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Symbolic Grand Orient of Mexico

S∴G∴O∴ of M∴. Masonic body that works the symbolic degrees of the Rite — Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master — under the obedience of the Sovereign Sanctuary of Mexico.

The Lodge is the Initiate's first Temple. Afterwards will come the Chapter, the Areopagus, the Consistory; then the Sanctuary. But everything begins, every day, in the Lodge.

What is the SGO of Mexico

The Symbolic Grand Orient of Mexico (S∴G∴O∴ of M∴) is the masonic authority administering the three symbolic degrees of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim in Mexican territory: Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. It is the most visible body of the Sanctuary, the gateway to Masonic work for profanes requesting initiation, and for masons of other regular obediences seeking affiliation to the Rite.

It operates under the obedience of the Sovereign Sanctuary of Mexico and under the symbolic presidency of the World Grand Hierophant 99° M∴S∴H∴ Mishel Arreola. Its effective direction belongs to the Most Worshipful Grand Master (M∴R∴G∴M∴), according to the constitutions of the SGO itself.

SGO Officers Board

The officers board of the Symbolic Grand Orient of Mexico is elected according to the constitutions of the Masonic authority and ratified by the Sovereign Sanctuary. The current dignitaries are:

M∴S∴H∴ Mishel Arreola M∴R∴G∴M∴ · Grand Master
M∴S∴H∴ Mishel Andrés Arreola Morales i∴o∴ Althotas Alef
V∴H∴ Luis Rodolfo Nájera Ramírez G∴Sec∴ · Grand Secretary
V∴H∴ Luis Rodolfo Nájera Ramírez i∴o∴ Amon Bethor · i∴o∴ Dominus Noctis
V∴H∴ David Miguel Ángeles Lara G∴P∴V∴ · Grand Senior Warden
V∴H∴ David Miguel Ángeles Lara
V∴H∴ Rubén Pérez Soto G∴S∴V∴ · Grand Junior Warden
V∴H∴ Rubén Pérez Soto i∴o∴ Dje-Raen
V∴H∴ Rodolfo Israel Pérez Gómez G∴M∴D∴C∴ · Grand Master of Ceremonies and Grand Hospitalier
V∴H∴ Rodolfo Israel Pérez Gómez i∴o∴ Frater Invictus
V∴H∴ Voltaire Méndez Rodríguez G∴Exp∴ · Grand Expert
V∴H∴ Voltaire Méndez Rodríguez i∴o∴ Serpent

Under this board, minor offices and rotating officers are appointed by the M∴R∴G∴M∴ each cycle. The officers of the SGO also hold positions in the symbolic lodges under its obedience: the R∴L∴S∴ Khepri-Ra-Atum No. 1 and the R∴L∴S∴ Osiris Amenti Resurrectus No. 3.

The Three Degrees

1° Apprentice

Reception of the profane into the Temple. Work on the rough stone—on oneself. Study of the symbols on the Apprentice Tableau: the two columns, the mosaic pavement, the square, the compasses, the gavel. Under the Rite of Memphis-Mizraim, the Apprentice also receives the first Egyptian keys: the luminous Delta with the central Yod, the netjeru of the Lesser Mysteries, the sense of the Temple as a cosmic space.

2° Fellowcraft

Work on the perfect ashlar—on one’s own work. Study of the seven liberal arts, symbolic journey through the five senses and the blazing star. The Fellowcraft of the Rite deepens the Egyptian reading of the Temple: the Tat pillars, the sacred geometry of the square and the Delta, the harmony of the reconstructed body of Osiris as a model for the inner work.

3° Master

Middle Chamber. Symbolic death and initiatic resurrection. In the traditional Scottish Rite, the central myth is that of Hiram Abif; in Memphis-Mizraim, the myth of Osiris replaces that of Hiram: the Initiate assumes the role of the slain god, dismembered and reassembled by Isis, and rises as Master of the Chamber, now in his Body of Light. It is the first complete initiatic body—the rest of the hierarchy deepens, but does not add thresholds.

