ROSICRUCIANISM

FOUNDED: Late medieval Germany, probably around 1407

STATUS: Survives through several modern societies formed for the study of Rosicrucianism

EXCLUSIVITY FACTOR: In the beginning there were only eight members, but Rosicrucian orders today welcome all “Seekers.”

SECRECY FACTOR: In its early days, it was very hush-hush; today, almost anyone can join a group.

THREAT FACTOR: Hard to say—many, many secret societies, fraternal organizations, and other groups, both malevolent and benign, have allied themselves with Rosicrucianism over the years.

QUIRK FACTOR: Followers believe Rosicrucian teachings are the key to the truth, but the entire movement may be based on a fictional character.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

Once upon a time, in medieval Germany, there was a boy named Christian Rosenkreuz. He was the last descendant of the Germelshausen, a noble family that flourished in the 13th century. They lived in a castle in the Thuringian Forest. The family was followers of Catharism, a radical Christian religion that has two gods: one good, one evil. Their religion was considered heretical by the Catholic Church, and so the whole family was put to death—except for the youngest son. Five-year-old Christian was spirited away by a monk and placed in a monastery, where he spent the rest of his childhood.

As a young man, he set out on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. But when the monk who was accompanying him died mid-journey, Christian stopped off in Damascus. There, he studied medicine and became renowned for his medical skill. He then traveled to Arabia, where he met a group of wise men who had mysteriously been expecting him. From them, Christian learned Arabic, physics, and mathematics. These sages also introduced him to the Book M, which contained the secrets of the universe.

Christian continued on to Egypt, where he studied botany and zoology, and then to Morocco, where he learned about magic and the Cabala. He returned to Germany wishing to spread his mystical knowledge, but prominent European figures of the time were not receptive. So he assembled seven disciples, and the group of eight founded Rosicrucianism, also known as the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross. It was determined that the members would live in separate countries to influence people all over the world and would meet annually in Germany. They pledged to keep their fraternity secret for one hundred years.

Christian lived to the ripe old age of 106, and when he died, he was surreptitiously buried in a hidden tomb under the altar of a temple—a heptagonal chamber Christian had built himself. On the door was an inscription that read: I shall open after 120 years. Lo and behold, in 1604, 120 years after his death, the tomb was discovered. Amazingly, the body of Christian Rosenkreuz was in a perfect state of preservation.

Sound like a fairy tale? That’s because it probably is. Christian Rosenkreuz (whose last name means “Rosy Cross”) is now generally regarded to be a fictional character. His story became known throughout Europe in the early 17th century thanks to the circulation of two manifestos, The Fama Fraternitatis RC (The Fame of the Brotherhood of RC) and The Confessio Fraternitatis (The Confession of the Brotherhood of RC), documents that ostensibly revealed the secret history of the Rosicrucian order. The manifestos promoted a “Universal Reformation of Mankind.”

The ideas in the manifestos were met with much enthusiasm. People believed in the legend of Christian Rosenkreuz and his noble order, even though the manifestos 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.

Nevertheless, the ancient esoteric truths of Rosicrucianism, shedding light on the secrets of the universe and the spiritual realm, have influenced many seekers of wisdom throughout the ages.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

During Rosenkreuz’s lifetime, the Rosicrucian order was said to comprise no more than eight members at a time. Each one was a medical doctor and a sworn bachelor. These men took an oath to treat the sick without payment, to keep their fellowship secret, and to find a replacement for himself before he died. Three such generations are said to have passed before the manifestos would be revealed to the public. By the early 1600s, scientific, philosophical, and religious freedom had grown greatly since the time that the order was supposedly founded two hundred years before. Now that the intellectual climate was right for it, all “seekers” were invited to learn from Rosicrucian wisdom.

Although it incorporates many different spiritual traditions, Rosicrucianism is a quasi-Christian order, and in its early days was associated with Protestantism. The anonymous authors of the manifestos gave no clue to their identity, save that they were Protestants. A curious statement in The Fama manifesto even suggests that Martin Luther, the seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation, was an agent of the Rosicrucians:

In this [Memorial] Table stuck a great naile somewhat strong, so that when it was with force drawn out it took with it an indifferent big stone out of the thin wall or plaistering of the hidden door, and so unlooked for uncovered the door, whereat we did with joy and longing throw down the rest of the wall and cleared the door, upon which was written in great letters — Post CXX Annos Patebo (which means At the end of 120 years I will disclose myself), with the year of the Lord under it . . . For like as our door was after so many years wonderfully discovered, also there shall be opened a door to Europe (when the wall is removed) which already doth begin to appear, and with great desire is expected of many.

