THE TRUE ROSICRUCIAN

& HOLY GRAIL TRADITIONS

COURSE 1:
FOUNDATIONS OF THE ROSICRUCIAN
& HOLY GRAIL TRADITIONS
COPYRIGHT 2018 BY THE VESICA INSTITUTE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WWW.VESICA.ORG

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
COURSE 1:
FOUNDATIONS OF THE ROSICRUCIAN
AND HOLY GRAIL TRADITION

WHAT IS ROSICRUCIANISM? 3

THE TRUE, ORIGINAL ROSICRUCIAN AND HOLY GRAIL SPIRITUAL IMPULSES 4

SOME HALLMARKS OF ROSICRUCIANISM 5

GLOSSARY 7

FIRST STEPS IN INITIATION: “KNOW THYSELF” 8

ESSENTIAL THREEFOLD PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT 11

THREE GREAT TRIALS OF INITIATION 12

THE SEVEN STAGES OF CLASSICAL INITIATION AND GRAIL INITIATION 13

THE SEVEN ROSICRUCIAN STAGES OF HIGHER KNOWLEDGE 14

OTHER FUNDAMENTAL ROSICRUCIAN CONCEPTS 15

BEGINNINGS OF HUMANITY: THE 10TH SPIRITUAL HIERARCHY 17

BACKGROUND OF SPIRITUAL TIME CYCLES: THE COSMIC CLOCK 23

A BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE ROSICRUCIAN

SPIRITUAL TRADITION 26

CORE VALUES OF ROSICRUCIAN INITIATION 36

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 WHAT IS ROSICRUCIANISM?
There are 2 common meanings associated with the term ‘Rosicrucian’; it is vital to
understand the difference between them.

1. Rosicrucianism as the path of Western Spiritual Science: this performs the world
function of translating the ancient mystery school knowledge into a modern form,
which is (A) updated to integrate modern spiritual developments and (B) presented in
clear, logical terms which can be consciously understood.
This aspect is for everyone regardless of spiritual tradition or orientation; anyone can learn
from Rosicrucian spiritual science (and apply it within their own tradition) without being
an esoteric Christian.
Notes: this aspect is connected to the tendency to call particular individuals “Rosicrucian” for
their interest in the sciences before the modern age, even though these individuals were in
actuality sometimes karmically connected to hindering powers and not Rosicrucian in their
deeper spiritual orientation.

2. The esoteric spiritual initiation tradition of Christianity (just as the Sufi tradition
holds the initiation knowledge for the Muslims, etc.) Christianity is the only major
world religion without an externally visible and truly accessible esoteric spiritual
initiation branch. The reasons for this are varied and deep; here are a few considerations:

a. Not taken up properly at critical moments in the past; this is particularly true of the
disastrous European events of the first half of the 20th century.

b. To force Western humanity to be more independent, to think for themselves. To not rely
on any external teachings or guidelines: develop true discernment out of one’s own
forces, following the trail of the divine back to source (an ‘Air trial’ for humanity).

c. Had to die out to reappear in a radically new form.

An important note regarding this second meaning of Rosicrucianism: karmically

Rosicrucianism contains many different groups, some of which were antagonistic in the past and
still have the tendency to continue this antagonism into the present.

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 THE TRUE, ORIGINAL ROSICRUCIAN AND
HOLY GRAIL SPIRITUAL IMPULSES

In this series you will learn the original Spiritual Realities which manifested in the Holy
Grail and Rosicrucian traditions in Europe, not the modern "Rosicrucian" offshoot
organizations in North America and elsewhere.

As you will see in the Timeline at this end of this first course, the Holy Grail Tradition in
Europe began as a renewed and revitalized form of Spiritual Initiation which had been
transformed from earlier Initiation systems through the Christ Impulse.
The core of this Holy Grail Initiation was that it was based on an independent direct
connection to higher Spiritual Realities (especially the Christ Being and the Divine Sophia)
to permanently transform a person's consciousness and energy body structures to a higher
state. This is the penetration of the Holy Spirit and higher Spiritual Beings / Forces into the
human Crown chakra from above, then penetrating through their Central Column / Middle Pillar
down into the Earth; this transformation of the human energy field is connected to the Toroidal
circulation of energy around the physical body which has in its Center the form of a Grail cup.
The Rosicrucian tradition was a further development of this Holy Grail impulse which
manifested hundreds of years later, first esoterically with the Initiation of Christian
RosenKreutz (Rosy Cross) and then externally with the publication of the first Rosicrucian texts
in Central Europe in the early 1600's. The original Rosicrucian impulse had no dogmatic
physical organization of any kind, no grand titles, no external ranks or grades to move through,
etc. In the true, original Rosicrucian impulse every person connects directly to Spirit, with
no intermediary person or organization. The Rosicrucian Initiate's consciousness and energy
system is transformed so that their energy centers blossom through the power of Divine Love
and Service (the Red Roses), within their own physical body and through the difficult trials of
incarnating on the Earth (the Black Cross). The original Holy Grail & Rosicrucian mysteries
were first revealed to the public through the work of Rudolf Steiner in the early 1900's.

These original Holy Grail and Rosicrucian traditions are very different in nature -- and with
much deeper and more profound knowledge -- than most modern "Rosicrucian" organizations in
North America, Europe and elsewhere, which tend to be based on semi-Masonic models of
hierarchical leadership. In these organizations there is a focus on achieving personal titles of
institutional authority (such as "Grand Imperator"), working through specific "Grades" of
initiatory rank within the organization (which may not reflect actual spiritual development), etc.
These modern hierarchical, institutionalized "Rosicrucian" organizations are available today and
indeed many people only know of Rosicrucianism through what is offered by these groups.
However this series is intended to open to you a different, deeper, independent path to
Spiritual Initiation which connects to the original Spiritual impulses of the Holy Grail and
Rosicrucian traditions. These Spiritual impulses, and the Divine Spiritual Beings behind them,
are an active, living reality which any sincere Spiritual Seeker can consciously connect to.

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 SOME HALLMARKS OF ROSICRUCIANISM
1. Humanity is seen as in its spiritual adolescence, striving to become the Spirits of Love
and Freedom. Love and Freedom are thus seen to be the foundations of human spiritual activity
and right action in the world.

2. The independence and freedom of the individual in spiritual matters is sacred.

- Beneficial spiritual beings require human beings to ‘rise to meet them halfway’
through one’s own activity to fully interact with them. They never coerce human free will
nor overpower a human being to take control.

- The student on the Rosicrucian path is autonomous. The instructor is a teacher and
‘elder brother/sister’ on the path, but not a Guru. The student must be as fully conscious as
possible of every step on the path and its purpose.

- There is no earthly institutionalized authority structure which can legitimately claim

to be the sole representative of the Rosicrucian tradition, which is spiritual in nature
and never transfers its authority to any external institution.

- No true Rosicrucian teacher will ever make claims to authority: this includes claiming
to be the spokesperson for the Rosicrucian tradition or particular spiritual beings,
publicly revealing one’s past incarnations or spiritual importance, nor adding titles to
one’s name or changing the name to suggest one’s spiritual significance. (These
activities are unacceptable because they have a coercive effect on students; the Rosicrucian
teacher strives to be as ‘normal’ as possible, any authority in their teachings must derive only
from their innate presence and the truth within the teachings themselves. However it should
be noted how often neophyte esotericists with ‘Luciferic Inflation’ conduct themselves in
the unacceptable ways just described.)

3. As Above So Below, As Within So Without: Processes of Earthly Life are materializations

of cosmic processes. This is connected to thinking in terms of ‘Hermetic Analogy’. Examples:
The 4 Worlds of the Kabbalah are the sources of the materialized 4 Bodies of the Human Being;
the Creation of successive ranks of spiritual beings through older & more advanced spiritual
beings is analogous to human beings being born helpless to elder parents, then advancing in age
and responsibility until they then become parents themselves and the bring the next incarnating
beings into the world.

4. All Religions are for all of humanity; they carry specialized knowledge and perspectives
which are needed for a full comprehension of multi-faceted reality. Christianity is still an
ideal that has yet to manifest fully; it holds a number of key teachings for humanity. None are
more important than the knowledge that human beings are meant to have the freedom to develop

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their individuality through their own ‘I AM’ presence, which is inextricably linked to the Christ
being (although many people have ‘I AM’ awareness without perceiving the spiritual being
behind it). One aspect of this is contained in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

5. The fully developed human Ego (in the sense of the I Am presence, not the present
Personality) is Divine and is the purpose of Earth evolution; thoughts of ‘Killing the Ego’ (in
the sense of the ‘Ego’ just given) or ‘dissolving into the Cosmos’ are in reality analogous to
committing suicide in the physical world. It would be a rejection of the entire divine purpose for
our existence.

