Editing Scottish Rite (section)

== North America ==
===Canada===
In Canada, whose Supreme Council was warranted in 1874 by that of England and Wales, the Rite is known as Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The council is called "Supreme Council 33° Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Canada". Canada's Supreme Council office is located at 4 Queen Street South in Hamilton, Ontario. There are 45 local units or "Valleys" across Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishritecanada.ca/|title=Welcome! – Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Canada|website=Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Canada|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001125938/http://www.scottishritecanada.ca/|archive-date=1 October 2017}}</ref>

===United States===
[[File:Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral.jpg|thumb|270px|[[Scottish Rite Cathedral (Indianapolis)|Scottish Rite Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana]]]]In the United States of America there are three Supreme Councils: one in [[Washington, D.C.]] (which controls the Southern Jurisdiction), one in [[Lexington, Massachusetts]] (which controls the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction) as well as the [[Supreme Council of Louisiana]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishritenmj.org/about|title=Scottish Rite, NMJ|website=Scottish Rite, NMJ|access-date=2017-06-13|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405200423/https://scottishritenmj.org/about|archive-date=2017-04-05}}</ref> They each have particular characteristics that make them different. In the United States, members of the Scottish Rite can be elected to receive the 33° by the Supreme Council<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tulsasr.org/?page_id=124|title=The Scottish Rite Caps – Scottish Rite of Freemasonry|website=tulsasr.org|access-date=2017-06-14|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113220204/http://www.tulsasr.org/?page_id=124|archive-date=2016-01-13}}</ref> and is conferred on members who have made major contributions to society or to Masonry in general.

====Southern Jurisdiction====
[[File:US Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction new.png|thumb|260x260px|left|[[United States|US]] states in the Southern Jurisdiction]]Based in Washington, D.C., the [[Supreme Council, Scottish Rite (Southern Jurisdiction, USA)|Southern Jurisdiction]] (often referred to as the "Mother Supreme Council of the World")<ref>{{Cite web |last=adminSCAASR |date=2016-09-16 |title=Supreme Council Mother of the World |url=https://scaasr.ro/en/supreme-council-mother-of-the-world/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=SCAASR}}</ref> was founded in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1801. It oversees the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 35 states, which are referred to as ''Orients'', which are divided into regions called ''Valleys'', each containing individual bodies.<ref>[http://www.bremertonvalleysr.org/ Bremerton Valley of the Scottish Rite] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504050312/http://www.bremertonvalleysr.org/ |date=2006-05-04}} "Illustrious Brother James N. Reid, Jr., 33°, IGH, Personal Representative of the S.G.I.G. in the ''Orient of Washington''"</ref><ref>[http://www.aasrvalleyofjax.org/ Jacksonville Valley of the Scottish Rite] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615123046/http://www.aasrvalleyofjax.org/ |date=2006-06-15}} " The Mission of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the ''Orient of Florida''"</ref><ref name="TampaValley">{{cite web|url= http://www.srtampa.org/pages/Aboutus.asp|access-date= 2007-07-31|title= Allegiance|publisher= Valley of Tampa|quote= The Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, sitting in the ''Valley of Tampa, Orient of Florida'' acknowledge and yield allegiance to the SUPREME COUNCIL (Mother Council of the World) of Inspectors General. Knights of Solomon of the Thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose seat is at the Grand Orient of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, now sitting at Washington. D.C....|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070920185614/http://srtampa.org/pages/Aboutus.asp|archive-date= 2007-09-20}}</ref>

In the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, the Supreme Council consists of no more than 33 members, called Active members, and is presided over by a Sovereign Grand Commander, and since 2019, Illustrious Brother James D. Cole, 33°.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishrite.org/about/officers/|title = Leadership & Committees}}</ref> Other members of the Supreme Council are called "Sovereign Grand Inspectors General" (S.G.I.G.), and each is the head of the AASR bodies in his respective Orient (or state). Other heads of the various Orients who are not members of the Supreme Council are called "Deputies of the Supreme Council". The Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction meets every odd year during the month of August at the House of the Temple, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction Headquarters, in Washington, D.C. During this conference, the Valley of Washington D.C. confers the 33° for those elected to receive it or others of the degree who desire to watch it.  There are closed meetings between the Grand Commander and the S.G.I.G.s, and many members of the fraternity from all over the world attend the open ceremony on the 5th of 6 council meeting days.

