5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

SacredTextsEsotericIndexPreviousNext
p.161

TheChemicalMarriage
THEselfadmittedauthorofTheChemicalMarriage,JohannValentinAndre,borninWrttembergin
1586,wastwentyeightyearsofagewhenthatworkwasfirstpublished.Itwaspresumablywrittenabout
twelveyearspriortoitspublicationorwhentheauthorwasfifteenorsixteenyearsold.Thefactis
almostincrediblethatonesoyoungcouldproduceavolumecontainingthewealthofsymbolicthought
andphilosophyhiddenbetweenthelinesofTheChemicalMarriage.Thisbookmakestheearliestknown
referencetoChristianRosencreutz,andisgenerallyregardedasthethirdoftheseriesoforiginal
Rosicrucianmanifestoes.Asasymbolicwork,thebookitselfishopelesslyirreconcilablewiththe
statementsmadebyAndreconcerningit.ThestoryofTheChemicalMarriagerelatesindetailaseries
ofincidentsoccurringtoanagedman,presumablytheFatherC.R.C.oftheFamaandConfessio.If
FatherC.R.C.wasbornin1378,asstatedintheConfessio,andisidenticalwiththeChristian
RosencreutzofTheChemicalMarriage,hewaselevatedtothedignityofaKnightoftheGoldenStone
intheeightyfirstyearofhislife(1459).Inthelightofhisownstatements,itisinconceivablethat
AndrecouldhavebeenFatherRosyCross.
Manyfiguresfoundinthevariousbooksonsymbolismpublishedintheearlypartoftheseventeenth
centurybearastrikingresemblancetothecharactersandepisodesinTheChemicalMarriage.The
alchemicalweddingmayprovetobethekeytotheriddleofBaconianRosicrucianism.Thepresencein
theGermantextofTheChemicalMarriageofsomewordsinEnglishindicatesitsauthortohavebeen
conversantalsowiththatlanguage.Thefollowingsummaryofthemainepisodesofthesevendaysof
TheChemicalMarriagewillgivethereaderafairlycomprehensiveideaoftheprofundityofits
symbolism.

THEFIRSTDAY
ChristianRosencreutz,havingpreparedinhisheartthePaschalLambtogetherwithasmallunleavened
loaf,wasdisturbedwhileatprayeroneeveningbeforeEasterbyaviolentstormwhichthreatenedto
demolishnotonlyhislittlehousebuttheveryhillonwhichitstood.Inthemidstofthetempesthewas
touchedonthebackand,turning,hebeheldagloriouswomanwithwingsfilledwitheyes,androbedin
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

1/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

skycoloredgarmentsspangledwithstars.Inonehandsheheldatrumpetandintheotherabundleof
lettersineverylanguage.HandingalettertoC.R.C.,sheimmediatelyascendedintotheair,atthesame
timeblowinguponhertrumpetablastwhichshookthehouse.Uponthesealoftheletterwasacurious
crossandthewordsInhocsignovinces.Within,tracedinlettersofgoldonanazurefield,wasan
invitationtoaroyalwedding.
C.R.C.wasdeeplymovedbytheinvitationbecauseitwasthefulfillmentofaprophecywhichhehad
receivedsevenyearsbefore,butsounworthydidhefeelthathewasparalyzedwithfear.Atlength,after
resortingtoprayer,hesoughtsleep.Inhisdreamshefoundhimselfinaloathsomedungeonwitha
multitudeofothermen,allboundandfetteredwithgreatchains.Thegrievousnessoftheirsufferingswas
increasedastheystumbledovereachotherinthedarkness.Suddenlyfromabovecamethesoundof
trumpetsthecoverofthedungeonwaslifted,andarayoflightpiercedthegloom.Framedinthelight
stoodahoaryheadedmanwhoannouncedthataropewouldbeloweredseventimesandwhoevercould
clingtotheropewouldbedrawnuptofreedom.
Greatconfusionensued.Allsoughttograsptheropeandmanywerepulledawayfromitbyothers.
C.R.C.despairedofbeingsaved,butsuddenlytheropeswungtowardshimand,graspingit,hewas
raisedfromthedungeon.Anagedwomancalledthe"AncientMatron"wroteinagoldenyellowbookthe
namesofthosedrawnforth,andeachoftheredeemedwasgivenforremembranceapieceofgold
bearingthesymbolofthesunandthelettersDLS.C.R.C.,whohadbeeninjuredwhileclingingtothe
rope,founditdifficulttowalk.Theagedwomanbadehimnottoworry,buttothankGodwhohad
permittedhimtocomeintosohighalight.ThereupontrumpetssoundedandC.R.C.awoke,butsovivid
wasthedreamthathewasstillsensibleofthewoundsreceivedwhileasleep.
WithrenewedfaithC.R.C.aroseandpreparedhimselffortheHermeticMarriage.Hedonnedawhite
linencoatandboundaredribboncrosswiseoverhisshoulders.Inhishathestuckfourrosesandforfood
hecarriedbread,water,andsalt.Beforeleavinghiscottage,hekneltandvowedthatwhateverknowledge
wasrevealedtohimhewoulddevotetotheserviceofhisneighbor.Hethendepartedfromhishousewith
joy.

