Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis

The Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis (S∴R∴I∴C∴F∴) is an elite, invitational Masonic body operating in the United States. Its Latin name translates directly to "The Rosicrucian Society of the United States". The organization represents a unique synthesis of High-Grade Freemasonry, classical Rosicrucianism, Christian mysticism, and Western esotericism.

The Society's primary and stated purpose is to serve as a vehicle for "highly dedicated and long serving Masons" to engage in "the esoteric and philosophical study and examination of Masonry". The SRICF repeatedly and deliberately clarifies that it "is not merely another Degree of Freemasonry which may be acquired". This emphasis signals a conscious move away from the "degree collecting" common in fraternalism. The Society explicitly states it "is not interested primarily in increasing its membership". Instead, it seeks only those "Brethren whose interest in the Society's aims is sincere". This positions the SRICF less as a standard appendant body and more as an esoteric honor society or a philosophical graduate program, dedicated to the intellectual and spiritual pursuit of "working out the great problems of Life".

Membership, Exclusivity, and Faith

Admission into the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis is governed by a strict and multi-layered set of qualifications, beginning with the fact that membership is "by invitation only". An individual cannot petition to join; they must be identified and nominated by existing members (known as Fratres).

The Dual Qualifications

For an invitation to even be considered, an aspirant must meet two non-negotiable prerequisites:

• Masonic Affiliation: The candidate must be a Master Mason in good and regular standing with a recognized Symbolic, Craft, or Blue Lodge. This requirement ensures that all members share a common foundation in the core tenets and symbolic language of Freemasonry. It is not necessary for the candidate to be a Past Master of their lodge.
• Christian Faith: The aspirant "shall be of the Christian faith, and shall profess the same in writing". This is a defining and fundamental characteristic of the Society. Some sources further specify this requirement as being a "Trinitarian Christian".

Constitutional and Intellectual Requirements

Beyond these two pillars, the Society's constitution mandates that a candidate must be "of good moral character, intelligent, and possessing a mind free from prejudice and anxious for instruction".

The Rationale for Exclusivity

The Society provides clear reasoning for its stringent requirements. The Masonic qualification functions as a practical vetting process, assuring the membership "that the Aspirant has given proof of that fidelity and privacy which characterizes a member of the Masonic Fraternity".

The Christian qualification, however, is deeply philosophical and theological. It is required "because the character of the Grade rituals is... completely Christian" and "emphasized in the Ceremony of Admission". The Society operates on the premise that its specific rituals and teachings "would not be understood or appreciated by those of other faiths". This explicit Christian requirement is the single most important factor in defining the SRICF's identity. It marks a significant divergence from the religious universalism of Craft Masonry—which requires only a belief in a Supreme Being—and firmly establishes the SRICF as a specialized body for the study of Christian esotericism.

Foundations of the American Society the History of a Transatlantic Chartering

The formation of the SRICF was the result of persistent efforts by American Masons to establish a formal Rosicrucian society linked to its European counterparts.

Early Attempts and Failures

As early as 1873, "High Grade Christian Freemasons" in the United States sought to organize a body under the authority of the Societas Rosicruciana In Scotia (S∴R∴I∴S∴), with assistance from Charles Matier of the SRIS. This initial effort, associated with R.W. Frater George S. Blackie VIII, ultimately "died out". Other early attempts, such as Dr. Jonathon J. French's Matier Royal Provincial College in Illinois (chartered by SRIS in 1878), were also short-lived and failed to establish a lasting presence.

The Successful Founding (1878–1880)

The permanent foundation of the Society began in 1878, when a group of prominent American Masons—namely Charles E. Meyer, Daniel Sutter, and Charles W. Parker—traveled to England. On July 25, 1878, they were initiated into the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA) at Yorkshire College in Sheffield.

Following their initiation, they applied to the SRIA for a charter to establish an American college. However, they received "no response". This administrative lapse, or "snub," by the English society proved to be a pivotal event.

Rebuffed by England, the American Masons turned to the Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (S∴R∴I∴S∴). This time, they were successful. The SRIS granted a charter on December 27, 1879, establishing the first American college in Philadelphia. A second charter for a New York college was granted shortly thereafter.

Formal Consecration and Naming

With three colleges chartered by Scotland, members from these new bodies met in Philadelphia to formally establish a "Grand High Council" on April 21, 1880. The official consecration of this national governing body took place on September 21, 1880.

