Robert flood born in 1574 at milgate house barstead Kent was the son of s Thomas flood a distinguished War Treasurer in the Netherlands who had been knighted by Queen Elizabeth despite limited information about his early life Robert’s academic Journey began at 17 when he joined St John’s College Oxford
Earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees between 1596 and 1598 St John’s College known for encouraging diverse fields of study while focusing on theology greatly influenced flood he maintained a lifelong loyalty to the Church of England reflecting the impact of his Collegiate years flood’s perspectives were more conservative compared to his
Contemporaries in the paracelsian movement yet his radical ideas still Drew attention postgraduation flood embarked on a six-year European Voyage of inner and outer exploration enriching his knowledge and shaping his interests this journey led him to explore medical Sciences delving into chemistry and joining paracelsian medical groups his f ination with
Rosicrucian philosophy also flourished during this period eventually making him a fervent advocate of the movement returning to Oxford flood obtained his medical degrees by 16005 his admission to the London College of physicians in 16009 however faced hurdles due to his mystical speculations and perceived arrogance despite these challenges he eventually
Gained Fellowship in London flood established a medical practice employing his own Apothecary and managing a laboratory here he continued his alchemical studies and prepared chemical remedies leveraging his unique blend of traditional and Innovative medical approaches the success of his medical practice was not solely due to his
Skills but also owed much to what was perceived as his mystical approach complemented by a Magnetic Personality this combination reportedly influenced his patients Minds creating a faith natural state that enhanced the effectiveness of his treatments additionally flood Incorporated unconventional methods into his diagnostic process such as using a patient’s horoscope which also helped
Him predict critical days in their treatment despite the demands of his medical practice flood managed to dedicate time to writing as an author he aligned himself with the medical Mystics who professed to hold the key to Universal Sciences his involvement with the rosicrucians deepened during this
Period and he is believed to have become an influential member of the fraternity of the Rose cross in the early 17th century the rosicrucian manifestos the farmer fraternus and the confessio fraternus caused a significant stir in Germany and later across Europe these manifestos were a call for educated
Individuals to unite in a scientific and spiritual overhaul of Europe they proposed that through knowledge Humanity could comprehend the Divine in nature differentiate between the material and spiritual Realms and understand their connection to God the target audience for these manifestos included Scholars of alchemy the cabala and mysticism therefore it’s unsurprising
That many who responded were from medical and alchemical backgrounds with most like flood being adherence of the paracelsian tradition a notable aspect of the controversy surrounding these manifestos is their Anonymous authorship those who replied to the manifestos through letters and pamphlets rarely received official responses James Brown Craven noted in his writings that
Between 1614 1617 the library of gingan housed a collection of letters addressed to the fictional order of Father Rosy cross from individuals seeking membership others published pamphlets on the subject and some imposters even claimed to be rosicrucians deceiving many however no printed responses were made to these letters and any private correspondence
Remains unknown due to the secretive nature of such societies during this era another paracelsian physician and Associate of Robert flood Michael Meer explained this secrecy in his work silentium post clores he argued that since ancient times colleges had existed to advance studies in medicine and Science and such
Knowledge was protected and passed down secretly through initiation he perceived a connection between the authors of the farmer and a certain system though the link was not explicitly direct this element of secrecy surrounding the manifestos elicited varied reactions ranging from support to allegations of fraudulence Maya’s role in flood’s life is
Multifaceted firstly his dedication to the spiritual and religious dimensions of alchemy paralleled flood’s interests Meyer is recognized for introducing the order of the Rose cross to England and is rumored to have inducted his friend Robert flood into the order both authors had their Works published by Deb and oppenheim and employed the same
Engraver they significantly influenced each other in their writings on the spiritual Rejuvenation of science and medicine and in their involvement with the rosicrucians Robert flood’s profound respect and alignment with the principles outlined in the manifestos are evident his numerous writings that Express this admiration led to his recognition as a rosicrucian
Apologist I shall now quote directly from James Brown Craven’s book flood’s apology for the Brotherhood of the rosy cross was first issued in 1616 being printed in Leiden it entitles him to be regarded as the high priest of their Mysteries it is said that Meer visited
Flu in London in 1615 and the result of his visit was we know the publication of his apologia written in Latin and published in Leen in 1616 It is believed that the apologia was issued at the request of Meer and probably he took or sent to lien the MS
