Societas
Rosicruciana in Anglia
First Grade - Zelator
1995
The Convocations of a College are
held in a suitable Temple which must be furnished with an Altar, Superaltar and
Cross, and thirty-three candles; there must also be four pillars for the
Ancients, and due accommodation for the Officers and Members. The positions of
the Officers are shown in the two plans included in this ritual.
Opening
Celebrant: Fratres of the Rose and Cross assist me to form the Mystic Circle.
The fratres rise and form the
Mystic Circle clasping each other’s hands.
Celebrant: Very Worthy Exponent, what are the objects of our assembly?
Exponent: The diffusion of Light and the advancement of Science.
Celebrant: How do we hope to accomplish the aims we have in view?
Exponent: By prayer and perseverance in the paths of knowledge and virtue.
Celebrant: Before we bend the knee to Heaven, Very Worthy Exponent, let us assure
ourselves that the Fratres are in possession of the Mystic Word.
Exponent: Fratres, I pass the Mystic Word by letters to the East, I N R I.
The Fratres on the left of the
Exponent comply. The Celebrant, in the East, finding the word correct, proceeds
thus:
Celebrant: The Mystic Word being correct, I return it to the West, I N R I.
This is done in due form
Celebrant: Fratres, let us pray.
The Fratres all kneel, with their
hands joined.
Celebrant or Chaplain: Fountain of Light and Glory of the Universe, we humbly adore Thee. Here
all bow Bless the Union of our hearts, symbolized by the joining of
our hands, and illuminate our spirits with the brightuess of Thy perfection.
Sanctify our desires and purify our thoughts, so that we may become worthy to
commune with the Holy Ones whom Thou hast created; and finally grant us an
everlasting inheritance in the dominions illuminated by the rays of wisdom
from Thine unapproachable Throne.
All bow and say Amen. All then
rise and resume their former position.
Celebrant: In the name of I N R I I declare this Temple duly opened, the Mystic
Circle of Fratres of the Rose and Cross duly formed, and the Chain of Union
complete.
All clap with their right upon
their left hand. The Celebrant takes the Chair in the South East, the Exponent
in the West, and all the Fratres return to their seats.
Reception of a Zelator (First Part)
The Secretary meets the Aspirant
in the Anteroom and hands to him two copies of the Pledge of Fidelity. The
Aspirant must read and sign them, and must add a Latin Motto (not one which has
already been chosen by a Frater of the College), by which he may be known as a
Frater Rose Cross. The Secretary must witness the signature. The Acolyte
blindfolds the Aspirant and instructs him to give one knock on the portal of the
Temple.
Guardian: Right (or Very) Worthy Celebrant there is an alarm.
Celebrant: You will ascertain the cause. Guardian,
after ascertaining: Right (or Very) Worthy Celebrant, Brother
... a qualified Master Mason who has duly read and signed the Pledge of Fidelity,
now seeks to be received as a Member of this College in order to study the
doctrines taught by the Society of the Rose and Cross.
Celebrant: Let him be admitted and received by the Conductor.
The Guardian admits the Aspirant,
who is received by the Conductor who takes him by the hand, saying:
Conductor: I will go unto the Altar of God, even unto God who giveth joy to my youth.
The Conductor leads the Aspirant
to the West of the Temple.
Celebrant: What is your desire?
The Conductor speaking for the
Aspirant, says:
Conductor, I desire to go out of darkness into the
pure light of knowledge, to learn the doctrines of Nature and to discover the
wondrous principles by which the Universe is governed.
Celebrant: My Brother, your desires are most laudable, but we are mortals like
yourself; why come to us?
Conductor: Because I believe that among you are practised many great virtues, and
that the growth of ages has added to your stores of learning. I desire to be
received into the Society of the Rose and Cross.
