AMORC

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AMORC , often also AMORC , an acronym for Latin Antiquus Mysticus Ordo Rosae Crucis (“Old Mystical Order of the Rosicrucian”), is an organization founded in New York City in 1915 by Harvey Spencer Lewis , which sees itself as the successor to the Rosicrucians . In addition, it refers to traditions that are said to go back to ancient Egypt . The Grand Lodge of the German-speaking countries has existed since March 1952 and has been based in Baden-Baden since 1963 .

history

Background and foundation (until 1915)

Harvey Spencer Lewis, the founder of the AMORC

The establishment goes back to the journalist and advertising specialist Harvey Spencer Lewis (1883-1939), who was also the first chairman of the order. Lewis was raised Methodist and was interested in occult phenomena even in his youth . In 1904, the New York Institute for Psychical Research was established , with Lewis as director. There they dealt with occult studies and looked for Rosicrucian teachings, which is why they called themselves internally "Rosicrucian Research Society".

According to Lewis' own account, he came into contact with Rosicrucianism in 1908 through a woman named May Banks Stacey , whom he describes as a legate of an English Rosicrucian order in India. She brought him into contact with the French Rosicrucian offshoot. In the first issue of Lewis 'religious magazine The American Rosae Crucis , Banks-Stacey is portrayed as an initiate into the mysteries of Hindu philosophy under Swami Vivekananda , Abekananda Baha' Ullah. In addition, she was a member of the Esoteric Section (ES) of the Theosophical Society . As a co-founder of Rosicrucianism in the USA, she was the "Matrae of the Grand Lodge of America". At the same time, a connection to French Rosicrucianism is emphasized: According to this, Lewis got in touch in 1909 with a forerunner of the Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose-Croix in France, with whom the pioneer of the French Rosicrucian movement Joséphin Péladan also claims to have been in contact. In the same year Lewis traveled to Toulouse ( France ), where he claims to have been initiated into a Rosicrucian order through a "wonderful experience", which led him to found the AMORC. Lewis claims to have gone up a spiral staircase in an old tower near Toulouse and got into a square study, where an old white-haired man told him that he had been escorted to this place without his knowledge and gave him a letter. A few days later a car drove him to a castle, where he fell asleep and, in a dream, received the order from a chapter of the enlightened in a cave to found the order in the USA.

Rosicrucian researcher Robert Vanloo considers Lewis initiation and ancestry history to be imaginary, since Lewis pretended to have documents written by French Rosicrucian initiates that allegedly show indisputably that he was empowered to support the AMORC as the only true Rosicrucian movement in the United States to found. However, these texts were written in poor French and without proper accentuation, and the photos of monuments in Toulouse, taken and presented by Lewis, did not exist there. On the basis of this “power of attorney for French Rosicrucians”, the AMORC sees itself as the new center of a centuries-old Rosicrucian organization, whose international council has sent the essence of its teachings across the Atlantic to safer New York in packages full of manuscripts, books and teaching material. According to AMORC, this old order only becomes publicly active in certain cycles, which usually last 108 years, and then retreats back into secrecy. The fact that Lewis' version of history differs considerably from that of historical researchers is due to the fact that they were not initiated and therefore misunderstood everything. On his return to New York, he brought together the core group of the AMORC, which had been given "further papers and the jewels of the Order" by Mrs. Banks Stacey. Lewis founded lodges and the AMORC began to operate as a distance learning institute , which is still typical for him today.

Beginning in New York City (1915–1918)

The first lodge of the AMORC was founded in May 1915 in New York City.

On June 22, 1916, Lewis held a public demonstration in front of AMORC members in New York City in the field of practical alchemy in which he attempted to turn a piece of zinc into gold . After a brief theoretical introduction, Lewis focused on the zinc object for about 16 minutes with a "little-known force of mind". Half of the treated piece of zinc was then sent to the Supreme Council of the Rosicrucian Order in France. The other half was exhibited on the AMORC premises in New York City, but no photos or further comments were produced.

In 1917 the first “National Convention” was held in Pittsburgh ( Pennsylvania ), in which the plan was approved to offer future teachings not only within lodges , but also by way of distance learning (“correspondence lessons”) would later lead to global expansion of the AMORC.

On June 17, 1918, the AMORC headquarters was searched by the police. Lewis was arrested for allegedly selling dubious bonds and raising money for false reasons. According to another account, he was arrested on charges of distributing dubious books and fraud. The allegations against him were later dropped.

Phase in San Francisco and Tampa (1918–1927)

After moving to San Francisco, Lewis published the magazine The Rosicrucian Digest from 1921 , although initially under the title The Triangle . Also in 1921 the AMORC established a connection with the co-founder of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) Theodor Reuss (1855–1923). Lewis had learned from Reuss that the OTO represented the "outer facade" of the Rosicrucians, which aroused Lewis interest, as he saw himself only as a kind of guardian of Rosicrucianism in the 1920s and was still waiting for it with "true and genuine Rosicrucians" to meet. For his part, Reuss was impressed by Lewis's resources and provided him with an OTO honorary membership ( Memphis Misraïm Rite 33 °, 90 °, 95 ° and OTO VII °). He also tried to persuade him to set up a joint umbrella organization called "The AMORC World Universal Council" (TAWUC). Lewis was not convinced of this idea and finally broke off all contact with Reuss in May 1922 after he realized that Reuss was primarily pursuing the goal of receiving financial support from the AMORC. Nevertheless, the AMORC used the OTO lamen in some printed products until the 1950s, although this was also used in the coat of arms of Joséphin Péladan's Ordre de la Rose-Croix du Temple et du Graal in 1890 (16 years before the OTO was founded) . In 1930 Lewis worked briefly with Reuss' successor Heinrich Tränker . Both published a Rosicrucian Manifesto stylized as a second Fama in order to establish the AMORC in Germany and planned a “Pansophia International Rosicrucian Council”. Between 1929 and 1937 Lewis wrote a number of esoteric books that made him known outside of the AMORC. Around 1925 Lewis worked in Tampa ( Florida ) for two years , where he, with the support of a financially strong partner, built an Egyptian pyramid in an ambience surrounded by palm groves, which formed the backdrop for extensive advertising campaigns. A separate radio station (WJBB) was set up. As a result, the number of members of the AMORC increased considerably.

Office in San José, California (from 1927)

Members in front of a building on the AMORC site in San José in 1937.

In 1927, Lewis purchased land for the new AMORC headquarters in San José, California. A Rosicrucian University (" Rose Croix University ") was opened on the site in 1934 . A planetarium followed in 1936 and in 1939 a library (" Rosicrucian Research Library ") and an Egyptian museum (" Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum "), which became a tourist attraction in San Josés.

The area was called " Rosicrucian Park " and has long been the international center of the AMORC. Analogous to other esoteric organizations, Lewis tried to combine the AMORC with that of a Christian cult. This connection was made with the " Pristine Church of the Rose Cross ". Lewis became the bishop of that church. However, the connection only existed for a few years and was finally dissolved, as the character of the AMORC increasingly turned out to be non-religious and fraternal. As a result of the differences among the members, the largest lodge with around 1000 people and its master separated from the AMORC.

Dispute over the legitimate Rosicrucian order

The AMORC claimed to be the only legitimate Rosicrucian order in North America, according to which, in connection with French occultism , an organization that exists continuously in secret is postulated, which is said to have had the direction and control for centuries.

