Ancient and Mystical Order of the Rosae Crucis (AMORC)

The Ancient and Mystical Order of the Rosae Crucis is an esoteric fraternal movement founded in 1915 in New York by young occultist H. Spencer Lewis (1883–1939). Lewis, who had been affiliated with a number of British occult orders, such as the Ordo Templi Orientis, and had met Aleister Crowley, attempted to establish the Rosicrucian Order in 1909, when he met French members of the International Rosicrucian Council in Toulouse. After being initiated into the Rosicrucian Council, he went back to the United States, where he began to hold meetings with people interested in occult teachings. After a few years of massive publicity efforts, the Order was firmly established. Soon a number of conflicts emerged between the AMORC and other Rosicrucian bodies. In 1928, the older Fraternitas Rosae Crucis criticized the AMORC’s right to the designation “Rosicrucian.” At the same time, Lewis accused alternative healer R. Swinburne Clymer of fraudulent behavior. An intense polemic between the groups has continued to the present day. 

Rosicrucians focus their teachings on God’s purpose for life and believe that God created the universe according to immutable laws. Mastership, which is the ability to transform into material expression one’s mental images, can lead one to success. Various techniques are taught to students to help them achieve such mastery. Students visualize health, wealth, and happiness, and then draw these characteristics to themselves. After completing a first series of lessons, students may strive for more advanced mastery over their own lives. Particular lodges, chapters, or pronaoi (groups) are designated for Rosicrucian group activities.

The AMORC presents itself as a continuation of the ancient mystery schools of Amenhotep and Solomon. Isaac Newton, René Descartes, Benjamin Franklin, and Francis Bacon are listed in AMORC literature as famous Rosicrucians. According to AMORC literature the cycles of the fraternity’s work last 180 years. After a period of silence and secrecy, members generally emerge and do their work in public. It is said that a new public cycle began in 1909.

The organization of the AMORC includes the Grand Lodge, which has jurisdiction over America, the British Commonwealth, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Africa. The head of the Order is represented by the Grand Imperator. Ralph M. Lewis (1904–1987) succeeded his father, Spencer, in this post from 1939 to 1987. At his death, Gary L. Stewart became Grand Imperator, but he was removed from office three years later, accused of fraudulent behavior. He was succeeded by Christian Bernard, who is currently Grand Imperator. Members of the Order may be found in 85 countries around the world. The Rosicrucian Digest, published in San Jose, California, is the periodical of the movement.

Further Reading

Lewis, James R. The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions. Amherst, NY:

Prometheus Books, 1998.

Melton, J. Gordon. Encyclopedia of American Religions, 5th ed. Detroit, MI: Gale

Research Inc., 1996.

The Magi who created 2,000 spirit cavalrymen for Frederick, elector of Saxony.

Abramelin the Mage (1362–1460) A Jew from Würzburg, Germany, Abraham, or Abramelin (also spelled Abra-Melin), created a body of magical works that for centuries influenced

magicians, including Aleister Crowley. An expert on the Kabbalah, Abramelin said he learned his magical knowledge from angels, who told him how to conjure and tame demons into personal servants and workers, and how to raise storms (see storm rai sing). He said that all things in the world were created by demons, who worked under the direction of angels, and that each individual had an angel and a demon as familiars. The basis for his system of magic, he said, may be found in the Kabbalah.

According to lore, Abramelin created 2,000 spirit cavalrymen for Frederick, elector of Saxony. He also is said to have aided an earl of Warwick in his escape from jail and helped save the antipope John XX III (1410–15) from the Council of Constance.

The magic of Abramelin allegedly is contained in a manuscript, The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, actually a collection of three books. The manuscript was written in French in the 18th century but claims to be A a translation of Abramelin’s original manuscript in Hebrew, dated 1458. It was translated into English around the turn of the 20th century by S. L. MacGregor Mathers, one of the early and most influential members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Crowley borrowed from the book for his own rituals to master demons, and Gerald B. Gardner used it as a source for his book of shadows.

Abramelin magic is similar to that found in The Key of Solomon, considered the leading magical grimoire. It is based on the power of numbers and sacred names and involves the construction of numerous magical squares for such purposes as invisibility, flying, commanding spirits, necromancy, shape shifting (see metamorphosis) and scores of other feats. Rituals for conjuring spirits, creating magic squares and making seals and sigils are elaborate and must be followed exactly in accordance with astrological observances.

Further reading:

MacGregor-Mathers, S. L. The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage. Wellingborough, England: The Aquarian Press, 1976.