Indeed, after his tragically premature death in 1962, some of the most far-reaching transformations in contemporary art would follow directly in his wake. His monochrome paintings, body art works, fire paintings, conceptual exhibitions and music, and monumental public space works threatened to upend the very categories of art, in both Europe and America. His rise was wildly celebrated by some as the appearance of a prophetic genius, and derisively dismissed by others as scandalous nonsense. His inventions include the Luxatone, the Cosmic Ray Coincidence Counter, and the Sympathetic Vibration Harp.įor seven years, from 1956 to 1962, a young French artist electrified the European art world with visual, conceptual and performance art works far ahead of their time. Lewis believed it was his mission to spread modern mysticism throughout the United States, which he did by promoting AMORC tours, appearing on radio shows, giving demonstrations, writing books, and inventing mystical devices. Born in Frenchtown, New Jersey, Lewis used his training as a commercial artist for an advertising company to promote the AMORC in its early days through print ads and pamphlets. HARVEY SPENCER LEWIS (1883-1939), a well-known Rosicrucian author, mystic, occultist, alchemist, and inventor, was the founder of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC) in the USA, as well as its first Imperator from 1915 until his death.
Spencer Lewis, describes the manual as a "Guide to the Work and Studies of the Order." It contains a greeting and preliminary instructions, as well as a description of the AMORC and its important officers, general and special instructions to Members and Lodges, Mystic Symbols and their meanings, magical and alchemical explanations, and a dictionary and FAQ. The AMORC Imperator and author of the book, H. Originally published by The Supreme Grand Lodge of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC) in 1918 and again in 1929, with several reissues, the Rosicrucian Manual is an official manual for new members of the AMORC and Rosicrucianism.