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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/639-h.zip b/639-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d1df76 --- /dev/null +++ b/639-h.zip diff --git a/639-h/639-h.htm b/639-h/639-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a811306 --- /dev/null +++ b/639-h/639-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11050 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The God-idea of the Ancients, by Eliza Burt Gamble + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The God-Idea of the Ancients, by Eliza Burt Gamble + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The God-Idea of the Ancients + or Sex in Religion + +Author: Eliza Burt Gamble + +Release Date: November 26, 2009 [EBook #639] +Last Updated: January 25, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Keller, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS + </h1> + <h2> + OR SEX IN RELIGION + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Eliza Burt Gamble + </h2> + <h4> + Author of "The Evolution of Woman" + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + Much of the material for this volume was collected during the time that I + was preparing for the press the Evolution of Woman, or while searching for + data bearing on the subject of sex-specialization. While preparing that + book for publication, it was my intention to include within it this branch + of my investigation, but wishing to obtain certain facts relative to the + foundations of religious belief and worship which were not accessible at + that time, and knowing that considerable labor and patience would be + required in securing these facts, I decided to publish the first part of + the work, withholding for the time being that portion of it pertaining + especially to the development of the God-idea. + </p> + <p> + As mankind construct their own gods, or as the prevailing ideas of the + unknowable reflect the inner consciousness of human beings, a trustworthy + history of the growth of religions must correspond to the processes + involved in the mental, moral, and social development of the individual + and the nation. + </p> + <p> + By means of data brought forward in these later times relative to the + growth of the God-idea, it is observed that an independent chain of + evidence has been produced in support of the facts recently set forth + bearing upon the development of the two diverging lines of sexual + demarcation. In other words, it has been found that sex is the fundamental + fact not only in the operations of Nature but in the construction of a + god. + </p> + <p> + In the Evolution of Woman it has been shown that the peculiar inheritance + of the two sexes, female and male, is the result of the bias given to + these separate lines of development during the earliest periods of + sex-differentiation; and, as this division of labor was a necessary step + in the evolutionary processes, the rate of progress depended largely on + the subsequent adjustment of these two primary elements or forces. A + comprehensive study of prehistoric records shows that in an earlier age of + existence upon the earth, at a time when woman's influence was in the + ascendancy over that of man, human energy was directed by the altruistic + characters which originated in and have been transmitted through the + female; but after the decline of woman's power, all human institutions, + customs, forms, and habits of thought are seen to reflect the egoistic + qualities acquired by the male. + </p> + <p> + Nowhere is the influence of sex more plainly manifested than in the + formulation of religious conceptions and creeds. With the rise of male + power and dominion, and the corresponding repression of the natural female + instincts, the principles which originally constituted the God-idea + gradually gave place to a Deity better suited to the peculiar bias which + had been given to the male organism. An anthropomorphic god like that of + the Jews—a god whose chief attributes are power and virile might—could + have had its origin only under a system of masculine rule. + </p> + <p> + Religion is especially liable to reflect the vagaries and weaknesses of + human nature; and, as the forms and habits of thought connected with + worship take a firmer hold on the mental constitution than do those + belonging to any other department of human experience, religious + conceptions should be subjected to frequent and careful examination in + order to perceive, if possible, the extent to which we are holding on to + ideas which are unsuited to existing conditions. + </p> + <p> + In an age when every branch of inquiry is being subjected to reasonable + criticism, it would seem that the origin and growth of religion should be + investigated from beneath the surface, and that all the facts bearing upon + it should be brought forward as a contribution to our fund of general + information. As well might we hope to gain a complete knowledge of human + history by studying only the present aspect of society, as to expect to + reach reasonable conclusions respecting the prevailing God-idea by + investigating the various creeds and dogmas of existing faiths. + </p> + <p> + The object of this volume is not only to furnish a brief outline of + religious growth, but to show the effect which each of the two forces, + female and male, has had on the development of our present God-idea, which + investigation serves to accentuate the conclusions arrived at in the + Evolution of Woman relative to the inheritance of each of the two lines of + sexual demarcation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + E.B.G. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS.</b> </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION. </a><br /><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> SEX THE FOUNDATION OF + THE GOD-IDEA <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> TREE, + PLANT, AND FRUIT WORSHIP <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER + III. </a> SUN-WORSHIP—FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES IN THE + SUN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> THE + DUAL GOD OF THE ANCIENTS A TRINITY ALSO <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> SEPARATION OF THE + FEMALE AND MALE ELEMENTS IN THE DEITY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> + CHAPTER VI. </a> CIVILIZATION OF AN ANCIENT RACE <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> CONCEALMENT OF THE + EARLY DOCTRINES <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> THE + ORIGINAL GOD-IDEA OF THE ISRAELITES <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> + CHAPTER IX. </a> THE PHOENICIAN AND HEBREW GOD SET OR SETH + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> ANCIENT + SPECULATIONS CONCERNING CREATION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> + CHAPTER XI. </a> FIRE AND PHALLIC WORSHIP <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY + THE SENSUALIZED FAITHS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. + </a> CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> CHRISTIANITY A + CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM—(Continued) <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> CHRISTIANITY IN + IRELAND <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> STONES + OR COLUMNS AS THE DEITY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER + XVII. </a> SACRIFICES <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> + CHAPTER XVIII. </a> THE CROSS AND A DYING SAVIOR + <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + Through a study of the primitive god-idea as manifested in monumental + records in various parts of the world; through scientific investigation + into the early religious conceptions of mankind as expressed by symbols + which appear in the architecture and decorations of sacred edifices and + shrines; by means of a careful examination of ancient holy objects and + places still extant in every quarter of the globe, and through the study + of antique art, it is not unlikely that a line of investigation has been + marked out whereby a tolerably correct knowledge of the processes involved + in our present religious systems may be obtained. The numberless figures + and sacred emblems which appear carved in imperishable stone in the + earliest cave temples; the huge towers, monoliths, and rocking stones + found in nearly every country of the globe, and which are known to be + closely connected with primitive belief and worship, and the records found + on tablets which are being unearthed in various parts of the world, are, + with the unravelling of extinct tongues, proving an almost inexhaustible + source for obtaining information bearing upon the early history of the + human race, and, together, furnish indisputable evidence of the origin, + development, and unity of religious faiths. + </p> + <p> + By comparing the languages used by the earlier races to express their + religious conceptions; by observing the similarity in the mythoses and + sacred appellations among all tribes and nations, and through the discovery + of the fact that the legends extant in the various countries of the globe + are identical, or have the same foundation, it is probable that a clue has + already been obtained whereby an outline of the religious history of the + human family from a period even as remote as the "first dispersion," or + from a time when one race comprehended the entire population of the globe, + maybe traced. Humboldt in his Researches observes: "In every part of the + globe, on the ridge of the Cordilleras as well as in the Isle of + Samothrace, in the Aegean Sea, fragments of primitive languages are + preserved in religious rites." + </p> + <p> + Regarding the identity of the fundamental ideas contained in the various + systems of religion, both past and present, Hargrave Jennings, in + referring to a parallel drawn by Sir William Jones, between the deities of + Meru and Olympus, observes: + </p> + <p> + "All our speculations tend to the same conclusions. One day it is a + discovery of cinerary vases, the next, it is etymological research; yet + again it is ethnological investigation, and the day after, it is the + publication of unsuspected tales from the Norse; but all go to heap up + proof of our consanguinity with the peoples of history—and of an + original general belief, we might add." + </p> + <p> + That the religious systems of India and Egypt were originally the same, + there can be at the present time no reasonable doubt. The fact noted by + various writers, of the British Sepoys, who, on their overland route from + India, upon beholding the ruins of Dendera, prostrated themselves before + the remains of the ancient temples and offered adoration to them, proves + the identity of Indian and Egyptian deities. These foreign devotees, being + asked to explain the reason of their strange conduct declared that they + "saw sculptured before them the gods of their country." + </p> + <p> + Upon the subject of the identity of Eastern religions, Wilford remarks + that one and the same code both of theology and of fabulous history, has + been received through a range or belt about forty degrees broad across the + old continent, in a southeast and northwest direction from the eastern + shores of the Malaga peninsula to the western extremity of the British + Isles, that, through this immense range the same religious notions + reappear in various places under various modifications, as might be + expected; and that there is not a greater difference between the tenets + and worship of the Hindoos and the Greeks than exists between the churches + of Home and Geneva. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the universality of certain religious beliefs and opinions, + Faber, commenting upon the above statement of Wilford, observes that, + immense as is this territorial range, it is by far too limited to include + the entire phenomenon, that the observation + </p> + <p> + "applies with equal propriety to the entire habitable globe; for the + arbitrary rites and opinions of every pagan nation bear so close a + resemblance to each other, that such a coincidence can only have been + produced by their having had a common origin. Barbarism itself has not + been able to efface the strong primeval impression. Vestiges of the + ancient general system may be traced in the recently discovered islands in + the Pacific Ocean; and, when the American world was first opened to the + hardy adventurers of Europe, its inhabitants from north to south + venerated, with kindred ceremonies and kindred notions, the gods of Egypt + and Hindostan, of Greece and Italy, of Phoenicia and Britain."(1) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1) Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. i. +</pre> + <p> + "Though each religion has its own peculiar growth, the seed from which + they spring is everywhere the same."(2) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 2) Max Muller, Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 48. +</pre> + <p> + The question as to whether the identity of conception and the similarity + in detail observed in religious rites, ceremonies, and symbols in the + various countries of the globe are due to the universal law of unity which + governs human development, or whether, through the dispersion of one + original people, the early conceptions of a Deity were spread broadcast + over the entire earth, is perhaps not settled; yet, from the facts which + have been brought forward during the last century, the latter theory seems + altogether probable, such divergence in religious ideas as is observed + among the various peoples of the earth being attributable to variations in + temperament caused by changed conditions of life. In other words, the + divergence in the course of religious development has doubtless been due + to environment. + </p> + <p> + In an attempt to understand the history of the growth of the god-idea, the + fact should be borne in mind that, from the earliest conception of a + creative force in the animal and vegetable world to the latest development + in theological speculation, there has never been what might consistently + be termed a new religion. On the contrary, religion like everything else + is subject to the law of growth; therefore the faiths of to-day are the + legitimate result, or outcome, of the primary idea of a Deity developed in + accordance with the laws governing the peculiar instincts which have been + in the ascendancy during the life of mankind on the earth. + </p> + <p> + The erroneous impression which under a belief in the unknown has come to + prevail, namely, that the moral law is the result of religion; or, in + other words, that the human conscience is in some manner dependent on + supernaturalism for its origin and maintenance, is, with a better and + clearer understanding of the past history of the development of the human + race, being gradually dispelled. On one point we may reasonably rest + assured that the knowledge of right and wrong and our sense of justice and + right-living have been developed quite independently of all religious + beliefs. The moral law embodied in the golden rule is not an outgrowth of + mysticism, or of man's notions of the unknowable; but, on the contrary, is + the result of experience, and was formulated in response to a recognized + law of human necessity,—a law which involves the fundamental + principle of progress. The history of human development shows conclusively + that mankind GREW into the recognition of the moral law, that through + sympathy, or a desire for the welfare of others,—a character which + had its root in maternal affection,—conscience and the moral sense + were evolved. + </p> + <p> + While the moral law and the conscience may not be accounted as in any + sense the result of man's ideas concerning the unknowable, neither can the + errors and weaknesses developed in human nature be regarded as the result + of religion. Although the sexual excesses which during three or four + thousand years were practiced as sacred rites, and treated as part and + parcel of religion in various parts of the world, have had the effect to + stimulate and strengthen the animal nature in man, yet these rites may not + be accounted as the primary cause of the supremacy of the lower nature + over the higher faculties. On the contrary, the impulse which has been + termed religion, with all the vagaries which its history presents, is to + be regarded more as an effect than as a cause. The stage of a nation's + development regulates its religion. Man creates his own gods; they are + powerless to change him. + </p> + <p> + As written history records only those events in human experience which + belong to a comparatively recent period of man's existence, and as the + primitive conceptions of a Deity lie buried beneath ages of corruption, + glimpses of the earlier faiths of mankind, as has already been stated, + must be looked for in the traditions, monuments, and languages of extinct + races. + </p> + <p> + In reviewing this matter we shall doubtless observe the fact that if the + stage of a nation's growth is indicated by its religious conceptions, and + if remnants of religious beliefs are everywhere present in the languages, + traditions, and monuments of the past through a careful study of these + subjects we may expect to gain a tolerably correct understanding not alone + of the growth of the god-idea but of the stage of development reached by + the nations which existed prior to the beginning of the historic age. We + shall be enabled also to perceive whether or not the course of human + development during the intervening ages has been continuous, or whether, + for some cause hitherto unexplained, true progress throughout a portion of + this time has been arrested, thus producing a backward movement, or + degeneracy. + </p> + <p> + If we would unravel the mysteries involved in present religious faiths, we + should begin not by attempting to analyze or explain any existing system + or systems of belief and worship. Such a course is likely to end not only + in confusion and in a subsequent denial of the existence of the religious + nature in mankind, but is liable, also, to create an aversion for and a + distrust of the entire subject of religious experience. In view of this + fact it would appear to be not only useless but exceedingly unwise to + spend one's time in attempting to gain a knowledge of this subject simply + by studying the later developments in its history. + </p> + <p> + If we are really desirous of obtaining information regarding present + religious phenomena, it is plain that we should adopt the scientific + method and turn our attention to the remote past, where, by careful and + systematic investigation, we are enabled to perceive the earliest + conception of a creative force and the fundamental basis of all religious + systems, from which may be traced the gradual development of the god-idea. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. SEX THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOD-IDEA. + </h2> + <p> + In the study of primitive religion, the analogy existing between the + growth of the god-idea and the development of the human race, and + especially of the two sex-principles, is everywhere clearly apparent. + </p> + <p> + "Religion is to be found alone with its justification and explanation in + the relations of the sexes. There and therein only."(3) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 3) Hargrave Jennings, Phallicism. +</pre> + <p> + As the conception of a deity originated in sex, or in the creative + agencies female and male which animate Nature, we may reasonably expect to + find, in the history of the development of the two sex-principles and in + the notions entertained concerning them throughout past ages, a tolerably + correct account of the growth of the god-idea. We shall perceive that + during an earlier age of human existence, not only were the reproductive + powers throughout Nature, and especially in human beings and in animals, + venerated as the Creator, but we shall find also that the prevailing ideas + relative to the importance of either sex in the office of reproduction + decided the sex of this universal creative force. We shall observe also + that the ideas of a god have always corresponded with the current opinions + regarding the importance of either sex in human society. In other words, + so long as female power and influence were in the ascendency, the creative + force was regarded as embodying the principles of the female nature; + later, however, when woman's power waned, and the supremacy of man was + gained, the god-idea began gradually to assume the male characters and + attributes. + </p> + <p> + Through scientific research the fact has been observed that, for ages + after life appeared on the earth, the male had no separate existence; that + the two sex-principles, the sperm and the germ, were contained within one + and the same individual. Through the processes of differentiation, + however, these elements became detached, and with the separation of the + male from the female, the reproductive functions were henceforth confided + to two separate individuals. + </p> + <p> + As originally, throughout Nature, the female was the visible organic unit + within whom was contained the exclusive creative power, and as throughout + the earlier ages of life on the earth she comprehended the male, it is not + perhaps singular that, even after the appearance of mankind on the earth, + the greater importance of the mother element in human society should have + been recognized; nor, as the power to bring forth coupled with perceptive + wisdom originally constituted the Creator, that the god-idea should have + been female instead of male. + </p> + <p> + From the facts to be observed in relation to this subject, it is + altogether probable that for ages the generating principle throughout + Nature was venerated as female; but with that increase of knowledge which + was the result of observation and experience, juster or more correct ideas + came to prevail, and subsequently the great fructifying energy throughout + the universe came to be regarded as a dual indivisible force—female + and male. This force, or agency, constituted one God, which, as woman's + functions in those ages were accounted of more importance than those of + man, was oftener worshipped under the form of a female figure. + </p> + <p> + Neith, Minerva, Athene, and Cybele, the most important deities of their + respective countries, were adored as Perceptive Wisdom, or Light, while + Ceres and others represented Fertility. With the incoming of male dominion + and supremacy, however, we observe the desire to annul the importance of + the female and to enthrone one all-powerful male god whose chief + attributes were power and might. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the efforts which during the historic period have been put + forward to magnify the importance of the male both in human affairs and in + the god-idea, still, no one, I think, can study the mythologies and + traditions of the nations of antiquity without being impressed with the + prominence given to the female element, and the deeper the study the + stronger will this impression grow. + </p> + <p> + During a certain stage of human development, religion was but a + recognition of and a reliance upon the vivifying or fructifying forces + throughout Nature, and in the earlier ages of man's career, worship + consisted for the most part in the celebration of festivals at stated + seasons of the year, notably during seed-time and harvest, to commemorate + the benefits derived from the grain field and vineyard. + </p> + <p> + Doubtless the first deified object was Gaia, the Earth. As within the + bosom of the earth was supposed to reside the fructifying, life-giving + power, and as from it were received all the bounties of life, it was + female. It was the Universal Mother, and to her as to no other divinity + worshipped by mankind, was offered a spontaneity of devotion and a willing + acknowledgment of dependence. Thus far in the history of mankind no + temples dedicated to an undefined and undefinable God had been raised. The + children of Mother Earth met in the open air, without the precincts of any + man-made shrine, and under the aerial canopy of heaven, acknowledged the + bounties of the great Deity and their dependence upon her gifts. She was a + beneficent and all-wise God, a tender and loving parent—a mother, + who demanded no bleeding sacrifice to reconcile her to her children. The + ceremonies observed at these festive seasons consisted for the most part + in merry-making and in general thanksgiving, in which the gratitude of the + worshippers found expression in song and dance, and in invocations to + their Deity for a return or continuance of her gifts. + </p> + <p> + Subsequently, through the awe and reverence inspired by the mysteries + involved in birth and life, the adoration of the creative principles in + vegetable existence became supplemented by the worship of the creative + functions in human beings and in animals. The earth, including the power + inherent in it by which the continuity of existence is maintained, and by + which new forms are continuously called into life, embodied the idea of + God; and, as this inner force was regarded as inherent in matter, or as a + manifestation of it, in process of time earth and the heavens, body and + spirit, came to be worshipped under the form of a mother and her child, + this figure being the highest expression of a Creator which the human mind + was able to conceive. Not only did this emblem represent fertility, or the + fecundating energies of Nature, but with the power to create were combined + or correlated all the mental qualities and attributes of the two sexes. In + fact the whole universe was contained in the Mother idea—the child, + which was sometimes female, sometimes male, being a scion or offshoot from + the eternal or universal unit. + </p> + <p> + Underlying all ancient mythologies may be observed the idea that the + earth, from which all things proceed, is female. Even in the mythology of + the Finns, Lapps, and Esths, Mother Earth is the divinity adored. Tylor + calls attention to the same idea in the mythology of England, + </p> + <p> + "from the days when the Anglo-Saxon called upon the Earth, 'Hal wes thu + folde fira modor' (Hail, thou Earth, men's mother), to the time when + mediaeval Englishmen made a riddle of her asking 'Who is Adam's mother?' + and poetry continued what mythology was letting fall, when Milton's + Archangel promised Adam a life to last + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + '... till like ripe fruit thou drop + Into thy Mother's lap.' "(4) +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 4) Primitive Culture, vol. i., p. 295. +</pre> + <p> + In the old religion the sky was the husband of the earth and the earth was + mother of all the gods.(5) In the traditions of past ages the fact is + clearly perceived that there was a time when the mother was not only the + one recognized parent on earth, but that the female principle was + worshipped as the more important creative force throughout Nature. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 5) Max Muller, Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 279. +</pre> + <p> + Doubtless the worship of the female energy prevailed under the matriarchal + system, and was practised at a time when women were the recognized heads + of families and when they were regarded as the more important factors in + human society. The fact has been shown in a previous work that after women + began to leave their homes at marriage, and after property, especially + land, had fallen under the supervision and control of men, the latter, as + they manipulated all the necessaries of life and the means of supplying + them, began to regard themselves as superior beings, and later, to claim + that as a factor in reproduction, or creation, the male was the more + important. With this change the ideas of a Deity also began to undergo a + modification. The dual principle necessary to creation, and which had + hitherto been worshipped as an indivisible unity, began gradually to + separate into its individual elements, the male representing spirit, the + moving or forming force in the generative processes, the female being + matter—the instrument through which spirit works. Spirit which is + eternal had produced matter which is destructible. The fact will be + observed that this doctrine prevails to a greater or less extent in the + theologies of the present time. + </p> + <p> + A little observation and reflection will show us that during this change + in the ideas relative to a creative principle, or God, descent and the + rights of succession which had hitherto been reckoned through the mother + were changed from the female to the male line, the father having in the + meantime become the only recognized parent. In the Eumenides of Aeschylus, + the plea of Orestes in extenuation of his crime is that he is not of kin + to his mother. Euripides, also, puts into the mouth of Apollo the same + physiological notion, that she who bears the child is only its nurse. The + Hindoo Code of Menu, which, however, since its earliest conception, has + undergone numberless mutilations to suit the purposes of the priests, + declares that "the mother is but the field which brings forth the plant + according to whatsoever seed is sown." + </p> + <p> + Although, through the accumulation of property in masses and the capture + of women for wives, men had succeeded in gaining the ascendancy, and + although the doctrine had been propounded that the father is the only + parent, thereby reversing the established manner of reckoning descent, + still, as we shall hereafter observe, thousands of years were required to + eliminate the female element from the god-idea. + </p> + <p> + We must not lose sight of the fact that human society was first organized + and held together by means of the gens, at the head of which was a woman. + The several members of this organization were but parts of one body + cemented together by the pure principle of maternity, the chief duty of + these members being to defend and protect each other if needs be with + their life blood. The fact has been observed, in an earlier work, that + only through the gens was the organization of society possible. Without it + mankind could have accomplished nothing toward its own advancement. + </p> + <p> + Thus, throughout the earlier ages of human existence, at a time when + mankind lived nearer to Nature and before individual wealth and the + stimulation of evil passions had engendered superstition, selfishness, and + distrust, the maternal element constituted not only the binding and + preserving principle in human society, but, together with the power to + bring forth, constituted also the god-idea, which idea, as has already + been observed, at a certain stage in the history of the race was portrayed + by a female figure with a child in her arms. + </p> + <p> + From all sources of information at hand are to be derived evidences of the + fact that the earliest religion of which we have any account was pure + Nature-worship, that whatever at any given time might have been the object + adored, whether it were the earth, a tree, water, or the sun, it was + simply as an emblem of the great energizing agency in Nature. The moving + or forming force in the universe constituted the god-idea. The figure of a + mother with her child signified not only the power to bring forth, but + Perceptive Wisdom, or Light, as well. + </p> + <p> + As through a study of Comparative Ethnology, or through an investigation + into the customs, traditions, and mythoses of extant races in the various + stages of development, have been discovered the beginnings of the + religious idea and the mental qualities which among primitive races + prompted worship, so, also, through extinct tongues and the symbolism used + in religious rites and ceremonies, many of the processes have been + unearthed whereby the original and beautiful conceptions of the Deity, and + the worship inspired by the operations of Nature, and especially the + creative functions in human beings gradually became obscured by the + grossest ideas and the vilest practices. The symbols which appear in + connection with early religious rites and ceremonies, and under which are + veiled the conceptions of a still earlier and purer age, when compared + with subsequently developed notions relative to the same objects, indicate + plainly the change which has been wrought in the original ideas relative + to the creative functions, and furnish an index to the direction which + human development, or growth, has taken. + </p> + <p> + As the human race constructs its own gods, and as by the conceptions + involved in the deities worshipped at any given time in the history of + mankind we are able to form a correct estimate of the character, + temperament, and aspirations of the worshippers, so the history of the + gods of the race, as revealed to us through the means of symbols, + monumental records, and the investigation of extinct tongues, proves that + from a stage of Nature worship and a pure and rational conception of the + creative forces in the universe, mankind, in course of time, degenerated + into mere devotees of sensual pleasure. With the corruption of human + nature and the decline of mental power which followed the supremacy of the + animal instincts, the earlier abstract idea of God was gradually lost + sight of, and man himself in the form of a potentate or ruler, together + with the various emblems of virility, came to be worshipped as the + Creator. From adorers of an abstract creative principle, mankind had + lapsed into worshippers of the symbols under which this principle had been + veiled. + </p> + <p> + Although at certain stages in the history of the human race the evils, + which as a result of the supremacy of the ruder elements developed in + mankind had befallen the race were lamented and bewailed, they could not + be suppressed. Man had become a lost and ruined creature. The golden age + had passed away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. TREE, PLANT, AND FRUIT WORSHIP. + </h2> + <p> + When mankind first began to perceive the fact of an all-pervading agency + throughout Nature, by or through which everything is produced, and when + they began to speculate on the origin of life and the final cause and + destiny of things, it is not in the least remarkable that various objects + and elements, such as fire, air, water, trees, etc., should in their turn + have been venerated as in some special manner embodying the divine + essence. Neither is it surprising although this universal agency was + regarded as one, or as a dual entity, they should have recognized its + manifold expressions or manifestations. + </p> + <p> + To primitive man, the visible sources whence proceeded his daily + sustenance doubtless constituted the first objects of his regard and + adoration. Hence, in addition to the homage paid to the earth, in due + course of time would be added the worship of trees, upon which the early + race was directly dependent for food. At a time when the art of + agriculture had not been attained, all such trees as yielded their fruit + for the support of the human race, and which afforded to mankind pleasant + beverages or cooling shade, would come to be regarded as embodying the + universal beneficent principle—the great creating and preserving + agency of Nature, and therefore as proper objects of veneration. + </p> + <p> + According to the Phoenician theogony, "the first gods which were + worshipped by oblations and sacrifices were the fruits of the earth, on + which they and their descendants lived as their forefathers had done." + </p> + <p> + Although, after the art of agriculture had been developed, mankind was + gradually relieved from its past dependence on the tree as a means of + support, it nevertheless continued to be regarded with veneration as an + emblem of creative power or of productive energy. + </p> + <p> + Among the traditions and monuments of nearly every country of the globe + are to be found traces of a sacred tree—a Tree of Life. In various + countries there appear two traditional trees, the one typical of the + continuation of physical life, the other representing spiritual life, or + the life of the soul. After the age of pure Nature-worship had passed, + however, and serpent, fire, and phallic faiths had been introduced, the + original signification of the tree, like that of all other religious + emblems, became considerably changed. Through its energies, or life-giving + properties, existence had long been maintained, and for this reason, as + has already been observed, it became an object of veneration; but, after + the reproductive power in man had risen to the dignity of a supreme God, + the tree, to the masses of the people, became a symbol of the physical, + life-giving energy in mortals and in animals. In other words, it became a + phallic emblem representing the continuation of existence, or the power to + reproduce or continue life on the earth. As a religious symbol it became + the traditional Tree of Life. + </p> + <p> + The tree, like nearly every other object in nature, was and still is, in + various parts of the world, either female or male, and all ideas connected + with it are sacred and closely interwoven with sex. + </p> + <p> + The extent to which trees have been venerated in past ages seems to be + little understood, and there are doubtless few persons, at the present + time, who would willingly believe that all along the religious stream, + from its source to its latest developed branches, are to be observed + traces of this ancient worship, which, in its earliest stages, was simply + a recognition of Nature's bounties. + </p> + <p> + Barlow, in his work on Symbolism, says that "the most generally received + symbol of life is a tree—as also the most appropriate." + </p> + <p> + Again the same writer observes: "Besides the monumental evidence thus + furnished of a sacred tree, or Tree of Life, there is an historical and + traditional evidence of the same thing, found in the early literature of + various nations, in the customs, and popular usages."(6) As tree- and + sun-worship, or the adoration of Nature's processes, finally became + interwoven with phallic faiths, its history can be understood only after + these later developments in the religious stream have been examined, or + after the true significance of the serpent as a religious emblem, and the + various ideas connected with the traditional Tree of Life, have been + exposed. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 6) Essays on Symbolism, p. 84. +</pre> + <p> + The palm, the pine, the oak, the banian, or bo, and many other species of + trees, have, at different times, and by various nations, been invested + with divine honors; but, in oriental countries, by far the most sacred + among them is the Ficus Religiosa, or the holy bo tree of India. Something + of the true significance of the traditional Tree of Life may be observed + in the ideas connected with the worship of this emblem. The fig, when + planted with the palm, as it frequently is in the East, near temples and + holy shrines, is regarded as a peculiarly sacred object. When entwining + the palm, which is male, it is always female; from their embrace Kalpia, + or passion, is developed. This union causes the continuation of existence + and the "revolutions of time." The whole constitutes the Tree of Life. + </p> + <p> + In Ceylon, there stands at the present time a tree which we are told is + still worshipped by every follower of Buddha. It is a sacred bo, or Ficus + Religiosa, which stands adjacent to an ancient holy shrine known as the + Brazen Monastery, now in ruins. Of this tree Forlong remarks: + </p> + <p> + "Though now amidst ruins and wild forests, and although having stood thus + in solitary desolation for some 1500 years, yet there it still grows, and + is worshipped and deeply revered by more millions of our race than any + other god, prophet, or idol, which the world has ever seen."(7) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 7) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 35. +</pre> + <p> + This tree is sacred to Sakyu Mooni, is 2200 years old, and is said to be a + slip from a tree planted by Bood Gaya, one of the three former Buddhas + who, like Sakyu Mooni, visited Ceylon. Under the parent of this tree the + great prophet reposed after he had attained perfect rest, or after he had + overcome the flesh and become Buddha. It was under a bo tree that Mai, + Queen of Heaven, brought him forth, and, in fact, very many of the most + important incidents of his life are closely connected with this sacred + emblem. + </p> + <p> + In an allusion to the bo tree of Ceylon, a slip of which is said to have + been carried from India to that island by a certain priestess in the year + 307 B.C., Forlong observes: + </p> + <p> + "This wonderful idol has furnished shoots to half Asia, and every shoot is + trained as much as possible like the parent, and like it, also, enclosed + and tended. Men watch and listen for signs and sounds from this holy tree + just as the priests of Dodona did beneath their rustling oaks, and, as + many people, even of these somewhat sceptical days, still do, beneath the + pulpits of their pope, priest, or other oracle."(8) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 8) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p, 36. +</pre> + <p> + The sacred Ficus is worshipped in India and in many of the Polynesian + islands. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the palm, Inman assures us that it is emblematical of the active + male energy, or the continuation of existence.(9) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 9) Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. ii., p. 448. +</pre> + <p> + Within the legends underlying the Jewish religion, it will be remembered + that the tree appears mysteriously connected with the beginning of life + and is interwoven with the first ideas of human action and experience. The + literal sense, however, of the allegory in Genesis concerning the woman, + the tree, and the serpent, and its meaning as generally accepted by laymen + and the uneducated among the priesthood, has little in common with its + true significance as understood by the initiated. + </p> + <p> + In Vedic times, the home tree was worshipped as a god, and to the + exhilarating properties in its juice was ascribed that subtle quality + which was regarded as the life-giving, or creative, energy supposed to + reside in heat, and which was closely connected with passion or + procreative energy. This quality was their Bacchus, Dionysos, or god-idea—the + creator not alone of physical existence, but of good and evil as well. It + was the Destroyer, yet the Regenerator, of life. + </p> + <p> + Of the Zoroastrian home, or sacred tree, which by the Persians was + worshipped for thousands of years, Layard remarks: "The plant or its + product was called the mystical body of God, the living water or food of + eternal life, when duly consecrated and administered according to + Zoroastrian rites." It has been suggested, and not without reason, that to + this idea of the ancients, respecting the sacred character of the + properties of the home juice, may be traced the "origin of the celebration + of Jewish holy or paschal suppers and other eucharistic rites." + </p> + <p> + Although by the ancients water was sometimes regarded as the original + principle, later, wine, or the intoxicating quality within it, came to + constitute the god-idea. It was spirit, while water was matter; hence, in + the sacraments, water and wine were commingled, wine representing the + essence or blood of God; water, at the same time, standing for the people. + Cyprian, the bishop martyr, while contending for the use of wine in the + Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, makes use of the following argument: + </p> + <p> + "The Holy Spirit also is not silent in the Psalms on the sacrament of this + thing, when He makes mention of the Lord's Cup, and says 'Thy intoxicating + cup how excellent it is!' Now the cup which intoxicates is assuredly + mingled with wine, for water cannot intoxicate anybody. And the Cup of the + Lord in such wise inebriates, as Noe also was intoxicated drinking wine in + Genesis. ... For because Christ bore us all, in that he also bore our + sins, we see that in the water is understood the people, but in the wine + is showed the blood of Christ.... Thus, therefore, in consecrating the Cup + of the Lord, water alone cannot be offered, even as wine alone cannot be + offered. For if anyone offer wine only, the blood of Christ is dissociated + from us; but if the water be alone, the people are dissociated from + Christ."(10) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 10) Epistles of Cyprian, vol. i., pp. 215-217. +</pre> + <p> + The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, at which wine is mysteriously + converted into the essence of Deity, or into the blood of Christ, is + without doubt a relic of the idea once entertained regarding the homa + tree. Certain writers entertain the opinion that from the use of the + sacred homa juice have arisen various religious practices and rites, such + for instance as offering oblations to the gods, anointing holy stones, and + pouring wine on sacred hills, also the custom of pledging oaths over + glasses of wine. + </p> + <p> + The May pole, a decidedly phallic emblem, whose festivals until a very + recent time were celebrated in England by the old as well as the young, + was usually if not always sprinkled with wine. From the accounts which we + have of this sacred emblem and its festival, it seems that no royal edict + nor priestly denunciation was sufficient to expel it from the country. + </p> + <p> + According to Dr. Stevenson, the festival of Holi or the worship of Holika + Devata, in the island of Ceylon, "has a close resemblance to the English + festival of the May-pole, which originated in a religious ceremony or + festival of the Cushites (called Phoenicians) who anciently occupied + Western Europe."(11) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 11) Quoted by Baldwin, Prehistoric Nations, p. 223. +</pre> + <p> + The ash is the Scandinavian Tree of Life, and, like the sacred trees of + all nations, is emblematical of the continuation of existence. This tree + has a triple root, which peculiarity doubtless accounts for its sacred + character. It is both female and male, and is said to be regarded as a + "sort of Logos or Wisdom." It is the first emanation from the Deity, and + yet a Trinity in Unity. To insult or injure this tree was sacrilege, to + cut it down was an offense punishable with death. + </p> + <p> + In the old Egyptian and Zoroastrian story, appear the descriptions of two + Trees of Life, also a Tree of Knowledge. In the accounts given of these + trees, the Ficus, the female Tree of Life, represents the life of the + soul, while the palm, the male Tree of Life, is that which gives physical + life, which also is the true significance of the word "lord." When, + however, either of these trees stood alone, or unaccompanied by its + counterpart, by it both of the creative principles were understood. By + these ideas is suggested the thought which among a certain school of + psychologists of the present century seems to be gaining ground, namely: + that man is a dual entity, or, in other words, that he has a subjective + mind and an objective self, which so long as this life endures must + co-operate or work together. + </p> + <p> + In the following descriptions of Egyptian emblems, will be perceived some + of the changes which finally took place relative to the idea of sex in the + god-idea. + </p> + <p> + In the museum of Egyptian antiquities in Berlin is a sepulchral tablet + representing the Tree of Life. This emblem figures the trunk of a tree, + from the top of which emerges the bust of a woman—Netpe. She is the + goddess of heavenly existence, and is administering to the deceased the + water and the bread of life, the latter of which is represented by a + substance in the form of cakes or rolls. The time at which this tablet was + found is not known, but it is supposed to belong to the period of the + XIXth dynasty, or about the time of Rameses II., 1400 years B.C. + </p> + <p> + There is also in the Berlin museum another representation of the Egyptian + Tree of Life, in which the trunk has given place to the entire body of a + woman. This, also, is Netpe, who is still spiritual wisdom or the maternal + principle. We are informed by Forlong that Diana was worshipped by the + Amazons under a sacred tree.(12) From this symbol the tree, which grew + first into the figure of a divine woman, and later assumed the form of a + divine man, arose the emblem of the cross. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 12) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 70. +</pre> + <p> + On the Nineveh tablets is pictured a Tree of Life which is surrounded by + winged spirits, bearing in their hands the pine cone, a symbol indicating + life, and which is said to have the same significance as the crux-ansata, + or cross, among the Egyptians. + </p> + <p> + In later ages, the Tree of Life, i. e., the divine man, or cross, or both + together, furnish immortal food to those who lay hold upon them, exactly + in the same manner as did Netpe, the goddess of wisdom, or spiritual life, + in former times. According to the testimony of Barlow, this is the subject + "most frequently symbolized on early Christian sepulchral tablets and + monuments."(13) Christ's body was the "bread of life," and his blood was + the "wine from the Tree of Life," of which to partake was life eternal. + The cross, as in earlier religions, represented completeness of life. The + jambu tree, the Buddhist god-tree, is in the shape of a cross.(14) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 13) Essays on Symbolism, p. 74. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 14) Wilford, Asiatic Researches. +</pre> + <p> + Among the Kelti a tall oak was not only a symbol of the Deity, but it was + Jupiter himself, while the earth from which it sprang was the Great + Mother. Throughout Europe, in all ages, the oak has received divine + honors. The fact that under its branches Jew, Pagan, and Christian alike + swore their most solemn oaths, shows that its veneration was not confined + to any particular nation or locality. + </p> + <p> + The sacredness of the oak among the Druids is well attested by all writers + who have dealt with this interesting people. In Rome its branches formed + the badge of victory worn by conquering heroes, this emblem being the + highest mark of distinction which could be conferred upon them. + </p> + <p> + Forlong assures us that the oak was even more worshipped at the West than + was the sacred Ficus at the East. Like it, the wood of the oak must be + used + </p> + <p> + "to call down the sacred fire from Heaven and gladden in the yule (Suiel + or Seul) log of Christmas-tide even Christian fires, as well as annually + renew with fire direct from Ba-al, on Beltine day, the sacred flame on + every public and private hearth, and this from the temples of Meroe on the + Nile, to the farthest icy forests and mountains of the Sklavonian."(15) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 15) Faiths of Man in All Lands, vol. i., p. 68. +</pre> + <p> + Among the Druids, the mistletoe was also sacred especially when entwining + the oak. Together they represented the Tree of Life, or the two generating + agencies throughout Nature. Of the species of it which grows on the oak, + Borlaise says that they deified the mistletoe and were not to look upon it + but in the most devout and reverential manner: "When the end of the year + approached, they marched with great solemnity to gather the mistletoe of + the oak in order to present it to Jupiter, inviting all the world to + assist in the ceremony."(16) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 16) Borlaise. +</pre> + <p> + According to the Latin writer Pliny, the "Druids have nothing more sacred + than the mistletoe and the tree on which it grows, provided it be an oak." + This plant, which is called All Heal, although sought after with the + greatest religious ardor, is seldom found, but should the people who go + forth at Christmas time in large numbers succeed in finding it they + immediately set about preparing feasts under the tree upon which it grows; + at the same time, in the most solemn manner, two white bulls are brought + forth to be sacrificed. After the feast has been prepared and the + sacrifice made ready, the priest ascends the tree and with a golden + pruning-knife cuts the sacred branches of the mistletoe, dropping them + into a white cloth prepared for the occasion. The bulls are then + sacrificed and a prayer offered that "God would render his own gift + prosperous to those on whom he has bestowed it." They believed that + administered in a potion it would impart fecundity to any barren animal, + and that it was a remedy against all kinds of poison. The branches of the + mistletoe were then distributed among the faithful, each cherishing the + token as the most sacred emblem of his faith. It is thought that the + Christmas tree is a remnant of this custom. + </p> + <p> + Although the Christbaum of the Germans, the Yggdrasill of the + Scandinavians, and the Christmas tree of the English speaking nations are + still regarded as belonging exclusively to Christianity, their birthplace + was the far East, and their origin long anterior to our present era. This + subject will be referred to later in these pages. The palm, which in + course of time became the most sacred tree of Egypt, is said to have put + forth a shoot every month during the year. At Christmas tide, or at the + winter solstice, a branch from this tree was used as a symbol of the + renewal of time or of the birth of the New Year. + </p> + <p> + On the Zodiac of Dendera, preserved in the National Library at Paris, are + two trees, the one representing the East, or India and China, the other, + the West, or Egypt. The former of these trees is putting forth a pair of + leaves and is topped by the emblems of Siva, emblems which indicate the + fructifying powers of Nature, whilst the Egyptian sacred tree, which is + surmounted by the ostrich plume, the emblem of truth, is indicative of + Light, Intelligence, or the life of the soul. In a discourse delivered by + Dr. Stukeley in 1760, attention was directed to the grove of Abraham as + "that famous oak grove of Beersheba, planted by the illustrious prophet + and first Druid—Abraham; and from whom our celebrated British Druids + came, who were of the same patriarchal reformed religion, and brought the + use of sacred groves to Britain."(17) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 17) Barlow, Symbolism, p. 98. +</pre> + <p> + The fact has been ascertained that in Arabia, in very ancient times, there + was a goddess named Azra who was worshipped under the form of a tree + called Samurch, and that in Yemen tree-worship still prevails. To the date + is ascribed divine honors. This tree is said to have its regular priests, + services, rites, and festivals, and is as zealously worshipped as are the + gods of any other country. We are not informed as to whether the Jewish + Tree of Life was borrowed from the Chaldeans or the Egyptians, but, as the + significance is the same in all countries, it is of little consequence + which furnished a copy for the writer in Genesis. + </p> + <p> + In Dr. Inman's Ancient Faiths, is a drawing from the original, by Colonel + Coombs, of the "Temptation," or of the ancient tree-and-serpent myth in + Genesis. This drawing, in which it is observed that the Jewish idea of + woman as tempter is reversed, was copied from the inner walls of a cave in + Southern India. The picture is said to be a faithful representation of the + version of the story as accepted in the East. + </p> + <p> + Of the myrtle, Payne Knight says that it "was a symbol both of Venus and + Neptune, the male and female personifications of the productive powers of + the waters, which appear to have been occasionally employed in the same + sense as the fig and fig leaf." + </p> + <p> + The same writer refers to the fact that instead of beads, wreaths of + foliage, generally of laurel, olive, myrtle, ivy, or oak, appear upon + coins; sometimes encircling the symbolical figures, and sometimes as + chaplets on their heads. According to Strabo, each of these is sacred to + some particular personification of the Deity, and "significant of some + particular attribute, and in general, all evergreens were Dionysiac + plants, that is, symbols of the generative power, signifying perpetuity of + youth and vigor." The crowns of laurel, olive, etc., with which the + victors in the Roman triumphs and Grecian games were honored, were emblems + of immortality, and not merely transitory marks of occasional + distinction.(18) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 18) Payne Knight, Symbolism of Ancient Art. We are informed that this +book was never sold, but only given away. Although a copy of it was +formerly in the British Museum, care was taken by the trustees to keep +it out of the catalogues. +</pre> + <p> + The tree and serpent, according to Ferguson, are symbolized in all + religious systems which the world has ever known. The two together are + typical of the processes of reproduction or generation. They also + symbolize good and evil and the cause which underlies the decline of + virtue. + </p> + <p> + Among the numberless fruits which from time to time have been regarded as + divine emblems, the principal are perhaps the fig, the pomegranate, the + mandrake, the almond, and the olive. The peculiarly sacred character which + we find attached to the fig ceases to be a mystery so soon as we remember + that the organs of generation, male and female, had, in process of time, + come to be objects of worship and that the fig was the emblem of the + latter. + </p> + <p> + A basket of this fruit is said to have been the most acceptable offering + to the god Bacchus, and therefore, by his devotees, was regarded as the + most sacred symbol. The favorite material for phallic devices was the wood + of the sacred fig, for it was by rubbing together pieces of it that holy + fire was supposed to be drawn from heaven. By holy fire, however, was + meant not so much the natural visible element which was kindled, as that + subtle substance contained in fire or heat which was supposed to contain + the life principle, and which was sent in response to the cravings of + pious devotees for procreative energy, which blessing, among various + peoples, notably the Jews, was indicative of special divine favor. + </p> + <p> + By pagans, Jews, and Christians, the pomegranate has long been regarded as + a sacred emblem. It is a symbol of reproductive energy. Representations of + it were embroidered on the Ephod, and Solomon's Temple is reported as + having been literally covered with decorations, in which, among the + devices noticed, this particular fruit appears the most conspicuous. Its + significance, as revealed by Inman and other writers, is too gross to be + set forth in these pages. + </p> + <p> + Among the most sacred plants or flowers were the lotus and the fleur de + lis, both of which were venerated because of some real or fancied organic + sexual peculiarity. The lotus is adored as the female principle throughout + Nature, or as the "womb of all creation," and is sacred throughout + oriental countries. It is said to be androgynous or hermaphrodite—hence + its peculiarly sacred character. + </p> + <p> + It has long been thought that this lily is produced without the aid of the + male pollen, hence it would seem to be an appropriate emblem for that + ancient sect which worshipped the female as the more important creative + energy. + </p> + <p> + Of the lotus, Inman remarks: "Amongst fourteen kinds of food and flowers + presented to the Sanskrit God Anata, the lotus only is indispensable." + This emblem, as we have seen, was the symbol of the Great Mother, and we + are assured that it was "little less sacred than the Queen of Heaven + herself." + </p> + <p> + Regarding the lotus and its universal significance as a religious emblem, + Payne Knight says: + </p> + <p> + "The lotus is the Nelumbo of Linnaeus. This plant grows in the water, and + amongst its broad leaves puts forth a flower, in the center of which is + formed the seed vessel, shaped like a bell or inverted cone, and punctured + on the top with little cavities or cells, in which the seeds grow. The + orifices of these cells being too small to let the seeds drop out when + ripe, they shoot forth into new plants, in the places where they were + formed, the bulb of the vessel serving as a matrix to nourish them until + they acquire such a degree of magnitude as to burst it open and release + themselves, after which, like other aquatic weeds, they take root wherever + the current deposits them. This plant, therefore, being thus productive of + itself, and vegetating from its own matrix, without being fostered in the + earth, was naturally adopted as the symbol of the productive power of the + waters, upon which the creative spirit of the Creator operated in giving + life and vegetation to matter. We accordingly find it employed in every + part of the Northern hemisphere, where the symbolical religion improperly + called idolatry does or did prevail. The sacred images of the Tartars, + Japanese, and Indians are almost all placed upon it, of which numerous + instances occur in the publication of Kaempfer, Sonnerat, etc: The Brama + of India is represented sitting upon a lotus throne, and the figures upon + the Isaic table hold the stem of this plant, surmounted by the seed vessel + in one hand, and the cross representing the male organs in the other: thus + signifying the universal power, both active and passive, attributed to + that goddess."(19) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 19) Symbolism of Ancient Art. +</pre> + <p> + The lotus is the most sacred and the most significant symbol connected + with the sacred mysteries of the East. Upon this subject, Maurice observes + that there is no plant which has received such a degree of honor as has + the lotus. It was the consecrated symbol of the Great Mother who had + brought forth the fecundative energies, female and male. Not only + throughout the Northern hemisphere was it everywhere held in profound + veneration, but among the modern Egyptians it is still worshipped as + symbolical of the Great First Cause. The lotus was the emblem venerated in + the solemn celebration of the Mysteries of Eleusis in Greece and the + Phiditia in Carthage. + </p> + <p> + In referring to the degree of homage paid to the lotus by the ancients, + Higgins says: "And we shall find in the sequel that it still continues to + receive the respect, if not the adoration, of a great part of the + Christian world, unconscious, perhaps, of the original reason of their + conduct." It is a significant fact that in nearly all the sacred paintings + of the Christians in the galleries throughout Europe, especially those of + the Annunciation, a lily is always to be observed. In later ages as the + original significance of the lotus was lost, any lily came to be + substituted. Godfrey Higgins is sure that although the priests of the + Romish Church are at the present time ignorant of the true meaning of the + lotus, or lily, "it is, like many other very odd things, probably + understood at the Vatican, or the Crypt of St. Peter's."(20) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 20) Anacalypsis, book vii., ch. xi. +</pre> + <p> + Of the lotus of the Hindoos Nimrod says: + </p> + <p> + "The lotus is a well-known allegory, of which the expanse calyx represents + the ships of the gods floating on the surface of the water, and the erect + flower arising out of it, the mast thereof... but as the ship was Isis or + Magna Mater, the female principle, and the mast in it the male deity, + these parts of the flower came to have certain other significations, which + seem to have been as well known at Samosata as at Benares."(21) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 21) Quoted in Anacalypsis. +</pre> + <p> + In other words it was a phallic emblem and represented the creative + processes throughout Nature. Susa, the name of the capital of the + Cushites, or ancient Ethiopians, meant "the City of Lilies." In India the + lotus frequently appears among phallic devices in place of the sacred + Yoni. From the foregoing pages the fact will be observed that the God of + the ancients embodied the two creative agencies throughout the universe, + but as nothing could exist without a mother, the great Om who was the + indivisible God and the Creator of the sun was the mother of these two + principles, while the Tree of Life was the original life-giving energy + upon the earth, represented in the creation myths of the first man Adam, + and the first woman Eve or Adama. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the ages, this force, or creative agency has been symbolized in + various ways, many of which have been noted in the foregoing pages. We + have observed that notwithstanding the fact that the supremacy of the male + had been established, the sacred Yoni and the lotus were still reverenced + as symbols of the most exalted God. Finally, when the masculine energy + began to be worshipped as the more important agency in reproduction, the + female, although still necessary to complete the god-idea, was veiled. + </p> + <p> + Among the sect known as Lingaites, those who adored the male creative + power, Man, Phallus, and Creator in religious symbolism signified one and + the same thing in the minds of the people. Each represented a Tree of + Life, the beginning and end of all things. + </p> + <p> + Tree-worship was condemned by the councils of Tours, Nantes, and Auxerre, + and in the XIth century it was forbidden in England by the laws of Canute, + but these edicts seem to have had little effect. In referring to this + subject, Barlow says: "In the XVIIIth century it existed in Livonia, and + traces of it may still be found in the British Isles."(22) The vast area + over which tree- and plant-worship once extended, and the tenacity with + which it still clings to the human race, indicate the hold which, at an + earlier age in the history of mankind, it had taken upon the religious + feelings of mankind. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 22) Essays on Symbolism, p. 118. +</pre> + <p> + So closely has this worship become entwined with that of serpent and + phallic faiths, that it is impossible to consider it, even in a brief + manner, without anticipating these later developments; yet linked with + earth- and sun-worship, it doubtless prevailed for many ages absolutely + unconnected with the grosser ideas with which it subsequently became + associated. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. SUN-WORSHIP—FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES IN THE SUN. + </h2> + <p> + "When we inquire into the worship of nations in the earliest periods to + which we have access by writing or tradition, we find that the adoration + of one God, without temples or images, universally prevailed."(23) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 23) Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids. +</pre> + <p> + Underlying all the ancient religions of which we have any account, may be + observed the great energizing force throughout Nature recognized and + reverenced as the Deity. This force embraces not only the creative + energies in human beings, in animals, and in plants, but in the earlier + ages of human history it included also Wisdom, or Law—that "power by + which all things are discriminated or defined and held in their proper + places." The most renowned writers who have dealt with this subject agree + in the conclusion that, during thousands of years among all the nations of + the earth, only one God was worshipped. This God was Light and Life, both + of which proceeded from the sun, or more properly speaking were symbolized + by the sun. + </p> + <p> + In Egyptian hymns the Creator is invoked as the being who "dwells + concealed in the sun"; and Greek writers speak of this luminary as the + "generator and nourisher of all things, the ruler of the world." It is + thought, however, that neither of these nations worshipped the corporeal + sun. It was the "centre or body from which the pervading spirit, the + original producer of order, fertility, and organization, continued to + emanate to preserve the mighty structure which it had formed." + </p> + <p> + It is evident that at an early age, both in Egypt and in India, + spiritualized conceptions of sun-worship had already been formed. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that Netpe, the Goddess of Light, or Heavenly Wisdom, + conferred spiritual life on all who would accept it. The Great Mother of + the Gods in India was not only the source whence all blessings flow, but + she was the Beginning and the End of all things. + </p> + <p> + Of "Aditi, the boundless, the yonder, the beyond all and everything," Max + Muller says that in later times she "may have become identified with the + sky, also with the earth, but originally she was far beyond the sky and + the earth."(24) The same writer quotes the following, also from a hymn of + the Rig-Veda: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 24) Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 221. +</pre> + <p> + "O Mitra and Varuna, you mount your chariot which, at the dawning of the + dawn is golden-colored and has iron poles at the setting of the sun; from + thence you see Aditi and Diti—that is, what is yonder and what is + here, what is infinite and what is finite, what is mortal and what is + immortal."(25) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 25) Ibid. +</pre> + <p> + Aditi is the Great She that Is, the Everlasting. Muller refers to the fact + that another Hindoo poet "speaks of the dawn as the face of Aditi; thus + indicating that Aditi is here not the dawn itself, but something beyond + the dawn." This Goddess, who is designated as the "Oldest," is implored + "not only to drive away darkness and enemies that lurk in the dark, but + likewise to deliver man from any sin which he may have committed." "May + Aditi by day protect our cattle, may she, who never deceives, protect us + from evil." + </p> + <p> + In the Egyptian as in the Indian and Hebrew religions, the two generating + principles throughout Nature represent the Infinite, the Holy of Holies, + the Elohim or Aleim—the Ieue. Within the records of the earliest + religions of Ethiopia or Arabia, Chaldea, Assyria, and Babylonia, is + revealed the same monad principle in the Deity. This monad conception, or + dual unity, this God of Light and Life, or of Wisdom and generative force, + is the same source whence all mythologies have sprung, and, as has been + stated, among all peoples the fact is observed that the religious idea has + followed substantially the same course of development, or growth. Within + the sacred writings of the Hindoos there is but one Almighty Power, + usually denominated as Brahm or Brahme—Om or Aum. This word in India + was regarded with the same degree of veneration as was the sacred Ieue of + the Jews. In later ages, the fact is being proved that this God, into whom + all the deities worshipped at a certain period in human history resolve + themselves, is the sun, or if not the actual corporeal sun, then the + supreme agency within it which was acknowledged as the great creative or + life-force—that dual principle which by the early races was + recognized as Elohim, Om, Ormuzd, etc., and from which the productive + power in human beings, in plants, and in animals was thought to emanate. + </p> + <p> + Prior to the development of either tree or phallic worship, the sun as an + emblem of the Deity had doubtless become the principal object of + veneration. Ages would probably elapse before primitive man would observe + that all life is dependent on the warmth of the sun's rays, or before from + experience he would perceive the fact that to its agency as well as to + that of the earth he was indebted both for food and the power of motion. + However, as soon as this knowledge had been gained, the great orb of day + would assume the most prominent place among the objects of his regard and + adoration. That such has been the case, that the sun, either as the actual + Creator, or as an emblem of the great energizing force in Nature, has been + worshipped by every nation of the globe, there is no lack of evidence to + prove; neither do we lack proof to establish the fact that, since the + adoption of the sun as a divine object, or perhaps I should say as the + emblem of Wisdom and creative power, it has never been wholly eliminated + from the god-idea of mankind. + </p> + <p> + Bryant produces numberless etymological proofs to establish the fact that + all the early names of the Deity were derived or compounded from some word + which originally meant the sun. + </p> + <p> + Max Muller says that Surya was the sun as shining in the sky. Savitri was + the sun as bringing light and life. Vishnu was the sun as striding with + three steps across the sky, etc. + </p> + <p> + Inman, whose etymological researches have given him considerable + prominence as a Sanskrit and Hebrew scholar, says that Ra, Ilos, Helos, + Bil, Baal, Al, Allah, and Elohim were names given to the sun as + representative of the Creator. + </p> + <p> + We are assured by Godfrey Higgins that Brahme is the sun the same as + Surya. Brahma sprang from the navel of Brahme. Faber in his Pagan Idolatry + says that all the gods of the ancients "melt insensibly into one, they are + all equally the sun." The word Apollo signifies the author or generator of + Light. In the Rig Veda, Surya, the sun, is called Aditya. "Truly, Surya, + thou art great; truly Aditya, thou art great." + </p> + <p> + Selden observes that whether the gods be called Osiris, or Omphis, or + Nilus, or any other name, they all center in the sun. + </p> + <p> + According to Diodorus Siculus, it was the belief of the ancients that + Dionysos, Osiris, Serapis, Pan, Jupiter and Pluto were all one. They were, + the sun. + </p> + <p> + Max Muller says that a very low race in India named the Santhals call the + sun Chandro, which means "bright." These people declared to the + missionaries who settled among them, that Chandro had created the world; + and when told that it would be absurd to say that the sun had created the + world, they replied: "We do not mean the visible Chandro, but an invisible + one." + </p> + <p> + Not only did Dionysos, and all the rest of the gods who in later ages came + to be regarded as men, represent the sun, but after the separation of the + male and female elements in the originally indivisible God, Maut or + Minerva, Demeter, Ceres, Isis, Juno, and others less important in the + pagan world were also the sun, or, in other words, they represented the + female power throughout the universe which was supposed to reside in the + sun. + </p> + <p> + In most groups of Babylonian and Assyrian divine emblems, there occur two + distinct representations of the sun, "one being figured with four rays or + divisions within the orb, and the other, with eight." According to George + Rawlinson, these figures represent a distinction between the male and + female powers residing within the sun, the quartered disk signifying the + male energy, and the eight-rayed orb appearing as the emblem of the + female!(26) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 26) Essay x. +</pre> + <p> + During an earlier age of human history, prior to the dissensions which + arose over the relative importance of the sexes in reproduction, and at a + time when a mother and her child represented the Deity, the sun was + worshiped as the female Jove. Everything in the universe was a part of + this great God. At that time there had been no division in the god-idea. + The Creator constituted a dual but indivisible unity. Dionysos formerly + represented this God, as did also Om, Jove, Mithras, and others. Jove was + the "Great Virgin" whence everything proceeds. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Jove first exists, whose thunders roll above, + Jove last, Jove midmost, all proceeds from Jove; + Female is Jove, Immortal Jove is male; + Jove the broad Earth, the heavens irradiate pale. + Jove is the boundless Spirit, Jove the Fire, + That warms the world with feeling and desire." +</pre> + <p> + In a former work the fact has been mentioned that the first clue obtained + by Herr Bachofen, author of Das Mutterrecht, to a former condition of + society under which gynaecocracy, or the social and political pre-eminence + of women, prevailed, was the importance attached to the female principle + in the Deity in all ancient mythologies. + </p> + <p> + According to the testimony of various writers, Om, although comprehending + both elements of the Deity, was nevertheless female in signification. Sir + William Jones observes that Om means oracle—matrix or womb.(27) Upon + this subject Godfrey Higgins, quoting from Drummond, remarks: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 27) See Anacalypsis, book iii., ch. ii. +</pre> + <p> + "The word Om or Am in the Hebrew not only signifies might, strength, + power, firmness, solidity, truth, but it means also Mother, as in Genesis + ii., 24, and Love, whence the Latin Amo, Mamma. If the word be taken to + mean strength, then Amon will mean (the first syllable being in regimine) + the temple of the strength of the generative or creative power, or the + temple of the mighty procreative power. If the word Am means Mother, then + a still more recondite idea will be implied, viz.: the mother generative + power, or the maternal generative power: perhaps the Urania of Persia or + the Venus Aphrodite of Crete and Greece, or the Jupiter Genetrix of the + masculine and feminine gender, or the Brahme Mai of India, or the Alma + Venus of Lucretius. And the City of On or Heliopolis will be the City of + the sun, or City of the procreative powers of nature of which the sun was + always an emblem." + </p> + <p> + According to Prof. W. R. Smith, Om means uniting or binding, a fact which + is explained by the early significance of the mother element in early + society. The name of the great Deity Om or Aum scarcely passes the lips of + its worshippers, and when it is pronounced is always reverently whispered. + Regarding the mystic word Om, we are told that it is the name given to + Delphi, and that "Delphi has the meaning of the female organs of + generation called in India the Os Minxoe." + </p> + <p> + Although the great God of India was female and male, yet we are assured by + Forlong that the female energy Maya, Queen of Heaven, even at the present + time is more heard of than the male principle. + </p> + <p> + According to Bryant, the worship of Ham is the most ancient as well as the + most universal of any in the world. This writer remarks that Ham, instead + of representing an individual, is but a Greek corruption of Om or Aum, the + great androgynous God of India, a God which is identical in significance + with Aleim, Vesta, and all the other representatives of the early dual, + universal power. "In the old language God was called Al, Ale, Alue, and + Aleim, more frequently Aleim than any other name." According to the + testimony of Higgins, Aleim denotes the feminine plural. The heathen + divinities Ashtaroth and Beelzebub were both called Aleim, Ashtaroth being + simply Astarte adorned with the horns of a ram. Ishtar not unfrequently + appears with the horns of a cow. We are informed by Inman that whenever a + goddess is observed with horns—emblems which by the way always + indicate masculine power—it is to denote the fact that she is + androgynous, or that within her is embodied the complete Deity—the + dual reproductive energy throughout Nature. The "figure becomes the emblem + of divinity and power."(28) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 28) Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., p. 311. +</pre> + <p> + Mithras—the Savior, the great Persian Deity which was worshipped as + the "Preserver," was both female and male. Among the representations of + this divinity which appear in the Townley collection in the British + Museum, is one in which it is figured in its female character, in the act + of killing the bull. The Divinity Baal was both female and male. The God + of the Jews in an early stage of their career was called Baal. The + oriental Ormuzd was also dual or androgynous. + </p> + <p> + Orpheus teaches that the divine nature is both female and male. According + to Proclus, Jupiter was an immortal maid, "the Queen of Heaven, and Mother + of the Gods." All things were contained within the womb of Jupiter. This + Virgin within whom was embodied the male principle "gave light and life to + Eve." She was the life-giving, energizing power in Nature, and was + identical with Aleim, Om, Astarte, and others. The Goddess Esta, or Vesta, + or Hestia, whom Plato calls the "soul of the body of the universe," is + believed by Beverly and others to be the Self-Existent, the Great "She + that Is" of the Hindoos, whose significance is identical with the Cushite + or Phoenician Deity, Aleim. + </p> + <p> + According to Marco Polo, the Chinese had but one supreme God of whom they + had no image, and to whom they prayed for only two things—"a sound + mind in a sound body." They had, however, a lesser god—probably the + same as the "Lord" (masculine) of the Jews, to whom they petitioned for + rain, fair weather, and all the minor accessories of existence. Upon the + walls of the houses of the Chinese is a tablet to which they pay their + devotion. On this tablet is the name of the "high, celestial, and supreme + God." The principal word which this tablet contains is "Tien." Of this + Chinese Deity Barlow says: "The Chinese recognize in Tienhow, the Queen of + Heaven nursing her infant son." Connected with this figure is a lotus bud, + symbol of the new birth. + </p> + <p> + Originally in Chaldea and in Egypt, only one supreme God was worshipped. + This Deity was figured by a mother and her child, as was the great Chinese + God. It comprehended the universe and all the attributes of the Deity. It + was worshipped thousands of years prior to the birth of Mary, the Mother + of Christ, and representations of it are still extant, not only in + oriental lands, but in many countries of Europe. Within the oldest temples + of Egypt are still to be observed sacred apartments which contain the + "Holy of Holies," and to which, in past ages, none might gain access but + priests and priestesses of the highest order. Within these apartments are + pictured the mysteries of birth, together with the symbols of generation + emblems of procreation. + </p> + <p> + On the banks of the river Nile are observed the ruins of the temple of + Philae, which structure, it is said, represents the most ancient style of + architecture. Within these ruins is to be seen an inner chamber in which + are depicted the birth scenes of the child god Horus, and, indeed, + everywhere among the monuments and ruins of Egypt, is plainly visible the + fact that the creative power and functions in human beings, in animals, + and in vegetable life, together with Wisdom, once constituted the + god-idea. + </p> + <p> + Between the ruins of the palace of Amunoph III. and the Nile are two + colossal statues, each hewn from a single block of stone. These figures, + although in a sitting posture, are sixty feet high. It is thought that + they once formed the entrance to an avenue of similar figures leading up + to the palace. It has been supposed that the most northern statue + represents Ammon, and that its companion piece is his Mother. It is now + believed by many writers, however, that these figures do not represent two + persons at all, but that in a remote age of the world's history they were + worshipped as the two great principles, female and male, which animate + Nature. The fact has been observed that Am or Om was originally a female + Deity, within whom was contained the male principle; when, however, + through the changes wrought in the relative positions of the sexes, the + male element in the Divinity adored came to be represented as a man + instead of as a child, he was Ammon. He was the sun, yet notwithstanding + the fact that he had drawn to himself the powers of the sun, he was still, + himself, only a production of or emanation from the female Deity Om, + Mother of the Gods and Queen of Heaven. She it was who had created or + brought forth the sun. + </p> + <p> + There is a tradition which asserts that every morning a melodious sound is + emitted from the first named of these two colossal figures as he salutes + his rosy-fingered Mother whom he acknowledges as the source of all Light + and Wisdom. The bodies are described as being "without motion, the faces + without expression, the eyes looking straight forward, yet a certain grand + simplicity occasions them to be universally admired." + </p> + <p> + The Goddess Disa or Isa of the North, as delineated on the sacred drums of + the Laplanders, was accompanied by a child similar to the Horus of the + Egyptians.(29) It is observed also that the ancient Muscovites worshipped + a sacred group composed of a mother and her children, probably a + representation of the Egyptian Isis and her offspring, or at least of the + once universal idea of the Deity. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 29) Jennings, Phallicism. +</pre> + <p> + The following is from Payne Knight: + </p> + <p> + "A female Pantheitic figure in silver, with the borders of the drapery + plated with gold, and the whole finished in a manner surpassing almost + anything extant, was among the things found at Macon on the Saone, in the + year 1764, and published by Caylus. It represents Cybele, the universal + mother, with the mural crown on her head, and the wings of pervasion + growing from her shoulders, mixing the productive elements of heat and + moisture by making a libation upon the flames of an altar. On each side of + her head is one of the Discouri, signifying the alternate influence of the + diurnal and nocturnal Sun; and, upon a crescent supported by the tips of + her wings, are the seven planets, each signified by a bust of its + presiding deity resting upon a globe, and placed in the order of the days + of the week named after them. + </p> + <p> + "In her left hand she holds two cornucopiae, to signify the result of her + operation on the two hemispheres of the Earth; and upon them are the busts + of Apollo and Diana, the presiding deities of these hemispheres, with a + golden disk, intersected by two transverse lines, such as is observed on + other pieces of ancient art, and such as the barbarians of the North + employed to represent the solar year, divided into four parts, at the back + of each."(30) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 30) Symbolism of Ancient Art. +</pre> + <p> + It was doubtless at a time when woman constituted the head of the gens, + and when the feminine element in the sun, in human beings, and in Nature + generally was regarded as the more important, that Latona and her son + Apollo were worshipped together. Latona, Apollo, and Diana constituted the + triune God. The last two were the female and male energies, the former + being the source whence they sprang. As soon as one is divested of a + belief in the popular but erroneous opinion that the gods of the early + Egyptians and Greeks were deified heroes of former ages, he is prepared to + perceive the fact that, although to the uninitiated these gods appear + numberless, in reality they all represent the same idea, namely: the dual, + moving force in Nature, together with Light or Wisdom. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that when among the nations of antiquity civilization had + reached its height, the god-idea was represented by the figure of a woman + with her child; subsequently, however, as these nations began to decline, + the creative energy comprehended simply physical life, or the power to + reproduce, and was represented by various emblems which will be noticed + farther on in this work. In still later ages, after male reproductive + power had become God, and when, through superstition and sensuality, the + masses of the people had descended to the rank of slaves, monarchs, + representing themselves to their ignorant subjects as the source of all + blessings, even of life itself, appropriated the titles of the sun, and + claimed for themselves the adoration which had formerly belonged to it. + From this fact has doubtless arisen the opinion so tenaciously upheld in + recent times, that the gods of the ancients were only deified heroes of + former times. + </p> + <p> + If, during the earlier ages of human existence, all the gods resolved + themselves into the sun, and if Light and Life, or Wisdom and the power to + reproduce and sustain life, constituted the Deity, then of course God or + the sun would be female or male, or both, according to the prevailing + belief in the comparative creative and sustaining forces of the sexes. + </p> + <p> + From what appears in the foregoing pages the fact has doubtless been + perceived that the worship of a Virgin and Child does not, as is usually + supposed, belong exclusively to the Romish Christian Church, but, on the + contrary, that it constitutes the most remote idea of a Creator extant. As + has been hinted, there is little doubt that the earliest worship of the + woman and child was much simpler than was that which came to prevail in + later ages, at a time when every religious conception was closely veiled + beneath a mixture of astrology and mythology. After the planets came to be + regarded as active agencies in reproduction, and powerful in directing all + mundane affairs, the Virgin of the Sphere while she represented Nature was + also the constellation which appeared above the horizon at the winter + solstice, or at the time when the sun had reached its lowest point and had + begun to return. At this time, the 25th of December, and just as the days + began to lengthen, this Virgin gave birth to the Sun-God. It is said that + he issued forth from her side, hence the legend that Gotama Buddha was + produced from the side of Maya, and also the story believed by the + Gnostics and other Christian sects that Jesus was taken from the side of + Mary.(31) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 31) The fact will doubtless be remembered that a similar belief was +entertained concerning the birth of Julius Caesar. +</pre> + <p> + Within the churches and in the streets of many cities of Germany are to be + observed figures of this traditional Virgin. She is standing, one foot + upon a crescent and the other on a serpent's head, in the mouth of which + is the sprig of an apple tree on which is an apple. The tail of the + serpent is wound about a globe which is partially enveloped in clouds. On + one arm of the Virgin is the Child, and in the hand of the other arm she + carries the sacred lotus. Her head is encircled with a halo of light + similar to the rays of the sun. + </p> + <p> + One is frequently disposed to query: Do the initiated in the Romish Church + regard these images as legitimate representations of Mary, the wife of + Joseph and Mother of Christ, or are they aware of their true significance? + Certainly the various accessories attached to this figure betray its + ancient origin and reveal its identity with the Egyptian, Chaldean, and + Phoenician Virgin of the Sphere. + </p> + <p> + The fact has already been observed that in the original representation of + the "Temptation" in the cave temple of India, it is not the woman but the + man who is the tempter, and a singular peculiarity observed in connection + with this ancient female Deity is that it is SHE and NOT HER SEED who is + trampling on the serpent, thus proving that originally woman and not man + was worshipped as the Savior. Another significant feature noticed in + connection with this subject is that the oldest figures which represent + this Goddess are black, thus proving that she must have belonged to a dark + skinned race. + </p> + <p> + This image, although black, or dark skinned, had long hair, hence not a + negress. The most ancient statue of Ceres was black, and Pausanias says + that at a place called Melangea in Arcadia there was a black Venus. In the + Netherlands only a few years ago, was a church dedicated to a black + goddess. The Virgin of the Sphere who treads on the head of the serpent + represents universal womanhood. She is the Virgin of the first book of + Genesis and mother of all the Earth. She represents not only creative + power but Perceptive Wisdom. Although this Goddess is usually seen with + the lotus in her hand, she sometimes carries ripe corn or wheat. + </p> + <p> + The mother of Gotama Buddha was called Mai or Maya, after the month in + which the Earth is arrayed in her most beautiful attire. + </p> + <p> + Maya is the parent of universal Nature. According to Davis, the mother of + Mercury "is the universal genius of Nature which discriminated all things + according to their various kinds of species," the same as was Muth of + Egypt. Mai is said to mean "one who begins to illuminate." She was in fact + the mother of the sun whence everything proceeds. She was matter, within + which was concealed spirit. + </p> + <p> + In the representations of Montfaucon appears the Goddess Isis sitting on + the lotus. Her head, upon which is a globe, is surrounded by a radiant + circle which evidently represents the sun. On the reverse side is Ieu, the + word "which is the usual way of the ecclesiastical authors reading the + Hebrew word Jehovah." Referring to this from Montfaucon, Godfrey Higgins + observes: "Here Isis, whose veil no mortal shall ever draw aside, the + celestial Virgin of the Sphere, is seated on the self-generating sacred + lotus and is called Ieu or Jove."(32) She has also the mystic number 608 + which stands for the Deity. Her breasts show plainly that it is a female + representation, although connected with the figure appears the male emblem + to indicate that within her are contained both elements, or that the + universe is embodied within the female. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 32) Anacalypsis, book v., ch. iv. +</pre> + <p> + Higgins thinks there is no subject on which more mistakes have been made + than on that of the Goddess Isis, both by ancients and moderns. He calls + attention to the inconsistency of calling her the moon when in many + countries the moon is masculine. He is quite positive that if Isis is the + moon, Ceres, Proserpine, Venus, and all the other female gods were the + same, which in view of the facts everywhere at hand cannot be true. It is + true, however, that "the planet called the moon was dedicated to her in + judicial astrology, the same as a planet was dedicated to Venus or Mars. + But Venus and Mars were not these planets themselves, though these planets + were sacred to them."(33) Higgins then calls attention to her temple at + Sais in Egypt, and to the inscription which declares that "she comprehends + all that is and was and is to be," that she is "parent of the sun," and he + justly concludes that Isis can not be the moon. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 33) Anacalypsis, book vi., ch. ii. +</pre> + <p> + Apuleius makes Isis say: + </p> + <p> + "I am the parent of all things, the sovereign of the elements, the primary + progeny of time, the most exalted of the deities, the first of the + heavenly gods and goddesses, whose single deity the whole world venerates + in many forms, with various rites and various names. The Egyptians worship + me with proper ceremonies and call me by my true name, Queen Isis." + </p> + <p> + Isis, we are told, is called Myrionymus, or goddess with 10,000 names. She + is the Persian Mithra, which is the same as Buddha, Minerva, Venus, and + all the rest. + </p> + <p> + Faber admits that the female principle was formerly regarded as the Soul + of the World. He says: + </p> + <p> + "Isis was the same as Neith or Minerva; hence the inscription at Sais was + likewise applied to that goddess. Athenagoras informs us that Neith or the + Athene of the Greeks was supposed to be Wisdom passing and diffusing + itself through all things. Hence it is manifest that she was thought to be + the Soul of the World; for such is precisely the character sustained by + that mythological personage."(34) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 34) Pagan Idolatry, book i., p. 170. +</pre> + <p> + The same writer says further: + </p> + <p> + "Ovid gives a similar character to Venus. He represents her as moderating + the whole world; as giving laws to Heaven, Earth, and Ocean, as the common + parent both of gods and men, and as the productive cause both of corn and + trees. She is celebrated in the same manner by Lucretius, who ascribes to + her that identical attribute of universality which the Hindoos give to + their Goddess Isi or Devi."(35) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 35) Ibid. +</pre> + <p> + It seems to be the general belief of all writers whose object is to + disclose rather than conceal the ancient mysteries, that until a + comparatively recent time the moon was never worshipped as Isis. Until the + origin and meaning of the ancient religion had been forgotten, and the + ideas underlying the worship of Nature had been lost, the moon was never + regarded as representing the female principle. + </p> + <p> + When man began to regard himself as the only important factor in + procreation, and when the sun became masculine and heat or passion + constituted the god-idea, the moon was called Isis. The moon represented + the absence of heat, it therefore contained little of the recognized + god-element. It was, perhaps, under the circumstances, a fitting emblem + for woman. + </p> + <p> + In the sacred writings of the Hindoos there is an account of the moon, + Soma, having been changed into a female called Chandra, "the white or + silvery one." + </p> + <p> + While speaking of the moon, Kalisch says: "The whole ritual of the + Phoenician Goddess Astarte with whom that Queen of Heaven is identical, + and who was the goddess of fertility seems to have been transferred to + her."(36) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 36) Historical and Critical Commentary of the Old Testament. +</pre> + <p> + To such an extent, in the earlier ages of the world had the female been + regarded as the Creator, that in many countries where her worship + subsequently became identified with that of the moon, Luna was adored as + the producer of the sun. According to the Babylonian creation tablets, the + moon was the most important heavenly body. In later ages, the gender of + the sun and the moon seems to be exceedingly variable. The Achts of + Vancouver's Island worship sun and moon—the sun as female, the moon + as male.(37) In some of the countries of Africa the moon is adored as + female and sun-worship is unknown. Among various peoples the sun and the + moon are regarded as husband and wife, and among others as brother and + sister. In some countries, both are female. I can find no instance in + which both are male. Hindoos and Aztecs alike, at one time, said that Luna + was male and often that the sun was female. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 37) Tylor, Primitive Culture, vol. ii., p. 272. +</pre> + <p> + The fact that among the Persians the moon as well as the sun was at a + certain period regarded as a source of procreative energy and as + influencing the generative processes, is shown by various passages in the + Avestas. In the Khordah Avesta, praise is offered to "the Moon which + contains the seed of cattle, to the only begotten Bull, to the Bull of + many kinds." + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the most widely diffused and universally adored representation of + the ancient female Deity in Egypt was the Virgin Neit or Neith, the Athene + of the Greeks and the Minerva of the Romans. Her name signifies "I came + from myself." This Deity represents not only creative power, but abstract + intelligence, Wisdom or Light. Her temple at Sais was the largest in + Egypt. It was open at the top and bore the following inscription: "I am + all that was and is and is to be; no mortal has lifted up my veil, and the + fruit which I brought forth was the sun." She was called also Muth, the + universal mother. Kings were especially honored in the title "Son of + Neith." + </p> + <p> + To express the idea that the female energy in the Deity comprehended not + alone the power to bring forth, but that it involved all the natural + powers, attributes, and possibilities of human nature, it was portrayed by + a pure Virgin who was also a mother. According to Herodotus, the worship + of Minerva was indigenous in Lybia, whence it travelled to Egypt and was + carried from thence to Greece. Among the remnants of Egyptian mythology, + the figure of a mother and child is everywhere observed. It is thought by + various writers that the worship of the black virgin and child found its + way to Italy from Egypt. + </p> + <p> + The change noted in the growth of the religious idea by which the male + principle assumes the more important position in the Deity may, by a close + investigation of the facts at hand, be easily traced, and, as has before + been expressed, this change will be found to correspond with that which in + an earlier age of the world took place in the relative positions of the + sexes. In all the earliest representations of the Deity, the fact is + observed that within the mother element is contained the divinity adored, + while the male appears as a child and dependent on the ministrations of + the female for existence and support. Gradually, however, as the + importance of man begins to be recognized in human affairs, we find that + the male energy in the Deity, instead of appearing as a child in the arms + of its mother, is represented as a man, and that he is of equal importance + with the woman; later he is identical with the sun, the woman, although + still a necessary factor in the god-idea, being concealed or absorbed + within the male. It is no longer woman who is to bruise the serpent's + head, but the seed of the woman, or the son. He is Bacchus in Greece, + Adonis in Syria, Christna in India. He is indeed the new sun which is born + on the 25th of December, or at the time when the solar orb has reached its + lowest position and begins to ascend. It is not perhaps necessary to add + that he is also the Christ of Bethlehem, the son of the Virgin. + </p> + <p> + Nowhere, perhaps, is the growing importance of the male in the god-idea + more clearly traced than in the history of the Arabians. Among this people + are still to be found certain remnants of the matriarchal age—an age + in which women were the recognized heads of families and the eponymous + leaders of the gentes or clans. Concerning the worship of a man and woman + as god by the early Arabians, Prof. Robertson Smith remarks: + </p> + <p> + "Except the comparatively modern Isaf and Naila in the sanctuary at Mecca + where there are traditions of Syrian influence, I am not aware that the + Arabs had pairs of gods represented as man and wife. In the time of + Mohammed the female deities, such as Al-lat, were regarded as daughters of + the supreme male God. But the older conception as we see from a Nabataean + inscription in De Vogue, page 119, is that Al-lat is mother of the gods. + At Petra the mother-goddess and her son were worshipped together, and + there are sufficient traces of the same thing elsewhere to lead us to + regard this as having been the general rule when a god and goddess were + worshipped in one sanctuary."(38) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 38) Kinship and Marriage in Early Arabia, ch. vi., p. 179. +</pre> + <p> + As the worship of the black virgin and child is connected with the + earliest religion of which we may catch a glimpse, the exact locality in + which it first appeared must be somewhat a matter of conjecture, but that + this idea constituted the Deity among the Ethiopian or early Cushite race, + the people who doubtless carried civilization to Egypt, India, and + Chaldea, is quite probable. + </p> + <p> + If we bear in mind the fact that the gods of the ancients represented + principles and powers, we shall not be surprised to find that Muth, Neith, + or Isis, who was creator of the sun, was also the first emanation from the + sun. Minerva is Wisdom—the Logos, the Word. She is Perception, + Light, etc. At a later stage in the history of religion, all emanations + from the Deity are males who are "Saviors." + </p> + <p> + That the office of the male as a creative agency is dependent on the + female, is a fact so patent that for ages the mother principle could not + be eliminated from the conception of a Deity, and the homage paid to + Athene or Minerva, even after women had become only sexual slaves and + household tools, shows the extent to which the idea of female supremacy in + Nature and in the Deity had taken root. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the efforts which during numberless ages were made to + dethrone the female principle in the god-idea, the Great Mother, under + some one of her various appellations, continued, down to a late period in + the history of the human race, to claim the homage and adoration of a + large portion of the inhabitants of the globe. And so difficult was it, + even after the male element had declared itself supreme, to conceive of a + creative force independently of the female principle, that oftentimes, + during the earlier ages of their attempted separation, great confusion and + obscurity are observed in determining the positions of male deities. Zeus + who in later times came to be worshipped as male was formerly represented + as "the great dyke, the terrible virgin who breathes out on crime, anger, + and death." Grote refers to numerous writers as authority for the + statement that Dionysos, who usually appears in Greece as masculine, and + who was doubtless the Jehovah of the Jews, was indigenous in Thrace, + Phrygia, and Lydia as the Great Mother Cybele. He was identical with + Bacchus, who although represented on various coins as a "bearded venerable + figure" appears with the limbs, features, and character of a beautiful + young woman. Sometimes this Deity is portrayed with sprouting horns, and + again with a crown of ivy. The Phrygian Attis and the Syrian Adonis, as + represented in monuments of ancient art, are androgynous personifications + of the same attributes. According to the testimony of the geographer + Dionysius, the worship of Bacchus was formerly carried on in the British + Islands in exactly the same manner as it had been in an earlier age in + Thrace and on the banks of the Ganges. + </p> + <p> + In referring to the Idean Zeus in Crete, to Demeter at Eleusis, to the + Cabairi in Samothrace, and Dionysos at Delphi and Thebes, Grote observes: + "That they were all to a great degree analogous, is shown by the way in + which they necessarily run together and become confused in the minds of + various authors." + </p> + <p> + Concerning Sadi, Sadim, or Shaddai, Higgins remarks: + </p> + <p> + "Parkhurst tells us it means all-bountiful—the pourer forth of + blessings; among the Heathen, the Dea Multimammia; in fact the Diana of + Ephesus, the Urania of Persia, the Jove of Greece, called by Orpheus the + Mother of the Gods, each male as well as female—the Venus Aphrodite; + in short, the genial powers of Nature." + </p> + <p> + To which Higgins adds: "And I maintain that it means the figure which is + often found in collections of ancient statues, most beautifully executed, + and called the Hermaphrodite." + </p> + <p> + As in the old language there was no neuter gender, the gods must always + appear either as female or male. For apparent reasons, in all the + translations, through the pronouns and adjectives used, the more important + ancient deities have all been made to appear as males. + </p> + <p> + By at least two ancient writers Jupiter is called the Mother of the Gods. + In reference to a certain Greek appellation, Bryant observes that it is a + masculine name for a feminine deity—a name which is said to be a + corruption of Mai, the Hindoo Queen of Heaven. + </p> + <p> + In process of time, as the world became more and more masculinized, so + important did it become that the male should occupy the more exalted place + in the Deity, that even the Great Mother of the Gods, as we have seen, is + represented as male. + </p> + <p> + The androgynous or plural form of the ancient Phoenician God Aleim, the + Creator referred to in the opening chapter of Genesis, is clearly + apparent. This God, speaking to his counterpart, Wisdom, the female + energy, says: "Let us make man in our own image, in our own likeness," and + accordingly males and females are produced. By those whose duty it has + been in the past to prove that the Deity here represented is composed only + of the masculine attributes, we are given to understand that God was + really "speaking to himself," and that in his divine cogitations excessive + modesty dictated the "polite form of speech"; he did not, therefore, say + exactly what he meant, or at least did not mean precisely what he said. We + have to bear in mind, however, that as man had not at that time been + created, if there were no female element present, this excess of + politeness on the part of the "Lord" was wholly lost. Surely, in a matter + involving such an enormous stretch of power as the creation of man + independently of the female energy, we would scarcely expect to find the + high and mighty male potentate which was subsequently worshipped as the + Lord of the Israelites laying aside his usual "I the Lord," simply out of + deference to the animals. + </p> + <p> + In Christian countries, during the past eighteen hundred years, the + greatest care has been exercised to conceal the fact that sun-worship + underlies all forms of religion, and under Protestant Christianity no + pains has been spared in eliminating the female element from the god-idea; + hence the ignorance which prevails at the present time in relation to the + fact that the Creator once comprehended the forces of Nature, which by an + older race were worshipped as female. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE DUAL GOD OF THE ANCIENTS A TRINITY ALSO. + </h2> + <p> + Although the God of the most ancient people was a dual Unity, in later + ages it came to be worshipped as a Trinity. When mankind began to + speculate on the origin of the life principle, they came to worship their + Deity in its three capacities as Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer or + Regenerator, each of which was female and male. We have observed that, + according to Higgins, when this Trinity was spoken of collectively, it was + called after the feminine plural. + </p> + <p> + By the various writers who have dealt with this subject during the last + century, much surprise has been manifested over the fact that for untold + ages the people of the earth have worshipped a Trinity. Forster, in his + Sketches of Hindoo Mythology, says: "One circumstance which forcibly + struck my attention was the Hindoo belief of a Trinity." + </p> + <p> + Maurice, in his Indian Antiquities, observes that the idea of three + persons in the Deity was diffused amongst all the nations of the earth, in + regions as distant as Japan and Peru, that it was memorially acknowledged + throughout the whole extent of Egypt and India, "flourishing with equal + vigor amidst the snowy mountains of Thibet, and the vast deserts of + Siberia." The idea of a Trinity is supposed to have been first elaborated + on the banks of the Indus, whence it was carried to the Greek and Latin + nations. Astrologically the triune Deity of the ancients portrayed the + processes of Nature. + </p> + <p> + This recondite doctrine as understood by the very ancient people which + originated it, involved a knowledge of Nature far too deep to be + appreciated or understood by their degenerate descendants, except perhaps + by a few philosophers and scholars who imbibed it in a modified form from + original sources in the far East. + </p> + <p> + After the establishment of the Trinity, the creative energy, which had + formerly been represented by a mother and child, came to be figured by the + mother, father, and the life derived therefrom. Sometimes the Trinity took + the form of the two creative forces, female and male, and the Great + Mother. + </p> + <p> + Whenever the two creative principles were considered separately, there + always appeared stationed over or above them, as their Creator, an + indivisible unity. This Creator was the "Beyond," the "most High God"—Om + or Aleim. It was the Mother of the Gods in whom were contained all the + elements of the Deity. Among the representations of the god-idea which are + to be observed on the monuments and in the temples of Egypt appear triads, + each of which is composed of a woman stationed between a male figure and + that of a child. She is depicted as the Light of the sun, or Wisdom, while + the male is manifested as the Heat of the orb of day. She is crowned and + always bears the male symbol of life—the crux-ansata. + </p> + <p> + Later, it is observed that the worship of Light has in a measure given + place to the adoration of Heat, in other words Light is no longer adored + as essence of the Deity, Heat or Passion having become the most important + element in creative power. + </p> + <p> + After the ancient worship of the Virgin and Child had become somewhat + changed or modified so as to better accommodate itself to the growing + importance of the male, the most exalted conception of the Deity in Egypt + seems to have been that of a trinity composed of Mout the Mother, Ammon + the Father, and Chons the Infant Life derived from the other two. Mout is + identical with Neith, but she has become the wife as well as the mother of + Ammon. Directly below this conception of the Deity is a triad representing + less exalted attributes, or lower degrees of wisdom, under the + appellations of Sate, Kneph, and the child Anouk; and thus downward, + through the varying spheres of celestial light and life involved in their + theogony are observed the divine creative energies represented under the + figures of Mother, Father, and the Life proceeding therefrom, until, + finally, when the earth is reached, Isis, Osiris, and Horus appear as the + representation of the creative forces in human beings, and therefore as + the embodiment of the divine in the human. + </p> + <p> + The Deity invoked in all the earlier inscriptions is a triad, and we are + assured that in Babylonia, where Beltis is associated with Belus, "no god + appears without a goddess." + </p> + <p> + The supreme Deity of Assyria was Asshur, who was worshipped sometimes as + female, sometimes as male. This God doubtless represents the dual or + triple creative principle observed in all the earlier forms of worship. + Asshur had no distinct temple, but as her position was at the head of the + Pantheon, all the shrines throughout Assyria were supposed to have been + open to her worship. + </p> + <p> + According to Bunsen, in the Sidonian Tyrian district, there were + originally three great gods, at the head of which appears Astarte—a + woman who represents pure reason or intelligence; then follows Zeus, + Demarius, and Adorus. Without doubt this triad represents a monad Deity + similar in character to the one observed in Egypt and other countries. + </p> + <p> + In the minds of all well-informed persons, there is no longer any doubt + that in Abraham's time the Canaanites worshipped the same gods as did the + Persians and all the other nations about them—namely, Elohim, the + dual or triune creative force in Nature. As the Sun was the source whence + proceeded all light and life as well as reproductive or generative power, + it had become the object of adoration, and as the emblem of the Deity, it + was worshipped by all the nations of the earth in its three capacities as + Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer or Regenerator each female and male. + </p> + <p> + Melchizedek, who was a priest of the most high God, blessed Abraham, who + was a worshipper of the same Deity. On this subject Dr. Shuckford says: + </p> + <p> + "It is evident that Abraham and his descendants worshipped not only the + true and living God, but they invoked him in the name of the Lord, and + they worshipped the Lord whose name they invoked, so that two persons were + the object of their worship, God and this Lord: and the Scriptures have + distinguished these two persons from one another by this circumstance, + that God no man hath seen at any time nor can see but the Lord whom + Abraham and his descendants worshipped was the person who appeared to + them." + </p> + <p> + We are told that when chap. xxi., verse 33, of Genesis is correctly + translated, Abraham is represented as having invoked Jehovah, the + everlasting God. + </p> + <p> + In the Hebrew name Yod-He-Vau (Jehovah), was set forth the triune + character of the Creator; in other words, this name "comprehended the + essential perfections of the great God," and was used in their Scriptures + as a "kind of summary or revelation of the attributes of the Deity." + </p> + <p> + Although Abraham, while in Egypt, was the worshipper of idols, we are + assured that "the peculiar privilege vouchsafed to him lay in the + revelation of God's holy name, Yod-He-Vau." There is indeed much evidence + going to prove that the people represented by Abraham understood the + earlier conception of a Deity, and that while the great universal + principle whose name it was sacrilege to pronounce was still acknowledged, + there was another God (the Lord), the same as in China, whose worship they + were beginning to adopt. "And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be + with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to + eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my Father's house in + peace; then shall the Lord be my God." + </p> + <p> + He then declared that the pillar or stone which he had set up, and which + was the emblem of male procreative energy, should be God's house. + </p> + <p> + As at the time represented by Jacob there was evidently little or no + spirituality among the Israelites, this Lord whom they worshipped was + simply a life-giver in the most material or practical sense. + </p> + <p> + The reproductive energy in man had become deified. It had, in other words, + come to possess all the attributes of a god, or of a powerful man, which + in reality was the same thing. It is this god personified which is + represented as appearing to Abraham and talking with him face to face. + With this same god Jacob wrestled, while the real God—the dual or + triune principle, the Jehovah or Iav, no man could behold and live. + </p> + <p> + To conceal the fact that the God of Abraham originally consisted of a dual + or triple unity, and that the Deity was identical in significance with + that of contemporary peoples, the priests have, as usual, had recourse to + a trick to deceive the ignorant or uninitiated. In reference to this + subject Godfrey Higgins says: + </p> + <p> + "In the second book of Genesis the creation is described not to have been + made by Aleim, or the Aleim, but by a God of a double name Ieue Aleim; + which the priests have translated Lord God. By using the word Lord, their + object evidently is to conceal from their readers several difficulties + which afterward arise respecting the names of God and this word, and which + show clearly that the books of the Pentateuch are the writings of + different persons."(39) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 39) Anacalypsis, book ii., ch, i. +</pre> + <p> + Upon this subject Bishop Colenso observes: + </p> + <p> + "And it is especially to be noted that when the Elohistic passages are all + extracted and copied one after another, they form a complete, connected + narrative; from which we infer that these must have composed the original + story, and that the other passages were afterwards inserted by another + writer, who wished to enlarge or supplement the primary record. And he + seems to have used the compound Jehovah Aleim in the first portion of his + work in order to impress upon the reader that Jehovah, of whom he goes on + to speak in the later portions, is the same Great Being who is called + simply Elohim by the older writer, and notably in the first account of the + creation."(40) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 40) Lectures on the Pentateuch and the Moabite Stone, p. 7. +</pre> + <p> + We are informed by Bunsen that El, or Elohim, comprehends the true + significance of the Deity among all the Aramaic or Canaanitish races, El + representing the abstract principle taken collectively, Elohim pertaining + to the separate elements as Creator, Preserver, and Regenerator. Each of + these Canaanitish races had inherited these ideas from their fathers, and, + although they had become grossly idolatrous, "Moses knew, and educated + Israelites remained a long time conscious, that they used them not merely + in their real but in their most ancient sense."(41) Maurice and other + writers call attention to the fact that Moses himself uses this word + Elohim with verbs and adjectives in the plural. That the God worshipped by + the more ancient peoples, namely Aleim, or Elohim, the same who said, "Let + us make man in our image," was not the Lord adored at a later age by the + Jews, is a fact which at the present time seems to be clearly proven; that + it constituted, however, the dual or triune unity venerated by all the + nations on the globe of which we have any record, appears to be well + established. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 41) Bunsen, History of Egypt, vol. iv., p. 421. +</pre> + <p> + We have seen that although the two sex-principles which underlie Nature + constituted the Creator, the ancients thought of it only as one and + indivisible. This indivisible aspect was the sacred Iav, the Holy of + Holies. When it was contemplated in its individual aspect it was Creator, + Preserver, and Destroyer, each of which was female and male. + </p> + <p> + The difficulty of the ancients in establishing a First Cause seems to have + been exactly the same as is ours at the present time. When we say there + must have been a God who created all things, the question at once arises, + Who created God? According to their theories, nothing could be brought + forth without the interaction of two creative principles, female and male; + yet everything, even these principles, must proceed from an indivisible + energy—an energy which, as the idea of the sex functions became more + and more clearly defined, could not be contemplated except in its dual + aspect. So soon, therefore, as the Great First Cause was separated into + its elements, a still higher power was immediately stationed above it as + its Creator. This Creator was designated as female. It was the Mother idea + Even gods could not be produced without a mother. + </p> + <p> + In referring to the doctrines contained in the Geeta, one of the sacred + writings of the Hindoos, Faber observes: + </p> + <p> + "In the single character of Brahm, all the three offices of Brahma, + Vishnu, and Siva are united. He is at once the Creator, the Preserver, and + the Destroyer. He is the primeval Hermaphrodite, or the Great Father and + the Great Mother blended together in one person." + </p> + <p> + The fact that a trinity in unity, representing the female and male + energies symbolized by the organs of generation, formerly constituted the + Deity throughout Asia is acknowledged by all those who have examined + either the literature or monumental records of oriental countries. The + Rev. Mr. Maurice bears testimony to the character of Eastern religious + ideas in the following language: + </p> + <p> + "Whoever will read the Geeta with attention, will perceive in that small + tract the outlines of all the various systems of theology in Asia. The + curious and ancient doctrine of the Creator being both male and female, + mentioned on a preceding page, to be designated in Indian temples by a + very indecent exhibition of the masculine and feminine organs of + generation in union, occurs in the following passage: 'I am the Father and + Mother of this world; I plant myself upon my own nature and create again + and again this assemblage of beings; I am generation and dissolution, the + place where all things are deposited, and the inexhaustible seed of all + Nature. I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all things.' "(42) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 42) Maurice, Indian Antiquities, vol. iv., p. 705. +</pre> + <p> + According to Sir W. Jones, the Brahme, Vishnu, and Siva coalesce to form + the mystic Om, which means the essence of life or divine fire. In the + Bhagavat Geeta the supreme God speaks thus concerning itself: "I am the + holy one worthy to be known"; and immediately adds: "I am the mystic + (trilateral) figure Om; the Reig, the Yagush, and the Saman Vedas." It is + a unity and still a trinity. This Om or Aum stands for the Creator, + Preserver, and Destroyer or Regenerator, and represents the threefold + aspect of the force within the sun. The doctrine maintained throughout the + Geeta is not only that the great life-force represents a trinity in unity, + but that it is both female and male. On this subject Maurice, in his + Indian Antiquities, says: + </p> + <p> + "This notion of three persons in the Deity was diffused amongst all the + nations of the earth, established at once in regions so distant as Japan + and Peru, immemorially acknowledged throughout the whole extent of Egypt + and India, and flourishing with equal vigor amidst the snowy mountains of + Thibet, and the vast deserts of Siberia." + </p> + <p> + We have observed that the idea of a trinity as conceived by the so-called + ancients, although at all times founded on the same conception, viz., that + of the reproductive powers of Nature and especially of mankind, differed + in expression according to its application. Although in human beings this + triune creative idea was expressed by the mother, father, and child, as + set forth in the temples and on the monuments of Egypt, when applied + directly to the sun and the planets, it appears as the Creator, Preserver, + and Regenerator or Destroyer. + </p> + <p> + Destruction, or the absence of the sun's heat, represented by winter, was + necessary to life, and therefore the Destroyer was also the Regenerator + and equally with the Creator and Preserver constituted a beneficent factor + in the god-idea. In fact as this third element really embodied the + substance of the other two, it finally became the supreme God, little + afterward being heard about the Creator and Preserver. The Regenerator or + Destroyer was of course the sun, which in winter died away and rose again + in the spring-time as a beneficent Savior or renewer of life. The + principle involved in these processes represented Fertility, Life, + reproductive energy. As applied to mortals, it comprehended the power to + create combined with perceptive Wisdom or Knowledge. + </p> + <p> + This idea, portrayed as it was by a mother and her child, linked woman + with the stars. It produced the "Virgin of the Sphere," Queen of Heaven, + "Isiac Controller of the Zodiac," at the same time that it made her the + mother of all mankind. + </p> + <p> + Every year this Virgin of the Sphere as she appeared above the horizon at + the winter solstice gave birth to the sun. Astronomically this new sun was + the Regenerator, by which all Nature was renewed. Mythologically, after + the higher truths contained in these doctrines were lost, it came to be + the Savior, the Son of the Virgin, the seed of the woman, which was to + bruise the serpent's head. + </p> + <p> + That the religion of an ancient race comprehended a knowledge of the + evolutionary processes of Nature may not be doubted. The myths still + extant, and even the oldest Assyrian inscriptions which have been + deciphered, reveal the fact that the seeds of the visible universe were + hidden in the "great deep"—that animal creation sprang from the + earth and the sea through the influence of the sun's rays. + </p> + <p> + It is now known that the philosophy of an older race involved a belief in + the Eternity of Matter. The abstruse doctrine of Reincarnation and the + Renewal of Worlds seems to have formed the basis of their philosophy. + According to these speculations, a portion of the earth was destroyed or + resolved into its primary elements every six hundred years, while at the + end of each Kalpia, or great Cycle of several thousand years, the entire + earth was renovated or absorbed into the two fecundating principles of the + universe. These two indivisible forces represented by Vishnu rested in the + water, or brooded on the face of the deep. When stirred by love for each + other they again became active, and from the germs of a former world, + which had been absorbed by themselves, created again the earth and + everything upon it. In other words, "the earth sprang from the navel of + Vishnu or Brahme." According to the Buddhists of Ceylon, the universe has + perished ten different times, and each time has been renewed by the + operations of Nature, or by the preservation of germs from a former world. + In their mythology these germs are represented by a parent and a + triplicated offspring. It is perhaps unnecessary to add that this monad + trinity is the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer with their great parent, + the Mother of the Gods, which in process of time came to be regarded as + male. According to Wilford, Hindoo chronology presents fourteen different + periods, six of which have already elapsed; we are in the seventh, which + began with the flood. Each of these periods is called a Manwantara, the + presiding genius or Deity of which is a Menu. At the close of each dynasty + a total destruction of the world takes place, everything being destroyed + except the ruler, or Menu, who "escapes in a boat." Each new world is an + exact counterpart of the one destroyed, and each Menu is a representation + of all preceding ones. Thus the history of one dynasty serves for all the + rest. This doctrine of a triplicated Deity appearing at the beginning of a + new creation may be traced in nearly every country of the globe. Among the + Buddhists of China, Fo is mysteriously multiplied into three persons in + the same manner as is Fo-hi, who is evidently Noah. Among the Hindoos is + observed the triad Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva springing from the monad Brahm + or Brahme. This triad appears on the earth at the beginning of each + Manwantara in the human form of Menu and his three sons. We are assured + that among the Tartars evident traces are found of a similar God, who is + seated on the lotus. It is also figured on a Siberian medal in the + imperial collection at St. Petersburg. The Jakuthi Tartars, who are said + to be the most numerous people of Siberia, worship a triplicated Deity + under the three denominations of Artugon and Schugo-tangon and Tangara. + Faber tells us that this Tartar God is the same even in appellation with + the Tanga-tanga of the Peruvians, who, like other tribes of America, seem + plainly to have crossed over from the North-eastern extremity of Siberia. + Upon this subject the same writer remarks thus: + </p> + <p> + "Agreeably to the mystical notion so familiar to the Hindoos, that the + self-triplicated Great Father yet remained but one in essence, the + Peruvians supposed their Tanga-tanga to be one in three, and three in one: + and in consequence of the union of hero worship with the astronomical and + material systems of idolatry they venerated the sun and the air, each + under three images and three names. The same opinions equally prevailed + throughout the nations which lie to the west of Hindostan. Thus the + Persians had their Ormuzd, Mithras, and Ahriman: or, as the matter was + sometimes represented, their self-triplicating Mithras. The Syrians had + their Monimus, Aziz, and Ares. The Egyptians had their Emeph, Eicton, and + Phtha. The Greeks and Romans had their Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto; three + in number, though one in essence, and all springing from Cronus, a fourth, + yet older God. The Canaanites had their Baal-Spalisha or self-triplicated + Baal. The Goths had their Odin, Vile, and Ve, who are described as the + three sons of Bura, the offspring of the mysterious cow, and the Celts had + their three bulls, venerated as the living symbols of the triple Hu or + Menu. To the same class we must ascribe the triads of the Orphic and + Pythagorean and Platonic schools; each of which must again be identified + with the imperial triad of the old Chaldaic or Babylonian philosophy."(43) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 43) Faber, Pagan Idolatry, book vi., ch. ii., p. 470. +</pre> + <p> + The history of the catastrophe known as the deluge, which, it is claimed, + took place either in Armenia, at Cashgar, or at some other place in the + East, is observed, in later ages, to furnish a covering beneath which have + been veiled the mythical doctrines of the priests. Of the catastrophes + which from time to time have visited our planet, and of the belief which + has come to be entertained by ecclesiastics that the earth will be + destroyed by fire, Celsus writes: + </p> + <p> + "The belief has spread among them, from a misunderstanding of the accounts + of these occurrences, that after lengthened cycles of time, and the + returns and conjunctions of planets, conflagrations, and floods are wont + to happen, and because after the last flood, which took place in the time + of Deucalion, the lapse of time, agreeably to the vicissitude of all + things, requires a conflagration; and this made them give utterance to the + erroneous opinion that God will descend, bringing fire like a + torturer."(44) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 44) Origen against Celsus, book iv., ch. xi. +</pre> + <p> + The mythologies of all nations are largely founded upon the "religious + history" of a flood. The doctrine of a triplicated God saved from + destruction by a storm-tossed ark which rested on some local mountain + answering to Ararat, and which was filled with the natural elements of + reproduction, is found amongst the traditions of every country of the + globe. In Egypt, the destructive agency drives the God into the ark—or + into the fish's belly, where he is obliged to remain until the flood + subsides. In other words, at the time of the destruction of the world, the + creative agency is forced within the womb of Nature, there to remain until + it again comes forth to recreate the world; nor does the symbolism end + here, for this God—the sun, or the reproductive power within it, + which every year is put to death by the cold of winter, must for a season + remain lifeless, but, at the proper time, will come forth with healing in + his wings. This God must issue forth to life through female Nature. + </p> + <p> + The god-man, Noah, who appears under one appellation or another in all + extant mythologies, was slain, or shut up in a box, ark, or chest in which + he or his seed was preserved from the ravages of a mighty flood, or from + destruction by the calamity which had befallen the rest of mankind. In one + sense he represents a Savior, in another sense he is the saved, for he is + the seed of a former world and is born again from a boat, a symbol which + always represents the female energy. Sometimes he is shut up in a wooden + cow, from which he issues forth to new life. Again this storm tossed + mariner is born from a cave, or the door of a rocky cavern, within which + he had been preserved from some terrible catastrophe, caused either by + water or fire. + </p> + <p> + Sir W. Jones, Faber, Higgins, and many others who have investigated this + subject are confident that the Noah of Genesis is identical with Menu, the + law-giver of India, and that both are Adam, a man who appears with his + three sons at the end of each cycle, or six hundred years, to renovate the + world. In the six hundred and first year of Noah's life, in the first + month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the + earth. The drying of the waters, and the beginning anew just at the close + of the six hundred years, are thought to refer to the end of the cycle of + the Neros. A year of Menu or Buddha had expired and a new dynasty or + Mamwantara was to begin. + </p> + <p> + Regarding this trinity, Faber remarks: + </p> + <p> + "Brahm then at the head of the Indian triad is Menu at the head of his + three sons. But that by the first Menu we are to understand Adam, is + evident, both from the remarkable circumstance of himself and his consort + bearing the titles of Adima and Iva, and from the no less remarkable + tradition that one of his three sons was murdered by his brother at a + sacrifice. Hence it will follow, that Brahm at the head of the Indian + triad is Adam at the head of his three sons, Cain, Abel, and Seth. Each + Menu with his triple offspring is only the reappearance of a former Menu + with his triple offspring; for, in every such manifestation at the + commencement of each Mamwantara, the Hindoo Trimurti, or triad, becomes + incarnate, by transmigrating from the human bodies occupied during a + former incarnation; Brahm or the Unity appearing as the paternal Menu of a + new age, while the triad, Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, is exhibited in the + person of his three sons.... But the ark-preserved Menu—Satyavrata + and his three sons are certainly Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham, and + Japhet." + </p> + <p> + Hesiod teaches that, after the flood, Chaos, Night, and black Erebus first + appeared.(45) At this time, when there was no Earth, no Heaven, and no + Air, an egg floated on the face of the deep, which, being parted, brought + forth Love, or Cupid. Out of Chaos this God created or formed all things. + Now Cupid is the same as the Greek Phanes, and Phanes is Noah, the egg + being the ark or female principle from which he was produced. The Greek + God Phanes is the same as the Egyptian Osiris, who was driven into the ark + by the "wind that blasts," or by the evil principle. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 45) The Theogony. +</pre> + <p> + "As Cupid is indifferently said to have been produced from an egg at a + time when the whole world was in disorder, and from the womb of the marine + goddess Venus, the egg and the womb of that goddess must denote the same + thing. Accordingly we shall find that, on the one hand, Venus is + immediately connected with the symbolical egg; and, on the other hand, + that she is identical with Derceto and Isis, and is declared to be that + general receptacle out of which all the hero-gods were produced. Now there + can be little doubt in what sense we are to understand this expression, + when we are told that the peculiar symbol of Isis was a ship; and when we + learn that the form assumed at the period of the deluge, by the Indian Isi + or Bhavani, who is clearly the same as the Egyptian Isis, was the ship + Argha, in which her consort Siva floated securely on the surface of the + ocean. Venus, therefore, or the Great Mother, the parent of Cupid from + whom all mankind descended, must be the Ark: consequently, the egg, with + which she is connected, must be the Ark also. Aristophanes informs us that + the egg out of which Love was born, was produced by Night in the bosom of + Erebus. But the Goddess Night, as we learn from the Orphic poet, was the + very same person as Venus; and he celebrates her as the parent of the + Universe, and as the general mother both of the hero-gods and of man. The + egg therefore produced by Night was produced by Venus: but Venus and the + egg meant the same thing: even that vast floating machine, which was + esteemed an epitome of the world, and from which was born that Deity who + is also literally said to have been set afloat in an ark. Sometimes the + order of production was inverted; and, instead of the egg being produced + by Night or Venus, Venus herself was fabled to have been produced from the + egg. There is a remarkable legend of this sort which ascribes Venus and + her egg to the age of Typhon and Osiris, in other words, to the age in + which Noah was compelled by the deluge to enter into the ark."(46) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 46) Origin of Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. iv. +</pre> + <p> + The Preserver of the Persians, who is seated on a rainbow in front of + their rock temples, is Mithras, who is identical with Noah. Sometimes this + ancient mariner is represented as riding on the back of a fish, and again + as floating in a boat. The God of Hindostan, like the classical Dionysos, + was enclosed in an ark and driven into the sea. According to the Gothic + traditions as recorded in the Eddas, there once existed a beautiful world, + which was destroyed by fire. Another was created, which, with all its + inhabitants save a giant and his three sons, who were saved in a ship, + were destroyed by water. With this triad, which originally sprang from a + mysterious cow, the new world began. This new world, which represents the + present system, will in time be devoured by flames; but another earth will + arise from the ocean,—an earth far more beautiful than this, upon + which all kinds of grain and delicious fruits will grow without + cultivation. Veda and Vile will be there, for the conflagration will have + been powerless to destroy them. While the flames are devouring all things, + two human beings, a female and a male, will be concealed under a hill, + where they will feed upon dew, and will propagate so abundantly that the + earth will soon be peopled with a new race of beings. During the + catastrophe, the sun will be devoured by a wolf, but before her death she + will give birth to a daughter as resplendent as herself, who will go in + the same path formerly trodden by her mother. + </p> + <p> + The doctrines of the Gothic philosophers, as they appear in the Eddas, + concerning the eternity of matter, the renewal or succession of worlds, + and reincarnation are the same as those taught by Pythagoras, the Stoics, + and other Greek schools of thought. + </p> + <p> + Brahme or Vishnu, resting on the bottom of the sea—a goddess who was + symbolized by the self-generating lotus—was in later ages the + mysterious Cow of the Goths. + </p> + <p> + After the natural truths concealed beneath their religious symbolism were + wholly forgotten, and human nature through the over-stimulation of the + animal instincts had become corrupted, Adam and Eve, names which doubtless + for ages represented the two fecundating principles throughout Nature, + with their sons, Cain, Abel, and Seth, comprehended the god-idea. The fact + has been observed that just six hundred years from the creation of Adam, + or at the close of the cycle, Noah appears with his three sons to save or + perpetuate the race. + </p> + <p> + It is now believed that this account of Noah and his three sons is an + allegory beneath which are concealed the religious doctrines, or perhaps I + should say, the philosophical speculations of an older race. The God of + the ancients was identified with the life of man individually and with + that of mankind collectively. As men die each day, and as every day men + are born, this Deity is said to die and to be renewed each day; and as he + is the sun, or the incarnation of the sun, the rising and setting of this + luminary depict the constantly dying and regenerating God of Nature, the + same as do the changing seasons. A similar idea reappears in their system + of the renewal of worlds and reincarnation. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the doctrine of the eternity of matter held by the ancients, + Origen mentions a belief of the Egyptians that the + </p> + <p> + "world or its substance was never produced, but that it has existed from + all eternity. Neither is there any such thing as death. Those who perish + about us every day are simply changed, either they take on other forms or + are removed to some other place. God cannot be destroyed, and as all + things are parts of the Deity everything lives and has always lived, + seeming death being simply change. Remnants of these doctrines are found + in every portion of the globe; among the Mexicans of the west as well as + among the rude mountaineers of the Burman Empire." + </p> + <p> + While contemplating the philosophical speculations of an ancient race + Bailly gave expression to the belief, that a "profoundly learned race of + people existed previous to the formation of any of our systems." The wiser + among the Greek philosophers, those who, it is believed, borrowed their + philosophical doctrines from the East, declare that "there is no + production of anything which was not before; no new substance made which + did not really pre-exist." Equally with matter was spirit indestructible. + "Our soul," says Plato, "was somewhere, before it came to exist in this + present form; whence it appears to be immortal.... Who knows whether that + which is demonstrated living, be not indeed rather dying, and whether that + which is styled dying be not rather living?" + </p> + <p> + To one who has given attention to the various legends relative to the + destruction of the world by a flood, and a storm-tossed mariner saved in + an ark or boat, it is plain that they all have the same significance, all + are but different versions of the same myth, which in an early age was + used to conceal the philosophical doctrines of an ancient people. + </p> + <p> + That the early historic nations understood little concerning the origin + and true meaning of the legends which they had inherited from an older + race is quite evident. The ignorance of the Greeks regarding the + significance of these legends is shown by the following: When Solon, + wishing to acquaint himself with the history of the oldest times, inquired + of an Egyptian priest concerning the time of the flood, and the age of + Deucalion or Phroneous or Noah, this functionary replied: + </p> + <p> + "O Solon, Solon, you Greeks are always children, nor is there an old man + among you! Having no ancient traditions nor any acquaintance with + chronology, you are as yet in a state of intellectual infancy. The true + origin of such mutilated fables as you possess is this. There have been + and shall again be in the course of many revolving ages, numerous + destructions of the human race; the greatest of them by fire and water, + but others in an almost endless succession of shorter intervals."(47) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 47) Quoted by Plato; also by Clement of Alexandria. +</pre> + <p> + We have observed that the symbol of the universe was an egg. The egg was + also the symbol of the earth and of the ark, which meant universal + womanhood. From the mundane egg the triplicated Deity sprang. There can be + little doubt at the present time that Adam, Noah, Menu, Osiris, and + Dionysos all represent the fructifying power of the sun. In process of + time they each came to figure as male reproductive energy, and during + certain periods of the earth's history they have each in turn been + worshipped as the Deity. That not only the ark was female, but that the + god element or reproductive principle within the ark was both female and + male, is a fact which has been lost sight of during the historic period, + or during those ages of the world in which the attempt has been made to + prove Nature motherless. + </p> + <p> + All the germs and living creatures which were within the ark, and which + were to reanimate the earth, were in pairs, females and males; and, + besides, the Dove (female), the emblem of peace, was also present. Even + Noah himself was produced from an egg, which, as we have seen, is the + symbol of Venus, or universal womanhood. In after ages the female + principle was not mentioned, but, on the contrary, was concealed beneath + convenient symbols; and as the philosophical ideas underlying natural + religion were lost or forgotten, and mankind had become too ignorant to + perceive that a dual force, female and male which was also a Trinity, + pervades Nature, the notion came gradually to prevail that the creative + agency, which is spirit, is altogether male. Hence the formulation of the + inconceivable doctrine of a Trinity composed of a Father, Son, and Holy + Ghost. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. SEPARATION OF THE FEMALE AND HALE ELEMENTS IN THE DEITY. + </h2> + <p> + Glimpses of antiquity as far back as human ken can reach reveal the fact + that in early ages of human society the physiological question of sex was + a theme of the utmost importance, while various proofs are at hand showing + that throughout the past the question of the relative importance of the + female and male elements in procreation has been a fruitful source of + religious contention and strife. These struggles, which from time to time + involved the entire habitable globe, were of long duration, subsiding only + after the adherents of the one sex or the other had gained sufficient + ascendancy over the opposite party to successfully erect its altars and + compel the worship of its own peculiar gods, which worship usually + included a large share of the temporal power. Only since the male sex has + gained sufficient influence to control not only human action, but human + thought as well, have these contentions subsided.(48) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 48) At the present time, through causes which are not difficult to +understand, the question of the relative importance of the two sexes is +again assuming a degree of importance indicative of the changes which +are taking place in human thought, and for the reason that we are just +witnessing the dawn of an intellectual age, the problems to be solved +will admit of no answers other than those based upon a scientific +foundation. +</pre> + <p> + That religious wars have not been confined to more modern times, and that + among an early race the attempt to exalt the male principle met with + obstinate resistance which involved mankind in a conflict, the violence of + which has never been exceeded, are facts which seem altogether probable. + Indeed, there is much evidence going to show that the cause of the + original dispersion of a primitive race was the contention which arose + respecting their religious faith or regarding the physiological question + of the relative importance of the sexes in the function of reproduction; + and that the general war indicated in the Puranas, which began in India + and extended over the entire habitable globe, and which was celebrated by + the poets as "the basis of Grecian mythology," originated in this conflict + over the precedence of one or the other of the sex-principles contained in + the Deity. Although there are no records of these wars in extant history, + accounts of them are still preserved in the traditions and religious + monuments of oriental countries. In Egypt, in India, and to a greater or + less extent in other Eastern countries, these physiological contests have + been disguised under a veil of allegory, the true significance of which it + is no longer difficult to understand. With the light which more recent + investigation has thrown upon the subject of the separation of the + original sex-elements contained in the Deity, the significance of the + following legend in the Servarasa is at once apparent. + </p> + <p> + When Parvati (Devi) was united in marriage to Mahadeva (Siva), the divine + pair had once a dispute on the comparative influence of the sexes in + producing animated beings, and each resolved by mutual agreement to create + a new race of men. The race produced by Mahadeva were very numerous, and + devoted themselves exclusively to the worship of the male Deity, but their + intellects were dull, their bodies feeble, their limbs distorted, and + their complexions of many different hues. Parvati had at the same time + created a multitude of human beings, who adored the female power only, and + were well shaped, with sweet aspects and fine complexions. A furious + contest ensued between the two nations, and the Lingajas, or adorers of + the male principle, were defeated in battle, but Mahadeva, enraged against + the Yonigas (the worshippers of the female element), would have destroyed + them with the fire of his eye if Parvati had not interposed and appeased + him, but he would spare them only on condition that they should instantly + leave the country with a promise to see it no more, and from the Yoni, + which they adored as the sole cause of their existence, they were named + Yavanas. + </p> + <p> + The fact has been noticed in a previous work(49) that, according to + Wilford, the Greeks were the descendants of the Yavanas of India, and that + when the Ionians emigrated they adopted the name to distinguish themselves + as adorers of the female, in opposition to a strong sect of male + worshippers which had been driven from the mother country. We are taught + by the Puranas that they settled partly on the borders of Varaha-Dwip, or + Europe, where they became the progenitors of the Greeks; and partly in the + two Dwipas of Cusha, Asiatic and African. In the Asiatic Cusha-Dwip they + supported themselves by violence and rapine. Parvati, however, or their + tutelary goddess, Yoni, always protected them; and at length, in the fine + country which they occupied, they became a flourishing nation.(50) Wilford + relates that there is a sect of Hindoos who, attempting to reconcile the + two systems, declare in their allegorical style that "Parvati and Mahadeva + found their concurrence essential to the perfection of their offspring, + and that Vishnu, at the request of the goddess, effected a reconciliation + between them."(51) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 49) See The Evolution of Women, p. 303. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 50) Asiatic Researches, vol. iii., pp. 125-132. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 51) Asiatic Researches, "Egypt and the Nile," vol. iii., pp. 361-363. +</pre> + <p> + The people who were dominant in Asia long before the rise of the late + Assyrian monarchy, are said to be those whom scriptural writers represent + as Cushim, and the Hindoos as Cushas. They were the descendants of Cush, + or Cuth, and were believed to have been the architects of the Tower of + Babel. Epiphanius, Eusebius, and others assert that at the time of the + building of this tower there existed two rival beliefs, the one + demonstrated as Scuthism, the other as Ionism, or Hellenism, the latter of + which embodied the worship of the Great Mother, or the female element, + which was worshipped in the shape of the mystic "Iona or Dove." The + Scuths, on the other hand, believed in the pre-eminence of a Great Father, + or, perhaps I should say, in a Deity composed of a triad containing the + elements of a male parent. Upon this subject the learned Faber remarks: "I + am much mistaken if some dissension on these points did not prevail at + Babel itself; and I think there is reason for believing that the + altercation between the rival sects aided the confusion of languages in + producing the dispersion."(52) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 52) Pagan Idolatry, book vi., ch. ii. +</pre> + <p> + Those who believed in the superiority of the male in the processes of + reproduction, adored the male element in the Deity, while those who held + that the female is the more important, worshipped the female energy + throughout Nature under one or another of its symbols, sometimes as a + woman with her child and sometimes as a dove, but oftener as an ark, box, + or chest. + </p> + <p> + It is evident from the sacred writings of the Hindoos that in India, + during a period of several thousand years, there existed various sects, + those who worshipped the male as the only creative force, others who + adored the female as the origin of life, and those who paid homage to + both, as alike important in the office of reproduction. + </p> + <p> + It would seem that the fierce wars which had devastated the land had + ceased prior to the beginning of the Tower of Babel. According to the + testimony of Moses, the Lord himself declared "Behold the people is one." + This unanimity of belief, as is plainly shown, was of short duration, for + the Tower arose "upright and defiant," not, however, as an emblem of the + primeval dual or triune God in which the female energy was predominant, + but as a symbol of male creative power. It was the type of virility which + in the subsequent history of religion was to assume the position of the + "one only and true God." + </p> + <p> + It is not improbable that idolatry began with the Tower of Babel. + </p> + <p> + Indeed it has been confidently asserted by certain writers that the + earliest idols set up as emblems of the Deity, or as expressions of the + peculiar worship of the Lingajas, were obelisks, columns, or towers, the + first of which we have any account being the Tower of Babel, erected + probably at Nipur in Chaldea. Until a comparatively recent time, the + actual significance of this monument seems to have been little understood. + Later research, however, points to the fact that it was a phallic device + erected in opposition to a religion which recognized the female element + throughout Nature as God. The length of time which the adherents of these + two doctrines had contended for the mastery is not known, but through the + deciphered monuments of ancient nations, by facts gathered from their + sacred writings, and by the general voice of tradition, it has been + ascertained with a considerable degree of certainty that this great + upheaval of society was the culmination of a dispute which had long been + waged between two contending powers, and which finally resulted in a + separation of the people, and in the final success, for the time being, of + the sect which refused longer to recognize the superior importance of the + female in the god-idea. + </p> + <p> + At what time in the history of mankind the Tower of Babel was erected has + not been ascertained, but the great antiquity of Chaldea is no longer + questioned. Sir Henry Rawlinson, in the Royal Geographical Journal says: + </p> + <p> + "When Chaldea was first colonized, or at any rate when the seat of empire + was first established there, the emporium of trade seems to have been at + Ur of the Chaldees, which is now 150 miles from the sea, the Persian Gulf + having retired nearly that distance before the sediment brought down by + the Euphrates and Tigris." + </p> + <p> + To which Baldwin adds: + </p> + <p> + "A little reflection on the vast period of time required to effect + geological changes so great as this will enable us to see to what a remote + age in the deeps of antiquity we must go to find the beginning of + civilization in the Mesopotamian Valley."(53) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 53) Prehistoric Nations, p. 191. +</pre> + <p> + Although at the time of the building of the Tower of Babel the worship of + a Deity in which the male principle was pre-eminent had not become + universal, still the facts seem to indicate that the doctrine of male + superiority which for ages had been steadily advancing had at length + gained the ascendancy over the older religion. The new faith and worship + had corrupted the old, and through the conditions which had been imposed + upon women, and the consequent stimulation of the lower nature in man, + even the adherents of the older faith were losing sight of those higher + principles which in preceding ages they had adored as God. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that in every country upon the earth there is a tradition + recounting the ravages of a flood. Whether or not this legend is to be + traced to an actual calamity by which a large portion of Asia was + inundated, is not for a certainty known; but the fact that there was a + deluge of contention and strife, surpassing anything perhaps which the + world has ever witnessed, seems altogether probable. + </p> + <p> + Not long after the catastrophe designated as the flood, emblems of the + Deity, representations of the male and female elements, appear in + profusion. Babylon, at which place was erected the Tower of Belus, and + Memphis, which contained the Pyramids, were among the first cities which + were built. As the tower typified the Deity worshipped by those who + claimed superiority for the male, so the pyramids symbolized the creative + agency and peculiar qualities of the female, or of the dual Deity which + was worshipped as female. + </p> + <p> + Although the grosser elements in human nature were rapidly assuming a more + intensely aggressive attitude, and although the higher principles involved + in an earlier religion were in a measure forgotten, it is evident that at + this time humanity had not become wholly sensualized, and that the lower + propensities and appetites had not assumed dominion over the reasoning + faculties. + </p> + <p> + The Great Mother Cybele, who is represented by the Sphinx, had doubtless + been adored as a pure abstraction, her worship being that of the universal + female principle in Nature. She is pictured as the "Eldest Daughter of the + Mythologies," and as "The Great First Cause." She represented the past and + the future. She was the source whence all that was and is had proceeded. + </p> + <p> + In its earliest representations, the Sphinx is figured with the head of a + woman and the body of a lion. By various writers it is stated that the + Sphinxes which were brought as spoils from Asia, the very cradle of + religion, were thus represented. The lion, which symbolizes royal power + and intellectual strength, is always attached to the chariot of Cybele. + The Sphinx is supposed to typify not only Cybele, but the great + androgynous God of Africa as well. However, as Cybele and Muth portrayed + the same idea, namely, female power and wisdom, we are not surprised that + they should have been worshipped under the same emblem. Neither is it + remarkable, when we recall the fact that the female was supposed to + comprehend both sexes, that in certain instances a beard appears as an + accompanying feature of the Sphinx. We are told that the fourth avatar of + Vishnu was a Sphinx, but a further search into the history of this Deity + reveals the fact that her ninth avatar is Brahm (masculine). The female + principle has at length succumbed to the predominance of male power, and + Vishnu herself has become transformed into a male God. + </p> + <p> + Although the rites connected with the worship of Cybele were phallic they + were absolutely pure. In an allusion to this worship, Hargrave Jennings + admits that the "spirituality to which women in that age of the world were + observed to be more liable than men was peculiarly adverse to all sensual + indulgence, and especially that of the sexes." + </p> + <p> + Although the creative principle was adored under its representatives, the + Yoni and the Lingham, still the principal object seems to have been, when + administering the rites pertaining to the worship of Cybele, to ignore sex + and the usual sex distinctions; hence we find that, in order to assume an + androgynous appearance, the priestesses of this Goddess officiated in the + costumes of males, while priests appeared in the dress peculiar to + females. However, that the sensuous element was to a certain extent + already assuming dominion over the higher nature, and that priests were + regarded as being incapable of self-control, is observed in the fact that + in the later ages of female worship one of the principal requirements of a + priest of Cybele was castration. + </p> + <p> + It is the opinion of Grote that the story which appears in the Hesiodic + Theogony, of the castration of Saturn and Uranus by their sons with + sickles forged by the mother, was borrowed from the Phrygians, or from the + worship of the Great Mother. + </p> + <p> + In India, the strictest chastity was prescribed to the priests of Siva, a + God which was worshipped as the Destroyer or Regenerator, and which in its + earlier conception was the same as the Great Mother Cybele. These priests + were frequently obliged to officiate in a nude state, and during the + ceremony should it appear that the symbols with which they came in contact + had appealed to other than their highest emotions, they were immediately + stoned by the people.(54) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 54) Sonnerat, Voyage aux Indes, i., 311. +</pre> + <p> + The identity of the religions of India and Egypt has been noted in an + earlier portion of this work. Wilford, in his dissertations upon Egypt and + the Nile, says that in a conversation which he had with some learned + Brahmins, upon describing to them the form and peculiarities of the Great + Pyramid, they told him that "it was a temple appropriated to the worship + of Padma Devi." The true Coptic name of these edifices is Pire Honc, which + signifies a sunbeam. Padma Devi means the lotus, or the Deity of + generation. + </p> + <p> + It is thought by many writers that these gigantic structures were erected + by the Cushite conquerors of Egypt, who invaded and civilized the country, + as emblems of the female Deity whom they worshipped. Certainly the + magnitude of these monuments and the ingenuity displayed in their + construction indicate the intelligence of their builders and the exalted + character of the Deity adored. The Great Pyramid is in the form of a + square, each side of whose base is seven hundred and fifty-five feet, and + covers an area of nearly fourteen acres. An able writer in describing the + pyramids says that the first thing which impresses one is the uniform + precision and systematic design apparent in their architecture. They all + have their sides accurately adapted to the four cardinal points. + </p> + <p> + "In six of them which have been opened, the principal passage preserves + the same inclination of 26 degrees to the horizon, being directed toward + the polar star.... Their obliquity being so adjusted as to make the north + side coincide with the obliquity of the sun's rays at the summer's + solstice, has, combined with the former particulars, led some to suppose + they were solely intended for astronomical uses; and certainly, if not + altogether true, it bespeaks, at all events, an intimate acquaintance with + astronomical rules, as well as a due regard to the principles of geometry. + Others have fancied them intended for sepulchres; and as the Egyptians, + taught by their ancient Chaldean victors, connected astronomy with their + funereal and religious ceremonies, they seem in this to be not far astray, + if we but extend the application to their sacred bulls and other animals, + and not merely to their kings, as Herodotus would have us suppose."(55) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 55) The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 159. +</pre> + <p> + According to the testimony of Inman, the pyramid is an emblem of the + Trinity—three in one. The triangle typifies the flame of sacred fire + emerging from the holy lamp. With its base upwards it typifies the Delta, + or the door through which all come into the world. With its apex + uppermost, it is an emblem of the phallic triad. The union of these + triangles typifies the male and female principles uniting with each other, + thus producing a new figure, a star, while each retains its own + identity.(56) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 56) Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 145. +</pre> + <p> + Thus the primary significance of the pyramid was religious, and in its + peculiar architectural construction was manifested the prevailing + conception of the Deity worshipped; namely, the fructifying energies in + the sun. We are informed that "all nations have at one time or another + passed through violent stages of pyrolatry, a word which reminds us that + fire and phallic cult flourished around the pyramids.... Every town in + Greece had a Pyrtano."(57) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 57) Forlong, Rivers of Life, or Faiths of Man in All Lands, vol. i., p. +325. +</pre> + <p> + As not alone the sun but the stars also had come to be venerated as + agencies in reproduction, the worship of these objects was, as we have + seen, closely interwoven with that of the generative processes throughout + Nature. The attempt to solve the great problem of the origin of life on + the earth led these people to contemplate with the profoundest reverence + all the visible objects which were believed to affect human destiny. Hence + both the pyramid and the tower served a double purpose, first, as emblems + of the Deity worshipped, and, second, as monuments for the study of the + heavenly bodies with which their religious ideas were so intimately + connected. + </p> + <p> + While comparing the early emblems which prefigure the primitive elements + in the god-idea, Hargrave Jennings observes: + </p> + <p> + "In the conveyance of certain ideas to those who contemplate it, the + pyramid boasts of prouder significance, and impresses with a hint of still + more impenetrable mystery. We seem to gather dim supernatural ideas of the + mighty Mother of Nature... that almost two-sexed entity, without a name—She + of the Veil which is never to be lifted, perhaps not even by the angels, + for their knowledge is limited. In short, this tremendous abstraction, + Cybele, Ideae, Mater, Isiac controller of the Zodiacs, whatever she may + be, has her representative in the half-buried Sphinx even to our own day, + watching the stars although nearly swallowed up in the engulphing + sands."(58) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 58) Phallicism, p. 25. +</pre> + <p> + From the time when the two religious elements began to separate in the + minds of the people, the prophets, seers, and priestesses of the old + religion, those who continued to worship the Virgin and Child, had + prophesied that a mortal woman, a virgin, would, independently of the male + principle, bring forth a child, the fulfilment of which prophecy would + vindicate the ancient faith and forever settle the dispute relative to the + superiority of the female in the office of reproduction. Thus would the + woman "bruise the serpent's head." In process of time not only Yonigas, + but Lingajas as well, came to accept the doctrine of the incarnation of + the sun in the bodies of earthly virgins. By Lingaites, however, it was + the seed of the woman and not the woman herself who was to conquer evil. + Finally, with the increasing importance of the male in human society, it + is observed that a reconciliation has been effected between the female + worshippers and those of the male. Athene herself has acquiesced in the + doctrine of male superiority. + </p> + <p> + Thalat, the great Chaldean Deity, who presided over Chaos prior to the + existence of organized matter, is finally transformed into a male God. The + Hindoo Vishnu, who as she slept on the bottom of the sea brought forth all + creation, has changed her sex. Brahm, the Creator, is male, and appears as + a triplicated Deity in the form of three sons within whom is contained the + essence of a Great Father, the female creative principle being closely + veiled. + </p> + <p> + Hence we see that the God of the ancients, the universal dual force which + resides in the sun and which creates all things, is no longer worshipped + under the figure of a mother and her child. Although the female principle + is still a necessary factor in the creative processes, and although it is + capable of producing gods, the mother element possesses none of the + essentials which constitute a Deity. In other words, woman is not a + Creator. From the father is derived the soul of the child, while from the + mother, or from matter, the body is formed. Hence the prevalence at a + certain stage of human history of divine fathers and earthly mothers; for + instance, Alexander of Macedon, Julius Caesar, and later the mythical + Christ who superseded Jesus, the Judean philosopher and teacher of + mankind. + </p> + <p> + Henceforth, caves, wells, cows, boxes and chests, arks, etc., stand for or + symbolize the female power. We are given to understand, however, that for + ages these symbols were as holy as the God himself, and among many peoples + even more revered and worshipped. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that the ancients knew that matter and force were alike + indestructible. According to their doctrine all Nature proceeded from the + sun. Hence the power back of the sun, which they worshipped as the + Destroyer or Regenerator, or, in other words, as the mother of the sun, + was the Great Aum or Om, the Aleim or Elohim, who was the indivisible God. + The creative agency which proceeded from the sun was both male and female, + yet one in essence. Later, the male appeared as spirit, the female as + matter. Spirit was something above and independent of Nature. + </p> + <p> + It had indeed created matter from nothing. The fact will be remembered + that man claimed supremacy over woman on the ground that the male is + spirit, while the female is only matter; in other words, that she was + simply a covering for the soul, which is divine. + </p> + <p> + Thus was the god-idea divorced from Nature, and a masculine principle, + outside and independent of matter, set up as a personal potentate or ruler + over the universe. + </p> + <p> + The logic by which the great female principle in the Deity has been + eliminated, and the subterfuges which have been and still are employed to + construct and sustain a Creator who of himself is powerless to create, is + as amusing as it is suggestive, and forcibly recalls to mind la couvade, + in which, among certain tribes, the father, assuming all the duties of + procreation, goes to bed when a child is born.(59) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 59) The Evolution of Woman, p. 127. +</pre> + <p> + All mythologies prove conclusively that ages elapsed before human beings + were rash enough, or sufficiently blinded by falsehood and superstition, + to attempt to construct a creative force unaided by the female principle. + Just here it may not be out of place to refer to the fact that in the + attempt to divorce God from Nature have arisen all the superstitions and + senseless religious theories with which, since the earliest ages of + metaphysical speculation, the human mind has been crowded. + </p> + <p> + To this separation of the two original elements in the Deity, and the + consequent exaltation of one of the factors in the creative processes, is + to be traced the beginning of our present false, unnatural, and + unphilosophical masculine system of religion—a system under which a + father appears as the sole parent of the universe. + </p> + <p> + The fact is tolerably well understood that mysticism and the accumulation + of superstitious ideas are the result of the over-stimulation of the lower + animal instincts. When the agencies which had hitherto held the lower + nature in check became inoperative—when man began to regard himself + as a Creator and therefore as the superior of woman—he had reached a + point at which he was largely controlled by supernatural or mystical + influences. + </p> + <p> + The fact is observed that in course of time the governmental powers are no + longer in the hands of the people; the masses have become enslaved. Their + rulers are priests—deified tyrants who are unable to maintain their + authority except through the ignorance and credulity of the masses. Hence + one is not surprised to find that the change which took place at a certain + stage of human growth in respect to the manner of reckoning descent was + instigated and enforced by religion. Apollo had declared that woman is but + the nurse to her own offspring. Neither is it remarkable at this stage in + the human career, as women had lost their position as heads of families, + and as they were no longer recognized as of kin to their children, that + man should have attempted to lessen the importance of the female element + in the god-idea. + </p> + <p> + Wherever in the history of the human race we observe a change in the + relations of the sexes involving greater or more oppressive restrictions + on the natural rights of women, such change, whether it assume a legal, + social, or religious form, will, if traced to its source, always be found + deeply rooted in the wiles of priestcraft. Since the decay of the earliest + form of religion, namely, Nature-worship, the gods have never been found + ranged on the side of women. + </p> + <p> + Later investigations are proving that the primitive idea of a Deity had + its foundation in actual physical facts and experiences; and, as the + maternal principle constituted the most important as well as the most + obvious of the facts which entered into the conception of a Creator, and + as it was the only natural bond capable of binding human society together, + so long as reason was not wholly clouded by superstition and warped by + sensuality, it could not be eliminated. In other words, a Creator in which + the more essential element of creative force was wanting, was contrary to + all human experience and observation. Indeed nothing could be plainer than + that the deified male principle could of itself create nothing, and that + it was dependent for its very existence on the female element. + </p> + <p> + By this attempt to construct a masculine Deity, absurdities were presented + to the human judgment and understanding which for ages could not be + overcome, and by it contradictions were necessitated which could not be + reconciled with human reason and with the ideas of Nature which had + hitherto been held by mankind. It was not, therefore, until reason had + been suspended in all matters pertaining to religion, and blind faith in + the machinations of priestcraft had been established, that a male God was + set up as the sole Creator of the universe. + </p> + <p> + When women, who had become the legitimate plunder not only of individuals + but of bands of warriors whose avowed object was the capture of women for + wives, had degenerated into mere tools or instruments for the + gratification and pleasure of men, Perceptive Wisdom or Light, and + Maternal Affection the Preserver of the race, gradually became eliminated + from the god-idea of mankind. Passion became God. It was the Creator in + the narrowest and most restricted sense. + </p> + <p> + Although in an age of pure Nature-worship the ideas connected with + reproduction, like those related to all other natural functions, were + wholly unconnected with impurity either of thought or deed, still when an + age arrived in which all checks to human passion had been withdrawn, and + the lower propensities had gained dominion over the higher faculties, the + influence of fertility or passion-worship on human development or growth + may in a degree be imagined. + </p> + <p> + The fact must be borne in mind that curing the later ages of + passion-worship the creative processes and the reproductive organs were + deified, not as an expression or symbol of the operations of Nature, but + as a means to the stimulation of the lower animal instincts in man. + </p> + <p> + With religion bestialized and its management regulated wholly with an idea + to the gratification of man's sensuous desires, religious temples, under + the supervision of the priesthood, became brothels, in which were openly + practiced as part and parcel of religious rites and ceremonies the most + wanton profligacy and the most shameless self-abandonment. The worship of + Aphrodite or Venus, and also that of Bacchus, originally consisted in + homage paid to the reproductive principles contained in the earth, water, + and sun, but, as is well known, this pure and beautiful worship, in later + times, and especially after it was carried to Greece, became synonymous + with the grossest practices and the most lawless disregard of human + decency. + </p> + <p> + With the light which in these later ages science and ethnological research + are throwing upon the physiological and religious disputes of the + ancients, the correctness of the primitive doctrines elaborated under + purer conditions at an age when human beings lived nearer to Nature is + being proved—namely, that matter like spirit is eternal and + indestructible, and therefore that the one is as difficult of + comprehension as the other, and that Nature, instead of being separated + from spirit, is filled with it and can not be divorced from it; also that + the female is the original organic unit of creation, without which nothing + is or can be created. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. CIVILIZATION OF AN ANCIENT RACE. + </h2> + <p> + The profound doctrines of abstractions or emanations; of the absorption of + the individual soul into the divine ether or essence; of the renewal of + worlds and reincarnation, were doubtless elaborated after the separation, + in the human mind, of Spirit from matter, but before mankind had lost the + power to reason abstractly. + </p> + <p> + Although Pythagoras understood and believed these doctrines, he did not, + as is well known, receive them from his degenerate countrymen, but, on the + contrary, imbibed them from private sources among the orientals, where + fragments of their remarkable learning were still extant. He said that + religion consists in knowing the truth and doing good, and his ideas show + the grandeur and beauty of the earlier conception of a Deity. He declared + that there is only one God who is not, "as some are apt to imagine, seated + above the world, beyond the orb of the universe," but that this great + power is diffused throughout Nature. It is "the reason, the life, and the + motion of all things." + </p> + <p> + Plato believed that human beings are possessed of two souls, the one + mortal, which perishes with the body, the other immortal, which continues + to exist either in a state of happiness or misery; that the righteous + soul, freed from the limitations of matter, returns at death to the source + whence it came, and that the wicked, after having been detained for a + while in a place prepared for their reception, are sent back to earth to + reanimate other bodies. + </p> + <p> + Aristotle held the opinion that the souls of human beings are sparks from + the divine flame, while Zeno, the founder of the Stoic philosophy, taught + that spirit acting upon matter produced the elements and the earth. There + is plenty of evidence going to show that the early Fathers in the + Christian church believed in the doctrines of reincarnation and the + renewal of worlds. Neither is there any doubt but that this philosophy + came from the East, where it originated. It is thought that the ancient + philosophers who elaborated these doctrines were unable to account for the + existence of evil without a belief in the immortality of the soul. Spirit + was eternal, as was also matter. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +A soul, upon leaving the body, in course of time found its way back to +earth, surrounded by conditions suited to its stage of growth. Here it +must reap all the consequences of its former life. It must also during +its stay on earth make the conditions for its next appearance upon an +earthly plane. So soon as through a succession of births and deaths +it had perfected itself, it entered into a state of Nirvana. It was +absorbed into the great Universal Soul. Nothing is ever lost. + + "Many a house of life + Hath held me—seeking ever Him who wrought + These prisons of the senses, sorrow fraught; + Sore was my ceaseless strife! + But now, + Thou builder of this tabernacle—Thou! + I know Thee. + Never shalt Thou build again + These walls of pain, + Nor raise the roof-tree of deceits, nor lay + Fresh rafters on the clay; + Broken Thy house is, and the ridge-pole split! + Delusion fashioned it! + Safe pass I thence—deliverance to obtain."