ROSICRUCIAN CLUBS

Rosicrucian Links
Confusion on the Internet
There exist a confusing number of modern Rosicrucian organizations with a presence on
the internet today. Which of them are legitimate and by what criteria can one define a
legitimate Rosicrucian order or society? First of all, no one single Rosicrucian group can
legitimately lay claim to being "the Rosicrucian order" in any sort of exclusive sense. One
may indeed speak, however, of a legitimate Rosicrucian historical tradition and corpus
as well as of Rosicrucian esoteric transmissions.
There has been a great deal of academic, historical research done in recent years
regarding the Rosicrucians, Rosicrucian Orders and Societies, as well as about the
Rosicrucian tradition. One thing is quite clear. Rosicrucianism has throughout history
occupied itself with certain, quite specific things. It is historically incontestable, for
example, that early Rosicrucians were primarily interested in alchemy. They were also
without doubt interested in theurgy, gnosticism, qabalah, hermeticism, astrology, and
esoteric Christianity. Can one not expect modern Rosicrucian orders and societies to
study, teach, and practice these things as well? If they do not, are they not Rosicrucian
merely in name only?
If a Rosicrucian order or society represents a historical continuity of the Rosicrucian
tradition, should it not also fully possess of the specific teachings of the various
historical Rosicrucian orders and societies that came before them? Is it unreasonable to
expect modern Rosicrucian groups to stand on the shoulders of their predecessors?
Should they not necessarily be the inheritors of the documents, teachings, practices, etc.,
of these earlier Rosicrucian bodies...their alchemical instructions, their esoteric teachings,
their initiation rituals and grade instructions? Otherwise, in what way other than in
name only are they Rosicrucian?
Unfortunately, precious few of the modern societies and orders calling themselves
Rosicrucian come even close to meeting these quite reasonable standards. They all at
least study and teach something, but what do their teachings actually have to do with
the true, historical Rosicrucian tradition? And of the few groups that actually do study
and teach subjects truly Rosicrucian, even fewer actually practice these things as did
their predecessors.
The following analysis of specific Rosicrucian societies and orders will reveal how
precious little there truly Rosicrucian among many of them, except of course that they all
call themselves Rosicrucian. There are, however, a few noteworthy exceptions. The
Freemasonic Rosicrucian research bodies SRIA, SRIC, and MSRICF dedicate themselves
exclusively to historical research about Rosicrucianism. Furthermore, there have existed
Rosicrucian orders for hundreds of years that were only open to Freemasons (quite
notably the Fraternitas Aureae et Rosea Crucis in 18th Century Germany). This gives
these august Freemasonic Rosicrucian research societies a certain unique claim to a
continuity of the historical Rosicrucian tradition. These societies, however, do not
actually practice alchemy, theurgy, gnosticism, qabalah, hermeticism, or esoteric
Christianity as did their predecessors.
Indeed, there exists only one, single, modern Rosicrucian order that actually practices
alchemy, theurgy, astrology, gnosticism, qabalah, hermeticism, and esoteric Christianity

in addition to studying and teaching them. This is S.L. MacGregor Mathers' Roscicrucian
Order of Alpha et Omega (A.O.) and its Second Order, the R.R. et A.C. The Alpha et
Omega today possesses the archival documents of nearly all earlier Rosicrucian
bodies...their secret alchemical instructions, their esoteric teachings, their initiation
rituals, and the complete instructions of their grades. All of this puts Mathers' A.O. in a
unique position as a living, practicing inheritor of the historical Rosicrucian tradition.
All of the information given below is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge.
The purpose of making this following information available is to diminish public
confusion by providing true and accurate information about the various Rosicrucian
organizations having a presence on the internet. Any errors are unintentional and not
deliberate. We invite any Rosicrucian organization to inform us in writing of any
mistake we might unintentionally have made.

Orders

Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega (A.O.) - The historical Rosicrucian tradition has
practiced both Alchemy and Theurgy (Magic) since its inception. Most modern
"Rosicrucian" groups offer little or nothing in this traditional regard. The Rosicrucian
Order of the Alpha et Omega, founded by S.L. MacGregor Mathers in Paris in 1906,
however, offers a complete course in training in both Rosicrucian Theurgy (Magic) and
Rosicrucian Alchemy. The Alpha et Omega is not only the inheritor of the operative
Rosicrucian and Hermetic traditions, but of the esoteric transmissions of nearly every
earlier Rosicrucian fraternity as well, including the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order (18th
Century Germany), the Asiatic Brethren, Bacstrom's Rosicrucian Society, the FAR+C, etc.
Moreover, A.O.'s Third Order additionally offers initiation and training in Hermetic
Inner Alchemy and Alchemical Theurgy, which use love and sexuality as "subtle fires"
to "cook" and transmute the matter of the physical body (the "prima materia") into ever
more subtle forms of energy. The goal of this process is the cultivation of a "Solar body
of light" into which the alchemist projects his or her consciousness at the moment of
death, thus becoming consciously immortal. These practices have always comprised the
highest teachings of both the Hermetic and the Rosicrucian alchemical traditions.
Their First or Outer Order is the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. (H.O.G.D.). Their
Second Order is the Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (R.R. et A.C.). The name of
their Third Order is a carefully guarded secret. Unlike the newly created American
groups calling themselves "Golden Dawn," yet having no legitimate connection with the
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn founded in Great Britain in 1888, this order is a
direct lineal descendent of the original H.O.G.D. and the sole and exclusive owner of the
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn trademark in the European Union (reg.
000063925). They additionally own the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
International trademark in Canada (CIPO Reg. TMA510387). In the United States, they
operate by legal agreement adopted by United States District Court as the Hermetic
Order of the Golden Dawn, outer order of the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega.
They hold primary Golden Dawn lineage deriving directly from the secret Continental
European order of Hermetic alchemists, commonly referred to as the "Secret Chiefs"
(Geheime Oberen), who are the "source of origin" of all of the initiation rituals,
teachings, and spiritual practices of all of the grades comprising all three orders set forth
in the original Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. These lineages were transmitted
through Kenneth MacKenzie in 1850 (for the First Order, the H.O.G.D.), S.L. MacGregor
Mathers in 1891 (for the Second Order, the R.R. et A.C.), and through Jean-Pascal Ruggiu

