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82-507: The Societas Rosicruciana claims a link to the original Rosicrucian Brotherhood. It bases its teachings on those found in the Fama and Confessio Fraternitatis , texts published in Germany in the early 17th century, along with other similar publications from the same time. There are a number of Societas Rosicrucianas throughout the world: The first Societas Rosicruciana was that of Scotland, known as

164-736: A Master Mason at the beginning of 1855. Seven years later, in 1862, he demitted (resigned) from Freemasonry. In 1872 Yarker established the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry for England and Ireland under the authority of a Patent issued by the American Grand Master of that organization, Harry Seymour. As well as establishing the Ancient and Primitive Rite, Yarker would later become Deputy International Grand Master (1900) and International Grand Master (1902) of

246-468: A ludibrium which surprisingly some esteem and explicate with subtle investigations, is plainly futile and betrays the vanity of the curious" ( Nuptiae Chymicae, cum monstrorum foecundo foetu, ludibriu, quod mireris a nonullis aestimatum et subtili indagine explicatum, plane futile et quod inanitatem curiosorum prodat ). He called Rosicrucianism a " ludibrium " (a lampoon or parody) during his lifetime, in writings advocating social and religious reform through

328-614: A Masonic connection, or have gone dormant: The SRIA (A for "America") was chartered by the SRIA (in England) in Philadelphia in 1878. It reformed in 1889 as Societas Rosicruciana in the United States (SRIUS), and reformed again as SRIA in 1912. In 1916 the order began admitting women, and its charter was revoked. It is in existence today, but has no Masonic connections whatsoever. In 1879, a College

410-526: A bizarre treatise entitled "Societas Jesus et Rosae Crucis Vera" (The True Society of Jesus and the Rosy Cross), containing 40 emblematic figures accompanied by biblical quotations. The literary works of the 16th and 17th centuries were full of enigmatic passages containing references to the Rose Cross , as in the following (somewhat modernized): For what we do presage is not in grosse, For we are brethren of

492-525: 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..." According to Jean Pierre Bayard , two Rosicrucian-inspired Masonic rites emerged toward the end of 18th century, the Rectified Scottish Rite , widespread in Central Europe where there was a strong presence of

574-634: A considerable influence on Anglo-Saxon Masonry. Hans Schick sees in the works of Comenius (1592–1670) the ideal of the newly born English Masonry before the foundation of the Grand Lodge in 1717. Comenius was in England during 1641. The Gold und Rosenkreuzer (Golden and Rosy Cross) was founded by the alchemist Samuel Richter who in 1710 published Die warhhaffte und vollkommene Bereitung des Philosophischen Steins der Brüderschaft aus dem Orden des Gülden-und Rosen-Creutzes ( The True and Complete Preparation of

656-664: A degree system of study and initiation include: Many of these groups generally speak of a linear descent from earlier branches of the ancient Rosicrucian Order in England, France, Egypt, or other countries. However, some groups speak of a spiritual affiliation with a true and invisible Rosicrucian Order. Note that there are other Rosicrucian groups not listed here. Some do not use the name "Rosicrucian" to name themselves. Some groups listed have been dissolved or are no longer operating. Old editions Publications Essays Fictional literature Conspiracy literature John Yarker John Yarker (17 April 1833 – 20 March 1913)

738-563: 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. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, various groups styled themselves Rosicrucian. The diverse groups who link themselves to a "Rosicrucian Tradition" can be divided into three categories: Esoteric Christian Rosicrucian groups, which profess Christ; Masonic Rosicrucian groups such as SRIA , Societas Rosicruciana ; and initiatory groups such as

820-459: A group of senior U.S. Masons (Daniel Sutter and Charles W. Parker) led by Charles E. Meyer (1839–1908) of Pennsylvania traveled to England and on July 25, 1878 were initiated into the grade of Zelator at Yorkshire College at Sheffield. They applied for a charter, but getting no response, turned to Scotland and received a charter from the college in Edinburgh in 1879. Scotland's Society is actually

