Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia
Initiation Ritual for Grade VIII, the Grade of Magister

2019

Preamble
 
The Supreme Magus is the official Celebrant of this Grade, but he may depute the Senior or the Junior Substitute Magus, or any Frater of Grade 9 or 8 to act for him. In any case, the Celebrant acting as Substitute must hold a written Order to perform the Ceremony, and this must be signed by the Supreme Magus.
The Supreme Magus alone can choose an Adeptus Exemptus for admission to the Third Order.
An assembly of Fratres of the Eighth Grade is called a "Council of Magistri".
The Temple of the Magistri should be triangular in shape. In the East there is an Altar of the Royal Arch pattern, but plain in the front, upon which is placed a lamen, bearing the symbolic design of the Grade - a Circle, surrounding an equilateral Triangle, within which is a Square, having a Point at its centre. The West side of the lamen is that which has one side of the Square parallel to one side of the Triangle. A triangular card, the size of the triangle on the lamen, is required to cover the lamen triangle during the first part of the Ceremony. A kneeling stool is required at the West side of the Altar. Candles are placed upon the Altar at the four corners of the lamen. A circular plate, suitably engraved, is also required for the Exponent's lecture; it should be placed near the Exponent.
Three Officers are required to perform the Ritual of this Grade: Celebrant or the Supreme Magus or his nominee, seated at the East of the Altar. Exponent; seated in the South-West, usually the Chief Adept.
Secretary; seated in the North-West, who should be the Secretary General, but may be a substitute pro tem. If the latter, he must take minutes of the proceedings and forward them at once to the Secretary-General.
The three Officers thus form a triangle, and each should be provided with a small pedestal. The other Magistri are seated along the sides of the triangle. Additionally, a Conductor may be used, and is normally the Director-General of Ceremonies; in this case, his seat is between the Exponent and the Secretary in the West. An empty seat is provided in the West for the Candidate, between the Exponent and the Conductor. Every Frater present must wear the jewel and ribbon proper to his rank and office.
In this edition there the two variations of the Lectures that are given at the end of the ceremony. There is that of the S.R.I.S which is shorter and to the point and is included to be as standard. There is also the S.R.I.A. lecture which whilst of great interest, is really appertaining to the Adept Grades and ought to be known by all who aspire to be Grade VIII.
 
 
Opening of a Council of Magistri
 
Celebrant: R.W. Conductor, (if no Conductor then R.W.Secretary) please confirm that none below the rank of Magister are present in the Council;
Conductor: M.W. Supreme Magus (or R.W. Celebrant), I confirm this.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
O Immanent and transcendent source and end of all, Lord of all worlds, Thou hast set up Thy holy signs in all the quarters of the heavens, a revelation of thy eternal mind unto the mind of man. Grant, we beseech Thee, that the hidden grace and the radiant Light that abides in the supernal crown may be communicated to th.is temple. May we dispense Toy Light and grace through the mediation of thy holy will. May the Light of thy mysteries lead us even unto the attainment of the quintessence, the tingeing stone of the wise, the wisdom that has its roots in Thee and the beatitude that is found in Toy presence. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Celebrant (uncovering lamen): R.W. Fratres, we are assembled in our Sacred Temple to perform our duties as Magistri of the Societas Rosicruciana In Anglia, and I give you hearty greeting. In accordance with ancient custom I call upon you to rise and stand with reverence around our Temple Triangle (all rise) let each one breath in silence a prayer and a thanksgiving while I salute in solemn form the Sacred Emblem inscribed upon our Altar.
Secretary: Let each R.W. Frater bow his head, and cross his hands upon his heart in token of submission to the Most High, and of devotion to the aims and welfare of our ancient Society.
Celebrant: With due solemnity, R.W. Fratres, I salute the Sacred Emblems on the Altar - (pointing with his sceptre to each emblem in turn) the Circle which represents Infinity, the Triangle which symbolises the Most Holy Trinity; the Square which typifies the elements of the material universe, and with awe and reverence I indicate the Central Point which symbolises the Divine Source of all being, from Whom all proceed and to Whom all must return.
Say after me: "Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine Virtutum: How lovely is Thy dwelling-place, O Lord God of Hosts" (Psalm 84)
Celebrant: By the power and authority vested in me I declare this Council of Magistri duly opened. (knocks) *** **** *.
Be seated R W Fratres.
Celebrant: R.W. Secretary, please read the Minutes of the last Council of Magistri to have been held in the Society. Also please confirm that you hold Form A/C signed by the M.W. Supreme Magus. (If the Celebrant is a Commissioner, Form A/C must be read aloud).
Celebrant (if a Commissioner) reads his Commission from the M.W. Supreme Magus.
The Celebrant should now remind the R. W. Fratres about the method of saluting the new Magister.
 
