Martinism

The Martinist Seal.

Martinism is a form of Christian mysticism and esoteric Christianity concerned with the fall of the first man, his state of material privation from his divine source, and the process of his return, called 'Reintegration' or illumination.

As a mystical tradition, it was first transmitted through a masonic high-degree system established around 1740 in France by Martinez de Pasqually, and later propagated in different forms by his two students Louis Claude de Saint-Martin and Jean-Baptiste Willermoz.

The term Martinism applies to both this particular doctrine and the teachings of the reorganized "Martinist Order" founded in 1886 by Augustin Chaboseau and Gérard Encausse (aka Papus). It was not used at the tradition's inception in the 18th century. This confusing disambiguation has been a problem since the late 18th century, where the term Martinism was already used interchangeably between the teachings of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin and Martinez de Pasqually, and the works of the first being attributed to the latter.^[1]

The three branches of the tradition

Martinism can be divided into three forms through which it has been chronologically transmitted:

• The Elus-Cohens. (Cohen is the Hebrew for "priest" and "Elus" means "the elect" or "the chosen".) This was the first, and explicitly theurgical, way that 'reintegration' was to be attained. The Elus-Cohens were founded by Martinez de Pasqually, who was Saint-Martin's teacher. The original Elus-Cohens ceased to exist sometime in the late eighteenth or early 19th century, but it was revived in the 20th century by Robert Ambelain, and lives on today in various Martinist Orders, including the branch reinstigated by Ambelain himself.

In the highest of the three degrees of the Order of the Elus-Cohen, known as the Shrine, itself consisting of three degrees of which the highest was the Master Reau-Crois, evocation of entities belonging to the Divine Plane was carried out. This makes clear that the Elus-Cohen were not merely a mystical but a magical order. The chief evocation was that of the 'Mender', Jehoshua, and the basic methods were those of the Key of Solomon, including the use of circles, names of angels, planetary hours and symbols. The magical operations of the lower degrees were intended to establish contact between the operator and the Invisible World. Lofty and beautiful prayers recalled the goal which the Order tried to attain. There were also exorcisms intended to strangle demonic influence in the universe and thwart its powers over men, and to combat black magic.^[2]

• The Scottish Rectified Rite or Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité-Sainte (CBCS). This was originally a Masonic rite, a reformed variant of the Rite of Strict Observance which, in its highest degrees, uses Masonic-type rituals to demonstrate the philosophy which underlies both Martinism and the practices of the Elus-Cohens. The CBCS was founded in the late 18th century by Jean-Baptiste Willermoz, who was a pupil of Martinez de Pasqually and a friend of Saint-Martin. The CBCS has managed to survive as a continually practiced rite from its founding until the present day, both as a purely masonic rite, and as a detached rite which is also open to women.
• The Martinism of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin, a mystical tradition in which emphasis is placed on Meditation and inner spiritual alchemy. Saint-Martin disapproved of these teachings being called 'martinism' by his contemporaries, and instead explained it as a silent 'way of the heart' to attain reintegration. Saint-Martin most likely did not organize this path as an 'order', but gathered small circles of students around him, where he transmitted his teachings.

This heritage was reorganized into the 'Ordre Martiniste' in 1886 by Augustin Chaboseau and Gerard Encausse (also known as Papus).

Martinezism: Martinez de Pasqually and the Elus Cohens

Martinez de Pasqually

Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de Pasqually was born in c. 1727 in Grenoble, France, and died in 1774 in Saint-Domingue while dealing with profane business. Martinez de Pasqually was active in Masonic organisations throughout France from the age of 28 onwards. In 1765 he established l'Ordre des Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l'Univers (Order of Knight-Masons Elect Priests of the Universe), which functioned as a regular Masonic obedience in France.

This order had three sets of degrees: the first were analogous to the symbolic degrees of conventional Freemasonry. The second were generally Masonic, though hinting at Pasqually's own secret doctrine. The third set were blatantly magical: for example, by using exorcisms against evil in the world generally and in the individual specifically. In the highest degree, the Reaux-Croix, the initiate was taught to use Theurgy to contact spiritual realms beyond the physical.^[3]

De Pasqually put forth the philosophy underlying the work of the Elus-Cohens in his only book, Treatise on the Reintegration of Beings,^[4] which first uses the analogy of the Garden of Eden, and refers to Christ as "The Repairer". The ultimate aim of the Elus-Cohen was to attain – whilst living – the Beatific Vision through a series of magical invocations and complex theurgic operations.