and David Griffin in 2002 (for the Third Order). They hold auxiliary lineages that
include R.W. Felkin's Stella Matutina, S.L. MacGregor Mathers' Alpha et Omega, A.E.
Waite's Fellowship of the Rosy Cross, G.W. MacGregor Reid's Ancient Druid Order,
Madeline Montalban's Order of the Morning Star (Ordo Stella Matutina), and Countess
Tamara Bourkoun's Order of the Pyramid and the Sphinx as transmitted by Desmond
Bourke, Countess Tamara Bourkoun, and Marquis Nicholas Tereschenko. They
additionally hold a vast array of supplementary Rosicrucian lineages and/or esoteric
transmissions that include the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order (Fraternitas Aureae et Rosae
Crucis), the Order of the Asiatic Brethren (Fratres Lucis), the Societas Rosicruciana of
Backstrom, Les Frres Aines de la Rose+Croix (F.A.R.+C., The Elder Brothers of the
Rose+Cross), the Rose Croix d'Orient (Rose Cross of Egypt) and the Reaux Croix (Elus
Cohen).
In order to distinguish themselves from the groups engendered by Regardie's and
Crowley's publications that dead end where the published material leaves off, this order
decided in 1999 to completely reform its Second Order, the Rosae Rubeae et Aureae
Crucis (R.R. et A.C.), and moved all material that had been profaned by publication to
its outer order, the (H.O.G.D.). As a result, where the Regardie-based Golden Dawn
groups leave off, their Second Order, the R.R. et A.C., just begins with a completely
traditional and extremely substantial magical and alchemical curriculum derived
entirely from pre-Golden Dawn, Hermetic and Rosicrucian esoteric transmissions. The
putative "Second Orders" of the Regardie-based groups, on the other hand, are but
empty shells containing little or nothing beyond well-known, published material.
Another important distinction is that their beginning students study and practice ritual
magic immediately upon entering their First Order, the Hermetic Order of the Golden
Dawn. In the Regardie-based groups, however, the practice of ritual magic is largely
reserved for their putative "Second Orders," merely because these groups have little or
nothing to teach their students beyond what is available in any esoteric bookstore.
The distinction between this order and the Regardie-based groups does not end at the
Second Order level. The Golden Dawn was originally conceived in 1888 as merely the
beginning of a three order system, comprising grades form Neophyte (0=0) through
Ipsissisimus (10=1) with the R.R. et A.C. as the Golden Dawn's Second Order. Golden
Dawn co-founder, S.L. MacGregor Mathers, received the material to create the R.R. et
A.C. from physical representatives of the extremely secretive, Continental European
mystery school to whom Mathers referred to as the "Secret Chiefs," and with whom he
established contact in 1891 in Paris. At that historic meeting, Mathers was also given
certain teachings about spiritual sexuality, notably certain techniques of "Hermetic Inner
Alchemy" and "Alchemical Magic," which were intended for eventual inclusion in the
Golden Dawn's projected Third Order. Unfortunately, Mathers passed away before he
mastered these techniques well enough to manifest the Golden Dawn's planned Third
Order. Mathers nonetheless did communicate some of the more advanced teachings
regarding spiritual sexuality to certain students, like J.W. Brodie Innes.
In 2002, leaders of the European headquartered H.O.G.D. were invited to meet with
representatives of Mathers' "Secret Chiefs" in Paris once again. At this meeting, they
were given everything for the Third Order that had been envisioned for the Golden
Dawn since its inception in 1888. These materials included the initiation rituals for the
Golden Dawn system's three highest grades (called "Magisteria"); Magister Templi (8-3),
Magus (9=2) and Ipsissimus (10=1). Unlike the higher grades of R.W. Felkin's "Stella

