The word theosophy, having been mentioned several times before, must firstly be clarified to prevent a common misunderstanding. We do not use the word to describe the doctrine laid down by H.P. Blavatsky and her followers, but rather in the original use of the word to describe the teachings of Jacob Böhme (1575-1624), the German mystic – as well as those who were inspired by his writings. Theosophia can be translated to mean “the divine wisdom,” or “wisdom of the divine.” The wisdom we here speak of is our Sophia which is closely linked to the ancient word gnosis, and can be seen as a personification of that gnosis. By some she is described as the “perfect mirror of the Trinity” - through which man can understand God. 

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The Theosophic teachings use an alchemical symbolism to interpret the Christian gospels. Thus, it is a system of inner alchemy which also serves the main subject of study in the greater ordinations of the ETAR+C. Theosophy strongly influenced the early elaborations of Rosicrucian doctrine as can be seen both in the Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians or the earlier D.O.M.A. Codex Rosae Crucis.