1 .- reform within the Reformation?
Such has been the influence of the Rosicrucians in Freemasonry that is fair to say, there is no Masonic rite not been included in the core of his doctrine to the Rosicrucian heritage. But our goal goes beyond pointing to Rosicrucian factor in the vast field of modern occultism, but frame it, as proposed by Frances Yates, as a bridge between the Renaissance and scientific revolution, as has been claimed Rosicrucian Aurora, as sooner or later hinge, the axis of transition between the magical world of the great philosophers of the Renaissance and the incipient birth of scientific research as currently conceived.
The Rosicrucians broke into Europe in the middle of the seventeenth century, an era marked by changes deep, at a time when Christianity was breaking into pieces and Rome lost control over the vast northern territories won by the Protestant reformers. The schism had spread to Europe, dividing north from south. Its beginning is set in 1517, a century before the outbreak of the Rosicrucians, when Martin Luther, German theologian, born in 1483, proclaimed his famous 95 proposals, announcing Reform, in a leaflet pinned to the door of the church Wittenberg.
is why the Rosicrucian movement is inconceivable without the influence of humanistic Renaissance, without the spiritual tragedy Reform and without the desire of a group of noble souls who believed in the possibility of unifying spiritual roots back to Europe. However, while Protestant Reformation is religious and political reform Rosicrucian is philosophical, theosophical and mystical.
was like a new dawn can evoke all the great magicians of the Renaissance, resurrecting in the heart of a mighty secret. Nobody ever saw the face of the first Rosicrucians, but it was they who gathered the spectra of Cornelius Agrippa, Ficino Marcillo, Pico Della Mirandola, Dante and many other names of known Quatrochento, elevating to the status of rulers of the secret society's most romantic in our history The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross . A they owe the merger of three streams that marked a milestone in the history of thought: The Hermetics, Alchemy and Kabbalah, hence its subsequent influence on all orders initiatory who crossed the European firmament for centuries later, but especially in Freemasonry. The influence of these currents on the thinking of intellectuals and scientists, gave its stamp to the era utopias, such as that described in Francis Bacon New Atlantis that inspire the dreams of the American nation. Bacon is considered one of the Grand Masters of Rosicrucian Order.
2 .- Secret Societies and Scientific Revolution
philosophers and scientists, astronomers and alchemists, religious leaders Reform, aristocrats and monarchs interested in the brotherhood and eagerly sought to join it, or worried to an unknown order, behind which they sensed a power over power. One might ask: What was the political role? What reasons support the conclusion that Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross performed at the precise moment when the Reformation trying to wrest control of the Holy Roman Empire to the power of habsbúrguica House of Austria?
There are good reasons and a large archive of documents affirm that the Brotherhood Rosa Cruz was not only a school of thought or a parallel reform supported by the search for new horizons strong scientific and mystical content. Its expansion in Germany under the control of the Lutheran movement and its strong position against Rome and the papacy place the action of the Rosicrucians of the seventeenth century in a political landscape as fascinating as its esoteric aspect.
Was there really an organized Rosicrucian Brotherhood? Or it was the individual effort of a group of men of genius who had achieved a degree of wisdom that exceeded the mean time?
Unlike their modern heirs to the Rosicrucians of the seventeenth century seem to have lacked organization, but a series of evidence contradict this theory and states that not only were united by fraternal ties, but that made a real school, as they announce the obvious. Going even further, it is surprising that many researchers claim that the Brotherhood as such already existed in the fifteenth century and remained hidden until the time to act in the early seventeenth century.
Whatever the degree of organization, the image that has persisted regarding the Rosicrucian manifestos of the time, is a wise city dweller, solo, dedicated to science, as the understand at that time, remember that in the seventeenth century the word chemistry was just a synonym for alchemy-immersed in experiments on the elemental forces of nature, the transmutation of metals and the search for the Philosopher's Stone . If you had to define a term to simplify the meaning of work, I would say that time Rosicrucian primitive is the prototype of the man who performed the Great Work and that is its main secret.
But this claim turns on, or at least in part, when we look at the list of the first Rosicrucian of politicians, steeped in intrigue palace, military strategies and different utopias. We know that individuals of undoubted public weight as Francis Bacon, Robert Fludd and even Isaac Newton himself played a role in this history and its role, far from being a legend, is well documented by the chroniclers of the time.
3 .- The Invisible College and The Early Manifest. Flame of the Fraternity and other mysterious books
If we look at the names that are identified as precursors of Rosicrucianism we find Paracelsus (1493-1541), Jacob Boehme (1575-1624), Baruch Spinoza (1632 -¿?), Juan Amne Commenius (1592 -), Giordano Bruno (1548-1600) Robert Fludd (1574 - 1637), John Dee (1527-1608) etc. His works mark the time of a profound transformation of consciousness. Among the most renowned figures appear Rosicrucians of Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon and Elias Ashmole, who not only have a negligible impact on the direction of modern science, but inspired, as the case of Bacon and New Atlantis utopia of a Republic perfect will be reflected in the dream of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Include reason why the reader, the Rosicrucian factor, is widely exposed in The Lost Command.
