fulcanelli

Fulcanelli (1839 - fl.1953) is almost certainly a pseudonym assumed, in the late 19th century, by a French alchemist and esoteric author, whose identity is still debated.[1] He is also called the Master Alchemist. The appeal of Fulcanelli as a cultural phenomenon is partly due to the mystery that surrounds most aspects of his life and works; one of the anecdotes pertaining to his life retells, in particular, how his most devoted pupil Eugène Canseliet performed a successful transmutation of 100 grams of lead into gold in a laboratory of the gas works of Sarcelles at the Georgi company with the use of a small quantity of the "Projection Powder" given to him by his teacher, in the presence of Julien Champagne and Gaston Sauvage. Contents [hide] 1 Life 2 Rendez-vous à Paris 3 Una Cita en España 4 The Phonetic Cabala 5 Works 6 References in popular culture 7 References 8 External links //

Life

Fulcanelli was undoubtedly a Frenchman, widely and profoundly educated, and learned in the ways of alchemical lore, architecture, art, science, and languages. Fulcanelli wrote two books that were published after his disappearance in 1926, having left his magnum opus with his only student, Eugène Canseliet. Le Mystere des Cathedrales first edition consisted of 300 copies and was published by Jean Schemit at 52 Rue Laffitte, Paris, France.[2]

Theories about Fulcanelli speculate that he was one or another famous French occultist of the time: perhaps a member of the former Royal Family (the Valois), or another member of the Frères d'Heliopolis (Brotherhood of Heliopolis, a society centred around Fulcanelli which included Eugène Canseliet, Jean-Julien Champagne and Jules Boucher). Canseliet's only student, Patrick Rivière, believes that Fulcanelli's true identity was Jules Violle, famous French physicist.[3] In a 1996 book, samples of writing by Jean-Julien Champagne and Fulcanelli are compared and show considerable similarity [4]. Jean-Julien Hubert Champagne who was born January 23, 1877 and Fulcanelli may have been one and the same. In any event, by 1916, Fulcanelli had accepted Canseliet who was then only sixteen as his first student. In 1921, he accepted the sons of Ferdinand de Leseps as students and in 1922, two more students, Joules Boucher and Gaston Sauvage. In 1925, Fulcanelli moved to 59 rue Rochechouart where he allegedly was successful in transmuting base metals into gold.[5]

Nazi interest in Alchemy

In the 1920s Franz Tausend, the German alchemist, was involved in a gold-making project at the same time as General Erich von Ludendorff was involved in the same project presumably to help finance the Nazi Party. [6].

It is believed that on the verge of World War II, the Abwehr was in active (but fruitless) pursuit of Fulcanelli because of his alleged knowledge of the technology of nuclear weapons. [7]

Conclusion

According to Louis Pauwels, Fulcanelli survived World War II and disappeared completely after the Liberation of Paris.