The Martinist Order of the Netherlands

The Declaration of Principles

Art. 101

The Order is named “ORDRE MARTINISTE DES PAYS-BAS”. For practical purposes of this document, it shall be called under the name “MARTINIST ORDER” or be abbreviated as “O*M*”. Having its seat in the Netherlands, in the Orient of the city of Amsterdam where it was founded, the Martinist Order does not limit its jurisdiction to that country, but attempts to spread the Martinist message all over the world.

 

Alt. 102

The Martinist Order is a chain of man and women “of desire”, that without distinction of sex, race, nationality, religious faith, political belief, social class or position, assembles its associates into cells called “Groups”, for the purpose of the perfecting and spiritual elevation of Mankind, by study, knowledge and the practice of the Initiatic Tradition.

 

Art. 103

The Martinist Order wishes to follow the cultural, philosophical, liturgical and mystical orientations of its founder—Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin. Its doctrine is based on the works of the teachers, having influenced the theosopher of Amboise, Jacob Boehme (so called the theosopher of Gorlitz), Johan Georg Gichtel (so called the theosopher of Amsterdam), Martinez de Pasqually, Emmanuel Swedenborg (so called the Swedish theosopher), as well as on the message of the later theosophers and mystics and were inspired by him:

Jean-Baptiste Willermoz, Augustin Chaboseau, Eliphas Levi, Gerard Encausse (Papus), Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Johannes van der Stok, …  The Order may thus be defined as “theosophical”, in the widest meaning of the word.

 

Alt. 104

Grafted on this theosophical roots, the Martinist Order must admit all the methods of searching for the Truth, from the most academic and scientific to the most metaphysical, mystical and esoteric.

 

Art. 105

The Martinist Order accepts as equivalent truth all of those taught by the traditional schools of Initiation, those from the East as well as those from the West.

 

Art. 106

The Martinist Order does not impose on its members any restriction, any preference in matters of doctrine, culture, theurgy or mysticism. However, the Order declares itself to be under the protection and the guidance of Christ, its Hierophant and its Master.

 

Art. 107

The Martinist Order teaches all matters considered useful to its purpose, in particular the doctrine of the universal Reintegration, but leaves its members free to apply the acquired knowledge according to their own sensibility and understanding.

 

Art. 108

The Martinist Order spreads its teaching in four degrees, called “initiatic” degrees, that are received by its members according to a definite ritual and schedule. Three “administrative” degrees exist, that are bestowed upon the members taking the responsibility of the administrative direction of the Order.

 

Art. 109

The Martinist Order of the Netherlands is considered to have an inner bond with all traditional Martinist Orders and maintains a friendly relationship with all. However, it declares itself administratively independent from any other Order, Fraternity, initiatic, philosophical, esoteric or theosophical society, from any religious denomination or church; though respecting their rules, rites and customs. The Order expects inreturn a similar degree of tolerance. The Martinist Order invites its members to intervene directly or indirectly in the internal affairs of other organizations they belong to, in the event, and only in the event that the tradition particular to such an organization is in danger of being lost, or when the search for and the teaching of the Truth would be put in jeopardy by the limitation or the suppression of the freedom of thought.