Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis

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The Rosicrucian Order, Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC) is a worldwide mystical, Rosicrucian, educational, humanitarian and fraternal organisation founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis in 1915, but its traditional roots can be traced back to Ancient Egypt and the 17th century Rosicrucians.

Its common name in Latin is Antiquus Mysticusque Ordo Rosae Crucis. The traditional and authentic Latin name is: Antiquus Arcanus Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (AAORRAC), which translates to English as Ancient and Mystical Order of the Red Rose and the Golden Cross.

Organisation & Structure

AMORC is organised as an educational charitable non-profit organisation which is classified by the United States Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3).

Students and members of AMORC pay dues (which, as of 2002, are about US$215 per year) and a number of them choose to donate more.

According to AMORC: "After expenses are covered, all additional funds go back into the organization to further benefit its students, allowing us to expand our services, develop new programs and other projects that will help us accomplish our humanitarian goals." (from the US website)

The Supreme Grand Lodge

Rosicrucian Order, AMORC is governed by The Supreme Grand Lodge of AMORC.

The Supreme Grand Lodge is responsible for the worldwide coordination of AMORC, the establishment of new administrations, etc.

Grand Lodges (Jurisdictions)

Rosicrucian Order, AMORC is divided, by language, into several jurisdictions, called Grand Lodges.

Each Grand Lodge has a Grand Master.

Lodges, Chapters, Pronaoi

AMORC is organised in each country in Lodges, Chapters, and Pronaoi. Information on these bodies is contained in the US edition of the Mastery of Life, which is available online.

AMORC members have the privilege of attending an affiliated Lodge, Chapter or Pronaos and participate in organised convocations there.

The attendance is optional, but the member may be asked to pay additional dues if he or she wishes to attend and become a member of a local Rosicrucian group.

Many local groups offer Open Meetings where non-Rosicrucians may meet members of AMORC and attend a lecture.

Lodges

The Lodge is the largest local group and requires at least 50 members. (according to the US edition of Mastery of Life)

Only a Lodge may offer the Degree Initiation Rituals. There are no fees for the initiation rituals but an optional donation is usually requested.

Chapters

The Chapter is a group of at least 30 Rosicrucians. (according to the US edition of Mastery of Life)

Attendance of the Chapter Convocations is restricted only to members who have completed the First Temple Degree initiation.

Pronaoi

Pronaoi are groups of at least 15 Rosicrucians. (according to the US edition of Mastery of Life)

Pronaoi is plural. The singular is Pronaos, from Ancient Greek, meaning antechamber.

According to the number of its members, a Pronaos may become a Chapter or a Lodge.

All members of AMORC, including the Neophytes, can take part at the Pronaos Convocations. (according to the US edition of Mastery of Life)

Worldwide Presence

List of countries with AMORC presence (as of 1999):

The list is adapted from data gathered from the Official AMORC Web Site.

Imperators

The highest chief of AMORC is called Imperator. He or she is responsible for coordinating and representing the Order worldwide.

Gary L. Stewart is not the Imperator of AMORC anymore. Following a lawsuit, which was finally settled outside the court, he founded his own Rosicrucian movement in 1996: The Confraternity of the Rose Cross.

Grand Masters

Each Grand Lodge has a Grand Master:

  • Julie Scott, S.R.C., Grand Master of the English Grand Lodge for the Americas.

Christian Bernard was the grand master of the French Jurisdiction before becoming Imperator of the Order.

Activities

AMORC runs a series of educational, humanitarian, scientific and spiritual activities. These activities help the individuals to master their lives.

Publications

Members receive, by correspondence, the Rosicrucian Monographs (available to members only) as well as other publications such as the Rosicrucian Digest (available to the public) and the Rosicrucian Forum (members only).

AMORC continues to publish several books and other material being of interest to many people who study Metaphysics, Mysticism and Egyptology.

Some people, usually current or past AMORC members, like to collect AMORC memorabilia and old publications. Some (unofficial) galleries exist online and a search on any popular search engine will reveal plenty of them.

Rosicrucian Digest

The Rosicrucian Digest is a publication of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, published continuously from 1915 (the year the Order was founded in USA by Harvey Spencer Lewis).

It is sent to members for free via correspondence, but it is also available to the general public.

You can read Rosicrucian Digest issues at the web site of the English Grand Lodge of the Americas.

It is not the same as Rosicrucian Forum, which is another publication of AMORC available only to members.

