When the Smaragdum Thalasses Temple no. 49 closed its doors, many of the administration papers were burnt by the Cancellarius, on instruction from the O.’s Chiefs. Neither the Roll nor the Warrant survived the fire, but many copies of the Ceremonies did – including very early copies of the Ceremonies that the Cancellarius preserved himself, and which eventually found their way back to the O. via his daughter.
As was customary, the Cancellarius would issue notices to members during any one year, including Equinox Addresses by the Chiefs, Notice of Appointment of Wardens, and Annual Reports. Many of these have been lost forever.
However, from the various surviving reports at hand, a reasonable insight can be gained into the activities at Whare Ra during its Autumn years.
It must be remembered that while many members were living in the relatively remote village of Havelock North where Whare Ra was located, a good number were from the wider Hawke’s Bay Region, others were further afield still. This means that the numbers noted below reflect in all likelihood the members living close enough to attend regularly.
1950 – 27 members were present at the Vernal Equinox Ceremony. G.H. Chief Sor. M.C. also commented that three mothers could not attend due to it being “more difficult to get ‘sitters’ to look after children”.
1951 – 39 members were present at the Vernal Equinox.
1952 – 29 members were present at the Autumnal Equinox. M.C. noted that “several were prevented from coming by illness. All the Chiefs were present but our Warden, I.F.S. could not come, much to our regret.”.
1954 – 42 members attended the Vernal Equinox Ceremony. M.C. commented that this number constituted “a large meeting”.
1955 – 32 members attended the Autumnal Equinox Ceremony. M.C. Commented “We missed our G.H. Chief P.H., but it is rather too much for him to attend such a long Ceremony now – he was 85 a few days ago. Your Chiefs are all getting very old and it is time the younger ones realised that the day cannot be far off when they, in their turn, must accept the responsibility of Chiefs!”. M.C. had fallen and broken her arm only two months prior.
There were 37 members at the Vernal Equinox that same year.
1957 – 34 members were present for the Autumnal Equinox meeting. Interestingly two new members were Initiated and nine other Ceremonies were performed that year.
1958 – 30 members attended the Vernal Equinox Ceremony.
1959 – I do not have on hand the Equinox reports for this year, but the Annual Report indicated an active year with four new members Initiated, and 18 Ceremonies undertaken and it was noted that “the number of members advanced to the higher grades will add greatly to the strength of the Order.”.
With these numbers the wind vortex created by the members doing the Circumambulation will have caused Banners and candles to flutter for a short while after its completion, and getting the right amount of wine for the Cup must have taken some doing!
Note MC’s comments in the accompanying image to this post relating to remaining still before and after each Ceremony, and the responsibility each member has in this respect. I would add that members should not fold their arms, nor cross their legs while seated. The Ceremonial should invoke a reverent atmosphere so that casualness should have no part in it.
Kasmillos
