Customer Reviews

The Rosicrucians: The History, Mythology, and Rituals of an Esoteric Order

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For those with a preliminary interest in the Rosicrucian (R+C) philosophy and teachings, this is a good overall introduction. The book ties together the Gnostic- and Hermetic-influenced origins of the R+C and various accounts of their evolution through the ages up to the 1990s.

This book was written by an author who is up to his neck in esotericism and the history of the Age of Reason. The author does a good job of explaining just how dangerous it was in times past to hold some of the beliefs that R+Cs did, and why things were kept so secret. I had the feeling he did his research well, going back where possible to original documents in various continental libraries in order to do so. One glance at the bibliography of this book will prove the breadth of his research and, likely, the intensity of his interest in the subject.

It is not a handbook of R+C teachings, but does contain very helpful information on key parts of the R+C tradition: the Fama Fraternitatis, Confessio Fraternitatis and Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz. The roles of key personalities relevant to the R+C are considered: Johann Andraea, Francis Bacon, Dr. R. Swinburne Clymer, John Dee, Rene Descartes, Goethe, Max Heindel, Dr. H. Spencer Lewis, Michael Maier, Paschal B. Randolph, Rudolph Steiner, A.E. Waite, Adam Weishaupt (of the Bavarian Illuminati), etc.

There are 16 b/w plate illustrations.

One of the later chapters gives potted histories of some of the 20th century R+C groups: AMORC, Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis, Golden Dawn, Lectorium Rosicrucianum, Rosicrucian Fellowship.

Although this book is not an exposé of detailed R+C teachings and symbology, it is a valuable resource for someone interested in knowing more about the Rosicrucians and in tying together the various strands, movements and philosophies.

If you are already a rosicrucian, this book will not help you since you have inside information. But if you want to read a true historian's view on facts involving the Rosicrucian movement, this is an excellent book. The author made a very thorough job of investigating sources.

His basis is veryfiable facts (not all facts unfortunately can be verified). He started writing on Rosicrucianism with the thought of it being a fledging unimportant movement, but had to change his mind completely as the many details came to the surface. This books covers everything from the Fama (manifestos) to present day rosicrucian movements like AMORC, and the Fellowship...

A very technical and scholarly book!

Everything about Rosicrucians pushes us out of our complacency. Prepare to be introduced to a sample of information that will intrigue. This is a confident piece of research. It offers alternatives; many alternatives that reorient us. Each chapter helps the inquiring mind understand the vastness of each topic.
Better to quickly dismiss the possibilities than to take them seriously. The Rosicrucians: The History, Mythology and Rituals of an Esoteric Order is an interesting book that is fearless about challenging conventional thinking.
I suspect people who read this book and suspend their disbelief may not admit it. Of course the nature of the esoteric is not for everyone.
A quick, compelling read about beliefs.

I found the title misleading. It was a well researched, documented and written history, but there was very little of the mythology and ritual promised by the title.

One of the best books I've read on the subject of Rosicrusianism. It's a little bit too short but the information is good and gives the reader an introduction to the Rosicrusian history after Fama.

When I picked up the book, what I hoped to find was a book telling me what Rosicrusianism was all about. What I got was an outsiders speculation on the subject. I wouldn't recommend it if you are truly interested in the subject.

S.L. USA

I personally became a Rosicrucian some years ago, fascinated as I was by the promise of secret knowledge conveyed from the builders of Egypt, Imhotep and such. They mailed me monthly tracts and "illuminatus" tracts, and I was warned in writing never to lend the materials or, indeed, even let anyone see them. My hands were shaking as I peeled back the cover of My Very First Illuminatus Tract. And what did I learn? That I could cure a minor headache by sitting upright in a chair and pressing my thumb into the back of my neck. Oh, yes, I must make certain my feet are together and flat on the floor.

Point made. Rosicrucianism is utter nonsense, and any paper wasted on exploring their wherewithal is just that--wasted paper. Now you can cure your own headaches. Remember: feet together.