![templeofrosycross](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Templeofrosycross.png)
Rosicrucianism is a
spiritual and
cultural movement
A cultural movement is a change in the way a number of different disciplines approach their work. This embodies all art forms, the sciences, and philosophies. Historically, different nations or regions of the world have gone through their own ind ...
that arose in Europe in the early 17th century after the publication of several texts purported to announce the existence of a hitherto unknown
esoteric order to the world and made seeking its knowledge attractive to many.
[ Yates, Frances A. (1972), ''The Rosicrucian Enlightenment'', London] The mysterious doctrine of the order is "built on esoteric truths of the ancient past", which "concealed from the average man, provide insight into nature, the
physical universe
The universe is all of space and time and their contents, including planets, stars, galaxies, and all other forms of matter and energy. The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological description of the development of the universe. Ac ...
, and the spiritual realm." The manifestos do not elaborate extensively on the matter, but clearly combine references to
Kabbalah,
Hermeticism,
alchemy, and
Christian mysticism.
The Rosicrucian manifestos heralded a "universal reformation of mankind", through a science allegedly kept secret for decades until the intellectual climate might receive it. Controversies arose on whether they were a hoax, whether the "Order of the Rosy Cross" existed as described in the manifestos, and whether the whole thing was a
metaphor disguising a movement that really existed, but in a different form. In 1616,
Johann Valentin Andreae famously designated it as a "
ludibrium Ludibrium is a word derived from Latin ''ludus'' (plural ''ludi''), meaning a plaything or a trivial game. In Latin ''ludibrium'' denotes an object of fun, and at the same time, of scorn and derision, and it also denotes a capricious game itself: e ...
". Some scholars of esotericism suggest that this statement was later made by Andreae in order to shield himself from the wrath of the religious and political institutions of the day, which were intolerant of free speech and the idea of a "universal reformation", for which the manifestos called.
In his work "Silentium Post Clamores" (1617), the Rosicrucian
Michael Maier (1568–1622) described Rosicrucianism as having arisen from a "
Primordial Tradition
Primordial may refer to:
* Primordial era, an era after the Big Bang. See Chronology of the universe
* Primordial sea (a.k.a. primordial ocean, ooze or soup). See Abiogenesis
* Primordial nuclide, nuclides, a few radioactive, that formed before t ...
" in the following statement: "Our origins are Egyptian,
Brahminic, derived from the
mysteries of Eleusis
The Eleusinian Mysteries ( el, Ἐλευσίνια Μυστήρια, Eleusínia Mystḗria) were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Elefsina in ancient Greece. They are the "m ...
and
Samothrace, the
Magi of Persia, the
Pythagoreans, and the Arabs."
By promising a spiritual transformation at a time of great turmoil, the manifestos influenced many figures to seek esoteric knowledge. Seventeenth-century occult philosophers such as Maier,
Robert Fludd, and
Thomas Vaughan interested themselves in the Rosicrucian worldview.
According to the historian David Stevenson, it was influential on
Freemasonry as it was emerging in Scotland.
In later centuries, many
esoteric societies have claimed to derive from the original Rosicrucians. Rosicrucianism is symbolized by the
Rosy Cross
The Rose Cross (also called ''Rose Croix'' and Rosy Cross) is a symbol largely associated with the legendary Christian Rosenkreuz; Christian Kabbalist, alchemist, and founder of the Rosicrucian Order. The Rose Cross is a cross with a rose at it ...
or Rose Cross.
The most influential of these societies has been the
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which derived from
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (Rosicrucian Society of England) is a Rosicrucian esoteric Christian order formed by Robert Wentworth Little in 1865,King 1989, page 28 although some sources acknowledge the date to be 1866-67. Members are confirm ...
and counted many prominent figures among its members. The largest is the
Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, a multinational organization based in
San Jose, California.
Rosicrucian manifestos
Origins
Between 1614 and 1617, three anonymous manifestos were published, first in Germany and later throughout Europe. These were the ''
Fama Fraternitatis RC'' (''The Fame of the Brotherhood of RC'', 1614), the ''
Confessio Fraternitatis'' (''The Confession of the Brotherhood of RC'', 1615), and the ''
Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosicross anno 1459'' (1617).
![Lutherrose](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Lutherrose.svg)
The ''
Fama Fraternitatis'' presents the legend of a German doctor and mystic philosopher referred to as "Father Brother C.R.C." (later identified in a third manifesto as
Christian Rosenkreuz, or "Rose-cross"). The year 1378 is presented as being the birth year of "our Christian Father", and it is stated that he lived 106 years. After studying in the Middle East under various masters, possibly adhering to
Sufism
Sufism ( ar, ''aṣ-ṣūfiyya''), also known as Tasawwuf ( ''at-taṣawwuf''), is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam but also within Shia Islam, which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality, r ...
, he was unable to spread the knowledge he had acquired to prominent European scientists and philosophers. Instead, he gathered a small circle of friends/disciples and founded the Rosicrucian Order (this can be deduced to have occurred around 1407).
During Rosenkreuz's lifetime, the order was said to comprise no more than eight members, each a doctor and "all bachelors of vowed virginity." Each member undertook an oath to heal the sick without accepting payment, to maintain a secret fellowship, and to find a replacement for himself before he died. Three such generations had supposedly passed between c. 1500 and c. 1600: a time when scientific, philosophical, and religious freedom had grown so that the public might benefit from the Rosicrucians' knowledge, so that they were now seeking good men.
![Rose Cross](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Rose_Cross.png)
Reception
The manifestos were, and continue to be, not taken literally by many but rather regarded either as
hoax
A hoax is a widely publicized falsehood so fashioned as to invite reflexive, unthinking acceptance by the greatest number of people of the most varied social identities and of the highest possible social pretensions to gull its victims into pu ...
es or as
allegorical statements. They state: "We speak unto you by parables, but would willingly bring you to the right, simple, easy, and ingenuous exposition, understanding, declaration, and knowledge of all secrets."
