T H E FELLOWSHIP

01

THE

ROSY CROSS

ISSUED BY FRATEK SXCRAMENTUhl REGIS

MOST IIONOURED IMPERATOR
IN

ORDINE

ROSErE

CRUCIS,

FOR T I I E DIRECTION O F CELEBRANTS ANT)

TIIE USE O F FRATKES ET SORORES UNDER

T H E OBEDIEKCE O F AUTIIORISED TEMPLES

AIL Rights strictly Rescmrd

including Tramlafiolz, Reprintitzg, Cilaf ion

and Drarlrafic Rights

THE THIRD ORDER OF THE

ROSY CROSS
WORLD O F CREATION

PART

111.

THE CEREMONY OF ADMISSION

TO T H E

GRADE 'OF ADEPTUS MAJOR,

6=5
BEING THE MOST HOLY GRADE OF GEBUKAH

I D EST
MYSTERIUM SHEKINAH

PRIVATELY PRINTED
MCMXVI.

THE PONTIFICAL OFFICEICS O F T H E

GRADIS.

THE USI-IEKO F

GICADE,id st, th? Keeper Of t/te

ir/,;mhoZd, id est, Frater P&u~g~'inus
VaCZis, 6 = 5. He
TIIE

has tLejkst cum of the Postulant.

T I AUXILIAI<YFRATEII
ADEPTUS, 5 = 6 , being thc
Postulmzt on thc Thscshoid of 7ud'mvzt, is,i?z a certailt
se~tse,an Ofice)* of the Grade, iiz u rank correspomii?zg
to that of h
i Celebrur~t i?t the Grade of
TIPHEX E T f I .
A s the clothi~tgof the Celebratzt-ill-Chief and the Seco?zd
Cekbrant corresponds to their Grade of Adcptsh9 i n the
World of Creatiolz, it remaim the . same as in
TIPHERE TH. The Post~dnnt wears*'the ziestuzents
o f the A u x i h r y F r a t ~ rAdeptus. The Most Holy
Priestess wtavs tltg white habit of thc T h i ~ dOrder and
the Girde and Veil of BINAH. The Usher of thc
Grade and the u~zoficialMembers are clothed i t z the
white habit, with the Girdlr of GBB URA H and ttie
Rose- Cross bcioltg ing- to that S E PHIR A. The Usher
carries a Wa?zd,surtlrounted by a Dove of Peace, similar
to that of an Ostiart'us iu the Worldr b e h

TIPHERETH.

'

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE

ROSY CROSS.
GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5 .

T H E SOLEMN OFFICE O F OPENING T H E

HOUSE AND SANCTUARY O F ADEPTS
I N T H E GRADE O F GEBURAH.
The arral1ge1ne7zt of Holm a d Sanctuary foZZows the
utzwritten precede~zts. Thc Door of the Sa?zctuary is
opela to its fullest extent, a d the Sanctua~yits# is
draped accordzkg to the scale of cuhurs co~)lplewu?ttary
to
those of T I P H E RE TH : that is to say, i?z the Scah
of the Great Mother. The fu~terad Zittry and catafnlque
filG the centre, havilzg red draperies and haugings. The
Candles of the Dead are placed about the litter. There is
a veil draw~zbefore the symbol of the settilzg sutz o?z tjre
outer side of the Door, a d this vciZ is red. The Cross
of Obligation in TIPHERE TH is erectd at t h
Westerw epzd of the TenrpZe, facing the Door of the
Samtuary, and is covered by a red curtaia. Thc Altar
of the Grade is /+ad itt the ilrriddle way of the leviyde,
a~zdis drajed iu YE^. It is in thefonzz of a double ccube.
Thc Sacred Pictorial SyntboZs of K A PH alzd MEM
arc tur~tedWestward ott the Altar a d lie on eithcr si&

THE C E R E M O N Y O F ADMISSION T O

passes lichi~tctthe Saizctr~nryi?~tothat pZncc

o f comcaG

The Second CeZebrant, the HonournbZe Frater P ~ r c g r i ~ ~ u s

Valdis and the uno$ciaZ Mcmbeys bei7zg ckssel7~b/cda d
clothed i 7 ~the Vestibule, thcy pass i ~ pror~ssio~t
c
to the
Tenzph and take their phccs i7c siZc~zce. T/MUsher of
the Grade is seated by the Door a d has charge of t/u
Pot of I7zccnse. The Seco7rd CeCebm~~t
proceeds to tht
wester?^ e ~ t do f the Cutafalque and t h r c /aces Westwnl-d. He opeus the Sacred Cerc~nonywith a Battery
of one knock- arzd puocceds as foLlows :-

Adeptus Major.-Fratres et Sorores, having come so far

in our journey from t h c circumference to thc Centre, let us
abide here for a period, since the day is far spent.

THE GRADE O F A D E P T U S MAJOR, 6 = 5

Adeptus Majov.-Faithful
Companions of our common
exile, I pray you, rcmcnzber the Centre.
There is here the pause of a mommt.
Acl'e~tusMujoov.-It is known that this is also the height,
whereunto many voices sunlmon us.
There is here the pause of a n~onteut.
Adtptus Major.-It
is well that those who are called
should g o before their election ; it is well that those who
come after should firld the path more smooth, since others
have gone up first.
There is hcvc t/tepausc of a ~~tomezt.
Adeptus Major.--I testify thcrcfore that, seeking the
Height or the Centre, we d o not stand alone.
There is hcre the pause of a m o ~ ~ t e ~ t t .
Adeptus Mqb?~.--R memorial is always with us, behind
the Door of this Sanctuary. We have found herein a
House of Rest upon the way ; and the solemn task devolves
upon us to open its secret place unto other travellers whose
knocking is heard without.
There is heye the pause of a moment.
A d ~ p t u sMajor.--Fratres
place is this !

e t Sorores, what manner of

There is here the pause of a ~uoment.

Adcptus Mnjor.-It is the House of Love, of the Soul
going t o its Bridal ; but it is also a House of Judgment.
There is here the pause of a vroment.

10

T H E CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O

Adeptus Majot-.-The Sign of the House is that of the

Mystical Rose, which is thc Sign of Mercy and Judgment
on the right and left of the Tree, the Sign of Union with
Christ in the Central Pillar of Benignity, the Sign of
Messias in the work of rcdceming souls and the Symbol of
the Great Mother.

Adeptus Mqbr.-Let
us lcnecl thcrcfore, 0 Fratres et
Sorores, for here is thc Holy Place.

THE PRAYER AT OPENING.

Adeptus Ma3r.-We,
who are the Stewards of the
Mysteries i n this little Kingdom of Thy Love, do beseech
Thee, in the Bond of our Union, that the saving grace of

Thy guidance may be with us now and to the end. By

the great names of Thy Love, even by TAUOONAH and
MATRONA, Holy Sister, Holy Spouse, Virgin and Mother
in Transcendence, encompass us on every side. Thou hast
suffered with the elect in all ages. Thou dost lead us on
the path of our return. We have seen the beauty of Thy
face, 0 Angel of Liberation. Thou hast drawn us into
Sacred Halls in the realm of Mystical Death, 0
Indwelling Glory. Thou hast visited us in the IGngdoms
which are below. Thou dost remember us in the Palace
which is above. Keep us under the shadow of Thy wings.
Give unto us the nourisllnient of the clect-red
wine of
Thy rapture in GEBURAH, white milk of Thy mercy in
CHESED. Bring us-in the Temple of Holy Espousals

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

11

-into
the joy of T h y nuptial union, 0 Sacrifice of the
I-Ioly One, 0 endless Love of the Ilighcst. W e have
dwelt, our Lady and Mother, under many dispensations,
in worlds of derived light, of sorrow which does not lead
and joy which divcrts from the way. But the call came
by which we were brought to Thy Knowledge, enkindled
with the fire from Thee : and seeing that it has been given
us in fine to lead otlm-s on the road which Thou hast
opencd before us, we ask Thee in Thy great justice for the
light to guide thcm well. It is written that Thy House is
a House of Prayer. MATRONA, S H E K I N A H , first of
all that is, Mcra Benignitas, Beneplacitum tertnino carens :
give unto them as to us that they shall see T h y glory in
the death which is life from Thee. . There is hcr-e amther pause.
The Celebrant tit Chief
opem the Sccrct Door a d issuesfrom behind the Samt u y , bearixg alL his iusignia. The Door cZoses behimi
him. fIc raises both arws, hodding his Walzd of O l c e
in the right harzd.
Adeptus Exeutpt?~s.-Salvete, Fratres e t Sorores : health
and resurrection in the Lord, union declared in triplicity,
the body of redemption for those who are redeemed in the
spirit, and the wealth of the Knowledge of GOD.

H e lowers his artlzs a n d Wand. He is sta?tding behiltd

the Zigh led c a d h , faci7zg Westward. The S e c o d
Cebbrant is still ktzedilzg at the Western end of the
~atafal&&,bokizg toward the CeZebra~ztin Chief:
Adejtus Major.-And
hail unto thee, 0 Prince of
CHESED, Merciful and Exempt Adept, who comest in
the name of our salvation, bearing the Signs thereof, and
clothed with holy sacraments.

12

THE CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O

Adeptus Erenq?tus. -1'eacc

be with you, 0 Mighty
Adeptus Major, Lord of the Halls of Judgment. And
from the House of Rcsurrcction to you, 0 Fratres ct peace
Sorores, dwelling i n the Gradc of GEBUIIAZ-I, a t the
heart of thc Mystical Rose.
Adeptus Major.-By the Mystery of the Secret Mountain,
in a middle place of the earth ; by its inwardness of all
the hiddenness ; by the S u n which shines therein ; by the
setting of that S u n in splendour : by the great and holy
darkness ; by the figurative death therein, which is the
passage to life for ever ; by the conformity and fellowship
with Christ, in Whom is the hope of our resurrection :'
bring us into the light of CHESED.
Adeptus Exemptz~s.-I am he who bears witness to the
light and the riscn life in Christ. For this I have entered
GEBURAH, the House of the Holy Rose. For this I
descend into T I P H E I I E T H , as a beautiful House of Life.
For this I open the Portal which leads to the
S E P H I R O T H below ; and I call the children of men to
the royal heritage and sonship of those who are born in

GOD.
The CeZebrant i n Chief passes with the S w to the Western
em? of the Catafalque. The Secotzd Celebrant rises.
The Usher o f thc Grade szjpzfies to the Fratres et
staltdin.. The Celchants
Sopores, who Y ~ S Ea d ~-cmai?z
Leave the Sa~zrtziarytogcther and take up their places at
o r ?tear the t/tre.shold. Whetz this has been doue :-

Ad@tus E X E I ~ ~ ~ ~ N-Fratres
S.ct Sorores, Adepti
Majores, I invite you to join your intention with mine in
the solemn act of opening this Holy House of the Spirit
in the Grade of GEBURAH, wherein is the Mystery of
Death.