902-516: A hoax, whether the "Order of the Rosy Cross" existed as described in the manifestos, or whether the whole thing was a metaphor disguising a movement that really existed, but in a different form. The promise of a spiritual transformation at a time of great turmoil, the manifestos influenced many figures to seek esoteric knowledge. Seventeenth-century occult philosophers such as Michael Maier , Robert Fludd , and Thomas Vaughan interested themselves in

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984-702: A member of the Third Order. The head of the Society is titled the Supreme Magus, and was elected ad vitam , but according to the revised constitution of 2019 the SRIL Supreme Magus is now elected for 3 years, renewable while having the support of the members of the High College Fraters. The basic structures of Rosicrucian Societies are called Colleges. At present, there are Colleges under SRIL's jurisdiction in

1066-619: A monastery under the influence of the Albigenses, where he was educated and met the four Brothers later to be associated with him in the founding of the Rosicrucian Brotherhood. Magre's account supposedly derives from oral tradition. Around 1530, more than eighty years before the publication of the first manifesto, the association of cross and rose already existed in Portugal in the Convent of

1148-447: 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 . Several Russians of a mystical mind took advantage of the Edict of Toleration of religion in 1905 to form or resurrect what they considered

1230-527: A number of Western esoteric traditions. Unable to spread the knowledge he had acquired to prominent European scientists and philosophers, he instead gathered a small circle of friends/disciples and founded the Rosicrucian Order (this can be deduced to have occurred around 1407). During the lifetime of C.R.C., the order was said to comprise no more than eight members, each a doctor and "all bachelors of vowed virginity." Each member undertook an oath to heal

1312-725: A profession of Trinitarian Christian faith. Membership is restricted to 72 members per College, and they are called Fraters. The SRIL is in amity with all regular Rosicrucian Societas: Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (SRIS), Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA) and, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitas Foederatis ,(SRICF). The various Societies have no other Masonic links, ties, or official recognition. The Societas Rosicruciana in Lusitania has, through mutual help and fraternal encouragement, help to unravel

1394-424: A sectarian Christian organization of his design. Some scholars of esotericism suggest that Andreae disowned Rosicrucianism to shield his clerical career from the wrath of the religious and political institutions of the day. "[I]t is clear from his " Turris Babel ", " Mythologia Christiana ", and other works, that he considered the manifestos a reprehensible hoax." This augmented controversies as to whether they were

1476-582: A similar body in the United States. They did so under Scotland's authority (Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia) with the help of Most Worthy Charles Matier of the SRIS, as early as 1873. This effort died out two years later under the care of R.W. Frater George S. Blackie VIII and was then re-chartered by the SRIS in 1878. Dr. Jonathon J. French was a IX grade head of the Rosicrucian Society of the United States, and opened

1558-468: A symbolic and spiritual alchemy, rather than an operative one. In a combination of direct and veiled styles, these writings conveyed the nine stages of the involutive-evolutive transmutation of the threefold body of the human being, the threefold soul and the threefold spirit , among other esoteric knowledge related to the "Path of Initiation". In his 1618 pamphlet, Pia et Utilissima Admonitio de Fratribus Rosae Crucis , Henrichus Neuhusius wrote that

1640-624: Is a Rosicrucian Society based in the United States. Its history begins with the formation of a Grand High Council on April 21, 1880. Its official consecration occurred on September 21, 1880, by three Colleges chartered by the Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia. High Grade senior Christian Freemasons in the United States in search of the Classical Rosicrucian Society for Masons in the United Kingdom became interested in organizing

1722-581: Is by invitation only and predicated on regular mainstream Masonic affiliation as well as a profession of Christian faith. Membership was initially restricted to 36 members per College, but this was changed in 1908 by MW Thomas Shryock to 72 members per college. The See of the High Council is in Washington, D.C. The SRICF is in amity with the SRIS (Scotia) and the SRIA (Anglia) as well as the SRIC (Canada) and has helped

