Rosicrucian Groups List and Overview

Welcome to the Rosicrucian Groups Overview.

This document contains a list of available Orders around the world at present. We have provided this list to help you decide which Order is right for YOU, fitting to your path, interest and yes – your gut feeling.

Special thanks to those of you who helped contribute, you know who you are.

We have used a standard structure to outline each Order:

Name:

Main Symbol:

Founded:

Country:

Founder:

Mysterious Origins Claim:

Teachings:

Orientation:

Grades:

Traditional Score:

Spiritual Score:

Connections to Other Orders:

In addition I have added a summary Rosicrucian Review of each Order, covering:

Traditional Score. Spiritual Score.

The first of these determines how well the Order represents the traditional values set out in the earliest Rosicrucian documents: the Fama, Confessio, the Chemical Wedding and the Pansophic Treatises. These seven key documents are referred to in my Rosicrucian Reviews.

The second of these scores known as the Spiritual Score determines the Order’s value in terms of personal development. Be warned: this covers not only spiritual development, but also development of the individual in terms of bringing about a well-rounded individual who is not only positive and spiritual, but who is also a critical thinker, a creative thought leader and friend to others.

Orders which have elements representing the early documents do well in the Traditional Score. They are strong representations of the teachings outlined including: Trinosophia (Magic, Alchemy, Cabala), Christosophia (Christian Mysticism) and Pansophia (Reformation, Utopianism, and Universal Learning.)

Those Orders which create a well-balanced individual who is a great example of the Rosicrucian path do well in the Spiritual Score. Naturally those Orders who principally uphold the value of brotherhood and love gain some credit here.

Artwork donated by Stephen Murtaugh

Builders of the Adytum (BOTA)

* Recommended by Pansophers.com, best monographs available.

Name: Builders of the Adytum (BOTA)

Main Symbol: Cubic Stone with Alchemical Symbols.

Founded: 1922.

Country: International.

Founder: Paul Foster Case

Mysterious Origins Claim: Claimed to be in contact with Secret Chiefs being unknown invisible Rosicrucian Adepts, particularly Master R. The same Secret Chiefs were said to be the origin of the Golden Dawn. BOTA members believe that after the Golden Dawn schism, the Secret Chief(s) then aided Paul Foster Cause to continue the Rosicrucian Order.

Teachings: “The Open Door”. BOTA lessons are based mainly upon Cabala and Tarot. The Tarot is called a ‘pictorial key to the Cabala.’ The lessons are organized well and rated of the highest quality of all available lessons from any Rosicrucian Order. Although the Order itself today, after a series of changes in leadership, is going to sleep, its American branches being little more than a publishing house and the temple work barely operating. In the lessons, Eastern principles and concepts such as Tattwas and Gunas are included, yoga practices compared to alchemical, and references are cited throughout. Western alchemists and other historians are quoted extensively, particularly in PFC’s course on alchemy. Teachings are delivered through the mail for a small monthly fee, four lessons per month, for those who join BOTA, sign an oath and practice self initiation. Ongoing membership is required to receive the lessons. The course includes written instruction by Paul Foster Case as well as transcribed (by Helen Owen) oral instruction received by Ann Davies, successor to PFC in Los Angeles. The current set of distributed lessons by PFC and AD takes 14-15 years to complete. If one were to only complete the courses by PFC, this would take approximately 6+ years. Lessons which include practices (meditation, sound and color, concentration, gematria, constructions, etc.) may take longer to complete. One does not have to attend a physical temple in order to complete the Great Work by correspondence, if one actually adheres to the instructions and practices the work in daily life, though it is suggested that each course examination be completed and submitted to the temple for review and comment, plus certificate of completion.

Orientation: Hermetic (Through Tarot)

Grades: BOTA provides organized and graded advancement, ritual and magic through their Pronaos and secret group work. PFC did not feel a need for advancement to grades higher than 5=6. Forces are received or transmitted from the spheres above Tiphareth.

Traditional Score: 70

Spiritual Score: 80

Connections to Other Orders: Paul Foster Case was a member of the Golden Dawn, his teachings are an elaboration upon its Hermetic correspondences and Tarot system. A few offshoot orders have formed and are led by former BOTA members such as FLO and SOL.

What to Read: ‘The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order’ by Paul Foster Case.

Link: http://www.bota.org/

Memphis Misraim – Egyptian Masonry

Note: while not largely seen as a Rosicrucian Order, pansophers.com definitely counts the M.M as one of the older Rosicrucian traditional Orders due to its roots and teachings.

Name: Rite of Misraim, Rite of Memphis, and Rite of Memphis Misraim (join of both rites).

Main Symbol: a winged egg as the symbol of the child Horus and soul’s regeneration.

Founded: 1803 (or 1780 from Cagliostro)

Country: Italy and France.

Founder: Cagliostro, Bedaridde Brothers – possibly Saint Germaine.

Mysterious Origins Claim: Cagliostro claimed to have been schooled by an Egyptian mentor Althotas and later was initiated by Saint Germaine, who then was named Grand Master of all Freemasonry by Cagliostro, who had appointed him as Grand Master of the Rosicrucians. Various branches of French Egyptian Masonry claim to have encountered the Order during Napoleon’s campaigns in Egypt. The French explorations triggered an Egyptomania, all things Egypt being more mysterious, more sacred and the world’s mysteries attributed to this civilization in its origins. The Rite of Misraim followed Cagliostro’s Egyptian Rite, attributing the source of the Rite to ‘Misraim, grandson of Noah and first Pharaoh to the Egyptians.’ The Rite of Memphis was an attempt to Christianize the Rite of Misraim, adding a legend of an Egyptian sage named Ormus who had converted to Christianity, reforming the rites of Serapis to adhere to the mysteries taught to him by Mark in 96AD. We must be clear, Cagliostro is the founder of all Egyptian Masonry and was a Rosicrucian. The F.U.D.O.S.I meetings of HSL and Peladan etc. concluded the Egyptian Rite ‘had a Rosicrucian origin.’ The highest occult training of the Egyptian Rites is Rosicrucian internal alchemy.

Teachings: The grades are broken over five classes: moral, symbolic, mystic, alchemical, kabbalistic. The grades teach aspects of the Greek and Egyptian mysteries mostly, however they touch upon Hindu, Persian fire mysteries, and other various cultures. The grades are a tour of the ancient world. Not all M.M bodies have an official teaching. Martinism is strongly tied to the M.M as many consider the M.M a masonic branch teaching the same ideas. It is in every way: esoteric masonry. It’s highest teaching is called the Arcana Arcanorum, normally reserved for the top 4 grades to the 99th degree. The A.A consist of internal alchemy secrets. There are many variations to the A.A. Mallinger’s Belgium A.A has both internal alchemy and summons the 7 Olympic planetary spirts (as gods). The practice of the A.A versions are normally a sexual internal alchemy derived from Kremmerz. The original A.A grades of Misraim had no occult aspect to them. Most claim that the A.A comes from Cagliostro however such is not the case. The A.A is considered the highest of all western mysteries.

Orientation: Masonic, Rosicrucian, Gnostic, Templar, Alchemical.

Grades: 80 grades for Misraim, 90 grades for Memphis, 99 grades for Memphis Misraim.

Traditional Score: 77.

Spiritual Score: 77.

Connections to Other Orders: Martinism, the Memphis Misraim grants a Gnostic Bishop consecration at its 66th degree, and is therefore tied to various French Gnostic churches. Templarism is often connected as a side Order. The Order of Myriam from Italy and the Osiris Order of Kremmerz is tied in, seeing that some M.M branches use the Kremmerz Arcana Arcanorum. The Ordo Templi Orientis of Karl Kellner was a 9 degree version of the M.M. The layer Crowley OTO added Thelema but there are still branches of pre-thelemic OTO active which are brilliant. The Golden Dawn gets its pentagram ritual from the A.A of the M.M amongst other things. Steiner’s Misraim Dienst (Misraim Service) is also a 9 degree version of the Rite of Misraim granted by Reuss which uses Kerning’s internal alchemy for its own A.A which is largely considered the A.A of the old German Rites. Lastly some branches of the Theosophical Society of Blavatsky secretly work the Egyptian Rite calling it ‘ER’ for code, and has been worked since the early days of the T.S.

