The Age of Illumination

On the bottom of the US dollar bill and the tablet of the Babylonian Statue of Liberty are the roman numerals MDCCLXXVI, which translates to 1776. Is this a celebration of America’s freedom, or a secret homage to the controlling secret societies and elites? You see the year 1776 didn’t just see the 13 colonies of America announce their freedom, it also saw the birth of a more sinister organization entitled the Bavarian Illuminati, which has dominated popular fiction and conspiracy theories ever since.

The loosely affiliated practices and beliefs of illumination can be traced back to the ancient Mystery school religions, Iranian Mysticism, then in to Europe and Spain in the 15th century where the term Illuminati originates. Numerous religions have taught the “light” of God and that those with divine knowledge are “enlightened”. Therefore illumination is simply possessing knowledge or understanding of the world and its creator. The term Illuminati refers to various groups and societies that claim to have the secret knowledge of the world, sometimes directly from a higher power through occult ritual or mysticism. The Rosicrucians of Europe who later arrived in the US were one such society that claimed to hold a hidden knowledge about the true history of civilization and the spiritual realm.

However in the 18th century the modern Enlightenment movement was less to do with man’s interpretation of God’s knowledge, the history of man, mysticism or the occult and more to do with the rational approach, reason, science and progressive thinking; taking blind faith, belief and religious dogma and replacing it with rational scientific knowledge, mathematical approaches and intellectual ideas. In this case being Enlightened was to take the apple that fell off the tree and proclaim it gravity, not an act of God or a superstitious mystic power. Most believed in a creator God or gods and even a Jesus, but thought the holy books were tainted human interpretations, used in some cases by the sate to keep the masses in the dark. These men believed the only way to better mankind was through science and the philosophical debates of intellectuals.

Up until this point religious institutions, Monarch and their nobility were firmly in control of of Europe, predominately by birthright and social class. It had operated this way since Ancient Babylon. It was the educated free thinkers in the middle classes (bourgeoisie) that were tired of this archaic form of control who wanted the freedom to have their own beliefs and the opportunity to make it to the top of the power and wealth structure. Through literature, the movement’s affiliated philosophers circulated this idea and many began to question the very foundations of society, its rulers and religious institutions.

In many ways it was the development of scientific rationale and this enlightenment movement that lead to communist revolutions and the scientific advancement of industrialization, which in turn overthrew the traditional institutions of religion and royal rule. Although breakthroughs in science and rational thinking have progressed civilization in to a modern age, what has emerged is a new ruling class that are just as dictatorial and fascist as the kings and queens of yesteryear, and whom some believe where really instructed by royalty when they saw their overt power dwindling. It was the old world order moving in to a new world order. The corporate cartels, banking institutions and corrupt politicians that now bring us closer to a New World Order, were born out of this enlightenment movement, which allegedly aimed to free the masses from a similar form of slavery.

It is therefore this website’s charge that revolution has never been an uprising of the lower classes for freedom, but an orchestrated plan by the middle classes to overthrow the current rulers and assume their overt position, while the lower classes remain in the lower classes. The Rothschild banking family although not always directly linked to the early Illuminati, have always benefited from revolution and war and were one such family that assumed the role of Royalty, when real Monarch became redundant. While patriots were fighting for America’s freedom they were profiting from their Hessian opponents. While the French were in revolt, they were profiting on both sides. As communism took grip, the Rothschilds and their associates were once again the ones that looked to benefit. If Illumination planted the seeds for the events that aided their financial takeover, then the Illuminati expressed in popular conspiracy theories is not so far from the truth.

In such theories the term Illuminati is the name ascribed to the powerful elite that control the masses through the banking system and news media today. Because most people in the lower classes are unaware about the true system of governance and economics that directs our lives, the elites are considered illuminated or the enlightened ones. This does not necessarily suggest a direct link between the Bavarian Illuminati of 1776 and the alleged current Illuminati or elite, and should therefore not cloud people’s judgment, but if it wasn’t for organizations like the Bavarian Illuminati, the enlightenment movement and the chain reaction of their beliefs, today’s elite might not be in power because the shift from Monarch to communism would have never happened. Some researchers claim the original organization IS the same elite network of today. However after closer inspection of source material it appears unlikely that this is the case. That doesn’t make the Global Conspiracy of a New World Order any less sinister; it just shows the likes of the Rothschilds as evil opportunists.

