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Formerly “Echoes from Mt.

Ecclesia,” and entered under that name as second class matter


Nov. 3rd, 1913 at the Post Office of Oceanside, California, under the Act of August 24th, 1912.

Subscription: $1.00 per year; single copies 10¢ in the U.S.; Canada $1.25 per year and
England $1.50 per year post free.

Vol. 3 Oceanside October 1915 California No 6

The Mystic Light


* * * * * *
THE WAY OF LIFE shall conduct himself in his relations to
his environment and fellow men so as
B. N. Enola to gain the most benefit spiritually. To
To the one who has embarked upon come to a proper understanding of
the journey into the “Kingdom of what is needful, let us give a little con-
Heaven,” all metaphysical ideas are sideration to the worldly side of life.
more or less interesting, and have their We see men of the world struggling
places and uses. But what he is most and striving in the endeavor to realize
concerned about is what he shall do to their various ambitions and purposes
aid himself in his progress, and how he in life, and meeting disappointments,
4 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

sufferings, sorrows, and troubles of and vexations in life become only so


innumerable kinds. All these trou- many opportunities to exercise faith
bles, trials, disappointments, and suf- and love, kindness and patience.
ferings have their use and place in the Every temptation simply points to a
Divine order. They come to detach weak spot in our natures. It could not
our hearts from the world, to loosen be a temptation if we were strong.
the hold of the sense world upon us, Every sorrow, trouble, or vexation
to cause us to seek peace and rest only affects some portion of our
where alone it is to be found. pride, or egotism, or selfishness.
When a man once comes to see that Selfishness in some one of its many
the external material world never forms is the root cause of all our trou-
does and never can give him a per- bles—self-love, selfish pride, self-
manent peace and happiness, it needs will, selfish opinion, egotism.
but little to start him upon the Selfishness in its varied forms is the
Heavenly Way. But to the one who only enemy we have to overcome,
has so started, troubles and trials still and in overcoming selfishness we
come, at least for a time, but now for overcome the world, and as we can
a different purpose—for the pur- only overcome our selfish natures by
pose of perfecting the character. the power of the Christ nature within,
No quality or virtue, however much when we have completed this great-
desired, can really become a part of est of all conquests, we become one
our character until we have incorpo- with the Christ nature. In becoming
rated it into our nature by living it out one with Christ, we will manifest
in daily life, sometimes under hard pure, unselfish, holy love for all men,
and difficult conditions. and out of that love will naturally and
I may think and meditate frequent- inevitably flower every Christian
ly on the virtue of patience, but virtue. “Love is the fulfilling of the
unless I have frequent opportunities law.”
for the exercise of patience under the The freedom of Christ, mentioned
trying conditions of every day life, I in several places in the Bible, is the
shall never be positively strong in freedom or liberty obtained by
that virtue. So a1so with humility, detachment from the world and over-
meekness, gentleness, and all other coming of selfishness. We are then
Christian virtues. Growth comes living in the world, yet not of the
only from exercise. So the various world. The attainment of perfect
troubles, disappointments, sorrows, tranquility of mind and heart,
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 5

unshakable by any agency, is the evi- ing what they seek, are striving to
dence of overcoming. It is the basis reach the Heavenly state, every day
of enduring peace, and the founda- brings opportunities to sacrifice self-
tion of an ever growing happiness. ishness, to serve and love their fel-
Thus it is seen that life is nothing lows. Every mistake they make,
more nor less than a great spiritual every fall they have, contains lessons
school. And each of us is in a class by for them— lessons in humility,
himself, and the class is made up of patience, courage. Behold, all things
the various circumstances and condi- are good. “All things work together
tions of his life best suited to promote for good to them that love the Lord,
his spiritual growth. It is a reflection to them who are called according to
of his spiritual condition. What we His purpose.” Yea, and all things
see in our environment is a picture of work together for good to them that
ourselves. Therefore, if I do not like God loves—can He ever give any-
any particular condition or circum- thing but good, and dare we exclude
stance, let me look within and learn any?
the lesson it is meant to teach. Thus Does not this understanding give a
do I make use of and overcome that reasonable basis for faith or trust in
condition. “To refuse to be enslaved the Heavenly Father? Can we not see
by any outward thing or happening, that real wisdom consists in giving
regarding all such things and happen- one day at a time, leaving the order-
ings, as for your use, for your educa- ing of all our lives to Him who ever
tion, this is Wisdom. To be patient seeks our perfection and happiness?
under all circumstances, and to Our perfection is accomplished not
accept all circumstances as necessary so much by what we do as by allow-
factors in your training, is to rise ing the Divine Will to act through us.
superior to all painful conditions, and It is more by yielding our will in obe-
to overcome them with an overcom- dience, “willing to do His will,” than
ing which is sure, for by the power of by our own efforts toward our per-
obedience to law they are utterly fection. The universal laws are per-
slain.” fect in their operation, and when
The great majority are yet in the unhindered by our imperfect under-
kindergarten class, learning the sim- standing, bring us by the shortest and
ple, fundamental lessons of life, pro- easiest road to that rounded perfec-
gressing slowly along the evolution- tion of mind and heart which is the
ary path. But for those, who, know- Heavenly Father’s will for each of
6 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

us. We should believe that whatsoev- given, certain vital truths necessary
er is needed for our growth and for their unfoldment, and the Christ
development will always come, Himself told us that the truth should
always at the right time. The path of make us free. Many of the sublime
life is very simple. It is by obedience truths contained in the Christian
and trust. We have our part to do— teachings have, however, been
this is obedience. We can always obscured by creeds and dogmas
trust the Heavenly Father to do His wherewith the various sects and
part. Christ said, “The seed springeth denominations have contented them-
up, it knoweth not how, first the selves. They hire a minister and
blade, then the ear, after that the full charge him with the duty of expound-
corn in the ear.” Our spiritual devel- ing to them the truth of the Bible, but
opment is not sensed by the natural his tongue is tied by the creed of his
man. It is an inner growth, so silent particular denomination; he is pro-
and gentle as to escape our ordinary hibited on pain of public disgrace and
observation. Only by comparison of dismissal from publishing or preach-
the present with the past are we able ing anything not in strict agreement
to discern the change in our nature. with this particular brand of religion
Every step brings us nearer to the desired by those who pay him his
heavenly state Emerson said, salary. Each minister is given a pair
“Nothing becomes our lips but of glasses, colored according to the
paeans of praise and thanksgiving.” particular creed which he represents,
We cannot escape from our good. and woe betide him if ever he dares
to look at the Bible save with those
“THE BLIND SHALL SEE spectacles upon his nose; to do so
AND THE DEAF HEAR” means financial ruin and social
ostracism, which very few are brave
While physical disability of blind- enough to face.
ness is without doubt a great afflic- So long as the minister keeps his
tion, there is a blindness which has a denominational spectacles on there is
more detrimental effect upon those no danger, but sometimes it happens
who are suffering therefrom: blind- that one of them takes the denomina-
ness of heart. An old proverb says: tional glasses off, either by design or
“None is so blind as he who will not by accident. He may be of a venture-
see.” Every great religion has some nature and somehow has a feel-
brought to the people to whom it was ing that there is something outside
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 7

his particular sphere of vision, or he clipping will show. This sounds more
may have accidentally mislaid his like the musings of a Mystic than the
glasses. But, in either case, if he writings of a Presbyterian minister,
stumbles upon the naked truth in bound to the dreadful doctrine of pre-
God’s word he becomes unhappy. destination and commitment of souls
The writer has spoken to a number of to everlasting hell-fire, where dread-
ministers who have confessed that ful tortures are endured for eternity,
they had become aware of certain even by babes a span long, which
truths but dared not preach them have been thus foreordained to suffer
because to do so would call down the for eternity by their creator. It was
wrath of their congregation upon written by J. R. Miller, a well known
them by disturbing established con- Philadelphia Divine, and is only
ditions. And this is not to be won- another indication of the fact that a
dered at, even King James, who was sixth sense is slowly developing,
a monarch and an autocrat, cautioned often, as said, in the most unexpected
the translators of the Bible not to places, crushing creed with mystic
translate in such a manner that the facts and knowledge. The Rev. Miller
new version would disturb estab- says:
lished ideas; because he knew that “Every one of us casts a shadow.
the moment new points were intro- There hangs about us a sort of
duced there would be a controversy penumbra—a strange, indefinable
between the defenders of the old and something—which we call personal
the new religious views, which influence, which has its effect on
would probably result in civil war. every other life on which it falls. It
The great majority are always ready goes with us wherever we go. It is
to sacrifice truth for the sake of not something we can have when we
peace; therefore we are bound today will as we lay aside a garment. It is
despite our boasted freedom, and no something that always pours out
matter how keen may be our physical from our life, like light from a lamp,
eyesight, vast numbers among us are like heat from a flame, like perfume
blinded by a scale so opaque that it from a flower.”
almost entirely obscures their spiritu- Once, when the Christ was alone
al vision. with his disciples, he asked them:
But in spite of everything, the truth “Whom do men say that I, the Son of
crops out, sometimes in the most Man, am?” And they answered and
unexpected places, as the following said, “Some say Thou art Elijah, oth-
8 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

ers Jeremiah, and some say one of have been the duty of Jesus as
the prophets.” And Christ answered Teacher of his disciples to have
and said, “But whom do ye say I explained to them that such ideas
am?” and Peter said in answer to this were ridiculous. Instead, He pursues
question, “Thou are the Christ, the the subject to discover the depth of
Son of the Living God.” He had dis- their discernment and asks “who then
covered the truth, had seen the do ye say I am?” And when the
Christ. And the answer of Christ answer comes, showing that they dis-
came quickly: “Blessed art Thou, cern in Him someone above the
Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood prophets, above the Human race, the
has not revealed this to thee, but My Christ, the Son of the living God, He
Father which is in Heaven, and to perceives that they are ready for the
thee will I give the keys to the initiation which settles the question
Kingdom of Heaven and Hell.” of rebirth beyond all dispute in the
Here Materialistic religion, which mind of the disciple. No amount of
has so often debased Art in its ser- reading in books, of conversations or
vice, can see only a material key, and explanations can ever settle that point
therefore we find pictures where beyond all possibility of doubt. The
Peter stands with an enormous Key candidate must know for himself.
in his hand, but the Mystic finds in Therefore, in the Mystery schools of
this incident that the Disciples were today, after the first initiation has
taught a great truth in Nature, the opened the invisible world, he is
truth of Re-birth! By the key of initi- given the opportunity to satisfy him-
ation, this mystery was unlocked and self concerning rebirth, he is shown a
the doors of Heaven and Hell were child that has recently passed out of
opened to show them the immortality the body. On account of its tender
of the Spirit and that we return to this years, it takes birth quickly, probably
sphere of action to learn new and within a year after death. The new
greater lessons life after life, just as a initiate watches this child until final-
child learns its lessons at school day ly it enters the mother’s womb to
after day. emerge as a new-born babe again.
If rebirth were not a fact in nature, The reason he watches a child in
the return of departed spirits such as preference to an adult is that the lat-
Jeremiah, Elijah, and others, in the ter stays out of physical life approxi-
body of the then living Jesus, would mately one thousand years, while a
have been an absurdity, and it would babe has a new embodiment inside of
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 9

a very few years; some even find a would read the Mystic scroll of our
new environment after a few months past, must learn to still our senses so
and are born within a year. During that the world without disappears in
this time the new initiate also has darkness. Then, by the light of the
opportunities to study the life and spirit, we shall see the pictures of the
actions of those who are in purgatory past take the place of the present.
and the first Heaven, which are the This shadow, seen by Pastor Miller
heaven and hell referred to in the around the body, is analogous to the
Bible. This was what Christ helped photosphere, or Aura of the Sun and
his disciples to do: to see and to the planets. Each of those great bod-
know. Upon the rock of this truth the ies has such an invisible shadow, that
Church is founded, for if there were is to say, invisible under ordinary
no rebirth, there could be no evolu- conditions. We see the photosphere
tionary progress and consequently of the Sun when the physical orb is
all advancement would be an impos- obscured during an eclipse, but at no
sibility. other time. So also with this shadow
But what then is the way to realiza- or photosphere of man; when we
tion? is the great great question and learn to control our sense of sight so
to this there is and can be only one that we may look at a man without
answer—the unfoldment of the sixth seeing his physical form, then this
sense, by means of which the Mystic photosphere or aura may be seen in
discovers this immortal shadow that all its splendor, for the colors of earth
the Rev. Miller speaks about. Heaven are dull in comparison with those
and Hell are all about us, our own spiritual living fires which surround
past lives and the lives of our con- and emanate from each human being.
temporaries have been thrown upon The fantastic coruscating play of
the screen of time and are there ready the aurora borealis gives us an idea of
to be read at any time when we shall how this photosphere or shadow acts.
build our senses so that we may read It is in incessant motion, darts of
them. force and flame are constantly shoot-
The electric light, focused through ing out from every part thereof, but
a stereopticon lens, projects a bril- particularly active around the head;
liant image of a suitable slide when and the colors and hues of this auric
there is darkness, but leaves no visi- atmosphere change with every
ble imprint whatever when the Sun’s thought or move. This shadow is
rays strike the screen. We also, if we only observable to those who close
their eyes to all the sights of earth, Corinthians fifteenth chapter, forty-
who have ceased to care for the fourth verse) in which we shall meet
praise or blame of men, but are look- the Lord at His Coming, “Flesh and
ing only to their heavenly father; who blood,” such as we use at present,
are ready and willing to uphold truth “cannot inherit the Kingdom of
and truth alone; who see with the God.”
heart and see into the hearts of men There is a great deal of difference
that they may discover therein the in these auric emanations observed
Christ, the Son of the Living God. by the Rev. Miller; in fact, there are
Nor is that thing which thus sur- as many different auric types as there
rounds us a shadow, that fades when are people. The play of colors is
the sun of life ceases to shine in the never the same. If we were to watch
physical body. Far from it, it is the the sunrise and sunset for a lifetime,
resplendent garment of the human we would never find two exactly
spirit, obscured during physical exis- alike as to color, cloud effect, etc.
tence by the opaque garment of flesh Similarly, when we watch the play of
and blood. When John L. McCreery human emotions as revealed in the
writes about the friends who have aura there is an infinite variety, even
passed over, that in the same person when placed in
They have but dropped their robe identical positions and conditions at
of clay different times. In a sense, all sunsets
To put a shining raiment on, are alike; certain people see no dif-
he is incorrect. Their raiment is truly ferences, but to the artist the varie-
“shining,” but they do not put it on at gated color-play is sometimes actual-
death. It would be more correct to ly painful in its intensity. Some may
conceive of ourselves as wearing a also view the luminous auric cloud
garment of intensely brilliant soul- with but a vague appreciation of its
substance which is hidden by a dark import. But when a Christ beholds
and lusterless “coat of skin,” a phys- the Promethean struggles of poor
ical body. When we drop that, the blind humanity, what wonder that he
magnificent house from heaven, spo- cries, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how oft
ken of by Paul in the fifth chapter of would I have gathered you under my
Second Corinthians, becomes our wings!” Unless we are prepared to
normal habitation of Light. It is the become “men of sorrows,” we should
“soma psuchicon” or soul body (mis- not wish for the extension of sight,
translated “natural body” in First which enables its possessor to pene-
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 11

