Pike's ritual revisions were so impressive that he was appointed an active member of the Supreme Council and became the most respected Sovereign Grand Commander in the history of the Rite. The complete rituals served as the basis for the philosophy of the Scottish Rite. The Magnum Opus contains Albert Pike's complete, first writing on the rituals of the Scottish rite degrees. Pike continued to refine these rituals for the rest of his life. The Magnum Opus allows researchers to trace the differences and discover shifts in Masonic symbolism. Although similar to the current rituals used by the Scottish Rite, it is slightly different and more esoteric. Some of Pike's rituals were used by other High Councils as the basis for their own practices. ( )