Introduction to the AMORC Review

You are now reading a review on the Rosicrucian Order of AMORC.

My name is Samuel Robinson and this is part one of my Reviews of the Rosicrucian Orders.

In this review you’ll find out about the Rosicrucian Order AMORC and what they teach, where they are positioned within the greater league of Rosicrucian organizations.

As with all these Rosicrucian Reviews you’ll also see the pros and cons of membership. If you are a new student, deciding which Order is right for you, you have reached the right site. You may wish to see what other Orders teach in my Reviews of the Rosicrucian Orders.

If you are a member of AMORC already, this article will help expand your understanding of your organization.

The review you are reading covers the Traditional Score of this Order in particular. All Orders examined on this website are rated using the same system of analysis. This review therefore describes how closely AMORC adheres to the original tradition as set out by founding documents of the early Rosicrucian manifestos.

Vintage postcard of AMORC’s Rosicrucian Park.

The Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis is the largest known Rosicrucian Order in the world. They claim to have some 260,000 members and lessons in all major languages. Does “bigger mean better?” Not necessarily. Here, we’ll examine the contents of study and what kind of adepts AMORC produces.

For any AMORC students reading this I suggest you refer to a few of my documents, particularly the ‘Scoring System for the Reviews,’ to help understand how this review was conducted. That particular document details the  review standard for all Orders under review, be it Golden Dawn, Martinism etc.

In fact, since my first review, a few AMORC members have contacted me a bit surprised about these standards.

The first point I wish to make for AMORC readers is to ask: do the Rosicrucian teachings you know actually come from AMORC itself or have you read older documents, say dating back to the 1600’s, and then, taking a healthy approach, have you even read some materials from outside your own Order, from other R.C groups?

If you have only read the AMORC monographs then a lot of the aspects of the original Rosicrucian tradition, before AMORC even started, may come as a surprise. Without doubt AMORC does a fine job teaching its own system, so we’ll compare it with the earliest Rosicrucian teachings and I hope this brings to you a new understanding for expanding your own studies.

In this process we’ll consider the full story.

A.M.O.R.C is a relatively late Order on the Rosicrucian scene, started in 1915 by its Imperator, Harvey Spencer Lewis. At that time several occult leaders were also starting their own “brand” of the Rosicrucian Order, each taking their own angle (Paul Foster Case, Steiner, Heindel, Clymer, Papus etc.) Each of them discarded old elements they deemed no longer necessary, ignored them or outright did not understand the early teachings.

Plus, there was also a transition between what was European and what was issued in America as “Rosicrucian.” Some of what was introduced to Americans as Rosicrucian, was in fact a repackaging of American grown ideas under the Rosicrucian mantle. This may not be a bad thing, as we do not imagine that Rosicrucianism is stagnant and should not evolve. Each leader had their own brilliance.

This issue of repackaging ideas in America is particularly true for the teachings of the “New Thought” movement, which largely taught the law of attraction and mental thought vibratory theories of the universe. These were mixed in with modern Rosicrucian teachings.

Again, this may not be a bad thing. Paul Foster Case did the same, adding New Thought ideas to the Tarot system of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. William Walker Atkinson did the same with the teachings of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor.

Now, to speak of a Rosicrucian Review we must be capable of dissecting the new from the old, the added genius each each Rosicrucian leader from the tradition they carried. That’s why reverse engineering what is Rosicrucian and what is NOT is practically impossible if your only source of information is your Order’s own monographs. The traditional aspects might be surprising if you’ve never hunkered down to find out.

Some AMORC students for example have written asking what Christianity has to do with the Rosicrucian lessons. If you find it somewhat unexpected that the Rosicrucians were Christian, then please ensure you read ALL of the following listed blog posts and read this entire blog for the best Rosicrucian definition available anywhere online. These will give you a strong historic basis in our origins, informing you about your tradition, and they will take you far beyond the monograph lessons.

The documents you need to read are:

• Reviewing the Rosicrucian Orders.
• Scoring System for the Reviews of the Rosicrucian Orders.
• Are the Rosicrucians Really Christian?
• What is Rosicrucian Pansophy?
• Why All the Nit Picking in My Rosicrucian Reviews?

Make sure you especially read the last post in particular before going any further.

Onwards!

Briefly: How the Reviews are Done

As you may have read in our scoring system, these reviews all follow a standardized review model. Without such a model they wouldn’t be objective reviews. They’d be totally biased.

Most of all, these reviews must be both helpful and open everyone to discussion. For by discussion comes understanding.

There are several issues when dealing with modern Rosicrucian beliefs, one of them being that many Orders have lost track of their origins, and secondly many Orders are closed off from the greater community, which clearly exists in a network of inter-fraternity spirit that is beyond any single organization. A movement has started.

As well, instead of appearing biased I’d like to clarify:

Only the early traditional documents were referenced in the creation of the Scoring System. We were not interested in the personal takes of those later Rosicrucian founders who developed their own ideas in the window between 1880’s to the 1930’s. Secondly, the Rosicrucian Reviews were not written alone by me (Samuel Robinson). In each review I have involved members from each Order, in this case – members of AMORC were interviewed to find out the goings on and deeper workings of the Order.

In addition, to ensure YOU, the reader get a fair overview, we’ve also invited one speaker (limited to 2 pages max) from each Order to present their own insights for any review of their beloved Order. While it is expected these would be biased, you’ll get insight into how members perceive their own organization.

Beyond following a standard structure for each Rosicrucian Review: there are also unique questions regarding each Order. For example, a common question asked for one Order might be “do they practice black magic?” and to another “Is this Order a cult” and still “Is this Order a money-making scam?”  There are weird urban legends about each Rosicrucian Fraternity. We’ll address those.

Now, onto the reviews looking at AMORC using our scoring system:

1. Trinosophia Score: worth a total of 30 points.
2. Pansophia Score: worth a total of 30 points.
3. Christosophia Score: worth a total of 20 points.
4. Wild Card Core: worth a potential bonus of 20 points.

Again, refer to my Scoring System of the Rosicrucian Reviews.

Now Let’s Review A.M.O.R.C – The New Thought Rosicrucians

The Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis is just as its name claims; it is a “mystical Order.”

There are several branches of the Rosicrucian Order that we’ll examine under its different names. Some are more magical or Hermetic in focus. Others are Kabbalistic or Theosophical.

Call AMORC what you will, it is singlehandedly responsible for popularizing the Rosicrucian name.

Now, in order to become so popular, its founder Harvey Spencer Lewis (HSL) did leverage all things “mysterious” and at times used some interesting tactics to win ground. This included HSL actually sending money to pay existing European groups to join under his banner. Over time, some of those groups abandoned their old practices for those of AMORC, as is understandable. HSL had a systematic approach, temple monographs and brought unity.

Fortunately, some jurisdictions of AMORC still practice elements of their pre-HSL days. This brings special diversity in some far away outpost across Europe where old Rosicrucianism is still found.

Not that those individual groups are willing to share much about it with AMORC headquarters though. Today such older traditions need to be worked hush-hush and hats off to them for keeping it going!

In the review we’ll also examine the claims made by AMORC as there is a gap between the claims made, in terms of both their history and what they claim to teach, and some sore realities.

Briefly, some of the stranger claims made by AMORC included: the organization is descended from a long buried Egyptian pharaoh and his school of wisdom: the organization of AMORC undergoes a 108-year cycle. AMORC is guided by the Great White Brotherhood: black magic does not affect members of AMORC (or for them black magic does not exist). Harvey Spencer Lewis performed a public demonstration of his powers of alchemy, effectively transmuting a piece of zinc into a nugget of gold. The secret true history of Jesus Christ was known to AMORC alone which I’ll describe below.

Perhaps there is some truth to some of it. We’ll get to the bottom of this here.

An extra point should be said regarding my original AMORC Review:

Some felt the original Review of 2014 was unfair or too negative. Quite a few AMORC members had a hand in presenting their ideas and statements to the review. One figure from AMORC, in our Rosicrucian Tradition community on Facebook, also wrote his own “Review of AMORC” using my famous scoring system. Although it was obviously biased and not objective, I’ve decided to include his statements to allow someone from AMORC to have a more direct say on the overall review. All his feedback is included. 🙂

Now, let the scoring commence!

AMORC Trinosophia Score

The first score examined is the Trinosophia Score. The word means ‘Three Arts of Wisdom.’ The manifestos specify the paths of Alchemy, Cabala and Magic as being the true arts of the Rosicrucians.

In terms of Trinosophia, Khunrath was a big influence here seeing that before the publication of the Rosicrucian manifestos, in the 1600’s, his work describes them as the true agencies towards regeneration. His symbols were also the Rose and Cross and he drew geometric talismans for seven sided cities which would later become symbolized in the seven-sided tomb of Christian Rosenkreuz.

Here is how AMORC stacks up in terms of their Trinosophia Score.

For Cabala, Alchemy and Magic AMORC could get ten points each for a potential total of thirty.