The first Rosicrucian manifesto was influenced by the work of the respected hermetic philosopher
Heinrich Khunrath
Heinrich Khunrath (c. 1560 – 9 September 1605), or Dr. Henricus Khunrath as he was also called, was a German physician, hermetic philosopher, and alchemist. Frances Yates considered him to be a link between the philosophy of John Dee and ...
, of
Hamburg, author of the ''Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae'' (1609), who was in turn influenced by
John Dee
John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, teacher, occultist, and alchemist. He was the court astronomer for, and advisor to, Elizabeth I, and spent much of his time on alchemy, divinatio ...
, author of the ''
Monas Hieroglyphica
''Monas Hieroglyphica'' (or ''The Hieroglyphic Monad'') is a book by John Dee, the Elizabethan magus and court astrologer of Elizabeth I of England, published in Antwerp in 1564. It is an exposition of the meaning of an esoteric symbol that he ...
'' (1564).
The invitation to the royal wedding in the ''
Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz'' opens with Dee's philosophical key, the ''Monas Hieroglyphica'' symbol. The writer also claimed the brotherhood possessed a book that resembled the works of
Paracelsus
Paracelsus (; ; 1493 – 24 September 1541), born Theophrastus von Hohenheim (full name Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim), was a Swiss physician, alchemist, lay theologian, and philosopher of the German Renaissance.
He w ...
.
Adam Haslmayr a friend of
Karl Widemann Karl Widemann or Carl Widemann or Carolus Widemann, was a German author, physician and collector of manuscripts, from Augsburg, and secretary of the English alchemist Edward Kelley, at the court of Emperor Rudolph II.
Life
Between 1587 and 1588, Wi ...
wrote him a letter about Rosicrucian people who revealed the Theophrastiam 24 December 1611.
In his autobiography,
Johann Valentin Andreae (1586–1654) claimed that the anonymously published ''Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz'' was one of his works, and he subsequently described it as a ''
ludibrium Ludibrium is a word derived from Latin ''ludus'' (plural ''ludi''), meaning a plaything or a trivial game. In Latin ''ludibrium'' denotes an object of fun, and at the same time, of scorn and derision, and it also denotes a capricious game itself: e ...
''. In his later works, he makes alchemy an object of ridicule and places it along with music, art, theater, and
astrology in the category of less serious sciences. According to some sources, his role in the origin of the Rosicrucian legend is controversial. But according to others, it was generally accepted.
Rosicrucian Enlightenment
![Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis (page 1)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Fama_Fraternitatis_Rosae_Crucis_%28page_1%29.jpg)
In the early 17th century, the manifestos caused excitement throughout Europe by declaring the existence of a secret brotherhood of
alchemists and sages who were preparing to transform the arts and sciences, and religious, political, and intellectual landscapes of Europe. Wars of politics and religion ravaged the continent. The works were re-issued several times, followed by numerous pamphlets, favorable or otherwise. Between 1614 and 1620, about 400 manuscripts and books were published which discussed the Rosicrucian documents.
The peak of the "Rosicrucianism furore" was reached when two mysterious posters appeared on the walls of Paris in 1622 within a few days of each other. The first said "We, the Deputies of the Higher College of the Rose-Croix, do make our stay, visibly and invisibly, in this city (...)", and the second ended with the words "The thoughts attached to the real desire of the seeker will lead us to him and him to us."
The legendary first manifesto, ''
Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis'' (1614), inspired the works of
Michael Maier (1568–1622) of Germany;
Robert Fludd (1574–1637) and
Elias Ashmole (1617–1692) of England;
Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens,
Gotthardus Arthusius,
Julius Sperber
The gens Julia (''gēns Iūlia'', ) was one of the most prominent patrician families in ancient Rome. Members of the gens attained the highest dignities of the state in the earliest times of the Republic. The first of the family to obtain the c ...
,
Henricus Madathanus
Adrian von Mynsicht (1603–1638) was a German alchemist. He is best known for the allegorical
As a literary device or artistic form, an allegory is a narrative or visual representation in which a character, place, or event can be interpreted ...
,
Gabriel Naudé,
Thomas Vaughan and others. Rosicrucianism was associated with
Protestantism (
Lutheranism in particular).
In Elias Ashmole's ''Theatrum Chimicum britannicum'' (1650) he defends the Rosicrucians. Some later works impacting Rosicrucianism were the ''Opus magocabalisticum et theosophicum'' by
George von Welling
Georg von Welling (1655–1727) born, 1655, in
Kassel in Hesse, was a German alchemical and theosophical writer, known for his work ''Opus mago-cabalisticum'',The work is said to have been influential on later eighteenth century Rosicrucians, i ...
(1719)—of
alchemical and
paracelsian
Paracelsianism (also Paracelsism; German: ') was an early modern History of medicine, medical movement based on the theories and therapies of Paracelsus.
It developed in the second half of the 16th century, during the decades following Paracelsu ...
inspiration—and the ''Aureum Vellus oder Goldenes Vliess'' by
Hermann Fictuld in 1749.
Michael Maier was appointed ''Pfalzgraf'' (
Count Palatine) by
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of
Hungary and King of
Bohemia
Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...