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1804-502: Is called Demanda . The Order is subdivided into three smaller orders, each with its own governance. The various orders confer a total of nine degrees, here called grades . Members of the 1st Order (Frater (singular) Fratres (plural)) meet in a College, which is equivalent to a Lodge. A College is empowered to confer the first four degrees of the Society, also called the Learning Grades . A minimum of six months must elapse between

1886-568: Is empowered to confer three further Grades at this level to deserving Fratres of Grade IV who have been members of the Society for a minimum of four years. A minimum of one year must elapse between the receipt of grades at this level. A member can only serve as the Celebrant (Master) of a College of the First Order after receiving the Grade of Adeptus Exemptus. This is equivalent to a Grand Lodge , and

1968-456: Is headed by a Supreme Magus, Senior Substitute Magus and Junior Substitute Magus. Members of the second order who have given service to the society and been selected by the Supreme Magus for such advancement may be awarded two further Grades. In 1888, three members of SRIA, William Robert Woodman , William Wynn Westcott , and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers , formed the Hermetic Order of

2050-634: The Golden Dawn and the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC). Esoteric Christian Rosicrucian schools provide esoteric knowledge related to the inner teachings of Christianity. The Rosicrucian Fellowship , 1909 at Mount Ecclesia (groundbreaking for first building: 1911). Teachings present the 'mysteries', in the form of esoteric knowledge , of which Christ spoke in Matthew 13:11 and Luke 8:10. The Fellowship seeks to prepare

2132-540: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (1887–1903). Between 1610 and 1615, two anonymous manifestos appeared in early modern Germany and soon after were published throughout Europe . The Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis (The Fame of the Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross) was circulated in manuscript among German occultists since about 1610, and published at Cassel in 1614. Johannes Valentinus Andreae has been considered

2214-694: The Philosopher's Stone by the Brotherhood from the Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross ) in Breslau under the pseudonym Sincerus Renatus in Prague in the early 18th century as a hierarchical secret society composed of internal circles, recognition signs and alchemy treatises. Under the leadership of Hermann Fictuld the group reformed itself extensively in 1767 and again in 1777 because of political pressure. Its members claimed that

2296-968: The Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (SRIS). As at January 2014 there are seven Colleges in Scotland, three in Australia, one in Hong Kong, and one in Finland. The Colleges in Scotland are the Metropolitan College (Edinburgh), the East of Scotland College (Dundee), Abraxas College (Falkirk), the West of Scotland College (Glasgow), the Muse Coila College (Stewarton, Ayrshire), the Inverness College (Inverness), and

2378-590: The "Golden and Rosy Cross", and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , first practiced in France, in which the 18th degree is called Knight of the Rose Croix . The change from "operative" to "speculative" Masonry occurred between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 18th century. Two of the earliest speculative Masons for whom a record of initiation exists were Sir Robert Moray and Elias Ashmole . Robert Vanloo states that earlier 17th century Rosicrucianism had

2460-483: The 19th century, presented arguments contradicting this idea. It was in this fertile field of discourse that many Rosicrucian societies arose. They were based on the occult, inspired by the mystery of this "College of Invisibles". Some modern scholars, for example Adam McLean and Giordano Berti, assume that among the first followers of the Rose Cross there was also the German theologian Daniel Cramer , who in 1617 published

2542-483: The Colleges have their own individual organs which are produced quarterly as well as annually. The governing body of the Society is known since 1911 (having dropped ‘Grand’ from its title) as the High Council, which is composed of Fratres of the Third Order (IX and VIII), plus any College Celebrant not a member of the Third Order. The head of the Society is the Supreme Magus, who was elected ad vitam up until circa 1991, when

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2624-430: The Golden Dawn , which removed the restriction on membership, allowing non-Christians, non-Freemasons, and women to join. A great deal of the SRIA structure survived in the new order, which went on to greatly influence the modern Western occult revival in the 20th century. Due to the fragmentary nature of Rosicrucian orders, there are a number of historical Rosicrucian societies with similar names that either no longer have

