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This year marks the centennial of the passing of one of the most outstanding figures in esoterism and
European mysticism of the XIX century. Stanislas de Guaita, called the Prince
of the Rose Cross by his contemporaries because of his learning, enthusiasm, and many talents,
passed through the Higher Initiation into the spiritual life on the 19th day of December 1897 at the
young age of 37.
Stanislas de Guaita was descended of a noble Italian family who had settled in France. He was born
April 6, 1861 in the castle of Alteville. He studied at the Liceo de Nancy where he developed a natural
propensity toward the empirical sciences, most notably chemistry, reaching a level of true mastery for his
time. Over a period of time he gravitated more toward satisfaction of the artistic and literary spirit that lead
him into metaphysics and the study of Cabala.
Established in Paris while still quite young, he settled in a luxurious mezzanine at number 20 on the avenue
Trudaine and his home soon became a meeting place for many writers and others interested in esoteric and
mystical ideas.
His poems were very widely celebrated and in 1883 were published as "The Dark Muse"
and in 1885 as "The Mystic Rose", both of which brought him
acclaim and great popularity.
His remarkable learning, and great preparation enabled him to found the Cabalistic Order of the Rose
Cross in 1888, which brought together the most famous esoteric thinkers of France, and later all of Europe,
among them Sar Peladan, creator of the Rosicrucian Salons, Papus (Dr. Gerard Encausse) the famous
Rosicrucian and President of the First Great Council of the Traditional Martinist Order, Marc Aven and many
others. In the magazine "L´Initiation", founded by Papus, an article appearing in 1889 says of the Order
founded by Guaita:
"The distinctive sign of the members of the Supreme Council of the Cabalistic Order of the Rose Cross is the
Hebrew letter Alef. Besides this Superior Degree there are two others that are reached through Initiation.
Every new member of this society takes an oath of obedience to the directives of the Council declaring that,
although they are free to leave the society any time they please, they will abide by the promise of keeping
secret the teachings received from the Order. They receive training in the Cabala and mystical subjects."
The Cabalistic Order of the Rose Cross conferred free university degrees. It also conferred the title of Doctor.
The first exam is recognized with the title of Bachelor of Cabala, the second with that of Graduate of Cabala,
and the third, conferred after an exam and presentation of a thesis in which topics regarding the tradition are
addressed, is Doctor of the Cabala. The first exam was based on general history of the western tradition,
especially the Rosicrucian, on the knowledge of the Hebrew letters, their nature and symbolism.
The second exam covered the general history of religious traditions over the course of time, focusing
particularly on the unity of the various dogmas, and the wide use of symbols, and understanding of Hebrew
and its nature. The third exam was oral, and the candidates also completed a written exam based on
philosophical, moral and mystical questions.
Stanislas de Guaita brought together in his house the biggest private library of writings on metaphysical
subjects, magic, and hidden sciences in general that could be found in France in that century. A copy of
the catalog composed by his pupil René Philipon and dated 1899 is preserved in the archives of the
Sovereign Headquarters of the Rose Cross Order, as is the original engraving that illustrates the cover of
this issue of the "Triangulo de Luz" and in which can be observed, in Stanislas de Guaita's tie, the symbol
so well known to Rosicrucians that in a certain degree, it is worn on the symbolic collar during ceremonies
within our Lodges.
That his brilliance and very dynamic personality made Guaita an exciting and inspiring personality is
unquestionable. He was at the forefront of the many mystical movements active in the last part of the XIX
century and established many of the principles for the XX century.
Of him, one of his close collaborators wrote: Because the mystic struggled and did not fare well in common
affairs, some perceive his methods as inadequate. Inclined toward the true Rosicrucian tradition, it may be
justly said that he became a complete man precisely because he knew the difference between the passive
and active paths, and united theory and practice.
As we mark the centennial of his death, his transition to the higher Initiation of life, our magazine
"Triangulo de Luz" pays him homage with deepest admiration and respect.
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