THESECONDDAY
Asheenteredtheforestsurroundinghislittlehouse,itseemedtoC.R.C.thatallNaturehadjoyously
preparedforthewedding.Asheproceededsingingmerrily,hecametoagreenheathinwhichstood
threegreatcedars,onebearingatabletwithaninscriptiondescribingthefourpathsthatledtothepalace
oftheKing:thefirstshortanddangerous,thesecondcircuitous,thethirdapleasantandroyalroad,and
thefourthsuitableonlyforincorruptiblebodies.Wearyandperplexed,C.R.C.decidedtorestand,cutting
asliceofbread,wasabouttopartakethereofwhenawhitedovebeggeditfromhim.Thedovewasat
onceattackedbyaraven,andinhiseffortstoseparatethebirdsC.R.C.unknowinglyranaconsiderable
distancealongoneofthefourpathsthatleadingsouthward.Aterrificwindpreventinghimfrom
retracinghissteps,theweddingguestresignedhimselftothelossofhisbreadandcontinuedalongthe
roaduntilheespiedinthedistanceagreatgate.Thesunbeinglow,hehastenedtowardstheportal,upon
which,amongotherfigures,wasatabletbearingthewordsProculhincproculiteprofani.
AgatekeeperinskycoloredhabitimmediatelyaskedC.R.C.forhisletterofinvitationand,onreceiving
it,badehimenterandrequestedthathepurchaseatoken.AfterdescribinghimselfasaBrotherofthe
RedRosieCross,C.R.C.receivedinexchangeforhiswaterbottleagoldendiskbearingthelettersSC.
Nightdrawingnear,thewandererhastenedontoasecondgate,guardedbyalion,andtowhichwas
affixedatabletwiththewordsDateetdabiturvolis,wherehepresentedalettergivenhimbythefirst
gatekeeper.BeingurgedtopurchaseatokenbearingthelettersSM,hegavehislittlepackageofsaltand
thenhastenedontoreachthepalacegatesbeforetheywerelockedforthenight.
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

2/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

AbeautifulvirgincalledVirgoLuciferawasextinguishingthecastlelightsasC.R.C.approached,andhe
wasbarelyabletosqueezethroughtheclosinggates.Astheyclosedtheycaughtpartofhiscoat,which
hewasforcedtoleavebehind.HerehisnamewaswrittenintheLordBridegroom'slittlevellumbook
andhewaspresentedwithanewpairofshoesandalsoatokenbearingthelettersSPN.Hewasthen
conductedbypagestoasmallchamberwherethe"icegreylocks"werecutfromthecrownofhishead
byinvisiblebarbers,afterwhichhewasusheredintoaspacioushallwhereagoodlynumberofkings,
princes,andcommonerswereassembled.Atthesoundoftrumpetseachseatedhimselfatthetable,
takingapositioncorrespondingtohisdignity,sothatC.R.C.receivedaveryhumbleseat.Mostofthe
pseudophilosopherspresentbeingvainpretenders,thebanquetbecameanorgy,which,however,
suddenlyceasedatthesoundof

Clicktoenlarge
TITLEPAGEOF1616EDITIONOFCHYMISCHEHOCHZEIT:CHRISTIANROSENCREUTZ.

FromRosencreutz'ChemicalMarriage.
ThemostremarkableofallthepublicationsinvolvedintheRosicruciancontroversyisthatofTheChemicalMarriage,
publishedinStrasbourg.Thiswork,whichisveryrare,shouldbereproducedinexactfacsimiletoprovidestudentswiththe
opportunityofexaminingtheactualtextforthevariousformsofcipheremployed.Probablynoothervolumeinthehistory
orliteraturecreatedsuchaprofounddisturbanceasthisunpretentiouslittlebook.Immediatelyfollowingitspublicationthe
purposeforwhichthevolumewasintendedbecamethesubjectofpopularspeculation.Itwasbothattackedanddefendedby
theologiansandphilosophersalike,butwhenthevariouscontendingelementsaresimmereddownthemysteriessurrounding
thebookremainunsolved.Thatitsauthorwasamanofexceptionallearningwasadmitted,anditisnoteworthythatthose
mindswhichpossessedthedeepestunderstandingofNature'smysterieswereamongthoseprofoundlyimpressedbythe
contentsofTheChemicalMarriage.
p.162

