The third of seven days of the Alchemical Wedding of Christian Rosycross is the day of the tests. Here you read the original text of the third day from the initiation novel by Johann Valentin Andreae (published 1616). Within the text, you find some selected commentaries from the esoteric analysis by Jan van Rijckenborgh. Full commentaries are published in the printed edition. Furthermore, you find links to related contents which were written by pupils in the Lectorium Rosicrucianum.
To make the orientation easier for online reading, subtitles have been added to the commentaries.
The printed edition in English, translated from the Dutch, was published in two volumes by: Rozekruis Pers, Haarlem, The Netherlands
Part one: First edition 1991
Part two: First edition 1991
All rights reserved, especially regarding translation. It is forbidden to reproduce any part of the following texts and images by means of printing, photo copy, electronic media or any other procedure without written permission by the publishing house in advance.
_____________
As soon as the joyous day had dawned and the bright sun, rising over the mountains, had again taken up her task in the high heavens, my fellow-strugglers also began to rise and little by little make themselves ready for the test. Whereupon one after another entered the hall, bade us good morning and asked how we had slept that night. When they saw our cords, there were some that reproved us for being so cowardly, and that we had not, as they, surrendered ourselves for good or ill. But others, with their hearts in their mouths, were much more reserved. We apologised for our foolishness and hoped we would soon be set free, and that we might be taught a lesson by this mockery, which they, on the contrary, had not yet altogether escaped and perhaps their greatest danger still lay ahead of them.
When at last all had assembled, the trumpets and kettle-drums began again to sound and we did not believe otherwise than that the Bridegroom was ready to appear; but this was a huge mistake. For it was again yesterday’s Maiden, now entirely clad in red and girded with a white sash. On her head she had a green baywreath which was very becoming. Her train was now no more of small tapers but consisted of two hundred men in harness, all dressed like her in red and white.
As soon as the Maiden had risen from her throne, she strode straight to us, prisoners, and after she had saluted us, she said in a few words: “That some of you have been aware of their wretched condition is very pleasing to my most mighty Lord, and he shall reward you for it”. When she saw me in my habit, she laughed and said: “How now, did you also not dare to risk it? I thought you had prepared yourself so well!” At these words my eyes filled with tears.
Then she gave the command for us to be released and assembled at a place from which we could clearly view the scales. “For”, she said, “you may yet fare better than the presumptuous ones, who are still standing here unbound.”
In the mean time a balance of pure gold was hung in the centre of the hall; there was also a small table covered with red velvet on which seven weights were placed. In front stood a rather large weight; then, apart, four small ones and lastly two more large ones, also apart. These weights were so heavy in proportion to their bulk, that no one could believe or comprehend it. Each of the harnessed men bore a strong rope as well as an unsheathed sword. According to the number of weights, they were placed in seven groups and the Maiden chose one of the group for each of the weights.
Then she again ascended her high throne and after she had made a small bow she began to speak in a loud voice:
Who into a painter’s workshop goes,
and naught whatever of painting knows,
yet speaks of it as if he does,
will find the world contemptuous.
He who would an artist be
though it’s not his true destiny
and counterfeits art’s genius
will find the world contemptuous.
Who at the wedding does appear,
but never was invited here,
yet sports himself in splendid dress
will find the world contemptuous.
Who now the balance does ascend
and cannot all the weights withstand
will rise with great rapidity
and thus will earn much mockery
