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Golden and Rosy Cross today ?

Horapollon

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Hello everyone,
For several years now, it has become increasingly easy to find works concerning German Rosicrucian movements from the 17th and 18th centuries. Ranging from the orders' own documents to related literature and accounts of their operative objectives. I am surprised that no one has sought to revive a similar initiative, drawing upon this documentation. Does anyone know if such a thing existe ? In a virtual or physical format? :)
 

ahathoor

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There are multiple operating Rosicrucian groups across Europe and the US, often with the status of being acknowledged religious organizations...
 

Horapollon

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What interests me is the literature produced by groups linked to the Golden Rosicrucian Order of the 17th and 18th centuries, primarily in the german speaking area, even though there are exceptions. Not all the various organizations that claim some connection to the Rosicrucian tradition. ^^
 

frater_pan

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Since the late 1800s and perhaps before the history of Rosicrucianism has been one of continuous reinvention. Recently the largest Rosicrucian group split. These guys seem to be all over the place although they are demonstrably less visible than they were when I was a kid when the largest public Rosicrucian group (AMORC) had ads in the backs of almost every well read magazine at the time advertising "Mastery of life" or the keys to "Cosmic Consciousness" or "Christ Consciousness".

Asking for a quick list of the major Rosicrucian groups yields:

1. Major Initiatory & Esoteric Orders
These are independent, standalone fraternities that operate through local lodges and home study correspondence courses, open to the general public.
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      Founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis in 1915. It is currently the largest and most globally widespread Rosicrucian organization. It presents an eclectic mix of mysticism, metaphysics, and Egyptian philosophy.
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      Established by Paschal Beverly Randolph in 1858, making it the oldest continuous Rosicrucian organization in the United States. It is headquartered in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, and focuses on spiritual alchemy and the development of the "soul body".
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      :
      Founded by German occultist Dr. Arnold Krumm-Heller in 1927/1932. While highly active in South America and Spanish-speaking countries, it maintains historic ties with the FRC and the Ecclesia Gnostica.
    • Confraternity Rosae + Crucis (CR+C): Formed in 1989 by Gary L. Stewart (former Imperator of AMORC). It focuses on standard, traditional lines of Rosicrucian oral and written teachings.
    • Ancient Rosae Crucis (ARC): A traditionalist offshoot formed by former members of AMORC who wished to retain the early 20th-century formatting of their monographs
Cabalistic Order of the Rosicrucian (Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose-Croix - OKRC)
2. Esoteric Christian & Gnostic Fellowships
These organizations place a heavy emphasis on Esoteric Christianity, mysticism, and Gnostic cosmic evolution.
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      :
      Founded by Max Heindel in 1909 and headquartered in Oceanside, California. It emphasizes esoteric Christian mysticism, spiritual astrology, and strict vegetarianism.
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      An international Gnostic movement founded in the Netherlands in 1924 by Jan van Rijckenborgh and Catharose de Petri after breaking away from the Rosicrucian Fellowship. It operates heavily across Europe and the English-speaking world, teaching "transfiguriism" and world detachment.
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      :
      Founded by Rudolf Steiner in 1912. While distinct, its esoteric framework is explicitly built upon Rosicrucian principles and spiritual evolution.
Lectorium Rosicrucianum - 1924 in Haarlem, Netherlands by Jan van Rijckenborgh and Catharose de Petri.
3. Masonic Rosicrucian Societies
These groups operate exclusively within Freemasonry. Membership is restricted to Master Masons who are also professing Trinitarian Christians. They function as scholarly research societies rather than initiatory magical orders. [
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]
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      Founded in England in 1865 by Robert Wentworth Little. It is the mother lodge of modern Masonic Rosicrucianism.
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      The Masonic Rosicrucian Society of the United States, established in 1880 via a charter from Scotland.
    • Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (SRIS): The official jurisdiction governing Scotland.
    • Societas Rosicruciana in Canada (SRIC): The official Masonic body governing Canadian colleges.

4. Golden Dawn & Qabbalistic Offshoots
While these groups expanded into broader Western Ritual Magic, Hermeticism, and the Qabalah, they were originally born directly out of Rosicrucian lineages and continue to feature Rosicrucian degrees (specifically the Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis inner order).
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      Founded in 1888 by SRIA Freemasons William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and William Robert Woodman. It broke away from Masonic limits to admit both men and women into high ritual magic.
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      :
      Founded by Paul Foster Case in 1922. It heavily blends Rosicrucian theory with the Holy Qabalah, Tarot, and astrology.
    • Fraternity of the Hidden Light (Fraternitas L.V.X.): Formed in 1982 by Paul A. Clark, practicing an occult curriculum closely aligned with BOTA and the Golden Dawn.
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      Formed in 1889, it originally began as a Masonic offshoot but separated to admit both men and women. It operates independently of the mainstream Masonic bodies.
5. Alchemical groups
Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross (Gold- und Rosenkreuz) - 1750 Germany, may still exist in some form

Then there are other lesser know groups: Alchemical Rose-Croix Society and The Elder Brothers of the Rose-Cross (FARC)

Only the Golden Dawn and to an extent the BOTA teach magic (presumably the LVX as well). The others are mostly study and good works or just fraternal organizations.