statelyandinspiredmusic.Fornearlyhalfanhournoonespoke.Thenamidstagreatsoundthedoorof
thedininghallswungopenandthousandsoflightedtapersheldbyinvisiblehandsentered.Thesewere
followedbythetwopageslightingthebeautifulVirgoLuciferaseatedonaselfmovingthrone.The
whiteandgoldrobedVirginthenroseandannouncedthattopreventtheadmissionofunworthypersons
tothemysticalweddingasetofscaleswouldbeerectedthefollowingdayuponwhicheachguestwould
beweighedtodeterminehisintegrity.Thoseunwillingtoundergothisordealshestatedshouldremainin
thedininghall.Shethenwithdrew,butmanyofthetapersstayedtoaccompanythegueststotheir
quartersforthenight.
Mostofthosepresentwerepresumptuousenoughtobelievethattheycouldbesafetyweighed,butnine
includingC.R.C.felttheirshortcomingssodeeplythattheyfearedtheoutcomeandremainedinthehall
whiletheotherswereledawaytotheirsleepingchambers.Theseninewereboundwithropesandleft
aloneindarkness.C.R.C.thendreamedthathesawmanymensuspendedovertheearthbythreads,and
amongthemflewanagedmanwho,cuttinghereandthereathread,causedmanytofalltoearth.Those
whoinarrogancehadsoaredtoloftyheightsaccordinglyfellagreaterdistanceandsustainedmore
seriousinjurythanthemorehumbleoneswho,fallingbutashortdistance,oftenlandedwithoutmishap.
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

3/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

Consideringthisdreamtobeagoodomen,C.R.C.relatedittoacompanion,continuingindiscoursewith
himuntildawn.

THETHIRDDAY
SoonafterdawnthetrumpetssoundedandtheVirgoLucifera,arrayedinredvelvet,girdedwithawhite
sash,andcrownedwithalaurelwreath,enteredaccompaniedbytwohundredmeninredandwhite
livery.SheintimatedtoC.R.C.andhiseightcompanionsthattheymightfarebetterthantheother,self
satisfiedguests.Goldenscaleswerethenhunginthemidstofthehallandnearthemwereplacedseven
weights,onegoodsized,foursmall,andtwoverylarge.Themeninlivery,eachcarryinganakedsword
andastrongrope,weredividedintosevengroupsandfromeachgroupwaschosenacaptain,whowas
givenchargeofoneoftheweights.Havingremountedherhighthrone,VirgoLuciferaorderedthe
ceremonytobegin.Thefirsttosteponthescaleswasanemperorsovirtuousthatthebalancesdidnottip
untilsixweightshadbeenplacedupontheoppositeend.Hewasthereforeturnedovertothesixthgroup.
Therichandpooralikestooduponthescales,butonlyafewpassedthetestsuccessfully.Tothesewere
givenvelvetrobesandwreathsoflaurel,afterwhichtheywereseateduponthestepsofVirgoLucifera's
throne.Thosewhofailedwereridiculedandscourged.
The"inquisition"beingfinished,oneofthecaptainsbeggedVirgoLuciferatopermittheninemenwho
haddeclaredthemselvesunworthyalsotobeweighed,andthiscausedC.R.C.anguishandfear.Ofthe
firstsevenonesucceededandwasgreetedwithjoy.C.R.C.wastheeighthandhenotonlywithstoodall
theweightsbutevenwhenthreemenhungontheoppositeendofthebeamhecouldnotbemoved.A
pagecriedout:"THATISHE!"C.R.C.wasquicklysetatlibertyandpermittedtoreleaseoneofthe
captives.Hechosethefirstemperor.VirgoLuciferathenrequestedtheredrosesthatC.R.C.carried,
whichheimmediatelygaveher.Theceremonyofthescalesendedaboutteno'clockintheforenoon.
Afteragreeinguponthepenaltiestobeimposeduponthosewhoseshortcomingshadbeenthusexposed,
adinnerwasservedtoall.Thefewsuccessful"artists,"includingC.R.C.,weregiventhechiefseats,after
whichtheGoldenFleeceandaFlyingLionwerebestowedupontheminthenameoftheBridegroom.
VirgoLuciferathenpresentedamagnificentgoblettotheguests,statingthattheKinghadrequestedallto
shareitscontents,Followingthis,C.R.C.andhiscompanionsweretakenoutuponascaffoldingwhere
theybeheldthevariouspenaltiessufferedbythosewhofailed.Beforeleavingthepalace,eachofthe
rejectedguestswasgivenadraughtofforgetfulness.Theelectthenreturnedtothecastle,wheretoeach
wasassignedalearnedpage,whoconductedthemthroughthevariouspartsoftheedifice.C.R.C.saw
manythingshiscompanionswerenotprivilegedtobehold,includingtheRoyalSepulcher,wherehe
learned"morethanisextantinallbooks."Healsovisitedamagnificentlibraryandanobservatory
containingagreatglobethirtyfeetindiameterandwithallthecountriesoftheworldmarkeduponit.
AtsupperthevariousguestspropoundedenigmasandC.R.C.solvedtheriddlewhichVirgoLucifera
askedconcerningherownidentity.Thenenteredthedininghalltwoyouthsandsixvirginsbeautifully
robed,followedbyaseventhvirginwearingacoronet.ThelatterwascalledtheDuchess,andwas
mistakenfortheHermeticBride.TheDuchesstoldC.R.C.thathehadreceivedmorethantheothers,
thereforeshouldmakeagreaterreturn.TheDuchessthenaskedeachofthevirginstopickuponeofthe
sevenweightswhichstillremainedinthegreatroom.ToVirgoLuciferawasgiventheheaviestweight,
whichwashungintheQueen'schamberduringthesingingofahymn.Inthesecondchamberthefirst
virginhungherweightduringasimilarceremonythustheyproceededfromroomtoroomuntilthe
weightshadbeendisposedof.TheDuchessthenpresentedherhandtoC.R.C.andhiscompanionsand,
followedbyhervirgins,withdrew.Pagesthenconductedthegueststotheirsleepingchambers.Theone
assignedtoC.R.C.washungwithraretapestriesandwithbeautifulpaintings.

