Classical Myth & Mysteries 2

A Greek form of Hermes

from Bryant’s MythologyThe name Hermes is derived from "Herm," a form of CHiram, the personified Universal Life Principle, generally represented by fire. The Scandinavians worshiped Hermes under the name of Odin; the Teutons as Wotan, and certain of the Oriental peoples as Buddha, or Fo. There are two theories concerning his demise. The first declares that Hermes was translated like Enoch and carried without death into the presence of God; the second states that he was buried in the Valley of Ebron and a great treasure placed in his tomb—not a treasure of gold but of books and sacred learning.

The Egyptians likened humanity to a flock of sheep. The Supreme and Inconceivable Father was the Shepherd, and Hermes was the shepherd dog. The origin of the shepherd’s crook in religious symbolism may be traced to the Egyptian rituals. The three scepters of Egypt include the shepherd’s crook, symbolizing that by virtue of the power reposing in that symbolic staff the initiated Pharaohs guided the destinies of their people. MPH

The Sphinx

From Levi’s Les Mystères de la KaballeThe Sphinx is closely related to the Greek legend of OEdipus. To each who passed her lair the Sphinx addressed the question, "What animal is it that in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two feet, and in the evening on three feet?" Those who failed to answer her riddle she destroyed. OEdipus declared the answer to be man himself, who in childhood crawled upon his hands and knees, in manhood stood erect, and in old age shuffled along supporting himself by a staff. There is still another answer to the riddle of the sphinx, an answer best revealed by a consideration of the Pythagorean values of numbers. The 4, the 2, and the 3 produce the sum of 9, which is the natural number of man and also of the lower worlds. The 4 represents the ignorant man, the 2 the intellectual man, and the 3 the spiritual man. Infant humanity walks on four legs, evolving humanity on two legs, and to the power of his own mind the redeemed and illumined magus adds the staff of wisdom. The sphinx is therefore the mystery of Nature, the embodiment of the secret doctrine, and all who cannot solve her riddle perish. To pass the sphinx is to attain personal immortality. MPH

The Sistrum

FromPultarch’s Isis and Osiris"The Sistrum is designed ... to represent to us, that every thing must be kept in continual agitation, and never cease from motion; that they ought to be roused and well-shaken, whenever they begin to grow drowsy as it were, and to droop in their motion. For, say they, the sound of these sistra averts and drives away Typho; meaning hereby, that as corruption clogs and puts a stop to the regular course of nature; so generation, by the means of motion, loosens it again, and restores it to its former vigour. Now the outer surface of this instrument is of a convex figure, as within its circumference are contained those four chords or bars [only three shown], which make such a rattling when they are shaken—nor is this without its meaning for that part of the universe which is subject to generation and corruption is contained within the sphere of the moon; and whatever motions or changes may happen therein, they are all effected by the different combinations of the four elementary bodies, fire, earth, water, and air—moreover, upon the upper part of the convex surface of the sistrum is carved the effigies of a cat with a human visage, as on the lower edge of it, under those moving chords, is engraved on the one side the face of Isis, and on the other that of Nephthys—by these faces symbolically representing generation and corruption (which, as has been already observed, is nothing but the motion and alteration of the four elements one amongst another)."

Base of a Delphian Tripod

From Montfaucon’s AntiquitiesThe windings of these serpents formed the base, and the three heads sustained the three feet of the tripod. It is impossible to secure satisfactory information concerning the shape and size of the celebrated Delphian tripod. Theories concerning it are based (in most part) upon small ornamental tripods discovered in various temples. MPH

The Delphian Tripod Restored

From Beaumont’s Gleanings of AntiquitiesAccording to Beaumont, the above is the most authentic form of the Delphian tripod extant; but as the tripod must have changed considerably during the life of the oracle, hasty conclusions are unwise. In his description of the tripod, Beaumont divides it into four parts: (1) a frame with three feet; (2) a reverberating basin or bowl set in the frame; (3) a flat plate or table upon which the Pythia sat; and (4) a cone-shaped cover over the table, which completely concealed the priestess and from beneath which her voice sounded forth in weird and hollow tones. Attempts have been made to relate the Delphian tripod with the Jewish Ark of the Covenant. The frame of three legs was likened to the Ark of the Covenant; the flat plate or table to the Mercy Seat; and the cone-shaped covering to the tent of the Tabernacle itself. This entire conception differs widely from that popularly accepted, but discloses a valuable analogy between Jewish and Greek symbolism. MPH

The Pythian Apollo

From Historia Deorum FatidicorumApollo, the twin brother of Diana, was the son of Jupiter and Latona. Apollo was fully adult at the time of his birth. He was considered to be the first physician and the inventor of music and song. The Greeks also acclaimed him to be the father of the bow and arrow. MPH

The Dodonean Jupiter

From Historia Deorum FatidicorumJupiter was called Dodonean after the city of Dodona in Epirus. Near this city was a hill thickly covered with oak trees which from the most ancient times had been sacred to Jupiter. The grove was further venerated because dryads, fauns, satyrs, and nymphs were believed to dwell in its depths. From the ancient oaks and beeches were hung many chains of tiny bronze bells which tinkled day and night as the wind swayed the branches. Some assert that the celebrated talking dove of Dodona was in reality a woman, because in Thessaly both prophetesses and doves were called Peleiadas. It is supposed that the first temple of Dodona was erected by Deucalion and those who survived the great flood with him. For this reason the oracle a Dodona was considered the oldest in Greece. MPH

Trophonius of Lebadia

From Historia Deorum FatidicorumTrophonius and his brother Agamedes were famous architects. While building a certain treasure vault, they contrived to leave one stone movable so that they might secretly enter and steal the valuables stored there. A trap was set by the owner, who had discovered the plot, and Agamedes was caught. To prevent discovery, Trophonius decapitated his brother and fled, hotly pursued. He hid in the grove of Lebadia, where the earth opened and swallowed him up. The spirit of Trophonius thereafter delivered oracles in the grove and its caverns. The name Trophonius means "to be agitated, excited, or roiled." It was declared that the terrible experiences through which consultants passed in the oracular caverns so affected them that they never smiled again. The bees which accompany the figure of Trophonius were sacred because they led the first envoys from Baeotia to the site of the oracle. A statue of Trophonius was placed on the brow of the hill above the oracle and surrounded with sharply pointed stakes so that it could not be touched. MPH