. He also was one of the most prominent defenders of the Rosicrucians, clearly transmitting details about the "Brothers of the Rose Cross" in his writings. Maier made the firm statement that the Brothers of R.C. exist to advance inspired arts and sciences, including
alchemy. Researchers of Maier's writings point out that he never claimed to have produced gold, nor did
Heinrich Khunrath
Heinrich Khunrath (c. 1560 – 9 September 1605), or Dr. Henricus Khunrath as he was also called, was a German physician, hermetic philosopher, and alchemist. Frances Yates considered him to be a link between the philosophy of John Dee and ...
or any of the other "Rosicrucianists". Their writings point toward a symbolic and spiritual alchemy, rather than an operative one. In a combination of direct and veiled styles, these writings conveyed the nine stages of the involutive-evolutive transmutation of the ''threefold body'' of the human being, the ''threefold soul'' and the ''threefold spirit'', among other
esoteric knowledge related to the "Path of Initiation".
In his 1618 pamphlet, ''Pia et Utilissima Admonitio de Fratribus Rosae Crucis'',
Henrichus Neuhusius wrote that the Rosicrucians departed for the east due to European instability caused by the start of the
Thirty Years' War. In 1710,
Sigmund Richter
In Norse mythology, Sigmund ( non, Sigmundr , ang, Sigemund) is a hero whose story is told in the Völsunga saga. He and his sister, Signý, are the children of Völsung and his wife Hljod. Sigmund is best known as the father of Sigurð the d ...
, founder of the
secret society
A secret society is a club or an organization whose activities, events, inner functioning, or membership are concealed. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence a ...
of the
Golden and Rosy Cross, also suggested the Rosicrucians had migrated eastward. In the first half of the 20th century,
René Guénon, a researcher of the
occult
The occult, in the broadest sense, is a category of esoteric supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving otherworldly agency, such as magic and mysticism a ...
, presented this same idea in some of his works. An eminent author of the 19th century,
Arthur Edward Waite, presented arguments contradicting this idea. It was in this fertile field of discourse that many Rosicrucian societies arose. They were based on the occult, inspired by the mystery of this "College of Invisibles".
Some modern scholars, for example
Adam McLean
Adam McLean (born 7 March 1948 in Glasgow) is a Scottish writer on alchemical texts and symbolism. In 1978 he founded the ''Hermetic Journal'' which he published until 1992 during which time he also started publishing the ''Magnum Opus Hermetic ...
and
Giordano Berti, assume that among the first followers of the Rose Cross there was also the German theologian
Daniel Cramer
Daniel Cramer (Daniel Candidus) (20 January 1568 – 5 October 1637) was a German Lutheran theologian and writer from Reetz (Recz), Brandenburg. He was an opponent of the Ramists and the Jesuits.
Life
He became professor and archdeacon at Stet ...
, who in 1617 published a bizarre treatise entitled "Societas Jesus et Rosae Crucis Vera" (The True Society of Jesus and the Rosy Cross), containing 40 emblematic figures accompanied by biblical quotations.
![Prosphil](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Prosphil.jpg)
The literary works of the 16th and 17th centuries were full of enigmatic passages containing references to the
Rose Cross, as in the following (somewhat modernized):
The idea of such an order, exemplified by the network of astronomers, professors, mathematicians, and natural philosophers in 16th-century Europe promoted by such men as
Johannes Kepler
Johannes Kepler (; ; 27 December 1571 – 15 November 1630) was a German astronomer, mathematician, astrologer, natural philosopher and writer on music. He is a key figure in the 17th-century Scientific Revolution, best known for his laws ...
,
Georg Joachim Rheticus,
John Dee
John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, teacher, occultist, and alchemist. He was the court astronomer for, and advisor to, Elizabeth I, and spent much of his time on alchemy, divinatio ...
and
Tycho Brahe, gave rise to the
Invisible College. This was the precursor to the
Royal Society founded in 1660. It was constituted by a group of scientists who began to hold regular meetings to share and develop knowledge acquired by
experimental investigation. Among these were
Robert Boyle, who wrote: "the cornerstones of the Invisible (or as they term themselves the Philosophical) College, do now and then honour me with their company...";
John Wilkins
John Wilkins, (14 February 1614 – 19 November 1672) was an Anglican clergyman, natural philosopher, and author, and was one of the founders of the Royal Society. He was Bishop of Chester from 1668 until his death.
Wilkins is one of the fe ...
and
John Wallis
John Wallis (; la, Wallisius; ) was an English clergyman and mathematician who is given partial credit for the development of infinitesimal calculus. Between 1643 and 1689 he served as chief cryptographer for Parliament and, later, the royal ...
, who described those meetings in the following terms: "About the year 1645, while I lived in London (at a time when, by our civil wars, academical studies were much interrupted in both our Universities), ... I had the opportunity of being acquainted with divers worthy persons, inquisitive natural philosophy, and other parts of human learning; and particularly of what hath been called the New Philosophy or Experimental Philosophy. We did by agreements, divers of us, meet weekly in London on a certain day and hour, under a certain penalty, and a weekly contribution for the charge of experiments, with certain rules agreed amongst us, to treat and discourse of such affairs..."
Legacy in esoteric orders
Rose-Cross Degrees in Freemasonry
![Bijou fm 18eme](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Bijou_fm_18eme.jpg)
According to
Jean Pierre Bayard, two Rosicrucian-inspired
Masonic rites emerged toward the end of 18th century, the
Rectified Scottish Rite, widespread in Central Europe where there was a strong presence of the "Golden and Rosy Cross", and the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the ''and'', while the English Constitution in the United Kingdom omits the ''Scottish''), commonly known as simply the Sco ...
, first practiced in France, in which the 18th degree is called ''
Knight of the Rose Croix''.
The change from "operative" to "speculative" Masonry occurred between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 18th century. Two of the earliest speculative Masons for whom a record of initiation exists were Sir
Robert Moray and
Elias Ashmole.
Robert Vanloo
The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...
states that earlier 17th century Rosicrucianism had a considerable influence on Anglo-Saxon Masonry.