http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

4/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

THEFOURTHDAY
Afterwashinganddrinkinginthegardenfromafountainwhichboreseveralinscriptionsamongthem
onereading,"Drink,brothers,andlive"theguests,ledbyVirgoLucifera,ascendedthe365stepsofthe
royalwindingstairs.Theguestsweregivenwreathsoflaureland,acurtainbeingraised,found
themselvesinthepresenceoftheKingandQueen.C.R.C.wasawestruckbythegloryofthethroneroom
andespeciallybythemagnificenceoftheQueen'srobes,whichweresodazzlingthathecouldnotgaze
uponthem.EachguestwaspresentedtotheKingbyoneofthevirginsandafterthisceremonytheVirgo
Luciferamadeashortspeechinwhichsherecitedtheachievementsofthehonest"artists"andbegged
thateachbequestionedastowhethershehadproperlyfulfilledherduty.OldAtlasthensteppedforward
andinthenameoftheirRoyalMajestiesgreetedtheintrepidbandofphilosophersandassuredVirgo
Luciferathatsheshouldreceivearoyalreward.
Thelengthofthethroneroomwasfivetimesitswidth.Tothewestwasagreatporchinwhichstood
threethrones,thecentraloneelevated.Oneachthronesattwopersons:onthefirstanancientkingwitha
youngconsortonthethirdablackkingwithaveiledmatronbesidehimandonthecentralthronetwo
youngpersonsoverwhoseheadshungalargeandcostlycrown,aboutwhichhoveredalittleCupidwho
shothisarrowsfirstatthetwoloversandthenaboutthehall.BeforetheQueenabookboundinblack
velvetlayonasmallaltar,onwhichweregoldendecorations.Besidethiswereaburningcandle,a
celestialglobe,asmallstrikingwatch,alittlecrystalpipefromwhichranastreamofclearbloodred
liquor,andaskullwithawhiteserpentcrawlinginandoutoftheorbits.Aftertheirpresentations,the
guestsretireddownthewindingstairstothegreathall.

Clicktoenlarge
KEYTOTHEGREATPHILOSOPHICALSECRET.

FromAshmole'sTheatrumChemicumBritannicum.
Thisplate,whichisthekeytomysticChristianalchemy,ismissingfromalmosteverycopyoftheTheatrumChemicum
Britannicum,aworkcompiledbyEliasAshmoleandcontainingaboutascoreofpiecesbyEnglishpoetstreatingofthe
Philosopher'sStoneandtheHermeticmysteries.Inviewoftheconsistentmannerinwhichtheplatedisappeared,itis
possiblethatthediagramwaspurposelyremovedbecauseitrevealedtooplainlytheRosicrucianarcana.Worthyofnotice
alsoisthecarewithwhichowners'nameshavebeeneffacedfromearlybookspertainingtoalchemyandHermeticism.The
originalnamesareusuallyrenderedillegiblebeingcoveredwithheavyinklines,theprocedureoftenseriouslydefacingthe
volume,Whileanoccasionalexceptionisfound,inpracticallyeveryinstancethemutilatedbookseitherdealwith
RosicrucianismorcontaincrypticwritingsofsuspectedRosicrucianorigin.ItispresumedthatthisPracticeofobliterating
theownersnameswastopreventtheearlyRosicruciansandHermetistsfrombeingdiscoveredthroughthevolumes
composingtheirlibraries.EliasAshmole'splateshowstheanalogiesbetweenthelifeofChristandthefourgranddivisionsof
thealchemicalprocess.HereinisalsorevealedtheteachingthatthePhilosopher'sStoneitselfisamacrocosmanda
microcosm,embodyingtheprinciplesofastronomyandcosmogony,bothuniversalandhuman.
p.163

LatertheVirgoLuciferaannouncedthatacomedywastobeperformedforthebenefitofthesixroyal
guestsinabuildingcalledtheHouseoftheSun.C.R.C.andhiscompanionsformedpartoftheroyal
procession,whichafteraconsiderablewalkarrivedatthetheater.Theplaywasinsevenacts,andafter
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

