List of modern secret orders. The most powerful secret societies in the world

In the world for centuries-old history There were many different mysterious organizations: from ridiculous to militant. Each such community in its own way represents a story of human stupidity and error.

Mikhail Vinogradov about the world behind the scenes

In 2012, world news agencies reported the decryption of a mysterious document, originally designated as the Codex Copiale. There is no provenance, as well as information about the current owner of the manuscript. According to some sources, the 105-page manuscript, bound in green and gold glazet, was discovered in the archives of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR back in the 1970s.

A group of scientists from different countries managed to solve the code and read the mysterious book. It turned out that written in German The 18th century code contains the initiation ritual of the German secret (similar to the Masonic) society, which was called Oculisten("Eye Opener").

Members of the secret society were ophthalmological surgeons from the Lower Saxon city of Wolfenbüttel, who imagined themselves as healers and guardians of all medical knowledge about the structure of the eye and vision. It is known that they were engaged in the treatment of cataracts. But no one except the initiates had any idea what was happening behind the scenes of this secret society, where the newcomer was taught to “see” by plucking hair from his eyebrows. After it was possible to decipher other pages of the manuscript, it turned out that Oculisten had another mission - to monitor the Freemasons.

The documents of this secret society included the completely secret rituals of free masons, up to the highest degrees of Freemasonry. Now they are quite well known, but at that time such information could only be obtained through espionage. It is possible that the Oculisten were either spies or a splinter group from Freemasonry created in order to protect their core rituals, if the Roman catholic church decides to deal with them in the same way as she did with .

It is not clear why the secret society of Irish-born miners in the coal mines of Pennsylvania in Liverpool, England and Canada was called "Molly Maguires"(Molly Maguires). According to employees at Lehigh University, this was the name of an Irish Catholic woman who refused to leave her home when the Protestant English kicked her out. The first mention of this organization is found on the pages of The Liverpool Mercury newspaper dated May 10, 1853.

In the anthracite fields of Pennsylvania, members of the secret organization Molly Maguires replaced absent unions, campaigning against meager wages and shorter hours. working day from the time of the stock market crash of 1873 until 1878, when, after arrests and executions, the society was dissolved. Working conditions in mines, with complete absence security measures were appalling. Deaths and serious injuries occurred hundreds of times a year.

The Irish miners of this underground organization used against the American coal trusts the proven tactics of intimidation and violence that they followed in their struggle against the Irish landowners during the so-called “Land War” (or in Irish Cogadh na Talún) between 1870- x to the 1890s. However, modern historians do not have a unanimous opinion about the Molly Maguires’ commitment to bloody acts.

Members of the Molly Maguires organization were accused of murder, arson, kidnapping and other criminal offenses. Members of the society were brought to trial on the basis of the testimony of a private detective from the Pinkerton agency, Irishman James McParlan, also known as James McKenna.

But "the Molly Maguires themselves left virtually no evidence of their existence, let alone their goals and motivations." Even before the investigation began, based on his personal observations, McParlan believed that the Molly Maguires, under the pressure of their activity, adopted the new name “The Ancient Order of Hibernians.” After the investigation began, he estimated that there were about 450 members of this organization in one of the districts.

It is difficult to accurately answer the question of why there are so many perverts among the British establishment. Perhaps the closed nature of establishments for boys played a role here. Although there were enough similar institutions among French and Spanish Catholics, as well as among the Orthodox brethren in Greek monasteries.

May 25, 1895 English celebrity was escorted to a London prison following his conviction for sodomy. In the Victorian era, articles that sent people to jail for homosexuality were especially popular.

Unfortunately, the talented Wilde met with the illegitimate son of an English officer and a Spanish baroness, who later became the writer and poet George Cecil Ives. In 1892, Ives tried to attract the attention of a celebrity to the problems of homosexuals, but he, to his great disappointment, did not express the slightest interest in the fate of persecuted gays.