The organization's name underwent a long maturation process:

• It was initially known as Societas Rosicrucianae Reipublica Confoedera America (S∴R∴R∴C∴A∴).
• It was later changed to the "Society of Rosicrucians in the USA" by Supreme Magus Thomas Shryock.
• Finally, in 1934, the name was properly and formally Latinized to its current form, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis (S∴R∴I∴C∴F∴), by Dr. William Moseley Brown.

Thus, the SRICF's direct parent organization is the Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia, a direct result of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia failing to act on the initial charter request. Today, the SRICF is the official American branch of the tradition and operates in amity with its sister societies in Scotland (S∴R∴I∴S∴), England (S∴R∴I∴A∴), Canada (S∴R∴I∴C∴), Portugal (S∴R∴I∴L∴), France (S∴R∴I∴G∴), and Romania (S∴R∴I∴R∴).

The High Council and the Colleges

The SRICF is governed by a centralized, hierarchical structure.

The Supreme Governing Body - The High Council

The supreme governing body is "THE HIGH COUNCIL, SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA IN CIVITATIBUS FOEDERATIS". Its official See, or headquarters, is located in Washington, D.C.. The title "Grand" was officially dropped from the High Council's name in 1911.

The High Council is not a representative body of all members. Its composition is limited exclusively to Fratres who have attained the Third Order, specifically the VIII° (Magister) and IX° (Magus) grades.

The Supreme Magus

The head of the Society is titled the Supreme Magus. For most of the Society's history, this position was held ad vitam (for life). This changed circa 1991, when the constitution was modernized to replace the lifetime appointment with a triennial election, meaning the Supreme Magus is elected every three years. This shift represents a significant move from a traditional "esoteric monarchy" toward a more accountable, corporate-style governance.

The Supreme Magus, along with the Senior and Junior Deputy Supreme Magi, are known as the "Ruling Magi" and have exclusive authority over the Society's rituals. The High Council also includes a full contingent of elected officers, such as the Treasurer General and Secretary General, and numerous appointed officers, including Ancients, Heralds, Acolytes, and the Editor of the Society's journal.

The Colleges

The local, subordinate bodies of the SRICF are termed "Colleges," which are analogous to the Lodges of Craft Masonry. Each College is headed by a Chief Adept.

This leadership structure differs significantly from Craft Masonry. Whereas the Master of a Lodge is elected by its members, the Chief Adept of a College is appointed by the Supreme Magus for a three-year term. This centralized, top-down appointment system ensures ritualistic uniformity and reinforces the authority of the High Council across all Colleges.

College membership is deliberately kept small to maintain an intimate, scholarly environment. Membership was initially restricted to 36 Fratres per College. In 1908, this limit was increased by Supreme Magus Thomas Shryock to 72 active members. This policy of numerical exclusivity is a structural enforcement of the Society's philosophical aim to prioritize sincere scholarship over numerical growth.

The Three Orders and Nine Grades (The Path of Attainment)

The SRICF's curriculum is organized into a nine-grade system, which is divided into three distinct Orders. This structure represents a progressive journey of spiritual and philosophical development.

The three Orders are classified as:

• First Order: The Learning Grades
• Second Order: The Teaching Grades
• Third Order: The Ruling Grades

The curriculum of the First Order, conferred within the local Colleges, forms the foundation of the Society's esoteric education. It is a systematic study of the classical pillars of Western esotericism. This path begins with (I°) the abstract principles of reality (Kabbalah, Numbers), moves to (II°) the observation of reality (Nature), then to (III°) the transformation of reality (Alchemy), and finally to (IV°) the human comprehension of reality (Philosophy and Religion).

This specific grade structure (Zelator, Theoricus, Practicus, etc.) is historically significant, as it was adapted by high-ranking SRIA members (such as Dr. William Wynn Westcott) to form the basis of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The SRICF's grade system is, therefore, the direct, Christian-Masonic ancestor to the curriculum of one of the most influential magical fraternities in modern history.

The higher Orders—Second (Teaching) and Third (Ruling)—are conferred upon members who have demonstrated service and mastery. The Third Order (VIII° Magister and IX° Magus) is the highest, and its members alone constitute the governing High Council. The highest distinction, which is an honor and not a grade, is the Knight Grand Cross (KGC), awarded to IX° Magi for "exemplary effort" and service to the Society.

Grade Structure of the SRICF

The Esoteric Core, the Philosophy, Tenets, and Symbolism

The SRICF is fundamentally a society of scholars and mystics. Its official aim is "to afford mutual aid and encouragement in working out the great problems of Life; and in searching out the secrets of Nature". This work is facilitated through "the study of the system of Philosophy founded upon the Kabalah and the doctrine of Hermes Trismegitus", as well as the 17th-century Rosicrucian manifestos, the Fama and Confessio Fraternitatis.

