How can I recognize a Rosicrucian?
With their first treatise, “Fama Fraternitatis”, published in 1614, the Rosicrucians caused a sensation not only in Germany but throughout Europe. The publication came at a turbulent time of economic decline and intellectual upheaval in the old world.
In this text, the founders of the Rosicrucian myth, before they scattered to the four corners of the world, made six agreements. In them, they agreed upon their duties, their methods, and their trademark—the sign by which one can recognize a Rosicrucian. Thus, the fifth agreement of the “Fama Fraternitatis” states:
“The word R.C. shall be their seal, password, and character.”
What, then, is the character, the hallmark of a “Rosicrucian”? What does this “R.C.” symbol signify? As tradition holds, this R.C. symbol is recognized above all by the traits of compassion, forbearance, and gentleness (Sanftmütigkeit in German).
The latter term, which is also used by Jesus in the “Beatitudes,” has undergone a shift in meaning. Today it has a saccharine and insipid connotation. The original meaning of the German “sanftmütig” (gentle) is quite different.
In the original Greek Beatitudes, The word is Praeis (πραεῖς). It connotes “sanftmütig” (gentle) strength or power under control. Aristotle used it in his Nicomachean Ethics to describe the virtue between the extremes of being overly angry and never being angry.
The German word “sanft“ comes from the same root as “gesamt” (whole) or “sammeln” (to gather). “Sanftmütig” therefore has something to do with “totality” “wholeness.” The syllable “mütig” comes from the same root as “sich bemühen” etwas “zusammenzubringen,” in English “to strive.” The original meaning of the German word “sanftmütig” (gentle) is thus: to strive to bring something together. And what is to be brought together? The extremes, the opposites that lead to polarization in a person’s character.
The word “sanftmütig” (gentle) thus means striving for wholeness. This is what Jesus says of himself: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am sanftmütig (gentle).”
In the “Fama Fraternitatis” it says: “wir bekennen uns zur Erkantnus Jesu Christi…,” “we profess our spiritual insight of Jesus Christ…” (how to build up the mystical body of Christ!)“Spiritual insight” is particularly significant here. Certainty and confidence take the place of the hope of “faith” as proclaimed by the Church.
And in the second Rosicrucian text, the “Confessio Fraternitatis” of 1615, this “spiritual insight” is further reinforced. It demonstrates what we can learn (!) from the treasures that the Rosicrucians “so generously and without any distinction offer to everyone…”
