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Supreme Conseil de L'ordre Martiniste
Supreme Conseil de L'ordre Martiniste
The philosophy of the MARTINIST-ORDER is in fact based upon the work of three different
men, Martinez De Pasqually, Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, and Jean Baptiste Willermoz.
Therefore I'll start with a (brief) profile on these 18th century 'Illuminaries' ;
1
LOUIS CLAUDE DE SAINT-MARTIN ( 01/18/1743 - 1803/10/13).
LC de Saint-Martin was initiated into Pasqually's ELUS COHEN in october 1768 and towards
the end of 1770 he becomes Martinez De Pasqually's personal secretary. After De
Pasqually's death Saint-Martin tries to convert the Elus Cohen to his personal blend of
Christian mysticism (through the years, Saint-Martin gradually felt uneasy about the theurgical
operations of the rite). He failt to convert the rite, and decides to leave the order. Meanwhile
he publishes several works (his first book had been published in 1775, “Des Erreurs et de la
Vérité” (' Of Errors and Truth', a book that was recommended by "the Initiated Knights and
Brothers of Asia" and used by the "Philalethes") "and assumes the role of mentor and
teacher" (source: Sar Ignatius). It is not certain that Saint-Martin founded an order of any kind,
however, there's some evidence, if slight, found in private correspondences, in which one
finds references to the existence of a group called the "Société des Initiées" (Society of
Initiates, founded in 1785 by Willermoz). The 'group' is also referred to as the "Société des
Intimes" (Society of Friends). According to leading French Martinist researchers and
authorities, such as the late Robert Ambelain and Robert Amadou, the "Société des Intimes"
referred to the Elus Cohen of which Saint-Martin himself was a member. In a small booklet
published by Gence, "Notice biographique sur L. C. de Saint-Martin" it is stated that it has
never been the intention of L.C. de Saint-Martin to establish a rite, order, cult or whatsoever.
Cf. R. Amadou in his portrait of L. C. de Saint-Martin, presents the following quote of Saint-
Martin ; " Ma secte, c'est la Providence ; mes prosélytes, c'est moi ; mon culte,c'est la
justice....", (freely transl.) "My sect - it's called Providence, My < prosélyte>, it's me ; My Cult,
it's Justice…". \
2
at the famous ‘Sorbonne’, stated in his ‘Notes on Martinism’ that Saint Martin’s movement
was first started in Lyon as an Occult Masonic Society, ‘le Rite Rectifié de Saint-Martin’.
3
and Pierre-Augustin Chaboseau (06/17/1868 - 01/21/1946). Leymarie was a disciple of Allen
Kardec (Leon Revail). Kardec had published in 1857 "Le Livre des Esprits", after which
Kardec became a household name in the world of Spiritism (Kardec is important mostly for his
codification of the doctrine of spiritual progress through reincarnation, a doctrine which
influenced Blavatsky in her Theosophical writings). Both students of medical science, Papus
and Chaboseau discovered that they both had received the S.I.-Martinist Initiation. In 1888
Papus and Chaboseau exchanged Initiations to consolidate their lines of succession. Gerard
Encausse (Papus) had received his 'Initiation' from Henri Delaage, a few weeks before
Delaage's death in 1882. Pierre-Augustin Chaboseau was initiated in 1886, at the age of
twenty, by his aunt Amelie de Boise-Montmart. According to Chaboseau the 'Initiation'
consisted of an "oral transmission of a particular teaching and a certain comprehension of the
laws of the Universe and of Spiritual life, which, in no case could be regarded as an Initiation
in a ritualistic form" The quote was found in Chaboseau's 'archive' by his son Jean
Chaboseau. (source : R.A. in "L'Encyclopedie de la Franc-Maconnerie", ed. 2000)
LINES OF SUCCESSION
Pierre Augustin Chaboseau (1868-1946) : Initiated in 1886
• Amélie de Boise-Mortmart*
• Adolphe Desbarolles
• Henri de la Touche
• J.A. Hennequin
• Abbé de Lanoüe ( +, 1820)
• Louis Claude de Saint-Martin ( +, 1803)
Saint Martin was initiated by Baudry de Balzac in the ELUS COHEN in 1768.
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• "L'Ordre Martiniste des Elus-Cohens", founded in 1768 by Martinez de Pasqually.
• The friends and disciples of Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, the "Unknown Philosopher".
• "L'Ordre Martiniste", founded in 1887* by Papus as 'L'Ordre des Supérieurs Inconnus'.
*other sources claim the year 1888.
Papus and Chaboseau decided to create an organization that would serve as a centre of
study of "Martinism' and as a means to propagate the Martinist teachings. At the same time
the Order propagated the study of symbolism, cults and mystical traditions through an
academy of Science, Art and Social Studies. The 'O:::M:::' would establish a Hermetic school
under the name of L' ECOLE HERMETIQUE (see chapter "1896 Societe Alchimique de
France"), which "through Arabic, Sanskrit, Greek and Latin undertook studies of Hermetical
prime-sources. Papus and his friends also strived towards research into the Divine Sciences
as revelation of the history of humanity" (notes on "Martinism', source unknown*). There was
an emphasis on the study of Spiritism, Magnetism, Magic and Astrology (in theory and
practise) by means of "Scientific experiments". "The reintegration of humanity should as
religious subjects through the minds of De Pasqually and Saint-Martin led onto an original
purity. Thus should the ancient Gnostic goal of a closeness between Men and God be
accomplished” (notes*). Martinism as formulated by Papus and Chaboseau was ment to be a
'gateway' to Higher Degrees and teachings. Papus also wanted to strive towards the
'unification of all occult orders'; He shared this vision with men like John Yarker and Theodor
Reuss. These men were in communication with each other at the time, and there was a
'constant' interchange of documents, charters, and information between them. According to
Papus, the first personal Initiations (1) into the redefined "Martinist Order" date back to 1884.
The first Lodges were founded between 1887 and 1890. Actually, the first Lodge was founded
by Papus, Josephin Peladan, and Stanislas De Guaita, and was probably located at the "rue
Pigalle" were Josephin Peladan lived. The name ORDE MARTINISTE turns up for the first
time.in 1887. The O.'.M.'. was a fusion of the "Ordre des Elus Cohen" and the "Rectified Rite
of Saint-Martin* ". As mentioned before, in 1888 Papus and Chaboseau discovered that they
were both initiated into the S::I:: Degree. Together they redefined the ORDRE MARTINISTE
with Papus acting as its leader. In 1889 the first official proclamation of the ORDRE
MARTINISTE is published in the periodical "L'Initiation". In 1891 the order was placed under a
Supreme Counsil of 12 members with Papus appointed as President for life and as Grand
Master. The idea of this Supreme Council was developed two years earlier and the Council
was originally called "Conseil Occulte des 12 de la Rose+Croix ". The 12 original members of
the "Suprême Conseil de L'Ordre Martiniste" were:
Gerard Encausse (Papus), Augustin.Chaboseau, Stanislas De Guaita, Lucien Chamuel,
Francois-Charles Barlet, Paul Sedir (Yvon Leloup), Paul Adam, Maurice Barres, Jules Lejay,
Georges Montieres, Jaques Burget, and Josephin Peladan.
The order was officially known as "l'Ordre des Supérieurs Inconnus" ( 2), the Order of the
Unknown Superiors, comprising of three degrees. "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, who claimed that his maternal
grandfather had been initiated into the order by Saint-Martin himself". (Ordre Martiniste des
Pays-Bas) The Martinist Order would soon establish branches all over Europe and America,
and was to become a primary focus for Papus …
5
"Papus" means "Physician" (of the first hour), after the Egyptian genii of the healing arts.
Papus was born in La Coruña, Spain on July 13, 1865, of a Spanish mother and a French
father. His family moved to Paris when Papus was four. "As a young man, Encausse spent a
great deal of time at the Bibliothèque Nationale studying the Qabalah, the Tarot, the sciences
of magic and alchemy, and the writings of Eliphas Lévi ". Papus also studied material which
came from Charles Nodier, writer, occultist and chief librarian of the famous Arsenal Library in
1824. In 1934 the library was incorporated with the National Library. Papus became
aquainted with a circle of Gnostics, Rosicrucians, and 'older' Martinists, all students of the late
Eliphas Levi. "It was amidst this circle that Gerard Encausse was to make acquaintance with
HENRI DELAAGE, his initiator, who, in 1882, consecrated the young Encausse with the name
'PAPUS S:::I:::' !" ("the Balzac of the Occult and the Russian Sphynx").
About his Initiation Papus' commented : "a few months before his death, Delaage wanted to
entrust 'the seed' which had been entrusted to him at one time; a simple gift consisting of 2
letters and some dots, a summary of a doctrine of Initiation and the 'Trinity' which had
illuminated all the works of Delaage. But the 'Invisible One' was there, and its Light illuminated
the responsibility entrusted to me, to plant this spiritual Seed in soil where it can and will
develop" ("freely" transl. from the original in French)
After his study (1894) Papus starts to work as a physician and as head of the laboratory of the
"Hopital de la Charite de Paris" . He had received his "Doctor of Medicine degree" on July 7,
1894, upon submital of a dissertation on Philosophical Anatomy. At the same time he started
a career as a prolific author. Papus published 160 titles during his life (books, articles etc.). In
1888 he received international recognition with his second publication "Traité Elementaire de
Science Occulte" (1). Around 1897-1898 Papus also became 'active' within the peace
movement. He established the "Union Idealiste Universelle", a kind of movement which was
inspired on Eliphas Lévi's "Catechism de paix" ( ' Catechism of Peace' ). Although Jollivet-
Castelot ( Jollivet would later become a member of the Communist party of France, until he
was expelled) talked about a membership of 30,000 intellectuals, many of these are unknown.
The Union strongly pleaded the Armenian cause at the time. During his life, Papus was also
involved in the publication of several journals, reviews etc. Besides the earlier mentioned "la
revue Théosophique" and the 'official' Martinist review 'L'Initiation', there were “Le Voile D'Isis”
(1890, with Détre as editor-1912-), 'Le Réveil Gnostique', 'Revue d'Hypnologie' , 'La Gnose',
"Le Lotus" (TS) ,"Light of Paris" (Spiritualism), "la Lumière d'Orient" (on the Islam and Turkey,
just 2 editions), ' l'Hiram' ('Masonic'), and 'Mysteria' ( 1913, 'Mysteria' was the new name for
"l'Initiation" ). Several of the Martinist Order's jurisdictions outside of France published their
own Journals ;
• 1905, publication of the Martinist bulletin "L'Isis" appears in Hungary.
• 1906, publication of the English version of "L'Initiation" for England appears under the
name of "INRI ".
• 1909, A Martinist newspaper appears in the United States, called "Treshold"
• 1910, the official review "Isida " is published in Russia.
6
Previous page - first publication of "Le Voile d'Isis", the official organ of the "Indépendant d'études
Esoterique de Paris", Wednesday, November 12, 1890. Directeur; Papus- 29, rue de Trévise .
Rédacteur en Chef, Augustin Chaboseau. Sécretaire de la Rédaction, L.Mauchel - 29, rue de Trévis
His meeting with M Philippe from Lyon upsets his vision of the world. From this time on Papus
becomes the propagator of Christian Mysticism and "the Way of the Heart", which Saint-
Martin called the "Inner Way" . The core of this philosophy, as described by Papus, is
published in Papus' “The Cardiac or Mystic Path”. Papus deals in this publication with the
importance of simplicity and the purification of body, soul and mind in one's spiritual quest.
Another text of Papus which reflects the philosophy of the 'Inner Way' is appropriately called
'the Way of the Heart'; "I know a simple man who has never read a book and who,
nevertheless, can solve the trickiest problems of science better than famous scientists. There
are humble people without academic qualifications and medical experience to whom heaven
is so accessible that the sick are healed at their request and the wicked feel their hearts
melting in loving kindness at their contact".
A.Philippe Nizier (1842-1905), who used magnetism as a healing-technique, attracted many
followers at the time (see Chapter "1850-1900 France"). Among them were occultists like
Papus, Marc Haven (Dr.Lalande), Sedir, Phaneg etc. The influence of Maitre Philippe upon
the Martinist Order of Papus should not be underestimated! Within some modern-day
Martinist Lodges Maitre Philippe is venerated as one of the 'Unknown Superiors'. There are
Martinists who claim that 'Papus' was chosen to create the O:::M::: , at the time when he
became one of the companions of Philippe. Papus wrote a text called "the Incarnation of the
Elect" which is often referred to as 'prove'. Here's the passage which refers to the 'group of
Compagnions' ; " And I was not allowed to write the mystery of this incarnation when eleven
elect passed by the sun to accompany him who came deliberately back on Earth, and the
eleven arrived at the sun five years after half the century "
Papus wrote many articles on the ' healing-techniques' of Maitre Philippe. The following
phrase is an excerpt from an article by Papus and published in "L'Initiation", of certain
experiments on healing-methods of M.Philippe.”At the time of one of my last voyages, the
Master instructed me the following practise; I had to "touch" the face of a young girl who had
a sister who was ill. The sick child was 2 kilometers away from her sister and me. By means
of "touch" and "concentration" the child was cured. This treatment is generally known by many
hypnotizers .... “. Papus was known to the poor of the district around the la rue de Savoie in
Paris as the 'bon docteur', as Papus treated his patients, that is to say the poor and needy, for
free. When World War I broke out, Papus volunteered to help the casualties. He enters the
war as doctor and Head of an ambulance. Due to his work in the notorious trenches at the
front, he falls seriously ill and Papus dies on October 25, 1916 at the "Hopital de la Charite de
Paris", the same hospital where he had started his career as a physician. Papus was 51 when
he died. Papus' method of treatment often started with an observation of the patient's aura to
support his diagnosis. Papus' method of treatment evidently appealed to the Vital Life-Force
of the patient. Papus' classified diseases in three 'classes';
• Diseases of the Body (fevers, traumas)
• "Astral" Diseases (tuberculosis, cancer) , can be treated by Homoeopathy and Magnetism
• Diseases of the 'Spirit' (epilepsy, hysteria, madness), can be treated with the help of
'Magic'. According to Papus this kind of disease has its root in "Evil", and is therefore not
subject to one's Kharma. Papus' first actual teacher in the intellectual aspects of
occultism was the Marquis Joseph Alexandre Saint-Yves d'Alveydre (1842-1909). As
stated in the "History of the FUDOSI-Addendum series", Saint-Yves had inherited the
papers of Antoine Fabre d'Olivet (1768 *-1825), one of the great teachers of French
occultism. Papus was also a follower of Saint-Yves' concept of Synarchy (see
"F.U.D.O.S.I.- Addendum 7" and Chapter "1850-1900 France"). From these days on,
Papus would always refer to Saint-Yves d'Alveydre as his "Intellectual teacher". Papus
considered "Le Maitre Philippe” (Philippe Nizier) as his "Spiritual Master" and Peter
Davidson, whom Papus called "one of the wisest of the Western Adepts", as his 'Practical
Master'. Papus met Monsieur Phillippe (sometime about 1886-1887) through his fiancee
Mathilde. As stated in Part 5 of this 'series' :
• At first, it seems that Papus suspected that Nizier exercized "some illicit fascination" over
her. When Papus tried to defend her by occult means, the ritual actually backfired when
7
he tried to attack Nizier. "Papus says it was from this instant he recognized Phillippe as
his spiritual master (maitre spirituelle)".
Papus was also a great admirer of the works of Louis Lucas, an alchemist and follower of
Levi. Papus called himself a pupil of Lucas. His brochure "L'Occultism Contemporain",
published in 1887 was dedicated to Lucas. In respect of Papus' Martinist affiliations I think it
would be interesting to know more about his relationship with the Italian occultist and Martinist
Giuliano Kremmerz (1861-1930). Kremmerz' school was supposedly based on Martinism. His
branch traces back to the 'school' of Eliphas Levi, and is called "MARTINISMO
NAPOLITANO'. Kremmerz (2) was an 'old' Martinist, and an acquaintance of Papus at the
time. Many Martinists suppose that Kremmerz exchanged initiations with Papus. According to
Andres Kibisa, an Italian Martinist, it would be strange if they did not exchange their lineages.
"They were friends, with Papus being in need to strengthen his main line of affiliation, and
with Kremmerz in possesion of a more trustable filiation, it seems to me very odd if they did
not exchange their lines of succession !", thus Kibisa (Centro Studi Andrés Kimbisa ). Kibisa
also refers to another ancient Martinist filiation, the only one linked directly ( Kibisa's words) to
De Pasqually. He refers to Lucien Francois Jean-Maine (Tau Ogdoade-Orfeo I, - the whole
history on Jean-Maine and his organizations is quite controversial, for those who are
interested, see Peter R.Koenig's "O.T.O.A.-a Gnostic Inflation" at :
http://home.sunrise.ch/~prkoenig/otoa.htm
Maine's relatives were members of the original Cohen-temple in Leogane, Haiti. After De
Pasqually's death several members of the Elus Cohen, together with some Masons and
Templars, founded the "Les Templiers Noires". Jeane-Maine spent some time in Paris where
he met Papus. It is said that he exchanged his M.M. filiations (amongst others) with Papus,
for which Jean-Maine received in return such charters as the O.T.O. etc. "Is it possible that
Papus, being aware of his heritage, asked to get Jean-maine's line of succession ?". In 1887
he was also introduced by a F.K. Gaborian into the company of Lady Marie Caithness,
Duchess of Pomar, and her circle. In 1882 the Duchess was approached by Mdm Blavatsky,
Colonel Olcott, and Annie Besant, to form the French branch of the "THEOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY".
