Customer Reviews

The Secret Doctrine of the Rosicrucians

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm finding this little book to be be a useful synthesis of complex occult ideas. It appears to have been written in 1949 to set the record straight at a time when moneymaking Rosicrucian orders were warring amongst themselves.

I'm acutely aware that this book raises hackles among some Rosicrucians of particular orders. When I asked for opinions about it on one order's mail list, members talked about suing the writer. This hostility probably stems from the fact that the unknown Magus who penned it, obviously annoyed at commercial exploitation of the Rosicrucian philosophy, wrote his own version of information they'd paid hundreds of dollars for, and maybe hoped to make money from, and released it into the world so anyone could access it for $10. [It needs to be noted that Rosicrucian theories are not the property of any one order.]

On the other hand, other Rosicrucians have recommended this text to me.

However, buying this book and understanding its ideas are different things- the doctrines still are 'secret' to the extent that realising what they mean is no easy thing and is a matter for the soul rather than just the intellect.

The style of the writing is a tad dated, reflecting the time, but for all that it's pretty down-to-earth, and the better for it. A worthwhile book.

The other reviewer of the book states that this book is not valid because a former AMORC member dislikes it. Hopefully, those who read the top lines of publisher's review noticed the part about Rosicrucianism not having an official society. the AMORC used to come close, but this is not the case anymore.True Rosicrucianism is a philosophy, a state of mind, a way of living. It has nothing to do with who you are paying dues to, or if you are even paying dues. This book is an excellent introduction to a particular brand of Rosicrucian mysticism, and it shouldn't be left unread because it isn't endorsed by only one of three existing Rosicrucian fraternities.

It appears that 'Magus Incognito' was in fact a pseudonym for William Walker Atkinson, known also as 'Yoga Ramacharaka', an early 20th century writer on Hinduism, Yoga and New Thought.

HS Lewis, founder of a modern neo-Rosicrucian organisation, the AMORC, borrowed heavily from Ramacharaka's work without attribution for both the lessons of his AMORC group and the AMORC-controlled Traditional Martinist Order.

Atkinson's executors obviously got their own back by publishing his 'secrets' and putting them in the public domain as 'Rosicrucian', presumably to stop AMORC profiting from his work.

So, while one may say that this book is not about 'Rosicrucians or their doctrines' I would say that there are some differences between this book and the teachings of early Rosicrucian movements. Much of what is written here is a synthesis of East and West, influenced by Hindu and Yoga teachings.

However the book has very definite similarities to the modern-era AMORC teachings, which after all, borrowed liberally from Ramacharaka in the first place !

So . . . maybe that means AMORC doctrines don't owe much to Rosicrucianism, at least to the extent that they borrow from Ramacharaka ? An interesting conundrum !

Given Ramacharaka published his work many years before the AMORC founder, it should be quite clear that it is not Ramacharaka who was the 'wantabe'.

Ben

ORIGINS/NATURE--This is an odd work, virtually theoretical per its title. There are many Rosicrucian societies--the name is not copyrighted. This work has little similarity with the astrology-oriented Rosicrucian Fellowship but a bit to the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), cf. Rosicrucian Questions and Answers with Complete History of the Rosicrucian Order. From its tone & heavy reliance on ancient Hindu/Indian mythology (e.g. the 7 planes), it seems as much Theosophist as Rosicrucian--which relies heavily upon alchemy & Kabbalah (per the definitely Rosicrucian (Confessio Fraternitatis, & Chymical Marriage cf. Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross). People can use "Rosicrucian", "Kabbalah," etc. with little regard to authenticity or applicability. However, according to p. 2433 Man, Myth & Magic, An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Supernatural 24 Volume Complete Set, "There was also a pseudo-Rosicrucian revival in Germany...Dr. Franz Hartmann, a Theosophist who had been close to Madame Blavatsky, was head of an order that called itself Rosicrucian. Rather later Dr. Rudolph Steiner the General Secretary of the German section of the Theosophical Society...talked endlessly & always vaguely about Rosicrucianism." Thus, I would guess that this work stems from one of these sources--as published by the Yoga Society.

STYLE--In addition to "unquestionable" statements of verity of his metaphysical model, the author attempts to justify these with scientific support & harmonize Western science w/ancient Hindu mythology. However, his comments are now dated & his authorities unknown to me. Quotations are not properly referenced with many attributed to "writers." This parallels his use of a pseudonym reminiscent of Louis Claude de St. Martin's pen name, The Unknown Philosopher. The author does, however, quote numerous poets/essayists such as Whitman & Emerson as well as Richard Bucke's Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind (Arkana). While the language is old-fashioned, I found it easy reading/skimming, but his repeated statements that the Rosicrucians are this & that is off-putting as he cannot speak for all of them.

METAPHYSICS--The 1st ½ of the book is Metaphysics--esp. Cosmology & Ontology. It postulates 7 planes of development, 7 races of mankind, 7 soul levels, etc.--a very heavy dependence on the number 7 (i.e. number magic--but cf. Self Mastery and Fate With the Cycles of Life)--as well as the primitive/sympathetic magic (identity by similarity) of "correspondences" without referencing the symbolic significance of number vs. listed items (i.e. process vs. content). IMHO it goes from the silly to the profound, with lots of attribution & projection by the author who, scientifically speaking, confounds instinct with intelligence & mythological models with reality YET he pictorially represents modern p. 119: Venn Diagrams (Set Theory), p. 191: spiral development, & General Systems Theory. He describes Atlantis & Lemuria ~ Atlantis: The Antediluvian World: Fully Illustrated & Lemuria the Lost Continent of the Pacifi in agreement with AMORC & Edgar Cayce (The Story Of Creation: A Study Of The Edgar Cayce Readings Regarding The Story Of Creation And Genesis). He also says metals get diseases & argues that predestination doesn't preclude free will, denies chance, & is opposed to Fatalism (of course, he lacks knowledge of Quantum Physics). To me, the theoretical portion of this work is of somewhat dubious & varied value.

GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY--There's much chaff in the wheat of the 1st ½ of the book; the 2nd ½ is far superior IMHO. It explains cosmic principles as scientific ~ modern General Systems Theory (von Bertalanfy). Though auras are not presently in the realm of science, his exposition is interesting--with both similarities/differences from other sources & his only practice: concentration on a color to achieve its effect. Chapter 13 is reminiscent of the fine Hermetic Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece, as well as the terrific modern Rosicrucian work, Wisdom of the Mystic Masters. The author also provides an excellent description of polarity & subtle allusions to Jung's Anima (Jung's never mentioned). His p. 248: "mental induction" reminds me of Jung's story of the Chinese Rainmaker using the Tao to make rain. So, overall, this book is a mixed bag of ancient mythology, contemporary mysticism, & modern science.

_While I have read this book through twice over the years, I still have reservations about it. The thing that struck me first about it was that the author "Magus Incognito" was well versed in classical 19th century Theosophy. In fact much of this book could have come out of a mail order Theosophy course- I know, I've taken such courses. However, there is just enough additional hermetic, gnostic, and alchemical information to make it just a little more. There is nothing really incorrect here, it is just that it is rather basic and sparse when compared to works such as _The Secret Doctrine_ or _Isis Unveiled_. Still, if you are looking for an introduction or review of metaphysical basics this little book will serve.

_There is a section on Bucke's _Cosmic Consciousness_ that at least shows that the author was cognizant of the state, even if you are left largely on your own as to how to reach it. You see, that's the core of it- how to quiet, or shatter, the everyday ego so that a breakthrough can be made. Before this, much of the teaching in this book will appear incomprehensible or foolishness. Afterwards, it is self-explanatory and merely serves to validate the breakthrough. Still, to be fair, the author does emphasize the idea that "When the student is ready, the Master appears."

_From what I have learned of Rosicrucians and Rosicrucian affiliated Freemasonry through out the 18th and 19th century this could pass for "authentic" teachings. "Magus Incognito" sounds exactly like a secret name or grade from one of these old lodges. You see, the knowledge possessed by most of these groups tended to be pretty rudimentary. For the most part they recycled the hermetica, basic alchemy, and the mysticism of Jacob Bohme. In light of this, you probably have more "secrets" here than most of these old lodges ever possessed.

_Still, if you define Rosicrucianism as a gnostically inspired spiritual movement that had as its goal reunion of the human spirit with the Divine, then this could be considered as genuine Rosicrucianism.

_If I were to attempt to explain why this book remains in print, it would be because it is in public domain with an anonymous author. If you slap a flashy cover on it, it will sell- and you will not have to share royalties....

This fairly short work on esoteric Rosicrucian metaphysics is the best such work that I know of -- via a rational, even empirical, approach to transcendental metaphysics of Gnosis, Spirit, Magic and Runes [Secrets] -- even if particular works have more specialty details on those related topics. The [most likely] actual author of this compact work is the same [most likely] actual author of "The KYBALION, Hermetic Philosophy" [William Walker Atkinson]. Kybalion is a good parallel work to Secret Doctrine -- especially in their esoteric principles. However the actual author came upon such deep, clear and sharp wisdom concerning a typically murky unending topic -- there is nothing quite as special as Secret Doctrine -- for those who are NOT too concerned about particular formal Rosicrucian lineages -- but ARE concerned about Universal Metaphysics to Individuation via Gnosis, Spirit, Magic and Runes -- to add a Rose of Eternity to their Cross of Mortality +++

Some years ago when I was a student at The Ohio State University (circa 1975) I ran across in the library stacks a book by this title that was published in 1918, if I remember correctly. I believe I do because elsewhere on the internet it is attributed to that date. {[...]} I was struck in later years by the reference in it of the universe's contraction and expansion, a la "big bang", well before that theory was published, and that we were in iteration number 4 out of 7. Therefore I think that Mr. Scaro is incorrect in his estimate of it being a circa 1949 book. I think that this book is a very useful insight into the perspective of Rosicrucians in the early 20th century.

This is a great overview of Rosicrucian thought and practice. It's a wonderful introduction for any Seeker. Another good introduction is: The Rosicrucian Philosophy in Questions and Answers

I am a Rosicrucian and this book is not about Rosicrucians or their Doctrines. As far as I can make out this is from one of those "wantabes". I found it to be totally useless. If you are truely interested in mystical knowledge, the school still exists and is very welcoming to seekers. ( google AMORC) If you are only seeking a book try The Wisdom of the Mystic Masters by Joseph J Weed. This book gives a true overview of RC. The focus in on practical self development that can be used right here on the Earth Plane for your evolution. Its a wonderful life, if you have the right atttiude and are willing to change!

Well, here they are, the secrets of the Rosicrucians in one book. How cool is that?