In 1897, Ives created the secret Order of Chaeronea - OrderHehronei. In order to stop the oppression of the gay community, this alleged admirer of antiquity named his brainchild in honor of the Battle of Chaeronea that took place in August 338 BC, when the Sacred Band of Thebes, allegedly consisting of friends-lovers. The mistake was a misinterpretation of a Greek word meaning “close or intimate friend,” although it is possible that some warriors used their comrades as sexual partners.

Examining the corpses of the dead, Philip began to cry and said: “Let those who suspect them of being the perpetrators or accomplices of anything shameful die an evil death.”

Centuries later, a tiny group of Oxford scribes translating ancient Greek texts found nothing more valuable in them than the popularization - alas, sometimes literally - of same-sex relationships. Based on their own perversions, the degenerates of the century before last raised the defense of homosexuality and other sexual perversions to their crap standards.

The brains of these figures were as bad as their morals. You had to be a genius to entrust the task of public (!) defense of the “honor and dignity” of fagots to the corrupt members of the underground society!

In 1912, first the English-speaking and then the world community learned partial details of the activities of the secret Leopard People Society, operating in West Africa. The existence of such a cult is so secret in the countries of the Dark Continent, where hundreds of people die every year from the claws and teeth of predators, it is difficult to determine whether an onlooker-tourist or an aborigine was torn to pieces by a beast, or whether he died at the hands of killers imitating a leopard attack.

In the 1950s, a significant portion of the Yoruba people practiced Islam or Christianity, but they still have strong ancient beliefs. Among the most authoritative secret societies in Africa, the ones most often named are Egungun, Oro and Ogboni. In addition to the secret societies of leopards and crocodiles, there is also a secret baboon society.

Little is known about the motives of the members of these societies. For example, whether they are engaged or not. Often, white colonialists invented stories about supposedly savage and barbaric tribes to justify their illegal and blasphemous acts in Western-conquered countries.

As history has progressed, a huge number of secret societies and conspiracy theories about them have appeared. So, I present to your attention a list of the ten most powerful, popular and famous secret societies, as well as alleged secret organizations.

10. Opus Dei

The rating opens with Opus Dei, or the Prelature of the Holy Cross and the Cause of God - the personal prelature of the Catholic Church, whose main conviction is the belief that people can achieve holiness and ordinary life is a direct path leading to piety. The order was formed in 1928 in Spain, Catholic priest Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, with the blessing of Pope Pius XII.
Surprisingly, in the pages of one of the best-selling and overrated books in the world, The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown, it was claimed that Opus Dei is a secret organization whose goal is to destroy the Priory of Sion and everyone who tried to reveal the “truth” about Christianity and the truth about Christ's supposed royal lineage. In addition to the book, there were also a huge number of contradictions associated with the strictness of the religious structure of Opus Dei. Since the Catholic Church prohibits secret societies and their membership, Opus Dei whistleblowers often complain that the organization is secretive and pursues secret and sinister policies. Although…
9. Priory of Sion

After the publication of The Da Vinci Code, public attention turned to the Priory of Sion. In fact, to the disappointment of those who wanted to join this community, it was fictitious. It was a hoax perpetrated in 1956 by the pretender to the French throne, Pierre Plantard. Existing letters written by Plantard, de Chérisey and de Sède to each other in 1960 confirm that the three engaged in outright fraud, describing schemes on how to deal with criticisms and various allegations in order to maintain the existence of their fictitious organization. Despite this, many people still continue to believe that the Priory of Sion exists and functions to this day.
The misled authors of the famous book “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail” claimed:
The Priory of Sion has existed since 1099 and has included such great minds as Isaac Newton and Leonardo da Vinci.
The Order protects certain royals because they believe they are literal descendants of Jesus and his supposed wife Mary Magdalene, or at least King David.
Society strives to create a “Holy European Empire”, which should become the next hyperpower, establishing a New World Order leading to peace and prosperity.
8. Bilderberg Club