Flood’s studies in mysticism had now continued for several years since about the year 1600 he had begun to study the cabala magic astrology and Alchemy as is proved by his Historia uterus cosmi the apologia is in three parts the different chapters have quotations or mottos taken from the
Confessio the contents of the work are the germs of flood’s subsequent writings these develop his purpose in the apologia to be to protect the Purity and innocence of the society and to wipe off the spots of Shame smeared over the Brethren as with a stream of pure
Wisdom on page 195 flood addresses the Brethren of the rosy cross he refers to their promise to bring happiness to those who have been reduced to Misery by the fall of Adam he honors them because they serve Christ with pure and upright Hearts he asks pardon of the Brotherhood
If through his ignorance he has made any error or mistake in his apologia he adds he wished nothing more or better than to be only the lowest associate in your order that he might satisfy the inquisitive ears of men by a trustworthy spreading of your Renown flood then States shortly who he
Is I am he says of a distinguished Noble race my spouse is called desire of wisdom my children are the fruits produced by it I have experienced and fortunately overcome the storm see the Steep mountains the slippery valleys ignorance on land and the coarseness of the towns the haughtiness and pride of
The citizens avarice faithlessness ignorance foulness almost all human inconveniences I have found that almost everywhere vanity rules and triumphs all seems to be self- assertive misery and vanity itself he then bids the Brethren farewell in all kindness and affection Robert flood’s deep spiritual devotion and mystical Journey led him to a
Continuous exploration of the human understanding of the creation myth in 1617 he released two works on the subject the first tractatus theologo philosophicus discusses life death and Resurrection offering a mystical alchemical interpretation of creation merged with his mosaical philosophy as a retelling of Genesis it describes
Creation the garden Adam and the fall it begins with the premise that God the word and light are the origin of the universal life and the devil is the origin of death as an alchemical interpretation it deals with the separations as a chemical process or high chemical virtue that affected the
Separation of one region from another quite simply Earth is dense water and water is dense air air is nothing else than dense and crass fire in his writings Robert flood consistently emphasized the theme of Divine Light as the fundamental force in creation he portrayed Adam as a Divine animal whose
Mind was a luminous Palace and an impeccable creation of God flood linked the resurrection to a return to this pristine State preceding the fall of Man a notable aspect of flood’s work is its dedication to the Brotherhood of the Rose cross flood held that the true sons of God
Were embodiments of Light Within the word and he esteemed the Brethren of the rosy cross highly attributing to them Supreme virtues and a Brilliance surpassing the morning sun he proclaimed Leon fortissimum Solem deorum emphasizing their Mastery of true Alchemy flood’s discourse culminates with a reference to the farmer where he
Describes a heptagonal monument in a famed vault illumin ated by a Celestial Sun at its apex here he recounts the discovery of brother RC’s body and the inscription Jesus Mii Omnia these themes persist in flood’s subsequent Works notably in utus skilet at minoris metaphys phys techn hisor published in
1617 this extensive work explores the history of the macrocosm starting from the primordial abyss and the initial light through the differentiation and diversification of the universe to the human microcosm it illustrates the division between the Earthly realm of elements and the higher Celestial Realms based on the premise that all creation
Stemmed from God’s light as the light extends into the darkness it becomes increasingly subdued by it flood describes this process as not merely linear but as an outward and inward emanation suggesting that everything is simultaneously a macrocosm and a microcosm as man is a microcosm to the
Greater Cosmos he is also a macrocosm to the cells of the body and the cells are a macrocosm to another microcosm until all circles are complete in all Realms of creation there are beings angels in the empirian world stars planets and demons in the ethereal and the elemental world of men plants and
Minerals in Robert flood hermetic philosopher and surveyor of Two Worlds Joselyn Godwin writes all these creatures partake of God’s light in measure according to their place on the hierarchy but there is one level in particular which though not at the top of the hierarchy is nevertheless particularly favored by God this is the
Sun which is placed at The crucial midpoint of the chain of being being where spirit and matter are in perfect equity and balance all these beings are within a hierarchical structure and have within them a corresponding degree of light or they are beings who serve the devil with their corresponding degree of Darkness
The sun is a midpoint of these Realms and is considered by flood to be the Tabernacle of God when the initiate comprehends the midpoint he may recognize instantly those who serve the life and those who serve the dark however the infallibility and purity of this recognition is only by the acceptance of
The midpoint at the center of their being which reflects the Tabernacle and leads them to the Embrace of the Alpha and the Omega this macrocosmic history is dedicated to God and secondly to King James interestingly his dedication to King James included a defense of the rosicrucian Brotherhood a decao brevis
