the illuminati 101

Freemasonry and based upon the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg. It comprised six Degrees: Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Neophyte, Illuminated Theosophite, Blue Brother, and Red Brother.

It was created in Avignon in 1773 by the Marquis de Thorn. It was initially a political organization, whose aims were to bring freemasonry into disrepute, although the political ideology was eventually discarded from the rite. This version of the Swedenborg Rite died out within a decade of its founding.

Starting in the 1870s, the Rite was resurrected as a hermetic organization. This version faded out sometime around 1908. The Rite is now extinct, but influenced the development of other groups such as Ordo Templi Orientis.

- source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedenborg_Rite So, the Swedenborg rite originated among an economic elite, but as a means of defaming and discrediting Free Masonry. If this is the case, then why would the OTO choose to adopt its structure and tenants, unless it meant to slander Masonry? However, if this was the case, then why did the OTO seek Masonic charter (granted Oriental) to practice the RoM&M? Well, the whole lynchpin of the argument stems down to what the RoM&M really are.

For an example of the flowery depiction of their order by the modern practitioners of the RoM&M, consider this list of names of past Grand Masters, and descriptions of various lodges active when, all over the world, which can be found on scribd: http://www.scribd.com/doc/13157994/A-Complete-History-of-the-Ancient-andPrimitive-Right Now, that is what the OTO has to say about itself. Now contrast that to this excerpt from Francis King, a highly reliable scholar on early 20th century occult groups, from his book: the "Secret Inner Order Rituals of the OTO." Quote: I Take a suitable woman willing to aid thee in this Work. Explain to her fully the precautions to be taken and the manner of life necessary. Let her horoscope be, if possible, suited to the nature of the homunculus proposed; as, to have an incarnate Spirit of Benevolence let Jupiter be rising in Pisces with good aspects of Sol, Venus, and Luna; and with no notable contrary dispositions; or so far as may be possible.

II Take now a man suitable; if convenient, thyself or some other Brother Initiate of the Gnosis; and so far as may be, let his horoscope also harmonize with the nature of the work.