5/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

itshappyendingallreturnedthroughthegardenandupthewindingstairstothethroneroom.C.R.C.
noticedtheyoungKingwasverysadandthatatthebanquetfollowingheoftensentmeattothewhite
serpentintheskull.Thefeastover,theyoungKing,holdinginhishandthelittleblackbookfromthe
altar,askedtheguestsiftheywouldallbetruetohimthroughprosperityandadversity,andwhenthey
tremblinglyagreedheaskedthateachshouldsignhisnameinthelittleblackbookasproofofhisfealty.
Theroyalpersonsthendrankfromthelittlecrystalfountain,theothersafterwardsdoinglikewise.This
wascalledthe"DraughtofSilence."Theroyalpersonsthensadlyshookhandswithallpresent.Suddenly
alittlebelltinkledandimmediatelythekingsandqueenstookofftheirwhitegarmentsanddonnedblack
ones,theroomwashunginsabledraperies,andthetableswereremoved.Theeyesoftheroyalpersons
wereboundwithsixblacktaffetascarfsandsixcoffinswereplacedinthecenteroftheroom.An
executioner,aMoor,robedinblackandbearinganaxe,entered,andbeheadedinturneachofthesix
royalpersons.Thebloodofeachwascaughtinagoldengoblet,whichwasplacedinthecoffinswiththe
body.Theexecutionerwasalsodecapitatedandhisheadplacedinasmallchest.
TheVirgoLucifera,afterassuringC.R.C.andhiscompanionsthatallshouldbewelliftheywerefaithful
andtrue,orderedthepagestoconductthemtotheirroomsforthenightwhilesheremainedtowatchwith
thedead.AboutmidnightC.R.C.awakenedsuddenlyand,lookingfromhiswindow,beheldsevenships
sailinguponalake.Aboveeachhoveredaflamethesehebelievedtobethespiritsofthebeheaded.
Whentheshipsreachedshore,theVirgoLuciferametthemandoneachofsixofthevesselswasplaceda
coveredcoffin.Assoonasthecoffinshadbeenthusdisposedof,thelightswereextinguishedandthe
flamespassedbackoverthelakesothatthereremainedbutonelightforawatchineachship.After
beholdingthisstrangeceremony,C.R.C.returnedtohisbedandslepttillmorning.

THEFIFTHDAY
Risingatdaybreakandentreatinghispagetoshowhimothertreasuresofthepalace,C.R.C.was
conducteddownmanystepstoagreatirondoorbearingacuriousinscription,whichhecarefullycopied.
Passingthrough,hefoundhimselfintheroyaltreasury,thelightinwhichcameentirelyfromsomehuge
carbuncles.InthecenterstoodthetriangularsepulcherofLadyVenus.Liftingacopperdoorinthe
pavement,thepageusheredC.R.C.intoacryptwherestoodagreatbeduponwhich,whenhisguidehad
raisedthecoverlets,C.R.C.beheldthebodyofVenus.Ledbyhispage,C.R.C.thenrejoinedhis
companions,sayingnothingtothemofhisexperience.
VirgoLucifera,robedinblackvelvetandaccompaniedbyhervirgins,thenledtheguestsoutintothe
courtyardwherestoodsixcoffins,eachwitheightpallbearers.C.R.C.wastheonlyoneofthegroupof
"artists"whosuspectedtheroyalbodieswerenolongerinthesecoffins.Thecoffinswereloweredinto
gravesandgreatstonesrolledoverthem.TheVirgoLuciferathenmadeashortorationinwhichshe
exhortedeachtoassistinrestoringtheroyalpersonstolife,declaringthattheyshouldjourneywithherto
theTowerofOlympus,wherethemedicinesnecessarytotheresurrectionofthesixroyalpersonscould
alonebefound.C.R.C.andhiscompanionsfollowedVirgoLuciferatotheseashore,whereallembarked
onsevenshipsdisposedaccordingtoacertainstrangeorder.Astheshipssailedacrossthelakeand
throughanarrowchannelintotheopensea,theywereattendedbysirens,nymphs,andseagoddesses,
whoinhonoroftheweddingpresentedagreatandbeautifulpearltotheroyalcouple.Whentheships
cameinsightoftheTowerofOlympus,VirgoLuciferaorderedthedischargeofcannontosignaltheir
approach.Immediatelyawhiteflagappeareduponthetowerandasmallgildedpinnace,containingan
ancientmanthewardenofthetowerwithhiswhitecladguardscameouttomeettheships.
TheTowerofOlympusstooduponanislandwhichwasexactlysquareandwassurroundedbyagreat
wall.Enteringthegate,thegroupwasledtothebottomofthecentraltower,whichcontainedan
excellentlaboratorywheretheguestswerefaintobeatandwashplants,preciousstones,andallsortsof
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

6/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

things,extracttheirjuiceandessence,andputtheselatterintoglasses.VirgoLuciferasetthe"artists"to
worksoarduouslythattheyfelttheyweremeredrudges.Whentheday'sworkwasfinished,eachwas
assignedamattressonthestonefloor.Beingunabletosleep,C.R.C.wanderedaboutcontemplatingthe
stars.Chancinguponaflightofstepsleadingtothetopofthewall,heclimbedupandlookedoutupon
thesea.Remaininghereforsometime,aboutmidnighthebeheldsevenflameswhich,passingoverthe
seatowardshim,gatheredthemselvesonthetopofthespireofthecentraltower.Simultaneouslythe
windsarose,theseabecametempestuous,andthemoonwascoveredwithclouds.WithsomefearC.R.C.
randownthestairsandreturnedtothetowerand,lyingdownonhismattress,waslulledtosleepbythe
soundofagentlyflowingfountaininthelaboratory.

