In the Pronaos of the Temple of Wisdom: Appendix: The Principles of Yoga-Philosophy of the Rosicrucians and Alchemists
The following pages were originally intended to form the basis of a separate work, entitled "A Key to the Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians." As the idea of bringing out such a book has been abandoned for the present, they have been added as a suitable appendix to the foregoing historical notes. It will be found that the doctrines presented herein contain the most profound secrets, especially in regard to the "resurrection of the flesh." They go to show that the physical body is neither a useless nor a despicable thing, and that Matter is as necessary to Spirit, as Spirit to Matter. Without the presence of a living body no resurrection could take place; neither could the Spirit have any relative existence without the presence of a material form. The state of Nirvana is not to be attained by merely dreaming about it, and before Man can rise superior to anything he must have attained that to which he desires to become superior. Only from the soul resurrected within the body of flesh arises the glorified spirit. Ex Deo nascimur. In Jesu morimur. Reviviscimus per Spiritum Sanctum. Our salvation is the life of Christ in us. THE place or state wherein the true Rosicrucian lives is far too exalted and glorious to be described in words. When we enter the vestibule of the temple of the true Rosy Cross, we enter into a region of unalloyed bliss and happiness. There is an effulgence of super-terrestrial light, where all laborious thinking and exercise of the imagination for the purpose of drawing logical inferences about the unknown, ceases, for in that light is the realm of pure knowledge; to live there is to perceive, and to perceive is to know. Into .that paradise of celestial consciousness nothing impure can enter. No room is there for terrestrial flesh and blood; but the spiritual beings which inhabit that realm are made of the flesh and body of "Christ," in other words, of the substance of the spiritual soul. H. P. Blavatsky, in her "Key to Theosophy," says that there are beings having attained a state of spiritual consciousness which would entitle them to enter the state of Nirvana; nevertheless, out of compassion for mankind, they still remain residents of this earth, inhabiting invisibly for mortal eyes the astral plane of our planet. In that, she describes the true order of the Golden and Rosy Cross as a spiritual ________________ 1. Love God above all. To "love God" means to love wisdom and truth. We can love God in no other way than in being obedient to Divine law; and to enable us to exercise that obedience conscientiously requires knowledge of the law, which can only be gained by practice. 2. Devote your time to your spiritual advancement. As the sun without leaving his place in the sky sends his rays upon the earth to shine upon the pure and the impure, and to illuminate even the most minute material objects with his light; likewise the spirit of man may send his mental rays into matter to obtain knowledge of all terrestrial things; but there is no need that the spirit should thereby lose its own divine self-consciousness, and be itself absorbed by the objects of its perception. 3. Be entirely unselfish. Spiritual knowledge begins only where all sense of self ceases. Where the delusion which causes man to imagine himself to be a being separated and isolated from others ends, there he begins to realize his true state as an all-embracing universal and divine self-conscious power. 4. Be temperate, modest, energetic, and silent. The door to the inner temple is called "Contentment"; but no animal can enter therein, only he who walks uprightly, being conscious of his true dignity as a human being. Without energy, nothing can be accomplished; and only in the silence, when all thoughts and desires are at rest, can the Divine harmonies penetrate to the internal ear. 5. Learn to know the origin of the METALS contained within thyself. Ignorance is the cause of suffering. That which is material must be crucified and die, so that that which is spiritual may be resurrected and live. Those who are dead in the flesh will read the following with the external understanding; those who live in the spirit will see its internal meaning, and act accordingly. The duties of a true Rosicrucian are:— 1. To alleviate suffering and to cure the sick without accepting any remuneration. The medicine which they give is more valuable than gold; it is of an invisible kind, and can be had for nothing everywhere. 