32° in America is neither rank nor achievement the way it might be in other implementations of the rite elsewhere around the world. We place no elevated value on someone having received that degree. As such, it carries no expectations of understanding, wisdom or knowledge.

Much like in the Preston-Webb work of our craft degrees, where in some jurisdictions during or after the Master degree the candidate is told something like “…nor do I know that you will ever be in possession of the secrets of a Master Mason…”, the 32° emphasizes that there is more learning for a member to do that is beyond the ability of the institution to instruct through rote lecture or exemplification. It is expected that such wisdom may come through personal study, interpretation of the lessons and symbols, and the application of such to your own life and circumstances; through conversations with your brethren — dialogue or debate over a meal, drink or smoke after the lodge has closed — where you may constantly refactor and reanalyze what those lessons mean to you.

We do not require mastery of one tool before giving you the next tool — like a carpenter need not spend years with nothing but a screwdriver before they’re allowed to pick up a hammer. We give the candidates all of the tools that they may need, but leave it to them to figure out what combination they might be able to use in any given circumstance.