masons who are part of Florida masonry? Or do they accept masons from other states?
-ANEA
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." -
@ANEA said
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@MagickMason said
"I have am A M.M. from florida, Manatee lodge #31. I have read little except the one book I have "The MISRAIM SERVICE" "Freemasonry and Ritual Work" by Rudolph Steiner."To ground his project of founding the new Mysteries of Anthroposophy in spiritual history. Rudolph Steiner always sought to unite with and transform, where possible, older initiatory streams, such as Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism.""
Does the A.M.M. near you only take masons who are part of Florida masonry? Or do they accept masons from other states?
-ANEA
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.""Pretty sure he means is "a" MM - master mason. Again, as far as I know Memphis rite is classified as extinct, and regular masons would be forbidden from joining any "clandestine" groups practicing it. I would check with the masons themselves to be sure.