Anthroposophical Society

NAME: Anthroposophical Society. Though not normally considered to be a Rosicrucian society – in fact it has many Rosicrucian elements. Steiner in his writings makes a distinction between his R.C teachings and his Anthroposophy teachings however, identifying them as separate and at the same time saying that his Anthroposophy is the R.C current combined with much more.

MAIN SYMBOL: No symbol for the Society itself, but Steiner used the black cross wreathed by 7 red roses which was shared by several German R.C currents at the time.

FOUNDED: 1912

COUNTRY: Germany

FOUNDER: Rudolf Steiner

MYSTERIOUS ORIGINS CLAIM: Steiner claimed to be aligned with the True Rosicrucian stream, but did not teach anything which he had not personally verified through his own occult research. Many of his teachings can be traced back to Theosophy (Blavatsky). Thanks to research from Richard Cloud we now know Steiner was in fact initiated into the secret Kerning Order in 1887. Steiner credited his teachings to the ‘Master M’ who has been identified as the Pansophic teacher Alois Mailander who held a Rosicrucian circle in Kempten. This figure claimed to be the incarnation of John the Baptist returned. In Steiner’s ‘Temple Legend’ we learn that Christian Rosenkreuz was the next incarnation of John, implying that by knowing Mailander personally Steiner himself therefore had direct contact with the Rosicrucian founder described in the Fama.

TEACHINGS: Christianity mixed with Blavatsky Theosophy which often makes for a mix of obscure ideas. Steiner drew from many authors and thinkers, too many to list here. Having such a strong influence from Blavatsky scores badly in the world of Rosicrucianism. She was also expelled by Mailander from his Rosicrucian circle for dealing with dark forces (her teachers). Anthroposophy is said to be a complete teaching yet where most R.C schools are quite compatible with each other – Steiner’s use of his own terms and weird ideas often isolates Anthroposophist from the rest of the community. The other problem is that Anthroposophy has yet to produce another visionary like Steiner himself, making it a kind of religion, although a few, in small circles do very well. Steiner’s Rosicrucian books are interesting. He does teach the literal belief in Christian Rosenkreuz as a historical figure where most take it symbolically. Without doubt Steiner offers one of the most well-rounded approach to the R.C even if some ideas are fantastical or weird.

ORIENTATION: Rosicrucian/Blavatsky-Theosophical

GRADES: The Anthroposophical Society does not possess grades, but does maintain an inner School of Spiritual Science for members who wish to join the First Class.

Traditional Score: 50

Spiritual Score: 70

CONNECTIONS TO OTHER ORDERS: The Anthroposophical Society officially has no connection to any Orders, although Steiner set up the Misraim Deinst to be its inner Rosicrucian Order.

What to Read: Rudolf Steiner ‘An Outline of Occult Science.’

Link: www.anthroposophy.org

Misraim Dienst / Steiner’s Rosicrucian Order

Name: Misraim Deinst translates to ‘Misraim Service’ or titled the Mystica Aeterna.

Main Symbol: Black Cross with a circular wreath of Seven Roses, a shining Star behind it.

Founded: 1906 Germany

Country: Germany, Sweden, Denmark

Founder: Rudolf Steiner, Theodore Reuss

Mysterious Origins Claim: The Misraim Deinst is a branch of the Egyptian Rite of Masonry (Memphis Misraim) which claims to have been founded by the first pharaoh of Egypt name Misraim, a grandson of Noah. Steiner claimed his rite would be the restoration of the Rosicrucian ceremonies through his clairvoyant perception. Steiner as well continued the inner method of the Masonic Kerning Order in which he was initiated. By gaining permission to operate the Egyptian Rite he continued the Kerning method in his Third Class. Steiner ultimately claimed direct contact with Christian Rosenkreuz via Alois Mailander, who was thought to be the reincarnation of C.R.C and John the Baptist. For the most part the Misraim Dienst is actually a continuation of the Kerning Order.

Teachings: evolution of Man and Earth in seven stages as per Blavatsky. Chakras and Seven Planets. Occult Meditation and Exercises. Development of the I Am to metamorphose the astral, etheric and physical body. The secret teachings of the Misraim Deinst derived from Alois Mailander.

Orientation: A strange form of Rosicrucianism/Anthroposophy, Esoteric Christianity.

Grades: First Class: not Ritual, but entirely based on esoteric lessons, mantras and meditations. Second Class: I° Accepted Apprentice; II° Companion of Art; III° Master of St. John Johannine; IV° Master of the Royal Arch; V° Prince of Rose Croix; VI° Knight Kadosh – Templar Knight; Third Class: VII° Brother of the Grail – Oriental Templar Knight; VIII° Gnosticus; IX° Illuminatus, X° Rex Summus.

Traditional Score: 50

Spiritual Score: 73

Connections to Other Orders: Steiner began his public esoteric activity in the Theosophical Society. The Memphis-Misraim charter was given to Steiner from Theodor Reuss in order for Steiner to represent the O.T.O. in Berlin. Robert Felkin, the chief of the Stella Matutina, was initiated by Steiner in the Misraim Service. Felkin took the higher degrees of the system and adapted them for the higher grades of the Stella Matutina. Max Heindel was initiated in the Misraim Service and then broke off to form his own church, the Rosicrucian Fellowship. The renewed form of the First Class is still cultivated in the Anthroposophical Society.

What to Read: ‘Freemasonry and Ritual Work’ by Steiner.

Confraternity of the Rose Cross

Name: Confraternity of the Rose Cross

Main Symbol: Equal-armed gold cross with a red rose at its center

Founded: 1996 United States

Country: International

Founder: Gary L. Stewart

Mysterious Origins Claim: In 1987, Gary L. Stewart became Imperator of the AMORC after having been personally prepped and selected by Ralph M. Lewis (son of Harvey S. Lewis). A few years later, AMORC made internal allegations against Stewart and he was removed from his position as Director of AMORC, although in 1993, all allegations were formally removed and dispensed. Stewart founded his new order, the Confraternity of the Rose Cross to teach the core of Harvey S. Lewis’ work as preserved in his original monographs, written between 1915 and 1939. Key to these teachings is a document passed on from Harvey S. Lewis- to Ralph M. Lewis- to Gary L. Stewart- known as “The Nodin Manuscript”. The 2nd part of this manuscript contains information that has been seen by few and remains in the possession of Stewart, among other objects of significance that were passed on to him. The Nodin Manuscript itself is said to contain a new series of Rosicrucian teachings which shall be released in future. In the traditional history of Harvey Spenser Lewis the origins of the Order come from ancient Egypt with connections to Imhotep. As the author I would also state: CR+C represents a stronger Rosicrucian Tradition than AMORC. Although both CR+C/AMORC have the same origins – the Imperatorship of the tradition is continued with Gary Stewart. It is my personal experience that CR+C produces more well-rounded students. Lastly, it is well to note that the original lessons used by CR+C as written by HSL are more occult based whereas those provided by modern AMORC in my opinion are far too new agey to wear the R.C brand.

Teachings: CR+C Teaches spiritual truths and personal enlightenment along the mystical path– through an approach of mystical pantheism. Its teachings are a system of study and initiation involving the topics of Intuition, Meditation, Visualization, Development of Will, the Nature of Matter and Perfecting the Physical Body. Lessons are distributed through posted weekly lessons called Monographs and structured in a series of Degrees, with each Degree building upon the previous one.

Orientation: Mysticism, personal enlightenment, Spiritualism

Grades: 12 Grades based on the Golden Rosenkreuzer grades plus illuminati section.

Traditional Score: 50

Spiritual Score: 75

Connections to Other Orders: Order of the Militia Crucifera Evangelica (OMCE) and the British Martinist Order (BMO). Many students of AMORC also study with CR+C to receive the original teachings.

What to Read: ‘Awakened Attitude‘ by Gary L Stewart and CRCsite.org

CR+C Side Order – Order Militia Crucifera Evangelica (OMCE)

Name: Order Militia Crucifera Evangelica (OMCE)

Main Symbol: yellow cross and red rose over black and white shield. Two swords crossing behind the Rose cross and above the shield.