* some sources state that D'Olivet was born in 1762.I d
8
Papus in the back-room of the "Librarie du Merveilleux", used for
Martinist activities around 1890 …
9
like Victor Michelet, Josephin Peladan, Paul Sedir, Lucien Chamuel, Stanislas De Guaita,
Albert Poisson, Ch.F.Bartlet (Alfred Foucheaux), Gary de Lacroze, Augustin Chaboseau,
Phaneg ( Descormiers, + 1946), Silva, Marc Haven, Dr.Rozier, Jollivet-Castelot, etc. Many of
them were Theosophists, as well as initiated Martinists of one or other chain. Papus was
editor-chief at the time of a journal called "The Veil of Isis". The "Veil of Isis" was published
under the banner of the G.I.D.E.E. (published once a month, between 1890 and 1898). In
1905 the review reappeared. The review continued its publications until 1936 (Chief-editor
Charnorac; Charnorac became chief-editor in 1912, the review disappeared during 1914-
1918, and reappeared again in 1920. In 1936 the "Veil of Isis" changed its name to "études
traditionnelles". Papus would describe the G.I.D.E.E. as the "Outer court for a greater and
higher Initiatic Order, comprising their recruits from this outer and predominantly
theosophically oriented association" ("The Balzac of the Occult …") This statement of Papus
shows the obvious reason why his days in the T.S. would be short-lived. He left to give way to
full time concentration on the order that would unite all Martinists. In an article of Papus,
published in the "Veil of Isis" of February, 1891, he stated that the G.I.D.E.E. was already
"active" for a year, with more then 350 members, a headquarter, library and conference-room
included. Other contemporary members were men such as Polti, Colonel Rochas, Lemerle,
Abel Haatan, Serge Basset, etc. The G.I.D.E.E. had various branches in France and Belgium:
For instance, in Lyon, at 17 Rue de Sully, there was established the "Fraternité Lyonnaise et
Catalane" (contact: Ely Steel). At Brussels, Belgium, lodge KVMRIS represented i.a. the
G.I.D.E.E. in Belgium. There are sources which state that the G.I.D.E.E. was established by
Papus with the help of Saint-Yves d'Alveydre (see Chapter "1888 -OKR+C"). Saint-Yves,
according to some sources, also claimed to be the Grand Master of the original Martinist
Order (??). Whatever the truth is, the collaboration of a man like Saint-Yves d'Alveydre would
certainly have attracted many "mystics" to the ranks of a new organization like the "Groupe
Independent des Etudes Esoterique". But it is a fact that Saint-Yves has never held any
membership of any occult organization, despite the claims. He was never a member of the
Martinist Order. It is claimed that Saint-Yves d'Alveydre even rejected a honorary membership
into the Martinist Order which Papus had sended to him. According to various sources
(e.g.Koenig) the G.I.D.E.E. also carried a succession of Fabre-Palaprat's "Order of the
Temple". Bernard-Raymond Fabre-Palaprat, a physician from Paris, had "restored" the
original Templar Order in 1804. The restoration was supported by Napoleon Bonaparte. The
G.I.D.E.E. ("Independent Group of Esoteric Studies") was founded to develop research-
centres of occult siences. One of such branches or centres was for instance the G.'.M.'.E.'.I.'.,
Groupe Maconnique d'Etudes Initiatiques, which was headed by Oswald Wirth. According to
some, the G.I.D.E.E. was later renamed "Ecole Hermetique", the Hermetic School; other
sources indicate that the "Ecole Hermetique" was established next (and afterwards) to the
G.I.D.E.E. The "Ecole Hermetique" later allegedly developed into the "Université libre des
hautes Etudes" (Faculté des Sciences Hermétiques);. The university was ment for the "aces"
of the Martinist Order. Some of the 'professors" and lecturers who were appointed at the
"faculty of Hermetic Sciences" ; Paul Sédir, Serge Basset, Siséra Rosabis, Dr.Rozier, Jollivet
Castelot. The Hermetic School was led by a 'council of improvement' which consisted of;
• Charles Barlet
• Papus
• Marc Haven
• Victor Emile Michelet
• Serge Basset
• Paul Sédir
The graduated Hermetic students would continue their studies in several Martinist Lodges in
Paris ;
1) LE SPHINX. The Grand Lodge for general studies.
2) HERMANUBIS, led by Paul Sédir, studies of the Mystic and Eastern tradition.
3) VELLÉDA, led by V-E Michelet, studies of French Masonry and its Symbolism
4) SPHYNGE, reserved mainly for Artistic adaptations.
The following text is a translation of the article "L'Ordre Martiniste a la belle époque" taken
from the French website of the Traitional Martinist Order. The article confirms the
assumptionS made earlier that the "Ecole Hermetique" and the "Faculté des Sciences
Hermétiques" were indeed continuations of the G.I.D.E.E..
10
"Papus wanted to renew the occidental esoterism : "As there are existing faculties where the
materialistic sciences can be studied, why would it not be possible to create such a faculty
where the esoteric sciences can be studied? " Thus he creates 'l’École Supérieure Libre des
Sciences Hermétiques', a group which gives courses and organizes lectures to promote the
values of occidental esoterism to the seeker. This 'exterior' circle of the Martinist Order will be
first known under the name 'le Groupe Indépendant d'Etudes Esotériques' (G.I.D.E.E.), then
as 'l'Ecole Hermétique' and 'la Faculté des Sciences Hermétiques'. Many courses are
presented (12 per month) with subjects ranging from the kabbala, alchemy and the tarot, to
the history of hermetic philosophy . The teachers are Papus, Sédir, Victor-Emile Michelet,
Barlet, Augustin Chaboseau, Sisera …. A special section is devoted to the oriental sciences
under the direction of Augustin Chaboseau (1). Another section, presided by François Jollivet-
Castelot, is devoted to alchemy - this is la Société Alchimique de France"
(source: Ordre Martiniste Traditionnel - Grande Heptade de la Juridiction Française)
1) It is common knowledge that Augustin Chaboseau was very interested in Buddhism, an interest he
shared with i.a. Harvey Spencer Lewis of A.M.O.R.C / O.M.T. and which he maintained all his life.
In 1888 Papus and his friend Lucien Chamuel founded the "Librarie du Merveilleux" and its
monthly journal "L'Initiation". Many Occultists contributed articles to the review, some of the
lesser known occultists were men such as Villier de l'Isle-Adam, Catulle Mendés, Julien Lejay,
Emile Goudeau, Jules Lermina,Eugéne Nus, Rodolphe Darzens, George Montiere, Aleph, el
F.'.Bertrand, Bouvery, rené Caillié, George Delanne, Ely Star, Fabre des Essarts, G.Poirel,
A.Robert, Rouxel, H.Sausse, G.Vitoux, Vurgey, and many others… the review was "banned"
by the Vatican in Rome in 1891 and was put on the Index. Another review of the G.I.D.E.E.
was called "l'Union Occulte de France", and was published in Lyon. The journal remained in
publication until 1914, when World War I broke out. Papus' son, Dr.Philippe Encausse,
reconstituted the "ORDRE MARTINISTE DE PAPUS" in 1952, and revived the original journal
again.
• There exists today an English version of "L'Initiation" , obtainable on the following address: :
GERME (USA) - 4287-A Beltline Road, # 330; Addison, TX 75001 – USA ; their first edition,
published in 2000, was for the most part a translation of the first edition of the revived L'Initiation of
Phillipe Encausse in Januari, 1953.
11
HERMETIC BROTHERHOOD OF LUXOR
Apparently, Papus was a member of the " Fraternité Hermétique de Louxor', the French
branch of the "HERMETIC BROTHERHOOD OF LUXOR". The French branch was headed
by Francois Charles Barlet, who was also a member of the G.I.D.E.E. Certain sources state
that Barlet already knew Max Theon (founder of the "H.B.of L.") in 1871 when, supposedly
together with Blavatsky, they'd established the "SOCIETE SPIRITE"(1). The "Societe Spirité"
was an organization which studied the teaching of the spiritist Alan Kardec (2 weeks after its
foundation the society would already be disbanded due thru 'difficulties' between Blavatsky
and Theon). According to the information given in Koenig's "Ein Leben fuer die Rose" (on
Krumm-Heller) Barlet was introduced to the 'H.B.of L.' by Alexander Ayton. Ayton would later
join the 'Golden Dawn'. Barlet later joined Theon with his "MOUVEMENT COSMIQUE", an
organization which Theon founded around 1900. Barlet was the first editor of the "Cosmic
Review", which acted as "mouthpiece" for the 'movement'. Evidently, the H.B.of L. became
extinct in France in the final years of the 19th century in preparation for Theon's 'Cosmic
Movement'. We know this from a statement made by Barlet in 1908 "... it (H.B. of L.) only
ceased in order to pass on the succession to another perfectly vital form". The statement was
made in a new magazine Barlet had started, called "L'Etoile D'Orient - Revue de Hautes
Etudes Psychiques". The first edition of Jan. 24, 1908 announced the establishment of the
"Centre Esoterique Oriental de France". The third edition of March 24 presented an article
written by Barlet, "Au Fondateur du Centre Esotérique Oriental de Paris, Dr.Albert de Sarâk".
The statement regarding the filiation between the H.B. of L. and the "Mouvement Cosmique"
stems from the article.
1] The supposed connection between Blavatsky and Theon in Blavatsky's 'Societe Spirité'' in Cairo,
Egypt in 1871 is attributed to 'The Mother' , a follower of Theon's 'Mouvement Cosmique' , based on her
reminiscences of events which happened 50 years before. Furthermore, the involvement of Barlet in the
'Societe Spirité' seems also unlikely. Barlet was one of the first members of the Theosophic Society in
France. René Guenon stated that Barlet hesitated to join the 'H.B.of L.', because of his membership in
the Theosophic Society. Barlet asked his initiator, Rev.W.A.Ayton, if membership in the H.B.of L. was
compatible with Barlet's membership in the Theosophic Society. Ayton had joined the H.B.of L. in or
about the year 1880. Barlet joined a few years later in 1885...
In letters which were written in 1895 by Peter Davidson (Papus' 'Practical Master', co- founder
of the 'H.B.of L.' with Max Theon) it becomes clear that Davidson was a member of several
orders, among which the "G.I.D.E.E.". Davidson also represented the "ORDRE MARTINISTE"
during Davidson's 'American period', at the H.B.of L. colony in Georgia, USA. In 1889 two
Frenchmen, René Caillié (1831 - 1896 ) and Albert Jounet (1863 - 1923), founded the
"FRATERNITE DE L'ETOILE" ("Fraternity of the Star"). Many of their members were
Martinists. The Order had a branch of some sort in the USA, which was led by Peter
Davidson, co-founder of the 'H.B.of L.' The Order was 'baptized' "THE MORNING STAR".
Apparently, the order published a journal under the same name ("Morning Star" 1), which
acted as the 'official journal' of the 'Martinist Order' of Papus for a short period of time….
(source: Marcel Roggemans, Belgium). According to one source, the "FRATERNITE DE
L'ETOILE" sprang from circles within the "THEOSOPHIC SOCIETY". This seems rather
unlikely, because both Caillé and Jounet, two Christian esotericists, had founded the fraternity
"to counter the 'atheistic neo-Buddhism' of the Theosophical Society". Caillé was also a
member of the H.B.of L. Apparently, the "Fraternite de L'Etoile" was dissolved officially at a
(Theosophic?) conference in 1927 at the city of Ommen in the Netherlands. There has been
an unsuccessful attempt to revive the order in 1982 (??). The "HERMETIC BROTHERHOOD
OF LUXOR" was an occult school which taught their pupils by correspondence. Papus wrote
in his work 'Traité méthodique des sciences occultes' (Paris, 1903) : "The HERMETIC
BROTHERHOOD OF LUXOR instructs their members by private correspondence, helping
them in their studies and exercizes on a personal basis. The organization has many members
in Egypt, India, Scotland, France and America…." Another interesting aspect of the H.B.of L.
is its original intended relationship with the "Ordre Martiniste" as foreseen by Papus. The
following text is taken from an article written by René Guenon, which was published in the
journal "Le Voile d'Isis", in April 1925. The complete translated text of Guenon can be found in
the excellent book "The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, Initiatic and Historical Documents of
an Order of Practical Occultism", written by J.Godwin, C.Chanel, and J.P.Deveney.
René Guenon, "F-Ch.Barlet et les Sociétiés Initiatiques" , Le Voile d'Isis 30/64 (April 1925),
217-221 ...
12
"Towards the middle of 1888, Barlet resigned from the Theosophic Society, after the
dissension that had arisen within the Isis Branch of Paris ... It was also at about this date that
Papus began to organize Martinism, and Barlet was one of the first people he called on to
form his Supreme Counsil. It was understood, at first, that Martinism's sole purpose was to
prepare its members for entry into an Order that could confer an authentic initiation on those
who showed themselves able to receive it; and the Order which they had in view for this was
none other then the H.B. of L., of which Barlet had become the official representative for
France.This is why Papus wrote, in 1891: "Authentically occult societies still exist, possessing
the integral tradition; I call for witness one of the wisest of Western adepts, my Practical
Master, Peter Davidson" *. However, this project did not succeed, and they had to content
themselves, for Martinism's superior center, with the Kabbalistic Order of the Rose-Cross"
(Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose+Croix)
13
Master of the Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose+Croix; that it has a branch at Bordeaux-called
the Saint-Graal; and that it's founder was …. Sédir himself !
(Geyraud quoted in "Eliphas Levi and the Occult Revival")
The text of Geyraud implies that the F.T.L., Fraternitas Thésauri Lucis ( Geyraud only speaks of the
F.T.L.), was active at the time of his investigations for his book …
ÉGLISE GNOSTIQUE
In 1888, while working as archivist for the library of Orleans in France, Jules Doinel
discovered an original charter dated 1022, which had been written by Canon Stephan of
Orleans, a schoolmaster and forerunner of the Cathars who taught Gnostic doctrines
( He was burned for heresy that same year). Doinel had a vision in which the "Aeon Jesus"
appeared, 'He' charged Doinel with the work of establishing a new church. Doinel was a
"Grand Orient Freemason" and a practising Spiritist. "In May of 1890 (although specific dates
vary) Jules Doinel attended a séance of sorts in the oratorie of the ' Duchess of Pomar (The
Countess of Caithness)…. It appears that the disembodied spirits of ancient Albigensians,
joined by a heavenly voice, laid spiritual hands on Doinel, creating him "Valentinus II, Bishop
of the Holy Assembly of the Paraclete and of the Gnostic Church".
Too cut a long story short, the EGLISE GNOSTIQUE was founded by Jules Doinel in 1890. In
1892 Doinel consecrated Papus asTau Vincent, Bishop of Toulouse. Other Martinists, such
as Paul Sedir and Lucien Chamuel were also consecrated by Doinel. These three men
'embodied' the 'nucleus' of the newly build Gnostic Universal Church. "In 1908 a Gnostic
schism occurred: the branch at Lyon under Bricaud took yet another new name; 'Église
Gnostique Catholique' (EGC). Then it changed again becoming the EGLISE GNOSTIQUE
UNIVERSELLE (EGU). Meanwhile the original Église Gnostique of Paris had been taken over
by Leon Champrenaud "Théophane" though it later disintegrated under Paul Genty
"Basilides" in 1926"
source: "Stranded Bishops: Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica", by Peter-R. Koenig
http://www.cyberlink.ch/~koenig/bishops.htm
In 1911 the E.G.A. became the official church of the "ORDRE MARTINISTE", the EGU was
headed (since 1908) by Joannie Bricaud, who was the Patriarch of the Gnostic Church. The
EGU would later change its name to "EGLISE GNOSTIQUE APOSTOLIQUE". (see Chapter "
1890 ECCLESIA GNOSTICA APOSTOLICA ").
14
L'ORDRE EUDIAQUE
The Order, a school for Magnetism, was founded by Hector Durville in 1892. This school
established a subdivision in Lyon in 1895 which was headed by Maitre Philippe (A.P. Nizier).
Papus was the Vice-President of this school. "The "ORDRE EUDIAQUE" had 7 Degrees
which included initiationrites and a theoretical exam for each and every Grade." (France
1850-1900" - F.U.D.O.S.I. Orders & Societies, Part I).
15
activated the French foundation of a "Supreme Grand Council of Confederated Rites, Early
Grand Scottish Rite, Memphis and Misraim, Royal Order of Scotland" etc " Joanny Bricaud:
Notes Historique sur le Rite Ancien et Primitiv de Memphis-Misraim
Peter R.Koenig ; "the Ordo Templi Orientis phenomenon"
It is stated on the website of the "O.M. des Pays-Bas" that probably on the same occasion
Reuss had conferred upon Papus the X* of the O.T.O. for France (X*, 'REX SUMMUS
SANCTISSIMUS' , the grade for all national Grand Masters of the O.T.O) and that Papus in
turn assisted Reuss in the formation of the O.T.O. Gnostic Catholic Church, as a child of the
"Eglise Gnostique de France. The information above credits Téder with the X* of the O.T.O.