The purpose of which was to defend the society from the suspicions of theologians this work was never completed and was supposed to have been in two volumes the first to contain two treatises and the second three what was completed was not finished until 1624 it appears his views were based on
A combination of scriptural hermetic and alchemical authorities flood thus believed that humankind should base their knowledge on Revelation as seen in the Holy Scripture and in nature or God’s book of creation his mosaical philosophy as stated earlier was also tied in with the mystical alchemical interpretations frequent among the paracelsian of the
Time further he often refers to Hermes trism magistus in his Works James Brown Craven writes flood starts with the hypothesis that all things were completely and ideally in God and of God before they were made that from God all things did flow and spring namely out of
A secret and hidden nature to a revealed and manifest condition God formed a thought in his mind which was the structure and form of the macrocosm and through the power of love the thought was brought into existence this bringing forth was through a series of circles circumferences and circles are important
Images throughout the copper plate illustrations of Historia the title page shows a DI diagram of the macrocosm and microcosm surrounded by an abundance of clouds the circle is encompassed by a cord wrapped four times and pulled by a winged creature with hoofs and on his head is the sand glass depicting
Time most of flood’s illustrations represent the universe as a series of circles each surrounding the first much like looking down into a spiral he borrows from Tris magistus to illustrate the concent flow arriving at the Deep conclusion that God is the center of everything whose circumference is nowhere to be
Found flood also uses other images such as triangles and squares in the first chapter he describes nature as spiritus emenus in aabis God depicted as a triangle is the artificer of all and man is the image of God God is also depicted as the triangle with in a circle inside the triangle are
Three inner circles Elemental ethereal and Angelic Godwin writes the light triangle of the Trinity represents God who remains beyond all things entering the black hole of matter as a result three worlds arise in the center is the tetragramaton the images of the circles and the triangle are of interest to us
As we recall a triangular altar with three orbs and that matter manifests according to the triangle and life according to the ideal of the circle flood then describes the three-fold manifestation the first material of the Earth was formless and void surrounded by Darkness from the chaotic Abyss light
Emerged and Order began that is order came from chaos By the Light acting upon it and substance was formed light always a central theme with flood is pure fire Craven writes it is light which gives the Angelic world its glory and Splendor God dwells in light inaccessible thus the light is the life
Of men the purer part of the elementary substance Rose into the upper the Heavenly and more Divine part of the macrocosmos but the denser remained below this applies also to Angelic existences and to the nature of man the macrocosm has three regions the highest includes the heavens of the
Trinity is formed of perfect light and purest Spirit the middle is the place of the Stars the state of lesser light neither very gross nor very subtle the lower is itself divided into three parts the first is the Tabernacle the second is the earth and the middle is the
Region of water and air the the archetypical world remains in the Divine mind again these concepts are illustrated by circular forms depicting the circular progression in the universe a concept founded in tractatus in which flood described the operation of God’s order through the circumgyration of his three-fold
Light the next book in the macrocosmic history concerns the Pythagorean concept of The Music of the Spheres or sound created by the movement of the heavenly bodies and which makes the universe one musical instrument Earthly music is only the faint tradition of the Angelic state it
Remains in the mind of man as a dream of and the sorrow for the Lost Paradise the music is produced from the impact upon the paths of the planets which stand as chords or strings by the Cross travel of the Sun from note to note as from planet to planet flood
Illustrates his point with a diagram of a sphere covered by an instrument with only one chord the sun is the center of the picture the different circles represent the issuance of the different notes to each member of each realm is assigned a note low G for Earth up
Through high Q for the highest division of the Angelic World later in the microcosmic history flood continues this concept to show that the same Divine Harmony influences the interior of of the anima human the microcosmic reflection of the three-fold division or Holy Trinity is made complete by the
Heavenly music of the Divine Essence which illuminates the opaque body and creates a Harmony between body and soul and makes it complete the next part of the Treatise concerns the creatures of the Angelic and ethereal worlds in the Angelic World there are nine good demons in the hierarchy seraphim cherubim Thrones
Dominions virtues Powers princes archangels and Angels the creatures of the Ethereal world are light stars planets and Spirits in Greek mythology Damons are any of the secondary divinities ranking between the Gods and Men Lucifer has his own nine orders with named princes be elab python beel asmodus Satan mer rim abadon asteroth and
