The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order: An Interpretation of the Rosicrucian Allegory & An Explanation of the Ten Rosicrucian Grades

339 Pages·1989·14.84 MB·English

by  Paul Foster Case

An Interpretation
of the
Rosicrucian Allegory
and
An Explanation
of the
Ten Rosicrucian Grades
Paul Foster Case
Boston, MAIYork Beach, ME
First published in 1985 by
Red Wheel/ Weiser, LLC
York Beach, ME
With offices at:
368 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
www.redwheelweiser.com
First paper edition, 1989
Copyright O 1981 by Builders of the Adytum, Ltd.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy,
without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may
quote brief passages.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Case, Paul Foster
The true and invisible Rosicrucian Order.
Includes index.
1. Rosicrucians. I. Title.
BF1623.R7C3 1985 135'.43
ISBN 0-87728-709-0
TCP
Printed in Canada
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE: THE ROSICRUCIAN ALLEGORY, 1
Chapter I The Beginnings of Rosicrucianism, 3
Chapter I1 Fama Fraternitatis of the Meritorious Order of the
Rosy Cross, 7
Chapter 111 The Confession of the Rosicrucian Fraternity, 19
Chapter IV The Inner Meaning of the Manifestoes, 29
Chapter V Our Father and Brother, C.R.C., 37
Chapter VI The Journey, the Initiation, and the Founding of the
Order, 65
Chapter VII The Rosicrucian Agreement, 99
Chapter VIII The Vault of Brother C.R.C., 105
Chapter IX Symbolism of the Rose-Cross, 133
Chapter X Rosicrucian Religion and Politics, 143
PART TWO: THE TEN ROSICRUCIAN GRADES, 153
Chapter XI The Grades of the Order, 155
Chapter XI1 The Grade of Zelator (1 = lo), 161
Doctrines of the Grade, 165
Key 2 1 The Thirty-second Path, 170
Chapter XI11 The Grade of Theoricus (2 = 9), 175
Doctrines of the Grade, 176
Key 20 The Thirty-first Path, 183
Y C ~1? ' The Thirtieth Path, 185
Chapter XIV The Grade of Practicus (3 = 8), 187
Doctrines of the Grade, 188
Chapter XV The Grade of Philosophus (4 = 7), 197
Y 18 The Twenty-ninth Path, 197
/ 3 The Tuvnty-eighth Path, 199
'6 The Twenty-seventh Path, 201
Doctrines of the Grade, 203
vi CONTENTS
Chapter XVI The Grade of Lesser Adept (5 = 6), 213
KCY
15 The Twenty-stxth Path, 215
(4
The Tulenty-frfth Path, 218
LI 1.3 The Twenty-fourth Path, 223
Doctrtnes of the Grade, 228
Chapter XVII The Grade of Greater Adept (6 = 5), 235
) 2 The Tumty-third Path, 237
1/ / The Tu~enty-second Path, 241
Doctr~neso f the Grade, 244
Chapter XVIII The Grade of Exempt Adept (7 = 4), 253
13 The Twtnty-frrst Pafh, 254
The Tulentteth Path, 259
1/ The Ntn~teertthf Jath, 262
Doctrrnes of the Grade, 265
Chapter XIX The Grade of Magister Templi (8 = 3), 271
60'7
The Etghteenth Path, 271
b The Seventeenth Puth, 275
Doctrtnes of the Grade, 279
Chapter XX The Grade of Magus (9 = 2), 283
The Szxteenth Path, 285
The Fifteenth Path, 286
J 3 The Fourteentlt Path, 288
Doctrtnes of the Grade, 291
Chapter XXI The Grade of Ipsissimus (10 = I), 297
1 The Th~rteenthP ath, 298
Doctrtnes of the Grade, 305
AFTERWORD, 309
Chapter XXII The Inner School, 311
INDEX, 319
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1. The Pythagorean Triangle, 48
Figure 2. The Circle of God, 54
Figure 3. Seven-Pointed Star Forming Hexagon, 114
Figure 4. Diagram of the Ceiling of the Vault, 126
Figure 5. The Pentagram with 4 Elements and Quintessence, 138
Figure 6. The Hexagram and Hexagon, 139
Figure 7. Tree of Life Diagram, 157
Figure 8. The Pattern on the Trestleboard, 188
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
To portray Paul Foster Case is to attempt to describe the great spiritual
teachers and messengers who have from time to time walked the earth
throughout recorded history. A vast and eternal Being looked out from
behind his eyes, bringing gifts which neither moths nor rust can corrupt. His
erudite scholarship, piercing and discriminating mentality, and direct spiri-
tual perception were a rare combination. Yet his humanness expressed itself
in wit, humor and complete compatibility with people of all social classes,
races and creeds.
As a precocious child, he was an avid reader, had unusual musical talent,
discovered he could consciously manipulate his dream states, and experi-
enced supersensory states of consciousness. At nine, he carried on a corre-
spondence with Rudyard Kipling who assured him of the reality of these
inner awarenesses. As a result of his contact with Claude Bragdon at age
sixteen, he discovered that playing cards were descendants of Tarot, origi-
nally called the Game of Man. Thenceforward, he collected every book about
Tarot and set of Keys available. Year after year, he poured over these Arche-
typal Images of Power, researching, delving, studying, meditating. He began
to hear a Voice guiding him in his researches. The stimulus of Tarot had
opened up his Inner Hearing to the highest spiritual levels, for the Voice
never interfered with his personal life, never flattered, never gave orders.
His research inevitably led him also to Qabalah, the "Secret Wisdom of
Israel," which he found he "already knew." He did not have to study the
Hebrew-Chaldean Script, for he "remembered it. Immersing himself in Tarot
and Qabalah was really like a review, preliminary to some greater Work.
Eventually he was given a choice between a relatively easy incarnation
and successful musical career, and the harder way of full dedication to the
service of humanity. His decision is apparent, and let it be known that all the
difficulties of which he had been forewarned did become a part of the sacrifice
he willingly made. Through personal contact, the Master whose Voice had
become familiar to him years before suggested he form a new outer vehicle for
the dissemination of the Mystery Teachings. Builders of the Adytum was
established, making available in written form teachings which in the past had
been, for the most part, an oral tradition. He became a prolific writer and
enthralling speaker, able to draw from the riches of the Higher Self because he
shared them so generously.
He more than fulfilled his mission to translate the techniques of Tarot and
Qabalah into terms understandable to the modern mind, and to extend the
teachings of Ageless Wisdom. Because of his dedication, aspirants will have
available a thoroughly tested and true method for travelling the Path of Spiri-
tual Return to the Most High.
A NOTE TO THE READER
This work by Dr. Paul Foster Case (1884-1954) is completely self-
revealing as to its source and its intention. We who are the
Stewards of the Order that he founded according to the
instructions of his teacher ask only that you listen to its message
with your hearts as well as your minds.
In a lifetime of service and teaching, the original
manuscript for The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order was expanded
and revised several times. The present work represents the full
maturation of his understanding of the subject.
If, at the completion of this volume, you should be
desirous of pursuing further the mysteries and disciplines of the
Tarot and the Tree of Life, you may contact:
Builders of the Adytum, Ltd.
Dept. TIRO
5101 North Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042