THE SKETCH

London, England

6 April 1910

(Page 397)

A MODERN MYSTIC:

A ROSICRUCIAN OF TO-DAY.

THE EDITOR OF “THE EQUINOX, THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC ILLUMINISM”:

MR. ALEISTER CROWLEY.

The original Rosicrucians, members of a supposed secret society said to have been founded by Christian Rosenkrentz (Rose Cross), in 1459, and first described in an anonymous work published at Cassel somewhere about 1614, are reported to have claimed exceptional knowledge of the secrets of nature, especially with regard to the transmutation of metals, and the way to prolong life, and are further said to have been able to heal the sick in mystical manner, and to have aided the poor by turning base metals into gold. Later, rumour asserted that the work issued from Cassel was written by Johann Valentine Andrew (1586-1654), a pastor of Stuttgart, in order that ridicule might be cast on the liking for mystery and secret doctrines that was so prevalent at that time. Andrews, however, denied the authorship of the book. It is worth noting, perhaps, that in Freemasonry there is an order, or degree, called the Rosy Cross. The Rosicrucians in their present form came into being in 1888, to study mystical philosophy and mysteries of antiquity. Whether they claim the knowledge that was claimed by the members of the original order we cannot say. The chief of the order is Mr. Macgregor [MacGregor Mathers], who was plaintiff in a recent copyright action against Mr. Crowley, editor of “The Equinox.” Mr. Crowley is well known as a poet.

Photographs by the Dover Street Studios.