Apollonius of Tyana

From Historia Deorum FatidicorumConcerning Apollonius and his remarkable powers, Francis Barrett, in his Biographia Antiqua, after describing how Apollonius quelled a riot without speaking a word, continues: "He traveled much, professed himself a legislator; understood all languages, without having learned them: he had the surprising faculty of knowing what was transacted at an immense distance, and at the time the Emperor Domitian was stabbed, Apollonius being at a vast distance, and standing in the market-place of the city, exclaimed, ‘Strike! strike!—’tis done, the tyrant is no more.’ He understood the language of birds; he condemned dancing and other diversions of that sort; he recommended charity and piety; he traveled over almost all the countries of the world; and he died at a very great age." MPH

Diana of Ephesus

From Montfaucon’s AntiquitiesCrowned with a triple tower-like tiara and her form adorned with symbolic creatures representative of her spiritual powers, Diana stood for the source of that imperishable doctrine which, flowing from the bosom of the Great Multimammia, is the spiritual food of those aspiring men and women who have consecrated their lives to the contemplation of reality. As the physical body of man receives its nutriment from the Great Earth Mother, so the spiritual nature of man is fed from the never-failing fountains of Truth pouring outward from the invisible worlds. MPH

Æneas and the Harpies

From Virgil’s Aeneid (Dryden’s translation)They were described by the Greeks as being composite, with the heads of maidens and the bodies of birds. The wings of the harpies were composed of metal and their flight was accompanied by a terrible clanging noise. During his wanderings, AEneas, the Trojan hero, landed on the island of the harpies, where he and his followers vainly battled with these monsters. One of the harpies perched upon a cliff and there prophesied to AEneas that his attack upon them would bring dire calamity to the Trojans. MPH

Saturn swallowing the stone substituted for Jupiter

From Cartari’s Imagini degli Dei degli AntichiSaturn, having been warned by his parents that one of his own children would dethrone him, devoured each child at birth. At last Rhea, his wife, in order to save Jupiter, her sixth child, substituted for him a rock enveloped in swaddling clothes—which Saturn, ignorant of the deception practiced upon him, immediately swallowed. Jupiter was concealed on the island of Crete until he attained manhood, when he forced his father to disgorge the five children he had eaten. The stone swallowed by Saturn in lieu of his youngest son was placed by Jupiter at Delphi, where it was held in great veneration and was daily anointed. MPH

Examples of Hermae

From Christie’s Disquisitions upon the Painted Greek VasesThe primitive custom of worshiping the gods in the form of heaps of stones gave place to the practice of erecting phallic pillars, or cones, in their honor. These columns differed widely in size and appearance. Some were of gigantic proportions and were richly ornamented; others—like the votive offerings of the Babylonians—were but a few inches high, without ornament, and merely bore a brief statement of the purpose for which they had been prepared or a hymn to the god of the temple in which they were placed. These small baked clay cones were identical in their symbolic meaning with the larger hermae set up by the roadside and in other public places. Later the upper end of the column was surmounted by a human head. Often two projections, or tenons, corresponding to shoulders were placed, one on either side, to support the wreaths of flowers adorning the columns. Offerings, usually of food, were placed near the hermae. Occasionally these columns were used to uphold roofs and were numbered among the art objects ornamenting the villas of wealthy Romans. MPH

Pythagorean Signet Ring

From Cartari’s Imagini degli Dei degli AntichiThe number five was peculiarly associated by the Pythagoreans with the art of healing, and the pentagram, or five-pointed star, was to them the symbol of health. The above figure represents a magical ring set with a talismanic gem bearing the pentalpha, or star formed by five different positions of the Greek Alpha. On this subject Albert Mackey writes; "The disciples of Pythagoras, who were indeed its real inventors, placed within each of its interior angles one the letters of the Greek word ¡GEIA, or the Latin one SALUS, both of which signify health; and thus it was made the talisman of health. They placed it at the beginning of their epistles as a greeting to invoke a secure health to their correspondent. But its use was not confined to the disciples of Pythagoras. As a talisman, it was employed all over the East as a charm to resist evil spirits." MPH

The Table of Cebes

From Vaenius’ Theatro Moral de la Vida HumanaThere is a legend to the effect that the Tablet of Cebes, a dialogue between Cebes and Gerundio, was based upon an ancient table set up in the Temple of Kronos at Athens or Thebes, which depicted the entire progress of human life. The author of the Tablet of Cebes was a disciple of Socrates and lived about 390 B.C. The world is represented as a great mountain. Out of the earth at the base of it come the myriads of human creatures who climb upward in search of truth and immortality.

Above the clouds which conceal the summit of the mountain is the goal of human attainment—true happiness. The figures and groups are arranged as follows: (1) the door of the wall of life; (2) the Genius or Intelligence; (3) deceit; (4) opinions, desires, and pleasures; (5) fortune; (6) the strong; (7) incontinence, venery, insatiability, flattery; (8) sorrow; (9) sadness; (10) misery; (11) grief; (12) rage or despair; (13) the house of misfortune; (14) penitence; (15) true opinion; (16) false opinion; (17) false doctrine; (18) poets, orators, geometers, et al.; (19) incontinence, sexual indulgence, and opinion; (20) the road of the true doctrine; (21) continence and patience; (22) the true doctrine; (23) truth and persuasion; (24) science and the virtues; (25) happiness; (26) the highest (first) pleasure of the wise man; (27) the lazy and the strays. MPH

Times are bad; the Big Crunch. It's a mad mad mad mad world...

ZONDAG 29 MAART 2009

Times are bad; the Big Crunch. It's a mad mad mad mad world...

"Love is blind, and greed insatiable"

Try to relax and enjoy the crisis. – Ashleigh Brilliant

"The world is burning in the fire of desire, in greed, arrogance and excessive ego."