AMORC Cabala Score

“Kabala is dealt with in various AMORC degrees. Each time it is re-introduced it is from a higher perspective and a more in-depth approach. A supplementary course on the kabala consisting of 22 monographs is also offered to members once they have reached a certain degree. There are also kabala classes offered in lodges. It should be stressed however that AMORC perpetuates an inner study of kabala rather than a purely intellectual one. While members are encouraged to study the diagrammatic “tree of life”, it’s various “sephiroth”, number correspondences and also to read the “Zohar” and Sepher Yetzirah”, they are advised to go within and to meditate deeply on the mystical dimension of this ancient tradition for the mind must ultimately yield to the spirit in order to comprehend the greater mysteries.” John Appleton, AMORC.

AMORC does have a set of 22 monographs teaching Cabala which you can access through your Rosicrucian membership. Though this series is introductory at best it does provide something to score here because at least they have a set of documents of their own.

The monographs themselves however are not a part of the main course of study and are given as an elective, should students become interested. Since the early days of AMORC these monographs have been available for students of the fourth degree or higher. I don’t know how much they cost.

The lessons consist of historical discourses; an overview of the Tree, the theory of divine names and the four worlds. Unfortunately, the lessons are missing anything that remotely looks like an actual Kabbalistic transmission. Most of the early Rosicrucians had some sort of Rabbinical or oral transmission which was demonstrated by a real in-depth knowledge (consider the Asiatic Brethren and the lineages they acquired which were transmitted to later Rosicrucian schools). AMORC’s Kabbalah monographs are so lacking that the student would become far better informed by reading anything else available from Amazon.com. Instead, try William Grey’s books, which shows a master at work.

I repeat, there is nothing in AMORC’s Kabbalistic monographs that is not in a published book. If your approach to Kabbalah is purely mystical, done in the form of directly meditating and receiving the wisdom yourself, this is good and well.

At the same time, the total lack of anything that looks like a living Kabbalistic teaching is of course a problem for an Order that claims to know esoteric secrets and hold ancient lineages.

I decided to run a test of sorts by speaking to AMORC members. When I picked a few lodges and asked for a lecture on the Kabbalah from its members and I was given blank stares. This is a bad sign. In contrast there are several other Rosicrucian organizations that ensure every single student can converse Kabbalistically. I like my friends at AMORC so I hope this is motivation for taking up this angle to further their traditional R.C studies.

You never know, after reading this maybe AMORC lifts its game 🙂

For me, the hallmark of an active and living Kabbalistic transmission means that; a student should be able to receive Kabbalistic teachings that are not readily found anywhere online, published or otherwise. Yes there should be a direct mystical experience. But, there are a ton of secret teachings associated to a living lineage.

Yes, we do raise the bar high at Pansophers. We want students to get the best, not empty promises.

Where AMORC does touch upon Cabala more deeply is through its magazine publication; the Rosicrucian Digest. Bear in mind however that submissions to this magazine also do not constitute the views of the Order itself but rather the views of individual authors, many of whom are non-AMORC members, but the exposure starts here.

All in all AMORC gets 1/10 for their Cabala Score because there is nothing in the main monographs. The majority of Amorc students just aren’t learning Kabbalah. The 1 point awarded is for at least having something, even if it’s nowhere as good as say books by Gareth Knight, William Grey or Paul Foster Case. AMORC is guilty here of quickly putting together “something” to cover all bases. Not good enough, but easy to fix!

There may be one more area where AMORC has a little more.

AMORC also has a section called the Traditional Martinist Order (TMO.) This side Order is basic Martinism and is another story in itself. It teaches Cabala and is far closer to the three pillars of the Rosicrucian tradition, but again these lessons and influences do not enter into the main series of monographs.

AMORC Traditional Martinist Order lessons.

See my Martinist Order Review where I cover this topic in full.

There is a major conflict between the Martinist Order and AMORC however.

In most of the European Orders, that feature Martinism, there has always been an established approach to advance students. The fact is, normally Martinism serves as an Outer Order for the Rosicrucians. It normally serves to teach the basics, and exist as a stepping-stone to the higher RC Orders behind it, including the Elus Cohens and Rose Croix d’Orient, OKR+C or FAR+C. Thus, several Rosicrucian Orders in France, Sweden, Italy and Belgium utilize Martinism as an introduction to greater things yet to come.

Where AMORC here shoots itself in the foot in that for them the TMO is a kind of ‘higher teaching’ which basically means the lowest teachings of most Rosicrucian bodies here serve as the cream of what AMORC has to offer. I did mention this in an online AMORC group, and it immediately got me kicked off.

There are many branches of the Martinist Order and my other review covers it in full. AMORC’s version of Martinism is unfortunately also quite watered down. Its monograph lessons are far nicer in my opinion so your AMORC studies, imho, has to include these. In the world of Martinism they are light weight, but they are still very nice.

We think that the price you pay to join TMO to learn Kabbalah or the price you invest into AMORC’s side Kabbalistic lessons would be far better spent on Amazon.com. I recommend this book here, you’ll learn a lot more and get your money’s worth. If its enlightenment you seek then waste no time and go for the good stuff.

AMORC Alchemy Score

“AMORC is certainly alchemical in nature. This is another of its key teachings. Physical alchemy is addressed in our degree work (albeit as a condensed study). However, we also have a large alchemical museum and archive of alchemical manuscripts available to our members. In practical application Spiritual alchemy is AMORC’s primary focus. This is dealt with rather in-depth in both our written and oral tradition.” John Appleton, AMORC.

AMORC has a Rosicrucian Digest which features fourteen nice articles on alchemy, covering alchemical art, symbolism and its history. Though not part of the main monograph system it’s fair to say there is some interest from members. This definitely brings AMORC closer to the original tradition.

AMORC has had two recent and most prominent alchemical figures grace their membership, even teaching classes on laboratory Alchemy as a side-study in AMORC classrooms.

Their names were Frater Albertus and Jean Dubuis, both brilliant authors. Albertus helped increase interest in plant alchemy and Dubuis is the real master here. In fact, Jean Dubuis’ own protégé and successor visited me a while back here in Germany. Anything written by Dubuis is brilliant. He wrote courses on Alchemy, Cabala and Magic and was an ideal Rosicrucian.

Unfortunately for AMORC in both cases Albertus and Dubuis departed from the AMORC banner, and completely separated themselves from it, simply because they found the big-brother politics too restricting. Leadership felt threatened by their brilliance (they were teaching the good stuff after all), and both teachers left to found their own organizations – the Albertus College and the Philosophers of Nature, where they could teach unrestrained. Since then AMORC hasn’t had many real alchemist to be proud of.

AMORC presented the “first ever Alchemy Museum in America.” The launch was June 2015 and ‘Classes on plant and mineral alchemy were presented by visiting alchemists and herbalists.’ The word ‘visiting’ here confirms they don’t have their own alchemist anymore. If they did, they would advertise their own experts. Still it’s an exciting opportunity with much eye candy.

Interestingly, AMORC claims that their founder Harvey Spencer Lewis actually carried out an alchemical transmutation before an audience in 1916. He is said to have transmuted a piece of zinc into gold, however alchemist Russ House (student of Jean Dubuis) stated that the piece does not weigh as much as real gold should. Later one-time AMORC Imperator Gary L Stewart lived up to his reputation as a demystifier by stating that the zinc piece was merely electroplated by Lewis, which is really a common process and stage trickery at best. Gary Stewart has no reason to lie about this as the heir to the lineage as former Imperator of AMORC and now Imperator of CR+C.

Since my original of 2014 more information has come to light:

Anthony Bruce Flemming recently revealed newspaper clippings showing that HSL, prior to AMORC, was in fact a salesman for a company that sold a commercial product for electroplating metallic items with gold. It was the American Voltite Company and Lewis sold its paste powder to their customers.

In terms of rating their traditional score AMORC has definitely paid attention to alchemy. The Alchemy Museum sounds like a great incentive and is a great place to see alchemy presented at its finest. It can be seen though, between this grand display and the old claims of HSL’s transmutation miracle, that both these examples excessively draw upon the mystery of the alchemist themselves rather than the real teaching.

Where AMORC loses out on their Alchemy Points is due to not teaching anything about alchemy in their monograph lessons where other Orders do. The main body of AMORC students simply do not have access to anything for serious study.

There is of course the problem of some things being represented as “spiritual alchemy” which could mean many things. By and large, developing your third eye is considered spiritual alchemy these days. But that does not constitute what may be termed “Rosicrucian Spiritual Alchemy” seeing that as a minimum our spiritual alchemy at least has always represented, and is a mirror of, actual laboratory phases of transmutation. Thus, we have to be careful with the language as “spiritual alchemy’ is a nice word, especially when it is separated from traditional alchemy for any use.

AMORC gets 3/10 for their alchemy score. The Alchemy Museum is probably quite an investment. But because this review is for potential students looking to join an Order it’s about what everyone gets at home, not only those who can afford to travel.

