The Rosicrucian Order is a legendary esoteric order with its roots in the Western mystery tradition. Hermetism was a religion of Late Antiquity attested in a loose corpus of Hermetica (including the Corpus Hermeticum, Asclepius Hermetism was a religion of Late Antiquity attested in a loose corpus of Hermetica (including the Corpus Hermeticum, Asclepius Hermeticism is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, who is put forth as a Hermes Trismegistus ( Greek:, "thrice-great Hermes" Latin: Mercurius ter Maximus) is the Syncretism of the Greek god For other meanings of "Thoth" or of "Djehuti" and similar see Thoth (disambiguation. Poimandres ( Poemandres, also known as Poemander or Pimander) is a chapter in the Corpus Hermeticum. Hermetica is a category of popular Late Antique literature purporting to contain secret wisdom and generally attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, "thrice-great Hermetica is a category of popular Late Antique literature purporting to contain secret wisdom and generally attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, "thrice-great The Kybalion Hermetic Philosophy is a 1908 book claiming to be the essence of the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, published anonymously by a group or person under the pseudonym Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Astrology (from Greek grc ἄστρον astron, "constellation star" and grc -λογία -logia) is a group of Systems Theurgy (from Greek θεουργία) describes the practice of Rituals sometimes seen as magical in nature performed with the intention of This is a Comparative religion article which outlines both similarities between Hermetism, Hermeticism, and other thought systems as well as their interactions The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or more commonly the Golden Dawn) was a magical order of the late 19th and early 20th centuries practicing a form of Hermetic Qabalah (from the Hebrew קַבָּלָה "reception" is a Western esoteric and mystical tradition Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley (ˈkroʊli (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947 was a British Occultist Writer, mountaineer Israel Regardie (Francis Israel Regudy (born on November 17, 1907 in London, England, died March 10 1985 in Sedona (836 in Harran, Mesopotamia &ndash February 18, 901 in Baghdad) was an Arab astronomer, mathematician Paracelsus (11 November or 17 December 1493 in Einsiedeln Switzerland – 24 September 1541 in Salzburg, Austria) was an alchemist, Giordano Bruno (1548 – February 17, 1600) was an Italian Philosopher best-known as an early proponent of Heliocentrism and Manly Palmer Hall ( March 18, 1901 - August 29, 1990) was a Canadian -born Author and mystic. Western esotericism (also Western mysticism, Western occult tradition, and Western mystery tradition) is a broad spectrum of spiritual This Hermetic Order is viewed among earlier and many modern Rosicrucianists as a "College of Invisibles" from the inner worlds, composed of great Adepts, aiming to give assistance in humanity's spiritual development. Hermeticism is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, who is put forth as a In Metaphysics and Esoteric cosmology, a plane, other than the Physical plane, is conceived as a subtle state of Consciousness that transcends An adept is an individual identified as having attained a specific level of knowledge skill or aptitude in doctrines relevant to a particular author or organization Spirituality, in a narrow sense concerns itself with matters of the Spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and Faith, a transcendent reality ^[1]

The "Brethren of the Rose Cross" is perceived by students of metaphysics as an important part or even the source of the hermetic-Christian tradition of the Western alchemy treatises in the period subsequent to the publication of Dante's The Divine Comedy in the early 14th century. The Rose Cross is the central symbol to all groups embracing the Esoteric Christian philosophy of the Rosicrucians The Rose Cross is as its name suggests a Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of The Divine Comedy

However, modern researchers of history and sociology have placed its origin in a group of German Protestants between 1607 and 1616, when three anonymous documents first surfaced in Europe: Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis, Confessio Fraternitatis, and Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz anno 1459. The Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis ( Fama fraternitatis Roseae Crucis oder Die Bruderschaft des Ordens der Rosenkreuzer) or simply the Fama Fraternitatis, is an anonymous The Confessio Fraternitatis ( Confessio oder Bekenntnis der Societät und Bruderschaft Rosenkreuz) or simply The Confessio, printed in Kassel ( Germany The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz ( Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz anno 1459) was edited in 1616 in Strasburg (annexed by France The influence of these documents, presenting the "most laudable Order" and promoting a "Universal Reformation of Mankind", was so profound that this period of the 17th century has been deemed the "Rosicrucian Enlightenment". ^[2]

Origins

The Temple of the Rose Cross, Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens, 1618. Daniel Mogling (pseudonym Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens) is the alchemist who allegedly wrote the work Speculum Sophicum Rhodostauroticum ("The

In the 17th century, three Rosicrucian manifestos were anonymously published: Fama Fraternitatis in 1614, Confessio Fraternitatis in 1615, and the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz in 1616. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar The Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis ( Fama fraternitatis Roseae Crucis oder Die Bruderschaft des Ordens der Rosenkreuzer) or simply the Fama Fraternitatis, is an anonymous The Confessio Fraternitatis ( Confessio oder Bekenntnis der Societät und Bruderschaft Rosenkreuz) or simply The Confessio, printed in Kassel ( Germany The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz ( Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz anno 1459) was edited in 1616 in Strasburg (annexed by France Together, they presented the legend of a German pilgrim named "C. R. C. " (later introduced in the third manifesto as Christian Rosenkreuz). Christian Rosenkreuz, English Christian Rose Cross, is the legendary founder of the Rosicrucian Order (Order of the Rose Cross) presented in The legend tells that this pilgrim studied in the Middle East under various occult masters and founded the Rosicrucian Order, which aimed to bring about a "universal reformation of mankind. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden" " During Rosenkreuz's lifetime, the Order was said to consist of no more than eight members, and when he died, the Order disappeared, only to be "reborn" in the early 17th century at the time of the publication of the manifestos. ^[3]

The manifestos were filled with symbolism and have been interpreted in many ways over the centuries. They do not directly state Rosenkreuz's years of birth and death, but in the Confessio Fraternitatis, the year 1378 is presented as being the birth year of "our Christian Father," and it is stated that they could describe the 106 years of his life, which would imply the year 1484 for his death. The foundation of the Order can be similarly deduced to have occurred in 1407. However, these dates are not taken literally by many students of occultism and are considered as allegorical statements for the understanding of the initiated. Initiation is a Rite of passage Ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society The reasoning arises from the manifestos themselves: on one hand, the Rosicrucians clearly adopted the Pythagorean tradition of envisioning objects and ideas in terms of their numeric aspects, and, on the other hand, they directly 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," but that a fundamental requisite to achieve this knowledge is "that we be earnest to attain to the understanding and knowledge of philosophy. Pythagoreanism is a term used for the Esoteric and metaphysical beliefs held by Pythagoras and his followers the Pythagoreans who were much influenced "

Some interpretations about the origins

According to a lesser-known legend, described in the writings of the Masonic historian E. J. Marconis de Negre^[4], 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^[5] 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. Among the Masonic Rites Memphis-Misraim has occupied a particular position since its origin The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system The term Rosicrucian (symbol the Rose Cross) describes a secret society of mystics allegedly formed in late mediaeval Germany, holding a doctrine "built on Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια Gnosticism (γνώσις gnōsis, Knowledge) refers to a diverse Syncretistic Religious movement consisting of various Belief systems Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) "Saint Mark" redirects here For other uses see Saint Mark (disambiguation. The rosy cross (also called "rose cross" and "rose croix" is a symbol largely associated with the semi-mythical Christian Rosencreutz (1378-1484 From this conversion, Rosicrucianism was supposedly born, by purifying Egyptian mysteries with the new higher teachings of early Christianity. Ancient Egyptian religion encompasses the various religious beliefs and rituals practiced in Ancient Egypt from the predynastic period until the adoption of Christianity Mystery Religions, Sacred Mysteries or simply Mysteries, were "religious cults of the Graeco-Roman Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings ^[6]