(60) +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 60) Edwin Arnold, The light of Asia. +</pre> + <p> + Regarding the opinions of the ancients on the subject of the eternity of + matter, Higgins, in his learned work on Celtic Druids, says: + </p> + <p> + "The eternity of matter is a well known tenet of the Pythagoreans, and + whether right or wrong there can be no doubt that it was the doctrine of + the oriental school, whence Pythagoras drew his learning. It was a + principle taken or mistaken from, or found amongst, the debris of that + mighty mass of learning and science of a former period, of which, on + looking back as far as human ken can reach, the most learned men have + thought that they could see a faint glimmering. Indeed, I think I may say + something more than a faint glimmering. For all the really valuable moral + and philosophical doctrines we possess, Dutens has shown to have existed + there." + </p> + <p> + From what is known relative to the speculations of an ancient race, the + fact is observed that creation was but a re-formation of matter. Wisdom, + or Minerva, formed the earth and the planets; she did not create the + heavens and the earth, as did the later Jewish God. + </p> + <p> + Of the seven principles of the universe, matter was the first, and of the + seven principles of man, the physical body was the earliest. Through + evolutionary processes, or through cyclic periods involving millions of + years, mind was developed, and in course of time spirit was finally + manifested. + </p> + <p> + Mai, the Mother of Gotama Buddha, was simply matter, or illusion, from + which its higher manifestation, mind or spirit, was emerging. She was also + the mother of Mercury. A clearer knowledge of the philosophical doctrines + which were elaborated at a time when Nature-worship was beginning to + decay, reveals the fact that the god-idea comprehended a profound + knowledge of Nature and her laws; that while this people did not pretend + to account for the existence of matter, they recognized a force operating + through it whose laws were unchanged and unchanging. + </p> + <p> + With these facts relative to the intelligence of an older race before us, + the question naturally arises: What was the degree of civilization + attained at a time when the Deity worshipped was an abstract principle + involving the actual creative processes throughout Nature? and, + notwithstanding our prejudices, we are constrained to acknowledge that + these earlier conceptions are scarcely compatible with the barbarism which + we have been taught to regard as the condition of all the peoples which + existed prior to the first Greek Olympiad. On the contrary, the origin of + the philosophical opinions entertained by the most ancient oriental + philosophers, and which must have arisen out of a profound knowledge or + appreciation of Nature and her operations, point to a race far superior to + any of those peoples which appear in early historic times. Regarding these + opinions, Godfrey Higgins remarks: + </p> + <p> + "From their philosophical truth and universal reception I am strongly + inclined to refer them to the authors of the Neros, or to that enlightened + race, supposed by Bailly to have formerly existed, and to have been saved + from a great catastrophe on the Himalaya Mountains. This is confirmed by + an observation which the reader will make in the sequel, that these + doctrines have been, like all the other doctrines of antiquity, gradually + corrupted—incarnated, if I may be permitted to compose a word for + the occasion." + </p> + <p> + Of this cycle, Bailly says: "No person could have invented the Neros who + had not arrived at much greater perfection in astronomy than we know was + the state of the most ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, and Greeks." + </p> + <p> + Toward the close of the eighteenth century the celebrated astronomer, + Bailly, published a work entitled The History of Ancient Astronomy, in + which he endeavored to prove that a nation possessed of profound wisdom + and great genius, and of an antiquity far superior to the Hindoos or + Egyptians, "inhabited the country to the north of India, or about fifty + degrees north latitude." This writer has shown that "the most celebrated + astronomical observations and inventions, from their peculiar character, + could have taken place only in these latitudes, and that arts and + improvements gradually travelled thence to the equator." + </p> + <p> + A colony of Brahmins settled near the Imans, and in Northern Thibet, where + in ancient times they established celebrated colleges, particularly at + Nagraent and Cashmere. In these institutions the treasures of Sanskrit + literature were supposed to be deposited. The Rev. Mr. Maurice was + informed that an immemorial tradition prevailed at Benares that all the + learning of India came from a country situated in forty degrees of + northern latitude. Other writers are of the opinion that civilization + proceeded from Arabia; that the old Cushite race carried commerce, + letters, and laws to all the nations of the East. Which of these theories + is true, if either, may not with certainty be proved at present; yet that + in the far distant past a race of people existed whose achievements + exceeded those of any of the historic nations may not be doubted. + </p> + <p> + That the length of the year was calculated with greater exactness by an + ancient and forgotten people than it was by early historic nations is + proved by the cycle of the Neros. This cycle, which was formed of 7,421 + lunar revolutions of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds, or + 219,146 days and a half, was equal to 600 solar years of 365 days, 5 + hours, 51 minutes, and 36 seconds, which time varies less than three + minutes from the present observations of the year's length. The length of + the year as calculated by the Egyptians and other early historic nations + was 360 days, which fact would seem to indicate that a science of + astronomy had been developed in an earlier age which by the most ancient + peoples of whom we have any historic records has been lost or forgotten. + It has been said that if this cycle of the Neros "were correct to the + second, if on the first of January at noon a new moon took place, it would + take place again in exactly 600 years at the same moment of the day, and + under all the same circumstances."(61) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 61) Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids, ch. ii., sec. 14. +</pre> + <p> + The Varaha Calpa has the famous cycle of 4,320,000,000 years for its + duration. This system makes the Cali Yug begin 3098 years B.C. A dodecan + consisted of 5 days, and 72 dodecans formed a natural year of 360 days. + According to the earlier calculations, 360 solar diurnal revolutions + constituted a natural year. The doctrine of the ancients concerning these + cycles is thus set forth by Godfrey Higgins: + </p> + <p> + "The sun, or rather that higher principle of which the sun was the emblem + or the shekinah, was considered to be incarnated every six hundred years. + Whilst the sun was in Taurus, the different incarnations, under whatever + names they might go, were all considered but as incarnations of Buddha or + Taurus. When he got into Aries, they were in like manner considered but as + incarnations of Cristna or Aries, and even Buddha and Cristna were + originally considered the same, and had a thousand names in common, + constantly repeated in their litanies—a striking proof of identity + of origin. Of these Zodiacal divisions the Hindoos formed another period, + which consisted of ten ages or Calpas or Yugs, which they considered the + duration of the world, at the end of which a general renovation of all + things would take place. They also reckoned ten Neroses to form a period, + each of them keeping a certain relative location to the other, and + together to form a cycle. To effect this they doubled the precessional + period for one sign—viz: 2160 years—thus making 4320, which + was a tenth of 43,200, a year of the sun, analogous to the 360 natural + days, and produced in the same manner, by multiplying the day of 600 by + the dodecans 72 = 43,200. They then formed another great year of 432,000 + by again multiplying it by 10, which they called a Cali Yug, which was + measurable both by the number 2160, the years the equinox preceded in a + sign, and by the number 600. They then had the following scheme: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Cali Yug, or 600 (or a Neros) 432,000 + A Dwapar, or Duo-par Age....864,000 + A Treta, or tree-par Age... 1,296,000 + A Satya, or Satis Age....1,728,000 + ————- + 4,320,000 +</pre> + <p> + altogether 10 Ages, making a Maha Yug or Great Age. These were all + equimultiples of the Cycle of the Neros 600, and of 2160, the twelfth part + of the equinoctial precessional Cycle, and in all formed ten ages of + 432,000 years each."(62) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 62) Anacalypsis, vol. i., p. 232. +</pre> + <p> + The two great religious festivals of the ancients occurred the one in the + spring, at Easter, when all Nature was renewed, the other in the autumn, + after the earth had yielded her bounties and the fruits were garnered in. + It was at these gatherings that the Great Mother Earth received the devout + adoration of all her children. + </p> + <p> + It is supposed that the Neros, or cycle of 600, is closely connected with + this worship, and that it was invented to regulate the season for these + festivals. In process of time it was discovered that this cycle no longer + answered, that the festival which had originally fallen on the first of + May now occurred on the first of April. This, we are told, + </p> + <p> + "led ultimately to the discovery that the equinox preceded about 2160 + years in each sign or 25,920 years in the 12 signs, and this induced them + to try if they could not form a cycle of the two. On examination, they + found that the 600 would not commensurate the 2160 years in a sign, or any + number of sums of 2160 less than ten, but that it would with ten, or that + in ten times 2160, or in 21,600 years, the two cycles would agree; yet + this artificial cycle would not be enough to include the cycle of 25,920. + They, therefore, took two of the periods of 21,600, or 43,200; and, + multiplying both by ten—viz: 600 X 10 = 6000, and 43,200 X 10 = + 432,000—they formed a period with which the 600-year period and the + 6000-year period would terminate and form a cycle. Every 432,000 years the + three periods would commence anew; thus the three formed a year or cycle, + 72 times 6000 making 432,000, and 720 times 600 making 432,000."(63) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 63) Higgins, Anacalypsis, p. 235. +</pre> + <p> + To form a great year, which would include all the cyclical motions of the + sun and moon, and perhaps of the planets, they multiplied 432,000 by ten; + thus they had ten periods answering to ten signs. Concerning these cycles + Godfrey Higgins observes: + </p> + <p> + "Persons of narrow minds will be astonished at such monstrous cycles; but + it is very certain that no period could properly be called the great year + unless it embraced in its cycle every periodical movement or apparent + aberration. But their vulgar wonder will perhaps cease when they are told + that La Place has proved that, if the periodical aberrations of the moon + be correctly calculated, the great year must be extended to a greater + length even than 4,320,000 years of the Maha Yug of the Hindoos, and + certainly no period can be called a year of our planetary system which + does not take in all the periodical motions of the planetary bodies." + </p> + <p> + It is thought that as soon as these ancient astronomers perceived that the + equinoxes preceded, they would at once attempt to determine the rate of + precession in a given time; the precession, however, in one year was so + small that they were obliged to extend their observations over immense + periods. Jones informs us that the Hindoos first supposed that the + precession took place at the rate of 60 years in a degree, or 1800 in a + Zodiacal sign, and of 21,600 in a revolution of the entire circle. They + afterwards came to think that the precession was at the rate of 60 years + and a fraction of a year, and thus that the precession for a sign was in + 1824 years, and for the circle in 21,888 years. Subsequently they + discovered, or thought they had discovered, the Soli-Lunar period of 608 + years, hence they attempted to make the two go together. Both, however, + proved to be erroneous. + </p> + <p> + In referring to the fact that among the ancient Romans existed the story + of the twelve vultures and the twelve ages of 120 years each, Higgins + remarks: + </p> + <p> + "This arose from the following cause: They came from the East before the + supposition that the precession took place a degree in about 60 years, and + 1824 years in a sign had been discovered to be erroneous; and as they + supposed the Neros made a correct cycle in 608 years, and believed the + precessional cycle to be completed in 21,888, they of course made their + ages into twelve. As both numbers were erroneous, they would not long + answer their intended purpose, and their meaning was soon lost, though the + sacred periods of twelve ages and of 608 remained." + </p> + <p> + According to Hipparchus and Ptolemy, the equinoxes preceded at the rate of + a degree in 100 years, or 36,000 hundred years in 360 degrees. This + constituted a great year, at the end of which the regeneration of all + things takes place. This is thought to be a remnant of the most ancient + Hindoo speculations, and not the result of observation among the Greeks. + Some time after the arrival of the sun in Aries, + </p> + <p> + "at the vernal equinox, the Indians probably discovered their mistake, in + giving about 60 years to a degree; that they ought to give 50" to a year, + about 72 years to a degree, and about 2160 years to a sign; and that the + Luni-Solar cycle, called the Neros, did not require 608 years, but 600 + years only, to complete its period. Hence arose the more perfect Neros." + </p> + <p> + It is thought by various writers that the knowledge of the ancient Hindoos + regarding the movements of the sun and moon in their cycles of nineteen + and six hundred years—the Metonic cycle, and the Neros—proves + that long before the birth of Hipparchus the length of the year was known + with a degree of exactitude which that astronomer had not the means of + determining. It is positively asserted by astronomers that at least twelve + hundred years were required, "during which time the observations must have + been taken with the greatest care and regularly recorded," to arrive at + the knowledge necessary for the invention of the Neros, and that such + observations would have been impossible without the aid of the telescope. + </p> + <p> + On the subject of the great learning of an ancient race, Sir W. Drummond + says: + </p> + <p> + "The fact, however, is certain, that at some remote period there were + mathematicians and astronomers who knew that the sun is in the centre of + the planetary system, and that the earth, itself a planet, revolves round + the central fire;—who calculated, or like ourselves attempted to + calculate, the return of comets, and who knew that these bodies move in + elliptic orbits, immensely elongated, having the sun in one of their foci;—who + indicated the number of the solar years contained in the great cycle, by + multiplying a period (variously called in the Zend, the Sanscrit, and the + Chinese ven, van, and phen) of 180 years by another period of 144 years;—who + reckoned the sun's distance from the earth at 800,000,000 of Olympic + stadia; and who must, therefore, have taken the parallax of that luminary + by a method, not only much more perfect than that said to be invented by + Hipparchus, but little inferior in exactness to that now in use among the + moderns;—who could scarcely have made a mere guess when they fixed + the moon's distance from its primary planet at fifty-nine semi-diameters + of the earth;—who had measured the circumference of our globe with + so much exactness that their calculation only differed by a few feet from + that made by our modern geometricians;—who held that the moon and + the other planets were worlds like our own, and that the moon was + diversified by mountains and valleys and seas;—who asserted that + there was yet a planet which revolved round the sun, beyond the orbit of + Saturn;—who reckoned the planets to be sixteen in number;—and + who reckoned the length of the tropical year within three minutes of the + true time; nor, indeed, were they wrong at all, if a tradition mentioned + by Plutarch be correct."(64) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 64) Drummond, On the Zodiacs, p. 36. +</pre> + <p> + Bailly, Sir W. Jones, Higgins, and Ledwich, as well as many modern + writers, agree in the conclusion that the Indians, the Egyptians, the + Assyrians, and the Chinese were simply the depositaries, not the + inventors, of science. The spirit of inquiry which in later times is + directing attention to the almost buried past is revealing the fact that + not merely the germs whence our present civilization has been developed + descended to us from the dim ages of antiquity, but that a great number of + the actual benefits which go to make up our present state of material + progress have come to us from prehistoric times. The art of writing, of + navigation (including the use of the compass), the working of metals, + astronomy, the telescope, gunpowder, mathematics, democracy, building, + weaving, dyeing, and many of the appliances of civilized life, have been + appropriated by later ages with no acknowledgment of the source whence + they were derived. When Pythagoras exhibited to the Greeks some beautiful + specimens of ancient architecture which he had brought from Egypt and + Babylon, they simply claimed them as their own, giving no credit to the + people who originated them; and subsequent ages, copying their example, + have refused to acknowledge that anything of value had been achieved prior + to the first Greek Olympiad. + </p> + <p> + When Philip of Macedon opened the gold mines of Thrace, a country in which + it will be remembered the worship of the Great Mother Cybele was + indigenous, he found that they had been previously worked "at great + expense and with great ingenuity by a people well versed in mechanics, of + whom no monuments whatever are extant." + </p> + <p> + The decorations on the breasts of some of the oldest mummies show that the + early Egyptians understood the art of making glass. It is now known that + the lens as a magnifying instrument was in use among them. Attention has + been drawn to the fact that the astronomical observations of the ancients + would have been impossible without the aid of the telescope. Diodorus + Siculus says there was an island west of the Celtae in which the Druids + brought the sun and moon near them. An instrument has recently been found + in the sands of the Nile, the construction of which shows plainly that + 6000 years ago the Egyptians were acquainted with our modern ideas of the + science of astronomy. + </p> + <p> + William Huntington, who has travelled widely in India, Borneo, the Malay + Peninsula, and Egypt, says: + </p> + <p> + "I think, on the whole, the most interesting experience I ever had was in + an ancient city on the Nile in Egypt.... When I was there a year ago, and + men were digging among the ruined temples, some curious things were + brought to light, and these I regard as the strangest things seen in all + my wanderings. In an old tomb was found a curious iron and glass object, + which on investigation proved to be a photographic camera. It was not such + a camera as is used now, or has been since our photography was invented, + but something analogous to it, showing that the art which we thought we + had discovered was really known 6000 years ago." + </p> + <p> + The same writer states that a plow constructed on the modern plan was also + found. "It was not of steel but of iron, and it had the same shape, the + same form of point and bend of mold board as we have now." + </p> + <p> + It is reported that the dark continent possesses means of communication + entirely unknown to Europe. Upon this subject a correspondent to the New + York Tribune writes: + </p> + <p> + "When Khartoum fell in 1885 I was in Egypt, and I well remember that the + Arabs settled in the neighborhood of the pyramids knew all about it, as + well as about Gen. Gordon's death, days and days before the news reached + Cairo by telegraph from the Soudanese frontier. Yet Khartoum is thousands + of miles distant from Cairo and the telegraph wires from the frontier were + monopolized by the government." + </p> + <p> + The same correspondent observes that these Arabs told him, months + previously, of the defeat of the Egyptian army under Baker Pasha at Tokar—that + they not only gave him the news, but several particulars concerning the + matter, two full days before intelligence was received from the Red Sea + coast. In answer to the suggestion that such information might have been + conveyed by means of signal fires, this writer says that such fires would + have attracted the attention of the English and native scouts, and that + the whole country is unpropitious to such methods; besides, no system of + signal fires, no matter how elaborate, could have conveyed the news so + quickly and in such detail. The whole matter is summed up as follows: + </p> + <p> + "The Arabs, therefore, have, manifestly, some other means of rapid + communication at their command. One is inclined to the presumption that + they, like the learned Pundits of Northern India, have a knowledge of the + forces of Nature that are yet hidden from our most eminent scientists." + </p> + <p> + Can it be that the Arabs are acquainted with the very recently discovered + scientific principle, that it is possible to transmit telegraphic + communications without wires, and simply by means of magnetic currents in + earth and water? + </p> + <p> + Nor is this remarkable skill confined to the "barbarians of the Old + World." A correspondent from the far West to the New York Press wrote that + long before the news of the Custer massacre reached Fort Abraham Lincoln + the Sioux had communicated it to their brethren. The scouts in Crook's + column to the south knew of it almost immediately, as did those with + Gibbon farther northwest. The same writer says that several years ago a + naval lieutenant ran short of provisions. He pushed on to a settlement as + rapidly as possible and upon arriving there found that the inhabitants had + provided for his coming and had a bounteous store awaiting him. The people + in the village were of a different tribe from those whose domain he had + passed, and so far as could be learned were not in communication with + them. + </p> + <p> + The earliest accounts which we have of Egypt and Chaldea reveal the fact + that at a very remote period they were old and powerful civilizations, + that they had a settled government, a pure and philosophical religion, and + a profound knowledge of science and art; yet, notwithstanding the great + antiquity of these civilizations, that of the people which created them + must have been infinitely more remote. + </p> + <p> + The earliest historic nations recognized the greatness of these ancient + people and the extent of their dominion. In the oldest geographical + writings of the Sanskrit people, the ancient Ethiopia, or land of Cush of + Greek and Hebrew antiquity, is clearly described. Stephanus of Byzantium, + who is said to represent the opinions of the most ancient Greeks, says: + "Ethiopia was the first established country on the earth, and the + Ethiopians were the first who introduced the worship of the Gods and who + established laws."(65) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 65) Quoted by John D. Baldwin, Prehistoric Nations, p. 62. +</pre> + <p> + Heeren in his researches says: + </p> + <p> + "From the remotest times to the present, the Ethiopians have been one of + the most celebrated, and yet the most mysterious of nations. In the + earliest traditions of nearly all the more civilized nations of antiquity, + the name of this distant people is found. The annals of the Egyptian + priests are full of them, and the nations of inner Asia, on the Euphrates + and Tigris, have interwoven the fictions of the Ethiopians with their + traditions of the wars and conquests of their heroes; and, at a period + equally remote, they glimmer in Greek mythology. When the Greeks scarcely + knew Italy and Sicily by name, the Ethiopians were celebrated in the + verses of their poets, and when the faint gleam of tradition and fable + gives way to the clear light of history, the lustre of the Ethiopians is + not diminished." + </p> + <p> + Homer says of them that they were a "divided people dwelling at the ends + of the earth toward the setting and the rising Sun." Although it is + possible at the present time to discover very many of the facts bearing + upon the civilization of this ancient people, it is impossible in the + present condition of human knowledge to discover when civilized life began + on the earth. Whether the ancient Arabians or Ethiopians who belonged to + the old Cushite race, and who are believed by many to be the most ancient + people of whom we have any trace, were the first colonizers, or whether + they were preceded by a still older civilization, history and tradition + are alike silent; yet the fact seems to be tolerably well authenticated + that this enlightened race, now nearly extinct, carried civilization to + Chaldea more than seven thousand years B.C., that it colonized Egypt, + engrafted its own institutions in India, colonized Phoenicia, and by its + maritime and commercial enterprise, introduced civilized conditions into + every quarter of the globe. Even in Peru, in Mexico, in Central America, + and in the United States are evidences of the old Cushite religion and + enterprise. + </p> + <p> + Baldwin, commenting on the greatness of this remarkable people, says that + early in the period of its colonizing enterprise, commercial greatness, + and extensive empire, it established colonies in the valleys of the Nile + and the Euphrates, which in later ages became Barbary, Egypt, and Chaldea. + The ancient Cushite nation occupied Arabia and other extensive regions of + Africa, India, and Western Asia to the Mediterranean. While remarking upon + the vastness and antiquity of this old Cushite race, Rawlinson says that + they founded most of the towns of Western Asia. The vast commercial system + which formed a connecting link between the various countries of the globe, + was created by this people, the great manufacturing skill and unrivalled + maritime activity of the Phoenicians which extended down to the time of + the Hellenes and the Romans having been a result of the irgenius. It was + doubtless during the supremacy of the ancient Cushite race that a + knowledge of astronomy was developed and that the arts of life were + carried to a high degree of perfection. However, through the peculiar + influences which were brought to bear upon human experience, this + knowledge, which was bequeathed to their descendants or to the nations + which they had created, was subsequently lost or practically obscured, + only fragments of it having been preserved from the general ruin. + </p> + <p> + Within these fragments have been preserved in India certain evidences of a + profound knowledge of Nature, or of the at present unknown forces in the + universe, a demonstration of which, in our own time, would probably be + looked upon as a miraculous interposition of supernatural agencies. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the refinements and luxuries of this ancient people, Diodorus + Siculus declares that they flowed in streams of gold and silver, that "the + porticoes of their temples were overlaid with gold, and that the + adornments of their buildings were in some parts of silver and gold, and + in others of ivory and precious stones, and other things of great value." + </p> + <p> + From various observations, it is plain that the Etrurians represented a + stage of civilization far in advance of the Pelasgians who founded Rome—a + race which, although superior in numbers, arms, and influence, were, when + compared with this more ancient people, little better than barbarians.(66) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 66) It is thought that as early as the nineteenth century B.C. the +Pelasgians or Pelargians went to Aenonia, or Ionia. It was a detachment +of this people which, according to Herodotus, captured a number of +Athenian women on the coast of Africa, lived with them as wives, and +raised families by them, but, "because they differed in manners from +themselves," they murdered them, which act was attended by a "dreadful +pestilence." It is the opinion of certain writers that these women were +of a different religious faith from their captors, and that so intense +and bitter was the feeling upon the comparative importance of the sex +functions in pro-creation, that their husbands, unable to change their +views, put an end to their existence. +</pre> + <p> + Nothing, perhaps, proclaims the degree of civilization attained by the + ancient Etrurians more plainly than the exquisite perfection which is + observed in the specimens of art found in their tumuli. Within the tombs + of Etruscans buried long prior to the foundation of Rome, or the birth of + the fine arts in Greece, have been found unmistakable evidence of the + advanced condition of this people. The exquisite coloring and grouping of + the figures on their elegant vases, one of which, on exhibition in the + British Museum, portrays the birth of Minerva, or Wisdom, show the + delicacy of their taste, the purity of their conceptions, and their true + artistic skill. + </p> + <p> + Among their mechanical arts, a few specimens of which have been preserved, + is the potter's wheel, an invention which, so far as its utility is + concerned, is declared to be absolutely perfect—the most complete of + all the instruments of the world. "It never has been improved and admits + of no improvement." In fact all that may be gathered concerning the + ancient Etrurians, a people who by the most able writers upon this subject + is believed to have been one of the first to leave the Asiatic hive, is in + perfect accord with the facts already set forth regarding that mighty + nation, perhaps of upper Asia, who carried the study of astronomy to a + degree of perfection never again reached until after the discovery of the + Copernican system, who invented the Neros and the Metonic Cycle, who + colonized Egypt and Chaldea, and who carried civilization to the remotest + ends of the earth. + </p> + <p> + The philosophy of the Etrurians corresponds with that of the most ancient + Hindoo system, and displays a degree of wisdom unparalleled by any of the + peoples belonging to the early historic ages. According to their + cosmogony, the evolutionary or creative processes involved twelve vast + periods of time. At the end of the first period appeared the planets and + the earth, in the second the firmament was made, in the third the waters + were brought forth, in the fourth the sun, moon, and stars were placed in + the heavens, in the fifth living creatures appeared on the earth, and in + the sixth man was produced. These six periods comprehended one-half the + duration of the cycle. After six more periods had elapsed, or after the + lapse of the entire cycle of twelve periods, all creation was dissolved or + drawn to the source of all life. Subsequently a new creation was brought + forth under which the same order of events will take place. The involution + of life, or its return to the great source whence it sprang, did not, + however, involve the destruction of matter. The seeds of returning life + were preserved in an ark or boat—the female principle, within which + all things are contained. This indrawing of life constituted "the night of + Brahme." It was represented by Vishnu sleeping on the bottom of the sea. + </p> + <p> + From the facts adduced in relation to the Etrurians we are not surprised + to find that their religion was that of the ancient Nature worshippers, + and that a mother with her child stood for their god-idea. In referring to + the religion of this people, and to the great antiquity of the worship of + the Virgin and Child, Higgins remarks: "Amongst the Gauls, more than a + hundred years before the Christian era, in the district of Chartres, a + festival was celebrated in honor of the Virgin," and in the year 1747, a + mithraic monument was found "on which is exhibited a female nursing an + infant—the Goddess of the year nursing the God day." To which he + adds: "The Protestant ought to recollect that his mode of keeping + Christmas Day is only a small part of the old festival as it yet exists + amongst the followers of the Romish Church. Theirs is the remnant of the + old Etruscan worship of the virgin and child." As a proof of the above, + Higgins cites Gorius's Tuscan Antiquities, where may be seen the figure of + an old Goddess with her child in her arms, the inscription being in + Etruscan characters. "No doubt the Romish Church would have claimed her + for a Madonna, but most unluckily she has her name, Nurtia, in Etruscan + letters, on her arm, after the Etruscan practice." + </p> + <p> + From the monuments of Etruria the fact is observed that descent and the + rights of succession were traced in the female line, a condition of + society which indicates the high position which must have been occupied by + the women of that country. + </p> + <p> + In Oman is said to exist a fragment of the government of the old Ethiopian + or Cushite race. If this is true, then we may be able to perceive at the + present time something of the character of the political institutions of + this ancient nation. As no people remains stationary, and as degeneracy + has been the rule with surrounding countries, we may not expect to find + among the people of Oman a true representation of ancient conditions, yet, + as has been observed, we may still be able to note some of the facts + relative to the organization of society and their governmental + institutions. + </p> + <p> + In a description furnished by Palgrave, Oman is termed a kingdom, yet it + is plain from the observations of this writer that the existing form of + government is that of a confederacy of nations under a democratical + system, identical with that developed during the later status of + barbarism. This writer himself admits that Oman is less a kingdom than an + aggregation of municipalities, and that each of these municipalities or + towns has a separate existence and is controlled by its own local chief; + but that all are joined together in one confederacy, and subjected to the + leadership of a grand chief whom the writer is pleased to term "the + crown," but why, as is evident from the description given, bears no + resemblance to a modern monarch. The chiefs who direct the councils of the + municipalities are limited in their powers by "the traditional immunities + of the vassals," the decision of all criminal cases and the administration + of justice being in the hands of the local judges. In the descriptions + given of their governmental proceedings, it is stated that the whole + course of law is considered apart from the jurisdiction of the sovereign, + who has no power to either change or annul the enactments of the people. + </p> + <p> + Here, it is observed, exists almost the identical form of government which + was in use among the early historic nations, before governments came to be + founded on wealth, or on a territorial basis(67); or, in other words, + before the monied and aristocratic classes had drawn to themselves all the + powers which had formerly belonged to the people. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 67) See The Evolution of Woman, p. 238. +</pre> + <p> + We must bear in mind the fact that under these earlier democratical + institutions, the term "people" included not only men but women, and as + the grand chief, the local rulers, and the judges held their positions by + virtue of their descent from, or relationship to, some real or traditional + leader of the gens, who during all the earlier ages was a woman, we may + believe that the power of women to depose their political leaders so soon + as their conduct became obnoxious to them was absolute and unquestioned. + </p> + <p> + Doubtless, as we have seen, the government of Oman has undergone a + considerable degree of modification since the days of Cushite splendor and + supremacy; that, like all other nations which have come in contact with + the Aryan and Semitic races, the tendency has been toward monarchial + government; nevertheless, with its practically free institutions, + representing as they do, in a measure, the political system of the + grandest and oldest civilizations of which we have any knowledge, it + furnishes an illustration of the degree of progress possible under gentile + organization, at the same time that it points to the source whence has + proceeded the fierce democratic spirit observed among succeeding nations, + notably the Greeks. + </p> + <p> + Modern writers agree in ascribing to the Touaricks, a people inhabiting + the Desert of Sahara, a considerable degree of civilization. We are + informed that in the Sahara, which, by the way, is far less a barren waste + than we have been taught to suppose it, "the Touaricks have towns, cities, + and an excellent condition of agriculture"; that with them fruit is + cultivated with great success and skill. Their method of political + organization is democratic and similar in construction and administration + to the old Cushite municipalities. Baldwin, quoting from Richardson, says: + "Ghat, like all the Touarick countries, is a republic; all the people + govern. The woman of the Touaricks is not the woman of the Moors and + Mussulmans generally. She has here great liberty, and takes an active part + in the affairs and transactions of life."(68) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 68) Prehistoric Nations, p. 341. +</pre> + <p> + One who is disposed to search for it, will find no lack of evidence going + to prove that in an earlier age of the world, prior to the written records + of extant history, the human race had attained to a stage of civilization + equal in all and superior in many respects to that of the present time. + </p> + <p> + That this remarkable stage of progress, the actual extent of which has not + yet been fully realized, was attained during a period of pure + Nature-worship, or while the earth and the sun were venerated as emblems + of the great creative energy throughout the universe, is a proposition + which, when viewed by the light of more recently acquired facts, is + perfectly reasonable, and exactly what might be expected. + </p> + <p> + That this high stage of civilization was reached while women were the + recognized heads of families and of the gentes, and at a time when + Perceptive Wisdom, or the female energy in the Deity, was worshipped as + the supreme God, is a fact which in time will be proved beyond a doubt. + Indeed, had not the judgment of man become warped by prejudice, and his + reason clogged by superstition and sensuality, the fact so plainly + apparent in all ancient mythologies, that in the early god-idea two + principles were contained, the female being in the ascendancy, would long + ere this have been acknowledged, and our present religious systems, which + are but outgrowths from these mythologies, would, with the partial return + of civilized conditions, have been so modified or changed as to embrace + some of the fundamental truths which formed the basis of early religion. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the religion of the ancient race which we have been considering, + we are told that they worshipped a dual Deity, under the appellations of + Ashtaroth and Baal, and that this God "comprehended the generative or + reproductive powers in human beings and in the sun, together with Wisdom + or Light." In other words, they adored the great moving force throughout + Nature, a force which they venerated as the Great Mother. + </p> + <p> + Before the Zend and Sanskrit branches of the Aryan race had separated, + their religion was doubtless that given them by their Cushite civilizers. + The worship of the sun and the planets, with which were inextricably + interwoven the fructifying agencies in Nature, explains their devotion to + the study of the heavenly bodies and their advanced knowledge of + astronomy. The types of regeneration or reproduction which they venerated + were symbols of abstract principles, and, from facts connected with their + religious ceremonies as practiced by their immediate successors, and from + the pure significance attached to their emblems, we are justified in the + conclusion before referred to, that the sensuous element, which became so + prominent in later religious developments, constituted no part of their + worship. + </p> + <p> + The number of ages during which the most primitive religion, namely, that + of pure Nature-worship, prevailed among the inhabitants of the earth may + not be conjectured, and the exact length of time during which earth and + sun adoration unalloyed by serpent and phallic faiths remained is not + known. It is probable, however, that its duration is to be measured by + that of the supremacy of the altruistic or mother element in human + affairs, and that the gradual engrafting of the later-developed sensuous + faiths upon their earlier god-idea, marks the change from female to male + supremacy. + </p> + <p> + We have observed that whenever a remnant of the civilization of the + ancient Cushites appears, exactly as might be expected, women hold an + exalted position in human affairs, at the same time that the female + principle constitutes the essential element in the Deity. + </p> + <p> + Of the ancient Persians who received their religion and their civilization + from this older race Malcolm observes: + </p> + <p> + "The great respect in which the female sex was held was, no doubt, the + principal cause of the progress they made in civilization.... It would + appear that in former days the women of Persia had an assigned and + honorable place in society; and we must conclude that an equal rank with + the male creation, which is secured to them by the ordinances of + Zoroaster, existed long before the time of that reformer, who paid too + great attention to the habits and prejudices of his countrymen to have + made any serious alteration in so important an usage. We are told by + Quintus Curtius, that Alexander would not sit in the presence of + Sisygambis, till told to do so by that matron, because it is not the + custom in Persia for sons to sit in the presence of their mothers. There + can be no stronger proof than this anecdote affords, of the great respect + in which the female sex were held in that country, at the time of this + invasion."(69) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 69) See History of Persia. +</pre> + <p> + No one I think can study the sacred books of the Persians without + observing the emphasis which is there placed on purity of character and + right living. Indeed, within no extant writings is the antithesis between + good and evil more strongly marked, at the same time that their hatred of + idolatry is clearly apparent. The same is observed in the early writings + of the Hindoos. Within the Vedas, although they have been corrupted by + later writers, may still be traced a purity of thought and life which is + not apparent in the writings of later ages. Not long ago I was informed by + a learned native of India that the original writing of the Vedas was + largely the work of women. + </p> + <p> + That the early conceptions of a Deity in which women constituted the + central and supreme figure were in Egypt correlated with the exercise of + great temporal power, may not, in view of the facts at hand, longer be + doubted. By means of records revealed on ancient monuments, we are + informed that in the age of Amunoph I. a considerable degree of sovereign + power in Egypt was exercised by a woman, Amesnofre-are, who had shared the + throne with Ames. She occupied it also with Amunoph, and, notwithstanding + the statement of Herodotus, that women did not serve in the capacity of + priests, this Queen is represented as pouring out libations to Amon, an + office which was doubtless the highest connected with the priesthood. + </p> + <p> + Less than forty years later, it is observed that another woman, + Amun-nou-het, shared the throne with Thotmes I. and II. and that "she + appears to have enjoyed far greater consideration than either of them." + Not alone are monuments raised in her name, but she appears dressed as a + man, and "alone presenting offerings to the gods." So important a + personage was she that she is believed by many to be the princess who + conquered the country, perhaps even Semiramis herself. Her title was the + "Shining Sun."(70) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 70) Rawlinson, History of Herodotus, app., book ii., ch. viii. +</pre> + <p> + As these women doubtless belonged to the old Arabian, Ethiopian, or + Cushite race, the people who had brought civilization to Egypt, we are not + surprised to find them holding positions which were connected with the + highest civil and religious offices. The Labyrinth, in the country of the + Nile, is described by ancient writers as containing three thousand + chambers. Strabo says of it that the enclosure contained as many palaces + as there formerly were homes, and that there the priests and priestesses + of each department were wont to congregate to discuss difficult and + important questions of law. + </p> + <p> + According to the Greeks, the Egyptian God Osiris corresponds to their + Jupiter; and Sate, the companion of Kneph, is identical with Juno. It is + quite evident, however, that the Greeks understood little of the true + significance of the gods which they had borrowed, or which they had + inherited from older nations. It would seem that as a people their conceit + prevented them from acknowledging the dignity even of their gods, hence, + they endowed them with the attributes best suited to their own depraved + taste or pleasure, and then worshipped them as beings like themselves. + </p> + <p> + It has been observed of the Egyptians that they were wont to ridicule the + Greeks for regarding their gods as actual beings, while in reality "they + were only the representations of the attributes and principles of Nature." + Unlike the religions which succeeded it, Egyptian mythology, as understood + by the learned, was essentially philosophical, and dealt with abstractions + and principles rather than with personalities. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the importance which in process of time came to be claimed + by males, and the consequent stimulation which was given to the animal + tendencies, it is evident, from certain historical and undeniable proofs + in connection with this subject, that although woman's power in Egypt, as + in all other countries, gradually became weakened, the effect of her + influence on manners and social customs was never wholly extinguished. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the existence of polygamy, it has been said that the high + position occupied in ancient Egypt by the mother of the family, the + mistress of the household, is absolutely irreconcilable with the existence + of polygamy as a general practice, or of such an institution as the harem. + Although the plurality of wives does not appear to have been contrary to + law, it "certainly was unusual," and although Egyptian kings frequently + had many wives, "they followed foreign rather than native custom."(71) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 71) Renouf, Religion of Ancient Egypt, p. 81. +</pre> + <p> + Herodotus says of the women of Egypt: "They attend the markets and trade + while the men sit at home at the loom"(72); and Diodorus informs us that + in Egypt "women control the men." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 72) Book ii., ch. xxxv. +</pre> + <p> + Were we in possession of no direct historical evidence to prove that down + to a late period in the history of Egypt women had not lost their + prestige, sufficient evidence would be found in the fact that, + notwithstanding the growing tendency of mankind in all the nations of the + globe to suppress the female instincts and to reject, conceal, or belittle + the woman element in the Deity, still Isis, the gracious mother, retained + a prominent place in the god-idea of that country. + </p> + <p> + I am not unmindful of the remarks which a reference to a past age of + intellectual and moral greatness will call forth; indeed, I can almost + hear some devotee of the present time remark: "So we are asked to regard + as a sober fact the existence in the past of a golden age; also to believe + that man was created pure and holy, and that he has since fallen from his + high estate; in other words, we are to have faith in the ancient tradition + of the 'fall of man.'" If by the fall of man we are to understand that a + great and universal people, who in a remote age of the world's history had + reached a high stage of civilization, gradually passed out of human + existence, and that a lower race, which was incapable of attaining to + their estate, and which, by the over-stimulation of the lower + propensities, sank into a state of barbarism, in which the original + sublime conceptions of a Deity were obscured and the great learning of the + past was lost, I can see no reason to disbelieve it, especially as all the + facts, both of tradition and history, bearing upon this subject unite in + proclaiming its truth. + </p> + <p> + After stating that in Chaldea has been found rather the debris of science + than the elements of it, Bailly asks: + </p> + <p> + "When you see a house built of old capitals, columns, and other fragments + of beautiful architecture, do you not conclude that a fine building has + once existed?... If the human mind can ever flatter itself with having + been successful in discovering the truth, it is when many facts, and these + facts of different kinds, unite in producing the same results." + </p> + <p> + That the descendants of a once mighty nation lapsed into barbarism, + forgetting the profound knowledge of the sciences possessed by their + ancestors, is a fact too well attested at the present time to be doubted + by those who have taken the pains to acquaint themselves with the evidence + at hand. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the manner in which this ancient civilization was reached, or + concerning the way in which it was achieved, history and tradition are + alike silent, although it is believed that the present methods of + investigation will, at least in a measure, unravel the mystery. At present + we only know that, as far in the remote past as human ken can reach, + evidences of a high stage of civilization exist which it must have + required thousands upon thousands of years to accomplish. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. CONCEALMENT OF THE EARLY DOCTRINES. + </h2> + <p> + After the decline of Nature-worship, and when through the constantly + increasing power gained by the ruder elements in human society a knowledge + of the scientific principles underlying ancient religion had been + partially lost or forgotten, it became necessary for philosophers to + conceal the original conception of the Deity and to clothe their sacred + writings in allegory. Hence it is observed that every ancient form of + religion has a cabala containing its secret doctrines—doctrines the + inner meaning of which was known only to the few. In order that these + truths might be preserved, they were inscribed on the leaves of trees in + characters or symbols understood only by the initiated. The allegories + beneath which these higher truths were concealed were handed down as + traditions to succeeding generations—traditions in which history, + astrology, and mythology are strangely combined. + </p> + <p> + After long periods, through war, conquest, and the various changes + incidental to shifting environment, these traditions were in the main + forgotten. Fragments of them, however, were from time to time gathered + together, and, intermingled with later doctrines, were used by the priests + as a means of increased self-aggrandizement and power. + </p> + <p> + It is now thought that the Iliad (Rhapsodies) of Homer is only a number of + "detached songs" which perhaps for centuries were delivered orally, and + that they contain the secret doctrines of the priests. Porphyry says that + "we ought not to doubt that Homer has secretly represented the images of + divine things under the concealment of fable." It has been said of Plato + that he banished the poems of Homer from his imaginary republic for the + reason that the people might not be able to distinguish what is from what + is not allegorical. Hippolytus informs us that the Simonists declared that + in Helen resided the principle of intelligence; "and thus, when all the + powers were for claiming her for themselves, sedition and war arose, + during which this chief power was manifested to nations." These songs + which were gathered together by Pisistratus and revised by Aristotle for + the use of Alexander, have generally been regarded merely as a bit of + history recounting a severe and protracted struggle between the Greeks and + Trojans. + </p> + <p> + Within the earliest historical accounts which we have of the Egyptians, we + observe that their ceremonies and symbols have already become + multitudinous, the true meaning of the latter being concealed. The masses + of the people, who had grown too sensualized and ignorant to receive the + higher divine "mysteries," and too gross to be entrusted with their true + significance, had become idolaters. + </p> + <p> + Not only the Egyptian and Chaldean priests, but Moses and the Jewish + doctors were well versed in religious symbolism. The fact is observed, + also, that as late as medieval Christianity, the fathers in the Church, + the Christian painters, sculptors, and architects, still employed signs + and symbols to set forth their religious doctrines. Even at the present + time, many of the emblems representing certain ideas connected with the + creative principles, and which were part and parcel of the pagan worship, + are still in use. The masses of the people, however, are without a + knowledge of their origin or early significance. + </p> + <p> + Everywhere, throughout the early historic nations, were worshipped symbols + of the attributes or functions of the dual or triune God. Each symbol + represented a distinctive female or male quality. Animals, trees, the sea, + plants, the moon, and the heavens were, at a certain stage of religious + development, symbolized as parts of the Deity and worshipped as possessing + certain female or male characteristics or attributes. + </p> + <p> + It is plain that, with the decline of female power, and the consequent + stimulation of the animal instincts in man, the pure creative principles + involved in Nature-worship gradually became unsuited to the sensualized + capacities and tastes of the masses; but in addition to this were other + reasons why the female principle in the Deity should be concealed. Women + were already deposed from their former exalted position as heads of + families and as leaders of consanguine communities. All their rightful + prerogatives had been usurped. The highest development in Nature had + become the slave of man's appetites, and motherhood, which had hitherto + been accepted as the most exalted function either in heaven or on the + earth, trailed in the dust. + </p> + <p> + Under these conditions it is not perhaps singular that the capacity to + bring forth, and the qualities and attributes of women which are + correlated with it, namely, sympathy—a desire for the welfare of + others outside of self, or altruism,—should no longer have been + worshipped as divine, or that in their place should have been substituted + the leading characters developed in man. From the facts at hand it is + plain that at a certain stage of human growth physical might and male + reproductive energy, or virility, became the recognized God. With passion + as the highest ideal of a Creator, the female element appeared only in a + sensualized form and simply as an appendage to the god which was dependent + upon her ministrations. Under the above conditions it is not in the least + remarkable that by the priests it should have been deemed necessary to + conceal from women the facts bound up in their nature. Woman's importance + as a creative agency and as a prime and most essential factor in the + universe must be concealed. "Isis must be veiled." + </p> + <p> + Through the appropriation of the titles of the original dual God by + reigning monarchs, is perceived at least one of the processes by which the + great universal female Deity of the ancients has been transformed into a + male god. We are assured that the "redundant nomenclature of the deities + of Babylon renders an interpretation of them impossible. Each divinity has + many distinct names, by which he is indifferently designated." It is + observed that each Deity has as many as forty or fifty titles, each of + which represents a certain attribute. + </p> + <p> + Since the invention of the cuneiform alphabet, by which pictures have been + reduced to phonetic signs, the attempt has been made to arrange or + classify these gods according to their proper order in the Pantheon, but + thus far much obscurity and doubt seem to pervade their history. + </p> + <p> + In Assyrian, Babylonian, and Egyptian mythologies are observed much + confusion and no small degree of mystery surrounding the positions + occupied by certain gods. "Children not unfrequently change positions with + parents," but more frequently, we are told, "women change places with + men," or, more properly speaking, the titles, attributes, and qualities + ascribed to the Great Universal female God are now transferred to the + reigning monarch. Thus not unfrequently a deity is observed which is + composed of a male triad, the central figure of which is the king or + military chieftain, and to which is usually appended a straggling fourth + member, a female, who, shorn of her power, and with a doubtful and + mysterious title, appears as wife or mistress to his greatness, while upon + her is reflected, through him, a slight hint of that dignity and honor + which was originally recognized as belonging exclusively to the recognized + Deity. + </p> + <p> + The Goddess Vishnu, from whose navel as she slept on the bottom of the sea + sprang all creation, after her transformation into a male God, is + supplemented by a wife—Lacksmir. Lacksmir means wisdom; but she has + become only an appendage to her "lord," upon whom is reflected all her + former glory. + </p> + <p> + So greedy did rulers become for the splendid titles belonging to the + female divinities that we are told that "the name of the Great Goddess + Astarte not unfrequently appears as that of a man." + </p> + <p> + Although man had usurped the titles of the female God and had denied her + recognition as an active creative agency, still, as nothing could be + created without her, she was permitted, as we have seen, to remain as wife + or mistress to the reigning monarch, in whom had come to reside infinite + wisdom and power. Her symbol was an ark, chest, boat, box, or cave. This + woman, although dignified by the title "Mother of the Gods," and even by + that of "Queen of Heaven," is utterly without power. + </p> + <p> + Not only is it plain that the titles and attributes of female gods have + been appropriated by males, but it is also true that the more ancient + deities, which are now known to have been female, have by later + investigators been represented as male. + </p> + <p> + The interpretations which have hitherto been put upon the Babylonian and + Assyrian deities by many of those who have attempted to unravel the + mysteries of an earlier stage of religious worship, is doubtless due to + the fact that since the so-called historic period began, the qualities + which have been considered godlike have all been masculine; it has + therefore never occurred to the minds of these writers that the ancients + may have entertained quite different notions from their own regarding the + attributes of a Deity; hence, whenever the sex of a god has appeared + doubtful, especially if it be in the least degree powerful or important, + it has at once been denominated as masculine, and this, too, + notwithstanding the fact that such rendering has oftentimes involved + inconsistencies, contradictions, and absurdities which it is impossible to + reconcile either with established facts or with common sense. + </p> + <p> + Unless the symbols representing religious belief and worship are viewed in + the light of later developed facts in mythology, archaeology, and + philology, there occur many seeming absurdities and numberless facts which + it is found difficult to reconcile with each other; especially is this + true in regard to some of the symbols used to express the distinctive + female and male qualities. The serpent, for instance, although a male + symbol, in certain ages of the world's history appears as a beautiful + woman. + </p> + <p> + This is accounted for by the fact that a woman and a serpent once stood + for the god-idea. Together they constituted an indivisible entity—the + creating power in the universe. They therefore became interchangeable + terms. The woman when appearing alone represented both, as did also the + serpent. + </p> + <p> + "In most ancient languages, probably all, the name for the serpent + signifies Life, and the roots of these words generally also signify the + male and female organs, and sometimes these conjoined. In low French the + words for Phallus and life have the same sound, though, as is sometimes + the case, the spelling and gender differ"; but this fact is thought to be + of no material importance, as "Jove, Jehova, sun, and moon have all been + male and female by turn." + </p> + <p> + No doubt many of the inconsistencies hitherto observed in the religion of + the ancients will disappear so soon as we obtain a clearer knowledge of + their chronology; and events which now seem contradictory will be + satisfactorily explained when placed in their proper order with regard to + date. Religion, like everything else, is constantly shifting its position + to accommodate itself to the changed mental conditions of its adherents; + hence, ideas which at any given time in the past were perfectly suited to + a people, would, in the course of five hundred or one thousand years, have + become changed or greatly modified. + </p> + <p> + During a certain stage in human history "all great women and mythical + ladies were serpents"; but when monumentally or pictorially represented, + they appeared "with the head of a woman, while the body was that of a + reptile." This figure represented Wisdom and Passion, or the spiritual and + material planes of human existence. The mythical woman whom Hercules met + in Scythia, and who was doubtless the original eponymous leader of the + Scythian people, had the head of a woman and the body of a serpent.(73) + Even the Mexicans declare that "he, the serpent, is the sun, + Tonakatl-Koatl, who ever accompanies their first woman." Their primitive + mother, they said, was Kihua-Kohuatl, which signifies a serpent. In + referring to this Mexican tradition, Forlong remarks: "So that the serpent + here was represented as both Adam and Adama; and their Eden, as in Jewish + story, was a garden of love and pleasure."(74) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 73) Herodotus, book iv., 9. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 74) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 143. +</pre> + <p> + The traditions extant among all peoples seem to connect the introduction + of the serpent into religious symbolism, with a time in the history of + mankind when they first began to recognize the fact, that through the + abuse of the reproductive functions, evil, or human wretchedness, had + gained the ascendency over the higher forces. The Deity represented by a + woman and a serpent involved the idea not alone of good, but of good and + evil combined. Together they prefigured not only Wisdom and generative + power, but evil as well. Mythologically they represented the cold of + winter and the heat of the sun's rays, both of which were necessary + reproduction. From this conception sprang the Ormuzd and Ahryman of the + Persians, the story of Adam, Eve, and the serpent in Genesis, and the + legend of Kihua-Kohuatl and Tonakatl-Koatl in Mexico. + </p> + <p> + "The serpent remained in the memory and affections of most early people as + wisdom, life, goodness, and the source of knowledge and science, under + various names such as Toth, Hermes, Themis, the Kneph or Sophia of + Egyptians and Gnostics, and Set, Shet, or Shem of the Jews."(75) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 75) Forlong, Rivers of Life, etc., vol. i., p. 143. +</pre> + <p> + The Serpent Goddess, although embracing evil as well as good, was still + the "Giver of Life" and the "Teacher of Mankind." These were the titles + which in later ages began to be coveted by monarchs, and then it was that + the attributes belonging to this Deity began to appear in connection with + royalty. + </p> + <p> + There is no ancient divinity about which there seems to be connected so + much mystery as the Assyrian Hea. When referring to the "great obscurity" + which surrounds this God we are assured that there is at present "no means + of determining the precise meaning of the cuneiform Hea, which is + Babylonian rather than Assyrian," but that it is doubtless connected with + the Arabic Hya, which is said to mean "life," or the female principle in + creation. This Deity is the God of "glory" and of "giving," titles which + during the earlier ages of human existence belonged to the Queen of + Heaven, the Celestial Mother. + </p> + <p> + The representation of the god Amun or Amun-ra, which superseded the triune + Deity, Kneph, Sate, and Anouk at Thebes, and from which in Assyria + doubtless proceeded the trinity, Amun, Bel-Nimrod, and Hea, is supposed to + be identical with the Greek Zeus, which means the sun. This God is + represented by a female figure seated on a throne. It is crowned with two + long feathers, and in the right hand is observed the cross, the emblem of + life. Manetho, the celebrated Egyptian historian, declares that the name + of this God signifies "concealed." + </p> + <p> + There can be little doubt that the titles of the ancient Deity—the + Destroyer or Regenerator, or, in other words, those of the God of life + which embraced the idea of the moving force throughout Nature, were, in + course of time, appropriated by the rulers of the people. It is stated + that the name of a certain Egyptian God appears first in connection with + royalty, that "his name was substituted for some earlier divinity whose + hieroglyphics were chiselled out of the monuments to make place for his." + </p> + <p> + According to the testimony of Rawlinson, the God Hea is represented by the + great serpent, which occupies a conspicuous position among the symbols of + the gods on the black stones recording Babylonian benefactions. Now these + flat black stones are themselves said to symbolize the female element in + the Deity, in contradistinction to the obelisks, which prefigure the male, + while the serpent, for reasons which have already been explained, appeared + for ages in connection with the figure of a woman. In later inscriptions + "king" is everywhere attached to the name of the God Hea, which fact shows + that the titles ascribed to her were those particularly coveted by + royalty. Hence we are not surprised to find that in an inscription of + Sardanapalus, in the British Museum, there "occurs a remarkable phrase in + which the king takes the titles of Hea." + </p> + <p> + Among the Assyrian inscriptions appear Bel-Nimrod, Hea, and Nin or Bar. In + view of the facts which have come to light regarding Hea, it is altogether + probable that the triad Bel-Nimrod, Hea, and Nin represent the trinity as + figured by the father, mother, and child. That Nin was the son or the + child of Bel-Nimrod "is constantly asserted in the inscriptions." He + appears also as the son of Hea, yet the fact that Hea should be + represented as a woman, or as the mother of Nin, and the central figure in + the trinity, seems not to have been observed by those who thus far have + been engaged in deciphering these inscriptions. By representing Hea as + male, Nin is made to appear as the offspring of two fathers while he is + left absolutely motherless. To obviate this difficulty an ingenious + attempt has been made to account for his existence by substituting his own + wife as the author of his being. Although in the numerous accounts which I + had read of Hea, in my search for information concerning her, she had + always been designated as male, still I was satisfied from the + descriptions given that originally this Deity was female. Therefore upon + receiving a copy of Forlong's Rivers of Life and Faiths of Man in All + Lands, I was not surprised to find the following: + </p> + <p> + "Hoa or Hea, the Hu of our Keltic ancestors, whose symbol was the shield + and the serpent, was worshipped near rivers and lakes, and if possible on + the sea-shore, where were offered to her such emblems as a golden vessel, + boat, coffer, or fish, and she was then named Belat Ili (the mistress of + the Gods)."(76) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 76) Vol. ii., p. 94. +</pre> + <p> + She was the Goddess of Water. Of this Forlong says: "Water, perhaps more + than fire, has always been used as a purifier... . Christians have but + imitated the ancients, in the use of Lustral water—now-a-days called + Holy Water, and into which salt should be freely put." + </p> + <p> + According to Francis Vasques, the Cibola tribes of New Mexico pay no + adoration to anything but water, believing it to be the chief support of + all life. The Hindoo faith and the Greek Christian Church prescribe + "adorations, sacrifices, and other water rites, and hence we find all + orthodox clergy and devotees have much to do with rivers, seas, and wells, + especially at certain annual solar periods." + </p> + <p> + The extent to which these ancient rites are still practiced as part and + parcel of modern religious observances is not realized by those who have + given no special attention to the subject. As spring advances, all ranks + of Russians from the Czar to the humblest peasant proceed with their + clergy to the Neva, where with solemn pomp the ice is broken and the + water, which is held to be of virgin purity, is sprinkled upon the heads + of Czar, nobles, and other dignitaries. The following is an account given + of the worship of Hea not many years ago in the public press: + </p> + <p> + "An Imperial and Arch-episcopal procession was formed, consisting of, + first, the High Priest of the empire in all his most gorgeous robes, the + two masters of ceremonies walking backwards (probably because not of a + holy enough order), long double files of white-and gold-robed bearers of + sacred flambeaux or candles, for Fire must enter into every ceremony, + whether it is the male or female energy which is being worshipped. + Following these Religieux came all the sacred relics and fetishes of the + Church, as Maya's holy cup for water, all holy books, crosses, banners, + with sacred emblems in their order, and finally the Czar, humbly, and, + like all his people, on foot, followed by courtly throngs. These all + proceeded to a handsome pavilion or kiosk, erected close to the edge of + the water, when the Metropolitan of the Church reverently made an incision + in the ice, and took out a little water in a sacred golden cup bearing + strange devices. The firing of guns accompanied these solemn acts in all + their stages, and wherever the grave procession moved, it always did so + with measured tread, chanting sacred verses to the old, old Deity of our + race, and surrounded with all the pomp of war; whilst at intervals, peals + of Christian bells and the booming of near and distant guns added to the + solemnity of this water pageant. After the filling of the golden cup, + which, of course, represents the earth and its fulness, and, at this + season, the now expected increase, the High Priest placed a golden + crucifix on the virgin water and blessed its return from wintry death, + invoking the precious fluid to vernal life and productiveness, when lo! a + holy child suddenly appears upon the scene, reminding us that this is + everywhere the outcome of the 'wafers of life' in all animal as well as + vegetable production. Boodha in the garden of Loobim through which flowed + a holy stream, and Christ by the brook at Bethlehem, nay, the first pair + in the garden of the four rivers, are all the same idea—fertility + and creation. The high Russian Pontiff now slowly and solemnly stooped, + and taking up some of the holy water, proceeded to sprinkle the vernal + child—Jesus, whispered these crowds, but the ancients said Horus. + The sacred fluid was then sprinkled on the clergy, the Czar, and all + dignitaries, and finally on the sacred emblems, banners, guns, etc. Men + and women, aye, wise as well as foolish, of every rank, now crowded + forward, and on bended knee besought their Patriarch to sprinkle and to + bless them. Finally, the great Czar put the cup to his lips, humbly and + reverently, and then filled it to overflowing with a wealth of golden + pieces, for it is the still living representative in the nineteenth + century A.C. of 'the golden boat' of Hea of the nineteenth century + B.C."(77) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 77) Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 95. +</pre> + <p> + The symbol of Neith or Muth, Athene or Minerva, the great universal female + principle of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, was the shield and + serpent. In Celtic Druids I find that Nath, the Egyptian Neith, the + "goddess of wisdom and science whose symbol was the shield and serpent, + was worshipped among the ancient Irish." The male God associated with her + was Naith, and according to Higgins represented "the opposite of Neith." + </p> + <p> + In Rivers of Life is observed a reference to the Assyrian Goddess Hea by + Lucian. In a note Forlong says that no doubt Hea is the same as Haiya or + Haya. In other words she represents the universal hermaphrodite—the + creative principle throughout Nature, which was originally worshipped as + female. The actual signification of the word Haya is "life." In ancient + Arabia it was applied to a group of kinsmen. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Davis is of the opinion that Noe or Noah was the same as Deon + and that both were Hu or Hea the mighty, whose chariot was drawn by solar + rays. This God was in fact the same as Zeus, Bacchus, and all the rest of + the sun and water Deities. It has been observed that, according to the + ancient cosmogonies, within water was contained the life principle, and as + a woman presided over it, or was the only being or entity present, she + must have been the self-existent Creator. From this woman sprang all + creation. According to the account in Genesis, the Spirit of God moved on + the face of the deep and creation began. + </p> + <p> + By all nations water has been employed as a symbol of regeneration, and as + it contained the beginning of things it was female. The Hindoos regard it + as sacred, and in one of their most solemn prayers it is thus invoked: + Waters, mothers of worlds, purify us!(78) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 78) Quoted by Inman from Colbrook, vol. i., p. 85. +</pre> + <p> + Doubtless it was from these ancient speculations regarding the beginnings + of things that Thales, the Milesian philosopher, received his doctrine + that water is the original principle. The ancient Egyptians and the Jewish + people to this day have the custom of pouring out all the water contained + in any vessel in a house where a death has taken place, because of the + idea that as the living being comes from water, so does it make its exit + through water. Hence "to drink or to use in any way a fluid which contains + the life of human beings would be a foul offense." + </p> + <p> + The fact is noted by Inman that in all Assyrian mythology the water God + Hea is associated with life and with a serpent. Although Rawlinson + declares that Hea is Babylonian rather than Assyrian, may she not, in view + of the facts concerning her, be not only Babylonian, but Egyptian, Indian, + Phrygian, Mexican, and all the rest? + </p> + <p> + It would seem that in this Deity, who is figured in connection with a + shield and serpent, as is Minerva, and who is worshipped near water—an + emblem which is sacred to her,—and whose titles correspond exactly + to those of Neith or Cybele, might be traced the remnants of a once + universal worship—a worship in which the female energy constituted + the Creator. + </p> + <p> + Although it is declared that "great obscurity surrounds the God Hea," no + one, I think, whose mind is free from prejudice, and who understands the + significance of the early god-idea, and the true meaning of the symbols + used in later ages to express it, can study the myths connected with this + Deity without at once recognizing her identity with the great female God + of Nature who was once worshipped by every people on the globe, but whose + worship had become sensualized to satisfy the corrupted taste of a more + depraved age—an age in which passion constituted the highest idea of + a God. + </p> + <p> + Although the serpent Deity was originally portrayed with the head of a + woman and the body of a serpent or fish, after the change of sex in the + god-idea which has been noted in the foregoing pages had been completed, + it is observed that this figure is represented by the head of a man and + the body of a serpent. Hea, the great goddess to whom water, the original + principle, is sacred, and who is suspiciously connected with Noah, the + life-principle which appears at the close of a cycle, has changed her sex. + This god is now the "Ruler of the Seas," "Master of the Life-Boat" (the + ark), and "Lord of the Earth." The earth is his and the fulness thereof. + He is the "Life Giver," the "Lord of Hosts," who subsequently becomes the + maker of heaven and earth. + </p> + <p> + Minerva, who had been the first emanation from the Deity and the daughter + of the Great Mother of the Gods, now has a father but no mother. Jove, who + in course of time came to be represented as a male Creator, brought her + forth from his head. Later, woman is produced from the side of man. The + male principle, symbolized by a serpent, has become "the one only and true + God." It is Passion—the "Healer of Nations"—the great "I Am." + </p> + <p> + No unprejudiced individual who carefully follows the results of later + investigation, and who attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding the + ancient gods and the significance of the symbols of worship belonging to + the earliest historic times, will fail to note the attempt which has been + made in later ages to conceal the fact that the Deity worshipped in very + ancient times was female. Neither will he fail to observe the modus + operandi by which the attributes and prerogatives of this Deity have been + shifted upon males—usually deified monarchs. After priestcraft and + its counterpart, monarchial rule, had robbed the people of all their + natural rights, kings assumed not alone the governing functions, but + arrogated to themselves the symbols, titles, and attributes of the dual + Deity. The reigning monarch became not only the temporal ruler and priest, + but was actually God himself, the female principle being concealed under + convenient symbols. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. THE ORIGINAL GOD-IDEA OF THE ISRAELITES. + </h2> + <p> + Not only were religious doctrines veiled beneath allegories and convenient + symbols, but names also had a religious significance. + </p> + <p> + We are given to understand that in Chaldea and Assyria every child was + named by the oracle or priest, and that no one thought of changing the + appellation which had come to him through this heavenly source.(79) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 79) Inman, Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 3. +</pre> + <p> + Inman, in his Ancient Faiths, calls attention to the fact that in the Old + Testament kings, priests, captains, and other great men have had names + bestowed upon them, each of which has some religious signification; that + this name was given the individual "at circumcision, or soon after birth." + </p> + <p> + In the ancient names of what are designated as the Shemitic races, + children were called after the god alone, and sometimes in connection with + an attribute. Especially were these names applied to royalty or to persons + of distinction; for instance, names were given signifying, God the good, + God the just or the merciful, God the strong, The Warrior God, etc. + </p> + <p> + As the higher conception of a Creator was forgotten, and as human beings, + or perhaps I should say their power to control circumstances coupled with + the ability to reproduce or create, had become god, they assumed the + titles or names of the Deity; hence, it is not perhaps singular that in + later times kings and heroes were invested with all the attributes of the + gods. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that according to various writers Om or Amm was the holy one + whose name in India it was sacrilege to pronounce. It was the eternal sun, + or the Great Mother. As this word stands also for "tribe or people," it + seems to mean, too, that which binds, holds, or endures. + </p> + <p> + As Om or Amm signifies the Great Mother, so An or On means the Great + Father. Concerning the word Am-mon, Inman writes as follows: + </p> + <p> + "The association of the words signifying mother and father indicates that + it is to such conjunction we must refer creative power. With such an + androgyne element the sun was associated by ancient mythologists. Jupiter + was himself sometimes represented as being female; and the word + hermaphrodite is in itself a union between Hermes and Aphrodite, the male + and female creative powers. We may fairly conclude, from the existence of + names like the above, that there was at one time in Western as there was + in Eastern Asia a strong feud between the adorers of On and Am, the + Lingacitas and the Yonijas, and that they were at length partially united + under Ammon, as they were elsewhere under Nebo or the Nabhi of + Vishnu."(80) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 80) Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., p. 237. +</pre> + <p> + Inman relates that once when a friend of his was conversing with a very + high-caste Hindoo he casually uttered this word Amm or Om, whereupon the + man was so awe struck that he could scarcely speak, and, in a voice almost + of terror, asked where his friend had learned the word. Of this word Inman + says: + </p> + <p> + "To the Hindoos it was that incommunicable name of the Almighty, which no + one ventured to pronounce except under the most religious solemnity. And + here let me pause to remark that the Jews were equally reverent with the + name belonging to the Most High; and that the third commandment was very + literal in its signification." + </p> + <p> + The same writer remarks that in Thibet, too, where a worship very nearly + identical in ceremony and doctrine with that of the Roman papists exists + amongst the Lamas, the name of Om is still sacred. + </p> + <p> + The Iav of the Jews was equally revered, but in the later ages of their + career they seem to have lost sight of its true meaning. + </p> + <p> + According to Inman's testimony and that of other etymological students, + the true signification of the cognomen Jacob is the female principle. + </p> + <p> + It is believed by various writers that the story of Jacob and Esau as + related in Genesis has an esoteric as well as an exoteric meaning—that + Jacob has reference to the female creative energy throughout Nature, or, + rather, to the great mass of people who in an early age of the human race + believed in the superior importance of the female in the office of + reproduction, and that Esau signifies the male. Attention is called to the + fact that Esau is represented as a "hairy" man, rough-voiced and easily + beguiled, while Jacob, on the other hand, is smooth-faced, soft-voiced, + and the favorite of his mother. + </p> + <p> + There is indeed much in this myth which seems to indicate that it is an + allegory beneath which are veiled certain facts connected with the + struggle between two early contending sects regarding the relative + importance of the sexes in reproduction. Of this Inman says: + </p> + <p> + "My own impression is that Esau, or Edom, and Jacob are mystic names for a + man and a woman, and that round these, historians wove a web of fancy; + that ultimately the cognomen Jacob was recognized, and that to allow the + Jewish people to trace their descent from a male rather than a female, the + appellation of Israel was substituted in later productions."(81) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 81) Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 607. +</pre> + <p> + As most of the myths or allegories in Genesis are now traced to a source + far more remote than the beginning of legitimate Jewish history, it is not + unreasonable to suppose that this story, too, was copied by the Jews from + the traditions of earlier races; nor, when we remember the true meaning of + the cognomen Jacob, that the entire story should be regarded as an attempt + to set forth certain facts connected with the great physiological or + religious conflict between the sexes. + </p> + <p> + The significance of the idols worshipped by Jacob and his family is not + for a certainty known, but it is believed by certain writers that the + Seraphim and Teraphim were the usual images which were used to represent + the male and female energies. "Then Jacob said unto his household and to + all that were with him: Put away the strange gods that are among you." In + referring to this passage, Inman, in a note, says: + </p> + <p> + "The critic might fairly say, looking at Genesis xxxv., 2, 'Put away the + strange gods that are among you,' that there were images of God which were + not strange, and that in these early times there were orthodoxy and + heterodoxy in images as there are now. In ancient times the emblem of + life-giving energy was an orthodox emblem; it is now a horror and its + place is taken by an image of death. We infer from the context that + Laban's gods were orthodox." + </p> + <p> + So, also, must have been the stone pillar set up by Jacob at Bethel (place + of the sun). From a study of similar stones, examples of which are to be + found in nearly every country of the globe, it is known that they + represent the male energy, and from all the facts connected with the story + of Laban's gods it is probable that they were emblems of this power. We + may suppose then that the "strange gods," the unorthodox gods, which Jacob + ordered put away, were those representing the female energy. + </p> + <p> + It seems strange that any person can study the history of the Israelitish + Exodus by the light of later developments in biblical research without + recognizing the fact that the "Lord" which brought the children of Israel + out from the bondage of Egypt was the male power, which by a certain sect + had been proclaimed the only actual creative agency, and therefore the + "only one and true God." + </p> + <p> + Although, at the time at which Abraham is said to have lived, the + knowledge of an abstract dual or triune God still remained, yet, during + the five hundred years which elapsed until the time of Moses, the grossest + idolatry had come to prevail. Notwithstanding the fact that Moses had + learned much from the Egyptians, he seems not to have risen above a very + gross conception of a deity. His god was by turns angry, jealous, + revengeful, vacillating, and weak. He was in fact the embodiment of human + passions and desires. We have seen that the third person in the ancient + Trinity had, in Egypt, India, and Persia, come to be recognized in place + of the three principles originally worshipped—that, as it really + embodied the essence of the other two, little was heard of the Creator and + Preserver. Doubtless this God was the one which Moses intended the + Israelites to worship, but as they were unable to conceive of an abstract + principle he invested it with a personality which, as we have seen, was + burdened with the frailties and weaknesses common to themselves. + </p> + <p> + As the Regenerator or Destroyer represented the processes of Nature,—the + dying away of the sun's rays at night only to reappear on the following + day, and the withdrawal of its warmth in winter only to be renewed in the + spring,—so this God portrayed also the beneficent Creator and + Preserver of all things, at the same time that it was the Destroyer. It + embodied the fundamental idea in all religions, namely, life and + fertility. So also did the "Lord" of the Israelites represent reproductive + energy, but as man being spirit had come to be a Creator of offspring, + while woman being only matter furnished the body, this "Lord" was male. + Connected with it was no hint of the female nature or principle, except + the ark or chest in which it was carried about. To those who have + acquainted themselves with the significance of ancient religious symbols, + the fact is plain that the "Lord" of the Israelites, which in their + journeyings toward Canaan they carried in an ark or chest, and which was + symbolized by an upright stone, was none other than a "Life-giver" in the + most practical sense. It was the emblem of virility, and from the facts at + hand, at the present time, there is little doubt but that all the + spirituality with which we find this "Lord" invested was an after-thought + and comprehended no part of the belief of the Jews until after their + contact with the Persians during the Babylonian captivity. + </p> + <p> + Doubtless the story in which their journeyings toward Canaan are set forth + contains an esoteric as well as an exoteric significance for ages known + only to the priests, and that within it is embodied not alone something of + the true history of this people, but an account also of their struggle + against an older religion. At this time the Israelites had practically + commenced the elimination of the female principle from their god-idea, and + had begun the worship of the male element, the female being represented by + an ark, chest, or box. This ark, as the receptacle of the god, was still a + holy thing. + </p> + <p> + Not only among the Israelites, but among other nations of the East, we + find the devotees of the male god beginning to assume a position quite + independent of the beliefs of their fathers. At this time great towers or + pillars begin to be erected in honor of this deity, which is figured as + the "God of Life," or as the "Lord of Hosts." Notwithstanding the fact + that the story of the Exodus contains much historical truth, it is + altogether probable that the priests have used it, as they did that of the + flood, to conceal their religious doctrines. + </p> + <p> + At the time of the Exodus, the Israelites were ignorant tribes without + laws or letters, and while in Egypt were menials of the lowest order. + Hence, the laws written on the two tables of stone, and which it is + claimed were elaborated during their wanderings in the wilderness of Sinai + for the guidance of these unlettered slaves, show the desire of the + priests of later times to invest the "chosen people" with the insignia of + enlightenment. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the character of the god which they worshipped, we have ample + proof in the Old Testament. It is plain that at the time of their bondage + in Egypt the Jews had become the grossest phallic worshippers, adoring the + emblems of generation, with no thought of their earlier significance as + pure symbols of creative force in mortals. + </p> + <p> + The fact will doubtless be remembered that, among the Jews, to be barren + was the greatest curse, and that the principal reward promised to the + faithful was fruitfulness of body. The essence of this deity was heat or + passion, and his emblem was the serpent or an upright stone. It has been + observed that when this "Lord" was invested with personality he was + subject to all the frailties of his followers. His chief and most emphatic + characteristic, however, was jealousy of other gods, and most of the + imprecations thundered against the chosen people were directed against the + worship of the gods of surrounding nations, those which the Israelites had + originally worshipped. + </p> + <p> + That portion of the Decalogue relating to a jealous god is seen to belong + wholly to the Jews, or to the Israelites, who were descendants of Jacob. + The older nations, among which was the ancient family of the Hebrews, knew + nothing of a jealous god. Notwithstanding the fact that the God of the + Jews appeared and talked face to face with Moses, that he exhibited + portions of his body to him, and that he thundered his law to this people + from Mt. Sinai, still they were constantly lapsing into the worship of + Baal and Ashtaroth, which fact shows how deeply rooted was the belief in a + dual or triune God. It is plain that this "Lord," the fierce anger of whom + was kindled because of their digressions, was none other than the jealous + male god which had but recently been elevated to the dignity of a supreme + Creator. + </p> + <p> + Although the angel of the Lord when he came down from Gilgal commanded his + followers to "throw down the altars of the people of Bochim," they + nevertheless continued to do evil in the sight of the Lord, and + </p> + <p> + "followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about + them, and bound themselves unto them and provoked the Lord to anger. + </p> + <p> + "And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger + of the Lord was hot against Israel."(82) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 82) Judges ii., 12, 13. +</pre> + <p> + "And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return + unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and + Ashtaroth from among you and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve + him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. + </p> + <p> + "Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth and served + the Lord only."(83) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 83) I Samuel vii., 3,4. +</pre> + <p> + The extreme hatred of the schismatic faction for the opposite worship, and + the punishments which were meted out to those who should dare to rebel + against the chosen faith, are indicated by the language which throughout + the Old Testament is put into the mouth of their Lord—a Deity which + rejoices in the title of a jealous God. + </p> + <p> + "If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or + the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice + thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not + known thou nor thy fathers: + </p> + <p> + "Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto + thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the + other end of the earth; + </p> + <p> + "Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall + thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal + him: + </p> + <p> + "But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put + him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. + </p> + <p> + "And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought + to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the + land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. + </p> + <p> + "And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such + wickedness as this is among you."(84) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 84) Deuteronomy xiii. +</pre> + <p> + The constantly recurring faithlessness of the Jews, their restlessness and + proneness to wander from their one-principled deity which had been set up + by their priests for them to worship, was doubtless an unconscious effort + on the part of the people to mitigate the outrage which had been committed + against their Creator. It was but a reaching out for that lost or + unrecognized element which comprehends the more essential force both in + human beings and in the conception of a deity. In other words, it was an + attempt at recognition, in the objects worshipped, of that missing female + element which had always been worshipped, and without which a Creator + becomes a misnomer—a meaningless, unexplained, and unexplainable + monstrosity. + </p> + <p> + When the Jews first make their appearance in history, they are sun + worshippers, as are all the nations by which they are surrounded. They are + worshippers of Seth the Destroyer and Regenerator; but when the + philosophical truths underlying the ancient universal religion were + forgotten, or when through ignorance the language setting forth these + mysteries was taken literally, Seth became identified with the Destroyer, + or the Evil Principle. In the meantime man had come to believe himself the + sole creator of offspring. He is spirit, which is eternal; woman is + matter, which is not only destructible but altogether evil. He is heat or + passion—the principle through which life is produced. She represents + the absence of heat. She is the simoom of the desert and the chilly blast + which destroys. + </p> + <p> + That it was no part of their plan to change their original form of worship + for a spiritual conception of a Creator is apparent from their history. On + the contrary, it is plain that they desired simply to eliminate from the + hitherto dual conception of a deity the female principle, which, in their + arrogance, and because of the change which had been wrought in the + relations of the sexes, they no longer acknowledged as important in the + office of reproduction. + </p> + <p> + It is quite true they would worship only one god—the "Lord,"—but + that lord was, as we have seen, a deity of physical strength and virile + might, a "Lord of Hosts," a god which was to be worshipped under the + symbol of an upright stone—an object which by every nation of the + globe down to a comparatively recent time has typified male pro-creative + energy. That the masses of the people, even as late as the time of + Jeremiah, had no higher conception of a God than that indicated by an + upright stone, is shown by that prophet when he accuses the entire house + of Israel, "their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their + prophets," of "saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou + hast brought me forth." + </p> + <p> + That the people could not, or would not, be prevailed upon to renounce the + Queen of Heaven, the Celestial Mother, is seen in Jer. vii., 17, 18: + </p> + <p> + "Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of + Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and + the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven and to + pour out drink offerings unto other gods." + </p> + <p> + Also in Jeremiah xliv: + </p> + <p> + "Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto + other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all + the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, + saying, As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the + Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. + </p> + <p> + "But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own + mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven and to pour out drink + offerings unto her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings, and + our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for + then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. + </p> + <p> + "But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to pour + out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been + consumed by the sword and by the famine. + </p> + <p> + "And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink + offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her and pour out + drink offerings unto her without our men?" + </p> + <p> + That the above represents a quarrel in which the women of Judah openly + rebelled against the worship of the "Lord," at the same time declaring + their allegiance to the female Deity, the Celestial Mother, Queen of + Heaven, is only too evident, the curse pronounced upon them by Jeremiah, + in the name of the lord, having little effect upon them to change their + purpose. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, hear ye the word of the Lord, all Judah that dwell in the land + of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the Lord, that my + name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the + land of Egypt, saying, The Lord God liveth. + </p> + <p> + "Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the + men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword + and by the famine, until there be an end of them." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. THE PHOENICIAN AND HEBREW GOD SET OR SETH. + </h2> + <p> + The name of one of the oldest deities of which we have any record is Set + (Phoenician) or Seth (Hebrew). Traces of this God are found in all + oriental countries; and in the most primitive religions, whose traditions + are still extant, he (or she) appears as the supreme God. After the + subjection of Egypt by the stranger kings and the consequent introduction + into the country of Sabianism, the dual creative force residing in the sun + is represented by Seth. We are told that Seth signifies "appointed or put + in the place of the murdered Abel." + </p> + <p> + That there is some deep mystery connected with this subject none who has + studied it carefully can help observing. + </p> + <p> + According to the story of creation as set forth in the Jehovistic account, + on Saturday night, after God had finished his work, and immediately after + he had commanded Adam to "be fruitful," he presents him with a staff, + which we observe is handed down to Enoch and all the patriarchs. Here the + mystery deepens, for it is declared that this staff was presented to Seth, + and that it was a branch of the Tree of Life. + </p> + <p> + That beneath this allegory is veiled a contest, or perhaps a compromise, + between the worshippers of two distinct sects, seems altogether probable. + That the handing down of this branch of the Tree of Life, first to Adam, + or man, by Aleim, and its subsequent transference to Seth, the God of + Nature, the Destroyer or Regenerator, seems to indicate a victory for the + adherents of a purer religion. The translator of Kallimachus says: "It is + well known to the learned reader that the descendants of Cain are + distinguished in Scripture by the name of the sons of man or Adam; those + of Seth by the name of the sons of God." Gen. vi., 2.(85) It is stated in + Julius Africanus that all the righteous men and patriarchs down to the + Saviour himself have sprung from Seth and have been denominated as the + sons of God in contradistinction to the sons of man. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 85) Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 527. +</pre> + <p> + Doubtless at the time indicated by the transference of the creative agency + from Aleim to Adam, the worship of an abstract principle, or of a Trinity + composed of the powers of Nature, was losing its hold on the minds of the + people, and the creative power, or the reproductive energy in human + beings, was rapidly taking the place of the older Deity. These higher + principles forgotten, Adam, or man, had become the Creator. + </p> + <p> + It is not improbable that the terms Adam, Cain, Abel, and Seth have an + esoteric meaning which for ages was known only to the priests. From + various facts which in later times are being brought forward regarding the + ancient myths of Genesis, it is believed that these names originally stood + for races of men, and that subsequently certain religious doctrines came + to be attached to them. The offering of fruit by Cain, the elder brother, + who was a tiller of the ground, and that of flesh by Abel, who was a + keeper of sheep, indicates a quarrel which ended in the death of the + latter. After the death of Abel, or after one of these principles or sects + was subdued, the older religion was revived, and Seth, as the Aleim, or as + the creative power within the sun, was "appointed" or again worshipped. + </p> + <p> + It would seem that Seth was appointed to represent the third person in the + ancient Trinity—the Destroyer or Regenerator which had previously + come to embody all the powers of the Creator and Preserver. The fact has + been observed that the very ancient philosophers believed matter to be + eternal, hence, seeming death, or destruction, was necessary to renewed + life or regeneration. In other words, creation was but continuous change + in the form of matter. + </p> + <p> + Of the doctrines of the Sethians extant at the beginning of Christianity, + Hippolytus says that their system "is made up of tenets from natural + philosophers. These tenets embrace a belief in the Eternal Logos—Darkness, + Mist, and Tempest." These elements subsequently became identified with the + Evil Principle, or the Devil. The cold of winter, the darkness of night, + and water, were finally set forth as the Trinity. Regarding cold, + darkness, and water, or darkness, mist, and tempest, Hippolytus observes: + </p> + <p> + "These the Sethian says are the three principles of our system; or when he + states that three were born in paradise—Adam, Eve, the serpent; or + when he speaks of three persons, namely, Cain, Abel, Seth, and again of + three others, Shem, Ham, Japheth; or when he mentions three patriarchs—Abraham, + Isaac, Jacob; or when he speaks of three days before the sun, etc." + </p> + <p> + The same writer says that their entire system is derived from the + ancients; that, antecedent to the Eleusinian mysteries, were enacted by + them the ceremonies connected with the worship of the Great Mother.(86) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 86) Hippolytus, Refutation of all Heresies, book v., ch. 15. +</pre> + <p> + We have observed that through some process not thoroughly understood at + the present time, the adherents of the older faith had succeeded in + reinstating their Deity. The powers of Nature had come to be represented + by Typhon Seth. It was the God of Death and of Life, of Destruction and + Regeneration. The simoom of the desert and the cold of winter were Seth, + as were also the genial powers of Spring. We are informed by various + writers that Typhon Seth was feminine. She was the early God of the Jews. + In other words, the Jews were formerly worshippers of a female Deity. + Jehovah, Iav, was originally female. + </p> + <p> + Although the secret meaning of all the allegories contained in the Old + Testament is not fully understood, still the belief that Cain, Abel, and + Seth represented the self-triplicated Deity at a time when the idea of man + as a creator had been accepted, or when his power to reproduce was + becoming the highest idea of a creative force, is consistent with what is + known of the Cabala of the Jews, or of the esoteric meaning of the Jewish + scriptures formerly known only to the priests. In other words, the ancient + doctrines, the true meaning of which was no longer understood by them, + were patched together as a basis for the later developments in Jewish + religious experience. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that six hundred years after Adam appears Noah, another + self-triplicated Saviour or preserver of man, with his ark or seed vessel, + beneath which is veiled the female element. Afterward Abraham becomes the + Great Father or Saviour, and later Moses. That, in the time of the latter, + the more ancient worship of a creative force in Nature represented by the + Aleim, had, by the masses of the people, been wholly lost, is evident from + the Old Testament writings. The worship of the Father, the male power, in + opposition to that of the Mother, or the female power, constituted the + religion of Moses. In the religion of the Jews, Jehovah came to be + regarded as wholly male and as spirit, while Edam (translated "downward + tending"), the female principle, was matter, or woman, which finally + became identified with the Devil. + </p> + <p> + The philosophical doctrine that spirit is evolved through matter, or that + matter must be raised to a certain dynamical power before spirit can + manifest itself through it, was no longer understood; only the husks of + this doctrine—the myths and symbols of Nature-worship—remained; + these were taken literally, and thus man's religion was made to conform to + his lowered estate. + </p> + <p> + When man had so far gained the ascendancy over woman as to assert that he + is the sole Creator of their joint offspring, he was no longer of the + earth earthy, but at once became the child of heaven. He was, however, + bound to earth through his association with matter, or with woman, from + whom he was unable to free himself. The "sons of God" were united "to the + daughters of man." Jahvah, the "God of hosts," who was revengeful, weak, + jealous, and cruel, was worshipped in the place of Aleim the great dual + force throughout Nature. The ethereal, spiritual male essence resided + somewhere in the heavens and created from afar, while the earth (female) + furnished only the body or material substance. + </p> + <p> + In the history of the god Seth is to be found a clue to the way in which + the sublime and philosophical doctrines of the ancients, after their true + meaning was forgotten, were finally changed so as to conform to the + enforced humiliation and degradation of women. + </p> + <p> + Seth or Typhon was for ages worshipped throughout Egypt, and as she + comprehended the powers of Nature, or the creative energy residing in the + sun and earth, little is heard of any other god. Strange it is, however, + that Seth is worshipped more in her capacity as Destroyer than as + Regenerator. So soon as we understand the origin and character of the + Devil, and so soon as we divest ourselves of the false ideas which under a + state of ignorance and gross sensuality came to prevail relative to the + "powers of darkness," we shall perceive that his (or her) Satanic majesty + was once a very respectable personage and a powerful Divinity—a + Divinity which was worshipped by a people whose superior intelligence can + scarcely be questioned. Regarding this subject Higgins remarks: + </p> + <p> + "Persons who have not given much consideration to these subjects will be + apt to wonder that any people should be found to offer adoration to the + evil principle; but they do not consider that, in all these recondite + systems, the evil principle, or the Destroyer, or Lord of Death, was at + the same time the Regenerator. He could not destroy but to reproduce, and + it was probably not till this principle began to be forgotten, that the + evil being, per se, arose; for in some nations this effect seems to have + taken place. Thus Baal-Zebub is, in Iberno Celtic, Baal Lord, and Zab + Death, Lord of Death; but he is also called Aleim, the same as the God of + the Israelites; and this is right, because he was one of the Trimurti or + Trinity. + </p> + <p> + "If I be correct respecting the word Aleim being feminine, we here see the + Lord of Death of the feminine gender; but the Goddess Ashtaroth or + Astarte, the Eoster of the Germans, was also called Aleim. Here again + Aleim is feminine, which shows that I am right in making Aleim the plural + feminine. Thus we have distinctly found Aleim the Creator (Gen. i., 1), + Aleim the Preserver, and Aleim the Destroyer, and this not by inference, + but literally expressed."(87) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 87) Anacalypsis, ch. ii., p. 66. +</pre> + <p> + At one period of their history the Hebrews worshipped Ashtaroth and Baal, + they together representing the great Aleim, the indivisible God, but after + the Israelites had chosen the worship of the male principle as an + independent deity, or as the only important agency in the creative + processes, as Baal might not be represented aside from his counterpart + Ashtaroth, he was no longer adored but came to stand for something + "approaching the Devil." Forlong has observed the fact that, although in + Hebrew Baal is masculine, in the Greek translations he is feminine both in + the Old and New Testaments.(88) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 88) Forlong, Rivers of Life, p. 223. +</pre> + <p> + Jehovah was originally female, so, also, was Netpe the Holy Spirit of the + Egyptian Tree of Life. We are given to understand that Netpe was the same + as Rhea, the partner of Sev or Saturn, and that her hieroglyphic name was + "Abyss of Heaven." Osiris was the son of this goddess who was really a Mai + or Mary, the Celestial Mother, he being the only God of the Egyptians who + was born upon this earth and lived among men. Of this Forlong remarks: + "His birthplace was Mount Sinai; called by the Egyptians Nysa, hence his + Greek name Dionysos." + </p> + <p> + As the Palm was the first offering of Mother Earth to her children, so + Osiris was the first offspring of the Egyptian Celestial Virgin to + mankind. He was the new sun which through the winter months had been + "buried," but which in process of time arose to gladden all the earth. He + was also the new Sun of Righteousness which was to renew the world, or + redeem mankind from sin. + </p> + <p> + The female principle for the time being cast out of the Deity, Osiris, the + male element, now outwardly assumes the position of supreme God. It was, + however, reserved for a later and more sensuous age to permanently adopt + an absurdity so opposed to all established ideas relative to a creative + force in Nature and in man. Seth, the Destroyer, had been deposed, but, so + deeply rooted in the human mind had become the idea of a female Creator, + that Isis, the Queen of Heaven, a somewhat lower conception of Muth, or of + universal womanhood, soon assumed the place of Seth beside Osiris. Later + in the history of Egypt, when the gods have become greatly multiplied, and + the original significance of the deity obscured, Horus, the child and the + third member in the later Egyptian triad, not unfrequently appears in her + place as one of the eight great gods. + </p> + <p> + The fact is observed that the history of Osiris is not alone the "history + of the circle of the year, or of the sun dying away and resuscitating + itself again, but that it is also the history of the cycle of 600." It has + been said that of the component elements of his hieroglyphical name, Isis + is the first, and that the name Osiris really signifies the "Eye of Isis." + </p> + <p> + According to Plutarch, Isis and Muth are identical, but from the evidence + at hand it is plain that Muth comprehends divine womanhood, or the female + principle as it was regarded at an earlier stage of human growth. Muth is + not only the parent of the sun, or the force which produces the sun, but + she is also Wisdom, the first emanation from the Deity, at the same time + that she comprehends all the possibilities of Nature. Isis seems to + represent the Deity at a time when the higher truths known to a more + ancient people were beginning to lose their hold upon the race. + </p> + <p> + Renouf informs us that the word Maat, or Muth, means Law, "not in that + forensic sense of command issued either by a human sovereign authority, or + by a divine legislator, like the laws of the Hebrews, but in the sense of + that unerring order which governs the universe, whether in its physical or + its moral aspect."(89) The same writer observes further that Maat "is + called mistress of Heaven, ruler of earth, and president of the nether + world," and in a further description of the conception embodied in this + Deity, refers to the fact that while she is the mother of the sun she is + also the first emanation from God. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 89) The Religion of Ancient Egypt, p. 126. +</pre> + <p> + Although Typhon Seth was long worshipped as the sole Deity in Egypt, in + later ages the god-idea came to be represented by Seth and Osiris. Toward + the close of Typhon Seth's reign, Horus, the child, the young sun, was + represented "as rising from his hiding-place, attracting beneficent vapors + to return them back as dews, which the Egyptians called the tears of + Isis." + </p> + <p> + Seth and Osiris represent a division of the Deity. Osiris, as the sun, + represents heat; as man, or as god, he stands for desire. Seth or Typhon + stands for the cold of winter, the simoom of the desert, or the "wind that + blasts." Seth, Osiris, and Horus constitute a Trinity of which Muth is the + Great Mother. Finally, with the gradual ascendancy of male influence and + power, it is observed that Seth appears as the brother of Osiris. + </p> + <p> + It is the opinion of Bunsen that the fundamental idea of Osiris and Set + was "not merely the glorification of the sun, but was also the worship of + the primitive creative power."(90) But, as in Egypt the creative agency + was regarded as both female and male, the former being in the ascendancy, + this fact of itself would seem to determine the sex and position of Seth. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 90) History of Egypt, vol. iv., p. 319. +</pre> + <p> + In the ideas concerning Seth and Osiris may be observed something of the + manner in which the fructifying agencies of the sun and the reproductive + power in human beings were blended and together worshipped as the Deity; + while through the history of these gods are to be traced some of the + processes by which the idea of the Creator was changed from female to + male. + </p> + <p> + In all countries, at a certain stage in the history of religion, the + transference of female deified power to mortal man may be observed. In the + attempt to change Seth or Typhon into a male God may be noted perhaps the + first effort in Egypt to dethrone, or lessen the female power in the + god-idea. + </p> + <p> + The fact seems plain that the Great Typhon Seth, or Set, who conferred on + the sovereigns of the eighteenth and nineteenth dynasties of Egypt "the + symbols of life and power," was none other than the primitive Regenerator + or Destroyer, who was for ages worshipped as the God of Nature the Aleim, + or the life-giving energy throughout the universe. + </p> + <p> + We have observed that when the profound principles underlying the most + ancient doctrines had been lost or forgotten, and when through the decay + of philosophy, and through the stimulation of the sensual in human nature, + mankind had lost the power to reason abstractly, Destruction, which was + symbolized by darkness or the absence of the sun's rays, finally became + the evil principle, or the Devil. Darkness and cold, which had formerly + been worshipped as the powers which brought forth the sun, or as mother of + the sun, in process of time became the agency which is ever warring with + good and which is constantly destroying that which the latter brings + forth. + </p> + <p> + We are informed by Forlong that "some derive our term Devil from Niphl or + Nevil, the wind that blasts or obstructs the growth of corn; and it used + sometimes to be written th' evil, which is D'evil or Devil." + </p> + <p> + It was "this Dualistic heresy which separated the Zend or Persian branch + of the Aryans from their Vedic brethren, and compelled them to emigrate to + the westward."(91) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 91) See Rawlinson, Notes on the Early History of Babylon. +</pre> + <p> + The ancient philosophical truth that matter is eternal, and that the + destruction of vegetable life through the agency of cold was one of the + necessary processes of re-generation, or the renewal of life, had + evidently been lost sight of at the time when Seth was dethroned in Egypt. + Wilkinson informs us that "both Seth and Osiris were adored until a change + took place respecting Seth, brought about apparently by foreign + influence." Sethi or Sethos, a ruler whose reign represents the Augustan + age of Egyptian splendor, received his name from this Deity. It is said + that during the twentieth dynasty Seth is suddenly portrayed as the + principle of evil "with which is associated sin." Consequently all the + effigies of this great Goddess were destroyed and all her names and + inscriptions "which could be reached" were effaced. + </p> + <p> + Bunsen tells us that Schelling, who has made a study of Egyptian + mythology, although totally ignorant of the later historical facts which + by means of hieroglyphical monuments have been obtained, had arrived at + the conclusion that Seth had occupied an important position in the Deity + down to the fourteenth century B.C. "Schelling had on mere speculative + grounds been brought to lay down as a postulate that Typhon, at some early + period, had been considered by the Egyptians as a beneficent and powerful + God." + </p> + <p> + Wilkinson says that the character given to Seth, who was called Baal-Seth + and the God of the Gentiles, "is explained by his being the cause of + evil." We are assured that formerly "Sin the great serpent," or Apophis + the giant, was distinct from Seth who was a deity and a part of the divine + system. But after the recondite principles underlying sun-worship were + lost or forgotten; when cold and darkness, or the sinking away of the + sun's rays, which are necessary to the reappearance of light and warmth, + came to be regarded as the destructive element, or the evil principle, + woman became identified with this principle. She was the producer of evil, + and came to be represented in connection with a serpent as the cause of + all earthly or material things. She is Destruction, but not Regeneration. + She is in fact matter. The cold of winter and the darkness of night, which + are necessary to the return of the sun's warmth and which were formerly + set forth as a beneficent mother who brings forth the sun, became only the + evil principle—that which obscures the light. In fact Darkness or + absence of the sun's heat has become the Devil. It is the "cause of evil + in the world." + </p> + <p> + With woman blinded by superstition, with every instinct of the female + nature outraged, and with her position as the central figure in the Deity + and in the family usurped, her temples were soon profaned, her images + defiled, and the titles representing her former greatness transferred to + males. + </p> + <p> + There is no doubt but this doctrine was the legitimate outcome of the + decay of female influence. Through the further stimulation of the lower + nature of man its absurdity gradually increased, until under the system + calling itself Christian it finally reached its height. This subject will + be referred to later in these pages. + </p> + <p> + When we remember that the original representation of the Deity among the + nations of the earth consisted of a female figure embracing a child, and + when we observe that subsequently in the development of the god-idea woman + appears associated with a serpent as the cause of evil in the world, the + history of the God Seth, who, as we have seen, represented the processes + of Nature, namely Destruction and Regeneration, seems quite significant as + indicating some of the actual processes involved in this change. + </p> + <p> + There can be little doubt that the facts relating to this Deity indicate + the source whence has sprung the great theological dogma underlying + Christianity, that woman is the cause of evil in the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. ANCIENT SPECULATIONS CONCERNING CREATION. + </h2> + <p> + "Daughters of Jove, All hail! but O inspire The lovely song! the sacred + race proclaim Of ever-living gods; who sprang from Earth, From the starred + Heaven, and from the gloomy Night, And whom the salt Deep nourished into + life. Declare how first the gods and Earth became; The rivers and th' + immeasurable sea High-raging in its foam; the glittering stars, The wide + impending Heaven; and who from these Of deities arose, dispensing good; + Say how their treasures, how their honors each Allotted shar'd: how first + they held abode On many-caved Olympus:—this declare, Ye Muses! + dwellers of the heavenly mount From the beginning; say, who first arose? + First Chaos was: next ample-bosomed Earth, Of deathless gods, who still + the Olympian heights Snow-topt inhabit.... Her first-born Earth produced + Of like immensity, the starry Heaven: That he might sheltering compass her + around On every side, and be forevermore To the blest gods a mansion + unremoved."(92) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 92) Hesiod, The Theogony. +</pre> + <p> + So long as human beings worshipped the abstract principle of creation, the + manifestations of which proceed from the earth and sun, they doubtless + reasoned little on the nature of its hitherto inseparable parts. They had + not at that early period begun to look outside of Nature for their + god-idea, but when through the peculiar course of development which had + been entered upon, the simple conception of a creative agency originally + entertained became obscured, mankind began to speculate on the nature and + attributes of the two principles by which everything is produced, and to + dispute over their relative importance in the office of reproduction. Much + light has been thrown upon these speculations by the Kosmogonies which + have come down to us from the Phoenicians, Babylonians, and other peoples + of past ages. In the Phoenician Kosmogony, according to the Mokh doctrine + as recorded by Philo, out of the kosmic egg Toleeleth (female) "sprang all + the impregnation of creation and the beginning of the universe." In this + exposition of the beginnings of things, it is distinctly stated that the + spirit which in after ages came to be regarded as something outside or + above Nature, "had no consciousness of its own creation." Commenting on + the above, Bunsen is constrained to admit that it is usually understood as + being "decidedly pantheistic." He suggests, however, that the writer may + HAVE INTENDED TO SAY (the italics are mine) that "the spirit who was + heretofore the Creator was the unconscious spirit." + </p> + <p> + Berosus, the scholar of Babylon, who, until a comparatively recent time + has furnished all the information extant concerning Babylonian + antiquities, in his account of the creation of man and of the universe, + says that in the beginning all was water and darkness; that in the water + were the beginnings of life; but as yet there was no order. Men were there + with the wings of birds and even with the feet of beasts. There were also + quadrupeds and men with fishes' tails, all of which had been produced by a + twofold principle. Over this incongruous mass a woman presided. This woman + is called Omoroka by the Babylonians and by the Chaldeans Thalatth. The + latter name, signifies, "bearing" or "egg producing." + </p> + <p> + In the Babylonian Kosmogony, according to Endemus, the pupil of Aristotle, + the beginning of the universe was called Tauthe, which being interpreted + means "Mother of the Gods." Associated with her sometimes appears the male + principle—Apason. In the history of Berosus, there is given an + account of Oaunes—a mythical teacher of Babylon, who appeared with + the head of a human being and the body of a fish or serpent. This + personage brought to the Babylonians all the knowledge which they + possessed. Oaunes wrote "concerning the generation of mankind, of their + different ways of life, and of their civil polity." He it was who gave the + above account of creation. He says that finally Omoroka, or Thalatth, the + woman who existed before the creation, was divided, one half of her + forming the heavens, "the other half the earth." "All this," Berosus + declares, "was an allegorical description of Nature."(93) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 93) Prof. Smith, Chaldean Account of Genesis, pp. 34, 35. +</pre> + <p> + In the following legend will be observed the groundwork for the story of + the flood. Xisuthrus was a king of Chaldea. To him the deity, Kronos, + appeared in a vision and warned him that upon the fifteenth day of the + month Daesius there would be a flood, by which mankind would be destroyed. + He therefore enjoined him to write a history of the beginning, progress, + and conclusion of all things down to the present time, and to bury it in + Sippara, the City of the Sun. He was commanded also to build a vessel, and + take with him into it his friends and relations, and to convey on board + everything necessary to sustain life, together with all the different + animals, both birds and quadrupeds, and trust himself fearlessly to the + deep. Having asked the deity whither he was to sail, he was answered: "To + the gods"; upon which he offered up a prayer for the good of mankind. He + then obeyed the divine admonition, and built a vessel five stadia in + length and two in breadth. Into this he put everything which he had + prepared, and last of all conveyed into it his wife, his children, and his + friends. + </p> + <p> + "After the flood had been upon the earth, and was in time abated, + Xisuthrus sent out birds from the vessel, which not finding any food, nor + any place whereupon they might rest their feet, returned to him again. + After an interval of some days, he sent them forth a second time; and they + now returned with their feet tinged with mud. He made a trial a third time + with these birds; but they returned to him no more: from which he judged + that the surface of the earth had appeared above the waters. He therefore + made an opening in the vessel, end upon looking out found that it was + stranded upon the side of some mountain, upon which he immediately quitted + it with his wife, his daughter, and the pilot. Xisuthrus then paid his + adoration to the earth: and, having constructed an altar, offered + sacrifices to the gods, and, with those who had come out of the vessel + with him, disappeared. Him they saw no more, but they could distinguish + his voice in the air, and could hear him admonish them to pay due regard + to the gods. He informed them that it was on account of his piety that he + had been taken away to live with the gods, and that his wife and daughter + had obtained the same honor." + </p> + <p> + It is more than likely that this story, which as we have seen has extended + to the remotest corners of the earth, has an esoteric meaning, and that it + embodies the doctrines of the ancients relative to re-incarnation and the + renewal of worlds. Doubtless it portrays not only the end of a cycle, but + that by it is prefigured the fortunes of a human soul, which in its + ascent, is from time to time forced into a human body. + </p> + <p> + All the early Kosmogonies are intermingled with the history of a great + flood, from the ravages of which an ark which contained a man was saved. + The Gothic story of creation indicates that the Scythians belonged to the + same race as the Chaldeans. At the beginning of time when nothing had been + formed, and before the earth, the sea, or the heavens appeared, + Muspelsheim existed. A breath of heat passing over the vapors, melted them + into water, and from this water was formed a cow named Aedumla, who was + the progenitor of Odin, Vile, and Ve, the Trinity of the Gothic nation. + </p> + <p> + There is also another tradition, probably a later, which asserts that from + the drops of water produced by the primeval breath of heat, a man, Ymer, + was brought forth. The son of Ymer was preserved in a storm-tossed bark, + his father being dragged into the middle of the abyss, where, from his + body the earth was produced. The sea was made of his blood, the mountains + of his bones, and the rocks of his teeth. As three of his descendants were + walking on the shore one day, they found two pieces of wood which had been + washed up by the waves. Of these they made a man and a woman. The man they + named Aske and the woman Emla. From this pair has descended the human + race. + </p> + <p> + The marked resemblance between the characters of the Gothic Ymer and the + Chaldean Omoroka, from each of whose bodies the universe is created, has + been observed by various writers. After referring to Mallet's conclusions + upon this subject, Faber remarks: + </p> + <p> + "They are indeed evidently the same person, not only in point of + character, but, if I mistake not, in appellation: for Ymer or Umer is + Omer-Oca expressed in a more simple form. The difference of sex does by no + means invalidate this opinion, which rests upon the perfect identity of + their characters: for the Great Mother, like the Great Father, was an + hermaphrodite; or, rather, that person from whom all things were supposed + to be produced, was the Great Father and the Great Mother united together + in one compound being. Ymer and Omoroca are each the same as that + hermaphrodite Jupiter of the Orphic theology." + </p> + <p> + We have observed, however, that in all the older traditions this + hermaphrodite conception is accounted as female, it is the Great Mother + within whom is contained the male; in later ages, however, it is + represented as male, the female being concealed beneath convenient + symbols. + </p> + <p> + The Trinity of the Goths was male; yet as Odin could not create + independently of the female energy he is provided with a wife, Frigga, to + whom "all fair things belonged, and who had priestesses among the early + German tribes." Frigga when worshipped alone was both female and male. + According to one German tradition, Tiw (Zeus), which in its earliest + conception was female, was the parent of the first man. This man begat + three sons who became the fathers of the three Deutsch tribes. Ish (or + Ash) was the parent of the Franks and Allemans; Ing was the progenitor of + the Swedes, Angles, and Saxons; and Er, or Erman, was the eponymous leader + of the tribes called by the Romans Hermiones. + </p> + <p> + The Kosmogony of the Chinese is similar in all respects to that of other + countries. The first man, Puoncu, was born from an egg. + </p> + <p> + The Chinese say that this egg-born Puoncu, who is identical with Brahm, + Noah, and Adam, is not the great Creator or God, but only the first man. + Their great God or Tien is a Unity which comprehends three, and their + human triad—a triplicated being who is the parent of the human race—is + a lower expression of the same power, and to him has finally been ascribed + the office of Creator. + </p> + <p> + The Kosmogony of the Japanese begins with the opening of the sacred egg + from which all things were produced. This egg is identical with the ark, + and from it the diluvian patriarch was born. He was "Baal-Peor or the lord + of opening; and, from an idea that the Ark was an universal mother, he was + considered as the masculine principle of generation, and was adored by his + apostate descendants with all the abominations of phallic worship." + </p> + <p> + In the Theogony of Hesiod, Uranus is represented as being the parent of + three sons, and the same legend repeated in the story of Cronus portrays + him also as a triplicated deity. According to the Peruvian Kosmogony all + things sprang from Viracocha who is said to be identical with the Greek + Aphrodite. Besides this superior God they venerated a triad which was + closely connected with the sun. These gods were called Chuquilla, + Catuilla, and Intyllapa. They say that as their ancestors journeyed from a + remote country to the Northwest they bore the image of their god in a + coifer or box made of reeds. To the four priests who had charge of this + box or ark he communicated his oracles and directions. He not only gave + them laws but taught them the ceremonies and sacrifices which they were to + observe. "And even as the pillar of cloud and fire conducted the + Israelites in their passage through the wilderness, so this Spanish devil + gave them notice when to advance forward, and when to stay."(94) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 94) Faber, Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. v. +</pre> + <p> + According to Marsden, the New Zealanders believe that three gods created + the first man, and that the first woman was made from one of his ribs. + </p> + <p> + Among the Otaheitans and various tribes of Indians, the belief prevails + that all created things have proceeded from a triplicated deity who was + saved from the ravages of a flood in an ark or ship. + </p> + <p> + The fact is observed that the Theogonies and Kosmogonies of all peoples + have reference to a flood or to the renewal of life after the destruction + of the world, and that the Great Father who is preserved, and who comes + forth from an ark or ship with the seeds of a former world, represents the + beginning of a new era. Adam with his three sons, Cain, Abel, and Seth, + Noah with his triad, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Menu and his triple + offspring, and so on, all mean exactly the same thing, namely, the renewal + of life at the close of a cycle, or manwantara. + </p> + <p> + From the traditions extant in nearly every quarter of the globe, it would + seem that, prior to the so-called flood in the time of Noah, man, as a + Creator, had not to any extent been worshipped, but, on the contrary, that + the great universal dual principle which pervades Nature and which is back + of matter and force, for instance Tien among the Chinese, Iav among the + Hebrews, and Aum among the Hindoos, had been the Deity adored; but with + the decline of virtue and knowledge, this God was gradually abandoned for + a lesser one, a deity better suited to the comprehension of "fallen" man. + </p> + <p> + In the Elohistic narrative of creation which appears in the first chapter + of Genesis, a dual or triune God, female and male, says, Let us make man + in our own image, and accordingly a male and a female are created. In the + Jehovistic account, however, in the second chapter of the same book, a + document of much later date, man is made first and afterward woman. In + fact, in the latter narrative she appears as an afterthought and is + created simply for his use; she is taken from his side and is wholly + dependent upon him for existence. This fact is recognized by Bishop + Colenso in the following words: + </p> + <p> + "Thus in the second account of creation, the man is APPARENTLY created + first, and the woman is CERTAINLY created the last, of all living + creatures; whereas, in the older story the man and woman are created last + of all, as the crowning work of Elohim, and are created together—'and + Elohim created man in His own image, in the image of Elohim created He + him; male and female created He them.' This ancient Elohistic narrative, + then, the Jehovist had before him; and he enlarged and enlivened it by + introducing a number of passages recording additional incidents in the + lives of the patriarchs before and after the flood, and especially by + inserting the second account of the creation, ii., 4-25." + </p> + <p> + Colenso observes that verse four of chapter second belongs to the Elohist, + and that it was removed from its original position at the beginning of + Gen. i., in order to form the commencement of the Jehovistic account of + the creation.(95) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 95) Lectures on the Pentateuch, p. 32. +</pre> + <p> + Quoting from Bishop Browne in the New Bible Commentary, the same writer + remarks that in the Elohistic account of the creation "we have that which + was probably the ancient primeval record of the formation of the + world."(96) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 96) Ibid. p. 16. +</pre> + <p> + The oldest or Elohistic portion of Genesis is, at the present time, seen + to conceal great wisdom and a knowledge of Nature far surpassing that of + later times. + </p> + <p> + According to Higgins, the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis, if + properly translated, would not declare that in the beginning God created + the heavens and the earth, but that Wisdom "formed" the earth and the + planets. In none of the ancient Kosmogonies can there be a word found + regarding the creation of matter. From the facts which have come down to + us respecting the speculations of the ancients, it is plain that the + original conception was, that within the primeval beginnings described in + their Kosmogonies, in chaos or unorganized matter, was contained primeval + force; no attempt, however, was made by them to account for the creation + of either motion or matter. + </p> + <p> + As soon as human beings began to speculate on the attributes of their + Deity; when the two principles composing it began to separate, and the + idea was gaining ground that the male was the only important factor in + reproduction, the sun became male, the earth and sea female. Still, even + then the doctrine seems not to have been questioned, that the creative + agency had proceeded from matter, or that it was developed in and through + it. The belief that something can be made from nothing was reserved for a + later age. + </p> + <p> + In the oldest Semitic Kosmogonies, we are assured that the self-conscious + God who is manifested in the order of the universe, proceeded out of the + great abyss, and out of unorganized, dark, primeval matter. During the + earlier historic period, however, by both Jew and Gentile, the belief was + entertained that spirit is material. It is the essence of fire—a + substance akin to the galvanic or electric fluid. This masculine element, + the manifestation of which is desire, or heat, and which was finally set + up as an eternal, self-existent, creative force, or God, was originally + regarded as a manifestation of matter, and as having no independent + existence. In an earlier age, this so-called creative agency is associated + with a force far superior to itself, namely, Light or Wisdom. Minerva, who + is the first emanation from the Deity, "formed" all things. She it is who + discriminates all things and gives laws to the universe. "She represented + to the Greeks that spiritual element which lifts knowledge into wisdom, + and talent into genius."(97) But with the importance which began to be + assumed by man when he began to regard himself as a creator, and when + through ignorance and sensuality the principles of a more enlightened race + were forgotten, desire, or heat, was separated from matter and came to be + regarded as an independent entity, which itself had created matter out of + nothing. Thus is noticed the extent to which the god-idea has been + developed in accordance with the relative positions of the sexes. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 97) L. T. Ives, Art Words. +</pre> + <p> + According to the Grecian mythology, much of which was a comparatively late + development, mortal woman was the handiwork of Vulcan the Firegod, who, + being commissioned by Jove to execute "a snare for gods and man," moulded + the beauteous form of woman. This is a worthy example of the contempt and + scorn shown by the Greeks for women during the later period of their + career as a nation. That such contempt was a later development is shown in + the fact that woman was originally the gift of Pallas Athene, or Wisdom. + When she first appeared on the scene she was crowned by the gods, in fact + she was the first object honored with a crown. Concerning the conceptions + regarding women as held at an earlier age, and those which came to prevail + after she had become "the cause of evil in the world," we have the + following from Tertullian: + </p> + <p> + "If there was a Pandora, whom Hesiod mentions as the first woman, hers was + the first head the Graces crowned, for she received gifts from all the + gods, whence she got her name Pandora. But Moses, a prophet, not a + poet-shepherd, shows us the first woman Eve having her loins more + naturally girt about with leaves than her temples with flowers. Pandora + then is a myth."(98) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 98) Tertullian, vol. i., p. 341. +</pre> + <p> + Woman, who was originally the gift of Wisdom, or Minerva, and who when + created was garlanded with flowers as the crown of creation, became, in + course of time, an accursed and wicked thing who must henceforth cover + herself with leaves to hide her shame. Tertullian, who, with the rest of + the early fathers in the Christian church, had imbibed the latter doctrine + concerning her, could not believe the tradition set forth by Hesiod; + therefore Pandora was a myth, while the corrupted fable, that of Eve as + the tempter, was accepted as a natural representation of womanhood. + </p> + <p> + When woman was created, "all the gods conferred a gifted grace." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Round her fair brow the lovely-tressed Hours + A garland twined of Spring's purpureal flowers: + The whole attire Minerva's graceful art + Disposed, adjusted, form'd to every part."(99) +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 99) Hesiod, Works and Days. +</pre> + <p> + Later, however, Pandora herself becomes the pourer forth of ills on the + head of defenceless man. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. FIRE AND PHALLIC WORSHIP. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Know, first a spirit with an active flame + Fills, feeds, and animates the mighty frame; + Runs through the watery worlds and fields of air, + The ponderous Earth and depths of Heav'n and there + Burns in the Sun and Moon, and every brilliant Star + Thus mingling in the mass, the general soul + Lives in its parts and agitates the whole." +</pre> + <p> + Although earth, air, water, and the sun were long venerated as objects of + worship, as containing the life principle, in process of time it is + observed that fire attracted the highest regard of human beings, and on + their altars the sacred flame, said to have been kindled from heaven, was + kept burning uninterruptedly from year to year, and from age to age, by + bands of priests "whose special duty it was to see that the sacred flame + was never extinguished." The office of the vestal virgins in Rome was to + preserve the holy fire. The Egyptians, and in fact all the earlier + civilized nations, knew that force proceeds from the sun, hence the + frequent appearance of this orb among their symbols of life. Indeed there + is not a country on the globe in which, at some time, divine honors have + not been paid to fire and to light. + </p> + <p> + The Hindoos, "believing fire to be the essence of all active power in + Nature, kept perpetual lamps burning in the innermost recesses of their + pagodas and temples, and in the sacred edifices of the Greeks and + Barbarians fires were preserved for the same reason." + </p> + <p> + The festival of lamps, which was once universal throughout Egypt, still + prevails in China. On the evening of the fifteenth day of the first month + in the year, every person is compelled to place before his door a lantern + or light, such lights differing in size and expense according to the + degree of wealth or poverty of those to whom they belong. Light was the + symbol of Muth (Perceptive Wisdom). Among the Persians, the Egyptians, the + Mexicans, the Jews, the Etruscans, the Greeks, and the Romans, fire was + venerated as the essence of the Deity; and, at the present time, in + Thibet, in China, in Japan, and in portions of Africa, it still forms an + important part of worship. The Hebrew writings show conclusively that not + only the Jews but all the surrounding nations were fire-worshippers, and + that their sacrifices were not infrequently to the God of Fire. Of this + Forlong says: + </p> + <p> + "When Rome was rearing temples to the fame and worship of Fire, we find + the prophets of Israel occasionally denouncing the wickedness of its + worship by their own and the nations around them; nevertheless, even to + Christ's time Molok always had his offerings of children."(100) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 100) Rivers of Life and Faiths of Man in an Lands, vol. i., p. 325. +</pre> + <p> + It is believed that Abraham introduced fire-worship among the Jews from Ur + in Mesopotamia, a land in which lights are still venerated, and fire + altars are worshipped as containing the Deity. + </p> + <p> + The real essence of fire which was identical with the life-principle was + holy. The "Lord" of the Israelites was in the fire which descended on Mt. + Sinai, Exodus xix., 18. "The bush burned with fire and the bush was not + consumed," Exodus iii., 2. Whether the signification of "bush" is the same + as "grove," I know not, but Josephus assures us that the bush was holy + before the flame appeared in it. Because of its sacred character, it + became the receptacle for the burning "Lord" of the Jews. The ark, the + religious emblem which Moses bore aloft, was simply a fire altar on which + the fire must continually burn. The fact will doubtless be observed that + although the ark and the bush (female emblems) were invested with a + certain degree of sanctity, they were nevertheless only receptacles for + the substance within them. + </p> + <p> + At the same time that the Jews kept sacred or holy fires continually + burning on their altars, they carried about a serpent on a pole + representing it to be the "healer of nations." They also kept a phallic + emblem in a box, chest, or ark which they worshipped as the "God of + Hosts," the "Life Giver," etc. It has been observed that although the Jews + frequently lost their ark, they were never without their serpent-pole. At + a certain stage in the religious development of mankind all the temples in + Africa and Western Asia were dedicated to Vulcan the fire god or the "Lord + of Fire," to whom all furnaces were sacred. The principal festivals in + honor of this Deity took place in the spring, at the Easter season, and on + the 23d of August, when it is said that the licentiousness practiced in + the temples compared with those of the "Harvest Homes" of Europe when the + sun was in Libra and the harvest had been garnered in. Vulcan was the "God + of fornication" or of passion. + </p> + <p> + These excesses, which remained unchecked down to the fourth century before + Christ, are said to have somewhat abated after the rise of the Stoic + philosophy. + </p> + <p> + Various philosophers of early historic times as well as many of the early + fathers in the Christian church believed that God was a corporeal + substance which in some way is manifested through fire. + </p> + <p> + In Egypt, during the early ages of Christianity, "a great dispute took + place among the monks on the question, whether God is corporeal." + Tertullian declared that "God is fire"; Origen, that "he is a subtle + fire"; and various others that "he is body." + </p> + <p> + There is little doubt that in early historic ages the Persians, who had + undertaken to purify their religion, were the strongest and purest sect of + this cult; they were in fact the genuine worshippers of the pure creative + principles which they believed resided in fire. + </p> + <p> + We have observed that force or spirit was originally regarded as a part of + Nature, or in other words that it was a manifestation of, or an outflowing + from matter, but so soon as it began to be considered as something apart + from Nature, there at once arose a desire for some corporeal object to + represent this unseen and occult principle. + </p> + <p> + During many of the ages of fire-worship, holy fire, although a material + substance, seems to have been too subtle to clearly represent the + god-idea, hence everywhere the worship of the serpent is found to be + interwoven with it. In fact, so closely are serpent, fire, pillar, and + other phallic faiths intermingled that it is impossible to separate them. + </p> + <p> + The Persians are by some writers said to have been the earliest + fire-worshippers: by others the truth of this statement is denied, while + many claim, and indeed the Maji themselves declared, that they never + worshipped fire at all in any other manner than as an emblem of the divine + principle which they believed resided within it. It is probable, however, + from the evidence at hand, that they, like all the other nations of the + globe, prior to the reformation led by Zarathustra and his daughter, had + lost or nearly forgotten the profound ideas connected with the worship of + Nature. + </p> + <p> + Passion, symbolized by fire, is declared by various writers to have been + the first idol, but later research has proved the falsity of this + assumption. It is true that at an early age of human experience the + creative processes were worshipped, but such worship involved scientific + and, I might say, spiritualized conceptions of the operations of Nature + which in time were altogether lost sight of. Gross phallicism is clearly + the result of degeneration, and of a lapse into sensuality and + superstition. + </p> + <p> + I think no one can study the facts connected with fire and light as the + Deity in the various countries in which this worship prevailed, without + perceiving the change it gradually underwent during later ages, and the + grossness of the ideas which became connected with it as compared with an + earlier age when mankind "had no temples, but worshipped in the open air, + on the tops of mountains." + </p> + <p> + In another portion of this work we have observed that in the rites + connected with the worship of Cybele (Light or Wisdom), although phallic + symbols were in use, the ceremonies were absolutely pure, and that + throughout all the earlier ages her worship remained free from the + abominations which characterized the worship of later times. + </p> + <p> + At what time in the history of the human race the organs of generation + first began to appear as emblems of the Deity is not known. Within the + earliest cave temples, those hewn from the solid rock, sculptured + representations of these objects are still to be observed. Although until + a comparatively recent period their true significance has been unknown, + there is little doubt at the present time that they were originally used + as symbols of fertility, or as emblems typifying the processes of Nature, + and that at some remote period of the world's history they were worshipped + as the Creator, or, at least, as representations of the creative agencies + in the universe. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the origin and character of the people who executed them there + is scarcely a trace in written history. Through the unravelling of extinct + tongues, however, the monumental records of the ancient nations of the + globe have been deciphered, and the system of religious symbolism in use + among them is now understood. + </p> + <p> + A small volume by various writers, printed in London some years ago, + entitled A Comparative View of the Ancient Monuments of India, says: + </p> + <p> + "Those who have penetrated into the abstruseness of Indian mythology, find + that in these temples was practiced a worship similar to that practiced by + all the several nations of the world, in their earliest as well as their + most enlightened periods. It was paid to the Phallus by the Asiatics, to + Priapus by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, to Baal-Peor by the + Canaanites and idolatrous Jews. The figure is seen on the fascia which + runs round the circus of Nismes, and over the portal of the Cathedral of + Toulouse, and several churches of Bordeaux." + </p> + <p> + Of the Lingham and Yoni and their universal acceptance as religious + emblems, Barlow remarks that it was a "worship which would appear to have + made the tour of the globe and to have left traces of its existence where + we might least expect to find it." In referring to the "sculptured + indecencies" connected with religious rites, which, being wrought in + imperishable stone, have been preserved in India and other parts of the + East, Forlong says that when occurring in the temples or other sacred + places they are at the present time evidently very puzzling to the pious + Indians, and in their attempts to explain them they say they are placed + there "in fulfilment of vows," or that they have been wrought there "as + punishments for sins of a sexual nature, committed by those who executed + or paid for them." It is, however, the opinion of Forlong that they are + simply connected with an older and purer worship—a worship which + involved the union of the sex principles as the foundation of their + god-idea. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the cause for the "indecent" sculptures of the Orissa temples, + the same writer quotes the following from Baboo Ragendralala Mitra, in his + work on the Antiquities of Orissa. + </p> + <p> + "A vitiated taste aided by general prevalence of immorality might at first + sight appear to be the most likely one; but I can not believe that + libidiousness, however depraved, would ever think of selecting fanes + dedicated to the worship of God, as the most appropriate for its + manifestations; for it is worthy of remark that they occur almost + exclusively on temples and their attached porches, and never on enclosing + walls, gateways, and other non-religious structures. Our ideas of + propriety, according to Voltaire, lead us to suppose that a ceremony (like + the worship of Priapus) which appears to us infamous, could only be + invented by licentiousness; but it is impossible to believe that depravity + of manners would ever have led among any people to the establishment of + religious ceremonies. It is probable, on the contrary, that this custom + was first introduced in times of simplicity—that the first thought + was to honor the Deity in the symbol of life which it has given us; such a + ceremony may have excited licentiousness among youths, and have appeared + ridiculous to men of education in more refined, more corrupt, and more + enlightened times, but it never had its origin in such feelings.... It is + out of the question therefore to suppose that a general prevalence of vice + would of itself, without the authority of priests and scriptures, suffice + to lead to the defilement of holy temples."(101) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 101) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 275. +</pre> + <p> + Originally the Ionians, as their name indicates, were Yoni worshippers, i. + e., they belonged to the sect which was driven out of India because of + their stubborn refusal to worship the male energy as the Creator. During + the later ages of their history, at a time when their religion had + degenerated into a licensed system of vice and corruption, and after their + temples had become brothels in which, in the name of religion, were + practiced the most debasing ceremonies, the Greeks became ashamed of their + ancient worship, and, like the Jews, ashamed also of their name. + </p> + <p> + It is believed that the Greeks received from Egypt, or the East, their + first theological conceptions of God and religion. These ideas + </p> + <p> + "were veiled in symbols, significant of a primitive monotheism; these, at + a later period, being translated into symbolical or allegorical language, + were by the poets transformed into epic or narrative myths, in which the + original subject symbolized was almost effaced, whilst the allegorical + expressions were received generally in a literal sense. Hence, to the + many, the meaning of the ancient doctrine was lost, and was communicated + only to the few, under the strictest secrecy in the mysteries of Eleusis + and Samothrace. Thus there was a popular theology to suit the people, and + a rational theology reserved for the educated, the symbolical language in + both being the same, but the meaning of it being taken differently. In + course of time, as knowledge makes its way among the people, and religious + enlightenment with it, much of what had been received literally will + relapse into its original figurative or symbolical meaning. Reason will + resume her supremacy, and stereotyped dogmas will fall like pagan idols + before advancing truth."(102) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 102) Barlow, Essays on Symbolism, p. 121. +</pre> + <p> + Although, during the later ages of the human career, the higher truths + taught by an earlier race were lost, still a slight hint of the beauty and + purity of the more ancient worship may be traced through most of the ages + of the history of religion. Even among the profligate Greeks, the + mysteries of Eleusis, celebrated in the temple of Ceres, were always + respected. Care should be taken, however, not to confound these remnants + of pure Nature-worship with that of the courtesan Venus, whose adoration, + during the degenerate days of Greece, represented only the lowest and most + corrupt conception of the female energy. + </p> + <p> + Down to a late date in the annals of Athens there was celebrated a + religious festival called Thesmophoria. The name of this festival is + derived from one of the cognomens of Ceres—the goddess "who first + gave laws and made life orderly." Ceres was the divinity adored by the + Amazons, and is essentially the same as the Egyptian Isis. She represents + universal female Nature. The Thesmophorian rites, which are believed by + most writers to have been introduced into Greece directly from Thrace, + were performed by "virgins distinguished for probity in life, who carried + about in procession sacred books upon their heads." + </p> + <p> + Inman, in his Ancient Faiths, quotes an oracle of Apollo, from Spencer, to + the effect that "Rhea the Mother of the Blessed, and the Queen of the + Gods, loved assemblages of women." As this festival is in honor of Female + Nature, the various female attributes are adored as deities, Demeter being + the first named by the worshippers. After a long season of fasting, and + "after solemn reflection on the mysteries of life, women splendidly + attired in white garments assemble and scatter flowers in honor of the + Great Mother." + </p> + <p> + The food partaken of by the devotees at these festivals was cakes, very + similar in shape to those which were offered to the Queen of Heaven by the + women of Judah in the days of Jeremiah, an offering which it will be + remembered so displeased that prophet that a curse was pronounced upon the + entire people. + </p> + <p> + As the strictest secrecy prevailed among the initiated respecting these + rites, the exact nature of the symbols employed at the Thesmophorian + festivals is not known; it is believed, however, that it was the female + emblem of generation, and that this festival was held in honor of that + event which from the earliest times had been prophesied by those who + believed in the superior importance of the female, namely, that unaided by + the male power, a woman would bring forth, and that this manifestation of + female sufficiency would forever settle the question of the ascendancy of + the female principle. Through a return of the ancient ideas of purity and + peace, mankind would be redeemed from the wretchedness and misery which + had been the result of the decline of female power. The dual idea + entertained in the Thesmophorian worship is observed in the fact that + although Ceres, the Great Mother, was the principal Deity honored, + Proserpine, the child, was also comprehended, and with its Mother + worshipped as part of the Creator. Thus we observe that down to a late + date in the history of Grecian mythology the idea of a Holy Mother with + her child had not altogether disappeared as a representation of the + god-idea. + </p> + <p> + To prove the worthiness of the ideas connected with the Eleusinian + mysteries it is stated that "there is not an instance on record that the + honor of initiation was ever obtained by a very bad man." + </p> + <p> + In Rome these mysteries took another name and were called "the rites of + Bona Dea," which was but another name for Ceres. As evidence of their + purity we have the following: + </p> + <p> + "All the distinguished Roman authors speak of these rites and in terms of + profound respect. Horace denounces the wretch who should attempt to reveal + the secrets of these rites; Virgil mentions these mysteries with great + respect; and Cicero alludes to them with a greater reverence than either + of the poets we have named. Both the Greeks and the Romans punished any + insult offered to these mysteries with the most persevering + vindictiveness. Alcibiades was charged with insulting these religious + rites, and although the proof of his offense was quite doubtful, yet he + suffered for it for years in exile and misery, and it must be allowed that + he was the most popular man of his age."(103) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 103) Chambers's Edinburgh Journal. +</pre> + <p> + In Greece, the celebration of the Eleusinian mysteries was in the hands of + the Emolpidae, one of the oldest and most respected families of antiquity. + At Carthage, there were celebrated the Phiditia, religious solemnities + similar to those already described in Greece. During the two or three days + upon which these festivals were celebrated, public feasts were prepared at + which the youth were instructed by their elders in the state concerning + the principles which were to govern their conduct in after life; truth, + inward purity, and virtue being set forth as essentials to true manhood. + In later times, after these festivals had found their way to Rome, they + gradually succumbed to the immorality which prevailed, and at last, when + their former exalted significance had been forgotten, they were finally + sunk into "the licentiousness of enjoyment, and the innocence of mirth was + superseded by the uproar of riot and vice! Such were the Saturnalia." + </p> + <p> + From the facts connected with the mysteries of Eleusis and the + Thesmophorian rites, it is evident that in its earlier stages + Nature-worship was absolutely free from the impurities which came to be + associated with it in later times. As the organs of generation had not + originally been wholly disgraced and outraged, it is not unlikely that + when the so-called "sculptured indecencies" appeared on the walls of the + temples they were regarded as no more an offense against propriety and + decency than was the reappearance of the cross, the emblem of life, in + later times, among orthodox Christians. + </p> + <p> + Neither is it probable, in an age in which nothing that is natural was + considered indecent, and before the reproductive energies had become + degraded, that these symbols were any more suggestive of impurity than are + the Easter offerings upon our church altars at the present time. Whatever + may now be the significance of these offerings to those who present them, + sure it is that they once, together with other devices connected with + Nature-worship, were simply emblems of fertility—symbols of a risen + and fructifying sun which by its gladdening rays re-creates and makes all + things new again. + </p> + <p> + If we carefully study the religion of past ages we will discover something + more than a hint of an age when the generative functions were regarded as + a sacred expression of creative power, and when the reproductive organs + had not through over-stimulation and abuse been tabooed as objects + altogether impure and unholy, and as things too disgraceful to be + mentioned above a whisper. Indeed there is much evidence going to show + that in an earlier age of the world's history the degradation of mankind, + through the abuse of the creative functions, had not been accomplished, + and the ills of life resulting from such abuse were unknown. + </p> + <p> + We may reasonably believe that those instincts in the female which are + correlated with maternal affection and which were acquired by her as a + protection to the germ, or, in other words, those characters which Nature + has developed in the female to insure the safety and well-being of + offspring, and which in a purer and more natural stage of human existence + acted as cheeks upon the energies of the male, were not easily or quickly + subdued; but when through subjection to the animal nature of man these + instincts or characters had been denied their natural expression, and + woman had become simply the instrument of man's pleasure, the + comparatively pure worship of the organs of generation as symbols of + creative power began to give place to the deification of these members + simply as emblems of desire, or as instruments for the stimulation of + passion. + </p> + <p> + We are assured that on the banks of the Ganges, the very cradle of + religion, are still to be found various remnants of the most ancient form + of Nature-worship—that there are still to be observed "certain high + places sacred to more primitive ideas than those represented by Vedic + gods." + </p> + <p> + Here devout worshippers believe that the androgynous God of fertility, or + Nature, still manifests itself to the faithful. Close beside these more + ancient shrines are others representing a somewhat later development of + religious faith—shrines, by means of which are indicated some of the + processes involved in the earlier growth of the god-idea. Not far removed + from these are to be found, also, numerous temples or places of worship + belonging to a still later faith—a faith in which are revealed the + "awakening and stimulation of every sensuous feeling, and which has + drowned in infamy every noble impulse developed in human nature." + </p> + <p> + Of the depravity of the Jews and the immorality practiced in their + religious rites, Forlong says: + </p> + <p> + "No one can study their history, liberated from the blindness which our + Christian up-bringing and associations cast over us, without seeing that + the Jews were probably the grossest worshippers among all those Ophi—Phallo—Solar + devotees who then covered every land and sea, from the sources of the Nile + and Euphrates to all over the Mediterranean coasts and isles. These impure + faiths seem to have been very strictly maintained by Jews up to Hezekiah's + days, and by none more so than by dissolute Solomon and his cruel, + lascivious bandit-father, the brazen-faced adulterer and murderer, who + broke his freely volunteered oath, and sacrificed six innocent sons of his + king to his Javah." + </p> + <p> + Of Solomon he says that he devoted his energies and some little wealth "to + rearing phallic and Solophallic shrines over all the high places around + him, and especially in front of Jerusalem, and on and around the Mount of + Olives." On each side of the entrance to his celebrated temple, under the + great phallic spire which formed the portico, were two handsome columns + over fifty feet high, by the side of which were the sun God Belus and his + chariots. + </p> + <p> + In a description of this temple it is represented as being one hundred and + twenty feet long and forty feet broad, while the porch, a phallic emblem, + "was a huge tower, forty feet long, twenty feet broad, and two hundred and + forty feet high." We are assured by Forlong that Solomon's temple was like + hundreds observed in the East, except that its walls were a little higher + than those usually seen, and the phallic spire out of proportion to the + size of the structure. "The Jewish porch is but the obelisk which the + Egyptian placed beside his temple; the Boodhist pillars which stood all + around their Dagobas; the pillars of Hercules, which stood near the + Phoenician temple; and the spire which stands beside the Christian + Church."(104) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 104) Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 219. +</pre> + <p> + The rites and ceremonies observed in the worship of Baal-Peor are not of a + character to be described in these pages: it is perhaps sufficient to + state that by them the fact is clearly established that profligacy, + regulated and controlled by the priestly order as part and parcel of + religion, was not confined to the Gentiles; but, on the contrary, that the + religious observances of the Jews prior to the Babylonian captivity were + even more gross than were those of the Assyrians or the Hindoos. + </p> + <p> + These impure faiths arose at a time when man as the sole creator of + offspring became god, when the natural instincts of woman were subdued, + and when passion as the highest expression of the divine force came to be + worshipped as the most important attribute of humanity. + </p> + <p> + The extent to which these faiths have influenced later religious belief + and observances is scarcely realized by those who have not given special + attention to this subject. + </p> + <p> + It has been stated that in the time of Solon, law-giver of Athens, there + were twenty temples in the various cities of Greece dedicated to Venus the + courtesan, within which were practiced, in the name of religion, the most + infamous rites and the most shameless self-abandonment; and that + throughout Europe, down to a late period in the history of the race, + religious festivals were celebrated at certain seasons of the year, at + which the ceremonies performed in honor of the god of fornication were of + the grossest nature, and at which the Bacchanalian orgies were only + equalled by those practiced in the religious temples of Babylon. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible longer to conceal the fact that passion, symbolized by a + serpent, an upright stone, and by the male and female organs of + generation, the male appearing as the "giver of life," the female as a + necessary appendage to it, constituted the god-idea of mankind for at + least four thousand years; and, instead of being confined to the earlier + ages of that period, we shall presently see that phallic worship had not + disappeared, under Christianity, as late and even later than the sixteenth + century. + </p> + <p> + Such has been the result of the ascendancy gained by the grosser elements + in human nature: the highest idea of the Infinite passion symbolized by + the organs of generation, while the principal rites connected with its + worship are scenes of debauchery and self-abasement. + </p> + <p> + At the present time it is by no means difficult to trace the growth of the + god-idea. First, as we have seen, a system of pure Nature-worship appeared + under the symbol of a Mother and child. In process of time this particular + form of worship was supplanted by a religion under which the male + principle is seen to be in the ascendancy over the female. Later a more + complicated system of Nature-worship is observed in which the underlying + principles are concealed, or are understood only by the initiated. Lastly, + these philosophical and recondite principles are forgotten and the symbols + themselves receive the adoration which once belonged to the Creator. The + change which the ideas concerning womanhood underwent from the time when + the natural feminine characters and qualities were worshipped as God, to + the days of Solon the Grecian law-giver, when women had become merely + tools or slaves for the use and pleasure of men, is forcibly shown by a + comparison of the character ascribed to the female deities at the two + epochs mentioned. Athene who in an earlier age had represented Wisdom had + in the age of Solon degenerated into a patroness of heroes; but even as a + Goddess of war her patronage was as nought compared with that of the + courtesan Venus, at whose shrine "every man in Greece worshipped." + </p> + <p> + The extent to which women, in the name of religion, have been degraded, + and the part which in the past they have been compelled to assume in the + worship of passion may not at the present time be disguised, as facts + concerning this subject are well authenticated. In a former work,(105) + attention has been directed to the religious rites of Babylon, the city in + which it will be remembered the Tower of Belus was situated. Here women of + all conditions and ranks were obliged, once in their life, to prostitute + themselves in the temple for hire to any stranger who might demand such + service, which revenue was appropriated by the priests to be applied to + sacred uses. This act it will be remembered was a religious obligation + imposed by religious teachers and enforced by priestly rule. It was a + sacrifice to the god of passion. A similar custom prevailed in Cyprus. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 105) See Evolution of Woman, p. 228. +</pre> + <p> + Most of the temples of the later Hindoos had bands of consecrated women + called the "Women of the Idol." These victims of the priests were selected + in their infancy by Brahmins for the beauty of their persons, and were + trained to every elegant accomplishment that could render them attractive + and which would insure success in the profession which they exercised at + once for the pleasure and profit of the priesthood. They were never + allowed to desert the temple; and the offspring of their promiscuous + embraces were, if males, consecrated to the service of the Deity in the + ceremonies of this worship, and, if females, educated in the profession of + their mothers.(106) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 106) Maurice, Indian Antiquities, vol. i. +</pre> + <p> + That prostitution was a religious observance, which was practiced in + Eastern temples, cannot in the face of accessible facts be doubted. + Regarding this subject, Inman says: + </p> + <p> + "To us it is inconceivable, that the indulgence of passion could be + associated with religion, but so it was. The words expressive of + 'sanctuary,' 'consecrated,' and 'sodomites' are in the Hebrew essentially + the same. It is amongst the Hindoos of to-day as it was in the Greece and + Italy of classic times; and we find that 'holy woman' is a title given to + those who devote their bodies to be used for hire, which goes to the + service of the temple." + </p> + <p> + The extent to which ages of corruption have vitiated the purer instincts + of human nature, and the degree to which centuries of sensuality and + superstition have degraded the nature of man, may be noticed at the + present time in the admissions which are frequently made by male writers + regarding the change which during the history of the race has taken place + in the god-idea. None of the attributes of women, not even that holy + instinct—maternal love, can by many of them be contemplated apart + from the ideas of grossness which have attended the sex-functions during + the ages since women first became enslaved. As an illustration of this we + have the following from an eminent philologist of recent times, a writer + whose able efforts in unravelling religious myths bear testimony to his + mental strength and literary ability. + </p> + <p> + "The Chaldees believed in a celestial virgin who had purity of body, + loveliness of person, and tenderness of affection, and she was one to whom + the erring sinner could appeal with more chance of success than to a stern + father. She was portrayed as a mother with a child in her arms, and every + attribute ascribed to her showing that she was supposed to be as fond as + any earthly female ever was."(107) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 107) Inman, Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 59. +</pre> + <p> + After thus describing the early Chaldean Deity, who, although a pure and + spotless virgin, was nevertheless worshipped as a mother, or as the + embodiment of the altruistic principles developed in mankind, this writer + goes on to say: "The worship of the woman by man naturally led to + developments which our COMPARATIVELY SENSITIVE NATURES (the italics are + mine) shun as being opposed to all religious feeling," which sentiment + clearly reveals the inability of this writer to estimate womanhood, or + even motherhood, apart from the sensualized ideas which during the ages in + which passion has been the recognized god have gathered about it. + </p> + <p> + The purity of life and the high stage of civilization reached by an + ancient people, and the fact that these conditions were reached under pure + Nature-worship, or when the natural attributes of the female were regarded + as the highest expression of the divine in the human, prove that it was + neither the appreciation nor the deification of womanhood which "led to + developments which sensitive natures shun as being opposed to all + religious feeling," but, on the contrary, that it was the lack of such + appreciation which stimulated the lower nature of man and encouraged every + form of sensuality and superstition. In other words, it was the subjection + of the natural female instincts and the deification of brute passion + during the later ages of human history which have degraded religion and + corrupted human nature. + </p> + <p> + Although at the present time it is quite impossible for scholars to veil + the fact that the god-idea was originally worshipped as female, still, + most modern writers who deal with this subject seem unable to understand + the state of human society which must have existed when the instincts, + qualities, and characters peculiar to the female constitution were + worshipped as divine. So corrupt has human nature become through + over-stimulation and indulgence of the lower propensities, that it seems + impossible for those who have thus far dealt with this subject to perceive + in the earlier conceptions of a Deity any higher idea than that conveyed + to their minds at the present time by the sexual attributes and physical + functions of females—namely, their capacity to bring forth, coupled + with the power to gratify the animal instincts of males, functions which + women share with the lower orders of life. + </p> + <p> + The fact that by an ancient race woman was regarded as the head or crown + of creation, that she was the first emanation from the Deity, or, more + properly speaking, that she represented Perceptive Wisdom, seems at the + present time not to be comprehended, or at least not acknowledged. The + more recently developed idea, that she was designed as an appendage to + man, and created specially for his use and pleasure,—a conception + which is the direct result of the supremacy of the lower instincts over + the higher faculties,—has for ages been taught as a religious + doctrine which to doubt involves the rankest heresy. + </p> + <p> + The androgynous Venus of the earlier ages, a deity which although female + was figured with a beard to denote that within her were embraced the + masculine powers, embodied a conception of universal womanhood and the + Deity widely different from that entertained in the later ages of Greece, + at a time when Venus the courtesan represented all the powers and + capacities of woman considered worthy of deification. + </p> + <p> + To such an extent, in later ages, have all our ideas of the Infinite + become masculinized that in extant history little except occasional hints + is to be found of the fact that during numberless ages of human existence + the Supreme Creator was worshipped as female. + </p> + <p> + One has only to study the Greek character to anticipate the manner in + which any subject pertaining to women would be treated by that arrogant + and conceited race; and, as until recently most of our information + concerning the past has come through Greek sources, the distorted and + one-sided view taken of human events, and the contempt with which the + feminine half of society has been regarded, are in no wise surprising. We + must bear in mind the fact, however, that the Greeks were but the + degenerate descendants of the highly civilized peoples whom they were + pleased to term "barbarians," and that they knew less of the origin and + character of the gods which they worshipped, and which they had borrowed + from other countries, than is known of them at the present time. + </p> + <p> + About 600 years B.C., we may believe that mankind had sunk to the lowest + depth of human degradation, since which time humanity has been slowly + retracting its course; not, however, with any degree of continuity or + regularity, nor without lapses, during which for hundreds of years the + current seemed to roll backward. Indeed when we review the history of the + intervening ages, and note the extent to which passion, prejudice, and + superstition have been in the ascendancy over reason and judgment, we may + truly say: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth + have been set on edge." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY THE SENSUALIZED FAITHS. + </h2> + <p> + It has been said of the Persians that in their zeal to purify the + sensualized faiths which everywhere prevailed they manifested a decided + "repugnance to the worship of images, beasts, or symbols, while they + sought to establish the worship of the only true creative force, or God—Holy + Fire." + </p> + <p> + From the facts to be gleaned concerning this people during the seventh and + eighth centuries B.C., it is quite probable that they still had a faint + knowledge of a former age of intellectual and moral greatness, and that it + was their object, at that time, to return to the purer principles which + characterized it. That their efforts were subsequently copied by + surrounding nations is shown in the facts connected with their history. + </p> + <p> + Soon leading Syrians and Jews began to learn from their Eastern neighbor + that the worship of images could scarcely be acceptable to a god which + they were beginning to invest with a certain degree of spirituality. There + is little doubt, at the present time, that the attempt to spiritualize the + religion of the Jews was due to the influence of the Persians. However, + the length of time required to effect any appreciable improvement in an + established form of worship is shown by the fact that, two hundred years + later, little change for the better was observed in the temples, in which + licentiousness had become a recognized religious rite. Even at the present + time, it is reported that in many places of worship in the East there + still reside "holy women—god's women," who, like those in Babylon, + described by various writers, are devoted to the "god of fire." + </p> + <p> + In a comparison made between the religion of Persia and the doctrines said + to have been taught by Moses, Inman remarks: + </p> + <p> + "The religion of Persia as reformed by Zoroaster so closely resembles the + Mosaic, that it would be almost impossible to decide which has the + precedence of the other, unless we knew how ancient was the teaching of + Zoroaster, and how very recent was that said to be from Moses. Be this as + it may, we find the ancient Persians resemble the Jews in sacrificing upon + high places, in paying divine honor to fire, in keeping up a sacred flame, + in certain ceremonial cleansings, in possessing an hereditary priesthood + who alone were allowed to offer sacrifices, and in making their summum + bonum the possession of a numerous offspring."(108) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 108) Ancient Faiths, vol. ii., p. 64. +</pre> + <p> + It is quite plain that by both these nations the wisdom of an earlier race + was nearly forgotten. Seven hundred years B.C. the Persians had doubtless + already adopted the worship of "One God" who was the Regenerator or + Destroyer, a Deity which, as we have seen, originally comprehended the + powers of Nature—namely the sun's heat and the cold of winter. That + at this time, however, they had lost the higher truths involved in the + conception of this Deity, is evident. They had become worshippers of fire, + or of that subtle igneous fluid residing in fire which they believed to be + creative force. Although the Persiaus like all the other nations of the + globe had lost or forgotten the higher truths enunciated by an older race, + there is no evidence going to show that they ever became gross phallic + worshippers like the Jews; that they were not such is shown in the fact + that down to the time of Alexander the women of Persia still held a high + and honorable position, and that the female attributes had not become + wholly subject to male power. + </p> + <p> + Had we no other evidence of the comparatively exalted character of the + religion of the Persians than the history of the lives of such men as + Darius, Cyrus, Artaxerxes, and others, we should conclude, notwithstanding + the similarity in the ceremonials of these two religions, that some + influence had been at work to preserve them from the cruelty and + licentiousness which prevailed among the Jews. It is related of Cyrus that + he used to wish that he might live long enough to repay all the kindness + which he had received. It is also stated that on account of the justice + and equity shown in his character, a great number of persons were desirous + of committing to his care and wisdom "the disposal of their property, + their cities, and their own persons." + </p> + <p> + In striking contrast to the mild and humane character of Cyrus stands that + of the licentious and revengeful David, a "man after God's own heart." + </p> + <p> + "As for the heads of those that compass me about, let the mischief of + their own lips cover them." + </p> + <p> + "Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into + deep pits, that they rise not up again."(109) + </p> + <p> + "Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the + stones."(110) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 109) Psalms cxl. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 110) Ibid., cxxxvii. +</pre> + <p> + No one I think can read the Avestas without being impressed by the + prominence there given to the subjects of temperance and virtue. In their + efforts to purify religion, and in the attempts to return to their more + ancient faith, the disciples of Zoroaster, as early as eight hundred years + before Christ, had adopted a highly spiritualized conception of the Deity. + They had taught in various portions of Asia Minor the doctrine of one God, + a dual entity by means of which all things were created. They taught also + the doctrine of a resurrection and that of the immortality of the soul. It + was at this time that they originated, or at least propounded, the + doctrine of hell and the devil, a belief exactly suited to the then + weakened mental condition of mankind, and from which humanity has not yet + gained sufficient intellectual and moral strength to free itself. This + Persian devil, which had become identified with winter or with the absence + of the sun's rays, was now Aryhman, or the "powers of darkness," and was + doubtless the source whence sprang the personal devil elaborated at a + later age by Laotse in China. + </p> + <p> + As the Jews had no writings prior to the time of Ezra or Jeremiah, it is + now believed that many of the doctrines incorporated in their sacred books + were borrowed from Persian, Indian, and Egyptian sources. Resurrection + from the dead, or the resurrection of the body, was for hundreds of years + prior to the birth of Christ an established article of Egyptian and + Persian faith, while spiritual regeneration, symbolized by the outward + typification of "being born again," was the beginning of a new life and an + admission to the heavenly state. + </p> + <p> + In the Khordah Avesta we have the following concerning the doctrine of the + resurrection and that of future rewards and punishments. + </p> + <p> + "I am wholly without doubt in the existence of the good Mazdaycinian + faith, in the coming of the resurrection and the later body, in the + stepping over the bridge Chinvat, in an invariable recompense of good + deeds and their reward, and of bad deeds and their punishment." + </p> + <p> + The Zoroastrians, who led the way in the great intellectual and religious + awakening which took place during the intervening years from 700 B.C. to + 400 B.C., sought to purify all things by fire and water, the two + principles which had come to be regarded as the original elements, from + which, or by which, all things are produced. + </p> + <p> + Prior to this time, in Persia, and long afterwards by various other + nations, baptism, a rite performed at puberty, was connected only with the + sexual obligations of the person receiving it, but in the age which we are + considering it became especially a cleansing or regenerating process, and + was the means by which the pious devotee became initiated into the + mysteries of holy living, or by which she or he was "born again." + </p> + <p> + As in their religious procedure every act was performed in connection with + symbols, so in the matter of baptism they were not satisfied with the + inner consciousness of regeneration, but must go through with certain + processes which typified the new life upon which they had entered. + According to Wilford, the outward symbolization of the "new birth" in the + East is manifested in the following manner: + </p> + <p> + "For the purpose of regeneration it is directed to make an image of pure + gold of the female power of nature, either in the shape of a woman or of a + cow. In this statue, the person to be regenerated is inclosed, and dragged + out through the natural channel. As a statue of pure gold and of proper + dimensions would be too expensive, it is sufficient to make an image of + the sacred Yoni, through which the person to be regenerated is to pass." + </p> + <p> + Thus at the time Nicodemus is said to have queried concerning the + mysteries of the new birth, it is observed that the outward forms of + regeneration had long been in use among the pagans. In passing themselves + through these apertures, the applicant for regeneration was supposed to + represent the condition of one "issuing from the womb to a new scope of + life." + </p> + <p> + According to the testimony of various writers upon this subject, there are + still extant, not alone in oriental countries, but in Ireland and Scotland + as well, numerous excavations or apertures in the rocks which by an early + race were used for the same purpose. Through the misconception, bigotry, + and ignorance of the Roman Catholic missionaries in Ireland, these + openings were designated as the "Devil's Yonies." Although these emblems + typified the original conception of one of their most sacred beliefs, + namely, the "new birth," still they were "heathen abominations" with which + the devotees of the new (?) faith must not become defiled. + </p> + <p> + The people who executed these imperishable designs, and who have left in + the British Isles innumerable evidences of their religious beliefs, are + supposed by some writers to belong to a colony which, having been expelled + from Persia on account of their peculiar religious beliefs, settled in the + "White Island," the "Island of the Blessed." This subject will, however, + be referred to later in this work. + </p> + <p> + When we closely examine the facts connected with the evolution of + religion, there can be little doubt that the Persians laid the foundation + for that great moral and intellectual awakening which a century or two + later is represented by Confucious, Gotama Buddha, and Pythagoras. From + the Persians, doubtless Jew and Gentile alike received the little leaven + of spirituality which in later ages crept into their gross conception of a + Deity. + </p> + <p> + By the Persians, the Hindoos, and other nations of the East, it was + believed that the end of each cycle of six hundred years, at which time a + new sun or savior was to come, would mark a new era of religious + development. At the close of each of these cycles it was devoutly expected + that the "golden age" of the past would be restored, and that mankind + would again be freed from the ills which had overtaken them. As many of + these cycles had passed, numerous deliverers, saviors, or solar + incarnations had appeared in India, Gotama Buddha having been the ninth. + In the East, about six or seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, + not only one savior or prophet but three or four of them appeared. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the leader of the reform in Persia there seem to be many + conflicting accounts. The learned Faber concludes that there were two + Zarathustras or Zoroasters, the former being identical with Menu, the law + giver and triplicated deity of India, and who by various writers is + recognized as the Noah of the Hebrews. According to Pliny, the former + lived thousands of years before Christ. Several writers concur in placing + him five thousand years before the siege of Troy. According to Sir Wm. + Jones, the latter Zoroaster lived in the time of Darius Hystaspes. It is + now claimed that in the Dabistan, one of the sacred books of Persia, + thirteen Zoroasters appear. The name of the last great leader, together + with a few of his doctrines, and various scattered fragments in the + Gathas, are all that remain on record of a man whose personality stands + connected with the earliest attempt to reform a degraded and sensualized + religion. + </p> + <p> + That this prophet was without honor in his own country is shown by the + following lamentation: + </p> + <p> + "To what country shall I go? Where shall I take refuge? What country gives + shelter to the master, Zarathustra, and his companion? None of the + servants pay reverence to me, nor do the wicked rulers of the country. How + shall I worship thee further, living Wise One? What help did Zarathustra + receive when he proclaimed the truths? What did he obtain through the good + mind? ... Why has the truthful one so few adherents, while all the mighty, + who are unbelievers, follow the liar in great numbers?"(111) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 111) Quoted by Viscount Amberley from Haug's Translations. +</pre> + <p> + Although the prophet Zarathustra and his companion were first rejected, + the fact seems plain that the monotheistic doctrines which they set forth + were subsequently accepted as the groundwork of the religion of Persia. + </p> + <p> + In the opening verses of the 5th Gatha appears the following: + </p> + <p> + "It is reported that Zarathustra Spitama possessed the best good, for + Ahura Mazda granted him all that may be obtained by means of a sincere + worship, forever, all that promotes the good life, and he gives the same + to all who keep the words and perform the actions enjoined by the good + religion.... + </p> + <p> + "Pourutschista, the Hetchataspadin, the most holy one, the most + distinguished of the daughters of Zarathustra, formed this doctrine, as a + reflection of the good mind, the true and wise one." + </p> + <p> + The fact will doubtless be observed that Pourutschista was not merely a + disciple of Zarathustra, but that she FORMED the doctrine which was + accepted as a "reflection of the good mind." + </p> + <p> + In the 5th Gatha it is stated that among those who "know the right paths, + the law which Ahura gave to the Profitable," is Pourutschista the "Holy + worthy of adoration among the daughters of Zarathustra.... wise female + worker of Wisdom."(112) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 112) Spiegel's Translation. +</pre> + <p> + Ormuzd, or Ahura Mazda, which was the essence of heat or light, was the + principle adored by the followers of the reformed religion in Persia. + Throughout the Avesta the most desirable possession, and that which is + most praised, is purity of life. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "We praise the pure man. + "The best purity praise we. + "The best wish praise we of the best purity. The best place +of purity praise we, the shining, endued with all brightness."(113) + + "This Earth, together with the women, we praise + Which bears us, which are the women, Ahura Mazda + Whose wishes arise from purity, these we praise— + Fullness, readiness, questioning, wisdom."(114) +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 113) Vespered xxvi. Spiegel's Translation. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 114) Yacna xxxviii. +</pre> + <p> + Praise is offered to the "everlasting female companion, the instructing." + </p> + <p> + The following is a part of the marriage ceremony of the Persians as it is + found in the Khorda-Avesta: + </p> + <p> + "Do you both accept the contract for life with honorable mind? In the name + and friendship of Ormuzd be ever shining, be very enlarged. Be increasing. + Be victorious. Learn purity. Be worthy of good praise. May the mind think + good thoughts, the words speak good, the works do good. May all wicked + thoughts hasten away, all wicked words be diminished, all wicked works be + burnt up.... Win for thyself property by right-dealing. Speak truth with + the rulers and be obedient. Be modest with friends, clever, and well + wishing. Be not cruel, be not covetous.... Combat adversaries with right. + Before an assembly speak only pure words. In no wise displease thy mother. + Keep thine own body pure in justice." + </p> + <p> + Confucius, the great Chinese teacher and philosopher, who lived probably + in the sixth century B.C., may be said to have been a humanitarian or + moralist instead of a mystic. Although he believed in a great first + principle, or cause, which he termed Heaven, we are given to understand + that in his philosophizing little mention was made of it. + </p> + <p> + The system known as Confucianism was not originated by Confucius. + </p> + <p> + In referring to this subject Legge remarks: + </p> + <p> + "He said of himself (Analects, vii., I), that he was a transmitter and not + a maker, one who believed in and loved the ancients; and hence it is said + in the thirtieth chapter of the doctrine of the Mean, ascribed to his + grandson, that he handed down the doctrines of Yao and Shun, as if they + had been his ancestors, and elegantly displayed the regulations of Wan and + Wu, taking them as his models."(115) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 115) Legge, Preface to vol. iii. of Shu King. +</pre> + <p> + The ancient books which Confucius interpreted or rewrote laid no claim to + being sacred in the sense of being inspired; but, on the contrary, were + works of wisdom put forth by historians, poets, and others "as they were + moved in their own minds." The most ancient of these doctrines was the + Shu, a work which since the period of the Han dynasty, 202 years B.C., has + been called the Shu King. + </p> + <p> + A number of documents contained in this work date back to the + twenty-fourth century B.C., and as they are regarded as historical are + considered to be of greater importance than are any others of their + ancient writings. + </p> + <p> + Second in antiquity and importance is the Shih or the Book of Poetry. This + work contains the religious views of its writers, also an account of the + manners, customs, and events of the times to which they belong. For 5000 + years, in China, Tien or Ti has expressed the moving or creating force in + the universe. In later ages it is observed that this name has been + attached to royalty. Hwang Ti is the present title of the Emperor of + China. + </p> + <p> + From some of the texts found in the Shu King, it would seem that the + Chinese had in the remote past caught sight of the scientific fact that + virtue is its own reward. "Heaven graciously distinguishes the + virtuous.... Heaven punishes the guilty."(116) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 116) Max Muller, Sacred Books of the East, book iv. +</pre> + <p> + The principal object of Confucius seems to have been to inculcate those + doctrines of his ancestors which, taking root, would in time bring about a + return to those principles of former virtue, a faint knowledge of which + seems still to have survived in China. The following precepts are found + among his teachings: + </p> + <p> + "Knowledge, magnanimity, and energy are the virtues universally binding. + Gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness + constitute perfect virtue. Sincerity is the very way to Heaven. My + doctrine is that of an all-pervading unity. The superior man is catholic + and not partisan. The mean is partisan and not catholic. The superior man + is affable but not adulatory, the mean is adulatory but not affable." + </p> + <p> + When asked for a word which should serve as a rule of practice for all our + life he replied: "Is not Reciprocity such a word? What you do not want + done to yourself, do not do to others." On one occasion the question was + asked him: "What do you say concerning the principle that injury shall be + recompensed with kindness?" To which he replied: "Recompense injury with + justice, and recompense kindness with kindness."(117) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 117) Lun Yu, xiv., 26. +</pre> + <p> + It is recorded by his disciples that there are four things from which the + master was entirely free. "He had no foregone conclusions, no arbitrary + predeterminations, no obstinacy, and no egoism." Contrary to the rule of + most reformers or leaders of opinion, he always regarded himself as a + learner as well as teacher. It is related of Confucius that he at one time + desired a governmental position, thinking that through its occupancy he + might the better disseminate the ancient doctrines of rectitude and + virtue. Offers of individual advantage could not swerve him from his + well-grounded principles of honor. On one occasion one of the rulers of + the country proposed to confer upon him a city and its revenues, but + Confucius replied: "A superior man will only receive reward for services + which he has rendered. I have given advice to the duke-king, but he has + not obeyed it, and now he would endow me with this place! very far is he + from understanding me."(118) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 118) Quoted by Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., p. 197. +</pre> + <p> + The fact seems evident that Confucius had not sufficient strength of + character to attempt a change in the social conditions of his time. He had + not that grandeur of soul which enabled him to strike the key-note of + reform. Monarchical institutions and social distinctions he did not + rebuke. The brotherhood of man and the levelling processes in human + society were probably never thought of by him; certainly they were never + attempted. + </p> + <p> + By certain writers Confucius has been accused of insincerity in a few + minor matters; still, the wisdom contained in his religious doctrines, the + philosophical value of his teachings relative to the regulation of human + conduct, and, above all, his purity of purpose, justly entitles his name + to be enrolled among the great reformers of the world. + </p> + <p> + The lasting influence which this man exerted upon the minds of his + countrymen, and the appreciation in which his name and works are still + held, are shown by the fact that his descendants constitute the only order + of hereditary nobility in China. + </p> + <p> + "He lived five hundred years before Christ; and yet to this day, through + all the changes and chances of time and of dynasties, the descendants of + Confucius remain the only hereditary noblemen and national pensioners in + the empire. Even the imperial blood becomes diluted, degraded, and + absorbed into the body politic after the seventh generation; but the + descendants of Confucius remain separate, through all the mutations of + time and of government."(119) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 119) Thomas Magee, in the Forum, vol. x., p. 204. +</pre> + <p> + Laotse, the founder of the smallest of the three sects in China, namely, + Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, was an old man when Confucius was in + his prime. The word Taou signifies reason, but the doctrines believed by + the Taoists prove their system to be the most irrational of all the + religions of the East. In an article on The Taouist Religion, Warren + Benton says: + </p> + <p> + "The tendency in rationalism is toward the utter destruction of a belief + in the existence of unseen spirits of evil. Enlightened reason dethrones + devils; but Laotse created devils innumerable, and the chief concern of + the Taouist sect has always been to manipulate these emissaries of evil. + Modern rationalists deny the existence of devils, and relegate them to the + category of myths and to personified ideas. Not so the rationalist of the + Orient. He finds his greatest pleasure in contemplating the very + atmosphere he breathes as filled with spirits constantly seeking his + injury; and to outwit his satanic majesty is the chief end of life."(120) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 120) Pop. Science, Jan. 1890. +</pre> + <p> + At a time when a personal devil was gradually assuming shape, it would + have been singular, indeed, if there had not arisen one who, by his + peculiar temperament and natural disposition, was exactly suited to the + task of elaborating this doctrine in all its grim seriousness. That such + an one did arise in the person of Laotse is evident from what is known + regarding his history and teachings. + </p> + <p> + The growth of religious faith had long tended in this direction. Typhon, + "the wind that blasts," "Darkness," and the "cold of winter," constituted + the foundation of a belief in a personal Devil; and, when the time was + ripe for the appearance of his satanic majesty, it required only a + hypochondriac—a disordered mental organization—to formulate + and project this gloomy and unwholesome doctrine. + </p> + <p> + There is little known of the life and character of Laotse except that he + labored assiduously through a long life-time for the establishment of + certain principles or tenets which he believed to be essential to the + well-being of humanity. In the twentieth chapter of his work are found to + be some hints of his personality and of the gloomy cast of his character. + He complains that while other men are joyous and gay, he alone is + despondent. He is "calm like a child that does not yet smile." He is "like + a stupid fellow, so confused does he feel. Ordinary men are enlightened; + he is obscure and troubled in mind. Like the sea, he is forgotten and + driven about like one who has no certain resting place. All other men are + of use; he alone is clownish like a peasant. He alone is unlike other men, + but he honors the nursing mother." + </p> + <p> + Of all the various teachers which arose during the fifth, sixth, and + seventh centuries B.C., none of them were able to rise to the position of + moral grandeur occupied by Gotama Buddha. The efforts put forth by this + great teacher seem to have been humane rather than religious. In his time, + especially in India, society had become encysted beneath a crust of + seemingly impenetrable conservatism, while religion, or priestcraft, + riveted the chains by which the masses of the people were enslaved. + </p> + <p> + The mission of Buddha was to burst asunder the bonds of the oppressed and + to abolish all distinctions of caste. This was to be accomplished through + the awakening of the divine life in each individual. The leading processes + by which the lines of caste were weakened were in direct opposition to the + established order of society. It was a blow at the old Brahminical social + and religious code which had grown up under the reign of priest-craft. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the sex prejudice which had come to prevail in India, it + was directly stated by Buddha that any man or woman who became his + disciple, who renounced the world and by abstinence from the lower + indulgences of sense proclaimed her or his adherence to the higher + principles of life, "at once lost either the privilege of a high caste or + the degradation of a low one." Earthly distinctions were of no + consequence. Rank depended not on the outward circumstance of birth, but + on the ability of the individual to resist evil, or, upon his capacity to + receive the higher truths enunciated by the new sun or savior—Buddha. + </p> + <p> + In one of the canonical books he is represented as saying: + </p> + <p> + "Since the doctrine which I teach is completely pure, it makes no + distinction between noble and common, between rich and poor. It is, for + example, like water, which washes both noblemen and common people, both + rich and poor, both good and bad, and purifies all without distinction. It + may, to take another illustration, be compared to fire, which consumes + mountains, rocks, and all great and small objects between heaven and + earth. Again, my doctrine is like heaven, inasmuch as there is room within + it without exception, for whomsoever it may be; for men and women, for + boys and girls, for rich and poor."(121) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 121) Viscount Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., p. 216. +</pre> + <p> + There is little doubt that the religion of Buddha was an attempt to return + to the almost forgotten principles of a past age of spiritual and moral + greatness. According to this ancient wisdom, man is an immortal soul + struggling for perfection. The growth of the real man is a natural + unfolding of the divine principle within, such process of evolution being + accomplished through the power of the will. As every individual must work + out his own salvation, this will-force must ever be directed toward the + complete mastery of the body, or the lower self. In other words, the + development of the higher life depends upon the power of the individual to + overcome or conquer evil. The effect of every thought, word, and deed is + woven into the soul, and no one can evade the consequences of his own + acts. All sin is the result of selfishness, so that only when one + renounces self and begins to live for others does the soul-life begin. No + one who has arrived at a state of soul-consciousness will lead a selfish + or impure life. On the contrary, every impulse of the devout Buddhist goes + out toward humanity and God, of whom he is a conscious part. + </p> + <p> + Gotama Buddha was not a "savior" in the sense of bloody sacrifice for the + sins of the people. On the contrary, he was an example to mankind—a + man who through moral purification and a life of self-abnegation had + prepared himself for this holy office. Mythologically, or astrologically, + he was the new sun born at the close of the cycle. He was the great Light + which revealed the way to eternal repose—Nirvana. The mythical + Buddha was the prototype of the mythical Christ. His mother was Mai or + Mary, Queen of Heaven, or the Vernal Spring. He was a new incarnation of + the Sun—the Savior of the world. In process of time his many + miracles were offered as proof of his divine character. Although he taught + the existence of a great and universal Power, he made no attempt to + explain the unknowable. The Infinite is to be contemplated only through + its manifestations. Nirvana is not annihilation, as has been erroneously + taught by Christian missionaries. As explained by Buddhists themselves, it + comprehends a state of absolute rest from human strife and wretchedness. + It is the absorption or relapsing into the great First Principle, whence + all life is derived—a state so pure that the human is lost in the + divine. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Lamp of the law! + I take my refuge in thy name and Thee! + I take my refuge in thy Law of Good! + I take my refuge in thy Order! Om! + The dew is on the Lotus!—rise, Great Sun! + And lift my leaf and mix me with the wave. + Om Mani Padme Hum, the Sunrise comes! + The Dewdrop slips into the shining Sea!"(122) +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 122) Arnold, Light of Asia. +</pre> + <p> + From the Buddhist colleges at Nolanda went forth teachers who, inspired + with enthusiasm in the cause of human justice and individual liberty, + endeavored to abolish the abominations which had grown up under + Brahminical rule. The masses of the people, however, were too deeply + sunken in infamy, wretchedness, and ignorance to accept, or even + understand, the pure doctrines of the great teacher, and, as might have + been anticipated, priest-craft soon assumed its wonted arrogance, and + eventually the whole paraphernalia of antiquated dogmas were tacked upon + the new system. + </p> + <p> + Through the various efforts put forth for the elevation of mankind during + the six or seven hundred years which preceded the advent of Christianity, + sufficient strength had been given to the moral impetus of humanity to + create in many portions of the world a strong desire for a return to purer + principles, and to make the appearance of a spiritual teacher like Christ + possible. The effects, however, of ages of moral and intellectual + degradation, in which the lowest faculties have been stimulated to the + highest degree, are not wiped out in a few centuries of struggle by the + few among the people who desire reform. As true reform means growth, those + who have reached a higher stage of development can only point the way to + others—they are powerless to effect changes for which the masses are + unprepared. + </p> + <p> + Although through a partial revival of the ideas entertained by an ancient + people the attempt was made by Zoroaster, Confucius, Gotama Buddha, + Pythagoras, the Stoics, and other schools of philosophy, to elevate the + masses of the people, and, although the unadulterated teachings of the man + called Christ were doubtless an outgrowth of this movement, yet the human + mind had not, even as late as the appearance of this last-named reformer, + sufficiently recovered from its thraldom to enable the masses to grasp + those higher truths which had been entertained by an earlier civilized + people. + </p> + <p> + While there are doubtless many points of similarity between the religious + system elaborated by Gotama Buddha and that enunciated by Christ, there is + little likeness between the teachings of the former and those set forth by + the Romish Church, or by Paul. Seven hundred years B.C., the Persians had + grasped the idea that virtue is its own reward, and that every soul is + responsible for its own growth. The fundamental doctrine of the Christian + Church to-day is that of a vicarious atonement—a belief which takes + away man's responsibility for his own misdeeds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM. + </h2> + <p> + By comparing the sacred writings of the Persians with the history of the + events connected with the conception and birth of the mythical Christ as + recorded in the New Testament, the fact is observed that the latter + appears to be closely connected with the central figure of Persian + mythology. It has been found that the visit of the Magi, who, following a + star, were guided to the spot where the young child lay, was the + fulfilment of a Persian prophecy, which is to be found in the life of + Zarathustra as recorded in the Zendavesta, while the subsequent history of + the same personage is seen to be almost identical with that of the Hindoo + Sun-god Chrishna. + </p> + <p> + According to the sacred books of the Persians, three sons of the great + Zarathustra were to appear at three successive periods of time. These sons + were to be incarnations of the sun, and the result of immaculate + conceptions. + </p> + <p> + "The first is named Oschederbami. He will appear in the last millennium of + the world. He will stop the sun for ten days and ten nights, and the + second part of the human race will embrace the law, of which he will bring + the 22d portion. + </p> + <p> + "The second posthumous son of Zoroaster is Oschedermah. He will appear + four hundred years after Oschederbami. He will stop the sun twenty days + and twenty nights, and he will bring the 23d part of the law, and the + third part of the world will be converted. + </p> + <p> + "The third is named Sosiosch. He will be born at the end of the ages. He + will bring the 24th part of the law; he will stay the sun thirty days and + thirty nights, and the whole earth will embrace the law of Zoroaster. + After him will be the resurrection."(123) This last named son was to be + born of a pure and spotless virgin, whereupon a star would appear blazing + even at noonday with undiminished lustre. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 123) Quoted by Waite, History of the Christian Religion, p. 168. +</pre> + <p> + "You, my sons," exclaimed the seer, "will perceive its rising before any + other nation. As soon, therefore, as you shall behold the star, follow it, + withersoever it shall lead you; and adore that mysterious child, offering + your gifts to him, with profound humility. He is the Almighty Word, which + created the heavens."(124) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 124) Ibid., 169. +</pre> + <p> + Waite notices the conclusion of Faber that this prediction was long before + the birth of Christ, and states that one of the reasons for such a + conclusion was, that in the old Irish history a similar prophecy appears—a + prophecy which was delivered by a "Druid of Bokhara." The identity of this + Irish prophecy with the one in the East ascribed to Zarathustra or + Zoroaster, is so singular that Faber thinks it can be accounted for only + on the hypothesis "of an ancient emigration from Persia to Ireland by the + northwest passage, which carried the legend with it." + </p> + <p> + By those who have investigated the origin of the early gospels, it is + stated that the story of the Magi and the star appeared in the Gospel of + the Infancy early in the second century, and was subsequently incorporated + into the preparatory chapters of Luke and Matthew. According to Waite, + there was a sect of Christians called Prodiceans whose leader, Prodicus, + about A.D. 120, boasted that they had the sacred books of Zoroaster. From + an extant fragment of the Chronography of Africanus is the following: + </p> + <p> + "Christ first of all became known from Persia. For nothing escapes the + learned jurists of that country, who investigated all things with the + utmost care. The facts, therefore, which are inscribed upon the golden + plates, and laid up in the royal temples, I shall record; for it is from + the temples there, and the priests connected with them, that the name of + Christ has been heard of. Now, there is a temple there to Juno, surpassing + the royal palace, which temple Cyrus, that prince instructed in all piety, + built, and in which he dedicated, in honor of the gods, golden and silver + statues, and adorned them with precious stones. ... Now about that time + (as the records on the plates testify), the king having entered the + temple, with the view of getting an interpretation of certain dreams, was + addressed by the priest Prupupius thus: 'I congratulate thee, master: Juno + has conceived.' 'And the king, smiling, said to him: 'Has she who is dead + conceived?' And he said: 'Yes, she who was dead has come to life again, + and begets life.' And the king said: 'What is this? explain it to me.' And + he replied: 'In truth, master, the time for these things is at hand. For + during the whole night the images, both of gods and goddesses, continued + beating the ground, saying to each other, Come, let us congratulate Juno. + And they say to me, Prophet, come forward, congratulate Juno, for she has + been embraced. And I said, How can she be embraced who no longer exists? + To which they reply, She has come to life again, and is no longer called + Juno, but Urama. For the mighty Sol has embraced her.' "(125) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 125) Hyppolytus, vol. ii., p. 196. +</pre> + <p> + There is a tradition which asserts that during the early part of the + second century, St. Thomas went as a missionary to Parthia; that after he + had visited the various countries of the Parthian Empire, tarrying for a + time at Balkh, the capital of Bactria, and the ancient residence of the + Magi, he went to India. Soon after the visit of Thomas to Persia and + India, there appeared in Palestine and the adjacent countries a gospel of + Thomas, in which were set forth various stories closely resembling the + legends found in the Hindoo sacred writings. After comparing various + passages of the Bhagavat Purana with those of the Infancy, and after + furnishing conclusive evidence that the latter must have been copied from + the former, Waite says: + </p> + <p> + "The conclusion must be, that while for some of the salient points of the + Gospels of the Infancy, the authors were indebted to Zoroaster, and the + legends of Persia, the outline of the story was largely filled up from the + history of Crishna, as sent back to Palestine, by the Apostle Thomas, from + the land of the Brahmins." + </p> + <p> + Concerning the story of Herod and his order to slay all the male infants, + there has been discovered in a cavern at Elephanta, in India, a sculptured + representation of a huge and ferocious figure, bearing a drawn sword and + surrounded by slaughtered children, while mothers appear weeping for their + slain. This figure is said to be of great antiquity. + </p> + <p> + Mary, the Mother of Jesus, like Mai, the Mother of Gatama Buddha, was + regarded by certain sects in the earlier ages of Christianity as an + Immortal Virgin whose birth had been announced by an angel.(126) She was + in fact the ancient Virgin of the Sphere—the Mother of the Gods—the + Queen of Heaven. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 126) See Gospels of Mary and the Protovangelion. +</pre> + <p> + As soon as Christ was born he conversed with Mary, as did also Crishna + with his mother, informing her of his divine mission. + </p> + <p> + Crishna was cradled among shepherds, so was Christ. Cansa, fearing the + loss of his kingdom, sought to destroy the life of the divine infant in + the same manner as did Herod in the case of Christ. Both children are + carried away by night, after which an order is issued by the ruler of the + country that all the young children throughout the kingdom be slaughtered. + </p> + <p> + When Joseph and Mary arrived in Egypt, they visited the temple of Serapis, + where "all the magistrates and priests of the idols were assembled." Upon + the image being interrogated concerning the "consternation and dread which + had fallen upon all our country," it answered them as follows: "The + unknown god has come hither, who is truly God; nor is there anyone besides + him, who is worthy of divine worship; for he is truly the son of God." And + at the same instant this idol fell down, and at his fall all the + inhabitants of Egypt, besides others, ran together.(127) A similar story + is related of Crishna. This Indian god, the same as Christ, cured a leper. + A woman, after having poured a box of precious ointment on the head of + Crishna, was healed; so also a woman anointed the head of Jesus. Crishna + when but a lad displayed remarkable mental powers and the most profound + wisdom before the tutor who was sent to instruct him. Christ astonished + the school-master Zaccheus with his great learning.(128) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 127) Gospel of the Infancy, ch. iv. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 128) Gospel of the Infancy, ch. xx. +</pre> + <p> + Crishna had a terrible encounter with the serpent Calinaga; the infant + Christ had also a dreadful adventure with a serpent. Now this Calinaga + which Crishna encountered was a serpent goddess who was worshipped by the + sect in India which was opposed to the adoration of the male principle. + The early Christians, however, being ignorant of the allegorical meaning + of the legend, transferred it to Christ literally. + </p> + <p> + The mother of Crishna looked in his mouth and beheld all the nations of + the earth. The same story is reported of Christ and his mother. Finally + Christ, like Crishna, was crucified, and like him was buried. He descended + into hell and on the third day arose and ascended into heaven.(129) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 129) It will doubtless be urged that I am quoting from the Apocryphal +Gospels—that the genuine books of the New Testament are silent +concerning many of these Eastern legends. We must bear in mind, however, +that during the earlier ages of Christianity, these finally rejected +gospels were, equally with the canonical books, considered as the word +of God. The Infancy is thought to be one of the earliest gospels. Justin +Martyr was acquainted with it, A.D. 150 to 160. It is referred to by +Irenaeus, A.D. 190. +</pre> + <p> + In the poetical myths of the ancients the sun is yearly overpowered by + cold or by the destructive agencies in Nature. Astronomically, or + astrologically, it wanders in darkness and desolation during the winter + months; in fact dies, and descends into hell in order that he may rise at + the Easter season to gladden and make all things new again. + Mythologically, this new sun becomes incarnate; enters again his mother's + womb, and is born into the world in the form of a man whose mission is to + renew human life. Hence we have an explanation of the Eastern Buddhas and + Crishnas, all of which were born of virgins at the winter solstice. + </p> + <p> + The new sun which at the close of each cycle was believed by the more + ancient people of the globe to "issue forth from the womb of Nature to + renew the world," now that the truths underlying Nature-worship were lost, + became a redeemer or mediator between earth and heaven, or between spirit + and matter. It is stated that at the time of the appearance of Christ not + alone the Jews, but the Persians, the Romans, the ancient Irish, and in + fact all the nations of the globe, were anxiously awaiting the event of + another incarnation of the solar Deity; and that maidens of all classes + and conditions were in a state of eager expectation, the more pious, or at + least the more ambitious among them, being in almost constant attendance + at the temples and sacred shrines, whither they went to pay homage to the + male emblem of generation, thereby hoping to be honored as a Mai or Mary. + </p> + <p> + On the wall of the temple at Luxor are a series of sculptures, + </p> + <p> + "in which the miraculous annunciation, conception, birth, and adoration of + Amunoph III., the son of the Virgin Queen Mautmes, is represented in a + manner similar to what is described in St. Luke's Gospel (ch. 1 and 2) of + Jesus Christ, the son of the Virgin Mary, and which is found also in the + Gospel of St. Matthew (ch. 1) as an addition not met with in the earliest + manuscripts,"(130) which fact has caused Sharpe, from whom the above is + quoted, to suggest that both accounts may have been of Egyptian origin. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 130) Barlow, Symbolism, p. 127. +</pre> + <p> + The titles "lamb," "anointed," etc., which were applied to Christ, all + appear attached to former incarnations of the sun, the first named + standing for the sun in Aries. The effigies of a crucified savior found in + Ireland and Scotland in connection with the figure of a lamb, a bull, or + an elephant, the latter of which is not a native of those countries, shows + that they do not represent Christ, but a crucified sun-god worshipped by + the inhabitants of the British Islands ages before the birth of the great + Judean philosopher and teacher. + </p> + <p> + It is plain that Crishna of India and the Persian Mithra furnished the + copy for the Jesus of the Romish Church, all of whom mean one and the same + thing—the second person in the Solar Trinity. By the Jews, who + attempted to ignore the female principle, this God is called the "Lord of + Hosts" and "God of Sabaoth," which astronomically means God of the stars + and constellations, and astrologically the creator or producer of the + multitudes. Of this God, ieue, I H S, the author of Anacalypsis says that + he was the son of the celestial virgin, which she carries in her arms; the + Horus, Lux, of the Egyptians, the Lux of St. John. + </p> + <p> + "It is from this infant that Jesus took his origin; or at least it is from + the ceremonies and worship of this infant that this religion came to be + corrupted into what we have of it. This infant is the seed of the woman + who, according to Genesis, was to bruise the head of the serpent, which, + in return, was to bruise his foot or heel, or the foot or heel of her seed + as the figure of the Hindoo Crishna proves. From the traditionary stories + of this god Iao, which was figured annually to be born at the winter + solstice, and to be put to death and raised to life on the third day at + the vernal equinox, the Roman searchers after the evangelion or gospel + made out their Jesus. The total destruction of everything at Jerusalem and + in Judea—buildings, records, everything—prevented them from + coming to any absolute certainty respecting this person who, they were + told by tradition, had come to preach the gospel of peace, to be their + savior, in fulfilment of the prophecy which their sect of Israelites found + in their writings, and who had been put to death by the Jews. From all + these circumstances he came to have applied to him the monogram of I H + S.... and to him at last all the legendary stories related of the god Iao + were attributed."(131) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 131) Godfrey Higgins, Anacalypsis, book vi., ch. iv., p. 455. +</pre> + <p> + According to Faber, Jesus was not originally called Jesus Christ, but + Jescua Hammassiah—Jescua meaning Joshua, and Jesus, Savior. Ham is + the Om of India, and Messiah, the anointed. Commenting on this Higgins + remarks: "It will then be, The Savior Om the Anointed, precisely as Isaiah + had literally foretold; or reading in the Hebrew made, The Anointed Om the + Savior. This was the name of Jesus of Bethlehem." + </p> + <p> + We have observed the fact that at the time of the birth of Christ the + entire world was expecting a Savior—a new incarnation of the sun. + The end of a cycle had come and the entire earth was to undergo a process + of renovation. + </p> + <p> + In a poem by Virgil, who was a Druid, the birth of a wonderful child is + celebrated, and the prophecy of a heathen Sibyl is seen to be identical + with that of Isaiah. + </p> + <p> + "The last period sung by the Sibylline prophetess is now arrived; and the + grand series of ages. That Series which recurs again and again in the + course of our mundane revolution begins afresh. Now the Virgin Astrea + returns from heaven; and the primeval reign of Saturn recommences; now a + new race descends from the celestial realms of holiness. Do thou, Lucina, + smile propitious on the birth of a boy who will bring to a close the + present age of iron and introduce throughout the whole world, a new age of + gold. Then shall the herds no longer dread the fury of the lion, nor shall + the poison of the serpent any longer be formidable. Every venomous animal + and every deleterious plant shell perish together. The fields shall be + yellow with corn, the grape shall hang its ruddy clusters from the + bramble, and honey shall distil spontaneously from the rugged oak. The + universal globe shall enjoy the blessings of peace, secure under the mild + sway of its new and divine sovereign." + </p> + <p> + There is no lack of evidence to prove that for several centuries great + numbers of Christians regarded Christ as a solar incarnation similar to + those which from time to time were born in the valleys of the Nile and the + Ganges. By the fathers in the church Jesus Christ was named the New Sun, + and in the early days of Christianity the Egyptians struck a coin + representing O. B. or the holy Basilisk, with rays of light darting from + his head, on the reverse side of which was figured "Jesus Christ as the + New Solar Deity." + </p> + <p> + The similarity if not the actual identity of the religion of Christ and + that of the pagans in the second century is shown by various writers. The + Emperor Hadrian writing to his friend Servianus says: + </p> + <p> + "Those who worship Serapis are also Christians; even those who style + themselves the Bishops of Christ are devoted to Serapis.. .. There is but + one God for them all; him do the Christians, him do the Jews, him do all + the Gentiles also worship." + </p> + <p> + It has been said that the head of Serapis supplied the first idea of the + portrait of Christ. Before the figure of Serapis, in his temple, used to + stand Isis, the Celestial Virgin, with the inscription "Immaculate is our + Lady Isis." In her hand she bore a sheaf of grain. + </p> + <p> + As Serapis, or Pan, finally became Christ, so Isis, or the Queen of + Heaven, became his mother, and to the latter were transferred all the + titles, ceremonies, festivals, and seasons which from the earliest time + had belonged to the great Goddess of Nature. Subsequently, probably about + the close of the second century, Christianity began slowly to emerge from + the worship of Mithras and Serapis, "changing the names but not the + substance." + </p> + <p> + Upon the coinage of Constantine appears Soli Invicto Comita—"To the + invincible sun my companion or guardian," and when the Greek and Roman + Christians finally separated themselves from the great body of pagan + worshippers they apologized for celebrating the birthday of their Savior + on the 25th of December, saying that "they could better perform their + rites when the heathen were busy with theirs." We are assured that the + early Christians no less than the Maji acknowledged Mithras as the first + emanation from Ormuzd, or the God of Light. He was the Savior which in an + earlier age had represented returning life—that which follows the + cold of winter. It was doubtless while they worshipped the Persian Mithras + that many of the so-called Christians gathered their first ideas + concerning the immortality of the soul and of future rewards and + punishments. + </p> + <p> + The analogy existing between the festivals, seasons, mythoses, etc., of + the various incarnations of the sun which were worshipped by the early + historic nations and those belonging to Christianity is too striking to be + the result of chance. + </p> + <p> + Buddha originally represented the sun in Taurus. Crishna was the sun in + Aries. The laborings and sufferings of Hercules, a god who was an + incarnation of the latter, portrays the history of the passage of the sun + through the signs of the Zodiac. + </p> + <p> + All the principal events of Christ's life correspond to certain solar + phases; or, in other words, all ecclesiastical calendars are arranged with + reference to the festivals which commemorate the important events of his + life from his conception and birth to his ascension and reception in + heaven. Each and every one of the solar deities has been born at midnight, + on the 25th of December, at the time when the sun has reached its lowest + position and begins to ascend. Macrobius, a learned Roman writer, observes + that the early historic nations "believed that the sun comes forth as a + babe from its cradle at the winter solstice." Neith is made to say, "The + sun is the fruit of my womb." + </p> + <p> + The 15th of August, assumption day, the time when Mary, the mother of + Jesus, ascends to heaven is the day when the Zodiacal constellation Virgo, + "the Greek Astrea, leaves the European horizon," and the "8th of + September, when Virgo emerges from the sun's rays, is held sacred as the + Nativity of the Queen of Heaven." + </p> + <p> + Of the mid-winter festival, Bede says: "The Pagans of these isles began + their year on the eighth of the Kalends of January, which is now our + Christmas Day. The night before that (24th Dec. eve) was called by them + the Medre-Nak, or Night of Mothers, because of the ceremonies which were + performed on that night."(132) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 132) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 430. +</pre> + <p> + Among Christians as among Pagans the Christmas season was in honor of + "returning light," the vernal equinox of "growing light" and St. John's + day of "perfected light." + </p> + <p> + In England, among pagan Saxons, the midwinter festival lasted twelve days, + during which time light, fire, the sun, huge stones and other similar + manifestations of the Deity were adored. Christian and pagan alike + worshipped these objects. They called Christmas "the birthday of the god + who is light." The Savior, or the New Sun, was the true light which + lighteth every man who cometh into the world. According to the testimony + of various writers, the festival held by Christians on Christmas eve used + to resemble the Feast of Lights, celebrated in Egypt in honor of Neith. + The tokens distributed among friends were cakes made of paste in the form + of babies. These cakes were called yuledows. Dow means to "grow bigger," + or, "to increase." + </p> + <p> + The Kalends of January at Rome were sacred to Janus and Juno to whom + sacrifices were offered. The Etruscans also worshipped Janus who was the + god (or goddess) of the year. Although this Deity does not appear among + the twelve gods it is said to be the parent of them all. It was + represented as having two faces. Upon one were the letters representing + 365, and upon the other were the keys of life and death. According to + Bryant this Deity was called Junonius, from the goddess Juno, whose name + resolves itself into Juneh, a dove. In the Hebrew this name is identical + with Yoni or Yuni—the female principle. On the coins of this god + (which was subsequently regarded as male) is usually figured a boat, + although a dove with an olive branch is sometimes observed.(133) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 133) See Faber, Pagan Idolatry. +</pre> + <p> + Juno is thought to be the same as Jana, which came from Jah of the + Hebrews. Diana was Diva Jana or "Dea Jana who is the same as Astarte or + Ashtaroth of the Sidonians." + </p> + <p> + Regarding the transference of the mid-winter festival of the pagans to the + Christian calendar, Forlong says: + </p> + <p> + "The early Christians undoubtedly selected this Roman Saturnalia as an + important period in the life of Christ, at first calling it the time of + his conception, and later of his birth, this last best suiting the views + and feelings of their Solo-Christian flocks. The Jews called the day of + the Winter Solstice The Fast of Tebet. The previous time was one of + darkness, and on the 28th began their Feast of Lights."(134) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 134) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 430. +</pre> + <p> + In France the ancient name for Christmas is Noel, a term which until + recently has baffled all antiquarian research. It is now thought that it + is formed from Nuadh and Vile which together mean All Heal. + </p> + <p> + Although every possible effort has been put forward to give to this date + (the 25th of December) the appearance of authenticity as the birth of + Christ, still, so far as I am able to find, no one accredited with any + degree of trustworthiness has ever been rash enough to attempt its + ratification as a matter of history. + </p> + <p> + Tylor calls attention to the fact that in the religious symbolism of the + material and spiritual sun Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa discourse on the + "growing light and dwindling darkness that follow the nativity," and cites + the instance of Leo the Great who, in a sermon, rebukes the "pestiferous + persuasion, that this solemn day is to be honored not for the birth of + Christ, but for the rising of the New Sun." + </p> + <p> + On the authority of this same prelate it is found that in the fifth + century, the faithful, before entering the Basilica of St. Peter, were + wont to turn and salute the shining orb of day. + </p> + <p> + The Roman winter solstice which was connected with the worship of Mithra, + and which was named the "Birthday of the Unconquered Om," was adopted by + the western churches some time during the fourth century. From the west it + passed to the eastern churches, where it finally became "the solemn + anniversary of the birth of Christ." + </p> + <p> + In Ireland the ceremonies attending the mid-winter festival were formerly + regarded as exceedingly important. A short time before the approach of the + winter solstice, voices were heard throughout the island proclaiming: "The + New Year is at hand! Gather the Mistletoe!" The mistletoe wreaths which + formed the principal decorations of Venus' temple were at first proscribed + by the Christian preachers, but, in process of time they not only found + their way into the sanctuary, but were given a place over the altars, + their final signification being "good will to men."(135) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 135) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 81. +</pre> + <p> + Although the tokens of friendship which were distributed by the pagans at + the season of the mid-winter festival differed somewhat from those which + at the present time are exchanged among Christians at the same season of + the year, still, there can be no doubt that the Christmas tree, loaded + with gifts, is a remnant of that worship under which the sun was + recognized as the source whence all blessings flow. Down to a late date, + fire was a conspicuous element at the festival of the winter solstice. As + the yule-log blazed upon the hearth, our ancestors set up huge stones and + danced round them, thus worshipping the god of fertility. + </p> + <p> + On the 20th and 21st of March the sun illumines exactly half the earth. At + this time the Day has conquered the Night. Light has dethroned Darkness, a + complete victory has been gained over Typhon and the new god comes forth + "with healing in his wings." On Lady's day, the 25th of March, the Virgin + conceives. In Phoenicia numerous fetes were instituted to rejoice with + Astarte in her conception. During the months preceding the birth of the + young sun-god the Queen of Heaven receives marked homage. + </p> + <p> + In a former portion of this work we have observed that the festival which + celebrated the return of spring was instituted by the inventors of the + Neros thousands of years prior to the beginning of the Christian era, to + celebrate the vernal equinox and to commemorate a return of Nature's + bounties; but, after male reproductive power began to be regarded as the + creator, when passion came to be considered as the moving force in the + universe, and when the operations of Nature began to be typified by a dead + man on a cross who was to rise again, Easter was celebrated in + commemoration of a risen savior or sun-god. + </p> + <p> + The following is an account given in Ramsay's Travels of Cyrus, concerning + the vernal equinox festivals in the East. When Cyrus entered the temples + he found the public clad in mourning. In a cavern lay the image of a young + man (the dying savior) on a bed of flowers and odoriferous herbs Nine days + were spent in fasting, prayers, and lamentations, after which the public + sorrow ceased and was changed into gladness. Songs of joy succeeded + weeping (for Tamuz), the whole assembly singing hymns: "Adonis is returned + to life, Urania weeps no more, he has ascended to heaven, he will soon + return to earth and banish hence all crimes and miseries forever." This + scene, it will be remembered, was presented 500 years prior to the birth + of Christ. In Rome, throughout the months preceding the winter solstice, + Hilaria or Ceres, was especially honored. Apollo and Diana rose on the 7th + of the Julian April and on the 10th their religious festivals began. + </p> + <p> + On Easter morn, during the earlier ages of the church, the observances of + Christians were exactly the same as were those of the so called pagans, + all together hurried out long before the break of day that they might + behold the sun ascend, or "dance" as they called it, for on this morning + he was to "make the earth laugh and sing." Pagan and Christian alike + greeted each other with the salutation "The Lord is risen," and the reply + was "The Lord is risen indeed." On Easter morning the peasants of Saxony + and Brandenburg still climb to the hilltops "to see the sun give his three + joyful leaps." + </p> + <p> + In Buckland's Land and Water it is stated that on the first of May all the + choristers of Magdalene College, Oxford, still meet on the summit of their + tower, 150 feet high, and sing a Latin hymn as the sun rises, during which + time ten bells are rung "to welcome the gracious Apollo." Formerly, high + mass was celebrated here and early mass for Sol was held in the College + chapel, but, as at the time of the Reformation this service was forbidden, + "it has since been performed on the top of the tower." After the hymn is + sung "boys blow loud blasts to Sol through bright new tin horns." + </p> + <p> + Perhaps none of the ideas which enter into present religious rites and + ceremonies proclaims its eastern origin more forcibly than do those + connected with the veneration of fire. The testimony of all writers upon + this subject agrees that in Europe, down to a late date in the Christian + era, fire was still adored, and in some mysterious manner was connected + with the Creator. + </p> + <p> + Upon the subject of the continuation of sun and fire worship to modern + times, it is stated that the ancient bonfires with which the North German + hills used to be ablaze mile after mile are not altogether given up by + local custom. In Ireland as late as the year 1829, the ancient Canaanitish + and Jewish rite of passing children through fire as a cleansing or + regenerating process was still in operation. It is related that at stated + seasons great fires were lighted in public places, on which occasions, + fathers, taking their children in their arms, would leap and run through + the flames. At the same time, two large fires were kindled a short + distance from each other through which the cattle were driven. It was + believed that by means of this ceremony, fecundity is imparted both to man + and beast. May, the month in which all Nature revives, and in which life + starts anew, is the time selected for the lighting of those sacred fires. + May is the month of the fires of Baal. According to Maurice in his work on + the Antiquities of India, the festival and the May-pole of Great Britain + are the remnants of a religious ceremony once common in Egypt, India, and + Phoenicia, which nations all worshipping the same Deity, celebrated the + entrance of the sun into the sign of Taurus at the vernal equinox, but + which in consequence of the precession of the equinoxes is removed far in + the year from its original situation. This festival is thought to be + coeval with a time when the equinox actually took place at that time. It + was formerly in honor of the goddess Bhavania, who, under various names, + was once worshipped in every country of the globe. "She is identical with + the Dea Syria of Chaldea, and the Venus Urania of Persia." + </p> + <p> + At the present time there is direct and indisputable evidence that sacred + fires once flamed over the whole of Britain. A few days prior to Bealtine + season, every flame was ordered extinguished, to be relighted on the first + of May by holy fire drawn directly from the sun. Of fire-worship Toland + observes: + </p> + <p> + "On May-day the Druids made prodigious fires on these cairns, which being + every one in sight of some other could not but afford a glorious show over + a whole nation. These fires were in honor of Beal, or Bealan, Latinized by + the Roman writers into Belanus, by which name the Gauls and their colonies + understood the sun, and therefore, to this hour, the first of May is, by + the aboriginal Irish, called la Bealtine, or the day of Belan's fires. + May-day is likewise called la Bealtine by the Highlanders of Scotland, who + are no contemptible part of the Celtic offspring. So it is with the Isle + of Man: and in Armorica a priest is called Belee, or the servant of Bel, + and the priesthood Belegieth."(136) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 136) Quoted by Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids, ch. v., p. 181. +</pre> + <p> + Down to a comparatively recent time, in the British Isles, the youth of + both sexes used to arise long before daybreak on May-day, and in large + companies set out for the woods, there to gather flowers, boughs, and + branches, which, on returning at night, were used to decorate their homes. + This festival is said to be the most ancient of any known, and during the + earlier and purer ages of human faith was celebrated in honor of returning + spring. In later ages, however, after passion had become the only + recognized god, May-day was celebrated with "all manner of obscenity and + lewdness." + </p> + <p> + Although the uneducated masses among the Gauls worshipped Apollo, Mercury, + and Mars without understanding their true significance, the Druids, who + are thought to be Pythagorians, invoked one great power, the animating + force which pervades the universe, the essence of which they believed + resides in fire. + </p> + <p> + It is related that although after the introduction of Romish Christianity, + May fires still continued to be lighted on Bealtine day, the more + impressive ceremonies took place on the 23d of June, on the eve of the + nativity of St. John. The early preachers, wishing to defer to the + prejudices and usages of the people, "yet not so as to interfere with the + celebration of Easter at the vernal equinox, retained the Bealtine + ceremonial, only transferring it to the saint's day." Of these fire + festivals and their adoption by the Christian church Tylor says: + </p> + <p> + "The solar Christmas festival has its pendant at mid-summer. The summer + solstice was the great season of fire festivals throughout Europe on the + heights, of dancing round and leaping through the fires, of sending + blazing fire-wheels to roll down from the hills into the valleys, in sign + of the sun's descending course. These ancient rites attached themselves in + Christendom to St. John's Eve. + </p> + <p> + "It seems as though the same train of symbolism which had adapted the + mid-winter festival to the Nativity, may have suggested the dedication of + the mid-summer festival to John the Baptist, in clear allusion to his + words 'He must increase but I must decrease.' "(137) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 137) Tylor, Primitive Culture, vol. ii., p. 271. +</pre> + <p> + In a description recently given of the "moral, religious, and social + disease" which broke out A.D. 1374, in the lower Rhine region, and which + was denominated as the "greatest, perhaps, of all manifestations of + possession," Andrew D. White says: "The immediate origin of these + manifestations seems to have been the wild revels of St. John's Day."(138) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 138) Pop. Science, vol. xxxv., p. 3. +</pre> + <p> + Upon this subject Toland observes that he has seen the people of Ireland + running and leaping through the St. John's fire proud of passing through + it unsinged. Although ignorant of the origin of this ceremony, they + nevertheless regarded it as some kind of a lustration by means of which + they were to be specially blessed. + </p> + <p> + To every domestic hearth was carried the seed of Bealtine, or St. John's + fire, which during the year was not permitted to go out.(139) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 139) Although the preservation of holy fire upon every hearth was +clearly a religious observance, still, as in those days there were +no matches, the material benefit to be derived from this precaution +doubtless had a significance apart from that connected with worship. +</pre> + <p> + According to the testimony of Tylor, the festival of John the Baptist was + celebrated in Germany down to a late date. This writer quoting from a low + German book of the year 1859, refers to the "nod fire" which was sawed out + of wood to light the St. John's bonfire "through which the people leapt + and ran and drove their cattle." + </p> + <p> + With regard to the worship of Fire and Light it is related that in + Jerusalem, at the present time, the Easter service is performed by the + bishop of the church emerging from a tomb with lighted tapers "from which + all crave lights." + </p> + <p> + On the authority of Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria in the third + century, we are informed that the place in Egypt where Christ was + banished, which is called Maturea, a lamp is kept constantly burning in + remembrance of this event. Although the story of this banishment is + doubtless borrowed from the life of the Hindoo god Crishna, the fact is + evident that those who appropriated it, and used it in furbishing the + mythical history of Christ, had no scruples against fire worship—a + religion which we have been taught to regard as belonging exclusively to + the pagans. + </p> + <p> + In the ecclesiastical processions of the Church of Rome is frequently to + be observed the figure of a dragon, in the mouth of which "holy and + everlasting fire" is observed to be burning. A boy follows the procession + with a lighted taper, so that in case the fire is extinguished it may be + relighted. In referring to this subject the Rev. J. B. Deane says: + </p> + <p> + "The whole ceremony may be considered as a lively representation of an + ophite procession as it advanced through the sinuous paralleiths of + Karnak. So that no wonder the illiterate races were deceived into thinking + that there was no harm in calling themselves Christians, for all their + dear old faiths are here—fire, arks, poles, and fire in an ark." + </p> + <p> + Almost innumerable instances are given by various writers upon this + subject, showing that the sun worship of the ancients has been continued + to the present time by the so called followers of Christ, in the shrines + of the East, with no change even of names to distinguish it from that of + the Christian faith. By those who have spent much time in investigating + the Holy Land, it is related that nearly all the spots in and about + Jerusalem, sacred to Greek and Romish Christians as connected with the + life and death of their risen Lord, are equally sacred to the pagans as + commemorating the life and death of their Savior—the New Sun. Even + Gethsemane is marked by characteristics which prove that it is no less + interesting to pagans, or, more properly speaking, to the pagan followers + of Christ, than it is to those of the Greek and Romish churches. Here is a + holy tree, and not far distant is a cave of Mithras. There is also to be + seen a trinity of stones "those of Janus (Chemosh), Petros and Ion, all + solar terms and connected with the sitting or sinking down to rest of the + Kuros." + </p> + <p> + Messrs. Maundrell and Sandys, who in 1697 visited all the holy places in + and around Jerusalem, state that the entire city, but especially the sites + of Moriah, Zion, and suburbs were hotbeds of fire and phallic worship as + usually developed still in the East. + </p> + <p> + The topography of ancient Delphi, on the site of which was built the + village of Kastri, and at which place excavations are now being made under + the direction of the American School of Archaeology, has ever been a place + of peculiar interest to the mystic. Here are to be found all the natural + features and objects which gladden the heart and stimulate the imagination + of a solo-phallic worshipper. The holy Mt. Parnassus, the fountain of + Kastali, the deep cave said to be Pythian, and the remnants of huge + sepulchres hewn in the rocks all conspire to make of this spot a perfect + abode for the god, or goddess, of fertility. Here, too, is a beautiful + lake and near it a sacred fig-tree which has been struck by lightning, or, + "touched by holy fire." Of this sacred place Forlong writes: + </p> + <p> + "Christianity has never neglected this so-called Pagan shrine, nor yet + misunderstood it, if we may judge by the saint she has located here, for + Mr. Hobhouse found in the rocky chasm dipped in the dews of Castaly, but + safe in a rocky niche, a Christian shrine; and close by a hut called the + church of St. John; yea verily of Ione, she who had once reigned here + supreme; whilst on a green plot a few yards below the basin, in a little + grove of olive trees, stood the monastery of Panhagia or Holy Virgin, so + that here we still have and beside her sacred form in the cleft, men who + have consecrated their manhood to the old Mother and Queen of Heaven, just + as if she of Syria had never been heard of. + </p> + <p> + "Doubtless they knew little of what civilized Europe calls Christianity, + for I have spent many days conversing with such men, and seen little + difference between them and those similarly placed in the far East—fervid + Christians though Greeks and Syrians are." + </p> + <p> + Perhaps nothing shows the extent to which the religion of the pagans has + been retained by Christianity more than does the worship of the serpent. + It has been said that this reptile enters into every mythology extant. + Ferguson is authority for the statement that "he is to be found in the + wilderness of Sinai, the groves of Epidaurus, and in Samothracian huts." + He constitutes a prominent factor in the religious worship of India, + Assyria, Palestine, and Egypt, and, notwithstanding the fact that he is + not a native of Ireland, in an earlier age representations of him appear + in profusion among the symbols of that country. It has been said that + there is scarcely an Egyptian sculpture known in which this reptile does + not figure. The serpent whenever it appears as a religious emblem always + typifies desire—creative energy—which, proceeding from the + sun, is manifested in man and in animals. Whether it be a veritable snake + in a box, a serpent connected with the figure of a woman, or as a carved + representation on monuments or stones, or as chains or wreaths on columns, + bas-reliefs or friezes, the signification is the same. + </p> + <p> + The sacred character of this reptile among the Gnostics is shown by the + accounts given of their religious rites and ceremonies. By many of these + sects this holy creature was kept in a box, ark, or chest, and when the + eucharistic service was to be performed, he was enticed forth from his + resting-place by a bit of bread. So soon as his holiness had wound himself + about the offering, the sacrifice was complete and the service was + concluded by "singing a hymn to Almighty God, and praying for acceptance + in and through the serpent." + </p> + <p> + In later ages when the attempt was made to abolish serpent worship from + the Christian church, it was declared by the leaders in the movement that + Ophiolatry had been imported from Persia—that it had been brought in + by ignorant devotees who were too weak to renounce their former + faith.(140) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 140) Forlong, Rivers of Life. +</pre> + <p> + The extent to which the symbols representing Serpent, Sun, Tree, and Plant + worship are still retained as part and parcel of the symbolism of + Christianity is shown by the following report regarding the adoption of a + seal by the Presbyterian Church which appeared in the daily press only a + few years ago. + </p> + <p> + "After the assembly opened, the committee for the selection of a seal made + a report recommending: That the general assembly hereby adopts as its + official seal the device of a serpent suspended upon a cross, uplifted + within a wilderness, in form as represented upon the official seal of the + trustees of the general assembly, and displayed upon a circular field of + the same proportions. In addition thereto the figure of a rising sun + appearing above the margin of the wilderness, whose out-shooting beams + shall occupy the centre of the field. Further, the decoration of a + demi-wreath of two palm branches (in the form of the wreath upon the seal + of the Westminster assembly of divines), placed around the margin of the + upper hemisphere of the field; and on the lower hemisphere of the field a + demi-wreath composed of a branch of oak united with an olive branch. + Further, that the words of the motto, 'Christus Exaltus Salvatar,' shall + be displayed in a semi-circle upon the upper part of the field, on either + side of the standard of the cross, and, encompassing the whole in a + bordure, the following words, in full or in proper abbreviation thereof, + 'The Seal of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United + States of America.'" + </p> + <p> + The origin of the rite of Baptism as performed at the present time in + Christian churches, may be traced directly to the worship of the sun, + within which were supposed to reside the reproductive powers of Nature. + All nations have had ceremonies corresponding to our baptism and + confirmation rites, such baptism being either by fire or water. When we + remember that for ages fertility, or the power to reproduce, constituted + the idea of the Deity, we are not surprised to find that the original + signification of the rite of baptism had, and still has, in some of the + oriental countries, special reference to the child's sexual obligations. + </p> + <p> + In India, the religious rites performed upon the individual occur at birth + or soon after; at betrothal, which takes place in childhood; at puberty; + at marriage, and at death. The fact will be noticed that all sexual + (spiritual) obligations and seasons fall within the domain of priestly + supervision and surveillance. The child at baptism is dedicated to Vesta, + or Hestia, the Queen of Hearths and Homes, a divinity who is supposed to + assist him in securing the special evidence of divine favor, namely, + fruitfulness of body. + </p> + <p> + Among Hindoos and Jews, excessive reproduction was the Lord's mark of + favor. In India there has been a special hell provided for childless + women, and with Jewesses no curse was equal to barrenness. + </p> + <p> + Baptism, or the ceremony connected with the naming of children in + Christian countries, is seen to be identical with that performed in Mexico + among the Aztecs. After the lips and bosom of the infant had been + sprinkled with water, the Lord was implored to "permit the holy drops to + wash away the sin that was given to it before the foundation of the world, + so that the child might be born anew." + </p> + <p> + Among the petitions which are offered to the Deity is the following: + "Impart to us, out of thy great mercy, thy gifts which we are not worthy + to receive through our own merit." In their moral code appear these + maxims: "Keep peace with all; bear injuries with humility; God who sees, + will avenge you." "He who looks too curiously on a woman, commits adultery + with his eyes."(141) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 141) Quoted by Prescott from Sahagun. Conquest of Mexico, book i., chap +3. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM—(Continued). + </h2> + <p> + From the facts recorded in the foregoing pages, we have seen that true + Christianity was but a continuation of that great movement which was begun + in Persia seven or eight centuries before, and whose gathering strength + had been emphasized by the humane doctrines set forth in the various + schools of Greek philosophy. + </p> + <p> + In the first century of the Christian era may be observed among various + sects, notably the Gnostics, a desire to popularize the teachings of an + ancient race, and to accentuate those principles which had been taught by + Buddha, Pythagoras, the Stoic philosophers, the Roman jurisconsults and + others. In other words the object of the new religion was to stimulate the + altruistic characters which had been developed during the evolutionary + processes, and to strengthen and encourage the almost forgotten principles + of justice and personal liberty upon which early society was founded, but + which through ages of sensuality and selfishness had been denied + expression. + </p> + <p> + When we remember the tenacity with which the human mind clings to + established beliefs and forms, it is not perhaps singular that in a + comparatively short time these principles were lost sight of, and that the + entire system of corrupt paganism, with Christ as the New Solar Deity, was + reinstated; neither is it remarkable, when we reflect upon the length of + time required to bring about any appreciable change in human thought and + action, that the principles which this Great Teacher enunciated are at the + present time only just beginning to be understood. + </p> + <p> + To one who carefully studies the history of Christianity by the light of + recently developed truths, the fact will doubtless be discovered that the + fundamental difference existing between Catholic and Protestant sects is + grounded in the old feud arising out of the relative importance of the + sex-principles. From the days of Zoroaster to the final establishment of + Christianity by Paul, the tendency—although slight—had been + toward the elevation of woman, and consequently toward a greater + acknowledgment of the female element in the god-idea. Considerable impetus + was given to the cause of woman's advancement through the doctrines of the + various schools of philosophy in Greece, and subsequently by the efforts + put forth by the Roman lawyers to establish their equality with men before + the law; hence, during the first hundred years of the Christian era the + "new religion" seems to have contained much of the spirit of the ancient + philosophy. + </p> + <p> + By several of the early Christian sects, the second person in the trinity + was female, as was also the Holy Ghost. + </p> + <p> + In a "fragment of a gospel preserved by St. Jerome, and believed to have + been from the original Aramaean Gospel of St. Matthew, with additions, the + Holy Ghost (ruach), which in Hebrew is feminine, is called by the infant + Savior, 'My Mother, the Holy Ghost.' "(142) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 142) Barlow, Essays on Symbolism, p. 135. +</pre> + <p> + The mission of Christ was that of a Regenerator of mankind, an office + which had been symbolized by the powers of the sun. He was to restore that + which was lost. He attempted to teach to the masses of the people the long + neglected principles of purity and peace. He did not condemn woman. He was + baptized by John (Ion or Yon) in water, the original symbol for the female + element, and while in the water; the Holy Ghost in form of a dove (female) + descended upon him. To those who have given attention to the symbolism of + the pagan worship these facts are not without signification. + </p> + <p> + Because of the peculiar tendency of Christ's teachings women soon became + active factors in their promulgation. If there were no other evidence to + show that they publicly taught the new doctrines, the injunction of St. + Paul, "I suffer not a woman to teach," would seem to imply that they were + not silent. + </p> + <p> + The doctrines of the Gnostics were particularly favorable to women. + Marcellina, who belonged to this order, was the founder of a sect called + Marcelliens. Of her works Waite observes: "It would scarcely be expected + that the heretical writings of a woman would be preserved amid such + wholesale slaughter of the obnoxious works of the opposite sex. The + writings of Marcellina have perished."(143) Not only did women teach + publicly, and write, but according to Bunsen they claimed the privilege of + baptizing their own sex. The reason for this is evident. Before baptism it + was customary for the newly-made converts to strip and be anointed with + oil. After the establishment of Paul's doctrines, however, "the bishops + and presbyters did not care to be relieved from the pleasant duty of + baptizing the female converts."(144) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 143) History of the Christian Religion, p. 405. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 144) Ibid., p. 23. +</pre> + <p> + Although the utmost care has been exercised to conceal the fact that women + equally with men, performed the offices connected with the early church, + yet by those who have paid attention to the true history of this movement, + there can be no doubt about the matter. Notwithstanding the early + tendencies of the "new religion" toward the recognition of women, and + toward the restoration of the female principle in the Deity, the policy to + be pursued by the church was soon apparent, for Paul, the real founder of + the system calling itself Christian, and a man imbued with Asiatic + prejudices concerning women, arrogantly declared that "man is the head of + woman as Christ is the head of the Church." Women were commanded to be + under obedience. Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman + for the man; thus was re-established and emphasized the absurd doctrine of + the Lingaites, that the male is an independent entity, that he is spirit + and superior to the female which is matter. After this indication of the + policy to be pursued under the new regime, it would scarcely be expected + that the efforts put forth by the various sects among the Gnostics + to reinstate the female element either on the earth or in heaven would be + successful, and as might be anticipated from the facts already adduced, as + early as the year 325, at the council of Nice, a male trinity was formally + established, and soon thereafter, the Collylidians, a sect which + rigorously persisted in the adoration of the female principle, were + condemned. At the council of Laodicea, A.D. 365, the 11th canon forbade + the ordination of women for the ministry and the 44th canon prohibited + them from entering the altar. + </p> + <p> + The devotees of female worship, although for a time silenced, were + evidently not convinced, and to force their understanding into conformity + with the newly established order, the Nestorians, in the year 430 A. D., + reopened the old dispute, and formally denied to Mary the title of Mother + of God. Their efforts, however, were of little avail, for in the year 451, + at the council of Ephesus, the third general council, the decision of the + Nestorians was reversed and the Virgin Mother reinstated. Upon this + subject Barlow remarks: "Well might those who made this symbolical + doctrine what it now is, at length desire to do tardy justice to the + female element, by promoting the mother to the place once occupied by the + Egyptian Neith, and crowning her Queen of Heaven."(145) The fact will + doubtless be observed, however, that by the Romish Church the idea of the + god-mother differs widely from the Queen of Heaven—the original God + of the ancients. Mary the Mother of Jesus is not a Creator, but simply a + mediator between her Son and His earthly devotees—a doctrine only a + trifle less masculine in texture than that of an Almighty Father and his + victimized son. The worship of Mary was adopted by the so-called + Christians in response to a craving in the human heart for a recognition + of those characters developed in mankind which may be said to contain the + germ of the divine. The masculine god of the Jews was feared not loved, + and his son had already been invested with his attributes. He was all + powerful, hence a mediator, a mother, was necessary to intercede in behalf + of fallen man, and this, too, notwithstanding the fact that woman had + become the "cause of evil in the world." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 145) Essays on Symbolism, p. 134. +</pre> + <p> + The Great Goddess of the ancients, Perceptive Wisdom, the Deity of giving, + she who represented the purely altruistic characters developed in mankind, + and whose worship involved a scientific knowledge of the processes of + Nature, when engrafted upon the so-called Christian system, although + indicating an important step toward the recognition of the genuine + creative principles, was not understood. Although her effigies were + brought from the East and made to do duty as representations of Mary, the + Mother of Christ, a knowledge of her true significance lay hurled beneath + ages of sensuality and selfishness. + </p> + <p> + By those who have made it their business to investigate this subject, it + is observed that there is scarcely an old church in Italy in which there + is not to be found a remnant of a black virgin and child. In very many + instances these black virgins have been replaced by white ones, the older + figures having been retired to some secluded niche in the church where + they are held especially sacred by the ignorant devotees who know + absolutely nothing of their original significance. We are assured that + many of these images have been painted over, ostensibly in imitation of + bronze, but the whites of the eyes, the teeth, and colored lips reveal the + fact that they are really not intended to represent bronze, but figures of + a black virgin goddess and child whose worship has been imported into + Europe from the East. I had been told that one of the oldest of these + images extant was to be found in Augsburg; a thorough search, however, in + all the churches and cathedrals of that city failed to reveal it, but in + the museum at Munich such a figure is to be seen. It is in a state of + decay, one arm of the mother and a portion of the child's figure being + worn away. Upon this subject Godfrey Higgins remarks: + </p> + <p> + "If the author had wished to invent a circumstance to corroborate the + assertion that the Romish Christ of Europe is the Crishna of India, how + could he have desired anything more striking than the fact of the black + virgin and child being so common in the Romish countries of Europe? A + black virgin and child among the white Germans, Swiss, French, and + Italians!!!"(146) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 146) Anacalypsis, book iv., ch. i., p. 175. +</pre> + <p> + We have observed that during an earlier age in the history of religious + worship, as the female was supposed to comprehend both the female and male + elements in creation, a belief in the possible creative power of the + female independently of the male was everywhere entertained, and that + after the schismatic faction arose which endeavored to exalt the male, the + production of a son by a woman unaided by man, was among the Yonigas to be + the sign which would forever settle the question of the superior + importance of the female functions in the processes of reproduction, and + consequently, also, her claim to the greater importance in the deity. + </p> + <p> + The sacred books of India show that from a former belief in one or the + other of the two creative principles throughout Nature as God, the people + had come to accept both female and male as necessary elements in + reproduction, the latter being the more important. In course of time this + change seems to have been universal and to have extended to all the + countries of the globe. + </p> + <p> + As the male could not create independently of the female, or, as spirit + was dependent on matter for its manifestations, there arose a necessity + for a Savior to redeem man from the evil effects arising from his + relations with woman who was regarded as matter, and who in course of time + became the cause of evil. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the doctrines which prevailed in the earlier ages of + Christianity relative to the ancient dual principle in creation, and + regarding the offices which were performed by the two elements, male and + female, in the deity, we have the following from Justinus, who is said to + have been contemporary with Peter and Paul: + </p> + <p> + "When Elohim had prepared and created the world as a result from joint + pleasure, He wished to ascend up to the elevated parts of heaven, and to + see that not anything of what pertained to the creation laboured under + deficiency. And He took His Own angels with Him, for His nature was to + mount aloft, leaving Edem below; for inasmuch as she was earth, she was + not disposed to follow upward her spouse. Elohim, then, coming to the + highest part of heaven above and beholding a light superior to that which + He himself had created, exclaimed: 'Open me the gates, that entering in I + may acknowledge the Lord.'" + </p> + <p> + As he enters the Good One addresses him in the following manner: "Sit thou + on my right hand." Then the soaring male principle says to the Good One + "permit me Lord to overturn the world which I have made, for my spirit is + bound to men." To which the Good One replies: "No evil canst thou do while + thou art with me, for both thou and Edem made the world as a result of + conjugal joy. Permit Edem then, to hold possession of the world as long as + she wishes; but you remain with me." While the father is drawn away from + earth to Heaven, Edem, in the meantime is bringing woes innumerable upon + man. Naas, who has received his evil nature from her, and who is a child + of the Devil, has debauched Eve, "Henceforward vice and virtue are + prevalent among men." The Father seeing these things dispatches Baruch his + third angel to Moses, and through him spake to the children of Israel, + that they might be converted unto the Good One. But the third angel, Naas, + by the soul of which came from Edem upon Moses, as also upon all men, + observed the precepts of Baruch, and caused his own peculiar injunctions + to be hearkened unto. + </p> + <p> + Again, after these occurrences Baruch, the angel of the Good One, was sent + to the prophets to warn them against the wiles of Edem, but in the same + manner Nass, the Devil, enticed them away, they being allured by him to + their own destruction. Again Elohim selected Hercules, an uncircumcised + prophet, and sent him to quell the disturbance caused by Naas or Edem and + to release the Father from their power. + </p> + <p> + "These are the twelve conflicts of Hercules which He underwent, in order, + from first to last, viz.: Lion, and Hydra, and Boar, and the others + successively. For they say that these are the names of them among the + Gentiles, and they have been derived, with altered denomination, from the + energy of the maternal angels. When he seemed to have vanquished his + antagonists, Omphale (now she is Venus) clings to him and entices away + Hercules, and divests him of his power, viz.: the commands of Baruch which + Elohim issued. And in place of this power Babel, or Venus, envelops him in + her own peculiar robe, that is, in the power of Edem, who is the power + below; and in this way the prophecy of Hercules remained unfulfilled and + his work." + </p> + <p> + As men were still bound by the power of Edem, or the Devil, in the days of + Herod the king, Baruch was again dispatched by Elohim, and coming to + Nazareth delivered his message to Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary. Nass, + who, as we have seen, was the evil spirit in Edem, wished to entice away + Jesus also. He was not, however, disposed to listen but remained faithful + to Baruch. Naas, overcome by anger at not being able to seduce him, caused + him to be crucified. + </p> + <p> + "He, leaving the body of Edem on the accursed tree, ascended to the Good + One; saying to Edem, 'Woman, thou retainest thy Son,' that is, the natural + and the earthly man. But Jesus himself commending his spirit into the + hands of the Father, ascended to the Good One. Now the Good One is + Priapus, and he it is who antecedently caused the production of everything + that exists. On this account he is styled Priapus, because he previously + fashioned all things according to his design. For this reason, he says, in + every temple is preserved his statue, which is revered by every creature; + and there are images of him in the highways carrying over his head ripened + fruits, that is, the produce of the creation, of which he is the cause, + having in the first instance formed, according to his design, the + creation, when as yet it had no existence."(147) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 147) Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies, book v., p. 188. +</pre> + <p> + Thus the fact is observed not only that in the time of Paul, phallic + worship still existed, but by the writings of Justinus and others is shown + the manner in which the doctrine that woman is the cause of evil in the + world became formulated and adopted as part and parcel of the Christian + belief. + </p> + <p> + Staniland Wake, director of the anthropological society of London, when + commenting on the obscene myths upon which the Christian religion rests, + remarks: + </p> + <p> + "The fundamental basis of Christianity is more purely phallic than that of + any other religion now existing, and its emotional nature... shows how + intimately it was related to the older faiths which had a phallic basis." + </p> + <p> + After stating that the myth of creation and that of the flood have their + exact counterpart in India, the Rev. Mr. Faber remarks that "there is no + rite or ceremony directed in the Pentateuch of which there is not an exact + copy in the rites of the pagans." + </p> + <p> + The Christian doctrines as established by Paul, and afterwards formulated + into a system by the Romish Church, were adopted by the ignorant multitude + who, being incapable of understanding the higher principles involved, + accepted the allegories beneath which were veiled the ancient mysteries + literally, and as the highest expression of divine wisdom. Hence the + comparatively recent observation that the "new religion was eventually but + the gathering in of the superstitions of paganism" is a matter of little + surprise to those who have carefully examined the facts connected with the + growth of religious faith. + </p> + <p> + Under the new regime Christ became the New Solar Deity and round him were + finally ranged all the myths of Solo-phallic worship which had prevailed + under the adoration of Crishna at a time when the higher truths underlying + pure Nature-worship had been forgotten. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND. + </h2> + <p> + According to the accounts in the New Testament, the wise men of the East, + meaning Persia, had foretold the coming of Christ. The fulfilment of the + ancient Persian prophecy as applied to Jesus, together with the reference + to the "star" which the Maji saw, and which went before them till it came + and stood over where the young child lay, furnishes a striking + illustration of the manner in which Eastern legends and ancient sacred + writings are interwoven with the doctrines relating to Christianity. + </p> + <p> + In the sacred books of the East it is prophesied that "after three + thousand and one hundred years of the Caligula are elapsed, will appear + King Saca to remove wretchedness from the world." We have seen that at the + birth of Christ the time had arrived for a new solar incarnation. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the introduction of Christianity into Ireland it is claimed by + certain writers that the Irish did not receive the "new religion" from + Greek missionaries; but when at the close of the cycle, a new solar deity, + an avatar of Vishnu or Crishna was announced, and when missionaries from + the East proclaimed the glad tidings of a risen Savior, the Irish people + gladly accepted their teachings, not, however, as a new system, but as the + fulfilment to them of the prophecy of the most ancient seers of the East, + and as part and parcel of the religion of their forefathers. Therefore + when the devotees of the Romish faith, probably about the close of the + fifth century of the Christian era, attempted to "convert" Ireland, they + found a religion differing from their own only in the fact that it was not + subject to Rome, and was free from the many corruptions and superstitions + which through the extreme ignorance and misapprehension of its Western + adherents had been engrafted upon it. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the form of religious worship in Great Britain, and the fact + that phallic worship prevailed there, Forlong writes: "The generality of + our countrymen have no conception of the overruling prevalence of this + faith, and the number of its lingham gods throughout our Islands." These + symbols were always in the form of an obelisk or tower, thereby indicating + the worship of the male energy. Although emblems of the female element in + the deity were present, they were less pronounced and of far less + importance than those of the male. + </p> + <p> + These monuments were erected on knolls, at crossroads and centers of marts + or villages, and were placed on platforms which were usually raised from + five to seven steps. A few years ago the shires of Gloucester, Wilts, and + Somerset still claimed over two hundred of these crosses, though all of + them were not at that time in a perfect state of preservation. + </p> + <p> + It would seem that in Britain and Ireland the seed of the "new" doctrine, + that which involved a recognition of the mother element in the god-idea, + had fallen on more congenial soil, for within three centuries after the + birth of Christ, the various original monuments typifying the male + principle had all been ornamented with the symbols representing the female + in the deity. The ancient religious structures of the Lingaites still + continued as recognized faith shrines, changed only by the emblems of the + new religion which had been engrafted upon them. + </p> + <p> + The earliest Greek and Roman missionaries knew full well the significance + of these symbols, and we are given to understand that "a few of the more + spiritual of the Christian sects made war upon them and all their + ephemeral substitutes, such as Maypoles, holy-trees, real crosses, etc." + It is declared also that, as "later" Christians were unacquainted with the + significance of these emblems, "they adopted them as their own, employing + them as the mystic signs of their own faith." + </p> + <p> + Although the earliest Greek and Roman missionaries understood the + signification of these faith shrines, the complaints against them seem + soon to have ceased, and the "fierce wars" waged over them appear to have + left little trace of their ravages, except that the female emblems with + which these monuments had been supplied by those who had received the new + faith direct from the East, were all removed. As the male monuments and + symbols were all permitted to remain undisturbed, this fact of itself + would seem to indicate that the "pagan abominations" against which these + pious devotees of a "spiritual religion" thundered their denunciations, + included only the female emblems. + </p> + <p> + The fact must be borne in mind that the Western Church, which was rapidly + usurping the ecclesiastical authority of Britain and Ireland, had not + itself at this time adopted the worship of the Virgin Mary. + </p> + <p> + A set of iconoclastic monks whom the Christian world is pleased to + designate as St. Patrick, and who probably early in the fifth century of + our era amused themselves by chiseling from the Irish monuments many of + the symbols of the female power, removed also the figures of serpents + which had for ages appeared in connection with the emblems of woman, and + by this act won the plaudits of an admiring Christian world; chiefly, + however, for the skill manifested in "banishing snakes from Ireland." In + addition to this dignified amusement, we find that the same person or set + of persons ordered to be burned hundreds of volumes of the choicest Irish + literature, volumes which contained the annals of the ancient Irish + nation, and in which, it is believed, was stored much actual information + concerning the remote antiquity of the human race. + </p> + <p> + The extent to which the worship of the male emblems of generation + prevailed in the Christian Church even as late as the 16th century, proves + that it was not the particular symbols connected with the worship of + fertility upon which the Western Christian missionaries made war, but, on + the contrary, that it was the recognition by them of that detested female + element against which, even before the erection of the Tower of Babel, + there had been almost a constant warfare. The rites of Potin, or Photin, + Bishop of Lyons, who was honored in Provence, Languedoc and the Lyonais as + St. Fontin, also the rites performed in many of the Christian Churches as + late as the 16th century, prove that the devotees of the Christian system + were not at this time a whit behind their Pagan predecessors in their zeal + for "heathen abominations." The only difference being that the Druids, a + people who still retained a faint conception of ancient Nature worship, + had not become entirely divested of the purer ideas which in an earlier + age of the race had constituted a creative force. + </p> + <p> + That the war of the sexes was revived, and that for many centuries much + strife was engendered over the exact importance which should be ascribed + to the female element in the Deity may not be doubted. + </p> + <p> + An ancient homily on Trinity Sunday has the following: "At the deth of a + manne, three bells should be ronge as his kuyl in worship of the Trinitie, + and for a woman, who was the Second Person of the Trinitie two bells + should be ronge." Upon this subject Hargrave Jennings remarks: "Here we + have the source of the emblematic difficulty among the master masons who + constructed the earlier cathedrals, as to the addition, and as to the + precise value of the second (or feminine) tower of the Western end or + Galilee of the Church."(148) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 148) Rosicrucians, vol. i., p. 206. +</pre> + <p> + The fact that the religion of the ancient Irish, who, were phallic + worshippers, was modified but not radically changed by the introduction of + Christianity, is believed by at least one of the Irish historians of that + country. He says: + </p> + <p> + "The church festivals themselves, in our Christian calendar, are but the + direct transfers from the Tuath-de-danaans' ritual. Their very names in + Irish are identically the same as those by which they were distinguished + by that early race. If, therefore, surprise has heretofore been excited at + the conformity observable between our church institutions and those of the + East, let it in future subside at the explicit announcement that + Christianity, with us, was the revival of a religion imported amongst us + many ages before by the Tuath-de-danaans from the East, and not from any + chimerical inundation of Greek missionaries—a revival upon which + their hearts were lovingly riveted, and which Fiech, the Bishop of Sletty, + unconsciously registers in the following couplet, viz.: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The Buddhists of Irin prophesied + That new times of peace would come."(149) +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 149) The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 493. +</pre> + <p> + The conditions surrounding the ancient inhabitants of the "White Island," + or Ireland, a remnant of which people may be observed in the Highlanders + of Scotland, furnish an example of the fact that a much higher standard of + life had been preserved among them than is known to have prevailed either + among the Jews or the Greeks. The comparatively advanced stage of progress + which is now known to have existed in Ireland at the beginning of the + present era, which even the bigotry and falsehood of Roman priestcraft + have not been able wholly to conceal, is seen to have been a somewhat + corrupted remnant of a civilization which followed closely on ancient + Nature worship.(150) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 150) It is thought by certain writers that when the Tuath-de-danaans +emigrated from Persia to the "White Island" they found it inhabited +by the Fir-Bolgs, a colony of Celts. After conquering the island they +engrafted upon it the religion, laws, learning and culture of the mother +country. In a later age the Scythians, whose religion was similar +to that of the Fir-Bolgs, united with them and succeeded in making +themselves masters of the situation. +</pre> + <p> + Hence the intermingling of races and tongues among the ancient Irish. The + Druids adopted, or appropriated, the religion and culture of the + Tuath-de-danaans, who, it is claimed, were the real Hibernians. The + Scythians changed the name of Irin to Scotia—the latter being + retained until the 11th century. According to the annals of the ancient + Irish, Scotland was formerly called Scotia Minor to distinguish it from + Scotia Major, or Ireland. + </p> + <p> + Because of their isolated position, or for some cause at present unknown, + these people do not seem to have degenerated into a nation of sensualists. + It is true they had departed a long distance from the early conditions of + mankind under which altruism and the abstract principle of Light or Wisdom + were worshipped under the form of a Virgin Mother and her child, but they + never wholly rejected the female element in their god-idea, nor never, so + far as known, attempted to degrade womanhood. Women were numbered among + their legislators, at the same time that they officiated as educators and + priestesses. In fact wherever the Druidical order prevailed women exerted + a powerful influence in all departments of human activity. Among the + Germans, Valleda, a Druidess, was for ages worshipped as a deity. + </p> + <p> + It is recorded that St. Bridget planted a monastery for women at Kildare + and entrusted to its inmates the keeping of the sacred fire, and that in + later times the Asiatic missionaries founded there a female monkish order. + After the establishment of Western Christianity, however, no woman was + permitted to enter into the monasteries, and we are assured that this + ridiculous affectation of purity was extended even to the grave. During + the earlier ages of Christianity, in many portions of Ireland there were + cemeteries for men and women distinct from each other. "It had been a + breach of chastity for monks and nuns to be interred within the same + enclosure. They should fly from temptations which they could not resist." + </p> + <p> + Although volumes have been written to prove that Christianity was carried + to Britain by Paul, and although the energies of scores of Romish writers + have been employed in attempting to prove that Ireland was in heathen + darkness prior to its conversion by the priests of the Romish Church, yet + these efforts so vigorously put forward seem only to strengthen the + evidence going to show that the Christianity of the British Isles + antedates that of either Paul or Rome. + </p> + <p> + According to Scripture, Claudia, the wife of the Senator Pudens of + Britain, was a Christian,(151) as was also Graecina, the wife of Plautus, + who was governor of Britain in the first century. The latter, it is + related, was accused before the Roman senate of "practicing some foreign + superstition." Although Lingard, in his History and Antiquities of the + Anglo-Saxon Church, has endeavored to annul the force of the evidence + which places two Christian women from Britain in Rome during the first + century of our era, he is nevertheless constrained to use the following + language: "We are, indeed, told that history has preserved the names of + two British females, Claudia and Pomponia Graecina, both of them + Christians, and both living in the first century of our era."(152) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 151) 2 Timothy, iv., 21. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 152) Vol. i., p. 1. +</pre> + <p> + According to the Romanists, between the years 177-181 of the Christian + era, a British king named Lucius sent a messenger to the authorities at + Rome, with a request that he with his people be admitted into the bosom of + the "Holy Catholic Church." By those not prejudiced in favor of the Romish + hierarchy, this bit of amusing "evidence" shows the anxiety manifested + lest the facts concerning the religious history of the British Isles + become known. Regarding this embassy of King Lucius there is an extant + version which is far more in accordance with reason and with the known + facts concerning this people. + </p> + <p> + When we remember the advanced stage of civilization which existed in + Ireland prior to the Christian era, and when we bear in mind the fact + that, as in the case of Abarras mentioned by various Greek writers, the + people of the British Isles were wont to send emissaries abroad for the + sole purpose of gathering information relative to foreign laws, customs, + usages, manners, and modes of instruction, we are not surprised to learn + that the message to Rome sent by Lucius, instead of containing a request + for admission to a foreign church, embodied an enquiry into the + fundamental principles underlying Roman jurisprudence; and especially does + this appear reasonable when we remember that the remodeling of the Roman + code on principles of equity and justice had for several centuries + employed the energies of the best minds in Rome. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the planting of Christianity in Ireland, we have the following + from Ledwich: + </p> + <p> + "Thus Bishop Lawrence in Bede tells us Pope Gregory sent him and Austin to + preach the Gospel in Britain, as if it never before had been heard, + whereas the latter met seven British Bishops who nobly opposed him. In + like manner Pope Adrian commissioned Henry II. to enlarge the bounds of + the church, and plant the faith in Ireland, when it had already been + evangelized for eight hundred years. The faith to be planted was blind + submission to Rome and the annual payment of Peter's pence."(153) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 153) Antiquities of Ireland, p. 78. +</pre> + <p> + Of the exact time at which Romish and Greek missionaries first went to + Ireland we are not informed, but there is ample evidence going to prove + that a regular hierarchy had been established in that island before the + beginning of the fifth century, and that this religion which had been + brought in through the efforts of missionaries from the East was, by the + legendary writers of the later Christian Church, ascribed to Romish monks. + </p> + <p> + The Jealousy of the Romish priests, and the means employed by them to + usurp the ecclesiastical authority of the Irish people, is shown in the + history of their councils. The 5th canon of the Council of Ceale-hythe + requires + </p> + <p> + "that none of Irish extraction be permitted to usurp to himself the sacred + ministry in any one's diocese, nor let it be allowed such an one to touch + anything which belongs to those of the holy order....; neither must he + administer the eucharist to the people because we are not certain how or + by whom he was ordained." + </p> + <p> + After quoting the above Ledwich queries thus: If St. Patrick had been a + missionary of the Romish Church, would the Anglo-Saxon clergy have abjured + the spiritual children of that see? In the year 670 Theodoret, Archbishop + of Canterbury, decreed that they who were consecrated by Irish or British + Bishops should be confirmed anew by Catholic ones.(154) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 154) Ledwich, Antiquities of Ireland, p. 81. +</pre> + <p> + It is observed that as early as the fourth century A.D. there were three + hundred bishops in Ireland, and to account for so large a number, it is + declared that ignorant legendary writers had recourse to the fable of St. + Patrick. + </p> + <p> + The remarkable "conversion" of the Irish to Romish Christianity, which it + is said took place in the latter part of the fourth century or the + beginning of the fifth, is to be explained by the fact that a number of + Romish priests or monks which in later ages came to be designated as St. + Patrick, claimed all the monasteries, bishops, and priests already there + as a result of the remarkable power and pious zeal of this miracle-working + saint. It is claimed that St. Patrick founded over three thousand + monasteries, consecrated three hundred bishops, and ordained three + thousand priests. + </p> + <p> + According to Ledwich and other writers, this St. Patrick was not heard of + earlier than the ninth century A.D., and the legend concerning him "was + not accepted until the twelfth century, at which time his miracles are set + forth with great gusto." + </p> + <p> + Nothing, perhaps, which is recorded of this monk will go farther toward + proving him a myth than the miracles ascribed to his saintship. + </p> + <p> + While yet an infant he raised the dead, brought forth fire from ice, + expelled a devil from a heifer, caused a new river to appear from the + earth, and changed water into honey. + </p> + <p> + "These were but the infant sports of this wonder-working saint. The + miracles recorded in holy writ, even that of creation itself, are + paralleled, and, if possible, surpassed by those of our spiritual + hero."(155) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 155) Ledwich, Antiquities of Ireland. +</pre> + <p> + Concerning St. Patrick, Forlong writes: + </p> + <p> + "Various Patricks followed from Britain and Armorika, but even the + Catholic priest, J. F. Shearman, writes that he is forced to give up the + idea that there ever was a real St. Patrick. Thus the name must be + accepted only in its Fatherly sense, and with the fall of the man Patrick + all the miraculous and sudden conversions of the kings, lords, and commons + of Ireland must vanish."(156) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 156) Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 417. +</pre> + <p> + The Irish Church bishoprics differed from the Romish in that they were + held by hereditary succession, after the custom of ancient nations. All + bishops were married. + </p> + <p> + Prior to the introduction of the Christian system in Ireland the Sabian + ceremonial had been succeeded by the Druidical, upon which had been + engrafted that of the Culdees, and notwithstanding the fact that the + Romish Church gradually usurped the ecclesiastical functions in Ireland, + the last named people who for ages had been regarded as the depositaries + of the ancient faith and the ancient system of laws, were highly respected + by the people for their sanctity and learning. Many of the Greek and Roman + writers who have dealt with this subject agree in ascribing to the Druids + a high degree of scientific knowledge and mechanical skill. The principles + of justice set forth in their judicial system, their love of learning, and + the standard attained in the sciences and arts, prove the early people of + Ireland to have been equal if not superior to any of the early historic + nations. + </p> + <p> + In referring to the number and magnitude of the monumental remains in + Ireland, and while commenting on the mechanical skill of the Druids, the + Rev. Smedley says: + </p> + <p> + "I was present at the erection of the Luxor Obelisk in Paris, and yet I + think that I would have felt greater emotion if I had witnessed the + successful performance of the old Celtic engineer who placed on its three + pedestals of stone the enormous rock which constitutes the Druidical altar + here at Castle May." + </p> + <p> + It is believed that this people understood the art of mining and that they + were acquainted with the use of iron. The following is an extract from one + of Hamilton's letters on the Antrim coast: + </p> + <p> + "About the year 1770 the miners, in pushing forward an adit toward the bed + of coal, at an unexplored part of the Ballycastle cliff, unexpectedly + broke through the rock into a narrow passage, so much contracted and + choked up with various drippings and deposits on its sides and bottom, as + rendered it impossible for any of the workmen to force through, that they + might examine it farther. Two lads were, therefore, made to creep in with + candles, for the purpose of exploring this subterranean avenue. They + accordingly pressed forward for a considerable time, with much labor and + difficulty, and at length entered into an extensive labyrinth branching + off into numerous apartments, in the mazes and windings of which they were + completely bewildered and lost. After various vain attempts to return, + their lights were extinguished, their voices became hoarse, and, becoming + wearied and spiritless, they sat down together, in utter despair of an + escape from this miserable dungeon. In the meanwhile, the workmen in the + adit became alarmed for their safety, fresh hands were incessantly + employed, and, in the course of twenty-four hours, the passage was so open + as to admit the most active among the miners... On examining this + subterranean wonder, it was found to be a complete gallery, which had been + driven forward many hundred yards to the bed of coal: that it branched off + into numerous chambers, where miners had carried on their different works: + that these chambers were dressed in a workmanlike manner: that pillars + were left at proper intervals to support the roof. In short it was found + to be an extensive mine, wrought by people at least as expert in the + business as the present generation. Some remains of the tools, and even of + the baskets used in the works, were discovered, but in such a decayed + state that, on being touched, they immediately crumbled to pieces. From + the remains which were found, there is reason to believe that the people + who wrought these collieries anciently, were acquainted with the use of + iron, some small pieces of which were found; it appeared as if some of + their instruments had been thinly shod with that metal." + </p> + <p> + Through various means the fact has been ascertained that although in the + sixth century the buildings in Ireland were mean and wholly without + artistic merit or skilful design, in an earlier age they were magnificent. + Of the causes which produced the decay of architecture, the extinction of + the arts and sciences, and the general degradation of the people of this + island the devotees of St. Paul and of the Romish Church are alike silent. + </p> + <p> + For ages after the subjection of Ireland, in open defiance of the English, + the people continued to dispense justice, and to enforce the old Brehon + laws of the country. + </p> + <p> + The lack of regard shown for English law in Ireland, even as late as the + sixteenth century, is set forth by Baron Fingles, who wrote in the time of + Henry VIII. He says: + </p> + <p> + "It is a great abuse and reproach that the laws and statutes made in this + land are not observed nor kept after the making of them eight days, while + diverse Irishmen cloth abuse and keep such laws and statutes which they + make upon hills in this country, firm and stable, without breaking them + for any favor or reward." + </p> + <p> + By a statute of Parliament enacted at Kilkenny, it was made high treason + to administer or observe these old Brehon laws. The two enactments + especially obnoxious to the English were Gahail Cinne, and Eiric. The + former of these enactments was that which in opposition to the English law + of primogeniture declared that the estate of a parent should descend in + equal proportion to all members of the family. There was another law, or + custom, among this people, which provided that the chief of the tribe or + people should be elected by general suffrage. + </p> + <p> + We have something more than a hint of the condition of ancient Ireland and + its people in a description given by the Greeks of one of its inhabitants. + Abarras, who visited Greece about six hundred years before Christ, and who + was called by the Greeks a Hyperborean, was a priest of the Sun, who went + abroad for the purpose of study and observation, and to renew by his + presence and his gifts the old friendship which had long existed between + the Celts and the Greeks. Strabo remarks concerning Abarras that he was + much admired by the learned men of Greece. Himerius says of him that he + came + </p> + <p> + "not clad in skins like a Scythian, but with a bow in his hand, and a + quiver on his shoulders and a plaid wrapped about his body, a gilded belt + encircled his loins, and trousers reaching from his waist downward to the + soles of his feet. He was easy in his address, agreeable in conversation, + active in dispatch and secret in the management of great affairs; quick in + judging of present occurrences, and ready to take his part in any sudden + emergency; provident, withal, in guarding against futurity; diligent in + quest of wisdom, fond of friendship; trusting very little to fortune; yet + having the entire confidence of others, and trusted with everything for + his prudence. He spoke Greek with so much fluency that you would have + thought that he had been bred or brought up in the Lyceum and had + conversed all his life with the Academy of Athens. He had frequent + intercourse with Pythagoras whom he astonished by the variety and extent + of his knowledge." + </p> + <p> + From the descriptions given of the native country of Abarras by the + Greeks, it is evident that it could have been none other than Ireland. + </p> + <p> + Although at this time in their history, Apollo the sun-god was the Deity + worshipped in Greece and in Ireland, still both nations honored Latona his + mother. The same as in the mother country (Persia, or Phoenicia), the + oracles, or sybils of Ireland, had prophesied a "Savior," and three + hundred years before Greek emissaries visited that country, its people, + through the preaching of Eastern missionaries, had substituted for the + worship of Latona and Apollo that of the new solar incarnation—the + third son of Zarathustra, whose appearance had been heralded by a star. + </p> + <p> + The identity of the symbols used by the early people of Ireland who were + sun worshippers, and those employed in that country for ages after the + Romish Church had usurped the ecclesiastical authority, has been a subject + for much comment. After describing the peculiar form of the early + Christian Churches and the attention paid to the placing of the windows + which were to admit the sun's rays, Smedley says: "It is possible, in an + age of allegory and figures, this combination and variety expressed some + sacred meaning with which we are unacquainted at present." + </p> + <p> + The similarity observed in the sacred festivals and religious seasons of + the ancient inhabitants of Ireland and those of the early Christians, the + extent to which large stone crosses, lighted candles, the yule log and the + various other symbols belonging to fertility, or sun worship, were + retained by Christianity, furnish strong evidence of the fact that the + latter system is but part and parcel of the former. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. STONES OR COLUMNS AS THE DEITY. + </h2> + <p> + "Throughout all the world, the first object of idolatry seems to have been + a plain unwrought stone, placed in the ground as an emblem of the + generative or procreative powers of Nature."(157) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 157) Celtic Druids, ch. vi., p. 209. +</pre> + <p> + In the language of symbolism the upright stone prefigures either a man, + reproductive energy, or a god, all of which at a certain stage in the + human career had come to mean one and the same thing; namely, the Creator. + </p> + <p> + In the earlier ages of male worship, upright stones as emblems of the + Deity were plain unwrought shafts, but in process of time they began to be + carved into the form of a man—a man who usually represented the + ruler or chief of the people, and who, as he was the source of all power + and wisdom, was supposed by the ignorant masses to be an incarnation of + the sun. Thus arose the spiritual power of monarchs, or the "divine right + of kings." + </p> + <p> + Wherever obelisks, columns, pillars, attenuated spires, upright stones or + crosses at the intersection of roads are found, they always appear as + sacred monuments, or as symbols of the Lingham god. + </p> + <p> + The Chaldean Tower of which there are extant traditions in Mexico and in + the South Sea Islands; the Round Towers of Ireland; the remarkable group + of stones known as Stonehenge, in England; the wonderful circle at Abury + through which the figure of a huge serpent was passed; the monuments which + throughout the nations of the East were set up at the intersection of + roads in the center of market-places, and the bowing stones employed as + oracles in various portions of the world, have all the same signification, + and proclaim the peculiar religion of the people who worshipped them. + </p> + <p> + Whether as among the Jews in Egypt, a pillar is set up as a "sign" and a + "witness" to the Lord, or whether as with the Mohammedans these figures + appear as minarets with egg shaped summits, or as among the Irish they + stand forth as stately towers defying time and the elements, or as among + the Christians they appear as the steeple which points towards heaven, the + symbol remains, and the original significance is the same. + </p> + <p> + The Lord of the Israelites who was wont to manifest himself to his chosen + people in a "pillar of smoke by day" and a "pillar of fire by night" is + said to be none other than a reproductive emblem, as was also the "Lord" + which "reposed in the ark of the covenant." Monuments set up to symbolize + the religion of the Parsees or fire-worshippers after they had succumbed + to the pressure brought to bear upon them by the adorers of the male + principle were each and all of them, like their great prototype the tower + of Babel, typical of the universal creative power which was worshipped as + male. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the fact that the male energy had come to be recognized as + the principal factor in reproduction, it is observed that wherever these + monuments or other symbols of fertility appear, there is always to be + found in close connection with them certain emblems symbolical of the + female power; thus showing that although the people by whom they were + erected had become worshippers of the masculine principle, and although + they had persuaded themselves that it was the more important element in + the deity, they had not become so regardless of the truths of Nature as to + attempt to construct a Creator independently of its most essential factor. + </p> + <p> + Protestant Christianity, probably the most intensely masculine of all + religious schemes which have claimed the attention of man, has not + wittingly retained any of the detested female emblems, yet so deeply has + the older symbolism taken root, that even in the architecture of the + modern Protestant church with its ark-shaped nave and its window toward + the rising sun, may be detected the remnants of that early worship which + the devotees of this more recently developed form of religious faith so + piously ignore. + </p> + <p> + The large number of upright columns, circles of stone, cromlechs and + cairns still extant in the British Isles, bears testimony to the peculiar + character of the religious worship which once prevailed in them. Of these + shrines perhaps none is more remarkable than that of Stonehenge, in + England. Although during the numberless ages which have passed since this + temple was erected many of the stones have fallen from their original + places, still by the light of more recently established facts concerning + religious symbolism, it has been possible, even under its present + condition of decay, for scholars to unravel the hitherto mysterious + significance of this remarkable structure. Stonehenge is composed of four + circles of mammoth upright shafts twenty feet high, the one circle within + the other, with immense stones placed across them like architraves. + </p> + <p> + In ancient symbolism the circle was the emblem of eternity, or of the + eternal female principle. Mountains were also sacred to the gods. It has + been said that a ring of mountains gave rise to these circular temples. + Faber assures us that a circular stone temple was called the circle of the + world or the circle of the ark, that it represented at once the inclosure + of the Noetic Ship; the egg from which creation was produced; the earth, + and the zodiacal circle of the universe in which the sun performs its + annual revolutions through the signs. Stonehenge is said to be the temple + of the water god Noah, who, as we have seen, was first worshipped as half + woman and half fish or serpent, but who finally came to be regarded as a + man serpent (or fish) Deity. + </p> + <p> + On approaching Stonehenge from the Northeast, the first object which + engages the attention is a rude boulder, sixteen feet high, in a leaning + posture. This stone has been named the Friar's Heel, but until recently + its signification has been wholly unknown. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the upright shaft which stands sentinel over the mysterious + circles of mammoth stones called Stonehenge, Forlong says that it is no + Friar's Heel, but an emblem of fertility dedicated to the Friday divinity. + It is represented as the "Genius of Fire," not the genius of ordinary + fire, "but of the super-sensual Divinity, celestial fire." + </p> + <p> + Regarding these remarkable stones to which the Lingham god is a mere + introduction, Forlong says: + </p> + <p> + "No one who has studied phallic and solar worship in the East could make + any mistake as to the purport of the shrine at Stonehenge... yet the + indelicacy of the whole subject often so shocks the ordinary reader, that, + in spite of facts, he cannot grant what he thinks shows so much debasement + of the religious mind; facts are facts, however, and it only remains for + us to account for them. Perhaps indeed in these later times an artificial + and lower phase of sensuality has taken the place of the more natural + indulgence of the passions, for procreative purposes, which principally + engrossed the thoughts of early worshippers."(158) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 158) Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 233. +</pre> + <p> + Higgins is of the opinion that Stonehenge is the work of the same era with + the caves of India, the pyramids of Egypt, and the stupendous monument at + Carnac—a structure which, it is claimed, must have required for its + construction an amount of labor equal to that of the pyramids. + </p> + <p> + Undoubtedly there has never been a religious shrine which has excited more + curiosity than has Abury, of which, unfortunately, nothing now remains, + although in the early part of the eighteenth century enough had been + preserved to prove the identity of its signification with other ancient + religious monuments both in the British Isles and in the countries of the + East. Perhaps there is no way by which this shrine can be better + understood than by quoting the exact language of those who have written + upon the subject. Especially is this true concerning the testimony of + those who, after personal investigation, have given to the public the + results of their research. + </p> + <p> + In the History of Wiltshisre, published by Sir R. Colt Hoare, Bart., + appears the following from Dr. Stukeley: + </p> + <p> + "The situation of Abury is finely chosen for the purpose it was destined + to, being the more elevated part of a plain, from whence there is almost + an imperceptible descent every way. But as the religious work in Abury, + though great in itself, is but a part of the whole (the avenues stretching + above a mile from it each way), the situation of the whole design is + projected with great judgment, in a kind of large, separate plain, four or + five miles in diameter. Into this you descend on all sides from higher + ground. The whole Temple of Abury may be considered as a picture, and it + really is so. Therefore the founders wisely contrived that a spectator + have an advantageous prospect of it as he appeared within view. When I + frequented this place, which I did for some years together, to take an + exact account of it, staying a fortnight at a time, I found out the entire + work by degrees. The second time I was here, an avenue was a new + amusement; the third year another. So that at length I discovered the + mystery of it, properly speaking, which was, that the whole figure + represented a snake transmitted through a circle. This is an hieroglyphic + or symbol of highest note and antiquity. + </p> + <p> + "In order to put this design in execution, the founders well studied their + ground; and to make their representation more natural, they artfully + carried it over a variety of elevations and depressions, which, with the + curvature of the avenues, produces sufficiently the desired effect. To + make it still more elegant and picture-like, the head of the snake is + carried up the southern promontory of Hackpen Hill, toward the village of + West Kennet; nay, the very name of the hill is derived from the + circumstance.... Thus our antiquity divides itself into three great parts, + which will be our rule in describing this work. The circle at Abury, the + forepart of the snake leading toward Kennet, which I call Kennet Avenue; + the hinder part of the snake leading toward Beckhampton, which I call + Beckhampton Avenue; for they may be well looked on as avenues to the great + temple at Abury, which part must be most eminently called the Temple. + </p> + <p> + "The plan on which Abury was built, is that sacred hierogram of the + Egyptians and other ancient nations, the circle and snake. The whole + figure is the circle, snake, and wings. By this they meant to picture out, + as well as they could, the nature of the Divinity." + </p> + <p> + The temple which represents the body of the snake is formed by a circular + agger of earth having its ditch withinside. As this is contrary to the + mode adopted in works of defence, it is thought to prove the religious + character of Abury. In a description given of this shrine by Higgins is + the following: + </p> + <p> + "These ramparts inclose an area of 1400 feet in diameter, which on the + edge nearest the ditch was set round with a row of rough, unhewn stones, + and in the center was ornamented with two circular temples, composed of + the same native stones."(159) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 159) Celtic Druids. Description of plates, p. xx. +</pre> + <p> + The space of ground included within the vellum has been estimated at + twenty-two acres, and the outward circumvallation was computed at 4800 + feet. The number of stones that formed this outer circle was originally + one hundred, of which, in the year 1722, there were eighteen standing, and + twenty-seven thrown down. + </p> + <p> + In the village of Rudstone in Yorkshire there stands a huge stone, the + significance of which, at the present time, is by scholars clearly + understood. Its depth below the surface of the ground is said to be equal + to its height above, which is twenty-four feet. It is five feet ten inches + broad, and two feet thick, its weight being upwards of forty tons.(160) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 160) See Rivers of Life. +</pre> + <p> + The gigantic rocking stones found in nearly every quarter of the globe are + now known to be religious monuments of remote antiquity. Not long ago I + saw a description of one of these oracles in Buenos-Ayres, South America, + and a few months later there appeared the following account of a similar + stone found in Sullivan Co., N. Y.: + </p> + <p> + "At first sight it would scarcely attract attention, but a closer + observation reveals the remarkable position which it occupies. The total + weight of the immense boulder has been variously estimated at from forty + to fifty tons, and its bulk at from 500 to 700 cubic feet. It is almost + perfectly round, much resembling a huge orange, and so nicely balanced on + a table of stone as to be easily set in motion by a single man, providing + the operator exerts his strength on the north or south sides. On either of + the other sides the combined strength of forty elephants would not be + sufficient to cause the least oscillation. Although it is easily rocked, + we are assured that as many men as could surround it would be unable to + dislodge it from the pivot on which it rests."(161) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 161) The St. Louis (Mo.) Republican. +</pre> + <p> + The writer of the above, who was evidently ignorant of the extent to which + these monuments are scattered over the earth, seemed to regard it as a + singular freak of Nature with no significance other than that of a natural + curiosity. + </p> + <p> + The round towers of Ireland, over the origin of which there has in the + past been so much controversy, are now pretty generally admitted to be + analogous in their use and design to Stonehenge, Abury, and other extant + monolithic structures. + </p> + <p> + Many writers have endeavored to prove that these towers were belfries used + in connection with Christian churches; others that they were purgatorial + columns or penitential heights, similar in design to the pillar of St. + Simeon Stylites. Others again have argued that they were used as beacons + and others that they were intended simply as receptacles for the sacred + fire known to have formerly been in use in the British Isles. Although + numberless arguments have been brought forward to refute these theories, + it is thought that the expensive architecture alone of the elegant and + stately columns known as Round Towers contradicts all these "guesses," and + that their grandeur and almost absolute indestructibility proclaim for + them a different origin from that of the lowly and miserable huts which in + a later age were erected beside them for purposes of worship by the Romish + Christians. The same objection is made also against the theory that these + monuments were erected in memory of the several defeats of the Danes. As + an answer to the argument that they were erected by the Danes to celebrate + their victories, it is declared that such is the character of the + hieroglyphics upon them as to make this theory worthless. Besides, + throughout the country of the Danes and Ostmen, there is nowhere to be + found an example of architectural splendor such as is displayed in the + construction of these columns. In the north of Scotland was one of these + monuments upon which were depicted war-like scenes, horses and their + riders, warriors brandishing their weapons, and troops shouting for + victory, while on the other side was a sumptuous cross, beneath which were + two figures, the one evidently female, the other male. + </p> + <p> + In Cordiner's Antiquities of Scotland is a description of an elaborately + carved obelisk. On one side of this column appears a mammoth cross, and + underneath it are figures of uncouth animals. Among these carvings are to + be seen the Bulbul of Iran, the Boar of Vishnu, the elk, the fox, the + lamb, and a number of dancing human figures. In fact all the + configurations are not only in their nature and import essentially + Eastern, but are actually the symbols of the various animal forms under + which "the people of the East contemplated the properties of the Godhead." + </p> + <p> + Carnac, in upper Egypt, is a monolith of the same symbolic character. It + is hewn from a solid block of black granite and is eighty feet high. + </p> + <p> + Henry O'Brien, a cultured Irishman, who when in London became, in his own + line of investigation, one of the chief contributors to Fraser's Magazine + while at its best, in response to a call by the Royal Irish Academy for + productions relating to the origin and use of the Round Towers, declared + that they were erected by a colony of Tuath-de-danaans, or Lingham + worshippers from Persia, who had left their native land because of the + victories gained over them by their rivals—the Pish de-danaans—a + sect of Yoni worshippers; in other words, the sect which recognized the + female element as the superior agency in reproduction, and who, therefore, + worshipped it as divine. In the devastating wars which swept over Persia + and the other countries of antiquity prior to the age of the later + Zoroaster, the Pish-de danaans were victorious, and, driving from the + country the Tuath-de danaans, or male worshippers, succeeded in + re-establishing, and for a time maintaining, the old form of worship. + O'Brien claims that the Tuath-de-danaans who were expelled from Persia + emigrated to Ireland, and there continued or preserved their favorite form + of worship, the Round Towers having been erected by them in conformity to + their peculiar religious views. This writer assures us that the old Irish + tongue bears unmistakable evidence of the relation existing between these + countries. In addition to the similarity of language which is found to + exist between ancient Ireland or Iren, and Persia or Iran, the same writer + observes that in all their customs, religious observances, and emblems, + the resemblance is preserved. + </p> + <p> + Much regret has been expressed by all the writers who have dealt with this + subject that at an earlier age when Stonehenge, Abury, and various other + of the ancient monumental shrines of the British Isles were in a better + state of preservation, and before bigotry and religious hatred had been + aroused against them, more minute observations of their character and of + all the details surrounding them could not have been made; yet, + notwithstanding the late date at which these investigations were begun, it + is believed that a fair amount of success has crowned the efforts which + have been put forth to unravel the mysteries bound up in them. + </p> + <p> + When we remember that every detail connected with the sacred monuments of + the ancients was full of significance that their religious ideas were all + portrayed by means of symbols which appeared in connection with their + sacred edifices—the extent to which a thorough understanding of + these details would assist in revealing the mysteries involved in the + universal religious conceptions may in a measure be realized. + </p> + <p> + The identity of the symbols used to express religious ideas, and the + extent to which the conceptions of a creative force have been connected in + all portions of the globe, are set forth in the following from Barlow: + </p> + <p> + "A complete history of religious symbolism should embrace all the + religions of antiquity no less than the Christian, and it would require as + thorough a knowledge of their tenets as of our own to explain + satisfactorily its influence in regulating the practice of art."(162) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 162) Symbolism, p. 10. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. SACRIFICES. + </h2> + <p> + Although the sun was formerly worshipped as the source of all good, at a + certain stage in the human career it came to be regarded as the cause of + all evil. When Typhon Seth comprehended the powers of Nature, as the + Destroyer and Regenerator she was the author of all good; but later, after + the truths underlying Nature worship were lost, Typhon, the hot wind of + the desert, was feared rather than worshipped. + </p> + <p> + In the history of an earlier age of existence, there is not to be found + the slightest trace of human sacrifice to atone for the sins of the + people, or to appease the wrath of an offended God. On the contrary, + throughout the traditions and monumental records of the most ancient + nations, sacrifices to the Deity—the God of Nature—consisted + simply in the acknowledgment of earth's benefits by means of a free-will + offering of the bounties which she had brought forth. + </p> + <p> + That the sacrifice either of human beings or of animals was not offered in + an earlier age of religious faith is confidently asserted and, I think, + proved by various writers. Of this Higgins says: "I think a time may be + perceived when it did not exist even among the Western nations." This + writer states also that it was not always practiced at Delphi. Mention is + made of the fact that among the Buddhists, to whom belongs the first book + of Genesis, no bloody sacrifices were ever offered. + </p> + <p> + It was doubtless under the worship of Muth, Neith, or Minerva, the first + emanation from the deity and the original Buddha, that the first book of + Genesis or Wisdom was written. In this book may be observed the fact that + the slaughter of animals is forbidden. It is thought that with Crishna, + Hercules, and the worshippers of the sun in Aries, the sacrifice of human + beings and animals began. In the second book of Genesis, which is said to + be a Brahmin work, animals are first used for sacrifice, and in the third + book, or the book of Generations or Re-generations of the race of man or + the Adam, which was written after the pure doctrines connected with the + worship of Wisdom had been corrupted, they are first allowed to be eaten + as food. + </p> + <p> + It is supposed that the practice of sacrificing human beings and animals + took its rise in the western parts of the world after the sun entered + Aries, and that it subsequently extended even to the followers of the + Tauric worship, among whom it was carried to a frightful extent. It is + also thought that the history of Cain and Abel is an allegory of the + followers of Crishna to justify their sacrifice of the yajna or lamb "in + opposition to the Buddhist offering of bread and wine, or water, made by + Cain and practiced by Melchizedek."(163) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 163) Anacalypsis, vol. i., p. 101. +</pre> + <p> + It is now positively known that all over the world, during a certain stage + of religious belief, either human beings or animals were, at stated + seasons, sacrificed to the Deity. Of the universality of this practice + Faber says: + </p> + <p> + "Throughout the whole world we find a notion prevalent that the gods could + be appeased only by bloody sacrifices. Now this idea is so thoroughly + arbitrary, there being no obvious and necessary connection, in the way of + cause and effect, between slaughtering a man or a beast, and recovering of + the divine favor by the slaughterers, that its very universality involves + the necessity of concluding that all nations have borrowed it from some + common source."(164) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 164) The Origin of Pagan Idolatry, vol. i., book 2, p. 465. +</pre> + <p> + Dr. Shuckford is constrained to admit that the sacrifices and ceremonies + of purification practiced by Abraham and his descendants and those of + surrounding peoples, were identical, with only "such trifling changes as + distance of countries and length of time might be expected to produce." + The substitution of a lamb in the place of Isaac would seem to indicate a + change from child-slaughter to that of animals. + </p> + <p> + Sacrifices were offerings to the god of pro-creation. Certain + representatives of the life which he had bestowed must be returned to him + as a free-will gift. In many countries, the victims offered to the deity + were captives taken in war; but, as prisoners of war and slaves were not + permitted to join in the battles of their captors, their lives were of + little value; hence, later, it is observed that the sacrificial victim + must be a prince or an individual whose life was of great importance to + the tribe. + </p> + <p> + As in all hot countries the heat of the sun is the most destructive agency + against which mankind have to contend, it is not perhaps singular, at a + time when superstition had usurped the functions of the reasoning powers, + that the sun-god should have been invested with the attributes inspired by + terror, and that so far as possible, mankind should have deemed it + necessary to propitiate its wrath, and, by rendering to it suitable + offerings and sacrifices, they should have hoped to avert the calamities + incident to its displeasure. Neither is it remarkable when we remember the + peculiar circumstances surrounding the Jews, and the fact that the + offerings demanded by their god was the life which he had bestowed, that + the sacrifices offered to Moloch, the fire god, should have been the + members of their own household—namely, their children. + </p> + <p> + We must not forget that the reward promised this people by prophet, + priest, and diviner for godliness was extreme fruitfulness of body. We + have seen that to obtain this mark of godly favor, or, under pretense of + serving their god, the form of worship prescribed by their priests, and + adopted both in their households and in their temples was pre-eminently + sensual, and calculated to stimulate and encourage to the highest extent + their lower or animal nature. + </p> + <p> + As the size of a man's family, or his power to reproduce, was an index to + his favor with the Almighty the pleasure of the "Lord" in this matter + being but the reflection of his own desires, the result as might + reasonably be expected was overpopulation to such an extent that the means + of subsistence within the small boundary of Judea was inadequate to supply + the demands of the swarming masses of "God's children"—children + which had been created for his honor and glory. Surely some plan must be + devised whereby these difficulties might be adjusted, and that, too, to + use a modern expression, without flying in the face of Providence. As the + Lord had been honored and man blessed in the mere bringing forth of + offspring, what better scheme, so soon as such blessings became too + numerous, than to return a certain number of them to the giver, the god of + Moloch? It is true that by this process children were born only to be + delivered over to the ravages of the fire-god, but by it, was not their + deity both served and appeased at the same time that population was kept + within the bounds of subsistence? That great numbers were thus sacrificed + is only too apparent from the accounts in the Jewish scriptures—Abraham's + acts and those of Jephtha being examples of the manner in which this god + was propitiated. + </p> + <p> + In Micah, vi. chap., 7th verse, occurs an interrogation which furnishes + something more than a hint of the practice among the Jews of child + sacrifice. "Shall I give my first born for my transgressions, the fruit of + my body for the sin of my soul?" + </p> + <p> + Although there is sufficient evidence to prove the enormous extent to + which the practice of child sacrifice prevailed among the Jews, it is + believed that much more proof would be found, had it not, in later times, + with a view to concealing the extent of this practice, been expunged from + their sacred writings. Moloch was to the Jews what Siva came to be to the + Hindoos, namely, the Terrible. It is plain, however, that Siva was not + formerly feared in India, but next to Vishnu was the best beloved of all + their gods. Siva was originally the androgyne god who was not only the + Destroyer, but the beneficent Regenerator and purifier. It was the cold of + winter and the heat of the sun. It was a conception which was a direct + outgrowth of Nature worship or of that religious idea which was portrayed + by a mother and her child. + </p> + <p> + The conception involved in sacrifice seems to be that of a payment for + services rendered, or desired. The Amazulus, when going to battle, + sacrifice to the manes of their ancestors, who, as older branches of the + tree of life, appear to constitute their god-idea. This is done that their + gods "may have no cause of complaint, because they have made amends to + them and made them bright." On appearing before the enemy they say: "Can + it be, since we have made amends to the Amadhlozi, that they will say we + have wronged them by anything?"(165) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 165) Viscount Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., p. 32. +</pre> + <p> + At a certain stage in human history the various peoples of the globe + depended upon excessive numbers for their prosperity, hence the most + precious offering to the god of pro-creation was that of human victims. + </p> + <p> + In India, when a new colony or city was founded, in order to insure its + prosperity, large numbers of children were delivered over as a bribe or + offering of reconciliation to the god of virility. The enormous extent to + which human sacrifice has prevailed in India, in Egypt, in Mexico, among + the Carthaginians, the Jews, the Druids, and even among the Greeks and + Romans, is well attested. + </p> + <p> + From the records of extant history, it would seem that human sacrifice + usually accompanies a certain stage of sun-worship. Among the Aztecs in + Mexico, a country in which the sun was a universal object of reverence and + in which one of the prescribed duties of the boys trained in the temple + was that of keeping alive the sacred fires, the immolation of victims + became the most prominent feature of their public worship. We are + distinctly told, however, that human sacrifice was not formerly practiced + in Mexico, but that finally here as elsewhere, the idea became prevalent + that by sacrificing human victims to the god of Destruction, his wrath + might be appeased and the people saved from his vengeance. It is stated + that human sacrifices were adopted by the Aztecs early in the fourteenth + century, about two hundred years before the conquest. "Rare at first, they + became more frequent with the wider extent of their empire; till, at + length, almost every festival was closed with this cruel abomination." + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding these atrocities, in their conceptions of a future state + of existence, and especially in their disposition of the unregenerate + after death, are to be observed certain traces of human feeling and + refined sensibility which are difficult to reconcile with the cruelty + practiced in their religious rites, and which bear a striking contrast to + the physical torture, to which after death the wicked are subjected not + only in Mexico, but in countries professing a high stage of civilization + and culture. + </p> + <p> + Of their religious observances, those which had doubtless been inherited + from an older civilization, Prescott, quoting from Torquemada and Sahagun, + says: + </p> + <p> + "Many of their ceremonies were of a light and cheerful complexion, + consisting of the national songs and dances, in which both sexes joined. + Processions were made of women and children crowned with garlands and + bearing offerings of fruits, the ripened maize, or the sweet incense of + copal and other odoriferous gums, while the altars of the deity were + stained with no blood save that of animals. These were the peaceful rites + derived from their Toltec predecessors."(166) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 166) See Conquest of Mexico, book I, chap. iii., p. 74. +</pre> + <p> + Prior to the days of Montezuma, the Aztec priests had engrafted upon these + simple ceremonies not only a burdensome ceremonial, and a polytheism + similar to that of Eastern nations, but, as we have seen, human sacrifices + and even cannibalism had become prominent features in religious worship. + Throughout the entire ceremonial and religious conceptions of the Aztecs + may be observed a display of the savage and brutal elements in human + nature, in close connection with unmistakable evidence of a once higher + stage of culture and refinement. + </p> + <p> + In the later ages of Aztec history their most exalted deity was + Huitzilopotchi, the Mexican Moses, the god of war. His temples were the + most costly and magnificent among the public edifices in the country, and + his image bedecked with ornaments was an universal object of adoration. At + the dedication of his temple in the year 1486 more than seventy thousand + captives are said to have perished.(167) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 167) Torquemada. +</pre> + <p> + A Deity which occupied a conspicuous place in the mythology, and which was + probably an inheritance from more ancient times, was Quetzalcoatl, + doubtless the same as the Eastern Goddess of Nature, or Wisdom. She was + the "grain goddess," and "received offerings of fruit and flowers" at her + two great festivals. She also took care of the growth of corn. She was + doubtless the same as the Earth Mother of the Finns and Esths, she who + "undertakes the task of bringing forth the fruits." She is evidently the + Demeter of the Greeks, the Ceres of the Romans, etc. She is also the + goddess of Wisdom, for she had "instructed the nations in the use of + metals, in agriculture, and in the art of government." Under this Deity + the + </p> + <p> + "Earth had teemed with fruits and flowers without the pains of culture. An + ear of Indian corn was as much as a single man could carry. The cotton, as + it grew, took, of its own accord, the rich dies of human art. The air was + filled with intoxicating perfumes and the sweet melody of birds. In short, + these were the halcyon days, which find a place in the mythic systems of + so many nations throughout the world. It was the golden age of Anuhuac." + </p> + <p> + We are given to understand that for some cause not explained the + beneficent god Quetzalcoatl was banished, that he (or she) was deposed + through the influence of some deity which had become more popular, or, at + least, more powerful; but that when Quetzalcoatl departed from the country + "in a winged skiff made of serpent skins," it was with a promise to return + to the faithful, which promise was sacredly cherished down to the time of + the Spanish invasion. + </p> + <p> + The Mexican Mars, Huitzilopotchi, was born of a virgin. His mother, a + devout person, while at her devotions in the temple saw floating before + her a bright colored feather ball, which she seized and placed in her + bosom. She soon became pregnant, her offspring being a god, who like + Minerva appeared full armed with spear and helmet. + </p> + <p> + Although the exact manner in which the Mexicans sacrificed to their Deity + to atone for the sins of the people differs somewhat from the modus + operandi employed in the Christian vicarious atonement, still the likeness + existing between them is sufficient to indicate the fact of their common + origin and the similar manner of their development. + </p> + <p> + The Mexicans were wont to select a young and handsome man from their + midst, whom they invested with the dignity of a god. After having + surrounded him with every luxury, and when they had showered upon him + every attention, crowning him with flowers and worshipping him for a year + or more as a Savior, they killed him, offering him as an atonement or + sacrifice, in order that the rest of the people might escape the vengeance + of their great Deity, who, it was claimed, is pleased with such offerings, + and who demands sacrifices of this kind at the hands of his children. + Within blood was contained life, hence the offering of a bloody victim was + but the returning to their god, as a free-will gift that which he had + bestowed, such sacrifice being regarded as the only acceptable means of + grace or reconciliation. + </p> + <p> + That the offering of a victim to the Jewish God was deemed necessary to + the fulfilment of Christian doctrine is a fact which is clearly shown by + numerous passages in the New Testament. "We are sanctified through the + offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." "By one offering he + hath perfected forever them that are sanctified."(168) "Christ was once + offered to bear the sins of many."(169) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 168) Hebrews, x., 10, 14. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 169) Ibid., ix., 28. +</pre> + <p> + That the Jewish Paschal feasts and the Eucharistic rites of Christians had + their counterpart among the Mexicans is observed in the fact that shortly + after the death of their god, cakes which had been prepared and blessed by + the priests were offered by them to the people to be eaten as the + veritable body of their sacrificed lord. + </p> + <p> + The source whence the doctrine of an atonement—a bloody sacrifice + which lies at the foundation of Christian theology—has proceeded is + not at the present time difficult to determine, for we shall presently see + that it, like all the leading doctrines contained in this later system, + and which are regarded as exclusively Christian, had its origin in the + religion of past ages, a religion which although originally pure, in + course of time degenerated into the grossest phallicism and even into + human sacrifice and cannibalism. + </p> + <p> + Although among the Mexicans as among the Jews, human sacrifices were + offered to the Deity, no hint of gross and sensual rites practiced in the + temples of the latter is recorded. Hence, as the Mexicans had not arrived + at that stage of religious progress (?) at which sensuality inculcated as + a sacred duty, and at which moral and physical debasement was encouraged + both in public and private life, we may reasonably conclude that their + faith represents a somewhat earlier stage of development than does that of + either Jew or Greek. In point of morality, as judged by the most ancient + standards, or by the more modern, the Mexicans compare favorably with + either of these nationalities. Indeed when we compare the social, + religious, and civil conditions of Mexico as we find them under Montezuma + with those of the Jews under David or Solomon, or with those of the Greeks + under Solon, or even with those of the Christians during the Spanish + Inquisition when thousands upon thousands, not of captives taken in war, + but of the noblest and best of the land, were yearly slaughtered for "the + glory of God," there is quite as much to meet the approval of an + enlightened conscience under the first named system as under that of any + one of the other three. + </p> + <p> + By priests the fact has long been understood that effects may be produced + through appeals to the religious or emotional nature which under other + circumstances would be impossible; and as, for thousands of years, it has + been the special business of this class to formulate creeds for the + ignorant masses, religious belief and the ceremonies connected with + "sacred" worship, during certain periods of the world's history, have + assumed a grotesqueness in design unsurpassed by the most fanciful fairy + tales which the imagination has ever been able to create, at the same time + that they have portrayed a depth of sensual degradation capable of being + reached only by that order of creation which alone has been able to + develop a religion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. THE CROSS AND A DYING SAVIOR. + </h2> + <p> + In Egypt, the cross when unaccompanied by any other symbol signified + simply creative energy both female and male, but whenever a distinctively + female emblem was present it denoted the male power alone. The Ibis, which + is represented with human hands and feet, bears the staff of Isis in one + hand and the cross in the other. There is scarcely an obelisk or monument + in Egypt upon which this figure does not appear. The symbol or monogram of + Venus was a circle and a cross, that of Saturn was a cross and a ram's + horn. + </p> + <p> + Plato declared that the son of God was expressed upon the universe in the + form of the letter X, and that the second power of the supreme God was + figured on the universe in the shape of a cross. + </p> + <p> + There is little doubt that the early Christians understood full well the + true meaning of the cross, and that it was no new device. In later ages, + however, every monument of antiquity marked with this symbol was claimed + by the Church and by it believed to be of Christian origin. + </p> + <p> + It is related that when the temple of Serapis at Alexandria was overthrown + by one of the Christian Emperors, beneath its foundation was discovered + the monogram of Christ. The Christians made use of this circumstance to + prove the divine origin of their religion, "thereby making many converts." + The Pagans, on the contrary, were of the opinion that "it should forever + silence the claim put forward by the devotees of Christianity." It is + plain, however, that the Christians had the better of the argument for + "the cross being uneasy under the weight of the temple overthrew it." + </p> + <p> + On the coins of Decius, the great persecutor of the Christians, is to be + observed the monogram of Christ which is also the monogram of Osiris and + Jupiter Ammon. On a medal proved to be Phoenician appear the cross, the + rosary, and the lamb. There is another form of the same monogram which + signifies DCVIII. These devices although in use hundreds of years prior to + the Christian era are all said to be monograms of Christ. At the present + time they may be seen in almost every church in Italy. + </p> + <p> + In the cave of Elephanta, in India, appears the cross in connection with + the figure which represents male reproductive power. Inman relates that a + cross with a rosary attached has been found in use among the religious + emblems of the Japanese Buddhists and the lamas of Thibet, and that in one + of the frescoes of Pompeii, published at Paris, 1840, is to be seen, vol. + v., plate 28, the representation of a phallic cross in connection with two + small figures of Hermes.(170) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 170) Inman, Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., p. 408. +</pre> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Maurice adds his testimony to that of other investigators to + show the universality of this emblem. He says that the principal pagodas + in India, viz., those of Bernares and Mathura, are built in the form of a + cross. + </p> + <p> + In the museum of the London University is a mummy upon whose breast is a + cross "exactly in the shape of a cross upon Calvary." + </p> + <p> + The true significance of this emblem, and the reason for its adoration are + not, at the present time, difficult to understand; but whence comes the + symbol of a dead man on a cross, and what is its true meaning? + </p> + <p> + Perhaps there is no problem connected with ancient symbolism, or with + mythical religion, which is more difficult to solve, than is the + representation of a dying Savior on a cross. It is stated by those who + have investigated this subject, that although the sun, or the fructifying + power within it, was adored by all the historic nations, no hint of a + cross is to be found amongst the most ancient Nature worshippers. We must + then look for a solution of this problem to those ages in which the higher + truths of an older race were partially forgotten, and to a time when + phallic worship had supplanted the adoration of Light or Wisdom. The cross + doubtless came into use as a religious emblem at a time when the sexes in + union began to stand for the god-idea, the lower end of the upright shaft + being transfixed to the horizontal bar. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the male energy became god, the cross gradually grew into the + figure of a man with arms extended. It became the original "life giver," + it was Adam, the creator of the race. Doubtless for ages Adam represented + the god-man-phallus-Tree of Life, or cross idea. He was the progenitor of + the race. From this same idea sprang ancestor worship, or the deification + of the past vital spark. The adoration paid to the Lares and Penates, the + household gods of the Romans, on the first of May, is an example of this + worship, as is also the homage paid by the Chinese to their progenitors. + </p> + <p> + Of religious emblems R. P. Knight says that one of the most remarkable + among them is a cross in the form of the letter T which was used as an + emblem of creation and generation before the church adopted it as a sign + of salvation. To this representation of male reproductive power "was + sometimes added a human head, which gives it the appearance of a crucifix, + as it has on the medal of Cyzicus." + </p> + <p> + Originally the figure of a dead man on a cross typified creation and + destruction or the operations of the creative forces in Nature. Everything + dies only to live again. Although man dies, and although the individual + man becomes but a dead branch on the tree of life, still the tree lives. + Through the cross-phallus idea, or through man's power to create, + existence on the earth continues. Although the sun dies in winter, in + spring it revives again to quicken and enliven Nature and make all things + new. + </p> + <p> + There is much evidence to show that a dying figure on a cross was no new + conception at the advent of Christianity. Crishna, whose history as we + have seen is almost identical with that of Christ, and Ballaji, from whom + the thorn-crowned figures of Jesus have doubtless been copied, are + illustrations of this mythical figure of a crucified savior in India. + </p> + <p> + It seems altogether probable from the facts at hand that the Romans + worshipped a cross with a dying figure of a man upon it. Minucius Felix, a + Christian father, in defense of his religion, has the following passage: + </p> + <p> + "You certainly, who worship wooden gods, are the most likely people to + adore wooden crosses, as being parts with the same substance as your + deities. For what else are your ensigns, flags, and standards but crosses + gilt and purified? Your victorious trophies not only represent a simple + cross, but a cross with a man upon it. When a pure worshipper adores the + true God with hands extended, he makes the figure of a cross. Thus you see + that the sign of the cross has either some foundation in Nature, or in + your own religion, and therefore not to be objected against Christians." + </p> + <p> + Higgins says that it is proved as completely as it is possible to prove a + fact of this kind that the Romans had a crucified object of adoration, and + that this could be no other than an incarnation of the God Sol, + represented in some way to have been crucified. + </p> + <p> + An ancient medal found in Cyprus has upon one of its sides the figure of a + crucified man with the chaplet or rosary, the same as those now in use by + Romanists. From the style of workmanship it is thought that this medal + must have been anterior to the Macedonian conquest. + </p> + <p> + There is little doubt that the early fathers and the bishops in the + Christian church recognized in the cross the ancient emblem of fertility, + but as the idea of a spiritual life had begun to take root, it was deemed + proper to conceal its real significance; hence from a symbol representing + the continuity of existence on the earth the cross now prefigured eternal + life or existence after death. Henceforward although man was dead in + transgressions, through the cross, or through the crucified Christ, he + received eternal life. + </p> + <p> + That the original signification of this symbol was understood by early + Christians is apparent from the fact that the Emperor Theodosius, between + the years 378 and 395, issued a decree prohibiting the sign of the cross + being sculptured or painted on the pavements of churches. Tertullian also, + after declaring that the devil made the sign of the cross on the foreheads + of the followers of the Persian Mithra, accused the Christians of adoring + the same emblem. + </p> + <p> + In 280, A. C. Porphyry, referring to crosses, asked why theologists give + passions to the gods, erect Phalli and use shameful language; to which the + Christian Iamblichus in the year 336 replied: "Because Phalli and crosses + are signs of productive energy, and provocative to a continuance of the + world." + </p> + <p> + It was not until the second century, or until after the days of Justin + Martyr, that the instrument upon which Jesus was executed was called a + cross. But whatever may have been its form, as soon as the myths of former + religious worship began to attach themselves to his history, he became the + symbolical dead man on a cross, the original sacrifice to Mahadeva. He + portrayed the same idea as did Crishna, Ballaji, the dying Osiris, and all + the other sun-gods. He, like each of these, represented a new sun at the + beginning of a new cycle. He was a risen savior, and to him were finally + transferred all the festivals, seasons, symbols, and monograms of former + solar deities. That the figure of a dead man on a cross was a familiar + emblem throughout Asia and various portions of Europe, and that numberless + crucified gods—incarnations of the sun—have been worshipped + throughout the East, is a fact which it has been the aim of the initiated + among the Christian clergy to conceal, but one which no one who has + examined the evidence with a mind free from prejudice attempts to deny. + </p> + <p> + In Italy, on many of the earlier pictures of Christ, may be observed the + words Deo Soli, which inscription signifies either "to the only God," or + "to the God Sol." + </p> + <p> + Of the various so-called Christian antiquities which cover the walls of + the Vatican, we are assured by those who have acquainted themselves with + the signification of pagan symbolism that "they have no more reference to + Christianity than they have to the Emperor of China." The same may be said + with reference to the representations on the walls of the Catacombs. + </p> + <p> + Crishna, who was the equinoctial sun in Aries, appeared 2160 years after + the first Buddha, who was the equinoctial sun in Taurus. According to + Plutarch they were both modern gods when compared with the deities which + gave names to the planets. Buddha, or the sun in Taurus, was worshipped in + the form of a bull. Crishna, or the sun in Aries, was adored under the + figure of a ram with a man's head. The true significance of these figures + was the fructifying sun or reproductive energy as manifested in animal + life, and this meaning to those who worshipped them was identical with the + carved figures on the caves of India, the Lares and Penates of the Romans, + and the stone pillars or crosses in the market-places and at the + intersection of roads in Brittany. + </p> + <p> + Eusebius says that at Elephanta they adored a Deity in the figure of a man + in a sitting posture painted blue, having the head of a ram with the horns + of a goat encircling a disk. The Deity thus described is said to be of + astronomical origin, denoting the power of the sun in Aries. + </p> + <p> + This figure, which was one of the representations of the sun-god Crishna, + was worshipped both in India and in Egypt. In various of the + manifestations of this Deity he appears in the act of killing a serpent. + He was the dead man on a cross and also the sun, which although + continually dying is constantly being revived again. Various incarnations + of this God have appeared as crucified saviors. + </p> + <p> + Of the avatar of Crishna known as Ballaji or Baal-Jah little is positively + known. Indeed there seems to be some impenetrable mystery surrounding this + figure, which makes it impossible for scholars to absolutely prove that + which by means of the evidence at hand amounts almost to a certainty. + </p> + <p> + A print by Moore of this god represents him in the shape of a Romish + crucifix, but although there is a nail hole in his foot he is not + transfixed to a wooden cross. Instead of a crown of thorns a Parthian + coronet encircles his head. As all the avatars of Crishna are represented + with coronets, this fact has caused several writers to observe that the + effigies of Ballaji have furnished the copies for the thorn-crowned Jesus. + Through the ignorance of the early Christians who in the second century + adopted the religion of Crishna, the true significance of this coronet was + not understood, hence the thorns upon the head of Christ. In referring to + the effigy of a crucified savior found in Ireland the author of The Round + Towers says that it was not intended for our Savior for the reason that it + wore the Iranian regal crown, instead of the Jewish crown of thorns.