This is confirmed on a charter given to A.Krumm-Heller in 1908 by Reuss. Teder (Charles
Detre) co-signs as "Representante en France le Grand Maitre General de l'Empire
d'Allemagne" of the M.'.M.'. The source of Papus' M.'.M.'. charter is the 'Jubilee Edition' of the
Oriflamme, Schmiedeberg 1912, the official journal of Reuss' orders, at the time (1912) mainly
devoted to the O.T.O. ("ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS").
• "The "Oriflamme" was published between 1902 and 1914, initially intended as the journal of two of
his many inventions, the 'Swedenborg Rite' and an order of Rosicrucians*.When these met with
little success, it became the magazine for members of the AASR and MM, but by 1912 it was
mainly devoted to the O.T.O." (Peter R.Koenig, "O.T.O.-FAQ" ).
* The order of rosicrucians was the SRIA offshoot 'Societas Rosicruciana in Germania” which existed
from 7.7.1902 to 11.7.1907
A lodge that originally belonged to the "Spanish Rite" became the Mother-Lodge of the
French branch of the "Antient and Primitive Rite". This lodge was named "Humanidad-Lodge",
but as stated before, the French branch was not yet an independent 'obedience'. Apparently,
John Yarker, Grand Hierophant of the M.M.rite, was not happy with the activities of Reuss
and Papus in France. According to Gerard Galtier in his book 'Maçonnerie Egyptienne' Yarker
"nominated George Lagrèze on Sept. 9, 1909 in their place". Lagrèze (mystical nomen-
Mikael ) apparently never made use of his charter until August 15, 1944, when he appointed
Robert Ambelain as a Delegate of Memphis-Misraim (95)* It is generally known that no
Grand Lodge in France or England would accept Papus as a Mason. The Grand Lodges '
feared' that Papus' organization was a quasi-Masonic body of irregular Masonry, which was,
certainly at the end of the first decade of the 20th century, not totally untrue. There has been
a lot of speculation whether Papus was at any time a member of regular Masonry, probably
not. According to Fr.Roggemans we know this from the archives of Papus himself, because
there's no mention of an 'official Initiation' into the three degrees of 'regular Masonry". The
Ordre Martiniste des Pays-Bas states that Papus was refused (around 1889) by the Grand
Lodge of France, because Papus was involved with Occultism. We've seen so far that Papus
received several charters for the "Antient and Primitive rite of Memphis-Misraim". Apparently,
almost all of the French occultists at the time were convinced that Papus derived his
Memphis-Misraim authority from the "Spanish Sovereign Sanctuary of Memphis-Misraim". In
the book "I Riti Masonici di Misraïm e Memphis", written by Gastone Ventura ( Aldebaran )
and translated into French by Gérard Galtier and Sophie Salbreux, the writer states that most
of these charters did not grant any authority at all. It is the 'never-ending story' of the value of
all those Masonic documents which were sold at the right price at the time, especially with
rites as Yarkers 'Antient and Primitive Rite", "Rite of Cerneau" etc., and all the everlasting
tales of disputes over 'legitimacy'. In 1910 Papus said the following with regard to his own
Masonic charters;
"In my conversations and correspondences with the illustrious Brother Superior John Yarker, Supreme Head of the
"Antient and Primitive Rite of Masonry", with Doctor Wescott of the "Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia", with Villarino
del Villar, the illustrious Spanish Mason ….. Many of the foreign Supreme Councils have registered me among their
Honorary members or as their representatives in France, which I consider an honour".
Regarding the involvement of Martinists with Masonry 'Sar Ignatius' states as follows: "At the end of the (19th)
century, the main Masonic Obediences of France, particularly the Grand Orient, were predominately humanistic and
philosophical. On the fringes of mainline Masonry, were smaller Obediences of a more esoteric and spiritual nature.
Most contemporary Martinists were associated with one or more of those Rites and High Grades"
In 1913 John Yarker, the 'Grand Hierophant" of the M.'.M.'., died. Yarker had 'inherit' the rite
in 1902. His successor was Theodor Reuss from Germany (Oriflamme, July 1913, p. 2),
Yarker's successor in England and Ireland was a Henry Meyer (33*, 90*, 96*). According to
various sources Papus inherited Yarker's "Antient & Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim".
16
ROSE-CROIX D'ORIENT
Many Martinists claim that Papus seems to have been involved in a lineage of genuine
rosicrucian descendents. Some claim that this lineage contained men like Charles Nodier (1),
Eliphas Levi, Count Golitzyn etc. This assertion seems rather doubtful. Anyway, fact is that
Papus was one of the premier members of the OKR+C, of which he would become its
president in 1898. George Lagreze (Mikael) was initiated in the "ROSE-CROIX D'ORIENT" by
Démétrius Sémélas (Deon), co-founder of the "L'ORDRE DU LYS ET DE L'AIGLE" ("Order of
the Lily & the Eagle", see chapter "1914-L'Ordre du Lys et de L'Aigle") in 1914. Lagreze
initiated Papus into the "Rose Croix d'Orient". According to Robert Ambelain, in his
introduction of the "Sacramentary of the Rose+Croix", "Dr. Encausse (Papus) had received a
lineage of them by a member of the Supreme Council of the Martinist Order, who himself had
received a lineage in the city of Cairo (Egypt), before 1914. Inside Martinism of that era, no
one else had such a lineage, not even Teder (Papus' successor)." In Ambelain's reference to
Cairo, he's making reference to the Martinist temple in the capitol city of Egypt. Eugène
Dupré, the leader of the Martinists in Egypt (around 1914), allegedly was the founder (or: one
of the founders) of 'Le Temple d'Essenie', the Martinist Lodge in Cairo, founded in 1911. This
Lodge allegedly had the authority to establish lodges under its jurisdiction (source:
O.M.T./T.M.O.). Démétrius Platon Sémélas, a Greek Martinist who'd become a member of the
Egyptian Martinist Lodge at Cairo in 1911, founded the ‘Rose-Croix d’Oriënt’ shortly after.
Sémélas claimed that ‘Rose-Croix d’Oriënt’ was founded in 1054 by a certain Photius,
Patriarch of Constantinople (see "Fudosi Orders & Societies - R+C d'Orient & L'Ordre du Lys
et de L'Aigle). When the first World War broke out many French Martinists from abroad
returned to France. Dupré was mobilized and Sémélas settled in Paris where he became a
close friend of Papus. According to the French T.M.O. , Papus and Sémélas pondered on the
idea of replacing the 'Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose-Croix' by the 'Rose-Croix d’Oriënt’ as
the inner order (Cercle intérieur) of the Martinist Order. As we've seen before, the OKR+C
almost went dormant after the death of Stanislas de Guaita in 1897. The French T.M.O also
claims that Démétrius P. Sémélas was involved in the negotiations between the 'Ordre
Martiniste' and the masonic 'Rite Ecossais Rectifié', the Rectified Scottish Rite (see also Page
28). It is claimed that Papus requested D.P. Sémélas to draw up a 'Protocol of Agreement'
between the Martinist Order and the Rectified Scottish Rite. The T.M.O. claims that D. P.
Sémélas had several conversations with a certain Maxime Macaigne and Edouard de
Ribaucourt (1865-1936), founder of the 'Centre des Amis' Lodge (1910), of the 'Grande Loge
Nationale Indépendante et Régulière' (R.E.R.). The topic of these conversations was the
creation of a lodge that was acceptable to both the Martinist Order as well as the Rectified
Rite of E. de Ribaucourt. The death of Papus (October 25, 1916) prevented the possible
completion of these ideas.
1) Charles Nodier (1780-1844 ) of which is said that he was already involved with a masonic rite called the
"Philadelphes" at a very young age. Supposedly, Nodier also had been a member of the Jacobin Club. In the
early 19th century (1802, probably) Nodier wrote of his affiliation with a secret society he described as "Biblical
and Pythagorean". In 1803 he spent some months in jail after he wrote a critical parody on Napoleon.After his
imprisonment he published a book called "La Peintre de Salzbourg, journal des emotions d'un coeur souffrant,
suivi des Meditations du cloitre". As a writer Nodier published various titles but one of his most curious and
influential works was published anonymously ; "A History of Secret Societies in the Army under Napoleon". In
this book Nodier does not clarify whether he is writing pure fiction or pure fact. In any case, Nodier develops in
disguised allegories, a comprehensive philosophy of secret societies. According to Nodier, the 'supreme' secret
society is called the "Philadelphes", but, as he explains, an oath binds him to make them known under their real
name. One of the 'key-figures' Nodier speaks about is "Eliasin". Eliphas Levi spoke also about 'the One who was
to come that would be named Eliasi'n. In 1824 Charles Nodier was appointed Chief Librarian at the famous
Arsenal Library. "During his 20 years at the Arsenal Library he was able to supply a centre and rallying place to
a knot of young literary men of greater individual talent than himself - the so-called Romanticists of 1830- and to
colour their tastes and work very decidedly with his own predilections" ( source : "Timeline of the Authentic
Tradition; 1816-1825). He became "the Source" for such young artists as Victor Hugo, Honoré de Balzac,
Dumas, Delacroix, Gerard de Nerval etc. many of these writers (Hugo, Balzac) and painters were Martinists and
members of "Hermetic-Rosicrucian Circles" who drew heavily on the Hermetic tradition in their works. Charles
Nodier was assisted by Jean Baptiste Pitois, aka ' Paul Christian' . Both men sorted the complete Arsenal library
in the 1830's and claimed to have made interesting discoveries daily. Also at the time, Charles Nodier was
elected a member of "The Academy". Nodier was also in contact at the time with Alphonse Louis Constant,
better known as Eliphas Levi. On Januari 27, 1844 , Charles Nodier died. Nodier is also listed as a Grand
Master of the highly controversial "Prieure de Sion". As stated earlier, The Arsenal Library was incorporated in
the National Library of Paris in 1934. The complete original library is incorporated as a special Department of
the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris ...
17
1891 ORDRE DES SUPÉRIEURS INCONNUS, Ordre des S:::I:::
short summary on the events leading up to the foundation :
1884; Papus started to initiate candidates into 'Martinism'. In 1887 (specific dates vary +)
Papus meets Chaboseau ; developments for a "Martinist organization" were realized. In 1887
the name "ORDRE MARTINISTE" turns up for the first time. Febr., 1889, Official proclamation
of the "ORDRE MARTINISTE", published in the review
"l' Initiation". On September 9-16, 1889, the 'CONGRÈS SPIRITE et SPIRITUALISTE
INTERNATIONAL' was held in the 'rue Cadet 16, in Paris.On this congress Papus started
with his plans for the ACTUAL realization of "L' ORDRE MARTINISTE", as we know the Order
today. In 1889 there were already 27 Martinist-Lodges in France, 33 in Germany, 36 in
America, and 9 in Sweden. In March,1891 a supreme council of 12 members was officially
installed. Papus founded a Martinist order under the name of "ORDRE DES SUPÉRIEURS
INCONNUS" in three degrees ;
• ASSOCIÉ
• INITIÉ
• ADEPTE
The title of the 3th grade, 'Adepte' is known since the beginning of the 20th century as
"SUPERIEUR INCONNU" The Order added on a later date the 4th Degree, being the grade
of "FREE ADEPT" date (in 1911 the 4th degree appeared in "L'Initiation") ; the 4th degree is
known today as "Free Initiator" or S.I.I. / S.I. IV (sometimes also known as the Unknown
Philosopher degree. + for the most I've used dates as given by the "ORDRE MARTINISTE
DE PAPUS", the original order revived in 1952 by Papus' son, Dr.Philippe Encausse Another
source regarding the degrees of the O:::M::: is Edouard Blitz' Martinist manual "Ritual and
Monitor of the Martinist Order". The manual was published on April 2, 1896 by permission of
the Supreme Counsil under Papus. The manual describes the Degree-system as follows :
First Temple :
• ASSOCIATE (Philosophic)
• INITIATE (Mystic)
• S:::I::: (Kabbalistic)
• S:::I::: (Administrative)
Second Temple
• Vth Degree
• Vith Degree
• VIIth Degree
- More information on the Degrees and the rituals is given in the Chapter concerned.
Source : "Ritual and Monitor of the M.'.O.'." , Dr.Edouard Blitz, General Delegate of the
Supreme Counsil of the Martinist Order of the U.S.A. , 1ST edit. April 2, 1896
According to Papus and Chaboseau, Louis Claude de Saint-Martin had intended to establish
a rite of seven degrees in 1780. These grades were; 1. Apprenti, 2. Compagnon, 3. Maître, 4.
Maître Parfait, 5. Elu, 6. Ecossais, 7. Sage. Finally the degrees were reduced to three
degrees; Associé, Initié, and Adepti. The third degree eventually became the "S:::I:::",
"SUPERIEUR INCONNU" -degree. As mentioned earlier on in this chapter, "Papus claimed to
have come into possession of the original papers of De Pasqually and to have been given
authority by his friend Henri Viscount Delaage, who claimed that his maternal grandfather had
been initiated into the order by Saint-Martin himself, and who attempted to revive the order in
1887". (source; "Ordre Martiniste des Pays-Bas"). The order mentioned here as being the
order of Saint-Martin, is the controversial "Rectified Rite of Saint-Martin". The subject whether
Saint-Martin established a rite or not, has always been at all points debatable. Again, as
th
A.E.Waite states at the beginning of the chapter, there existed a rite in the 18 century called
"Ecossais Rectifie de Saint-Martin". The rite arose at the time at the "Lodge -or- Chapter of
St.Theodore of Metz". But, as Waite explains, the rite was based on the christian legend of
Saint-Martin, Bishop of Tours. Allegedly there lived a man in the 4th century A.D. in France
also called Saint-Martin, which was used as a "historical source" for a masonic body under
18
the name of "Rectified Rite of Saint-Martin" (A.E. Waite "a new Encyclopaedia of
Freemasonry"). The Official installation of the first Martinist Counsil, which consisted of 12
men, was proclaimed in March, 1891. These 12 men were all well known occultists, which
knew each other from other esoteric organizations they were involved with. Some of them
belonged to the " Fraternité Hermétique de Louxor' (Hbof L) and the"OKR+C", others being
Masons of different obediences, mostly Hermetic rites and High Grades.
*except for Oswald Wirth all members of the "Supréme Conseil de la Rose+Croix" (OKR+C)
of 1891 were represented in the Martinist council. I've already explained in a previous chapter
that the OKR+C was connected to the Martinist Order. After the Martinist S.I. degree most of
the members joined the "Ordre kabbalistique de la Rose+Croix" to increase their knowledge
of the Kabbalah.
Both Maurice Barrès and Joséphin Péladan soon left the Martinist Counsil (Péladan for
obvious reasons, see chapter "1888-OKR+C"), and they were replaced by Marc Haven
(Dr.Lalande) and Victor-Emile Michelet (1861-1938). Michelet would later found the
"ASSOCIATION DES AMIS DE PÉLADAN" (1920 -1) and "ORDRE MARTINISTE
TRADITIONNEL" (1931 OMT/TMO).
