Royal Arch Masonry is often described as the natural next step for a Master Mason who wishes to complete his journey through Pure Antient Freemasonry. It is not a separate system standing apart from the Craft, but the continuation and fulfilment of what has already begun in the Lodge.

In the three Craft degrees, a Brother is guided through a progressive moral and philosophical education. From Initiation onwards, Freemasonry teaches the duties owed to others, the value of integrity and charity, and the importance of living with purpose.

The Entered Apprentice degree encourages a Mason to reflect on his conduct in society and his responsibilities to his fellow man. The Fellow Craft degree develops this further, inviting him to pursue knowledge, improvement and self-understanding.

Then, in the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, the Brother is led to contemplate deeper truths about life, mortality and destiny. Yet the Third Degree ends with a profound sense of loss – the genuine secrets are said to have been lost, and only substitutes remain.

The Summit and Perfection

This is where the Royal Arch becomes so significant. The Holy Royal Arch is often described as the completion of the Third Degree, because it brings resolution to that unfinished story. What was lost is recovered, and the journey reaches its proper conclusion.

For this reason, many speak of the Royal Arch as the “summit and perfection” of Antient Masonry. In this context, perfection does not mean flawlessness, but completion – the final piece that makes the whole structure complete.

The Royal Arch also expands the perspective of Freemasonry. The Craft is often concerned with the “horizontal” dimension of life – how we relate to one another, how we practise Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth in the world around us.

In the Royal Arch, the focus rises into the “vertical” dimension – inviting the Mason to consider his relationship with the Divine Creator. It does not make Freemasonry into a religion, nor does it trespass upon personal belief, but it provides a profound spiritual context for the lessons already received.

The Symbolic ‘Wow’

It places man, his life and his actions in the light of eternity. In doing so, it encourages humility, reflection and a deeper awareness of the sacred aspect of existence.

The ceremony of Exaltation is at the heart of the Royal Arch experience. It is widely described as one of the most colourful, dramatic and uplifting ceremonies in all of Freemasonry, with a powerful symbolic “wow” moment that stays with many Companions for life.

Unlike the Craft, which progresses through three separate degrees, the Royal Arch centres around a single, unforgettable ceremony. Its story is rooted in the rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem, and the discovery of that which had been hidden and preserved.

In this way, the Royal Arch completes the narrative begun in the Hiramic legend. The tragedy of the Third Degree finds its happy ending, and the Mason’s symbolic search is brought to fulfilment.

Members of the Royal Arch are known not as Brothers, but as Companions. This word carries a special meaning – traditionally understood as someone with whom you share bread, and whom you could trust with your life.

Companionship represents a deepening of friendship and fellowship. Chapters are often remembered for their warmth, closeness and joyful spirit, united in what has been called “the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness.”

Practically speaking, joining the Royal Arch is straightforward. The prime qualification is simply that a Brother must have been a Master Mason for at least four weeks before he can be exalted.

Part of the Whole

This reflects the fact that the Royal Arch is not an optional extra, but an integral part of Pure Antient Masonry. The Act of Union of 1813 defined Pure Antient Masonry as consisting of three degrees, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.

Many Chapters meet less frequently than Craft Lodges, often only three or four times a year. This makes membership less demanding on one’s diary, while still offering profound meaning and enjoyment.

Joining also broadens a Mason’s circle of friendships. A Brother may join a Chapter attached to his Lodge, or choose another Chapter entirely, meeting Companions from many different Lodges and backgrounds.

If you are interested, the first step is simply to speak with your Lodge’s Royal Arch Representative, your Mentor, or any Companion wearing the distinctive jewel of the Order. They will be delighted to answer questions and guide you towards a suitable Chapter.

Ultimately, the Royal Arch is for the Master Mason who wishes to complete what he has begun. It is the recovery of what was lost, the deepening of what was taught, and the culmination of the journey from Initiation to Exaltation.

For many, it becomes not only the keystone of the Masonic structure, but one of the most rewarding and spiritually enriching steps they ever take in Freemasonry.