 Expertise: Esoteric Symbology
I am available to answer questions on the meanings and history of Esoteric Symbols ('Esoteric' relating to the knowledge of secret societies on a general level, or to secretly held traditions which are not openly disclosed), their meanings across different traditions and, when applicable, their astronomical significance. Esoteric symbols often represent astronomical phenomena such as conjunctions or eclipses. These phenomena themselves were viewed as symbols of deeper philosophical or Arcane knowledge, and presented to the uninitiated as the 'Signs of the Gods'. Esoteric or Arcane knowledge is associated with secretly held traditions of great antiquity (greater than most imagine) which is held exclusively for a small group of Initiates and thus hidden from the general population. The word Occult actually means ‘Hidden’, or more precisely, ‘In Shadow’.
The Cross of St. Andrew, to take a well known example, ties to the constellation Orion (which the ancient Egyptians called Osiris). There are several medieval works of art which clearly demonstrate this correlation, even showing a banner of the same orientation placed exactly where the Belt of Orion lies, and preserving the angles of the Corner Stars. References to Orion are found in Mythology from the Babylonian Myths, and the Mythical Godlike “Anunnaki” of the Sumerians are said to have called themselves the People of Orion. The X Cross is very ancient, and represented the Solar Year to the Peoples who built the Temple Complex at Newgrange, Ireland over 5,000 years ago. This temple also is the source of the Mysterious Triple Spiral, and the earliest known example of the Fleur-de-lis.
Symbols visually demonstrate that many of the world's ancient traditions are rooted in common ancestry. Certain symbols are to be found throughout the world and throughout history. This makes them an important part of our common history and heritage. I can also answer questions regarding the meaning of words by the Gematria (numeric meanings of words and symbols). These numbers correspond to ancient measurements and proportions of the visible Cosmos, and as such, represent some of the most Arcane Knowledge. I have access to knowledge of the numeric values of various names (and these are important parts of the meanings of many works) in Ancient Greek, Hebrew and Latin. In a similar vein, the musical note A, corresponds to the Sun, and so we touch upon the Music of the Spheres.
Please note that I will not address questions of religious dogma or the validity or invalidity of any belief. It is not my place to question or validate any faith. I will not respond to questions seeking the accepted secrets of any tradition, such as passwords or other methods of identification, which are known by me to be such, whether I know them or not.
Experience In The Area:
I have researched Esoteric Symbology at a very high level for over 20 years. I am educated in numerous traditions, including several schools of Freemasonry, ‘Pagan’ traditions, Ceremonial Magic, Classical Mythologies and the Quabbalistic schools, for example, Rosicrucian philosophy. My profession as a Computer Programmer dovetails nicely with the cryptic manner in which Esoteric works are composed. A fascination with secret codes and invisible inks which I had as a child has also served me well in this pursuit. Another source of interest were the family legends regarding the Rose and the Cross of St. Andrew, which show up repeatedly in the family bloodline, which is said to be "of the Vine of the Rose". The Rose in question is the 5 Petal English Dog Rose, and not the Rose to which we are generally accustomed.
Organizations:
Blue Lodge Masonry (the 3 Degrees), Scottish Rite Masonry (the 32 Degrees), AAONMS (the Shrine Temple), the Scottish Rite Research Society.
Education and Credentials:
I hold an undergraduate degree in Financial Management and an MBA in Econometrics. My education in Esoterica has been gained through Masonry and through independent study, as well as membership in several groups with similar interests. I am privileged to own a fairly significant library on the subject and indeed fortunate to have access to several more, and occasionally luck upon those who hold truly amazing books dating back to the 15th Century.
Areas of Special Interest:
I have a particular interest in the origins and history of the traditions associated with Masonry and to their relationship with certain other traditions, notably those of the Neolithic peoples of the British Isles (often referred to as the Groove Ware People) and the relationships between both of these traditions and the Enochian Traditions. The Enochian traditions are usually identifiable by references to the Elemental Spirits and the Archangels. The Book of Enoch is an ancient and fascinating tome, and appears to underlie many of the legends surrounding King Solomon, who was, according to some traditions, a Master of this school of Magik.
