The Illuminati Degree System The Order of the Illuminati divided their system of
initiation into three categories and nine stages. The
three stages or grades were:
Nursery Grade
Masonry Grade
Mystery Grade
The Nursery Grade was divided into three
stages of:
Novice
Minerval, and
Illuminatus Minor
The Masonic Grade was divided into:
Illuminatus Major, and
Illuminatus Dirigens
and within the Mystery Grade were the
final four stages of:
Presbyter
Principatus Illuminatus
Magus, and
Rex
It is suggestive that the
Illuminati employed the term "Minerval" for one of their
introductory stages of initiation. The term apparently denotes the Roman
goddess Minerva. She was connected to intelligence and
warfare. She was probably revered by the Illuminati
because of her connection to Prometheus who, with the
goddess's assistance, stole fire
(knowledge) from the gods of Olympus so that men on
earth could rise above a primitive level and eventually match the gods in power and
ability.
The famous
statue of Prometheus outside the Rockefeller
Plaza in New York City. Both Prometheus and
his divine helper Minerva were revered by
the Order of the Illuminati. The
Rockefellers could not be making their
secret society allegiance more obvious. Like
their masters, they too are adept at
symbolic communication. The fountain over
which the figure of Prometheus stands is
significant since Minerva was deemed to be
associated with the healing power of water.
The word "mineral" may derive from her name.
(See sources section below for more on
Prometheus)
Dividing schools of mystery according
to a threefold schematawas once the habit of the
Irish Druids. This is significant since Minerva had
undoubtedly been based on the ancient Irish goddess Brigid.
We might note the suggestive fact
that the final initiatory stage of the final grade was
named "Rex," which means "King." The Illuminati were
officially supposed to be anti-monarchy. This term
leads us to doubt this assertion. After all, it was an
assertion made by the Illuminati elite. Additionally,
the esoteric symbolism pertaining to the cult of Minerva
was employed during the coronation ceremony of Queen
Elizabeth II. So, despite the spin, we might question
whether there is truly a difference between the
Illuminati and the royal houses of the world? We think
not.
Incidentally, thirteen objects of
regalia were involved during the Queen's coronation.
This is the same number of stars on the flag of the
United States of Europe, and that can be found above the
eagle's head on the US one dollar bill. As we showed in
the Irish Origins of Civilization (Volume Two),
thirteen is the number of the Cult of Aton. In Judaism,
thirteen denotes the Levites. The Levites were the
recipients of the secret and mysterious "Oral Tradition"
on Mount Sinai. This enigmatic thirteenth tribe are the
progenitors of modern day Zionists and Talmudists.
1. The Orb
2. St. Edward's Crown
3. Imperial Crown of State
4. The Sword of State
5. The Sword of Mercy
6. The Sword of Spiritual Justice
7. The Sword of
Temporal Justice
8. Jeweled Sword
9. The Ampulla
(Eagle)
10. The Spurs
11. The Royal Scepter
12. St. Edward's Staff
13. The Scepter with the Dove (or Virge)
As we pointed out in the Irish
Origins of Civilization, the dove is the emblem of
the "Davids," or commanders of the House of Aton. The
dove staff is referred to as the "Virge," meaning
Virgin. As well as referring to the astrological sign of
Virgo, it is yet another occult reference to Minerva.
Who Was Minerva?
...daughter of Jupiter, patroness
of health, learning, and wisdom - Bulfinch's
Mythology (Glossary)
The Roman goddess Minerva was based
on the Greek Athena, who, in turn, was based on earlier
Egyptian goddesses such as Isis and Neith. These
goddesses were, in turn, based on earlier Western
antetypes. They were described as "virginal" and were
commonly depicted with fair complexions. They were the
mothers of the various sun gods. Most of the Eastern
goddesses who turn up in Greek and Roman pantheons were
based on the Aryan goddesses Danu, Ana and Brigit. One
perfect example is Hera, the supreme goddess of the
Greeks. She was based on Eri, goddess of Ireland. (See
Chapter Ten, The Disciples of Horus, for more on
this subject.)