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. -Albert Einstein

Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book. – Cicero

Wat er gebeurd is, zal weer gebeuren en wat er gedaan is, zal weer gedaan worden; er is niets nieuws onder de zon. Men zegt wel: "Kijk dat is iets nieuws." Maar dan blijkt dat het er vroeger ook al was. Niemand denkt meer aan de mensen die voor ons geleefd hebben en ook aan de mensen die na ons komen, zal later niemand meer denken. - Prediker 1:9-11

Thank Heaven! The crisis / The danger is past, and the lingering illness, is over at last / , and the fever called "Living" is conquered at last. – Edgar Allen Poe

Dante once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality - JFK

An immoderate desire of riches is a poison lodged in the mind. It contaminates and destroys everything that was good in it. It is no sooner rooted there, than all virtue, all honesty, all natural affection, fly before the face of it. - Akhenaten

"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all those that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those that sold doves. And he said to them, It is written, 'My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves'." - Matthew 21.12-13.

Times are bad… What's this world coming to?

Right now we’re not just in the middle a global financial crisis. But perhaps an even more dangerous crisis we’re actually facing, is the world’s spiritual crisis, yes an existential crisis of humanity who have no meaning to their life. So many people, who have no sense of purpose and direction at all in life with religions not in a position to provide them with the right answers. It is the crisis of a society that worships at the temples of consumption, and that has isolated and often abandoned millions of consumers now trapped on a treadmill of debt. It is the crisis of a society that values the capital gains of the haute finance more highly than the rights of people to a home, or an education or health. It is the crisis of a society that idolises money above love, community, wellbeing and the sustainability of our planet.
It is these people who without any spiritual basis for their life, those who hold no moral and ethical code of life whatsoever and who in their recklessness and blind greed, delusion, stupidity and with their anti-social and irresponsible behaviour are guilty in the current financial crisis. So that basically involves most of us! Not only the head honchos with their undeserved bonuses i.e. the financial mafia, but also we, the money lenders who bought the houses and the cars which we simply couldn’t afford. Well of course deep down we all know that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. But…
Perhaps the cosmic is teaching us a lesson here the hard way. A lesson that we urgently need and deserve in order to update our attitude and moral values.

Well now then do these funny Rosicrucians hold a cure for these ailments? Well, eh yes we do! We cure all ailments. After all we are Keepers of the Stone (lol). The Philosophers Stone i.e.

Just to give you an idea, have a look at the Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis (AD 2001) to find out what the R+C have to tell about our economy.

Here's just two lines: "We think that the world economic situation is completely adrift" and "We feel that the reason for this is because the economy has become too speculative and feeds markets and interest that are more virtual than real".

Now does this mean we're at a dead-end, the end of capitalism as we know it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oosq3TPgHH0

http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/positio.pdf

"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know." - Ernest Hemingway

"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence."-Aristotle

"Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely upon what you think."- Dale Carnegie

All people seek happiness. This is without exception the motive of every action of every person. However, far too many do not ever find it. This is because most of them think that it exclusively depends on material welfare. Then another minority is convinced that it is only made possible by a life that is focused exclusively on spirituality. In reality, neither ways are quite correct, because happiness is a state of perfect balance between our material needs and our spiritual aspirations. So the best way for people to achieve this condition, is follow the path of mysticism, which can be defined as the study and application of the laws that unite man and his creator.

So as far as the human existential crisis is concerned you might try and make a Voyage to the land of the Rosicrucians, join the Sufis, the Martinists, follow the path of the Dalai lama, just to mention a few… This will most definitely help you improving considerably.

VRIJDAG 10 OKTOBER 2008

They all wanted to be Rosaecrucians: about Small Minds, Big Egos, Sects & Schisms i.e. the Path to Perdition!

De wet van eendracht tussen de Fratres & Sorores is drievoudig;
In al het essentiële de eenheid bewaren,
In minder relevante zaken elkaar de vrijheid laten,
In alles jegens elkaar liefde betuigen.

“The greatest among you will be your servant" (Mathew 23:11).

Le temps altère et efface la parole de l’homme, mais ce qui est confié au feu perdure indefiniment…


From a report in the Martinez_de_Pasqualys group:

Chers amis, Gérard Kloppel nous a quittés ce dimanche 5 octobre, emporté par une crise cardiaque. Né le 5 mars 1940, il aura marqué l'histoire moderne de Memphis-Misraïm, mais aussi, dans une moindre mesure, celle du martinisme, pour avoir été nommé grand maître mondial de l'Ordre martiniste initiatique, le 29 octobre 1984, en succession de Robert Ambelain. Ces dernières années, la vie n'avait pas été tendre pour cet homme de désir, calomnié, méprisé, exploité, et je garde pour ma part le souvenir d'un homme profondément blessé. Jelui rendrai prochainement l'hommage que je dois à sa mémoire. Puisse le Seigneur l'accueillir dans ses verts pâturages. - Serge Caillet

and a very rough translation (by an unknown messenger, which nevertheless gives a profound insight in this situation):

Gérard Kloppel passed to the Eternal Orient, on Sunday, October 5th, 2008 from a heart attack. He was born the 5th of March 1940. I was proud to know him personally and worked with him in Memphis-Mizraim, Martinism , Elus–Cohen and K R+C. He was a great alchemist and many the time I visited him when he lived just outside Paris. The last years of his life were very sad for him as he witnessed schism after schism "man hunt for profane titles".
Gérard I bid you farewell and thanks for the great memories.

I haven't known him nor ever met with Gérard Kloppel, yet I feel profoundly sorry for this brother. And the above mentioned situation, unfortunately must be quite familiar to most of us this small world of esoteric and secret orders.

So many forsee for themselves a great career in esoterism and when disappointed in their aspirations they turn their back on their own order and start fighting it as if their inheritance depended on it, discrediting it and or create their own order! Just like Kloppel I've seen this happening so many times.

On at least two occasions, dignitaries approached me to find out if I'd be interested of starting a new group here in The Netherlands or represent some schismatic organisation. Where at first it might seem appealing to be the Grandmaster of you name it... But it isn't as nearly as funny as it might seem. This I rapidly noticed when I was the Master of a Pronaos. Felt honoured of course when asked, however... I had to prepare the monthly study/monograph or select one, perform the ritual, the only part I liked. For starters, it is much more pleasant to sit in the temple and participate in the exercises etc, than conduct the ritual. But short of younger and willing members, I also had to write and print the bulletin, pick up the older members and bring them back home etc.etc.

