The term "Rosicrucian" evokes a variety of meanings and references to those who hear it. Some tie it to alchemy or reincarnation while others think it is tied to the mysteries of the Kabbalah or the arcane side of Christianity. Who exactly are the Rosicrucians and what do they do?

As with all things worthy of research one must start at the beginning. The Brethren of the Rosie Cross first surfaced about three and a half centuries ago in Germany at the beginning of the seventeenth century. At that time which was post Reformation, part of Germany was Protestant and part was Catholic. There was a great deal of unease caused by the disparity of individual belief systems and the tension that ensued could be likened to waiting for the other shoe to drop. History shows us that all of this unrest would eventually erupt into the Thirty Year's War which was one of the most calamitous wars in Europe.

The Amazing Rosenkruetz...About this time, around 1614-1615 in the small town of Kassel two mysterious manifestos of unknown authorship appeared. The first manifesto was titled Fama Fraternitatis des Löblichen Ordens des Rosenkreutzes which translates to The Proclamation of the Praiseworthy Order of the Rosy Cross. This tome was written in German but the titles was a blend of German and Latin. The second manifesto was titled Confession Fraternitatis translated to Confessio of the Fraternity. Both documents told a strange and curious tale about a person called Christian Rosenkruetz who was born in the year 1378. At sixteen years of age he traveled to Damcar in Arabia where there allegedly existed a Utopian community. Here Rosenkruetz learned Arabic and was schooled in the occult and the sciences. He also discovered a mysterious book referred to with a very simple name... The Book of M which he translated into Latin.

In the ensuing years, Rosenkruetz would travel extensively - first to Fez in Morocco which housed one of the oldest universities and where he was exposed to "elemental spirits" who taught him magickal "secrets"; next to Spain where he met with disapproval and mockery when he tried to share his knowledge and finally back to Germany. It was in Germany where he gathered together men of "like mind" and organized the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross. The men met at their headquarters called the House of the Holy Spirit where they studied ancient wisdom and set about doing good works and healing the sick with some amazing results. It is believed that Rosenkruetz died in 1484. He was106 years old.

The Vault of Mystery...After Rosenkruetz left the Earth Plane, the organization was maintained by the brotherhood. In 1604, while renovating the headquarters, the brothers came across a hidden door. The door was inscribed with Latin which when translated read, "After 120 years I shall open." Behind the door they found a seven sided vault. It was illuminated by an artificial sun that graced the middle of the ceiling casting light upon the ceiling, the floor and the walls which were covered in symbols. They also found many chests in the room which contained books and ritual objects. There was an altar at the center of the vault and beneath the altar was a coffin containing the uncorrupted body of Rosenkruetz. The brothers took this as a sign that it was time for the society of the Rosy Cross to "go public" and invite people of "learning and goodwill" to participate in the organizations goals.

The Ideals...The brethren believed in a multifaceted system of Universal Knowledge that incorporated a strong belief in Christ and the scriptures as well as philosophy, theology, astrology and mathematics. They claimed to have ancient wisdom and thus able to decode the Bible and the Kabbalah. They were also adept at interpreting symbols and knew much about Alchemy.

The Rosecrucians believed that Europe was on the threshold of a New Age of spiritual and intellectual enlightenment with politics imbued by brotherly love. They asserted that their role was to help usher in these new concepts. In 1616, a third document was published titled Die Chymische Hochziet Christiani Rosenkruetz which translates to The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkruetz. The tome was authored by a nineteen year old Lutheran pastor Johann Valentin Andreae. The document relates an account of Rosenkruetz's experiences as a guest of the wedding of a king and queen. It was a retelling full of imagery and symbolism including - for example - guests are transported to n island by seven ships bearing flags of the then known seven planets. An "alchemical" operation is conducted in a seven storied tower where two homounculi are created from six people who have been killed. The homounculi the receive souls through a hole in the tower roof through which they descend. In later years Andreae referred to this writing as jest but the total effect of this manifesto and the original two had an astounding effect in Europe and created great deal of controversy both good and bad. Oddly many people aspired to be a part of the organization although actual admittance that one was a member was rare. Elias Ashmole, one of the founders of Freemasonry was one of these.

It is common knowledge that in many circles people believe there was and is a tie between the Rosicrucians and the Knights Templar and Freemasonry as well as offshoot organizations. Some believe that Freemasonry began as an imitation of what Rosicrucianism is supposed to be. The various "offshoots" of Rosicrucianism today claim to have access to the "true secrets" of the Rosy Cross. One successful example is England's Order of the Golden Dawn. In its heyday it enlisted many well known intellectuals within its membership although eventually the whole affair died down. Another example is America's Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC) founded by H. Spencer Lewis.

Today the various Rosicrucian organizations offer study programs for self enlightenment that can be applied in a practical way. The general theme seems to be one of universality. The studies incorporate transformation on all levels of being: physical, mental, emotional, psychic, and spiritual. Many of the orders are "Initiative" whereby the individual passes through "Degrees" of study, rituals, ceremonies, exercises, and demonstrations that have a long historical background buoyed by new information that is constantly being added such as the ecological, the technical, the political and artistic.

Not more of Light we ask, O God,But eyes to see what is;Not sweeter songs, but ears to hearThe present melodies;Not greater strength, but how to useThe power that we possess;Not more of love, but skill to turnA frown to a caress;Not more of joy, but how to feelIts kindling presence near,To give to others all we haveOf courage and of cheer.No other gift, dear God, we ask,But only sense to seeHow best the precious gifts to useWe have received from Thee.Give us all fears to dominate,All holy joys to know,To be the friends we wish to be,To speak the truth we know;To love the pure, to seek the good,To lift with all our might,All souls to dwell in harmonyIn Freedom's perfect light.

content courtsey of:

http://www.thegalaxyexpress.com/ceremonial-order

http://rosicrucien.info/rfs/rfseng09.htm