ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARV

A KeV To
Word Meanings
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AMORC
 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY

Published Under the Authority

of The meaning of a term is often the key to the proper
TIIE SUPREME COUNCIL understanding of some technique or specialized study. Various
studies in the sciences and arts have their own gradually
of evolved terms. Without knowledge of such terms the student
may grope with the subject as though it were in a language
The Rosicrucian Order foreign to him.
The Rosicrucian teachings are no exception-time has de-
veloped certain Rosicrucian words or terms that convey ím-
San [ose, California. u. s. A. portant truths in a simple and effective way. The terms,
however, may consist of words that have distinctly different
connotations than common usage provides. Therefore, to
gain the utmost from his studies, the member must be certain
that he has the right comprehension of the term-so that
there is no misunderstanding.
This Glossary, in a simple, alphabetical order and concise
Prepared by RUTH PHELPS. F. R. C.
manner, sets forth words and terms with meanings unique to
AMORC Reference Librarian
the Rosicrucian teachings and philosophy. It will be found
to be a most practical aid in deriving the utmost from mem-
bership study.
FlRST EDmON 1961
SECONO EDmON 1962
Prepared under the auspices
THIRD EDmON 1965
of the
Copyridtt. 1961 by the Department of Instruction
Supreme Granó Lodge of AMORC, Ine,
A11 righll resenecI. Prlnted in U. S. A. Rosicrucian Park
G-Z7 365 San J ose, California, U. S. A.

