Rosicrucian Fraternity

The following year a further pamphlet appeared. The Confession of the Rosicrucian Fraternity, addressed to the Learned in Europe, and in 1616, The Chymical Nuptials of Christian Rosencreutz. This latter book is a remarkable allegorical romance, describing how an old man, a lifelong student of the alchemistic Art, was present at the accomplishment of the magnum opus in the year 1459. An enormous amount of controversy took place it was plain to some that the Society had deluded them, whilst others hotly maintained its claims but after about four years had passed, the excitement had subsided, and the subject ceased, for the time being, to arouse any particular interest. 

One of the strangest manifestations of alchemical mysticism is the story of the Rosicrucian fraternity, an order that claimed to possess immense power and to count as members the great alchemists of two centuries. All that is known of it is contained in three anonymous pamphlets published in Germany between 1614 and 1616. They are lull of the strange symbolism that is so beloved of mystical alchemists, and are extremely difficult to understand. They gave no information on who the leaders of the fraternity were or where they were to be found. No one to this day has been able to determine whether the brother-... 

This is the preface written to the English translation of the Rosicrucian manifestos, The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity of R C commonly, of the Rosie Cross. With a praeface annexed thereto, and a short declaration of their physicall work. By Eugenius Philalethes London J. M. for Giles Calvert. 1652"... 

Clymer, Reuben Swinburne. The Rosicrucians - their teachings and Mysteries according to the Manifestoes issued at various times by the Fraternity itself. Also, some of their Secret Teachings and the Mystery of the Order explained. 2nd ed ed. Quakertown (PA) Philosophical Publ Co, 1910. 212p. 

McIntosh, Christopher. The Rosicrucians. Wellingborough Crucible, 1987. Almost 120 years after his death, the body of Father Christian Rosenkreutz was discovered perfectly preserved in a seven-sided vault. So runs part of the legend concerning the birth of the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross, with its mysterious founder Christian Rosenkreutz, forerunner of the many "Secret Masters" who have had such a profound influence on the course of the Western Esoteric Tradition. Alchemy, Freemasonry, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and important literary works have all been enriched by the legend and symbolism of Rosicrucianism. 

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