You see Meyer Rothschild knew that an Illuminated order that went against the current establishment of Monarchy would aid his plans for world domination. Not only did he have his sights set on America, he also knew that he’d have to corrupt and manipulate religion and Monarch in order to gain further control in Europe. A common charge is that Rothschild directly funded and directed the Bavarian Illuminati, but as you can imagine no financial records were left behind. If retroactively applying the actions of the Rothschilds to the time-frame of the Bavarian Illuminati one can see that it’s not beyond their playbook, but no proof exists – and the evidence seems to show that the Rothschilds weren’t quite prominent enough at the time to direct the agenda. Former Jesuit Catholic priest, Dr. Adam Weishaupt would give the Rothschilds the perfect social upheaval to expand their operation later on, but there is nothing to suggest that Wieshaupt answered to them or was paid by them.

Weishaupt was born February 6, 1748 in Bavaria, Germany. He was brought up as a Jew, but was converted to Catholicism by Jesuits, a powerful group inside the controversial Catholic Church. The Jesuits were founded by Ignatius Loyola one of the original Spanish Enlightened Ones, it is therefore apt that Wesihaupt entitled the new order the Illuminati. At the time of Dr. Weishaupt’s lectures at Ingolstadt University in Bavaria, the Jesuit order had been outlawed in most countries for interfering with the state. Whether this was one reason that prompted him to create the Illuminati, as a way to continue Jesuit operations in secret is unknown. Catholic and Jesuit members did however make up a percentage of the brethren, as did Freemasons, and later on Jesuits have played their part in the conspiracy. EU President Herman Van Rompuy is a modern Jesuit. Nonetheless, the writings do not suggest a Jesuit plot, a Jewish plot, or any similar concoction at that time.

Weishaupt’s godfather and teacher was Johann Adam von Ickstatt, a major proponent of the Enlightenment movement. Weishaupt was also said to be a student of French philosopher Voltaire, a Freemason who is famous for proclaiming “God is dead”. Voltaire promoted religious destruction. Weishaupt was therefore fully exposed to this new way of thinking and was no doubt very much inspired by him. Another inspiration was Franz Kolmer a merchant that gained knowledge of the ancient mystery school religions from Persia, who would teach westerners the ancient secrets through the doctrines of Mandaeism.

A graduate of law, Weishaupt taught Canon Law at the University aforementioned. It was here that he took his inspirations, developed his own ideas for the movement and created the “Order of Perfectibilists”, later the Bavarian Illuminati that aimed to take this modern scientific and intellectual movement and infuse it with the pre-christian mysteries.

The secret society was officially born on May 1st, 1776. Weishaupt took on the name “Spartacus” after the Roman slave that lead revolution in the century before Christ. Freemason and writer Adolph von Knigge used the name “Philo” after the Jewish philosopher who refused to recognize the Emperor of Rome. German journalist Johann Joachim became “Amelias” a famous student of Plato who’s pre-communist ideas were similar to what would unfold later. Famous German Freemason and lawyer Franz Dietrich von Ditfurth adopted the name “Minos” an ancient Greek mythical King and Judge, and several other members used names such as “Diomedes” a mythological Greek warrior, and “Cato” a Roman statesmen that opposed the ruling Scipio family. All of these names refer to some kind of anti-establishment revolutionary or warrior, which supported their Enlightened view of overthrowing the current Monarchy and religious system.