This group differs from others in that it does not official membership. This is an annual secret conference of approximately 130 participants, most of whom are influential people in the fields of politics, business and banking, as well as heads of leading Western media. Entry to the conference is by personal invitation only. The meeting is usually held at one of the world's five-star hotels. Topics discussed at the conference are kept confidential. The first meeting took place in 1954 at the Bilderberg Hotel in the Netherlands.
This meeting was organized by several people. Polish immigrant and political adviser Joseph Retinger, who was concerned about the rise of anti-American sentiment in Western Europe, proposed holding a conference where European and American leaders could discuss all pressing issues.
Although the agenda and list of participants were publicly available, details of the meeting remained unknown. In addition, the content of the conferences is kept secret, and visitors undertake not to disclose the issues discussed. The justification for the group's secrecy is that at a meeting, participants can speak freely without fear that every word may be misinterpreted by the media.
Needless to say, this group is constantly surrounded by controversy and theories.
7. Illuminati

The Illuminati (call themselves “enlightened”) is a secret society of occult-philosophical and mystical nature, which was formed on May 1, 1776 in Ingolstadt, by Adam Weishaupt. It was originally known as the "Bavarian Illuminati". The group was considered outlaw at the time, but many influential intellectuals and progressive politicians joined its ranks. Due to the fact that the Illuminati did not consider faith in the Almighty to be the main thing, the society became especially popular among atheists. In addition, most of the participants are humanists. It is widely believed that the Illuminati seeks to overthrow existing religion.
Internal panic over the change of leader, and government attempts to outlaw the group, led to its destruction in 1785. Despite this, theorists such as David Icke and Was Penre have argued that the "Bavarian Illuminati" exists to this day. Although there is very little evidence for this theory. It was even believed that the Skull and Bones Society was an American offshoot of the Illuminati.
Many believe that the Illuminati still controls the actions of the world government and that they want to create the One World government, based on humanism and atheistic principles.
6. Templars

Sixth place in the list of the most famous secret societies in the world is occupied by the Templars - an international, philanthropic, knightly order associated with Freemasonry. This is a modern branch of Freemasonry, which is not directly related to the spiritual-knightly order, founded in the Holy Land in 1119 by a small group of knights led by Hugh de Payns, after the First crusade. Modern Templars deny their connection with the medieval order, but actively use its symbols and ideas.
To become a member of the society you must be a third degree Mason. Despite Freemasonry's claims that no Masonic organization is a direct descendant of the medieval Knights Templar, certain titles and rituals are apparently copied from the medieval order. These are known as "jubilee titles" or degrees. However, despite the official statements of the fraternity, some Masons, "non-Masons", and even anti-Masons insist that certain Masonic rites and titles have direct Templar influence.
5. Hermetic Order "Golden Dawn"

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or, in most cases, simply the Golden Dawn) is a magical order representing occult organization, operating in Great Britain during the second half of the 19th century- beginning of the 20th century. Its members practiced theurgy, magic, alchemy and encouraged spiritual development their adherents. Considered the progenitor of most occult groups.
The Golden Dawn belief system is mainly taken from Christian mysticism, bondage, alchemy, religion ancient egypt, Freemasonry, Hermeticism, Theosophy, Magic and Renaissance Letters. William Westcott and Aleister Crowley are the most famous members of the group.
The fundamental documents of the order, known as the "Cypher Manuscripts" were translated into English language, using a cipher written by Johannes Trithemius. On 60 sheets of document, they described magical rituals, a basic structure that comes from the Rosicrucians.
4. Order of the Eastern Templars

The Order of the Eastern Templars is an international occult-religious organization that has existed since 1902. It was originally conceived by Karl Kellner, Franz Hartmann and Theodor Reuss as a Masonic academy that would reflect the symbolism of several occult and mystical communities. But in 1912, the organization turned into a carrier of the teachings of Thelema under the leadership of the occultist Aleister Crowley.
The Order considers itself associated with Freemasonry, but it has not received recognition from Masonic organizations and is classified by a number of researchers as “pseudo-Masonry.” On at the moment has about 3,000 members. They have several levels of initiation, and also perform stylized rituals with the participation of virgin clergy, children and priests. Gods from Egyptian mythology and the devil are mentioned.
3. Rosicrucian Order