Many recent researchers take as granted the Alexandrian Ormus as the founder of "hermetic Rosicrucianism", via the medieval agency of the Templars. The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Solomonici commonly known as the Knights Templar or the Order Members of modern organized Initiatic groups, which call themselves "Rosicrucian", inherited this legend and date the beginning of the Order to much more ancient times than proposed by historians. The term Rosicrucian (symbol the Rose Cross) describes a secret society of mystics allegedly formed in late mediaeval Germany, holding a doctrine "built on However, students of modern Rosicrucian Christian groups state that the Order of the Rose Cross was founded in the early 14th century by an highly evolved entity having the symbolic name of Christian Rosenkreuz; nevertheless, they too hold - in the same line as summed up by the Catholic encyclopedia about the roots of the western mystery tradition, which reads "Its beginnings have long been a matter of controversy and are still largely a subject of research. The term Rosicrucian (symbol the Rose Cross) describes a secret society of mystics allegedly formed in late mediaeval Germany, holding a doctrine "built on The Rose Cross is the central symbol to all groups embracing the Esoteric Christian philosophy of the Rosicrucians The Rose Cross is as its name suggests a Christian Rosenkreuz, English Christian Rose Cross, is the legendary founder of the Rosicrucian Order (Order of the Rose Cross) presented in The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia Western esotericism (also Western mysticism, Western occult tradition, and Western mystery tradition) is a broad spectrum of spiritual The more these origins are studied, the farther they seem to recede in the past"^[7] - that the roots of the Rosicrucian Order, immersed in the western mystery tradition, are almost impossible to be traced as "theirs is a work which aims to encourage the evolution of humanity, they have labored far back into antiquity--under one guise or another". Spiritual evolution is the Philosophical, theological, esoteric or spiritual idea that nature and human beings and/or human culture evolve along ^[8]

According to Émile Dantinne (1884–1969), the origins of the Rosicrucians may have an Islamic connection. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. As described in Fama Fraternitatis in 1614, Rosenkreuz started his pilgrimage at the age of sixteen. This led him to Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco, where he came into contact with sages of the East who revealed to him the "universal harmonic science. The Arabian Peninsula (in Arabic: شبه الجزيرة العربية šibh al-jazīra al-ʻarabīya or جزيرة العرب jazīrat al-ʻarab) This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa " After learning Arabic philosophy in Jerusalem, he was led to Damcar. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the This place remains a mystery—it did not become Damascus but is somewhere not too far from Jerusalem. Damascus ( دمشق,, also commonly known as الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. Then he stopped briefly in Egypt. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Soon afterwards, he embarked to Fes, a center of philosophical and occult studies, such as the alchemy of Abu-Abdallah, Gabir ben Hayan, and Imam Jafar al Sadiq, the astrology and magic of Ali-ash-Shabramallishi, and the esoteric science of Abdarrahman ben Abdallah al Iskari. Fes or Fez ( Arabic: فاس, French Fès is the fourth largest City in Morocco, after Casablanca, Rabat Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (702-765 in accurate transliteration Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq Arabic: جعفر الصادق in full Jaʿfar ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Husayn However, Dantinne states that Rosenkreuz may have found his secrets amongst the Brethren of Purity, a society of philosophers that had formed in Basra (Iraq) sometime during the 900s. The Brethren of Purity ( Arabic اخوان الصفا Ikhwan al-Safa; also translated as Brethren of Sincerity) were a mysterious Basra ( BGN: AlBasrah also called Basorah Abillah and Uruk or IRAQ The name that British colony has adopted for Basra For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Their doctrine had its source in the study of the ancient Greek philosophers, but it became more neo-Pythagorean. Ancient Greek philosophy focused on the role of Reason and Inquiry. They adopted the Pythagorean tradition of envisioning objects and ideas in terms of their numeric aspects. Pythagoreanism is a term used for the Esoteric and metaphysical beliefs held by Pythagoras and his followers the Pythagoreans who were much influenced Their theurgy and esoteric knowledge is expounded in an epistolary style in the Encyclopedia of the Brethren of Purity. Theurgy (from Greek θεουργία) describes the practice of Rituals sometimes seen as magical in nature performed with the intention of The Encyclopedia of the Brethren of Purity (also variously known as the Epistles of the Brethren of Sincerity, the Epistles of the Brethren of Purity or Epistles

The Brethren of Purity and the Sufis were united in many points of doctrine. Sufism ( تصوّف - taṣawwuf, Persian: صوفی‌گری sufigari, Turkish: tasavvuf, Urdu: تصوف They both were mystical orders deriving from Qur'anic theology but supplanting dogma with a faith in the Divine Reality. The Qur’an ( القرآن, literally "the recitation" also sometimes transliterated as Qur’ān, Koran, Alcoran Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas, Greek, plural) is the established Belief or There were many similarities between the Rosicrucian way as expressed in the manifestos and the way of life of the Brethren of Purity. Neither group wore special clothing, both practiced abstinence, they healed the sick, and they offered their teachings free of charge. Similarities also were evident in the doctrinal elements of their theurgy and the story of creation in terms of emanationism. Theurgy (from Greek θεουργία) describes the practice of Rituals sometimes seen as magical in nature performed with the intention of Emanationism is Platonic monism and an idea in the Cosmology or Cosmogony of certain religious or philosophical systems

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, combining pagan and Christian beliefs. The Thuringian Forest ( Thüringer Wald in German) running northwest to southeast forms a continuous stretch of ancient rounded mountains posing ample difficulties Hesse (Hessen is a state of Germany with an area The whole family was put to death by Landgrave Conrad of Thuringia, except for the youngest son, then five years old. Konrad von Marburg (sometimes Anglicised as Conrad of Marburg) was a 13th century German Inquisitor. The Free State of Thuringia (Freistaat Thüringen is located in central Germany. 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. Languedoc ( in French Lengadòc in Occitan) is a former Province of France, now continued in the modern-day ''régions'' of Languedoc-Roussillon Magre's account supposedly derives from oral tradition.

Current-day views

Thanks to the complexity and subjectivity of the ideas expressed in the manifestos, there are many different perspectives about them among contemporary Rosicrucianists: some accept the legend as literal truth, others see it as a set of parables with deeper meanings, and yet others believe Rosenkreuz to be a pseudonym for a more famous historical figure, usually Francis Bacon. Francis Bacon 1st Viscount St Alban KC QC (22 January 1561 – 9 April 1626 was an English Philosopher, Statesman, and author

Several modern societies have been formed for the study of Rosicrucianism and allied subjects. However, many researchers on the history of Rosicrucianism argue that modern Rosicrucianists are in no sense directly derived from those of the 17th century. Instead, they are considered to be keen followers. Moreover, some have viewed the 17th century Order as a literary hoax or prank, rather than an operative society. Others contend that history shows them to be the genesis of later operative and functional societies. ^[9]

The curious legend in which the fabulous origin of the society was established was so improbable that the genesis of the Rosicrucians was generally overlooked or ignored in the writings of the time. Christian Rosenkreuz had discovered and learned the Secret Wisdom on a pilgrimage to the East in the 15th century. The metaphorical quality of these legends lends to the nebulous nature of the origins of Rosicrucianism. For example, the opening of Rosenkreuz's tomb is thought to be only a way of referring to the cycles in nature and to cosmic events, and Rosenkreuz's pilgrimage seems to refer to transmutation steps of the Great Work. Nature, in the broadest sense is equivalent to the natural world, physical universe, material world or material universe. The philosopher's stone (lapis philosophorum Greek: Chrysopoeia) is a Legendary substance supposedly capable of turning inexpensive Metals

History

It is on the foundation of these teachings that Rosenkreuz conceived the plan for simultaneous and universal religious, philosophic, scientific, political, and artistic reform. To implement his plan, he united with several disciples (seven at first, according to Fama Fraternitatis) to whom he gave the name of Rose-Croix.