Founded: July 16, 1990

Country: U.S.A and other countries around the globe

Founder: Gary L. Stewart

Mysterious Origins Claim: The Order is set up ‘in the spirit of what was thought to have occurred at the meeting tradition calls the Cruce Signandorum Conventus held on July 27, 1586 in Luneburg, Germany.’ This meeting was mentioned by Simon Studion in his work Naometria and was supposed to have been held to reorganize the M.C.E. Traditionally, its purpose was to activate the surviving remnants of the ‘Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (the Knights Templar) and that of the Rosae Crucis, and to actualise the mystical and spiritual doctrinal teachings and practices of both of these currents, Templar and Rosicrucian, to present to a world on the brink of religious crisis.’ In other words – if one accepts the idea that Studion was behind setting up the Rosicrucians this Order within the Confraternity serves to reconnect and may be the authentic connection to those origins.

Teachings: The Militia itself is not for beginners. In this branch of the Confraternity all of the more serious Rosicrucian research is being done and members have written fine papers.

Orientation: Christian, Templar and Rosicrucian mix. Bear in mind that for many the Templars have nothing to do with the Rosicrucians, whilst other Orders link them together.

Grades: Chain of command in military structure.

Connections to Other Orders: CR+C, British Martinist Order.

The Rosicrucian Fellowship

NAME: The Rosicrucian Fellowship

MAIN SYMBOL: White Cross wreathed by 7 red roses, with an 8th white rose in the center, backed by golden pentagram on blue background.

FOUNDED: 1909 America.

COUNTRY: International. Both official and non-affiliated groups.

Founder: Max Heindel

MYSTERIOUS ORIGINS CLAIM: Max Heindel claimed to be an initiate of the True and Secret Rosicrucian Order in Germany. He claimed the teachings he gave originate from the Order, and that his teacher (some sort of invisible Elder Brother of the Order) charged him to be their messenger to the English speaking world. His Elder Brother was in fact Ruldolf Steiner, however students of Heindel refute this claim. Alternatively they had the same Elder Brother which is unlikely seeing that Alois Mailander (the Elder bro of the Rosicrucians) had died before Heindel made contact. It is possible that Mailander’s successor was the Elder Bro and many Germans maintained they had contact with Mailander even after his death. It is certain that Heindel was a member of the Misraim Deinst and that he copied the Temple Legend taught there.

TEACHINGS: Christian Mysticism and astrology. Like Steiner it often makes for a strange mix that is not very compatible with other Rosicrucian Orders. His teachings take more of a devotional approach rather than occult practice, and yet his five main practices are very effective and of themselves very occult and when used properly will yield great results. Like Steiner he teaches spiritual centers in the body and has served to further Christianize the Blavatsky elements apparent in Steiner’s teachings.

ORIENTATION: A Rosicrucian Church, that calls itself an ‘association of Christian mystics.’

GRADES: The RCF possesses no grades, but it does distinguish between Students, Probationers, and Disciples, mirroring anthroposophy’s three classes.

Traditional Score: 34 (no alchemy, magic, kabbalah, little Pansophy)

Spiritual Score: 52-70? (is it a church or an Order?)

CONNECTIONS TO OTHER ORDERS: Officially the RCF has no connection to any other Orders, however the teachings of this Order are compatible with those of Rudolf Steiner. Charles Weber did much research to show the connection between Heindel and Steiner and it seems much of what is Heindel is borrowed from Steiner and is a removal of Blavatsky’s Theosophy which in our opinion merits positive credit for any Rosicrucian seeker. The founders of the Lectoruim Rosicrucian Order were both members of the Rosicrucian Fellowship. The ‘unused sex force’ diagram that appears in the Cosmo Conception was a diagram given by both Steiner in his process documents and Mailander in his Kerning work.

What to Read: ‘The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception’ by Max Heindel.

Link: www.rosicrucian.com

Lectorium Rosicrucianum (Int. School of the Golden Rosycross)

Name: Lectorium Rosicrucianum

Main Symbol: Circle, triangle, square, and recently a point in the centre.

Founded: 1945 Netherlands Country: USA and Europe.

Founder: Jan van Rijckenborgh (Jan Leene) and his brother Z.W Leene.

Mysterious Origins Claim: Originally a 1933 offshoot of the Rosicrucian Fellowship, this Order started out with similarities to Heindel/Steiner’s approach. Their teachings took a more Gnostic approach after the Order claimed to have been aligned to an ancient gnostic lineage through the Cathars. It’s founding lineage can be traced from Theosophical Society to Anthroposophical Society to the Rosicrucian Fellowship to the Lectorium.

Teachings: Their teachings are non-dualistic, that they call “universal teaching”. They believe that man is a remnant of God, who needs to go an inner process in becoming that God. They are devotional like the Rosicrucian Fellowship, quite religious in outlook. They distance themselves from practical occult work, but have a positive view on Christian mysticism, inner alchemy, Hermeticism and other religions. The inner circle seriously study inner alchemy, kabbalah and historical works. Vegetarianism is prized by the LRC.

Orientation: No ritual work, Gnostic/Christian, sometimes to the detriment of unbiased study.

Grades: TBA

Traditional Score: 57

Spiritual Score: 67

Connections to Other Orders: Membership in other Orders is frowned upon. R. Ritman, founder of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica of Amsterdam is a member. Several famous scholars, study Hermetic and alchemical treatises at his Library

The Martinist Order

Name: The Martinist Order

Main Symbol: Martinist Pentacle

Founded: 1886 France.

Country: International, with many French and Italian branches.

Founder: Dr. Gerard Éncausse (Papus)

Mysterious Origins Claim: Papus claimed a direct lineage of descent going back to Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, as well as receiving original documents of Pasqually. Together with Augustin Chaboseau and others, he created the “Ordre Martiniste”, the first three degree system of Martinism. Within the mystical realm of the Cohens doctrine which was transmitted to Martinism from Pasqually the transmission is linked to receiving holy blessings and internal communication with an invisible initiator called La Chose. Many branches of the M.O believe their Order is the true Rosicrucian Order.

Teachings: The ancient origin of man, his first divine estate and subsequent fall therefrom into darkness and ignorance. The eventual reclaiming of this primordial state through a contemplative “Way of the Heart” and in some branches theurgy. On a practical level each branch of the M.O does something different and there are many debates as to the true Martinist method. For the most part the works of L.C.M are an elaboration of the teachings of Jacob Boehme, mixed with the ‘Treatise of Reintegration of Beings’ by Pasqually. It should also be remembered that Martinism is not always what LCM taught, many Orders including methods LCM would not have approved of, such as Tarot and talismanic work. In total the branches teach a broad range of Christian mysticism.

Orientation: Christian Mysticism, Masonic type ritual, Rosicrucian, Kabbalistic, Theurgy.

Grades: 1 – Associate 2 – Initiate 3 – Supérieur Inconnu (Unknown Superior – SI) 4 – Supérieur Inconnu Initiateur (SII)

Traditional Score: 63

Spiritual Score: 69

Connections to Other Orders: Martinism is not centralized but has many independent branches such as the O.M., TMO, OM&S, OMCC, RCMO MOUP, AMO, OMI, OMS. Its origins are in French Freemasonry and related to the Élus Coëns and the Strict Templar Observance. It is often perpetuated within, or alongside the OKR+C, R+C d’Orient and Memphis Misraim Egyptian Masonry.

What to Read: TBA

Elu Cohens as related to Martinism

Name: L’Ordre de Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l’Univers (The Knights Masons Elect Cohens of the Universe)

Main Symbol: Seal of the Coëns / EC Hexagram

Founded: 1767

Country: France and operating today inside many Martinist and Memphis Misraim Orders.

Founder: Martinez de Pasqually

Mysterious Origins Claim: Pasqually’s father received a charter from Jacobite Prince Charles Edward Stuart, giving authority to make Freemasons and found lodges, a right which was transferred to Martinez who set up his Cohens. Martinez himself never named a specific teacher, but it is rumored that he had been initiated into a 300 year old mystery-tradition and that his family was involved in the Spanish Inquisition and possessed certain banned documents.

Teachings: For the most part the Order is operative theurgy and grimoire type magic. It’s doctrine focuses on the primitive origin of man based on the Adam mythos, his fall and the eventual regaining of his original dignity, right and spiritual powers through purifying prayers, invocations, evocations, exorcisms and reconciliation. Many magical circles are used, candles, strange characters drawn on the floor and talismans and hours are observed. Though not officially a Rosicrucian Order many Rosicrucians have used this operative method and they influenced Cagliostro.

