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In 1935, Imperator H. Spencer Lewis issueda new edition of
Secret Symbols whichincluded both books of this eighteenth-
century classic of mysticism and art. Here is hispreface to that
edition.
The increasing interest in all thingsRosicrucian shown by a
large portion of thepublic in the Western world has brought
tolight, in the past twenty-five years, hundredsof rare
publications of a Rosicrucian nature.
Within the past three years, the searchfor more of the original
copies of knownand unknown works on this subject hasunearthed some
very rare, important booksand manuscripts in which
indisputablefacts and unquestionable evidence create anew and
admirable story of the ancient andmodern Rosicrucians.
However, the old book by the unknownfrater, revealingyet
concealingthe Hermetic,alchemical, and spiritual meaning of
theunique Rosicrucian symbols and PhilosophicalPrinciples, will
always remain one of the
cherished possessions of the sincere student.Several reprints of
this book, made by loversof its designs and text and admirers of
itsSacred Revelations, have become jewels in thelibraries of
collectors. [The full text of SecretSymbolsis now freely available
to all at http://
www.rosecroixjournal.org/Ed.]
Naturally, the Rosicrucians of theOccident rejoice in this
newest reprint,
made with such tender consideration for theoriginal text and
subtle illustrations which
Preface to Secret Symbols
of the Rosicrucians
H. Spencer Lewis, FRC
H. Spencer Lewis playing his cello. Anaccomplished musician,
painter and writer, he was
dedicated to the arts and understood their mysticalvalue. Photo
from the Rosicrucian Archives.
Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians, opening page. From
thecollection of the Rosicrucian Research Library.
http://www.rosecroixjournal.org/http://www.rosecroixjournal.org/http://www.rosecroixjournal.org/http://www.rosecroixjournal.org/http://www.rosecroixjournal.org/http://rosecroixjournal.org/resources/index.htmlhttp://rosecroixjournal.org/resources/index.htmlhttp://www.rosecroixjournal.org/
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contain so many secrets in little elements ofword or line. . .
.
I have been happy to check its textand observe the preservation
of the codedprinciples and terms. The sincere student
would do well to analyze with care, each
idea or ideograph presented in word, phrase,line, or color. In
the years 1785 to 1788when the symbols and principles
containedherein were in use to such an extent thatthe first edition
of this book was warranted,humanitys thoughts were being directed
inchannels quite new. The uniqueness of thetext was, therefore,
startling; but today the
world needs these surprising truths to anequal degree.
I have seen two of the original copies, inGerman text, so
thumb-worn as to proclaim
the useful service they have rendered formany years. Their old,
yellowed and fadedcondition spoke eloquently of the passing oftime,
but from each page came the voice ofeternal truth. . . .
On behalf of many thousands ofneophytes and adepts whom I
represent,I wish to thank the publisher for his visionand altruism
in undertaking such a tediousand costly task, and in making such
atimely contribution to the bibliography andliterature of true
Rosicrucianism.
In the Bonds of the Order
H. SPENCER LEWISImperator for North and South America
San Jose, Calif.,November 15, 1935
From the desk of Imperator H. Spencer Lewis. Photo 2011 Supreme
Grand Lodge,AMORC. From the Rosicrucian Archives.
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The Emerald Tablet of Hermes from Secret Symbols of the
Rosicrucians(1935), hand-colored by H. Spencer Lewis.
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The Hermetic Philosophy from Secret Symbols of the
Rosicrucians(1935), hand-colored by H. Spencer Lewis.
http://rosecroixjournal.org/resources/index.htmlhttp://rosecroixjournal.org/resources/index.html
