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Introduction 9
'Entre nous, c'est qu'on apelle Le secret de Polichinelle' La Mascotte, II, 12
'I know that's a secret For it is whispered everywhere …' William Congreve
Limitations of space mean that it is impossible to include all secret societies that have existed but the following are some of the best known. Organisations such as the SS and the Tontons Macoute have been omitted because, although they shared certain characteristics of secret societies, they were primarily secret police.
The Assassins
The Bilderberg Group
The Bohemian Grove
The Castrators of Russia
The Cathars
The Charcoal Burners
The Cult of Abramelin
This is a predominantly Indian phenomenon and is part of the Thugee tradition. The Thugs believed that Bhowani or 'Kali the Black One' bestowed success on the worthy but de- manded the sacrifice of lives in return. It is based on a myth that was taught to every young Thug that Kali, born of Shiva, represents the evil spirit, delighting in human blood, presid- ing over plague, pestilence, storms and all that brings ill to humanity.
The Cult of Mithra
This was an Italian cabal that came into existence in 1815 and was comprised of bandits, brigands and outlaws who were operating around Calabria and Abruzzi. It was set up by a no- torious villain called Ciro Annunchiarico after the govern- ment decided to stamp out their activities. Annunchiarico, thug though he was, was also a learned man brought up in comfortable surroundings who drew on his education and up- bringing to create his society. He was also head of another se- cret society, the Patrioti Europi. Lodges of the cabal were known as Decisi (Decisions) and the society was divided into 'Camps' of about three hundred men and 'Squadrons' of forty or so. Their aim was to make war against the 'tyrants of the universe' and each member had a document of membership part-written in blood.
The Freemasons
The Garduna
The Gnostics
The Golden Dawn
The Hell Fire Club
In all likelihood this was a completely bogus society. A de- tailed account appeared in Germany in the 18th century, claiming to reveal the details of the secret initiations of the Priests of Thebes and consisted of quasi-Masonic rituals. It outlines the stages of initiation from the first, via the Gate of Men, to the highest degree or the 'Propheta' in which all the secrets are told.
The Himalayan Masters are supposed to be benign and secret mystic rulers who, it is claimed, inhabit the 'roof of the world' and, through telepathy, dispense their mystical powers for the benefit of mankind. Secretive and remote, they shun normal life but allow seekers of true wisdom, on proof of their worthiness, to make contact with them. They then be- stow their ancient wisdom on them. They are seen as a link between the profane world of ordinary men and the higher realms.They are staple characters, bordering on cliché, of ad- venture stories and films and, in all likelihood, the legend of these secretive figures has its origins in the misrepresented ac- tivities of Buddhist priests.
The Holy Vehm
The Illuminati
The John Birch Society is a semi-secret fanatical right-wing group that was set up to fight Communism at the 'outbreak' of the Cold War. It is named after a United States Air Force captain called John Birch who was killed in 1945 by Chinese Communists. The Society considers him to be the first casu- alty of the Cold War and, more importantly, the first American to fall against Communism. The activities of the John Birch Society are now muted because of the collapse of the political ideology it was established to oppose but Marxist China still attracts its attention.
The Knights of Malta
The Knights of St Columba
The Knights Templar
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
The Mafia
For eight hundred years the wealthy and educated elite of Bristol have been shaping that city's fortunes in the guise of the Merchant Venturers, a publicity-shy organisation that con- tinues to keep its activities secret. Its headquarters are on the Bristol Downs and its current 'Grand Master' is Denis Burn. In the past members secured their money through shipping and the slave trade but in more recent times the business has been more of a legitimate nature. They have a reported one hundred million in charitable trusts, money which is used to fund private schools, care for the elderly and other works. In the past this money has built almshouses, bridges and familiar local landmarks around the city. Membership is through invi- tation only and is only open to those who have succeeded in the field of business. In recent times the Merchant Venturers have become less camera shy. Because of the usual accusations of secrecy and their being an apparent undemocratic control within society they have taken steps to become a bit more open.
The Odd Fellows
Opus Dei
Not known to exist anymore, the Order of the Peacock Angel was brought to London in 1913 by a Syrian whose name re- mains a secret until after initiation. The cult was split into halkas (lodges) and each had a minimum of seven members. It had its roots in Sufism and Arab numerology, and also had connections to the Yezidis of Kurdistan. Followers worship the snake and the peacock, both of which are symbols of power. It is open to men and women with the male objectives being fraternal fellowship and the sharing of ecstatic experi- ences.
The Ordines
P2
Prieuré de Sion
The Rosicrucians
The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes
The Shriners
The Skull and Bones
The Sufis
The Thugee
The Triads
Other Secret Societies
Conclusions
Bibliography
The following are of interest. There are numerous websites dedicated to secret societies but most tend towards the hys- terical. In some there is a degree of anti-Semitism. Some are created from the point of view of the religious right who see nothing but the work of the devil in secret societies. Many of the websites are full of paranoia and display a lack of a func- tioning critical process. The author and the publisher are not responsible for the material displayed on the following.
1903047773 Agatha Christie Mark Campbell 4.99
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