Celebrant: We acknowledge and appreciate your faith, but must remind you that the
road to learning is long and the life of man is short. Remember, therefore,
that what the heart conceives is but seldom accomplished, and build no hopes
upon our Society. Our aim is to be good, our desire to be humble, our study to
be wise. Wealth, honours and power we leave to the worldling, pleasure and
indolence to the vicious, and we cast in our tot with the virtuous and the pure,
pressing forward in the pursuit of wisdom. Our objects are mutual aid and
encouragement in working out the great problems of life, the advancement of
science, the propagation of knowledge, and the diffusion of that glorious
revelation, whose cardinal precepts are: This maybe
said, chanted, or sung — all rise Glory to God in the highest and
on earth peace, goodwill toward men,
All resume their seats.
Celebrant: My Brother, of your sincerity we are assured but of your zeal I demand
some proofs.
Conductor: I am ignorant of God, of Nature, and of
myself. I am surrounded with spiritual doubt and darkness. I claim — I command
to be received.
Celebrant: You have spoken truly; a bold heart may command anything, and faith can
remove the mountains of ignorance and vice. Prepare therefore to undergo the
Elemental Proofs required by the laws of our Society.
A pause
Celebrant: Let the Aspirant be conducted to the Gate of Life, where the Four
Ancients will unfold to him by the Elemental Proofs the primary secrets of
Nature and Truth.
If there is more than one
candidate, they must all participate in the Proofs, the Ancients taking the
hands of all the Aspirants, and speaking their parts once only, addressed to all, and applying the tests to each Aspirant in turn.
The Conductor leads the Aspirant
around the Temple and places him at the left hand of the First Ancient, who
rises, and taking the right hand of the Aspirant in his own left hand, places
earth upon his palm, saying: The First Ancient said, Harken,
O Aspirant, Death is the gate of life; fear not to enter therein, for in dust
are sown the seeds of immortality; and the Word is Immortal.
Ancient resumes his seat.
The Conductor leads the Aspirant
again around the Temple and places him at the left hand of the Second Ancient,
who rises, and taking the right hand of the Aspirant in his left hand, applies
the test of air to the face, saying:
And the Second Ancient said, Behold, the very air we breathe is full of
mysteries, but the love of God surpasses all things visible and invisible; and
hope is the inheritance of man on earth; and the Word is Hope
Ancient resumes his seat.
The Conductor leads the Aspirant
again around the Temple, and places him at the left hand of the Third Ancient,
who rises, and, taking the right hand of the Aspirant in his left hand, applies
the test of water by dipping his right forefinger in the water and making a
cross on the forehead, saying: And the Third Ancient said,
Let us approach with joy the House of Sanctification with clean hands and
purified hearts, for our strength is in the Most High God; and the Word is
Strengthness.
Ancient resumes his seat.
The Conductor leads the Aspirant
again around the
Temple, and places him at the left hand of the Fourth
Ancient, who rises, and, taking
the right hand of the
Aspirant in his left hand,
applies a fire near enough to allow it to be felt, saying: And the Fourth Ancient said, Let us therefore enter the Temple of
Perfection, and shrink not from the ordeal of virtue, for the wrath of God
consumeth only the impious and impenitent man. The Word is Virtue and the four
words make the sentence Immortal Hope Strengthens Virtue.
Ancient resumes his seat.
The Aspirant is again conducted
to the West.
An anthem or voluntary may now be
performed.
Celebrant: My Brother, the trials through which you have successfully passed were
ordained to test your patience and perseverance. In ancient times the knowledge
of the Most High was not revealed without due preparation on the part of the
Aspirant for the sacred mysteries. His initiation was preceded by four
purifications, viz by earth, air, water and fire as well as by signal proofs of
his morality, prudence and zeal. Having submitted with cheerfulness to the
required tests, are you likewise willing to assure us of your good faith by a
pledge of fidelity, vows not being exacted from the members of this Grade?
Aspirant: I am.
Celebrant: Do you therefore pledge your honour as a Master Mason never to reveal the
secret Ceremonial of the Mystic Circle, except in strict conformity with our
Ordinances?
Aspirant: I do.
Celebrant: Do you promise to prosecute with zeal the study of our mysteries, to
yield a ready obedience to your superiors in the Society, and to assist and
defend your Fratres of the Rose and Cross when occasion requires it?
