Ordre du Moment

First Page of the "Ordre du Moment" Regulation

The Très Auguste et Très Aimable Ordre du Moment (TATAOM), English: "Very August and Very Amiable Order of the Moment"), also known simply as the Ordre du Moment (Order of the Moment), was a French secret fraternal society active in the late 18th century. It was one of many organizations inspired by Freemasonry that emerged during this period, combining ritualistic elements with a focus on pleasure, conviviality, and the philosophy of seizing the moment.

History

The exact founding date of the Ordre du Moment is unknown, its secretive nature makes it difficult to track but it is believed to have been established shortly before 1770. The order is primarily known through a rare published booklet, likely printed around 1770, which contains details about its structure, rituals, and membership.

The order appears to have been active at least until 1776, as evidenced by handwritten updates to the membership list in a known copy of the booklet. It is unknown if the group was dissolved or if it is still active to this day.

Philosophy and Purpose

The Ordre du Moment was founded on the principle of embracing life's pleasurable moments and encouraging its members to seize opportunities for enjoyment. This philosophy is encapsulated in the order's motto:

Original French

N'ayez jamais à vous reprocher de ne pas avoir saisi Le Moment

English Translation

Never reproach yourself for not having seized The Moment

Other translation: May you never have to reproach yourself for not having seized The Moment

The order emphasized the importance of recognizing and embracing "le moment" (the moment), viewing it as both everything and nothing, depending on how it is used. This hedonistic approach was tempered with a respect for others' pleasures and a commitment to not interfering with or disturbing them.

Structure and Rituals

Organizational Structure

The Ordre du Moment adopted several elements from Masonic tradition, including:

• Formal titles for members:
  • "Chevalier" (Knight) for male members
  • "Chevalière" (Lady Knight) for female members
• A medal or badge of membership
• Ritualistic ceremonies and meetings

Initiation Ceremony

New members were initiated through a formal ceremony that included:

• A ritualistic Initiation ceremony
• Ritualistic questions and answers
• A promise to respect and not interfere with others' pleasures
• The extinguishing of a light, symbolizing that "when the moment comes, everything is said"
• Administration of an oath

Ritualistic Elements

The order's rituals emphasized pleasure and seizing opportunities for enjoyment. Key elements of their teachings included:

• Recognition of a "true Knight or Lady Knight" by their vivacity for pleasure
• Definition of "the moment" as decided by caprice and brought into existence by pleasure
• Requirement for an equal number of Knights and Lady Knights in assemblies
• Symbolic interpretation of ceremonial elements (e.g., the extinguished light)

Catechism

The order utilized a catechism-style instruction, which included questions and answers such as:

Original French

Q: Qu'est-ce que le moment ?

A: Tout ou rien selon l'usage qu'on en fait faire.

Q: Comment vient-il ?

A: Le caprice le décide, le plaisir lui donne l'existence.

Q: Qu'est-ce qu'une assemblée complète ?

A: Le nombre n'y fait rien, il faut juste qu'il s'y trouve autant de Chevalières que de Chevaliers.

English Translation

Q: What is the moment?

A: Everything or nothing, depending on the use one makes of it.

Q: How does it come?

A: Caprice decides it, pleasure gives it existence.

Q: What constitutes a complete assembly?

A: The number doesn't matter, there just needs to be as many Lady Knights as Knights.

Membership

As of 1776, the secretive order had 39 recorded members, including both men and women. The published booklet included a list of members that was manually updated until 1776 in at least one known copy.

The order was notable for its equal inclusion of women, a practice not common in many contemporary fraternal organizations. This gender equality was emphasized in their rituals and structure, with ceremonies requiring an equal number of Knights and Lady Knights.

Publications

The primary source of information about the Ordre du Moment is a rare booklet, likely published shortly before 1770. This elegantly printed volume, using honey-colored ink (possibly acacia-colored), contained:

• A description of the order's medal
• The order's statutes
• Rituals (instruction, reception, order of ceremonies, oath)
• A list of 39 Knights and Lady Knights received into the order
• Songs

This publication is not listed in the catalog of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, highlighting its rarity.

Legacy and Historical Context

The Ordre du Moment was part of a broader trend in 18th-century France that saw the emergence of numerous societies inspired by Freemasonry. These organizations often adapted Masonic forms of organization, rituals, and titles to suit their particular purposes.

Arthur Dinaux, in his comprehensive 1867 study, documented nearly 500 "playful, bachelor, literary, and singing societies" from this period. However, the Ordre du Moment was not included in this catalog, suggesting its relative obscurity or possibly its short-lived nature.

The order's emphasis on pleasure and seizing the moment reflects certain social and philosophical trends of pre-revolutionary France, including:

• The growing influence of Epicurean and hedonistic philosophies
• Challenges to traditional gender roles in social settings
• The popularity of exclusive, ritualistic societies among the upper classes

While the Ordre du Moment appears to have been a minor player in the landscape of 18th-century French fraternal societies, its existence and practices offer valuable insights into the social and cultural dynamics of the period.

See also

• History of Freemasonry in France
• Age of Enlightenment
• French society before the French Revolution

Further reading

• Mollier, Pierre. "Curiosités maçonniques"
• Dinaux, Arthur. "Les Sociétés badines bachiques, littéraires et chantantes : leur histoire et leurs travaux". Paris: Bachelin-Deflorenne, 1867.