trate the opacity of the body reveal- Song of the Spheres; it is not heard
ing thereby the soul, for from thence- till all other sounds have been
forth we are bound to bear our broth- silenced, for it is the Father’s voice.
er’s burdens in addition to our own. And in this sublime harmony of the
But who so becomes a “Servant” has spheres the keynote of Wisdom,
with all the sorrow, also a joy and a Strength, and Beauty reverberates
peace that passeth all understanding. through the whole Universe, and in
When we have had our spiritual these vibrations we live, move and
eyes opened, and have learned to see have our being. Love divine pours
this heavenly vision, the Christ out upon us in unstinted measure
within the hearts of men, there are through each cosmic chord to cheer
other steps that take us further along the despondent and urge the laggard.
the path. When we learn to close our “Are not two sparrows sold for a far-
ears to the clashing and clamoring thing, yet not one falleth to the
throng, to the quarrels of men over ground without your father knoweth;
this, that, and the other unessential ye are more than many sparrows.”
thing, when we have learned that the “Come unto me ye that are weak and
creeds, dogmas and all earthly opin- heavy laden,” rest upon the great cos-
ions are of no value, that there is only mic heart of the Father. His voice
one voice in the universe worth lis- shall comfort and strengthen the soul.
tening to, the voice of our Father that Each year and age this great
speaketh ever to them that seek His Cosmic Chant changes, each life we
face, then we shall be able to hear the learn to sing a new song. God in all
Song of the Spheres, spoken of in the and through all works His miracles in
immortal “Faust” in the inspired nature and in man. We are usually
words: deaf to the magic wrought by the
The Sun intones His ancient song, silent sound of the divine word, but if
Mid rival chant of Brother spheres, we can learn “to hear,” we shall sense
His predestined course He speeds the true nearness of Our Father, clos-
along, er than hands and feet, we shall know
In thunderous path throughout the that we are never alone, never out of
years. His loving care.
As in the case of the photosphere of As the Sun and planets give both
the Sun that is seen only during an light and sound, so man also has his
eclipse, when the physical orb has keynote of light and sound. In the
been obscured, so it is also with the Medulla burns a light like the flame
12 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

of a candle, but it does not burn opaque physical body of man veils
steadily, quietly and silently. It pul- the beautiful auric atmosphere, so
sates and at the same time it emits a also our personal feelings and emo-
sound which varies from birth to tions and interests make us insensible
death and may be said never to be the to fellow feelings. When we have
same. As it changes, so do we learned to still the feeling of our own
change, for this sound is the keynote hearts, to think little of our own sor-
of the human being. In it is expressed rows and joys, we begin to sense the
his hopes and his fears, his sorrows beating of the great Cosmic heart,
and his joys as they have been which is now in travail to bring many
worked out in the physical world, for sons to glory.
this fire is kindled by the archetype The birth pangs of our Father-
of the physical body. The archetype Mother in Heaven are sensed only by
is a vacuous sphere, but by sounding the Mystic in his highest and most
a certain note it draws to itself all the sublime moments, when he has
physical concretions which we see entirely stifled the selfish wailings of
here as its manifestation—the body his own heart, for that is the strongest
which we call the man. In this sound- and most difficult enemy to over-
ing flame the greatest number of come. But when that has been
nerves in the human body have their achieved, he senses, as said, the
root and origin. This place is the vital Great Heart of our Father in Heaven.
spot in man, the seat of life, the ker- Thus, step by step, we approach the
nel of the shadow which Pastor Light, even the Father of Lights in
Miller spoke about. When we find Whom there is “no shadow,” and let
that point, we have almost reached us make this very clear, that:
the heart of the man. It may be a mark of some achieve-
To reach that supreme point, other ment to be able to see “the shadow.”
steps are necessary; however, we are It may mark a higher step in attain-
usually so wrapped up in our own ment to be able to hear “the voice in
interests, regardless of the interests the silence.”
and cares of other people, that we are But above everything, let us strive
self-centered. This must be over- to feel the heart-beats of our fellows,
come; we must learn to bury our own to make their sorrows our own, to
sorrows and joys, to stifle our own rejoice in their attainments and to
feelings, for just as the light of the guide them to our Father’s bosom for
Sun hides the photosphere, and the peace and comfort.
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 13

OVERCOME EVIL our natures by transmuting it to good.


WITH GOOD It is readily apparent to anyone that
we cannot be possessed of qualities
Chas. A. Peckham that are exactly opposite in nature.
When, at the beginning of our We cannot be both saint and sinner;
efforts to live the higher life, we both wise and ignorant; both patient
examine and judge ourselves each and impatient. Therefore, as we culti-
night, as provided for in the evening vate the one, the other must of neces-
exercise used in the Rosicrucian sity be eradicated. Thus by living a
Fellowship, we very naturally find life of devotion to high ideals and cul-
within ourselves many habits and tivating the good and true within our-
traits of character which we consider selves, we overcome and crowd out
as undesirable, and which hinder our our evil tendencies as easily and sure-
advancement, and these we, forth- ly as heat overcomes cold or light dis-
with, attempt to eradicate. pels darkness. It is much easier to
Then begins a struggle with the overcome a fault by cultivating a
lower nature that often taxes our good habit to take its place than it is
strength to the utmost, for we find to tear it out by the roots, and this
that as we oppose these tendencies, seems to be nature’s way.
they seem to grow stronger and to Then, too, it is undesirable to kill out
resist us with an ever-increasing anything that we find in our natures.
force. This is because these tenden- All our faculties are given us for use.
cies are deeply rooted in our natures It is by means of them that we gain
and are consequently difficult to dis- experience. That they appear evil is
lodge. By opposing the evil we simply because we use our energy in
strengthen it and cause it to fight back the wrong direction. Therefore, if we
and thus defeat our aim. kill them out, we deprive ourselves of
There is a method, however, by something which may be of benefit;
which we may attain our object with whereas, if we transmute and use this
much less expenditure of energy, and energy for good, we not only eradi-
to this Paul gives us the key when he cate the evil, but also acquire new
tells us to “Be not overcome of evil, faculties of value in our soul-growth.
but overcome evil with good.” In this Remember, that it is our task to
statement he enunciates a well-estab- purify and refine our natures and so
lished principle of occult training, prepare ourselves for work in the
which is to overcome all the evil in higher worlds.
14 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

Therefore, let us spend no time in becomes a valuable servant.


resisting or denying evil, but rather let Let us, therefore, strive to transmute
us strive to cultivate to the utmost our all that is evil in our natures to good;
higher natures and to live lives of all that is good to still greater good
such purity, that not only in deed but and so prepare ourselves to become
also in word, thought, and feeling we coworkers with those who are labor-
express only that which is good and ing to hasten the great day of the
beautiful and so by spiritual alchemy Lord.
transform our lower natures, transmut-
ing the base metal to most pure gold. THE CHEERFUL BLACKGUARD
Our goal is to become self-con-
scious creators and the first step nec- Here is a brief extract from that sin-
essary to that attainment is to let love gular story, The Cheerful Blackguard, by
rule supreme in our hearts, so that we Roger Pocock. It gives an impression
no longer seek to destroy, but only to of the endless fund of philosophy that
uplift and preserve. Christ said, the Spanish-Irish hero possesses. At
“Love your enemies,” and we can the time he utters the speech, he
readily see that our worst enemies are expects to be condemned to death.
our own carnal passions and desires, “See,” he says, “the rain has
for these hinder our advancement in stopped, the shadow of the rain has
far greater measure than any outside passed, the sun god lights the rain-
force can do. drops, even the dirty little raindrops
Yet these passions have been the along the window frame. Dirty they
means of our advancement, for through are, and yet they shine like stars;
them we have gained the experiences small they are, yet big enough to
necessary for our growth, and we ought reflect the figures and glory of their
to love them accordingly. God, who made them in his image.
But now, having learned the lesson, The sun heat will dry them up, so that
having assimilated all that they can their bodies die, and yet their spirits
teach, it is necessary, in order to rise into the heavens.
advance further, that every faculty “I am no more than that. I am no
should be uplifted and trained to serve less—a thing from heaven, stained
us on higher levels. and shamed with dirt in this world,
The opposite pole of every vice is a and yet reflecting God, who burns
virtue into which that vice may be my body to call my spirit up,
transmuted, and when so purified it cleansed, freed, eternal.”
Question Department
* * * * * *
THE GOVERNING RAY? the shepherd, we find great lights like
Solomon, who was later reborn as Jesus,
Question: In the Cosmo it is stated that all and is now the invisible spiritual pillar of
Occult Schools belong to one of the seven the Church, which he will eventually guide
planetary rays and one can only join the into the haven of the Kingdom of Christ.
school of the ray to which he belongs. To These people are the Divine prototypes,
what ray does the Rosicrucian Fellowship Adam and Eve, created by Jehovah, the
belong? And does this mean that anyone regent of Luna, the Queen of the waters of
applying for admission thereto, if not of the the world and the emotions of men. Our
same ray, could be rejected? Understanding emotions are unstable as water, which is
of this point is rendered still more difficult governed in its periodical ebb and flow by
because of the statement in, I think, the the Moon.
Astrology books, that our Father Star is not The other stream of humanity, called the
known until the last initiation. Sons of Cain, is that class in whom the
Divine essence, the Ego, makes itself felt as
Answer: There are two sets of people in a burning fire. The original creative instinct
the world, spoken of in the Masonic Legend is keen within them, for when humanity was
as the Sons of Seth and the Sons of Cain, in its cradle, they listened to the voice of the
and represented in our modern times by Lucifer Spirits and ate of the Tree of
Freemasonry and Catholicism, statecraft Knowledge; hence they became enlight-
and priestcraft: those who listen to the voice ened. The mind prospered at the expense of
of intellect and follow the head, and those the heart; and from Cain, Tubal-Cain,
who obey the voice of the heart and follow Methuselah, have come all the craftsmen,
their emotions and feelings. The Sons of of the world. They were the ones who built
Seth are people who go along the devotion- Solomon’s Temple, under the leadership of
al path and follow their religion in whatever Hiram Abiff, the Master Mason, who was
country they may be; they do not come in later reborn as the Widow’s Son of Naim,
touch with any Mystery School at any time raised by the strong grip of the Lion of
of their existence. They have followed their Judah and is now working through Industry
spiritual teachers, docile as lambs, as water and Statecraft under the name of Christian
flows gently in an artificial canal, and Rosenkreuz to bring his kindred into the
among their leaders, from the time of Abel, Kingdom of Christ, where the two streams
16 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

will unite, where there will be neither Children born with the same Gr. Mean
priests nor kings, but one, even Christ, will time in Madrid, New York, and Honolulu
fill the dual office of King and Priest. would be of widely different types, stamped
In every vast company of men there are by their national and racial peculiarities, and
always some behind and some in advance; yet their horoscopes would be much alike.
and we may find individuals belonging to This illustrates that it is not the horoscope
each of these two streams of humanity itself that counts, but the invisible influence
among the lowest types, as well as among that is due to the identity of the Father Fire
the most highly civilized people on earth. or Father Star; and when a man or woman is
But all along the path of evolution, there ready to enter the gate or path which leads
are, as we might say, gates which lead to the up to the Mystery School, he or she will feel
path of initiation and which may be the right spiritual attraction through the
unlocked by anyone who has the proper key. basic color vibration of their aura, and if this
But the locks are different at different points attraction is followed, it is sure to guide him
on the path of evolution, and they are to the right place, where he will not be refused.
becoming more complicated, for we are all Generally speaking, it may be said that all
learning lessons now by evolution which of the people of the Western world belong to
were in bygone ages taught in the process of the Western Wisdom School of the
initiation in the Mystery Schools. Rosicrucians, and that they make a mistake
In each life we are born with a new horo- when they endeavor to enter a school
scope. Our Ascendant and planets will be belonging to or teaching the Eastern
very different in each life, according to the Philosophy. When Moses led the Israelites
lessons we have to learn and the liabilities out of Egypt, the land of the Bull, where that
we are to liquidate from the past. In one life animal was worshiped when the Sun, by
we may have Mars as a ruler, another life precession, was in the sign Taurus, he gave
may be ruled by Venus, or any of the other the people under his guidance a new sym-
planets. For it is designed that the spirit bol, the Lamb. And from the time when the
should learn all things in order to become Sun by precession went through the sign
perfect and it must therefore evolve under Aries, the Lamb, it has been and is idolatry
the influence of all the planets in order that to worship the golden Calf (Taurus), or bow
everything in its nature may be evenly bal- down before the serpents and scorpions,
anced. Nevertheless, the stamp of our Father which were the priests of that dispensation,
Star or Father Fire is always there, and this because Scorpio is the opposite sign from
makes one who is inherently Martial spirit Taurus. Then came Christ, the Lamb of God,
different from one who comes from the so called, to inaugurate a new religion; and
Jupiter Rays, though their horoscopes may be we hear of a judgment when He shall come
quite similar, perhaps, as in the case of twins. again under the sign Libra, the scales, which
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 17

is opposite Aries, to judge all of the world. yellow-yellow, etc. Similarly under the ray
Later, by precession, the Sun passed of Mars there are some who are Mars-
through the sign Pisces, the fishes, and for Saturn, others who are Mars-Sun, others
two thousand years we have been abstaining again who are Mars-Venus, and so on. Mars
from meat on certain days and eating fish, is then the Father Star, while the name of the
while we worshiped the opposite sign, other planet designates the individual ray.
Virgo, the immaculate Virgin. Now the sun Therefore we find in the Mystery Schools,
is entering, by precession, within orb of the all over the world, people who are born with
celestial sign Aquarius, the Son of Man, and any one of the twelve signs rising and any
in the coming Aquarian age we shall have one of the planets ruling. Also people with
an entirely different standard from what we individual rays of the Sun, Venus, Mars,
have had before. As a matter of fact, we Mercury, etc., are found both in the Eastern
must learn to worship the Christ within, and and Western Mystery Schools. But the
this Christ is not the same for each one of Mystery School itself is colored by the
us. This is the Savior that is to lead us out of deep, overpowering planetary influence of
our present condition. And the difference is the Father Fire, the Father Star, under which
in the basic planetary ray that is in each and it originated.
every one of us. You will understand that as the Father Fire
So there is the horoscopic ray, governed is not revealed until the last initiation, this
by the planet which is ruler of our horo- basic nature of any Mystery School cannot
scope in each life; there is the individual ray, be told openly in public. But you must dif-
which is governed by the sub-ray of our ferentiate between the Mystery School and
Father Fire or Father Star, under which we such an association as the Rosicrucian
originated; and, finally, there is the Father Fellowship and other kindred societies,
Fire or Ray itself. It is this latter that is not which are only preparatory schools for their
revealed until the last initiation. Our indi- respective Occult Orders. Such schools as
vidual ray is discovered unto us at the time the Rosicrucian Fellowship and kindred
we receive the discipleship instruction, and organizations would naturally be dominated
the horoscopic ray is evident as soon as we by the planetary influence from the foun-
cast the figure and know how to read it. tain-head; this cannot therefore be given.
To clear up this point from another angle, There are plenty of people who claim that
let us illustrate by colors. There are seven they know all and who will smile mysteri-
colors in the spectrum: red, orange, yellow, ously, or give out misinformation which can
etc. But within the red we shall also find not be controverted and proven false,
seven sub-rays which are: red-red, red- because it concerns the secrets of initiation.
orange, red-yellow, etc. The same with the The writer has always made it a role to say
yellow ray, we shall find the yellow-red, honestly and without hesitation, whenever a
18 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

question was asked to which he could not posed to be ruled by Mercury, had in their
give an answer: “I do not know.” To profess individual ray all the different other planets;
omniscience is equivalent to a profession of and the same with every one of the other
Divinity; but though the writer has met quite signs. The writer has given considerable
a number of “professors,” he has met very time and study, endeavoring to find a rule,
few, if any, “possessors,” and you will have but it has proven absolutely futile, and there
to wait for the answer to that question until is only the one explanation, given by the
you come to the proper point in initiation. Elder Brothers—that the Individual Ray is
Even in the case of the Individual ray, retained by the spirit throughout its whole
which is given to the Disciples at the time series of lives, and perfectly independent of
they enter the path of discipleship, it has the Horoscopal rays, which change accord-
been found that people under the sign ing to its birth, environment, and the lessons
Gemini, for instance, which would be sup- to be learned in each life.