Aspirant: I do.
Celebrant: Fratres, are you satisfied with the answers given by the Aspirant?
The Fratres all clap their hands
as a sign of assent.
Celebrant: Conduct the Aspirant to the foot of the Altar.
This is done, to a kneeling stool
there placed.
The Torch Bearer with lighted
censer precedes the Aspirant. The censer is placed immediately in front of the
Altar, in as central a position as possible, and the Torchbearer resumes his
seat.
Celebrant: As true Rosicrucians we respect the decrees of the Most High and bend the
knee to Him from Whom we derive our existence. Let us therefore kneel and pray.
Conductor assists the Aspirant to
kneel before the Altar. All Kneel.
Celebrant or Chaplain: We supplicate Thine eternal and most just goodness, O Holy Lord, Father
Almighty, Author of Light and Truth, on behalf of this Thy servant, that Thou
wouldst vouchsafe to illumine him with the Light of Thy wisdom; cleanse him and
sanctify him; give unto him true knowledge, that being made worthy of the grace
of Thy baptism, he may retain firm hope, right counsel and holy doctrine.
All the Fratres answer Amen.
The Exponent reads the first five
verses of the first chapter of the Gospel according to St John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by Him; and without
Him was not anything made that was made.
In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness
comprehended it not.
Celebrant: Rise my Brother, and receive the light of our Mystic Temple.
The Conductor raises the Aspirant
from the kneeling stool and removes the blindfold, at which moment all the
Fratres clap their hands.
Celebrant: The Lord’s Light be with you. Exponent: And
with thy spirit.
The Celebrant stands beside the
Aspirant, facing East.
Celebrant: Worthy Brother, on being restored to vision you stand before the Altar
which we raise to commemorate the spotless life of Him who was the manifested
glory of I H V H. Above the Altar are inscribed the initials of that Sacred Name
and Title which were traced in burning letters upon the Cross of the Redeemer.
Treasure in your heart, my beloved Brother, the remembrance of the Word I N R I.
Forget not that for thirty-three years He laboured
on earth in meekness and humility, a period represented by the thirty-three
lights on the Altar. The Roses allude to the beauty and grandeur of His
Resurrection from the dead, and are typical of the eternal glory of the Rose of
Sharon. The Five-pointed Star reminds us of the five points of felicity, which
are to walk with, to intercede for, to assist, to love, and to pray for our
Brethren, so as to be united with them in heart and mind.
The incense, which rises towards the luminous Star,
is a symbol of prayer which proceeds directly to the Throne of God.
Learn to fullfil the Law, for it is pleasant, and
all its paths are peace.
All except Celebrant, First &
Fourth Ancients, Conductor and candidate silently form the Mystic Circle. The
Conductor hands a white robe to the Celebrant, who then invests the Aspirant
with it, the Exponent reciting:
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment (Rev iii, 5).
Celebrant: Receive this white garment, and see thou carry it without stain before
the tribunal of the world, of your Fratres and of our Master, for so thou mayest
have eternal life.
The First & Fourth Ancients
step up and stand behind the Aspirant, and, with the Celebrant, all three place
their right hand on his head, and all three say:
We receive thee as a Frater of the Society of the Rose and Cross.
Ancients take their places in the
Mystic Circle.
Celebrant: You will now be placed in the Mystic Circle, and will join with us in
repeating the initials of the Mystic Word.
The Aspirant is placed in the
Mystic Circle by the Conductor, immediately on the right of the Celebrant.
The Celebrant passes the Mystic
Word to the West, and the Exponent returns it to the East.
Celebrant: The Mystic Word is correct. I declare the Mystic Circle to be perfect,
and the Chain of Union complete.
All clap hands once and return to
their places. Music, anthem, voluntary or choral singing. All resume their seats.
