 By Sol
I’ve recently chanced on an excellent scholarly article, with a deep and intelligent analysis of the possible esoteric origins of some very curious hermetic markings on a Valladolid Cathedral manuscript.
The writer, Professor E.W Vogt of Seattle Pacific University, makes several highly enlightening and original deductions, for example on the connection between the Masonic "Tri-Tau" cross and the IHS emblem, as well as many important observations upon the influence and interrelationship between esoteric schools of thought and arcane societies, and the article is a must-read for any serious aficionado of Medieval alchemy and symbolism.
I feel, however, that the author had misinterpreted the meaning of one of the ink-drawn symbols on the title page of the MS. Yet this apparent "misinterpretation" offers us another fascinating connection with an aspect of "the Holy Grail" story!
I am referring to "Figure C" in the article, which was identified in the article as the Sigil of Saturn.  Figure C from the article
The alchemical "Sigil of Saturn" is invariably depicted diagonally, simply by drawing straight lines through "Saturn’s Magic Square", which connect the digits 1-2-3, 4-5-6, and 7-8-9. The resulting figure forms two super-imposed opposing angles, called "a double lingam", which are crossed by a diagonal line. (See here for a list of graphic planetary sigils).  Saturn’s magic square  The Sigil of Saturn
Professor Vogt offers a very interesting analysis of this sign as being an encoding of the Seal of Solomon, and a proto-representation of the Masonic square-and-compass. And yet the symbol on the Valladolid MS, though similar in some respects, is clearly different - it is oriented horizontally, the bisecting line is greatly shortened, the whole design seems “squished” and there are two flanking "pillars", and also some curious markings on top. It is hardly the same design or designation, though the Saturn Sigil is doubtless connected to it.
The symbol in question is found elsewhere: it is in fact the "Auspice Maria", seen on some Catholic edifices and jewelry. The letter A is superimposed on an M as the initials of the above words, which mean "Under the protection of Maria".
And curiously enough, we find this symbol associated abundantly with the famed Priory of Sion, the reputed "Guardians of the Grail". Dr. Steven Mizrachs of Florida International University, who has several excellent articles on the Priory, shows a very similar design as being the Seal of Dagobert II. As well as the Saint Sulpice logo!  The Auspice Maria from Steven Mizrach’s site
Indeed we find it said on the website of ”St. Mary’s Spiritual Center” that "Auspice Maria ("Under Mary’s Protection") is the motto of the Society of St. Sulpice.” Mizrachs wonders on his “symbols” page why that logo is missing the horizontal bar in the "A". But it’s possible he hadn’t looked far enough - because the actual logo DOES have the horizontal bar. As well as two little spheres on top of the side columns.
 The logo of the St. Sulpice Society
A further image from the website of the Sulpician Order has a cross topping the A, which looks even more similar to the image on the Valladolid MS.
 Logo from Sulpician website
Vogt identifies the design which surmounts the discussed image on the manuscript as a “winged disk”, which is a fascinating connection both to the ancient world, and to “pagan” motifs of mainstream Christianity.
The winged-disk emblem seems grossly out of place on the strictly Christian “Auspice Maria”, and thus I had originally felt that the top design may be an ink-smudge, made as the artist tried to draw a cross above the A and two smaller crosses or spheres on its sides. If it is indeed a winged disk however, then the author is right that this offers a startling bit of proof that early Rosicrucian influence was evidently strong in Catholic Spain.
The winged globe was indeed a major Rosicrucian symbol and represents one of their better-known old mottoes, “sub umbra alarum tuarum” or “under the shadow (or protection) of thy wings” (a quote from Psalms 17:8). Yet this symbol undeniably widely used in Ancient Egypt to represent Horus in his form during his battles with Seth. Still earlier, the winged disk was also prevalent on Ancient Sumerian depictions, and there was said to represent the Heavenly Abode of the Annunaki gods.
In the context of the Auspice Maria, the winged globe would offer a “double protection” - from "thy wings" as well as from Maria. Yet it’s undeniably a highly unusual “pagan” symbol to adorn a work from a staunch Christian age. It is possible that the author of the Valladolid manuscript used a well-known Catholic symbol to hide an arcane meaning, then known only to a few well-read initiates.