Even if they had covered more on alchemical art and symbolism in the monographs this score would dramatically change. But AMORC has pushed the traditional aspects to side studies in most cases.

And, as usual, our ultimate test is talking with students who have studied with their Order for at least ten years. Questions of alchemy from a random selection of AMORC students were not answered so well. In my survey however I did find one person who was quite expert. He had studied with Jean Dubuis side group.

I like to think that most people are after the real thing, and that students can have access to genuine Rosicrucian teachings in their monographs. However not everyone will agree. If you are happy to join an Order that has all the ‘mystery of alchemy’ without having to do anything yourself then AMORC is suitable. Hopefully readers here are looking for more than claiming mystery through membership.

By now, you’re probably thinking I’ve got in in for AMORC. No, I really don’t. I do deeply care about our tradition though.

Again, you should read my other post “Why All the Nit Picking of Orders in your Reviews?”

AMORC Divine Magic Score

“AMORC practices Sacred Science which might be considered as magic to the uninitiated. The difference between AMORC and other “magical” orders is that AMORC uses less “props” and encourages members to ultimately “create” through Mind alone. The Order also seeks to explain the underlying causes and process of mental creation to the student, thereby removing any superstitious beliefs and providing the “Magus” with an in-depth understanding of the internal creative process.” John Appleton, AMORC.

The Rosicrucian manifestos state quite clearly that Magic is one of their arts. Here in AMORC we enter into interesting territory, because magic might mean many things.

For some it means ritual magic, magical circles, seals and planetary hours. For others it seems to be the “Law of Attraction” and manifestation. Most of AMORC’s ideas on the law of attraction were derived from the New Thought movement (which I’ll get into another day), because William Walker Atkinson had a major hand in handing his materials over to Harvey Spencer Lewis.

Since then, a lot of New Thought ideas have been a part of AMORC.

AMORC students know them as ‘cosmic laws’ without really knowing their full origin. That does not matter imho. It’s all in their application and applying such laws to your life, regardless of their origins.

Still, they certainly weren’t ideas from the older European Rosicrucian transmissions that HSL had contact with, however this does not mean the New Thought ideas are at all bad. In fact, some are quite useful.

There is pretty much nothing going on in AMORC that looks like magical work. Up until the 1970’s they employed the use of black mirrors, generally known as the art of Skrying.

This magical technique is quite powerful. I have personally used it for investigating the Rosicrucian impulse and the results were amazing. Not only that, but angelic intelligences may be called into the mirror. Yet, several members of AMORC reported ‘seeing strange things’ that disturbed them, which is why AMORC leadership did away with the black mirror technique.

It’s a shame because it was one of the most powerful methods they had. When Jean Dubuis left AMORC to found his Philosophers of Nature course they took the black mirror technique with them and re-employed it to further their alchemy pursuits. Currently Gary Stewart’s OMCE (side Order of his Confraternity of the Rose Cross) still uses the original AMORC magic mirror method.

Modern AMORC here threw out the baby with the bathwater.

On the right I show the personal magic mirror of AMORC founder Harvey Spencer Lewis, which he used for divination!

There have been debates about where AMORC stands in terms of magical practice. Mention anything like the Golden Dawn or its magical practices to AMORC members and you either get strange opinions or ‘I don’t like that sort of thing.’ For the most part AMORC appears to be against magical practice and this can be seen through the process of their gradual removal of any magical references in their course.

One of the differences I should point out is that Rosicrucian magic was never a materialist art of manifesting things into your life because you “want to have good stuff” around the house.

Rosicrucian magic is theurgical, involving regeneration from angelic powers and even involved aligning the government and world leaders to planetary positions to create reformation.

I’ll leave that for another post. All in all, none of this is learnt at this Rosicrucian Order.

AMORC gets a Magical Score of 0/10 and falls flat here in terms of R.C Tradition.

If you do study with AMORC and wish to indeed add some magical practices to your studies, then I recommend you get this book here by John Michael Greer.

This also means that:

IN TOTAL AMORC GETS 4/30 POINTS FOR THEIR TRINOSOPHIA SCORE

This may seem a bit harsh, but in the monographs you get with your AMORC membership, there are no Rosicrucian Secrets to learn, everything can easily be found in openly published books.

Because of this, to help improve the Trinosophia score for your own studies, I have added some recommended reading at the end of this review to help expand your studies.

AMORC Pansophia Score

“This may be likened to the “Primordial Tradition” which AMORC claims to perpetuate. Rather than limiting itself to one particular field of study, it investigates various branches of knowledge while always returning to the “trunk” and “roots” of the Tree of Knowledge and pointing out how the various parts are related to the whole. The entire degree system is structured in this way. Part of AMORC’s curriculum includes a study of the works of the philosopher “Cormenius” (considered to be the spiritual Father of UNESCO) and the “Panpedia,” or Universal Education of all humanity.” John Appleton, AMORC.

This section examines elements of the Rosicrucian manifestos most Orders entirely ignore. In fact, it is here that AMORC does well compared with other Orders and has some solid legs to stand on.

Pansophy has three scores: the Utopian Score, Social Reformation Quest and a Universal Schemata Score.

Each is worth a potential 10 for a maximum of 30 points.

In addition to this, we also look for a fourth element, known as the Maiden and the Sprig amongst Pansophers, which is an essential element of Pansophia and the early Rosicrucian movement. In our scoring system you saw this as the Pansophic Sophianic Deliverance.

AMORC Utopian Vision & Reformation Score

“The active work towards a “Global Reformation” is also a component of AMORC tradition. Not only are members educated in expanding the boundaries of their traditional models of thinking but the “Rose-Croix University International” (R.C.U.I.) delivers seminars and workshops to the public in order to contribute to the education of society as a whole on various fields including: science, mysticism, the arts, psychology, parapsychology, religion, medicine, healing etc.___The R.C.U.I. has also signed up to the ‘United Nations’ Global Compact, undertaking to spread the ten principles pertaining to human rights, international labour standards, environmental protection, and the combatting of corruption. The Order is therefore joining in with the great worldwide objectives of society for a better future.___AMORC is officially recognised as a public interest by various governments in Countries which they operate for their contribution to the preservation of cultural, spiritual and moral ethics. The public Manifesto “Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis” (2001), calls for a universal reformation in the spheres of politics, economics, religion, science, ecology etc.___The public Manifesto “Appellatio Fratenitatis” (2014.), is “an appeal for Spirituality, Humanism, Ecology.” John Appleton, AMORC.

AMORC successfully embraces some elements of Pansophy and here wins positive points.

I’ve decided to examine the Utopian Vision and the Social Reformation Quest together because AMORC has released two key documents which demonstrate both values.

In the realm of Reformation, they present a document titled the ‘Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis.’

They describe it saying, ‘Imperator Christian Bernard introduced the Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis, a document informing the public of AMORC’s position regarding today’s world situation, the dangers threatening it, and the future prospects we wish for all.’

One of the reasons so many other Orders take a swipe at AMORC is that this Order lays claim to being THE authority of all Rosicrucian bodies. My good friend Milko Boogard has written a great historical book on AMORC which shows a few inconsistencies and this shows up in their Traditional Score. One of the biggest mistakes AMORC makes is that they claim HSL ‘rescued’ the Rosicrucian Order by  bringing it to America, as in Europe it would begin to fail due to the rise of fascism.

Ironically, HSL says he was given this mission by his French superiors, even though the Rosicrucians were a German Order… so that meanwhile the Rosicrucians in Germany were still doing just fine under the guidance of Alois Mailander. It seems when HSL was given this “mission” no-one bothered to contact the original German R.C about these ideas.

AMORC still considers itself the highest R.C authority stating ‘‘we, the Deputies of the Supreme Council of the Rosicrucians, have judged that the time has come to light the fourth R+C Torch.”

Further, AMORC perceives its own publication as the ‘forth’ Rosicrucian manifesto, seeing that most people believe that only three manifestos were ever written. This was a big mistake.

This shows they had not taken into account the three additional manifestos, making for a total of six which were actually published. If AMORC were the ‘true Rosicrucians’ then theirs would be the seventh.

Let me make this point clear for the sake of justifying this review:

The three main manifestos were the Fama, the Confession and the Wedding.

Two more were published in 1618, the first being the ‘Mirror of Wisdom of the Rosy Cross,’ the second being the ‘Pegasus of the Firmament a Brief Introduction to the Pansophy of the Rosy Cross.’ Both of these describe Pansophy and the Pegasus document is quite interesting because it opens with directions from Apollo. The importance of this symbolism here is that it reflects the Hermetic setting of the first TRUE manifesto; being the ‘Reformation of the Whole Wide World by Order of Apollo.’

In effect the Fama was an answer to the call for reformation commanded by Apollo, and the other tracts continue to unfold this event, making in total six manifestos, ending with Apollo again. Bingo.

The writing style of each of the original six manifestos is elaborate, brilliant and most importantly MULTI-LAYERED. This ‘forth’ manifesto produced by AMORC simply lacks these qualities and borrows the surface language of the earlier three, almost making it a “wannabe.”

