Golden Dawn 5 6 e The Rose Cross Lamen
Golden Dawn 5 6 e The Rose Cross Lamen
The Rose Cross Lamen is a sacred symbol of our Rosicrucian Fraternity. It must be made and consecrated by each individual Adept alone. It must never be touched by any other person, and it should be wrapped up in white silk or linen. The Adept motto is to be painted on the reverse side. This lamen must be worn at all Adept meetings, but never worn before the Outer Order or non-members. The lamen is a complete synthesis of the masculine or what we refer to as the positive rainbow scale of colors. The scale of colors employed is the King scale. The cross is divided into four parts. Each arm of the cross belongs to one of the four elements. Top Bottom Right Left M L N O
The white portion of the cross belongs to , the Ruach Ha Kadosh (The Holy Spirit), and unto the planets. There are twenty-two petals on the rose. The twenty-two petals relate to the twenty-two paths of the Tree of Life. The twenty-two petals sit on the cross in trapt. trapt is the receptacle of the forces of the ten sephiroth and the twenty-two paths of the Tree of Life. The center of the rose is white and this looks no more than just a small dot. It is the reflected spiritual brightness and the unity of rtk. Beneath the white center of rtk is the Red Rose of Five Petals and the golden Cross of Six Squares with four brightly painted green rays projecting out at the angels of the cross. Thus, we have our Order, the Rosea Rubea et Aurea Crucis. Combined together, they are the symbols of the "receiving force." Just below the rose and above the bottom L arm is a white section. On it is placed a hexagram with the symbols of the planets. They are placed in the order of the Supreme Ritual of the Hexagram. Each arm has an appropriate colored pentagram on it. At the apex of the , followed by the four Kerubic symbols on the pentagram is drawn the symbol of lower arms. These are in the order as in the Supreme Ritual of the Pentagram. On each of the floriated ends of the crop are the three alchemical principles. They are in different orders for each element. This shows their different operations within each element. The upper arm is allotted to the element of M, the lowest arm to L, the right arm to N, and the left arm to O. You will observe that active and passive are in perfect harmony.
M Arm
The background color is yellow on the M arm and represents the flowing philosophic mercurial nature without hinderance of mobility or movement. This alludes to the ever flowing nature of M.
L Arm
This is composed of the four colors of twklm, and shows the L being the receptive container of all the four elements. Citrine is attributed to the airy aspect, olive to the watery, russet to the fiery aspect and black to the lowest earthy aspect. Here, also, is the mercurial force chief (as in the M arm), but in twklm, it is hindered by the compound nature. Thus, it is more germinative rather than mobile. The Q and P are respective from the sides of N and on the L Arm which almost neutralizes their function and operation. Together, they bring about the fixedness and immobility of L.
O Arm
Here the color is scarlet, and unlike the M and L arms, the sulfurous nature is chief and ruler. In this arm , the P is from the side of L. B is from the side of M.
N Arm
The N arm is colored blue. Here, the saline side is chief. This can be easily understood if we think about the fact that almost 3/4 of our planet is covered in salt water. The mercurial part is from L, and thus, we have the force of flux and re-flux. The sulfurous part is from M, relating to waves and storms. Each arm shows us the three alchemical principles of Nature acting within the alchemical operations of the elements. The white rays shining forth from behind the angles (between arms) is as the Divine Light coming forth from rtk in its center. The letters painted on the angles refers to the Analysis of the Keyword. Remember, it is through the Analysis of the Keyword that our sacred Vault is opened. Next we have the twelve signs of the zodiac on the twelve petals. They follow the standard order:
Uppermost
h w z j f y 3 a b c d e f
Lowermost
l n s u x q g h i j k l
The seven double letters located in the middle row under the outer circle of the zodiac are allotted to the planets. They are listed in order of exaltation. These are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. p r b d g t k
Please note that t and k are incorrect in Regardie's, The Golden Dawn.
The inner three petals allude to the Three Mother Letters. These relate to the three elements of M (a), O (c), N (m). Notice that O and N are counter changed with M as the reconciler. This gaurantees that the forces of the arms should not over ride the planetary and zodiacal forces in the Rose of Creation. In other words, the petals of the elements are on the opposite side of the arm elements. The rose is a perfect symbol. The Hermetic Rose is a fitting symbol of the entire, manifested Universe. In another Adept manuscript, we will cover the proper method of extracting sigils from the rose. It is a perfect emblem to extract sigils in that it represents the entire Universe.
manifesting outwards of the four elements. The Adept should place this on the top arm because it affirms the decent of the Divine Will into trapt. trapt alludes to the heart center on the body, the place where the Rose Cross Lamen rests when worn. The lowest portion is written the name or motto of the Adeptus Minor. This alludes to becoming "more than human." This is an impossible task without the aid of the Divine Will and assistance from rtk. This now explains why on the face of the cross, the portion above twklm is white. It is a reminder that the must be rescued from the material. In the center on the back side, written in Latin, and between the alchemical symbols is: "Blessed be the Lord our God who hath given us the symbol signum." Both the words "symbol" and "signum" consist of six letters which relate to trapt, where the Rose Cross hangs on the body, and to the six creative periods in the Universe. Also, if we add the six letters of each word together, we end up with twelve, 1+2=3, the Supernals from which the Light shineth. The lamen may be made of heavy cardboard or wood that has been cut. The colors must be bright, clear and vivid, but do not use florescent paints. The symbol must always be clean and bright, and Adepts attending Corpus Christi will have their lamens inspected before the ceremony as they enter the Temple. We suggest acrylic paints for vividness and the use of a white undercoating before applying the colors. If you make your lamen out of wood, apply gesso before painting.
a b g d h w z j f y k l m n s u p x q r c t
Background Yellow Yellow Blue Green Red Red-orange Orange Amber Yellow Yellow-green Violet Green Blue Blue-green Blue Indigo Red Violet Crimson Orange Red Indigo
Letter Violet Violet Orange Red Green Blue-green Blue Blue-violet Violet Red-violet Yellow Red Orange Red-orange Orange Yellow-orange Green Yellow Yellow-green Blue Green Yellow-orange
The back portion should be black on white. The edges along the side may be gold. Before moving on, it should be noted that the Adept should have an understanding of the position of the letters on the petals. (See the diagram with this lesson.)