Matutina" or of A.E. Waite's "Fellowship of the Rosy Cross" these grades are not merely
nominal or titular, but come with substantial, extremely advanced teachings. The order
was given, for the curriculum of these higher grades, a vast esoteric corpus including
not only the elementary sexual practices from Hermetic Inner Alchemy and Alchemical
Magic given to Mathers by the "Secret Chiefs" for the first Magisterium of Magister
Templi, but the continuation and culmination of these teachings for the second and third
Magisteria of Magus and Ipsissimus as well.
The techniques of Hermetic "Inner" Alchemy comprise the highest wisdom and
represent the capstone on the pyramid of the Western esoteric tradition. This alchemical
practice uses the subtle fires of the body, including love and sexuality, to transmute the
"lead" of the physical body (or "Prima Materia") into the "gold" of a solar body, into
which the Adept projects his or her consciousness at the moment of death, thus
becoming consciously immortal.
Rosae Rubea et Aurea Crucis (R.R. et A.C.) - The R.R. et A.C. is the Second Order of
S.L. MacGregor Mathers' Alpha et Omega and was founded by Mathers (1854-1918) in
1892 as the Second Order of the original Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (1888). The
Rosicrucian affiliation of the A.O. order derives through Hungarian Count Apponyi
through Kenneth MacKenzie in 1851 and S.L. MacGregor Mathers from Frater Lux E
Tenebris in 1891. The R.R. et A.C. enjoys the unique distinction of being the only modern
Rosicrucian order that studies, teaches, and also practices every esoteric aspect of the
historical Rosicrucian traditon (alchemy, theurgy, astrology, gnosticism, qabalah,
hermeticism, and esoteric Christianity).
Ancient Rosae Crucis (A.R.C.) - The A.R.C. is a schismatic order, located only in the
U.S.A, created by former members of A.M.O.R.C. following the Stewart corruption
scandal. Ashley McFadden is the present Imperatrix. ARC is only located in the USA.
ARC's teachings are based on the A.M.O.R.C. lessons of the 1950's and thus have
nothing to do with legitimate, historical Rosicrucian tradition. ARC neither studies,
teaches, nor practices alchemy, theurgy, astrology, gnosticism, qabalah, nor
hermeticism. ARC possesses no significant archival documents from historical
Rosicrucian bodies that contain any truly Rosicrucian esoteric teachings, secret
alchemical instructions, initiation rituals, etc.
Antiquus Arcanus Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (A.A.O.R.R.A.C.) - The
Antiquus Arcanus Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (A.A.O.R.R.A.C.) is another
schismatic order from AMORC. This order was created after World War II, and thus
represents a "pre-Stewart" schism caused when AMORC's Grand Master resigned.
Eduard Munninger [1901-1965] founded A.A.O.R.R.A.C.. Former AMORC member Karl
Plank heads the order today. Like the other AMORC schismatic orders, the
A.A.O.R.R.A.C.'s teachings are based on AMORC's and thus have nothing to do with
legitimate, historical Rosicrucian tradition. A.A.O.R.R.A.C. neither studies, teaches, nor
practices alchemy, theurgy, astrology, gnosticism, qabalah, nor hermeticism. They
apparently have had significant contacts with the OTO, however, so there might be a
Thelemic influence. A.A.O.R.R.A.C. possesses no significant archival documents from
historical Rosicrucian bodies that contain any truly Rosicrucian esoteric teachings, secret
alchemical instructions, initiation rituals, etc
Confraternity of the Rose Cross (CR+C) The Confraternity of the Rose Cross (CR+C) is a
schismatic order led by former AMORC Imperator Gary Lee Stewart (1953-) and
connected with the Ordo Militia Crucifera Evangelica (OMCE), a Templar order also led

by Stewart. Since CR+C's teachings are directly based on AMORC's lessons, they have
little to do with the legitimate, historical Rosicrucian tradition. CR+C neither studies,
teaches, nor practices alchemy, theurgy, astrology, gnosticism, nor hermeticism. ARC
possesses no significant archival documents from historical Rosicrucian bodies that
contain any truly Rosicrucian esoteric teachings, secret alchemical instructions, initiation
rituals, etc.
Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua (F.R.A.) - Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua was
founded by the German esotericist Arnoldo Krumm-Heller [1879-1949] around 1927 in
South-America. Krum-Heller was in contact with OTO, OMM, Martinism, A.M.O.R.C.,
FRC and more. He also received degrees from both Papus and Reuss. Little is known
about the teachings of FRA. They are reputed to practice a theurgical system using
runes. The different branches in different countries today all function independently.
Although they do practice theurgy, it is unlikely that they study, teach, nor practice
alchemy, theurgy, astrology, gnosticism, qabalah, nor hermeticism and thus likely have
little to do with legitimate, historical Rosicrucian tradition. They are not known to
possess any significant archival documents from historical Rosicrucian bodies that
contain any truly Rosicrucian esoteric teachings, secret alchemical instructions, initiation
rituals, etc.
Fraternitas Rosae Crucis (F.R.C.) - The F.R.C. was founded by Reuben Swinburne
Clymer (1878-1966) around 1920. Clymer today remains most famous for his quarrels
and court battles with H. Spencer Lewis, the founder of A.M.O.R.C.. The headquarters,
Beverly Hall is located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Clymer claimed to have received
an affiliation from Pascal Beverly Randolph (1825-1875). This appears to be untrue,
Clymer actually having purchased some of Randolph's documents after his death.
Nonetheless, the teachings of the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis are based on the writings of
Randolph who appears to have had at least a legitimate Rosicrucian esoteric
transmission. Nonetheless, the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis neither studies, teaches, nor
practices alchemy, theurgy, astrology, gnosticism, qabalah, nor hermeticism. FRC does
not possess any significant archival documents whatsoever from historical Rosicrucian
bodies containing any esoteric teachings, secret alchemical instructions, initiation rituals,
etc., with the noteworthy exception of the Randolph documents.
Invisible Temple No. 0, - The Invisible Temple No. 0, (R.R. et A.C.) is a group apparently
consisting mostly of high grade members of the Freemasonic Societas Rosicruciana in
Civitatibus Foederatis (MSRICF). MSRICF claims to be a Freemasonic society dedicated
to exclusively to historical research about Rosicrucianism. MSRICF is open by invitation
only, and exclusively to high grade Freemasons, and requires that its members belong to
no other Rosicrucian orders or societies. It therefore seems like the real reason why the
clandestine Temple No. 0 remains invisible is to protect many its members from being
thrown out of MSRICF.
A few years ago, a high grade member of MSRICF from Toulouse, France approached
Senior Adepts of the real RR+AC with an amazing story. He had just returned from a
meeting of the Freemasonic College of Rites in the USA. At that meeting, MSRICF was
preparing to install itself in France. On that occasion, this high grade Freemason from
the York rite in France, was given one of the highest grades in MSRICF Astonishingly,
however, he also claimed that the Invisible Temple No. 0, Ordo Roseae Rubeae et Aurea
Crucis had then been clandestinely convened in a hotel room to confer upon him the
Adeptus Exemptus (7=4) degree of the RR+AC. He further claimed to have received a