AMORC’s Positio is most definitely sincere. It is an address to the famines and wars, and all such turmoil humanity still presently suffers. It is a reminder of our potential and with hope aims us towards the idea that enlightenment for all individuals is the key to world peace. This idea is new to Rosicrucianism.

The document also touches upon Utopian ideas, for example quoting Plato “Utopia is the form of Ideal Society. Perhaps it is impossible to achieve it on Earth, and yet a wise man must place all his hopes in it.” I like that they reference this but where I feel it falls flat is where it claims that the United Nations is the beginning of the coming ‘one world government.’

That sounds much too New World Order to my liking, and they lose points for this.

After all, the utopian aims of the original Rosicrucians of the 1600’s were described through talisman-cities (on a higher plane of thought) and they alone sought its manifestation through the vehicle of education (not esoteric enlightenment for all). I find this modus operandi of targeting education extremely wise on the part of the original Rosicrucians, as they foresaw; we wouldn’t know what such a political system might look like until everyone was educated enough or enlightened enough to figure it out. In other words – don’t try to bugger around with politics in occultism. Follow a more pragmatic way. For the original Rosicrucians there was personal “enlightenment” of the soul and “enlightenment” of the state through education for all. I like that.

All in all, considering that many Orders fail to even embrace this Pansophic element AMORC deserves credit. It is not the best but at least they keep true to this major aspect of our roots.

AMORC gets a total of 4 out of 10 for their Utopian score.

If you are wondering at the difference between the Reformation and Utopian scores:

• Reformation is the call to change things NOW.
• Utopian is the vision for how things will be in FUTURE.

One steers the ship, the other is the compass.

This is why the Positio of AMORC more so relates to the Reformation score rather than the Utopian.

AMORC refers to their ‘Appellatio’ document, saying that some may ‘consider it somewhat utopian.’

Discussing themes such as money, politics and God vs. atheism this work is rather mundane compared to the high utopian visions presented by our Rosicrucian forefathers. I have to say it was tiresome reading for me personally.

The style in which it is written appears to be written with marketing in mind on AMORC’s part. It has clearly been written to appeal to the new-age market, describing themes of consciousness and near-death experiences and describes itself as non-secular and non-racist. Good on them for the anti-racism thing! But also boo for removing some of the most important symbols of power from the Rosicrucian current.

The real miss-hap with this treatise is that it is a total waste of opportunity.

The author asserts that the Positio is in the lineage and fashion of the great Rosicrucian manifestos of the 1600’s and that this Appellatio (they claim) is an extension of that, as an address to their earlier work. BUT where the original manifestos of the 1600’s created uproar, I mean UPROAR, for politicians, theologians and clergy alike, these two treatises from AMORC come off as impotent and flat.

Where the originals will remain important pieces in occult history these two ‘manifestos’ from AMORC will be forgotten. They are completely unremarkable, forgettable and tiresome.

Thus, AMORC gets a 3/10 for their Reformation Score. It simply lacks the bang for your buck.

AMORC Universal Schemata and Sophianic Deliverance Score

The final aspect of Pansophy is the universal schemata which should not only appear as a backbone to the teachings of the Order, but it should provide a model in which to view everything.

And I mean everything in the entire universe.

The other aspect of Pansophy is following a blueprint which some myths repeat, such as the legend of Arthur and his Knights on the Grail Quest, and the legends of Isis and Osiris, described here.

In terms of the Sophianic mythic cycle being repeated there is zero presence in AMORC, however because they teach that ‘the universe is made up of vibration’ they do tend to view the universe as some sort of cosmic field. However, this barely comes close to anything related to the universal Pansophic system expounded by early Rosicrucians. It’s just too ‘New Agey’ to be called Pansophy.

AMORC gets 0/10 for their Universal Schemata Score.

IN TOTAL AMORC GETS 7/30 POINTS FOR THEIR PANSOPHY SCORE

At this point, the reader might assume “Sam hates AMORC” which I heard after the first version of this review was published. This is not the case at all. Plenty of my friends study with AMORC.

It is simply a matter of knowing how high the original Rosicrucians set the bar and seeing what the Orders (all Orders) are doing now in comparison, and this is, after all, a call to raise the bar for everyone.

AMORC Hermetic Christianity Score

“AMORC has Christian mysticism and refers to Jesus specifically as the Great Initiate. It also delves into the Mysteries of the Essenes, Gnosticism and Early Christianity. What is however very important to AMORC is the original Christ message which is not confined to the limits of what modern Christianity has become. AMORC points out the Universal message, the “Brotherhood of man” and the universal Being, as well as the spirit of Christ which exists in all humans, regardless of race, color or creed. It therefore points out the golden thread in the teachings of all of the great avatars. Suggesting that the “Solar Christ” / “Solar Consciousness” is not a key aspect to AMORC teachings would be an error.” John Appleton, AMORC. 

Most Rosicrucian aspirants know that the Rosicrucian tradition has something to do with Christianity. All of the Rosicrucian writers and proponents were Christian and followed the Christ spirit, yet its only recently, say in the last 150 years, that we have seen Orders that shy away from Christ symbols.

This is probably why AMORC students at times ask me “what does Christ have to do with Rosicrucians?” as if they have never heard of any connection between the two whatsoever. I find this highly ironic and at the same time refreshing. We don’t need “one true Rosicrucian Order” as imho what we need are various versions, each presenting a different approach showing the ways the pendulum can swing within the realm of this beautiful tradition. That being said I have mentioned in defining my Scoring System of the Rosicrucian Orders that if there is no Christ present it means there is no Rosicrucian current.

Christ is most definitely revered in the original manifestos. But I like the way AMORC also welcomes everyone and seeks to be non-sectarian. Certainly, Jesus himself is seen in the Bible to carry out healings and blessings to anyone of any race or religion, which in itself at the time certainly was a new revelation, so AMORC carries that spirit here. If only they hadn’t dropped this symbolism entirely.

AMORC Christ Symbol Score

Harvey Spencer Lewis originally included teachings relating to Christ in his original monographs. His son Ralph Lewis expanded on those ideas, however the AMORC of today is a different expression.

I will say that some of the original ideas of Lewis were a bit ‘out there’ and seem to have been drawn from other sources. Those ideas basically stated that Christ did not die on the cross, did not ascend to heaven, and retired to a monastery in Carmel to carry on a secret mission with his apostles. In other words: AMORC claims to have insider knowledge to the true events of Christ and therein claims an actual historic-spiritual continuation directly from Christ but exclusively known to them alone.

But the AMORC of today is not the AMORC of Harvey Spencer Lewis. Since the aggressive takeover by Christian Bernard (who removed the rightful Imperator Gary L. Stewart) AMORC no longer covers such ideas, either choosing to steer clear of such theological meddling or because it looks just looks a bit cloak and dagger, nearly ‘Da Vinci Code’ in fact. It might be positive or a form of avoiding earlier mistakes. Probably a good move I’d say, as it leaves room open for your own beliefs.

Gary L Stewart continues to use the original monographs of older AMORC and despite the story told by HSL I find that Gary Stewart certainly approaches them with level headedness in his CR+C Order, meaning that not only does he teach the old ideas but also promotes the idea of ‘traditional history’ as set in motion by Ralph Lewis.

Ralph Lewis basically separated mythic or historical ‘stories’ from actual historical facts. For example the myth of Ormus starting the Rosicrucian Order in Egypt is a traditional history (mythic). Traditional history cannot be proven and therefore belongs to the ‘tradition’ itself as the lore of the Order. This certainly is a level headed approach and helps separate fact from fiction. Well done to Ralph Lewis.

The AMORC under its present Imperator Bernard instead of teaching anything related to the ‘hidden’ history of Jesus Christ only mentions Christ in passing. Some members now claim that Jesus was in fact a Rosicrucian himself! Don’t believe me? Check this –

Dr. Kenneth Idiodi, a member of AMORC for some fifty years and president of AMORC in Africa, wrote in  defense of AMORC (against claims AMORC was a cult) here. (Note: since it was circulated in our Facebook group those statements have now been deleted!) I would like to point out that his article contains some often-heard statements repeated by AMORC members online in blogs or forums.

He writes for example: ‘According to our records, the three wise men, were part and parcel of the tradition of the Essene Brotherhood, ‘the White Brotherhood,’ therefore in our opinion and to our knowledge, we refer to Jesus Christ as one of our great masters.’

Here an actual president of AMORC is outright saying that Jesus Christ was one of the great Rosicrucian masters. Later he also writes ‘AMORC, has been in existence for about 3500 years now, as an organised philosophical and mystical organization.’ It’s safe to say this is ‘traditional history’ meaning not a fact but unfortunately AMORC members do tend to mix up their mythical origins from actual events.

Instead of correcting such statements or denying them, AMORC headquarters remains silent, as its to their benefit if members around the world (especially in countries with less education) believe such.

