21st Degree: Prussian Knight

Way of the Hermit

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.

In this episode, Gene and David delve into the 21st Degree’s dark and strange Degree Ritual, which is based on the secret medieval German tribunal, the Vehmgericht or "Holy Vehm".

The Vehmgericht was an extra-legal but efficient criminal tribunal that emerged in Westphalia near the end of the 12th century. It combined old traditions with new legal forms and operated where ordinary territorial justice failed. The degree's ritual is intended to be performed under moonlight, on a full moon night, which is a reference to this secretive justice system. The ritual setting serves as a backdrop for discussions on humility, modesty, and the importance of faith in divine providence, contrasting the dangers of arrogance and the necessity of focusing on the positive aspects of others.

The episode highlights the challenges of ensuring justice in a world where judges may be corrupt, and the belief in a higher justice that operates unseen. The hosts also touch upon the historical context of the degree, including its previous association with the Tower of Babel and the Noachites, and the significance of moon lodges in the ritual. The discussion concludes with reflections on the degree's teachings, emphasizing self-reflection, the avoidance of harsh judgment, and the belief in a higher justice that, while not always visible, is ultimately inevitable.

This series on the Scottish Rite uses the following primary sources (which you are encouraged to read as well):

• Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma: Annotated Edition
• Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide
• A Bridge to Light

Images and Diagrams:

• The Tower of Babel (painting by Hans Bol)
• Harpokrates (sculpture)

Overview:

• 01:14 Introduction
• 01:41 The Degree Ritual
• 10:31 Purpose of the Degree
• 13:42 Morals and Dogma
• 16:09 Speak Evil of No One; Guard Over Yourself
• 18:18 Pantheism and Atheism Condemned
• 21:12 Be Satisfied That God is Real
• 22:49 The Noachites
• 24:02 The Tower of Babel
• 25:52 Moon Lodges
• 28:04 Jewel of the Degree
• 29:57 The Degree Apron
• 31:46 Conclusions

Links:

• Resolves, Divine, Moral and Political, of Owen Felltham (Amazon)
• Vehmic Court (Wikipedia)
• Noahidism (Wikipedia)
• Seven Laws of Noah (Wikipedia)
• Tower of Babel (Wikipedia)
• Harpocrates (Wikipedia)
• Sub Rosa (Wikipedia)
• What’s a Moon Lodge (Orrstown Lodge)
• Tranquility Lodge #2000 (Actual Lodge on the Moon)
• Fiat justitia ruat caelum (Wikipedia)

Chapter

1. 21st Degree: Prussian Knight (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:01:14)

3. The Degree Ritual (00:01:41)

4. Purpose of the Degree (00:10:31)

5. Morals and Dogma (00:13:42)

6. Speak Evil of No One; Guard Over Yourself (00:16:09)

7. Pantheism and Atheism Condemned (00:18:18)

8. Be Satisfied That God is Real (00:21:12)

9. The Noachites (00:22:49)

10. The Tower of Babel (00:24:02)

11. Moon Lodges (00:25:52)

12. Jewel of the Degree (00:28:04)

13. The Degree Apron (00:29:57)

14. Conclusions (00:31:46)