Rosicrucian Digest
Rosicrucian Digest
The Rosicrucian Digest, the outer organ of the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), is one of the oldest occult magazines being published in the Western world, having been established in the early 1920s. The Digest continues The American Rosae Crucis, the original periodical established by H. Spencer Lewis (1883-1939) in 1915 when he opened the AMORC. The organization passed through an unstable initial decade before settling in San Jose, California, where its headquarters has remained and from which it has grown into a worldwide occult fellowship, possibly the largest in the contemporary world.
The Rosicrucian Digest is built around a set of feature articles expounding upon various Rosicrucian themes. The order traces its origins to ancient Egypt, and has founded an Egyptian museum that remains a popular tourist stop in San Jose. Articles discuss the museum's artifacts, its staff's archeological work, and ancient Egypt in general. The emphasis upon Egypt provides a foundation for regular treatments of the Hermetic tradition, also traced to Egyptian roots. Generally each issue begins with an article by the leader of the order, and recently each issue has reprinted an article from the many written by Lewis, the founding imperator.
Through the years, the Digest was issued as a monthly magazine. However, in the 1990s the order went through a major upheaval when it came into conflict with its imperator, Gary Stewart. Stewart was forced out of office after being accused of attempting to steal substantial funds. For several years the order faced severe financial problems. Eventually a new imperator, Christian Bernard, was named. Through the unrest, the Digest became a quarterly periodical. It currently circulates approximately 15,000 copies per issue (with parallel issues serving the order in other countries). Once a year, the Digest publishes a list of Rosicrucian lodges and centers around the world.
The Rosicrucian Digest may be ordered from the Grand Lodge of the English Language Jurisdiction, AMORC, Inc., 1342 Naglee Ave., San Jose, CA 95191.
Sources:
Rosicrucian Digest. San Jose, Calif., n.d.