Formation | 1865 |
---|---|
Type | Freemasonry Rosicrucianism |
Headquarters | Harlthorpe Hall, Yorkshire, England |
Location | |
Supreme Magus | First: Robert Wentworth Little (1869–1878) Current: Anthony W. Llewellyn (2019–present) |
Website | sria.uk.com |
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (Rosicrucian Society of England) or SRIA is a Rosicrucian esoteric Christian order formed by Robert Wentworth Little between 1865[1][2] and 1867.[3][4] While the SRIA is not a Masonic order (unattached to any Grand Lodge structure or Masonic Rite), aspirants (people seeking membership) are strictly 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 Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.[5]
The Fratres (singular. Frater) of the Society meet in Colleges, which are presided over by an annually elected Celebrant who also oversees all First Order ceremonial. Chief Adepts are responsible for all Colleges within their Province, they personally oversee all Second Order ceremonial activities and are appointed by The Supreme Magus who governs the Society worldwide via his High Council and oversees Third Order ceremonial.[6]
SRIA Colleges can be found in England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Wales, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Hungary, and India.
In addition to the ceremonial work within colleges, each Frater is encouraged to research, present, and discuss, papers covering a range of topics, including but not limited to Symbolism, Alchemy, Artificial Intelligence, philosophy, Esotericism, Spirituality, and Mysticism.[7]
The society has a rare collection of 400 year old Rosicrucian books, letters and manuscripts, which are on loan to the Library and Museum of Freemasonry in Freemasons Hall, home of the United Grand Lodge of England.[8][9]