The Astral Ray


* * * * * *
CURED BY ANGELIC VISITATION
A Modern Miracle with Sun, Mercury, Venus, and the Dragon’s
Tail.
Editor’s Note—A. M. Davidson, one of Jupiter, the ruling planet, is sextile to
our English students, sends us the following Mercury and the Sun, and Mars is sextile to
account of the miraculous cure of Miss Venus. Thus we see that this is a very gen-
Dorothy Kerin of London, who had been tle, idealistic, and lovable character, but
bedridden for many years suffering from Venus is in conjunction with the Dragon’s
advanced tuberculosis and kidney disease. Tail which has a Saturnine influence, and
She became blind, deaf, and dumb, and was both Mercury and Venus are square to
at the point of death, when suddenly, Saturn; hence it is inevitable that much sor-
through a vision with warm healing hands, row and suffering will come in to this life
she was cured and has been well ever since. and cloud it with gloom. Wherever Mercury,
As our friend has sent us her figure, we the significator of the mind, is afflicted by
think it may interest our readers to know Saturn, the planet of Obstruction, there is
what the stars have to say. naturally a gloomy condition and a tenden-
In this nativity Sagittarius 13 is Ascending cy to look upon the dark side of life. But we
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 19

can never judge anything in a horoscope With respect to the Health, it is recorded
from one configuration; all aspects must be that she became afflicted with tuberculosis,
considered in their bearing upon any subject, also that she lost her sight, hearing, and
and thus a synthesis, or balance, of influ- speech. The Sun and Mercury are in the sign
ence will be obtained. The sextile of Mars to Sagittarius close to the nebular spot called
Venus and Mercury gives fortitude to the Antares, and the Sun is in opposition to
mind, thus helping to offset the sinister Neptune. This is the cause of the weak sight.
influence of Saturn. The Moon, which is the The twelfth house indicates the restrictive
other significator of mind, is in the Mercurial influences in life, and when Mercury, the
significator of sense, is there in conjunction
with the Sun, as is the case in the present
horoscope, we have a limiting influence
which affects the hearing. It is curious to
note that Neptune, the octave of Mercury, is
in the Sign Gemini, ruled by Mercury and in
opposition to the Sun and therefore it helps
to awaken the spiritual hearing which is also
recorded in connection with this case. This
configuration would not have been able to
do this alone, and the hearing obtained
would have been of an undesirable nature,
but it helps the configuration of the Moon
trine to Uranus, which opens up the super-
sign Gemini, trine to Uranus. This accounts normal faculties, as already stated.
for the evolution of the supernormal facul- Taurus rules the throat and larynx, but
ties of which we hear in the history of this Mercury governs the air which stirs the
case, and the conversion of these latent fac- vocal chords. Here we find that Taurus is on
ulties to dynamic powers are also presaged the cusp of the Sixth house, denoting sick-
by the trine of Jupiter, the planet of ness, and Venus, the ruler, is on the
Benevolence and Idealism, to Neptune the Ascendant in conjunction with the
planet of Spirituality; and by balancing Saturnine influence of the Dragon’s Tail,
these testimonies, we see in this young which also afflicts Mercury by its conjunc-
woman a soul of a gentle, kindly, and ideal- tion; hence the weakness of the vocal
istic nature whose latent spiritual faculties organs, and the consequent loss of speech is
are nearly ripe, and almost ready to be con- indicated by their square to Saturn. Neptune
verted into usable powers under the proper in the sign Gemini, which governs the
stellar impact. lungs, in opposition to the Sun, is responsi-
20 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

ble for the affliction of Tuberculosis. tion of scientific men as that known on this
It would seem almost impossible that one side of the “herring pond” as the “Kerin
so sorely afflicted could ever be healed, but miracle case”. On Sunday 18th, February,
on Sunday, February 18th, 1912, the clock 1912, Miss Dorothy Kerin who had lain for
of Destiny struck the hour of her relief. At some years bed-ridden, suffering from
that time the progressed Sun was 28 degrees advanced tuberculosis, kidney disease, and,
of Sagittarius; it had therefore passed the latterly, from blindness and loss of speech,
opposition to the radical Moon and was sex- with a temperature sometimes rising to 105,
tile to Uranus at birth. This is an influence was suddenly and completely cured by an
under which a sudden turn of a beneficial angelic visitation.
nature might be expected, but the planets The following particulars were supplied
alone cannot bring this about. The Moon, or by her mother: “A strange fact in the recov-
Lunation, is the minute hand on the clock of ery is that for a few days immediately
Destiny and on that very day the New Moon before it, Miss Kerin appeared to become
occurred in 28 degrees of Aquarius, trine to rapidly worse than ever she had been in the
the Moon and Uranus at birth, and sextile to the preceding five years of her illness. A few
progressed Sun; this was a very powerful days before, she had lost both hearing and
occult influence and on that very day Jupiter, sight. We did not think she could live
the ruler of the figure also transited the Ascen- through the day. My husband and I, with
dant; thus there were a number of most extra- some other friends and relations, were gath-
ordinary influences to account for the mira- ered round her bed about 8 p.m. on Sunday,
cle which then took place in her recovery. expecting it to be her deathbed. She sudden-
Following is the history of the case, as ly gave a great sigh, and we thought she was
given by our friend in England. gone. But with a wonderful smile which
Many there are who refuse to believe none of us can ever forget, she stretched out
there is any such thing as a “miracle”. They her arms and held them out for a few
are probably right, a miracle is not super- moments. Then she lay still for awhile.
natural it is merely, usually, an activity of Presently her lips moved, she stretched out
super-physical forces which are not yet her arms again, and then drew her hands
understood by the world in general. Such over her eyes, always smiling in that won-
“miracles” occur constantly in connection derful, unearthly way. Her terrible weak-
with the patients of the R F., probably every ness, due to tuberculosis and diabetes, had
day, if the truth were known. But of the made her almost a skeleton. And then we
many extraordinary happenings which have saw a miracle before our eyes. She looked at
thrust themselves upon a skeptical world of us, her eyes at first squinting and then
late years, probably none is so well authen- becoming quite natural in expression. I
ticated or has received so much of the atten- asked her: “Dolly do you know me?” “Of
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 21

course I do mummy.” We were all amazed. what was happening to her brother at a dis-
She then sat up and cried, “I am to get up.” tance from home. Care had to be exercised
She seemed to be under some mysterious in speaking of her in other rooms as she
influence. “You can’t get up my darling,” could then hear, although deaf to those who
said I, “you are too weak.” But when we spoke to her at the bed-side.
brought a wrapper, she swung her legs from An independent statement of the case, for
the bed and walked about. She was much those who are further interested, may be
calmer than we were. One man present was found in Dr. E. L. Ash’s Faith and Suggestion.
a professed atheist. He fell on his knees and Miss Kerin, to the writer’s knowledge, is
sobbed aloud. apparently quite well and strong today. She
Miss Dorothy Kerin, interviewed in her spoke at a great religious conference in the
mother’s presence, said concerning the North of England recently and last month
healing ‘Vision’: “It seemed like a great delivered a lecture before a London Occult
golden flame above me, with two hands Society, “What I know of the effect of
stretched out, warm hands, and a voice prayer as a healing factor. How I was
spoke, saying: ‘Dorothy your sufferings are cured”. It need scarcely be added that Miss
over; get up, you can walk.’ And then I Kerin is of a very religious disposition, and
could see and walk and am well. I am sure even during her illness she was so patient
it is a miracle.” Her doctor would not and gentle, and suffered all things gladly as
believe it when he was informed, but had to to quickly endear her to all with whom she
admit on examining her next day that she came in contact. Miss Kerin was offered
was entirely free from organic disease! quite large sums to appear on the music-hall
The case is so thoroughly well authenti- stage, but regarding this as a prostitution of
cated as to be absolutely indisputable. Miss the evidence of divine grace, it was refused.
Kerin’s pathological condition was vouched
for not only by her regular medical atten- YOUR CHILD’S HOROSCOPE
dant, Dr. Norman, but also by the St.
Bartholomew’s Hospital, St. Peter’s Home Little Miss Fh. Born April 3, 1915
for Incurables at Kilburn, and other institu- This is rather a difficult horoscope of a
tions, she having been sent home two years strange child. You remember how Faust says:
ago as a hopeless case. Scores of doctors
have since seen her, and her case is well Two souls, alas, are housed within my
known in the profession. Her brother said breast:
that during the later stages of her illness, One to the earth with passionate desire
when her normal faculties declined, And closely clinging garments still adheres.
Dorothy developed super-normal faculties Above the mist the other does aspire
and could, for instance, give an account of With sacred ardor unto purer spheres.
22 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

There is just such a markedly dual nature always look green to them, and this restless-
in this horoscope, almost amounting to two ness permeates the whole nature. There is,
distinct and separate personalities. We find on account of the position of Venus, Jupiter,
one shown by the planets in Pisces: Venus, and Mercury in Pisces, a strong tendency
Jupiter, Mars and Mercury. This represents toward musical expression, but whether this
the lower and more pleasure loving nature. will be brought out or not depends upon
The other, higher self is represented by the whether she can be made to settle down to
Moon sextile to Uranus and trine to the Sun actual study; for the Moon in Sagittarius,
which is also sextile to Uranus. These two squaring Venus and also Jupiter, the ruler of
natures are so different from each other, so Sagittarius, will make this exceedingly
antagonistic that there is going to be a life of doubtful.
There is no doubt that she is an advanced
soul, but on that account she also affords a
very difficult problem to handle, and the
main care of the parents should be directed
to settling her down to one course or anoth-
er. Naturally, the pleasure loving side of her
character, the fondness of good clothes,
given by the Moon square Venus, the love of
good things to eat and drink, shown by
Mars, Jupiter, and Venus in Pisces, are the
main things which the parents will have to
combat during the earlier years. When the
age of puberty has brought the soul some
realization of its destiny, the fight within
struggle in which now one, now the other herself will begin, and the Sun, sextile
will gain the ascendency. Uranus and trine Moon, will then com-
Besides these aspects, note that the sign mence to exert an influence for good. There
Capricorn is rising, with the ruler, Saturn in also is considerable help from Capricorn on
the sixth house and square to Mars. This the Ascendant, to overcome the Sagittarius
will make her discontented; she will never tendency of restlessness. If the parents work
know just to which side to lean, and she will upon her in the early years and get her to
rebel against the restraint which is due to settle down to certain, definite lines of con-
present social conditions of the world. duct and study, this influence will be
The Moon in the sign Sagittarius makes marked in the later years and give her great
people very restless and causes them to trav- aid in overcoming the Pisces side of her per-
el from one place to another; “far fields” sonality.
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 23

With regard to health, we note that Saturn Don By Born April 12, 1906
is in the sign Gemini, which rules the lungs. Here we have a little fellow who was born
We see also that he is square to Mars from just about the time of the San Francisco
the watery sign Pisces. This will give a ten- earthquake. The planets were then in a very
dency to coughs and colds and if these are afflicted condition; but fortunately he had
neglected the lungs may become affected. Leo rising and all the planets, with the
There is, however, no cause for apprehen- exception of two, above the earth. The Sun
sion, because the Sun and Mars are in paral- is exalted in Aries, and Mars is close to the
lel and this will give her such wonderful M. C. This will give him strength so that,
recuperative powers that, although she may although there are many afflictions, he will
be down to the verge of death, she will pick be able to survive them all and hold his own.
up just as quickly. Besides, when we speak of an afflicted
But Astrology does not only tell us that
she will be subject to coughs and colds, but
it gives the causes of the trouble. We find
here that the Moon is square to Venus and
that Jupiter is conjunction to Mars, Venus
Mars and Jupiter being in the watery sign
Pisces. This gives a marked tendency
toward indulgence of the appetites, and it is
a well known fact that coughs and colds are
mostly due to overeating. She must, there-
fore, be taught from the very earliest child-
hood not to gratify this appetite, because the
system cannot throw off an excess of nutri-
ment—no matter how much she may plead,
and she will be an adept at that; because of horoscope, it is really something over which
the conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter, the we should rejoice, from the soul’s standpoint.
parents must let reason rule. In later years For squares bring soul growth and a child
the side of her nature expressed by Mars with a horoscope like this is bound to rise in
conjunction Mercury will come out and sharp- the world and make his mark in spite of the
en the tongue, but there also they must stand drawbacks. He is far better off than a child
firm, so that neither on account of pleading with a wishy-washy horoscope that has no
nor of scolding should they give in to this afflictions which, by being overcome, will
desire for an excess of food, for that will generate the spiritual muscle, as physical
cause most of her physical troubles. The fore- exercise generates bodily strength and vigor.
going is aggravated by Neptune in Cancer. Mercury, the significator of mind, is
24 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

square to Uranus and Neptune. This will so close to the M. C., aspected by Neptune
make him slow to grasp things intellectual- and Uranus, makes it very probable that he
ly; but Mercury sextile Jupiter trine Moon will also express himself orally, on the lec-
will more than offset that. There is also ture platform, and the aspect to Neptune and
Saturn trine Neptune sextile Uranus. Uranus makes it appear likely that his lec-
Neptune is the octave of Mercury and gov- tures will have to do with occult subjects.
erns the logical understanding of spiritual This child has brought such noble ideals
problems, while Uranus is the octave of and characteristics with him from the past
Venus and governs the intuition. This will that it is really unnecessary to warn the par-
raise his understanding of things to a plane ents to look after him in any respect. He will
which is above the intellectual, yet not alto- find himself unaided, and he will never go far
gether dependent on intuition. He will know wrong as far as the moral and the mental life
things without having a reason, but he will is concerned; but with respect to the physical,
also know the reason for his conclusions. there is considerable to be guarded against in
The Sun is exalted in Aries, and Venus is order to make life as pleasant as possible for
essentially dignified in Taurus; both are in him, for there are a number of afflictions.
the ninth house and thus they serve to Jupiter governs the arterial circulation and
enlighten the mind and give it kindliness. it is in Gemini, the sign of the lungs. It is
This will also give him very high ideals and square the planet Saturn, which is the
make him very sympathetic. obstructor in life; and in a very weak oppo-
The presence of Mars in Taurus, which gov- sition to the Moon, which from that place
erns the larynx, has a tendency to make peo- governs the tidal flow of the air in the lungs.
ple cruel in speech, but as Mars is not aspect- Thus it is seen that Don should be taught to
ed at all, this tendency probably will not come breathe well and deeply, because otherwise
to the front. If it does it will only be on rare there may be obstruction in the lungs and
occasions, for Venus is also in that sign. the blood will not be well oxygenated. This
The trine of Mercury to the Moon imparts would, naturally, impair the system.
a sort of a dreamy nature to the mentality Neptune and Uranus are in opposition from
and the presence of the Sun and Venus in the the signs Cancer and Capricorn, and
ninth house also gives something of that squared by Mercury, which rules the nerves.
same nature. Taken together, they indicate Cancer is the sign of the stomach, and there-
that Don will be able to express himself most fore we see that there is a tendency to ner-
beautifully in poetry. There is great probabil- vous indigestion. From this fact we also rea-
ity that he will take up literature for a voca- son that the impaired digestion gives rise to
tion and his writings will be of a strange the colds and coughs previously mentioned
nature, on account of this unusual mentality. as liable to obstruct the lungs. Don should
Venus being in Taurus, the sign of voice, and be very careful of his food and endeavor to
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 25