Orientation: Kabbalistic, Christian Mysticism, Gnostic, Theurgic.

Grades: Varies according to the source. They are largely masonic grades that teach magic and doctrine, ending with the final grade of Réaux+Croix

Traditional Score: 50

Spiritual Score: 50

Connections to Other Orders: French Freemasonry. The C.B.C.S of Willermoz. The Martinist Order and Memphis Misraim Egyptian Masonry.

What to Read: “Reintegration of Beings” by Martinez de Pasqually.

Kabbalistic Order of the Rose Cross

Name: Kabbalistic Order of the Rose Cross (Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose-Croix)

Main Symbol: Equal-armed cross with Tetragrammaton surmounted by Pentacle with Pentagrammaton & Hebrew Aleph, flanked with Roses.

Founded:1888

Country: France and today within many Martinist Orders.

Founder: Stanislas de Guaita

Mysterious Origins Claim: Stanilas de Guaita met with Josephin and Adrian Péladan in 1880s and by result of this contact received transmission of the Hermetic current of the Rose Cross and a large part of its teachings. Founded in 1888 to coincide with the German Golden Rosycross’s founding of their initiator grades in 1777, keeping with a tradition of following a 111 year cycle.

Teachings: Cabala, Hermetic traditions, Martinism. The Order was more an idea than actually presenting anything substantial at the beginning, ye today in France it is taken very seriously. Of import is the fact that most of the French groups also practice spagyric practical alchemy.

Orientation– Martinism, Hermeticism, Cabala, occult Christianity

Grades: first Supérieur Inconnu initiation followed by successionary degrees

Traditional Score: 69

Spiritual Score: 62

Connections to Other Orders: Martinism and Memphis Misraim. This Order was intended to be the Inner Order behind Martinism. It is a combination of several R.C degrees.

What to Read: Ambelain.

Ordo Rosae Aura (ORA) Germany’s Last Rosicrucians

Name: Ordo Rosae Aurae (ORA)

Main Symbol: Golden Rose

Founded: 1956 (Reformed in 2013 as ROTA)

Country: Germany

Founder: Martin Erler and von Bernus.

Mysterious Origins Claim: It’s monographs describe a chain of initiation linked to Pythagorean brotherhoods from Florence, Italy, along with a chain through history dating back to the Greek mystery schools. Erler himself claimed links to the Asiatic Bretheren (via Meyrink) and the Golden Rosenkreuzer. I had the pleasure to meet him in person and verified some of its history. After WWII the cream of Germany’s remaining Rosicrucians supported ORA’s creation, capturing several streams, including Rosicrucian Pansophy from Erler’s ‘spiritual father’ von Bernus.

Teachings: A strong oral tradition from Erler’s time went into its rituals. It has a set of monographs which are not considered the jewel of the Order. It’s initiation rituals contain the mystery.

Orientation: Pythagorean-Hermetic-Rosicrucian.

Grades: Five Grades.

Traditional Score: 45

Spiritual Score: 70

Connections to Other Orders: Aside from help from local Rosicrucians in Germany ORA itself is in fact the modern succession of Dantine’s Ordo Aurae Rosae Crucis of 1923, which had a branch called the as ‘L’Ordre Hermètiste Tétramégiste et Mystique.’ Within this branch co-existed a parallel Pythagorean Order which Erler inherited. Jean Mallingers manuscripts state that the ORA was a rectification of the Hermetic rite. It’s origins are rooted in Joseph Peladan’s Rosicrucian Order and the ‘original Talouse Rosicrucians’ from which Harvey Spencer Lewis also claimed initiation for his Amorc. I should also point out that since Erler’s death the Order has fractured into four branches. Erler told me himself who was to succeed him, and that particular branch is now called AERA and has members in their 80’s still going. On the Dantine side it might be worth pointing out that out that Gary Stewart (head of CR+C) has the same Imperatorship initiation that is still carried in AERA. Amorc no longer has this chain which is why its current Imperator contacted the Germans requesting Erler to install him. The request was rejected. Like Amorc the ORA also has the Shekinah altar and has some relation to Martinism.

Ordo Cordis Christi Rosa Crucis (ocXrc)

Name: Ordo Cordis Christi Rosa Crucis (ocXrc)

Main Symbol: a five-petaled rose, charged with an inverted five-petaled rose with a heart charged with a Latin cross over all.

Founded: TBA

Country: Europe, one group in USA.

Founder: TBA.

Mysterious Origins Claim: This group claims to directly descends from Tubingen Group in its lineage, also via a line of Pansophy with Moravian influences. The Moravians having infiltrated several other churches, in order to spread their doctrines also entered into German Rosicrucian and Masonic circles. During that time they formulated their traditional formalities concerning utopian communities which in turn influenced Zinzindorf’s (Zinnendorf?) utopian formalities. The Order was spread to Russia and entered Greek Orthodox occult circles whilst in Germany and Poland it remained with Moravians. The Order has its own distinct form of Christic mysticism. The current grand master is of the Moscherosch bloodline of R.C grand masters, a German family which had a direct connection with Johan Valentin Andrea. The Moscherosch name means Muse-Ros (Muse-Dew) and also Mosche-Rosch (Moses Crown), hailing from Antolian Spain origins.

Teachings: Kaballah, Mystic Christianity, Alchemy, Theurgy, Pansophy in the form of establishing Christian utopian communities. Their mystery play is an enactment of the Christianapolis by Andrea. Their internal renovation of the Church, as done upon the body, is an internal reformation which follows alchemy and invigorates the body with acts of the Bible, leading to an internal passion and resurrection of Christ. Operations of 40 days are detailed in this Order.

Orientation: Christian Mystical, with some theurgy.

Grades: 10 in 4 orders, plus a higher order

Traditional Score: 78

Spiritual Score: 100

Connections to Other Orders: Somehow connected to Waite’s FRC. They either adopted his structure but claim to be the actual source for elements of Waite’s renewed FRC rituals. If so then Waite must have been a member but as yet we need more information. Note, so far I have personally verified the Moscherosch family links on birth certificates.

Additional: Seems to have both an Ecclesia (ecXrc), of a very primitive Christianity and a Milita (Chivalric) (mcXrc), with Arthurian and old German chivilric elements.

What to read: Nothing. There is very little to be found outside this Order.

Fraternitas Rosæ Crucis (FRC)

Name: Fraternitas Rosæ Crucis (FRC).

Main Symbol: Pyramid and winged sun with cross and roses.

Founded: 1920 by Reuben Swinburne Clymer.

Country: U.S.A and Abroad.

Mysterious Origins Claim: Clymer primarily claimed to represent the movement originally founded by Pascal Beverly Randolph [1825-1875] in 1856. As well, the FRC claims a spiritual transmission and occult lineage through Freeman B. Dowd, Dr. James Phelps, and others. They have also shared accord with Arnold Krumm-Heller of the FRA, as well as George Winslow Plummer of the SRIA (meaning mutual recognition). Many arguments ensued between AMORC’s Harvey Spencer Lewis and Clymer regarding legitimacy. Both figures claimed very interesting ancient lineages to their Rosicrucian Orders. The Clymer-Randolph connection has come into question. Whatever the case the leading figures at FRA have documents in their possession of value. The FRC is housed at the beautiful “Beverly Hall” campus in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Teachings: Clymer did better than AMORC’s HSL when it came to traditional teachings. He connected to subjects of alchemy and mysticism that show a strong western teaching unlike several groups at the time which went either new-agey or in the direction of Blavatsky. Clymer was genuine in his pursuits. The lessons though perhaps suffer from a saturation of “traditional histories.” In practice, the FRC offers a series of correspondence lessons dealing with topics such as The Divine Law, Personal Responsibility, Transmutation, Breath & Diet, Sacred Sexuality, and ultimately: Soul Illumination.

Orientation: Esoteric Christian, Hermetic, Alchemical.