2706-561: The Golden and Rosy Cross, without success. After 1782, this highly secretive society added Egyptian, Greek, and Druidic mysteries to its alchemy system. A comparative study of what is known about the Gold and Rosenkreuzer appears to reveal, on the one hand, that it has influenced the creation of some modern initiatory groups and, on the other hand, that the Nazis (see The Occult Roots of Nazism ) may have been inspired by this German group. According to

2788-754: The Masonic lodge (later: Grand Lodge ) Zu den drei Weltkugeln ( The Three Globes ) was infiltrated and came under the influence of the Golden and Rosy Cross. Many Freemasons became Rosicrucianists and Rosicrucianism was established in many lodges. In 1782 at the Convent of Wilhelmsbad the Alte schottische Loge Friedrich zum goldenen Löwen ( Old Scottish Lodge Friedrich at the Golden Lion ) in Berlin strongly requested Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and all other Freemasons to submit to

2870-790: The Matier Royal Provincial College with a charter from Lord Inverurie, Earl of Kintore and Supreme Magus of the SRIS. The college was named after Charles Fitzgerald Matier, the first Supreme Magus of SRIS, who served in 1876. Harold Van Buren Voorhis insists that the Illinois College under Dr. French was never truly active, and it certainly was short-lived as Dr. French died an untimely death in 1879. Harold Voorhis also insisted that Frater Stodart Blackie's early charter in New York had been nothing more than an unsubstantiated rumor. It has since been established as historical fact. In 1878,

2952-659: The North and Central/South of Portugal Provinces and in the North, Central and South of Italy Provinces. There are currently petitions for the constitution of a new College in the Center of Portugal. The Supreme Magus has his own College, called the Metropolitan College. Cavaleiro Grande Cruz (CGC) — Knight Grand Cross is the SRIL's most important High Council award. It is awarded to Supreme Magi of brother jurisdictions and IX grade Magi members for outstanding services. The SRIL bi-annual publication

3034-512: The Order of Christ , home of the Knights Templar , later renamed Order of Christ . Three bocetes were, and still are, on the abóboda (vault) of the initiation room. The rose can clearly be seen at the center of the cross. At the same time, a minor writing by Paracelsus called Prognosticatio Eximii Doctoris Paracelsi (1530), containing 32 prophecies with allegorical pictures surrounded by enigmatic texts, makes reference to an image of

3116-441: The Order of the Rose Cross is expounded in a major Christian literary work that molded the subsequent spiritual beliefs of western civilization: The Divine Comedy (ca. 1308–1321) by Dante Alighieri . Other Christian-oriented Rosicrucian bodies include: Freemasonic Rosicrucian bodies providing preparation either through direct study and/or through the practice of a symbolic initiatory journey. Initiatory groups which follow

3198-739: The Qabalistic basis and interpretation of the Fame and Confession . Between 1614 and 1617, three anonymous manifestos were published, first in Germany and soon after throughout Europe: the Fama Fraternitatis RC ( The Fame of the Brotherhood of RC , 1614), the Confessio Fraternitatis ( The Confession of the Brotherhood of RC , 1615), and the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosicross anno 1459 (1617). The Fama Fraternitatis presents

3280-746: The Rosicrucian documents. The peak of the "Rosicrucianism furore" was reached when two mysterious posters appeared on the walls of Paris in 1622 within a few days of each other. The first said "We, the Deputies of the Higher College of the Rose-Croix, do make our stay, visibly and invisibly, in this city (...)", and the second ended with the words "The thoughts attached to the real desire of the seeker will lead us to him and him to us." The legendary first manifesto, Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis (1614), inspired

3362-612: The Rosicrucian worldview. In his work " Silentium Post Clamores " (1617), Michael Maier described Rosicrucianism as having arisen from a "primordial tradition", saying "Our origins are Egyptian, Brahminic , derived from the mysteries of Eleusis and Samothrace , the Magi of Persia, the Pythagoreans , and the Arabs". In later centuries, many esoteric societies claimed to derive from the original Rosicrucians. The most influential of these societies

