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Illuminati 

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"Illuminata" redirects here. For the 1998 John Turturro film, see Illuminata (film). For other uses, see Illuminati (disambiguation).

Illuminati (plural of Latin illuminatus, "enlightened") is a name that refers to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, it refers specifically to the (Bavarian) Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded in the late eighteenth century. However, in modern times it refers to a purported conspiratorial organization which acts as a shadowy power behind the throne, allegedly controlling world affairs through present day governments and corporations, usually as a modern incarnation or continuation of the Bavarian Illuminati. In this context, Illuminati is often used in reference to a New World Order (NWO). Many conspiracy theorists believe the Illuminati are the masterminds behind events that will lead to the establishment of such a New World Order. Confusing the issue further is the fact that there are also several modern fraternal groups which include the word "Illuminati" in their names.

In rarer cases, the Illuminati refers to an elite set of enlightened individuals who may not cooperate but are uniquely empowered by their enlightenment, much like the intelligentsia classes of today are empowered by their education and intelligence. These are people who have become illuminated and have achieved a higher mystical understanding of the universe. Many secret societies and mystical traditions are concerned with this kind of illumination or enlightenment, such as the Rosicrucian Societies, the Martinists and the original Bavarian Illuminati.[1]

Contents

The Bavarian Illuminati

Adam Weishaupt
Adam Weishaupt

This movement was founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt (Upper Bavaria), by Jesuit-taught Adam Weishaupt (d. 1830),[2] who was the first lay professor of canon law at the University of Ingolstadt.[3] The movement was made up of freethinkers, as an offshoot of the Enlightenment[4], which some believe was a conspiracy to infiltrate and overthrow the governments of many European states[5]. The group's adherents were given the name "Illuminati", although they called themselves "Perfectibilists". The group has also been called the Illuminati Order and the Bavarian Illuminati, and the movement itself has been referred to as Illuminism (after illuminism). In 1777, Karl Theodor, Elector Palatine, succeeded as ruler of Bavaria. He was a proponent of Enlightened Despotism and in 1784, his government banned all secret societies, including the Illuminati.

While it was not legally allowed to operate, many influential intellectuals and progressive politicians counted themselves as members, including Ferdinand of Brunswick and the diplomat Xavier von Zwack.[6] Xavier von Zwack was also the number two man in the operation and was caught with much of the group's documentation when his home was searched. The Illuminati's members pledged obedience to their superiors, and were divided into three main classes, each with several degrees:


Greater Mysteries
  • Rex ("king")
  • Magus ("sorceror")
Lesser Mysteries
  • Regent ("ruler")
  • Presbyter ("priest")
MASONRY
  • Illuminatus dirigens / Scotch Knight ("director illuminated")
  • Illuminatus major ("more illuminated")
NURSERY
  • Illuminatus minor ("less illuminated")
  • Minerval ("skilled")
  • Novice
  • Preparation

The order had its branches in most countries of the European continent; it reportedly had around 2,000 members over the span of 10 years.[7] The scheme had its attraction for literary men, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Johann Gottfried Herder, and even for the reigning dukes of Gotha and Weimar. Internal rupture and panic over succession preceded its downfall, which was effected by The Secular Edict made by the Bavarian government in 1785.citation needed

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Modern Illuminati

Main article: New World Order (conspiracy theory)

Conspiracy theorists such as David Icke, Ryan Burke and Morgan Gricar, have argued that the Bavarian Illuminati survived, possibly to this day (with David Icke arguing that Adam Weishaupt and George Washington were both one and the same person)citation needed. Many of these theories propose that world events are being controlled and manipulated by a secret society calling itself the Illuminati.[8] However, no reliable evidence can be found to support that Weishaupt's group survived into the 19th century.

In addition to the conspiracy theories, several modern groups have used the name Illuminati to found their own rites, claiming to be the Illuminati, including the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) founded by Theodor Reuss and Aleister Crowley (England),[9] Grand Lodge Rockefeller founded by David Goldman (USA), Orden Illuminati founded by Gabriel López de Rojas (Spain), The Illuminati Order[10] and others.

