Among the various tall tales circulated online by certain “Martinist propagandists”—who would do well to remain silent in the presence of those who have been an integral part of this community for a lifetime and, as a result, are well acquainted with their less-than-edifying personal histories—is the claim of Martinism’s alleged “exclusivity” at the expense of other Traditional Initiatic Paths.
These fools particularly target Freemasonry, implying that those who practice Martinism should do nothing else. Now, the fact that Martinism is quite different from Freemasonry is well known to all who are familiar with both paths. The methods of initiating candidates differ; the rituals of collective work differ; and, above all, the individual operational practices differ—practices that are mandatory in Martinism, unlike in Freemasonry.
It is, however, historically undeniable that Martinism was created by Freemasons, a fact easily verifiable simply by reading any text on the history of esotericism. Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, the figure who inspired Martinism, was a Freemason; his Master, Martinez de Pasqually—founder of the Order of the Freemason Knights of the Chosen Cohens of the Universe—was a Freemason; and Antoine Chaptal, through whom the initiation conferred by Saint-Martin was passed—via Henry Delaage—to Papus, founder and first Grand Master of the modern Martinist Order, was also a Freemason. Papus himself and all the members of the first Supreme Council of the Martinist Order were Freemasons: Chaboseau, Tèdèr, Haven, De Guaita, Sèdir, and others.
Furthermore—and this can easily be verified by consulting any history of esotericism—from its very origins (1888), the Martinist Order has been inextricably linked to Egyptian Freemasonry.
Papus and his legitimate successors—Bricaud, Chevillon, Dupont, and Ambelain—were simultaneously at the head of both the Martinist Order and Egyptian Freemasonry (in this case, the Memphis and Misraim branch); finally, Papus’s son, Philippe Encausse—unanimously regarded as the refounder of the Martinist Order—was also Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (33rd degree) and Patriarch Grand Conservator of Egyptian Freemasonry (95th degree). In Italy, Allegri, Zasio, Ventura, Caracciolo, and Cannizzo were simultaneously Grand Masters of the Martinist Order and Grand Hierophants of Egyptian Freemasonry (Mizraim and Memphis branches).
The legitimate successors of the Brothers listed here also simultaneously head both the Martinist Order and Egyptian Freemasonry! Furthermore, Francesco Brunelli (Nebo) was simultaneously the head of the Italian-speaking Martinist Order (later the Ancient and Traditional Martinist Order) and of the Memphis and Misraim Affiliation “inherited” from Ambelain and recognized (rather recklessly, to be honest) by the Grand Orient of Italy (of which Brunelli was a member) as a Rite practicable by the Master Brothers of that Communion.
So, as we can see, some people are lying while fully aware that they are lying—and, moreover, making fools of themselves—since these “popularizers” trace (in a rather questionable manner, at that) the origin of their own Initiatic Filial Order back to Brunelli himself!! One final point: just as in Freemasonry the “Lodges of St. John” lack any initiatic regularity—since a lodge is “regular” only if it is part of a Masonic Order that boasts international recognition—so too do the “Independent Martinist Lodges” are nothing more than a fanciful (and entirely illegitimate and irregular) creation of those who clearly ignore the rules established by the Statutes and Regulations of the Martinist Order. After all, everyone should fulfill the role and profession that life has set out for them: extras can’t play leading roles, surveyors can’t be engineers, janitors can’t be professors, and marshals can’t be generals!
Always with brotherly devotion!
These fools particularly target Freemasonry, implying that those who practice Martinism should do nothing else. Now, the fact that Martinism is quite different from Freemasonry is well known to all who are familiar with both paths. The methods of initiating candidates differ; the rituals of collective work differ; and, above all, the individual operational practices differ—practices that are mandatory in Martinism, unlike in Freemasonry.
It is, however, historically undeniable that Martinism was created by Freemasons, a fact easily verifiable simply by reading any text on the history of esotericism. Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, the figure who inspired Martinism, was a Freemason; his Master, Martinez de Pasqually—founder of the Order of the Freemason Knights of the Chosen Cohens of the Universe—was a Freemason; and Antoine Chaptal, through whom the initiation conferred by Saint-Martin was passed—via Henry Delaage—to Papus, founder and first Grand Master of the modern Martinist Order, was also a Freemason. Papus himself and all the members of the first Supreme Council of the Martinist Order were Freemasons: Chaboseau, Tèdèr, Haven, De Guaita, Sèdir, and others.
Furthermore—and this can easily be verified by consulting any history of esotericism—from its very origins (1888), the Martinist Order has been inextricably linked to Egyptian Freemasonry.
Papus and his legitimate successors—Bricaud, Chevillon, Dupont, and Ambelain—were simultaneously at the head of both the Martinist Order and Egyptian Freemasonry (in this case, the Memphis and Misraim branch); finally, Papus’s son, Philippe Encausse—unanimously regarded as the refounder of the Martinist Order—was also Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (33rd degree) and Patriarch Grand Conservator of Egyptian Freemasonry (95th degree). In Italy, Allegri, Zasio, Ventura, Caracciolo, and Cannizzo were simultaneously Grand Masters of the Martinist Order and Grand Hierophants of Egyptian Freemasonry (Mizraim and Memphis branches).
The legitimate successors of the Brothers listed here also simultaneously head both the Martinist Order and Egyptian Freemasonry! Furthermore, Francesco Brunelli (Nebo) was simultaneously the head of the Italian-speaking Martinist Order (later the Ancient and Traditional Martinist Order) and of the Memphis and Misraim Affiliation “inherited” from Ambelain and recognized (rather recklessly, to be honest) by the Grand Orient of Italy (of which Brunelli was a member) as a Rite practicable by the Master Brothers of that Communion.
So, as we can see, some people are lying while fully aware that they are lying—and, moreover, making fools of themselves—since these “popularizers” trace (in a rather questionable manner, at that) the origin of their own Initiatic Filial Order back to Brunelli himself!! One final point: just as in Freemasonry the “Lodges of St. John” lack any initiatic regularity—since a lodge is “regular” only if it is part of a Masonic Order that boasts international recognition—so too do the “Independent Martinist Lodges” are nothing more than a fanciful (and entirely illegitimate and irregular) creation of those who clearly ignore the rules established by the Statutes and Regulations of the Martinist Order. After all, everyone should fulfill the role and profession that life has set out for them: extras can’t play leading roles, surveyors can’t be engineers, janitors can’t be professors, and marshals can’t be generals!
Always with brotherly devotion!