Martinism
Encyclopedia
Martinism is a form of mystical
and esoteric Christianity
concerned with the fall of the first man
, his state of material privation from his divine source, and the process of his return, called 'Reintegration' or illumination
.
As a mystical tradition, it was first transmitted through a masonic high-degree system established around 1740 in France by Martinez de Pasqually
, and later propagated in different forms by his two students Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
and Jean-Baptiste Willermoz
.
The definition Martinism is a collective term used to describe both this particular doctrine, as well as the teachings of the reorganized 'Martinist Order' founded in 1886 by Augustin Chaboseau and Gerard Encausse (aka Papus).
It was not used at the tradition's inception in the 18th century.
This confusing disambiguation has been a problem since the late 18th century, where the term Martinism already was used interchangeably between the teachings of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin and Martinez de Pasqually
, and the works of the first being attributed to the latter.
The Elus-Cohens were founded by Martinez de Pasqually
, who was Saint-Martin's teacher. The original Elus Cohens ceased to exist sometime in the late eighteenth or early 19th century, but it was revived in the 20th century by Robert Ambelain, and lives on today in various Martinist Orders, including the branch reinstigated by Ambelain himself.
The CBCS was founded in the late 18th Century by Jean-Baptiste Willermoz
, who was a pupil of Martinez de Pasqually
and a friend of Saint-Martin.
The CBCS has managed to survive as a continually practiced rite from its founding until the present day, both as a purely masonic rite, and as a detached rite which is also open for women.
Saint-Martin most likely did not organize this path as an 'order', but gathered small circles of students around him, where he transmitted his teachings.
This heritage was reorganized into the 'Ordre Martiniste' in 1886 by Augustin Chaboseau and Gerard Encausse (aka Papus).
was born in c. 1727 in Grenoble
, France, and died in 1774 in Saint-Domingue
while dealing with profane business. Martinez de Pasqually was active in Masonic organisations throughout France from the age of 28 onwards. In 1765 he established the Ordre des Chevelier Maçons Élus Cohen de L’Univers (Order of Knight-Masons Elect Priests of the Universe), which functioned as a regular Masonic obedience in France.
This order had three sets of degrees: the first were analogous to the symbolic degrees of conventional Freemasonry
. The second were generally Masonic, though hinting at Pasqually's own secret doctrine. The third set were blatantly magical: for example by using exorcisms against evil in the world generally and in the individual specifically. In the highest degree, the Reaux-Croix, the initiate was taught to use Theurgy to contact spiritual realms beyond the physical.
De Pasqually put forth the philosophy underlying the work of the Elus Cohens in his only book, Treatise on the Reintegration of Beings which first uses the analogy of the Garden of Eden, and refers to Christ as "The Repairer". The ultimate aim of the Elus Cohen was to attain - whilst living - the Beatific Vision
, through a series of magical invocations and complex theurgic operations.
After Martinez de Pasqually's death, the Elus Cohens continued to operate for some time: however divisions started to occur between various temples, which became dormant during the first half of the 19th century. The last-known surviving Elu-Cohen from the original incarnation of the order, Destigny, died in 1868.
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
was born 1743 in Amboise
, France and died in 1803. He was originally a barrister before taking a commission in the army at Bordeaux
. Saint-Martin was initiated into the Elus-Cohens in 1768 and was active in the organization for at least six years. Saint-Martin was initiated into the Reaux-Croix, the highest degree of the Order, and in 1770 became de Pasqually's secretary.
Saint-Martin became increasingly dissatisfied with the Elus-Cohens' use of Theurgic ritual, feeling that it was too sophisticated for the desired end. Instead, he personally favoured inward contemplation, or what he called "The Way of the Heart." Nevertheless, Saint-Martin continued to acknowledge Martinez de Pasqually's influence on his own system of thought. In addition, Saint-Martin drew much inspiration from the work of Jakob Boehme.
In 1777, after failing to convince the Elus-Cohens to adopt a more contemplative practice, he cut back his involvement in the Order. He ceased all involvement in 1790.
