“The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross - A History of the Rosicrucians” is Arthur Edward Waite's study of the elusive Rosicrucians, a secret society which the first appeared to the public in Germany in the early 17th century. Arthur Edward Waite (1857 – 1942), more commonly referred to as A. E. Waite, was an American-born British mystic and poet. He wrote profusely on the subject of the occult and esoteric matters, and is famous for being the co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. His work arguably constitutes the first attempt to systematically studying the history of western occultism, which he viewed more of a spiritual tradition than proto-science or pseudo-religion, as was the more common conception. Contents include: “Mythical Rosicrucian Precursors”, “Militia Crucifera Evangelica”, “Alchemists And Mystics Symbolism”, “Of The Rose And Cross”, “Fama Fraternitatis R C”, “Confessio Fraternitatis R C”, “The Chemical Nuptials”, “Authorship Of The Chemical Nuptials”, “Development Of Rosicrucian Literature”, etc. Other works by this author include: “The Alchemical Writings of Edward Kelly” (1893), “Turba Philsophorum” (1894), and “Devil-Worship in France” (1896). Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with the original text and artwork.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1800's Edition.

'The Rosicrucians' first came to public prominence in the early 1600s, following the publication of several tracts publicising their secret existence. Proclaiming themselves a fraternal order devoted to occult studies - they offered a Christianised version of the Ancient Mysteries and Sacred Philosophy, open to all who were sincere and worthy of the honour. Both a scholar and mystic (and co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot cards) A. E. Waite rejected the Victorian era's dismissal of the Rosicrucian world-view as, at best, 'proto-science". He saw, in Rosicrucian philosophy, the manifestation of a true spiritual tradition. Waite dived deep into his subject and became the first scholar to systematically study the history of western occultism. The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross is a fascinating and detailed work, cataloging Rosicrucian antecedents as far back as first-century Kabalists, and following the brotherhood from the early days of the Middle Ages through its myriad incarnations up to the beginning of the twentieth century. This is a complex, ground-breaking work that richly deserves the esteem in which it is has been held since its first publication in 1924. The Parchment Book edition includes A.E. Waite's detailed explanation of the plates contained in the work, information which is often omitted from modern reproductions of this book.

The author has essayed to collect the mass of material which exists for the elucidation of this curious problem of European history, and to depict the mysterious brotherhood as they are revealed in their own manifestoes. The work is clear in statement and replete with learning, and affords the first complete' and trustworthy account of the origin, development, and decay of Rosicrucianism ever published in English. This is the Fellowship Edition including an essay by Rosicrucian critic H. Gruber. Contents: Preface. Introduction. Chapter I. On The State Of Mystical Philosophy In Germany At The Close Of The Sixteenth Century. Chapter Ii. The Prophecy Of Paracelsus, And The Universal Reformation Of The Whole Wide World. Chapter Iii. The Fama Fraternitatis Of The Meritorious Order Of The Rosy Cross, Addressed To The Learned In General, And The Governors Of Europe. Chapter Iv. The Confession Of The Rosicrucian Fraternity, Addressed To The Learned Of Europe. Chapter V. The Chymical Marriage Of Christian Rosencreutz. Chapter Vi. On The Connection Of The Rosicrucian Claims With Those Of Alchemy And Magic. Chapter Vii. Antiquity Of The Rosicrucian Fraternity. Chapter Viii. The Case Of Johann Valentin Andreas. Chapter Ix. Progress Of Rosicrucianism In Germany. Chapter X. Rosicrucian Apologists: Michael Maier. Chapter Xi. Rosicrucian Apologists: Robert Fludd. Chapter Xii. Rosicrucian Apologists: Thomas Vaughan. Chapter Xiii. Rosicrucian Apologists: John Heydon. Chapter Xiv. Rosicrucianism In France. Chapter Xv. Connection Between The Rosicrucians And Freemasons. Chapter Xvi. Modern Rosicrucian Societies. Conclusion. Additional Notes. Appendix Of Additional Documents. A Rosicrucian Allegory. The Rosie Crucian Prayer To God.

First published in 1990, this book represents the first full-length study of into the group of novels designated ‘Rosicrucian’ and traces the emergence of this distinct fictional genre, revealing a continuous occult tradition running through seemingly diverse literary texts. Taking the Enlightenment as a starting point, the author shows how the physician’s secular appropriation of the idea of eternal life, through the study of longevity and physical decay, attracted writers like William Godwin. It focuses on the bodily immortality of the Rosicrucian hero and investigates the novels of five major writers — Godwin, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley, Maturin, and Bulwer-Lytton.