A Society of Scholars

The "work" of the Society is primarily intellectual and academic. Unlike orders focused on ritual magic, the SRICF is "heavily theory driven," and the "practicum of developing technique is left to the individual". It is described as a "philosophic system" rather than a "theurgical system". Members are expected to be active learners who "present papers" on esoteric topics for the benefit of the College.

This scholarly focus is embodied in the Society's publications. The High Council issues an annual journal titled Ad Lucem, which features academic articles authored by members on Rosicrucianism, esoteric history, and "esoteric streams of Christian Mysteries". It also publishes an annual report, The Rosicrucian Fama.

Core Symbolism

The Society's philosophy is expressed through its core symbols, most notably the Pelican and the Rose Cross.

• The Pelican: This is a "prominent symbol" within the SRICF. It depicts a mother pelican vulning (wounding) herself to feed her young with her own blood. This is a classical and "most appropriate symbol" for Jesus Christ, serving as "an emblem of our Blessed Lord shedding his blood for mankind".
• Connection to Scottish Rite: This symbol, along with the Rose Cross, is also the central emblem of the 18th Degree (Knight Rose Croix) of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. This powerful symbolic overlap suggests that the SRICF is designed to function as an "advanced studies" program for Masons particularly drawn to the Christian mystical themes introduced in the Scottish Rite, expanding those concepts into a full nine-grade curriculum.
• Regalia (Jewels): The rank of the Fratres is distinguished by their jewels, which vary by Order. The jewels for the First and Second Orders (I°–VII°) feature a silver bar with the letters "S.R.I.C.F." and a green ribbon. The jewel for the Eighth Grade (VIII°) features a gold bar and a yellow ribbon. The jewel for the Ninth Grade (IX°) is the most distinct, featuring a gold bar, a crown, and a red ribbon.

A Necessary Clarification: Distinguishing the SRICF from the Rosicrucian Landscape

A significant source of public confusion is the proliferation of unrelated organizations that use the "Rosicrucian" name. The SRICF is only one branch of this tradition, and its identity is defined by its exclusivity—it is both Masonic and Christian.

The modern Rosicrucian landscape was largely shaped by a "Great Divergence" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The SRICF (and its European counterparts, SRIA/SRIS) represented the original 19th-century trunk of organized Rosicrucianism, which was exclusively for Christian Master Masons. The major 20th-century public-facing groups were all divergences from this trunk, founded by individuals who deliberately removed one or both of these requirements.

• SRICF vs. AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis): AMORC was founded in the U.S. in 1915 by H. Spencer Lewis. It is not Masonic, is non-sectarian, and is open to the public, including both men and women. It is a completely separate and distinct lineage.
• SRICF vs. Societas Rosicruciana in America (SRIAm): This organization represents a direct schism from the Masonic-only body. Founded around 1907-1912 by George Winslow Plummer, the SRIAm was created specifically to be a Rosicrucian society open to all seekers, removing the Master Mason requirement that defined the SRICF (then known as SRRCA).
• SRICF vs. The Rosicrucian Fellowship (TRF): Founded in 1909 by Max Heindel, this is another non-Masonic public organization. Its teachings are based on Heindel's "Esoteric Christian" philosophy, heavily influenced by his studies in Theosophy, and its local bodies are organized as "churches". It is also a separate lineage.

Comparative Analysis of Major Rosicrucian Bodies

The Enduring Masonic Rosicrucianism

The Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis is not a proselytizing order but an elite in the good sense of the term an academic, and profoundly esoteric fraternity. Its identity is forged not only by its aims but by its strict limitations. It is not for the general public (like AMORC), not for non-Masons (like SRIAm), and not for non-Christians (like mainstream Freemasonry). The Society exists exclusively for the small, intersecting demographic of men who are both practicing Christians and Master Masons.

The SRICF's enduring purpose is to function as an esoteric "think tank" or "post-graduate" program within the ecosystem of Freemasonry. It provides the formal structure, curriculum, and scholarly community for "highly dedicated" Masons to conduct a deep, intellectual investigation into the Christian mystical, Hermetic, and Kabbalistic philosophies that are foundational to Western esotericism. These are subjects merely hinted at in the symbolic degrees of the Craft Lodge and the Scottish Rite. The Society's entire existence, from its selective invitation process to its 72-member College limit, is predicated on fostering sincere, intellectual, and spiritual study, not on the acquisition of titles or the expansion of its membership.

Article By Antony R.B. Augay P∴M∴