THESIXTHDAY
Thenextmorningtheagedwardenofthetower,afterexaminingtheworkperformedbythewedding
guestsinthelaboratoryandfindingitsatisfactory,causedladders,ropes,andlargewingstobebrought
forth,andaddressedtheassembled"artists"thus:"Mydearsons,oneofthesethreethingsmusteachof
youthisdayconstantlybearaboutwithhim."LotswerecastandtoC.R.C.,muchtohischagrin,fella
heavyladder.Thosewhosecuredwingshadthemfastenedtotheirbackssocunninglythatitwas
impossibletodetectthattheywereartificial.Theagedwardenthenlockedthe"artists"inthelowerroom
ofthetower,butinashorttimearoundholewasuncoveredintheceilingandVirgoLuciferainvitedall
toascend.Thosewithwingsflewatoncethroughtheopening,thosewithropeshadmanydifficulties,
whileC.R.C.withhisladdermadereasonablespeed.Onthesecondfloortheweddingguests,musicians,
andVirgoLuciferagatheredaboutafountainlikecontrivancecontainingthebodiesofthesixroyal
persons.
VirgoLuciferathenplacedtheifMoor'sheadinakettlelikereceptacleintheupperpartofthefountain
andpoureduponitthesubstancespreparedonthepreviousdayinthelaboratory.Thevirginsplaced
lampsbeneath.Thesesubstanceswhentheyboiledpassedoutthroughholesinthesidesofthekettleand,
fallinguponthebodiesinthefountainbelow,dissolvedthem.Thesixroyalbodieshavingbeenreduced
thustoaliquidstate,atapwasopenedinthelowerendofthefountainandthefluiddrainedintoan
immensegoldenglobe,which,whenfilled,wasofgreatweight.Allbuttheweddinggueststhenretired
andshortlyaholeintheceilingopenedasbeforeandtheguestsascendedpellmelltothethirdfloor.
Heretheglobeweresuspendedbyastrongchain.Thewallsoftheapartmentwereofglass,andmirrors
weresoarrangedthatthesun'srayswereconcentrateduponthecentralglobe,thuscausingittobecome
veryhot.Laterthesun'sraysweredeflectedandtheglobepermittedtocool,afterwhichitwascutopen
withadiamond,revealingabeautifulwhiteegg.Carryingthiswithher,VirgoLuciferadeparted.
Theguests,havingascendedthroughanothertrapdoor,found

Clicktoenlarge
THEUNIVERSECREATEDBYTHEDUALPRINCIPLEOFLIGHTANDDARKNESS.

FromFludd'sPhilosophiaMosaica.
TheSupremeDeityissymbolizedbythesmallglobeatthetop,whichisdividedintotwohemispheres,thedarkhalf
representingthedivinedarknesswithwhichtheDeitysurroundHimselfandwhichservesasHishidingplace.Theradiant
hemispheresignifiesthedivinelightwhichisinGodandwhich,pouringforth,manifestsastheobjectivecreativepower.The
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

7/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

largedarkglobetotheleftandbeneaththedarkhalfoftheupperspheresignifiesthepotentialdarknesswhichwasuponthe
faceoftheprimordialdeepandwithinwhichmovedtheSpiritofGod.ThelightglobetotherightistheDeitywhois
revealedoutofthedarkness.HeretheshiningWordhasdissipatedtheshadowsandagloriousuniversehasbeenformed.The
divinepowerofthisradiantglobeiscognizabletomanasthesun.Thelargelightandadarksectionrepresentsthecreated
universespartakingofthelightanddarknesswhichareinthenatureoftheCreator.ThedarkhalfrepresentstheDeep,or
Chaos,theEternalWaterspouringforthoutoftheDeitythelighthalfcirclecontainingthefigureofApollorepresentsthe
diurnalhemisphereoftheworld,whichintheancientMysterieswasruledoverbyApollo.Thedarkhalfcircleisthe
nocturnalhemisphereruledoverbyDionysius(Dionysos),whosefigureisfaintlyvisibleinthegloom.
p.164

