
Date: 12-02-96 (11:31)              Number: 1967 of 1976 (Refer# NONE)
  To: ALL
From: ness2@crocker.com, MARIE PAIGE
Subj: Amaranth's Swedish History (Repost)
Read: (N/A)                         Status: PUBLIC MESSAGE
Conf: alt.freemasonry (12)       Read Type: GENERAL (A) (+)

Newsgroups: alt.freemasonry
Organization: New England Software Svcs, Inc.
Message-ID: <57uemd$cit@news.crocker.com>

This is historical information about how Amaranth began.  It's
interesting at least - even if you have no desire to join.  It
was typed from a flyer available to the public a few years
back and I hope you enjoy the historical aspects.


"This resume has been prepared for those who are interested
in becoming a member of the Order of the Amaranth, or for
a new member whose interest has been aroused by the beauty of
the degree."

PREFACE:
The Order of the Amaranth is a fraternal organization composed
of Master Masons and their properly qualified female relatives.
In its teachings, the members are emphatically reminded of their
duties to God, to their country and to their fellow beings.
They are urged to portray, by precept and example, their belief
in the "Golden Rule" and by conforming to the virtues inherent
in TRUTH, FAITH, WISDOM and CHARITY they can prove to others the
goodness promulgated by the Order.

The extent of it's Charitable Work and overall Benevolence is
limited only by the opportunities that exist, and the ability
to secure adequate funding.  It's Philanthropic project is
the Amaranth Diabetes Foundation.  The flag of the appropriate
country is prominently displayed at all  meetings creating a
strong sentiment of patriotism and devotion to the  respective
land that we love.

Conspicuously upon the Altar is placed the Holy Bible, the
inspired word of God.  It's divine truths send forth it's
sacred luster to all parts of the globe and is used among
us as a symbol of the will of God.  It reminds us of the
omnipresence of the "Almighty" overshadowing us with His Divine
Love and dispensing His blessings among us.

The leaves of the Amaranth plant (Like the "Laurel") is
indicative of distinction and honor, and when formed into the
"Amaranthine Wreath" with it's never ending circle, is typical
of the bond of fraternal friendship which encircles our beloved
order, and which has a central place upon our Standard
(Ceremonial Flag), surrounding the "Crown and Sword".

BRIEF HISTORY:
About three hundred years ago in Sweden, a little girl just six
years old named Christina became the ruler of that country.  As
she grew to  womanhood, she was very fond of things beautiful,
cultured and of social  importance.  During her reign as Queen,
she created the Order of the Amarantha for the ladies and knights
of her royal court, building it around the character of Lady
Amarantha, who was portrayed as being a beautiful, virtuous
and talented Lady of the Court. Queen Christina herself acted the
part of Lady Amarantha; and the name of the Order was probably
chosen because of the beautiful never-fading red Amaranthus
flowers growing in profusion in Spain and Portugal.  The Order
was  perpetuated and exists in the Royal Court of Sweden now.
As originally  created by Queen Christina, the Royal and Social
Order of the Amarantha had no more connection with Masonry than
did the beautiful Catholic Cathedrals constructed by masons and
by builders of old, before the structure of Masonry was developed
and embodied in our present day  Fraternity.  So let's leave the
Swedish Order of the Amarantha and return to more modern days.

In the middle of the 19th century, a number of societies were
started in America, in which females could become members.  The
two that we are most concerned with are the "Order of the Eastern
Star" and the "Order of the Amaranth".

From the report of Honored Lady Grace Scheninger, a member of the
present Order who visited Sweden in recent years, we find the
following interesting information: "One account was given by an
Englishman, himself a member of the order and a long time guest
of Christina's Court, seems the most plausible and in keeping
with the lessons handed down to us in  our present Order.
He says: "The person kneeling down before the Queen held up his
hands between the Queen's hands: she declared his duty in that
order, to maintain and defend virtue and the honor of virtuous
ladies, to endeavor to correct vice, to perform honorable actions,
to keep his faith  inviolable, in all matters relating to honor
and virtuous performances;  which the Court promised to observe.
The Queen put upon his left shoulder and tied under his right arm
a scarf of crimson taffeta, with a broad silver fringe; and the
jewel of the order hung in the scarf, it was about the compass
of half a crown; it was made of gold, a round wreath wrought and
enameled like a laurel, and in the midst thereof two great AA
reversed, set thick with diamonds, the two AA for the first and
last letters of Amaranta, and about the wreath was written 'dolce
nella memoria', 'Sweet is the memory', that is of a certain noble
and famous  great lady named Amaranta, who was an eminent pattern
and example of the  highest honor and virtue, in memory of whom
this Court was instituted."