The facts are; AMORC was started in 1915 by Harvey Spencer Lewis who changed the story of his ‘Rosicrucian initiation’ several times, as did his son. These inconsistencies have been pointed out by Rosicrucian historian Milko Boogard in his book on AMORC’s history. As I said, during the time Lewis claimed to be ‘rescuing’ the Rosicrucian tradition from extinction several Orders were in fact already in existence, had been in existence for quite some time, and operated just fine without needing any ‘rescue.’ This story of his mission to ‘rescue the Order’ continues today in AMORC with revere.

AMORC gets 3/10 for their Christ Symbol Score.

AMORC Syncretic Hermetic Elements Score

Hermetic studies are also central to AMORC system. As with kaballa, hermetism is dealt with in various degrees which unfold in greater depth as the student progresses. A course of supplementary monographs on Hermetism / Alchemy is also available to the student after reaching a certain degree. John Appleton, AMORC.

Deriving from Egypt, Hermetic teachings are definitely intertwined with the Rosicrucian current. In fact, the words ‘Rosicrucian’ and ‘Hermetic’ are quite inseparable. That being said the Rosicrucian tradition is neither Christian nor Hermetic in their traditional sense but is a union of the two.

What does this mean?

The Hermetic teaching essentially represents an Egyptian form of Gnosis, that is to say; a form of transcending normal consciousness into super consciousness. This is where AMORC does well in their traditional score and they even have a set of monographs covering the Hermetica for optional learning.

The best part is that the Hermetica has an Egyptian origin (deriving from the Egyptian sage Hermes) and AMORC similarly represents Egyptian symbols throughout their lessons and rituals.

Their Rosicrucian Park in San Hose is a testimony to the Egyptian heritage flowing through the Rosicrucian tradition. AMORC’s Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is also located at the same center. Their collection is beautiful, they have amazing items but some of the structures featured at the park do appear to somewhat represent a movie-set from 1960’s Cleopatra type movies.

Without doubt AMORC has one of the best collections in terms of Egyptian influences. They are second only to the Lectorium Rosicrucianum, which host the largest Rosicrucian manuscript collection in the entire world.

The Egyptian tradition emerging behind AMORC is quite interesting in that where a lot of these influences derive from is a cross pollination via Egyptian Freemasonry, largely known as the Rite of Memphis Misraim. This is probably new information for quite a few AMORC students.

The symbols of both Orders are very similar but the Rite of Memphis Misraim started in the 1830’s.

The Seal of AMORC derives from the Memphis Misraim lodges of Theodore Reuss in Germany, and the famous three-sided altar piece known as the Shekinah was actually conceived by Cagliostro who founded Egyptian Freemasonry in the 1780’s. These influences have flowed into AMORC and I see this as positive because the Rite of Memphis Misraim is a very Rosicrucian tradition unto itself.

The Rite of Memphis Misraim is the fourth tradition in my series of reviews with its own blog post. It’s so influential that AMORC in many ways is Egyptian Masonry without its builder’s legend.

In fact, Harvey Spencer Lewis was initiated into the Rite of Memphis Misraim in 1934, and was given the 86^th, 87^th, 88^th , 89^th and 90^th degrees at a F.U.D.O.S.I conference. On this particular day a reorganization of the M.M was decided amongst Rosicrucian leaders, including HSL. Over several days of discussion the various Rosicrucian leaders agreed that the Memphis Misraim had to be of a “Rosicrucian source.”

Actually, this is true considering its vein from Cagliostro, the one-time Rosicrucian grand master. Historian and friend Milko Bogaard writes: “According to F.U.D.O.S.I this would be a ‘Rosicrucian Renewal,’ carried out by the First Imperator of the Rosicrucian Order, Harvey Spencer Lewis.”

Thus, the F.U.D.O.S.I Rite of Egyptian Masonry was given to HSL to reform, and a lot of this influence went into the ongoing development of the ritual tradition used at AMORC in years to come.

I’ve covered a full story on AMORC and its ritual tradition in Memphis Misraim here.

In terms of correlating these influences to the Rosicrucian manifesto documents there seems to be too much emphasis being placed on the Egyptian origins by AMORC. The early Hermetic influences certainly reveal Egyptian and Greek gods at work behind the early Rosicrucian tradition, but these powers were intended by the original Rosicrucians to enter into a receptacle in the form of a talisman shaped holy city, a holy conclave or seven-sided tomb which is occupied by syncretic Christian mystics.

But let’s face it: Christianity is out of vogue in spiritual circles and the Egyptian is more glamorous.

My deep respect for AMORC here is that they have successfully redirected the influences and have taken what works. They have taken the best of Memphis Misraim without the masonic aspect. They have also taken the Rosicrucian tradition and removed the need to be Christian which I see as being positive in terms of offering a different flavor to the broad ranger of the greater Rosicrucian tradition. Other Rosicrucian Orders also under review require members to be Trinitarian Christian which I view as preserving older forms of our tradition. Both forms of the R.C are also needed imho. Here, I find AMORC’s approach to be inclusive and well-rounded in this respect. They may have lost some of their valued authentic lineage by cutting back certain elements of the Memphis Misraim tradition itself, which (in terms of initiation ritual work) is superior in comparison.

For their Hermetic Score AMORC gets 5/10. They don’t represent many practical aspects of Hermetic lore such as magic and planetary ascension, but they offer the best bang for your buck in Egyptian symbolism.

In fact, the 5/10 is quite generous. Hermetica is serious study and its quite a complex subject. Many Rosicrucian Orders take it far more seriously. In this respect, AMORC, has done something similar with Hermetica as it did with its approach to the amount of its alchemical teachings vs. its alchemical museum. AMORC has borrowed all the glamour of the Egyptian motif without teaching actual Hermetic application in any depth.

AMORC students should read this book to get a better foundation.

Minus Points for Gnosticism Review?

As some of my readers know, while I do look for Christian forms of mysticism within Rosicrucian Orders I also find Gnosticism a very poor substitute. As per my Scoring System of the Rosicrucian Orders, any Order representing Gnosticism will lose points and be penalized. See my scoring system to find out why in detail.

I explained how the Gnostics hated Nature and the Rosicrucians saw Nature as a great revealer for one thing, and for another in Gnosticism the female had fallen (Sophia) whereas in the German Boehme and Rosicrucian Pansophic systems it was the masculine that fell and the female in contrast became the guiding redeemer. These differences are very important to understand.

Gnosticism saw nature as a material prison for the soul. Rosicrucianism sees the Book of Nature as a wonderous gift of revelation and its revelation is opened to you by attaining the Word.

AMORC does not represent Gnosticism much and does well to represent the mystery of Nature. No points are lost here. AMORC’s Negative Gnostic score is -0/10 which is means no penalty points.

IN TOTAL AMORC GETS 8/20 POINTS FOR THEIR HERMETIC CHRISTIANITY SCORE

Again, if you are upset that I have scored AMORC on their Christianity Score then please read my “Are the Rosicrucians REALLY Christians?” blog post which explains the matter. Don’t only rely on monographs because Order lessons are only second-hand teachings. Look at your sources people!

AMORC 20 Points Wild Card Score

“A great part of AMORC’s tradition rests on healing (individual and collective). One of our largest degrees deals exclusively with healing techniques which are regarded as a part of the tradition of the Essenes. Members are encouraged to heal the sick and those in need, gratis, as is their Rosicrucian duty. All, Pronaoii, Chapters and Lodges have healing Committees. Every Grand Lodge has a “Council of Solace”. Every Convocation has a healing session. To members of AMORC healing is not only limited to the alleviation of physical imbalance but also to imbalances of the mind and the affects which such imbalances have on ourselves, our environment and society as a whole. The Universal Medicine might be considered to be the Knowledge which frees humanity from the dis-ease and bondage in which it currently finds itself.” John Appleton, AMORC.

The 20 points wild card is where Orders have the chance to really win in terms of tradition.

Bear in mind that these points are given in relation to tradition, as opposed to spiritual value. I do intend to examine a Spiritual Score for the monographs someday. Where AMORC packs some serious oomph is in its temples and the sheer grandeur of AMORC lodge set-up truly deserves credit.

However, the 20 points potentially given here is awarded in relation to how the Order under question relates to the six Rosicrucian manifestos of the early 1600’s. Several Orders do this in their own unique way. Some Orders for example present an actual version of the tomb of CRC to initiates.

AMORC wins more points for the alchemy museum incentive. This aspect is totally traditional. Most Orders avoid the subject of alchemy and AMORC throughout the years has provided us with several famous alchemists. Though those glory days are over and the alchemy museum itself stands more so as a monument to the past tradition (rather than a living tradition in AMORC) it has to be appreciated simply because they might help inspire a new generation of AMORC students to pursue that path.

In addition, AMORC has created its own ‘traditional history,’ which though it is a fabricated legend it certainly connects them to the R.C tradition. Let me explain this for a moment.

Firstly, most people by now will realize that the Fama legend of Christian Rosencreuz is exactly that: it is a fabricated legend. Although a story, it is highly sophisticated, and more importantly, its internal matrix is intelligently designed so as to represent the height of the European occult tradition.