THE GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

13

Adtjtus Major.-The
Sacred Name is TAUOONAH,
on the left hand side of the Tree, and it signifies an influx
iron1 BINAH, the Desire of the Eternal Days. W e invokc
under this title the Great Mother in GOD, Who is love
and benignity in thc Great Father of all.
Adcptrds Exeulptus.--But on the right hand side of thc
Trce, which is t l k male sidc, the Sacred Name is YAH,
and this signifies an influx from CHOICMAH, which is i n
union with BINAH for ever, both cleaving unto
KETI-IER, where JENOVAEI is united to ELOHIhI, tllc
purpose and love of GOD which flow over the whole
creation. In virtue of this union we return whence we
came.
Adejtus Major.-I
testify therefore that YAH is the
name of Mcrcy, and thence is derived the Mystical
Number of this Grade, which is 1 5 ; but the synthesis of
thc same is 6, being the time of life in TIPI-IERETH,
while the analogy is 33, being that of Divine life.
Adejtus Exenptus.-The
mystery of redemption is
comprehended by these numbers, and the over-ruling of
evil things, for the number 15 is that also of the evil
governors.
Adejtus Major.-They
are numbers of Mercy and
Judgment, the n~eetingof which opens a Path to the
Crown, and this path is called Magnanimity.
A d q t u s Exeszptus.-If
the Pillar of Mercy were
separated from that of Judgment the Vault of thc Templc
would fall.
Adcjtus Major.-I have entered the Halls of Judgment ;
1 have found a place of peace ; I have heard the Voice of
the Stillness.

14

THE CEREMONY O F ADMISSION TO

A dcptz~s Exct~zptz~s.-I have t ravcrsed the Path of

TETII ; I have dwelt in thc I'alacc of Mcrcy ; I have
heard the Risen Voice.
Adcptzrs Jl'n@r.-GEUURAH is a Rite of Nuptials, the
marriage night of the soul, thc Secret of Death therein, and
Resurrection in the Rose.
Adcptzrs E ~ ~ ? ) z p t z ~ ~ .is
- I ta n union in still consciousness,
and the epoch is thrce days.
Adeptus M'njar.-Give unto us, 0 Master of All, the
espoused life thereafter, and the risen glory therein.
Adeptus E;cen~tus.-In the spirit hereof, I call upon
you to declare that this Holy Housc is open for the work
which we are deputed to perform, by the power to us
commissioned.
Adeptus Majo~.-O House of many graces: I open the
House of the Spirit in the Gradc of GEUUICAH, where
death is by the mouth of the Lord and not by the
*a a
serpcnt- am.

1 I-

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, G = 5

15

THE FIRST POINT,

BEING T H E RITUAL O F OBLIGATION.
The Cclcbra?zts repair to their phces. The Ushey of t h
Grnde closes the D o o r of the Samtuary alzd sees that the
curtain is drawn to corneal t/u symboG fit clzief a d
inscr$tions. The Celebrants a n d ICfe~/zbersare seated.
A short pause foZows.

--

Adcptus Exevlptus.-It
is written - i n faithful words that
those who are guides of the perplexed are true leaders of
men. A t the beginning of this high celebration I testify
that we are wardens of death and that in virtue of such
office we are deputed to bring many out of great tribulation
into cool and sacred chambers.
Adeptus Major.-So high a duty now devolves upon us.
Therefore, in your perfect compassion, I beseech you to
have mercy on the soul of our faithful associate, the
Auxiliary Frater Adeptus, Frater Adveniat Kegnum (vel
nomen aliud), on whom the necessity of this time exhorts
us to confer the benefit of holy sepulture.
Adcptus Exemptus.-Do
you certify, Mighty Adeptus
Major, that now is the accepted time ?
Ad~ptusMajor.--It
is known that the spirit is willing
and that those who oppose are weak.
Adeftus Exet@tus.-Fratres
et Sorores, I call upon you
therefore to assist me with loving hearts, here seeking the
higher direction.

THE C E R E M O N Y O F ADMISSION T O
Adeptus Nnjor.-I

t is ~vcll,Brother.

Amen.

A d q t u s Exe~t@trls.-I-Ion~urableFrater PercgrinusVallis,
you have my command to ascertain the dispositions of the
Postulant, t o see that hc is prepared properly and to prescnt
llim in due form.
The Usher of the Gmde riscs with c r o s s ~ danns.
Fratev P e v ~ g r i ~ z uYallis.-Merciful
s
obey your behests.

E x e m p t Adept, I

He Leaves the Tcnrple a d goes to prepare the Postdant,

who is alom i ~ ot m of the vestibules, isolatedfrom all
znferr@tzorr. He is K~zeeCingon a Pric-Dien i ~ sr@cient
z
Light to read the scvolZ which has bcett placed in his
hands. I t co~~tatizs
versicles OIL mysticaL death a n d the
urtion of the Lover a n d Beloved. H e is g r e e t ~ dby t/u
Usher of the Gradc, sayilzg ;F r a t ~Pel.egri7ws
~
VaZlis.-Salve,
Frater. Sub umbra
alarum tuarum, Y E H E S H U A , Domine noster, protege et
custodi nos.

pray that the shadow of

Frater P ~ r q - r i r t z c s VaZZis.--I
death be turned for thee into morning, and that the light
within be greater than light without. But without and
within I wish thee all white brightness, when-after Calvary
and sepulture-there
comcth thine Easter-tidc. Behold,
the purificd soul gocth tl~roughthe gates of death, as a
virgin goeth to her bridal ; and having great hope i n t h y
death, I clothe thee not for the grave, but for the day of
'thy marriage, with vcstures of gold, cven with a golden
girdle, and I give unto thee a wand of powcr.

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

17

His pvejaratiun being fin isl~cd,t h ~Post~clantis Zcd, by tile

Usher of the Grade, fi~om the Vestibule to the Duor of
the Tmuple. Meatzwhih the Watchwords of the time
have been e;r-c/la~zged
as foZZuws therein.
Aa'eptz~s Exemptus.-Fratres
et Sorores, we are in fine
called back to the House of the Father. Let us fear not
therefore those waters which intervene, though they are
cold to the simple senses.
A d ~ p t u sMajor.-If
it were not for cool, rcstfd and
wholesome death, we should never have part in the
resurrection.
Adeptus Exe~~@tz~s.-Itis the call of every man
ultimately to stand alone-that is to say, independently of
the rest of his kind.
Adeptus Major.-But when a man is alone so far as the
world is concerned, he is the nearer t o the Presence of

GOD.
AdLtptus Extwtptus.-Herein
is the Divine Help which
remains always with us ; and the soul in the realisation of
that Presence enters Eternal Life.
Adeptus Major.-Fratres et Sorores, we also have slept
in the deep enchantment of the senses. We have paid the
price of our exile.
be those whose sleep is
Au'eptzds 2-xenzptru.-Blessed
taken away, who awaken and behold His glory.

Thereafter is silence, tilL the Usher of the Grade sounds

-wilhuut.
his Batte~y-The answer withirt I/@
Tenz$le is the sofelm stri.hi?z~of a gong six times. T h
Usher of the Grude cnQn slow& with tire Postufunt,
a n d the Door is iyC~di?mrcdiatc&. The etttraue is so
ordered that t h followi~zg
~
coLhpuy is heard by t/re
Postulant.

THE: CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O

Adtpttcs Exe?~zptns.-Mighty Adeptus Major, what is
that ?
A@tm Mdjor.-Merciful
of sunset.

Adcptzcs Exe?azftzrs.-I
Ritc.

Exempt Adcpt, it is the hour

say that it is the hour of the

A d q t ~ sMnjov.--The night cometh and the darkness.

The day is worn to evening. The season of stars is a t
hand.
AcZEptus Exe7frptus.-Till
He giveth His beloved sleep,
it is meet and just that we should zealously redeem the
timc.

A d e p t ~E;t'~~t2ptzcs.-Welcon1e,
~
Brother, in the names of
those who are with us, a Great Company, keeping the place
of our Mystery.

The Usher of t h Grade aatd the PostuZa?ztface East.

Adeptus Exenzptus. - Honourable Frater
Vallis, who is he that has followed you ?

Peregrinus

F ~ a t e rPeregri~zus VaZZis.-Ne
is the Auxiliary Frater
Adeptus, Frater Adveniat Regnum (veZ lrortren alzkd), who
-bcing well known anlong us-has come in the fulness of
timc seeking the benefit of sanctuary.
Adcptus E x c u ~ t u ~ . - W h ; i t is the age of our Beloved
Brother ?

FraW P e r ~ g r i n z ~VaLLis.-I
s

t is thirty-three years.

THE GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5 19

Adeplus Ex~~tz/;tus.-Do you testify, Frater Peregrinus
Vallis, that he has fulfilled the covenants of T I P H E R E T H
and has been heard in the Holy Assemblies, bearing witness
o n his own part to the great day of the Lord and the
glory of His corning.
Fvntev Peregrirrus Val&.-He
has led the Hidden Life
in the House.of the Holy Spirit, and on the threshold of
its Mystical Sanctuary. H e has fulfilled his time of
ministry as Auxiliary Frater Adeptus in the Rite of the
Grade of TIPI-IERETH, and 11c has borne faithful witness
concerning the Life of life and the Advent of Mcssias
the King.
Adeptzds Exeutptus.-Auxiliary
your own testimony ?

Frater Adeptus, what is

The Usher of t/ie Grade falls a little behiad the Postulant

and dir~ctshim iu an undertone.
Auxiliary F r a t w Adeptus.-I
look within this Temple
for the coming of the Peacemaker.

He has lzj%d

his W a d solevrnly a n d now lowers it.

Adeptus Exeuzptzts.-Give

me the Signs of the Temple.