After Martinez de Pasqually's death, the Elus-Cohens continued to operate for some time; however, divisions started to occur between various temples, which became dormant during the first half of the 19th century. The last-known surviving Elu-Cohen from the original incarnation of the order, Destigny, died in 1868.^[4]

Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin

Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, the unknown philosopher

Louis Claude de Saint-Martin was born in 1743 in Amboise, France, and died in 1803. He was originally a barrister before taking a commission in the army at Bordeaux. Saint-Martin was initiated into the Elus-Cohens in 1768 and was active in the organization for at least six years. Saint-Martin was initiated into the Reaux-Croix, the highest degree of the Order, and in 1770 became de Pasqually's secretary.

Saint-Martin became increasingly dissatisfied with the Elus-Cohens' use of theurgic ritual, feeling that it was too sophisticated for the desired end. Instead, he favoured inward contemplation, or what he called "The Way of the Heart". Nevertheless, Saint-Martin continued to acknowledge Martinez de Pasqually's influence on his own system of thought. In addition, Saint-Martin drew much inspiration from the work of Jakob Böhme.^[5]

In 1777, after failing to convince the Elus-Cohens to adopt a more contemplative practice, he cut back his involvement in the Order. He ceased all involvement in 1790.

Saint-Martin outlined his philosophy in several books, using the nom de plume of "The Unknown Philosopher". These include:

• Of Errors and Truth, 1775
• Man, His True Nature & Ministry
• Aphorisms and Maxims.
• The Spiritual Ministry of Man.
• Ten Prayers.
• The Red Book.
• Theosophic Correspondence.
• Natural Table of the Correspondences between God, Man and the Universe, 1782

There has been some controversy over whether Saint-Martin himself ever founded a formalised Order of Martinists. For example, 20th-century Martinist author Robert Ambelain initially claimed that Saint-Martin founded an order called the "Society of Initiates",^[6] but within a few years he became disillusioned with the concept and stated that the Society of Initiates never existed.^[7] Others allege that Saint-Martin became involved in a pre-existing society called the "Order of Unknown Philosophers".^[8] It seems most probable, however, that although Saint-Martin did initiate disciples after a fashion, this was done on an informal basis; Martinism did not exist as an order per se until the efforts of Papus and Chaboseau (vide infra).

Willermoz and the Scottish Rectified Rite

Jean-Baptiste Willermoz

Jean-Baptiste Willermoz (born 1730, Lyon, France; died 1824 also at Lyon), was initiated into Masonry at the age of 20 in a lodge which operated under the auspices of the Strict Observance. He was initiated into the Elus-Cohen in 1767, eventually attaining the highest degree of the Order, and being named by de Pasqually as a "Superior Judge," one of its most senior officers.

Concerned about dissent in the order after the death of de Pasqually, Willermoz in 1778, together with two other Superior Judges, formulated the idea of creating two additional degrees for the Auvergne Province of the Strict Observance, which exemplified the philosophy, though not the theurgic practices, of the Elus-Cohens, while working in the Knight Templar-oriented milieu of the masonic rite. The name of the rite was changed to Chevaliers Beneficient de la Cité-Sainte (CBCS). The degree structure of the rite was thus:

1. Apprentice
2. Fellowcraft
3. Master
4. Maître Ecossais/Scotch Master
5. Ecuyer Novice/Squire Novice
6. C.B.C.S.
7. Chevalier-Profès/Professed Knight
8. Chevalier-Grand Profès/Grand Professed Knight

Having reformed the French branch of the order, Willermoz in 1782 succeeded in persuading the German mother branch to adopt his reforms – though not without meeting considerable opposition from other branches of the Strict Observance, such as the Bavarian Illuminati of Adam Weishaupt.

