James LeFevour – USA
The French Revolution could be considered a significant time in Theosophical foundation, as well as lending to Freemasonry. It was tumultuous, and it was considered a clash from the disparity between the classes, yet it was a pivotal time in world history that would lead to a more cultured and democratic society.
From a Theosophical standpoint we could not just look at the French Revolution as a bad situation in which the Masters, working behind the scenes, would find a way to bring about a beneficial resolve, but also we could see the influence a few key figures in such times. Most notably was the interaction of the Prince Rakoczi also known as the Comte de Saint Germain. His interaction would allow Freemasonry values to influence France, and lead to the development of Co-Freemasonry as we know it today.
It is stated that for the French Revolution male Freemasonry, founded in 1717, who's emphasis on liberty, equality, and fraternity aligned with the revolutionary ideals that built toward the equal values that resolved after the discord. This occurred after the aristocracy failed to bring any equality and fairness to the public themselves.
Saint Germain
The Head of Freemasonry was always the Comte de Saint Germain, as he was called in the eighteenth century. His history delves deeply in ceremonial mysteries. At one time in a past life he was titled Hierophant of the Mysteries of ancient Egypt. In this lifetime he is also called Prince Rakoczi, as he is the last survivor of that royal house. Throughout his lifetimes he took a keen interest in the ceremonial mystery school as early as the third century A.D.
Comte de Saint Germain,
The chronicle of his lifetimes begins in ancient Rome. In that time period he was named Albanus, a young man who served in the military, and became initiated in the Mithraic Mysteries. He was born in Verulam in England, and after finishing his military career he governed the town fortress. It was recorded that the workmen were originally treated as slaves and paid very little, but after Saint Alban introduced the mystery schools, everything changed. He secured for them better wages and greatly improved conditions generally. He died in 303.
In 411 he was born as Proclus in Constantinople as a proponent of Neo-Platonism. After that he was reborn Roger Bacon in 1211, a reformer of theology and science. In 1375 he was Christian Rosenkreutz, the founder of the secret society of Rosicrucians. Then in 1561 he was born as Francis Bacon.
Francis Bacon led an enigmatic life. He was born 1561 and died in 1626, while Freemasonry officially wasn’t founded until June 24th 1717. However he learned of ancient mystery traditions, and during his time there were secret societies who, while not officially yet Freemasons, may yet one day join and become Masonic after lodges merged together. As such because of his contributions to the practice of the mystery traditions, some attribute him to be a founder. There are in fact historical documents saying that Francis Bacon is the first Freemason. Also among the rumors about Francis Bacon include that he was the actual writer of Shakespeare’s plays, although that is highly disputed.
A century later in the year 1700 it is believed that he was born once again, this time as Jozsef Rakoczi, a prince of Transylvania. In his life he traveled about Europe, presumably gaining knowledge and experience to eventually become an adept of the mysteries on par with the Mahatmas of the yogic tradition. Even though it is recorded that his death was in 1738, it is esoterically known that he lived an abnormally long lifetime after. He was the Comte de Saint Germain at the time of the French Revolution in 1789, making plays so that history would move in the direction that is most beneficial to those who would do good. At one time he disguised himself as Baron Hompesch, who was the last of the Knights of St. John of Malta.
His farewell letter, addressed to Madame d'Adhemar of French nobility, arrived on October 5, 1789. "All is lost, Countess!" he wrote. "This sun is the last which will set on the monarchy. Tomorrow it will exist no more. My advice has been scorned. Now it is too late." In a conversation the Count de St. Germain informed her that the time when he could have helped France was past. "I can do nothing now. My hands are tied by one stronger than myself. The hour of repose is past, and the decrees of Providence must be fulfilled." He foretold the death of the Queen, the complete ruin of the Bourbons, and the rise of Napoleon. "I must go to Sweden," he told Madame d'Adhemar. "A great crime is brewing there, and I am going to try and prevent it. His Majesty Gustavus III interests me. He is worth more than his renown." The Countess inquired if she would see him again. "Five times more," he answered. "Do not wish for the sixth."
