Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross
The Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross (Orden des Gold- und Rosenkreutz, also the Fraternity of the Golden and Rosy Cross) was a German Rosicrucian organization founded in the 1750s by Freemason and alchemist Hermann Fichtuld.[1] Candidates were expected to be Master Masons in good standing. Alchemy was to be a central study for members.[2] Much of the hierarchical structure for this order was used in S.R.I.A. and from there, the Golden Dawn.[3]
History
The fraternity was founded in the 1750s, but it is not certain when it came into existence. Many documents and books mention it from the 18th century. For instance, Frater U.D. believes that in 1710, the idea for the order was born with the publication of Sigmund Richter's (using the name Sincerus Renatus) The perfect and true preparation of the Philosophers Stone according to the secret of the Brotherhoods of the Golden and Rosy Cross.[4]
By the 1770s, had centers in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Regensburg, Munich, Vienna, Prague, Poland, Hungary and Russia.[2]
The order slowly began to decline after the death of King William II.
Known members
References
- ^ Greer, page 367
- ^ a b c Charting Rosicrucian Europe by Christopher McIntosh
- ^ The masonic career of A.E. Waite by Bro. R. A. Gilbert
- ^ U.D., pages 272-273
- ^ Greer, page 368
Sources
- Greer, John Michael (2008). The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Societies (2nd ed.). Harper Collins. ISBN 978-1-4351-1088-5.
- U.D., Frater (2008). High Magic II: Expanded Theory and Practice. Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 0738710636.
- Rubenstein, Elias (2010). Magie Das Vermächtnis der Rosenkreuzer. Bohmeier. ISBN 3-89094-636-4.