Golden Dawn charter from this clandestine temple.

He then approached Adepts of the real RR+AC with this fantastic story, asking them to
give formal recognition to his grade and charter, although he himself had never seen the
inside of a Golden Dawn temple. They of course refused. This Freemason and member
of MSRICF appeared not to understand at all why the 7=4 Grade of the RR+AC could
not legitimately be conferred on him with a wave of a hand like the higher degrees of
MSRICF.
He claimed that the legitimacy of both his Golden Dawn charter and Adeptus Exemptus
(7=4) Initiation derive from Gary Ford, a member of MSRICF and founder of the
clandestine Invisible Temple No. 0. Gary Ford allegedly received both his 7=4 initiation
and Golden Dawn charter from Christopher Hyatt. Pat Zalewski of New Zealand has
fortunately been able to lay the fantastic claims of this false RR+AC Invisible Temple No.
0 to rest once and for all. According to Pat Zalewski, the only charter that Christopher
Hyatt ever received was a conditional one for the grades of the outer order only.
Furthermore, Zalewski only initiated Christopher Hyatt up to the 6=5 grade of Adeptus
Major. Gary Ford apparently claims that Hyatt received his 7=4 from Israel Regardie. Pat
Zalewski, however, states in no uncertain terms that this is nonsense, that he never
initiated Israel Regardie into the 7=4 Grade. The 7=4 Grade certificate for Israel Regardie
published by Hyatt in "The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic" was signed after
the death of Regardie. The notion that Hyatt ever received the 7=4 grade from Regardie,
according to Zalewski is nonsense.
Thus the wild claims of this MSRICF member and the Clandestine Temple No. 0 of this
fake RR+AC have been laid to rest once and for all. What is most astonishing, however,
is that the High Council continues to allow members of MSRICF to belong to Gary
Ford's pseudo-rosicrucian order, considering MSRICF's requirement that its members
belong to no other Rosicrucian order or society. Perhaps the High Council of MSRICF
are not even aware of the existence of the Invisible Temple No. 0 or Gary Ford's
clandestine pseudo-Rosicrucian activities. In any case, it is clear that the clandestine
Temple N 0 has no legitimacy in any sense and confers the grades of the RR+AC in a
completely irregular manner. The grades of the true RR+AC imply a great deal of
theurgical and alchemical work, and thus can not be handed out willy-nilly like the
grades of MSRICF.
"I gave Regardie a 7=4 as an honorary capacity after his death. Those who knew Regardie knew
he never would accept a 7=4 from anyone living. Gary Ford when he went through Regardie's
papers found a telegram from me stating he was a 7=4. That is pretty much a joke. Regardie and I
used to promote and demote ourselves almost on a monthly basis. When he did something good he
was a 7=4 and when I was bad, I was demoted to 2=9. Ford took this seriously though. In fact I
knew Gary Ford, respected his talents and quite liked the man. I sent him the telegram to
Regardie when he sent a batch of his past papers. Regardie was never a 7=4 or considered himself
one. Even the 6=5 I gave him he treated in an honorary capacity, with a bit of humor. The
wording of the charter given to Hyatt is often overlooked and what that charter actually
empowered to. It exclusively gave him the right to initiate and advance candidates in the grades
the Outer order, not the Inner." -Pat Zalewski
Lectorium Rosicrucianum - (International School of the Golden Rosy Cross) Lectorium
Rosicrucianum claims to be the successor of the 18th Century German Gold und
Rosenkreutz Orden (Fraternitas Aureae et Rosae Crucis) but nothing could be further
from the truth. Actually they have no Rosicrucian affiliation whatsoever. Founded in