However Frater Archer's book "Rosicrucian Magic" points to practices aiming to enable the practitioner to approach the Angelic Mind (although it is not a how to book but discusses his experiences and interpretation of a Rosicrucian prayer ritual in light of history and published Rosicrucian documentation). Toward the end of the book Frater Archer begins a sort of reconstruction of Rosicrucian Magic.
 

Horapollon

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Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross (Gold- und Rosenkreuz) - 1750 Germany, may still exist in some form

That is precisely my question :)
Even if it is not a historical lineage—but rather a reconstruction based on documentation—I no longer place much stock in lineages within the esoteric realm; I focus more on the underlying conceptual foundation.

Then there are other lesser know groups: Alchemical Rose-Croix Society and The Elder Brothers of the Rose-Cross (FARC)

I am French, so I am familiar with the FARC group; they are among the few (perhaps the only ones) who continue to carry out practical work in alchemy. The problem, however, is that they have abandoned the classic texts in favor of the writings of their own creator—Caro—which I find less interesting.

However Frater Archer's book "Rosicrucian Magic" points to practices aiming to enable the practitioner to approach the Angelic Mind (although it is not a how to book but discusses his experiences and interpretation of a Rosicrucian prayer ritual in light of history and published Rosicrucian documentation). Toward the end of the book Frater Archer begins a sort of reconstruction of Rosicrucian Magic.
I don’t believe I’ve read that; I’ll try to track it down. We have a book in French that discusses the magical aspect of the Golden Rosicrucian Order (Rose Croix d’Or)—though, in my view, that’s not their strong suit. The alchemical side is far more interesting, and the documents concerning magic are essentially attempts to use alchemical byproducts in magical operations.

I asked to join the SRIA, but as I am Jewish, I am ineligible for membership. From what I gather, it no longer has much to do with the literature I am referring to—and I doubt there are many people left in the SRIA who are familiar with Backstrom’s work. Having followed the videos from the London College, it has become very modern and is no longer truly focused on Renaissance literature.

It really seems to me that no one has thought to revive this yet in the other country and after the failure of the CRC in France.
 

Shade

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Since the late 1800s and perhaps before the history of Rosicrucianism has been one of continuous reinvention. Recently the largest Rosicrucian group split. These guys seem to be all over the place although they are demonstrably less visible than they were when I was a kid when the largest public Rosicrucian group (AMORC) had ads in the backs of almost every well read magazine at the time advertising "Mastery of life" or the keys to "Cosmic Consciousness" or "Christ Consciousness".

Asking for a quick list of the major Rosicrucian groups yields:

l in light of history and published Rosicrucian documentation). Toward the end of the book Frater Archer begins a sort of reconstruction of Rosicrucian Magic.

Very good list, there are a few others and it's worth noting that AMORC lost a lot of credibility over the past 5 years or so and has declined quickly ( It's unfortunate when looking for Rosicrucian jewelry much of it is made specifically by the AMORC group and they overprice it.

Also I could be wrong but from what I recall the OKRC is also a mason group. There is a really knowledgably guy (his name slips my mind atm, It'll randomly come to me later) That has a few degree's is a member of the OKRC and I believe he mentioned that the OKRC is one of the Rosicrucian masonic branches.

There are other Rosicrucian groups out there that are reputable, not well known, not Mason related but you have to apply and can be very hard to get into, Those that don't have and application process and even some that do ask for money (really cheap it's more of a donation as they tend to be extremely affordable especially with what you get. which can range from news letters, lesson plans and zoom meetings just to name a few things many offer for pretty much the price of a Netflix membership)

So To answer OP's original question..

@Horapollon There are many Rosicrucian groups and they all draw upon the required main texts you must read.
Fama Fraternitatis (1614),
Confessio Fraternitatis (1615),
and The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreuz (1616)
from there groups recommend other literature be it optional or required, outside of their lesson plans, some include esoteric classics such as The Teachings of All Ages by Manly P Hall , some emphasize the works of Rudolph Steiner, Some groups have a list of requirements one must do each day, I think it was the AMORC that has/had the Rosicrucian Code of Life that were 3 codes a person should do. (example, first one when waking up contemplate on gratitude and then rise out of bed, face east drink a glass of water and Thank God for a new day and the chance at life he has given, then begin your day. (that's not word for word but the main gist of it) ther groups have some things similar to that they recommend you do.

Rudolph Steiner goes over self-initiation and many mindful exercises one must do, so many do choose self-initiation before officially joining a group. They then apply what the group has to offer while continuing their own practices they find beneficial. The one thing every group new or old that all do is they all take spiritual development seriously.
 

