Rosicrucianism

[[File:Templeofrosycross.png|thumb|right|165px|The Temple of the Rose Cross: The {{wpl|Rube Goldberg}} machine of religions]]
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{{cquote|[[Fractal wrongness|What do you get]] when you [[Crank magnetism|mix]] [[alchemy]], [[The Da Vinci Code]], [[Nazism|Nazis]], [[Christianity]], [[New Age|mysticism]], the [[Knights Templar]], [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]], [[The Secret]], and ancient Egypt? No, not {{wpl|Night at the Museum|a bad movie about Ben Stiller working late at a museum|;}} you get the Rosicrucians.|||[[Brian Dunning]], ''[[Skeptoid]]''<ref>[http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4164 Skeptoid on Rosicrucianism]</ref>}}
'''Rosicrucianism''' denotes a [[woo]]-peddling secret society, based largely on [[alchemy]], that transformed into a [[New Age]]-y [[religion]] in modern times.

==Back in the day==
[[File:Rosicrucians-ad-Male-1960.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rosicrucianism woo ad, 1960.]]

Rosicrucianism has its origins in two anonymously-authored manifestos from the early 17<sup>th</sup> century: {{wpl|Fama Fraternitatis|''Fama fraternitatis Roseae Crucis''}} and {{wpl|Confessio Fraternitatis|''Confessio Fraternitatis''|.}} The subject of these books was a doctor and philosopher called "Frater CRC", renamed to Christian Rosenkreuz (or "Christian Rose Cross") in a later, third book.

However, some claim Rosicrucianism is even older, and that the originators of the practice were the [[Knights Templar]] of [[Crusades]] fame.<ref>Picknett and Prince (November 1998). ''The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ''. Touchstone. p. 150. ISBN 978-0684848914.</ref> Of course, there's no basis for this belief, but Rosicrucians still weave Templar aesthetics and lore into their ceremonies for the cool factor.

The original writings were widely dismissed as [[hoax|hoaxes]], but attracted some [[alchemy|alchemists]], scientists, and [[Freemason|Freemasons]].

Various [[pseudohistory|pseudohistories]] have popped up around these books: their author(s) ([[Francis Bacon]], according to some) are the subject of speculation and links for other organisations popular amongst the [[Conspiracy theory|observant]] set.

==New Age revival==
The modern version of the movement came about largely due to the founding of the {{wpl|Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis}} (AMORC) in 1915. It was co-founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis and May Banks-Stacy.

Lewis was less well known for pseudonymously claiming that [[Lemuria]]ns were living under [[Mount Shasta]], [[California]].<ref>Melton, J. Gordon (March 1999). ''Religious leaders of America: a biographical guide to founders and leaders of religious bodies, churches, and spiritual groups in North America'' (2<sup>nd</sup> ed.). Cengage Gale. p. 332. ISBN 978-0810388789.</ref> AMORC and other various sects of the religion exist today and operate in a [[milk before meat]] fashion.<ref group=note>Though the "meat" seems to be of the tofurkey variety according to some ex-members.</ref>

You send away for their "lessons" and receive booklets that include information on Rosicrucian theology as well as how-to guides on [[Crank magnetism|all sorts of woo]] like "mental alchemy", [[telekinesis]], [[telepathy]], regeneration, and "attuning" with the "Cosmic Consciousness".

Rosicrucian theology had a great amount of influence on the [[Law of Attraction]] and, thus, ''[[The Secret]]''.

The San Jose, California, branch operates the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, perhaps the main source of funding.  Its exhibits include an Egyptian mummy in full display.

==Hardcore Rosicrucians==
The {{wpl|Order of the Solar Temple}} (OTS), a sub-group founded by Rosicrucian members, participated in ritualistic [[suicide]] and murder. It was essentially a [[cult]]; its leader ordering the death of an entire family of former members, accusing them of bringing the [[Antichrist]] to the world.

==In "Literature"==
The ''Lord of the Rings'' parody ''Bored of the Rings'' identifies the wizard Goodgulf Greyteeth as "a discredited Rosicrucian" and "a 32nd Degree Mason and Honorary Shriner".  (One might say the first bit there is redundant.)

==See also==
{{otherlang
|pt=Rosacrucianismo}}

==External links==
*[[Skeptoid]] [http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4164 on Rosicrucianism]
*[http://www.egyptianmuseum.org/ Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum]
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}
==References==
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[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Esotericism]]
[[Category:New Age]]
[[Category:Pseudohistory]]

Categories: California, Esotericism, New Age, Pseudohistory