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Rosicrucian Questions and Answers
Although originally a companion volume to Complete History of the Rosicrucian Order, this book works well as an independent reference, answering virtually every question one might have about Rosicrucianism. There is no better work available that outlines exactly what this mystical and sometimes secretive organization is truly all about. Important for members and researchers who want to know both fundamental and advanced information that would otherwise not be available. Originally published through the order itself, with answers supplied by the most respected Rosicrucian of his time, H. Spencer Lewis.
- GenresOccultNonfiction
100 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1929
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 14, 2025
A PROMINENT ROSICRUCIAN CLARIFIES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORDER
Harvey Spencer Lewis (1883-1939) was a Rosicrucian and the USA founder and first Imperator of the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), from 1915 until 1939.
He wrote in the Preface of this 1929 book, “The history of the Brotherhood must be divided into two general classifications. First, that which is traditional, and which has come down to us by word of mouth, supported by more or less definite references in ancient writings or symbolical passages in the rituals or teachings; and second, that which is truly historical and supported by the records found in the various branches of the organization throughout the world… It was generally believed, several hundred years ago, that the HISTORICAL BIRTH of the Rosicrucians did not antedate the seventeenth century. It was likewise believed that the TRADITIONAL BIRTH of the Order began some time in the Christian Era… The demand on the part of Rosicrucian students throughout the world, and the search on the part of thousands of others, for more facts regarding both the traditional and actual periods of the Order’s existence, have warranted this history.” (Pg. 17-18)
He continues, “Whether one accepts all of the points of the traditional history or not, one is certain to feel that the origin of what is now the Rosicrucian Order is found in the early mystery schools of the Great White Brotherhood. A study of the schools of philosophy and arcane wisdom in the Oriental lands preceding the Christian Era reveals that there is but one land in which the Rosicrucian organization could have had its birth. That land is Egypt… If one … accepts only that which is based upon very definite records in printed or official manuscript form, one must reject the popular and entirely fictitious claim that the Rosicrucian Order had its origin in the seventeenth century in Germany... the Order was very old and very well established when it had a form of revival in Germany in the seventeenth century. Likewise, one discovers at once that the romantic or symbolic story regarding ‘Christian Rosenkreuz’ and HIS foundation of the first Rosicrucian body must be rejected…” (Pg. 20-21)
He explains, “At first, the term ‘mysteries’ must have been synonymous with the unknown. Later it came to represent, to the Egyptian neophyte and priest alike, an uncommon or esoteric knowledge of the laws and purposes of life and being. Thus the appellation, ‘mystery school,’ or place of imparting knowledge of the mysteries. Such first mysteries consisted of a matrix of mythology, founded on facts of observation and figments of imagination. From them evolved the indisputable truths of the inner comprehension of Cosmic law, just as there emerges from modern theories and hypotheses the eventual light of truth.” (Pg. 34-35)
He admits, though, that “It must not be construed that the world ‘Rosicrucian,’ or any variation of it, was used by, or applied to, this ancient brotherhood, The Egyptian Brotherhood was NOT Rosicrucian as we know the Order today, but rather the Order has its traditional roots in the ancient brotherhood. It derives its principles and objectives from it.” (Pg. 48) Later, he adds, “The sciences and arts at the time, or the rituals, were not known as Rosicrucian. They descended to become a part of the present Rosicrucian traditions and rites.” (Pg. 58)
He states, “The birth of Jesus in a family of Gentiles living in the Essene community at Galilee fulfilled the expectations of the Brotherhood, and from this time on the outer and inner activities of the Brotherhood became centered around the ministry of the great Master Jesus. The details of the birth, preparation, ministry, and culminating events of the Master Jesus are all set forth in a separate volume entitled ‘The Mystical Life of Jesus’ wherein are given details from the records of the Essenes and the Great White Brotherhood… At the close of the life of Jesus the Christ, the disciples of Jesus and the high officers of the Great White Brotherhood planned to carry on the new cycle of illumination and revelation of doctrines as presented by him, and an outer congregation or public movement was established known as the Christine Church… the original Apostles were men chosen from the Essene Gentile community at Galilee, the Great White Brotherhood did not establish the Chrstine Church as a part of its activities…” (Pg. 83-84)
He points out, “It has been a serious and universal law with the Rosicrucian Order that its secret teachings should never be published in book form… and there is no violation of this law that has ever been brought to our attention. On the other hand, there have been many who were not a part of the Rosicrucian Order, or even initiated in its teachings, who have attempted to commercialize the desires of seekers by the printing and selling of books which CLAIMED to be ‘Rosicrucian textbooks’ or books of Rosicrucian doctrines or teachings… We have, for instance, in America, a book called ‘The Rosicrucians and Their Teachings.’ This book was written by a New Thought leader… who is NOT a member of the Rosicrucian Order.” (Pg. 150-151)
He explains, “The Rosicrucians believe and have always believed that there is but one soul in the universe, and that is the universal soul or the universal consciousness of God. Furthermore, the Rosicrucians have always taught that the essence of that universal soul resides in each being that possesses soul.” (Pg. 258)