The publication of the Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis (1614)

What was known in the early 17th century as the "Fraternity of the Rose Cross"—approximately a century prior to Adam Weishaupt's Enlightenment secret society, the Illuminati—seems to scholars to have been a number of isolated individuals who held certain views in common, which apparently was their only bond of union. The Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis ( Fama fraternitatis Roseae Crucis oder Die Bruderschaft des Ordens der Rosenkreuzer) or simply the Fama Fraternitatis, is an anonymous Johann Adam Weishaupt ( February 6, 1748 in Ingolstadt – November 18, 1830 in Gotha) was a German philosopher The Age of Enlightenment or The Enlightenment is a term used to describe a phase in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations "Illuminata" redirects here For the 1998 John Turturro film see Illuminata (film. These views were regarding hermetic knowledge, related to the higher nature of man, and also with common philosophical concepts of the foundation of a more perfected human society. Hermeticism is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, who is put forth as a Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language There is no trace of a formal brotherhood or secret society which held meetings or had officers or leaders, and for this reason, it has been deduced that the writers who posed as Rosicrucians were moral and religious reformers and utilized the techniques of chemistry (alchemy) and the sciences generally as media through which to publicize their opinions and beliefs. Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Their writings included a hint of mysticism or occultism, promoting inquiry and suggesting hidden meanings discernible or discoverable only by Adepts. Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden"

The publications of Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis, Confessio Fraternitatis (1615), and Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz caused immense excitement throughout Europe. These works declared the existence of a secret brotherhood of alchemists and sages who were preparing to transform the arts, sciences, religion, and political and intellectual landscape of Europe while wars of politics and religion ravaged the continent. Not only were these works re-issued several times, but they were followed by numerous pamphlets, favourable and otherwise, whose authors generally knew little of the real aims of the original author and often amused themselves at the public's expense. It is probable that the first work was circulated in manuscript form about 1610, even though there was no mention of the order before that decade. In his autobiography, Johann Valentin Andreae (1586–1654) claimed the anonymously published Chymische Hochzeit (Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz) as one of his works, although he subsequently described it as a Ludibrium. Johannes Valentinus Andreae ( August 17, 1586, Herrenberg, Württemberg &mdash June 27, 1654, Stuttgart) a Ludibrium is a word derived from Latin ludus (plural ludi) meaning a plaything or a trivial Game. However, in his later works, alchemy is the object of ridicule and is placed with music, art, theatre and astrology in the category of less serious sciences. His role in the origin of the Rosicrucian legend is controversial. ^[10]

Martin Luther's seal. Martin Luther (November 10 1483 February 18 1546 was a German Monk, theologian, university professor Father of Protestantism, and church reformer

Ancient wax seal, shown inverted, with the possible inscription "D: M. Luther"(?) and alchemical symbols (Fire, Sulfur & Water, Mercury & Earth, Salt or spiritus, amimas & corpus), found in Germany. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe.

The authors of the Rosicrucian works generally favoured Lutheranism. Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther However, the relationship between Lutheranism and the Rosicrucians is ambiguous, but some have suggested a connection: Rosicrucian documents denounce the hypocrisy in the Catholic Church of those times; the symbol of Martin Luther is a cross inside an open rose; and, from May 1521 until March 1522, Luther stayed at the Wartburg Castle southwest of the Thuringian forest, which is inferred as the castle where Rosenkreuz may have been born. Martin Luther (November 10 1483 February 18 1546 was a German Monk, theologian, university professor Father of Protestantism, and church reformer For other uses of Wartburg see Wartburg (disambiguation The Wartburg is a castle situated on a 1230-foot (410 m precipice to the The Thuringian Forest ( Thüringer Wald in German) running northwest to southeast forms a continuous stretch of ancient rounded mountains posing ample difficulties

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, home of the Knights Templar, later renamed Order of Christ. The Convent of the Order of Christ ( Convento de Cristo) in Tomar, Portugal, was originally a Templar stronghold built in the 12th century The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Solomonici commonly known as the Knights Templar or the Order Founded in 1318 the Military Order of Christ (previously Real Ordem dos Cavaleiros de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo) was the heritage of the Knights Templar in Portugal 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. ^[11][12] At the same time, a minor writing by Paracelsus 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. Paracelsus (11 November or 17 December 1493 in Einsiedeln Switzerland – 24 September 1541 in Salzburg, Austria) was an alchemist, Prophecy, generally describes the disclosing of Information that is not known to the Prophet by any ordinary means An allegory (from αλλος allos "other" and el αγορευειν agoreuein "to speak in public" is a figurative mode of representation ^[13]

It is evident that the first Rosicrucian manifesto, Fama Fraternitatis, was influenced by the work of the respected hermetic philosopher Heinrich Khunrath, of Hamburg, author of the Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae (1609). Heinrich Khunrath (circa 1560 - September 9, 1605) or Dr Henricus Khunrath as he was also called was a famous Physician, He was in turn strongly influenced by the work of the mysterious philosopher and alchemist John Dee, author of the Monas Hieroglyphica (1564). John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609 was a noted English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, occultist The Monas Hieroglyphica (or Hieroglyphic Monad) is an esoteric Symbol invented and designed by John Dee, the Elizabethan Magus and Court In fact, the invitation to the royal wedding opens with the Monas Heiroglyphica symbol.

The legend and ideas presented in the first two manifestos and in the "Chymical Wedding" inspired a variety of works. Among these, are the works of Michael Maier (1568–1622) of Germany, Robert Fludd (1574–1637) and Elias Ashmole (1617–1692) of England and many others, such as Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens, Gotthardus Arthusius, Julius Sperber, Henricus Madathanus, Gabriel Naudé, Thomas Vaughan, etc. Michael Maier (1568&ndash1622 was a German physician a counsellor to Rudolf II Habsburg and a learned alchemist. Robert Fludd, also known as Robertus de Fluctibus (1574 Bearsted Kent &ndash September 8 1637, London) was a prominent Elias Ashmole (23 May 1617 – 18 May 1692 was a celebrated English antiquary, Politician, Officer of arms, astrologer and Daniel Mogling (pseudonym Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens) is the alchemist who allegedly wrote the work Speculum Sophicum Rhodostauroticum ("The Adrian von Mynsicht (1603-1638 was a German alchemist. He is best known for the Allegorical work Aureum Saeculum Redivivum, published under the pseudonym Gabriel Naudé ( February 2 1600 &ndash July 10 1653) was a French Librarian and scholar Thomas Vaughan may refer to Thomas Vaughan (soldier (c 1410-1483 Welsh soldier diplomat and chamberlain to the eldest son of King Edward IV ^[14] Elias Ashmole published the Theatrum Chimicum britannicum in 1650 and in the preface to this work he defends the Rosicrucians. Some later works with an impact on Rosicrucianism were the Opus magocabalisticum et theosophicum by George von Welling (1719), of alchemical and paracelsian inspiration, and the Aureum Vellus oder Goldenes Vliess by Hermann Fictuld in 1749. Georg von Welling (1652-1727 was a Bavarian Alchemical and Theosophical writer known for his 1719 work Opus mago-cabalisticum, published under Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Paracelsus (11 November or 17 December 1493 in Einsiedeln Switzerland – 24 September 1541 in Salzburg, Austria) was an alchemist,