As the AMORC became more well-known, however, there were disputes with representatives of other Rosicrucian organizations in the USA, in particular with Lewis' worst rival, Reuben Swinburne Clymer . Clymer became head of the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis (FRC) in the early 1920s . He laid down his version of Rosicrucianism in the book "The Book of Rosicruciae". One of the points of contention between Lewis and Clymer had to do with sex magic . Both sides accused themselves of teaching vicious sexual practices .

Finally, because of his OTO connection, Lewis was abused by Clymer in a campaign as a "loudmouth and drooling emperor with connections to black magic" and attacked directly, in which Clymer denied the legitimacy, historical continuity and thus the exclusive right of the AMORC, the Lewis claimed for his order. For example, Clymer published the two-volume work The Rosicrucian Fraternity in America full of accusations against the AMORC, in which he also demonstrated that Lewis had falsified documents in his books, including an OTO invitation from Reuss and the OTO statutes of 1917. Clymer dedicated several books to his disputes with Lewis and accused him of having used the Rosicrucian names illegally, as he had previously had them legally protected for his own organization. In addition, Clymer accused him of his contacts to the OTO, which he denounced as a black magic organization and claimed that the allegedly historical Rosicrucian wisdom conveyed by the AMORC was often forgeries or plagiarism of quotations from writings that Clymer had long published, which he in proved and presented a meticulous analysis of the literature. According to historian Christopher McIntosh, the dispute was barely serious and rarely went beyond the level of a mud fight. After numerous attacks by Clymer, AMORC published a defense document in 1935 under the title “Audi Alteram Partem” to investigate the allegations and clarify that the “real” OTO had nothing to do with black magic and that Clymer's allegations were false.

Foundation of FUDOSI (1934)

Despite the various AMORC origin legends he proclaimed, Lewis was still dissatisfied and looking for the "real" Rosicrucians. In order to be able to trump Clymer, who challenged him for the sole position in the field of the Rosicrucian associations, Lewis set about installing a larger union in order to consolidate his claim. The 1934 hosted Lewis in Brussels FUDOSI ( International Association of inauguration orders and societies around), there by Marc Laval, a year earlier for the sexual practice Karezza to let authenticate debut his Rosicrucian legitimacy. Participants included emissaries of the Èglise Gnostique Universelle , Lavals comrade Jean Mallinger , Victor Blanchard (1878-1953) founding member of the association that had founded an order of Martinists in 1921 and Émile Dantinne, who had taken over the order after Joséphin Péladan's death in 1918. FUDOSI was dissolved in 1951.

Crowley's Attempts to Take Over (1935)

Aleister Crowley asked Lewis to hand over the AMORC to him without a fight

In 1935 bankrupt occultist Aleister Crowley tried to take over the AMORC with his bankruptcy attorneys. He also set his sights on the assets of the AMORC in order to reduce the mountain of debt created by his bankruptcy, as otherwise he could face a prison sentence. To this end, he first wrote some polite letters and on August 19, 1935, offered Lewis help in the fight against Clymer, who believed to have proven in his books that the AMORC was descended from Crowley's OTO wing, which was not the case. Crowley asked Lewis first in a letter to hand over the AMORC to him without a fight. Then Crowley circled Lewis from several fronts: On September 5, 1935, the Lewis representative Andrea received a letter from Crowley in London, in which he presented himself as the chief of all Rosicrucians, who would henceforth direct the fortunes of the AMORC. At the same time, Crowley's attorney Schneider appeared for an initial consultation at the office of AMORC attorney Walker in Los Angeles and proposed a collaboration in the legal battle against Clymer. At a second meeting of the two on September 18, 1935, Schneider now demanded access to the AMORC headquarters in San José. By January 1936, a dozen letters followed between Lewis, Andrea, Walker, and Crowley. Finally, Lewis, who did not want to cede the AMORC to Crowley, argued that Crowley had already been expelled from the OTO by Reuss on October 25, 1921, and that he was actually not a real OTO full member because he allegedly did not have an OTO charter, but only a certificate. Crowley denied this and replied that the AMORC obtained its authorization from precisely this OTO charter and that he, Crowley, therefore owned the AMORC alone. But Lewis faced the threats of lawsuit calmly. Even when Crowley posed as the representative of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) in the USA , Lewis reacted with concern because he had already called Crowley a fraud in 1916. Crowley tried in vain to mobilize Lewis' enemy Arnoldo Krumm-Heller for the fight against Lewis and, in 1937, dealt with the AMORC several times with sex magic. In an 11th grade AMORC tutorial, Crowley's motto, “Do what you want, shall be the whole of the law; Love is the law, love under will. ”And interpreted to mean that one should act with a sense of responsibility towards the law of karma.

Foundation of FUDOFSI (1939)

In response to Lewis' FUDOSI, Clymer countered in 1939 by founding his own rival umbrella organization: with him, a federation of orders of intiates and mystery schools, the so-called FUDOFSI, was founded under his leadership . From this association he had an authentic initiatory Rosicrucian descent confirmed. In the following years the battle between America's Rosicrucian rivals raged on. As early as 1935 there was a major court case between the two opponents, which Clymer lost.

Rosicrucian Fellowship

Today's Rosicrucian organizations represent different views on the content of Rosicrucianism and secrecy . This led to the AMORC quarreling with other Rosicrucian orders over the representation of the "real" order. In the dispute with the Rosicrucian Fellowship founded by Max Heindel , completely different ideas are associated with the term Rosicrucian: For example, a Heindel student in the AMORC magazine American Rosae Crucis explained in a letter to the editor in May 1916 that Heindel was his initiation of high spirits , after an examination by the only currently incarnated Elder Brothers, namely the members of the authentic genuine Rosicrucian Order, in the Rosicrucian Temple in Germany. For this reason it is impossible that the AMORC founder Lewis or others legitimately refer to themselves as initiates of the “true” Rosicrucian Order. Lewis countered that under the "real" order something completely different was to be understood, namely a masonic-like earthly organization with secret sublime temple initiations, which allegedly originate from the ancient Egyptians and which are now practiced in his AMORC. Lewis drew the conclusion: "If he [Max Heindel] refused to take a pledge of secrecy he could not have been initiated into the Order in any country."

Correspondingly, the use of the teaching material of the two opponents is contrary: While the publication of the teachings is of central importance for the Rosicrucian Fellowship, for the AMORC secrecy is the most important characteristic of Rosicrucianism. In contrast, the actual contents of both teachings only play a subordinate role in the disputes. Lewis stated only succinctly that the teaching content published by Heindel did not contain the true Rosicrucian secrets, as any Rosicrucian initiate from the third degree could recognize. In the present, such disputes have become rare, because people tend to avoid confrontation and only try to publicize their own organization as the only one that exists. If other Rosicrucian groups are mentioned in discussions, it is pointed out and explained that the term Rosicrucian is not legally protected and can therefore be used by everyone. Own statements about other Rosicrucian organizations are avoided as far as possible.

