Shanghai Tuscan Lodge

If the Holy Royal Arch’s standard ritual is a biblical blockbuster then the Savage Club version is for the Netflix generation.

 

Photographs and interviews: W Bro Simon Greaves LGCR

 

That was one view from among about 70 of those watching an exaltation ceremony demonstration of Savage ritual – slightly shorter, more streamlined and re-ordered – at Freemasons’ Hall in July. Another Mason attending described it as being the Morecambe and Wise version – all the same words but not necessarily in the same order!

Originating at the London club’s Chapter of the same name, the demonstration was hosted by Peckham Chapter No 1475; who sport Reliant three-wheeler tie pins that honour that son of Peckham Del Boy’s classic wheels. There was definitely something ‘cushty’ about the ritual’s reception after a near perfect demonstration.

Who: Ian Burgess; my main chapter is All Saints with Benefactum No 1716 and I have pulled together this demonstration team for the Savage ritual.

Why: I’m a Metropolitan Grand Inspector in London and the Savage Club Chapter is in my inspectorate; so I have had the privilege of being able to see this first hand.

What: When I saw it for the second time, it clicked. The candidate doesn’t always really know what’s going on. I think the beauty of this is that you’ve got
a ritual here that explains the story once, the candidate is engaged for a shorter period of time, and a lot of what is being said is being displayed as well; so the candidate can actually take it in. They’ve rearranged it to make it more succinct.

Who: Jolyon Berry, Grand Superintendent for the Province of Suffolk. I happen to be Z of two Chapters simultaneously; my mother which is Westminster and Keystone Chapter No 10 here in London, and Sparta No 9771 in Suffolk. And I’ve been to more Chapter meetings in the last six months than I’ve been in the last six years!

Why: The first time I saw it was actually at the Savage Club in November last year when a whole host of Grand Superintendents were invited.

What: I think it could be adopted for all sorts of reasons. My takeaway is that there is a part of the ceremony where the Savage Club ritual is almost like subtitles to the primary piece of ritual. This accelerates it without shortening it; and makes it easier to comprehend. I hope it doesn’t replace all rituals, but I can see it working well for many Chapters.

Who: Excellent Companion Paul Asante, LGCR and currently Metropolitan Grand Standard Bearer.
I’m a member of a few Chapters, but my mother is Cyrus Chapter.
I’m also a member of this Peckham Chapter and the Met Grand Stewards Chapter. I’m on the Savage demonstration team.

Why: The first time I saw it at the Savage Club Chapter, they did it very well and I loved it.

What: It tells the story of the Royal Arch beautifully, without confusing the candidates; whereas the first time I was a Companion, it took me six years just to understand the ritual. I would happily adopt it in my Chapter. The best part is that it allows a new Companion to understand the story as well as when we take our third degree.

Who: Clive Goodman, VO of three Chapters in Robert Cooper’s inspectorate. I’m a past Metropolitan Grand Steward and a newly joined member of Peckham Chapter, also a member of Met Stewards which is where I saw the Savage ritual for the first time.

Why: I went straight to all three of my VO Chapters and told them about it; and also my London Chapter, King David of which I’m DC. I am getting a little bit of resistance, namely, “Well, we’ve all learnt the old Domatic style and we don’t really want to change!”

What: It makes more logical sense. I’m a big fan. I remember my own Exaltation 25 years ago – I was still in a bit of a tailspin two years later. Every time I saw it, I still didn’t really get it. I think this could be the placebo that’s going to make Royal Arch acceptable to a lot more candidates.

Who: I am Tony Shepherd, a Metropolitan Grand Inspector in the Royal Arch and MEZ of Peckham Chapter. My mother chapter is Acanthus No 2715.

Why: I’ve seen the Savage ritual done four or five times now; and today as MEZ I was front and centre of the presentation. When I first attended, I thought I could sit on the bus all the way home complaining about the bits that had been left out; but actually went home waxing lyrical about what opportunities it presents to RA companions to get their head around the narrative.

What: It’s an ideal opportunity for busy young Royal Arch Masons who are learning the ritual for the first time and for those who aren’t natural ritualists. It’s not for everybody. It’s still not easy to learn. But I think the tweaking of the order helps you absorb the narrative, symbolism and mysticism. In many respects, it’s taken a three-hour movie and turned it into one hour 45. It’s an exciting tool for Chapters to have in their ritual toolbox and it’s starting to gain traction.

Who: Gur Samuel; exalted into Bernato Chapter, No 2265. I’m also a member of Euclid Chapter of First Principals, No 7464. I served Metropolitan Grand Chapter as AGDC in 2021, which is why I was eligible to join Peckham today. I’m also a member of the Metropolitan Grand Chapter Ritual Support Team.

Why: I heard about it and was given a copy but decided I didn’t want to read it until I had a chance to see it in person, so I could approach it with a fresh mind.

What: I feel that there are some key elements that have been taken out that I’d very much like to see put back in before I would countenance adopting it myself. Chapter’s not meant to be easy, it’s very much the researching, thinking Mason’s order. There are esoteric references that were taken out to facilitate the shortening of the ceremony. But there is potential. By shortening the ceremony, it gives space for all three lectures which I think should always be done. Plus it allows those who want to start meetings later to do so.

Who: Excellent Companion Alan Sparham. I am currently MEZ in Aldersgate Chapter and DC in Cyrus Chapter in Ealing.

Why: Tonight we’ve come down from Northampton to visit and observe the Savage Club ritual.

What: I honestly believe that this is the kind of ritual that’s going to give us a lot of longevity within the Chapter and I think its also going to help with retention because you’ve got more opportunity to bring more people in, to get everyone involved. I would definitely recommend it to other Companions and I believe Cyrus Chapter has already been earmarked to show another ceremony in November.

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This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 55 Summer 2024 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 55 here.