Arcana Arcanorum

« There exists and has always existed an initiatory secret that can give man the key to his essence, tear the veil of his occult being and reveal to him the science of true evolution.

In possession of such a secret, man anticipates the natural terms of his ascension and in relation to the vulgar, he can appear as a demi-God. This secret has always been jealously guarded and consequently, few men have known it, a limited number know it and only an even smaller number practice it entirely.... »

Kremmerz

To introduce this section of my website, I will share a brief excerpt from one of my books, which includes an extensive, 140-page chapter on the Arcana Arcanorum. Given the depth and complexity of this system—covering its history, practices, and objectives—it's challenging to condense, but I will aim to highlight some of its key elements.

If a student wishes to pursue these paths, they are welcome to study from me, starting from the advanced path. I'd like to clarify that, although the Arcana Arcanorum system is currently presented within a Masonic initiation format, its origins are not Masonic. The complete system was never part of any Masonic tradition until it appeared in the Misraim rite. Later, when the Misraim and Memphis rites merged to form the Memphis-Misraim rite, the Arcana Arcanorum was excluded and remained briefly within the Misraim rite in France before vanishing entirely. 

After this disappearance, the system re-emerged in various secret or discreet schools, such as the Fratellanza Terapeutico-Magica di Miriam of Kremmerz, where it was utilized as a sort of antechamber to an even more secretive order, the Ordine Egizio (Egyptian Order), as well as other initiatic schools like Aurum Solis, which contain some of these teachings.

The paths within the Arcana Arcanorum, including the inner alchemy path, draw from diverse traditions such as Buddhism, Chinese Alchemy, and Shaivism. I teach these paths independently of any Masonic framework, as their true essence lies outside Masonic traditions. In reality many initiates who have held or currently hold knowledge of these teachings are more often connected with Chivalric or Templar orders than with Masonic circles. For a comprehensive history of this system, please refer to my book (excerpt).

The Arcana Arcanorum are, in fact, not present in any modern Masonic lodges, except for some specific Misraim lodges (distinct from Memphis-Misraim lodges). However, even within these, the situation is complex: they may only have access to the inner alchemical or theurgical aspects, while lacking the external alchemical path. Additionally, they may not possess the original teachings, having instead adapted or modified them. The most common theurgical practices today tend to follow the Kabbalistic approach, while deity work, especially as practiced in the East, is rarer but the most accurate tradition would be that of the Kremmerz legacy. It is evident that within the highest degrees of Kremmerz's Myriam, the Arcanas were presented as an introduction to something beyond.

The Misraim rite is the only Masonic rite that incorporates real operative work, unlike other Masonic rites that focus solely on symbolism. This is why, in today’s world, I see Freemasonry as largely a waste of time, and even somewhat misleading. Many lodges intentionally provide an incomplete or inaccurate understanding of symbols, leading members away from true spiritual insight. Without engaging in operative work, one can never progress meaningfully in any spiritual practice. After all, it’s clear that in life, real achievements require more than just talk—they require action and experience.

This is also the primary reason the complete system of the Arcana Arcanorum remains shrouded in mystery and challenging to trace. It was always a practical (but codified), rather than purely symbolic, discipline, preserved only within certain "clandestine" schools.

This system can be viewed as an ultimate path, with self-realization as the primary goal. However, in some circles that utilize this system today, it serves as an introductory framework to other, more esoteric secret systems or orders (Kremmerz system). If one aims to explore the Paths of Power (which I explain in my live courses), I believe that understanding these three branches is essential. Conversely, if one's ultimate goal is solely awakening, then the inner alchemy path of the Arcana Arcanorum is sufficient. In any case, this system serves as a Path of Power in its own right, especially when combined with other elements. 

To preserve the teachings, certain aspects are introduced gradually, while the complete system is provided through the Path of Power. Ultimately, this is a personal journey.

The Arcana Arcanorum, often translated as "the Secrets of Secrets," is a mystical and esoteric system that encompasses three branches, each contributing to the practitioner's spiritual development and transformation. 

1. External Path (not necessary)

« He who has not made gold outside, do not make it within himself »

Kremmerz

The first path, called the external path (外丹), concerns metallic alchemy and proposes two distinct paths: that of antimony or of the cinnabar. The documents that I have consulted focus on the path of cinnabar. Although this path is the most commonly practiced, it is not universally adopted. The metallic, therefore external, path of this alchemy refers mainly to the creation by transmutation of certain substances.