Celebrant: You will now be conducted to the outer chamber to enable you to reflect
upon the solemn ceremony through which you have just passed. Let me, therefore,
strictly enjoin you to a deportment consistent with the honour and dignity of
this Society of the Rose and Cross into whose circle you have been this day
received, a day which should be ever considered as one of the most memorable
periods of your life, inasmuch as you have voluntarily dedicated your soul to
the service of Truth and Virtue. The initials forming the Mystic Word, with
which you have been entrusted, will ensure your readmission to the Mystic Circle.
The Celebrant hands to the
Aspirant a Mystic Token; the Conductor then leads the Aspirant out of the Temple.
Zelator (Second
Part)
In the Anteroom the Aspirant,
instructed by the Acolyte, writes the initials of his Latin Motto upon the M...
T..., and awaits in a period of contemplation the order for his readmission.
In the Temple the seats of the Four Ancients are removed to the four cardinal
points of the Hall — that is, to the middle of the four sides as shown in the
second plan — the Black Pillar to the North, the Yellow to the East, the Blue
to the West, and the Red to the South.
Each Ancient sits facing East. (if the Hall is too narrow the Pillars may be
removed to the four corners, provided that the correct positions are
subsequently explained to the
Aspirant.)
All the lights upon the Altar are extinguished except three: the highest candle
and the two outside at the base of the Superaltar, thus forming a triangle of
Lights.
When all is prepared the Guardian
informs the Acolyte, who instructs the Aspirant to carry the M... T..., and to
knock three times on the Portal.
Guardian: Right (or Very) Worthy Celebrant, there is an alarm.
Celebrant: You will ascertain the cause.
Guardian: A Frater who has been chosen seeks readmission.
Celebrant: Frater Conductor, you will receive our Brother, and if you find that the
Mystic Token is signed in due form, you will admit him.
The Guardian admits ihe Aspirant,
who is received by the Conductor. The M... T... is examined, and, if it is
approved, he leads the Aspirant to the West of the Temple.
Conductor: The Aspirant brings with him the Mystic Token duly signed; he has
meditated upon the precepts of the Society and craves to be permitted to make
further progress.
Celebrant: What does he now desire?
Conductor: Light.
Celebrant: That he has already received. What
more is his request?
Conductor: More Light.
Celebrant: You will lead the Aspirant to the centre of our Temple by the seven steps
of Wisdom. This is done by the Conductor, who then
instructs the Aspirant to stand erect, facing the Altar with his arms fully
extended.
Celebrant: Worthy Brother, whence come you? Conductor,
for the Aspirant: I come from a land of shadows, where the rays of
Wisdom do but rarely penetrate.
Celebrant: Where do you now stand?
Conductor: In the symbolic centre of the Universe; my arms are extended from North to
South; my desire is to approach the radiant East and to rejoice in the Light of
Perfection.
Celebrant: You are worthily inspired, my Frater; I approve and commend your zeal,
but your progress to the goal of truth must be slow and gradual, as the
mysteries of nature are not to be unfolded to all who seek her shrine, but only
to the strong in faith and the humble in spirit. Behold me therefore
approaching you from the radiant East to communicate those secrets which have
long been cherished by the Fratres of our Society.
The Celebrant leaves his seat and
stands in front of the Altar, facing West, and says:
If a Magus is present, this
passage, up to the reading by the Exponent from Revelation, may be conducted by
him. If this is to happen, the Celebrant’s last sentence should begin
‘Behold a Magus of our Society approaching you...
Celebrant (or Magus): The Sign of a Zelator of the Society of the Rose and Cross is thus given:
raise both the hands to theforehead, palms forward, and then cross the
forefingers.
The Pass Word is Lux which signifies Light. The
figure of a cross is equivalent to the word Lux as it exhibits the letters of
which that Word is composed.
On the continent of Europe the Pass Word was not
spoken, but was given by the fingers thus making L, V, X with fingers.
The Pass Word leads to the Grand Word composed of
the Four Mystic Letters I N R I which represent the Everlasting Son, Who is the
true Light of the World and the Glory of the Father.
To obtain admission to the temple, a Zelator must
give Three and Two knocks on the Portal. The number Three refers to The Trinity,
and the number Two to the ancient Hermetic maxim ‘As above, so it is below’.