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3444-594: The Rosicrucians departed for the east due to European instability caused by the start of the Thirty Years' War . In 1710, Sigmund Richter , founder of the secret society of the Golden and Rosy Cross , also suggested the Rosicrucians had migrated eastward. In the first half of the 20th century, René Guénon , a researcher of the occult , presented this same idea in some of his works. Arthur Edward Waite , an eminent author of

3526-440: The Rosicrucians. Some later works impacting 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. Michael Maier was appointed Pfalzgraf ( Count Palatine ) by Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor , King of Hungary and King of Bohemia . He also

3608-399: The Rosie Crosse; We have the Mason Word and second sight, Things for to come we can foretell aright. The idea of such an order, exemplified by the network of astronomers, professors, mathematicians, and natural philosophers in 16th-century Europe promoted by such men as Johannes Kepler , Georg Joachim Rheticus , John Dee and Tycho Brahe , gave rise to the Invisible College . This was

3690-434: The SRIC is now an independent body. The Societas Rosicruciana in Lusitania (SRIL) was constituted on October 5, 2002 in Portugal. Its High Council was empowered by the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitabus Foederatis (USA) and the first Supreme Magus, Pinto Coelho, was consecrated by the M.W. Supreme Magus Thurman Pace Jr (SRICF). Membership is by invitation only, and predicated on regular mainstream Masonic affiliation as well as

3772-405: The Semper Discens College (Aberdeen). The Colleges in Australia are the Aurora Australis College (Petersham, NSW), the Hunter Valley College (New Lambton, NSW), and the Huon Pine College (Launceston, Tasmania). The Hong Kong College is in Hong Kong. The Aurora Borealis College is in Seinäjoki, Finland. The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia was founded in 1867 and derived from the SRIS following

3854-410: The Society went into abeyance at some point after 1889. In 1936, Ontario College was created via a charter from SRICF. Manly Palmer Hall 's father, E.H.D. Hall, a member of Canada's first Rosicrucian Society, was voted a charter member of the Ontario College. Due to possible jurisdictional issues, rather than procure a charter from SRIA or SRIS, a Canadian High Council was formed on June 29, 1997, and

3936-454: The actual work of organization and institution devolved upon the Imperator and Supreme Magus of the Society, George Winslow Plummer , who had received full initiation and authority to begin the work in New York from Frater Gould before his passing. Rosicrucian Rosicrucianism ( / ˌ r oʊ z ɪ ˈ k r uː ʃ ə ˌ n ɪ z əm , ˌ r ɒ z ɪ -/ ) is a spiritual and cultural movement that arose in early modern Europe in

4018-473: The admission of William James Hughan and Robert Wentworth Little into that order. The two of them were advanced quickly in Scotland and granted a warrant to form a Society in England. The formation meeting took place on June 1, 1867 in Aldermanbury, London , with Robert Wentworth Little elected Supreme Magus. Most Colleges in Australia belong to provinces within the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA). The Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis

4100-464: The ancient forms of esoteric Orders. These were the new Rosicrucians. Their inspired mentors compiled volumes of mystic philosophy which they combined with their personal notions of what the ancient Orders were, and so formed groups. The three principal neo-Rosicrucian Orders of early Soviet Russia were Emesh Redivivus, the Orionist-Manicheans, and the Lux Astralis. Due to suppression by the Soviets they had disbanded by 1933. According to Masonic writers,

4182-430: The anonymously published Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz was one of his works, and he subsequently described it as a ludibrium . In his later works, he makes alchemy an object of ridicule and places it along with music, art, theater, and astrology in the category of less serious sciences. According to some sources, his role in the origin of the Rosicrucian legend is controversial. But according to others, it