strengthen his body by breathing exercises. seven words that have thus been translated;
If these exercises are given him from child- but one of them, which was borrowed from
hood, there is no doubt he will outgrow the Egypt, is Naja. This word is found on the
tendency because the Sun is elevated and old tablets in the ancient temples of Egypt
exalted in Aries. This will overcome almost where Osiris, the Sun God, is hailed when
anything that is detrimental to health. arising from the primordial deep. He was
then crowned with glory and has the Uraeus
Naja, an emblem of cosmic wisdom. The
EVOLUTION AS SHOWN IN THE Uraeus was a part of a serpent’s body, with
ZODIAC its head protruding from a point in the fore-
(Concluded) head just above the nose, where the human
spirit has its seat; and Christ therefore
SERPENTS or SCORPIONS referred to the ancient Serpent-Initiates,
Jesus taught the multitudes in parables, when he said: “Be ye wise as serpents.”
but explained the mysteries of the Kingdom In ancient Egypt the King wore a crown
to His disciples. Paul gave meat to the adorned by a double serpent, Uraeus or
strong, but the milk of doctrine to the multi- Naja, which seem to protrude from his fore-
tude, for there has always been an exoteric head when the crown was placed upon his
and an esoteric side in every religion. If we head. This was to symbolize the fact that he
take Taurus, the sign of the bull, to symbol- held the double office of King and Priest by
ize the worship of that animal as practiced virtue of his sublime wisdom. In India, also,
in Egypt, Persia, and other countries at that the guardians of the Mystery Teachings
time, then we shall find that the opposite were called Nagas or Serpents. In the
sign, Scorpio, symbolizes the esoteric doc- Icelandic Eddas, the Northern Vedas,
trine of the priesthood, which were the Siegfried, the truth seeker, slays the serpent,
guardians of these Ancient Atlantean tastes of its blood and then becomes wise.
Mysteries. Nor, to elaborate on the statement made
In this connection we will note first that above, is it necessary to go outside our own
the sign Scorpio is represented in the picto- religion for proof that the serpent is the
rial Zodiac by a Scorpion or Serpent, and symbol of wisdom, for the Christ Himself
we wish to impress particularly on the stu- said: “Be ye wise as serpents.” The serpent
dent’s mind that the Scorpion has its sting in is certainly not sufficiently sagacious to
the tail, while the Serpent has the venom in warrant a literal meaning of this saying; but
its teeth. This is very significant, as we shall when we understand that when the creative
see presently. fire is drawn upwards through the serpen-
On looking up the word “serpent” in the tine spinal cord it vibrates the pituitary
Bible, we shall find that there are about body, and the pineal gland, connecting the
26 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

Ego with the invisible worlds by opening up we shall readily see that the incident there
a hidden sense, the allusion is perfectly clear. narrated was of a mediumistic nature. David
There is, however, a lower phase of spiri- had become afraid of Saul and he went with
tual development, symbolized in ancient Samuel to “Naioth”. This is supposed by
times by placing the Uraeus or serpent at the Bible translators to be a place, and maybe a
navel, to show that the mediumistic facul- village was so named. But if that was the
ties in the solar plexus had been developed. case, it was because the people who lived in
Mediumship is a negative phase of spiritual that place were Naioth, or mediums. They
sight or hearing possessed by a person con- were called prophets in the chapter before
trolled by an outside intelligence who then us, and it is significant that as soon as any-
prophesies. This undesirable phase of seer- one came within their camp, he commenced
ship was represented in the Zodiac by the to prophesy or speak under control. Even
symbol of Scorpion, which has the sting in Saul, who came there, anxious to get David
its tail. In the Serpent Initiate the Creative away that he might slay him, was seized by
Cosmic Fire was drawn upward through the the spirits and prophesied, to the amazement
head to serve a spiritual end; in the Medium of all present.
the creative energy is expressed for selfish, In the New Testament we are told that the
sensual ends through the procreative organ Christ went to the city of Nain and there
ruled by the Scorpion. raised The Son of a Widow. In the Latin
The point between the eyebrows, whence Testament, this city was not called Nain, but
the serpent of wisdom protrudes, is the seat Naim. And it is very significant that all
of life, whereas all that opens the womb is three, Naim, Naioth and Endor, where the
subject to the sting of death, contained in sorceress that assisted Saul is supposed to
the Scorpion’s tail. have lived, are in the same locality by
If we now turn with this information to Mount Tabor.
our Bible, we shall find that a great many Every Free Mason knows that the brethren
things, previously obscure, will become of that Order are called “Sons of the
clear. As said, the Egyptian word for this Widow.” And it is stated in the Bible that
Uraeus or serpent is Naja and it was bor- Hiram Abiff, the Master Builder of
rowed by the Israelites who expressed the Solomon’s Temple, was the Son of a
negative faculty of mediumship by affixing Widow, a cunning craftsman. We cannot in
the feminine ending “oth”, Naioth; while the present article repeat the Masonic
those who are able to function consciously Legend which tells the reason why. This we
in the spiritual worlds were given the posi- have given in the books of “Freemasonry
tive, male plural ending, “im”, and were and Catholicism” and also in our book on
called Naim. If we read the nineteenth chap- the Rosicrucian Philosophy. But suffice it to
ter of first Samuel with this understanding, say that in the Bible story to which refer-
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 27

ence has been made, we have one of the THE ARYAN (a) AGE
Naim, a Widow’s Son or initiate of the old
Serpent School, for the priests of Egypt Aries-Libra (a—g)
were “phree messen,” children of light. The Aryan age may be divided into three
Each had within the ancient Serpent eras, but they are all served by the religion
Wisdom. But a new religion was being inau- of the Lamb. The first division covers the
gurated, and it was necessary to raise the time when the Sun, by precession, goes
ancient Initiates to the Mysteries of the through the sign Aries, the Lamb. Jesus was
Coming Age. Therefore the Christ, the born when the Vernal equinox was in about
Lion of Judah, Lord of the new Kingdom, seven degrees of Aries; so the twenty
went to the Widow’s Son of Naim and degrees which lie on the other side belong to
raised him up by the strong grip of the the Old Testament period, when, as we say,
Lion’s paw. And we may here emphasize the chosen people were in captivity and lost
that the first Initiate under the new system in the wilderness of the world; the new reli-
was Hiram Abiff, the highest Initiate of the gion had not then found its place. Then the
old system, who, by this new initiation Christ came and inaugurated this new teach-
given him by the Christ, became a Christian, ing definitely. He came not to destroy the
pledged to bear the Rose and the Cross, old prophets and the law, but to give us
which were the symbols of the New something higher when they shall have been
Mystery Teachings of the Western World fulfilled. The sign opposite Aries is Libra,
and he was then given the symbolical name, the scales or balance of Justice; therefore we
Christian Rosenkreuz. are told in the new religion that there will
Thus from the time when the Sun enters come a day of judgment (g), when Christ
the sign Aries by precession, it became a shall appear to give to every man according
crime for the chosen people to worship the to the deeds done in the body.
bull exoterically, or to partake of the eso-
teric Serpent wisdom. And for a similar rea- Pisces-Virgo (e—f)
son it is Idolatry when people of the West Christ was the Great Shepherd (a), but
take up the Eastern religions, Hinduism, He called His disciples to be “fishers of
Buddhism, and kindred teachings. For in the men,” for the Sun by precession was then
Aryan Epochs only the Aryan Religions, the leaving the sign of the Lamb and entering
religions of the Lamb, have the proper effect Pisces, the sign of the fishes. Therefore a
on the human evolution. All previous sys- new phase of the Arian religion was opening
tems are detrimental to the Western people; up. The Bishop’s miter is also in the form of
and in time those also who are now in the East, a fish’s head.
the Orientals, will be forced to embrace this The New Testament, therefore, does not
religion or be left far behind in evolution. mention the Bull or the Lamb, but refer-
28 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

ences to the fishes are numerous. We also in the Wilderness, so called, but without
find the celestial virgin (f) prominent and success; they would not have the heavenly
the wheat ear of Virgo is the Bread of Life, manna. Now, however, man is being
resultant from the immaculate purity. Thus weaned from the cannibalistic practice, and
Christ fed the multitude on fish (Pisces), in the seven hundred years which remain
and loaves (Virgo). before the Aquarian age is definitely ush-
Before the time of Christ, the new religion ered in, we will, in all probability, have
of the Lamb (Aries), could get no foothold. made great strides, both in overcoming the
Moses, the erstwhile leader, could not bring lust of the flesh and the lust after the flesh.
the chosen people to the “promised land.” For Virgo, the immaculate celestial virgin,
That was reserved for Joshua, the son of and the ears of wheat contained in the sign,
Nun. Joshua is the Hebraic for “Jesus” and show both of these ideals as profitable to
the Hebrew word “Nun” means “fish” soul growth at the present time. Jupiter, the
(Pisces). It was thus foretold that the reli- planet of benevolence and philanthropy,
gion of he Lamb (a) would attain promi- which rules Pisces, has been a prominent
nence during the precessional passage of the factor in promoting altruism during the past
Sun through the sign Pisces, the fishes. two millennia.
This prophecy has been fulfilled, for dur- Aquarius—Leo (k—e)
ing the two thousand years which have It is often said, and rightly so, that the boy
elapsed since the birth of Jesus, the Western is the father of the man. And on the same
religion has been taught by a celibate priest- principle we may say that the Son of Man is
hood, worshiping an immaculate virgin, the Super-Man; therefore, when the Sun by
symbolized by the celestial sign Virgo, precession enters the celestial sign
which is the opposite of Pisces. This same Aquarius, the water-bearer, we shall have a
priesthood has also enjoined the eating of new phase of the religion of the Lamb, exo-
fish and forbidden the use of flesh (ab) on terically; and the ideal to be striven for is
certain days. When the children of Israel left shown in the opposite sign, Leo.
the flesh pots of Egypt, where the Bull (b) The Moon, which is the habitat of the
was slain, they left it by the blood of the autocratic Race Ruler and Lawgiver,
Lamb (a). But in the Piscean dispensation Jehovah, is exalted in Taurus, the sign of the
no shedding of blood is enjoined and flesh Bull, and all Race religions, even the
eating is condemned as a sin at certain Mosaic phase of the Aryan religion of the
times, for man is now taught to forsake the Lamb, demanded a sacrificial victim for
lusts of the flesh and also lusting after the every transgression of that law. But the Sun
flesh. is exalted in Aries, and when the great Sun
This ideal was tried under the Aryan dis- spirit, Christ, came as High Priest of the
pensation, when the chosen people were yet Aryan religion, He abrogated sacrifice of
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 29

others by offering up Himself as a perpetu- well as of the love of the Divine Hierarchs
al sacrifice for sin. above.
By looking to the mother ideal of Virgo This, the mystic message of Man’s evolu-
during the Piscean age, and following the tion, is marked in flaming characters upon
Christ’s example of sacrificial service, the the field of heaven, where he who runs may
immaculate conception becomes an actual read. And when we study the revealed pur-
experience to each of us and Christ, the Son pose of God, we shall in turn learn to con-
of Man, Aquarius, is born within us. Thus, form intelligently to that design, thereby
gradually, the third phase of the Arian reli- hastening the day of emancipation from our
gion will be ushered in and a new ideal will present cramped environment to the perfect
be found in the Lion of Judah, Leo. Courage liberty of free Spirits, risen superior to the
of conviction, strength of character, and kin- law of sin and Death, through Christ, the
dred virtues, which make man truly the Lord of Love and Life.
King of Creation, worthy of the trust and the It is for us to decipher this message, and
confidence of the lower orders of life as solve the Riddle of the Universe.

?
What did you do today that you shouldn’t have done?
What was it you should have done and failed to do?
Self or Soul, which has the victory won?
Answer, my heart, tonight, as I question you!

* * * * * * *
What would you do if you hadn’t a dream
Shining beyond like a star?
What would you do were it not for the gleam,
The brightness, the sweetness, the joy of that dream,
Which beckons and guides from afar?
Studies
in
The Rosicrucian
Cosmo Conception
* * * * * * *

THE VITAL BODY conscious, relates wholly to the experiences


By Harry Wilson of this life, and that it consists of impres-
sions of events upon the vital body.
(Continued) The memory, or mind, is something
Because of the numerous and varied func- entirely separate and distinct from the phys-
tions of the vital body, it was not possible, in ical brain, both the dense and etheric.
the space allotted to this department, to We have first memory, that enables us to
cover in the former article all its important recall the events in our lives that have made
features. an impression sufficiently strong that a
It will be recalled by those who read the slight effort will bring the picture before us,
article on the vital body in the September regardless of the lapse of time. This memo-
number, that the closing paragraph had ref- ry, we are told on page 91, is made up from
erence to certain “pictures” impressed upon imperfect and illusive sense perceptions,
the negative atoms of the vital body, and and is known as the voluntary or conscious
that these pictures served as “arbiters of mind.
man’s destiny” in the post-mortem state. The involuntary memory, or sub-con-
Because of the great importance attributed scious mind, is the record of impressions
to these pictures, the reader is requested to upon the negative atoms of the vital body,
follow closely the process by which man and is not under our control at the present
etches them into his Desire Body, and at the time. As stated before in this article, this
same time learn just what should be done by record is brought about by the ether con-
relatives and friends when “the grim tained in the air we inspire. This ether not
reaper,” Death, stalks into the household. only carries with it a faithful and accurate
On page 91 of the Rosicrucian Cosmo- picture of our surroundings, but every
Conception we learn that the memory (or thought, feeling, and emotion is alike trans-
so-called mind), both conscious and sub- mitted to the lungs, where it is injected into
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 31