The French Revolution curtailed the activities of the CBCS in France although the rite was preserved in Switzerland. Today the CBCS, or "Scottish Rectified Rite" (Rite Ecossais Rectifié) has several "great priories" throughout the world: Switzerland, USA., France, both the Waite's & Michael Herbert's Great Priories in England, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Brazil, with prefectures and lodges of Saint Andrew as well as Rectified Craft lodges existing in many places from Italy to Brazil to Romania.^[9]

Papus and Chaboseau: the founding of the Martinist Order

Martinist altar, photo made in course of assembly of Lodges of the Sovereign Autonomous Ancient Martinist-Martinezist Order, Hotel Metropol, Moscow, Russia, April 2013

The disciples of Saint-Martin spread the Doctrine of the Unknown Philosopher in France, Germany, Denmark and above all in Russia. It was through one of them, Henri Delaage, that in 1880 a brilliant young Parisian doctor, Gerard Encausse (Later to be known as Papus), became acquainted with the doctrines of Saint-Martin. Subsequently, in 1884, together with some of his associates, he established a Mystical Order which he called the Ordre Martiniste or the Martinist Order.^[10]

The founding of the Order came about when Encausse met Augustin Chaboseau in 1884. They discovered that they had both apparently received Martinist initiation through two different chains of succession which linked back to Saint-Martin and his original disciples. Papus claimed to have come into the possession of the original papers of de Pasqually and to have been given authority in the Rite of Saint-Martin by his friend Henri Viscount Delaage.^[11] However, Encausse realised that there was a "missing link" in his own chain of succession: he and Chaboseau therefore "swapped initiations" to consolidate their lineages.

The Martinist Order which Papus founded was organised as a Lodge system, which worked four degrees:

1. Associate
2. Mystic
3. Unknown Superior (S::I::/Supèrieur Inconnu)
4. Unknown Superior Initiator (S::I::I::/Supèrieur Inconnu Initiateur)(Lodge/Heptad Master).

Of these, the first two introduce the Candidate to key Martinist concepts, while the third supposedly confers the actual Initiation which Saint-Martin gave to his original disciples. Martinists generally believe that to be an authentic initiate, one must be able to show a chain of Initiatic Succession which goes back to Saint-Martin himself. However, Restivo states that "Martinist authenticity is not contingent upon acceptance or initiation into a filiation or succession of other Martinists as no personal initiation chain from Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin exists in the sacramental manner of ordination as culmination of mastery in an Initiatic order."

About the rituals themselves, the following general points may be made:

• The mystical Christianity of Martinism is emphasised by the fact that all lodges are opened by invoking Yeheshuah, (Hebrew: יהשוה) i.e. the Tetragrammaton, with the addition of the Hebrew letter Shin, which was first suggested by Reuchlin as a Qabalistic way of spelling Jesus.
• Despite the Lodge structure of Martinism, the rituals themselves do not bear any resemblance to the symbolic degrees of Freemasonry. The rituals have their own milieu of dramatic and esoteric content. It has been claimed however that some of the rituals derived from the Egyptian Freemasonry of Cagliostro, and the Scottish Rectified Rite of Willermoz.^[12]
• The rituals contain elements of Martinez de Pasqually's philosophy, and passing references to the Qabalah, in addition to principles derived from Saint-Martin's own teachings.
• The candidate at key points throughout the rituals is expected to answer on his or her own initiative. He or she is constantly encouraged to meditate on the symbolism presented.
• The rituals often rely on the element of surprise to reinforce the points they make.

During the period up to the Second World War, the I::L:: or S::I::IV degree was exceptionally added as an endorsement or rank of distinction to the S::I::I:: degree for legates in new Martinist jurisdictions who were expected to eventually become Grand Masters. Later branches of the Martinist Order worked a fifth degree, I::L:: (Free Initiator/Initiateur Libre), which conferred on the candidate the power to initiate others into all four degrees in person, not requiring Lodge or Heptad group forms, and to establish a new and independent Martinist Order, as well as to act as the legate or representative or Grand Master of that new order. For example, the Rose+Croix Martinist Order (Ontario,Canada):^[13]

1. Associate
2. Mystic
3. Unknown Superior (S::I::/Supèrieur Inconnu)
4. Unknown Superior Initiator (S::I::I::/Supèrieur Inconnu Initiateur)(Lodge/Heptad Master)
5. Free Initiator (I::L::/Initiateur Libre/S.I.IV) (Grand Officer/Grand Initiator).

Modern Martinism

The interior of Lodges of Sovereign Autonomous Ancient Martinist-Martinezist Order <http://martinist.ru> during the regular ceremonial meeting at the Hotel Metropol, Moscow, Russia, in April 2013.