Minerva was the Roman name of
Greek goddess Athena. She was considered to be the
virgin goddess of warriors, poetry, medicine,
wisdom, commerce, crafts, and the inventor of music
- Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia (Entry on Minerva)
In Sais the statue of Athena whom they believe
to be Isis, bore the mysterious inscription: "I am
all that has been, and is, and shall be, and my robe
no mortal has yet uncovered" - Plutarch
From the name Athena we get
the city name Athens. Many cities of the world were
consecrated to goddesses. The very word city may derive
from cteis, meaning "circle" (a reference to the
ovum). Athena was a version of Egyptian goddesses Neith
and Isis. Neith was depicted as warlike and armored,
same as the Grecian version (Pallas Athena). She carried
a bow, which doubles up as a womb symbol. (Arrows being
phallic symbols.)
So we can see that the Illuminati
worshiped pagan goddesses. More importantly, their
Minerva was based on Egyptian antetypes. This helps us
to link them to the Solar and Stellar Cults of
antiquity. If the members of the Order are not
biologically related to the sun priests of old, they are
certainly ideologically related.
Minerva's Birth
Minerva (Pallas, Athene), the
goddess of wisdom, was the offspring of Jupiter,
without a mother. She sprang forth from his head
completely armed. Her favorite bird was the owl, and
the plant sacred to her the olive - Bulfinch's
Mythology (pages 17-18)
In British
mythology Minerva was known as Sulis. The
bronze head
above - of Minerva (or
Sulis) - was discovered at the city of Bath
that was dedicated to her. The word Sulis
means "eye." It also means "opening" or
"portal." This latter meaning connotes the
female vagina. Some scholars believe the
word Sulis comes from the Indo-European
Sewel, which meant "sun." Minerva was
undoubtedly a version of Baratana, and the the primordial
Irish goddess Brigid. Scholars accept that
she is closely connected to the Celtic
Brigantia. The Christian Saint Brigid of
Kildare was also based on the early Irish
goddess. (See sources section below for more
on these goddesses.)
In the movie Avatar,
James Cameron's protagonist goes by the name
Jake Sully. Is this a subtextual reference
to Sulis and Minerva, goddess of the
Illuminati?
Minerva the Virgin Not only was Minerva "immaculately" conceived (being
without a mother), but she was also a virginal goddess.
If we examine the name of Athena, we shall,
perhaps, be able to paint a picture soberer in
colouring but nearer to the facts. The longer form
of Athena's name, Athenaia, is simply a feminine
adjective, she-of-Athens, the maiden of Athens. The
Hymn addresses her as "Pallas, our Lady of Athens."
This other name, Pallas, simply means virgin. If the
claim of Hera to maidenhood is shadowy, it is not so
with Athena. She is maiden through and through, and
her temple is rightly called the maiden-sanctuary,
the Parthenon - Jane Harrison (Myths of
Greece and Rome)
Related Goddesses
The Roman Minerva was a composite deity. She is either
identical with, or mythologically related to, the
following goddesses of antiquity:
Pallas Athena The word Pallas means "virginal." Minerva
was, therefore, both immaculately conceived and
virginal. For the Greeks Pallas Athena symbolized man's
reason. She assisted Prometheus in his plot to steal
"fire" (knowledge) from the gods to give to men. This is because she sprang from the head
of Zeus. Hitherto, men have associated her with the
intellect and with reason. In this aspect she is close
to the Egyptian goddess Ma'at, and many other "virgin"
goddess of Egypt, such as Neith and Isis. In fact, if we
examine the names Neith and Athena, we can
see faint etymological similarities.
Minerva was
known by the Athenians of Greece as Athena,
or Pallas Athena.
The Shakespeare Controversy A secondary meaning of Pallas is "shaker."
Indeed, Athena was known as the "Spear Shaker." Since
her symbol was the spear, some scholars have been lead
to connect Athena to the work of William Shakespeare,
whom, it is believed, adopted his surname from the
goddess in question. Moreover, some researchers believe
that the historical personage responsible for the plays
and poems of "Shakespeare," was none other than
scientific genius Sir Francis Bacon, the editor of the
King James Bible and author of the The New Atlantis.
Suggestively, Bacon was a member of a Masonic enclave
known as the "Knights of the Helmet," named after
Minerva, or Pallas Athena.