In the past there was a publication titled Mystic Triangle, which was just the old name of the Rosicrucian Digest. You can read for free old 1926 editions of the Mystic Triangle at AMORC USA Web Site.

In United Kingdom it is named Rosicrucian Beacon and it is published quarterly by the English speaking jurisdiction for Europe and Africa of the Rosicrucian Order AMORC.

Free online editions of Rosicrucian Digest:

Rosicrucian Forum

The Rosicrucian Forum is a private publication of Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, available only to members, and sent to them via correspondence.

It is not the same as Rosicrucian Digest, which is another publication of AMORC available to the general public.

Rose+Croix Journal

The Rose+Croix Journal is a peer-reviewed transdisciplinary online journal.

For information regarding Rose+Croix Journal see the Official Rose+Croix Journal web site.

Mastery of Life

The Mastery of Life is a document of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis intended for people who are considering joining the Order. It is given for free and without any obligations.

Who am I?, What's my purpose?, What can I do in life?, these are only few of the questions that all spiritual seekers are trying to find their answers. The process of answering these questions has been labelled with many names, such as Mysticism, Spirituality and Philosophy.

As the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, describes: "Perhaps what you seek can be explained simply and generally as greater personal power, a more focused attunement with life, and heightened spiritual awareness. Rosicrucians call this Mastery of Life. It embraces all aspects of who you are and all you can be - physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. It is the greatest journey a human being can take."

AMORC suggests that being a Rosicrucian student may help a person to attain mastery of life.

The Mastery of Life is designed to introduce the reader into the basic aspects of Rosicrucianism, Mysticism and AMORC. It explains what AMORC is and what it can offer to the spiritual seeker.

Note that Mastery of Life is not exactly the same across all lodges and it may be updated from time to time. You may notice differences between, for example, the Greek and the English version, or even the US and the UK versions. The differences are minor and the nature of the document is always the same.

This publication can be sent for free to any person by mail, provided that he/she contacted AMORC requesting information about joining the Order. Today, with the aim of technology, anyone is able to read the complete document online.

Mastery of Life is available online for free unrestricted access at the official AMORC web sites:

Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis

A manifesto titled "Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis", sealed on March 20 2001 (Rosicrucian Year 3354) and presented by Imperator Christian Bernard at the Rosicrucian World Convention in G�eborg, Sweden in August 2001, is intended to inform the public about AMORC's position on today's world situation, world peace and harmony, and the dangers threatening the future of Earth.

This publication is available online for free from the AMORC USA Web Site: Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis in PDF format

The AMORC Netherlands Web Site has also published a HTML version of the Position Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis: Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis in HTML format (in English)

"Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis" means "Position of the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis" in Latin. It should be noted that an organisation named Fraternitas Rosae Crucis exists today but it is completely separate from AMORC.

Summary

The Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis describes what is wrong with the present world situation and how the world should be.

It also describes the Rosicrucian Utopia:

The Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis ends with the sentence "So Mote It Be!"

Books

AMORC has published a number of scientific, mystical and spiritual books. Its scientific books include titles on Egyptology and its mystical ones include books on various esoteric subjects.

The AMORC USA Online Store sells most of these books and other material, some of them only for members (such as ritualistic jewellery and incense).

For a list of books written by AMORC's founder, see Harvey Spencer Lewis.

Liber 777

Liber 777 is a small booklet published by AMORC. It is available to members, and the Order allows them to give it to non-members too.

Celestial Sanctum

The main goal of Liber 777 is to describe the Celestial Sanctum, which a spiritual concept of profound importance to Rosicrucians.

The booklet also contains some practical mystical exercises which help the neophyte mystic attain spiritual communication with the Celestial Sanctum.

A member of AMORC has published an old edition of Liber 777 at his personal web site: Read Liber 777.

Rosicrucian Monographs

See Rosicrucian Monographs.

Conferences

AMORC often organises various activities such as conferences, usually restricted only to members.

2004 World Peace Conference

An example is the 2004 World Peace Conference at San Jose, California, USA.

This conference, which is considered as very important within AMORC, is scheduled to begin on June 29 and finish on July 4 2004. The Imperator Christian Bernard will be present, together with many Grand Masters from all over the world.

The conference's hotel is the Fairmont San Jose Hotel, 3 km from the Rosicrucian Park and near the San Jose International Airport.

According to AMORC: A huge effort is being put in to make this the greatest world convention ever. (from Rosicrucian Beacon, December 2003)

See the 2004 World Peace Conference Website.