In 1893 Pierre-Augustin Chaboseau surrendered his seat in the Supreme Council of the
Martinist Order. Chaboseau had been the chief-editor of the review 'Le Voile d'Isis' and
secretary of the editorship of the review Psyché, after which he decided to distance himself
from the Martinist Order. It is stated that Chaboseau, who's been described as a man of
action, was not fascinated by the (speculative) work within the Order's lodges. Chaboseau
stated that "all knowledge is useless, useless and selfish, if others cannot immediately benefit
from this knowledge" (freely transl. from the original French quote by Chaboseau: Toute
connaissance, disait-il « est inutile, vaine et égoïste, qui ne peut profiter immédiatement au
bien des autres » ). In 1893 he stopped attending the Order's lodge-meetings and became
involved in the propagation of i.a. emancipated ideas (through his writings). In the early
1900's he became a member of the socialist movement. Unlike Papus, Chaboseau had been
accepted by the Grand Orient as a Freemason. Chaboseau was a member of the French
lodge 'l'Action Socialiste' of the 'Grand Orient de France' (Apprentice, 1907) an later received
the 3th degree at the 'loge du Foyer Maçonnique'. He left this lodge in 1919 to become a
member of the co-masonic Order 'Le Droit Humain'. Out of respect, Chaboseau was never
replaced by Papus within the Supreme Council of the Martinist Order. Right from the
beginning the "ORDRE MARTINISTE" proved to be internationally successful. It is generally
known that Papus was a skilful organizer and 'manager' in his time. Like the "THEOSOPHIC
SOCIETY" the Martinist Order had branches all over the world. In the 1890's the order had
lodges in cities like London (U.K., 2 Lodges), Brussels, Antwerp (Belgium, 3 Lodges),
Amsterdam, Muenich (Germany, 3 Lodges), Warschaw, St.-Petersburg (Russia, 2 Lodges),
Vienna, Rome, Barcelona (Spain, 3 Lodges), New-York (USA, 37 Lodges), Quebec, Port
Saïd, and countries like Panama, Cuba (1), Italy (8), Egypt (1), Argentina (7), Sweden (9),
Denmark (1), Bohemia (1), Rumania (1), Switzerland (2), Tunesia (1), Colombia (1). In 1896
th
Papus published -in a letter to Edouard Blitz (dated June 26 ) the following list of 'Protectors'
or the 'Honorary Committee of International Directors' :
• His Majesty King Oscar II
• Her Majesty the Queen of Romania
• Dr. Gérard Encausse (Papus) - France
• Dr. von Hartman - Austria, Occultist
• Dr, Lehman-Hohenbert - Germany, Writer
• Dr. Th. Schäfer - Germany, famous Mason
• Edward Maisland - England, Mystic
• Dr. Niels Sjobert - Sweden, Mystic FreeMason
• Dr. Eugène H. Schmitt - Hungary, Sociologist
• H. A. Sabro - Norway, Journalist
• Peter Davidson - United States, Mystic
• Sylvestre C. Gould - United States, Scientist
• Prof. Carl Michelsen - Denmark - Scientist
19
The following 'Martinist-memberlist' consists of the order's most famous members who were
involved in occultism during a period otherwise known as the "La belle epoque";
• Baron Spedalieri and Maria Rosa Tommasi (Italy), George Montière, Stevenard,
Caminade, Gary de Lacroze (also a member of Péladan's "Ordre de la Rose-Croix
Catholique et Esthetique du Temple et du Graal"), George Vitoux, Mdm de Wolska,
M.Letoquart (New York), Julius Zeier and Gustav Meyrink (Lodge "Der Blauen Stern"), La
Plata and Girgois (Argentina), René Philipon (better known under his pseudonym Jean
Tabris), Emma Calvé (mistress of Jules Bois, honorary member), Marie-Anne de Bovet,
Alfredo Eymerich de Aldao (Spain), Peter Davidson (co-founder of the "Hermetic
Brotherhood of Luxor"), Leopold Engel (Berlin, founder of the "World League" in 1893, co-
founder of 'Union of German Occultists', co-leader "Ordo Illuminati"), Theodor Reuss (O.I,
M.M., O.T.O.), Arnoldo Krumm-Heller ('active' in South-America,would later found the
F.R.A. ), Alphonso de Wallen, Carl Michelsen and Carl William Hansen (Denmark,
Hansen ,aka Ben Kadosh, Grand Master of the Danish Martinists incl. the Kabbalistic
Order of the Rose+Cross), Olga de Moussine-Puchkin, Levchine, Valerius Mouraviev-
Amurski, Mdm Golovine (adorer of Raspoutin, all members of the lodge in St.Petersburg,
Russia), Pierre Bardy, René Guénon, Demesthenos Verzato (Egypt), Clément de Saint-
Marq (Belgium, also a member of Péladan's order and writer of i.a. "L'Eucharistie" ),
Dr.Edouard Blitz ('Le Souverain Délégate' of the U.S.A.)
source : Marcel Roggemans, Belgium
• Other well known Martinists: Novikov, Sar Hieronymous (Emile Dantinne), Eliphas
Levi, A.E. Waite, H.P. Blavatsky, John Yarker, J.I. Wedgwood, Franz Bardon (Eloïs),
Victor Blanchard, Honorè Balzac, Pamela Coleman Smith, Margaret Peeke, Czar
Nicholas II of Russia, Emma Calve *, Harvey Spencer- and Ralph M.Lewis, Jollivet-
Castelot, Joannie (Jean) Bricaud, Constant Chevillon, Robert Ambelain, Armand
Toussaint, Robert Amadou, Jean Dubuis, Raymond Bernard, Emilio Lorenzo, …
• Rosa Emma Calve was a famous French singer and was made a 'honorary member' of
Papus' Ordre Martiniste on November 11, 1892 in Paris. She was also a friend of the
priest Saunière (The "Rennes le Chateau" mystery) and mistress of Jules Bois. The
friendship between Emma and Saunière is considered to be an "invention" of Pierre
Plantard.The document Emma received (a 'Diplome d'Honneur' ) can be found at
http://www.rennes-le-chateau.com/Anglais/Calve2.htm
Rennes le Chateau -Emma Calve 'Superieur Inconnu' -
(1) the "ASSOCIATION DES AMIS DE PÉLADAN" was founded in 1920 by Victor-Emile Michelet, as a 'circle of
friends of Péladan'. The association was not an order. Its purpose was to study the works of Joséphin Péladan. Some
of their members were ; Mdm Péladan, Gabriel Boissy, Albert de Pouvourville, G.L.Tautain, Edouard Willermoz,
Maurice Venoize and Maurice Gallard. Speaking of Péladan, not unimportant to know is that Joséphin Péladan was
the Grand Master of the 'officially registered' "ORDER OF THE TEMPLE OF JERUZALEM", founded by Jacques de
Molay. De Molay's first successor was a Jean-Marc de Larmeny (1314-1324). Péladan's presuccessor was H.M.
Edward VII, Prince of Wales and King of England (1873-1910). Péladan's successor was H.M. Wilhelm II, Emperor of
Germany (1910-1915). source: Marcel Roggemans, Belgium. In 1893, the Martinists of Lyon received the complete
archives of J.B. Willermoz' C.B.C.S., 'Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte', and the archives of the ELUS
COHEN temple of Lyon. Brother Cavarnier received the archives from the widow of Joseph Pont, the latter being the
successor of Willermoz. " By the mediation of M. Elie Steel, a bookseller of Lyons, Papus was placed in
communication with Cavernier, and was enabled to copy the principal documents". Papus regarded the gift as an
event of major importance. In 1908 Papus, with the help of Detre (Papus' secretary) and Blanchard (secretary-
general of the congress), organized the "The Masonic and Spiritualist Congress" (' Congres Maconnique Spiritualiste'
) at the temple of the "DROIT HUMAIN" (French co--Masonic order, 'Ordre Macon Mixte le Droit Humain'), as stated
before. One of the aims of the congress, in all probability, was to establish an international federation of esoteric
(masonic) rites and orders. Victor Blanchard referred to it as "the first autonomous Congress of Occultism" in his
opening discourse. We know that Papus had a dream to 'unite all orders' under one 'Universal Rite', so to speak.
Papus' dream was never actually realized, due to the war which was at hand and his premature death.One of Papus'
associates on the Congress, Theodor Reuss from Germany, organized a 'World Congress of Freemasons' in Zurich
during the summer of 1920 which was analogous to the congress of 1908. Reuss' main objective was also to
establish an 'International Union of Freemasons' (which -also- failed ; see "1934-1951 F.U.D.O.S.I." and Peter
R.Koenig's "Veritas Mystica Maxima or …" at http://www.cyberlink.ch/~koenig/consider.htm
In my notes on Reuss' 1920 congress there's a reference (-Robert Vanloo) to Papus federation of orders, under the
name of "Federation Maconnique Universelle".
In 1907 Rene Guenon is initiated into Martinism. Rene Guenon is recognized today as one of
the great Christian mystics of the 20th century. Before Guenon became a member of the
"Ordre Martiniste", he had taken several classes of one of Papus' organizations, probably the
"ECOLE HERMETIQUE". He was also initiated into the "Antient and Primitive Rite of
20
Memphis-Mizraim" at the "Humanidad-Lodge 204" on October 25, 1907. On April 10, 1908
Guenon was raised to the 3th degree of Master Mason. Guenon also was also ordained as a
Bishop of the Gnostic Church as Tau Palingénius. He was consecrated somewhere between
1907 and 1910, the exact date is unknown to me (probably 1909, see "1890 Eclessia
Gnostica"). In 1908 on the 'Congres Maconnique Spiritualiste'. Guenon was one of the
members of the organization. Apparently Guenon left the audience when Papus expressed
the concept of reincarnation in his openingspeech, because he considered this concept a
false notion. At the congress Guenon received the 30* (Knight Kadosh) and 90* of the M.'.M.'.
from Reuss. Guenon came in conflict with Papus and his associates when Guenon and Victor
Blanchard tried to establish a Templar order, "Ordre du Temple Rénové" of which Guenon
would be the Grand Commandeur and which i.a. included the Bro. Blanchard and Marc
Haven. On March 26, 1909, Papus 'forced' the Martinists to make their choice between
Guenon's Templar order and the 'Ordre Martiniste'. The order was short-lived, and Guenon
and his followers broke with Papus. Apparently, Blanchard 'broke' with Guenon (note: there
are sources which claim that this was not the Victor Blanchard of the later 'Ordre Martiniste &
Synarchique') Guenon did not break with Masonry,on the contrary. At the times, René
Guenon was also a close friend of Barlet, of whom Guenon received a considerable part of
his knowledge of the teachings of such orders as the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor and the
OKR+C. Barlet even entrusted Guenon with the insignia and documents of the OKR+C, Ordre
Kabbalistique de la Rose+Croix. In 1925 Guenon meets a L.A. Charbonneau-Lassay.
Through Charbonneau-Lassay he comes in contact with various isolated Christian-Hermetic
groups (i.a. Fraternite de Paraclete). In 1927 Guenon contacted the "FRATERNITE DES
POLAIRES" …
(see Chapter "1908 – Fraternite des Polaires").
In 1911 Bricaud's "L'Eglise Gnostique Universelle" became the "official" church of Papus'
"Ordre Martiniste". The Supreme Council had issued a decree of recognition. As mentioned
before, The intention of the "Ordre Martiniste", as founded by Papus and Chaboseau, was to
act as a preliminary order and gateway to Higher Degrees and teachings. We already have
seen that many Martinists, who'd received the S:::I::: -degree, would join the OKR+C to study
the Kabbalah and the Occult arts on a higher level (as mentioned before, Papus originally had
the 'Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor' in mind for this purpose). During Papus' lifetime there
existed Martinist Lodges which conferred 'Higher Degrees of a para-Masonic character' (see
"The Degrees and Rituals of the 'Ordre Martiniste"). The desire of Papus and his associates
was to return to the "veritable Martinism of the 18th. century", in other words, a Martinist
Order consisting of 3 "exterior" Degrees, followed by Higher Degrees which incorporated the
"Elus Cohen", and the curriculum of the OKR+C, and "Memphis-Misraim". Also incorporated
was Joannie (Jean) Bricaud's " L'Eglise Gnostique Universelle" as the official church of the
order. In 1914 Papus and Teder (C.Detre) approached Dr.Ribeaucourt, Grand Master of the
R.E.R., "Rite Ecossais Rectifié" (Scottish Rectified Rite). As stated before, the R.E.R.
included Willermoz' "C.B.C.S". , 'Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte' , which had
connections to Baron Von Hund's "Stricte Observance" (Willermoz had implemented the
teachings of the E.C. within the rite of "Stricte Observance" in 1777).They came to an
agreement with Ribeaucourt to create a Martinist Grand Chapter, which would be composed
exclusively of High Degree Masons. The Martinist Grand Chapter would act as a "bridge"
between the O:::M::: and the R.'.E.'.R.'. Unfortunately for the M:::O::: Grand Chapter, the
war, the death of Papus in 1916, and especially the change of Grand Mastership of the
R.'.E.'.R.'., brought an end to the initiative of Papus, Teder (Charles Détre), and
Dr.Ribeaucourt. In 1914 Papus allegedly tried to establish connections with "L'ORDRE DU
LYS ET DE L'AIGLE " ('the Order of the Lily & the Eagle'. See also Page 21), founded in
Egypt by Maria Routchine-Dupre, also known as Dea, with the help of Dimitri Sémélas-Déon.
Eugéne Dupré was the head of the O:::M::: in Egypt. Dimitri Sémélas (Déon) was the founder
of the Rose-Croix d'Oriënt (1912), and the initiator of Géorges Bogé de Lagrèze (see Chapter
"1914 L'ORDRE DU LYS ET DE L'AIGLE").Papus' whole life had been centered around the
development of the Martinist Order. He created an order, the "Ordre Martiniste" ('L'Ordre des
Supérieurs Inconnus' ), he promoted Martinism all over the world and kept the order united
during his lifetime. When Papus died in 1916, the unity of the order died with him … Charles
Détre (Téder, 1855-1918) succeeded Papus as Grand Master of the O:::M:::
Not much is known about the short of Téder's 'reign'. We know that when Jean Bricaud
succeeded Téder after his death in 1918 the unity of the order really bursted, but the
21
succession of Papus by Téder was also disputed by several high-ranking Martinists.
According to one source, in "l'Encyclopédie de la Franc-Maconnerie, ED. 2000", Papus even
seem to have wished that Ernest Loiselle, the Librarian of the Supreme Council, would
disband the Martinist Order !
1) It is claimed that Blitz had written new rituals for the M:::O::: in, or around, 1901. These
were the rituals that Téder supposedly adapted.
"But what caused the shrinking of Papus' authority within the Order ?"
Without doubt, Papus was, and still is, seen as a brilliant and great organizer who'd achieved
in presenting the Martinist Order as a coherent and structural international organization. But if
we analyse the period of Papus' reign ("officially" between 1891 and 1916) there's no talk of a
constant coherent Order doctrine and teachings. The doctrines of the Order developed over
time. In the 1890's Papus and his associates were merely focused on creating an umbrella-
organization which included all the occult and esoteric currents of the Western Mystery
Tradition under the banner of the Martinist Order. At the time, Papus' main interest was
occultism (Kabbala, Symbolism, Magic etc.), later, after he met Philippe de Lyon ('Maitre
Philippe, 1849-1905), Papus' interest turned more towards (Christian) mysticism. In short: The
Martinist Order had to start from scratch (in a manner of speaking), and grew steadily, along
with its leaders. In the beginning Papus established the 'Groupe Indipendant d'Etudes
Esoteriques' where occultism was studied, he declared that the G.I.D.E.E. was the outer court
of the Martinist Order. Later the G.I.D.E.E. became the 'Ecole Hermetique' etc., all signs of an
organization in development. A fine example of the, sometimes slow, developments within the
Martinist Order is the corpus of letters of Dr. Edouard Emanuel Blitz ((1860-1915)), the
Sovereign National Delegate for America, to Dr. Gérard Emcausse (Papus): For instance,
Blitz responding to a letter from Sédir, January 9, 1902, states:
"Finally, in ending this I tell you, that from 1896 or '97 I prayed, begged Papus not to
compromise the whole Order by creating some clandestine Masonic Rite; I prayed and
begged him to send some teachings for our members... we were promised everything,
teachings, a copy of the archives, new degrees, etc... but nothing was ever realized. We
finally came to the conclusion that the Order in France is a myth, that the Supreme Council ...
functions only in the astral... For my part, I hope that my initiates decide to abandon this new
Taxilian Order to permit me to pursue more serious matters. If, however, [the Supreme
Council] wants to give the Order a real, solid base... my 'providential documents' will be put to
use... in this whole affair, I sought only to work for the good of the Order."
(Edouard Blitz & American Martinism / Scottish Rite Research Society?transl. T.Vincent II)
As Papus' interests changed towards mysticism (after 1898), the Ordre Martiniste came to
occupy an increasingly important place in Papus' Occultist movement, "since the Christian
illuminism it espoused meshed quite well with its leader's new sensibility." ("The Esoteric:
Crossing Over" Institute for Sociology and the History of Ideas ). But several of the original dignitaries
alienated themselves from Papus and his Order. In 1907 Victor-Emile Michelet retired from
the Martinist Order and in 1910 Sédir, one of Papus' closest associates, left the Martinist
Order. Many members of the Martinist Order joined the School of Magnetism of Henri Durville
(see "Fudosi Orders & Societies: 1850-1900 France").
22
In 1911 the Martinst Rituals of Téder are published; in reality -as stated on Page 27 - the
rituals were probably written by Edouard Blitz. Blitz had written these rituals in 1900/1901 and
had sended them in 1901 to Papus. In September 1912 the final edition of "L'Initiation" is
published, a triple-edition combining the issues of July, August and September 1912.
Papus apparently had a presentiment at the time about the dark clouds which gathered
together above the horizon of Europe. He 'prophecied' the forthcoming First World War in
several writings of his around 1912-1913. He became more and more involved with the issue
of social reformations, politics, and his views on this subject which were, of course, based on
the philosophy of his "Intellectual Master", St-Yves d'Alveydre… …
The original intention of Papus and his associates was to create one central Order which
unified all Occult orders in the spirit of John Yarker and Theodor Reuss. The Martinist Order
Papus created with its 'original' three degrees was ment as a preliminary order to "to prepare
its members for entry into an Order that could confer an authentic initiation on those who
showed themselves able to receive it ". In 1888 the "Higher Order", as foreseen by Papus,
was the "Fraternité Hermétique de Louxor", the H.B.of L. Eventuelly, for reasons unknown to
me, the "Higher Order" became the "Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose+Croix", the OKR+C. In
1893 the Martinist Order had obtained the original archives of Willermoz' C.B.C.S. and the
archives of the "Elus Cohen" of Lyon. Later on Papus also incorporated the Memphis-Mizraim
rite into his organization. The whole rite was connected with the L'Eglise Gnostique
Universelle, the Gnostic Church, which acted as the official church of the "Ordre Martiniste",
thus creating a Martinist Order which had High Degrees of an Occult character, which were
connected with practical Kabbalah and Esoteric Masonry... "The Martinist Order is an active
center for initiation. It was established with the purpose to disseminate widely the teachings of
Occultism, according to the ways of the Western Christian tradition."(Papus). At the end of his
life Papus had created an order which reminded of the Martinism of the 18th century, a
system which incorporated Occult High Degrees. When Papus died the M*O* had more than
160 regular Lodges all over the world. In 1918, when the smoke had cleared, the most
th
important figures from the 19 century occult movement were all gone; Papus, Péladan, De
Guaita …. "But the visions they had nurtured remained…" In the eyes of the French
visionairies mankind stood at the dawn of a new period in time, a period which awaited the
long-expected Kingdom of the Paraclete ….
