The Rungs of the Ladder By Michael J Stayt. Flying Dragon Publications, Archangels’ Rest, 108 High Street, Glynneath, West Glamorgan SA11 5AL. Telephone: 01639 722939. Fax: 01639 729106. 108 pages. £8.50 plus p+p.

When a mason has completed his three degrees in the Craft a whole new world opens up for him. There is a veritable empire of side degrees to which he can attach himself. But what should he join and what are they about?
    This book provides some of the answers in a comprehensive and easily readable style. Michael Stayt, himself a member of many Orders, has produced a pull-out and useful diagram of how everything fits together. It is useful for the experienced mason as well as the newcomer.
    As the author points out: "In fact, the more one progresses through the various Orders and Degrees the more relaxed is the atmosphere, since an ever larger percentage of the membership are both experienced and keen.
    "I know many Craft masons feel that progressing to another Order might distract and confuse a young brother, but on the contrary they learn so much which makes the Craft better understood while giving them greater confidence."
    There is no doubt a good deal of truth in this view, but the newly raised Master Mason would be well advised to learn to crawl in the mysteries of the Craft before striding out too early into other Degrees.
    Although a Master Mason can join the Royal Arch – the only other Degree recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England as well as the three Craft Degrees – after "four weeks and upwards" a year would be a good timescale before taking on extra knowledge.
    Looking at the Mark Degree, the author refers to it as the "Happy Degree" with the atmosphere more relaxed that in the Craft.
    He writes: "The Mark and the Royal Arch take totally different approaches to masonic advancement and this divides keen masons into three categories, those who love the Mark and don’t find the Royal Arch to their taste, those who love the Royal Arch but are not fond of the Mark and those who enjoy both."
    However, the mason aspiring to higher knowledge won’t know which of the three he falls into until he has joined them. There lies the rub.
    Michael Stayt takes us through numerous Degrees, such as the Knights Templar, Knights of St John, The Ancient & Accept Rite, the Rose Cross, Red Cross of Constantine, Royal and Select Masters, The Secret Monitor, Royal Order of Scotland, The Rite of Baldwyn and Rosicrucians, and others.
    This shows the extent to which a mason can extend knowledge. But it is enormously time-consuming and expensive. Michael Stayt is clearly a devotee and enthusiast writ large. For the ordinary mason, were we not all taught to be cautious?
    Counselling from a senior mason might be advisable – although many of the more experienced brethren tend to be good recruitment sergeants for their pet Degrees. A little "cribbing" beforehand would be a well-advised step.
    A mason seeking to enter other Degrees will find this an excellent crib sheet as it lifts the veil on some of the more interesting areas of the vast masonic world.
    John Jackson