Hermeticism

A few years back, I stumbled upon a fascinating aspect of Russian history that had largely been obscured: a vibrant community of hermeticists, occultists, cabalists, and mystics in early 20th-century Russia. Despite being Russian, I had been oblivious to this chapter of our history, which had been all but erased from our collective memory. Many of the names known in the West within these circles have faded into obscurity in Russia. I believe this erasure was partly due to the communist government's efforts to eradicate any ideologies that contradicted its own and partly because society as a whole shifted towards rationalism and scientism, promising a utopian future. However, as it becomes increasingly evident that these promises have not materialized, and as the “clenched first of reason” has loosened, it seems fitting to rediscover this lost occult history.

My journey into this realm was sparked by the name Nina Rudnikova. Who was she, and what role did she play?

Nina Pavlovna Rudnikova was born in 1890 in St. Petersburg, the capital city of the Russian Empire. Details about her upbringing and family background are scarce, but she likely came from a reasonably affluent family, possibly belonging to the lower ranks of the nobility. She attended and successfully graduated from the Bestuzhev Courses, where she obtained a medical degree. From a young age, Nina showed a keen interest in two distinct areas: poetry and occultism. She became associated with Nikolay Gumilev's Guild of Poets around 1911-1912, where she mingled with prominent poets of the time, such as Osip Mandelstam, Mikhail Kuzmin, and Anna Akhmatova. Even in her early poetry, there's a discernible mystical and occult theme, with verses touching upon subjects like Ancient Egyptian priests, rituals, and lotus flowers.

In 1912, Nina Rudnikova attended a series of public lectures titled A Course on the Encyclopedia of Occultism, delivered by Grigori Ottonovich Mebes (often referred to as GOM), a prominent Martinist and Freemason. Mebes would later emerge as a central figure in esoteric education in Russia, influencing several other notable esotericists of the 20th century. However, I'll delve into Mebes's biography separately in a future post on this blog. The lecture series lived up to its title of an encyclopedia, covering numerous topics, including Cabala, Hermetic philosophy, Tarot, Alchemy, ritual magic, Astrology, palmistry, and various other forms of divination. Mebes ingeniously melded the 22 Major Tarot Arcana with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet to provide a comprehensive explanation of the metaphysical laws governing the universe. Later, the lecture materials were compiled into a book.

The Course on the Encylopedia of Occultism

The lectures garnered significant popularity, with Nina Rudnikova among the enthusiastic attendees. The knowledge she gleaned from these sessions profoundly shaped her worldview and significantly influenced her subsequent life. During these lectures, she also encountered her future husband, Gavriil Jellachich, an army officer who shared her passion for esotericism. To cut a long story short, they married and, in 1915, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Nadezhda (Nadia) Jellachich. In the same year, they jointly published a lengthy poem titled Lucifer and the Antichrist. While most people believe that Lucifer and the Antichrist are synonymous or at least aligned, their poem portrayed Lucifer as a benevolent figure representing the forces of evolution, while the Antichrist symbolized their opposite. This portrayal likely aimed to encode arcane knowledge into an enduring poetic form, drawing on Court de Gebelin's then-still popular theory that the Tarot served as a repository of occult wisdom crafted by ancient Egyptian priests.

Lucifer and the Antichrist title page

The tranquility of Nina Rudnikova's family life was shattered as the storm clouds of the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War loomed ever closer. In 1917, when the Russian monarchy fell, Nina's husband, Gavriil Jellachich, served as an officer in the North-Western Army under General Yudenich. By 1918, the relentless advance of the Red Army had pushed them into a hasty retreat. Amidst the chaos, Nina, along with her two young daughters, Nadezhda and Elena, sought sanctuary at their estate near St. Petersburg. Gavriil raced to the estate on horseback but could only take Nina with him. With nothing but the clothes on their backs, they left behind their cherished manuscripts and fled their land. Their children were left under the care of a neighbor, and it would be some time before the family could be reunited in Estonia. The couple embarked on a dangerous journey on horseback to Estonia through Narva. Nowadays, the drive from St. Petersburg to Tallinn takes only five hours, but back then, it must have taken them several days to travel amidst the chaos of war.

These days it only takes 5 hours of driving

After fleeing to Estonia, the Jellachich family found a new home in the country's capital, Tallinn, which was historically known as Revel (or Reval). Nina and Gavriil tried to support themselves by working for Russian émigré newspapers. In their spare moments, they engaged in literary associations and groups. Nina Rudnikova, in particular, was known to be a member of the Revel literary club.

City view of Tallinn (back then known as Revel)

The family faced financial hardships, straining Nina and Gavriil's relationship. In 1921, their marriage came to an end with a divorce. Following their separation, Gavriil Jellachich moved to Belgrade, Yugoslavia, where he reunited with his family while their daughters remained with Nina. Nina Rudnikova entered into a second marriage with Baron Heinrich von Uexküll. Heinrich was not only an esotericist but also a prominent public figure. In this second marriage, Nina Pavlovna gave birth to a son named Kirill Uexküll, who later immigrated to Australia.

Nina’s second husband, Baron Heinrich von Uexküll

In Estonia, Nina Pavlovna earned high esteem as a respected esotericist, regarded by numerous occult groups as their spiritual guide. Over the years, she delved into intensive spiritual practices, mentored numerous students, and conducted systematic courses on esotericism at Tallinn's Society for Metapsychic Research, covering theoretical and practical aspects. Her teachings primarily catered to Estonians fluent in Russian. Additionally, she established The Solar Way Society, serving as an inner order for more committed initiates. During this period, Valentin Tomberg was also residing and teaching in Estonia, raising the possibility of their mutual exchange of insights.

