Credit: https://issuu.com/apmgraphics/docs/freemason_nsw_act_other_orders

The Order Of The Amaranth, under the direction of the Supreme Council Order of the Amaranth Inc., is based in the United States of America. The Order in Australia has been established in the states of New South Wales (7 Courts), Victoria (2 Courts), and Tasmania (1 Court) all under the control of the Grand Court of New South Wales, inc and in Queensland (3 Courts) under the control of the Grand Court of Queensland. Each Court has a Royal Matron and a Royal Patron to govern the affairs of each Court, each having its own particular set of Rules and Regulations with meetings held on a monthly basis. The Grand Court is governed by a Grand Royal Matron and Grand Royal Patron and has its own particular set of By-Laws with the Supreme Council governed by a Supreme Council Matron and Supreme Royal Patron and covered by the Supreme Constitution which also contains rules for the Grand and Subordinate Courts. All officers are elected into office annually in each of the three bodies. Other countries where the Order currently exists are the United States of America, Canada, England, Scotland, and the Philippines. No Regalia is required. The joining fee is $10 and annual from around $20.

The Order welcomes all Master Masons (which also includes Royal Arch Masons) and their respective female relations i.e. wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, stepdaughters, legally adopted daughters, widows, half sisters, aunts, nieces, great-granddaughters and grandmothers to be members of the Order to enjoy fulfilling fraternal gatherings together as part of the Masonic family. Also, any member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and/or Job’s Daughters who have had active service within their Orders. There exists no more nearly a Masonic ‘Family’ meeting ground of Masons and their families than is found in the Order of the Amaranth. That is why one find sin the Amaranth Courts so many husbands and wives serving, attending and enjoying a fuller and richer Masonic heritage together than is possible anywhere else in the world.

The Order is based on the Court of Queen Christina of Sweden, where it was supported by Royal pomp, dignity, and the magnificence of the Ladies and Knights of her Royal Court. She created the Order of the Amaranth for Ladies and Knights building it around the character of Lady Amarantha, who was portrayed as being a beautiful, virtuous, and talented Lady of the Court. The Order was perpetuated and today the Order of the Amaranth is one of Sweden’s oldest chivalric orders. It had no Masonic connections when first established.

In 1860 James B Taylor a prominent mason in New Jersey, using the Order of the Amaranth as existing in Sweden, adopted and altered its ceremonies and language so as to make it appropriate to Masonic purposes, which with some revisions are in universal use today.

In 1873 the Supreme Council was formally organized in New York City by Robert MaCoy 33 Vicar General of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Southern Jurisdiction. Robert MaCoy’s intention was to make three degrees:

1: The Order of the ‘Eastern Star’ Degree.
2: The Order of the ‘Queen of the South’ Degree and;
3: The Order of the ‘Amaranth’ Degree.

His plan was to have three degrees given separately but under the control of one body. In 1921 the Order voted that the ‘Eastern Star’ was to be removed, as a basis for membership of the Order and now Membership is taken from Master Masons and their female relations.

A member of the Order of the Amaranth is recognised by the symbol of the Crown and sword, emblems of Royalty and Power surrounded by the Amaranthine wreath with its everlasting leaves of green reminding us of our belief in immortality joined together with a bow of red on which is emblazoned the initials O of A.

Webmaster’s Note: The ‘belief in immortality’ does not mean the human body is immortal but rather the soul is immortal. Other phrases also include ‘everlasting life’ with the same meaning relative to the soul.

The Order of the Amaranth is a gem of Masonry, for its structure, its ritual, its principles being of Masonic Family origin, are all a beautiful expansion of the basic structure, rituals, and principles of our ancient and wonderful Masonic Orders, which have existed for centuries. The Order of the Amaranth is a means by which it is permitted to practice the principles of Masonry. It is one of the vehicles and conveyances by which we carry on friendship, love of humanity, patriotism, and service to our country and fellowmen.

The Order of the Amaranth means many things to many people. To its early members, it meant the opportunity to build a strong foundation of Truth, Faith, Wisdom, and Charity. A fraternal order, having for its purpose service to humanity, set to the music of Fraternal Love. To its present members of the Order of the Amaranth means a challenge to build upon these foundations of Fraternal Love and Service. It means the Hand of Fraternal Friendship to those in distress for whatever reason, the opportunity to serve others, to enrich our lives with strength and courage to achieve higher and nobler things. Benevolence and charity – truly Masonic characteristics we all want to cherish and practice in every facet of our lives as an example of the worth of being a member of the Order of the Amaranth.

Many charities e.g. Royal Flying Doctor Service, Care Flight, Cure for Life, and Heart Foundation, have benefited from the generous donations, work, and fights that are made on behalf of the Order through each Court and Grand Court with the Supreme Body supporting Diabetes Research as their philanthropic project each year. Not only do members give to charities but they provide their time free to assist wherever they are needed or whenever there is a need.

Call your local Grand Secretary in your jurisdiction or go to the appropriate website listed below:
– https://amaranth.joinshare.me/
– https://www.amaranthqld.com.au/
– https://www.facebook.com/AmaranthAustralia/
– https://amaranth.org/
– https://grandlodge.ph/supreme-council-order-amaranth
– https://www.amaranthct.org/about-the-order-of-the-amaranth
– https://grandlodgeofkentucky.org/?page_id=1267
– http://www.flamaranth.org/

Or, go to the MASONIC LODGE LIST and select the appropriate lodge in your jurisdiction.