A point to make is that the lower classes, indeed the masses, were poorly educated laborers, who would not have been privy to the philosophical teachings or even the regular education extended to the middle classes and those at Ingolstadt University and the general enlightenment movement. Whether using rationalist scientific thinking, following religion and royal dictatorship, or employing ancient mysteries, the lowly peasants had no real say in the way their life was run. The very idea of “Perfectibilists” using their great intelligence to govern the masses still reeks of elitism and control. There was not one working class initiate in to the Illuminati, in fact it was the most secretive and exclusive club in the world. Thus this brewing elite, was no different from the current Royal establishment that claimed their right to rule from God.

Over 2,000 Europeans (elite, intellectuals and professionals), as well as other secret society members joined this Illuminated Bavarian Order, in rebellion of the dictatorial monarchs and controlled religion of the day. People as diverse as composer Mozart were among the Brethren and mottos included “the ends justify the means,” What ends? New World Order? What means?…
Weishaupt theorized that it is technically society’s ignorance that resulted in any evil or suppressive regimes, thus anything the Illuminati wanted to do was fair game as long as it benefited the Order. So it seems any monstrous act could be justified by the Illuminati if it suited the early New World Order agenda.

It is a common belief that society is indirectly responsible for any social problems in the world, but when only scientists, philosophers, lawyers, professors, journalists and Freemasons are the ones initiated in to the Illuminati, the public cannot be blamed for the evil deeds they get away with, because they were never aware of the organization’s plans. They went by secret names, developed their own calendar based on ancient astrology and hid behind the Masonic lodges, which themselves were shut off from the masses. This arrogant and elitist attitude that the masses are too stupid to rule themselves and must remain in an unenlightened lower class has remained constant throughout history.

Weishaupt as the founder took the role of “General” or ‘Rex” and his closest peers were the “Areopagites” or “Supreme Council”. Like most secret societies novice initiates were not aware of the full agenda and had to go through several degrees of teachings before being accepted in to the brotherhood. After 2 years, worthy initiates would be promoted to “Minerval” and would be enlightened. Minerval relates to the owl of Minerva or Athena, which was one of the order’s symbols. In turn the owl represents illumination because they see in the dark when others do not see. Modern elite clubs like Bohemian Grove use owl symbolism, suggesting perhaps a thin connection between the two.

In a letter to “Cato” Weishaupt reveals that he kept 3 degrees of knowledge to himself, which went beyond the level of Minerval.

“I have three other degrees, all different, for my class of higher mysteries, in comparison with which this is but child’s play; but these I keep for myself as General, to be bestowed by me only. Were you here I should give you this degree without hesitation. But it is too important to be trusted to paper, or to be bestowed otherwise than from my own hand. It is the key to history, to religion, and to every state government in the world.”

These highest degrees have never been disclosed, as they were never written down, leading to great speculation about ancient hidden knowledge that may have been suppressed to this day. Weishaupt made claims about ancient symbols and hieroglyphics, and the true role of Jesus. However, if we look at the few remaining documents of the Illuminati and quotations from Weishaupt we can still see a distinct set of objectives and tactics despite not knowing all the teachings he may have had planned. Weishaupt’s objectives were as follows:

- Infiltrate and reorganize Freemasonry, using its structure to propagate the agenda.
“The great strength of our Order lies in it’s concealment, let it never appear in any place in it’s own name, but always covered by another name, and another occupation. None is fitter than the three lower degrees of Freemasonry.”

- Infiltrate all Governments to direct their political agenda to the ideas of the Illuminati.
“By this plan we shall direct all mankind. In this manner, and by the simplest means, we shall set all in motion and in flames. The occupations must be so allotted and contrived, that we may, in secret, influence all political transactions.”

- Destroy the church and modern religion, and replace it with the enlightened teachings of the Illuminati.
“But I assure you this is no small affair; A new religion, and a new state-government, which so happily explain one and all of these symbols, and combines them in one degree.”

- Indoctrinate young members so the movement lives on for future generations.
“The first task of the association must therefore be to form the young members. As these multiply and advance, they become the apostles of beneficence, and the work is now on foot, and advances with a speed increasing every day.”

- Unite every man in to one big family, so that their talents can be used to destroy all nations.
“Princes and nations shall vanish from the earth. The human race will then become one family, and the world will be the dwelling of Rational Men.”

