The three main branches of the Russian initiating movement - Freemasonry, Martinism and Rosicrucianism - existed in the form of separate and independent organisations. However, they were led by the same person - G.O. Mebes, who initiated study of the Tarot Majors and Minors in St Petersburg, before, during and immediately after the Bolshevik Revolution.

Nicolas Georgevich Rogalev Girs was born in Czarist Russia on June 15 1898 and at age 14 joined the
military school of St Petersburg. He came under the spiritual tutelage of G.O.M., receiving, at the age of 21, the Martinist initiation within the Nordic Star Order on December 20 1919.

As was the case with fellow student, Nina Rudnikoff, Girs escaped the Red Terror of the Revolution, although it is unknown if they left Russia together. Whilst Nina gave her notes from the G.O.M. course to Catarina
Sreznewska-Zelenzeff, who took them to Brazil, Girs went with some students to Germany where he continued the work.

The Tarot Minors presented here represents a synthesis of the occult teachings shared by these great masters.