Orientation:

Grades: No official grades however the merged occult fraternities that comprise the FRC at present are:

– The Priesthood of Æth

– The Rosicrucian Order

– The Secret Schools

– The Hermetic Brotherhood

– Fraternitas Rosae Crucis

– Temple of the Rosy Cross

– The Order of the Magi

– Sons of Isis and Osiris

– Illuminatae Americanae

Clymer was effectively trying to bring several branches and lineages together within the FRC. Some of Krumm-Heller’s groups joined with the FRC and visa-versa so one might expect a healthy dose of European Rosicrucianism mixed with the American view.

The FRC also includes the “International Confederation of Initiates” and the “Church of Illumination” which is the Outer Court or Gateway to the Fraternity. Today, the order is led by Gerald E. Poesnecker. As you can see it uses a lot of grand names, you will have to find out what is really behind it. So far Pansophers can say for sure there are good people here.

Traditional Score: TBA

Spiritual Score: TBA

Connections to other Orders: Krumm-Heller & the HBL.

What to read: Randolph, Dowd, Phelps, Clymer, McDaniel.

SRIA Anglia and Masonic Rosicrucian Orders

Note: There are several masonic Rosicrucian bodies. I have lumped them all together seeing that they are in reality all very similar and cooperate with each other.

Name: Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA Anglia)

Main Symbol: Equal-armed red cross upon a white field inside of a golden-outlined diamond and with a pentagram adorning the center of the cross. (alternately, a bishop’s mitre with a red cross above)

Founded: 1867 England.

Country: All western countries.

Founder: Robert Wentworth Little

Mysterious Origins Claim: In 1865, Robert W. Little (who had just founded the Masonic order, the Red Cross of Constantine, in England) heard of a non-Masonic Rosicrucian Society operating in Edinburgh, Scotland being led by mason Anthony O’Neal Haye. Little, along with William James Hughan, joined this Scottish order in 1866 and passed through their 9 grades of initiation. After their completion, they held a meeting to petition for the establishing of a Rosicrucian society in London, and during their second meeting in 1867, the motion was passed to create the society based on the Scottish society’s rituals. Upon adoption of the Scottish system however, certain alterations and omissions to the rituals were called for, and when the final changes themselves proved to be unsatisfactory, the group went back to four rituals which had been discovered earlier by Robert W. Little –dating back as far as possibly 1855– when Little worked as cashier for the Grand Secretary William Henry White at Freemason’s (UGLE) hall. In a letter later written by Hughan to William Wynn Wescott, these four rituals formed the grades Zelator, Theoricus, Adeptus Minor and Adeptus Major. It is generally accepted today however that SRIA’s grades stem from, and follow the structure found in the 9 degrees of the Gold und Rosenkreuzer (Golden and Rosy Cross) order, which had been organized during their reformation in 1776, and again later in 1777. The objects of SRIAs fraternal assembly are: “The Diffusion of Light and the Advancement of Science”.

Teachings: In the words of William Wynn Wescott (and still used today): “The aim of our own Society at the present day is to afford mutual aid and encouragement in working out the great problems of Life, and in discovering the Secrets of Nature; to facilitate the study of the system of Philosophy founded upon the Kabbalah and the doctrines of Hermes Trismegistus, which was inculcated by the original Fratres Rosae Cruci. of Germany, A.D. 1450; and to investigate the meaning and symbolism of all that now remains of the wisdom, art and literature of the Ancient World.”

Orientation: Initiatory, Christian, Spiritual Wisdom, Ethics, Philosophical, Esoteric Knowledge. For the most part this group does excellent ritual work and conducts excellent research.

Grades: 3 Orders with 9 Grades: I Zelator, II Theoricus, III Practicus, IV Philosophus (1st Order); V Adeptus Minor, VI Adeptus Major, VII Adeptus Exemptus (2nd Order); VIII Magister, IX Magus (3rd Order) which would later be the prototype for the Golden Dawn.

Traditional Score: 60 considering that little practical alchemy etc. is done. It’s more research.

Spiritual Score: 55, although exclusive – they have true brotherhood.

Connections to Other Orders: Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (SRICF) and the Society of Rosicrucians in Canada (SRIC) were founded 1879 and 1877 respectively, both as offshoots of the SRIA. Entering into any of these three Orders members must be a Master Mason of regular Freemasonry, who professes acceptance of Trinitarian Christianity). Also – the Golden Dawn, as The GD evolved from members who were within SRIA Anglia. Today the SRIA, SRICF and SRIC work Martinist Orders, and a secret Hermetic Order.

What to Read: TBA.

Waite’s Fellowship of the Rosy Cross

Name: Fellowship of the Rosy Cross

Main Symbol: Red outlined cross on white background with a red rose on it, elevated on three steps.

Founded: 1914 United Kingdom

Country: European countries, USA and New Zealand.

Founder: Arthur Edward Waite (former member of the Golden Dawn).

Mysterious Origins Claim: None. Founded by Waite after the schism from the original Golden Dawn in the Revolt of the Adepti of 1900 and the following events. Its first seed was the Holy Order of the Golden Dawn which still retained Golden Dawn nomenclature, eclectic magical esotericism and myth. Then Waite reformed the whole system maintaining the grade and ritual structure but in an entirely mystical and esoteric Christian sense. Waite wrote all the ritual texts starting from scratch. Magic is no longer taught. Martinism and the Reintegration myth of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin has been a major influence in its reformation. We could call it a ‘Martinist G.D Order’.

Teachings: esoteric interpretation of the Gospels. Spiritual Alchemy. Kabbalah. Mysticism. The Tarot has been changed into the pictorial meditations of the Great Symbols of the Paths.

Orientation: Esoteric Christianity, Rosicrucianism. It feels extremely Christian.

Grades: Waite broke the order into four levels as opposed to the G.D three orders. First Order: First Portal – 0=0 Neophyte; 1=10 Zelator; Second Order: 2=9 Theoreticus; 3=8 Practicus; 4=7 Philosophus; Third Order – Second Portal; 5=6 Adeptus Minor; 6=5 Adeptus Major; 7=4 Adeptus Exemptus; Fourth Order: Third Portal – Adeptus Exaltatus; 8=2 Magister Templi; 9=2 Magus; 10=1 Ipsissimus.

Traditional Score: 50 (no magic, no alchemy, but very good Christianity score)

Spiritual Score: 60

Connections to Other Orders: originated from a mystical reformation of the Holy Order of the Golden Dawn, it was in a treaty of amity with Robert Felkin’s Stella Matutina. Waite was also part of the Cromlech Temple. It is more accessible through invitation by the Order of the Rose and Cross. The SRIAnglia have practiced the rite for many years. There is also an historically independent New Zealand branch. It somehow has a connection to the ocXrc Order, which is Moravian.

What to Read: Waite’s bibliography and especially “The Real History of the Rosicrucians Founded on Their Own Manifestoes and on Facts and Documents Collected from the Writings of Initiated Brethren“ London: Redway, 188; “The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross” London: Rider, 1924, a revision of above title.

Servants of the Light

Name: Servants of the Light

Main Symbol: The Sigil of the school is a circle containing a hexagram inside of a hexagon. At the center of the hexagon is a Bee. In each corner of the hexagram is a lamp which is lit with a flame. Written around the inside edge of the circle are the words “Sigilum Sanctum Alexandrae Fraternitatis” .

Founded: 1965 UK

Country: UK mostly and USA.

Founder: W. Ernest Butler

Mysterious Origins Claim: As a younger man, Butler into the esoteric inner-circle at the Theosophical Society for some time but was denied. According to accounts, in addition to his refusal for admission, he was given in response –a single Red Rose, and was told to return to England and seek the “lady with the Roses”. This lady turned out to be Dion Fortune, and the roses are what she held in her hand the first time they met in Glastonbury. After WWI the remaining “Inner Light” members of Fortune founded The Helios Book Service, which was largely driven by Butler and Gareth Knight (Dr. Basil Wilby). Together, the two wrote several lessons known as the Helios Course in the Practical Qabalah, which was published and distributed in book form, and eventually formed the foundation lessons of the Servants of the Light upon its inception. Commenting on these lessons, Butler expressed the course had been developed “under protection and with advice of his inner teacher”.

