He had founded a group called the New York Institution for Psychical Research. The Ancient Mystical Order of the Rosy Cross (
AMORC) was founded in 1915. He founded the organization after a trip to France with his father, claiming that he had been initiated into
Rosicrucianism and was given a mission to spread it there in what he called an "old tower" in
Toulouse. He presented this as a revival of the original, partially mythical and ancient Rosicrucian Order. Lewis affiliated with many occult groups, especially
Aleister Crowley's
Ordo Templi Orientis. Following a 1916 split in the O.T.O., the schismatic German branch recognized AMORC, giving him a document to prove this. He was proud of receiving this document, despite differences in belief between the two organizations (AMORC did not practice
sex magic). While predominantly Rosicrucian, the works of Lewis also incorporate
neo-Templar elements, having a particular interest in the 18th century revivalist order of
Bernard-Raymond Fabré-Palaprat and the
Knights Templar. Lewis had had some contact with neo-Templar figures and related European occultists, including
Émile Dantinne. Lewis was interested in
Egyptology, and founded the
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose. It is located in Rosicrucian Park. == Works ==