the blood. The blood is one of the highest and automatic as regards its growth, may to
products of the vital body and these pictures a certain extent be brought under the control
and conditions are impressed therefrom of man, and thus become a valuable instru-
upon the negative atoms of the vital body. It ment in furthering and hastening his devel-
is this that forms the “panoramic scroll” that opment. This, of course, can be accom-
is viewed at the time of passing out, or so- plished only by a proper regulation of our
called death. thoughts, desires, aspirations, ideals, envi-
There is also a super-conscious memory. ronment, etc.
That is the store-house of all faculties We have said that the pictures, above
acquired and knowledge gained in previous mentioned, in the sub-conscious memory,
lives, though perhaps latent in this life. This serve as arbiters of man’s destiny in the
record is indelibly engraven on the Life post-mortem state. When the man is freed at
Spirit. It manifests ordinarily, though not to death from the dense body, which was the
the full extent, as conscience and character, heaviest clog upon his spiritual power, this
which ensouls all thought-forms; sometimes power comes back in some measure, and he
as counselor, sometimes compelling action is able to read the pictures in the negative
with resistless force, even contrary to reason pole of the Reflecting Ether of his vital
and desire (p. 92). body, which is the seat of the sub-conscious
In many women, in whom the vital body memory (p. 101). The whole of his past life
is positive, and in advanced people of either passes his sight like a panorama, the events
sex, when the vital body has been sensitized being presented in reverse order. The inci-
by a pure and holy life, by prayer and con- dents of the days immediately preceding
centration, this super-conscious memory, death come first, and so on back through
inherent in the Life Spirit, is occasionally, to manhood and womanhood to youth, child-
some extent, above the necessity of clothing hood, and infancy. Everything is remem-
itself in mind stuff and desire matter in bered. The man stands as a spectator before
order to compel action. It does not always this panorama of his past life. He sees the
need to incur the danger of being subject to, pictures as they pass, and they impress
and perhaps over-ruled by, a process of rea- themselves upon his higher vehicles.
soning. Sometimes, in the form of intuition This panorama lasts from a few hours to
or teaching from within, it impresses itself several days, depending upon the length of
directly upon the reflecting ether of the vital time the man could keep awake if necessary.
body. The more readily we learn to recog- Some people can keep awake only twelve
nize it and follow its dictates, the more often hours or less; others can do so upon occa-
it will speak, to our eternal welfare (p. 92). sion for a number of days; but as long as the
From the foregoing it is evident that the man can remain awake this panorama lasts.
sub-conscious memory, though independent This picture or feature of life after death is
32 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

similar to that which takes place when one and later transmute into Soul Life, Light and
is drowning or falling from a height. In such Power all that is good.
cases the vital body also leaves the dense On page 101 we are told that it can not be
body, and the man sees his life in a flash, too seriously impressed upon the relatives
because he loses consciousness at once. of a dying person that it is a great crime
It was explained in the last installment against the departing soul to give expression
how the vital body collapses each night, to loud grief and lamentations; for it is just
bringing on the condition called sleep; and then engaged in a matter of supreme impor-
we find a similar collapse in the post- tance, and a great deal of value of the past
mortem state. The unrolling of this “scroll life depends upon how much attention the
of life”, or the sub-conscious mind, takes soul can give to this matter. It is also a crime
place in the Etheric Region, which is a part against the dying to administer stimulants,
of the physical world—and it is not till the which have the effect of forcing the higher
post-mortem collapse of the vital body that vehicles back into the dense body with a
the “panorama” terminates and the man is jerk, thus imparting a great shock to the
ready to go on to the inner or higher worlds. man. It is no torture to pass out, but it is tor-
Therefore, the time of “passing out” from ture to be dragged back to endure further
the dense body, or so-called death, and the suffering. Some who have passed out have
time occupied in reading this panorama of told investigators that they have in that way
life, is a most important period. With the been kept dying for hours, and have prayed
average, undeveloped individual, it is per- that their relatives would cease their mistak-
haps the most important in all his journey en kindness and let them die.
from the higher worlds, down into matter, And not only should they let them die
and back again. This journey is made that peacefully and naturally, but every care
we may gather experience for the purpose of should be taken that the body be undisturbed
transmuting our Dense, Vital, and Desire for a period of not less than three days there-
Bodies into Soul. If the conditions at the after. The man is in a measure aware of any
time of death are favorable, the record con- disturbance, and this, of course, interferes
tained in the vital body will be reviewed with the panoramic process. Embalming,
without interruption, and thus a clear and post-mortem examinations, etc., must not be
distinct etching of this record is made upon permitted during this time.
the Desire Body. In this manner our experi- At the expiration of the panorama, how-
ences, whether good or evil, are brought ever, there is a separation, and the body is
into the Desire World. This is a post-mortem then indeed dead (p. 97). The body may
necessity, because it is while in our Desire then be disposed of in any manner desired
Bodies that we go through the experience of without injury to the soul. The vital body
purging ourselves of all that is undesirable, (which is composed of etheric substance
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 33

and belongs to the physical world), returns Dr. McDougall also tried his scales on
to the dense body after the breaking of the dying animals. No diminution was found
“silver cord”, but it no longer interpene- here, though one of the animals was a St.
trates it but simply hovers over it and Bernard dog. That was taken to indicate that
remains floating over the grave, decaying animals have no souls. Later, however, Prof.
synchronously with the dense body. Hence, La V. Twinning, head of the Science
to the trained clairvoyant, a graveyard is a Department of the Los Angeles Polytechnic
nauseating sight, and if only more people School, experimented with mice and kittens
would see it as he does, little argument enclosed in hermetically sealed glass flasks,
would be necessary to induce them to weighed with very sensitive scales which
change from the present unsanitary method were enclosed in a moisture-proof glass
of disposing of the dead to the more rational case. It was found that all the animals
method of cremation, which restores the weighed lost weight at death. A good sized
elements to their primordial condition with- mouse lost 3.1 milligrams at death; a kitten
out the objectionable features incident to the lost 100 milligrams, while dying and at his
process of slow decay (Cosmo, p. 103). last gasp lost an additional 60 milligrams.
On page 99 of the Cosmo we learn, that a Thus the teaching of occult science in
series of experiments made in 1906 by Dr. regard to the possession of vital bodies by
McDougall, proved beyond a doubt that animals was vindicated when sufficiently
“something” left the body at the moment of fine scales were used. Also, it was shown
death, and that this “something” was of suf- that the vital bodies of animals are propor-
ficient weight to cause a sudden drop of tionately lighter than that of man. These
some weights that had been arranged to facts have been known and witnessed by
exactly balance the body of a dying person. trained clairvoyants for ages, and stated in
Thereupon the newspapers all over the lectures and literature many years previous
country announced in glaring headlines that to these “discoveries”.
“Dr. McDougall had weighed the soul”. The Cosmo states on page 99 that
But this invisible “something” was not the occultism hails with joy the discoveries of
soul. The soul belongs to higher realms and modern science, as they invariably corrobo-
can never be weighed on physical scales, rate what occult science has long taught.
even though they registered variations of the (To be continued)
one-millionth part of a grain, instead of one-
tenth of an ounce, which was the variation Would you like A Bigger Magazine? We
used in the above mentioned experiment. It have now 750 subscribers. To pay the actu-
was the Vital Body, which the scientists al cost of material and mailing we must
weighed. It is formed of the four ethers, and have 1000 subscribers. When we get 1500
they belong to the physical world (p. 100). Subscribers we will add 16 pages.
Nutrition and Health
* * * * * *

THE TRUE CAUSE OF CONTAGION such a small creature as the house fly carries
about on the fur of its legs, thousands of par-
There are many people of a supercilious asites which we fancy are inimical to our
nature who are always ready to crack a joke health, and therefore fear prompts us to
at the expense of Christian Science and kin- spend millions of dollars on fly paper, fly
dred methods of divine healing which teach- screens, fly traps and other devices to rid
es its followers to cultivate a fearless attitude ourselves of this pest, but our efforts are
of mind under all conditions. But as a matter largely in vain. Though such vast sums are
of actual fact, an enormous percentage of expended yearly to exterminate the fly, it is so
our sickness is actually due and traceable to prolific that it breeds quicker than we can slay.
feelings of fear upon the part of the patient. But we fear its cousin, the mosquito even
Travelers who have visited uninhabited more. The microscope has told us that this
Islands report that birds and beasts found little insect is one of the chief messengers of
there were unafraid of them at first, but they the Angel of Death, therefore we fight it in
soon learned the predatory nature of man, fear of our lives, but it thrives in spite of the
and fled before him in fear of their lives. vast sums yearly expended upon its exter-
Thus the ruthless nature of man has in ages mination. Then there is the milk we drink.
past, spread fear all over the earth. We have Under ordinary conditions it is said that
conquered, tamed and exploited both bird there are one hundred thousand germs to the
and beast, and what we could not conquer cubic centimeter, but under the best and
we have slain, until every breathing thing most sanitary conditions this army of
hides in fear of us. That is to say, among the destroyers can be brought down to ten thou-
larger animals, none is so large that it does sand. So, in fear and trembling, we pasteur-
not fear and flee from him. But when we ize this fluid before we dare to give it to the
turn in the direction of the little things, then children of tender age. Every drop of water
the case is different, and man who thinks he we drink swarms with germ-life, says the
reigns supreme on earth because he has put microscope, and even the coin and currency
all the larger creation in a state of fear, trem- wherewith we purchase the necessities of
bles in turn before the minute things in the life are vehicles of death, for they are infect-
world, and the smaller they are, the more he ed with germs to an almost unbelievable
fears them. The microscope has told us that extent. Once we started to launder them, but
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 35

it was found that the bankers could not so streamers which flow from the whole
easily detect counterfeits after they had been periphery of the human body also radiate in
washed, so we abandoned the process. We straight lines, when we are in perfect health.
either fear the counterfeiters more than the This condition is therefore aptly described
germs, or we love money more than health. as radiant health. We speak of such a person
Is not this whole attitude ridiculous and as radiating life and vigor. Under such con-
unworthy of our high and noble estate, as ditions no disease germs can ever get a
human beings, as children of God? It is well foothold in his body. They can not enter
known to science that an attitude of fear from without because of these invisible
breaks down the power of resistance of the streamers of force, any more than a fly can
body, and thereby lays it liable to diseases enter an opening in a building covered by an
which would not otherwise be able to get a exhaust fan. And those micro-organisms
foothold. From the Occult point of view it is which enter the body with the food are also
perfectly plain why this is so. The dense quickly expelled, for the vital processes in
body which we see with our eyes is inter- the body are selective, as shown by the kid-
penetrated by a vehicle made of ether and neys, for instance, which excrete the waste
the energy from the Sun, which pervades all matter while retaining vital substances nec-
space, is constantly pouring into our body essary for the economy of the body.
through the spleen, which is a specialized But the moment we allow thoughts of
organ for the attraction and assimilation of fear, worry, and anger, the body endeavors,
this universal ether. In the solar plexus it is as it were, to close the gates against an out-
converted into a rose colored fluid which side foe, fancied or real. Then also the
permeates the nervous system. This may be spleen closes up, and ceases to specialize
compared to electricity in the wires of an the vital fluid in sufficient quantities for the
electric or telegraphic system. By means of necessities of the body, and we shall then
this vital fluid the muscles are moved and see a phenomenon which is analogous to the
the organs perform their vital functions so effect of lowering the voltage or putting in
that the body may express itself in perfect more resistance in the electric fan. In that
health. The better the health, the larger the case the paper streamers will begin to hang
quantity of this solar fluid which we are able down, they will no longer wave over the
to absorb; but we can only utilize a certain candy or fruit to protect it and keep the flies
part of it and the surplus is radiated from the away. Similarly in the human body, when
body in straight lines. You have seen the the thought of fear forces the partial closure
paper ribbons which are fastened to the of the spleen, the solar fluid does not go
front of electric fans in candy stores and through the body with the same speed as
fruit stands. When the fan is set going these before. It does not then radiate from the
streamers float outward from the fan. The periphery in straight lines, but these lines
36 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

become crumpled and thus they allow easy Last year a Doctor who was imbued with
access to the little deleterious organisms fear of contagion in an abnormal degree vis-
which may then feed unobstructed upon our ited Mount Ecclesia. On the night of his
tissues and cause disease. arrival a mosquito lighted upon his nose, he
Whether the consistent Christian brushed it away in great horror and asked
Scientists, Mental Scientists, or others who anxiously: “Are they malarious?” He was
believe in Divine healing, know this law or always looking for pathological conditions
not, they act according to its dictates when and soon went away dissatisfied with our
they affirm that they are Children of God, ideas, especially the idea that fear attracts
that they have no reason to fear, for God is and trust in God repels pathological germs.
their Father and will protect them so long as This was to him ridiculous in the extreme.
they do not deliberately disregard the ordi- We had with us at that time one of our stu-
nary laws of life. Medical science knows dent friends, who was suffering from tuber-
that the so-called disease germs are not dan- culosis, but by means of a rational diet and
gerous, unless there is soil predisposed to the pure air of Mount Ecclesia, he was gain-
their culture, and it is noteworthy that the ing fast, had, in fact, gained ten pounds
New York board of health has now abol- when this doctor took it upon himself to tell
ished fumigation for all diseases except our poor friend that it was an outrage that he
small-pox. Thus typhoid, pneumonia, diph- would stay on Mount Ecclesia, or come into
theria, and other diseases which were for- the dining room, that he was a menace to
merly thought to be of so contagious a everyone at headquarters, etc. The poor
nature that they must be guarded against by young man became so disturbed that in spite
fumigation, are now regarded as either less of all we could say to him he had no rest and
dangerous or else it has been discovered that he left shortly afterwards. There is no doubt
the process of fumigation is not efficient. in our mind that had we been allowed to
The actual fact and the truth in the matter keep him we would have eventually cured
is that contagion comes from within. So long the disease by the help of the Elder Brothers
as we live a common sense life, feeding our and our physical methods. As it is he died
bodies upon pure foods which come from shortly after, and we feel he was killed by
the vegetable kingdom, taking a sufficient the inconsiderate fear of this doctor. And he
amount of exercise, and keeping mentally is only one of thousands who are killed by
active, we may rest secure in the promise others, or who commit suicide by taking a
that the Lord is our refuge. There shall no dose of fear, for fear will kill just as surely
evil befall us so long as we thus show our as any mineral poison; it is perhaps even
faith by our works. On the other hand, if we more deadly.
belie our faith in God by disregard of His Shortly afterwards Mrs. Heindel and the
laws our expectations of health are vain. writer moved into the cottage where the
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 37

young man had lived with his mother, BAKED STUFFED TOMATOES
despite the protests of all concerned on
Choose firm, medium-sized ripe toma-
Mount Ecclesia. We have lived here almost
toes, remove seeds and pulp, cutting out
a year, and have as yet developed no symp-
from stem side; boil one ear of corn for each
toms of disease, for we trust in God and live
tomato; when cold, remove from cob, sea-
accordingly, and so long as we maintain that
son with salt and fill the tomatoes; grate
attitude nothing can harm us.
cheese on top, add one tablespoonful of
water, sprinkle a little salt over tomatoes,
A MENU FROM MOUNT ECCLESIA
place in shallow pan which first rub with a
clove of Garlic, with one cupful of hot water
Breakfast 7:30 A.M.
and tablespoonful of butter. Bake for one-
Puffed Whole Wheat Baked Egg half hour.
Whole-Wheat Bread, Butter and Honey
Coffee or Milk
CARROT LOAF
Dinner 12 M. Two cups of whole wheat bread crumbs,
Baked Stuffed Tomatoes two cups ground carrot, one cup ground
Boiled Beets Carrot Loaf English walnuts. The above should be run
Whole Wheat Bread, Butter and Honey through a vegetable grinder twice. Prepare a
Milk large frying pan by frying a large, sliced
onion and one small clove of Garlic in oil
Supper 5: 30 P.M. until brown, then fry the above in this onion
for a few minutes, adding, salt, pepper, and
Nut Salad Peach Cobbler
nutmeg for seasoning. Just before taking
Dish Cream Cheese
from stove add an egg. Form into a loaf and
Hot Corn Bread, Butter and Honey
bake for 30 minutes; serve with brown
Tea or Milk
gravy. This loaf, if left over, can be sliced
cold next day; or turn slices in egg and fry
RECIPES
in hot oil.
BAKED EGGS
NUT SALAD
Take ordinary custard cups, set on stove to
heat, drop piece of butter into cup the size of One cup of well flavored apples, cut in
a small marble, allow to melt, break the Egg small cubes; one cup of celery, chopped
into hot cup, sprinkle lightly with bread fine; one cup of walnuts, chopped fine.
crumbs and bake in hot oven until white is Serve on lettuce leaf with Cream Salad
turned. Serve at once. Dressing (see recipe below).
38 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

CREAM SALAD DRESSING PEACH COBBLER


Make a soft biscuit dough, butter a shal-
Two eggs, one cup of cream, two table-
low baking pan, spread this dough one inch
spoonfuls of sugar, one tablespoonful of
thick all over bottom. Peel and quarter
butter, juice of one lemon. Beat the egg
medium sized peaches; press these quarters
thoroughly then beat in the cream. Boil in
into the dough, covering the entire top;
double boiler. While stirring constantly, add
place in oven for twenty minutes; take out,
the lemon juice. Take off as soon as it
spread liberally with sugar and put back into
becomes creamy. Season with salt and pep-
oven just long enough to become light yel-
per. This is good on any salad.
low. Serve with cream.