themselvesuponthefourthfloor,wherestoodasquarekettlefilledwithsilversandwarmedbyagentle
fire.Thegreatwhiteeggwasplaceduponthewarmsandtomature.Inashorttimeitcrackedandthere
emergedanugly,illtemperedbird,whichwasfedwiththebloodofthebeheadedroyalpersonsdiluted
withpreparedwater.Ateachfeedingitsfeatherschangedcolorfromblacktheyturnedtowhiteandat
lasttheybecamevaricolored,thedispositionofthebirdimprovingthewhile.Dinnerwasthenserved,
afterwhichVirgoLuciferadepartedwiththebird.Theguestsascendedwithropes,ladders,andwingsto
thefifthfloor,whereabathcoloredwithfinewhitepowderhadbeenpreparedforthebird,which
enjoyedbathinginituntilthelampsplacedbeneaththebathcausedthewatertobecomeuncomfortably
warm.Whentheheathadremovedallthebird'sfeathersitwastakenout,butthefirecontinueduntil
nothingremainedinthebathsaveasedimentintheformofabluestone.Thiswaslaterpoundedupand
madeintoapigmentwiththis,allofthebirdexcepttheheadwaspainted.
Thegueststhereuponascendedtothesixthfloor,wherestoodasmallaltarresemblingthatintheKing's
throneroom.Thebirddrankfromthelittlefountainandwasfedwiththebloodofthewhiteserpent
whichcrawledthroughtheopeningsintheskull.Thespherebythealtarrevolvedcontinuously.The
watchstruckone,two,andthenthree,atwhichtimethebird,layingitsneckuponthebook,suffered
itselftobedecapitated.Itsbodywasburnedtoashes,whichwereplacedinaboxofcypresswood.Virgo
LuciferatoldC.R.C.andthreeofhiscomradesthattheywerelazyandsluggish"labourators"andwould
thereforebeexcludedfromtheseventhroom.Musiciansweresentfor,whowithcornetswereto"blow"
thefourinridiculefromthechamber.C.R.C.andhisthreecompanionsweredishearteneduntilthe
musicianstoldthemtobeofgoodcheerandledthemupawindingstairtotheeighthfloorofthetower
directlybeneaththeroof.Heretheoldwarden,standinguponalittleroundfurnace,welcomedthemand
congratulatedthemuponbeingchosenbyVirgoLucifera,forthisgreaterwork.VirgoLuciferathen
entered,andafterlaughingattheperplexityofherguests,emptiedtheashesofthebirdintoanother
vessel,fillingthecypressboxwithuselessmatter.Shethereuponreturnedtotheseventhfloor,
presumablytomisleadthoseassembledtherebysettingthemtoworkuponthefalseashesinthebox.
C.R.C.andhisthreefriendsweresettoworkmoisteningthebird'sasheswithspeciallypreparedwater
untilthemixturebecameofdoughlikeconsistency,afterwhichitwasheatedandmoldedintotwo
miniatureforms.Laterthesewereopened,disclosingtwobrightandalmosttransparenthumanimages
aboutfourincheshigh(homunculi),onemaleandtheotherfemale.Thesetinyformswerelaidupon
satincushionsandfeddropbydropwiththebloodofthebirduntiltheygrewtonormalsizeandofgreat
beauty.Thoughthebodieshadtheconsistencyofflesh,theyshowednosignsoflife,forthesoulwasnot
inthem.Thebodieswerenextsurroundedwithtorchesandtheirfacescoveredwithsilk.VirgoLucifera
thenappeared,bearingtwocuriouswhitegarments.Thevirginsalsoentered,amongthemsixbearing
greattrumpets.AtrumpetwasplaceduponthemouthofoneofthetwofiguresandC.R.C.sawatiny
holeopeninthedomeofthetowerandarayoflightdescendthroughthetubeofthetrumpetandenter
thebody.Thisprocesswasrepeatedthreetimesoneachbody.Thetwonewlyensouledformswerethen
removeduponatravelingcouch.InabouthalfanhourtheyoungKingandQueenawakenedandthe
VirgoLuciferapresentedthemwiththewhitegarments.ThesetheydonnedandtheKinginhisown
personmostgraciouslyreturnedthankstoC.R.C.andhiscompanions,afterwhichtheroyalpersons
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

8/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

departeduponaship.C.R.C.andhisthreeprivilegedfriendsthenrejoinedtheother"artists,"makingno
mentionofthatwhichtheyhadseen.Latertheentirepartywereassignedhandsomechambers,where
theyrestedtillmorning.