 
Ceremony of Admission to Magister

Celebrant covers lamen then directs the Conductor (or Sec.) to tell the Candidate to knock on the Portal as an Adeptus Exemptus.
Celebrant: R.W. Secretary, you will ascertain who seeks admission.
Secretary goes to the Portal receives the names and motto of the Candidate and returns to his place.
Secretary: M.W. Supreme Magus (or R.W.Celebrant) I present to you our Very Worthy Frater (name and motto), an Adeptus Exemptus, who has been chosen for advancement and who now seeks admission to the Eighth Grade in this Temple of Magistri of the Rose and Cross.
Celebrant: R.W. Conductor (if none, then R.W. Secretary) admit our Very Worthy Frater who has been chosen for the Mastery.
Conductor (or Sec.) goes to the Portal admits the Adept places him in the West and tells him to bow to the Altar.
Celebrant: Very Worthy Adept, the attention and study you gave to the pursuits of the Society in the First Order led to your admission to the Second Order.
The pre-eminence you have acquired among your Fratres has led to your selection as a Member of the Third Order, and I have decided (or the M.W. Supreme Magus has decided) to advance you to the Eighth Grade of the Society as a Magister of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia.
The knowledge and experience you have gained in your progress through the Seven Grades of the First and Second Orders, have given you an insight into the Mysteries of Religion and Science. You have obtained a clearer understanding of the Symbols and outward forms, which have ever been employed to veil the greater Truths from the multitude, who would be unable to appreciate them.
The principles of Numbers were displayed to you in the Grade of Zelator; the secrets of Colour were explained to you in the Grade of Theoricus; the processes of a Spiritual Alchemy in the Grade of Practicus; and in the Grade of Philosophus you were exhorted to study the great Religions of the World.
The three successive stages of your Adeptship have implanted in your mind, and impressed upon your heart, the solemn lessons of Death. You were assured that Death is but change and not destruction, that the tendency of the life-wave is ever to progress upward and onward to the Divine Source of all Life and all Good.
Expositor: As a Magister of the Society of the Rose and Cross you must leam to be a true Master, especially over your ownlower nature, for so only will you be able to rule others, and attain to success in any sphere of usefulness to which you may be appointed by the Supreme Magus of the Society.
Celebrant: R.W. Fratres be upstanding.
V.W. Adeptus Exemptus you will approach the East (if there is a Conductor he will lead the Candidate to the Altar, and move the two westerly candles to the east of the lamen), kneel before the Altar, place your hands on the Sacred Triangle thereon and repeat after me:
 