Rosicrucianism (Order of the Rosicrucians, Rosicrucians, "Order of the Rose and Cross") is a theological and secret mystical society believed to have been founded during the late Middle Ages in Germany by Christian Rosenkreutz.
It is interesting that between 1607 and 1616 two anonymous manifestos were published, first spreading in Germany and then throughout Europe. They bore the names Fama Fraternitatis RC (Glory of the Fraternity) and Confessio Fraternitatis (Creed of the Fraternity). Under the influence of these documents, representing the "most honorable order" of mystic-philosopher-scientists spreading the "worldwide reformation of mankind", the ground was set for the movement that Frances Yates later called the "Rosicrucian Enlightenment". Third important document in society, arose back in 1459. He described how Christian Rosenkreutz, a traveler and alchemist, married the king and queen in the Wonderful Palace.
“Rosicrucianism” was associated with Protestantism and, in part, Lutheranism. According to historian David Stevenson, "Rosicrucianism" also influenced the development of Freemasonry in Scotland. Many secret societies have claimed to have received their continuity and sacraments, in whole or in part, from the original "Rosicrucians". There are now a huge number of Rosicrucian groups, each of which claims to be closest to the original.
2. Freemasonry

Freemasonry is an international movement aimed at the spiritual improvement of the individual and the brotherhood of people different religions, nationalities and views. Some researchers suggest that Freemasonry originates from associations of builders who built the pyramids in Egypt, others argue that the movement dates back to the end of the 16th century. early XVII century from building associations of masons.
Be that as it may, Freemasonry is now widespread throughout the world and is represented in various organizational forms- lodges, grand lodges, supreme councils, chapters, Areopagus, consistories, federations and confederations. The total number of representatives of this movement in the world is estimated at 4,000,000 people.
Masons conduct their regular meetings in a ritual style. They use special signs and handshakes to expose oneself to other possible Freemasons. Marks vary by lodge and are changed and updated frequently. This protects the groups from outsiders wanting to enter the lodge. Freemasons wear special stylized clothing that was worn by freemasons in the Middle Ages. The most famous wardrobe item is the apron.
To become a Freemason, you must be recommended (in some cases 3 times) by someone already in the lodge. You must be over 18 years old and sufficiently educated. Many religions prohibit joining this order, for example the Roman Catholic Church anathematizes such people.
1. Skull and Bones

Skull and Bones is a secret society of Yale University students, formerly known as the Brotherhood of Death. It is the oldest university secret society in the United States. It was organized in 1832 and uses rituals similar to Freemasonry to this day. Its members meet every Thursday and Sunday in a building they call "The Tomb."
The names of people included in the society were never kept secret until 1970. It is known that Bush father and son, the Rockefellers, as well as many representatives of the highest US elite were its members.
Interestingly, some have suggested that the CIA is composed entirely of members of the order. However, in 2007, the Central Intelligence Agency issued an official statement that it had no connection with the Skull and Bones Society.

The New World Order is a scary enough concept, even if you are a healthy skeptic of conspiracy theories. However, you won't be surprised to learn that many people believe in them. There are secret societies, they are convinced, and their goal is to get rid of democracy by any means necessary. possible way. The elites included in them are able to rule the world, instilling in us the illusion of freedom of choice. However, it is they who will ultimately decide his fate and establish total control over him. At least, these are the assumptions made by most conspiracy theorists. Here are 10 secret societies that could rule the world.

Illuminati

Members of this society have been among us for quite some time. It appeared back in 1776 and was initially an association of scientists and philosophers who opposed the power of the Roman Catholic Church. Over time, the society has become quite large and now probably has thousands of members. Among them are: famous people, like Beyoncé, Kanye West and Jay-Z. Often associated with the Illuminati terrorist attack September 11, 2001 in New York, the assassination of John F. Kennedy and activities military base"Area 51".