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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
A and B Elements: The two qualities or elemental
natures that compose the life essence in our bodies. The A
element is the immaterial, invisible, Divine essence; B, the
material, earthly, chemical element resulting from what we
eat and drink, and from the magnetic and other forces we
receive from contact with the earth.
Absent Treatments: Those given to a person at a dis-
tance, whether it be a few feet or many miles. In absent
treatments we make ourselves channels through which meta-
physical forces may be directed so that harmonium may be
restored in another person without immediate contact with
him.
Actions- Voluntary and Involuntary: Certain processes
go on inside our bodies which we do not control. They con-
tinue whether we think of them or noto These are involuntary
actions, such as those of the heart, stomach, and lungs. Vol-
untary actions are those of which we are conscious, such as
speaking-those for which conscious effort is produced.
Actuality: The phenomenon or manifestation of the vi-
brations of Spirit. It is that which involves action, and is the
law and order of vibrations. Reality is the law and order
of consciousness. It represents the individual appreciation of
actualities or manifested vibration. Reality is the product of
the individual reception and assimilation of vibrations. Actu-
alities cannot become realities to man until he realizes them.
Realization can be affected only by interpretation.
Adept: Mystically, one who has attained illumination and
a mastery in applying his knowledge of Cosmic laws and
principIes to the affairs of life. He has a mastery of the
knowledge and application of spiritual or Cosmic laws-the
fmally and completely enlightened personality.
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Akashic Records: The indelible, eternal records of all
events and knowledge which are an integral part of Cosmic
Consciousness, the Divine mind. They contain all things
past, present, and future. They are not material, written
accounts, but the Divine consciousness of past and future
events. Consulting the Akashic Records means attuning with
Cosmic Consciousness.
Alden (Ahldain, A'ldain): The name of a former Master
of the Great White Brotherhood, who gave jurisdiction over
the establishment of mystical centers on the North American
Continent during the fifteenth century, and after whom the
first Temple in this country was named in 1603. His person-
ality still affects much of the work in this country.
Allegory: A symbolic story or drama in which the char-
acters and the story represent ideas, emotions, situations, etc.,
other than their literal nature and meaning. In Rosicrucian
allegories, this symbolic meaning is philosophic and mystical.
A ritual drama is an allegory based on ritual or initiatic rites
and may constitute in itself a ritual or initiation.
Altar: In the East of the Lodge is situated the Altar of
the Master, who represents the Greater Light and is, in fact,
the Lesser Light in all Lodge convocations, except when the
"Vestal Light may more symbolically represent the rising of
the Greater Light in all its glory." Sacred and Holy shall the
Altar be, that from its bosom may come intellectual and
spiritual illumination. From the Altar come forth "Life,
Light, and Love."
Amen: A contraction of the old mystical word Aumen.
Its origin is in the Sánskrit Aum and Om. It is a Hebrew
word introduced into Egyptian mystic rites to express the
hidden and invisible God, or an inspired representative of
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
God. The effect of the word in conjunction with proper
breathing is to fix or stabilize certain vibrations previously
aroused in the surrounding ether, and to bring about a Cos-
mic manifestation.
AMRA: If you petition for special help and your petition
is answered, you are obliged, by the Law of AMRA, to
make compensation by passing along to others some portion
of the blessing you have received.
Aquarian Age: The position of the sun. on the vernal
equinox moves through the path of the ~odla~ ea.stward at
the rate of a sign in about 2200 years. This penod ISreferred
to astrologically as an Age. Due to this precession, the spring
equinox does not begin in Aries as it once did, but in Pisces.
When it crosses into the sign Aquarius, the Aquarian Age
will have begun.
Assumption: Exchanging places, persons, and power.
y ou assume you have exchanged places with the other per-
son, assuming the other's personality. In Divine Assumption,
you assume you are exchanging your limited self-conscíous-
ness for the consciousness of God.
Attunement: During its temporary residence in the
human body, the soul essence keeps in touch or attunement
with the great Divine source from which the soul came and
to which it returns. All soul-personalities on this earth plane
and on the Cosmic plane are in constant attunement. It is
because man's soul-personality is attuned with all other soul-
personalities that thought vibrations operate at great dis-
tances. By attuning ourselves to the Divine mind we can
receive the laws, rules, and facts of knowledge which we can
depend upon as being truthful.
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Aura (human): An admixture of positive an~. negative
vibrations. The negative vibrations are of the Splrl~ energy
of the atoms which compose the substance of our bodies. !he
positive source of the aura is the Vital ~if~ ~orce taken mto
our bodies with each breath. The aura ISvisible under many
conditions and has been photographed and will affect certain
instruments. The stronger and healthier the physical. body,
the more deeply we breathe fresh air, the more magnetíc will
the aura be. Our auras are not constant. Changes in envíron-
ment, health, and thinking may change the colors. Just as
every living thing has an aura, so do inanimate bodies. In
addition, such bodies acquire the magnetic influence of the
human aura of those in whose possession they have been.
They retain in their own nature the radiations of the human
aura.
Belief: From the mystical point of view, belief implies
lack of knowledge. A mystic should have no beliefs, but
knowledge, or frankly admit that he does not know. We
either know or do not know; and what we know, we must
realize that we do, so that we can demonstrate it.
Birth: Occurs, mystically, when the animal body t~kes
its first Breath of Life. Then the body becomes a conscious
being. Birth is the opposite phase of the passing of the
Breath and consciousness which is falsely called death.
Borderline State: The merging of the objective and
subjective processes into the subconscious. This state ~a~ be
induced through concentration, or by drugs, fever, mjury,
fright, or strain. It occurs natura.lly on going to sle.ep or
awakening. It may be externally mduced, but not 'Yl.thO~t
cooperation of the self. Often ~e first s~a~e of t:ansltlOn IS
a borderline state. In a borderlme state ít IS possible for the
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
two phases of the one mind to hold communion and transfer
the ideas, impressions, wishes and desires from one to the
other. When we are wholly in the subconscious, we are not
immediately aware of what the subconscious received, and
we must wait until a borderline condition comes and the idea
or impression is released from the subconscious to the ob-
jective.
Brain: The physical organ for the objective functioning
of the mind. Mind, however, can manifest without the use
of the brain. All action of the brain is vibratory. Thinking
accelerates and stimulates the vibrations. Sleep slows them
down. The brain and mind are two distinctly different
things in function. Mind is a manifestation of the soul which
functions independently at times from the brain. The brain
is the medium by which the objective consciousness functions.
Breath of Life: In Rosicrucian teachings this term is
used to refer to Nous. It is a combination, so to speak, of
both the Vital Life Force and Cosmic Consciousness.
Brotherhood, Great White: The school or fraterpity of
the Great White Lodge. Into this invisible Brotherhood of
visible members every true student on the Path prepares for
admission.
There is an assembly of Master minds, some on the Cos-
mic plane, some on the earth plane, who constitute the Holy
Assembly. Under their care, a group of high Initiates are
prepared in each incamation for still higher work in the next.
These Imperators, Magi, and Hierophants in various lands,
together with the Masters, compose the Holy Assembly of the
Great White Lodge. There is no authoritative physical group
termed the Great White Lodge.
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Cathedral of the Soul: A Cosmic meeting place for all
minds of the most highly developed and spiritually advanced
members and workers of the Rosicrucian fraternity. It is the
focal point of Cosmic radiations and thought waves from
which radiate vibrations of health, peace, happiness, and
inner awakening. The Cathedral is a concentration of the
spiritual selves of all those members who seek Cosmic attune-
ment. It is, abstractly, aplane of consciousness where there
are assembled the many minds who have similar impersonal
ideals.
Cell: A body of spherical or other shape having a wall
with negative polarity and a nucleus of positive polarity. The
cell is the fundamental form of all creation. Every living cell
floating in a liquid is connected with every other cell in that
liquid by a force which pervades them all. Man's relation
to the universe is identical to this. We have no distinct indi-
viduality so far as our beings are concerned. We are all
united in the universe as the cells are united in a mass of
flesh, bone, or blood. The sun is a cell with a positive polar-
ity. The earth is also a magnetic cell with a negative
polarity. The nucleus is the focal point, the center of action,
the heart of any creation possessing, latent within itself, all
the potentialities of development in connection with a cell.
On the earth plane the nucleus of the cell is positive in
polarity and the rest negative. On the immaterial plane the
elements are in reverse order. The nucleus has within itself
all the characteristics of former unions in previous genera-
tions, and in each successive manifestation blends in the
additional characteristics of the present union, thereby estab-
lishing the conditions and qualities of heredity.
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Character: The conscious code of thought, practice, emo-
tion, and act, which the school of personality has established
for the person, and which the traits of personality are emu-
lating as an ideal. The code, the ideal, toward which progress
is being made may be consciously realized, the acts tending
toward that ideal may be unconsciously committed.
Christ Consciousness: The Christian delineation of the
highest form of consciousness attainable. The moral values,
powers, and insight had by Christ are attributed to his all-
embracing consciousness, the result of his attunement with
t~e Divíne of his own nature. The term has no significance
difíerent from Cosmic Consciousness. The non-Christian
mystic prefers the latter term because thís universal or Cos-
mic Consciousness has been had by other illuminated per-
sonages and should have no personal designation.
Colombe: The word Colombe means dove. In earlier
Rosicrucian Temples there were one or more Vestal Virgins
who not only kept the important symbolical and holy fire in
the Vestal Stand ever burning, but who also served in t~e
r!tualis~ic work and mystical exercises as a symbol of fire,
hght, life, and love, and the dove of consciousness. The
Colombe also represents the conscience of each Frater and
Soror of the Lodge.
Concentration: A mental and physical state in which the
whole objective attention is focused on one point, place, con-
dition, or principIe. Perfect concentration results in complete
inactivity of four of the five objective faculties at one time.
We can be conscious of only one objective impression at one
time. All else is rapid alternation. Concentration is not
merely the focalization of attention. The real art of con-
centration consists in turning the objective thoughts inward
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
until they become fixed ideas of the Inner Self. The Inner
Self becomes possessed with the thought or idea, and lives
it, senses it, seeing and feeling it with all the living vitality
that a thing alive could possibly have. Concentration is not
will power. Passivity is necessary to concentration and pre-
eludes the use of energized will power.
Conscience: The "still, small voice" of the Master within;
the Cosmic mind with its inspiration and urge; the mind of
the psychic self, knowing all truth, all law, all principIes,
ever constructive in desire, dependable, "ever present when
the tempter tempts."
Consciousness: An attribute of the soul. It is the mental
aspect of life which includes sensation, realization, and rea-
soning of which the active principIes are imagination, aspira-
tion, and inspiration. It is the center of man's life, poised
between two worlds, and naturally open to both. One of the
functions of consciousness is the response to its environment
or surroundings. Another is the response which the animate
thing has to its own innate actions or being. The Divíne
Consciousness in man has its own faculties for the perception
of truth and its own doma in of functioning. This spiritual
consciousness is the inner self. The physical consciousness
can become acquainted only with things of a material nature.
Consciousness, life force, and mind are related and come into
and go out of the body together.
Contact Treatments: The technique whereby the fingers
are placed upon the patient's back close to the spine is called
the system of "Rosicrucian contact treatment." This is be-
cause the one who is giving the treatment has to be in actual
physical contact with the patient.
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Cosmic: Used both as a noun and adjective to mean the
Universe as a harmonious relation of aIl natural and spiritual
laws. It is the Divine, infinite intelligence of the Supreme
Being permeating everything. It is not a place, but a state,
or condition of order and regulation. The Cosmic is the
totality of laws and the phenomena which manifests in man
and nature-the forces, energies, and powers which account
for the finite and infinite worlds. It is therefore a unity; the
particulars which man experiences are but expressions.
Cosmic Consciousness: That consciousness, radiating
from God, which pervades all space, and hence all things,
having vitality, mind, constructive power, Divine Intelli-
gence. Into this consciousness is projected the psychic con-
sciousness of aIl Masters, and aIl adepts may attune with it.
It is the unity of aIl, past, present, and future. The universal
force exhibits the desire to be; therefore, ít manifests intelli-
gence. That which has mind and inteIligence has conscious-
ness, so the Cosmic force has a Cosmic consciousness which
is the inherent sensitivity of this universal creative force
by which it at aIl times opposes any possible depreciation of
its own nature. Consequently, it extends its Cosmic con-
sciousness into all things which it forms or which are formed
of it. It accompanies the universal Cosmic energy as an attri-
bute into every living cell where it manifests with the vibra-
tory force. Man must attune with the Cosmic consciousness,
be in accord with it, be in sympathy with its oneness.
Council of Solace: An association of officers, staff, and
certain high-degree Rosicrucian members who use the prin-
cipIes of the Order's teachings to assist other individuals.
Absent treatments are given for conditions of health, and
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
other problems of a personal nature whenever they are
brought to the attention of the Council.
Crux Ansata (Ankh): The looped cross, a tau or T cross
with a loop at the topo It is of ancient Egyptian origin and
was referred to as the Ankh or key of life. It was a symbol
of life and immortality.
Cycle: A period of time, evolution, process, method, or
manifestation. The cycle of human life is divided into seven-
year cycles of the growth and development of the mind and
body. The evolution of the universe, and of man from a
primitive being can be divided into cycles. The twenty-four
hours of the day are divisible into planetary cycles. There
is a cycle of existence or incarnation for each being, accord-
ing to which each human being is reborn on the earth plane
on an average of every 144 years.
Death: A necessary element in the cycle of life. Death
and birth are synonymous in this sense, for death is birth
into another plane, while birth is likewise a transition. Both
constitute the Great Experience, a form of Inítíatíon affording
an opportunity for greater advancement. There is no "death"
either material or spiritual. Matter is indestructible; the soul
essence is immortal. Hence neither body nor soul ever dies.
In death the soul has departed from one state of existence to
another. The soul continues but manifests differently. The
consciousness has crossed a threshold from the chamber of life
into the Cosmic and has been initiated into a higher Degree.
Disease: The outer manifestation of something wrong on
the inside. Treating the last stage of a wrong condition is
not the way to regain health and prevent recurrence of the
trouble. Disease is a disturbance of the harmonious construc-
tive process of the living ceIls. The logical procedure is to
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
help nature by not interfering, and by ending the cause of
the disturbance when it is known. Giving the blood, nerves,
and general system what is lacking is the next essential.
Hence the various schools of therapeutics may assist in the
restoration of health through assisting nature. Disease can-
not exist in any area of the body where the negative and
positive polarities of the cells are evenly balanced. Disease,
or mental or nervous disorder may result from a lack of
harmony between the outer and inner man, or from an un-
balanced relation of the A and B elements.
Divine Mind (Universal Mind or Cosmic Mind): The
consciousness of God which pervades all. It is not only the
mind of God but also the consciousness and mind of allliving
beings on the earth planeo These are so united as to be a
consensus of mind and thought, in which every inspiration,
idea, and express ion of universal importance is registered and
may be contacted through proper attunement with this Uni-
versal Mind. The Supreme Mind is not a collection of indi-
vidual intelligences. No sum of things alone could equal the
Universal Mind, because it is also potential with that which
is as yet without discernible nature or formo The Universal
Mind as an Intelligence, permeates every cell of our being,
and is accessible as an infinite wisdom. However, the Cosmic
Mind does not contain within it all the particular details of
human knowledge and experience, but is an exalted form of
evaluation.
Elements: Chemistry refers to the 144 elements compos-
ing all material creation. Of these, more than 100 are known
to mano Fire, earth, air, and water are not elements. They
are combinations of elements. They are considered as the
four principals, because they are the first four principal mani-
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
festations of the elements. In Rosicrucian terminology the
term is used to express the three forms into which Nous
organizes to compose or manifest matter: electrons, atoms,
and molecules. Divinities is a term expressing the first three
manifested forms of the elements: solids, liquids, and gases.
Esoteric: Refers to that which is indwelling, innate, secret,
or priva te. Esoteric knowledge may refer to Cosmic enlighten-
ment or intuitive impressions as contrasted with objective
experience. The secret wisdom Imparted to the initiate is
esoteric. The antonym of esoteric is exoteric, the oúter aspecto
Evolution: The progressive growth and perfecting of all
that is manifest or in the conception of the Cosmic Mind.
Devolution or disintegration is a part of evolution. Evolution
is the fundamental law of nature, and every element in
nature is tending toward perfection and becoming higher in
its rate of vibrations and more evolved in its manifestations.
Evolution begins when the initial impulse of a new or higher
order or purpose is manifested. Devolution begins when the
highest form or express ion of evolution is completed.
Eye: The All-seeing Eye depicts the all-inclusíve vision
and consciousness of God from which nothing is excluded.
It appears in most Rosicrucian lodges and chapters through-
out the world on the Master's lectern in the "East."
Eye, Third: The pineal gland is a transformer of the
Cosmic consciousness into rates of vibration which are dis-
cernible by our objective minds. This is the Third Eye, the
true eye of the soul,
Faith: Reliance upon the implied quality of things and