You will now take your seat while the Exponent
reads a portion of the Revelation of St John the Divine.
The Exponent reads Rev vii, 9 to
12.
Exponent: After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude which no man could number,
of all nations, and kindreds and people, and tongues, stood before the throne,
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And
cried out with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon
the throne, and Unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne,
and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their
faces, and worshipped God.
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and
thanksgiving, and honour, and power and might, be unto our God for ever and
ever. Amen.
All including Candidate sit.
The following Address is then
delivered by the Celebrant, or by a Frater chosen by him.
Frater, having passed through the various trials
required by our Ordinances and having knelt before the Altar of Light, you are
now permitted to join in the mystic labours of the Society. This privilege is
conferred only upon discreet and worthy men, to whom the revelation of
Theosophy and Hermetic Science may be safely confided. In the ceremony through
which you have been voluntarily conducted this evening, you will doubtless
have observed a similarity to certain rites practised in the Ancient Mysteries.
It is thus that we hope to lead the sincere Aspirant to the radiant realms of
intellectual Truth, and to the Court of the Everlasting I H V H.
The significance of our symbols is a most important
branch of the studies which you have promised to prosecute with zeal. This
engagement which your tongue pronounced and, we trust, your heart approved, can
be fulfilled only by diligence and perseverance. We trace the growth of our
philosophy in the perpetual advent of Sages through the remotest avenues of
Time, a grand and spiritual procession of Teachers illuminating the earth with
their wisdom. All the great and wise men of old have kindled their lamps at the
Sacred Fire in which we now rejoice.
Among the secrets of Nature, which it is now your
duty to investigate, are the mysteries of the Kabalists, which include the
demonstration of the Eternal Essence of God, the key to the government of the
Universe and the powers and properties of Numbers.
With reference to the interpretation of Numerals, I
may briefly explain the primary meaning attributed to each.
No. 1 represents God, the Unity of the Divine Being,
and the generative principle of Nature; it is typified by the central point
within a circle.
No. 2 is called the Dyad; it denotes the active and
passive qualities of Nature, male and female, Light and Darkness, Life and Death.
No. 3 is called the Majestic number, as it refers
to the Trinity, the Triple Essence of the Deity; its emblem is the equilateral
triangle, which in ancient Egypt was called the Sacred Delta; it was symbolical
of Osiris, Isis and Horns, and the Hierophant in the mysteries of Osiris
required all Candidates to take the oath of secrecy with both hands extended
over this Divine Symbol. Brahma, Vishnu and Siva form the Trinity of the Hindoos.
No. 4 is the Mystic number, and indicates the
operative influence of the four elements. Under this number, or the geometrical
square, Pythagoras communicated the ineffable Name of God to his chosen
disciples.
No. 5 is the emblem of Health and Safety; it is
also denominated the Occult number; the Pentagram was a famous talisman; it
represents Spirit and the four Elements. In our Society the Pentagram should
always appear pointing upwards, the downpointing Pentagram being an emblem of
ill omen.
No. 6 is considered an epitome of Nature, as it
presents to our view the dimensions of all things, adding to the four cardinal
or superficial points, the two lines of height and breadth; the Hexagram
representing the Planets was also a notable talisman.
No. 7 is the Perfect number, also termed the most
venerable, since it refers to the creation of the world according to the Mosaic
cosmogony.
No. 8 designates the primitive law of Nature, being
the first cube, and points out that all men are born equal; it is also esteemed
the number most to be desired, being the number of Justice.
No. 9 is called the Triple Ternary and refers to
the perfection of the spheres. It is the first square of an odd number.
No. 10 is the most sublime, as it contains the
Monad or Unity which created all things, and also the Zero, a symbol of Chaos,
out of which the world was formed. It is the foundation of the Divine Sephiroth
of the Theosophical Kabalab of the Hebrews.
No. 11 is called the Evil number; it is an omen of
Defeat or Death.
No. 12 alludes to the 12 Apostles of the Messiah,
and to the 12 signs of the Zodiac, expressing the cosmogony of Nature,
spiritually and materially.