Horapollon

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I find the manifestos interesting, but the Christian millenarian aspect doesn't particularly appeal to me; that is why the Tübingen Circle is fascinating from a historical perspective, though less so from an operative one. In contrast, the literature I mentioned above (though I believe that message hadn't gone through yet when you replied, I need a moderator) is very much focused on the operative side, not just Paracelsianism, but often classical alchemy as well. :)
 

Horapollon

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I am not sure whether there has ever been anything related to the RC manifestos or the second wave structured in an alchemical order in the AMORC.
 

frater_pan

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I am not sure whether there has ever been anything related to the RC manifestos or the second wave structured in an alchemical order in the AMORC.
AMORC seems to emphasize spiritual alchemy BUT they publish documents that can be read as implying that spiritual alchemy is not the totality of their view or approach. Such as
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You can download this using the pdf icon on the page. This document also discusses the Chymical Wedding ....
 

q07020254

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以下是我个人的观点:1. 作为秘密社团,金色黎明会和玫瑰十字会只能隐秘存在——这是诺斯替主义的基本要求。他们只向被选中的人或精英阶层揭示“灵知”。2. 你今天遇到的任何金色黎明会或玫瑰十字会团体都应该被视为以牟利为目的、旨在榨取你钱财的营利性组织。3. 请记住,真正的“灵知”是隐藏的、选择性的;它被垄断并被严密掩盖。我们只能通过在信息海洋中拼凑碎片,才能瞥见它的一丝端倪。
 

frater_pan

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以下是我个人的观点:1. 作为秘密社团,金色黎明会和玫瑰十字会只能隐秘存在——这是诺斯替主义的基本要求。他们只向被选中的人或精英阶层揭示“灵知”。2. 你今天遇到的任何金色黎明会或玫瑰十字会团体都应该被视为以牟利为目的、旨在榨取你钱财的营利性组织。3. 请记住,真正的“灵知”是隐藏的、选择性的;它被垄断并被严密掩盖。我们只能通过在信息海洋中拼凑碎片,才能瞥见它的一丝端倪。
So we have to use English on this board.

However you have some interesting points:
Here is my personal perspective: 1. As secret societies, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Rosicrucians can only exist in the shadows—this is a fundamental requirement of Gnosticism. They reveal "Gnosis" (esoteric knowledge) only to the chosen few or an elite class. 2. Any group you encounter today claiming to be the Golden Dawn or the Rosicrucians should be viewed as a for-profit organization—one designed solely to extract money from you. 3. Remember, true "Gnosis" is hidden and selective; it is monopolized and kept under strict concealment. We can only catch a fleeting glimpse of it by piecing together fragments scattered across an ocean of information.
There really are Golden Dawn organizations that are focused on the magick and not on the $. The same with the Rosicrucians.

We can catch much more than fleeting glimpses. We live in a time when valid and authentic occult knowledge has never been more available.

However there are the same problems with organizations: they either don't do enough (AMORC and IMO BOTA) or they fade in and out of existence (this happened in the past couple of years with an OTO GD-ish offshoot/initiative). Or there are problems with the organization itself, internally, and people could end up with interpersonal problems.

However life is short. We have < 100 years max at any given point until our personal magickal influence will be removed from the board.
Post automatically merged:

What interests me is the literature produced by groups linked to the Golden Rosicrucian Order of the 17th and 18th centuries, primarily in the german speaking area, even though there are exceptions. Not all the various organizations that claim some connection to the Rosicrucian tradition. ^^
Aside from the Fama, the Confessio and the Chymical Wedding which are you thinking of?
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q07020254 said:
Here is my personal perspective: 1. As secret societies, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Rosicrucians can only exist in the shadows—this is a fundamental requirement of Gnosticism. They reveal "Gnosis" (esoteric knowledge) only to the chosen few or an elite class.
One thing I forgot to add - while there are valid organizations not just interested in $, there do seem to have an inner court and an outer court and aside from ritual prayer (in effect) people who are new to the organization tend not to be exposed to magick , if the organization even practices magick, until later. When is later though? Life is short.

So organizations do seem to be gatekeeping magick. This doesn't seem to be a real issue in wicca/witchcraft though (although there might be other issues).
 
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Horapollon

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Aside from the Fama, the Confessio and the Chymical Wedding which are you thinking of?
  • Die wahrhaffte und vollkommene Bereitung des Philosophischen Steins der Brüderschafft aus dem Orden des Gülden- und Rosen-Creutzes - Samuel Richter
  • The Thesaurus Thesaurorum
  • Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer, aus dem 16ten und 17ten Jahrhundert
  • Aurea Catena Homeri - Anton Josef Kirchweger
  • Opus Mago-Cabbbalisticum et Theosophicum - Heinrich von Welling
To mention only few elements that truly pertain to these structures, rather than other, more conventional alchemical materials that might be used. :)
 
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