conditions. It should only arise from circumstances of strong
probability. Such justified faith should be but a temporary
measure to be replaced with knowledge.
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Formation of a Lodge: We are asked to form a lodge
when the Master enters the Temple and again when he leaves
to signify our respect for the office of the Master as the
representative of the Order and the Cosmic, symbolic of the
Greater Light. Formation of the lodge indicates our readiness
to receive the light and instruction which the Master is the
means of disseminating.
Fourth dimension: The vibratory nature of an object
by which it is realized by one of our senses to be a specífic
object. It signifies to our consciousness what kind of object
or physical phenomenon it is. The fourth dimension is the
rate of electronic vibration. All qualities and attributes mani-
fested by all material things result from this rateo Without
the fourth dimension, there could not be the other three.
From the Rosicrucian concept, the fourth dimension should
probably be the first.
Funeral: The Rosicrucian funeral service is a ceremony
of celebration in its spirit, at which time those assembled
around the body of the Frater or Soror take part in a ritual
significant of the passing through a Higher Initiation of the
one who is no longer limited by the work of the Order in its
material form on this planeo
God: There is but one God, everliving, ever-present,
without limiting attributes or definite form of manifestation-
it is the God of our Hearts. God is wholly a subjective ex-
perience and thus a personal interpretation. The concept
of God reflects the intelligence, education, religious, and social
background of the individual. For these reasons it is im-
possible to crea te a uniform conception of God acceptable to
all men alike.
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Guardian of the Threshold: Your conscience, your in-
ner self, the sentinel of the subconscious mind, acting as your
guide and protector. The Guardian also stands at the Thres-
hold of the Cosmic, of the Unseen, and is at the threshold
of every soul, of every chamber of privacy, of every mind.
Hahit: The pattern formed in the subconscious mind
through repetition, or by purposely deciding that a thing
shall be done over and over again. We order the subcon-
scious mind to do the thing, and it does it. Habit is an
unconscious law of the subconscious mind, a law which has
become unconscious to the objective mind.
Harmony: Within the individual includes health, rhythm,
coordination of action in all parts, plus the properly bal-
anced relationship between the psychic and objective func-
tionings. Applied to the relationship between humans,
harmony is unity of thought, agreement of purpose, the direct
communion or kinship of souls. In the relationship of the
Cosmic to the human soul, it means that state of ecstasy
where the human becomes conscious of the attunement of
the natural forces of his being with the Absolute, or the
source from which they emanate.
Healing: The Rosicrucian system of healing does not deny
the good that can be done by medicine, surgery, or other
established systems of therapeutics. It is based on the fact
that the sympathetic nervous system carries and distributes
to all parts of the body an intangible energy that vitalizes
organs and cells of the body. It takes into consideration pri-
marily the psychic side of man and the psychic cause and
nature of disease and pain.
Hermes Trismegistus: Rosicrucian records tell us that
there actually was such a character as Hermes or Thoth. He
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
was not a god, but a sage born in Thebes in 1399 B.C. He
received the appellation "Thrice Illustrious" (Trismegistus)
because he participated in the organization of the great
mystery school, had the experience of seeing the illustrious
Amenhotep IV initiated as a Grand Master, and the honor
of assisting in the initiation of the successor to Amenhotep
IV. The best known work attributed to Hermes is the
Pymander, or the Shepherd of Men.
Hierarchy: The Celestial Hierarchy consisted of a group
or assembly of enlightened personalities, not resident in
physical bodies, who, as a part of the great Cosmic Mind,
were arranged according to their rank of development and
enlightenment. The Hierarchy consists of nine spiritual
orders, each of three ranks or degrees of development. These
enlightened beings become mediators for man; man com-
munes with them, and thus becomes the recipient of an influx
of knowledge.
Hypnotism: A condition induced either by use of drugs
or by mental processes. Sleep need not result, nor is ít an
indication that the person is under control mentally or
physically. In mental induction, cooperation on the part of
the subject is essential. Use of hypnotism should be limited
to physicians or to scientists who have made a careful study
of its laws and princíples and who have the highest ethical
and scíentific reasons for inducing the sta te. Psychically, it
is a state where the objective mind is at least four-fifths pas-
sive and the subconscious mind is proportionately active.
Illuminati: Enlightened ones, those who have received
illumination or Cosmic consciousness. The Illuminati were
well established in Southern France and were one and the
same as the Rosicrucians. In 1776 Adam Weishaupt estab-
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
lished a sect called the llluminati which had no connection
with the older movement, and which concerned itself greatly
with politics and carne into bad repute.
Illumination: Refers to enlightenment of the mind. It
means not only intellectual but intuitive knowledge imparted
directly to the individual from transcendental sources such
as the Cosmic. As a result of gradual awakening of various
centers of psychic comprehension, there results an awakening
of the whole psychic consciousness, and then comes the great
influx of illumination. Rosicrucians distinguish illumination
fram knowledge. The former is apperception or clear under-
standing, a mere accumulation of ideas gained from experi-
ence.
Imaging and Imagining: Imaging is visualizing images,
making mental pictures of them. Imagining is creating
things by bringing together unrelated elements and building
them into something concrete and definíte in your mind.
Imagination includes imaging, but imaging or visualization
need not be a form of imagination.
Individuality: A separate, absolute distinctiveness. That
which is real in man is an inseparable part of the Great Soul,
the Universal Mind. That soul may express itself differently
in one body than it would in another body. This dífference
makes up the personality. It does not give the individuality,
which is a material, transient thing. Personality pertains to
the Inner Man, the Soul, the Psychic or Divine Being within
the physical body. The individuality refers to the transient
and mortal, objective side of mano
, Initiation: An experience of the consciousness, the soul,
mind, and emotions. It is a simple ceremony which attunes
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
the inner consciousness with the higher principles of the
universe, and reveals to the consciousness many laws of God
and nature. It is an awakening of the inner consciousness.
"Initiation brings into the realm of reason the purpose and
into the realm of emotion the spirit of one's introduction
into the mysteries." The initiate is the candidate for the
initiation.
Inner Self: The spiritual consciousness within the physi-
cal human body. It has its own immaterial faculties and
functionings, and constitutes a separate form from the physi-
cal form in which ít temporarily resides. This consciousness
constitutes man's real being and is part of the soul or the
divine element of man's existence. The spiritual·consciousness
of man is different in essence from the material part of mano
The two are related, for they are both part of the same
Cosmic whole. However, matter and Divine consciousness
in man constitute two different realities working in har-
monious parallel. The outer self with its material, physical
consciousness is limited in the nature and quality of contact
it can make. The inner self, the spiritual consciousness, is
unlimited and in no way restricted by "time" or "space," or
by the nature and quality of material things.
Jntuition: Intuitive knowledge is that knowledge which
appears self-evident and which flashes suddenly into the
consciousness and about which we entertain no doubt. It is
the intelligence of the Cosmic Mind, resident in the sub-
conscious, which periodically enters the objective mind as a
complete idea commonly called a hunch, Intuition is an ex-
pression of the Cosmic consciousness in man through the
attunement which the Inner Self has wíth the Universal
Mind.
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Karma: The law of compensation and causality. This
means that for every cause we institute, an effect follows.
Por each sorrow or pain we cause another, we shall suffer
in like degree and manner when the lesson to be gained
will be most impressive. However, the prínciple does not
exact an eye for an eye. It is not retributive, that is, vengeful;
rather, its purpose is to teach a lesson and evolve the under-
standing. The law works two ways; that is, one may have
karmic credit due as well as debt. There is collective as well
as individual karma.
Keyhoard: The substance of the Universal Being or the
Cosmic consists of all the forces and energies of which we
have knowledge. They compose a Cosmic keyboard. The
Cosmic Mind works through a sea of vibratory energy which
is one vast spectrum or keyboard. The highest octaves pro-
duce what is termed psychic phenomena.
Knowledge: The Rosicrucians hold that one cannot know
of a thing except through personal experience. Por this rea-
son, a distinction is made between belief and knowledge.
The necessary experience may be through objective realiza-
tion or psychic reality, but there must be the personal
realization. It is customary for the mystic to say that he
either knows or does not know when speaking of experiences,
problems, or facts of life and nature; he accepts nothing on
faith, and he has no beliefs.
Life: The combinatio~ of the vital life force with the
manifestations of spirit. The essential characteristics of the
live body are activity, voluntary and involuntary, and con-
sciousness. In the human body, every cell possesses and
manifests the existence of an energy called spirit, which is
found in everything that exists. There is also a form of
Page 19
 F,OSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
consciousness in every cell of the animate body that is of a
higher rateo This vitality is called life.
Lodge: A body of Rosicrucian students united for the
purpose of working and studying together under the juris-
diction of the Grand Lodge of AMORC. In the Rosicrucian
system, active members of the Grand Lodge receiving mono-
graphs and carrying on their studies in home sanctums may
further promote the work by organizing lodges, chapters, or
pronaoi.
A lodge is required to have permanent quarters, conduct
at least three convocations a month and maintain a library
available to members and the public at least four days a
week. Only a lodge is permitted to conduct Temple Degree
initiations.
A chapter represents at least forty active members and is
required to conduct a minimum of two convocations a month.
A pronaos is the smallest body that may be organízed and
must have at least fifteen members. Its status is expected to
change as soon as its membershíp increases to the minimums
set for chapters and lodges.
Lodge Chamher: This is the central chamber devoted
to the general convocation and formal study of God's works.
It is the "inner" or "middle" chamber, the Soul of the
Temple, the first circle within the great circle. Our Lodges
represent the surface of the earth with four cardinal points.
The East of the Lodge is the first point on the horizon. In
the East the new life is begun. It is the place of Divine
Illumination and Resurrection. The South is the point where
the sun shines in greatest glory, and where the Divine Mind
finds fullest spiritual expression. In the West the sun of life
closes its journey. It is where the Fratres and Sorores seek
Page 20
ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
peace, rest, and attunement with the Cosmic. The North is
the place of "dismal darkness" where the sun sheds not its
glorious light. It is the abyss of evil, the valley of death,
the realm of darkness, the hours of the night where the
Seeker for Light dwells and the Neophyte enters the Lodge
in search of more light.
:1 Lodge, Grand: This is a body subordinate to, and deriv-
ing its existence and powers from, the Imperator and the
Board of Directors composing the Supreme Grand Lodge of
AMORC. It is a separate and distinct body from the Supreme
Grand Lodge, and with its properly authorized subordinate
bodies and members at large, constitutes the membership
section of the Order in The Americas, British Commonwealth,
France, Switzerland, Sweden, and Africa.
Lodge, Supreme Grand: This is the legal, corporate
body of the Rosicrucian Order, incorporated under the laws
of California as a nonprofit organization. The general ad-
ministration of the Order is governed by the Board of Di-
rectors of the Supreme Grand Lodge of whom the Imperator
is President. The general membership of the Order consti-
tutes a separa te body under the direction of the Supreme
Grand Lodge through the Grand Lodge Executive Committee,
composed of the Grand Master, the Grand Secretary, and the
Grand Treasurer.
Lost Word: To the natural Cosmíc forces, the physical
laws of the universe, man attributes a once uttered Word as
their source, which continues to reverberate throughout the
universe and which he can no longer, at least in its entirety,
apprehend. The Word is conceived as a vibratory, undulat-
ing energy in which the basic essence of all things exists.
Page 21
 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
All manifestations owe their existence to the continuous re-
verberations of the Word throughout the universe. The
vibratory nature of each thing thus fits into a gigantic scale
or keyboard.
Maat: The Egyptian word for truth. The symbol of Maat
was a feather. Cro-Maat means "The Truth shall be," or
"So mote it be." The Confession to Maat is taken from the
confession-contained in the Book of the Dead-spoken in
the Chamber of Maat in Egyptian Temples of Initiation.
Magic: Presumes there are occult powers in nature which
must be invoked by the application of certain agencies. Both
natural and supematural forces, it is believed, can be brought
to serve human will. Black magic is the superstitious use of
magical rites for malevolent purposes. White magic is the
use of these rites for benevolent purposes.
Magnetism: Results from action in the aura that sur-
rounds all matter. It is not a result of the atomic or molecular
structure of matter, but rather of an electrical action taking
place within the substance or which can be set up in the
substance.
Master Within: The Inner Self. The conscience is this
Master's voice. The soul force brings into our being aDivine
Intelligence. The aggregate of this intelligence is our psychic
body, and this intelligence is our personal Master.
Masters, Cosmic: Not deities. They are intelligences who
were once mortals. They were on earth at one time, and
successfully mastered their lives. They became Masters by
learning how to awaken and apply the powers of Self so that
they could direct the affairs of their lives consonantly with
Cosmic purposes. By such development, they rose to that soul-
Page 22
ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
personality development where it became no longer necessary
for them to incamate in physical formo One cannot expect
that a Cosmic Master will be literally assigned to him as a
personal servant and guide combinedl Until we have pre-
pared ourselves, we are not worthy of the assistance the
Cosmic Masters can give. A Visible Master is one who has
attained some degree of perfection, or a high sense of master-
ship of laws and principIes, but who lives in the fiesh on
this earth planeo
Matter: The theater of motion, in that the force which
produces matter and is the essence of matter, is motion or
the vibration of Spirit. Matter is constantly changing. It
does not exist independent of the spirit energy of which it
consists. Matter is essential to expression or existence on this
earth plane and should not be negated. In the composition
of matter there are three elements: the electron, the atom,
and the molecule.
Meditation: A transformation of consciousness. When we
meditate we change our state of receptivity, like tuning to a
higher wave length. Meditation is attunement. Concentra-
tiori is the focus of consciousness. Contemplation is the in ter-
relation of thought. Concentration is the focusing of the
mind upon some precept or idea. Meditation is the passive
process of the mind. In meditation we employ concentration
to will ourselves to be sensitive only to impressions other than
those of the objective sense faculties. We suppress the ob-
jective senses and force a passive state.
Memory: That function of mind which receives, conserves,
and reproduces impressions. It begins with the first conscious
thought of our first incarnation and continues through all
incarnations to the present time. We call the perfect memory
Page 23
 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
the complete storehouse of facts and experiences. It is located
in the subconscious mind. In order to reach the storehouse of
memory, it is necessary to make the objective mind dormant
so the subconscious mind may rise in power.
Microcosm: The little world or miniature of the uni~erse
or Macrocosm. The words come from the Greek, Míkros,
meaning small; Makros, meaning great; andoKosmos, mean-
ing world. The vital movements of the Mlcrocos~ e:cactly
correspond to those of the Macrocosm and from thís IS de-
rived the expression, "As above, so below." Man, the Micro-
cosm, is a counterpart of the universe.
Mind: The mystic makes a distinction between brain and
mind. The brain is a physical organ for some. of the Iunc-
tioning of mind. Mind works through the bram to a gr~at
extent but not exclusively. Mind is divided into two domains
of fun~tioning, subconscious and objective. -r:he objective has
associated with it a subjective aspect, as m memory and
imagination. We may think of t~e whole of consciousness as
being like a graduated scale of vibratory ener~. At one ~nd
are those levels with which we are most familiar, the objec-
tive and subjective aspects. The subconscious is that le.vel
which lies behind our realization of self and of externalíty.
The objective mind is the consciousness of ext~rn~lity, ?f t~e
actuality existing beyond ourselves. T?e sub~ectwe .~md .IS
consciousness of vibrations having an immediate ongm d.lf-
ferent from those of our objective senses, such as reason, will,
imagination. The subconscious mind constit~tes those. func-
tions of mind of which we have no consciousness m the
same manner as we do objectively and subjectively.
Miracles: The result, not of supernatural, but of natural
law. They are miracles only to those who do not under-
Page 24
ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
stand what is meant by natural Iaw. A miracle is any
occ~rrence which appears to be contrary to nature and for
whích no natural cause is evident.
Mysticism: The intimate and direct awareness of God or
the Cosmic through seIf, that is, thraugh the domain of the
subconscious. The ideal of mysticism is the ultima te attain-
ment of conscious union with the absolute, or the Cosmic.
!v1ysticism:eaches Cosmic Iaws and principIes by which man
IS br?ught mto closer consciousness of his divine power. The
myst~caI experienc~ ofuníon with the One imposes upon the
mystíc a moral oblígatíon. He must utilize his knowledge for
the weIfare of other men.
Mystícísm is ~ot mystery. Mystery is commonly related
to magic, deceptíon, and delusion. The mysteries of Egypt
and the Orphic and Eleusinian SchooIs of Greece alIuded to
a secret gnosis or wisdom, not to be profaned by divuIging it
to the masses. -r:0.the ancients it was a sacred knowledge to
command the spírítual response of the individual.
Naming. or A'ppel!ation Rite: A Rosicrucian ceremony,
performed m ROslC~uclantemples, for the naming of children.
The age of the chíld must not exceed eighteen months, and
one ~r both parents must be members of the Order. Certain
promls.es ar~ exacted from the parents, such as pledging that
the c~Ild wíll be properly educated during his youth in non-
sectarían schooIs; that he wilI be given every opportunity to
enter the Order at the proper age without interIerence or
unnecessary urging.
Natural Law: That Iaw or set of Iaws decreed in The
Begir:ning by ~he Divin~ Mind as the working basis of alI
creanon and wíthout whích no manifestation can occur and
exist. It is universal in scope and manner of operation,
Page 2S
 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY

The positive aspect of Nous emanates a . .

simple and directo Natural law is always constructive even which impregnates matter and k . 1"s. a VItal life force
when it seems indisputably destructive. It is the express ion 1t is predominantly positive bu~h es it lvm.g and c?nscious.
or manifestation of Cosmic energy and order which man is negative polarit of N .' .. as a negatíve quality. The
able to discem. There is no such thing as supematural law. Spirit also has Ya osi~~s IS SPt~lt, meaning ~i~erally energy.
There is nothing more divine than nature, nothing super Nous is infinite, i~efin~: q::1"ltY:t lh;b pOSltlV<:q~ality of
beyond the natural. The greatest of miracles are not the definite, limited Nous is' íb l~l e.'
l
h
negatrve IS finite,
result of the application of some supematural law, but of nature, triune i~ manifesta;l. ra ory m e aracter, binary in
on.
a natural law.
Nerves and Nervous Systems: Nerves are long cords of the Obscure
inner co Night·
.. [ust b e fore one attaíns. a quickening of
tíssue distributed through the physical body by means of
which the parts of the body are supplied with nerve energy.
nsciousness a real ps h·
a period of great darkn~ss for the ~~ulc Th f Id
o m~nt, ~ere is
:nereth~e firs.t to call this the Obscure Night ~f ili~IS~~1 s~nes
The source of this energy is the vital life force. It is Cosmic mg IS penod the individual is stri d f ... ~r-
energy like electrical energy which is of a high rate of vibra- self-assurance, and pride i h ppe.o all hís vaníttes,
he may have. He standes lnnakw datbevferaCh~levement or talents
tion. The central location of the spinal nervous system is in . h. e e ore IS own i . .
the cerebrum, that of the sympathetic system in the cere- sdeemg IS.weaknesses and realizing himself as h m:er vldslOhn,
bellum. The points of intercommunication are the two small oes not like what he sees It is a ti e IS, an e
ment of one's s iritual . t IS a time of personal readjust-
glands in the head. Every part of man's body has both spinal of the whole bei~g It iSa~ mental sel~bes, a reorganization
and sympathetic nerves connected to it. The sympathetic purged of ou .k ~ great cruci le in which we are
system belongs to and functions almost exclusively in the D r wea nesses m preparation for th G Id
psychic body of mano The spinal system belongs to the awNn,the .grea.t initiation just ahead. The Gold e D o e?
t h e ew Bírth ínto the Greater Light. en awn IS
physical part of man and functions almost exclusively in it.
It is the sympathetic nervous system that sends to every part Ontodlogy: The true science of all being It beg· ith
of the body the curative, creative energy that cures, repairs, t h e stu y of man the Mic b . ms Wl
creation of God ;nd natur:o:ili' h~hse mban is the highest
and builds the body. ed in the true Ontology. w lC we ecome acquaínt-
Nodin Manuscript and Nodin's Laws: These concem
the nature and function of Nous, and may be found in the
Fourth Degree of the Rosicrucian teachings.
Nous: A universal cosmic creative force, a harmony of
Co;~~cc~~~hfb~i~d:
out one's whole beY~ a
found within o .g.
~rm
The harmony of man's accord with the
~ow of conte~tment through-
we ave truly gamed Peace Pro-
dual polarities of energy. It operates through a system of
harmonics by means of a Cosmic Keyboard of eighty octaves.
conditions with u: ;h~I~~p~~
:~ddb::ac~eJa~~ti~~~~.hanging
Page Z7
Page 26
 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY

. M's capacity to gain impressions, or to Planes: Rosicrucians recognize but two planes of existence.
PerceptlOn: an .' The ob- One is the worldly, material plane where we live in objective
cause impressions t? register °h :e c~:~~~o~~:~~. Psychic and subjective consciousness. The other is beyond the ma-
jective mind perililves throug d by the subconscious other terial, and is that plane where the soul of man functions free
Pthercepthionshrilie ::di~~c~;ilie objective senses. The sUh~ from limitations of the body. The latter is sometimes called
an t roug tion When psyc IC the Astral, Psychic, or Cosmic Plane; the former the Earthly
total of our experience colors our perceJ'. t' ms of objective or Mundane Planeo The Psychic Plane may be reached at
impre~sions reach ~s th%r:~~lint~JíeeJe cl~rv~yance, for in- any time provided the purpose is pure and noble. It is here
facultles. What lbs co hi Y íng Psychic impressions are we carry on our psychic work as our share in the uplift of
stance, is said to e psyc IC.seei th wa of understanding mankind.
so interpreted becad~s~d~ereth~~o i~toerftve Ydivisions like our
them. However, IVI mg Polarities, Positive and Negative: The negative phase
objective senses is artificial. th 1 of polarity is the complement of the positive. The negative
receives the positive elements and nurtures them to fruition.
Philosopher's Stone: The principal s~~;~~h:ch !h~~
chemists was for apure and penetratmg ma 1 hem' This The result will manifest the blending of the two phases. The
applied to the met~ls, plants, or veget.abl~;t:xi~stsn~tur~ to all negative is passive, static, receptive, and nurturing. The posí-
perfect essence, t!llS soul of ma~~r,.:mthis substance which tive is active, creative, dynamic. The coming together of the
that is brought into cont~c~ WI 1 ~alled the philosopher's
negative and positive under proper conditions allows for the
transmits its perfect qudahtltes wlacshemists the philosopher's perfect blending of the two when a third element, the prod-
T o the transcen en a l a '. d 1 d uct of the two, is created. Positive applies to an active func-
stone. b b t the spiritual gnOSISan exa te
stone was not a s.u stance u tes man to a higher plane of tion or pleroma, that is, fullness of some quality or condition.
wisdom whose vírtue transmu That which appears by contrast to be of a lesser quality or
consciousness and personal power. 11 1 d . the function is termed negative. Man's body is a result of the
. 1 d Pituitary Glands: Two sma g an s m . negative side of Cosmic manifestation, just as the soul is the
ce!:e~f fue head. P~ysiologically they :Ch'e t~ir~~h~;:! positive manifestation of the Cosmic. The Cosmic is the one
as
rfg~at~~o~t~~~~!hn~:l~h! b~~~: ~~~Yti:sues, .development
central source of divine power. It is dual in its manifestation.
The first three fingers of the right hand radiate a positive
o ~e~ and ~motional factors. They act essentIallr as gov-
form of energy, those on the left hand a negative formo
of Psychically they are transformers, steppmgb.do,:"n
ernors. , th hi 1 e for o ]ectlVe Positive vibrations require deep breathing, negative vibrations
vibr~tions dhif~ ~~~: f~; a s:ri~~y~f ~x!~~es these glands require exhaling the breath. A positive thought is one which
will induce mental or physical action toward the achievement
::J~f~a ~::~~~~~~~, ~:i~i~~~l~l:~d~~ !il:du~he o~~~lE~~~ of an end. The opposite is called negative.