 
Obligation
 
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, One God, I pledge myself to become, and forever to remain, a true and faithful Magister of the Society of the Rose and Cross, and to uphold the truly Christian character of the Society. And I do undertake to obey the just and lawful commands of the M. W. Supreme Magus of the Society in Anglia, whose earnest coadjutor I now engage myself to become. So help me the Most Holy and Ever Blessed Trinity.
Celebrant: You will seal this Obligation by saluting with your lips the Triangle on the Altar.
Rise, duly pledged Magister.
Conductor places candles on lamen.
Celebrant: May you become a worthy successor of our great Founder Christian Rosencreutz, who having laid the Foundations of the Society upon a holy basis, instructed its members in the mystical knowledge he had acquired.
After a life spent in acts of benevolence our Founder died in the love and esteem of his Fratres and, being buried in a symbolic Vault, was yet again brought to be a witness to the mystical knowledge of the Fratres of the House of the Holy Spirit, and so hallowed this Society of the Rose of Silence and Secrecy, and the Cross of Self-sacrifice and High Endeavour.
Celebrant uncovers lamen.
Celebrant: The emblematic design upon the Altar is of a sacred nature. (Pointing to the emblems as at Opening) The Circle represents Infinity, the Triangle refers to the Holy Trinity (in whose Name you took your obligation), the Square typifies the elements of the material universe, and the central point is a symbol of the Divine Unity, and reminds us of Him who is the Source and End of all.
The Words are "Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine Virtutum: How lovely is Thy dwelling-place, O Lord God of Hosts" (Psalm 84)
You will now return to the West of the Temple, where the Exponent will communicate the signs of a Magister. R W Fratres be seated.
Conductor leads Candidate to the Exponent. (If no Conductor Candidate Proceeds independently.)
Expositor (rises): The signs of Recognition are thus given: I place my right hand upon the crown of your Head thus covering with my outstretched fingers your Brain, the seat of the intellect, for the Temple was the dwelling place of the Shekinah which betokens the presence of God. You, as the other Magister, will then give the answering sign by placing your right hand on my Heart, for the Heart is the emblematic seat of the affections and love.
Thus these two Signs demonstrate, first a Salutation to the Temple of God, and secondly a recognition that God is Love.
A Magister, to gain admission to our Council must give eight knocks - four and four - which refer to Yod He Vau He - Jehovah and I.N.R.I., Within the Temple and for the opening of a Council of Magistri the knocks used are three, four, and one referring to the emblems on the Altar; nought to the Circle, three to the Triangle, four to the Square, and one to the Central Point. (Exponent sits).
Conductor places Candidate facing East, in front of Conductor's chair in the West. (If no Cond. then Sec.).
Celebrant: The Grade you have now received entitles you to be called Right Worthy Frater, and may you ever so live as to be worthy of so honourable a designation. Be moderate in all things, be ever desirous of further progress in knowledge, be ready to teach, and as ready to learn, and so may the Great INRI, the Christ, Lux Mundi, the Light of the World, lead you into all peace in the time to come.
Conductor leads Candidate to the Secretary.
Secretary: As a Magister you are a member of the Eighth Grade, and have entered the Third Order of this Society of the Rose and Cross. You may be called upon by the Supreme Magus to act as a High Councilor, or as the Celebrant of a College, or may be empowered by dispensation to confer the Grades of Adeptship, or to take part in the admission of Fratres to the Mastery, or even to confer the Grade of Magister. You should practise the Old Formula of Recognition, viz, when you meet another Magister Rosae Crucis, say to him Candidate repeats "Ave Frater" (Hail Brother)
He will reply "Rosae" (of the Rose) (and touch your head)
You then say "et Crucis" (and Cross) (and touch his heart)
He will say "Benedictus Dominus Deus Noster'' (blessed be our God)
You then say "Quinobis dedit Signum" (who gave us a Sign)
He will say "C R" (and show his jewel or token)
You reply "C R" (and show your jewel or token)
Candidate faces East, placed by Conductor, if any, in front of his chair.
Celebrant: My Frater, in our Society at this period of Rosicrucian history, there is but one higher stage to which any Frater can attain, the Grade of Magus, and there can be but few Fratres who reach it R.W. Fratres, I call on you to rise and salute your new Magister with the sign of the Grade.
Celebrant, Exponent and Secretary standfast. All other R.W. Fratres step up in turn, proceeding clockwise around the Triangle, Conductor last, and each places his right hand on the head of the neu1 Magister, who places his right hand on the heart of the older Magister. On completion the R.W. Fratres sit after the Conductor's salute.
Conductor then leads the Candidate to the Secretary. If no Conductor, the Secretary collects the Candidate.
Sec. rises.
Secretary: You have now been fully received as a Magister of our Society. It is my duty to instruct you that as a Magister you should wear the jewel of the Society, surmounted by a golden mitre, hearing the word Lux. Magistri Honoris Causa suspend the Jewel from a red ribbon, Magistri who are High Councillors suspend it from a red silk collarette. I now invest you as a Magister High Councilor Honoris Causa (as appropriate).
Every Magister of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia may also wear a copy of the Ancient Jewel or Token of a Master of the Society of the Rose and Cross, it was of the long oval shape sometimes called the vesica-piscis; it was of gold and the letters C R were engraved upon it. It may bear also the initials of the owner and of his Motto, and the Pentagram, Hexagram, Triangle and Square. I now invest you with this Jewel.
Sec. sits.
The Candidate is again placed centre west facing east.
Celebrant: You may now take your seat and the Secretary will read the lecture of this grade.
Conductor turns Candidate's chair to face the Secretary and tells the Candidate to be seated.
 

