Degree of Past Master

Little has been published concerning the degree of Past Master; there are two classes of Past Masters – actual and virtual. Actual Past Masters are those who have served as Masters of lodges. Virtual Past Masters are those who have never actually served as lodge as Master, but who have been elected and symbolically installed in order to qualify them for advancement in the capitular rite.

The Square, which is one of the emblems of the degree, is explained and given a new interpretation; in the symbolic degrees, it was explained as an instrument for squaring your work; here it becomes the symbol of one who has so squared his work that it is now an emblem of advancement, for it is the proper jewel of a Past Master.

Much might be said about the Square, for within its angles and sides are contained the ancient secrets set forth by Pythagoras – told to use in our symbolic degrees, but never explained. It is the ancient symbol of the 3-4-5, of which we will hear more in a later degree. While little is said about the square, the student Freemason will devote his time to a full consideration of its value.