Degrees and Curriculum

The Postulancy

Not less than six months

The Postulant is one whose petition has been accepted and who is preparing for reception as a Page. The Postulant attends the open meetings of a Commandery or Oratory, reads the Epistle to the Pages, the Twelve Articles and a short course of introductory texts, and meets regularly with a sponsor appointed by the Commandery. At the end of the postulancy the Postulant is examined upon the Articles by the Prior and, if the Commandery consents, is received as a Page at the next Chapter.

• The Epistle to the Pages
• The Twelve Articles
• Introductory readings in the three streams
• Attendance at open meetings
• Regular meetings with a sponsor
• Examination upon the Articles

The First Degree: Page

Quaere - Seek. Not less than one year

The Page lays the Hermetic foundations of the work. The degree is concerned with self-knowledge: the composition of the human being, the operation of the elements within it, the doctrine of correspondence and the map of the soul's ascent. The Page keeps a daily examination and a notebook of correspondences, submits written reflections to the Preceptor, and undertakes a first work of service chosen in consultation with the Prior. The badge of the Page is the Cup beneath the Seven Stars.

• The Emerald Tablet with commentary
• The four elements in the human being
• The seven principles
• The ascent through the spheres
• The daily examination
• The notebook of correspondences
• Introduction to meditation
• A first work of service

The Second Degree: Squire

Serva - Serve. Not less than two years

The Squire takes up the Rosicrucian work of the heart. The degree is concerned with transmutation and with healing: the alchemy of the passions, the meditation upon the Rose Cross, and the mandate to relieve suffering. The Squire undertakes a sustained work of healing service for the whole duration of the degree and reports upon it to the Commandery. The Squire also begins to assist in the reception of Pages and in the instruction of Postulants. The badge of the Squire is the Rose upon the Cross.

• The Rosicrucian documents and their history
• The alchemy of the heart
• The year-long meditation upon the Rose Cross
• The theory and practice of healing service
• The stages of the Great Work
• Assisting in the instruction of Postulants
• A sustained work of healing service
• Preparation for the Vigil of Arms

The Third Degree: Knight or Dame of the Grail

Custodi - Guard. Conferred after the Vigil of Arms

Having kept the Vigil of Arms, the Squire is received at dawn as a Knight or Dame of the Grail and enters the Martinist work of reintegration. The degree is concerned with the Way of the Heart: the inner prayer, the discipline of the conscience, the purification of body, soul and spirit, and the ideal of the unknown servant. Knights and Dames are the full members of the Order; they elect the Commander and the Grand Council, and they alone may hold office. The degree has no fixed term; it is the work of a lifetime. The badge of the Knight or Dame is the Lamp within the Cloak, with the Sword and the Spurs.

• The Vigil of Arms
• The doctrine of fall and reintegration
• The inner prayer of the heart
• The purification of body, soul and spirit
• The cloak and the mask
• The responsibilities of office
• The instruction of Pages and Squires
• The annual renewal of the Articles

The Inner Court: Companion of the Cup

By invitation, after not less than seven years in the Third Degree

The Inner Court is a body of practice and not of power. Knights and Dames of proven dedication may be invited by the Grand Prior, with the consent of the Companions, to enter it. The Companions of the Cup pursue the synthesis of the three streams in contemplative and theurgic practice, undertake the laboratory work of alchemy under the Warden of Studies, and serve the Order as its examiners and instructors. The Companions are not named outside the Inner Court. Nothing further is published concerning its work.