Ancient mysteries

From The Book of THoTH (Leaves of Wisdom)

Ancient mysteries originate in the ancient or medieval world.

1 The nature of ancient mysteries
2 Ancient mysteries
3 Sources
4 See also

The nature of ancient mysteries

Ancient mysteries are often featured prominently in a culture's folklore, mythology or legends. They can include artifacts, structures, sites, or people with which mysterious events are associated. The ancient mystery can be how the object or site came to be, its alleged magical properties, what has become of it, or other open historical questions. Ancient mysteries can be an integral part of a nation's psyche as King Arthur and Merlin have become in Arthurian legend, which is also known as the Matter of Britain.

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Ancient mysteries

Alchemy
Ark of the Covenant
Atlantis
Baphomet
- Baphomet is an idol of uncertain origin, depicting a god, devil, or demon. The Knights Templar were accused of heretical worship of Baphomet.
Bérenger Saunière
Camelot
Cathars
de Molay curse
- It is said that Jacques de Molay cursed Philip IV of France and his descendants from his execution pyre. And indeed, the rapid succession of the last direct Capetian kings of France between 1314 and 1328, the three sons of Philip IV, led many to believe that the dynasty had been cursed – thus the name of "Cursed Kings" (Rois Maudits). Also, de Molay apparently challenged the King and Pope Clement V to meet him before the judgment of God before the year was over. Philip and Clement in fact both died in 1314. Interestingly, the 300 year old Capetian dynasty collapsed during the next 14 years.
Egyptian pyramids
- While it is generally agreed that pyramids were burial monuments, there is continued disagreement on the particular theological principles that might have given rise to them. One theory that has gained a degree of acceptance is that they were designed as a type of "resurrection machine." The Egyptians believed the dark area of the night sky around which the stars appear to revolve was the physical gateway into the heavens and one of the narrow shafts that extends from the main burial chamber through the entire body of the Great Pyramid points directly towards the center of this part of the sky. This suggests the pyramid may have been designed to serve as a means to launch the deceased pharaoh's soul directly into the abode of the gods.
Et in Arcadia Ego
Freemasonry
- Freemasonry is a fraternity that claims antiquity. Its members are joined together by shared ideals of both a moral and metaphysical nature and by a common belief in a Supreme Being (the Great Architect of the Universe). Despite what many believe, Freemasonry is not a religion, secret society or an occult group, but a spiritual organization. Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical and philosophical issues. It often calls itself "a beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." Some historians and authors have tried to draw a link from Freemasonry and its many branches to the Knights Templar, with some Masonic organizations claiming a direct descent from them. This alleged link is a mystery and remains a point of debate among scholars. Author John J. Robinson makes a case for the Templar/Freemason connection in his book "Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry."
Garden of Eden
Green Man
Hiram Abiff
Holy Grail
- The Holy Grail is traditionally defined as the chalice that Jesus Christ used at the last supper. It also has been described as the cup that caught Christ's blood as he was being crucified or as the platter used at the last supper. In legend it was brought to England by Joseph of Arimathea. The Grail story is a combination of history, Christian theology, and Celtic mythology. In addition, there are those who believe that the Knights Templar passed to the Freemasons special knowledge of the Grail.
King Arthur
Knights Templar
- The largest and most powerful of the Christian military orders, the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, became widely known as the Knights Templar. The order was founded by nine knights in 1118 A.D. The Templars were begun in the aftermath of the First Crusade of 1096 A.D. to help the new Kingdom of Jerusalem defend itself against its hostile Muslim neighbors and to ensure the safety of the large numbers of European pilgrims who journeyed to Jerusalem. The Medieval order was officially ended in 1314 A.D. with the burning at the stake of the last official Grand Master, Jacques de Molay.
La Merika
- The theory that America was discovered centuries before Christopher Columbus by the Knights Templar, and that the name La Merika (The Star) is what led to the later name of the continent America.
Lyonesse
Mary Magdalene
Mayan 2012 prophecy
Merlin
Nazca Lines
Noah's Ark
Pope Joan
Relics attributed to Jesus
Rennes-le-Château
Roanoke Island
Robin Hood
Rosicrucians
- The Rosicrucian Order is a legendary and secretive Order publicly documented in the early 17th century, although evidences in literature and monuments, interpreted to be associated to this Order, may be found since the early 14th century. It is generally associated with the symbol of the Rose Cross, which is also found in certain rituals beyond "Craft" or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry. The Rosicrucian Order is viewed among earlier and many modern Rosicrucianists as an inner worlds Order, comprised of great "Adepts." When compared to human beings, the consciousness of these Adepts is said to be like that of demi-gods. This "College of Invisibles" is regarded as the source permanently behind the development of the Rosicrucian movement. Several modern societies have been formed for the study of Rosicrucianism and allied subjects. However, many researchers on the history of Rosicrucianism argue that modern Rosicrucianists are in no sense directly derived from the "Brethren of the Rose Cross" of the 17th century. Instead, they are considered to be keen followers.
Rosslyn Chapel
Shangri-La
Shroud of Turin
Solomon's Temple
Spear of Destiny
Star of Bethlehem
Stone of Destiny
Stonehenge
- Stonehenge's fame comes not only from its archaeological significance or potential early astronomical role but also in its less tangible effect on visitors, what Christopher Chippindale describes as "the physical sensation of the place," something that transcends the rational, scientific view of the monument. This manifests itself in the spiritual role of the site for many different groups and a belief that no single scientific explanation can do justice to it as a symbol of the great achievement of ancient people and as a symbol of something that continues to confound mainstream archaeology. Some have theorized that it represents the female sexual organs (article from The Observer) or have identified a phallic shape in the Heelstone. Alfred Watkins found three ley lines running through the site and others have employed numerology dowsing or geomancy to reach diverse conclusions regarding the site's power and purpose. Some New Age and Neo-Pagan followers see Stonehenge as a sacred place of worship which can conflict with its more mainstream role as an archaeological site or tourist attraction. Even the role of indigenous peoples in archaeology, rarely applied in Western Europe, has created a new function for the site as a symbol of Welsh nationalism.
Ten Lost Tribes of Israel
True Cross
Virginia Dare
Voynich Manuscript