Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00565)

Carlos,
You wrote"
"On the other hand, it is relatively well-known that in the 18th 
century
Alessandro Cagliostro did try to reform Masonry with his Egyptian 
Rite, in Lyon.
What was the result of that?"

You have here perfectly proven that you don't know anything about 
Masonic history, once more! Cagliostro's works with reforming 
Masonry have nothing direct to do with the Egyptian Rite. It has to 
do with that he traveled around Europe and lectured in hundreds of 
Masonic lodges on the topics of reincarnation and karma, and showed 
that those two doctrines are very well represented with in the 
Masonic Rituals (something the Protestant ministers with have 
infiltrated Masonry, have done what they can to deny). And secondly; 
The Egyptian Rite of Cagliostro's was NOT based in Lyon (in Lyon was 
the bas of two other esoteric Masonic Systems, namely the 
Matinistorder and the original Swedenborgian Rite), it was based in 
Strasburg.
 
Carl

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "carlosaveline" 
<carlosaveline@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Friends, 
>  
> 
> It seems that, as conceived by HPB, the modern theosophical  
movement is not open to rites and rituals. Its design does not 
include that kind of activity, or that method.  
>  
> HPB wrote: 
>  
> "Having neither dogma nor ritual – these two being but fetters, a 
material body which suffocates the soul – we do not employ 
the `ceremonial magic' of the Western Kabalists; we know its dangers 
too well to have anything to do with it." (1) 
>  
> On the other hand, it is relatively well-known that in the 18th 
century Alessandro Cagliostro did try to reform Masonry with his 
Egyptian Rite, in Lyon.  What was the result of that?  
>  
> In her text "Lodges of Magic", while answering a question, HPB 
says that she is indeed willing to do some `inner work' in the 
theosophical movement, and she adds: 
>  
> "... Yet not on the plan of Cagliostro, which, by-the bye, brought 
direful  suffering upon his head,  and has left no marked traces  
behind to encourage a repetition in our days. When the pupil is 
ready,  the teacher will be found waiting', says a Eastern maxim." 
(...) (2) 
>  
>  
> Of course, C. W, Leadbeater and Annie Besant did make an 
unfortunate parody of Cagliostro's Egyptian Rite, besides inventing 
a "theosophical masonry" of their own.  
>  
> The `inner' or `practical' work HPB referred to would not be 
ritualistic ; it would be the esoteric school. 
>  
> Best regards,   Carlos. 
>  
>  
> NOTES:
>  
> (1) "The Beacon of the Unknown", a text published in "HPB 
Collected Writings", TPH, India/USA,   volume XI, see p. 266. The 
quotation is by the end of  part IV in that text.  
>  
> (2) "Lodges of Magic", a text in "Teachers and Disciples, Articles 
by H. P. Blavatsky",  a pamphlet published by The  Theosophy 
Company, Los Angeles, 40 pp., see p. 7.  The same text can be found 
in the "Collected Writings of HPB" (TPH), volume X. 
>  
>  ooooooooooooo
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>