What to do after the third degree?
After completing the Third Degree, also known as the Master Mason Degree, a candidate has several options for further involvement in Freemasonry. As noted by Robert Lomas in The Secrets of Freemasonry, the newly raised Master Mason may choose to pursue additional degrees in either the Scottish Rite or the York Rite. The Scottish Rite offers degrees from the Fourth to the Thirty-Second, while the York Rite includes the Chapter, Council, and Commandery degrees, culminating in the Knights Templar degree.
It is important to note that many Masons choose to stop their journey after the first three degrees, but for those who wish to continue, Lomas advises that the first additional degrees to consider are the Mark and Royal Arch degrees. The Royal Arch is particularly significant as it is said to hold the genuine secrets of a Master Mason. Whichever path is chosen, it is recommended to wait until one has gained some understanding of the meanings behind these degrees before proceeding further.