Michael Maier was ennobled with the title Pfalzgraf (Count Palatine) by Rudolph II, Emperor and King of Hungary and King of Bohemia. Rudolf II ( July 18, 1552, Vienna, Austria - January 20, 1612, Prague, Bohemia, now part of Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Bohemia (Čechy; Bohemia Czechy is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands, currently the 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. Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Researchers of Maier's writings point out that he never claimed to have produced gold, nor did Heinrich Khunrath nor any of the other Rosicrucianists. Their writings point toward a symbolic and spiritual Alchemy, rather than an operative one. In both 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 writes that the Rosicrucians left for the East due to the instability in Europe at the time (the forthcoming Thirty Years' War), an idea afterwards disseminated in 1710 by Samuel Ritcher, founder of secret society the Golden and Rosy Cross. For the Mauritanian Thirty Years' War see Char Bouba war. For the band see The 30 Years War. Year 1710 ( MDCCX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations More recently René Guénon, a methodic researcher of the occult, veiculated also this same idea in some of his works. René Guénon ( November 15 1886 – January 7 1951) was a French author and intellectual who remains an influential figure in the The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden" ^[15] However, another eminent author on the Rosicrucians, Arthur Edward Waite, presents arguments that contradict this idea. Arthur Edward Waite ( October 2, 1857 - May 19, 1942) was a scholarly Mystic who wrote extensively on Occult and ^[16] It was in this fertile field of discourse that many "Rosicrucian" societies arose. They were based on the occult tradition and inspired by the mystery of this "College of Invisibles".

Simultaneously, it was under the auspice of this mystery of an invisible college - an idea exemplified by the network of astronomers, professors, mathematicians, and natural philosophers in 16th century Europe and promoted by men such as Johannes Kepler, Georg Joachim Rheticus, John Dee and Tycho Brahe - that the Invisible College, a precursor to the Royal Society, was formed during the 17th century. Johannes Kepler (ˈkɛplɚ ( December 27 1571 &ndash November 15 1630) was a German Mathematician, Astronomer Georg Joachim von Lauchen, also known as Rheticus ( February 16 1514 &ndash December 4 1574) was a Mathematician, John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609 was a noted English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, occultist Tycho Brahe, born Tyge Ottesen Brahe ( December 14 1546 &ndash October 24 1601) was a Danish nobleman The Invisible College was a precursor to the Royal Society of United Kingdom The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, known simply as The Royal Society, is a Learned society for science that was founded in 1660 It was constituted by group of scientists who began to hold regular meetings in an attempt to share and develop knowledge acquired by experimental investigation. Scientific method refers to bodies of Techniques for investigating phenomena Among these men of the embrionary modern science were Robert Boyle, who wrote enigmatic words about the College: "The best of it is that the cornerstones of the Invisible (or as they term themselves the Philosophical) College, do now and then honour me with their company, which makes me sorry for those pressing occasions that urge my departure. Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding Robert Boyle was a Natural philosopher, chemist physicist inventor and early Gentleman scientist, noted for his work in Physics and Chemistry ";^[17] and John Wallis 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), . John Wallis ( November 23, 1616 - October 28, 1703) was an English mathematician who is given partial credit for the . . 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. . . "^[18]

Alleged influence on Freemasonry

18° Knight of the Rose Croix jewel (from the Masonic Scottish Rite)

According to Jean-Pierre Bayard, two Rosicrucian-inspired Masonic rites emerged from the end of 18th century. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the and) commonly known as simply the One was the Rectified Scottish Rite, which was widespread in Central Europe where there was a strong presence of the "Golden and Rosy Cross". The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the and) commonly known as simply the The other was the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, first practiced in France, in which the 18th degree is called Knight of the Rose Croix. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the and) commonly known as simply the This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the and) commonly known as simply the

Although many attempts have been made to learn about the change from "operative" to "speculative" Masonry, no definitive answer has yet been found, other than that it occurred between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 18th century. Two of the earliest speculative Masons for which a record of their initiation exists were Sir Robert Moray and Elias Ashmole. Sir Robert Moray FRS ( 10 March 1609 – 4 July 1673) was a Scottish soldier freemason and natural philosopher Elias Ashmole (23 May 1617 – 18 May 1692 was a celebrated English antiquary, Politician, Officer of arms, astrologer and

There is speculation that Robert Fludd, who defended the Rosicrucians in his writings, may have been a Mason. Robert Fludd, also known as Robertus de Fluctibus (1574 Bearsted Kent &ndash September 8 1637, London) was a prominent Robert Vanloo states that earlier 17th century Rosicrucianism had a considerable influence on Anglo-Saxon Masonry. Hans Schick sees in the Rosicrucian works of Comenius (1592-1670) the ideal of the newly born English Masonry before the foundation of the Grand Lodge in 1717. John Amos Comenius (Jan Amos Komenský Ján Amos Komenský Johann Amos Comenius Jan Amos Komeński Comenius Ámos János latinized: Iohannes Amos Comenius Freemasonry|Regular Masonic jurisdictionsA Grand Lodge, or " Grand Orient " is the usual governing body of "Craft" or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry Comenius was in England during 1641.

Gold und Rosenkreuzer

The Gold und Rosenkreuzer (Golden and Rosy Cross) was founded by the alchemist Samuel Richter (Sincerus Renatus)^[19] in Prague in the early 18th century, not as free brotherhood as envisaged by the original Rosicrucian Manifestos, but as a deeply hierarchical secret society, composed of internal circles, recognition signs and based upon alchemy treatises. Prague (ˈprɑːg Praha (ˈpraɦa see also other names) is the Capital and Largest city of the Czech Republic. Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations This group, under the leadership of Hermann Fictuld, reformed itself extensively in 1767 and again in 1777 because of an edict of the ruler in 1764 and another in 1766. Its members claimed that the leaders of the Rosicrucian Order had invented Freemasonry and only they knew the secret meaning of Masonic symbols. According to this group's legend, the Rosicrucian Order was founded by Egyptian “Ormusse” or “Licht-Weise” who emigrated to Scotland with the name “Builders from the East”. Then the original Order disappeared and was supposed to have been resurrected by Oliver Cromwell as “Freemasonry”. Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 Old Style &ndash 3 September 1658 Old Style) was an English military and political leader best known 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 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 in Berlin strongly requested Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and all other Freemasons to submit to the Golden and Rosy Cross, without success. Ferdinand ( 12 January 1721, Brunswick – 3 July 1792) Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, was a Prussian

After 1782, this highly secretive society - a secret society that had previously dessiminated through its founder that the original Rosicrucians had left to the East (see section above on history) and a very different society than that of the Rosicrucian Brotherhood of the original Manifestos which had presented ideals of spirituality and aims of freedom and reformation for mankind - added Egyptian, Greek and Druidic mysteries to its alchemy system. Spirituality, in a narrow sense concerns itself with matters of the Spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and Faith, a transcendent reality ^[20] A comparative study of what is known about the Gold and Rosenkreuzer, appears to reveal, on one hand, that it has influenced the creation of some modern Initiatic groups that were founded with an akin system; and, on the other hand, that the Nazism destructive ideology, supported in occult knowledge (see The Occult Roots of Nazism) and in a system of highly hierarchical and secretive organizations, may have been inspired by this German group (Gold und Rosenkreuzer) of the 18th century, and derived ramifications. The term Rosicrucian (symbol the Rose Cross) describes a secret society of mystics allegedly formed in late mediaeval Germany, holding a doctrine "built on Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German The Occult Roots of Nazism: Secret Aryan Cults and Their Influence on Nazi Ideology: The Ariosophists of Austria and Germany 1890-1935 is a book by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke

Concepts

Alchemy, astrology and healing

Paracelsus (symbolical representation)

Alchemy (the ancestor of modern chemistry), is often thought to mean the science of creating gold from base metals. Paracelsus (11 November or 17 December 1493 in Einsiedeln Switzerland – 24 September 1541 in Salzburg, Austria) was an alchemist, Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Chemistry (from Egyptian kēme (chem meaning "earth") is the Science concerned with the composition structure and properties The true alchemists, or philosophers of the fire, often disparagingly refer to people attempting such a feat as blowers, meaning all those who were simply interested in the creation of gold and the purely material aspects of alchemy.

