How To Recognize a Rosicrucian

As one who has taken the circuitous Path of the Serpent around many different orders and organizations, I can tell you I did so out of my own dreamy aspirations mixed with foolishness and inexperience.  I like to think of myself as a critical thinker, but there were many times I simply believed what I wanted to believe.  It's a very human thing to do, and I learned many valuable lessons from it.  I believe it is said that wisdom comes from experience, experience comes from lack of wisdom.  Apparently, I resemble that remark.

So when it comes to Rosicrucians, or at least those who make that claim, there are some guidelines you can use to verify, or at least clarify, the nature of the individual.  Naturally, there is the old adage "Any man who declares himself a Rosicrucian is not one".  That's a good start, but it only scratches the surface and bestows judgment without understanding.  For a more penetrating inspection, the section below taken from the appendix of In the Pronaos of the Temple of Wisdom by Franz Hartmann published in 1890 is extremely helpful.  Furthermore, if you aspire to become a Rosicrucian, this would make a rather nice initial checklist of personal qualities to attain.

Bear in mind that a person could possess any or all of these qualities and yet not be a Rosicrucian.  Even so, I would then classify him or her as a Good Person® and worthy of trust and association.  Then again, I am one who believes a person can be a Rosicrucian and not even know it.  I would consider my father to have been one of those people.

So please indulge in The Secret Signs of the Rosicrucians.  It is a bit of a long read, but it is worth the time.  May you gain the wisdom that I didn't have.



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 [torches], 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 the advantages or riches which others possess, but wishes always the best to everybody. He knows that he will obtain all he deserves, and he cares not if any other person possesses more than he. He expects no favours, but he distributes his favours without any partiality.

4. The Rosicrucian does not Boast.

He knows that man is nothing but an instrument in the hands of GOD, and that he can accomplish nothing useful by his own will; the latter being nothing but the will of GOD perverted in man. To GOD he gives all the praise, and to that which is mortal he gives all the blame. He is in no inordinate haste to accomplish a thing, but he waits until he receives his orders from the Master who resides above and within. He is careful what he speaks about, and uses no unhallowed language.

5. The Rosicrucian is not Vain.

He proves thereby that there is something real in him, and that he is not like a blown-up bag filled with air. Applause or blame leaves him unaffected, nor does he feel aggrieved if he is contradicted or encounters contempt. He lives within himself, and enjoys the beauties of his own inner world, but he never desires to show off his possessions, nor to pride himself on any spiritual gifts which he may have attained. The greater his gifts, the greater will be his modesty, and the more will he be willing to be obedient to the law.

6. The Rosicrucian is not Disorderly.

He always strives to do his duty, and to act according to the order established by the law. He cares nothing for externalities, nor for ceremonies. The law is written within his heart, and therefore all his thoughts and acts are ruled by it. His respectability is not centred in his external appearance, but in his real being, which may be compared to a root from which all his actions spring. The interior beauty of his soul is reflected upon his exterior, and stamps all his acts with its seal; the light existing in his heart may be perceived in his eye by an expert; it is the mirror of the Divine image within.

7. The Rosicrucian is not Ambitious.

There is nothing more injurious to spiritual development and expansion of the soul than a narrow mind and a selfish character. The true Rosicrucian always cares much more for the welfare of others than for his own. He has no private or personal interest to defend or foster. He always seeks to do good, and he never avoids any opportunity which may present itself for that purpose.

8. The Rosicrucian is not Irritable.

It is evident that a person who works for the benefit of the whole will be hated by those whose personal advantages are not benefited thereby; because selfishness is opposed to magnanimity, and the claims of the few are not always compatible with the interests of the community. The Rosicrucian will therefore be often resisted by narrow-minded and short-sighted people; he will be slandered by calumniators, his motives will be misrepresented, he will be misjudged by the ignorant, ridiculed by the would-be wise, and taunted by the fool. All such proceedings, however, cannot excite or irritate the mind of the true Rosicrucian, nor disturb the divine harmony of his soul; for his faith rests in the perception and knowledge of the truth within himself. The opposition of a thousand ignorant people will not induce him to desist from doing that which he knows to be noble and good, and he will do it even if it should involve the loss of his fortune or of his life. Being able and accustomed to direct his spiritual sight towards the divine, he cannot be deluded by the illusions of matter, but clings to the eternal reality. Being surrounded by angelic influences, and listening to their voices, he is not affected by the noise made by the animals. He lives in the company of those noble beings, who were once men like others, but who have become transfigured, and who are now beyond the reach of the vulgar and low.

