grade of theoretic us

8/3/2019 Grade of Theoretic Us

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T H E F E L L O W S H I P

OF THE

R O S Y C R O S S


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I S S U E D BY F R AT E R S A C R A M E N T U M REGIS

hlOST HONOURED I M P E R AT O R

I N O R D I N E ROSE& CRUCIS,

FOR T H E D I R E C T I O N O F C E L E B R A N T S A N D

T H E USE O F F R AT R E S E T S O R O R E S U N D E R

T H E O B E D I E N C E OF AUTITORISED T E M P L E S

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AN Righfr rtni f& h ' c ~ c ~ e d

including Translation, Rejrinfirzg* Cifafiotz

and Dratuatu Rights


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THE S E C O N D O R D E R OF T H E

ROSY CROSS

W O R L D O F F O R M AT I O N

PART I.

THE C E R E M O N Y OF A D VA N C E M E N TIN T H E

G R A D E OF THEORETICUS,

2 = 9

P R I V A T E L Y P R I N T E D

h l C M X V I .


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THE F E L L O W S H I P OF THE

R O S Y CROSS.

GRADE O F - THEORETICUS, 2 = 9.

THE S O L E M N C E R E M O N Y O F OPENING T H ET E M P L E I N T H E GRADE O F

T H E O R E T I C U S .

The A rrattgenre~rtof the Temple is shewtt it t the O s c i a lDiagram of the F irs t Poitit.

The CeZebra~rtso r Oficers o f this Grade are ihc Masier o ft/re Ten@&, he U7arderz,attd t h Gu ide of the P a t h ,in addition to ilk Ostiarius, w / . hould bc the lastCatrdidate to have rec eivd advatuemcnt therein.

M aster of fh [email protected] e t Sorores, by the bondof o u r Fellowship, which is the u n i o n of consecrated minds,and in the Name of the Lord of Hosts Who leads the


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6 THE CEREMONY O F ADVANCEMENT

cohorts of salvation, assist me to open this Te m p l e of theRosy Cross in the Grade of Theoreticus, as a light ofsalvation to minds which are called herein. FraterOstiarius, I direct you to see that th e Temple is guardedon the hither a n d further sides, that wc may keep withoutthe Gate those who distract from the term.

Fmtm 0stiarizcs.-Honourable Mastcr of the Tcmple,thc guard is maintained duly on the outer s ide by thosewho have kept the threshold from the beginning of ourSacred Mysteries. I keep the guard within, and I will everremember the end.

Master of the T'II~Z~.-Honourable Fra ter Theoreticus,you will receive from those who are present the external

warrants in virtue of which they have entered our HolyTemple in this Grade.

TZe Guide of i/te Path, standing in his place, hyis up hisWand o f OBce.

Guide of the Path.-Fratres et Sorores,-united in theMystical Fellowship of the Rosy Cross, I demand the Signof a Theorcticus.

Hc turns in ssc~cessio~z o the four quarters and receives itfrom alC presed, th Muster o f the Tcnzpk actpea'.

T h Guide turns to the Master, giving i t on his own

part.Guide of t/re Pat1i.r.-Honourable Master of the Temple,

the Glory of the Holy Heights and the Splendour of theGreat Whitc Crown uplift the minds of the Fellowship.


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I N T H E 2 = 9 G R A D E O F THEORETICUS 7

Master of the [email protected] have also. beheld that Light,

and because of it I am glad for ever. Herein is theconsecration of the mind par t of the Fellowship. Thellrethren who can give this Sign have entered the Theore-tical Grade. Unto them be the graces thereof and theMystery of UESOD revealed in the Sanctuary of Thought.

This is said wi th raised e),w a d uplzyied Wand Therefo l lows the pause o a ~rzn~rrcnt.

Master o the Ten~Cc.-Let us recall the abiding graces

which prevail in the Mysteries of this Grade, that their

living presence m ay be declared in our own consciousnessand renewed in the mind of the Fellowship.

Guide of the Path.-T he Grade of Fratres Theoretici isthe Grade of the S E P H IR A YESOD , and the presence

of SHEKINAH is therein, as Mistress of the MiddlePillar, and the form of our desire for GOD.

W'rderr o f the I'e~zpCc.-It is in correspondence bysymbolical attribution with the macrocos~nic eIement ofair, and with the natural understanding i n man. TheChildren of Disobedience shall become the Sons andDaughters of the Law, and the Law shall enlighten the

mind by the rays of the Sun of Justice.

Guide o f the Path.-In the mystical astronomy of thesoul, t he moon is like natural reason, a realm of reflectedlight, peopled by wandering thoughts and plastic images.But we seek, 0 Honourable Master, the direct illuminationat another and eternal source. I am- the Reconcilerbetween them, standing in the Middle Path, looking

towards the Glorious S u l l of T I P H E R E T H , as a purifiedMoon of Mind, and testifying to the Bond of Union.

Warde~r f the Te~~zjle.-The way of attainment is thew a y of progression in the Tree, even unto the Holy of


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8 T H E CEREMONY O F ADVANCEMENT

Holies, into the great mystery of which our entrance is by

the 32nd Path, the Path of TAU. This is the Ladder ofJacob, and a sure testimony that marl is made for theheights.

Master of t / ~ emple- -T h Master o the Tenz$e &sce~zds f rom his Throne, and

faces the East thereat. The Warden also descends. AllMentbcrs face Enst. The Afastcr up,!zj'-ts his Wand.

Master o the Te~~zpZe.-Ye who are i n search of the Lifeof life, lift up your hearts i n worship. Lift them i n aspira-tion and i n longing unto H i m \Vho lives for ever. Praiseunto Thee, EL C H A I and SHADDAI, Lord of theHeavenly Spheres, Lord and King of Mind. Our thoughts

a r t stayed on Thee, the head and the heart are Thine. 0

Iead u s on the Holy Mountain, in the Paths that approach

to Thee. Raise into the consecrated places those who areborn for Th y Sanctuary. Beyond the natural reason, outof the errant thoughts and the flux of images, draw us-we

beseech-and raise us. Take us into the still rest of theActive Centre. May we be fixed on Thee, and after allreflections, and all the borrowed lustre, give us Thy light

for ever. Amen.

Master o tlu Tcrriplr.-Fratres e t Sorores, let us offer upour minds in dedication, giving glory and thanks andhonour to the Lord and King of Air.

Thc ilfmtcr of fh Tcttfplc t u r n fo flu mi& E a t - T hI4Grr.dt-w ~ n d rrid.. qf I% Poh4.r up ti. placrsbehilid /rim, so t h t flu hree f o r ~ t ria@ o whichthe Master i s t h [email protected]. ALL preserzt are stiLf funkgEart. T h Masier o t/ u Tenzph trates the SymM oA i r in front of hbz, usi72g the hmd o his Wand.


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I N T H E 2 = 9 GRADE O F T H E O R E T I C U S g

Master o f the Temple,-Let there be lights in the firma-

ment of heaven to enlighten the earth of our humanity.Thou hast given us, 0 Master, the borrowed light of mind,to rule in the night of our mortality. Give unto.us thy Sunof Justice, and it shall be day therein. S h e w unto us ThyKnowledge in the night, Sh ine upon us more and moreuntil it be perfect day.