Mammon this implies the concept of correspondences between the lower and upper worlds in other words we do not turn our back to an evil Earthly life and rise up to purely positive higher Realms by a simple Act of will rather according to the dominant note within our natural intelligent and spiritual
Self we correspond to the country of which we are citizens the return to the Palace of light is by the mystical process of purification blood then describes the animamundi as man has a soul then must The macrocosmos Muse have a soul too As Above So Below as within so
Without this supreme intelligence is of an angelical nature God is all and in all and above all and that in him are all things and in his spirit and word all things consist God is in everything that existes seeing that from him by him and in him are all
Things the notion of animamundi or world’s Soul sparked considerable controversy for Robert flood attracting criticism and allegations of heresy a point will delve into subsequently intriguingly flood’s depiction of the animamundi in his plate bears a striking resemblance to the imagery described in chapter 12 of The Book of Revelation underscoring a
Fascinating parallel between his work and this biblical text and there appeared a great Wonder in heaven a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of 12 Stars the third chapter deals with the origin and diversity of the macrocosm
And flood uses an image that is repeated later the sun flood considers is the center and Fountain of all life all heat proceeds from it and there has God placed his Tabernacle it must have a center and there God dwells divine power issues forth from the Sun thus the
Heavens declare the glory of God the sun is full of essential Divinity and took its origin when the light which was expans over all the heavens in place of the sun was in the fourth day of creation positioning the Tabernacle of God in a realm more ethereal than Earth yet less
So than the outer planets sparked several inquiries to address this flood proposed the Sun as an alternate Abode for God metaphorically speaking in his subsequent defenses of his Concepts he pointed out that God often operates through indirect means one notable illustration named the central Sun features concentric circles representing
The elements of fire air water and Earth with the sun positioned at the core Godwin writes flood derived this image from an alchemical experiment that he witnessed performed by a friend and describes in detail the Battle of elements which was reproduced in the vessel at the end he says they extracted
From the center of the mass a solar substance a precious gem like Lucifer fallen from Heaven perhaps this experiment is reflect in flood’s alchemical interpretation of Creation in Robert flood and his philosophical key Alan G Deus States the following after the three stages the darkness of the lower region was treble after your
Second Heaven’s Perfection the resultant chaos therefore contains the three true elements fire humidity and Earth and from them prede the animal vegetable and mineral kingdoms this mystical alchemical account of Genesis also explains the major concentric spheres of our world the initial segment of Historia concludes with a comprehensive exploration of the elemental realm
Encompassing largely inanimate entities such as minerals metals and a variety of plant life Historia Technica the second part made its debut in 1618 featuring a significant focus on universal arithmetic elaborately spread across 11 volumes following this in 1619 thas cus a subsequent volume of Historia was released this volume is
Structured into three distinct sections its cover art depicts a nude young figure at the center of a circle symbolizing the microcosm The Narrative of the work commences with a solemn prayer expressing profound gratitude to God for his boundless mercy and benevolence acknowledging him as the UNF fathomable architect of humanity flood
Emphasizes the importance of human reverence and adoration towards God highlighting the Divine endowment of life’s breath bestowed upon mankind by God he writes to soless to ter Maximus oh Jehovah he is God whose ineffable name shall be blessed forever the power of Jehovah was one of the deepest
Realizations of flood he then looks to the cause of Discord in creation writes although God in the Most Holy Trinity is the original of Concord the devil on the other hand is the parent of Discord thus The Strife between Concord and Discord produced between light and darkness from this Discord introduced
Into the Heavenly music and perfect progression of the Spheres has come the fear of death the fall of Adam hence bad is taken for good hence the love of the world and vanity hence the hatred of God the Creator however the pure Soul can rise and be guided by the Rays of wisdom
To discern the path of rectitude the Divine architect who formed the universe made man equally perfect and complete the image of his own greatness the circle of existence was made complete the circle of existence which formed the world’s formed man what Perfection the world received that also did man
Receive Heaven and Earth have their counterparts in the body and soul of man as the universe is one so Body and Soul are one thus man is properly called the image of God the other world microcosmos so man regularly proportioned can be bounded by a circle
At the center of which are the organs of reproduction thus is man the Mundus minor as a microcosm man reflects the three-fold nature of divinity in terms of Reason in the head feeling in the heart and the means by which they emanate so that the reason and feeling
