Overview

Background

The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA) or Study Society of Freemasons was founded in 1867 by Robert Wentworth Little and other freemasons, following the discovery of certain manuscripts in the archives of the United Grand Lodge of England. The SRIA is an independent society of freemasons which has become a well-established and highly regarded member of the broader Masonic family with many eminent and scholarly Masons counted among its membership. Click here for a PDF copy of Dr William Wynn Westcott's (1900) early history of the SRIA (5.9MB).

Aim of the Society

In common with freemasonry, the Society is concerned with encouraging the fellowship of Man and, within the Western Mystery Tradition, comprehending the true nature and purpose of his place in the world.

The aim of the Society is to afford mutual aid and encouragement in working out the great problems of Life, and in searching out the Secrets of Nature; to facilitate the study of the system of Philosophy founded upon the Kabbalah and the doctrine of Hermes Trismegistus, which was inculcated by the original Fratres Rosae Crucis, AD 1450, and to investigate the meaning and symbolism of all that now remains of the wisdom, art and literature of the ancient world.

The aim is pursued through the ceremonials of the nine Grades of the Society, through personal study and reflection, and through participation in discussions in Colleges.

Click here for an early copy of a statement on The Society from The Rosicrucians magazine (January 1869 No. 3).

Structure

The Society is led by a Supreme Magus, supported by two Substitute Magi and his High Council. The Colleges are aggregated into Provinces, where practical, and these are led by a Chief Adept, supported by his Suffragan and Provincial Council. The Colleges are led by a Celebrant, supported by an Exponent and other Officers.

The nine Grades of the Society are:

I - Zelator

II - Theoricus

III - Practicus

IV - Philosophus

V - Adeptus Minorus

VI - Adeptus Majorus

VII - Adeptus Exemptus

VIII - Magister

IX - Magus

These Grades are organised into three Orders: Grades I-IV constitute the First Order and are the responsibility of the Colleges; Grades V-VII constitute the Second Order and are generally the responsibility of the Provinces; Grades VIII-IX constitute the Third Order and are the sole responsibility of the Supreme Magus. Fratres in the First Order are considered learners, fratres in the Second Order are expected to become teachers, and fratres in the Third Order might become leaders within the Society.

Spread of the SRIA

The SRIA has Provinces and Colleges in a number of regions of the world, including: throughout England and Wales, across Canada, France, Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia: Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.

Fraternal Relations

The SRIA has, since the foundations of the Society, enjoyed close fraternal relations with the Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (Scotland), which has Colleges across Scotland, in Hong Kong, Finland, and also in Australia: New South Wales and Tasmania. The SRIA also has fraternal relations with the Masonic Societies in the USA and Portugal. Fratres of all these Societies are warmly encouraged to visit each other's Colleges.

Regalia

Fratres wear a jewel of special significance, the colour of the ribbon appropriate to each frater's rank within the Society. Celebrants, Past Celebrants and High Councillors also wear robes appropriate to their rank or office. Other jewels may be worn to indicate a frater's receipt of one of the honours of the SRIA, support of the DSS Fund, acknowledgement as a College Founder or membership of a Centenarian College.

Honours

The Supreme Magus of SRIA has authority to award fratres for meritorious service rendered to the Society, particularly in respect of study and research undertaken. There are three awards available: Order of C.R. (OCR), Companion of C.R. (CCR), and the highest award, the Star of Honour. In addition to these awards, the SRIA has another initiatory Order of Honour, the Adepti of C.R. (ACR), which is also controlled by the Supreme Magus. There are very few fratres who are awarded these Honours and each is highly prized within the Society.

SRIA - an introduction for the esoteric Freemason with an enquiring mind

Click here to download a PDF (461KB) copy of an Introduction to the SRIA for the esoteric and enquiring Freemason.

If you are interested in membership of this wonderful and engaging study society of Freemasons, click here.