The Three Degrees: A Mason's Journey from Apprentice to Master

First Degree: Entered Apprentice - The Foundation

The journey begins with the degree of Entered Apprentice. The theme of this degree is birth, or the first entry into a new way of life. The candidate is symbolically presented as being in a state of darkness and ignorance, humbly seeking the "light" of knowledge and wisdom. The rituals and teachings of this degree focus on laying a solid moral foundation for this new life.

The core lessons imparted to the Entered Apprentice revolve around the foundational principles of the Craft. He is taught the necessity of a belief in a Supreme Being as the starting point for all wisdom, the importance of charity and relief for all of humankind, and the virtue of secrecy and fidelity to his obligations. The "working tools" presented in this degree are the 24-inch gauge, the common gavel, and the chisel—the "tools of preparation." They symbolize the need to manage one's time wisely, control one's passions, and improve oneself through education, thereby preparing the rough stone of one's character for the work ahead.

Second Degree: Fellow Craft - The Intellect

Having laid his moral foundation, the Mason progresses to the degree of Fellow Craft. The central theme of this degree is education, particularly the cultivation of the intellect. This stage represents the period of a man's life dedicated to learning and gaining knowledge about the world and his place in it.

The Fellow Craft degree encourages the study of the seven liberal arts and sciences, with a special emphasis on geometry as the key to understanding the laws of nature and the divine mind of the Great Architect who created them. The candidate is no longer a rough stone but is now a skilled craftsman, learning to shape and polish his character with the tools of reason and inquiry. The working tools of this degree are the square, the level, and the plumb rule—the "tools of proof." They symbolize the importance of morality, equality, and uprightness, allowing the craftsman to test the quality of his work and ensure it is true and just.

Third Degree: Master Mason - The Spirit

The final degree of the Blue Lodge is that of Master Mason. This degree is the culmination of the Masonic journey, and its themes are the most profound: fidelity, mortality, and the hope of resurrection to a future life. It confronts the candidate with the great spiritual questions that define the human experience.

The central teaching of the Master Mason degree is conveyed through the dramatic allegory of the death of Hiram Abiff, the chief architect of King Solomon's Temple. Through this legend, the candidate is taught the ultimate lesson of fidelity: the importance of maintaining one's integrity even in the face of death. The degree serves as a powerful meditation on the certainty of life's end and encourages the Mason to live a life of virtue so that he may leave a worthy legacy. The working tools of this degree are the skirret, the pencil, and the compasses—the "tools of plan" used by the Master to design the work for others to follow, symbolizing the Master Mason's duty to contribute to the great plan of the Great Architect.

The progression through the three degrees is a carefully designed system for building a complete and well-rounded man. The Entered Apprentice degree focuses on purifying the heart and establishing a moral foundation. The Fellow Craft degree centers on cultivating the mind through intellectual labor. Finally, the Master Mason degree challenges the soul to contemplate the ultimate questions of life, death, and the immortality of the spirit. Together, they provide a timeless blueprint for a life of purpose, integrity, and wisdom.