Though some are still among my best friends, you also have to deal with some members, you woulnd't normally befriend and after six months, I just had, since I'd promised to do so, force myself to bring this all to a good end. Next the officer receives a nice diploma from the GM and that's it...

And the GM? Well the GM's in the the same but quadrupled. No person in his sound mind would strive a for such a position. Since the Master is and always should be the biggest server. The title of Supérieur Inconnu in Martinism, which I see preferably translated as Serviteur Inconnu already indicates this.
“The greatest among you will be your servant" (Mathew 23:11).

Being a serviteur inconnu is something really difficult and many people are just not able to puit their big egos aside for the continuation of the Great Work and their Order. And yet that's what needed, people who can make a sacrifice!

We in AMORC have had our fair share of schisms. Because of the Stewart Affair AMORC split into the Ancient Rosae Crucis and the Confraternity of the Rose Cross. Where this was a traumatic experience for most AMORC members, the most harm is often locally done on a smaller scale in the pronaoi and chapters. I've seen them come and go because of petty disagreements and mainly big egos of their pathetic little masters.

Is it wrong to criticize your order? Of course not. I myself have always been a very critical member. But remember an order is never responsible for the irresponsible behaviour of individual members. Ty to avoid factions nor follow the Master as if a guru, who's just as human or inhuman as the average human being...

ADONIS, tué par le sanglier.
OSIRIS, tué par Typhon.
PYTHAGORE, proscrit.
ORPHEE, mis en pièces par les Bacchantes.
MOISE, abandonné dans les cavernes du Mont Nébo.
HIRAM, massacré par des bandits.
SAINT JEAN, décapité.
APPOLONIUS, tortué.
JESUS, crucifié.
JAQUES MOLAY, brûlé sur le bûcher.
AGRIPPA, mourant dans un dénuement absolu.
PARCELSE, CAZOTTE, CAGLIOSTRO, SAINT-MARTIN, WRONSKI,
Eliphas Lévi, SAINT-YVES D’ALVEYDRE et des centaines d’ autres martyrs ignorés de la Science Royale et Sacerdotale, dont les Lois sont inexorables.

Très:. cher:. frère:. Kloppel

PAX TE CUM!

http://rosaecrucius.blogspot.com/2007/06/dungeons-dragons-at-rosicrucian-park.html

DINSDAG 9 SEPTEMBER 2008

A Week in the Life of Christian Rosencreutz; the Rosicrucian Alchemical Path.

Zo broeder Rozenkruis, ook gij hier!?

Dit alles vloeit te zamen en vormt een sfeer of bol, welks delen alle even ver van het middelpunt verwijderd zijn.

"Jesus said to them, When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside, and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the female one and the same, so that the male be not male, nor the female female... then you will enter the kingdom."

Er, Carlo Pietzner, schilderte ein Erlebnis. Er besuchte Montsegur, eine der letzten Stütspunkte der Katharer. Er traf dort eine Schulklasse an mit einem Lehrer, der den Schülern sagte, dass, befor die Katharer von dort in den Feuertot schritten, ein Schatz gerettet worden sei, mit dem sich zwei order drei der Katharer an der anderen Seite der Belagerer abseilten. Dieser Schatz sei ein Baby gewesen, welches dazu bestimmt war, ein grosser Menschheitsführer zu werden. Carlo Pietzner sah darin Christian Rosenkreutz


Arcana publicata vilescunt; et gratiam prophana amittunt.
Ergo, ne Margaritas obijce porcis, seu Asino substerne rosas.

An einem Abend vor dem Ostertag saß ich an einem Tisch und besprach mich meiner Gewohnheit nach mit meinem Schöpfer in meinem demütigen Gebet. Und dachte über viele große Geheimnisse, deren mich der Vater des Lichts, seine Majestät, nicht wenig hatte sehen lassen, nach.

Much has been said, written and speculated about the Alchemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, third part of the Rosicrucian Trilogy! Just about as much as the nebulous nature of the origins of Rosicrucianism itself.
Where some claim that CRC of the Fama and Confessio (who is btw not necessarily the same person as Rosenkreutz!) was the founder of Rosicrucianism, most scholars now are of the opinion that Christian Rosenkreutz, was just a mythical figure, a fictional hero and not a real character.
Though a considerable minority still maintains that Christian Rosenkreutz was the name of an avatar, a highly evolved adapt, and that Rosenkreutz was perhaps the last descendant of the Roesgen von Germelshausen tribe, a German family who flourished in the 13th century.
Their Castle stood in the Thuringian Forest on the Border of Hesse and they had embraced Albigensian (ie Cathar) doctrines, combining Gnostic and Christian beliefs. Some even believe that C.R.C. was the very treasure of the Cathars smuggled out of Montsegur, as a baby.

Well a third option is it’s both a real person and mythical figure! A kind of honorary title, for someone with a different mundane name such as Francis Bacon.
Without going any further into this controversy or expressing my own opinion I’ll move on to the Alchemical Wedding and will try to shed some light on it.

Though his role in the origin of the Rosicrucian legend is controversial Johann Valentin Andreae claims in his autobiography the Chymische Hochzeit "Chemical Wedding" as one of his works, which he allegedly wrote at the pristine age of 19 years. An astonishing accomplishment indead, to put it mildly! Later in life he backed off, denouncing his rosicrucianism and dismissing it all as a lidubrium! He tried to transfer it into something with a more widely accepted Christian nature, becoming a pietist theologian, probably scared by the developing anti-rosicrucian currents. Comenius was greatly disappointed about his attitude!

In his autobiography Vita Ab Ibso Conscripta, the Lutheran theologian Johann Valentin Andreae wrote: "In contrast (to my writings that perished), the Chemical Wedding survived, with its foetus fruitful of monsters, a fantasy, which you may wonder was evaluated and interpreted with subtle ingenuity by some people, foolishly enough, in demonstration of the inanity of the curious". Andreae claimed to have written it around 1605 when nineteen.

