Secret Societies: Revelations About the Freemasons, Templars, Illuminati, Nazis, and the Serpent Cults

Philip Gardiner has done an impressive amount of research and personal investigation into the history of occult organizations and the knowledge they have hidden within their rituals and symbolism. A major focus of his research has been the serpent symbolism, which is uncovered worldwide. Gardiner offers a refutation of the literal interpretation of "bloodline" theories, including the Jesus-Magdalene bloodline theory and the "shapeshifting reptilians" bloodline theory promoted by David Icke. While I consider his interpretation of the metaphysical and psychological levels of symbolism to be valid, I see his dismissive response to the 3D aspects of these symbolic themes to be rash, which is the only flaw I see in an otherwise excellent book. I agree with Gardiner that there was no historically significant Jesus persona, though it appears that there were some actual historical personages connected to the development of the astro-theological and metaphysical storyline of the Christ. Gardiner is astute in observing the Central role of the Roman Church/Political Empire in secret society power networks, as freemasonry, Templars, and other orders have connections to the Jesuits and Vatican. Gardiner's experience with a remnant of an old Germanic occult order and their Nazi anti-Jewish philosophy is not surprising. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the book is its effort to encourage the reader to "know thyself" and balance the polarities within, the timeless gnostic quest. The fact that the occult orders have been so heavily dominated by power-mongers seems to support the idea that the knowledge is power motto has been employed by psychologically cold-blooded beings intent on control. That fits well with the reptilian agenda thesis of Icke, which includes thousands of people who have actually seen these personages appear as reptilian. We all have a reptilian brain stem, and SOMEONE must have guided civilizations around the world to consistently employ identical symbolism (the theory that the symbolism all comes from a mother civilization such as Atlantis or Mu may be partly accurate, but not sufficient to fully explain why energy, healing, and wisdom have been represented by serpent forms everywhere you go).

I have had to re-evaluate my opinions of this author. This is a very good work that attempts to connect the dots between secret societies and Ophiolatria (the ancient cult of the serpent) in a knowledgeable and intelligent attempt at persuading the reader that his connections are arguable, and his conclusions interesting from just about any point of view.

This book covers the Serpent Cult, Freemasonry, Templar, Nazis, Rosicrucians, The Gnostics, The Order of the Golden Dawn, Opus Dei, The Knights of Malta, Bildebergers, The Trilateral Commission, The Holy Vehm, The Jesuits, and The Catholic Church. The author does a decent job linking all these Sercet Societies to two underlying themes: serpent worship and enlightenment. Having studied the Reptilian theories of human creation and control, I do agree with the author that all these Sercet Socities are connected to serpent worship and ancient serpent knowledge (enlightenment). For a 250 page book, it wasn't a bad overview of the many Secret Socities discussed. However, there are many books written that delve deeper on each of these Secret Socities. I didn't care for the author's argonant writing style and his bias opinions towards kundalini/enlightenment. In regards to the kundalini/enlightenment aspect there are two things I didn't like. First, the author writes as if kundalini/enlightenment is some kind of evil mind control by these Secret Socities. I'm on the path of kundalini/spiritual enlightenment and I totally disagree with it being some sort of evil mind control. In my research on the subject, it was this kundalini/enlightenment knowledge that was to spiritually free humanity. However, this ancient knowledge was hijacked by the dark brotherhood who control these secret socities and the knowledge was turned against humanity by the church/religion. From my personal experience on this spiritual path, there is nothing evil about it. Two, I believe the author should have done more research on spirituality before writing this book. He repeatedly states that the kundalini energy resides in the head therefore making it a mind control mechanism. This is false, the kundalini lays dormant at the base of the spine in the root chakra. Once activated, this energy shoots up the spine activating all chakras along the way, the individual is now spiritually enlightened. Overall I was wishy-washy with this book. On one hand, I enjoyed it. On the other hand, I didn't. I felt the author was lacking in spiritual knowledge and the supposed light/dark factions within this serpent/reptilian species. I agree that all these Secret Socities offer illumination/enlightenment. I also agree that all these Sercet Societies are connected to serpent worship. If I could give the book a two-and-half rating I would but because I did enjoy certain aspects of the book I gave it a three. This is an excert from William Bramley's, The God's of Eden showing the benevolent intent of the ancient serpent knowledge kundalini/enlightenment before the knowledge and Sercet Societies were hijacked by the dark faction: Of all the animals revered in ancient human societies, none were as prominent or as important as the snake. The snake was the logo of a group which had become very influential in early human societies of both hemispheres. That group was a disciplined brotherhood dedicated to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge and the attainment of spiritual freedom. This brotherhood of the snake (also known as the "Brotherhood of the Serpent," but which I will often refer to as the "brotherhood") opposed the enslavement of spiritual beings and according to Egyptian writings, it sought to liberate the human race from custodial bondage. The brotherhood also imparted scientific knowledge and encouraged the high anesthetics that existed in many ancient societies. For these and other reasons, the snake had become a venerated symbol to humans and according to Egyptian and biblical texts, an object of custodial hatred. When we look to discover who founded the Brotherhood, Mesopotamian texts point right back to that rebellious "god," Prince Ea (Enki). Ancient Mesopotamian tablets relate that Ea and his father, Anu, possessed profound ethical and spiritual knowledge. This was the same knowledge that was later symbolized as trees in the Biblical Adam and Eve story. In fact, the Biblical tree symbol came from pre-biblical Mesopotamian works, such as one showing a snake wrapped around the trunk of a tree, identical to later portrayals the snake in Eden. From the tree in the Mesopotamian depiction hanging two pieces of fruit. To the right of the tree is the half-moon symbol of Ea; to the left is the planet symbol of Anu. The drawing indicates that Ea and Anu were associated with the snake and its teachings. This connection is affirmed by other Mesopotamian texts which describe Anu's palace in the "heavens" as being guarded by a god of the Tree of Truth and a god of the Tree of Life. In one instance, Ea reportedly sent a human to be educated in that very knowledge. We therefore find Ea designated as the reputed culprit who tried to teach early man (Adam) the way to spiritual freedom. This suggests that Ea intended his creation, Homo sapiens, to be suited for Earth labor, but at some point he changed his mind about using spiritual enslavement as a means. If Ea was a true historical personality as the sumerians claimed, then he was the probable leader of the Brotherhood at its founding on Earth. The Brotherhood may have adopted the snake as its logo because Ea's first home on Earth was said to have been constructed by a serpent-infested swampland which Ea called Snake Marsh. Another possible explanation for the snake logo is offered by Mr. Stitchin who says that the Biblical word for "snake" is nahash, which comes from the root word NHSH, meaning "to decipher, to find out." Despite all their reported good intentions, the legendary Ea and early Brotherhood clearly failed to free the human race. Ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and biblical texts relate that the "snake" was quickly defeated by other Custodial factions. The Bible informs us that the Serpent in the Garden of Eden was overcome before it was able to complete its mission and give Adam and Eve the "fruit" from the second "tree".

