The Great Work as described in the Degree of Scottish Master
(Knight of Saint Andrew)
Being the
29th Degree Rose Croix
(The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite)
And the 4th Degree of Ramsay's system.

Some of the Alchemical material in the Masonic Rose Croix Degrees has been attributed to Joseph Pernety. I here present a section from Albert Pikes "Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite" which describes the Great work purported to be taken from the 29th Degree ritual (knight St. Andrew). The motive for this approach to the Great Work may be ascertained by referring to 'The Golden Chain of Homer'. (Parush)

The Ritual of the Degree of Scottish Elder Master, and Knight of Saint Andrew, being the 4th of Ramsay, it is said upon the title-page or of the Reformed or Rectified Rite of Dresden, has these passages:

"O how Great and Glorious is the Presence of the Almighty God which Gloriously shines from between the Cherubim!

"How adorable and astonishing are the rays of the glorious light, that sends forth its bright and brilliant beams from the Holy Ark of Alliance and Covenant!

"Let us with the deepest veneration and devotion adore the great source of life, that glorious Spirit who is the Most Merciful and Beneficent Ruler of the Universe and of all the creatures it contains!

"The secret knowledge of the Grand Scottish Master relates to the combination and transmutation of different substances; whereof that you may obtain a clear idea and proper understanding, you are to know that all matter and all material substances are composed of combinations of three several substances, extracted from the four elements, which three substances in combination are Salt, Sulphur and Spirit. The first of these produces solidity, the second softness, and the third the Spiritual, vaporous particles. These three compound substances work potently together; and therein consists the true process of the transmutation of metals.

"To these three substances allude the three golden basins, in the first of which was engraved the letter M:., in the second the letter G:., and in the third nothing. The first, M:., is the initial letter of the Hebrew word Malakh, which signifies Salt; and the second, G:., of the Hebrew word Gepharaith, which signifies Sulphur; and as there is no word in Hebrew to express the vaporous and intangible Spirit, there is no letter in the third basin.

"With these three principal substances you may effect the transmutation of metals, which must be done by means of the five points or rules of the Scottish Mastership.

"The first Masters point shows the Brazen Sea, wherein must always be rainwater; and out of this rain-water the Scottish Masters extract the first substance, which is Salt; which salt must afterward undergo a seven-fold manipulation and purification, before it can be properly prepared. This seven-fold purification, is symbolised by the Seven Steps of Solomon's Temple, which symbol is furnished us by the first point or rule of the Scottish Masters.

"After preparing the first substance, you are to extract the second, Sulphur, out of the purest gold, to which must then be added the purified Celestial Salt. They are to be mixed as the art directs, then placed in a vessel in the form of a SHIP, in which is to remain, as the Ark of Noah was afloat, one hundred and fifty days, being brought to the first damp, warm degree of fire, that it may putrefy and produce mineral fermentation. This is the second point or rule of the Scottish Masters.

"Multiplying the substance thus obtained, this third operation, which is done by adding to them the animate, volatile Spirit; which is done by means of the water of the Celestial Salt, as well as by the Salt, which daily must be added to it very carefully, and strictly observing to put neither too much nor too little; inasmuch as, if you add too much, you will destroy the growing and multiplying substance; and if too little, it will be self consumed and destroyed, and shrink away, not leaving sufficient substantiality for its preservation. This third point or rule of the Scottish Masters gives us the emblem of the building of the tower of Babel, used by the Scottish Masters, because by irregularity and want of due proportion and harmony that work was stopped; and the workmen could proceed no further.

"Next comes the fourth operation, represented by the Cubical Stone, whose faces and angles are all equal. As soon as the work is brought to the necessary point of multiplication, it is to be submitted to the third Degree of Fire, wherein, it will receive the due proportion of the strength and substance of metallic particles of the Cubical Stone; and this is the fourth point or rule of the Scottish Masters.

"Finally, we come to the fifth and last operation, indicated to us by the Flaming Star. After the work has become a duly-proportioned substance, it is to be subjected to the fourth and strongest Degree of fire, wherein it must remain three times twenty-seven hours; until it is thoroughly glowing, by which means it becomes a bright and shining tincture, wherewith the lighter metals may be changed, by use of one part to a thousand of the metal. Wherefore this Flaming Star shows us the fifth and last point of the Scottish Masters.

"You should pass practically through the five points or rules of the Master, and by the use of one part to a thousand, transmute ennoble metals. You may then in reality say that your age is a thousand years."