The Auxiliary Frater Adeptus, still in.structed by th

Usher of the Grade, gives the Opening and Clasing
Sig~zsof the 5 = 6 Grade a~rd
says :-

Auxiliary Frater Adept~~.-The Kingdom of God is

within.
Adeptus ~ x m z p t i r s . - ~ o you firmly and fully believe
that beyond your present Grade and the experience
obtained therein ate further Sacramental Mysteries
delineating deeper states, and that the closed Veil is not
an unknown darkness?

20

T H E CEREMONY O F ADMISSION TO

A uxiliary Frater Adeptus (as i m t ~ u c t e dby the Usher of

t h Grade).--It is written that in a day to come the Lord
will takc away the veils.
Adcjtzcs Alrrjou.-Merciful
Exempt Adept, I proclaim
that Frater Advcniat Rcgnum (vd 7rourcn alild) has heard
the voice of our Loving Father, and that he looks in due
time to pass through dcath to life.
Adeptus E;t-enrptils.-Spirit
of the Most High GOD.

of the Lord, attest it : Spirit

Adeptus Ailn,;or.-Soul
of the Man, receive i t ; Soul
of the Man, attain : all ye who have becn faithful unto
death.
Adeptzds E;t'em~/tz~s.-Auxiliary Fratcr Adeptus, as the
gifts a n d graces of the Spirit, a t each stage of their
descent, involve higher obligations, I ask now whcther you
will assume these with a real sense of their importance,
and with a firm purpose to sustain them even t o the end.

Exempt Adept, I
have becn taught that the Sons of the True Legitimacy
d o ever remember the yoke of their high calling.

AzmZ'ary Fratcv Aa'@tus.-Merciful

Adeptus Exemptus.-So
stand therefore, m y Brother,
with your arms extended in the Sacred Cruciform Sign,
and say in your heart of hearts that which you utter with
your lips-

THE SACIZAMENT O F A HOLY PLEDGE.

T H E G R A D E O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

21

I, Frater Adveniat R e g n u m (gel ?ZOIIJE?J alil~d),Auxiliary

Frater Adeptus in the Glorious Grade of T I P I - I E R E T H ,
and 13rother of the Rosy Cross, do here, in this Spiritual
I-Iouse of the Third Order, most solemnly confess and
realise that t h e Mysteries of the Greater Initiation are
protected by invincible seals from all knowledge of the
profane, and sthat, albeit the outward signs may be
manifested in the exterior world, the essential secrets are
never openly formulated. I testify also that their communication is in the silence of the soul, even from the
light which is beyond to the innermost depths of the
understanding. In the faith hereof my arms are thus
extended in the Eternal Sign of the Cross. I t is for this
reason that, standing on the threshold of experience in a
world as yet unknown, the only pledges which the
Sovereign Headship of our Order can here and now exact,
I here and now offer ; and in place of a covenant t o keep
secret those things which exceed revelation, I promise that,
in all good faith and zeal, I will maintain the Mysteries of
the Sanctuary by a zealous preservation of the seals and
veils thereof. In testimony hercto, I complete the Sacred
Sign.

Adeptus Exm/ltus.--We Know, Beloved Brother, that

something-qt its allotted time-must
open the Doors of
Eternity ; and the Mystical Paths and Gates of this
August Grade are i n your respect sct open already in our
hearts by tilt: plcdge which you have now taken . . . . .
Mighty Adeptus Major, what are the present dispositions
of o u r faithful conlpanion ?

22

THE CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O

A ~ ~ Nnjo~.-Me
~ I I s
has heard the call of the union, the

still small voice spcaliing in the heart of longing ; and he

knows in his inward being that thc Ccntrc draws him back.

Adcpfus Exem$tu.--It

is symboliscd by tllc Sacred Rose

ccntrcd in thc Cross of o u r Mystery at the mccti~lg-point
of the arms. H c who has been manifcstcd on the Cross
must be cnfoldcd and withdrawn therein. S o only docs he
enter in his own being into the life of the Iiosc.

Adtptzrs Major.-He has stilled the life of the senses ;

he has sought detachment in the heart from the accidcnts
of things without, that he may bc established in the
permanence of those things that are within.

Adcptus Exe3~ptus.-I

bid him renleniber the still state

which is that of the spirit in GOD.

Adeptus Major.-Merciful

E x e m p t Adcpt, I testify that

h e desires to ascend, a t what cost soever-even from the
Holy Mountain into Eternal Life.

Adeptus E X C ? I ~ ~ ~ I L ~ . -save
G O Dus, Fratres et Sorores.
B y the task that we have undertaken, it is imposed on us to
aid our Beloved Brother in the need which has thus arisen.
L e t him kncel in his place between the I'illars, while wc, on
our part, turn for light and assistance t o the Source of
strength and light.

THE GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

23

THE PltAYElt O F T H E CELEBRANT-IN-CHIEF.

0 Merciful and Divine Mistress of the life which is

comnlunicated within, Thou hast called this Man and our
Brother, who in the secret places of his heart has heard the
Word of T h y summons. We bescech Thee to grant him
the gift of perseverance, tliat lie may not fail in the trial of
his fortitude but may keep his soul in the contemplation of
concentred love, till the great light shines through the hush
and the darkness. May T h y Word again go forth, full of
power and salvation. May lie rise in his renewal by a
resurrection in the spirit. May he know that within the
veils of Judgment there is the High Palace of T h y
Clemency, even t h e Palace of the King, fixed a t the Centre
for ever. May he hail Thee in tliat day by T h y true Name,
receiving light from the Crown. W e pray Thee also t o
have mercy on us, even as upqn him whom we have chosen
under T h y guidance, our beloved Frater Adveniat Regnum
( v d n o ? m ~ alitld),
z
that having assumed to ourselves the care
of his decreed passage through the Halls of T h y loving
chastening, we may raise him gloriously a t the end, to the
honour of T h y Holy Name and his everlasting Exaltation
in Thee. Praise unto the Spouse and the Spirit, through
the years and the ages, even unto the Union which is in
GOD. Annen.

Adeptus LlJujo~.--I testify concerning the still rest which

is that of the spirit in GOD.

A i Z e j ~ ~Exe~~r~tus.--I
s
utter the watchwords of the Risen
Life in Christ.

24

THE C E R E M O N Y O F A D M I S S I O N TO

Adeptus Ji(njoot,.--I shcw that the wholc process is one

of the joy in dying for life's most true sake, that it is
therefore a work of glory, and that this d e a t h is rapture.

AdQtus E~-c~rzptus-Tlle state of being hidden with

Christ in GOD is the statc of union with TSUIIE, the
Prototype of our nature, the Supernal Part, which docs not
leave the Supernals, a n d this is the end of being.

Adeptus Major.-The
Divine Union is the unfolding
of our consciousness in GOD.

H c ~ eends the First Point.

TI-IE GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

25

THE SECOND P O I N T
B E I N G T H E S'iCRED P A T H S O F

GEUURAH.

Adeptus Exempt~~s.--I bid you observe that the Altar i n

this Grade is cubical, like that on which you were pledged
at the beginning of your initiated life. I t is now-as
it
was then-the Altar of your life, presented before you i n a
syn~bol. I t was unfolded as a Cross in TIPWERETI-I,
but in GEBURAM, whicll you are about to enter, the
Cross shall fold up its arms and again become the cube.
You who have been manifested in the Holy Assembly,
leading a life of regeneration, which is called the life of
the Cross, are about to be withdrawn for a period into the
state of hiddenness. I t is a state of inward being
illustrated by the veilcd lights upon the Pillars between
which you stand.

A dcptus Exemptus.-The

expounded Mystery of the

two Paths which open toivard GEUURAI-I from below
may be found in the Great Symbols of the Paths, which
are shewn hcrc on the Altar. Uetween thern lies a human

26

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

skull, facing toward the Door of the Sanctuary. I t is in

a sense their synthesis or summary. Because of their
meaning, and that which is intitnated by the link or bond
between tllcm, I bid you remember the light wllich shines
amidst darkness, leading to the ~nysticcnd and tllc Life of
life. Mernc~nbcralso the Gatc of that Death by which tile
living man passcs into the realisations of the spirit.

A d c p t u J/n/br.-All
true paths are paths, my Brother,
of the unity ; and those who have been received into the
Mystcries k n o w that man rcturns by many ways whence
he came.
The channels of con~munication from
S E P H I R A to S E P H I R A in the scheme of the Tree
of Life are the allottcd Paths of Ascent in the Order of
the Rosy Cross. Those which comm unicatc with
GEEUIIAI-I on the Way of Ascent in the Trce are the
Paths of KA1'II and M E M . They are termed in our
Secret Tradition the Intelligence of Desire-or
the
Rewarding Intclligcnce of those who seek i n thcir zeal
after things Divine-and
the Stable Intclligencc, which
testifies to pct-rnanencc of being. GEBURAI-I itself is
called the Iiadical Intelligence, by allusion to that state in
which thcre is kinship with the Supreme Unity. T h e
letter M EX1 is referred to the cosmical element of Water,
and the Great Symbol of the Path of M E M represents a
Crowned blaster, submerged beneath the Waters of
Creation, as if reposing therein. T h e face is turned to the
beholder, but the eyes are closed in sleep. T h e figurcas a whole-recalls
in broad outline the symbol of a
Swastika Cross, and thus suggests that the Crowned
Master, though to all outward appearance he is dead and
indeed buricd, is the fountain of life in the universe. His

THE GRADE OF ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

27

Divine Nature is indicated by the golden nimbus which

encircles the head and by the rainbow which extends above
the entire figure. I t is in analogy with that other rainbow,
in sight like unto an emerald, which was about the Throne
of GOD in the vision of Patmos. T h e Crowned Master
signifies tile Divine immanent i n creation, and you who
behold this. Great Symbol for tlie first time should
rcmember how our elder Brethren discovered i n the House
of the Holy Spirit the body of their Founder, our Loving
Father Christian Rosy Cross. T h e inward sense of that
finding, within the measures of the I2licrocosm, was
unfolded in the Grade of TIPHERETI-I. Here now is
its macrocosmic meaning. T h e Sanctuary of the House
was draped in rainbow colours, and our Master reposed in
tlie centre, represented by the Celebrant-in-Chief. I t was
shewn t o you then that, being dead, he yet speakethfrom that place of which he says in his legend : I have
made this Inner Sanctuary of the Most Hidden GOD a
Sepulchre for myself. The GOD Who is concealed in
creation, hidden within the Sanctuary of His own building,
testifies also from within it to those who have awakened in
the spirit. But the history of man, my Brother, is that of
the greater universe. In him the Divine Spark is immersed
within the waters of his own material existence, T h e
Crowned Master is within us, and so also is the Founder of
the Rosy Cross. These things are true in the microcosm,
as they are true in the world without, and the symbol with
which we are dealing has the same Rosicrucian analogies
in both cases. I say unto you that-within
arid withoutthe Crowned Master and all that which is syrnbolised by
Christian Rosy Crospin the Sepulchre of his own making
are not dead but sleeping, and they awaken in you.
Observe in this Synlbol how the ocean of phenotnenal life
supports on its surface the nlystical Ark of Noah, which-