Saint-Martin outlined his philosophy in several books, using the nom de plume of "The Unknown Philosopher." These include:
There has been some controversy whether Saint-Martin himself ever founded a formalised Order of Martinists. For example, 20th-century Martinist author Robert Ambelain initially claimed that Saint-Martin founded an order called the "Society of Initiates," but within a few years became disillusioned with the concept and stated that the Society of Initiates never existed. Others allege that Saint-Martin became involved in a pre-existing society called the "Order of Unknown Philosophers." It seems most probable, however, that although Saint-Martin did initiate disciples after a fashion, this was done on an informal basis: Martinism did not exist as an order per se until the efforts of Papus and Chaboseau (vide infra).
, France; died 1824 also at Lyon), was initiated into Masonry at the age of 20 in a lodge which operated under the auspices of the Strict Observance. He was initiated into the Elus-Cohen in 1767, eventually attaining the highest degree of the Order, and being named by de Pasqually as a "Superior Judge," one of its most senior officers.
Concerned about dissent in the order after the death of de Pasqually, Willermoz in 1778, together with two other Superior Judges, formulated the idea of creating two additional degrees for the Auvergne Province of the Strict Observance, which exemplified the philosophy, though not the theurgic practices, of the Elus Cohens, while working in the Knight Templar-oriented milieu of the masonic rite. The name of the rite was changed to Chevaliers Beneficient de la Cité-Sainte (CBCS). The degree structure of the rite was thus:
Having reformed the French branch of the order, Willermoz in 1782 succeeded in persuading the German mother branch to adopt his reforms - though not without meeting considerable opposition from other branches of the Strict Observance, such as the Bavarian Illuminati of Adam Weishaupt
.
The French Revolution
curtailed the activities of the CBCS in France, although it was preserved in Switzerland. Today the CBCS, or "Scottish Rectified Rite" (Rite Ecossais Rectifié) has several "great priories" throughout the world: Switzerland
, U.S.A., France, both the Waite's & Leslie Dring's great priories in England
, Germany
, Belgium
, Spain, Portugal & Brazil with prefectures and lodges of Saint Andrew as well as Rectified Craft lodges existing everywhere from Italy to Brazil to Romania.
The occultist A.E. Waite said of the Scottish Rectified Rite that he "had come to see the Régime Ecossais et Rectifié as maintaining, more than any other rite, the essence in ritual form of that secret tradition that 'tells us not alone that the Soul "cometh from afar" and that the Soul returns whence it came, but it delineates the Path of Ascent'." It was, for him, truly the secret tradition in practice.
(Later to be known as Papus), became acquainted with the doctrines of Saint-Martin. Subsequently, in 1884, together with some of his associates, he established a Mystical Order which he called the Ordre Martiniste or the Martinist Order.
The founding of the Order came about when Encausse met August Chaboseau in 1884. They discovered that they had both apparently received Martinist initiation through two different chains of succession which linked back to Saint-Martin and his original disciples. Papus claimed to have come into the possession of the original papers of de Pasqually and to have been given authority in the Rite of Saint-Martin by his friend Henri Viscount Delaage. However, Encausse realised that there was a "missing link" in his own chain of succession: he and Chaboseau therefore "swapped initiations" to consolidate their lineages.
The Martinist Order which Papus founded was organised as a Lodge system, which worked four degrees:
Of these, the first two introduce the Candidate to key Martinist concepts, while the third supposedly confers the actual Initiation which Saint-Martin gave to his original disciples. Martinists generally believe that to be an authentic initiate, one must be able to show a chain of Initiatic Succession which goes back to Saint-Martin himself. However, Restivo states that "Martinist authenticity is not contingent upon acceptance or initiation into a filiation or succession of other Martinists as no personal initiation chain from Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin exists in the sacramental manner of ordination as culmination of mastery in an Initiatic order."