Teachings: The SOL teaches its lessons through the language and symbolism of the mystical Qabalah– as well as ritual and ceremonial magic, with an understanding of its being in service to, and in union with, the Divine. Tarot symbolism is also covered. Lessons are given through correspondence study. The Butler First degree course covers Qabalistic Symbolism, the 10 Sephiroth, Israel Regardie’s Art of True Healing and Arthurian myth in 13 lessons. The New First Degree Course has a foundation course -and a main course- which cover the Qabalistic Tree of Life and the four worlds in relation to quantum physics through the topics of mediation, contemplation, visualization, pathworking, Tarot, myth, folklore, the chakras and preparation for magical training; in 13 lessons. The New Main Course is divided into Pilgrim, Seeker and Priesthood phases. Exams are taken at the end of the First Degree for entrance into Second degree. Second degree teachings also takes place through correspondence and cover the Greater Mysteries—forming a bridge to the Higher Self (or, “Evolutionary” Self). The Second degree course takes 44 weeks to complete, through seven different paths “of the cord”.

Orientation: Qabalistic, Spiritual, Magical and very symbolic.

Grades: 3 Grades. First Degree (Outer court), Second Degree (inner court) and the Third Degree– also known as the House of the Amyethyst. (House of the Amethyst is the outer name for the Fraternitatis Alexandrae, which is the inner-plane expression of the school which provides the school its authority.)

Traditional Score: 59

Spiritual Score: 67

Connections to Other Orders: Dion Fortune’s Fraternity/Society of the Inner Light.

What to Read: Dion Fortune, Gareth Knight.

Fraternitas Lux Occulta

Name: Fraternity of the Hidden Light (FLO or Fraternitas L.V.X. Occulta)

Main Symbol: Glowing Latin cross inside triangle, 13 stars in the shape of a hexagram.

Founded: early 1980s

Country: Western speaking countries and growing.

Founder: Dr. Paul Clark in USA.

Mysterious Origins Claim: Dr. Paul Clark was a member of the inner order of the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA), who decided to bring the teachings of Paul Foster Case out into a more public setting while incorporating magic in the tradition of the Golden Dawn. The founding of this Order began when Paul Clark raided Anne Davis attic to obtain Paul Foster Case’s G.D and more occult papers. Consider this Order BOTA + some Golden Dawn magical ritual, but without the more advanced G.D workings. It is speculated that the energies behind this Order work better to which I would agree only for the Outer Order. The inner order degrees set up by Paul Clark are in need of development for higher teachings. The purpose of FLO is to “act as a modern day repository of the Ancient Wisdom teachings”, to “reaffirm the Universal Reformation of Humanity as declared in the older Manifestoes of the Tradition” and to “train its members for service to humanity”.

Teachings: for the Outer Order, a large curriculum in Qabalah, Alchemy, Astrology, Magic, the Tarot. Teachings of the course are sent out monthly as correspondence. The Threshold course consists of 32 lessons which introduce the student to basics of esoteric wisdom. The Fundamentals of Tarot is based on Paul Foster Case’s earlier work on the Tarot. The Path of Return Course is based on the 32 paths of the Qabalah tree of life. The Practical Astrology course is 24 lessons on the relationship between astrology and Qabalah. The Elements of Ceremonial course introduces the student to more advanced forms of ritual work. On the downside this Order teaches the racial/race theories of Madame Blavatsky which are largely considered a no-go in Rosicrucian circles and have nothing to do with Rosicrucian doctrine until ex members of Blavatsky’s movement added it to their own R.C movements (Steiner/Heindel etc.) The Outer Order has a strong carriculum but the Inner Order of the RR et AC is extremely weak compared to G.D Orders. Therefore, while a positive experience in the Outer Order the higher teachings are lacking.

Orientation: Hermetic, Spiritual, Mystic, Magical

Grades: Prior to initiation there is the Probationer grade, which focuses on rudimentary studies of occult and esoteric subjects, concepts of meditation and initiation. The First/Outer order focuses on wisdom, love, and power, the Second/Inner order with members who are in contact with their Higher Selves, and finally the Third/Invisible order which consists of great Adepts and Masters throughout the ages. Behind the scenes they work the European continental grades

Traditional Score: 61.

Spiritual Score: 65

Connections to Other Orders: Builders of the Adytum, Golden Dawn.

What to Read: homepage to the fraternity.

SRIA America (Non Masonic)

Name: Societas Rosicruciana in America

Main Symbol: The Rose Cross – Equal-Armed Cross, surrounded by 7 roses, topped with a golden crown. A single rose in the center of the cross, with the letters INRI inscribed.

Founded: 1912 USA.

Country: USA and Canada.

Founders: Sylvester C. Gould (1840-1909) and George Winslow Plummer (1876-1944)

Mysterious Origins Claim: According to John Heydon (1626-1677) and the SRIA (Anglia) and through charter, the SRIA (America) was connected anciently to Moses. “I shall tell you what Rosicrucians are, and that Moses was their father” (Heydon, quoted in Gilmore, 1925). At its core this Order has very little to offer today, being nothing other than an outer branch of the Cicero’s Golden Dawn Order in America (which is one of the best G.D Orders imho). The SRIAm has changed their rituals over the years, at times entirely practicing just Golden Dawn rituals. There is little to this society.

Teachings: According to the SRIA website Associate System of study, the SRIA incorporates components of occult science, Hermeticism, Kabbalah and Tarot, and Alchemy. The lessons are very outdated and say much about nothing. They read similar to Manly P Hall’s books, however of the two Manly Palmer Hall’s books contain much more content and depth.

Orientation: This Order is slightly Martinistic in leanings, Golden Dawn and Hermetic.

Grades: The current course of study outlines stages, the Foundation Course, the Intermediate Course, The Advanced Course with three “Liber” similar to grades or degrees, per course.

Liber 1: Rosicrucian Series

Liber 2: Hermetic Series

Liber 3: The Kabbalah / Tarot Series.

Liber 4: Alchemical Series

Liber 5: The Esoteric Series

Liber 6: The Philosophic Series

Liber 7: The Psychological Series

Liber 8: The Spiritual Series

Liber 9: The Spiritual Healing Series

There is also a fourth stage, The Post Graduate Course, with one liber,

Liber 10: The Spiritual Alchemy Series.

Like most of Plummer’s writings; these teachings are extremely outdated and boring.

Traditional Score: 60.

Spiritual Score: 30.

Connections to Other Orders: it is an offshoot of the SRIAnglia that allows women. Cicero’s Golden Dawn Order acts behind this society.

What to read:

AMORC Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis

Name: AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis)

Symbol: Golden downward pointing triangle with handle-shaped loop on top and Latin cross surmounted by a single rose inside triangle.

Founded: 1915 U.S.A

Country: worldwide.

Founder: Christian Bernard (normally we would attribute this to Harvey Spencer Lewis, yet the original Amorc was dissolved in the 1990’s and given a new series of monographs which discarded all the original teachings, plus the installation tradition for an Imperator was not passed onto Bernard, but instead remained with Gary Stewart who is very encouraging to work with).

Mysterious origins claim: in 1909, Harvey S. Lewis travelled to France, where he claimed he was initiated into a Rosicrucian order in Toulouse and from this group received the mandate to bring teachings of the Rosicrucians to America and present them in a more modern way. Marie Russak, whom HLS had met on his trip, prior to arriving to France, was a member of Anne Beasant’s Temple of the Rosy Cross, and researchers say Russak was responsible for drafting the early AMORC ceremonies. Largely HSL was the ‘swindler’ of the Rosicrucian world, and is mostly famous for making up many unfounded stories. If is important for students who belong to AMORC (and who have only read AMORC’s own monographs) to not simply believe the stories but to look deeper. May Banks Stacey who is often cited as a co-founder of the AMORC was allegedly one of the last successors to an original colony of Rosicrucians that settled in America during the late 17th century. HSL also claimed his Order was founded by an Egyptian pharaoh for which he was largely ridiculed. Today many students at Amorc take this idea quite literally. Lewis also claimed to have founded his Order on an 108 year cycle, in which from 1915 the Order, under him, had entered its public phase. He stated that after 108 years the Order would go into hiding, (our current time).