Lecture - original lecture
 
Secretary: Right Worthy Frater, it has been a source of great satisfaction to us all to have had the privilege of participating in your reception as a Magister of the Society of the Rose and Cross, and on behalf of all present I congratulate you heartily on your advancement to this honorable Grade.
When you first sought admission to our M. C. you professed your belief in the fundamental doctrines of the Christian Faith, and your sponsors testified to this profession of your belief. In the Obligation which you have taken this evening you have pledged yourself anew to uphold the truly Christian character of our Society, and I would strongly exhort you always to bear in mind that this undertaking is of basic importance, for no eminence in Craft Freemasonry apart from this essential qualification would qualify for ad-mission to the Society of the Rose and Cross.
Your special loyalty as a Magister is to the M.W. the Supreme Magus, supporting him to the utmost of your ability. The Grade of Magister is the first of the two Grades that comprise the Third or Ruling Order of the Society- the only Grade beyond it being that of Magus. As a Magister you are entitled to the designation "Right Worthy", and may be chosen for appointment or election to High Council.
The duties of the Officers of High Council, as set forth in the Ordinances, give a clear indication of why the Third Order of our Society is recognised as the "Ruling" Order; and the Fratres appointed by the Supreme Magus to the various offices are all chosen because of their fitness to discharge these duties and to carry the responsibilities involved in them. It is good to remember, however, that they all began their long climb to their exalted position in the Third Order by their admission as Zelatores. Here, and in the succeeding Grades of the First Order-Theoricus, Practicus and Philosophus they were Leamers who continued to prosecute with zeal the study of our mysteries, and so amassed a wide range of Knowledge.
Then in the three Adept Grades which comprise the Second Order of our Society, they developed a deeper Understanding of the significance and application of the Know-ledge they had acquired, and so were able, as Adepts and Teachers, to impart that knowledge to those Fratres who were still leamers in the First Order.
Their Adeptship was completed and consummated by their work in the Grade of Adeptus Exemptus; and the understanding they had then acquired was carried forward into the work of the Third Order and developed into that Wisdom which is the most essential qualification of a Magister or a Magus in the governance of the Society.
Thus we see that Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom should be distinguishing characteristics of a Magister of the Society of the Rose and Cross; and the responsibility rests with us all to do what in us lies to realise, as far as may be practicable within our limiting circumstances, the ideal thus set before us.
Once more, R.W. Frater I congratulate you on your advancement, and I would express the hope and expectation that you will find your work in and for our Society an increasing source of pleasure and satisfaction to yourself.
Most Worthy Supreme Magus (or Right Worthy Celebrant) my task is accomplished.
Conductor please face the Candidate towards the Expositor.
Expositor: POST CENTUM VIGINTI ANNOS PATEBO
(After 120 years I shall be opened)
In due time the vault was opened when it was found that its design and all its contents and decorations were of a symbolical character.
It was said to have been illuminated by a supernatural sun situated in the centre of the ceiling. It had seven sides on all of which were "several figures and sentences".
Each side, also, had a door behind which was a chest; and these chests contained hooks and records of the life and travels of C R C and of the results of his work - "to the end that if it should happen after many hundred years the Order or Fraternity should came to nothing, they might by this only vault be restored again".
