Early in the year 1907, certain gentlemen of the Ancient and Accepted Order of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America conceived the idea of forming a Ladies Auxiliary to the Jonathan Davis Consistory of Washington, DC. They felt that, as in other branches of Masonry, their wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters could be of great assistance to them and furthermore could partake of such courtesies as these Sublime Princes could offer their feminine relatives.
Sovereign Grand Commander, Robert L. Pendleton, 33°, who was then the Illustrious Deputy for the District of Columbia, conceived the idea of conferring degrees upon the Ladies of the Auxiliaries in existence at that time, thus bringing them into closer relationship with the Brethren of the Scottish Rite. The title of “Order of the Golden Circle, Auxiliary to the Scottish Rite Freemasonry” having been selected and the ritual prepared by Illustrious Pendleton, the matter was presented to the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction and adopted by the Body. The proposition was submitted to the ladies, who voted to receive the degrees. All ladies, who at that time were members of the Auxiliary, were to be eligible, but thereafter the membership to be limited to those only possessing Scottish Rite relationship.
The symbol, pass and motto of this degree are significant. The Dove within the golden circle signifies the hope that peace shall reign always within our precincts; the Circle, endless union we shall have. “Peace be with you!” Can there be a more beautiful sentiment? May it ever abide with us. May strife or dissension never sully the snowy pinions of the Dove!
The Bible upon the altar tells us that — We need from day to day a guiding hand for all the way; May our hearts be ever lifted upward; may our Golden Circle be endless as the circle by which it is represented, may peace and unity abide with us forever more!