Paze 29
Page 28
 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
Postulant: One who is a candidate of a philosophical, re-
ligious, mystical, or initiatic school, who ~leads for furth.er
knowledge or enlightenment and assumes m return certam
obligations. One who has advanc:d th.rough th~ ele~entary
or Neophyte Degrees of the Rosícrucian teachmgs IS pro-
claimed a Postulant.
Projection: The act of releasing at will, on. the psychic
plane the psychic self with its consciousness,. mmd, powers,
and hmctions, free from the limitations of time a?d space.
Projections are made for the purpose of. contactmg t!'lOse
whom we wish to aid, or by whom we wish to .be assísted
and inspired. They are endowed :vi~ a~l the traíts, char~c-
teristics, and mannerisms that dlstmg~lsh the pe~sonahty.
A projection wilI act in fuIl accord with the ethícal code
characteristic of its soul-personality. Projec~on is co~monly
done during sleep, but can be done at wdl.. ~ensmg ~nd
recognizing a projection is also a matter ~f trammg. ~rolec-
tion is the phenomenon of being conscious of one s own
being in an immaterial form located in space, near or far, ~nd
distinct from his physical entity. It often develops as a km~
of dual awareness of seIf. One is simultaneously a:vare of .hlS
physical being, and then sees an identical image of ít stand.mg
or seated at a distance. Psychic projection makes possible
the extension of man's powers of perception so that ~ey
annihilate time and space. This should not be confuse~ wíth
mental telepathy. It is not the projection or r.eception of
thought, but the projection of the whole pSy?hlC ~eIf.to a
distant place. The psychic seIf then has a direct íntímacy
with its surroundings.
Psychic: The true mystic does not draw a distinction be-
tween the material and divine insofar as essence and source
Page 30
ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
are coz:cerned. ~hat lies beyond the range of our physical
senses ISch~ractenzed as the divine and psychic. The psychic
re.alm consnturos octaves or Ievels of the same stream of con-
scrousnsss as those to whích our receptor senses respond but
which are of a higher frequency than those of the physical
senses.
Psychic Bo.dy: The term is reaIly a misnomer but it helps
t~ convey the lde~ .. The psychic body is an aggregate of the
hlgh;r, rz:ore se~sltlve IeveIs of consciousness that permeate
man s bemg. It IS that consciousness and intelligence which
accou~ts for the involuntary actions of the body. The psychic
body. IS a kind of ~onscious ~eld that corresponds to the
physlcaI.body. The sIlver cord IS the connecting link between
the phys.lcaI and psychic orga?isms so that the two may work
cooperatlvely. The sympathetlc nervous system is the medium
for th.e subconscious mind to carry out the commands in the
psychic body. The psychic body carries with it a behavior
pattern from the most primitive states of mankind and the
pattern of Cosmic order of which this energy of lif~ consists.
Thero are seven important psychic centers or gIands which
re~elv: and transform the psychic vibrations which we re-
cerve mto grosser ones, causing us to have a consciousness
of them. These are the thyroid, the pituitary, the pineaI, the
adrenaIs or suprarenaIs, the thymus, the parathyroids, and
the pancreas.
Psychic Expe.rience: A phenomenon related to the high-
er levels of conscrousness, beyond or behind those IeveIs that
respon~ :0 the physical world only. It may originate as a
transmlsslOn from other minds or from attunement with
C~smic forces and in:elli?ences outside the individual organic
bemg, or from a reahzatlOn of the Cosmic consciousness. To
Page 31
 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY

realize a psychic experience, the phenomenon has to be trans- into the Universal Mind the f .
personality. Life by life thro Phocess'edperfe~tmg the soul-
lated into terms of our sense faculties and associated ideas. sonality unfolds as b ug van expenences the per-
Psychology: From the Rosicrucian point of víew, psy- the Cosmic intelligen~: w7:w~e more and more conscious of
chology is the science which treats of the soul, its attributes
-mind and consciousness-and its purpose, place, and Iunc- realized. We are then o
h
is equivalent to the soul forceU~it~en oU soul-perso~alio/
ith th m us? t en perfection lS
tion, as well as its influence in our lives as regards habits, mico At such a time rcl,~rWth1. e clonsclOusnessof the Cos-
• . ' lS no onger necessary.
their formation, adoption, rejection, or transmutation; to-
gether with the action and interaction of the two phases of an~l~;:bo~ltd~:~~~dce:;rr:~dies are a cOI?bination of acts
mind and other forms of psychic and mental existence. experience The uc: a pSyCh1Cand emotional
Reasoning: Deductive or structural reasoning is the Iunc- ideas inte~ded tI c~~~enor an 1 intellectual presentation of
Ev ery
tion of the knowing mind; inductive or genetic reasoning is is a well-organized psycholo~~~t~f~t d . edmystdicalritual
of the cognition. Induction is progressing from results to produce particular s h' d . esign an tested to
cause. Its weakness is in the process. Deduction consists of the part of the inifvldu~l. aRi emotional exp:riences upon
logical steps forward from the primary idea to its ultimate of action to discipline a d . tuals ilie pr:scnbe~ patterns
conclusion. Its weakness is in the premise. The objective experiences to which imp~rta~~~rh~ssbe!nm:~~c:d~ certain
reasons by all processes, the subconscious mínd tends to rea-
son deductively. tw~~i[m~~~~SItA~~t~li~~! ~heart~ci.alsymbol consisting of
Reincarnation: The Rosicrucian doctrine of reincarnation arms outstretched facin the u hi )slcal body of man with
n
is that the soul-personality is reborn in human Iorm again ~orizontal arm joins th! verti~~ s'tafI ~~hceenter, ",:here the
after a particular period on the Cosmic planeo At transition imposed th 1 cross, lS super-
this soul-personality moves into the Cosmic plane along with partially unfoí~!d' ro:e r:Ü~d:;~o ~! !~~t-personality. The
the Universal Soul Essence. There it remains until the right as it receives the Greater Líght, vmg consciousness
time for another incarnation of the Soul in another physical
body. The personality remains conscious of itself on the Lhdge ~t i the place or condition Iocat-
Cosmic plane and can carry on the psychic manifestations
ed ~~:!~:ili~nSh~r
reserved exclusively f~: h
c:~ai~ ~~~~ar¿fIt is kJPt holy a~d
of itself more easily than on the earth planeo Each person-
or convocations and must not be d f sacre ceremornes
ality may incarnate many times, the limit being unknown.
Reincarnation should not be confused with transmigration. TreCspalssinbg
in the. Sanctum is forbidd~: too~llo~~r¿euMrpostes.
The personality never retrogrades or enters the bodies of or o om e and lS a "ser' d' as er
a lesson from the CosmiclO~San th gnevous error bringing
lower animals. The mystical doctrine underIying the neces- passer." pon e Lodge and the tres-
sity of reincarnation is the absorption of the soul-personality

Page 33
Page 32
 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY

Sanctum, Home: A sanctuary within the home, a temple SouI: The Divine essence o C .. 11·
dedicated to the highest ideals and concepts of which one is permeates man Th . b r osmio mte rgence which
capable. It is a refuge, a place to which you may retire from soul of God th· L· ~re lS . ut one Soul in the universe the
the usual conditions with which you are confronted, free each living'b·e 1v mgV, ital Consciousness of God. Within
emg t here is an uns d
from encumbrances and distractions. It is as well a little universal Soul. Thís is the soul f eparate segment of that
eminence upon which you can stand to look up to the Cos- a part of the universal Soul Th o maz:¡o1t ne.v:r ceases to be
mico A sanctum is a place you have consecrated to your
better self, to your God, to your ideals. Entering it constitutes
ness which accompanies th~ it
of God in man Ma
if1 t
VI a
Ul the d1~me conscious-
1e orce. It is an extension
. n can respond to it b t h
a rite of transition from the world of your usual thought to or possess it Every h . b ,u e cannot control
one of devotion, where you may receive and learn. force to every other m~~i~ lS ound by this universal soul
Shekinah: In the center of the Lodge, where lines from SouI-personality: The pers aIi . .
the four points of the horizon would meet, is the heart of the
soul of the Temple. This is the fifth point, occupied by the
expression of the soul wíthí
1
manifestation of one's res m
ili 1
1:;' SSelf, and Self lS an
e o y of mano It is the
Sacred Triangle, the Shekinah. The Shekinah is the sym- of the universal soul WithP~hi~to the yn.separated segment
bolical place representing "the Presence of God in our sonality is the image and th man 1.S1mbued. The per-
Midst." It is "the point within the inner circle," the outer as an image is but a refIec/ soul ~e object, The personality
circle being the Temple, the inner circle the Lodge. Thus, imal?e because it needs to l~;H~ct\~eWu~ It ishnth0ta perfect
it is the triangle within two circles. The Shekinah represents passmg elements of the h . oug e encom-
the presence of the concentrated power of the Holy Assembly sciousness. uman organrsm and objective con-
of the Cosmic in the center of the Temple.
Space: Like time, space depend h latí
Sign of the Cross: This represents the Obligation and consciousness to other thin s. S supon t e re atíon of our
Oath taken by all initiates at the time of the First Degree tween the obiects hi h g pace appears as an area be-
Initiation, and at other times in ceremonies and convocations. conveys the ~otion':f 1hav~:gpedefiv~ and o~lrSelves;it falsely
Instructions for making the sign may be found in the Neo- ly man has associated the d a J nrtÍ r:alrty .. Unconscious-
phyte Cuide and the Rosicrucian Manual. of space. Because rnan mea~ra o~ o time with the extent
Solar Plexus: It is located in the center of the abdomen d~I~!~o~v~rsd~~~Pt~~~chare ;d~p~:aW:~ h~~~ea b~c~~a~f
and is part of the sympathetic nervous system. It is not one
of the seven important psychic centers, but is important in Spirit: A universal ess ( )
its physical and psychic functioning. It requires many years and manifesting in many e~ce enerr pervad.ing all matter
of careful development of this plexus to make it of real value
in true mystical work. :~~~.
1~~~r~~!v~h~ ~~~~~:l p~~~3ty~ec
~;k~U~S~~bbu~ntt
'?fdl~hki~~~;
, lS 1 ewise