About the rituals themselves, the following general points may be made:
During the period up to the Second World War, the I::L:: or S::I::IV degree was exceptionally added as an endorsement or rank of distinction to the S::I::I:: degree for legates in new Martinist jurisdictions who were expected to eventually become Grand Masters. Later branches of the Martinist Order worked a fifth degree, I::L:: (Free Initiator/Initiateur Libre), which conferred on the candidate the power to initiate others into all four degrees in person, not requiring Lodge or Heptad group forms, and to establish a new and independent Martinist Order, as well as to act as the legate or representative or Grand Master of that new order. For example, the Rose†Croix Martinist Order (Ontario,Canada):
Nicholas II of Russia
invited Papus to Tsarskoïe Selo to ask for advice on domestic difficulties that he was facing with revolutionaries. The First World War
was disastrous for the Order. Papus died on the battlefield fulfilling his duties as a doctor, as did many other leaders of the Order.
After the war, the Order was almost extinct and the surviving members splintered into competing factions.
Many French Martinists supported Karl Wilhelm Naundorff
's claims to the French throne. They joined the Synarchy movement and formed the Ordre Martiniste et Synarchie (OM&S). In 1931 Augustin Chaboseau joined Victor-Emile Michelet and Lucien Chamuel (the other two surviving members of the original Supreme Council of 1891) to resuscitate the Order that they had founded with Papus. To emphasise the difference between traditional Martinism and the many new groups that had emerged, they named their movement the Ordre Martiniste Traditionnel (OMT). Victor-Emile Michelet was elected Grand Master and Augustin Chaboseau succeeded him in 1939 until his death in 1946. Although he had received his Martinist initiations in the OMS, AMORC Imperator Ralph Maxwell Lewis
was asked by the OMT in 1939 to bring Martinism to the U.S.A., and was granted the necessary charters and other documents.
The Second World War was as disastrous for the Order in Europe as the first. The Nazi regime suppressed all 'occult' groups and many Martinists died in concentration camps. The OMT in Europe and its American branch, the Traditional Martinist Order (TMO) still exists, but are reserved exclusively for members of AMORC. Martinism is still growing in popularity, and with the advent of the Internet, many new orders have emerged worldwide.
Note: AMORC states to members that Initiations can only be conferred in Temples, but does offer a home study course, without initiations. Thus explaining you will not experience Martinism in full.
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
and esoteric Christianity
Esoteric Christianity
Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a mystery religion, and profess the existence and possession of certain esoteric doctrines or practices, hidden from the public but accessible only to a narrow circle of "enlightened",...
concerned with the fall of the first man
Adam Kadmon
In the religious writings of Kabbalah, Adam Kadmon is a phrase meaning "Primal Man". The oldest rabbinical source for the term "Adam ha-Ḳadmoni" is Num. R. x., where Adam is styled, not as usually, "Ha-Rishon" , "Ha-Kadmoni" ....
, his state of material privation from his divine source, and the process of his return, called 'Reintegration' or illumination
Light (theology)
In theology, light or divine light is a term used to refer to an aspect of divine presence, specifically an unknown and mysterious ability of God, angels, or human beings to express themselves communicatively through spiritual means, rather than through physical capacities...
.
As a mystical tradition, it was first transmitted through a masonic high-degree system established around 1740 in France by Martinez de Pasqually
Martinez de Pasqually
Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de Pasqually Was a theurgist and theosophist of uncertain origin.He was the founder of the l'Ordre de Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l'Univers - Commonly referred to as the 'Elus Cohens' in 1761.He was the tutor, initiator and friend of...
, and later propagated in different forms by his two students Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin was a French philosopher, known as le philosophe inconnu, the name under which his works were published.-Life:He was born, at Amboise, into a poor but noble family....
and Jean-Baptiste Willermoz
Jean-Baptiste Willermoz
Jean-Baptiste Willermoz was a French Freemason and Martinist who played an important role in the establishment of various systems of Masonic high-degrees in his time in both France and Germany-Biography:...
.
The definition Martinism is a collective term used to describe both this particular doctrine, as well as the teachings of the reorganized 'Martinist Order' founded in 1886 by Augustin Chaboseau and Gerard Encausse (aka Papus).