Interpreting, explaining, translating Die Chymische Hochzeit des Christian Rosencreutz, is just as easy as making predictions especially when they are about the future. Or trying to explain initiations and or dreams.
For those who insist on reading a more or less authorised interpretation, I’d recommend reading Jan van Rijckenborgh’s excellent comments.

Personally I’d like to suggest an entirely different approach here in order to decide upon what the Chemical Wedding actually is and how to assess it. So, therefore I won’t interpret the Chymische Hochzeitastrologically, esoterically and or numerologically. The name Christian Rosenkreutz is the symbolic designation for each candidate on the path of initiation; the equivalent of the Martinist Homme de Désir, Man of Desire on its way to become Le Nouvel Homme "the New Man"!
The Chymische Hochzeit Cristiani Rosencreutz anno 1459, contains the seven phases of the Path of Initiation. The path of the seeker for spiritual enlightenment. The quest for Illumination.
Nothing More, Nothing Less. It’s just that simple!

Now sit still, relax and focus on your breathing. Visualise that you are Christian Rosenkreutz! Assume, pretend being Christian Rosenkreutz. Walt, talk act like Rosenkreuz. It doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 81. So now, you are Rosenkreuz and for 7 days, every day you carefully study one chapter.
By doing so it will become completely clear to you, what the intended meaning of the Alchemical Wedding is. This is also the only way to get to know it this secret, since it is a personal path, your personal initiation. This is what Christian Rosenkreuz is all about. You and me, we are all Rosenkreuz.
Thus it’s simple as it should be, like the Philosopher’s Stone, also very simple, though most people wouldn’t recognise it, not even if they’d sit on it. T.R.Y.

When you make the two into one, and when you make the inner like the outer and the outer like the inner, and the upper like the lower, and when you make male and female into a single one, so that the male will not be male nor the female be female, when you make eyes in place of an eye, a hand in place of a hand, a foot in place of a foot, an image in place of an image, then you will enter the Kingdom.

Fr. CHRISTIANUS ROSENCREUTZ. (signed)
Eques aurei Lapidis.
Anno. 1459.

SUMMA SCIENTIA, NIHIL SCIRE

DONDERDAG 3 APRIL 2008

WHY DOEST THOU BLOG? THOU PRISONER OF SAN JOSE...

The greatest tolerance in strictest independence;
the greatest understanding with absolute openness of spirit.
AMORC's Motto

I shall always be aware that traditionally and chronologically the Rosicrucian Order has always been a fraternal (non-sectarian) mystical organization. It must therefore be devoted to two fundamental pursuits: the enlightenment of man and the individual attainment of Peace Profound. - RML

Combien de gens ont passé leur vie à lire, à étudier seuls, et sont restés au-dessous de l'objet qu'ils étudient, faute de s'en entretenir.
- L.C. de Saint-Martin

Vertrek nergens heen, tenzij je hiervoor voldoende tijd hebt en tevens beschikt over de noodzakelijke middelen om je bestemming te bereiken. Weet dat er een verschil bestaat tussen de weg ‘kennen’ en de weg ‘bewandelen’.


WHY DO YOU BLOG? A question that's asked both in a nice way and in a way which often means "what on earth possesses to you to write for no money and, probably, no readers?".

I keep my blogs as a personal Rosicrucian Notebook for three simple reasons.
One: in order to defend the Rosicrucian Order against baseless and misleading accusations. Two: to preserve (the very long)Rosicrucian history as I see it for posterity. The accepted idea that it only originated 1604 - 1616 with the advent of the Manifestoes is simple not correct. This was merely the externalisation of the Rose Cross, because the time was deemed auspicious. Three: to fight the misconception of many researchers, that the Rose Cross can be fully researched and explained just by means of the known documents. But when you're talking about a secret society, please don't expect to find it all in the newspaper...
A clear distinction must be made between exoteric and esoteric history!

So to make a long story short my rosicrucian and templar weblogs are my personal Rosicrucian Notebook(s). I put them on the internet since easier to maintain and update then when just writing on a piece of paper. But in the end it's a personal diary not really intended for publication! I just allow the few fanatics who manage to find it to grasp a glimpse of my meditations.


As far as Rosicrucian history is concerned, the popular and established scientific opinion is that the Rosirucians more or less started about 1604 and with the publication of the Manifestoes.

"The documented history of Rosicrucianism reaches back no further than the early 1600s, and modern Rosicrucian organizations don't date back anywhere near that far."

All das bedeutet nun nicht, dass das Rosenkeuzertum erst um 1600 entstanden sei. Es besagt aber, dass wir ab diesem Zeitpunkt schriftliche Zeugnisse von bzw. über sie besitzen. Die Spekulationen über das "wahre" Alter der Rosenkreuzer gehen weiter und machen um 1600 nicht halt. – Dr. Wolfram Frietsch in Newtons Geheimnis.

It's just so easy and convenient to believe that, though it's far from being the truth. The rosicrucians are so much older i.m.h.o. Well, just read my Rosicrucian Chronicles if this should really interest you.

As far as baseless accusations is concerned and I've seen one or two in my life, by far the most ridiculous and grotesque accusation I've seen so far is Pierre Freeman's (if that's the real name)accusation that AMORC is a brainwashing cult and enslaving it's members by means of remote indoctrination (lol).

The Prisoner of San Jose, a memoir by Pierre S. Freeman, exposes the ancient mystical order of Rosæ Crucis, also known as AMORC, located in San Jose. AMORC recruited Freeman, a young engineering student in Haiti, and exposed him to twenty-four years of sustained indoctrination and mind control. Having no family or friends able to substantially help him, no exit psychologist, deprogrammer, or interventionist to guide him, Freeman methodically studied the cult experience, analyzing the mind control and hypnotic procedures that were affecting his life. The Prisoner of San Jose is about how Freeman deprograms himself and recovers the mental and emotional stability he lost twenty-four years earlier. Most importantly, the story is about hope, and how Freeman is finally able to reclaim the liberty of his own personality.

some of the author (Pierre S. Freeman)'s quotes

"Enslavement by a mind control cult".

“Remote Indoctrination".

"I never even dreamed that I could one day be a victim of mind control, hypnosis, or even brainwashing".

