About

The manuscript club

Esotericism: the mere mention of the word fills the minds of some with notions of beautiful and arcane truths. It inspires a curiosity about both the inner meaning of life and the initiatic orders. For others, the term brings to mind unpleasant and tiresome lectures about unlikely, artificial interpretations of the Craft and our own Rosicrucian grades. For most, it is a word that is only half- familiar, having something vaguely to do with mysticism and supposed Masonic secrets. Its meaning is obscure and unclear, and often completely misunderstood. Together, we shall endeavour here to shed some light on the word and the Tradition it represents. 

To begin, let us define the word ‘mystery‘, as the mysteries or the ancient mysteries, are usually where most begin their explanation. Mystery comes from the word mysteria—which is made up of the verb, muo, meaning ‘to close‘, as in to close the mouth (in secrecy) or to close the eyes, and teria meaning festival. Accordingly, the word mysteria means, ‘the festival at which the secret is communicated.’ An apt word then for the Masonic Rosicrucian. 

Indeed, as Masons we are left, ultimately, on our own to contemplate the mysteries of death, life and truth beyond the festive board, and even during our degrees there is but a glimmering light barely illuminating our surroundings. The Western esoteric tradition, on the other hand, of which Freemasonry is a part, aims to take that small divine spark and make of it a fire within. 

For the masonic esotericist, the Rosicrucian, that is he who believes in the ancient mysteries, there is a profound connection between the Divine and creation, between ‘God – Cosmos – Man’, or in the words of Hermes Trismegistus, whom we will come to know shortly: ‘He who contemplates himself with his mind, knows himself and knows the All: the All is in man.’ Since Time Immemorial, men have experienced this inner connection between the visible and invisible world – freemasonry being only one manifestation. However, its free expression has often been in danger of being suppressed and marginalised, with people being persecuted, and their books cast to the flames. Indeed, a great many have died defending the very ideas we are charged to study. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to return to these sources and research the hidden mysteries found deep within their handwritten pages. The Maponus Manuscript Club was founded to help all fratres start on that worthy path of personal enlightenment and study. ad fontem!

How to participate:

1. Click on the ‘manuscript‘ tab above.
2. Read through the summaries of the manuscripts available and click ‘download’.
3. Study the manuscript at your own pace.
4. Write up a personal reflection and then ‘copy and paste’ into the submit function by clicking on the ‘Submit‘ tab.