9. The Rosicrucian does not think evil of others.

Those who think evil of others see merely the evil which exists within themselves reflected and mirrored forth in others. The Rosicrucian is always willing to recognise in everything that which is good. Tolerance is a virtue by which the Rosicrucian is eminently distinguished from others; and by which he may be known. If a thing appears to be ambiguous, he suspends his judgment about it until he has investigated its nature; but as long as his judgment is not perfect, he is more inclined to form a good opinion than an evil one about everything.

10. The Rosicrucian loves justice.

He, however, never sets himself up as a judge over the faults of others, nor does he wish to appear to be wise by censuring the mistakes of others. He does not enjoy gossip, and cares no more about the foolishness committed by others, than he would about the buzzing of a fly or the capers of a monkey. He finds no pleasure in listening to political or personal quarrels, disputations, or mutual recriminations. He cares nothing for the cunningness of a fox, the dissimulation of a crocodile, or the rapacity of a wolf, and is not amused by the stirring up of mud. His nobility of character lifts him up into a sphere far beyond all such trifles and absurdities, and being above the sensual plane, wherein ordinary mortals find their happiness and enjoyment, he lives with those who do not think evil of each other, who do not rejoice about an injustice done to their brother, or make merry about his ignorance, and enjoy his misfortunes. He enjoys the company of those who love the truth, and who are surrounded by the peace and harmony of the spirit.

11. The Rosicrucian loves the truth.

There is no devil worse than falsehood and calumny. Ignorance is a non-entity, but falsehood is the substance of evil. The calumniator rejoices whenever he has found something upon which to base his lies and to make them grow like mountains. Opposed to it is the truth, it being a ray of light from the eternal fountain of GOOD, which has the power to transform man into a divine being. The ROSICRUCIAN seeks, therefore, no other light but the light of truth, and this light he does not enjoy alone, but in company of all who are good and filled with its divine majesty, whether they live on this earth or in the spiritual state; and he enjoys it above all with those who are persecuted, oppressed, and innocent, but who will be saved by the truth.

12. The Rosicrucian knows how to be silent.

Those who are false do not love the truth. Those who are foolish do not love wisdom. The true Rosicrucian prefers to enjoy the company of those who can appreciate truth to that of those who would trample it with their feet. He will keep that which he knows locked up within his heart, for in silence is power. As a minister of state does not go about telling to everybody the secrets of the king; so the Rosicrucian does not parade before the public the revelations made to him by the king within, who is nobler and wiser than all the earthly kings and princes; for they only rule by the authority and power derived from Him. His secrecy ceases only when the king commands him to speak, for it is then not he who speaks, but the truth that is speaking through him.

13. The Rosicrucian believes that which he knows.

He believes in the immutability of eternal law, and that every cause has a certain effect. He knows that the truth cannot lie, and that the promises made to him by the king will be fulfilled, if he does not himself hinder their fulfilment. He is, therefore, inaccessible to doubt or fear, and puts implicit confidence in the divine principle of truth, which has become alive and conscious within his heart.

14. The Rosicrucian's hope is firm.

Spiritual hope is the certain conviction resulting from a knowledge of the law, that the truths recognised by faith will grow and be fulfilled; it is the knowledge of the heart, and very different from the intellectual speculation of the reasoning brain. His faith rests upon the rock of direct perception and cannot be overthrown. He knows that in everything, however evil it may appear to he, there is a germ of good, and he hopes that in the course of evolution that germ will become developed, and thus evil be transformed into good.

15. The Rosicrucian cannot be vanquished by suffering.

He knows that there is no light without shadow, no evil without some good, and that strength only grows by resistance. Having once recognised the existence of the Divine principle within everything, external changes are to him of little importance, and do not deserve great attention. His main object is to hold on to his spiritual possessions, and not to lose the crown which he has gained in the battle of life.

16. The Rosicrucian will always remain a member of his society.

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 practises. If all names were changed and all languages altered, the truth would remain the same; and he who lives in the truth will live even if all nations should pass away.

These are the sixteen signs of the true Rosicrucians, which have been revealed to a pilgrim by an angel who took away the heart of the pilgrim, leaving in its place a fiery coal, which is now incessantly burning and glowing with love of the universal brotherhood of humanity.