Many scholars of Freemasonry attribute the modern version of male masonic tradition to have formally started on June 24th 1717, in Prince Rakoczi’s lifetime, when the Grande Lodge founded in London, England formed. He would later be considered the spiritual patron of the movement by the Brotherhood of Adepts.
HPB acknowledged that she knew of the prince. She stated:
“The Count de St. Germain was certainly the greatest Oriental Adept Europe has seen during the last centuries. But Europe knew him not. Perchance some may recognize him at the next Terreur, which will affect all Europe when it comes, and not one country alone.”
The Great White Brotherhood
To what is there interest in a fraternity of men, or later a fraternity of both men and women, such as Freemasonry when there is such politics and intrigue in the world? The answer is that there are many methods of instilling values and morality in the brotherhood of mankind. For those who have the character, it is also a means of giving the progress of initiation to the few who have the karma and interest leading toward that direction.
The Great White Brotherhood refers to a group of perfected beings that are said to spread spiritual teachings through selected individuals in order to guide humankind’s spiritual progress. The first person to talk about them in the West was Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. She explained that communities of these adepts exist around the world, including places like Tibet, India, Egypt, China, and Europe. The purpose of these communities is to teach and spiritually progress the enfoldment of their chelas.
HPB wrote that “A Mahatma is a personage, who, by special training and education, has evolved those higher faculties and has attained that spiritual knowledge, which ordinary humanity will acquire after passing through numberless series of reincarnations during the process of cosmic evolution.” The Masters of the Great White Brotherhood are forerunners for the human race, making sure the way is clear for those who come afterward, and guiding the rest of the world to a destiny that best suits the ideals for which all good people strive.
The Spread of Co-Freemasonry
Annie Besant as a Co-Freemason
Annie Besant and Co-Freemasons
Annie Besant later became a great proponent for Co-Freemasonry, or Freemasonry for men and women alike. For those who would agree with her, they would see how Freemasonry is in line with the efforts of the masters. She believed Freemasonry is just one avenue to be in alignment with the goals and the spiritual advancements that the Mahatmas, or Great White Brotherhood, have made available to mankind. There have been mystery traditions, and avenues of initiation in different places throughout time. What we should take from the knowledge of their existence, even for those who do not choose some form of initiation, is that there are those who are constantly guiding those who have altruistic ambition so that all might benefit from the actions of those who seek benevolence and compassion.
The first Co-Freemasonic Order Le Droit Humain (LDH) was formed in the late 1890s in Paris. Coinciding with that event, was a Theosophical Society that lacked a ritual, which many fellows of Theosophy were interested in discovering and practicing. Annie Besant felt that Co Freemasonry, as an independent body of practitioners, could benefit the world in its ritual and inclusion of women. As such, she decided to plant LDH temples in many of the cities she visited during her lecture tours around the world.
What Co-Freemasonry did for the world was instill values in the public which are in line with the Masters, with their headquarters based in France. What the Masters do for the world after such a tragedy as the French Revolution is rebuild to a place of beneficial civilization for all.
In Conclusion
What we could take from the French Revolution, the interaction of Saint Germain with the Countess, and the effect of Freemasonry on France is that theMasters find a way to bring about their grace, plan, and unfoldment for humanity in one way or another. Whatever may be happening in the world there is the constant teaching of Theosophy that the Masters are guiding the spiritual evolution of the human race.
To quote HPB in Conversations on Occultism:
“Student.— Are there any Adepts in America or Europe? Sage.— Yes, there are and always have been. But they have for the present kept themselves hidden from the public gaze. The real ones have a wide work to do in many departments of life and in preparing certain persons who have a future work to do. Though their influence is wide they are not suspected, and that is the way they want to work for the present... Nothing is omitted by these Adepts. In Europe it is the same way, each sphere of work being governed by the time and the place.”
SOURCES:
https://theosophy.wiki/en/Count_de_Saint_Germain
https://www.anandgholap.net/Hidden_Life_In_Freemasonry-CWL.htm
https://theosophy.wiki/en/Brotherhood_of_Adepts#cite_note-10