View source for Hermetic Brotherhood of Atlantis, Luxor and Elephanta

The '''Hermetic Brotherhood of Atlantis, Luxor and Elephanta''' was an occult organization formed in the early 1870s in Chicago by [[W. P. Phelon|Dr. William Pike Phelon]] and his wife Myra (née Ruth LaMira Morse).

Its purpose and beliefs were described in the 1904 obituary of Dr. Phelon:
<blockquote>
Dr. Phelon was well known in San Francisco and throughout the country as the head of a peculiar order known as the "Hermetic Brotherhood of Atlantis, Luxor and Elephanta." This society was established by Dr. Phelon in Chicago in the early seventies and has for its prime object the upbuilding of character. It was founded on the belief that the wisdom of the sages of the "lost continent of Atlantis" was held by a body of men known as the "Ancient Atlantian Brotherhood," and this society of Dr. Phelon's was supposed by its adherents to be the true successor of the prehistoric organization.

There are said to be over 1000 members of the brotherhood throughout the world, all of whom believe that they are reincarnations of those who lived in Atlantis. Dr. Phelon believed that he was a reincarnation of one of the teachers of the lost continent. The membership in this city [San Francisco] is about seventy-five. 

The headquarters of the society are at 600 Van Ness avenue, and the work will still be carried on under the leadership of Mrs. Frances Rogers, who has had charge of the Pacific Coast work for some time past.

The funeral of Dr. Phelon will be held on Monday morning. The secret service of the brotherhood will be held at the headquarters of the society on Van Ness avenue, and only members of the order will be admitted. Other services will be held later in the day at the Odd Fellows' Crematorium, which the public will be allowed to witness.<ref>"Originator of Queer Cult Dead: Dr. William P. Phelon, founder of the 'Hermetic Brotherhood,' Passes Away" ''San Francisco Chronicle'' (December 31, 1904), 14.</ref>
</blockquote>

Dr. Phelon was called the "Elder Brother, Circle of Isis;" Chicago was the "Home Temple;" and local groups were designated as "Knots." Members referred to each other as "Comrades." After Phelon passed, Mrs. Rogers served as leader until her own death on April 1, 1929.<ref>"Mrs. F. Rogers' Last Rites Set" ''Oakland Tribune'' (April 3, 1929), 1.</ref>

== Publications ==

The official organ of the brotherhood was '''[[The Hermetist (periodical)|''The Hermetist'']]''', published 1887-1899 in Chicago. The '''''Proceedings'' of the Annual Convocations''' of the organization were published in ''The Hermetist'' initially, and later as a separate periodical. Proceedings for the 7th through 11th convocations, 1900-1902, are available at the [http://iapsop.com/archive/materials/hbale_proceedings/exemplar.jpg IAPSOP database].

== Notes ==
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[[Category:Organizations]]