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The Enigmatic Comte Saint Germaine

The Historical Count of Saint-Germaine: Elusive, Enigmatic and Eternal

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The Count of Saint-Germaine is undoubtedly one of the most enigmatic characters from history. Considered by many to be either immortal or continuously reincarnated, he survives in all accounts as a great mind, an alchemist, and a Rosicrucian—a member of a secret society that believed the world is built on mysterious truths from the past which are hidden from the average man. The pattern of his life, however, is one that is surrounded in mystery, and much of his background is questionable to say the least.

Born in 1710, there are two explanations for Saint-Germaine's parentage. The first, circulated by himself as he lay on his deathbed, is that he was the third son of Prince Ferenc Rokoczy II of Hungary and an unknown woman. Further to this theory, he is believed to have been raised and tutored by the wealthy Medici banking family of Italy, explaining his astounding intellect as an adult. The second possibility of his birth is that he was born to an unnamed Portuguese Jew.  However, neither version of his origins can be known for certain, as there are no birth or funeral records of the count, and the count's real name is unknown. "Saint-Germaine" was a pseudonym he derived for himself. 

The famous and extremely powerful and influential Medici family of Italy, is believed to have raised and tutored Saint-Germaine

The famous and extremely powerful and influential Medici family of Italy, is believed to have raised and tutored Saint-Germaine, Photo from (toptenz.net)

The Count of Saint-Germaine (Comte de Saint Germain) shows up in numerous places throughout his lifetime, making friends and enemies all over Europe. He was well-known for his intellect, talents, and royal affiliations, and is considered to have dressed well, with a ring on every finger, and a constantly powdered wig. Such dressing denoted a wealthy upbringing, and the former consideration that he was the son of a prince, boded well for his political affiliations. Saint-Germaine was considered a charming man, adept at painting and music, able to speak up to ten languages—most of the prominent ones of Europe—fluently.

Saint-Germaine created a stir of curiosity during his lifetime in numerous ways, most evidently because he is recorded as never having been seen eating or drinking in public, yet still remaining in absolutely perfect health. He told the infamous Giacomo Girolamo Casanova of Italy that he only ate a secret type of food (considered by some to be an age-defying elixir) which had allegedly kept him alive for over three hundred years, so contemporary food was not necessary. He was also a curious figure because he had no apparent means of wealth, but was never wanting, making friends with high-status aristocrats and royals through undefinable means. In fact, Saint-Germaine's closest confidante was Prince Karl of Hesse-Cassel in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, the only man to whom he admitted his parentage and in whose home Saint-Germaine chose to die. 

Painting of Prince Karl of Hesse-Cassel, painting by Anton Wilhelm Tischbein (1730-1804).

Painting of Prince Karl of Hesse-Cassel, painting by Anton Wilhelm Tischbein (1730-1804). (Wikipedia.org)

Among Saint-Germaine's other closest supporters were some of history's favorite figures. He was arrested in London, around 1743, for being a highly wanted Jacobite spy. Catherine the Great was purportedly aided by Saint-Germaine in her becoming the Empress of Russia in 1762. Louis XV of France trusted Saint-Germaine so completely during his reign that he was the only one, save the king himself, allowed inside the rooms of Louis' favored mistress Madame de Pompadour. Furthermore, Louis XV had initially met Saint-Germaine because the king had requested his aid in diplomatic affairs. Saint-Germaine then purportedly went on to attempt to create peace between France and Britain during the Seven Years' War, failing to do so only because he was considered a suspicious figure by Charles Louis Auguste Fouquet, Duke of Belle-Isle.  The aforementioned Casanova was also an acquaintance of Saint-Germaine, and considered himself to be a fellow alchemist and Rosicrucian.  He also considered himself most clever until meeting Saint-Germaine, whose confession about being three hundred years old suggested he had far surpassed Casanova's skill in alchemy.

Saint-Germaine was said to have aided Catherine the Great in becoming the Empress of Russia, by F.Rokotov after Roslin (1780s, Hermitage)

Saint-Germaine was said to have aided Catherine the Great in becoming the Empress of Russia, by F.Rokotov after Roslin (1780s, Hermitage). (Wikimedia Commons)

King Louis XV of France, trusted Saint Germaine completely. Painting by Maurice Quentin de La Tour (1748).