The legend of CRC is a world within webs, a maze unto itself, and I believe the document of the Fama itself acts as a living talisman, rooting the occult forces of Europe into a then new unfolding culture.

Where this legend was fabricated it does not discredit the tradition of the Rosicrucians. Remember; Myth-Making was the high art of the Egyptian priestly class who once designed legends to help inspire humanity.

Entire civilizations revolved around such mythic constructs and they served to raise the culture to a higher standard, and that higher standard was only perceived by an enlightened class of adepts, disseminating their gnosis. The Rosicrucian Fama was written under these same circumstances.

Spencer Lewis continued the method of myth making here. In his account Spencer Lewis himself was chosen to move the immortal rested body of Christian Rosencreuz to America. Though he was playing at his usual larrikins at claiming to be the ‘chosen savior of the Rosicrucian tradition’ something special was also occurring here. His new myth also served to transmit the Rosicrucian impulse onto the American continent in new form.

Now, it is true that Rosicrucians had already existed in America for many years in pietists communities prior to AMORC, but Lewis’ new myth served to bring forth the torch of Rosicrucian illumination in full form for Americans who would also seek Rosicrucian inspiration on a greater scale. What’s more… it WORKED!

Many people today call themselves Rosicrucian, thanks to the efforts of Spencer Lewis.

This in itself deserves points because it brings new generations in search of our tradition.

Some will never get past the New Thought type of Rosicrucianism he presented, but he certainly did create a funnel of students who would use AMORC as a stepping-stone to seek out the real thing. Ever since AMORC’s foundation in 1915 there has been a steady flow of AMORC students crossing over and joining the older and more traditional European Rosicrucian Orders.

But if it wasn’t for HSL’s efforts the Rosicrucian movement would not have become as widely known as it is today. Though at times his intentions were to position himself as an authority, and many of his invented stories and activities were shady at times, he did in fact promote the Rosicrucian name. Personally, I don’t like a lot of things that he did, and I find them dishonest. Things like giving away free membership certificates to important people, who received them by post, which he did in order to bolster names associated with AMORC after said persons had died. According to search from Milko Boogard, those who ignored those posted certificates are now counted amongst AMORC’s ranks despite never having anything to do with the Order.

There is of course the problem that nearly everything AMORC teaches has very little to do with Rosicrucian teachings at all, and that they are mostly Rosicrucian only in name. That being said, if it wasn’t for Lewis then Rosicrucians would be a kind of weird hide-out for Christian and Hermetic occultists.

I do believe that because of Lewis a greater number of people are drawn to find out more.

The purpose of this blog is to help point you in the right direction and show you those roots.

One more thing worth mentioning is that AMORC’s initiation rituals deserve some points under the wild card score. They are very much in line with what most Rosicrucian Orders are doing to confer initiation degrees. What’s more they even use the grade titles used by most traditional Rosicrucian Orders: from Zelator, to Adeptus Minor, and onwards to Magus. The same titles are used by Masonic Rosicrucian bodies such as the SRIA and the Golden Dawn itself. These grade titles derive from the German Golden Rosicrucians of the late 1700’s and have become something of a standard amongst Rosicrucian bodies.

Also of note is AMORC’s Rose Croix Journal, which allows contributions from non-members.

The last wild card points are given towards the totality or atmosphere AMORC places the student within. Even though AMORC’s foundings were quite late on the scene, students are told they belong to an ancient Order, an ancient tradition and much attention is given to instilling this value. Though the teachings are largely new-age, the setting is certainly reinforced due to the beautiful rituals they perform, the lovely Egyptian styled temples they have, and even the design of membership and grade certificates are drawn in an older style to give you the feeling that the Order you belong to is indeed ancient and authentic and imbued with a heritage of illumination teachings. Everything is designed to give students the idea that what they are doing is ancient and sacred. Now, a lot of this may be all surface dressing and perhaps even glamorous, but let’s face it, everyone loves it.

AMORC gets 10/20 for their Wild Card Tradition Score.

This might appear at first quite low but actually it is over-rated. As you will see in up-coming reviews some Orders do exceptionally well in their traditional scores and especially well in their wild-card score.

My final conclusion is that all in all, while AMORC has some amazing facilities and appears very ancient, most of this is just a display and well-funded. They are without a doubt spiritual and have a lot of genuine people. Many of whom I count as dear friends. But unfortunately, when it comes to tradition AMORC simply lacks traditional content in their monographs and does not draw upon the original tradition. These reviews are really in search of a perfect demonstration of tradition.

As some of you know through the work in our work on this blog, there were several new Rosicrucian leaders claiming to carry the “Rosicrucian Order” forwards. These leaders each came forwards between the 1880’s to 1920’s, each proclaiming himself the true leader of the real Rosicrucians. All of them shared thoughts on the early Rosicrucian movement of the 1600’s (Christian Rosenkreuz and the Fama) and several mention the Golden Rosenkreuzer’s of the late 1700’s. Then, in the 1900’s these new Orders appear. But, what about the gap in the middle? None were talking about the Rosicrucians of the 1800’s, of whom these Rosicrucian leaders, like Harvey Spencer Lewis, Clymer and others, claimed to represent. In Germany there were only two Rosicrucian lineages still working through the 1800’s and when you investigate their teachings it becomes obvious WHICH of these new Rosicrucian leaders, who sprang up between the 1880’s to the 1920’s, actually did draw upon and represent these last living transmissions. AMORC does fall into a bit of trouble here, as do many of the other Rosicrucian groups, but we’ll get to this in another post dedicated to this topic.

In total AMORC gets 29 points out of 100 for their entire Tradition Score.

My advice to AMORC students reading this is simply this:

FIND OUT MORE.

Make sure you read the Rosicrucian manifestos directly, and in addition read anything you can from a broader range of Rosicrucian teachings, derived from as many Rosicrucian Orders as possible.

If you have any questions feel free to join our Facebook group the Rosicrucian Tradition. It’s probably one of the only groups where members from various Orders get together and exchange well. You’ll meet members of the SRIA, Rosicrucian Fellowship, BOTA, Confraternity of the Rose Cross and more…

We’ll enjoy any Rosicrucian articles or ideas you want to post and welcome you as a member of the greater Rosicrucian Tradition 🙂

However, as a rule, please no recruiting to your own Order is allowed, this is considered impolite in our community. After all, some students want a more Hermetic or magical approach, others want something more Christian, and still others more mystical. In our experience it is actually quite normal to see AMORC students ignore the individual interest of each seeker, and simply say “Join AMORC.”

In fact, we even found it a bit cult-like. After all, why not consider that any person might be looking for another Order that is more well suited to them and their own personality or interest?

This has led to the following extension to my original 2014 AMORC Review:

Is AMORC a Rosicrucian Cult? Answering the Rumor

One of the scathing attacks thrown at AMORC is that it is some sort of cult. This doesn’t only come from Christian fundamentalist. In fact, it sometimes comes from members of other Rosicrucian Orders.

We want members from all various Rosicrucian groups to get along. Rosicrucian fellowship is extremely important to us at Pansophers. We need to meet on common ground and quit with the “superiority” game these Orders tend to play through their students, pitting them against members of other Orders.

Thus, this is by no means an invite to discuss this cult issue.

Rather, we hope to clear it up and ask certain readers to change their behavior.

Now before talking about these issues, don’t get me wrong!

Firstly, I am not accusing AMORC of being a cult, as does ex-member Pierre S. Freeman.

He clearly has an agenda as a disgruntled ex-member. But, with many Orders there are issues (just wait till we get to the Golden Dawn) and I believe these issues can be ironed out.

Yes, it is true in our experience, that AMORC members are not very knowledgeable and hundreds of them will chime in with slogans like “Peace Profound” or “So Mote it Be!” on social media post. On one hand it does look cult-like, on the other: these are members of a fraternity showing solidarity, even if its kind of “simpleton”.

So, what is the issue that so many people have with their behavior? Are AMORC members just rubbing people in the wrong way? Yes, I believe there is a massive misunderstanding going on.

Is there no happy medium or mode of operation in which we can all get along? We certainly hope so at Pansophers.com. We believe: the problem starts at the top. So, let’s talk AMORC leadership.

There are two main issues, which seem to be causing un-fraternal behavior from AMORC members towards members of other Rosicrucian Orders that are quite clear to all of us.

The first is the tirade of constant “Join Us” chants from members.

The second is AMORC’s trademark deception which I’ll address in a moment.

Firstly, one of the main struggles AMORC students develop is in dealing with reality in terms of what AMORC claims, and what is really a part of the Rosicrucian tradition. Some outsiders of AMORC believe it is like a type of indoctrination. I am not sure if that’s true, but certainly something strange is happening to AMORC members that causes them to struggle with the rest of the Rosicrucian world.

And, let’s face it. ALL of the other Rosicrucian Orders get along quite well with each other. Amorc is the odd ball here, and we hope its members can demonstrate the same inter-fraternity relations.