28

THE CEREMOXY O F ADMISSIOK TO

in one of its aspects-signifies

the Vcsscl of Corsespondenccs, whcrein the types of all things were collccted
from the wreckagc of the old initiations for trnnsmission
through a new era. As such, it belongs to the symbolism
of Instituted lk1j~stcries; but it has anotlier a n d deeper
sense. I t is the ship of hun~anity,poised on the waters of
the world. I t is man, collective and individual, man in
possession of his scnscs and also limited by tllesc. There
is that within him n-hich is not put to slecl) less uttcsly
than is the Great S y n l b o l i ~ A'Iaster.
~~l
There is that which
is hidden in the body, as G O D i n His on-n creation, that
which is Divine within you, a s the Divine abides in the
universe. You know these things intellectually through
the Sacred Rites of our Fellowsl~ip. A s an old Son of its
Mysteries, you should know them also cre now by the
realisation of living experience, a n d you will thus understand inwardly that thcre is yet another aspect under
which we may rcgard the A r k , for by many issues the
great emblenls open upon the infinite which they shew
forth, though it is after the manner of a reversed glass
through which they are seen as if from very far away.
From this point of view, the Ark rc-presents the House
Mystical of all the Holy Proccsses which the Masters of
Experience have built about us who are following the
Quest of GOD. But it is above all the House of Contemplation, understood i n the sense of the Mastcrs and
suulmariscd in the Rosy Cross. An exit is found therefrom, or even from thought itself, into the n~orld of direct
experience. The Grade of GE13UICAI-I represents this
flight of the soul, and 1 bid you therefore re~ncmberthat
in the Ark of old tllcl-c was a window, through which the
in frustrcitcd
Mystical Dove passcd and rc-passed-now
flight, because wings mLiybeat vainly a t the Golden Gate
-now bearing an olive-branch of peace, as the promisc of

T H E G R A D E O F A D E P T U S MAJOR, 6 = 5 29
a new world and another life therein. But, in fine, there
came a day when the Dove returned no more, because the
aspiration and outreaching of the soul do a t length attain
their term.
iThc Secotzd Celebratct vesumes his seat. The CcZebratzt-inChicf ri.w a n dfaces ilt ward toward t/u A ltuv.

A d ~ ~ t Exemptus.-Auxiliary
us
Frater Adeptus, you have
looked upon the Path of M E M , by which the Divine
Influences flow down from GEI3UlIAN to HOD. You
have dwelt a t its threshold in contemplation. But there is
also the Path of K A P H , and it is by this that you will
entcr from T I P H E K E T H the House of Justice in
GEBURAH and the Sanctuary of the Holy S H E K I N A H .
rest
From BINAH, which is the Great .Sabbath-the
whereof we desire-there
is an influx to the Path of
KA1'I-I. I t is part of the Mystery of Union and the
Ineffable Mystery of the Presence. Now it is said that
GEBUlZAH can be withstood only by those who have
restrained their concupiscence, and the reason is that it is a
Supernal 'Tribunal, wherein the love which overcomes death
is prepared by death for the Bridal. GEBURAH is a
House of Death, and the Path by which it is entered is one
of the Paths of S H E K I N A H . T h e Mystery of the Spirit
is behind it, and there is no other means given unto
man by which he shall pass into his rest, shall hear the
Voice of the Symbol, and after the cloud and the darkness,
i n a secret light of all, shall behold his way of resurrection
into the life of union. T h e deep things of spiritual life are
in correspondence with life manifested in the material
world. Similar bonds of comparison subsist between
physical and mystical d e a h Both are a veil, and tlie
curtaills in both cases are parted from within, to shew that
there is life behind. T h e Great Symbol of the Path of

30

THE CEREMONY O F ADMISSION TO

KAPH is a Symbol of Mystical Death and the price of

immortality attained in conscious being. The Pentagram
which enshrines the human figure represents the state of
GEBUliAIl and its Holy Sanctuary. Frater Adveniat
Rcgnum (veL no7mrt a h t d ) , I say unto you that t h e old
Adam-which dies on the Cross of TIPI-IERETI-I at a
certain hour of sunset-is buried for ever in GEUURAH,
b u t the new Adam comes forth alive. Remember the
dispassionate equilibrium which is poised between life and
death. This is the state of the entranced figure before you,
folded in the sleep of ecstasy, but drawing thcrcin from the
fountain of life in the universe. On the threshold of adeptship you were born again in the syrnbolism of the Rosy
Cross. You have led in TIPHERETH the mystical life
of regeneration, and in GEBURAH you are taught how
to die.

Here e d s t h Second Point.

THE GRADE OF ADEPTUS MAJOR, 8 = 6 31

THE T H I R D POINT.

T H E R I T U A L OF T H E HOLY CROSS.
A s the spmh of the Celebrant-in-Chief draws to its close,
the Usher of the Grade has kft his place quid&, and
eottcurrrntZy with the lart wordr'he entittguiskes all
fights in the Temple save ifrose of the vriitd carrdies on
the Piihrs. He withdraws the curtain from the Cros~
of T I P H E RE T H , which is exposed fir the lfrsf time.
He comes round with t h Sun, and facing t h Positclattt
puts hint back from between the Piflars to ih Western
m d of the Ten@, where Re faus the Celebrants, hvirrg
his back to the Cross. He is lcft leaning on his Wand
and the Usher of the Grade ret~rrnsto his our# plau.
The Crlcbrant-itr-Chicf hus resumed his scat.
Adiptus Major.-The glorious Sun of TI P H ERETH
has set upon the life o f man.
Adeptus Exettrptus.-Spirit of our Master Christ, Spirit of
the Great Master, I have entered the Path o f Ecstacy.
Adtptrrs Major.-I
have known the sanctity o f death
in the Halls o f Silence.
Adeptus Exemptus.-The Christ-Spirit is within me. I
have risen with the Great Master, and behold I am alive
for evermore.
Adeptus Major.-The path o f death is also the path of
Glory.
TAwe is lure a pause of some moments.

32

T H E CEREMONY O F ADMISSIOK TO

Ad@tzts Ex~7~rptzrs.-Bellold, I have gone before j70u i n

the way, 0 Brother of the Rosy Cross. I bcar witness to
the resurrection of the Adept, the body of redemption, t h e
Christ-Lifc i n thc spirit and the Law of h?ercjr in
CI-IESED. On thc Cross of Holy Obligation, wliicli is the
Cross of Life in T I P I - I E R E T H , you have attaincd the
crucifixion of the Adept in conformity of will, tllc consecration of desire, dedication of mind, and the purification
of your earthly part. The six years of TIPI-IERETM
are the working days of your creation, and thereafter
cometh a Sabbath.
There is here a pause of some ?ILUIIWLts.
Adeptzts Exc?ttptrcs.-Honourable
Frater Peregrinus
Vallis, Keeper of the Precincts appertaining to the Valley
of Silence, bind our Beloved Postulant to that Cross which
symbolises his inward spiritual life and the time of his
passion.
s
The PostuZa7zt's Wand of a 7 2 Auxiliary Frater A d ~ t u is
taken f7om him atzd laid at his fett. H e is p u t 24pon
the Cross wearing his v c s t ~ ~ t e a~n~di si,zsiguia.
He
recaZZs thus the oLdfictzwes of Christ in the revcmuce of
priesi& gavments, as on a Cross of Glory. The Usher
of the Grade returns with the Sm to his p l n c ~ .
Adeptrrs Major.--Fratrcs
et Sororcs, abiding in the Halls
of GEUUIZAH, amidst the Mysteries of Sacred Darkness,
behold him who is uplifted. Let us pray that he may
draw after him all things which are capable within of
eternal life.
Adeptus Exe~~zjtus.-0 Secret Doctrine of the Union. I
testify that we come forth from the Centre and that the
Centre draws us back.

THE GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, G = 5

33

Ad~ptusMajor.-0 life which is beyond Nature, lift up

and assume unto thyself the life which is in the midst of
death belonging to our natural humanity.

A d ~ t uEXCIIQ~ICS.-TO
you, Fratcr Adveniat Regnum
(VEC z o ~ t z e ~
aliud),
t
I unveil the mystical story of your inward
progress through all Grades of our Order. At a certain
epoch of your manifest life there began to be formulated
within you a desire for Divine Things, for the spiritual life
as a path that leads thereto, for depths of the riches of
union, for living knowledge-beyond all knowledge and
union attained in the ways of earth. I t was a first intimation within you of an eternal desire ill the Christ-Spirit,
Who is the Spouse and Lover of souls, to enter into bonds
of Divine Marriage with your conscious being, that it
might attain itself in Him. The desire on your own part
signified a loving stirring and kindling, awakened- by the
unfolding of the Christ-Spirit-from a state of immanence
to a state of manifestation within you. I t opened, as if in
summary, all modes and measures of the prospects which
stretch through eternal being. You saw in a glass and
darkly the beginning and end of union. The correspondence in Ritual and Symbolism was your experience in the
First Portal Grade of the Rosy Cross. The loving secrets
of the path were unfolded subsequently by successive
stages, corresponding to the later Grades. The stable of
your earthly personality was made ready in the Rite of
Zelator for the Mystery to come, by purification of the
bodily part. As .a Frater Theoreticus, your mind was
prepared, consecrated and filled with the thought thereof.
Afterwards, i n the Grade40f Practicus, the heart was
restored in purity and consumed with hunger and thirst
for the desired end. The will, in fine, was consecrated by
the Philosophical Grade and the purpose turned thereto.