Directed by Ralph Maxwell Lewis

Entrance to the "Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum" in the "Rosicrucian Park" of the AMORC in San José

Harvey Spencer Lewis died on August 2, 1939 and his son Ralph Maxwell Lewis (1904–1987) continued his father's business. However, the rituals and monographs of HS Lewis were no longer used. Before he took over the management of the AMORC, RM Lewis had held important positions in the organization for 16 years. After taking office, he became a member of the Supreme Council of the friendly French Rosicrucian Order, Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose-Croix . RM Lewis made the AMORC known in over 80 countries during his tenure from 1939 to 1987. RM Lewis came to Germany in 1965 and 1973 to appoint Wilhelm Raab as Grand Master. After RM Lewis died on January 12, 1987, turbulent times began for the AMORC.

Directed by Gary Lee Stewart and Stewart Affair

On January 23, 1987, the Grand Master of the English jurisdiction Gary Lee Stewart (born 1953) was elected as the new Emperor by the highest governing body of the AMORC. In 1990 he was dismissed from office by a court order against his protest on charges of embezzling three million dollars, which could not be confirmed in court. AMORC reached an out-of-court settlement with the banks. At the international level, there was an internal breach of trust between the regional divisions and the then head of the AMORC umbrella organization. This escalated to three years of civil lawsuits, in which the primary issue was the legality of Stewart's deposition as emperor. In the background of the rift, there were more fundamental differences between the Board of Directors and Stewart over the structure of the Order. As a result of his dismissal, Stewart founded his own Rosicrucian order, the Confraternity Rose Cross (CRC + C) . The French Christian Bernard, then head of the French division, took over the management of the AMORC on April 12, 1990 and drove the expansion of the order in the former Eastern Bloc. Due to the Stewart affair, the office of chairman was reformed in 1992. He is no longer elected for life, but for a period of five years and can then stand for re-election.

Gary Lee Stewart considers himself to be the successor of RM Lewis' and rightful emperor of the Rosicrucian lineage, which was represented by the AMORC from 1915 to 1990, while Christian Bernard only heads a newly founded group. Accordingly, stewards of the new Rosicrucian Order, the Confraternity of the Rose-Cross (CR + C), is the actual AMORC, while the AMORC itself was dissolved in 1990 and a different society of the same name, but with new statutes and changed teachings, was founded instead.

As of November 1990, the AMORC lost approximately 50,000 members who joined Stewards Confraternity Rose Cross (CR + C) .

Relocation of the world headquarters

Under the direction of Christian Bernard, the AMORC headquarters ( Supreme Grand Lodge ) was relocated from “Rosicrucian Park” in San José, California, to the Domain of Silence in Québec (Canada). In 1990, the AMORC world headquarters moved from San José to Omonville in France , according to the French religious scholar Antoine Faivre . The headquarters of the AMORC are currently said to be near Montreal (Canada) and Omonville. The number of worldwide members is variously estimated at 100,000 to 150,000 and 250,000. The occasional misstatement about several million members does not refer to active memberships, but erroneously to an address book list of the order. In 2004, around 3000 members were assumed in the German-speaking area.

Development in Europe and Germany

After the AMORC was established in the United States, more or less independent formations of the AMORC were created in Europe, some of which later went their separate ways, such as Eduard Munninger's Antiquus Arcanus Ordo Rosae Rubeae Aureae Crucis . After two failed attempts by the AMORC to gain a foothold in France in 1921 and 1927, the establishment of a branch in Germany also failed in 1930. In France, Raymond Bernard (born 1921) established a grand lodge under the grand master Jeanne Guesdon (1884–1955). After her death, Bernard became Grand Master of the French Lodge in 1956. Finally, Bernard was elected to the “Supreme Council of the Rose + Croix” as the Supreme Legate for Europe, and later to the Board of Directors worldwide . After the Second World War, the order finally became active in Germany. In December 1950, the members' magazine “Temple Echoes” published the announcement that a branch in Germany had been founded under the name “Gustav-Meyrink-Lodge”. In the corresponding announcement reference is made to a charter that Harvey Spencer Lewis issued to the Munich engineer Martin Erler with the authorization to represent the AMORC in Germany. The establishment only became official two years later. As the name of the branch, the title “Society for Psychophysical Research” was initially considered, since one did not want to use a designation containing the word Rosenkreuz for the performance of purely administrative tasks . However, this name was not given. On March 15, 1952, Martin Erler, the head of the Gustav Meyrink Lodge , registered the AMORC as an association at the Munich District Court . The purpose of the association was "Psychophysics of Ing. Martin Erler". Erler became the first German grandmaster, which the AMORC currently denies, but left the AMORC in 1954 to found his own order, the Ordo Rosae Aurae . In 1956, the top AMORC grand lodge in San José ordered the relocation of the German administration to Überlingen on Lake Constance , which headed the German AMORC for seven years. On December 29, 1958, a new statute was adopted in Überlingen. On April 3, 1959, an AMORC association was entered in the register of associations of the Überlingen district court and the Munich members were asked to change clubs to Überlingen. On December 16, 1959, the AMORC finally caused the entry in the Munich register of associations to be deleted because there were only three members left. The association was denied non-profit status . In 1963, AMORC moved the headquarters of the grand lodge to Baden-Baden , where the order acquired an Art Nouveau villa for the management of the now around 500 members. In 1964 the Zurich chapter was added. In 1999 Maximilian Neff took over the office of Grand Master in Germany from Raab. The AMORC operates a bookstore in Karlsruhe, to which a mail order bookshop is affiliated. For external activities, the AMORC cultural forum and art cabinet was founded in Baden-Baden, where exhibitions and concerts take place regularly.

aims

The order wants to help its members to live in harmony with the cosmic laws and to more happiness and prosperity by imparting esoteric knowledge. “Mastering Life” was the title of a previously available information brochure. In order to offer a low entry barrier for broad sections of the population, the AMORC initially holds out the prospect of non-religious goals and promises interested parties that many working people will derive practical benefit from the AMORC teachings that can be used by everyone. Only later does the AMORC tie in with this promise of success by conveying its transcendent content. Likewise, the teachings are intended to promote evolution through the development of individual potential.

organization structure

Administration, lodge system and centers

At the top of the AMORC hierarchy, as President of the Supreme Council, is the so-called "Imperator", who is elected for a five-year term of office. The emperor is on the one hand the chairman of the board and on the other hand the spiritual head of the order, which protects the Rosicrucian tradition. The Supreme Council directs the Order on an international level and is composed of the Grand Masters of the local jurisdictions (jurisdictions) and the Emperor. Internationally, the AMORC maintains main bases (grand lodges) divided into language areas, in whose area of ​​responsibility city groups with graduated importance are formed, namely atrium, pronoas, chapter and lodge, which usually meet once a month informally.

membership

Adult women and men can become members of the AMORC. Minors can join the AMORC with the approval of their legal representatives at the age of 16. Members can leave the order at the end of a month without giving a reason. Multiple entry and re-entry is also possible. Since the AMORC sees itself as a school of wisdom and not as a religion, leaving does not constitute a “apostasy”. A re-entry is therefore relatively unproblematic if the former member wants to continue his studies later.