Ultimately form a single Unity by virtue of the third power further as the sun is the Tabernacle of God and mid region of the macrocosm so the heart is the Tabernacle of man and his Center our heart then can become to us our personal and immediate pathway awareness and
Realization of God’s presence within us the soul of man is united with the deity and various physical attributes are related to the Angelic world for this reason in contradistinction to the lower creatures he lifts his head upward in ascertaining man’s position as microcosm he is to face the
East Robert flood makes a distinction between what are the mortal and Immortal parts of man as stated the soul is related to God our animal part Belongs To Nature and returns to the dark regions as dust to dust the spirit of Life the vital Spirit or we would call
It the vital life force is the central part it is ethereal and is connected both with the true mind and the animal spirit it is that life which is the cause of all the functional aspects of Life Robert flood writes no truly that man is framed and consisteth of Flesh
And an inward soul and that either of this too hath his Bliss and pleasure apart for as much as the highest happiness and goodness of the soul is God himself with the mous influence of his sweetness but the chiefest Solace and pleasure of the flesh is the world with his delightful
Concupiscences again consider that the world is but an external object when contrarywise nothing is more internal and present with man than God being that in him are all things and again he is exterior to each thing in so much as he comprehend and is above all things if
God then be all in all above all without all and that be Unity why shouldest thou so wickedly tear and rent that unity and goodness of God in pieces in other words the vital life force is the midpoint between Cosmic Consciousness and Christ Consciousness Cosmic Consciousness being the consciousness of the cosmos the
Physical universe matter and its inherent underlying energies Christ Consciousness being the perfected consciousness of the Divine mind in man therefore the vital life force delivers to man in potentiality all manifestations both physical and spiritual it is the part of unity that we seek the marriage of the bride and
Bridegroom is therefore the goal of true Alchemy the concept of the three in unity whether we look at the three phases of Consciousness the three points of the triangle the three-fold light or yod hea is a recurring theme with flood and is reflected by other mystical writers as well felo said that there
Were three kinds of life that which concerned God that which was the creaturely life and the intermediate life which combined the two the soul of man says flood also has a three-fold nature Corporal spiritual and intellectual the divisions in flood’s philosophy operate within Realms of color and sensation leveraging attributes of
Perception spiritual analogies and introspective contemplation of Virtues Technica Historia is divided into seven segments encompassing prophecy geomancy memory astrology physiognomy palmistry and pyramidology flood reintroduces the principle of Correspondence in divinatory practices he emphasizes that possessing prophetic abilities doesn’t inherently signify benevolence nor does it guarantee the positivity of the
Revelations this distinction is crucial and Timeless resonating with contemporary beliefs and practices it implies that claims of channeling entities or Spirits or invoking Angels should be approached with discernment accepting such claims without skepticism could be naive especially when assuming that all disembodied entities are benevolent flood suggests that a prophet
With a pure heart imbued with Divine Spirit can convey God’s will conversely he warns that malevolent Spirits influenced by demonic forces may also infiltrate individuals to predict events according to flood as explained by Craven even in pre-christian times each individual was believed to be accompanied by both benevolent and malevolent Spirits consequently a
Person’s ethical stance and intentions influence the nature of the messages they receive flood advises aspirants in these practices to cleanse their hearts of sin and evil thus preparing themselves to receive Divine Illumination in their souls Craven writes the spirit of lying prophecy cannot stand in the presence of God but
By the Light and Power of Jehovah is silenced otherwise a person may find themselves speaking with gods they do not know while some prophets may see clearly the Divine Light immediately from God or through Angels there are also false gods who have no mission for God nor angels but from
Lucifer 12 laws are given to distinguish true from false prophets the doctrine of Correspondence also indicates that on every level of the hierarchy from the mineral upwards there is a reflection of the next highest realm in other words minerals such as gold or plants or herbs will contain within them certain attributes
Of an archetype that will imbue the person wearing or consuming the element certain corresponding effects which in turn prepares them to exercise a certain art a point to remember is that in the time of flood the exercise of certain Arts was confined to a relatively small group The eminent members of this
Assembly were deeply religious dedicating their lives to spiritual Purity their faith and principles likely served as a protective barrier against mental disarray nevertheless flood emphasized to his audience the importance of maintaining a pure heart a notion that prompts curiosity about how he might advise in today’s era where Arcane knowledge and magical