Hans Schick
Hans may refer to:
__NOTOC__ People
* Hans (name), a masculine given name
* Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician
** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans
** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...
sees in the works of
Comenius (1592–1670) the ideal of the newly born English Masonry before the foundation of the
Grand Lodge in 1717. Comenius was in England during 1641.
The
Gold und Rosenkreuzer
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from la, aurum) and atomic number 79. This makes it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile meta ...
(Golden and Rosy Cross) was founded by the alchemist
Samuel Richter who in 1710 published ''Die warhhaffte und vollkommene Bereitung des Philosophischen Steins der Brüderschaft aus dem Orden des Gülden-und Rosen-Creutzes'' (''The True and Complete Preparation of the
Philosopher's Stone by the Brotherhood from the Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross'') in Breslau under the pseudonym Sincerus Renatus in
Prague in the early 18th century as a hierarchical
secret society
A secret society is a club or an organization whose activities, events, inner functioning, or membership are concealed. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence a ...
composed of internal circles, recognition signs and alchemy treatises. Under the leadership of
Hermann Fictuld the group reformed itself extensively in 1767 and again in 1777 because of political pressure. Its members claimed that the leaders of the Rosicrucian Order had invented Freemasonry and only they knew the secret meaning of Masonic symbols. The Rosicrucian Order had been founded by Egyptian "
Ormusse" or "
Licht-Weise" who had emigrated to Scotland with the name "Builders from the East". In 1785 and 1788 the Golden and Rosy Cross group published the ''Geheime Figuren'' or "The Secret Symbols of the 16th and 17th century Rosicrucians".
Led by
Johann Christoph von Wöllner and General Johann Rudolf von Bischoffwerder, the Masonic lodge (later: ''Grand Lodge'') ''Zu den drei Weltkugeln'' (''The Three Globes'') was infiltrated and came under the influence of the Golden and Rosy Cross. Many Freemasons became Rosicrucianists and Rosicrucianism was established in many lodges. In 1782 at the Convent of Wilhelmsbad the ''Alte schottische Loge Friedrich zum goldenen Löwen'' (''Old Scottish Lodge Friedrich at the Golden Lion'') in Berlin strongly requested
Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and all other Freemasons to submit to the Golden and Rosy Cross, without success.
After 1782, this highly secretive society added Egyptian, Greek, and Druidic mysteries to its alchemy system. A comparative study of what is known about the Gold and Rosenkreuzer appears to reveal, on the one hand, that it has influenced the creation of some modern initiatory groups and, on the other hand, that the Nazis (see ''
The Occult Roots of Nazism
''The Occult Roots of Nazism: The Ariosophists of Austria and Germany, 1890–1935'' is a book about Nazi occultism and Ariosophy by historian Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, who traces some of its roots back to Esotericism in Germany and Austria betwe ...
'') may have been inspired by this German group.
According to the writings of the Masonic historian E.J. Marconis de Negre, who together with his father Gabriel M. Marconis is held to be the founder of the "
Rite of Memphis-Misraim" of Freemasonry, based on earlier conjectures (1784) by a Rosicrucian scholar Baron de Westerode and also promulgated by the 18th century secret society called the "
Golden and Rosy Cross", the Rosicrucian Order was created in the year 46 when an
Alexandrian
Gnostic sage named
Ormus and his six followers were converted by one of Jesus' disciples,
Mark. Their symbol was said to be a red cross surmounted by a rose, thus the designation of
Rosy Cross
The Rose Cross (also called ''Rose Croix'' and Rosy Cross) is a symbol largely associated with the legendary Christian Rosenkreuz; Christian Kabbalist, alchemist, and founder of the Rosicrucian Order. The Rose Cross is a cross with a rose at it ...
. From this conversion, Rosicrucianism was supposedly born, by purifying
Egyptian
Egyptian describes something of, from, or related to Egypt.
Egyptian or Egyptians may refer to:
Nations and ethnic groups
* Egyptians, a national group in North Africa
** Egyptian culture, a complex and stable culture with thousands of years of ...
mysteries with the new higher teachings of early Christianity.
According to Maurice Magre (1877–1941) in his book ''Magicians, Seers, and Mystics'', Rosenkreutz was the last descendant of the Germelshausen, a German family from the 13th century. Their castle stood in the
Thuringian Forest on the border of
Hesse, and they embraced
Albigensian doctrines. The whole family was put to death by
Landgrave Conrad of
Thuringia, except for the youngest son, who was then five years old. He was carried away secretly by a monk, an Albigensian adept from
Languedoc, and placed in a monastery under the influence of the Albigenses, where he was educated and met the four Brothers later to be associated with him in the founding of the Rosicrucian Brotherhood. Magre's account supposedly derives from oral tradition.
Around 1530, more than eighty years before the publication of the first manifesto, the association of cross and rose already existed in Portugal in the
Convent of the Order of Christ
The Convent of Christ ( pt, Convento de Cristo/Mosteiro de Cristo) is a former Catholic convent in Tomar, Portugal. Originally a 12th-century Templar stronghold, when the order was dissolved in the 14th century the Portuguese branch was turned in ...
, home of the
Knights Templar
, colors = White mantle with a red cross
, colors_label = Attire
, march =
, mascot = Two knights riding a single horse
, equipment ...
, later renamed
Order of Christ. Three ''bocetes'' were, and still are, on the ''abóboda'' (vault) of the initiation room. The rose can clearly be seen at the center of the cross. At the same time, a minor writing by
Paracelsus
Paracelsus (; ; 1493 – 24 September 1541), born Theophrastus von Hohenheim (full name Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim), was a Swiss physician, alchemist, lay theologian, and philosopher of the German Renaissance.