This allows us to say that the Rosicrucians of the seventeenth century without abandoning his devotion to the great exponents of Renaissance magical thinking "pull, push and lead society toward a future that they are created through experimental science and politics. It is worth dwelling on this concept: When building a new access to knowledge and to inspire a new model of political organization, these men, a mixture of mystics and scientists, creating literally the future. We emphasize this statement because it should not go unnoticed to the reader.
Christian Empire in the other [2] , we talked extensively about the Rosicrucian manifestos. In 1614, Germany was shaken by the publication of a book. In the city of Cassel, edited by Wessel, was born the first edition of Fraternitatis Fame (The name of the fraternity ) and she broke into the world a new myth: The Brotherhood of the Rose Cruz. This new fraternity, allegedly made up of supporters able to heal, to dominate forces of nature and possess the ancient secrets of Middle Schools, appeared before the world after being kept secret for centuries. The manifesto suggested that it was time that the brotherhood was unveiled and became public his goal. Europe, shaken by the wars of religion and fascinated by the rediscovery of ancient philosophy, received with anticipation and no little ingenuity .
The first part of the manifesto is devoted to an analysis of world situation and the problem of giving a general reform in the religious, political and social. It argues that churches are no longer excluding part of salvation but it is the result of individual effort, the purification of the heart and an impulse of nature mysticism. Establish points of contact between the ancient Jewish tradition ... she inherited after the fall of Adam and Moses and Solomon practiced ... and the esoteric doctrines of the classical world: ... What set Plato, Aristotle and Pythagoras, as confirmed Henoch, Abraham, Moses and Solomon where the Bible coincide with the Book of Wonders ... The Rosicrucians offered the modern world a single reservoir Ancient Wisdom ... Then discusses the organization of the Fraternity and describes the history of its founder, who is originally presented only with the initials CR
The legend claims that this mysterious character was born in 1378 in Germany. His family was of noble but very poor, because at the age of four years was given to an abbey where he received a good education and learned the ancient languages. At sixteen he went to Palestine, accompanied by a kind of guardian, but he dies in Cyprus, at which Christian Rosenkreutz-so the name of our pilgrim decides to continue his journey alone. Patient arrives in Saudi, where get a knowledge of Arabic scholars archaic. These men, who apparently were waiting, we communicate the secrets of nature and science and allowed him to translate into Latin the mysterious book M
After a journey through the Arabian Gulf and stops in Egypt, runs through the Mediterranean to reach the city of Fez, in Morocco, where certain "basic people" entrusted the task of transmitting knowledge received during their long journey and found a secret society. Moves to Spain and then withdraws from the world for five years. Finally, is made of three faithful disciples of those who only know Initial They will swear fidelity and write a series of knowledge according to the dictates of their master.
A year after appearing Fraternitatis Fame, was published a second book called Confessio. Appeared simultaneously on Cassel and Frankfort. Shortly after beginning the text, the author assumes the defense of the brotherhood and launched a frontal attack the Catholic Church and the Pope. Claims compliance with the provisions of Fame Fraternitatis as a means of salvation. Announces the emergence of new stars in the constellations of Orion and the Swan, strong signs of new developments and important ... and describes the existence of an extraordinary secret writing but incomparable with the language of our first father Adam, nor with that of Enoch, and all of them are buried under the Babylonian confusion ...
two elements are introduced here to be rapidly assimilated by the Western initiatory tradition: the existence of antediluvian knowledge associated with Henoch and the mysterious existence of a lost word. Both issues, of paramount importance in all modern esoteric societies.
The third and last of the German Rosicrucian manifestos, The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz appeared in Strasbourg in 1616 and is by nature different from the previous two. Describes an episode happened in the character's life when he was an elder. Over seven days is subject to a series of tough tests, both physical and spiritual nature, which provide the framework for deploying a complex system of symbols linked to alchemy.
About the author of these three documents have raised all sorts of conjecture, but the strongest appears to be attributed to the German alchemist and philosopher Valentin Andreae Lutheran orthodoxy leader, born in the city of Harremberg in 1586 and died in 1654. His father was a Lutheran pastor and his uncle Jacob a famous theologian who came to call the second Luther. The anti-Catholic climate of the documents in question can be explained in part by this affiliation.
