Difference between revisions of "Robert Ambelain"
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'''Robert Ambelain''' (1907–1997) was a French esoteric author and a leader of [[Memphis-Misraim|Memphis-Misraïm]] in the twentieth century. His books addressed Masonic symbolism, [[Martinism]] and other subjects in Western esotericism.<ref name="ambelainworks">[https://catalogue.bnf.fr/rechercher.do?index=AUT3&numNotice=11888626 Bibliothèque nationale de France, works catalogued under Robert Ambelain (1907–1997)].</ref> | '''Robert Ambelain''' (1907–1997) was a French esoteric author and a leader of [[Memphis-Misraim|Memphis-Misraïm]] in the twentieth century. His books addressed Masonic symbolism, [[Martinism]] and other subjects in Western esotericism.<ref name="ambelainworks">[https://catalogue.bnf.fr/rechercher.do?index=AUT3&numNotice=11888626 Bibliothèque nationale de France, works catalogued under Robert Ambelain (1907–1997)].</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Names and religious offices== | ||
| + | Ambelain also wrote as '''Aurifer'''. The Bibliothèque nationale de France maintains linked records for his civil name and this pseudonym. Its authority record dates his consecration as a bishop of the Église gnostique universelle to 1946, under the name Tau Robert, and his patriarchate to 1960, under the name Tau Jean III. These church appointments were distinct from his offices in Memphis-Misraïm.<ref>Bibliothèque nationale de France, [https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb16903049m authority record for Aurifer (1907–1997)].</ref> | ||
==Masonic activity== | ==Masonic activity== | ||
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* ''La Franc-maçonnerie oubliée'' (1985). | * ''La Franc-maçonnerie oubliée'' (1985). | ||
* ''Franc-maçonnerie d’autrefois'' (1988), on the rites of Misraïm and Memphis.<ref name="ambelainworks" /> | * ''Franc-maçonnerie d’autrefois'' (1988), on the rites of Misraïm and Memphis.<ref name="ambelainworks" /> | ||
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| + | ==Astrological writing== | ||
| + | Astrology was an early subject of Ambelain's publishing. His ''Traité d'astrologie ésotérique'' appeared in volumes dealing with cycles, ''onomancie'' and lunar astrology. The Astrolearn research library records the first two volumes in editions dated 1937 and the third, published by Niclaus, in 1942; it also holds a 1952 edition of the first volume.<ref>Astrolearn research library, [https://www.astrolearn.com/astrology-articles/sources-on-esoteric-and-karmic-astrology-in-the-library-1887-1999/ “Sources on esoteric and karmic astrology in the library, 1887–1999”], Ambelain entries.</ref> | ||
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| + | Copies of the 1952 and 1942 volumes are also listed among René Nelli's printed books at the Archives départementales de l'Aude.<ref>Archives départementales de l'Aude, [https://archivesdepartementales.aude.fr/sites/default/files/media/files/9jj9-imprimes_sciences_divinatoires.pdf ''Fonds Nelli: Imprimés, sciences divinatoires''], Ambelain entries.</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 12:18, 1 October 2026
Robert Ambelain (1907–1997) was a French esoteric author and a leader of Memphis-Misraïm in the twentieth century. His books addressed Masonic symbolism, Martinism and other subjects in Western esotericism.[1]
Names and religious offices
Ambelain also wrote as Aurifer. The Bibliothèque nationale de France maintains linked records for his civil name and this pseudonym. Its authority record dates his consecration as a bishop of the Église gnostique universelle to 1946, under the name Tau Robert, and his patriarchate to 1960, under the name Tau Jean III. These church appointments were distinct from his offices in Memphis-Misraïm.[2]
Masonic activity
The Grande Loge Féminine de Memphis-Misraïm dates Ambelain’s initiation to 26 March 1939 and identifies Constant Chevillon as his sponsor. The Grande Loge Symbolique de France’s history associates him with the clandestine lodge Alexandrie d’Égypte, meeting at his home during the occupation.[3][4]
Ambelain succeeded Charles-Henri Dupont in 1960 in the French line of the rite described by these organisations. His subsequent work included support for women’s Masonry: the Grande Loge Féminine’s account traces its background to the lodge Hathor in 1965 and Le Delta in 1971, before its later establishment as an independent body.[3]
These histories describe particular organisational lineages. Ambelain’s titles do not mean that all bodies using the Memphis-Misraïm name accepted one governing authority; see organisations and recognition.
Publications
The BnF catalogue records a long publishing career, including:
- Dans l’ombre des cathédrales (1939).
- Le Martinisme: histoire et doctrine (1946).
- Scala philosophorum, ou la symbolique des outils dans l’art royal (1963 edition).
- La Franc-maçonnerie oubliée (1985).
- Franc-maçonnerie d’autrefois (1988), on the rites of Misraïm and Memphis.[1]
Astrological writing
Astrology was an early subject of Ambelain's publishing. His Traité d'astrologie ésotérique appeared in volumes dealing with cycles, onomancie and lunar astrology. The Astrolearn research library records the first two volumes in editions dated 1937 and the third, published by Niclaus, in 1942; it also holds a 1952 edition of the first volume.[5]
Copies of the 1952 and 1942 volumes are also listed among René Nelli's printed books at the Archives départementales de l'Aude.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bibliothèque nationale de France, works catalogued under Robert Ambelain (1907–1997).
- ↑ Bibliothèque nationale de France, authority record for Aurifer (1907–1997).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Grande Loge Féminine de Memphis-Misraïm, “À propos”, organisational history and membership statement.
- ↑ Grande Loge Symbolique de France, “Les figures du Rite”, account of the wartime and post-war French organisation.
- ↑ Astrolearn research library, “Sources on esoteric and karmic astrology in the library, 1887–1999”, Ambelain entries.
- ↑ Archives départementales de l'Aude, Fonds Nelli: Imprimés, sciences divinatoires, Ambelain entries.
Memphis-Misraïm: Overview · Misraïm · Memphis · History · Degrees and organisation · Egyptian symbolism · Organisations and recognition · Regalia and imagery · Sources and further reading
People: Bédarride brothers · Marconis de Nègre · John Yarker · Giuseppe Garibaldi · Papus · Jean Bricaud · Constant Chevillon · Robert Ambelain
Background: Hermeticism · Martinism · Masonic glossary · Comparison with related traditions