Christian Rosencreutz

From Fez, he traveled to Spain and attempted to teach, but his teachings were rejected. He returned to Germany and established a school, and began to accept students from his old cloister; this was the beginning of the Fraternity of the Rose Cross. Ultimately, the school consisted of eight brethren, and when they had perfected their doctrines and methods, they decided to disperse into all countries to disseminate their teachings. They agreed on six principles: 

1. That none of them should profess any other thing than to cure the sick, and that gratis; 

2. None of them should be constrained to wear one certain kind of habit, but therein to follow the custom of the country; 

3. That every year on the day C. they should meet together in the house S. Spiritus, or write the cause of their absence; 

4. Every brother should look about for a worthy person, who, after his decease, might succeed him;

5. The word C.R. should be their seal, mark, and character; and 

6. The Fraternity should remain secret for one hundred years.

Brother R.C. died at the age of 106. His tomb was discovered 120 years later, in 1604, by some of the successors of the brothers who had returned to the original building to make repairs. The tomb was opened, and inside was discovered a seven-sided vault with a central, cylindrical altar. Upon moving the altar aside, they discovered a brass plate, which they removed, and discovered the body of Brother C.R.C., “whole and unconsumed, with all his ornaments and attires.”

References

• Crowley, Aleister; The Heart of the Master [Ordo Templi Orientis, 1938], New Falcon Publications, Scottsdale, Arizona 1992

• McIntosh, Christopher; The Rosicrucians, the History and Mythology of an Occult Order, Crucible, Wellingborough 1987

• Seligman, Kurt; Magic, Supernaturalism and Religion, Pantheon, New York 1948/1971

• Waite, Arthur Edward; The Real History of the Rosicrucians, London 1887

• Yates, Frances; The Rosicrucian Enlightenment, ARK, London 1972/1986