He takes up the M y s t i d Rose which is f l m d on the A&Ybefore t /u Tablet of t / x East, and describes with it theSig~z f the Man.

Master o the Te~rtpk-In the Names EL C H A I andSHADDAI, the Living GOD Almighty, Lord of theHeavenly Spaces, adore your Creator. ' Minds of theBrotherhood, adore Him. Word of the mind, confess Him.Receive the Word of the Holy One. Breath of the Spirit ofLife, enter and abide witfiin us, that w e may live in Thee.In the Sign of the Holy Living Creature, the Mystic Headof the Man, adore, adore, adore.

He makes t h Sign of th Cross with the My& Rose.

Master of the Te11tple.-From the places of reflectionsand of images, from the realm of fiux, from the world of

created light, seek in aspiration and in purity the fixed andconstant refuge. I n the name of RAPHAEL, the Great

Angel of Air, invoked for the conxcration of this all-wandering element ; by that which it signifies within us, nwhom are all the Keys, by that which we have cleansedand dedicated, ye Living Minds of Men, adore yourGPatnrPatnr

fi rplbar &b M y M R a w , d a g & up&;f~rhisW d

Master of the Te~~tple.--.by he p m u r of the S a dNames, Names from everlasting to everlasting, Names o fthe Eastern Quarter, set about the height and the deep for


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1 0 THE C E R E M O N Y O F A D VA N C E M E N T

the protection of the mind of m a n , Spirit of the Innlost

Mind, Height and Deep of Thought, adore your Creator.By the Word of the Living G O D , adore, adore, adore.

The Celebrants retzwn with the Sun to thcirflaccs. AllMmzbe~s ace as usual.

Mastcr o f the Ttwzplc.--Fratres et Sorores, we have comeout from the M a g i a of illusory things, in thought seekingthe realisation that is within. May th e symbols and sacra-ments of all that testifies without lead us from the world of

images into union with the Mind of God. HonourableFrater Theoreticus, Guide of the Paths and Grades, fromyour place in the World of Formation I direct you toannounce that the Temple is open in th e 2 = g Grade.

The Guide of the P d t h turns Westward, with upG$tedW a d .

Guide o flu Pat/ ' . -Praise unto Thee, EL CHAI a n dSH AD DA I, Lord of Life and Tho ugh t In Thy Most

Holy Name I declare that this Temple of th e Rosy Crossis o p e n i n the Grade of Theoreticus for the dispatch ofGOD'S work in this world.

Guide of the -i


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I N THE 2 = 9 G R A D E O F T H E O R E T I C U S X I

FIRST P O I N T.

The Cere~rro~tial dmissio~z o f a Zelator in the Pathof T A U.

The Postulatzt is alotze i7z the Vestibzde on a Prie-Dim, infull C@t, with a scroll ilt his hands cotttai?zi?zg versidesproper t o t/u Grade.

Master of the Temple.-Fratres et Sorores, may the unionof dedicated minds be overshadowed by the mind of GOD,and directed to the service of our Brethren in the Officesof this Holy Rite. By the powereto me committed for theauthorised communication of Mysteries, I declare that thelineal Path of TAU, the 32nd Path, leading from the deepsto the height, is open to those who are prepared for theSacrament of this Grade of our Fellowship, and othermanner of ascent has not been revealed to us in the worldof symbolism. I t is also our high duty to give of thatwhich we receive, and I hold a warrant from the Most

Honoured Imperator of the Order for the advancementof our Zealous Frater Adveniat Regnum (vel uomeu aliud),who has dwelt as a Zelator amongst us. HonourableFrater Theoreticus, Guide of the Paths and Grades, thePostulant stands at the door. Teach him to knockthereat ; prepare him that he may enter worthily, an d

bring him atross the threshold.

T h uide of t /z P a t h rises in his phce, takes t/le Bowl ofEarth from the A h r , passes by South and W a t to t/u

door o f t /w Temple, where /re tu m s Eastward andmakes obeisance wiih the Sigz of t/te Grade. H i s c h i ris r e l l lod .


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12 TH E C E R E M O N Y O F ADVANCEMENT

Guide o the Paths.-13etwcen the Sacrcd Pillars of theTemple, Pillars of Severity and Mercy, Pillars of the Four

Worlds, I will keep for ever and ever a free path to t h e

East, and it shall be called the Path of Benignity.

M a s t u o the Te~riple.--Fratres et Sorores, our FraterAdveniat Regnum ( a d ~~ortzerz litrd), having been broughtin the Grade of Zelator from the Court of the Tabernacleinto the Holy Place, was left to contemplate therein theembroidered veil, the curtain of palms and pomegranates,before the entrance to the Holy of Holies. H e has

guarded the fire within ; he has maintained the zeal of

quest ; he desires to pass behind the veil into the mysteryof symbolism that is beyond. H e does not know thatwhich awaits him, but he has heard of the Land of Life ;

he is moving on the path of attainment and return to thecentral place of experience.. By the force of perseverance,by the grace of patience, he has earned a title to advance-ment. H e stands now on the threshold of the Path ofTAU, leading from the World of Action, which is that Gf

manifested things, to the World of Formation - in GOD.Do you therefore, my Brcthren, unite your intention withmine, that he who comes among us in the darkness ofnatural mind may attain the inward light, and that he whocarries the mystical Cross may rise at last to the Crown.

Meanwhilh, the Guide o the P a t h has greeted t/ie Postu-

kznt on tlie further si& o f t h Por t ad , saying :

G u 2 & o fh Path.-Glory be to GOD in the Highest,and grace to the mind uplifted towards Divine Atta inment

in the Light of the Rosy Cross.


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I N THE 2 = 9 GRADE O F THEORETICUS 1 3

The Guide prepares the Z e h t o r by placi~rg lt his hands theBowl of Sacrame;lttal Earth am' the Cubical CYOSS lord

his neck.

Guide o f the Pnlhs.-Purify th e mind, 0 Lord ; ccnse-crate the world of i m a g e s ; sanctify the thoughts of man.And remember, on your part, m y Brother of t h e RosyCross, that it is. the pre-occupation with G O D and Hisunion which hallows the mind o f the Postulant. T h e bodyis the Holy Place and the mind is the Holy of Holies, whenGOD dwells therein. I say unto you, therefore, 0 FraterAdveniat Regnum (veL ~ Z O I ~ Y Zl iz~d), allowed b e thymind.

W h i l ~ his is being dam ir t the jrecincts the FratcrOstiarius rises, and followitzg t l . S m , roceedc to theEast of the TeuqZe, a d ees that t h A Ztar Symbols ofthe Elenzc~zts are set as follows :- T h Rose orr t hEasteyn si& ; /re L a m p o n that of t h South ; nd theCup of Water ott flu N0ri.h. T h h f t1z.e Bowl ofEarth is on t h We~te r f i ide,

T/te ui& of the P a t h giv8.s t/u Baf~evy f thr Grad-. LiTk e Fratev Ostiarius tu r m down ttu lights and opens

the daou. A s the Gui& of t h P a t h enters with thePostuZa7zt :-

Guide of flu Path-Come from the natural to thesupernatural light, from the material which is without tothe spiritual that is within.

The dOOr is cbstd behind them. T ~ P nide of the Pathsjauses with t h Zelafor a t or near t h cnfrance.