I believe the issue starts with the monographs and in particular the language being used.

One of the difficult issues in dealing with AMORC is that often the language they use is a  bit slippery. Many of their claims often arise from statements that are suggestive or are inferred as true. The difficulty is that when certain ancient claims are inferred only and left to the interpretation of the reader (knowing full-well what they suggesting) then some of it becomes deceitful, especially where AMORC welcomes such interpretations from its students, leaving them guilt free.

In particular, these interpretations include the 3,500 year old history of AMORC’s lineage.

By the time an AMORC student has reached the 9^th degree, they are so far embedded within these underlying assumptions of their Order that they actually struggle to read original Rosicrucian content.

This to my mind hinders the chance for an AMORC student to access the broad and greater tradition.

Why not just point out where things are “traditional history” like Ralph Lewis did?

AMORC vs. a Cult Test

One of our Rosicrucian Community members on Facebook shared an article on “how cults work,” which describes a short test Q&A on how to identify if you are in a cult or not. He is an ex-member of AMORC and is generally known as a very down to earth person, so I’ll share what he stated, according to his own experience at AMORC in using that list:

Single charismatic leader. – TRUE (Imperator)
People always seeming constantly happy and enthusiastic. Especially if you discover that they have been told to act that way for the potential new recruits. – TRUE
Instant friends. – TRUE
If you are told who you can or cannot talk to or associate with. – TRUE
They hide what they teach. – TRUE (“You will find that in later monographs”)
Say they are the only true group, or the best so why go anywhere else. – TRUE
Hyped meetings, get you to meetings rather than share with you. – TRUE
Bombarding with love. – AMORC motto: LOVE, LIGHT, LIFE
Experiential rather than logical. – TRUE
Asking for money for the next level. – TOTALLY TRUE
Some cults travel door to door during times when women are home alone. They, and this is rather sexist, think that women are easier to recruit and once they have the woman then it will be easier to snare the husband or partner. – NOT True
Saying that they have to make people pay for it because otherwise they will not appreciate it. This is of course a very silly reason, plenty of people are able to appreciate things which they did not pay for. – TRUE

He also quoted AMORC lessons and talks: “The best smile ever … a great lesson without even a single word … for this smile comes out of her pure heart … LLL … P.P …. SMIB.”

I mentioned above one common behavior we’ve all seen from AMORC students is that they constantly post on social media “Join AMORC” whenever anyone ask which Order is right for them.

We’ve all seen it, and it is indeed a bit cult like. What if this person is looking for something more Hermetic? What if they want to practice a more ritualistic magical approach, like that of John Dee or the theurgic path of the Elu Cohens? What if they are looking for something more Christian, like that path of Max Heindel or some other? Did you even think to consider their needs?

At Pansophers we consider it courteous to first consider the individual needs of a student; rather than just throwing them at the door of AMORC. Such behavior is just drone and clone. If you haven’t completed studies in at least three Orders then you are certainly not qualified to say anything.

So, if you do constantly recommend joining your own Order, stop it.

You’re making your own Order look stupid. You make it look cult-like to a free thinker.

As a speaker for the broad and greater Rosicrucian Tradition, however, I believe all is not lost for AMORC and that it is not too late for them to take their place in the round-table with all other Rosicrucian groups.

After all, there are at least 18 Rosicrucian Orders outside of AMORC that get along with each other just fine. The voice that something is seriously wrong with AMORC from these groups is unanimous.

For AMORC, it would require some honesty to themselves and some tweaking of lessons.

However, there is one major barrier AMORC has to reconciling with their roots:

The AMORC Rosicrucian Order Trademark Problem

It is a hot debated topic on whether or not it was OKAY for AMORC to trademark the term ‘The Rosicrucian Order’ and they did indeed went ahead with it and it has caused many problems.

Firstly, AMORC keeps their students in the dark regarding certain facts about the term and claim they are unique in describing their own group as a ‘Rosicrucian Order.’ Of course, the sheeple who follow merely assume this is true, without knowing the facts. So, here are the facts for all to see:

Obviously the first problem is that it’s akin to trademarking the term ‘Christian church’ and preventing all other churches from using it. But, alas, AMORC claims these other groups called themselves “Rosicrucian Fraternity” or other such names and that they alone were called the Rosicrucian Order.

This is actually just not true.

Prior to HSL, other Orders did use the term. Here are some examples:

MacGregor Mathers used the term “The Rosicrucian Order of the Alpha et Omega” in France in 1904. That’s 11 years before AMORC was even founded and yes, that means the Golden Dawn used it first.

Actually, Arthur Waite was using the term as early as 1887. Paul Foster Case, leader of BOTA, published his book ‘The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order.’ And Max Heindel used the term as leader of the Rosicrucian Fellowship in 1913. See the mentioned dates for source links. Obviously, Mathers was well before Harvey Spencer Lewis. Interestingly Crowley used the term during his court case in 1910.

So, sorry AMORC fans, but your Order was not the only group to use this title. They certainly were NOT the first to use the term. In fact, it is just plain dirty tactics on AMORC’s part to trademark it as they clearly decided to try monopolizing the ‘market’ and forcing the world to make a grand assumption.

Interestingly, Frantz Hartman, used the term ‘Rosicrucian Orders’ in 1890, showing its general use and how it is actually applied to ALL Rosicrucian organizations. He was a student of Mailander.

Trademarking the term therefore was just plain un-fraternal.

And it hasn’t been without a certain backlash. Many other groups have expressed a wish to exclude AMORC and asked the same for our efforts at Pansophers as a protest.

Indeed, an air of arrogance plays into the way AMORC presents itself as the true Rosicrucian Order, which is quite destructive in terms of how other groups will get along with Rosicrucian AMORC students.

All of this is not the fault of its students, so please don’t take an of this personal.

Of course, things did get ugly when AMORC forced the “Rosicrucian Order of the Golden Dawn” to shut down its website with legal threats several years ago, which we all saw unfold on social media.

AMORC’s FAQ says: “About Other Rosicrucian Groups: There are a number of web pages using the word “rosicrucian” in their name. Some are created by small groups who describe themselves as rosicrucian, while others are created by private individuals who simply have an interest in rosicrucianism. We’re often asked if these other web sites are affiliated with the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC. The answer is no.”

Again, a slippery use of language is used here. Although they do not SAY “We are the only true Rosicrucians” one reading this certainly might think so and AMORC seems to know that.

Notice how other groups are given the word ‘rosicrucian’ and not “Rosicrucian” to lend them less weight, and they are written off as ‘small groups’ only describing themselves as Rosicrucian. Thus, it’s easy to assume they are not even R.C at all. VERY slippery games here AMORC!

One other version AMORC published actually says that while other groups wish to associate themselves with AMORC, they are not the Rosicrucian Order etc. This statement is even worse.

None of the other groups wish to associate themselves with AMORC. Actually, my surveys and talks with various Imperators have shown that they wish to distance themselves from it.

Now, why have I included this section in the AMORC Review?

Is it to take a swipe at AMORC? Is it to try stop you from joining AMORC?

Absolutely not. I ask of you, that if you feel this Order is right for you, you can always become a voice for the greater Rosicrucian community from within AMORC for the spirit of universal fraternity (of course, be warned, students are told they are not allowed to criticize their organization). For those already studying with AMORC, I ask of you, stop saying you are the ‘only Rosicrucian Order,’ it’s just not true. We’ll think you’re kind of uninformed or brainwashed. Especially after reading the above facts.

Sadly, it affects us all, and with the utmost compassion we hope it gets better.

We are all an Order of the Rose Cross of the great fraternity, the inner universal Rosicrucian Order.

As I said, this is a major bump in bringing AMORC within the greater world of Rosicrucian exchanges that are occurring right now between all the various Orders. We are all cross pollinating, influencing and holding each other up. Some are even exchanging great papers and lineages from old sources.

Until AMORC changes its behavior they will be excluded from these types of exchanges, which are well under way. We are yet to decide at Pansophers if we shall exclude AMORC from the upcoming incentive to invite all of the various Rosicrucian fraternities to publish their own announcements on our blog.

What About Confraternity of the Rosy Cross or CR+C?

Something should also be said about the Confraternity of the Rose Cross run by Gary Stewart, the one-time Imperator of AMORC. This particular Order I am not going to review in detail, but if you are thinking of choosing between AMORC or CR+C here are some ideas.

CR+C teaches with the original monographs of HSL. Although I’ve said that HSL got up to some quite serious shenanigans and stage trickery, I have to say that the approach given by Gary Stewart is very healthy. He presents the traditional ideas and claims made by HSL along with a healthy dose of salt.

In short, he’s teaching students to look beyond the mysterious claims, keep looking within, and if you have the good fortune to interview both members of AMORC and CR+C you will notice some differences.