6. The Foundation of the World is conscious spiritual beings, not the blind clockwork
‘natural processes’ of modern materialistic science. Any teaching which is literally ‘spiritual’
must deal with specific spiritual beings and their activities.

7. Evil is a reality in the world, not an illusion. However, it has a divinely ordained place in
the world, to create dynamic tension and the possibility of real freedom for humanity (and
to aid in certain types of manifestation). One of the most advanced groups of human adepts
are the Manicheans, who have the task of redeeming spiritual beings who have absorbed evil into
their core structure. To paraphrase a Rosicrucian axiom: The Masters are not ramparts against
evil, rather they have the capacity for the transmutation of Evil. This is at the heart of the Holy
Grail initiation and is a highly esoteric topic. Walking the Manichean path requires an advanced
ability to bear suffering without concern or self-pity.

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 GLOSSARY
These terms are explained in the audio/video resources in this series.

Meme.

Packed Thoughtforms.

Combinessence.

Zero-Point Centering.

Grail Points.

RA (Relaxed Awareness) Technique.

Central Column.

Vibrational Dowsing.

Mental Dowsing.

Lucifer.

Ahriman.

Luciferic Inflation.

The Lesser Guardian of the Threshold.

The Greater Guardian of the Threshold.

Hermetic Analogy.

Cubical Cross or Christic Cross.

IMAGINATION.

INSPIRATION.

INTUITION.

The School of Michael.

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 FIRST STEPS IN INITIATION:
“KNOW THYSELF”

1. THE BACKWARD REVIEW PRACTICE.

2. THE SIX BASIC ROSICRUCIAN EXERCISES:

STABLIZING THE CHALICE OF THE HEART

These exercises are often prescribed to be done for a month each, with the new exercise
then added on in addition to continuing the exercise(s) of the previous month(s).

[Note: these practices are taught in an greatly expanded form and with much more detail, in the
entry course in the Vesica Online Spiritual Science trainings Essential Teachings and Practices
of Spiritual Science.]

1. Stabilizing and Strengthening Thinking: For a minimum of 5 minutes a

day, pick an object of thought and think through everything concerning it in a
purely logical, linear fashion with NO other stray thoughts intruding. At the end,
focus on the feeling of strength and stability in the brain and spinal cord.

2. Stabilizing and Strengthening Will-Power: Every day, at exactly the same

hour, devote some time to an activity you normally would never do in your daily
routine but which brings you closer to self-actualization. After performing the
activity focus on the feeling of streaming will power flowing from the head down
to just above the heart.

3. Stabilizing and Strengthening Feeling: Throughout the day, observe your

inner soul life of feeling. Be alert to any fluctuations, and resolve to remain calm
and balanced no matter what happens. Extremes of any kind which make us
reactive and fall into negative patterns must be made balanced, to develop an
unshakable inner equanimity. An inner tranquility will develop, so that you may
allow that feeling to flow from the heart to the hands, feet, and head. At least
once a day this feeling of tranquility must be consciously awakened and allowed
to flow out from the heart.

4. Developing Positivity: The positive, the good, the true, the praiseworthy must
be sought in all people one encounters and in all of one's experiences. For
instance, rather than reacting judgmentally, instead enter with love and clarity into
the person or situation and ask oneself:

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 How did this person come to be like this? How have they suffered to react in this
manner?
In terms of the Holy Grail tradition, this is asking the question: “Brother or Sister,
What Ails Thee?”
This clarity then clears the way to perceive the person’s spiritual archetype which
is behind the facade of their present personality.
Developing positivity leads to a feeling as if the skin were becoming
porous, opening to processes in the environment which we previously were not
aware of. A feeling of bliss develops which should be led to the heart and then
stream from heart to the eyes, from the eyes to the space surrounding oneself.

5. Developing Open-mindedness: Being open to new perspectives, new ideas,

new ways of living and experiencing oneself. Being aware whenever we are
overly dogmatic or dismissive, or resistant to positive changes in our lifestyle.
The development of true open-mindedness awakens us to an extremely subtle
vibration in our environment which streams in through our five senses.

6. To harmonize all five exercises into a unified whole, which becomes second
nature in our internal life. A positive indication of this beginning is when the
handwriting changes. These exercises are extremely important because they have
the power to neutralize harmful influences which may potentially arise from other
forms of occult exercises or training; they ensure a positive direction to our inner
development.

3. FUNDAMENTAL ‘GRAIL POINTS’ PRACTICES:

1. RA (RELAXED AWARENESS).

2. ZERO-POINT CENTERING.

3. THIRD EYE PRACTICE (‘Creating the Initial Center in the Head’).

4. STUDY AS MEDITATIVE EXPERIENCE: THE ‘REPACKING’ PRACTICE.

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5. PREPARATORY PRACTICES FOR SPIRITUAL RESONANCE AND PERCEPTION

To reliably perceive subtle realities and go into resonance with higher spiritual forces
requires the profound development of several internal qualities:

1. Inward and Outward Silence.

2. Complete Stillness (connected to Relaxed Awareness).

3. Receptivity.

4. Stability (Non-Reactivity).

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 THE ESSENTIAL THREEFOLD PRACTICE OF
SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

1. Differentiate Conscious self from Reactive self.

2. Differentiate Self-Generated (Conscious) Thinking, Feeling, and Willing from the

impulses coming from external Spiritual Beings.

3. Differentiate the nature of the external Spiritual Beings which are affecting our internal
Soul Life.

Note: Practice One is highly beneficial for everyone.

Practices Two and Three above should only be undertaken by persons

with a sufficient level of spiritual ‘Structure’ and internal stability.
They can be destabilizing and detrimental for other persons, because awareness of the
influence of nonphysical beings on our internal states can trigger those with tendencies towards
unhealthy fantasy, psychosis, or schizophrenia.

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 THREE GREAT TRIALS OF INITIATION

These trials are necessary to develop qualities and abilities which normally would require many
incarnations to manifest.

1. Fire-Trial: To strengthen self-confidence, courage, fortitude, and perseverance. Keeping an

inner state of equanimity, unbroken strength, and positivity in the midst of suffering,
disappointment, and sorrow.
If the Candidate for Initiation chooses to continue Initiation training in the same lifetime,
they must then learn the 'Secret Script' of signs and symbols which allows communication with
higher worlds - and the possibility of performing new spiritual duties. After this is learned the
next trial begins.

2. Water Trial: We must perform a task that there is absolutely no reason to perform according
to outer life, but which is only revealed to us through being able to perceive the task on the inner
planes through reading the 'Secret Script'. Success in this task is revealed through alterations in
the forms, colors, and sounds we perceive spiritually.
Self-control and complete adherence to what is revealed to us spiritually is paramount.
Any intrusion of personal whims or shrinking from challenges will immediately create
confusion. It is vital to have developed absolutely clear judgement and spiritual discernment.
Any tendencies to pleasant illusions or fantasies must be overcome.

3. Air Trial: We have no distinct goal or any external guidance. Purely out of our own
connection to our higher self we must find the strength and spiritual perception to determine
what is vital to be done at every moment. The ability to perceive Karmic impulses (and their
fulfillment in the fullness of time) is essential. Having attained this level one takes full
responsibility for one's actions and speaks for oneself, not in the name of any other being. This
also entails that all of one's discussion of spiritual realities with others is carefully considered and
not idle talk
At this level one is given the 'draught of forgetfulness' which allows us to overcome our
reactive emotional and mental nature, to be fully open and unconditioned in each moment. Past
experiences help us to perceive clearly, rather than trapping us in old patterns. A second draft,
the 'draft of memory' is then given to connect us at all times with higher spiritual realities.

The mystery of the three trials appears from different perspectives in other Spiritual
Schools. For example, in the Hebrew Mysteries these three elements of Fire, Water, Air appear in
the Hebrew Alphabet as the 'Three Mother Letters' Aleph, Mem, and Shin; the letters Yod, Heh,
Vau are transmutations of the three mother letters and create the sacred 'Tetragrammaton' name
of God, Yod-Heh-Vau-Heh (Yahweh/Jehovah). This path also leads to inner union with the 'Holy
of Holies'.

