Rosicrucianism

Rosicrucianism denotes a woo-peddling secret society, based largely on alchemy that transformed into a New Age-y religion in modern times.

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“”What do you get when you mix alchemy, The Da Vinci Code, Nazis, Christianity, mysticism, the Knights Templar, Shakespeare, The Secret, and ancient Egypt? No, not a bad movie about Ben Stiller working late at a museum; you get the Rosicrucians.
—Brian Dunning, Skeptoid[1]

Back in the day

Rosicrucianism has its origins in two anonymously-authored manifestos from the early 17th century: Fama fraternitatis Roseae CrucisFile:Wikipedia's W.svg and Confessio FraternitatisFile:Wikipedia's W.svg. 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, that the originators of the practice were the Knights Templar of Crusades fame.[2] 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 hoaxes, but attracted some alchemists, scientists, and Freemasons.

Various 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 observant set.

New Age revival

The modern version of the movement came about largely due to the founding of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae CrucisFile:Wikipedia's W.svg (AMORC) in 1915. It was co-founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis and May Banks-Stacy.

Lewis was less well known for pseudonymously claiming that Lemurians were living under Mount Shasta, California.[3] AMORC and other various sects of the religion exist today and operate in a milk before meat fashion.[note 1]

You send away for their "lessons" and receive booklets that include information on Rosicrucian theology as well as how-to guides on 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.

Hardcore Rosicrucians

The Order of the Solar TempleFile:Wikipedia's W.svg (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.

gollark: There are still fewer people who are actually in the rural areas. Why are they "more of the state"? Why are you basing it on land area?
gollark: They were not, probably.
gollark: ↑]
gollark: As I said, there are a lot of other groups with different requirements.
gollark: So, regardless of whether you think rural people are favoured, why *should* they be?

Notes
  1. Though the "meat" seems to be of the tofurkey variety according to some ex-members.

References
  1. Skeptoid on Rosicrucianism
  2. Picknett and Prince (November 1998). The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ. Touchstone. p. 150. ISBN 978-0684848914.
  3. 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 (2nd ed.). Cengage Gale. p. 332. ISBN 978-0810388789.
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