23
The M:::O::: ABROAD
RUSSIA
In 1897 (July 30th ) Papus initiated Russian violinist Olga de Moussine-Pouchkine ("Hathor")
into the Martinist "Supérieur Inconnu" degree. In 1899 Mme de Moussine-Pouchkine is
nominated as "Grand Maître de l'Ordre Martiniste" for Russia.
In 1901 Papus visited Russia, accompanied by his 'spiritual teacher", Maitre de Philippe
(Anthelme Philippe Nizier, 1842-1905) from Lyon. Together they visited Czar Nicolas II of
Russia. In 1900, supposedly, Maitre Philippe had already been in contact with Grand Duke
Wladimir through Papus. Whether Papus did initiate the Czar is not sure, because Martinism
had already been introduced in Russia by Prince Kourakine. Saint Martin's first propagandist
in the 18th century was Johann Georg Schwarz, who was born in Transylvania and who
sought to reorient the Russian (masonic) lodges on the basis of both the Rosicrucian system
and Saint-Martin's Lyon Reformation. Saint-Martin's philosophy had been quit successful in
Russia at the time, due to Saint-Martin's affinity with the theosophical philosophy of Jacob
Böhme. Kourakine had been initiated into Martinism by Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, when
Kourakine represented his country in France as a diplomat. Kourakin introduced Martinism in
Russia as the initiator of Nicolas Ivanovitch Novikov ( 1744 - 1818 ). Nicolai Novikov was a
writer, publisher and dignitary of French Masonry and of the Rosicrucians (18th century
German Gold-and Rosycross) in Russia. Nevertheless it is quite possible that Papus initiated
the Czar into his "Ordre Martiniste". According to James Webb in "the Occult Establishment",
Papus installed the Czar as the head of a Martinist Lodge. Papus served the Czar and his
wife, Czarina Alexandra, both as physician and occult consultant. According to the "Ordre
Martiniste des Pays-Bas" Papus "allegedly conjured up the spirit of Alexandre III, Czar
Nicholas' father, who prophesied that the Czar would meet his downfall at the hand of
revolutionaires. Papus allegedly informed the Czar that he would be able to magically avert
Alexander's prophesy so long as he was alive (Czar Nicholas was executed in 1917, 141
days after Papus' death). This story is most likely untrue, because many sources state that at
that time Papus was not even in Russia. There are no entries in Papus' diary on the supposed
conjuration. Marc Haven (Dr.Lalande), Papus' partner at the time even wrote an official
'Dementi' ( denial ). Papus would visit Russia again twice, in 1905 and 1906. "During their
later correspondence, Papus warned the Czar and his wife a number of times against the
influence of Rasputin. In 1910 Dr.Czinski is appointed Sovereign Delegate of the Russian
Martinist Order. The advisor of State, Gregoire Ottonovich de Mébés presides over the
opening of a new Lodge in St.Petersburg.
AMERICA
In America the Order was represented by Edouard Blitz, who was the "Souverain Délégate"
for the 'Ordre Martiniste' in America. Blitz was born in Belgium and was a Jewish emigrant,
descending from the 'old' Martinists. Blitz was also an initiate of the 'Chévaliers Bienfaisants
de la Cité Sainte' and of 'Memphis-Misraim'. He was the direct successor of the 'Elus Cohen',
being the successors of Antoine Pont in America.On June 21, 1902 Blitz broke with the
Martinists in France and founded the "AMERICAN RECTIFIED MARTINIST ORDER". It is
said that Blitz did not want to be associated with a Martinist Order that had 'changed' to a
quasi-Masonic rite. On June 2, 1902 a General Convocation was held in Cleveland, Ohio,
where an official 'Manifesto' was issued by Blitz' Council. The 'American Manifesto' referred,
amongst others, to certain hidden Grades within Blitz' Rite "which came out of that marriage
between Martinism and the Rite of the Strict Observance", thus A.E.Waite in his
'Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry". After the foundation of the "Ordre Martiniste" with its three
Degrees in 1891, through the years the O:::M::: would develop into an order which also
conferred higher degrees upon their members. Being a 'regular' Mason himself, Blitz did not
want to be associated with an order that could be considered clandestine by regular,
legitimate Masonry. Blitz was replaced by Margaret B.Peeke, who was chosen by the
'Supreme Council'. After the 'American Manifesto' was published, the Supreme Counsil in
Paris replied with an 'Edict from the East' which was published in a periodical called "Star in
the East". The Edict 'rectified' certain decisions of the former President and his Delegates and
furthermore there was an official announcement regarding Peeke's authorization as
'Inspectrice Générale de l'Ordre pour les Etats-Unis' (Inspectress-General). When Peeke died
in 1908 she was replaced by the French Supreme Coucil with François L. Gauthey of New
York, with the title of Delegate General for the USA. Gauthey received his diploma on 19
24
February 1909. Due to lack of assistance from France, the American Martinist Order died out
in the U.S.A. Blitz' "American Rectified Martinist Order" was only accessible to Masons. Both
branches became extinct in the first decades of the 20th century. Blitz proclaimed he held a
direct lineage to De Pasqually and Saint-Martin, through the R.E.R. (Régime Écossais
Rectifié" or "Rectified Scottish System), which included the C.B.C.S., and the "Ordre
Interieure", which were transmitted by the 'Grand Priory of Helvetia' in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to Papus' son, Philippe Encausse, Blitz died somewhere between 1920 and 1924.
But we know though Harold V.B. Voorhis -from a paper he delivered at the Annual Meeting of
the Grand College of Rites held in Washington, D.C. on 20 February 1943 - that Blitz accurate
date of Blitz' death was February 10, 1915. One of the S.I.IV's (Martinist Initiator) from the
Peeke lineage was George Plummer (Herodotus), who was in touch with Dr.Edward Brown
and his "Temple of the Rosy Cross" from 1899 onwards, Brown being the successor of
Pascal Beverly Randolph. Plummer was also one of the leaders of Gould's restructured
S.R.I.A. in 1912. Plummer's successor as head of the S.R.I.A. in America was "Mother
Serena", who was also a S.I.IV from Peek's lineage. Another occultist which helped
introducing Martinism to America was, as mentioned before, Peter Davidson of the Hermetic
Brotherhood of Luxor. Davidson represented the "ORDRE MARTINISTE" during his
'American period' in the H.B.of L. colony in Georgia, USA. He also published a journal for the
members of the Fraternite de L'Etoile, of which Davidson was the head of the American
branch. Apparently this journal, the "Morning Star", acted as the official journal of the Martinist
Order in America for a short period of time… As mentioned before, in 1909 the official
Martinist journal in America is called "Treshold ". Blitz did not accept Davidson as a Martinist
due to his activities and the H.B. of L., which Blitz did not 'recognize', to put it mildly. In spite
of th efforts of Blitz, and later Peeke as well as Gauthey, the Martinist Order died out in the
U.S.A. There was a constant lack of "documents necessary to faciliate the operation of the
Order", as Gauthey put it in a letter -dated January 2, 1912 - addressed to Papus. All the
material was in French (as most still is today), no translations were made available to the
English speaking communities overseas, in other words: The Martinist Order in the U.S.A. did
not have its teachings, its doctrines or whatsoever. Like Blitz stated in a letter written to
Papus, dated April 2, 1901: "..aside from the little summary of a ritual, I have never received
the least instruction"
~ AMERICAN MARTINIST ORDER ~
Copie of a circular distributed by Blitz addressed to the American delegates in 1902:
The Supreme Council of the Martinist Order residing in Paris, France, in its recent « REGLEMENT
ADMINISTRATIF » for Lodges and Delegations,
1) - Having laid down a plan of work, which the greatest majority of our Members are unable to
follow owing to certain obligations taken freely and voluntarily in other Fraternities, thereby causing the
entire Order to be confounded with so-called c l a n d e s t i n e associations by persons unacquainted
with our work in America ;
2) - After repeated respectful remonstrances and final ultimatum presented by the Sovereign-
delegate-General for this continent in regard to the irregularity and illegal character of such dangerous
and dishonorable innovation, the President of the Supreme council of France, speaking in behalf of that
Assembly, having declared his unwillingness to amend the said « REGLEMENT ADMINISTRATIF » in
order that our Brethren be permitted to act honorably to themselves and the other institutions of which
they share the rights and benefits of membership ; and
3) - The Grand Master, President of the said Supreme Council, having threatened, in a private
letter to his Sovereign-Delegate-General, to dissolve all Martinist formation throughout the World rather
than to allow the America Branch to refuse recognition of the Supreme Council of France, or declare its
own independance ;
Therefore it is deemed meet and proper that the undersigned should, and the Sovereign-
Delegate-General, President of the Grand Council of America, does herby call a GENERAL
CONVOCATION of the Martinist Order in America to be held in some central city in the United States
(probably Cleveland, Ohio) the time and place to be designated within next 30 days, after conferring by
correspondence with the different Martinist Lodges and Groups, such meeting when convened to take
25
such action in the premises as the seriousness of the occasion and the honorable welfare of the Order
in the Americas may require, and the undersigned would respectfully request that each Martinist
formation send one of its ablest members to such meeting for the purpose of hearing and discussing the
situation created by the arbitrary and unreasonable « Promulgation » of the Supreme Council of France
in its Rules and Regulations for Lodges and Delegations. It is highly desirable that each Martinist
formation should be represented at this meeting in order that each Group may be told word of mouth of
its own representative of the imperative but impossible regulations promulgated as above stated, and
that each lodge or group may be informed by its own representative of the exact character and nature of
the requirements of said « Promulgation ».
When such MEETING shall have convened and the « Promulgation » in its entirety laid before
the Convocation, either one of two courses will be left open to us in this Country :
a) - Either forswear and perjure ourselves who are affiliated with other honorable institutions, or
Resolved : The Grand Council of the Martinist Order in America severs all affiliation with the
Supreme Council of France and all bodies placed under the jurisdiction of the same.
Resolved : The Grand Council of the Martinist Order in America, under the title of « SOVEREIGN-
GRAND-COUNCIL-GENERAL » as heretefore, continues the administration of the Order, according to
its Statutes and Regulations.
Revolved : The Martinist Order placed under the jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Council
General, shall be known as the « AMERICAN MARTINIST ORDER » to distinguish it from that placed
under any other obedience.
You are fraternally requested to cause the present announcement to be read at you next regular
meeting and designate by vote of your lodge or group, the representative who, with yourself or delegate,
will represent your body at the General Convocation which, in all probability, will be held in the month of
June 1902.
[signé] É. Blitz \
ENGLAND
Not much is known of the English Martinists at the time, except for some information A.E.
Waite is giving in his book "A new Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry" (about 1920). According to
Waite, The English Martinists broke with the Supreme Counsil in Paris for similar reasons as
Blitz's. This happened "during the course of 1902", thus Waite. An "INDEPENDENT AND
RECTIFIED RITE OF MARTINISM" was 'officially'constituted. The English "Rectified Rite"
differed from Blitz' Rectified Rite by the fact "that it sought no recognition in Masonic circles
and initiated both sexes. It remained, however, in full sympathy with the Rectified Order, as
this was being propagated in America". The Rite made use of transmuted Rituals and was
divided in Three Degrees ;
• RITE OF DEDICATION
• CEREMONY OF THE TRESHOLD
• RITE OF ORDINATION or of WARRANT
According to Waite, the English Rectified Rite appeared not to be successful and seemed "to
have fallen asleep ..." Waite was, amongst others, a Martinist. He probably received his
"initiation" by communication. Later on in his life, Waite went to Switzerland to receive
initiation into the CBCS , through the help of Edward Blitz, himself a CBCS initiate . According
to the introductory pamphlet of Trophimus' Rose-Croix Martinist Order (Greely, Colorado)
Dion Fortune was also associated to Martinism (Dion Fortune, member of Mather's "Alpha &
Omega", after which she founded the "Society of Inner Light"). There's also some 'evidence'
that William Wynn Wescott (S.R.I.A., one of the founders of the "Hermetic Order of the
Golden Dawn) had received the S.I. degree. The following text is from R.A. Gilbert's "William
Wynn Wescott and the Esoteric School of Masonic Research"; "A note of 1895 in John
26
Yarker’s hand (now in The Yarker Library at Maida Vale) refers to ‘the English version of the
Order of (Le Philosophe Inconnu) Louis Claude St. Martin in Three Grades ‘Ethical’ ",
Translated by W. W. Westcott 1880/1893 from mss. of 1778’. The note adds that ‘Dr. W. W.
Westcott, a member of the Three Grades of the ethical Order of St. Martin, has permission to
give them, without fee to anyone he deems suitable’. This is clearly a reference to L’Ordre
Martiniste, which was founded in 1884 by the French occultist Papus (Dr. Gerard Encausse)
and the rituals of which were produced between 1887 and 1890. If Westcott was translating
Martinist texts in 1880 they were unlikely to have been rituals" (R.A.Gilbert)
In Fr. Fiducius' article "La Venerable figura del Maestro Papus" the writer states that Papus
appointed a "Sovereign General Delegate" among one of the members of a "Masonic
Organization" which had its seat in Manchester. The writer of course refers to the circle
around John Yarker. A "Principal Inspector" is appointed in London and special delegates are
appointed in Southampton, Edinborough, Glasgow, Dublin, and Birmingham, thus Fr.
Fiducius…
GERMANY
On May 9, 1898 a covenant was signed which confirmed an alliance between the Martinist
Order and the Illuminati Order of Leopold Engel from Germany. One of the members of the
I.O. was Reuss. Both Reuss and Papus were members of the T.S. at the time. Other famous
members were Karl Kellner and Gustav Meyrink. Meyrink soon left after some quarrels with
Reuss …On June 24, 1901 Papus chartered Theodor Reuss as Grand Master for Germany.
The title Reuss received as Head of the German Martinists, was Inspecteur Spécial, I.'.M.'. ,
the original warrant ;
Ordre Martinist
Theodor Reuss
Par la Présente Le F.'. Theodor Reuss de Berlin est autorisé à Représenter L'ORDRE à titre de:
Inspecteur Spécial (I.'.M.'.) avec siège à Berlin
[24 Juin 1901] [sign. Papus]
transl.;
Martinist Order
Theodor Reuss
"By these presents Brother Theodor Reuss of Berlin is authorise
d to represent the ORDER under the title of: Inspector General (I.M.) with his seat at Berlin...
24th of June 1901 ... Papus."
It is said that Reuss used a visiting card during the war (14-18) which described him as
A.C.Reuss "Honorary Professor at the High School for Applied Medical Science (University of
France)". Reuss probably referred to Papus' centre for Higher Learning, one the institutions
Papus had established. It seems that Papus' institutions for 'alternative' medical science at
the time were known abroad. Another German living in South-America, Arnoldo Krumm-
Heller, contacted Papus in 1897 for advise. Krumm-Heller, 18 years of age at the time, had
discovered his abilities as a healer and a psychic at a young age. In 1906 he would take part
in certain 'scent-experiments' under the leadership of Papus in Paris. Papus made Krumm-
Heller a 'Honorable Member' of the 'SUPREME CONSEIL D'INITIATION, ORDRE
HUMANITAIRE ET SCIENTIFIQUE POUR LE DEVELOPEMENT DES ETUDES
ESOTERIQUE DE l'ORIENT'. On Januari 24, 1908 an announcement is published in the first
edition of Francois-Charles Barlet's spiritualistic journal "L'Etoile D'Orient - Revue de Hautes
Etudes Psychiques" regarding the foundation of "Centre Esoterique Oriental de France". In
1908 Krumm-Heller apparently was appointed one of the "Delegues Generaux de l'Ordre en
Occident", as a delegate for Germany in Paris. Barlet was the representative in France of a
Albert de Sarâk, a well-known conjuror and swindler at the time. De Sarâk headed the
"CENTRE ESOTÉRIQUE ORIENTAL". In 1902 he had founded the "Oriental Esoteric Center
of the United States of America, under Obedience to the Supreme Esoteric Council of the
Initiates of Tibet". Krumm-Heller was already made a member of the "Initiates of Tibet" in
1902. Barlet joined in 1907, becoming its President for France. But Sarâk was under heavy
attack from the esoteric community. Both Barlet and Krumm-Heller left the disreputable
organization at the end of 1908. Krumm-Heller was initiated in the "Ordre Martiniste" but the
date is unknown (between 1905-1910 probably). It is stated that he was a Martinist (Membre
Titulaire) of Lodge "Hermanubis" , registernumber 192 .