It was not used at the tradition's inception in the 18th century.
This confusing disambiguation has been a problem since the late 18th century, where the term Martinism already was used interchangeably between the teachings of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin and Martinez de Pasqually
Martinez de Pasqually
Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de Pasqually Was a theurgist and theosophist of uncertain origin.He was the founder of the l'Ordre de Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l'Univers - Commonly referred to as the 'Elus Cohens' in 1761.He was the tutor, initiator and friend of...
, and the works of the first being attributed to the latter.
The three branches of the tradition
Martinism can be divided into three forms through which it has been chronologically transmitted:- The Elus-Cohens. This was the first, and explicitly theurgical way that 'reintegration' were to be attained.
The Elus-Cohens were founded by Martinez de Pasqually
Martinez de Pasqually
Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de Pasqually Was a theurgist and theosophist of uncertain origin.He was the founder of the l'Ordre de Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l'Univers - Commonly referred to as the 'Elus Cohens' in 1761.He was the tutor, initiator and friend of...
, who was Saint-Martin's teacher. The original Elus Cohens ceased to exist sometime in the late eighteenth or early 19th century, but it was revived in the 20th century by Robert Ambelain, and lives on today in various Martinist Orders, including the branch reinstigated by Ambelain himself.
- The Scottish Rectified Rite or Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité-Sainte (CBCS). This was originally a Masonic rite, a reformed variant of the Rite of Strict ObservanceRite of Strict ObservanceThe Rite of Strict Observance was a Rite of Freemasonry, a series of progressive degrees that were conferred by the Order of Strict Observance, a Masonic body of the 18th century....
which, in its highest degrees, uses Masonic-type rituals to demonstrate the philosophy which underlies both Martinism and the practices of the Elus-Cohens.
The CBCS was founded in the late 18th Century by Jean-Baptiste Willermoz
Jean-Baptiste Willermoz
Jean-Baptiste Willermoz was a French Freemason and Martinist who played an important role in the establishment of various systems of Masonic high-degrees in his time in both France and Germany-Biography:...
, who was a pupil of Martinez de Pasqually
Martinez de Pasqually
Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de Pasqually Was a theurgist and theosophist of uncertain origin.He was the founder of the l'Ordre de Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l'Univers - Commonly referred to as the 'Elus Cohens' in 1761.He was the tutor, initiator and friend of...
and a friend of Saint-Martin.
The CBCS has managed to survive as a continually practiced rite from its founding until the present day, both as a purely masonic rite, and as a detached rite which is also open for women.
- The Martinism of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin which is a MysticalMysticismMysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
tradition in which emphasis is placed on MeditationMeditationMeditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
and inner spiritual alchemy. Saint-Martin disapproved of these teachings being called 'martinism' by his contemporaries, and instead explained it as a silent 'way of the heart' to attain reintegration.
Saint-Martin most likely did not organize this path as an 'order', but gathered small circles of students around him, where he transmitted his teachings.
This heritage was reorganized into the 'Ordre Martiniste' in 1886 by Augustin Chaboseau and Gerard Encausse (aka Papus).
Martinezism: Martinez de Pasqually and the Elus Cohens
Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de PasquallyMartinez de Pasqually
Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de Pasqually Was a theurgist and theosophist of uncertain origin.He was the founder of the l'Ordre de Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l'Univers - Commonly referred to as the 'Elus Cohens' in 1761.He was the tutor, initiator and friend of...
was born in c. 1727 in Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
, France, and died in 1774 in Saint-Domingue
Saint-Domingue
The labour for these plantations was provided by an estimated 790,000 African slaves . Between 1764 and 1771, the average annual importation of slaves varied between 10,000-15,000; by 1786 it was about 28,000, and from 1787 onward, the colony received more than 40,000 slaves a year...
while dealing with profane business. Martinez de Pasqually was active in Masonic organisations throughout France from the age of 28 onwards. In 1765 he established the Ordre des Chevelier Maçons Élus Cohen de L’Univers (Order of Knight-Masons Elect Priests of the Universe), which functioned as a regular Masonic obedience in France.