King Louis XV of France, trusted Saint Germaine completely. Painting by Maurice Quentin de La Tour (1748). (en.wikipedia.com)

Although Saint-Germaine's origins are not very well documented, the connections he made throughout his lifetime were such that they propelled him to the front of the historical records. A mysterious man of such accomplished talent and intelligence, Saint-Germaine could not be ignored by his contemporaries in Europe, nor can he be by modern scholars and researchers. The tale of the fantastical elements of Comte de Saint-Germaine continues in part two of this article, as a fascinating look into the secret society he believed in and the mystery behind his supposed immortality. 

Featured Image: The Enigmatic Comte Saint Germaine, image from (mjpg2909.wordpress.com)

Read Part 2: The Immortal Comte de Saint-Germaine: Ascended Master of Ancient Wisdom

By Ryan Stone

References

Bernard, Raymond. Great Secret Count St. Germaine (Mokelumne Hill Press: CA, 1993.)

Blavatsky, H. P. Collected Writings. 15 vols (Theosophical Publishing House: Wheaton, 1977-91.)

Cooper-Oakley, Isabel. "The Comte de St. Germaine." Sacred Texts. 1912. Accessed May 18, 2015. http://www.sacred-texts.com/sro/csg/index.htm

De Seingalt, Jacques Casanova. "The Memoires of Casanova." The Project Gutenburg. 2006, 2013. Accessed May 8, 2015. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2981/2981.txt

Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy (Facts on File: NY, 2006.)

Jinarajadasa, C. Early Teachings of the Masters (Theosophical Press: Chicago, 1923.)

——. Letters from the Masters of Wisdom: two volumes (Theosophical Publishing House: Adyar, 1988, 2002.)

Kavey, Allison. Books of Secrets: Natural Philosophy in England, 1550–1600 (University of Illinois Press: IL, 2007.)

New World Encyclopedia Contributors, "Saint Germaine, Count of," New World Encyclopedia. Accessed May 18, 2015. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Saint_Germain,_Count_of#Alter_egos_and_incarnations

Prophet, Elizabeth Clare. Saint Germaine: Master Alchemist (Summit University Press: MT, 2004.)

Prophet, Mark L. Meeting the Masters: Teachings of the Ascended Masters (Summit University Press: MT, 2003.)

Saint Germaine Foundation. The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germaine Foundation (Saint Germaine Press: IL, 2003.)

Young, Alexey. "The Rosicrucians." Orthodox America. Unknown. Accessed May 18, 2015. http://www.roca.org/OA/95/95p.htm

Zagorin, Perez. Francis Bacon (Princeton University Press: Princeton, 1999.)

 

Comments

I just added your article to my extensive Count St.Germain bibliography at my site Finding Count St.Germain. http://findingcountstgermain.blogspot.com/

It's Saint-Germain, not Germaine.

Moonsong's picture

Hmm a vampire? Did he visibly age and are there any further records of his childhood?

 

- Moonsong
--------------------------------------------
A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world ~ Oscar Wilde

Peter Harrap's picture

Germain(e) does not just mean German, no. Germain, according to my old Cassell’s Dictionary (1908!) has other meanings.Brother,sister (of the whole blood), and first- as in cousin-germain, first-cousin,  issu de germain- second cousin. “Il a le germain sur moi” : he is my father/mother’s first cousin.

It gives Conte de Sainte-Germain an entirely different meaning, perhaps not quite always lost on his contemporaries, especially as, of course, there was never any such actual title!

 
Peter Harrap's picture

Suppose you met a man who did not age, and was according to his own claims, hundreds of years old. “Behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of all things”, one of Jesus’ sayings from Scripture, MIGHT, if you thought at all, just pop into your head.

A god is presumably immortal, and neither ages nor dies, possibly. So is always around and available- a bit like the Holy Grail, IMHO

 

 
Riley Winters's picture

Riley

Riley Winters is a Pre-PhD art historical, archaeological, and philological researcher who holds a degree in Classical Studies and Art History, and a Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor from Christopher Newport University. She is also a graduate of Celtic and Viking... Read More

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