In his laboratory, the alchemist works on the materia prima and uses, among other tools, a furnace called an athanor. In Alchemy, an athanor is a Furnace used to provide heat for alchemical digestion In Spiritual Alchemy,^[21] the materia prima is the human soul, and the athanor is the physical body and the subtle bodies. Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of The soul, according to many religious and philosophical beliefs is the self-awareness, or Consciousness, unique to a particular living According to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings living beings are constituted of a series of psycho-spiritual subtle bodies, each corresponding The latter maintain the life of the most dense one and assure the connection with the soul. The laboratory is human existence during which the soul can learn to perfect itself, achieving the transmutation of vices and defects (the vile metal) into virtues and qualities.

The first Rosicrucians practiced alchemy in the laboratory, which was in vogue at that epoch, of interest even to popes and kings. The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz is a major written work which clearly makes reference to this work. The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz ( Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz anno 1459) was edited in 1616 in Strasburg (annexed by France Current-day Rosicrucianists direct their concentration toward the work of spiritual alchemy. Many people put modern Freemasons, who do not construct cathedrals anymore, in this category. This article is about the history and organisation of the cathedral

3rd Natal Chart (1911) of The Rosicrucian Fellowship (1909), Oceanside, United States

According to the early Manifestoes, the Rosicrucians were a "secret" Order. The Rosicrucian Fellowship - "An International Association of Christian Mystics" - was founded in 1909/11 by Max Heindel as herald of the Aquarian Age Oceanside is the third-largest city in San Diego County, California. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Their members believed or could demonstrate healing powers that were seen as a gift from God: Spiritual Healing. Healing, assessed physically is the process by which the cells in the Body regenerate and repair to reduce the size of a damaged or necrotic area In the outer orders these powers were explained by Egyptian mysteries and again, differently in the hermetic Order. Members were admitted on this basis alone and the "membership" was very selective. The writers, philosophers and people of the time became curious and infuriated because they were excluded. Most of the writings of the time are biased or speculative for this reason. Many modern Rosicrucian organizations hold the belief that these God-given powers may be used to help others.

Some interpretations are described as being Rosicrucian. They are used as an idea or icon by persons or groups either Gnostic Christian or syncretists who use a great deal of Christian elements. Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs often while melding practices of various schools of thought An example would be a cult that centers on the Virgin Mary yet openly or secretly identifies her to the Virgo constellation of the Zodiac. Virgo ( Virgin, symbol, Unicode ♍ is a Constellation of the Zodiac. Zodiac denotes an annual cycle of twelve stations along the Ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun across the heavens through the Constellations that divide the ecliptic

'Well of Initiation' (9 strata): architecture based in Templar, Rosicrucian and Masonic symbolism at the "Quinta da Regaleira", Sintra, Portugal (built ca. Sintra ( pron 'sĩtɾɐ is both a town and a municipality in Portugal, located in the district of Lisbon. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. 1904-1910) ^[22]

Some modern Rosicrucians believe in the study of Spiritual Astrology as a key to the Spirit, to aid spiritual development and self-knowledge, as well as an aid to healing through Astro-Diagnosis. Astrology (from Greek grc ἄστρον astron, "constellation star" and grc -λογία -logia) is a group of Systems ^[23]. While other groups may respect Astrology, it is not a focus of their Rosicrucian work.

A way through which the alchemical work on the "Path of Initiation" has been expressed to the world, according to occultists such as Corinne Heline (1882-1975), is through classical music. List of notable Occultists and mystics. This is a list of notable people whether contemporary historical or legendary who are or were involved in any of Corinne Heline ( Atlanta, Georgia, August 18, 1882 - 1975 was an American Author, Christian mystic and To wit, the nine symphonies of Beethoven (1770-1827) were divided into two groups. The Musical works of Ludwig van Beethoven ( 1770 – 1827) are known by various designations including by the Opus numbers assigned by Ludwig van Beethoven ( English ˈlʊdvɪg væn ˈbeɪtoʊvən, 16 December 1770 &ndash 26 March 1827 was a German Composer and Pianist. The first, the third, the fifth, and the seventh are vigorous, powerful and of command, representing the intellect. Ludwig van Beethoven 's Symphony No 1 in C Major (Op 21 was written in 1799 – 1800. The Symphony No 3 in E flat major ( Op 55 by Ludwig van Beethoven (known as the Eroica which is Italian for "heroic" Ludwig van Beethoven 's Symphony No 5 in C minor Op 67 was written in 1804–08 Ludwig van Beethoven began concentrated work on his Symphony No The second, the fourth, the sixth and the eighth are elegant, ternurent, gracious and beautiful, representing the heart (intuition). Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No 2 in D major (Op 36 was written between 1801 and 1802 and is dedicated to Prince Lichnowsky. Ludwig van Beethoven 's Symphony No 4 in B Flat Major, Op 60 was written in 1806. Symphony No 8 in F Major Op. 93 is a Symphony in four movements composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1812 They culminate in the symphony with human voices, the ninth symphony, in which the equilibrium between mind and heart or the "Chymical Wedding" ritual, where the Christ Within – the Adept – is born ("consumatun est"). The Symphony No 9 in D minor Op 125 "Choral" is the last complete Symphony composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Johan Herde speaks of Beethoven as ". . . God acts on earth through evolved men. . . " and Beethoven speaks of himself as ". . . I do not have friends, that is why I must live alone, but I know from the deepest of my heart, that God is closer to me than to others. I come close to Him without fear, because I have always known Him. . . ". ^[24]

Rebirth versus transmigration

Some interpretations by practitioners of eastern religions state that the reincarnation process in mankind could happen in an interchangeable way with the animal, plant (and sometimes even mineral) kingdoms ^[25]; this theory is called transmigration or metempsychosis. Reincarnation Metempsychosis is a philosophical term in the Greek language referring to the belief of Transmigration of the soul, especially its Reincarnation

However, according to the Rosicrucians, as stated in the Western Wisdom Teachings, the eastern sacred teachings do not support an inferred belief in transmigration; meaning that, according to this western mystery tradition, each life wave has an independent evolution process and each one of these life waves is at a different stage in the evolutionary path. Transmigration of the soul (sometimes given simply as Transmigration) is similar and foreign in some ways to the philosophy of Reincarnation. Spiritual evolution is the Philosophical, theological, esoteric or spiritual idea that nature and human beings and/or human culture evolve along For example, according to the Rosicrucians, mineral life is the first and lowest level of spiritual evolution on earth; then comes plants, with actual life, then cold-blooded animals, then warm-blooded, and finally humans. This is also taught in The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception. The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception or Mystic Christianity is a Rosicrucian text written by Max Heindel (ISBN 0-911274-34-0 Western Wisdom Teachings In practice, the beings belonging to each life wave either evolve through the work of the individual Spirit or are yet evolving under a group spirit,^[26] have a different state of consciousness,^[27] and have acquired more or less subtle bodies,^[28] according to the development stage of each life wave. The English word " spirit " comes from the Latin " spiritus " (breath Consciousness has been defined loosely as a constellation of attributes of Mind such as Subjectivity, Self-awareness, Sentience, and the According to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings living beings are constituted of a series of psycho-spiritual subtle bodies, each corresponding