This order had three sets of degrees: the first were analogous to the symbolic degrees of conventional Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
. The second were generally Masonic, though hinting at Pasqually's own secret doctrine. The third set were blatantly magical: for example by using exorcisms against evil in the world generally and in the individual specifically. In the highest degree, the Reaux-Croix, the initiate was taught to use Theurgy to contact spiritual realms beyond the physical.
De Pasqually put forth the philosophy underlying the work of the Elus Cohens in his only book, Treatise on the Reintegration of Beings which first uses the analogy of the Garden of Eden, and refers to Christ as "The Repairer". The ultimate aim of the Elus Cohen was to attain - whilst living - the Beatific Vision
Beatific vision
The beatific vision - in Christian theology is the ultimate direct self communication of God to the individual person, when she or he reaches, as a member of redeemed humanity in the communion of saints, perfect salvation in its entirety, i.e. heaven...
, through a series of magical invocations and complex theurgic operations.
After Martinez de Pasqually's death, the Elus Cohens continued to operate for some time: however divisions started to occur between various temples, which became dormant during the first half of the 19th century. The last-known surviving Elu-Cohen from the original incarnation of the order, Destigny, died in 1868.
Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin was a French philosopher, known as le philosophe inconnu, the name under which his works were published.-Life:He was born, at Amboise, into a poor but noble family....
was born 1743 in Amboise
Amboise
Amboise is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It lies on the banks of the Loire River, east of Tours. Today a small market town, it was once home of the French royal court...
, France and died in 1803. He was originally a barrister before taking a commission in the army at Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
. Saint-Martin was initiated into the Elus-Cohens in 1768 and was active in the organization for at least six years. Saint-Martin was initiated into the Reaux-Croix, the highest degree of the Order, and in 1770 became de Pasqually's secretary.
Saint-Martin became increasingly dissatisfied with the Elus-Cohens' use of Theurgic ritual, feeling that it was too sophisticated for the desired end. Instead, he personally favoured inward contemplation, or what he called "The Way of the Heart." Nevertheless, Saint-Martin continued to acknowledge Martinez de Pasqually's influence on his own system of thought. In addition, Saint-Martin drew much inspiration from the work of Jakob Boehme.
In 1777, after failing to convince the Elus-Cohens to adopt a more contemplative practice, he cut back his involvement in the Order. He ceased all involvement in 1790.
Saint-Martin outlined his philosophy in several books, using the nom de plume of "The Unknown Philosopher." These include:
- Of Errors and Truth, 1775
- Man, His True Nature & Ministry
- Aphorisms and Maxims.
- The Spiritual Ministry of Man.
- Ten Prayers.
- The Red Book.
- Theosophic Correspondence.
- Natural Table of the Correspondences between God, Man and the Universe, 1782
There has been some controversy whether Saint-Martin himself ever founded a formalised Order of Martinists. For example, 20th-century Martinist author Robert Ambelain initially claimed that Saint-Martin founded an order called the "Society of Initiates," but within a few years became disillusioned with the concept and stated that the Society of Initiates never existed. Others allege that Saint-Martin became involved in a pre-existing society called the "Order of Unknown Philosophers." It seems most probable, however, that although Saint-Martin did initiate disciples after a fashion, this was done on an informal basis: Martinism did not exist as an order per se until the efforts of Papus and Chaboseau (vide infra).
Willermoz and the Scottish Rectified Rite
Jean-Baptiste Willermoz (born 1730, LyonLyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
, France; died 1824 also at Lyon), was initiated into Masonry at the age of 20 in a lodge which operated under the auspices of the Strict Observance. He was initiated into the Elus-Cohen in 1767, eventually attaining the highest degree of the Order, and being named by de Pasqually as a "Superior Judge," one of its most senior officers.
