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Rosicrucianism, an order which is historically esoteric by nature, is one of the few that has planted roots in the Western mystery tradtion. Basically, it is considered as well as an Hermetic Order that typically deals with some sort of astrology, magic and alchemy (popularly known as the ancestor of the modern science).

Generally, for many earlier and modern Rosicrucianists, it reflects as a “College of Invisibles” which basically comes from the inner worlds and is consists of impressive Adepts who mainly focuses on providing aid in spiritual evolvement of mankind.

The Rose Cross

Historically, Rosicrucianism speaks of the Rose Cross and is belived by most students that deals with metaphysics as vital part or provider of the hermetic-Christian tradition relating to the Western alchemy treatises released after the early 14th century, prior to the publication of Dante’s The Divine Comedy.

Rosicrucianism or the Rose Cross is believed to have taken place during the early 17th century, between 1607 and 1616, when three anonymous documents – Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis, Confessio Fraternitatis, and Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, were produced in Europe. Thus, making the period of the 17th century as the “Rosicrucian Enlightenment”.

Possible Origin

As aforementioned, there were three anonymous documents produced in the early 17th century: Fama Fraternitatis, Confessio Fraternitatis, and the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz. Later on, these documents were called Rosicrucian manifestos.

By joint effort, such manifestos presented “C.R.C.”, the legend of a German pilgrim that basically founded the Rosicrucian Order. For the record, the said Order was consist of not more than eight members and has actually disappeared for some time but was renewed later on almost during the early 17th century.

By nature, the manifestos symbolize a lot of stuff and since their reproduction were translated in a number of means. Basically, they record a journey to the Orient made by a pseudonymous Christian Rosenkreuz, someone who aims to impart to others the secret wisdom he has gained.

Directly, the manifestos do not discuss Rosenkreuz’s years of birth and death, however, in the second manifesto, in the Confessio Fraternitatis, the said years of birth and death was quite mentioned and was said to may have actually started in the year 1378 (Rosenkreuz’s year of birth) and ended in the year 1484 as Rosenkruez was believed to have lived for 106 years. For some reasons, the Order was believed to have occurred in 1407 (between the inclusive dates).

Remarkable Interpretations on the Possible Origin

There were a lot of factual interpretations and legends associated with the possible origin of Rosicrucianism.

And one of which is actually the idea stated in a lesser-known legend, described in the writings of the Masonic historian E.J. Marconis de Negre, who together with his father Gabriel M. Marconis is considered as the founder of the “Rite of Memphis-Misraim” of Freemasonry, that the Rosicrucian Order was created in the year 46 when Ormus, an Alexandrian Gnostic wise man, and his six followers were change by the disciple Mark; hence having a symbol of a red cross surmounted by a rose.

Such story was also believed and supported by some members of modern organized para-Masonic groups, which call themselves “Rosicrucian”.

But, for some reasons, the said interpration was opposed by the students of modern Rosicrucian Christian groups by which the Rose Cross was believed to have started in the early 14th century, somehow for the efforts of Christian Rosenkreuz.

Another interpration that is quite similar is the one by Emile Dantinne whereby Rosicrucians is believed to probably have an Islamic connection as what actually described in the second manifesto Fama Fraternitatis. Historically, Rosenkreuz started at a young age and because of this, unintentionally, he was led to Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco, where he got relevations to “universal harmonic science.”

Later on, he went on to Jerusalem, then to Damcar, and eventually to Egypt where he stopped for awhile. Then, he continued to the center of philosophical and occult studies, Fes, and consequently to society of philosophers that have adopted Pythagorean tradition of envisioning ideas and objects.

Basically, there were many similarities between the Rosicrucianism and Brethren of Purity. Both group don’t actually wore special clothing, but both groups do abstinence, heal the sick, and offer free teachings.

The last recorded interpretation was that of Maurice Magre by which Rosenkreutz was belived to be a last descendant of the Germelshausen, a German family whose castle is located in the Thuringian.

Similalrly, it was believed that the entire family have considered Albigensian doctrines before almost all of its members were put to death by Landgrave Conrad of Thuringia. For the record, it was the youngest son who was put into exception, later on, he was placed in a monastery under the influence of the Albigenses and eventually has founded the Rosicrucian Brotherhood.

Present-day Views

The maniefestos became very popular in almost all places, and because of this, various perspectives or insights by contemporary Rosicrucianists were dispersed.

Some individuals have actually accepted the real truth about Rosicrucianism while others just sticked with their belief that Rosicrucianism is just like parables with deeper meanings.While some others, believed that Rosicrucianists was directly derived from those of the 17th century which is purely hoax or prank.

History

There a lot of significant events recorded in the history of Rosicrucianism. And the most significant of which are actually the following:

