Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis
The Rosicrucian Order, Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC) is a mystical Rosicrucian educational humanitarian fraternal organization. Many historians and theologians have classified it as a secret society.Its name in Latin according to a 1970 document is Antiquus Arcanus Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (AAORRAC) (it translates in English as: Ancient Secret Order of the Red Rose and the Golden Cross). In "Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis", published in 2001, the title Antiquus Mysticusque Ordo Rosae Crucis is used.
Organization & Structure
AMORC is organized as a non-profit educational charitable organization which is classified by the United States Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3).
Students and members of AMORC pay dues (which, as of 2002, are about $215215 per year) and a number of them choose to donate more. According to AMORC: "After expenses are covered, all additional funds go back into the organization to further benefit its students, allowing us to expand our services, develop new programs and other projects that will help us accomplish our humanitarian goals."
Grand Lodges (Jurisdictions)
Rosicrucian Order, AMORC is divided, by language, into several jurisdictions, called Grand Lodges. The English Grand Lodge for the Americas is located in San Jose, California, USA.
Lodges, Chapters, Pronaoi
AMORC is organized in each country in Lodges, Chapters, and Pronaoi (singular: Pronaos, from Greek). Information on these bodies is contained in certain editions of Mastery of Life.
Worldwide Presence
List of countries with AMORC presence (as of 1999):
- A: Angola [1], Argentina [1], Aruba [1], Australia [1], Austria [1]
- B: Barbados [1], Belgium [1], Benin [1], Bolivia [1], Brazil [1], Burkina Faso [1]
- C: Cameroon [1], Canada [1], Central African Republic [1], Chad [1], Chile [1], China [1], Colombia [1], Democratic Republic of the Congo [1], Republic of the Congo [1], Costa Rica [1], Cote d'Ivoire [1], Cuba [1], Czech Republic [1]
- D: Denmark [1], Dominican Republic [1]
- E: Ecuador [1], El Salvador [1]
- F: Finland [1], France [1], French Guiana [1]
- G: Gabon [1], Germany [1], Ghana [1], Greece [1], Grenada [1], Guadeloupe [1], Guatemala [1], Guinea [1]
- H: Haiti [1], Honduras [1]
- I: India [1], Ireland [1], Italy [1]
- J: Jamaica [1], Japan [1]
- K: Kenya [1]
- L: Lebanon [1]
- M: Madagascar [1], Malaysia [1], Mali [1], Martinique [1], Mauritius [1], Mexico [1], Monaco [1]
- N: Netherlands [1], Netherlands Antilles [1], New Zealand [1], Nicaragua [1], Niger [1], Nigeria [1], Norway [1]
- P: Panama [1], Paraguay [1], Peru [1], Philippines [1], Portugal [1], Puerto Rico [1]
- R: Reunion [1], Russia [1], Rwanda [1]
- S: St. Lucia [1], Senegal [1], Singapore [1], Slovak Republic [1], South Africa [1], Spain [1], Surinam [1], Sweden [1], Switzerland [1]
- T: Togo [1], Trinidad and Tobago [1]
- U: United Kingdom [1], United States [1], Uruguay [1]
- V: Venezuela [1]
- Z: Zimbabwe [1]
Imperators
The highest chief of AMORC is called Imperator.
- Harvey Spencer Lewis, Ph.D., F.R.C., Founder & Imperator 1915 - 1939
- Ralph Maxwell Lewis, F.R.C., Imperator 1939 - 1987
- Gary L. Stewart (1987 - 1990 ?)
- Christian Bernard, F.R.C., Imperator April 12, 1990 - Today (as of as 2003)
Grand Masters
Each Grand Lodge has a Grand Master.
- Julie Scott, S.R.C., Grand Master of the English Grand Lodge for the Americas.
Activities
AMORC runs a series of educational, humanitarian, scientific and spiritual activities:
AMORC continues to publish several books and other material being of interest to many people.