Masons

You may be surprised, but members of this society have the right to tell others that they are Freemasons. As you can see, their association is not so secret. To become a Freemason in the United States, you must be a man, but in Europe women can join their ranks. The Vatican believes that Freemasons are worse than the devil and have long sold their souls for his unholy promises and god-like status after death. The members of society themselves believe in good will, which in no way depends on religion. Among the Freemasons, there were 8 people who signed the US Declaration of Independence. No, these guys can't be that bad!

Bohemian Club

Located in Monte Rio, California, Bohemian Grove is a place where America's most influential people come to get away from the civilized world and relax in the open air, devoting time to theatrical performances and pagan rituals. Yes, you understood everything correctly. Not only do high-ranking members of the Bohemian Club dress in appropriate attire for the occasion, they also perform sacrificial rituals by burning an effigy in front of a huge statue of an owl surrounded by redwood trees. Their pastime is usually described as "a musical drama celebrating summer and nature." Presumably in ancient ritual Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan took part.

"Opus Dei"

A relatively young society that gained fame largely thanks to Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. In his book, the author portrayed its members as fairly radical guardians of certain secret knowledge, ready to do a lot to protect it. In fact, Opus Dei is supported by many leaders of the Catholic Church, including the popes. Nevertheless, conspiracy theorists are convinced: Opus Dei is a dangerous cult, and its members are insane fanatics engaged in self-mutilation, capable of both conspiracy against the world and unthinkable crimes.

Ku Klux Klan

This society has long history, marked by racism and violence. The Ku Klux Klan appeared after the end civil war in the United States and became a terrorist force in the soon-to-be-formed Democratic Party. It was founded by defeated veterans of the army of the South, who set as their goal the liberation of the country from the “invasion” of blacks, who, thanks to the Republican North, said goodbye to the status of slaves.

It is difficult to imagine that a union so terrible and unfair could exist today. However, the Ku Klux Klan still operates in 25 states and has about 8,000 members. Moreover, the society has special websites where it promotes its ideas.

"Black Hand"

Founded in 1911, the Black Hand was composed of officers from the army of the Kingdom of Serbia. Initially, their goal was to unite all Serbs into one state. However, over time, the Black Hand turned into a group similar to a mafia structure: members of society killed national leaders, and then replaced them with their own people. If only they had known that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand would lead to the outbreak of the First World War!

Templar Order

The society appeared in the Middle Ages. In 1139, knights serving the Catholic Church united to create the Knights Templar. He fought for his own interests - mainly for wealth, the destruction of Protestants and all objectionable religions. The Templars were closely associated with the infamous Crusades and vowed to do anything to protect Christians from foreign "evil." Now the order is no longer on the “battlefield”, but their values ​​are still alive.

Bilderberg Club

Bilderberger conferences have been held annually since the early 1950s. Approximately 150 members of the world's elite gather to discuss relaxed atmosphere common problems or make acquaintances with each other. No one other than the club members is allowed to know what issues they raise at conferences. Conspiracy theorists have gone to great lengths to figure out what rich people and scientists discuss at club meetings. The secrecy of the meetings forced them to come to disappointing conclusions. The Bilderberg Club, they believe, is capable of destroying world economy, turn the world into a police state, or use bioweapons to wipe out humanity from the face of the Earth.

Anunnaki

No list of secret societies would be complete without lizard people. The theory seems absolutely crazy. However, thousands of people are sure: our planet is teeming with these malicious creatures who have learned to accept human form. From time to time they make mistakes, and then we learn about their true nature. The Anunnaki are influential, conspiracy theorists believe, and can be found in any sphere human activity- both among politicians and among musicians. It is generally accepted that they control humanity and distract people from their evil plans.