Rosicrucian World Convention

In August 2001 (Rosicrucian Year 3354), a very important meeting took place in G�eborg, Sweden: The Rosicrucian World Convention.

The main theme of the convention was the world peace and harmony.

The convention was of significant importance to the Rosicrucian history because Imperator Christian Bernard presented "Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis", a manifesto intended to inform the public about AMORC's position on the current world situation.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

AMORC also founded the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.

Rosicrucian Park

The Rosicrucian Park is located in San Jose, California and is built according to the Ancient Egyptian architecture.

The Rosicrucian Park has its own postal code.

Rose-Croix University International

The Rose-Croix University International is an educational college founded by AMORC.

It offers educational classes to AMORC students under the guidance of the members of the International Research Council.

More information is contained in the US edition of the Mastery of Life.

International Research Council

The International Research Council is a group of AMORC members who have expertise in some area of science, literature or arts.

As AMORC says, the group of experts of the International Research Council includes:

According to AMORC, the members of the International Research Council dedicate themselves to the advancement of their profession for the benefit of humanity.

Council of Solace

The Council of Solace is a group of Rosicrucians who meditate and pray daily in behalf of others.

Council of Solace, according to AMORC, offers free 24-hour metaphysical aid to people in need and its help is available for members and non-members.

An automated web-based system exists where everybody can request help for problems they face.

AMORC clarifies that the metaphysical aid is not a substitute for real medical support or any other kind of material help.

For more information on Council of Solace see: Information and Automated Petition Request System from AMORC USA

Radio programmes

In 1930s Harvey Spencer Lewis had a radio station broadcasting from his office at Rosicrucian Park.

The AMORC's Radio Station used the radio call sign 6KZ (six kay zee). The broadcasting began on February 15 1928. The station was powered by two 30 metre radio towers inside the Rosicrucian Park.

The AMORC Radio programme was also aired on the Los Angeles radio station KNX.


The station even continued its operation during the Ralph Maxwell Lewis' administration.

Now the radio towers have been removed. But after their removal, AMORC continued to brodcast through the KEEN radio station.

Today the Kairi Lodge at Trinidad is known to launch radio programs for informing the public about the Rosicrucians.

Melton's 1986 book, cited by the New Religious Movements Project website claims that the first radio station managed by AMORC was the WJBB at Florida, when the Order had its headquarters in Tampa in 1925.

(source: Rosicrucian Beacon, December 2003)

History

AMORC was founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis in 1915 and was represented by him in FUDOSI, a federation of independent esoteric orders.

The early headquarters were located in New York City, San Francisco and Tampa. The headquarters moved to San Jose, California in 1927.

Francis Bacon is considered to be a past Imperator of the Rosicrucians.

Secrecy

"For many centuries the strange, mysterious records of the Rosicrucians were closed against any eyes but those of the high initiates. Even editors of great encyclopedias were unable to secure the weird, fascinating facts of the Rosicrucian activities in all parts of the world." - From an official 1946's AMORC advertisement of the Dr Lewis' book Rosicrucian Questions and Answers with Complete History of the Order contained in the Seventh Edition of Rosicrucian Principles for the Home and Business by Harvey Spencer Lewis.

Martinism

Many AMORC members have a close relation with Martinism and especially the Traditional Martinist Order, a Martinist order cooperating with AMORC.

Ancient Egypt

AMORC reports that it has a traditional connection to Ancient Egypt and to the Ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools.

The Egyptian Mystery Schools, aimed to educating mystics and passing esoteric mystical knowledge across the generations, were founded at least from the 15th century BCE and may be related with the King Tuthmosis III.

King Akhenaten, a figure often respected by many mystics, popularized the concept of one divine force behind everything.

Rosicrucians, as AMORC states, trace their past to Ancient Egypt because their beliefs, wisdom, practices and methods are consistent to the ones taught by the Ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools.

Quotes by AMORC Members

The following quotes are taken from the 1996 edition of the booklet "Health: An International Research Council Report", first published in 1986 by the Supreme Grand Lodge of the Ancient & Mystical Order Rosae Crucis and the Grand Lodge of the English Language Jurisdiction, AMORC, Inc.

The booklet "Health" is available to members and non-members by AMORC.

"Rosicrucians are optimists" - John Palo, D.C., F.A.C.C., F.R.C., member of the AMORC International Research Council, in "Treatment... Who Can Help" contained in the booklet "Health", p. 17.

