Difference between revisions of "Papus"

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(Add Papus biography, distinguish Martinist and Masonic roles, and add sourced portrait)
 
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==Publishing and Martinism==
 
==Publishing and Martinism==
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Papus’s writings sought to bring several esoteric traditions into a common account. His early books included ''L’occultisme contemporain'' (1887) and ''Traité élémentaire de science occulte'' (1888). The BnF catalogue also records his writings on Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin, the figure after whom [[Martinism]] takes its name.<ref name="papusworks">[https://catalogue.bnf.fr/rechercher.do?index=AUT3&numNotice=15461390 Bibliothèque nationale de France, works catalogued under Papus (1865–1916)].</ref>
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Papus’s writings sought to bring several esoteric traditions into a common account. His early books included ''L’occultisme contemporain'' (1887) and ''Traité élémentaire de science occulte'' (1888). The BnF catalogue also records his writings on [[Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin]], the figure after whom [[Martinism]] takes its name.<ref name="papusworks">[https://catalogue.bnf.fr/rechercher.do?index=AUT3&numNotice=15461390 Bibliothèque nationale de France, works catalogued under Papus (1865–1916)].</ref>
  
 
In 1891 Papus and his associates established the first Supreme Council of the modern Martinist Order. ''L’Initiation'' provided a forum for occult philosophy, Masonic symbolism and related subjects, but the journal’s own history distinguishes it institutionally from the order.<ref name="review">[https://www.linitiation.eu/historique-de-la-revue <i>L’Initiation</i>, “Historique de la Revue”, account of the journal and the Martinist Order].</ref>
 
In 1891 Papus and his associates established the first Supreme Council of the modern Martinist Order. ''L’Initiation'' provided a forum for occult philosophy, Masonic symbolism and related subjects, but the journal’s own history distinguishes it institutionally from the order.<ref name="review">[https://www.linitiation.eu/historique-de-la-revue <i>L’Initiation</i>, “Historique de la Revue”, account of the journal and the Martinist Order].</ref>
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==See also==
 
==See also==
 
* [[Martinism]]
 
* [[Martinism]]
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* [[Augustin Chaboseau]]
 
* [[Jean Bricaud]]
 
* [[Jean Bricaud]]
 
* [[History of Memphis-Misraim]]
 
* [[History of Memphis-Misraim]]
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[[Category:Historical People]]
 
[[Category:Historical People]]
 
[[Category:Memphis-Misraim]]
 
[[Category:Memphis-Misraim]]
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[[Category:Martinism]]

Revision as of 13:13, 25 September 2026

Oil portrait of Papus seated at a writing desk.
Papus, painted by Auguste-Émile Deslandes, probably 1899. Public domain.

Papus was the pen name of Gérard Encausse (13 July 1865 – 25 October 1916), a French physician, occultist and organiser of the modern Martinist movement. He founded the journal L’Initiation in 1888 and later led a French Memphis-Misraïm organisation.[1][2]

Publishing and Martinism

Papus’s writings sought to bring several esoteric traditions into a common account. His early books included L’occultisme contemporain (1887) and Traité élémentaire de science occulte (1888). The BnF catalogue also records his writings on Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin, the figure after whom Martinism takes its name.[3]

In 1891 Papus and his associates established the first Supreme Council of the modern Martinist Order. L’Initiation provided a forum for occult philosophy, Masonic symbolism and related subjects, but the journal’s own history distinguishes it institutionally from the order.[4]

Masonic activity

Papus organised an international Masonic conference in Paris in 1908. Howe and Möller’s study of Theodor Reuss records that the participants accepted a warrant from Reuss for a French body working the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis and Misraïm. This was outside the Grand Orient de France.[5]

Bricaud’s chronology names Papus as Grand Master under the charter of 24 June 1908, with Charles Détré (Teder) as deputy.[2] His Martinist leadership was a separate office.[5]

Reading Papus

His Martinésisme, Willermosisme, Martinisme et Franc-Maçonnerie (1899) sets out his interpretation of the relationships among those movements. It is a source for his own programme and historical claims, rather than an independent account of the order he helped establish.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bibliothèque nationale de France, authority record for Gérard Encausse (1865–1916).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jean Bricaud, historical notes on Memphis-Misraïm (1933), updated by Constant Chevillon (1938), reproduced by L’Initiation as “Historique de Memphis-Misraïm”; an account written by leaders of the rite.
  3. ↑ Bibliothèque nationale de France, works catalogued under Papus (1865–1916).
  4. ↑ L’Initiation, “Historique de la Revue”, account of the journal and the Martinist Order.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ellic Howe and Helmut Möller, “Theodor Reuss”, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, transcription hosted by the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon; section on the 1908 Paris conference.
  6. ↑ Papus, Martinésisme, Willermosisme, Martinisme et Franc-Maçonnerie, 1899; historical text presented by L’Initiation.