Masfer of t h Temple.-There is a path which no fowlknoweth and which the vulture's eye hath not seen. Tcachm e T h y way, 0 Lord, and lead me i n a plain path. I willgo in the light of T h y commandments, and Th ou wilt shew


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1 4 THE CEREMONY O F ADVANCEMENT

me the Path of Life. I have loved Thy service from the

beginning. Thou shalt draw me, Thou shalt bring me toThy High City and to Thy Hill.

The Guidr o f the Paths advarzces again, very slow&, lead-i 7 z f the Posh ant, who bcm=r the Bowl of Sacrametztal

E a d .

Guide o the Paths ( a s thy tep forzaud).-Shew me Thyway, 0 Lord ; teach me Thy paths. Hold up my goingstherein, that m y footsteps slip not. I have come from afarin the darkness ; send me Thy saving light.

A s the Gziz'de of the Paths coma to a pause mzd stays also

the ZeZ~tor :-

M a s t ~ r f t h Teurple.-Honourable Fra te r Theoreticus,Guide of the.Paths and Grades, you will lead th e Zelator

to the West, and place him between th e Mystical Pillars,as at the Portal of that Path by which he will be led ill hisprogress from the Kingdom of Holiness in Malkuth to theSanctuary which is in the Holy of Holies, unto the

mysteries and graces whereof we have prayed tha t our

hands might bring him in the meet and acceptable time.

The Guide of the P a t h ha& the Zeh to v and he is placedin the middle way between the Pilhrs.

Master of t h Temple.-Frater Adveniat Regnum (vel

uomert al iud) you will communicate to th e Guide of th e

Paths the proof of your regular advancement to the Gradeof Zelator.

The Guide of t h P a t h takes the BOWL of SacrametztaC

Earth fromt h

Postdalrt altd setsit

aside for thento~~ze~rt. e passes round t h Pillars with i/ze Su n and

faces the Postz&nt.

Guide of the Path.-Give me the Sign of Benedictionwith which you werc blessed on the part of the whole


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I N THE 2 = 9 G R A D E OF T H E O R E T I C U S 1 5

Fellowship in the Grade of Zelator. Give me the S tep and

the Grip which you received in the Grade of Neophyte.Give me the Word of a Zelator. Give me the Mystical

Pass-word, and the Number drawn therefrom. Give m e

the Tit le and Symbol which you received in the last Grade.

These thi~zgs re ahre arcordilrg& by the Postulant, but heis p~*o~t@tedy treed should be. T h Guide o the Pa th s

g-ives back to him the Bowlo

Sacramental Ear th ,and

turns Eastward with uplqted W a d

Guide o the Path. -Honourable Master of the Temple,

I have received from our Frater Pereclinus de Faustis theproofs of his regular advancement to the Grade of ZeIator.

Master o t / re Temp/e.-They are also a condition of your

advancement to the next Grade of our Mystery. In virtueof the Sign of Benediction you were brought from the

Portal of the Rosy Cross, even from the Court of this

Tabernacle into the Holy Place and the Kingdom of

Manifested Light. May the St ep which you have takenbe the first sign of that progress which will bring you to

the Holy Mountain. M a y he Grip foreshadow the unionof the Divine in the universe with that which is Divine inyour nature. M a y he Bridc and Queen of the Kingdomlead you by secret paths to the Kingdom that is within.May the Word Ornament given to you in the Grade ofZelator mean for you the adornment of your dedicated life

and lead you to the goal of the blessed. I n virtue of all

these saving Signs and Emblems, I demand whether youare willing to keep the Laws of the Sanctuary and the

silence imposed thereby, even as you took and have main-tained the Pledges of the Kingdom and the Rule of theMoly Place in the previous Grades.


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16 T H E C E RE M O N Y O F A D VA N C EM E N T

The Z~icriov promped hy the Gziidc of the Paths).- I willdwell i n the House of the Lord for henceforth and for ever.I wi l l keep the secrets of the House.

As diacted by the Guide of the Paths, the ZeGator raisesthe BOWL f Sacvanzental E a r th to the f i l l height of hisamis, arrd says a tev hi~u -

T j t ~ e/ato~.-May my earthly part i n the manifestWorld of Action be henceforward a clean vehicle whereinthe Body of Redemption can be prepared by the powers ofthe Formation World.

T/te Guide o the P at hs takes the Bowl f r o ~ n he ZeZatora d oing behilid h i m raises it over the head o theZflhtor.

Guide o t h Path .-F ratre s e t Sorores, in th e Fellow-ship of the Rosy Cross, I testify that this consecrated earthof humanity is earth of the City of Zion, and that theTemple is built thereon.

M a t e r o the Temple.-Transmutamini, transmutamini,

de lapidibus rnortuis in lapides veros philosophicos.

H e resumes his Throne. T h uide o the P a t h moveswith the S un am? a5fosit.s the Bowl o SacrawtentalEa rth on th Western side o the Altar. H e returtzs,bearing tlw Sacra~rzentaZ Rose, which /re pChces i ~ z lte/rarzdr o the PostuZarrt, a n d thew resumes his stationbehitrd fhe P i h r s .

Mastcr o t / rc Trmfk-Frater Pereclinus d e Faustis,

come in peace, and in th e spir it of brotherhood. Offer up

your mind in sacrifice, praying th at the Divine Light maybe enkindled within you. I bid you therefore kneel down.


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I N THE 2 = 9 G R A D E O F THEORETICUS 17

( The Guide assists the Postulant). Lift up t h e Rose which

you carry, and sa y i n a clear voice: By the Wisdom andUnderstanding which are above the Knowledge ofM A L K U T H ; by the aspiration of the mind's eye whichis f ixed thereon ; by the light and bearers of light in thegreat dome of Heaven, give unto me the light which I seek.

This i s repeated by the Postulant, following thc Master.

Muster of the Teuzpk-Rise, Zelator o f the Rosy Cross,an accepted Postulant for advancement ,to the Grade ofTheoreticus.

The Postulatrt tires. Tlu Guide of the P a t h diyects hi712ilt a low voice to raise the Mystical Rose to t/ce fullheight of his arms and to say after him clear& :-

The Zelator (followirtg the Guide).--Into T h y hands , 0

Lord, for the work of the Rosy Cross, I commend mylife of mind.

TIM Guide of t h P a t h shzdd ferfort~z this part of t hCeretm~ly o ft"t attentiort is directed to t j re PostuZutrtrather t h n his own frompti?tg.

Master of the Tenzpk-It is written that there sha l l be nomore night. May all material darkness dissolve; may

there be no cloud upon the sanctuary of your mind. Thedarkness of the Temple which is around you is the veilingof the Divine Glory.

T/te Guide of tIie P a t h moves wifh the S u n round thePilhr s, and f m 7 . Pusfularzt, w1~01lz e draws betweenthe Pillars.

Guide o the Path. -Bring us forth into the Light, 0

Lord. Shine upon the Way of Prudence, the Path whichleads to Thee.

He takes his place o n t/re right of the Postdarzt. Tluy are7row fazzizg the East.


