THE ROSICRUCIANS
    (1600-1700)

    The history of Rosicucianism is based on a novel about the life of 
Christian Rosencreutz (1378-1484), a fictional character. Born of good birth 
but of limited means, he joined a monastery at a young age. In 1393, he 
accompanied another monk on a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher. In route, his 
companion died, and the young Rosencreutz, being of limited means, was forced 
to go to Syria thence to Damcar of that country. He spent considerable time in 
Damcar studying and learning the secret mysteries of the ages.
    Leaving Damcar he journeyed to Fez where he received further instruction
in the ancient mysteries before moving on to Spain. His hope was to enlighten
the scientific community with his newly acquired alchemic wisdom and art. His
efforts were not well received. Discouraged, he returned to Germany and
successfitly practiced the healing arts.
    Eventually, he recruited three friends from his former monastery and
taught them the art, wisdom and mysteries acquired on his pilgrimage. The
practical aspect of his endeavors soon interfered with his purpose of 
establishing the Temple of the Holy Ghost.
    Four more "adepts" were initiated and taught the secrets of the order. It
was decided that six of the adepts would go throughout the world, living
according to the rules of the order. Two remained with Father C.R.C., but each
year the adepts would return. Father C.R.C. lived to 106 years of age, (1484). 
He was entombed, but only two of the adepts knew where. His tomb was to be
discovered after 120 years, and the mysteries made known to the world.
    The adepts maintained the continuity of the order during the 120 years,
although the whereabouts of Father C.R.C.'s tomb was forgotten. Upon doing
restoration work to the Temple, the adepts removed a plaque from a wall and
discovered a hidden door which turned out to be the entry to the sacred vault.
The vault was lighted by bright light although it was sealed and not open to 
any source of natural light. The vault was seven sided. Each side was 5' wide 
and 7' tall, and each served as a door to a room containing the secrets, 
relics & writings of the order. The body of Father C.R.C. was found under the 
alter and in perfect condition although 120 years had passed.
    Such is the story of Christian Rosencreutz, the founder of the Society of
Rosicrucians. The story is based on a German publication in 1614 entitled 
"Fama Fraternitatis Benedicti Ordinis Rosae Crncis" (The History of the 
Fraternity of the Meritorious Order of the Rosy-Cross).  As customary in those 
times, the publication bore no authorship. Nevertheless, most scholars 
attribute the book to Johan Valentin Andrea of Herrenberg, Wurtemberg, 
Germany.
    Andrea was born August 17, 1586. He toured Europe from 1610 to 1614, and 
upon his return to Germany, he entered the Protestant clergy. He died June 27, 
1654.  Besides the Fama, he is credited with authorship of "Chemische
Hochzeit" (Chemical Marriage) purportedly written by Christian Rosencreutz, in
1616.
    What information is known about Johan Andrea comes from Thomas Vaughn, a 
Welshman and Andrea's biographer who wrote under the name Eugenius 
Philalethes. Others of that period who wrote on the subject of the Rosey Cross 
were Michael Maier & Dr. Robert Flood. Outside the writings of Johan Andrea, 
Thomas Vaughn, Michael Maier and a few others, there is hardly any evidence 
that there was a Brotherhood of Rosicrucians existing in the 1600's. And with 
small exception, there are only a very few individuals that can actually be 
identified as "Rosicrucian", contrary claims notwithstanding.  The term
"Rosicrucian" had common usage in that age, and perhaps the secrecy of the
organization accounts for the lack of evidence.
     Rosicrucianism is an acknowledged product of alchemy, the science of the
middle ages. The name Rosicrucian is said to derive from 'ros' (dew) the most
powerful solvent of the alchemists and 'crux' (cross) signifying 'light' in 
the chemical style.
    Historically, the Rosicrucians are said to have founded (invented) 
Hermetic (occult) philosophy. "Hermetic" coming from Hermes Trismegitus, Greek 
for Thoth, the Egyptian god of intelligence, magic, etc. The essence of
Rosicrucianism is the esoteric thought and teachings of the ancient mysteries.
    The Hermetic schools are:
    1.   ALCHEMICAL:
         Divided into three branches, to wit, (i)Transmutation of base metals;
         (ii) Universal solvent or panacea; (iii) Philosopher's Stone. Elias
         Ashmole further grouped the philosopher's stone into (a) mineral or
         transmutation; (b) vegetable or secret virtues of plants in the style 
         of Paracelsus; (c) magical or the science of vision/Astral Light; and 
         (d) angelic or spiritual.
    2.   ROSICRUCIAN:
         The refinement of the alchemical schools in the legend of Christian
         Rosencreutz and the practical application of the "new" science for
         the good of mankind. It is said to be the link between the ancient
         mysteries and Freemasonry.
    3.   KABBALISTIC:
         Hebrew esoteric philosophy, preserved from ancient times, and forming 
         the theological basis of hermeticism.
    Rosicrucian theorists are of four types:
    1.   Literal acceptance of the legend of Father C.R.C.
    2.   Acceptance of Rosicrucianism as a society without belief in the
         Fama legend. The brotherhood being founded by Agrippa and reformed by 
         Andrea. A second school believes that the rosy cross is a secret 
         society founded in ancient Egypt to perpetuate the mysteries of 
         Persia  & Chaldee, and that Rosicrucian adepts (Unknown Philosophers) 
         possess  superhuman if not superuatural powers.
    3.   Outright denial of Rosicrucianism as pure myth.
    4.   True Rosicrucians as people of two worlds, having physical and
         ethereal bodies not subject to limitations of time and distance, i.e.,
         Astral Form. Their purpose is spiritual with a triune nature, i.e.,
         Casting of the Molten Sea (transmutation), The Making of the Rose
         Diamond (universal panacea) and Achieving the Philosopher's Stone.
    Rosicrucian writings after Johan Andrea are for the most part apologetic,
meaning that the fanciful hypothesis of the brotherhood  is intended as
allegorical for the spiritual salvation of man. Generally, written at the time 
of the reformation, Rosicrucian writers were opposed to papal authority, and 
believed that there was a truer religion that could only be expressed in the 
language of Adam and Enoch, not Latin, the language of Babylon. The order 
teaches that Rosicrucianism offers a path to spiritual attainment through 
Mount Sophia (knowledge of nature); Mount Kabbala (Knowledge of angelic 
language to communicate with God's messengers) and Mount Magla (language of 
God as taught by God).
    It has been claimed that Rosicrucians were the founders of Freemasonry,
and at the very least had substantial influence on Masonry. The primary basis 
for this boast is the incorporation of certain Rosicrucian symbols into 
Masonic ritual. Specifically, the square, compass, triangle, three grand 
masters, sun, and moon.
    Despite the certainty that the story of Christian Rosencreutz is pure
fantasy, it is acknowledged that the idea of a Society of Rosicrucians is not
without merit. Nevertheless, no creditable scholar, Masonic or otherwise, can
support the supposition that Freemasonry is an evolutionary product of the
Brotherhood of the Rosey Cross.

Presented at April 17, 1994 Stated Meeting by Norman Leeper, P.M., Junior
Warden, Southern California Research Lodge.