I was led to believe that this would be an intellectual, academic and honest work on the topic. Instead, I suffered through wild and unfounded religious assumptions, the poorest linguistic analysis I have ever seen (save perhaps in the Da Vinci Code), endless historical inaccuracies and downright dishonesty. The sources for this are shaky at best and the whole thing lacks any kind of credible academic seriousness. There are a few facts in the book and the psychological analysis of why people join secret societies is interesting, however these things are tied together with inaccurate historical information, mistranslations and sources of such dubious quality that it begins to rival the Da Vinci Code in its outlandishness. As a serious scholar, I am very disappointed. This book should be sold as fiction.

There is not a whole lot to say about this amazing little piece of history about secret societies and the occult. This two DVD set helped me write my book called the 'L.A.M.B,' without it I would have been sorely hamstrung. In addition to this wonderful DVD set I also had the pleasure of making reference to the 'Occult Conspiracy' by Michael Howard. These resources made fact-finding almost effortless. I chose five stars because the information was realistic and not hyperbolized. Moreover, I did not dislike anything about the two DVD set. And I can certainly say I learned more than I expected. I would recommend this DVD set to anyone writing a book on the occult, secret societies or in need of such information for their fiction novel. Or those who are curious to know how all this occult business got started anyway, and whether it is still as dark and secret as in the past. Once you start watching the DVD's I am sure you will no longer wonder why the very rich will never be dethroned and why they in fact control governmental operations from behind the scenes in most countries. You will also understand why Alex Jones, radio host, becomes such a lunatic whenever the Bilderberg group hold one of their private conferences somewhere in the world.

Histories Mysteries produce great documentaries. Always dependable. Gives good overview of secret societies and a bit of history Knights Templar

This DVD is so compelling in letting anyone into the world of secret societies, ranging from Ancient Knight Templar, to Freemason, to The Illuminati, to Skull and Bones, Biderberg etc... and how the possibility of a cynical World-wide Conspiracy Theory may be at work... A MUST VIEW DVD for anyone curious enough to know more about the existence of such societies and their evolution through History. Provided me with a completely different perspective of the real world. Steven Lim (RSTN Consulting), Singapore.

What a great read I could not put it down the Author has really done some historical searching and the books flows excellent A definite eye opener on all the secret clubs

Very interesting book that’s explores a lot of different theories and ideas

I don't know about Mr Gardiner's other books the kindest thing to say about this one is it that itis completely disappointing. I tore out three pages for my reference files and threw the rest of it in the bin.