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I S T H E C E R E M O N Y O F A D V A N C E M E N T

Master o the Te~rzple.--From the manifest World of

MALKUTH, from the Gradcs of Neophyte and Zelatorattributed thercto in our system, three Paths lead to the

Degrees that are beyond. Th ey are the 3rs t, 32nd and30th Paths, and the i r Banners arc inscribed w i t h t h e

corresponding letters of the Hcbrcw alphabet, as displayed

before you i n the East. T h c Guide of t h e Paths shall lead

you, seeking the goal of quest, th at you may pass i n you;

journcy of the m i n d from natural to supernatural light,

from the material which is without to the spiritual th at iswithin.

Guide o the P a t h s (speaking on bchCf o t/rc PostzrCmzt).-

Guide us, 0 Lord, and guard us in all our ways. Behold, I

a m purified in the body and confess the dedication therein.All that is within m e desires to dwell in the presence of

the Lords of Truth . Le t us enter the Pa th of Severity,

because Zion shall be redeemed with judgment.

Whe~z hey have reached the middle North, t h y a re broughtto a pause by the Wardm o the Tem@f. uisingf~om IrisThuo?re w i d outstvetc/ted Wand, hldi~zg he Vessel o

Water in his left h a n d

Warden o t h Temple.-There is peace upon the heightsi n th e presence of th e holy desires, an d th e still fountains

shine. There is peace upon th e deeps of the waters, and thewaters reflect t he heights. Who ar e ye th at move in thetwilight, with faces born of th e twilight, an d foreign to thisholy ground Z

Guideof t l ? Path.-We come from between th e Mystical

Pillars, seekers for a way to th e heights and th e Pa th of

Life, in the Name of the Living God Almighty.


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I N T H E 2 = 9 GRADE O F T H E O K E T I C U S 19

Warden of t h Tem$e.-I am desire and emotion, mani-

festing in the soul of man. The desires of my soul arepurified ; the desires of the soul are indrawn ; this is theway of peace. I am on the .seat of judgment, trying and

sifting the elect, but not beyond their sti-ength. You havecalled up011 the Name of the Lord ; return in that Nameof Majesty. Not here is your Path to the heights.

H e nzakcs the Si& o th e Eagle witit his Cup. The Guideleads back tlre Zelator by t h c same way, that is, agauzstthe Sun, and sets him befweerz t h e PilLars.

Gzride of i/ze Path.-Watch us going forth and returning;watch us, 0 Lord, for ever. Le t us enter the Path of

Mercy.

The Guide o the P a t h moves forward slbwCy, leading the

Postulant through the South o fh TempIh, a n d thereforeagainst the Sui .

Guide o the Pat/rr.-The light shall disperse the dark-ness, and in the Holy of Holies the mind shall be uplifted,

W/zen t/uy /lave reachmi tlu Middle South, they arebrought to a pause by tlz Master o the Temple rising

fram hisThrone with uu f-stretched Wand, holding

th

SamanzentaZ Fire i t z his left /rand.

Mastw o the Tcnzple.-There is n o part of me that isnot in conformity. I have fulfilled the precepts. I standa t the apex of all the ways that are below, to indicate thosethat are above. Who are ye th at move in th e darkness,with faces born of the darkness, and foreign to this holy

ground !

Guide o t/u Path .-We come from between theMystical Pillars, seekers for a way to the heights and thePath of Life, in the Name of the Living G O D Almighty.


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20 T H E C E R E M O N Y O F A D VA N C E M E N T

M a s t w of the TCII~~ZC.-I m the Will in the covcnant of

its obcdicncc, united to the Divine Will. My rule is on theside of Mercy. I am the Providence of GOD.^ its corn-passion, over-watching the elcct of Isracl. It is not i n thel a w and the order to ovcrleap everything and attain perfec-

tion at once. Return in the Name of thc Lord ; not here

is your Path to the l~cights,

Guide of the Paths.-Lead us to our term, 0 Lord, tha t

we may come alive into Thy Presence.

Master o the [email protected] way of ascent in th is Gradeis by the Path of TAU only, the 32nd Path, in the middle

place of progression.Waydm o th e Temple.-Straight and narrow is the path

that leads to the height. May it be unto you a reflection

of the Mystery of Union and the rest of the Great Sabbath.

Guide o f tire Path.-Let us enter the Path of Benignity.I am the mind in consecration, and the mind is the light ofthe world, as G O D is the light of the mind.

Guide o fh Path.-M y seat is on the intellectual throne.I have co-ordinated the wandering though ts and the flux ofmental images. I rule and govern therein.

Master o t?te Te~rzple.-When the body is made wholeand clean, when it is dedicated and set apart to the

service, let us enter into the region of the mind, th at this

may be also consecrated, that the thoughts which dwelltherein may be pure and fixed and holy.


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I N THE 2 = 9 G R A D E O F T N E O K E T I C U S 2 1

J Y ~ I ~ & I Lf t/tC Teutpk-0 Lord of Light, th e darkness

fleet11 from before Thee. Thou art our Lamp, 0 Lord.The Lord will enlighten my darkness.

GuidE of the fiths.-W e t raverse th e Paths of Darkness.We draw to the hour of Light.

T&y- h a m reac/rpd the w&sterrz side of the AANar, zykichstands in I/re due East, betweoz the Thrones, havhzg tlu

Ba~tn er f the Path of T A U bove a~r d rhilrd it, TheGuide o the Paths falls Lack bchirtci the Pos~ulant.The Three Celebra~tts aise t h i r Wands a d oin i/untabove the head of the Postuhnt.

Master of the Te~qUe.-Amidst the darkness of materialthings, 0 Lord of Light, lift up our thoughts unto Thee.

Wa r d m of the Teqble.-Bring us forth into the Light,0 Lord. Shine upon th e Way of Prudence, th e Pa thwhich leads to Thee.

Guide o the Path.-Open th y mind, 0 Brother of the

Rosy Cross, and receive the Light of the World.

Ttu Frater Ostiarius tu r m up the lights of ilu Temple.

bfmte r o flu Tempk-The darkness is past ; the- ightshineth ; he cloud hath been removed from the Sanctuary.

TZg CeCcbratrfi part their W a d . T h Guide of theP a h crkcr t /z Mystical Rose frma the Pos trclan , whom/u aces, and r a k i n g it in hi s righf h t d , with-itthe Sigtc of Aquarius.

Guide of t h Path.-I am the Spirit of the Path ofTAU, which is the furthest extension of the Paths thatlead outward from within, and th e first of those that goback to our source and end. T h e light shall dawn i n themind.


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2 2 THE C E R E M O N Y O F ADVANCEMENT

Mnsfw o the T&~rlpC~.--Entcr nto the mind and purify ;come into the thoughts and consecrate : Holy, Holy Light.

Illuminate the thoughts of t h e mind, that i n T h y Light wemay see light.

WarnEu of t h e Tmrple.-The Cubical Cross on yourbreast is composed of 2 2 squares inscribed with the letters

of the Hebrew alphabet, to intimate t ha t Divine Word of

which the expressed word is an echo and reflection from

afar. Behind the logical understanding and the naturalmind of man tllerc is realisation after anothcr mode. TheWord in transcendence is represented by silence rather

than by the uttered voice. I t is breathed into all thingsand is the Divine Immanence in all. I t is in earth, air, fire

and water, corresponding to the parts of our personality, or

the four utterances of the Sacred Word i n man. I t is thetest in~ony f all tha t is visible to all that is unseen by the

eye of flesh. May the Word be reaiised within you.