In 1905, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia invited Papus to Tsarskoïe Selo to ask for advice on domestic difficulties that he was facing with revolutionaries. The First World War was disastrous for the Order. Papus died on the battlefield fulfilling his duties as a doctor, as did many other leaders of the Order. After the war, the Order was almost extinct and the surviving members splintered into competing factions.

Many French Martinists supported Karl Wilhelm Naundorff's claims to the French throne. They joined the Synarchy movement and formed the Ordre Martiniste et Synarchie (OM&S). In 1931 Augustin Chaboseau joined Victor-Emile Michelet and Lucien Chamuel (the other two surviving members of the original Supreme Council of 1891) to resuscitate the Order that they had founded with Papus. To emphasise the difference between traditional Martinism and the many new groups that had emerged, they named their movement the Ordre Martiniste Traditionnel (OMT). Victor-Emile Michelet was elected Grand Master and Augustin Chaboseau succeeded him in 1939 until his death in 1946. Although he had received his Martinist initiations in the OMS, The Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis Imperator Ralph Maxwell Lewis was asked by the OMT in 1939 to bring Martinism to the U.S.A., and was granted the necessary charters and other documents.

The Second World War was as disastrous for the Order in Europe as the first. The Nazi regime suppressed all 'occult' groups and many Martinists died in concentration camps. The OMT in Europe and its American branch, the Traditional Martinist Order (TMO) still exist, but are reserved exclusively for members of AMORC. A change has been recently made by AMORC and individuals may join the Traditional Martinist Order without joining AMORC. Martinism is still growing in popularity, and with the advent of the Internet, many new orders have emerged worldwide.^[14]

The Martinist Order (L'Ordre Martiniste) founded by Papus in 1887 continues, and grows worldwide with Groups across Europe, Africa, the United States and the Middle East.

List of Martinist orders

• Ordine Martinista Antico e Tradizionale (OMAT)
• Martinist Order (Africa & the Middle East): Operates in English under the aegis of L'Ordre Martiniste, France
• Orden Martinista
• Ordre Reaux Croix (ORC), encompassing the three branches of Martinism
• Ordre Martiniste et Synarchique (OMS), a synarchic order.
• Ordre Martiniste Opératif (OMO)^[15]
• Belgian Martinist Order, aka Ordre Martiniste de Belgique, Belgische Martinistenorde.
• Traditional Martinist Order(TMO), which operates under the aegis of AMORC.
• L'Ordre Martiniste Traditionnel(OMT), which operates under the aegis of AMORC—in French.
• Ordre Martiniste de Papus (OM), started by Papus' son Philippe Encausse.
• Ordre Martiniste des Pays-Bas (OMPB) , started by Maurice Warnon, with the approval of Philippe Encausse for Dutch martinists who were uncomfortable when the Gnostic Church was chosen as official church of the French Martinist Order.
• British Martinist Order (BMO) [Includes French & Russian lineages]
• Rose Croix Martinist Order (R+CMO), which claims to offer the fourth Martinist degree and concentrates on theurgy.
• Ancient Martinist-Martinezist Order (Russian: Древний Орден Мартинистов - Мартинезистов, the English abbreviation AMMO, French: AOMM)), which continues the tradition of Russian Martinism of Gregory Ottonovich Mebes, Vladimir Alexeyevich Shmakov, Nikolai Ivanovich Novikov, Valentin Tomberg, and others. The Order has lineage of Elus Cohens, as well as the lineage of the Martinist Order and Synarchy of Canada and the United States. The Lodge of the Order operates in the Russian Federation.^[16][17][18]
• Ancient Martinist Order (AMO), which aspires to unify the various Martinist Orders under one structure. The Ancient Martinist Order came into existence on April 9, 2000, and was granted the right and justification to exist with the blessings of the Sovereign Grand Masters of the Orders Martiniste et Synarchique of Canada and Barbados; and from the authorized Delegates and “Initiateurs Libres” representing the Order Martiniste du Papus, the Ordre Martinste Initiatic Reformé, the Order Martiniste Chevaliers du Christ, and the Order of Elect Cohens. The Ancient Martinist Order operates bodies of Martinist works in the United States, Russia, Mexico, and Australia.
• Society of Intitiates or Société des Initiés is a loosely organized assembly of S:I: (Free Initiators) who gather together for fellowship and the promotion of the original ideals of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin.
• Martinist Order of the Knights of Christ or Ordre Martiniste Des Chevaliers Du Christ
• The Hermetic Order of Martinists (HOM), which is an Order only open to Master Masons who are also members of Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA)
• Rose+Croix Martinist Order (Ontario, Canada) Grand Master Mike Restivo I::L::.
• Rose Cross Order
• The Ancient Order of the Rosicrucians (AOR)
• Antigua Orden Martinista
• Antiga Ordem Martinista
• Orden Martinista Universal
• Swedish Martinist Order (SMOCI) which operates the Voie Cardiaque and L'Ordre des Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l'Univers traditions.
• Ordine Martinista (Ventura-Caracciolo-Salvadeo)