"Rosicrucian mysticism requires an active involvement in life, a vigorous and energetic cultivation of consciousness at all levels of human existence" - J. Harry Gunkel, M.D., F.R.C., member of the AMORC International Research Council, in "Health - A Rosicrucian View" contained in the booklet "Health", p. 21.

"In the mystical viewpoint (...), faith is a confidence or knowledge born from experience" - Richard A. Rawson, M.D., F.R.C., member of the AMORC International Research Council, in "Health - Metaphysical Principles in Psychotherapy" contained in the booklet "Health", p. 33.

For quotes by AMORC's founder, see Harvey Spencer Lewis.

Criticism

AMORC has become the target of some criticisms.

According to AMORC, from a document of the Official AMORC Netherlands Web Site:

  • Some of its opponents come from the materialism-atheism scene.
  • Other opponents come from the religion scene. "In Africa for instance Rosicrucians are threatened with excommunication by certain priests" and they accuse them for "making human sacrifices, of witchcraft, heresy et cetera".
  • Others who run their own spiritual organisations may criticise AMORC because they are afraid that they may lose members.
  • Some former members become opponents because either they left AMORC and they criticise it because they expected to become Masters in a very short time.
  • Other opponents include former members who have been expelled by AMORC because they were using AMORC's teachings in their own way for their own purposes and not for their spiritual growth.

As the Grand Master Serge Toussaint says: "If at a given moment in time you feel worried about negative utterances regarding our Order, do not hesitate to ask us for a clarification. We shall answer you as quickly as possible and enable you to create for yourself a correct picture of what the Rosicrucians are and are not."

Other organisations, such as FUDOFSI (not to be confused with FUDOSI) and Fraternitas Rosae Crucis have criticised AMORC's authenticity.

Gary L. Stewart of the Confraternity of the Rose Cross believes that the modern AMORC is very different from its past and its nature is now different than Harvey Spencer Lewis's legacy. The same view is held by other organisations which started as "forks" from AMORC after its 1990s corporate reorganisation.

AMORC, like many other similar organisations, has been criticised by some Christian groups. For example, according to the PanHellenic Parents Union (an organisation which advertises its mission as the "Protection of the Hellenic-Orthodox Civilization") website, in Greece AMORC has been included in a list of 422 organisations which considered as incompatible with the Eastern Orthodox tradition by the "7th Panorthodox Conference" of 1995 and its president Metropolite Hieronymus of Theba and Levadia. The list is available here (in Greek). In the United States, biblical critiques have been published by evangelical apologists such as Walter R. Martin, Edmond C. Gruss, and H. Wayne House.

Some theologians have tried to classify it as a secret society. For an example, see the ECWA case below.

ECWA

From 1984 the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) seeks to outlaw AMORC in Nigeria. ECWA claimed that AMORC is a secret society and published relevant claims on its publications.

AMORC filed a libel suit against ECWA and the Lower Court decided against ECWA and ordered the church to pay one million naira (Nigerian currency) to AMORC in 1988.

Then, the ECWA appealed against the court's decision. AMORC appealed to the Supreme Court and ECWA counter-appealed. The Supreme Court dismissed both appeals.

In 1999 ECWA filed a new suit against AMORC, requesting from the Registrar General of CAC and the IG of Police to withdraw AMORC's registration certificate and seal its offices in Nigeria. ECWA also requested AMORC to be declared a secret society for lack of merit. The new ECWA's lawsuit was dismissed by the Supreme Court in June 2000.

As of 2004, AMORC continues to operate legally in Nigeria. From 1984 ECWA has lost all of its lawsuits against AMORC.

Source: Abuja Mirror web site

Authenticity

FUDOSI, a federation of mystical organisations, had authenticed AMORC as the only true Rosicrucian organisation. In an official FUDOSI document we read: "The AMORC (...) is the only authorized sector of the ancient Fraternity of Rosicrucians (...)" You can see the document at the Official AMORC Netherlands Web Site: FUDOESI Document.

The Teachings

See Rosicrucian Monographs.

See also

To have a better understanding of AMORC you are encouraged to have a look at the following articles:

AMORC-Related

General Esotericism

Other Rosicrucian Groups

  • for a more complete list of Rosicrucian groups, see Rosicrucian.

External links

On the web you can find several pages regarding AMORC. A search on popular search engines will certainly return lots of links.

Official Web Sites


Unofficial

General

Unofficial Rosicrucian Web Sites

Criticism

Other

Web Forum posts

Usenet Newsgroups

Note: F.R.C. (Frater) and S.R.C. (Soror) are Rosicrucian titles.

Wikipedia

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