In his life he knows who studied at Tübingen and was one of the wisest men of his time, acquiring a deep knowledge of science and classical languages. His attachment to the study was such that more than one occasion, his health was seriously endangered because of its efforts. He traveled much of Europe and took contact with many of the secret societies that then flourished in big cities. He even suggested that he was the author of such documents, however, unfortunately, many believed blindly Rosenkreutz Christian history and then, what had been envisioned as an allegory, it became a flood of orders and Rosicrucian fraternities whose saga is not over four centuries of its emergence. Francis Yates goes further and states that Valentin Andreae took great pains to make clear that Rosenkreutz Cristian and his fraternity were fictitious. But as we said, nothing more effective than the denial of a secret for it to see immediately reaffirmed. [3]
4 .- The Rosicrucians in England
In England the appearance of the three Rosicrucian manifestos caused a stir because weather that was experienced as a result of wars waged Catholics and Protestants. Amid the controversy, Fludd came out in defense of the fraternity and, in turn, asked to be admitted to it. If John Dee is credited with bringing the Christian cabal in England, Fludd was undoubtedly the man who helped expand Rosicrucianism.
Both schools (Kabbalah and Rosicrucianism) is complemented in England and, together, produce a profound influence on Freemasonry and other orders created after. Francis Yates says that the philosophy of Christian Kabbalah is very akin to the Rosicrucian philosophy, as formulated by the Rosicrucian manifestos and Robert Fludd. For Yates, it is possible to better understand the Rosicrucian phenomenon if it is related to the Christian cabal introduced in England in times of Elizabeth I. [4]
In 1617, Robert Fludd published in England a treatise in which he argued the seriousness of the society of the Rosicrucians and many believe it was he who introduced the Rosicrucian ideas in English Freemasonry. [5]
Fludd is believed that he had a close connection with Inigo Jones, Grand Master of Masons in London, and who participated in the inner circle of the Stuart dynasty in its infancy . From there drove the Masonic Rosicrucianism fuller expression of which would be collected by the Scottish tradition Stuart and give rise to the level of Rosicrucian Knight.
From the above, here points out that, since the advent of Fame Fraternitatis to bumper posters of Paris, who spent time in just eight years, the authors of these manifestos caused turmoil in the intellectual circles Europe.
5 .- The Suppression and Silence before the Storm Rosicrucian
The first Rosicrucian manifestos frantically continue to print until the late second decade. It was then, abruptly stopped producing Rosicrucian literature, which was abolished following the overthrow of the Elector Palatine of Bohemia and the conquest of this kingdom and the Palatinate by the Catholic armies. After the tragedy of Prague, the political situation and the weight restored the Catholic Church led the Rosicrucians to a prudent silence. But they would soon open a new front and it would dramatically.
In August 1623, the city of Paris awoke papered with a manifesto that came from, supposedly, the heart of the Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross. storm broke out.
The proclamation caused unease in the population, a concern that soon became a panic when some publications did not hesitate to relate to the Rosicrucians with witchcraft, black magic and pacts with the devil. The fear came when least expected, when the kingdom began to pacify following the brutal repression Catholic.
Yates mentioned among the causes of panic in an anonymous work, published immediately with the impressive title of Horrible covenants made by the Devil with the Invisibles. It outlined a different version of the famous ads and stated that the Invisible College was formed by thirty-six scholars, universally distributed in groups of six. Stated that they had held a meeting in Lyon, on the eve of the Great Shabbat, where they had decided to send six of them to Paris. To the horror of the public, rebelling libel in full assembly was presented the Prince of Darkness himself, offering all kinds of powers in exchange for abjure the Christian faith.
Yates asserts that the edition of this book was designed to convert the Rosicrucians in nefarious sorcerers sowing terror among Parisians and leading the chase. [6]
A second manifesto appear shortly afterwards in the city. The clergy, anxious, was unable to find the perpetrators. Both the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and the State were aware of the issue Rosicrucian in Germany. However, the methodology used in France, the posters in the streets had been much bolder than the restricted circulation of manuscripts. This had caused public concern which was defined as a storm of rumors by the chronicler Gabriel Nanda.
The testimony of Nanda and the Jesuit Garasse Francoise, are important documents to understand what was happening around the emergence of the Invisible College, both of published works on the subject, testified the situation and contributed to form opinions about the mysterious brotherhood. At this point in the story, the reader will understand that the Rosicrucians have been more than a curious fact of history.
For posters, Yves-Fred Boisset [7] and Francis Yates [8] agree that the first reaction of the Church was attributed to a student farce, while the civil authorities were thinking of a provocation by the Jesuits. Because of this confusion, went looking for the young scholar Gabriel Nanda, historian and bibliographer who was to become librarian of Cardinal Richelieu and Mazarin. Immediately confirmed that the mystery had been studying German society la Rosa Cruz.
immediately published a book entitled How to France on the truth of brothers the Rose Cross, which complained that the posters had aimed to destabilize the kingdom, and has spread recently in Germany, the Brotherhood came to France now that the list of authors who met his teachings included Fludd, Dee, Trithemius, Giorgi, of the Candela , Postus of Throw Bruno, Llull, Paracelsus etc. It is the incredible story of Nanda which corroborates the lifeblood of the Rosicrucians and their influence.