He w ...
called ''Prognosticatio Eximii Doctoris Paracelsi'' (1530), containing 32
prophecies with
allegorical pictures surrounded by enigmatic texts, makes reference to an image of a double cross over an open rose; this is one of the examples used to prove the "Fraternity of the Rose Cross" existed far earlier than 1614.
Modern groups
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, various groups styled themselves Rosicrucian. The diverse groups who link themselves to a "Rosicrucian Tradition" can be divided into three categories:
Esoteric Christian
Esoteric Christianity is an approach to Christianity which features "secret traditions" that require an initiation to learn or understand.Guy G. Stroumsa (2005). Hidden Wisdom: Esoteric Traditions and the Roots of Christian Mysticism. Leiden: Br ...
Rosicrucian groups, which profess Christ;
Masonic Rosicrucian groups such as
Societas Rosicruciana
The Societas Rosicruciana (or Rosicrucian Society) is a Rosicrucian order which limits its membership to Christian Master Masons. The order was founded in Scotland, but now exists in England, Scotland, Canada, Portugal, and the United States. Whi ...
; and initiatory groups such as the
Golden Dawn
Golden Dawn or The Golden Dawn may refer to:
Organizations
* Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a nineteenth century magical order based in Britain
** The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Inc., a modern revival founded in 1977
** Open Source ...
and the
Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC).
Esoteric Christian
Esoteric Christianity is an approach to Christianity which features "secret traditions" that require an initiation to learn or understand.Guy G. Stroumsa (2005). Hidden Wisdom: Esoteric Traditions and the Roots of Christian Mysticism. Leiden: Br ...
Rosicrucian schools provide
esoteric knowledge related to the inner teachings of Christianity.
The Rosicrucian Fellowship, 1909 at
Mount Ecclesia
Mount Ecclesia (dedicated on October 28, 1911) is the location of the international headquarters of the fraternal and service organization The Rosicrucian Fellowship (TRF), located on grounds in Oceanside, California. It is also the location of i ...
(groundbreaking for first building: 1911). Teachings present the ''mysteries'', in the form of
esoteric knowledge, of which
Christ spoke in
Matthew
Matthew may refer to:
* Matthew (given name)
* Matthew (surname)
* ''Matthew'' (ship), the replica of the ship sailed by John Cabot in 1497
* ''Matthew'' (album), a 2000 album by rapper Kool Keith
* Matthew (elm cultivar), a cultivar of the Ch ...
13:11 and
Luke
People
*Luke (given name), a masculine given name (including a list of people and characters with the name)
*Luke (surname) (including a list of people and characters with the name)
*Luke the Evangelist, author of the Gospel of Luke. Also known as ...
8:10. The Fellowship seeks to prepare the individual through harmonious development of mind and heart in a spirit of unselfish service to mankind and an all-embracing
altruism
Altruism is the principle and moral practice of concern for the welfare and/or happiness of other human beings or animals, resulting in a quality of life both material and spiritual. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures and a core as ...
. According to it the Rosicrucian Order was founded in 1313 and is composed of twelve exalted Beings gathered around a thirteenth,
Christian Rosenkreuz. These great adepts have already advanced far beyond the cycle of
rebirth. Their mission is to prepare the ''whole wide world'' for a new phase in religion, which includes awareness of the
inner worlds
''Inner Worlds'' is an album by the Mahavishnu Orchestra. It was the group's sixth album release, as well as their last for nearly ten years.
In 1975, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and keyboardist Gayle Moran left the band. Stu Goldberg was brought ...
and the
subtle bodies
A subtle body is a "quasi material" aspect of the human body, being neither solely physical nor solely spiritual, according to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings. This contrasts with the mind–body dualism that has dominated W ...
, and to provide safe guidance in the gradual awakening of man's latent
spiritual faculties during the next six centuries toward the coming
Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius, in astrology, is either the current or forthcoming astrological age, depending on the method of calculation. Astrologers maintain that an astrological age is a product of the earth's slow precessional rotation and lasts for 2 ...
.
With the Edict of Toleration of Religion in 1905, several Russians of a mystical mind took advantage of it to form or resurrect what they considered the ancient forms of esoteric Orders. These were the new Rosicrucians. Their inspired mentors compiled volumes of mystic philosophy, and which they combined with their personal notions of what the ancient Orders were, and so formed groups. The 3 principal neo-Rosicrucian Orders of early Soviet Russia were Emesh Redivivus, the Orionist-Manicheans, and the Lux Astralis. Due to suppression by the Soviets they were eventually disbanded by 1933.
According to Masonic writers, the Order of the
Rose Cross is expounded in a major Christian literary work that molded the subsequent spiritual beliefs of western civilization: ''
The Divine Comedy'' (ca. 1308–1321) by
Dante Alighieri.
Other Christian-oriented Rosicrucian bodies include:
![Centro de Estudios Rosacruz - Zaragoza](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Centro_de_Estudios_Rosacruz_-_Zaragoza.png)
*
Lectorium Rosicrucianum, 1924
*
Archeosophical Society
Archeosofica is a school of esoteric Christianity founded by Tommaso Palamidessi in 1968 in Rome. It offers a program of research on Archeosophy.
The school is free and supplies booklets and other texts.
Beliefs
Archeosofica proposes a form of "a ...
, 1968
Freemasonic Rosicrucian bodies providing preparation either through direct study and/or through the practice of a symbolic initiatory journey.
*
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the ''and'', while the English Constitution in the United Kingdom omits the ''Scottish''), commonly known as simply the Sco ...
, 1801
*
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (Rosicrucian Society of England) is a Rosicrucian esoteric Christian order formed by Robert Wentworth Little in 1865,King 1989, page 28 although some sources acknowledge the date to be 1866-67. Members are confirm ...