(Conductor (if any) shows Candidate the circular plate and points to the various items mentioned)
In the centre was a round Altar, and on top of it was a brass plate on which was inscribed:
A.G.R.C., Ad Gloriam Rosae Crucis
(To the glory of the Rosy Cross)
Hoc arcanissimae claustrum deitatis mihi sepulchrum feci
(I made this vault [literally barrier or lock] of the most secret divinity to be my tomb)
In the middle of the plate were four figures enclosed in circles which bare the circumscriptions:
Nequaquam vacuum (A vacuum exists nawhere)
Legis jugum (The yoke of the Law)
Libertas Evangelii (The liberty of the Gospel)
Dei gloria intacta (The whole glory of God)
Around the brim of the plate was inscribed:
Jesus mihi omnia (Jesus is all to me)
Beneath the Altar was found the embalmed body of C R C in a state of perfect preservation, clad in gorgeous robes and with all his insignia. In his hand was a parchment book which was regarded by the Fratres as their greatest treasure next to the Bible. At the end of the book was an Eulogium of C R C, signed by eight Fratres, after which was written by way of colophon:
Ex Deo nascimur; m Jesu monmur; per Spiritum Sanctum reviviscimus.
(From God we are born; in Jesus we die; by the Holy Spirit we are made alive again.)
Obviously the vault and its contents must be regarded as symbolical, though behind the symbolism there was, no doubt, a wide range of esoteric knowledge, which was permeated throughout with fundamental principles of Christian doctrine.
We can take it that it was from his Christian standpoint that C R C found at Fez that the Magia of the leamed men there was not altogether pure; and no doubt it was for the same reason that the Moors of Spain found his teaching unacceptable.
From time to time since the publication of the Fama some Fratres have deviated into impure Magia, but always there have been those who have been loyal to the Christian basis of the teaching of our Founder. Even in our own days there are bodies who have arrogated to themselves the designation 'Rosicrucian' but whose teaching contains no trace of Christian doctrine. We in our Society, however, restrict our membership to those who are believers in the fundamental doctrines of the Christian Faith, and all our Magi and Magistri, and all Celebrants in our Colleges, are pledged to maintain and uphold the truly Christian character of our Society, and all revere the Holy Trinity and the Sacred Name INRI as did our traditional Founder, C R C, and as all his true successors have done to this day.
Conductor turns his and the Candidate's chairs back, so that they bath sit facing Celebrant.
Celebrant: R.W. Fratres, I recall to your mind the words of the colophon to the book mentioned in the Fama, namely, Ex Deo nascimur; in Jesu morimur; per Spiritum Sanctum reviviscimus. This is a summary in brief of the Rosy Cross in all its grades of evolution. Take it into your hearts, my Fratres, having prepared the heart as earth of the Mystical Kingdom. Let it dwell as seed therein - the letter of the words will die, but the flower of the inward sense shall spring therefrom.
The counsel is always to transmute the symbols into the essence of their inner meaning. Thus the outward Symbol should be allowed to fade into the light of its spiritual significance - this is what is meant by "gelling behind the symbol ". There is no object in Nature, no memorial in the written word of Grace, which cannot be used in this manner.
There is, above all, no conception whether of Divine things and persons, or of Saints also, and of Angels, which will not open to us great vistas of secret knowledge by this philosophical solution.
We know in this manner that Christian Rosencreutz, being dead, yet speaketh concerning life, death, and resurrection in God. I say unto each one of you, R.W. Fratres, the story of Christian Rosencreutz is also your own story!
Celebrant may now give an explanation of the knocks.
Celebrant: R.W. Conductor, conduct our new Magister to me.
Conductor (or Secretary) leads Candidate to the Celebrant who congratulates him. Candidate then returns to his seat, led by Conductor/Secretary.
 
