Editing Martinism (section)

==Martinezism: Martinez de Pasqually and the Élus Coëns==
Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de Pasqually was born in c.&nbsp;1727 in [[Grenoble]], France, and died in 1774 in [[Saint-Domingue]] while dealing with profane business. Martinez de Pasqually was active in Masonic organisations throughout France from the age of 28 onwards. In 1765 he established ''l'Ordre des Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l'Univers'' ([[Order of Knight-Masons Elect Priests of the Universe]]), which functioned as a regular Masonic obedience in France.

This order had three sets of degrees: the first were analogous to the symbolic degrees of conventional [[Freemasonry]]. The second were generally Masonic, though hinting at Pasqually's own secret doctrine. The third set were blatantly [[Magic (paranormal)|magical]]: for example, by using exorcisms against evil in the world generally and in the individual specifically. In the highest degree, the ''Reaux-Croix'', the initiate was taught to use Theurgy to contact spiritual realms beyond the physical.<ref>{{cite web| last=Restivo| first=Mike | title=Martinez de Pasqually and the Elus Cohens| url=http://www.gnostique.net/initiation/pasqually.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112162831/http://www.gnostique.net/initiation/pasqually.htm |archive-date=2007-01-12 }}</ref>

De Pasqually put forth the philosophy underlying the work of the Élus Coëns in his only book, ''[[Treatise on the Reintegration of Beings]]'',<ref name=Treatise>{{cite book|last=De Pasqually|first=Martinez|title=Treatise on the Reintegration of Beings Into Their Original Estate, Virtues and Powers Both Spiritual and Divine|date=1775|publisher=Septentrione Books |isbn=0955480809|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/15200926/De-Pasqually-Martinez-Treatise-of-the-Reintegration-of-Beings|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223122928/http://www.scribd.com/doc/15200926/De-Pasqually-Martinez-Treatise-of-the-Reintegration-of-Beings|archive-date=2014-02-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> which first uses the analogy of the Garden of Eden, and refers to Christ as "The Repairer". The ultimate aim of the Élus Coën was to attain&nbsp;– whilst living&nbsp;– the [[beatific vision]] through a series of magical invocations and complex theurgic operations.

After Martinez de Pasqually's death, the Élus Coëns continued to operate for some time; however, divisions started to occur between various temples, which became dormant during the first half of the 19th century. The last-known surviving Élus Coën from the original incarnation of the order, Destigny, died in 1868.<ref name=Treatise />