Several French and Italian organizations carry out complete laboratory operations in this field. In France, the path of cinnabar is supported by the work of the Frères Aînés de la Rose + Croix (FA+RC) as well as by another alchemical college whose name, for reasons of discretion, is not mentioned here.

In Germany and Switzerland, laboratory operations support the work of the Order of the Rosen-und Golden-Creutzer (Order of the Golden Cross and Rosicrucian), as well as that of the "Asiatic Brothers" of the Order der Ritter und Brüder St. Johann des Evangelisten aus Asien in Europa (Order of the Knights and Brothers of St. John the Evangelist of Asia in Europe).

« The Lord God made coats of skins for the man and his wife and clothed them. » Some ancient exegetes have suggested that this text did not refer to the state of humanity after the Fall, but before. According to them, the tunic mentioned in this verse was not made of skin, but of light, because of the similarity between the Hebrew words for skin (âur) and light (aur).

The glorious body mentioned here is associated with the "Glory of God", a biblical expression that designates God himself and the brilliance of his holiness through his perceptible manifestations. In the Old Testament, this glory is manifested by a bright light, a fire, like the luminous cloud appearing to Moses on Sinai and guiding the people in the desert, or descending in the temple of Solomon. In the New Testament, this cloud descends on Christ during his transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and after his resurrection, he enters into the Glory of God.

In Christian symbolism, the nimbus (from the Latin nimbus, "cloud"), or halo of the saints, is linked to the manifestation of the divine Glory and testifies to the presence of spiritual light in them. This representation predates Christianity, being found in Asian and Greek art, as well as in Mazdaism. The halo can be considered as a prefiguration of the resurrection in a glorious body, which, according to Origen, would have the form of a sphere.

The Ancient Rose+Croix, specified that obtaining the Philosopher's Stone, constitutes the Parergon or a "material work" but that the most important is the Ergon or "spiritual work", crowned by obtaining the "body of glory", which can only be achieved after having achieved the first 3. Indeed, it can only be obtained after a specific orientation of the Stone, for the transmutation of the Adept himself, after having received permission from heaven, to fulfill a specific mission within the framework of the evolution of humanity, by acting from other planes of consciousness.

The methods for achieving the Body of Light are distilled within the Arcana Arcanorum system, focusing specifically on inner alchemy, as this path is the only one through which this body can be attained. Practicing Presence is essential on this journey, serving as its primary discipline.

As we regularly practice these techniques of Presence in the moment, something ineffable awakens within us. This phenomenon can only be understood through direct experience.

As a general rule, the notion of "Presence in the moment" is misinterpreted in the collective consciousness, where it is often associated with philosophical concepts such as mindfullness. However, the true practice of Presence in the moment is not located in conceptualization, but in direct experience, lived here and now. It is precisely for this reason that the rituals of the Arcana Arcanorum have escaped precise historical documentation; these teachings have always been carried out in the present moment, devoid of conceptualization.

The essential quality that students must cultivate is bodhichitta (awakening of the heart). To truly attain enlightenment, a great deal of bodhichitta is necessary. Profound wisdom is not developed simply by acquiring knowledge, but by having true love. Cultivating wisdom without a solid foundation of compassion and love leads to superficial understanding. On the other hand, when love, compassion, and bodhichitta are present, wisdom becomes extremely profound and genuine.

When we stop the flow of conceptual thoughts, we gain a natural happiness, like the clear sky when the wind blows away the clouds. True happiness lies in stopping the conceptual thoughts of desire. By stopping this flow of thoughts, we discover that the fundamental nature of the mind is bliss.

Many people think that happiness comes from external factors. For example, a person may believe that happiness comes from a romantic relationship, or from a material object. These thoughts give rise to attachments and jealousies. By practicing dissociation from conceptual attachments, we discover that the mind itself, freed from concepts, is the source of happiness. It is a profound happiness, arising from the realization of the ultimate nature of reality, the dharmakaya. This happiness, or great bliss, emerges when we free ourselves from limiting concepts and perceive reality in its essential purity.

« You will separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the thick, gently, with great industry. It rises from the earth to the sky, and again it descends to the earth, and it receives the force of the higher and lower things. » 

Emerald Tablet

3. Theurgy Path (fundamental)

The inner alchemy path of the AA are just an introduction to something deeper which is Theurgy.