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4264-469: The body thus constituted became known as the Societatis Rosicrucianae in the United States, admitting only 32nd degree Masons. A member of Massachusetts College, in Boston, having received the VIII Degree constituting him a Provincial Magus, engaged in special research work. He later received his IX Degree direct from Apponyi, a leading Rosicrucian in Hungary, constituting him a Prince Chief Adept and Magus. The American organization being largely inoperative at

4346-421: The cause of Rosicruciana by empowering High Councils in their own sovereignty around the World. They are the SRIL in Lusitania (Portugal), SRIG in Gallia (France) and the SRIR (Romania). The society issues an annual journal known as Ad Lucem composed of academic articles on things related to Rosicrucianism and esoteric streams of Christian Mysteries. There is also an annual report, The Rosicrucian Fama . Many of

4428-462: The constitution of the Society was changed to provide that the Supreme Magus is elected each triennium. Unlike the SRIA in England, a Chief Adept in the SRICF does not have regional powers, but rather is in charge of an individual College. Typically there is but one College per state, exceptions having been made for both New York and California due to their size and population. KGC~ Knight Grand Crosses are awarded to IX grade Magi for exemplary effort in

4510-413: The early 17th century after the publication of several texts announcing to the world a new esoteric order . Rosicrucianism is symbolized by the Rose Cross or Rosy Cross. There have been several Rosicrucian (or Rosicrucian-inspired) organizations since the initial movement was founded, including the Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross (1750s–1790s), the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (1865–present), and

4592-464: The following terms: "About the year 1645, while I lived in London (at a time when, by our civil wars, academical studies were much interrupted in both our Universities), ... I had the opportunity of being acquainted with divers worthy persons, inquisitive of 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

4674-415: The great problems of Life, to discover the Secrets of Nature, to study the system of Philosophy taught by the Fratres of the Rose-Cross since the year 1440, and to seek the meaning and symbolism of all the heritage of Wisdom, Arts and Literature of the ancient world. The governing body of the Society is the High Council which is composed of Fratres of the Third Order (IX and VIII) plus any College Celebrant not

4756-425: The individual through harmonious development of mind and heart in a spirit of unselfish service to mankind and an all-embracing altruism . According to it the Rosicrucian Order was founded in 1313 and is composed of twelve exalted Beings gathered around a thirteenth, Christian Rosenkreuz . These great adepts have already advanced far beyond the cycle of rebirth . Their mission is to prepare the 'whole wide world' for

4838-505: The leaders of the Rosicrucian Order had invented Freemasonry and only they knew the secret meaning of Masonic symbols. The Rosicrucian Order had been founded by Egyptian " Ormusse " or " Licht-Weise " who had emigrated to Scotland with the name "Builders from the East". In 1785 and 1788 the Golden and Rosy Cross group published the Geheime Figuren or "The Secret Symbols of the 16th and 17th century Rosicrucians". Led by Johann Christoph von Wöllner and General Johann Rudolf von Bischoffwerder,

4920-449: The legend of a German doctor and mystic philosopher referred to as "Father Brother C.R.C." (later identified in a third manifesto as Christian Rosenkreuz , or "Rose-cross"). The year 1378 is presented as being the birth year of "our Christian Father," and it is stated that he lived 106 years. It is said that he studied in the Middle East under various masters – a story implying a possible link to Islamic mysticism or Sufism , which influenced

5002-627: The matter further. Many were attracted to the promise of a "universal reformation of mankind" through a science "built on esoteric truths of the ancient past", which, "concealed from the average man, provide insight into nature, the physical universe , and the spiritual realm", which they say had been kept secret for decades until the intellectual climate was ready to receive it. The manifestos elaborate these matters extensively but cryptically in terms of Qabalah , Hermeticism , alchemy , and Christian mysticism , subjects whose methods, symbolism, and allusions were ardently studied by many intellectuals of