 
Closing of a Council of Magistri
 
Celebrant: R.W. Fratres, assist me to close this Council of Magistri in solemn form.
All rise.
Expositor: Before we leave this Sacred Temple let us pledge each other ever to be faithful to the vows we have taken, and let us continue to build a Spiritual Temple, not made with hands but eternal in the Heavens.
Celebrant: Let each R.W. Frater say aloud "I will ever be faithful to my vows of duty and fidelity".
(Pointing to emblem as at Opening)
With due solemnity, R.W. Fratres, I salute the Sacred Emblems on the Altar - the Circle which represents Infinity; the Triangle which symbolises the Most Holy Trinity; the Square which typifies the elements of the material universe; and with awe and reverence I indicate the Central Point which symbolises the Divine Source of all being, from Whom all proceed and to Whom all must return.
Exponent steps forward and repeats, then returns to his seat.
Secretary also steps forward and repeats then returns to his seat.
Celebrant covers lamen.
Celebrant: R.W. Fratres, you will join with me in giving the knocks Three, Four and One in unison. I now declare this Council of Magistri to be duly closed with these words of prayer.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. Amen.
 
 
Notes on the Latin Inscription

The Latin which we currently use in this Grade was introduced by Arthur Waite.
A.G.R.C. - Ad Gloriam Roseae Crucis (To the glory of the Rosy Cross)
However in the time when Edward Kayley was the Supreme Magus it was changed back to what was considered to have been the original.
A.C.R.C. - Ave Christian Rosae Crucis (Hail Christian of the Rose Cross)
Kayley also uses the following:- Hoc universi compendium vivus mihi sepulchrum feci (This compendium of the Universe I made in my lifetime to be my tomb)
 