Source; http://www.diax.ch/users/prkoenig/books/rose.htm
"Ein Leben fuer die Rose" Peter R. Koenig
27
At the end of the first decade Krumm-Heller started to establish Lodges in several countries of
South-America under the jurisdiction of Papus. Krumm-Heller was also a member of the
OKR+C. In 1927 he would found his own order, the "Antique Ordo Rosea Crucis", which is
known today as the "FRATERNITAS ROSICRUCIANA ANTIQUA".
BOHEMIA
Baron Adolf Leonardi von Platz, a member of Parliament in the 1890's, asked Papus in a
letter for his approval to establish a Martinist Lodge in Prague. The Baron represented an
“occult circle of friends”. Many of these friends were already a member of Mdm Blavatsky's
TS. The Theosophic circle became Lodge no.12, "Der Blauen Stern" and in 1893 this
Martinist Lodge already had eight S::I:: members, each S.I. leading a group of 10 up to 15
members. "Der Blauen Stern" attracted many intellectuals with an interest in occultism,
among which such personalities as the authors Julius Zeyer and Gustav Meyrink, author of
various esoteric novels and mystic. At the time he was still a bankmanager. After being a
member of many Rosicrucian, Masonic, Martinist, and Theosophic societies, orders, and
brotherhoods, he finally became convinced that the "Truth" could not be found within these
organisations ("superficiality, theistic fanatics !") but were to find within ones heart, thus
Meyrink. The following text is a chapter from Karl Weinfurter's "History of Occultism",
published in 1932, which documents the moment that Leonardi introduced "Martinism" to the
Theosophical "Inner circle" of Meyrink and company. Weinfurter had been a member of a
Martinist Lodge in Bohemia:
"And there during one visit in Prague baron Leonhardi mentioned some delightful news, that
we would be brought into one French occult society. Of this we were overwhelmingly
delighted and we said so. Our task was to read the book by Mabel Colins "Light on the Path"
perhaps to understand it. It it is rather mystical and very deep and I am to this day convinced,
that it wouldn't have been possible for us to have not understood it. We had a good German
translation of this, and we studied it. We debated about its contents and everyone spoke
differently. Leonardi was however content with our discussions, and gave us an additional
taskL we were to study Goethe's text "Unterhaltungen deutscher Ausgewanderter" and read
the "fairy tale" in it. This "fairy tale" represents a broad spectrum of symbols and its exegis is
very difficult. Up until today nobody knows for sure what this great German poet was trying to
say. It was a tough nut, but we simply listened and Leonhardi was content. Then began a
period of waiting. There were always explanations -- until once day Meyrink held a telegram
saying that the baron was coming and that we would be initiated. We had already heard from
the baron that we should each obtain a golden chain from our necks. As it happened though
my pocket was significantly exhausted,and I was embarrassed. But lord "R." a very
sentimental and giving man gave me a chain. And then came the celebratory meeting, in
which would be the "initiation."
The baron brought us a secret pass-word, and a sign, which as is known, allows entry into all
secret occult societies and others, and then he told us that we were entering the order of the
"Unknown Philosopher." This name signifies an adept, or an initiate, and is generally very well
known in a variety of French occult orders. In the end, we all held a small golden medal on
which was in blue enamel decorated a six-pointed star and four specific letters. The reader
should recall, that before I wrote of clairvoiant attempts, in which Leonhardi appeared in a
sceance at Na Porici. I had then seen this very same symbol, that the baron then carried from
his neck. (p. 54)
And it was all. We never heard anything else about this secret order. We never met any other
members besides the baron, and nobody ever knew if this order existed, or if it ever really
existed. We later learned that the baron, in order to amuse us, played a harmeless trick on us.
It is possible, however, that he was actually a member of this order. (Perhaps) We later didn't
want to belong. Subsequently, however, Leonardi recommended the writings of John the
Baptist Kerning, a German freemason, who carried in his rituals and symbolic masonry a road
and which was the last european mystic who published for the public....".
Another interesting document, derived from Emanuel Lesehrad's "In the Steps of Secret
Societies", which was published in 1935, gives a detailed description of the Lodge's (Prague)
work in 1889. This document was distributed among the brothers (among the members of the
Prague-Lodge in 1899 were J.K.P.Drazdak, Hauner, Posche (Emmanuelle), Paul Leppin and
K.Weinfurter).
28
Document ;
News of the movement S::I::
The Highest order set out on a tour of the work of the lodges of its observers. Whoever has any work,
literary or from history, or from occult work (5-6 pages), send it to you initiator and this delegation. Work
for that will be set out at a conference that is gathered in Paris.
Delegat from Kairo was invited in order to write his memorandum about Babyst (a secret society in
Persia) and Br.:: in San Francisco, in order to write a memorandum about secret societies in China, and
also studies from delegats in Annam and Senegal. The lord of Lusignan brought the titul of the protector
"Union Idealiste Universelle." the Lusignan family was always inclinded and closely tied with the
Martinist movement.. Previous princes supported Martinez de Pasqually as Claude de Saint-Martin.
BB:: work with the in collective work and support among the SI order and bb masons of the primitive rite
or Swedenborg, rite of Memphis and all right rites of spritualism, which work now with all organizations
of R+C in Europe and in America. BB:: that are on the other hand bb work on idealized French masonry
that publish the magazine, L'Accacia." CoThe Congress of Spritists and spiritualists in 1900. After S::I::.
R+C+C.there are representatives, Papus, Sedir, Jollivet-Castelot, Ourdeck, Karl Nyssa, S.U. Zanne.
with notes from the capable delagate, Apollonius. Because in May at first will be worked the first place
worked in lectures of the Hermetic faculty in May. Later information will be distributed in later editions.
BB:: shall not forget the support of the peace movement; if any brothers wish to lecture sometime, they
should write to the secretary Amis, who makes the lecture calendar.
"Apollonius".
After Baron Leonardi brought Martinism to Bohemia in 1891(now Czechia ) and the first
proper Lodge was established in Budejovice (Budvar) in 1894, lodges were established in
Prague (1899), Brno, Olomouc (Olmutz), and Prerov. In 1924 a significant Martinist Lodge
was founded by Jan Rebik, Lodge Simeon. This Lodge was run actually by the poet Emanuel
of Lesehrad, and counted among its members the most significant Czech Hermetic, Petr
Kohout, aka Pierre de Lasenic. With the support of Constant Chevillon, the Martinist Lodge
"Paragava" was founded in 1938. Lasenic's death and the Nazi-occupation resulted in the
demise of the Lodges. After Worl War II there were several attempts to renew the Martinist
activities in Czechia. But due to the Communist take over these attempts failed. In 1975 a
new attempt was made when I.Seguret (O*M* de Paris ) came to Prague to participate in the
lodges reconstruction, but the Czechs had to wait a further ten years when there was finally a
succesful attempt when "Lodge Lasenic" was founded (Milan Nakonecny, writer of the book
"Novodoby Hermetismus", published in 1992). Also of interest is the foundation of a "Society
of Czech Hermeticists", named "Universalia" in 1920. "Universalia" was active between the
two World Wars. The association was led by such men as J.S.Kminek, Jan Rebik and Dr.Jan
Kefer, other prominent members were Pierre Lasenic and Frantisec Kabelak. In 1989 the
association was revived, since 1998 the name is changed to "Univerzalia"(Most of the
information on "Bohemia" is translated from original works in the Czech language by a
"Hermeticist ", who's wish it is to remain anonymus). In 2001 Maurice Warnon of the "Ordre
Martiniste des Pays-Bas" (O*M* of the Netherlands) announced the foundation of a Lodge in
Czechia.
BELGIUM
The first Martinist Lodges in Belgium were founded in 1892. Brussels' first and main lodge
was Lodge KVMRIS. The Lodge was led by Francis Vurgey and Nicolas Brossel, the latter
being its President. Evidently the Lodge also represented the Belgian branch of Papus'
G.I.D.E.E. ("Independent Group of Esoteric Studies"). According to Koenig, the G.I.D.E.E. (its
Belgian branch included) carried a line of succession of Fabré-Palaprat's "Order of the
Temple" (1). The Templar-lineage is confirmed by several sources. As a matter of fact, some
state that the KVMRIS-Lodge was directly linked to Fabré-Palaprat's Templar Order. After
Fabré-Palaprat's death in 1838, the neo-Templar Order slowly died out under the direction of
a small group of French and Belgian noblemen. According to these sources, the Orthodox
Templar order died out, but some sort of 'Primitive Christian Church' ("Johannites") that was
attached to the neo-templars continued its activities in secret. At first the members of the
"Order of the Temple" had professed the Roman Catholic religion, but in or about the year
1814, Fabré-Palaprat had obtained possession of a manuscript copy of a "spurious Gospel of
St.John, which is supposed to have been forged in the 15th century". Fabré-Palaprat used the
Gospel, together with an introduction and commentary called the "Levitikon" which was said
to have been written by Nicephorus, to compose a liturgy. The Order established a religious
29
rite which they called "Johannism", or "Johannite Church". Their church propagated the idea
of an "alternative" Apolostic succession from John through the Grand Masters of the
Templars. When the "Order of the Temple" was disbanded, the "Johannite Church" continued
its activities and it is said that out of this church, which was led by French and Belgian
noblemen, evolved a circle of men which would finally establish Lodge KVMRIS. The Gnostic
elements which influenced the works of such lodge-members as Clement de Saint-Marcq
were part of the doctrine of the Johannite church. Papus payed several visits to Brussels by
reason of profession. On May 25, 1892 Papus was invited as a guest of the ULB university
(Université Libre de Bruxelles ) on a conference of Hypnosis. Three days earlier, on May 22,
Papus visited Lodge KVMRIS. Together with the Lodge-members Papus payed a visit to the
statue of Van Helmont in Brussels (Jan Baptista Van Helmont, 1580-1644 ; Alchemist *).After
his visit to the conference at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Papus visited the Antwerp
Lodge VISCVM, which was led by Rosport, on May 26. Papus returned on the same day to
Brussels where he met the mayor of the city at the time, M.Buls.The Brussels Lodge KVMRIS
was very active in the last decade of the 19th century, until Verguy sended in his resignation
to devote his time to personal research. Francis Verguy was also a member of Peladan's
"ORDRE DE LA ROSE-CROIX CATHOLIQUE ET ESTHETIQUE DU TEMPLE ET DU
GRAAL" and a friend of Emile Dantinne ('Sar Hieronymus'). At the time of the 'decline' of the
Brussels Lodge, a new Lodge was established in Liége/Luik (near the Dutch- and German
border in the east of Belgium) under the authority of Fievet. This was Lodge POLLUX'
Rosport, who lead Lodge VISCVM, left Belgium and went to Congo (a Belgian colony at the
time). Rosport died on Januari 10, 1895. One of the Secretaries of Lodge KVMRIS was
Clément de Saint-Marcq (aka Georges Mickaël or Mikaël d'Ams). Clément de Saint-Marcq
was also a member of Peladan's Order ('Ordre de la Rose-Croix Catholique du Temple et du
Graal') and member of Doinel's Gnostic Church. Saint-Marcq was a 'chevalier' ('Knight') in
Peladan's order. In 1906 Saint-Marcq's Gnostic text "L'Eucharistie" was published (2), a text
which made a deep impression on Theodor Reuss. When Rosport left Lodge VISCVM in
Antwerp, Saint-Marcq became his successor. Meanwhile, Lodge KVMRIS was disbanded.
The Martinist movement in Belgium started to decline, soon many members would leave the
order. Many of those who left joined the "Theosophical Society", with the exception of Fievet
of Lodge POLLUX. In 1912 Armand Rombauts received a charter from Papus' order to
establish a Martinist-Lodge in Belgium. Rombauts purpose was to immediately establish a
'Grand Loge Nationale de Belgique' with the significant name "I.N.R.I.". Finally, in 1918 after
the war was finished, The Martinist Order of Belgium came under the responsibility of
Rombauts. Rombauts would play a major role in the foundation of the F.U.D.O.S.I. in 1934.
http://users.pandora.be/marcel.roggemans/milko.htm ('1934-1951 F.U.D.O.S.I.)
* Jan Baptista Van Helmond, a Flemish physician and Alchemist- follower of Paracelsus, was the first to postulate the
existence of gases distinct from air. This brilliant Belgian scientist also showed that plants are composed only of
water. His works were published posthumously in 1648 as Ortus Medicinae (his son).
(1) At the time of the foundation of Palaprat's Templar Order, there were many speculations on the origin of the
order. Palaprat was convinced that the order was a direct descendent of De Molay's original Templar order. In
"History of Freemasonry" (1882-1887), R.F.Gould writes "It is immaterial whether the French 'Order of the
Temple' is a revival of 'La Petite Resurrection desTempliers,' -- a licentious society established in 1682 -- or an
offshoot of the lodge 'Les Chevaliers de la Croix,' 1806......" Many modern-day 20th century Templar-orders
have a direct lineage to Palaprat's 'Order of the Temple' which was originally founded in 1804.
(2) "L'Eucharistie" by 'Chevalier' Clément de Saint-Marcq , published in 1906. "The Eucharist' was considered by
Theodor Reuss to contain the ultimate secret of the OTO, "the traditional practice of the sacred
spermatophagia, glorified as being the sole method of seizing God, to unite with him, to live in a saintly
perfection. God is the universal soul " (adapted from Saint-Marq). the complete text can be found at Peter
Koenig's website at: http://www.cyberlink.ch/~koenig/eucha.htm
There exists another edition of the text, most probably the original version, the Pangenetor
edition, dated Antwerp 1907 (this date is supported by a reference to the pamphlet by Reuss
in his "Parsifal and the Unveiling of the Secret of the Graal"). The introduction of the
Pangenetor edition is written by Jean Mallinger :
"In May 1934, in a philosophical group which I was moderating at the time in Brussels, I
officially invited a noteworthy visitor, a speaker of talent and a distinguished humanist. It was
the Chevalier Clement de Saint-Marq, former Commander of the Place Forte d'Anvers (The
30
Fortification of Antwerp) and director of an important spiritualist society. He forwarned us that
the subject of his lecture was important, sensitive and most certainly controversial; it would
give rise to an exchange between resolutely contradictory viewpoints. Such proved indeed to
be the case, and each remained steadfast in his opinions.The text of his expose' was
published in pamphlet form and we are publishing here below its complete development.It will
evoke curiosity with all, anger with some and prudent approbation with others. Here it is. We
shall speak of it again!"
Papus' Labarum
"a simple gift consisting of 2 letters and some dots, a summary of a doctrine of Initiation and the 'Trinity' which had
illuminated all the works of Delaage"
THE LABARUM
“The opposition of the 2 Letters, and the opposition of the 2 Triangles reveal to every
perspicacious eye, the 2 Columns in their active (letters) and their passive (points) opposition;
vertical and horizontal opposition ; the key of the symbolism of the Cross”
Papus speaks highly of his initiatior Delaage, who's, to say the least, not well known in the
occult circles of today. Henri Delaage wrote a number of books of which "Doctrine des
Sociétés Secrètes", published in 1852, is probably the most well-known. Papus exchanged
initiations with Chaboseau, the reason being an uncertainty about one of the "initiated" in the
lineage of Papus (it was unknown who initiated Henri Delaage). This statement was made by
Chaboseau himself in an interview by Gerard van Rijnberk, published in his book on Martinez
de Pasqually.
When we take a look at what Pierre-Augustin Chaboseau has to say about his Initiation into
Martinism, it becomes clear that before the existence of the "Ordre Martiniste" as founded by
Papus, the followers of Louis Claude de Saint-Martin did not make use of an elaborate
Initiation-ritual, as a matter of fact, there (probably) existed no such thing as a written ritual
31
including instructions etc. at all. Chaboseau on his initiation by his aunt, Amélie de Boise-
Mortmart; The Initiation consisted of an "oral transmission of a particular teaching and a
certain comprehension of the laws of the Universe and of Spiritual life, which, in no case
could be regarded as an Initiation in a ritualistic form"
(Jean Chaboseau in "L'Encyclopedie de la Franc-Maconnerie", ed. 2000)
Chaboseau is very clear in his statement when he says that the 'initiation' "in no case could
be regarded as an Initiation in a ritualistic form". Furthermore, Chaboseau stated that most of
the oral teachings he (and Papus) received were written down in a notebook. These
teachings became the basis of the Associate-degree (1st degree) of the O*M* (and, according
to Elias Ibrahim, in the original French T*M*O*, Ordre Martiniste Traditionelle, which was led
by Chaboseau until his death in 1946). By the way, Jean Chaboseau (son of A.Chaboseau)
apparently stated, after the Supreme Council voted against Jean Chaboseau's nomination as
Grand Master of the Ordre Martiniste Traditionnel in 1946, that his father's filiation through
Amélie of Boisse-Mortemart did never exist !!!
source: website "Les Maitres Passes" -'Groupements ou Ordres' at http://www.chez.com/crp/marti/groupordres.htm
Outside the Martinist order(s), Papus' Ordre Martiniste is often looked upon as an
independent established organization, and not a continuation of the original Société des
Intimes" (Society of Friends), followers of Saint-Martin, and/or De Pasqually's "Elus Cohen".
