The selection, arrangement and application of the most important
of Occult and Arcane Laws taught by the Masters of the August
Fraternities of Initiation, and the practice of the Laws in the
development of the fourfold nature of man in attaining Success
and Mastership on all planes of activity.
Director General: The Confederation of Initiates
Princes
and Princesses of the Royal House of Melchizadek
Church
of Illumination
Supreme Grand Master: The Aeth Priesthood
The
Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis
Chapter
Preface
1 The Hermetic
Concept of Success
2 The
Philosophy of Occult Initiation
3 The Hermetic
Teachings
4 Hermetic Science
and the Alchemical Processes
5 The Occult Concept
6 Occult Initiation
The field of Occult(1) literature is indeed rich and voluminous.
To systematically and painstakingly wade through all of it, would
require practically all the days of a lifetime.
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(1) Throughout the text, authentic Occult terms will be used,
"Occult" meaning that which is generally hidden - unknown
to all but the few, who have given long and sincere study to the
subject. Nothing in the text has any reference to that vast charlatanism
which is so universally employed, so bewildering to the public,
and misleading great numbers to their undoing. Only that which
is certain to benefit man in his fourfold nature shall find any
part in the text.
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Sincere students in this field of research and practice are fully conversant with the fact that there are now about ten thousand volumes dealing with the subjects of Occultism, Initiation, Mysticism, Alchemy, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism and Alchemical Processes. In every one of these volumes, beginning with the eighth century, there are to be found either plainly stated or more or less hidden in Alchemists' "jargon," many important Occult Laws; important because they should be known to the Neophyte - the man or woman who is seeking to attain that Initiation which ends in complete, fourfold development - a balanced growth of the body, mind, spirit and Soul which assures Mastership, success on the four planes of being.
The very fact is in many instances entire books, seemingly uninteresting in themselves, must be carefully read, aye, keenly studied, in order that the important Law or Laws therein expounded, may be revealed. In all too numerous instances such books have been long out of print, therefore are rare and expensive. This has discouraged the vast majority of students from even attempting to procure these books, to study them and unravel their hidden inculcations, tabulate and arrange these important Laws in order that they might apply them in their efforts toward personal attainment.
All this was clearly impressed upon me some sixty years ago when I first assumed the Supreme Office in the August Fraternity, and I then decided that a part of my life should be devoted to the collection of these books and the many private manuscripts held in the archives of the Ancient Secret Schools in Initiation; to study them one by one and carefully separate the wheat from the chaff, the actual Laws from the merely interesting reading matter; to arrange these Laws systematically; to interpret those written in Occult jargon; and to carefully point out in readily understandable and modern terms, their application in the process of Initiation, the development of the higher self of the Neophyte which leads the Soul to Illumination in the first instance, and has Mastership or Adeptship as the goal.
Many long years have been devoted to this subject. It has been a fascinating task; nevertheless, a tedious one, and I am happy the present edition is ready to be placed in the hands of all sincere students for their daily, aye hourly guidance.
Continuity of though on the subject matter has in no instance been attempted. This is not a literary product. Laws taught have been noted, interpreted and their application to both everyday and special interests indicated so that all who are ready may easily understand and apply them. Thus, one Law after another is given and explained to the end of the volume.
There is no claim to originality. There is little new in the entire work except the applications and interpretations. All, or almost all, found herein are either from a printed book or a private manuscript prepared by some Initiate, Master or Adept, although in almost all instances the phraseology and application have been modernized and made applicable to present-day conditions.
With the intent that the contents of this volume may be the more readily applicable to the various classes or types of students, it has been arranged in six parts, beginning with the Laws teaching what we generally term material or worldly success on all planes of activity; finally, ending with those Laws which inculcate the highest and most lasting success of all - the Spiritualization of the Infinite Being in man leading to Godhood, i.e., becoming the son of God.
The first section, "The Hermetic Concept of Success", is in greater part based on the inner teachings of Hargrave Jennings, the Rosicrucian Initiate; Warren Richardson,(2) greatest of all modern Occult Masters; the teachings of the Phelons of the Hermetic Brotherhood; the texts, "The Philosophy of Fire" and "The Rosy Cross: Its Teachings".
The second section, "The Philosophy of Occult Initiation",
is based almost exclusively upon the secret writings of those
versed in Hermetic Science and Alchemical Processes, notably Dr.
P.B. Randolph, Freeman B. Down, General Ethan Allen Hitchcock,
Warren Richardson(2) and Hargrave Jennings.
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(2) It is of utmost importance that Warren Richardson, author
of "Dr. Zell" and "The Princess Charlotte",
should not be confused with later writers of the same baptismal
name.
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The third section, "The Hermetic Teachings", is a digest of the published works and private writings of the Phelons and manuscripts in the possession of the Fraternity, and in part the works of General Ethan Allen Hitchcock in his exhaustive text, "Alchemy and the Alchemists.
The forth section, "Hemetic Science and the Alchemical Processes", is based in part on the private books and manuscripts in the archives of the August Fraternity, and the works of Dr. P.B. Randolph, Freeman B. Dowd, General Ethan Allen Hitchcock, Warren Richardson and Hargrave Jennings.
The fifth section, "The Occult Concept", is a digest of both the inner and outer teachings of the Hermetic and Rosicrucian concepts, from manuscripts used in private class work by the Phelons, Tyner and others, and also from the text, "Mastership: The Divine Law".
Lastly, the sixth section, "Occult Initiation", is a digest of the most important writings of Warren Richardson, Hargrave Jennings and other Initiates who are little known to the Western World; the manuscripts are now in possession of the Confederation of Initiates. We trust our duty has been fairly well accomplished and that the present text will be of great help in the guidance of all those seeking to become masters of their destiny, and free from every form of servitude, whether of self or of the dictatorial edict of this modern age.
Sincerely given, R.Swinburne Clymer