Teachings: Initiates are taught subjects including physics, metaphysics, biology, psychology, parapsychology, comparative religion, traditional healing techniques, health, intuition, extrasensory perception, material and spiritual alchemy, meditation, sacred architecture, symbolism, and mystical conscious relating to the Divine. Grades are taught in booklets sent to initiates called “monographs”. For the most part, the teachings are extremely new agey. When confronted with traditional Rosicrucian subjects students are told that the old methods no longer apply, and this has become something of a mantra at Amorc today. HSL layered many New Thought movement teachings into his monographs, from such teachers like William Walker Atkinson to help supplement the teachings. In fact this worked nicely. Every student should read the original monographs where the real Rosicrucian gems are still to be found in this tradition.

Orientation: Spiritualism, Mysticism, Psychism, Paranormal science, Humanism, Metaphysics

Grades: Grades follow the European continental grades with some illuminati grades atop them. Three Neophyte degrees (First Atrium, Second Atrium, Third Atrium) followed by 12 higher subsequent Temple degrees (Temple degrees 1-12).

Traditional Score: 30 – very little of what Amorc teaches today is actually Rosicrucian, although it is branded as ‘Rosicrucian’. They instead claim the title and mystery of the Rosicrucians, yet throw out the deeper teachings, making everything streamlined and easy for student. They also claim to be the only true Rosicrucians. Recently they trademarked the term ‘Rosicrucian Order’- claiming to be the only Order to use that term; despite the fact that in fifteen documented examples several other Orders had been using the term up to 40 years prior to AMORC’s founding in 1915. The best example of the use of the term by another Order was Mathers’ ‘Rosicrucian Order of the Alpha et Omega’ in 1901 which Amorc leaders pretend did not exist which is outright dishonest.

Spiritual Score: 51 to 80? – bearing in mind as a student one has to not only study Amorc’s materials but also supplement this with earlier material to help critical thinking. Like any of these systems offering monographs, such lessons can make a student quite dependent on the Order. (Some individuals do shine on the European side of this tradition as fine representatives of this current and would easily be awarded 80 for their spiritual score. So for this system it depends if you study just the monographs or expand into further avenues of study). This Order is particularly un-fraternal towards other Rosicrucian Orders and students chant slogans like ‘Peace Profound’ on social media, demonstrating a borderline cult-like behavior. However, some students are building bridges with the other Rosicrucian Orders and this is hopefully going to continue and is the right direction.

Connections to Other Orders: The Traditional Martinist Order is run under the Christian Bernard, current Imperator of the AMORC. After removal from his position, former Imperator Gary L Stewart founded the Confraternity of the Rose Cross in 1990 which teaches the original AMORC lessons. Between the two Orders: AMORC vs. CR+C, although both are rife with the shenanigans of HSL, here CR+C is definitely the more sound way to study monographs and approach the R.C in this manner.

What to Read: Rosicrucian Manual by Harvey Spencer Lewis

Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

Name: Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (historic order)

Main Symbol: hexagram with the sun rising over the ocean.

Founded: 1887 England/UK

Country: Worldwide today.

Founders: William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, each members of the SRIA (Soc Ros).

Mysterious Origins Claim: The order’s foundational documents, known as the Cipher Manuscripts, were ‘discovered’ and successfully decoded by Westcott, who recruited the help of Woodman and Mathers to formulate them into a cohesive body of ritual and degree work. The documents also contained the contact info of one Anna Sprengel, who was an allegedly prominent Rosicrucian in Germany who was in contact with the Secret Chiefs. None of this was true however, and all the documents were faked. The founders did however draw upon several Rosicrucian sources, via Eliphas Levi, Frank, the Swedenborg Rite, and a strange Indian Order that also used Egyptian godforms. The first Golden Dawn temple was opened with blessings and permission of Sprengel through these contacts. Later, Mathers professed a connection with the same Secret Chiefs and afterwards expanded the 5 outer grades to an inner order, furthermore known as Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (Red Rose and Cross of Gold).

Teachings: Ceremonial Magic, summoning spirits, talisman magic, Spiritual practices, Temple-based ritual, Hermetic philosophy, Kabbalah, Enochian magic, Egyptian godforms.

Orientation: Magical, Hermetic and very ceremonial.

Grades: 5 initial outer-order grades: Neophyte 0=0, Zelator 1=10, Theoricus 2=9, Practicus 3=10, Philosophus 4=7, Portal Grade. 3 second order grades: Adeptus Minor 5=6 (In some temples: Zelator AM, Theoricus AM, Practicus AM, Philosophus AM, et al), Adeptus Major 6=5, and Adeptus Exemptus 7=4. 3 third order grades: Magister Templi 8=3, Magus 9=2, and Ipsissmus 10=1.

Traditional Score: 70.

Spiritual Score: 51 (lacking in many areas).

Connections to Other Orders: Stella Matutina, many modern branches (Cicero’s, Griffins etc.) SRIAnglia, BOTA and Crowley’s A.A and OTO.

What to Read: Israel Regardie’s “Golden Dawn”, as a rudimentary introduction.

The Cromlech Temple

Name: Cromlech Temple (a side Order of the Golden Dawn).

Main Symbol: Circular Sun followed by symbol for each Temple- e.g. circle with dot followed by diagram of upright Cromlech (like Stonehenge).

Founded: UUK, date unknown but earliest extant document is dated 1890 (although nature of this document implies earlier existence) so it’s founding was contemporary with GD.

Country: NZ, UK although it claims older Temples in other countries (Biblical lands etc); Mystical Mysterious Origins Claim: Dawn of time, predating Christian era although updated via successive civilizations.

Teachings: Claims to be Rosicrucian in current manifestation but drawing on many sources including esoteric Catholic Christianity (RC, Anglo-Catholic, Orthodox), Eastern sources (Zoroastrian, Ahura Mazda, Tatwas etc) Medieval occultism etc. Many concepts similar to GD theory & it expands on some of these, particularly Aura/Sphere of Sensation. GD regarded it as high level ‘side-Order’ and most GD/AO/SM Chiefs were members and ruling Chiefs of Cromlech Temple.

Orientation: Both magical & mystical drawing from West and Eastern concepts but mainly the former. It is older than Anthroposophy but several common influences can be detected.

Grades: In theory there are many but in practice & concrete terms there are three- few people advanced to the 3rd. Membership of Cromlech was largely confined to the advanced 2nd Order members of the GD, AO, SM.

Traditional Score: TBA (it would be higher than the G.D as it’s more Christian, mystical and also carries ideas related to the City of the Sun and reforation).

Spiritual Score: TBA

Connections to other Orders: There was direct succession of the Head of the Order- it was put in abeyance by the last UK head in 1965 but then reactivated by the same Head (who died in 2016 in her 90s) in 1990 making one person from Whare Ra origins leader. It continues today.

Aesthetic Rose+Croix Order of the Temple & the Grail

Name: The Aesthetic Rose+Croix Order of the Temple and the Grail (L’Ordre de la Rose+Croix Esthétique du Temple et du Graal); also known as the Aesthetic Rose+Croix (ARC)

Main Symbol: A rose with a latin cross flanked by two wings above a cup, upon a shield with a half-black half-white field, and a crown with 3 stars above

Founded: 2015

Country: America and UK.

Founder: –

Mysterious Origins Claim: ARC claims itself as a reconstitution of Joséphin Péladan’s Rose+Croix Catholique et Esthétique du Temple et du Graal founded in 1891. The ARC is an Order of Chivalry existing under the triple banner of: the Rosicrucian Order, the Templars, and the Grail Mysteries. Preserves traditional esoteric teachings concerning art and music, to create a class of artist-initiates who become knights and priests, to support works of art that convey themes and values consistent with the Rose+Croix tradition, and to institute a form of idealist theatre is hieratic and initiatory.

Teachings: Christian, Martinist and the philosophy of art and reformation. No monographs.

Orientation: Chivalric, Rosicrucian, Esoteric Christian, Spiritual, Philosophic

Grades: Outer grades comprise an exterior Chivalric Order: Écuyer, Chevalier or Dame, Commandeurand. The interior order has additional Rose+Croix degrees.

Traditional Score: unknown.

Spiritual Score: unknown.

Connections to Other Orders: Odre Martiniste of North America and the Gnostic Catholic Apostolic Church (l’Eglise Gnostique Catholique Apostolique EGCA)

What to Read: – Peladan and Milko Boogard.

Ordo Abiegnus Rosae + Crucis

Name: Ordo Abiegnus Rosae + Crucis. OAR+C.

