The Real History of the Rosicrucians - Softcover

Waite, Arthur Edward

Softcover

ISBN 10: 160206234X ISBN 13: 9781602062344

Verlag: Cosimo Classics, 2007

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Does the secret order known as the Rosicrucians even exist? Though fabled for centuries as clandestine movers and shakers of European and world events-alongside the Knights Templar and the Freemasons-evidence for its authenticity is shaky. But that doesn't mean that later organizations haven't claimed the name, or that libraries of words haven't been written about them. Waite, a preeminent 19th-century expert in esoterica, here surveys all the literature necessary for understanding the roots of the Rosicrucians, whether they are real or fantasy. This volume, first published in 1887, includes translations of the 17th-century German documents at the foundation of the story of the Rosicrucians as well as a comprehensive survey of literature about the Rosicrucians. Students of secret societies and European history and literature will be enthralled. American-born British occultist and author ARTHUR EDWARD WAITE (1857-1942) was co creator of the famous 1910 Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Among his numerous books are Book of Ceremonial Magic, The Holy Kabbalah, and New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry.

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Book Description:

"This is Arthur Edward Waite's study of the elusive Rosicrucians, a secret society of which the first public notice was in early 17th century Germany. Was this an actual organization, or just a fantasy? No actual Rosicrucians ever surfaced, but there was plenty of documentation about them. The problem is that these documents are, for the most part, obviously fictional. In time, a mythology grew up around the Rosicrucians. Today there are groups which claim the name. These date at the most to the late 19th century, although they usually claim pro forma to go back as far as Egypt or Atlantis. The Rosicrucians have also been woven by conspiracy theorists into their web alongside the Freemasons, Illuminati, Templars, and so on, even though there is not a shred of evidence for this.

Waite presents complete translations of all of the texts which defined the Rosicrucians, including the Fama Fraternitatis, the Confessio Fraternitatis, and the Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz. The longest text, the Chemical Wedding is a fever-dream which is a thinly veiled alchemical allegory. The authorship of these documents is disputed, but it may have been written by Johann Valentin Andreas, a German theologian and writer. Waite also surveys Rosicrucian literature from successive centuries, including extensive quotes from authors who wrote about the Rosicrucians such as Michael Maier, Robert Fludd, Thomas Vaughan and John Heydon. Heydon wrote Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians, reminiscent of Thomas More's Utopia, about a voyage to an obscure continent inhabited by Rosicrucians, included here in its entirety. Waite concludes with a look at a 19th century 'Rosicrucian' organization: Hargrave Jennings was, notably, a member of this group. Speaking of whom. . .

The Real History stands in stark contrast to Hargrave Jennings' The Rosicrucians, their Rites and Mysteries, which Waite (justifiably) criticizes throughout. The very title of this book might be considered a riposte to Jennings. The Rosicrucians are described as celibate, which contradicts Jennings' focus on the role of phallicism in the Rosicrucian mysteries. Waite also debunks two 'historical' anecdotes which Jennings cites, specifically the subterranean sepulchre, and the immortal Venetian. These two incidents were cited subsequently by other authors as fact, using Jennings as the source. Caveat Lector.

All in all, this serves both as a survey of the literature about Rosicrucians and an invaluable anthology of that literature. Waite, although he had a solid background in the occult, is in a firmly rationalist mode in this book. The Real History will be of use to both academic and general readers." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher's Preface; Preface; Introduction; On The State Of Mystical Philosophy In Germany At The Close Of The Sixteenth Century; The Prophecy Of Paracelsus, And The Universal Reformation Of The Whole Wide World; The Fama Fraternitatis Of The Meritorious Order Of The Rosy Cross, Addressed To The Learned In General, And The Governors Of Europe; The Confession Of The Rosicrucian Fraternity, Addressed To The Learned Of Europe; The Chymical Marriage Of Christian Rosencreutz; On The Connection Of The Rosicrucian Claims With Those Of Alchemy And Magic; Antiquity Of The Rosicrucian Fraternity; The Case Of Johann Valentin Andreas; Progress Of Rosicrucianism In Germany; Rosicrucian Apologists: Michael Maier; Rosicrucian Apologists: Robert Fludd; Rosicrucian Apologists: Thomas Vaughan; Rosicrucian Apologists: John Heydon; Rosicrucianism In France; Connection Between The Rosicrucians And Freemasons; Modern Rosicrucian Societies; Conclusion; Additional Notes; Appendix Of Additional Documents; Endnotes

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Über diese Auflage

• Verlag: Cosimo Classics
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2007
• ISBN 10: 160206234X
• ISBN 13: 9781602062344
• Einband: Tapa blanda
• Anzahl der Seiten: 456