Theurgy is the practice of invoking the divine and establishing a connection with higher spiritual beings. This path often involves complex rituals and the use of sacred sounds and symbols to facilitate communion with the divine. Theurgists aim to ascend to higher planes of existence and gain insight into the nature of reality. The ultimate goal is to align oneself with divine will, thus contributing to the creation of a "body of light," which serves as a vessel for divine presence and purpose.

The Necessity of Oral Transmission

First, oral instruction is crucial to properly understand certain techniques that transcend ego concepts. To illustrate this, imagine that mastery of driving cannot be acquired simply by reading manuals or by repeated explanations of the different ways of driving. You need your driving instructor present at your side to guide you through the different steps and transmit specific instructions. In the same way, oral transmission is essential to grasp the subtleties of esoteric teachings.

Second, certain initiatory secrets have always existed in an incommunicable form. These "secrets" are symbolically represented in alchemical and hermetic works, such as the Kabbalah, with its extremely codified symbolism. Alchemy, hermeticism, and in particular the techniques of Sexual Magic, reveal these incommunicable secrets. A true magical initiation can only be achieved within the framework of an initiatory school with an authentic lineage or by a master who can prove his lineage. Incommunicable practices have always been carefully kept secret to preserve the purity of the teachings. If these practices are taken out of context, they risk feeding the ego rather than cultivating the spiritual being, thus reinforcing the illusion of Maya rather than leading to spiritual elevation.

Third, the necessity of an oral path to preserve the hidden initiatory teachings is paramount. Although the essence of the Arcana Arcanorum is constant—aiming at the connection of the Self to the divine—various techniques lead to the ultimate goal. Rituals often act as "masks" to conceal the sacred teachings of the initiations. If one breaks the initiatory oath and reveals these teachings, it would be possible to find the source, but the original "seed" remains preserved. This also explains why many modern rituals of magic can often prove ineffective: the seal or original source behind a teaching can only be activated by the one who created it. To be activated, it is often necessary to master the "tact" or essence of the technique taught.

The example of Kabbalistic sigils illustrates this point: a magic seal can only be understood and activated by the one who created it, unless the magician has explained and demonstrated the symbolism of his sigil, which is very rare. After having made the effort to receive the oral transmission and the precious instructions of a guru, books can then serve as a complement. This is why there is no serious book on magic and its occult branches, in Europe or elsewhere, that can replace oral teachings. Only ancient books by specific authors can sometimes be exceptions.

The initiatory approach, intrinsically personal, must be discreet and intimate, based on the constant search for the intrinsic truth of things. If a "secret" exists, it is initiatory and, by definition, incommunicable. The Theurgy of the Arcana Arcanorum illustrates this concept, where the invoked divinities directly transmit the teachings to the adept, making the initiatory secret incommunicable. It is foolish to believe that such a system can last without being broken, which justifies the importance of Theurgy.

In conclusion, although your research can reveal certain aspects, isolation, silence, and research will be your allies. While any secret of an external order can be betrayed, the initiatory secret remains inaccessible to the profane, its knowledge being the direct consequence of the initiation itself. Indeed, this secret is of such a nature that words cannot express it.

« ... Strictly speaking, what is transmitted by initiation is not the secret itself, since it is incommunicable, but the spiritual influence which has the rites as a vehicle, and which makes possible the inner initiatory work by means of which, taking the symbols as a basis and as a support, each one will attain this secret and penetrate it more or less completely, more or less deeply, according to the extent of his own possibilities of understanding and realization. » 

René Guénon

Awakening of the True Self

In Buddhism, this first stage is referred to as the beginning of the sambhogakaya, marking the start of enlightenment. This body, known by various names such as the "Rainbow Body" in Dzogchen, the "Glorious Body" in Christianity, the "Great Work" in Alchemy, the "Taoist Body" in Taoism, "Merkaba" in Kabbalah, and the "Buddhic Body" in Tantric Buddhism, is even found in Celtic chivalric tradition through the myth of the Holy Grail. 

Sometimes, though very rarely (especially in certain closed circles), this body of light is referred to as an entity or "independent body," in the sense that it detaches from the physical body and ascends to the heavens, becoming an independent "entity." In contrast, the astral body remains dependent on the physical body and only fully detaches at the moment of death, at which point it becomes entirely independent, allowing our consciousness to reside within it at the time of death (hence the notion of immortality).