AMORC is neither a cult nor a sect, not by any standard. Period!
This can a.o. be easily determined by applying The Advanced Bonewits’ Cult Danger Evaluation Frame!

In the first place it is a common characteristic of sects that it’s supporters should break with their family and friends, with the ensuing and often all too familiar dramas.

In stead the Rosicrucian Order AMORC is asking its members to fully support their society and fulfil their duty as citizens. Moreover, we are of the opinion that the family is a gem, of which the harmony and unity must be kept at all cost.

In second place a sect is usually led by a guru, who has declared himself the supreme leader for life. For information purposes only, the leaders of AMORC are elected for a period of five years. At the end of that period their mandate may be extended, provided one considers that they have done their job well enough. Is that not the case then they will be replaced by man or woman considered being more able for the position.

The Grand Master title goes back to great antiquity and is part of the specific vocabularium used by initiatic orders. In AMORC this title is given to a person who is responsible for a jurisdiction and where he or she receives a mandate for a period of five years, and which can be renewed. Thus the title is a function and it does not necessarily mean that the person who fulfils it, is a perfect human being, who holds the supreme wisdom. Consequently the members don’t owe him/her absolute obedience and or veneration.

In the third place, the followers of a sect are almost without exception requested to donate large sums of their material possessions, usually required for financing the ostentatious lifestyle of the guru. The Rosicrucians only charge a modest fee for the written lessons of the Order to be received.

Finally, every sect tries to indoctrinate its followers among other things in order to ensure that they can no longer leave the sect. AMORC on the other hand, bases its philosophy on total personal freedom of thought and conscience and the development of the faculty of learning to think for themselves! Each Rosicrucian may therefore end its membership at any given time, without further ado and or any questioning. The only moral obligation is to return the monographs.

Consequently the Rosicrucians do not constitute a cult, either religious or otherwise. They constitute a fraternity of men and women.The members of the organisation are of every religious denomination, and are not asked to change their religious beliefs in any way.

In a sound scientific environment these things could be easily established among others by simply applying the definition of the words cult or sect.

It appears to me though that in real life the word cult or sect is more than often misused and applied to just about everything being not being part of the mainstream and or to the somewhat unconventional currents.

About his other claims, they are so totally ludicrous, absurd, unbelievable, preposterous... that I just wonder what's gotten into this poor man!?

I'm a socalled "Hierarchy" read longtime member. I've been through all the degrees. Finished the "plus" degrees and completed the "Beyond" degrees. So basically all there is was or ever has been.

I herewith do testify and solemny swear that never ever I've been controlled, brainwashed, pushed, indoctrinated, influenced whatever you name it by AMORC.

I freely and voluntary joined, wasn't recruited or anything, and guess what, it was my best decision ever!

We don't hassle former members!

From the moment of their affiliation, Rosicrucians are asked to become "walking question marks" and to regard their own conscience as their only master. AMORC's teachings are never imposed on the members.

We have no dogma. We don't tell you how to think. In anthropological terms, we're a voluntary association group!

So if AMORC was indeed remote indoctrinating and or controlling its members, then it should be clear by now, that Freeman wouldn't ever have written his silly book! (lol).

AMORC a pro-abortion cult!? Just gimme a break! No person of sound mind would ever give such an advice, or be pro. AMORC doesn't even take a stand here. Because, we feel that each individual, should be able to make his/her decisions here. We teach and learn people how to think for themselves...

His crazy writ is perhaps only parallelled by another and equally insane and unholy publication called Le Diable au XIX' Siecle. and which was an attack upon Freemasonry, and which came out in parts, illustrated with grotesque and repulsive engravings. The name on the title-page is Dr. Bataille a pseudonym of Leo Taxil, but it is stated in the British Museum Catalogue that the real authors were Gabriel Jogand-Pages and Charles Hacks.

Amor Omnia Vincit: Gnoothi seauton...

Perhaps one day to be continued...

http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/positio.pdf
http://www.rosicrucian.org/about/mastery/mastery.pdf

DONDERDAG 6 MAART 2008

Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians...

De Rozekruisers, bestaan die? Ben jij er een?...

God en de natuur zijn de twee polen waar de wereldbeschouwing van de Rozekruisers om draait, een opvatting die ook wel wordt aangeduid met Pansophie.

Overleg bij Uzelf, o mens en overweeg, waarvoor gij geschapen werd. Bepeins, welke Uw vermogens zijn, bepeins welke Uw behoeften en relaties zijn, zo zult ge de plichten van het leven leren kennen en geleid worden op al Uw wegen. - Aan U gun ik

Vertrek nergens heen, tenzij je hiervoor voldoende tijd hebt en tevens beschikt over de noodzakelijke middelen om je bestemming te bereiken. Weet dat er een verschil bestaat tussen de weg ‘kennen’ en de weg ‘bewandelen’.


.:SALUTEM PUNCTIS TRIANGULI:.

Whenever people, who know me very well or just remotely (btw I'm very open about it, sticker on car, but no that's not necessary at all. May also keep it to yourself, private), ask me, what's this rosicrucianism all about, what the point of is is, if they should join it, what's the advantage of these odd fellows, I'm well, very reserved. Well if you absolutely must give it a try...
NO PROSTYLIZING! I'm discussing, not telling you how to be saved...

So if you've had the urge already for a very long, well could consider, if not better join the local football club in stead! Because this is just not for everybody!

Are there advantages to it. Well definitely! Absolutely! When I decided, aged 16, that I wanted to be one, it took me a while to find them. I found some very old books in the local library, was wondering if they still existed at all!?
Well we didn't yet have the Wibbly Wobbly Web in those days.

So I was thrilled that one day, I found an AMORC add in, of all places - my favourite car magazine, and while seeing the logo I instantly knew that this was just what I'd always been looking for. I joined them and never regretted it. It was the best decision of my life! Once a Rosicrucian always a Rosicrucian!

So what advise should I give? Well I just try to help those who're already pretty sure, who're already one but don't know it yet. Repeat NO PROSTYLIZING!

For those who are pretty sure, but not 100% sure yet I have a recommendation though: read a booklet called WORDS TO THE WISE A Practical Guide to the Esoteric Sciences by Manly P. Hall.