The Traditional Martinist Order (TMO), which is led by the respective AMORC Emperor and into which only members of the AMORC can be admitted, is peculiarly connected to the AMORC. After major AMORC events, TMO conventions sometimes take place. Only a few selected members are admitted to the “Militia Crucifera Evangelia”, which is thus a kind of internal order of the AMORC. The originally self-sufficient group in FUDOSI borrowed its name from a community founded in Lüneburg in 1586.

financing

The monthly membership fee is 35 euros. Compared to other groups of the New Rosicrucians, this is the highest fixed contribution and represents a considerable entry threshold. The contributions were used exclusively to maintain organization and administration, as the lesson letters and booklets sent to them remain the property of the Order and should be returned when leaving. With the AMORC made-up word "Amra" (formerly: "Amrak"; read backwards: Karma ) the AMORC describes its "law of retaliation against the AMORC". The Council of Consolation and Help (KTH) is a special AMORC department, a type of occult healing service: Anyone who has worries or needs spiritual help can turn to the KTH. Instead of fixed user contributions, the "law of retaliation against the AMORC" builds the KTH, based on the good will and relies on voluntary gifts: KTH recommends that all those seeking help for this purpose a piggy bank to put on and the savings regularly to the brother Fund of AMORC discharge. Proof of the use of the funds is not provided. Anyone who contacts the KTH must submit a report every ten days until full recovery. The sick often believe they are receiving comprehensive medical help, the costs of which are not reimbursed by the health insurance companies. The name “Cathedral of the Soul”, a mental fiction of the AMORC, is an imagination exercise : First the student has to wash his hands, drink a sip of cold water and then say a prayer . Then he thinks of the great cathedral with closed eyes until the room gets cool. As part of this exercise, too, the student is reminded of the “Law of Retribution against the AMORC” (Amra) in order to encourage them to donate a small (voluntary) gift after each performance.

Degree system

Members can go through the graduated initiation path by studying distance learning letters. By 1923 the AMORC had three degrees. Around 1930, the degree system was expanded to include the nine degrees of the Gold and Rosicrucians of the 18th century. Since the “Brussels Convention” of the founding members of FUDOSI in 1934, there have been 16 degrees, the last three of which are granted restrictively according to the “Lexicon of Secret Knowledge”. Each member is free to complete all 16 degrees with the appropriate contribution payment.

The AMORC master

According to the “Lexicon of Secret Knowledge”, only a select few of the 9th and 10th temple degrees of the AMORC are told in the “Fragments of the wisdom of the masters and revelations of the Illuminati ” that the AMORC has a secret master who is nicknamed “The Veiled One Amatu ”. According to “Fragments” No. 2, “The Veiled Amatu” is spiritually connected to the “Master” Kut Humi (also: Koot Hoomi) of the Theosophical Society , of equal rank and communicates with the world only with the Emperor of the AMORC. The AMORC writings indicate that Amatu is in possession of a large secret archive with many books in which the history of the Rosicrucians up to the year 800,000 BC. Chr. Traced back.

Course content and working method

On average, it takes about five to six years to complete all nine temple grades. The teaching content of the AMORC consists of the introductory teaching degrees: Rosicrucian history; Function, activity and phases of consciousness; Perception of space and time; Development of psychic centers, the value of sleep; Health maintenance recommendations; the aura ; first presentations on reincarnation and the law of karma ; Meditation , contemplation ; Visualization ; Imagination and concentration . In the temple degrees we are taught: ontology according to the AMORC; Study of the origin, components and forms of matter ; Duality of consciousness; Illusion and reality; Life energy; the image of God and the philosophical development of man; mental body and self healing; the soul and how it manifests; Attainment of higher consciousness. In addition, mystical techniques of concentration, meditation, visualization and spiritual alchemy are treated. Although the law propagated by Crowley “Do what you want!” And his credo “Love is the law, love under will” appeared in the AMORC doctrine as alleged old Rosicrucian laws, the symbolism was related to that of the OTO, and HS Lewis even considered the sex magician Paschal Beverly Randolph to be a “foremost men of the order”, allegedly sex magic is not supposed to be part of the AMORC curriculum.

Creation legend

The AMORC is based on traditions that go back to ancient Egypt from the time of Thutmose III. should reach back. Corresponding documents, it is claimed, exist in the archives in San Jose. The order thus follows the view of the alchemist Michael Maier (1569–1622), who also traced the origins of the Rosicrucian idea back to ancient Egypt in his text Silentium post clamores , published in 1617 . The AMORC sees itself as "the visible part of the invisible Great White Brotherhood". At the time of Pharaoh Amenophis IV ( Akhenaten ) the order was opened to interested parties. On the basis of this legendary construction, the AMORC appropriates almost all prominent thinkers of antiquity as "Rosicrucians" and claims they were initiates of this Egyptian order of the mysteries, including Pythagoras , Socrates , Plato , Aristotle , Cicero and Seneca .

During his time in New York, HS Lewis was also presented as one of the select people who knew about the alleged secret hiding place of Christian Rosencreutz's coffin , which is said to have been brought to the Pacific coast of the United States in the late 17th century. Lewis found Rosencreutz's body intact and intact.

Relation to the Rosicrucian originals

The authorship of the "Chymische Hochzeit" (1616) by Johann Valentin Andreae was contested by AMORC founder Lewis.
Harvey Spencer Lewis believed Francis Bacon to be the author of three Rosicrucian originals from the early 17th century.

In the teaching of AMORC, the three Rosicrucian manifestos of the early 17th century "Fama Fraternitatis" (1614), "Confessio Fraternitatis" (1615) and "The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz" (1616) play a rather subordinate role. The AMORC claims that these Rosicrucian manifestos were published by order of an order, which for the first time came to the public under the name of the Rosicrucian. The AMORC also takes a very peculiar view of the name of the literary figure Christian Rosencreutz : The initials CR used in the fama to dissolve "Christian Rosencreutz", as usual, are sharply rejected because they allegedly have their own esoteric, pointing back to Egypt Meaning, have. HS Lewis disputed the authorship of the Rosicrucian manifestos, which according to today's general opinion can be found in the so-called "Tübingen Circle" and with regard to the third manifesto ("Chymical Wedding") by Johann Valentin Andreae. In Lewis' opinion, they came from the English philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon (1561-1626), whom he also regarded as the Emperor of the Rosicrucians of the 17th century. In addition to the three Rosicrucian originals mentioned, the AMORC sees the anonymous publication “The Secret Figures of the Rosicrucians from the 16th and 17th Centuries” from 1785 as an integral part of its history.

The older German-language publications are basically similar to the representations of HS Lewis, but also have some differences, for example, by claiming that the appearance of the Rosicrucian manifestos at the beginning of the 17th century was decided by the order, which was secretly due to religious persecution worked. With the publication of the scriptures, the order first appeared in public under the name of the Rosicrucian.

"Secret knowledge"

The fact that teaching content is regarded as secret has always been a hallmark of esoteric communities. In the present, however, this secrecy is most pronounced at AMORC. Already in the "application for admission to the outer circle of the AMORC" the applicant undertakes to maintain confidentiality:

“I will treat all study material loaned out, such as monographs and the associated papers, confidentially. [...] Should I ever leave the order, I undertake to return all study material I have received on loan immediately at my own expense. "

While the published books of the AMORC only contain applications or general principles, the contents of the monographs form the actual core of the teaching. It is very important that the authentic teaching is never published publicly in book form or in any other way. The reason for this is that such an obstacle should be built up for the curious and those who are not sincere about the matter. In the “Weiser for Neophytes ”, which is only intended for the member, it is underlined that the monographs, ritual texts and private AMORC correspondence must not be shown to outsiders. The AMORC further recommends that all monographs, ritual texts and correspondence be kept in a wooden box with a lid and lock, on which, in addition to your own name, the note should be attached that this should be sent to the grand lodge after the death or longer absence of the member.