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Page 35

ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
dual and has a positive aspecto When the vital life force
combines with the manifestations of spirit, we have life.
Spirit is a vibratory energy, the number of vibrations deter-
míníng the nature of a thíng.
Suggestion: A subtle command, a request, a wish~ an
order, or a law of one's objective mind to the subCOnSCl?Us.
Mental suggestion means that through the power of will a
certain desire is directed or concentrated upon a given point.
When the objective consciousness is at rest, the subconscious
is susceptible to suggestion. Autosuggestion is suggestion to
oneself.
Symbol: A device or object used .to r.epreser;t an idea. It
is the embodiment of a thought which ít concisely suggests.
Natural symbols are those things in nature which by experi-
ence have come to represent a phenomenon. Artificial sym-
bols are those which men devise to depict some idea.
Time: The duration of consciousness, or the period that
consciousness requires to be aware of the material things of
IHe. Time is not a material element of the universe; it does
not have an external reality. The objective consciousness and
the inner or subconsciousness of man have a different sense
of "duration." Time and space are illusions of the objective
mind-but not illusions to be denied, for they are essential.
Transition: Since there is no death in natural or spiritual
law, the term is erroneous and contradictory. The great
change that takes place is a transition and transposition of
the component parts which constitute the living human be-
ing. This transition consists of separation of the dual parts
of man, soul and body.
Transmutation: Both an alchemical and a mystical termo
It may be mental, physical, and spiritual. It means the
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ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
chan~ing of the vibratory nature of a material element or
the vlbr~tory :xpr:ssion of a spiritual manifestation so iliat
the mamfe~tatlOn IS different after the change. The hi hest
demonstration of tran~mutation is the changing of the ~aser
elem~nts of our physícal natures into the highest ideal ex-
PdressllOnsand of our desires and thoughts into living spiritual
1 ea S.
. Triangle: A symbol of the numeral 3, and of perfection
m the use of natur.a~ laws or in any undertaking. There are
h
two pases or qualitíes of things. From their blending comes
a thhlrdf0hr new condition or sta te, having the attributes of
b ot o t e separate ones.
~rut~: Whatever is real to us is truth. Whatever lacks
reahtY.ls not accepted as truth. Nothing is true merel be-
cause.lt has the sanction of tradition. The intimacy ~f an
expenence must include one of two factors: First, the full
exftent of our.powers of perception; second, the full capacity
o our reasonmg.
f ribratio~: A.periodic impulsation or wavelike oscillation
o orces. ylbratlOns occur in solids, liquids, air, and in elec-
tílba~netl~ p~enomena. According to Rosicrucian ontology
a emg.ls víbratory. There are two forms of vibrations~
those ~hlCh emanate from the universal force or energy of
the umv:rs:, and those which are set in motion by mental
?r psychíc Impulses. Everything which exists in this world
IS sehnsed by uso or known to us through víbratíons which
reac our consciousness.
Vibroturgy: .~he phenomenon of detecting the ph sical
?nd hm~ntal qua!ltles of a person from inanimate objectsYonce
~f~ heU possession. Objects ~cquire the magnetic influence
e uman aura of those m whose possession they have
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
been. These vibrations affect our sympathetic nervous sys-
temo We become conscious of certain psychic impressions
of the personalities whose auras were in contact with the
material substance.
Visualization: Consists, mystically, of painting on the
screen of consciousness an image, simple or complex. A per-
son paints on the screen of his mind representations of that
which he desires. In his mind's eye he gradually sees a pie-
tu re of his desire. When he sees the picture as complete as
he can visualize it, he dismisses it entirely from his mind.
This transfers the image from the objective to the subcon-
scious and thence outward into the Cosmic. The individual,
by the positive thought transmitted to the Cosmic will be
drawn to those conditions and circumstances by which he
will bring the visualization into reality in objective ways.
The image on the screen must become so realistic as to be
actualized.
Vital Life Force: The form of energy which vitalizes the
human body at the moment of birth and which leaves at
the moment of transition. It is not spirit energy which exists
in all matter, and which does remain in the human body
after transition. The positive polarity of Nous manifests as
vital life force. It is this which animates matter, brings into
existence the living energy. An attribute of the vital life
force is consciousness. It is infinite and unlimited and be-
comes soul when in mano
Vowel Sounds: The oldest form of ceremonial formula
known to man employed sounds and syllables to bring about
attunement. Spoken properly, these syllables produce un-
usual results. They start certain rates of vibrations in the
room which harmonize with other vibrations of the universe
Page 38
ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY
and affect a certain condition connected with the aura. Vowel
soun.ds produce vibrations that pass through one's own being
to stimulate the psychic centers and to produce the beneficial
effects explained in our teachings.
. Work: Th~ work of the Order consists of studying, test-
mg, and teachmg such laws of God and Nature as will make
our members Masters in the Holy Temple (the physical
bo~y), and :V0rkers in the Divine Laboratory (nature's do-
maíns). ThIS enables us to render more efficient help to
th~se who do no: ~~ow, and who need or require help and
~ss~stance .. Each mítiate has an obligation to serve, making
tt rmperatívs to study and practice the laws taught in our
Order, and to apply them at every opportune time.
W~rship: A process by which the soul of man becomes
c~nsclOusl~ a~are of its oneness with that of God. It gives
him a ~eahzatlOn of his part in the great scheme of all that is.
Wor~hIp, .never a~ en~ in itself, should be the evidence of
man s ~eSIre to bn?g hímself to a higher plane of realization
of th.e. Ideal worshípped, Worship is essentially a process or
C?ndItlOn WhICh e~ists wi~in mano While certain physical
aids a.re valuable m creatíng a favorable environment real
worshIP. must be carried on wíthín the sanctum of :nan's
own beíng,
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 ROSICRUCIAN GLOSSARY

Index of Terms Defined Under Another Word DE T'S TABLET

The following is not a complete index of terms in the Glos- as you wouId be done by.
sary, but of terms which are defined under some other word. ?:<l~"-•• more than a DlOI'8I muIm
For example: Nucleus is defined under Cell. The first column a rule al eJIiclencytbat ap-
contains the word for which you are looking, the second ea to social and business COl'-
column is where you will find it. ~ence. A letter, or a book,
Cosmic Mind .Divine Mind a report tbat is concfse and
Deduction. Reasoning t relates every word to the
Devolution Evolution
ect at hand is always welcome
Divinities Elements
East, West, North, South .Lodge thoroughly read.
Exoteric Esoteric speclal tablet wiIl save
Golden Dawn Obscure Night time in wrfting and wiIl as- Eaeh tahIet ••••••• of
Holy Assembly Brotherhood, Great White
you prompt repUes to your 4IIT I%," z U'" ~
Imagination Imaging lII'oDC hoad.
Induction Reasoning ons. The caver of the tablet
Macrocosm Microcosm useful blotter and upon it are Price $1.40 each
Mystery Mysticism ted all 01 the essential instruc- or
Negative Polarity Polarities, Positive and Negative , as: TO WHOM, WHERE,
Nucleus Cell Lots of 3 Tablets
WHEN TO WRITE. At tbe
~!j:~~~~t~i~~::::::: ..:::::::::::: :..: :::: :: i:!~~~iduality; Soul-personality of each sheet is presented in- OnIy $3.50
Princi pals Elements tion lor tbe proper direction •
Reality Actuality your letters. AIeo, Iarp lnui_ 8ÚIe
Ritual Drama Allegory white envelopa read,.
Silver COrd Psychic Body
Use tbese whenever wrfting to for a.ee, prinled with
Grand Lodge. You wiIl be lUIIDe .nd .ddreae of
Spinal Nervous System Nerves AHORC.
Subconscious Mind Mind with its advantages. Send Paebp of 100
Subjective Mind Mind and remittance to: $1.75
Sympathetic Nervous System Nerves
Universal Mind .Divine Mind
SICRUCIAN SUPPLY BUREAU
JOSE • CALIFORNIA 95114 • U. S. A.
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