Notes

1. Baader, Franz von Ensignement secrets de Martinez de Pasqually
2. Robert Ambelain, "Martinists", Man Myth and Magic 62 (London: Punrell, 1971), 1746-47.
3. Restivo, Martinez de Pasqually and the Elus Cohens, http://www.gnostique.net/initiation/pasqually.htm
4. De Pasqually, Martinez (1775). Treatise on the Reintegration of Beings Into Their Original Estate, Virtues and Powers Both Spiritual and Divine. ISBN 0955480809. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
5. Saint-Martin, Theosophic Correspondence
6. Ambelain, R 1946, Le Martinisme, http://wayback.archive.org/web/20070928191157/http://www.moup.org/Files/Ambelain-Le_Martinisme.pdf
7. Ambelain, R 1948, Le Martinisme Contemporain, http://wayback.archive.org/web/20070928191121/http://www.moup.org/Files/Contemporary_Martinism-Ambelain.pdf
8. Restivo, M, Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin and the Supérieurs Inconnus, http://www.gnostique.net/initiation/lcsm.htm
9. Archives of Great Priory of America, CBCS
10. Brief History Of Martinism
11. Apiryon, Tau, (1995) "Docteur Gérard (Anaclet Vincent) Encausse"
12. Culbertson, C, Martinism - A System of Philosophic Thought? http://freespace.virgin.net/clive.culbertson/martinism.htm
13. Rose†Croix Martinist Order Home Page
14. This article contains GFDL material from (or is a derivative work of) the version of 2004-05-15 of the SourceryForge.org article "Martinism"
15. Ordre Martiniste Opératif au Quebec, accessed 26 August 2014
16. «Умирающий Сфинкс и возрождающийся Феникс российского мартинизма» (Беседа с Владимиром Ткаченко-Гильдебрандтом)
17. Web site of The Ancient Martinist - Martinezist Order
18. Official web site of Grand Lodge of Russia (Regular Freemasonry)

External links

• Martinism from its origins to the present day
• Synarchic Martinist Order (Filiation of Greece)
• Ordem Martinista em Portugal
• Ordre Reaux Croix: The Three Branches of Martinism
• O.M.A.T. - Ordine Martinista Antico e Tradizionale Italian, Spanish, French and English
• Detailed biography of Martines de Pasqually
• Martinist Order of the Netherlands (in English)
• Gnostique.net - The French Gnostic Tradition http://www.martiniste.org
• Martinist Order of Unknown Philosophers (MOUP)
• Eleazar Institute: An Introduction to Martinesism
• Ordre Martiniste (in French)
• Traditional Martinist Order(TMO), which operates under the aegis of AMORC.
• L'Ordre Martiniste Traditionnel(OMT), which operates under the aegis of AMORC—in French.
• Ordre Martiniste Opératif au Quebec
• Rose†Croix Martinist Order (Ontario, Canada) Grand Master Mike Restivo, I::L::
• Martinist Information Page
• Hermetic Order of Martinists
• Grand Prieuré Martiniste-Martinéziste International (in French)
• Orden Martinista Universal(in Spanish)
• Swedish Martinist Order (SMOCI)
• Sociedad de Estudios Martinistas (in Spanish)
• Ordine Martinista (Cancellieri - Sacchi - Allegri - Zasio - Bandarin - Ventura - Caracciolo - Salvadeo) (in Italian)
• Martinist Order (Greece)