• Rosenkreuz conceived the plan for simultaneous and universal religious, philosophic, scientific, political, and artistic reform because of the foundation of the teachings in the three manifestos published.
• The “Fraternity of the Rose Cross” which is popular in the early 17th century was considered by some scholars as isolated individuals who held particular views in common and are regarded as purely hermetic knowledge. Historically, throughout their existence, they were able to create some writings that include hints of mysticism or occultism.
• The productions of Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis, Confessio Fraternitatis (1615), and Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz have changed the entire Europe a lot. Excitement was felt all throughout and somehow a secret brotherhood of alchemists and sages was considered.
• Johann Valentin Andreae, for some reasons, claimed that the Chymische Hochzeit (Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz) belongs to him.
• Authors of Rosicrucian manifestos favoured Lutheranism. But to some extent, relationship between Rosicrucians and Lutheranism is vague causing so much uncertainty. However, on the other hand, there are some who have implied connection because particularly of Martin Luther’s symbol of a cross inside an open rose.
• The association of cross and rose already existed in Portugal in 1530 in the Convent of the Order of Christ, home of the Knights Templar, later known as Order of Christ.
• Fama Fraternitatis, the first manifesto, was influenced by the work of the respected hermetic philosopher Heinrich Khunrath, of Hamburg and eventually by alchemist as well as philosopher John Dee.
• The first two manifestos and in the “Chymical Wedding” have influenced a lot of works. Some of which are the works of Michael Maier, Robert Fludd and Elias Ashmole, Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens, Gotthardus Arthusius, Julius Sperber, and many more. Among the ones mentioned, it was Elias Ashmole who produced the Theatrum Chimicum britannicum that greatly defends the Rosicrucians. Michael Maier has also in his own way defended the Rosicrucians through his writings as well.
• Henrichus Neuhusius in his 1618th pamphlet, implied that the Rosicrucians left for the East due to Europe’s instability. This interpretaion was later on disseminated by Samuel Ritcher, in 1710, and consequently by Rene Guenon. However, after which, Arthur Edward Waite, a prominent follower of Rosicrucianism have contradicted and believed that Rosicruciasions for some reasons have stayed.
• With the support of Johannes Kepler, Georg Joachim Rheticus, John Dee and Tycho Brahe together with the entire Europe, the Invisible College, a precursor to the Royal Society, was created in the 17th century. Basically, the College was deemed to purposely create sound experimental investigations for the attainment of some great discoveries and learnings.

Presumed Freemasonry Influence

In the near end of the 18th century, it was believed, particularly by Jean-Pierre Bayard, that there were two Rosicrucian-inspired Masonic rites that have emerged. The first one was the Rectified Scottish Rite that was greatly influenced by the “Golden and Rosy Cross” and second one was the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite that dealt with the Knight of the Rose Croix.

There were also a number of eminent speculative Masons naming Sir Robert Moray, Elias Ashmole and Robert Fludd who have existed consequently, proving that there was actually alleged freemasonry influence.

Golden and Rosy Cross

The Golden and Rosy Cross or the Gold und Rosenkreuzer was established by Samuel Richter (Sincerus Renatus), an alchemist in Prague in the early 18th century.

Since its foundation, the said group under Hermann Fictuld, has experienced a lot of reformations. The first one was that in 1767, the next one was in 1777 because of a decree in 1764 and the last one was in 1766.

Some of the stuff remarkable about the group is its production of the Geheime Figuren or “The Secret Symbols of the 16th and 17th century Rosicrucians” in 1785 and 1788, as well as its effort to influence the Masonic lodge which is later on called as the Grand Lodge.

Some Important Concepts

There are a number of concepts typically related to Rosicrucianism. There is the alchemy, astrology and healing. At the same time, rebirth versus transmigration and even the preservation period after death.

Basically, Alchemy is considered as the ancestor of modern chemistry. It is believed as the science making gold from base metals. Notably, the first Rosicrucians practiced alchemy in the laboratory preferably and as reference to this is actually the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz.

While, astrology in terms of Rosicrucianism, was beforehand linked to Spiritual Astrology which was believed to be the key to the Spirit, and an aid to spiritual development, self-knowledge, as well to healing with the help of Astro-Diagnosis.

On the other hand, healing in Rosicrucianism, was linked to Spiritual Healing which has something to do with some explained Egyptian mysteries and hermetic Order.

Rebirth versus transmigration in Rosicrucianism typically deals with transmigration or metempsychosis which is the reincarnation process in mankind that could happen in an interchangeable way with the animal, plant kingdoms, etc. There are some that oppose this concept, particularly those that are associated with the eastern sacred teachings.

Finally, the preservation period after death, for some Rosicrucian groups is something about the caring for the dead, and regarding death as a birth.

The Manifestos

As aforementioned, there are three manifestos associated with the development and occurrence of Rosicrucianism, the Fama Fraternitatis in 1614, Confessio Fraternitatis in 1615, and Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz in 1616:

Remarkably, nearly between 1614 and 1620, there are about 400 books and manuscripts that were published that discussed the Rose-Croix documents.

For the record, in relation to the manifestos, the Rosicrucians took the union of the cross and rose for their symbol to depict their effort and the idea that particular effort must be made by all men for the attainment of divine wisdom. Similarly, that mankind must develop the capacity for love to the point of loving all creatures and all forms perceptible to the senses to eventually realize all possibilities and become perfect in the end.

Various Groups

During the 19th century, there were a lot of various groups that claimed they Rosicrucian by nature. The various groups can actually be divided into three divisions: Esoteric Christian Rosicrucian groups, Masonic Rosicrucian groups, and Initiatic Groups.

Some of the popular Esoteric Christian Rosicrucian groups includes The Rosicrucian Fellowship which includes teachings that are basically Esoteric Christian, the Anthroposophical Society in 1912, Lectorium Rosicrucianum in 1935, and Archeosophical Society in 1968.

The Masonic Rosicrucian groups on the other hand, basically provide preparation either through the practice of symbolic-initiatic journey and/or direct study. The most popular among these groups inlude the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 1801 and Societas Rosicrucianawhich which established many branches around the world.

Finally, the Initiatic Groups, heirs of the alchemy and hermetic knowledge, created in the 15th or 17th century or earlier, include the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis in1861, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1888, Order of the Temple of the Rosy Cross in 1912, Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, (AMORC) in 1915, Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship in 1924 and many more.