Central to Nina Pavlovna's life mission was the ideological fusion of Eastern and Western thought, a theme recurrent in her works. Her literary output was extensive, including a book on the Major Tarot Arcana. She authored numerous remarkable esoteric articles, essays, studies, philosophical dialogues in verse, and a collection of poems exploring themes of solitude. Her poetic repertoire comprised five volumes of shorter poems, and additionally, she ventured into fiction writing. Many of Nina Rudnikova's works were translated into Estonian and featured in the journal “Vaimsuse Ideoloogia” (Ideology of Spirituality).

Nina Pavlovna dedicated a considerable portion of her time to psychic healing. Lacking an Estonian medical diploma, she collaborated with Dr. Lasman, an Estonian physician. Nina even had plans to establish an institute for psychic energy healing in Tallinn. However, this endeavor never materialized as the Estonian government, under pressure from the healthcare industry, began to crackdown on all healers and homeopaths.

During her time in Estonia, Nina Rudnikova forged several significant connections that would play a vital role in preserving her legacy. One such acquaintance was Dr. Alexandr Mikhailovich Aseev, another Russian immigrant. Aleksand Aseev delved deeply into the Agni Yoga teaching of Helena and Nicholas Roerich. By 1933, he decided to share this spiritual wisdom with others. To achieve this, he initiated the publication of the Occultism & Yoga journal in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Through his unwavering commitment of time, talent, and resources, Aleksandr Aseev established a platform for Russian émigré occultists to discuss various esoteric subjects.

Dr. Aleksandr Aseev (he would've been a blogger nowadays)

Since its inaugural issue, Nina Rudnikova emerged as an active contributor to the Occultism & Yoga journal. Even after her passing, Dr. Aseev continued to publish her poems and essays on occult themes as a trove of unpublished writings had accumulated during the Second World War.

Nina Rudnikova also had a chance encounter with Ekaterina Zelentsova (Sreznevskaya). Zelentsova's account of this fortunate meeting was chronicled in the 23rd issue of Occultism & Yoga, published in 1960. Her memoirs provide the only description of Mrs. Rudnikova's physical appearance. Ekaterina describes the encounter, saying, "Our paths first crossed... in Revel, shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War on the North-Western front. At that time, we were forming a study circle focused on Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine. As I entered to discuss circle matters with fellow members, I nearly collided with a woman in the foyer. Her presence immediately captivated me. Petite, with a remarkable tan, and adorned with large dark eyes, she seemed straight out of an Egyptian fresco, embodying an ancient Egyptian archetype..."

Nina Rudnikova’s portrait, an artist’s impression.

At the time, Ekaterina Zeletsova had no inkling of the pivotal role she would play in preserving Nina Rudnikova's legacy. In 1937, amidst the looming specter of war in Europe, Zeletsova made plans to seek refuge in Latin America. Then, Rudnikova approached her again, entrusting Ekaterina with her meticulously compiled notes on the Minor Arcana of the Tarot. Rudnikova shared these materials with the stipulation that Ekaterina would pass on this knowledge to a worthy individual, thereby ensuring the preservation of these teachings. Years later, in Brazil, Zeletsova met Nadezhda Jellachic, Nina's daughter. Soon after, Alexandr Nikitin-Nevelskoy, another follower of Mebes' School, joined them. Zeletsova reminisces, "Thus, a quarter of a century passed; the notebooks lay dormant in my desk... And then, as if by divine intervention, the very individuals who could assist me in safeguarding the Teachings were drawn to collaborate with me."

Nadezhda Jellachic

Pooling their collective notes, they meticulously reconstructed the entirety of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot course. In fulfilling Nina's wish, the study material was not only passed on to a deserving individual but also meticulously organized by a capable hand. Ekaterina reflects in her memoirs, “What I could not achieve alone, we accomplished together, and the Teaching of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot, bestowed by GOM and Nina Rudnikova, now awaits publication in its completed form, which we aspire to realize for a select group of Russian esotericists residing abroad.”

Nina Rudnikova succumbed to liver cancer on July 15, 1940, in Königsberg, Prussia; her husband's passing followed shortly in February 1941. Yet, Nina’s extensive work on the Major Tarot Arcana stood the test of time, finally seeing the light of day in Russia in 1995 under the title The Solar Way: Tarot Arcana. In the words of Ekaterina Zelentsova, the tireless efforts of those who preserve sacred knowledge for future generations serve as the finest laurels for the gravestones of both the persecuted Grigori Mebes and the untimely departed Nina Rudnikova.

This was the remarkable life journey of Nina Rudnikova, a poet and an esotericist whose brilliance and talent were overshadowed by profound tragedies. The upheaval of the Russian Revolution and the ensuing civil war shattered her world, forcing her into exile. Amidst the grief of losing her homeland, she clung to hope. Undeterred by adversity, Rudnikova persisted in her work within esoteric and ideological circles. Despite her tribulations, Nina remained steadfast in her mission to preserve and expand humanity's esoteric legacy. Fearless in the face of her mortality, she proclaimed, "In the Universe of Life, there is no death, much like the Sun never truly sets..."

Through her writings, she became a crucial link in the unbroken chain of tradition, bridging the past with the future. Her courage and commitment rightfully place her among the ranks of heroes, and her name deserves to be forever inscribed in the Book of Life. In an effort to honor her legacy, I plan to publish Nina Rudnikova's writings from the Occultism & Yoga journal, which have never been translated into English, on the pages of this blog. Stay tuned! Next week, we will delve into her prose.