The infamous secret society called the Illuminati causes much speculation. We have heard of them, some told doesn’t exist today, others that they never existed. However several proofs tell of this infamous group. We explain who they are and how they infiltrated the Freemasons, as well as where they are today.
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Some mistaken them for Hollywood stars or music performers. The Illuminati go beyond that. Ancient Illuminates have been around for thousands of years in some form or another. More modern mystic Gnostic groups consider themselves Illuminates, meaning “holders of the light.” They boast esoteric knowledge and hold secret meetings with rituals to enhance their claim.
Weishaupt’s Bavarian Illuminati
Most notably the group founded in 1776 under Adam Weishaupt claimed the name Ancient Illuminates Seers of Bavaria, or the Bavarian Illuminati for short. All modern perceptions of this group come from that phase of them. They infiltrated governments and society with their espionage and subduing all aspects of society. While standing on their own for nearly 12 years, when found out, they hid withing the secret societies of Freemasonry.
Weishaupt was a Jesuit trained professor who took on many of the Jesuit tactics after the Jesuits were banned in 1773. Upon founding this group he befriended the Freemasons in 1777 to introduce his older more authentic order to worthy recipients within Freemasonry. He enticed their esoteric interests that made it a natural transaction. Some noted that the lines blurred where Freemasonry ended and Illumination began. This became an inner circles within the inner circles. This intertwining became an Illuminated Freemasonry. They conducted rituals, redefined the symbols, and absorbed all the ancient mysticism into their order.
The officials found out about the Illuminati in 1785 and by 1786 shut down their offices. But the Illuminati did not vanish, they merely hid within the confines of other secret societies, especially the Freemasons.
Proofs of a Conspiracy
A book in 1798 attempted to expose them. “Proofs of a Conspiracy” written by John Robison wrote his encounter with the Illuminati that laid out their plan and shared with him their devious plot. He warned that the Illuminati did not demise, but continued under different names, such as the Jacobin Club. He also informed that Jesuits actually also took on this guise under this order and infiltrated Freemasonry, some having been Illuminati. Robison told their tactics and warned other people. Robison claims the simple society of Freemasons was innocent and only by this breach became the devious monster it now exhibits. Another writer Abbe Burruel also extended his concern of this group exposing their name under the History of the Jacobins.
Attempts went out to warn George Washington about this group. A letter went out to him from G.W. Snyder, a reverend, warning Washington that the Illuminati were infiltrating Freemason Lodges in the United States. Washington seemed to respond that he denied the Illuminati existed. He responded again with another letter saying to the fact of the Illuminati, he doesn’t doubt, but what he doubted is that they permeated the American Lodges. Washington was o
f course shortsighted as the Illuminati in fact did infiltrate.
Lost Keys of Freemasonry Proof
Prolific Freemason writer Manly P. Hall tells of the Illuminati influence in Freemasonry but claims to this innocence that the fraction known as the Illuminati were more an infiltration within their fraternity rather than the identity, although he didn’t deny that they influences certain members to have alternative rituals and other meaning for symbols. His book, “The Lost Keys of Freemasonry” dedicates a section about the Illuminati. You can find a copy here.
Hall admits that while the Illuminati name may have been discarded, their agenda remains because it is an ancient agenda that existed in days of antiquity before Weishaupt and any of his predecessors were even birthed. It will continue because it is an ancient rite that has interest to accomplish its goal until the end of days. He cites the Los Alumbrados as one example existing in the 16th century as one phase for example.
Hall contends that the real purpose of Freemasonry is bringing order to a chaotic world and that through their Order that accomplishes that. He claims the inner group practicing rituals and conducting secret practices are basically independent.
This article does not get into the doctrine and working of the Illuminati. It merely just evidences proofs that the Illuminati were a real group, and still may operate in stealth behind the scenes. I have written previous articles about Freemasonry and the Illuminati that you can find on my website.
George Washington warned of the Illuminati
Tracing the Illuminati over the ages