Some people, usually AMORC members, like to collect AMORC memorabilia and old publications. Some (unofficial) galleries exist online and a search on any popular search engine will reveal plenty of them.
It is sent to members via correspondence, but it is also available to the general public.
You can read Rosicrucian Digest issues at the web site of the English Grand Lodge of the Americas.
It is not the same as Rosicrucian Forum, which is another publication of AMORC available only to members.
In the past there was a publication titled Mystic Triangle, which was just the old name of the Rosicrucian Digest. You can read for free old 1926 editions of the Mystic Triangle at AMORC USA Web Site.
Free online editions of Rosicrucian Digest:
It is available only to members and it is sent to them via correspondence.
It is not the same as Rosicrucian Digest, which is another publication of AMORC available to the general public.
For information regarding Rose+Croix Journal see the Official Rose+Croix Journal web site.
Who am I?, What's my purpose?, What can I do in life?, these are only few of the questions that all spiritual seekers are trying to find their answers. The process of answering these questions has been labelled with many names, such as Mysticism, Spirituality and Philosophy.
As the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, says: "Perhaps what you seek can be explained simply and generally as greater personal power, a more focused attunement with life, and heightened spiritual awareness. Rosicrucians call this Mastery of Life. It embraces all aspects of who you are and all you can be - physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. It is the greatest journey a human being can take."
AMORC suggests that being a Rosicrucian student may help a person to attain mastery of life.
Mastery of Life is designed to introduce the reader into the basic aspects of Rosicrucianism, Mysticism and AMORC. It explains what AMORC is and what it can offer to the spiritual seeker.
Note that Mastery of Life is not exactly the same across all lodges and it may be updated from time to time. You may notice differences between, for example, the Greek and the English version, or even the American and the UK versions. The differences are minor and the nature of the document is always the same.
This publication can be sent for free to any person by mail, provided that he/she contacted AMORC requesting information about joining the order. Together with Mastery of Life AMORC may include a registration form, but generally AMORC will not contact you again if you don't explicitly request it.
Today, with the aim of technology, anyone is able to read the complete document online, without having to contact AMORC. Mastery of Life is available online for free unrestricted access at the official AMORC web sites:
"Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis" means "Position of the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis" in Latin. It should be noted that an organisation named Fraternitas Rosae Crucis exists today but it completely separate from AMORC.
Only members can receive the Monographs.
In August 2001 (Rosicrucian Year 3354), a very important meeting took place in Sweden, the Rosicrucian World Convention. The main theme of the convention was world peace and harmony. The convention is of significant importance to the Rosicrucian history because Imperator Christian Bernard presented "Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis", a document intended to inform the public about AMORC's position on the world situation.
As AMORC says, the group of experts of the International Research Council includes:
Council of Solace, according to AMORC, offers free 24-hour metaphysical aid to people in need and Its help is available for members and non-members. An automated web-based system exists where everybody can request help for problems they face.
For more information on Council of Solace see: Information and Automated Petition Request System from AMORC USA
The early headquarters were located in New York City, San Francisco and Tampa. The headquarters moved to San Jose, California in 1927.
Rosicrucians, as AMORC states, trace their past to Ancient Egypt because their beliefs, wisdom, practices and methods are consistent to the ones taught by the Ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools.
The booklet "Health" is available to members and non-members by AMORC.
"Rosicrucian mysticism requires an active involvement in life, a vigorous and energetic cultivation of consciousness at all levels of human existence" - J. Harry Gunkel, M.D., F.R.C., member of the AMORC International Research Council, in "Health - A Rosicrucian View" contained in the booklet "Health", p. 21.
"In the mystical viewpoint (...), faith is a confidence or knowledge born from experience" - Richard A. Rawson, M.D., F.R.C., member of the AMORC International Research Council, in "Health - Metaphysical Principles in Psychotherapy" contained in the booklet "Health", p. 33.
