Secret societies. We have all stumbled upon this concept somewhere or once in our lives. Whether you're a Dan Brown worshiper visualizing every detail he has to give about the Illuminati and Opus Dei, or a movie lover watching The Order of the Phoenix come to life, you've guaranteed to experience what secret societies offer best:intrigue, fascination and curiosity. For some, the name evokes the visual of a shady but elite-encrypted encounter behind closed spaces, discussing strategies for world domination. For others, the image of strangely dressed men and women performing eccentric ceremonies comes to mind. For ages, these societies have been rumored to exist side by side with the ordinary parallel world, and from the very beginning they have been shrouded in mystery and mistrust. Secret societies have continued to emerge, with different agendas, motives and audiences, all over the world and have names like Leonardo da Vinci, Issac Newton, Galileo, Ashoka, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, etc. attached to them.
Conspiracy theories have surrounded them for centuries, mainly because of their discreet nature, and some conspiracy theorists have even gone so far as to link events such as the French Revolution, JFK's assassination attempt to secret societies such as the Illuminati. There is no evidence to validate such myths to date. Recently in 2016, with the sudden death of US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on a West Texas Cibolo Creek Ranch, a Washington Post report rekindled the discussion of secret societies by linking him to the International Order of St. Hubertus, a secret society for elite hunters. Again, the truth about it cannot be validated as part of it has probably left the dead and the other part of it remains hidden from the rest. Here are some of the most mysterious societies that have ever existed.
The Knights Templar
A Catholic military order founded in 1119, headquartered on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, was committed to the task of protecting pilgrims during the Crusades. Also known as Solomon's Temple Order or Christ's poor fellow soldiers, the temple promised to live a life of celibacy, obedience and distress, and refrain from betting, liquor and even cursing. Apart from their military prowess and moral lifestyle, they became known as the first international banking institution in the world as pilgrims wanted to deposit money in their home country and could withdraw into the Holy Land. In 1139, Pope Innocent II issued a Papa Bull Omne date optimal , exempt them from paying taxes. It was also decided that they should be accountable to none other than the pope himself. Their wealth flourished and they even lent to the kings. But with the end of the Crusades, they withdrew to Paris and focused on banking. Early at 14 th century, Pope Clement V, under pressure from the French crown, formally dissolved the order and redistributed its wealth. It is said that King Philip IV of France was deeply in debt to the order and unable to repay the debt, and after being denied further loans, he caused the extermination of the Knights Templar in 1312. Dan Brown, in his book "The Da Vinci Code ", has kept alive the mystery surrounding the Knights Templar, who apparently continue to guard ancient objects such as the Holy Grail and the shroud of Turin. Movies like National Treasure, The Last Templar, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade are also based on the Secret Order. With extensive military missions and extensive financial resources at its disposal, the Knights Templar funded a large number of construction projects around Europe and the Holy Land, many of which continue to this day. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the Gastria and the Colossi Palace in Cyprus, the Temple Church in Bristol are some of the many temple sites. The Lorraine Cross was used as a symbol of order and World War II, it was also used as a symbol of French resistance to the Nazi regime.
Skull and bones
This secret society was founded by William Huntington Russell at Yale University in 1832, and was inspired by an occult society he had visited in Germany. It is also known as The Order, Order 322 or The Brotherhood of Death. The prominent list of Bonesman, as the members are called, includes several presidents and power brokers. Each year, 15 seniors at Yale are selected to be part of Skull and Bones. Their names are published in Yale Rumpus . No one knows what's going on behind the closed doors of The Tomb, the windowless meeting room where Bonesmen gather twice a week. Members must take an oath of confidentiality. Newly trained members are called "patriarchs", while those who are initiated are called "knights". Outsiders in the group are "barbarians." There have been rumors that Skull and Bones is a branch of the Illuminati, having been founded by German university alumni after the suppression of the Order in Bavaria by Karl Theodor. Some believe that Skull and Bones themselves control the Central Intelligence Agency and that their ultimate goal is world domination. In her book, "The Secret of the Tomb:Skull and Bones, the Ivy League, and the Hidden Paths of Power," Alexandra Robbins writes that "New members are supposed to reveal intimate personal details, including their full sexual history, before they are inducted. also agree to give part of their property to the club, but in return they are promised lifelong financial stability - so they will not feel tempted to sell the club's secrets. " in his family.You can read more about Skulls and Bones here ..
The Freemasons
Freemasons are an integral part of American history. 13 of the 39 men who signed the US Constitution were masons. Known as one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world, it was formed in medieval Europe by a group of skilled builders. Based on cathedral builders, this secret club continued to include some of the greatest men as members, including monarchs, politicians, founders. Wondering how the likes of Mozart, Voltaire and Oscar Wilde joined their ranks! You may be surprised to know that 14 US presidents are known to be members, including the great George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt and the FDR. The earliest reference to masons is made in the Regius poem / Halliwell manuscript (1390), but Freemasonry was currently established in 1717, when four London lodges merged to form England's first Grand Lodge. Freemasonry spread rapidly across Europe and to the American colonies. They are not a religious organization in themselves, but they have been in constant conflict with the Catholic Church since 1738 when the church issued 20 decrees against them. The conflict arises mainly due to their secret rituals as well as their Masonic temples. Freemasons continue to exist today and have a great public image, all thanks to the extraordinary charity work carried out by its subordinate order known as the Shriners / Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The rituals and the inauguration ceremony are still shrouded in mystery and no one outside the order knows exactly what is going on in the smoky chamber. However, the Simpsons took creative freedom to parody their rituals in one of their episodes. You can check it out here. The symbol used by Freemasons is "The Square and Compasses", which shows a builder connected to a compass. "G" in its entirety can mean God as "the great architect of the Universe" or "Geometry". The other popular symbol used by Freemasons is the "All-seeing eye", which can be used to mark the omniscient God. If you want to join the guild at all, just so you know, their motto is "All you have to do is ask". Membership is open to all men over the age of 21, and women can join an affiliated group known as "The Order of the Eastern Star".