He acknowledges, “the Order takes no definite stand in regard to the religious doctrines of any church or religious movement. Naturally, there is nothing in the real teachings of the Rosicrucians which would make a devout Christian unhappy in his orthodoxy; nor is there anything in the teachings which would make the Jew or the Moslem unhappy.” (Pg. 282) He adds, “Orthodox Christians of the most devout kind can belong to the Rosicrucian Order and study and follow its teachings with the utmost good to their lives and personal affairs… Our records show that not only are there as many Christians in our Order as there are members of other religions, but many leading Christian divines and eminent representatives of the Christian church are members and even officers of the Rosicrucian Order.” (Pg. 284)
He says, “Many of the eminent Avatars born in various parts of the world … came under the observation of the Great White Brotherhood and through the Masters thereof received direct support and further inspiration… One typical instance of this was the work of Madame Helena Blavatsky, who throughout her childhood was a subject of cosmic inspiration and preparation… she eventually came in contact with the Masters of the Great White Brotherhood, and in the latter part of her life her work was sponsored by the Great White Brotherhood as one of its channels of operation.” (Pg. 293)
He notes, “The Rosicrucian Order in America, Great Britain, Sweden and France… for many centuries has published certain books which present the real ideals and philosophical standards of the Rosicrucian fraternity…Not one claimed to be a presentation of the SECRET TEACHINGS or the COMPLETE TEACHINGS, or the practices and arts, of Rosicrucian doctrine. This in itself distinguishes these official books from the pretentious offerings …put forward in the titles of books published by concerns not connected with the Rosicrucian Order.” (Pg. 316)
He adds, “It is but natural that the studies of spiritual and natural laws would lead to the close study of the Christian Bible as well as many other sacred books that have been written in the centuries past. Many Rosicrucians are devout students of the Christian Bible, for they find therein many expressions of the early comprehension of cosmic laws.” (Pg. 321)
This book will be of great interest to anyone studying the Rosicrucian Order.
Harvey Spencer Lewis (1883-1939) was a Rosicrucian and the USA founder and first Imperator of the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), from 1915 until 1939.
He wrote in the Preface of this 1929 book, “The history of the Brotherhood must be divided into two general classifications. First, that which is traditional, and which has come down to us by word of mouth, supported by more or less definite references in ancient writings or symbolical passages in the rituals or teachings; and second, that which is truly historical and supported by the records found in the various branches of the organization throughout the world… It was generally believed, several hundred years ago, that the HISTORICAL BIRTH of the Rosicrucians did not antedate the seventeenth century. It was likewise believed that the TRADITIONAL BIRTH of the Order began some time in the Christian Era… The demand on the part of Rosicrucian students throughout the world, and the search on the part of thousands of others, for more facts regarding both the traditional and actual periods of the Order’s existence, have warranted this history.” (Pg. 17-18)
He continues, “Whether one accepts all of the points of the traditional history or not, one is certain to feel that the origin of what is now the Rosicrucian Order is found in the early mystery schools of the Great White Brotherhood. A study of the schools of philosophy and arcane wisdom in the Oriental lands preceding the Christian Era reveals that there is but one land in which the Rosicrucian organization could have had its birth. That land is Egypt… If one … accepts only that which is based upon very definite records in printed or official manuscript form, one must reject the popular and entirely fictitious claim that the Rosicrucian Order had its origin in the seventeenth century in Germany... the Order was very old and very well established when it had a form of revival in Germany in the seventeenth century. Likewise, one discovers at once that the romantic or symbolic story regarding ‘Christian Rosenkreuz’ and HIS foundation of the first Rosicrucian body must be rejected…” (Pg. 20-21)
He explains, “At first, the term ‘mysteries’ must have been synonymous with the unknown. Later it came to represent, to the Egyptian neophyte and priest alike, an uncommon or esoteric knowledge of the laws and purposes of life and being. Thus the appellation, ‘mystery school,’ or place of imparting knowledge of the mysteries. Such first mysteries consisted of a matrix of mythology, founded on facts of observation and figments of imagination. From them evolved the indisputable truths of the inner comprehension of Cosmic law, just as there emerges from modern theories and hypotheses the eventual light of truth.” (Pg. 34-35)
He admits, though, that “It must not be construed that the world ‘Rosicrucian,’ or any variation of it, was used by, or applied to, this ancient brotherhood, The Egyptian Brotherhood was NOT Rosicrucian as we know the Order today, but rather the Order has its traditional roots in the ancient brotherhood. It derives its principles and objectives from it.” (Pg. 48) Later, he adds, “The sciences and arts at the time, or the rituals, were not known as Rosicrucian. They descended to become a part of the present Rosicrucian traditions and rites.” (Pg. 58)