The Body of Light represents a complete, total, and radical transformation of the state of being, a rediscovery of what was fundamentally present, and this state is permanent. It is Consciousness itself and does not depend on anything else.

« ...It was known in the mysteries how to preserve the precious etheric and astral bodies developed by the great initiates, 

but it would take me too far to speak of it in detail.

It is enough to say that these bodies were preserved by the curators of the mystery schools... »

Rudolf Steiner

This mystery is not meant for a select few to maintain power; rather, it concerns the nature of the secret itself, which relates to physical mastery and is therefore dangerous. In this regard, the testimonies of seasoned practitioners are striking and could easily intimidate the most presumptuous among us. The path suggested in these degrees involves the implementation of real microcosmic and energetic processes, leading to tangible changes. This process, combined with intense work on the present moment, forms the cornerstone of a broader system that can ultimately lead to the genuine mastery of certain "powers." While these powers are secondary to the ultimate goal, they serve as tools for the master to gauge the progress of their work.

Indeed, disciples were tested through appropriate methods to assess the development of this so-called glorious body; at this level, there is no room for pretense, and one cannot cheat—immediate clarity regarding one's status is apparent. Alchemy has the advantage of confronting us with raw reality. Having a theory is one thing, but in alchemy, it is the one who succeeds who holds the truth.

We should not be hypocritical or play the mystery card. The primary objective is to attain the experience of immortality in our lifetime, and once this reality is known through experience, the next step is to work on the stabilization of consciousness by creating what is called the Body of Glory—an entity arising from flesh and spirit, from Saturn and the sun, from earth and fire. The paradox of such a system is that the key lies in the body, not in the mind. This is why many overlook it and, out of ignorance, reject what the wise know must be preserved in Saturn.

The beginning of this path involves reversing the power dynamic. The mind must learn to no longer draw its existence from the body and internal events, but rather from itself. It needs to become autonomous from all physical, emotional, and mental automatism; this is an intense work of verticalization through self-awareness, a challenging and sometimes discouraging task, especially since results can take time to manifest.

The ultimate point of this first stage is referred to as the objective state or awakening, according to various schools. It goes without saying that in this work, no knowledge can truly be useful apart from PRACTICE, as it pertains to the objective observation of presence in the moment, rather than analytical thought that constantly oscillates between past and future.

At this stage, some may stop. Indeed, what more is there than the present? What more than awakening? For the awakened, there is nothing that is "necessary." Yet the universe has its reasons that human consciousness does not grasp. Thus, although freed from all constraints, it is possible to go further, for at this point, it is no longer the mind resting on the body, but the body resting on the mind. Only at this stage, and not before, does internal alchemy or Arcana Arcanorum come into play, as the body is then perceived as a manifestation of consciousness; it becomes a tool, "the means" for the awakened to create a "reservoir," a sort of "dam" for the flow of consciousness. This "reservoir" is what is referred to as the "Body of Glory," "Body of Immortality," or more alchemically, "Body of Coagulated Consciousness."

It is evident that discussing this with an ordinary person, whose mind is chained to the body's automatism, is futile, as for them, only the body exists. This deeply entrenched certainty leads them to unconsciously follow the fatal evolution of the body, thus inevitably disappearing with it at the time of death. There is nothing "glorious" in sleep; this concerns only those who have truly managed to "exist" in their lifetime, to extricate themselves from the hypnosis of what is termed reality, and thus to fulfill what is advocated by the cabinet of reflection through the V.I.T.R.I.O.L. formula.

The symbols of Saturn are present—Saturn, the body; Saturn, who devours his own children; yet he is also the hourglass, thus the time that must be conquered through self-awareness. "Vigilance" and "perseverance" are the pillars of the practice of presence, and overcoming time is what allows the holder of the 87th degree to state: "Sacred Words: Question: I am. Answer: We are."

This is the only way for consciousness to detach itself and pass unwaveringly through the elementary stages of initiation. The mercury of alchemists here represents the true key to gold, the salt of the hidden wisdom of the ancients, which is present in everyone, everywhere, and costs nothing. However, to find it, one must not pray or hope; it is not a religious endeavor. Instead, one must explore within the body to discover the hidden stone, this stone that is called a stone but is not a stone.