Master o f th e Teuqhk-Thc lesson in chief of that Pathof TAU, through which you have passed in your progressfrom thc Grade of MALKUTH, is shewn in the Great

Symbol of the Path. Within an oval of 72 circles there isdepicted a female figure having the lunar crescent on herhead. The Four Living Creatures of Ezekiel's Vision,

placed outside the oval, are in correspondence with th e four

letters of the Sacred Name JEI


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I N THE 2 = 9 G R A D E O F T H E O R E T I C U S 2 3

forming the oval are in correspotldence with other DivineNatnes communicated in o u r secret tradition. Th ey signifytogether the Divine Powers which stand a bou t the whole

creation, the in-dwelling of that Word which is intimatedeverywhere in Nature, b u t passes into expression nowhere.

Th is is on the rnacrocosrnic side, o n which also the femalefigure represents the perfection of the universe as arl

expression of Divine Law and Order. T h e two wands

signify active and passive, the positive and negative currents,

the fixed and volatile, the inbreathing and outbreathing

which alternate continually in Nature. Of thcsc the female,

figure is at once the equilibrium an d the synthesis. I nanother form of symbolism, she is in the act of dancing, toindicate the ecstacy and joy with which the harmonious

creation came into manifested being. S h e is thus arche-

typal Nature, and for this reason is shewn t o the Zelatoron his issue from hat World of Action which is Nature i ntravail. You now see her i n all the original perfection withwhich she was adorned a t the beginning a s an Image in the

Divine Mind. Bu t she is manifested with a veil about her,

because Nature is a woman, and her mystery is not

declared in this Grade. T h e lunar crescent intimates th at

all her lights are borrowed or reflected, and that their

source is in GOD. T h e St ar of the Heptagraln above herrefers t o the number of creation. Th ere is also the macro-psychic side of th e symbol, but its deep unfolding of thelife of souls in GOD belongs to a later sta ge of yourprogress. I can say only that sh e is the law and state ofParadise, the Divine Presence within and without ourselves,

represented by the SH E K I N A H . There is, however, the

personal, or n~icrocosmic ide of the symboi, a n d as such ittypifies that st at e which is delineated by the work of the

World of Fornlatiorl in the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross :

the re-making of man , male and female, in the perfectterm s of th e archetype. Fo r us a nd for our concerns, the


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2 4 THE C E R E M O N Y O F A D VA N C E M E N T

fenialc figure is therefore the Restorer of Worlds, and ofyou, m y Brother, in the likeness of the Elohinl. For thisreason she is s h e w n to you on the threshold of the Worldof Formation, whcrcat you now stand. She is the Guardianof the Gate.

The Guide of the P a t h c o ~ m s o r z a d and takes chnrgeof the Postrdarrt.

Music;- of C A E [email protected] Adveniat Regnum ( v e lnomcrr d i u d ) , remcmber the Abiding Glory between theCherubim on the Mercy-Seat. Remember the IndwellingPresence within you. You have traversed the Path ofTAU. I salute you as Son of the Path. Follow yourGuide, who will lead you outside the Temple, and theCeremony of your Reception in the Grade of Theoreticus

will take place on your return.

Guide o th e Path . -The Great Symbol of th e Path issurrounded by a Sacramental Lamp, Rose, Vessel of Waterand Bowl containing Earth. Th ey typify the four mystical

elements, the four parts of our human personality. The yare in correspondence also with the Four Living Creaturesand the lette rs of the Divine Name. The y stand for modes

of the utterance of that Name in man. These symbolswere in use a t various points of your passage through th ePath of TAU. Th ey rest now on the Altar, as the partsof your personality will repose, m y Brother, when theyhave attained the perfect consecration.

Hue err& t h Ceremonial A dmissiojz of a Zelatov inthe Path of T A U.


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I N TH E 2 = 9 G R A D E O F T H E O R E T I C U S 25

SECOND POINT.

T H E CEREMONIAL ADMISSION O F AZELATOR TO TH E G R A D E O F

T H E O R E T I C U S , 2 = 9.

Master of the Ter~z~Ve-. To order, Fra tres e t Sorores.IThe Lord lift up the light of His Countenance upon us ;the Lord give us peace in our work.

There is b e he pause of a 7tw7rzent.

Master of the Te7rzjCG. -Honourable Frater Theoreticus,like the Paths of the Lord, there is mercy in all your ways.I bid you go forth, therefore, carrying the gifts of mercy.Bring back into our Holy Temple the zealous FraterAdveniat Regnum (veL mmen atiud). See tha t he entersduly, giving the Battery of the Grade, and th at he carrieshis title of admission.

As tt're Guide of the P a t h v i s a from his seat, and ntovcswith the Sutz Eastward.

Guidc of the PiMs.-GOD shall send forth His Mercyand His Truth. I will lead those who are given me. II wi l l bring them by a sure way from the wilderness andthe waste place to the Court of the Tabernacle, from theCourt into the Holy Place, even into the Holy of Holies.


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26 T H E C E R E M O N Y O F A D V A N C E M E N T

Guide o the Pctths.--Purified i n thc earthly body and

now consccratcd i n the mind, 0 Hrothcr of tllc Rosy Cross,

I bid you renlembcr tha t thc spirit of man ascends by apath of love, an d th at he who traverses the P at h of T A Uenters in to th e life of benignity.

Afaster o the Te ~ ~ ~ f k - O u r rothcr came rccently amo ngus to the threshold of the Path of TA U , carrying a Cross

of 2 2 squares, ano the r meaning of which is the operation of

Sephirotic graces in th e heavcn of th e Zodiac. I t is macro-

cosmic under t hi s 'aspect, but it applies h e r e m o r e especiallyto the astronomy of the soul. Fo r within u s are the height

and the deep, t l ~ byss of light and t hc aby ss of darkness.

Brethren, let us pray tha t the Divinc which is cot~ccalcd nthe Zelator may be also madc manifest within h i m .

The Battery o the Zclaior b t i q hea rd without-. .!Alaster o the Teurple.-To those who have knocked i t

shall be opened. Frater Ostiarius, guard ing th c hither side

of thc Portal, give free way in the Wcst.

The Ostiarius havitzg opened the door, the Guide (cads i ~ rthe Zclator.

Guide o the Paths.-Open unto us a door o f utterance,

that we may enter into the Nousc of th c Lord , with lips ofpraisc, kccping a clear mind and a llcai-t of thanksgiving.


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I N THE 2 = 9 G R A D E O F THEORETICUS 27

The Guide of the Pa t h s pauses with the Ze/ator i t z t/u

North - West o the Tei~rple. The d o o r is seczmd behilrd

Master o the Te7rtpLe.-In the Name of the Liv ing G O DAlmighty, be welcome on your return to the Temple. Thisis the Divi~ie Name which is magnified i n the life of all.

I t is th at which is ever living, with and within all. May it

be magnified in your own spirit my Brother, for every

spiri t which car1 ut te r it i n the true form shall know theeternal joy i n GOD our Saviour.

T ' e Guide o the P a t h s fends the Zcdatol- airdplaces hilitletween the Pillars.

Master o t h Teir~pCe.--The Court of the Tabernacle, to

which you were brought in th e Grade of Neophyte, is the

place of the Prosely tes of the Gate, t he place of Novices, ofthose who desire to be cleansed, that they may dwell in theHol y House. T h e more external offices of purification are

symbolised in this Grade. In th at of Zelator you entered

the House itself and were taught that the body in its

purification becomes the Holy Place. You sta nd now a t

th e threshold of the Hol y of Holies, the place of t he Ark

and th e Kerubim which covered the Ark, the place of

SHEKINAH, manifesting on the Mercy-Seat.

