In his June, 1911 letter to students, Max Heindel informed
his readers that, culminating his search for a permanent site
for conducting the affairs of the Rosicrucian Fellowship, he had
bought "one of the sightliest spots in beautiful Southern
California; in fact, though I have traveled all over the world,
I have never seen a view to compare with that of the site of our
future Headquarters." Where-upon, he describes the splendid
panoramic vistas afforded by this choice tract of land, concluding
that "it offers a composite picture of glory and inspiration,
in itself sufficient to evoke all that is purest and best in anyone
at all spiritually inclined." This beauty spot of nature
was aptly christened Mount Ecclesia.
Why Oceanside, which even today, having both a population
above 130,000 inhabitants and the dubious distinction of being
home to the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton, is still called
"America's best kept secret"? Because, as Heindel states
in the Cosmo, southern California offers exceptional opportunities
for spiritual growth due to its ether atmosphere being denser
than in any other part of the world, and Mount Ecclesia is particularly
favored in this respect.
The Fellowship, as an idea and spiritual entity (archetype),
was given birth August 8, 1909, in Seattle, Washington. It was
grounded and given an earthly home at Mount Ecclesia a little
over two years later. Groundbreaking for the first Fellowship
building on Mount Ecclesia, inaugurating Founders' Day, took place
at exactly at 12:40 P.M., Pacific Standard Time, October 28, 1911.
Why at this precise time? Because the planetary configuration
was most propitious for initiating and sustaining the work of
this spiritual center. It is instructive to note that both Fellowship
and Grounds horoscopes show Jupiter as the most elevated planet,
and in both the sun and mercury are in conjunction — in 8th house
(regeneration) Leo for the former and in 9th house Scorpio (regeneration)
in the latter.
At that first Founders' Day a "little flock of nine were
present," outwardly certainly a modest witness for the genesis
of such a significant enterprise. But that nine were augmented
by three invisible Beings, including the august Head of the Rosicrucian
Order, Christian Rose Cross, and the Elder Brother who was the
inspiration for the Fellowship, as well as Max Heindel's Teacher.
Three shovelfuls of earth were lifted from the corner of the
building site, accompanied by a threefold prayer for (1) Wisdom
to guide the School along the right lines; (2) the faculty to
present the Beauty of the higher life so as to render it attractive
to all mankind; and (3) the Strength to patiently and diligently
continue the good work.
Then the composite emblem of the Mystery School was planted:
The cross representing matter, whose arms and upper limb bore
the golden letters C. R. C., and the climbing red rose, representing
the verdant evolving life climbing to greater and greater heights
by this crucifixion. The black cross (later changed to white to
avoid unfortunate associations), the twining green stem of the
plant, the thorns, the blood red roses — in these is hidden the
solution of the World Mystery.
The two arms pointed east and west, placing it directly in
the path of the spiritual currents that vitalize the four kingdoms
of life: mineral, plant, animal, and man.
On the night of April 9, 1910, when the new moon was in Aries,
the Elder Brother came to Max Heindel and took him to the etheric
Temple in Germany. There he was enabled, with "a little assistance
from the Brothers," to contact the fourth
region of Concrete Thought, where the archetypes are found.
He discerned the highest ideal and mission of the Fellowship and
prophetically saw "a procession of people coming from all
parts of the world to receive the teaching" at its Headquarters,
from whence they issued "to carry balm to afflicted ones
near and far." The Fellowship has every reason to be sanguine
about realizing the purpose assigned it by the Rosicrucian Order,
for which it is the preparatory school. We are particularly optimistic
in light of the coordination of auspicious present and imminent
planetary aspects. Even now we are experiencing the millennial
energies highly favorable for the advancement of our mission.
May we all contribute our utmost to the implementation of these
beneficent energies so that, in Christ's Name and for His glory,
our common spiritual cause may prosper.
— C.W.
— Rays from the Rose Cross Magazine, September/October, 1995
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