In his little jewel Hall gives the prerequisites for becoming a rosicrucian, martinist, sufi, you name it. This is one of the best occult books currently available to the earnest seekers of TRUTH, which is teaching a correct spiritual discernment.

Hall lists a number of qualifications you need when walking this path. Fourteen qualifications seven of which are dealing with character and seven achievements for the mundane life. The seven liberal arts!

The latter being the easiest. You must have some knowledge of maths, astronomy, philosophy, music/arts, social/political sciences, language, well the sort of things that every generalist should know.

The character, your character is the most important thing and you shoud hold a fair share of: integrity, discrimination, application, patience, moderation, right motives and relaxation. If you hold most the these qualifcations, well then OK give it a TRY.

So now you've become a rosicrucian. Well, no but you've joined an organization, so what are the greatest pittfalls: TIME and PEOPLE.
If you think you can join it for a couple of years, awaiting your instant illumination, be prepared for a major disappointment. If you have only two, three or five years? Make a cruise vacation, go to college, whatever... This is a life long commitment!

You'd ask people, why of all pittfalls people? Well and provided there's one near you, perhaps you could decide to join a Pronaos, Chaper, Lodge (no obligation to do so btw) and start meeting fellow rosicrucians, you're in for another disappointment. These perfect rosicrucians, illuminated masters whatever, often are just well just very ordinary people. Just common people on the path like you and me... so don't you ever confuse the people with the system. Don't mix'm up. The system's perfect, the members are NOT...

Madame Blavatsky (H.P.B.) was once asked what was the most important thing necessary in the study of theosophy, but can read rosicrucianism as well here. Her answer was: common sense - some scientists could also make good use of. When asked what she would place second, she replied: A sense of humour - which is also useful when studying the latest scientific theories. Asked what she would place third, Blavatsky replied: Oh just MORE common sense.

I couldn't agree more...

"The discovery of what is true, and the practice of that which is good, are the two most important objects of philosophy."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/positio.pdf
http://www.rosicrucian.org/about/mastery/mastery.pdf

Classical Myth & Mysteries 1

Plato

fromThomassin's Recueil des Figures, Groupes, Thermes, Fontaines, Vases et autres OrnementsPlato's real name was Aristocles. When his father brought him to study with Socrates, the great Skeptic declared that on the previous night he had dreamed of a white swan, which was an omen that his new disciple was to become one of the world's illumined. There is [also] a tradition that the immortal Plato was sold as a slave by the King of Sicily. MPH

Æneas at the Gate of Hell

From Virgil's Aeneid (Dryden's translation)Virgil describes part of the ritual of a Greek Mystery in his account of the descent of Aeneas to the gate of hell under the guidance of the Sibyl. Of that part of the ritual portrayed above the immortal poet writes: "Full in the midst of this infernal Road, An Elm displays her dusky Arms abroad; The God of Sleep there hides his heavy Head And empty Dreams on ev'ry Leaf are spread. Of various Forms, unnumber'd Specters more; Centaurs, and double Shapes, besiege the Door: Before the Passage horrid Hydra stands, And Briareus with all his hundred Hands: Gorgons, Geryon with his triple Frame; And vain Chimaera vomits empty Flame. The Chief unsheath'd his shining Steel, prepar'd Tho seiz'd with sudden Fear, to force the Guard. Off'ring his brandish'd Weapon at their Face; Had not the Sibyl stop'd his eager Pace, And told him what those empty Phantoms were; Forms without Bodies, and impassive Air." MPH

The Ptolemaic Scheme of the Universe

From Montfaucon’s AntiquitiesIn ridiculing the geocentric system of astronomy expounded by Claudius Ptolemy, modern astronomers have overlooked the philosophic key to the Ptolemaic system. The universe of Ptolemy is a diagram of the relationships existing between the various divine and elemental parts of every creature, and is not concerned with astronomy as that science is now comprehended. In the above figure, special attention is called to the three circles of zodiacs surrounding the orbits of the planets. These zodiacs represent the threefold spiritual constitution of the universe. The orbits of the planets are the Governors of the World and the four elemental spheres in the center represent the physical constitution of both man and the universe. Ptolemy's scheme of the universe is a cross section of the universal aura, the planets and elements to which he refers having no relation to those recognized by modern astronomers. MPH

The Microcosm

From Bryant's An Analysis of Ancient MythologyThe ancient symbol of the Orphic Mysteries was the serpent-entwined egg, which signified Cosmos as encircled by the fiery Creative Spirit. The egg also represents the soul of the philosopher; the serpent, the Mysteries. At the time of initiation the shell is broken and man emerges from the embryonic state of physical existence wherein he had remained through the fetal period of philosophic regeneration. MPH

A Female Hierophant of the Mysteries

From Montfaucon's AntiquitiesThis illustration show Cybele, here called the Syrian Goddess, in the robes of a hierophant. Montfaucon describes the figure as follows: "Upon her head is an episcopal mitre, adorned on the lower part with towers and pinnacles; over the gate of the city a crescent, and beneath the circuit of the walls a crown of rays. The Goddess wears a sort of surplice exactly like the surplice of a priest or bishop; and upon the surplice a tunic, which falls down to the legs; and over all an episcopal cope, with the twelve signs of the Zodiac wrought on the borders. The figure hath a lion on each side, and holds in its left hand a Tympanum, a Sistrum, a Distaff, a Caduceus, and another instrument. In her right hand she holds with her middle finger a thunderbolt, and upon the same arm animals, insects, and, as far as we may guess, flowers and fruit, a bow, a quiver, a torch, and a scythe." The whereabouts of the statue is unknown, the copy reproduced by Montfaucon being from drawings by Pirro Ligorio. MPH

Mithras Slaying the Bull

From Lundy's Monumental ChristianityThis relief [prototokos] shows Mithras kneeling upon the recumbent form of a great bull, into whose throat he is driving a sword. The slaying of the bull signifies that the rays of the sun, symbolized by the sword, release at the vernal equinox the vital essences of the earth—the blood of the bull—which, pouring from the wound made by the Sun God, fertilize the seeds of living things. Dogs were held sacred to the cult of Mithras, being symbolic of sincerity and trustworthiness. The Mithraics used the serpent as an emblem of Ahriman, the Spirit of Evil. The bull is the Constellation of Taurus; the serpent, its opposite in the zodiac, Scorpio. MPH