Monograph studies

As home study, AMORC membership has the character of distance learning. The focus is on the study of manuscripts, which are called "monographs" and contain the actual core of the teaching. The books published by the Order, however, contain only general principles and applications. The monographs are sent to the members periodically. They remain the property of the Order and must be returned to the Grand Lodge upon termination of membership. The contents of the monographs are subject to confidentiality. In addition to these manuscripts, the mailings are accompanied by the current monthly edition of the order magazine "Tempel-Echo", which is not assigned to the respective teaching level, but contains current information. The monographs are largely structured according to a similar scheme. At the beginning of the treatise, a well-known personality is quoted, whereby the quotation is related to the further content of the treatise. The quotation is followed by the actual teaching text, which is written in letter style and has a length of about ten pages. It ends with the anonymous signature “The master for your studies”. Specific persons are not named because the AMORC does not want to allow a personality cult to arise. The main part is followed by a summary of the most important contents as well as instructions for practical application, which serve to check and better understand the theory discussed above.

In addition to the teaching units, seminars on the individual grades can be attended to deepen the knowledge. These take place at the headquarters of the Grand Lodge and at the more important city groups and are open to all AMORC students. However, the members are free to participate. In addition, a religious convention takes place once a year in spring, in which both members and guests can take part.

Rituals

The home study of the lesson letters delivered by mail is completely embedded in ritual acts. Members should set up a small altar for their studies in a corner of the living room or bedroom, where they can be completely undisturbed , the so-called “home sanctuary”. This can be a small table or a shelf that should be covered or painted dark, which is placed on a table between two candles and a large mirror (approx. 30 × 50 cm) so that you can look at yourself in the mirror at any time while reading , for example to be able to hold a dialogue with yourself . Other symbolic objects, e.g. B. the handle cross ( ankh ) that is widespread at AMORC or a rose cross can be added. For this, "Rosicrucian" incense is burned. The secrecy ritual initiations are also carried out in the home sanctuary . Only the grand lodge has to be reported about it. At the beginning of the new level, the member receives the instructions for the respective self-initiation ritual in addition to the regular monographs in a special monograph entitled “Portal” by post. The instructions contain a text in the form of questions and answers that the member of the home sanctuary is asked to read in front of their mirror image, which symbolizes the higher self. This is supposed to create an experience that conveys “the spiritual content of an introduction to the mysteries in the realm of the emotional life”. Such self-initiations are also possible for members who live far away, but are a great exception among orders and groups that refer to an initiatory tradition. Study and ritual supplementary practical exercises, such as the intonation of syllables, such as from, are popular the Egyptian derived "Ra-Ma", which is sung with a long drawn out and very emphasized: "rrrrrrrraaaaaaaaammmmmmaaaaa" (about 10 seconds).

Mystical Techniques and Contemplation

Mysticism is central to the AMORC. The order differentiates between the mystical techniques of concentration, visualization, meditation and contemplation . When it comes to concentration , which is important for meditation , according to the AMORC doctrine, it is important to consciously restrict the thought processes in favor of a certain object. In visualization , no external object to be viewed is required, but a certain object is projected in front of the mind's eye. Insofar as the object has not actually existed before, the order also speaks of creative imagination , which creates something new and transfers the idea of ​​it to the subconscious. The meditation followed the opinion of the AMORC the purpose of making contact with the cosmic awareness of the subconscious. A peculiarity of the AMORC doctrine in this regard is that during meditation a precisely formulated question is asked of the subconscious. It is crucial for the success of meditation to hear and interpret the response of cosmic consciousness to it. The question posed in the upper consciousness takes the way to the cosmic consciousness via the subconscious, which in turn answers via the subconscious. Will continue to apply the contemplation , which is described as a relatively passive state, be formulated in any concrete questions.

Reincarnation and karma

The AMORC, according to its own statements, does not set up dogmas that one has to believe in, but one can assure oneself of the correctness of the principles taught through exercises, which also applies to the teaching of reincarnation. Every member would be free to believe in this or to reject the relevant teaching content. Nevertheless, reincarnation teaching is presented as a traditional part of one's own teaching.

According to the Order, after death the body dissolves into its chemical components, while the immortal soul persists. According to the AMORC, the soul itself is not individual, but a part of the cosmic all-soul, which connects the human being with the entire universe and the divine consciousness. In principle, all souls are equal. The soul itself does not develop either, but only the personality that the soul develops on the basis of its individual experiences, character imprints and its special fate. Perfecting the soul personality is of central importance in the AMORC. A continuous upward development is associated with reincarnation. An incarnation in lower forms of existence (plant or animal) is generally denied.

For the period between two births, the duration of 144 years is given as a general guide. The duration of the stay in the area of ​​the cosmos depends on the length of earthly life. Those who had a long life would accordingly be more likely to reincarnate than those who died early, who would have to stay longer in the cosmic realm until their next birth. Immediately before birth, the soul personality goes near the mother, whereby the connection with the child only takes place with the first breath. The circumstances of reincarnation would predominantly be determined by the cosmos. It is still possible to a certain extent to influence his future reincarnation through his current life, for example by exercising charitable interests. Whoever can call his own good disposition, which is filled with love and free from hatred and prejudice, can hope for a next incarnation with more happiness, love and benevolence. Here the concept of karmic compensation is fundamental. According to the AMORC, clearing the subconscious of unpleasant and stressful experiences is important for positively influencing future incarnations.

Symbol work

Hermetic-alchemical symbolism (" vitriol - acrostic ") from "The Secret Figures of the Rosicrucians" (1785), part of the AMORC teaching

Symbols are essential in the AMORC and are found frequently in the Order's print publications. In particular, they serve as a starting point for your own meditations and for the brief and concise presentation of certain esoteric laws and principles, which otherwise require lengthy explanations and are difficult to convey with words. In this sense, they are meant less for encryption and more as a kind of abbreviation. Unlike traditional explanations, which often only remained on the surface, symbols would also better address the deeper dimensions of consciousness. Working with symbols is therefore part of the home study exercises. In this way, the student can draw and color certain prescribed symbols and then look at them undisturbed and extensively in order to reach a state of consciousness that enables communication with cosmic consciousness. In this context, basic geometric figures are particularly important. Working with symbols in the broader sense includes studying the Hebrew alphabet and tarot cards. In the emblem of the AMORC standing Rosycross centrally and corresponds in its outer contours of the of the Golden Dawn , only thinner. The AMORC expressly does not attach any religious significance to the cross itself. It only symbolizes the physical body, while the rose stands for the developing soul personality.

public relation

The AMORC actively recruits new members through advertisements in various magazines, trade fairs and public events and is regularly represented at the Frankfurt and Leipzig Book Fairs. People who are interested in studying at AMORC will receive an introductory brochure by post entitled “RC. Information about AMORC. The Old Mystical Order of the Rose Cross ”, which was formerly called“ Mastery of Life ”. An application form is attached to the brochure. Events for guests who do not belong to the order are also offered. Meetings take place regularly in the city groups, which are also open to guests. There you can exchange opinions on a wide variety of topics from the fields of metaphysics and mysticism. As part of the AMORC cultural forum and art cabinet, art exhibitions, music evenings and poetry readings are regularly held in the premises of the Grand Lodge in Baden-Baden, which are also attended by numerous non-members.