It again appears in France when the Lodges of Adoption were
organized about 1730, each of which was under the control of a
Masonic Lodge until June 10, 1974, when the Grand Orient of France
by an Edict assumed control  of all Lodges of Adoption.

In 1860, Brother James B. Taylor from Newark, NJ, attempted to
compose the material to start a New "Society".  He learned that
in 1653, Queen Christina of Sweden,, had combined a group of
"Sir Knights" and "Ladies"  together to have "gala" parties.  She
called this group the "Order of the Amaranta".

Brother Taylor was so impressed with what he had read that he
copied many of the symbols and much of the phraseology used therein.
He even copied the name, the "Order of the Amaranth".

Brother Robert Macoy, who was in control of the "Order of the
Eastern Star" around 1870, decided that it might be advisable to
add two or more  degrees to it.  Then, in 1873, he formed the
"Rite of Adoption", with the "Order of the Eastern Star" as the
first, or initiatory degree, and "The Queen of the South" as the
second degree and the "Order of the Amaranth" as the third, or
highest degree.  His plan was to have these degrees given
separately but under the control of one body.

Both Eastern Star "Chapters" and Amaranth "Courts" were included
in the Adoptive Rite Ritual.  The Order of the Amaranth was
officially organized June 14, 1873 in New York City as part of
the Rite of Adoption.  Robert  Macoy was the first Supreme Royal
Patron and Rob Morris was the first  Supreme Recorder of the Order
under Robert Macoy.  In the Rite of Adoption Ritual it was said:
"This Organization shall be known as the 'Rite of  Adoption of the
World' and shall consist of the degrees of the Eastern Star, the
Queen of the South and the Order of the Amaranth."

Brother Robert Macoy obtained the material that Brother Taylor had
written about the Amaranth, and revised and perfected it into
"ritualistic" form so that it could be used as the ritual for the
third degree.  From 1873  until 1921, all members of the Amaranth
were required to join the "Order of the Eastern Star" first, and
to maintain this membership to be able to  stay members of the
Amaranth.

In 1921, by mutual agreement, this requirement ceased.  They are
now completely separate organizations.

In 1895, Robert Macoy died.  New officers arranged for the Supreme
Council of the "Order of the Amaranth" to hold it's first meeting
of it's officers and members in 1897.  Since then, and "Annual
Meeting" has been held each  year.  Under the jurisdiction of the
Supreme Council we have forty-three Grand Courts (each is Statewide),
located in the United States, Canada,  Australia, England,
Phillippines and Scotland.  Also, Subordinate Courts (local) in
Hawaii, New Zealand and Ireland (there are a few individual states
in the U.S. that do not have Grand Courts).

The "Order of the Amaranth" means many things to many people. To it's
early members it meant the opportunity to build upon the strong
foundation of TRUTH, FAITH, WISDOM and CHARITY.  A fraternal order
having for it's purpose, service to humanity, set to the music of
fraternal love.  To it's  present members, the "Order of the Amaranth"
means a challenge to build higher and stronger upon these foundations
of Fraternal Love and Service.  It means the Hand of Fraternal
Friendship to those in distress.  It means Thinking and Remembering
about its members in their hours of sorrow and sickness.

Most of all, it means the opportunity to serve its Fellowmen, to
enjoy the close fraternal ties of mutual respect and understanding
to enrich our lives with friendship worth far more than gold
or silver.

--

If you would like more information on the Order of the Amaranth
or have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Should that
be the case, please send your name, email address and City/ST ONLY.
I would be happy to give you the name and phone number of a member
in your area, but the initial call is YOUR CHOICE.

Fraternally,

Marie Paige, Grand Associate Matron
Grand Court Order of the Amaranth, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and Past Matron of Doric Chapter No. 7, O.E.S.

( ness2@crocker.com )