I also have a special interest in the traditions which may be loosely grouped together as being various forms of Quabbala (a word for which the spelling varies, depending upon the source, since it is not an English word). These traditions hold the number 7 in very special esteem and are recognized by special numeric proportions, or Canon. Any reference to the number 32 is a reference to the Hebrew language derived Quabbala, as are many symbols which especially emphasize a tree (the Tree of Life). Many famous Greek writings reveal themselves as Mysteries by having references to the number 22, which is the same reference in any Hebrew work. Some other similar traditions incorporate a Gematria based on a different alphabet, and so may have different ‘key’ numbers, but certain numbers will be consistent … 7, 8, 13, 40, 220, each of which has a special meaning. An interesting book in this regard is the well known Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, originally published in the 15th century as 32 pamphlets of 4 sections each. This work is a variant on the Esoteric tale of the Chymical Wedding, to which references may be seen in works as divergent as the Song of Solomon, the Great Rite (also known as the Black Mass), and the New Testament. The structure of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili also reveals the work to be an example of Canonical Rhetoric, a type of literature which holds information in its very layout. Verses which use Iambic Pentameter also fall into this category.
The Skull and Cross Bones of a Pirate Flag (which also shows up in French Masonry), has several meanings, the most basic of which is simply an ‘O’ and an ‘X’. These represent the mystical Male and Female Union which underlies many symbols. Of course the Skull and Crossbones also symbolizes Death, and therefore Transformation and Rebirth or Pallingenesis. The Seal of the Vatican, which is a Miter and Crossed Keys, conveys the same meaning in similar form, hinting at a common origin at some distant point. It is also the reason that my father taught me as a young boy that the child’s game Tic Tac Toe, was a subtle reference to something far more ancient and serious (the Tic Tac Toe Board is a Square of Saturn). The Christian Fish and the Egyptian All Seeing Eye (which appears on the back of a $1.00 Bill) have a similar meaning, and you might notice, a very similar shape.
I owe a special debt to the many great minds who have come before me in this area of research. I must notably pay homage to the recent works of Robert Lomas and Christopher Knight, whose books on the subject have been literally groundbreaking. Anyone with an interest in this area would do well to read any and all of their works. I also recommend any works by Manly P. Hall and for those with sufficient patience to acquire and understand it, the Canon by William Stirling.
Do Not Fear The Subject:
For centuries, knowledge of these subjects was associated with kingship and with power. Those who held such knowledge went to great lengths to prevent it from falling into ‘unauthorized’ hands. Many techniques were applied to achieve this end, but the most effective was fear. Cloaked as Black Magic, much Arcane knowledge and many symbols elicit an almost instinctive twinge of fear in most people, as we were all trained to have. Never fear knowledge in any form. Much of the most Arcane knowledge hidden in these symbols is known to the average school child in modern times. It was once the knowledge only of kings and high priests. There is still important knowledge locked away in these symbols which most people do not yet know. In the time of Columbus, most Europeans thought the world was flat, yet the people who constructed Stonehenge knew very well that the Earth was roughly spherical, and even that it was not a perfect sphere. The ’Holy Inquisition’ threatened to burn some for implying that the Earth orbited the Sun, and yet this was known to the ancient Egyptian Priests and was certainly ancient knowledge thousands of years ago. Esoteric Symbols concealed and preserved this knowledge through the Dark Ages.
Ask A Question:
This can be a most intimidating subject, especially to those who have not spent time around it. It is often intimidating to those of us who have spent years with the subject. There is nothing to fear here, and much to be gained. Please do not be embarrassed that you might ask a foolish question; there positively is no such thing. Feel free to inquire; this is why I am here.
Dei Optimi Maximi, Universitatis Rerum Fontis Ac Originis Ad Gloriam.
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