2. To adopt the style of their clothing to the costumes of the country wherein they reside for the time being. The clothing of the spirit is the form which he inhabits, and must be adapted to the conditions of the planet whereon he resides. ________________ There are sixteen signs by which a member of the order of the Rosicrucians may be known. He who possesses only a few of those signs is not a member of a very high degree, for the true Rosicrucian possesses them all. 1. The Rosicrucian is Patient. His first and most important victory is the conquest of his own self. It is the victory over the LION, who has bitterly injured some of the best followers of the Holy Cross. He is not to be vanquished by a fierce and inconsiderate attack made upon him; but he must be made to surrender to patience and fortitude. The true Rosicrucian tries to overcome his enemies by kindness, and those who hate him by gifts. He heaps not curses, but the burning fire of love upon their heads. He does not persecute his enemies with the sword, or with faggots, but he suffers the weeds to grow with the wheat until they are both matured, when they will be separated by Nature. 2. The Rosicrucian is Kind. He never appears gloomy or melancholy, or with a scowl or sneer upon his face. He acts kindly and politely towards everybody, and is always ready to render assistance to others. Although he is different from the majority of other people, still he tries to accommodate himself to their ways, habits and manners, as much as his dignity will permit. He is, therefore, an agreeable companion, and knows how to converse with the rich as well as with the poor, and to move among all classes of society so as to command their respect; for he has conquered the bear of vulgarity. 3. The Rosicrucian knows no Envy. Before he is accepted into the order he must go through the terrible ordeal of cutting off the head of the snake of envy; which is a very difficult labour, because the snake is sly, and easily hides itself in some corner. The true Rosicrucian is always content with his lot, knowing that it is such as he deserves it to be. He never worries about Names are of little importance. The principle which presides over the Rosicrucian Society is the truth; and he who knows the truth, and follows it in practice, is a member of the society over which the truth The most valuable jewel of the Rosicrucians is WISDOM, which is represented by a pure DIAMOND in the centre of the ROSE, but the CROSS is adorned with twelve jewels of priceless value, in all of which the power that resides in the truth is manifested. These jewels are: 1. Jasper (dark green). The power of active light, multiplying itself to a sevenfold degree, and evolving seven states of the one light, by which the seven states of darkness may be consumed. 2. Hyacinth (yellow). LOVE, born from the matrix of Light, manifesting itself as it grows, and emitting red rays. Its power overcomes the spirit of anger and violence. 3. Chrysolite (white). Princely wisdom. It confounds that which is foolish and vain, subdues it, and comes out of the battle victorious. 4. Sapphire (blue). Truth; originating and growing out of its own essence. It overcomes doubt and vacillation. 5. Smaragd (green). The blooming spring in its eternal justice, destroying the unjust attributes of a perverted and degenerate nature, and opening the fountain of infinite treasures. 6. Topaz (golden). The symbol of peace, mild and pleasant. It suffers no impurity or division to exist, neither does it admit that which causes separation and quarrels. It heals ruptures and cures wounds. 7. Amethyst (violet). Impartiality, equilibrium of justice and judgment. It cannot be falsified, bent, or counterfeited. It weighs all things in the scales of justice, and is opposed to fraud, cruelty, or tyranny. 8. Beryl (diverse colours). Meekness, humility; the equal temperature of the spirit, being kind and good, and overcoming wrath, stubbornness, and bitterness. 9. Sardis (light red). The high magical FAITH, growing into power, and destroying fear, scepticism, and superstition, 10. Chrysoprase (light green). Invisible power and strength, overcoming all opposition, allowing nothing to remain which could possibly resist the law. 11. Sardonyx (striped). Triumphant JOY and gladness, flowing from the eternal fountain of happiness, destroying all sorrow and sadness. (May it bless you!). (From the work of Antonio Ginther. August Vindelicorum. 1741.) Prænesis. A ship in the open sea, with a floating anchor, and a star shining overhead, with the inscription: Hac monstrante viam. Emblema 1. An open book with the name MARIA, and a heart transfixed by a sword, with the inscription: Omnibus in omnibus. 2. A seven-headed monster threatened with a club. Inscription: In virtute tua. 3. A closed and sealed door with an angel attempting to open it. Inscription: Signatur ne perdatur. 4. A landscape representing an island. The sun rises and the stars shine. Inscription: Aurora ab lacrymis. 5. An orange tree bearing fruits, of which the inner part is sweet, while the rind is bitter. Inscription: Dulce amarum. 6. An altar with a fire upon it, in which a heart is burning, sending out a sweet odour. Inscription: In odorem suavitatis. 7. A pure white lily in a flower-pot, standing in a garden. Inscription: Virginei laus prima pudoris. 