One of the main differences is that CR+C students carry a healthy awareness of skepticism. Yes, they do believe in some of the claims made by HSL and yet they dismiss some of them as typical of the time for any Rosicrucian Society. In contrast AMORC students, although they are told to be walking question marks, are discouraged from criticizing their own system and organization, which stifles becoming such a question mark, before it has full chance to grow. Gary Stewart on the other hand talks openly about claims made by HSL and even dispels a few. This includes admitting that HSL actually faked the transmutation of zinc into gold, by using a powder for gold plating. No one is perfect, certainly not HSL. I find Gary Stewart’s approach to be one of integrity, with respect for others, and he helps to actively remove the veil from your eyes.

In contrast, some leaders I’ve spoken to at AMORC fully encourage believing in such myths, which not only insults one’s intelligence, but also attracts certain non-thinkers to stay. Really, one of the best ways to study in any Rosicrucian Order is to disbelieve everything presented, rather than just accept it.

I find Gary Stewarts’s approach fascinating in undertaking to preserve the original tradition of HSL.

The original mystical monographs of HSL contain more occult elements seen in the early days of AMORC which have the real Rosicrucian gems and its clear that CR+C are the experts here.

It is those treasures preserved within CR+C that aligns them (with its the original in-tact AMORC tradition) to the broad and greater Rosicrucian Tradition we all seek. If you take a survey for yourself: you’ll observe how CR+C fits well within the greater spectrum of Orders. This is why we see healthy interactions between long-time CR+C members and those from other Rosicrucian organizations.

Actually, as a Pansopher, I hope to see CR+C and AMORC re-unite someday. Whoever succeeds Gary Stewart as Imperator, will still be the rightful Imperator of AMORC, due the nature of Imperator succession seen in the Toulouse Rosicrucian lineage. In fact, Martin Erler personally told me that he was asked by Bernard to install him as the new Imperator of AMORC which would validate the Imperatorship in AMORC once again. For those who don’t know, Erler was of the same Peladan/French Rosicrucian lineage of the Toulouse chain and Imperators need to be installed through a special ceremony that is passed on, one time, from Imperator to the next. Ralph Lewis passed his on, temporarily, to an officer at AMORC, who then installed Gary Stewart as Imperator. After that, the chain can be passed on by Gary. Martin Erler did not re-communicate this to AMORC, and so the actual spiritual transmission is still with Gary. This spiritual chain, as most European Rosicrucian groups know, is granted through an etheric link (called by many names) to the officers of a lodge, which then activates the Rosicrucian current in initiation rituals.

To my mind, a focus of healing between the two Orders it the way forwards. I doubt anyone is brave enough at AMORC to suggest they invite the Imperator of CR+C to reunite the two currents.

But that is the way forwards. For now, we recommend joining CR+C instead of AMORC.

What Kind of Adepts Does AMORC Really Produce?

“The studies of the Rosicrucian Order, A.M.O.R.C. deal with knowledge of an intellectual nature yet they go far beyond the realm of the mind and seek to engage the student on an intellectual, emotional, psychic and spiritual level. The purpose for this is so that the student may become a more integrated being and attain a Profound level of Inner Wisdom which ultimately manifests through an expression of Universal and Divine Love.  Although AMORC is certainly not the only Path out there it might be considered a synthesis of all things Rosicrucian and Universal Path for all.” John Paul, AMORC.

In the finish, its all about graduation. The final test of any Order is what type of Adepts is it producing? It should be clear by now that different Orders produce different types of people. Some are turning out Adepts, and some are not. Some are turning out megalomaniacs, others turn out initiates who have the need to immediately go and start their own Order. That’s quite typical in Hermetic branches.

As for AMORC it does not produce many off-shoot type students who break away. In fact, upon dying; many members have left vast private sums of money and property to AMORC’s estate. Such behavior is actually unusual within the world of Rosicrucian groups. Therefore, what AMORC does produce is die-hard loyal fans, who never seem to break away or find out about other teachings. They become quite secular and enclosed within their own echo-chamber, which while it’s nice to be surrounded by like-minded people, this is not challenging or stimulating at all and exactly the opposite of science.

I should add here, one of the greatest graduations you’ll ever have, as a Rosicrucian student is breaking away from your own Order. Yes, I mean cancelling your membership, giving up your grades and throwing it all away. This might sound strange at first, even hurting, but you can see why here.

You’ll also find out if your brothers and sisters are as nice as you originally had thought…

Long time AMORC members are given various roles within the organization, including leadership roles in temple or lecture settings. This in itself can be quite rewarding if you are looking for an outlet for your spiritual creativity and its nice to see that they recognize natural leaders.

However, in big organizations often come big egos. If you stand out too much and are a natural speaker you may find yourself in trouble. The story AMORC feeling threatened by Jean Dubuis comes to mind. AMORC seems to want followers and agreeable students rather than individual thinkers.

At Pansophers we survey students and find out why they joined and what benefits they have enjoyed since signing up. Some have expressed happiness for the type of friends they’ve found and support they have been given. Really, this is not special and is to be expected in any church or spiritual group. Right? In fact, it is worrying that people expressed they did not have real friends until joining AMORC…

Others expressed they joined because of depression, alcoholism etc. Again, such support is very good, but this is also not the purpose of seeking after illumination. So, what kind of Adept does AMORC produce?

Compared to some of the large egos seen in Hermetic Orders, some of the AMORC members are lovely to deal with. The positive vibe at the English grand lodge is a whole different atmosphere than its counterpart in the United States as well. This is especially true in the smaller European jurisdictions. In fact, the European branches, and particularly  those in Scandinavian countries produce real Adepts. Those branches as well score much higher in terms of their alchemy, magic and Cabala scores, simply because they have stronger oral traditions. There is something special going on up there. However, we have noted a disproportionate attachment to AMORC as an organization from members of other countries.

Say anything small against the Order, and they are quick to rally together and defend it (even when they are misinformed, such as Mather’s use of the term Rosicrucian Order for his fraternity ten years before AMORC). Members are less interested in facts, than maintaining the prestige they have projected onto their idea of AMORC. When confronted with facts that disagree or disprove AMORC’s claims, they will often retreat into their own supporting environment, which is actually not a behavior we have seen from AMORC’s Scandinavian members as well as those members of Gary Stewart’s Confraternity of the Rosy Cross. How very interesting to see play out though. AMORC’s Scandinavian Adepts and those CR+C are open and honest enough to say ‘Yep, HSL did do silly things sometimes,” which I find refreshing.

As mentioned above, when inquiring with members of AMORC regarding the subjects of alchemy, Kabbalah or magic we were given blank stares. AMORC is not producing a main body of students who really excel in traditional Rosicrucian subjects. We were instead offered a tirade of New Thought ideas (all is mind power) and that the answers are in practice and not such ‘theories’ and ‘all is to be found within.’

Interestingly, AMORC has developed its own explanations as to why they dismiss such traditional practices, which again enters into the realm of slippery language. There are a few individuals who can carry their weight in such topics at AMORC. Steve Kalec comes to mind for example. However, as a whole the type of Adepts AMORC produces once someone has reached the higher grades is not a shinning example of the great minds once personified in the golden age of the Rosicrucians.

I am talking about the likes of Paracelsus, Bruno, Tobias Hess, JV Andreas, Boehme etc.

In this final test; we are looking for the world shakers, which AMORC is not producing.

In contrast, there are several traditional Rosicrucian Orders, who do not allow their students to reach such high grades without demonstrating their practical experience and revelations in the use of alchemy, Qabalah and theurgic magic, not to mention Hermeticism. By the seventh grade in most of the traditional Orders, we see that someone of that level is well and truly on their way to leaving their own mark in history and advancing the Rosy Cross for generations to come.

If you are a member of AMORC, what should you do?

We recommend first reading the top ten Rosicrucian book reviews.

Then, prepare your own small library of Rosicrucian books.

For learning alchemy, you should read several books starting with “Jung and the Alchemical Imagination.” For learning magic, you should learn from John Michael Greer’s “Circles of Power.” For learning Kabbalah, you should read “Ladder of Lights” by William Grey. These three will give you a solid foundation. They will not make you an expert. But you’ll start asking all the right questions. And when someone ask you about these topics, you’ll be able to demonstrate your knowledge. What’s more, they’ll expose you to the greater Rosicrucian Tradition and its solid path 🙂

Here ends my review of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis.

29 points out of 100 may seem harsh. But, as you’ll see in reviews to come, several other Rosicrucian fraternities provide not only excellent spiritual guidance but embody Trinosophia, Pansophia and Christophia par excellence. If you are interested in joining a real Rosicrucian fraternity, and not only one that is mostly Rosicrucian only in name, we recommend joining one of these different groups. AMORC is good for beginners. But its adepts also still seem to be beginners. Try interacting with members from other Rosicrucian fraternities to find out for yourself. Then you’ll really know.

Thanks for reading folks. Stay tuned for more Reviews of the Rosicrucian Orders here.

Comments enabled below!

Samuel Robinson
Kempten, Germany

For those interested in an alternative Order representing the Egyptian mysteries we recommend you read our Memphis Misraim Review.

You may also like this article, “The Wars of the Roses” by John Michael Greer.