What is the typical time it takes from 3 degree mason to 32 degree mason?

[Matt]

As it takes about 5-6 months to become a 3 degree, from what I hear. What is the average time it takes to get to the 32 degree or Knights Templar? Asking for the purpose to know the amount of time it takes to where one can enter the Shriners Temple.
Thanks all.

[admin]

I applaud you for doing your homework and keen interest in joining the Freemasons. It's a choice you will never regret. There is no average time actually. It all depends on the individual Lodge that you will be joining. A lot depends on the man power, as it takes a lot of people to put on the seperate degree(s) work. If it is an active lodge with a lot of members then they will have the man power to put on the degree work on the other hand hand if it is a small lodge with few members it would take longer. Also most lodges only meet two times a month and go dark in the summer. With that said, my own personal observations would be that the average time would be more on the lines of three (3) months. Another factor would be is how many new candidates are joining at the same time and will be in each class, that lengthens the time somewhat as well. It takes a LOT of work for the lodge to put on Degree work, as they have to practise, rehearse each degree, so that you get the optimum benefit of becoming a FreeMason.

[admin]

Ooops forgot to answer "How long does it take to get your 32nd Degree?"

Thats a very good question. Again you are dealing with three seperate appendant bodies of Freemasons. First of all there is the (Main) Blue Lodge !
Then there is the Scottish Rite, The York Rite and The Shriners.
Each has their own criteria to become a 32nd and again it's mainly up to the appendant bodies on how often they have their classes and Degree work along with their requirements. I would talk to the Lodge that you are interested in joining and asking all of your questions. I can't speak for other Juridictions and their criteria but only from a personal vew and observation.

[cemab4y]

The answer varies, depending on where you live, and which Scottish Rite you petition (apply for). Once you are a Master Mason, you are free to make application to the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. In the USA, there are two jurisdictions: The Northern jurisdiction, which is all of the states north of the Ohio river, and East of the Mississippi. The Southern Jurisdiction comprises the remaining states, south of the Ohio, and west of the Mississippi, including Washington DC.

Each individual Scottish Rite group is called a "Valley". I belong to the Alexandria VA valley. I took the degrees of the Scottish Rite, in 1988. I took them on two successive Saturdays. I arrived at the building at 0800am Saturday morning, and stayed until 6pm that night. I went back the next Saturday, and completed the remainder of the program. At 6pm, I was a 32d degree Scottish Rite Mason (Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret).

In some locations (like Norfolk VA) you can take the entire Scottish Rite experience in one day. You arrive at 0600am, and at 6pm, you are completed.

As for the Shrine, The ceremonial takes about 45 minutes, depending on the particular Shrine center, where you make application. IN Columbus Ohio, the Shrine does a play, with songs and music, and a pyro-technic display. The Shrine initiation ceremony is short (45 minutes), but the extra features make it more entertaining. The ceremonial lasts about 7 hours, including meals, and the extra performances.

In Norfolk VA, the entire Shrine ceremony was over in 30 minutes.

You can learn more about the Scottish Rite and Shrine at:

Scottish Rite Freemasonry - Welcome to the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, USA

and

Shriners - Welcome.

Or you may PM me directly, if you have any questions!

[cemab4y]

The time it takes to complete the Basic degrees of Craft masonry (1st-3rd), vary, depending on your location. Most states, require you to submit a petition, then it will take some weeks for your application to clear, and be approved. Once you are approved, you will report to the lodge building, and complete your first degree. Most states require a 30 day interval between the 1st and 2d degrees. Then you complete the 2d degree, and then a 30 day interval, and then you complete the 3d degree (Master Mason).

Some states, like Ohio and Virginia, have "one-day classes" , where you can complete the entire ritual and ceremonial work in one day, usually a Saturday. You arrive at the lodge building at 0600am, eat a breakfast, then you remain at the lodge hall all day, and by 6pm, you are a Master Mason.

Degree work is sometimes accelerated for special circumstances. During World War 2, when many thousands of men were being sent overseas, lodges often worked "around the clock", to get men through the degrees in a hurry.