34

T H E CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O

The will and its purposc were held in a sacred suspension,

awaiting the declaration therein of the Divine Intention
and Will. With a sense of the Mystery on the tl~rcshold,
you stood then as one who knows that his Redeemer
liveth, that the Temple of his natural personality must be
rebuilt in God, that the Christ-Spirit shall rcign within it,
even as a King in Israel. But this Spirit was working
already within, and that toward wllich i t was working was
the making of a new crcaturc and a rebirth in God. I t
comes about for this rcason, that the Second Portal of the
Rosy Cross is a Grade of Regeneration, a Grade of the
Second Birtl~. The Uelovcd Soul is transformed by
the Lover of the Soul and rc-made in His likeness. For
the fulfilment of this hlystery you re-entered YESOD,
because it is a Mystery of sex spiritualised, wherein is the
fount of grace, regeneration and life to come. In the Grade
of T I P H E R E T H you were set to grow in the likeness of
the Soul's Lover, and for this reason all its symbols and
ceremonies, with all its epochs, are depicted as a figurative
Mystcry of the Christ-Life enacted in your own life and
your proper personality. T h e same imagery obtains
throughout the Grades of the Third Order, and they are
all intimations of union between Christ Mystical and the
Soul. The experience of the Second Birth corresponds to
the Soul's vision of the Lover and Betrothed therein. T h a t
life which follows the birth is a preparation of bridal
garments. Thereafter conleth a marriage, and this-my
Brothcr in the Spirit-is the day of your Bridal, the end to
a life of separation and the death of all that hinders the
joy of ineffable union. 0 Soul, chosen out of thousands,
pass on tlu-ough death to life, knowing that this death is
a secret of the union, and that the life to come is a glorious
life of resurrection. No more through mysteries of symbol,
Rites and the pageants of these, pass thou henceforth

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5 35

through niysteries of real experience, and find therein that
wllatsoever is enacted hcre in this Holy Temple sets forth
--in living words and moving pictures-the
successive
states and stages of the soul which goes to GOD.

Aa'eptzrs k-xc~@zcs.-It is I, 0 Beloved Brother, who

ordained in days long ago that you should take u p your
Cross and carry it. I, being an Unknown Master, and a
symbol of the Christ-state, have come out of the far
distance to be present a t that mystical death which closes
the life of TII'I-IERETI-I . . . . . Fratres et Sorores, that
which was Lcgun upon the Cross, on the Cross also is
finished.
The1.e is a a o t h e ~pause: The Usher of the Grade strikes
the Nid'z Hour z$on the gong. He therc m n ~ e swith
the Sun to a poiat beside the Crass o f TIPHERE T H .
spirit of the world dies and
Ad~ptusExeulptus.-The
gives place to the Spirit of Christ. Herein is the folly of
the Cross, which is a scandal to the wise of earth. Our
Beloved Brother dies in the mystical sense on the Cross of
T I P H E R E T H , when the purpose of the crucified life has
been fulfilled within him, when he has become himself the
Cross, arid has itnmolated thereon whatsoever in his natural
personality has no place or state in eternity. There is a
moment when his perishable state cries out i n the last
throes of its ordeal : Why hast Thou forsaken me ? There
is a moment when the immortal part commends its being
into the hands of GOD, * w h o is its source. There is a
time when the higher and lower unite in saying: I t is
finished.

36

T H E C E R E M O N Y 01; ADh;IISSION TO

There is a hushed ~ U Y I ' I I I ~t/~~ollghoz~t

C~
the Temple, t h
Fratres ef Sorot.cs mjmztiq : I t is finished : Consumnlatum est : Into thy hands. Iu this 7iznmcr them is
produced a certai?~co~tfusion of s o u d s , albeit in alz
14 ndertow. Uft dev specid cim~~~rstrtlz
ces, the words of the
Second Celebrant ?rzay bc also foZ'aued i~ltmcdiateCyby
the springing of a muflcd ~altZe. PVhe?t t / ~ e ~iseagai?c
sileme, the CeZcbrant-in-Cf poiuts to the Postulant ott
the Cyoss.
Adeptus Exmzptus.--Blessed is the death which is suffered
in respect of impurity and attachment to things that
are transitory. Grant unto the sclf-knowing part, 0
Ineffable Master of all, the realisation of the Divine within
it, of the eternal end which is in Thee.
There is complete silencef o r a short space.
Adepns Major.-Angel
of Liberation, S H E K I N A N ,
Mother in transcendence, grant that in his death he may
behold T h y Holy Face, that he may know the life which
is Thou.
Adeptus Exentptus.-Honourable
Frater Peregrinus
Vallis, let the Postulant be taken from the Cross.
the Gtrade stands at
Wheu this has been done, the Usher
t/u right of the Postulalrt, both fitciltg toward the East.

THE GIIADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

37

AcZcptus Exc7)rpt1ts.-Iiratres ct Sorores, our Brother has

put away that which hindered, and the path is free before
him. Thc death on the Cross is literal, in the sense that
the old life has ended ; but the death is also mystical,
because it is not a dissolution of the physical part. I t is
all a work of the will in the personality itself, by the
re-ordination of desire and thought, with the consequent
suspension of attraction toward the lower order of things,
and thereafter by attachment to those things that are
above. In virtue of all the holy hypotheses and all the
witness of experience, there is a co-operation from the
Divine Side in the work of grace, and it is known that this
is fuller as the channels open within us, in the process of
separation. There may come. even that stage when the
work is done for us and in us. . . . Frater Adveniat
~
you who have been manifested
Regnum (PEL I Z O I I Z ~ ?aliz~d),
on the Cross of TIIPHERETH and have become the Cross
therein are now to be withdrawn into the sacred silence of
the Rose, that you may in turn become the Rose. You
are in the care of him who is an Abider in the Valley of
Judgment. Thither, where you are now called he has
passed before you. As you follow his faithful leading, I
direct you to set aside all external images and to realise
that in so far as you are moving, it is in the thought-body
alone. Your progress is a progress through the shadows.
Here emis the Third Point.

38

THE CEREhfONY O F ADMISSION T O

THE FOURTH POINT.

T H E GATT O F THE SANCTUARY.
The Postzdant is drawrt rather tha72 moves on his ow?z
part, and i s placed between the Pillars. The Usher of
the Grade ret~mzsto his scat.
divested of that which
Adeftus Excmpt~s.-Being
seems, we desire-God willing-to set aside all veils and
go forth unclothed, as wc came.

A h ~ t u sMajor.-We came forth naked into manifestation. We go out naked a t our call, having put away the
things that were before. We enter into a new sphere of
being, and therein we are clothed upon.
There is the pazcse of a fkw ?~~oments,
and the Usher of
the Grade still mzitttairts the i7zcerzse, so that its fz~mes
fill the Tempk, roZZing abozdt t h Pillars. The veiled
candZes are cioudcd yet no re deep&.
Brother, it is through
Adeptus Exenzptus.-Beloved
many types that we pass ultimately behind the veils. I
have something to say to you concerning Philosophical
Mercury, the symbol of which you bear upon your left side,
a s an Auxiliary Frater Adeptus. T h e Keepers of the
Secrct Tradition tell us in their parables that it is coagup l a t e d by its own Sulphur, which is the conjunction of
their Sun and Moon, or the hlarriage of Adam and Eve.
No\\; this is to be understood mystically, for they say also

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5 39

that it is an union of heaven and earth. The explanation
of such hidden language is to be found in the Tree of Life,
as this is understood by the Order of the Rosy Cross.
The natural principles of our humanity, symbolised in
their correspondences with Fire, Water, Air and Earth, are
collected in MALKUTI-I, which is the World of Action,
and are centred .therein upon things manifested. The
thoughts, desires and will of man are contained within
earth and his senses. I n other words, the native Mercury,
Sulphur and Salt have not been made subject to the
operations of Divine Wisdom. They begin to be purified
and prepared in the World of Formation, containing three
SEPHIIIOTH, allocated respectively to Mind, Desire and
Wiil, and corresponding to three spiritualised planets, the
Moon, Mercury and Venus. These S E P H I R O T H
constitute the Second Reflected Triad in the Tree of Life.
The WorId of Creation, or Third Order of the Rosy
Cross, is the First Reflected Triad, and it answers to the
same principles of our nature, when they have been changed
by the work of Wisdom. That which corresponded in
YESOD to the reflected light of the Moon has become
Philosophical Mercury in the Grade of T I P I I E R E T H ,
or the Mind permeated and transmuted by the Sun of
Righteousness. You will understand therefore that in the
Higher Grades of the Third Order, analagous transmutations of Dcsire and Will are symbolised, so that i n the
language of the Secret Tradition they become Philosophical
Sulphur and Salt. The transmutation of Desire fixes
Mind, and hence Mercury is said to be coagulated by
Sulphur, while transmuted Will and its Purpose direct all
thc inward principles of,lovc and understanding to that
Divine World which is first in the Tree of Life. The
triad becomes an unity, which is the state of the Mystical
Stone, at once tinctured and tingeing. But in the World

40

THE CEREMONY O F ADMISSION TO

Divinity the Three Principles are symboliscd as

KETHER, the Divine hlind, CHOICMAH, the Eternal
MJisdom, the goodwill and good plcasure of GOD'S purpose, and BINAN, the Eternal Love. They subsist i n an
ineffable unity. S o arc thc worlds complctcd, intcrlinlied
a t every point, and man attains GOD by an union of
principles which correspond and are one a t the root. As
regards Mercury, it is affirmed that we know it now as it
exists irnprisoncd in a body, but a day will come when it
shall be liberated from present limitations and manifested
as a pure, fixed, intelligible, constant fire. I t is a fluidic
and volatile substance, to fix which is the work of Wisdom.
I say unto you that our hlercury is Mind, and that i n fixity,
rest and sin~plicityit can attain a Divine Mode. Thought
is reduced therein to the point a t which it vanishes for a
period, and the Mind of GOD testifies to Mind in thc
silence.
of

A d q t u s Mqh.-The natural reason of man is earthly

above all things, but the ascent of the Tree of Life carries
us far from earth, far from the ways and forms of material
thought. The imprisoned and liberated Mercury are
contrasted states of Mind ; one of them errant in the
world of sense and confined therein, the other emancipated ;
one volatile, the other fixed by Wisdom. Unto this shall
be given in the stillness that Word which has becn sought
in all initiations, which is reversed and transliterated is
substituted after every manner, and is recovercd only by
tfic soul in a state of union a t thc Centre. This is the
Word of Life. The Absolute exceeds thought, but in a
certain suspension it enters to fill the heart, and so is
GOD realised within us.