 
Lecture - added to English ritual VIII Grade
 
Expositor: Right Worthy Magister, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you into the Third Order of the Society of the Rose and Cross.
In the First Order of the Society you were but a learner. Thence you were advanced to the Second Order, and in the three Grades of Adeptship you qualified as a teacher of those who were still learners. Now you have been called to the highest and Ruling Order, and to new responsibilities. It is fitting, therefore, that we should at this time recapitulate the circumstances of the origin of our Fraternity, and the ideals for which we stand.
The earliest public notice of the Fratres of the Rosy Cross appeared in a pamphlet entitled "Fama Fraternitatis Benedicti Ordinis Rosae Crucis" which was printed at Cassel in Germany in 1614, and purported to give the history of the founding of the Fraternity about 1450 AD. It was reprinted in 1615 along with a second pamphlet entitled "Confessio Fraternitatis", which was a confession of the faith of the Rosicrucians. These tracts were printed in 1652 in an English translation by Thomas Vaughan, a mystic philosopher who wrote under the pseudonym "Eugenius Philalethes", together with a preface and other addenda written by him. But earlier translations in English had been in manuscript as early as 1633.
This publication was reproduced in facsimile by our Society in 1923, with a learned Introduction and Notes by Frater F.N. Pryce. It has recently been reprinted, and all Fratres should have a copy. The opening words of the Fama are: Seeing the only wise and merciful God in these latter days hath poured Out so richly His Mercy and Goodness to mankind, whereby we do attain more and more to the perfect knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ, and Nature, that justly we might boast of the happy time.
These words strike a clear Christian note which pervades the whole pamphlet as it proceeds to give a record of the travels of Christian Rosencreutz (or C R C) and of the circumstances in which he founded the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross.
According to the Fama, C R C had been educated in a Monastery from the age of five, and there he became proficient in Latin and Greek. At the age of 16 he set off with a fellow monk to visit the Holy Land, hut his companion died in Cyprus, and he proceeded on the journey alone. He arrived at Damascus where he was welcomed by certain 'wise men' who instructed him in Arabic and shared with him their knowledge of medicine and ma thematics.
He remained there for three years and then proceeded to Egypt where he remained 'not long', hut there he ' only took better knowledge of the plants and creatures'.
Then sailing along the Mediterranean he arrived at Fez, in Morocco, where he received further instruction from 'the Arabians'. A fact that most deeply impressed him was that in the countries that he had visited ' the wise men' had so much esoteric knowledge in common and were also "so willing and ready, under the seal of secrecy, to impart their secrets to others". But the Fama tells us that "of those at Fez, he aften did confess that their Magia was not altogether pure and that their Qabalah was defiled by their religion: hut notwithstanding he knew how to make good use of the same and found still better grounds for his faith".
After two years in Fez he proceeded to Spain, where his role was more of a teacher than a learner. But his teaching was not well received by the learned men of Spain - it was to them a laughing matter, and being a new thing unto them, they feared that their great name should be lessened, should they now again begin to learn, and acknowledge their many years of errors, to which they were accustomed and wherewith they had gained themselves enough. So he returned home to Germany. There he built 'a fitting and neat habitation in the which he ruminated his Voyage and Philosophy, and reduced them together in a true Memorial'.
After five years he invited three Brothers from the Monastery where he had received his early education, and these he bound to himself "to be faithful, diligent and secret; as also to commit faithfully to writing all that he should direct and instruct them in".
The Fraternity of the Rosy Cross, began with just four Fratres, in the Domus Spiritus Sancti, as their habitation was called. Soon, however, because the task they had undertaken was so great, and was hindered by the number of sick who had recourse to them for treatment, four others were called in to help them in their work. These eight Fratres bound themselves together with a sixfold pledge:
1 That none should profess anything but to cure the sick and that gratis.
2 That they should not wear a distinctive dress but should conform to the custom of the country in which they were residing.
3 That on a fixed day in each year they should meet at the Domus Spiritus Sancti or write the cause of absence.
4 That each should seek out a worthy person to succeed him on his decease.
5 That the word C R (or R C) should be their seal, mark or character, and
6 That the Fraternity should remain secret for one hundred years.
Thereafter it was their practice for five of their number to travel abroad to spread their knowledge and to cure the sick while two remained with C R C in the Domus Spiritus Sancti. C R C lived until he was a hundred years old, and when he died his body was embalmed and buried in a vault over the door of which was engraved:
POST CENTUM VIGINTI ANNOS PA TEBO
(After 120 years I shall be opened)
