On a dark night, deep within the Black Forest of Europe, it is a night of a new moon. The sky is filled with thick, low-lying clouds which obscure any view of the stars. The age is the early 13th. century. [According to Rudolf Steiner, 1230 A.D. was the approximate date of the birth of Christian Rosenkreutz].

      The night is pitch black and the forest is thick with trees. Upon a hill within the Black Forest stands a Temple, and surrounding this Temple is a golden aura of light. Within the Temple are twelve very special and highly developed individualities of spiritual wisdom and ascendancy. These twelve are the original Initiates of the Rose Cross, or more commonly known as the Rosicrucians. All twelve are standing in prayer and meditation. The floor of the Temple is golden marble with a large black wooden budded cross standing in the center of the marble floor. A wreath of seven wooden red roses lay upon the cross. Twelve white figures of the constellations of the zodiac surround the Rose Cross with one Initiate standing on each figure. Five Initiates are in black robes. The hoods of their robes are pulled over their heads and are completely covering their heads while their heads are bowed downward facing the floor. Their faces are never seen. Also, their hands are folded across their midsections and are tucked into their sleeves. One can not see their faces, hands or feet. All five are facing towards the Cross. These five are standing upon the constellations of Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. The other seven Initiates in golden robes are placed on the remaining seven figures of the zodiac facing the Cross. However, their hoods do not cover their heads and we see their faces. Their arms are opened and are extended upwards and outwards while their heads are slightly facing upwards with eyes closed in silent meditation.

      From all twelve of the Initiates twelve separate tones of an octave softly begin to emanate from each one. They do not vocalize these tones but rather these tones emanate from within their souls. Gradually the tones become louder.[The above is symbolical. The seven Initiates in white are the reincarnations of whom Rudolf Steiner called the seven Holy Rishis. They were seven hierophants of Ancient India who held within themselves all the wisdom that was carried over from the Great Mystery Oracles of Atlantis. After Atlantis there followed five major cultural epochs: Ancient India, Ancient Persia, Egypt, Greece-Rome and Europe ( this 5th epoch also rests in North America as we are currently in the 5th cultural epoch of Post-Atlantis). Therefore, the other five Initiates contain all the wisdom and intellectuality of these five major cultural epochs. However, the last of these five is a prototype of all that is to be gained from the 5th cultural epoch which will continue for approximately 1500-1600 more years. This Brotherhood is also constructed along cosmic lines and reflects cosmic and spiritual symbology. As there are twelve Initiates surrounding the Rose Cross there are twelve Constellations of the zodiac surrounding our sun and solar system. Also, there are twelve semi-tones in an octave, and there were twelve Apostles around Christ.

      The Rose Cross is representative of the human soul and spirit but is burdened by the physical body. The black cross is symbolic of the physical body and the five Initiates in black are representative of the five senses. Also, the soul is enamored by seven major soul forces which are represented by the seven Initiates in golden vestments. Eventually, these soul forces will be developed where humanity will have access to the worlds of soul and spirit beyond the five senses. The twelve Initiates are like the twelve constellations of the zodiac that stream their forces toward the sun and also toward the human soul and spirit. The seven Initiates in gold are a symbol of what is called the “seven stars before the throne,” that is: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn which stand before the sun.