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Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia

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The position of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia among the Masonic appendant bodies in England and Wales

Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (Rosicrucian Society of England) was a Masonic esoteric Christian order formed by Robert Wentworth Little in 1865,[1][2] although some sources acknowledge the date to be 1866-67.[3][4] Members are confirmed from the ranks of subscribing Master Masons[1] of a Grand Lodge in amity with United Grand Lodge of England.

The structure and grade of this order, as A. E. Waite suggests, were derived from the 18th-century German Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross. It later became the same grade system used for the Golden Dawn.[5]

History

The society claims to be inspired by the original Rosicrucian Brotherhood but does not allege a provable link thereto. It bases its teachings on those found in the Fama and Confessio Fraternitas published in the early 17th century in Germany along with other similar publications from the same time.

The society was founded in 1867, derived from a pre-existing Rosicrucian order in Scotland (which bore no relation to similarly named the Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia, which was a later creation), following the admission of William James Hughan and Robert Wentworth Little.[citation needed] These Fratres were advanced quickly in Scotland and granted a warrant to form a Society in England. The formation meeting took place on 1 June 1867 in Aldermanbury, London with Frater Little elected Master Magus, the title of "Supreme Magus" not being invented until some years later.

They produced a journal, called The Rosicrucian, which was co-edited by William Robert Woodman.

Membership Requirements

The society requires all aspirants for membership to declare a belief in the fundamental principles of the Trinitarian Christian faith and offers assistance to all its members in working out the great problems of nature and science.

Structure and Governance

The Order is subdivided into:

1st Order

Members of the 1st Order(Fratres) meet in a College which is equivalent to a Freemasons Lodge. A College is empowered to confer the first four degrees of the society which are known as Grades. A minimum of six months must elapse between the receipt of grades. However, the emphasis in the work of the society is learning, therefore every member is encouraged to deliver a paper of their own work on some topic of interest in open college.

  • Grade I - Zelator
  • Grade II - Theoricus
  • Grade III - Practicus
  • Grade IV - Philosophus

2nd Order

This is equivalent to a Masonic Provincial Grand Lodge headed by a Chief Adept and his deputy (Suffragan) who have jurisdiction over all first order Colleges within the Province. The Chief Adept is empowered to confer three further Grades at this level to deserving Fratres of Grade IV who have been a member of the Society for a minimum of four years.

  • Grade V - Adeptus Minor
  • Grade VI - Adeptus Major
  • Grade VII - Adeptus Exemptus

A minimum of one year must elapse between the receipt of grades at this level. A member can only serve as the Celebrant (Master) of a College of the First Order after receiving the Grade of Adeptus Exemptus.

3rd Order

This is equivalent to a Grand Lodge headed by a Supreme Magus, Senior Substitute Magus and Junior Substitute Magus. Members of the second order who have given service to the society and been selected by the Supreme Magus for such advancement may be awarded a further two Grades.

  • Grade VIII - Magister
  • Grade IX - Magus

Influences

In 1888, three members of SRIA formed the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which removed the restriction on membership, allowing non-Christians, non-Freemasons, and women to join. A great deal of the SRIA structure survived in the new order, which went on to greatly influence the modern occult revival in the 20th century.

Known members

Modern times

The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia has led to a number of similar organisations in different countries such as Scotland, Canada, and two in America.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b King 1989, page 28
  2. ^ J. Gordon Melton, page 179
  3. ^ C.M., The Rosicrucians, page 109
  4. ^ R.W. Littles Biography at the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon
  5. ^ The masonic career of A.E. Waite by Bro. R. A. Gilbert
  6. ^ Morrisson, page 18

Sources

  • King, Francis X. Modern Ritual Magic: The Rise of Western Occultism (2nd ed.).
  • McIntosh, Christopher. The Rosicrucians.
  • Melton, Gordon J. The Encyclopedia of American Religions.
  • Morrisson, Mark S. Modern Alchemy.

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