So what is the significance of this curious connection between the discussed “hermetic graffiti” and the known symbols of the Rosicrucians, the Sulpicians and the Priory of Sion? There could be several.
Vogt eloquently points out that the graffiti on the manuscript “demonstrates that European intellectuals, artists and others of like mind, shared a common milieu that was neoplatonic, hermetic and esoteric.” His identification of the Masonic Square and Compass in the discussed symbol and their representation of Solomon’s Seal sheds light on the “mystical” origins of Freemasonry.
He omits, however, a serious mention of the two “columns” flanking the symbol, which are the main difference between the “Auspice Maria” and the actual Sigil of Saturn, aside from the horizontal orientation. These undeniably serve as a further Masonic connection, and topped with the globes on the Sulpician logo, they look nearly identical to the famous Masonic Two Pillars.
This could mean that Freemasonry and the Sulpicians hail from common roots, namely Rosicrucianism and the ancient esoteric tradition. It’s important to remember in this regard that the origins of “modern Roscirucianism” are tied to the same event which is said to have spawned the Priory of Sion.
This is said to have occured in 1187 after the “cutting of the Gisors Elm”. ;;The same person, Jean de Gisors, on whose property this momentous event took place, is the reputed founder of both organizations. And the Order of St. Sulpice has been named by researchers as one of the supposed "official covers" of the Priory.
More importantly however, the “Auspice Maria” is a symbol deeply connected with facets of the "Sacred Feminine", the ancient legacy which the Priory of Sion is said to have been perpetuating through the ages.
According to the well-known 19th Century occultist and mystic Papus (Gerard Encausse) in his "Traite Methodique De La Magie Pratique" from 1898, the "Auspice Maria" was a symbol used by devout Christians to counter the influence of Astarte, the Babylonian Ishtar, who was considered to be "the Demon of Friday" in Christian demonology.
Papus says that the symbol is a conjunction of the monogram of Mary and the name of the Angel Anael (and not the word "auspice"). Anael is a female angel high up in the angelic hierarchy, and is the "Guardian Angel of Friday".
Friday was the day ruled by the planet Venus, the Ultimate Female. This day had been used for various Sexual Rites since ancient times, either for procreation or recreation, because after it came Saturday, the day of rest. Manifestations of such sexual release can take on the form of the "evil" Astarte, or the "good" Anael, depending on one’s beliefs and circumstances.
The "Auspice Maria" symbol used by the Sulpicians today testifies to their commitment to have "good sex", according to the Christian doctrines to which they are heirs. They appear to be making a symbolic statement that they have overpowered the “baser” forms of carnal sex, which the original pagan rites of Astarte are said to have involved.
But the ancient associations and meanings of this symbol, as explained by Vogt, show that the Sulpicians may be carrying a legacy much more ancient than this strictly dualistic approach. This symbol has several embodiments of the alchemical “union of opposites”, an ancient doctrine which accepts a syncretism of conflicting views, a harmony as opposed to a never-ending conflict between Good and Evil.
In the ancient world this approach was made understandable to the common man in the form of “Sexual Magic”, and as noted, that is the deeper meaning behind the symbol in question. Whether any of the Sulpicians today still remember or even care what the symbol originally meant, is a different question. But many serious researchers of this field lead us to believe that at least some of the members do. This curious graffiti from Spain can teach us a great deal about our connection to ancient mysteries.
Finally, there is another completely unrelated yet very curious coincidence with this symbol, for the conspiracy-minded readers. If we write out the underlying diagram of the Auspice Maria in Roman Numerals, we get a drawing which says “IX-XI”. And that is no other than “9-11”. Funny how that number keeps showing up in the most unexpected contexts.
(Note: all words appearing in blue color in the above text are clickable links to source webpages. Discussion of this article on the Book of Thoth forum can be found here)
|
Resources
Audio/Visual
Discussion & Chat
Information
Keep Up To Date
Fun & Games
Submitting
Spread The Word
Rules & Help
Personal
