Rosicrucian Order of the Temple and the Grail - Work - ROSICRUCIAN ORDER OF THE TEMPLE AND THE GRAIL

Our Work

Our work is Philosophy, Chivalry, and Theurgy.

Philosophy

The underlying nature of our work is traditional Rosicrucianism. We study the Mysteries, Hermeticism, Gnosticism, Christian esotericism, alchemy, and Kabbalah. We use the mystic symbol of “the rose upon the cross” to represent the inner Christ waiting to unfold within us and perfume our lives with its fragrance.

Chivalry

Chivalry is a code of conduct associated with the medieval institution of Knighthood, which promotes spiritual, moral and social virtues, such as charity, nobility, fidelity, and uprightness. We are committed to an active practice of developing virtue in ourselves. We practice retrospection and introspection.

Theurgy

The requirement of belief in a Supreme Being is fundamental. We are working to be pious and to form a personal relationship with Deity. Individually and in our groups we participate in rituals in harmony with Nature to purify our souls through the elements.

Structure

Our Order carries out its initiatic and ritualistic work along two lines. Generally, a Commandery (i.e. Lodge) will work - and an initiate will receive - one or the other. Both lines include the traditional landmarks in their rites, and provide the same set of study materials.

The Aesthetic Rose + Croix is our current focus and emphasis. It is aligned philosophically and aesthetically with the Orphic and the Eleusinian Mystery schools of thought, and with the revivals of the Mysteries in the Hermetic philosophies of the Renaissance. Its rites are patterned after the stages of ancient initiation.

The Order of the Grail, the traditional form we inherited, is Christian chivalry. Its rites are pseudo-masonic in form and emphasize the Judeo-Christian symbolism of the Old and New Testaments. This Order emphasizes the symbolism of the Grail Quest, the Arthurian Legend.

Our Aesthetic Purpose

To advance art for the spiritual regeneration and healing of humanity.
To promote the spiritual and moral ideals of mystic chivalry and the esoteric teachings of the Rose+Croix.
To preserve traditional esoteric teachings concerning art and music.
To create a class of artist-initiates who become knights and priests.
To support works of art that convey themes and values consistent with the Rose+Croix tradition.
To institute a form of idealist theatre that can become hieratic and Initiatory.