With regard to "Martinezism" even most of the Martinist Orders do not claim any filial
authenticity. Famous French Martinist Robert Amadou stated in his publication "Documents
Martinistes": "Nobody, to our knowledge, holds today the Cohen succession, neither within
any Order, nor in an individual way". One could add to Amadou's statement that there is a
"historical" connection between the ELUS COHEN and the R.E.R. of today ("Régime
Écossais Rectifié" or "Rectified Scottish System")."Because of the underlying Elu Kohen =
Martinist theory derived from DE PASQUALLY, the R.É.R. has always been considered as
‘the other side of the Martinist mountain’, despite of its modern masonic warrants (from
Switzerland)". Marc Jones "What is B.B.C.S.? What is R.E.R."
We know that Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin did not confer any degrees or made use of any
system. He (probably) used a form of initiation which is known as 'personal Initiation'. Saint-
Martin employed the biblical "laying on of hands" upon the initiate."The only initiation which I
preach and seek with all the ardour of my soul is that by which we may enter into the heart of
God and make God's heart enter into us, there to form an indissoluble marriage, which will
make us the friend, brother, and spouse of our Divine Redeemer. There is no other mystery to
arrive at this holy initiation than to go more and more down into the depths of our being, and
not let go until we can bring forth the living, vivifying root, because then all the fruit which we
ought to bear, according to our kind, will be produced within us and without us naturally".
[LC de Saint-Martin]
The actual Initiation did not employ any kind of ritual or form. It is generally believed that
Saint-Martin performed a simple personal initiation upon his disciples, nothing elaborate. In
Martinism this process is referred to as "transmission". But this is something we presume,
because there's no documental proof available "that anything of this kind transpired, neither
from the pen of Saint-Martin nor from any of his admireres, who numbered in the thousands
throughout Europe" ("Martinist Initiation" by Sar Ignatius). Supposedly, Saint-Martin's initiation
conferred the quality of "Unknown Superior", S.'.I. However, as mentioned earlier, both Papus
and Chaboseau stated that Louis Claude de Saint-Martin had intended to establish a rite of
seven degrees in 1780 (see "1891- Ordre des Supérieur Inconnus"). Again, the claim rests
solely on the authority of both Papus and Chaboseau. When the Martinist Order was 'officially'
established in 1891, the "Ordre des S.'.I.'." was comprised of three Degrees. There's some
confusion about the actual "1891- title" of the third Degree concerned. In general, the sources
will present the following names of the degrees ;
• ASSOCIÉ
• INITIÉ
• ADEPTE
32
• INITIATOR
*At the time of publication, at the beginning of the 20th century, Waite's Encyclopaedia of
Freemasonry was sabled down by the Masonic scholars for its inaccuraties, amongst others.
A.E. Waite was a member of the "Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn" and later founded his
own (Christian-Kabbalastic) version of it, the "Fellowship of the Rosy Cross". In 1902 he
joined Freemasonry. Waite wrote numerous books on Hermetic subjects and is considered
doubtful as a researcher by many of his colleagues...
Another source is Edouard Blitz' "Ritual and Monitor of the Martinist Order" of 1896. This
publication was 'officially' recommended "to the favor of the Brethren of the Martinist
Institution wherever dispersed" by the President and Secretary of the Supreme Council of
1894 in Paris, Dr.Papus and Jacques Burg. Therefore it's a valuable and reliable historical
referencebook concerning the Martinist rituals, symbolism, and doctrines as used (probably)
by the O*M* at the time. Blitz speaks of a Martinist system of Degrees which through its
history has been reduced into "three essential" and "four accessory Degrees of application".
In his "Tableau of the transformations of the Martinist Rite", Blitz refers to three Rites which
preceded the "Martinist Order- Modern Rite", as Blitz calls the O*M*. These rites were The
Elus Cohen of Pasqually (1750), the Rectified Rite of Saint-Martin (1767) and the Refor'd
Ecossism of Saint-Martin, as practised in Germany in 1782, thus Blitz.
Blitz' three 'essential' Degrees are (as worked in France in 1887) ;
• ASSOCIATE (Philosophic)
• INITIATE (Mystic)
• S:::I::: (Kabbalistic)
• S:::I::: (Administrative)
As one notices, Blitz also mentions the "Administrative-Degree" (S:::I::: -Administrative), as a
side-degree. This was given to S.I.-members, who were willing to help their Lodge on a
'administrative-level'. The mentioning of the "S.I. Aministrative Degree" undermines (at least
on paper) the general assumption within the 'Martinist-movement' that the Administrative-
Degree did not exist at the time of Papus ; "1975 12 20, the administrative rank of S.I.G.I is
removed, since it was not existing at the time of Papus" ( 'Probationary Degree- text of
instruction' 24 pages, addressed to the M*O* of Chile by the President of the M*O* of Paris).
The first three degrees belonged to the "First Temple". Blitz also refers to Degrees belonging
to the "Second Temple". This 'proves' that there already existed (again, at least on paper)
Higher Degrees within the "Ordre Martiniste", before the foundation of the Supreme Council of
the O.'.M.'. These "accessory Degrees of application" were ;
• Vth Degree
• VIth Degree
• VIIth Degree
Blitz does not name them, he just refers to these grades as being the fifth, sixth, and seventh
Degree. Could these degrees refer to the grades of the "Fraternité Hermétique de Louxor",
the H.B.of L. , as was Papus' original intention ? This is, of course, just a speculation. It also
could be a referrence to the "Elus-Cohen" degrees, who knows (Blitz was, after all, the
successor of the E.C. for America). The 'Martinist system of -essential- degrees', as worked
within the "Ordre Martiniste", is in fact one Initiation divided into three parts. As mentioned
before, Saint-Martin only spoke about one initiation, the 'Supérieur Inconnu' .The first two
degrees are a preparation for the third Degree, the S.I. -Degree. According to Papus, "there is
only one Degree, that of S.I." The aim of the Martinist was (and is) to awaken the Conscience
and finally achieving interior harmony. The method used within the 3 degrees of the O*M*, as
mentioned before, was (and is) known as "The Way of the Heart".
After receiving the S.I. Degree the Martinist was empowered to found a group. He/She was
pledged solely to conceal the name of his/her Initiator.
Another interesting historical document regarding the Martinist Degrees at the time of Papus
is the so-called "PROTOCOL OF THE UNION OF MARTINIST ORDERS ", a document dated
Sunday, the 28th day of October, 1962. The protocol announced the union of Philippe
Encausse's "O.M" (Ordre Martiniste) and Robert Ambelain's "Ordre Martiniste des Elus-
Cohens" and was officially signed by the two Grand Masters, Encausse Jr. and Ambelain. Of
particular interest is the refference in the document to a certain volume of the official Martinist
review L’Initiation, dated 1911. Apparently, the review published the “General Rules and
Regulations of the Respected Lodge Melchisedech No. 208". Melchisedech No.208 was the
33
name of a Martinist Lodge in Paris at the time, "under the direct dependence of Papus" .
Among the high officers were, next to papus, men like " Teder, Targelius (Victor Blanchard),
and Librarius (Ernest Loiselle)", which conferred "upon all the acts and decisions of this
particular Lodge an official and incontestable character". Apparently, this Lodge conferred
also higher Degrees. These degrees were connected with practical Kabbalism, Christian
Gnosis, as well as to Spiritualist Masonry (Memphis-Misraim).
Lodge Melchisedech conferred the following Degrees (1911):
The "classical" Philosophic degrees of Martinism
1. Associate
2. Initiate
3. Unknown Superior
4. Free Adept
The 4th grade,"Free Adept", corresponds with the modern grade of "Free Initiator ", otherwise
known as S.I.I. or S.I. IV. It seems likely to presume that the ordinary S.I. was not empowered
any longer to found a group on his/her own at the time … Lodge "Melchisedech No.208"
would later (around 1911) become "Grand Lodge No.322". The degrees of the OKR+C (Ordre
Kabbalistique de la Rose+Croix), "Bachelor", "Master", and "Doctor" of Kabbala, were
reserved only for the high degrees of the Masonic Rite of Memphis-Mizraim (above the 33rd
Degree). The 'system of Degrees' of the O*M*, as practised at Lodge Melchisedech No.208 in
1911, proved to be an elaborate- and intricate system including Higher Degrees of an
infinitely more Occult character than those usually known. The M.M. Degrees beneath the
33rd Degree (equal to the Scottish Rite), "Secret Master" (4th), "Grand Pontiff" or "Sublime
Scottish" (19th) and "Sovereign Grand Inspector General" (33rd), were equivalent to the
Martinist degrees of "Initiate", "Unknown Superior" and "Free Adept". The document regarding
Teder's Martinist Ritual of 1913 also refers to several Elus Cohen Degrees which were
equivalent to the Martinist Degrees Initiate and S.I.
Source: "THE PROTOCOL OF THE UNION OF MARTINIST ORDERS" by
Mike Restivo (Sar Ignatius, Initiatèur Libre)
The Martinist Order is organized, in general, on the Lodge-system (the actual word "Lodge"
can be traced back to the days of the guilds in medieval Europe). This system is derived from
Freemasonry, as we all know. As Sar Ignatius from the Rose+Croix Martinist Order in Canada
explains;"After having been found sincere and desirous of study of the principles of the Order,
a candidate successively progresses through three Degrees or Grades: Associate, then
Initiate, then Unknown Superior. The education is given in person during meetings called
Conventicles. A simple ritual of opening and closing the group called a Heptad (7 members
minimum) or a Lodge (21 members minimum) is employed. Smaller groups called Circles with
a very simplified opening and closing ceremony, permit less than the minimum to study the
Martinist principles" and,"The Lodge system provides a psychological environment to
encourage the perception and appreciation of higher spiritual principles".
M.Revisto - Sar Ignatius in his article "Martinist Initiation"
this system was also applied during the reign of Papus.The government of the Order is vested
in three bodies, named respectively, in the order of their rank, Supreme Coucil, Grand
Council, and Lodge.” The authority of the Supreme Council, residing in Paris, France, is
absolute'
Source; Edouard Blitz 1896.
The M*O* did not pretent to have some sort of secret teachings at its disposal. It's doctrine
was based on the works Saint-Martin, Martinez de Pasqually, Boehme, and all the
theosophists, occultists and mystics who were inspired by them. It teached 'all matters
considered useful to its purpose, in particular the doctrine of the universal Reintegration..
34
ritualistic form". It is generally assumed that the followers of Louis Claude de Saint-Martin did
not make use of an elaborate Initiation-ritual. This is in contradiction to the assumption of
Papus, Blitz etc. that there existed a Martinist Order of Saint-Martin of 7 Degrees in the 18th
century (Blitz speaks about 7 degrees belonging to the 'First Temple' and another 3 degrees
belonging to a 'Second Temple' ), but, as stated a couple of times before, there exists no
historical proof for their claims. A.E. Waite states that "Between 1887 and 1890 he (Papus)
produced Rituals for the Order, arranged in three Degrees, which I have praised on several
occasions for their sincerity, simplicity and reserve in respect of claims". Somewhere else in
the same text Waite states that "the mode adopted (initiation) was usually that which is known
technically as "communication," that is to say, personally and not in Lodge or Temple. To my
certain knowledge reception was arranged even by post".
THE FRENCH MYSTIC AND THE STORY OF MODERN MARTINISM,
by Arthur Edward Waite.
Another source, a Martinist Manual called "Administrative and technical information for Lodge
Officers" from ICES provides the following information on the 'original' rituals, as used by
Papus in the 1890's. The actual text stems from Clive Culbertson S.I. from Ulster and can be
found on his website at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/clive.culbertson/martinism2.htm
"Martinism grew and spread under the guidance of Papus. He added two degrees before the
superior degree to serve as chambers of instruction and probation. The first degree, that of
associate is said to come from Cagliostro's Egyptian Masonic Rite and the second degree,
that of Mystic, from Willermoz's Knights Beneficent of the Holy City (C.B.C.S)".
In a private correspondence on the source of his information regarding the original rituals
Clive stated :
"When we started our Heptad here in 1991 (I think) I got the manual "Administrative and
technical information for Lodge Officers" from ICES -now ICOMS*- in Barbados.The info was
in a question and answer thing in there.The 3rd initiation came from the Order of Unknown
Philosophers and was divided into 2 parts, half given at S.I. and the other half at P.I.. As I
understand it, the Order of Unknown Philosopher's initiation is the actual initiation that the
Martinist Order was created to perpetuate and is it's raison d'etre".
ICOMS (or ICOM) stands for "International College of Martinist Studies". The college (it's not
an Order!) changed its name in course of time to ICES / "International College of Esoteric
Studies", for more information, take a look at their website at:
http://www.orderofthegrail.org/ICES.html
The oldest document I've seen (until this day) with regard to the Martinist system of degrees
and rituals is Blitz' "Ritual & Monitor of the Martinist Order", which was published especially
for the "English speaking community" for the first time in 1896. The recommendation written
by Papus at the beginning of the book is dated December 1894. The book is a manual for the
functioning of a Martinist Lodge including a complete outline of the rituals, the symbols which
are used and their meanings, the regulations of a set-up of a Martinist temple etc. The rough
outline of the rituals are similar to the ones I've received (late 20th century) as a member of
the Ordre Martiniste des Pays-Bas. The major difference between the 1894 versions and the
ones a Martinist will receive today is the extensiveness of the rituals from 1894 [at least on
paper]. Here's an excerpt from the 1894 Initiation-Ritual of the first Degree, the 'Associate'
degree, in which the 'dramatic feel' to impress the candidate is illustrated ;
- UNKNOWN BROTHER : "The Sun arises! As the shadows of the night vanish, so let the
veils that hide the Divine truth be torn away!
- UNKNOWN PHIL.: (strikes 3 knocks slowly)
- UNKNOWN BROTHER: (strikes 3 knocks slowly)
- BRO.INITIATE: (strikes one knock)
The above dialogue is so timed that the Candidate begins the 6th tour when 7 knocks have
been sounded. Arriving at the station of Bro. Associate, the procession halts, and
Bro.Associate, plunging the right arm of the Candidate into a box filled with sand, says:
- " In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth, and the Earth was without
Form and Void".
Another interesting source is Kjetil Fjell from the O.T.O. -researchgroup "Academia Masonica
Borealis" in Norway. In his article called "Rites mentioned in Liber 52" Kjetil tells us that the
Martinist rituals were originally developed by Stanislas De Guaita.
35
"The rituals originally developed by Guaita focused on a Symbology of Light in which the
number three played an important role. In the first Grade, which was called La Affiliè, the
candidate was led into a room in which three pillars with different colours were placed.
Between these pillars a huge candle was handed over. This Triad, in connection with the
number four (quatarnity) would in the Second Grade (La Initiè), as well as in the Third Grade
(la Initiateur), be further harmonically developed. The Candidate would in these Grades learn
more about The Fall and the strenghtening of humanity ,as in the teachings of Pasqual and
Saint-Martin. In the highest Degree (The Third), followed the -- -forsoning - between the
Created and the Creator, as well as the Unio Mystica of the elder Gnostics and Alchemists.
The Initiate also saw the masked men who silently pointed their swords at his chest. They
wore an old Egyptian headdress. The candidate had to sit down on a chair placed before a
whitedraped altar. On the altar was placed burning candles. In front of the altar lay three
carpets on which a Sphinx, Mask and a dagger was embrodded".
A.M.B. Kjetil Fjell "Rites mentioned in Liber 52"
http://www.oto.no/amb/ritus52.html#R+C
When I compared Kjetil's information with Blitz' "Ritual & Monitor of the M.O" I've found
several similarities between the two sources. For instance when Kjetil states " The Candidate
would in these Grades learn more about The Fall and the strenghtening of humanity, as in the
teachings of Pasqual and Saint-Martin" , One finds this doctrine throughout the whole story-
line of the Initiation into the first degree as used by Edouard Blitz. Kjell also refers to " the
masked men who silently pointed their swords at his (candidate) chest". In Blitz' "Ritual &
Monitor" we read on page 32 :"Here the blindfold of the Candidate is raised and he beholds
him, amidst red and green flames, the Brothers threatening him with their swords, some of
them wearing hideous masks (not grotesque); all seem ready to take the life of the Candidate”
"Initiation -First Degree. Associate" 1896
I've found no traces of the (fysical) three pillars in the "Blitz-versions" in the first Degree,
although they were 'present' , symbolized by the three Cressets in Blitz' version;
"In fine, the three Cressets, true flambeaux of universal knowledge, symbolize also the three
great Pillars of Kabbalah upon which rests the Universe, intellectual and physical: Beauty,
Strength, and Wisdom"
"Initiation -First Degree. Associate" 1896, "Discourse of the Orator" (Symbolism)
The Pillars are mentioned in the S.I. Initiation Degree in the manual, were the two Columns
are placed on the platform situated in the Martinist temple. The Lodge-room was divided in
three apartments in the 2nd and 3th Degree of Initiation. In the 2nd Degree the first apartment
was lighted, the other two were darkened. In the 3rd degree the third apartment was darkened,
the other two lightened …[Once again, it is most likely that the actual initiation rituals were
more simplified in composition] As stated earlier, Papus apparently added two degrees before
the superior degree to serve as chambers of instruction and probation."L’Ordre Martiniste"
aka "Ordre Martinist de Paris" provides the following information on the 'value' of the degrees
(freely transl. from French);
"The first Initiation which the O.M. transnmits initially connects the elect member temporarily
with the Martinist chain. The first degree is a probational-degree. The second Initiation is an
initiation into a preparatory degree and the third connects a Brother or Sister finally to the
Martinist égrégore and the Martinist chain"
The main symbols used in the Martinist rituals and workings are the Mask (symbol of Silence
and Secrecy), Mantle (color -black, symbol of Prudence), and the Universal Pentacle. The
main focus is placed on the symbolic Trinitarian structure with its ' three points of Light' (as in
many of the occult and mystic organizations). The three Cressets symbolize i.a. the three
'pillars' and they also stand for 'God', 'man', and 'Nature'. The colors black, white and red (the
colors used in Martinist symbolism) are refering to the classical Alchemical stages
Purification, Illumination and Union."
