kaos

However, he was not necessarily a “Martinist”, at that time, given the data I have
before me. For though Willermoz was initiated into the Rite des Élus Cohens by
Martines de Pasqually himself, at Versailles, it occurred sometime after he left Lyons
for Paris in May of 1767 [according to the above essay].
This Rite is supposed to have been founded by Martines in 1754 [Heckethorn, The
Secret Societies of All Ages and Countries: Vol. I, §266], but Waite finds this claim doubtful
[Vol. II, p 60]. He notes:
It appears to have had a sovereign tribunal at Paris in the year 1767, at the head of which
was that mysterious, magnetic personality, Don Martines de Pasqually. He himself is
first heard of at Toulouse in 1760, furnished with a hieroglyphical charter and the title of
Inspector-General. [Ibid, Vol. II, p 336]
Heckethorn states that the “Order of Martinists” was founded in this same year of
1754 [Vol. I, §266]. I can find no date at which Willermoz was initiated into the
“Martinists”, and therefore have no reason to admit a date prior to 1760, two years after
the foundation of the first Rose-Croix.
Is Partit seriously suggesting that Willermoz originated the Rose-Croix degree in
Lyons, prior to 1758, and that it was subsequently adopted by the Council of the
Emperors of the East and West? If so, it seems that he is privy to information not
available to Waite at the time of his writing, and I would very much like to hear more of
his sources.
Otherwise, we can hardly appeal to Willermoz as the ultimate authority on its
symbolism, as his usage would be derivative of a pre-existing ritual, whatever his
subsequent impact on modern (Supreme Grand Council of England) interpretations
of the Grade. To my mind, any argument about the “correct” form of the rituals of the
Rose-Croix must include some defensible statement(s) concerning its origin.
Waite, though qualifying his words, waxes most eloquent in condemning false
pretenders to the Grade, reflecting closely Jac Partit’s interpretation, saying:
It will be understood that in these words I am concerned only with the Grade as it is
conferred under the obedience of the supreme council of England and Wales, and of
those other Supreme Councils that are united in using the one form of this Ritual which
is alone of consequence, being concerned with the finding of Christ as the True Word in
Masonry. It must be stated that there are follies and abominations of philosophical rosecroix
grades, Deistic rose-croix Grades, and other devices which are part of an apostasy
in symbolism. They are all indifferently false in doctrine, and fictitious in Masonry. The
true Grade is concerned with the search, suffering and attainment of those who have
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