1924 as a branch of the Rosicrucian Fellowship by Jan van Rijckenborgh (1896-1968)

whose real name was Jan Leene, Lectorium Rosicrucianum took on its present name in
1945 having become independent following a schism in 1936.
The Lectorium Rosicrucianum neither studies, teaches, nor practices alchemy, theurgy,
qabalah, hermeticism, nor esoteric Christianity. Instead, they teach an extremely
dualistic, Gnostic pessimism inspired by the Cathars. They view matter as something
inherently evil and shun all forms of occultism.
This would be fine if they called themselves the "International School of the Cathar
Gnostic Pessimism," but they do not. Instead they claim to be the successors of the Gold
und Rosenkreutz Order. This is a philosophical contradiction. The Gold und
Rosenkreutz Order were hermeticists and practicing alchemists. True Rosicrucian
hermeticism, as practiced by the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order, sees matter as containing
a divine spark, as the "prima materia," a most precious substance to be used in the "opus
magnum" (great work) and transmuted into Spirit. Furthermore, the Gold und
Rosenkreutz Order not only studied and taught the historical Rosicrucian subjects, but
practiced them as well, including theurgy (magic) and alchemy. The world view of the
Lectorium Rosicrucianum is not only diametrically opposed to that of the true the Gold
und Rosenkreutz Order, but they actually shun the practices of the order as well!
The Rose Cross Order (Orden Rosacruz) - Headquartered in Las Palmas in the Spanish
Canary Islands, this order, led by Angel Martn Velayos appears to be yet another
modern start-up without any true Rosicrucian lineage or practices at all. They give no
historical information on their I and repeated requests for factual information about
their history have not been answered. They do have a beautiful website, however, and
appear to be investing a great deal of money in marketing on the internet.
Order of the Grail, Joan of Arc Commandery The Order of the Grail, officially known as
the Rosicrucian and Military Order of the Sacred Grail is a traditional order of mystic
chivalry.
The Rosicrucian Fellowship - (Association of Christian Mystics) - The Rosicrucian
Fellowship was founded in 1911 by Max Heindel (1865-1919), whose real name was Carl
Louis von Grasshof. The group's headquarters is in Oceanside, CA. Heindel never
claimed his group to be descendants of historical Rosicrucians. Inspired by Rudolph
Steiner, the teachings of the Rosicrucian Fellowship derive directly from the
Theosophical Society of Madame Blavatsky. These teachings have almost nothing to do
with the historical Rosicrucian traditon. The Rosicrucian Fellowship neither studies,
teaches, nor practices alchemy, theurgy, gnosticism, qabalah, nor hermeticism. They do,
however, teach some things concerning astrology, although not along Rosicrucian lines.
They possess no significant archival documents from earlier Rosicrucian bodies
containing any esoteric teachings, secret alchemical instructions, initiation rituals, etc.
The Rosicrucian Fellowship - The Rosicrucian Fellowship was founded in 1911 by Max
Heindel (1865-1919), whose real name was Carl Louis von Grasshof. The group's
headquarters is in Oceanside, CA. Heindel never claimed his group to be descendants of
historical Rosicrucians. Inspired by Rudolph Steiner, the teachings of the Rosicrucian
Fellowship derive directly from the Theosophical Society of Madame Blavatsky. These
teachings have almost nothing to do with the historical Rosicrucian traditon. The
Rosicrucian Fellowship neither studies, teaches, nor practices alchemy, theurgy,
gnosticism, qabalah, nor hermeticism. They do, however, teach some things concerning
astrology, although not along Rosicrucian lines. They possess no significant archival

documents from earlier Rosicrucian bodies containing any esoteric teachings, secret
alchemical instructions, initiation rituals, etc.

Sodalitas Rosae Crucis et Solis Alati - The Sodalitas Rosae Crucis et Solis Alati is an
order in apparently struggling to find its own identity. The group states that it is a
hybrid of the Rosicrucianism, Gnosticism, Martinistism, Golden Dawn, and Egyptian
Freemasonry.

Societas Rosicruciana in America - The Societas Rosicruciana in America (improperly