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 THE SEVEN STAGES OF CLASSICAL INITIATION
AND GRAIL INITIATION

1. C.I.: The Raven (In the Old Testament the Raven feeds Elijah; in the Scandinavian
Edda the Raven whispers in the ear of Odin)
Grail: Raven

2. C.I.: The Occultist, the Hidden Scholar

Grail: Peacock (achieving Spiritual Imagination: perception in brilliantly colored
pictures)

3. C.I.: The Warrior; engaging in struggles in the world for spiritual causes
Grail: The Knight

4. C.I.: The Lion: Full control over emotions (sympathy & antipathy), achieving the
courage to do the utmost possible with one's life - whatever the cost
Grail: The Swan; the 'Swan Song' is the death of the lower self and birth of Divine Self

5. C.I.: The 'Persian', or 'Greek', etc. (At this stage one takes on the name of one's
cultural group: estoerically this signified the Initiate had achieved Union with / Service to
the guiding Spiritual Beings / Folkspirit of those people)
Grail: Pelican (bird which wounds own breast to feed others)

6. C.I.: The Sun Hero (on Chariot and Horses: Merkaba, as in the ascension of Elijah).
Secrets of Space and expansion of consciousness into the sphere of the Sun.
Grail: The Eagle (represented by Saint John in the New Testament)

7. C.I.: The Father: Highest Initiate, capable of founding new spiritual streams on Earth.
Full vision into the secrets of time and of resurrection from Death.
Grail: Crown; The King of the Grail (Fisher King, Master of 'The Net' as was Djehuti/
Thoth in the Egyptian Mysteries)

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 THE SEVEN ROSICRUCIAN STAGES
OF HIGHER KNOWLEDGE

1. The Study of Spiritual Science

The Release of the Inner Teachings of the Rosicrucian Tradition, which is a Foundation of the
new Science of Spirit, was prepared for well in advance. The individuality known as Christian
Rosenkreutz indicated that this material would be made public when science had made particular
breakthroughs; these included the discovery of Spectrum Analysis and the teaching of physical
aspects of Evolution (as in Darwin).
See the Vesica online course The Universal Vibrational Spectrum (part of the Vibrational
Testing & Healing online series) for more information on the significance of Spectrum Analysis,
and how around the nodal point of the 33.3 year Christ rhythm in 1933 a new Vibrational
(Etheric) Spectrum Analysis was developed in Europe as a balancing impulse to the discovery of
Physical Spectrum Analysis.

2. Acquiring Imaginative Knowledge (Imagination)

The Rosicrucian Masters foresaw that, beginning in the 20th century (following the end of Kali
Yuga in 1899), even human beings with no esoteric preparation would be able to have
Imaginative perceptions. This would often occur in three ways:

a) Perception of the Aura and the Elemental world

b) Perception of the Karmic Consequences of an Action done in the Present
c) Meeting with the Etheric Christ

3. Reading the Occult Script (Inspiration)

At the present stage of development, human beings require specific spiritual training to properly
develop this ability: the astral imprints organs into the etheric.

4. Living into the Spiritual Environment (Intuition)

5. Knowledge of the Relationships between Microcosm and Macrocosm

6. Union with the Macrocosm

7. Blissfulness in God (Unifying the Earlier Stages)

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 OTHER FUNDAMENTAL
ROSICRUCIAN CONCEPTS

SEVEN STAGES OF CLAIRVOYANCE IN RELATION TO

DEVACHAN (THE HIGHER SPIRITUAL WORLD/ HEAVEN)

1. Order into Dreams: Devachan appears like a sky with 'clouds' which are living forms.

2. Dreams become clear and precise: The laws of creation are viewed as dynamic geometric
and symbolic figures surrounded by light. This is the living language of the creative word. This
is still in the astral world, on the verge of Devachan.

3. First stage of Devachan proper ('Continents'): Astral counterpart of Physical structures, in

negative form.

4. Second stage of Devachan ('Oceans'): Lives in the 'Water of Life'. Entering this far into
Devachan requires Deep Meditation while the Breath is Held.

5. Conscious living in the world of pure thought (Air): Experience the events of Earth in
tremendous sounds and images which correspond to human emotions and passions.

6. Archetypes / original spiritual forms (rather than the 'negatives' in stage 3 above).
Akashic Record. Care must be taken to distinguish the 'astral shell' from spiritual individualities.

7. Heavenly Harmony of the Spheres. Threshold to a higher world 'beyond the stars'.

THE ‘ SEVEN INEXPRESSIBLE MYSTERIES’

1. The Mystery of the Abyss

2. The Mystery of Number (found in Pythagorean and Platonic philosophy)
3. The Mystery of Alchemy (found in Paracelsus and Boehme)
4. The Mystery of Death
5. The Mystery of Evil (referenced in the Revelation of John)
6. The Mystery of the Word (the Logos)
7. The Mystery of Divine Bliss (the deepest mystery)

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 THREE CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF THE ANGELOI IN THE
HUMAN ASTRAL BODY

1. Outer Social Life (Body / Will): Creating Pictures in the mind to bring forth certain ideals
and spiritual impulses. Particularly impulses to create definite social conditions, which rest on
the principle that we cannot find peace in the enjoyment of our own happiness while others
suffer beside us.

2. Inner Soul Life (Soul / Feeling): Inspiring us to perceive the hidden divinity and unique
spiritual archetype in every human being we encounter. The direct experience that every human
being is made in the likeness of the Godhead will take the place of abstract religious dogmas,
leading to complete freedom in the spiritual life.

3. Inner Spiritual Life (Spirit / Thinking): Aiding us to reach spiritual realities through
enlivened thinking; making thinking clairvoyant.

PRINCIPLES OF DISCERNMENT AND CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Avoiding 'Broken Ground'

2. Avoiding Claims to Authority
3. Respecting the Autonomy of the Student
4. Fully Conscious Methods of Spiritual Development
5. Avoiding 'Glamour' and Illusion ('Not Born Yesterday')
6. Avoiding Sensationalism
7. Avoiding Occult Materialism

COMMON PITFALLS ON THE PATH

1. Overestimation of one’s current level of development.

2. Focusing on strengths (which we receive external support for and gratification from –
developed in the past through making mistakes) and ignoring weaknesses (including
psychic fault lines, undeveloped abilities, limitations of personality structure & embedded
perceptions).
3. Luciferic inflation (connected to number one): self-importance, claiming special stature
and exaggerated sense of attainment (“ascended masters”).
4. Lack of Discernment regarding the spiritual forces one is connecting with, or which
stand behind teachers or groups one connects to.

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 THE BEGINNINGS OF HUMANITY:
THE 10TH SPIRITUAL HIERARCHY
General Outline
The Godhead manifests itself into a host of conscious beings in cyclical activity (this
activity can also be seen as a spiral or vortex). In humanity’s portion of the cosmos, there are
active around us nine distinct ranks of spiritual beings who have attained self-awareness in
earlier cycles. Each of the great rounds of evolution before us can be termed
‘Manvantaras’ (Sanskrit: "Age of Manu") or alternatively “Planetary Evolutions”. These nine
ranks of beings are often referred to as the “Spiritual Hierarchies”; they are known to Christian
esotericism through the writings of St. Paul’s pupil, Dionysius the Areopagite.
The nine separate ranks of spiritual beings are actually stages of consciousness; because
of this in some cases a spiritual being of a later Manvantara can move beyond the stage of
consciousness of the mass of their hierarchy, attaining the rank of a higher hierarchy through
having matched their stage of consciousness. (Such accelerations may occur either through the
activity of higher beings, i.e. “Grace”, or through one’s own conscious effort, i.e. self-direction
of the internal Trinity of Thinking, Feeling, and Willing.)
Each of the nine ranks attained self-awareness, receiving the spark of divine
consciousness, in successive Manvantaras. The earliest Manvantara humanity was involved in
was three cycles previous to ours, i.e. we are in our fourth planetary evolution. The fact that
humanity is in its fourth major cycle is essential in understanding the Sacred Geometry of
Creation and Initiation. It is related to a number of Kabbalistic mysteries, especially the Four
Worlds and the Tetragrammaton (Four-Letter name of God; this name is also that of the leader of
the Elohim, the Hierarchy which developed the conditions for humanity in the current Earth
Manvantara). In Christian Esotericism, this fourth stage is known to be the time when a
hierarchy becomes self-aware, having previously developed the foundations of the Physical,
Etheric (life), and Astral (consciousness) bodies. This fourth stage is the time when beings are
given the Ego, the “I AM” self-awareness which is the gift of the ‘Holy Spirit’: It is quite
literally the “Christ Consciousness”.
The Christ is a high spiritual being of a level beyond the nine spiritual hierarchies.
Known to many classical world traditions as the “Sun God” or “Solar Logos” (due to having the
Sun as the place in the Solar system which matches his nature and which was the literal ‘center’
of his activity before the Incarnation), the Christ’s nature was clearly described by the Early
Christian theorist Origen, who stated that Christ could be seen as the Godhead reduced in scale
to where human beings could perceive and interact with it. This is the foundation of Christ being
the “Son” of God. Another mystery related to Sacred Geometry and the I AM consciousness lies
behind the designation of the Christ as the “Logos”. In Christian esotericism, the Trinity of
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three levels of manifestation of One essence.
During the Three previous Manvantaras, one particular elder hierarchy sacrificed a
portion of themselves to allow for the next level of divine creation to manifest. This allowed
both for one aspect of the human being to be laid down (physical, etheric, astral) and for one
hierarchy above man (but below the Sacrificing hierarchy in terms of stage of evolution) to