Methodologies are as readily available as dialing a hotline in the concluding section of his second treati flood delves into theosophical and cabalistic themes he encourages readers to perceive the fiery symbols of the Holy Trinity within Hebrew characters he elucidates upon the 10 seot interpreting them as beams of light from the sun
Symbolizing a luminous cloak worn by Jehovah the tree of life serves as a graphical representation of his prior discussions on hierarchical structures and various Realms here the Divine Light reemerges as a central Motif representing the Unseen word of God Craven adds the universal and mystical word the light uncreated is exhibited in
Universal Nature by the watery meem and the Ignus Shin so we are to venerate Jehovah as revealed in the light of the sun moon and stars in them by them existing and existing beyond all and in all his power is seen both in macrocosm and microcosm even in the fire of
Gehenna flood ends this section acknowledging that his efforts may be met with mockery but they were done in good conscience and patience he does not seek riches but only desires to peacefully serve God flood was correct in his anticipation that his work would be criticized and with great severity
Marin meren a French scientist and author leveled significant accusations against Robert flood branding him a magician atheist and heretic meren particularly in his commentary on Genesis challenged flood’s alchemical interpretation of creation he acknowledged the importance of alchemy but argued for its separation from theological discourse preferring its application in medicine and science
Maren’s discomfort also extended to flood’s portrayal of Christ within the Angelic realm deeming it as diminishing Christ’s Divinity in response flood clarified that meren had Mis interpreted his views he elucidated that a singular principle takes varied forms across different Realms and likened the Angelic world to a mirror reflecting the first light
Essential for creation and symbolizing the concept of second causes in flood’s Era accusations of heresy magic or atheism were Gravely serious despite these charges flood’s writings reflected his deep belief in God and his commitment to the church of England his openness to other religious perspectives was evident as he tutored relatives of
The Pope and other Roman Catholic youths he also maintained connections with the Bishops of England and enjoyed the patronage of King James flood speculated that Mer’s accusations might have stemmed from a desire for him to convert a reflection of the then prevalent religious conflicts flood’s receptiveness to different faiths amidst such opposition
Highlight Ed his remarkable tolerance and open-mindedness it took several years before flood addressed maren’s accusations in a book defending his views on Genesis he reiterated the harmony between the macrocosm and microcosm as a universal model asserting that his Angelic World concept was unrelated to magic or heresy flood emphasized his allegiance to the
Universal church dissociating from Roman Catholicism and fervently denied the accusations invoking Divine judgment on his sincerity in his prayer to the Eternal wisdom dwelling in light Eternal the Spotless mirror of God’s Majesty flood sought Vindication in 1629 he published Sophia Kum Moria Camen with an attached folio summum bonum under the pseudonym yakim
Fitus although flood initially denied authorship most scholars believe he WR wrote it the work symbolically represented by a rose on a cross stem bees beehives and a spiders web delved into Alchemy and defended the Brotherhood of the Rose cross suum bonum explored the essence of magic and the
Cabala the nature of true Alchemy and the philosophy of the rosicrucian fraternity it presented the rosicrucian spiritual Abode not as a physical location but as a metaphysical spiritual House of wisdom with Christ as the Cornerstone flood differentiated between Divine and foolish magic arguing that not all magic is condemned in Christian
Doctrine he referenced the Magi visiting Christ as an example of God’s acceptance of certain secret Arts flood or the author concludes with a summation that he addresses to the most Christian readers one that all Christians are said to be living stones they bear the same same name and are the same in
Significance as ESP Peter two that all Christians are Stones members of the great Petra cathala it follows that no single man not even ESP Peter can alone be said to be the foundation of the Catholic Church three as Christ lay hidden in the rock of Moses and as the
Spiritual body lies hidden in the natural body so the words of the Apostle are true the letter kth but the spirit giveth life four the true Cornerstone is Christ five the Incarnation opened the way to the knowledge of what that Cornerstone is six vain therefore are all traditions
And teachings that would persuade us that sephus was this Foundation seven God having willed to the Tabernacle amongst mortal men uses the same imagery and confirms its explanation as now given listen says the prophet prophet and see the Rock from which you were Hune true Alchemy is then
Treated our gold is not the gold of the vulgar but the living gold the very gold of God there is a spiritual chemistry which purges by Tears sublimates by manners and virtues decorates by sacramental Graces makes even the putrid body and the vile Ashes to become living and makes the soul capable of