Concerned about dissent in the order after the death of de Pasqually, Willermoz in 1778, together with two other Superior Judges, formulated the idea of creating two additional degrees for the Auvergne Province of the Strict Observance, which exemplified the philosophy, though not the theurgic practices, of the Elus Cohens, while working in the Knight Templar-oriented milieu of the masonic rite. The name of the rite was changed to Chevaliers Beneficient de la Cité-Sainte (CBCS). The degree structure of the rite was thus:
- Apprentice
- Fellowcraft
- Master
- Maître Ecossais/Scotch Master
- Ecuyer Novice/Squire Novice
- C.B.C.S.
- Chevalier-Profès/Professed Knight
- Chevalier-Grand Profès/Grand Professed Knight
Having reformed the French branch of the order, Willermoz in 1782 succeeded in persuading the German mother branch to adopt his reforms - though not without meeting considerable opposition from other branches of the Strict Observance, such as the Bavarian Illuminati of Adam Weishaupt
Adam Weishaupt
Johann Adam Weishaupt was a German philosopher and founder of the Order of Illuminati, a secret society with origins in Bavaria.-Early life:...
.
The French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
curtailed the activities of the CBCS in France, although it was preserved in Switzerland. Today the CBCS, or "Scottish Rectified Rite" (Rite Ecossais Rectifié) has several "great priories" throughout the world: Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, U.S.A., France, both the Waite's & Leslie Dring's great priories in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Spain, Portugal & Brazil with prefectures and lodges of Saint Andrew as well as Rectified Craft lodges existing everywhere from Italy to Brazil to Romania.
The occultist A.E. Waite said of the Scottish Rectified Rite that he "had come to see the Régime Ecossais et Rectifié as maintaining, more than any other rite, the essence in ritual form of that secret tradition that 'tells us not alone that the Soul "cometh from afar" and that the Soul returns whence it came, but it delineates the Path of Ascent'." It was, for him, truly the secret tradition in practice.
Papus and Chaboseau: the founding of the Martinist Order
The disciples of Saint-Martin spread the Doctrine of the Unknown Philosopher in France, Germany, Denmark and above all in Russia. It was through one of them, Henri Delaage, that in 1880 a brilliant young Parisian doctor, Gerard EncausseGerard Encausse
thumb|Papus in a Martinist Lodge from la [[Belle époque]]Gerard Encausse , whose esoteric pseudonym was Papus, was the Spanish-born French physician, hypnotist, and popularizer of occultism, who founded the modern Martinist Order.- Overview :Gerard Encausse was born at Corunna in Spain on July 13,...
(Later to be known as Papus), became acquainted with the doctrines of Saint-Martin. Subsequently, in 1884, together with some of his associates, he established a Mystical Order which he called the Ordre Martiniste or the Martinist Order.
The founding of the Order came about when Encausse met August Chaboseau in 1884. They discovered that they had both apparently received Martinist initiation through two different chains of succession which linked back to Saint-Martin and his original disciples. Papus claimed to have come into the possession of the original papers of de Pasqually and to have been given authority in the Rite of Saint-Martin by his friend Henri Viscount Delaage. However, Encausse realised that there was a "missing link" in his own chain of succession: he and Chaboseau therefore "swapped initiations" to consolidate their lineages.
The Martinist Order which Papus founded was organised as a Lodge system, which worked four degrees:
- Associate
- Mystic
- Unknown Superior (S::I::/Supèrieur Inconnu)
- Unknown Superior Initiator (S::I::I::/Supèrieur Inconnu Initiateur)(Lodge/Heptad Master).
Of these, the first two introduce the Candidate to key Martinist concepts, while the third supposedly confers the actual Initiation which Saint-Martin gave to his original disciples. Martinists generally believe that to be an authentic initiate, one must be able to show a chain of Initiatic Succession which goes back to Saint-Martin himself. However, Restivo states that "Martinist authenticity is not contingent upon acceptance or initiation into a filiation or succession of other Martinists as no personal initiation chain from Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin exists in the sacramental manner of ordination as culmination of mastery in an Initiatic order."