The eastern sacred text Kathopanishad refers in Chapter 5, Verse 9, that some of the souls, according to their deeds, return to the womb to be reborn, but others go into "the motionless" (Sanskrit word "STHANU", meaning "pillar"); allegedly the same concept is claimed to be found in the Bible (Book of Revelation) that mentions: "Him that overcometh, I will make a pillar in the house of my God, thence he shall no more go out. The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin The Book of Revelation, also called Revelation to John, Apocalypse of John ( pronounced, from the Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰωάννου " However, orthodox Christian biblical theologians dispute that application and reject any connection between the symbology of the Bible and occult teachings in any form. Rosicrucians interpret both references with the meaning that when humanity has reached perfection, there will come a time when they will not be tied to the wheel of births and deaths, but will remain in the invisible worlds to work thence for the upliftment of other beings. In Metaphysics and Esoteric cosmology, a plane, other than the Physical plane, is conceived as a subtle state of Consciousness that transcends This too is another concept taught by occultists, but one which orthodox Christian biblical theologians regard as explicitly representing the "spirit of antichrist" from the epistles of the apostle John (1 and 2 John); yet it is perceived, by pupils and students dwelling into this western mystery tradition^[29] who have been described as "undaunted spirits who refuse to be fettered by either orthodox science or orthodox religion",^[30] that men and women having a pure mind and a noble heart may see these same Esoteric Christian teachings as coming from the "Spirit of truth" mentioned in John 16:12-15. Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a Mystery religion, and profess the existence

Last, if one takes into account the existence of earlier epochs in the development of human beings - as described also by the Theosophy and interpreted also as being mentioned in a veiled form in sacred eastern and western religious writings and by earlier philosophers (e. In Theosophy, Root Race (or Epochs to subsequent authors is a term first used in the late 19th century by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky in her book This article is about the philosophy introduced by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky g Plato) - then, only at the current Aryan Epoch, the fifth one, it has started the event 'death' as we are conscious of it (not the death process of the physical-biological body itself, but the full awareness of the physical death event, with man having simultaneously lost the awaken awareness, or the inner contact, of the spiritual worlds). Biography Early life Birth and family Plato was born in Athens Greece In Theosophy, Root Race (or Epochs to subsequent authors is a term first used in the late 19th century by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky in her book In Metaphysics and Esoteric cosmology, a plane, other than the Physical plane, is conceived as a subtle state of Consciousness that transcends This conception, together with other related factors theorises that the entire rebirth process (i. e. during the activity period between two physical lifes), which works through the individual accountability for his own deeds, is a recent process when seen from the perspective of the whole human evolutionary scheme till now (including the long involutionary period and the "recently" started evolutionary one). Spiritual evolution is the Philosophical, theological, esoteric or spiritual idea that nature and human beings and/or human culture evolve along

Interpretations

• "Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change". ^[31]

The philosophical interpretation of Sacred verses may vary widely since such texts are directed to the higher or inner consciousness of the individual along his path of spiritual unfoldment. Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language Consciousness has been defined loosely as a constellation of attributes of Mind such as Subjectivity, Self-awareness, Sentience, and the Spirituality, in a narrow sense concerns itself with matters of the Spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and Faith, a transcendent reality As such, quotations as this one may not even be a direct reference to transmigration, or to rebirth, but a reference to the process of transference to a subtle body occurring at the event death - described not only in esoteric teachings, but also in near-death experiences - and the consequent change in one' state of perception (not to be confounded with a literal change to a higher state of consciousness or awareness). According to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings living beings are constituted of a series of psycho-spiritual subtle bodies, each corresponding Death is the termination of the biological functions that define living Organisms It refers both to a specific

Preservation period after death

Some Rosicrucian groups practice methods of caring for the dead, regarding death as a birth into the spiritual worlds which should be prepared for with the greatest care, requires a "post mortem interval", or preservation period, of the physical body for three and half days (84 hours), for life review purpose (in a pacific death; not in a sudden impact such as: shock, accident, catastrophe, heart attack or suicide), before cremation or any other way of body disposal. Death is the termination of the biological functions that define living Organisms It refers both to a specific Birth is the act or process of bearing or bringing forth Offspring. In Metaphysics and Esoteric cosmology, a plane, other than the Physical plane, is conceived as a subtle state of Consciousness that transcends Post mortem interval (PMI is the time that has elapsed since a person has died. A life review is a phenomenon widely reported as occurring during Near-death experiences in which a person rapidly sees much or the totality of their life history in chronological Cremation is the act of reducing a Corpse by burning, generally in a crematorium furnace or crematory fire ^[32]. Other groups do not specify such methods, leaving this up to individual members for their own cultural practices.

The Manifestos

Frater C. R. C. - Christian Rose Cross (symbolical representation)

If one abstracts from the symbolic associations of the rose and the cross, which have been visioned by many since ancient epochs, it is known that three treatises or manifestos which gave rise to this movement were published in the German language between 1614 and 1616:

• 1614: Fama Fraternitatis
• 1615: Confessio Fraternitatis
• 1616: Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz

Between 1614 and 1620, about 400 manuscripts and books were published which discussed the Rose-Croix documents. Christian Rosenkreuz, English Christian Rose Cross, is the legendary founder of the Rosicrucian Order (Order of the Rose Cross) presented in The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. The Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis ( Fama fraternitatis Roseae Crucis oder Die Bruderschaft des Ordens der Rosenkreuzer) or simply the Fama Fraternitatis, is an anonymous The Confessio Fraternitatis ( Confessio oder Bekenntnis der Societät und Bruderschaft Rosenkreuz) or simply The Confessio, printed in Kassel ( Germany The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz ( Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz anno 1459) was edited in 1616 in Strasburg (annexed by France

The peak of the so-called "Rosicrucianism furor" was reached when two mysterious posters appeared in the walls of Paris in 1622 within a few days of each other. The first one started with the saying "We, the Deputies of the Higher College of the Rose-Croix, do make our stay, visibly and invisibly, in this city (. . . )" and the second one ended with the words "The thoughts attached to the real desire of the seeker will lead us to him and him to us". ^[33]

Even the literary works of the 16th and 17th centuries are full of enigmatic passages containing references to the Rose Cross, either in a more direct form, as in the lines: "For what we do presage is riot in grosse, for we are brethren of the Rosie Crosse; We have the Mason Word and second sight, Things for to come we can foretell aright. The Rose Cross is the central symbol to all groups embracing the Esoteric Christian philosophy of the Rosicrucians The Rose Cross is as its name suggests a Clairvoyance (from 17th century French with clair meaning "clear" and voyance meaning "visibility" is the apparent ability to gain ";^[34] or in more veiled ways in order to reveal a Rosicrucian connection, but only discernible to "those possessing the keys". ^[35]

The Rosicrucians took the union of the rose and the cross for their symbol because this union embodies the meaning of their effort and emphasizes the fact that that effort must be made by all men, as the aim of humanity on earth is to attain divine wisdom. A rose is a perennial flowering Shrub or vine of the Genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae, that contains over 100 species A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other dividing one or two of the lines in half The musical instrument is spelled Cymbal. A symbol is something --- such as an object, Picture, written word a sound a piece Only two ways lead to this divine wisdom: knowledge and love. Knowledge is defined ( Oxford English Dictionary) variously as (i expertise and skills acquired by a person through experience or education the theoretical or practical understanding Love is any of a number of Emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong Affection. By the rose blooming in the middle of the cross, the whole meaning of the universe is explained: in order to realize its possibilities and become perfect, mankind must develop the capacity for love to the point of loving all creatures and all forms perceptible to the senses; it must enlarge the capacity for knowledge and understanding to the point of comprehending the laws that govern the worlds, and of being able to proceed, through intuition and the loving intelligence of the heart, from every effect to every cause. ^[36]