In due time the vault was opened when it was found that its design and all its contents and decorations were of a symbolical character.
It was said to have been illuminated by a supernatural sun situated in the centre of the ceiling. It had seven sides on all of which were "several figures and sentences".
Each side, also, had a door behind which was a chest; and these chests contained books and records of the life and travels of CR C and of the results of his work - "to the end that if it should happen after many hundred years the Order or Fraternity should come to nothing, they might by this only vault be restored again".
(Conductor (if any) shows Candidate the circular plate and points to the various items mentioned)
In the centre was a round Altar, and on top of it was a brass plate on which was inscribed:
A.G.R.C., Ad Gloriam Rosae Crucis (To the glory of the Rosy Cross)
Hoc arcanissimae claustrum deitatis mihi sepulchrumfeci (I made this vault [literally barrier or lock] of the most secret divinity to be my tomb)
In the middle of the plate were four figures enclosed in circles which bare the circumscriptions:
Nequaquam vacuum (A vacuum exists nowhere)
Legis jugum (The yoke of the Law)
Libertas Evangelii (The liberty of the Gospel)
Dei gloriaintacta (The whole glory of God)
Around the brim of the plate was inscribed:
Jesus mihi omnia (Jesus is all to me)
Beneath the Altar was found the embalmed body of C R C in a state of perfect preservation, clad in gorgeous robes and with all his insignia. In his hand was a parchment book which was regarded by the Fratres as their greatest treasure next to the Bible. At the end of the book was an Eulogium of C R C, signed by eight Fratres, after which was written by way of colophon:
Ex Deo nascimur; in Jesu morimur; per Spiritum Sanctum reviviscimus. (From God we are born; in Jesus we die; by the Holy Spirit we are made alive again.)
Obviously the vault and its contents must be regarded as symbolical, though behind the symbolism there was, no doubt, a wide range of esoteric knowledge, which was permeated throughout with fundamental principles of Christian doctrine.
We can take it that it was &om his Christian standpoint that C R C found at Fez that the Magia of the leamed men there was not altogether pure; and no doubt it was for the same reason that the Moors of Spain found his teaching unacceptable.
From time to time since the publication of the Fama some Fratres have deviated into impure Magia, but always there have been those who have been loyal to the Christian basis of the teaching of our Founder. Even in our own days there are bodies who have arrogated to themselves the designation 'Rosicrucian' but whose teaching contains no trace of Christian doctrine. We in our Society, however, restrict our membership to those who are believers in the fundamental doctrines of the Christian Faith, and all our Magi and Magistri, and all Celebrants in our Colleges, are pledged to maintain and uphold the truly Christian character of our Society, and all revere the Holy Trinity and the Sacred Name INRI as did our traditional Founder, C R C, and as all his true successors have done to this day.
Conductor turns his and the Candidate's chairs back, so that they bath sit facing Celebrant.
Celebrant: R.W. Fratres, I recall to your mind the words of the colophon to the book mentioned in the Fama, namely, Ex Deo nascimur; in Jesu morimur; per Spiritum Sanctum reviviscimus.
This is a summary in brief of the Rosy Cross in all its grades of evolution. Take it into your hearts, my Fratres, having prepared the heart as earth of the Mystical Kingdom. Let it dwell as seed therein - the letter of the words will die, but the flower of the inward sense shall spring therefrom.The counsel is always to transmute the symbols into the essence of their inner meaning. Thus the outward Symbol should be allowed to fade into the light of its spiritual significance - this is what is meant by "getting behind the symbol". There is no object in Nature, no memorial in the written word of Grace, which cannot be used in this manner.
There is, above all, no conception whether of Divine things and persons, or of Saints also, and of Angels, which will not open to us great vistas of secret knowledge by this philosophical solution.
We know in this manner that Christian Rosencreutz, being dead, yet speaketh concerning life, death, and resurrection in God. I say unto each one of you, R.W. Fratres, the story of Christian Rosencreutz is also your own story!
Celebrant may now give an explanation of the knocks.
Celebrant: R.W. Conductor, conduct our new Magister to me.
Conductor (or Secretary) leads Candidate to the Celebrant who congratulates him. Candidate then returns to his seat, led by Conductor/Secretary.
 
 
Explanation
 
Vesica-piscis (literally fish bladder) is a pointed oval figure, formed by parts of two circles which pass through each other at their centres
Fama... = Tradition of the blessed Order of the Rose Cross
Domus Spiritus Sancti = House of the Holy Spirit. (This is the classical Latin order of words, but does not accord with those given in Thomas Vaughan 's translation of the Fama, first printed in 1652; the Latin should read Domus Sancti Spiritus)
The plate described is the official version used by the Society; it varies in detail from that described in the Fama, and the differences reflect the interpretations of the Fama by the early leaders of the Society. As a Magister you will realise that there are several interpretations of symbols.