Nutrition and Health


* * * * * *
THE CAUSE OF SORROW AND must go back into the far distant past, in fact
SUFFERING to the beginning of physical existence.
The Bible has been given to the Western
A Talk in the Pro-Ecclesia
World by the Recording Angels, who give to
We have met again tonight for the purpose every nation the religion that is best fitted to
of concentrating our thoughts on the second guide it upon the path of its spiritual and
part of the Christ injunction: “Heal the physical evolution; and if we seek for light
sick,” for we consider this part of the Divine from that source we shall certainly find. It
command just as binding upon His follow- must be borne in mind that the Christ taught
ers as the first part, which exhorts us to the multitude in parables, but, gave to His
“preach the Gospel.” But if we understand disciples the meaning of those parables and
this commandment aright, we shall not be the deeper things concerning the mysteries
content with merely endeavoring to assuage of the Kingdom of Heaven. Paul also taught
the present pain, sorrow, and suffering of a different, or rather a deeper truth to those
anyone or any number of people. We shall who were strong in the faith, but gave the
attempt to get to the bottom of all human milk of the most elementary doctrines to
suffering so that by removing the main babes. Similarly, we must understand that
cause we may eradicate the effects. To do besides the meaning which the Word of God
this, to arrive at a true conclusion concern- carries upon its face, there is a deeper and
ing the origin of sorrow, and suffering, and hidden side, which we shall do well to pon-
the means for its permanent eradication, we der upon tonight.
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 39

Let us first grasp the idea that the Earth time that they had bodies; they used them as
was not always as it is today; that there has unconsciously as we use our digestive appa-
been an immense period of formation and ratus. Their sight was focused altogether in
that this planet must have gone through var- the spiritual world and they saw God face to
ious stages of development before it reached face, or rather those whom they thought
the present condition. We see in the heaven were Gods, namely the Divine Messengers
nebulae which are now fiery. We can under- who guided them as children are guided by
stand that moisture must be condensed by their parents; for at that time they had devel-
this fire from the cold expanse of space. We oped no will.
can also understand that this moisture is Being unconscious of their bodies, they
quickly evaporated when it comes in contact knew neither birth nor death. The loss of a
with such a fiery, whirling vortex; that the physical vehicle happened frequently on
steam generated rises into space to be there account of the volcanic eruptions that were
condensed again by the cold, thus going the order of the day upon our forming earth;
through innumerable cycles of evaporation but it was like the falling of a dry leaf from
and condensation, until finally a crust is the tree; it produced no difference at all in
formed around the fiery core. This crust their consciousness. Neither was the birth of
becomes harder when gradually the super- a new body a distracting event because all
fluous moisture is evaporated as a mist. The through birth and death their consciousness
mist eventually gathers and condenses into a was focused in the invisible realm.
cloud, falling again upon the planet as a At certain times of the year the Angels,
flood and leaving conditions of climate as who have always been the harbingers of
we find them today upon the earth. These birth, herded these hosts of childmen into
stages the Rosicrucian Teachings call the great temples where the propagative act was
Hyperborean, Atlantean, and Aryan Epochs. performed as an act of sacrifice, under the
We shall not speak of the first mentioned proper planetary rays. In those moments of
of these Æons. But during the latter part of intensely intimate contact, man’s attention
the Lemurian Epoch, when mankind still was temporarily drawn from the spiritual
lived on fire-girt islands of the forming realms to the physical world, and “Adam
crust, they were very different from human- knew his wife”.
ity today. They were, in fact, giants of a Thus the key-note of the body then con-
bodily shape which would be repulsive to ceived was in perfect tune with the harmony
our present notions of bodily symmetry and of the spheres at that moment and therefore
beauty; but it differed particularly in this parturition was painless. Health was perfect,
fact, that the Ego had not yet learned to and death had no terror for humanity of that
draw within its body properly and perma- age.
nently. In fact, they did not know at that But the Angels were not all of the same
40 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

nature. There were two classes, one attuned wife for self-gratification, the more often
to Water, the other to Fire. It is the latter and more thoroughly his consciousness
class which was apostrophized by Isaiah in became focused in the physical world, and
that wonderful passage where he says: the more he lost sight of the higher realms,
O Lucifer, Son of the morning, until finally they have been forgotten, or
How art thou fallen! almost so. Therefore birth now seems the
From the Water Spirits, or true Angels, beginning of life. It commences in pain for
man received the brain; but Lucifer, Spirit mother and babe. Life itself is usually a path
of Fire, is the “Light-giver.” From the Fire of sorrow and suffering, because in spirit we
Spirits came the light of reason. feel orphaned from our Father. And at the
The desire body of man was by them end stands death, the King of Terrors, to
impregnated with a new faculty, namely, usher the spirit into what is to our physical
Impulse. And as it was necessary for them consciousness a great unknown, and all
to use a physical instrument for their own because of the impulse and passion, where-
further development. Though they were with the Martial Lucifer Spirits have
unable to create such a vehicle, they taught impregnated our desire nature. And so long
man that he had a dense body, and they also as the fire light of passion taints our desire
enlightened him concerning the method nature, this regime must continue.
whereby he might generate a new vehicle at The Old Testament opens with the
any time, when the old one died, regardless account of how man was led astray by the
of planetary conditions. Man, yielding to the false Light of the Lucifer Spirits, giving
impulse of the Lucifer Spirits, incited by the birth to all the sorrow and suffering in the
passion they instilled, began to regard the world; it closes with the promise that the
generative act as a means of enjoyment and Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with
gratification instead of a sacrament. Hence, Healing in its wings. And in the New
the bodies born under such conditions were Testament we find the Sun of Righteousness,
out of tone with the Cosmic Harmony. the true Light, come to save the world, and
Therefore parturition became painful, health the first fact which is stated regarding Him
became impaired, and death entered upon is that He is of Immaculate Conception.
his reign as King of Terrors. Now this point should be thoroughly
While Adam knew his wife only during understood, and should be clear from the
the time when the Angels presided over the foregoing, that it is the Luciferan taint of
propagative act; his consciousness was passion which has brought sorrow, sin, and
focused all the rest of the time in the spiri- suffering into the world. Prior to the impreg-
tual world. But things became radically dif- nation of the desire body with this demoni-
ferent when man took the matter into his ac principle, conception was immaculate
own hands. The more often he knew his and a sacrament. Man walked in the pres-
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 41

ence of the Angels then, pure and A few are privileged to be present in body
unashamed. The act of fertilization was as to assist in The Great Work. But thousands
chaste as that of the flower. Therefore, when all over the world join us in spirit, by con-
the mischief had been wrought, immediate- centrating their thoughts of Help and
ly the messenger, or Angel, girded them Healing upon the Rose Cross, which adorns
with leaves, to impress upon them the ideal the West wall of our place of worship, when
which they must learn to live, namely, the clock in their respective places of resi-
chastity like that of the plant. Whenever we dence points to 7.30 p. m. The force thus
are able to perform the act of generation in accumulated is liberated by the Elder
a pure, chaste, and passionless manner, as Brothers at the meeting at Headquarters and
the plant does, an immaculate conception used to restore health and vigor to as many
takes place and a Christ is born, capable of sufferers as can be served by the volume of
healing all the suffering of humanity, capa- power thus accumulated.
ble of conquering death and establishing Will YOU help us in this work?
immortality, a true light to lead humanity
away from the will-o’-the-wisp of passion; We append a few letters from sufferers
through self-sacrifice to compassion. who voice their thanks for benefits received.
This, then is the great ideal toward which Lack of space does not permit us to publish
we are striving: To cleanse ourselves from a greater number of them.
the taint of Egoism and self-seeking. And
therefore we look upon the emblem of the Lewiston, Minn., March 6, ’15
Rose-Cross as an ideal. For the seven red Rosicrucian Fellowship
roses typify the cleansed blood; the white Dear Friends:
rose shows the purity of life, and the golden, I think that I am feeling about as well as I
radiating star symbolizes that inestimable have ever felt. I have gained strength
influence for health, helpfulness, and spiri- through the Elder Brothers and I have
tual uplift which radiates from every Servant gained some in weight. At present I can only
of humanity. feel grateful for what you have done for me.
I feel that I owe you more than I can ever
THE ROSY CROSS HEALING CIRCLE repay.
R.G.
Meets in the Pro-Ecclesia on the follow-
ing dates: So. Portland, Me., July 3, 1915
Esoteric Secretary
October 7, 14, 20, 28 Rosicrucian Fellowship
November 4, 10, 16, 24 I have passed safely through childbirth
December 1, 7, 14, 21, 29 and am recovering remarkably well and
42 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

quickly. I thank you a thousand times. You everybody speaks of how well I look. I
have helped me wonderfully. woke up the other night as the Healers were
Mrs. I.L.P. working with me, the first time I have been
aware of their presence.
Denver, Colo., Aug. l0, 1915 I am so happy and long for the day when
Rosicrucian Fellowship I shall be found worthy to become one of
Department of Healing them.
Dear Friends: Sincerely,
I do feel so well; am gaining in weight; A.P.

Echoes from Mt. Ecclesia


* * * * * *
In the next number will begin a serial arti- expense incident to haphazard work in after
cle on The Occult Side of the War! by Mr. years.
Heindel.
Mr. Lester Cramer of New York and Mrs.
During the past month we have had a Cramer have also visited the headquarters
number of particularly nice visitors at Mt. for the purpose of helping in the develop-
Ecclesia and some of them have done very ment of Mt. Ecclesia. Mr. Cramer had
valuable work for the Fellowship. Mr. Chas. offered to draw the plan for the Ecclesia for
H. Swigart, our general secretary, and fami- several years, but it was impossible for the
ly motored down from North Yakima writer to give him definite ideas by corre-
Washington, through San Francisco. There spondence. To draw the right plan for the
they visited the Fair before going on to our Ecclesia would require a certain inspiration
headquarters at Oceanside, where they are that could not be infused in a letter. But
at this writing. Mr Swigart is making a plat when we discussed the matter here and Mr.
of the headquarters grounds and has made Cramer got an idea of what was wanted with
an extensive survey lasting about ten days regard to seating capacity and the arrange-
for that purpose. This will enable us to lay ment of the Auditorium with respect to posi-
out the roads intelligently and locate sites tion, light and color, his presence on Mt.
for the various buildings. We can then Ecclesia quickly brought him in touch with
plant our trees and shrubbery to conform to the true idea of the Ecclesia and the very
that plan. Sewers and water pipes can also first sketch he made was an embodiment of
then be laid intelligently and thus save the everything that the writer wished to express,
RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS 43

but could not. We are sorry to say that Mr. of a century ago, it was no use to think of
Cramer could only stay four days as busi- surveying, and making a plat. The plan for
ness required his presence in the East, but the Ecclesia also required a survey, so
he is going to finish the sketches and send everything seemed deadlocked by the pro-
them back to us so that we may have a crastinating Town Trustees. But when the
photo-engraving made of them and also of stars were right, and we had made up our
Mr. Swigart’s plat for the Headquarters minds to take the bull by the horns and force
grounds. When that is finished the two will the Town Trustees to bring the matter into
be published in Rays from the Rose Cross so court, if no peaceable action could be had,
that you will all be able to see just what has the Elder Brothers sent Mr. Graves to
been done on Mt. Ecclesia, how it looks and Mount Ecclesia. He was one of the most
what we propose to do in the future. suave, urbane men we have ever met; he
won the goodwill of the town people almost
Isn’t it strange, the way all things seem to overnight, and raised their regard for the
be ordered about our movement, just as the Fellowship one hundred percent. But action
Elder Brothers said when they gave the mes- from the town trustees could not be gotten
sage to the writer in the Temple of the Rose by smiles and peaceful pleadings. They
Cross, “Do not worry if things do not go as needed the persuasion of a mailed fist, and
fast or as smoothly as you think they should; Mr. Graves had it. He is a professional
just keep on doing your work from day to detective, and, with the assistance of the
day, and when you are really ready to use banker, he soon made it so hot that one of
the various facilities—workers, buildings, the trustees was forced to resign, and others
machinery, etc.—they will be forthcoming.” were scheduled to follow. Then they signed
That assurance has proved true. It has been an agreement to abandon the streets through
amply justified by events. From that morn- Headquarters and Mr Graves special mis-
ing when the old tramp walked up the drive sion was fulfilled, the way was cleared for
and told us how to take our first printing the surveyor and the architect.
press apart so that it would go through the Had things gone along ordinary lines, Mr.
office door, to the present day; it is a Swigart would not have been able to leave
remarkable fact that whenever a difficulty his post as Supervising Engineer of the U. S.
presented itself that I could not solve or han- Reclamation work in the North West for a
dle, the right man has always been sent, one few years. He had planned to resign and
who had the special qualification for the move to Headquarters as soon as parental
work wanted. responsibilities would permit. But certain
So long as the city fathers of Oceanside unforeseen circumstances forced him to
remained perverse and held on to the useless sever his connection with the government,
streets, platted by land speculators a quarter and before he knew, he was on the way to
44 RAYS FROM THE ROSE CROSS

Mount Ecclesia, where he met Mr. Cramer, YOUR CHILD’S HOROSCOPE


who had also come unexpectedly, and thus,
when the way was cleared, both surveyor Did you notice our offer to cast your
and architect met without being sent for, or child’s horoscope? Read it in the front part
having previous appointment or acquaintance. of the magazine, and if you want to take
advantage of it, send us his or her Name,
We have only about $1700 towards the Birth year, date, hour, and place. There are
Ecclesia, and Mr. Cramer thinks it will cost five items, do not forget any of them, or we
$50,000, but don’t you feel sure it will be cannot cast the horoscope and your request
built before the time limit expires, even if will be thrown out.
we are prohibited from asking for subscrip-
tions and must wait for heart-offerings? We Would you like to have a bigger
do! We have made the Cornerstone, the sur- Magazine with more of this same good
vey is completed, the site located and the reading?
plan ready. Soon we will extend Ecclesia
The sooner you get out and boom for
drive to this location, set the Cornerstone,
and commence on the foundation. The Elder A L ARGER S UBSCRIPTION L IST , the
Brothers have worked so marvelously to sooner we can ENLARGE THE MAGAZINE.
bring Headquarters to the present point, that It depends on you.
we know they will find the ways and means START NOW!
of accomplishing the work. All we have to
do is keep on striving to be more useful You can help to spread knowledge by
channels for their beneficent activities in the introducing the Magazine among your
service of humanity. friends and acquaintances.