Modern groups

Introduction

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, various groups styled themselves Rosicrucian; some of these groups claimed to be the authentic legendary Rosicrucian Order, and others spoke of an historical lineage to the Order. History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology Another kind of groups spoke only of a spiritual filiation with the hermetic Order. Spirituality, in a narrow sense concerns itself with matters of the Spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and Faith, a transcendent reality

The diverse groups who link themselves to a "Rosicrucian Tradition" can be divided into three categories: Esoteric Christian Rosicrucian groups, which profess Christ, Masonic Rosicrucian groups, and Initiatic groups, which may or may not be related to Christianity. Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a Mystery religion, and profess the existence Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " There are a few connections between these including Martinism which studies Judeo-Christian mysticism and quite a few other organizations that practice Esoteric Christianity in reverence, study, and ritual as well as claim descent from Masonic origin or unity with a secret Freemasonry. Martinism is a form of mystical or Esoteric Christianity, which envisions the figure of Christ as "The Repairer" who enables individuals An Esoteric Christian Freemasonic Rosicrucian organization is Societas Rosicruciana. The Societas Rosicruciana (or Rosicrucian Society) is a Rosicrucian order which limits its membership to Christian Master Masons.

Rosicrucian Christian groups

Esoteric Christian Rosicrucian schools providing preparation through the occult study and the mystic living of the esoteric knowledge related to the inner teachings of Christianity. Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a Mystery religion, and profess the existence The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden" Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings ^[37]

• The Rosicrucian Fellowship, 1909/11: its teachings are Esoteric Christian and claim to present the mysteries, in the form of esoteric knowledge, which the Christ spoke of in Matthew 13:11 and Luke 8:10; it seeks to prepare the individual through harmonious development of the mind (occultist) and the heart (mystic) in a spirit of unselfish service to mankind and an all-embracing altruism. The Rosicrucian Fellowship - "An International Association of Christian Mystics" - was founded in 1909/11 by Max Heindel as herald of the Aquarian Age Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a Mystery religion, and profess the existence Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " The Gospel of Matthew (Gk Κατά Ματθαίον Ευαγγέλιον is one of the four Canonical gospels in the New Testament and is a Synoptic gospel The Gospel of Luke (Gk Κατά Λουκάν Ευαγγέλιον) is a synoptic Gospel, and is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels of the The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden" Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity Altruism is selfless concern for the welfare of others It is a traditional Virtue in many cultures and central to many religious traditions According to this Fellowship, the Rosicrucian Order was founded in the year 1313^[38] and is composed by twelve exalted Beings gathered around a thirteenth, Christian Rosenkreuz; these great Adepts are presented as belonging to the human evolution but have already advanced far beyond the cycle of rebirth; their mission is explained as aiming to prepare the whole wide world for a new phase in religion—which includes awareness of the inner worlds and the subtle bodies, 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. Christian Rosenkreuz, English Christian Rose Cross, is the legendary founder of the Rosicrucian Order (Order of the Rose Cross) presented in A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos In Metaphysics and Esoteric cosmology, a plane, other than the Physical plane, is conceived as a subtle state of Consciousness that transcends According to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings living beings are constituted of a series of psycho-spiritual subtle bodies, each corresponding Spirituality, in a narrow sense concerns itself with matters of the Spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and Faith, a transcendent reality For the song see Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In. For the album see The Age of Aquarius (album. ^[39]

According to major occult writers, the Order of the Rose Cross is for the first time expounded in the major Christian literary work that has molded the subsequent spiritual views of the western civilization: The Divine Comedy (ca. The Rose Cross is the central symbol to all groups embracing the Esoteric Christian philosophy of the Rosicrucians The Rose Cross is as its name suggests a The Divine Comedy 1308–1321) by Dante Alighieri. ^{[40] [41] [42]}

• Anthroposophical Society, 1912
• Lectorium Rosicrucianum, 1935
• Archeosophical Society, 1968

Masonic Rosicrucian groups

Freemasonic Rosicrucian bodies providing preparation either through direct study and/or through the practice of symbolic-initiatic journey. The General Anthroposophical Society is an organization dedicated to supporting the community of those interested in the form of Spirituality known as Anthroposophy The Lectorium Rosicrucianum is a worldwide school of Esoteric Christianity founded in 1935 by Dutch mystics Jan van Rijckenborgh, his brother Zwier Willem Leene Archeosofica is a school of Esoteric Christianity founded by Tommaso Palamidessi in 1968

• Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, 1801
• Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, 1866
  • Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (SRIS; Scotland)
  • Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA; England)
    • Bishop Wilkins College No. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the and) commonly known as simply the The Societas Rosicruciana (or Rosicrucian Society) is a Rosicrucian order which limits its membership to Christian Master Masons. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland 58
  • Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (MSRICF/SRICF; United States)
  • Societas Rosicruciana in America (SRIAm; United States)
  • Societas Rosicruciana in Canada (SRIC; Canada)
  • Societas Rosicruciana in Gallia (SRIG; France)
  • Societas Rosicruciana in Lusitania (SRIL; Portugal)
  • Societas Rosicruciana in Romania (SRIR; Romania)

Initiatic groups

These Initiatic groups may be defined as being late heirs of the alchemy and hermetic knowledge created in the 15th or 17th century or before and generally speak of a lineal descent from earlier branches of the ancient Rosicrucian Order in England, France, Egypt, or other countries. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of The inner structure of these groups is based upon grades, initiations and titles.

• Fraternitas Rosae Crucis, 1861
• Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, 1888
• Order of the Temple of the Rosy Cross, 1912
• Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, (AMORC), 1915
• Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship, 1924
• Rose Cross Order / Orden Rosacruz, 1988
• Ancient Order of the Rosicrucians, 1989
• Confraternity of the Rose Cross, 1996
• Sodalitas Rosae Crucis (S. Fraternitas Rosae Crucis is a Rosicrucian fraternal mystical organisation The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or more commonly the Golden Dawn) was a magical order of the late 19th and early 20th centuries practicing a form of The Order of the Temple of the Rosy Cross was an organization of traditional esoterism of West founded in the bosom of the Theosophical Society in 1912 but due to the The Ancient Mystical Order Rosæ Crucis (AMORC, also called Rosicrucian Order, is a philosophical and humanist worldwide Fraternal organization. The Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship was a Rosicrucian group founded by George Alexander Sullivan in about 1924 Antiquus Ordo Rosicrucianis (AOR ( Ancient Order of the Rosicrucians) is a hermetic-qabalistic Initiatory Order an Aquarian Age mystery school in the western tradition R. C. ) et Solis Alati (S. S. A. ), 2002/3
• Order of the Hermetic Gold and Rose+Cross, 2002
• Knights of the Militia Crucifera Evangelica, 2002

See also

Rosicrucian documents

• The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz
• Fama Fraternitatis
• Confessio Fraternitatis
• Parabola Allegory
• The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception

Traditions

• Behmenism
• Brethren of Purity
• Bogomilism
• Catharism
• Essenes
• Gnosticism
• Manichaeism, Neo-Manichaeism
• Neoplatonism
• Pythagoreanism
• Rosicrucianism
• Templarism
• Western Mystery Tradition

Disciplines

• Alchemy, Philosopher's stone
• Astrology
• Esotericism, Esoteric Christianity
• Hermeticism
• Mysticism, Christian mysticism
• Numerology
• Occultism
• Spirituality
• Western Esotericism

Notes

References and further reading

Old editions

• Among the treasures of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica in Amsterdam are books on the Gnossis and the Corpus Hermeticum as published in Florence in 1471. The Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica is a private Dutch Library founded by Joost Ritman.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison Digital Collections Center has a digital edition of the Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer, aus dem 16ten und 17ten Jahrhundert (1785-1788).