About the rituals themselves, the following general points may be made:
- The mystical Christianity of Martinism is emphasised by the fact that all lodges are opened by invoking Yeheshuah, (Hebrew: יהשוה) i.e. the TetragrammatonTetragrammatonThe term Tetragrammaton refers to the name of the God of Israel YHWH used in the Hebrew Bible.-Hebrew Bible:...
, with the addition of the Hebrew letter Shin, which was first suggested by Reuchlin as a Qabalistic way of spelling JesusJesusJesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
. - Despite the Lodge structure of Martinism, the rituals themselves do not bear any resemblance to the symbolic degrees of Freemasonry. The rituals have their own milieu of dramatic and esoteric content. It has been claimed however that some of the rituals derived from the Egyptian Freemasonry of Cagliostro, and the Scottish Rectified Rite of Willermoz.
- The rituals contain elements of Martinez de Pasqually's philosophy, and passing references to the Qabalah, in addition to principles derived from Saint-Martin's own teachings.
- The candidate at key points throughout the rituals is expected to answer on his or her own initiative. He or she is constantly encouraged to meditate on the symbolism presented.
- The rituals often rely on the element of surprise to reinforce the points they make.
During the period up to the Second World War, the I::L:: or S::I::IV degree was exceptionally added as an endorsement or rank of distinction to the S::I::I:: degree for legates in new Martinist jurisdictions who were expected to eventually become Grand Masters. Later branches of the Martinist Order worked a fifth degree, I::L:: (Free Initiator/Initiateur Libre), which conferred on the candidate the power to initiate others into all four degrees in person, not requiring Lodge or Heptad group forms, and to establish a new and independent Martinist Order, as well as to act as the legate or representative or Grand Master of that new order. For example, the Rose†Croix Martinist Order (Ontario,Canada):
- Associate
- Mystic
- Unknown Superior (S::I::/Supèrieur Inconnu)
- Unknown Superior Initiator (S::I::I::/Supèrieur Inconnu Initiateur)(Lodge/Heptad Master)
- Free Initiator (I::L::/Initiateur Libre/S.I.IV) (Grand Officer/Grand Initiator).
Modern Martinism
In 1905, TsarTsar
Tsar is a title used to designate certain European Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers. As a system of government in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, it is known as Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism...
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
invited Papus to Tsarskoïe Selo to ask for advice on domestic difficulties that he was facing with revolutionaries. The First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
was disastrous for the Order. Papus died on the battlefield fulfilling his duties as a doctor, as did many other leaders of the Order.
After the war, the Order was almost extinct and the surviving members splintered into competing factions.
Many French Martinists supported Karl Wilhelm Naundorff
Karl Wilhelm Naundorff
Karl Wilhelm Naundorff was a German clock- and watch-maker who until his death claimed to be Prince Louis-Charles. Naundorff was one of the more stubborn of more than thirty men who claimed to be Louis XVII.-Biography:...
's claims to the French throne. They joined the Synarchy movement and formed the Ordre Martiniste et Synarchie (OM&S). In 1931 Augustin Chaboseau joined Victor-Emile Michelet and Lucien Chamuel (the other two surviving members of the original Supreme Council of 1891) to resuscitate the Order that they had founded with Papus. To emphasise the difference between traditional Martinism and the many new groups that had emerged, they named their movement the Ordre Martiniste Traditionnel (OMT). Victor-Emile Michelet was elected Grand Master and Augustin Chaboseau succeeded him in 1939 until his death in 1946. Although he had received his Martinist initiations in the OMS, AMORC Imperator Ralph Maxwell Lewis
Ralph Maxwell Lewis
Ralph Maxwell Lewis , the son of Harvey Spencer Lewis, was the Imperator of Rosicrucian organisation Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis from 1939 to 1987. In Fédération Universelle des Ordres et Sociétés Initiatiques, FUDOSI, he was known with the nomen mysticum Sar Validivar...
was asked by the OMT in 1939 to bring Martinism to the U.S.A., and was granted the necessary charters and other documents.
