“We can probably say without contradiction that the mystical use of fire dates back to the time when humans began to distinguish good from evil and to associate the former with light and the latter with darkness. This fact is supported in religious texts, as all indicate that fire is the symbol of human virtue or the expression of Divine Perfection”

As far as primal human symbols go, there are few that deliver the same impact as fire. Over the years, this element has served the role of purifier (as mentioned in the monograph), destroyer (Sekhet of Egypt), and a progenitor of life, wisdom, and ultimately transformation. Indeed, these same impacts can be seen in the way fire interacts with the material.

• We use flame to purify our water, metal, and other substances.
• If left untended, fire can be enormously harmful. It can raze entire homes and cities to the ground, and leave hundreds dead in the blink of an eye.
• Fire illuminates. Before the advent of electricity, fire brought light to dark corners and allowed humans to remain productive during the darkness of the night.

With this in mind, it would be extremely simplistic to say that fire is purely an agent of perfection when it’s association with death and destruction is just as apparent in both the spiritual and physical world.

“According to classical literature, the mystical use of fire dates from the era of Zoroastrianism – to approximately the 6^th century B.C. However, the actual roots of Zoroastrianism go back to prehistoric times. “

According to Greek philosopher Herodotus, cults of fire had emerged as early as the 5^th century. At the time, these worshippers would light enormous pyres on open fields. Over time, these pyres were enclosed into the traditional fire temples of Zoroaster. After, Islam became the dominant force in the region these temples were largely driven out or converted into mosques. Contrary to what the monograph would have you believe, fire generally carries a blasphemous connotation in the Muslim religion.

“For Rosicrucians, fire symbolizes laws and principles which have been associated with it since earliest times. In its mundane appearance it corresponds to the highest expression of the visible manifestations of Spirit:

From a psychological and evolutionary perspective, symbolism helps us to identify future threats and opportunities in an extremely efficient manner. For example, paper currency has no intrinsic practical value on its own, but when allied with symbolism it has the power to transform lives, communities, and entire countries. Similarly, if you have ever been hiking and heard the howl of a coyote or wolf then you will know the instant sense of danger that it inspires.

Now, these are real symbols that have a very practical grounding in reality. But problems start to arise, when we begin to associate symbols with threats or opportunities that don’t actually exist. Think of the many strange and debilitating phobias that can prevent people from flying or swimming, or interacting with certain animals and objects. These fears are based on the very same instinct towards symbolism that drives more practical everyday assessments. Unfortunately, in this case it has been turned towards a threat that is wholly imagined or at the very least exaggerated.

This idea can also be turned the other way. Brands often use the power of symbolism to associate their products with concepts that far outsize the physical reality of the object in question. Consider how an Apple engraved upon an otherwise unremarkable device can give the item a unique sense of prestige and luxury or how a simple tick on a shoe can create an impression of athleticism and endeavor.

“On the alchemical plane, we also feel that fire represents the mystical process operating continuously within the individual and which, at the end of each individual’s successive incarnation, must allow that person to receive illumination – in other words, the influx of wisdom resulting from perfect harmonization with the Cosmic Consciousness.”

Cults use similar psychological shortcuts to encourage certain behaviors and attitudes amongst their followers. In AMORC’s case, they use symbols of the rose, the cross, and now fire to teach their recruits about what to believe and how to think.