Whether Weishaupt’s intentions were to “improve the world” as he claims: through freeing man from controlled religion and dictatorial royal monarch… or really to take over the world’s power structure for his own (or a master’s) selfish reasons is debatable, but when we discuss the modern day political idea of a corrupt New World Order ruled by elites and their dehumanist science and technocracy, the above five points fit like a glove. It is therefore no wonder people link the modern day agenda and 18th century Bavarian agenda as one. Their plans are very much identical.

The order was secretive and deceptive and laid out plans to mold the world in to their way of thinking and only their way. To paraphrase from earlier in the book, in an open and honest society every man should have access to all information that has baring on their lives. World policy should not be held by a secretive group of elites. Nobody elected the Bavarian Illuminati to pursue their idea of a Utopian world. The prejudice and hypocrisy of the order, which supposedly looked to better mankind and free them of the current power structure can be seen immediately. Only those deemed intelligent and susceptible enough would be promoted within the order. Right there you can dismiss the average working class man. It was a feeder system that groomed people to their agenda, just like today. And those with religious beliefs were rejected instantly, as religious destruction was one of their main goals with their mystery teaching and science taking its place.

“Only those who are assuredly proper subjects shall be picked out from the ‘inferior’ classes for the higher mysteries, which contain the first principles and means of promoting a happy life. No religionist must, on any account, be admitted into these.”
Spartacus (Weishaupt) to Cato (Zwack, a lawyer) – Feb 6th, 1778.

You can see then why religious believers have been at the forefront of anti-Illuminati/New World Order writings. Whether modern religious institutions are corrupt or not, or even whether religion itself is a deception, it is nobody’s right to take away somebody’s faith through deceptive means. If you know the truth about man’s history, lets have it!

Because of this, Christian researchers delve deeply in to the apparent satanic nature of the elites. It’s true that some evidence exists, but due to their faith it is turned in to a God versus the Devil battle. Those less religious go with the Latin phrase “Lucifer” which actually means “light-bearer” (Illumination). The astronomer and astrotheoligst’s interpretation is that Lucifer is a metaphor of the planet Venus. And modern evidence about the ancient mystery school religions that Weishaupt claimed to have knowledge of suggest most secret societies and the elite of today are really Luciferarians who believe the bible is just a code. So it doesn’t necessarily mean the biblical Devil is in the teachings of the Illuminati. There is also no mention of Satan in any of their writings.

In actuality it is an elitist control system versus human freedom battle, not a God versus the Devil battle. In the end it all boils down to their secretive power over mankind. As far as the Bavarian Illuminati, the idea that they believed in Venus and Lucifer the “light-bearer” is more logical as members considered themselves enlightened, aka illuminated. It can then be argued that the alleged Satanism and Occultism by today’s elites is misinterpreted or a deliberate sensationalistic front for the real evil that goes on. Money grabbing, murder and mass control. The Bavarian Illuminati were not satanists, but they were definitely elitist, deceptive and determined for a New World Order based on their ideals.

Possibly some of the same ideals shared in Freemasonry. You will have noticed a lot of references to the Masons in this chapter and the previous article. There were many powerful Feemasons in Europe and the United States during the 18th century; there are many around the world today. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were Freemasons, and the revolutionary army had a number of Masons fighting the privately contracted Hessian soliders bought and paid for by the British. The Irony was that Prince William of Hess was a Mason and lots of British Royals were also Masons. This doesn’t necessarily suggest a global masonic plot because there is no overriding Freemason council, but just how close were the first American Freemasons with their British counterparts? And did they prescribe to the radical Enlightenment views of the Bavarian Illuminati?

By the latter part of the 18th century Freemasonry had spread right around Europe and in to America, but it had become a disorganized hodgepodge in the process. No one lodge was identical to another. French Masons may have had more degrees than German Freemasonry, and American Masons may have had different ideals from British Masons. The best way to describe it would be an internet message board, where thousands of people exchange ideas and opinions in different forums, despite being under one website. In this case the website was Masonry and the forums would be lodges. Long gone were the days that men would meet and actually discuss the fine art of stone-masonry and building. It had become social; a place to discuss political ideologies and new ways of thinking.