Publications

• António de Macedo, Instruções Iniciáticas - Ensaios Espirituais, Hughin Editores, 2nd ed. , Lisbon, 2000 www
• Arthur Edward Waite, The Real History of the Rosicrucians, 1887 www
• Bernard Gorceix, La Bible des Rose-Croix, Paris, 1970
• Carl Edwin Lindgren & Neophyte, Spiritual Alchemists, Ars Latomorum Publ. Arthur Edward Waite ( October 2, 1857 - May 19, 1942) was a scholarly Mystic who wrote extensively on Occult and ; 1st ed January 1, 1996. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) ISBN 1-885591-18-7
• Carl Edwin Lindgren, The Rose Cross Order: A Historical and Philosophical View www
• Christian Bernard, Rosicrucian Questions and Answers, 2001 www
• Christian Rebisse, Rosicrucian History and Mysteries, 2003 www
• Christopher McIntosh, The Rose Cross and the Age of Reason, Brill Academic Pub, 1997
• Frances Yates, The Rosicrucian Enlightenment, ISBN 0-415-26769-2, London; New York: Routledge, 1972. For details of the South African pioneering heart surgeon see Christiaan Barnard Christian Bernard (born 30 November 1951) F Dame Frances Amelia Yates DBE ( November 28 1899 &ndash September 29 1981) was a noted British historian
• Frietsch, Wolfram, Die Geheimnisse der Rosenkreuzer, ISBN 3-499-60495-7
• Hargrave Jennings, The Rosicrucians: Their Rites and Mysteries, 1870
• Herbert Silberer, Probleme der mystik und ihrer symbolik ('Problems of Mysticism and its Symbolism'), 1914
• Jean Palou, A Franco-Maçonaria Simbólica e Iniciática, Pensamento, 9th ed. Hargrave Jennings (1817-1890 was a British Freemason, Rosicrucian, author on Occultism and Esotericism, and amateur student of Herbert Silberer ( February 28, 1882 – January 12, 1923) was a Viennese Psychoanalyst involved with the professional , 1998
• Jean-Pierre Bayard, Les Rose-Croix, M. A. Éditions, Paris, 1986
• John Matthews, The Rosicrucian Enlightenment Revisited, 1999. People named John Matthews: John Matthews (footballer (born 1955 John Matthews (politician (1755-1826 UK MP for Herefordshire ISBN 0940262843
• Manly Palmer Hall, Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins, 1929 www
• Manly Palmer Hall, The Secret Teachings of All Ages, 1928 www
• Mary P. Manly Palmer Hall ( March 18, 1901 - August 29, 1990) was a Canadian -born Author and mystic. Merrifield, The Art of Fresco Painting in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Dover Publications, 2004
• Max Heindel, Christian Rosenkreuz and the Order of Rosicrucians, 1909 www
• Roland Edighoffer, Rose-Croix et Société Idéale selon Johann Valentin Andreae, Paris I-1982, II-1987. Max Heindel - born Carl Louis von Grasshoff in Aarhus, Denmark on July 23, 1865 - was a Christian Occultist,
• Rudolf Steiner, Esoteric Christianity and the Mission of Christian Rosenkreutz, 1912 www
• Rudolf Steiner, Rosicrucianism and Modern Initiation-Mystery Centres of the Middle Ages, 1924 www
• William Wynn Westcott, Rosicrucian Thoughts on the Ever-Burning Lamps of the Ancients, 1903 www

Essays

• Alexandre David, Fama Fraternitatis - Introduction www
• Corinne Heline, The Seven Jewels and the Seven Stages of Initiation www

Fictional literature

• St. Rudolf Steiner ( 25 February 1861 – 30 March 1925) was an Austrian philosopher literary scholar educator artist playwright William Wynn Westcott ( December 17, 1848 - July 30, 1925) was a British esotericist, Coroner, Ceremonial Corinne Heline ( Atlanta, Georgia, August 18, 1882 - 1975 was an American Author, Christian mystic and Leon by William Godwin, 1799
• St. Irvyne; or, The Rosicrucian by Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1811, London, J. J. Stockdale
• Wolfstein; or, The Mysterious Bandit by Percy Bysshe Shelley, circa 1815, J. Bailey, London, a chapbook reduction of St. Irvyne
• Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 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 (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. Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton 1st Baron Lytton ( May 25, 1803 – Zanoni is an 1842 novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton This piece of literature describes a fascinating story of love and Occult aspiration The Coming Race (original title also reprinted as Vril The Power of the Coming Race, is a novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, first published Franz Hartmann (1838 - 1912 was a German physician theosophist Occultist, Geomancer, Astrologer, and author of esoteric works Hermann Hesse (ˈhɛʀman ˈhɛsə ( 2 July, 1877 — 9 August, 1962) was a German - Swiss poet novelist and painter Journey to the East is a short Novel by German author Hermann Hesse. The Glass Bead Game ( Das Glasperlenspiel) is the last work and Magnum opus of the German author Hermann Hesse.

Conspiracy literature

• Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln, Holy Blood, Holy Grail (1982), advanced a pseudohistorical relation of Rosicrucianism with a secret society called Priory of Sion. Henry Lincoln (born 1930 is the most popular pseudonym of Henry Soskin, an English Writer and Actor. The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail (retitled Holy Blood Holy Grail in the United States) is a controversial book by Michael Baigent Pseudohistory is a term applied to texts which purport to be historical in nature but which depart from standard historiographical conventions in a way which undermines The Prieuré de Sion, translated from French as Priory of Sion, is the name of multiple groups both real and fictitious
• Umberto Eco, Foucault's Pendulum (1988), Serendipities: Language and Lunacy (1998). Umberto Eco (born 5 January 1932 is an Italian Medievalist, semiotician, Philosopher, literary critic and Novelist, best Foucault's Pendulum (original title Il pendolo di Foucault) is a Novel by Italian Novelist and Philosopher Umberto
• Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code (2003), follows the Holy Blood, Holy Grail's conspiracy theories line. Dan Brown (born June 22 1964 is an American Author of Thriller fiction, best known for the 2003 bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code The Da Vinci Code is a controversial mystery / detective Novel by US author Dan Brown, published in 2003 by Doubleday The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail (retitled Holy Blood Holy Grail in the United States) is a controversial book by Michael Baigent

External links

Organizations

• A detailed listing of modern Rosicrucian groups

Temples

• Supreme Temple of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC at San José, California; dedicated on July 17, 1949
• The Ecclesia, the Rosicrucian Fellowship Temple at Mount Ecclesia - Oceanside, California; dedicated on December 25, 1920

Other resources

• Accessible magazine (July 2006): The Portugal Code: the Knights Templar, the Rosicrucian Order and the Holy Grail
• Alchemy Web Site (The): Rosicrucianism
• AMORC Rosicrucian Publications
• A Rosicrucian Library: Rosicrucian Manifestos
• Catholic Encyclopedia: Rosicrucians
• CESNUR 2005 International Conference - Spiritual filiation or doctrinal conflicts in modern Rosicrucian movements
• Cultwatch: Rosicrucians
• God-u-Like: Rosicrucianism
• Reverse Spins: The Mysterious Rosicrucian...
• Rosicrucian Manifestos, Documents and Resources
• Rosie: Speculum Sophicum Rhodo-Stauroticum
• Straight Dope (The): What is Rosicrucianism all about?
• Fama Fraternitatis