These are not the only subjects covered by the Rosicrucian system. The list contained here, which should be perceived as unofficial, is adapted from the Rosicrucian Home Study Lessons section of the Web version of the Mastery of Life published by the English Grand Lodge for the Americas.
You are adviced to read the official and complete list at AMORC's website: Direct link to Rosicrucian Home Study Lessons section of the Mastery of Life
The teachings are divided in the Neophyte Section and the Temple Section.
A major update is scheduled for this article to be completed in January 2004. Please come back if you are interested. Optim 05:31, 30 Dec 2003 (UTC)Publications
Members receive by correspondence the Rosicrucian Monographs (not available to the public) as well as other publications such as the Rosicrucian Digest (which is also available to the public) and the Rosicrucian Forum (only for members).Rosicrucian Digest
Rosicrucian Digest is a publication of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, published continuously from 1915 (the year the Order was founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis).Rosicrucian Forum
Rosicrucian Forum is a publication of Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis.Rose+Croix Journal
The Rose+Croix Journal is a peer-reviewed transdisciplinary online journal.Mastery of Life
Mastery of Life is a publication of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis intented for people who are considering joining the order. It is given for free.Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis
A publication named "Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis", sealed on March 20 2001 (Rosicrucian Year 3354) and presented by Imperator Christian Bernard at the Rosicrucian World Convention in Sweden in August 2001, is intented to inform the public about AMORC's position on today's world situation, world peace and harmony, and the dangers threatening the future of Earth. This publication is available online for free from the AMORC USA Web Site: Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis in PDF formatBooks
AMORC has published a number of scientific, mystical and spiritual books. Its scientific books include titles on Egyptology and its mystical publications include books on various esoteric subjects. The AMORC USA Online Store sells most of these books and other material, some of them only for members (such as ritualistic jewelry and incense).Rosicrucian Monographs
The Rosicrucian Monographs (or Home Study Lessons) are small booklets containing the teachings of AMORC.Conferences
AMORC often organizes various activities such as conferences, usually only for members. An example is the 2004 World Peace Conference, [1].Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
AMORC also founded the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.International Research Council
International Research Council is a group of AMORC members who have expertise in some area of science, literature or arts.
According to AMORC, the members of the International Research Council dedicate themselves to the advancement of their profession for the benefit of humanity.Council of Solace
Council of Solace is a group of Rosicrucians who meditate and pray daily in behalf of others.History
AMORC was founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis in 1915 and was represented in FUDOSI by him.Relationships with Martinism
Many AMORC members have a close relation with Martinism and Traditional Martinist Order, a Martinist order cooperating with AMORC.Connections with Ancient Egypt
AMORC reports that it has a traditional connection to to Ancient Egypt and to the Ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools. The Egyptian Mystery Schools, aimed to educating mystics and passing esoteric mystical knowledge across the generations, were founded at least from the 15th century BCE and may be related with the King Tuthmosis III. King Akhenaten, a figure often respected by many mystics, popularized the concept of one divine force behind everything.Quotes by Rosicrucians
The following quotes are taken from the 1996 edition of the booklet "Health: An International Research Council Report", first published in 1986 by the Supreme Grand Lodge of the Ancient & Mystical Order Rosae Crucis and the Grand Lodge of the English Language Jurisdiction, AMORC, Inc.The Teachings
Below is a brief description of what a neophyte will learn during hir or her first five years of affiliation with AMORC. These teachings are part of the Rosicrucian Monographs.Neophyte Section
Introductory Lessons
First Atrium
Second Atrium
Third Atrium
Temple Section
First Temple Degree
Second Temple Degree
Third Temple Degree
Fourth Temple Degree
Fifth Temple Degree
Sixth Temple Degree
Seventh Temple Degree
Eighth Temple Degree
Ninth Temple Degree
See also
To have a better understanding of AMORC you are encouraged to have a look at the following articles.AMORC-Related
General Esotericism
External links
On the web you can find several pages regarding AMORC. A search on popular search engines will certainly return lots of links.Official Web Sites
Unofficial