The Saturday sun was already blazing when I abandoned my precious lie in and pointed the car back toward England. Everything seems sunny at the moment, sunny and far too hot, as though the weather itself has joined some grand cosmic conspiracy. This time the road carried me to Shrewsbury, glowing in the morning light like a town carved from warm gold.

It was the final SRIA meeting of the season, so I made my way to Charles Darwin College, that familiar little haven of esoteric curiosity. I dropped off a bundle of certificates for their secretary, then settled in to enjoy a beautifully worked second grade ceremony. I found myself standing in as the Second Ancient, which added a pleasant touch of theatre to the morning. Afterwards we were treated to two papers, both thoughtful, both delivered with that gentle Rosicrucian charm.

Somewhere along the way I realised the number two had taken over the entire day. Second grade. Two candidates. Two papers. Second Ancient. It was as though the universe had decided to tap me on the shoulder and whisper a message in numerical form. I have no idea what the message is, but I am fairly sure it involves the number two, and I am equally sure it will make sense eventually.

A warm day, a sunny town, a final meeting, and a quiet nudge from the cosmos. Not a bad Saturday at all.

This evening carried that familiar blend of quiet anticipation and gentle chaos that seems to follow me around the Rosicrucian world. I made my way to Clwyd College at Mostyn for what turned out to be my fourth Rosicrucian gathering this month, a detail that suggests either admirable dedication or a worrying lack of hobbies. It was our Installation meeting, always a moment of ceremony and transition, and despite the hurdles it unfolded with surprising grace.

The College Secretary had recently stepped away from all things Masonic, which meant several parts of the evening had been assembled at speed. A few chairs were empty, a few roles redistributed, and the new celebrant had not prepared the traditional celebrant’s paper that should accompany his ascent into the chair. In the SRIA this is not a small omission. The talk is part of the rhythm of the Order, a moment where scholarship meets symbolism and the new celebrant sets the tone for his year.

I had suspected this might happen. There is a particular silence that descends when someone has not prepared a lecture, and I could hear that silence forming long before the meeting. So earlier that morning I gathered a few notes from some research I had been doing and shaped them into a short talk. Nothing too heavy, nothing too academic, just a playful little quest for the Holy Grail with enough humour to keep the room awake and enough Monty Python references to ensure the brethren were smiling rather than bracing themselves for a dissertation.

It went down well. The room laughed in the right places, nodded in the thoughtful ones, and for a few minutes we all wandered together through myth, mystery, and the gentle absurdity that makes our Order so endearing.

Sometimes you simply need a back up plan.

Today was nothing short of fantastic. One of those rare days when the world seems to lean in your direction and give you a wink. The sun, that elusive mythical creature that has spent the better part of three decades hiding behind the mountains of North Wales, finally decided to step out and shine with the confidence of a bard who has just remembered all the words to his own song.

When the sun appears in this part of the world, it is not simply weather. It is a sign. A blessing. A celestial nudge that says, Go on lad, make something of this. So I did what any sensible Welshman would do when the heavens open in approval. I quietly slipped across the border into England for the Province of Western Counties and North Wales SRIA Vault of Adepts meeting.

Three ceremonies awaited us, each one rich, resonant, and beautifully worked. The kind of ritual that settles into the bones and reminds you why we do any of this in the first place. There is a particular stillness in a well delivered ceremony, a sense that the room itself is listening, that the very air is holding its breath. Today had that in abundance.

And then came the meal. A simple thing on the surface, but as every Adept knows, fellowship is the true heart of our Order. Good company, good conversation, and that warm sense of belonging that lingers long after the plates are cleared. There is a magic in shared bread and shared laughter that no ritual book can fully capture. It is the quiet alchemy of companionship, the kind that turns strangers into brothers and brothers into friends.

If there was a downside, it is only this. Now the countdown begins. A whole year until the next one. Twelve long months before we gather again in that same spirit of learning, fellowship, and gentle mischief.

But what a day to carry with us until then. A day lit by the sun, shaped by ceremony, and sealed with fellowship. A reminder that even in a world that often feels uncertain, there are still moments that shine with purpose.

Markham’s Brotherhood:

The Rosicrucian Manifestos in Modern English

By Steven E. Markham
Published by Ferret Books in 2019

For students of Rosicrucianism, Western esotericism, and the great currents of thought that helped shape modern Freemasonry, Markham’s Brotherhood is a welcome and valuable companion. Steven E Markham has taken on the formidable task of translating the three foundational Rosicrucian texts, the Fama Fraternitatis of 1614, the Confessio Fraternitatis of 1615, and the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz of 1616, into clear and readable modern English while preserving the spirit, strangeness, and symbolic fire of the originals.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. The original manifestos, whether encountered in early English translations or in scholarly editions, can feel like wading through a philosophical marsh in the dark. Markham clears the path without flattening the landscape. His prose flows with an easy rhythm, allowing readers to focus on the ideas rather than wrestle with archaic language. The mystery remains, but the fog lifts.

