Culture Book reviews
2 1 st C e n t u r y R o s i c r u c i a n i s m
21 st Century Rosicrucianism
www.lewismasonic.co.uk
Frater Robert Gordon
Printed in England
THE CORNERSTONE BY ALBERT B ROTH ER
21ST CE NTU RY ROSICRUCIAN ISM BY ROBERT GORDON
A rather handy guide
Just as relevant today
There are a number of guides, including those produced by UGLE, London and the Provinces, designed to help newly made entered apprentices learn, understand and progress in their early years in Freemasonry. I have only to think back to my own state of complete ignorance – which probably lasted well beyond my ‘early years’ – to appreciate just how important these guides are and how I wish some of them had been available when I took my fi rst regular step. Split into 365 bite-sized lessons, The Cornerstone is structured around ‘the daily advancement in masonic knowledge’ and, as such, is a useful and easy-to-read companion for anyone wanting to fi nd out more about Freemasonry. Its pocket-sized format makes it perfect for dipping into when time and circumstance allow and, although some subjects are treated in a necessarily brief style, it is both interesting and informative throughout.
Rosicrucianism is a complex phenomenon with a wide variety of manifestations. Many readers will know of Masonic ones, such as the Ancient and Accepted Rite (often referred to as the Rose Croix) and the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. Whatever the manifestation, however, they all more or less take as their starting point three pamphlets published between 1614 and 1616. Whether written as a hoax by German theologian Johann Valentin Andreae (1586–1654) or not, fascination with them spread quickly across Europe. This book is a collection of papers (many of which were delivered at meetings of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia) that provide a good historical overview of Rosicrucianism’s origins, spread and later development through the 18th and 19th centuries to the present day. The real aim of the book, however, is to explore how an older esoteric tradition can be squared with today’s fast-paced, fragmented and
365 bite-sized lessons for everyone
A look at an extraordinary phenomenon
Having read lengthy tomes on the origins of Freemasonry, it’s refreshing to see it being covered in around 250 words. Other subjects include an explanation of Masonic titles, roles and responsibilities, the set-up of the Lodge, different types of ritual, quirks and culture and the side-orders beyond the Craft. The book is written by Albert Beauregard Rother (or AB Rother as he is referred to throughout), with a foreword by Malcolm Levi that may give some insight as to the book’s origin. As well as being a useful and compact guide, there are a couple of further nice touches. A commemorative plate allows a Lodge to record a member’s initiation (and then presumably present them with a copy of the book). Also, all proceeds from the sale go to Masonic charities. Review by Richard Watkins The Cornerstone, by Albert B Rother, self-published, 480pp, £14.99
increasingly digital world. Robert Gordon sets out his personal view on what it means to live as a Rosicrucian in the 21st century. Tellingly, he also points out that with Rosicrucianism, there is no one person or even group that has an answer to suit everyone, ‘because ultimately it all rests in experience and not interpretation’. He goes on to say that he hopes readers will be ‘energised by the idea that Rosicrucianism is a lot more than obscure symbolism put down in old texts’. All of this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for anyone with any interest in the subject, it is defi nitely worth reading. My only beef is that there is no index, which is a pity. That apart, I enjoyed it very much. Review by Aubrey Buchanan 21st Century Rosicrucianism, by Robert Gordon, Lewis Masonic, 250pp, £14.99
Books wanted for review. FMT welcomes book submissions for review. We will consider all genres and the only requirement is that the book has a connection to Freemasonry. To submit a book for review, go to the link below and complete the form. We will let you know if we need a physical copy of the book. The book must have an ISBN and be available for purchase by the general public (printed book, e-book, audiobook). www.freemasonrytoday.com/booksubmission
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FMT Spring 2023
15/02/2023 14:22