"The Universalism of Memphis+Misraim" by Tau Blaise
Several times in previous pastoral letters and articles I have referred to the Liberal Catholic Acts of Faith and to the universalism inherent therein, especially apparent in the sentence “that all His sons shall one day reach His feet, however far they stray.” Here the Liberal Catholic tradition presents our conviction that through the working out of karma, over many lifetimes all people will in the end achieve salvation through enlightenment. So, in this sense “universalism” refers to universal salvation. The wider implication however, is that salvation does not depend on adherence to any particular belief system. Ones religious tradition in a particular incarnation is, ideally, an aid on the path towards eventual reintegration, no more and no less. This leaves us free to explore many different religions and spiritualities as the Spirit may move us.

The freedom to explore various spiritual paths, however, comes with several potential pitfalls. We may, for example, fail to give a particular system the commitment it deserves for the achievement of maximum success. This may certainly be the case if one is trying to acheive spiritual proficiency as a Yogi or a monk, however, in today’s global marketplace where all the major spiritual traditions display their wares, it is possible and maybe even desirable to sample a few differents paths before commiting to working in depth with one or two - or more if you happen to have the time and the ability to hold them together. I have found it helpful to visualise the “Interior Castle” (inspired by St Teresa of Avila) with a Liberal Catholic room - in my case the largest in the house - along with a Druid hall and Buddhist and Hindu salons. There is no limit to the number of rooms you can explore in your own interior castle! In whichever room you happen to be working you are still You. The experiences that each room offers may be different in some ways and similar in others, but in all cases you yourself are the one who experiences and integrates the various coloured threads being woven into the fabric of your life.

I know from many years experience in trying to steer my attraction to various spiritualities into a single direction that this is no easy task. Sometimes one is simply “spoilt for choice” and ends up choosing nothing! I am fortunate, however, to have a foundation in Spiritualism and its older sibling Shamanism, both of which are compatible with most other spiritual systems, which leads me nicely to the main point of this article and that is to share with you a unifying system that encompasses most of the main religious traditions of the earth, namely the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis+Misraim.
Of all the Masonic rites, the 18th century Rites of Memphis and Misraim, based on the Egyptian Masonry of the martyr, Count Alessandro Cagliostro, are the most mystical and the most magical. Among the 100° are some degrees dedicated to ancient Egyptian workings as well as those inspired by a plethora of spiritual traditions including Roman, Greek, Hebrew, Templar, Rosicrucian, Martinist, Druidic, Norse, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, all moving towards the eventual goal of union with the Great Architect of the Universe. This alone would be useful enough for one who seeks a unifying system for all of the most important mystical paths, however our particular branch of Free Illuminist Memphis-Misraim has a particularly interesting history, having evolved in Haiti.
Of all the Masonic rites, the 18th century Rites of Memphis and Misraim, based on the Egyptian Masonry of the martyr, Count Alessandro Cagliostro, are the most mystical and the most magical. Among the 100° are some degrees dedicated to ancient Egyptian workings as well as those inspired by a plethora of spiritual traditions including Roman, Greek, Hebrew, Templar, Rosicrucian, Martinist, Druidic, Norse, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, all moving towards the eventual goal of union with the Great Architect of the Universe. This alone would be useful enough for one who seeks a unifying system for all of the most important mystical paths, however our particular branch of Free Illuminist Memphis-Misraim has a particularly interesting history, having evolved in Haiti.
The reorganiser of the rite in Haiti (in 1921), Bishop Lucien-Francois Jean-Maine (Tau Ogdoade-Orfeo I) was descended from slaves who were, allegedly, owned by the famous masonic mystic and founder, Martines Pasqually. Ⲧ Lucien-Francois was a Houngan as well as a Gnostic Bishop and so blended elements of Afro-Atlantean magic with Memphis+Misraim. This unique endeavour was further developed by his son Hector-Francois, also a Houngan and Gnostic Bishop (Tau Ogdoade-Orfeo III), who in turn passed the baton on to Bishop Michael Paul Bertiaux (Tau Ogdoade-Orfeo IV) through whom we are blessed to have inherited Jean-Maine lines of Apostolic Succession.
We are also particularly grateful to Tau Allen Greenfield and Tau Palamas who have done so much to make this particular form of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis+Misraim known and accessible throughout the world and very grateful also to our brothers and sisters in Serbia, particularly Tau Qadosh, Tau Nuctemeron & Suor Naunet who have so generously shared with us and initiated us into this beautiful and potent magical order. We now have working lodges in both Serbia and Spain, where individuals may apply for initiation, but it should also be said that unlike most other masonic systems, the APRM+M is particularly suited for solitary and small group workings, which for many of us is a great advantage.
"When man is no longer a slave, we must appeal to his heart and intellect, if we would bring about the reign of peace, harmony and science." (from APRM+M ritual)
We are also particularly grateful to Tau Allen Greenfield and Tau Palamas who have done so much to make this particular form of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis+Misraim known and accessible throughout the world and very grateful also to our brothers and sisters in Serbia, particularly Tau Qadosh, Tau Nuctemeron & Suor Naunet who have so generously shared with us and initiated us into this beautiful and potent magical order. We now have working lodges in both Serbia and Spain, where individuals may apply for initiation, but it should also be said that unlike most other masonic systems, the APRM+M is particularly suited for solitary and small group workings, which for many of us is a great advantage.
"When man is no longer a slave, we must appeal to his heart and intellect, if we would bring about the reign of peace, harmony and science." (from APRM+M ritual)
See also the Lodge Valhalla page!