A Larger Subscription List


Means

A Larger Magazine
Let the Friends of Knowledge Get Busy
THE

Rosicrucian
Fellowship
ITS MESSAGE AND MISSION
Formerly, religious truths were intuitively perceived or
taken wholly on faith as dogmas of the church. Today, a
growing class demands that immortality and kindred matters
be proved to the intellect, deductively or by observation, as
are other facts of life, like heredity and ether. They desire
religion as much as their fathers, but want the ancient truths
in modern dress congruous to their altered intellectual condi-
tion. To this class the Rosicrucian Fellowship addresses itself
with a definite, logical, and sequential teaching, concerning
the origin, evolution and future development of the world
and man which is as strictly scientific as it is reverently reli-
gious; a teaching which makes no statements not supported
by reason and logic, which satisfies the mind by clear expla-
nations, which neither begs nor evades questions, but offers
a reasonable solution to all mysteries, so that the heart may
be allowed to believe what the intellect has sanctioned, and
the solace of religion may speak peace to the troubled mind.

MOUNT ECCLESIA
In order to make our philosophy of life and health of prac-
tical value in the world, we have bought 40 acres of land in the
little town of Oceanside, 88 miles south of Los Angeles. It is
one of the sightliest spots in sunny Southern California, situa-
ted upon the promontory of a high tableland. From Mount
Ecclesia, as we have named our headquarters, there is an
unobstructed view of the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean.
Directly west lies the island of San Clemente, 75 miles out, and
ships are often silhouetted upon the skyline as they sail by. Forty
miles to the southward looms the promontory of La Jolla, a sub-
urb of San Diego, the southernmost city in Uncle Sam’s spacious
realm. Eighty miles north from Mount Ecclesia we see the love-
ly island of Catalina with its crystal clear waters and its luxuriant
submarine gardens, so strange and fantastic that they outstrip
fancy and fairy tale alike. Standing upon the same spot whence
we saw the magnificent marine view described above, we may
behold a landscape equal1y glorious, varied, and wide by simply
turning upon our heels and looking towards the east.
Immediately below Mount Ecclesia lies the smiling San Luis
Rey valley with its fertile green fields and its historic old mis-
sion; a little further away are the rounded foothills with their
wonderful play of light and shade, then the mountains with their
rugged contours, and farthest to the east we see the snowcapped
peaks of Mount San Bernardino, Mount Greyback, and Mount
San Jacinto. The first named is 100 and the last 75 miles from the
coast. Thus the range of our views from Mount Ecclesia is 150
miles east and west (from San Jacinto Mountain to San Clemente
island), and 120 miles north and south (from Catalina to La
Jolla).
The climate is as wonderful as the view, and as incomprehensi-
ble to all who have not lived here. One may wear a white shirt-
waist outdoors on every day in the winter, and although the water
in our solar heater gets so hot that it cracks glass, we do not per-
spire on the warmest day in summer on account of the sea breeze
which sweeps over Mount Ecclesia every day from about 10 a. m.
to 5 p. m., cooling the atmosphere and filling our lungs with invig-
orating ozone fresh from the heaving bosom of the great Pacific
Ocean. It is a veritable elixir of Life, and therefore this place
offers such rare physical conditions for the attainment of health
that it is probably without a peer.
DINING HALL

ELECTRIC EMBLEM
Mount Ecclesia is brilliantly illuminated at night, and the
Electric Emblem is a unique and striking feature.
OUR BUILDINGS, PRINTING, PUMPING,
AND ELECTRIC PLANTS
Three years ago we started building our headquarters on this
beautiful spot. We installed a pumping plant in the valley, carry-
ing the water 226 feet up to the summit of Mt. Ecclesia and have
thus an unlimited supply of water for irrigation and ample fire
protection. We have built a sanctuary devoted exclusively to wor-
ship of God, an administration building wherein our general
offices and printing plant are located, a commodious dining hall
to accommodate all workers, patients, and pupils. We have a1so
built a number of cottages for the accommodation of the students,
and in the summer time a tent city adds largely to the accommo-
dations during the time when the summer school is in session.
Mt. Ecclesia has also its own electric lighting plant, and
every night the wonderful electric emblem of the Fellowship
may be seen flashing its message of light across the country for
over twenty miles in either direction. The exterior of the dining
hall and Pro-Ecclesia, as we call our Sanctuary, are also electri-
cally lighted, and thus we let the physical light shine to attract
those who are seeking the spiritual, if by chance such may pass
and inquire through curiosity, which afterwards turns to keen
interest.
THE CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL
In addition to thE publications of the Rosicrucian Fellowship,
regularly advertised and before the public, there are two corre-
spondence courses which furnish instructions to students, a1l
over the world, who are desirous of investigating the Rosicrucian
Mysteries, and the Science of Astrology. Upon request anyone
who is not a Hypnotist, Professional Medium, Palmist, or
Astrologer, will receive from the General Secretary, at headquar-
ters, application blanks for admission to the Esoteric instructions
contained in these two courses—Esoteric Astrology and The
Rosicrucian Mystery Teachings.
THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
This building contains the General offices, the Printing plant and the
Mailing Department.

SUMMER SCHOOL
During July, August, and September, a summer school is maintained and
students on our correspondence lists who wish to avail themselves of the
opportunity of study at Headquarters may do so by applying to the Esoteric
secretary, but no one is permitted to enter Headquarters until their applica-
tion has been passed upon and accepted.

A HEALTH RESORT
According to the United States Government Experts, Mt. Ecclesia is in the
center of an air belt which is purest in all of the U.S. It is therefore a natur-
al health resort and this, coupled with the fact that a scientific vegetarian diet
is here supplied, makes it an ideal place of residence for both the well and
the ill. We are prepared to take patients whose ailments do not prevent them
from attending to their own needs. The rates of board are less than one-half
what is usually charged in sanatariums, but we are have no resident physi-
cian and cannot take proper care of patients who need nursing and attention.
A Brief Resumé
Of the

Rosicrucian
Philosophy
Sooner or later there comes a time when the consciousness is
forced to recognize the fact that life, as we see it, is but fleeting,
and that amid all the uncertainties of our existence there is but one
certainty—Death !
When the mind has thus become aroused by thought of the leap
in the dark which must sometime be taken by all, the question of
questions—Whence have we come—Why are we here—Whither
are we going?—must inevitably present itself. This is a basic
problem with which all must sooner or later grapple, and it is of
the greatest importance how we solve it, for the view we take will
color our whole life.
Only three theories of note have been brought forward to solve
this problem. To range ourselves in one of the three groups of
mankind, segregated by their adherence to one theory or the other
in an intelligent manner, it is necessary to know the three theories,
to calmly weigh and compare them one with another and with
established facts. Lecture No. 1 does just that, and whether we
agree with its conclusions or not, we shall surely have a more
comprehensive grasp of the various viewpoints and be better able
to form an intelligent opinion when we have read “The Riddle of
Life and Death.”
If we have come to the conclusion that death does not end our
existence, it is but a natural question to ask: Where are the dead?
This momentous question is dealt with in lecture No. 2. The law
of conservation of matter and energy precludes annihilation, yet
we see that matter is constantly changing from the visible to the
invisible state and back again, as, for instance, water is evaporat-
ed by the sun, partially condensed into a cloud, and then falls to
Earth again as rain.
Consciousness may also exist without being able to give us any
sign, as in cases where people have been thought dead, but have
awakened and told all that had been said and done in their pres-
ence.
So there must be an invisible World of force and matter, as inde-
pendent of our cognition of it as light and color exist regardless of
the fact that they are not perceived by the blind.
In that invisible World the so-called dead are now living in full
possession of all the mental and emotional faculties. They are liv-
ing a life as real as existence here.
The invisible World is cognized by means of a sixth sense devel-
oped by some, but latent in most people. It may be developed in
all, but different methods produce varying results.
This faculty compensates for distance in a manner far superior
to the best telescopes and for the lack of size in a degree unreach-
able by the most powerful microscope. It penetrates where the X-
ray cannot. A wall or a dozen walls are no denser to the spiritual
sight than crystal to ordinary vision.
In lecture No. 3 Spiritual Sight and the Spiritual Worlds, this
faculty is described, and lecture No. 11, Spiritual Sight and
Insight, gives a safe method of development.
The Invisible World is divided into different realms: The Etheric
Region, the Desire World, the Region of Concrete Thought, and
the Region of Abstract Thought.
These divisions are not arbitrary, but are necessary because the
substance of which they are composed obeys different laws. For
instance, physical matter is subject to the law of gravity; in the
Desire World forms levitate as easily as they gravitate.
Man needs various vehicles to function in the different Worlds
as we need a carriage to ride on land, a boat at sea, and an airship
in the air.
We know that he must have a dense body to live in the visible
World. He also has a vital body composed of ether which enables
him to sense things around him. He has a desire body formed of
the materials of the Desire World which gives him a passionate
nature and incites him to action. The Mind is formed of the sub-
stance of the Region of Concrete Thought and acts as a brake
upon impulse; it gives purpose to action. The real man, the
Thinker or Ego, functions in the Region of Abstract Thought, act-
ing upon and through his various instruments.
Lecture No. 4 deals with the normal and abnormal conditions of
life such as Sleep, Dreams, Trance, Hypnotism, Mediumship, and
Insanity. The previously mentioned finer vehicles are all concen-
tric with the dense body in the waking state when we are active in
thought, word, and deed, but the activities of the day cause the
body to grow tired and sleepy.
When the wear and tear incident to use of a building has made
exhaustive repairs necessary, the tenants must move out that the
workmen may have full scope for restoration. So when wear and
tear of the day has exhausted the body, it is necessary that the Ego
move out. That withdrawal renders the body unconscious, and
definite work is necessary to restore its tone and rhythm. During
the night the Ego hovers outside the dense body clothed in desire
body and mind. Sometimes the Ego only withdraws partially, is
half in the body and half out; then it sees both the Desire World
and the Physical World, but confused as in a dream.
Hypnotism is a mental assault. The unsuspecting victim is dri-
ven out of his body, the hypnotist obtains control.
The victims of the hypnotist are released at his death, however,
but the medium is not so fortunate. Spirit controls are really invis-
ible hypnotists. Their invisibility gives great scope for deception,
and after death they may take possession of a medium’s desire
body, use it for ages, and keep their hapless victims from pro-
gressing along the pathway of evolution. This latter phase of
mediumship is elucidated in No. 5, which deals with Death and
Life in Purgatory.
What we call death is in reality but a shifting of consciousness
from one World to another. We have a science of birth with
trained nurses, obstetricians, antiseptics, and every other means of
caring for the incoming Ego, but are sorely in need of a science of
death, for when a friend is passing out of our concrete existence,
we stand helplessly about, ignorant of how to assist, or worse, we
do things which make the passing infinitely harder than if we
merely stood idly by. Giving stimulants is one of our worst
offenses against the dying, as it draws the passing spirit into the
dense body again with the force of a catapult.
After the heart has stopped, on account of the partial rupture of
the silver cord (which united the higher and lower vehicles of man
during sleep and remains unsevered for a time, varying from a few
hours to three and a half days after death), there is still on that
account a certain feeling if the body is embalmed, opened for
post-mortem examination, or cremated. The body should, there-
fore, be left unmolested, for at that time the passing Ego is
engaged in reviewing the pictures of its past life (which are seen
in a flash by drowning persons). These pictures are impressed
daily and hourly upon the ether of the vital body as independent-
ly of our observation as a detailed picture is impressed upon the
photographic plate by the ether, regardless of whether the photog-
rapher observed details or not. They form an absolutely true
record of our past life, which we may call the sub-conscious mem-
ory (or mind) far superior to the view we consciously store in our
memory (or mind).
Under the immutable Law of Consequence, which decrees that
what we sow we reap, the deeds of life are the basis of our exis-
tence after death. The panorama of a past life is the book of the
Recording Angels, who are adjusters of the score we make under
the Law of Consequence.
Review of the life panorama just after death etches the pictures into
the desire body, which is our normal vehicle in the Desire World,
where Purgatory and the First Heaven are located.
The panorama of life is the basis of purgation of evil in purga-
tory and assimilation of good deeds in the first heaven. It is of the
highest importance that this panorama be deeply etched into the
desire body, for if that impress is deep and clear the Ego will suf-
fer more sharply in purgatory and experience a keener joy in the
first heaven. This feeling will remain as conscience in future lives
to impel good action and discourage evil deeds.
If the passing spirit is left in peace and quiet to concentrate upon
the life-panorama, the etching will be clear and sharp, but if the
relatives detract his attention by loud hysterical lamentations dur-
ing the first three and one-half days when the silver cord is yet
intact, a shallow or blurred impression will cause the spirit to lose
much of the lessons which should have been learned. To correct
this anomaly the Recording Angels are often forced to terminate
the next Earth-life in early childhood before the desire body has
come to birth, as described in Birth a Fourfold Event (lecture No.
7) for that which has not been quickened cannot die, and so the
child goes into the first heaven and learns the lessons it did not
learn before, and is thus equipped to pass on in Life’s School.
As such Egos retain the desire body and mind they had in the
life where they died as children, it often happens that they remem-
ber that life, for they only stay out of Earth life from one to twen-
ty years.
Suffering in purgatory arises from two causes: Desires which
cannot be gratified or the reaction to the pictures of the life
panorama—the drunkard suffers tortures of Tantalus because he
has no means of obtaining or retaining drink. The miser suffers
because he lacks the hand to restrain his heirs from squandering
his cherished hoard. Thus the Law of Consequence purges evil
habits until desire has burned itself out.
If we have been cruel the panorama of life radiates back upon us
the picture of ourselves and our victims. Conditions are reversed
in purgatory; we suffer as they suffered. Thus, in time, we are
purged of sin. The coarse desire matter which forms the embodi-
ment of evil has been expelled by the centrifugal force of
Repulsion in purgatory and we retain but the pure and the good,
which is embodied in subtler desire stuff dominated by the cen-
tripetal force—attraction, which amalgamates good in the first
heaven when the life panorama depicts scenes in our past life
where we helped others, or where we felt grateful for favors, as
described in lecture No. 6, Life in Heaven, which also deals with
our stay in the Second Heaven, located in the Region of Concrete
Thought.
That is also the realm of tone, as the Desire World is of color,
and the Physical World of form. Tone, or sound, is the builder of
all that is on Earth, as John says: “In the beginning was the Word
(sound), and the Word was made flesh,” the flesh of all things,
“without it was not anything made that was made.” The moun-
tain, the moss, the mouse, and the man are all embodiments of this
Great Creative Word which came down from heaven.
There the man becomes one with the nature forces; Angels and
Archangels teach him to build such an environment as he has
deserved under the Law of Consequence. If he dallied his time
away in metaphysical speculation, as do the Hindus, he neglects
to build a good material environment, and is reborn in an arid land
where flood and famine teach him to turn his attention to materi-
al things. When he focuses his mind on the Physical World, aspir-
ing to wealth and material comforts, he will build in Heaven an
unexcelled material environment, a wealthy land with facilities
for ease and comfort, as the Western World has done. But as we
always long for what we lack, the possessions we have are satiat-
ing us beyond comfort and we are beginning to aspire to the spir-
itual life anew, as the Hindus, our younger brothers are aspiring
now to the material prosperity we are leaving behind, as more
fully elucidated in lecture No. 19, The Coming Force—Vril?
which shows why Hindu Yoga practices are detrimental to
Westerners; they being behind us in evolution.
When the Ego has helped to build the creative archetype for the
environment of its next earth-life, in the second heaven, it ascends
into the Third Heaven, located in the Region of Abstract Thought.
But few people have learned to think abstractly, as in mathemat-
ics; the majority of people are therefore unconscious, as in sleep,
waiting for the Clock of Destiny—the stars, to indicate the time
when effects engendered by the action of past lives can be worked
out. When the heavenly time makers, the Sun, Moon, and plan-
ets, have reached a proper position, the Ego wakes and desires a
new embodiment.
The Recording Angels look up the record of all our past lives,
which is stamped upon the super-conscious mind each time an
Ego withdraws to the third Heaven, as outlined in lecture No. 7,
Birth a Fourfold Event. When there is no particular reason why a
certain environment should be taken, the Ego has choice of vari-
ous embodiments. These are shown to it as a panorama, giving
the great outline of each proposed life, but leaving scope for indi-
vidual free-will in the detail.
Once a choice has been made, the Ego is bound to liquidate ripe
causes selected by the Recording Angels, and any attempt to
evade that will be frustrated. It should be carefully noted that evil
is eradicated in Purgatory. Only tendencies remain, to tempt us
till we have consciously overcome. Thus we are born innocent
and at least every evil act is an act of free will.
When the Ego descends toward rebirth, it gathers the materials
for its new bodies, but they are not born at the same time. Birth
of the vital body inaugurates rapid growth from 7 to 14, ripening
also the propagative faculty. Birth of the desire body at 14 gives
rise to the impulsive period from 14 to 21. At that age the birth of
the mind furnishes a brake on impulse and gives a foundation for
serious life.
ROSICRUCIAN CHRISTIANITY SERIES