=== Northern Jurisdiction ===
[[Image:US Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction new.png|thumb|256x256px|left|[[United States|US]] states in the Northern Jurisdiction]]
The [[Lexington, Massachusetts|Lexington]], [[Massachusetts]]-based [[Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, USA|Northern Masonic Jurisdiction]], formed in 1813, and inactive from 1832 to 1845,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Proceedings ... 1781-1862. |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015070515542?urlappend=%3Bseq=102 |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=HathiTrust | hdl=2027/mdp.39015070515542?urlappend=%3Bseq=102 |language=en}}</ref> oversees the bodies in fifteen states: [[Connecticut]], [[Delaware]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Maine]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Michigan]], [[New Jersey]], [[New Hampshire]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[Ohio]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Rhode Island]], [[Wisconsin]] and [[Vermont]]. The Northern Jurisdiction is only divided into ''Valleys'', not Orients.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishritenmj.org/members-center/nmj-valleys|title=Valleys of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction|website=scottishritenmj.org|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019063633/http://www.scottishritenmj.org/members-center/nmj-valleys|archive-date=19 October 2016}}</ref> Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees.

In the Northern Jurisdiction, the [[Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, USA|Supreme Council]] consists of no more than 66 members, led by the Sovereign Grand Commander, currently Ill. Walter F. Wheeler, 33°, who was elected to the position in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Rite, NMJ {{!}} The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite,… |url=https://scottishritenmj.org/blog/walter-f-wheeler-33-named-sovereign-grand-commander-of-the-supreme-council-of-the-scottish-rite-northern-masonic-jurisdiction |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Scottish Rite, NMJ}}</ref> Those who are elected to membership on the Supreme Council are then designated "Active." In the Northern Jurisdiction all recipients of the 33rd Degree are honorary members of the Supreme Council, and all members are referred to as a "Sovereign Grand Inspectors General." The head of the Rite in each State of the Northern Jurisdiction is called a "Deputy of the Supreme Council." Thus, the highest-ranking Scottish Rite officer in Ohio, is titled, "Deputy for Ohio", and so forth for each state. Additionally, each Deputy has one or more "Actives" to assist him in the administration of the state. Active members of the Supreme Council who have served faithfully for ten years, or reach the age of 75, may be designated "Active, Emeritus". The Northern Jurisdiction Supreme Council meets yearly, in the even years by an executive session, and in the odd years, with the full membership invited. The 33rd Degree is conferred on the odd years at the Annual Meeting.

In the Northern Jurisdiction, there is a 46-month requirement for eligibility to receive the 33rd degree, and while there is a Meritorious Service Award (as well as a Distinguished Service Award), they are not required intermediate steps towards the 33°.[[File:Supremecounciloflouisana2.png|thumb|251x251px|States in which the Supreme Council of Louisiana is present as of 2023.]]
=== Supreme Council of Louisiana ===
The [[Supreme Council of Louisiana]] was founded in New Orleans in 1839 in the aftermath of the [[William Morgan (anti-Mason)|Morgan Affair]]. During this time, the Northern Jurisdiction consisted of John James Joseph Gourgas and Giles Fonda Yates who were "effectively a Supreme Council of two people."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital Collections Highlight: Killian H. Van Rensselaer's 1845 Petition |url=https://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2022/09/digital-collections-highlight-killian-h-van-rensselaers-1845-petition-.html |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Blog}}</ref> Likewise, the Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction, Moses Holbrook longed to "relinquish his responsibilities as Sovereign Grand Commander"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Blog |url=https://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Blog}}</ref> moving to the rural frontier of Florida to serve as a doctor.