Nando exposes the enormous influence they have had Fame and the Confessio and shows know some of the works of the physician and alchemist Michael Maier (1568-1622). According to Nando Fame had made a great impression in France, raising hopes that were to happen a new advance of science. Talks about the discovery of new worlds, the invention of the cannon, compass, clock and there were changes in religion, medicine and astrology. The Rosicrucians, as seen by Nando bring a new age of knowledge.
Brae, of Galileo and his new glasses (the telescope) and the imminent establishment or renewal of the sciences that promised in Scripture. This last, we agree with Yates, is very close to the ideals of Francis Bacon and New Atlantis. Many of these traditions were incorporated into the rituals of Freemasonry.
6 .- The Rosicrucians and Freemasonry influence
In previous work we have referred extensively to the Rosicrucian influence in Masonic world. We will cite here the essentials. The first indirect reference to the relationship between Rosicrucians and Freemasons appears in a poem published in Edinburgh in 1638, that one of its verses says
We have the Mason Word and second sight,
we predict correctly things to come ...
Although confusing, the text seems to refer to the magical powers of the Rosicrucians, among which is the word Mason. We have seen that in the original masonry mention the loss of the original language, a fact that appears repeatedly in the modern Masonic symbolism is also found in the Hebrew Cabala. But it is in 18 ° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, where the issue appears more clearly.
At the opening of the work, the guards announced the gentlemen: We come to find the lost word and with your help hope to find ... Much of the promotion ceremony this level revolves around the search and its climax is its finding. Work will close at the time ... the sacred word was found, when the cubic stone became mystic rose ...
Also in the Rite of Kilwinning, one of the oldest-appears the cubic stone placed on a wilted rose. Just as in the former rite, the gentlemen lament the destruction of the Temple and march to a desolate and dark in search of the missing word. An ancient ritual of 1887 says that when the word lost has been found ... the man recovers the rights of its ancient origin and nature stands ... [9]
is possible that this tradition was already present in English Freemasonry to the arrival of the Rosicrucian manifestos and the traditions concerning the loss of the sacred word to be introduced earlier by Christian Kabbalists, so that the first Rosicrucian societies created in England found the "word of a Mason" in conjunction with their own tradition.
The first printed document that proves the link between Freemasons and Rosicrucians is a booklet Masonic year 1676 which says: ... are advised that the Association Modern Green Ribbon, along with the former Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross , the Hermetic Adepts and Accepted Masons, are intended dinner together on 31 November ... [10]
Thirty years ago, a man closely linked to the Rosicrucian movement, Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) was initiated in the region of Lancashire: Ashmole himself described in his diary These people were admitted to a Masonic lodge in Warrington on October 16, 1646, which adds a list of people started at the same time.
This testimony is of great value because it is considered the oldest private document that describes the circumstances of an individual's initiation into Freemasonry. And not just any individual. Ashmole was an antiquarian who collected ancient manuscripts and devoted his life to studying the Kabbalah, alchemy and astrology. He was one of 114 founding members of the Royal Society and its collection of documents can be found an English translation, made from your own handwriting, of the three German Rosicrucian manifestos. Not only that, Ashmole kept a copy of a letter to the brightly lit Brothers of the Rosy Cross requesting admission to the society. Yates believes that this letter was a "private act" a kind of prayer that was not really directed at anyone in particular. [11] Others believe, however, that Ashmole was part of a large group of Rosicrucians that formed the Royal Society among which was also Isaac Newton and Jean Theophile Desaguliers, whose role in founding the Grand Lodge in London in 1717 has become one of the fathers of modern Freemasonry.
This set of traditions, we have tried to describe in an orderly fashion, eventually converge in the Masonic legends. Arguably, all the Masonic doctrine is contained in the legends that give life to each grade and these are transmitted within the lodges and chapters in House of the Temple in the temple that is modeled on the most famous of our tradition: The Temple of Jerusalem.
[1] Boisset, Yves-Fred; Parallel Reform , History of the Rosicrucian Movement seventeenth century (GEIMME, Bulletin 7, Madrid, 2006) pag. 220
[3] Yates, Frances, " The Rosicrucian Enlightenment" (Mexico, Fondo de Cultura Economica 2001) p. 255
[4] Yates, Frances, " The Occult Philosophy in the Elizabethan era " p. 263
[5] Godwin, Joscelyn, " Robert Fludd, Keys to the Universe theology" (Madrid, Editorial Swan 1987) p. 24
[6] Yates, ibid. P. 133
[7] Boisset, Yves-Fred