(171) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 171) The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 298. +</pre> + <p> + Regarding this effigy, Higgins remarks that the crucified body without the + cross reminds one that "some of the ancient sects of heretics held Jesus + to have been crucified in the clouds." + </p> + <p> + Moore, who has produced several prints of Ballaji, says he is unable to + account for the pierced foot of a crucified figure in India. He endeavors + to prove, however, that this crucifix cannot be Hindoo "because there are + duplicates of it from the same model." As the mould is made of clay, he + contends that only one cast may be made from it. This argument falls to + the ground, however, so soon as it is found that duplicates, or copies of + these brass idols which may not be distinguished from the originals, are + seen in the museum at the India House, and also in that of the Asiatic + Society. + </p> + <p> + The admission of Moore that "great influence was brought to bear upon him + to induce him not to publish the prints of Ballaji for fear of giving + offense," serves as a hint in determining the cause for the lack of + information respecting this god. + </p> + <p> + It is believed that, were the development of truth upon this subject + rather than its concealment the object of Christian missionaries, the + temples of Ballaji would have furnished more important information to the + Christian world than would those of any other of the Hindoo gods; but + while numberless pilgrimages have been made to Juggernaut and other + shrines devoid of interest to the student, we have heard little concerning + the shrines of this deity, although at the time Moore wrote, Terputty was + in the possession of the English who made a profit of L15,000 a year from + the temple. + </p> + <p> + On the Brechin Tower in Ireland are two arches one within the other in + relief. At the top of the arch is a crucifix, and about midway from top to + bottom on either side are two figures which, according to Romanist + Christians, represent the Virgin Mary and St. John. At the bottom of the + outer arch are two couchant beasts, the one an elephant and the other a + bull. The figure on the cross has a Parthian coronet. The appearance of a + crucifix on the towers of Britain and Ireland has in the past led many + writers to ascribe to these singular structures a Christian origin. To the + critical observer, however, the first question which presents itself is + whence comes the elephant—an animal not found within these + countries?—and again why should these beasts have been placed here + as Christian emblems? The facts in the case as revealed by unprejudiced + investigators are, that the towers in Ireland are not Christian monuments, + and that the crucifix found on them is not that of Christ but of Ballaji, + or of some one of the avatars of Crishna. + </p> + <p> + The fact that the figure of Crishna as a crucified god was found in the + ruins of a temple at Thebes in Egypt, is sufficient to prove his + antiquity; still, as we have seen, he represents the god-idea at a much + later date than did Buddha. Regarding the evidence furnished by the Rev. + Mr. Maurice of the ten avatars of the Indian sun-god, Higgins observes: + </p> + <p> + "The only fact worthy of notice here is, that Buddha was universally + allowed to be the first of the incarnations; that Crishna was of later + date; that, at the era of the birth of Christ, eight of them had appeared + on the earth, and that the other two were expected to follow before the + end of the Caliyug, or of the present age." + </p> + <p> + With reference to the fact that the Hindoo God originally represented + Wisdom or the Logos, the same writer says: + </p> + <p> + "Then here is DIVINE WISDOM incarnate, of whom the Bull of the Zodiac was + the emblem. HERE he is the Protagonos, or first begotten, the God or + Goddess Mhtis of the Greeks, being, perhaps, both male and female. Buddha, + or the wise, if the word were not merely the name of a doctrine, seems to + have been an appellation taken by several persons, or one person incarnate + at several periods, and from this circumstance much confusion has + arisen."(172) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 172) Anacalypsis, book v., p. 201. +</pre> + <p> + Concerning the religion of an ancient race the following facts have been + ascertained, namely: + </p> + <p> + The first of the Buddhas or Incarnations of the Deity was Minerva, and her + mother, who was the sun, was the mother of all the Buddhas. She was Mhtis, + Mubt or Mai, "the universal genius of Nature, who discriminated all things + according to their various kinds of species." + </p> + <p> + In the earliest ages she comprehended not only matter but the moving force + in the universe. She was the Deity which by a very ancient race was + represented by the mother idea—Perceptive Wisdom. She was the sun + and the first emanation from the sun. She was the Divine Word, the Logos, + the Holy Ghost which in the time of Christ was again by various sects + recognized as female. The allegory of the Greeks concerning Jupiter taking + Mhtis (Wisdom) to wife and from this union with her producing Minerva from + his head, is seen to be closely connected with the doctrine of Buddha + (Wisdom) or of the Rasit of Genesis. According to Faber, the import of the + Greek word Nous and of the Sanscrit Menu is precisely the same: each + denotes mind or intelligence, and to the latter of them the Latin Mens is + nearly allied. "Mens, Menu, and perhaps our English mind are fundamentally + one and the same word." All these terms in an earlier age meant Buddha, + Wisdom, or Minerva. + </p> + <p> + Later, with the worship of the sun in Aries, appeared a crucified savior. + During the earlier ages of Crishnaism, the ideas typified by a dying + savior were still those pertaining to the processes of Nature. Matter was + still believed to be indestructible and seeming death but a preparation + for renewed life, or for birth into another state of existence + Subsequently this dying sun-god, which disappeared in winter only to + return again to re-animate Nature, became a veritable man—a man on a + cross who must be sacrificed to Mahadeva in order that humanity might be + saved. Here we have the origin of the doctrine of a Vicarious Atonement. + Later, under the system called Christianity, woman, who had previously + become identified with the evil principle, became the Tempter. She was the + cause of sin in the world and wholly responsible for the evil results + arising from desire. Indeed, according to the doctrines annunciated by the + Christian Church, had woman, who was an after thought of the Almighty, + never been created, man would have lived forever in a state of purity and + bliss, free alike from the toils, pains, and temptations of life, and from + the crafts and assaults of the Devil. + </p> + <p> + Through the over-stimulation of the animal instincts man had become wholly + unable to overcome the evil in his constitution, hence the adoption of the + doctrine of Original Sin and the necessity for an Atonement, or for a + crucified savior, who would take upon himself the sins of poor, weak human + nature. By simply believing on this crucified redeemer, man would be + saved, not from sin itself, but from the penalty of sin. To bolster up the + belief in original sin and the necessity for an atonement, the allegory of + the fruit tree and the serpent in Genesis was taken literally. + </p> + <p> + The more the religion of the past is studied the more plainly will the + fact appear, that not only have the ceremonies, symbols, festivals, and + seasons adopted by Christianity been copied from India and Persia, but + also that all the leading doctrines of the so-called Christian Church + originated in those countries. The belief in a Trinity, the Incarnation of + the Deity, a Crucified Savior, Original Sin and a Vicarious Atonement, the + last three having been elaborated after the ancient natural truths + underlying sun worship had been forgotten, are all to be found in the + East. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of a Trinity is supposed to have been received directly from + the Platonists, who had learned it from the Persians; while that of a + Crucified Savior, and also that of the seed of the woman bruising the + serpent's head, belong, as we have seen, to the religion of Crishna. + </p> + <p> + Concerning Original Sin, which is the foundation of the doctrine of the + "Atonement," it is plain that it was not known to the earlier followers of + Christ, but that it was subsequently copied from the corrupted religion of + the Hindoos. + </p> + <p> + The symbolical meaning of the serpent and the Tree of Life was doubtless + understood by the earliest adherents to the Christian faith; it is not + surprising, therefore, that by them there is no mention of the doctrine of + Original Sin. Their theory to account for evil in the world was the same + as that of an ancient and almost forgotten race. The belief that the soul + of man is a spark from, or a part of the universal soul, that at the death + of the body it returns to its source, and in process of time appears as + the animating principle in other bodies, was believed by Pythagoras, + Aspasia, Socrates, and Plato and, in fact, for thousands of years it was + entertained by the best and wisest of the human race. It was a part of the + early Christian doctrine and is still believed by the followers of Buddha + and by the Theosophists of Europe and America. + </p> + <p> + Doubtless the doctrines of Re-incarnation and Karma were set forth by + those very ancient philosophers who were the near descendants of the + inventors of the Neros and the Metonic cycle—those who believed in + the indestructibility of matter, and that spirit proceeds from or is + evolved through it. It was an effort on their part to solve the problem of + the existence of evil, and was far more satisfactory to the reasoning mind + than was the literal translation of the story of the woman, the forbidden + apple, and the talking serpent in Genesis. + </p> + <p> + Original sin of which woman is said to be the cause, and the necessity for + a spiritual (male) savior to deliver man from the wretchedness which she + had produced, are doctrines which took their rise in the grossest + ignorance, and in an entire misconception of the natural truths which had + previously been set forth by the figure of a dying sun-god. Original Sin + and a Vicarious Atonement—doctrines by means of which man has + attempted to evade moral responsibility and the legitimate results of + evil-doing—have, by weakening his moral sense, and by shifting the + responsibility of his deeds upon another, resulted in greatly lowering the + standard of human conduct. + </p> + <p> + Science teaches that the penalty for sin is inherent in it, and that + virtue is its own reward; the so-called Christian doctrines assert that + although a man's sins be as scarlet, they may, simply through a certain + belief, become white as wool. It has been claimed that a belief in + original sin caused all the human sacrifices in ancient times and that it + "converted the Jews into a nation of cannibals." + </p> + <p> + That the system which has borne the name of Christianity is an outgrowth + of Sun, Serpent, and Phallic faiths is so plainly proven by the facts + brought out by later research as no longer to be a matter of reasonable + doubt to those who have given any considerable degree of attention to this + subject. The more exalted ideas which from the time of Zoroaster to that + of Jesus had been struggling for existence, and which through various + means had been gradually gaining a foothold, were, by the influx of + Crishnaism, soon choked out, and mythical Christianity, which was but a + gathering in of the grosser forms of the prevailing Hindoo faith, mounted + the throne of the Roman Empire. + </p> + <p> + During the nineteen hundred years that have elapsed since the inauguration + of this system, little has been understood concerning the real philosophy + of Christ—a philosophy which is seen to be simply a recognition of + those higher scientific truths enunciated by an ancient race. + </p> + <p> + The fact is observed in these later times that the altruistic principles + involved in these teachings contain the highest wisdom—that they + form the basis of a true social science, and that a high stage of + civilization will never be reached until these principles are recognized + as the foundation of human conduct. Unselfishness, purity of life, and the + brotherhood of man will never be realized so long as man shifts the + responsibility of his wrong-doing upon another. + </p> + <p> + Quite recently the fact has been proved that the progressive principle + originated in the female constitution; that in sympathy, a character which + has its root in maternal affection, lies the key to human progress. + Conscience and the moral sense are outgrowths of sympathy; therefore, that + which distinguishes man from the lower orders of life originated in and + has been developed through the female organization. + </p> + <p> + When these plain scientific truths, which are so simple as scarcely to + need demonstration, become popularized, doubtless our present god-idea + will undergo a process of reconstruction, and the later development will + probably involve conceptions more in keeping with science and human + reason. Surely a scientific age will tolerate no religious conception + whose principles are not founded on truth. The worship of a male god as + the sole creator and sustainer of the universe is as unphilosophical as it + is unreasonable and unscientific. + </p> + <p> + As in many ways at the present time, mankind seems inclined to retrace its + steps, and as upon its onward march humanity is beginning to manifest a + willingness to return to truer and more primitive methods of thought and + action, it is not impossible that in the not distant future, Perceptive + Wisdom and the altruistic principles, together with the power to give + life, may again be divinely enthroned in the place so long usurped by + physical force and virile might. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The God-Idea of the Ancients, by Eliza Burt Gamble + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS *** + +***** This file should be named 639-h.htm or 639-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/639/ + +Produced by Charles Keller, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The God-Idea of the Ancients + or Sex in Religion + +Author: Eliza Burt Gamble + +Release Date: August, 1996 [Etext #639] +Posting Date: November 26, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Keller + + + + + +THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS + +OR SEX IN RELIGION + +By Eliza Burt Gamble + + +Author of "The Evolution of Woman" + + + + +PREFACE. + +Much of the material for this volume was collected during the time that +I was preparing for the press the Evolution of Woman, or while searching +for data bearing on the subject of sex-specialization. While preparing +that book for publication, it was my intention to include within it this +branch of my investigation, but wishing to obtain certain facts relative +to the foundations of religious belief and worship which were not +accessible at that time, and knowing that considerable labor and +patience would be required in securing these facts, I decided to publish +the first part of the work, withholding for the time being that portion +of it pertaining especially to the development of the God-idea. + +As mankind construct their own gods, or as the prevailing ideas of +the unknowable reflect the inner consciousness of human beings, a +trustworthy history of the growth of religions must correspond to the +processes involved in the mental, moral, and social development of the +individual and the nation. + +By means of data brought forward in these later times relative to the +growth of the God-idea, it is observed that an independent chain of +evidence has been produced in support of the facts recently set forth +bearing upon the development of the two diverging lines of sexual +demarcation. In other words, it has been found that sex is the +fundamental fact not only in the operations of Nature but in the +construction of a god. + +In the Evolution of Woman it has been shown that the peculiar +inheritance of the two sexes, female and male, is the result of the bias +given to these separate lines of development during the earliest periods +of sex-differentiation; and, as this division of labor was a necessary +step in the evolutionary processes, the rate of progress depended +largely on the subsequent adjustment of these two primary elements or +forces. A comprehensive study of prehistoric records shows that in +an earlier age of existence upon the earth, at a time when woman's +influence was in the ascendancy over that of man, human energy was +directed by the altruistic characters which originated in and have been +transmitted through the female; but after the decline of woman's power, +all human institutions, customs, forms, and habits of thought are seen +to reflect the egoistic qualities acquired by the male. + +Nowhere is the influence of sex more plainly manifested than in the +formulation of religious conceptions and creeds. With the rise of male +power and dominion, and the corresponding repression of the natural +female instincts, the principles which originally constituted the +God-idea gradually gave place to a Deity better suited to the peculiar +bias which had been given to the male organism. An anthropomorphic god +like that of the Jews--a god whose chief attributes are power and virile +might--could have had its origin only under a system of masculine rule. + +Religion is especially liable to reflect the vagaries and weaknesses +of human nature; and, as the forms and habits of thought connected with +worship take a firmer hold on the mental constitution than do those +belonging to any other department of human experience, religious +conceptions should be subjected to frequent and careful examination in +order to perceive, if possible, the extent to which we are holding on to +ideas which are unsuited to existing conditions. + +In an age when every branch of inquiry is being subjected to reasonable +criticism, it would seem that the origin and growth of religion should +be investigated from beneath the surface, and that all the facts bearing +upon it should be brought forward as a contribution to our fund of +general information. As well might we hope to gain a complete knowledge +of human history by studying only the present aspect of society, as +to expect to reach reasonable conclusions respecting the prevailing +God-idea by investigating the various creeds and dogmas of existing +faiths. + +The object of this volume is not only to furnish a brief outline of +religious growth, but to show the effect which each of the two forces, +female and male, has had on the development of our present God-idea, +which investigation serves to accentuate the conclusions arrived at in +the Evolution of Woman relative to the inheritance of each of the two +lines of sexual demarcation. + + E.B.G. + + +CONTENTS. + + INTRODUCTION + + I.--SEX THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOD-IDEA + II.--TREE, PLANT, AND FRUIT WORSHIP + III.--SUN WORSHIP--FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES IN THE SUN + IV.--THE DUAL GOD OF THE ANCIENTS A TRINITY ALSO + V.--SEPARATION OF THE FEMALE AND MAKE ELEMENTS IN THE DEITY + VI.--CIVILIZATION OF AN ANCIENT RACE + VII.--CONCEALMENT OF THE EARLY DOCTRINES + VIII.--THE ORIGINAL GOD-IDEA OF THE ISRAELITES + IX.--THE PHOENICIAN AND HEBREW GOD SET OR SETH + X.--ANCIENT SPECULATIONS CONCERNING CREATION + XI.--FIRE AND PHALLIC WORSHIP + XII.--AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY THE SENSUALIZED FAITHS + XIII.--CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM + XIV.--CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM--(Continued) + XV.--CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND + XVI.--STONES OR COLUMNS AS THE DEITY + XVII.--SACRIFICES + XVIII.--THE CROSS AND A DYING SAVIOR + + + + + +THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + +Through a study of the primitive god-idea as manifested in monumental +records in various parts of the world; through scientific investigation +into the early religious conceptions of mankind as expressed by symbols +which appear in the architecture and decorations of sacred edifices and +shrines; by means of a careful examination of ancient holy objects and +places still extant in every quarter of the globe, and through the study +of antique art, it is not unlikely that a line of investigation has +been marked out whereby a tolerably correct knowledge of the processes +involved in our present religious systems may be obtained. The +numberless figures and sacred emblems which appear carved in +imperishable stone in the earliest cave temples; the huge towers, +monoliths, and rocking stones found in nearly every country of the +globe, and which are known to be closely connected with primitive belief +and worship, and the records found on tablets which are being unearthed +in various parts of the world, are, with the unravelling of extinct +tongues, proving an almost inexhaustible source for obtaining +information bearing upon the early history of the human race, and, +together, furnish indisputable evidence of the origin, development, and +unity of religious faiths. + +By comparing the languages used by the earlier races to express their +religious conceptions; by observing the similarity in the mythoses +and sacred appellations among all tribes and nations, and through the +discovery of the fact that the legends extant in the various countries +of the globe are identical, or have the same foundation, it is probable +that a clue has already been obtained whereby an outline of the +religious history of the human family from a period even as remote as +the "first dispersion," or from a time when one race comprehended the +entire population of the globe, maybe traced. Humboldt in his Researches +observes: "In every part of the globe, on the ridge of the Cordilleras +as well as in the Isle of Samothrace, in the Aegean Sea, fragments of +primitive languages are preserved in religious rites." + +Regarding the identity of the fundamental ideas contained in the various +systems of religion, both past and present, Hargrave Jennings, in +referring to a parallel drawn by Sir William Jones, between the deities +of Meru and Olympus, observes: + +"All our speculations tend to the same conclusions. One day it is a +discovery of cinerary vases, the next, it is etymological research; yet +again it is ethnological investigation, and the day after, it is the +publication of unsuspected tales from the Norse; but all go to heap +up proof of our consanguinity with the peoples of history--and of an +original general belief, we might add." + +That the religious systems of India and Egypt were originally the same, +there can be at the present time no reasonable doubt. The fact noted +by various writers, of the British Sepoys, who, on their overland route +from India, upon beholding the ruins of Dendera, prostrated themselves +before the remains of the ancient temples and offered adoration to +them, proves the identity of Indian and Egyptian deities. These foreign +devotees, being asked to explain the reason of their strange conduct +declared that they "saw sculptured before them the gods of their +country." + +Upon the subject of the identity of Eastern religions, Wilford remarks +that one and the same code both of theology and of fabulous history, has +been received through a range or belt about forty degrees broad across +the old continent, in a southeast and northwest direction from the +eastern shores of the Malaga peninsula to the western extremity of +the British Isles, that, through this immense range the same religious +notions reappear in various places under various modifications, as might +be expected; and that there is not a greater difference between the +tenets and worship of the Hindoos and the Greeks than exists between the +churches of Home and Geneva. + +Concerning the universality of certain religious beliefs and opinions, +Faber, commenting upon the above statement of Wilford, observes that, +immense as is this territorial range, it is by far too limited to +include the entire phenomenon, that the observation + +"applies with equal propriety to the entire habitable globe; for the +arbitrary rites and opinions of every pagan nation bear so close a +resemblance to each other, that such a coincidence can only have been +produced by their having had a common origin. Barbarism itself has not +been able to efface the strong primeval impression. Vestiges of the +ancient general system may be traced in the recently discovered islands +in the Pacific Ocean; and, when the American world was first opened to +the hardy adventurers of Europe, its inhabitants from north to south +venerated, with kindred ceremonies and kindred notions, the gods of +Egypt and Hindostan, of Greece and Italy, of Phoenicia and Britain."(1) + + + 1) Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. i. + + +"Though each religion has its own peculiar growth, the seed from which +they spring is everywhere the same."(2) + + + 2) Max Muller, Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 48. + + +The question as to whether the identity of conception and the similarity +in detail observed in religious rites, ceremonies, and symbols in the +various countries of the globe are due to the universal law of unity +which governs human development, or whether, through the dispersion +of one original people, the early conceptions of a Deity were spread +broadcast over the entire earth, is perhaps not settled; yet, from +the facts which have been brought forward during the last century, the +latter theory seems altogether probable, such divergence in religious +ideas as is observed among the various peoples of the earth being +attributable to variations in temperament caused by changed conditions +of life. In other words, the divergence in the course of religious +development has doubtless been due to environment. + +In an attempt to understand the history of the growth of the god-idea, +the fact should be borne in mind that, from the earliest conception of +a creative force in the animal and vegetable world to the latest +development in theological speculation, there has never been what might +consistently be termed a new religion. On the contrary, religion like +everything else is subject to the law of growth; therefore the faiths of +to-day are the legitimate result, or outcome, of the primary idea of +a Deity developed in accordance with the laws governing the peculiar +instincts which have been in the ascendancy during the life of mankind +on the earth. + +The erroneous impression which under a belief in the unknown has come +to prevail, namely, that the moral law is the result of religion; or, +in other words, that the human conscience is in some manner dependent +on supernaturalism for its origin and maintenance, is, with a better +and clearer understanding of the past history of the development of the +human race, being gradually dispelled. On one point we may reasonably +rest assured that the knowledge of right and wrong and our sense of +justice and right-living have been developed quite independently of all +religious beliefs. The moral law embodied in the golden rule is not an +outgrowth of mysticism, or of man's notions of the unknowable; but, +on the contrary, is the result of experience, and was formulated in +response to a recognized law of human necessity,--a law which involves +the fundamental principle of progress. The history of human development +shows conclusively that mankind GREW into the recognition of the moral +law, that through sympathy, or a desire for the welfare of others,--a +character which had its root in maternal affection,--conscience and the +moral sense were evolved. + +While the moral law and the conscience may not be accounted as in any +sense the result of man's ideas concerning the unknowable, neither can +the errors and weaknesses developed in human nature be regarded as the +result of religion. Although the sexual excesses which during three or +four thousand years were practiced as sacred rites, and treated as +part and parcel of religion in various parts of the world, have had the +effect to stimulate and strengthen the animal nature in man, yet these +rites may not be accounted as the primary cause of the supremacy of the +lower nature over the higher faculties. On the contrary, the impulse +which has been termed religion, with all the vagaries which its history +presents, is to be regarded more as an effect than as a cause. The stage +of a nation's development regulates its religion. Man creates his own +gods; they are powerless to change him. + +As written history records only those events in human experience which +belong to a comparatively recent period of man's existence, and as the +primitive conceptions of a Deity lie buried beneath ages of corruption, +glimpses of the earlier faiths of mankind, as has already been stated, +must be looked for in the traditions, monuments, and languages of +extinct races. + +In reviewing this matter we shall doubtless observe the fact that if the +stage of a nation's growth is indicated by its religious conceptions, +and if remnants of religious beliefs are everywhere present in the +languages, traditions, and monuments of the past through a careful +study of these subjects we may expect to gain a tolerably correct +understanding not alone of the growth of the god-idea but of the +stage of development reached by the nations which existed prior to the +beginning of the historic age. We shall be enabled also to perceive +whether or not the course of human development during the intervening +ages has been continuous, or whether, for some cause hitherto +unexplained, true progress throughout a portion of this time has been +arrested, thus producing a backward movement, or degeneracy. + +If we would unravel the mysteries involved in present religious faiths, +we should begin not by attempting to analyze or explain any existing +system or systems of belief and worship. Such a course is likely to end +not only in confusion and in a subsequent denial of the existence of the +religious nature in mankind, but is liable, also, to create an aversion +for and a distrust of the entire subject of religious experience. In +view of this fact it would appear to be not only useless but exceedingly +unwise to spend one's time in attempting to gain a knowledge of this +subject simply by studying the later developments in its history. + +If we are really desirous of obtaining information regarding present +religious phenomena, it is plain that we should adopt the scientific +method and turn our attention to the remote past, where, by careful +and systematic investigation, we are enabled to perceive the earliest +conception of a creative force and the fundamental basis of all +religious systems, from which may be traced the gradual development of +the god-idea. + + + +CHAPTER I. SEX THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOD-IDEA. + +In the study of primitive religion, the analogy existing between the +growth of the god-idea and the development of the human race, and +especially of the two sex-principles, is everywhere clearly apparent. + +"Religion is to be found alone with its justification and explanation in +the relations of the sexes. There and therein only."(3) + + + 3) Hargrave Jennings, Phallicism. + + +As the conception of a deity originated in sex, or in the creative +agencies female and male which animate Nature, we may reasonably expect +to find, in the history of the development of the two sex-principles +and in the notions entertained concerning them throughout past ages, +a tolerably correct account of the growth of the god-idea. We shall +perceive that during an earlier age of human existence, not only were +the reproductive powers throughout Nature, and especially in human +beings and in animals, venerated as the Creator, but we shall find also +that the prevailing ideas relative to the importance of either sex in +the office of reproduction decided the sex of this universal creative +force. We shall observe also that the ideas of a god have always +corresponded with the current opinions regarding the importance of +either sex in human society. In other words, so long as female power +and influence were in the ascendency, the creative force was regarded +as embodying the principles of the female nature; later, however, when +woman's power waned, and the supremacy of man was gained, the god-idea +began gradually to assume the male characters and attributes. + +Through scientific research the fact has been observed that, for ages +after life appeared on the earth, the male had no separate existence; +that the two sex-principles, the sperm and the germ, were contained +within one and the same individual. Through the processes of +differentiation, however, these elements became detached, and with the +separation of the male from the female, the reproductive functions were +henceforth confided to two separate individuals. + +As originally, throughout Nature, the female was the visible organic +unit within whom was contained the exclusive creative power, and as +throughout the earlier ages of life on the earth she comprehended the +male, it is not perhaps singular that, even after the appearance of +mankind on the earth, the greater importance of the mother element in +human society should have been recognized; nor, as the power to bring +forth coupled with perceptive wisdom originally constituted the Creator, +that the god-idea should have been female instead of male. + +From the facts to be observed in relation to this subject, it is +altogether probable that for ages the generating principle throughout +Nature was venerated as female; but with that increase of knowledge +which was the result of observation and experience, juster or more +correct ideas came to prevail, and subsequently the great fructifying +energy throughout the universe came to be regarded as a dual indivisible +force--female and male. This force, or agency, constituted one God, +which, as woman's functions in those ages were accounted of more +importance than those of man, was oftener worshipped under the form of a +female figure. + +Neith, Minerva, Athene, and Cybele, the most important deities of their +respective countries, were adored as Perceptive Wisdom, or Light, +while Ceres and others represented Fertility. With the incoming of male +dominion and supremacy, however, we observe the desire to annul the +importance of the female and to enthrone one all-powerful male god whose +chief attributes were power and might. + +Notwithstanding the efforts which during the historic period have been +put forward to magnify the importance of the male both in human affairs +and in the god-idea, still, no one, I think, can study the mythologies +and traditions of the nations of antiquity without being impressed with +the prominence given to the female element, and the deeper the study the +stronger will this impression grow. + +During a certain stage of human development, religion was but a +recognition of and a reliance upon the vivifying or fructifying forces +throughout Nature, and in the earlier ages of man's career, worship +consisted for the most part in the celebration of festivals at +stated seasons of the year, notably during seed-time and harvest, to +commemorate the benefits derived from the grain field and vineyard. + +Doubtless the first deified object was Gaia, the Earth. As within the +bosom of the earth was supposed to reside the fructifying, life-giving +power, and as from it were received all the bounties of life, it was +female. It was the Universal Mother, and to her as to no other divinity +worshipped by mankind, was offered a spontaneity of devotion and a +willing acknowledgment of dependence. Thus far in the history of mankind +no temples dedicated to an undefined and undefinable God had been +raised. The children of Mother Earth met in the open air, without the +precincts of any man-made shrine, and under the aerial canopy of heaven, +acknowledged the bounties of the great Deity and their dependence upon +her gifts. She was a beneficent and all-wise God, a tender and loving +parent--a mother, who demanded no bleeding sacrifice to reconcile her to +her children. The ceremonies observed at these festive seasons consisted +for the most part in merry-making and in general thanksgiving, in which +the gratitude of the worshippers found expression in song and dance, and +in invocations to their Deity for a return or continuance of her gifts. + +Subsequently, through the awe and reverence inspired by the mysteries +involved in birth and life, the adoration of the creative principles in +vegetable existence became supplemented by the worship of the creative +functions in human beings and in animals. The earth, including the power +inherent in it by which the continuity of existence is maintained, and +by which new forms are continuously called into life, embodied the idea +of God; and, as this inner force was regarded as inherent in matter, or +as a manifestation of it, in process of time earth and the heavens, body +and spirit, came to be worshipped under the form of a mother and her +child, this figure being the highest expression of a Creator which the +human mind was able to conceive. Not only did this emblem represent +fertility, or the fecundating energies of Nature, but with the power +to create were combined or correlated all the mental qualities and +attributes of the two sexes. In fact the whole universe was contained in +the Mother idea--the child, which was sometimes female, sometimes male, +being a scion or offshoot from the eternal or universal unit. + +Underlying all ancient mythologies may be observed the idea that the +earth, from which all things proceed, is female. Even in the mythology +of the Finns, Lapps, and Esths, Mother Earth is the divinity adored. +Tylor calls attention to the same idea in the mythology of England, + +"from the days when the Anglo-Saxon called upon the Earth, 'Hal wes thu +folde fira modor' (Hail, thou Earth, men's mother), to the time when +mediaeval Englishmen made a riddle of her asking 'Who is Adam's mother?' +and poetry continued what mythology was letting fall, when Milton's +Archangel promised Adam a life to last + + '... till like ripe fruit thou drop + Into thy Mother's lap.' "(4) + + + + 4) Primitive Culture, vol. i., p. 295. + + +In the old religion the sky was the husband of the earth and the earth +was mother of all the gods.(5) In the traditions of past ages the fact +is clearly perceived that there was a time when the mother was not only +the one recognized parent on earth, but that the female principle was +worshipped as the more important creative force throughout Nature. + + + 5) Max Muller, Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 279. + + +Doubtless the worship of the female energy prevailed under the +matriarchal system, and was practised at a time when women were the +recognized heads of families and when they were regarded as the more +important factors in human society. The fact has been shown in a +previous work that after women began to leave their homes at marriage, +and after property, especially land, had fallen under the supervision +and control of men, the latter, as they manipulated all the necessaries +of life and the means of supplying them, began to regard themselves as +superior beings, and later, to claim that as a factor in reproduction, +or creation, the male was the more important. With this change the ideas +of a Deity also began to undergo a modification. The dual principle +necessary to creation, and which had hitherto been worshipped as an +indivisible unity, began gradually to separate into its individual +elements, the male representing spirit, the moving or forming force +in the generative processes, the female being matter--the instrument +through which spirit works. Spirit which is eternal had produced matter +which is destructible. The fact will be observed that this doctrine +prevails to a greater or less extent in the theologies of the present +time. + +A little observation and reflection will show us that during this change +in the ideas relative to a creative principle, or God, descent and the +rights of succession which had hitherto been reckoned through the mother +were changed from the female to the male line, the father having in +the meantime become the only recognized parent. In the Eumenides of +Aeschylus, the plea of Orestes in extenuation of his crime is that he is +not of kin to his mother. Euripides, also, puts into the mouth of Apollo +the same physiological notion, that she who bears the child is only +its nurse. The Hindoo Code of Menu, which, however, since its earliest +conception, has undergone numberless mutilations to suit the purposes +of the priests, declares that "the mother is but the field which brings +forth the plant according to whatsoever seed is sown." + +Although, through the accumulation of property in masses and the capture +of women for wives, men had succeeded in gaining the ascendancy, and +although the doctrine had been propounded that the father is the only +parent, thereby reversing the established manner of reckoning descent, +still, as we shall hereafter observe, thousands of years were required +to eliminate the female element from the god-idea. + +We must not lose sight of the fact that human society was first +organized and held together by means of the gens, at the head of which +was a woman. The several members of this organization were but parts of +one body cemented together by the pure principle of maternity, the chief +duty of these members being to defend and protect each other if needs be +with their life blood. The fact has been observed, in an earlier work, +that only through the gens was the organization of society possible. +Without it mankind could have accomplished nothing toward its own +advancement. + +Thus, throughout the earlier ages of human existence, at a time when +mankind lived nearer to Nature and before individual wealth and the +stimulation of evil passions had engendered superstition, selfishness, +and distrust, the maternal element constituted not only the binding and +preserving principle in human society, but, together with the power to +bring forth, constituted also the god-idea, which idea, as has already +been observed, at a certain stage in the history of the race was +portrayed by a female figure with a child in her arms. + +From all sources of information at hand are to be derived evidences of +the fact that the earliest religion of which we have any account was +pure Nature-worship, that whatever at any given time might have been the +object adored, whether it were the earth, a tree, water, or the sun, it +was simply as an emblem of the great energizing agency in Nature. The +moving or forming force in the universe constituted the god-idea. The +figure of a mother with her child signified not only the power to bring +forth, but Perceptive Wisdom, or Light, as well. + +As through a study of Comparative Ethnology, or through an investigation +into the customs, traditions, and mythoses of extant races in the +various stages of development, have been discovered the beginnings of +the religious idea and the mental qualities which among primitive races +prompted worship, so, also, through extinct tongues and the symbolism +used in religious rites and ceremonies, many of the processes have been +unearthed whereby the original and beautiful conceptions of the Deity, +and the worship inspired by the operations of Nature, and especially +the creative functions in human beings gradually became obscured by the +grossest ideas and the vilest practices. The symbols which appear in +connection with early religious rites and ceremonies, and under which +are veiled the conceptions of a still earlier and purer age, when +compared with subsequently developed notions relative to the same +objects, indicate plainly the change which has been wrought in the +original ideas relative to the creative functions, and furnish an index +to the direction which human development, or growth, has taken. + +As the human race constructs its own gods, and as by the conceptions +involved in the deities worshipped at any given time in the history +of mankind we are able to form a correct estimate of the character, +temperament, and aspirations of the worshippers, so the history of +the gods of the race, as revealed to us through the means of symbols, +monumental records, and the investigation of extinct tongues, proves +that from a stage of Nature worship and a pure and rational conception +of the creative forces in the universe, mankind, in course of time, +degenerated into mere devotees of sensual pleasure. With the corruption +of human nature and the decline of mental power which followed the +supremacy of the animal instincts, the earlier abstract idea of God was +gradually lost sight of, and man himself in the form of a potentate +or ruler, together with the various emblems of virility, came to +be worshipped as the Creator. From adorers of an abstract creative +principle, mankind had lapsed into worshippers of the symbols under +which this principle had been veiled. + +Although at certain stages in the history of the human race the evils, +which as a result of the supremacy of the ruder elements developed in +mankind had befallen the race were lamented and bewailed, they could not +be suppressed. Man had become a lost and ruined creature. The golden age +had passed away. + + + +CHAPTER II. TREE, PLANT, AND FRUIT WORSHIP. + +When mankind first began to perceive the fact of an all-pervading agency +throughout Nature, by or through which everything is produced, and when +they began to speculate on the origin of life and the final cause +and destiny of things, it is not in the least remarkable that various +objects and elements, such as fire, air, water, trees, etc., should in +their turn have been venerated as in some special manner embodying the +divine essence. Neither is it surprising although this universal agency +was regarded as one, or as a dual entity, they should have recognized +its manifold expressions or manifestations. + +To primitive man, the visible sources whence proceeded his daily +sustenance doubtless constituted the first objects of his regard and +adoration. Hence, in addition to the homage paid to the earth, in due +course of time would be added the worship of trees, upon which the +early race was directly dependent for food. At a time when the art of +agriculture had not been attained, all such trees as yielded their +fruit for the support of the human race, and which afforded to mankind +pleasant beverages or cooling shade, would come to be regarded as +embodying the universal beneficent principle--the great creating +and preserving agency of Nature, and therefore as proper objects of +veneration. + +According to the Phoenician theogony, "the first gods which were +worshipped by oblations and sacrifices were the fruits of the earth, on +which they and their descendants lived as their forefathers had done." + +Although, after the art of agriculture had been developed, mankind was +gradually relieved from its past dependence on the tree as a means of +support, it nevertheless continued to be regarded with veneration as an +emblem of creative power or of productive energy. + +Among the traditions and monuments of nearly every country of the globe +are to be found traces of a sacred tree--a Tree of Life. In various +countries there appear two traditional trees, the one typical of the +continuation of physical life, the other representing spiritual life, or +the life of the soul. After the age of pure Nature-worship had passed, +however, and serpent, fire, and phallic faiths had been introduced, the +original signification of the tree, like that of all other religious +emblems, became considerably changed. Through its energies, or +life-giving properties, existence had long been maintained, and for this +reason, as has already been observed, it became an object of veneration; +but, after the reproductive power in man had risen to the dignity of a +supreme God, the tree, to the masses of the people, became a symbol of +the physical, life-giving energy in mortals and in animals. In other +words, it became a phallic emblem representing the continuation of +existence, or the power to reproduce or continue life on the earth. As a +religious symbol it became the traditional Tree of Life. + +The tree, like nearly every other object in nature, was and still is, +in various parts of the world, either female or male, and all ideas +connected with it are sacred and closely interwoven with sex. + +The extent to which trees have been venerated in past ages seems to be +little understood, and there are doubtless few persons, at the present +time, who would willingly believe that all along the religious stream, +from its source to its latest developed branches, are to be observed +traces of this ancient worship, which, in its earliest stages, was +simply a recognition of Nature's bounties. + +Barlow, in his work on Symbolism, says that "the most generally received +symbol of life is a tree--as also the most appropriate." + +Again the same writer observes: "Besides the monumental evidence thus +furnished of a sacred tree, or Tree of Life, there is an historical and +traditional evidence of the same thing, found in the early literature +of various nations, in the customs, and popular usages."(6) As tree- +and sun-worship, or the adoration of Nature's processes, finally became +interwoven with phallic faiths, its history can be understood only after +these later developments in the religious stream have been examined, or +after the true significance of the serpent as a religious emblem, and +the various ideas connected with the traditional Tree of Life, have been +exposed. + + + 6) Essays on Symbolism, p. 84. + + +The palm, the pine, the oak, the banian, or bo, and many other species +of trees, have, at different times, and by various nations, been +invested with divine honors; but, in oriental countries, by far the most +sacred among them is the Ficus Religiosa, or the holy bo tree of India. +Something of the true significance of the traditional Tree of Life may +be observed in the ideas connected with the worship of this emblem. The +fig, when planted with the palm, as it frequently is in the East, near +temples and holy shrines, is regarded as a peculiarly sacred object. +When entwining the palm, which is male, it is always female; from +their embrace Kalpia, or passion, is developed. This union causes the +continuation of existence and the "revolutions of time." The whole +constitutes the Tree of Life. + +In Ceylon, there stands at the present time a tree which we are told +is still worshipped by every follower of Buddha. It is a sacred bo, or +Ficus Religiosa, which stands adjacent to an ancient holy shrine known +as the Brazen Monastery, now in ruins. Of this tree Forlong remarks: + +"Though now amidst ruins and wild forests, and although having stood +thus in solitary desolation for some 1500 years, yet there it still +grows, and is worshipped and deeply revered by more millions of our race +than any other god, prophet, or idol, which the world has ever seen."(7) + + + 7) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 35. + + +This tree is sacred to Sakyu Mooni, is 2200 years old, and is said to be +a slip from a tree planted by Bood Gaya, one of the three former Buddhas +who, like Sakyu Mooni, visited Ceylon. Under the parent of this tree the +great prophet reposed after he had attained perfect rest, or after he +had overcome the flesh and become Buddha. It was under a bo tree that +Mai, Queen of Heaven, brought him forth, and, in fact, very many of the +most important incidents of his life are closely connected with this +sacred emblem. + +In an allusion to the bo tree of Ceylon, a slip of which is said to have +been carried from India to that island by a certain priestess in the +year 307 B.C., Forlong observes: + +"This wonderful idol has furnished shoots to half Asia, and every shoot +is trained as much as possible like the parent, and like it, also, +enclosed and tended. Men watch and listen for signs and sounds from this +holy tree just as the priests of Dodona did beneath their rustling oaks, +and, as many people, even of these somewhat sceptical days, still do, +beneath the pulpits of their pope, priest, or other oracle."(8) + + + 8) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p, 36. + + +The sacred Ficus is worshipped in India and in many of the Polynesian +islands. + +Regarding the palm, Inman assures us that it is emblematical of the +active male energy, or the continuation of existence.(9) + + + 9) Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. ii., p. 448. + + +Within the legends underlying the Jewish religion, it will be remembered +that the tree appears mysteriously connected with the beginning of life +and is interwoven with the first ideas of human action and experience. +The literal sense, however, of the allegory in Genesis concerning the +woman, the tree, and the serpent, and its meaning as generally accepted +by laymen and the uneducated among the priesthood, has little in common +with its true significance as understood by the initiated. + +In Vedic times, the home tree was worshipped as a god, and to the +exhilarating properties in its juice was ascribed that subtle quality +which was regarded as the life-giving, or creative, energy supposed +to reside in heat, and which was closely connected with passion or +procreative energy. This quality was their Bacchus, Dionysos, or +god-idea--the creator not alone of physical existence, but of good and +evil as well. It was the Destroyer, yet the Regenerator, of life. + +Of the Zoroastrian home, or sacred tree, which by the Persians was +worshipped for thousands of years, Layard remarks: "The plant or its +product was called the mystical body of God, the living water or food +of eternal life, when duly consecrated and administered according to +Zoroastrian rites." It has been suggested, and not without reason, that +to this idea of the ancients, respecting the sacred character of +the properties of the home juice, may be traced the "origin of the +celebration of Jewish holy or paschal suppers and other eucharistic +rites." + +Although by the ancients water was sometimes regarded as the original +principle, later, wine, or the intoxicating quality within it, came to +constitute the god-idea. It was spirit, while water was matter; hence, +in the sacraments, water and wine were commingled, wine representing +the essence or blood of God; water, at the same time, standing for the +people. Cyprian, the bishop martyr, while contending for the use of +wine in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, makes use of the following +argument: + +"The Holy Spirit also is not silent in the Psalms on the sacrament +of this thing, when He makes mention of the Lord's Cup, and says 'Thy +intoxicating cup how excellent it is!' Now the cup which intoxicates is +assuredly mingled with wine, for water cannot intoxicate anybody. And +the Cup of the Lord in such wise inebriates, as Noe also was intoxicated +drinking wine in Genesis. ... For because Christ bore us all, in that he +also bore our sins, we see that in the water is understood the people, +but in the wine is showed the blood of Christ.... Thus, therefore, in +consecrating the Cup of the Lord, water alone cannot be offered, even as +wine alone cannot be offered. For if anyone offer wine only, the blood +of Christ is dissociated from us; but if the water be alone, the people +are dissociated from Christ."(10) + + + 10) Epistles of Cyprian, vol. i., pp. 215-217. + + +The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, at which wine is mysteriously +converted into the essence of Deity, or into the blood of Christ, is +without doubt a relic of the idea once entertained regarding the homa +tree. Certain writers entertain the opinion that from the use of the +sacred homa juice have arisen various religious practices and rites, +such for instance as offering oblations to the gods, anointing holy +stones, and pouring wine on sacred hills, also the custom of pledging +oaths over glasses of wine. + +The May pole, a decidedly phallic emblem, whose festivals until a very +recent time were celebrated in England by the old as well as the young, +was usually if not always sprinkled with wine. From the accounts which +we have of this sacred emblem and its festival, it seems that no royal +edict nor priestly denunciation was sufficient to expel it from the +country. + +According to Dr. Stevenson, the festival of Holi or the worship of +Holika Devata, in the island of Ceylon, "has a close resemblance to +the English festival of the May-pole, which originated in a religious +ceremony or festival of the Cushites (called Phoenicians) who anciently +occupied Western Europe."(11) + + + 11) Quoted by Baldwin, Prehistoric Nations, p. 223. + + +The ash is the Scandinavian Tree of Life, and, like the sacred trees of +all nations, is emblematical of the continuation of existence. This tree +has a triple root, which peculiarity doubtless accounts for its sacred +character. It is both female and male, and is said to be regarded as a +"sort of Logos or Wisdom." It is the first emanation from the Deity, and +yet a Trinity in Unity. To insult or injure this tree was sacrilege, to +cut it down was an offense punishable with death. + +In the old Egyptian and Zoroastrian story, appear the descriptions of +two Trees of Life, also a Tree of Knowledge. In the accounts given of +these trees, the Ficus, the female Tree of Life, represents the life +of the soul, while the palm, the male Tree of Life, is that which gives +physical life, which also is the true significance of the word "lord." +When, however, either of these trees stood alone, or unaccompanied by +its counterpart, by it both of the creative principles were understood. +By these ideas is suggested the thought which among a certain school of +psychologists of the present century seems to be gaining ground, namely: +that man is a dual entity, or, in other words, that he has a subjective +mind and an objective self, which so long as this life endures must +co-operate or work together. + +In the following descriptions of Egyptian emblems, will be perceived +some of the changes which finally took place relative to the idea of sex +in the god-idea. + +In the museum of Egyptian antiquities in Berlin is a sepulchral tablet +representing the Tree of Life. This emblem figures the trunk of a tree, +from the top of which emerges the bust of a woman--Netpe. She is the +goddess of heavenly existence, and is administering to the deceased the +water and the bread of life, the latter of which is represented by a +substance in the form of cakes or rolls. The time at which this tablet +was found is not known, but it is supposed to belong to the period of +the XIXth dynasty, or about the time of Rameses II., 1400 years B.C. + +There is also in the Berlin museum another representation of the +Egyptian Tree of Life, in which the trunk has given place to the entire +body of a woman. This, also, is Netpe, who is still spiritual wisdom +or the maternal principle. We are informed by Forlong that Diana was +worshipped by the Amazons under a sacred tree.(12) From this symbol +the tree, which grew first into the figure of a divine woman, and later +assumed the form of a divine man, arose the emblem of the cross. + + + 12) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 70. + + +On the Nineveh tablets is pictured a Tree of Life which is surrounded +by winged spirits, bearing in their hands the pine cone, a symbol +indicating life, and which is said to have the same significance as the +crux-ansata, or cross, among the Egyptians. + +In later ages, the Tree of Life, i. e., the divine man, or cross, or +both together, furnish immortal food to those who lay hold upon them, +exactly in the same manner as did Netpe, the goddess of wisdom, or +spiritual life, in former times. According to the testimony of Barlow, +this is the subject "most frequently symbolized on early Christian +sepulchral tablets and monuments."(13) Christ's body was the "bread of +life," and his blood was the "wine from the Tree of Life," of which +to partake was life eternal. The cross, as in earlier religions, +represented completeness of life. The jambu tree, the Buddhist god-tree, +is in the shape of a cross.(14) + + + 13) Essays on Symbolism, p. 74. + + + 14) Wilford, Asiatic Researches. + + +Among the Kelti a tall oak was not only a symbol of the Deity, but it +was Jupiter himself, while the earth from which it sprang was the Great +Mother. Throughout Europe, in all ages, the oak has received divine +honors. The fact that under its branches Jew, Pagan, and Christian +alike swore their most solemn oaths, shows that its veneration was not +confined to any particular nation or locality. + +The sacredness of the oak among the Druids is well attested by all +writers who have dealt with this interesting people. In Rome its +branches formed the badge of victory worn by conquering heroes, this +emblem being the highest mark of distinction which could be conferred +upon them. + +Forlong assures us that the oak was even more worshipped at the West +than was the sacred Ficus at the East. Like it, the wood of the oak must +be used + +"to call down the sacred fire from Heaven and gladden in the yule (Suiel +or Seul) log of Christmas-tide even Christian fires, as well as annually +renew with fire direct from Ba-al, on Beltine day, the sacred flame on +every public and private hearth, and this from the temples of Meroe +on the Nile, to the farthest icy forests and mountains of the +Sklavonian."(15) + + + 15) Faiths of Man in All Lands, vol. i., p. 68. + + +Among the Druids, the mistletoe was also sacred especially when +entwining the oak. Together they represented the Tree of Life, or the +two generating agencies throughout Nature. Of the species of it which +grows on the oak, Borlaise says that they deified the mistletoe and were +not to look upon it but in the most devout and reverential manner: "When +the end of the year approached, they marched with great solemnity to +gather the mistletoe of the oak in order to present it to Jupiter, +inviting all the world to assist in the ceremony."(16) + + + 16) Borlaise. + + +According to the Latin writer Pliny, the "Druids have nothing more +sacred than the mistletoe and the tree on which it grows, provided it +be an oak." This plant, which is called All Heal, although sought after +with the greatest religious ardor, is seldom found, but should the +people who go forth at Christmas time in large numbers succeed in +finding it they immediately set about preparing feasts under the tree +upon which it grows; at the same time, in the most solemn manner, two +white bulls are brought forth to be sacrificed. After the feast has been +prepared and the sacrifice made ready, the priest ascends the tree and +with a golden pruning-knife cuts the sacred branches of the mistletoe, +dropping them into a white cloth prepared for the occasion. The bulls +are then sacrificed and a prayer offered that "God would render his own +gift prosperous to those on whom he has bestowed it." They believed that +administered in a potion it would impart fecundity to any barren animal, +and that it was a remedy against all kinds of poison. The branches of +the mistletoe were then distributed among the faithful, each cherishing +the token as the most sacred emblem of his faith. It is thought that the +Christmas tree is a remnant of this custom. + +Although the Christbaum of the Germans, the Yggdrasill of the +Scandinavians, and the Christmas tree of the English speaking nations +are still regarded as belonging exclusively to Christianity, their +birthplace was the far East, and their origin long anterior to our +present era. This subject will be referred to later in these pages. The +palm, which in course of time became the most sacred tree of Egypt, is +said to have put forth a shoot every month during the year. At Christmas +tide, or at the winter solstice, a branch from this tree was used as a +symbol of the renewal of time or of the birth of the New Year. + +On the Zodiac of Dendera, preserved in the National Library at Paris, +are two trees, the one representing the East, or India and China, the +other, the West, or Egypt. The former of these trees is putting forth +a pair of leaves and is topped by the emblems of Siva, emblems which +indicate the fructifying powers of Nature, whilst the Egyptian sacred +tree, which is surmounted by the ostrich plume, the emblem of truth, +is indicative of Light, Intelligence, or the life of the soul. In a +discourse delivered by Dr. Stukeley in 1760, attention was directed to +the grove of Abraham as "that famous oak grove of Beersheba, planted +by the illustrious prophet and first Druid--Abraham; and from whom +our celebrated British Druids came, who were of the same patriarchal +reformed religion, and brought the use of sacred groves to Britain."(17) + + + 17) Barlow, Symbolism, p. 98. + + +The fact has been ascertained that in Arabia, in very ancient times, +there was a goddess named Azra who was worshipped under the form of a +tree called Samurch, and that in Yemen tree-worship still prevails. +To the date is ascribed divine honors. This tree is said to have its +regular priests, services, rites, and festivals, and is as zealously +worshipped as are the gods of any other country. We are not informed as +to whether the Jewish Tree of Life was borrowed from the Chaldeans or +the Egyptians, but, as the significance is the same in all countries, +it is of little consequence which furnished a copy for the writer in +Genesis. + +In Dr. Inman's Ancient Faiths, is a drawing from the original, by +Colonel Coombs, of the "Temptation," or of the ancient tree-and-serpent +myth in Genesis. This drawing, in which it is observed that the Jewish +idea of woman as tempter is reversed, was copied from the inner walls +of a cave in Southern India. The picture is said to be a faithful +representation of the version of the story as accepted in the East. + +Of the myrtle, Payne Knight says that it "was a symbol both of Venus and +Neptune, the male and female personifications of the productive powers +of the waters, which appear to have been occasionally employed in the +same sense as the fig and fig leaf." + +The same writer refers to the fact that instead of beads, wreaths of +foliage, generally of laurel, olive, myrtle, ivy, or oak, appear upon +coins; sometimes encircling the symbolical figures, and sometimes as +chaplets on their heads. According to Strabo, each of these is sacred to +some particular personification of the Deity, and "significant of some +particular attribute, and in general, all evergreens were Dionysiac +plants, that is, symbols of the generative power, signifying perpetuity +of youth and vigor." The crowns of laurel, olive, etc., with which +the victors in the Roman triumphs and Grecian games were honored, were +emblems of immortality, and not merely transitory marks of occasional +distinction.(18) + + + 18) Payne Knight, Symbolism of Ancient Art. We are informed that this +book was never sold, but only given away. Although a copy of it was +formerly in the British Museum, care was taken by the trustees to keep +it out of the catalogues. + + +The tree and serpent, according to Ferguson, are symbolized in all +religious systems which the world has ever known. The two together +are typical of the processes of reproduction or generation. They also +symbolize good and evil and the cause which underlies the decline of +virtue. + +Among the numberless fruits which from time to time have been regarded +as divine emblems, the principal are perhaps the fig, the pomegranate, +the mandrake, the almond, and the olive. The peculiarly sacred character +which we find attached to the fig ceases to be a mystery so soon as we +remember that the organs of generation, male and female, had, in process +of time, come to be objects of worship and that the fig was the emblem +of the latter. + +A basket of this fruit is said to have been the most acceptable offering +to the god Bacchus, and therefore, by his devotees, was regarded as the +most sacred symbol. The favorite material for phallic devices was the +wood of the sacred fig, for it was by rubbing together pieces of it that +holy fire was supposed to be drawn from heaven. By holy fire, however, +was meant not so much the natural visible element which was kindled, as +that subtle substance contained in fire or heat which was supposed +to contain the life principle, and which was sent in response to the +cravings of pious devotees for procreative energy, which blessing, among +various peoples, notably the Jews, was indicative of special divine +favor. + +By pagans, Jews, and Christians, the pomegranate has long been +regarded as a sacred emblem. It is a symbol of reproductive energy. +Representations of it were embroidered on the Ephod, and Solomon's +Temple is reported as having been literally covered with decorations, in +which, among the devices noticed, this particular fruit appears the most +conspicuous. Its significance, as revealed by Inman and other writers, +is too gross to be set forth in these pages. + +Among the most sacred plants or flowers were the lotus and the fleur +de lis, both of which were venerated because of some real or fancied +organic sexual peculiarity. The lotus is adored as the female principle +throughout Nature, or as the "womb of all creation," and is sacred +throughout oriental countries. It is said to be androgynous or +hermaphrodite--hence its peculiarly sacred character. + +It has long been thought that this lily is produced without the aid of +the male pollen, hence it would seem to be an appropriate emblem for +that ancient sect which worshipped the female as the more important +creative energy. + +Of the lotus, Inman remarks: "Amongst fourteen kinds of food and flowers +presented to the Sanskrit God Anata, the lotus only is indispensable." +This emblem, as we have seen, was the symbol of the Great Mother, and +we are assured that it was "little less sacred than the Queen of Heaven +herself." + +Regarding the lotus and its universal significance as a religious +emblem, Payne Knight says: + +"The lotus is the Nelumbo of Linnaeus. This plant grows in the water, +and amongst its broad leaves puts forth a flower, in the center of which +is formed the seed vessel, shaped like a bell or inverted cone, and +punctured on the top with little cavities or cells, in which the seeds +grow. The orifices of these cells being too small to let the seeds drop +out when ripe, they shoot forth into new plants, in the places where +they were formed, the bulb of the vessel serving as a matrix to nourish +them until they acquire such a degree of magnitude as to burst it open +and release themselves, after which, like other aquatic weeds, they take +root wherever the current deposits them. This plant, therefore, being +thus productive of itself, and vegetating from its own matrix, without +being fostered in the earth, was naturally adopted as the symbol of the +productive power of the waters, upon which the creative spirit of the +Creator operated in giving life and vegetation to matter. We accordingly +find it employed in every part of the Northern hemisphere, where the +symbolical religion improperly called idolatry does or did prevail. +The sacred images of the Tartars, Japanese, and Indians are almost all +placed upon it, of which numerous instances occur in the publication of +Kaempfer, Sonnerat, etc: The Brama of India is represented sitting upon +a lotus throne, and the figures upon the Isaic table hold the stem of +this plant, surmounted by the seed vessel in one hand, and the cross +representing the male organs in the other: thus signifying the universal +power, both active and passive, attributed to that goddess."(19) + + + 19) Symbolism of Ancient Art. + + +The lotus is the most sacred and the most significant symbol connected +with the sacred mysteries of the East. Upon this subject, Maurice +observes that there is no plant which has received such a degree of +honor as has the lotus. It was the consecrated symbol of the Great +Mother who had brought forth the fecundative energies, female and male. +Not only throughout the Northern hemisphere was it everywhere held +in profound veneration, but among the modern Egyptians it is still +worshipped as symbolical of the Great First Cause. The lotus was the +emblem venerated in the solemn celebration of the Mysteries of Eleusis +in Greece and the Phiditia in Carthage. + +In referring to the degree of homage paid to the lotus by the ancients, +Higgins says: "And we shall find in the sequel that it still continues +to receive the respect, if not the adoration, of a great part of the +Christian world, unconscious, perhaps, of the original reason of +their conduct." It is a significant fact that in nearly all the +sacred paintings of the Christians in the galleries throughout Europe, +especially those of the Annunciation, a lily is always to be observed. +In later ages as the original significance of the lotus was lost, any +lily came to be substituted. Godfrey Higgins is sure that although the +priests of the Romish Church are at the present time ignorant of the +true meaning of the lotus, or lily, "it is, like many other very +odd things, probably understood at the Vatican, or the Crypt of St. +Peter's."(20) + + + 20) Anacalypsis, book vii., ch. xi. + + +Of the lotus of the Hindoos Nimrod says: + +"The lotus is a well-known allegory, of which the expanse calyx +represents the ships of the gods floating on the surface of the water, +and the erect flower arising out of it, the mast thereof... but as the +ship was Isis or Magna Mater, the female principle, and the mast in it +the male deity, these parts of the flower came to have certain other +significations, which seem to have been as well known at Samosata as at +Benares."(21) + + + 21) Quoted in Anacalypsis. + + +In other words it was a phallic emblem and represented the creative +processes throughout Nature. Susa, the name of the capital of the +Cushites, or ancient Ethiopians, meant "the City of Lilies." In India +the lotus frequently appears among phallic devices in place of the +sacred Yoni. From the foregoing pages the fact will be observed that the +God of the ancients embodied the two creative agencies throughout the +universe, but as nothing could exist without a mother, the great Om who +was the indivisible God and the Creator of the sun was the mother +of these two principles, while the Tree of Life was the original +life-giving energy upon the earth, represented in the creation myths of +the first man Adam, and the first woman Eve or Adama. + +Throughout the ages, this force, or creative agency has been symbolized +in various ways, many of which have been noted in the foregoing pages. +We have observed that notwithstanding the fact that the supremacy of +the male had been established, the sacred Yoni and the lotus were +still reverenced as symbols of the most exalted God. Finally, when the +masculine energy began to be worshipped as the more important agency +in reproduction, the female, although still necessary to complete the +god-idea, was veiled. + +Among the sect known as Lingaites, those who adored the male creative +power, Man, Phallus, and Creator in religious symbolism signified one +and the same thing in the minds of the people. Each represented a Tree +of Life, the beginning and end of all things. + +Tree-worship was condemned by the councils of Tours, Nantes, and +Auxerre, and in the XIth century it was forbidden in England by the laws +of Canute, but these edicts seem to have had little effect. In referring +to this subject, Barlow says: "In the XVIIIth century it existed in +Livonia, and traces of it may still be found in the British Isles."(22) +The vast area over which tree- and plant-worship once extended, and the +tenacity with which it still clings to the human race, indicate the hold +which, at an earlier age in the history of mankind, it had taken upon +the religious feelings of mankind. + + + 22) Essays on Symbolism, p. 118. + + +So closely has this worship become entwined with that of serpent and +phallic faiths, that it is impossible to consider it, even in a brief +manner, without anticipating these later developments; yet linked with +earth- and sun-worship, it doubtless prevailed for many ages absolutely +unconnected with the grosser ideas with which it subsequently became +associated. + + + +CHAPTER III. SUN-WORSHIP--FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES IN THE SUN. + +"When we inquire into the worship of nations in the earliest periods to +which we have access by writing or tradition, we find that the adoration +of one God, without temples or images, universally prevailed."(23) + + + 23) Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids. + + +Underlying all the ancient religions of which we have any account, may +be observed the great energizing force throughout Nature recognized +and reverenced as the Deity. This force embraces not only the creative +energies in human beings, in animals, and in plants, but in the earlier +ages of human history it included also Wisdom, or Law--that "power by +which all things are discriminated or defined and held in their proper +places." The most renowned writers who have dealt with this subject +agree in the conclusion that, during thousands of years among all the +nations of the earth, only one God was worshipped. This God was Light +and Life, both of which proceeded from the sun, or more properly +speaking were symbolized by the sun. + +In Egyptian hymns the Creator is invoked as the being who "dwells +concealed in the sun"; and Greek writers speak of this luminary as the +"generator and nourisher of all things, the ruler of the world." It is +thought, however, that neither of these nations worshipped the corporeal +sun. It was the "centre or body from which the pervading spirit, the +original producer of order, fertility, and organization, continued to +emanate to preserve the mighty structure which it had formed." + +It is evident that at an early age, both in Egypt and in India, +spiritualized conceptions of sun-worship had already been formed. + +We have seen that Netpe, the Goddess of Light, or Heavenly Wisdom, +conferred spiritual life on all who would accept it. The Great Mother of +the Gods in India was not only the source whence all blessings flow, but +she was the Beginning and the End of all things. + +Of "Aditi, the boundless, the yonder, the beyond all and everything," +Max Muller says that in later times she "may have become identified with +the sky, also with the earth, but originally she was far beyond the sky +and the earth."(24) The same writer quotes the following, also from a +hymn of the Rig-Veda: + + + 24) Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 221. + + +"O Mitra and Varuna, you mount your chariot which, at the dawning of +the dawn is golden-colored and has iron poles at the setting of the sun; +from thence you see Aditi and Diti--that is, what is yonder and what is +here, what is infinite and what is finite, what is mortal and what is +immortal."(25) + + + 25) Ibid. + + +Aditi is the Great She that Is, the Everlasting. Muller refers to the +fact that another Hindoo poet "speaks of the dawn as the face of Aditi; +thus indicating that Aditi is here not the dawn itself, but something +beyond the dawn." This Goddess, who is designated as the "Oldest," is +implored "not only to drive away darkness and enemies that lurk in +the dark, but likewise to deliver man from any sin which he may have +committed." "May Aditi by day protect our cattle, may she, who never +deceives, protect us from evil." + +In the Egyptian as in the Indian and Hebrew religions, the two +generating principles throughout Nature represent the Infinite, the +Holy of Holies, the Elohim or Aleim--the Ieue. Within the records of +the earliest religions of Ethiopia or Arabia, Chaldea, Assyria, and +Babylonia, is revealed the same monad principle in the Deity. This monad +conception, or dual unity, this God of Light and Life, or of Wisdom and +generative force, is the same source whence all mythologies have sprung, +and, as has been stated, among all peoples the fact is observed that +the religious idea has followed substantially the same course of +development, or growth. Within the sacred writings of the Hindoos there +is but one Almighty Power, usually denominated as Brahm or Brahme--Om or +Aum. This word in India was regarded with the same degree of veneration +as was the sacred Ieue of the Jews. In later ages, the fact is being +proved that this God, into whom all the deities worshipped at a certain +period in human history resolve themselves, is the sun, or if not +the actual corporeal sun, then the supreme agency within it which was +acknowledged as the great creative or life-force--that dual principle +which by the early races was recognized as Elohim, Om, Ormuzd, etc., +and from which the productive power in human beings, in plants, and in +animals was thought to emanate. + +Prior to the development of either tree or phallic worship, the sun +as an emblem of the Deity had doubtless become the principal object +of veneration. Ages would probably elapse before primitive man would +observe that all life is dependent on the warmth of the sun's rays, or +before from experience he would perceive the fact that to its agency as +well as to that of the earth he was indebted both for food and the power +of motion. However, as soon as this knowledge had been gained, the great +orb of day would assume the most prominent place among the objects of +his regard and adoration. That such has been the case, that the sun, +either as the actual Creator, or as an emblem of the great energizing +force in Nature, has been worshipped by every nation of the globe, there +is no lack of evidence to prove; neither do we lack proof to establish +the fact that, since the adoption of the sun as a divine object, or +perhaps I should say as the emblem of Wisdom and creative power, it has +never been wholly eliminated from the god-idea of mankind. + +Bryant produces numberless etymological proofs to establish the fact +that all the early names of the Deity were derived or compounded from +some word which originally meant the sun. + +Max Muller says that Surya was the sun as shining in the sky. Savitri +was the sun as bringing light and life. Vishnu was the sun as striding +with three steps across the sky, etc. + +Inman, whose etymological researches have given him considerable +prominence as a Sanskrit and Hebrew scholar, says that Ra, Ilos, +Helos, Bil, Baal, Al, Allah, and Elohim were names given to the sun as +representative of the Creator. + +We are assured by Godfrey Higgins that Brahme is the sun the same +as Surya. Brahma sprang from the navel of Brahme. Faber in his Pagan +Idolatry says that all the gods of the ancients "melt insensibly into +one, they are all equally the sun." The word Apollo signifies the +author or generator of Light. In the Rig Veda, Surya, the sun, is called +Aditya. "Truly, Surya, thou art great; truly Aditya, thou art great." + +Selden observes that whether the gods be called Osiris, or Omphis, or +Nilus, or any other name, they all center in the sun. + +According to Diodorus Siculus, it was the belief of the ancients that +Dionysos, Osiris, Serapis, Pan, Jupiter and Pluto were all one. They +were, the sun. + +Max Muller says that a very low race in India named the Santhals call +the sun Chandro, which means "bright." These people declared to the +missionaries who settled among them, that Chandro had created the world; +and when told that it would be absurd to say that the sun had created +the world, they replied: "We do not mean the visible Chandro, but an +invisible one." + +Not only did Dionysos, and all the rest of the gods who in later ages +came to be regarded as men, represent the sun, but after the separation +of the male and female elements in the originally indivisible God, Maut +or Minerva, Demeter, Ceres, Isis, Juno, and others less important in the +pagan world were also the sun, or, in other words, they represented the +female power throughout the universe which was supposed to reside in the +sun. + +In most groups of Babylonian and Assyrian divine emblems, there occur +two distinct representations of the sun, "one being figured with four +rays or divisions within the orb, and the other, with eight." According +to George Rawlinson, these figures represent a distinction between +the male and female powers residing within the sun, the quartered disk +signifying the male energy, and the eight-rayed orb appearing as the +emblem of the female!(26) + + + 26) Essay x. + + +During an earlier age of human history, prior to the dissensions which +arose over the relative importance of the sexes in reproduction, and at +a time when a mother and her child represented the Deity, the sun was +worshiped as the female Jove. Everything in the universe was a part of +this great God. At that time there had been no division in the god-idea. +The Creator constituted a dual but indivisible unity. Dionysos formerly +represented this God, as did also Om, Jove, Mithras, and others. Jove +was the "Great Virgin" whence everything proceeds. + + "Jove first exists, whose thunders roll above, + Jove last, Jove midmost, all proceeds from Jove; + Female is Jove, Immortal Jove is male; + Jove the broad Earth, the heavens irradiate pale. + Jove is the boundless Spirit, Jove the Fire, + That warms the world with feeling and desire." + +In a former work the fact has been mentioned that the first clue +obtained by Herr Bachofen, author of Das Mutterrecht, to a former +condition of society under which gynaecocracy, or the social and +political pre-eminence of women, prevailed, was the importance attached +to the female principle in the Deity in all ancient mythologies. + +According to the testimony of various writers, Om, although +comprehending both elements of the Deity, was nevertheless female in +signification. Sir William Jones observes that Om means oracle--matrix +or womb.(27) Upon this subject Godfrey Higgins, quoting from Drummond, +remarks: + + + 27) See Anacalypsis, book iii., ch. ii. + + +"The word Om or Am in the Hebrew not only signifies might, strength, +power, firmness, solidity, truth, but it means also Mother, as in +Genesis ii., 24, and Love, whence the Latin Amo, Mamma. If the word be +taken to mean strength, then Amon will mean (the first syllable being +in regimine) the temple of the strength of the generative or creative +power, or the temple of the mighty procreative power. If the word Am +means Mother, then a still more recondite idea will be implied, viz.: +the mother generative power, or the maternal generative power: perhaps +the Urania of Persia or the Venus Aphrodite of Crete and Greece, or the +Jupiter Genetrix of the masculine and feminine gender, or the Brahme +Mai of India, or the Alma Venus of Lucretius. And the City of On or +Heliopolis will be the City of the sun, or City of the procreative +powers of nature of which the sun was always an emblem." + +According to Prof. W. R. Smith, Om means uniting or binding, a fact +which is explained by the early significance of the mother element in +early society. The name of the great Deity Om or Aum scarcely passes the +lips of its worshippers, and when it is pronounced is always reverently +whispered. Regarding the mystic word Om, we are told that it is the name +given to Delphi, and that "Delphi has the meaning of the female organs +of generation called in India the Os Minxoe." + +Although the great God of India was female and male, yet we are assured +by Forlong that the female energy Maya, Queen of Heaven, even at the +present time is more heard of than the male principle. + +According to Bryant, the worship of Ham is the most ancient as well as +the most universal of any in the world. This writer remarks that Ham, +instead of representing an individual, is but a Greek corruption of Om +or Aum, the great androgynous God of India, a God which is identical in +significance with Aleim, Vesta, and all the other representatives of +the early dual, universal power. "In the old language God was called +Al, Ale, Alue, and Aleim, more frequently Aleim than any other name." +According to the testimony of Higgins, Aleim denotes the feminine +plural. The heathen divinities Ashtaroth and Beelzebub were both called +Aleim, Ashtaroth being simply Astarte adorned with the horns of a ram. +Ishtar not unfrequently appears with the horns of a cow. We are informed +by Inman that whenever a goddess is observed with horns--emblems which +by the way always indicate masculine power--it is to denote the fact +that she is androgynous, or that within her is embodied the complete +Deity--the dual reproductive energy throughout Nature. The "figure +becomes the emblem of divinity and power."(28) + + + 28) Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., p. 311. + + +Mithras--the Savior, the great Persian Deity which was worshipped as the +"Preserver," was both female and male. Among the representations of this +divinity which appear in the Townley collection in the British Museum, +is one in which it is figured in its female character, in the act of +killing the bull. The Divinity Baal was both female and male. The God of +the Jews in an early stage of their career was called Baal. The oriental +Ormuzd was also dual or androgynous. + +Orpheus teaches that the divine nature is both female and male. +According to Proclus, Jupiter was an immortal maid, "the Queen of +Heaven, and Mother of the Gods." All things were contained within the +womb of Jupiter. This Virgin within whom was embodied the male principle +"gave light and life to Eve." She was the life-giving, energizing power +in Nature, and was identical with Aleim, Om, Astarte, and others. The +Goddess Esta, or Vesta, or Hestia, whom Plato calls the "soul of the +body of the universe," is believed by Beverly and others to be +the Self-Existent, the Great "She that Is" of the Hindoos, whose +significance is identical with the Cushite or Phoenician Deity, Aleim. + +According to Marco Polo, the Chinese had but one supreme God of whom +they had no image, and to whom they prayed for only two things--"a sound +mind in a sound body." They had, however, a lesser god--probably the +same as the "Lord" (masculine) of the Jews, to whom they petitioned for +rain, fair weather, and all the minor accessories of existence. Upon the +walls of the houses of the Chinese is a tablet to which they pay their +devotion. On this tablet is the name of the "high, celestial, and +supreme God." The principal word which this tablet contains is "Tien." +Of this Chinese Deity Barlow says: "The Chinese recognize in Tienhow, +the Queen of Heaven nursing her infant son." Connected with this figure +is a lotus bud, symbol of the new birth. + +Originally in Chaldea and in Egypt, only one supreme God was worshipped. +This Deity was figured by a mother and her child, as was the great +Chinese God. It comprehended the universe and all the attributes of the +Deity. It was worshipped thousands of years prior to the birth of Mary, +the Mother of Christ, and representations of it are still extant, not +only in oriental lands, but in many countries of Europe. Within the +oldest temples of Egypt are still to be observed sacred apartments which +contain the "Holy of Holies," and to which, in past ages, none might +gain access but priests and priestesses of the highest order. Within +these apartments are pictured the mysteries of birth, together with the +symbols of generation emblems of procreation. + +On the banks of the river Nile are observed the ruins of the temple of +Philae, which structure, it is said, represents the most ancient style +of architecture. Within these ruins is to be seen an inner chamber in +which are depicted the birth scenes of the child god Horus, and, indeed, +everywhere among the monuments and ruins of Egypt, is plainly visible +the fact that the creative power and functions in human beings, in +animals, and in vegetable life, together with Wisdom, once constituted +the god-idea. + +Between the ruins of the palace of Amunoph III. and the Nile are two +colossal statues, each hewn from a single block of stone. These figures, +although in a sitting posture, are sixty feet high. It is thought that +they once formed the entrance to an avenue of similar figures leading +up to the palace. It has been supposed that the most northern statue +represents Ammon, and that its companion piece is his Mother. It is now +believed by many writers, however, that these figures do not represent +two persons at all, but that in a remote age of the world's history +they were worshipped as the two great principles, female and male, which +animate Nature. The fact has been observed that Am or Om was originally +a female Deity, within whom was contained the male principle; when, +however, through the changes wrought in the relative positions of the +sexes, the male element in the Divinity adored came to be represented +as a man instead of as a child, he was Ammon. He was the sun, yet +notwithstanding the fact that he had drawn to himself the powers of the +sun, he was still, himself, only a production of or emanation from the +female Deity Om, Mother of the Gods and Queen of Heaven. She it was who +had created or brought forth the sun. + +There is a tradition which asserts that every morning a melodious sound +is emitted from the first named of these two colossal figures as he +salutes his rosy-fingered Mother whom he acknowledges as the source of +all Light and Wisdom. The bodies are described as being "without motion, +the faces without expression, the eyes looking straight forward, yet a +certain grand simplicity occasions them to be universally admired." + +The Goddess Disa or Isa of the North, as delineated on the sacred drums +of the Laplanders, was accompanied by a child similar to the Horus +of the Egyptians.(29) It is observed also that the ancient Muscovites +worshipped a sacred group composed of a mother and her children, +probably a representation of the Egyptian Isis and her offspring, or at +least of the once universal idea of the Deity. + + + 29) Jennings, Phallicism. + + +The following is from Payne Knight: + +"A female Pantheitic figure in silver, with the borders of the drapery +plated with gold, and the whole finished in a manner surpassing almost +anything extant, was among the things found at Macon on the Saone, +in the year 1764, and published by Caylus. It represents Cybele, the +universal mother, with the mural crown on her head, and the wings of +pervasion growing from her shoulders, mixing the productive elements of +heat and moisture by making a libation upon the flames of an altar. On +each side of her head is one of the Discouri, signifying the alternate +influence of the diurnal and nocturnal Sun; and, upon a crescent +supported by the tips of her wings, are the seven planets, each +signified by a bust of its presiding deity resting upon a globe, and +placed in the order of the days of the week named after them. + +"In her left hand she holds two cornucopiae, to signify the result of +her operation on the two hemispheres of the Earth; and upon them are the +busts of Apollo and Diana, the presiding deities of these hemispheres, +with a golden disk, intersected by two transverse lines, such as is +observed on other pieces of ancient art, and such as the barbarians of +the North employed to represent the solar year, divided into four parts, +at the back of each."(30) + + + 30) Symbolism of Ancient Art. + + +It was doubtless at a time when woman constituted the head of the gens, +and when the feminine element in the sun, in human beings, and in Nature +generally was regarded as the more important, that Latona and her son +Apollo were worshipped together. Latona, Apollo, and Diana constituted +the triune God. The last two were the female and male energies, the +former being the source whence they sprang. As soon as one is divested +of a belief in the popular but erroneous opinion that the gods of the +early Egyptians and Greeks were deified heroes of former ages, he is +prepared to perceive the fact that, although to the uninitiated these +gods appear numberless, in reality they all represent the same idea, +namely: the dual, moving force in Nature, together with Light or Wisdom. + +We have seen that when among the nations of antiquity civilization had +reached its height, the god-idea was represented by the figure of a +woman with her child; subsequently, however, as these nations began to +decline, the creative energy comprehended simply physical life, or the +power to reproduce, and was represented by various emblems which will +be noticed farther on in this work. In still later ages, after male +reproductive power had become God, and when, through superstition +and sensuality, the masses of the people had descended to the rank of +slaves, monarchs, representing themselves to their ignorant subjects +as the source of all blessings, even of life itself, appropriated the +titles of the sun, and claimed for themselves the adoration which had +formerly belonged to it. From this fact has doubtless arisen the opinion +so tenaciously upheld in recent times, that the gods of the ancients +were only deified heroes of former times. + +If, during the earlier ages of human existence, all the gods resolved +themselves into the sun, and if Light and Life, or Wisdom and the power +to reproduce and sustain life, constituted the Deity, then of course God +or the sun would be female or male, or both, according to the prevailing +belief in the comparative creative and sustaining forces of the sexes. + +From what appears in the foregoing pages the fact has doubtless been +perceived that the worship of a Virgin and Child does not, as is usually +supposed, belong exclusively to the Romish Christian Church, but, on the +contrary, that it constitutes the most remote idea of a Creator extant. +As has been hinted, there is little doubt that the earliest worship of +the woman and child was much simpler than was that which came to prevail +in later ages, at a time when every religious conception was closely +veiled beneath a mixture of astrology and mythology. After the planets +came to be regarded as active agencies in reproduction, and powerful +in directing all mundane affairs, the Virgin of the Sphere while she +represented Nature was also the constellation which appeared above the +horizon at the winter solstice, or at the time when the sun had reached +its lowest point and had begun to return. At this time, the 25th of +December, and just as the days began to lengthen, this Virgin gave birth +to the Sun-God. It is said that he issued forth from her side, hence the +legend that Gotama Buddha was produced from the side of Maya, and also +the story believed by the Gnostics and other Christian sects that Jesus +was taken from the side of Mary.(31) + + + 31) The fact will doubtless be remembered that a similar belief was +entertained concerning the birth of Julius Caesar. + + +Within the churches and in the streets of many cities of Germany are +to be observed figures of this traditional Virgin. She is standing, one +foot upon a crescent and the other on a serpent's head, in the mouth of +which is the sprig of an apple tree on which is an apple. The tail +of the serpent is wound about a globe which is partially enveloped in +clouds. On one arm of the Virgin is the Child, and in the hand of the +other arm she carries the sacred lotus. Her head is encircled with a +halo of light similar to the rays of the sun. + +One is frequently disposed to query: Do the initiated in the Romish +Church regard these images as legitimate representations of Mary, the +wife of Joseph and Mother of Christ, or are they aware of their true +significance? Certainly the various accessories attached to this figure +betray its ancient origin and reveal its identity with the Egyptian, +Chaldean, and Phoenician Virgin of the Sphere. + +The fact has already been observed that in the original representation +of the "Temptation" in the cave temple of India, it is not the woman +but the man who is the tempter, and a singular peculiarity observed in +connection with this ancient female Deity is that it is SHE and NOT HER +SEED who is trampling on the serpent, thus proving that originally woman +and not man was worshipped as the Savior. Another significant feature +noticed in connection with this subject is that the oldest figures +which represent this Goddess are black, thus proving that she must have +belonged to a dark skinned race. + +This image, although black, or dark skinned, had long hair, hence not a +negress. The most ancient statue of Ceres was black, and Pausanias says +that at a place called Melangea in Arcadia there was a black Venus. In +the Netherlands only a few years ago, was a church dedicated to a black +goddess. The Virgin of the Sphere who treads on the head of the serpent +represents universal womanhood. She is the Virgin of the first book of +Genesis and mother of all the Earth. She represents not only creative +power but Perceptive Wisdom. Although this Goddess is usually seen with +the lotus in her hand, she sometimes carries ripe corn or wheat. + +The mother of Gotama Buddha was called Mai or Maya, after the month in +which the Earth is arrayed in her most beautiful attire. + +Maya is the parent of universal Nature. According to Davis, the mother +of Mercury "is the universal genius of Nature which discriminated all +things according to their various kinds of species," the same as was +Muth of Egypt. Mai is said to mean "one who begins to illuminate." She +was in fact the mother of the sun whence everything proceeds. She was +matter, within which was concealed spirit. + +In the representations of Montfaucon appears the Goddess Isis sitting on +the lotus. Her head, upon which is a globe, is surrounded by a radiant +circle which evidently represents the sun. On the reverse side is Ieu, +the word "which is the usual way of the ecclesiastical authors reading +the Hebrew word Jehovah." Referring to this from Montfaucon, Godfrey +Higgins observes: "Here Isis, whose veil no mortal shall ever +draw aside, the celestial Virgin of the Sphere, is seated on the +self-generating sacred lotus and is called Ieu or Jove."(32) She has +also the mystic number 608 which stands for the Deity. Her breasts show +plainly that it is a female representation, although connected with the +figure appears the male emblem to indicate that within her are contained +both elements, or that the universe is embodied within the female. + + + 32) Anacalypsis, book v., ch. iv. + + +Higgins thinks there is no subject on which more mistakes have been made +than on that of the Goddess Isis, both by ancients and moderns. He calls +attention to the inconsistency of calling her the moon when in many +countries the moon is masculine. He is quite positive that if Isis is +the moon, Ceres, Proserpine, Venus, and all the other female gods were +the same, which in view of the facts everywhere at hand cannot be true. +It is true, however, that "the planet called the moon was dedicated to +her in judicial astrology, the same as a planet was dedicated to Venus +or Mars. But Venus and Mars were not these planets themselves, though +these planets were sacred to them."(33) Higgins then calls attention to +her temple at Sais in Egypt, and to the inscription which declares that +"she comprehends all that is and was and is to be," that she is "parent +of the sun," and he justly concludes that Isis can not be the moon. + + + 33) Anacalypsis, book vi., ch. ii. + + +Apuleius makes Isis say: + +"I am the parent of all things, the sovereign of the elements, the +primary progeny of time, the most exalted of the deities, the first +of the heavenly gods and goddesses, whose single deity the whole world +venerates in many forms, with various rites and various names. The +Egyptians worship me with proper ceremonies and call me by my true name, +Queen Isis." + +Isis, we are told, is called Myrionymus, or goddess with 10,000 names. +She is the Persian Mithra, which is the same as Buddha, Minerva, Venus, +and all the rest. + +Faber admits that the female principle was formerly regarded as the Soul +of the World. He says: + +"Isis was the same as Neith or Minerva; hence the inscription at Sais +was likewise applied to that goddess. Athenagoras informs us that +Neith or the Athene of the Greeks was supposed to be Wisdom passing and +diffusing itself through all things. Hence it is manifest that she was +thought to be the Soul of the World; for such is precisely the character +sustained by that mythological personage."(34) + + + 34) Pagan Idolatry, book i., p. 170. + + +The same writer says further: + +"Ovid gives a similar character to Venus. He represents her as +moderating the whole world; as giving laws to Heaven, Earth, and Ocean, +as the common parent both of gods and men, and as the productive +cause both of corn and trees. She is celebrated in the same manner by +Lucretius, who ascribes to her that identical attribute of universality +which the Hindoos give to their Goddess Isi or Devi."(35) + + + 35) Ibid. + + +It seems to be the general belief of all writers whose object is +to disclose rather than conceal the ancient mysteries, that until a +comparatively recent time the moon was never worshipped as Isis. Until +the origin and meaning of the ancient religion had been forgotten, and +the ideas underlying the worship of Nature had been lost, the moon was +never regarded as representing the female principle. + +When man began to regard himself as the only important factor in +procreation, and when the sun became masculine and heat or passion +constituted the god-idea, the moon was called Isis. The moon represented +the absence of heat, it therefore contained little of the recognized +god-element. It was, perhaps, under the circumstances, a fitting emblem +for woman. + +In the sacred writings of the Hindoos there is an account of the moon, +Soma, having been changed into a female called Chandra, "the white or +silvery one." + +While speaking of the moon, Kalisch says: "The whole ritual of the +Phoenician Goddess Astarte with whom that Queen of Heaven is identical, +and who was the goddess of fertility seems to have been transferred to +her."(36) + + + 36) Historical and Critical Commentary of the Old Testament. + + +To such an extent, in the earlier ages of the world had the female +been regarded as the Creator, that in many countries where her worship +subsequently became identified with that of the moon, Luna was adored as +the producer of the sun. According to the Babylonian creation tablets, +the moon was the most important heavenly body. In later ages, the gender +of the sun and the moon seems to be exceedingly variable. The Achts of +Vancouver's Island worship sun and moon--the sun as female, the moon +as male.(37) In some of the countries of Africa the moon is adored as +female and sun-worship is unknown. Among various peoples the sun and the +moon are regarded as husband and wife, and among others as brother and +sister. In some countries, both are female. I can find no instance in +which both are male. Hindoos and Aztecs alike, at one time, said that +Luna was male and often that the sun was female. + + + 37) Tylor, Primitive Culture, vol. ii., p. 272. + + +The fact that among the Persians the moon as well as the sun was at +a certain period regarded as a source of procreative energy and as +influencing the generative processes, is shown by various passages in +the Avestas. In the Khordah Avesta, praise is offered to "the Moon which +contains the seed of cattle, to the only begotten Bull, to the Bull of +many kinds." + +Perhaps the most widely diffused and universally adored representation +of the ancient female Deity in Egypt was the Virgin Neit or Neith, the +Athene of the Greeks and the Minerva of the Romans. Her name signifies +"I came from myself." This Deity represents not only creative power, +but abstract intelligence, Wisdom or Light. Her temple at Sais was +the largest in Egypt. It was open at the top and bore the following +inscription: "I am all that was and is and is to be; no mortal has +lifted up my veil, and the fruit which I brought forth was the sun." +She was called also Muth, the universal mother. Kings were especially +honored in the title "Son of Neith." + +To express the idea that the female energy in the Deity comprehended +not alone the power to bring forth, but that it involved all the natural +powers, attributes, and possibilities of human nature, it was portrayed +by a pure Virgin who was also a mother. According to Herodotus, the +worship of Minerva was indigenous in Lybia, whence it travelled to Egypt +and was carried from thence to Greece. Among the remnants of Egyptian +mythology, the figure of a mother and child is everywhere observed. It +is thought by various writers that the worship of the black virgin and +child found its way to Italy from Egypt. + +The change noted in the growth of the religious idea by which the male +principle assumes the more important position in the Deity may, by a +close investigation of the facts at hand, be easily traced, and, as has +before been expressed, this change will be found to correspond with +that which in an earlier age of the world took place in the relative +positions of the sexes. In all the earliest representations of the +Deity, the fact is observed that within the mother element is contained +the divinity adored, while the male appears as a child and dependent on +the ministrations of the female for existence and support. Gradually, +however, as the importance of man begins to be recognized in human +affairs, we find that the male energy in the Deity, instead of appearing +as a child in the arms of its mother, is represented as a man, and that +he is of equal importance with the woman; later he is identical with the +sun, the woman, although still a necessary factor in the god-idea, being +concealed or absorbed within the male. It is no longer woman who is to +bruise the serpent's head, but the seed of the woman, or the son. He is +Bacchus in Greece, Adonis in Syria, Christna in India. He is indeed the +new sun which is born on the 25th of December, or at the time when the +solar orb has reached its lowest position and begins to ascend. It is +not perhaps necessary to add that he is also the Christ of Bethlehem, +the son of the Virgin. + +Nowhere, perhaps, is the growing importance of the male in the god-idea +more clearly traced than in the history of the Arabians. Among this +people are still to be found certain remnants of the matriarchal +age--an age in which women were the recognized heads of families and the +eponymous leaders of the gentes or clans. Concerning the worship of +a man and woman as god by the early Arabians, Prof. Robertson Smith +remarks: + +"Except the comparatively modern Isaf and Naila in the sanctuary at +Mecca where there are traditions of Syrian influence, I am not aware +that the Arabs had pairs of gods represented as man and wife. In the +time of Mohammed the female deities, such as Al-lat, were regarded as +daughters of the supreme male God. But the older conception as we see +from a Nabataean inscription in De Vogue, page 119, is that Al-lat +is mother of the gods. At Petra the mother-goddess and her son were +worshipped together, and there are sufficient traces of the same thing +elsewhere to lead us to regard this as having been the general rule when +a god and goddess were worshipped in one sanctuary."(38) + + + 38) Kinship and Marriage in Early Arabia, ch. vi., p. 179. + + +As the worship of the black virgin and child is connected with the +earliest religion of which we may catch a glimpse, the exact locality +in which it first appeared must be somewhat a matter of conjecture, +but that this idea constituted the Deity among the Ethiopian or early +Cushite race, the people who doubtless carried civilization to Egypt, +India, and Chaldea, is quite probable. + +If we bear in mind the fact that the gods of the ancients represented +principles and powers, we shall not be surprised to find that Muth, +Neith, or Isis, who was creator of the sun, was also the first emanation +from the sun. Minerva is Wisdom--the Logos, the Word. She is Perception, +Light, etc. At a later stage in the history of religion, all emanations +from the Deity are males who are "Saviors." + +That the office of the male as a creative agency is dependent on the +female, is a fact so patent that for ages the mother principle could +not be eliminated from the conception of a Deity, and the homage paid +to Athene or Minerva, even after women had become only sexual slaves and +household tools, shows the extent to which the idea of female supremacy +in Nature and in the Deity had taken root. + +Notwithstanding the efforts which during numberless ages were made to +dethrone the female principle in the god-idea, the Great Mother, under +some one of her various appellations, continued, down to a late period +in the history of the human race, to claim the homage and adoration of a +large portion of the inhabitants of the globe. And so difficult was it, +even after the male element had declared itself supreme, to conceive of +a creative force independently of the female principle, that oftentimes, +during the earlier ages of their attempted separation, great confusion +and obscurity are observed in determining the positions of male deities. +Zeus who in later times came to be worshipped as male was formerly +represented as "the great dyke, the terrible virgin who breathes out on +crime, anger, and death." Grote refers to numerous writers as authority +for the statement that Dionysos, who usually appears in Greece as +masculine, and who was doubtless the Jehovah of the Jews, was indigenous +in Thrace, Phrygia, and Lydia as the Great Mother Cybele. He was +identical with Bacchus, who although represented on various coins as +a "bearded venerable figure" appears with the limbs, features, and +character of a beautiful young woman. Sometimes this Deity is portrayed +with sprouting horns, and again with a crown of ivy. The Phrygian Attis +and the Syrian Adonis, as represented in monuments of ancient art, are +androgynous personifications of the same attributes. According to +the testimony of the geographer Dionysius, the worship of Bacchus was +formerly carried on in the British Islands in exactly the same manner as +it had been in an earlier age in Thrace and on the banks of the Ganges. + +In referring to the Idean Zeus in Crete, to Demeter at Eleusis, to +the Cabairi in Samothrace, and Dionysos at Delphi and Thebes, Grote +observes: "That they were all to a great degree analogous, is shown by +the way in which they necessarily run together and become confused in +the minds of various authors." + +Concerning Sadi, Sadim, or Shaddai, Higgins remarks: + +"Parkhurst tells us it means all-bountiful--the pourer forth of +blessings; among the Heathen, the Dea Multimammia; in fact the Diana of +Ephesus, the Urania of Persia, the Jove of Greece, called by Orpheus the +Mother of the Gods, each male as well as female--the Venus Aphrodite; in +short, the genial powers of Nature." + +To which Higgins adds: "And I maintain that it means the figure which +is often found in collections of ancient statues, most beautifully +executed, and called the Hermaphrodite." + +As in the old language there was no neuter gender, the gods must always +appear either as female or male. For apparent reasons, in all the +translations, through the pronouns and adjectives used, the more +important ancient deities have all been made to appear as males. + +By at least two ancient writers Jupiter is called the Mother of the +Gods. In reference to a certain Greek appellation, Bryant observes that +it is a masculine name for a feminine deity--a name which is said to be +a corruption of Mai, the Hindoo Queen of Heaven. + +In process of time, as the world became more and more masculinized, so +important did it become that the male should occupy the more exalted +place in the Deity, that even the Great Mother of the Gods, as we have +seen, is represented as male. + +The androgynous or plural form of the ancient Phoenician God Aleim, +the Creator referred to in the opening chapter of Genesis, is clearly +apparent. This God, speaking to his counterpart, Wisdom, the female +energy, says: "Let us make man in our own image, in our own likeness," +and accordingly males and females are produced. By those whose duty +it has been in the past to prove that the Deity here represented is +composed only of the masculine attributes, we are given to understand +that God was really "speaking to himself," and that in his divine +cogitations excessive modesty dictated the "polite form of speech"; he +did not, therefore, say exactly what he meant, or at least did not mean +precisely what he said. We have to bear in mind, however, that as man +had not at that time been created, if there were no female element +present, this excess of politeness on the part of the "Lord" was wholly +lost. Surely, in a matter involving such an enormous stretch of power +as the creation of man independently of the female energy, we would +scarcely expect to find the high and mighty male potentate which was +subsequently worshipped as the Lord of the Israelites laying aside his +usual "I the Lord," simply out of deference to the animals. + +In Christian countries, during the past eighteen hundred years, the +greatest care has been exercised to conceal the fact that sun-worship +underlies all forms of religion, and under Protestant Christianity +no pains has been spared in eliminating the female element from the +god-idea; hence the ignorance which prevails at the present time in +relation to the fact that the Creator once comprehended the forces of +Nature, which by an older race were worshipped as female. + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE DUAL GOD OF THE ANCIENTS A TRINITY ALSO. + +Although the God of the most ancient people was a dual Unity, in later +ages it came to be worshipped as a Trinity. When mankind began to +speculate on the origin of the life principle, they came to worship +their Deity in its three capacities as Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer +or Regenerator, each of which was female and male. We have observed +that, according to Higgins, when this Trinity was spoken of +collectively, it was called after the feminine plural. + +By the various writers who have dealt with this subject during the last +century, much surprise has been manifested over the fact that for untold +ages the people of the earth have worshipped a Trinity. Forster, in his +Sketches of Hindoo Mythology, says: "One circumstance which forcibly +struck my attention was the Hindoo belief of a Trinity." + +Maurice, in his Indian Antiquities, observes that the idea of three +persons in the Deity was diffused amongst all the nations of the +earth, in regions as distant as Japan and Peru, that it was memorially +acknowledged throughout the whole extent of Egypt and India, +"flourishing with equal vigor amidst the snowy mountains of Thibet, and +the vast deserts of Siberia." The idea of a Trinity is supposed to have +been first elaborated on the banks of the Indus, whence it was carried +to the Greek and Latin nations. Astrologically the triune Deity of the +ancients portrayed the processes of Nature. + +This recondite doctrine as understood by the very ancient people +which originated it, involved a knowledge of Nature far too deep to +be appreciated or understood by their degenerate descendants, except +perhaps by a few philosophers and scholars who imbibed it in a modified +form from original sources in the far East. + +After the establishment of the Trinity, the creative energy, which had +formerly been represented by a mother and child, came to be figured +by the mother, father, and the life derived therefrom. Sometimes the +Trinity took the form of the two creative forces, female and male, and +the Great Mother. + +Whenever the two creative principles were considered separately, there +always appeared stationed over or above them, as their Creator, an +indivisible unity. This Creator was the "Beyond," the "most High +God"--Om or Aleim. It was the Mother of the Gods in whom were contained +all the elements of the Deity. Among the representations of the god-idea +which are to be observed on the monuments and in the temples of Egypt +appear triads, each of which is composed of a woman stationed between +a male figure and that of a child. She is depicted as the Light of the +sun, or Wisdom, while the male is manifested as the Heat of the orb +of day. She is crowned and always bears the male symbol of life--the +crux-ansata. + +Later, it is observed that the worship of Light has in a measure given +place to the adoration of Heat, in other words Light is no longer +adored as essence of the Deity, Heat or Passion having become the most +important element in creative power. + +After the ancient worship of the Virgin and Child had become somewhat +changed or modified so as to better accommodate itself to the growing +importance of the male, the most exalted conception of the Deity in +Egypt seems to have been that of a trinity composed of Mout the Mother, +Ammon the Father, and Chons the Infant Life derived from the other two. +Mout is identical with Neith, but she has become the wife as well as the +mother of Ammon. Directly below this conception of the Deity is a triad +representing less exalted attributes, or lower degrees of wisdom, under +the appellations of Sate, Kneph, and the child Anouk; and thus downward, +through the varying spheres of celestial light and life involved in +their theogony are observed the divine creative energies represented +under the figures of Mother, Father, and the Life proceeding therefrom, +until, finally, when the earth is reached, Isis, Osiris, and Horus +appear as the representation of the creative forces in human beings, and +therefore as the embodiment of the divine in the human. + +The Deity invoked in all the earlier inscriptions is a triad, and we are +assured that in Babylonia, where Beltis is associated with Belus, "no +god appears without a goddess." + +The supreme Deity of Assyria was Asshur, who was worshipped sometimes +as female, sometimes as male. This God doubtless represents the dual or +triple creative principle observed in all the earlier forms of worship. +Asshur had no distinct temple, but as her position was at the head of +the Pantheon, all the shrines throughout Assyria were supposed to have +been open to her worship. + +According to Bunsen, in the Sidonian Tyrian district, there were +originally three great gods, at the head of which appears Astarte--a +woman who represents pure reason or intelligence; then follows Zeus, +Demarius, and Adorus. Without doubt this triad represents a monad Deity +similar in character to the one observed in Egypt and other countries. + +In the minds of all well-informed persons, there is no longer any doubt +that in Abraham's time the Canaanites worshipped the same gods as did +the Persians and all the other nations about them--namely, Elohim, +the dual or triune creative force in Nature. As the Sun was the +source whence proceeded all light and life as well as reproductive or +generative power, it had become the object of adoration, and as the +emblem of the Deity, it was worshipped by all the nations of the +earth in its three capacities as Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer or +Regenerator each female and male. + +Melchizedek, who was a priest of the most high God, blessed Abraham, who +was a worshipper of the same Deity. On this subject Dr. Shuckford says: + +"It is evident that Abraham and his descendants worshipped not only the +true and living God, but they invoked him in the name of the Lord, and +they worshipped the Lord whose name they invoked, so that two persons +were the object of their worship, God and this Lord: and the Scriptures +have distinguished these two persons from one another by this +circumstance, that God no man hath seen at any time nor can see but +the Lord whom Abraham and his descendants worshipped was the person who +appeared to them." + +We are told that when chap. xxi., verse 33, of Genesis is correctly +translated, Abraham is represented as having invoked Jehovah, the +everlasting God. + +In the Hebrew name Yod-He-Vau (Jehovah), was set forth the triune +character of the Creator; in other words, this name "comprehended +the essential perfections of the great God," and was used in their +Scriptures as a "kind of summary or revelation of the attributes of the +Deity." + +Although Abraham, while in Egypt, was the worshipper of idols, we +are assured that "the peculiar privilege vouchsafed to him lay in the +revelation of God's holy name, Yod-He-Vau." There is indeed much evidence +going to prove that the people represented by Abraham understood the +earlier conception of a Deity, and that while the great universal +principle whose name it was sacrilege to pronounce was still +acknowledged, there was another God (the Lord), the same as in China, +whose worship they were beginning to adopt. "And Jacob vowed a vow, +saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, +and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come +again to my Father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God." + +He then declared that the pillar or stone which he had set up, and which +was the emblem of male procreative energy, should be God's house. + +As at the time represented by Jacob there was evidently little or no +spirituality among the Israelites, this Lord whom they worshipped was +simply a life-giver in the most material or practical sense. + +The reproductive energy in man had become deified. It had, in other +words, come to possess all the attributes of a god, or of a powerful +man, which in reality was the same thing. It is this god personified +which is represented as appearing to Abraham and talking with him face +to face. With this same god Jacob wrestled, while the real God--the dual +or triune principle, the Jehovah or Iav, no man could behold and live. + +To conceal the fact that the God of Abraham originally consisted of a +dual or triple unity, and that the Deity was identical in significance +with that of contemporary peoples, the priests have, as usual, had +recourse to a trick to deceive the ignorant or uninitiated. In reference +to this subject Godfrey Higgins says: + +"In the second book of Genesis the creation is described not to have +been made by Aleim, or the Aleim, but by a God of a double name Ieue +Aleim; which the priests have translated Lord God. By using the word +Lord, their object evidently is to conceal from their readers several +difficulties which afterward arise respecting the names of God and this +word, and which show clearly that the books of the Pentateuch are the +writings of different persons."(39) + + + 39) Anacalypsis, book ii., ch, i. + + +Upon this subject Bishop Colenso observes: + +"And it is especially to be noted that when the Elohistic passages +are all extracted and copied one after another, they form a complete, +connected narrative; from which we infer that these must have composed +the original story, and that the other passages were afterwards inserted +by another writer, who wished to enlarge or supplement the primary +record. And he seems to have used the compound Jehovah Aleim in the +first portion of his work in order to impress upon the reader that +Jehovah, of whom he goes on to speak in the later portions, is the same +Great Being who is called simply Elohim by the older writer, and notably +in the first account of the creation."(40) + + + 40) Lectures on the Pentateuch and the Moabite Stone, p. 7. + + +We are informed by Bunsen that El, or Elohim, comprehends the true +significance of the Deity among all the Aramaic or Canaanitish races, +El representing the abstract principle taken collectively, Elohim +pertaining to the separate elements as Creator, Preserver, and +Regenerator. Each of these Canaanitish races had inherited these ideas +from their fathers, and, although they had become grossly idolatrous, +"Moses knew, and educated Israelites remained a long time conscious, +that they used them not merely in their real but in their most ancient +sense."(41) Maurice and other writers call attention to the fact that +Moses himself uses this word Elohim with verbs and adjectives in the +plural. That the God worshipped by the more ancient peoples, namely +Aleim, or Elohim, the same who said, "Let us make man in our image," was +not the Lord adored at a later age by the Jews, is a fact which at the +present time seems to be clearly proven; that it constituted, however, +the dual or triune unity venerated by all the nations on the globe of +which we have any record, appears to be well established. + + + 41) Bunsen, History of Egypt, vol. iv., p. 421. + + +We have seen that although the two sex-principles which underlie Nature +constituted the Creator, the ancients thought of it only as one and +indivisible. This indivisible aspect was the sacred Iav, the Holy +of Holies. When it was contemplated in its individual aspect it was +Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer, each of which was female and male. + +The difficulty of the ancients in establishing a First Cause seems to +have been exactly the same as is ours at the present time. When we say +there must have been a God who created all things, the question at once +arises, Who created God? According to their theories, nothing could be +brought forth without the interaction of two creative principles, female +and male; yet everything, even these principles, must proceed from an +indivisible energy--an energy which, as the idea of the sex functions +became more and more clearly defined, could not be contemplated except +in its dual aspect. So soon, therefore, as the Great First Cause was +separated into its elements, a still higher power was immediately +stationed above it as its Creator. This Creator was designated as +female. It was the Mother idea Even gods could not be produced without a +mother. + +In referring to the doctrines contained in the Geeta, one of the sacred +writings of the Hindoos, Faber observes: + +"In the single character of Brahm, all the three offices of Brahma, +Vishnu, and Siva are united. He is at once the Creator, the Preserver, +and the Destroyer. He is the primeval Hermaphrodite, or the Great Father +and the Great Mother blended together in one person." + +The fact that a trinity in unity, representing the female and male +energies symbolized by the organs of generation, formerly constituted +the Deity throughout Asia is acknowledged by all those who have examined +either the literature or monumental records of oriental countries. The +Rev. Mr. Maurice bears testimony to the character of Eastern religious +ideas in the following language: + +"Whoever will read the Geeta with attention, will perceive in that small +tract the outlines of all the various systems of theology in Asia. The +curious and ancient doctrine of the Creator being both male and female, +mentioned on a preceding page, to be designated in Indian temples by +a very indecent exhibition of the masculine and feminine organs of +generation in union, occurs in the following passage: 'I am the Father +and Mother of this world; I plant myself upon my own nature and +create again and again this assemblage of beings; I am generation +and dissolution, the place where all things are deposited, and the +inexhaustible seed of all Nature. I am the beginning, the middle, and +the end of all things.' "(42) + + + 42) Maurice, Indian Antiquities, vol. iv., p. 705. + + +According to Sir W. Jones, the Brahme, Vishnu, and Siva coalesce to form +the mystic Om, which means the essence of life or divine fire. In the +Bhagavat Geeta the supreme God speaks thus concerning itself: "I am the +holy one worthy to be known"; and immediately adds: "I am the mystic +(trilateral) figure Om; the Reig, the Yagush, and the Saman Vedas." It +is a unity and still a trinity. This Om or Aum stands for the Creator, +Preserver, and Destroyer or Regenerator, and represents the threefold +aspect of the force within the sun. The doctrine maintained throughout +the Geeta is not only that the great life-force represents a trinity in +unity, but that it is both female and male. On this subject Maurice, in +his Indian Antiquities, says: + +"This notion of three persons in the Deity was diffused amongst all the +nations of the earth, established at once in regions so distant as Japan +and Peru, immemorially acknowledged throughout the whole extent of Egypt +and India, and flourishing with equal vigor amidst the snowy mountains +of Thibet, and the vast deserts of Siberia." + +We have observed that the idea of a trinity as conceived by the +so-called ancients, although at all times founded on the same +conception, viz., that of the reproductive powers of Nature and +especially of mankind, differed in expression according to its +application. Although in human beings this triune creative idea was +expressed by the mother, father, and child, as set forth in the temples +and on the monuments of Egypt, when applied directly to the sun and +the planets, it appears as the Creator, Preserver, and Regenerator or +Destroyer. + +Destruction, or the absence of the sun's heat, represented by winter, +was necessary to life, and therefore the Destroyer was also the +Regenerator and equally with the Creator and Preserver constituted a +beneficent factor in the god-idea. In fact as this third element really +embodied the substance of the other two, it finally became the supreme +God, little afterward being heard about the Creator and Preserver. The +Regenerator or Destroyer was of course the sun, which in winter died +away and rose again in the spring-time as a beneficent Savior or +renewer of life. The principle involved in these processes represented +Fertility, Life, reproductive energy. As applied to mortals, it +comprehended the power to create combined with perceptive Wisdom or +Knowledge. + +This idea, portrayed as it was by a mother and her child, linked woman +with the stars. It produced the "Virgin of the Sphere," Queen of Heaven, +"Isiac Controller of the Zodiac," at the same time that it made her the +mother of all mankind. + +Every year this Virgin of the Sphere as she appeared above the horizon +at the winter solstice gave birth to the sun. Astronomically this +new sun was the Regenerator, by which all Nature was renewed. +Mythologically, after the higher truths contained in these doctrines +were lost, it came to be the Savior, the Son of the Virgin, the seed of +the woman, which was to bruise the serpent's head. + +That the religion of an ancient race comprehended a knowledge of the +evolutionary processes of Nature may not be doubted. The myths still +extant, and even the oldest Assyrian inscriptions which have been +deciphered, reveal the fact that the seeds of the visible universe were +hidden in the "great deep"--that animal creation sprang from the earth +and the sea through the influence of the sun's rays. + +It is now known that the philosophy of an older race involved a belief +in the Eternity of Matter. The abstruse doctrine of Reincarnation +and the Renewal of Worlds seems to have formed the basis of their +philosophy. According to these speculations, a portion of the earth was +destroyed or resolved into its primary elements every six hundred years, +while at the end of each Kalpia, or great Cycle of several thousand +years, the entire earth was renovated or absorbed into the two +fecundating principles of the universe. These two indivisible forces +represented by Vishnu rested in the water, or brooded on the face of the +deep. When stirred by love for each other they again became active, and +from the germs of a former world, which had been absorbed by themselves, +created again the earth and everything upon it. In other words, "the +earth sprang from the navel of Vishnu or Brahme." According to the +Buddhists of Ceylon, the universe has perished ten different times, +and each time has been renewed by the operations of Nature, or by the +preservation of germs from a former world. In their mythology these +germs are represented by a parent and a triplicated offspring. It is +perhaps unnecessary to add that this monad trinity is the Creator, +Preserver, and Destroyer with their great parent, the Mother of the +Gods, which in process of time came to be regarded as male. According to +Wilford, Hindoo chronology presents fourteen different periods, six of +which have already elapsed; we are in the seventh, which began with +the flood. Each of these periods is called a Manwantara, the presiding +genius or Deity of which is a Menu. At the close of each dynasty a total +destruction of the world takes place, everything being destroyed except +the ruler, or Menu, who "escapes in a boat." Each new world is an exact +counterpart of the one destroyed, and each Menu is a representation of +all preceding ones. Thus the history of one dynasty serves for all the +rest. This doctrine of a triplicated Deity appearing at the beginning of +a new creation may be traced in nearly every country of the globe. Among +the Buddhists of China, Fo is mysteriously multiplied into three persons +in the same manner as is Fo-hi, who is evidently Noah. Among the Hindoos +is observed the triad Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva springing from the monad +Brahm or Brahme. This triad appears on the earth at the beginning of +each Manwantara in the human form of Menu and his three sons. We are +assured that among the Tartars evident traces are found of a similar +God, who is seated on the lotus. It is also figured on a Siberian medal +in the imperial collection at St. Petersburg. The Jakuthi Tartars, +who are said to be the most numerous people of Siberia, worship +a triplicated Deity under the three denominations of Artugon and +Schugo-tangon and Tangara. Faber tells us that this Tartar God is the +same even in appellation with the Tanga-tanga of the Peruvians, who, +like other tribes of America, seem plainly to have crossed over from the +North-eastern extremity of Siberia. Upon this subject the same writer +remarks thus: + +"Agreeably to the mystical notion so familiar to the Hindoos, that +the self-triplicated Great Father yet remained but one in essence, the +Peruvians supposed their Tanga-tanga to be one in three, and three +in one: and in consequence of the union of hero worship with the +astronomical and material systems of idolatry they venerated the sun +and the air, each under three images and three names. The same opinions +equally prevailed throughout the nations which lie to the west of +Hindostan. Thus the Persians had their Ormuzd, Mithras, and Ahriman: +or, as the matter was sometimes represented, their self-triplicating +Mithras. The Syrians had their Monimus, Aziz, and Ares. The Egyptians +had their Emeph, Eicton, and Phtha. The Greeks and Romans had their +Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto; three in number, though one in essence, and +all springing from Cronus, a fourth, yet older God. The Canaanites had +their Baal-Spalisha or self-triplicated Baal. The Goths had their Odin, +Vile, and Ve, who are described as the three sons of Bura, the offspring +of the mysterious cow, and the Celts had their three bulls, venerated as +the living symbols of the triple Hu or Menu. To the same class we must +ascribe the triads of the Orphic and Pythagorean and Platonic schools; +each of which must again be identified with the imperial triad of the +old Chaldaic or Babylonian philosophy."(43) + + + 43) Faber, Pagan Idolatry, book vi., ch. ii., p. 470. + + +The history of the catastrophe known as the deluge, which, it is +claimed, took place either in Armenia, at Cashgar, or at some other +place in the East, is observed, in later ages, to furnish a covering +beneath which have been veiled the mythical doctrines of the priests. Of +the catastrophes which from time to time have visited our planet, and +of the belief which has come to be entertained by ecclesiastics that the +earth will be destroyed by fire, Celsus writes: + +"The belief has spread among them, from a misunderstanding of the +accounts of these occurrences, that after lengthened cycles of time, and +the returns and conjunctions of planets, conflagrations, and floods are +wont to happen, and because after the last flood, which took place in +the time of Deucalion, the lapse of time, agreeably to the vicissitude +of all things, requires a conflagration; and this made them give +utterance to the erroneous opinion that God will descend, bringing fire +like a torturer."(44) + + + 44) Origen against Celsus, book iv., ch. xi. + + +The mythologies of all nations are largely founded upon the "religious +history" of a flood. The doctrine of a triplicated God saved from +destruction by a storm-tossed ark which rested on some local mountain +answering to Ararat, and which was filled with the natural elements of +reproduction, is found amongst the traditions of every country of the +globe. In Egypt, the destructive agency drives the God into the ark--or +into the fish's belly, where he is obliged to remain until the flood +subsides. In other words, at the time of the destruction of the world, +the creative agency is forced within the womb of Nature, there to remain +until it again comes forth to recreate the world; nor does the symbolism +end here, for this God--the sun, or the reproductive power within it, +which every year is put to death by the cold of winter, must for a +season remain lifeless, but, at the proper time, will come forth with +healing in his wings. This God must issue forth to life through female +Nature. + +The god-man, Noah, who appears under one appellation or another in all +extant mythologies, was slain, or shut up in a box, ark, or chest in +which he or his seed was preserved from the ravages of a mighty flood, +or from destruction by the calamity which had befallen the rest of +mankind. In one sense he represents a Savior, in another sense he is +the saved, for he is the seed of a former world and is born again from +a boat, a symbol which always represents the female energy. Sometimes +he is shut up in a wooden cow, from which he issues forth to new life. +Again this storm tossed mariner is born from a cave, or the door of +a rocky cavern, within which he had been preserved from some terrible +catastrophe, caused either by water or fire. + +Sir W. Jones, Faber, Higgins, and many others who have investigated this +subject are confident that the Noah of Genesis is identical with Menu, +the law-giver of India, and that both are Adam, a man who appears +with his three sons at the end of each cycle, or six hundred years, to +renovate the world. In the six hundred and first year of Noah's life, in +the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up +from the earth. The drying of the waters, and the beginning anew just at +the close of the six hundred years, are thought to refer to the end of +the cycle of the Neros. A year of Menu or Buddha had expired and a new +dynasty or Mamwantara was to begin. + +Regarding this trinity, Faber remarks: + +"Brahm then at the head of the Indian triad is Menu at the head of his +three sons. But that by the first Menu we are to understand Adam, +is evident, both from the remarkable circumstance of himself and his +consort bearing the titles of Adima and Iva, and from the no less +remarkable tradition that one of his three sons was murdered by his +brother at a sacrifice. Hence it will follow, that Brahm at the head of +the Indian triad is Adam at the head of his three sons, Cain, Abel, and +Seth. Each Menu with his triple offspring is only the reappearance of a +former Menu with his triple offspring; for, in every such manifestation +at the commencement of each Mamwantara, the Hindoo Trimurti, or triad, +becomes incarnate, by transmigrating from the human bodies occupied +during a former incarnation; Brahm or the Unity appearing as the +paternal Menu of a new age, while the triad, Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, +is exhibited in the person of his three sons.... But the ark-preserved +Menu--Satyavrata and his three sons are certainly Noah and his three +sons, Shem, Ham, and Japhet." + +Hesiod teaches that, after the flood, Chaos, Night, and black Erebus +first appeared.(45) At this time, when there was no Earth, no Heaven, +and no Air, an egg floated on the face of the deep, which, being parted, +brought forth Love, or Cupid. Out of Chaos this God created or formed +all things. Now Cupid is the same as the Greek Phanes, and Phanes +is Noah, the egg being the ark or female principle from which he was +produced. The Greek God Phanes is the same as the Egyptian Osiris, +who was driven into the ark by the "wind that blasts," or by the evil +principle. + + + 45) The Theogony. + + +"As Cupid is indifferently said to have been produced from an egg at +a time when the whole world was in disorder, and from the womb of the +marine goddess Venus, the egg and the womb of that goddess must denote +the same thing. Accordingly we shall find that, on the one hand, Venus +is immediately connected with the symbolical egg; and, on the other +hand, that she is identical with Derceto and Isis, and is declared to +be that general receptacle out of which all the hero-gods were produced. +Now there can be little doubt in what sense we are to understand this +expression, when we are told that the peculiar symbol of Isis was a +ship; and when we learn that the form assumed at the period of the +deluge, by the Indian Isi or Bhavani, who is clearly the same as the +Egyptian Isis, was the ship Argha, in which her consort Siva floated +securely on the surface of the ocean. Venus, therefore, or the Great +Mother, the parent of Cupid from whom all mankind descended, must be the +Ark: consequently, the egg, with which she is connected, must be the Ark +also. Aristophanes informs us that the egg out of which Love was born, +was produced by Night in the bosom of Erebus. But the Goddess Night, as +we learn from the Orphic poet, was the very same person as Venus; and he +celebrates her as the parent of the Universe, and as the general mother +both of the hero-gods and of man. The egg therefore produced by Night +was produced by Venus: but Venus and the egg meant the same thing: even +that vast floating machine, which was esteemed an epitome of the world, +and from which was born that Deity who is also literally said to +have been set afloat in an ark. Sometimes the order of production was +inverted; and, instead of the egg being produced by Night or Venus, +Venus herself was fabled to have been produced from the egg. There is a +remarkable legend of this sort which ascribes Venus and her egg to the +age of Typhon and Osiris, in other words, to the age in which Noah was +compelled by the deluge to enter into the ark."(46) + + + 46) Origin of Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. iv. + + +The Preserver of the Persians, who is seated on a rainbow in front of +their rock temples, is Mithras, who is identical with Noah. Sometimes +this ancient mariner is represented as riding on the back of a fish, and +again as floating in a boat. The God of Hindostan, like the classical +Dionysos, was enclosed in an ark and driven into the sea. According to +the Gothic traditions as recorded in the Eddas, there once existed +a beautiful world, which was destroyed by fire. Another was created, +which, with all its inhabitants save a giant and his three sons, who +were saved in a ship, were destroyed by water. With this triad, which +originally sprang from a mysterious cow, the new world began. This new +world, which represents the present system, will in time be devoured by +flames; but another earth will arise from the ocean,--an earth far more +beautiful than this, upon which all kinds of grain and delicious fruits +will grow without cultivation. Veda and Vile will be there, for the +conflagration will have been powerless to destroy them. While the flames +are devouring all things, two human beings, a female and a male, will +be concealed under a hill, where they will feed upon dew, and will +propagate so abundantly that the earth will soon be peopled with a new +race of beings. During the catastrophe, the sun will be devoured by +a wolf, but before her death she will give birth to a daughter as +resplendent as herself, who will go in the same path formerly trodden by +her mother. + +The doctrines of the Gothic philosophers, as they appear in the Eddas, +concerning the eternity of matter, the renewal or succession of worlds, +and reincarnation are the same as those taught by Pythagoras, the +Stoics, and other Greek schools of thought. + +Brahme or Vishnu, resting on the bottom of the sea--a goddess who +was symbolized by the self-generating lotus--was in later ages the +mysterious Cow of the Goths. + +After the natural truths concealed beneath their religious symbolism +were wholly forgotten, and human nature through the over-stimulation +of the animal instincts had become corrupted, Adam and Eve, names which +doubtless for ages represented the two fecundating principles throughout +Nature, with their sons, Cain, Abel, and Seth, comprehended the +god-idea. The fact has been observed that just six hundred years from +the creation of Adam, or at the close of the cycle, Noah appears with +his three sons to save or perpetuate the race. + +It is now believed that this account of Noah and his three sons is an +allegory beneath which are concealed the religious doctrines, or perhaps +I should say, the philosophical speculations of an older race. The God +of the ancients was identified with the life of man individually and +with that of mankind collectively. As men die each day, and as every day +men are born, this Deity is said to die and to be renewed each day; and +as he is the sun, or the incarnation of the sun, the rising and setting +of this luminary depict the constantly dying and regenerating God of +Nature, the same as do the changing seasons. A similar idea reappears in +their system of the renewal of worlds and reincarnation. + +Regarding the doctrine of the eternity of matter held by the ancients, +Origen mentions a belief of the Egyptians that the + +"world or its substance was never produced, but that it has existed from +all eternity. Neither is there any such thing as death. Those who perish +about us every day are simply changed, either they take on other forms +or are removed to some other place. God cannot be destroyed, and as all +things are parts of the Deity everything lives and has always lived, +seeming death being simply change. Remnants of these doctrines are found +in every portion of the globe; among the Mexicans of the west as well as +among the rude mountaineers of the Burman Empire." + +While contemplating the philosophical speculations of an ancient race +Bailly gave expression to the belief, that a "profoundly learned race +of people existed previous to the formation of any of our systems." The +wiser among the Greek philosophers, those who, it is believed, borrowed +their philosophical doctrines from the East, declare that "there is no +production of anything which was not before; no new substance made +which did not really pre-exist." Equally with matter was spirit +indestructible. "Our soul," says Plato, "was somewhere, before it came +to exist in this present form; whence it appears to be immortal.... Who +knows whether that which is demonstrated living, be not indeed rather +dying, and whether that which is styled dying be not rather living?" + +To one who has given attention to the various legends relative to the +destruction of the world by a flood, and a storm-tossed mariner saved +in an ark or boat, it is plain that they all have the same significance, +all are but different versions of the same myth, which in an early age +was used to conceal the philosophical doctrines of an ancient people. + +That the early historic nations understood little concerning the origin +and true meaning of the legends which they had inherited from an +older race is quite evident. The ignorance of the Greeks regarding the +significance of these legends is shown by the following: When Solon, +wishing to acquaint himself with the history of the oldest times, +inquired of an Egyptian priest concerning the time of the flood, and the +age of Deucalion or Phroneous or Noah, this functionary replied: + +"O Solon, Solon, you Greeks are always children, nor is there an old +man among you! Having no ancient traditions nor any acquaintance with +chronology, you are as yet in a state of intellectual infancy. The true +origin of such mutilated fables as you possess is this. There have +been and shall again be in the course of many revolving ages, numerous +destructions of the human race; the greatest of them by fire and water, +but others in an almost endless succession of shorter intervals."(47) + + + 47) Quoted by Plato; also by Clement of Alexandria. + + +We have observed that the symbol of the universe was an egg. The egg +was also the symbol of the earth and of the ark, which meant universal +womanhood. From the mundane egg the triplicated Deity sprang. There can +be little doubt at the present time that Adam, Noah, Menu, Osiris, and +Dionysos all represent the fructifying power of the sun. In process of +time they each came to figure as male reproductive energy, and during +certain periods of the earth's history they have each in turn been +worshipped as the Deity. That not only the ark was female, but that the +god element or reproductive principle within the ark was both female and +male, is a fact which has been lost sight of during the historic period, +or during those ages of the world in which the attempt has been made to +prove Nature motherless. + +All the germs and living creatures which were within the ark, and which +were to reanimate the earth, were in pairs, females and males; and, +besides, the Dove (female), the emblem of peace, was also present. Even +Noah himself was produced from an egg, which, as we have seen, is +the symbol of Venus, or universal womanhood. In after ages the female +principle was not mentioned, but, on the contrary, was concealed beneath +convenient symbols; and as the philosophical ideas underlying natural +religion were lost or forgotten, and mankind had become too ignorant to +perceive that a dual force, female and male which was also a Trinity, +pervades Nature, the notion came gradually to prevail that the creative +agency, which is spirit, is altogether male. Hence the formulation of +the inconceivable doctrine of a Trinity composed of a Father, Son, and +Holy Ghost. + + + +CHAPTER V. SEPARATION OF THE FEMALE AND MALE ELEMENTS IN THE DEITY. + +Glimpses of antiquity as far back as human ken can reach reveal the fact +that in early ages of human society the physiological question of sex +was a theme of the utmost importance, while various proofs are at hand +showing that throughout the past the question of the relative importance +of the female and male elements in procreation has been a fruitful +source of religious contention and strife. These struggles, which from +time to time involved the entire habitable globe, were of long duration, +subsiding only after the adherents of the one sex or the other had +gained sufficient ascendancy over the opposite party to successfully +erect its altars and compel the worship of its own peculiar gods, which +worship usually included a large share of the temporal power. Only since +the male sex has gained sufficient influence to control not only human +action, but human thought as well, have these contentions subsided.(48) + + + 48) At the present time, through causes which are not difficult to +understand, the question of the relative importance of the two sexes is +again assuming a degree of importance indicative of the changes which +are taking place in human thought, and for the reason that we are just +witnessing the dawn of an intellectual age, the problems to be solved +will admit of no answers other than those based upon a scientific +foundation. + + +That religious wars have not been confined to more modern times, and +that among an early race the attempt to exalt the male principle met +with obstinate resistance which involved mankind in a conflict, +the violence of which has never been exceeded, are facts which seem +altogether probable. Indeed, there is much evidence going to show +that the cause of the original dispersion of a primitive race was the +contention which arose respecting their religious faith or regarding the +physiological question of the relative importance of the sexes in the +function of reproduction; and that the general war indicated in the +Puranas, which began in India and extended over the entire habitable +globe, and which was celebrated by the poets as "the basis of Grecian +mythology," originated in this conflict over the precedence of one or +the other of the sex-principles contained in the Deity. Although there +are no records of these wars in extant history, accounts of them are +still preserved in the traditions and religious monuments of oriental +countries. In Egypt, in India, and to a greater or less extent in other +Eastern countries, these physiological contests have been disguised +under a veil of allegory, the true significance of which it is no longer +difficult to understand. With the light which more recent investigation +has thrown upon the subject of the separation of the original +sex-elements contained in the Deity, the significance of the following +legend in the Servarasa is at once apparent. + +When Parvati (Devi) was united in marriage to Mahadeva (Siva), the +divine pair had once a dispute on the comparative influence of the sexes +in producing animated beings, and each resolved by mutual agreement +to create a new race of men. The race produced by Mahadeva were very +numerous, and devoted themselves exclusively to the worship of the male +Deity, but their intellects were dull, their bodies feeble, their limbs +distorted, and their complexions of many different hues. Parvati had at +the same time created a multitude of human beings, who adored the +female power only, and were well shaped, with sweet aspects and fine +complexions. A furious contest ensued between the two nations, and the +Lingajas, or adorers of the male principle, were defeated in battle, +but Mahadeva, enraged against the Yonigas (the worshippers of the female +element), would have destroyed them with the fire of his eye if Parvati +had not interposed and appeased him, but he would spare them only on +condition that they should instantly leave the country with a promise to +see it no more, and from the Yoni, which they adored as the sole cause +of their existence, they were named Yavanas. + +The fact has been noticed in a previous work(49) that, according to +Wilford, the Greeks were the descendants of the Yavanas of India, and +that when the Ionians emigrated they adopted the name to distinguish +themselves as adorers of the female, in opposition to a strong sect of +male worshippers which had been driven from the mother country. We +are taught by the Puranas that they settled partly on the borders of +Varaha-Dwip, or Europe, where they became the progenitors of the Greeks; +and partly in the two Dwipas of Cusha, Asiatic and African. In the +Asiatic Cusha-Dwip they supported themselves by violence and rapine. +Parvati, however, or their tutelary goddess, Yoni, always protected +them; and at length, in the fine country which they occupied, they +became a flourishing nation.(50) Wilford relates that there is a sect of +Hindoos who, attempting to reconcile the two systems, declare in their +allegorical style that "Parvati and Mahadeva found their concurrence +essential to the perfection of their offspring, and that Vishnu, at the +request of the goddess, effected a reconciliation between them."(51) + + + 49) See The Evolution of Women, p. 303. + + + 50) Asiatic Researches, vol. iii., pp. 125-132. + + + 51) Asiatic Researches, "Egypt and the Nile," vol. iii., pp. 361-363. + + +The people who were dominant in Asia long before the rise of the +late Assyrian monarchy, are said to be those whom scriptural writers +represent as Cushim, and the Hindoos as Cushas. They were the +descendants of Cush, or Cuth, and were believed to have been the +architects of the Tower of Babel. Epiphanius, Eusebius, and others +assert that at the time of the building of this tower there existed two +rival beliefs, the one demonstrated as Scuthism, the other as Ionism, or +Hellenism, the latter of which embodied the worship of the Great Mother, +or the female element, which was worshipped in the shape of the +mystic "Iona or Dove." The Scuths, on the other hand, believed in the +pre-eminence of a Great Father, or, perhaps I should say, in a Deity +composed of a triad containing the elements of a male parent. Upon +this subject the learned Faber remarks: "I am much mistaken if some +dissension on these points did not prevail at Babel itself; and I think +there is reason for believing that the altercation between the rival +sects aided the confusion of languages in producing the dispersion."(52) + + + 52) Pagan Idolatry, book vi., ch. ii. + + +Those who believed in the superiority of the male in the processes of +reproduction, adored the male element in the Deity, while those who +held that the female is the more important, worshipped the female energy +throughout Nature under one or another of its symbols, sometimes as a +woman with her child and sometimes as a dove, but oftener as an ark, +box, or chest. + +It is evident from the sacred writings of the Hindoos that in India, +during a period of several thousand years, there existed various sects, +those who worshipped the male as the only creative force, others who +adored the female as the origin of life, and those who paid homage to +both, as alike important in the office of reproduction. + +It would seem that the fierce wars which had devastated the land had +ceased prior to the beginning of the Tower of Babel. According to the +testimony of Moses, the Lord himself declared "Behold the people is +one." This unanimity of belief, as is plainly shown, was of short +duration, for the Tower arose "upright and defiant," not, however, as an +emblem of the primeval dual or triune God in which the female energy was +predominant, but as a symbol of male creative power. It was the type of +virility which in the subsequent history of religion was to assume the +position of the "one only and true God." + +It is not improbable that idolatry began with the Tower of Babel. + +Indeed it has been confidently asserted by certain writers that the +earliest idols set up as emblems of the Deity, or as expressions of the +peculiar worship of the Lingajas, were obelisks, columns, or towers, +the first of which we have any account being the Tower of Babel, erected +probably at Nipur in Chaldea. Until a comparatively recent time, +the actual significance of this monument seems to have been little +understood. Later research, however, points to the fact that it was a +phallic device erected in opposition to a religion which recognized the +female element throughout Nature as God. The length of time which the +adherents of these two doctrines had contended for the mastery is not +known, but through the deciphered monuments of ancient nations, by +facts gathered from their sacred writings, and by the general voice +of tradition, it has been ascertained with a considerable degree of +certainty that this great upheaval of society was the culmination of +a dispute which had long been waged between two contending powers, and +which finally resulted in a separation of the people, and in the +final success, for the time being, of the sect which refused longer to +recognize the superior importance of the female in the god-idea. + +At what time in the history of mankind the Tower of Babel was erected +has not been ascertained, but the great antiquity of Chaldea is no +longer questioned. Sir Henry Rawlinson, in the Royal Geographical +Journal says: + +"When Chaldea was first colonized, or at any rate when the seat of +empire was first established there, the emporium of trade seems to have +been at Ur of the Chaldees, which is now 150 miles from the sea, the +Persian Gulf having retired nearly that distance before the sediment +brought down by the Euphrates and Tigris." + +To which Baldwin adds: + +"A little reflection on the vast period of time required to effect +geological changes so great as this will enable us to see to what a +remote age in the deeps of antiquity we must go to find the beginning of +civilization in the Mesopotamian Valley."(53) + + + 53) Prehistoric Nations, p. 191. + + +Although at the time of the building of the Tower of Babel the worship +of a Deity in which the male principle was pre-eminent had not become +universal, still the facts seem to indicate that the doctrine of male +superiority which for ages had been steadily advancing had at length +gained the ascendancy over the older religion. The new faith and worship +had corrupted the old, and through the conditions which had been imposed +upon women, and the consequent stimulation of the lower nature in man, +even the adherents of the older faith were losing sight of those higher +principles which in preceding ages they had adored as God. + +We have seen that in every country upon the earth there is a tradition +recounting the ravages of a flood. Whether or not this legend is to +be traced to an actual calamity by which a large portion of Asia was +inundated, is not for a certainty known; but the fact that there was a +deluge of contention and strife, surpassing anything perhaps which the +world has ever witnessed, seems altogether probable. + +Not long after the catastrophe designated as the flood, emblems of +the Deity, representations of the male and female elements, appear in +profusion. Babylon, at which place was erected the Tower of Belus, and +Memphis, which contained the Pyramids, were among the first cities which +were built. As the tower typified the Deity worshipped by those who +claimed superiority for the male, so the pyramids symbolized the +creative agency and peculiar qualities of the female, or of the dual +Deity which was worshipped as female. + +Although the grosser elements in human nature were rapidly assuming a +more intensely aggressive attitude, and although the higher principles +involved in an earlier religion were in a measure forgotten, it is +evident that at this time humanity had not become wholly sensualized, +and that the lower propensities and appetites had not assumed dominion +over the reasoning faculties. + +The Great Mother Cybele, who is represented by the Sphinx, had doubtless +been adored as a pure abstraction, her worship being that of the +universal female principle in Nature. She is pictured as the "Eldest +Daughter of the Mythologies," and as "The Great First Cause." She +represented the past and the future. She was the source whence all that +was and is had proceeded. + +In its earliest representations, the Sphinx is figured with the head of +a woman and the body of a lion. By various writers it is stated that +the Sphinxes which were brought as spoils from Asia, the very cradle of +religion, were thus represented. The lion, which symbolizes royal power +and intellectual strength, is always attached to the chariot of +Cybele. The Sphinx is supposed to typify not only Cybele, but the great +androgynous God of Africa as well. However, as Cybele and Muth portrayed +the same idea, namely, female power and wisdom, we are not surprised +that they should have been worshipped under the same emblem. Neither is +it remarkable, when we recall the fact that the female was supposed to +comprehend both sexes, that in certain instances a beard appears as an +accompanying feature of the Sphinx. We are told that the fourth avatar +of Vishnu was a Sphinx, but a further search into the history of this +Deity reveals the fact that her ninth avatar is Brahm (masculine). The +female principle has at length succumbed to the predominance of male +power, and Vishnu herself has become transformed into a male God. + +Although the rites connected with the worship of Cybele were phallic +they were absolutely pure. In an allusion to this worship, Hargrave +Jennings admits that the "spirituality to which women in that age of the +world were observed to be more liable than men was peculiarly adverse to +all sensual indulgence, and especially that of the sexes." + +Although the creative principle was adored under its representatives, +the Yoni and the Lingham, still the principal object seems to have been, +when administering the rites pertaining to the worship of Cybele, to +ignore sex and the usual sex distinctions; hence we find that, in order +to assume an androgynous appearance, the priestesses of this Goddess +officiated in the costumes of males, while priests appeared in the dress +peculiar to females. However, that the sensuous element was to a certain +extent already assuming dominion over the higher nature, and that +priests were regarded as being incapable of self-control, is observed in +the fact that in the later ages of female worship one of the principal +requirements of a priest of Cybele was castration. + +It is the opinion of Grote that the story which appears in the Hesiodic +Theogony, of the castration of Saturn and Uranus by their sons with +sickles forged by the mother, was borrowed from the Phrygians, or from +the worship of the Great Mother. + +In India, the strictest chastity was prescribed to the priests of Siva, +a God which was worshipped as the Destroyer or Regenerator, and which +in its earlier conception was the same as the Great Mother Cybele. These +priests were frequently obliged to officiate in a nude state, and during +the ceremony should it appear that the symbols with which they came in +contact had appealed to other than their highest emotions, they were +immediately stoned by the people.(54) + + + 54) Sonnerat, Voyage aux Indes, i., 311. + + +The identity of the religions of India and Egypt has been noted in an +earlier portion of this work. Wilford, in his dissertations upon Egypt +and the Nile, says that in a conversation which he had with some learned +Brahmins, upon describing to them the form and peculiarities of the +Great Pyramid, they told him that "it was a temple appropriated to the +worship of Padma Devi." The true Coptic name of these edifices is Pire +Honc, which signifies a sunbeam. Padma Devi means the lotus, or the +Deity of generation. + +It is thought by many writers that these gigantic structures were +erected by the Cushite conquerors of Egypt, who invaded and civilized +the country, as emblems of the female Deity whom they worshipped. +Certainly the magnitude of these monuments and the ingenuity displayed +in their construction indicate the intelligence of their builders and +the exalted character of the Deity adored. The Great Pyramid is in +the form of a square, each side of whose base is seven hundred and +fifty-five feet, and covers an area of nearly fourteen acres. An able +writer in describing the pyramids says that the first thing which +impresses one is the uniform precision and systematic design apparent in +their architecture. They all have their sides accurately adapted to the +four cardinal points. + +"In six of them which have been opened, the principal passage preserves +the same inclination of 26 degrees to the horizon, being directed toward +the polar star.... Their obliquity being so adjusted as to make the +north side coincide with the obliquity of the sun's rays at the summer's +solstice, has, combined with the former particulars, led some to suppose +they were solely intended for astronomical uses; and certainly, if not +altogether true, it bespeaks, at all events, an intimate acquaintance +with astronomical rules, as well as a due regard to the principles of +geometry. Others have fancied them intended for sepulchres; and as the +Egyptians, taught by their ancient Chaldean victors, connected astronomy +with their funereal and religious ceremonies, they seem in this to be +not far astray, if we but extend the application to their sacred bulls +and other animals, and not merely to their kings, as Herodotus would +have us suppose."(55) + + + 55) The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 159. + + +According to the testimony of Inman, the pyramid is an emblem of the +Trinity--three in one. The triangle typifies the flame of sacred fire +emerging from the holy lamp. With its base upwards it typifies the +Delta, or the door through which all come into the world. With its apex +uppermost, it is an emblem of the phallic triad. The union of these +triangles typifies the male and female principles uniting with each +other, thus producing a new figure, a star, while each retains its own +identity.(56) + + + 56) Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 145. + + +Thus the primary significance of the pyramid was religious, and in +its peculiar architectural construction was manifested the prevailing +conception of the Deity worshipped; namely, the fructifying energies in +the sun. We are informed that "all nations have at one time or another +passed through violent stages of pyrolatry, a word which reminds us that +fire and phallic cult flourished around the pyramids.... Every town in +Greece had a Pyrtano."(57) + + + 57) Forlong, Rivers of Life, or Faiths of Man in All Lands, vol. i., p. +325. + + +As not alone the sun but the stars also had come to be venerated as +agencies in reproduction, the worship of these objects was, as we +have seen, closely interwoven with that of the generative processes +throughout Nature. The attempt to solve the great problem of the +origin of life on the earth led these people to contemplate with the +profoundest reverence all the visible objects which were believed to +affect human destiny. Hence both the pyramid and the tower served a +double purpose, first, as emblems of the Deity worshipped, and, second, +as monuments for the study of the heavenly bodies with which their +religious ideas were so intimately connected. + +While comparing the early emblems which prefigure the primitive elements +in the god-idea, Hargrave Jennings observes: + +"In the conveyance of certain ideas to those who contemplate it, the +pyramid boasts of prouder significance, and impresses with a hint of +still more impenetrable mystery. We seem to gather dim supernatural +ideas of the mighty Mother of Nature... that almost two-sexed entity, +without a name--She of the Veil which is never to be lifted, perhaps +not even by the angels, for their knowledge is limited. In short, this +tremendous abstraction, Cybele, Ideae, Mater, Isiac controller of the +Zodiacs, whatever she may be, has her representative in the half-buried +Sphinx even to our own day, watching the stars although nearly swallowed +up in the engulphing sands."(58) + + + 58) Phallicism, p. 25. + + +From the time when the two religious elements began to separate in the +minds of the people, the prophets, seers, and priestesses of the old +religion, those who continued to worship the Virgin and Child, had +prophesied that a mortal woman, a virgin, would, independently of the +male principle, bring forth a child, the fulfilment of which prophecy +would vindicate the ancient faith and forever settle the dispute +relative to the superiority of the female in the office of reproduction. +Thus would the woman "bruise the serpent's head." In process of time not +only Yonigas, but Lingajas as well, came to accept the doctrine of the +incarnation of the sun in the bodies of earthly virgins. By Lingaites, +however, it was the seed of the woman and not the woman herself who was +to conquer evil. Finally, with the increasing importance of the male in +human society, it is observed that a reconciliation has been effected +between the female worshippers and those of the male. Athene herself has +acquiesced in the doctrine of male superiority. + +Thalat, the great Chaldean Deity, who presided over Chaos prior to the +existence of organized matter, is finally transformed into a male God. +The Hindoo Vishnu, who as she slept on the bottom of the sea brought +forth all creation, has changed her sex. Brahm, the Creator, is male, +and appears as a triplicated Deity in the form of three sons within +whom is contained the essence of a Great Father, the female creative +principle being closely veiled. + +Hence we see that the God of the ancients, the universal dual force +which resides in the sun and which creates all things, is no longer +worshipped under the figure of a mother and her child. Although the +female principle is still a necessary factor in the creative processes, +and although it is capable of producing gods, the mother element +possesses none of the essentials which constitute a Deity. In other +words, woman is not a Creator. From the father is derived the soul of +the child, while from the mother, or from matter, the body is formed. +Hence the prevalence at a certain stage of human history of divine +fathers and earthly mothers; for instance, Alexander of Macedon, Julius +Caesar, and later the mythical Christ who superseded Jesus, the Judean +philosopher and teacher of mankind. + +Henceforth, caves, wells, cows, boxes and chests, arks, etc., stand for +or symbolize the female power. We are given to understand, however, that +for ages these symbols were as holy as the God himself, and among many +peoples even more revered and worshipped. + +We have seen that the ancients knew that matter and force were alike +indestructible. According to their doctrine all Nature proceeded from +the sun. Hence the power back of the sun, which they worshipped as the +Destroyer or Regenerator, or, in other words, as the mother of the sun, +was the Great Aum or Om, the Aleim or Elohim, who was the indivisible +God. The creative agency which proceeded from the sun was both male +and female, yet one in essence. Later, the male appeared as spirit, the +female as matter. Spirit was something above and independent of Nature. + +It had indeed created matter from nothing. The fact will be remembered +that man claimed supremacy over woman on the ground that the male is +spirit, while the female is only matter; in other words, that she was +simply a covering for the soul, which is divine. + +Thus was the god-idea divorced from Nature, and a masculine principle, +outside and independent of matter, set up as a personal potentate or +ruler over the universe. + +The logic by which the great female principle in the Deity has been +eliminated, and the subterfuges which have been and still are employed +to construct and sustain a Creator who of himself is powerless to +create, is as amusing as it is suggestive, and forcibly recalls to mind +la couvade, in which, among certain tribes, the father, assuming all the +duties of procreation, goes to bed when a child is born.(59) + + + 59) The Evolution of Woman, p. 127. + + +All mythologies prove conclusively that ages elapsed before human beings +were rash enough, or sufficiently blinded by falsehood and superstition, +to attempt to construct a creative force unaided by the female +principle. Just here it may not be out of place to refer to the fact +that in the attempt to divorce God from Nature have arisen all the +superstitions and senseless religious theories with which, since the +earliest ages of metaphysical speculation, the human mind has been +crowded. + +To this separation of the two original elements in the Deity, and the +consequent exaltation of one of the factors in the creative processes, +is to be traced the beginning of our present false, unnatural, and +unphilosophical masculine system of religion--a system under which a +father appears as the sole parent of the universe. + +The fact is tolerably well understood that mysticism and the +accumulation of superstitious ideas are the result of the +over-stimulation of the lower animal instincts. When the agencies which +had hitherto held the lower nature in check became inoperative--when man +began to regard himself as a Creator and therefore as the superior of +woman--he had reached a point at which he was largely controlled by +supernatural or mystical influences. + +The fact is observed that in course of time the governmental powers are +no longer in the hands of the people; the masses have become enslaved. +Their rulers are priests--deified tyrants who are unable to maintain +their authority except through the ignorance and credulity of the +masses. Hence one is not surprised to find that the change which took +place at a certain stage of human growth in respect to the manner of +reckoning descent was instigated and enforced by religion. Apollo had +declared that woman is but the nurse to her own offspring. Neither is +it remarkable at this stage in the human career, as women had lost their +position as heads of families, and as they were no longer recognized as +of kin to their children, that man should have attempted to lessen the +importance of the female element in the god-idea. + +Wherever in the history of the human race we observe a change in the +relations of the sexes involving greater or more oppressive restrictions +on the natural rights of women, such change, whether it assume a legal, +social, or religious form, will, if traced to its source, always be +found deeply rooted in the wiles of priestcraft. Since the decay of the +earliest form of religion, namely, Nature-worship, the gods have never +been found ranged on the side of women. + +Later investigations are proving that the primitive idea of a Deity had +its foundation in actual physical facts and experiences; and, as the +maternal principle constituted the most important as well as the most +obvious of the facts which entered into the conception of a Creator, +and as it was the only natural bond capable of binding human society +together, so long as reason was not wholly clouded by superstition and +warped by sensuality, it could not be eliminated. In other words, +a Creator in which the more essential element of creative force was +wanting, was contrary to all human experience and observation. Indeed +nothing could be plainer than that the deified male principle could of +itself create nothing, and that it was dependent for its very existence +on the female element. + +By this attempt to construct a masculine Deity, absurdities were +presented to the human judgment and understanding which for ages could +not be overcome, and by it contradictions were necessitated which could +not be reconciled with human reason and with the ideas of Nature which +had hitherto been held by mankind. It was not, therefore, until reason +had been suspended in all matters pertaining to religion, and blind +faith in the machinations of priestcraft had been established, that a +male God was set up as the sole Creator of the universe. + +When women, who had become the legitimate plunder not only of +individuals but of bands of warriors whose avowed object was the capture +of women for wives, had degenerated into mere tools or instruments for +the gratification and pleasure of men, Perceptive Wisdom or Light, +and Maternal Affection the Preserver of the race, gradually became +eliminated from the god-idea of mankind. Passion became God. It was the +Creator in the narrowest and most restricted sense. + +Although in an age of pure Nature-worship the ideas connected with +reproduction, like those related to all other natural functions, were +wholly unconnected with impurity either of thought or deed, still when +an age arrived in which all checks to human passion had been withdrawn, +and the lower propensities had gained dominion over the higher +faculties, the influence of fertility or passion-worship on human +development or growth may in a degree be imagined. + +The fact must be borne in mind that curing the later ages of +passion-worship the creative processes and the reproductive organs were +deified, not as an expression or symbol of the operations of Nature, but +as a means to the stimulation of the lower animal instincts in man. + +With religion bestialized and its management regulated wholly with an +idea to the gratification of man's sensuous desires, religious temples, +under the supervision of the priesthood, became brothels, in which were +openly practiced as part and parcel of religious rites and ceremonies +the most wanton profligacy and the most shameless self-abandonment. +The worship of Aphrodite or Venus, and also that of Bacchus, originally +consisted in homage paid to the reproductive principles contained in the +earth, water, and sun, but, as is well known, this pure and beautiful +worship, in later times, and especially after it was carried to Greece, +became synonymous with the grossest practices and the most lawless +disregard of human decency. + +With the light which in these later ages science and ethnological +research are throwing upon the physiological and religious disputes +of the ancients, the correctness of the primitive doctrines elaborated +under purer conditions at an age when human beings lived nearer to +Nature is being proved--namely, that matter like spirit is eternal +and indestructible, and therefore that the one is as difficult of +comprehension as the other, and that Nature, instead of being separated +from spirit, is filled with it and can not be divorced from it; also +that the female is the original organic unit of creation, without which +nothing is or can be created. + + + +CHAPTER VI. CIVILIZATION OF AN ANCIENT RACE. + +The profound doctrines of abstractions or emanations; of the absorption +of the individual soul into the divine ether or essence; of the renewal +of worlds and reincarnation, were doubtless elaborated after the +separation, in the human mind, of Spirit from matter, but before mankind +had lost the power to reason abstractly. + +Although Pythagoras understood and believed these doctrines, he did not, +as is well known, receive them from his degenerate countrymen, but, on +the contrary, imbibed them from private sources among the orientals, +where fragments of their remarkable learning were still extant. He said +that religion consists in knowing the truth and doing good, and his +ideas show the grandeur and beauty of the earlier conception of a Deity. +He declared that there is only one God who is not, "as some are apt to +imagine, seated above the world, beyond the orb of the universe," but +that this great power is diffused throughout Nature. It is "the reason, +the life, and the motion of all things." + +Plato believed that human beings are possessed of two souls, the +one mortal, which perishes with the body, the other immortal, which +continues to exist either in a state of happiness or misery; that the +righteous soul, freed from the limitations of matter, returns at death +to the source whence it came, and that the wicked, after having been +detained for a while in a place prepared for their reception, are sent +back to earth to reanimate other bodies. + +Aristotle held the opinion that the souls of human beings are sparks +from the divine flame, while Zeno, the founder of the Stoic philosophy, +taught that spirit acting upon matter produced the elements and the +earth. There is plenty of evidence going to show that the early Fathers +in the Christian church believed in the doctrines of reincarnation +and the renewal of worlds. Neither is there any doubt but that this +philosophy came from the East, where it originated. It is thought that +the ancient philosophers who elaborated these doctrines were unable to +account for the existence of evil without a belief in the immortality of +the soul. Spirit was eternal, as was also matter. + +A soul, upon leaving the body, in course of time found its way back to +earth, surrounded by conditions suited to its stage of growth. Here it +must reap all the consequences of its former life. It must also during +its stay on earth make the conditions for its next appearance upon an +earthly plane. So soon as through a succession of births and deaths +it had perfected itself, it entered into a state of Nirvana. It was +absorbed into the great Universal Soul. Nothing is ever lost. + + "Many a house of life + Hath held me--seeking ever Him who wrought + These prisons of the senses, sorrow fraught; + Sore was my ceaseless strife! + But now, + Thou builder of this tabernacle--Thou! + I know Thee. + Never shalt Thou build again + These walls of pain, + Nor raise the roof-tree of deceits, nor lay + Fresh rafters on the clay; + Broken Thy house is, and the ridge-pole split! + Delusion fashioned it! + Safe pass I thence--deliverance to obtain."(60) + + + 60) Edwin Arnold, The light of Asia. + + +Regarding the opinions of the ancients on the subject of the eternity of +matter, Higgins, in his learned work on Celtic Druids, says: + +"The eternity of matter is a well known tenet of the Pythagoreans, and +whether right or wrong there can be no doubt that it was the doctrine +of the oriental school, whence Pythagoras drew his learning. It was a +principle taken or mistaken from, or found amongst, the debris of that +mighty mass of learning and science of a former period, of which, on +looking back as far as human ken can reach, the most learned men have +thought that they could see a faint glimmering. Indeed, I think I may +say something more than a faint glimmering. For all the really valuable +moral and philosophical doctrines we possess, Dutens has shown to have +existed there." + +From what is known relative to the speculations of an ancient race, the +fact is observed that creation was but a re-formation of matter. Wisdom, +or Minerva, formed the earth and the planets; she did not create the +heavens and the earth, as did the later Jewish God. + +Of the seven principles of the universe, matter was the first, and of +the seven principles of man, the physical body was the earliest. Through +evolutionary processes, or through cyclic periods involving millions +of years, mind was developed, and in course of time spirit was finally +manifested. + +Mai, the Mother of Gotama Buddha, was simply matter, or illusion, from +which its higher manifestation, mind or spirit, was emerging. She was +also the mother of Mercury. A clearer knowledge of the philosophical +doctrines which were elaborated at a time when Nature-worship was +beginning to decay, reveals the fact that the god-idea comprehended a +profound knowledge of Nature and her laws; that while this people did +not pretend to account for the existence of matter, they recognized a +force operating through it whose laws were unchanged and unchanging. + +With these facts relative to the intelligence of an older race before +us, the question naturally arises: What was the degree of civilization +attained at a time when the Deity worshipped was an abstract principle +involving the actual creative processes throughout Nature? and, +notwithstanding our prejudices, we are constrained to acknowledge that +these earlier conceptions are scarcely compatible with the barbarism +which we have been taught to regard as the condition of all the peoples +which existed prior to the first Greek Olympiad. On the contrary, the +origin of the philosophical opinions entertained by the most ancient +oriental philosophers, and which must have arisen out of a profound +knowledge or appreciation of Nature and her operations, point to a race +far superior to any of those peoples which appear in early historic +times. Regarding these opinions, Godfrey Higgins remarks: + +"From their philosophical truth and universal reception I am strongly +inclined to refer them to the authors of the Neros, or to that +enlightened race, supposed by Bailly to have formerly existed, and to +have been saved from a great catastrophe on the Himalaya Mountains. This +is confirmed by an observation which the reader will make in the +sequel, that these doctrines have been, like all the other doctrines +of antiquity, gradually corrupted--incarnated, if I may be permitted to +compose a word for the occasion." + +Of this cycle, Bailly says: "No person could have invented the Neros who +had not arrived at much greater perfection in astronomy than we know was +the state of the most ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, and Greeks." + +Toward the close of the eighteenth century the celebrated astronomer, +Bailly, published a work entitled The History of Ancient Astronomy, in +which he endeavored to prove that a nation possessed of profound wisdom +and great genius, and of an antiquity far superior to the Hindoos or +Egyptians, "inhabited the country to the north of India, or about fifty +degrees north latitude." This writer has shown that "the most celebrated +astronomical observations and inventions, from their peculiar character, +could have taken place only in these latitudes, and that arts and +improvements gradually travelled thence to the equator." + +A colony of Brahmins settled near the Imans, and in Northern +Thibet, where in ancient times they established celebrated colleges, +particularly at Nagraent and Cashmere. In these institutions the +treasures of Sanskrit literature were supposed to be deposited. The +Rev. Mr. Maurice was informed that an immemorial tradition prevailed at +Benares that all the learning of India came from a country situated in +forty degrees of northern latitude. Other writers are of the opinion +that civilization proceeded from Arabia; that the old Cushite race +carried commerce, letters, and laws to all the nations of the East. +Which of these theories is true, if either, may not with certainty be +proved at present; yet that in the far distant past a race of people +existed whose achievements exceeded those of any of the historic nations +may not be doubted. + +That the length of the year was calculated with greater exactness by an +ancient and forgotten people than it was by early historic nations is +proved by the cycle of the Neros. This cycle, which was formed of 7,421 +lunar revolutions of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds, or +219,146 days and a half, was equal to 600 solar years of 365 days, 5 +hours, 51 minutes, and 36 seconds, which time varies less than three +minutes from the present observations of the year's length. The length +of the year as calculated by the Egyptians and other early historic +nations was 360 days, which fact would seem to indicate that a science +of astronomy had been developed in an earlier age which by the most +ancient peoples of whom we have any historic records has been lost +or forgotten. It has been said that if this cycle of the Neros "were +correct to the second, if on the first of January at noon a new moon +took place, it would take place again in exactly 600 years at the same +moment of the day, and under all the same circumstances."(61) + + + 61) Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids, ch. ii., sec. 14. + + +The Varaha Calpa has the famous cycle of 4,320,000,000 years for its +duration. This system makes the Cali Yug begin 3098 years B.C. A dodecan +consisted of 5 days, and 72 dodecans formed a natural year of 360 days. +According to the earlier calculations, 360 solar diurnal revolutions +constituted a natural year. The doctrine of the ancients concerning +these cycles is thus set forth by Godfrey Higgins: + +"The sun, or rather that higher principle of which the sun was the +emblem or the shekinah, was considered to be incarnated every six +hundred years. Whilst the sun was in Taurus, the different incarnations, +under whatever names they might go, were all considered but as +incarnations of Buddha or Taurus. When he got into Aries, they were in +like manner considered but as incarnations of Cristna or Aries, and +even Buddha and Cristna were originally considered the same, and had +a thousand names in common, constantly repeated in their litanies--a +striking proof of identity of origin. Of these Zodiacal divisions the +Hindoos formed another period, which consisted of ten ages or Calpas +or Yugs, which they considered the duration of the world, at the end +of which a general renovation of all things would take place. They also +reckoned ten Neroses to form a period, each of them keeping a certain +relative location to the other, and together to form a cycle. To effect +this they doubled the precessional period for one sign--viz: 2160 +years--thus making 4320, which was a tenth of 43,200, a year of the sun, +analogous to the 360 natural days, and produced in the same manner, by +multiplying the day of 600 by the dodecans 72 = 43,200. They then formed +another great year of 432,000 by again multiplying it by 10, which they +called a Cali Yug, which was measurable both by the number 2160, the +years the equinox preceded in a sign, and by the number 600. They then +had the following scheme: + + A Cali Yug, or 600 (or a Neros) 432,000 + A Dwapar, or Duo-par Age....864,000 + A Treta, or tree-par Age... 1,296,000 + A Satya, or Satis Age....1,728,000 + --------- + 4,320,000 + +altogether 10 Ages, making a Maha Yug or Great Age. These were all +equimultiples of the Cycle of the Neros 600, and of 2160, the twelfth +part of the equinoctial precessional Cycle, and in all formed ten ages +of 432,000 years each."(62) + + + 62) Anacalypsis, vol. i., p. 232. + + +The two great religious festivals of the ancients occurred the one in +the spring, at Easter, when all Nature was renewed, the other in the +autumn, after the earth had yielded her bounties and the fruits were +garnered in. It was at these gatherings that the Great Mother Earth +received the devout adoration of all her children. + +It is supposed that the Neros, or cycle of 600, is closely connected +with this worship, and that it was invented to regulate the season for +these festivals. In process of time it was discovered that this cycle +no longer answered, that the festival which had originally fallen on the +first of May now occurred on the first of April. This, we are told, + +"led ultimately to the discovery that the equinox preceded about 2160 +years in each sign or 25,920 years in the 12 signs, and this induced +them to try if they could not form a cycle of the two. On examination, +they found that the 600 would not commensurate the 2160 years in a sign, +or any number of sums of 2160 less than ten, but that it would with +ten, or that in ten times 2160, or in 21,600 years, the two cycles would +agree; yet this artificial cycle would not be enough to include the +cycle of 25,920. They, therefore, took two of the periods of 21,600, or +43,200; and, multiplying both by ten--viz: 600 X 10 = 6000, and 43,200 +X 10 = 432,000--they formed a period with which the 600-year period and +the 6000-year period would terminate and form a cycle. Every 432,000 +years the three periods would commence anew; thus the three formed a +year or cycle, 72 times 6000 making 432,000, and 720 times 600 making +432,000."(63) + + + 63) Higgins, Anacalypsis, p. 235. + + +To form a great year, which would include all the cyclical motions of +the sun and moon, and perhaps of the planets, they multiplied 432,000 by +ten; thus they had ten periods answering to ten signs. Concerning these +cycles Godfrey Higgins observes: + +"Persons of narrow minds will be astonished at such monstrous cycles; +but it is very certain that no period could properly be called the +great year unless it embraced in its cycle every periodical movement +or apparent aberration. But their vulgar wonder will perhaps cease +when they are told that La Place has proved that, if the periodical +aberrations of the moon be correctly calculated, the great year must be +extended to a greater length even than 4,320,000 years of the Maha Yug +of the Hindoos, and certainly no period can be called a year of our +planetary system which does not take in all the periodical motions of +the planetary bodies." + +It is thought that as soon as these ancient astronomers perceived that +the equinoxes preceded, they would at once attempt to determine the rate +of precession in a given time; the precession, however, in one year +was so small that they were obliged to extend their observations over +immense periods. Jones informs us that the Hindoos first supposed that +the precession took place at the rate of 60 years in a degree, or 1800 +in a Zodiacal sign, and of 21,600 in a revolution of the entire circle. +They afterwards came to think that the precession was at the rate of 60 +years and a fraction of a year, and thus that the precession for a sign +was in 1824 years, and for the circle in 21,888 years. Subsequently they +discovered, or thought they had discovered, the Soli-Lunar period of 608 +years, hence they attempted to make the two go together. Both, however, +proved to be erroneous. + +In referring to the fact that among the ancient Romans existed the story +of the twelve vultures and the twelve ages of 120 years each, Higgins +remarks: + +"This arose from the following cause: They came from the East before the +supposition that the precession took place a degree in about 60 years, +and 1824 years in a sign had been discovered to be erroneous; and as +they supposed the Neros made a correct cycle in 608 years, and believed +the precessional cycle to be completed in 21,888, they of course made +their ages into twelve. As both numbers were erroneous, they would not +long answer their intended purpose, and their meaning was soon lost, +though the sacred periods of twelve ages and of 608 remained." + +According to Hipparchus and Ptolemy, the equinoxes preceded at the rate +of a degree in 100 years, or 36,000 hundred years in 360 degrees. This +constituted a great year, at the end of which the regeneration of all +things takes place. This is thought to be a remnant of the most ancient +Hindoo speculations, and not the result of observation among the Greeks. +Some time after the arrival of the sun in Aries, + +"at the vernal equinox, the Indians probably discovered their mistake, +in giving about 60 years to a degree; that they ought to give 50" to a +year, about 72 years to a degree, and about 2160 years to a sign; and +that the Luni-Solar cycle, called the Neros, did not require 608 years, +but 600 years only, to complete its period. Hence arose the more perfect +Neros." + +It is thought by various writers that the knowledge of the ancient +Hindoos regarding the movements of the sun and moon in their cycles of +nineteen and six hundred years--the Metonic cycle, and the Neros--proves +that long before the birth of Hipparchus the length of the year was +known with a degree of exactitude which that astronomer had not the +means of determining. It is positively asserted by astronomers that +at least twelve hundred years were required, "during which time the +observations must have been taken with the greatest care and regularly +recorded," to arrive at the knowledge necessary for the invention of the +Neros, and that such observations would have been impossible without the +aid of the telescope. + +On the subject of the great learning of an ancient race, Sir W. Drummond +says: + +"The fact, however, is certain, that at some remote period there were +mathematicians and astronomers who knew that the sun is in the centre +of the planetary system, and that the earth, itself a planet, revolves +round the central fire;--who calculated, or like ourselves attempted to +calculate, the return of comets, and who knew that these bodies move +in elliptic orbits, immensely elongated, having the sun in one of their +foci;--who indicated the number of the solar years contained in the +great cycle, by multiplying a period (variously called in the Zend, the +Sanscrit, and the Chinese ven, van, and phen) of 180 years by another +period of 144 years;--who reckoned the sun's distance from the earth at +800,000,000 of Olympic stadia; and who must, therefore, have taken the +parallax of that luminary by a method, not only much more perfect than +that said to be invented by Hipparchus, but little inferior in exactness +to that now in use among the moderns;--who could scarcely have made a +mere guess when they fixed the moon's distance from its primary planet +at fifty-nine semi-diameters of the earth;--who had measured the +circumference of our globe with so much exactness that their +calculation only differed by a few feet from that made by our modern +geometricians;--who held that the moon and the other planets were worlds +like our own, and that the moon was diversified by mountains and valleys +and seas;--who asserted that there was yet a planet which revolved round +the sun, beyond the orbit of Saturn;--who reckoned the planets to be +sixteen in number;--and who reckoned the length of the tropical year +within three minutes of the true time; nor, indeed, were they wrong at +all, if a tradition mentioned by Plutarch be correct."(64) + + + 64) Drummond, On the Zodiacs, p. 36. + + +Bailly, Sir W. Jones, Higgins, and Ledwich, as well as many modern +writers, agree in the conclusion that the Indians, the Egyptians, +the Assyrians, and the Chinese were simply the depositaries, not the +inventors, of science. The spirit of inquiry which in later times is +directing attention to the almost buried past is revealing the fact that +not merely the germs whence our present civilization has been developed +descended to us from the dim ages of antiquity, but that a great number +of the actual benefits which go to make up our present state of material +progress have come to us from prehistoric times. The art of writing, of +navigation (including the use of the compass), the working of metals, +astronomy, the telescope, gunpowder, mathematics, democracy, building, +weaving, dyeing, and many of the appliances of civilized life, have been +appropriated by later ages with no acknowledgment of the source +whence they were derived. When Pythagoras exhibited to the Greeks some +beautiful specimens of ancient architecture which he had brought from +Egypt and Babylon, they simply claimed them as their own, giving no +credit to the people who originated them; and subsequent ages, copying +their example, have refused to acknowledge that anything of value had +been achieved prior to the first Greek Olympiad. + +When Philip of Macedon opened the gold mines of Thrace, a country in +which it will be remembered the worship of the Great Mother Cybele was +indigenous, he found that they had been previously worked "at great +expense and with great ingenuity by a people well versed in mechanics, +of whom no monuments whatever are extant." + +The decorations on the breasts of some of the oldest mummies show that +the early Egyptians understood the art of making glass. It is now +known that the lens as a magnifying instrument was in use among them. +Attention has been drawn to the fact that the astronomical observations +of the ancients would have been impossible without the aid of the +telescope. Diodorus Siculus says there was an island west of the Celtae +in which the Druids brought the sun and moon near them. An instrument +has recently been found in the sands of the Nile, the construction of +which shows plainly that 6000 years ago the Egyptians were acquainted +with our modern ideas of the science of astronomy. + +William Huntington, who has travelled widely in India, Borneo, the Malay +Peninsula, and Egypt, says: + +"I think, on the whole, the most interesting experience I ever had was +in an ancient city on the Nile in Egypt.... When I was there a year ago, +and men were digging among the ruined temples, some curious things were +brought to light, and these I regard as the strangest things seen in all +my wanderings. In an old tomb was found a curious iron and glass object, +which on investigation proved to be a photographic camera. It was not +such a camera as is used now, or has been since our photography was +invented, but something analogous to it, showing that the art which we +thought we had discovered was really known 6000 years ago." + +The same writer states that a plow constructed on the modern plan was +also found. "It was not of steel but of iron, and it had the same shape, +the same form of point and bend of mold board as we have now." + +It is reported that the dark continent possesses means of communication +entirely unknown to Europe. Upon this subject a correspondent to the New +York Tribune writes: + +"When Khartoum fell in 1885 I was in Egypt, and I well remember that the +Arabs settled in the neighborhood of the pyramids knew all about it, as +well as about Gen. Gordon's death, days and days before the news +reached Cairo by telegraph from the Soudanese frontier. Yet Khartoum is +thousands of miles distant from Cairo and the telegraph wires from the +frontier were monopolized by the government." + +The same correspondent observes that these Arabs told him, months +previously, of the defeat of the Egyptian army under Baker Pasha at +Tokar--that they not only gave him the news, but several particulars +concerning the matter, two full days before intelligence was received +from the Red Sea coast. In answer to the suggestion that such +information might have been conveyed by means of signal fires, this +writer says that such fires would have attracted the attention of the +English and native scouts, and that the whole country is unpropitious +to such methods; besides, no system of signal fires, no matter how +elaborate, could have conveyed the news so quickly and in such detail. +The whole matter is summed up as follows: + +"The Arabs, therefore, have, manifestly, some other means of rapid +communication at their command. One is inclined to the presumption that +they, like the learned Pundits of Northern India, have a knowledge +of the forces of Nature that are yet hidden from our most eminent +scientists." + +Can it be that the Arabs are acquainted with the very recently +discovered scientific principle, that it is possible to transmit +telegraphic communications without wires, and simply by means of +magnetic currents in earth and water? + +Nor is this remarkable skill confined to the "barbarians of the Old +World." A correspondent from the far West to the New York Press wrote +that long before the news of the Custer massacre reached Fort Abraham +Lincoln the Sioux had communicated it to their brethren. The scouts in +Crook's column to the south knew of it almost immediately, as did those +with Gibbon farther northwest. The same writer says that several years +ago a naval lieutenant ran short of provisions. He pushed on to a +settlement as rapidly as possible and upon arriving there found that +the inhabitants had provided for his coming and had a bounteous store +awaiting him. The people in the village were of a different tribe from +those whose domain he had passed, and so far as could be learned were +not in communication with them. + +The earliest accounts which we have of Egypt and Chaldea reveal the fact +that at a very remote period they were old and powerful civilizations, +that they had a settled government, a pure and philosophical religion, +and a profound knowledge of science and art; yet, notwithstanding the +great antiquity of these civilizations, that of the people which created +them must have been infinitely more remote. + +The earliest historic nations recognized the greatness of these ancient +people and the extent of their dominion. In the oldest geographical +writings of the Sanskrit people, the ancient Ethiopia, or land of +Cush of Greek and Hebrew antiquity, is clearly described. Stephanus of +Byzantium, who is said to represent the opinions of the most ancient +Greeks, says: "Ethiopia was the first established country on the earth, +and the Ethiopians were the first who introduced the worship of the Gods +and who established laws."(65) + + + 65) Quoted by John D. Baldwin, Prehistoric Nations, p. 62. + + +Heeren in his researches says: + +"From the remotest times to the present, the Ethiopians have been one +of the most celebrated, and yet the most mysterious of nations. In +the earliest traditions of nearly all the more civilized nations of +antiquity, the name of this distant people is found. The annals of the +Egyptian priests are full of them, and the nations of inner Asia, on +the Euphrates and Tigris, have interwoven the fictions of the Ethiopians +with their traditions of the wars and conquests of their heroes; and, +at a period equally remote, they glimmer in Greek mythology. When the +Greeks scarcely knew Italy and Sicily by name, the Ethiopians were +celebrated in the verses of their poets, and when the faint gleam of +tradition and fable gives way to the clear light of history, the lustre +of the Ethiopians is not diminished." + +Homer says of them that they were a "divided people dwelling at the +ends of the earth toward the setting and the rising Sun." Although it is +possible at the present time to discover very many of the facts bearing +upon the civilization of this ancient people, it is impossible in the +present condition of human knowledge to discover when civilized life +began on the earth. Whether the ancient Arabians or Ethiopians who +belonged to the old Cushite race, and who are believed by many to be +the most ancient people of whom we have any trace, were the first +colonizers, or whether they were preceded by a still older civilization, +history and tradition are alike silent; yet the fact seems to be +tolerably well authenticated that this enlightened race, now nearly +extinct, carried civilization to Chaldea more than seven thousand years +B.C., that it colonized Egypt, engrafted its own institutions in India, +colonized Phoenicia, and by its maritime and commercial enterprise, +introduced civilized conditions into every quarter of the globe. Even +in Peru, in Mexico, in Central America, and in the United States are +evidences of the old Cushite religion and enterprise. + +Baldwin, commenting on the greatness of this remarkable people, says +that early in the period of its colonizing enterprise, commercial +greatness, and extensive empire, it established colonies in the valleys +of the Nile and the Euphrates, which in later ages became Barbary, +Egypt, and Chaldea. The ancient Cushite nation occupied Arabia and +other extensive regions of Africa, India, and Western Asia to the +Mediterranean. While remarking upon the vastness and antiquity of this +old Cushite race, Rawlinson says that they founded most of the towns of +Western Asia. The vast commercial system which formed a connecting link +between the various countries of the globe, was created by this people, +the great manufacturing skill and unrivalled maritime activity of the +Phoenicians which extended down to the time of the Hellenes and the +Romans having been a result of the irgenius. It was doubtless during the +supremacy of the ancient Cushite race that a knowledge of astronomy was +developed and that the arts of life were carried to a high degree of +perfection. However, through the peculiar influences which were brought +to bear upon human experience, this knowledge, which was bequeathed +to their descendants or to the nations which they had created, was +subsequently lost or practically obscured, only fragments of it having +been preserved from the general ruin. + +Within these fragments have been preserved in India certain evidences of +a profound knowledge of Nature, or of the at present unknown forces in +the universe, a demonstration of which, in our own time, would probably +be looked upon as a miraculous interposition of supernatural agencies. + +Regarding the refinements and luxuries of this ancient people, Diodorus +Siculus declares that they flowed in streams of gold and silver, that +"the porticoes of their temples were overlaid with gold, and that the +adornments of their buildings were in some parts of silver and gold, +and in others of ivory and precious stones, and other things of great +value." + +From various observations, it is plain that the Etrurians represented +a stage of civilization far in advance of the Pelasgians who founded +Rome--a race which, although superior in numbers, arms, and influence, +were, when compared with this more ancient people, little better than +barbarians.(66) + + + 66) It is thought that as early as the nineteenth century B.C. the +Pelasgians or Pelargians went to Aenonia, or Ionia. It was a detachment +of this people which, according to Herodotus, captured a number of +Athenian women on the coast of Africa, lived with them as wives, and +raised families by them, but, "because they differed in manners from +themselves," they murdered them, which act was attended by a "dreadful +pestilence." It is the opinion of certain writers that these women were +of a different religious faith from their captors, and that so intense +and bitter was the feeling upon the comparative importance of the sex +functions in pro-creation, that their husbands, unable to change their +views, put an end to their existence. + + +Nothing, perhaps, proclaims the degree of civilization attained by the +ancient Etrurians more plainly than the exquisite perfection which is +observed in the specimens of art found in their tumuli. Within the tombs +of Etruscans buried long prior to the foundation of Rome, or the birth +of the fine arts in Greece, have been found unmistakable evidence of the +advanced condition of this people. The exquisite coloring and grouping +of the figures on their elegant vases, one of which, on exhibition in +the British Museum, portrays the birth of Minerva, or Wisdom, show the +delicacy of their taste, the purity of their conceptions, and their true +artistic skill. + +Among their mechanical arts, a few specimens of which have been +preserved, is the potter's wheel, an invention which, so far as its +utility is concerned, is declared to be absolutely perfect--the most +complete of all the instruments of the world. "It never has been +improved and admits of no improvement." In fact all that may be gathered +concerning the ancient Etrurians, a people who by the most able writers +upon this subject is believed to have been one of the first to leave +the Asiatic hive, is in perfect accord with the facts already set forth +regarding that mighty nation, perhaps of upper Asia, who carried the +study of astronomy to a degree of perfection never again reached until +after the discovery of the Copernican system, who invented the Neros +and the Metonic Cycle, who colonized Egypt and Chaldea, and who carried +civilization to the remotest ends of the earth. + +The philosophy of the Etrurians corresponds with that of the most +ancient Hindoo system, and displays a degree of wisdom unparalleled by +any of the peoples belonging to the early historic ages. According to +their cosmogony, the evolutionary or creative processes involved twelve +vast periods of time. At the end of the first period appeared the +planets and the earth, in the second the firmament was made, in the +third the waters were brought forth, in the fourth the sun, moon, and +stars were placed in the heavens, in the fifth living creatures appeared +on the earth, and in the sixth man was produced. These six periods +comprehended one-half the duration of the cycle. After six more periods +had elapsed, or after the lapse of the entire cycle of twelve periods, +all creation was dissolved or drawn to the source of all life. +Subsequently a new creation was brought forth under which the same order +of events will take place. The involution of life, or its return to the +great source whence it sprang, did not, however, involve the destruction +of matter. The seeds of returning life were preserved in an ark or +boat--the female principle, within which all things are contained. This +indrawing of life constituted "the night of Brahme." It was represented +by Vishnu sleeping on the bottom of the sea. + +From the facts adduced in relation to the Etrurians we are not surprised +to find that their religion was that of the ancient Nature worshippers, +and that a mother with her child stood for their god-idea. In referring +to the religion of this people, and to the great antiquity of the +worship of the Virgin and Child, Higgins remarks: "Amongst the Gauls, +more than a hundred years before the Christian era, in the district of +Chartres, a festival was celebrated in honor of the Virgin," and in the +year 1747, a mithraic monument was found "on which is exhibited a female +nursing an infant--the Goddess of the year nursing the God day." To +which he adds: "The Protestant ought to recollect that his mode of +keeping Christmas Day is only a small part of the old festival as it yet +exists amongst the followers of the Romish Church. Theirs is the remnant +of the old Etruscan worship of the virgin and child." As a proof of the +above, Higgins cites Gorius's Tuscan Antiquities, where may be seen the +figure of an old Goddess with her child in her arms, the inscription +being in Etruscan characters. "No doubt the Romish Church would have +claimed her for a Madonna, but most unluckily she has her name, Nurtia, +in Etruscan letters, on her arm, after the Etruscan practice." + +From the monuments of Etruria the fact is observed that descent and +the rights of succession were traced in the female line, a condition of +society which indicates the high position which must have been occupied +by the women of that country. + +In Oman is said to exist a fragment of the government of the old +Ethiopian or Cushite race. If this is true, then we may be able to +perceive at the present time something of the character of the political +institutions of this ancient nation. As no people remains stationary, +and as degeneracy has been the rule with surrounding countries, we may +not expect to find among the people of Oman a true representation of +ancient conditions, yet, as has been observed, we may still be able to +note some of the facts relative to the organization of society and their +governmental institutions. + +In a description furnished by Palgrave, Oman is termed a kingdom, yet it +is plain from the observations of this writer that the existing form +of government is that of a confederacy of nations under a democratical +system, identical with that developed during the later status of +barbarism. This writer himself admits that Oman is less a kingdom than +an aggregation of municipalities, and that each of these municipalities +or towns has a separate existence and is controlled by its own local +chief; but that all are joined together in one confederacy, and +subjected to the leadership of a grand chief whom the writer is pleased +to term "the crown," but why, as is evident from the description given, +bears no resemblance to a modern monarch. The chiefs who direct the +councils of the municipalities are limited in their powers by "the +traditional immunities of the vassals," the decision of all criminal +cases and the administration of justice being in the hands of the local +judges. In the descriptions given of their governmental proceedings, +it is stated that the whole course of law is considered apart from the +jurisdiction of the sovereign, who has no power to either change or +annul the enactments of the people. + +Here, it is observed, exists almost the identical form of government +which was in use among the early historic nations, before governments +came to be founded on wealth, or on a territorial basis(67); or, in +other words, before the monied and aristocratic classes had drawn to +themselves all the powers which had formerly belonged to the people. + + + 67) See The Evolution of Woman, p. 238. + + +We must bear in mind the fact that under these earlier democratical +institutions, the term "people" included not only men but women, and as +the grand chief, the local rulers, and the judges held their positions +by virtue of their descent from, or relationship to, some real or +traditional leader of the gens, who during all the earlier ages was a +woman, we may believe that the power of women to depose their political +leaders so soon as their conduct became obnoxious to them was absolute +and unquestioned. + +Doubtless, as we have seen, the government of Oman has undergone a +considerable degree of modification since the days of Cushite splendor +and supremacy; that, like all other nations which have come in +contact with the Aryan and Semitic races, the tendency has been +toward monarchial government; nevertheless, with its practically free +institutions, representing as they do, in a measure, the political +system of the grandest and oldest civilizations of which we have any +knowledge, it furnishes an illustration of the degree of progress +possible under gentile organization, at the same time that it points to +the source whence has proceeded the fierce democratic spirit observed +among succeeding nations, notably the Greeks. + +Modern writers agree in ascribing to the Touaricks, a people inhabiting +the Desert of Sahara, a considerable degree of civilization. We are +informed that in the Sahara, which, by the way, is far less a barren +waste than we have been taught to suppose it, "the Touaricks have towns, +cities, and an excellent condition of agriculture"; that with them fruit +is cultivated with great success and skill. Their method of +political organization is democratic and similar in construction and +administration to the old Cushite municipalities. Baldwin, quoting from +Richardson, says: "Ghat, like all the Touarick countries, is a republic; +all the people govern. The woman of the Touaricks is not the woman of +the Moors and Mussulmans generally. She has here great liberty, and +takes an active part in the affairs and transactions of life."(68) + + + 68) Prehistoric Nations, p. 341. + + +One who is disposed to search for it, will find no lack of evidence +going to prove that in an earlier age of the world, prior to the written +records of extant history, the human race had attained to a stage of +civilization equal in all and superior in many respects to that of the +present time. + +That this remarkable stage of progress, the actual extent of which +has not yet been fully realized, was attained during a period of pure +Nature-worship, or while the earth and the sun were venerated as emblems +of the great creative energy throughout the universe, is a proposition +which, when viewed by the light of more recently acquired facts, is +perfectly reasonable, and exactly what might be expected. + +That this high stage of civilization was reached while women were the +recognized heads of families and of the gentes, and at a time when +Perceptive Wisdom, or the female energy in the Deity, was worshipped as +the supreme God, is a fact which in time will be proved beyond a doubt. +Indeed, had not the judgment of man become warped by prejudice, and +his reason clogged by superstition and sensuality, the fact so plainly +apparent in all ancient mythologies, that in the early god-idea two +principles were contained, the female being in the ascendancy, would +long ere this have been acknowledged, and our present religious systems, +which are but outgrowths from these mythologies, would, with the partial +return of civilized conditions, have been so modified or changed as to +embrace some of the fundamental truths which formed the basis of early +religion. + +Regarding the religion of the ancient race which we have been +considering, we are told that they worshipped a dual Deity, under the +appellations of Ashtaroth and Baal, and that this God "comprehended +the generative or reproductive powers in human beings and in the sun, +together with Wisdom or Light." In other words, they adored the great +moving force throughout Nature, a force which they venerated as the +Great Mother. + +Before the Zend and Sanskrit branches of the Aryan race had separated, +their religion was doubtless that given them by their Cushite +civilizers. The worship of the sun and the planets, with which were +inextricably interwoven the fructifying agencies in Nature, explains +their devotion to the study of the heavenly bodies and their advanced +knowledge of astronomy. The types of regeneration or reproduction which +they venerated were symbols of abstract principles, and, from facts +connected with their religious ceremonies as practiced by their +immediate successors, and from the pure significance attached to their +emblems, we are justified in the conclusion before referred to, that +the sensuous element, which became so prominent in later religious +developments, constituted no part of their worship. + +The number of ages during which the most primitive religion, namely, +that of pure Nature-worship, prevailed among the inhabitants of the +earth may not be conjectured, and the exact length of time during which +earth and sun adoration unalloyed by serpent and phallic faiths remained +is not known. It is probable, however, that its duration is to be +measured by that of the supremacy of the altruistic or mother element +in human affairs, and that the gradual engrafting of the later-developed +sensuous faiths upon their earlier god-idea, marks the change from +female to male supremacy. + +We have observed that whenever a remnant of the civilization of the +ancient Cushites appears, exactly as might be expected, women hold an +exalted position in human affairs, at the same time that the female +principle constitutes the essential element in the Deity. + +Of the ancient Persians who received their religion and their +civilization from this older race Malcolm observes: + +"The great respect in which the female sex was held was, no doubt, the +principal cause of the progress they made in civilization.... It would +appear that in former days the women of Persia had an assigned and +honorable place in society; and we must conclude that an equal rank +with the male creation, which is secured to them by the ordinances of +Zoroaster, existed long before the time of that reformer, who paid too +great attention to the habits and prejudices of his countrymen to have +made any serious alteration in so important an usage. We are told +by Quintus Curtius, that Alexander would not sit in the presence of +Sisygambis, till told to do so by that matron, because it is not the +custom in Persia for sons to sit in the presence of their mothers. +There can be no stronger proof than this anecdote affords, of the great +respect in which the female sex were held in that country, at the time +of this invasion."(69) + + + 69) See History of Persia. + + +No one I think can study the sacred books of the Persians without +observing the emphasis which is there placed on purity of character +and right living. Indeed, within no extant writings is the antithesis +between good and evil more strongly marked, at the same time that their +hatred of idolatry is clearly apparent. The same is observed in the +early writings of the Hindoos. Within the Vedas, although they have been +corrupted by later writers, may still be traced a purity of thought and +life which is not apparent in the writings of later ages. Not long ago +I was informed by a learned native of India that the original writing of +the Vedas was largely the work of women. + +That the early conceptions of a Deity in which women constituted the +central and supreme figure were in Egypt correlated with the exercise of +great temporal power, may not, in view of the facts at hand, longer +be doubted. By means of records revealed on ancient monuments, we +are informed that in the age of Amunoph I. a considerable degree of +sovereign power in Egypt was exercised by a woman, Amesnofre-are, who +had shared the throne with Ames. She occupied it also with Amunoph, and, +notwithstanding the statement of Herodotus, that women did not serve +in the capacity of priests, this Queen is represented as pouring out +libations to Amon, an office which was doubtless the highest connected +with the priesthood. + +Less than forty years later, it is observed that another woman, +Amun-nou-het, shared the throne with Thotmes I. and II. and that "she +appears to have enjoyed far greater consideration than either of them." +Not alone are monuments raised in her name, but she appears dressed as +a man, and "alone presenting offerings to the gods." So important a +personage was she that she is believed by many to be the princess who +conquered the country, perhaps even Semiramis herself. Her title was the +"Shining Sun."(70) + + + 70) Rawlinson, History of Herodotus, app., book ii., ch. viii. + + +As these women doubtless belonged to the old Arabian, Ethiopian, or +Cushite race, the people who had brought civilization to Egypt, we are +not surprised to find them holding positions which were connected with +the highest civil and religious offices. The Labyrinth, in the country +of the Nile, is described by ancient writers as containing three +thousand chambers. Strabo says of it that the enclosure contained as +many palaces as there formerly were homes, and that there the priests +and priestesses of each department were wont to congregate to discuss +difficult and important questions of law. + +According to the Greeks, the Egyptian God Osiris corresponds to their +Jupiter; and Sate, the companion of Kneph, is identical with Juno. It +is quite evident, however, that the Greeks understood little of the +true significance of the gods which they had borrowed, or which they +had inherited from older nations. It would seem that as a people their +conceit prevented them from acknowledging the dignity even of their +gods, hence, they endowed them with the attributes best suited to their +own depraved taste or pleasure, and then worshipped them as beings like +themselves. + +It has been observed of the Egyptians that they were wont to ridicule +the Greeks for regarding their gods as actual beings, while in reality +"they were only the representations of the attributes and principles of +Nature." Unlike the religions which succeeded it, Egyptian mythology, as +understood by the learned, was essentially philosophical, and dealt with +abstractions and principles rather than with personalities. + +Notwithstanding the importance which in process of time came to be +claimed by males, and the consequent stimulation which was given to the +animal tendencies, it is evident, from certain historical and undeniable +proofs in connection with this subject, that although woman's power in +Egypt, as in all other countries, gradually became weakened, the +effect of her influence on manners and social customs was never wholly +extinguished. + +Regarding the existence of polygamy, it has been said that the high +position occupied in ancient Egypt by the mother of the family, the +mistress of the household, is absolutely irreconcilable with the +existence of polygamy as a general practice, or of such an institution +as the harem. Although the plurality of wives does not appear to have +been contrary to law, it "certainly was unusual," and although Egyptian +kings frequently had many wives, "they followed foreign rather than +native custom."(71) + + + 71) Renouf, Religion of Ancient Egypt, p. 81. + + +Herodotus says of the women of Egypt: "They attend the markets and trade +while the men sit at home at the loom"(72); and Diodorus informs us that +in Egypt "women control the men." + + + 72) Book ii., ch. xxxv. + + +Were we in possession of no direct historical evidence to prove that +down to a late period in the history of Egypt women had not lost +their prestige, sufficient evidence would be found in the fact that, +notwithstanding the growing tendency of mankind in all the nations of +the globe to suppress the female instincts and to reject, conceal, +or belittle the woman element in the Deity, still Isis, the gracious +mother, retained a prominent place in the god-idea of that country. + +I am not unmindful of the remarks which a reference to a past age of +intellectual and moral greatness will call forth; indeed, I can almost +hear some devotee of the present time remark: "So we are asked to regard +as a sober fact the existence in the past of a golden age; also to +believe that man was created pure and holy, and that he has since +fallen from his high estate; in other words, we are to have faith in the +ancient tradition of the 'fall of man.'" If by the fall of man we are to +understand that a great and universal people, who in a remote age of +the world's history had reached a high stage of civilization, gradually +passed out of human existence, and that a lower race, which +was incapable of attaining to their estate, and which, by the +over-stimulation of the lower propensities, sank into a state of +barbarism, in which the original sublime conceptions of a Deity were +obscured and the great learning of the past was lost, I can see no +reason to disbelieve it, especially as all the facts, both of tradition +and history, bearing upon this subject unite in proclaiming its truth. + +After stating that in Chaldea has been found rather the debris of +science than the elements of it, Bailly asks: + +"When you see a house built of old capitals, columns, and other +fragments of beautiful architecture, do you not conclude that a fine +building has once existed?... If the human mind can ever flatter itself +with having been successful in discovering the truth, it is when many +facts, and these facts of different kinds, unite in producing the same +results." + +That the descendants of a once mighty nation lapsed into barbarism, +forgetting the profound knowledge of the sciences possessed by their +ancestors, is a fact too well attested at the present time to be doubted +by those who have taken the pains to acquaint themselves with the +evidence at hand. + +Regarding the manner in which this ancient civilization was reached, or +concerning the way in which it was achieved, history and tradition +are alike silent, although it is believed that the present methods +of investigation will, at least in a measure, unravel the mystery. At +present we only know that, as far in the remote past as human ken can +reach, evidences of a high stage of civilization exist which it must +have required thousands upon thousands of years to accomplish. + + + +CHAPTER VII. CONCEALMENT OF THE EARLY DOCTRINES. + +After the decline of Nature-worship, and when through the constantly +increasing power gained by the ruder elements in human society a +knowledge of the scientific principles underlying ancient religion had +been partially lost or forgotten, it became necessary for philosophers +to conceal the original conception of the Deity and to clothe their +sacred writings in allegory. Hence it is observed that every ancient +form of religion has a cabala containing its secret doctrines--doctrines +the inner meaning of which was known only to the few. In order that +these truths might be preserved, they were inscribed on the leaves of +trees in characters or symbols understood only by the initiated. The +allegories beneath which these higher truths were concealed were handed +down as traditions to succeeding generations--traditions in which +history, astrology, and mythology are strangely combined. + +After long periods, through war, conquest, and the various changes +incidental to shifting environment, these traditions were in the main +forgotten. Fragments of them, however, were from time to time gathered +together, and, intermingled with later doctrines, were used by the +priests as a means of increased self-aggrandizement and power. + +It is now thought that the Iliad (Rhapsodies) of Homer is only a number +of "detached songs" which perhaps for centuries were delivered orally, +and that they contain the secret doctrines of the priests. Porphyry +says that "we ought not to doubt that Homer has secretly represented +the images of divine things under the concealment of fable." It has been +said of Plato that he banished the poems of Homer from his imaginary +republic for the reason that the people might not be able to distinguish +what is from what is not allegorical. Hippolytus informs us that the +Simonists declared that in Helen resided the principle of intelligence; +"and thus, when all the powers were for claiming her for themselves, +sedition and war arose, during which this chief power was manifested to +nations." These songs which were gathered together by Pisistratus and +revised by Aristotle for the use of Alexander, have generally been +regarded merely as a bit of history recounting a severe and protracted +struggle between the Greeks and Trojans. + +Within the earliest historical accounts which we have of the Egyptians, +we observe that their ceremonies and symbols have already become +multitudinous, the true meaning of the latter being concealed. The +masses of the people, who had grown too sensualized and ignorant to +receive the higher divine "mysteries," and too gross to be entrusted +with their true significance, had become idolaters. + +Not only the Egyptian and Chaldean priests, but Moses and the Jewish +doctors were well versed in religious symbolism. The fact is observed, +also, that as late as medieval Christianity, the fathers in the Church, +the Christian painters, sculptors, and architects, still employed signs +and symbols to set forth their religious doctrines. Even at the present +time, many of the emblems representing certain ideas connected with +the creative principles, and which were part and parcel of the pagan +worship, are still in use. The masses of the people, however, are +without a knowledge of their origin or early significance. + +Everywhere, throughout the early historic nations, were worshipped +symbols of the attributes or functions of the dual or triune God. Each +symbol represented a distinctive female or male quality. Animals, trees, +the sea, plants, the moon, and the heavens were, at a certain stage of +religious development, symbolized as parts of the Deity and worshipped +as possessing certain female or male characteristics or attributes. + +It is plain that, with the decline of female power, and the consequent +stimulation of the animal instincts in man, the pure creative principles +involved in Nature-worship gradually became unsuited to the sensualized +capacities and tastes of the masses; but in addition to this were other +reasons why the female principle in the Deity should be concealed. Women +were already deposed from their former exalted position as heads of +families and as leaders of consanguine communities. All their rightful +prerogatives had been usurped. The highest development in Nature had +become the slave of man's appetites, and motherhood, which had hitherto +been accepted as the most exalted function either in heaven or on the +earth, trailed in the dust. + +Under these conditions it is not perhaps singular that the capacity +to bring forth, and the qualities and attributes of women which are +correlated with it, namely, sympathy--a desire for the welfare of others +outside of self, or altruism,--should no longer have been worshipped as +divine, or that in their place should have been substituted the leading +characters developed in man. From the facts at hand it is plain that +at a certain stage of human growth physical might and male reproductive +energy, or virility, became the recognized God. With passion as the +highest ideal of a Creator, the female element appeared only in a +sensualized form and simply as an appendage to the god which was +dependent upon her ministrations. Under the above conditions it is not +in the least remarkable that by the priests it should have been deemed +necessary to conceal from women the facts bound up in their nature. +Woman's importance as a creative agency and as a prime and most +essential factor in the universe must be concealed. "Isis must be +veiled." + +Through the appropriation of the titles of the original dual God by +reigning monarchs, is perceived at least one of the processes by which +the great universal female Deity of the ancients has been transformed +into a male god. We are assured that the "redundant nomenclature of the +deities of Babylon renders an interpretation of them impossible. +Each divinity has many distinct names, by which he is indifferently +designated." It is observed that each Deity has as many as forty or +fifty titles, each of which represents a certain attribute. + +Since the invention of the cuneiform alphabet, by which pictures have +been reduced to phonetic signs, the attempt has been made to arrange or +classify these gods according to their proper order in the Pantheon, but +thus far much obscurity and doubt seem to pervade their history. + +In Assyrian, Babylonian, and Egyptian mythologies are observed much +confusion and no small degree of mystery surrounding the positions +occupied by certain gods. "Children not unfrequently change positions +with parents," but more frequently, we are told, "women change places +with men," or, more properly speaking, the titles, attributes, and +qualities ascribed to the Great Universal female God are now transferred +to the reigning monarch. Thus not unfrequently a deity is observed which +is composed of a male triad, the central figure of which is the king or +military chieftain, and to which is usually appended a straggling fourth +member, a female, who, shorn of her power, and with a doubtful and +mysterious title, appears as wife or mistress to his greatness, while +upon her is reflected, through him, a slight hint of that dignity and +honor which was originally recognized as belonging exclusively to the +recognized Deity. + +The Goddess Vishnu, from whose navel as she slept on the bottom of the +sea sprang all creation, after her transformation into a male God, is +supplemented by a wife--Lacksmir. Lacksmir means wisdom; but she has +become only an appendage to her "lord," upon whom is reflected all her +former glory. + +So greedy did rulers become for the splendid titles belonging to the +female divinities that we are told that "the name of the Great Goddess +Astarte not unfrequently appears as that of a man." + +Although man had usurped the titles of the female God and had denied +her recognition as an active creative agency, still, as nothing could +be created without her, she was permitted, as we have seen, to remain +as wife or mistress to the reigning monarch, in whom had come to reside +infinite wisdom and power. Her symbol was an ark, chest, boat, box, or +cave. This woman, although dignified by the title "Mother of the Gods," +and even by that of "Queen of Heaven," is utterly without power. + +Not only is it plain that the titles and attributes of female gods have +been appropriated by males, but it is also true that the more ancient +deities, which are now known to have been female, have by later +investigators been represented as male. + +The interpretations which have hitherto been put upon the Babylonian +and Assyrian deities by many of those who have attempted to unravel the +mysteries of an earlier stage of religious worship, is doubtless due to +the fact that since the so-called historic period began, the qualities +which have been considered godlike have all been masculine; it has +therefore never occurred to the minds of these writers that the ancients +may have entertained quite different notions from their own regarding +the attributes of a Deity; hence, whenever the sex of a god has appeared +doubtful, especially if it be in the least degree powerful or +important, it has at once been denominated as masculine, and this, too, +notwithstanding the fact that such rendering has oftentimes involved +inconsistencies, contradictions, and absurdities which it is impossible +to reconcile either with established facts or with common sense. + +Unless the symbols representing religious belief and worship are viewed +in the light of later developed facts in mythology, archaeology, and +philology, there occur many seeming absurdities and numberless facts +which it is found difficult to reconcile with each other; especially +is this true in regard to some of the symbols used to express the +distinctive female and male qualities. The serpent, for instance, +although a male symbol, in certain ages of the world's history appears +as a beautiful woman. + +This is accounted for by the fact that a woman and a serpent once stood +for the god-idea. Together they constituted an indivisible entity--the +creating power in the universe. They therefore became interchangeable +terms. The woman when appearing alone represented both, as did also the +serpent. + +"In most ancient languages, probably all, the name for the serpent +signifies Life, and the roots of these words generally also signify the +male and female organs, and sometimes these conjoined. In low French the +words for Phallus and life have the same sound, though, as is sometimes +the case, the spelling and gender differ"; but this fact is thought to +be of no material importance, as "Jove, Jehova, sun, and moon have all +been male and female by turn." + +No doubt many of the inconsistencies hitherto observed in the religion +of the ancients will disappear so soon as we obtain a clearer knowledge +of their chronology; and events which now seem contradictory will be +satisfactorily explained when placed in their proper order with regard +to date. Religion, like everything else, is constantly shifting its +position to accommodate itself to the changed mental conditions of +its adherents; hence, ideas which at any given time in the past were +perfectly suited to a people, would, in the course of five hundred or +one thousand years, have become changed or greatly modified. + +During a certain stage in human history "all great women and mythical +ladies were serpents"; but when monumentally or pictorially represented, +they appeared "with the head of a woman, while the body was that of a +reptile." This figure represented Wisdom and Passion, or the spiritual +and material planes of human existence. The mythical woman whom Hercules +met in Scythia, and who was doubtless the original eponymous leader +of the Scythian people, had the head of a woman and the body of a +serpent.(73) Even the Mexicans declare that "he, the serpent, is the +sun, Tonakatl-Koatl, who ever accompanies their first woman." Their +primitive mother, they said, was Kihua-Kohuatl, which signifies a +serpent. In referring to this Mexican tradition, Forlong remarks: "So +that the serpent here was represented as both Adam and Adama; and their +Eden, as in Jewish story, was a garden of love and pleasure."(74) + + + 73) Herodotus, book iv., 9. + + + 74) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 143. + + +The traditions extant among all peoples seem to connect the introduction +of the serpent into religious symbolism, with a time in the history of +mankind when they first began to recognize the fact, that through the +abuse of the reproductive functions, evil, or human wretchedness, had +gained the ascendency over the higher forces. The Deity represented by a +woman and a serpent involved the idea not alone of good, but of good and +evil combined. Together they prefigured not only Wisdom and generative +power, but evil as well. Mythologically they represented the cold of +winter and the heat of the sun's rays, both of which were necessary +reproduction. From this conception sprang the Ormuzd and Ahryman of the +Persians, the story of Adam, Eve, and the serpent in Genesis, and the +legend of Kihua-Kohuatl and Tonakatl-Koatl in Mexico. + +"The serpent remained in the memory and affections of most early people +as wisdom, life, goodness, and the source of knowledge and science, +under various names such as Toth, Hermes, Themis, the Kneph or Sophia of +Egyptians and Gnostics, and Set, Shet, or Shem of the Jews."(75) + + + 75) Forlong, Rivers of Life, etc., vol. i., p. 143. + + +The Serpent Goddess, although embracing evil as well as good, was still +the "Giver of Life" and the "Teacher of Mankind." These were the titles +which in later ages began to be coveted by monarchs, and then it +was that the attributes belonging to this Deity began to appear in +connection with royalty. + +There is no ancient divinity about which there seems to be connected +so much mystery as the Assyrian Hea. When referring to the "great +obscurity" which surrounds this God we are assured that there is at +present "no means of determining the precise meaning of the cuneiform +Hea, which is Babylonian rather than Assyrian," but that it is doubtless +connected with the Arabic Hya, which is said to mean "life," or the +female principle in creation. This Deity is the God of "glory" and +of "giving," titles which during the earlier ages of human existence +belonged to the Queen of Heaven, the Celestial Mother. + +The representation of the god Amun or Amun-ra, which superseded the +triune Deity, Kneph, Sate, and Anouk at Thebes, and from which in +Assyria doubtless proceeded the trinity, Amun, Bel-Nimrod, and Hea, is +supposed to be identical with the Greek Zeus, which means the sun. This +God is represented by a female figure seated on a throne. It is crowned +with two long feathers, and in the right hand is observed the cross, +the emblem of life. Manetho, the celebrated Egyptian historian, declares +that the name of this God signifies "concealed." + +There can be little doubt that the titles of the ancient Deity--the +Destroyer or Regenerator, or, in other words, those of the God of life +which embraced the idea of the moving force throughout Nature, were, in +course of time, appropriated by the rulers of the people. It is stated +that the name of a certain Egyptian God appears first in connection with +royalty, that "his name was substituted for some earlier divinity whose +hieroglyphics were chiselled out of the monuments to make place for +his." + +According to the testimony of Rawlinson, the God Hea is represented +by the great serpent, which occupies a conspicuous position among +the symbols of the gods on the black stones recording Babylonian +benefactions. Now these flat black stones are themselves said to +symbolize the female element in the Deity, in contradistinction to the +obelisks, which prefigure the male, while the serpent, for reasons which +have already been explained, appeared for ages in connection with the +figure of a woman. In later inscriptions "king" is everywhere attached +to the name of the God Hea, which fact shows that the titles ascribed +to her were those particularly coveted by royalty. Hence we are not +surprised to find that in an inscription of Sardanapalus, in the British +Museum, there "occurs a remarkable phrase in which the king takes the +titles of Hea." + +Among the Assyrian inscriptions appear Bel-Nimrod, Hea, and Nin or +Bar. In view of the facts which have come to light regarding Hea, it is +altogether probable that the triad Bel-Nimrod, Hea, and Nin represent +the trinity as figured by the father, mother, and child. That Nin +was the son or the child of Bel-Nimrod "is constantly asserted in the +inscriptions." He appears also as the son of Hea, yet the fact that +Hea should be represented as a woman, or as the mother of Nin, and the +central figure in the trinity, seems not to have been observed by those +who thus far have been engaged in deciphering these inscriptions. By +representing Hea as male, Nin is made to appear as the offspring of +two fathers while he is left absolutely motherless. To obviate this +difficulty an ingenious attempt has been made to account for his +existence by substituting his own wife as the author of his being. +Although in the numerous accounts which I had read of Hea, in my search +for information concerning her, she had always been designated as male, +still I was satisfied from the descriptions given that originally this +Deity was female. Therefore upon receiving a copy of Forlong's Rivers +of Life and Faiths of Man in All Lands, I was not surprised to find the +following: + +"Hoa or Hea, the Hu of our Keltic ancestors, whose symbol was the shield +and the serpent, was worshipped near rivers and lakes, and if possible +on the sea-shore, where were offered to her such emblems as a golden +vessel, boat, coffer, or fish, and she was then named Belat Ili (the +mistress of the Gods)."(76) + + + 76) Vol. ii., p. 94. + + +She was the Goddess of Water. Of this Forlong says: "Water, perhaps more +than fire, has always been used as a purifier... . Christians have but +imitated the ancients, in the use of Lustral water--now-a-days called +Holy Water, and into which salt should be freely put." + +According to Francis Vasques, the Cibola tribes of New Mexico pay no +adoration to anything but water, believing it to be the chief support +of all life. The Hindoo faith and the Greek Christian Church prescribe +"adorations, sacrifices, and other water rites, and hence we find all +orthodox clergy and devotees have much to do with rivers, seas, and +wells, especially at certain annual solar periods." + +The extent to which these ancient rites are still practiced as part and +parcel of modern religious observances is not realized by those who have +given no special attention to the subject. As spring advances, all ranks +of Russians from the Czar to the humblest peasant proceed with their +clergy to the Neva, where with solemn pomp the ice is broken and the +water, which is held to be of virgin purity, is sprinkled upon the heads +of Czar, nobles, and other dignitaries. The following is an account +given of the worship of Hea not many years ago in the public press: + +"An Imperial and Arch-episcopal procession was formed, consisting of, +first, the High Priest of the empire in all his most gorgeous robes, the +two masters of ceremonies walking backwards (probably because not of a +holy enough order), long double files of white-and gold-robed bearers +of sacred flambeaux or candles, for Fire must enter into every ceremony, +whether it is the male or female energy which is being worshipped. +Following these Religieux came all the sacred relics and fetishes of the +Church, as Maya's holy cup for water, all holy books, crosses, banners, +with sacred emblems in their order, and finally the Czar, humbly, and, +like all his people, on foot, followed by courtly throngs. These all +proceeded to a handsome pavilion or kiosk, erected close to the edge +of the water, when the Metropolitan of the Church reverently made an +incision in the ice, and took out a little water in a sacred golden cup +bearing strange devices. The firing of guns accompanied these solemn +acts in all their stages, and wherever the grave procession moved, it +always did so with measured tread, chanting sacred verses to the old, +old Deity of our race, and surrounded with all the pomp of war; whilst +at intervals, peals of Christian bells and the booming of near and +distant guns added to the solemnity of this water pageant. After the +filling of the golden cup, which, of course, represents the earth and +its fulness, and, at this season, the now expected increase, the High +Priest placed a golden crucifix on the virgin water and blessed its +return from wintry death, invoking the precious fluid to vernal life and +productiveness, when lo! a holy child suddenly appears upon the scene, +reminding us that this is everywhere the outcome of the 'wafers of life' +in all animal as well as vegetable production. Boodha in the garden of +Loobim through which flowed a holy stream, and Christ by the brook at +Bethlehem, nay, the first pair in the garden of the four rivers, are +all the same idea--fertility and creation. The high Russian Pontiff +now slowly and solemnly stooped, and taking up some of the holy water, +proceeded to sprinkle the vernal child--Jesus, whispered these crowds, +but the ancients said Horus. The sacred fluid was then sprinkled on +the clergy, the Czar, and all dignitaries, and finally on the sacred +emblems, banners, guns, etc. Men and women, aye, wise as well as +foolish, of every rank, now crowded forward, and on bended knee besought +their Patriarch to sprinkle and to bless them. Finally, the great Czar +put the cup to his lips, humbly and reverently, and then filled it to +overflowing with a wealth of golden pieces, for it is the still living +representative in the nineteenth century A.C. of 'the golden boat' of +Hea of the nineteenth century B.C."(77) + + + 77) Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 95. + + +The symbol of Neith or Muth, Athene or Minerva, the great universal +female principle of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, was the shield +and serpent. In Celtic Druids I find that Nath, the Egyptian Neith, the +"goddess of wisdom and science whose symbol was the shield and serpent, +was worshipped among the ancient Irish." The male God associated with +her was Naith, and according to Higgins represented "the opposite of +Neith." + +In Rivers of Life is observed a reference to the Assyrian Goddess Hea by +Lucian. In a note Forlong says that no doubt Hea is the same as Haiya +or Haya. In other words she represents the universal hermaphrodite--the +creative principle throughout Nature, which was originally worshipped as +female. The actual signification of the word Haya is "life." In ancient +Arabia it was applied to a group of kinsmen. + +The Rev. Mr. Davis is of the opinion that Noe or Noah was the same as +Deon and that both were Hu or Hea the mighty, whose chariot was drawn by +solar rays. This God was in fact the same as Zeus, Bacchus, and all the +rest of the sun and water Deities. It has been observed that, according +to the ancient cosmogonies, within water was contained the life +principle, and as a woman presided over it, or was the only being or +entity present, she must have been the self-existent Creator. From this +woman sprang all creation. According to the account in Genesis, the +Spirit of God moved on the face of the deep and creation began. + +By all nations water has been employed as a symbol of regeneration, +and as it contained the beginning of things it was female. The Hindoos +regard it as sacred, and in one of their most solemn prayers it is thus +invoked: Waters, mothers of worlds, purify us!(78) + + + 78) Quoted by Inman from Colbrook, vol. i., p. 85. + + +Doubtless it was from these ancient speculations regarding the +beginnings of things that Thales, the Milesian philosopher, received his +doctrine that water is the original principle. The ancient Egyptians +and the Jewish people to this day have the custom of pouring out all the +water contained in any vessel in a house where a death has taken place, +because of the idea that as the living being comes from water, so does +it make its exit through water. Hence "to drink or to use in any way a +fluid which contains the life of human beings would be a foul offense." + +The fact is noted by Inman that in all Assyrian mythology the water +God Hea is associated with life and with a serpent. Although Rawlinson +declares that Hea is Babylonian rather than Assyrian, may she not, in +view of the facts concerning her, be not only Babylonian, but Egyptian, +Indian, Phrygian, Mexican, and all the rest? + +It would seem that in this Deity, who is figured in connection with a +shield and serpent, as is Minerva, and who is worshipped near water--an +emblem which is sacred to her,--and whose titles correspond exactly +to those of Neith or Cybele, might be traced the remnants of a once +universal worship--a worship in which the female energy constituted the +Creator. + +Although it is declared that "great obscurity surrounds the God Hea," no +one, I think, whose mind is free from prejudice, and who understands the +significance of the early god-idea, and the true meaning of the symbols +used in later ages to express it, can study the myths connected with +this Deity without at once recognizing her identity with the great +female God of Nature who was once worshipped by every people on the +globe, but whose worship had become sensualized to satisfy the corrupted +taste of a more depraved age--an age in which passion constituted the +highest idea of a God. + +Although the serpent Deity was originally portrayed with the head of a +woman and the body of a serpent or fish, after the change of sex in the +god-idea which has been noted in the foregoing pages had been completed, +it is observed that this figure is represented by the head of a man +and the body of a serpent. Hea, the great goddess to whom water, the +original principle, is sacred, and who is suspiciously connected with +Noah, the life-principle which appears at the close of a cycle, has +changed her sex. This god is now the "Ruler of the Seas," "Master of the +Life-Boat" (the ark), and "Lord of the Earth." The earth is his and +the fulness thereof. He is the "Life Giver," the "Lord of Hosts," who +subsequently becomes the maker of heaven and earth. + +Minerva, who had been the first emanation from the Deity and the +daughter of the Great Mother of the Gods, now has a father but no +mother. Jove, who in course of time came to be represented as a male +Creator, brought her forth from his head. Later, woman is produced from +the side of man. The male principle, symbolized by a serpent, has become +"the one only and true God." It is Passion--the "Healer of Nations"--the +great "I Am." + +No unprejudiced individual who carefully follows the results of later +investigation, and who attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding the +ancient gods and the significance of the symbols of worship belonging +to the earliest historic times, will fail to note the attempt which has +been made in later ages to conceal the fact that the Deity worshipped in +very ancient times was female. Neither will he fail to observe the modus +operandi by which the attributes and prerogatives of this Deity have +been shifted upon males--usually deified monarchs. After priestcraft +and its counterpart, monarchial rule, had robbed the people of all their +natural rights, kings assumed not alone the governing functions, but +arrogated to themselves the symbols, titles, and attributes of the +dual Deity. The reigning monarch became not only the temporal ruler +and priest, but was actually God himself, the female principle being +concealed under convenient symbols. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. THE ORIGINAL GOD-IDEA OF THE ISRAELITES. + +Not only were religious doctrines veiled beneath allegories and +convenient symbols, but names also had a religious significance. + +We are given to understand that in Chaldea and Assyria every child was +named by the oracle or priest, and that no one thought of changing the +appellation which had come to him through this heavenly source.(79) + + + 79) Inman, Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 3. + + +Inman, in his Ancient Faiths, calls attention to the fact that in the +Old Testament kings, priests, captains, and other great men have +had names bestowed upon them, each of which has some religious +signification; that this name was given the individual "at circumcision, +or soon after birth." + +In the ancient names of what are designated as the Shemitic races, +children were called after the god alone, and sometimes in connection +with an attribute. Especially were these names applied to royalty or to +persons of distinction; for instance, names were given signifying, God +the good, God the just or the merciful, God the strong, The Warrior God, +etc. + +As the higher conception of a Creator was forgotten, and as human +beings, or perhaps I should say their power to control circumstances +coupled with the ability to reproduce or create, had become god, they +assumed the titles or names of the Deity; hence, it is not perhaps +singular that in later times kings and heroes were invested with all the +attributes of the gods. + +We have seen that according to various writers Om or Amm was the holy +one whose name in India it was sacrilege to pronounce. It was the +eternal sun, or the Great Mother. As this word stands also for "tribe or +people," it seems to mean, too, that which binds, holds, or endures. + +As Om or Amm signifies the Great Mother, so An or On means the Great +Father. Concerning the word Am-mon, Inman writes as follows: + +"The association of the words signifying mother and father indicates +that it is to such conjunction we must refer creative power. With such +an androgyne element the sun was associated by ancient mythologists. +Jupiter was himself sometimes represented as being female; and the word +hermaphrodite is in itself a union between Hermes and Aphrodite, the +male and female creative powers. We may fairly conclude, from the +existence of names like the above, that there was at one time in Western +as there was in Eastern Asia a strong feud between the adorers of On +and Am, the Lingacitas and the Yonijas, and that they were at length +partially united under Ammon, as they were elsewhere under Nebo or the +Nabhi of Vishnu."(80) + + + 80) Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., p. 237. + + +Inman relates that once when a friend of his was conversing with a very +high-caste Hindoo he casually uttered this word Amm or Om, whereupon +the man was so awe struck that he could scarcely speak, and, in a voice +almost of terror, asked where his friend had learned the word. Of this +word Inman says: + +"To the Hindoos it was that incommunicable name of the Almighty, which +no one ventured to pronounce except under the most religious solemnity. +And here let me pause to remark that the Jews were equally reverent with +the name belonging to the Most High; and that the third commandment was +very literal in its signification." + +The same writer remarks that in Thibet, too, where a worship very nearly +identical in ceremony and doctrine with that of the Roman papists exists +amongst the Lamas, the name of Om is still sacred. + +The Iav of the Jews was equally revered, but in the later ages of their +career they seem to have lost sight of its true meaning. + +According to Inman's testimony and that of other etymological students, +the true signification of the cognomen Jacob is the female principle. + +It is believed by various writers that the story of Jacob and Esau as +related in Genesis has an esoteric as well as an exoteric meaning--that +Jacob has reference to the female creative energy throughout Nature, +or, rather, to the great mass of people who in an early age of the human +race believed in the superior importance of the female in the office of +reproduction, and that Esau signifies the male. Attention is called to +the fact that Esau is represented as a "hairy" man, rough-voiced and +easily beguiled, while Jacob, on the other hand, is smooth-faced, +soft-voiced, and the favorite of his mother. + +There is indeed much in this myth which seems to indicate that it is +an allegory beneath which are veiled certain facts connected with the +struggle between two early contending sects regarding the relative +importance of the sexes in reproduction. Of this Inman says: + +"My own impression is that Esau, or Edom, and Jacob are mystic names for +a man and a woman, and that round these, historians wove a web of fancy; +that ultimately the cognomen Jacob was recognized, and that to allow the +Jewish people to trace their descent from a male rather than a female, +the appellation of Israel was substituted in later productions."(81) + + + 81) Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 607. + + +As most of the myths or allegories in Genesis are now traced to a source +far more remote than the beginning of legitimate Jewish history, it is +not unreasonable to suppose that this story, too, was copied by the Jews +from the traditions of earlier races; nor, when we remember the true +meaning of the cognomen Jacob, that the entire story should be regarded +as an attempt to set forth certain facts connected with the great +physiological or religious conflict between the sexes. + +The significance of the idols worshipped by Jacob and his family is not +for a certainty known, but it is believed by certain writers that the +Seraphim and Teraphim were the usual images which were used to represent +the male and female energies. "Then Jacob said unto his household and to +all that were with him: Put away the strange gods that are among you." +In referring to this passage, Inman, in a note, says: + +"The critic might fairly say, looking at Genesis xxxv., 2, 'Put away the +strange gods that are among you,' that there were images of God which +were not strange, and that in these early times there were orthodoxy and +heterodoxy in images as there are now. In ancient times the emblem of +life-giving energy was an orthodox emblem; it is now a horror and its +place is taken by an image of death. We infer from the context that +Laban's gods were orthodox." + +So, also, must have been the stone pillar set up by Jacob at Bethel +(place of the sun). From a study of similar stones, examples of which +are to be found in nearly every country of the globe, it is known that +they represent the male energy, and from all the facts connected with +the story of Laban's gods it is probable that they were emblems of this +power. We may suppose then that the "strange gods," the unorthodox gods, +which Jacob ordered put away, were those representing the female energy. + +It seems strange that any person can study the history of the +Israelitish Exodus by the light of later developments in biblical +research without recognizing the fact that the "Lord" which brought the +children of Israel out from the bondage of Egypt was the male power, +which by a certain sect had been proclaimed the only actual creative +agency, and therefore the "only one and true God." + +Although, at the time at which Abraham is said to have lived, the +knowledge of an abstract dual or triune God still remained, yet, during +the five hundred years which elapsed until the time of Moses, the +grossest idolatry had come to prevail. Notwithstanding the fact that +Moses had learned much from the Egyptians, he seems not to have risen +above a very gross conception of a deity. His god was by turns +angry, jealous, revengeful, vacillating, and weak. He was in fact the +embodiment of human passions and desires. We have seen that the third +person in the ancient Trinity had, in Egypt, India, and Persia, come +to be recognized in place of the three principles originally +worshipped--that, as it really embodied the essence of the other two, +little was heard of the Creator and Preserver. Doubtless this God was +the one which Moses intended the Israelites to worship, but as they +were unable to conceive of an abstract principle he invested it with a +personality which, as we have seen, was burdened with the frailties and +weaknesses common to themselves. + +As the Regenerator or Destroyer represented the processes of +Nature,--the dying away of the sun's rays at night only to reappear on +the following day, and the withdrawal of its warmth in winter only to +be renewed in the spring,--so this God portrayed also the beneficent +Creator and Preserver of all things, at the same time that it was the +Destroyer. It embodied the fundamental idea in all religions, namely, +life and fertility. So also did the "Lord" of the Israelites represent +reproductive energy, but as man being spirit had come to be a Creator of +offspring, while woman being only matter furnished the body, this +"Lord" was male. Connected with it was no hint of the female nature or +principle, except the ark or chest in which it was carried about. To +those who have acquainted themselves with the significance of ancient +religious symbols, the fact is plain that the "Lord" of the Israelites, +which in their journeyings toward Canaan they carried in an ark or +chest, and which was symbolized by an upright stone, was none other +than a "Life-giver" in the most practical sense. It was the emblem of +virility, and from the facts at hand, at the present time, there is +little doubt but that all the spirituality with which we find this +"Lord" invested was an after-thought and comprehended no part of the +belief of the Jews until after their contact with the Persians during +the Babylonian captivity. + +Doubtless the story in which their journeyings toward Canaan are set +forth contains an esoteric as well as an exoteric significance for ages +known only to the priests, and that within it is embodied not alone +something of the true history of this people, but an account also of +their struggle against an older religion. At this time the Israelites +had practically commenced the elimination of the female principle from +their god-idea, and had begun the worship of the male element, the +female being represented by an ark, chest, or box. This ark, as the +receptacle of the god, was still a holy thing. + +Not only among the Israelites, but among other nations of the East, we +find the devotees of the male god beginning to assume a position quite +independent of the beliefs of their fathers. At this time great towers +or pillars begin to be erected in honor of this deity, which is figured +as the "God of Life," or as the "Lord of Hosts." Notwithstanding the +fact that the story of the Exodus contains much historical truth, it is +altogether probable that the priests have used it, as they did that of +the flood, to conceal their religious doctrines. + +At the time of the Exodus, the Israelites were ignorant tribes without +laws or letters, and while in Egypt were menials of the lowest order. +Hence, the laws written on the two tables of stone, and which it is +claimed were elaborated during their wanderings in the wilderness of +Sinai for the guidance of these unlettered slaves, show the desire +of the priests of later times to invest the "chosen people" with the +insignia of enlightenment. + +Regarding the character of the god which they worshipped, we have +ample proof in the Old Testament. It is plain that at the time of their +bondage in Egypt the Jews had become the grossest phallic worshippers, +adoring the emblems of generation, with no thought of their earlier +significance as pure symbols of creative force in mortals. + +The fact will doubtless be remembered that, among the Jews, to be barren +was the greatest curse, and that the principal reward promised to the +faithful was fruitfulness of body. The essence of this deity was heat or +passion, and his emblem was the serpent or an upright stone. It has +been observed that when this "Lord" was invested with personality he +was subject to all the frailties of his followers. His chief and most +emphatic characteristic, however, was jealousy of other gods, and most +of the imprecations thundered against the chosen people were directed +against the worship of the gods of surrounding nations, those which the +Israelites had originally worshipped. + +That portion of the Decalogue relating to a jealous god is seen to +belong wholly to the Jews, or to the Israelites, who were descendants +of Jacob. The older nations, among which was the ancient family of the +Hebrews, knew nothing of a jealous god. Notwithstanding the fact that +the God of the Jews appeared and talked face to face with Moses, that he +exhibited portions of his body to him, and that he thundered his law to +this people from Mt. Sinai, still they were constantly lapsing into the +worship of Baal and Ashtaroth, which fact shows how deeply rooted was +the belief in a dual or triune God. It is plain that this "Lord," the +fierce anger of whom was kindled because of their digressions, was none +other than the jealous male god which had but recently been elevated to +the dignity of a supreme Creator. + +Although the angel of the Lord when he came down from Gilgal commanded +his followers to "throw down the altars of the people of Bochim," they +nevertheless continued to do evil in the sight of the Lord, and + +"followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about +them, and bound themselves unto them and provoked the Lord to anger. + +"And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger +of the Lord was hot against Israel."(82) + + + 82) Judges ii., 12, 13. + + +"And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return +unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and +Ashtaroth from among you and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, +and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the +Philistines. + +"Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth and +served the Lord only."(83) + + + 83) I Samuel vii., 3,4. + + +The extreme hatred of the schismatic faction for the opposite worship, +and the punishments which were meted out to those who should dare to +rebel against the chosen faith, are indicated by the language which +throughout the Old Testament is put into the mouth of their Lord--a +Deity which rejoices in the title of a jealous God. + +"If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or +the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice +thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast +not known thou nor thy fathers: + +"Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto +thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the +other end of the earth; + +"Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall +thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal +him: + +"But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to +put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. + +"And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath +sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out +of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. + +"And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such +wickedness as this is among you."(84) + + + 84) Deuteronomy xiii. + + +The constantly recurring faithlessness of the Jews, their restlessness +and proneness to wander from their one-principled deity which had +been set up by their priests for them to worship, was doubtless an +unconscious effort on the part of the people to mitigate the outrage +which had been committed against their Creator. It was but a reaching +out for that lost or unrecognized element which comprehends the more +essential force both in human beings and in the conception of a deity. +In other words, it was an attempt at recognition, in the objects +worshipped, of that missing female element which had always been +worshipped, and without which a Creator becomes a misnomer--a +meaningless, unexplained, and unexplainable monstrosity. + +When the Jews first make their appearance in history, they are sun +worshippers, as are all the nations by which they are surrounded. They +are worshippers of Seth the Destroyer and Regenerator; but when the +philosophical truths underlying the ancient universal religion were +forgotten, or when through ignorance the language setting forth +these mysteries was taken literally, Seth became identified with the +Destroyer, or the Evil Principle. In the meantime man had come to +believe himself the sole creator of offspring. He is spirit, which is +eternal; woman is matter, which is not only destructible but altogether +evil. He is heat or passion--the principle through which life is +produced. She represents the absence of heat. She is the simoom of the +desert and the chilly blast which destroys. + +That it was no part of their plan to change their original form of +worship for a spiritual conception of a Creator is apparent from their +history. On the contrary, it is plain that they desired simply to +eliminate from the hitherto dual conception of a deity the female +principle, which, in their arrogance, and because of the change +which had been wrought in the relations of the sexes, they no longer +acknowledged as important in the office of reproduction. + +It is quite true they would worship only one god--the "Lord,"--but +that lord was, as we have seen, a deity of physical strength and virile +might, a "Lord of Hosts," a god which was to be worshipped under the +symbol of an upright stone--an object which by every nation of the +globe down to a comparatively recent time has typified male pro-creative +energy. That the masses of the people, even as late as the time of +Jeremiah, had no higher conception of a God than that indicated by an +upright stone, is shown by that prophet when he accuses the entire house +of Israel, "their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their +prophets," of "saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, +Thou hast brought me forth." + +That the people could not, or would not, be prevailed upon to renounce +the Queen of Heaven, the Celestial Mother, is seen in Jer. vii., 17, 18: + +"Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets +of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, +and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven +and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods." + +Also in Jeremiah xliv: + +"Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto +other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even +all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered +Jeremiah, saying, As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the +name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. + +"But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own +mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven and to pour out drink +offerings unto her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings, and +our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: +for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. + +"But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to +pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have +been consumed by the sword and by the famine. + +"And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink +offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her and pour out +drink offerings unto her without our men?" + +That the above represents a quarrel in which the women of Judah openly +rebelled against the worship of the "Lord," at the same time declaring +their allegiance to the female Deity, the Celestial Mother, Queen of +Heaven, is only too evident, the curse pronounced upon them by Jeremiah, +in the name of the lord, having little effect upon them to change their +purpose. + +"Therefore, hear ye the word of the Lord, all Judah that dwell in the +land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the Lord, +that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in +all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord God liveth. + +"Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all +the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the +sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them." + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE PHOENICIAN AND HEBREW GOD SET OR SETH. + +The name of one of the oldest deities of which we have any record is +Set (Phoenician) or Seth (Hebrew). Traces of this God are found in +all oriental countries; and in the most primitive religions, whose +traditions are still extant, he (or she) appears as the supreme God. +After the subjection of Egypt by the stranger kings and the consequent +introduction into the country of Sabianism, the dual creative force +residing in the sun is represented by Seth. We are told that Seth +signifies "appointed or put in the place of the murdered Abel." + +That there is some deep mystery connected with this subject none who has +studied it carefully can help observing. + +According to the story of creation as set forth in the Jehovistic +account, on Saturday night, after God had finished his work, and +immediately after he had commanded Adam to "be fruitful," he presents +him with a staff, which we observe is handed down to Enoch and all the +patriarchs. Here the mystery deepens, for it is declared that this staff +was presented to Seth, and that it was a branch of the Tree of Life. + +That beneath this allegory is veiled a contest, or perhaps a compromise, +between the worshippers of two distinct sects, seems altogether +probable. That the handing down of this branch of the Tree of Life, +first to Adam, or man, by Aleim, and its subsequent transference to +Seth, the God of Nature, the Destroyer or Regenerator, seems to indicate +a victory for the adherents of a purer religion. The translator of +Kallimachus says: "It is well known to the learned reader that the +descendants of Cain are distinguished in Scripture by the name of the +sons of man or Adam; those of Seth by the name of the sons of God." Gen. +vi., 2.(85) It is stated in Julius Africanus that all the righteous men +and patriarchs down to the Saviour himself have sprung from Seth and +have been denominated as the sons of God in contradistinction to the +sons of man. + + + 85) Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 527. + + +Doubtless at the time indicated by the transference of the creative +agency from Aleim to Adam, the worship of an abstract principle, or of +a Trinity composed of the powers of Nature, was losing its hold on the +minds of the people, and the creative power, or the reproductive energy +in human beings, was rapidly taking the place of the older Deity. These +higher principles forgotten, Adam, or man, had become the Creator. + +It is not improbable that the terms Adam, Cain, Abel, and Seth have +an esoteric meaning which for ages was known only to the priests. From +various facts which in later times are being brought forward regarding +the ancient myths of Genesis, it is believed that these names originally +stood for races of men, and that subsequently certain religious +doctrines came to be attached to them. The offering of fruit by Cain, +the elder brother, who was a tiller of the ground, and that of flesh by +Abel, who was a keeper of sheep, indicates a quarrel which ended in +the death of the latter. After the death of Abel, or after one of these +principles or sects was subdued, the older religion was revived, +and Seth, as the Aleim, or as the creative power within the sun, was +"appointed" or again worshipped. + +It would seem that Seth was appointed to represent the third person in +the ancient Trinity--the Destroyer or Regenerator which had previously +come to embody all the powers of the Creator and Preserver. The fact has +been observed that the very ancient philosophers believed matter to be +eternal, hence, seeming death, or destruction, was necessary to renewed +life or regeneration. In other words, creation was but continuous change +in the form of matter. + +Of the doctrines of the Sethians extant at the beginning of +Christianity, Hippolytus says that their system "is made up of tenets +from natural philosophers. These tenets embrace a belief in the Eternal +Logos--Darkness, Mist, and Tempest." These elements subsequently became +identified with the Evil Principle, or the Devil. The cold of winter, +the darkness of night, and water, were finally set forth as the Trinity. +Regarding cold, darkness, and water, or darkness, mist, and tempest, +Hippolytus observes: + +"These the Sethian says are the three principles of our system; or when +he states that three were born in paradise--Adam, Eve, the serpent; or +when he speaks of three persons, namely, Cain, Abel, Seth, and again +of three others, Shem, Ham, Japheth; or when he mentions three +patriarchs--Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; or when he speaks of three days +before the sun, etc." + +The same writer says that their entire system is derived from the +ancients; that, antecedent to the Eleusinian mysteries, were enacted by +them the ceremonies connected with the worship of the Great Mother.(86) + + + 86) Hippolytus, Refutation of all Heresies, book v., ch. 15. + + +We have observed that through some process not thoroughly understood +at the present time, the adherents of the older faith had succeeded in +reinstating their Deity. The powers of Nature had come to be represented +by Typhon Seth. It was the God of Death and of Life, of Destruction and +Regeneration. The simoom of the desert and the cold of winter were Seth, +as were also the genial powers of Spring. We are informed by various +writers that Typhon Seth was feminine. She was the early God of the +Jews. In other words, the Jews were formerly worshippers of a female +Deity. Jehovah, Iav, was originally female. + +Although the secret meaning of all the allegories contained in the Old +Testament is not fully understood, still the belief that Cain, Abel, and +Seth represented the self-triplicated Deity at a time when the idea of +man as a creator had been accepted, or when his power to reproduce was +becoming the highest idea of a creative force, is consistent with what +is known of the Cabala of the Jews, or of the esoteric meaning of the +Jewish scriptures formerly known only to the priests. In other +words, the ancient doctrines, the true meaning of which was no longer +understood by them, were patched together as a basis for the later +developments in Jewish religious experience. + +We have seen that six hundred years after Adam appears Noah, another +self-triplicated Saviour or preserver of man, with his ark or seed +vessel, beneath which is veiled the female element. Afterward Abraham +becomes the Great Father or Saviour, and later Moses. That, in the time +of the latter, the more ancient worship of a creative force in Nature +represented by the Aleim, had, by the masses of the people, been wholly +lost, is evident from the Old Testament writings. The worship of the +Father, the male power, in opposition to that of the Mother, or the +female power, constituted the religion of Moses. In the religion of the +Jews, Jehovah came to be regarded as wholly male and as spirit, while +Edam (translated "downward tending"), the female principle, was matter, +or woman, which finally became identified with the Devil. + +The philosophical doctrine that spirit is evolved through matter, or +that matter must be raised to a certain dynamical power before spirit +can manifest itself through it, was no longer understood; only the husks +of this doctrine--the myths and symbols of Nature-worship--remained; +these were taken literally, and thus man's religion was made to conform +to his lowered estate. + +When man had so far gained the ascendancy over woman as to assert that +he is the sole Creator of their joint offspring, he was no longer of the +earth earthy, but at once became the child of heaven. He was, however, +bound to earth through his association with matter, or with woman, from +whom he was unable to free himself. The "sons of God" were united "to +the daughters of man." Jahvah, the "God of hosts," who was revengeful, +weak, jealous, and cruel, was worshipped in the place of Aleim the +great dual force throughout Nature. The ethereal, spiritual male essence +resided somewhere in the heavens and created from afar, while the earth +(female) furnished only the body or material substance. + +In the history of the god Seth is to be found a clue to the way in which +the sublime and philosophical doctrines of the ancients, after their +true meaning was forgotten, were finally changed so as to conform to the +enforced humiliation and degradation of women. + +Seth or Typhon was for ages worshipped throughout Egypt, and as she +comprehended the powers of Nature, or the creative energy residing in +the sun and earth, little is heard of any other god. Strange it is, +however, that Seth is worshipped more in her capacity as Destroyer than +as Regenerator. So soon as we understand the origin and character of the +Devil, and so soon as we divest ourselves of the false ideas which under +a state of ignorance and gross sensuality came to prevail relative to +the "powers of darkness," we shall perceive that his (or her) Satanic +majesty was once a very respectable personage and a powerful Divinity--a +Divinity which was worshipped by a people whose superior intelligence +can scarcely be questioned. Regarding this subject Higgins remarks: + +"Persons who have not given much consideration to these subjects will be +apt to wonder that any people should be found to offer adoration to the +evil principle; but they do not consider that, in all these recondite +systems, the evil principle, or the Destroyer, or Lord of Death, was at +the same time the Regenerator. He could not destroy but to reproduce, +and it was probably not till this principle began to be forgotten, that +the evil being, per se, arose; for in some nations this effect seems to +have taken place. Thus Baal-Zebub is, in Iberno Celtic, Baal Lord, and +Zab Death, Lord of Death; but he is also called Aleim, the same as the +God of the Israelites; and this is right, because he was one of the +Trimurti or Trinity. + +"If I be correct respecting the word Aleim being feminine, we here see +the Lord of Death of the feminine gender; but the Goddess Ashtaroth or +Astarte, the Eoster of the Germans, was also called Aleim. Here again +Aleim is feminine, which shows that I am right in making Aleim the +plural feminine. Thus we have distinctly found Aleim the Creator (Gen. +i., 1), Aleim the Preserver, and Aleim the Destroyer, and this not by +inference, but literally expressed."(87) + + + 87) Anacalypsis, ch. ii., p. 66. + + +At one period of their history the Hebrews worshipped Ashtaroth and +Baal, they together representing the great Aleim, the indivisible God, +but after the Israelites had chosen the worship of the male principle +as an independent deity, or as the only important agency in the creative +processes, as Baal might not be represented aside from his counterpart +Ashtaroth, he was no longer adored but came to stand for something +"approaching the Devil." Forlong has observed the fact that, although in +Hebrew Baal is masculine, in the Greek translations he is feminine both +in the Old and New Testaments.(88) + + + 88) Forlong, Rivers of Life, p. 223. + + +Jehovah was originally female, so, also, was Netpe the Holy Spirit of +the Egyptian Tree of Life. We are given to understand that Netpe was the +same as Rhea, the partner of Sev or Saturn, and that her hieroglyphic +name was "Abyss of Heaven." Osiris was the son of this goddess who was +really a Mai or Mary, the Celestial Mother, he being the only God of +the Egyptians who was born upon this earth and lived among men. Of +this Forlong remarks: "His birthplace was Mount Sinai; called by the +Egyptians Nysa, hence his Greek name Dionysos." + +As the Palm was the first offering of Mother Earth to her children, +so Osiris was the first offspring of the Egyptian Celestial Virgin to +mankind. He was the new sun which through the winter months had been +"buried," but which in process of time arose to gladden all the earth. +He was also the new Sun of Righteousness which was to renew the world, +or redeem mankind from sin. + +The female principle for the time being cast out of the Deity, Osiris, +the male element, now outwardly assumes the position of supreme God. It +was, however, reserved for a later and more sensuous age to permanently +adopt an absurdity so opposed to all established ideas relative to +a creative force in Nature and in man. Seth, the Destroyer, had been +deposed, but, so deeply rooted in the human mind had become the idea +of a female Creator, that Isis, the Queen of Heaven, a somewhat lower +conception of Muth, or of universal womanhood, soon assumed the place +of Seth beside Osiris. Later in the history of Egypt, when the gods have +become greatly multiplied, and the original significance of the deity +obscured, Horus, the child and the third member in the later Egyptian +triad, not unfrequently appears in her place as one of the eight great +gods. + +The fact is observed that the history of Osiris is not alone the +"history of the circle of the year, or of the sun dying away and +resuscitating itself again, but that it is also the history of the +cycle of 600." It has been said that of the component elements of his +hieroglyphical name, Isis is the first, and that the name Osiris really +signifies the "Eye of Isis." + +According to Plutarch, Isis and Muth are identical, but from the +evidence at hand it is plain that Muth comprehends divine womanhood, +or the female principle as it was regarded at an earlier stage of human +growth. Muth is not only the parent of the sun, or the force which +produces the sun, but she is also Wisdom, the first emanation from the +Deity, at the same time that she comprehends all the possibilities of +Nature. Isis seems to represent the Deity at a time when the higher +truths known to a more ancient people were beginning to lose their hold +upon the race. + +Renouf informs us that the word Maat, or Muth, means Law, "not in that +forensic sense of command issued either by a human sovereign authority, +or by a divine legislator, like the laws of the Hebrews, but in the +sense of that unerring order which governs the universe, whether in its +physical or its moral aspect."(89) The same writer observes further that +Maat "is called mistress of Heaven, ruler of earth, and president of the +nether world," and in a further description of the conception embodied +in this Deity, refers to the fact that while she is the mother of the +sun she is also the first emanation from God. + + + 89) The Religion of Ancient Egypt, p. 126. + + +Although Typhon Seth was long worshipped as the sole Deity in Egypt, +in later ages the god-idea came to be represented by Seth and Osiris. +Toward the close of Typhon Seth's reign, Horus, the child, the young +sun, was represented "as rising from his hiding-place, attracting +beneficent vapors to return them back as dews, which the Egyptians +called the tears of Isis." + +Seth and Osiris represent a division of the Deity. Osiris, as the sun, +represents heat; as man, or as god, he stands for desire. Seth or Typhon +stands for the cold of winter, the simoom of the desert, or the "wind +that blasts." Seth, Osiris, and Horus constitute a Trinity of which +Muth is the Great Mother. Finally, with the gradual ascendancy of male +influence and power, it is observed that Seth appears as the brother of +Osiris. + +It is the opinion of Bunsen that the fundamental idea of Osiris and Set +was "not merely the glorification of the sun, but was also the worship +of the primitive creative power."(90) But, as in Egypt the creative +agency was regarded as both female and male, the former being in the +ascendancy, this fact of itself would seem to determine the sex and +position of Seth. + + + 90) History of Egypt, vol. iv., p. 319. + + +In the ideas concerning Seth and Osiris may be observed something of the +manner in which the fructifying agencies of the sun and the reproductive +power in human beings were blended and together worshipped as the Deity; +while through the history of these gods are to be traced some of the +processes by which the idea of the Creator was changed from female to +male. + +In all countries, at a certain stage in the history of religion, the +transference of female deified power to mortal man may be observed. +In the attempt to change Seth or Typhon into a male God may be noted +perhaps the first effort in Egypt to dethrone, or lessen the female +power in the god-idea. + +The fact seems plain that the Great Typhon Seth, or Set, who conferred +on the sovereigns of the eighteenth and nineteenth dynasties of Egypt +"the symbols of life and power," was none other than the primitive +Regenerator or Destroyer, who was for ages worshipped as the God of +Nature the Aleim, or the life-giving energy throughout the universe. + +We have observed that when the profound principles underlying the most +ancient doctrines had been lost or forgotten, and when through the +decay of philosophy, and through the stimulation of the sensual in human +nature, mankind had lost the power to reason abstractly, Destruction, +which was symbolized by darkness or the absence of the sun's rays, +finally became the evil principle, or the Devil. Darkness and cold, +which had formerly been worshipped as the powers which brought forth the +sun, or as mother of the sun, in process of time became the agency which +is ever warring with good and which is constantly destroying that which +the latter brings forth. + +We are informed by Forlong that "some derive our term Devil from Niphl +or Nevil, the wind that blasts or obstructs the growth of corn; and it +used sometimes to be written th' evil, which is D'evil or Devil." + +It was "this Dualistic heresy which separated the Zend or Persian branch +of the Aryans from their Vedic brethren, and compelled them to emigrate +to the westward."(91) + + + 91) See Rawlinson, Notes on the Early History of Babylon. + + +The ancient philosophical truth that matter is eternal, and that the +destruction of vegetable life through the agency of cold was one of +the necessary processes of re-generation, or the renewal of life, had +evidently been lost sight of at the time when Seth was dethroned in +Egypt. Wilkinson informs us that "both Seth and Osiris were adored until +a change took place respecting Seth, brought about apparently by foreign +influence." Sethi or Sethos, a ruler whose reign represents the Augustan +age of Egyptian splendor, received his name from this Deity. It is said +that during the twentieth dynasty Seth is suddenly portrayed as the +principle of evil "with which is associated sin." Consequently all the +effigies of this great Goddess were destroyed and all her names and +inscriptions "which could be reached" were effaced. + +Bunsen tells us that Schelling, who has made a study of Egyptian +mythology, although totally ignorant of the later historical facts which +by means of hieroglyphical monuments have been obtained, had arrived at +the conclusion that Seth had occupied an important position in the Deity +down to the fourteenth century B.C. "Schelling had on mere speculative +grounds been brought to lay down as a postulate that Typhon, at some +early period, had been considered by the Egyptians as a beneficent and +powerful God." + +Wilkinson says that the character given to Seth, who was called +Baal-Seth and the God of the Gentiles, "is explained by his being the +cause of evil." We are assured that formerly "Sin the great serpent," or +Apophis the giant, was distinct from Seth who was a deity and a part +of the divine system. But after the recondite principles underlying +sun-worship were lost or forgotten; when cold and darkness, or the +sinking away of the sun's rays, which are necessary to the reappearance +of light and warmth, came to be regarded as the destructive element, or +the evil principle, woman became identified with this principle. She was +the producer of evil, and came to be represented in connection with +a serpent as the cause of all earthly or material things. She is +Destruction, but not Regeneration. She is in fact matter. The cold of +winter and the darkness of night, which are necessary to the return +of the sun's warmth and which were formerly set forth as a beneficent +mother who brings forth the sun, became only the evil principle--that +which obscures the light. In fact Darkness or absence of the sun's heat +has become the Devil. It is the "cause of evil in the world." + +With woman blinded by superstition, with every instinct of the female +nature outraged, and with her position as the central figure in the +Deity and in the family usurped, her temples were soon profaned, +her images defiled, and the titles representing her former greatness +transferred to males. + +There is no doubt but this doctrine was the legitimate outcome of the +decay of female influence. Through the further stimulation of the lower +nature of man its absurdity gradually increased, until under the system +calling itself Christian it finally reached its height. This subject +will be referred to later in these pages. + +When we remember that the original representation of the Deity among the +nations of the earth consisted of a female figure embracing a child, +and when we observe that subsequently in the development of the god-idea +woman appears associated with a serpent as the cause of evil in the +world, the history of the God Seth, who, as we have seen, represented +the processes of Nature, namely Destruction and Regeneration, seems +quite significant as indicating some of the actual processes involved in +this change. + +There can be little doubt that the facts relating to this Deity indicate +the source whence has sprung the great theological dogma underlying +Christianity, that woman is the cause of evil in the world. + + + +CHAPTER X. ANCIENT SPECULATIONS CONCERNING CREATION. + +"Daughters of Jove, All hail! but O inspire The lovely song! the sacred +race proclaim Of ever-living gods; who sprang from Earth, From the +starred Heaven, and from the gloomy Night, And whom the salt Deep +nourished into life. Declare how first the gods and Earth became; The +rivers and th' immeasurable sea High-raging in its foam; the glittering +stars, The wide impending Heaven; and who from these Of deities arose, +dispensing good; Say how their treasures, how their honors each Allotted +shar'd: how first they held abode On many-caved Olympus:--this declare, +Ye Muses! dwellers of the heavenly mount From the beginning; say, who +first arose? First Chaos was: next ample-bosomed Earth, Of deathless +gods, who still the Olympian heights Snow-topt inhabit.... Her +first-born Earth produced Of like immensity, the starry Heaven: That he +might sheltering compass her around On every side, and be forevermore To +the blest gods a mansion unremoved."(92) + + + 92) Hesiod, The Theogony. + + +So long as human beings worshipped the abstract principle of creation, +the manifestations of which proceed from the earth and sun, they +doubtless reasoned little on the nature of its hitherto inseparable +parts. They had not at that early period begun to look outside of Nature +for their god-idea, but when through the peculiar course of development +which had been entered upon, the simple conception of a creative agency +originally entertained became obscured, mankind began to speculate on +the nature and attributes of the two principles by which everything is +produced, and to dispute over their relative importance in the office of +reproduction. Much light has been thrown upon these speculations by +the Kosmogonies which have come down to us from the Phoenicians, +Babylonians, and other peoples of past ages. In the Phoenician +Kosmogony, according to the Mokh doctrine as recorded by Philo, out +of the kosmic egg Toleeleth (female) "sprang all the impregnation of +creation and the beginning of the universe." In this exposition of the +beginnings of things, it is distinctly stated that the spirit which in +after ages came to be regarded as something outside or above Nature, +"had no consciousness of its own creation." Commenting on the above, +Bunsen is constrained to admit that it is usually understood as being +"decidedly pantheistic." He suggests, however, that the writer may +HAVE INTENDED TO SAY (the italics are mine) that "the spirit who was +heretofore the Creator was the unconscious spirit." + +Berosus, the scholar of Babylon, who, until a comparatively recent +time has furnished all the information extant concerning Babylonian +antiquities, in his account of the creation of man and of the universe, +says that in the beginning all was water and darkness; that in the water +were the beginnings of life; but as yet there was no order. Men were +there with the wings of birds and even with the feet of beasts. There +were also quadrupeds and men with fishes' tails, all of which had been +produced by a twofold principle. Over this incongruous mass a woman +presided. This woman is called Omoroka by the Babylonians and by the +Chaldeans Thalatth. The latter name, signifies, "bearing" or "egg +producing." + +In the Babylonian Kosmogony, according to Endemus, the pupil of +Aristotle, the beginning of the universe was called Tauthe, which being +interpreted means "Mother of the Gods." Associated with her sometimes +appears the male principle--Apason. In the history of Berosus, there is +given an account of Oaunes--a mythical teacher of Babylon, who appeared +with the head of a human being and the body of a fish or serpent. +This personage brought to the Babylonians all the knowledge which they +possessed. Oaunes wrote "concerning the generation of mankind, of their +different ways of life, and of their civil polity." He it was who +gave the above account of creation. He says that finally Omoroka, or +Thalatth, the woman who existed before the creation, was divided, one +half of her forming the heavens, "the other half the earth." "All this," +Berosus declares, "was an allegorical description of Nature."(93) + + + 93) Prof. Smith, Chaldean Account of Genesis, pp. 34, 35. + + +In the following legend will be observed the groundwork for the story +of the flood. Xisuthrus was a king of Chaldea. To him the deity, Kronos, +appeared in a vision and warned him that upon the fifteenth day of +the month Daesius there would be a flood, by which mankind would +be destroyed. He therefore enjoined him to write a history of the +beginning, progress, and conclusion of all things down to the present +time, and to bury it in Sippara, the City of the Sun. He was commanded +also to build a vessel, and take with him into it his friends and +relations, and to convey on board everything necessary to sustain life, +together with all the different animals, both birds and quadrupeds, and +trust himself fearlessly to the deep. Having asked the deity whither he +was to sail, he was answered: "To the gods"; upon which he offered up +a prayer for the good of mankind. He then obeyed the divine admonition, +and built a vessel five stadia in length and two in breadth. Into this +he put everything which he had prepared, and last of all conveyed into +it his wife, his children, and his friends. + +"After the flood had been upon the earth, and was in time abated, +Xisuthrus sent out birds from the vessel, which not finding any food, +nor any place whereupon they might rest their feet, returned to him +again. After an interval of some days, he sent them forth a second time; +and they now returned with their feet tinged with mud. He made a trial +a third time with these birds; but they returned to him no more: from +which he judged that the surface of the earth had appeared above the +waters. He therefore made an opening in the vessel, end upon looking out +found that it was stranded upon the side of some mountain, upon which +he immediately quitted it with his wife, his daughter, and the pilot. +Xisuthrus then paid his adoration to the earth: and, having constructed +an altar, offered sacrifices to the gods, and, with those who had come +out of the vessel with him, disappeared. Him they saw no more, but they +could distinguish his voice in the air, and could hear him admonish them +to pay due regard to the gods. He informed them that it was on account +of his piety that he had been taken away to live with the gods, and that +his wife and daughter had obtained the same honor." + +It is more than likely that this story, which as we have seen has +extended to the remotest corners of the earth, has an esoteric +meaning, and that it embodies the doctrines of the ancients relative to +re-incarnation and the renewal of worlds. Doubtless it portrays not only +the end of a cycle, but that by it is prefigured the fortunes of a human +soul, which in its ascent, is from time to time forced into a human +body. + +All the early Kosmogonies are intermingled with the history of a great +flood, from the ravages of which an ark which contained a man was saved. +The Gothic story of creation indicates that the Scythians belonged to +the same race as the Chaldeans. At the beginning of time when nothing +had been formed, and before the earth, the sea, or the heavens appeared, +Muspelsheim existed. A breath of heat passing over the vapors, melted +them into water, and from this water was formed a cow named Aedumla, +who was the progenitor of Odin, Vile, and Ve, the Trinity of the Gothic +nation. + +There is also another tradition, probably a later, which asserts that +from the drops of water produced by the primeval breath of heat, a man, +Ymer, was brought forth. The son of Ymer was preserved in a storm-tossed +bark, his father being dragged into the middle of the abyss, where, +from his body the earth was produced. The sea was made of his blood, +the mountains of his bones, and the rocks of his teeth. As three of his +descendants were walking on the shore one day, they found two pieces of +wood which had been washed up by the waves. Of these they made a man and +a woman. The man they named Aske and the woman Emla. From this pair has +descended the human race. + +The marked resemblance between the characters of the Gothic Ymer and the +Chaldean Omoroka, from each of whose bodies the universe is created, +has been observed by various writers. After referring to Mallet's +conclusions upon this subject, Faber remarks: + +"They are indeed evidently the same person, not only in point of +character, but, if I mistake not, in appellation: for Ymer or Umer is +Omer-Oca expressed in a more simple form. The difference of sex does by +no means invalidate this opinion, which rests upon the perfect identity +of their characters: for the Great Mother, like the Great Father, was +an hermaphrodite; or, rather, that person from whom all things were +supposed to be produced, was the Great Father and the Great Mother +united together in one compound being. Ymer and Omoroca are each the +same as that hermaphrodite Jupiter of the Orphic theology." + +We have observed, however, that in all the older traditions this +hermaphrodite conception is accounted as female, it is the Great +Mother within whom is contained the male; in later ages, however, it +is represented as male, the female being concealed beneath convenient +symbols. + +The Trinity of the Goths was male; yet as Odin could not create +independently of the female energy he is provided with a wife, Frigga, +to whom "all fair things belonged, and who had priestesses among the +early German tribes." Frigga when worshipped alone was both female +and male. According to one German tradition, Tiw (Zeus), which in its +earliest conception was female, was the parent of the first man. This +man begat three sons who became the fathers of the three Deutsch tribes. +Ish (or Ash) was the parent of the Franks and Allemans; Ing was the +progenitor of the Swedes, Angles, and Saxons; and Er, or Erman, was the +eponymous leader of the tribes called by the Romans Hermiones. + +The Kosmogony of the Chinese is similar in all respects to that of other +countries. The first man, Puoncu, was born from an egg. + +The Chinese say that this egg-born Puoncu, who is identical with Brahm, +Noah, and Adam, is not the great Creator or God, but only the first man. +Their great God or Tien is a Unity which comprehends three, and their +human triad--a triplicated being who is the parent of the human race--is +a lower expression of the same power, and to him has finally been +ascribed the office of Creator. + +The Kosmogony of the Japanese begins with the opening of the sacred egg +from which all things were produced. This egg is identical with the ark, +and from it the diluvian patriarch was born. He was "Baal-Peor or the +lord of opening; and, from an idea that the Ark was an universal mother, +he was considered as the masculine principle of generation, and was +adored by his apostate descendants with all the abominations of phallic +worship." + +In the Theogony of Hesiod, Uranus is represented as being the parent of +three sons, and the same legend repeated in the story of Cronus portrays +him also as a triplicated deity. According to the Peruvian Kosmogony all +things sprang from Viracocha who is said to be identical with the Greek +Aphrodite. Besides this superior God they venerated a triad which +was closely connected with the sun. These gods were called Chuquilla, +Catuilla, and Intyllapa. They say that as their ancestors journeyed from +a remote country to the Northwest they bore the image of their god in a +coifer or box made of reeds. To the four priests who had charge of this +box or ark he communicated his oracles and directions. He not only gave +them laws but taught them the ceremonies and sacrifices which they were +to observe. "And even as the pillar of cloud and fire conducted the +Israelites in their passage through the wilderness, so this Spanish +devil gave them notice when to advance forward, and when to stay."(94) + + + 94) Faber, Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. v. + + +According to Marsden, the New Zealanders believe that three gods created +the first man, and that the first woman was made from one of his ribs. + +Among the Otaheitans and various tribes of Indians, the belief prevails +that all created things have proceeded from a triplicated deity who was +saved from the ravages of a flood in an ark or ship. + +The fact is observed that the Theogonies and Kosmogonies of all +peoples have reference to a flood or to the renewal of life after the +destruction of the world, and that the Great Father who is preserved, +and who comes forth from an ark or ship with the seeds of a former +world, represents the beginning of a new era. Adam with his three sons, +Cain, Abel, and Seth, Noah with his triad, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Menu +and his triple offspring, and so on, all mean exactly the same thing, +namely, the renewal of life at the close of a cycle, or manwantara. + +From the traditions extant in nearly every quarter of the globe, it +would seem that, prior to the so-called flood in the time of Noah, +man, as a Creator, had not to any extent been worshipped, but, on the +contrary, that the great universal dual principle which pervades Nature +and which is back of matter and force, for instance Tien among the +Chinese, Iav among the Hebrews, and Aum among the Hindoos, had been the +Deity adored; but with the decline of virtue and knowledge, this God +was gradually abandoned for a lesser one, a deity better suited to the +comprehension of "fallen" man. + +In the Elohistic narrative of creation which appears in the first +chapter of Genesis, a dual or triune God, female and male, says, Let +us make man in our own image, and accordingly a male and a female are +created. In the Jehovistic account, however, in the second chapter of +the same book, a document of much later date, man is made first and +afterward woman. In fact, in the latter narrative she appears as an +afterthought and is created simply for his use; she is taken from +his side and is wholly dependent upon him for existence. This fact is +recognized by Bishop Colenso in the following words: + +"Thus in the second account of creation, the man is APPARENTLY created +first, and the woman is CERTAINLY created the last, of all living +creatures; whereas, in the older story the man and woman are +created last of all, as the crowning work of Elohim, and are created +together--'and Elohim created man in His own image, in the image of +Elohim created He him; male and female created He them.' This ancient +Elohistic narrative, then, the Jehovist had before him; and he +enlarged and enlivened it by introducing a number of passages recording +additional incidents in the lives of the patriarchs before and after the +flood, and especially by inserting the second account of the creation, +ii., 4-25." + +Colenso observes that verse four of chapter second belongs to the +Elohist, and that it was removed from its original position at +the beginning of Gen. i., in order to form the commencement of the +Jehovistic account of the creation.(95) + + + 95) Lectures on the Pentateuch, p. 32. + + +Quoting from Bishop Browne in the New Bible Commentary, the same writer +remarks that in the Elohistic account of the creation "we have that +which was probably the ancient primeval record of the formation of the +world."(96) + + + 96) Ibid. p. 16. + + +The oldest or Elohistic portion of Genesis is, at the present time, seen +to conceal great wisdom and a knowledge of Nature far surpassing that of +later times. + +According to Higgins, the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis, +if properly translated, would not declare that in the beginning God +created the heavens and the earth, but that Wisdom "formed" the earth +and the planets. In none of the ancient Kosmogonies can there be a word +found regarding the creation of matter. From the facts which have come +down to us respecting the speculations of the ancients, it is plain +that the original conception was, that within the primeval beginnings +described in their Kosmogonies, in chaos or unorganized matter, was +contained primeval force; no attempt, however, was made by them to +account for the creation of either motion or matter. + +As soon as human beings began to speculate on the attributes of their +Deity; when the two principles composing it began to separate, and the +idea was gaining ground that the male was the only important factor in +reproduction, the sun became male, the earth and sea female. Still, even +then the doctrine seems not to have been questioned, that the creative +agency had proceeded from matter, or that it was developed in and +through it. The belief that something can be made from nothing was +reserved for a later age. + +In the oldest Semitic Kosmogonies, we are assured that the +self-conscious God who is manifested in the order of the universe, +proceeded out of the great abyss, and out of unorganized, dark, primeval +matter. During the earlier historic period, however, by both Jew and +Gentile, the belief was entertained that spirit is material. It is the +essence of fire--a substance akin to the galvanic or electric fluid. +This masculine element, the manifestation of which is desire, or heat, +and which was finally set up as an eternal, self-existent, creative +force, or God, was originally regarded as a manifestation of matter, and +as having no independent existence. In an earlier age, this so-called +creative agency is associated with a force far superior to itself, +namely, Light or Wisdom. Minerva, who is the first emanation from the +Deity, "formed" all things. She it is who discriminates all things +and gives laws to the universe. "She represented to the Greeks that +spiritual element which lifts knowledge into wisdom, and talent into +genius."(97) But with the importance which began to be assumed by man +when he began to regard himself as a creator, and when through ignorance +and sensuality the principles of a more enlightened race were forgotten, +desire, or heat, was separated from matter and came to be regarded as an +independent entity, which itself had created matter out of nothing. +Thus is noticed the extent to which the god-idea has been developed in +accordance with the relative positions of the sexes. + + + 97) L. T. Ives, Art Words. + + +According to the Grecian mythology, much of which was a comparatively +late development, mortal woman was the handiwork of Vulcan the Firegod, +who, being commissioned by Jove to execute "a snare for gods and man," +moulded the beauteous form of woman. This is a worthy example of the +contempt and scorn shown by the Greeks for women during the later period +of their career as a nation. That such contempt was a later development +is shown in the fact that woman was originally the gift of Pallas +Athene, or Wisdom. When she first appeared on the scene she was crowned +by the gods, in fact she was the first object honored with a crown. +Concerning the conceptions regarding women as held at an earlier age, +and those which came to prevail after she had become "the cause of evil +in the world," we have the following from Tertullian: + +"If there was a Pandora, whom Hesiod mentions as the first woman, hers +was the first head the Graces crowned, for she received gifts from all +the gods, whence she got her name Pandora. But Moses, a prophet, not +a poet-shepherd, shows us the first woman Eve having her loins more +naturally girt about with leaves than her temples with flowers. Pandora +then is a myth."(98) + + + 98) Tertullian, vol. i., p. 341. + + +Woman, who was originally the gift of Wisdom, or Minerva, and who when +created was garlanded with flowers as the crown of creation, became, in +course of time, an accursed and wicked thing who must henceforth cover +herself with leaves to hide her shame. Tertullian, who, with the rest +of the early fathers in the Christian church, had imbibed the latter +doctrine concerning her, could not believe the tradition set forth by +Hesiod; therefore Pandora was a myth, while the corrupted fable, that +of Eve as the tempter, was accepted as a natural representation of +womanhood. + +When woman was created, "all the gods conferred a gifted grace." + + "Round her fair brow the lovely-tressed Hours + A garland twined of Spring's purpureal flowers: + The whole attire Minerva's graceful art + Disposed, adjusted, form'd to every part."(99) + + + 99) Hesiod, Works and Days. + + +Later, however, Pandora herself becomes the pourer forth of ills on the +head of defenceless man. + + + +CHAPTER XI. FIRE AND PHALLIC WORSHIP. + + "Know, first a spirit with an active flame + Fills, feeds, and animates the mighty frame; + Runs through the watery worlds and fields of air, + The ponderous Earth and depths of Heav'n and there + Burns in the Sun and Moon, and every brilliant Star + Thus mingling in the mass, the general soul + Lives in its parts and agitates the whole." + +Although earth, air, water, and the sun were long venerated as objects +of worship, as containing the life principle, in process of time it is +observed that fire attracted the highest regard of human beings, and on +their altars the sacred flame, said to have been kindled from heaven, +was kept burning uninterruptedly from year to year, and from age to age, +by bands of priests "whose special duty it was to see that the sacred +flame was never extinguished." The office of the vestal virgins in +Rome was to preserve the holy fire. The Egyptians, and in fact all the +earlier civilized nations, knew that force proceeds from the sun, hence +the frequent appearance of this orb among their symbols of life. Indeed +there is not a country on the globe in which, at some time, divine +honors have not been paid to fire and to light. + +The Hindoos, "believing fire to be the essence of all active power in +Nature, kept perpetual lamps burning in the innermost recesses of +their pagodas and temples, and in the sacred edifices of the Greeks and +Barbarians fires were preserved for the same reason." + +The festival of lamps, which was once universal throughout Egypt, still +prevails in China. On the evening of the fifteenth day of the first +month in the year, every person is compelled to place before his door a +lantern or light, such lights differing in size and expense according to +the degree of wealth or poverty of those to whom they belong. Light +was the symbol of Muth (Perceptive Wisdom). Among the Persians, the +Egyptians, the Mexicans, the Jews, the Etruscans, the Greeks, and the +Romans, fire was venerated as the essence of the Deity; and, at the +present time, in Thibet, in China, in Japan, and in portions of Africa, +it still forms an important part of worship. The Hebrew writings show +conclusively that not only the Jews but all the surrounding nations were +fire-worshippers, and that their sacrifices were not infrequently to the +God of Fire. Of this Forlong says: + +"When Rome was rearing temples to the fame and worship of Fire, we find +the prophets of Israel occasionally denouncing the wickedness of its +worship by their own and the nations around them; nevertheless, even to +Christ's time Molok always had his offerings of children."(100) + + + 100) Rivers of Life and Faiths of Man in an Lands, vol. i., p. 325. + + +It is believed that Abraham introduced fire-worship among the Jews from +Ur in Mesopotamia, a land in which lights are still venerated, and fire +altars are worshipped as containing the Deity. + +The real essence of fire which was identical with the life-principle was +holy. The "Lord" of the Israelites was in the fire which descended on +Mt. Sinai, Exodus xix., 18. "The bush burned with fire and the bush was +not consumed," Exodus iii., 2. Whether the signification of "bush" is +the same as "grove," I know not, but Josephus assures us that the +bush was holy before the flame appeared in it. Because of its sacred +character, it became the receptacle for the burning "Lord" of the Jews. +The ark, the religious emblem which Moses bore aloft, was simply a fire +altar on which the fire must continually burn. The fact will doubtless +be observed that although the ark and the bush (female emblems) were +invested with a certain degree of sanctity, they were nevertheless only +receptacles for the substance within them. + +At the same time that the Jews kept sacred or holy fires continually +burning on their altars, they carried about a serpent on a pole +representing it to be the "healer of nations." They also kept a phallic +emblem in a box, chest, or ark which they worshipped as the "God of +Hosts," the "Life Giver," etc. It has been observed that although +the Jews frequently lost their ark, they were never without their +serpent-pole. At a certain stage in the religious development of mankind +all the temples in Africa and Western Asia were dedicated to Vulcan the +fire god or the "Lord of Fire," to whom all furnaces were sacred. The +principal festivals in honor of this Deity took place in the spring, at +the Easter season, and on the 23d of August, when it is said that the +licentiousness practiced in the temples compared with those of the +"Harvest Homes" of Europe when the sun was in Libra and the harvest had +been garnered in. Vulcan was the "God of fornication" or of passion. + +These excesses, which remained unchecked down to the fourth century +before Christ, are said to have somewhat abated after the rise of the +Stoic philosophy. + +Various philosophers of early historic times as well as many of the +early fathers in the Christian church believed that God was a corporeal +substance which in some way is manifested through fire. + +In Egypt, during the early ages of Christianity, "a great dispute +took place among the monks on the question, whether God is corporeal." +Tertullian declared that "God is fire"; Origen, that "he is a subtle +fire"; and various others that "he is body." + +There is little doubt that in early historic ages the Persians, who had +undertaken to purify their religion, were the strongest and purest sect +of this cult; they were in fact the genuine worshippers of the pure +creative principles which they believed resided in fire. + +We have observed that force or spirit was originally regarded as a +part of Nature, or in other words that it was a manifestation of, or +an outflowing from matter, but so soon as it began to be considered +as something apart from Nature, there at once arose a desire for some +corporeal object to represent this unseen and occult principle. + +During many of the ages of fire-worship, holy fire, although a material +substance, seems to have been too subtle to clearly represent the +god-idea, hence everywhere the worship of the serpent is found to be +interwoven with it. In fact, so closely are serpent, fire, pillar, and +other phallic faiths intermingled that it is impossible to separate +them. + +The Persians are by some writers said to have been the earliest +fire-worshippers: by others the truth of this statement is denied, while +many claim, and indeed the Maji themselves declared, that they never +worshipped fire at all in any other manner than as an emblem of the +divine principle which they believed resided within it. It is probable, +however, from the evidence at hand, that they, like all the other +nations of the globe, prior to the reformation led by Zarathustra and +his daughter, had lost or nearly forgotten the profound ideas connected +with the worship of Nature. + +Passion, symbolized by fire, is declared by various writers to have +been the first idol, but later research has proved the falsity of this +assumption. It is true that at an early age of human experience the +creative processes were worshipped, but such worship involved scientific +and, I might say, spiritualized conceptions of the operations of Nature +which in time were altogether lost sight of. Gross phallicism is +clearly the result of degeneration, and of a lapse into sensuality and +superstition. + +I think no one can study the facts connected with fire and light as the +Deity in the various countries in which this worship prevailed, without +perceiving the change it gradually underwent during later ages, and the +grossness of the ideas which became connected with it as compared with +an earlier age when mankind "had no temples, but worshipped in the open +air, on the tops of mountains." + +In another portion of this work we have observed that in the rites +connected with the worship of Cybele (Light or Wisdom), although phallic +symbols were in use, the ceremonies were absolutely pure, and that +throughout all the earlier ages her worship remained free from the +abominations which characterized the worship of later times. + +At what time in the history of the human race the organs of generation +first began to appear as emblems of the Deity is not known. Within +the earliest cave temples, those hewn from the solid rock, sculptured +representations of these objects are still to be observed. Although +until a comparatively recent period their true significance has been +unknown, there is little doubt at the present time that they were +originally used as symbols of fertility, or as emblems typifying the +processes of Nature, and that at some remote period of the world's +history they were worshipped as the Creator, or, at least, as +representations of the creative agencies in the universe. + +Concerning the origin and character of the people who executed them +there is scarcely a trace in written history. Through the unravelling of +extinct tongues, however, the monumental records of the ancient nations +of the globe have been deciphered, and the system of religious symbolism +in use among them is now understood. + +A small volume by various writers, printed in London some years ago, +entitled A Comparative View of the Ancient Monuments of India, says: + +"Those who have penetrated into the abstruseness of Indian mythology, +find that in these temples was practiced a worship similar to that +practiced by all the several nations of the world, in their earliest as +well as their most enlightened periods. It was paid to the Phallus +by the Asiatics, to Priapus by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, to +Baal-Peor by the Canaanites and idolatrous Jews. The figure is seen on +the fascia which runs round the circus of Nismes, and over the portal of +the Cathedral of Toulouse, and several churches of Bordeaux." + +Of the Lingham and Yoni and their universal acceptance as religious +emblems, Barlow remarks that it was a "worship which would appear to +have made the tour of the globe and to have left traces of its existence +where we might least expect to find it." In referring to the "sculptured +indecencies" connected with religious rites, which, being wrought in +imperishable stone, have been preserved in India and other parts of the +East, Forlong says that when occurring in the temples or other sacred +places they are at the present time evidently very puzzling to the pious +Indians, and in their attempts to explain them they say they are placed +there "in fulfilment of vows," or that they have been wrought there "as +punishments for sins of a sexual nature, committed by those who executed +or paid for them." It is, however, the opinion of Forlong that they +are simply connected with an older and purer worship--a worship which +involved the union of the sex principles as the foundation of their +god-idea. + +Regarding the cause for the "indecent" sculptures of the Orissa temples, +the same writer quotes the following from Baboo Ragendralala Mitra, in +his work on the Antiquities of Orissa. + +"A vitiated taste aided by general prevalence of immorality might at +first sight appear to be the most likely one; but I can not believe that +libidiousness, however depraved, would ever think of selecting fanes +dedicated to the worship of God, as the most appropriate for its +manifestations; for it is worthy of remark that they occur almost +exclusively on temples and their attached porches, and never on +enclosing walls, gateways, and other non-religious structures. Our ideas +of propriety, according to Voltaire, lead us to suppose that a ceremony +(like the worship of Priapus) which appears to us infamous, could only +be invented by licentiousness; but it is impossible to believe that +depravity of manners would ever have led among any people to the +establishment of religious ceremonies. It is probable, on the contrary, +that this custom was first introduced in times of simplicity--that the +first thought was to honor the Deity in the symbol of life which it has +given us; such a ceremony may have excited licentiousness among youths, +and have appeared ridiculous to men of education in more refined, more +corrupt, and more enlightened times, but it never had its origin in +such feelings.... It is out of the question therefore to suppose that +a general prevalence of vice would of itself, without the authority +of priests and scriptures, suffice to lead to the defilement of holy +temples."(101) + + + 101) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 275. + + +Originally the Ionians, as their name indicates, were Yoni worshippers, +i. e., they belonged to the sect which was driven out of India because +of their stubborn refusal to worship the male energy as the Creator. +During the later ages of their history, at a time when their religion +had degenerated into a licensed system of vice and corruption, and after +their temples had become brothels in which, in the name of religion, +were practiced the most debasing ceremonies, the Greeks became ashamed +of their ancient worship, and, like the Jews, ashamed also of their +name. + +It is believed that the Greeks received from Egypt, or the East, their +first theological conceptions of God and religion. These ideas + +"were veiled in symbols, significant of a primitive monotheism; these, +at a later period, being translated into symbolical or allegorical +language, were by the poets transformed into epic or narrative myths, +in which the original subject symbolized was almost effaced, whilst +the allegorical expressions were received generally in a literal sense. +Hence, to the many, the meaning of the ancient doctrine was lost, and +was communicated only to the few, under the strictest secrecy in the +mysteries of Eleusis and Samothrace. Thus there was a popular theology +to suit the people, and a rational theology reserved for the educated, +the symbolical language in both being the same, but the meaning of it +being taken differently. In course of time, as knowledge makes its way +among the people, and religious enlightenment with it, much of what had +been received literally will relapse into its original figurative or +symbolical meaning. Reason will resume her supremacy, and stereotyped +dogmas will fall like pagan idols before advancing truth."(102) + + + 102) Barlow, Essays on Symbolism, p. 121. + + +Although, during the later ages of the human career, the higher truths +taught by an earlier race were lost, still a slight hint of the beauty +and purity of the more ancient worship may be traced through most of the +ages of the history of religion. Even among the profligate Greeks, the +mysteries of Eleusis, celebrated in the temple of Ceres, were always +respected. Care should be taken, however, not to confound these +remnants of pure Nature-worship with that of the courtesan Venus, whose +adoration, during the degenerate days of Greece, represented only the +lowest and most corrupt conception of the female energy. + +Down to a late date in the annals of Athens there was celebrated a +religious festival called Thesmophoria. The name of this festival is +derived from one of the cognomens of Ceres--the goddess "who first +gave laws and made life orderly." Ceres was the divinity adored by +the Amazons, and is essentially the same as the Egyptian Isis. She +represents universal female Nature. The Thesmophorian rites, which are +believed by most writers to have been introduced into Greece directly +from Thrace, were performed by "virgins distinguished for probity in +life, who carried about in procession sacred books upon their heads." + +Inman, in his Ancient Faiths, quotes an oracle of Apollo, from Spencer, +to the effect that "Rhea the Mother of the Blessed, and the Queen of +the Gods, loved assemblages of women." As this festival is in honor +of Female Nature, the various female attributes are adored as deities, +Demeter being the first named by the worshippers. After a long season +of fasting, and "after solemn reflection on the mysteries of life, women +splendidly attired in white garments assemble and scatter flowers in +honor of the Great Mother." + +The food partaken of by the devotees at these festivals was cakes, very +similar in shape to those which were offered to the Queen of Heaven by +the women of Judah in the days of Jeremiah, an offering which it will be +remembered so displeased that prophet that a curse was pronounced upon +the entire people. + +As the strictest secrecy prevailed among the initiated respecting these +rites, the exact nature of the symbols employed at the Thesmophorian +festivals is not known; it is believed, however, that it was the female +emblem of generation, and that this festival was held in honor of that +event which from the earliest times had been prophesied by those who +believed in the superior importance of the female, namely, that +unaided by the male power, a woman would bring forth, and that this +manifestation of female sufficiency would forever settle the question of +the ascendancy of the female principle. Through a return of the +ancient ideas of purity and peace, mankind would be redeemed from the +wretchedness and misery which had been the result of the decline of +female power. The dual idea entertained in the Thesmophorian worship +is observed in the fact that although Ceres, the Great Mother, was the +principal Deity honored, Proserpine, the child, was also comprehended, +and with its Mother worshipped as part of the Creator. Thus we observe +that down to a late date in the history of Grecian mythology the idea +of a Holy Mother with her child had not altogether disappeared as a +representation of the god-idea. + +To prove the worthiness of the ideas connected with the Eleusinian +mysteries it is stated that "there is not an instance on record that the +honor of initiation was ever obtained by a very bad man." + +In Rome these mysteries took another name and were called "the rites of +Bona Dea," which was but another name for Ceres. As evidence of their +purity we have the following: + +"All the distinguished Roman authors speak of these rites and in terms +of profound respect. Horace denounces the wretch who should attempt to +reveal the secrets of these rites; Virgil mentions these mysteries with +great respect; and Cicero alludes to them with a greater reverence +than either of the poets we have named. Both the Greeks and the Romans +punished any insult offered to these mysteries with the most persevering +vindictiveness. Alcibiades was charged with insulting these religious +rites, and although the proof of his offense was quite doubtful, yet he +suffered for it for years in exile and misery, and it must be allowed +that he was the most popular man of his age."(103) + + + 103) Chambers's Edinburgh Journal. + + +In Greece, the celebration of the Eleusinian mysteries was in the hands +of the Emolpidae, one of the oldest and most respected families of +antiquity. At Carthage, there were celebrated the Phiditia, religious +solemnities similar to those already described in Greece. During the two +or three days upon which these festivals were celebrated, public feasts +were prepared at which the youth were instructed by their elders in the +state concerning the principles which were to govern their conduct +in after life; truth, inward purity, and virtue being set forth as +essentials to true manhood. In later times, after these festivals had +found their way to Rome, they gradually succumbed to the immorality +which prevailed, and at last, when their former exalted significance +had been forgotten, they were finally sunk into "the licentiousness of +enjoyment, and the innocence of mirth was superseded by the uproar of +riot and vice! Such were the Saturnalia." + +From the facts connected with the mysteries of Eleusis and the +Thesmophorian rites, it is evident that in its earlier stages +Nature-worship was absolutely free from the impurities which came to be +associated with it in later times. As the organs of generation had not +originally been wholly disgraced and outraged, it is not unlikely that +when the so-called "sculptured indecencies" appeared on the walls of the +temples they were regarded as no more an offense against propriety and +decency than was the reappearance of the cross, the emblem of life, in +later times, among orthodox Christians. + +Neither is it probable, in an age in which nothing that is natural was +considered indecent, and before the reproductive energies had become +degraded, that these symbols were any more suggestive of impurity than +are the Easter offerings upon our church altars at the present time. +Whatever may now be the significance of these offerings to those who +present them, sure it is that they once, together with other devices +connected with Nature-worship, were simply emblems of fertility--symbols +of a risen and fructifying sun which by its gladdening rays re-creates +and makes all things new again. + +If we carefully study the religion of past ages we will discover +something more than a hint of an age when the generative functions +were regarded as a sacred expression of creative power, and when the +reproductive organs had not through over-stimulation and abuse been +tabooed as objects altogether impure and unholy, and as things too +disgraceful to be mentioned above a whisper. Indeed there is much +evidence going to show that in an earlier age of the world's history the +degradation of mankind, through the abuse of the creative functions, had +not been accomplished, and the ills of life resulting from such abuse +were unknown. + +We may reasonably believe that those instincts in the female which are +correlated with maternal affection and which were acquired by her as +a protection to the germ, or, in other words, those characters which +Nature has developed in the female to insure the safety and well-being +of offspring, and which in a purer and more natural stage of human +existence acted as cheeks upon the energies of the male, were not easily +or quickly subdued; but when through subjection to the animal nature +of man these instincts or characters had been denied their natural +expression, and woman had become simply the instrument of man's +pleasure, the comparatively pure worship of the organs of generation +as symbols of creative power began to give place to the deification of +these members simply as emblems of desire, or as instruments for the +stimulation of passion. + +We are assured that on the banks of the Ganges, the very cradle of +religion, are still to be found various remnants of the most ancient +form of Nature-worship--that there are still to be observed "certain +high places sacred to more primitive ideas than those represented by +Vedic gods." + +Here devout worshippers believe that the androgynous God of fertility, +or Nature, still manifests itself to the faithful. Close beside +these more ancient shrines are others representing a somewhat later +development of religious faith--shrines, by means of which are indicated +some of the processes involved in the earlier growth of the god-idea. +Not far removed from these are to be found, also, numerous temples or +places of worship belonging to a still later faith--a faith in which are +revealed the "awakening and stimulation of every sensuous feeling, +and which has drowned in infamy every noble impulse developed in human +nature." + +Of the depravity of the Jews and the immorality practiced in their +religious rites, Forlong says: + +"No one can study their history, liberated from the blindness which our +Christian up-bringing and associations cast over us, without seeing +that the Jews were probably the grossest worshippers among all those +Ophi--Phallo--Solar devotees who then covered every land and sea, from +the sources of the Nile and Euphrates to all over the Mediterranean +coasts and isles. These impure faiths seem to have been very strictly +maintained by Jews up to Hezekiah's days, and by none more so than +by dissolute Solomon and his cruel, lascivious bandit-father, the +brazen-faced adulterer and murderer, who broke his freely volunteered +oath, and sacrificed six innocent sons of his king to his Javah." + +Of Solomon he says that he devoted his energies and some little wealth +"to rearing phallic and Solophallic shrines over all the high places +around him, and especially in front of Jerusalem, and on and around the +Mount of Olives." On each side of the entrance to his celebrated +temple, under the great phallic spire which formed the portico, were two +handsome columns over fifty feet high, by the side of which were the sun +God Belus and his chariots. + +In a description of this temple it is represented as being one hundred +and twenty feet long and forty feet broad, while the porch, a phallic +emblem, "was a huge tower, forty feet long, twenty feet broad, and two +hundred and forty feet high." We are assured by Forlong that Solomon's +temple was like hundreds observed in the East, except that its walls +were a little higher than those usually seen, and the phallic spire out +of proportion to the size of the structure. "The Jewish porch is but +the obelisk which the Egyptian placed beside his temple; the Boodhist +pillars which stood all around their Dagobas; the pillars of Hercules, +which stood near the Phoenician temple; and the spire which stands +beside the Christian Church."(104) + + + 104) Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 219. + + +The rites and ceremonies observed in the worship of Baal-Peor are not of +a character to be described in these pages: it is perhaps sufficient +to state that by them the fact is clearly established that profligacy, +regulated and controlled by the priestly order as part and parcel of +religion, was not confined to the Gentiles; but, on the contrary, that +the religious observances of the Jews prior to the Babylonian captivity +were even more gross than were those of the Assyrians or the Hindoos. + +These impure faiths arose at a time when man as the sole creator of +offspring became god, when the natural instincts of woman were subdued, +and when passion as the highest expression of the divine force came to +be worshipped as the most important attribute of humanity. + +The extent to which these faiths have influenced later religious belief +and observances is scarcely realized by those who have not given special +attention to this subject. + +It has been stated that in the time of Solon, law-giver of Athens, there +were twenty temples in the various cities of Greece dedicated to Venus +the courtesan, within which were practiced, in the name of religion, the +most infamous rites and the most shameless self-abandonment; and that +throughout Europe, down to a late period in the history of the race, +religious festivals were celebrated at certain seasons of the year, at +which the ceremonies performed in honor of the god of fornication were +of the grossest nature, and at which the Bacchanalian orgies were only +equalled by those practiced in the religious temples of Babylon. + +It is impossible longer to conceal the fact that passion, symbolized +by a serpent, an upright stone, and by the male and female organs of +generation, the male appearing as the "giver of life," the female as a +necessary appendage to it, constituted the god-idea of mankind for at +least four thousand years; and, instead of being confined to the earlier +ages of that period, we shall presently see that phallic worship had +not disappeared, under Christianity, as late and even later than the +sixteenth century. + +Such has been the result of the ascendancy gained by the grosser +elements in human nature: the highest idea of the Infinite passion +symbolized by the organs of generation, while the principal rites +connected with its worship are scenes of debauchery and self-abasement. + +At the present time it is by no means difficult to trace the growth of +the god-idea. First, as we have seen, a system of pure Nature-worship +appeared under the symbol of a Mother and child. In process of time this +particular form of worship was supplanted by a religion under which the +male principle is seen to be in the ascendancy over the female. Later +a more complicated system of Nature-worship is observed in which the +underlying principles are concealed, or are understood only by the +initiated. Lastly, these philosophical and recondite principles are +forgotten and the symbols themselves receive the adoration which once +belonged to the Creator. The change which the ideas concerning womanhood +underwent from the time when the natural feminine characters and +qualities were worshipped as God, to the days of Solon the Grecian +law-giver, when women had become merely tools or slaves for the use +and pleasure of men, is forcibly shown by a comparison of the character +ascribed to the female deities at the two epochs mentioned. Athene +who in an earlier age had represented Wisdom had in the age of Solon +degenerated into a patroness of heroes; but even as a Goddess of war her +patronage was as nought compared with that of the courtesan Venus, at +whose shrine "every man in Greece worshipped." + +The extent to which women, in the name of religion, have been degraded, +and the part which in the past they have been compelled to assume in the +worship of passion may not at the present time be disguised, as facts +concerning this subject are well authenticated. In a former work,(105) +attention has been directed to the religious rites of Babylon, the city +in which it will be remembered the Tower of Belus was situated. Here +women of all conditions and ranks were obliged, once in their life, to +prostitute themselves in the temple for hire to any stranger who might +demand such service, which revenue was appropriated by the priests to be +applied to sacred uses. This act it will be remembered was a religious +obligation imposed by religious teachers and enforced by priestly rule. +It was a sacrifice to the god of passion. A similar custom prevailed in +Cyprus. + + + 105) See Evolution of Woman, p. 228. + + +Most of the temples of the later Hindoos had bands of consecrated +women called the "Women of the Idol." These victims of the priests were +selected in their infancy by Brahmins for the beauty of their persons, +and were trained to every elegant accomplishment that could render them +attractive and which would insure success in the profession which they +exercised at once for the pleasure and profit of the priesthood. They +were never allowed to desert the temple; and the offspring of their +promiscuous embraces were, if males, consecrated to the service of the +Deity in the ceremonies of this worship, and, if females, educated in +the profession of their mothers.(106) + + + 106) Maurice, Indian Antiquities, vol. i. + + +That prostitution was a religious observance, which was practiced in +Eastern temples, cannot in the face of accessible facts be doubted. +Regarding this subject, Inman says: + +"To us it is inconceivable, that the indulgence of passion could +be associated with religion, but so it was. The words expressive +of 'sanctuary,' 'consecrated,' and 'sodomites' are in the Hebrew +essentially the same. It is amongst the Hindoos of to-day as it was in +the Greece and Italy of classic times; and we find that 'holy woman' +is a title given to those who devote their bodies to be used for hire, +which goes to the service of the temple." + +The extent to which ages of corruption have vitiated the purer instincts +of human nature, and the degree to which centuries of sensuality and +superstition have degraded the nature of man, may be noticed at the +present time in the admissions which are frequently made by male writers +regarding the change which during the history of the race has taken +place in the god-idea. None of the attributes of women, not even that +holy instinct--maternal love, can by many of them be contemplated apart +from the ideas of grossness which have attended the sex-functions during +the ages since women first became enslaved. As an illustration of this +we have the following from an eminent philologist of recent times, a +writer whose able efforts in unravelling religious myths bear testimony +to his mental strength and literary ability. + +"The Chaldees believed in a celestial virgin who had purity of body, +loveliness of person, and tenderness of affection, and she was one to +whom the erring sinner could appeal with more chance of success than to +a stern father. She was portrayed as a mother with a child in her arms, +and every attribute ascribed to her showing that she was supposed to be +as fond as any earthly female ever was."(107) + + + 107) Inman, Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 59. + + +After thus describing the early Chaldean Deity, who, although a pure +and spotless virgin, was nevertheless worshipped as a mother, or as +the embodiment of the altruistic principles developed in mankind, this +writer goes on to say: "The worship of the woman by man naturally led to +developments which our COMPARATIVELY SENSITIVE NATURES (the italics are +mine) shun as being opposed to all religious feeling," which sentiment +clearly reveals the inability of this writer to estimate womanhood, or +even motherhood, apart from the sensualized ideas which during the ages +in which passion has been the recognized god have gathered about it. + +The purity of life and the high stage of civilization reached by an +ancient people, and the fact that these conditions were reached under +pure Nature-worship, or when the natural attributes of the female were +regarded as the highest expression of the divine in the human, prove +that it was neither the appreciation nor the deification of womanhood +which "led to developments which sensitive natures shun as being opposed +to all religious feeling," but, on the contrary, that it was the lack +of such appreciation which stimulated the lower nature of man and +encouraged every form of sensuality and superstition. In other words, it +was the subjection of the natural female instincts and the deification +of brute passion during the later ages of human history which have +degraded religion and corrupted human nature. + +Although at the present time it is quite impossible for scholars to veil +the fact that the god-idea was originally worshipped as female, still, +most modern writers who deal with this subject seem unable to understand +the state of human society which must have existed when the instincts, +qualities, and characters peculiar to the female constitution were +worshipped as divine. So corrupt has human nature become through +over-stimulation and indulgence of the lower propensities, that it +seems impossible for those who have thus far dealt with this subject to +perceive in the earlier conceptions of a Deity any higher idea than that +conveyed to their minds at the present time by the sexual attributes and +physical functions of females--namely, their capacity to bring forth, +coupled with the power to gratify the animal instincts of males, +functions which women share with the lower orders of life. + +The fact that by an ancient race woman was regarded as the head or crown +of creation, that she was the first emanation from the Deity, or, more +properly speaking, that she represented Perceptive Wisdom, seems at the +present time not to be comprehended, or at least not acknowledged. The +more recently developed idea, that she was designed as an appendage to +man, and created specially for his use and pleasure,--a conception which +is the direct result of the supremacy of the lower instincts over the +higher faculties,--has for ages been taught as a religious doctrine +which to doubt involves the rankest heresy. + +The androgynous Venus of the earlier ages, a deity which although female +was figured with a beard to denote that within her were embraced the +masculine powers, embodied a conception of universal womanhood and +the Deity widely different from that entertained in the later ages of +Greece, at a time when Venus the courtesan represented all the powers +and capacities of woman considered worthy of deification. + +To such an extent, in later ages, have all our ideas of the Infinite +become masculinized that in extant history little except occasional +hints is to be found of the fact that during numberless ages of human +existence the Supreme Creator was worshipped as female. + +One has only to study the Greek character to anticipate the manner in +which any subject pertaining to women would be treated by that arrogant +and conceited race; and, as until recently most of our information +concerning the past has come through Greek sources, the distorted and +one-sided view taken of human events, and the contempt with which the +feminine half of society has been regarded, are in no wise surprising. +We must bear in mind the fact, however, that the Greeks were but the +degenerate descendants of the highly civilized peoples whom they were +pleased to term "barbarians," and that they knew less of the origin and +character of the gods which they worshipped, and which they had borrowed +from other countries, than is known of them at the present time. + +About 600 years B.C., we may believe that mankind had sunk to the lowest +depth of human degradation, since which time humanity has been slowly +retracting its course; not, however, with any degree of continuity or +regularity, nor without lapses, during which for hundreds of years the +current seemed to roll backward. Indeed when we review the history of +the intervening ages, and note the extent to which passion, prejudice, +and superstition have been in the ascendancy over reason and judgment, +we may truly say: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's +teeth have been set on edge." + + + +CHAPTER XII. AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY THE SENSUALIZED FAITHS. + +It has been said of the Persians that in their zeal to purify the +sensualized faiths which everywhere prevailed they manifested a decided +"repugnance to the worship of images, beasts, or symbols, while they +sought to establish the worship of the only true creative force, or +God--Holy Fire." + +From the facts to be gleaned concerning this people during the seventh +and eighth centuries B.C., it is quite probable that they still had a +faint knowledge of a former age of intellectual and moral greatness, +and that it was their object, at that time, to return to the purer +principles which characterized it. That their efforts were subsequently +copied by surrounding nations is shown in the facts connected with their +history. + +Soon leading Syrians and Jews began to learn from their Eastern neighbor +that the worship of images could scarcely be acceptable to a god which +they were beginning to invest with a certain degree of spirituality. +There is little doubt, at the present time, that the attempt to +spiritualize the religion of the Jews was due to the influence of the +Persians. However, the length of time required to effect any appreciable +improvement in an established form of worship is shown by the fact that, +two hundred years later, little change for the better was observed in +the temples, in which licentiousness had become a recognized religious +rite. Even at the present time, it is reported that in many places of +worship in the East there still reside "holy women--god's women," who, +like those in Babylon, described by various writers, are devoted to the +"god of fire." + +In a comparison made between the religion of Persia and the doctrines +said to have been taught by Moses, Inman remarks: + +"The religion of Persia as reformed by Zoroaster so closely resembles +the Mosaic, that it would be almost impossible to decide which has the +precedence of the other, unless we knew how ancient was the teaching of +Zoroaster, and how very recent was that said to be from Moses. Be this +as it may, we find the ancient Persians resemble the Jews in sacrificing +upon high places, in paying divine honor to fire, in keeping up a sacred +flame, in certain ceremonial cleansings, in possessing an hereditary +priesthood who alone were allowed to offer sacrifices, and in making +their summum bonum the possession of a numerous offspring."(108) + + + 108) Ancient Faiths, vol. ii., p. 64. + + +It is quite plain that by both these nations the wisdom of an earlier +race was nearly forgotten. Seven hundred years B.C. the Persians +had doubtless already adopted the worship of "One God" who was the +Regenerator or Destroyer, a Deity which, as we have seen, originally +comprehended the powers of Nature--namely the sun's heat and the cold +of winter. That at this time, however, they had lost the higher truths +involved in the conception of this Deity, is evident. They had become +worshippers of fire, or of that subtle igneous fluid residing in fire +which they believed to be creative force. Although the Persiaus like all +the other nations of the globe had lost or forgotten the higher truths +enunciated by an older race, there is no evidence going to show that +they ever became gross phallic worshippers like the Jews; that they were +not such is shown in the fact that down to the time of Alexander the +women of Persia still held a high and honorable position, and that the +female attributes had not become wholly subject to male power. + +Had we no other evidence of the comparatively exalted character of the +religion of the Persians than the history of the lives of such men +as Darius, Cyrus, Artaxerxes, and others, we should conclude, +notwithstanding the similarity in the ceremonials of these two +religions, that some influence had been at work to preserve them from +the cruelty and licentiousness which prevailed among the Jews. It is +related of Cyrus that he used to wish that he might live long enough to +repay all the kindness which he had received. It is also stated that on +account of the justice and equity shown in his character, a great number +of persons were desirous of committing to his care and wisdom "the +disposal of their property, their cities, and their own persons." + +In striking contrast to the mild and humane character of Cyrus stands +that of the licentious and revengeful David, a "man after God's own +heart." + +"As for the heads of those that compass me about, let the mischief of +their own lips cover them." + +"Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into +deep pits, that they rise not up again."(109) + +"Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the +stones."(110) + + + 109) Psalms cxl. + + + 110) Ibid., cxxxvii. + + +No one I think can read the Avestas without being impressed by the +prominence there given to the subjects of temperance and virtue. In +their efforts to purify religion, and in the attempts to return to +their more ancient faith, the disciples of Zoroaster, as early as +eight hundred years before Christ, had adopted a highly spiritualized +conception of the Deity. They had taught in various portions of Asia +Minor the doctrine of one God, a dual entity by means of which all +things were created. They taught also the doctrine of a resurrection +and that of the immortality of the soul. It was at this time that they +originated, or at least propounded, the doctrine of hell and the +devil, a belief exactly suited to the then weakened mental condition +of mankind, and from which humanity has not yet gained sufficient +intellectual and moral strength to free itself. This Persian devil, +which had become identified with winter or with the absence of the sun's +rays, was now Aryhman, or the "powers of darkness," and was doubtless +the source whence sprang the personal devil elaborated at a later age by +Laotse in China. + +As the Jews had no writings prior to the time of Ezra or Jeremiah, it +is now believed that many of the doctrines incorporated in their +sacred books were borrowed from Persian, Indian, and Egyptian sources. +Resurrection from the dead, or the resurrection of the body, was for +hundreds of years prior to the birth of Christ an established article of +Egyptian and Persian faith, while spiritual regeneration, symbolized by +the outward typification of "being born again," was the beginning of a +new life and an admission to the heavenly state. + +In the Khordah Avesta we have the following concerning the doctrine of +the resurrection and that of future rewards and punishments. + +"I am wholly without doubt in the existence of the good Mazdaycinian +faith, in the coming of the resurrection and the later body, in the +stepping over the bridge Chinvat, in an invariable recompense of good +deeds and their reward, and of bad deeds and their punishment." + +The Zoroastrians, who led the way in the great intellectual and +religious awakening which took place during the intervening years from +700 B.C. to 400 B.C., sought to purify all things by fire and water, the +two principles which had come to be regarded as the original elements, +from which, or by which, all things are produced. + +Prior to this time, in Persia, and long afterwards by various other +nations, baptism, a rite performed at puberty, was connected only with +the sexual obligations of the person receiving it, but in the age which +we are considering it became especially a cleansing or regenerating +process, and was the means by which the pious devotee became initiated +into the mysteries of holy living, or by which she or he was "born +again." + +As in their religious procedure every act was performed in connection +with symbols, so in the matter of baptism they were not satisfied +with the inner consciousness of regeneration, but must go through +with certain processes which typified the new life upon which they had +entered. According to Wilford, the outward symbolization of the "new +birth" in the East is manifested in the following manner: + +"For the purpose of regeneration it is directed to make an image of pure +gold of the female power of nature, either in the shape of a woman or +of a cow. In this statue, the person to be regenerated is inclosed, and +dragged out through the natural channel. As a statue of pure gold and +of proper dimensions would be too expensive, it is sufficient to make an +image of the sacred Yoni, through which the person to be regenerated is +to pass." + +Thus at the time Nicodemus is said to have queried concerning the +mysteries of the new birth, it is observed that the outward forms +of regeneration had long been in use among the pagans. In passing +themselves through these apertures, the applicant for regeneration was +supposed to represent the condition of one "issuing from the womb to a +new scope of life." + +According to the testimony of various writers upon this subject, there +are still extant, not alone in oriental countries, but in Ireland and +Scotland as well, numerous excavations or apertures in the rocks +which by an early race were used for the same purpose. Through the +misconception, bigotry, and ignorance of the Roman Catholic missionaries +in Ireland, these openings were designated as the "Devil's Yonies." +Although these emblems typified the original conception of one of their +most sacred beliefs, namely, the "new birth," still they were "heathen +abominations" with which the devotees of the new (?) faith must not +become defiled. + +The people who executed these imperishable designs, and who have left in +the British Isles innumerable evidences of their religious beliefs, +are supposed by some writers to belong to a colony which, having been +expelled from Persia on account of their peculiar religious beliefs, +settled in the "White Island," the "Island of the Blessed." This subject +will, however, be referred to later in this work. + +When we closely examine the facts connected with the evolution +of religion, there can be little doubt that the Persians laid the +foundation for that great moral and intellectual awakening which a +century or two later is represented by Confucious, Gotama Buddha, and +Pythagoras. From the Persians, doubtless Jew and Gentile alike received +the little leaven of spirituality which in later ages crept into their +gross conception of a Deity. + +By the Persians, the Hindoos, and other nations of the East, it was +believed that the end of each cycle of six hundred years, at which +time a new sun or savior was to come, would mark a new era of religious +development. At the close of each of these cycles it was devoutly +expected that the "golden age" of the past would be restored, and that +mankind would again be freed from the ills which had overtaken them. As +many of these cycles had passed, numerous deliverers, saviors, or solar +incarnations had appeared in India, Gotama Buddha having been the +ninth. In the East, about six or seven hundred years before the birth +of Christ, not only one savior or prophet but three or four of them +appeared. + +Concerning the leader of the reform in Persia there seem to be many +conflicting accounts. The learned Faber concludes that there were two +Zarathustras or Zoroasters, the former being identical with Menu, the +law giver and triplicated deity of India, and who by various writers is +recognized as the Noah of the Hebrews. According to Pliny, the former +lived thousands of years before Christ. Several writers concur in +placing him five thousand years before the siege of Troy. According +to Sir Wm. Jones, the latter Zoroaster lived in the time of Darius +Hystaspes. It is now claimed that in the Dabistan, one of the sacred +books of Persia, thirteen Zoroasters appear. The name of the last great +leader, together with a few of his doctrines, and various scattered +fragments in the Gathas, are all that remain on record of a man whose +personality stands connected with the earliest attempt to reform a +degraded and sensualized religion. + +That this prophet was without honor in his own country is shown by the +following lamentation: + +"To what country shall I go? Where shall I take refuge? What country +gives shelter to the master, Zarathustra, and his companion? None of the +servants pay reverence to me, nor do the wicked rulers of the country. +How shall I worship thee further, living Wise One? What help did +Zarathustra receive when he proclaimed the truths? What did he obtain +through the good mind? ... Why has the truthful one so few adherents, +while all the mighty, who are unbelievers, follow the liar in great +numbers?"(111) + + + 111) Quoted by Viscount Amberley from Haug's Translations. + + +Although the prophet Zarathustra and his companion were first rejected, +the fact seems plain that the monotheistic doctrines which they set +forth were subsequently accepted as the groundwork of the religion of +Persia. + +In the opening verses of the 5th Gatha appears the following: + +"It is reported that Zarathustra Spitama possessed the best good, for +Ahura Mazda granted him all that may be obtained by means of a sincere +worship, forever, all that promotes the good life, and he gives the same +to all who keep the words and perform the actions enjoined by the good +religion.... + +"Pourutschista, the Hetchataspadin, the most holy one, the most +distinguished of the daughters of Zarathustra, formed this doctrine, as +a reflection of the good mind, the true and wise one." + +The fact will doubtless be observed that Pourutschista was not merely +a disciple of Zarathustra, but that she FORMED the doctrine which was +accepted as a "reflection of the good mind." + +In the 5th Gatha it is stated that among those who "know the right +paths, the law which Ahura gave to the Profitable," is Pourutschista the +"Holy worthy of adoration among the daughters of Zarathustra.... wise +female worker of Wisdom."(112) + + + 112) Spiegel's Translation. + + +Ormuzd, or Ahura Mazda, which was the essence of heat or light, was the +principle adored by the followers of the reformed religion in Persia. +Throughout the Avesta the most desirable possession, and that which is +most praised, is purity of life. + + "We praise the pure man. + "The best purity praise we. + "The best wish praise we of the best purity. The best place +of purity praise we, the shining, endued with all brightness."(113) + + "This Earth, together with the women, we praise + Which bears us, which are the women, Ahura Mazda + Whose wishes arise from purity, these we praise-- + Fullness, readiness, questioning, wisdom."(114) + + + 113) Vespered xxvi. Spiegel's Translation. + + + 114) Yacna xxxviii. + + +Praise is offered to the "everlasting female companion, the +instructing." + +The following is a part of the marriage ceremony of the Persians as it +is found in the Khorda-Avesta: + +"Do you both accept the contract for life with honorable mind? In the +name and friendship of Ormuzd be ever shining, be very enlarged. Be +increasing. Be victorious. Learn purity. Be worthy of good praise. May +the mind think good thoughts, the words speak good, the works do good. +May all wicked thoughts hasten away, all wicked words be diminished, all +wicked works be burnt up.... Win for thyself property by right-dealing. +Speak truth with the rulers and be obedient. Be modest with friends, +clever, and well wishing. Be not cruel, be not covetous.... Combat +adversaries with right. Before an assembly speak only pure words. In no +wise displease thy mother. Keep thine own body pure in justice." + +Confucius, the great Chinese teacher and philosopher, who lived probably +in the sixth century B.C., may be said to have been a humanitarian or +moralist instead of a mystic. Although he believed in a great first +principle, or cause, which he termed Heaven, we are given to understand +that in his philosophizing little mention was made of it. + +The system known as Confucianism was not originated by Confucius. + +In referring to this subject Legge remarks: + +"He said of himself (Analects, vii., I), that he was a transmitter and +not a maker, one who believed in and loved the ancients; and hence it is +said in the thirtieth chapter of the doctrine of the Mean, ascribed to +his grandson, that he handed down the doctrines of Yao and Shun, as if +they had been his ancestors, and elegantly displayed the regulations of +Wan and Wu, taking them as his models."(115) + + + 115) Legge, Preface to vol. iii. of Shu King. + + +The ancient books which Confucius interpreted or rewrote laid no claim +to being sacred in the sense of being inspired; but, on the contrary, +were works of wisdom put forth by historians, poets, and others "as they +were moved in their own minds." The most ancient of these doctrines was +the Shu, a work which since the period of the Han dynasty, 202 years +B.C., has been called the Shu King. + +A number of documents contained in this work date back to the +twenty-fourth century B.C., and as they are regarded as historical are +considered to be of greater importance than are any others of their +ancient writings. + +Second in antiquity and importance is the Shih or the Book of Poetry. +This work contains the religious views of its writers, also an account +of the manners, customs, and events of the times to which they belong. +For 5000 years, in China, Tien or Ti has expressed the moving or +creating force in the universe. In later ages it is observed that this +name has been attached to royalty. Hwang Ti is the present title of the +Emperor of China. + +From some of the texts found in the Shu King, it would seem that the +Chinese had in the remote past caught sight of the scientific fact +that virtue is its own reward. "Heaven graciously distinguishes the +virtuous.... Heaven punishes the guilty."(116) + + + 116) Max Muller, Sacred Books of the East, book iv. + + +The principal object of Confucius seems to have been to inculcate those +doctrines of his ancestors which, taking root, would in time bring about +a return to those principles of former virtue, a faint knowledge of +which seems still to have survived in China. The following precepts are +found among his teachings: + +"Knowledge, magnanimity, and energy are the virtues universally binding. +Gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness +constitute perfect virtue. Sincerity is the very way to Heaven. My +doctrine is that of an all-pervading unity. The superior man is catholic +and not partisan. The mean is partisan and not catholic. The superior +man is affable but not adulatory, the mean is adulatory but not +affable." + +When asked for a word which should serve as a rule of practice for all +our life he replied: "Is not Reciprocity such a word? What you do +not want done to yourself, do not do to others." On one occasion the +question was asked him: "What do you say concerning the principle +that injury shall be recompensed with kindness?" To which he replied: +"Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with +kindness."(117) + + + 117) Lun Yu, xiv., 26. + + +It is recorded by his disciples that there are four things from which +the master was entirely free. "He had no foregone conclusions, no +arbitrary predeterminations, no obstinacy, and no egoism." Contrary to +the rule of most reformers or leaders of opinion, he always regarded +himself as a learner as well as teacher. It is related of Confucius that +he at one time desired a governmental position, thinking that through +its occupancy he might the better disseminate the ancient doctrines of +rectitude and virtue. Offers of individual advantage could not swerve +him from his well-grounded principles of honor. On one occasion one of +the rulers of the country proposed to confer upon him a city and its +revenues, but Confucius replied: "A superior man will only receive +reward for services which he has rendered. I have given advice to the +duke-king, but he has not obeyed it, and now he would endow me with this +place! very far is he from understanding me."(118) + + + 118) Quoted by Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., p. 197. + + +The fact seems evident that Confucius had not sufficient strength of +character to attempt a change in the social conditions of his time. He +had not that grandeur of soul which enabled him to strike the key-note +of reform. Monarchical institutions and social distinctions he did not +rebuke. The brotherhood of man and the levelling processes in human +society were probably never thought of by him; certainly they were never +attempted. + +By certain writers Confucius has been accused of insincerity in a few +minor matters; still, the wisdom contained in his religious doctrines, +the philosophical value of his teachings relative to the regulation of +human conduct, and, above all, his purity of purpose, justly entitles +his name to be enrolled among the great reformers of the world. + +The lasting influence which this man exerted upon the minds of his +countrymen, and the appreciation in which his name and works are still +held, are shown by the fact that his descendants constitute the only +order of hereditary nobility in China. + +"He lived five hundred years before Christ; and yet to this day, through +all the changes and chances of time and of dynasties, the descendants of +Confucius remain the only hereditary noblemen and national pensioners +in the empire. Even the imperial blood becomes diluted, degraded, and +absorbed into the body politic after the seventh generation; but the +descendants of Confucius remain separate, through all the mutations of +time and of government."(119) + + + 119) Thomas Magee, in the Forum, vol. x., p. 204. + + +Laotse, the founder of the smallest of the three sects in China, namely, +Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, was an old man when Confucius was in +his prime. The word Taou signifies reason, but the doctrines believed +by the Taoists prove their system to be the most irrational of all the +religions of the East. In an article on The Taouist Religion, Warren +Benton says: + +"The tendency in rationalism is toward the utter destruction of a belief +in the existence of unseen spirits of evil. Enlightened reason dethrones +devils; but Laotse created devils innumerable, and the chief concern of +the Taouist sect has always been to manipulate these emissaries of evil. +Modern rationalists deny the existence of devils, and relegate them to +the category of myths and to personified ideas. Not so the rationalist +of the Orient. He finds his greatest pleasure in contemplating the very +atmosphere he breathes as filled with spirits constantly seeking +his injury; and to outwit his satanic majesty is the chief end of +life."(120) + + + 120) Pop. Science, Jan. 1890. + + +At a time when a personal devil was gradually assuming shape, it would +have been singular, indeed, if there had not arisen one who, by his +peculiar temperament and natural disposition, was exactly suited to the +task of elaborating this doctrine in all its grim seriousness. That such +an one did arise in the person of Laotse is evident from what is known +regarding his history and teachings. + +The growth of religious faith had long tended in this direction. +Typhon, "the wind that blasts," "Darkness," and the "cold of winter," +constituted the foundation of a belief in a personal Devil; and, when +the time was ripe for the appearance of his satanic majesty, it required +only a hypochondriac--a disordered mental organization--to formulate and +project this gloomy and unwholesome doctrine. + +There is little known of the life and character of Laotse except that +he labored assiduously through a long life-time for the establishment +of certain principles or tenets which he believed to be essential to the +well-being of humanity. In the twentieth chapter of his work are found +to be some hints of his personality and of the gloomy cast of his +character. He complains that while other men are joyous and gay, he +alone is despondent. He is "calm like a child that does not yet smile." +He is "like a stupid fellow, so confused does he feel. Ordinary men are +enlightened; he is obscure and troubled in mind. Like the sea, he is +forgotten and driven about like one who has no certain resting place. +All other men are of use; he alone is clownish like a peasant. He alone +is unlike other men, but he honors the nursing mother." + +Of all the various teachers which arose during the fifth, sixth, and +seventh centuries B.C., none of them were able to rise to the position +of moral grandeur occupied by Gotama Buddha. The efforts put forth by +this great teacher seem to have been humane rather than religious. In +his time, especially in India, society had become encysted beneath +a crust of seemingly impenetrable conservatism, while religion, or +priestcraft, riveted the chains by which the masses of the people were +enslaved. + +The mission of Buddha was to burst asunder the bonds of the oppressed +and to abolish all distinctions of caste. This was to be accomplished +through the awakening of the divine life in each individual. The leading +processes by which the lines of caste were weakened were in direct +opposition to the established order of society. It was a blow at the old +Brahminical social and religious code which had grown up under the reign +of priest-craft. + +Notwithstanding the sex prejudice which had come to prevail in India, +it was directly stated by Buddha that any man or woman who became his +disciple, who renounced the world and by abstinence from the lower +indulgences of sense proclaimed her or his adherence to the higher +principles of life, "at once lost either the privilege of a high caste +or the degradation of a low one." Earthly distinctions were of no +consequence. Rank depended not on the outward circumstance of birth, but +on the ability of the individual to resist evil, or, upon his +capacity to receive the higher truths enunciated by the new sun or +savior--Buddha. + +In one of the canonical books he is represented as saying: + +"Since the doctrine which I teach is completely pure, it makes no +distinction between noble and common, between rich and poor. It is, for +example, like water, which washes both noblemen and common people, both +rich and poor, both good and bad, and purifies all without distinction. +It may, to take another illustration, be compared to fire, which +consumes mountains, rocks, and all great and small objects between +heaven and earth. Again, my doctrine is like heaven, inasmuch as there +is room within it without exception, for whomsoever it may be; for men +and women, for boys and girls, for rich and poor."(121) + + + 121) Viscount Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., p. 216. + + +There is little doubt that the religion of Buddha was an attempt to +return to the almost forgotten principles of a past age of spiritual and +moral greatness. According to this ancient wisdom, man is an immortal +soul struggling for perfection. The growth of the real man is a natural +unfolding of the divine principle within, such process of evolution +being accomplished through the power of the will. As every individual +must work out his own salvation, this will-force must ever be directed +toward the complete mastery of the body, or the lower self. In other +words, the development of the higher life depends upon the power of the +individual to overcome or conquer evil. The effect of every thought, +word, and deed is woven into the soul, and no one can evade the +consequences of his own acts. All sin is the result of selfishness, so +that only when one renounces self and begins to live for others does the +soul-life begin. No one who has arrived at a state of soul-consciousness +will lead a selfish or impure life. On the contrary, every impulse of +the devout Buddhist goes out toward humanity and God, of whom he is a +conscious part. + +Gotama Buddha was not a "savior" in the sense of bloody sacrifice for +the sins of the people. On the contrary, he was an example to mankind--a +man who through moral purification and a life of self-abnegation +had prepared himself for this holy office. Mythologically, or +astrologically, he was the new sun born at the close of the cycle. He +was the great Light which revealed the way to eternal repose--Nirvana. +The mythical Buddha was the prototype of the mythical Christ. His mother +was Mai or Mary, Queen of Heaven, or the Vernal Spring. He was a new +incarnation of the Sun--the Savior of the world. In process of time his +many miracles were offered as proof of his divine character. Although he +taught the existence of a great and universal Power, he made no attempt +to explain the unknowable. The Infinite is to be contemplated only +through its manifestations. Nirvana is not annihilation, as has been +erroneously taught by Christian missionaries. As explained by Buddhists +themselves, it comprehends a state of absolute rest from human strife +and wretchedness. It is the absorption or relapsing into the great First +Principle, whence all life is derived--a state so pure that the human is +lost in the divine. + + "Lamp of the law! + I take my refuge in thy name and Thee! + I take my refuge in thy Law of Good! + I take my refuge in thy Order! Om! + The dew is on the Lotus!--rise, Great Sun! + And lift my leaf and mix me with the wave. + Om Mani Padme Hum, the Sunrise comes! + The Dewdrop slips into the shining Sea!"(122) + + + 122) Arnold, Light of Asia. + + +From the Buddhist colleges at Nolanda went forth teachers who, inspired +with enthusiasm in the cause of human justice and individual liberty, +endeavored to abolish the abominations which had grown up under +Brahminical rule. The masses of the people, however, were too deeply +sunken in infamy, wretchedness, and ignorance to accept, or even +understand, the pure doctrines of the great teacher, and, as might have +been anticipated, priest-craft soon assumed its wonted arrogance, and +eventually the whole paraphernalia of antiquated dogmas were tacked upon +the new system. + +Through the various efforts put forth for the elevation of mankind +during the six or seven hundred years which preceded the advent of +Christianity, sufficient strength had been given to the moral impetus of +humanity to create in many portions of the world a strong desire for a +return to purer principles, and to make the appearance of a spiritual +teacher like Christ possible. The effects, however, of ages of moral +and intellectual degradation, in which the lowest faculties have been +stimulated to the highest degree, are not wiped out in a few centuries +of struggle by the few among the people who desire reform. As +true reform means growth, those who have reached a higher stage of +development can only point the way to others--they are powerless to +effect changes for which the masses are unprepared. + +Although through a partial revival of the ideas entertained by an +ancient people the attempt was made by Zoroaster, Confucius, Gotama +Buddha, Pythagoras, the Stoics, and other schools of philosophy, to +elevate the masses of the people, and, although the unadulterated +teachings of the man called Christ were doubtless an outgrowth of this +movement, yet the human mind had not, even as late as the appearance of +this last-named reformer, sufficiently recovered from its thraldom +to enable the masses to grasp those higher truths which had been +entertained by an earlier civilized people. + +While there are doubtless many points of similarity between the +religious system elaborated by Gotama Buddha and that enunciated by +Christ, there is little likeness between the teachings of the former and +those set forth by the Romish Church, or by Paul. Seven hundred years +B.C., the Persians had grasped the idea that virtue is its own reward, +and that every soul is responsible for its own growth. The fundamental +doctrine of the Christian Church to-day is that of a vicarious +atonement--a belief which takes away man's responsibility for his own +misdeeds. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM. + +By comparing the sacred writings of the Persians with the history of the +events connected with the conception and birth of the mythical Christ +as recorded in the New Testament, the fact is observed that the latter +appears to be closely connected with the central figure of Persian +mythology. It has been found that the visit of the Magi, who, following +a star, were guided to the spot where the young child lay, was the +fulfilment of a Persian prophecy, which is to be found in the life of +Zarathustra as recorded in the Zendavesta, while the subsequent history +of the same personage is seen to be almost identical with that of the +Hindoo Sun-god Chrishna. + +According to the sacred books of the Persians, three sons of the great +Zarathustra were to appear at three successive periods of time. These +sons were to be incarnations of the sun, and the result of immaculate +conceptions. + +"The first is named Oschederbami. He will appear in the last millennium +of the world. He will stop the sun for ten days and ten nights, and the +second part of the human race will embrace the law, of which he will +bring the 22d portion. + +"The second posthumous son of Zoroaster is Oschedermah. He will appear +four hundred years after Oschederbami. He will stop the sun twenty days +and twenty nights, and he will bring the 23d part of the law, and the +third part of the world will be converted. + +"The third is named Sosiosch. He will be born at the end of the ages. +He will bring the 24th part of the law; he will stay the sun thirty +days and thirty nights, and the whole earth will embrace the law of +Zoroaster. After him will be the resurrection."(123) This last named +son was to be born of a pure and spotless virgin, whereupon a star would +appear blazing even at noonday with undiminished lustre. + + + 123) Quoted by Waite, History of the Christian Religion, p. 168. + + +"You, my sons," exclaimed the seer, "will perceive its rising before any +other nation. As soon, therefore, as you shall behold the star, follow +it, withersoever it shall lead you; and adore that mysterious child, +offering your gifts to him, with profound humility. He is the Almighty +Word, which created the heavens."(124) + + + 124) Ibid., 169. + + +Waite notices the conclusion of Faber that this prediction was long +before the birth of Christ, and states that one of the reasons for +such a conclusion was, that in the old Irish history a similar prophecy +appears--a prophecy which was delivered by a "Druid of Bokhara." The +identity of this Irish prophecy with the one in the East ascribed to +Zarathustra or Zoroaster, is so singular that Faber thinks it can be +accounted for only on the hypothesis "of an ancient emigration from +Persia to Ireland by the northwest passage, which carried the legend +with it." + +By those who have investigated the origin of the early gospels, it is +stated that the story of the Magi and the star appeared in the Gospel +of the Infancy early in the second century, and was subsequently +incorporated into the preparatory chapters of Luke and Matthew. +According to Waite, there was a sect of Christians called Prodiceans +whose leader, Prodicus, about A.D. 120, boasted that they had the sacred +books of Zoroaster. From an extant fragment of the Chronography of +Africanus is the following: + +"Christ first of all became known from Persia. For nothing escapes the +learned jurists of that country, who investigated all things with the +utmost care. The facts, therefore, which are inscribed upon the golden +plates, and laid up in the royal temples, I shall record; for it is from +the temples there, and the priests connected with them, that the name +of Christ has been heard of. Now, there is a temple there to Juno, +surpassing the royal palace, which temple Cyrus, that prince instructed +in all piety, built, and in which he dedicated, in honor of the gods, +golden and silver statues, and adorned them with precious stones. ... +Now about that time (as the records on the plates testify), the king +having entered the temple, with the view of getting an interpretation +of certain dreams, was addressed by the priest Prupupius thus: 'I +congratulate thee, master: Juno has conceived.' 'And the king, smiling, +said to him: 'Has she who is dead conceived?' And he said: 'Yes, she who +was dead has come to life again, and begets life.' And the king said: +'What is this? explain it to me.' And he replied: 'In truth, master, the +time for these things is at hand. For during the whole night the images, +both of gods and goddesses, continued beating the ground, saying to each +other, Come, let us congratulate Juno. And they say to me, Prophet, come +forward, congratulate Juno, for she has been embraced. And I said, How +can she be embraced who no longer exists? To which they reply, She has +come to life again, and is no longer called Juno, but Urama. For the +mighty Sol has embraced her.' "(125) + + + 125) Hyppolytus, vol. ii., p. 196. + + +There is a tradition which asserts that during the early part of the +second century, St. Thomas went as a missionary to Parthia; that after +he had visited the various countries of the Parthian Empire, tarrying +for a time at Balkh, the capital of Bactria, and the ancient residence +of the Magi, he went to India. Soon after the visit of Thomas to Persia +and India, there appeared in Palestine and the adjacent countries +a gospel of Thomas, in which were set forth various stories closely +resembling the legends found in the Hindoo sacred writings. After +comparing various passages of the Bhagavat Purana with those of the +Infancy, and after furnishing conclusive evidence that the latter must +have been copied from the former, Waite says: + +"The conclusion must be, that while for some of the salient points of +the Gospels of the Infancy, the authors were indebted to Zoroaster, and +the legends of Persia, the outline of the story was largely filled up +from the history of Crishna, as sent back to Palestine, by the Apostle +Thomas, from the land of the Brahmins." + +Concerning the story of Herod and his order to slay all the male +infants, there has been discovered in a cavern at Elephanta, in India, +a sculptured representation of a huge and ferocious figure, bearing a +drawn sword and surrounded by slaughtered children, while mothers appear +weeping for their slain. This figure is said to be of great antiquity. + +Mary, the Mother of Jesus, like Mai, the Mother of Gatama Buddha, was +regarded by certain sects in the earlier ages of Christianity as an +Immortal Virgin whose birth had been announced by an angel.(126) She was +in fact the ancient Virgin of the Sphere--the Mother of the Gods--the +Queen of Heaven. + + + 126) See Gospels of Mary and the Protovangelion. + + +As soon as Christ was born he conversed with Mary, as did also Crishna +with his mother, informing her of his divine mission. + +Crishna was cradled among shepherds, so was Christ. Cansa, fearing the +loss of his kingdom, sought to destroy the life of the divine infant in +the same manner as did Herod in the case of Christ. Both children are +carried away by night, after which an order is issued by the ruler +of the country that all the young children throughout the kingdom be +slaughtered. + +When Joseph and Mary arrived in Egypt, they visited the temple of +Serapis, where "all the magistrates and priests of the idols +were assembled." Upon the image being interrogated concerning the +"consternation and dread which had fallen upon all our country," it +answered them as follows: "The unknown god has come hither, who is truly +God; nor is there anyone besides him, who is worthy of divine worship; +for he is truly the son of God." And at the same instant this idol fell +down, and at his fall all the inhabitants of Egypt, besides others, ran +together.(127) A similar story is related of Crishna. This Indian god, +the same as Christ, cured a leper. A woman, after having poured a box +of precious ointment on the head of Crishna, was healed; so also a woman +anointed the head of Jesus. Crishna when but a lad displayed remarkable +mental powers and the most profound wisdom before the tutor who was sent +to instruct him. Christ astonished the school-master Zaccheus with his +great learning.(128) + + + 127) Gospel of the Infancy, ch. iv. + + + 128) Gospel of the Infancy, ch. xx. + + +Crishna had a terrible encounter with the serpent Calinaga; the infant +Christ had also a dreadful adventure with a serpent. Now this Calinaga +which Crishna encountered was a serpent goddess who was worshipped +by the sect in India which was opposed to the adoration of the male +principle. The early Christians, however, being ignorant of the +allegorical meaning of the legend, transferred it to Christ literally. + +The mother of Crishna looked in his mouth and beheld all the nations of +the earth. The same story is reported of Christ and his mother. Finally +Christ, like Crishna, was crucified, and like him was buried. He +descended into hell and on the third day arose and ascended into +heaven.(129) + + + 129) It will doubtless be urged that I am quoting from the Apocryphal +Gospels--that the genuine books of the New Testament are silent +concerning many of these Eastern legends. We must bear in mind, however, +that during the earlier ages of Christianity, these finally rejected +gospels were, equally with the canonical books, considered as the word +of God. The Infancy is thought to be one of the earliest gospels. Justin +Martyr was acquainted with it, A.D. 150 to 160. It is referred to by +Irenaeus, A.D. 190. + + +In the poetical myths of the ancients the sun is yearly overpowered +by cold or by the destructive agencies in Nature. Astronomically, or +astrologically, it wanders in darkness and desolation during the winter +months; in fact dies, and descends into hell in order that he may +rise at the Easter season to gladden and make all things new again. +Mythologically, this new sun becomes incarnate; enters again his +mother's womb, and is born into the world in the form of a man whose +mission is to renew human life. Hence we have an explanation of the +Eastern Buddhas and Crishnas, all of which were born of virgins at the +winter solstice. + +The new sun which at the close of each cycle was believed by the more +ancient people of the globe to "issue forth from the womb of Nature to +renew the world," now that the truths underlying Nature-worship were +lost, became a redeemer or mediator between earth and heaven, or between +spirit and matter. It is stated that at the time of the appearance of +Christ not alone the Jews, but the Persians, the Romans, the ancient +Irish, and in fact all the nations of the globe, were anxiously awaiting +the event of another incarnation of the solar Deity; and that maidens +of all classes and conditions were in a state of eager expectation, the +more pious, or at least the more ambitious among them, being in almost +constant attendance at the temples and sacred shrines, whither they went +to pay homage to the male emblem of generation, thereby hoping to be +honored as a Mai or Mary. + +On the wall of the temple at Luxor are a series of sculptures, + +"in which the miraculous annunciation, conception, birth, and adoration +of Amunoph III., the son of the Virgin Queen Mautmes, is represented in +a manner similar to what is described in St. Luke's Gospel (ch. 1 and 2) +of Jesus Christ, the son of the Virgin Mary, and which is found also +in the Gospel of St. Matthew (ch. 1) as an addition not met with in the +earliest manuscripts,"(130) which fact has caused Sharpe, from whom the +above is quoted, to suggest that both accounts may have been of Egyptian +origin. + + + 130) Barlow, Symbolism, p. 127. + + +The titles "lamb," "anointed," etc., which were applied to Christ, all +appear attached to former incarnations of the sun, the first named +standing for the sun in Aries. The effigies of a crucified savior found +in Ireland and Scotland in connection with the figure of a lamb, a bull, +or an elephant, the latter of which is not a native of those countries, +shows that they do not represent Christ, but a crucified sun-god +worshipped by the inhabitants of the British Islands ages before the +birth of the great Judean philosopher and teacher. + +It is plain that Crishna of India and the Persian Mithra furnished the +copy for the Jesus of the Romish Church, all of whom mean one and the +same thing--the second person in the Solar Trinity. By the Jews, who +attempted to ignore the female principle, this God is called the "Lord +of Hosts" and "God of Sabaoth," which astronomically means God of the +stars and constellations, and astrologically the creator or producer of +the multitudes. Of this God, ieue, I H S, the author of Anacalypsis says +that he was the son of the celestial virgin, which she carries in her +arms; the Horus, Lux, of the Egyptians, the Lux of St. John. + +"It is from this infant that Jesus took his origin; or at least it is +from the ceremonies and worship of this infant that this religion came +to be corrupted into what we have of it. This infant is the seed of the +woman who, according to Genesis, was to bruise the head of the serpent, +which, in return, was to bruise his foot or heel, or the foot or heel +of her seed as the figure of the Hindoo Crishna proves. From the +traditionary stories of this god Iao, which was figured annually to be +born at the winter solstice, and to be put to death and raised to life +on the third day at the vernal equinox, the Roman searchers after the +evangelion or gospel made out their Jesus. The total destruction +of everything at Jerusalem and in Judea--buildings, records, +everything--prevented them from coming to any absolute certainty +respecting this person who, they were told by tradition, had come to +preach the gospel of peace, to be their savior, in fulfilment of the +prophecy which their sect of Israelites found in their writings, and who +had been put to death by the Jews. From all these circumstances he came +to have applied to him the monogram of I H S.... and to him at last all +the legendary stories related of the god Iao were attributed."(131) + + + 131) Godfrey Higgins, Anacalypsis, book vi., ch. iv., p. 455. + + +According to Faber, Jesus was not originally called Jesus Christ, but +Jescua Hammassiah--Jescua meaning Joshua, and Jesus, Savior. Ham is +the Om of India, and Messiah, the anointed. Commenting on this Higgins +remarks: "It will then be, The Savior Om the Anointed, precisely as +Isaiah had literally foretold; or reading in the Hebrew made, The +Anointed Om the Savior. This was the name of Jesus of Bethlehem." + +We have observed the fact that at the time of the birth of Christ the +entire world was expecting a Savior--a new incarnation of the sun. The +end of a cycle had come and the entire earth was to undergo a process of +renovation. + +In a poem by Virgil, who was a Druid, the birth of a wonderful child is +celebrated, and the prophecy of a heathen Sibyl is seen to be identical +with that of Isaiah. + +"The last period sung by the Sibylline prophetess is now arrived; and +the grand series of ages. That Series which recurs again and again +in the course of our mundane revolution begins afresh. Now the +Virgin Astrea returns from heaven; and the primeval reign of Saturn +recommences; now a new race descends from the celestial realms of +holiness. Do thou, Lucina, smile propitious on the birth of a boy who +will bring to a close the present age of iron and introduce throughout +the whole world, a new age of gold. Then shall the herds no longer dread +the fury of the lion, nor shall the poison of the serpent any longer +be formidable. Every venomous animal and every deleterious plant shell +perish together. The fields shall be yellow with corn, the grape +shall hang its ruddy clusters from the bramble, and honey shall distil +spontaneously from the rugged oak. The universal globe shall enjoy the +blessings of peace, secure under the mild sway of its new and divine +sovereign." + +There is no lack of evidence to prove that for several centuries great +numbers of Christians regarded Christ as a solar incarnation similar to +those which from time to time were born in the valleys of the Nile and +the Ganges. By the fathers in the church Jesus Christ was named the New +Sun, and in the early days of Christianity the Egyptians struck a coin +representing O. B. or the holy Basilisk, with rays of light darting from +his head, on the reverse side of which was figured "Jesus Christ as the +New Solar Deity." + +The similarity if not the actual identity of the religion of Christ and +that of the pagans in the second century is shown by various writers. +The Emperor Hadrian writing to his friend Servianus says: + +"Those who worship Serapis are also Christians; even those who style +themselves the Bishops of Christ are devoted to Serapis.. .. There is +but one God for them all; him do the Christians, him do the Jews, him do +all the Gentiles also worship." + +It has been said that the head of Serapis supplied the first idea of the +portrait of Christ. Before the figure of Serapis, in his temple, used +to stand Isis, the Celestial Virgin, with the inscription "Immaculate is +our Lady Isis." In her hand she bore a sheaf of grain. + +As Serapis, or Pan, finally became Christ, so Isis, or the Queen of +Heaven, became his mother, and to the latter were transferred all the +titles, ceremonies, festivals, and seasons which from the earliest time +had belonged to the great Goddess of Nature. Subsequently, probably +about the close of the second century, Christianity began slowly to +emerge from the worship of Mithras and Serapis, "changing the names but +not the substance." + +Upon the coinage of Constantine appears Soli Invicto Comita--"To the +invincible sun my companion or guardian," and when the Greek and Roman +Christians finally separated themselves from the great body of pagan +worshippers they apologized for celebrating the birthday of their Savior +on the 25th of December, saying that "they could better perform their +rites when the heathen were busy with theirs." We are assured that the +early Christians no less than the Maji acknowledged Mithras as the first +emanation from Ormuzd, or the God of Light. He was the Savior which in +an earlier age had represented returning life--that which follows the +cold of winter. It was doubtless while they worshipped the Persian +Mithras that many of the so-called Christians gathered their first +ideas concerning the immortality of the soul and of future rewards and +punishments. + +The analogy existing between the festivals, seasons, mythoses, etc., of +the various incarnations of the sun which were worshipped by the early +historic nations and those belonging to Christianity is too striking to +be the result of chance. + +Buddha originally represented the sun in Taurus. Crishna was the sun +in Aries. The laborings and sufferings of Hercules, a god who was an +incarnation of the latter, portrays the history of the passage of the +sun through the signs of the Zodiac. + +All the principal events of Christ's life correspond to certain solar +phases; or, in other words, all ecclesiastical calendars are arranged +with reference to the festivals which commemorate the important events +of his life from his conception and birth to his ascension and reception +in heaven. Each and every one of the solar deities has been born at +midnight, on the 25th of December, at the time when the sun has reached +its lowest position and begins to ascend. Macrobius, a learned Roman +writer, observes that the early historic nations "believed that the sun +comes forth as a babe from its cradle at the winter solstice." Neith is +made to say, "The sun is the fruit of my womb." + +The 15th of August, assumption day, the time when Mary, the mother of +Jesus, ascends to heaven is the day when the Zodiacal constellation +Virgo, "the Greek Astrea, leaves the European horizon," and the "8th of +September, when Virgo emerges from the sun's rays, is held sacred as the +Nativity of the Queen of Heaven." + +Of the mid-winter festival, Bede says: "The Pagans of these isles began +their year on the eighth of the Kalends of January, which is now our +Christmas Day. The night before that (24th Dec. eve) was called by them +the Medre-Nak, or Night of Mothers, because of the ceremonies which were +performed on that night."(132) + + + 132) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 430. + + +Among Christians as among Pagans the Christmas season was in honor of +"returning light," the vernal equinox of "growing light" and St. John's +day of "perfected light." + +In England, among pagan Saxons, the midwinter festival lasted twelve +days, during which time light, fire, the sun, huge stones and other +similar manifestations of the Deity were adored. Christian and pagan +alike worshipped these objects. They called Christmas "the birthday of +the god who is light." The Savior, or the New Sun, was the true light +which lighteth every man who cometh into the world. According to +the testimony of various writers, the festival held by Christians on +Christmas eve used to resemble the Feast of Lights, celebrated in Egypt +in honor of Neith. The tokens distributed among friends were cakes made +of paste in the form of babies. These cakes were called yuledows. Dow +means to "grow bigger," or, "to increase." + +The Kalends of January at Rome were sacred to Janus and Juno to whom +sacrifices were offered. The Etruscans also worshipped Janus who was the +god (or goddess) of the year. Although this Deity does not appear +among the twelve gods it is said to be the parent of them all. It was +represented as having two faces. Upon one were the letters representing +365, and upon the other were the keys of life and death. According to +Bryant this Deity was called Junonius, from the goddess Juno, whose name +resolves itself into Juneh, a dove. In the Hebrew this name is identical +with Yoni or Yuni--the female principle. On the coins of this god (which +was subsequently regarded as male) is usually figured a boat, although a +dove with an olive branch is sometimes observed.(133) + + + 133) See Faber, Pagan Idolatry. + + +Juno is thought to be the same as Jana, which came from Jah of the +Hebrews. Diana was Diva Jana or "Dea Jana who is the same as Astarte or +Ashtaroth of the Sidonians." + +Regarding the transference of the mid-winter festival of the pagans to +the Christian calendar, Forlong says: + +"The early Christians undoubtedly selected this Roman Saturnalia as an +important period in the life of Christ, at first calling it the time of +his conception, and later of his birth, this last best suiting the views +and feelings of their Solo-Christian flocks. The Jews called the day +of the Winter Solstice The Fast of Tebet. The previous time was one of +darkness, and on the 28th began their Feast of Lights."(134) + + + 134) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 430. + + +In France the ancient name for Christmas is Noel, a term which until +recently has baffled all antiquarian research. It is now thought that it +is formed from Nuadh and Vile which together mean All Heal. + +Although every possible effort has been put forward to give to this date +(the 25th of December) the appearance of authenticity as the birth of +Christ, still, so far as I am able to find, no one accredited with +any degree of trustworthiness has ever been rash enough to attempt its +ratification as a matter of history. + +Tylor calls attention to the fact that in the religious symbolism of the +material and spiritual sun Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa discourse on +the "growing light and dwindling darkness that follow the nativity," +and cites the instance of Leo the Great who, in a sermon, rebukes the +"pestiferous persuasion, that this solemn day is to be honored not for +the birth of Christ, but for the rising of the New Sun." + +On the authority of this same prelate it is found that in the fifth +century, the faithful, before entering the Basilica of St. Peter, were +wont to turn and salute the shining orb of day. + +The Roman winter solstice which was connected with the worship of +Mithra, and which was named the "Birthday of the Unconquered Om," was +adopted by the western churches some time during the fourth century. +From the west it passed to the eastern churches, where it finally became +"the solemn anniversary of the birth of Christ." + +In Ireland the ceremonies attending the mid-winter festival were +formerly regarded as exceedingly important. A short time before the +approach of the winter solstice, voices were heard throughout the +island proclaiming: "The New Year is at hand! Gather the Mistletoe!" +The mistletoe wreaths which formed the principal decorations of Venus' +temple were at first proscribed by the Christian preachers, but, in +process of time they not only found their way into the sanctuary, but +were given a place over the altars, their final signification being +"good will to men."(135) + + + 135) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 81. + + +Although the tokens of friendship which were distributed by the pagans +at the season of the mid-winter festival differed somewhat from those +which at the present time are exchanged among Christians at the same +season of the year, still, there can be no doubt that the Christmas +tree, loaded with gifts, is a remnant of that worship under which the +sun was recognized as the source whence all blessings flow. Down to a +late date, fire was a conspicuous element at the festival of the winter +solstice. As the yule-log blazed upon the hearth, our ancestors set +up huge stones and danced round them, thus worshipping the god of +fertility. + +On the 20th and 21st of March the sun illumines exactly half the earth. +At this time the Day has conquered the Night. Light has dethroned +Darkness, a complete victory has been gained over Typhon and the new +god comes forth "with healing in his wings." On Lady's day, the 25th of +March, the Virgin conceives. In Phoenicia numerous fetes were instituted +to rejoice with Astarte in her conception. During the months preceding +the birth of the young sun-god the Queen of Heaven receives marked +homage. + +In a former portion of this work we have observed that the festival +which celebrated the return of spring was instituted by the inventors +of the Neros thousands of years prior to the beginning of the Christian +era, to celebrate the vernal equinox and to commemorate a return of +Nature's bounties; but, after male reproductive power began to be +regarded as the creator, when passion came to be considered as the +moving force in the universe, and when the operations of Nature began to +be typified by a dead man on a cross who was to rise again, Easter was +celebrated in commemoration of a risen savior or sun-god. + +The following is an account given in Ramsay's Travels of Cyrus, +concerning the vernal equinox festivals in the East. When Cyrus entered +the temples he found the public clad in mourning. In a cavern lay +the image of a young man (the dying savior) on a bed of flowers +and odoriferous herbs Nine days were spent in fasting, prayers, and +lamentations, after which the public sorrow ceased and was changed into +gladness. Songs of joy succeeded weeping (for Tamuz), the whole assembly +singing hymns: "Adonis is returned to life, Urania weeps no more, he has +ascended to heaven, he will soon return to earth and banish hence all +crimes and miseries forever." This scene, it will be remembered, was +presented 500 years prior to the birth of Christ. In Rome, throughout +the months preceding the winter solstice, Hilaria or Ceres, was +especially honored. Apollo and Diana rose on the 7th of the Julian April +and on the 10th their religious festivals began. + +On Easter morn, during the earlier ages of the church, the observances +of Christians were exactly the same as were those of the so called +pagans, all together hurried out long before the break of day that they +might behold the sun ascend, or "dance" as they called it, for on this +morning he was to "make the earth laugh and sing." Pagan and Christian +alike greeted each other with the salutation "The Lord is risen," and +the reply was "The Lord is risen indeed." On Easter morning the peasants +of Saxony and Brandenburg still climb to the hilltops "to see the sun +give his three joyful leaps." + +In Buckland's Land and Water it is stated that on the first of May all +the choristers of Magdalene College, Oxford, still meet on the summit +of their tower, 150 feet high, and sing a Latin hymn as the sun rises, +during which time ten bells are rung "to welcome the gracious Apollo." +Formerly, high mass was celebrated here and early mass for Sol was +held in the College chapel, but, as at the time of the Reformation this +service was forbidden, "it has since been performed on the top of the +tower." After the hymn is sung "boys blow loud blasts to Sol through +bright new tin horns." + +Perhaps none of the ideas which enter into present religious rites and +ceremonies proclaims its eastern origin more forcibly than do those +connected with the veneration of fire. The testimony of all writers upon +this subject agrees that in Europe, down to a late date in the Christian +era, fire was still adored, and in some mysterious manner was connected +with the Creator. + +Upon the subject of the continuation of sun and fire worship to modern +times, it is stated that the ancient bonfires with which the North +German hills used to be ablaze mile after mile are not altogether given +up by local custom. In Ireland as late as the year 1829, the ancient +Canaanitish and Jewish rite of passing children through fire as a +cleansing or regenerating process was still in operation. It is related +that at stated seasons great fires were lighted in public places, on +which occasions, fathers, taking their children in their arms, would +leap and run through the flames. At the same time, two large fires were +kindled a short distance from each other through which the cattle were +driven. It was believed that by means of this ceremony, fecundity is +imparted both to man and beast. May, the month in which all Nature +revives, and in which life starts anew, is the time selected for the +lighting of those sacred fires. May is the month of the fires of Baal. +According to Maurice in his work on the Antiquities of India, the +festival and the May-pole of Great Britain are the remnants of a +religious ceremony once common in Egypt, India, and Phoenicia, which +nations all worshipping the same Deity, celebrated the entrance of +the sun into the sign of Taurus at the vernal equinox, but which in +consequence of the precession of the equinoxes is removed far in the +year from its original situation. This festival is thought to be coeval +with a time when the equinox actually took place at that time. It was +formerly in honor of the goddess Bhavania, who, under various names, was +once worshipped in every country of the globe. "She is identical with +the Dea Syria of Chaldea, and the Venus Urania of Persia." + +At the present time there is direct and indisputable evidence that +sacred fires once flamed over the whole of Britain. A few days prior to +Bealtine season, every flame was ordered extinguished, to be relighted +on the first of May by holy fire drawn directly from the sun. Of +fire-worship Toland observes: + +"On May-day the Druids made prodigious fires on these cairns, which +being every one in sight of some other could not but afford a glorious +show over a whole nation. These fires were in honor of Beal, or Bealan, +Latinized by the Roman writers into Belanus, by which name the Gauls +and their colonies understood the sun, and therefore, to this hour, the +first of May is, by the aboriginal Irish, called la Bealtine, or the +day of Belan's fires. May-day is likewise called la Bealtine by the +Highlanders of Scotland, who are no contemptible part of the Celtic +offspring. So it is with the Isle of Man: and in Armorica a priest is +called Belee, or the servant of Bel, and the priesthood Belegieth."(136) + + + 136) Quoted by Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids, ch. v., p. 181. + + +Down to a comparatively recent time, in the British Isles, the youth of +both sexes used to arise long before daybreak on May-day, and in large +companies set out for the woods, there to gather flowers, boughs, and +branches, which, on returning at night, were used to decorate their +homes. This festival is said to be the most ancient of any known, and +during the earlier and purer ages of human faith was celebrated in honor +of returning spring. In later ages, however, after passion had become +the only recognized god, May-day was celebrated with "all manner of +obscenity and lewdness." + +Although the uneducated masses among the Gauls worshipped Apollo, +Mercury, and Mars without understanding their true significance, the +Druids, who are thought to be Pythagorians, invoked one great power, the +animating force which pervades the universe, the essence of which they +believed resides in fire. + +It is related that although after the introduction of Romish +Christianity, May fires still continued to be lighted on Bealtine day, +the more impressive ceremonies took place on the 23d of June, on the eve +of the nativity of St. John. The early preachers, wishing to defer to +the prejudices and usages of the people, "yet not so as to interfere +with the celebration of Easter at the vernal equinox, retained the +Bealtine ceremonial, only transferring it to the saint's day." Of these +fire festivals and their adoption by the Christian church Tylor says: + +"The solar Christmas festival has its pendant at mid-summer. The summer +solstice was the great season of fire festivals throughout Europe on +the heights, of dancing round and leaping through the fires, of sending +blazing fire-wheels to roll down from the hills into the valleys, +in sign of the sun's descending course. These ancient rites attached +themselves in Christendom to St. John's Eve. + +"It seems as though the same train of symbolism which had adapted the +mid-winter festival to the Nativity, may have suggested the dedication +of the mid-summer festival to John the Baptist, in clear allusion to his +words 'He must increase but I must decrease.' "(137) + + + 137) Tylor, Primitive Culture, vol. ii., p. 271. + + +In a description recently given of the "moral, religious, and social +disease" which broke out A.D. 1374, in the lower Rhine region, and which +was denominated as the "greatest, perhaps, of all manifestations of +possession," Andrew D. White says: "The immediate origin of these +manifestations seems to have been the wild revels of St. John's +Day."(138) + + + 138) Pop. Science, vol. xxxv., p. 3. + + +Upon this subject Toland observes that he has seen the people of Ireland +running and leaping through the St. John's fire proud of passing through +it unsinged. Although ignorant of the origin of this ceremony, they +nevertheless regarded it as some kind of a lustration by means of which +they were to be specially blessed. + +To every domestic hearth was carried the seed of Bealtine, or St. John's +fire, which during the year was not permitted to go out.(139) + + + 139) Although the preservation of holy fire upon every hearth was +clearly a religious observance, still, as in those days there were +no matches, the material benefit to be derived from this precaution +doubtless had a significance apart from that connected with worship. + + +According to the testimony of Tylor, the festival of John the Baptist +was celebrated in Germany down to a late date. This writer quoting from +a low German book of the year 1859, refers to the "nod fire" which was +sawed out of wood to light the St. John's bonfire "through which the +people leapt and ran and drove their cattle." + +With regard to the worship of Fire and Light it is related that in +Jerusalem, at the present time, the Easter service is performed by the +bishop of the church emerging from a tomb with lighted tapers "from +which all crave lights." + +On the authority of Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria in the third +century, we are informed that the place in Egypt where Christ was +banished, which is called Maturea, a lamp is kept constantly burning +in remembrance of this event. Although the story of this banishment is +doubtless borrowed from the life of the Hindoo god Crishna, the fact is +evident that those who appropriated it, and used it in furbishing the +mythical history of Christ, had no scruples against fire worship--a +religion which we have been taught to regard as belonging exclusively to +the pagans. + +In the ecclesiastical processions of the Church of Rome is frequently +to be observed the figure of a dragon, in the mouth of which "holy +and everlasting fire" is observed to be burning. A boy follows +the procession with a lighted taper, so that in case the fire is +extinguished it may be relighted. In referring to this subject the Rev. +J. B. Deane says: + +"The whole ceremony may be considered as a lively representation of +an ophite procession as it advanced through the sinuous paralleiths +of Karnak. So that no wonder the illiterate races were deceived into +thinking that there was no harm in calling themselves Christians, for +all their dear old faiths are here--fire, arks, poles, and fire in an +ark." + +Almost innumerable instances are given by various writers upon this +subject, showing that the sun worship of the ancients has been continued +to the present time by the so called followers of Christ, in the shrines +of the East, with no change even of names to distinguish it from that of +the Christian faith. By those who have spent much time in investigating +the Holy Land, it is related that nearly all the spots in and about +Jerusalem, sacred to Greek and Romish Christians as connected with the +life and death of their risen Lord, are equally sacred to the pagans +as commemorating the life and death of their Savior--the New Sun. Even +Gethsemane is marked by characteristics which prove that it is no +less interesting to pagans, or, more properly speaking, to the pagan +followers of Christ, than it is to those of the Greek and Romish +churches. Here is a holy tree, and not far distant is a cave of Mithras. +There is also to be seen a trinity of stones "those of Janus (Chemosh), +Petros and Ion, all solar terms and connected with the sitting or +sinking down to rest of the Kuros." + +Messrs. Maundrell and Sandys, who in 1697 visited all the holy places +in and around Jerusalem, state that the entire city, but especially +the sites of Moriah, Zion, and suburbs were hotbeds of fire and phallic +worship as usually developed still in the East. + +The topography of ancient Delphi, on the site of which was built the +village of Kastri, and at which place excavations are now being made +under the direction of the American School of Archaeology, has ever been +a place of peculiar interest to the mystic. Here are to be found all the +natural features and objects which gladden the heart and stimulate the +imagination of a solo-phallic worshipper. The holy Mt. Parnassus, the +fountain of Kastali, the deep cave said to be Pythian, and the remnants +of huge sepulchres hewn in the rocks all conspire to make of this spot +a perfect abode for the god, or goddess, of fertility. Here, too, is a +beautiful lake and near it a sacred fig-tree which has been struck by +lightning, or, "touched by holy fire." Of this sacred place Forlong +writes: + +"Christianity has never neglected this so-called Pagan shrine, nor yet +misunderstood it, if we may judge by the saint she has located here, for +Mr. Hobhouse found in the rocky chasm dipped in the dews of Castaly, but +safe in a rocky niche, a Christian shrine; and close by a hut called the +church of St. John; yea verily of Ione, she who had once reigned here +supreme; whilst on a green plot a few yards below the basin, in a little +grove of olive trees, stood the monastery of Panhagia or Holy Virgin, so +that here we still have and beside her sacred form in the cleft, men who +have consecrated their manhood to the old Mother and Queen of Heaven, +just as if she of Syria had never been heard of. + +"Doubtless they knew little of what civilized Europe calls Christianity, +for I have spent many days conversing with such men, and seen +little difference between them and those similarly placed in the far +East--fervid Christians though Greeks and Syrians are." + +Perhaps nothing shows the extent to which the religion of the pagans has +been retained by Christianity more than does the worship of the serpent. +It has been said that this reptile enters into every mythology extant. +Ferguson is authority for the statement that "he is to be found in the +wilderness of Sinai, the groves of Epidaurus, and in Samothracian huts." +He constitutes a prominent factor in the religious worship of India, +Assyria, Palestine, and Egypt, and, notwithstanding the fact that he is +not a native of Ireland, in an earlier age representations of him appear +in profusion among the symbols of that country. It has been said that +there is scarcely an Egyptian sculpture known in which this reptile does +not figure. The serpent whenever it appears as a religious emblem always +typifies desire--creative energy--which, proceeding from the sun, is +manifested in man and in animals. Whether it be a veritable snake in +a box, a serpent connected with the figure of a woman, or as a carved +representation on monuments or stones, or as chains or wreaths on +columns, bas-reliefs or friezes, the signification is the same. + +The sacred character of this reptile among the Gnostics is shown by the +accounts given of their religious rites and ceremonies. By many of these +sects this holy creature was kept in a box, ark, or chest, and when the +eucharistic service was to be performed, he was enticed forth from +his resting-place by a bit of bread. So soon as his holiness had wound +himself about the offering, the sacrifice was complete and the service +was concluded by "singing a hymn to Almighty God, and praying for +acceptance in and through the serpent." + +In later ages when the attempt was made to abolish serpent worship from +the Christian church, it was declared by the leaders in the movement +that Ophiolatry had been imported from Persia--that it had been brought +in by ignorant devotees who were too weak to renounce their former +faith.(140) + + + 140) Forlong, Rivers of Life. + + +The extent to which the symbols representing Serpent, Sun, Tree, and +Plant worship are still retained as part and parcel of the symbolism of +Christianity is shown by the following report regarding the adoption of +a seal by the Presbyterian Church which appeared in the daily press only +a few years ago. + +"After the assembly opened, the committee for the selection of a seal +made a report recommending: That the general assembly hereby adopts +as its official seal the device of a serpent suspended upon a cross, +uplifted within a wilderness, in form as represented upon the official +seal of the trustees of the general assembly, and displayed upon a +circular field of the same proportions. In addition thereto the figure +of a rising sun appearing above the margin of the wilderness, whose +out-shooting beams shall occupy the centre of the field. Further, the +decoration of a demi-wreath of two palm branches (in the form of the +wreath upon the seal of the Westminster assembly of divines), placed +around the margin of the upper hemisphere of the field; and on the lower +hemisphere of the field a demi-wreath composed of a branch of oak united +with an olive branch. Further, that the words of the motto, 'Christus +Exaltus Salvatar,' shall be displayed in a semi-circle upon the upper +part of the field, on either side of the standard of the cross, and, +encompassing the whole in a bordure, the following words, in full or in +proper abbreviation thereof, 'The Seal of the General Assembly of the +Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.'" + +The origin of the rite of Baptism as performed at the present time in +Christian churches, may be traced directly to the worship of the sun, +within which were supposed to reside the reproductive powers of Nature. +All nations have had ceremonies corresponding to our baptism and +confirmation rites, such baptism being either by fire or water. When we +remember that for ages fertility, or the power to reproduce, constituted +the idea of the Deity, we are not surprised to find that the original +signification of the rite of baptism had, and still has, in some of the +oriental countries, special reference to the child's sexual obligations. + +In India, the religious rites performed upon the individual occur at +birth or soon after; at betrothal, which takes place in childhood; at +puberty; at marriage, and at death. The fact will be noticed that all +sexual (spiritual) obligations and seasons fall within the domain of +priestly supervision and surveillance. The child at baptism is dedicated +to Vesta, or Hestia, the Queen of Hearths and Homes, a divinity who is +supposed to assist him in securing the special evidence of divine favor, +namely, fruitfulness of body. + +Among Hindoos and Jews, excessive reproduction was the Lord's mark of +favor. In India there has been a special hell provided for childless +women, and with Jewesses no curse was equal to barrenness. + +Baptism, or the ceremony connected with the naming of children in +Christian countries, is seen to be identical with that performed in +Mexico among the Aztecs. After the lips and bosom of the infant had been +sprinkled with water, the Lord was implored to "permit the holy drops +to wash away the sin that was given to it before the foundation of the +world, so that the child might be born anew." + +Among the petitions which are offered to the Deity is the following: +"Impart to us, out of thy great mercy, thy gifts which we are not worthy +to receive through our own merit." In their moral code appear these +maxims: "Keep peace with all; bear injuries with humility; God who +sees, will avenge you." "He who looks too curiously on a woman, commits +adultery with his eyes."(141) + + + 141) Quoted by Prescott from Sahagun. Conquest of Mexico, book i., chap +3. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM--(Continued). + +From the facts recorded in the foregoing pages, we have seen that true +Christianity was but a continuation of that great movement which was +begun in Persia seven or eight centuries before, and whose gathering +strength had been emphasized by the humane doctrines set forth in the +various schools of Greek philosophy. + +In the first century of the Christian era may be observed among various +sects, notably the Gnostics, a desire to popularize the teachings of an +ancient race, and to accentuate those principles which had been taught +by Buddha, Pythagoras, the Stoic philosophers, the Roman jurisconsults +and others. In other words the object of the new religion was to +stimulate the altruistic characters which had been developed during +the evolutionary processes, and to strengthen and encourage the almost +forgotten principles of justice and personal liberty upon which +early society was founded, but which through ages of sensuality and +selfishness had been denied expression. + +When we remember the tenacity with which the human mind clings to +established beliefs and forms, it is not perhaps singular that in a +comparatively short time these principles were lost sight of, and that +the entire system of corrupt paganism, with Christ as the New Solar +Deity, was reinstated; neither is it remarkable, when we reflect upon +the length of time required to bring about any appreciable change in +human thought and action, that the principles which this Great Teacher +enunciated are at the present time only just beginning to be understood. + +To one who carefully studies the history of Christianity by the light +of recently developed truths, the fact will doubtless be discovered +that the fundamental difference existing between Catholic and Protestant +sects is grounded in the old feud arising out of the relative importance +of the sex-principles. From the days of Zoroaster to the final +establishment of Christianity by Paul, the tendency--although +slight--had been toward the elevation of woman, and consequently +toward a greater acknowledgment of the female element in the god-idea. +Considerable impetus was given to the cause of woman's advancement +through the doctrines of the various schools of philosophy in Greece, +and subsequently by the efforts put forth by the Roman lawyers to +establish their equality with men before the law; hence, during the +first hundred years of the Christian era the "new religion" seems to +have contained much of the spirit of the ancient philosophy. + +By several of the early Christian sects, the second person in the +trinity was female, as was also the Holy Ghost. + +In a "fragment of a gospel preserved by St. Jerome, and believed to have +been from the original Aramaean Gospel of St. Matthew, with additions, +the Holy Ghost (ruach), which in Hebrew is feminine, is called by the +infant Savior, 'My Mother, the Holy Ghost.' "(142) + + + 142) Barlow, Essays on Symbolism, p. 135. + + +The mission of Christ was that of a Regenerator of mankind, an office +which had been symbolized by the powers of the sun. He was to restore +that which was lost. He attempted to teach to the masses of the people +the long neglected principles of purity and peace. He did not condemn +woman. He was baptized by John (Ion or Yon) in water, the original +symbol for the female element, and while in the water; the Holy Ghost +in form of a dove (female) descended upon him. To those who have given +attention to the symbolism of the pagan worship these facts are not +without signification. + +Because of the peculiar tendency of Christ's teachings women soon became +active factors in their promulgation. If there were no other evidence to +show that they publicly taught the new doctrines, the injunction of St. +Paul, "I suffer not a woman to teach," would seem to imply that they +were not silent. + +The doctrines of the Gnostics were particularly favorable to women. +Marcellina, who belonged to this order, was the founder of a sect called +Marcelliens. Of her works Waite observes: "It would scarcely be expected +that the heretical writings of a woman would be preserved amid such +wholesale slaughter of the obnoxious works of the opposite sex. The +writings of Marcellina have perished."(143) Not only did women teach +publicly, and write, but according to Bunsen they claimed the privilege +of baptizing their own sex. The reason for this is evident. Before +baptism it was customary for the newly-made converts to strip and be +anointed with oil. After the establishment of Paul's doctrines, however, +"the bishops and presbyters did not care to be relieved from the +pleasant duty of baptizing the female converts."(144) + + + 143) History of the Christian Religion, p. 405. + + + 144) Ibid., p. 23. + + +Although the utmost care has been exercised to conceal the fact that +women equally with men, performed the offices connected with the early +church, yet by those who have paid attention to the true history of this +movement, there can be no doubt about the matter. Notwithstanding the +early tendencies of the "new religion" toward the recognition of women, +and toward the restoration of the female principle in the Deity, the +policy to be pursued by the church was soon apparent, for Paul, the real +founder of the system calling itself Christian, and a man imbued with +Asiatic prejudices concerning women, arrogantly declared that "man +is the head of woman as Christ is the head of the Church." Women were +commanded to be under obedience. Neither was the man created for the +woman, but the woman for the man; thus was re-established and emphasized +the absurd doctrine of the Lingaites, that the male is an independent +entity, that he is spirit and superior to the female which is matter. +After this indication of the policy to be pursued under the new regime, +it would scarcely be expected that the efforts put forth by the various +sects among the Gnostics to reinstate the female element either on the +earth or in heaven would be successful, and as might be anticipated from +the facts already adduced, as early as the year 325, at the council of +Nice, a male trinity was formally established, and soon thereafter, the +Collylidians, a sect which rigorously persisted in the adoration of the +female principle, were condemned. At the council of Laodicea, A.D. 365, +the 11th canon forbade the ordination of women for the ministry and the +44th canon prohibited them from entering the altar. + +The devotees of female worship, although for a time silenced, were +evidently not convinced, and to force their understanding into +conformity with the newly established order, the Nestorians, in the year +430 A. D., reopened the old dispute, and formally denied to Mary the +title of Mother of God. Their efforts, however, were of little avail, +for in the year 451, at the council of Ephesus, the third general +council, the decision of the Nestorians was reversed and the Virgin +Mother reinstated. Upon this subject Barlow remarks: "Well might those +who made this symbolical doctrine what it now is, at length desire to +do tardy justice to the female element, by promoting the mother to the +place once occupied by the Egyptian Neith, and crowning her Queen of +Heaven."(145) The fact will doubtless be observed, however, that by the +Romish Church the idea of the god-mother differs widely from the Queen +of Heaven--the original God of the ancients. Mary the Mother of Jesus +is not a Creator, but simply a mediator between her Son and His earthly +devotees--a doctrine only a trifle less masculine in texture than that +of an Almighty Father and his victimized son. The worship of Mary was +adopted by the so-called Christians in response to a craving in the +human heart for a recognition of those characters developed in mankind +which may be said to contain the germ of the divine. The masculine god +of the Jews was feared not loved, and his son had already been invested +with his attributes. He was all powerful, hence a mediator, a mother, +was necessary to intercede in behalf of fallen man, and this, too, +notwithstanding the fact that woman had become the "cause of evil in the +world." + + + 145) Essays on Symbolism, p. 134. + + +The Great Goddess of the ancients, Perceptive Wisdom, the Deity of +giving, she who represented the purely altruistic characters developed +in mankind, and whose worship involved a scientific knowledge of the +processes of Nature, when engrafted upon the so-called Christian system, +although indicating an important step toward the recognition of the +genuine creative principles, was not understood. Although her effigies +were brought from the East and made to do duty as representations of +Mary, the Mother of Christ, a knowledge of her true significance lay +hurled beneath ages of sensuality and selfishness. + +By those who have made it their business to investigate this subject, it +is observed that there is scarcely an old church in Italy in which there +is not to be found a remnant of a black virgin and child. In very many +instances these black virgins have been replaced by white ones, the +older figures having been retired to some secluded niche in the church +where they are held especially sacred by the ignorant devotees who know +absolutely nothing of their original significance. We are assured that +many of these images have been painted over, ostensibly in imitation of +bronze, but the whites of the eyes, the teeth, and colored lips reveal +the fact that they are really not intended to represent bronze, but +figures of a black virgin goddess and child whose worship has been +imported into Europe from the East. I had been told that one of the +oldest of these images extant was to be found in Augsburg; a thorough +search, however, in all the churches and cathedrals of that city failed +to reveal it, but in the museum at Munich such a figure is to be seen. +It is in a state of decay, one arm of the mother and a portion of +the child's figure being worn away. Upon this subject Godfrey Higgins +remarks: + +"If the author had wished to invent a circumstance to corroborate the +assertion that the Romish Christ of Europe is the Crishna of India, how +could he have desired anything more striking than the fact of the black +virgin and child being so common in the Romish countries of Europe? +A black virgin and child among the white Germans, Swiss, French, and +Italians!!!"(146) + + + 146) Anacalypsis, book iv., ch. i., p. 175. + + +We have observed that during an earlier age in the history of religious +worship, as the female was supposed to comprehend both the female and +male elements in creation, a belief in the possible creative power of +the female independently of the male was everywhere entertained, and +that after the schismatic faction arose which endeavored to exalt the +male, the production of a son by a woman unaided by man, was among the +Yonigas to be the sign which would forever settle the question of +the superior importance of the female functions in the processes +of reproduction, and consequently, also, her claim to the greater +importance in the deity. + +The sacred books of India show that from a former belief in one or +the other of the two creative principles throughout Nature as God, the +people had come to accept both female and male as necessary elements +in reproduction, the latter being the more important. In course of time +this change seems to have been universal and to have extended to all the +countries of the globe. + +As the male could not create independently of the female, or, as spirit +was dependent on matter for its manifestations, there arose a necessity +for a Savior to redeem man from the evil effects arising from his +relations with woman who was regarded as matter, and who in course of +time became the cause of evil. + +Concerning the doctrines which prevailed in the earlier ages of +Christianity relative to the ancient dual principle in creation, and +regarding the offices which were performed by the two elements, male and +female, in the deity, we have the following from Justinus, who is said +to have been contemporary with Peter and Paul: + +"When Elohim had prepared and created the world as a result from joint +pleasure, He wished to ascend up to the elevated parts of heaven, and to +see that not anything of what pertained to the creation laboured under +deficiency. And He took His Own angels with Him, for His nature was to +mount aloft, leaving Edem below; for inasmuch as she was earth, she was +not disposed to follow upward her spouse. Elohim, then, coming to the +highest part of heaven above and beholding a light superior to that +which He himself had created, exclaimed: 'Open me the gates, that +entering in I may acknowledge the Lord.'" + +As he enters the Good One addresses him in the following manner: "Sit +thou on my right hand." Then the soaring male principle says to the +Good One "permit me Lord to overturn the world which I have made, for my +spirit is bound to men." To which the Good One replies: "No evil canst +thou do while thou art with me, for both thou and Edem made the world +as a result of conjugal joy. Permit Edem then, to hold possession of the +world as long as she wishes; but you remain with me." While the father +is drawn away from earth to Heaven, Edem, in the meantime is bringing +woes innumerable upon man. Naas, who has received his evil nature from +her, and who is a child of the Devil, has debauched Eve, "Henceforward +vice and virtue are prevalent among men." The Father seeing these things +dispatches Baruch his third angel to Moses, and through him spake to the +children of Israel, that they might be converted unto the Good One. But +the third angel, Naas, by the soul of which came from Edem upon Moses, +as also upon all men, observed the precepts of Baruch, and caused his +own peculiar injunctions to be hearkened unto. + +Again, after these occurrences Baruch, the angel of the Good One, was +sent to the prophets to warn them against the wiles of Edem, but in the +same manner Nass, the Devil, enticed them away, they being allured +by him to their own destruction. Again Elohim selected Hercules, an +uncircumcised prophet, and sent him to quell the disturbance caused by +Naas or Edem and to release the Father from their power. + +"These are the twelve conflicts of Hercules which He underwent, in +order, from first to last, viz.: Lion, and Hydra, and Boar, and the +others successively. For they say that these are the names of them among +the Gentiles, and they have been derived, with altered denomination, +from the energy of the maternal angels. When he seemed to have +vanquished his antagonists, Omphale (now she is Venus) clings to him and +entices away Hercules, and divests him of his power, viz.: the commands +of Baruch which Elohim issued. And in place of this power Babel, or +Venus, envelops him in her own peculiar robe, that is, in the power of +Edem, who is the power below; and in this way the prophecy of Hercules +remained unfulfilled and his work." + +As men were still bound by the power of Edem, or the Devil, in the days +of Herod the king, Baruch was again dispatched by Elohim, and coming to +Nazareth delivered his message to Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary. Nass, +who, as we have seen, was the evil spirit in Edem, wished to entice +away Jesus also. He was not, however, disposed to listen but remained +faithful to Baruch. Naas, overcome by anger at not being able to seduce +him, caused him to be crucified. + +"He, leaving the body of Edem on the accursed tree, ascended to the +Good One; saying to Edem, 'Woman, thou retainest thy Son,' that is, the +natural and the earthly man. But Jesus himself commending his spirit +into the hands of the Father, ascended to the Good One. Now the Good +One is Priapus, and he it is who antecedently caused the production of +everything that exists. On this account he is styled Priapus, because +he previously fashioned all things according to his design. For this +reason, he says, in every temple is preserved his statue, which is +revered by every creature; and there are images of him in the highways +carrying over his head ripened fruits, that is, the produce of the +creation, of which he is the cause, having in the first instance +formed, according to his design, the creation, when as yet it had no +existence."(147) + + + 147) Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies, book v., p. 188. + + +Thus the fact is observed not only that in the time of Paul, phallic +worship still existed, but by the writings of Justinus and others is +shown the manner in which the doctrine that woman is the cause of evil +in the world became formulated and adopted as part and parcel of the +Christian belief. + +Staniland Wake, director of the anthropological society of London, when +commenting on the obscene myths upon which the Christian religion rests, +remarks: + +"The fundamental basis of Christianity is more purely phallic than that +of any other religion now existing, and its emotional nature... shows +how intimately it was related to the older faiths which had a phallic +basis." + +After stating that the myth of creation and that of the flood have their +exact counterpart in India, the Rev. Mr. Faber remarks that "there is +no rite or ceremony directed in the Pentateuch of which there is not an +exact copy in the rites of the pagans." + +The Christian doctrines as established by Paul, and afterwards +formulated into a system by the Romish Church, were adopted by the +ignorant multitude who, being incapable of understanding the higher +principles involved, accepted the allegories beneath which were veiled +the ancient mysteries literally, and as the highest expression of +divine wisdom. Hence the comparatively recent observation that the "new +religion was eventually but the gathering in of the superstitions of +paganism" is a matter of little surprise to those who have carefully +examined the facts connected with the growth of religious faith. + +Under the new regime Christ became the New Solar Deity and round him +were finally ranged all the myths of Solo-phallic worship which had +prevailed under the adoration of Crishna at a time when the higher +truths underlying pure Nature-worship had been forgotten. + + + +CHAPTER XV. CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND. + +According to the accounts in the New Testament, the wise men of the +East, meaning Persia, had foretold the coming of Christ. The fulfilment +of the ancient Persian prophecy as applied to Jesus, together with the +reference to the "star" which the Maji saw, and which went before them +till it came and stood over where the young child lay, furnishes a +striking illustration of the manner in which Eastern legends and +ancient sacred writings are interwoven with the doctrines relating to +Christianity. + +In the sacred books of the East it is prophesied that "after three +thousand and one hundred years of the Caligula are elapsed, will appear +King Saca to remove wretchedness from the world." We have seen that at +the birth of Christ the time had arrived for a new solar incarnation. + +Regarding the introduction of Christianity into Ireland it is claimed by +certain writers that the Irish did not receive the "new religion" from +Greek missionaries; but when at the close of the cycle, a new +solar deity, an avatar of Vishnu or Crishna was announced, and when +missionaries from the East proclaimed the glad tidings of a risen +Savior, the Irish people gladly accepted their teachings, not, however, +as a new system, but as the fulfilment to them of the prophecy of the +most ancient seers of the East, and as part and parcel of the religion +of their forefathers. Therefore when the devotees of the Romish faith, +probably about the close of the fifth century of the Christian era, +attempted to "convert" Ireland, they found a religion differing from +their own only in the fact that it was not subject to Rome, and was free +from the many corruptions and superstitions which through the extreme +ignorance and misapprehension of its Western adherents had been +engrafted upon it. + +Concerning the form of religious worship in Great Britain, and the fact +that phallic worship prevailed there, Forlong writes: "The generality of +our countrymen have no conception of the overruling prevalence of this +faith, and the number of its lingham gods throughout our Islands." +These symbols were always in the form of an obelisk or tower, thereby +indicating the worship of the male energy. Although emblems of the +female element in the deity were present, they were less pronounced and +of far less importance than those of the male. + +These monuments were erected on knolls, at crossroads and centers of +marts or villages, and were placed on platforms which were usually +raised from five to seven steps. A few years ago the shires of +Gloucester, Wilts, and Somerset still claimed over two hundred of these +crosses, though all of them were not at that time in a perfect state of +preservation. + +It would seem that in Britain and Ireland the seed of the "new" +doctrine, that which involved a recognition of the mother element in the +god-idea, had fallen on more congenial soil, for within three centuries +after the birth of Christ, the various original monuments typifying the +male principle had all been ornamented with the symbols representing the +female in the deity. The ancient religious structures of the Lingaites +still continued as recognized faith shrines, changed only by the emblems +of the new religion which had been engrafted upon them. + +The earliest Greek and Roman missionaries knew full well the +significance of these symbols, and we are given to understand that "a +few of the more spiritual of the Christian sects made war upon them +and all their ephemeral substitutes, such as Maypoles, holy-trees, real +crosses, etc." It is declared also that, as "later" Christians were +unacquainted with the significance of these emblems, "they adopted them +as their own, employing them as the mystic signs of their own faith." + +Although the earliest Greek and Roman missionaries understood the +signification of these faith shrines, the complaints against them seem +soon to have ceased, and the "fierce wars" waged over them appear to +have left little trace of their ravages, except that the female emblems +with which these monuments had been supplied by those who had received +the new faith direct from the East, were all removed. As the male +monuments and symbols were all permitted to remain undisturbed, this +fact of itself would seem to indicate that the "pagan abominations" +against which these pious devotees of a "spiritual religion" thundered +their denunciations, included only the female emblems. + +The fact must be borne in mind that the Western Church, which was +rapidly usurping the ecclesiastical authority of Britain and Ireland, +had not itself at this time adopted the worship of the Virgin Mary. + +A set of iconoclastic monks whom the Christian world is pleased to +designate as St. Patrick, and who probably early in the fifth century of +our era amused themselves by chiseling from the Irish monuments many of +the symbols of the female power, removed also the figures of serpents +which had for ages appeared in connection with the emblems of woman, and +by this act won the plaudits of an admiring Christian world; chiefly, +however, for the skill manifested in "banishing snakes from Ireland." +In addition to this dignified amusement, we find that the same person or +set of persons ordered to be burned hundreds of volumes of the choicest +Irish literature, volumes which contained the annals of the ancient +Irish nation, and in which, it is believed, was stored much actual +information concerning the remote antiquity of the human race. + +The extent to which the worship of the male emblems of generation +prevailed in the Christian Church even as late as the 16th century, +proves that it was not the particular symbols connected with the worship +of fertility upon which the Western Christian missionaries made war, +but, on the contrary, that it was the recognition by them of that +detested female element against which, even before the erection of the +Tower of Babel, there had been almost a constant warfare. The rites +of Potin, or Photin, Bishop of Lyons, who was honored in Provence, +Languedoc and the Lyonais as St. Fontin, also the rites performed in +many of the Christian Churches as late as the 16th century, prove that +the devotees of the Christian system were not at this time a whit behind +their Pagan predecessors in their zeal for "heathen abominations." The +only difference being that the Druids, a people who still retained a +faint conception of ancient Nature worship, had not become entirely +divested of the purer ideas which in an earlier age of the race had +constituted a creative force. + +That the war of the sexes was revived, and that for many centuries much +strife was engendered over the exact importance which should be ascribed +to the female element in the Deity may not be doubted. + +An ancient homily on Trinity Sunday has the following: "At the deth of +a manne, three bells should be ronge as his kuyl in worship of the +Trinitie, and for a woman, who was the Second Person of the Trinitie +two bells should be ronge." Upon this subject Hargrave Jennings remarks: +"Here we have the source of the emblematic difficulty among the master +masons who constructed the earlier cathedrals, as to the addition, and +as to the precise value of the second (or feminine) tower of the Western +end or Galilee of the Church."(148) + + + 148) Rosicrucians, vol. i., p. 206. + + +The fact that the religion of the ancient Irish, who, were phallic +worshippers, was modified but not radically changed by the introduction +of Christianity, is believed by at least one of the Irish historians of +that country. He says: + +"The church festivals themselves, in our Christian calendar, are but the +direct transfers from the Tuath-de-danaans' ritual. Their very names in +Irish are identically the same as those by which they were distinguished +by that early race. If, therefore, surprise has heretofore been excited +at the conformity observable between our church institutions and those +of the East, let it in future subside at the explicit announcement that +Christianity, with us, was the revival of a religion imported amongst us +many ages before by the Tuath-de-danaans from the East, and not from any +chimerical inundation of Greek missionaries--a revival upon which their +hearts were lovingly riveted, and which Fiech, the Bishop of Sletty, +unconsciously registers in the following couplet, viz.: + + "The Buddhists of Irin prophesied + That new times of peace would come."(149) + + + 149) The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 493. + + +The conditions surrounding the ancient inhabitants of the "White +Island," or Ireland, a remnant of which people may be observed in the +Highlanders of Scotland, furnish an example of the fact that a much +higher standard of life had been preserved among them than is known to +have prevailed either among the Jews or the Greeks. The comparatively +advanced stage of progress which is now known to have existed in +Ireland at the beginning of the present era, which even the bigotry and +falsehood of Roman priestcraft have not been able wholly to conceal, is +seen to have been a somewhat corrupted remnant of a civilization which +followed closely on ancient Nature worship.(150) + + + 150) It is thought by certain writers that when the Tuath-de-danaans +emigrated from Persia to the "White Island" they found it inhabited +by the Fir-Bolgs, a colony of Celts. After conquering the island they +engrafted upon it the religion, laws, learning and culture of the mother +country. In a later age the Scythians, whose religion was similar +to that of the Fir-Bolgs, united with them and succeeded in making +themselves masters of the situation. + +Hence the intermingling of races and tongues among the ancient Irish. +The Druids adopted, or appropriated, the religion and culture of the +Tuath-de-danaans, who, it is claimed, were the real Hibernians. The +Scythians changed the name of Irin to Scotia--the latter being retained +until the 11th century. According to the annals of the ancient Irish, +Scotland was formerly called Scotia Minor to distinguish it from Scotia +Major, or Ireland. + + +Because of their isolated position, or for some cause at present +unknown, these people do not seem to have degenerated into a nation of +sensualists. It is true they had departed a long distance from the early +conditions of mankind under which altruism and the abstract principle +of Light or Wisdom were worshipped under the form of a Virgin Mother and +her child, but they never wholly rejected the female element in their +god-idea, nor never, so far as known, attempted to degrade womanhood. +Women were numbered among their legislators, at the same time that they +officiated as educators and priestesses. In fact wherever the Druidical +order prevailed women exerted a powerful influence in all departments +of human activity. Among the Germans, Valleda, a Druidess, was for ages +worshipped as a deity. + +It is recorded that St. Bridget planted a monastery for women at Kildare +and entrusted to its inmates the keeping of the sacred fire, and that +in later times the Asiatic missionaries founded there a female monkish +order. After the establishment of Western Christianity, however, no +woman was permitted to enter into the monasteries, and we are assured +that this ridiculous affectation of purity was extended even to the +grave. During the earlier ages of Christianity, in many portions of +Ireland there were cemeteries for men and women distinct from each +other. "It had been a breach of chastity for monks and nuns to be +interred within the same enclosure. They should fly from temptations +which they could not resist." + +Although volumes have been written to prove that Christianity was +carried to Britain by Paul, and although the energies of scores of +Romish writers have been employed in attempting to prove that Ireland +was in heathen darkness prior to its conversion by the priests of the +Romish Church, yet these efforts so vigorously put forward seem only +to strengthen the evidence going to show that the Christianity of the +British Isles antedates that of either Paul or Rome. + +According to Scripture, Claudia, the wife of the Senator Pudens of +Britain, was a Christian,(151) as was also Graecina, the wife of +Plautus, who was governor of Britain in the first century. The latter, +it is related, was accused before the Roman senate of "practicing some +foreign superstition." Although Lingard, in his History and Antiquities +of the Anglo-Saxon Church, has endeavored to annul the force of the +evidence which places two Christian women from Britain in Rome during +the first century of our era, he is nevertheless constrained to use the +following language: "We are, indeed, told that history has preserved +the names of two British females, Claudia and Pomponia Graecina, both of +them Christians, and both living in the first century of our era."(152) + + + 151) 2 Timothy, iv., 21. + + + 152) Vol. i., p. 1. + + + +According to the Romanists, between the years 177-181 of the Christian +era, a British king named Lucius sent a messenger to the authorities at +Rome, with a request that he with his people be admitted into the bosom +of the "Holy Catholic Church." By those not prejudiced in favor of +the Romish hierarchy, this bit of amusing "evidence" shows the anxiety +manifested lest the facts concerning the religious history of the +British Isles become known. Regarding this embassy of King Lucius there +is an extant version which is far more in accordance with reason and +with the known facts concerning this people. + +When we remember the advanced stage of civilization which existed in +Ireland prior to the Christian era, and when we bear in mind the fact +that, as in the case of Abarras mentioned by various Greek writers, the +people of the British Isles were wont to send emissaries abroad for the +sole purpose of gathering information relative to foreign laws, customs, +usages, manners, and modes of instruction, we are not surprised to learn +that the message to Rome sent by Lucius, instead of containing a +request for admission to a foreign church, embodied an enquiry into the +fundamental principles underlying Roman jurisprudence; and especially +does this appear reasonable when we remember that the remodeling of the +Roman code on principles of equity and justice had for several centuries +employed the energies of the best minds in Rome. + +Concerning the planting of Christianity in Ireland, we have the +following from Ledwich: + +"Thus Bishop Lawrence in Bede tells us Pope Gregory sent him and Austin +to preach the Gospel in Britain, as if it never before had been heard, +whereas the latter met seven British Bishops who nobly opposed him. In +like manner Pope Adrian commissioned Henry II. to enlarge the bounds +of the church, and plant the faith in Ireland, when it had already been +evangelized for eight hundred years. The faith to be planted was blind +submission to Rome and the annual payment of Peter's pence."(153) + + + 153) Antiquities of Ireland, p. 78. + + +Of the exact time at which Romish and Greek missionaries first went to +Ireland we are not informed, but there is ample evidence going to prove +that a regular hierarchy had been established in that island before the +beginning of the fifth century, and that this religion which had been +brought in through the efforts of missionaries from the East was, by +the legendary writers of the later Christian Church, ascribed to Romish +monks. + +The Jealousy of the Romish priests, and the means employed by them to +usurp the ecclesiastical authority of the Irish people, is shown in the +history of their councils. The 5th canon of the Council of Ceale-hythe +requires + +"that none of Irish extraction be permitted to usurp to himself the +sacred ministry in any one's diocese, nor let it be allowed such an one +to touch anything which belongs to those of the holy order....; neither +must he administer the eucharist to the people because we are not +certain how or by whom he was ordained." + +After quoting the above Ledwich queries thus: If St. Patrick had been +a missionary of the Romish Church, would the Anglo-Saxon clergy have +abjured the spiritual children of that see? In the year 670 Theodoret, +Archbishop of Canterbury, decreed that they who were consecrated by +Irish or British Bishops should be confirmed anew by Catholic ones.(154) + + + 154) Ledwich, Antiquities of Ireland, p. 81. + + +It is observed that as early as the fourth century A.D. there were three +hundred bishops in Ireland, and to account for so large a number, it is +declared that ignorant legendary writers had recourse to the fable of +St. Patrick. + +The remarkable "conversion" of the Irish to Romish Christianity, which +it is said took place in the latter part of the fourth century or the +beginning of the fifth, is to be explained by the fact that a number of +Romish priests or monks which in later ages came to be designated as St. +Patrick, claimed all the monasteries, bishops, and priests already +there as a result of the remarkable power and pious zeal of this +miracle-working saint. It is claimed that St. Patrick founded over three +thousand monasteries, consecrated three hundred bishops, and ordained +three thousand priests. + +According to Ledwich and other writers, this St. Patrick was not heard +of earlier than the ninth century A.D., and the legend concerning him +"was not accepted until the twelfth century, at which time his miracles +are set forth with great gusto." + +Nothing, perhaps, which is recorded of this monk will go farther toward +proving him a myth than the miracles ascribed to his saintship. + +While yet an infant he raised the dead, brought forth fire from ice, +expelled a devil from a heifer, caused a new river to appear from the +earth, and changed water into honey. + +"These were but the infant sports of this wonder-working saint. The +miracles recorded in holy writ, even that of creation itself, are +paralleled, and, if possible, surpassed by those of our spiritual +hero."(155) + + + 155) Ledwich, Antiquities of Ireland. + + +Concerning St. Patrick, Forlong writes: + +"Various Patricks followed from Britain and Armorika, but even the +Catholic priest, J. F. Shearman, writes that he is forced to give up +the idea that there ever was a real St. Patrick. Thus the name must +be accepted only in its Fatherly sense, and with the fall of the man +Patrick all the miraculous and sudden conversions of the kings, lords, +and commons of Ireland must vanish."(156) + + + 156) Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 417. + + +The Irish Church bishoprics differed from the Romish in that they were +held by hereditary succession, after the custom of ancient nations. All +bishops were married. + +Prior to the introduction of the Christian system in Ireland the Sabian +ceremonial had been succeeded by the Druidical, upon which had been +engrafted that of the Culdees, and notwithstanding the fact that the +Romish Church gradually usurped the ecclesiastical functions in Ireland, +the last named people who for ages had been regarded as the depositaries +of the ancient faith and the ancient system of laws, were highly +respected by the people for their sanctity and learning. Many of the +Greek and Roman writers who have dealt with this subject agree in +ascribing to the Druids a high degree of scientific knowledge and +mechanical skill. The principles of justice set forth in their judicial +system, their love of learning, and the standard attained in the +sciences and arts, prove the early people of Ireland to have been equal +if not superior to any of the early historic nations. + +In referring to the number and magnitude of the monumental remains in +Ireland, and while commenting on the mechanical skill of the Druids, the +Rev. Smedley says: + +"I was present at the erection of the Luxor Obelisk in Paris, and yet +I think that I would have felt greater emotion if I had witnessed the +successful performance of the old Celtic engineer who placed on its +three pedestals of stone the enormous rock which constitutes the +Druidical altar here at Castle May." + +It is believed that this people understood the art of mining and that +they were acquainted with the use of iron. The following is an extract +from one of Hamilton's letters on the Antrim coast: + +"About the year 1770 the miners, in pushing forward an adit toward +the bed of coal, at an unexplored part of the Ballycastle cliff, +unexpectedly broke through the rock into a narrow passage, so much +contracted and choked up with various drippings and deposits on its +sides and bottom, as rendered it impossible for any of the workmen +to force through, that they might examine it farther. Two lads were, +therefore, made to creep in with candles, for the purpose of exploring +this subterranean avenue. They accordingly pressed forward for a +considerable time, with much labor and difficulty, and at length entered +into an extensive labyrinth branching off into numerous apartments, +in the mazes and windings of which they were completely bewildered +and lost. After various vain attempts to return, their lights were +extinguished, their voices became hoarse, and, becoming wearied and +spiritless, they sat down together, in utter despair of an escape from +this miserable dungeon. In the meanwhile, the workmen in the adit became +alarmed for their safety, fresh hands were incessantly employed, and, in +the course of twenty-four hours, the passage was so open as to admit the +most active among the miners... On examining this subterranean wonder, +it was found to be a complete gallery, which had been driven forward +many hundred yards to the bed of coal: that it branched off into +numerous chambers, where miners had carried on their different works: +that these chambers were dressed in a workmanlike manner: that pillars +were left at proper intervals to support the roof. In short it was found +to be an extensive mine, wrought by people at least as expert in the +business as the present generation. Some remains of the tools, and even +of the baskets used in the works, were discovered, but in such a decayed +state that, on being touched, they immediately crumbled to pieces. From +the remains which were found, there is reason to believe that the people +who wrought these collieries anciently, were acquainted with the use of +iron, some small pieces of which were found; it appeared as if some of +their instruments had been thinly shod with that metal." + +Through various means the fact has been ascertained that although in +the sixth century the buildings in Ireland were mean and wholly +without artistic merit or skilful design, in an earlier age they were +magnificent. Of the causes which produced the decay of architecture, the +extinction of the arts and sciences, and the general degradation of the +people of this island the devotees of St. Paul and of the Romish Church +are alike silent. + +For ages after the subjection of Ireland, in open defiance of the +English, the people continued to dispense justice, and to enforce the +old Brehon laws of the country. + +The lack of regard shown for English law in Ireland, even as late as the +sixteenth century, is set forth by Baron Fingles, who wrote in the time +of Henry VIII. He says: + +"It is a great abuse and reproach that the laws and statutes made in +this land are not observed nor kept after the making of them eight days, +while diverse Irishmen cloth abuse and keep such laws and statutes which +they make upon hills in this country, firm and stable, without breaking +them for any favor or reward." + +By a statute of Parliament enacted at Kilkenny, it was made high treason +to administer or observe these old Brehon laws. The two enactments +especially obnoxious to the English were Gahail Cinne, and Eiric. The +former of these enactments was that which in opposition to the English +law of primogeniture declared that the estate of a parent should descend +in equal proportion to all members of the family. There was another law, +or custom, among this people, which provided that the chief of the tribe +or people should be elected by general suffrage. + +We have something more than a hint of the condition of ancient Ireland +and its people in a description given by the Greeks of one of its +inhabitants. Abarras, who visited Greece about six hundred years before +Christ, and who was called by the Greeks a Hyperborean, was a priest of +the Sun, who went abroad for the purpose of study and observation, and +to renew by his presence and his gifts the old friendship which had +long existed between the Celts and the Greeks. Strabo remarks concerning +Abarras that he was much admired by the learned men of Greece. Himerius +says of him that he came + +"not clad in skins like a Scythian, but with a bow in his hand, and a +quiver on his shoulders and a plaid wrapped about his body, a gilded +belt encircled his loins, and trousers reaching from his waist downward +to the soles of his feet. He was easy in his address, agreeable in +conversation, active in dispatch and secret in the management of great +affairs; quick in judging of present occurrences, and ready to take his +part in any sudden emergency; provident, withal, in guarding against +futurity; diligent in quest of wisdom, fond of friendship; trusting +very little to fortune; yet having the entire confidence of others, and +trusted with everything for his prudence. He spoke Greek with so much +fluency that you would have thought that he had been bred or brought up +in the Lyceum and had conversed all his life with the Academy of Athens. +He had frequent intercourse with Pythagoras whom he astonished by the +variety and extent of his knowledge." + +From the descriptions given of the native country of Abarras by the +Greeks, it is evident that it could have been none other than Ireland. + +Although at this time in their history, Apollo the sun-god was the Deity +worshipped in Greece and in Ireland, still both nations honored Latona +his mother. The same as in the mother country (Persia, or Phoenicia), +the oracles, or sybils of Ireland, had prophesied a "Savior," and three +hundred years before Greek emissaries visited that country, its people, +through the preaching of Eastern missionaries, had substituted for the +worship of Latona and Apollo that of the new solar incarnation--the +third son of Zarathustra, whose appearance had been heralded by a star. + +The identity of the symbols used by the early people of Ireland who were +sun worshippers, and those employed in that country for ages after +the Romish Church had usurped the ecclesiastical authority, has been +a subject for much comment. After describing the peculiar form of the +early Christian Churches and the attention paid to the placing of +the windows which were to admit the sun's rays, Smedley says: "It +is possible, in an age of allegory and figures, this combination and +variety expressed some sacred meaning with which we are unacquainted at +present." + +The similarity observed in the sacred festivals and religious seasons +of the ancient inhabitants of Ireland and those of the early Christians, +the extent to which large stone crosses, lighted candles, the yule log +and the various other symbols belonging to fertility, or sun worship, +were retained by Christianity, furnish strong evidence of the fact that +the latter system is but part and parcel of the former. + + + +CHAPTER XVI. STONES OR COLUMNS AS THE DEITY. + +"Throughout all the world, the first object of idolatry seems to have +been a plain unwrought stone, placed in the ground as an emblem of the +generative or procreative powers of Nature."(157) + + + 157) Celtic Druids, ch. vi., p. 209. + + +In the language of symbolism the upright stone prefigures either a man, +reproductive energy, or a god, all of which at a certain stage in +the human career had come to mean one and the same thing; namely, the +Creator. + +In the earlier ages of male worship, upright stones as emblems of the +Deity were plain unwrought shafts, but in process of time they began +to be carved into the form of a man--a man who usually represented the +ruler or chief of the people, and who, as he was the source of all power +and wisdom, was supposed by the ignorant masses to be an incarnation +of the sun. Thus arose the spiritual power of monarchs, or the "divine +right of kings." + +Wherever obelisks, columns, pillars, attenuated spires, upright stones +or crosses at the intersection of roads are found, they always appear as +sacred monuments, or as symbols of the Lingham god. + +The Chaldean Tower of which there are extant traditions in Mexico and in +the South Sea Islands; the Round Towers of Ireland; the remarkable group +of stones known as Stonehenge, in England; the wonderful circle at Abury +through which the figure of a huge serpent was passed; the monuments +which throughout the nations of the East were set up at the intersection +of roads in the center of market-places, and the bowing stones +employed as oracles in various portions of the world, have all the same +signification, and proclaim the peculiar religion of the people who +worshipped them. + +Whether as among the Jews in Egypt, a pillar is set up as a "sign" and a +"witness" to the Lord, or whether as with the Mohammedans these figures +appear as minarets with egg shaped summits, or as among the Irish they +stand forth as stately towers defying time and the elements, or as among +the Christians they appear as the steeple which points towards heaven, +the symbol remains, and the original significance is the same. + +The Lord of the Israelites who was wont to manifest himself to his +chosen people in a "pillar of smoke by day" and a "pillar of fire by +night" is said to be none other than a reproductive emblem, as was also +the "Lord" which "reposed in the ark of the covenant." Monuments set up +to symbolize the religion of the Parsees or fire-worshippers after they +had succumbed to the pressure brought to bear upon them by the adorers +of the male principle were each and all of them, like their great +prototype the tower of Babel, typical of the universal creative power +which was worshipped as male. + +Notwithstanding the fact that the male energy had come to be recognized +as the principal factor in reproduction, it is observed that wherever +these monuments or other symbols of fertility appear, there is always to +be found in close connection with them certain emblems symbolical of the +female power; thus showing that although the people by whom they were +erected had become worshippers of the masculine principle, and although +they had persuaded themselves that it was the more important element in +the deity, they had not become so regardless of the truths of Nature as +to attempt to construct a Creator independently of its most essential +factor. + +Protestant Christianity, probably the most intensely masculine of all +religious schemes which have claimed the attention of man, has not +wittingly retained any of the detested female emblems, yet so deeply +has the older symbolism taken root, that even in the architecture of the +modern Protestant church with its ark-shaped nave and its window toward +the rising sun, may be detected the remnants of that early worship which +the devotees of this more recently developed form of religious faith so +piously ignore. + +The large number of upright columns, circles of stone, cromlechs +and cairns still extant in the British Isles, bears testimony to the +peculiar character of the religious worship which once prevailed in +them. Of these shrines perhaps none is more remarkable than that of +Stonehenge, in England. Although during the numberless ages which have +passed since this temple was erected many of the stones have fallen from +their original places, still by the light of more recently established +facts concerning religious symbolism, it has been possible, even under +its present condition of decay, for scholars to unravel the hitherto +mysterious significance of this remarkable structure. Stonehenge is +composed of four circles of mammoth upright shafts twenty feet high, the +one circle within the other, with immense stones placed across them like +architraves. + +In ancient symbolism the circle was the emblem of eternity, or of the +eternal female principle. Mountains were also sacred to the gods. It has +been said that a ring of mountains gave rise to these circular temples. +Faber assures us that a circular stone temple was called the circle +of the world or the circle of the ark, that it represented at once the +inclosure of the Noetic Ship; the egg from which creation was produced; +the earth, and the zodiacal circle of the universe in which the sun +performs its annual revolutions through the signs. Stonehenge is said +to be the temple of the water god Noah, who, as we have seen, was first +worshipped as half woman and half fish or serpent, but who finally came +to be regarded as a man serpent (or fish) Deity. + +On approaching Stonehenge from the Northeast, the first object which +engages the attention is a rude boulder, sixteen feet high, in a leaning +posture. This stone has been named the Friar's Heel, but until recently +its signification has been wholly unknown. + +Regarding the upright shaft which stands sentinel over the mysterious +circles of mammoth stones called Stonehenge, Forlong says that it is +no Friar's Heel, but an emblem of fertility dedicated to the Friday +divinity. It is represented as the "Genius of Fire," not the genius of +ordinary fire, "but of the super-sensual Divinity, celestial fire." + +Regarding these remarkable stones to which the Lingham god is a mere +introduction, Forlong says: + +"No one who has studied phallic and solar worship in the East could make +any mistake as to the purport of the shrine at Stonehenge... yet the +indelicacy of the whole subject often so shocks the ordinary reader, +that, in spite of facts, he cannot grant what he thinks shows so much +debasement of the religious mind; facts are facts, however, and it only +remains for us to account for them. Perhaps indeed in these later times +an artificial and lower phase of sensuality has taken the place of the +more natural indulgence of the passions, for procreative purposes, which +principally engrossed the thoughts of early worshippers."(158) + + + 158) Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 233. + + +Higgins is of the opinion that Stonehenge is the work of the same era +with the caves of India, the pyramids of Egypt, and the stupendous +monument at Carnac--a structure which, it is claimed, must have required +for its construction an amount of labor equal to that of the pyramids. + +Undoubtedly there has never been a religious shrine which has excited +more curiosity than has Abury, of which, unfortunately, nothing now +remains, although in the early part of the eighteenth century enough +had been preserved to prove the identity of its signification with +other ancient religious monuments both in the British Isles and in the +countries of the East. Perhaps there is no way by which this shrine can +be better understood than by quoting the exact language of those who +have written upon the subject. Especially is this true concerning the +testimony of those who, after personal investigation, have given to the +public the results of their research. + +In the History of Wiltshisre, published by Sir R. Colt Hoare, Bart., +appears the following from Dr. Stukeley: + +"The situation of Abury is finely chosen for the purpose it was destined +to, being the more elevated part of a plain, from whence there is almost +an imperceptible descent every way. But as the religious work in +Abury, though great in itself, is but a part of the whole (the avenues +stretching above a mile from it each way), the situation of the whole +design is projected with great judgment, in a kind of large, separate +plain, four or five miles in diameter. Into this you descend on all +sides from higher ground. The whole Temple of Abury may be considered as +a picture, and it really is so. Therefore the founders wisely contrived +that a spectator have an advantageous prospect of it as he appeared +within view. When I frequented this place, which I did for some years +together, to take an exact account of it, staying a fortnight at a time, +I found out the entire work by degrees. The second time I was here, an +avenue was a new amusement; the third year another. So that at length +I discovered the mystery of it, properly speaking, which was, that the +whole figure represented a snake transmitted through a circle. This is +an hieroglyphic or symbol of highest note and antiquity. + +"In order to put this design in execution, the founders well studied +their ground; and to make their representation more natural, they +artfully carried it over a variety of elevations and depressions, which, +with the curvature of the avenues, produces sufficiently the desired +effect. To make it still more elegant and picture-like, the head of the +snake is carried up the southern promontory of Hackpen Hill, toward the +village of West Kennet; nay, the very name of the hill is derived from +the circumstance.... Thus our antiquity divides itself into three great +parts, which will be our rule in describing this work. The circle at +Abury, the forepart of the snake leading toward Kennet, which I call +Kennet Avenue; the hinder part of the snake leading toward Beckhampton, +which I call Beckhampton Avenue; for they may be well looked on as +avenues to the great temple at Abury, which part must be most eminently +called the Temple. + +"The plan on which Abury was built, is that sacred hierogram of the +Egyptians and other ancient nations, the circle and snake. The whole +figure is the circle, snake, and wings. By this they meant to picture +out, as well as they could, the nature of the Divinity." + +The temple which represents the body of the snake is formed by a +circular agger of earth having its ditch withinside. As this is contrary +to the mode adopted in works of defence, it is thought to prove the +religious character of Abury. In a description given of this shrine by +Higgins is the following: + +"These ramparts inclose an area of 1400 feet in diameter, which on the +edge nearest the ditch was set round with a row of rough, unhewn stones, +and in the center was ornamented with two circular temples, composed of +the same native stones."(159) + + + 159) Celtic Druids. Description of plates, p. xx. + + +The space of ground included within the vellum has been estimated at +twenty-two acres, and the outward circumvallation was computed at 4800 +feet. The number of stones that formed this outer circle was originally +one hundred, of which, in the year 1722, there were eighteen standing, +and twenty-seven thrown down. + +In the village of Rudstone in Yorkshire there stands a huge stone, +the significance of which, at the present time, is by scholars clearly +understood. Its depth below the surface of the ground is said to be +equal to its height above, which is twenty-four feet. It is five feet +ten inches broad, and two feet thick, its weight being upwards of forty +tons.(160) + + + 160) See Rivers of Life. + + +The gigantic rocking stones found in nearly every quarter of the globe +are now known to be religious monuments of remote antiquity. Not long +ago I saw a description of one of these oracles in Buenos-Ayres, South +America, and a few months later there appeared the following account of +a similar stone found in Sullivan Co., N. Y.: + +"At first sight it would scarcely attract attention, but a closer +observation reveals the remarkable position which it occupies. The total +weight of the immense boulder has been variously estimated at from forty +to fifty tons, and its bulk at from 500 to 700 cubic feet. It is almost +perfectly round, much resembling a huge orange, and so nicely balanced +on a table of stone as to be easily set in motion by a single man, +providing the operator exerts his strength on the north or south sides. +On either of the other sides the combined strength of forty elephants +would not be sufficient to cause the least oscillation. Although it +is easily rocked, we are assured that as many men as could surround it +would be unable to dislodge it from the pivot on which it rests."(161) + + + 161) The St. Louis (Mo.) Republican. + + +The writer of the above, who was evidently ignorant of the extent to +which these monuments are scattered over the earth, seemed to regard it +as a singular freak of Nature with no significance other than that of a +natural curiosity. + +The round towers of Ireland, over the origin of which there has in the +past been so much controversy, are now pretty generally admitted to be +analogous in their use and design to Stonehenge, Abury, and other extant +monolithic structures. + +Many writers have endeavored to prove that these towers were belfries +used in connection with Christian churches; others that they were +purgatorial columns or penitential heights, similar in design to the +pillar of St. Simeon Stylites. Others again have argued that they were +used as beacons and others that they were intended simply as receptacles +for the sacred fire known to have formerly been in use in the British +Isles. Although numberless arguments have been brought forward to refute +these theories, it is thought that the expensive architecture alone of +the elegant and stately columns known as Round Towers contradicts +all these "guesses," and that their grandeur and almost absolute +indestructibility proclaim for them a different origin from that of the +lowly and miserable huts which in a later age were erected beside them +for purposes of worship by the Romish Christians. The same objection is +made also against the theory that these monuments were erected in memory +of the several defeats of the Danes. As an answer to the argument that +they were erected by the Danes to celebrate their victories, it is +declared that such is the character of the hieroglyphics upon them as to +make this theory worthless. Besides, throughout the country of the Danes +and Ostmen, there is nowhere to be found an example of architectural +splendor such as is displayed in the construction of these columns. +In the north of Scotland was one of these monuments upon which were +depicted war-like scenes, horses and their riders, warriors brandishing +their weapons, and troops shouting for victory, while on the other side +was a sumptuous cross, beneath which were two figures, the one evidently +female, the other male. + +In Cordiner's Antiquities of Scotland is a description of an elaborately +carved obelisk. On one side of this column appears a mammoth cross, and +underneath it are figures of uncouth animals. Among these carvings are +to be seen the Bulbul of Iran, the Boar of Vishnu, the elk, the fox, +the lamb, and a number of dancing human figures. In fact all the +configurations are not only in their nature and import essentially +Eastern, but are actually the symbols of the various animal forms +under which "the people of the East contemplated the properties of the +Godhead." + +Carnac, in upper Egypt, is a monolith of the same symbolic character. It +is hewn from a solid block of black granite and is eighty feet high. + +Henry O'Brien, a cultured Irishman, who when in London became, in his +own line of investigation, one of the chief contributors to Fraser's +Magazine while at its best, in response to a call by the Royal Irish +Academy for productions relating to the origin and use of the Round +Towers, declared that they were erected by a colony of Tuath-de-danaans, +or Lingham worshippers from Persia, who had left their native land +because of the victories gained over them by their rivals--the Pish +de-danaans--a sect of Yoni worshippers; in other words, the sect which +recognized the female element as the superior agency in reproduction, +and who, therefore, worshipped it as divine. In the devastating wars +which swept over Persia and the other countries of antiquity prior to +the age of the later Zoroaster, the Pish-de danaans were victorious, +and, driving from the country the Tuath-de danaans, or male worshippers, +succeeded in re-establishing, and for a time maintaining, the old form +of worship. O'Brien claims that the Tuath-de-danaans who were expelled +from Persia emigrated to Ireland, and there continued or preserved their +favorite form of worship, the Round Towers having been erected by them +in conformity to their peculiar religious views. This writer assures us +that the old Irish tongue bears unmistakable evidence of the relation +existing between these countries. In addition to the similarity of +language which is found to exist between ancient Ireland or Iren, and +Persia or Iran, the same writer observes that in all their customs, +religious observances, and emblems, the resemblance is preserved. + +Much regret has been expressed by all the writers who have dealt with +this subject that at an earlier age when Stonehenge, Abury, and various +other of the ancient monumental shrines of the British Isles were in a +better state of preservation, and before bigotry and religious hatred +had been aroused against them, more minute observations of their +character and of all the details surrounding them could not have been +made; yet, notwithstanding the late date at which these investigations +were begun, it is believed that a fair amount of success has crowned the +efforts which have been put forth to unravel the mysteries bound up in +them. + +When we remember that every detail connected with the sacred monuments +of the ancients was full of significance that their religious ideas +were all portrayed by means of symbols which appeared in connection with +their sacred edifices--the extent to which a thorough understanding of +these details would assist in revealing the mysteries involved in the +universal religious conceptions may in a measure be realized. + +The identity of the symbols used to express religious ideas, and the +extent to which the conceptions of a creative force have been connected +in all portions of the globe, are set forth in the following from +Barlow: + +"A complete history of religious symbolism should embrace all the +religions of antiquity no less than the Christian, and it would require +as thorough a knowledge of their tenets as of our own to explain +satisfactorily its influence in regulating the practice of art."(162) + + + 162) Symbolism, p. 10. + + + +CHAPTER XVII. SACRIFICES. + +Although the sun was formerly worshipped as the source of all good, at a +certain stage in the human career it came to be regarded as the cause +of all evil. When Typhon Seth comprehended the powers of Nature, as the +Destroyer and Regenerator she was the author of all good; but later, +after the truths underlying Nature worship were lost, Typhon, the hot +wind of the desert, was feared rather than worshipped. + +In the history of an earlier age of existence, there is not to be found +the slightest trace of human sacrifice to atone for the sins of the +people, or to appease the wrath of an offended God. On the contrary, +throughout the traditions and monumental records of the most ancient +nations, sacrifices to the Deity--the God of Nature--consisted simply in +the acknowledgment of earth's benefits by means of a free-will offering +of the bounties which she had brought forth. + +That the sacrifice either of human beings or of animals was not offered +in an earlier age of religious faith is confidently asserted and, I +think, proved by various writers. Of this Higgins says: "I think a time +may be perceived when it did not exist even among the Western nations." +This writer states also that it was not always practiced at Delphi. +Mention is made of the fact that among the Buddhists, to whom belongs +the first book of Genesis, no bloody sacrifices were ever offered. + +It was doubtless under the worship of Muth, Neith, or Minerva, the first +emanation from the deity and the original Buddha, that the first book +of Genesis or Wisdom was written. In this book may be observed the fact +that the slaughter of animals is forbidden. It is thought that with +Crishna, Hercules, and the worshippers of the sun in Aries, the +sacrifice of human beings and animals began. In the second book of +Genesis, which is said to be a Brahmin work, animals are first used +for sacrifice, and in the third book, or the book of Generations or +Re-generations of the race of man or the Adam, which was written +after the pure doctrines connected with the worship of Wisdom had been +corrupted, they are first allowed to be eaten as food. + +It is supposed that the practice of sacrificing human beings and animals +took its rise in the western parts of the world after the sun entered +Aries, and that it subsequently extended even to the followers of the +Tauric worship, among whom it was carried to a frightful extent. It is +also thought that the history of Cain and Abel is an allegory of the +followers of Crishna to justify their sacrifice of the yajna or lamb "in +opposition to the Buddhist offering of bread and wine, or water, made by +Cain and practiced by Melchizedek."(163) + + + 163) Anacalypsis, vol. i., p. 101. + + +It is now positively known that all over the world, during a certain +stage of religious belief, either human beings or animals were, at +stated seasons, sacrificed to the Deity. Of the universality of this +practice Faber says: + +"Throughout the whole world we find a notion prevalent that the gods +could be appeased only by bloody sacrifices. Now this idea is so +thoroughly arbitrary, there being no obvious and necessary connection, +in the way of cause and effect, between slaughtering a man or a beast, +and recovering of the divine favor by the slaughterers, that its very +universality involves the necessity of concluding that all nations have +borrowed it from some common source."(164) + + + 164) The Origin of Pagan Idolatry, vol. i., book 2, p. 465. + + +Dr. Shuckford is constrained to admit that the sacrifices and ceremonies +of purification practiced by Abraham and his descendants and those of +surrounding peoples, were identical, with only "such trifling changes as +distance of countries and length of time might be expected to produce." +The substitution of a lamb in the place of Isaac would seem to indicate +a change from child-slaughter to that of animals. + +Sacrifices were offerings to the god of pro-creation. Certain +representatives of the life which he had bestowed must be returned to +him as a free-will gift. In many countries, the victims offered to the +deity were captives taken in war; but, as prisoners of war and slaves +were not permitted to join in the battles of their captors, their lives +were of little value; hence, later, it is observed that the sacrificial +victim must be a prince or an individual whose life was of great +importance to the tribe. + +As in all hot countries the heat of the sun is the most destructive +agency against which mankind have to contend, it is not perhaps +singular, at a time when superstition had usurped the functions of the +reasoning powers, that the sun-god should have been invested with the +attributes inspired by terror, and that so far as possible, mankind +should have deemed it necessary to propitiate its wrath, and, by +rendering to it suitable offerings and sacrifices, they should have +hoped to avert the calamities incident to its displeasure. Neither is it +remarkable when we remember the peculiar circumstances surrounding the +Jews, and the fact that the offerings demanded by their god was the life +which he had bestowed, that the sacrifices offered to Moloch, the fire +god, should have been the members of their own household--namely, their +children. + +We must not forget that the reward promised this people by prophet, +priest, and diviner for godliness was extreme fruitfulness of body. We +have seen that to obtain this mark of godly favor, or, under pretense of +serving their god, the form of worship prescribed by their priests, and +adopted both in their households and in their temples was pre-eminently +sensual, and calculated to stimulate and encourage to the highest extent +their lower or animal nature. + +As the size of a man's family, or his power to reproduce, was an index +to his favor with the Almighty the pleasure of the "Lord" in this +matter being but the reflection of his own desires, the result as might +reasonably be expected was overpopulation to such an extent that the +means of subsistence within the small boundary of Judea was +inadequate to supply the demands of the swarming masses of "God's +children"--children which had been created for his honor and glory. +Surely some plan must be devised whereby these difficulties might be +adjusted, and that, too, to use a modern expression, without flying in +the face of Providence. As the Lord had been honored and man blessed +in the mere bringing forth of offspring, what better scheme, so soon as +such blessings became too numerous, than to return a certain number of +them to the giver, the god of Moloch? It is true that by this process +children were born only to be delivered over to the ravages of the +fire-god, but by it, was not their deity both served and appeased at +the same time that population was kept within the bounds of subsistence? +That great numbers were thus sacrificed is only too apparent from the +accounts in the Jewish scriptures--Abraham's acts and those of Jephtha +being examples of the manner in which this god was propitiated. + +In Micah, vi. chap., 7th verse, occurs an interrogation which furnishes +something more than a hint of the practice among the Jews of child +sacrifice. "Shall I give my first born for my transgressions, the fruit +of my body for the sin of my soul?" + +Although there is sufficient evidence to prove the enormous extent to +which the practice of child sacrifice prevailed among the Jews, it +is believed that much more proof would be found, had it not, in later +times, with a view to concealing the extent of this practice, been +expunged from their sacred writings. Moloch was to the Jews what Siva +came to be to the Hindoos, namely, the Terrible. It is plain, however, +that Siva was not formerly feared in India, but next to Vishnu was the +best beloved of all their gods. Siva was originally the androgyne god +who was not only the Destroyer, but the beneficent Regenerator and +purifier. It was the cold of winter and the heat of the sun. It was a +conception which was a direct outgrowth of Nature worship or of that +religious idea which was portrayed by a mother and her child. + +The conception involved in sacrifice seems to be that of a payment +for services rendered, or desired. The Amazulus, when going to battle, +sacrifice to the manes of their ancestors, who, as older branches of +the tree of life, appear to constitute their god-idea. This is done +that their gods "may have no cause of complaint, because they have made +amends to them and made them bright." On appearing before the enemy they +say: "Can it be, since we have made amends to the Amadhlozi, that they +will say we have wronged them by anything?"(165) + + + 165) Viscount Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., p. 32. + + +At a certain stage in human history the various peoples of the globe +depended upon excessive numbers for their prosperity, hence the most +precious offering to the god of pro-creation was that of human victims. + +In India, when a new colony or city was founded, in order to insure its +prosperity, large numbers of children were delivered over as a bribe or +offering of reconciliation to the god of virility. The enormous extent +to which human sacrifice has prevailed in India, in Egypt, in Mexico, +among the Carthaginians, the Jews, the Druids, and even among the Greeks +and Romans, is well attested. + +From the records of extant history, it would seem that human sacrifice +usually accompanies a certain stage of sun-worship. Among the Aztecs in +Mexico, a country in which the sun was a universal object of reverence +and in which one of the prescribed duties of the boys trained in the +temple was that of keeping alive the sacred fires, the immolation of +victims became the most prominent feature of their public worship. We +are distinctly told, however, that human sacrifice was not formerly +practiced in Mexico, but that finally here as elsewhere, the idea became +prevalent that by sacrificing human victims to the god of Destruction, +his wrath might be appeased and the people saved from his vengeance. It +is stated that human sacrifices were adopted by the Aztecs early in the +fourteenth century, about two hundred years before the conquest. "Rare +at first, they became more frequent with the wider extent of their +empire; till, at length, almost every festival was closed with this +cruel abomination." + +Notwithstanding these atrocities, in their conceptions of a future state +of existence, and especially in their disposition of the unregenerate +after death, are to be observed certain traces of human feeling and +refined sensibility which are difficult to reconcile with the cruelty +practiced in their religious rites, and which bear a striking contrast +to the physical torture, to which after death the wicked are subjected +not only in Mexico, but in countries professing a high stage of +civilization and culture. + +Of their religious observances, those which had doubtless been inherited +from an older civilization, Prescott, quoting from Torquemada and +Sahagun, says: + +"Many of their ceremonies were of a light and cheerful complexion, +consisting of the national songs and dances, in which both sexes joined. +Processions were made of women and children crowned with garlands and +bearing offerings of fruits, the ripened maize, or the sweet incense +of copal and other odoriferous gums, while the altars of the deity were +stained with no blood save that of animals. These were the peaceful +rites derived from their Toltec predecessors."(166) + + + 166) See Conquest of Mexico, book I, chap. iii., p. 74. + + +Prior to the days of Montezuma, the Aztec priests had engrafted +upon these simple ceremonies not only a burdensome ceremonial, and a +polytheism similar to that of Eastern nations, but, as we have seen, +human sacrifices and even cannibalism had become prominent features +in religious worship. Throughout the entire ceremonial and religious +conceptions of the Aztecs may be observed a display of the savage and +brutal elements in human nature, in close connection with unmistakable +evidence of a once higher stage of culture and refinement. + +In the later ages of Aztec history their most exalted deity was +Huitzilopotchi, the Mexican Moses, the god of war. His temples were the +most costly and magnificent among the public edifices in the country, +and his image bedecked with ornaments was an universal object of +adoration. At the dedication of his temple in the year 1486 more than +seventy thousand captives are said to have perished.(167) + + + 167) Torquemada. + + +A Deity which occupied a conspicuous place in the mythology, and which +was probably an inheritance from more ancient times, was Quetzalcoatl, +doubtless the same as the Eastern Goddess of Nature, or Wisdom. She was +the "grain goddess," and "received offerings of fruit and flowers" at her +two great festivals. She also took care of the growth of corn. She was +doubtless the same as the Earth Mother of the Finns and Esths, she who +"undertakes the task of bringing forth the fruits." She is evidently +the Demeter of the Greeks, the Ceres of the Romans, etc. She is also +the goddess of Wisdom, for she had "instructed the nations in the use of +metals, in agriculture, and in the art of government." Under this Deity +the + +"Earth had teemed with fruits and flowers without the pains of culture. +An ear of Indian corn was as much as a single man could carry. The +cotton, as it grew, took, of its own accord, the rich dies of human art. +The air was filled with intoxicating perfumes and the sweet melody of +birds. In short, these were the halcyon days, which find a place in +the mythic systems of so many nations throughout the world. It was the +golden age of Anuhuac." + +We are given to understand that for some cause not explained the +beneficent god Quetzalcoatl was banished, that he (or she) was deposed +through the influence of some deity which had become more popular, or, +at least, more powerful; but that when Quetzalcoatl departed from the +country "in a winged skiff made of serpent skins," it was with a promise +to return to the faithful, which promise was sacredly cherished down to +the time of the Spanish invasion. + +The Mexican Mars, Huitzilopotchi, was born of a virgin. His mother, a +devout person, while at her devotions in the temple saw floating before +her a bright colored feather ball, which she seized and placed in her +bosom. She soon became pregnant, her offspring being a god, who like +Minerva appeared full armed with spear and helmet. + +Although the exact manner in which the Mexicans sacrificed to their +Deity to atone for the sins of the people differs somewhat from the +modus operandi employed in the Christian vicarious atonement, still the +likeness existing between them is sufficient to indicate the fact of +their common origin and the similar manner of their development. + +The Mexicans were wont to select a young and handsome man from their +midst, whom they invested with the dignity of a god. After having +surrounded him with every luxury, and when they had showered upon him +every attention, crowning him with flowers and worshipping him for a +year or more as a Savior, they killed him, offering him as an atonement +or sacrifice, in order that the rest of the people might escape the +vengeance of their great Deity, who, it was claimed, is pleased with +such offerings, and who demands sacrifices of this kind at the hands of +his children. Within blood was contained life, hence the offering of a +bloody victim was but the returning to their god, as a free-will gift +that which he had bestowed, such sacrifice being regarded as the only +acceptable means of grace or reconciliation. + +That the offering of a victim to the Jewish God was deemed necessary to +the fulfilment of Christian doctrine is a fact which is clearly shown by +numerous passages in the New Testament. "We are sanctified through the +offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." "By one offering he +hath perfected forever them that are sanctified."(168) "Christ was once +offered to bear the sins of many."(169) + + + 168) Hebrews, x., 10, 14. + + + 169) Ibid., ix., 28. + + +That the Jewish Paschal feasts and the Eucharistic rites of Christians +had their counterpart among the Mexicans is observed in the fact that +shortly after the death of their god, cakes which had been prepared and +blessed by the priests were offered by them to the people to be eaten as +the veritable body of their sacrificed lord. + +The source whence the doctrine of an atonement--a bloody sacrifice which +lies at the foundation of Christian theology--has proceeded is not at +the present time difficult to determine, for we shall presently see that +it, like all the leading doctrines contained in this later system, +and which are regarded as exclusively Christian, had its origin in the +religion of past ages, a religion which although originally pure, in +course of time degenerated into the grossest phallicism and even into +human sacrifice and cannibalism. + +Although among the Mexicans as among the Jews, human sacrifices were +offered to the Deity, no hint of gross and sensual rites practiced in +the temples of the latter is recorded. Hence, as the Mexicans had not +arrived at that stage of religious progress (?) at which sensuality +inculcated as a sacred duty, and at which moral and physical debasement +was encouraged both in public and private life, we may reasonably +conclude that their faith represents a somewhat earlier stage of +development than does that of either Jew or Greek. In point of morality, +as judged by the most ancient standards, or by the more modern, the +Mexicans compare favorably with either of these nationalities. Indeed +when we compare the social, religious, and civil conditions of Mexico +as we find them under Montezuma with those of the Jews under David or +Solomon, or with those of the Greeks under Solon, or even with those +of the Christians during the Spanish Inquisition when thousands upon +thousands, not of captives taken in war, but of the noblest and best of +the land, were yearly slaughtered for "the glory of God," there is quite +as much to meet the approval of an enlightened conscience under the +first named system as under that of any one of the other three. + +By priests the fact has long been understood that effects may be +produced through appeals to the religious or emotional nature which +under other circumstances would be impossible; and as, for thousands +of years, it has been the special business of this class to formulate +creeds for the ignorant masses, religious belief and the ceremonies +connected with "sacred" worship, during certain periods of the world's +history, have assumed a grotesqueness in design unsurpassed by the most +fanciful fairy tales which the imagination has ever been able to create, +at the same time that they have portrayed a depth of sensual degradation +capable of being reached only by that order of creation which alone has +been able to develop a religion. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. THE CROSS AND A DYING SAVIOR. + +In Egypt, the cross when unaccompanied by any other symbol signified +simply creative energy both female and male, but whenever a +distinctively female emblem was present it denoted the male power alone. +The Ibis, which is represented with human hands and feet, bears the +staff of Isis in one hand and the cross in the other. There is scarcely +an obelisk or monument in Egypt upon which this figure does not appear. +The symbol or monogram of Venus was a circle and a cross, that of Saturn +was a cross and a ram's horn. + +Plato declared that the son of God was expressed upon the universe in +the form of the letter X, and that the second power of the supreme God +was figured on the universe in the shape of a cross. + +There is little doubt that the early Christians understood full well the +true meaning of the cross, and that it was no new device. In later ages, +however, every monument of antiquity marked with this symbol was claimed +by the Church and by it believed to be of Christian origin. + +It is related that when the temple of Serapis at Alexandria was +overthrown by one of the Christian Emperors, beneath its foundation +was discovered the monogram of Christ. The Christians made use of this +circumstance to prove the divine origin of their religion, "thereby +making many converts." The Pagans, on the contrary, were of the opinion +that "it should forever silence the claim put forward by the devotees of +Christianity." It is plain, however, that the Christians had the better +of the argument for "the cross being uneasy under the weight of the +temple overthrew it." + +On the coins of Decius, the great persecutor of the Christians, is to be +observed the monogram of Christ which is also the monogram of Osiris and +Jupiter Ammon. On a medal proved to be Phoenician appear the cross, the +rosary, and the lamb. There is another form of the same monogram which +signifies DCVIII. These devices although in use hundreds of years prior +to the Christian era are all said to be monograms of Christ. At the +present time they may be seen in almost every church in Italy. + +In the cave of Elephanta, in India, appears the cross in connection with +the figure which represents male reproductive power. Inman relates that +a cross with a rosary attached has been found in use among the religious +emblems of the Japanese Buddhists and the lamas of Thibet, and that in +one of the frescoes of Pompeii, published at Paris, 1840, is to be seen, +vol. v., plate 28, the representation of a phallic cross in connection +with two small figures of Hermes.(170) + + + 170) Inman, Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., p. 408. + + +The Rev. Mr. Maurice adds his testimony to that of other investigators +to show the universality of this emblem. He says that the principal +pagodas in India, viz., those of Bernares and Mathura, are built in the +form of a cross. + +In the museum of the London University is a mummy upon whose breast is a +cross "exactly in the shape of a cross upon Calvary." + +The true significance of this emblem, and the reason for its adoration +are not, at the present time, difficult to understand; but whence comes +the symbol of a dead man on a cross, and what is its true meaning? + +Perhaps there is no problem connected with ancient symbolism, or +with mythical religion, which is more difficult to solve, than is the +representation of a dying Savior on a cross. It is stated by those +who have investigated this subject, that although the sun, or the +fructifying power within it, was adored by all the historic nations, +no hint of a cross is to be found amongst the most ancient Nature +worshippers. We must then look for a solution of this problem to +those ages in which the higher truths of an older race were partially +forgotten, and to a time when phallic worship had supplanted the +adoration of Light or Wisdom. The cross doubtless came into use as a +religious emblem at a time when the sexes in union began to stand for +the god-idea, the lower end of the upright shaft being transfixed to the +horizontal bar. + +As soon as the male energy became god, the cross gradually grew into the +figure of a man with arms extended. It became the original "life +giver," it was Adam, the creator of the race. Doubtless for ages Adam +represented the god-man-phallus-Tree of Life, or cross idea. He was the +progenitor of the race. From this same idea sprang ancestor worship, or +the deification of the past vital spark. The adoration paid to the Lares +and Penates, the household gods of the Romans, on the first of May, is +an example of this worship, as is also the homage paid by the Chinese to +their progenitors. + +Of religious emblems R. P. Knight says that one of the most remarkable +among them is a cross in the form of the letter T which was used as an +emblem of creation and generation before the church adopted it as a sign +of salvation. To this representation of male reproductive power "was +sometimes added a human head, which gives it the appearance of a +crucifix, as it has on the medal of Cyzicus." + +Originally the figure of a dead man on a cross typified creation +and destruction or the operations of the creative forces in Nature. +Everything dies only to live again. Although man dies, and although the +individual man becomes but a dead branch on the tree of life, still the +tree lives. Through the cross-phallus idea, or through man's power +to create, existence on the earth continues. Although the sun dies in +winter, in spring it revives again to quicken and enliven Nature and +make all things new. + +There is much evidence to show that a dying figure on a cross was no new +conception at the advent of Christianity. Crishna, whose history as we +have seen is almost identical with that of Christ, and Ballaji, from +whom the thorn-crowned figures of Jesus have doubtless been copied, are +illustrations of this mythical figure of a crucified savior in India. + +It seems altogether probable from the facts at hand that the Romans +worshipped a cross with a dying figure of a man upon it. Minucius +Felix, a Christian father, in defense of his religion, has the following +passage: + +"You certainly, who worship wooden gods, are the most likely people to +adore wooden crosses, as being parts with the same substance as your +deities. For what else are your ensigns, flags, and standards but +crosses gilt and purified? Your victorious trophies not only represent +a simple cross, but a cross with a man upon it. When a pure worshipper +adores the true God with hands extended, he makes the figure of a cross. +Thus you see that the sign of the cross has either some foundation +in Nature, or in your own religion, and therefore not to be objected +against Christians." + +Higgins says that it is proved as completely as it is possible to prove +a fact of this kind that the Romans had a crucified object of adoration, +and that this could be no other than an incarnation of the God Sol, +represented in some way to have been crucified. + +An ancient medal found in Cyprus has upon one of its sides the figure of +a crucified man with the chaplet or rosary, the same as those now in +use by Romanists. From the style of workmanship it is thought that this +medal must have been anterior to the Macedonian conquest. + +There is little doubt that the early fathers and the bishops in +the Christian church recognized in the cross the ancient emblem of +fertility, but as the idea of a spiritual life had begun to take root, +it was deemed proper to conceal its real significance; hence from a +symbol representing the continuity of existence on the earth the cross +now prefigured eternal life or existence after death. Henceforward +although man was dead in transgressions, through the cross, or through +the crucified Christ, he received eternal life. + +That the original signification of this symbol was understood by early +Christians is apparent from the fact that the Emperor Theodosius, +between the years 378 and 395, issued a decree prohibiting the sign +of the cross being sculptured or painted on the pavements of churches. +Tertullian also, after declaring that the devil made the sign of the +cross on the foreheads of the followers of the Persian Mithra, accused +the Christians of adoring the same emblem. + +In 280, A. C. Porphyry, referring to crosses, asked why theologists give +passions to the gods, erect Phalli and use shameful language; to which +the Christian Iamblichus in the year 336 replied: "Because Phalli and +crosses are signs of productive energy, and provocative to a continuance +of the world." + +It was not until the second century, or until after the days of Justin +Martyr, that the instrument upon which Jesus was executed was called +a cross. But whatever may have been its form, as soon as the myths of +former religious worship began to attach themselves to his history, he +became the symbolical dead man on a cross, the original sacrifice to +Mahadeva. He portrayed the same idea as did Crishna, Ballaji, the dying +Osiris, and all the other sun-gods. He, like each of these, represented +a new sun at the beginning of a new cycle. He was a risen savior, and +to him were finally transferred all the festivals, seasons, symbols, and +monograms of former solar deities. That the figure of a dead man on +a cross was a familiar emblem throughout Asia and various portions +of Europe, and that numberless crucified gods--incarnations of the +sun--have been worshipped throughout the East, is a fact which it has +been the aim of the initiated among the Christian clergy to conceal, +but one which no one who has examined the evidence with a mind free from +prejudice attempts to deny. + +In Italy, on many of the earlier pictures of Christ, may be observed the +words Deo Soli, which inscription signifies either "to the only God," or +"to the God Sol." + +Of the various so-called Christian antiquities which cover the walls of +the Vatican, we are assured by those who have acquainted themselves with +the signification of pagan symbolism that "they have no more reference +to Christianity than they have to the Emperor of China." The same may +be said with reference to the representations on the walls of the +Catacombs. + +Crishna, who was the equinoctial sun in Aries, appeared 2160 years after +the first Buddha, who was the equinoctial sun in Taurus. According to +Plutarch they were both modern gods when compared with the deities which +gave names to the planets. Buddha, or the sun in Taurus, was worshipped +in the form of a bull. Crishna, or the sun in Aries, was adored under +the figure of a ram with a man's head. The true significance of these +figures was the fructifying sun or reproductive energy as manifested in +animal life, and this meaning to those who worshipped them was identical +with the carved figures on the caves of India, the Lares and Penates of +the Romans, and the stone pillars or crosses in the market-places and at +the intersection of roads in Brittany. + +Eusebius says that at Elephanta they adored a Deity in the figure of a +man in a sitting posture painted blue, having the head of a ram with the +horns of a goat encircling a disk. The Deity thus described is said to +be of astronomical origin, denoting the power of the sun in Aries. + +This figure, which was one of the representations of the sun-god +Crishna, was worshipped both in India and in Egypt. In various of the +manifestations of this Deity he appears in the act of killing a +serpent. He was the dead man on a cross and also the sun, which +although continually dying is constantly being revived again. Various +incarnations of this God have appeared as crucified saviors. + +Of the avatar of Crishna known as Ballaji or Baal-Jah little is +positively known. Indeed there seems to be some impenetrable mystery +surrounding this figure, which makes it impossible for scholars to +absolutely prove that which by means of the evidence at hand amounts +almost to a certainty. + +A print by Moore of this god represents him in the shape of a Romish +crucifix, but although there is a nail hole in his foot he is not +transfixed to a wooden cross. Instead of a crown of thorns a Parthian +coronet encircles his head. As all the avatars of Crishna are +represented with coronets, this fact has caused several writers to +observe that the effigies of Ballaji have furnished the copies for the +thorn-crowned Jesus. Through the ignorance of the early Christians +who in the second century adopted the religion of Crishna, the true +significance of this coronet was not understood, hence the thorns upon +the head of Christ. In referring to the effigy of a crucified savior +found in Ireland the author of The Round Towers says that it was not +intended for our Savior for the reason that it wore the Iranian regal +crown, instead of the Jewish crown of thorns.(171) + + + 171) The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 298. + + +Regarding this effigy, Higgins remarks that the crucified body without +the cross reminds one that "some of the ancient sects of heretics held +Jesus to have been crucified in the clouds." + +Moore, who has produced several prints of Ballaji, says he is unable +to account for the pierced foot of a crucified figure in India. He +endeavors to prove, however, that this crucifix cannot be Hindoo +"because there are duplicates of it from the same model." As the mould +is made of clay, he contends that only one cast may be made from it. +This argument falls to the ground, however, so soon as it is found +that duplicates, or copies of these brass idols which may not be +distinguished from the originals, are seen in the museum at the India +House, and also in that of the Asiatic Society. + +The admission of Moore that "great influence was brought to bear upon +him to induce him not to publish the prints of Ballaji for fear of +giving offense," serves as a hint in determining the cause for the lack +of information respecting this god. + +It is believed that, were the development of truth upon this subject +rather than its concealment the object of Christian missionaries, the +temples of Ballaji would have furnished more important information to +the Christian world than would those of any other of the Hindoo gods; +but while numberless pilgrimages have been made to Juggernaut and +other shrines devoid of interest to the student, we have heard little +concerning the shrines of this deity, although at the time Moore wrote, +Terputty was in the possession of the English who made a profit of +L15,000 a year from the temple. + +On the Brechin Tower in Ireland are two arches one within the other in +relief. At the top of the arch is a crucifix, and about midway from top +to bottom on either side are two figures which, according to Romanist +Christians, represent the Virgin Mary and St. John. At the bottom of the +outer arch are two couchant beasts, the one an elephant and the other a +bull. The figure on the cross has a Parthian coronet. The appearance of +a crucifix on the towers of Britain and Ireland has in the past led many +writers to ascribe to these singular structures a Christian origin. To +the critical observer, however, the first question which presents +itself is whence comes the elephant--an animal not found within these +countries?--and again why should these beasts have been placed here as +Christian emblems? The facts in the case as revealed by unprejudiced +investigators are, that the towers in Ireland are not Christian +monuments, and that the crucifix found on them is not that of Christ but +of Ballaji, or of some one of the avatars of Crishna. + +The fact that the figure of Crishna as a crucified god was found in +the ruins of a temple at Thebes in Egypt, is sufficient to prove his +antiquity; still, as we have seen, he represents the god-idea at a much +later date than did Buddha. Regarding the evidence furnished by the Rev. +Mr. Maurice of the ten avatars of the Indian sun-god, Higgins observes: + +"The only fact worthy of notice here is, that Buddha was universally +allowed to be the first of the incarnations; that Crishna was of +later date; that, at the era of the birth of Christ, eight of them had +appeared on the earth, and that the other two were expected to follow +before the end of the Caliyug, or of the present age." + +With reference to the fact that the Hindoo God originally represented +Wisdom or the Logos, the same writer says: + +"Then here is DIVINE WISDOM incarnate, of whom the Bull of the Zodiac +was the emblem. HERE he is the Protagonos, or first begotten, the God +or Goddess Mhtis of the Greeks, being, perhaps, both male and female. +Buddha, or the wise, if the word were not merely the name of a doctrine, +seems to have been an appellation taken by several persons, or one +person incarnate at several periods, and from this circumstance much +confusion has arisen."(172) + + + 172) Anacalypsis, book v., p. 201. + + +Concerning the religion of an ancient race the following facts have been +ascertained, namely: + +The first of the Buddhas or Incarnations of the Deity was Minerva, and +her mother, who was the sun, was the mother of all the Buddhas. She was +Mhtis, Mubt or Mai, "the universal genius of Nature, who discriminated +all things according to their various kinds of species." + +In the earliest ages she comprehended not only matter but the moving +force in the universe. She was the Deity which by a very ancient race +was represented by the mother idea--Perceptive Wisdom. She was the +sun and the first emanation from the sun. She was the Divine Word, the +Logos, the Holy Ghost which in the time of Christ was again by various +sects recognized as female. The allegory of the Greeks concerning +Jupiter taking Mhtis (Wisdom) to wife and from this union with her +producing Minerva from his head, is seen to be closely connected with +the doctrine of Buddha (Wisdom) or of the Rasit of Genesis. According +to Faber, the import of the Greek word Nous and of the Sanscrit Menu is +precisely the same: each denotes mind or intelligence, and to the latter +of them the Latin Mens is nearly allied. "Mens, Menu, and perhaps our +English mind are fundamentally one and the same word." All these terms +in an earlier age meant Buddha, Wisdom, or Minerva. + +Later, with the worship of the sun in Aries, appeared a crucified +savior. During the earlier ages of Crishnaism, the ideas typified by +a dying savior were still those pertaining to the processes of Nature. +Matter was still believed to be indestructible and seeming death but +a preparation for renewed life, or for birth into another state of +existence Subsequently this dying sun-god, which disappeared in winter +only to return again to re-animate Nature, became a veritable man--a +man on a cross who must be sacrificed to Mahadeva in order that humanity +might be saved. Here we have the origin of the doctrine of a Vicarious +Atonement. Later, under the system called Christianity, woman, who +had previously become identified with the evil principle, became the +Tempter. She was the cause of sin in the world and wholly responsible +for the evil results arising from desire. Indeed, according to the +doctrines annunciated by the Christian Church, had woman, who was an +after thought of the Almighty, never been created, man would have lived +forever in a state of purity and bliss, free alike from the toils, +pains, and temptations of life, and from the crafts and assaults of the +Devil. + +Through the over-stimulation of the animal instincts man had become +wholly unable to overcome the evil in his constitution, hence the +adoption of the doctrine of Original Sin and the necessity for an +Atonement, or for a crucified savior, who would take upon himself the +sins of poor, weak human nature. By simply believing on this crucified +redeemer, man would be saved, not from sin itself, but from the penalty +of sin. To bolster up the belief in original sin and the necessity for +an atonement, the allegory of the fruit tree and the serpent in Genesis +was taken literally. + +The more the religion of the past is studied the more plainly will the +fact appear, that not only have the ceremonies, symbols, festivals, and +seasons adopted by Christianity been copied from India and Persia, but +also that all the leading doctrines of the so-called Christian Church +originated in those countries. The belief in a Trinity, the Incarnation +of the Deity, a Crucified Savior, Original Sin and a Vicarious +Atonement, the last three having been elaborated after the ancient +natural truths underlying sun worship had been forgotten, are all to be +found in the East. + +The doctrine of a Trinity is supposed to have been received directly +from the Platonists, who had learned it from the Persians; while that of +a Crucified Savior, and also that of the seed of the woman bruising the +serpent's head, belong, as we have seen, to the religion of Crishna. + +Concerning Original Sin, which is the foundation of the doctrine of the +"Atonement," it is plain that it was not known to the earlier followers +of Christ, but that it was subsequently copied from the corrupted +religion of the Hindoos. + +The symbolical meaning of the serpent and the Tree of Life was doubtless +understood by the earliest adherents to the Christian faith; it is not +surprising, therefore, that by them there is no mention of the doctrine +of Original Sin. Their theory to account for evil in the world was the +same as that of an ancient and almost forgotten race. The belief that +the soul of man is a spark from, or a part of the universal soul, that +at the death of the body it returns to its source, and in process of +time appears as the animating principle in other bodies, was believed by +Pythagoras, Aspasia, Socrates, and Plato and, in fact, for thousands of +years it was entertained by the best and wisest of the human race. It +was a part of the early Christian doctrine and is still believed by the +followers of Buddha and by the Theosophists of Europe and America. + +Doubtless the doctrines of Re-incarnation and Karma were set forth by +those very ancient philosophers who were the near descendants of the +inventors of the Neros and the Metonic cycle--those who believed in the +indestructibility of matter, and that spirit proceeds from or is evolved +through it. It was an effort on their part to solve the problem of the +existence of evil, and was far more satisfactory to the reasoning +mind than was the literal translation of the story of the woman, the +forbidden apple, and the talking serpent in Genesis. + +Original sin of which woman is said to be the cause, and the necessity +for a spiritual (male) savior to deliver man from the wretchedness which +she had produced, are doctrines which took their rise in the grossest +ignorance, and in an entire misconception of the natural truths which +had previously been set forth by the figure of a dying sun-god. Original +Sin and a Vicarious Atonement--doctrines by means of which man has +attempted to evade moral responsibility and the legitimate results of +evil-doing--have, by weakening his moral sense, and by shifting the +responsibility of his deeds upon another, resulted in greatly lowering +the standard of human conduct. + +Science teaches that the penalty for sin is inherent in it, and that +virtue is its own reward; the so-called Christian doctrines assert that +although a man's sins be as scarlet, they may, simply through a certain +belief, become white as wool. It has been claimed that a belief in +original sin caused all the human sacrifices in ancient times and that +it "converted the Jews into a nation of cannibals." + +That the system which has borne the name of Christianity is an outgrowth +of Sun, Serpent, and Phallic faiths is so plainly proven by the facts +brought out by later research as no longer to be a matter of reasonable +doubt to those who have given any considerable degree of attention to +this subject. The more exalted ideas which from the time of Zoroaster +to that of Jesus had been struggling for existence, and which through +various means had been gradually gaining a foothold, were, by the influx +of Crishnaism, soon choked out, and mythical Christianity, which was +but a gathering in of the grosser forms of the prevailing Hindoo faith, +mounted the throne of the Roman Empire. + +During the nineteen hundred years that have elapsed since the +inauguration of this system, little has been understood concerning the +real philosophy of Christ--a philosophy which is seen to be simply a +recognition of those higher scientific truths enunciated by an ancient +race. + +The fact is observed in these later times that the altruistic principles +involved in these teachings contain the highest wisdom--that they +form the basis of a true social science, and that a high stage of +civilization will never be reached until these principles are recognized +as the foundation of human conduct. Unselfishness, purity of life, and +the brotherhood of man will never be realized so long as man shifts the +responsibility of his wrong-doing upon another. + +Quite recently the fact has been proved that the progressive principle +originated in the female constitution; that in sympathy, a character +which has its root in maternal affection, lies the key to human +progress. Conscience and the moral sense are outgrowths of sympathy; +therefore, that which distinguishes man from the lower orders of life +originated in and has been developed through the female organization. + +When these plain scientific truths, which are so simple as scarcely to +need demonstration, become popularized, doubtless our present god-idea +will undergo a process of reconstruction, and the later development +will probably involve conceptions more in keeping with science and human +reason. Surely a scientific age will tolerate no religious conception +whose principles are not founded on truth. The worship of a male god as +the sole creator and sustainer of the universe is as unphilosophical as +it is unreasonable and unscientific. + +As in many ways at the present time, mankind seems inclined to retrace +its steps, and as upon its onward march humanity is beginning to +manifest a willingness to return to truer and more primitive methods of +thought and action, it is not impossible that in the not distant future, +Perceptive Wisdom and the altruistic principles, together with the +power to give life, may again be divinely enthroned in the place so long +usurped by physical force and virile might. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The God-Idea of the Ancients, by Eliza Burt Gamble + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS *** + +***** This file should be named 639.txt or 639.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/639/ + +Produced by Charles Keller + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +Digitized by Charles Keller + + + + + +THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS OR SEX IN RELIGION + +BY ELIZA BURT GAMBLE Author of "The Evolution of Woman" + + + + +PREFACE. +Much of the material for this volume was collected during the +time that I was preparing for the press the Evolution of Woman, +or while searching for data bearing on the subject of +sex-specialization. While preparing that book for publication, +it was my intention to include within it this branch of my +investigation, but wishing to obtain certain facts relative to +the foundations of religious belief and worship which were not +accessible at that time, and knowing that considerable labor and +patience would be required in securing these facts, I decided to +publish the first part of the work, withholding for the time +being that portion of it pertaining especially to the development +of the God-idea. + +As mankind construct their own gods, or as the prevailing ideas +of the unknowable reflect the inner consciousness of human +beings, a trustworthy history of the growth of religions must +correspond to the processes involved in the mental, moral, and +social development of the individual and the nation. + +By means of data brought forward in these later times relative to +the growth of the God-idea, it is observed that an independent +chain of evidence has been produced in support of the facts +recently set forth bearing upon the development of the two +diverging lines of sexual demarcation. In other words, it has +been found that sex is the fundamental fact not only in the +operations of Nature but in the construction of a god. + +In the Evolution of Woman it has been shown that the peculiar +inheritance of the two sexes, female and male, is the result of +the bias given to these separate lines of development during the +earliest periods of sex-differentiation; and, as this division of +labor was a necessary step in the evolutionary processes, the +rate of progress depended largely on the subsequent adjustment of +these two primary elements or forces. A comprehensive study of +prehistoric records shows that in an earlier age of existence +upon the earth, at a time when woman's influence was in the +ascendancy over that of man, human energy was directed by the +altruistic characters which originated in and have been +transmitted through the female; but after the decline of woman's +power, all human institutions, customs, forms, and habits of +thought are seen to reflect the egoistic qualities acquired by +the male. + +Nowhere is the influence of sex more plainly manifested than in +the formulation of religious conceptions and creeds. With the +rise of male power and dominion, and the corresponding repression +of the natural female instincts, the principles which originally +constituted the God-idea gradually gave place to a Deity better +suited to the peculiar bias which had been given to the male +organism. An anthropomorphic god like that of the Jews--a god +whose chief attributes are power and virile might--could have had +its origin only under a system of masculine rule. + +Religion is especially liable to reflect the vagaries and +weaknesses of human nature; and, as the forms and habits of +thought connected with worship take a firmer hold on the mental +constitution than do those belonging to any other department of +human experience, religious conceptions should be subjected to +frequent and careful examination in order to perceive, if +possible, the extent to which we are holding on to ideas which +are unsuited to existing conditions. + +In an age when every branch of inquiry is being subjected to +reasonable criticism, it would seem that the origin and growth of +religion should be investigated from beneath the surface, and +that all the facts bearing upon it should be brought forward as a +contribution to our fund of general information. As well might +we hope to gain a complete knowledge of human history by studying +only the present aspect of society, as to expect to reach +reasonable conclusions respecting the prevailing God-idea by +investigating the various creeds and dogmas of existing faiths. + +The object of this volume is not only to furnish a brief outline +of religious growth, but to show the effect which each of the two +forces, female and male, has had on the development of our +present God- idea, which investigation serves to accentuate the +conclusions arrived at in the Evolution of Woman relative to the +inheritance of each of the two lines of sexual demarcation. + + E.B.G. + + +CONTENTS. ---- CHAPTER + + INTRODUCTION + +I.--SEX THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOD-IDEA +II.--TREE, PLANT, AND FRUIT WORSHIP +III.--SUN WORSHIP--FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES IN THE SUN +IV.--THE DUAL GOD OF THE ANCIENTS A TRINITY ALSO +V.--SEPARATION OF THE FEMALE AND MAKE ELEMENTS IN THE DEITY +VI.--CIVILIZATION OF AN ANCIENT RACE +VII.--CONCEALMENT OF THE EARLY DOCTRINES +VIII.--THE ORIGINAL GOD-IDEA OF THE ISRAELITES +IX.--THE PHOENICIAN AND HEBREW GOD SET OR SETH +X.--ANCIENT SPECULATIONS CONCERNING CREATION +XI.--FIRE AND PHALLIC WORSHIP +XII.--AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY THE SENSUALIZED FAITHS +XIII.--CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM +XIV.--CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM --(Continued) +XV.--CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND +XVI.--STONES OR COLUMNS AS THE DEITY +XVII.--SACRIFICES +XVIII.--THE CROSS AND A DYING SAVIOR + + +THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS. + +INTRODUCTION. + +Through a study of the primitive god-idea as manifested in +monumental records in various parts of the world; through +scientific investigation into the early religious conceptions of +mankind as expressed by symbols which appear in the architecture +and decorations of sacred edifices and shrines; by means of a +careful examination of ancient holy objects and places still +extant in every quarter of the globe, and through the study of +antique art, it is not unlikely that a line of investigation has +been marked out whereby a tolerably correct knowledge of the +processes involved in our present religious systems may be +obtained. The numberless figures and sacred emblems which appear +carved in imperishable stone in the earliest cave temples; the +huge towers, monoliths, and rocking stones found in nearly every +country of the globe, and which are known to be closely connected +with primitive belief and worship, and the records found on +tablets which are being unearthed in various parts of the world, +are, with the unravelling of extinct tongues, proving an almost +inexhaustible source for obtaining information bearing upon the +early history of the human race, and, together, furnish +indisputable evidence of the origin, development, and unity of +religious faiths. + +By comparing the languages used by the earlier races to express +their religious conceptions; by observing the similarity in the +mythoses and sacred appellations among all tribe and nations, an +through the discovery of the fact that the legends extant in the +various countries of the globe are identical, or have the same +foundation, it is probable that a clue has already been obtained +whereby an outline of the religious history of the human family +from a period even as remote as the "first dispersion," or from a +time when one race comprehended the entire population of the +globe, maybe traced. Humboldt in his Researches observes: "In +every part of the globe, on the ridge of the Cordilleras as well +as in the Isle of Samothrace, in the Aegean Sea, fragments of +primitive languages are preserved in religious rites." + +Regarding the identity of the fundamental ideas contained in the +various systems of religion, both past and present, Hargrave +Jennings, in referring to a parallel drawn by Sir William Jones, +between the deities of Meru and Olympus, observes: + +"All our speculations tend to the same conclusions. One day it +is a discovery of cinerary vases, the next, it is etymological +research; yet again it is ethnological investigation, and the day +after, it is the publication of unsuspected tales from the Norse; +but all go to heap up proof of our consanguinity with the peoples +of history--and of an original general belief, we might add." + +That the religious systems of India and Egypt were originally the +same, there can be at the present time no reasonable doubt. The +fact noted by various writers, of the British Sepoys, who, on +their overland route from India, upon beholding the ruins of +Dendera, prostrated themselves before the remains of the ancient +temples and offered adoration to them, proves the identity of +Indian and Egyptian deities. These foreign devotees, being asked +to explain the reason of their strange conduct declared that they +"saw sculptured before them the gods of their country." + +Upon the subject of the identity of Eastern religions, Wilford +remarks that one and the same code both of theology and of +fabulous history, has been received through a range or belt about +forty degrees broad across the old continent, in a southeast and +northwest direction from the eastern shores of the Malaga +peninsula to the western extremity of the British Isles, that, +through this immense range the same religious notions reappear in +various places under various modifications, as might be expected; +and that there is not a greater difference between the tenets and +worship of the Hindoos and the Greeks than exists between the +churches of Home and Geneva. + +Concerning the universality of certain religious beliefs and +opinions, Faber, commenting upon the above statement of Wilford, +observes that, immense as is this territorial range, it is by far +too limited to include the entire phenomenon, that the +observation + +"applies with equal propriety to the entire habitable globe; for +the arbitrary rites and opinions of every pagan nation bear so +close a resemblance to each other, that such a coincidence can +only have been produced by their having had a common origin. +Barbarism itself has not been able to efface the strong primeval +impression. Vestiges of the ancient general system may be traced +in the recently discovered islands in the Pacific Ocean; and, +when the American world was first opened to the hardy adventurers +of Europe, its inhabitants from north to south venerated, with +kindred ceremonies and kindred notions, the gods of Egypt and +Hindostan, of Greece and Italy, of Phoenicia and Britain."[1] + +[1] Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. i. + + +"Though each religion has its own peculiar growth, the seed from +which they spring is everywhere the same."[2] + +[2] Max Muller, Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 48. + + +The question as to whether the identity of conception and the +similarity in detail observed in religious rites, ceremonies, and +symbols in the various countries of the globe are due to the +universal law of unity which governs human development, or +whether, through the dispersion of one original people, the early +conceptions of a Deity were spread broadcast over the entire +earth, is perhaps not settled; yet, from the facts which have +been brought forward during the last century, the latter theory +seems altogether probable, such divergence in religious ideas as +is observed among the various peoples of the earth being +attributable to variations in temperament caused by changed +conditions of life. In other words, the divergence in the course +of religious development has doubtless been due to environment. + +In an attempt to understand the history of the growth of the +god-idea, the fact should be borne in mind that, from the +earliest conception of a creative force in the animal and +vegetable world to the latest development in theological +speculation, there has never been what might consistently be +termed a new religion. On the contrary, religion like everything +else is subject to the law of growth; therefore the faiths of +to-day are the legitimate result, or outcome, of the primary idea +of a Deity developed in accordance with the laws governing the +peculiar instincts which have been in the ascendancy during the +life of mankind on the earth. + +The erroneous impression which under a belief in the unknown has +come to prevail, namely, that the moral law is the result of +religion; or, in other words, that the human conscience is in +some manner dependent on supernaturalism for its origin and +maintenance, is, with a better and clearer understanding of the +past history of the development of the human race, being +gradually dispelled. On one point we may reasonably rest assured +that the knowledge of right and wrong and our sense of justice +and right-living have been developed quite independently of all +religious beliefs. The moral law embodied in the golden rule is +not an outgrowth of mysticism, or of man's notions of the +unknowable; but, on the contrary, is the result of experience, +and was formulated in response to a recognized law of human +necessity,--a law which involves the fundamental principle of +progress. The history of human development shows conclusively +that mankind GREW into the recognition of the moral law, that +through sympathy, or a desire for the welfare of others,--a +character which had its root in maternal affection,--conscience +and the moral sense were evolved. + +While the moral law and the conscience may not be accounted as in +any sense the result of man's ideas concerning the unknowable, +neither can the errors and weaknesses developed in human nature +be regarded as the result of religion. Although the sexual +excesses which during three or four thousand years were practiced +as sacred rites, and treated as part and parcel of religion in +various parts of the world, have had the effect to stimulate and +strengthen the animal nature in man, yet these rites may not be +accounted as the primary cause of the supremacy of the lower +nature over the higher faculties. On the contrary, the impulse +which has been termed religion, with all the vagaries which its +history presents, is to be regarded more as an effect than as a +cause. The stage of a nation's development regulates its +religion. Man creates his own gods; they are powerless to change +him. + +As written history records only those events in human experience +which belong to a comparatively recent period of man's existence, +and as the primitive conceptions of a Deity lie buried beneath +ages of corruption, glimpses of the earlier faiths of mankind, as +has already been stated, must be looked for in the traditions, +monuments, and languages of extinct races. + +In reviewing this matter we shall doubtless observe the fact that +if the stage of a nation's growth is indicated by its religious +conceptions, and if remnants of religious beliefs are everywhere +present in the languages, traditions, and monuments of the past +through a careful study of these subjects we may expect to gain a +tolerably correct understanding not alone of the growth of the +god-idea but of the stage of development reached by the nations +which existed prior to the beginning of the historic age. We +shall be enabled also to perceive whether or not the course of +human development during the intervening ages has been +continuous, or whether, for some cause hitherto unexplained, true +progress throughout a portion of this time has been arrested, +thus producing a backward movement, or degeneracy. + +If we would unravel the mysteries involved in present religious +faiths, we should begin not by attempting to analyze or explain +any existing system or systems of belief and worship. Such a +course is likely to end not only in confusion and in a subsequent +denial of the existence of the religious nature in mankind, but +is liable, also, to create an aversion for and a distrust of the +entire subject of religious experience. In view of this fact it +would appear to be not only useless but exceedingly unwise to +spend one's time in attempting to gain a knowledge of this +subject simply by studying the later developments in its history. + +If we are really desirous of obtaining information regarding +present religious phenomena, it is plain that we should adopt the +scientific method and turn our attention to the remote past, +where, by careful and systematic investigation, we are enabled to +perceive the earliest conception of a creative force and the +fundamental basis of all religious systems, from which may be +traced the gradual development of the god-idea. + + + +CHAPTER I. + +SEX THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOD-IDEA. + +In the study of primitive religion, the analogy existing between +the growth of the god-idea and the development of the human race, +and especially of the two sex-principles, is everywhere clearly +apparent. + +"Religion is to be found alone with its justification and +explanation in the relations of the sexes. There and therein +only."[3] + +[3] Hargrave Jennings, Phallicism. + + +As the conception of a deity originated in sex, or in the +creative agencies female and male which animate Nature, we may +reasonably expect to find, in the history of the development of +the two sex-principles and in the notions entertained concerning +them throughout past ages, a tolerably correct account of the +growth of the god-idea. We shall perceive that during an earlier +age of human existence, not only were the reproductive powers +throughout Nature, and especially in human beings and in animals, +venerated as the Creator, but we shall find also that the +prevailing ideas relative to the importance of either sex in the +office of reproduction decided the sex of this universal creative +force. We shall observe also that the ideas of a god have always +corresponded with the current opinions regarding the importance +of either sex in human society. In other words, so long as +female power and influence were in the ascendency, the creative +force was regarded as embodying the principles of the female +nature; later, however, when woman's power waned, and the +supremacy of man was gained, the god-idea began gradually to +assume the male characters and attributes. + +Through scientific research the fact has been observed that, for +ages after life appeared on the earth, the male had no separate +existence; that the two sex-principles, the sperm and the germ, +were contained within one and the same individual. Through the +processes of differentiation, however, these elements became +detached, and with the separation of the male from the female, +the reproductive functions were henceforth confided to two +separate individuals. + +As originally, throughout Nature, the female was the visible +organic unit within whom was contained the exclusive creative +power, and as throughout the earlier ages of life on the earth +she comprehended the male, it is not perhaps singular that, even +after the appearance of mankind on the earth, the greater +importance of the mother element in human society should have +been recognized; nor, as the power to bring forth coupled with +perceptive wisdom originally constituted the Creator, that the +god-idea should have been female instead of male. + +From the facts to be observed in relation to this subject, it is +altogether probable that for ages the generating principle +throughout Nature was venerated as female; but with that increase +of knowledge which was the result of observation and experience, +juster or more correct ideas came to prevail, and subsequently +the great fructifying energy throughout the universe came to be +regarded as a dual indivisible force--female and male. This +force, or agency, constituted one God, which, as woman's +functions in those ages were accounted of more importance than +those of man, was oftener worshipped under the form of a female +figure. + +Neith, Minerva, Athene, and Cybele, the most important deities of +their respective countries, were adored as Perceptive Wisdom, or +Light, while Ceres and others represented Fertility. With the +incoming of male dominion and supremacy, however, we observe the +desire to annul the importance of the female and to enthrone one +all-powerful male god whose chief attributes were power and +might. + +Notwithstanding the efforts which during the historic period have +been put forward to magnify the importance of the male both in +human affairs and in the god-idea, still, no one, I think, can +study the mythologies and traditions of the nations of antiquity +without being impressed with the prominence given to the female +element, and the deeper the study the stronger will this +impression grow. + +During a certain stage of human development, religion was but a +recognition of and a reliance upon the vivifying or fructifying +forces throughout Nature, and in the earlier ages of man's +career, worship consisted for the most part in the celebration of +festivals at stated seasons of the year, notably during seed-time +and harvest, to commemorate the benefits derived from the grain +field and vineyard. + +Doubtless the first deified object was Gaia, the Earth. As +within the bosom of the earth was supposed to reside the +fructifying, life-giving power, and as from it were received all +the bounties of life, it was female. It was the Universal +Mother, and to her as to no other divinity worshipped by mankind, +was offered a spontaneity of devotion and a willing +acknowledgment of dependence. Thus far in the history of mankind +no temples dedicated to an undefined and undefinable God had been +raised. The children of Mother Earth met in the open air, +without the precincts of any man-made shrine, and under the +aerial canopy of heaven, acknowledged the bounties of the great +Deity and their dependence upon her gifts. She was a beneficent +and all-wise God, a tender and loving parent--a mother, who +demanded no bleeding sacrifice to reconcile her to her children. +The ceremonies observed at these festive seasons consisted for +the most part in merry-making and in general thanksgiving, in +which the gratitude of the worshippers found expression in song +and dance, and in invocations to their Deity for a return or +continuance of her gifts. + +Subsequently, through the awe and reverence inspired by the +mysteries involved in birth and life, the adoration of the +creative principles in vegetable existence became supplemented by +the worship of the creative functions in human beings and in +animals. The earth, including the power inherent in it by which +the continuity of existence is maintained, and by which new forms +are continuously called into life, embodied the idea of God; and, +as this inner force was regarded as inherent in matter, or as a +manifestation of it, in process of time earth and the heavens, +body and spirit, came to be worshipped under the form of a mother +and her child, this figure being the highest expression of a +Creator which the human mind was able to conceive. Not only did +this emblem represent fertility, or the fecundating energies of +Nature, but with the power to create were combined or correlated +all the mental qualities and attributes of the two sexes. In +fact the whole universe was contained in the Mother idea--the +child, which was sometimes female, sometimes male, being a scion +or offshoot from the eternal or universal unit. + +Underlying all ancient mythologies may be observed the idea that +the earth, from which all things proceed, is female. Even in the +mythology of the Finns, Lapps, and Esths, Mother Earth is the +divinity adored. Tylor calls attention to the same idea in the +mythology of England, + +"from the days when the Anglo-Saxon called upon the Earth, 'Hal +wes thu folde fira modor' (Hail, thou Earth, men's mother), to +the time when mediaeval Englishmen made a riddle of her asking +'Who is Adam's mother?' and poetry continued what mythology was +letting fall, when Milton's Archangel promised Adam a life to +last +'. . . till like ripe fruit thou drop +Into thy Mother's lap.' "[4] + +[4] Primitive Culture, vol. i., p. 295. + + +In the old religion the sky was the husband of the earth and the +earth was mother of all the gods.[5] In the traditions of past +ages the fact is clearly perceived that there was a time when the +mother was not only the one recognized parent on earth, but that +the female principle was worshipped as the more important +creative force throughout Nature. + +[5] Max Muller, Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 279. + + +Doubtless the worship of the female energy prevailed under the +matriarchal system, and was practised at a time when women were +the recognized heads of families and when they were regarded as +the more important factors in human society. The fact has been +shown in a previous work that after women began to leave their +homes at marriage, and after property, especially land, had +fallen under the supervision and control of men, the latter, as +they manipulated all the necessaries of life and the means of +supplying them, began to regard themselves as superior beings, +and later, to claim that as a factor in reproduction, or +creation, the male was the more important. With this change the +ideas of a Deity also began to undergo a modification. The dual +principle necessary to creation, and which had hitherto been +worshipped as an indivisible unity, began gradually to separate +into its individual elements, the male representing spirit, the +moving or forming force in the generative processes, the female +being matter--the instrument through which spirit works. Spirit +which is eternal had produced matter which is destructible. The +fact will be observed that this doctrine prevails to a greater or +less extent in the theologies of the present time. + +A little observation and reflection will show us that during this +change in the ideas relative to a creative principle, or God, +descent and the rights of succession which had hitherto been +reckoned through the mother were changed from the female to the +male line, the father having in the meantime become the only +recognized parent. In the Eumenides of Aeschylus, the plea of +Orestes in extenuation of his crime is that he is not of kin to +his mother. Euripides, also, puts into the mouth of Apollo the +same physiological notion, that she who bears the child is only +its nurse. The Hindoo Code of Menu, which, however, since its +earliest conception, has undergone numberless mutilations to suit +the purposes of the priests, declares that "the mother is but the +field which brings forth the plant according to whatsoever seed +is sown." + +Although, through the accumulation of property in masses and the +capture of women for wives, men had succeeded in gaining the +ascendancy, and although the doctrine had been propounded that +the father is the only parent, thereby reversing the established +manner of reckoning descent, still, as we shall hereafter +observe, thousands of years were required to eliminate the female +element from the god-idea. + +We must not lose sight of the fact that human society was first +organized and held together by means of the gens, at the head of +which was a woman. The several members of this organization were +but parts of one body cemented together by the pure principle of +maternity, the chief duty of these members being to defend and +protect each other if needs be with their life blood. The fact +has been observed, in an earlier work, that only through the gens +was the organization of society possible. Without it mankind +could have accomplished nothing toward its own advancement. + +Thus, throughout the earlier ages of human existence, at a time +when mankind lived nearer to Nature and before individual wealth +and the stimulation of evil passions had engendered superstition, +selfishness, and distrust, the maternal element constituted not +only the binding and preserving principle in human society, but, +together with the power to bring forth, constituted also the +god-idea, which idea, as has already been observed, at a certain +stage in the history of the race was portrayed by a female figure +with a child in her arms. + +From all sources of information at hand are to be derived +evidences of the fact that the earliest religion of which we have +any account was pure Nature-worship, that whatever at any given +time might have been the object adored, whether it were the +earth, a tree, water, or the sun, it was simply as an emblem of +the great energizing agency in Nature. The moving or forming +force in the universe constituted the god-idea. The figure of a +mother with her child signified not only the power to bring +forth, but Perceptive Wisdom, or Light, as well. + +As through a study of Comparative Ethnology, or through an +investigation into the customs, traditions, and mythoses of +extant races in the various stages of development, have been +discovered the beginnings of the religious idea and the mental +qualities which among primitive races prompted worship, so, also, +through extinct tongues and the symbolism used in religious rites +and ceremonies, many of the processes have been unearthed whereby +the original and beautiful conceptions of the Deity, and the +worship inspired by the operations of Nature, and especially the +creative functions in human beings gradually became obscured by +the grossest ideas and the vilest practices. The symbols which +appear in connection with early religious rites and ceremonies, +and under which are veiled the conceptions of a still earlier and +purer age, when compared with subsequently developed notions +relative to the same objects, indicate plainly the change which +has been wrought in the original ideas relative to the creative +functions, and furnish an index to the direction which human +development, or growth, has taken. + +As the human race constructs its own gods, and as by the +conceptions involved in the deities worshipped at any given time +in the history of mankind we are able to form a correct estimate +of the character, temperament, and aspirations of the +worshippers, so the history of the gods of the race, as revealed +to us through the means of symbols, monumental records, and the +investigation of extinct tongues, proves that from a stage of +Nature worship and a pure and rational conception of the creative +forces in the universe, mankind, in course of time, degenerated +into mere devotees of sensual pleasure. With the corruption of +human nature and the decline of mental power which followed the +supremacy of the animal instincts, the earlier abstract idea of +God was gradually lost sight of, and man himself in the form of a +potentate or ruler, together with the various emblems of +virility, came to be worshipped as the Creator. From adorers of +an abstract creative principle, mankind had lapsed into +worshippers of the symbols under which this principle had been +veiled. + +Although at certain stages in the history of the human race the +evils, which as a result of the supremacy of the ruder elements +developed in mankind had befallen the race were lamented and +bewailed, they could not be suppressed. Man had become a lost +and ruined creature. The golden age had passed away. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +TREE, PLANT, AND FRUIT WORSHIP. + +When mankind first began to perceive the fact of an all-pervading +agency throughout Nature, by or through which everything is +produced, and when they began to speculate on the origin of life +and the final cause and destiny of things, it is not in the least +remarkable that various objects and elements, such as fire, air, +water, trees, etc., should in their turn have been venerated as +in some special manner embodying the divine essence. Neither is +it surprising although this universal agency was regarded as one, +or as a dual entity, they should have recognized its manifold +expressions or manifestations. + +To primitive man, the visible sources whence proceeded his daily +sustenance doubtless constituted the first objects of his regard +and adoration. Hence, in addition to the homage paid to the +earth, in due course of time would be added the worship of trees, +upon which the early race was directly dependent for food. At a +time when the art of agriculture had not been attained, all such +trees as yielded their fruit for the support of the human race, +and which afforded to mankind pleasant beverages or cooling +shade, would come to be regarded as embodying the universal +beneficent principle--the great creating and preserving agency of +Nature, and therefore as proper objects of veneration. + +According to the Phoenician theogony, "the first gods which were +worshipped by oblations and sacrifices were the fruits of the +earth, on which they and their descendants lived as their +forefathers had done." + +Although, after the art of agriculture had been developed, +mankind was gradually relieved from its past dependence on the +tree as a means of support, it nevertheless continued to be +regarded with veneration as an emblem of creative power or of +productive energy. + +Among the traditions and monuments of nearly every country of the +globe are to be found traces of a sacred tree--a Tree of Life. +In various countries there appear two traditional trees, the one +typical of the continuation of physical life, the other +representing spiritual life, or the life of the soul. After the +age of pure Nature-worship had passed, however, and serpent, +fire, and phallic faiths had been introduced, the original +signification of the tree, like that of all other religious +emblems, became considerably changed. Through its energies, or +life-giving properties, existence had long been maintained, and +for this reason, as has already been observed, it became an +object of veneration; but, after the reproductive power in man +had risen to the dignity of a supreme God, the tree, to the +masses of the people, became a symbol of the physical, +life-giving energy in mortals and in animals. In other words, it +became a phallic emblem representing the continuation of +existence, or the power to reproduce or continue life on the +earth. As a religious symbol it became the traditional Tree of +Life. + +The tree, like nearly every other object in nature, was and still +is, in various parts of the world, either female or male, and all +ideas connected with it are sacred and closely interwoven with +sex. + +The extent to which trees have been venerated in past ages seems +to be little understood, and there are doubtless few persons, at +the present time, who would willingly believe that all along the +religious stream, from its source to its latest developed +branches, are to be observed traces of this ancient worship, +which, in its earliest stages, was simply a recognition of +Nature's bounties. + +Barlow, in his work on Symbolism, says that "the most generally +received symbol of life is a tree--as also the most appropriate." + +Again the same writer observes: "Besides the monumental evidence +thus furnished of a sacred tree, or Tree of Life, there is an +historical and traditional evidence of the same thing, found in +the early literature of various nations, in the customs, and +popular usages."[6] As tree- and sun-worship, or the adoration of +Nature's processes, finally became interwoven with phallic +faiths, its history can be understood only after these later +developments in the religious stream have been examined, or after +the true significance of the serpent as a religious emblem, and +the various ideas connected with the traditional Tree of Life, +have been exposed. + +[6] Essays on Symbolism, p. 84. + + +The palm, the pine, the oak, the banian, or bo, and many other +species of trees, have, at different times, and by various +nations, been invested with divine honors; but, in oriental +countries, by far the most sacred among them is the Ficus +Religiosa, or the holy bo tree of India. Something of the true +significance of the traditional Tree of Life may be observed in +the ideas connected with the worship of this emblem. The fig, +when planted with the palm, as it frequently is in the East, near +temples and holy shrines, is regarded as a peculiarly sacred +object. When entwining the palm, which is male, it is always +female; from their embrace Kalpia, or passion, is developed. +This union causes the continuation of existence and the +"revolutions of time." The whole constitutes the Tree of Life. + +In Ceylon, there stands at the present time a tree which we are +told is still worshipped by every follower of Buddha. It is a +sacred bo, or Ficus Religiosa, which stands adjacent to an +ancient holy shrine known as the Brazen Monastery, now in ruins. +Of this tree Forlong remarks: + +"Though now amidst ruins and wild forests, and although having +stood thus in solitary desolation for some 1500 years, yet there +it still grows, and is worshipped and deeply revered by more +millions of our race than any other god, prophet, or idol, which +the world has ever seen."[7] + +[7] Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 35. + + +This tree is sacred to Sakyu Mooni, is 2200 years old, and is +said to be a slip from a tree planted by Bood Gaya, one of the +three former Buddhas who, like Sakyu Mooni, visited Ceylon. +Under the parent of this tree the great prophet reposed after he +had attained perfect rest, or after he had overcome the flesh and +become Buddha. It was under a bo tree that Mai, Queen of Heaven, +brought him forth, and, in fact, very many of the most important +incidents of his life are closely connected with this sacred +emblem. + +In an allusion to the bo tree of Ceylon, a slip of which is said +to have been carried from India to that island by a certain +priestess in the year 307 B.C., Forlong observes: + +"This wonderful idol has furnished shoots to half Asia, and every +shoot is trained as much as possible like the parent, and like +it, also, enclosed and tended. Men watch and listen for signs +and sounds from this holy tree just as the priests of Dodona did +beneath their rustling oaks, and, as many people, even of these +somewhat sceptical days, still do, beneath the pulpits of their +pope, priest, or other oracle."[8] + +[8] Rivers of Life, vol. i., p, 36. + + +The sacred Ficus is worshipped in India and in many of the +Polynesian islands. + +Regarding the palm, Inman assures us that it is emblematical of +the active male energy, or the continuation of existence.[9] + +[9] Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. ii., p. 448. + + +Within the legends underlying the Jewish religion, it will be +remembered that the tree appears mysteriously connected with the +beginning of life and is interwoven with the first ideas of human +action and experience. The literal sense, however, of the +allegory in Genesis concerning the woman, the tree, and the +serpent, and its meaning as generally accepted by laymen and the +uneducated among the priesthood, has little in common with its +true significance as understood by the initiated. + +In Vedic times, the home tree was worshipped as a god, and to the +exhilarating properties in its juice was ascribed that subtle +quality which was regarded as the life-giving, or creative, +energy supposed to reside in heat, and which was closely +connected with passion or procreative energy. This quality was +their Bacchus, Dionysos, or god-idea--the creator not alone of +physical existence, but of good and evil as well. It was the +Destroyer, yet the Regenerator, of life. + +Of the Zoroastrian home, or sacred tree, which by the Persians +was worshipped for thousands of years, Layard remarks: "The plant +or its product was called the mystical body of God, the living +water or food of eternal life, when duly consecrated and +administered according to Zoroastrian rites." It has been +suggested, and not without reason, that to this idea of the +ancients, respecting the sacred character of the properties of +the home juice, may be traced the "origin of the celebration of +Jewish holy or paschal suppers and other eucharistic rites." + +Although by the ancients water was sometimes regarded as the +original principle, later, wine, or the intoxicating quality +within it, came to constitute the god-idea. It was spirit, while +water was matter; hence, in the sacraments, water and wine were +commingled, wine representing the essence or blood of God; water, +at the same time, standing for the people. Cyprian, the bishop +martyr, while contending for the use of wine in the Sacrament of +the Lord's Supper, makes use of the following argument: + +"The Holy Spirit also is not silent in the Psalms on the +sacrament of this thing, when He makes mention of the Lord's Cup, +and says 'Thy intoxicating cup how excellent it is!' Now the cup +which intoxicates is assuredly mingled with wine, for water +cannot intoxicate anybody. And the Cup of the Lord in such wise +inebriates, as Noe also was intoxicated drinking wine in Genesis. +. . . For because Christ bore us all, in that he also bore our +sins, we see that in the water is understood the people, but in +the wine is showed the blood of Christ. . . . Thus, +therefore, in consecrating the Cup of the Lord, water alone +cannot be offered, even as wine alone cannot be offered. For if +anyone offer wine only, the blood of Christ is dissociated from +us; but if the water be alone, the people are dissociated from +Christ."[10] + +[10] Epistles of Cyprian, vol. i., pp. 215-217. + + +The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, at which wine is mysteriously +converted into the essence of Deity, or into the blood of Christ, +is without doubt a relic of the idea once entertained regarding +the homa tree. Certain writers entertain the opinion that from +the use of the sacred homa juice have arisen various religious +practices and rites, such for instance as offering oblations to +the gods, anointing holy stones, and pouring wine on sacred +hills, also the custom of pledging oaths over glasses of wine. + +The May pole, a decidedly phallic emblem, whose festivals until a +very recent time were celebrated in England by the old as well as +the young, was usually if not always sprinkled with wine. From +the accounts which we have of this sacred emblem and its +festival, it seems that no royal edict nor priestly denunciation +was sufficient to expel it from the country. + +According to Dr. Stevenson, the festival of Holi or the worship +of Holika Devata, in the island of Ceylon, "has a close +resemblance to the English festival of the May-pole, which +originated in a religious ceremony or festival of the Cushites +(called Phoenicians) who anciently occupied Western Europe."[11] + +[11] Quoted by Baldwin, Prehistoric Nations, p. 223. + + +The ash is the Scandinavian Tree of Life, and, like the sacred +trees of all nations, is emblematical of the continuation of +existence. This tree has a triple root, which peculiarity +doubtless accounts for its sacred character. It is both female +and male, and is said to be regarded as a "sort of Logos or +Wisdom." It is the first emanation from the Deity, and yet a +Trinity in Unity. To insult or injure this tree was sacrilege, +to cut it down was an offense punishable with death. + +In the old Egyptian and Zoroastrian story, appear the +descriptions of two Trees of Life, also a Tree of Knowledge. In +the accounts given of these trees, the Ficus, the female Tree of +Life, represents the life of the soul, while the palm, the male +Tree of Life, is that which gives physical life, which also is +the true significance of the word "lord." When, however, either +of these trees stood alone, or unaccompanied by its counterpart, +by it both of the creative principles were understood. By these +ideas is suggested the thought which among a certain school of +psychologists of the present century seems to be gaining ground, +namely: that man is a dual entity, or, in other words, that he +has a subjective mind and an objective self, which so long as +this life endures must co-operate or work together. + +In the following descriptions of Egyptian emblems, will be +perceived some of the changes which finally took place relative +to the idea of sex in the god-idea. + +In the museum of Egyptian antiquities in Berlin is a sepulchral +tablet representing the Tree of Life. This emblem figures the +trunk of a tree, from the top of which emerges the bust of a +woman--Netpe. She is the goddess of heavenly existence, and is +administering to the deceased the water and the bread of life, +the latter of which is represented by a substance in the form of +cakes or rolls. The time at which this tablet was found is not +known, but it is supposed to belong to the period of the XIXth +dynasty, or about the time of Rameses II., 1400 years B.C. + +There is also in the Berlin museum another representation of the +Egyptian Tree of Life, in which the trunk has given place to the +entire body of a woman. This, also, is Netpe, who is still +spiritual wisdom or the maternal principle. We are informed by +Forlong that Diana was worshipped by the Amazons under a sacred +tree.[12] From this symbol the tree, which grew first into the +figure of a divine woman, and later assumed the form of a divine +man, arose the emblem of the cross. + +[12] Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 70. + + +On the Nineveh tablets is pictured a Tree of Life which is +surrounded by winged spirits, bearing in their hands the pine +cone, a symbol indicating life, and which is said to have the +same significance as the crux-ansata, or cross, among the +Egyptians. + +In later ages, the Tree of Life, i. e., the divine man, or +cross, or both together, furnish immortal food to those who lay +hold upon them, exactly in the same manner as did Netpe, the +goddess of wisdom, or spiritual life, in former times. According +to the testimony of Barlow, this is the subject "most frequently +symbolized on early Christian sepulchral tablets and +monuments."[13] Christ's body was the "bread of life," and his +blood was the "wine from the Tree of Life," of which to partake +was life eternal. The cross, as in earlier religions, +represented completeness of life. The jambu tree, the Buddhist +god-tree, is in the shape of a cross.[14] + +[13] Essays on Symbolism, p. 74. + +[14] Wilford, Asiatic Researches. + + +Among the Kelti a tall oak was not only a symbol of the Deity, +but it was Jupiter himself, while the earth from which it sprang +was the Great Mother. Throughout Europe, in all ages, the oak +has received divine honors. The fact that under its branches +Jew, Pagan, and Christian alike swore their most solemn oaths, +shows that its veneration was not confined to any particular +nation or locality. + +The sacredness of the oak among the Druids is well attested by +all writers who have dealt with this interesting people. In Rome +its branches formed the badge of victory worn by conquering +heroes, this emblem being the highest mark of distinction which +could be conferred upon them. + +Forlong assures us that the oak was even more worshipped at the +West than was the sacred Ficus at the East. Like it, the wood of +the oak must be used + +"to call down the sacred fire from Heaven and gladden in the yule +(Suiel or Seul) log of Christmas-tide even Christian fires, as +well as annually renew with fire direct from Ba-al, on Beltine +day, the sacred flame on every public and private hearth, and +this from the temples of Meroe on the Nile, to the farthest icy +forests and mountains of the Sklavonian."[15] + +[15] Faiths of Man in All Lands, vol. i., p. 68. + + +Among the Druids, the mistletoe was also sacred especially when +entwining the oak. Together they represented the Tree of Life, +or the two generating agencies throughout Nature. Of the species +of it which grows on the oak, Borlaise says that they deified the +mistletoe and were not to look upon it but in the most devout and +reverential manner: "When the end of the year approached, they +marched with great solemnity to gather the mistletoe of the oak +in order to present it to Jupiter, inviting all the world to +assist in the ceremony."[16] + +[16] Borlaise. + + +According to the Latin writer Pliny, the "Druids have nothing +more sacred than the mistletoe and the tree on which it grows, +provided it be an oak." This plant, which is called All Heal, +although sought after with the greatest religious ardor, is +seldom found, but should the people who go forth at Christmas +time in large numbers succeed in finding it they immediately set +about preparing feasts under the tree upon which it grows; at the +same time, in the most solemn manner, two white bulls are brought +forth to be sacrificed. After the feast has been prepared and +the sacrifice made ready, the priest ascends the tree and with a +golden pruning-knife cuts the sacred branches of the mistletoe, +dropping them into a white cloth prepared for the occasion. The +bulls are then sacrificed and a prayer offered that "God would +render his own gift prosperous to those on whom he has bestowed +it." They believed that administered in a potion it would impart +fecundity to any barren animal, and that it was a remedy against +all kinds of poison. The branches of the mistletoe were then +distributed among the faithful, each cherishing the token as the +most sacred emblem of his faith. It is thought that the +Christmas tree is a remnant of this custom. + +Although the Christbaum of the Germans, the Yggdrasill of the +Scandinavians, and the Christmas tree of the English speaking +nations are still regarded as belonging exclusively to +Christianity, their birthplace was the far East, and their origin +long anterior to our present era. This subject will be referred +to later in these pages. The palm, which in course of time +became the most sacred tree of Egypt, is said to have put forth a +shoot every month during the year. At Christmas tide, or at the +winter solstice, a branch from this tree was used as a symbol of +the renewal of time or of the birth of the New Year. + +On the Zodiac of Dendera, preserved in the National Library at +Paris, are two trees, the one representing the East, or India and +China, the other, the West, or Egypt. The former of these trees +is putting forth a pair of leaves and is topped by the emblems of +Siva, emblems which indicate the fructifying powers of Nature, +whilst the Egyptian sacred tree, which is surmounted by the +ostrich plume, the emblem of truth, is indicative of Light, +Intelligence, or the life of the soul. In a discourse delivered +by Dr. Stukeley in 1760, attention was directed to the grove of +Abraham as "that famous oak grove of Beersheba, planted by the +illustrious prophet and first Druid--Abraham; and from whom our +celebrated British Druids came, who were of the same patriarchal +reformed religion, and brought the use of sacred groves to +Britain."[17] + +[17] Barlow, Symbolism, p. 98. + + +The fact has been ascertained that in Arabia, in very ancient +times, there was a goddess named Azra who was worshipped under +the form of a tree called Samurch, and that in Yemen tree-worship +still prevails. To the date is ascribed divine honors. This +tree is said to have its regular priests, services, rites, and +festivals, and is as zealously worshipped as are the gods of any +other country. We are not informed as to whether the Jewish Tree +of Life was borrowed from the Chaldeans or the Egyptians, but, as +the significance is the same in all countries, it is of little +consequence which furnished a copy for the writer in Genesis. + +In Dr. Inman's Ancient Faiths, is a drawing from the original, +by Colonel Coombs, of the "Temptation," or of the ancient +tree-and-serpent myth in Genesis. This drawing, in which it is +observed that the Jewish idea of woman as tempter is reversed, +was copied from the inner walls of a cave in Southern India. The +picture is said to be a faithful representation of the version of +the story as accepted in the East. + +Of the myrtle, Payne Knight says that it "was a symbol both of +Venus and Neptune, the male and female personifications of the +productive powers of the waters, which appear to have been +occasionally employed in the same sense as the fig and fig leaf." + +The same writer refers to the fact that instead of beads, wreaths +of foliage, generally of laurel, olive, myrtle, ivy, or oak, +appear upon coins; sometimes encircling the symbolical figures, +and sometimes as chaplets on their heads. According to Strabo, +each of these is sacred to some particular personification of the +Deity, and "significant of some particular attribute, and in +general, all evergreens were Dionysiac plants, that is, symbols +of the generative power, signifying perpetuity of youth and +vigor." The crowns of laurel, olive, etc., with which the +victors in the Roman triumphs and Grecian games were honored, +were emblems of immortality, and not merely transitory marks of +occasional distinction.[18] + +[18] Payne Knight, Symbolism of Ancient Art. We are informed +that this book was never sold, but only given away. Although a +copy of it was formerly in the British Museum, care was taken by +the trustees to keep it out of the catalogues. + + +The tree and serpent, according to Ferguson, are symbolized in +all religious systems which the world has ever known. The two +together are typical of the processes of reproduction or +generation. They also symbolize good and evil and the cause +which underlies the decline of virtue. + +Among the numberless fruits which from time to time have been +regarded as divine emblems, the principal are perhaps the fig, +the pomegranate, the mandrake, the almond, and the olive. The +peculiarly sacred character which we find attached to the fig +ceases to be a mystery so soon as we remember that the organs of +generation, male and female, had, in process of time, come to be +objects of worship and that the fig was the emblem of the latter. + +A basket of this fruit is said to have been the most acceptable +offering to the god Bacchus, and therefore, by his devotees, was +regarded as the most sacred symbol. The favorite material for +phallic devices was the wood of the sacred fig, for it was by +rubbing together pieces of it that holy fire was supposed to be +drawn from heaven. By holy fire, however, was meant not so much +the natural visible element which was kindled, as that subtle +substance contained in fire or heat which was supposed to contain +the life principle, and which was sent in response to the +cravings of pious devotees for procreative energy, which +blessing, among various peoples, notably the Jews, was indicative +of special divine favor. + +By pagans, Jews, and Christians, the pomegranate has long been +regarded as a sacred emblem. It is a symbol of reproductive +energy. Representations of it were embroidered on the Ephod, and +Solomon's Temple is reported as having been literally covered +with decorations, in which, among the devices noticed, this +particular fruit appears the most conspicuous. Its significance, +as revealed by Inman and other writers, is too gross to be set +forth in these pages. + +Among the most sacred plants or flowers were the lotus and the +fleur de lis, both of which were venerated because of some real +or fancied organic sexual peculiarity. The lotus is adored as +the female principle throughout Nature, or as the "womb of all +creation," and is sacred throughout oriental countries. It is +said to be androgynous or hermaphrodite--hence its peculiarly +sacred character. + +It has long been thought that this lily is produced without the +aid of the male pollen, hence it would seem to be an appropriate +emblem for that ancient sect which worshipped the female as the +more important creative energy. + +Of the lotus, Inman remarks: "Amongst fourteen kinds of food and +flowers presented to the Sanskrit God Anata, the lotus only is +indispensable." This emblem, as we have seen, was the symbol of +the Great Mother, and we are assured that it was "little less +sacred than the Queen of Heaven herself." + +Regarding the lotus and its universal significance as a religious +emblem, Payne Knight says: + +"The lotus is the Nelumbo of Linnaeus. This plant grows in the +water, and amongst its broad leaves puts forth a flower, in the +center of which is formed the seed vessel, shaped like a bell or +inverted cone, and punctured on the top with little cavities or +cells, in which the seeds grow. The orifices of these cells +being too small to let the seeds drop out when ripe, they shoot +forth into new plants, in the places where they were formed, the +bulb of the vessel serving as a matrix to nourish them until they +acquire such a degree of magnitude as to burst it open and +release themselves, after which, like other aquatic weeds, they +take root wherever the current deposits them. This plant, +therefore, being thus productive of itself, and vegetating from +its own matrix, without being fostered in the earth, was +naturally adopted as the symbol of the productive power of the +waters, upon which the creative spirit of the Creator operated in +giving life and vegetation to matter. We accordingly find it +employed in every part of the Northern hemisphere, where the +symbolical religion improperly called idolatry does or did +prevail. The sacred images of the Tartars, Japanese, and Indians +are almost all placed upon it, of which numerous instances occur +in the publication of Kaempfer, Sonnerat, etc: The Brama of India +is represented sitting upon a lotus throne, and the figures upon +the Isaic table hold the stem of this plant, surmounted by the +seed vessel in one hand, and the cross representing the male +organs in the other: thus signifying the universal power, both +active and passive, attributed to that goddess."[19] + +[19] Symbolism of Ancient Art. + + +The lotus is the most sacred and the most significant symbol +connected with the sacred mysteries of the East. Upon this +subject, Maurice observes that there is no plant which has +received such a degree of honor as has the lotus. It was the +consecrated symbol of the Great Mother who had brought forth the +fecundative energies, female and male. Not only throughout the +Northern hemisphere was it everywhere held in profound +veneration, but among the modern Egyptians it is still worshipped +as symbolical of the Great First Cause. The lotus was the emblem +venerated in the solemn celebration of the Mysteries of Eleusis +in Greece and the Phiditia in Carthage. + +In referring to the degree of homage paid to the lotus by the +ancients, Higgins says: "And we shall find in the sequel that it +still continues to receive the respect, if not the adoration, of +a great part of the Christian world, unconscious, perhaps, of the +original reason of their conduct." It is a significant fact that +in nearly all the sacred paintings of the Christians in the +galleries throughout Europe, especially those of the +Annunciation, a lily is always to be observed. In later ages as +the original significance of the lotus was lost, any lily came to +be substituted. Godfrey Higgins is sure that although the +priests of the Romish Church are at the present time ignorant of +the true meaning of the lotus, or lily, "it is, like many other +very odd things, probably understood at the Vatican, or the Crypt +of St. Peter's."[20] + +[20] Anacalypsis, book vii., ch. xi. + + +Of the lotus of the Hindoos Nimrod says: + +"The lotus is a well-known allegory, of which the expanse calyx +represents the ships of the gods floating on the surface of the +water, and the erect flower arising out of it, the mast thereof . +. . but as the ship was Isis or Magna Mater, the female +principle, and the mast in it the male deity, these parts of the +flower came to have certain other significations, which seem to +have been as well known at Samosata as at Benares."[21] + +[21] Quoted in Anacalypsis. + + +In other words it was a phallic emblem and represented the +creative processes throughout Nature. Susa, the name of the +capital of the Cushites, or ancient Ethiopians, meant "the City +of Lilies." In India the lotus frequently appears among phallic +devices in place of the sacred Yoni. From the foregoing pages +the fact will be observed that the God of the ancients embodied +the two creative agencies throughout the universe, but as nothing +could exist without a mother, the great Om who was the +indivisible God and the Creator of the sun was the mother of +these two principles, while the Tree of Life was the original +life-giving energy upon the earth, represented in the creation +myths of the first man Adam, and the first woman Eve or Adama. + +Throughout the ages, this force, or creative agency has been +symbolized in various ways, many of which have been noted in the +foregoing pages. We have observed that notwithstanding the fact +that the supremacy of the male had been established, the sacred +Yoni and the lotus were still reverenced as symbols of the most +exalted God. Finally, when the masculine energy began to be +worshipped as the more important agency in reproduction, the +female, although still necessary to complete the god-idea, was +veiled. + +Among the sect known as Lingaites, those who adored the male +creative power, Man, Phallus, and Creator in religious symbolism +signified one and the same thing in the minds of the people. +Each represented a Tree of Life, the beginning and end of all +things. + +Tree-worship was condemned by the councils of Tours, Nantes, and +Auxerre, and in the XIth century it was forbidden in England by +the laws of Canute, but these edicts seem to have had little +effect. In referring to this subject, Barlow says: "In the +XVIIIth century it existed in Livonia, and traces of it may still +be found in the British Isles."[22] The vast area over which +tree- and plant-worship once extended, and the tenacity with +which it still clings to the human race, indicate the hold which, +at an earlier age in the history of mankind, it had taken upon +the religious feelings of mankind. + +[22] Essays on Symbolism, p. 118. + + +So closely has this worship become entwined with that of serpent +and phallic faiths, that it is impossible to consider it, even in +a brief manner, without anticipating these later developments; +yet linked with earth- and sun-worship, it doubtless prevailed +for many ages absolutely unconnected with the grosser ideas with +which it subsequently became associated. + + + +CHAPTER III. + +SUN-WORSHIP--FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES IN THE SUN. + +"When we inquire into the worship of nations in the earliest +periods to which we have access by writing or tradition, we find +that the adoration of one God, without temples or images, +universally prevailed."[23] + +[23] Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids. + + +Underlying all the ancient religions of which we have any +account, may be observed the great energizing force throughout +Nature recognized and reverenced as the Deity. This force +embraces not only the creative energies in human beings, in +animals, and in plants, but in the earlier ages of human history +it included also Wisdom, or Law--that "power by which all things +are discriminated or defined and held in their proper places." +The most renowned writers who have dealt with this subject agree +in the conclusion that, during thousands of years among all the +nations of the earth, only one God was worshipped. This God was +Light and Life, both of which proceeded from the sun, or more +properly speaking were symbolized by the sun. + +In Egyptian hymns the Creator is invoked as the being who "dwells +concealed in the sun"; and Greek writers speak of this luminary +as the "generator and nourisher of all things, the ruler of the +world." It is thought, however, that neither of these nations +worshipped the corporeal sun. It was the "centre or body from +which the pervading spirit, the original producer of order, +fertility, and organization, continued to emanate to preserve the +mighty structure which it had formed." + +It is evident that at an early age, both in Egypt and in India, +spiritualized conceptions of sun-worship had already been formed. + +We have seen that Netpe, the Goddess of Light, or Heavenly +Wisdom, conferred spiritual life on all who would accept it. The +Great Mother of the Gods in India was not only the source whence +all blessings flow, but she was the Beginning and the End of all +things. + +Of "Aditi, the boundless, the yonder, the beyond all and +everything," Max Muller says that in later times she "may have +become identified with the sky, also with the earth, but +originally she was far beyond the sky and the earth."[24] The +same writer quotes the following, also from a hymn of the +Rig-Veda: + +[24] Origin and Growth of Religion, p. 221. + + +"O Mitra and Varuna, you mount your chariot which, at the dawning +of the dawn is golden-colored and has iron poles at the setting +of the sun; from thence you see Aditi and Diti--that is, what is +yonder and what is here, what is infinite and what is finite, +what is mortal and what is immortal."[25] + +[25] Ibid. + + +Aditi is the Great She that Is, the Everlasting. Muller refers +to the fact that another Hindoo poet "speaks of the dawn as the +face of Aditi; thus indicating that Aditi is here not the dawn +itself, but something beyond the dawn." This Goddess, who is +designated as the "Oldest," is implored "not only to drive away +darkness and enemies that lurk in the dark, but likewise to +deliver man from any sin which he may have committed." "May +Aditi by day protect our cattle, may she, who never deceives, +protect us from evil." + +In the Egyptian as in the Indian and Hebrew religions, the two +generating principles throughout Nature represent the Infinite, +the Holy of Holies, the Elohim or Aleim--the Ieue. Within the +records of the earliest religions of Ethiopia or Arabia, Chaldea, +Assyria, and Babylonia, is revealed the same monad principle in +the Deity. This monad conception, or dual unity, this God of +Light and Life, or of Wisdom and generative force, is the same +source whence all mythologies have sprung, and, as has been +stated, among all peoples the fact is observed that the religious +idea has followed substantially the same course of development, +or growth. Within the sacred writings of the Hindoos there is +but one Almighty Power, usually denominated as Brahm or Brahme-- +Om or Aum. This word in India was regarded with the same degree +of veneration as was the sacred Ieue of the Jews. In later ages, +the fact is being proved that this God, into whom all the deities +worshipped at a certain period in human history resolve +themselves, is the sun, or if not the actual corporeal sun, then +the supreme agency within it which was acknowledged as the great +creative or life-force-- that dual principle which by the early +races was recognized as Elohim, Om, Ormuzd, etc., and from which +the productive power in human beings, in plants, and in animals +was thought to emanate. + +Prior to the development of either tree or phallic worship, the +sun as an emblem of the Deity had doubtless become the principal +object of veneration. Ages would probably elapse before +primitive man would observe that all life is dependent on the +warmth of the sun's rays, or before from experience he would +perceive the fact that to its agency as well as to that of the +earth he was indebted both for food and the power of motion. +However, as soon as this knowledge had been gained, the great orb +of day would assume the most prominent place among the objects of +his regard and adoration. That such has been the case, that the +sun, either as the actual Creator, or as an emblem of the great +energizing force in Nature, has been worshipped by every nation +of the globe, there is no lack of evidence to prove; neither do +we lack proof to establish the fact that, since the adoption of +the sun as a divine object, or perhaps I should say as the emblem +of Wisdom and creative power, it has never been wholly eliminated +from the god-idea of mankind. + +Bryant produces numberless etymological proofs to establish the +fact that all the early names of the Deity were derived or +compounded from some word which originally meant the sun. + +Max Muller says that Surya was the sun as shining in the sky. +Savitri was the sun as bringing light and life. Vishnu was the +sun as striding with three steps across the sky, etc. + +Inman, whose etymological researches have given him considerable +prominence as a Sanskrit and Hebrew scholar, says that Ra, Ilos, +Helos, Bil, Baal, Al, Allah, and Elohim were names given to the +sun as representative of the Creator. + +We are assured by Godfrey Higgins that Brahme is the sun the same +as Surya. Brahma sprang from the navel of Brahme. Faber in his +Pagan Idolatry says that all the gods of the ancients "melt +insensibly into one, they are all equally the sun." The word +Apollo signifies the author or generator of Light. In the Rig +Veda, Surya, the sun, is called Aditya. "Truly, Surya, thou art +great; truly Aditya, thou art great." + +Selden observes that whether the gods be called Osiris, or +Omphis, or Nilus, or any other name, they all center in the sun. + +According to Diodorus Siculus, it was the belief of the ancients +that Dionysos, Osiris, Serapis, Pan, Jupiter and Pluto were all +one. They were, the sun. + +Max Muller says that a very low race in India named the Santhals +call the sun Chandro, which means "bright." These people +declared to the missionaries who settled among them, that Chandro +had created the world; and when told that it would be absurd to +say that the sun had created the world, they replied: "We do not +mean the visible Chandro, but an invisible one." + +Not only did Dionysos, and all the rest of the gods who in later +ages came to be regarded as men, represent the sun, but after the +separation of the male and female elements in the originally +indivisible God, Maut or Minerva, Demeter, Ceres, Isis, Juno, and +others less important in the pagan world were also the sun, or, +in other words, they represented the female power throughout the +universe which was supposed to reside in the sun. + +In most groups of Babylonian and Assyrian divine emblems, there +occur two distinct representations of the sun, "one being figured +with four rays or divisions within the orb, and the other, with +eight." According to George Rawlinson, these figures represent a +distinction between the male and female powers residing within +the sun, the quartered disk signifying the male energy, and the +eight-rayed orb appearing as the emblem of the female![26] + +[26] Essay x. + + +During an earlier age of human history, prior to the dissensions +which arose over the relative importance of the sexes in +reproduction, and at a time when a mother and her child +represented the Deity, the sun was worshiped as the female Jove. +Everything in the universe was a part of this great God. At that +time there had been no division in the god-idea. The Creator +constituted a dual but indivisible unity. Dionysos formerly +represented this God, as did also Om, Jove, Mithras, and others. +Jove was the "Great Virgin" whence everything proceeds. + + "Jove first exists, whose thunders roll above, + Jove last, Jove midmost, all proceeds from Jove; + Female is Jove, Immortal Jove is male; + Jove the broad Earth, the heavens irradiate pale. + Jove is the boundless Spirit, Jove the Fire, + That warms the world with feeling and desire." + +In a former work the fact has been mentioned that the first clue +obtained by Herr Bachofen, author of Das Mutterrecht, to a former +condition of society under which gynaecocracy, or the social and +political pre-eminence of women, prevailed, was the importance +attached to the female principle in the Deity in all ancient +mythologies. + +According to the testimony of various writers, Om, although +comprehending both elements of the Deity, was nevertheless female +in signification. Sir William Jones observes that Om means +oracle--matrix or womb.[27] Upon this subject Godfrey Higgins, +quoting from Drummond, remarks: + +[27] See Anacalypsis, book iii., ch. ii. + + +"The word Om or Am in the Hebrew not only signifies might, +strength, power, firmness, solidity, truth, but it means also +Mother, as in Genesis ii., 24, and Love, whence the Latin Amo, +Mamma. If the word be taken to mean strength, then Amon will +mean (the first syllable being in regimine) the temple of the +strength of the generative or creative power, or the temple of +the mighty procreative power. If the word Am means Mother, then +a still more recondite idea will be implied, viz.: the mother +generative power, or the maternal generative power: perhaps the +Urania of Persia or the Venus Aphrodite of Crete and Greece, or +the Jupiter Genetrix of the masculine and feminine gender, or the +Brahme Mai of India, or the Alma Venus of Lucretius. And the +City of On or Heliopolis will be the City of the sun, or City of +the procreative powers of nature of which the sun was always an +emblem." + +According to Prof. W. R. Smith, Om means uniting or binding, a +fact which is explained by the early significance of the mother +element in early society. The name of the great Deity Om or Aum +scarcely passes the lips of its worshippers, and when it is +pronounced is always reverently whispered. Regarding the mystic +word Om, we are told that it is the name given to Delphi, and +that "Delphi has the meaning of the female organs of generation +called in India the Os Minxoe." + +Although the great God of India was female and male, yet we are +assured by Forlong that the female energy Maya, Queen of Heaven, +even at the present time is more heard of than the male +principle. + +According to Bryant, the worship of Ham is the most ancient as +well as the most universal of any in the world. This writer +remarks that Ham, instead of representing an individual, is but a +Greek corruption of Om or Aum, the great androgynous God of +India, a God which is identical in significance with Aleim, +Vesta, and all the other representatives of the early dual, +universal power. "In the old language God was called Al, Ale, +Alue, and Aleim, more frequently Aleim than any other name." +According to the testimony of Higgins, Aleim denotes the feminine +plural. The heathen divinities Ashtaroth and Beelzebub were both +called Aleim, Ashtaroth being simply Astarte adorned with the +horns of a ram. Ishtar not unfrequently appears with the horns +of a cow. We are informed by Inman that whenever a goddess is +observed with horns--emblems which by the way always indicate +masculine power--it is to denote the fact that she is +androgynous, or that within her is embodied the complete +Deity--the dual reproductive energy throughout Nature. The +"figure becomes the emblem of divinity and power."[28] + +[28] Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., p. 311. + + +Mithras--the Savior, the great Persian Deity which was worshipped +as the "Preserver," was both female and male. Among the +representations of this divinity which appear in the Townley +collection in the British Museum, is one in which it is figured +in its female character, in the act of killing the bull. The +Divinity Baal was both female and male. The God of the Jews in +an early stage of their career was called Baal. The oriental +Ormuzd was also dual or androgynous. + +Orpheus teaches that the divine nature is both female and male. +According to Proclus, Jupiter was an immortal maid, "the Queen of +Heaven, and Mother of the Gods." All things were contained +within the womb of Jupiter. This Virgin within whom was embodied +the male principle "gave light and life to Eve." She was the +life-giving, energizing power in Nature, and was identical with +Aleim, Om, Astarte, and others. The Goddess Esta, or Vesta, or +Hestia, whom Plato calls the "soul of the body of the universe," +is believed by Beverly and others to be the Self-Existent, the +Great "She that Is" of the Hindoos, whose significance is +identical with the Cushite or Phoenician Deity, Aleim. + +According to Marco Polo, the Chinese had but one supreme God of +whom they had no image, and to whom they prayed for only two +things--"a sound mind in a sound body." They had, however, a +lesser god--probably the same as the "Lord" (masculine) of the +Jews, to whom they petitioned for rain, fair weather, and all the +minor accessories of existence. Upon the walls of the houses of +the Chinese is a tablet to which they pay their devotion. On +this tablet is the name of the "high, celestial, and supreme +God." The principal word which this tablet contains is "Tien." +Of this Chinese Deity Barlow says: "The Chinese recognize in +Tienhow, the Queen of Heaven nursing her infant son. Connected +with this figure is a lotus bud, symbol of the new birth. + +Originally in Chaldea and in Egypt, only one supreme God was +worshipped. This Deity was figured by a mother and her child, as +was the great Chinese God. It comprehended the universe and all +the attributes of the Deity. It was worshipped thousands of +years prior to the birth of Mary, the Mother of Christ, and +representations of it are still extant, not only in oriental +lands, but in many countries of Europe. Within the oldest +temples of Egypt are still to be observed sacred apartments which +contain the "Holy of Holies," and to which, in past ages, none +might gain access but priests and priestesses of the highest +order. Within these apartments are pictured the mysteries of +birth, together with the symbols of generation emblems of +procreation. + +On the banks of the river Nile are observed the ruins of the +temple of Philae, which structure, it is said, represents the +most ancient style of architecture. Within these ruins is to be +seen an inner chamber in which are depicted the birth scenes of +the child god Horus, and, indeed, everywhere among the monuments +and ruins of Egypt, is plainly visible the fact that the creative +power and functions in human beings, in animals, and in vegetable +life, together with Wisdom, once constituted the god-idea. + +Between the ruins of the palace of Amunoph III. and the Nile are +two colossal statues, each hewn from a single block of stone. +These figures, although in a sitting posture, are sixty feet +high. It is thought that they once formed the entrance to an +avenue of similar figures leading up to the palace. It has been +supposed that the most northern statue represents Ammon, and that +its companion piece is his Mother. It is now believed by many +writers, however, that these figures do not represent two persons +at all, but that in a remote age of the world's history they were +worshipped as the two great principles, female and male, which +animate Nature. The fact has been observed that Am or Om was +originally a female Deity, within whom was contained the male +principle; when, however, through the changes wrought in the +relative positions of the sexes, the male element in the Divinity +adored came to be represented as a man instead of as a child, he +was Ammon. He was the sun, yet notwithstanding the fact that he +had drawn to himself the powers of the sun, he was still, +himself, only a production of or emanation from the female Deity +Om, Mother of the Gods and Queen of Heaven. She it was who had +created or brought forth the sun. + +There is a tradition which asserts that every morning a melodious +sound is emitted from the first named of these two colossal +figures as he salutes his rosy-fingered Mother whom he +acknowledges as the source of all Light and Wisdom. The bodies +are described as being "without motion, the faces without +expression, the eyes looking straight forward, yet a certain +grand simplicity occasions them to be universally admired." + +The Goddess Disa or Isa of the North, as delineated on the sacred +drums of the Laplanders, was accompanied by a child similar to +the Horus of the Egyptians.[29] It is observed also that the +ancient Muscovites worshipped a sacred group composed of a mother +and her children, probably a representation of the Egyptian Isis +and her offspring, or at least of the once universal idea of the +Deity. + +[29] Jennings, Phallicism. + + +The following is from Payne Knight: + +"A female Pantheitic figure in silver, with the borders of the +drapery plated with gold, and the whole finished in a manner +surpassing almost anything extant, was among the things found at +Macon on the Saone, in the year 1764, and published by Caylus. +It represents Cybele, the universal mother, with the mural crown +on her head, and the wings of pervasion growing from her +shoulders, mixing the productive elements of heat and moisture by +making a libation upon the flames of an altar. On each side of +her head is one of the Discouri, signifying the alternate +influence of the diurnal and nocturnal Sun; and, upon a crescent +supported by the tips of her wings, are the seven planets, each +signified by a bust of its presiding deity resting upon a globe, +and placed in the order of the days of the week named after them. + +In her left hand she holds two cornucopiae, to signify the result +of her operation on the two hemispheres of the Earth; and upon +them are the busts of Apollo and Diana, the presiding deities of +these hemispheres, with a golden disk, intersected by two +transverse lines, such as is observed on other pieces of ancient +art, and such as the barbarians of the North employed to +represent the solar year, divided into four parts, at the back of +each."[30] + +[30] Symbolism of Ancient Art. + + +It was doubtless at a time when woman constituted the head of the +gens, and when the feminine element in the sun, in human beings, +and in Nature generally was regarded as the more important, that +Latona and her son Apollo were worshipped together. Latona, +Apollo, and Diana constituted the triune God. The last two were +the female and male energies, the former being the source whence +they sprang. As soon as one is divested of a belief in the +popular but erroneous opinion that the gods of the early +Egyptians and Greeks were deified heroes of former ages, he is +prepared to perceive the fact that, although to the uninitiated +these gods appear numberless, in reality they all represent the +same idea, namely: the dual, moving force in Nature, together +with Light or Wisdom. + +We have seen that when among the nations of antiquity +civilization had reached its height, the god-idea was represented +by the figure of a woman with her child; subsequently, however, +as these nations began to decline, the creative energy +comprehended simply physical life, or the power to reproduce, and +was represented by various emblems which will be noticed farther +on in this work. In still later ages, after male reproductive +power had become God, and when, through superstition and +sensuality, the masses of the people had descended to the rank of +slaves, monarchs, representing themselves to their ignorant +subjects as the source of all blessings, even of life itself, +appropriated the titles of the sun, and claimed for themselves +the adoration which had formerly belonged to it. From this fact +has doubtless arisen the opinion so tenaciously upheld in recent +times, that the gods of the ancients were only deified heroes of +former times. + +If, during the earlier ages of human existence, all the gods +resolved themselves into the sun, and if Light and Life, or +Wisdom and the power to reproduce and sustain life, constituted +the Deity, then of course God or the sun would be female or male, +or both, according to the prevailing belief in the comparative +creative and sustaining forces of the sexes. + +From what appears in the foregoing pages the fact has doubtless +been perceived that the worship of a Virgin and Child does not, +as is usually supposed, belong exclusively to the Romish +Christian Church, but, on the contrary, that it constitutes the +most remote idea of a Creator extant. As has been hinted, there +is little doubt that the earliest worship of the woman and child +was much simpler than was that which came to prevail in later +ages, at a time when every religious conception was closely +veiled beneath a mixture of astrology and mythology. After the +planets came to be regarded as active agencies in reproduction, +and powerful in directing all mundane affairs, the Virgin of the +Sphere while she represented Nature was also the constellation +which appeared above the horizon at the winter solstice, or at +the time when the sun had reached its lowest point and had begun +to return. At this time, the 25th of December, and just as the +days began to lengthen, this Virgin gave birth to the Sun-God. +It is said that he issued forth from her side, hence the legend +that Gotama Buddha was produced from the side of Maya, and also +the story believed by the Gnostics and other Christian sects that +Jesus was taken from the side of Mary.[31] + +[31] The fact will doubtless be remembered that a similar belief +was entertained concerning the birth of Julius Caesar. + + +Within the churches and in the streets of many cities of Germany +are to be observed figures of this traditional Virgin. She is +standing, one foot upon a crescent and the other on a serpent's +head, in the mouth of which is the sprig of an apple tree on +which is an apple. The tail of the serpent is wound about a +globe which is partially enveloped in clouds. On one arm of the +Virgin is the Child, and in the hand of the other arm she carries +the sacred lotus. Her head is encircled with a halo of light +similar to the rays of the sun. + +One is frequently disposed to query: Do the initiated in the +Romish Church regard these images as legitimate representations +of Mary, the wife of Joseph and Mother of Christ, or are they +aware of their true significance? Certainly the various +accessories attached to this figure betray its ancient origin and +reveal its identity with the Egyptian, Chaldean, and Phoenician +Virgin of the Sphere. + +The fact has already been observed that in the original +representation of the "Temptation" in the cave temple of India, +it is not the woman but the man who is the tempter, and a +singular peculiarity observed in connection with this ancient +female Deity is that it is SHE and NOT HER SEED who is trampling +on the serpent, thus proving that originally woman and not man +was worshipped as the Savior. Another significant feature +noticed in connection with this subject is that the oldest +figures which represent this Goddess are black, thus proving that +she must have belonged to a dark skinned race. + +This image, although black, or dark skinned, had long hair, hence +not a negress. The most ancient statue of Ceres was black, and +Pausanias says that at a place called Melangea in Arcadia there +was a black Venus. In the Netherlands only a few years ago, was +a church dedicated to a black goddess. The Virgin of the Sphere +who treads on the head of the serpent represents universal +womanhood. She is the Virgin of the first book of Genesis and +mother of all the Earth. She represents not only creative power +but Perceptive Wisdom. Although this Goddess is usually seen +with the lotus in her hand, she sometimes carries ripe corn or +wheat. + +The mother of Gotama Buddha was called Mai or Maya, after the +month in which the Earth is arrayed in her most beautiful attire. + +Maya is the parent of universal Nature. According to Davis, the +mother of Mercury "is the universal genius of Nature which +discriminated all things according to their various kinds of +species," the same as was Muth of Egypt. Mai is said to mean +"one who begins to illuminate." She was in fact the mother of +the sun whence everything proceeds. She was matter, within which +was concealed spirit. + +In the representations of Montfaucon appears the Goddess Isis +sitting on the lotus. Her head, upon which is a globe, is +surrounded by a radiant circle which evidently represents the +sun. On the reverse side is Ieu, the word "which is the usual +way of the ecclesiastical authors reading the Hebrew word +Jehovah." Referring to this from Montfaucon, Godfrey Higgins +observes: "Here Isis, whose veil no mortal shall ever draw aside, +the celestial Virgin of the Sphere, is seated on the +self-generating sacred lotus and is called Ieu or Jove."[32] She +has also the mystic number 608 which stands for the Deity. Her +breasts show plainly that it is a female representation, although +connected with the figure appears the male emblem to indicate +that within her are contained both elements, or that the universe +is embodied within the female. + +[32] Anacalypsis, book v., ch. iv. + + +Higgins thinks there is no subject on which more mistakes have +been made than on that of the Goddess Isis, both by ancients and +moderns. He calls attention to the inconsistency of calling her +the moon when in many countries the moon is masculine. He is +quite positive that if Isis is the moon, Ceres, Proserpine, +Venus, and all the other female gods were the same, which in view +of the facts everywhere at hand cannot be true. It is true, +however, that "the planet called the moon was dedicated to her in +judicial astrology, the same as a planet was dedicated to Venus +or Mars. But Venus and Mars were not these planets themselves, +though these planets were sacred to them."[33] Higgins then calls +attention to her temple at Sais in Egypt, and to the inscription +which declares that "she comprehends all that is and was and is +to be," that she is "parent of the sun," and he justly concludes +that Isis can not be the moon. + +[33] Anacalypsis, book vi., ch. ii. + + +Apuleius makes Isis say: + +"I am the parent of all things, the sovereign of the elements, +the primary progeny of time, the most exalted of the deities, the +first of the heavenly gods and goddesses, whose single deity the +whole world venerates in many forms, with various rites and +various names. The Egyptians worship me with proper ceremonies +and call me by my true name, Queen Isis." + +Isis, we are told, is called Myrionymus, or goddess with 10,000 +names. She is the Persian Mithra, which is the same as Buddha, +Minerva, Venus, and all the rest. + +Faber admits that the female principle was formerly regarded as +the Soul of the World. He says: + +"Isis was the same as Neith or Minerva; hence the inscription at +Sais was likewise applied to that goddess. Athenagoras informs +us that Neith or the Athene of the Greeks was supposed to be +Wisdom passing and diffusing itself through all things. Hence it +is manifest that she was thought to be the Soul of the World; for +such is precisely the character sustained by that mythological +personage."[34] + +[34] Pagan Idolatry, book i., p. 170. + + +The same writer says further: + +"Ovid gives a similar character to Venus. He represents her as +moderating the whole world; as giving laws to Heaven, Earth, and +Ocean, as the common parent both of gods and men, and as the +productive cause both of corn and trees. She is celebrated in +the same manner by Lucretius, who ascribes to her that identical +attribute of universality which the Hindoos give to their Goddess +Isi or Devi."[35] + +[35] Ibid. + + +It seems to be the general belief of all writers whose object is +to disclose rather than conceal the ancient mysteries, that until +a comparatively recent time the moon was never worshipped as +Isis. Until the origin and meaning of the ancient religion had +been forgotten, and the ideas underlying the worship of Nature +had been lost, the moon was never regarded as representing the +female principle. + +When man began to regard himself as the only important factor in +procreation, and when the sun became masculine and heat or +passion constituted the god-idea, the moon was called Isis. The +moon represented the absence of heat, it therefore contained +little of the recognized god-element. It was, perhaps, under the +circumstances, a fitting emblem for woman. + +In the sacred writings of the Hindoos there is an account of the +moon, Soma, having been changed into a female called Chandra, +"the white or silvery one." + +While speaking of the moon, Kalisch says: "The whole ritual of +the Phoenician Goddess Astarte with whom that Queen of Heaven is +identical, and who was the goddess of fertility seems to have +been transferred to her."[36] + +[36] Historical and Critical Commentary of the Old Testament. + + +To such an extent, in the earlier ages of the world had the +female been regarded as the Creator, that in many countries where +her worship subsequently became identified with that of the moon, +Luna was adored as the producer of the sun. According to the +Babylonian creation tablets, the moon was the most important +heavenly body. In later ages, the gender of the sun and the moon +seems to be exceedingly variable. The Achts of Vancouver's +Island worship sun and moon--the sun as female, the moon as +male.[37] In some of the countries of Africa the moon is adored +as female and sun-worship is unknown. Among various peoples the +sun and the moon are regarded as husband and wife, and among +others as brother and sister. In some countries, both are +female. I can find no instance in which both are male. Hindoos +and Aztecs alike, at one time, said that Luna was male and often +that the sun was female. + +[37] Tylor, Primitive Culture, vol. ii., p. 272. + + +The fact that among the Persians the moon as well as the sun was +at a certain period regarded as a source of procreative energy +and as influencing the generative processes, is shown by various +passages in the Avestas. In the Khordah Avesta, praise is +offered to "the Moon which contains the seed of cattle, to the +only begotten Bull, to the Bull of many kinds." + +Perhaps the most widely diffused and universally adored +representation of the ancient female Deity in Egypt was the +Virgin Neit or Neith, the Athene of the Greeks and the Minerva of +the Romans. Her name signifies "I came from myself." This Deity +represents not only creative power, but abstract intelligence, +Wisdom or Light. Her temple at Sais was the largest in Egypt. +It was open at the top and bore the following inscription: "I am +all that was and is and is to be; no mortal has lifted up my +veil, and the fruit which I brought forth was the sun." She was +called also Muth, the universal mother. Kings were especially +honored in the title "Son of Neith." + +To express the idea that the female energy in the Deity +comprehended not alone the power to bring forth, but that it +involved all the natural powers, attributes, and possibilities of +human nature, it was portrayed by a pure Virgin who was also a +mother. According to Herodotus, the worship of Minerva was +indigenous in Lybia, whence it travelled to Egypt and was carried +from thence to Greece. Among the remnants of Egyptian mythology, +the figure of a mother and child is everywhere observed. It is +thought by various writers that the worship of the black virgin +and child found its way to Italy from Egypt. + +The change noted in the growth of the religious idea by which the +male principle assumes the more important position in the Deity +may, by a close investigation of the facts at hand, be easily +traced, and, as has before been expressed, this change will be +found to correspond with that which in an earlier age of the +world took place in the relative positions of the sexes. In all +the earliest representations of the Deity, the fact is observed +that within the mother element is contained the divinity adored, +while the male appears as a child and dependent on the +ministrations of the female for existence and support. +Gradually, however, as the importance of man begins to be +recognized in human affairs, we find that the male energy in the +Deity, instead of appearing as a child in the arms of its mother, +is represented as a man, and that he is of equal importance with +the woman; later he is identical with the sun, the woman, +although still a necessary factor in the god-idea, being +concealed or absorbed within the male. It is no longer woman who +is to bruise the serpent's head, but the seed of the woman, or +the son. He is Bacchus in Greece, Adonis in Syria, Christna in +India. He is indeed the new sun which is born on the 25th of +December, or at the time when the solar orb has reached its +lowest position and begins to ascend. It is not perhaps +necessary to add that he is also the Christ of Bethlehem, the son +of the Virgin. + +Nowhere, perhaps, is the growing importance of the male in the +god-idea more clearly traced than in the history of the Arabians. +Among this people are still to be found certain remnants of the +matriarchal age--an age in which women were the recognized heads +of families and the eponymous leaders of the gentes or clans. +Concerning the worship of a man and woman as god by the early +Arabians, Prof. Robertson Smith remarks: + +"Except the comparatively modern Isaf and Naila in the sanctuary +at Mecca where there are traditions of Syrian influence, I am not +aware that the Arabs had pairs of gods represented as man and +wife. In the time of Mohammed the female deities, such as +Al-lat, were regarded as daughters of the supreme male God. But +the older conception as we see from a Nabataean inscription in De +Vogue, page 119, is that Al-lat is mother of the gods. At Petra +the mother-goddess and her son were worshipped together, and +there are sufficient traces of the same thing elsewhere to lead +us to regard this as having been the general rule when a god and +goddess were worshipped in one sanctuary."[38] + +[38] Kinship and Marriage in Early Arabia, ch. vi., p. 179. + + +As the worship of the black virgin and child is connected with +the earliest religion of which we may catch a glimpse, the exact +locality in which it first appeared must be somewhat a matter of +conjecture, but that this idea constituted the Deity among the +Ethiopian or early Cushite race, the people who doubtless carried +civilization to Egypt, India, and Chaldea, is quite probable. + +If we bear in mind the fact that the gods of the ancients +represented principles and powers, we shall not be surprised to +find that Muth, Neith, or Isis, who was creator of the sun, was +also the first emanation from the sun. Minerva is Wisdom--the +Logos, the Word. She is Perception, Light, etc. At a later +stage in the history of religion, all emanations from the Deity +are males who are "Saviors." + +That the office of the male as a creative agency is dependent on +the female, is a fact so patent that for ages the mother +principle could not be eliminated from the conception of a Deity, +and the homage paid to Athene or Minerva, even after women had +become only sexual slaves and household tools, shows the extent +to which the idea of female supremacy in Nature and in the Deity +had taken root. + +Notwithstanding the efforts which during numberless ages were +made to dethrone the female principle in the god-idea, the Great +Mother, under some one of her various appellations, continued, +down to a late period in the history of the human race, to claim +the homage and adoration of a large portion of the inhabitants of +the globe. And so difficult was it, even after the male element +had declared itself supreme, to conceive of a creative force +independently of the female principle, that oftentimes, during +the earlier ages of their attempted separation, great confusion +and obscurity are observed in determining the positions of male +deities. Zeus who in later times came to be worshipped as male +was formerly represented as "the great dyke, the terrible virgin +who breathes out on crime, anger, and death." Grote refers to +numerous writers as authority for the statement that Dionysos, +who usually appears in Greece as masculine, and who was doubtless +the Jehovah of the Jews, was indigenous in Thrace, Phrygia, and +Lydia as the Great Mother Cybele. He was identical with Bacchus, +who although represented on various coins as a "bearded venerable +figure" appears with the limbs, features, and character of a +beautiful young woman. Sometimes this Deity is portrayed with +sprouting horns, and again with a crown of ivy. The Phrygian +Attis and the Syrian Adonis, as represented in monuments of +ancient art, are androgynous personifications of the same +attributes. According to the testimony of the geographer +Dionysius, the worship of Bacchus was formerly carried on in the +British Islands in exactly the same manner as it had been in an +earlier age in Thrace and on the banks of the Ganges. + +In referring to the Idean Zeus in Crete, to Demeter at Eleusis, +to the Cabairi in Samothrace, and Dionysos at Delphi and Thebes, +Grote observes: "That they were all to a great degree analogous, +is shown by the way in which they necessarily run together and +become confused in the minds of various authors." + +Concerning Sadi, Sadim, or Shaddai, Higgins remarks: + +"Parkhurst tells us it means all-bountiful--the pourer forth of +blessings; among the Heathen, the Dea Multimammia; in fact the +Diana of Ephesus, the Urania of Persia, the Jove of Greece, +called by Orpheus the Mother of the Gods, each male as well as +female--the Venus Aphrodite; in short, the genial powers of +Nature." + +To which Higgins adds: "And I maintain that it means the figure +which is often found in collections of ancient statues, most +beautifully executed, and called the Hermaphrodite." + +As in the old language there was no neuter gender, the gods must +always appear either as female or male. For apparent reasons, in +all the translations, through the pronouns and adjectives used, +the more important ancient deities have all been made to appear +as males. + +By at least two ancient writers Jupiter is called the Mother of +the Gods. In reference to a certain Greek appellation, Bryant +observes that it is a masculine name for a feminine deity--a name +which is said to be a corruption of Mai, the Hindoo Queen of +Heaven. + +In process of time, as the world became more and more +masculinized, so important did it become that the male should +occupy the more exalted place in the Deity, that even the Great +Mother of the Gods, as we have seen, is represented as male. + +The androgynous or plural form of the ancient Phoenician God +Aleim, the Creator referred to in the opening chapter of Genesis, +is clearly apparent. This God, speaking to his counterpart, +Wisdom, the female energy, says: "Let us make man in our own +image, in our own likeness," and accordingly males and females +are produced. By those whose duty it has been in the past to +prove that the Deity here represented is composed only of the +masculine attributes, we are given to understand that God was +really "speaking to himself," and that in his divine cogitations +excessive modesty dictated the "polite form of speech"; he did +not, therefore, say exactly what he meant, or at least did not +mean precisely what he said. We have to bear in mind, however, +that as man had not at that time been created, if there were no +female element present, this excess of politeness on the part of +the "Lord" was wholly lost. Surely, in a matter involving such +an enormous stretch of power as the creation of man independently +of the female energy, we would scarcely expect to find the high +and mighty male potentate which was subsequently worshipped as +the Lord of the Israelites laying aside his usual "I the Lord," +simply out of deference to the animals. + +In Christian countries, during the past eighteen hundred years, +the greatest care has been exercised to conceal the fact that +sun-worship underlies all forms of religion, and under Protestant +Christianity no pains has been spared in eliminating the female +element from the god-idea; hence the ignorance which prevails at +the present time in relation to the fact that the Creator once +comprehended the forces of Nature, which by an older race were +worshipped as female. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE DUAL GOD OF THE ANCIENTS A TRINITY ALSO. + +Although the God of the most ancient people was a dual Unity, in +later ages it came to be worshipped as a Trinity. When mankind +began to speculate on the origin of the life principle, they came +to worship their Deity in its three capacities as Creator, +Preserver, and Destroyer or Regenerator, each of which was female +and male. We have observed that, according to Higgins, when this +Trinity was spoken of collectively, it was called after the +feminine plural. + +By the various writers who have dealt with this subject during +the last century, much surprise has been manifested over the fact +that for untold ages the people of the earth have worshipped a +Trinity. Forster, in his Sketches of Hindoo Mythology, says: +"One circumstance which forcibly struck my attention was the +Hindoo belief of a Trinity." + +Maurice, in his Indian Antiquities, observes that the idea of +three persons in the Deity was diffused amongst all the nations +of the earth, in regions as distant as Japan and Peru, that it +was memorially acknowledged throughout the whole extent of Egypt +and India, "flourishing with equal vigor amidst the snowy +mountains of Thibet, and the vast deserts of Siberia." The idea +of a Trinity is supposed to have been first elaborated on the +banks of the Indus, whence it was carried to the Greek and Latin +nations. Astrologically the triune Deity of the ancients +portrayed the processes of Nature. + +This recondite doctrine as understood by the very ancient people +which originated it, involved a knowledge of Nature far too deep +to be appreciated or understood by their degenerate descendants, +except perhaps by a few philosophers and scholars who imbibed it +in a modified form from original sources in the far East. + +After the establishment of the Trinity, the creative energy, +which had formerly been represented by a mother and child, came +to be figured by the mother, father, and the life derived +therefrom. Sometimes the Trinity took the form of the two +creative forces, female and male, and the Great Mother. + +Whenever the two creative principles were considered separately, +there always appeared stationed over or above them, as their +Creator, an indivisible unity. This Creator was the "Beyond," +the "most High God"--Om or Aleim. It was the Mother of the Gods +in whom were contained all the elements of the Deity. Among the +representations of the god-idea which are to be observed on the +monuments and in the temples of Egypt appear triads, each of +which is composed of a woman stationed between a male figure and +that of a child. She is depicted as the Light of the sun, or +Wisdom, while the male is manifested as the Heat of the orb of +day. She is crowned and always bears the male symbol of life-- +the crux-ansata. + +Later, it is observed that the worship of Light has in a measure +given place to the adoration of Heat, in other words Light is no +longer adored as essence of the Deity, Heat or Passion having +become the most important element in creative power. + +After the ancient worship of the Virgin and Child had become +somewhat changed or modified so as to better accommodate itself +to the growing importance of the male, the most exalted +conception of the Deity in Egypt seems to have been that of a +trinity composed of Mout the Mother, Ammon the Father, and Chons +the Infant Life derived from the other two. Mout is identical +with Neith, but she has become the wife as well as the mother of +Ammon. Directly below this conception of the Deity is a triad +representing less exalted attributes, or lower degrees of wisdom, +under the appellations of Sate, Kneph, and the child Anouk; and +thus downward, through the varying spheres of celestial light and +life involved in their theogony are observed the divine creative +energies represented under the figures of Mother, Father, and the +Life proceeding therefrom, until, finally, when the earth is +reached, Isis, Osiris, and Horus appear as the representation of +the creative forces in human beings, and therefore as the +embodiment of the divine in the human. + +The Deity invoked in all the earlier inscriptions is a triad, and +we are assured that in Babylonia, where Beltis is associated with +Belus, "no god appears without a goddess." + +The supreme Deity of Assyria was Asshur, who was worshipped +sometimes as female, sometimes as male. This God doubtless +represents the dual or triple creative principle observed in all +the earlier forms of worship. Asshur had no distinct temple, but +as her position was at the head of the Pantheon, all the shrines +throughout Assyria were supposed to have been open to her +worship. + +According to Bunsen, in the Sidonian Tyrian district, there were +originally three great gods, at the head of which appears +Astarte--a woman who represents pure reason or intelligence; then +follows Zeus, Demarius, and Adorus. Without doubt this triad +represents a monad Deity similar in character to the one observed +in Egypt and other countries. + +In the minds of all well-informed persons, there is no longer any +doubt that in Abraham's time the Canaanites worshipped the same +gods as did the Persians and all the other nations about them-- +namely, Elohim, the dual or triune creative force in Nature. As +the Sun was the source whence proceeded all light and life as +well as reproductive or generative power, it had become the +object of adoration, and as the emblem of the Deity, it was +worshipped by all the nations of the earth in its three +capacities as Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer or Regenerator +each female and male. + +Melchizedek, who was a priest of the most high God, blessed +Abraham, who was a worshipper of the same Deity. On this subject +Dr. Shuckford says: + +"It is evident that Abraham and his descendants worshipped not +only the true and living God, but they invoked him in the name of +the Lord, and they worshipped the Lord whose name they invoked, +so that two persons were the object of their worship, God and +this Lord: and the Scriptures have distinguished these two +persons from one another by this circumstance, that God no man +hath seen at any time nor can see but the Lord whom Abraham and +his descendants worshipped was the person who appeared to them." + +We are told that when chap. xxi., verse 33, of Genesis is +correctly translated, Abraham is represented as having invoked +Jehovah, the everlasting God. + +In the Hebrew name Yod-He-Vau (Jehovah), was set forth the triune +character of the Creator; in other words, this name "comprehended +the essential perfections of the great God," and was used in +their Scriptures as a "kind of summary or revelation of the +attributes of the Deity." + +Although Abraham, while in Egypt, was the worshipper of idols, we +are assured that "the peculiar privilege vouchsafed to him lay in +the revelation of God's holy name, Yod-He-Vau. There is indeed +much evidence going to prove that the people represented by +Abraham understood the earlier conception of a Deity, and that +while the great universal principle whose name it was sacrilege +to pronounce was still acknowledged, there was another God (the +Lord), the same as in China, whose worship they were beginning to +adopt. "And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, +and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to +eat, and raiment to put on, + +So that I come again to my Father's house in peace; then shall +the Lord be my God." + +He then declared that the pillar or stone which he had set up, +and which was the emblem of male procreative energy, should be +God's house. + +As at the time represented by Jacob there was evidently little or +no spirituality among the Israelites, this Lord whom they +worshipped was simply a life-giver in the most material or +practical sense. + +The reproductive energy in man had become deified. It had, in +other words, come to possess all the attributes of a god, or of a +powerful man, which in reality was the same thing. It is this +god personified which is represented as appearing to Abraham and +talking with him face to face. With this same god Jacob +wrestled, while the real God--the dual or triune principle, the +Jehovah or Iav, no man could behold and live. + +To conceal the fact that the God of Abraham originally consisted +of a dual or triple unity, and that the Deity was identical in +significance with that of contemporary peoples, the priests have, +as usual, had recourse to a trick to deceive the ignorant or +uninitiated. In reference to this subject Godfrey Higgins says: + +"In the second book of Genesis the creation is described not to +have been made by Aleim, or the Aleim, but by a God of a double +name Ieue Aleim; which the priests have translated Lord God. By +using the word Lord, their object evidently is to conceal from +their readers several difficulties which afterward arise +respecting the names of God and this word, and which show clearly +that the books of the Pentateuch are the writings of different +persons."[39] + +[39] Anacalypsis, book ii., ch, i. + + +Upon this subject Bishop Colenso observes: + +"And it is especially to be noted that when the Elohistic +passages are all extracted and copied one after another, they +form a complete, connected narrative; from which we infer that +these must have composed the original story, and that the other +passages were afterwards inserted by another writer, who wished +to enlarge or supplement the primary record. And he seems to +have used the compound Jehovah Aleim in the first portion of his +work in order to impress upon the reader that Jehovah, of whom he +goes on to speak in the later portions, is the same Great Being +who is called simply Elohim by the older writer, and notably in +the first account of the creation."[40] + +[40] Lectures on the Pentateuch and the Moabite Stone, p. 7. + + +We are informed by Bunsen that El, or Elohim, comprehends the +true significance of the Deity among all the Aramaic or +Canaanitish races, El representing the abstract principle taken +collectively, Elohim pertaining to the separate elements as +Creator, Preserver, and Regenerator. Each of these Canaanitish +races had inherited these ideas from their fathers, and, although +they had become grossly idolatrous, "Moses knew, and educated +Israelites remained a long time conscious, that they used them +not merely in their real but in their most ancient sense."[41] +Maurice and other writers call attention to the fact that Moses +himself uses this word Elohim with verbs and adjectives in the +plural. That the God worshipped by the more ancient peoples, +namely Aleim, or Elohim, the same who said, "Let us make man in +our image," was not the Lord adored at a later age by the Jews, +is a fact which at the present time seems to be clearly proven; +that it constituted, however, the dual or triune unity venerated +by all the nations on the globe of which we have any record, +appears to be well established. + +[41] Bunsen, History of Egypt, vol. iv., p. 421. + + +We have seen that although the two sex-principles which underlie +Nature constituted the Creator, the ancients thought of it only +as one and indivisible. This indivisible aspect was the sacred +Iav, the Holy of Holies. When it was contemplated in its +individual aspect it was Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer, each +of which was female and male. + +The difficulty of the ancients in establishing a First Cause +seems to have been exactly the same as is ours at the present +time. When we say there must have been a God who created all +things, the question at once arises, Who created God? According +to their theories, nothing could be brought forth without the +interaction of two creative principles, female and male; yet +everything, even these principles, must proceed from an +indivisible energy--an energy which, as the idea of the sex +functions became more and more clearly defined, could not be +contemplated except in its dual aspect. So soon, therefore, as +the Great First Cause was separated into its elements, a still +higher power was immediately stationed above it as its Creator. +This Creator was designated as female. It was the Mother idea +Even gods could not be produced without a mother. + +In referring to the doctrines contained in the Geeta, one of the +sacred writings of the Hindoos, Faber observes: + +"In the single character of Brahm, all the three offices of +Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva are united. He is at once the Creator, +the Preserver, and the Destroyer. He is the primeval +Hermaphrodite, or the Great Father and the Great Mother blended +together in one person." + +The fact that a trinity in unity, representing the female and +male energies symbolized by the organs of generation, formerly +constituted the Deity throughout Asia is acknowledged by all +those who have examined either the literature or monumental +records of oriental countries. The Rev. Mr. Maurice bears +testimony to the character of Eastern religious ideas in the +following language: + +"Whoever will read the Geeta with attention, will perceive in +that small tract the outlines of all the various systems of +theology in Asia. The curious and ancient doctrine of the +Creator being both male and female, mentioned on a preceding +page, to be designated in Indian temples by a very indecent +exhibition of the masculine and feminine organs of generation in +union, occurs in the following passage: 'I am the Father and +Mother of this world; I plant myself upon my own nature and +create again and again this assemblage of beings; I am generation +and dissolution, the place where all things are deposited, and +the inexhaustible seed of all Nature. I am the beginning, the +middle, and the end of all things.' "[42] + +[42] Maurice, Indian Antiquities, vol. iv., p. 705. + + +According to Sir W. Jones, the Brahme, Vishnu, and Siva coalesce +to form the mystic Om, which means the essence of life or divine +fire. In the Bhagavat Geeta the supreme God speaks thus +concerning itself: "I am the holy one worthy to be known"; and +immediately adds: "I am the mystic [trilateral] figure Om; the +Reig, the Yagush, and the Saman Vedas." It is a unity and still +a trinity. This Om or Aum stands for the Creator, Preserver, and +Destroyer or Regenerator, and represents the threefold aspect of +the force within the sun. The doctrine maintained throughout the +Geeta is not only that the great life-force represents a trinity +in unity, but that it is both female and male. On this subject +Maurice, in his Indian Antiquities, says: + +"This notion of three persons in the Deity was diffused amongst +all the nations of the earth, established at once in regions so +distant as Japan and Peru, immemorially acknowledged throughout +the whole extent of Egypt and India, and flourishing with equal +vigor amidst the snowy mountains of Thibet, and the vast deserts +of Siberia." + +We have observed that the idea of a trinity as conceived by the +so-called ancients, although at all times founded on the same +conception, viz., that of the reproductive powers of Nature and +especially of mankind, differed in expression according to its +application. Although in human beings this triune creative idea +was expressed by the mother, father, and child, as set forth in +the temples and on the monuments of Egypt, when applied directly +to the sun and the planets, it appears as the Creator, Preserver, +and Regenerator or Destroyer. + +Destruction, or the absence of the sun's heat, represented by +winter, was necessary to life, and therefore the Destroyer was +also the Regenerator and equally with the Creator and Preserver +constituted a beneficent factor in the god-idea. In fact as this +third element really embodied the substance of the other two, it +finally became the supreme God, little afterward being heard +about the Creator and Preserver. The Regenerator or Destroyer +was of course the sun, which in winter died away and rose again +in the spring-time as a beneficent Savior or renewer of life. +The principle involved in these processes represented Fertility, +Life, reproductive energy. As applied to mortals, it +comprehended the power to create combined with perceptive Wisdom +or Knowledge. + +This idea, portrayed as it was by a mother and her child, linked +woman with the stars. It produced the "Virgin of the Sphere," +Queen of Heaven, "Isiac Controller of the Zodiac," at the same +time that it made her the mother of all mankind. + +Every year this Virgin of the Sphere as she appeared above the +horizon at the winter solstice gave birth to the sun. +Astronomically this new sun was the Regenerator, by which all +Nature was renewed. Mythologically, after the higher truths +contained in these doctrines were lost, it came to be the Savior, +the Son of the Virgin, the seed of the woman, which was to bruise +the serpent's head. + +That the religion of an ancient race comprehended a knowledge of +the evolutionary processes of Nature may not be doubted. The +myths still extant, and even the oldest Assyrian inscriptions +which have been deciphered, reveal the fact that the seeds of the +visible universe were hidden in the "great deep"--that animal +creation sprang from the earth and the sea through the influence +of the sun's rays. + +It is now known that the philosophy of an older race involved a +belief in the Eternity of Matter. The abstruse doctrine of +Reincarnation and the Renewal of Worlds seems to have formed the +basis of their philosophy. According to these speculations, a +portion of the earth was destroyed or resolved into its primary +elements every six hundred years, while at the end of each +Kalpia, or great Cycle of several thousand years, the entire +earth was renovated or absorbed into the two fecundating +principles of the universe. These two indivisible forces +represented by Vishnu rested in the water, or brooded on the face +of the deep. When stirred by love for each other they again +became active, and from the germs of a former world, which had +been absorbed by themselves, created again the earth and +everything upon it. In other words, "the earth sprang from the +navel of Vishnu or Brahme." According to the Buddhists of +Ceylon, the universe has perished ten different times, and each +time has been renewed by the operations of Nature, or by the +preservation of germs from a former world. In their mythology +these germs are represented by a parent and a triplicated +offspring. It is perhaps unnecessary to add that this monad +trinity is the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer with their great +parent, the Mother of the Gods, which in process of time came to +be regarded as male. According to Wilford, Hindoo chronology +presents fourteen different periods, six of which have already +elapsed; we are in the seventh, which began with the flood. Each +of these periods is called a Manwantara, the presiding genius or +Deity of which is a Menu. At the close of each dynasty a total +destruction of the world takes place, everything being destroyed +except the ruler, or Menu, who "escapes in a boat." Each new +world is an exact counterpart of the one destroyed, and each Menu +is a representation of all preceding ones. Thus the history of +one dynasty serves for all the rest. This doctrine of a +triplicated Deity appearing at the beginning of a new creation +may be traced in nearly every country of the globe. Among the +Buddhists of China, Fo is mysteriously multiplied into three +persons in the same manner as is Fo-hi, who is evidently Noah. +Among the Hindoos is observed the triad Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva +springing from the monad Brahm or Brahme. This triad appears on +the earth at the beginning of each Manwantara in the human form +of Menu and his three sons. We are assured that among the +Tartars evident traces are found of a similar God, who is seated +on the lotus. It is also figured on a Siberian medal in the +imperial collection at St. Petersburg. The Jakuthi Tartars, who +are said to be the most numerous people of Siberia, worship a +triplicated Deity under the three denominations of Artugon and +Schugo-tangon and Tangara. Faber tells us that this Tartar God +is the same even in appellation with the Tanga-tanga of the +Peruvians, who, like other tribes of America, seem plainly to +have crossed over from the North-eastern extremity of Siberia. +Upon this subject the same writer remarks thus: + +"Agreeably to the mystical notion so familiar to the Hindoos, +that the self-triplicated Great Father yet remained but one in +essence, the Peruvians supposed their Tanga-tanga to be one in +three, and three in one: and in consequence of the union of hero +worship with the astronomical and material systems of idolatry +they venerated the sun and the air, each under three images and +three names. The same opinions equally prevailed throughout the +nations which lie to the west of Hindostan. Thus the Persians +had their Ormuzd, Mithras, and Ahriman: or, as the matter was +sometimes represented, their self-triplicating Mithras. The +Syrians had their Monimus, Aziz, and Ares. The Egyptians had +their Emeph, Eicton, and Phtha. The Greeks and Romans had their +Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto; three in number, though one in +essence, and all springing from Cronus, a fourth, yet older God. +The Canaanites had their Baal-Spalisha or self-triplicated Baal. +The Goths had their Odin, Vile, and Ve, who are described as the +three sons of Bura, the offspring of the mysterious cow, and the +Celts had their three bulls, venerated as the living symbols of +the triple Hu or Menu. To the same class we must ascribe the +triads of the Orphic and Pythagorean and Platonic schools; each +of which must again be identified with the imperial triad of the +old Chaldaic or Babylonian philosophy."[43] + +[43] Faber, Pagan Idolatry, book vi., ch. ii., p. 470. + + +The history of the catastrophe known as the deluge, which, it is +claimed, took place either in Armenia, at Cashgar, or at some +other place in the East, is observed, in later ages, to furnish a +covering beneath which have been veiled the mythical doctrines of +the priests. Of the catastrophes which from time to time have +visited our planet, and of the belief which has come to be +entertained by ecclesiastics that the earth will be destroyed by +fire, Celsus writes: + +"The belief has spread among them, from a misunderstanding of the +accounts of these occurrences, that after lengthened cycles of +time, and the returns and conjunctions of planets, +conflagrations, and floods are wont to happen, and because after +the last flood, which took place in the time of Deucalion, the +lapse of time, agreeably to the vicissitude of all things, +requires a conflagration; and this made them give utterance to +the erroneous opinion that God will descend, bringing fire like a +torturer."[44] + +[44] Origen against Celsus, book iv., ch. xi. + + +The mythologies of all nations are largely founded upon the +"religious history" of a flood. The doctrine of a triplicated +God saved from destruction by a storm-tossed ark which rested on +some local mountain answering to Ararat, and which was filled +with the natural elements of reproduction, is found amongst the +traditions of every country of the globe. In Egypt, the +destructive agency drives the God into the ark--or into the +fish's belly, where he is obliged to remain until the flood +subsides. In other words, at the time of the destruction of the +world, the creative agency is forced within the womb of Nature, +there to remain until it again comes forth to recreate the world; +nor does the symbolism end here, for this God--the sun, or the +reproductive power within it, which every year is put to death by +the cold of winter, must for a season remain lifeless, but, at +the proper time, will come forth with healing in his wings. This +God must issue forth to life through female Nature. + +The god-man, Noah, who appears under one appellation or another +in all extant mythologies, was slain, or shut up in a box, ark, +or chest in which he or his seed was preserved from the ravages +of a mighty flood, or from destruction by the calamity which had +befallen the rest of mankind. In one sense he represents a +Savior, in another sense he is the saved, for he is the seed of a +former world and is born again from a boat, a symbol which always +represents the female energy. Sometimes he is shut up in a +wooden cow, from which he issues forth to new life. Again this +storm tossed mariner is born from a cave, or the door of a rocky +cavern, within which he had been preserved from some terrible +catastrophe, caused either by water or fire. + +Sir W. Jones, Faber, Higgins, and many others who have +investigated this subject are confident that the Noah of Genesis +is identical with Menu, the law-giver of India, and that both are +Adam, a man who appears with his three sons at the end of each +cycle, or six hundred years, to renovate the world. In the six +hundred and first year of Noah's life, in the first month, on the +first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth. +The drying of the waters, and the beginning anew just at the +close of the six hundred years, are thought to refer to the end +of the cycle of the Neros. A year of Menu or Buddha had expired +and a new dynasty or Mamwantara was to begin. + +Regarding this trinity, Faber remarks: + +"Brahm then at the head of the Indian triad is Menu at the head +of his three sons. But that by the first Menu we are to +understand Adam, is evident, both from the remarkable +circumstance of himself and his consort bearing the titles of +Adima and Iva, and from the no less remarkable tradition that one +of his three sons was murdered by his brother at a sacrifice. +Hence it will follow, that Brahm at the head of the Indian triad +is Adam at the head of his three sons, Cain, Abel, and Seth. +Each Menu with his triple offspring is only the reappearance of a +former Menu with his triple offspring; for, in every such +manifestation at the commencement of each Mamwantara, the Hindoo +Trimurti, or triad, becomes incarnate, by transmigrating from the +human bodies occupied during a former incarnation; Brahm or the +Unity appearing as the paternal Menu of a new age, while the +triad, Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, is exhibited in the person of +his three sons. . . . But the ark-preserved Menu--Satyavrata +and his three sons are certainly Noah and his three sons, Shem, +Ham, and Japhet." + +Hesiod teaches that, after the flood, Chaos, Night, and black +Erebus first appeared.[45] At this time, when there was no Earth, +no Heaven, and no Air, an egg floated on the face of the deep, +which, being parted, brought forth Love, or Cupid. Out of Chaos +this God created or formed all things. Now Cupid is the same as +the Greek Phanes, and Phanes is Noah, the egg being the ark or +female principle from which he was produced. The Greek God +Phanes is the same as the Egyptian Osiris, who was driven into +the ark by the "wind that blasts," or by the evil principle. + +[45] The Theogony. + + +"As Cupid is indifferently said to have been produced from an egg +at a time when the whole world was in disorder, and from the womb +of the marine goddess Venus, the egg and the womb of that goddess +must denote the same thing. Accordingly we shall find that, on +the one hand, Venus is immediately connected with the symbolical +egg; and, on the other hand, that she is identical with Derceto +and Isis, and is declared to be that general receptacle out of +which all the hero-gods were produced. Now there can be little +doubt in what sense we are to understand this expression, when we +are told that the peculiar symbol of Isis was a ship; and when we +learn that the form assumed at the period of the deluge, by the +Indian Isi or Bhavani, who is clearly the same as the Egyptian +Isis, was the ship Argha, in which her consort Siva floated +securely on the surface of the ocean. Venus, therefore, or the +Great Mother, the parent of Cupid from whom all mankind +descended, must be the Ark: consequently, the egg, with which she +is connected, must be the Ark also. Aristophanes informs us that +the egg out of which Love was born, was produced by Night in the +bosom of Erebus. But the Goddess Night, as we learn from the +Orphic poet, was the very same person as Venus; and he celebrates +her as the parent of the Universe, and as the general mother both +of the hero-gods and of man. The egg therefore produced by Night +was produced by Venus: but Venus and the egg meant the same +thing: even that vast floating machine, which was esteemed an +epitome of the world, and from which was born that Deity who is +also literally said to have been set afloat in an ark. Sometimes +the order of production was inverted; and, instead of the egg +being produced by Night or Venus, Venus herself was fabled to +have been produced from the egg. There is a remarkable legend of +this sort which ascribes Venus and her egg to the age of Typhon +and Osiris, in other words, to the age in which Noah was +compelled by the deluge to enter into the ark."[46] + +[46] Origin of Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. iv. + + +The Preserver of the Persians, who is seated on a rainbow in +front of their rock temples, is Mithras, who is identical with +Noah. Sometimes this ancient mariner is represented as riding on +the back of a fish, and again as floating in a boat. The God of +Hindostan, like the classical Dionysos, was enclosed in an ark +and driven into the sea. According to the Gothic traditions as +recorded in the Eddas, there once existed a beautiful world, +which was destroyed by fire. Another was created, which, with +all its inhabitants save a giant and his three sons, who were +saved in a ship, were destroyed by water. With this triad, which +originally sprang from a mysterious cow, the new world began. +This new world, which represents the present system, will in time +be devoured by flames; but another earth will arise from the +ocean,--an earth far more beautiful than this, upon which all +kinds of grain and delicious fruits will grow without +cultivation. Veda and Vile will be there, for the conflagration +will have been powerless to destroy them. While the flames are +devouring all things, two human beings, a female and a male, will +be concealed under a hill, where they will feed upon dew, and +will propagate so abundantly that the earth will soon be peopled +with a new race of beings. During the catastrophe, the sun will +be devoured by a wolf, but before her death she will give birth +to a daughter as resplendent as herself, who will go in the same +path formerly trodden by her mother. + +The doctrines of the Gothic philosophers, as they appear in the +Eddas, concerning the eternity of matter, the renewal or +succession of worlds, and reincarnation are the same as those +taught by Pythagoras, the Stoics, and other Greek schools of +thought. + +Brahme or Vishnu, resting on the bottom of the sea--a goddess +who was symbolized by the self-generating lotus--was in later +ages the mysterious Cow of the Goths. + +After the natural truths concealed beneath their religious +symbolism were wholly forgotten, and human nature through the +over-stimulation of the animal instincts had become corrupted, +Adam and Eve, names which doubtless for ages represented the two +fecundating principles throughout Nature, with their sons, Cain, +Abel, and Seth, comprehended the god-idea. The fact has been +observed that just six hundred years from the creation of Adam, +or at the close of the cycle, Noah appears with his three sons to +save or perpetuate the race. + +It is now believed that this account of Noah and his three sons +is an allegory beneath which are concealed the religious +doctrines, or perhaps I should say, the philosophical +speculations of an older race. The God of the ancients was +identified with the life of man individually and with that of +mankind collectively. As men die each day, and as every day men +are born, this Deity is said to die and to be renewed each day; +and as he is the sun, or the incarnation of the sun, the rising +and setting of this luminary depict the constantly dying and +regenerating God of Nature, the same as do the changing seasons. +A similar idea reappears in their system of the renewal of worlds +and reincarnation. + +Regarding the doctrine of the eternity of matter held by the +ancients, Origen mentions a belief of the Egyptians that the + +"world or its substance was never produced, but that it has +existed from all eternity. Neither is there any such thing as +death. Those who perish about us every day are simply changed, +either they take on other forms or are removed to some other +place. God cannot be destroyed, and as all things are parts of +the Deity everything lives and has always lived, seeming death +being simply change. Remnants of these doctrines are found in +every portion of the globe; among the Mexicans of the west as +well as among the rude mountaineers of the Burman Empire." + +While contemplating the philosophical speculations of an ancient +race Bailly gave expression to the belief, that a "profoundly +learned race of people existed previous to the formation of any +of our systems." The wiser among the Greek philosophers, those +who, it is believed, borrowed their philosophical doctrines from +the East, declare that "there is no production of anything which +was not before; no new substance made which did not really +pre-exist." Equally with matter was spirit indestructible. "Our +soul," says Plato, "was somewhere, before it came to exist in +this present form; whence it appears to be immortal. . . . +Who knows whether that which is demonstrated living, be not +indeed rather dying, and whether that which is styled dying be +not rather living?" + +To one who has given attention to the various legends relative to +the destruction of the world by a flood, and a storm-tossed +mariner saved in an ark or boat, it is plain that they all have +the same significance, all are but different versions of the same +myth, which in an early age was used to conceal the philosophical +doctrines of an ancient people. + +That the early historic nations understood little concerning the +origin and true meaning of the legends which they had inherited +from an older race is quite evident. The ignorance of the Greeks +regarding the significance of these legends is shown by the +following: When Solon, wishing to acquaint himself with the +history of the oldest times, inquired of an Egyptian priest +concerning the time of the flood, and the age of Deucalion or +Phroneous or Noah, this functionary replied: + +"O Solon, Solon, you Greeks are always children, nor is there an +old man among you! Having no ancient traditions nor any +acquaintance with chronology, you are as yet in a state of +intellectual infancy. The true origin of such mutilated fables +as you possess is this. There have been and shall again be in +the course of many revolving ages, numerous destructions of the +human race; the greatest of them by fire and water, but others in +an almost endless succession of shorter intervals."[47] + +[47] Quoted by Plato; also by Clement of Alexandria. + + +We have observed that the symbol of the universe was an egg. The +egg was also the symbol of the earth and of the ark, which meant +universal womanhood. From the mundane egg the triplicated Deity +sprang. There can be little doubt at the present time that Adam, +Noah, Menu, Osiris, and Dionysos all represent the fructifying +power of the sun. In process of time they each came to figure as +male reproductive energy, and during certain periods of the +earth's history they have each in turn been worshipped as the +Deity. That not only the ark was female, but that the god +element or reproductive principle within the ark was both female +and male, is a fact which has been lost sight of during the +historic period, or during those ages of the world in which the +attempt has been made to prove Nature motherless. + +All the germs and living creatures which were within the ark, and +which were to reanimate the earth, were in pairs, females and +males; and, besides, the Dove (female), the emblem of peace, was +also present. Even Noah himself was produced from an egg, which, +as we have seen, is the symbol of Venus, or universal womanhood. +In after ages the female principle was not mentioned, but, on the +contrary, was concealed beneath convenient symbols; and as the +philosophical ideas underlying natural religion were lost or +forgotten, and mankind had become too ignorant to perceive that a +dual force, female and male which was also a Trinity, pervades +Nature, the notion came gradually to prevail that the creative +agency, which is spirit, is altogether male. Hence the +formulation of the inconceivable doctrine of a Trinity composed +of a Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. + + + +CHAPTER V. + +SEPARATION OF THE FEMALE AND HALE ELEMENTS IN THE DEITY. + +Glimpses of antiquity as far back as human ken can reach reveal +the fact that in early ages of human society the physiological +question of sex was a theme of the utmost importance, while +various proofs are at hand showing that throughout the past the +question of the relative importance of the female and male +elements in procreation has been a fruitful source of religious +contention and strife. These struggles, which from time to time +involved the entire habitable globe, were of long duration, +subsiding only after the adherents of the one sex or the other +had gained sufficient ascendancy over the opposite party to +successfully erect its altars and compel the worship of its own +peculiar gods, which worship usually included a large share of +the temporal power. Only since the male sex has gained +sufficient influence to control not only human action, but human +thought as well, have these contentions subsided.[48] + +[48] At the present time, through causes which are not difficult +to understand, the question of the relative importance of the two +sexes is again assuming a degree of importance indicative of the +changes which are taking place in human thought, and for the +reason that we are just witnessing the dawn of an intellectual +age, the problems to be solved will admit of no answers other +than those based upon a scientific foundation. + + +That religious wars have not been confined to more modern times, +and that among an early race the attempt to exalt the male +principle met with obstinate resistance which involved mankind in +a conflict, the violence of which has never been exceeded, are +facts which seem altogether probable. Indeed, there is much +evidence going to show that the cause of the original dispersion +of a primitive race was the contention which arose respecting +their religious faith or regarding the physiological question of +the relative importance of the sexes in the function of +reproduction; and that the general war indicated in the Puranas, +which began in India and extended over the entire habitable +globe, and which was celebrated by the poets as "the basis of +Grecian mythology," originated in this conflict over the +precedence of one or the other of the sex-principles contained in +the Deity. Although there are no records of these wars in extant +history, accounts of them are still preserved in the traditions +and religious monuments of oriental countries. In Egypt, in +India, and to a greater or less extent in other Eastern +countries, these physiological contests have been disguised under +a veil of allegory, the true significance of which it is no +longer difficult to understand. With the light which more recent +investigation has thrown upon the subject of the separation of +the original sex-elements contained in the Deity, the +significance of the following legend in the Servarasa is at once +apparent. + +When Parvati (Devi) was united in marriage to Mahadeva (Siva), +the divine pair had once a dispute on the comparative influence +of the sexes in producing animated beings, and each resolved by +mutual agreement to create a new race of men. The race produced +by Mahadeva were very numerous, and devoted themselves +exclusively to the worship of the male Deity, but their +intellects were dull, their bodies feeble, their limbs distorted, +and their complexions of many different hues. Parvati had at the +same time created a multitude of human beings, who adored the +female power only, and were well shaped, with sweet aspects and +fine complexions. A furious contest ensued between the two +nations, and the Lingajas, or adorers of the male principle, were +defeated in battle, but Mahadeva, enraged against the Yonigas +(the worshippers of the female element), would have destroyed +them with the fire of his eye if Parvati had not interposed and +appeased him, but he would spare them only on condition that they +should instantly leave the country with a promise to see it no +more, and from the Yoni, which they adored as the sole cause of +their existence, they were named Yavanas. + +The fact has been noticed in a previous work[49] that, according +to Wilford, the Greeks were the descendants of the Yavanas of +India, and that when the Ionians emigrated they adopted the name +to distinguish themselves as adorers of the female, in opposition +to a strong sect of male worshippers which had been driven from +the mother country. We are taught by the Puranas that they +settled partly on the borders of Varaha-Dwip, or Europe, where +they became the progenitors of the Greeks; and partly in the two +Dwipas of Cusha, Asiatic and African. In the Asiatic Cusha-Dwip +they supported themselves by violence and rapine. Parvati, +however, or their tutelary goddess, Yoni, always protected them; +and at length, in the fine country which they occupied, they +became a flourishing nation.[50] Wilford relates that there is a +sect of Hindoos who, attempting to reconcile the two systems, +declare in their allegorical style that "Parvati and Mahadeva +found their concurrence essential to the perfection of their +offspring, and that Vishnu, at the request of the goddess, +effected a reconciliation between them."[51] + +[49] See The Evolution of Women, p. 303. + +[50] Asiatic Researches, vol. iii., pp. 125-132. + +[51] Asiatic Researches, "Egypt and the Nile," vol. iii., pp. +361-363. + + +The people who were dominant in Asia long before the rise of the +late Assyrian monarchy, are said to be those whom scriptural +writers represent as Cushim, and the Hindoos as Cushas. They +were the descendants of Cush, or Cuth, and were believed to have +been the architects of the Tower of Babel. Epiphanius, Eusebius, +and others assert that at the time of the building of this tower +there existed two rival beliefs, the one demonstrated as +Scuthism, the other as Ionism, or Hellenism, the latter of which +embodied the worship of the Great Mother, or the female element, +which was worshipped in the shape of the mystic "Iona or Dove." +The Scuths, on the other hand, believed in the pre-eminence of a +Great Father, or, perhaps I should say, in a Deity composed of a +triad containing the elements of a male parent. Upon this +subject the learned Faber remarks: "I am much mistaken if some +dissension on these points did not prevail at Babel itself; and I +think there is reason for believing that the altercation between +the rival sects aided the confusion of languages in producing the +dispersion."[52] + +[52] Pagan Idolatry, book vi., ch. ii. + + +Those who believed in the superiority of the male in the +processes of reproduction, adored the male element in the Deity, +while those who held that the female is the more important, +worshipped the female energy throughout Nature under one or +another of its symbols, sometimes as a woman with her child and +sometimes as a dove, but oftener as an ark, box, or chest. + +It is evident from the sacred writings of the Hindoos that in +India, during a period of several thousand years, there existed +various sects, those who worshipped the male as the only creative +force, others who adored the female as the origin of life, and +those who paid homage to both, as alike important in the office +of reproduction. + +It would seem that the fierce wars which had devastated the land +had ceased prior to the beginning of the Tower of Babel. +According to the testimony of Moses, the Lord himself declared +"Behold the people is one." This unanimity of belief, as is +plainly shown, was of short duration, for the Tower arose +"upright and defiant," not, however, as an emblem of the primeval +dual or triune God in which the female energy was predominant, +but as a symbol of male creative power. It was the type of +virility which in the subsequent history of religion was to +assume the position of the "one only and true God." + +It is not improbable that idolatry began with the Tower of Babel. + +Indeed it has been confidently asserted by certain writers that +the earliest idols set up as emblems of the Deity, or as +expressions of the peculiar worship of the Lingajas, were +obelisks, columns, or towers, the first of which we have any +account being the Tower of Babel, erected probably at Nipur in +Chaldea. Until a comparatively recent time, the actual +significance of this monument seems to have been little +understood. Later research, however, points to the fact that it +was a phallic device erected in opposition to a religion which +recognized the female element throughout Nature as God. The +length of time which the adherents of these two doctrines had +contended for the mastery is not known, but through the +deciphered monuments of ancient nations, by facts gathered from +their sacred writings, and by the general voice of tradition, it +has been ascertained with a considerable degree of certainty that +this great upheaval of society was the culmination of a dispute +which had long been waged between two contending powers, and +which finally resulted in a separation of the people, and in the +final success, for the time being, of the sect which refused +longer to recognize the superior importance of the female in the +god-idea. + +At what time in the history of mankind the Tower of Babel was +erected has not been ascertained, but the great antiquity of +Chaldea is no longer questioned. Sir Henry Rawlinson, in the +Royal Geographical Journal says: + +"When Chaldea was first colonized, or at any rate when the seat +of empire was first established there, the emporium of trade +seems to have been at Ur of the Chaldees, which is now 150 miles +from the sea, the Persian Gulf having retired nearly that +distance before the sediment brought down by the Euphrates and +Tigris." + +To which Baldwin adds: + +"A little reflection on the vast period of time required to +effect geological changes so great as this will enable us to see +to what a remote age in the deeps of antiquity we must go to find +the beginning of civilization in the Mesopotamian Valley."[53] + +[53] Prehistoric Nations, p. 191. + + +Although at the time of the building of the Tower of Babel the +worship of a Deity in which the male principle was pre-eminent +had not become universal, still the facts seem to indicate that +the doctrine of male superiority which for ages had been steadily +advancing had at length gained the ascendancy over the older +religion. The new faith and worship had corrupted the old, and +through the conditions which had been imposed upon women, and the +consequent stimulation of the lower nature in man, even the +adherents of the older faith were losing sight of those higher +principles which in preceding ages they had adored as God. + +We have seen that in every country upon the earth there is a +tradition recounting the ravages of a flood. Whether or not this +legend is to be traced to an actual calamity by which a large +portion of Asia was inundated, is not for a certainty known; but +the fact that there was a deluge of contention and strife, +surpassing anything perhaps which the world has ever witnessed, +seems altogether probable. + +Not long after the catastrophe designated as the flood, emblems +of the Deity, representations of the male and female elements, +appear in profusion. Babylon, at which place was erected the +Tower of Belus, and Memphis, which contained the Pyramids, were +among the first cities which were built. As the tower typified +the Deity worshipped by those who claimed superiority for the +male, so the pyramids symbolized the creative agency and peculiar +qualities of the female, or of the dual Deity which was +worshipped as female. + +Although the grosser elements in human nature were rapidly +assuming a more intensely aggressive attitude, and although the +higher principles involved in an earlier religion were in a +measure forgotten, it is evident that at this time humanity had +not become wholly sensualized, and that the lower propensities +and appetites had not assumed dominion over the reasoning +faculties. + +The Great Mother Cybele, who is represented by the Sphinx, had +doubtless been adored as a pure abstraction, her worship being +that of the universal female principle in Nature. She is +pictured as the "Eldest Daughter of the Mythologies," and as "The +Great First Cause." She represented the past and the future. +She was the source whence all that was and is had proceeded. + +In its earliest representations, the Sphinx is figured with the +head of a woman and the body of a lion. By various writers it is +stated that the Sphinxes which were brought as spoils from Asia, +the very cradle of religion, were thus represented. The lion, +which symbolizes royal power and intellectual strength, is always +attached to the chariot of Cybele. The Sphinx is supposed to +typify not only Cybele, but the great androgynous God of Africa +as well. However, as Cybele and Muth portrayed the same idea, +namely, female power and wisdom, we are not surprised that they +should have been worshipped under the same emblem. Neither is it +remarkable, when we recall the fact that the female was supposed +to comprehend both sexes, that in certain instances a beard +appears as an accompanying feature of the Sphinx. We are told +that the fourth avatar of Vishnu was a Sphinx, but a further +search into the history of this Deity reveals the fact that her +ninth avatar is Brahm (masculine). The female principle has at +length succumbed to the predominance of male power, and Vishnu +herself has become transformed into a male God. + +Although the rites connected with the worship of Cybele were +phallic they were absolutely pure. In an allusion to this +worship, Hargrave Jennings admits that the "spirituality to which +women in that age of the world were observed to be more liable +than men was peculiarly adverse to all sensual indulgence, and +especially that of the sexes." + +Although the creative principle was adored under its +representatives, the Yoni and the Lingham, still the principal +object seems to have been, when administering the rites +pertaining to the worship of Cybele, to ignore sex and the usual +sex distinctions; hence we find that, in order to assume an +androgynous appearance, the priestesses of this Goddess +officiated in the costumes of males, while priests appeared in +the dress peculiar to females. However, that the sensuous +element was to a certain extent already assuming dominion over +the higher nature, and that priests were regarded as being +incapable of self-control, is observed in the fact that in the +later ages of female worship one of the principal requirements of +a priest of Cybele was castration. + +It is the opinion of Grote that the story which appears in the +Hesiodic Theogony, of the castration of Saturn and Uranus by +their sons with sickles forged by the mother, was borrowed from +the Phrygians, or from the worship of the Great Mother. + +In India, the strictest chastity was prescribed to the priests of +Siva, a God which was worshipped as the Destroyer or Regenerator, +and which in its earlier conception was the same as the Great +Mother Cybele. These priests were frequently obliged to +officiate in a nude state, and during the ceremony should it +appear that the symbols with which they came in contact had +appealed to other than their highest emotions, they were +immediately stoned by the people.[54] + +[54] Sonnerat, Voyage aux Indes, i., 311. + + +The identity of the religions of India and Egypt has been noted +in an earlier portion of this work. Wilford, in his +dissertations upon Egypt and the Nile, says that in a +conversation which he had with some learned Brahmins, upon +describing to them the form and peculiarities of the Great +Pyramid, they told him that "it was a temple appropriated to the +worship of Padma Devi." The true Coptic name of these edifices +is Pire Honc, which signifies a sunbeam. Padma Devi means the +lotus, or the Deity of generation. + +It is thought by many writers that these gigantic structures were +erected by the Cushite conquerors of Egypt, who invaded and +civilized the country, as emblems of the female Deity whom they +worshipped. Certainly the magnitude of these monuments and the +ingenuity displayed in their construction indicate the +intelligence of their builders and the exalted character of the +Deity adored. The Great Pyramid is in the form of a square, each +side of whose base is seven hundred and fifty-five feet, and +covers an area of nearly fourteen acres. An able writer in +describing the pyramids says that the first thing which impresses +one is the uniform precision and systematic design apparent in +their architecture. They all have their sides accurately adapted +to the four cardinal points. + +"In six of them which have been opened, the principal passage +preserves the same inclination of 26 degrees to the horizon, +being directed toward the polar star. . . . Their obliquity +being so adjusted as to make the north side coincide with the +obliquity of the sun's rays at the summer's solstice, has, +combined with the former particulars, led some to suppose they +were solely intended for astronomical uses; and certainly, if not +altogether true, it bespeaks, at all events, an intimate +acquaintance with astronomical rules, as well as a due regard to +the principles of geometry. Others have fancied them intended +for sepulchres; and as the Egyptians, taught by their ancient +Chaldean victors, connected astronomy with their funereal and +religious ceremonies, they seem in this to be not far astray, if +we but extend the application to their sacred bulls and other +animals, and not merely to their kings, as Herodotus would have +us suppose."[55] + +[55] The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 159. + + +According to the testimony of Inman, the pyramid is an emblem of +the Trinity--three in one. The triangle typifies the flame of +sacred fire emerging from the holy lamp. With its base upwards it +typifies the Delta, or the door through which all come into the +world. With its apex uppermost, it is an emblem of the phallic +triad. The union of these triangles typifies the male and female +principles uniting with each other, thus producing a new figure, +a star, while each retains its own identity.[56] + +[56] Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 145. + + +Thus the primary significance of the pyramid was religious, and +in its peculiar architectural construction was manifested the +prevailing conception of the Deity worshipped; namely, the +fructifying energies in the sun. We are informed that "all +nations have at one time or another passed through violent stages +of pyrolatry, a word which reminds us that fire and phallic cult +flourished around the pyramids. . . . Every town in Greece +had a Pyrtano."[57] + +[57] Forlong, Rivers of Life, or Faiths of Man in All Lands, vol. +i., p. 325. + + +As not alone the sun but the stars also had come to be venerated +as agencies in reproduction, the worship of these objects was, as +we have seen, closely interwoven with that of the generative +processes throughout Nature. The attempt to solve the great +problem of the origin of life on the earth led these people to +contemplate with the profoundest reverence all the visible +objects which were believed to affect human destiny. Hence both +the pyramid and the tower served a double purpose, first, as +emblems of the Deity worshipped, and, second, as monuments for +the study of the heavenly bodies with which their religious ideas +were so intimately connected. + +While comparing the early emblems which prefigure the primitive +elements in the god-idea, Hargrave Jennings observes: + +"In the conveyance of certain ideas to those who contemplate it, +the pyramid boasts of prouder significance, and impresses with a +hint of still more impenetrable mystery. We seem to gather dim +supernatural ideas of the mighty Mother of Nature . . . that +almost two-sexed entity, without a name--She of the Veil which is +never to be lifted, perhaps not even by the angels, for their +knowledge is limited. In short, this tremendous abstraction, +Cybele, Ideae, Mater, Isiac controller of the Zodiacs, whatever +she may be, has her representative in the half-buried Sphinx even +to our own day, watching the stars although nearly swallowed up +in the engulphing sands."[58] + +[58] Phallicism, p. 25. + + +From the time when the two religious elements began to separate +in the minds of the people, the prophets, seers, and priestesses +of the old religion, those who continued to worship the Virgin +and Child, had prophesied that a mortal woman, a virgin, would, +independently of the male principle, bring forth a child, the +fulfilment of which prophecy would vindicate the ancient faith +and forever settle the dispute relative to the superiority of the +female in the office of reproduction. Thus would the woman +"bruise the serpent's head." In process of time not only +Yonigas, but Lingajas as well, came to accept the doctrine of the +incarnation of the sun in the bodies of earthly virgins. By +Lingaites, however, it was the seed of the woman and not the +woman herself who was to conquer evil. Finally, with the +increasing importance of the male in human society, it is +observed that a reconciliation has been effected between the +female worshippers and those of the male. Athene herself has +acquiesced in the doctrine of male superiority. + +Thalat, the great Chaldean Deity, who presided over Chaos prior +to the existence of organized matter, is finally transformed into +a male God. The Hindoo Vishnu, who as she slept on the bottom of +the sea brought forth all creation, has changed her sex. Brahm, +the Creator, is male, and appears as a triplicated Deity in the +form of three sons within whom is contained the essence of a +Great Father, the female creative principle being closely veiled. + +Hence we see that the God of the ancients, the universal dual +force which resides in the sun and which creates all things, is +no longer worshipped under the figure of a mother and her child. +Although the female principle is still a necessary factor in the +creative processes, and although it is capable of producing gods, +the mother element possesses none of the essentials which +constitute a Deity. In other words, woman is not a Creator. +From the father is derived the soul of the child, while from the +mother, or from matter, the body is formed. Hence the prevalence +at a certain stage of human history of divine fathers and earthly +mothers; for instance, Alexander of Macedon, Julius Caesar, and +later the mythical Christ who superseded Jesus, the Judean +philosopher and teacher of mankind. + +Henceforth, caves, wells, cows, boxes and chests, arks, etc., +stand for or symbolize the female power. We are given to +understand, however, that for ages these symbols were as holy as +the God himself, and among many peoples even more revered and +worshipped. + +We have seen that the ancients knew that matter and force were +alike indestructible. According to their doctrine all Nature +proceeded from the sun. Hence the power back of the sun, which +they worshipped as the Destroyer or Regenerator, or, in other +words, as the mother of the sun, was the Great Aum or Om, the +Aleim or Elohim, who was the indivisible God. The creative +agency which proceeded from the sun was both male and female, yet +one in essence. Later, the male appeared as spirit, the female +as matter. Spirit was something above and independent of Nature. + +It had indeed created matter from nothing. The fact will be +remembered that man claimed supremacy over woman on the ground +that the male is spirit, while the female is only matter; in +other words, that she was simply a covering for the soul, which +is divine. + +Thus was the god-idea divorced from Nature, and a masculine +principle, outside and independent of matter, set up as a +personal potentate or ruler over the universe. + +The logic by which the great female principle in the Deity has +been eliminated, and the subterfuges which have been and still +are employed to construct and sustain a Creator who of himself is +powerless to create, is as amusing as it is suggestive, and +forcibly recalls to mind la couvade, in which, among certain +tribes, the father, assuming all the duties of procreation, goes +to bed when a child is born.[59] + +[59] The Evolution of Woman, p. 127. + + +All mythologies prove conclusively that ages elapsed before human +beings were rash enough, or sufficiently blinded by falsehood and +superstition, to attempt to construct a creative force unaided by +the female principle. Just here it may not be out of place to +refer to the fact that in the attempt to divorce God from Nature +have arisen all the superstitions and senseless religious +theories with which, since the earliest ages of metaphysical +speculation, the human mind has been crowded. + +To this separation of the two original elements in the Deity, and +the consequent exaltation of one of the factors in the creative +processes, is to be traced the beginning of our present false, +unnatural, and unphilosophical masculine system of religion--a +system under which a father appears as the sole parent of the +universe. + +The fact is tolerably well understood that mysticism and the +accumulation of superstitious ideas are the result of the +over-stimulation of the lower animal instincts. When the +agencies which had hitherto held the lower nature in check became +inoperative--when man began to regard himself as a Creator and +therefore as the superior of woman--he had reached a point at +which he was largely controlled by supernatural or mystical +influences. + +The fact is observed that in course of time the governmental +powers are no longer in the hands of the people; the masses have +become enslaved. Their rulers are priests--deified tyrants who +are unable to maintain their authority except through the +ignorance and credulity of the masses. Hence one is not +surprised to find that the change which took place at a certain +stage of human growth in respect to the manner of reckoning +descent was instigated and enforced by religion. Apollo had +declared that woman is but the nurse to her own offspring. +Neither is it remarkable at this stage in the human career, as +women had lost their position as heads of families, and as they +were no longer recognized as of kin to their children, that man +should have attempted to lessen the importance of the female +element in the god-idea. + +Wherever in the history of the human race we observe a change in +the relations of the sexes involving greater or more oppressive +restrictions on the natural rights of women, such change, whether +it assume a legal, social, or religious form, will, if traced to +its source, always be found deeply rooted in the wiles of +priestcraft. Since the decay of the earliest form of religion, +namely, Nature-worship, the gods have never been found ranged on +the side of women. + +Later investigations are proving that the primitive idea of a +Deity had its foundation in actual physical facts and +experiences; and, as the maternal principle constituted the most +important as well as the most obvious of the facts which entered +into the conception of a Creator, and as it was the only natural +bond capable of binding human society together, so long as reason +was not wholly clouded by superstition and warped by sensuality, +it could not be eliminated. In other words, a Creator in which +the more essential element of creative force was wanting, was +contrary to all human experience and observation. Indeed nothing +could be plainer than that the deified male principle could of +itself create nothing, and that it was dependent for its very +existence on the female element. + +By this attempt to construct a masculine Deity, absurdities were +presented to the human judgment and understanding which for ages +could not be overcome, and by it contradictions were necessitated +which could not be reconciled with human reason and with the +ideas of Nature which had hitherto been held by mankind. It was +not, therefore, until reason had been suspended in all matters +pertaining to religion, and blind faith in the machinations of +priestcraft had been established, that a male God was set up as +the sole Creator of the universe. + +When women, who had become the legitimate plunder not only of +individuals but of bands of warriors whose avowed object was the +capture of women for wives, had degenerated into mere tools or +instruments for the gratification and pleasure of men, Perceptive +Wisdom or Light, and Maternal Affection the Preserver of the +race, gradually became eliminated from the god-idea of mankind. +Passion became God. It was the Creator in the narrowest and most +restricted sense. + +Although in an age of pure Nature-worship the ideas connected +with reproduction, like those related to all other natural +functions, were wholly unconnected with impurity either of +thought or deed, still when an age arrived in which all checks to +human passion had been withdrawn, and the lower propensities had +gained dominion over the higher faculties, the influence of +fertility or passion-worship on human development or growth may +in a degree be imagined. + +The fact must be borne in mind that curing the later ages of +passion-worship the creative processes and the reproductive +organs were deified, not as an expression or symbol of the +operations of Nature, but as a means to the stimulation of the +lower animal instincts in man. + +With religion bestialized and its management regulated wholly +with an idea to the gratification of man's sensuous desires, +religious temples, under the supervision of the priesthood, +became brothels, in which were openly practiced as part and +parcel of religious rites and ceremonies the most wanton +profligacy and the most shameless self-abandonment. The worship +of Aphrodite or Venus, and also that of Bacchus, originally +consisted in homage paid to the reproductive principles contained +in the earth, water, and sun, but, as is well known, this pure +and beautiful worship, in later times, and especially after it +was carried to Greece, became synonymous with the grossest +practices and the most lawless disregard of human decency. + +With the light which in these later ages science and ethnological +research are throwing upon the physiological and religious +disputes of the ancients, the correctness of the primitive +doctrines elaborated under purer conditions at an age when human +beings lived nearer to Nature is being proved--namely, that +matter like spirit is eternal and indestructible, and therefore +that the one is as difficult of comprehension as the other, and +that Nature, instead of being separated from spirit, is filled +with it and can not be divorced from it; also that the female is +the original organic unit of creation, without which nothing is +or can be created. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +CIVILIZATION OF AN ANCIENT RACE. + +The profound doctrines of abstractions or emanations; of the +absorption of the individual soul into the divine ether or +essence; of the renewal of worlds and reincarnation, were +doubtless elaborated after the separation, in the human mind, of +Spirit from matter, but before mankind had lost the power to +reason abstractly. + +Although Pythagoras understood and believed these doctrines, he +did not, as is well known, receive them from his degenerate +countrymen, but, on the contrary, imbibed them from private +sources among the orientals, where fragments of their remarkable +learning were still extant. He said that religion consists in +knowing the truth and doing good, and his ideas show the grandeur +and beauty of the earlier conception of a Deity. He declared +that there is only one God who is not, "as some are apt to +imagine, seated above the world, beyond the orb of the universe," +but that this great power is diffused throughout Nature. It is +"the reason, the life, and the motion of all things." + +Plato believed that human beings are possessed of two souls, the +one mortal, which perishes with the body, the other immortal, +which continues to exist either in a state of happiness or +misery; that the righteous soul, freed from the limitations of +matter, returns at death to the source whence it came, and that +the wicked, after having been detained for a while in a place +prepared for their reception, are sent back to earth to reanimate +other bodies. + +Aristotle held the opinion that the souls of human beings are +sparks from the divine flame, while Zeno, the founder of the +Stoic philosophy, taught that spirit acting upon matter produced +the elements and the earth. There is plenty of evidence going to +show that the early Fathers in the Christian church believed in +the doctrines of reincarnation and the renewal of worlds. +Neither is there any doubt but that this philosophy came from the +East, where it originated. It is thought that the ancient +philosophers who elaborated these doctrines were unable to +account for the existence of evil without a belief in the +immortality of the soul. Spirit was eternal, as was also matter. + +A soul, upon leaving the body, in course of time found its way +back to earth, surrounded by conditions suited to its stage of +growth. Here it must reap all the consequences of its former +life. It must also during its stay on earth make the conditions +for its next appearance upon an earthly plane. So soon as +through a succession of births and deaths it had perfected +itself, it entered into a state of Nirvana. It was absorbed into +the great Universal Soul. Nothing is ever lost. + + "Many a house of life + Hath held me--seeking ever Him who wrought + These prisons of the senses, sorrow fraught; + Sore was my ceaseless strife! + But now, + Thou builder of this tabernacle--Thou! + I know Thee. + Never shalt Thou build again + These walls of pain, +Nor raise the roof-tree of deceits, nor lay + Fresh rafters on the clay; +Broken Thy house is, and the ridge-pole split! + Delusion fashioned it! + Safe pass I thence--deliverance to obtain."[60] + +[60] Edwin Arnold, The light of Asia. + + +Regarding the opinions of the ancients on the subject of the +eternity of matter, Higgins, in his learned work on Celtic +Druids, says: + +"The eternity of matter is a well known tenet of the +Pythagoreans, and whether right or wrong there can be no doubt +that it was the doctrine of the oriental school, whence +Pythagoras drew his learning. It was a principle taken or +mistaken from, or found amongst, the debris of that mighty mass +of learning and science of a former period, of which, on looking +back as far as human ken can reach, the most learned men have +thought that they could see a faint glimmering. Indeed, I think +I may say something more than a faint glimmering. For all the +really valuable moral and philosophical doctrines we possess, +Dutens has shown to have existed there." + +From what is known relative to the speculations of an ancient +race, the fact is observed that creation was but a re-formation +of matter. Wisdom, or Minerva, formed the earth and the planets; +she did not create the heavens and the earth, as did the later +Jewish God. + +Of the seven principles of the universe, matter was the first, +and of the seven principles of man, the physical body was the +earliest. Through evolutionary processes, or through cyclic +periods involving millions of years, mind was developed, and in +course of time spirit was finally manifested. + +Mai, the Mother of Gotama Buddha, was simply matter, or illusion, +from which its higher manifestation, mind or spirit, was +emerging. She was also the mother of Mercury. A clearer +knowledge of the philosophical doctrines which were elaborated at +a time when Nature-worship was beginning to decay, reveals the +fact that the god-idea comprehended a profound knowledge of +Nature and her laws; that while this people did not pretend to +account for the existence of matter, they recognized a force +operating through it whose laws were unchanged and unchanging. + +With these facts relative to the intelligence of an older race +before us, the question naturally arises: What was the degree of +civilization attained at a time when the Deity worshipped was an +abstract principle involving the actual creative processes +throughout Nature? and, notwithstanding our prejudices, we are +constrained to acknowledge that these earlier conceptions are +scarcely compatible with the barbarism which we have been taught +to regard as the condition of all the peoples which existed prior +to the first Greek Olympiad. On the contrary, the origin of the +philosophical opinions entertained by the most ancient oriental +philosophers, and which must have arisen out of a profound +knowledge or appreciation of Nature and her operations, point to +a race far superior to any of those peoples which appear in early +historic times. Regarding these opinions, Godfrey Higgins +remarks: + +"From their philosophical truth and universal reception I am +strongly inclined to refer them to the authors of the Neros, or +to that enlightened race, supposed by Bailly to have formerly +existed, and to have been saved from a great catastrophe on the +Himalaya Mountains. This is confirmed by an observation which +the reader will make in the sequel, that these doctrines have +been, like all the other doctrines of antiquity, gradually +corrupted--incarnated, if I may be permitted to compose a word +for the occasion." + +Of this cycle, Bailly says: "No person could have invented the +Neros who had not arrived at much greater perfection in astronomy +than we know was the state of the most ancient Assyrians, +Egyptians, and Greeks." + +Toward the close of the eighteenth century the celebrated +astronomer, Bailly, published a work entitled The History of +Ancient Astronomy, in which he endeavored to prove that a nation +possessed of profound wisdom and great genius, and of an +antiquity far superior to the Hindoos or Egyptians, "inhabited +the country to the north of India, or about fifty degrees north +latitude." This writer has shown that "the most celebrated +astronomical observations and inventions, from their peculiar +character, could have taken place only in these latitudes, and +that arts and improvements gradually travelled thence to the +equator." + +A colony of Brahmins settled near the Imans, and in Northern +Thibet, where in ancient times they established celebrated +colleges, particularly at Nagraent and Cashmere. In these +institutions the treasures of Sanskrit literature were supposed +to be deposited. The Rev. Mr. Maurice was informed that an +immemorial tradition prevailed at Benares that all the learning +of India came from a country situated in forty degrees of +northern latitude. Other writers are of the opinion that +civilization proceeded from Arabia; that the old Cushite race +carried commerce, letters, and laws to all the nations of the +East. Which of these theories is true, if either, may not with +certainty be proved at present; yet that in the far distant past +a race of people existed whose achievements exceeded those of any +of the historic nations may not be doubted. + +That the length of the year was calculated with greater exactness +by an ancient and forgotten people than it was by early historic +nations is proved by the cycle of the Neros. This cycle, which +was formed of 7.421 lunar revolutions of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 +minutes, and 3 seconds, or 219,146 days and a half, was equal to +600 solar years of 365 days, 5 hours, 51 minutes, and 36 seconds, +which time varies less than three minutes from the present +observations of the year's length. The length of the year as +calculated by the Egyptians and other early historic nations was +360 days, which fact would seem to indicate that a science of +astronomy had been developed in an earlier age which by the most +ancient peoples of whom we have any historic records has been +lost or forgotten. It has been said that if this cycle of the +Neros "were correct to the second, if on the first of January at +noon a new moon took place, it would take place again in exactly +600 years at the same moment of the day, and under all the same +circumstances."[61] + +[61] Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids, ch. ii., sec. 14. + + +The Varaha Calpa has the famous cycle of 4,320,000,000 years for +its duration. This system makes the Cali Yug begin 3098 years +B.C. A dodecan consisted of 5 days, and 72 dodecans formed a +natural year of 360 days. According to the earlier calculations, +360 solar diurnal revolutions constituted a natural year. The +doctrine of the ancients concerning these cycles is thus set +forth by Godfrey Higgins: + +"The sun, or rather that higher principle of which the sun was +the emblem or the shekinah, was considered to be incarnated every +six hundred years. Whilst the sun was in Taurus, the different +incarnations, under whatever names they might go, were all +considered but as incarnations of Buddha or Taurus. When he got +into Aries, they were in like manner considered but as +incarnations of Cristna or Aries, and even Buddha and Cristna +were originally considered the same, and had a thousand names in +common, constantly repeated in their litanies--a striking proof +of identity of origin. Of these Zodiacal divisions the Hindoos +formed another period, which consisted of ten ages or Calpas or +Yugs, which they considered the duration of the world, at the end +of which a general renovation of all things would take place. +They also reckoned ten Neroses to form a period, each of them +keeping a certain relative location to the other, and together to +form a cycle. To effect this they doubled the precessional +period for one sign-- viz: 2160 years--thus making 4320, which +was a tenth of 43,200, a year of the sun, analogous to the 360 +natural days, and produced in the same manner, by multiplying the +day of 600 by the dodecans 72 = 43,200. They then formed another +great year of 432,000 by again multiplying it by 10, which they +called a Cali Yug, which was measurable both by the number 2160, +the years the equinox preceded in a sign, and by the number 600. +They then had the following scheme: + + A Cali Yug, or 600 (or a Neros) 432,000 + A Dwapar, or Duo-par Age. . . .864,000 + A Treta, or tree-par Age. . . 1,296,000 + A Satya, or Satis Age . . . .1,728,000 + --------- + 4,320,000 + +altogether 10 Ages, making a Maha Yug or Great Age. These were +all equimultiples of the Cycle of the Neros 600, and of 2160, the +twelfth part of the equinoctial precessional Cycle, and in all +formed ten ages of 432,000 years each."[62] + +[62] Anacalypsis, vol. i., p. 232. + + +The two great religious festivals of the ancients occurred the +one in the spring, at Easter, when all Nature was renewed, the +other in the autumn, after the earth had yielded her bounties and +the fruits were garnered in. It was at these gatherings that the +Great Mother Earth received the devout adoration of all her +children. + +It is supposed that the Neros, or cycle of 600, is closely +connected with this worship, and that it was invented to regulate +the season for these festivals. In process of time it was +discovered that this cycle no longer answered, that the festival +which had originally fallen on the first of May now occurred on +the first of April. This, we are told, + +"led ultimately to the discovery that the equinox preceded about +2160 years in each sign or 25,920 years in the 12 signs, and this +induced them to try if they could not form a cycle of the two. +On examination, they found that the 600 would not commensurate +the 2160 years in a sign, or any number of sums of 2160 less than +ten, but that it would with ten, or that in ten times 2160, or in +21,600 years, the two cycles would agree; yet this artificial +cycle would not be enough to include the cycle of 25,920. They, +therefore, took two of the periods of 21,600, or 43,200; and, +multiplying both by ten--viz: 600 X 10 = 6000, and 43,200 X 10 = +432,000--they formed a period with which the 600-year period and +the 6000-year period would terminate and form a cycle. Every +432,000 years the three periods would commence anew; thus the +three formed a year or cycle, 72 times 6000 making 432,000, and +720 times 600 making 432,000."