Editorial Page

Welcome to Volume 20 of the Rose+Croix Journal!

We are pleased to present the latest papers accepted for publication in the Rose+Croix Journal, an international, transdisciplinary, peer-reviewed online journal that focuses on topics that relate to the sciences, the arts, history, mysticism, and spirituality, especially transdisciplinary topics that traverse and lie beyond the limits of various fields of study. Since its founding in 2004, the Journal has provided readers and researchers with materials that enlighten, educate, challenge, and inspire.

Over the years, many individuals worldwide have contributed to the success of this journal, including our authors, peer reviewers, editors, translators, proofreaders, and most importantly, every reader of the Rose+Croix Journal. Thank you all so much for your participation!

This volume features the following papers:

• “A Psychological and Mystical Commentary on Tolstoy’s War and Peace and How It Portrays the Law of Predestination and Free Will” by Christopher Eriksson, PhD
• “The Mystical Elements in Adler’s Social Psychology” by Christopher Eriksson, PhD
• “Toward a New Scientific Paradigm for Psi Research: Validation Methodologies for Subjective Experience” by Frank Hutchinson, EdD and Cynthia John, BSED, MS
• “Sacred Governance and the Lost Art of Spiritual Leadership” by LaRonda Koffi, MA
• “Just Beneath the Surface: A Report on the Transdisciplinary Research at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi” by Julie Scott, MA

We are hopeful that the papers in this volume will inspire you to contemplate subject matter that is examined in novel ways and to appreciate its mystical import.

First, Christopher Eriksson, PhD, in his paper “The Mystical Elements of Adler’s Social Psychology” examines Alfred Adler’s (1870–1937) contribution to group psychology and its mystical elements that transcend the individual. The author then applies these insights to counseling neurodiverse youth and the benefits that Adler’s method has for both the participants and the counselor.

Further, we know you will enjoy the detailed study, again by Christopher Eriksson entitled “A Psychological and Mystical Commentary on Tolstoy’s War and Peace and How It Portrays the Law of Predestination and Free Will.” This original interpretation of the law of karma as a pre-determined law is applied to Tolstoy’s understanding of the individual and free will and the larger forces that shape human destiny.

Next, Frank Hutchinson, EdD, and Cynthia John, BSED, MS, have prepared a paper titled “Toward a New Scientific Paradigm for Psi Research: Validation Methodologies for Subjective Experience.” This paper presents a combination of new research methods that can be applied to the often descriptive and subjective results obtained for what scientists have called the “unknown factor” in information and energy transfer—that is now referred to as Psi (or Ψ)—the study of psychokinesis, telepathy, clairvoyance, intuition, and other such anomalous processes.

We recommend next a paper by LaRonda Koffi, MA, titled “Sacred Governance and the Lost Art of Spiritual Leadership.” This paper advocates an approach to governance that includes ethical and mystical principles as guiding those who govern, a dimension that has been seemingly lost in the turbulent times of today.

Finally, we are pleased to offer “Just Beneath the Surface: A Report on the Transdisciplinary Research at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi” by Julie Scott, MA. This paper examines how modern transdisciplinary research—incorporating geology, geochemistry, and toxicology—has restored credibility to ancient accounts of the Oracles of Delphi by demonstrating that their prophetic trances likely resulted from a combination of factors like intoxicating hydrocarbon gases, ritual practices, and cultural influences.

All of these papers successfully explore their various subject areas as well as transdisciplinary topics that expand our understanding of the natural laws around us. The abstracts for each of the papers are published in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Also included on the Journal’s website are tools for dissertation searches, research links, archival documents of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, and guidelines for submitting a paper. The submission deadline for the Rose+Croix Journal is May 15 for the following year’s annual issue; however, authors are encouraged to submit their papers for the peer-review process as soon as they are ready. Both Rosicrucian members and non-members are invited to submit papers for consideration.

If you would like to join our team of volunteers working on the Rose+Croix Journal, please let us know by emailing the Editor-in-Chief at editor@rosicrucian.org. All areas of expertise are welcome.

Again, thank you for reading the Rose+Croix Journal – enjoy!

Sincerely,
Claudio Mazzucco
Executive Editor