Marie Russak
was an opera singer who later became interested in Neo-theosophy.
From 1906 to
1910 she lived at the headquarters of the Theosophical Society, Adyar,
India, and after the death of Colonel Olcott, she helped Annie Besant to become
the new president; and Besant in gratitude appointed her international
lecturer, which shows the low level to which this organization had fallen since
Russak was very ignorant.
In 1912 Russak
convinced Besant to found, together with James Wedgwood, the Order of the Temple of the Rose-Cross (OTRC),
but this organization lasted only a few years due to the First World War, which
forced it to suspend its activities.
When the war ended, Russak wanted to reactivate the OTRC, but Besant made
excuses and no longer supported her with it. Russak disillusioned walked away from the Theosophical Society and became close to Spencer Lewis
whom she assisted in devising rituals for his AMORC organization.
This
collaboration between Marie Russak and Spencer Lewis, the new leaders of AMORC
want to hide it, but historical data shows that Marie Russak did have a big
influence on AMORC.
We see the
friendship and collaboration between Marie Russak and Spencer Lewis in the
magazine published by Russak entitled The
Channel and where Spencer Lewis wrote an article entitled "The Story
of the Rose-Cross" and where also appears on several occasions advertising for AMORC and its first magazine
The American Rosae Crucis.
And also in
Lewis's magazine on several occasions there is advertising for Russak's
magazine:
And Lewis
himself also repeatedly mentioned and praised Russak in his magazine The American Rosae Crucis.
In the publication
of April 1916, he wrote:
« Typical of the
encouragement which is deeply appreciated is a letter from Marie Russak, the
able editor of that excellent quarterly, "The Cbannel." Mrs. Russak
writes that after her own .investigation of Rosaecrucianism which involved
years of study and considerable traveling, she is pleased to find the History
of the Order so completely and authentically presented in our magazine.
She is ready to verify so many of
its points, she states, and realizes how important it is to have TRUTH at once
destroy all the erroneous and deliberately false statements regarding the
Order. To this end she requests permission to reprint the complete History in her
next and succeeding issues, and this privilege, not quickly or in discriminately
given has been granted
The next most popular movement is
the "Temple of the Rose Cross." under the sponsorship of our good
friend, Marie Russak, who edits the "Channel" Magazine, in
California. Here, too, there is an honest and frank admission that the sole
object of the movement is to enable sincere students to find those higher teachings
which seem to lead to the mysteries of true Rosaecrucianism.
Mrs. Russak is so greatly interested
in the true Order and in having the truth of the Order's origin and present
status established that she is republishing this complete History in her
magazine. She is ready to verify, she states, the truth of many of the statements
made in this History, of the origin, authenticity and present position of the AMORC
in Europe and America. No one has ever been misled by Marie Russak into thinking
that her movement-with its Rosicrucian Centers in many cities-is the real R. C.
Order or Lodge.
Marie Russak is fair honest and
true Theosophy added "Rosicrucian" teachings and symbolism to its
higher work only to assist its advanced students to study around the true R. C.
science and philosophies. It does not claim to have any of the true R. C.
secret work, or to be a branch of the AMORC in any way. »
(p.5 & 20)
And in the
publication of July 1916, it was added:
« Especially do we
recommend "The Science of Occult Healing," by Marie Russak, the
Editor of The Channel, and "The Wider Psychology of Insanity:' by Carl Ramus,
M.D. Our Imperator recommends that as many of our Brothers and Sisters as
possible should purchase this issue either at local newsstands or stores (and
if your newsdealer does not carry The Channel urge him to do so), or send 30 cents
in stamps to the publisher for a copy.
Many of the present-day occult,
philosophic and "mystic" magazines would do well to pattern after The
Channel in broadmindedness, depth of thought and fullness of expression. May it
prosper generously and peacefully.
It may be of interest to our
readers to know that Marie Russak and Mr. Henry Hotchner were married Sunday,
July 9th, at Hollywood, California. The American Rosae Crucis here with extends
its greetings and well wishes of Love and Friendship. »
(p.23)
Another
proof is found in the following photo that shows the OTRC “temple” that Marie
Russak installed in her Hollywood mansion:
And as you
yourselves can see, Spencer Lewis was inspired by this for the Egyptian
decoration of his AMORC temples.
Even Spencer
Lewis copied the Egyptian wings that we see in the background of the OTRC
"temple" and that became one of the main emblems of AMORC.
And this
collaboration is also confirmed by the fact that in the first rituals of AMORC
the theosophical masters were venerated, which does not make much sense for a
Rosicrucian organization, but it is explained if we consider that it was Russak
who elaborated these rituals.
CONCLUSION
The fact
that Marie Russak had a huge influence on the beginnings of AMORC is a very bad
sign for this organization because it turns out that Marie Russak was a very trickster person and she permeated her charlatanism on AMORC.
For example,
Russak pretended to be in communication with Master Rakoczi, but it turns out
that this master does not exist since it was an invention of Charles Leadbeater
who elaborated him based on the Count of Saint-Germain who was a great
occultist but not a Master.
And also
Russak was very inept in esoteric matters, for example Blavatsky specified that
the Rosicrucians do not come from Egypt, but it is obvious that Marie Russak
did not know that; and Spencer Lewis by copying Russak’s untruths, he also
displayed his own ignorance and charlatanism.
