Krotona in Hollywood: Difference between revisions
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'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br> | '''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br> | ||
The '''Krotona colony''' of the [[American Theosophical Society]] was established in Hollywood, California in 1912. It was succeeded by the [[Krotona Institute of Theosophy]] and the [[Krotona School of Theosophy]] that are based in [[Ojai, California]]. | The '''Krotona colony''' of the [[American Theosophical Society]] was established in Hollywood, California in 1912 to serve as national headquarters and as an educational center. It was succeeded by the [[Krotona Institute of Theosophy]] and the [[Krotona School of Theosophy]] that are based in [[Ojai, California]]. | ||
== Laying of the cornerstone == | |||
[[File:Krotona Colony founding 3.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Los Angeles ''Tribune'' on cornerstone ceremony]] | [[File:Krotona Colony founding 3.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Los Angeles ''Tribune'' on cornerstone ceremony]] | ||
The Krotona cornerstone was laid on [[July 2]], 1912 in a [[Co-Freemasonry|Co-Masonic]] rite conducted by Isabelle Holbrook, Marie Poutz, [[Augustus Francis Knudsen|A. F. Knudsen]], and American Theosophical Society President [[Albert Powell Warrington|A. P. Warrington]]. Local newspapers covered the event. | The Krotona cornerstone was laid on [[July 2]], 1912 in a [[Co-Freemasonry|Co-Masonic]] rite conducted by Isabelle Holbrook, Marie Poutz, [[Augustus Francis Knudsen|A. F. Knudsen]], and American Theosophical Society President [[Albert Powell Warrington|A. P. Warrington]]. Local newspapers covered the event. | ||
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Reaching the cornerstone, a square was formed, symbolizing the obligations of all human beings one to another, the righteous squaring of all action. Grand Marshal August Knudsen conducted the ceremonies at the command of the worshipful master. Miss Holbrook, and the stone was laid according to ancient custom not where it serves as ornament but beneath the surface. All the Masonic symbols were used. The stone was squared, leveled and plumbed and the work of the craftsmen found correct. On it was poured water [corrected to say wheat], the symbol of physical action, wine, the symbol of life and joy, oil, the symbol of peace, and salt, the symbol of fruitfulness. | Reaching the cornerstone, a square was formed, symbolizing the obligations of all human beings one to another, the righteous squaring of all action. Grand Marshal August Knudsen conducted the ceremonies at the command of the worshipful master. Miss Holbrook, and the stone was laid according to ancient custom not where it serves as ornament but beneath the surface. All the Masonic symbols were used. The stone was squared, leveled and plumbed and the work of the craftsmen found correct. On it was poured water [corrected to say wheat], the symbol of physical action, wine, the symbol of life and joy, oil, the symbol of peace, and salt, the symbol of fruitfulness. | ||
The act, when completed, was proclaimed in touching and solemn manner by Grand Orator Eleanor Broenneman, and the triangular trowel, placed on the square by the worshipful master. The members were conducted under cover by the tyler, Dr. Mabel Caldwell. A. P. Warrington, head of American section, who founded Krotona, said the building is not to be for the seclusion of a sect but for the use of the people and for this reason the base of the hill was chosen in order that it would be accessible to the public.<ref>Clipping from unidentified newspaper. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> | The act, when completed, was proclaimed in touching and solemn manner by Grand Orator Eleanor Broenneman, and the triangular trowel, placed on the square by the worshipful master. The members were conducted under cover by the tyler, Dr. Mabel Caldwell. A. P. Warrington, head of American section, who founded Krotona, said the building is not to be for the seclusion of a sect but for the use of the people and for this reason the base of the hill was chosen in order that it would be accessible to the public.<ref>Clipping from unidentified newspaper. Theosophical Society in America Archives... | ||
The building, which is to be the first of a series, and is to be known as the administration building, will be 52 x 85 feet in dimensions, of concrete, three stories in height and contain twenty rooms. Among these will be an assembly hall, dining room, cafeteria, co-operative stores, business offices, small lecture rooms and study rooms. It is designed to make the grounds into a public park. | |||
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Revision as of 20:26, 11 October 2022
ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Krotona colony of the American Theosophical Society was established in Hollywood, California in 1912 to serve as national headquarters and as an educational center. It was succeeded by the Krotona Institute of Theosophy and the Krotona School of Theosophy that are based in Ojai, California.
Laying of the cornerstone
The Krotona cornerstone was laid on July 2, 1912 in a Co-Masonic rite conducted by Isabelle Holbrook, Marie Poutz, A. F. Knudsen, and American Theosophical Society President A. P. Warrington. Local newspapers covered the event.
The procession which formed at the crown of the hill and wound its way to the bottom presented a picturesque appearance. The white robes of the co-masons, men and women alike, wearing the same regalia, with their stoics of red embroidered in gold, or Alcyone blue embossed with silver, their emblems of office held a loft, heads bowed, suggested a medieval procession...
Reaching the cornerstone, a square was formed, symbolizing the obligations of all human beings one to another, the righteous squaring of all action. Grand Marshal August Knudsen conducted the ceremonies at the command of the worshipful master. Miss Holbrook, and the stone was laid according to ancient custom not where it serves as ornament but beneath the surface. All the Masonic symbols were used. The stone was squared, leveled and plumbed and the work of the craftsmen found correct. On it was poured water [corrected to say wheat], the symbol of physical action, wine, the symbol of life and joy, oil, the symbol of peace, and salt, the symbol of fruitfulness.
The act, when completed, was proclaimed in touching and solemn manner by Grand Orator Eleanor Broenneman, and the triangular trowel, placed on the square by the worshipful master. The members were conducted under cover by the tyler, Dr. Mabel Caldwell. A. P. Warrington, head of American section, who founded Krotona, said the building is not to be for the seclusion of a sect but for the use of the people and for this reason the base of the hill was chosen in order that it would be accessible to the public.[1]
Mr. Warrington said:
We do not come to establish a sect with some limited form of truth, but to take the place of the inner temples of ancient times that held the esoteric side of great truths with key notes and interpretations of the hidden form of the wisdom that was given out in those days only to those who had proved worthy to be entrusted with its custody, but is now proclaimed to all. We seek no converts, for we have no creed to exalt, no church to build up; your creeds are our creeds, your churches our churches. The one religion that unites us all is the religion of Brotherhood, of universal tolerance.[2]
Charles T. Wood wrote an article on the beauty of the ceremony with a horoscope on the auspiciousness of the date.[3]
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Construction and buildings
Move of Krotona to Ojai
In 1924, with Dr. Besant's approval, Mr. Warrington ordered the Hollywood Krotona estates to be sold and the center removed to Ojai Valley where it is now located on a lovely site of a mid-valley hill, or ridge, chosen by Mr. Warrington because of its very great beauty.[4]
Notes
- ↑ Clipping from unidentified newspaper. Theosophical Society in America Archives... The building, which is to be the first of a series, and is to be known as the administration building, will be 52 x 85 feet in dimensions, of concrete, three stories in height and contain twenty rooms. Among these will be an assembly hall, dining room, cafeteria, co-operative stores, business offices, small lecture rooms and study rooms. It is designed to make the grounds into a public park.
- ↑ Clipping from unidentified newspaper. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
- ↑ Charles T. Wood "The Horoscope" The Theosophic Messenger 13 no.11 (August, 1912), 631-633.
- ↑ "A. P. Warrington." The American Theosophist 27.7 (July, 1939), 149.