Collegium Fraternitatis, from T. Schweighart, Speculum sophicum Rhodo-stauroticum [1604] (Public Domain Image)

The Real History of the Rosicrucians by Arthur Edward Waite [1887]

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Contents Start Reading Page Index

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This is Arthur Edward Waite's study of the elusive Rosicrucians, a secret society of which the first public notice was in early 17th century Germany. Was this an actual organization, or just a fantasy? No actual Rosicrucians ever surfaced, but there was plenty of documentation about them. The problem is that these documents are, for the most part, obviously fictional. In time, a mythology grew up around the Rosicrucians. Today there are groups which claim the name. These date at the most to the late 19th century, although they usually claim pro forma to go back as far as Egypt or Atlantis. The Rosicrucians have also been woven by conspiracy theorists into their web alongside the Freemasons, Illuminati, Templars, and so on, even though there is not a shred of evidence for this.

Waite presents complete translations of all of the texts which defined the Rosicrucians, including the Fama Fraternitatis, the Confessio Fraternitatis, and the Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz. The longest text, the Chemical Wedding is a fever-dream which is a thinly veiled alchemical allegory. The authorship of these documents is disputed, but it may have been written by Johann Valentin Andreas, a German theologian and writer. Waite also surveys Rosicrucian literature from successive centuries, including extensive quotes from authors who wrote about the Rosicrucians such as Michael Maier, Robert Fludd, Thomas Vaughan and John Heydon. Heydon wrote Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians, reminiscent of Thomas More's Utopia, about a voyage to an obscure continent inhabited by Rosicrucians, included here in its entirety. Waite concludes with a look at a 19th century 'Rosicrucian' organization: Hargrave Jennings was, notably, a member of this group. Speaking of whom. . .

The Real History stands in stark contrast to Hargrave Jennings' The Rosicrucians, their Rites and Mysteries, which Waite (justifiably) criticizes throughout. The very title of this book might be considered a riposte to Jennings. The Rosicrucians are described as celibate, which contradicts Jennings' focus on the role of phallicism in the Rosicrucian mysteries. Waite also debunks two 'historical' anecdotes which Jennings cites, specifically the subterranean sepulchre, and the immortal Venetian. These two incidents were cited subsequently by other authors as fact, using Jennings as the source. Caveat Lector.

All in all, this serves both as a survey of the literature about Rosicrucians and an invaluable anthology of that literature. Waite, although he had a solid background in the occult, is in a firmly rationalist mode in this book. The Real History will be of use to both academic and general readers.

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Title Page
Analysis of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Chapter I. On The State of Mystical Philosophy in Germany at the Close of the Sixteenth Century
Chapter II. The Prophecy of Paracelsus, and The Universal Reformation of the Whole Wide World
Chapter III: The Fama Fraternitatis
Chapter IV. The Confessio Fraternitatis

Chapter V. The Chymical Marriage of Christian Rosencreutz

Introduction
The First Day
The Second Day
The Third Day
The Fourth Day
The Fifth Day
The Sixth Day
The Seventh Day

 

Chapter VI. On The Connection of the Rosicrucian Claims With Those of Alchemy and Magic
Chapter VII. Antiquity of the Rosicrucian Fraternity
Chapter VIII. The Case of Johann Valentin Andreas
Chapter IX. Progress of Rosicrucianism in Germany
Chapter X. Rosicrucian Apologists: Michael Maier
Chapter XI. Rosicrucian Apologists: Robert Fludd
Chapter XII. Rosicrucian Apologists: Thomas Vaughan

Chapter XIII. Rosicrucian Apologists: John Heydon

Introduction
Apologue for an Epilogue
The Rosicrucians in England
A Very True Narrative...
The Spirit Euterpe
Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians

 

Chapter XIV. Rosicrucianism in France
Chapter XV. Connection Between the Rosicrucians and Freemasons
Chapter XVI. Modern Rosicrucian Societies
Conclusion
Additional Notes
Appendix of Additional Documents