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become self-aware (i.e., Archai, Archangels, Angels). The Christ, standing above the Sacrificing
Hierarchy, has also intimately participated in this activity. The Mystery of Golgotha was a major
act of sacrifice by the Christ in the current Manvantara, allowing humanity to develop divine
self-awareness (the “I AM” presence). Christian Initiation reveals that the nature of the Christ,
humanity’s receiving of the ‘Holy Spirit’ to become self aware of the “I AM” inside, and the
purpose of Earth evolution, are one and the same mystery. The sentimentalization and
dogmatization of Christian tradition has obscured the true nature and significance of the Christ.

Current Cycle of Manvantaras and Their Underlying Sacred Geometry

Evolution takes place through the 7-fold harmonic of time. Hindu, Theosophical, and
Rosicrucian traditions teach their initiates the cycle of seven Manvantaras (Planetary Stages).
[Note: Many other world traditions also teach 7-fold cycles under a variety of names.] These
are extremely large cycles of great creation and dissolution as the process of manifestation takes
place. On every Manvantara a new rank of spiritual beings attains self-awareness. Our Earth is
the 4th of a cycle of seven Manvantaras. Hidden within this process of 7-fold cyclical creation is
the pattern of interlocking vortex forces, one vortex pointing up and the other pointing down (see
illustrations on next page). At a high macrocosmic level this form derives from the process
below:

1. Creation Stage One (termed "Old Saturn" in Rudolf Steiner's Rosicrucian Manual An
Outline of Esoteric Science):
Warmth ether only (darkness- no light or sound) (related to Ego)-- creates basis for human
physical body

2. Creation Stage Two ("Old Sun"): Light ether added (relates to astral)-- basis for human
etheric body

3. Creation Stage Three ("Old Moon"): Chemical ether added (relates to etheric)—human astral
added

4. Creation Stage Four (Earth): Life ether (related to physical world)-- human ego develops

5-7. Creation Stages Five through Seven continue with each polarity moving back toward
direction of origin

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 Although this may seem at first contradictory and confusing, it demonstrates the cosmic
principle of counterbalanced forces in the manifestation process. The movement from warmth
ether to life ether is on the one hand a downward arc, but is the matrix for the simultaneous
upward arc from human physical body to the Ego. As the seven-fold process creates one arc
high-low-high intertwined with a second low-high-low arc, this forms the basis for the six-
pointed star (Seal of Solomon/Star of David, which Rosicrucians term the sign of the Holy
Grail). This is the GRAIL of divine creation of the human race and the balance held by forces of
cosmic wisdom in this process. Representations of this include the Masonic symbol of compass
and square, which not only hold this pattern of counterbalanced arcs but also represent the
associated mystery of the Squared Circle-- the creation of physical matter from non-physical
spirit.

The essential form of each arc is three stages leading up or down to a fourth stage at top/
bottom, then three more returning back the way it came for a total of seven. This is the Menorah
symbol from the Hebrew mysteries. There is an inverse relationship between the first and
seventh, second and sixth, third and fifth levels-- while the fourth always stands alone as balance
point (note equal levels for one and seventh candle, etc. on Menorah). The best description of
this process is found in Rudolf Steiner's works on seven Manvantaras and seven post-Atlantean
epochs. In the Spiritual World this evolutionary process exists as archetype in a
'packed' (fractally compressed) form as pure geometry.

The Spiritual Hierarchies

The Spiritual Hierarchies are structured in groups of three (the Trinity squared), which is
to say 3x3=9. They are sometimes even given the designation of First, Second, and Third
Hierarchy in which each of the three contain three levels, such as the First Hierarchy consisting
of Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones rather than these being counted as three separate
hierarchies. See the chart below of the nine Spiritual hierarchies. This highly esoteric
understanding of the nine hierarchies was made publicly known through the work of Dionysius
(student of St. Paul) in the Middle Ages, and was derived from earlier Mystery school
knowledge.

1. SERAPHIM – Spirits of Love

2. CHERUBIM – Spirits of Harmony
3. THRONES – Spirits of Will

These three groups of spiritual beings make up the first Trinity of Spiritual Hierarchies.

4. KYRIOTETES – Spirits of Wisdom

5. DYNAMIS – Spirits of Motion
6. ELOHIM – Spirits of Form

These three groups form the second Trinity of Spiritual Hierarchies.

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7. ARCHAI – Spirits of Time, Spirits of Personality
8. ARCHANGELS – Spirits of Fire
9. ANGELS – Spirits of Life

These three groups form the third Trinity of Spiritual Hierarchies.

We, Humanity, are the 10th Hierarchy – Spirits of Love and Freedom.

When a hierarchy takes center stage to be the prime actor in helping a new hierarchy
becoming independent, there are the 3,4,5 patterns present. Each stage of creation covers a five-
fold level from the primary creative hierarchy to the hierarchy attaining self-consciousness: a 4-
fold structure beneath the creative hierarchy including the hierarchy becoming self-aware; and a
3-fold structure between the creative and created hierarchies.

a. FIRST MANVANTARA (Termed by Rudolf Steiner "Old Saturn"): Thrones give out Will
substance – Archai process to Warmth and become self-aware

b. SECOND MANVANTARA (Old Sun): Kyriotetes give out Wisdom –– Archangels reflect
back as Light and become self-aware

c. THIRD MANVANTARA (Old Moon): Dynamis prime creative hierarchy –– Angels become
self-aware

d. FOURTH MANVANTARA (Earth): Elohim prime creative hierarchy –– We, Humanity

become self-aware

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22
 THE BACKGROUND OF SPIRITUAL TIME CYCLES:
THE COSMIC CLOCK

The ‘Belt’ of the 12 Constellations of the Zodiac is defined in modern Astronomy by the
observed path of the Sun against the background of the Stars (the Ecliptic), as seen from the
Earth. This zodiacal belt is usually seen as extending 8 degrees North and South of the Sun’s
path (a total of 16 degrees with the Sun in the Center). Historically this approach is founded on
the work of the Greek Astronomer Hipparchus in the Second Century BC.

The current stage of spiral evolution that humanity is in is defined by the position of the
Sun at the time of the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, which is called the ‘Vernal Point’. The
Constellation which the Sun is in front of at Sunrise on the Equinox is seen to be the Ruler, or
prime spiritual determinator, of the spiritual quality of that era. Due to the Earth’s tilt on its axis
in geometric relation to the movement of the Sun, the location of the Sun in the 360 degree circle
of the Zodiac moves backward (‘retrograde motion’) 1 degree every 72 years. Essentially this
‘Precession of the Equinox’ creates a lag of about 50 seconds (50") per year; thus it takes 72
years to move 1 degree.

Note 1: The number 72 is significant; the pentagram, symbol of life and humanity, has 72
degrees between each point of the star [360 degrees divided by 5 = 72 degrees]. The 72 is also
one half of the 'Light Harmonic' number, 144 (see the writings of Bruce Cathie).

Note 2: The location of the Vernal Point by the Sun’s position–– which was seen as the beginning
of the year–– was popularized by the Greeks, and is in contrast to the Babylonian approach based
on Lunar phenomena; the Babylonians saw the start of the Year as the New Moon falling nearest
to the Vernal Equinox. The lunar tradition continues in Judaism through the timing of Passover,
and in Christianity in the timing of Easter.