Beyond the 3°

Once a Master Mason of the Rite, the brother may request to progress to the philosophical degrees (4° to 33°) in the Rose Croix Chapter, the Kadosh Areopagus, and the Consistory operating under the Sovereign Sanctuary, or continue deepening his symbolic work in the Lodge. The Rite does not rush: each degree is worked until the Initiate embodies it, not just until the calendar moves.

Lodges and Triangles under Obedience

Three symbolic bodies currently operate under the SGO. Each has its own coat of arms, its own Temple, and its own Worshipful Master. The three lodges are located in Mexico City and are open contact channels for profanes and affiliating Masons.

Emblem Khepri-Ra-Atum No. 1

R∴L∴S∴ Khepri-Ra-Atum No. 1

CDMX · Symbolic Lodge

Mother lodge of the SGO. Works the rising, zenith, and setting sun as a cipher for the Initiate’s journey.

Learn about the Lodge
Seal of the Akhetaton Triangle

Akhetaton Triangle No. 2

CDMX · Triangle in formation

Transition body toward a full lodge. Under the patronage of Akhetaton, City of the Sun founded by Akhenaton.

Learn about the Triangle
Emblem Osiris Amenti Resurrectus No. 3

R∴L∴S∴ Osiris Amenti Resurrectus No. 3

CDMX · Symbolic Lodge

Works under the invocation of Osiris in the Realm of the West, conqueror of dismemberment and death.

Learn about the Lodge

Planned Expansion

Bodies in formation work under dispensation of the Sovereign Sanctuary and are added to the public board once their ritual and administrative facilities are consolidated. Cuernavaca (Morelos) is the next Orient in the expansion line, with approach works planned for the coming months. Brothers of the Rite or interested profanes residing in places other than Mexico City may express their interest via the contact page to speed up the opening of bodies in their locality.

Difference from other Grand Lodges

The SGO is not just another Masonic obedience among those operating in Mexico. Its nature is specifically that of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim in its symbolic hierarchy. This means notable ritual differences from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, the Mexican National Rite, or the York Rite:

  • The Egyptian myth of Osiris replaces Hiram Abif in the 3°.
  • The Lodge Tableau includes Egypto-hermetic symbols (Delta with Yod, winged solar disk, Eye of Horus) along with the common masonic signs.
  • The Egyptian calendar coexists with the universal masonic calendar in ritual dating.
  • Symbolic work is enriched with readings of the Book of the Dead, hermetic texts, and the Kabbalistic tradition.
  • Aprons of the symbolic degrees are embroidered with the netjeru and the signs of the Delta.

This does not make the SGO a heterodox obedience: respect for the Great Architect of the Universe, the presence of the Volume of the Sacred Law, and the regularity of universal masonic work remain intact. What the Rite adds is a specific interpretive key, not a different system.

The Egyptianism of our Rite is not exotic ornament: it is initiatic structure. Every symbol is an organ of the inner work. Robert Ambelain · X° World Grand Master

Mixed — men and women

The Symbolic Grand Orient of Mexico works in mixed bodies, in the tradition of Egyptian Masonry inaugurated by Cagliostro in 1784 with his Mother Lodge of Lyon, which admitted men and women into separate chambers modeled on the initiated priestesses of the Egyptian temples. This is an important difference from Regular Anglo-Saxon Masonry (UGLE) — and a hallmark the Rite has maintained without interruption since its origin.

Approaching the SGO

Profanes wishing to be initiated, masons from regular obediences wishing to affiliate, and officers from sister obediences seeking official communication may do so via the Sanctuary’s contact page.

For a profane, approach means a preliminary interview, the formal presentation of their candidacy to the relevant Lodge, and the fulfillment of the initiation process in accordance with the Rite’s ritual. For an already initiated mason, it requires the presentation of documentation attesting to their degree and original obedience. In no case is Masonic initiation a mere procedure: it is the opening of a new life.

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