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 Further information on 'Magus Incognito' April 2, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
It appears that 'Magus Incognito' was in fact a pseudonym for William Walker Atkinson, known also as 'Yoga Ramacharaka', an early 20th century writer on Hinduism, Yoga and New Thought.
HS Lewis, founder of a modern neo-Rosicrucian organisation, the AMORC, borrowed heavily from Ramacharaka's work without attribution for both the lessons of his AMORC group and the AMORC-controlled Traditional Martinist Order.
Atkinson's executors obviously got their own back by publishing his 'secrets' and putting them in the public domain as 'Rosicrucian', presumably to stop AMORC profiting from his work.
So, while one may say that this book is not about 'Rosicrucians or their doctrines' I would say that there are some differences between this book and the teachings of early Rosicrucian movements. Much of what is written here is a synthesis of East and West, influenced by Hindu and Yoga teachings.
However the book has very definite similarities to the modern-era AMORC teachings, which after all, borrowed liberally from Ramacharaka in the first place !
So . . . maybe that means AMORC doctrines don't owe much to Rosicrucianism, at least to the extent that they borrow from Ramacharaka ? An interesting conundrum !
Given Ramacharaka published his work many years before the AMORC founder, it should be quite clear that it is not Ramacharaka who was the 'wantabe'.
Ben
 The secret Doctrine of the Rosicrucians March 12, 2006
2 out of 9 found this review helpful
I am a Rosicrucian and this book is not about Rosicrucians or their Doctrines. As far as I can make out this is from one of those "wantabes". I found it to be totally useless. If you are truely interested in mystical knowledge, the school still exists and is very welcoming to seekers. ( google AMORC) If you are only seeking a book try The Wisdom of the Mystic Masters by Joseph J Weed. This book gives a true overview of RC. The focus in on practical self development that can be used right here on the Earth Plane for your evolution. Its a wonderful life, if you have the right atttiude and are willing to change!
 Standard Theosophy- and just a little bit more. July 6, 2005
9 out of 13 found this review helpful
_While I have read this book through twice over the years, I still have reservations about it. The thing that struck me first about it was that the author "Magus Incognito" was well versed in classical 19th century Theosophy. In fact much of this book could have come out of a mail order Theosophy course- I know, I've taken such courses. However, there is just enough additional hermetic, gnostic, and alchemical information to make it just a little more. There is nothing really incorrect here, it is just that it is rather basic and sparse when compared to works such as _The Secret Doctrine_ or _Isis Unveiled_. Still, if you are looking for an introduction or review of metaphysical basics this little book will serve.
_There is a section on Bucke's _Cosmic Consciousness_ that at least shows that the author was cognizant of the state, even if you are left largely on your own as to how to reach it. You see, that's the core of it- how to quiet, or shatter, the everyday ego so that a breakthrough can be made. Before this, much of the teaching in this book will appear incomprehensible or foolishness. Afterwards, it is self-explanatory and merely serves to validate the breakthrough. Still, to be fair, the author does emphasize the idea that "When the student is ready, the Master appears."
_From what I have learned of Rosicrucians and Rosicrucian affiliated Freemasonry through out the 18th and 19th century this could pass for "authentic" teachings. "Magus Incognito" sounds exactly like a secret name or grade from one of these old lodges. You see, the knowledge possessed by most of these groups tended to be pretty rudimentary. For the most part they recycled the hermetica, basic alchemy, and the mysticism of Jacob Bohme. In light of this, you probably have more "secrets" here than most of these old lodges ever possessed.
_Still, if you define Rosicrucianism as a gnostically inspired spiritual movement that had as its goal reunion of the human spirit with the Divine, then this could be considered as genuine Rosicrucianism.
_If I were to attempt to explain why this book remains in print, it would be because it is in public domain with an anonymous author. If you slap a flashy cover on it, it will sell- and you will not have to share royalties....
An interesting summary of basic Rosicrucian theories January 4, 2002
35 out of 36 found this review helpful
I'm finding this little book to be be a useful synthesis of complex occult ideas. It appears to have been written in 1949 to set the record straight at a time when moneymaking Rosicrucian orders were warring amongst themselves. I'm acutely aware that this book raises hackles among some Rosicrucians of particular orders. When I asked for opinions about it on one order's mail list, members talked about suing the writer. This hostility probably stems from the fact that the unknown Magus who penned it, obviously annoyed at commercial exploitation of the Rosicrucian philosophy, wrote his own version of information they'd paid hundreds of dollars for, and maybe hoped to make money from, and released it into the world so anyone could access it for $10. [It needs to be noted that Rosicrucian theories are not the property of any one order.] On the other hand, other Rosicrucians have recommended this text to me. However, buying this book and understanding its ideas are different things- the doctrines still are 'secret' to the extent that realising what they mean is no easy thing and is a matter for the soul rather than just the intellect. The style of the writing is a tad dated, reflecting the time, but for all that it's pretty down-to-earth, and the better for it. A worthwhile book.
 The key is there. November 2, 2000
16 out of 19 found this review helpful
It's written in an earlier voice and with some rather outdated anthropological views but power is there none the less. Seeing behind the metaphors is the inherent key here. Pay particular attention to the diagrams and the books explanation. Integration is there if you're willing to let it come forward.
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