Freemasonry, Christian theosophy and Illuminism
Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin
The Unknown Philosopher
Initiate of the Élus Coëns who moved away from external ceremonial theurgy toward an interior path of spiritual regeneration.
- Dates
- 18 January 1743 – 13 October 1803
- Dating
- documented dates
- Born
- Amboise
- Died
- Aulnay
The life
He served first as an army officer. Böhme later became a tremendous influence on him.
Place in the tradition
The turn from ceremony to interiority is one of the permanent options in Western esotericism, and he is its clearest exponent.
a note on the record
History and later legend
Later Martinism took his name, but the organised Martinist orders of Papus's era are nineteenth-century constructions rather than Saint-Martin's own organisation.
the written record
Principal works
-
1775
Of Errors and Truth
Des erreurs et de la vérité
His first major work, published as 'The Unknown Philosopher'. Humanity is fallen from an original spiritual condition and capable of restoration.
-
1782
Tableau naturel
Develops his account of humanity, nature and the divine order.
-
1790
The Man of Desire
L'Homme de désir
A devotional and mystical work expressing the soul's longing for reintegration.
-
1792
Ecce Homo
A meditation on spiritual regeneration and the true human condition.
-
1790s
The New Man
Le Nouvel Homme
An account of inward rebirth.
-
1800
The Spirit of Things
De l'Esprit des choses
Attempts to read nature as a spiritual revelation.
-
1802
Ministry of the Man-Spirit
Le Ministère de l'homme-esprit
One of his mature statements concerning humanity's spiritual vocation.