T H E GRADE O F ADEYTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5 41

The Celebraats rise. The Usher of the Grade rises and
passes quiet& to the Door of the Sa?rc&ary,from which
he draws back the Veil, exposing the sytzbol of the
Settilzg .Sun, which is thus dis@yed sudden& to the
Postulant. H e then retair?zs to his place.
Adcptz~sExeptptus.-Fratres
et Sorores, Adepti Majores,
behold, I have found in the symbolism of m y high Office
and testify from its seat of experience that the Kingdom
of God is within.
The Celebrants approach the Postulalzt a d fuce him as he
stands between the PiZla7.s.
Adeptzds Maior.-Looking
toward that Centre which is
beyond all thought and form, which: comniunicates to the
purified soul amidst a stillness of ineffable love, we draw
you forth in sanctity, 0 seeker of Eternal Life.

They have Brorght h& frotrt 6etwem the PiZZars a d h v c

faced with hiuz t o the East, the CcCEbra~rt-in-Chiefbeiug
at his right on the Southern side a d the Sccu~ra?Cede
brant on his left. They uzove m y slow& throl~ght t ,
Northern part of the Temple.
A d ~ p t u sExcntptzcs.-In the Grade of TIPHERETI-I you
entered the Sanctuary of Life b y the Gate of Venus. You
approach now the Gate of the Setting Sun, by which you
will enter the Sanctuary of Mystical Death.
Ad@tus Major.-The

Christ Mystical Who is manifested

in TIYHERETH as Divir~eLife enters the Hiddenness of
Divine ~ e a t hin the Sacred Halls of GEGURAH. L e t
us traverse the Path of Mystical Death.
A d q t u s Exemftus.-The
passage of this Path is a
journey through great darkness. Thought is stilled , in
fixation. Desire is sharpened to a needle's point.

42

T H E CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O

A d q t u s Major.-The Journey to the Centre lies through

the Gate of thc Tomb-as
understood in the sense of our
Order : that Gate is the Death of the Kiss.
Adeptus Exe1~~tz~s.-H0~1ourableFrater Pcregrinus
Vallis, I call upon you to open the Gate, and may GOD
lead our Brother into the Risen Life beyond.
Adeftus Majar.--Amen, Brother. May GOD be now
with him and His peace with T h y spirit.
The Door of the S a ~ c t u a r yis set wide ofeu. Tjtc Usher
returns to his place. T h e Celebrants a d Postzdant
reach the Threshold. They pause thereat a n d there is
sileuce f o r a VEYY hief sface, dz~ri~g
which the Postulant
sees the Fzcneval Littev, the Catafalque a d the Calzd2e.s
of the Dead.
Adcptus Exemptus.-The correspondence to your present
situation, my Brother, in Christian symbolism, is the bearing of the dead Christ to that rock-hewn sepulcllre wherein
no one had lain previously.
Adcptus Major.-Having put away the earthly substance
of the mind, may that which is imperishable within you be
joined to that which does not pass in the universe.

et Sorores, pray for the

Adeptus Exemptus.-Fratrcs
great peace of the perfect stillness, and for the sudden light
therein.
He SZLYIZS agaiu Eastward. T h y enter the Sanctuary.
The Postulant is Zed to the Nortlrern side of the Litter
~ r n dis there left. The Celeb?-alzt-ilt-Chie'f takes up his
position at 1/16 due East,/aciug Wesf. The Seco7zd GleBra~itpassesto t/le South, ru/zere he faces the Postulaut.

THE GRADE O F A D E P T U S MAJOR, 6 = 5 43

Adeptus MaJbu.-Let

us enter into the Mystery of Death.

A d ~ p t u sExeu@tz~s.-It is the body of our infirmity which

dies upon the Cross of TIPHERETH, that in the Sacred
Tomb of the Adepts the Soul may know G O D a t its own
centre.
Adeptus. Major.-The
analogy of this inward event is
the Descent of the Lord Christ into the prison of the
Fathers.
Adeptus k-z-e?tzptzcs.--Such a descent takes place between
mystical death and resurrection. I t is the state in which
the Seeker for Eternal Life goes to the uttermost end of
his being, as on a journey into the underworld, the abyss
within self-knowledge.
Adeftus iVnjor.-When
union of being in GOD.

the last veil is parted there is

Adeptzrs Exe7)zptus.-Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust, in

the death of the natural body. Spirit to Soul in GOD, life
to life, conlniunion of ineffable being.
Aa'eptzrs Major.--Hereof is the death of the mystic, and
hereof the death which is in Christ, our Leader into the
life of glory.
Adeptus Exen@tus.-I
testify that such death is the
Marriage of the Adept, and that here is his Bridal Night.
Celebrant
~?
Leans across the Litter arzd u i t h
The S E C U
both hands assists the PostuLa7zt to assume a reczmzbent
pastz~~:e
thereu7r. His arms are crossed z ~ o nhis breast
a n d a red pall is Laid over him, but leaziilzg the head
zr ncoueved. Th<CeZcbrant-in-Chief closes the eyes of the
Postuhzt, saying :Adcptur Exevz$tzrs.-It
is I who p u t to rest in
GEUURAH. I t is I who give back to the Father.

44

T H E CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O
T / r e ~ eis a ?rrouzcnt's siie~tce,a d whea this is bcgimchg
g his arms alzd
to he f c k the Cclebt-a~zt-i~z-Chi
hyts z
says ;-

Adeptus Exenz@us.-There
are many witnesses, and
above them are the High and Holy \Vardens. Their
unfailing care shall watch over you i n the grace of the
solemn vigil. By the will and testament of the Mysteries,
I bequeath you to the sacred slladows. May you be
brought in a final passage from the things which perish
into those that remain for ever.
The CtZebrants pvoceed with the Szuz to the Westem erzd
of the Sa~tctuary,W ~ Y Cthey pause, faci7zg the Litter.
Adeptus Exemptus.-By
the power to me committed, I
pray:and beseech the Father of Grace and the Auxiliaries
of the Divine Will to pour down upon you, our Brother,
the living Power of the Word and the Love in light thereof.

They turn Westward and the Sccortd Celehuant says, with

outstretched alrtzs :Ad@tus Major.-Blessed
death of His holy ones.

in the sight of the Lord is the

The Usher of the Gt-ade has drawn the curtain over the
Ho Zy C ~ o s sof TIP HERE TH. He has reversed the
seats of the Celchratzts, so that they ore nozw tzrvncd to
the East. The Ct-ieb~rarttsleave the Snncttiaty and take
thciv pLaces on either side of the Altar. The Door of
the Sauctuary reuzaim ojen to its fidLest extent. The
Usher of the Grade Toes before i t and srys :Fratel- Percgri~rzis Vuiiis.-Ilic
Reg num (vel ?zotuen aliud).

j acct F r a ter Adveniat

He returns to iris place.

Herc m d s tlzc Fourth Point.

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5 45

T H E F I F T H POINT.

T H E OFFICE O F T H E HOLY WATCH.

There is a period of couzplete sihtce. The Usher of t h
Grade conti~zz~esto ;rlzairttain the j r e iit the Pot of
11~cense,aud the fumes o f it fill the Tcntpl'e. The Door
behim? the Sa~zctuary opem s u d d ~ ~ zand
( y silently. T/u
Priestess o f the Kite comes.forth, weari~zgthe violet
vestures a7zd ueil of BINA H. The veiZ covcrs her fro712
head to foot, a d is e?rzbroidered with the Symbols of
SHE X I N A H. She bears zn her ha~zdthe Sacred Rose of
G E B U R AH. ha he stamfs at the head of the Catafalyue
and is seetz thrmgh it, leani~zgovev the Bier, The
Usher of the Grade rises i n his place and-without
movi~tgtherefrom-says sZowly a d clear& :Frater Perepinus Valiis.-Blessed be the Glory of the
Lord in the place of his S H E K I N A H .
He uesuttzes his seat. Thcre is the pause of a f c z motm~rts,
a d thereafter :The Priestess.--I have opened a door in the darkness,
and the Light of the Supernals is in my heart. I a m the
SHEKIN A H in transcendence, the Great Mother in
BINAH, appearing as Virgin-Wisdom and testifying to
Eternal Life in the, Kingdom. 1 am the token of the
Divine Presence issuing from the Mercy-Seat and reflected
from the ovcrshadowing Cherubim. I am the Guiding
Spirit of all the Holy Assemblies ; I am the Bride in the

46

T H E CEREMONY O F A D M I S S I O N T O

Christ-State ; and I a m Divine Understanding, disposing

all things sweetly to the great true ends of all. A s the
S H E K I N A H in the Temples below, I have been the
guide of all your paths. With you I have been in exile,
0 Brother, and with you I enter into liberation. I bring
the grace of Mystical Death to those who practise the Law
of Holiness. I am the well of prudence for the elect. I
lift up 111y holy symbol of life in the .indrawn state, the
Red Rose of G E E U R A H , which is unanifested also in
HOD, wherein is the beginning of continence for the part
of desire in man. I n the grace of Mystical Death, the
elect shall behold my glory. On the threshold of the
inward journey, pass in m y peace, 0 Brother, receiving the
Kiss of the S H E K I N AH.
The P r i e s t ~ s sp~,esses the Rose 072 the 711outh of the
Postulant. Thatpuesszrre continues f o ~a fh ; ~ m ~ m n t s
on&, andyct so long that thcre shald be no doubt of the
expe~*ience
and its renlisatiou by the Postzr Za~rt. Ilc sees
the arm of the Priestess a n d her )&re
be?zdi?zg ouer
Y
by mason of the
him, b ~ het docs uot behold ~ C face,
veil which COVCI=Cit.

The Priestess.-Enter
into Mystical Death. Pass into
its deep degrees. Thou hast receivcd the visit of
MATRONA. Go forth to the Palace of the King, wllich
is a Palace a t thine own centre.

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

47

T H E F I R S T WATCHWORD.
This Vault is the tent of the S H E K I N A H .
is the Bed of Solonlon. The place is peace.

This Bier

T H E SECOND WATCHWORD.
Forget the body of thy mortality and the crucified
desires of flesh. Sacrifice the Bull of Earth.
T H E T H I R D WATCHWORD.
Still also the mind within thee, all the makers of images.
Sacrifice the Man of thought.
T H E FOULITH WATCHWORD.
Winds upon thc Waters of the Soul. Say unto them:
Peace, be still. Pcacc upon the turbid waters. Still the
soul in death. Sacrifice the Winged Eagle.