The accompanying notes and annotations are equally valuable. Markham does not drown the reader in interpretation. Instead, he offers just enough historical and symbolic context to illuminate difficult passages while encouraging readers to form their own conclusions. This balance between guidance and restraint is essential when dealing with texts that have inspired centuries of debate, speculation, and esoteric commentary. He understands that the Rosicrucian tradition is not a puzzle to be solved but a journey to be undertaken.

The book also succeeds in showing why the Rosicrucian manifestos remain historically significant. Their influence reached far beyond the world of occult philosophy, inspiring thinkers such as Robert Fludd and Elias Ashmole and contributing to intellectual movements that would eventually intersect with Freemasonry, Hermeticism, and the broader Western esoteric tradition. Markham restores that sense of living context, reminding us that these texts once stirred Europe like a sudden wind.

Visually, the inclusion of illustrations enriches the experience. The artwork complements the text without overwhelming it, reinforcing the symbolic atmosphere that surrounds the Rosicrucian tradition. It feels less like reading a book and more like stepping into a chamber where old ideas still breathe.

If the book has a limitation, it is only that readers seeking a heavily academic or critical edition may find the commentary lighter than expected. But that is not Markham’s purpose. His aim is not to build a fortress of scholarship but to open a doorway. In that respect he succeeds with grace.

Overall, Markham’s Brotherhood is an excellent introduction to the Rosicrucian manifestos and a worthy addition to the library of anyone interested in esoteric history, mysticism, alchemy, Rosicrucianism, or the philosophical roots of Freemasonry. It achieves the rare feat of making a notoriously difficult body of literature approachable while preserving its depth, symbolism, and sense of wonder.

A thoughtful, readable, and respectful modern rendering of some of the most influential texts in Western esotericism.

This evening it was the meeting of Valle Crucis Chapter Rose Croix. Since the Craft PGM is now in the Sovereign’s chair thanks to insider dealings, his friend the Sovereign Grand Commander was in attendance. Oddly, since the person who has attended one meeting in the last 8 years was not able to attend rehearsals, and due to VIPs visiting it was decided to have three additional rehearsals (the guy turned up to none of them, but since he refuses to do any work in his year it makes no difference).

Then there was the voting.

Without any committee discussion it was suddenly decided that we would vote on making the Sovereign Grand Commander an honorary member of the Chapter. A noble idea, except that only white balls were handed out. Our choices were therefore yes or yes. The vote passed. A miracle for the ages.

Next came a vote on a re joining member who happens to be a friend of the Sovereign. This time the Director of Ceremonies had overheard whispers about black balls, so two people went around the room. One handed out white balls. The other simply carried the black ones like a ceremonial prop, never offering them to anyone. Once again our choices were yes or yes. The vote passed with great enthusiasm.

Then came the third vote, this time for two new members. The Sovereigns brother and his close friend. I will let you guess how that vote went. You will not need many guesses.

At least the rest of my meetings this year appear to be free of such creative interpretations of democracy. I look forward to gatherings where the ritual is ancient, the symbolism is rich, and the voting system does not resemble a children’s magic trick.

Friday a group of us from Valle Crucis Chapter (Nev, Hugh, & Myself) travelled over to Leicester for a few beers. “Technically” the few beers came about while we were trying to decide what to have for food, and figured we should test the beer in Leicester while we decided.

The main reason for the trip was the Kind Edwards VII Rose Croix Chapter of Improvement were doing demonstrations of two of the Intermediate degrees. The event was being held at Freemasons Hall Leicester, which is the home of the Province of  Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons.

The hall itself was breathtaking, and then, the museum. What a treasure trove. Cabinets of symbolism, regalia whispering of long‑gone brethren, jewels that have seen more ceremonies than any of us ever will. And Emu eggs carved with images, It was one of those rare spaces where you don’t just look at the past, you feel it leaning in beside you.

The two demonstrations were nothing short of fantastic. Beautifully delivered, deeply symbolic, and performed with that perfect blend of dignity, drama, and heart that Rose Croix does so well. You could feel the room shift as the story unfolded, that quiet, collective moment when everyone realises they’re witnessing something special.

Last night while out at the Bishop Wilkins College SRIA meeting, during the festive board I had an interesting Deja Vu moment.

Tuesday 17th September 2024

• Rosicrucian Based Order.
• Stood up as Past Celebrant to toast current Celebrant.
• Current Celebrant was in last meeting in the role.
• Current Celebrant Did two years due to circumstances.
• Previously I did 4 years as Celebrant.
• I followed M. Steggles into the chair.

Some say that life is random and just barely contained chaos. But I think this shows that there is some order in the chaos, if you are willing to look for it.