, 1866
*Societas Rosicruciana in Canadiensis, 1876
Initiatory groups which follow a degree system of study and initiation include:
* The
Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), incorporated in the U.S. in 1915
Notable related groups
Many of these groups generally speak of a linear descent from earlier branches of the ancient Rosicrucian Order in England, France, Egypt, or other countries. However, some groups speak of a spiritual affiliation with a true and invisible Rosicrucian Order. Note that there are other Rosicrucian groups not listed here. Some do not use the name "Rosicrucian" to name themselves. Some groups listed have been dissolved or are no longer operating.
*
Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross, 1750s
*
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the ''and'', while the English Constitution in the United Kingdom omits the ''Scottish''), commonly known as simply the Sco ...
, 1776
*
Fraternitas Rosae Crucis, 1861
*
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (Rosicrucian Society of England) is a Rosicrucian esoteric Christian order formed by Robert Wentworth Little in 1865,King 1989, page 28 although some sources acknowledge the date to be 1866-67. Members are confirm ...
(SRIA). ca. 1860–1865
[Frater Melchior]
"Manifestations of the Neo-Rosicrucian Current"
/ref>
* Societas Rosicruciana in America
The Societas Rosicruciana (or Rosicrucian Society) is a Rosicrucian order which limits its membership to Christian Master Masons. The order was founded in Scotland, but now exists in England, Scotland, Canada, Portugal, and the United States. Wh ...
(SRIA), 1878[
* ]Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis
The Societas Rosicruciana (or Rosicrucian Society) is a Rosicrucian order which limits its membership to Christian Master Masons. The order was founded in Scotland, but now exists in England, Scotland, Canada, Portugal, and the United States. Whi ...
(SRICF), 1879[
* ]Cabalistic Order of the Rosicrucian
The Kabbalistic Order of the Rose-Cross (french: Ordre kabbalistique de la Rose-Croix – O.K.R.C.) was France's first ever occult society, established by Stanislas de Guaita and Joséphin Péladan in 1888. Its structure and teaching had simila ...
(Kabbalistique de la Rose Croix), 1888
* Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, 1888[
* Order of the Temple & the Graal and of the Catholic Order of the Rose-Croix (l'Ordre de la Rose Croix Catholique et Esthetique, du Temple et du Graal) (CRC) ('Catholic', as in 'Universal'), 1890][
* Rosicrucian Fellowship (Association of Christian Mystics) 1909
* Anthroposophical Society, 1912
* ]Builders of the Adytum
The Builders of the Adytum (BOTA, also spelled B.O.T.A., BotA, or B.o.t.A.) is a school of the Western mystery tradition based in Los Angeles which is registered as a non-profit tax-exempt religious organization. It was founded by Paul Foster Case ...
(BOTA), 1922
* Order of the Temple of the Rosy Cross
The Order of the Temple of the Rosy Cross (OTRC) was an early 20th century theosophical group. It was founded in 1912 by leaders of the Theosophical Society, including Annie Besant, Marie Russak and James Ingall Wedgwood.
According to Gregory Ti ...
, 1912[
* Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), 1915][Not 1909: a Charter forming this organization is dated from 1 April 1915 in New York, after a previous document titled "American Pronunziamento Number One" or "First American Manifesto" by H. Spencer Lewis issued in February, 1915; cf. http://www.parareligion.ch/sunrise/vanloo/ameng.htm]
* Fellowship of the Rosy Cross
The Rose Cross (also called ''Rose Croix'' and Rosy Cross) is a symbol largely associated with the legendary Christian Rosenkreuz; Christian Kabbalist, alchemist, and founder of the Rosicrucian Order. The Rose Cross is a cross with a rose at it ...
, 1915
* Corona Fellowship of Rosicrucians (CFR), c. 1918[
* Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship, 1924
* Lectorium Rosicrucianum, 1924][
* ]Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua
The Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua (FRA) is a Rosicrucian Order originally established by German occultist Dr. Arnold Krumm-Heller, and acts in Brazil and Spanish-speaking countries. In Brazil, it was established in 1932 and has had its headquar ...
(FRA), 1927
* The Saint Paul Rosicrucian Fellowship (Fraternidade Rosacruciana São Paulo), 1929
* Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua
The Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua (FRA) is a Rosicrucian Order originally established by German occultist Dr. Arnold Krumm-Heller, and acts in Brazil and Spanish-speaking countries. In Brazil, it was established in 1932 and has had its headquar ...
, 1932
* Archeosophical Society
Archeosofica is a school of esoteric Christianity founded by Tommaso Palamidessi in 1968 in Rome. It offers a program of research on Archeosophy.
The school is free and supplies booklets and other texts.
Beliefs
Archeosofica proposes a form of "a ...
, 1968
* Fraternity of the Hidden Light, 1982
* Confraternity Rosae + Crucis (CR+C), 1989[
* Ancient Rosae Crucis (ARC), ?][
]
See also
Notes
References
Old editions
* Among the treasures of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica in Amsterdam are books on the Gnosis and the Corpus Hermeticum as published in Florence in 1471.
* The University of Wisconsin–Madison Digital Collections Center has
digital edition
of the ''Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer, aus dem 16ten und 17ten Jahrhundert (1785–1788)''.