"Anonymous"

Of all the disgusting and scary secret societies, Anonymous is a relatively harmless group. It is an international network of hackers and their sole purpose is to solve government crimes and bring the truth to the public consciousness. "Anonymous" - in to a greater extent a subculture rather than an organization. Its members are dispersed throughout the world and do not have a common leader. That is why the association’s logo depicts a headless man.

The ranking opens with Opus Dei, or the Prelature of the Holy Cross and the Cause of God - the personal prelature of the Catholic Church, whose main conviction is the belief that people can achieve holiness and ordinary life is a direct path leading to piety. The order was founded in 1928 in Spain by Catholic priest Josemaría Escriva de Balaguer, with the blessing of Pope Pius XII.

Surprisingly, in the pages of one of the best-selling and overrated books in the world, The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown, it was claimed that Opus Dei is a secret organization whose goal is to destroy the Priory of Sion and everyone who tried to reveal the “truth” about Christianity and the truth about Christ's supposed royal lineage. In addition to the book, there were also a huge number of contradictions associated with the strictness of the religious structure of Opus Dei.

Because the Catholic Church prohibits secret societies and membership in them, Opus Dei whistleblowers often complain that the organization is secret and pursues secret and sinister policies. Although…

9. Priory of Sion

After the publication of The Da Vinci Code, public attention turned to the Priory of Sion. In fact, to the disappointment of those who wanted to join this community, it was fictitious. It was a hoax perpetrated in 1956 by the pretender to the French throne, Pierre Plantard. Existing letters written by Plantard, de Chérisey and de Sède to each other in 1960 confirm that the three engaged in outright fraud, describing schemes on how to deal with criticisms and various allegations in order to maintain the existence of their fictitious organization. Despite this, many people still continue to believe that the Priory of Sion exists and functions to this day.

The Priory of Sion has existed since 1099 and has included such great minds as Isaac Newton and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Order protects certain royals because they believe they are literal descendants of Jesus and his supposed wife Mary Magdalene, or at least King David.

Society strives to create a “Holy European Empire”, which should become the next hyperpower, establishing a New World Order leading to peace and prosperity.

8. Bilderberg Club

This group differs from others in that it has no official membership. This is an annual secret conference of approximately 130 participants, most of whom are influential people in the fields of politics, business and banking, as well as heads of leading Western media. Entry to the conference is by personal invitation only. The meeting is usually held at one of the world's five-star hotels. Topics discussed at the conference are kept confidential. The first meeting took place in 1954 at the Bilderberg Hotel in the Netherlands.

This meeting was organized by several people. Polish immigrant and political adviser Joseph Rettinger, who was concerned about the growing anti-American sentiment in Western Europe, proposed holding a conference where European and American leaders could discuss all pressing issues.

Although the agenda and list of participants were publicly available, details of the meeting remained unknown. In addition, the content of the conferences is kept secret, and visitors undertake not to disclose the issues discussed. The justification for the group's secrecy is that at a meeting, participants can speak freely without fear that every word may be misinterpreted by the media.

Needless to say, this group is constantly surrounded by controversy and theories.

7. Illuminati

The Illuminati (call themselves “enlightened”) is a secret society of occult-philosophical and mystical nature, which was formed on May 1, 1776 in Ingolstadt, by Adam Weishaupt. It was originally known as the "Bavarian Illuminati". The group was considered outlaw at the time, but many influential intellectuals and progressive politicians joined its ranks. Due to the fact that the Illuminati did not consider faith in the Almighty to be the main thing, the society became especially popular among atheists. In addition, most of the participants are humanists. It is widely believed that the Illuminati seeks to overthrow existing religion.

Internal panic over the change of leader, and government attempts to outlaw the group, led to its destruction in 1785. Despite this, theorists such as David Icke and Was Penre have argued that the "Bavarian Illuminati" exists to this day. Although there is very little evidence for this theory. It was even believed that the Skull and Bones Society was an American offshoot of the Illuminati.

Many believe that the Illuminati still controls the operations of the world government and that they want to create a One World Government based on humanism and atheistic principles.