It was during this period that the Supreme Council of Louisiana emerged, which claimed its authority via "Cerneauism"<ref name="nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com">{{Cite web |title=Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Blog |url=https://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Blog}}</ref> – a type of Scottish Rite Masonry<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cerneauism and American Freemasonry |url=https://www.scottishritestore.org/cerneauism-and-american-freemasonry.html |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=scottishritestore.org|archive-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229092615/https://www.scottishritestore.org/cerneauism-and-american-freemasonry.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> without ties to the either the Northern or Southern Jurisdictions.<ref>A modern, scholarly work on the topic has been completed by Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris, '' Cerneaiusm and American Masonry'' (Washington, D.C.: Scottish Rite Research Society, 2019)</ref> After the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the [[Grand Orient de France|Grand Orient of France]] recognized the Supreme Council of Louisiana.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Foulhouze |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3x2voAEACAAJ |title=Historical Inquiry Into the Origins of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite |date=March 2012 |publisher=Cornerstone Book Publishers |isbn=978-1-61342-026-3}}</ref>[[File:The constitutions and regulations of 1762.jpg|thumb|According to the Constitutions and regulations of 1762, candidates must spend at least 81 months (approximately 7 years) to progress through all 25 degrees of the ancient Scottish Rite tradition.]]New Orleans educator and [[Civil rights movement|Civil Rights]] activist George Longe was the head of this council for nearly five decades, from 1938 to 1985. Under his watch the Supreme Council of Louisiana tripled in size and expanded to other states.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=George Longe papers, 1849-1971 {{!}} Amistad Research Center |url=http://amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu/archon/?p=collections/findingaid&id=256&q=&rootcontentid=95287 |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu |archive-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229075252/http://amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu/archon/?p=collections/findingaid&id=256&q=&rootcontentid=95287 |url-status=dead}}</ref> His papers are held at the [[Amistad Research Center]] of [[Tulane University]].<ref name="auto" /> As of 2023, the Most Powerful Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of Louisiana is Ill. Bro. Eddie L. Gabriel Sr. 33°.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ballard |first1=E.C. |title=Michael Poll and The Supreme Council of Louisiana |url=http://hedgemason.blogspot.com/2015/07/michael-poll-and-original-supreme.html |website=The Hedge Mason |date=3 July 2015 |access-date=3 February 2021}}</ref>

