This beautiful image of the Hermetic Rose Cross, obtained with grateful thanks from the Hermetic Fellowship, will clearly show to anyone familiar with the common colour attributions of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life how closely related are the disciplines of Kabbalah and Rosicrucianism.
A Brief History of Rosicrucianism
Traditionally, Rosicrucianism traces its roots to the mystery schools of Ancient Egypt, and it is certainly true that many lines of thought which are now considered to be characteristically Rosicrucian do appear in Egyptian sources. However, the first references in print to the Rosy Cross under that name appeared in Germany in the 16th Century, when three seminal works were published: the Fama Fraternitatis, the Confessio Fraternitatis and the Chymische Hochzeit, or Alchemical Wedding. English translations of all these works can be found here.
The
traditional symbol of the Rosy Cross, a red rose at the centre of a golden
cross, clearly has Christian connotations; but mystical aspects derived
from many diverse faiths, including the Jewish tradition of Kabbalah, are
evident in many Rosicrucian writings.
From early times the Rosicrucians stressed that they were not to be thought of as different from any of their countrymen (each was exhorted to "dress after the manner of the country in which you dwell"), even though they might be in possession of knowledge that was not available to everyone. For this reason, Rosicrucians through the ages have been disinclined to sound their trumpet from the rooftops and, in consequence, they would appear to have gained an undeserved reputation for secrecy.
It is true that at some times the movement has been more active and in the public eye than at others, but its adherents explain this in terms of a natural law of cycles, an ebb and flow of the energies that power mankind's ongoing quest for spiritual enlightenment. Rosicrucianism today is an active, vibrant community, fully up to the challenge of bringing an ancient spiritual tradition into the modern age.
How to find out more
There are many organisations operating in the world today under the name of "Rosicrucian". Of these, a handful may fairly claim to have access to the authentic Rosicrucian tradition and teachings. Of these few, the Antiquus Mysticusque Ordo Rosae Crucis ("Ancient and Mystical Order of the Rosy Cross" or AMORC) has probably the largest worldwide following: there is almost certainly an Affiliated Body operating in a city near you. It disseminates the ancient teachings through a tried and tested system of graded lessons, supplemented with practical experience and the opportunity for interchange of ideas with others of like mind.
From time to time, public meetings are held which will enable you to meet people from the Order and find out more about its teachings. Details of these will be found on the websites, or from local advertising.
Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry
I have put this section here because it is a question I am often asked, but, let us be quite clear about this: there is NO direct connection between Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry. The misconception that there is, arises because one of the degrees in a particular Masonic rite (specifically, the 18th degree of the Ancient and Accepted, or Scottish, Rite) is called the Rose Croix. This is described as a "philosophical degree" which serves to "emphasize a new law that the only lasting Temple is in the soul of man". Whilst this is certainly one possible interpretation of the red rose representing the human heart at the centre of the universe of four elements as represented by the four arms of the cross, this is far from being the whole, or even a major part, of Rosicrucian mysticism.
However, it must be said that some sort of historical link between the now separate traditions is quite possible, and indeed likely, given that many prominent personages in the past have been both Rosicrucians and Freemasons. And it must also be said that there exist even today a few Rosicrucian societies open exclusively to Freemasons (SocRos, SRIA), which nevertheless have made a significant contribution to the development of the Rosicrucian mainstream.