Contemplating the things of Heaven and the angel world this is the application of spiritual Chemistry by which through the power of Resurrection will confirm unto the end the writer then takes up the cause of the Brethren of the Rose cross the writer states that he had already defended the brethren in a previous
Tractate a reference that leads Craven to conclude that both writers were Robert flood the similarity of the two pieces Sophia and suum put together also suggests the same author flood maintains that throughout history there has been a continuity of men who turned away from the gross and material in order to
Dedicate themselves to the spiritual life and investigation into the Mysteries these people have been few in number yet a few seek the tree of life which is in the paradise of God the hidden Manor the white stone the white vesture their names are written in the
Book of life and they become pillar in the spiritual Temple these indeed inhabit the House of Wisdom which is founded on the mount msen had also accused the rosicrucians of being Heretics and blasphemous and he challenged them to reveal their dwelling place to this the writer of suum bonam replies The House
Of the rosicrucians is the house of the Holy Spirit it is not a house made of stone and again a stone cut without hands nor is it a house built by magic or false Alchemy but rather it is a spiritual house the House of Wisdom built upon the rational Mount or Rock
Spiritual the house constructed by the Brethren then is on the spiritual Rock and is built up of the mystical stones of wisdom it is the Mystic castle of Bethlehem an elect Nation who shall reign as kings and priests called from Darkness to light who were once not a people
But are now the people of God these are they that have put off the Mortal clothing and put on the immortal and have confessed the name of God now are they crowned and receive Palms they are called the sons of God the elect of God prophets and Friends of God the fraternitas
Christiana it is this type of reference that added to the debate of whether or not the Brotherhood was visible or invisible in anticipation of this the author wants to reassure the reader of the actual existence of the Brotherhood and appends a letter supposedly written by an actual member of the order to an
Initiate it was written and sent by ye Brethren of RC to a certain Germain a copy where of Dr flood obtained of a pollander of Danisha his friend the immovable Palace of the Brethren is declared to be the center of all things it is the resplendant and invisible
Castle which is built upon the Fountain of the Lord out of whose root goeth forth a Fountain of Living Waters and a River of Love other writers published charges against flood in addition to meren like meren they objected to an alchemical interpretation of the Bible the notion that Christ was reduced to a
Mere Angel and flood’s concept of the animamundi caused some discomfort as well the problem arises when one tries to interpret a mystical analysis in a literal Way flood explains to his critics that Alchemy is a part of natural philosophy it is the division of the pure from the
Impure light from Darkness sin and vice from goodness and virtue true Alchemy seeks to comprehend the creation and spirit of life and serves as a key to understanding both in terms of the creation the separation of light and dark was set into motion by the Eternal fat there are
Places in flood’s writings that could indicate a leaning toward a pantheistic point of view some writers have argued that he concluded that God is identical to matter for example flood held that all things were of God before they were made from the blaze of power life vibrates from the center to the
Circumference however he also explained this as being a thought he felt that all things owe their existence to God but that does not necessarily conclude that God owes his existence to all created things in other words physical matter through the theory of emanation may be a
Manifestation of God but is by no means the whole of God Craven maintains that flood would have answered this debate by saying all things are full of God as opposed to All Things Are God flood is clear when he says God is all and in all and above
All examine ing Robert flood’s Concepts through the lens of the first degree offers insight into his unique interpretation of the Triune expression symbolized by three circles within a triangle in other words if flood’s critics were alive today they might object to our saying that there is a
Vibrating spirit in matter that holds it together they might look at us as saying that is the entirety of God we however know that indicates one aspect of a triun expression or to use flood’s visuals reflects only one of the three circles his critics were also unhappy over flood’s concepts of the Angelic
World and again felt he placed Christ in this realm however flood clearly illustrates a hierarchal structure and even though demons like the seraphim and cherubim watch over a planetary structure they are not necessarily the same as the Divine or absolute principle to be sure flood maintained a soul of
The world this Soul was the Cornerstone of the universal Petra upon which the church was built the Philosopher’s Stone signified by Christ both Divine and human the Cornerstone having its effect in both the macrocosm and microcosm this hardly reduces Christ to the celestial realm further flood believed that Christ was part of the
Infinite godhead the realm of God has no beginning and no end the temporal world has a beginning and an end and and the Angelic world has a beginning but no end therefore by flood’s own divisions he could not have reduced Christ to the Angelic realm however images flood used such as