Note 3: The timing of the Calendar through the Seasons determined by the Sun’s Vernal Point
originated in the 5th century B.C. with Euctemon, with the 12 solar months bearing the Greek
names of the signs of the Zodiac. At that time the Vernal Equinox occurred in the sign of Aries,
called by Euctemon the month of Aries. This relationship of the Vernal Equinox and Aries was
‘frozen’ in time and became the basis of modern Western ‘Tropical’ Astrology. Tropical
Astrology is related to the Seasonal cycle, but does not reflect the actual positions of the Planets
in the Zodiacal signs in the sky. In ancient times, Astrology (in Grail terms, ‘Reading the Starry
Script’) was based on direct observation of the Heavens with Clairvoyant perception of the
spiritual forces working through the geometric relationships of heavenly bodies, whereas most
modern Western astrology is based on the use of an Ephemeris (and often computer modeling)
which does not reflect the actual positions in the heavens. The form of Astrology which is based
on the actual position of the heavenly bodies as observed from the Earth is termed ‘Sidereal’
Astrology. The actual positions seen in Sidereal Astrology have been shown in years of

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empirical tests by European Rosicrucians to be determinative of life activity in natural systems
(plants, metals, etc.), which is why it is used in agricultural approaches like Biodynamics.
Tropical Astrology is valid in its own right but must be seen in a larger context.

To pass through an entire zodiacal sign (thirty degrees of the heavens, since the 360
degree circle of the zodiac is divided into 12 signs which thus has thirty degrees each) then takes
2,160 years (30 degrees times 72 years = 2160 years). This 2,160 years is called the 'Messianic
Cycle'; every one of these 2160 year periods in which one sign of the Zodiac is traversed (the
Age of Aries, of Pisces, and soon the Age of Aquarius) equals one of the 'cultural epochs'
described above. At the dawn of every one of the 'Messianic cycles', i.e. upon entering into each
new sign of the zodiac, a great spiritual teacher emerges to set the foundation for the New
Mysteries of that epoch. Thus for the first post-Atlantean epoch-- the Indian - Hindu epoch-- the
great teacher was Manu. For the second period ( Persian) the Messianic leader was Zarathustra
(called Zoroaster, "Radiant Star" by the Greeks). The Third period was led by Djehuti in Egypt
(Djehuti is the original Egyptian name of the individual popularized in esoteric circles today as
Thoth), who became known to the Greeks as Hermes, the founder of the Hermetic teachings and
the source of the Emerald Tablet. One of the major Initiates of the Fourth period was Moses,
who helped create the conditions for the full appearance of the Solar Logos, the Christ, uniting
with Jesus of Nazareth through the extensive preparations made by the Jewish people and
particularly the Essene order.

To complete the entire trip through the zodiac takes then 25,920 years (2160 years x 12
signs = 25,920). This complete trip through the zodiac is called the 'Platonic Year'. The
discovery of this cycle is conventionally accredited to the Greek astronomer Hipparchus in the
second century BC, but it was known to the Mystery schools prior to that time.

The Babylonian astrological/astronomical system utilized a base unit of 60. If we divide

the 25,920 of the Platonic year by 60, we get 4320- the Hindu harmonic of time.

Dating the Ages in the Platonic Year

There are many different approaches to dating the Astrological Ages. One of the most
interesting is that developed by modern researcher Robert Powell.
He found that the 2,160 year precession cycle through each sign of the zodiac (with dates found
through direct comparison with zodiacal locations) were exactly 1199 years different from the
Rosicrucian dates associated with the Cultural epochs. Following the Rosicrucian principle of
specific spiritual forces linked to celestial bodies determining manifestation cycles, we can ask:
what observed celestial phenomena correlates with an 1199 year cycle? The answer is the 'Venus
Pentagram', wherein the planet Venus traces out a Pentagram in the heavens above the Earth
(created by conjunctions with the Sun) every 1199 years.

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ZODIACAL SIGN ASTROLOGICAL AGE CULTURAL AGE (+1199 years)

CANCER 8,426 – 6,266 BC INDIAN 7227 - 5067 BC

GEMINI 6,266 – 4,106 BC PERSIAN 5067 - 2907 BC
TAURUS 4,106 – 1,946 BC EGYPTIAN 2907 - 747 BC
ARIES 1,946 BC – 215 AD GRECO-ROMAN 747 BC - 1414 AD
PISCES 215 – 2,375 AD EUROPEAN 1414 - 3574 AD
AQUARIUS 2,375 – 4,535 AD RUSSIAN-SLAV 3574 - 5734 AD
CAPRICORN 5734 – 7894 AD AMERICAN 5734 - 7894 AD

Powell takes his starting point in defining the sidereal zodiac in the primary axis used by
Babylonian astrologers, between Aldebaran in the center of the Taurus constellation (15 degrees
Taurus) and Antares in the center of Scorpio.

* There is a deep esoteric teaching behind this primary axis between Scorpio and Taurus.
Scorpio is an origination (and termination) point for the creation of life forms in the Zodiac, and
is the sign of Initiation (related in Christian Esotericism to St. John, ‘the Eagle’ which is the
reborn higher octave of the Scorpion). Taurus is the location of the Pleiades, known to many
different world traditions as a source point for many of the spiritual realities connected to the
human race. This axis is linked to humanity’s destiny: one of the deeper Rosicrucian teachings
relates that the Pleiades will be the location for the next solar system evolution humanity will be
involved in. (Note that in the Manvantara following the 7th in our current cycle [esoteric name:
Vulcan] Humanity will be advanced in rank/level of consciousness to a rank as high as the
Elohim hold in the current Manvantara. Thus humanity will be four ranks above the hierarchy
which will then be becoming self-aware, meaning it will have the stature to provide the initial
offering/sacrifice to create the foundation of the next spiritual hierarchy. The living Imagination
of this event is attainable from inwardly perceiving/experiencing the cycle of development in
past and future Manvantaras).

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 A BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
OF THE ROSICRUCIAN SPIRITUAL TRADITION

A FEW ROSICRUCIAN MASTERS INCLUDED IN THIS SURVEY:

1. Christian Rosenkreutz: Hiram Abiff; Lazarus/St. John the Beloved Disciple (writer of
the Book of Revelation); Christian Rosenkreutz; St. Germain.

2. The Master Jesus: Zoroaster (the Radiant Star); multiple incarnations as the ‘Great
Illuminator’ described in the “Book with 14 Seals” (the Essene text The Apocalypse of
Adam) including Zaratas (Babylonian teacher of Pythagoras); Jesus; Friend of God from
the Highlands.

3. Mani: Noah/Manu; Melchizadek (Malek-Zadek, the King of Righteousness); Youth

killed by Priests of Sais for unveiling Isis; Young man of Nain – Raised from the Dead by
Christ; Mani; Parsival.

4. Rudolf Steiner.

TIMELINE
(Note: Many of the dates are approximate.)

Pre- 7227 BC: Destruction of Atlantean culture due to misuse of natural forces. Before the
destruction occurs, the leader of the Sun Oracle (the highest of the seven planetary Oracle temple
complexes in Atlantis) gathers many of the most advanced Atlanteans (those who were
developing the next stage of consciousness, i.e. logical linear thought and self-awareness rather
than clairvoyant trance consciousness) and leads them to the Indus Valley to found the First Post-
Atlantean Cultural Epoch. The Leader of the Sun Oracle is called ‘Manu’ (as in The Laws of
Manu text in India) in the East and ‘Noah’ in the later Hebrew culture.

7227 - 5067 BC: Ancient Indian Cultural Epoch (First Post-Atlantean Epoch), founded by
Manu. Manu brings with him the etheric bodies of the seven most advanced initiates of the
Atlantean Planetary Oracle temples, which are then incorporated in the individuals who become
known as the ‘seven Holy Rishis’. The most advanced disciple of Manu is the individuality who
appears in the next cultural epoch as Zarathustra (Zoroaster).

