Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA)
The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA), or Rosicrucian Society of England, is an independent Christian society for qualifying Master Masons. Its first recorded London meeting took place on 1 June 1867. The society provides a setting for the study of Rosicrucian literature, symbolism and related subjects.[1][2]
Formation and early leadership
Robert Wentworth Little and William James Hughan entered a Scottish Rosicrucian society in December 1866. The London group met at the George Hotel, Aldermanbury, in June 1867. Its early organisation developed over several years; the High Council and Metropolitan College became separate bodies in 1874.[2][3]
Little was followed as Supreme Magus by William Robert Woodman in 1878 and William Wynn Westcott in 1891. Westcott held the office until his death in 1925. The society's historical account records the adoption of its Latin name during the 1880s.[3]
Membership and relationship with Freemasonry
The published qualifications require a subscribing Master Mason of a lodge under the United Grand Lodge of England or a jurisdiction in amity with it, together with belief in Trinitarian Christianity. Admission is proposed and seconded by members and decided by ballot.[1][4]
The Masonic qualification does not make the SRIA another step in ordinary Craft degree progression. The society describes its work as separate from that progression. It should also be distinguished from the Rose Croix degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite and from other organisations using the Rosicrucian name.[1]
Organisation and grades
The Supreme Magus and High Council govern the society. Provinces are overseen by Chief Adepts, and local colleges by Celebrants. The nine grades are arranged in three orders.[4]
| Order | Grades |
|---|---|
| First | I Zelator; II Theoricus; III Practicus; IV Philosophus |
| Second | V Adeptus Minor; VI Adeptus Major; VII Adeptus Exemptus |
| Third | VIII Magister; IX Magus |
The society identifies the Fama Fraternitatis and the German Golden and Rosy Cross tradition among the sources of its system.[4]
Research and associated figures
Members present papers and participate in study groups. Westcott began the Metropolitan College Transactions in 1885, providing a publication for such work.[1][5]
Westcott, Woodman and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers founded The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1888. That order developed separately. Arthur Edward Waite joined Metropolitan College in 1902 and became chairman of its study group the following year.[6][2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, ‘About the Society’, published membership qualifications and purpose.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 SRIA Province of Greater London, ‘Metropolitan College’, historical account based on the college's records.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, ‘History of the Rosicrucian Society of England 1867’, including the list of Supreme Magi.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, ‘Structure of the Society’ and historical home-page account, note 1 (grade names).
- ↑ SRIA Province of Greater London, ‘William Wynn Westcott’, biographical account and archival illustrations.
- ↑ Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, ‘William Wynn Westcott’, biographical entry.
| Rosicrucian history and related societies | |
|---|---|
| Overview | Rosicrucians · Christian Rosencreutz · SRIA · Golden Dawn |
| Early texts | Fama · Confessio · Chymical Wedding |
| People | William Wynn Westcott · Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers · William Robert Woodman · Arthur Edward Waite · Pamela Colman Smith |
| Related reading | Comparing the traditions · All articles in this section |