The price of these lectures is 5 cents each plus 1 cent postage for each copy, except No. 11.
No. 1. “The Riddle of Life and Death.” Presenting a solution which is both scientific and
religious.
No. 2. “Where Are the Dead?”
No. 3. Spiritual Sight and the Spiritual Worlds.” Showing that we have a latent “sixth
sense,” and what it opens up to us when cultivated.
No. 4. “Sleep, Dreams, Trance, Hypnotism, Mediumship, and Insanity.”
No. 5. “Death and Life in Purgatory.” Describing the method of death and purgation, also
how immutable law and not an avenging Deity transmutes the evil acts of life to ever-
lasting good.
No. 6. “Life and Activity in Heaven.” Showing how the Human Spirit assimilates the
Good of its past life and creates its environments for a future rebirth, also how it
prepares a new body.
No. 7. “Birth a Fourfold Event.” Describing antenatal preparations for birth, and the
spiritual changes which inaugurate the period of excessive physical growth in the 7th
year; puberty at 14, and maturity at 21. This knowledge is absolutely essential to the
right care of a child.
No. 8. “The Science of Nutrition, Health, and Protracted Youth.” Showing the material
cause of early death and the obvious prophylactic.
No. 9. “Astronomical Allegories of the Bible.” A mystic scroll.
No. 10. “Astrology; Its Scope and Limitations.” Showing the spiritual side of astrology,
how it enables those who study it to help themselves and others.
No. 11. “Spiritual Sight and Insight.” Its culture, control, and legitimate use, giving a
definite and safe method of attainment. Second enlarged edition 10c.
No. 12. “Parsifal.” Wagner’s famous Mystic Musical Drama, a mine of inspiration and
devotion.
No. 13. “The Angels as Factors in Evolution.” Showing just what part the Angels,
Archangels, Cherubim, Seraphim, etc., play in the Drama of Life.
No. 14. “Lucifer, Tempter or Benefactor?” Showing the origin and the mission of pain
and sorrow.
No. 15. “The Mystery of Golgotha and the Cleansing Blood.” A rational explanation
which satisfies head and heart alike.
No. 16. “The Star of Bethlehem; a Mystic Fact.”
No. 17. “The Mystery of the Holy Grail.” The way to attainment.
No. 18. “The Lord’s Prayer.” Showing the esoteric side and how it applies to the seven-fold
constitution of man.
No. 19. “The Coming Force—Vril! or What?”
No. 20. “Fellowship and the Coming Race.” Showing why the Bible contains both the
Jewish and Christian religions, why both combined are peculiarly adapted to the spir-
itual needs of the Western World, and why Jesus was born a Jew.
THE

Rosicrucian
Cosmo
Conception
FOURTH EDITION
Price $1.50, Postfree

This remarkable book by Max Heindel marks an entirely new


departure in mystic literature.
For the first time in history the Western Wisdom Teaching con-
cerning Life and Being, which the Rosicrucians have guarded for
centuries, is here given by an authorized messenger, for it is held
that the world is now ready to receive this advanced science of the
soul.
The existing soul-hunger, and the satisfying nature of the
Rosicrucian teachings are equally well attested by the phenome-
nal sale of this great book—necessitating the issue of three large
editions in one year and eight months—and the many thousands
of letters received by the author from grateful students all over the
world, who testify that they have found in this book what they
have long sought elsewhere in vain.
It is one of the fundamental requirements of the Rosicrucians
that their teachings may not be promulgated for gain. The work
itself amply demonstrates that the author carries this injunction
out to the letter, for the edition covers 608 pages, is printed in
clear type on good paper; it is bound in cloth with reinforcements
to withstand the hard wear given to a text-book; has 30 diagrams
and illustrations, two of them in four colors; and an index of 60
pages, so thorough that it is almost a syllabus of any subject in the
book. The beautiful symbolical cover design is stamped in red,
black, and genuine gold, the three edges are also gold, making it
an unusually handsome volume at the extremely low price of
$1.50, postfree.
The wide scope of the book is indicated by the notes on the title-
page, in which it is stated to be “an elementary treatise upon
Man’s past evolution, present constitution, and future develop-
ment.”
We give herewith some headings of chapters and subdivisions as
a slight indication of what is contained in this mine of mystic light
and knowledge.
PART I
The Visible and Invisible Worlds, with two diagrams.
The Four Kingdoms, with two diagrams showing their vehicles
and consciousness.
Man and the Method of Evolution. Spirit, Soul, and Body;
Thought, Memory, and Soul-growth. The conscious, subcon-
scious, and super-conscious mind. The science of death, the
beneficence of purgatory, life in heaven; preparation for re-birth.
Rebirth and the Law of Consequence. Wine as a factor in
evolution, an authentic story proving re-birth.

PART II
The Relation of Man to God, with diagram.
The Scheme of Evolution. A general outline, with diagram of
the Seven World Periods.
The Path of Evolution. Cosmic Days of active work and
Cosmic Nights of passive contemplation.
The Work of Evolution. How the Cherubim, Seraphim,
Archangels, and Angels helped.
Genesis and Evolution of Our Solar System. Chaos the seed-
ground of Cosmos. Birth of the Planets. Planetary Spirits.
Evolution on the Earth. The Moon, the eighth sphere of retro-
gression, Birth of the Individual, Separation into Sexes, Lucifer
Spirits and the Fall, Sixteen Paths to Destruction.
Back to the Bible. Who was the “lost” tribes are, and why
Jesus was born a Jew.
Occult Analysis of Genesis. The nebular theory, Jehovah and
his mission; a living soul; why hybrids are sterile.
PART III
Christ and His Mission. “Peace on Earth” and “Not Peace, but
a Sword.” The Star of Bethlehem, the heart an anomaly, the
Mystery of Golgotha and the cleansing blood.
Future Development and Initiation. The symbolism of the
Caduceus, Alchemy and Soul-growth.
The Method of Acquiring First-Hand Knowledge. Western
Methods for Western People, the science of nutrition, the law of
assimilation, the Lord’s Prayer, Esoteric Training, how the inner
vehicle is built.
The Constitution of the Earth and Volcanic Eruptions.
Christian Rosenkreuz and the Order of Rosicrucians. The
Rosicrucian Initiation, the Rosicrucian Fellowship, Symbolism of
the Rose Cross, the Power of Healing.

How shall we
Know Christ
WHEN HE COMES?
By Max Heindel
15¢ postfree
The title indicates sufficiently the scope of the book.
It is direct and to the point like all the writings of this author.
Christ or
Buddha?
By Anett C. Rich

With a

Foreword by Max Heindel

30¢ postfree

The idea that India is the main repository of occult knowledge is held
by many who have forsaken the Christian Religion to embrace
Hinduism. Christ or Buddha? shows most clearly that

THE WESTERN WISDOM TEACHING

throws a light upon the problems of life which is much more intense,
far-reaching and soul satisfying in every respect. A partial list of con-
tents will indicate its scope.

Involution, Evolution, and Epigenesis


Trance
Dreamless sleep
Dreams
The Waking State
The Mystery of Blood
The Mystery of Sex
The Mystery of Death
The Christ of the West is not the Christ of the East
The Christ of the West
The law of infant mortality
THE

Rosicrucian
Philosophy
In Questions and Answers
Price $1.15 Postfree

A book of ready reference upon all mystic matters, which ought to


be in the library of every occult student. It covers 432 pages; has a
considerable number of illuminating diagrams, is printed on fine paper
in clear type, reinforced binding of cloth with the beautiful Rosicrucian
symbols stamped upon the cover in red, black, and genuine gold leaf;
the three edges are also gold.
The handsome style of this volume will make it a much appreciated
gift book, and the merely nominal price is an inducement to liberality.

PARTIAL LIST OF SUBJECTS.


Section I.—Life on Earth. Social Conditions, Marriage, Children,
Sleep and Dreams, Health and Disease.
Section II.—Life after Death. Cremation, Purgatory, The First
Heaven, The Second Heaven, The Third Heaven,
Guardian Angels.
Section III.—Rebirth. The Law of Rebirth, The Law of Causation,
Transmigration.
Section IV.—The Bible Teachings. The Creation, The Fall, The
Immaculate Conception, Sayings of Christ.
Section V.—Spiritualistic Phenomena. Mediumship, Obsession,
Materialization.
Section VI.—Clairvoyance. Dangers of Psychism, True Spiritual
Unfoldment, Initiation.
Section VII.—Astrology. True and False.
Section VIII.—Animals. Their Life Here and Hereafter.
The Message
of the Stars
50 Cents, Postfree

When Simplified Scientific Astrology was published, Mr.


Heindel stated his intention of writing a book on the art of read-
ing a horoscope. He promised particularly to elucidate his method
of detecting incipient diseases, so that application of the prover-
bial ounce of prevention may preserve our health and make cure
unnecessary.
The great book is now ready. Had Max Heindel written it alone,
it would be

IN A CLASS BY ITSELF

but being the product of both Max Heindel and his equally able
Companion in the Work, Augusta Foss Heindel,

IT IS A MASTER-KEY

to the esoteric side of Astrology, with the key to its practical


application in Life. Twenty-two horoscopes are used to illustrate
diagnosis of disease; examples show how

SPIRITUAL SIGHT AND MEDIUMSHIP

are indicated in the horoscope, etc.


Simplified
Scientific
Astrology
SECOND EDITION

40 Cents, Postfree

Competent Astrologers all over the world have complimented Mr.


Heindel on his simplified method of casting a horoscope in a thor-
oughly scientific manner. They have marveled at the lucidity of his
explanations and at the information contained within the covers of this
book, and the second edition will cause them to coin new superlatives
of praise, for it is revised, partly rewritten, and though the number of
pages is the same as in the first edition, much new matter has been
inserted by economizing space.

Notwithstanding the increased value, the price remains the same: 40c
postfree. Thus students who have the first edition can easily afford to
get the second also.
THE

Rosicrucian
Mysteries
200 pp. cloth. 75¢ postfree

This Is
THE BOOK FOR THE BUSY MAN
who is seeking a solution to the Great Mystery called Life, but
lacks leisure to wade through volumes of metaphysical specula-
tion. The lucid and logical explanations carry conviction. They
bear
THE STAMP OF TRUTH
Nevertheless, the language is so simple, clear and devoid of tech-
nicalities that

A CHILD CAN UNDERSTAND


its message. It is therefore specially suited to beginners, but
advanced students will find
The Mystery
Of
Light, Color, and Consciousness
and similar subjects of vital interest.
Astrology
by
Correspondence
WHY YOU OUGHT TO STUDY ASTROLOGY

There is a side of the moon which we never see, but that hidden
half is as potent a factor in creating the ebb and flow as the part of
the moon which is visible. Similarly, there is an invisible part of
man which exerts a powerful influence in life, and as the tides are
measured by the motion of sun and moon, so also the eventuali-
ties of existence are measured by the circling stars, which may
therefore be called “the Clock of Destiny,” and knowledge of their
import is an immense power, for to the competent Astrologer a
horoscope reveals every secret of life.
Thus, when you have given an astrologer the data of your birth,
you have given him the key to your innermost soul, and there is
no secret that he may not ferret out. This knowledge may be used
for good or ill, to help or hurt, according to the nature of the man.
Only a tried friend should be trusted with this key to your soul,
and it should never be given to anyone base enough to prostitute
a spiritual science for material gain.
To the medical man Astrology is invaluable in diagnosing dis-
eases and prescribing a remedy, for it reveals the hidden cause of
all ailments.
If you are a parent the horoscope will aid you to detect the evil
intent in your child and teach you how to apply the ounce of pre-
vention. It will show you the good points also, that you may make
a better man or woman of the soul entrusted to your care. It will
reveal systematic weakness and enable you to guard the health of
your child; it will show what talents are there, and how the life
may be lived to a maximum of usefulness. Therefore, the mes-
sage of the marching orbs is so important that you cannot afford
to remain ignorant thereof.
In order to aid those who are willing to help themselves we have
started a Correspondence Class.
No direct charge will be made for tuition, but we trust that stu-
dents will realize their moral obligation to contribute to the work
which helps them.
If you are looking for fortune telling we have nothing for you.

Our Lessons are Sermons


They embody the highest moral and spiritual principles, togeth-
er with the loftiest system of ethics, for Astrology is, to us, a phase
of religion, we never look at a horoscope without feeling that we
are in a holy presence, face to face with an immortal soul, and our
attitude is one of prayer for light to guide that soul aright.

We Do Not Cast Horoscopes


Despite all we can say, many people write enclosing money for
horoscopes, forcing us to spend valuable time writing letters of
refusal and giving us the trouble of returning the money. Please
do not thus annoy us. It will avail you nothing.
Contents
The Mystic Light
A Department devoted to articles on Occultism, Mystic
Masonry, Esoteric Christianity, and similar subjects.
The Question Department
Designed to give further light upon the various subjects
dealt with in the different departments, where queries
from students and other subscribers make this necessary.
The Astral Ray
Astrology from an original angle, Cosmic light on Life’s
Problems.
Studies in the Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception
Our Origin, Evolution and ultimate Destiny is religiously,
reasonably and scientifically explained in this department.
Nutrition and Health
Our body is ‘A Living Temple’, we build it without
sound of hammer, by our food. In this Department
articles on diet teach how to build wisely and well.
The Healing Department
The Rose Cross Healing Circle, its meetings and their
results.
Echoes from Mount Ecclesia
News and Notes from Headquarters

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