Warden o the Te~rtpk.-By what Sign have you enteredthis secret place of t he Temple, 0 Son of thought ?

T h Zelator (as prompted by the Guide).-It is borneon the heart of the Auxiliary Frater Zelator in the Gradqsof the World of Action ; it is borne on my own heart. I t

is the Sign of SHEKINAH descended and dwelling in thehearts of men.

arms.


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28 THE C E R E M O N Y O F A D VA N C E M E N T

Master. o th e Te u l p k - 0 Lord of Truth, Wh o hast

given u s knowledge of the manifested world, gran t us tok n o w the hidden world of cause i n thc mind which is

linked tl~cre\vith.

T h e A ' l n s t e r ~eszcnlcs is scat.

Gu ide o f t h e Paths.-I llavc passcd through the Gatcs ofHeaven, 0 Lord of Truth. I have carried up the HolyMountain the higher aspirations of thc mind.

Afaxter of the Temple.-By the purified ~n ii ld f the Postu-lant, by his thoughts i n the dcdication thereof, bring him

across the threshold.

Guide o the P a t h - T h e m i n d from its base in MAL-K U T H shall rise by aspiration to the throne of G O D in

K E T H E R . T h e wings of the intellectual faculty shall

abide in Wisdom and Understanding.

Master o t [email protected] stand now amidst the

mystery of the Holy of Holies, or -the Place of DivinePresence, manifesting as the Glory of SHEKINAH onthe Mercy-Seat. I t is represented in our Temple bythe Rose resting in the centre of t h e Cross onthe Altar. I t has therefore an intimate correspondencewith the Great Symbol belonging to the Path of TA U ,

as it has also with the Table of Shewbread and theSeven-Branched Candlestick in the Grade of Zelator.T h e S H E K I N A H is always with us in the Mysteriesof the Rosy Cross, and the Rose is her chief symbol.

She is more especially presented to your considerationin this Grade because of the Holy of Holies, and


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I N T H E 2 = 9 G R A D E O F T H E O R E T I C U S 29

the fact that you h a v e entered within those all-sacred

precincts should lead you to realise th at you ar e passing

through priestly offices i n the Rites of our Fellowship,

from the time of your first purification as a Neophyte in

the Court of the Tabernacle, like thc ancient priests ofIsrael i n the Lavcr of Brass, to the present stage of your

advancement, when i n virtue of th e mind's consecration

you have entered t h a t place which the High Priest of old

could enter but once a year. Herein and hereby, there-fore, I give you the counsel of th e Grade, and this is-Holiness to the Lord.

The Guide leads the Postulant to t h Wcstcrn si& of t /u

Altaf-, and resul~zes is seat.

T h daster of t / u Te~tzfCe taves his Throne andpases bySouth to t h Westcrn side of IIU Al tar , where /M s t a n ho n the right of the Postulant. He ilrdkates wit h his

Wand t .4~ iagram above t / u Alta r.

Masteu of Tern$.--Look upon this Symbol, whichrepresents a t once, according to our traditional teaching,

the immemorial journey of your spirit, by which it was

brought into the manifest world, and also the path of your

return. Before you is the Tr ee of the SEPHIROTH,having its roots apparently in M A L K U T H , the World of

Action, the incorporation of man's spir it in flesh A s such,

i t is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. I t is only

by righteous judgment between the two qualities th at man

can ascend whence he came. But there is a certain placeor point of the ascent a t which the Tr ee of Knowledge

becomes the Tree of Life, which stood in the midst of the

Garden, and is tliat Mystery of Divine Life by whichMALKCTTH is united with BINAI-I (These S E P N I R O T H

are i~iditated by the Master with his Wand). The pathto the Tree of Life is b y the way of knowledge, and theunion with the Supernals in DA ATI-I, or Divine Know-


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ledge, is by th e Middle Pa th of Benignity. I n the Ritual

of the Path of T A U , you came out from th e S E P H I R AMALKUTH by a stra ight road (which he Master indkat~sorr the Diagyam). I t is called th e 32nd Pa th in theSecret Tradit ion, and also the Executive Intelligence,

being a reference to the Im ma ne nt Power behind the

manifested world. Th is is th e furthest extension of the

paths leading outward from within, and the first which

takes back to our source. I t is in union with its hidden

power that the Path is traversed by Postulants, the Veil ofthe Holy of Holies is raised on th e further side, and those

who are chosen for the Mystery approach an d go in. From

the Pat h of T A U , wherein you were consecratcd mystically,

you have been brought, therefore, into the SEPHIRAYES OD , into the region of th e purified mind, and this

is the Holy of Holies (The Master indicates Y E S O B

on the Diagram), the He art of the World, th e Place of th eVoicc, th e Place of the Daug hter of th e Voice, 'who is

S H E K I N A H . T here a re 2 2 paths by which the SEPHI-ROTH are connected one with another, and they are

inscribed on th is symbol with th e letters of the Hebrew

Alphabet. But the S E P H ROTH are themselvcs countedas Paths, the number of which is, therefore, 32. That ofY E S O D corresponds to the 9th Path, and it is called the

Purified Intelligcnce, an understand ing in th e heart. Mayth at name of grace sink into you r own heart. May you

bc purificd in all your ways, as on e who is clothed with

fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness ofsaints.

T/u Master of the Temp& r ~ t u r m ith the Sun t o hisThrone, and sta~rdi~tg hereat says, wwi atelzded arms

and uplzyted eyes :-

Master o thc Tef~rpk-Almighty Lord, and Lord Wholivest for ever, we have consecrated our Brother by thesacramental offices of this Ho ly Temple. W e have given


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I N THE 2 = 9 G R A D E O F T H E O R E T I C U S 3 1

unto h im a clean mind and a pure body. Do Thou keep

him i n perfect peace. May his m i n d be stayed o n Thee,

remembering Thy covenants.

The Master vesu~~tes is seat. The Guide o f th e P a t hcontes forward, places th e Postlclunt with his back to theNorth, a d arsu~tzw position faci~tg im.

Guide o the Paths.-Frater Adveniat Regnum (vJtromen alircd), the Sign of this Grade is given by placingboth hands thus upon the forehead, with al! the fingers

interlaced and th e palms turned outwards. I t refers to theTen S E P H I K O T H of the Tree of Life grafted in themind of the Postulant T he Sacred Words are SH A D D A I

and EL CHAI, the living GOD Almighty. Th e Pass-

Word is MAH, a Secret Name of the World of Formation,formed of the two Hebrew letters M E M and HE, the

numerical value of which is 45, and this is the MysticalNumber. I invest you with the girdle of a Theoreticus,the colour of which is blue, being th at assigned to the Moon

in the symbolism of the Rosy Cross. T h e Moon is referredto this Grade because it is an emblem of SHEKINAH,t h e Moon of Heaven and Earth. I n the spiritual mystery ofthe elements, the Grade of Theoreticus is in correspon-

dence with Air, symbolising the mind in nature, the world

of thought in man. It is these that we seek to re-establishaccording to the Law of the Holy of Holies, which is theL a w of Wisdom an d Understanding, th e Fountain of Life

and Generation. YESOD is a Mystery of Generation.T he four-square Tablet which stands in the middle-East ofthe Temple, conkining Divine and Angelical Namesreferable to the eastern quarter of the heaven, is in corres-pondence with the element of Air, and is set up as asymbol in our Temple for the sanctification of the mind in

man.