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5084-488: The need to charter the current SRIS on October 24, 1873. A second charter was granted by the SRIS for a college in New York, and Fratres from Philadelphia and New York met in Philadelphia on April 21, 1880 and formed a High Council, then known as the SRRCA or the Societas Rosicrucianae Reipublica Confoedera America , later changed to the Society of Rosicrucians in the USA by Most Worthy Frater Shryock in his capacity as Supreme Magus, and then properly Latinized in 1934 by and at

5166-466: The oldest, as Walter Spencer is recorded as having been initiated into the SRIS by Anthony Oneil Haye in 1857, and there are documents in the SRIA archives that show that both Robert Wentworth Little and William J. Hughan were initiated in 1866 and 1867 by Anthony O’Neal Haye, Magus Max, Ros. Soc. Scot., with H.H.M. Bairnfathur signing as Secretary. The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia was formed in England in 1866 by Robert Wentworth Little. The SRIA later felt

5248-467: The period. In 1617 a third anonymous volume was published, the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz . In his posthumously published autobiography, Johann Valentine Andreae acknowledged its origin in a romantic fantasy that he wrote before he was 16 years old (1602), among other likewise forgotten juvenilia, and which he elaborated in response to the Fame and Confession , and said of it that "the Chymical Wedding, with its fertile brood of monsters,

5330-462: The possible author of the work. A literal reading narrates the travels and education of "Father Brother C.R.C." and his founding of a secret brotherhood of similarly prepared men. Names, numbers, and other details have Qabalistic allusions, in which the cognoscenti of that era were well-versed. The Confessio Fraternitatis (The Confession of the Brotherhood of RC), published in Frankfurt in 1615, responded to confusions and criticisms and elaborated

5412-460: The precursor to the Royal Society founded in 1660. It was constituted by a group of scientists who began to hold regular meetings to share and develop knowledge acquired by experimental investigation . Among these were Robert Boyle , who wrote: "the cornerstones of the Invisible (or as they term themselves the Philosophical) College, do now and then honour me with their company..."; John Wilkins and John Wallis , who described those meetings in

5494-412: The receipt of each grade. The emphasis on the work of the society is learning; therefore every member is encouraged to deliver a paper of their own work on some topic of interest in open college. This is equivalent to a Masonic Provincial Grand Lodge, and is headed by a Chief Adept and his deputy (Suffragan) who have jurisdiction over all of the first order Colleges within the Province. The Chief Adept

5576-410: The right, simple, easy, and ingenuous exposition, understanding, declaration, and knowledge of all secrets." The first Rosicrucian manifesto was influenced by the work of the respected hermetic philosopher Heinrich Khunrath , of Hamburg , author of the Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae (1609), who was in turn influenced by John Dee , author of the Monas Hieroglyphica (1564). The invitation to

5658-453: The royal wedding in the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz opens with Dee's philosophical key, the Monas Hieroglyphica symbol. The writer also claimed the brotherhood possessed a book that resembled the works of Paracelsus . Adam Haslmayr a friend of Karl Widemann wrote him a letter about Rosicrucian people who revealed the Theophrastiam 24 December 1611. In his autobiography, Johann Valentin Andreae (1586–1654) claimed that

5740-594: The sick without accepting payment, to maintain a secret fellowship, and to find a replacement for himself before he died. Three such generations had supposedly passed between c. 1500 and c. 1600: a time when scientific, philosophical, and religious freedom had grown so that the public might benefit from the Rosicrucians' knowledge, so that they were now seeking good men. The manifestos were, and continue to be, not taken literally by many but rather regarded either as hoaxes or as allegorical statements. They state: "We speak unto you by parables, but would willingly bring you to

5822-437: The suggestion of Dr. William Moseley Brown under the regime of Most Worthy Frater Hamilton. Brown composed the name (Societas Rosicruciana In Civitatibus Foederatis) himself and submitted it on January 17, 1934. The SRICF has operated continuously since its formation in the 19th Century, and is thriving today with an upsurge of young Masons being invited into its ranks with great enthusiasm and demonstrated scholarship. Membership