THE FIFTH WATCH WORD.

Tllc will is strong within thcct.'; the will is keen. Into
the hands of GOD : into His holy charge. Offer up the
Great Lion. These things, my friend, are dead. They
have dicd in Him.

48

T H E CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O

SIXTH WATCHWORD.
His image only is within thee-last thought, last symbol,
last desire of all. I say unto thee : Quench this also. Love
unto love, m y Brother, frotn Thee and Me apart. And
GOD uplighting thy consciousrlcss shall fill that which is
emptied.
T H E S E V E N T H WATCHWORD.
Thou enterest on the Great Journey. Be of a steadfast
heart. Thou passest, seeking the Presence. Darkness of
death is round thee. Enter into the Great Darkness.

THE E I G H T H WATCHWORD.
The darkens deepens in thee.
is alone with self.

The void is there.

Self

T H E NINTH WATCHWORD.
All has passed from thee. Thou alone rernainest. Self
upon self, reflect no more an image. Spirit of the man
unclothed, Spirit of the man within, Thou wast, thou art,
and art to come. Unto everlasting, Spirit. Know thyself
in GOD.
T H E T E N T H WATCHWORD.
The sleep of this ~ y s t i c a lDeath is shadow of an
Eternal Sabbath.
T H E ELEVENTH WATCHWORD.
Spirit in the height and deep, realise the GOD within.

T H E T W E L F T H WATCHWORD.
Spirit of the All and One, Spirit of the Eternal GOD,
know this Man in Thee.

THE GRADE O F ADEPTUS M A J O R , 6 = 5 49

The Voice o f the P~icstcssceases at this poi~zt. She risw,
a d uzoui7tg vcry soft& with the Suu, pusses from the
Sa?zc~ziaryilzto the ;rE7@1e. The Usltcr of the Grade is
stafzdizzg ulready by the Door, am' he goes b~yarethe
Priestess, carvyi~igthe Wand of Peace. Hc cscorts / z r
to a scat which he h s Placed $revious& b~twceuthe
Pillars. She sits thcre, loo&g Eastward, bzct the veil
still covers her. The K ase of GEB URA H is now seen
u p z /rev breast. A space follows d u h g which tjlcr~is
contplete silence in the Tevtple a d Holy Samtzary. T/u
U S ~ GofT the Grade co?zti~mesto burn imense, alzd t/w
$Lace i s clouded.
'

Here e d s the

FzYth Point.

50

TIHE CEREMONY O F ADMISSION T O

T H E SIXTH POINT.
T H E INWARD R E S U I I K E C T I O N .

A ~ ~ ~ Exe~nptus.-It
L I L S
is defined by the Wise Masters
that il.lercury kills and makes alivc.
Adcpt1c.s Jlnjo9p.-Under the operation of its own Sulphur
there is destroyed one mode of its being, but thereafter it
arises to the life of another form. Hereof are Death and
Rcsurrcction in the Mysteries of the Rosy Cross.
Adcptus Exemptus.-It is a work of the Spiritual S u n in
TIPHISRETI-I, and when it is in fine completed the
Postulant enters the state of GEBURAI-I through the
Door of the Sun. That S u n represents the perfect union
of the Three Philosophical Principles and of the Second
Reflected Triad in the Tree of Life. This is why the
Gradc of TIPHERETH is a summary of the Third Order.
But, in the succession of Grades, the Mind is transmuted in
T I P I I E K E T H , the Desire part in GEBURAH, and the
Will in CI-IESED, the Three Principles working thereto
in each as one Principle only ; and this is the ChristSpirit.
Adqtzcs Majar.-In
virtue of that working, the life of
regeneration enters into mystical death by a n union at the
Ccntrc, as 3 marriage with the Life of life, and in the
Glorious Mysteries of Resurrection from death, it enters
into the life of union, which is wedded life i n Christ.

T H E GRADE O F A D E P T U S MAJOR, G = 5

51

Adeptrrs Emnlptus.--Fratres ct Sorores, Adepti Majores,

our Bclovcd Brother has gone out through that Door
which opens on the inward world. H e has made unto
himself a sepulchre. All symbols of the external world
have dissolved. Its essence remains in the heart. He has
passed into the cloud of darkness : unto him be the light
beyond. May' thc Christ-Spirit in the darkness be unto
his Soul a light. May there be a meeting of the Spirit and
the Bride. S o in his inward being shall he find that GOD
is within, that the Soul has ever its Christ in the hidden
centre, and that man, or woman in the flesh, the woman
and the man are we. T h e Great Work is for the Soul to
find the Spouse, to know and to be known with Him.
Adeptus Major.-In
witness also to the other side of
symbolism, I pray that having been crucified with Christ,
having died and beeq intombed with Him, having gone
down into the underworld, the Postulant may rise up with
Christ and so come into the Kingdom.
The Celebrants leave their seats a n d proce~dto tile Door of
the Sanctuary. The Celebrant-iu - Chief ticr:rs Westw a r d with uplzj7ed arms.
Adeptus Exentptus.-Fratres et Sorores, it is I who bring
back to life, that the work of holy manifestation may be
carried to its completion.
The Celebrauts eetrter the Sanctuary a n d take up t h i r
a n d North of the Bier. There is silencefor
places E~qt
some ~~tomeuts,
a n d thertafter :-

Aricptus hkenrptus.--The watches of this sleep are holy.

. . . . The watches of sleep are long.
Adeptus Major.-It

is time now t o awaken.

52

T H E CEREMONY O F A D M I S S I O N TO

A&jtus EXEII~IZCS.--I-IC
has followed thc Great Quest.
H e has finished the journey therein. He has reached the
term of search in the hiddenness of his own centre. He
knows that it is the centre of all.
has passed behind that veil which
Adcptu ~llqb~.--I-Ie
earthly hands have sought in vain to draw. T h e light
which is above reason dissolves its folds.
Adeptus E,z-cnzpft~s.-In the shadow of death lie has
found the Path of Life. H e shall not see death for ever.
Adeptus Mnjar.-He
has lifted up his eyes to the star
that shines a t morning, knowing that his Redeemer
liveth.
Adcptus Exc~~zptus.-I say unto you that there is light in
this Sepulcllre and that the Bier is a bed of peace. The
Soul of the Man herein has found the Spirit which is
Christ, the immanent and hidden GOD.
Adeptus Major.-There
has been silence in the inward
heaven for the space of half an hour.
Adeptus Exem$tus.-The
Word of the Lord recalls him.
T h e power of the Lord gives back.

The Cedehvant-in-C h f
i hyts z r p his anns.
Adeptus Exemptus.-He

that was dead shall rise

....

Again he Zowcrs his arws a u d exteads both hands over

the Bier.

A J e p t ~ ~EA-e?rz)tus.-Thou
s
who hast beheld the light,
which is all light, in the darkness, I call thee back.
Soul out of space and time, I draw thee to time and
space. After the rest in GOD there is an awakening .in
Him.

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5

53

H c passes to the Sozcthey~side of the Bier.

A ~ @ I ZLxeuzptus.-I
LS
forth.

say unto thee : Arise and come

Adeptus Exe71rjtrcs.-I raise thee by the Kiss o f Peace.

May the consciousness of t h y true Self abide within
thee, henceforth and for ever.
The A d q t u s MajOr comcs round with the Sun to tire
South, arzd the Postularrt is led to the Door of the S a m tuavy, whcre he stmzds bet wee?^ the Cekbrunts. In t h
Tenzpfe without the Usher of the Grade raises the v e i M
Lights.
Adeptus Exe71zptus.-Blessed is he who has entered into
the place of darkness and out of the shadow of death
comes forth alive.
Adeptus Mqbr.-It is written that the Eternal Fount of
Love is found in G E B U I I A H , though this is also the
place o f judgment.

The CeZebrar2t.s h a d the Postulant front the Sanctuary and

through the Sozcthe~?~
part of the Temph. Ttb-yreach
the Western side of the Altar a d s t a d , faci~zgtowards
the P i b u s .

He beholds in this wanner the Most H o b Priestess of the

Kitcs who has risen atzd sta~zdsveiled from h a d to foot
between t h Piihvs, With arms outstretchd, her outlirres
form a Petztagravz, a d she wears a great Pentag ram
as a lumina ort her breast.
T h Red Rose of
C E B URAH is i z t the cerztrc thereoJ

54

THE CEREMONY O F ADMISSION TO

passed, O Frater Adveniat

Kegnum ("JEZ ?ZOI/LCII d z z ( t i ) , fson~ the Sanctuary of
Mystical Death, having been raised in that light which has
dawncd i n j70ur o w n bcing, and i n its hidden ccntse. By
the symbolisnl, hoivcvcr, you are still i n the hidden world,
amidst the aftermath of your cxpcricncc within. I t is a
light of Incniory and a rapture of contemplation thereon.
I t corrcspotlds to darkness without, because the world
does not share therein. I t corresponds also t o the halflight which fills this sacred Temple, whcre those who
havc dwelt in the centre are Brethren of a New Spirit, and
this Spirit-outside all forms of words-bears
witness to
its presence i n the world, and draws those who are
prepared. Alorcovc~-,in thc Holy Assclnbly of those who
know with j70u the watch~vords and the counsels of
experience can pass freely. lTou can tcstify concerning
yourself, and your co-heirs lvill tcstify to you. Hereof is
the life in GEBUKAH and hereof the raising therein. It
is a retreat of three mystical days, dusing which there is
Speech in thc Rose, and the mind prepares its symbols, so
that in the life of Rcsurrcction it may have power from
the inward heaven t o esprcss o n earth in efficacious
sacraments the Word of thc Soul to man.

Adcptus

~ z E U ~ ) ~ Z ~ ~ . -have
~ O U

Adcjtus Exen@tus.--By the power in mc vested and in

virtue of my I-Iigll Office, as not indeed I but the ChristSpirit speaking within me, I give you Spcccli in the Rose.
You who have been bound in TIPI-IEICETI-I are unlooscd
in GLlIURAM. Henccforcvard let the scrvant usurp no
longer the place of MATlIONA.