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32 TH E C E K E M O N Y O F A D VA N C E M E N T

The Tablet is irzdicated Zy the Guide, who a p i u trmzs the

Postulant f o the Eas t, and then g m s back t o hisphce.

Warden o the iTi.nl+de.-The Banners before you aresymbolical Banners of the Paths leading from thc Grade of

Theoreticus t o the SEPH IlZOTH of further Grades.That i l l the South-East signifies the Path of L I trance tothe Grade of Philosopl~us , nd th at o n the North-East thePath to the Grade of Practicus. T h e Banner i n the due

Eas t is th at of th e Path which leads to Highe r Mysteriesbeyond the World of Formation. I t is a straight and

vertical Path , leading to the tcrm of o u r desire. Keep inyour heart, m y BI-other, the nlenlory of the straight way.

Mastcrof the [email protected] Mystical Tit le of I'oraios de

Rejectis is conferred upon you in this Grade. I t meansth at you ar e saved from rejection. Fear not, therefore, the

infernal mansions, the false and treacherous seas or thewastes abo ut th e garden of th e wise. I now give you thistitle, and I give you the synlbol of R U A CH , as a memorial

of th e Divine Breath which imparts th e Life of Life.

Honourable Guide of the Paths, I bid you announce thathe who was once a Zelator i n th e Fellowship of t he RosyCross has been advanced to the Grade of Theoreticus.

Y'/te Guide of the Paths com~s orward a d a k i r z ~ f'P0stukz1zt ~ F Jhe right itand Leads him about the Altar,

wtkye they turtz t o the West, so tha t hc is i r z the generalsight of t h Br~th -e f t . TIM Gui& zrphyts his Wa~rd.

Guide o the Pat1zs.-In the Name of the Living GODAlmighty, and by th e ordinance of th e Honourable Masterof the Temple, I proclaim and testify that Frater AdveniatRegnurn (veZ no~~tcn l i z r d ) has been admitted by a lawfulcomnlunication to thc Gradc of Thcorcticus, th at h e is a Son

of th e 32nd Path , and th at he has received the Mystical Titl e

of Poraios de Rejectis, with the symbol of RUACH. Mayhe enter into his inheritance in t he World of the Li fe of Life.


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I N T H E 2 = 9 G R A D E OF T H E O R E T I C U S 33

The Guide tunzs Eastward with the Posfula?zt.

Master of the Te7q%~-Having attained in the symbolismof this Grade to the state of Purified Intelligence, I com-mend to you the realisation of its sanctity in all the thoughtsand operations of your mind. Herein is the study i n chiefwhich wil l qualify you for further advancement in theGrades of our Order. I t is in such manner that the trueand inward Adam is made in the likeness of the ELOHIM.So is the sign of the M a n manifested, and so shall He alsobe declared Who is the Son of Man , the Hierophant of h eMysteries of ADONAI. The Archangel Raphael, who isreferred to the element of Air, goes before this Man, pro-claiming to the living and the dead that He is come Whow a s expected, and we do not look for another. Enter , 0

Frater Theoreticus, into the sacred places of the mind.

The Guide of t h P a t h h a d . t /u Postuhrzt wi th t /u Su nto his proper p k c the Te?@&, which is that ofOstiarius, atzd /re receives from his predecessor t h Wandof that Ofice. T h Guide resumcs his seat.

T i . Alhcution of tlre Grade f o l h s , and is dctivertd byt h

Vzperaior, but h i 7 ~ ailing byhk

Substitute, or byt h Kasfer of t h Temp&.


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34 THE CEREMONY OF A D VA N C E M E N T

THE ALLOCUTION T H E G R A D E

THEORETICUS.

In the name of that splendid and uncrcatcd light whichpasses through the worlds that are within, in the Name of

G O D Who is within, Almighty and Ever-living, I inviteyou, Fratres et Sorores, Cohzredes et Sodales, and you in

particular who have been received this day among us, Iinvite you, on behalf of this Fellowship, to hear the Inward

Message and Allocution of the 2 = g Grade. Hereof is apart in symbolism of the long s tory concerning tha t Holy

House which is not entered by earthly feet, for it is in tha t

region of our spiritual being which does not confess tolimitations of time and space. We have se t before you, 0

Frater Theoreticus, a shadow in Ritual of your further

interior progress, that having carried the signs and warrantsof your manifestation here on earth, you may begin t o

realise your life as a process of Formation in GOD. Betherefore the aspiration of your mind, henceforth a nd for

ever : Open ye gates, and open ye everlasting portals, and

1st the King of Glory enter, even into our penetralia.

The making of the Second Adam in the image and like-

ness of the ELOHIM continues in this Grade. I t is one ofthe successive consecrations performed in the Fellowship ofthe Rosy Cross, so th at all parts of the personality may be

transmuted and become a Quintessence, even that greatQuintessence, the condition of which is the summum

bonum. I t is in particular the hallowing, the dedication of

the Postulant's natural mind, and we pray, as a result ofhis experience, that his inward faculties of thought may be

brought into th c harmonies of dedicated life, into th e fixedintent of unity. May you therefore, 0 Fratcr Theoreticus,


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I N T H E 2 = 9 G R A D E OF THEORETICUS 35

so occupy th e period which will intervene between youradvancement on this day and the next stage of your

progress th at the things which you have learned in cere-

mony may pass into the g rade of life. S o shall th e moon

of your natural mind be a mirror in its fulness of th e Su n

of Beauty, its reflection an d its glass of vision. T h e sun islike thought in its intentness, when thought is fixed upon

our last end a nd upon things Divine. T h e moon is like

thought in its inconstancy, a reflected ligh t an d a wanderingfire. T h e sun is like tha t life of higher consciousness which

dwells behind t he logical understanding. T h e ms on is like

natural reason, which again is a reflected light. Practi sethe fixation of this Grade, th at you may see through your

glass, brightly.

Remember the. deep intimations of th at Cubical Cross

which you bore in th e course of your progress.through th ePath of TAU. Remember the symbolism of those lettersou t of which ar e formed in thei r expression t he words of all

wisdom, human an d Divine. But remember more than allth at Secret Wo rd which is expressed only in t h e heart--of

which all let te rs a re the shadow-because it is declared insilence rather th an in speech. Ye t. is it instilled every-

where and abides in all, the Executive Intelligence of the

32nd Path, th e Immanence of Divine Power in th e essence

of created things, the grace behind th e manifest. Fro m

things of th e body of man into things within an d beyond;

into realms of hidden force, into t heir mysteries an d graces,

you have entered symbolically in the SEPHIRA YESOD.S o from th e light which is within N ature d o we pass t o th elight that is beyond ; bu t the light without testifies to the

light within, as Nature bears witness to Grace.

