Those of you who are seeking further advancement in your Masonic knowledge may find this, and subsequent mailings on the above topic of some help. Let me stress that all interpretations and views on those Orders are from my perspective, others may see things differently and still be equally valid but that's how masonic symbolism works. There are several Degrees that MM's may take after an appropriate qualifying period which probably varies from State to State.Taking a number of such Degrees quickly is not advised, it is best to wait at least a year after your Third before moving onwards and then join just a couple of Orders at most for starters. Too many folks have ended up swamped by it all and have finished by dropping the lot.

THE MARK IN AUSTRALIA

In some States in Australia this Degree is a prerequisite for entry to The Royal Arch and is the first Degree taken in the series leading to that Degree. In those States, including Queensland, the Degree is controlled by the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter within that State. In addition, as in England, The Mark exists as a separate Order, conferring its Degree in all our States with no connections to the Royal Arch Jurisdictions. In fact I am told that in South Australia there are more Mark Masons than there are Royal Arch Companions, Queensland on the other hand has a rather low memberhip most Marks being worked in HRA Chapters.

In Scotland the Degree is also worked in Craft Lodges and I'm told this is also the case with some Scots Lodges in Australia that remain under Scottish jurisdiction. An attempt was made in Queensland some years ago to get UGLQ to restore the old situation, it was rightly rejected as the Degree is administered outside Craft jurisdiction.

So what is The Mark? Basically it is an extension of the F.C. Degree, which is theoretically supposed to qualify those Advanced to it to preside over a lodge of Operative Masons (just let some MMM try bossing folks on building sites around.

As usual rituals vary from State to State and those of the Mark Lodges differ from what is worked in a Royal Arch Chapter. Everything starts and ends the same though, candidates receive the same messages and secrets, and visiting either system poses no problems.

We go back to KST where the candidate represents a FC seeking advancement to the Degree. In the course of the Ceremony he is given a personal Mark, just as illiterate masons of old received so there work could be identified. (Many old buildings in Europe still have stones bearing such marks). He usually also receives a Mark Penny a traditional token of the Grade. This portion of the Ceremony ends with him being made a Mark Man, he then takes part in a dramatic playlet in which he represents a FC with great ambition who finds all his hopes destroyed. The Ceremony is most dramatic in places but all works out well and in the end the Mark Man is finally created a Mark Master Mason.

The Degree contains many useful messages among which I'd include..Do not let ambition alone motivate your development, let humility guide you as well. Do not rigidly apply yourself to set ideas and concepts, look at innovations intelligently. Don't reject that which is outside your limited perspective without close examination. And most important of all..Even when everything has crashed around you and all your hopes have come to naught if you have Faith Blessing can rise from Disaster. (This message was of great help to me two years ago and in my case it proved to be correct.). There is much more that can be learned within the Degree, suffice it to say it is worthwhile no matter where or how you take it.

Regalia consists of a characteristic apron and a jewel. In HRA Chapters MM regalia is worn by the candidate until he takes the HRA.

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