THERE is very good reason to believe that all of the ancient exiles and lost tribes did not equally possess the concealed mysteries, the secret wisdom. In each tribe there were, of course, those who were initiates and who composed the brotherhood. Nevertheless, one of the most mystical of all the tribes, and which was thoroughly conversant with the concealed mysteries, was the Essenes. Each member of the Essenes was also one of the great brotherhood whose breast and consciousness were a repository for the ancient wisdom. The Essenes had their own system of degrees, with mystical initiations for each, and there was a dress and symbolism peculiar to each degree, which indicated the attainment of the member. One of the degrees composing really a sect within the Essenes was known as the Therapeuti. A branch of the organization established by the Greeks translated the word Essene as being derived from the Syrianword asaya, meaning “physician,” into the Greek word therapeutes, having the same meaning. The members of it were especially trained in the art of healing and in the care of the sick and the prevention of disease. In other words, these sages specialized, shall we say, in the application of that portion of the secret wisdom which concerned the curing of disease and the maintenance of health. To Rosicrucians it is of special interest that the Essenes had an inner shrine in their homes--a sanctum--for meditation. Pliny, referring to the Essenes, said their usages are different from all other peoples and nations. Dr. H. Spencer Lewis gives a fascinating and lengthy account of the Essenes, relates that these perpetuators of the secret wisdom first assumed their name, Essenes, at Alexandria, Egypt. He points out that the word Essene is derived from the Egyptian word Kashai, which means secret. He also states that there is a Jewish word, Chsahi, which is similar in sound, the meaning of which is secret and silent. He recounts how the Essenes, after receiving their initiation, after passing through certain rites of enlightenment, were attired in white, signifying their attainment and illumination. So common did this practice become that they were often referred to as The Brethren in White.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:11:37 +0000
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