Now, at this strange Court of Catherine of Médicis, in sixteen century, we shall refer to the most important astrological oracles of her time, and to Luca Gaurico and Nostradamus, closely related to the Médicis’ family.
Scientistic Magic of Renaissance and of the Catherine of Médicis’s times led however to restore the Esoteric Orders.
Halls and bars of Paris, where social unrest, curiosity and also intellectual curiosity of the times is reflected, swarm with occultists of good faith and charlatans among which, fearing the ones and the others, is Eteilla Alliette, a fortune-teller and so-called disciple of the Count of Saint-Germain.
The consolidation of the Esoteric Orders occurs in eighteen century.
Martinez de Pasqualis represents the modern prototype of Founder of Esoteric Orders.
At the age of 18, he starts for Portugal to the East; from there he returns many times; seemingly he lives in Turkestan (or Hazret), on the plateau of Pamir; his last return is at the age of 42, when he begins his mission as a Founder, for ten years, during which he fills all France and neighbor countries with secret societies, which would be the scene of the great Revolution that is in preparation.
Before the French Revolution, the Esoteric Orders finally are divided into two. Those of Rosicrucian type, entirely Hermetic, and followers of the Anointed King (Monarchy), and those more liberal, in favor of the popular movement and free thought.
In France and in spite of prohibitions, Masonry and its secret sessions had notably increased during the first half of eighteenth century.
They were divided into several lodges. In Paris, there where certain flourishing lodges: The Polar Star, The Brothers-Artists, The Reunion of Foreigners, and others.