Controversy

In 1999 the French commission of inquiry MILS (Interministerial Mission of the Fight against Sects), chaired by the parliamentarian Jacques Guyard, published the dossier "The Sects and Money", which contained a list of 30 groups who were considered to be major players. ) have been assessed for their financial impact; Compared to a previous sect report list of Guyard, it added anthroposophy and the AMORC.

The MILS renamed itself MIVILUDES in 2002 and again included the AMORC in its sect report from 2006. In response, the former chairman of the anti-cult organization UNADFI Janine Tavernier wrote in the foreword to a book by the French AMORC Grand Master Serge Toussaint that the AMORC was not a sect, but a “victim of injustice”. Subsequent UNADFI chairwoman Catherine Picard and MILS member Anne Fournier were sued by the AMORC for defamation after calling the AMORC “nothing but other sectarian movements”. The French Supreme Court ruled AMORC on April 3, 2007 and therefore overturned a previous judgment by the Court of Appeal. Thereupon the parties reached an out-of-court settlement: UNADFI issued an affidavit on behalf of the two defendants that “the AMORC is not a sect” and the AMORC withdrew its action in return.

A member of the German AMORC headquarters also raised objections to the content of the German-language Wikipedia article on AMORC in the Tattva Viveka magazine in 2013 in connection with the classification as a sect.

Splits, offshoots, and influenced groups

Many leading members of contemporary esoteric orders were members of the AMORC during their spiritual training and orientation phase. The New Religious Movements that emerged directly or indirectly from the AMORC include Scientology , “The Mayan Order”, the “Silva Mind Control” by José Silva , the Holy Order of Mans and the Order of Saint Germain . The "Mayan Order" was a kind of imitation of the AMORC in that it offered an esoteric distance learning course, in whose individual treatises the Egyptian symbolism of the AMORC was replaced by symbolism of the Maya culture.

Confraternity Rose Cross (CR + C) and OMCE

After Gary Lee Stewart was expelled, there were a number of organizational spin-offs from 1990 onwards. The newly founded organizations took over the modules and teaching elements of the AMORC and continued to work independently on this basis. Stewart, who did not see the leadership of the order as a presidency, but as a spiritual office and therefore did not accept his removal, founded the Confraternity of the Rose-Cross (CR + C) as a result of his AMORC exclusion . On June 16, 1990, he also created the Ordo Militia Crucifera Evangelia (OMCE), the content of which is based on the internal AMORC grade MCE and refers to the tradition of the Knights Templar . Stewart is of the opinion that he is still the rightful incumbent and successor to RM Lewis, while Christian Bernard only heads a newly formed group. The new Rosicrucian Order he founded, the Confraternity of the Rose-Cross (CR + C), is from his point of view the actual AMORC, while the AMORC itself was dissolved in 1990 and instead another society of the same name, but with new statutes and converted ones Teaching was established. There is a structural relationship to the AMORC. It is likely that the Confraternity Rose Cross (CR + C) has joined many of the 50,000 members the AMORC has lost since the 1990s.

Ancient Rosae Crucis (ARC)

In addition to CR + C and OMCE, there was another spin-off as a result of the Stewart affair. Numerous members who did not accept the deposition of Gary Stewart and therefore resigned from the AMORC, formed the Ancient Rosae Crucis (ARC) based in Dallas ( Texas ). This group intended to make Gary Stewart Emperor of the ARC, but failed due to disagreements. Instead, the order was henceforth headed by founders Paul Walden and Ashley McFadden. The way in which the ARC worked was largely the same as that of the AMORC. The changes introduced during and after the AMORC schism were rejected because they wanted to preserve the tradition that Harvey Spencer Lewis had started. Therefore, the monographs from the Lewis era continued to be used.

Raymond Bernard and the Templars (CIRCES, TRI, OSTI)

In 1986 Raymond Bernard resigned from his positions as French Grand Master and member of the Board of Directors of the AMORC. On February 19, 1988 he founded the Cercle International de Recherches Culturelles et Spirituelles ( CIRCES ), from which in 1991 the "Templar Research Institute" (TRI) emerged. Bernard intended to fill a vacuum left by the other organizations. Although they pursued goals similar to those of the AMORC, they saw themselves more as the successor to the Templars than the Rosicrucians. Trying to balance interests, one dedicates oneself to humanistic goals on the outside and on the inside to reanimate the spirit of the knighthood, especially that of the Templars. On September 5, 1997, Bernard gave the CIRCES line to Onslow H. Wilson, whose books are also marketed by the AMORC. After this change, the organization was renamed “Templar Research Institute” (TRI) and the inner circle of the order was renamed “Ordre Souverain du Temple Initiatique” (OSTI). It is part of the personal preparation of a member of the order to work through eleven manuals ("cahiers") every year over the course of three years, so that a total of 33 manuals are studied in 33 months. Afterwards it is possible to take part in all events of the order. The TRI would like to support the members in their individual esoteric research and to connect them to a community despite the diversity of the individual path. There are substantive and historical references to the AMORC through the person of the founder Raymond Bernard, but there is no competitive relationship, as the TRI primarily identifies with the Knights Templar.

Ordre du Temple Rénové (LOCATION)

Julien Origas , also Julianos Origas (1920–1983), was sentenced to three years in prison as a leading collaborator and agent of the Gestapo in Brest during the German occupation of France. He later became a member of the AMORC, but left it because of his contacts with neo-Nazi groups and a strange group in Marseille, whose leader "Angela" wanted to be an incarnation of Socrates , Elizabeth I and mother of the Count of Saint Germain . Origas suggested the establishment of an order for AMORC members interested in Templar traditions and was able to win Raymond Bernard for this idea, whereupon the Ordre du Temple Rénové (ORT) was established in 1970 with his support . Bernard became ORT's first president, followed by Origas the following year.

Ordo Rosae Aurae (ORA, Martin Erler)

The family of the first German AMORC grandmaster, Martin Erler (born 1920), was friends with the writer Gustav Meyrink (1868–1932), who headed his own occult lodge in Munich, to which Erler also belonged. Erler took over the management of this Meyrink Lodge, which in 1949 became the starting point of the AMORC in Germany through a charter from HS Lewis. Around 1954/1955, however, there was a break between Erler and the AMORC. Erler left the AMORC and founded his own branch, the Ordo Rosae Aurae (ORA), which is partly based on its own roots. The leadership of the ORA is said to be held by a Belgian with the religious name Sar Philophotos. The ORA refrains from commercial activities and has retained the nimbus of the Rosicrucian groups working in secret, but now maintains its own website.

Order of Rosacruz

An offshoot that can hardly be distinguished from the AMORC in its external presentation is the Order Rosacruz, which is primarily active in Spain and has its headquarters in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria . The Order Rosacruz is headed by Angel Martin Velayos, has branches in Valencia and Madrid in Spain and in Miami , USA, and publishes its own magazine called "Triangulo". The members are also instructed through distance learning monographs. In the temples an emblem is used that is similar in shape to that of the AMORC.

