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The
Rosicrucian Order’s Kairi Lodge building at Chase Village,
Chaguanas.
By
Sheldon J Yearwood
Your tongue will be torn out if you reveal any of the secrets
of the brotherhood...
That’s often said to be one of the rules of the secret
societies which have been around for centuries. They are
said to conceal their rules, corporate activity, the names
of their members, their signs, passwords and usages from
outsiders, or the “profane.”
One of them is the Rosicrucian Order AMORC, the Ancient
and Mystical Order Rosae Crusis (of the Rose Cross), whose
members claim to be the oldest fraternity. The “cross”
in their name represents the trials and tribulations of
man in his earthly existence and the “rose” represents
the evolving consciousness of man.
This year is known to us as 2005, but they believe it’s
3358, since they say it was in the year 1353 BC, during
the reign of the pharaoh Akhenaton, that the first ceremony
of their mystical order was held.
The first gathering of Rosicrucians in Trinidad was in 1950,
at Marine Square (now Independence Square). There are now
two affiliated bodies under the fraternity umbrella in T&T:
the Kairi Lodge at Chase Village, Chaguanas and one in Burnett
Street, Scarborough, Tobago, called the Tobago Atrium Group.
The international headquarters is in San Jose, California,
USA, the base of the president or imperator of the worldwide
body of Rosicrucians (the Grand Lodge), Christian Bernard.
In T&T there are are approximately 800 members.
Rosicrucians say their goal is to enlighten mankind and
help find answers to the many questions about the working
of the universe.
But a dark cloud of myth looms over the Rosicrucians themselves.
The question on the tongues of the curious is, “What
goes on behind closed doors when the sun goes down?”
A few weeks ago the local Rosicrucians held an open house
and I went (reciting Psalm 23 in my head) to find out if
the rituals were truth or fiction. There were 25 other visitors
present, from all ethnic backgrounds.
A long driveway led to the rectangular building in Chaguanas,
painted white with navy blue borders. In the compound lay
plaques in memory of deceased founding members from Trinidad
as well as elsewhere in the Caribbean.
But behind the walls was a vivid contrast. Spiritual music
was playing and there was a strong aroma of incense. Candles
burned brightly; they are used during Rosicrucians’
meditation exercises (no, they were not black).
Christopher Codrington, former regional director of the
Rosicrucians, enlightened me.
“The
order is not a religion and does not require a specific
code or belief or conduct. It’s non-sectarian. Rosicrucian
students come from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds.
Becoming a Rosicrucian student does not require one to leave
their church, join a church, or change their religious beliefs.”
At their meetings, Rosicrucians meditate for peace in the
world and the country. They may have lectures (attendance
is optional) on various topics such as karma, reincarnation,
and what is the soul.
In a corner was a wooden pyramid on which were inscribed
words such as “temperance,” “duty” and
“honour.”
Codrington explained, “Every September the fraternity
has an observance called the pyramid ceremony—a re-enactment
of the building of the pyramids. It’s a memorial ceremony
in remembrance of those pioneering members who started the
fraternity.”
The members gather in a circle, symbolically building a
pyramid with stones while meditating. The public is free
to witness it.
Because of the many impostors who claim to be Rosicrucians,
there was a charter showing the local group’s legal
connection to the international body.
What was fascinating, though, was the number of newspaper
clippings about the fraternity.
“We
have nothing to hide,” said Codrington. “There
are no masochistic practices and we do not perform any sadistic
rituals. We are not associated with the Masons and the Foresters
(two other fraternities).”
However, there are aspects of the initiation which will
only be revealed if you become a member.
“The
fact that we advertise for members means we have no secrets.
But unless you become a member you may not understand or
fully appreciate the essence of the teachings. It’s
a question of principle.”
The appellation ceremony—in Christian terminology a
christening or baptism—is open to the public, though.
So are weddings and funerals, and yes, the body can be viewed.
At the baptisms, an apron called the Apron of Service is
placed upon the baby. It symbolises giving service to God
and one’s fellow man.
The Grand Master of the fraternity is Julie Scott, based
in San Jose. This opens the door to another misconception—about
the role of women. Codrington says there is no discrimination
against women, who have been members from the beginning.
“It’s
varied as to why there are many misapprehensions about us,”
said Codrington. “One has to do with the manner in
which some members are approached. Some are branded as anti-God,
anti-church as well as unlawful citizens before they can
defend themselves, thus becoming very protective, shielding
themselves from scrutiny.”
Many people also think members of these fraternities favour
each other in the outside world. Codrington denies the fraternity’s
involvement in bending the law or turning a blind eye to
members’ infractions.
“The
perception is,” he admits, “when a member does
something wrong in the eyes of the law they would be bailed
out, no matter what the cost.
“We
are not into making a mockery of the law. We encourage our
members to be good citizens.”
Codrington said the Rosicrucians advertise for members regularly
and there are no special criteria for joining. There is
a membership fee of US$150, a special rate for Caribbean
members. Meetings are held every Sunday at 4 pm, and initiations,
or any other special events, take place on Saturdays.
Myths
about secret societies
The tongues of the dead are sliced off so they cannot reveal
secrets of the order beyond the grave.
Chains are dragged when a member dies.
Once you become a member you cannot leave.
The casket of a loved one who is a member cannot be opened
for viewing.
Members undergo cruel and unusual punishment, eg having
their fingers chopped off.
To
learn more
Visit the Rosicrucians Web site at www.rosicrucian.org
What
they believe
The Rosicrucians believe God is whoever you perceive him
to be in your heart.
A Rosicrucian Glossary says:
“The
universe is deemed as a harmonious relation of all natural
and spiritual laws. It is the define infinite intelligence
of the supreme being permeating everything. It is not a
place but a state or condition of order and regulation....”
Death does not exist in the fraternal world of the Rosicrucians.
They prefer the term “transition.”
“Death
is looked at as final,”explained Codrington. “What
you give up is the physical—but the soul never dies.
The soul in man is God in man.”
They have no views on the Catholic church or any other religious
body’s perception of them but Codrington will say this,
“A birthday card was sent to the Imperator Ralph M
Lewis in 1983 by Pope John Paul II. You be the judge.”
Former
master of the lodge Stephen Thomas greets the new master,
Telpher Sylvester, who was sworn in recently. Looking on
is Christopher Codrington.
This
was a birthday card presented to Ralph M Lewis, Imperator
of the Worldwide Jurisdiction of Rosicrucians, from his
Pope John Paul II on February 14, 1983.
Some
of the original members who laid the foundation for the
lodge.
Photos:
Sookdeo Baney
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