=== Criticism of the American System ===
Traditionally, in most international jurisdictions, the Scottish Rite degrees are conferred gradually over many years, with candidates being individually invited to progress based on their demonstrated understanding and mastery of each degree's teachings.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Les 33 degrés du Rite Ecossais ancien et accepte | language=fr | trans-title=The 33 degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite | url=https://www.gilwro.fr/PDF/Cyvard%20Mariette%20-%20Les%2033%20degr%c3%a9s%20du%20rite%20%c3%a9cossais%20ancien%20et%20accept%c3%a9.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204182611/https://www.gilwro.fr/PDF/Cyvard%20Mariette%20-%20Les%2033%20degr%C3%A9s%20du%20rite%20%C3%A9cossais%20ancien%20et%20accept%C3%A9.pdf | archive-date=2024-12-04}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite journal |last=Revauger |first=Cécile |date=November 5, 2015 |title=Pour mieux comprendre la franc-maçonnerie américaine |url=https://shs.cairn.info/revue-la-chaine-d-union-2015-2-page-10?lang=fr |journal=[[La Chaîne d'Union]] |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=10–11 |doi=10.3917/cdu.072.0010 |via=shs.cairn.info}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/8631202.pdf | title=The Pike Report: The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Spain during the Six Revolutionary Years and the Bourbon Restoration (1868-1882) | website=dialnet.unirioja.es}}</ref>
The original constitutions of the Scottish Rite, which formed the basis for both the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions in the United States, prescribed a minimum interval between degrees and required approximately 81 months (seven years) to complete the original 25 degrees.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/constitutionsreg00free/page/16/mode/2up | title=The constitutions and regulations of 1762 | date=1872 }}</ref> However, many U.S. jurisdictions now confer degrees from the 4th to the 32nd in concentrated one or two-day sessions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://scottishritenmj.org/faq/what-is-required-for-membership-in-32nd-degree-freemasonry#:~:text=To%20officially%20become%20a%2032nd,Rite%20degrees%20in%20the%20future | title=What is required for membership in 32nd Degree Freemasonry™? }}</ref><ref>[https://books.googleusercontent.com/books/content?req=AKW5QadpRhMfWGn0c8CD0TYQ76F5EcmWFmt5CtLQS14G6Pw_h2TdqtyjaxyKWialztEi1PgVNcQJFtJq32Wc6p35UG--yCeZOfGScKdMTzQzzlDGAHgWF19UbpFo73jNv8QqLGYeMk_X3Xv6AzZf_c_GR8FpI5DcEU19k1o_-5RcWrBu5UkMi3ONU-jbhEfOwbnRKk7s-qWLaPVGwNxX2xLliIFt6ykpgYqqw_wR4pJqxENjBErtqEWBbU35PnjiXEWemrKOp1-QGjUB9wODmYvhpEibmAao0OmPthLbA_cQH7qZP9H7VkE Unknown]{{Dead link | date=January 2025 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web| title=Ritual roots of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in the Novohispanic and Mexican Masonic traditions from the 19th to the 21st centuries | url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/8631201.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615013453/https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/8631201.pdf | archive-date=2024-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishritechicago.org/become-a-member/|title=Become a Member &#124; The Scottish Rite}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aasrdanville.org/frequently-asked-questions|title=Frequently Asked Questions - valley-of-danville|website=www.aasrdanville.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepadues.com/livres/developpement-personnel-collectif/franc-maconnerie-esoterisme/1368-albert-pike-americain-sudiste-et-reformateur-du-reaa-9782364937932.html|title=Albert Pike. Américain sudiste et réformateur du REAA|website=Éditions Cépaduès}}</ref> Some international jurisdictions reportedly decline to recognize American Scottish Rite Masons in their upper bodies, citing concerns about adequate mastery of the degree material.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ledifice.net/3094-I.html|title=3094-I : Le Rite Ancien et Accepté|website=www.ledifice.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/le-regime-ecossais-rectifie-ce-rite-maconnique-herite-d-un-autre-siecle-20210817|title=Le régime écossais rectifié, ce rite maçonnique hérité d'un autre siècle|date=August 17, 2021|website=Le Figaro}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Keghel |first=Alain de |date=November 5, 2016 |title=L'expansion mondiale du R. E. A. A, fruit d'une plasticité singulière |url=https://shs.cairn.info/revue-la-chaine-d-union-2016-1-page-52?lang=fr |journal=[[La Chaîne d'Union]] |volume=75 |issue=1 |pages=52–65 |doi=10.3917/cdu.075.0052 |via=shs.cairn.info}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Les Cahiers Villard de Honnecourt | language=fr | trans-title=The Villard de Honnecourt Notebooks | url=https://www.scribe.fr/medias/documents/Villard%20n%C2%B0%20105-REAA-Pr%C3%A9senttaion.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215121634/http://www.scribe.fr:80/medias/documents/Villard%20n%C2%B0%20105-REAA-Pr%C3%A9senttaion.pdf | archive-date=2017-12-15}}</ref>

In response to these criticisms and as an attempt to save the U.S. Scottish Rite from disappearing, some American Scottish Rite Masons have advocated for a return to more traditional, observant practices aligned with international standards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishrite.org/blog/about/media-publications/journal/article/qualityquantity/|title=Quality/Quantity &#124; Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A.}}</ref>