Solar templar

The Order of the Sun Templar ( Ordre du Temple Solaire ), which was formally founded in 1984 and which caused a great public sensation in 1993, 1995 and 1997 with a series of murders and suicides with a total of 74 deaths, is one of those influenced by the AMORC, but then separated from it Groups. The Order of the Sun Templars was founded and directed by the French Joseph Di Mambro (1924–1993), who was a member of the AMORC from 1956. Di Mambro ended his AMORC membership around 1970 and then joined the neo-Templar "Arginy Movement" founded in the 1950s by Jacques Breyer (1922–1996), to which the Sun Templar Order can be traced back historically. The second leader, homeopathic doctor Luc Jouret (1947–1993), had indirect connections with the AMORC. He was Grand Master of the Neo-Templar Order Ordre Rénové du Temple (ORT), which was co-founded by the former French AMORC Grand Master Raymond Bernard, and later brought its members into the Sun Templar Order . The apocalyptic special teachings and radicalizations that led to the tragedy of the Sun Templars come from Jaques Breyer, were enriched with the belief in UFOs and extraterrestrials and have no equivalent in the AMORC. The AMORC officially distanced itself from the solar temples and declared the system, goals and content to be incompatible with one another.

Relationship to religions and world views

The AMORC does not want to be seen as a religion and a representative of a path of faith and forbids its members to engage in activities and discussions on religious questions and beliefs. However, since the AMORC, contrary to its assertions, gives its own concrete answers to elementary religious questions in its teachings, the AMORC itself has the character of a religion . The terms used by the AMORC such as "Cosmic Consciousness" seem to be used analogously to similar ones in the world religions. In a kind of spiritual alchemy, the AMORC combines Christianity with cabbalistic and hermetic theories for the purpose of overcoming material formations. The AMORC, the Beekman as shipping Religion (English: mail-order religion ) is called, was which considered within the esoteric been never noticed or respected religious communities.

Christianity

Despite its outward promise of tolerance towards any religion, the AMORC is critical of religion and describes some current aspects of some religions as depraved and deviating from the intentions of their founders. This is not based on any exact comparative analyzes of the religious systems and their history. Rather, one proceeds from the assumption that the principles represented by the founders of religion must agree with those taught in the AMORC. But the relationship between AMORC and Christianity is discrepant: HS Lewis published two books about Jesus of Nazareth . His detailed reports, based on his alleged materials from Rosicrucian archives, about the supposed life and teachings of Jesus, go far beyond the Gospels and contradict them: Jesus is presented as the Grand Master and powerful adept of an order similar to AMORC. In reality, Jesus was an avatar of the "Great White Brotherhood" raised by the Essenes , had passed through stages of initiation, attained the title of master and later the title of Christ. His conviction was initiated by his personal enemy Caiaphas in Rome. Thanks to an imperial pardon, the crucifixion did not lead to death at the last minute. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is denied by the AMORC; Jesus' ascension was only a psychological phenomenon and he lived for many years in monastic seclusion on Mount Carmel ( Israel ). Lewis also accused other current religious organizations of misappropriating the beginnings and the will of the founders and also referred to Buddha and Mohammed as avatars. The ideal foundation of the AMORC is based on the Christian tradition of the Rosicrucians. According to the lawyer Christine Mertesdorf, the AMORC does not represent a worldview because admission to the order is possible regardless of religion and there is a general openness to other confessions. The AMORC's own designation as “mystical-philosophical brotherhood” is essentially correct. From the point of view of the AMORC, double membership with the church is easily possible.

Freemasonry

From the point of view of Freemasonry, the AMORC is only a profane association that has nothing to do with Freemasonry, which is why double membership is possible from a Freemason's point of view . HS Lewis, however, was of the opinion that Freemasonry as a whole was only an offshoot of the much older AMORC, which he tried to explain the many external references and correspondences between Freemasonry and AMORC: the degree and lodge structure, the diverse symbolism, the principle of secrecy without internal ones Distress, conceptual coincidences such as the talk of the “ architect of the universe ” and the “lost word”, ritual work and wearing certain clothing (temple or mason's apron ). There are also similarities in terms of content. In more recent AMORC publications, the claim made by Lewis is no longer explicitly represented. Instead, people say that in the 18th century they were “very close” but were self-sufficient.

literature

Primary sources (selection with extracts)

  • AMORC Supreme Council (ed.): The Rosicrucians reveal their teachings. AMORC books, Baden-Baden 2009, ISBN 978-3-925972-52-2 . ( PDF; 580 kB - excerpt)
  • AMORC (ed.): AMORC, Die Rosenkreuzer. Questions and answers. About their origins, their goals and their philosophy. AMORC books, Baden-Baden, 3rd edition 2010. ISBN 3-925972-38-2 .
  • AMORC (ed.): From the story of AMORC, the Order of the Rose Cross. Small RC series no. 1. AMORC books, Baden-Baden, 2nd edition 2012. ISBN 978-3-925972-83-6 .
  • AMORC (ed.): The Rosicrucians. Paths to a Higher Life Experience. AMORC books, Baden-Baden 1995. ISBN 3-925972-14-5 . ( 540 kB; PDF - excerpt)
  • AMORC (ed.): The initiation path of the Rosicrucians and other lectures, texts and essays. AMORC books, Baden-Baden 1996. ISBN 3-925972-35-8 .
  • Christian Bernard: Rosicrucian reflections. AMORC books, Baden-Baden 2012. ISBN 978-3-925972-28-7 .
  • Supreme Grand Lodge of AMORC: Rosicrucian Manual. San José (California), 27th edition 1982. ISBN 978-0-912057-00-2 . ( 3 MB; PDF )
  • Wolfram Frietsch: The Secrets of the Rosicrucians . Uni Edition, Baden-Baden 2010, 3rd edition. (Reprint of the Reinbek bei Hamburg 1999 edition), ISBN 978-3-931387-37-2 (documents the self-image of the AMORC.)
  • Hans H. Sievert: In the sign of the cross and rose. On the history of the Rosicrucians. Verlag Clemens Zerling, Berlin 1996, ISBN 978-3-88468-063-6 . (In addition to the history of the movement in Northern Germany, it documents individual findings relating to the self-image of the AMORC)

Magazines

Secondary sources

  • Tobias Churton: The Invisible History of the Rosicrucians. The World's Most Mysterious Secret Society. Inner Traditions, Rochester 2009. ISBN 978-1-59477-255-9 .
  • Roland Edighoffer: The Rosicrucians. Becksche series No. 2023, CH Beck, 2nd edition, Munich 2002, ISBN 978-3-423-30503-7 .
  • Harald Lamprecht : New Rosicrucians. A manual . (Church - Confession - Religion; Volume 45), Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2004. ISBN 978-3-525-56549-0 .
  • Harald Lamprecht: The Rosicrucians. Fascination of a myth. Evangelical Central Agency for Weltanschauung Issues (EZW), EZW texts No. 221/2012. ISSN  0085-0357 .
  • Harald Lamprecht: Rosicrucian reincarnation. The idea of ​​reincarnation in modern Rosicrucian organizations. In: Michael Bergunder (ed.): Religious pluralism and Christianity. Festgabe for Helmut Obst on his 60th birthday. (Church - Denomination - Religion; Volume 43), Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2001, pp. 74–87. ISBN 3-525-56547-X .
  • Christopher Mcintosh: The Rosicrucians. The History, Mythology and Rituals of an Esoteric Order. Samuel Weiser Inc., York Beach (Maine), 3rd edition 1997. ISBN 0-87728-893-3 .
  • Hans-Jürgen Ruppert : Rosicrucian. Hugendubel, Kreuzlingen / Munich 2004, ISBN 3-7205-2533-3 .

