Theosophy Wales 2008 Changes:- A New Structure for the Theosophical Movement in Wales:- UK, Wales, & Worldwide Theosophy Links. Theosophy Wales History. National Society. Welsh Regional Association. Theosophy in Bangor, Cardiff, Conwy, Swansea.

THEOSOPHY

WALES

2008

CHANGES

Structural changes in the

Theosophical Movement in Wales

as it separates into independent

groups that run their own show

The 2008 Theosophy Wales Changes

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Background

In the early years of Theosophy in Wales, no single specific body represented the Adyar groups with all Wales groups being in a variety of federations and alliances that were affiliated to the Theosophical Society in England & Wales. The Theosophical Society (Pasadena) also had groups in Wales as early as 1895 and still has a presence in Wales today. Although there has been collaboration between the Adyar and Pasadena Societies, the two Societies remain separate both in Wales and internationally. Another group, The United Lodge of Theosophists has also had a presence in Wales but no Wales ULT group currently exists.

Pioneering Theosophist Peter Freeman in an impressive motor circa 1919

He was the first General Secretary of the Welsh National Society which was

formed in 1922 with an extensive self-determining remit for Wales and

voting power to influence Adyar Theosophical Society policy at

international level. Sadly this body folded in the early 1990s.

The structure of the Adyar Theosophical Society in Wales changed in 1922 with the establishment of The Welsh National Society of the Theosophical Society to which all Adyar groups in Wales affiliated. The first General Secretary of this body was the pioneering Cardiff Theosophist Mr Peter Freeman. This body affiliated itself to the Adyar Theosophical Society, which was then led by Annie Besant, and was given a vote at senior international policy making level. The Welsh National Society continued as an executive body for Adyar Theosophy in Wales until it folded due to lack of support in the early 1990s. This reflected a general decline in the Theosophical Movement at that time.

An uncertain period followed the demise of the Welsh National Society with pressure from outside Wales for Welsh groups to be absorbed into the Theosophical Society in England. There was an interesting proposal from English member Adam Warcup to for a new British Theosophical Society but there was little enthusiasm for this. The general mood amongst Welsh Theosophists was for Theosophy in Wales to at least continue as some sort of separate entity.

In February 1993 Adyar Head Office directed the formation of a new body called The Regional Association of the Theosophical Society in Wales with an Organising Secretary, and as the titles suggest, this was a body of much lower remit and status than the Welsh National Society. This was purely an administrative body with a remit to collect dues from, and link Adyar affiliated groups and individual members in Wales. This body had no executive power with no vote at European or full international level while having to accept direction from these levels, but it did at least purport to maintain Theosophy in Wales as a separate, if not self determining, entity.

The term Regional in the body’s title has always been controversial as it fails to acknowledge Wales as a separate political entity within the United Kingdom and many were, and still are, concerned that the body represented an interim phase in the absorption of Welsh Theosophy into the Theosophical Society in England.

______________________

2008 and Theosophy Cardiff’s Separation from

The Welsh Regional Association (formed 1993)

Wolfie keeping up to date with the latest

developments in Theosophy in Wales

Despite its ambiguous title and limited remit, The Regional Association continued from 1993 onward to be funded by all Adyar Theosophists in Wales until 2008, when Theosophy Cardiff decided to separate from it. This came after a long period of difficulty, much discussion, meetings of members and taking legal advice.

A letter was sent to the Adyar Head Office outlining Theosophy Cardiff’s concerns and arrangements were made to pay a proportion of subscriptions directly to Adyar. A letter was sent to the Regional Association Organising Secretary, Ms Julie Cunningham in advance of the March 2008 Regional Association annual meeting, informing her of Theosophy Cardiff’s decision and the reasons for separation. Copies were also sent to all Regional Association officers and made available to members.

There has been much confusion surrounding this decision and Theosophy Cardiff are still receiving enquiries from all over the world about it. Here is a link to Theosophy Cardiff’s letter of separation from the Welsh Regional Association, which it is hoped will answer most questions.

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