Sir Francis
Bacon (1561-1626 AD) is believed by some occult researchers
to be the true author of the works of
Elizabethan playwright William Shakespeare.
(See sources section below for more
information on this controversy).
A Knight
Templar, and major Occultist, Sir Francis Bacon was
appointed Solicitor-General and Chief Advisor to the
British Crown on June 25th 1607. He conceived the
idea of reactivating various secret societies and in
1580 founded the secret Rosicrosse Literary Society
and the Lodge of Free and Accepted Speculative
Masons. Bacon is said to have introduced the 33
Degree system into Masonry, from the original
Templar 9 Degrees - Tony Bushby (Bible Fraud)
For one
year he had in his possession the first English
translations of the Bible. In fact, he was the first
major editor of what would become the King James
Bible. He also added secret information into the
Bible which was not there before. It will eventually
be proved that the whole structure of the Authorized
Bible was Francis Bacon’s. He was and ardent student
not only of the Bible, but also of early manuscripts
- William T. Smedley (Biographer of Bacon)
Bacon is, however, not the only
candidate put forth as the brain behind the works of
Shakespeare. A major case has been made for Edward de
Vere, the Earl of Oxford, and also for the great
dramatist Christopher Marlowe. (See links below for more
information on the Shakespeare controversy.)
The goddess, Minerva...was a
daughter of Jupiter, but she was born in a very
strange way, for she sprang out of her father's
head, clothed in bright armour, and with a spear in
her hand - Reginald C. Couzens (The
Stories of the Months and Days)
The
seal of the State of California, depicting
Minerva with her spear. This goddess was
based on the primordial Western mother
goddesses Sulis, Brigid, and Baratana.
Minerva is displayed on the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor is the highest military
decoration awarded by the United States
government. Note the inverted pentacle.
Minerva and the Owl Minerva was the first deity to build an enclosed
house. She is therefore connected with building and
architecture. One of her symbols was the butterfly.
However, her main symbol was the owl.
Her name has the "mn-" stem,
linked with memory. See Greek "Mnemosyne"...memory,
remembrance, recollection. The Romans could have
confused her foreign name with their word mens
meaning "mind" since one of her aspects as goddess
pertained not only to war but also to the
intellectual. Minerva is the Roman name for Athena
the goddess of Wisdom and Virginity. She is also
depicted as an owl - Wikipedia Online
Encyclopedia (Entry on Minerva)
The
owl of goddess Minerva on the US one dollar
bill. Minerva was, like the Egyptian goddess
Neith, connected with webs and weaving. The
owl is the symbol of the Bohemian Club. It
may also be a symbol for the Order of the
Illuminati. In the Illuminati system of
initiation, there is a degree named "Minerval."
As far as the dollar symbolism goes, Minerva
could quite easily and realistically
associated with the number 1. After all, she
was the firstborn of Jupiter, was
immaculately conceived, virginal, and
independent. Minerva was the goddess of war.
Certainly, warmongering has enriched the
United States government more than any other
enterprise.
Minerva, the War Goddess In her warlike aspect, Minerva resembles the
Egyptian goddess Neith, who was also considered
"virginal."
She was also a warlike divinity;
but it was defensive war only that she patronized,
and she had no sympathy with Mars's savage love of
violence and bloodshed. Athens was her chosen seat,
her own city, awarded to her as the prize of a
contest with Neptune, who also aspired to it -
Bulfinch's Mythology
(page 110)
They were at last subdued by
thunderbolts, which Minerva invented, and taught
Vulcan and his Cyclopes to make for Jupiter -
Bulfinch's Mythology (page 125)
Chief Symbols of Minerva
House
Spear
Axe (Labrys)
Olive Tree
Owl
Butterfly
Sea Eagle
Serpent
Web
Helmet
Shield or emblem featuring Medusa's Head
Athens and the Serpent
The serpent was mixed up to a considerable
extent with the worship of many other of the Grecian
deities. The statues, by Phidias, of Minerva,
represent her as decorated with this emblem. In
ancient medals, as shown by Montfaucon, she
sometimes holds a caduceus in her right hand; at
other times she has a staff around which a serpent
is twisted, and at others, a large serpent appears
going in front of her; while she is sometimes seen
with her crest composed of a serpent. It is
remarkable too, that in the Acropolis at Athens was
kept a live serpent who was generally considered the
guardian of the place, and Athens was a city
specially consecrated to Minerva - (Ophiolatreia)
A woodcut showing Minerva
with spear and serpent. Note the stag, the
animal sacred to the ancient Gaels, Celts, and Arya
of the West.
