Book I sets the stage of the work, indicates some of the circumstances that led is into the Mystery, and the crucial discoveries we made, that led us to develop the thesis / premise of this work. The Legacy of the GIFT refers to a bloodline, a lineage, both physical and spiritual that has been involved in the safeguarding of this information forever.
What conclusions we reached by the end of Book I, are elaborated in depth in Book Two. It starts off with the Qadosh Degree in Scottish Rite Freemasonry, and contains the Johannite Legend of the Templars, from the Levitikon of Fabre-Palaprat. The remainder of Book Two is devoted to the analysis of this important Legend.
In Qadosh, we analyze not only the Qadosh Legend (that is, the Johannite Legend of the Templars), but we begin with both the Saint Andrews' and Qadosh degrees. Following the three part segment on the Johannite Legend, we cover various themes present in that legend: The Qadosh Fathers Mythos, Myths concerning John (regardless of spelling); the Importance of Egypt to the Authentic Tradition - yesssss….. da pidda-mids dey have many many significances…. the importance of the concept of the Temple, as an Idea; the importance of the Qadeshim or Male Temple Prostitutes, involved in the Goddeess Cult.
In The Sabians of the House of Wisdom, we begin our search for the "Johannite Gnostics" or "Primitive Christians" who would have been active at the time of the First Crusade. First, we start with the Ebionite and Elkesaite version of early Christianity. After all, these were the ones singled out in the Sepher Toledoth Yeshu. Also, we analyze the Buddhist influences operating in the Near East since the missionary campaigns of the Emperor Ashoka. Since a lot of people make references to the Monastery of Mar Saba, is it not worthwhile considering what first occupied it, namely Buddhist missionaries?
Also, since the name Sabian has many variations, we analyze some of the groups that carry this name. First on the list would be the Mandaeans, and since these are the popular Johannites, we must study their religion in depth. Although our analysis has been considered off the mark by friends of Mandaeans in Europe, it should be abundantly clear that the Mandeans are not the Johannites of the Legend, but you will have to read the segment anyway. Next, is a survey of Esoteric Islam, including Isma'ilis, Sufis, and the Yezidi tradition. The Yezidis come the closest, so far, but there are still things wanting. That said, the Yezidi segment is one of our most popular segments, and is even used by educators.
Next comes the Brethren of Purity, and the Wise Men of Damkar. The Brethren of Purity, or the Ikhwan as-Safa, came from an area that is crucial in the study of the Authentic Tradition. The Safa region of the Hauran is a very important region. More on this in the segment on the Druzes.
Finally the segment on the Harranians, also known as Sabians. The City of Sin, is Harran. We analyze the history of the area, the history of the star-cult at Harran, and the possible contacts with the West. This Important group preserved important Learning, and transmitted it to the west via exiles moving to Constantinople.
Rather than go forward and continue our survey in a linear fashion, we go back to the centuries prior to the Gnosis period. We are here analyzing the history and ideas surrounding the Serpent Cult.
Also, we analyze the one Serpent related degree in the Scottish Rite, that of the Knight of the Brazen Serpent. In the Legenda for that Degree, we get information on the Druzes, which really figure in the 22nd Degree. Therefore we analyze both the 22nd and 25th Degrees.
In ORMUS and the Grail Chalice, we explore a lineage that is crucial to the R+C Tradition.
The legends of High Grade Rites were influenced by the Philalethes - via the letters of the elusive Baron de Westerode. This is where the story originated. In Italy, the same Italy that a number of important parties in the STORY visited, lived in, worked in, played in.
It begins with a survey of the Gold Rosicrucians of 1777, their antecedents and their successors. These are the survivors of the original Rosicrucians, even though we have our detractors. Then the scene shifts to the Quietist movement, its ancient roots and its succession in the world of High Grade Freemasonry and other Esoteric Orders.
Also, since one of the Rites that propagated the ORMUS legend was the Rite of Memphis, we cover this thread. From our stats we can tell that this is one of the more popular segments we have offered on the AI Site. The Readings segment has a large number of important Memphis-related texts. In addition, we provide an initiated interpretation of some of the legends.
As ORMUS is an important figure in these legends, we must look into the name itself, and who this personality may have represented, in the segment entitled, "Who is ORMUS?" We offer a large Readings segment on the Thebaid Brethren and related ideas.
Because it is stated that ORMUS was converted by Saint Mark, we analyze this particular thread, including the "secret gospel" of Morton Smith.
This, of course, naturally leads us headlong into the "Deep Things of SATAN", one of our finest segments to date. See for yourself. It prepares the interested (and engaged) student, for "Honey and Peppers," a paraphrase and initiated commentary upon Epiphanius' rant about the Borborites. Also, some more of J. M. Allegro's interpretation of same.
From there we analyze the Catharist-Perfection oriented groups, somewhat related through ancestry to the Borborites, and to the Quietist strand. Also, our interpretation of the Grail Mythos.
The Milky Way - The Way of the Stars. This is the group that we have found that IS the Johannite Group. The Current Segments are in progress, so not commented upon here.
(May be subdivided into Parts)
To be filled in later.
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