Debunking Saint Germain

 

The Why Files take on the ever-evolving legends about the Count of Saint Germain, a mysterious French character who officially died in 1784. I admit that some of the content in this video was new even to me! Apparently, there is a "tradition" in Lousiana that Saint Germain was a vampire and lived in the state for a number of years. Another tall tale claims that he was taken prisoner by German soldiers during the First World War and predicted Hitler´s rise and fall. As late as the 1970´s, some stage magician in France claimed to *be* Saint Germain. 

All the standard legends about the Count are of course also incuded in the video, such as the claim that he persuaded the Founding Fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence, or that Voltaire un-ironically called him "the man who never dies". The Why Files also briefly mention Guy Ballard and the Mighty I AM Activity, the American New Religious Movement which treats Saint Germain almost as a god.

There is no doubt that the Count of Saint Germain was a real person, although nothing for certain is known about his origins. The "count" was probably an Italian adventurer and con man who claimed to be an alchemist. At some point, he had overstayed his welcome at the French royal court and had to make a run for it to Schleswig-Holstein, where he is also buried. As a good Scandinavian, I couldn´t help noticing that the Why Files refer to the Count´s final residence as "Germany". Not wrong, but at the time Schleswig-Holstein was in union with Denmark!

For whatever reason, this colorful character was turned into a semi-divine being by 19th century Theosophists ("Master Rakoczi") and 20th century Theosophy-inspired groups ("Ascended Master Saint Germain"). But that´s another show, as they say.