In the last issue of Freemasonry Today we surveyed the ceremonies conferred in the grades of the First Order of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (Iº - IVº). We will now examine the structure of the Society at regional level where the Colleges are grouped into Provinces administered by a Chief Adept. While each College functions as an individual unit conferring the first four grades, any advancement beyond the IVº Grade of Philosophus into the Second Order of the Society is the sole prerogative of the Supreme Magus or Chief Adept. It is granted only after a compulsory period of four years service in the First Order with an additional mandatory year between the VIº and VIIº Adept grades.

The Second Order of the Society

    These three ceremonies are deeply moving; indeed, they constitute a symbolic preparation for the hereafter.

Vº - Adeptus Minor. On imparting the Latin motto by which he is known in the Society the postulant is allowed to enter the "Vault of the Adepts" which is ostensibly seven sided. A prologue on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life is delivered: he is invited to contemplate the return of the soul to its source along the upward paths of the Sephiroth toward the supernals and the dawn of celestial light.
    To undertake his symbolic journey he is required to give proofs of his obedience, prudence and discretion in the secret affairs of the Society before he is permitted to enter into a Solemn Covenant with the Adepts of the Rose and Cross. He is then entrusted with the mysteries of an Adeptus Minor Vº and exhorted to direct his labours toward a higher plane of life and knowledge in this quest to obtain the ‘Summum Bonum’. As a member of Vº grade he is invested with the Jewel of the Society and acquainted with the "Jewel of Adeptship" - a triangular gold plate bearing the Tetractys of Pythagorus which may be worn if desired.

VIº - Adeptus Major. For this the aspirant is asked to bind himself closer to the fraternity as he solemnly renews his Covenant as an ‘Adept’. It is explained that a moral purification of the soul is the essential path leading to a fuller comprehension of the essence of immortality; a step that is within the compass of all who understand and are truly worthy. This grade demonstrates the value of contemplation and illustrates that this mortal life is but a mere vestibule to the Temple of Immortality.

VIIº - Adeptus Exeptus. The frater who gains admission through the veiled ‘portal’ of this final grade of the Second Order can truly be regarded as having attained the summit of adeptship. It is the crucial step for all who wish to progress to the highest level of achievement within masonic Rosicrucianism. The ceremony is calculated to inspire the supplicant with a full realisation that self-knowledge is the key to understanding man’s true mission upon earth.

The Third Order of the Society

    Admissions to the senior grades (VIIIº & 9º) - members of which are the rulers of the Society - are the prerogative of the Supreme Magus only, and are designated as the Third Order. They are conferred sparingly.

VIIIº - Magister. This grade is traditionally bestowed by the Supreme Magus in a ‘Council of Magistri’, when the nominee is conducted through a ceremony which describes the achievements of Christian Rosenkreutz as described in the Rosicrucian Fama Fraternitatis and the profound effect that the emergence of a secret Rosicrucian brotherhood had upon the intelligentsia of Europe at the beginning of the seventeenth century. It is an absorbing rite in which the central objective is an expansion of awareness of the spirit of God in Man.

IXº (or 9º) - Magus. This is the ultimate grade of the Society and only the Supreme Magus and the two Substitute Magi (and Past Magi) are recognised as active holders of the ninth grade, being designated by the Roman numeral IXº, although certain other Fraters who have rendered valuable service to the Society may be nominated to receive advancement to that rank but as Magi Honoris Causa 9º. On the rare occasion when this sublime grade is conducted the Supreme Magus, or his Commissioner, is empowered to confer this ceremony within an Assembly of Magi of the Society.
    The distinctive jewel of this grade comprises a Calvary cross in ebony, bearing a silver rose with brilliants at the extremity of each arm and the Cross of the Society in the centre worn from a crimson ribbon on the left breast. That of the Supreme Magus is a similar cross of larger dimensions which is surmounted by a Celestial Crown and worn from a crimson velvet collarette while those of the Substitute Magi are of similar design, without the crown.

The High Council

    A team of administrative Officers headed by Substitute Magi support the Supreme Magus. The High Council of the Society is convened in central London on a regular basis and comprises all the officials together with a representative from each of the Colleges. Everyday administration is conducted from the Society’s headquarters in Hampstead, London, under the supervision of the Secretary-General and with such a complex series of grades being conferred throughout the Society the task of maintaining records is undertaken by the Recorder-General who issues the various grade certificates. It is normal for the High Council Officers, together with the other Magi Honoris Causa 9º of the Society, to form the Electoral College which is convened whenever the office of Supreme Magus becomes vacant.

The Merits of the Society

    The teachings of the Society, deriving from the Rosicrucian texts of the early seventeenth century, are profound and quite unique within the Masonic spectrum. The truths enshrined within its ceremonies have been devised to provide insight for those who possess the ability and desire to acquaint themselves with the inner meaning of masonry. They endeavour by precept to encourage and develop a genuine desire for a more complete knowledge of the Divine and a greater perception of that classical dictum - ‘Know Thyself’.
    Freemasonry, at the outset, like the original operative system, was decidedly Christian in character but those important elements were discarded by the Craft when it quietly declared a theistic philosophy in Anderson’s Constitutions of 1723. This action resulted in the subsequent emergence and development of Orders that catered exclusively for Christian Brethren and today the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia is proud to form part of that rich and valuable tradition.

Keith Jackson is a member of most of the recognised Orders within Freemasonry, holding high office in many. He has lectured extensively over many years and is author of the standard work on extra-Craft degrees, Beyond the Craft.