THE G R A D E O F A D E P T U S MAJOR, 6 = 5 5 5
Still holdz';rtg his CVaud, he y a i s ~i t
the head o f the P~sruluttt.

ill

both /..amis ozer

Adeptr~s Extw~t~ds.--He preached unto the spirits in

prison. Testify to the light of the Spirit in the Midden
Ccntrc. The glory shall be revealed in us, the manifestation
of the Sons of GOD.
The Celehazt-izz-Chief Zcads the Postulunt t o the Pillars,
where the c~ilt?d
figure of the Priestess contir~z~es
to form
the Pen tagra~tz izz broad ontZilres. He imiica ~ E S its
several poi~ztsiu the lmtzina on her breast.
Aa'eptzu Exemptus.-Bear
Brother, and say after me :(I)

witness in the Rose, m y

I dedicate my feet to the Paths of Light.

(The

Celebr~zlrt-iftChief poimzts to tjze Left basal angle o f the Pcrrtagranz.) -(2) I dedicate m y mind to the Great Quest. (He
poilttsto the right basal ax&.)
(3) 1 dedicate my heart to
the Divine Rapture. ( H e points to the left z@er alrgfe.)
(4) I dedicate my will to the Supernal Mother of souls.
( H e foiirts to thc r&/rt upper arzgle.) (5) I dedicate my
entire self to the union of true being in the Christ Who is
GOD within me (Hepoiuts to the aqLe at the apex),awaiting
the perfect Resurrection, which is the union of Three in
One.

The Priestess reszczms her seat. The Secozzd Ccl~brant

colrzes rou~rdby the Soufhand takes charge of the PostsrZaut. The Celebrant-irt-Chief returns to his owlt seat.
The Pattrlmzt is pluccd agaitz with his back to flu
North, and the Seco~zd Celebraut faces him. They
occupy pomts wh&c/~are para llel to the two Pillurs.
A d q t z ~ s~Moju~.-The Sign of the 6 = 5 Grade is give11
by raising the hands to the face, with the palms turned

56

T H E C E R E M O N Y O F ADNISSION TO

inward and the little fingers joined at tile tips. I t scfcrs to

thc indrawn state of G E B U R A H , encornpasscd by thc
Trcc of Life. The Grip or Token is giver1 by the left hand
clasping the riglit thus, or altcrnativcly by the right lland
clasping thc Icft. I n cithcr case i t forrns the I'cntagram,
which is the lineal figure of the Grade. T h c Symbel is
I-IIDDEKEL, which is the third river of Eden. There
arc tivo Grand Words or Sacrcd Namcs, referable
rcspcctivelj~to the left and right hand Pillars of thc Tree
of Life. T h e first is T A l 3 0 0 N A I 4 , or U i ~ d c r s t a n d i na~ ,
title of 731SAI-1 and of MATRONA, thc Grcat Mother.
You should know that the desire of the Grcat Mothcr
must fill the heart of the Postulant in his passage through
the Ineffable Degrees, for our attainuient is-in
and
through her-in the Great Sea of I3INAI-I. Thercin is the
Mystery of the Bride, who is united with the Spouse in
C H O K M A H . T h e second Sacred Name is YAIH, bcing
YOD, HE, signifying the union of J E H O V A H and
ELOI-IIM, or G O D and his SI-IEKINAH in ICETITER.
From this Name is derived the Mystical Number of the
Grade, which is 15, the synthesis of which is 6, alluding to
the years of your regenerate life in 'TIPI-IERETI-I, whilc
the correspondence is 33 or 3 + 3 =6, being those of the
Christ-Life in Palestine. The ~ ~ s t i cTitle,
a l which I give
you hereby and herein, is I'eregrinus Vallis, a traveller in
the Valley of Death. In G E U U I i A H there is above all
things a Grade of Union, but a Grade also of Separation,
in fine completed. I t s symbolism is therefore not only one
of espousals but of severity and judgment. Before the
union can take place, everything that belongs to separation
must go absolutely-without dispensation, without remission, without mercy. T h e position of Master and Servant
falls undcr this sentence. I t is service henceforth in unity ;
and the soul shall say no longer : Behold the handmaid of

T H E GRADE O F ADEPTUS hIAJOR, G = 5

57

the Lord ; but rather : My Beloved is mine. The Judgment is i n order that SI-IEKINAH m a y manifest i n the
Temple of the soul, between the Clierubirn on the MercySeat. T h e bond of union is she, and the Spirit is the light
within her. Look to it therefore, m y Brother. hlay your
Cherubini fold their wings over the Throne of the Presence.
May you dwell henceforth in the condition of eye to eye.

The Priestess.-Keep in your heart the precious Knowledge of the Spirit and the memory of where you have
been. S o shall you fulfil your ~nission,which is to raise
the worlds that-are below the Throne to the height of those
which arc above. Urother, abide i n peace. Restore your
world to the union, to that supernal state wherein there is
no distinction between S H E K I N A H and the HOLY

ONE.
A C/lnlice co~ztaini~zgred wilze has ~ E I I)/aced ou the
Western side of the A fttrr by the U S ~ CofY the Grtzdc.
lXe C e l e b r a n t - i ? raises it a d , accompaizi~dby the
Second Celebrmzt, $ro~eeLLSto the Pillars. H c h a d s the
ChaZice to the P~icstcss. lliie Postzclairt is directed to
k c . The CeZebswrts s t m d on either side of the Pustulmzt. The u?tn_0ciczl members, I L by
~ the Usher of the
Grade, form a semi-ciycle behiud C~PIIL.
A l l these h e e l
down. The Priestess fzxts I@ the Chulice, hoZdilzg it iir
both hmzds.
T/ze P~.iestess.-Blessed be the Dew which waters the
Garden o f Apples. Blessed be the Wine xshich maintains
the soul rather than the body of man. I t is the Wine of

58

T H E CEREMONY O F ADMISSION TO

Liberation, which raises the world below to the height of

that which is above. Lct u s drink of the Wine reserved
for the elect from the beginning of time.
The Priestess ~rtnkcsthe Sigz of the Peutayaut over tke
C h a l k , and dz'nks. Shc adr~zi~zisters
the Chulice to the
Postulu~zt,who driuks a d bows his head. The Priestess
ham's the Chalice t o the Celchant-in- Chick from whom
it passes to the Second Cc~cb)'am',the A
Majores i?t
succession, a d Last& to the Usher of the Grade, by
who?t-zit is refZaced zrpou the Altar. AZZ return to the+
seats. The Usher of the Grade leads the Postulant to
his own seat, and removw the vestments artd ilcsig~zia
of an Auxiliary Fratrr Ad~ptus. He is clothed i7z the
white habit, with the Girdle o f GEB U R A N and the
Rose-Cross beZo~zgiilgto that of S E P H I R A . This is
dotse in silence, a7zd the Postulant takes the place of the
Usher.
Here ends the Sixth Point.

TI-IE G R A D E O F ADEYTUS MAJOR, 6 = 5 59

T H E SOLEMN OFFICE

O F CLOSING T H E HOUSE A N D SANCTUAKY

O F ADEPTS
I N TE-IE GRADE O F GEBURAH.
The Celcbrazts a!-e scated facilig West by the Altar, and
the P%stess is s e a t ~ dbetween the Pillars, jact'lzg East.
Adcjtus Exen@tus.-Fratres et Sorores, Adepti Majores,
I testify that the Mystery which we have finished is in
communion with all the Mysteries, that things which are
abovc being analogous to things that are below, the
Ineffable Grades of Advancement beyond this present
Grade are identical as to the root therewith, and so also
are those which arc below, because one Experiment is
concerned througllout therein. Mighty Adeptus Major, do
do you ratify on your own part !
A~ZejLusMaj'or.-I
am least among the Faithful Witnesses, but I have seen the end of the Quest. I also have
come from afar. The experience of the worlds within and
without is laid u p in my heart.
A J e p u s Exeulptus.-What
world without ?

do you testify concerning the

Adepiz~s'Majov.-I speak in the sense of the Mysteries

and proclaim that it was even as the pilgrimage of natural
life, from birth to death. But the birth was according to the
spirit ; there was life under the Spiritual Sun ; and t h e
Soul of the man was cornmended a t the close of all to the
care of the Spirit of GOD.

60

THE CEREMONY O F ADMISSION TO

AJE)~usExc~~~ptu.r.--Afterwhat manner did you enter

the world within ?
Adeptus Mnjbr.-Through the Gate of the Setting Sun.
But I spcak in thc scnsc of thc Mystcrics and proclaim
that the life of thc Mystic is a loving preoccupation with
one Divine Image shining in the heart. The hour comes
when he is drawn into the deeps of that image by a
mystical death, and so passes through it, leaving the world
of images-to abide in Divine Darkness.

Adpptus Exevrptus.-What

is this place of darkness ?

Adeptus Major.-It
is the world within stilled in the
Waters of Contemplation, and these are Waters of Love.
Adeptns Exem~tz~s.-Who testifies therein ?
Ad~ptusMajor.-Soul
unto soul in the darkness, love
unto very love, desire in the heights above to desire in the
deeps within. Then it is silence of silence. The soul, for
a brief space, becomes that which it contemplates, for the
centre opens within, and light shines in the unity.
Adeptas Exe~lzpt~s.-Mighty Adeptus Major, I beseech
you in your charity to shew forth some part or shadow of
that most sacred state: and 1 testify that all the Holy
Assemblies shall hearken while you announce the tidings.
Adeptus Af~jor.-Merciful Exempt Adept, I am he who
has risen in the twilight, and m y speech is an echo in the
heart. But at that centre I knew the Inmost and Divine
Self about which the universe revolves. Behold, I a m that
which I sought, and the end of my desire is with me. I
have fouud the light of the Presence and mine is the love of
my heart.

THE GRADE O F ADEPTUS MAJOR, 6 - 5

61

ALL present rise up. The Priestess extends hey arms,

standilzg between t h Pillars.

The Pvirstess.-The Waters of Life are Love. Whosoever wills, let him drink of the Waters of Life freely.
I testify that the Rose of Sharon is also that of
SHEKINAH, for the Spirit and the Bride are One, and
this is the Life of the Rose.
Adeptas Exenlptus.-Mighty
Adeptus Major, in the
Grace of this Sacred Mystery, I depute you to close the
House of the Spirit in the Grade of GEBURAH.
Adcptus Mqbu.-0 House of Divine Death. House of
Eternal Love. By that which overcomes death, I close the
Housc of the Spirit in this Grade of Union-

Ul U 7

A&ptus Exeu@tzcs.- m a a

aa

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