He states, “The birth of Jesus in a family of Gentiles living in the Essene community at Galilee fulfilled the expectations of the Brotherhood, and from this time on the outer and inner activities of the Brotherhood became centered around the ministry of the great Master Jesus. The details of the birth, preparation, ministry, and culminating events of the Master Jesus are all set forth in a separate volume entitled ‘The Mystical Life of Jesus’ wherein are given details from the records of the Essenes and the Great White Brotherhood… At the close of the life of Jesus the Christ, the disciples of Jesus and the high officers of the Great White Brotherhood planned to carry on the new cycle of illumination and revelation of doctrines as presented by him, and an outer congregation or public movement was established known as the Christine Church… the original Apostles were men chosen from the Essene Gentile community at Galilee, the Great White Brotherhood did not establish the Chrstine Church as a part of its activities…” (Pg. 83-84)
He points out, “It has been a serious and universal law with the Rosicrucian Order that its secret teachings should never be published in book form… and there is no violation of this law that has ever been brought to our attention. On the other hand, there have been many who were not a part of the Rosicrucian Order, or even initiated in its teachings, who have attempted to commercialize the desires of seekers by the printing and selling of books which CLAIMED to be ‘Rosicrucian textbooks’ or books of Rosicrucian doctrines or teachings… We have, for instance, in America, a book called ‘The Rosicrucians and Their Teachings.’ This book was written by a New Thought leader… who is NOT a member of the Rosicrucian Order.” (Pg. 150-151)
He explains, “The Rosicrucians believe and have always believed that there is but one soul in the universe, and that is the universal soul or the universal consciousness of God. Furthermore, the Rosicrucians have always taught that the essence of that universal soul resides in each being that possesses soul.” (Pg. 258)
He acknowledges, “the Order takes no definite stand in regard to the religious doctrines of any church or religious movement. Naturally, there is nothing in the real teachings of the Rosicrucians which would make a devout Christian unhappy in his orthodoxy; nor is there anything in the teachings which would make the Jew or the Moslem unhappy.” (Pg. 282) He adds, “Orthodox Christians of the most devout kind can belong to the Rosicrucian Order and study and follow its teachings with the utmost good to their lives and personal affairs… Our records show that not only are there as many Christians in our Order as there are members of other religions, but many leading Christian divines and eminent representatives of the Christian church are members and even officers of the Rosicrucian Order.” (Pg. 284)
He says, “Many of the eminent Avatars born in various parts of the world … came under the observation of the Great White Brotherhood and through the Masters thereof received direct support and further inspiration… One typical instance of this was the work of Madame Helena Blavatsky, who throughout her childhood was a subject of cosmic inspiration and preparation… she eventually came in contact with the Masters of the Great White Brotherhood, and in the latter part of her life her work was sponsored by the Great White Brotherhood as one of its channels of operation.” (Pg. 293)
He notes, “The Rosicrucian Order in America, Great Britain, Sweden and France… for many centuries has published certain books which present the real ideals and philosophical standards of the Rosicrucian fraternity…Not one claimed to be a presentation of the SECRET TEACHINGS or the COMPLETE TEACHINGS, or the practices and arts, of Rosicrucian doctrine. This in itself distinguishes these official books from the pretentious offerings …put forward in the titles of books published by concerns not connected with the Rosicrucian Order.” (Pg. 316)
He adds, “It is but natural that the studies of spiritual and natural laws would lead to the close study of the Christian Bible as well as many other sacred books that have been written in the centuries past. Many Rosicrucians are devout students of the Christian Bible, for they find therein many expressions of the early comprehension of cosmic laws.” (Pg. 321)
This book will be of great interest to anyone studying the Rosicrucian Order.
January 31, 2025
A very interesting book by the founder of the AMORC, the American head of the revived Rosicrucian Order of Europe. Its far from an objective history of the original Rosicrucians but a revisionist reconstruction claiming his own order is the most legit and shares the teachings of Rosicrucians but also the Egyptian who inspired them. Those teachings are never disclosed, only alluded to in the Q&A where myths are dispelled.
There's a level of racist white-washing happening as these Europeans back-project their own ideals onto the Ancient Egyptians to legitimize their own views and history. The book repeatedly makes allusions to the Templars as founding the Order but, for some reason, never names them thus leaving out the real history of the Rosicrucians. It also spends many pages dismissing other Neo-Rosicrucian movements who seem about as legitimate as the AMORC.
You'll get a long list of influencers and supposed members and real history mixed with myths. Take this psuedo-history with a grain of salt. It does reveal strong Masonic Jesuit, Theosophical and even Illuminati origins of the AMORC, which I think prove its not in the true vein of the real Rosicrucians.
There's a level of racist white-washing happening as these Europeans back-project their own ideals onto the Ancient Egyptians to legitimize their own views and history. The book repeatedly makes allusions to the Templars as founding the Order but, for some reason, never names them thus leaving out the real history of the Rosicrucians. It also spends many pages dismissing other Neo-Rosicrucian movements who seem about as legitimate as the AMORC.
You'll get a long list of influencers and supposed members and real history mixed with myths. Take this psuedo-history with a grain of salt. It does reveal strong Masonic Jesuit, Theosophical and even Illuminati origins of the AMORC, which I think prove its not in the true vein of the real Rosicrucians.
December 23, 2008
Lewis's own interpretation of reality. Not very good
March 16, 2011
Not for me. Elitist and bigoted. Odd notions.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews