Serie B brev nr 8

Magazine Overview

This issue of "BREVCIRKELN" (Circular Letter), Series B, Letter No. 8, focuses on esoteric organizations and ancient spiritual movements, particularly the "Seven Rays Brotherhood" and its alleged connections to the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The publication date is not explicitly stated, but references to events in 1947 and 1956-1957 suggest a mid-to-late 20th-century publication.

The Seven Rays Brotherhood

The "Seven Rays Brotherhood" is described as an order operating globally, with a significant branch, the "Amethyst Order," situated at Lake Titicaca. The text questions the nature of such mystery schools, posing whether belief requires blind faith or if it is supported by facts. The author has corresponded with UFO and New Age researchers, some of whom are skeptical, while others have direct experience or are open to such claims, all described as honest seekers.

The origin of the "Seven Rays Brotherhood" is traced back thousands of years, and it is suggested that it continues to operate today, alongside other brotherhoods worldwide, as mentioned in McCoy's "They Shall Be Gathered Together."

Authorship of "Secret of the Andes"

A persistent rumor is discussed: that George H. Williamson, writing under the pseudonym "Brother Philip," is the author of "Secret of the Andes." The author of this article investigated this rumor and found that J.R., a correspondent, was certain of Williamson's authorship. J.R. stated that Williamson had compiled information from "monastery letters" originating from Moyadamba, Peru, and distributed by W. from Corpus Christi, Texas, to his followers. These letters were purportedly messages from the "Seven Rays Monastery" in Peru. J.R. himself possessed such "monastery letters" and noted that some content appeared in Brother Philip's documents. Furthermore, J.R. attended a lecture by Williamson on "Secret of the Andes." However, J.R. found little common ground between the lecture and the book, as the lecture focused more on archaeological finds from the Inca Empire and its history.

Both McCoy's and Brother Philip's books offer explanations of these "monastery letters" that differ from J.R.'s account. The author questioned J.R. on his certainty about Williamson's authorship, but had not yet received a response.

The Great Plan and Brotherhood Structure

"Secret of the Andes" mentions that Earth's spiritual hierarchy is intensifying its enlightenment work to implement "The Great Plan," with all affiliated brotherhoods cooperating. The "Seven Rays Brotherhood" divides its work among three types of monasteries:

1. The Monastery (The Monastery): Located at Lake Titicaca, Peru, for inner work.
2. The Abbey (The Abbey): A sort of intermediate station in the Hidden Valley, Peru, for outer work.
3. Priories (Priories): Branch monasteries established in various locations to serve as "preparatory schools" for interested individuals and as distribution channels for the Brotherhood's writings.

J.R. mentioned two such "priorates" where Williamson allegedly wrote his texts.

"Addey Letters" and Brotherhood Activities

J.R.'s "Addey Letters" include mimeographed letters co-signed by Charles and Lillian Laughhead, who accompanied Williamson and McCoy on their Peruvian adventure and claimed to represent the "Amethyst Order." J.R. believes these letters originated from a "Seven Rays Brotherhood" branch in Moyadamba, Peru, established in 1956. The last "monastery letter" from this location is dated May 23, 1957, and states that since the priory's purpose was fulfilled, the Brotherhood decided to relocate its activities to their home in California.

This information from J.R. largely corroborates the account in McCoy's book. The original material for these letters is said to be in "The Abbey" in the Hidden Valley, Peru. The individuals who sent the "letters" from Whipple, Arizona, and later from California, are not considered "channels" for the Seven Rays Brotherhood in the usual sense; rather, they served as distributors of the Brotherhood's writings.

Esoteric Orders and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Information is also provided about "The Abbey" in the Hidden Valley concerning "Secret of the Andes." It is noted that the book does not explicitly state that the Abbey's prior, Brother Philip, is the author. The text lists several ancient orders, including the Melchisedek Order, Essene Order, Order of the Emerald Cross, Amethyst Order, Rosicrucian Order, Carmelite Order, and the Order of the Holy Grail, as well as the Order of the Red Hand.

A Danish review of Brother Philip's book highlights its "highly imaginative content," emphasizing the numerous secret societies. The reviewer questions why this is presented as a negative aspect. The author of the article notes that the Order of the Red Hand is the only one they had not previously heard of.

The Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Essene Order is highlighted, particularly in connection with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The discovery of these scrolls in 1947, the same year "flying saucers" began to be widely reported, is presented as a significant event. The scrolls were found in a desolate mountainous region in Jordan, west of the Dead Sea, where Bedouins grazed their goats among caves and rock shelters.

The discovery was initiated by a Bedouin boy's stone throw into a cave, leading to the finding of the scrolls, which experts consider invaluable for religious and historical research. Researchers discovered that these scrolls predated all previously known biblical manuscripts. Systematic searches of caves in the Qumran area uncovered more scrolls, many of them soiled and damaged, consisting of thousands of fragments. This revealed a library or archive containing texts from the Old Testament, apocryphal writings, and previously unknown literature.

Scholars generally agree that the scrolls originate from a religious sect known as the Essenes. Historical writers Josephus and Philo mention the Essenes in the region of Engedidergen (called "the desert" in the Gospels), which was an Essene stronghold. Ruins of a monastery-like building found nearby, along with coin finds, indicate habitation during the period immediately before and after the beginning of our common era.

Interestingly, the name "Essene" itself does not appear in the scrolls, leading to speculation that it might have been a term used by outsiders to refer to the sect as "the holy ones."

Esotericism and the Essenes

Beyond the historical and religious interest, occult researchers are also deeply interested in the Dead Sea Scrolls. They believe the scrolls provide external evidence for what they have discovered through spiritual research, brotherhood archives, and other means: that the Essenes were part of an ancient mystery school. The terminology used in the scrolls strongly suggests a connection to mystery teachings.

Theodore Heline, in his book "The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Essene Precursors to Christ," suggests that the Essenes were religious reformers in Palestine, calling themselves "New Israel" or the "People of the New Covenant." Unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees, they understood that the preparation for the Messiah's coming was happening among them and recognized the "Prince of Peace."

Heline posits that the Essenes withdrew to the desert to prepare for the Messiah's arrival. This Essene community was composed of old souls, enlightened men and women, and dedicated individuals, many of whom were disciples and initiates of high rank. They gathered to fulfill the mission of caring for the infant Jesus and forming the core of the Christian fellowship. This selection was not made by Palestinian leaders or the populace but by higher planes, despite active resistance and persecution from contemporary religious authorities.

Jesus ben Pandira and the Second Coming

The Dead Sea Scrolls frequently mention the "Teacher of Righteousness." "Profane" researchers dedicate considerable effort to identifying this figure, generally concluding that it is not Jesus of Nazareth or any other known historical person. However, occult research identifies this figure as Jesus ben Pandira, a seer and prophet mentioned in the Talmud, who taught mystery wisdom from the past. He was so highly revered that his name was rarely spoken, which might explain its absence in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Rudolf Steiner, in a lecture in Bern in 1910, predicted the "Second Coming of Christ" approximately four decades before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Steiner stated that before the end of the 20th century, some individuals would have their spiritual eye ("the third eye") opened, enabling them to perceive the "Etheric Christ." This would be a return of Christ in an etheric form, similar to how he appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. This event would precede the end of our current age, and as humanity evolves to higher spiritual gifts, they would come to know the fullness of Christ's nature.

Steiner emphasized that humanity must be vigilant not to repeat the mistakes of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who failed to recognize Christ's presence among them. He stressed the importance of correctly understanding the "new Essene judgment" to avoid false conclusions about any potential future Essene community.

"Other Essenes" and the Etheric Christ

Both McCoy's and Brother Philip's books refer to the "Seven Rays Brotherhood" as "Other Essenes." The "Amethyst Order" is identified as an Essene order influenced by the "seventh (violet) ray."

Theodore Heline, referencing Steiner's statements, suggests that Jesus ben Pandira is once again active in the world, preparing for Christ's arrival. He believes that souls who gathered to receive Jesus 2,000 years ago have returned to Earth to create the conditions for Christ's second coming.

The text includes a quote attributed to Jesus from the last chapter of the Book of Revelation: "I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

The author questions how Jesus, described as "the first and the last, and he which liveth for evermore," could have been inactive for 2,000 years, urging readers to look for signs of the living Christ now.

Steiner's prediction of the "Etheric Christ" is discussed, with Orfeo Angelucci recounting an experience in his book "The Flying Saucer Secrets" where he heard a choir singing hymns of joy and saw Christ standing across a chasm. Christ's message was that he lives and loves humanity as he did when he walked by the Sea of Galilee, and that to recognize him upon his imminent return to Earth, people must find him within their own hearts.

Angelucci's vision concluded with Christ's radiant beauty being too intense to behold. The text also mentions that beings from other worlds are now walking among us, working towards the same goal, and that the inhabitants of Earth will eventually understand who they are, except for those who have deliberately chosen not to see. This is presented as the beginning of the new age of mysteries.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently links various esoteric orders and ancient wisdom traditions to a larger spiritual plan. There's a strong emphasis on the continuity of spiritual teachings and the anticipation of a significant spiritual event, the "Second Coming" or the manifestation of the "Etheric Christ." The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these esoteric claims, presenting information from various sources, including personal correspondence, published books, and historical accounts, while encouraging readers to critically evaluate the evidence and seek inner understanding.