5067 – 2907 BC: Persian Cultural Epoch, led by Zoroaster (Radiant Star). Zoroaster’s
teaching describes the benevolent Spirit of the Sun, Ahura Mazdao, who is opposed by the dark
Lord of the Earth, Ahriman (see the Zend Avesta). Zoroaster creates the Foundation of the Magi,
Zoroastrian priests who hold the Holy Grail knowledge of how to “Read the Starry Script”; the
Magi are trained to read the signs in the Heavens which indicate the time of the Incarnation of

26
Ahura Mazdao into a physical body. Zoroaster prepares the way for Ahura Mazdao, later known
as the Christos or Solar Logos, and passes through multiple incarnations where he is known as
the ‘Great Illuminator’ on his way to incarnate as Joshua Ben Joseph (Jesus). (For more on the
multiple incarnations of Zoroaster as the ‘Great Illuminator’, see the Nag Hammadi Library
Essene text “The Apocalypse of Adam”, and Andrew Welburn’s excellent study The Book with
14 Seals.)
Zoroaster has a number of senior disciples. The first of these receives a tremendously
advanced capacity for astral clairvoyance, including the ability to perceive the complete tableau
of physical and spiritual mysteries in space in the current moment; this disciple will later also
receive the astral body of Zoroaster and incarnate as Djehuti (Thoth, known as Hermes
Trismegistos to the Greeks), the founder of the next cultural epoch in Egypt. A second disciple
receives the ability to read the Akashic record through etheric clairvoyance, perceiving
successive phases of evolution in time; he later receives the etheric body of Zoroaster and
incarnates as Moses, who learns the Egyptian mysteries then leads the Hebrews out of Egypt to
found their own culture and prepare for the incarnation of the Messiah.

3101 BC: Kali Yuga, the ‘Dark Age’ Begins. Different counts exist for the Kali Yuga: the
Rosicrucian count is that it is a 5000 year period. Kali Yuga is the time in which direct
perception of spiritual realities dies out, replaced by full self-awareness and logical, linear
thinking.

3101 BC: The historical Egyptian High Culture begins, start of the ‘Old Kingdom’ period.
It is not a coincidence that this occurs just at the time of the beginning of Kali Yuga: the Egyptian
culture brings the ancient spiritual knowledge into a new cultural period. In time the Egyptian
Mysteries decline and some of its knowledge disperses in two directions: to Israel (Mysteries of
Time) and to Greece (Mysteries of Space).

2907 – 747 BC: Egyptian Cultural Epoch (Third Post-Atlantean Epoch).

1459 BC: Mass incarnation of Rosicrucian Masters, manifesting in the elite around
Pharaoh Hatchepsut (the only Female Pharaoh). Hatchepsut’s counselor Senenmut is one of
the highest of human Initiates. This incarnation is timed to be one Sothic period (Heliacal Rising
of Sirius cycle, roughly 1460 years in length) before the Incarnation of Christ, and will have its
mirroring on the other side of the Incarnation with the Initiation of Christian Rosenkreutz. Sirius
(called Sothis at the time) was known to the Egyptians as the star linked to Isis, who will later be
known as Sophia. Sirius is known to the Rosicrucians as the location in Cosmic Space wherein
the spiritual hierarchy of the Elohim (called the Exusiai by the Greeks and the “Spirits of Form”
by the Rosicrucians) underwent their fourth stage of evolution, i.e. their ‘human’ stage when they
became self-aware and received the ‘I AM’ divine essence.
Hatchepsut builds with Senenmut’s help the ‘Djeser Djeseru’ Temple Complex, the Holy
of Holies. It is a three level temple, like the three steps up to the altar in the Holy Grail tradition.
On opposite sides of the Temple were the Chapels of Anubis and Hathor.

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1450 BC: Time of Abraham, Patriarch of the Hebrews who are the ‘chosen people’ to
prepare the body for the incarnation of the Messiah (Ahura Mazdao / Christos). Abraham
is met by – and derives authority from -- Malek-Zadek better known today as Melchizadek
(termed by St. Paul “the King of Righteousness”, ‘Zadek’ in Hebrew meaning ‘Righteousness’ as
in the ‘Zadokite’ priesthood) who is the incarnation of Manu, the great overseer of the current
epochs of cultural evolution.

950 BC: Hiram Abiff incarnates and participates in the building of the perfect Temple, the
Temple of Solomon. Hiram is one of the leading individuals in the Cain stream of Humanity, an
advanced “Master of the Net” and “Grail Guardian” who creates the foundation for the true
Freemasonic impulse (creation of new social forms, and the use of sacred geometry to craft the
world into the forms of the next cycle of evolution).

747 BC – 1414 AD: Greco-Roman Cultural Epoch (Fourth Post-Atlantean Epoch).

550 BC: Zoroaster incarnates as Zaratas (also known as Na-Zaratas, as stated in the writings
of Clement of Alexandria) in Babylon, known to history as one of the instructors of Pythagoras.
Pythagoras is karmically linked to the Zoroastrian lineage of the ‘Masters of the Net’ and the
Magi; he will later incarnate as one of the three Magi who attend the birth of Jesus. The other
two Magi who attend the birth also incarnate as students of Zaratas at this time.
Note that Babylon is the site of the formalization of Astronomical/Astrological
knowledge into the current system of 12 equal signs of the Zodiac. According to Ptolomy
(Greek astronomer writing in the second century AD) Babylonian astronomers began systematic
charting in around 747 BC, an assertion validated by later archeological finds of Babylonian
cuneiform astronomical texts from that period. At that time stars were charted in a belt
extending from 10 degrees North to 7.5 degrees South of the Ecliptic. By 475 BC the
Babylonians had developed a system of placing the stars into 12 equal signs of the Zodiac; it is
possible this transition was initiated through Zaratas during his incarnation in Babylon, where he
continued to train initiates in the ‘Masters of the Net’ and Magi stream. Note also that
Babylonian astronomy used as its ‘fiducial axis’ (the line dividing the zodiac in half) the
Aldebaran (15 degrees Taurus) and Antares (15 degrees Scorpio) axis which connects the source
& destination forces of the Pleiades with the Initiatory/Birth and Death forces of Scorpio
(esoterically it is also a connection between the reproductive forces and the forces of speech).

200 BC: Beginning of the Age of Archangel Oriphiel, Archangel of the Saturn Sphere.

0 AD: Incarnation of Jesus. (In actuality there is no 0 AD, but it represents the ‘turning
point of time’ from B.C. to AD with the Incarnation). This event, leading to the ‘Mystery of
Golgotha’, fundamentally alters the conditions of Earth evolution. The fulfillment of the
Zoroastrian mysteries (and the Essene following the incarnations of the Great Illuminator on the
way to becoming the Messiah); Zoroaster incarnates as Jesus and unifies with Ahura Mazdao
(the Christ) at the time of the Baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist (noted in the Gospels to

28
be the reincarnated Elijah). Multiple spiritual forces and traditions are involved in the
Incarnation of Christ.
Note that St. Paul emphasizes the linkage between Melchizadek (Manu) and Christ:
Isaiah had foretold (Is 9,6) the coming of the Messiah as the ‘Prince of Peace’, and St. Paul calls
Melchizadek ‘The King of Peace’. Paul also emphasizes that Jesus is a Priest after the ‘Order of
Melchizadek’; this not only reinforces the lineage of Manu-Zoroaster, but also is an indication of
a deeper esoteric reality: that both Jesus and Melchizadek bore within their physical and subtle
body sheaths a higher spiritual being (an Avatar). This is a continuation of a practice more
common in ancient times, when higher hierarchies could more easily work through human
beings (as human bodies hardened, this became more difficult).
Manu incarnates as the Young Man of Nain, who is raised from the dead by Christ (the
counterbalancing of the murder of the Young Man of Sais by the Priests of Isis).
Hiram Abiff incarnates as Lazarus, who is also ‘raised from the dead’ by Christ; he is the
last to be initiated in the old method (leading to his death) and the first to be initiated in the new
Christian Initiation (leading to his resurrection). Lazarus becomes the Beloved Disciple John,
the only man capable of standing at the foot of the Cross and observing the Mystery of Golgotha
with the three Marys (female initiates of the Sophia stream. For more information on this stream
refer to Elizabeth McKay-Gilbert's work available through Vesica). St. John later writes the
Book of Revelation, revealing the spiritual imaginations he has attained at his level of Initiation
through the Christ.

150 AD: Beginning of the Age of Archangel Anael, Archangel of the Venus Sphere.

215 – 276 AD: Founding of Manichaeism in Persia. Mani is an incarnation of Manu; his new
religion is persecuted and Mani is crucified, the skin stripped from his body and stuffed with
straw to hang from a tree.

500 AD: Beginning of the Age of Archangel Zachariel, Archangel of the Jupiter Sphere.

666 AD: First nodal point of the 666 year cycle (Etheric rhythm) of the Ahrimanic
hindering powers. Focal point is the school of Gondishapur, which sought to bring modern
Ahrimanic science and technology already at that time. Impulse partially thwarted by the
inspiration of Mohammed to lead a Jihad and found Islam; his warriors destroy Gondishapur.

850 AD: Beginning of the Age of Archangel Raphael, Archangel of the Mercury Sphere.

800’s AD: The Historical time behind the events described in the Holy Grail Initiation
document Parsival. Parsival is an incarnation of Manu.

1190 AD: Beginning of the Age of Archangel Samael, Archangel of the Mars Sphere.

1200: Wolfram Von Eschenbach composes the Grail Initiation text Parsival based on the
events of the 9th century.

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1230 AD: Hiram/John individuality incarnates. He is initiated in a very deep process by a
council of 12 spiritual masters. Seven of these are the reborn seven Rishis (holding the
knowledge preserved from the Atlantean mysteries), while the other five respectively hold the
knowledge of the five post-Atlantean Epochs. The Hiram/John individuality is able through this
experience to transform the wisdom of the 12 into a new revitalized form, having unified in
himself their knowledge with the direct inner experience of the Christ being. This is related to
the experience Paul had of the Christ on the road to Damascus. He dies while still young, and
the 12 preserve what they had learned from him; some of that knowledge will later appear in the
texts Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians and Blavatsky’s Isis Unveiled (some of it in a distorted
form in the latter text).

1225-1274: Thomas Aquinas incarnates.

1300’s: Incarnation of Zoroaster/Master Jesus as “the Friend of God from the Highlands”.
Knowledge of this individual was collected by the Hospice of St. John (called the ‘Green Island’)
at Strassbourg, in what became known as the Masters Book. This information became more
widely available through Wilhelm Rath’s book The Friend of God from the High Lands, first
published in German in 1930 (Rath was a pupil of Steiner’s in the 1904-1914 Esoteric School,
and the documents of that school shed more light on the Friend of God). One of the most
remarkable episodes in this story known to history is the meeting of the Friend of God with Pope
Gregory XI: the Friend of God chastises the Pope and warns him that unless he conducts
immediate and radical reforms that Christianity will continue to move toward the abyss and the
Pope himself would die within a year. Pope Gregory XI did die within one year of the meeting.

1332: Second octave of the 666 Ahrimanic rhythm. One manifestation of this is the
destruction of the Order of the Knights Templars by King Phillip of France (controlling the
Pope), after the Grail communities in the South of France (Cathars, etc.) were massacred by the
Pope’s armies. Another manifestation of the 666 impulse is the Inquisition and the murder of the
female Initiates of Sophia, the ‘Wise Women of Europe’, as ‘Witches’.

1378: The Hiram/Lazarus individuality reincarnates as Christian Rosenkreutz. He

receives the intact etheric body from his previous incarnation. He lives among the students and
successors of his 12 Initiators in his previous incarnation, then at the age of 28 travels to Arabia,
where on the Road to Damascus he again has the experience of the Etheric Christ. According to
the Fama Fraternitatis text, after having learned Arabic and studied in Damascus for three years
he travels further (including to Damcar, the ‘monastery in the sand’) and studies with Sufi
hermeticists, probably receiving Initiation into the Ikhwan al Safa (Brethren of Purity) group and
learning their 52 Epistles which summarize spiritual science. After further study in Egypt and
the city of Fez, he returns to Europe and founds the new form of spiritual initiation, containing
the knowledge of the classical and Grail initiations in a form appropriate for the evolving
consciousness of Western humanity. This 'Rosicrucian' work first came to public attention in the
early 1600's.

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1414 – 3574 AD: European Cultural Epoch. The spiritual forces with the Europeans at the
beginning of this time (reflected in an advanced stage of logical scientific thinking) merge with
intensifying Ahrimanic influences to create the industrial revolution with advanced transport,
communication, and weapons technologies; this allows the Europeans to conduct global
colonization and literal or economic enslavement of traditional peoples all over the Earth. This
is a corruption of the European task to place the new mode of consciousness at the service of the
world.

1459 AD (Easter Eve): Full Initiation of Christian Rosenkreutz as “Brother of the Rosy
Cross”; the individuality of Mani is present as the Initiator. This occurs one Sothic cycle after
the Incarnation of the Great Illuminator (Jesus). Mirror of the Rosicrucian mysteries around
Hatchepsut’s court in Egypt in 1459 B.C.

1510 AD: Beginning of the Age of Archangel Gabriel, Archangel of the Moon Sphere.

1524: Martin Luther, heading the Protestant movement to free Christianity from the
corruption in the Catholic Church, adopts as his symbol a White Rose with a Cross in the center.

1612: Michael Maier, a German alchemical Doctor who was considered the Paracelsus of
his time, visits England. He may have met Robert Fludd in his journey. In any event, he is
known to have sent a large (3ft. X 2ft.) ‘Christmas Card’ to King James with a picture of a Rose
in the center; in Latin words an 8-branched cross between the Rose petals includes the statement
“By your true protection may the Rose be joyful.” Researchers such as Adam Maclean suspect
that James already functioned at that time as sponsor & protector of English Hermeticists who
used the Rose as their symbol (in 1618 James becomes the patron of Rosicrucian Robert Fludd).

1614: First major Rosicrucian text appears, published in German in Kassel. Entitled Fama
Fraternitatis, dess Loblichen Ordens des Rosenkreutzes (The Declaration of the Worthy Order
of the Rosy Cross), it sets off the ‘Rosicrucian Furor’. The Fama reveals the existence of an
esoteric Christian Fraternity created in the 1400’s by Christian Rosenkreutz following his
journeys in Arabia, and attacks the suppression of free spiritual thought by the Catholic Church.
The document may have been in private circulation since 1610.

1615: Second major Rosicrucian manifesto appears in Latin, also published in Kassel;
entitled Confessio Fraternitatis. Confessio describes the exalted knowledge of the Rosicrucians
and asserts that the grip of Papal tyranny will be broken.

1615: Julius Sperber writes Echo der von Gott hocherleuchteten Fraternitet (Echo of the
God-Illuminated Fraternity). The Echo makes a clear case for the Rosicrucian wisdom being
the modern appearance of the secret knowledge of the ancients, tracing a lineage from Noah and
the biblical Patriarchs to Zoroaster and the Persians, to the Egyptians, and to the Hebrew
Kabbalah.

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1616: Third major Rosicrucian work appears, published in German in Strasbourg. Entitled
Die Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosenkreutz (The Chemical Wedding of Christian
Rosenkreutz), it differs from the previous 2 texts in being a richly detailed alchemical allegory.

1616- 1633: Englishman Robert Fludd publishes a series of important and well-illustrated
texts defending the Rosicrucians and elaborating Rosicrucian philosophy and knowledge.

1617-1618: Michael Maier in Germany publishes texts supporting the idea that the
Rosicrucians are heirs to the secrets of the ancients, possessing an advanced spiritual science.

1785: The Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians is published by Hinricus Madathanus

Theosophus. The text contains a deeper level of the esoteric knowledge of the Rosicrucians
than had previously been publicly available, including inspirations arising from the Initiation
experience of Christian Rosenkreutz.

1831 (July 31): Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky is born in the Ukraine. Occult lodges
around the world are aware of her incarnation, knowing her to be a kind of ‘super-psychic’ who
may spread formerly secret esoteric knowledge. Behind the scenes, a struggle later ensues for
who will control and direct Blavatsky’s activity.

1842- 1849 AD: Ahrimanic forces greatly intensify their activity and lay the foundations
for modern materialistic culture. The culmination of this period is the struggle between these
forces and those of the Archangel Michael, known to the Rosicrucians as the “Fall of the Spirits
of Darkness”. The Ahrimanic Beings are partially cleared from obscuring the spiritual vision of
humans, but greatly intensify their activity on the physical plane including new technologies.

1861: Rudolf Steiner incarnates in what was then Austria. Steiner, one of the pre-eminent
Rosicrucian adepts and perhaps the most evolved of them all in the intellectual stream, has the
task of bringing a deep understanding of reincarnation and karma back to the Western World and
Christianity. However because of the failure of other individuals to carry out their own Karmic
tasks, Steiner out of his own free will picks up their tasks as well; this will include the entire
work of Anthroposophy.
Rudolph Steiner reveals many of the deeper Rosicrucian mysteries for the first time.
His collected work of over 350 books (either written by him or collected lecture transcripts) form
an extensive corpus of knowledge, which he states is intended for the use of those people who
will incarnate and be active in the early 21st century.

1875: Founding of the Theosophical Society in New York by Madame Blavatsky and Col.
Olcott. Strong Rosicrucian spiritual elements are present at the founding of the society.
These increasingly withdraw due to later events. One key episode is the ‘occult imprisonment’
of Madame Blavatsky by an American occult lodge; she is freed from this condition by an Indian
occult lodge, with the result that the Theosophical society becomes increasingly Asiatic in its
focus and transfers its activity to Adyar India.

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1879 AD: Beginning of the Age of Archangel Michael, the Archangel of the Sun Sphere.

1880’s: Rudolph Steiner studies and edits the complete edition of Goethe’s scientific works.
He recognizes that they contain the keys to a new form of spiritual science.

1899 AD: End of the Kali Yuga ‘Dark Age’, in both the European Rosicrucian and the
Himalayan Babaji/Sri Yukteswar Traditions (see The Holy Science by Sri Yukteswar).

1901: Rudolph Steiner, having passed his fortieth birthday, begins his public esoteric
teaching in the Theosophical Society. In August 1901 he offers the lecture cycle “Christianity as
Mystical Fact.” From that point on he takes his place as a pre-eminent European esotericist.

1904: Steiner publishes The Knowledge of Higher Worlds and its Attainment.

1904 – 1914: Rudolf Steiner conducts an inner school of Rosicrucian Initiation. Only the
First Class (first level) of Three Classes (levels) is given before the start of World War One,
which ends the school. The only English language source for some of the material from that
school is From the History and Contents...

1909: Steiner publishes his Magnum Opus, An Outline of Occult Science (today titled An
Outline of Esoteric Science), which is the modern “Book of the Grail”.

1909: Annie Besant (the leader of the Theosophical Society after Col. Olcott’s death)
under the influence of Charles Leadbeater, declares the Indian child Alcyone (later to be
known as Krishnamurti) to be the new world Messiah, essentially the reappearance of Christ.
They start an offshoot of the Theosophical Society, called the Order of the Star in the East, as a
vehicle for the new messiah. Rudolph Steiner publicly asserts that this is a completely false
teaching and gives out a new level of detail having to do with the Christ mystery and the
‘Reappearance of Christ in the Etheric’. Steiner separates from the Theosophical Society and
starts the Anthroposophical Society. Later Krishnamurti will publicly renounce all the claims
made for him by Besant and Leadbeater and the Order of the Star in the East collapses.

1913 (Sept. 20): Rudolf Steiner lays the foundation stone for the Goetheanum, the new
‘Temple of the Grail’ which is built in Dornach Switzerland. The foundation stone is a
copper double dodecahedron.

1914: World War One begins. The outcome of the War is intended to decimate the existing
European powers, particularly to create sufficient chaos in Germany to prevent recognition of
spiritual science and the approaching Reappearance of Christ in the Etheric. (For background in
English language texts, see the writings of Antony Sutton, Anton Reuveni, and Terry Boardman).

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1922: The Goetheanum is burned to the ground by a Nazi saboteur. Around the same time
period Steiner has to discontinue lecturing in Germany due to threats against his life by Nazis.
He is also poisoned in Switzerland (some believe he was physically poisoned, others believe it
was energetic); although his life is saved by Dr. Ita Wegman, his life forces never fully recover.

1925: Rudolf Steiner dies.

1933: Nodal Point of the Reappearance of Christ in the Etheric, timed to the 33.3 etheric
rhythm of Christ. World catastrophe when the people who were being prepared by
Rosicrucianism to recognize this event, the Germans, are instead taken over by the hindering
spiritual powers through the ascendancy of the Nazis to power in 1933. The Nazis were an
offshoot of an occult lodge called the Thule Gesselschaft. One twelve-year cycle (a rhythm
linked to the orbit of Jupiter) passes between the rise of the Nazis to power and the end of the
devastating Second World War which they initiate.
However other beneficial impulses do occur at the time of the 1933 nodal point in time; one of
these is the creation of the Universal Vibrational Spectrum and the foundation of a new Etheric
technology of "Shape-Caused Waves" in Europe, as one aspect of the "New Etheric
Clairvoyance" which was to manifest in the 1933. Originally the German people / Central
Europeans were to have created this, however when this was prevented by the Nazi counter-
impulse the spiritual beings involved shifted their activity to Western Europe / France so that the
French school of Vibrational Radiesthesia made these breakthroughs. For more information on
this latter topic, see the Vesica online course The Universal Vibrational Spectrum, part of the
Vibrational Testing and Healing online training series.

1939 -1945: Second World War and mass extermination of previous (Jewish) and future
(Slavic) ‘chosen peoples’ by the Nazis in modern black magic mysteries. A critical situation
occurs in the spiritual world with the Millions of murdered victims, leading to the creation of the
new “Michael Bridge”. (See The Spiritual Event of the Twentieth Century by Jesaiah Ben
Aharon.)

1967: The 33.3 year etheric rhythm of Christ reaches its next 33.3 year nodal point (the
previous one having been the 1933 event of the Reappearance of Christ in the Etheric, which was
not recognized due to the disruption of European culture by the First World War and the rise of
the Nazi Party to power in Germany in 1933). The Earthly manifestation of this includes the
‘Summer of Love’ in 1967 in the U.S. (and the general cultural revolution in America, a highly
beneficial and Christic impulse which becomes undermined by Luciferic tendencies), the French
student protests, and the ‘Prague Spring’ in Czechoslovakia (the spirit of which is continued by
Vaclav Havel after the intervention of the Soviet army).

1999: Third 666 Cycle (Etheric Rhythm) Nodal Point.

Today the Rosicrucian Tradition offers, to everyone who is interested, a body of knowledge
which makes clear and accessible the often obscure knowledge of the ancient Spiritual Schools.

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That knowledge is available to all, whatever their spiritual orientation or affiliation. For a
smaller number of individuals, those who feel an inner connection to the spiritual beings and
forces behind the symbols of the Holy Grail and the Rose Cross, the Rosicrucian tradition is a
living and vital spiritual school of Esoteric Christianity.

In our time the Spiritual Forces of the Holy Grail and Rosicrucian Traditions are available to
anyone who feels moved to seek them. Although the core practices and knowledge are difficult
to find, they are available. There is no physical location or school for the Rosicrucian Tradition
today, but independent Rosicrucian Initiation is always available for those who strive toward it.

One does not join any external group to become a Rosicrucian; it is an inner act of connection
with specific spiritual beings and forces. It is not dependent on any external worldly authority
structure.

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 THE CORE VALUES OF
ROSICRUCIAN INITIATION
1. For every step I take in increasing my knowledge of higher realities and use of the powers
which accompany it, I will take 3 steps in improving and refining my character.

2. All knowledge and powers acquired on the path will be applied to the service of others.

3. Under all circumstances, information is never to be shared with those who are not ready to
use it responsibly -- nor ever withheld from those who can employ it for the good of the world.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE

NEW WESTERN MYSTERIES
“In the early part of the fifteenth century Christian Rosenkreutz went to the East to find a balance
between the initiations of the East and West. One consequence of this, following his return, was
the definitive establishment of the Rosicrucian stream in the West. In this form Rosicrucianism
was intended to be a strictly secret school for the preparation of those things which would
become the public task of esotericism at the turn of the 19th century, when material science
would have found a provisional solution to certain problems.

These problems were described by Christian Rosenkreutz as:

1) The discovery of spectral analysis, which revealed the material constitution of the
cosmos.
2. The introduction of material evolution into organic science.
3. The recognition of a differing state of consciousness from our normal one through the
acceptance of hypnotism and suggestion.

Only when this material knowledge had reached fruition in science were certain
Rosicrucian principles from esoteric science to be made public property.
Until that time Christian-Mystical initiation was given to the Occident in the form in
which it passed through its founder, the ‘Unknown One from the Oberland’...
Within this whole stream, the initiation of Mani, who also initiated Christian Rosenkreutz
in 1459, is considered to be of a ‘higher degree’...”
Rudolf Steiner, September 1907
Excerpted from the document known as “The Notes of Barr.”

[Note: See the Discussion of the first problem above -- the Discovery of Spectral
Analysis -- for its importance in creating a new Vibrational Science, in the Vesica online course
The Universal Vibrational Spectrum.]

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