Secret Societies

There are tales of secret societies throughout history. We have to question in the first place why they had to remain secret. According to popular belief it is because those meeting in secret were ‘men of renown’ or ‘standing’ and were plotting to change civilisation – whether this be through destroying the church or the royalty or through defending the same. Almost in every instance these secret societies are playing a religious role – contacting god or the gods in ways that the state religion cannot or will not. This in itself gives us a good insight. It is a stark fact that religion or belief, are excellent ways of drawing in members and utilising a heightened state in the individual for their own ends – whatever they may be. As with most religions, the members of secret societies are chosen ones, members of the few. This in turn makes the initiate feel more important when accepted – even though precious few are turned down at the initiate stage. Secret societies take this membership a step further by including certain devices within the ‘knowledge bank’ that the initiate must learn. These devices include secret handshakes and words, special days of the year known only to the few and insights into standard texts. All this and more makes the initiate feel ever more important. There is also a build-up of comradeship through regular meetings. This leads the member down a path into the secret society of such emotional depth, that to leave would feel like losing a member of the family.

Useful sites: www.theshiningones.com

Sub paragraph 1 Initiation

Generally initiation involves a ritual built around a seemingly impossible-to-understand myth. There are levels to the initiation, just as there are in any religion. It actually starts earlier than most people would understand with just being chosen or selected to join. During the initial stages of any initiation the new member is cleaned or in simple terms cleared of any thinking that would not benefit the society or religion. They are then given as a replacement the new family of the church or society – who at this stage of the process are always forthcoming with help and love to such an extent that the recruit is overwhelmed with joy – a joy that remains in the new recruit’s mind, deeply entrenched due to the cleaning process previously carried out.

Sub Paragraph 2 Tests

The next stage of the process is the test or series of tests. With the Knights Templar this was asking the initiate to spit upon the cross - thus revealing obedience or lack of obedience, as well as faith in the image of Christ or not.

Sub Paragraph 3 Power

Now that the individual had been initiated and passed the various tests he was able to begin to rise up the ladder to positions of power and improve his own standing in the society and very often the outside world.