Now, before entering into the Master’s Temple, the initiates must listen to the voice of their conscience as embodied in Colombe, a female figure garbed in brilliant white.

In the so-called esoteric tradition as promoted by AMORC, the girl must be under eighteen and a virgin. The word, “colombe” is a French word, meaning, “dove.” The dove, specifically a white dove, is a traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit, which is why, I imagine, the Colombe in this initiation is dressed in white, which is often a symbol of purity. According to AMORC’s Rosicrucian Manual, written by H. Spencer Lewis, “Colombes must be less than 14 years of age, when appointed to office, and not younger than 10 years of age. Each must serve until 16 years of age, during which time she must retain her virtue (remaining unmarried).”

If you would like to see a glimpse of an early AMORC Colombe figure and hear a bit of the original AMORC Colombe Temple Music, click here. This video initially describes an alchemical ceremony hosted by H. Spencer Lewis and I believe it is his voice that describes a quiet ceremony designed for the subject to receive vibrations from the Cosmic.

As the voice of their conscience and the Guardian of their soul, they must listen to her profession: “I am Light! I am Life! I am Love!” Her voice is the one that leads the initiate away from temptation. She is the one who pleads for their Salvation. She is the one that stands beside the Rose Cross, the “symbol of nobility, strength and glory.” Finally, she is the one who demands a vow of each initiate to heed her voice forevermore.

If the disciples refuse to answer in the affirmative when asked or say, “No!” they are escorted back to the Reception Room by the Outer Guardian. There, they must wait until after the end of Part I of the initiation. This is a matter that must be reported in writing to the Grand Master.

Those remaining- and most do- they now listen to the slow and deep refrains of Death.

Death also tries to impress the initiates with an affirmation of his sameness to Light, Life and Love, as he is also omnipresent at any time in the human experience, just as Colombe.  He claims that any betrayal of the purity of the symbol, the Rose Cross- will lead to that defiler of the tradition to be held forever as a prisoner of Death himself.

Hmmm… I was a prisoner of AMORC for twenty-four years.  And, for that reason, because I stayed and served AMORC, was I not a prisoner of Death as well?

Perhaps not.

For who is the real betrayer of the Rosicrucian tradition? AMORC or its prisoner?  The Prisoner thinks he is honoring an ancient tradition. But what is AMORC honoring by its substitution of mind control for the elements of true initiation?   What does the Imperator and those who stand besides him really honor? And to whom do they actually belong?