THESEVENTHDAY
InthemorningVirgoLuciferaannouncedthateachoftheweddingguestshadbecomea"Knightofthe
GoldenStone."Theagedwardenthenpresentedeachmanwithagoldmedal,bearingononesidethe
inscription"At.Nat.Mi."andontheother,"Tem.Na.F."Theentirecompanyreturnedintwelveshipsto
theKing'spalace.Theflagsonthevesselsborethesignsofthezodiac,andC.R.C.satunderthatof
Libra.Astheyenteredthelake,manyshipsmetthemandtheKingandQueen,togetherwiththeirlords,
ladies,andvirgins,rodeforthonagoldenbargetogreetthereturningguests.Atlasthenmadeashort
orationintheKing'sbehalf,alsoaskingfortheroyalpresents.Inreplytheagedwardendeliveredto
Cupid,whohoveredabouttheroyalpair,asmall,curiousshapedcasket.C.R.C.andtheoldlord,each
bearingasnowwhiteensignwitharedcrossonit,rodeinthecarriagewiththeKing.Atthefirstgate
stoodtheporterwithblueclothes,who,uponseeingC.R.C.,beggedhimtointercedewiththeKingto
releasehimfromthatpostofservitude.TheKingrepliedthattheporterwasafamousastrologerwho
wasforcedtokeepthegateasapunishmentforthecrimeofhavinggazeduponLadyVenusreposing
uponhercouch.TheKingfurtherdeclaredthattheportercouldbereleasedonlywhenanotherwasfound
whohadcommittedthesamecrime.Uponhearingthis,C.R.C.'sheartsank,forherealizedhimselftobe
theculprit,butheremainedsilentatthattime.
ThenewlycreatedKnightsoftheGoldenStonewereobligedtosubscribetofivearticlesdrawnupby
HisRoyalHighness:(1)ThattheywouldascribetheirOrderonlytoGodandHishandmaid,Nature.(2)
Thattheyshouldabominatealluncleannessandvice.(3)Thattheyshouldalwaysbereadytoassistthe
worthyandneedy.(4)Thattheyshouldnotusetheirknowledgeandpowerfortheattainmentofworldly
dignity.(5)ThattheyshouldnotdesiretolivelongerthanGodhaddecreed.Theywerethenduly
installedasKnights,whichceremonywasratifiedinalittlechapelwhereC.R.C.hunguphisGolden
Fleeceandhishatforaneternalmemorial,andhereheinscribedthefollowing:SummaScientianihil
Scire,Fr.ChristianusRosencreutz.EquesaureiLapidis.Anno1459.
Aftertheceremony,C.R.C.admittedthathewastheonewhohadbeheldVenusandconsequentlymust
becometheporterofthegate.TheKingembracedhimfondlyandhewasassignedtoagreatroom
containingthreebedsoneforhimself,onefortheagedlordofthetower,andthethirdforoldAtlas.
TheChemicalMarriageherecomestoanabruptend,leavingtheimpressionthatC.R.C.wastoassume
hisdutiesasporteronthefollowingmorning.Thebookendsinthemiddleofasentence,withanotein
italicspresumablybytheeditor.
Underthesymbolismofanalchemicalmarriage,medivalphilosophersconcealedthesecretsystemof
spiritualculturewherebytheyhopedtocoordinatethedisjectamembraofboththehumanandsocial
organisms.Society,theymaintained,wasathreefoldstructureandhaditsanalogyinthetriune
constitutionofman,forasmanconsistsofspirit,mind,andbody,sosocietyismadeupofthechurch,the
state,andthepopulace.Thebigotryofthechurch,thetyrannyofthestate,andthefuryofthemobare
thethreemurderousagenciesofsocietywhichseektodestroyTruthasrecountedintheMasoniclegend
ofHiramAbiff.ThefirstsixdaysofTheChemicalMarriagesetforththeprocessesofphilosophical
"creation"throughwhicheveryorganismmustpass.Thethreekingsarethethreefoldspiritofmanand
theirconsortsthecorrespondingvehiclesoftheirexpressioninthelowerworld.Theexecutioneristhe
mind,thehigherpartofwhichsymbolizedbytheheadisnecessarytotheachievementofthe
philosophicallabor.Thusthepartsofmanbythealchemistssymbolizedasplanetsandelementswhen
blendedtogetheraccordingtoacertainDivineformularesultinthecreationoftwophilosophic"babes"
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

9/10

5/12/2016

SecretTeachingsofAllAges:TheChemicalMarriage

which,feduponthebloodofthealchemicalbird,becomerulersoftheworld.
Fromanethicalstandpoint,theyoungKingandQueenresurrectedatthesummitofthetowerand
ensouledbyDivineLiferepresenttheforcesofIntelligenceandLovewhichmustultimatelyguide
society.IntelligenceandLovearethetwogreatethicalluminariesoftheworldandcorrespondto
enlightenedspiritandregeneratedbody.Thebridegroomisrealityandthebridetheregeneratedbeing
whoattainsperfectionbybecomingonewithrealitythroughacosmicmarriagewhereinthemortalpart
attainsimmortalitybybeingunitedwithitsownimmortalSource.IntheHermeticMarriagedivineand
humanconsciousnessareunitedinholywedlockandheinwhomthissacredceremonytakesplaceis
designatedas"KnightoftheGoldenStone"hetherebybecomesadivinephilosophicdiamond
composedofthequintessenceofhisownsevenfoldconstitution.
Suchisthetrueinterpretationofthemysticalprocessofbecoming"abrideoftheLamb."TheLambof
GodissignifiedbytheGoldenFleecethatJasonwasforcedtowinbeforehecouldassumehiskingship.
TheFlyingLionisilluminedwill,anabsoluteprerequisitetotheachievementoftheGreatWork.The
episodeofweighingthesoulsofmenhasitsparallelintheceremonydescribedintheEgyptianBookof
theDead.ThewalledcityenteredbyC.R.C.representsthesanctuaryofwisdomwhereindwellthereal
rulersoftheworldtheinitiatedphilosophers.
LiketheancientMysteriesafterwhichitwaspatterned,theOrderoftheRoseCrosspossessedasecret
ritualwhichwaslivedbythecandidateforaprescribednumberofyearsbeforehewaseligibletothe
innerdegreesofthesociety.ThevariousfloorsoftheTowerofOlympusrepresenttheorbitsofthe
planets.Theascentofthephilosophersfromonefloortoanotheralsoparallelscertainritualsofthe
EleusinianMysteriesandtheritesofMithraswhereinthecandidateascendedthesevenrungsofaladder
orclimbedthesevenstepsofapyramidinordertosignifyreleasefromtheinfluencesofthePlanetary
Governors.Manbecomesmasterofthesevenspheresonlywhenhetransmutestheimpulsesreceived
fromthem.HewhomastersthesevenworldsandisreunitedwiththeDivineSourceofhisownnature
consummatestheHermeticMarriage.
Next:Bacon,Shakspere,andtheRosicrucians

http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta40.htm

10/10