A Most Mysterious Masonry: the Rites of Memphis-Misraïm

Memphis-Misraïm is a Masonic Rite which was formed by the merging of the two Rites of Memphis and Misraïm under the influence of General Garibaldi in 1881. They may be practised separately,  in tandem, or with one Rite taking precedence.

The Rite of Memphis

The Rite of Memphis was constituted by Jacques Etienne Marconis de Nègre in 1838, as a variant of the Rite of Misraïm, combining elements from Templarism and Chivalry with Egyptian and Alchemical mythology. It has 99 Degrees, the last four being administrative. It is the main initiatory Rite of our Order.

The Rite of Misraïm

From as early as 1738, one can find traces of this Rite filled with alchemical, occult and Egyptian references, with a structure of 90 Degrees. Influenced by the Neopolitan occult and alchemical tradition of the 18th century, the Baron Tschoudy, the Bedarride brothers, and Count Cagliostro, a key character of his time, each gave the Egyptian Rite the impulse necessary for its development.  Misraïm may also be spelled Mizraim.

The Traditional Egyptian Rite

The works of Cagliostro, Baron Tschoudy, Raimondo di Sangro, and Bedarride have left us many workable elements of the Traditional Egyptian Rite. St. Martin, Pernety, Papus, Levi, Reuss, Burt, Castelli, Yarker, Bertiaux, Ambelain, Kloppel, and other esoteric scholars and Egyptian Masters have subsequently influenced and developed the Egyptian Rites all over the world, including the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm. Our Rite preserves the Ritual Wisdom of the past masters, yet remains a living and innovative Mystery Tradition.

WHAT IS 'ESOTERIC MASONRY'?

Esoteric Masonry concerns itself with the construction of the Interior Temple of Hermes, Seth and Solomon, the mastery of esoteric subjects, the development of human potential, and the application of the Masonic Tools on three levels: Moral, Philosophical, and Spiritual.

The term "ESOTERIC" is synonymous with the terms "HERMETIC" and "OCCULT", and the original Neopolitan sense of the terms "ORIENTAL" and "EGYPTIAN". Its literal meaning refers to something not immediately apparent; something arcane, obscure, or mysterious; something intended for, or understood by, a minority of people with a specialized knowledge or interest. These people we term "THE ELECT", for they have reached a significant level of comprehension.

We may also consider Esoteric Masonry according to the traditional dimensions in space:

LENGTH

The Rites of Memphis-Mizraim extend to 99 Degrees, the last four being administrative. Although all Master Masons of the 3rd Degree are considered equal, and the Sanctuary Degrees constitute a separate body, there are many esoteric applications of our Masonic Symbolism - as well as associated subjects such as Theurgy, Alchemy, Hermetic Science, Qabalah and Sacred Geometry - to master beyond the first Three Degrees of the 'Craft'. Higher Degrees are therefore deemed necessary.

BREADTH

Our Rites cover the traditional corpus of Masonic study, as well as the aforementioned esoteric subjects, such as Alchemy and Mysticism, which have influenced and informed the symbolic, philosophical and mystical structure of the Masonic Rites from the earliest time of their constitution.

HEIGHT

The Rites of Memphis-Mizraim seek not only to make good people better, to forge fraternal and sororal bonds, and to raise the Interior Temple, but also to elevate the consciousness and capacities of the Initiate beyond the confines of mere physicality and materialism, to a Higher Life and a more subtle state of existence. We seek to assist our Initiates to comprehend and to access the infinite potential of the Human Mind, Soul and Spirit.

PROFUNDITY

We expect our Initiates in the Higher Degrees to commence a profound and in-depth study of Freemasonry, Masonic History and Symbolism, and all related subjects, alongside their dedicated practice of Masonry and Masonic Values, at home, and in the Lodge; this expectation increases in the Higher Degrees, which are granted according to merit.

PERFECTION

EMO UK is a Liberal Masonic Order which encourages excellence in study, practice, comprehension, exposition, and production of lectures and good works. As a UK Order, we work our rituals in the English language as our lingua franca. We also expect graceful conduct, geniality, and good-will.

RITUS ANTIQUUS AEGYPTI

"The Ritus Antiquus Aegypti, or the ANCIENT RITE OF EGYPT, is another name given to the Rites of Memphis and Misraïm, as a continuation of the ancient practical philosophy of the Priests of the Nile. Those Great Builders, our Elder Brethren, applied the Square, the Compasses, the Level and the Plumb in the creation of the Pyramids. They continued through the medieval era, raising the great Cathedrals of Europe. Even now the Mysteries remain in the hearts of every Mason - both operative and speculative, or Free - to raise a superior structure, housing all that is great and good.

"From the Circle came the British Henges, Tumuli, Fogous and Circles of stone.

From the Square and the Triangle came the Pyramids of Egypt and Mesoamerica.

From the Oblong and the Cube came the Temples of Greece and Rome.

From the Cross came the Abbeys and Cathedrals of all Europe.

"Let us always remember that all Masonry is both external and internal; material, moral and spiritual; not only of the two basic substances of metal and stone, but of Three, Four, Five, Seven, Nine, Ten and Twelve!

"The material splendours of architectural genius are glorious indeed; nonetheless, they are but pale reflections of the Eternal Splendour of the G.'.L.'.A.'., that Divine House in which there are many Mansions.  Such a House is that which is not made with hands, but by the Labours of the Heart, the Tools of the Spirit, and the Architecture of the Divine Mind. Every Living Soul becomes a Stone, a Finial, a Joint, an Architrave and a Jewel therein.

"For through our Inward Masonic Labour, we make of ourselves a Perfect Ashlar, fit for the use of the Eternal Builder, the G.'.A.'.O.'.T.'.U.'.!"

- Grand Master & National Hierophant 96˚