The previously mentioned venerate Jehovah in the moon and stars probably led his critics to this conclusion they took him literally and not metaphorically again the image of Divine Light is a central theme fire represents the first cause therefore a physical manifestation such as a fiery star would
Represent to flood a metaphor for the Divine principles of fire and light flood felt that God worked in the world through second causes and his depiction of their Realms LED his critics to believe that he equated the second causes as being identical with the first cause Craven quotes Hargrave Jennings
From his book The rosicrucians where he interprets flood’s ideas on this subject the Ros crucians through flood declare in accordance with the Mosaic account of creation which they maintain is in no instance to be taken literally but metaphorically that two original principles in the beginning proceeded from the Divine father these are light
And darkness or form or idea and matter or plasticity matter downwards becomes five-fold as it works its forms according to the various operations of the first first in forming light this produced the being or thought to whom or to which creation was disclosed this is properly the son or
Second ineffable person of the Divine Trinity Robert flood wrote scientific medical and alchemical books in addition to his philosophical writings he was consumed by his work and this feverish pitch may have contributed to his death the cause of which is not known he knew knew he was in a weakened State and that
His time was soon to come he methodically arranged his Affairs and had prepared a special stone for his grave he died September 8th 1637 and was buried in barstead church even though Robert flood was devoted to the church of his baptism and was a religious person he was also very independent from
Exoteric religion and recognized wisdom from a variety of sources he embraced his church rather than rejected yet he transcended the theological concerns of the day by incorporating many different points of view in keeping with the continuous images he used of expanding and concentric circles flood sought an expanded and inclusive view of the
Greater world he wished to see the spiritual World directly through metaphor personally through Ascension and intellectually through science he was a medical doctor and a paracelsian yet he Incorporated new alchemical ideas into his traditional and chosen profession rather than try to destroy a tradition of which he was a
Part we might even describe him as a rosicrucian who lived by Evolution not by Revolution as a writer and thinker flood was unique he lived in a time to see a separation in the world of medicine and the world of philosophy his Medical Art may have seemed of the old way as he
Depended upon astrology and his religious views were founded to a great extent in geocent theories yet he had his feet on two Realms of History one from the old and one facing towards a future flood lived in a time where there was a great crack in the cosmic egg new light poured into
The minds of men the old Ward for the status quo the new Ward to bring in change flood stood at the center of his being at the center of his beliefs and in the center of his dedication to the truth in healing and the truth to knowledge he sought only to serve God
And His creation he saw God in all things the intensity of reverence which saw the hand of God in everything and his sacred presence generating preserving and controlling all in an absolute nearness and actual filling of all in all was the key to flood’s character and writings his connection with the rosac
Crucian controversy arose from the deep respect in which he held his instructor Michael May and that cast of mind which saw wonders in nature which to most were but the outcome of common operation that a society of the nature of the rosy cross existed and that both
Maya and flood were initiates need not I think be now doubted by any disinterest students of the history of those wondrous 16th and 17th centuries what its origin may have been we shall I suppose never know with any certainty though there is some ground for supposing that it was in existence in
The latter part of the 18th century its whole story is one of the most curious episodes in history Robert flood never married and left no heirs but the real successes of a writer like flood will be found in those who assimilating his thoughts and their results hand onto others the
Encouraging hope that a time will come when all the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the the sea rosicrucians can also be said to be his successors for Robert flood left us much he defended the fraternity by saying the Brethren did
Not seek the vulgar gold but progress in virtue by sublimation by Tears by the inhaling of the Divine Breath of God thus will the soul be sublimated rendered subtile able clearly to contemplate God be conformed to a likeness with the angels thus apparently dead dead lifeless Stones become living and philosophic
Stones such are the opinion and methods of the Brethren such is the Alchemy and process referred to in their confession let us pay respects to his legacy by ending with some powerful words from Robert flood himself farewell my friends let plain Simplicity be still your guide to lead you in your race so
Shall you near approach to Unity and ever more obtain from him his grace for double dealers false and treacherous men will quickly be entrapped in error’s Den if you want to delve deeper into the world of ancient wisdom and esotericism be sure to like share and subscribe to
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