8. An angel separating wheat from chaff by means of a sieve. Inscription: Dimittit inanes. 9. A ring with a jewel exhibited upon a table. Inscription: Honori invincem. 10. A globe illuminated by the full moon. Inscription: Plena sibi et aliis. 11. Jacob's ladder with seven steps, reaching from the earth up to heaven. Inscription: Descendendo ascendendo. 12. A sun-dial attached to the wall of a tower. Inscription: Altissimus obnumbrat. 13. The signs of the Zodiac, with the sun passing through the sign of the Virgin. Inscription: Jam mitius ardet. 14. A hen brooding in a stable, brooding over eggs. Inscription: Parit in alieno. 15. Two palm-trees, inclined towards each other. Inscription: Blando se pace salutant. 16. A grape-vine, cut from the trunk, is weeping. Inscription: Ut gaudeas mero. 17. A plant, representing a myrrh. Inscription: Amara sed salubris. 18. A painter's easel, with a cloth ready for painting. Inscription: Qua forma placebit. (From the above-mentioned work.) Prænesis.—A hen with chickens under her wings. A hawk preying in the air above. Inscription: Sub umbra alarum tuarum. Emblema. 1. A figure kneeling and holding a book wherein is represented a fiery heart. Inscription: Tolle lege. 2. Altar upon which a fire is lighted by a sunray. Inscription: Extinctos suscitat ignes. 3. Sunray falling through a lens and setting a ship on fire. Inscription: Ignis ab Primo. 4. Sun shining upon a lambskin extended upon the earth. Inscription: Descendit de cæ is. 5. A chrysalis upon a leaf. Inscription: Ecce venio. 7. The sea and the rising sun. Inscription: Renovabit faciem terræ. 8. A rising sun eclipsed by the moon. Inscription: Condor ut exorior. 9. A chicken and an eagle in the air. The former is protected against the latter by a shield. Inscription: A facie persequentis. 10. A rose in the midst of a garden. Inscription: Hæc mihi sola placet. 11. A lamb burning upon an altar. Inscription: Deus non despicies. 12. Dogs hunting. Inscription: Fuga salutem. 13. A lamb dying at the foot of a cross. Inscription: Obediens usque ad mortem. 14. The ark of the covenant. Rays of lightning. Inscription: Procul este profani. 15. Sun in the midst of clouds. Inscription: Fulgura in pluvium fuit. 16. Sun shining upon sheep and wolves. Inscription: Super robos et malos. 17. A well and a pitcher. Inscription: Hauriar, non exhauriar. 18. Animals entering the ark. Inscription: Una salutem. 19. Shepherd carrying a lamb. Inscription: Onus meum leve. 20. Sheep drinking at a well. The water is stirred by a pole. Inscription: Similem dant vulnera formam. 21. A dove sitting upon a globe. Inscription: Non sufficit una. 22. Light penetrating the clouds. Inscription: Umbram fugat veritas. 23. A vineyard and the rising sun. Inscription: Pertransiit beneficiendo. 24. Three hearts with a sieve floating above them. Inscription: Cælo contrito resurgent. 25. Swan cleaning his feathers before proceeding to eat. Inscription: Antequam comedum. 26. A hungry dog howling at the moon. Inscription: Inanis impetus. 27. Ark of the covenant drawn by two oxen. Inscription: Sancta sancte. 28. A winepress. Inscription: Premitur ut experimat. 29. An opening bud. Inscription: Vulneribus profundit opes. It is, beyond any doubt, most certain and true, that the Below is like the Above, and thereby can be accomplished the miracle of one only thing. As all things are derived from only one thing, by the will and the word of the One who created it in his mind; likewise all things result from this unity by the order of nature. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the air carries it in its womb; its nurse is the earth. This thing is the origin of all perfections that exist throughout the world. Its power is most perfect when it has again been reduced to earth. Separate the earth from the fire, and the subtle from that which is gross; act with prudence, understanding, and modesty. It rises up from the earth to the heavens, and returns again to the earth, taking unto itself the power of the Above and the Below. Thus you will obtain the glory of the whole world. Therefore discard all ignorance and impotency. This is the strongest of all powers, for it overcomes all subtle things, and can penetrate through all that is gross. Thus was the world created, and from this originate rare combinations, and are wrought miracles of various kinds. Therefore have I been called Hermes Trismegistus, having obtained three-parts of the wisdom of the whole world. This is what is to be said about the masterwork of the alchymical art.THE PRINCIPLES
OF THE
YOGA-PHILOSOPHY
OF THE
ROSICRUCIANS AND ALCHEMISTS.
Chapter Seven
IN THE PRONAOS OF THE TEMPLE OF THE TRUE ROSY CROSS.
ROSICRUCIAN RULES.
THE DUTIES OF A ROSICRUCIAN.
THE SECRET SIGNS OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.
ROSICRUCIAN JEWELS.
ROSICRUCIAN SYMBOLS
SIGNS FROM THE HEART OF THE CELESTIAL MOTHER.
ERBA SECRETORUM HERMETIS.
