This publication contains, for the first time in English, the totality of Martinez de PasquallyÕs lÕOrdre des Chevaliers Macons ƒlus Co‘ns de lÕUnivers, manuscript B.M.G. MS. 4123 Extrait de ce qui est contenu dans les Grades de lÕOrdre des E.C., or Extract of what is contained in the Grades of the Ordre of the E.C. This manuscript, the original of which is kept at the Biblioth�que Municipal de Grenoble, is part of a series of seven notebooks (Mss. 4123Ð4129) containing key catechisms, rituals and instructions of PasquallyÕs order.
MS. 4123 contains extracts and notes on the floorwork of the Co‘n initiations from I¡ Symbolic Apprentice to X¡ Commander of the Orient. In the form of a catechism, this MS. exposes the physical content of the grades, its doctrine and teachings, forms of the Temples, and an overall summary of the initiations. It describes the colors and symbols of the grades, the consecrations, batteries, steps, and signs. It thus illustrates the general form, but still cannot convey the inner esoteric meanings of its skeletal presentation of the rites, a gnosis which can only be gained by being initiated through the grades, achieving the necessary Passes of the personal grade work, and earning the ranks of which it speaks.
The grades overviewed in this MS. include:
¥ I¡ Symbolic Apprentice
¥ II¡ Symbolic Companion
¥ III¡ Symbolic Master
¥ IV¡ Master ƒlu/Perfect Master ƒlu
¥ V¡ Apprentice Co‘n or Strongly Marked
¥ VI¡ Companion Co‘n or Double Strongly Marked
¥ VII¡ Master Co‘n or Triple Strongly Marked
¥ VIII¡ Grand Architect or Grand Master Co‘n
¥ IX¡ Knight of the East/Chevalier dÕOrient
¥ X¡ Commander of the Orient
For each grade, we have included our own English translation, a faithful transcription of the original French, and a facsimilŽ of the original French manuscript. In this manner, the resources of the Tradition may be carefully preserved for the English-speaking world so that the next generation may begin where we have left off.
Great thanks are due to Br.á. Ignoscentia, Master of O.á.M.á.S.á. Temple No. 11 in Sacramento, California for his assistance transcribing and translating the II¡ÐVI¡ of this MS. Many thanks as well to Sr.á. Petra of O.á.M.á.S.á. Temple No. 1 in Austin, Texas for her labor in editing and proofreading our translations. You have both done a great service for the Ordre, your brethren, and the Martinist community.