T h e Grade of Theoreticus is the Grade of the Ho ly of

Holies, and in its true understanding this is a hiddenworld. You have made acquain tance therein with th e


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36 THE C E R E M O N Y O F A D VA N C E M E N T

Mystery of the Tree of Life, which is th e immemorial story

of the soul, and a prophecy of its future destiny. TheTr ee of Life is also the Tre e of Knowledge a t the beginning

of the return journey, because man must ascend in virtue

of those principles by which his descent w a s brought about.I n this sense, the cvil itself must assist him towards thc

height. H e goes back whence he came in proportion as

he escapes from its toils ; it is, therefore, his great oppor-

tunity. No one knows the evil in its true nature until he

has embraced the good, a n d he is then as the cross which

it carries. You are assumed in this Gradc to have made

th at choice beyond which lies the way of true knowledge

and the point of uilion between the Tree of Knowledge

and t he Tree of Life.

Sta nd, therefore, Frater, seeking the one thing needful,

so th at your higher par t may rest upon DAATH, as uponthe threshold of a supernal world, the wings of aspiration

and desire, upon C H E S E D and GE BU RA H. From

these stages of attainment we shall rule the inconstant

thoughts within us, interpreting the witness of t he mind,

th e testimony of the senses, and all the forces about uswhich minister to these, distinguishing the things of

illusion, their marvels and enchantments, from the grace ofthe great reality, and the truth that comes down withpower. S ta nd with your gate s open to receive th at tru th

and grace in their plenary descent.

L e t us pray that a t some far time of our searchings thatwhich is immortal in us, and did once proceed from H i m ,

ma y be delivered from th e age-long spaces and be with-drawn in GOD to the repose an d activity of the centre-even from the created light into that which is eternal.And seeing tha t the Name of the Lord is set in all thingsan d is th e seal of all things, let us so order the many forces

of our nature that the Name may be declared in us, and


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I N THE 2 -9 GRADE O F THEORETICUS 37

that we, in our own degree and from the height of

intellectual thought, may b:: even as a light of the world,as an orient from on high visiting it.

If the Mhutcs o f any prmious Meeting or other oficialbusilress arc to be takm i 7 z the Grad. of T/reo~tticus, /uTeqVe ~ m s t e rcahced at th is faint to t/ u G r a d ofNEophyte. By the powcr of his Wand, t h Masterdwufd close in the /tig/uv Grade, uperr i t s thc lower by

fiat, arrd after th busiltcss has bcetz discharged shouldc h e similar& therein and re-open ill th Grade of

Theoutticus.

T H E SOLEMN OFFICE O F CLOSING THE

SACRED TEMPLE I N THE GRADE

O F THEORETICUS.

Mister of thc T.?np&-l-

ACC rise.Mas& o t h Te?ttpI;e.-To order, Fratres et Sorores

Theoretici, incorporated for t he work of illumination, the

fundamental work, and the work of sanctity, in the Fcllow-

ship of the Rosy Cross. L e t us realise in our minds andhearts that we have striven t o attain the term, within themeasures to us allotted in this Grade of Mind.

Master o t/re Tttttpfe.-The Mysteries of the Temple areguarded in the heart of the Temple, a n d the Holy Gradeslie behind one another, circle within circle, leading to the


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38 TH E CEREMONY OF ADVANCEMEN T

central point. Frater Ostiarius, i n the name of the Palace

at the Centre, I command you to see that the Temple isguarded without.

The Frater Ostiarius operzs the portal $YO forma, impectsthe iuz jrzedia fe p re& cts, again secures the thuedwh!, arz dtuwts to the East with zrphytcd Wand.

Frat.r 0stia~ius.-Honourable Master of the Temple,

the Lord keepeth the Mystic City, a n d the watchmanwaketh not in vain.

Master of t/x TEII~$~.-Do we therefore, both now andhenceforward, maintain the inward vigil, cherishing the

Divine messages which come to us in this Holy Place,

expecting on the mountains tha t encompass it, 0 Fratres

et Sorores, beautiful feet upon the mountains, bringing all

high tidings near.This s said with raised eyes and upltfld Wand. There

fo lhws the pause of a ~~zomettt.

Masier of the T'~ttpIe.-Honourable Frater Theoreticus,assure yourself that all present have heard with their ownears that which was told by our fathers, the men of vision,

and thatwhich

you and I have testified continually to oneanother concerning the hallowed Grade of 'Theoreticus.

Guide of th Path.-Fratres e t Sorores, consecrated inbody and mind, give me th e outward Sign of those whoare saved from rejection.

He t u r m i n succession to t h our quarttrs and receives t kSiga of t/re Grade from a l L present, the Master of theTemple excepted. The Guide turns t o the Master, givingit on his own part.


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I N T H E 2 = 9 G R A D E O F THEORETICUS 39

Guide of r / r e Paths.--Honourable Master of th e Temple ,

the Divine protection stands about the mind of the Fellow-ship, keeping it for salutary and holy service, and saving itfrom the void of unreason.

Master o$ th e Te71z#e.--Let u s offer .up our minds in

worship to t h e Lord of understanding-. -The Master o the Tern@ descctzdsfrotlz hi s Throne, a d

faces t/te E a s t th rea t . The Warden aCso &scetcds. AII

Me~~zbersface ast. T h Mas te r uplifts his Wand.

Master o the Tc~rzple.-Life of life an d Light of light,

Living G O D Almighty, like burningrcoals upon th e altar

of the heart is heaped our love for Thee. Gr an t us th e

desirabIe end-to fall in to T h y holy hands, wherein we

commend our spirits. Amen.

T h mate^ atzd Warden furti agailt to th West. T 'Guide uplt)Lr his Watrd, s t i l l fating fh East, with t / i

utrof iia l Mmrbevs general&.

Guide o t/z Pat h.- Let us raise our wanderingthoughts, and fix them upon the Lo rd of all-. - Seal1us,

0Master, with the simplicity which seals Nature. Give

unto us recollection ; give us aspiration and desire ; give

unto us the knowledge of that secret way, through whichwe sha ll pass behind the things of material reason into theliving s u n of T h y truth. All roads are straight, an d everyway is fair which leads to our end in Thee.

T h t t , with raised eyes a ~ d plgted arms :-

Master o the [email protected] in th e peace of theEternal ; depart in the Eternal Name, 0 Brethren of the

Rosy Cross. Ye who have been called to the work arelicensed to dep art therefrom. May the Spi rit of the Lord,


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Wh o rules the realm of mind, and the Grace of the Spiri tbe upon you. Rest, but remember His service, and be

ready at the call thereto.

Wardetz o t h e Temple.--Peace in the palaces of mind,peace in the halls of thought ; rest unto all who wander ;

satisfaction to those who yearn ; attainment to those whoseek. 0 be there peace in your places, Brethren ; peacein the world which does not belong to the world ; and mayyou return in purity when called to our Holy Convention.

Master o t/u Tenzpk-Honourable Guide of th e Paths,

the purified mind beholds the theory of th e work in trans-

mutation of the self and its environment. T he end of this

Rite is upon us, and having attained our term therein, Idirect you to close the Tem ple in the Grade of Theoreticus.

Guide o t h Path.-Fratres e t Sorores, as Guardian ofthe Mysteries of YESOD, with the generations of mindtherein, and in the Name of the Living GOD Almighty, 1close this Hoiy Temple in the Grade of Theoreticus.

Ukre ends th c Ritual o the Grade o Thoreticus.

C WHITK d Ch l

grade of theoretic us

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