Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis
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| Formation | 1904 |
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| Founder | Harvey Spencer Lewis |
| Founded at | United States |
| Type | Rosicrucian order |
The Ancient and Mystical Order Rosæ Crucis (AMORC) is a Rosicrucian organization founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis in the United States in 1904. It has various lodges, chapters and other affiliated bodies in several countries. It operates as a fraternal order in the mystical Western Esoteric Tradition.
History
[edit]AMORC was founded in the United States by Harvey Spencer Lewis in 1904.[1][2] It was originally known as the Rosicrucian Research Society (alternatively called the New York Institution for Psychical Research), before being renamed the Ancient Mystical Order of the Rosy Cross in 1915.[1] Lewis was the "imperator" of the group. Following his death, Lewis was succeeded by his son, Ralph M. Lewis.[1]
As of 1995, the group reported that it had 1,200 lodges in 86 countries, with 250,000 members being reported in 1990.[1]
Teachings
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The symbol of the group is a red rose on a gold cross, with the cross representing the concepts of death and resurrection and the rose representing love as well as secrecy. Together, they represent the usage of reincarnation progressing towards perfection.[1] The group maintains it is not a religion.[2]
AMORC's teachings cover what may be termed the "Sacred Sciences" and include ideas based on the major philosophers, particularly Pythagoras, Thales, Solon, Heraclitus, Socrates and Democritus. The teachings are divided into "Degrees" which are further grouped into broad categories under titles such as Postulant, Neophyte, and Initiate sections. These degrees cover various fields related to physical, mental, psychic, and spiritual existence such as physics, metaphysics, biology, psychology, parapsychology, comparative religion, traditional healing techniques, health, angelology, palmistry, intuition, extrasensory perception, alchemy, chemistry, meditation, divination, sacred architecture, symbolism, even archaeology, geometry and that mystical state of consciousness relating to the experience of unity with the Divine.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Chryssides 2006, pp. 30–31.
- ^ a b Introvigne 2004, p. 30.
- ^ According to AMORC's publication Mastery of Life
- Sources
- Chryssides, George D. (2006). "Ancient Mystical Order of the Rosy Cross (AMORC)". The A to Z of New Religious Movements. The A to Z guide series. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5588-5.
- Introvigne, Massimo (2004). "AMORC". In Clarke, Peter (ed.). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-49970-0.
Further reading
[edit]- Chantin, Jean-Pierre, ed. (2001). Les Marges du christianisme: « Sectes », dissidences, ésotérisme. Dictionnaire du monde religieux dans la France contemporaine (in French). Paris: Éditions Beauchesne. ISBN 978-2-7010-1418-0.
- Introvigne, Massimo (2005). "Rosicrucianism III: 19th-20th Century". In Hanegraaff, Wouter J.; Faivre, Antoine; Broek, R. van den; Brach, Jean-Pierre (eds.). Dictionary of Gnosis & Western Esotericism. Leiden ; Boston, Mass: BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-14371-5.
- Lewis, James R., ed. (2006). The Order of the Solar Temple: The Temple of Death. Controversial New Religions. Aldershot: Ashgate. ISBN 978-0-7546-5285-4.
External links
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