The Second World War was as disastrous for the Order in Europe as the first. The Nazi regime suppressed all 'occult' groups and many Martinists died in concentration camps. The OMT in Europe and its American branch, the Traditional Martinist Order (TMO) still exists, but are reserved exclusively for members of AMORC. Martinism is still growing in popularity, and with the advent of the Internet, many new orders have emerged worldwide.
List of Martinist orders
- Ordine Martinista Antico e Tradizionale (OMAT)
- Orden Martinista
- Ordre Reaux Croix (ORC), encompassing the three branches of Martinism http://www.ordrereauxcroix.org
- Ordre Martiniste et Synarchique (OMS), a synarchic order.
- Ordre Martiniste Opératif (OMO)http://www.ordre-martiniste-operatif.org/accueil.html
- Belgian Martinist Order, aka Ordre Martiniste de Belgique, Belgische Martinistenorde.
- Traditional Martinist Order (TMO), which operates under the aegis of AMORC. This has attracted controversy from other Martinist groups, as the TMO purports to offer a Self-initiation into Martinism correspondence course. This is criticised by other Martinists on the grounds that (it is alleged) properly speaking, one can only receive the true Martinist initiation in person from an initiator who has a chain of succession linking back to Saint-Martin.
Note: AMORC states to members that Initiations can only be conferred in Temples, but does offer a home study course, without initiations. Thus explaining you will not experience Martinism in full.
- Ordre Martiniste de Papus (OM), started by Papus' son Philippe Encausse.
- Ordre Martiniste des Pays-Bas (OMPB) , started by Maurice Warnon, with the approval of Philippe Encausse for Dutch martinists who were uncomfortable when the Gnostic Church was chosen as official church of the French Martinist Order.
- British Martinist Order (BMO), which cooperates with Gary L. StewartGary L. StewartGary L. Stewart, born February 26, 1953 in Stockton, California, was the chairman and of AMORC from 1987 to 1990.After internal allegations of embezzlement, was ousted as president by the board of AMORC. On August 10, 1993, the AMORC asked the Superior Court of Santa Clara County in California...
's Order Militia Crucifera Evangelica (OMCE) - Rose Croix Martinist Order (R+CMO), which claims to offer the fourth Martinist degree and concentrates on theurgy.
- Ancient Martinist Order (AMO), which is an attempt to unify a number of Martinist Orders under one structure.
- Martinist Order of Unknown Philosophers (MOUP), which follows the Martinist traditions of the Chevillon-Chambellant lineage.
- Society of Intitiates or Société des Initiés is a loosely organized assembly of S:I: (Free Initiators) who gather together for fellowship and the promotion of the original ideals of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin.
- Martinist Order of the Knights of Christ or Ordre Martiniste Des Chevaliers Du Christ
- The Hermetic Order of Martinists (HOM), which is an Order only open to Master Masons who are also members of Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA)
- Rose†Croix Martinist Order (Ontario, Canada) Grand Master Mike Restivo I::L::http://omeganexusonline.net/rcmo/.
- Rose Cross Order
- The Ancient Order of the Rosicrucians (AOR)
- Antigua Orden Martinista
- Antiga Ordem Martinista
External links
- Ordem Martinista em Portugal
- Ordre Reaux Croix: The Three Branches of Martinism
- O.M.A.T. - Ordine Martinista Antico e Tradizionale Italian, Spanish, French and English
- Detailed biography of Martines de Pasqually
- Martinist Order of the Netherlands (in English)
- Gnostique.net - The French Gnostic Tradition
- Martinist Order of Unknown Philosophers (MOUP)
- Eleazar Institute: An Introduction to Martinesism
- Ordre Martiniste (in French)
- Traditional Martinist Order (in French)
- Ordre Martiniste Operatif (in French)
- Rose†Croix Martinist Order (Ontario, Canada) Grand Master Mike Restivo, I::L::
- Martinist Information Page
- Hermetic Order of Martinists
- Grand Prieuré Martiniste-Martinéziste International (in French)