called S.R.I.A. to cause confusion with the real, British S.R.I.A.) is an irregular
Freemasonic-style Occult society founded by George Plummer. SRIA in America claims
on its website that it is not as racist or religiously bigoted as the original SRIA in
England. There exists significant evidence, however, that indicates that this is merely a
cover story. First of all, the Supreme Maga of SRIA America's husband (who together
lead a Golden Dawn order) is a member of Metropolotan College of the racist SRIA in
England, where he was sponsired by R.A. Gilbert for Admission as well as of SRIC
(Canada) that has the identical bigoted "Christians only" requirements as SRIA Anglia.
Secondly, even Nick Farrell openly admits that SRIA (Anglia) is a racist organization.
Following the SRIA-ORC schism in 2007. Nick Farrell wrote on alt.magick:
"ORCs policy on admission is considerably wider than the SRIA in that it is open to all races and
sexes. The ORC was originally formed by a group of people who felt that SRIA was too
conservative."
But wait - There is more...
Nick Farrell, in fact, was listed as a Grand Officer of the anti-semitic ORC (a schismatic
offshoot of SRIA) on thier website when it first opened, together with the present
Supreme Maga of the SRIA (America) and her husband.
There was a huge scandal on the internet when this news broke and all three of their
names were "sanitized" from the ORC website (note that the list of officers was merely
truncated and the offices removed instead of other persons placed in the offices
referenced above). Also removed was R.A. Gilbert, who had originally sponsored the
husband when he joined Metropolitan College of SRIA. Thus you can see that it is not at
all certain that the Supreme Maga of SRIA (America) is telling the truth on her website
and that she does not secretly share the racist and bigoted views of SRIA (Anglia) and
secretly discriminate racially and religiously once inside SRIA (America) just like the
other SRIA orders that her husband belongs to in Canada and England. She was, after
all, listed as a GRAND OFFICER on the website of the RELIGIOUSLY BIGOTED ORC,
together with her husband and Nick Farrell.
Moreover, there are indications that ORC is as openly racist as SRIA despite Nick Farrell
trying to whitewash them. Firstly, there is ORC objection that the SRIA was not
"Christian" enough for them. This at least indicates a certain extremely right wing
Fundamentalism. More damning, however, is the conclusion of R.A. Gilbert's paper
originally listed on the ORC website, entitled "Golden Dawn or Gotterdammerung",
where writing under his OR+C order name, Frater I.D.V.A, Gilbert wrote:
"How can we best preserve the Western Hermetic Tradition for the future? I truly believe that
initiatic Orders analogous to the Golden Dawn are still needed and that their role is crucial in
preserving our specifically western esoteric spirituality. We must also recognise that the
Tradition which represents that spirituality FACES REAL THREATS, both from the growth of

RELIGIOUS INDIFFERENCE and from the determined efforts of its SPIRITUAL ENEMIES to
capitalise on such indifference, and to undermine the tradition by perverting its ethos and
substituting darker and avowedly anti-Christian goals. If we are true to our Rosicrucian
principles then we must recognise and strive against those threats."
It is obvious, that R.A. Gilbert is here espousing a religiously bigoted "Christans only"
view of Rosicrucianism and apparently a racist, anti-semetic one as well. Gilbert makes
direct reference to some "anti-Christian" (Jewish? Pagan? Muslim?) threat. This highly is
highly reminescent of other Anti-Semetic tracts like the infamous "Protocols of the
Elders of Zion."
It is understandable that Nick Farrell, the SRIA (America) Supreme Maga, and her
husband are now desperately trying to distance themselves from the racism and bigotry
of SRIA (Anglia) and its other offshoots like in Canada, just like they tried in 2007 to
cover up their involvement in religiously bigoted OR+C once they were caught, since
these things are the absolute antithesis of the humanitarian Hermeticism of the Golden
Dawn.
Moreover, due to his involvement in the religiously bigoted, "Christian only" ORC, Nick
Farrell's recent denial of Christian Fundamentalism sounds like just another lie.
Moreover, in light of the above evidence, SRIA (America)'s claim of racial and religious
tolerance on their website sounds like a mere cover story, just like having their Supreme
Maga sanitized from the ORC website once she was caught there.
Regarding the early history of SRIA (America) Plummer submitted an application to
gain recognition and regularity for the Soc. Ros. in America from the Societas
Rosicruciana in Anglia, and corresponded briefly in this regard with W. Wynn Wescott.
The application was immediately rejected by the High Council of the Soc. Ros. In Anglia.
The American's organization's persistence in calling itself "S.R.I.A." (sic) is therefore
obviously indicative of an intent to mislead the public.
Due to Plummer's brief correspondence with Wescott, false but persistent rumors have
been circulated for years that the Soc. Ros. In America received either a Golden Dawn
charter or a regular ritual transmission from Wescott. That this deception has been
intentional is evidenced on the orders website where they write: "it was during this time
that the Societas Rosicruciana in America received the status from Dr. Wm. W. Westcott
to work with the Golden Dawn system." In reality, there exists no evidence at all that the
Soc. Ros. In America ever received either a charter or even a regular ritual transmission
from either the Golden Dawn or any if its derivative orders.
The Soc. Ros. In America did eventually begin to work a version of Golden Dawn ritual,
which was derived not from Wescott, but rather pieced together from Aleister Crowley's
published account of Golden Dawn rituals in "The Equinox." In a move to achieve at
least a veneer of legitimacy, the Soc. Ros. In America appointed Aleister Crowley to its
board of directors, before finally obtaining a Rosicrucian charter of questionable validity
from the Quakertown Rosicrucians descending from Reuben Swinburne Clymer.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the group was presided over by "Sister Lucia" Grosch. Whatever
tenuous lineage Soc. Ros. In America might ever have enjoyed, with certainty ended
when Grosch dissolved its high council in the 1980s. Grosch was later sued by Mr. Frank
Modica in the 1990's in a real property suit that nearly bankrupted Grosch. Substantally
destitute, Grosch accepted financial assistance from Maria Babwahsingh apparently in
exchange for handing over leadership of the Soc. Ros. In America to Babwahsingh.
Under present leadership, the Soc. Ros. in America today makes a host of specious and