Illuminati
Rumored to be the driving force behind both the American and French revolutions of the 18th century, as well as both world wars, this secret organization was created in Bavaria in 1770 by Adam Weishaupt, a Jewish convert to Roman Catholicism who sought to set aside organized religion. in favor of a new form of "lighting" through reason. "The overriding goal of the Illuminati was to establish a free and just society, without ecclesiastical or political tyranny in which both men and women were considered equal, and ecclesiastical authorities had no say. For this purpose, they allegedly sought freedom of speech and complete control. of existing power structures ” [1] All communication was in cipher and the members had classic nicknames. Weishaupt was called Spartacus. They flourished until 1787, when Duke Karl Theodor of Bavaria issued an injunction declaring Illuminati membership a death sentence. Was it dismantled after that or did it continue to grow in secrecy? Nobody knows. There have been conspiracies that the Illuminati is also linked to the assassination of John F Kennedy. Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" speaks of the illuminati "as a secret society committed to scientific truth". Do you remember the container that proves the existence of dark matter aka god particle? If not, read the book now! Another fantastic read about the illuminati, which brought the cult community back into fashion is "The Illuminatus Trilogy" Written by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson. You can read more about it here. check out this article by the BBC.
Hashashins
If you're a gaming freak, know that the game Assassins Creed is based on them. You may have also seen the subtleties of murder in Prince of Persia:Sands of Time.
During the Islamic War of Succession between Shiites and Sunnis, Grand Duke Al-Afdal, who effectively controlled the government, organized a coup and installed his younger son Al-Mustai'li as caliph, as he could control him. However, a group of people supported the house of the murdered prince Nizar later known as Nizari Ismailis. The movement was led by Hassan-ibn-e-Sabbah, the founder and leader of the Assassin's Secret Order. Sabbah established its headquarters in Alamut. It is often speculated that Hassan's cult of the Assassins was called Hashashins, as they used to get high on hashish or opium and carry out assassinations.
"Today they have a global presence. They are led by Imam Prince Karim Aga Khan. There are almost 15 million Nizari Ismailis living in various countries around the world. Although they are not militant now, they are self-sacrificing Fida'i predecessors. remains an important part of their history and shines brightly in the memories. " [2]
"Even though the last of the Hashashins died over six hundred years ago, their presence still lives on today, incorporated into modern terrorist organizations, rogue mercenaries and military junta - embodied in the hearts, minds and tendons of all who want to control, dominate. and tyrannize by force, bloodshed and threat to pursue any political, religious or economic agenda, regardless of faction or sect. In fact, their very name lives on today, in everyday language:assassin. " [3 ]
The Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World
According to a 1907 report by the Seattle Republican, "it is claimed by members and officers that The Order of the Elks is one of the most prosperous secret societies among African Americans in this city." This African American fraternity was established in 1897 in the United States. According to the latest available information, it has 500,000 1,500 members and 21 cabins in the world. It allows any American citizen, XNUMX years or older, who believes in God, to be invited to join its ranks. You can find out more about them here ..
Bilderberg
Summoned by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in 1954 at the Hotel de Bilderberg in the Netherlands, this gathering of powerful politicians from North America and Europe became the Bilderberg Conference. With participants such as Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel, Tony Blair and Henry Kissinger - and the use of the Chatham House Rule where no one is allowed to talk about the details of the meeting and no journalist is allowed to report on it, it is shrouded in mystery. According to a report in the New York Times, there are several conspiracies surrounding this meeting that included the creation of the EU, the invasion of Iraq and Serbian bombing, and theorists have often speculated about intentions to build a new world order and global domination. You can read more about it here.
Books about secret societies
If this recipe aroused your imagination and curiosity, you can also go to read on. I suggest a list of books I have come across regarding the same. It is not a sponsored post, and all the books I mention are selected by me based solely on interest.
- Non-fiction
- "The World's Most Dangerous Secret Society" - James Jackson
- "The Secret History of Secret Societies" - Professor Richard B. Spence
- "Secret Societies - The Complete Guide to Stories, Rituals, and Rituals" - Nick Redfern
- "Ancient Aliens and Secret Societies" - Mike Bara
- "Secret Associations:THE CURTAIN'S PROHIBITED KNOWLEDGE" - Philip Gardiner
- Fiction
- Dan Brown Books -
- The Da Vinci Code
- Angels and Demons
- The lost symbol
- "The Separator" - Gina Marie Guadagnino
- "Labyrinth" - Kate Moss
- "Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud" - Julia Navarro
- "The Seven Dials Mystery" - Agatha Christie
- "The Alchemist's Secret" - Scott Mariani
- "Ninth House" - Leigh Bardugo
- Dan Brown Books -
References
[1] Excerpt from:James Jackson. "The World's Most Dangerous Secret Society:Illuminati, Freemasons, Bilderberg Group, Knights Templar, Jesuits, Skulls and Bones and Others." Apple Books.
[2] https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-hashashins-the-secret-order-of-assassins-d7752c30040d
[3] Excerpt from:James Jackson. "The World's Most Dangerous Secret Society:Illuminati, Freemasons, Bilderberg Group, Knights Templar, Jesuits, Skulls and Bones and Others." Apple Books.