Publications
* Bayard, Jean-Pierre (1986) ''Les Rose-Croix'' M. A. Éditions, Paris, , in French
* Bayard, Jean-Pierre (1990) ''La Spiritualité de la Rose-Croix: Histoire, Tradition et Valeur Initiatique'' Dangles, Saint-Jean-de-Braye, France, , in French
* Bernard, Christian (2001) ''Rosicrucian Order AMORC: Questions and Answers'' Grand Lodge of the English Language Jurisdiction, AMORC, San Jose, California, ; based upon the earlier versions by Harve Spencer Lewis 1929 and following, and Heindel, Max (1910) 'The Rosicrucian philosophy in questions and answers'' M.A. Donohue & Company, Chicago,
* Clymer, R. Swinburne (1916) ''The Rose Cross order: a short sketch of the history of the Rose Cross order in America, together with a sketch of the life of Dr. P. B. Randolph, the founder of the order'' Philosophical Publishing Company, Allentown, Pennsylvania,
* Churton, Tobias (2009) ''The Invisible History of the Rosicrucians: The World's Most Mysterious Secret Society'' Inner Traditions, Rochester, Vermont,
* Dietzfelbinger, K. (2005) ''Rosicrucians through the ages'' (translation of Dietzfelbinger, K. (1998) ''Rozenkruisers toen en nu'' Rozekruis Pers, Haarlem, Netherlands, ) Rozekruis Pers, Haarlem, Netherlands,
* Edighoffer, Roland (1982) ''Rose-Croix et Société Idéale selon Johann Valentin Andreae'' (volume 1) Arma Artis, Neuilly-sur-Seine, , in French
* Edighoffer, Roland (1987) ''Rose-Croix et Société Idéale selon Johann Valentin Andreae'' (volume 2) Arma Artis, Neuilly-sur-Seine, , in French
* Frietsch, Wolfram (1999) ''Die Geheimnisse der Rosenkreuzer'' Rowohlt, Reinbeck bei Hamburg, , in German
* Gorceix, Bernard (1970) ''La Bible des Rose-Croix: traduction et commentaire des trois premiers écrits rosicruciens (1614–1615–1616)'' PUF, Paris, , in French
* Hall, Manly Palmer (1929) "Chapter 19: Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins" ''Lectures on Ancient Philosophy: An Introduction to the Study and Application of Rational Procedure'' Hall Publishing Company, Los Angeles,
full text
from ''The Mystic Light''
* Hall, Manly Palmer (1928) ''The Secret Teachings of All Ages: An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Quabbalistic and Rosictucian Symbolical Philosophy''Philosophical Research Society, Los Angeles, ; se
from ''The Internet Sacred Text Archive''
* Heindel, Max (1909) ''The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception or Christian Occult Science, An Elementary Treatise Upon Man's Past Evolution, Present Constitution and Future Development'' Independent Book Company, Chicago,
full text of updated version entitled 'The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception or Mystic Christianity, An Elementary Treatise Upon Man's Past Evolution, Present Constitution and Future Development''
from ''The Rosicrucian Fellowship''
* Jennings, Hargrave (1870) ''The Rosicrucians: Their Rites and Mysteries'' John Camden Hotten, London, ; reprinted in 1976 by Arno Press, New York,
* Lindgren, Carl Edwin as "Neophyte" (1996) ''Spiritual Alchemists: Rosicrucians, the Brotherhood of Light'' Ars Latomorum Publications, New Orleans, Louisiana,
* Lindgren, Carl Edwin ''The Rose Cross Order: A Historical and Philosophical View'
full text
from Professor Lindgren’s web site
* Macedo, António de (2000) ''Instruções Iniciáticas – Ensaios Espirituais'' (2nd edition) Hughin Editores, Lisbon; se
partial view
from Hughin Editores, in Portuguese
* Matthews, John (1999) ''The Rosicrucian Enlightenment Revisited'' Lindisfarne Books, Hudson, New York,
* McIntosh, Christopher (1992) ''The Rose Cross and the Age of Reason: Eighteenth-century Rosicrucianism in Central Europe and its relationship to the Enlightenment'', E.J. Brill, New York,
* Palou, Jean (1964) ''La franc-Maçonnerie'' (''The French Masons'') Payot, Paris, , in French
* Pincus-Witten, Robert (1976) ''Occult Symbolism in France: Joséphin Péladan and the Salons de la Rose-Croix'' Garland Publishing, New York,
* Rebisse, Christian (2005) ''Rosicrucian History and Mysteries'' (translation of Rebisse, Christian (2003) ''Rose-croix histoire et mysteres'') Supreme Grand Lodge of AMORC, San Jose, California,
* Silberer, Herbert (1917) Problems of mysticism and its symbolism (translation of Silberer, Herbert (1914) ''Probleme der mystik und ihrer symbolik'' Heller, Vienna, ) Moffat, Yard and Company, New York, ; reprinted in 1970 by S. Weiser, New York,
* Steiner, Rudolf (1984) ''Esoteric Christianity and the Mission of Christian Rosenkreutz: Thirteen lectures given in various European cities in the years 1911 and 1912'' (a partial translation of Steiner, Rudolf (1962) ''Das esoterische Christentum und die geistige Führung der Menschheit: dreiundzwanzig Vorträge, gehalten in den Jahr. 1911 und 1912 in verschiedenen Städten'' Verlag der Rudolf Steiner-Nachlassverwaltung, Dornach, Switzerland) Rudolf Steiner Press, London, ; see
full text
from the Rudolf Steiner Archive
* Steiner, Rudolf (1965) ''Rosicrucianism and Modern Initiation: Mystery Centres of the Middle Ages: Six lectures given in Dornach, 4–13 January 1924'' (translation of Steiner, Rudolf (1950) ''Mepterienstätte des Mittelalters: Rosenkreuzertum und Modernes Einweihungsprinzip'', printed as volume two of ''The Mission of Christian Rozenkreuz'') R. Steiner, London, ; see
from the Rudolf Steiner Archive
* Waite, Arthur Edward (1887) ''The Real History of the Rosicrucians'' G. Redway, London ; reprinted in 1960 by Society of Metaphysicians, Hastings, England, ; reprinted in 2000 by Garber Communications, Blauvelt, New York, ; se
full text
from ''The Internet Sacred Text Archive''
* Waite, Arthur Edward (1916–1918) ''Complete Rosicrucian Initiations of the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross'' ; reprinted in 2005 and 2007 by Ishtar Publishing, Burnaby, British Columbia; renamed in 2008 ''Rosicrucian Rites and Ceremonies of the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross by Founder of the Holy Order of the Golden Dawn Arthur Edward Waite''
from Ishtar Publishing
* Westcott, William Wynn (1885) ''Rosicrucian Thoughts on the Ever-Burning Lamps of the Ancients'' (pamphlet) G. Kenning, London; reprinted in 1979 by David Medina, London, ; se
full text
from ''The Alchemy Web Site''
* Williamson, Benedict J. (editor) (2002) ''The Rosicrucian Manuscripts'' Invisible College Press, Arlington, Virginia,
* Yates, Frances
Dame Frances Amelia Yates (28 November 1899 – 29 September 1981) was an English historian of the Renaissance, who wrote books on esoteric history.