Illuminati in fiction

The Illuminati are central to the plots of many novels. Several Illuminati-based conspiracies are central to the plot of a series of novels by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, entitled The Illuminatus! Trilogy. This series takes place in then-present late 1960s America. Robert Anton Wilson later wrote a separate series, The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles. Set in the eighteenth century, it gives a historical perspective on the Illuminati. They are also central to the plot of Dan Brown's novel Angels & Demons, in which the Illuminati brotherhood appears to resurface stronger than ever after surviving for years underground. The book 'The Fallen Angels' by Susannah Kells & Bernard Cornwell features a fictional secret group of leaders of the Bavarian Illuminati, called 'the fallen angels'. Christian author Larry Burkett also wrote a book entitled The Illuminati, a thriller with end times overtones focusing on "deadly secret organization" plotting to take over the world, which is on the brink of collapse.

The Illuminati have also featured in the plots of many comic book series. In Marvel comics a faction of the most influential heroes of the Marvel Universe formed a group called the Illuminati.[11] In the DC universe, Vandal Savage is known to have served as the leader of Illuminati.

The Illuminati have also appeared in film and on TV. They are central to the plot of the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie, a film adaptation of the popular video game series by the same name. In the Disney animated television show Gargoyles, the Illuminati have existed for over 1,000 years, with a heavy hand in the world of organized crime. To hint at the scope of their power and influence, the character David Xanatos is referred to as a "lower echelon member."

The Illuminati (or illuminati-type groups) also figure prominently in plot lines of many video games, such as Deus Ex, its sequel Deus Ex: Invisible War, and Resident Evil 4. Also, an Illuminati-like group called The Patriots (as well as The Wisemen's Committee) plays a key role in the Metal Gear series. The group also play a key role in Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars also known as Sword of Baphomet adventure series.

The Illuminati are described in the fictional encyclopedia "Sub Rosa", which is a supplement to the Swedish roleplaying game "Götterdämmerung". The description includes various elements of different Illuminati descriptions, but includes mostly fiction.[12]

The Illuminati appear in the children's fiction book Sovay by Celia Rees.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Daraul, Arkon, A History of Secret Societies, London Octagon 1983 (originally London: Muller, 1961) ISBN 0863040241
  2. ^ The European Illuminati by Vernon L. Stauffer, hosted on the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon website (hereafter BC&Y).
  3. ^ A Bavarian Illuminati Primer Compiled by Trevor W. McKeown hosted BC&Y
  4. ^ The Enlightenment, Freemasonry, and The Illuminati; American Atheists
  5. ^ Chapter 2--The Illuminati; Proofs of a Conspiracy; John Robison; 1798
  6. ^ page from cesnur.org
  7. ^ A Bavarian Illuminati Primer Compiled by Trevor W. McKeown hosted BC&Y
  8. ^ Barkun, Michael. A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America, Comparative Studies in Religion and Society, University of California Press, 2003,
  9. ^ page from cyberlink.ch
  10. ^ illuminati-order.com
  11. ^ CGD – New Avengers: Illuminati
  12. ^ Bergquist, Theodore; Jacobsson, Anders; Nilsson Richard, Sub Rosa - Hemliga Ordnar och Sällskap, RiotMinds Stockholm 2008, ISBN 978-91-977263-0-6

References

  • 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica: "Illuminati"
  • Die Korrespondenz des Illuminatenordens. Bd. 1, 1776–81. Ed. by Reinhard Markner, Monika Neugebauer-Wölk and Hermann Schüttler. - Tübingen, Max Niemeyer, 2005. - ISBN 3-484-10881-9
  • Radical Enlightenment: Philosophy and the Making of Modernity 1650–1750. Israel, Jonathan I. (Oxford University Press, USA; New Ed edition, 2002).
  • Barkun, Michael (2003). A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America. University of California Press, Berkeley. ISBN 0-520-23805-2. 
  • Johnson, George (1983). Architects of Fear: Conspiracy Theories and Paranoia in American Politics. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc.. ISBN 0-87477-275-3. 

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