Main Symbol: The Philosophical Moutain.

Founded: —

Country: Mexico.

Founder: Its foundation was taken by a small number of initiates and practitioners of systems as Freemasonry, BOTA, and Golden Dawn, decided to work on the Rosicrucian Tradition from the pure Philosophical, Mystical and Theurgical perspective.

Mysterious Origins Claim: The group attained inner contact with the Rosicrucian current by contemplative, meditative and ritual work.

Teachings: Christian Mysticism, Kabbalah, Theurgy, Theosophy (Behmist), Speculative Alchemy and Spargyrics, through lessons and discussions hold in the lodge sessions.

Orientation: Judeo-Christian Mysticism and Platonic / Neoplatonic doctrine. / Rosicrucian tradition from the enlightenment period.

Grades: The Order is divided in three structures containing several Grades according to the sum of processes to get through. The outer structure is called Speleaum Sophicum, the inner one is the Sacrum Collegium and the head of the Order is referred as the Sacrum Collegium.

This Order is very unique.

No scores given as little is known of this Order.

Societas Italica Rosae+Crucis (SIR+C)

Name: Societas Italica Rosae+Crucis (SIR+C)

Main Symbol: golden circle surmounted by a gold cross with a red rose

Founded: 21 March 2017, in Fresonara (Alessandria, Piedmont)

Country: Italy

Founder: Dario Sozzè

Mysterious Origins Claim: Claims a connection to the original Rosicrucian tradition of Monte Senario in Florence in 1477, as a completion of a 108 years cycle, a cycle which seems to stem from Harvey Spencer Lewis’ idea of “108 year Rosicrucian Cycles”. The Societas defines itself as an independent Esoteric Christian order, unrelated to any Masonic obedience, styles itself after the cenacle operating in Italy in the XVII° century under the guidance of Federico Gualdi, under the patronage of Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689), exiled to Rome, to which Giuseppe Francesco Borri (1627-1695), Francesco Maria Santinelli (1727-1697), Massimiliano Savelli Palombara (1614-1685) belonged.

Teachings: The purpose of the Societas Italica Rosae+Crucis consists in the study, cultivation and practice of all branches of “Western Mystery Tradition in a Rosicrucian light.” “The Rosicrucianism brought forth by the Societas implies the understanding and realisation of both of the Magical Way and of the Mystical Way, transcending both through the Middle Way in the restoration of the original Universal Man.” The Order is open to men and women as well as to Masons and non-Masons, are the age of consent and the belief in the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ as Redeemer.

Orientation: Rosicrucianism, Esoteric Christianity, Kabbalah, Hermeticism, Spiritual Alchemy, Martinism.

Grades: First Order: I° Zelator, II° Theoricus, III° Practicus, IV° Philosophus. Second Order: V° Adeptus Minor, V° Adeptus Major, VII° Adeptus Exemptus. Third Order: VIII° Magister Templi, IX° Magus. The initiation rituals have seven main officers: Celebrant, Exponent, Suffragant, the Guardian of the Threshold and four Ancients, of Fire, Water, Air and Earth. The rituals are their own original creation, a synthesis of several traditions. The Societas is also portal to other esoteric Orders, like the theosophical Ordre du Temple de la Rose+Croix founded by Annie Besant, Marie Russak and James Wedgwood.

Traditional Score: TBA

Spiritual Score: TBA

Connections to Other Orders: the grade structure of the Societas is taken from the german Gold und Rosenkreuz order in its 1777 reformation.

What to read: http://www.rosacroceitalia.org

The Magical Order of the Aurora Aurea

Name: Magical Order of the Aurora Aurea.

Main Symbol: A Chalice on an altar between two pillars with a sunrise behind

Founded: Founded in Rome in 2007 by Nick Farrel.

Country: Italy and UK

Teachings: Claims to be a magical, modern, and experimental version of the Golden Dawn emphasizing the more pagan and practical methods. While it uses the traditional GD rituals as a backbone it has added more material and techniques, as particularly drawn .

Orientation: Takes a more eclectic approach but focuses on the Western Mystery Tradition rather than using Eastern methods.

Orientation: Hermetic, Alexandrian-Hellentistic, a polytheistic R.C group.

Grades: The standard GD ritual structure (0=0 to 9=2) with additional rituals added at the 5=6 .

Traditional Score: TBA.

Spiritual Score: TBA.

Connections to other Orders: There are connections to Whare Ra and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Cicero).

The Pansophic Order – Germany’s Hermetic-Behmists

Name: the Pansophic Order (Theraputae Rosae Crucis)

Main Symbol: Cross with seven roses, and a Rose with Christ upon it.

Founded: Unknown.

Country: Germany.

Founder: Comenius with Samuel Hartlib and Abraham von Frankenberg.

Mysterious Origins Claim: After writing with Johan Valentine Andrea on his Christian utopian ideas Comenius and Hartlib formed a Pansophic Circle. Frankenberg, who had his own Pansophic group, transmitted this into what would become the Golden Rosenkreuzer on one side whilst the Pansophers claim (still today) that their lineage remained intact within a Behmist-evangelical community in Germany and Silecia. The Pansophers who later appeared claimed to be of that same lineage. The earliest date it can be traced is to Alois Mailander who in the 1870’s was initiated by his mentor Prestel, a famous Rosicrucian alchemist in Germany. Mailander himself claimed to be John the Baptist returned, and ‘spoke in the voice of John.’ On the very day of his birth the ‘great comet of 1843’ was seen in the sky, which Rosicrucians thought heralded him as the awaited R.C prophet ‘Elias Artista’ (who was prophesized as the coming Rosicrucian reformer). Indeed many of Mailander’s students went on to bring world change, including Helena Blavatsky (founder of the Theosophical Society, though she was expelled by Mailander), Rudolf Steiner (founder of Anthroposophy), Franz Hartmann, Alexander von Bernus, Carl Kellner (founder of the O.T.O), Gustav Meyrink and Karl Weinfurter. During the time of Mailander his teacher Prestel brought the Pansophers into Freemasonry via J.B Kernning and his occult masonry (Kerning Order). Steiner stated that after 100 years the identity of his secret teacher, the ‘Master M’ could be known. In 2017 Richard Cloud was given permission by the Pansophers to present the M’s identity as Mailander to the world.

Teachings: Internal alchemy, letter mysticism, Behmist Theosophy, utopian ideas of reformation. Westcott corresponded with Meyrink, one of the adepts of the Pansophers, who then added a version of the G.D Tarot teachings to the Pansophic Order after Westcott’s instructions.

Orientation: much emphasis on reformation, and Sophia as a divine initiator.

Grades: five grades have been practiced for over 100 years. Three main ‘links’ to the old chain given.

Traditional Score: TBA.

Spiritual Score: TBA.

Connections to Other Orders: Felkin of the Stella Matutina G.D branch was actually taken to the tomb of Mailander (he called it the tomb of CRC in his SRIA paper in NZ) and received one of the three occult links to the Pansophers which was continued at Whare Ra. The G.D did not receive the other two. While Steiner is normally attributed to being ‘Felkin’s Secret Chief’ in fact Felkin was referring to the Pansophers he met through Steiner. Alexander von Bernus was also a student of Mailander and transmitted pansophy into Erler’s ORA rituals. The Misraim Dienst of Steiner has Pansophy embedded into its rituals. The higher system of Kerning (as reformed by Mailander) became the higher system presented in the Belgian Arcana Arcanorum and at one time the pre-Crowley OTO via Kellner. Traenker’s Pansophia Order was founded with Hartman as an attempt to continue Mailander’s work. Thus after the death of Mailander the Pansophic Orders came in three groups, one each under: Meyrink, Hartmann and Weinfurter. When Waltharius became head of the Traenker Pansophia branch and accepted the Crowley’s Book of Law the lodge split into two factions, one group wishing to continue the Pansophy they had obtained from Mailander and the other half wishing to embrace Thelema. The loyal Pansophers then left Waltharius to join Meyrink’s group, combining their lineage together, whilst forcing Waltharius to rename his group ‘Fraternis Saturni’ which is entirely different. Another lineage of Weinfurter continues via Frater Tiberianus in Austria, Prague and Switzerland.

What to read: this blog.