The square of 12 — namely 144 — is the limit of
each Rosicrucian circle, and reminds us of the 72 attributes of God, which form
the names of the 72 angels who occupy the 72 rounds of the ladder of Jacob,
which is said mystically to reach from earth to heaven.
The Aspirant is again conducted
to the centre of the Temple.
Falter not therefore, my Frater, because the way
seems long and the soul is weary, but toil on towards the utmost pinnacles of
wisdom. Life itself is imaged in this, our opening ceremony; difficulties have
been placed in your path, and perils have beset you, even as obstacles present
themselves in our worldly career. Let us remember, however, that knowledge is
power, and that the Source of all wisdom will sustain our feeble steps on the journey that leads to eternal life. All rise
Be ready to exclaim like the martyrs of old: ‘HA-Ab, v’habben, v’ ha
Ruach ha Kodesh. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to Thee be all the glory.’
An Anthem may now be sung.
The newly-admitted Frater is
placed before the Altar, and the Fratres resume their seats.
The Torch Bearer proceeds to the
newly-admitted Frater and places a lighted taper in his hand. The M... T... is
burnt by the Torch Bearer, who says: As
the light of this taper, so shall your light be extinguished from among us if
you fail.
Celebrant: I now exhibit to you and shall shortly invest you with the Jewel of the
Society. It consists of a cross, the arms of equal length, on a curved shield
having the form of a lozenge or rhombus. The arms of the Cross exhibit four
times 18, that is 72, lines, having reference to the 72 rounds of the Ladder of
Jacob; in the centre is a square, representing the Square of the Universe; and
in the midst of the square is a Pentagram, that mysterious device which has
always been considered by ancients and moderns as a potent emblem. The Cross
is overlaid with Red enamel, surrounded by a Golden line; while the shield is of
White enamel with a girding line of Gold. The jewel is suspended by a Green
ribbon from a Golden bar on which are inscribed the letters S R I A. I now
invest you with the Jewel.
I exhibit to you the Warrant under which the
Convocations of this College are held.
I present to you a copy of the Ordinances of the
Society, and a copy of the By-laws of the College.
I congratulate you upon your reception as a Zelator
and express the hope that you will in due course gain such knowledge of our
mysteries as will merit your advancement to a higher grade.
You may now take a seat in the Temple among your
Fratres.
The Ancients resume their
original ‘in-line’ position
Closing
Celebrant: Very Worthy Exponent, having satisfactorily laboured to diffuse the
Light, what is our reward?
Exponent: The consciousness of having performed our duty to God and man, and more
particularly to our Fratres of the Rose and Cross.
Celebrant: With this guerdon let us be content.
Aid me to dissolve the Mystic Circle and
hermetically to seal up our secrets in the chambers of our souls.
All rise and form the M... C...
as in the Opening.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
The Fratres kneel as in the
Opening.
Celebrant or Chaplain: In the Light of Thy countenance, O Father of angels and men, we rejoice
and are glad. All bow May we leave Thy
footstool with purer hearts and clearer consciences, and may we be spared to
assemble again in this Temple of Truth. Hasten, we beseech Thee, the coming of
that day when Thy knowledge shall cover the earth, and the ftdlness of Thy glory
be revealed to all mankind.
All bow twice, and say Amen. All
rise and resume their Jormer positions.
Celebrant: By the Mystic Word I N R I I dissolve this Mystic Circle and declare the
Chain of Union imperfect until again united by the power of the Mystic Word.
All break off and clap hands.
Celebrant: The temple is closed.
Pledge of Fidelity
I (full name of Aspirant)
of (address of Aspirant)
do solemnly and sincerely declare that I am a
Master Mason holding the Certificate of a regularly constituted Grand Lodge of
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and that I seek admission to the Rosicrucian
Society, and that if admitted to membership, I will duly conform to the
Regulations
of the Society and will obey the By-Laws of the College.
Signature of Aspirant
Residence
Latin Motto of Aspirant
Date
Signature of Witness
Address of Witness
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