When Papus and Novikov contributed to the rituals of Martinism, they were trying to express
the process of illumination indirectly through the alchemical symbolism of black, white and
red.This refers to the classical stages of Purification, Illumination and Union (Elias Ibrahim ).In
the teachings of Martinez de Pasqually the three colors black, white and red, refer to the
symbols of Matter in which the original Adam was clothed after his "Fall" (source; Rituel de
l'Apprenti Cohen ", Thory ). According to several French authorities on Martinism the use of the
36
number three as a key-symbol was copied from masonry by those who established the
Martinist Rite. The number three as a symbol in the Martinist rite is a christianized version of
its masonic source, reflecting the Christian Holy Trinity. According to these French
researchers the creators of the Martinist rituals were not well acquainted with the original
teachings of De Pasqually and Saint-Martin, because the "Luminaries" of the original Elus
Cohen teachings were at least four,"a Perfect divine number, the three numbers of Matter
being 3, 6, and 9".
The rituals (as stated) are strongly influenced by Masonry, especially Templarism. The
influences from Templarism can be traced back to Baron Karl Gotthelf von Hund's (1722-
1766) STRIKTE OBSERVANCE (La Stricte Observance Templière) through Willermoz'
C.B.C.S. (see "short profile on J.B.Willermoz" ).The Martinist Order accepts (obviously) a
"creation-principle", which is symbolized by the Masonic abbreviation
A.'.L.'.G.'.D.'.G.'.A.'.D.'.L..'.U.'. ; "A la Gloire du Grand Architect de L’Univers".
The definitive Rituals* of the "Ordre Martiniste" were written by Téder in 1913, and according
to some sources Téder's version was based on the hand-written rituals of François-Charles
Barlet (Sar Anael, G.M. of the Spanish Martinist Order, founded in 1987. The Spanish Order
uses the Téder-version of 1913). Other sources (like R.A. in his/her “L'Encyclopedie de la
Franc-Maconnerie”, ed. 2000) state that Téder used the rituals from Blitz (written in, or
around, 1901)), which seems to correspond with the actual truth. Copies of both rituals are
almost identical. Some Martinists claim that Téder's rituals were published openly in order to
make it impossible for those outside of the Order, to accuse the Martinists of Satanic work or
Black magic. Allegedly, Téder's rituals were never actually worked. From 1913 on the order
worked with four degrees which were named Associé, Associé Initié, Superieur Inconnu, and
Superieur Inconnu Initiateur. The rituals were published by Dorbon-Aîné, and are obtainable
from a specialized book-shop.
* source; Marcel Roggemans (from a correspondence with Sar Anael from the Spanish OM*)
According to Philippe Telauges (from the "Fratres Lucis" in South-America) it was Démétrius
Platon Sémélas (dignitary of the O*M* in Egypt 1911-1914, co-founder of the "L'Ordre du Lys
et de L'Aigle" in 1914, founder of the "Rose-Croix d'Orient"), who's responsible for the written
rituals (or, at least, parts of the rituals concerned) of the 2nd and 3rd degree which Sémélas
transmitted to Papus, and later, to Chaboseau. Telauges also claims that it was Démétrius
(Dimitri) Sémélas who prepared and apparently wrote the S:::IV::: Degree. Also, the original
rituals of the O*M*T of Chaboseau were strongly influenced by the work (rituals and writings)
of this initiate. Telauges mentions the following sources for his claims:
1] a volume of the journal "L'Esprit des choses" (date not mentioned) in which the 'authentic'
ritual of the "Initiatèur Libre" (Free Initiator) was published, but it appears that the name of
Sémélas was not mentioned in the publication.
2] A volume of "L'Initiation" in which a transcribed version of the S:::IV::: ritual was published.
Sémélas' wriiten rituals were allegedly officially approved by Papus in May 1912. According to
a text provided by the French O.M.T./T.M.O. , the rituals of Démétrius P. Sémélas were later
adopted by the 'Ordre Martiniste et Synarchique' of Victor Blanchard.
37
Téder’s Rituel de l’Ordre Martiniste 1913
UNIVERSAL PENTACLE
The Seal of the O*M* is the the symbol of the Universal Pentacle, the Hexagram in a Circle,
together with the equilateral Cross and the Hexagon. According to the O*M* it was designed
by Saint-Martin as an explanation of the Universe. Here's what Blitz' manual has to say on its
symbolism ;
Taken from "Ritual & Monitor of the O:::M::: " , 1896
- " God, the First Principle of the Universe, is represented by a Circle, Symbol of Eternity".
- "The action of Eternity, passing from latent power into Action, is symbolized by the mystic
relation of the center to the circumference; by the radius projected six times around the Circle,
which produces the Hexagon, emblemetical of the Six Periods of Creation".
- "The central point forms the Seventh Period, that of Rest"(The Center has attracted the
upper triangle and the lower triangle, both of which, reacting on one another, have manifested
Life -L.C. de Saint-Martin from his book "on Numbers")
- "Let us remark that Nature, the Seal of Solomon (represented by the two triangles- one
Ascending, One Descending, the currents of Involution and Evolution), does not reach God,
but only the Creative Forces emanating from Him. From the center of the Universe to God
Himself (Circle) the power of Man originates, uniting the effects of Divinity to the fatalism of
Nature in the Unity of his Free Will, symbolized by the Cross, uniting the center of the
Universe (Human Soul) to God Himself. This is the explanation of the most complete
synthetic figure the genius of Man ever discovered. It explains all the mysteries of Nature, and
is true as well in physics as in metaphysics; in natural sciences as in theology; it is the seal
that unites Reason and Faith, Materialism and Spiritualism, Religion and Science"
38
The following explanation is taken from Saint-Martin's book "on Numbers" ;
• The natural Circle has shaped itself in a different way from the geometrical circle. The
center has attracted the upper triangle and the lower triangle, both of which, reacting on
one another, have manifested Life.
• It is then that the quadruple Man appeared. It would be impossible to find this quadruple
priciple in the circle without tracing lost or superfluous lines, if we are limiting ourselves to
the methods of mathematics.
• Nature looses nothing: it coordinates all parts of its works, the one with the other. So, in
the Circle regularly drawn by Nature, we can see the two triangles, uniting to determine
the emancipation of Man in the Universe and Man's place in relation to the divine center.
• We can see [in the symbol of the Pantacle] that the Light receives Life only by the
reflections surging from the opposition that the True receives from the False; that the
Light receives it from the Darkness; and that Life, in matter, always depends upon both
actions. We see that the fourfold Man embrases the six directions of the Universe, and
that those [six] regions, being bound two by two [in the triangles], the power of Man
operates within a triple fourfold in the location of his glory.
• Here are manifested the laws of this superb knowledge, of which the Chineese have left
us some traces, I mean the knowledge of the keou-kou. Man, by giving in to guilty
incitations, has left the divine center, where he was originally placed; but even though he
has left it, the center is still at its place, as it cannot be moved by any force at all. (Sedes
tua in seculum seculi. Ps. 14:7)
• So, since Man has left his glorious post, it is the Divinity that is ready to replace him and
to operate for him, in the universe, that same Power of which he has been dispossessed
by his mistake. But when the Divinity takes the place of Man, it is dressed in the same
colors, and is attached to the material regions, where Man was originally established, as it
is impossible to appear at the center of this circle without being placed at the midst of all
those regions.
• Here is what the study of the natural circle can reveal to the intelligent eye. The figure
represented, although imperfect, can indicate the way.
39
~ Avec Papus le Martinisme est Mort ~
François Jollivet-Castelot
(1874 -1937 )
Essai de Synthèse des Sciences Occultes
1928
With Jean Bricaud acting as Grand Master of the M*O* the unity of the order really bursted.
"Bricaud (born in 1881) already held a high position within the O*M* at the end of the first
decade of the 20th century. In 1907 Bricaud, with the help of Papus and other Martinists,
broke with the L’ Eglise Gnostique Universelle Catholique and founded, together with Papus
and Fugairon, the L’Eglise Catholique Gnostique’ (see "1890 -Ecclessia Gnostica .."). In 1908
the church changed its name to the L’Eglise Gnostique Universelle, and in 1911 the L’Eglise
Gnostique Universelle became the official church of the Martinist Order. Bricaud was also
initiated into the Memphis-Misraim rite and he was a disciple, like most of the leading
Martinists at the time, of Master Philippe. He studied the rites of Willermoz and Pernety, the
Elus Cohen, Stricte Observance, Philalèthes, and Les Philadelphes. In 1911 he helped Téder
and Edouard Blitz (1) in developing "new ideas" with relation to the recruitment of members.
In 1914 Bricaud established a 'Martinist movement based on the ideas of 1911. These ideas
were based on the rules of Willermoz and his successor, Antoine Pont (Blitz was Pont's
successor in the U.S.A., Téder and Fugairon were the successors in France), which were the
rules of the C.B.C.S., Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte, which included the rites of the
Elus Cohen. In 1914 Téder appointed Bricaud Légat of the Order for the provence of Lyon
(Bricaud lived in Lyon). At the time (1914) Bricaud was Grand Master of the Memphis-Misraim
Rite, Vice-Chancellor of the Ordre Martiniste Rose Croix (?), Patriarch of the église Gnostique
Universelle, and président of the S.O.I., Société Occultiste Internationale"
see "1916 L’Ordre Martiniste de Lyon - source ; articles from L'INITIATION 1952 up to 1958
1 Although Blitz had left the Martinist Order as Grand Master of the U.S.A., after which he'd founded his own
(masonic) Martinist-rite in 1902 (see "the M.O. abroad- America"), he obviously did not sever all his ties
with France ! Blitz apparently corresponded with men like Téder and Bricaud, even after his 'withdrawal'
from Papus' M*O*. On the other hand this seems quite plausible. Téder and Blitz were both the heirs to
40
Willermoz' legacy, and they both propagated a masonic requirement with regard to membership into the
Martinist order. Another interesting subject for discussion is R.A. 's remark in his book "L'Encyclopedie de
la Franc-Maconnerie, ed. 2000", where he states that Téder had adapted Blitz' rituals (see "Ordre des S.I."
and "Martinist Rituals…") before succeeding Papus as Grand Master of the O*M*. As a matter of fact, it is
stated that Papus attributed the rituals he'd received from Blitz in 1901, to Téder in 1912.
- The "Russian Line"; they are dealt with in a separate part of this text [“Manifestations of the
Martinist Order”]. Several members of the original Supreme Council of Papus' Martinist Order
would leave the M*O* and soon would found their own version of the Martinist Order. These
members were 'authorized' to found new Orders, because they had received the S.I.
Initiateur, the 4th degree. Others belonged to the founding members, in the beginning of
Papus' M*O* every member who had received the initiation of the 3th Degree (S.I.) was
authorized to initiate new members into Martinism …
41
SEAL OF AMBELAIN’S ELUS COHEN (1943)
"The Order, in its whole, is above all a school of moral chivalry, trying hard to develop
spirituality in its members by the study of the invisible world and its laws, by the exercise of
devotion and of intellectual assistance, and by the creation in each spirit of a faith, all the
more solid because it is based on observation and science. Martinism derives directly from
Christian Illuminism and has adopted its principles. - Forming the real centre of this living
University, that will one day recreate the marriage without division of Science and Faith,
without epithet, Martinism tries to be worthy of this name by establishing superior schools of
metaphysical and physiological science, disdainfully moved away from classical teachings
under the pretext that it is occult. - Our epoch of scepticism, of adoration of the material world
and of atheism, needed so badly a frank Christian reaction, independent of all clergies, that in
all the countries where it has penetrated, Martinism has saved many souls from doubt,
despair and suicide. It brought back to the comprehension of Christ many spirits that certain
clerical actions had moved away from Faith. - Not asking from its members any contribution,
nor entrance fees into the Order, neither asking any regular tribute from the Lodges to the
Supreme Council, Martinism has remained faithful to its spirit and origins by making material
poverty its very first rule. - Martinists want to be Christians, free from any clerical connection,
and the accusations of "Satanism" will just make them shrug their shoulders, while asking
Heaven for mercy for those who slandered them unfairly. - Martinists do not practise any
magic, be it white or black. They study, they pray and they forgive injustices. - Martinism does
not ask its members for any oaths of passive obedience, nor does it impose on them any
dogma, be it materialistic or clerical, thus leaving them in a perfect freedom of consciousness.
We simply remain fervent Knights of Christ, enemies of violence and vengeance, resolute
synarchists, opposed to any anarchy from above or below, in one word, Martinists, as have
been our glorious ancestors Martines de Pasqually, Claude de Saint-Martin and Willermoz!"
PAPUS
42
The essential freedom of the initiate to pursue his own
path of re-integration
The Martinist Order has had, since its earliest days, a syllabus of instruction and certain
fundamental symbols. Aside from these, each Initiator or Group President has been free to
instruct according to his understanding, and the understanding and interest of his group.
Thus, Martinism is a venue, rather than a rigid curriculum, and this is as it should be, for the
path of re-integration is personal. Thus, some will work within one Order, some within
another, and some will work alone as free Martinists. This is as it has always been.
Art. 6 of the landmarks of
MARTINISM
Sources
Arthur Edward Waite Saint-Martin The French Mystic
A.E. Waite A new Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, 1920's
R.A. L'Encyclopedie de la Franc-Maconnerie, ed. 2000
Edouard Blitz Ritual and Monitor of the Martinist Order, 1896 *
J.Godwin, C.Chanel, The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, Initiatic and Historical and
J.P.Deveney Documents of an Order of Practical Occultism, 1997
J.Godwin The Beginnings of Theosophy in France, 1989
Gerald Galtier Maçonnerie Egyptienne, Rose-Croix et Neo-Chevalerie 1989
R.F.Gould History of Freemasonry, 1882/1887
John Yarker Arcane Schools , 1910
P.R. Koenig Ein Leben fuer die Rose (on Krumm-Heller)
Victor-Emile Michelet Les Compagnons de la Hiérophanie: souvenirs du movement
hermétiste à la fin du XIX siècle
G.Phaneg Le Docteur Papus ( Paris, 1909 )
M.S.André,Chr.Beaufils Papus - la Belle Epoque d'Occultisme, 1995
Dr.Philippe Encausse Papus
Dr.Philippe Encausse Le Maitre Philippe, de Lyon: Thaumaturge et "Homme de Dieu"
L.C. de Saint-Martin des Nombres
Chr.McIntosh Eliphas Levi and the French Occult Revival
Robert Amadou Documents Martinistes, 1979
Robert Ambelain Le Martinisme - Histoire et doctrine
Documents, Articles
Dr.Carlos Raitzin René Guenon y las Ordenes Esotericas
Teio Meedendorp Sar Mérodack-Joséphin Péladan en het ideaal van de kunst
O*M* des Pays-Bas Rituelen en hun Symboliek ( brochure )
Internet
Fr.M Roggemans De Geschiedenis van de Occulte en Mystieke Broederschappen
http://users.pandora.be/marcel.roggemans/
"1934-1951 F.U.D.O.S.I."
http://users.pandora.be/marcel.roggemans/milko.htm
O*M* des Pays-Bas Docteur Gérard Encausse
http://kingsgarden.org/English/Organizations/OM.GB/papus
Apostolic Gnosis/E.G.A. the Balzac of the Occult and the Russian Sphynx
http://members.nbci.com/merlin_21/balzac.htm
Golden Aeon The French Rosicrucian Movement
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http://www.vialarp.org/GD/background_7_french_rosicrucians.html
Canonbury Masonic Research Centre a Checklist of some 'Neo-Rosicrucian' Manifestations
http://www.canonbury.ac.uk/library/lectures/neo_rosicrucian.htm
Canonbury Masonic Research Centre A basic Historico-Chronological Model of the Western
Hermetic Tradition, 1999 Trevor Stewart
http://www.canonbury.ac.uk/library/lectures/a_basic_historico.htm
Martinist Research-Site "Les Maîtres Passés"
http://www.chez.com/crp/menu.htm
History LCN, "Le Coeleuvre Noire"
http://members.tripod.com/~Ejiogbe/culebra.htm
a Special Thanks to all members of the Martinist-E-Group for their contributions and
to Bro. Glenn Holcomb from whom I've received a copy of Blitz' "Ritual and Monitor
of The Martinist Order", Fanx a Lot, Glenn !
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Milko c) 2001
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