Source: “Custodians of Truth : The Continuance of Rex Deus”, by Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins, Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, 2005.
The Beliefs of the Knightts Templar.wav
This podcast explores the hidden beliefs and influences of the Knights Templar, suggesting their extraordinary success stemmed from a secret initiatory tradition rather than conventional Christianity. It argues that clues to their true faith can be found in their association with the cult of the Black Madonna, which the authors link to the veneration of Mary Magdalene, and in the allegorical narratives of the Holy Grail romances, viewed as a coded guide to spiritual enlightenment. Furthermore, the text highlights the significant role of medieval craftmasons, particularly the Children of Solomon, who, possibly affiliated with the Templars, built the magnificent Gothic cathedrals, embedding sacred geometry and veiled heretical knowledge within their architecture. This architectural heritage, especially evident in structures like Chartres and Amiens Cathedrals with their unusual symbolism, is presented as a tangible "instruction book of initiation" masked by outward Christian appearance, revealing a deeper, gnostic belief system focused on wisdom and enlightenment.
Topic 1: The Knights Templar: Achievements, Suppression, and Information Vacuum
The Knights Templar achieved remarkable success during their relatively short 180-year history, a feat that is described as startling when compared to other orders that existed much longer. Despite their impressive growth and influence, the order faced a controversial and ignominious suppression at the beginning of the 14th century. This suppression was triggered by a trial for heresy conducted by the French Inquisition at the request of King Philippe le Bel of France. A significant consequence of this suppression was the loss of the Templars' internal records, which were either confiscated by the Inquisitors, concealed by the knights, or obliterated. This destruction or hiding of documents resulted in a significant gap in historical information. This information vacuum has unfortunately fostered speculation and, according to the source, provided academic historians with a justification for overlooking the actual factors behind the Templars' extraordinary development. However, the source posits that this vacuum is not entirely absolute, as the Templars left other forms of legacy that can offer insights into their true beliefs.
Topic 2: The Legacy of the Templars: Guides to Beliefs
Despite the historical information vacuum surrounding the Templars' internal records due to their suppression, the source argues that the order left a considerable legacy that serves as a guide to understanding their true beliefs. This legacy is primarily found in three areas strongly associated with Templar activity and influence. The first is their involvement with a specific form of veneration known as the cult of the Black Madonna. The second is found hidden within allegorical literary works, specifically "The Search for the Holy Grail," which originated in Troyes and is linked to Rex Deus activity. The third indelible guide to their core principles of belief is their architectural heritage, particularly the great Gothic cathedrals they either constructed or helped finance during the significant period known as The Rise of the Gothic. These different forms of legacy – cultic practice, allegorical literature, and architecture – offer clues to the beliefs of the warrior-monks that are not readily available through conventional historical records.
Topic 3: The Cult of the Black Madonna
The cult of the Black Madonna is presented as a significant aspect of Templar veneration, intimately associated with their activity. While the broader Christian veneration of Mary (Mariolatry) gained momentum from places like Chartres, the Black Madonna cult is said to have roots in older pagan worship of mother goddesses. Examples include the Christianization of practices like worshipping a fire-blackened virgin figure, Virginibus pariturae, as described by Julius Caesar. Although some Black Madonna sites predate the Templars or are outside their geographic reach, the peak development of this cult coincided with the order's power, and most effigies are located in areas where the Templars had influence. The source highlights the Catholic Church's consistent discomfort with this cult, despite benefiting from pilgrimages to these sites. This discomfort is suggested to stem from what the effigy represents. One clue points to Bernard of Clairvaux's requirement for Templars to show "obedience to Bethany and the House of Mary and Martha," interpreted by some scholars as loyalty to a dynasty founded by Mary Magdalene and Jesus. Esoteric interpretations suggest the Black Madonna represents Mary Magdalene and the child of Jesus, symbolizing divine wisdom (Sophia). At deeper levels, the black color can signify wisdom, linking the veneration to the goddess Sophia, embodied as Isis with the Horus child, camouflaged within Christian symbolism. It can also represent the Earth Mother, linked to the Egyptian goddess Anna, often depicted as black. The study of this cult is proposed to potentially reveal a heretical sect and secrets involving political forces still influential today.
Topic 4: The Holy Grail: Legends and Meaning
The Holy Grail is discussed as a central element of the Rex Deus tradition, immortalized through the creation and dissemination of the Holy Grail sagas. These stories are described as a deliberate and successful literary genre designed to serve the purposes of the descendants of Jesus. The Grail itself is variously described in the sagas as a chalice, a cup, a stone that fell from heaven, a stone within a cup, or a magical bowl. It is believed to possess qualities such as restoring life or health. Pre-Christian and Celtic legends also feature cauldrons with similar magical properties, suggesting older roots for the concept. The sagas are characterized as a blend of pre-Christian traditions with a Christian gloss, containing a coded guide to what the source claims are the true teachings of Jesus. Key authors credited with shaping the Grail romances include Chrétien de Troyes and Wolfram von Essenbach, who incorporated pagan legend, Celtic folklore, Jewish mystical symbolism, Rex Deus tradition, and alchemical and Kabbalistic nuances, masked by a veneer of mainstream Christian veneration for the cup of the Last Supper/Joseph of Arimathea relic. The source questions the credibility of the relic story based on Jewish burial practices. The Grail legend's enduring appeal and richness in symbolism are noted, with a core secret believed to sustain its mystical draw.
Topic 5: The Holy Grail Quest: Allegory and Spiritual Initiation
Beyond the overt narrative of seeking a holy relic, the Holy Grail romances are interpreted as carrying a hidden, very different message, particularly significant given the oppressive religious climate of 12th-century Europe where being religiously different could be dangerous. The quest depicted in the sagas, a long and arduous search by a knight facing trials and temptations, is seen as an allegory. The source proposes it is an allegory for an alchemical quest and a heretical guide to a spiritual pathway leading to enlightenment. This contrasts with the standard medieval paths to salvation, such as military service in the Holy Land or simple participation in communion, neither of which involved the described dangers or trials. The symbolism within the quest is linked to gnostic themes. The wounded Fisher King, the ruler of the Grail castle and his impoverished realm, is presented as representing the corrupted state of the Christian Church leadership, which is accused of despoiling the spiritual lives of those they serve by distorting the true teachings of Jesus. The healing of the Fisher King by a pure seeker of the Grail symbolizes the triumph of the true teachings over negative forces, leading to a realization of heaven on Earth. The term "Holy Grail" is also interpreted etymologically as a potential corruption of "Holy Gradual," suggesting a gradual spiritual ascent or initiatory path. Another proposed interpretation is "Sang Real," meaning Holy Blood, linking the Grail to the idea of a dynasty founded by Jesus. The quest is seen as veiling signposts to a path of initiation into profound spiritual mysteries, aiming for the ultimate form of enlightenment, potentially referenced in sayings like "He who drinks from my mouth will become as I am, and I shall be he."