misleading lineage claims on its sria.org website including claims of charters from the
Golden Dawn, the R.R. et A.C., and the Alpha et Omega. These claims have been
deemed vacuous by Golden Dawn historian, Anthony Fleming (aka Tony Fuller), who
wrote: "If I am correct in thinking that you dispute any direct and official ritual transmission
from the Golden Dawn, Stella Matutina or Alpha et Omega to the Soc. Ros. in America, then I
agree with you. Their rituals are sui generis and while, as noted by R.A. Gilbert there is Golden
Dawn material included in some of them, I am not aware of any evidence that this occurred
through any authorized Charter, Warrant, etc. from the Golden Dawn, Stella Matutina, or Alpha
et Omega." Indeed, closer examination of the host of alleged charters published on the
Soc. Ros. In America website reveals them, in actually, to be nothing but a collection of
worthless, and completely unrelated documents.
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.) - The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA) is
a religiously bigoted "Christians only" society that discriminates against Jews, Pagans,
and Muslims in its membership policy. SRIA has from the very beginning tried to steal
the Rosicruican lineage of the Golden Dawn, and today continues to attempt to control
the Golden Dawn using the Golden Dawn trademark and defamation agents to stir strife
in the Golden Dawn community on the Internet. More information about SRIA
interference in the Golden Dawn can be found here.
SRIA originated in Edinburgh on December 31, 1866, when Robert Wentworth Little
(1840-1878) and William Haughan were initiated into a Rosicrucian Society in Scotland.
This society was based on an earlier Rosicrucian society in England about which little is
known, except that it is likely of Britanic origin and that the ritual they used had no
relationship to the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order in Germany.
The Freemasonic Rosicrucian research bodies (SRIA, SRIC, and MSRICF) all dedicate
themselves exclusively to historical research about Rosicrucianism. Since there have
indeed existed Rosicrucian orders open only to Freemasons since 18th Century Germany
(Fraternitas Aureae et Rosea Crucis), Freemasonic Rosicrucian research societies at the
very least stand as the structural inheritors of Freemasonic Rosicrucianism. Thus they
indeed enjoy a unique claim to continuance of an important aspect of the historical
Rosicrucian tradition. These societies study all aspects of the historical Rosicrucian
tradition, including alchemy, theurgy, astrology, gnosticism, qabalah, hermeticism, and
esoteric Christianity. They do not, however, practice any of these disciplines.
The reliability of the SRIA possessing any sort of legitimate Rosicrucian affiliation has
been seriously compromised by two false stories about its origins historically
propagated by the society. According to the first story: "An 18th century Italian
Ambassador came to England who possessed certain Rosicrucian secrets, the authority
to confer grades and to pass on to disciples that authority. Among the last of those
disciples was Grand Secretary, W.H. White. White initiated R.W. Little into the secrets of
the fraternity and gave him the authority to recruit others. Little later found some
Rosicrucian papers in the cellar of Freemasons' Hall which became the ritual of SRIA." A
version of this story was deliberately propagated by the society with the knowledge of
the High Council, when W. Wynn Wescott published it in "The Historical Notes of the
SRIA." The only proof of this story cited by Wescott was the first page of a letter written
by Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of England, T.F. Ravenshaw. This story was later
proven to be false and every shred of evidence refuted in a paper by Freemasonic
researcher Bruce Wilson in 1947. The aforementioned letter had been published by
Wescott in incomplete form, for example. Bruce Wilson found and published the entire

letter, the second page of which clearly demonstrated that it had nothing whatsoever to
do with the SRIA, but rather with the Red Cross of Constantine.
The second story concerned Kenneth MacKenzie (1833-1866) and was first circulated in
1892. The story alleged that: "MacKenzie had early in his life been the tutor of Count
Apponyi in Austria, where he was initiated into the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order
(FA+RC) and given the IX degree. He was further given the authority to establish a
Rosicrucian society in England, which he then communicated to Little." MacKenzie was
listed as a Past Magus of the SRIA on a leaflet stating the aims of the society in 1892,
signed by then Secretary General W.J. Ferguson. The attempt to posthumously frame
MacKenzie as the founder of the society, and thus claim for the SRIA an affiliation
deriving from the Fraternitas Aureae et Rosae Crucis in Germany, reached new depths
of depravity when even the original Society register was altered. MacKenzie's name
originally stood as number 114. This was altered to 0. This story was also refuted and
the relevant forgeries exposed by Bruce Wilson. Wilson also explained how the fiction of
MacKenzie as the founder of SIRA was quickly dropped, but survived in a modified
form wherein MacKenzie was said to have unofficially helped Little in founding the
order in 1865.
In his 1947 paper, "The Origin of our Rosicrucian Society," Wilson reveals an astonishing
discovery. It turns out that Kenneth MacKenzie actually had been initiated into a
Rosicrucian society and had indeed received a warrant from Count Apponyi.
Furthermore, MacKenzie did actually use this warrant to found a Rosicrucian
organization, but it was not the SRIA! Wilson reveals that the warranted organization
was none other than the first phase of the Golden Dawn, as a branch of a Continental
society called the Brothers of Light. This is a reference to the Order of the Asiatic
Brethren (also called the Ritter und Bruder des Lichts or Knights and Brothers of Light).
The Asiatic Brethren was a schismatic Rosicrucian order founded in 1780 by then
member of the Gold und Rosenkreutz order Hans Heinrich von Ecker und Eckhoffen
(1750-1790). Interestingly, the Asiatic Brethren was a Rosicrucian order which allowed
Jews among its members at a time that antisemitism was rampant in Germany. Among
its Jewish members figured prominent Qabalists from the heretical sect of Sabatai Zevi
such as Ephraim Hirschfeld (?- 1819) and Thomas von Schonfeld (whose real name was
Moses Dobrucshka). Thus the order of the Asiatic Brethren holds a unique place in the
history of the Rosicrucian tradition, as having fully developed its Qabalistic aspect for
the first time. Interestingly, the Sabataian Qabalah of the Asiatic Brethren is of exactly
the same nature as that later found in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
Bruce Wilson, in his revolutionary paper, goes on to explain that two temples of
"Brothers of Light" were founded in England (Hermanoubis Temple N 2 was in Bristol
under F.G. Irwin), but that they waited in vain for the rituals which were never
completed. This explains why, when the triad of Woodman, MacGregor Mathers, and
Westcott was completed, the Isis-Urania Temple was numbered as Temple N 3, since it
was originally envisioned as a continuation of the first phase of the Golden Dawn. This
likely also explains the origins of the mysterious "cypher manuscripts," which later fell
into the hands of Wescott and eventually became the rituals of the Hermetic Order of the
Golden Dawn. The cypher manuscripts were certainly the skeletal formula for the rituals
of the society created by Kenneth MacKenzie to receive the Apponyi Rosicrucian
affiliation and transmission.
A number of scholars have speculated whether or not there might have been an