Supposedly, that “door”—the tomb of Christian Rosenkreuz—was opened on October 31, 1604. Years before that, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed a copy of the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, an event now seen as sparking the Protestant Reformation. In Europe, October 31 is celebrated as Reformation Day. Another thing that connects Luther to the Rosicrucians is his family coat of arms, which is similar to the order’s symbol of a rose on a cross.

Membership requirements for other Rosicrucian-related organizations vary. A vast array of groups has linked themselves to a Rosicrucian tradition over the years: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (see page 77), and the Scottish Rite body of Freemasonry are but a few. To join a present-day Rosicrucian-like group, consider the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC): there are lodges all over the world, and members simply pay yearly dues in exchange for access to correspondence courses in Rosicrucian subjects. AMORC invites initiates to “discover how extraordinary you really are.”

INSIDE ROSICRUCIANISM

So, exactly what do Rosicrucians study? Meditation, telepathy, reincarnation, and healing treatments were just a few of the “secrets of the universe” supposedly passed down to Christian Rosenkreuz by the sages of the East. Alchemy is also of interest, but if anyone has ever managed to turn boring old metal into gold, it’s remained under wraps. It’s important to remember that although he’s probably just a character created for the sake of allegory, in addition to being a philosopher, Rosenkreuz was also a doctor. He “left behind” a book for his followers, distilling his scientific and medical knowledge.

The concept of a secret organization on the verge of transforming the arts, sciences, religion, and political and intellectual landscape of Europe was exciting to many people at the dawn of the 17th century. The continent reached the height of Rosicrucian fever in 1622, when two mysterious posters appeared on the walls of Paris 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.

It was an appealing concept, which later gave rise to the “Invisible College,” a group of natural philosophers around Robert Boyle, one of the founders of modern chemistry. The Invisible College evolved to become the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, commonly known as the Royal Society—a learned society for science founded in 1660 that is possibly the oldest such organization still in existence.

Whether or not Christian Rosenkreuz ever existed, it’s clear that the Rosicrucian teachings have a significant impact on the development of the arts and sciences to this very day.

LOOKING FOR THE MAGIC

The doctrine of Rosicrucianism has influenced many magical traditions. Annabel Gat, who writes under her pen name Licorice Root, is a New York City-based Astrologer whose quest to uncover the mysteries of the universe has exposed her to Rosicrucianism and many other esoteric teachings. Today, she uses that knowledge to do astrological forecasts for Lana Del Rey, 50 Cent, Justin Bieber, and other stars for MTV News (as well as many regular folks). Here’s what Annabel has to say about Roscicrucianism.

How were you exposed to Rosicrucianism?

I remember reading a Rosicrucian astrology book at East West Bookstore in Manhattan in the mid-2000s, and being a (very) young and inexperienced Astrologer, it was very inspiring for me to find a book on astrology that went beyond basic western new age astrology concepts. Prior to encountering this book, I was aware of many occult orders; however, finding a book that spoke to my main interest inspired me to search out a local NYC magickal organization to join, which ultimately was the Temple of Thelema [an organization based on the philosophy of Thelema, developed by occultist Aleister Crowley—see page 82].

How can Rosicrucianism benefit the average person?

Any religious study will benefit the average person because the need to create connections between occurrences and to apply meaning to our experience is satisfied, or at least, stimulated, by religious study.

How do you use Rosicrucian teachings in your life and work?

Rosicrucianism has influenced and colored my understanding of history and how people throughout time have approached the Great Work [this is the process of using spiritual practices to find enlightenment and fulfillment of one’s potential].

There are so many facets to Rosicrucianism. What are the most important parts of it to you?

What I have learned from the Temple of Thelema, Rosicrucianism, and the like is that to keep something secret is to make is sacred. Silence is an important lesson. None of these groups are secret societies because being secret sounds sexy—it’s because silence is part of the way we find inner wisdom.

You can book your own astrology or tarot reading with Annabel by visiting her website, www.rootastro.com.