The Birth of Mithras

From Montfaucon's AntiquitiesMithras was born out of a rock, which, breaking open, permitted him to emerge. This occurred in the darkness of a subterranean chamber. The Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem confirms the theory that Jesus was born in a grotto, or cave. According to Dupuis, Mithras was put to death by crucifixion and rose again on the third day. MPH

The Lion-Faced Light-Power

From Montfaucon's AntiquitiesThis Gnostic gem represents by its serpentine body the pathway of the Sun and by its lion head the exaltation of the solar orb in the Constellation of Leo. MPH

A Symbolic Labyrinth

From Montfaucon's AntiquitiesLabyrinths and mazes were favored places of initiation among many ancient cults. Remains of these mystic mazes have been found among the American Indians, Hindus, Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks. Some of these mazes are merely involved pathways lined with stones; others are literally miles of gloomy caverns under temples or hollowed from the sides of mountains. The famous labyrinth of Crete, in which roamed the bull-headed Minotaur, was unquestionably a place of initiation into the Cretan Mysteries. MPH

The Alexandrian Serapis

From Mosaize Historie der Hebreeuwse KerkeSerapis is often shown standing on the back of the sacred crocodile, carrying in his left hand a rule with which to measure the inundations of the Nile, and balancing with his right hand a curious emblem consisting of an animal with three heads. The first head—that of a lion—signified the present; the second head—that of a wolf—the past; and the third head—that of a dog—the future. The body with its three heads was enveloped by the twisted coils of a serpent. MPH

The Rape of Persephone

From Thomassin's Recueil des Figures, Groupes, Thermes, Fontaines, Vases et autres OrnementsIn his Disquisitions upon the Painted Greek Vases, James Christie presents Meursius' version of the occurrences taking place during the nine days required for the enactment of the Greater Eleusinian Rites. The 1st day was that of general meeting, during which those to be initiated were questioned concerning their several qualifications. The 2nd day was spent in a procession to the sea, possibly for the submerging of an image of the presiding goddess. The 3rd day was opened by the sacrifice of a mullet. On the 4th day the mystic basket containing certain sacred symbols was brought to Eleusis, accompanied by a number of female devotees carrying smaller baskets. On the evening of the 5th day there was a torch race, on the 6th a procession led by a statue of Iacchus, and on the 7th an athletic contest. The 8th day was devoted to a repetition of the previous ceremonial for the benefit of any who might have been prevented from attending sooner. The 9th and last day was devoted to the deepest philosophical issues of the Eleusinia, during which an urn or jar—the symbol of Bacchus—was exhibited as an emblem of supreme importance. MPH

Ceres, Patron of the Mysteries

From a mural painting in PompeiiCeres, or Demeter, was the daughter of Kronos and Rhea, and by Zeus the mother of Persephone. Some believe her to be the goddess of the earth, but more correctly she is the deity protecting agriculture in general and corn in particular. The poppy is sacred to Ceres and she is often shown carrying or ornamented by a garland of these flowers. In the Mysteries, Ceres is represented riding in a chariot drawn by winged serpents. MPH

The Processional of the Bacchic Rites

From Ovid's MetamorphosisIn the initiation of the Bacchic Mysteries, the role of Bacchus is played by the candidate who, set upon by priests in the guise of the Titans, is slain and finally restored to life amidst great rejoicing. The Bacchic Mysteries were given every three years, and like the Eleusinian Mysteries, were divided into two degrees. The initiates were crowned with myrtle and ivy, plants which were sacred to Bacchus.

In the Anacalypsis, Godfrey Higgins conclusively establishes Bacchus (Dionysos) as one of the early pagan forms of the Christos myth: "The birthplace of Bacchus, called Sabazius or Sabaoth, was claimed by several places in Greece; but on Mount Zelmisus, in Thrace, his worship seems to have been chiefly celebrated. He was born of a virgin on the 25th of December; he performed great miracles for the good of mankind; particularly one in which he changed water into wine; he rode in a triumphal procession on an ass; he was put to death by the Titans, and rose again from the dead on the 25th of March: he was always called the Saviour. In his mysteries, he was shown to the people, as an infant is by the Christians at this day, on Christmas Day morning in Rome."

At one time the Bacchic Rites were of a high order, but later they became much degraded. The Bacchanalia, or orgies of Bacchus, are famous in literature. MPH

The Scheme of the Universe according to the Greeks and Romans

From Cartari’s Imagini degli Dei degli AntichiBy ascending successively through the fiery sphere of Hades, the spheres of water, earth, and air, and the heavens of the moon, the plane of Mercury is reached. Above Mercury are the planes of Venus, the sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, the latter containing the symbols of the zodiacal constellations. Above the arch of the heavens (Saturn) is the dwelling place of the different powers controlling the universe. The supreme council of the gods is composed of twelve deities—six male and six female—which correspond to the positive and negative signs of the zodiac. The six gods are Jupiter, Vulcan, Apollo, Mars, Neptune, and Mercury; the six goddesses are Juno, Ceres, Vesta, Minerva, Venus, and Diana. Jupiter rides his eagle as the symbol of his sovereignty over the world, and Juno is seated upon a peacock, the proper symbol of her haughtiness and glory. MPH

The Great God Pan

From Kircher’s OEdipus AEgyptiacusThe great god Pan was celebrated as the author and director of the sacred dances which he is supposed to have instituted to symbolize the circumambulations of the heavenly bodies. Pan was a composite creature, the upper part—with the exception of his horns—being human, and the lower part in the form of a goat. Pan is the prototype of natural energy and, while undoubtedly a phallic deity, should not be confused with Priapus. The pipes of Pan signify the natural harmony of the spheres, and the god himself is a symbol of Saturn because this planet is enthroned in Capricorn, whose emblem is a goat. The Egyptians were initiated into the Mysteries of Pan, who was regarded as a phase of Jupiter, the Demirugus. Pan represented the impregnating power of the sun and was the chief of a horde of rustic deities, panes, fauns, and satyrs. He also signified the controlling spirit of the lower worlds. MPH