historical relationship between the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the "Lodge
zur goldenen Morgonrthe" in Frankfurt am Main. Recent research by Rosicrucian
scholar Jean-Pascal Ruggiu (present Imperator of the Ahathor Temple N 7 of the Golden
Dawn in Paris) has confirmed that this is indeed the case. Once again, the point of
connection is the Order of the Asiatic Brethren. Ruggiu has confirmed that the Lodge
zur goldenen Morgonrthe in 1807 became the refuge for many of its Jewish brethren
when the Order of the Asiatic Brethren fell into abeyance.
Bruce Wilson's landmark study today raises as many questions as it made revelations in
1947. First of all, why would W. Wynn Wescott attempt to appropriate for the SRIA the
Rosicrucian affiliation given by Kenneth MacKenzie to the Hermetic Order of the
Golden Dawn? In the process Wescott caused great harm to both societies, creating
falsehoods and illusions about their origins while depriving the Golden Dawn of its
rightful heritage.
Secondly, why has the information contained in Wilson's 1947 paper not become
common public knowledge prior to this present writing? In fact, when mention was first
made of the Wilson paper in the third edition of SRICF (the American version of SRIA)
researcher Harold Voorhis' book, A History of Organized Masonic Rosicrucianism, the
SRIA broke off all relations with SRICF due to this incident for several years. Why did
the SRIA behave in this odd way?
Finally, one must note that the most widely published researcher of the history the
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, R.A. Gilbert, is also a high ranking member of
SRIA. Why is it in his thorough study of the history of this Hermetic Order, "The Golden
Dawn, Twilight of the Magicians," Gilbert merely quotes "en passant" Wescott's
recounting of the origins of the SRIA, with no mention whatsoever that these stories,
together with the alleged Rosicrucian affiliation of the SRIA, have been thoroughly
discredited? Indeed, why is there no mention whatsoever of Bruce Wilson's research,
essential to an understanding of the Rosicrucian affiliation of the Golden Dawn, in any
of Gilbert's publicly published works? Gilbert certainly must have been aware of
Wilson's research. All of these things taken together give a compelling impression of an
attempt to suppress the information revealed by Bruce Wilson's research, while
maintaining a public illusion of an SRIA Rosicrucian affiliation and concealing the
Golden Dawn's true and rightful Rosicrucian heritage through Kenneth MacKenzie.
Societas Rosicruciana in Canada (S.R.I.C.) - The Canadian counterpart of the British
S.R.I.A. - a religiously bigoted "Christians only" society that discriminates against Jews,
Pagans, and Muslims in its membership policy.
Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (M.S.R.I.C.F.) - One
American counterpart of the British S.R.I.A. - a religiously bigoted "Christians only"
society that discriminates against Jews, Pagans, and Muslims in its membership policy.
Resources
The Rosicrucian Archive - Presenting Rosicrucianism.
Modern Rosicrucian groups - This provisional list of modern Rosicrucian groups has
been drawn up by Frater Melchior, and reflects the judgements and views of his
personal research. Both the author and the alchemy web site would welcome any
amendments or additions to this listing. Further details of some of these organisations
can be found at the website organised by Frater Melchior and in his forthcoming book
on the subject."
Rosicrucian Library "The on-line library of the Confraternity of the Rose Cross (CR+C)

with many of the importatn Roscirucian documents."

Rosicrucian Texts"The on-line library of the Virtual Alchemy site with most of the main
Rosicrucian documents."
Summum Bonum - Official Principal Web Site Master Apis

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