6. Templars

Sixth place in the list of the most famous secret societies in the world is occupied by the Templars - an international, philanthropic, knightly order associated with Freemasonry. This is a modern offshoot of Freemasonry, which is not directly related to the spiritual knightly order founded in the Holy Land in 1119 by a small group of knights led by Hugh de Payns, after the First Crusade. Modern Templars deny their connection with the medieval order, but actively use its symbols and ideas.

To become a member of the society you must be a third degree Mason. Despite Freemasonry's claims that no Masonic organization is a direct descendant of the medieval Knights Templar, certain titles and rituals are apparently copied from the medieval order. These are known as "jubilee titles" or degrees. However, despite the official statements of the fraternity, some Masons, "non-Masons", and even anti-Masons insist that certain Masonic rites and titles have direct Templar influence.

5. Hermetic Order "Golden Dawn"

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or, in most cases, simply the Golden Dawn) is a magical order, an occult organization active in Great Britain during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its members practiced theurgy, magic, alchemy and encouraged the spiritual development of their adherents. Considered the progenitor of most occult groups.

The Golden Dawn's belief system is largely drawn from Christian mysticism, cabalage, alchemy, the religion of ancient Egypt, Freemasonry, Hermeticism, Theosophy, magic, and Renaissance letters. William Westcott and Aleister Crowley are the most famous members of the group.

The fundamental documents of the order, known as the "Cypher Manuscripts", were translated into English using a cipher written by Johannes Trithemius. On 60 sheets of document, magical rituals were described, the basic structure of which comes from the Rosicrucians.

4. Order of the Eastern Templars

The Order of the Eastern Templars is an international occult-religious organization that has existed since 1902. It was originally conceived by Karl Kellner, Franz Hartmann and Theodor Reuss as a Masonic academy that would reflect the symbolism of several occult and mystical communities. But in 1912, the organization turned into a carrier of the teachings of Thelema under the leadership of the occultist Aleister Crowley.

The Order considers itself associated with Freemasonry, but it has not received recognition from Masonic organizations and is classified by a number of researchers as “pseudo-Masonry.” Currently there are about 3,000 members. They have several levels of initiation, and also perform stylized rituals with the participation of virgin clergy, children and priests. Gods from Egyptian mythology and the devil are mentioned.

3. Rosicrucian Order

Rosicrucianism (Rosicrucian Order, Rosicrucians, "Order of the Rose and Cross") is a theological and secret mystical society believed to have been founded during the late Middle Ages in Germany by Christian Rosenkreutz.

Interestingly, between 1607 and 1616, two anonymous manifestos were published, first spreading in Germany and then throughout Europe. They bore the names Fama Fraternitatis RC (Glory of the Fraternity) and Confessio Fraternitatis (Creed of the Fraternity). Under the influence of these documents, representing the "most honorable order" of mystic-philosopher-scientists spreading the "worldwide reformation of mankind", the ground was set for the movement that Frances Yates later called the "Rosicrucian Enlightenment". The third important document in society arose back in 1459. He described how Christian Rosenkreutz, a traveler and alchemist, married the king and queen in the Wonderful Palace.

“Rosicrucianism” was associated with Protestantism and, in part, Lutheranism. According to historian David Stevenson, "Rosicrucianism" also influenced the development of Freemasonry in Scotland. Many secret societies claimed to have received their continuity and sacraments, in whole or in part, from the original "Rosicrucians".

There are now a huge number of Rosicrucian groups, each of which claims to be the closest to the original.

2. Freemasonry

Freemasonry is an international movement aimed at the spiritual improvement of the individual and the brotherhood of people of different religions, nationalities and views. Some researchers suggest that Freemasonry originates from associations of builders who built the pyramids in Egypt, others argue that the movement originates from the late 16th - early 17th centuries from masons' construction associations.

Be that as it may, Freemasonry is now widespread throughout the world and is represented in various organizational forms - lodges, grand lodges, supreme councils, chapters, Areopagus, consistories, federations and confederations. The total number of representatives of this movement in the world is estimated at 4,000,000 people.