5904-541: The time, he undertook the formation and institution of a branch of the Fraternity in the Western Hemisphere that would devote itself exclusively and assiduously to the true Rosicrucian Art and Operation, open to both sexes on a basis of true equality. The transition of this member, Illustrious Frater Sylvester Clarke Gould, late of Manchester, N. H., on July 19, 1909, prevented the fulfillment of his personal ambition, and

5986-484: The work of the Society and Rosicrucianism in general. The Societas Rosicruciana in Canadiensis was first mentioned in a declaration dated May 31, 1876, but it was not formally constituted (by a Col. McLeod Moore, through his acquaintance with John Yarker ) until September 19 of that year. Most of the membership came from the town of Maitland, Ontario . The society constituted a High Council exactly one year later, but

6068-428: The works of Michael Maier (1568–1622) of Germany; Robert Fludd (1574–1637) and Elias Ashmole (1617–1692) of England; Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens , Gotthardus Arthusius , Julius Sperber , Henricus Madathanus , Gabriel Naudé , Thomas Vaughan and others. Rosicrucianism was associated with Protestantism ( Lutheranism in particular). In Elias Ashmole's Theatrum Chimicum britannicum (1650) he defends

6150-400: The writings of the Masonic historian E.J. Marconis de Negre, who together with his father Gabriel M. Marconis is held to be the founder of the " Rite of Memphis-Misraim " of Freemasonry, based on earlier conjectures (1784) by a Rosicrucian scholar Baron de Westerode and also promulgated by the 18th century secret society called the " Golden and Rosy Cross ", the Rosicrucian Order was created in

6232-481: 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 . From this conversion, Rosicrucianism was supposedly born, by purifying Egyptian mysteries with the new higher teachings of early Christianity. According to Maurice Magre (1877–1941) in his book Magicians, Seers, and Mystics , Rosenkreutz

6314-608: Was an English Freemason , author, and occultist . He was born in Swindale , Shap , Westmorland , in the north of England. He moved with his parents to Lancashire and on to Manchester in 1849. Ηe was descended from Reinhold Yarker de Laybourne who lived in the mid 17th century. He was made a Freemason of the United Grand Lodge of England at the age of 21 in the Lodge of Integrity, No. 189, Manchester, on 25 October 1854, becoming

6396-401: Was established in Philadelphia, Pa., under warrant from the High Council of Scotia (Scotland) by a number of Americans who visited England and received their degrees from York College of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. Colleges were established soon after 1879 in New York, Boston, and Burlington, Vt., and were recognized in full by the S.R.I. Anglia; they organized their own High Council, and

6478-536: Was generally accepted. In the early 17th century, the manifestos caused excitement throughout Europe by declaring the existence of a secret brotherhood of alchemists and sages who were preparing to transform the arts and sciences, and religious, political, and intellectual landscapes of Europe. Wars of politics and religion ravaged the continent. The works were re-issued several times, followed by numerous pamphlets, favorable or otherwise. Between 1614 and 1620, about 400 manuscripts and books were published which discussed

6560-502: 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. existed to advance inspired arts and sciences, including alchemy . Researchers of Maier's writings point out that he never claimed to have produced gold, nor did Heinrich Khunrath or any of the other "Rosicrucianists". Their writings point toward

6642-660: Was the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn , which derived from Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia and counted many prominent figures among its members. The largest is the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC , a multinational organization based in Rosicrucian Park , San Jose, California, US. Paul Foster Case , founder of the Builders of the Adytum as a successor to the Golden Dawn, published The true and invisible Rosicrucian Order , elaborating

6724-537: Was the last descendant of the Germelshausen, a German family from the 13th century. Their castle stood in the Thuringian Forest on the border of Hesse , and they embraced Albigensian doctrines. The whole family was put to death by Landgrave Conrad of Thuringia , except for the youngest son, who was then five years old. He was carried away secretly by a monk, an Albigensian adept from Languedoc , and placed in

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