9 comments:

These are all great qualities to cultivate, be they for a Rosicrucian or a magician in general. I believe that a couple of others should be added to this list; those being:

Responsibility - taking responsibility for one's words and actions, and knowing that those words and actions effect others both negatively and positively.

Self-Sacrifice - willingness to give of yourself even when it may actually be more of a strain to do so. But to do so without expectation of reward for anything given.

Service-to-Others - always working for the betterment of others through helping, advising, and healing. Doing for those that need assistance.

Humor - being able to laugh at yourself and the world around you with true gusto because we are imperfect and do things which are amusing. Not taking oneself so seriously all the time as to not being able to see the humor in life, especially in our own actions.

In all a great set of goals to strive for to make a person better, more than human. If we all, as Magicians or otherwise, strove ever to live our lives accordingly to these qualities, the World would be a much better place for all mankind.

Just my two centavos.

In LVX,
Samuel

June 21, 2012 at 9:31 AM  

Dear Eric,
Personally I think Humor, Compassion and Love of Truth is the main keywords.

Rosicrucianism is a spiritual order, not an Earthly one, the physical organizations bearing that name are only crutches until people can walk the path themselves, Rosicrucianism is a self-study.

As it is a spiritual order the Rosicrucian is born a Rosicrucian, his previous lives have made him that, but until he is mature in the current incarnation he will not fulfill the above list, although growing with age.

I was born into a Rosicrucian family and one of the things I was told about was the mark or sign of the Rosicrucian, a physical mark after an accident, like a stiff leg. I have recently met a number of people which I think is Rosicrucians, and they have all been through either an accident, a sickness or a chock, and I have looked more into it, and it seems to be connected with the loosening of the ether body from the physical, that they are not so bound to the physical world. I have a piece about it here "Anima Sola – The Lonely Soul – From an Esoteric View" http://kimgraaemunch.wordpress.com/2011/07/03/anima-sola-from-an-esoteric-view/

May the Roses Blossom upon your Cross,
Kim Graae Munch

June 22, 2012 at 12:34 AM  

Though many years have passed for me since reading that "19th century" work you've referenced, I recall benefiting from that reading by introspection and self-evaluation. Knowledge of those qualities might be useless if that knowledge is used as criteria for evaluating/judging others.
.
If I were so competent that all the described qualities were my "second nature," I would hope that as a result, it would not make any difference to me whether anyone else is, or is not, meeting up to those fine standards.
.
L.V.X.
C

June 22, 2012 at 6:58 PM  

This comment has been removed by the author.

June 25, 2012 at 8:07 PM  

Samuel,

I wholeheartedly agree. The selflessness and self-sacrifice would seem key to the whole Christian-based thing.

I had a small debate on the Esoteric Christians forum, and one person distilled all the points down to one quality: Love. I really couldn't agree more. I've been saying that Love is the "True Mark" of a Rosicrucian for years.

In LVX,
eric.v.sisco

June 28, 2012 at 2:05 AM  

Hi, Kim.

I do not know if the physical mark thing is an historical Rosicrucian tenet, but I have personally experienced similar myself. As a repercussion of some healing work I did decades ago, to pull back a person from a suicide attempt, I will always now be more vulnerable to upper respiratory distress.

Per Spiritum Sanctum Revivisciumus,
eric.v.sisco

June 28, 2012 at 2:10 AM  

You're absolutely right. In my opinion, the first point of ethics is that you must hold your principles dear regardless of what anyone else says or does. The moment a system of ethics changes based on another person's actions is the moment it ceases to be a system of ethics.

In LVX,
eric.v.sisco

June 28, 2012 at 2:13 AM  

Brother John,

I'm sorry to see you repealed your comment. The sentiment was very positive and nice to see.

Fraternally in LVX,
eric.v.sisco, WM

June 28, 2012 at 2:14 AM  

Hmmm I don't believe that a Rosicrucian is automatically perfect and reflects good Christian qualities and virtues. There are some qualities which I would add which might throw a spanner in the works. My view is that you cannot be a Rosicrucian while you are not yourself. You were put on earth as a particular personality... hammering that personality so it looks like a Victorian view of Jesus is a sin. As someone else has said... humour is the most important (and importantly missing from the list). A sense of irony is another one... you cannot be a rosicrucian without seeing the humour that is subtle) But they must be also either someone who is of no extremes or great extremes. (extreme light, extreme darkness). If they go to no extremes then they might be balanced but would not be noticed.

September 8, 2012 at 3:26 AM  

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