Yuliana Glinka
Encyclopedia
Yuliana Dmitrievna Glinka (1844–1918) was a Russian occultist born to a prominent family in Orel
, Russia.
Her grandfather, Colonel Fyodor Nikolaevich Glinka was investigated as a leader of "a secret society of mystics" during Prince Alexander Nikolaevich Galitzine
's investigation of masonic lodges following the Decembrist uprising of 1825. Fyodor Tolstoy
testified that although he was a mystic he was "a loyal officer of the Empire".
Yuliana's father, Dmitri Feodorovich Glinka became a general and entered the diplomatic service
. As a result she spent time in Portugal and Brazil where her father was posted. She probably became interested in spiritualism while in Brazil. She lived in Rio de Janeiro
, and at Petropolis
, in the Serra dos Órgãos
, home of Emperor Pedro II. With her father and sisters she traveled with Dom Pedro to Minas Gerais
, visiting Ouro Preto
and Diamantina, both very old cities with mystical associations.
In Brazil, Yuliana became acquainted with Candomblé
, a Brazilian version of Caribbean Santería
. She also read about the Fox sisters
and their encounters with "the Spirit World" in the New York, United States.
In 1857, the family returned to Russia, and Yuliana's older sister married Vsevolod Solovyov
, the brother of Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyov
. But the honeymoon did not last. In no time at all, the aspiring writer Soloviev succeeded in seducing Yuliana, the 13-year-old sister of his bride.
Family connections got Yuliana a position as maid of honour to Tsaritsa
Maria Alexandrovna
. Yuliana spent little time at Tsarskoe Selo, home of the Romanovs. She spent most of her time in Paris where she became involved with the theosophists
and other occultists. Through her uncle, General Orzheyevsky, she became involved with Pyotr Rachkovsky
of the Okhrana, the Imperial Russian secret service
.
Oryol
Oryol or Orel is a city and the administrative center of Oryol Oblast, Russia, located on the Oka River, approximately south-southwest of Moscow...
, Russia.
Her grandfather, Colonel Fyodor Nikolaevich Glinka was investigated as a leader of "a secret society of mystics" during Prince Alexander Nikolaevich Galitzine
Galitzine
For Orthodox clergyman and theologian, see Alexander Golitzin.The Galitzines are one of the largest and noblest princely houses of Russia. Since the extinction of the Korecki family in the 17th century, the Golitsyns have claimed dynastic seniority in the House of Gediminas...
's investigation of masonic lodges following the Decembrist uprising of 1825. Fyodor Tolstoy
Fyodor Petrovich Tolstoy
Count Fyodor Petrovich Tolstoy was a Russian artist who served as Vice-President of the Imperial Academy of Arts for forty years . His works — wax-reliefs, watercolours, medallions, and silhouettes — are distinguished by a cool detachment and spare and economical classicism.Fyodor Tolstoy came...
testified that although he was a mystic he was "a loyal officer of the Empire".
Yuliana's father, Dmitri Feodorovich Glinka became a general and entered the diplomatic service
Diplomatic service
Diplomatic service is the body of diplomats and foreign policy officers maintained by the government of a country to communicate with the governments of other countries. Diplomatic personnel enjoy diplomatic immunity when they are accredited to other countries...
. As a result she spent time in Portugal and Brazil where her father was posted. She probably became interested in spiritualism while in Brazil. She lived in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, and at Petropolis
Petrópolis
Petrópolis , also known as The Imperial City of Brazil, is a town in the state of Rio de Janeiro, about 65 km from the city of Rio de Janeiro....
, in the Serra dos Órgãos
Serra dos Órgãos
Serra dos Órgãos is a mountain range in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which was turned into a national park in 1939. It is located about a one-hour drive from the city of Rio de Janeiro....
, home of Emperor Pedro II. With her father and sisters she traveled with Dom Pedro to Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
, visiting Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto
-History:Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto was originally called Vila Rica, or "rich village," the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil's golden age in the 18th century under Portuguese rule....
and Diamantina, both very old cities with mystical associations.
In Brazil, Yuliana became acquainted with Candomblé
Candomblé
Candomblé is an African-originated or Afro-Brazilian religion, practised chiefly in Brazil by the "povo de santo" . It originated in the cities of Salvador, the capital of Bahia and Cachoeira, at the time one of the main commercial crossroads for the distribution of products and slave trade to...
, a Brazilian version of Caribbean Santería
Santería
Santería is a syncretic religion of West African and Caribbean origin influenced by Roman Catholic Christianity, also known as Regla de Ocha, La Regla Lucumi, or Lukumi. Its liturgical language, a dialect of Yoruba, is also known as Lucumi....
. She also read about the Fox sisters
Fox sisters
The Fox sisters were three sisters from New York who played an important role in the creation of Spiritualism. The three sisters were Leah Fox , Margaret Fox and Kate Fox . The two younger sisters used "rappings" to convince their much older sister and others that they were communicating with...
and their encounters with "the Spirit World" in the New York, United States.
In 1857, the family returned to Russia, and Yuliana's older sister married Vsevolod Solovyov
Vsevolod Solovyov
Vsevolod Sergeevich Solovyov was a Russian historical novelist. His most famous work is Chronicle of Four Generations , an account of the fictional Gorbatov family from the time of Catherine the Great to the mid-nineteenth century...
, the brother of Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyov
Vladimir Solovyov (philosopher)
Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov was a Russian philosopher, poet, pamphleteer, literary critic, who played a significant role in the development of Russian philosophy and poetry at the end of the 19th century...
. But the honeymoon did not last. In no time at all, the aspiring writer Soloviev succeeded in seducing Yuliana, the 13-year-old sister of his bride.
Family connections got Yuliana a position as maid of honour to Tsaritsa
Tsaritsa
Tsaritsa , formerly spelled czaritsa , is the title of a female autocratic ruler of Bulgaria or Russia, or the title of a tsar's wife....
Maria Alexandrovna
Maria Alexandrovna
Maria Alexandrovna may refer to:* Maria Alexandrovna , princess of the Grand Duchy of Hesse and Empress consort of Tsar Alexander II of Russia...
. Yuliana spent little time at Tsarskoe Selo, home of the Romanovs. She spent most of her time in Paris where she became involved with the theosophists
Theosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
and other occultists. Through her uncle, General Orzheyevsky, she became involved with Pyotr Rachkovsky
Pyotr Rachkovsky
Pyotr Ivanovich Rachkovsky was chief of Okhrana, the secret service in Imperial Russia. He was based in Paris from March 1885 to November 1902.-Activities in 1880s-1890s:...
of the Okhrana, the Imperial Russian secret service
Secret service
A secret service describes a government agency, or the activities of a government agency, concerned with the gathering of intelligence data. The tasks and powers of a secret service can vary greatly from one country to another. For instance, a country may establish a secret service which has some...
.