Web links

Commons : AMORC  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Own representations
External representations

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Harald Lamprecht : Rosicrucian reincarnation. The idea of ​​reincarnation in modern Rosicrucian organizations. P. 75. In: Michael Bergunder (Ed.): Religious pluralism and Christianity. Festgabe for Helmut Obst on his 60th birthday. (Church - Denomination - Religion; Volume 43), Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2001, pp. 74–87.
  2. ^ A b John Gordon Melton: Biographical Dictionary of Cult and Sect Leaders. Garland, New York / London 1986, ISBN 978-0-8240-9037-1 , pp. 156-157.
  3. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, pp. 101-102.
  4. ↑ Sylvain Imbs: Spiritual filiation or doctrinal conflicts in modern Rosicrucian movements. ; Robert Vanloo: Les Rose-Croix du Nouveau Monde , International CESNUR Conference June 2-5, 2005 - Palermo , Sicily
  5. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, pp. 102, 139f.
  6. ^ Tobias Churton: The Invisible History of the Rosicrucians. The World's Most Mysterious Secret Society. Inner Traditions, Rochester 2009, p. 501.
  7. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, p. 106.
  8. ↑ Christopher Mcintosh: The Rosicrucians. The History, Mythology and Rituals of an Esoteric Order. Samuel Weiser Inc., 3rd Edition, York Beach, Maine 1997, ISBN 0-87728-893-3 , p. 127.
  9. ↑ Mark Stavish: The History of Alchemy in America. In: Hermetic Library. Retrieved January 19, 2014 .
  10. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, p. 103.
  11. ↑ Lindsay Jones (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Religion. Volume 12, 2nd edition 2005, p. 7930.
  12. ↑ Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for questions of religion and belief, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , pp. 168–169.
  13. ^ A b Tobias Churton: The Invisible History of the Rosicrucians: The World's Most Mysterious Secret Society. Inner Traditions Verlag, Rochester, Vermont 2009, p. 505.
  14. ↑ Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for religious and ideological issues, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , p. 14.
  15. ↑ Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for questions of religion and ideology, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , pp. 169–170.
  16. ↑ Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for religious and ideological issues, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , pp. 30 and 174.
  17. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, p. 103f.
  18. ^ John Gordon Melton: Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America. Garland, New York / London 1986, ISBN 0-8240-9036-5 , pp. 72-73.
  19. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, p. 103.
  20. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, pp. 92, 105.
  21. ↑ Christopher Mcintosh: The Rosicrucians. The History, Mythology and Rituals of an Esoteric Order. Samuel Weiser Inc., 3rd Edition, York Beach, Maine 1997, p. 126 and p. 129.
  22. ^ A b John Symonds: Aleister Crowley. The Beast 666 . Heinrich Hugendubel Verlag, Munich 1996, p. 456.
  23. ↑ Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for religious and ideological issues, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , p. 169 and p. 172 f.
  24. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, pp. 96, 105.
  25. ↑ Christopher Mcintosh: The Rosicrucians. The History, Mythology and Rituals of an Esoteric Order. Samuel Weiser Inc., 3rd Edition, York Beach, Maine 1997, ISBN 0-87728-893-3 , pp. 128 and 130.
  26. ^ Tobias Churton: The Invisible History of the Rosicrucians. The World's Most Mysterious Secret Society. Inner Traditions, Rochester 2009, pp. 506f.
  27. ↑ Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for questions of religion and belief, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , p. 169 and p. 171 f.
  28. ↑ Christopher Mcintosh: The Rosicrucians. The History, Mythology and Rituals of an Esoteric Order. Samuel Weiser Inc., 3rd Edition, York Beach, Maine 1997, ISBN 0-87728-893-3 , pp. 129;
    Massimo Introvigne : Martinism: Second Period. In: Wouter J. Hanegraaff (Ed.): Dictionary of Gnosis & Western Esotericism. Brill, Leiden 2006, ISBN 978-90-04-15231-1 , p. 781.
  29. ^ A b Tobias Churton: The Invisible History of the Rosicrucians: The World's Most Mysterious Secret Society. Inner Traditions Verlag, Rochester, Vermont 2009, p. 507.
  30. ↑ a b Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for religious and ideological issues, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , p. 173 f.
  31. ↑ Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for religious and ideological issues, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , p. 169 and p. 174 f.
  32. ↑ Christopher Mcintosh: The Rosicrucians. The History, Mythology and Rituals of an Esoteric Order. Samuel Weiser Inc., 3rd Edition, York Beach, Maine 1997, ISBN 0-87728-893-3 , p. 130.
  33. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, pp. 92, 96.
  34. ↑ Website for the book New Rosicrucians : AMORC and Rosicrucian Fellowship: Dispute about the true Rosicrucians.
  35. ↑ Peter-Robert König: The OTO phenomenon RELOAD. Volume 1. Working group for questions of religion and ideology, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-941421-16-5 , pp. 175f.
  36. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. A manual . (Church - Denomination - Religion; Volume 45), Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2004, p. 107.
  37. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, pp. 107 f., 113-114.
  38. ↑ Harald Lamprecht: New Rosicrucians. Göttingen 2004, p. 147.
  39. ↑ a b J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann (eds.): Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. ABS-CLIO, LLC 2010. p. 110.
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  66. ↑ Quoted in: Harald Lamprecht: Neue Rosenkreuzer. Göttingen 2004, p. 116.
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  73. ↑ a b Harald Lamprecht: Rosicrucian reincarnation. The idea of ​​reincarnation in modern Rosicrucian organizations. S. 78. In: Michael Bergunder (Ed.): Religious pluralism and Christianity. Festgabe for Helmut Obst on his 60th birthday. (Church - Denomination - Religion; Volume 43), Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2001, pp. 74–87.
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  75. ↑ Peter-Robert König: A life for the rose (Arnoldo Krumm-Heller), Munich 1995, ISBN 3-927890-21-9 , p. 47f.
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  77. ↑ National Assembly: Les sectes et l'argent - Annexes, Cults and money - appendices ( French ) République Française. June 10, 1999. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  78. ^ Susan J. Palmer: The New Heretics of France. Minority Religions, La Republique, and the Government-Sponsored “War on Sects”. Oxford University Press, New York 2011, ISBN 978-0-19-973521-1 , p. 18.
  79. ^ Statement of the French Foreign Ministry from 2007 on the sect phenomenon: (PDF; 247 kB)
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  81. ↑ Le Point: L'Amorc, un faux procès? ( Memento of the original from June 26, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Article dated January 17, 2007 (Retrieved May 14, 2014). @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lepoint.fr
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  104. ↑ Christine Mertesdorf: Weltanschauungsgemeinschaften. A constitutional consideration with representation of individual communities. (Writings on state church law; Volume 39), Peter Lang - Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften, Frankfurt am Main, Berlin a. a. 2008, ISBN 978-3-631-57576-5 , pp. 387-388.
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