After attaining an MA in French at University College London, she began to publish her resear ...
(1972) ''The Rosicrucian Enlightenment'' Routledge, London, ; reprinted in 2002 by Routledge, New York,
Essays
* Alexandre David, ''Fama Fraternitatis – Introduction'
www
* Corinne Heline, ''The Seven Jewels and the Seven Stages of Initiation '
www
* Prinke, Rafal T. ''Michael Sendivogius and Christian Rosenkreutz, The Unexpected Possibilities'', The Hermetic Journal, 1990, 72-9
Fictional literature
* St. Leon: A Tale of the Sixteenth Century by William Godwin
William Godwin (3 March 1756 – 7 April 1836) was an English journalist, political philosopher and novelist. He is considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and the first modern proponent of anarchism. Godwin is most famous for ...
, 1799
* St. Irvyne; or, The Rosicrucian by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley ( ; 4 August 17928 July 1822) was one of the major English Romantic poets. A radical in his poetry as well as in his political and social views, Shelley did not achieve fame during his lifetime, but recognition of his achie ...
, 1811, London, John Joseph Stockdale
John Joseph Stockdale (1770, 1776Stockdale (1990) ''p.''30 or 1777 – 16 February 1847) was an English publisher and editor with something of a reputation as a pornographer. He sought to blackmail a number of public figures over the ''memoirs ...
* Wolfstein; or, The Mysterious Bandit by Percy Bysshe Shelley, circa 1815, J. Bailey, London, a chapbook reduction of St. Irvyne
* Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton, PC (25 May 180318 January 1873) was an English writer and politician. He served as a Whig member of Parliament from 1831 to 1841 and a Conservative from 1851 to 1866. He was Secret ...
, '' Zanoni: A Rosicrucian Tale'' (1842)
www
* Edward Bulwer-Lytton, '' Vril: The Power of the Coming Race'' (1870
www
* Franz Hartmann, ''With the Adepts: An Adventure Among the Rosicrucians'' (1910
www
* Hermann Hesse, ''Journey to the East
''Journey to the East'' is a short novel by German author Hermann Hesse. It was first published in German in 1932 as ''Die Morgenlandfahrt''. This novel came directly after his biggest international success, ''Narcissus and Goldmund''.
Plot su ...
'' (1932, also "Journey to the Land of the Morning/of the Tomorrow" (''Die Morgenlandfahrt''))
* Hermann Hesse, '' The Glass Bead Game'' (1943), also known as "Magister Ludi" (Master of the Game)
* Prentiss Tucker, ''In the Land of the Living Dead: an Occult Story'' (1929
www
* Antal Szerb
Antal Szerb (1 May 1901, Budapest – 27 January 1945, Balf) was a noted Hungarian scholar and writer. He is generally considered to be one of the major Hungarian writers of the 20th century.
Life and career
Szerb was born in 1901 to assimilate ...
, " The Pendragon Legend" (1934) (Translated by Len Rix Len Rix is a translator of Hungarian literature into English, noted for his translations of Antal Szerb's '' Journey by Moonlight'' and ''The Pendragon Legend'' and of Magda Szabó's '' The Door'' and ''Katalin Street''.
Early life and education
...
).
Conspiracy literature
* Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln
Henry Soskin (12 February 1930 – 23 February 2022), better known as Henry Lincoln, was a British author, television presenter, scriptwriter, and actor. He co-wrote three '' Doctor Who'' multi-part serials in the 1960s, and — starting in t ...
, ''Holy Blood, Holy Grail
''The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail'' (published as ''Holy Blood, Holy Grail'' in the United States) is a book by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln.
The book was first published in 1982 by Jonathan Cape in London as an unoffici ...
'' (1982), advanced a pseudohistorical relation of Rosicrucianism with a secret society called Priory of Sion.
* Umberto Eco, '' Foucault's Pendulum'' (1988), ''Serendipities: Language and Lunacy'' (1998).
* Dan Brown, '' The Da Vinci Code'' (2003), follows the ''Holy Blood, Holy Grail
''The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail'' (published as ''Holy Blood, Holy Grail'' in the United States) is a book by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln.
The book was first published in 1982 by Jonathan Cape in London as an unoffici ...
s conspiracy theories line.
* Dan Brown, '' The Lost Symbol'' (2009)
External links
Alchemy Web Site (The): Rosicrucianism
* Catholic Encyclopedia
Rosicrucians
* Straight Dope (The)
archived from the origina
What is Rosicrucianism all about?
The Societas in Rosicruciana in Canada
Rose Cross Order
Rosicrucian Society
* Shubin, Daniel H
''New Rosicrucians of early Soviet Russia''
{{Authority control
Rosicrucianism,
Alchemical traditions
Esoteric Christianity
Esoteric schools of thought
Hermeticism
Secret societies