Due to its oaths of secrecy, lodges therefore became the perfect meeting grounds for intellectuals to discuss radical ideas and spread controversial doctrines. Businessmen and politicians began abusing the relationships they forged under scared ritual to promote private interests. The Freemasons had become infiltrated by radicals and scoundrels and these types of people would make up the society’s numbers for years to come.

“I found that the Lodges had become the haunts of many projectors and fanatics, both in science, in religion, and in politics, who had availed themselves of the secrecy and the freedom of speech maintained in these meetings, to broach their particular whims, or suspicious doctrines, which, if published to the world in the usual manner, would have exposed the authors to ridicule, or to censure.”

The Bavarian Illuminati was one such radical movement that infiltrated the ranks of the Freemasons. As noted earlier, one of their main aims was to corrupt Masonry in order to spread its doctrine throughout Europe and in to America.

Weishaupt believed that because there were so many different ideas floating around the lodges, he had the right to create a new order within the society.

“No man can give any account of the order of Freemasonry, of it’s origin, of it’s history, of it’s object, nor any explanation of it’s mysteries and symbols, which does not leave the mind in total uncertainty on all these points. Every man is entitled therefore, to give any explanation of the symbols and a system of the doctrine that he can render palatable.”

In fact Thomas Jefferson the father of the US Declaration praised this reform and saw Weishaupt’s ideas in a positive light.

“Weishaupt seems to be an enthusiastic philanthropist. Weishaupt believes that to promote the perfection of the human character was the object of Jesus Christ.”

George Washington wasn’t quite so enthusiastic about Weishaupt’s doctrine.

“I have heard much of the nefarious and dangerous plan and doctrines of the Illuminati, but never saw the book until you were pleased to send it to me. It was not my intention to doubt that the doctrine of the Illuminati had not spread in the United States. On the contrary, no one is more satisfied of this fact than I am.
George Washington in reply to Reverend G.W. Snyder, who’d sent him the Illuminati texts.

Despite many researcher’s wishful thinking none of the founding fathers were members of the Bavarian Illuminati, they did not wish to strip away traditional Christian values from their citizens, overthrow government and they had no monarchy to overthrow in the first place. In many respects America was already Enlightened, so the radical ideas of Weishaupt had no ground to take routes. The earliest Puritan colonies of America were born out of a need for religious freedom, when the Pilgrim Fathers escaped the control of the English Church. Although they were still extremely religious they demonstrated the idea of revolution. America’s revolution had began and ended before the Illuminati had spread.

That doesn’t let the founding fathers off the hook by any stretch. As mentioned in the previous article, they plotted the the revolution behind the back of the general populous and staged event like the Boston Tea Party to rally up support.

Yes Masonry has been abused, and many members have conspired in business and fast tracked people in to power over non-masons, but it is simply a tool, an organization that has been infiltrated by crooks at various stages in history in order to utilize its secrecy and its wide reaching network. Masonry itself is no more responsible for the New World Order or an Illuminati inspired plot, than Judaism is responsible for corrupt Jewish bankers and Zionist ideologies. American founding father Freemasons such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson should therefore not be confused as being in cahoots with any British Freemasons, just because they were Masons. After signing the Deceleration of Independence Jefferson didn’t go to a Masonic lodge and drink tea with the British Royals.

That being said Freemasonry is still an elitist organization that automatically took a lot of democratic rights away from the people and in to the closed doors of the lodges. These men weren’t just serving the people of the America, but also their fellow Brothers, which has huge implications on freedom. How many decisions were made based on the ideals of the Masons, instead of the ideals of the people? George Washington himself said “I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the Society,” in reference to Freemasonry. He was initiated, in 1752, to the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia. The marks of Masonry are literally embroidered on the fabric of the United States from the peculiar symbols on the Dollar Bill to the street layout of Washington DC.