Minerva and the Law As the patron of justice, judges, and lawmakers,
Minerva closely resembles the Egyptian goddess Ma'at.
An image showing Minerva
dictating the American Constitution.
Minerva between two masonic
columns, trampling on the dog of oppression.
Note the images of Benjamin Franklin and
George Washington. Clearly, the founding
fathers were rather fond of this pagan
goddess.
Minerva and the Creation of Man
Prometheus was one of the Titans,
a gigantic race, who inhabited the earth before the
creation of man. To him and his brother Epimetheus
was committed the office of making man, and
providing him and all other animals with the
faculties necessary for their preservation.
Epimetheus undertook to do this, and Prometheus was
to overlook his work, when it was done. Epimetheus
accordingly proceeded to bestow upon the different
animals the various gifts of courage, strength,
swiftness, sagacity; wings to one, claws to another,
a shelly covering to a third, etc. But when man came
to be provided for, who was to be superior to all
other animals, Epimetheus had been so prodigal of
his resources that he had nothing left to bestow
upon him. In his perplexity he resorted to his
brother Prometheus, who, with the aid of Minerva,
went up to heaven, and lighted his torch at the
chariot of the sun, and brought down fire to man.
With this gift man was more than a match for all
other animals. It enabled him to make weapons
wherewith to subdue them; tools with which to
cultivate the earth; to warm his dwelling, so as to
be comparatively independent of climate; and finally
to introduce the arts and to coin money, the means
of trade and commerce - Bulfinch's Mythology
(pages 23-24)
The Palladium of Troy
There was in Troy a celebrated
statue of Minerva called the Palladium. It was said
to have fallen from heaven, and the belief was that
the city could not be taken so long as this statue
remained within it - Bulfinch's Mythology (page
223)
City of Bath
Bladud built the city of Bath, and dedicated
the medicinal waters to Minerva. He was a man of
great invention, and practiced the arts of magic
- Bulfinch's Mythology (page 365)
Minerva as Weaver
The robes and other parts of the dress of the
goddesses were woven by Minerva - Bulfinch's
Mythology (page 14)
Minerva and the Flute
Minerva invented the flute, and played upon it
to the delight of all the celestial auditors -
Bulfinch's Mythology (page 190)
The Queen of Spades
In regular playing decks Minerva is depicted as the
Queen of Spades. The suit of Spades represents the
warrior (knightly) class. The Hearts or Cups represent the clergy, the Clubs
or Wands represent the peasant or worker class, and the
diamonds or disks represent the merchant class. In the
Tarot the Queen of Spades is equivalent with the Queen
of Swords. In the Major Arcana, the card entitled
Justice is assigned to the
astrological sign of Libra. The esoteric symbolism of
this both Libran cards (Queen of Swords and Justice)
features prominently during the coronation of the
Queen of England, Elizabeth Windsor. (Click
here for more
information).
The Queen of Spades (center
card) depicts the goddess Minerva, or Pallas
Athena. The suit of spades corresponds with
the Tarot's suit of Swords. Minerva would
therefore be represented by the Tarot card
known as the Queen of Swords. It is
associated with the astrological sign of
Libra, that is, in turn, connected to Ma'at,
the goddess of balance and harmony.
The
Queen of Swords of the Tarot's Minor Arcana.
This card is associated with the Egyptian
goddess Ma'at. It is also connected to
Libra, the seventh sign of the zodiac.
Minerva was associated with the seventh
month of the year. Interestingly, during the
coronation ceremony of Elizabeth Windsor,
the symbolism of this Tarot card was
employed. In other words, esoteric symbolism
pertaining to the goddesses Ma'at and
Minerva was incorporated into the Queen's
coronation ceremony. The Major Arcana card
assigned to Libra is numbered eleven and entitled Justice.
Interestingly, Minerva was the goddess
of Justice. Statues of Minerva holding the
scales of justice can be seen on innumerable
buildings throughout the western world.