Masons conduct their regular meetings in a ritual style. They use special signs and handshakes to reveal themselves to other possible Freemasons. Marks vary by lodge and are changed and updated frequently. This protects the groups from outsiders wanting to enter the lodge. Freemasons wear special stylized clothing that was worn by freemasons in the Middle Ages. The most famous wardrobe item is the apron.

To become a Freemason, you must be recommended (in some cases 3 times) by someone already in the lodge. You must be over 18 years old and sufficiently educated. Many religions prohibit joining this order, for example the Roman Catholic Church anathematizes such people.

1. Skull and Bones

Skull and Bones is a secret society of Yale University students, formerly known as the Brotherhood of Death. It is the oldest university secret society in the United States. It was organized in 1832 and uses rituals similar to Freemasonry to this day. Its members meet every Thursday and Sunday in a building they call "The Tomb."

The names of people included in the society were never kept secret until 1970. It is known that Bush father and son, the Rockefellers, as well as many representatives of the highest US elite were its members.

Interestingly, some have suggested that the CIA is composed entirely of members of the order. However, in 2007, the Central Intelligence Agency issued an official statement that it had no connection with the Skull and Bones Society.

There are many legends surrounding secret societies. Some are sure that these organizations rule the world, others - that they are dangerous because they possess occult knowledge... But no one really understands what they are doing... One way or another, some of the medieval secret orders still exist. Today we will talk about the most famous of them.

Masons

The first Masonic lodge appeared in London in 1717, although rumors about this organization had circulated before. The purpose of the society is the transfer and research of esoteric knowledge accumulated by humanity. Contrary to popular misconceptions, this is not a sect at all and not political organization. Masons have a complex internal hierarchy, their own system of rituals and secret signs by which they recognize each other.

Rosicrucians

This is an occult society founded at the beginning of the 15th century by Christian Rosenkreutz. They used magical practices to transform consciousness. Some researchers believe, by the way, that it was from the Rosicrucians that all other secret societies came, including the Masons.

Illuminati

The Order of the Bavarian Illuminati was founded in 1776 in Ingolstadt by philosopher, theologian and law professor Adam Weishaupt. Initially, Weishaupt planned to build his organization on the basis of Masonic traditions, but later decided to go his own way, although the order for a long time was associated with Freemasonry. There is a version that the Illuminati still secretly rule the world and it is they who should be blamed for various cataclysms, political and economic crises. Meanwhile, there is no evidence that the Illuminati exists in our time.

Templars

The founders of the Templar Order were nine knights who vowed to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land at the beginning of the 12th century. Later, the order began to grow, it had followers in many European countries. The Templars were a very strong and powerful organization that had real power, wealth and influence. There is even a legend that they owned such Christian relics as the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail and the Blood of Christ. But after they were persecuted and mass executed in the 14th century, the order lost its influence... Although perhaps this is just an illusion. In any case, rumors about the Templars still pop up in different parts of the world.

Skull and crossbones

This secret society was founded by William Russell in 1832 at Yale University. Initially it was called the Eulogia Club. The organization is quite influential in our time. Among the members of Skull and Bones are heads of state, major industrial magnates, and heads of intelligence services. Society meetings are held twice a week. Although the organization borrowed many rituals from the Freemasons, some experts argue that it is just a harmless student fraternity...

Bohemian Club

This is a private men's arts club located in San Francisco. Every year in July, its members gather in Monte Rio, California, to an estate on the territory of the Bohemian Grove with red trees... The first such “race” took place back in 1899.

According to some reports, the club has 1,500 members, including presidents, government officials, bankers, industrialists, famous artists and musicians... To join the club, they say, you need to wait at least 15 years. It is believed that all these people come here on vacation, but there are known cases when commercial deals were concluded in the Bohemian Grove and important agreements were signed... There are also rumors that Masonic, Satanist and other occult rituals are held there, since there are many representatives of the Bohemian Club various secret societies.