[63] + +[63] Higgins, Anacalypsis, p. 235. + + +To form a great year, which would include all the cyclical +motions of the sun and moon, and perhaps of the planets, they +multiplied 432,000 by ten; thus they had ten periods answering to +ten signs. Concerning these cycles Godfrey Higgins observes: + +"Persons of narrow minds will be astonished at such monstrous +cycles; but it is very certain that no period could properly be +called the great year unless it embraced in its cycle every +periodical movement or apparent aberration. But their vulgar +wonder will perhaps cease when they are told that La Place has +proved that, if the periodical aberrations of the moon be +correctly calculated, the great year must be extended to a +greater length even than 4,320,000 years of the Maha Yug of the +Hindoos, and certainly no period can be called a year of our +planetary system which does not take in all the periodical +motions of the planetary bodies." + +It is thought that as soon as these ancient astronomers perceived +that the equinoxes preceded, they would at once attempt to +determine the rate of precession in a given time; the precession, +however, in one year was so small that they were obliged to +extend their observations over immense periods. Jones informs us +that the Hindoos first supposed that the precession took place at +the rate of 60 years in a degree, or 1800 in a Zodiacal sign, and +of 21,600 in a revolution of the entire circle. They afterwards +came to think that the precession was at the rate of 60 years and +a fraction of a year, and thus that the precession for a sign was +in 1824 years, and for the circle in 21,888 years. Subsequently +they discovered, or thought they had discovered, the Soli-Lunar +period of 608 years, hence they attempted to make the two go +together. Both, however, proved to be erroneous. + +In referring to the fact that among the ancient Romans existed +the story of the twelve vultures and the twelve ages of 120 years +each, Higgins remarks: + +"This arose from the following cause: They came from the East +before the supposition that the precession took place a degree in +about 60 years, and 1824 years in a sign had been discovered to +be erroneous; and as they supposed the Neros made a correct cycle +in 608 years, and believed the precessional cycle to be completed +in 21,888, they of course made their ages into twelve. As both +numbers were erroneous, they would not long answer their intended +purpose, and their meaning was soon lost, though the sacred +periods of twelve ages and of 608 remained." + +According to Hipparchus and Ptolemy, the equinoxes preceded at +the rate of a degree in 100 years, or 36,000 hundred years in 360 +degrees. This constituted a great year, at the end of which the +regeneration of all things takes place. This is thought to be a +remnant of the most ancient Hindoo speculations, and not the +result of observation among the Greeks. Some time after the +arrival of the sun in Aries, + +"at the vernal equinox, the Indians probably discovered their +mistake, in giving about 60 years to a degree; that they ought to +give 50" to a year, about 72 years to a degree, and about 2160 +years to a sign; and that the Luni-Solar cycle, called the Neros, +did not require 608 years, but 600 years only, to complete its +period. Hence arose the more perfect Neros." + +It is thought by various writers that the knowledge of the +ancient Hindoos regarding the movements of the sun and moon in +their cycles of nineteen and six hundred years--the Metonic +cycle, and the Neros--proves that long before the birth of +Hipparchus the length of the year was known with a degree of +exactitude which that astronomer had not the means of +determining. It is positively asserted by astronomers that at +least twelve hundred years were required, "during which time the +observations must have been taken with the greatest care and +regularly recorded," to arrive at the knowledge necessary for the +invention of the Neros, and that such observations would have +been impossible without the aid of the telescope. + +On the subject of the great learning of an ancient race, Sir W. +Drummond says: + +"The fact, however, is certain, that at some remote period there +were mathematicians and astronomers who knew that the sun is in +the centre of the planetary system, and that the earth, itself a +planet, revolves round the central fire;--who calculated, or like +ourselves attempted to calculate, the return of comets, and who +knew that these bodies move in elliptic orbits, immensely +elongated, having the sun in one of their foci;--who indicated +the number of the solar years contained in the great cycle, by +multiplying a period (variously called in the Zend, the Sanscrit, +and the Chinese ven, van, and phen) of 180 years by another +period of 144 years;--who reckoned the sun's distance from the +earth at 800,000,000 of Olympic stadia; and who must, therefore, +have taken the parallax of that luminary by a method, not only +much more perfect than that said to be invented by Hipparchus, +but little inferior in exactness to that now in use among the +moderns;--who could scarcely have made a mere guess when they +fixed the moon's distance from its primary planet at fifty-nine +semi-diameters of the earth;--who had measured the circumference +of our globe with so much exactness that their calculation only +differed by a few feet from that made by our modern +geometricians; --who held that the moon and the other planets +were worlds like our own, and that the moon was diversified by +mountains and valleys and seas;--who asserted that there was yet +a planet which revolved round the sun, beyond the orbit of +Saturn;--who reckoned the planets to be sixteen in number; --and +who reckoned the length of the tropical year within three minutes +of the true time; nor, indeed, were they wrong at all, if a +tradition mentioned by Plutarch be correct."[64] + +[64] Drummond, On the Zodiacs, p. 36. + + +Bailly, Sir W. Jones, Higgins, and Ledwich, as well as many +modern writers, agree in the conclusion that the Indians, the +Egyptians, the Assyrians, and the Chinese were simply the +depositaries, not the inventors, of science. The spirit of +inquiry which in later times is directing attention to the almost +buried past is revealing the fact that not merely the germs +whence our present civilization has been developed descended to +us from the dim ages of antiquity, but that a great number of the +actual benefits which go to make up our present state of material +progress have come to us from prehistoric times. The art of +writing, of navigation (including the use of the compass), the +working of metals, astronomy, the telescope, gunpowder, +mathematics, democracy, building, weaving, dyeing, and many of +the appliances of civilized life, have been appropriated by later +ages with no acknowledgment of the source whence they were +derived. When Pythagoras exhibited to the Greeks some beautiful +specimens of ancient architecture which he had brought from Egypt +and Babylon, they simply claimed them as their own, giving no +credit to the people who originated them; and subsequent ages, +copying their example, have refused to acknowledge that anything +of value had been achieved prior to the first Greek Olympiad. + +When Philip of Macedon opened the gold mines of Thrace, a country +in which it will be remembered the worship of the Great Mother +Cybele was indigenous, he found that they had been previously +worked "at great expense and with great ingenuity by a people +well versed in mechanics, of whom no monuments whatever are +extant." + +The decorations on the breasts of some of the oldest mummies show +that the early Egyptians understood the art of making glass. It +is now known that the lens as a magnifying instrument was in use +among them. Attention has been drawn to the fact that the +astronomical observations of the ancients would have been +impossible without the aid of the telescope. Diodorus Siculus +says there was an island west of the Celtae in which the Druids +brought the sun and moon near them. An instrument has recently +been found in the sands of the Nile, the construction of which +shows plainly that 6000 years ago the Egyptians were acquainted +with our modern ideas of the science of astronomy. + +William Huntington, who has travelled widely in India, Borneo, +the Malay Peninsula, and Egypt, says: + +"I think, on the whole, the most interesting experience I ever +had was in an ancient city on the Nile in Egypt. . . . When I +was there a year ago, and men were digging among the ruined +temples, some curious things were brought to light, and these I +regard as the strangest things seen in all my wanderings. In an +old tomb was found a curious iron and glass object, which on +investigation proved to be a photographic camera. It was not +such a camera as is used now, or has been since our photography +was invented, but something analogous to it, showing that the art +which we thought we had discovered was really known 6000 years +ago." + +The same writer states that a plow constructed on the modern plan +was also found. "It was not of steel but of iron, and it had the +same shape, the same form of point and bend of mold board as we +have now." + +It is reported that the dark continent possesses means of +communication entirely unknown to Europe. Upon this subject a +correspondent to the New York Tribune writes: + +"When Khartoum fell in 1885 I was in Egypt, and I well remember +that the Arabs settled in the neighborhood of the pyramids knew +all about it, as well as about Gen. Gordon's death, days and +days before the news reached Cairo by telegraph from the +Soudanese frontier. Yet Khartoum is thousands of miles distant +from Cairo and the telegraph wires from the frontier were +monopolized by the government." + +The same correspondent observes that these Arabs told him, months +previously, of the defeat of the Egyptian army under Baker Pasha +at Tokar--that they not only gave him the news, but several +particulars concerning the matter, two full days before +intelligence was received from the Red Sea coast. In answer to +the suggestion that such information might have been conveyed by +means of signal fires, this writer says that such fires would +have attracted the attention of the English and native scouts, +and that the whole country is unpropitious to such methods; +besides, no system of signal fires, no matter how elaborate, +could have conveyed the news so quickly and in such detail. The +whole matter is summed up as follows: + +"The Arabs, therefore, have, manifestly, some other means of +rapid communication at their command. One is inclined to the +presumption that they, like the learned Pundits of Northern +India, have a knowledge of the forces of Nature that are yet +hidden from our most eminent scientists." + +Can it be that the Arabs are acquainted with the very recently +discovered scientific principle, that it is possible to transmit +telegraphic communications without wires, and simply by means of +magnetic currents in earth and water? + +Nor is this remarkable skill confined to the "barbarians of the +Old World." A correspondent from the far West to the New York +Press wrote that long before the news of the Custer massacre +reached Fort Abraham Lincoln the Sioux had communicated it to +their brethren. The scouts in Crook's column to the south knew +of it almost immediately, as did those with Gibbon farther +northwest. The same writer says that several years ago a naval +lieutenant ran short of provisions. He pushed on to a settlement +as rapidly as possible and upon arriving there found that the +inhabitants had provided for his coming and had a bounteous store +awaiting him. The people in the village were of a different +tribe from those whose domain he had passed, and so far as could +be learned were not in communication with them. + +The earliest accounts which we have of Egypt and Chaldea reveal +the fact that at a very remote period they were old and powerful +civilizations, that they had a settled government, a pure and +philosophical religion, and a profound knowledge of science and +art; yet, notwithstanding the great antiquity of these +civilizations, that of the people which created them must have +been infinitely more remote. + +The earliest historic nations recognized the greatness of these +ancient people and the extent of their dominion. In the oldest +geographical writings of the Sanskrit people, the ancient +Ethiopia, or land of Cush of Greek and Hebrew antiquity, is +clearly described. Stephanus of Byzantium, who is said to +represent the opinions of the most ancient Greeks, says: +"Ethiopia was the first established country on the earth, and the +Ethiopians were the first who introduced the worship of the Gods +and who established laws."[65] + +[65] Quoted by John D. Baldwin, Prehistoric Nations, p. 62. + + +Heeren in his researches says: + +"From the remotest times to the present, the Ethiopians have been +one of the most celebrated, and yet the most mysterious of +nations. In the earliest traditions of nearly all the more +civilized nations of antiquity, the name of this distant people +is found. The annals of the Egyptian priests are full of them, +and the nations of inner Asia, on the Euphrates and Tigris, have +interwoven the fictions of the Ethiopians with their traditions +of the wars and conquests of their heroes; and, at a period +equally remote, they glimmer in Greek mythology. When the Greeks +scarcely knew Italy and Sicily by name, the Ethiopians were +celebrated in the verses of their poets, and when the faint gleam +of tradition and fable gives way to the clear light of history, +the lustre of the Ethiopians is not diminished." + +Homer says of them that they were a "divided people dwelling at +the ends of the earth toward the setting and the rising Sun." +Although it is possible at the present time to discover very many +of the facts bearing upon the civilization of this ancient +people, it is impossible in the present condition of human +knowledge to discover when civilized life began on the earth. +Whether the ancient Arabians or Ethiopians who belonged to the +old Cushite race, and who are believed by many to be the most +ancient people of whom we have any trace, were the first +colonizers, or whether they were preceded by a still older +civilization, history and tradition are alike silent; yet the +fact seems to be tolerably well authenticated that this +enlightened race, now nearly extinct, carried civilization to +Chaldea more than seven thousand years B.C., that it colonized +Egypt, engrafted its own institutions in India, colonized +Phoenicia, and by its maritime and commercial enterprise, +introduced civilized conditions into every quarter of the globe. +Even in Peru, in Mexico, in Central America, and in the United +States are evidences of the old Cushite religion and enterprise. + +Baldwin, commenting on the greatness of this remarkable people, +says that early in the period of its colonizing enterprise, +commercial greatness, and extensive empire, it established +colonies in the valleys of the Nile and the Euphrates, which in +later ages became Barbary, Egypt, and Chaldea. The ancient +Cushite nation occupied Arabia and other extensive regions of +Africa, India, and Western Asia to the Mediterranean. While +remarking upon the vastness and antiquity of this old Cushite +race, Rawlinson says that they founded most of the towns of +Western Asia. The vast commercial system which formed a +connecting link between the various countries of the globe, was +created by this people, the great manufacturing skill and +unrivalled maritime activity of the Phoenicians which extended +down to the time of the Hellenes and the Romans having been a +result of the irgenius. It was doubtless during the supremacy of +the ancient Cushite race that a knowledge of astronomy was +developed and that the arts of life were carried to a high degree +of perfection. However, through the peculiar influences which +were brought to bear upon human experience, this knowledge, which +was bequeathed to their descendants or to the nations which they +had created, was subsequently lost or practically obscured, only +fragments of it having been preserved from the general ruin. + +Within these fragments have been preserved in India certain +evidences of a profound knowledge of Nature, or of the at present +unknown forces in the universe, a demonstration of which, in our +own time, would probably be looked upon as a miraculous +interposition of supernatural agencies. + +Regarding the refinements and luxuries of this ancient people, +Diodorus Siculus declares that they flowed in streams of gold and +silver, that "the porticoes of their temples were overlaid with +gold, and that the adornments of their buildings were in some +parts of silver and gold, and in others of ivory and precious +stones, and other things of great value." + +From various observations, it is plain that the Etrurians +represented a stage of civilization far in advance of the +Pelasgians who founded Rome --a race which, although superior in +numbers, arms, and influence, were, when compared with this more +ancient people, little better than barbarians.[66] + +[66] It is thought that as early as the nineteenth century B.C. +the Pelasgians or Pelargians went to Aenonia, or Ionia. It was a +detachment of this people which, according to Herodotus, captured +a number of Athenian women on the coast of Africa, lived with +them as wives, and raised families by them, but, "because they +differed in manners from themselves," they murdered them, which +act was attended by a "dreadful pestilence." It is the opinion +of certain writers that these women were of a different religious +faith from their captors, and that so intense and bitter was the +feeling upon the comparative importance of the sex functions in +pro-creation, that their husbands, unable to change their views, +put an end to their existence. + + +Nothing, perhaps, proclaims the degree of civilization attained +by the ancient Etrurians more plainly than the exquisite +perfection which is observed in the specimens of art found in +their tumuli. Within the tombs of Etruscans buried long prior to +the foundation of Rome, or the birth of the fine arts in Greece, +have been found unmistakable evidence of the advanced condition +of this people. The exquisite coloring and grouping of the +figures on their elegant vases, one of which, on exhibition in +the British Museum, portrays the birth of Minerva, or Wisdom, +show the delicacy of their taste, the purity of their +conceptions, and their true artistic skill. + +Among their mechanical arts, a few specimens of which have been +preserved, is the potter's wheel, an invention which, so far as +its utility is concerned, is declared to be absolutely +perfect--the most complete of all the instruments of the world. +"It never has been improved and admits of no improvement." In +fact all that may be gathered concerning the ancient Etrurians, a +people who by the most able writers upon this subject is believed +to have been one of the first to leave the Asiatic hive, is in +perfect accord with the facts already set forth regarding that +mighty nation, perhaps of upper Asia, who carried the study of +astronomy to a degree of perfection never again reached until +after the discovery of the Copernican system, who invented the +Neros and the Metonic Cycle, who colonized Egypt and Chaldea, and +who carried civilization to the remotest ends of the earth. + +The philosophy of the Etrurians corresponds with that of the most +ancient Hindoo system, and displays a degree of wisdom +unparalleled by any of the peoples belonging to the early +historic ages. According to their cosmogony, the evolutionary or +creative processes involved twelve vast periods of time. At the +end of the first period appeared the planets and the earth, in +the second the firmament was made, in the third the waters were +brought forth, in the fourth the sun, moon, and stars were placed +in the heavens, in the fifth living creatures appeared on the +earth, and in the sixth man was produced. These six periods +comprehended one-half the duration of the cycle. After six more +periods had elapsed, or after the lapse of the entire cycle of +twelve periods, all creation was dissolved or drawn to the source +of all life. Subsequently a new creation was brought forth under +which the same order of events will take place. The involution +of life, or its return to the great source whence it sprang, did +not, however, involve the destruction of matter. The seeds of +returning life were preserved in an ark or boat--the female +principle, within which all things are contained. This indrawing +of life constituted "the night of Brahme." It was represented by +Vishnu sleeping on the bottom of the sea. + +From the facts adduced in relation to the Etrurians we are not +surprised to find that their religion was that of the ancient +Nature worshippers, and that a mother with her child stood for +their god-idea. In referring to the religion of this people, and +to the great antiquity of the worship of the Virgin and Child, +Higgins remarks: "Amongst the Gauls, more than a hundred years +before the Christian era, in the district of Chartres, a festival +was celebrated in honor of the Virgin," and in the year 1747, a +mithraic monument was found "on which is exhibited a female +nursing an infant--the Goddess of the year nursing the God day." +To which he adds: "The Protestant ought to recollect that his +mode of keeping Christmas Day is only a small part of the old +festival as it yet exists amongst the followers of the Romish +Church. Theirs is the remnant of the old Etruscan worship of the +virgin and child." As a proof of the above, Higgins cites +Gorius's Tuscan Antiquities, where may be seen the figure of an +old Goddess with her child in her arms, the inscription being in +Etruscan characters. "No doubt the Romish Church would have +claimed her for a Madonna, but most unluckily she has her name, +Nurtia, in Etruscan letters, on her arm, after the Etruscan +practice." + +From the monuments of Etruria the fact is observed that descent +and the rights of succession were traced in the female line, a +condition of society which indicates the high position which must +have been occupied by the women of that country. + +In Oman is said to exist a fragment of the government of the old +Ethiopian or Cushite race. If this is true, then we may be able +to perceive at the present time something of the character of the +political institutions of this ancient nation. As no people +remains stationary, and as degeneracy has been the rule with +surrounding countries, we may not expect to find among the people +of Oman a true representation of ancient conditions, yet, as has +been observed, we may still be able to note some of the facts +relative to the organization of society and their governmental +institutions. + +In a description furnished by Palgrave, Oman is termed a kingdom, +yet it is plain from the observations of this writer that the +existing form of government is that of a confederacy of nations +under a democratical system, identical with that developed during +the later status of barbarism. This writer himself admits that +Oman is less a kingdom than an aggregation of municipalities, and +that each of these municipalities or towns has a separate +existence and is controlled by its own local chief; but that all +are joined together in one confederacy, and subjected to the +leadership of a grand chief whom the writer is pleased to term +"the crown," but why, as is evident from the description given, +bears no resemblance to a modern monarch. The chiefs who direct +the councils of the municipalities are limited in their powers by +"the traditional immunities of the vassals," the decision of all +criminal cases and the administration of justice being in the +hands of the local judges. In the descriptions given of their +governmental proceedings, it is stated that the whole course of +law is considered apart from the jurisdiction of the sovereign, +who has no power to either change or annul the enactments of the +people. + +Here, it is observed, exists almost the identical form of +government which was in use among the early historic nations, +before governments came to be founded on wealth, or on a +territorial basis[67]; or, in other words, before the monied and +aristocratic classes had drawn to themselves all the powers which +had formerly belonged to the people. + +[67] See The Evolution of Woman, p. 238. + + +We must bear in mind the fact that under these earlier +democratical institutions, the term "people" included not only +men but women, and as the grand chief, the local rulers, and the +judges held their positions by virtue of their descent from, or +relationship to, some real or traditional leader of the gens, who +during all the earlier ages was a woman, we may believe that the +power of women to depose their political leaders so soon as their +conduct became obnoxious to them was absolute and unquestioned. + +Doubtless, as we have seen, the government of Oman has undergone +a considerable degree of modification since the days of Cushite +splendor and supremacy; that, like all other nations which have +come in contact with the Aryan and Semitic races, the tendency +has been toward monarchial government; nevertheless, with its +practically free institutions, representing as they do, in a +measure, the political system of the grandest and oldest +civilizations of which we have any knowledge, it furnishes an +illustration of the degree of progress possible under gentile +organization, at the same time that it points to the source +whence has proceeded the fierce democratic spirit observed among +succeeding nations, notably the Greeks. + +Modern writers agree in ascribing to the Touaricks, a people +inhabiting the Desert of Sahara, a considerable degree of +civilization. We are informed that in the Sahara, which, by the +way, is far less a barren waste than we have been taught to +suppose it, "the Touaricks have towns, cities, and an excellent +condition of agriculture"; that with them fruit is cultivated +with great success and skill. Their method of political +organization is democratic and similar in construction and +administration to the old Cushite municipalities. Baldwin, +quoting from Richardson, says: "Ghat, like all the Touarick +countries, is a republic; all the people govern. The woman of +the Touaricks is not the woman of the Moors and Mussulmans +generally. She has here great liberty, and takes an active part +in the affairs and transactions of life."[68] + +[68] Prehistoric Nations, p. 341. + + +One who is disposed to search for it, will find no lack of +evidence going to prove that in an earlier age of the world, +prior to the written records of extant history, the human race +had attained to a stage of civilization equal in all and superior +in many respects to that of the present time. + +That this remarkable stage of progress, the actual extent of +which has not yet been fully realized, was attained during a +period of pure Nature-worship, or while the earth and the sun +were venerated as emblems of the great creative energy throughout +the universe, is a proposition which, when viewed by the light of +more recently acquired facts, is perfectly reasonable, and +exactly what might be expected. + +That this high stage of civilization was reached while women were +the recognized heads of families and of the gentes, and at a time +when Perceptive Wisdom, or the female energy in the Deity, was +worshipped as the supreme God, is a fact which in time will be +proved beyond a doubt. Indeed, had not the judgment of man +become warped by prejudice, and his reason clogged by +superstition and sensuality, the fact so plainly apparent in all +ancient mythologies, that in the early god-idea two principles +were contained, the female being in the ascendancy, would long +ere this have been acknowledged, and our present religious +systems, which are but outgrowths from these mythologies, would, +with the partial return of civilized conditions, have been so +modified or changed as to embrace some of the fundamental truths +which formed the basis of early religion. + +Regarding the religion of the ancient race which we have been +considering, we are told that they worshipped a dual Deity, under +the appellations of Ashtaroth and Baal, and that this God +"comprehended the generative or reproductive powers in human +beings and in the sun, together with Wisdom or Light." In other +words, they adored the great moving force throughout Nature, a +force which they venerated as the Great Mother. + +Before the Zend and Sanskrit branches of the Aryan race had +separated, their religion was doubtless that given them by their +Cushite civilizers. The worship of the sun and the planets, with +which were inextricably interwoven the fructifying agencies in +Nature, explains their devotion to the study of the heavenly +bodies and their advanced knowledge of astronomy. The types of +regeneration or reproduction which they venerated were symbols of +abstract principles, and, from facts connected with their +religious ceremonies as practiced by their immediate successors, +and from the pure significance attached to their emblems, we are +justified in the conclusion before referred to, that the sensuous +element, which became so prominent in later religious +developments, constituted no part of their worship. + +The number of ages during which the most primitive religion, +namely, that of pure Nature-worship, prevailed among the +inhabitants of the earth may not be conjectured, and the exact +length of time during which earth and sun adoration unalloyed by +serpent and phallic faiths remained is not known. It is +probable, however, that its duration is to be measured by that of +the supremacy of the altruistic or mother element in human +affairs, and that the gradual engrafting of the later-developed +sensuous faiths upon their earlier god-idea, marks the change +from female to male supremacy. + +We have observed that whenever a remnant of the civilization of +the ancient Cushites appears, exactly as might be expected, women +hold an exalted position in human affairs, at the same time that +the female principle constitutes the essential element in the +Deity. + +Of the ancient Persians who received their religion and their +civilization from this older race Malcolm observes: + +"The great respect in which the female sex was held was, no +doubt, the principal cause of the progress they made in +civilization. . . . It would appear that in former days the +women of Persia had an assigned and honorable place in society; +and we must conclude that an equal rank with the male creation, +which is secured to them by the ordinances of Zoroaster, existed +long before the time of that reformer, who paid too great +attention to the habits and prejudices of his countrymen to have +made any serious alteration in so important an usage. We are +told by Quintus Curtius, that Alexander would not sit in the +presence of Sisygambis, till told to do so by that matron, +because it is not the custom in Persia for sons to sit in the +presence of their mothers. There can be no stronger proof than +this anecdote affords, of the great respect in which the female +sex were held in that country, at the time of this invasion."[69] + +[69] See History of Persia. + + +No one I think can study the sacred books of the Persians without +observing the emphasis which is there placed on purity of +character and right living. Indeed, within no extant writings is +the antithesis between good and evil more strongly marked, at the +same time that their hatred of idolatry is clearly apparent. The +same is observed in the early writings of the Hindoos. Within +the Vedas, although they have been corrupted by later writers, +may still be traced a purity of thought and life which is not +apparent in the writings of later ages. Not long ago I was +informed by a learned native of India that the original writing +of the Vedas was largely the work of women. + +That the early conceptions of a Deity in which women constituted +the central and supreme figure were in Egypt correlated with the +exercise of great temporal power, may not, in view of the facts +at hand, longer be doubted. By means of records revealed on +ancient monuments, we are informed that in the age of Amunoph I. +a considerable degree of sovereign power in Egypt was exercised +by a woman, Amesnofre-are, who had shared the throne with Ames. +She occupied it also with Amunoph, and, notwithstanding the +statement of Herodotus, that women did not serve in the capacity +of priests, this Queen is represented as pouring out libations to +Amon, an office which was doubtless the highest connected with +the priesthood. + +Less than forty years later, it is observed that another woman, +Amun-nou-het, shared the throne with Thotmes I. and II. and that +"she appears to have enjoyed far greater consideration than +either of them." Not alone are monuments raised in her name, but +she appears dressed as a man, and "alone presenting offerings to +the gods." So important a personage was she that she is believed +by many to be the princess who conquered the country, perhaps +even Semiramis herself. Her title was the "Shining Sun."[70] + +[70] Rawlinson, History of Herodotus, app., book ii., ch. viii. + + +As these women doubtless belonged to the old Arabian, Ethiopian, +or Cushite race, the people who had brought civilization to +Egypt, we are not surprised to find them holding positions which +were connected with the highest civil and religious offices. The +Labyrinth, in the country of the Nile, is described by ancient +writers as containing three thousand chambers. Strabo says of it +that the enclosure contained as many palaces as there formerly +were homes, and that there the priests and priestesses of each +department were wont to congregate to discuss difficult and +important questions of law. + +According to the Greeks, the Egyptian God Osiris corresponds to +their Jupiter; and Sate, the companion of Kneph, is identical +with Juno. It is quite evident, however, that the Greeks +understood little of the true significance of the gods which they +had borrowed, or which they had inherited from older nations. It +would seem that as a people their conceit prevented them from +acknowledging the dignity even of their gods, hence, they endowed +them with the attributes best suited to their own depraved taste +or pleasure, and then worshipped them as beings like themselves. + +It has been observed of the Egyptians that they were wont to +ridicule the Greeks for regarding their gods as actual beings, +while in reality "they were only the representations of the +attributes and principles of Nature." Unlike the religions which +succeeded it, Egyptian mythology, as understood by the learned, +was essentially philosophical, and dealt with abstractions and +principles rather than with personalities. + +Notwithstanding the importance which in process of time came to +be claimed by males, and the consequent stimulation which was +given to the animal tendencies, it is evident, from certain +historical and undeniable proofs in connection with this subject, +that although woman's power in Egypt, as in all other countries, +gradually became weakened, the effect of her influence on manners +and social customs was never wholly extinguished. + +Regarding the existence of polygamy, it has been said that the +high position occupied in ancient Egypt by the mother of the +family, the mistress of the household, is absolutely +irreconcilable with the existence of polygamy as a general +practice, or of such an institution as the harem. Although the +plurality of wives does not appear to have been contrary to law, +it "certainly was unusual," and although Egyptian kings +frequently had many wives, "they followed foreign rather than +native custom."[71] + +[71] Renouf, Religion of Ancient Egypt, p. 81. + + +Herodotus says of the women of Egypt: "They attend the markets +and trade while the men sit at home at the loom"[72]; and +Diodorus informs us that in Egypt "women control the men." + +[72] Book ii., ch. xxxv. + + +Were we in possession of no direct historical evidence to prove +that down to a late period in the history of Egypt women had not +lost their prestige, sufficient evidence would be found in the +fact that, notwithstanding the growing tendency of mankind in all +the nations of the globe to suppress the female instincts and to +reject, conceal, or belittle the woman element in the Deity, +still Isis, the gracious mother, retained a prominent place in +the god-idea of that country. + +I am not unmindful of the remarks which a reference to a past age +of intellectual and moral greatness will call forth; indeed, I +can almost hear some devotee of the present time remark: "So we +are asked to regard as a sober fact the existence in the past of +a golden age; also to believe that man was created pure and holy, +and that he has since fallen from his high estate; in other +words, we are to have faith in the ancient tradition of the 'fall +of man.'" If by the fall of man we are to understand that a +great and universal people, who in a remote age of the world's +history had reached a high stage of civilization, gradually +passed out of human existence, and that a lower race, which was +incapable of attaining to their estate, and which, by the over- +stimulation of the lower propensities, sank into a state of +barbarism, in which the original sublime conceptions of a Deity +were obscured and the great learning of the past was lost, I can +see no reason to disbelieve it, especially as all the facts, both +of tradition and history, bearing upon this subject unite in +proclaiming its truth. + +After stating that in Chaldea has been found rather the debris of +science than the elements of it, Bailly asks: + +"When you see a house built of old capitals, columns, and other +fragments of beautiful architecture, do you not conclude that a +fine building has once existed? . . . If the human mind can +ever flatter itself with having been successful in discovering +the truth, it is when many facts, and these facts of different +kinds, unite in producing the same results." + +That the descendants of a once mighty nation lapsed into +barbarism, forgetting the profound knowledge of the sciences +possessed by their ancestors, is a fact too well attested at the +present time to be doubted by those who have taken the pains to +acquaint themselves with the evidence at hand. + +Regarding the manner in which this ancient civilization was +reached, or concerning the way in which it was achieved, history +and tradition are alike silent, although it is believed that the +present methods of investigation will, at least in a measure, +unravel the mystery. At present we only know that, as far in the +remote past as human ken can reach, evidences of a high stage of +civilization exist which it must have required thousands upon +thousands of years to accomplish. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +CONCEALMENT OF THE EARLY DOCTRINES. + +After the decline of Nature-worship, and when through the +constantly increasing power gained by the ruder elements in human +society a knowledge of the scientific principles underlying +ancient religion had been partially lost or forgotten, it became +necessary for philosophers to conceal the original conception of +the Deity and to clothe their sacred writings in allegory. Hence +it is observed that every ancient form of religion has a cabala +containing its secret doctrines--doctrines the inner meaning of +which was known only to the few. In order that these truths +might be preserved, they were inscribed on the leaves of trees in +characters or symbols understood only by the initiated. The +allegories beneath which these higher truths were concealed were +handed down as traditions to succeeding generations--traditions +in which history, astrology, and mythology are strangely +combined. + +After long periods, through war, conquest, and the various +changes incidental to shifting environment, these traditions were +in the main forgotten. Fragments of them, however, were from +time to time gathered together, and, intermingled with later +doctrines, were used by the priests as a means of increased +self-aggrandizement and power. + +It is now thought that the Iliad (Rhapsodies) of Homer is only a +number of "detached songs" which perhaps for centuries were +delivered orally, and that they contain the secret doctrines of +the priests. Porphyry says that "we ought not to doubt that +Homer has secretly represented the images of divine things under +the concealment of fable." It has been said of Plato that he +banished the poems of Homer from his imaginary republic for the +reason that the people might not be able to distinguish what is +from what is not allegorical. Hippolytus informs us that the +Simonists declared that in Helen resided the principle of +intelligence; "and thus, when all the powers were for claiming +her for themselves, sedition and war arose, during which this +chief power was manifested to nations." These songs which were +gathered together by Pisistratus and revised by Aristotle for the +use of Alexander, have generally been regarded merely as a bit of +history recounting a severe and protracted struggle between the +Greeks and Trojans. + +Within the earliest historical accounts which we have of the +Egyptians, we observe that their ceremonies and symbols have +already become multitudinous, the true meaning of the latter +being concealed. The masses of the people, who had grown too +sensualized and ignorant to receive the higher divine +"mysteries," and too gross to be entrusted with their true +significance, had become idolaters. + +Not only the Egyptian and Chaldean priests, but Moses and the +Jewish doctors were well versed in religious symbolism. The fact +is observed, also, that as late as medieval Christianity, the +fathers in the Church, the Christian painters, sculptors, and +architects, still employed signs and symbols to set forth their +religious doctrines. Even at the present time, many of the +emblems representing certain ideas connected with the creative +principles, and which were part and parcel of the pagan worship, +are still in use. The masses of the people, however, are without +a knowledge of their origin or early significance. + +Everywhere, throughout the early historic nations, were +worshipped symbols of the attributes or functions of the dual or +triune God. Each symbol represented a distinctive female or male +quality. Animals, trees, the sea, plants, the moon, and the +heavens were, at a certain stage of religious development, +symbolized as parts of the Deity and worshipped as possessing +certain female or male characteristics or attributes. + +It is plain that, with the decline of female power, and the +consequent stimulation of the animal instincts in man, the pure +creative principles involved in Nature-worship gradually became +unsuited to the sensualized capacities and tastes of the masses; +but in addition to this were other reasons why the female +principle in the Deity should be concealed. Women were already +deposed from their former exalted position as heads of families +and as leaders of consanguine communities. All their rightful +prerogatives had been usurped. The highest development in Nature +had become the slave of man's appetites, and motherhood, which +had hitherto been accepted as the most exalted function either in +heaven or on the earth, trailed in the dust. + +Under these conditions it is not perhaps singular that the +capacity to bring forth, and the qualities and attributes of +women which are correlated with it, namely, sympathy--a desire +for the welfare of others outside of self, or altruism,--should +no longer have been worshipped as divine, or that in their place +should have been substituted the leading characters developed in +man. From the facts at hand it is plain that at a certain stage +of human growth physical might and male reproductive energy, or +virility, became the recognized God. With passion as the highest +ideal of a Creator, the female element appeared only in a +sensualized form and simply as an appendage to the god which was +dependent upon her ministrations. Under the above conditions it +is not in the least remarkable that by the priests it should have +been deemed necessary to conceal from women the facts bound up in +their nature. Woman's importance as a creative agency and as a +prime and most essential factor in the universe must be +concealed. "Isis must be veiled." + +Through the appropriation of the titles of the original dual God +by reigning monarchs, is perceived at least one of the processes +by which the great universal female Deity of the ancients has +been transformed into a male god. We are assured that the +"redundant nomenclature of the deities of Babylon renders an +interpretation of them impossible. Each divinity has many +distinct names, by which he is indifferently designated." It is +observed that each + +Deity has as many as forty or fifty titles, each of which +represents a certain attribute. + +Since the invention of the cuneiform alphabet, by which pictures +have been reduced to phonetic signs, the attempt has been made to +arrange or classify these gods according to their proper order in +the Pantheon, but thus far much obscurity and doubt seem to +pervade their history. + +In Assyrian, Babylonian, and Egyptian mythologies are observed +much confusion and no small degree of mystery surrounding the +positions occupied by certain gods. "Children not unfrequently +change positions with parents," but more frequently, we are told, +"women change places with men," or, more properly speaking, the +titles, attributes, and qualities ascribed to the Great Universal +female God are now transferred to the reigning monarch. Thus not +unfrequently a deity is observed which is composed of a male +triad, the central figure of which is the king or military +chieftain, and to which is usually appended a straggling fourth +member, a female, who, shorn of her power, and with a doubtful +and mysterious title, appears as wife or mistress to his +greatness, while upon her is reflected, through him, a slight +hint of that dignity and honor which was originally recognized as +belonging exclusively to the recognized Deity. + +The Goddess Vishnu, from whose navel as she slept on the bottom +of the sea sprang all creation, after her transformation into a +male God, is supplemented by a wife--Lacksmir. Lacksmir means +wisdom; but she has become only an appendage to her "lord," upon +whom is reflected all her former glory. + +So greedy did rulers become for the splendid titles belonging to +the female divinities that we are told that "the name of the +Great Goddess Astarte not unfrequently appears as that of a man." + +Although man had usurped the titles of the female God and had +denied her recognition as an active creative agency, still, as +nothing could be created without her, she was permitted, as we +have seen, to remain as wife or mistress to the reigning monarch, +in whom had come to reside infinite wisdom and power. Her symbol +was an ark, chest, boat, box, or cave. This woman, although +dignified by the title "Mother of the Gods," and even by that of +"Queen of Heaven," is utterly without power. + +Not only is it plain that the titles and attributes of female +gods have been appropriated by males, but it is also true that +the more ancient deities, which are now known to have been +female, have by later investigators been represented as male. + +The interpretations which have hitherto been put upon the +Babylonian and Assyrian deities by many of those who have +attempted to unravel the mysteries of an earlier stage of +religious worship, is doubtless due to the fact that since the +so-called historic period began, the qualities which have been +considered godlike have all been masculine; it has therefore +never occurred to the minds of these writers that the ancients +may have entertained quite different notions from their own +regarding the attributes of a Deity; hence, whenever the sex of a +god has appeared doubtful, especially if it be in the least +degree powerful or important, it has at once been denominated as +masculine, and this, too, notwithstanding the fact that such +rendering has oftentimes involved inconsistencies, +contradictions, and absurdities which it is impossible to +reconcile either with established facts or with common sense. + +Unless the symbols representing religious belief and worship are +viewed in the light of later developed facts in mythology, +archaeology, and philology, there occur many seeming absurdities +and numberless facts which it is found difficult to reconcile +with each other; especially is this true in regard to some of the +symbols used to express the distinctive female and male +qualities. The serpent, for instance, although a male symbol, in +certain ages of the world's history appears as a beautiful woman. + +This is accounted for by the fact that a woman and a serpent once +stood for the god-idea. Together they constituted an indivisible +entity--the creating power in the universe. They therefore +became interchangeable terms. The woman when appearing alone +represented both, as did also the serpent. + +"In most ancient languages, probably all, the name for the +serpent signifies Life, and the roots of these words generally +also signify the male and female organs, and sometimes these +conjoined. In low French the words for Phallus and life have the +same sound, though, as is sometimes the case, the spelling and +gender differ"; but this fact is thought to be of no material +importance, as "Jove, Jehova, sun, and moon have all been male +and female by turn." + +No doubt many of the inconsistencies hitherto observed in the +religion of the ancients will disappear so soon as we obtain a +clearer knowledge of their chronology; and events which now seem +contradictory will be satisfactorily explained when placed in +their proper order with regard to date. Religion, like +everything else, is constantly shifting its position to +accommodate itself to the changed mental conditions of its +adherents; hence, ideas which at any given time in the past were +perfectly suited to a people, would, in the course of five +hundred or one thousand years, have become changed or greatly +modified. + +During a certain stage in human history "all great women and +mythical ladies were serpents"; but when monumentally or +pictorially represented, they appeared "with the head of a woman, +while the body was that of a reptile." This figure represented +Wisdom and Passion, or the spiritual and material planes of human +existence. The mythical woman whom Hercules met in Scythia, and +who was doubtless the original eponymous leader of the Scythian +people, had the head of a woman and the body of a serpent.[73] +Even the Mexicans declare that "he, the serpent, is the sun, +Tonakatl-Koatl, who ever accompanies their first woman." Their +primitive mother, they said, was Kihua-Kohuatl, which signifies a +serpent. In referring to this Mexican tradition, Forlong +remarks: "So that the serpent here was represented as both Adam +and Adama; and their Eden, as in Jewish story, was a garden of +love and pleasure."[74] + +[73] Herodotus, book iv., 9. + +[74] Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 143. + + +The traditions extant among all peoples seem to connect the +introduction of the serpent into religious symbolism, with a time +in the history of mankind when they first began to recognize the +fact, that through the abuse of the reproductive functions, evil, +or human wretchedness, had gained the ascendency over the higher +forces. The Deity represented by a woman and a serpent involved +the idea not alone of good, but of good and evil combined. +Together they prefigured not only Wisdom and generative power, +but evil as well. Mythologically they represented the cold of +winter and the heat of the sun's rays, both of which were +necessary reproduction. From this conception sprang the Ormuzd +and Ahryman of the Persians, the story of Adam, Eve, and the +serpent in Genesis, and the legend of Kihua-Kohuatl and +Tonakatl-Koatl in Mexico. + +"The serpent remained in the memory and affections of most early +people as wisdom, life, goodness, and the source of knowledge and +science, under various names such as Toth, Hermes, Themis, the +Kneph or Sophia of Egyptians and Gnostics, and Set, Shet, or Shem +of the Jews."[75] + +[75] Forlong, Rivers of Life, etc., vol. i., p. 143. + + +The Serpent Goddess, although embracing evil as well as good, was +still the "Giver of Life" and the "Teacher of Mankind." These +were the titles which in later ages began to be coveted by +monarchs, and then it was that the attributes belonging to this +Deity began to appear in connection with royalty. + +There is no ancient divinity about which there seems to be +connected so much mystery as the Assyrian Hea. When referring to +the "great obscurity" which surrounds this God we are assured +that there is at present "no means of determining the precise +meaning of the cuneiform Hea, which is Babylonian rather than +Assyrian," but that it is doubtless connected with the Arabic +Hya, which is said to mean "life," or the female principle in +creation. This Deity is the God of "glory" and of "giving," +titles which during the earlier ages of human existence belonged +to the Queen of Heaven, the Celestial Mother. + +The representation of the god Amun or Amun-ra, which superseded +the triune Deity, Kneph, Sate, and Anouk at Thebes, and from +which in Assyria doubtless proceeded the trinity, Amun, +Bel-Nimrod, and Hea, is supposed to be identical with the Greek +Zeus, which means the sun. This God is represented by a female +figure seated on a throne. It is crowned with two long feathers, +and in the right hand is observed the cross, the emblem of life. +Manetho, the celebrated Egyptian historian, declares that the +name of this God signifies "concealed." + +There can be little doubt that the titles of the ancient +Deity--the Destroyer or Regenerator, or, in other words, those of +the God of life which embraced the idea of the moving force +throughout Nature, were, in course of time, appropriated by the +rulers of the people. It is stated that the name of a certain +Egyptian God appears first in connection with royalty, that "his +name was substituted for some earlier divinity whose +hieroglyphics were chiselled out of the monuments to make place +for his." + +According to the testimony of Rawlinson, the God Hea is +represented by the great serpent, which occupies a conspicuous +position among the symbols of the gods on the black stones +recording Babylonian benefactions. Now these flat black stones +are themselves said to symbolize the female element in the Deity, +in contradistinction to the obelisks, which prefigure the male, +while the serpent, for reasons which have already been explained, +appeared for ages in connection with the figure of a woman. In +later inscriptions "king" is everywhere attached to the name of +the God Hea, which fact shows that the titles ascribed to her +were those particularly coveted by royalty. Hence we are not +surprised to find that in an inscription of Sardanapalus, in the +British Museum, there "occurs a remarkable phrase in which the +king takes the titles of Hea." + +Among the Assyrian inscriptions appear Bel-Nimrod, Hea, and Nin +or Bar. In view of the facts which have come to light regarding +Hea, it is altogether probable that the triad Bel-Nimrod, Hea, +and Nin represent the trinity as figured by the father, mother, +and child. That Nin was the son or the child of Bel-Nimrod "is +constantly asserted in the inscriptions." He appears also as the +son of Hea, yet the fact that Hea should be represented as a +woman, or as the mother of Nin, and the central figure in the +trinity, seems not to have been observed by those who thus far +have been engaged in deciphering these inscriptions. By +representing Hea as male, Nin is made to appear as the offspring +of two fathers while he is left absolutely motherless. To +obviate this difficulty an ingenious attempt has been made to +account for his existence by substituting his own wife as the +author of his being. Although in the numerous accounts which I +had read of Hea, in my search for information concerning her, she +had always been designated as male, still I was satisfied from +the descriptions given that originally this Deity was female. +Therefore upon receiving a copy of Forlong's Rivers of Life and +Faiths of Man in All Lands, I was not surprised to find the +following: + +"Hoa or Hea, the Hu of our Keltic ancestors, whose symbol was the +shield and the serpent, was worshipped near rivers and lakes, and +if possible on the sea-shore, where were offered to her such +emblems as a golden vessel, boat, coffer, or fish, and she was +then named Belat Ili (the mistress of the Gods)."[76] + +[76] Vol. ii., p. 94. + + +She was the Goddess of Water. Of this Forlong says: "Water, +perhaps more than fire, has always been used as a purifier. . . +. Christians have but imitated the ancients, in the use of +Lustral water--now-a-days called Holy Water, and into which salt +should be freely put." + +According to Francis Vasques, the Cibola tribes of New Mexico pay +no adoration to anything but water, believing it to be the chief +support of all life. The Hindoo faith and the Greek Christian +Church prescribe "adorations, sacrifices, and other water rites, +and hence we find all orthodox clergy and devotees have much to +do with rivers, seas, and wells, especially at certain annual +solar periods." + +The extent to which these ancient rites are still practiced as +part and parcel of modern religious observances is not realized +by those who have given no special attention to the subject. As +spring advances, all ranks of Russians from the Czar to the +humblest peasant proceed with their clergy to the Neva, where +with solemn pomp the ice is broken and the water, which is held +to be of virgin purity, is sprinkled upon the heads of Czar, +nobles, and other dignitaries. The following is an account given +of the worship of Hea not many years ago in the public press: + +"An Imperial and Arch-episcopal procession was formed, consisting +of, first, the High Priest of the empire in all his most gorgeous +robes, the two masters of ceremonies walking backwards (probably +because not of a holy enough order), long double files of white- +and gold-robed bearers of sacred flambeaux or candles, for Fire +must enter into every ceremony, whether it is the male or female +energy which is being worshipped. Following these Religieux came +all the sacred relics and fetishes of the Church, as Maya's holy +cup for water, all holy books, crosses, banners, with sacred +emblems in their order, and finally the Czar, humbly, and, like +all his people, on foot, followed by courtly throngs. These all +proceeded to a handsome pavilion or kiosk, erected close to the +edge of the water, when the Metropolitan of the Church reverently +made an incision in the ice, and took out a little water in a +sacred golden cup bearing strange devices. The firing of guns +accompanied these solemn acts in all their stages, and wherever +the grave procession moved, it always did so with measured tread, +chanting sacred verses to the old, old Deity of our race, and +surrounded with all the pomp of war; whilst at intervals, peals +of Christian bells and the booming of near and distant guns added +to the solemnity of this water pageant. After the filling of the +golden cup, which, of course, represents the earth and its +fulness, and, at this season, the now expected increase, the High +Priest placed a golden crucifix on the virgin water and blessed +its return from wintry death, invoking the precious fluid to +vernal life and productiveness, when lo! a holy child suddenly +appears upon the scene, reminding us that this is everywhere the +outcome of the 'wafers of life' in all animal as well as +vegetable production. Boodha in the garden of Loobim through +which flowed a holy stream, and Christ by the brook at Bethlehem, +nay, the first pair in the garden of the four rivers, are all the +same idea--fertility and creation. The high Russian Pontiff now +slowly and solemnly stooped, and taking up some of the holy +water, proceeded to sprinkle the vernal child--Jesus, whispered +these crowds, but the ancients said Horus. The sacred fluid was +then sprinkled on the clergy, the Czar, and all dignitaries, and +finally on the sacred emblems, banners, guns, etc. Men and +women, aye, wise as well as foolish, of every rank, now crowded +forward, and on bended knee besought their Patriarch to sprinkle +and to bless them. Finally, the great Czar put the cup to his +lips, humbly and reverently, and then filled it to overflowing +with a wealth of golden pieces, for it is the still living +representative in the nineteenth century A.C. of 'the golden +boat' of Hea of the nineteenth century B.C.'[77] + +[77] Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 95. + + +The symbol of Neith or Muth, Athene or Minerva, the great +universal female principle of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, +was the shield and serpent. In Celtic Druids I find that Nath, +the Egyptian Neith, the "goddess of wisdom and science whose +symbol was the shield and serpent, was worshipped among the +ancient Irish." The male God associated with her was Naith, and +according to Higgins represented "the opposite of Neith." + +In Rivers of Life is observed a reference to the Assyrian Goddess +Hea by Lucian. In a note Forlong says that no doubt Hea is the +same as Haiya or Haya. In other words she represents the +universal hermaphrodite--the creative principle throughout +Nature, which was originally worshipped as female. The actual +signification of the word Haya is "life." In ancient Arabia it +was applied to a group of kinsmen. + +The Rev. Mr. Davis is of the opinion that Noe or Noah was the +same as Deon and that both were Hu or Hea the mighty, whose +chariot was drawn by solar rays. This God was in fact the same +as Zeus, Bacchus, and all the rest of the sun and water Deities. +It has been observed that, according to the ancient cosmogonies, +within water was contained the life principle, and as a woman +presided over it, or was the only being or entity present, she +must have been the self-existent Creator. From this woman sprang +all creation. According to the account in Genesis, the Spirit of +God moved on the face of the deep and creation began. + +By all nations water has been employed as a symbol of +regeneration, and as it contained the beginning of things it was +female. The Hindoos regard it as sacred, and in one of their +most solemn prayers it is thus invoked: Waters, mothers of +worlds, purify us![78] + +[78] Quoted by Inman from Colbrook, vol. i., p. 85. + + +Doubtless it was from these ancient speculations regarding the +beginnings of things that Thales, the Milesian philosopher, +received his doctrine that water is the original principle. The +ancient Egyptians and the Jewish people to this day have the +custom of pouring out all the water contained in any vessel in a +house where a death has taken place, because of the idea that as +the living being comes from water, so does it make its exit +through water. Hence "to drink or to use in any way a fluid +which contains the life of human beings would be a foul offense." + +The fact is noted by Inman that in all Assyrian mythology the +water God Hea is associated with life and with a serpent. +Although Rawlinson declares that Hea is Babylonian rather than +Assyrian, may she not, in view of the facts concerning her, be +not only Babylonian, but Egyptian, Indian, Phrygian, Mexican, and +all the rest? + +It would seem that in this Deity, who is figured in connection +with a shield and serpent, as is Minerva, and who is worshipped +near water-- an emblem which is sacred to her,--and whose titles +correspond exactly to those of Neith or Cybele, might be traced +the remnants of a once universal worship--a worship in which the +female energy constituted the Creator. + +Although it is declared that "great obscurity surrounds the God +Hea," no one, I think, whose mind is free from prejudice, and who +understands the significance of the early god-idea, and the true +meaning of the symbols used in later ages to express it, can +study the myths connected with this Deity without at once +recognizing her identity with the great female God of Nature who +was once worshipped by every people on the globe, but whose +worship had become sensualized to satisfy the corrupted taste of +a more depraved age--an age in which passion constituted the +highest idea of a God. + +Although the serpent Deity was originally portrayed with the head +of a woman and the body of a serpent or fish, after the change of +sex in the god-idea which has been noted in the foregoing pages +had been completed, it is observed that this figure is +represented by the head of a man and the body of a serpent. Hea, +the great goddess to whom water, the original principle, is +sacred, and who is suspiciously connected with Noah, the +life-principle which appears at the close of a cycle, has changed +her sex. This god is now the "Ruler of the Seas," "Master of the +Life-Boat" (the ark), and "Lord of the Earth." The earth is his +and the fulness thereof. He is the "Life Giver," the "Lord of +Hosts," who subsequently becomes the maker of heaven and earth. + +Minerva, who had been the first emanation from the Deity and the +daughter of the Great Mother of the Gods, now has a father but no +mother. Jove, who in course of time came to be represented as a +male Creator, brought her forth from his head. Later, woman is +produced from the side of man. The male principle, symbolized by +a serpent, has become "the one only and true God." It is Passion +--the "Healer of Nations"--the great "I Am." + +No unprejudiced individual who carefully follows the results of +later investigation, and who attempts to unravel the mysteries +surrounding the ancient gods and the significance of the symbols +of worship belonging to the earliest historic times, will fail to +note the attempt which has been made in later ages to conceal the +fact that the Deity worshipped in very ancient times was female. +Neither will he fail to observe the modus operandi by which the +attributes and prerogatives of this Deity have been shifted upon +males--usually deified monarchs. After priestcraft and its +counterpart, monarchial rule, had robbed the people of all their +natural rights, kings assumed not alone the governing functions, +but arrogated to themselves the symbols, titles, and attributes +of the dual Deity. The reigning monarch became not only the +temporal ruler and priest, but was actually God himself, the +female principle being concealed under convenient symbols. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE ORIGINAL GOD-IDEA OF THE ISRAELITES. + +Not only were religious doctrines veiled beneath allegories and +convenient symbols, but names also had a religious significance. + +We are given to understand that in Chaldea and Assyria every +child was named by the oracle or priest, and that no one thought +of changing the appellation which had come to him through this +heavenly source.[79] + +[79] Inman, Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 3. + + +Inman, in his Ancient Faiths, calls attention to the fact that in +the Old Testament kings, priests, captains, and other great men +have had names bestowed upon them, each of which has some +religious signification; that this name was given the individual +"at circumcision, or soon after birth." + +In the ancient names of what are designated as the Shemitic +races, children were called after the god alone, and sometimes in +connection with an attribute. Especially were these names +applied to royalty or to persons of distinction; for instance, +names were given signifying, God the good, God the just or the +merciful, God the strong, The Warrior God, etc. + +As the higher conception of a Creator was forgotten, and as human +beings, or perhaps I should say their power to control +circumstances coupled with the ability to reproduce or create, +had become god, they assumed the titles or names of the Deity; +hence, it is not perhaps singular that in later times kings and +heroes were invested with all the attributes of the gods. + +We have seen that according to various writers Om or Amm was the +holy one whose name in India it was sacrilege to pronounce. It +was the eternal sun, or the Great Mother. As this word stands +also for "tribe or people," it seems to mean, too, that which +binds, holds, or endures. + +As Om or Amm signifies the Great Mother, so An or On means the +Great Father. Concerning the word Am-mon, Inman writes as +follows: + +"The association of the words signifying mother and father +indicates that it is to such conjunction we must refer creative +power. With such an androgyne element the sun was associated by +ancient mythologists. Jupiter was himself sometimes represented +as being female; and the word hermaphrodite is in itself a union +between Hermes and Aphrodite, the male and female creative +powers. We may fairly conclude, from the existence of names like +the above, that there was at one time in Western as there was in +Eastern Asia a strong feud between the adorers of On and Am, the +Lingacitas and the Yonijas, and that they were at length +partially united under Ammon, as they were elsewhere under Nebo +or the Nabhi of Vishnu."[80] + +[80] Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., p. 237. + + +Inman relates that once when a friend of his was conversing with +a very high-caste Hindoo he casually uttered this word Amm or Om, +whereupon the man was so awe struck that he could scarcely speak, +and, in a voice almost of terror, asked where his friend had +learned the word. Of this word Inman says: + +"To the Hindoos it was that incommunicable name of the Almighty, +which no one ventured to pronounce except under the most +religious solemnity. And here let me pause to remark that the +Jews were equally reverent with the name belonging to the Most +High; and that the third commandment was very literal in its +signification." + +The same writer remarks that in Thibet, too, where a worship very +nearly identical in ceremony and doctrine with that of the Roman +papists exists amongst the Lamas, the name of Om is still sacred. + +The Iav of the Jews was equally revered, but in the later ages of +their career they seem to have lost sight of its true meaning. + +According to Inman's testimony and that of other etymological +students, the true signification of the cognomen Jacob is the +female principle. + +It is believed by various writers that the story of Jacob and +Esau as related in Genesis has an esoteric as well as an exoteric +meaning--that Jacob has reference to the female creative energy +throughout Nature, or, rather, to the great mass of people who in +an early age of the human race believed in the superior +importance of the female in the office of reproduction, and that +Esau signifies the male. Attention is called to the fact that +Esau is represented as a "hairy" man, rough-voiced and easily +beguiled, while Jacob, on the other hand, is smooth-faced, +soft-voiced, and the favorite of his mother. + +There is indeed much in this myth which seems to indicate that it +is an allegory beneath which are veiled certain facts connected +with the struggle between two early contending sects regarding +the relative importance of the sexes in reproduction. Of this +Inman says: + +"My own impression is that Esau, or Edom, and Jacob are mystic +names for a man and a woman, and that round these, historians +wove a web of fancy; that ultimately the cognomen Jacob was +recognized, and that to allow the Jewish people to trace their +descent from a male rather than a female, the appellation of +Israel was substituted in later productions."[81] + +[81] Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 607. + + +As most of the myths or allegories in Genesis are now traced to a +source far more remote than the beginning of legitimate Jewish +history, it is not unreasonable to suppose that this story, too, +was copied by the Jews from the traditions of earlier races; nor, +when we remember the true meaning of the cognomen Jacob, that the +entire story should be regarded as an attempt to set forth +certain facts connected with the great physiological or religious +conflict between the sexes. + +The significance of the idols worshipped by Jacob and his family +is not for a certainty known, but it is believed by certain +writers that the Seraphim and Teraphim were the usual images +which were used to represent the male and female energies. "Then +Jacob said unto his household and to all that were with him: Put +away the strange gods that are among you." In referring to this +passage, Inman, in a note, says: + +"The critic might fairly say, looking at Genesis xxxv., 2, 'Put +away the strange gods that are among you,' that there were images +of God which were not strange, and that in these early times +there were orthodoxy and heterodoxy in images as there are now. +In ancient times the emblem of life-giving energy was an orthodox +emblem; it is now a horror and its place is taken by an image of +death. We infer from the context that Laban's gods were +orthodox." + +So, also, must have been the stone pillar set up by Jacob at +Bethel (place of the sun). From a study of similar stones, +examples of which are to be found in nearly every country of the +globe, it is known that they represent the male energy, and from +all the facts connected with the story of Laban's gods it is +probable that they were emblems of this power. We may suppose +then that the "strange gods," the unorthodox gods, which Jacob +ordered put away, were those representing the female energy. + +It seems strange that any person can study the history of the +Israelitish Exodus by the light of later developments in biblical +research without recognizing the fact that the "Lord" which +brought the children of Israel out from the bondage of Egypt was +the male power, which by a certain sect had been proclaimed the +only actual creative agency, and therefore the "only one and true +God." + +Although, at the time at which Abraham is said to have lived, the +knowledge of an abstract dual or triune God still remained, yet, +during the five hundred years which elapsed until the time of +Moses, the grossest idolatry had come to prevail. +Notwithstanding the fact that Moses had learned much from the +Egyptians, he seems not to have risen above a very gross +conception of a deity. His god was by turns angry, jealous, +revengeful, vacillating, and weak. He was in fact the embodiment +of human passions and desires. We have seen that the third +person in the ancient Trinity had, in Egypt, India, and Persia, +come to be recognized in place of the three principles originally +worshipped--that, as it really embodied the essence of the other +two, little was heard of the Creator and Preserver. Doubtless +this God was the one which Moses intended the Israelites to +worship, but as they were unable to conceive of an abstract +principle he invested it with a personality which, as we have +seen, was burdened with the frailties and weaknesses common to +themselves. + +As the Regenerator or Destroyer represented the processes of +Nature,--the dying away of the sun's rays at night only to +reappear on the following day, and the withdrawal of its warmth +in winter only to be renewed in the spring,--so this God +portrayed also the beneficent Creator and Preserver of all +things, at the same time that it was the Destroyer. It embodied +the fundamental idea in all religions, namely, life and +fertility. So also did the "Lord" of the Israelites represent +reproductive energy, but as man being spirit had come to be a +Creator of offspring, while woman being only matter furnished the +body, this "Lord" was male. Connected with it was no hint of the +female nature or principle, except the ark or chest in which it +was carried about. To those who have acquainted themselves with +the significance of ancient religious symbols, the fact is plain +that the "Lord" of the Israelites, which in their journeyings +toward Canaan they carried in an ark or chest, and which was +symbolized by an upright stone, was none other than a +"Life-giver" in the most practical sense. It was the emblem of +virility, and from the facts at hand, at the present time, there +is little doubt but that all the spirituality with which we find +this "Lord" invested was an after-thought and comprehended no +part of the belief of the Jews until after their contact with the +Persians during the Babylonian captivity. + +Doubtless the story in which their journeyings toward Canaan are +set forth contains an esoteric as well as an exoteric +significance for ages known only to the priests, and that within +it is embodied not alone something of the true history of this +people, but an account also of their struggle against an older +religion. At this time the Israelites had practically commenced +the elimination of the female principle from their god-idea, and +had begun the worship of the male element, the female being +represented by an ark, chest, or box. This ark, as the +receptacle of the god, was still a holy thing. + +Not only among the Israelites, but among other nations of the +East, we find the devotees of the male god beginning to assume a +position quite independent of the beliefs of their fathers. At +this time great towers or pillars begin to be erected in honor of +this deity, which is figured as the "God of Life," or as the +"Lord of Hosts." Notwithstanding the fact that the story of the +Exodus contains much historical truth, it is altogether probable +that the priests have used it, as they did that of the flood, to +conceal their religious doctrines. + +At the time of the Exodus, the Israelites were ignorant tribes +without laws or letters, and while in Egypt were menials of the +lowest order. Hence, the laws written on the two tables of +stone, and which it is claimed were elaborated during their +wanderings in the wilderness of Sinai for the guidance of these +unlettered slaves, show the desire of the priests of later times +to invest the "chosen people" with the insignia of enlightenment. + +Regarding the character of the god which they worshipped, we have +ample proof in the Old Testament. It is plain that at the time +of their bondage in Egypt the Jews had become the grossest +phallic worshippers, adoring the emblems of generation, with no +thought of their earlier significance as pure symbols of creative +force in mortals. + +The fact will doubtless be remembered that, among the Jews, to be +barren was the greatest curse, and that the principal reward +promised to the faithful was fruitfulness of body. The essence +of this deity was heat or passion, and his emblem was the serpent +or an upright stone. It has been observed that when this "Lord" +was invested with personality he was subject to all the frailties +of his followers. His chief and most emphatic characteristic, +however, was jealousy of other gods, and most of the imprecations +thundered against the chosen people were directed against the +worship of the gods of surrounding nations, those which the +Israelites had originally worshipped. + +That portion of the Decalogue relating to a jealous god is seen +to belong wholly to the Jews, or to the Israelites, who were +descendants of Jacob. The older nations, among which was the +ancient family of the Hebrews, knew nothing of a jealous god. +Notwithstanding the fact that the God of the Jews appeared and +talked face to face with Moses, that he exhibited portions of his +body to him, and that he thundered his law to this people from +Mt. Sinai, still they were constantly lapsing into the worship +of Baal and Ashtaroth, which fact shows how deeply rooted was the +belief in a dual or triune God. It is plain that this "Lord," +the fierce anger of whom was kindled because of their +digressions, was none other than the jealous male god which had +but recently been elevated to the dignity of a supreme Creator. + +Although the angel of the Lord when he came down from Gilgal +commanded his followers to "throw down the altars of the people +of Bochim," they nevertheless continued to do evil in the sight +of the Lord, and + +"followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round +about them, and bound themselves unto them and provoked the Lord +to anger. + +"And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And +the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel."[82] + +[82] Judges ii., 12, 13. + + +"And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do +return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the +strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you and prepare your hearts +unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of +the hand of the Philistines. + +"Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth +and served the Lord only."[83] + +[83] I Samuel vii., 3,4. + + +The extreme hatred of the schismatic faction for the opposite +worship, and the punishments which were meted out to those who +should dare to rebel against the chosen faith, are indicated by +the language which throughout the Old Testament is put into the +mouth of their Lord--a Deity which rejoices in the title of a +jealous God. + +"If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy +daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as +thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve +other gods, which thou hast not known thou nor thy fathers: + +"Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, +nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the +earth even unto the other end of the earth; + +"Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither +shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt +thou conceal him: + +"But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon +him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the +people. + +"And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he +hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which +brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. + +"And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any +such wickedness as this is among you."[84] + +[84] Deuteronomy xiii. + + +The constantly recurring faithlessness of the Jews, their +restlessness and proneness to wander from their one-principled +deity which had been set up by their priests for them to worship, +was doubtless an unconscious effort on the part of the people to +mitigate the outrage which had been committed against their +Creator. It was but a reaching out for that lost or unrecognized +element which comprehends the more essential force both in human +beings and in the conception of a deity. In other words, it was +an attempt at recognition, in the objects worshipped, of that +missing female element which had always been worshipped, and +without which a Creator becomes a misnomer--a meaningless, +unexplained, and unexplainable monstrosity. + +When the Jews first make their appearance in history, they are +sun worshippers, as are all the nations by which they are +surrounded. They are worshippers of Seth the Destroyer and +Regenerator; but when the philosophical truths underlying the +ancient universal religion were forgotten, or when through +ignorance the language setting forth these mysteries was taken +literally, Seth became identified with the Destroyer, or the Evil +Principle. In the meantime man had come to believe himself the +sole creator of offspring. He is spirit, which is eternal; woman +is matter, which is not only destructible but altogether evil. +He is heat or passion--the principle through which life is +produced. She represents the absence of heat. She is the simoom +of the desert and the chilly blast which destroys. + +That it was no part of their plan to change their original form +of worship for a spiritual conception of a Creator is apparent +from their history. On the contrary, it is plain that they +desired simply to eliminate from the hitherto dual conception of +a deity the female principle, which, in their arrogance, and +because of the change which had been wrought in the relations of +the sexes, they no longer acknowledged as important in the office +of reproduction. + +It is quite true they would worship only one god--the +"Lord,"--but that lord was, as we have seen, a deity of physical +strength and virile might, a "Lord of Hosts," a god which was to +be worshipped under the symbol of an upright stone--an object +which by every nation of the globe down to a comparatively recent +time has typified male pro-creative energy. That the masses of +the people, even as late as the time of Jeremiah, had no higher +conception of a God than that indicated by an upright stone, is +shown by that prophet when he accuses the entire house of Israel, +"their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their +prophets," of "saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a +stone, Thou hast brought me forth." + +That the people could not, or would not, be prevailed upon to +renounce the Queen of Heaven, the Celestial Mother, is seen in +Jer. vii., 17, 18: + +"Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the +streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers +kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes +to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink offerings unto other +gods." + +Also in Jeremiah xliv: + +"Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense +unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great +multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, +in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, As for the word that thou +hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken +unto thee. + +"But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our +own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven and to pour +out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we and our +fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and +in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, +and were well, and saw no evil. + +"But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven and +to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, +and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. + +"And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured +out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship +her and pour out drink offerings unto her without our men?" + +That the above represents a quarrel in which the women of Judah +openly rebelled against the worship of the "Lord," at the same +time declaring their allegiance to the female Deity, the +Celestial Mother, Queen of Heaven, is only too evident, the curse +pronounced upon them by Jeremiah, in the name of the lord, having +little effect upon them to change their purpose. + +"Therefore, hear ye the word of the Lord, all Judah that dwell in +the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith +the Lord, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any +man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord God +liveth. + +"Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and +all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be +consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of +them." + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE PHOENICIAN AND HEBREW GOD SET OR SETH. + +The name of one of the oldest deities of which we have any record +is Set (Phoenician) or Seth (Hebrew). Traces of this God are +found in all oriental countries; and in the most primitive +religions, whose traditions are still extant, he (or she) appears +as the supreme God. After the subjection of Egypt by the +stranger kings and the consequent introduction into the country +of Sabianism, the dual creative force residing in the sun is +represented by Seth. We are told that Seth signifies "appointed +or put in the place of the murdered Abel." + +That there is some deep mystery connected with this subject none +who has studied it carefully can help observing. + +According to the story of creation as set forth in the Jehovistic +account, on Saturday night, after God had finished his work, and +immediately after he had commanded Adam to "be fruitful," he +presents him with a staff, which we observe is handed down to +Enoch and all the patriarchs. Here the mystery deepens, for it +is declared that this staff was presented so Seth, and that it +was a branch of the Tree of Life. + +That beneath this allegory is veiled a contest, or perhaps a +compromise, between the worshippers of two distinct sects, seems +altogether probable. That the handing down of this branch of the +Tree of Life, first to Adam, or man, by Aleim, and its subsequent +transference to Seth, the God of Nature, the Destroyer or +Regenerator, seems to indicate a victory for the adherents of a +purer religion. The translator of Kallimachus says: "It is well +known to the learned reader that the descendants of Cain are +distinguished in Scripture by the name of the sons of man or +Adam; those of Seth by the name of the sons of God." Gen. vi., +2.[85] It is stated in Julius Africanus that all the righteous +men and patriarchs down to the Saviour himself have sprung from +Seth and have been denominated as the sons of God in +contradistinction to the sons of man. + +[85] Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 527. + + +Doubtless at the time indicated by the transference of the +creative agency from Aleim to Adam, the worship of an abstract +principle, or of a Trinity composed of the powers of Nature, was +losing its hold on the minds of the people, and the creative +power, or the reproductive energy in human beings, was rapidly +taking the place of the older Deity. These higher principles +forgotten, Adam, or man, had become the Creator. + +It is not improbable that the terms Adam, Cain, Abel, and Seth +have an esoteric meaning which for ages was known only to the +priests. From various facts which in later times are being +brought forward regarding the ancient myths of Genesis, it is +believed that these names originally stood for races of men, and +that subsequently certain religious doctrines came to be attached +to them. The offering of fruit by Cain, the elder brother, who +was a tiller of the ground, and that of flesh by Abel, who was a +keeper of sheep, indicates a quarrel which ended in the death of +the latter. After the death of Abel, or after one of these +principles or sects was subdued, the older religion was revived, +and Seth, as the Aleim, or as the creative power within the sun, +was "appointed" or again worshipped. + +It would seem that Seth was appointed to represent the third +person in the ancient Trinity--the Destroyer or Regenerator which +had previously come to embody all the powers of the Creator and +Preserver. The fact has been observed that the very ancient +philosophers believed matter to be eternal, hence, seeming death, +or destruction, was necessary to renewed life or regeneration. +In other words, creation was but continuous change in the form of +matter. + +Of the doctrines of the Sethians extant at the beginning of +Christianity, Hippolytus says that their system "is made up of +tenets from natural philosophers. These tenets embrace a belief +in the Eternal Logos--Darkness, Mist, and Tempest." These +elements subsequently became identified with the Evil Principle, +or the Devil. The cold of winter, the darkness of night, and +water, were finally set forth as the Trinity. Regarding cold, +darkness, and water, or darkness, mist, and tempest, Hippolytus +observes: + +"These the Sethian says are the three principles of our system; +or when he states that three were born in paradise-- Adam, Eve, +the serpent; or when he speaks of three persons, namely, Cain, +Abel, Seth, and again of three others, Shem, Ham, Japheth; or +when he mentions three patriarchs--Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; or when +he speaks of three days before the sun, etc." + +The same writer says that their entire system is derived from the +ancients; that, antecedent to the Eleusinian mysteries, were +enacted by them the ceremonies connected with the worship of the +Great Mother.[86] + +[86] Hippolytus, Refutation of all Heresies, book v., ch. 15. + + +We have observed that through some process not thoroughly +understood at the present time, the adherents of the older faith +had succeeded in reinstating their Deity. The powers of Nature +had come to be represented by Typhon Seth. It was the God of +Death and of Life, of Destruction and Regeneration. The simoom +of the desert and the cold of winter were Seth, as were also the +genial powers of Spring. We are informed by various writers that +Typhon Seth was feminine. She was the early God of the Jews. In +other words, the Jews were formerly worshippers of a female +Deity. Jehovah, Iav, was originally female. + +Although the secret meaning of all the allegories contained in +the Old Testament is not fully understood, still the belief that +Cain, Abel, and Seth represented the self-triplicated Deity at a +time when the idea of man as a creator had been accepted, or when +his power to reproduce was becoming the highest idea of a +creative force, is consistent with what is known of the Cabala of +the Jews, or of the esoteric meaning of the Jewish scriptures +formerly known only to the priests. In other words, the ancient +doctrines, the true meaning of which was no longer understood by +them, were patched together as a basis for the later developments +in Jewish religious experience. + +We have seen that six hundred years after Adam appears Noah, +another self-triplicated Saviour or preserver of man, with his +ark or seed vessel, beneath which is veiled the female element. +Afterward Abraham becomes the Great Father or Saviour, and later +Moses. That, in the time of the latter, the more ancient worship +of a creative force in Nature represented by the Aleim, had, by +the masses of the people, been wholly lost, is evident from the +Old Testament writings. The worship of the Father, the male +power, in opposition to that of the Mother, or the female power, +constituted the religion of Moses. In the religion of the Jews, +Jehovah came to be regarded as wholly male and as spirit, while +Edam (translated "downward tending"), the female principle, was +matter, or woman, which finally became identified with the Devil. + +The philosophical doctrine that spirit is evolved through matter, +or that matter must be raised to a certain dynamical power before +spirit can manifest itself through it, was no longer understood; +only the husks of this doctrine --the myths and symbols of +Nature-worship--remained; these were taken literally, and thus +man's religion was made to conform to his lowered estate. + +When man had so far gained the ascendancy over woman as to assert +that he is the sole Creator of their joint offspring, he was no +longer of the earth earthy, but at once became the child of +heaven. He was, however, bound to earth through his association +with matter, or with woman, from whom he was unable to free +himself. The "sons of God" were united "to the daughters of +man." Jahvah, the "God of hosts," who was revengeful, weak, +jealous, and cruel, was worshipped in the place of Aleim the +great dual force throughout Nature. The ethereal, spiritual male +essence resided somewhere in the heavens and created from afar, +while the earth (female) furnished only the body or material +substance. + +In the history of the god Seth is to be found a clue to the way +in which the sublime and philosophical doctrines of the ancients, +after their true meaning was forgotten, were finally changed so +as to conform to the enforced humiliation and degradation of +women. + +Seth or Typhon was for ages worshipped throughout Egypt, and as +she comprehended the powers of Nature, or the creative energy +residing in the sun and earth, little is heard of any other god. +Strange it is, however, that Seth is worshipped more in her +capacity as Destroyer than as Regenerator. So soon as we +understand the origin and character of the Devil, and so soon as +we divest ourselves of the false ideas which under a state of +ignorance and gross sensuality came to prevail relative to the +"powers of darkness," we shall perceive that his (or her) Satanic +majesty was once a very respectable personage and a powerful +Divinity--a Divinity which was worshipped by a people whose +superior intelligence can scarcely be questioned. Regarding this +subject Higgins remarks: + +"Persons who have not given much consideration to these subjects +will be apt to wonder that any people should be found to offer +adoration to the evil principle; but they do not consider that, +in all these recondite systems, the evil principle, or the +Destroyer, or Lord of Death, was at the same time the +Regenerator. He could not destroy but to reproduce, and it was +probably not till this principle began to be forgotten, that the +evil being, per se, arose; for in some nations this effect seems +to have taken place. Thus Baal-Zebub is, in Iberno Celtic, Baal +Lord, and Zab Death, Lord of Death; but he is also called Aleim, +the same as the God of the Israelites; and this is right, because +he was one of the Trimurti or Trinity. + +"If I be correct respecting the word Aleim being feminine, we +here see the Lord of Death of the feminine gender; but the +Goddess Ashtaroth or Astarte, the Eoster of the Germans, was also +called Aleim. Here again Aleim is feminine, which shows that I +am right in making Aleim the plural feminine. Thus we have +distinctly found Aleim the Creator (Gen. i., 1), Aleim the +Preserver, and Aleim the Destroyer, and this not by inference, +but literally expressed."[87] + +[87] Anacalypsis, ch. ii., p. 66. + + +At one period of their history the Hebrews worshipped Ashtaroth +and Baal, they together representing the great Aleim, the +indivisible God, but after the Israelites had chosen the worship +of the male principle as an independent deity, or as the only +important agency in the creative processes, as Baal might not be +represented aside from his counterpart Ashtaroth, he was no +longer adored but came to stand for something "approaching the +Devil." Forlong has observed the fact that, although in Hebrew +Baal is masculine, in the Greek translations he is feminine both +in the Old and New Testaments.[88] + +[88] Forlong, Rivers of Life, p. 223. + + +Jehovah was originally female, so, also, was Netpe the Holy +Spirit of the Egyptian Tree of Life. We are given to understand +that Netpe was the same as Rhea, the partner of Sev or Saturn, +and that her hieroglyphic name was "Abyss of Heaven." Osiris was +the son of this goddess who was really a Mai or Mary, the +Celestial Mother, he being the only God of the Egyptians who was +born upon this earth and lived among men. Of this Forlong +remarks: "His birthplace was Mount Sinai; called by the Egyptians +Nysa, hence his Greek name Dionysos." + +As the Palm was the first offering of Mother Earth to her +children, so Osiris was the first offspring of the Egyptian +Celestial Virgin to mankind. He was the new sun which through +the winter months had been "buried," but which in process of time +arose to gladden all the earth. He was also the new Sun of +Righteousness which was to renew the world, or redeem mankind +from sin. + +The female principle for the time being cast out of the Deity, +Osiris, the male element, now outwardly assumes the position of +supreme God. It was, however, reserved for a later and more +sensuous age to permanently adopt an absurdity so opposed to all +established ideas relative to a creative force in Nature and in +man. Seth, the Destroyer, had been deposed, but, so deeply +rooted in the human mind had become the idea of a female Creator, +that Isis, the Queen of Heaven, a somewhat lower conception of +Muth, or of universal womanhood, soon assumed the place of Seth +beside Osiris. Later in the history of Egypt, when the gods have +become greatly multiplied, and the original significance of the +deity obscured, Horus, the child and the third member in the +later Egyptian triad, not unfrequently appears in her place as +one of the eight great gods. + +The fact is observed that the history of Osiris is not alone the +"history of the circle of the year, or of the sun dying away and +resuscitating itself again, but that it is also the history of +the cycle of 600." It has been said that of the component +elements of his hieroglyphical name, Isis is the first, and that +the name Osiris really signifies the "Eye of Isis." + +According to Plutarch, Isis and Muth are identical, but from the +evidence at hand it is plain that Muth comprehends divine +womanhood, or the female principle as it was regarded at an +earlier stage of human growth. Muth is not only the parent of +the sun, or the force which produces the sun, but she is also +Wisdom, the first emanation from the Deity, at the same time that +she comprehends all the possibilities of Nature. Isis seems to +represent the Deity at a time when the higher truths known to a +more ancient people were beginning to lose their hold upon the +race. + +Renouf informs us that the word Maat, or Muth, means Law, "not in +that forensic sense of command issued either by a human sovereign +authority, or by a divine legislator, like the laws of the +Hebrews, but in the sense of that unerring order which governs +the universe, whether in its physical or its moral aspect."[89] +The same writer observes further that Maat "is called mistress of +Heaven, ruler of earth, and president of the nether world," and +in a further description of the conception embodied in this +Deity, refers to the fact that while she is the mother of the sun +she is also the first emanation from God. + +[89] The Religion of Ancient Egypt, p. 126. + + +Although Typhon Seth was long worshipped as the sole Deity in +Egypt, in later ages the god-idea came to be represented by Seth +and Osiris. Toward the close of Typhon Seth's reign, Horus, the +child, the young sun, was represented "as rising from his +hiding-place, attracting beneficent vapors to return them back as +dews, which the Egyptians called the tears of Isis." + +Seth and Osiris represent a division of the Deity. Osiris, as +the sun, represents heat; as man, or as god, he stands for +desire. Seth or Typhon stands for the cold of winter, the simoom +of the desert, or the "wind that blasts." Seth, Osiris, and +Horus constitute a Trinity of which Muth is the Great Mother. +Finally, with the gradual ascendancy of male influence and power, +it is observed that Seth appears as the brother of Osiris. + +It is the opinion of Bunsen that the fundamental idea of Osiris +and Set was "not merely the glorification of the sun, but was +also the worship of the primitive creative power."[90] But, as in +Egypt the creative agency was regarded as both female and male, +the former being in the ascendancy, this fact of itself would +seem to determine the sex and position of Seth. + +[90] History of Egypt, vol. iv., p. 319. + + +In the ideas concerning Seth and Osiris may be observed something +of the manner in which the fructifying agencies of the sun and +the reproductive power in human beings were blended and together +worshipped as the Deity; while through the history of these gods +are to be traced some of the processes by which the idea of the +Creator was changed from female to male. + +In all countries, at a certain stage in the history of religion, +the transference of female deified power to mortal man may be +observed. In the attempt to change Seth or Typhon into a male +God may be noted perhaps the first effort in Egypt to dethrone, +or lessen the female power in the god-idea. + +The fact seems plain that the Great Typhon Seth, or Set, who +conferred on the sovereigns of the eighteenth and nineteenth +dynasties of Egypt "the symbols of life and power," was none +other than the primitive Regenerator or Destroyer, who was for +ages worshipped as the God of Nature the Aleim, or the +life-giving energy throughout the universe. + +We have observed that when the profound principles underlying the +most ancient doctrines had been lost or forgotten, and when +through the decay of philosophy, and through the stimulation of +the sensual in human nature, mankind had lost the power to reason +abstractly, Destruction, which was symbolized by darkness or the +absence of the sun's rays, finally became the evil principle, or +the Devil. Darkness and cold, which had formerly been worshipped +as the powers which brought forth the sun, or as mother of the +sun, in process of time became the agency which is ever warring +with good and which is constantly destroying that which the +latter brings forth. + +We are informed by Forlong that "some derive our term Devil from +Niphl or Nevil, the wind that blasts or obstructs the growth of +corn; and it used sometimes to be written th' evil, which is +D'evil or Devil." + +It was "this Dualistic heresy which separated the Zend or Persian +branch of the Aryans from their Vedic brethren, and compelled +them to emigrate to the westward."[91] + +[91] See Rawlinson, Notes on the Early History of Babylon. + + +The ancient philosophical truth that matter is eternal, and that +the destruction of vegetable life through the agency of cold was +one of the necessary processes of re-generation, or the renewal +of life, had evidently been lost sight of at the time when Seth +was dethroned in Egypt. Wilkinson informs us that "both Seth and +Osiris were adored until a change took place respecting Seth, +brought about apparently by foreign influence." Sethi or Sethos, +a ruler whose reign represents the Augustan age of Egyptian +splendor, received his name from this Deity. It is said that +during the twentieth dynasty Seth is suddenly portrayed as the +principle of evil "with which is associated sin." Consequently +all the effigies of this great Goddess were destroyed and all her +names and inscriptions "which could be reached" were effaced. + +Bunsen tells us that Schelling, who has made a study of Egyptian +mythology, although totally ignorant of the later historical +facts which by means of hieroglyphical monuments have been +obtained, had arrived at the conclusion that Seth had occupied an +important position in the Deity down to the fourteenth century +B.C. "Schelling had on mere speculative grounds been brought to +lay down as a postulate that Typhon, at some early period, had +been considered by the Egyptians as a beneficent and powerful +God." + +Wilkinson says that the character given to Seth, who was called +Baal-Seth and the God of the Gentiles, "is explained by his being +the cause of evil." We are assured that formerly "Sin the great +serpent, or Apophis the giant, was distinct from Seth who was a +deity and a part of the divine system. But after the recondite +principles underlying sun-worship were lost or forgotten; when +cold and darkness, or the sinking away of the sun's rays, which +are necessary to the reappearance of light and warmth, came to be +regarded as the destructive element, or the evil principle, woman +became identified with this principle. She was the producer of +evil, and came to be represented in connection with a serpent as +the cause of all earthly or material things. She is Destruction, +but not Regeneration. She is in fact matter. The cold of winter +and the darkness of night, which are necessary to the return of +the sun's warmth and which were formerly set forth as a +beneficent mother who brings forth the sun, became only the evil +principle--that which obscures the light. In fact Darkness or +absence of the sun's heat has become the Devil. It is the "cause +of evil in the world." + +With woman blinded by superstition, with every instinct of the +female nature outraged, and with her position as the central +figure in the Deity and in the family usurped, her temples were +soon profaned, her images defiled, and the titles representing +her former greatness transferred to males. + +There is no doubt but this doctrine was the legitimate outcome of +the decay of female influence. Through the further stimulation +of the lower nature of man its absurdity gradually increased, +until under the system calling itself Christian it finally +reached its height. This subject will be referred to later in +these pages. + +When we remember that the original representation of the Deity +among the nations of the earth consisted of a female figure +embracing a child, and when we observe that subsequently in the +development of the god-idea woman appears associated with a +serpent as the cause of evil in the world, the history of the God +Seth, who, as we have seen, represented the processes of Nature, +namely Destruction and Regeneration, seems quite significant as +indicating some of the actual processes involved in this change. + +There can be little doubt that the facts relating to this Deity +indicate the source whence has sprung the great theological dogma +underlying Christianity, that woman is the cause of evil in the +world. + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ANCIENT SPECULATIONS CONCERNING CREATION. + +"Daughters of Jove, All hail! but O inspire +The lovely song! the sacred race proclaim +Of ever-living gods; who sprang from Earth, +From the starred Heaven, and from the gloomy Night, +And whom the salt Deep nourished into life. +Declare how first the gods and Earth became; +The rivers and th' immeasurable sea +High-raging in its foam; the glittering stars, +The wide impending Heaven; and who from these +Of deities arose, dispensing good; +Say how their treasures, how their honors each +Allotted shar'd: how first they held abode +On many-caved Olympus:--this declare, +Ye Muses! dwellers of the heavenly mount +From the beginning; say, who first arose? +First Chaos was: next ample-bosomed Earth, +Of deathless gods, who still the Olympian heights +Snow-topt inhabit. . . . +Her first-born Earth produced +Of like immensity, the starry Heaven: +That he might sheltering compass her around +On every side, and be forevermore +To the blest gods a mansion unremoved."[92] + +[92] Hesiod, The Theogony. + + +So long as human beings worshipped the abstract principle of +creation, the manifestations of which proceed from the earth and +sun, they doubtless reasoned little on the nature of its hitherto +inseparable parts. They had not at that early period begun to +look outside of Nature for their god-idea, but when through the +peculiar course of development which had been entered upon, the +simple conception of a creative agency originally entertained +became obscured, mankind began to speculate on the nature and +attributes of the two principles by which everything is produced, +and to dispute over their relative importance in the office of +reproduction. Much light has been thrown upon these speculations +by the Kosmogonies which have come down to us from the +Phoenicians, Babylonians, and other peoples of past ages. In the +Phoenician Kosmogony, according to the Mokh doctrine as recorded +by Philo, out of the kosmic egg Toleeleth (female) "sprang all +the impregnation of creation and the beginning of the universe." +In this exposition of the beginnings of things, it is distinctly +stated that the spirit which in after ages came to be regarded as +something outside or above Nature, "had no consciousness of its +own creation." Commenting on the above, Bunsen is constrained to +admit that it is usually understood as being "decidedly +pantheistic." He suggests, however, that the writer may HAVE +INTENDED TO SAY (the italics are mine) that "the spirit who was +heretofore the Creator was the unconscious spirit." + +Berosus, the scholar of Babylon, who, until a comparatively +recent time has furnished all the information extant concerning +Babylonian antiquities, in his account of the creation of man and +of the universe, says that in the beginning all was water and +darkness; that in the water were the beginnings of life; but as +yet there was no order. Men were there with the wings of birds +and even with the feet of beasts. There were also quadrupeds and +men with fishes' tails, all of which had been produced by a +twofold principle. Over this incongruous mass a woman presided. +This woman is called Omoroka by the Babylonians and by the +Chaldeans Thalatth. The latter name, signifies, "bearing" or +"egg producing." + +In the Babylonian Kosmogony, according to Endemus, the pupil of +Aristotle, the beginning of the universe was called Tauthe, which +being interpreted means "Mother of the Gods." Associated with +her sometimes appears the male principle--Apason. In the history +of Berosus, there is given an account of Oaunes--a mythical +teacher of Babylon, who appeared with the head of a human being +and the body of a fish or serpent. This personage brought to the +Babylonians all the knowledge which they possessed. Oaunes wrote +"concerning the generation of mankind, of their different ways of +life, and of their civil polity." He it was who gave the above +account of creation. He says that finally Omoroka, or Thalatth, +the woman who existed before the creation, was divided, one half +of her forming the heavens, "the other half the earth." "All +this," Berosus declares, "was an allegorical description of +Nature."[93] + +[93] Prof. Smith, Chaldean Account of Genesis, pp. 34, 35. + + +In the following legend will be observed the groundwork for the +story of the flood. Xisuthrus was a king of Chaldea. To him the +deity, Kronos, appeared in a vision and warned him that upon the +fifteenth day of the month Daesius there would be a flood, by +which mankind would be destroyed. He therefore enjoined him to +write a history of the beginning, progress, and conclusion of all +things down to the present time, and to bury it in Sippara, the +City of the Sun. He was commanded also to build a vessel, and +take with him into it his friends and relations, and to convey on +board everything necessary to sustain life, together with all the +different animals, both birds and quadrupeds, and trust himself +fearlessly to the deep. Having asked the deity whither he was to +sail, he was answered: "To the gods"; upon which he offered up a +prayer for the good of mankind. He then obeyed the divine +admonition, and built a vessel five stadia in length and two in +breadth. Into this he put everything which he had prepared, and +last of all conveyed into it his wife, his children, and his +friends. + +"After the flood had been upon the earth, and was in time abated, +Xisuthrus sent out birds from the vessel, which not finding any +food, nor any place whereupon they might rest their feet, +returned to him again. After an interval of some days, he sent +them forth a second time; and they now returned with their feet +tinged with mud. He made a trial a third time with these birds; +but they returned to him no more: from which he judged that the +surface of the earth had appeared above the waters. He therefore +made an opening in the vessel, end upon looking out found that it +was stranded upon the side of some mountain, upon which he +immediately quitted it with his wife, his daughter, and the +pilot. Xisuthrus then paid his adoration to the earth: and, +having constructed an altar, offered sacrifices to the gods, and, +with those who had come out of the vessel with him, disappeared. +Him they saw no more, but they could distinguish his voice in the +air, and could hear him admonish them to pay due regard to the +gods. He informed them that it was on account of his piety that +he had been taken away to live with the gods, and that his wife +and daughter had obtained the same honor." + +It is more than likely that this story, which as we have seen has +extended to the remotest corners of the earth, has an esoteric +meaning, and that it embodies the doctrines of the ancients +relative to re- incarnation and the renewal of worlds. Doubtless +it portrays not only the end of a cycle, but that by it is +prefigured the fortunes of a human soul, which in its ascent, is +from time to time forced into a human body. + +All the early Kosmogonies are intermingled with the history of a +great flood, from the ravages of which an ark which contained a +man was saved. The Gothic story of creation indicates that the +Scythians belonged to the same race as the Chaldeans. At the +beginning of time when nothing had been formed, and before the +earth, the sea, or the heavens appeared, Muspelsheim existed. A +breath of heat passing over the vapors, melted them into water, +and from this water was formed a cow named Aedumla, who was the +progenitor of Odin, Vile, and Ve, the Trinity of the Gothic +nation. + +There is also another tradition, probably a later, which asserts +that from the drops of water produced by the primeval breath of +heat, a man, Ymer, was brought forth. The son of Ymer was +preserved in a storm-tossed bark, his father being dragged into +the middle of the abyss, where, from his body the earth was +produced. The sea was made of his blood, the mountains of his +bones, and the rocks of his teeth. As three of his descendants +were walking on the shore one day, they found two pieces of wood +which had been washed up by the waves. Of these they made a man +and a woman. The man they named Aske and the woman Emla. From +this pair has descended the human race. + +The marked resemblance between the characters of the Gothic Ymer +and the Chaldean Omoroka, from each of whose bodies the universe +is created, has been observed by various writers. After +referring to Mallet's conclusions upon this subject, Faber +remarks: + +"They are indeed evidently the same person, not only in point of +character, but, if I mistake not, in appellation: for Ymer or +Umer is Omer-Oca expressed in a more simple form. The difference +of sex does by no means invalidate this opinion, which rests upon +the perfect identity of their characters: for the Great Mother, +like the Great Father, was an hermaphrodite; or, rather, that +person from whom all things were supposed to be produced, was the +Great Father and the Great Mother united together in one compound +being. Ymer and Omoroca are each the same as that hermaphrodite +Jupiter of the Orphic theology." + +We have observed, however, that in all the older traditions this +hermaphrodite conception is accounted as female, it is the Great +Mother within whom is contained the male; in later ages, however, +it is represented as male, the female being concealed beneath +convenient symbols. + +The Trinity of the Goths was male; yet as Odin could not create +independently of the female energy he is provided with a wife, +Frigga, to whom "all fair things belonged, and who had +priestesses among the early German tribes." Frigga when +worshipped alone was both female and male. According to one +German tradition, Tiw (Zeus), which in its earliest conception +was female, was the parent of the first man. This man begat +three sons who became the fathers of the three Deutsch tribes. +Ish (or Ash) was the parent of the Franks and Allemans; Ing was +the progenitor of the Swedes, Angles, and Saxons; and Er, or +Erman, was the eponymous leader of the tribes called by the +Romans Hermiones. + +The Kosmogony of the Chinese is similar in all respects to that +of other countries. The first man, Puoncu, was born from an egg. + +The Chinese say that this egg-born Puoncu, who is identical with +Brahm, Noah, and Adam, is not the great Creator or God, but only +the first man. Their great God or Tien is a Unity which +comprehends three, and their human triad--a triplicated being who +is the parent of the human race--is a lower expression of the +same power, and to him has finally been ascribed the office of +Creator. + +The Kosmogony of the Japanese begins with the opening of the +sacred egg from which all things were produced. This egg is +identical with the ark, and from it the diluvian patriarch was +born. He was "Baal-Peor or the lord of opening; and, from an +idea that the Ark was an universal mother, he was considered as +the masculine principle of generation, and was adored by his +apostate descendants with all the abominations of phallic +worship." + +In the Theogony of Hesiod, Uranus is represented as being the +parent of three sons, and the same legend repeated in the story +of Cronus portrays him also as a triplicated deity. According to +the Peruvian Kosmogony all things sprang from Viracocha who is +said to be identical with the Greek Aphrodite. Besides this +superior God they venerated a triad which was closely connected +with the sun. These gods were called Chuquilla, Catuilla, and +Intyllapa. They say that as their ancestors journeyed from a +remote country to the Northwest they bore the image of their god +in a coifer or box made of reeds. To the four priests who had +charge of this box or ark he communicated his oracles and +directions. He not only gave them laws but taught them the +ceremonies and sacrifices which they were to observe. "And even +as the pillar of cloud and fire conducted the Israelites in their +passage through the wilderness, so this Spanish devil gave them +notice when to advance forward, and when to stay."[94] + +[94] Faber, Pagan Idolatry, book i., ch. v. + + +According to Marsden, the New Zealanders believe that three gods +created the first man, and that the first woman was made from one +of his ribs. + +Among the Otaheitans and various tribes of Indians, the belief +prevails that all created things have proceeded from a +triplicated deity who was saved from the ravages of a flood in an +ark or ship. + +The fact is observed that the Theogonies and Kosmogonies of all +peoples have reference to a flood or to the renewal of life after +the destruction of the world, and that the Great Father who is +preserved, and who comes forth from an ark or ship with the seeds +of a former world, represents the beginning of a new era. Adam +with his three sons, Cain, Abel, and Seth, Noah with his triad, +Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Menu and his triple offspring, and so on, +all mean exactly the same thing, namely, the renewal of life at +the close of a cycle, or manwantara. + +From the traditions extant in nearly every quarter of the globe, +it would seem that, prior to the so- called flood in the time of +Noah, man, as a Creator, had not to any extent been worshipped, +but, on the contrary, that the great universal dual principle +which pervades Nature and which is back of matter and force, for +instance Tien among the Chinese, Iav among the Hebrews, and Aum +among the Hindoos, had been the Deity adored; but with the +decline of virtue and knowledge, this God was gradually abandoned +for a lesser one, a deity better suited to the comprehension of +"fallen" man. + +In the Elohistic narrative of creation which appears in the first +chapter of Genesis, a dual or triune God, female and male, says, +Let us make man in our own image, and accordingly a male and a +female are created. In the Jehovistic account, however, in the +second chapter of the same book, a document of much later date, +man is made first and afterward woman. In fact, in the latter +narrative she appears as an afterthought and is created simply +for his use; she is taken from his side and is wholly dependent +upon him for existence. This fact is recognized by Bishop +Colenso in the following words: + +"Thus in the second account of creation, the man is APPARENTLY +created first, and the woman is CERTAINLY created the last, of +all living creatures; whereas, in the older story the man and +woman are created last of all, as the crowning work of Elohim, +and are created together--'and Elohim created man in His own +image, in the image of Elohim created He him; male and female +created He them.' This ancient Elohistic narrative, then, the +Jehovist had before him; and he enlarged and enlivened it by +introducing a number of passages recording additional incidents +in the lives of the patriarchs before and after the flood, and +especially by inserting the second account of the creation, ii., +4-25." + +Colenso observes that verse four of chapter second belongs to the +Elohist, and that it was removed from its original position at +the beginning of Gen. i., in order to form the commencement of +the Jehovistic account of the creation.[95] + +[95] Lectures on the Pentateuch, p. 32. + + +Quoting from Bishop Browne in the New Bible Commentary, the same +writer remarks that in the Elohistic account of the creation "we +have that which was probably the ancient primeval record of the +formation of the world."[96] + +[96] Ibid. p. 16. + + +The oldest or Elohistic portion of Genesis is, at the present +time, seen to conceal great wisdom and a knowledge of Nature far +surpassing that of later times. + +According to Higgins, the first verse of the first chapter of +Genesis, if properly translated, would not declare that in the +beginning God created the heavens and the earth, but that Wisdom +"formed" the earth and the planets. In none of the ancient +Kosmogonies can there be a word found regarding the creation of +matter. From the facts which have come down to us respecting the +speculations of the ancients, it is plain that the original +conception was, that within the primeval beginnings described in +their Kosmogonies, in chaos or unorganized matter, was contained +primeval force; no attempt, however, was made by them to account +for the creation of either motion or matter. + +As soon as human beings began to speculate on the attributes of +their Deity; when the two principles composing it began to +separate, and the idea was gaining ground that the male was the +only important factor in reproduction, the sun became male, the +earth and sea female. Still, even then the doctrine seems not to +have been questioned, that the creative agency had proceeded from +matter, or that it was developed in and through it. The belief +that something can be made from nothing was reserved for a later +age. + +In the oldest Semitic Kosmogonies, we are assured that the +self-conscious God who is manifested in the order of the +universe, proceeded out of the great abyss, and out of +unorganized, dark, primeval matter. During the earlier historic +period, however, by both Jew and Gentile, the belief was +entertained that spirit is material. It is the essence of +fire--a substance akin to the galvanic or electric fluid. This +masculine element, the manifestation of which is desire, or heat, +and which was finally set up as an eternal, self-existent, +creative force, or God, was originally regarded as a +manifestation of matter, and as having no independent existence. +In an earlier age, this so-called creative agency is associated +with a force far superior to itself, namely, Light or Wisdom. +Minerva, who is the first emanation from the Deity, "formed" all +things. She it is who discriminates all things and gives laws to +the universe. "She represented to the Greeks that spiritual +element which lifts knowledge into wisdom, and talent into +genius."[97] But with the importance which began to be assumed by +man when he began to regard himself as a creator, and when +through ignorance and sensuality the principles of a more +enlightened race were forgotten, desire, or heat, was separated +from matter and came to be regarded as an independent entity, +which itself had created matter out of nothing. Thus is noticed +the extent to which the god-idea has been developed in +accordance with the relative positions of the sexes. + +[97] L. T. Ives, Art Words. + + +According to the Grecian mythology, much of which was a +comparatively late development, mortal woman was the handiwork of +Vulcan the Firegod, who, being commissioned by Jove to execute "a +snare for gods and man," moulded the beauteous form of woman. +This is a worthy example of the contempt and scorn shown by the +Greeks for women during the later period of their career as a +nation. That such contempt was a later development is shown in +the fact that woman was originally the gift of Pallas Athene, or +Wisdom. When she first appeared on the scene she was crowned by +the gods, in fact she was the first object honored with a crown. +Concerning the conceptions regarding women as held at an earlier +age, and those which came to prevail after she had become "the +cause of evil in the world," we have the following from +Tertullian: + +"If there was a Pandora, whom Hesiod mentions as the first woman, +hers was the first head the Graces crowned, for she received +gifts from all the gods, whence she got her name Pandora. But +Moses, a prophet, not a poet-shepherd, shows us the first woman +Eve having her loins more naturally girt about with leaves than +her temples with flowers. Pandora then is a myth."[98] + +[98] Tertullian, vol. i., p. 341. + + +Woman, who was originally the gift of Wisdom, or Minerva, and who +when created was garlanded with flowers as the crown of creation, +became, in course of time, an accursed and wicked thing who must +henceforth cover herself with leaves to hide her shame. +Tertullian, who, with the rest of the early fathers in the +Christian church, had imbibed the latter doctrine concerning her, +could not believe the tradition set forth by Hesiod; therefore +Pandora was a myth, while the corrupted fable, that of Eve as the +tempter, was accepted as a natural representation of womanhood. + +When woman was created, "all the gods conferred a gifted grace." + + "Round her fair brow the lovely-tressed Hours + A garland twined of Spring's purpureal flowers: + The whole attire Minerva's graceful art + Disposed, adjusted, form'd to every part."[99] + +[99] Hesiod, Works and Days. + + +Later, however, Pandora herself becomes the pourer forth of ills +on the head of defenceless man. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +FIRE AND PHALLIC WORSHIP. + + "Know, first a spirit with an active flame + Fills, feeds, and animates the mighty frame; + Runs through the watery worlds and fields of air, + The ponderous Earth and depths of Heav'n and there + Burns in the Sun and Moon, and every brilliant Star + Thus mingling in the mass, the general soul + Lives in its parts and agitates the whole." + +Although earth, air, water, and the sun were long venerated as +objects of worship, as containing the life principle, in process +of time it is observed that fire attracted the highest regard of +human beings, and on their altars the sacred flame, said to have +been kindled from heaven, was kept burning uninterruptedly from +year to year, and from age to age, by bends of priests "whose +special duty it was to see that the sacred flame was never +extinguished." The office of the vestal virgins in Rome was to +preserve the holy fire. The Egyptians, and in fact all the +earlier civilized nations, knew that force proceeds from the sun, +hence the frequent appearance of this orb among their symbols of +life. Indeed there is not a country on the globe in which, at +some time, divine honors have not been paid to fire and to light. + +The Hindoos, "believing fire to be the essence of all active +power in Nature, kept perpetual lamps burning in the innermost +recesses of their pagodas and temples, and in the sacred edifices +of the Greeks and Barbarians fires were preserved for the same +reason." + +The festival of lamps, which was once universal throughout Egypt, +still prevails in China. On the evening of the fifteenth day of +the first month in the year, every person is compelled to place +before his door a lantern or light, such lights differing in size +and expense according to the degree of wealth or poverty of those +to whom they belong. Light was the symbol of Muth (Perceptive +Wisdom). Among the Persians, the Egyptians, the Mexicans, the +Jews, the Etruscans, the Greeks, and the Romans, fire was +venerated as the essence of the Deity; and, at the present time, +in Thibet, in China, in Japan, and in portions of Africa, it +still forms an important part of worship. The Hebrew writings +show conclusively that not only the Jews but all the surrounding +nations were fire-worshippers, and that their sacrifices were not +infrequently to the God of Fire. Of this Forlong says: + +"When Rome was rearing temples to the fame and worship of Fire, +we find the prophets of Israel occasionally denouncing the +wickedness of its worship by their own and the nations around +them; nevertheless, even to Christ's time Molok always had his +offerings of children."[100] + +[100] Rivers of Life and Faiths of Man in an Lands, vol. i., p. +325. + + +It is believed that Abraham introduced fire-worship among the +Jews from Ur in Mesopotamia, a land in which lights are still +venerated, and fire altars are worshipped as containing the +Deity. + +The real essence of fire which was identical with the +life-principle was holy. The "Lord" of the Israelites was in the +fire which descended on Mt. Sinai, Exodus xix., 18. "The bush +burned with fire and the bush was not consumed," Exodus iii., 2. +Whether the signification of "bush" is the same as "grove," I +know not, but Josephus assures us that the bush was holy before +the flame appeared in it. Because of its sacred character, it +became the receptacle for the burning "Lord" of the Jews. The +ark, the religious emblem which Moses bore aloft, was simply a +fire altar on which the fire must continually burn. The fact +will doubtless be observed that although the ark and the bush +(female emblems) were invested with a certain degree of sanctity, +they were nevertheless only receptacles for the substance within +them. + +At the same time that the Jews kept sacred or holy fires +continually burning on their altars, they carried about a serpent +on a pole representing it to be the "healer of nations." They +also kept a phallic emblem in a box, chest, or ark which they +worshipped as the "God of Hosts," the "Life Giver," etc. It has +been observed that although the Jews frequently lost their ark, +they were never without their serpent-pole. At a certain stage +in the religious development of mankind all the temples in Africa +and Western Asia were dedicated to Vulcan the fire god or the +"Lord of Fire," to whom all furnaces were sacred. The principal +festivals in honor of this Deity took place in the spring, at the +Easter season, and on the 23d of August, when it is said that the +licentiousness practiced in the temples compared with those of +the "Harvest Homes" of Europe when the sun was in Libra and the +harvest had been garnered in. Vulcan was the "God of +fornication" or of passion. + +These excesses, which remained unchecked down to the fourth +century before Christ, are said to have somewhat abated after the +rise of the Stoic philosophy. + +Various philosophers of early historic times as well as many of +the early fathers in the Christian church believed that God was a +corporeal substance which in some way is manifested through fire. + +In Egypt, during the early ages of Christianity, "a great dispute +took place among the monks on the question, whether God is +corporeal." Tertullian declared that "God is fire"; Origen, that +"he is a subtle fire"; and various others that "he is body." + +There is little doubt that in early historic ages the Persians, +who had undertaken to purify their religion, were the strongest +and purest sect of this cult; they were in fact the genuine +worshippers of the pure creative principles which they believed +resided in fire. + +We have observed that force or spirit was originally regarded as +a part of Nature, or in other words that it was a manifestation +of, or an outflowing from matter, but so soon as it began to be +considered as something apart from Nature, there at once arose a +desire for some corporeal object to represent this unseen and +occult principle. + +During many of the ages of fire-worship, holy fire, although a +material substance, seems to have been too subtle to clearly +represent the god-idea, hence everywhere the worship of the +serpent is found to be interwoven with it. In fact, so closely +are serpent, fire, pillar, and other phallic faiths intermingled +that it is impossible to separate them. + +The Persians are by some writers said to have been the earliest +fire-worshippers: by others the truth of this statement is +denied, while many claim, and indeed the Maji themselves +declared, that they never worshipped fire at all in any other +manner than as an emblem of the divine principle which they +believed resided within it. It is probable, however, from the +evidence at hand, that they, like all the other nations of the +globe, prior to the reformation led by Zarathustra and his +daughter, had lost or nearly forgotten the profound ideas +connected with the worship of Nature. + +Passion, symbolized by fire, is declared by various writers to +have been the first idol, but later research has proved the +falsity of this assumption. It is true that at an early age of +human experience the creative processes were worshipped, but such +worship involved scientific and, I might say, spiritualized +conceptions of the operations of Nature which in time were +altogether lost sight of. Gross phallicism is clearly the result +of degeneration, and of a lapse into sensuality and superstition. + +I think no one can study the facts connected with fire and light +as the Deity in the various countries in which this worship +prevailed, without perceiving the change it gradually underwent +during later ages, and the grossness of the ideas which became +connected with it as compared with an earlier age when mankind +"had no temples, but worshipped in the open air, on the tops of +mountains." + +In another portion of this work we have observed that in the +rites connected with the worship of Cybele (Light or Wisdom), +although phallic symbols were in use, the ceremonies were +absolutely pure, and that throughout all the earlier ages her +worship remained free from the abominations which characterized +the worship of later times. + +At what time in the history of the human race the organs of +generation first began to appear as emblems of the Deity is not +known. Within the earliest cave temples, those hewn from the +solid rock, sculptured representations of these objects are still +to be observed. Although until a comparatively recent period +their true significance has been unknown, there is little doubt +at the present time that they were originally used as symbols of +fertility, or as emblems typifying the processes of Nature, and +that at some remote period of the world's history they were +worshipped as the Creator, or, at least, as representations of +the creative agencies in the universe. + +Concerning the origin and character of the people who executed +them there is scarcely a trace in written history. Through the +unravelling of extinct tongues, however, the monumental records +of the ancient nations of the globe have been deciphered, and the +system of religious symbolism in use among them is now +understood. + +A small volume by various writers, printed in London some years +ago, entitled A Comparative View of the Ancient Monuments of +India, says: + +"Those who have penetrated into the abstruseness of Indian +mythology, find that in these temples was practiced a worship +similar to that practiced by all the several nations of the +world, in their earliest as well as their most enlightened +periods. It was paid to the Phallus by the Asiatics, to Priapus +by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, to Baal-Peor by the +Canaanites and idolatrous Jews. The figure is seen on the fascia +which runs round the circus of Nismes, and over the portal of the +Cathedral of Toulouse, and several churches of Bordeaux." + +Of the Lingham and Yoni and their universal acceptance as +religious emblems, Barlow remarks that it was a "worship which +would appear to have made the tour of the globe and to have left +traces of its existence where we might least expect to find it." +In referring to the "sculptured indecencies" connected with +religious rites, which, being wrought in imperishable stone, have +been preserved in India and other parts of the East, Forlong says +that when occurring in the temples or other sacred places they +are at the present time evidently very puzzling to the pious +Indians, and in their attempts to explain them they say they are +placed there "in fulfilment of vows," or that they have been +wrought there "as punishments for sins of a sexual nature, +committed by those who executed or paid for them." It is, +however, the opinion of Forlong that they are simply connected +with an older and purer worship--a worship which involved the +union of the sex principles as the foundation of their god-idea. + +Regarding the cause for the "indecent" sculptures of the Orissa +temples, the same writer quotes the following from Baboo +Ragendralala Mitra, in his work on the Antiquities of Orissa. + +"A vitiated taste aided by general prevalence of immorality might +at first sight appear to be the most likely one; but I can not +believe that libidiousness, however depraved, would ever think of +selecting fanes dedicated to the worship of God, as the most +appropriate for its manifestations; for it is worthy of remark +that they occur almost exclusively on temples and their attached +porches, and never on enclosing walls, gateways, and other +non-religious structures. Our ideas of propriety, according to +Voltaire, lead us to suppose that a ceremony (like the worship of +Priapus) which appears to us infamous, could only be invented by +licentiousness; but it is impossible to believe that depravity of +manners would ever have led among any people to the establishment +of religious ceremonies. It is probable, on the contrary, that +this custom was first introduced in times of simplicity--that the +first thought was to honor the Deity in the symbol of life which +it has given us; such a ceremony may have excited licentiousness +among youths, and have appeared ridiculous to men of education in +more refined, more corrupt, and more enlightened times, but it +never had its origin in such feelings. . . . It is out of the +question therefore to suppose that a general prevalence of vice +would of itself, without the authority of priests and scriptures, +suffice to lead to the defilement of holy temples."[101] + +[101] Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 275. + + +Originally the Ionians, as their name indicates, were Yoni +worshippers, i. e., they belonged to the sect which was driven +out of India because of their stubborn refusal to worship the +male energy as the Creator. During the later ages of their +history, at a time when their religion had degenerated into a +licensed system of vice and corruption, and after their temples +had become brothels in which, in the name of religion, were +practiced the most debasing ceremonies, the Greeks became ashamed +of their ancient worship, and, like the Jews, ashamed also of +their name. + +It is believed that the Greeks received from Egypt, or the East, +their first theological conceptions of God and religion. These +ideas + +"were veiled in symbols, significant of a primitive monotheism; +these, at a later period, being translated into symbolical or +allegorical language, were by the poets transformed into epic or +narrative myths, in which the original subject symbolized was +almost effaced, whilst the allegorical expressions were received +generally in a literal sense. Hence, to the many, the meaning of +the ancient doctrine was lost, and was communicated only to the +few, under the strictest secrecy in the mysteries of Eleusis and +Samothrace. Thus there was a popular theology to suit the +people, and a rational theology reserved for the educated, the +symbolical language in both being the same, but the meaning of it +being taken differently. In course of time, as knowledge makes +its way among the people, and religious enlightenment with it, +much of what had been received literally will relapse into its +original figurative or symbolical meaning. Reason will resume +her supremacy, and stereotyped dogmas will fall like pagan idols +before advancing truth."[102] + +[102] Barlow, Essays on Symbolism, p. 121. + + +Although, during the later ages of the human career, the higher +truths taught by an earlier race were lost, still a slight hint +of the beauty and purity of the more ancient worship may be +traced through most of the ages of the history of religion. Even +among the profligate Greeks, the mysteries of Eleusis, celebrated +in the temple of Ceres, were always respected. Care should be +taken, however, not to confound these remnants of pure Nature- +worship with that of the courtesan Venus, whose adoration, during +the degenerate days of Greece, represented only the lowest and +most corrupt conception of the female energy. + +Down to a late date in the annals of Athens there was celebrated +a religious festival called Thesmophoria. The name of this +festival is derived from one of the cognomens of Ceres--the +goddess "who first gave laws and made life orderly." Ceres was +the divinity adored by the Amazons, and is essentially the same +as the Egyptian Isis. She represents universal female Nature. +The Thesmophorian rites, which are believed by most writers to +have been introduced into Greece directly from Thrace, were +performed by "virgins distinguished for probity in life, who +carried about in procession sacred books upon their heads." + +Inman, in his Ancient Faiths, quotes an oracle of Apollo, from +Spencer, to the effect that "Rhea the Mother of the Blessed, and +the Queen of the Gods, loved assemblages of women." As this +festival is in honor of Female Nature, the various female +attributes are adored as deities, Demeter being the first named +by the worshippers. After a long season of fasting, and "after +solemn reflection on the mysteries of life, women splendidly +attired in white garments assemble and scatter flowers in honor +of the Great Mother." + +The food partaken of by the devotees at these festivals was +cakes, very similar in shape to those which were offered to the +Queen of Heaven by the women of Judah in the days of Jeremiah, an +offering which it will be remembered so displeased that prophet +that a curse was pronounced upon the entire people. + +As the strictest secrecy prevailed among the initiated respecting +these rites, the exact nature of the symbols employed at the +Thesmophorian festivals is not known; it is believed, however, +that it was the female emblem of generation, and that this +festival was held in honor of that event which from the earliest +times had been prophesied by those who believed in the superior +importance of the female, namely, that unaided by the male power, +a woman would bring forth, and that this manifestation of female +sufficiency would forever settle the question of the ascendancy +of the female principle. Through a return of the ancient ideas +of purity and peace, mankind would be redeemed from the +wretchedness and misery which had been the result of the decline +of female power. The dual idea entertained in the Thesmophorian +worship is observed in the fact that although Ceres, the Great +Mother, was the principal Deity honored, Proserpine, the child, +was also comprehended, and with its Mother worshipped as part of +the Creator. Thus we observe that down to a late date in the +history of Grecian mythology the idea of a Holy Mother with her +child had not altogether disappeared as a representation of the +god-idea. + +To prove the worthiness of the ideas connected with the +Eleusinian mysteries it is stated that "there is not an instance +on record that the honor of initiation was ever obtained by a +very bad man." + +In Rome these mysteries took another name and were called "the +rites of Bona Dea," which was but another name for Ceres. As +evidence of their purity we have the following: + +"All the distinguished Roman authors speak of these rites and in +terms of profound respect. Horace denounces the wretch who +should attempt to reveal the secrets of these rites; Virgil +mentions these mysteries with great respect; and Cicero alludes +to them with a greater reverence than either of the poets we have +named. Both the Greeks and the Romans punished any insult +offered to these mysteries with the most persevering +vindictiveness. Alcibiades was charged with insulting these +religious rites, and although the proof of his offense was quite +doubtful, yet he suffered for it for years in exile and misery, +and it must be allowed that he was the most popular man of his +age."[103] + +[103] Chambers's Edinburgh Journal. + + +In Greece, the celebration of the Eleusinian mysteries was in the +hands of the Emolpidae, one of the oldest and most respected +families of antiquity. At Carthage, there were celebrated the +Phiditia, religious solemnities similar to those already +described in Greece. During the two or three days upon which +these festivals were celebrated, public feasts were prepared at +which the youth were instructed by their elders in the state +concerning the principles which were to govern their conduct in +after life; truth, inward purity, and virtue being set forth as +essentials to true manhood. In later times, after these +festivals had found their way to Rome, they gradually succumbed +to the immorality which prevailed, and at last, when their former +exalted significance had been forgotten, they were finally sunk +into "the licentiousness of enjoyment, and the innocence of mirth +was superseded by the uproar of riot and vice! Such were the +Saturnalia." + +From the facts connected with the mysteries of Eleusis and the +Thesmophorian rites, it is evident that in its earlier stages +Nature-worship was absolutely free from the impurities which came +to be associated with it in later times. As the organs of +generation had not originally been wholly disgraced and outraged, +it is not unlikely that when the so-called "sculptured +indecencies" appeared on the walls of the temples they were +regarded as no more an offense against propriety and decency than +was the reappearance of the cross, the emblem of life, in later +times, among orthodox Christians. + +Neither is it probable, in an age in which nothing that is +natural was considered indecent, and before the reproductive +energies had become degraded, that these symbols were any more +suggestive of impurity than are the Easter offerings upon our +church altars at the present time. Whatever may now be the +significance of these offerings to those who present them, sure +it is that they once, together with other devices connected with +Nature-worship, were simply emblems of fertility--symbols of a +risen and fructifying sun which by its gladdening rays re-creates +and makes all things new again. + +If we carefully study the religion of past ages we will discover +something more than a hint of an age when the generative +functions were regarded as a sacred expression of creative power, +and when the reproductive organs had not through over-stimulation +and abuse been tabooed as objects altogether impure and unholy, +and as things too disgraceful to be mentioned above a whisper. +Indeed there is much evidence going to show that in an earlier +age of the world's history the degradation of mankind, through +the abuse of the creative functions, had not been accomplished, +and the ills of life resulting from such abuse were unknown. + +We may reasonably believe that those instincts in the female +which are correlated with maternal affection and which were +acquired by her as a protection to the germ, or, in other words, +those characters which Nature has developed in the female to +insure the safety and well-being of offspring, and which in a +purer and more natural stage of human existence acted as cheeks +upon the energies of the male, were not easily or quickly +subdued; but when through subjection to the animal nature of man +these instincts or characters had been denied their natural +expression, and woman had become simply the instrument of man's +pleasure, the comparatively pure worship of the organs of +generation as symbols of creative power began to give place to +the deification of these members simply as emblems of desire, or +as instruments for the stimulation of passion. + +We are assured that on the banks of the Ganges, the very cradle +of religion, are still to be found various remnants of the most +ancient form of Nature-worship--that there are still to be +observed "certain high places sacred to more primitive ideas than +those represented by Vedic gods." + +Here devout worshippers believe that the androgynous God of +fertility, or Nature, still manifests itself to the faithful. +Close beside these more ancient shrines are others representing a +somewhat later development of religious faith--shrines, by means +of which are indicated some of the processes involved in the +earlier growth of the god-idea. Not far removed from these are +to be found, also, numerous temples or places of worship +belonging to a still later faith--a faith in which are revealed +the "awakening and stimulation of every sensuous feeling, and +which has drowned in infamy every noble impulse developed in +human nature." + +Of the depravity of the Jews and the immorality practiced in +their religious rites, Forlong says: + +"No one can study their history, liberated from the blindness +which our Christian up-bringing and associations cast over us, +without seeing that the Jews were probably the grossest +worshippers among all those Ophi--Phallo--Solar devotees who then +covered every land and sea, from the sources of the Nile and +Euphrates to all over the Mediterranean coasts and isles. These +impure faiths seem to have been very strictly maintained by Jews +up to Hezekiah's days, and by none more so than by dissolute +Solomon and his cruel, lascivious bandit-father, the +brazen-faced adulterer and murderer, who broke his freely +volunteered oath, and sacrificed six innocent sons of his king to +his Javah." + +Of Solomon he says that he devoted his energies and some little +wealth "to rearing phallic and Solophallic shrines over all the +high places around him, and especially in front of Jerusalem, and +on and around the Mount of Olives." On each side of the entrance +to his celebrated temple, under the great phallic spire which +formed the portico, were two handsome columns over fifty feet +high, by the side of which were the sun God Belus and his +chariots. + +In a description of this temple it is represented as being one +hundred and twenty feet long and forty feet broad, while the +porch, a phallic emblem, "was a huge tower, forty feet long, +twenty feet broad, and two hundred and forty feet high." We are +assured by Forlong that Solomon's temple was like hundreds +observed in the East, except that its walls were a little higher +than those usually seen, and the phallic spire out of proportion +to the size of the structure. "The Jewish porch is but the +obelisk which the Egyptian placed beside his temple; the Boodhist +pillars which stood all around their Dagobas; the pillars of +Hercules, which stood near the Phoenician temple; and the spire +which stands beside the Christian Church."[104] + +[104] Forlong, Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 219. + + +The rites and ceremonies observed in the worship of Baal-Peor are +not of a character to be described in these pages: it is perhaps +sufficient to state that by them the fact is clearly established +that profligacy, regulated and controlled by the priestly order +as part and parcel of religion, was not confined to the Gentiles; +but, on the contrary, that the religious observances of the Jews +prior to the Babylonian captivity were even more gross than were +those of the Assyrians or the Hindoos. + +These impure faiths arose at a time when man as the sole creator +of offspring became god, when the natural instincts of woman were +subdued, and when passion as the highest expression of the divine +force came to be worshipped as the most important attribute of +humanity. + +The extent to which these faiths have influenced later religious +belief and observances is scarcely realized by those who have not +given special attention to this subject. + +It has been stated that in the time of Solon, law-giver of +Athens, there were twenty temples in the various cities of Greece +dedicated to Venus the courtesan, within which were practiced, in +the name of religion, the most infamous rites and the most +shameless self-abandonment; and that throughout Europe, down to a +late period in the history of the race, religious festivals were +celebrated at certain seasons of the year, at which the +ceremonies performed in honor of the god of fornication were of +the grossest nature, and at which the Bacchanalian orgies were +only equalled by those practiced in the religious temples of +Babylon. + +It is impossible longer to conceal the fact that passion, +symbolized by a serpent, an upright stone, and by the male and +female organs of generation, the male appearing as the "giver of +life," the female as a necessary appendage to it, constituted the +god-idea of mankind for at least four thousand years; and, +instead of being confined to the earlier ages of that period, we +shall presently see that phallic worship had not disappeared, +under Christianity, as late and even later than the sixteenth +century. + +Such has been the result of the ascendancy gained by the grosser +elements in human nature: the highest idea of the Infinite +passion symbolized by the organs of generation, while the +principal rites connected with its worship are scenes of +debauchery and self-abasement. + +At the present time it is by no means difficult to trace the +growth of the god-idea. First, as we have seen, a system of pure +Nature-worship appeared under the symbol of a Mother and child. +In process of time this particular form of worship was supplanted +by a religion under which the male principle is seen to be in the +ascendancy over the female. Later a more complicated system of +Nature-worship is observed in which the underlying principles are +concealed, or are understood only by the initiated. Lastly, +these philosophical and recondite principles are forgotten and +the symbols themselves receive the adoration which once belonged +to the Creator. The change which the ideas concerning womanhood +underwent from the time when the natural feminine characters and +qualities were worshipped as God, to the days of Solon the +Grecian law-giver, when women had become merely tools or slaves +for the use and pleasure of men, is forcibly shown by a +comparison of the character ascribed to the female deities at the +two epochs mentioned. Athene who in an earlier age had +represented Wisdom had in the age of Solon degenerated into a +patroness of heroes; but even as a Goddess of war her patronage +was as nought compared with that of the courtesan Venus, at whose +shrine "every man in Greece worshipped." + +The extent to which women, in the name of religion, have been +degraded, and the part which in the past they have been compelled +to assume in the worship of passion may not at the present time +be disguised, as facts concerning this subject are well +authenticated. In a former work,[105] attention has been +directed to the religious rites of Babylon, the city in which it +will be remembered the Tower of Belus was situated. Here women +of all conditions and ranks were obliged, once in their life, to +prostitute themselves in the temple for hire to any stranger who +might demand such service, which revenue was appropriated by the +priests to be applied to sacred uses. This act it will be +remembered was a religious obligation imposed by religious +teachers and enforced by priestly rule. It was a sacrifice to +the god of passion. A similar custom prevailed in Cyprus. + +[105] See Evolution of Woman, p. 228. + + +Most of the temples of the later Hindoos had bands of consecrated +women called the "Women of the Idol." These victims of the +priests were selected in their infancy by Brahmins for the beauty +of their persons, and were trained to every elegant +accomplishment that could render them attractive and which would +insure success in the profession which they exercised at once for +the pleasure and profit of the priesthood. They were never +allowed to desert the temple; and the offspring of their +promiscuous embraces were, if males, consecrated to the service +of the Deity in the ceremonies of this worship, and, if females, +educated in the profession of their mothers.[106] + +[106] Maurice, Indian Antiquities, vol. i. + + +That prostitution was a religious observance, which was practiced +in Eastern temples, cannot in the face of accessible facts be +doubted. Regarding this subject, Inman says: + +"To us it is inconceivable, that the indulgence of passion could +be associated with religion, but so it was. The words expressive +of 'sanctuary,' 'consecrated,' and 'sodomites' are in the Hebrew +essentially the same. It is amongst the Hindoos of to-day as it +was in the Greece and Italy of classic times; and we find that +'holy woman' is a title given to those who devote their bodies to +be used for hire, which goes to the service of the temple." + +The extent to which ages of corruption have vitiated the purer +instincts of human nature, and the degree to which centuries of +sensuality and superstition have degraded the nature of man, may +be noticed at the present time in the admissions which are +frequently made by male writers regarding the change which during +the history of the race has taken place in the god-idea. None of +the attributes of women, not even that holy instinct--maternal +love, can by many of them be contemplated apart from the ideas of +grossness which have attended the sex-functions during the ages +since women first became enslaved. As an illustration of this we +have the following from an eminent philologist of recent times, a +writer whose able efforts in unravelling religious myths bear +testimony to his mental strength and literary ability. + +"The Chaldees believed in a celestial virgin who had purity of +body, loveliness of person, and tenderness of affection, and she +was one to whom the erring sinner could appeal with more chance +of success than to a stern father. She was portrayed as a mother +with a child in her arms, and every attribute ascribed to her +showing that she was supposed to be as fond as any earthly female +ever was."[107] + +[107] Inman, Ancient Faiths, vol. i., p. 59. + + +After thus describing the early Chaldean Deity, who, although a +pure and spotless virgin, was nevertheless worshipped as a +mother, or as the embodiment of the altruistic principles +developed in mankind, this writer goes on to say: "The worship of +the woman by man naturally led to developments which our +COMPARATIVELY SENSITIVE NATURES [the italics are mine] shun as +being opposed to all religious feeling," which sentiment clearly +reveals the inability of this writer to estimate womanhood, or +even motherhood, apart from the sensualized ideas which during +the ages in which passion has been the recognized god have +gathered about it. + +The purity of life and the high stage of civilization reached by +an ancient people, and the fact that these conditions were +reached under pure Nature-worship, or when the natural attributes +of the female were regarded as the highest expression of the +divine in the human, prove that it was neither the appreciation +nor the deification of womanhood which "led to developments which +sensitive natures shun as being opposed to all religious +feeling," but, on the contrary, that it was the lack of such +appreciation which stimulated the lower nature of man and +encouraged every form of sensuality and superstition. In other +words, it was the subjection of the natural female instincts and +the deification of brute passion during the later ages of human +history which have degraded religion and corrupted human nature. + +Although at the present time it is quite impossible for scholars +to veil the fact that the god-idea was originally worshipped as +female, still, most modern writers who deal with this subject +seem unable to understand the state of human society which must +have existed when the instincts, qualities, and characters +peculiar to the female constitution were worshipped as divine. +So corrupt has human nature become through over-stimulation and +indulgence of the lower propensities, that it seems impossible +for those who have thus far dealt with this subject to perceive +in the earlier conceptions of a Deity any higher idea than that +conveyed to their minds at the present time by the sexual +attributes and physical functions of females--namely, their +capacity to bring forth, coupled with the power to gratify the +animal instincts of males, functions which women share with the +lower orders of life. + +The fact that by an ancient race woman was regarded as the head +or crown of creation, that she was the first emanation from the +Deity, or, more properly speaking, that she represented +Perceptive Wisdom, seems at the present time not to be +comprehended, or at least not acknowledged. The more recently +developed idea, that she was designed as an appendage to man, and +created specially for his use and pleasure,--a conception which +is the direct result of the supremacy of the lower instincts over +the higher faculties,--has for ages been taught as a religious +doctrine which to doubt involves the rankest heresy. + +The androgynous Venus of the earlier ages, a deity which although +female was figured with a beard to denote that within her were +embraced the masculine powers, embodied a conception of universal +womanhood and the Deity widely different from that entertained in +the later ages of Greece, at a time when Venus the courtesan +represented all the powers and capacities of woman considered +worthy of deification. + +To such an extent, in later ages, have all our ideas of the +Infinite become masculinized that in extant history little except +occasional hints is to be found of the fact that during +numberless ages of human existence the Supreme Creator was +worshipped as female. + +One has only to study the Greek character to anticipate the +manner in which any subject pertaining to women would be treated +by that arrogant and conceited race; and, as until recently most +of our information concerning the past has come through Greek +sources, the distorted and one-sided view taken of human events, +and the contempt with which the feminine half of society has been +regarded, are in no wise surprising. We must bear in mind the +fact, however, that the Greeks were but the degenerate +descendants of the highly civilized peoples whom they were +pleased to term "barbarians," and that they knew less of the +origin and character of the gods which they worshipped, and which +they had borrowed from other countries, than is known of them at +the present time. + +About 600 years B.C., we may believe that mankind had sunk to the +lowest depth of human degradation, since which time humanity has +been slowly retracting its course; not, however, with any degree +of continuity or regularity, nor without lapses, during which for +hundreds of years the current seemed to roll backward. Indeed +when we review the history of the intervening ages, and note the +extent to which passion, prejudice, and superstition have been in +the ascendancy over reason and judgment, we may truly say: "The +fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth have been +set on edge." + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY THE SENSUALIZED FAITHS. + +It has been said of the Persians that in their zeal to purify the +sensualized faiths which everywhere prevailed they manifested a +decided "repugnance to the worship of images, beasts, or symbols, +while they sought to establish the worship of the only true +creative force, or God--Holy Fire." + +From the facts to be gleaned concerning this people during the +seventh and eighth centuries B.C., it is quite probable that they +still had a faint knowledge of a former age of intellectual and +moral greatness, and that it was their object, at that time, to +return to the purer principles which characterized it. That +their efforts were subsequently copied by surrounding nations is +shown in the facts connected with their history. + +Soon leading Syrians and Jews began to learn from their Eastern +neighbor that the worship of images could scarcely be acceptable +to a god which they were beginning to invest with a certain +degree of spirituality. There is little doubt, at the present +time, that the attempt to spiritualize the religion of the Jews +was due to the influence of the Persians. However, the length of +time required to effect any appreciable improvement in an +established form of worship is shown by the fact that, two +hundred years later, little change for the better was observed in +the temples, in which licentiousness had become a recognized +religious rite. Even at the present time, it is reported that in +many places of worship in the East there still reside "holy women +--god's women," who, like those in Babylon, described by various +writers, are devoted to the "god of fire." + +In a comparison made between the religion of Persia and the +doctrines said to have been taught by Moses, Inman remarks: + +"The religion of Persia as reformed by Zoroaster so closely +resembles the Mosaic, that it would be almost impossible to +decide which has the precedence of the other, unless we knew how +ancient was the teaching of Zoroaster, and how very recent was +that said to be from Moses. Be this as it may, we find the +ancient Persians resemble the Jews in sacrificing upon high +places, in paying divine honor to fire, in keeping up a sacred +flame, in certain ceremonial cleansings, in possessing an +hereditary priesthood who alone were allowed to offer sacrifices, +and in making their summum bonum the possession of a numerous +offspring."[108] + +[108] Ancient Faiths, vol. ii., p. 64. + + +It is quite plain that by both these nations the wisdom of an +earlier race was nearly forgotten. Seven hundred years B.C. the +Persians had doubtless already adopted the worship of "One God" +who was the Regenerator or Destroyer, a Deity which, as we have +seen, originally comprehended the powers of Nature--namely the +sun's heat and the cold of winter. That at this time, however, +they had lost the higher truths involved in the conception of +this Deity, is evident. They had become worshippers of fire, or +of that subtle igneous fluid residing in fire which they believed +to be creative force. Although the Persiaus like all the other +nations of the globe had lost or forgotten the higher truths +enunciated by an older race, there is no evidence going to show +that they ever became gross phallic worshippers like the Jews; +that they were not such is shown in the fact that down to the +time of Alexander the women of Persia still held a high and +honorable position, and that the female attributes had not become +wholly subject to male power. + +Had we no other evidence of the comparatively exalted character +of the religion of the Persians than the history of the lives of +such men as Darius, Cyrus, Artaxerxes, and others, we should +conclude, notwithstanding the similarity in the ceremonials of +these two religions, that some influence had been at work to +preserve them from the cruelty and licentiousness which prevailed +among the Jews. It is related of Cyrus that he used to wish that +he might live long enough to repay all the kindness which he had +received. It is also stated that on account of the justice and +equity shown in his character, a great number of persons were +desirous of committing to his care and wisdom "the disposal of +their property, their cities, and their own persons." + +In striking contrast to the mild and humane character of Cyrus +stands that of the licentious and revengeful David, a "man after +God's own heart." + +"As for the heads of those that compass me about, let the +mischief of their own lips cover them." + +"Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the +fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again."[109] + +"Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones +against the stones."[110] + +[109] Psalms cxl. + +[110] Ibid., cxxxvii. + + +No one I think can read the Avestas without being impressed by +the prominence there given to the subjects of temperance and +virtue. In their efforts to purify religion, and in the attempts +to return to their more ancient faith, the disciples of +Zoroaster, as early as eight hundred years before Christ, had +adopted a highly spiritualized conception of the Deity. They had +taught in various portions of Asia Minor the doctrine of one God, +a dual entity by means of which all things were created. They +taught also the doctrine of a resurrection and that of the +immortality of the soul. It was at this time that they +originated, or at least propounded, the doctrine of hell and the +devil, a belief exactly suited to the then weakened mental +condition of mankind, and from which humanity has not yet gained +sufficient intellectual and moral strength to free itself. This +Persian devil, which had become identified with winter or with +the absence of the sun's rays, was now Aryhman, or the "powers of +darkness," and was doubtless the source whence sprang the +personal devil elaborated at a later age by Laotse in China. + +As the Jews had no writings prior to the time of Ezra or +Jeremiah, it is now believed that many of the doctrines +incorporated in their sacred books were borrowed from Persian, +Indian, and Egyptian sources. Resurrection from the dead, or the +resurrection of the body, was for hundreds of years prior to the +birth of Christ an established article of Egyptian and Persian +faith, while spiritual regeneration, symbolized by the outward +typification of "being born again," was the beginning of a new +life and an admission to the heavenly state. + +In the Khordah Avesta we have the following concerning the +doctrine of the resurrection and that of future rewards and +punishments. + +"I am wholly without doubt in the existence of the good +Mazdaycinian faith, in the coming of the resurrection and the +later body, in the stepping over the bridge Chinvat, in an +invariable recompense of good deeds and their reward, and of bad +deeds and their punishment." + +The Zoroastrians, who led the way in the great intellectual and +religious awakening which took place during the intervening years +from 700 B.C. to 400 B.C., sought to purify all things by fire +and water, the two principles which had come to be regarded as +the original elements, from which, or by which, all things are +produced. + +Prior to this time, in Persia, and long afterwards by various +other nations, baptism, a rite performed at puberty, was +connected only with the sexual obligations of the person +receiving it, but in the age which we are considering it became +especially a cleansing or regenerating process, and was the means +by which the pious devotee became initiated into the mysteries of +holy living, or by which she or he was "born again." + +As in their religious procedure every act was performed in +connection with symbols, so in the matter of baptism they were +not satisfied with the inner consciousness of regeneration, but +must go through with certain processes which typified the new +life upon which they had entered. According to Wilford, the +outward symbolization of the "new birth" in the East is +manifested in the following manner: + +"For the purpose of regeneration it is directed to make an image +of pure gold of the female power of nature, either in the shape +of a woman or of a cow. In this statue, the person to be +regenerated is inclosed, and dragged out through the natural +channel. As a statue of pure gold and of proper dimensions would +be too expensive, it is sufficient to make an image of the sacred +Yoni, through which the person to be regenerated is to pass." + +Thus at the time Nicodemus is said to have queried concerning the +mysteries of the new birth, it is observed that the outward forms +of regeneration had long been in use among the pagans. In +passing themselves through these apertures, the applicant for +regeneration was supposed to represent the condition of one +"issuing from the womb to a new scope of life." + +According to the testimony of various writers upon this subject, +there are still extant, not alone in oriental countries, but in +Ireland and Scotland as well, numerous excavations or apertures +in the rocks which by an early race were used for the same +purpose. Through the misconception, bigotry, and ignorance of +the Roman Catholic missionaries in Ireland, these openings were +designated as the "Devil's Yonies." Although these emblems +typified the original conception of one of their most sacred +beliefs, namely, the "new birth," still they were "heathen +abominations" with which the devotees of the new (?) faith must +not become defiled. + +The people who executed these imperishable designs, and who have +left in the British Isles innumerable evidences of their +religious beliefs, are supposed by some writers to belong to a +colony which, having been expelled from Persia on account of +their peculiar religious beliefs, settled in the "White Island," +the "Island of the Blessed." This subject will, however, be +referred to later in this work. + +When we closely examine the facts connected with the evolution of +religion, there can be little doubt that the Persians laid the +foundation for that great moral and intellectual awakening which +a century or two later is represented by Confucious, Gotama +Buddha, and Pythagoras. From the Persians, doubtless Jew and +Gentile alike received the little leaven of spirituality which in +later ages crept into their gross conception of a Deity. + +By the Persians, the Hindoos, and other nations of the East, it +was believed that the end of each cycle of six hundred years, at +which time a new sun or savior was to come, would mark a new era +of religious development. At the close of each of these cycles +it was devoutly expected that the "golden age" of the past would +be restored, and that mankind would again be freed from the ills +which had overtaken them. As many of these cycles had passed, +numerous deliverers, saviors, or solar incarnations had appeared +in India, Gotama Buddha having been the ninth. In the East, +about six or seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, not +only one savior or prophet but three or four of them appeared. + +Concerning the leader of the reform in Persia there seem to be +many conflicting accounts. The learned Faber concludes that +there were two Zarathustras or Zoroasters, the former being +identical with Menu, the law giver and triplicated deity of +India, and who by various writers is recognized as the Noah of +the Hebrews. According to Pliny, the former lived thousands of +years before Christ. Several writers concur in placing him five +thousand years before the siege of Troy. According to Sir Wm. +Jones, the latter Zoroaster lived in the time of Darius +Hystaspes. It is now claimed that in the Dabistan, one of the +sacred books of Persia, thirteen Zoroasters appear. The name of +the last great leader, together with a few of his doctrines, and +various scattered fragments in the Gathas, are all that remain on +record of a man whose personality stands connected with the +earliest attempt to reform a degraded and sensualized religion. + +That this prophet was without honor in his own country is shown +by the following lamentation: + +"To what country shall I go? Where shall I take refuge? What +country gives shelter to the master, Zarathustra, and his +companion? None of the servants pay reverence to me, nor do the +wicked rulers of the country. How shall I worship thee further, +living Wise One? What help did Zarathustra receive when he +proclaimed the truths? What did he obtain through the good mind? +. . . Why has the truthful one so few adherents, while all the +mighty, who are unbelievers, follow the liar in great +numbers?"[111] + +[111] Quoted by Viscount Amberley from Haug's Translations. + + +Although the prophet Zarathustra and his companion were first +rejected, the fact seems plain that the monotheistic doctrines +which they set forth were subsequently accepted as the groundwork +of the religion of Persia. + +In the opening verses of the 5th Gatha appears the following: + +"It is reported that Zarathustra Spitama possessed the best good, +for Ahura Mazda granted him all that may be obtained by means of +a sincere worship, forever, all that promotes the good life, and +he gives the same to all who keep the words and perform the +actions enjoined by the good religion. . . . + +"Pourutschista, the Hetchataspadin, the most holy one, the most +distinguished of the daughters of Zarathustra, formed this +doctrine, as a reflection of the good mind, the true and wise +one." + +The fact will doubtless be observed that Pourutschista was not +merely a disciple of Zarathustra, but that she FORMED the +doctrine which was accepted as a "reflection of the good mind." + +In the 5th Gatha it is stated that among those who "know the +right paths, the law which Ahura gave to the Profitable," is +Pourutschista the "Holy worthy of adoration among the daughters +of Zarathustra. . . . wise female worker of Wisdom."[112] + +[112] Spiegel's Translation. + + +Ormuzd, or Ahura Mazda, which was the essence of heat or light, +was the principle adored by the followers of the reformed +religion in Persia. Throughout the Avesta the most desirable +possession, and that which is most praised, is purity of life. + + "We praise the pure man. + "The best purity praise we. + "The best wish praise we of the best purity. The best place +of purity praise we, the shining, endued with all +brightness."[113] + + "This Earth, together with the women, we praise + Which bears us, which are the women, Ahura Mazda + Whose wishes arise from purity, these we praise-- + Fullness, readiness, questioning, wisdom."[114] + +[113] Vespered xxvi. Spiegel's Translation. + +[114] Yacna xxxviii. + + +Praise is offered to the "everlasting female companion, the +instructing." + +The following is a part of the marriage ceremony of the Persians +as it is found in the Khorda-Avesta: + +"Do you both accept the contract for life with honorable mind? In +the name and friendship of Ormuzd be ever shining, be very +enlarged. Be increasing. Be victorious. Learn purity. Be +worthy of good praise. May the mind think good thoughts, the +words speak good, the works do good. May all wicked thoughts +hasten away, all wicked words be diminished, all wicked works be +burnt up. . . . Win for thyself property by right-dealing. +Speak truth with the rulers and be obedient. Be modest with +friends, clever, and well wishing. Be not cruel, be not +covetous. . . . Combat adversaries with right. Before an +assembly speak only pure words. In no wise displease thy mother. +Keep thine own body pure in justice." + +Confucius, the great Chinese teacher and philosopher, who lived +probably in the sixth century B.C., may be said to have been a +humanitarian or moralist instead of a mystic. Although he +believed in a great first principle, or cause, which he termed +Heaven, we are given to understand that in his philosophizing +little mention was made of it. + +The system known as Confucianism was not originated by Confucius. + +In referring to this subject Legge remarks: + +"He said of himself (Analects, vii., I), that he was a +transmitter and not a maker, one who believed in and loved the +ancients; and hence it is said in the thirtieth chapter of the +doctrine of the Mean, ascribed to his grandson, that he handed +down the doctrines of Yao and Shun, as if they had been his +ancestors, and elegantly displayed the regulations of Wan and Wu, +taking them as his models."[115] + +[115] Legge, Preface to vol. iii. of Shu King. + + +The ancient books which Confucius interpreted or rewrote laid no +claim to being sacred in the sense of being inspired; but, on the +contrary, were works of wisdom put forth by historians, poets, +and others "as they were moved in their own minds." The most +ancient of these doctrines was the Shu, a work which since the +period of the Han dynasty, 202 years B.C., has been called the +Shu King. + +A number of documents contained in this work date back to the +twenty-fourth century B.C., and as they are regarded as +historical are considered to be of greater importance than are +any others of their ancient writings. + +Second in antiquity and importance is the Shih or the Book of +Poetry. This work contains the religious views of its writers, +also an account of the manners, customs, and events of the times +to which they belong. For 5000 years, in China, Tien or Ti has +expressed the moving or creating force in the universe. In later +ages it is observed that this name has been attached to royalty. +Hwang Ti is the present title of the Emperor of China. + +From some of the texts found in the Shu King, it would seem that +the Chinese had in the remote past caught sight of the scientific +fact that virtue is its own reward. "Heaven graciously +distinguishes the virtuous. . . . Heaven punishes the +guilty."[116] + +[116] Max Muller, Sacred Books of the East, book iv. + + +The principal object of Confucius seems to have been to inculcate +those doctrines of his ancestors which, taking root, would in +time bring about a return to those principles of former virtue, a +faint knowledge of which seems still to have survived in China. +The following precepts are found among his teachings: + +"Knowledge, magnanimity, and energy are the virtues universally +binding. Gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, +and kindness constitute perfect virtue. Sincerity is the very +way to Heaven. My doctrine is that of an all-pervading unity. +The superior man is catholic and not partisan. The mean is +partisan and not catholic. The superior man is affable but not +adulatory, the mean is adulatory but not affable." + +When asked for a word which should serve as a rule of practice +for all our life he replied: "Is not Reciprocity such a word? +What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." On +one occasion the question was asked him: "What do you say +concerning the principle that injury shall be recompensed with +kindness?" To which he replied: "Recompense injury with justice, +and recompense kindness with kindness."[117] + +[117] Lun Yu, xiv., 26. + + +It is recorded by his disciples that there are four things from +which the master was entirely free. "He had no foregone +conclusions, no arbitrary predeterminations, no obstinacy, and no +egoism." Contrary to the rule of most reformers or leaders of +opinion, he always regarded himself as a learner as well as +teacher. It is related of Confucius that he at one time desired +a governmental position, thinking that through its occupancy he +might the better disseminate the ancient doctrines of rectitude +and virtue. Offers of individual advantage could not swerve him +from his well-grounded principles of honor. On one occasion one +of the rulers of the country proposed to confer upon him a city +and its revenues, but Confucius replied: "A superior man will +only receive reward for services which he has rendered. I have +given advice to the duke-king, but he has not obeyed it, and now +he would endow me with this place! very far is he from +understanding me."[118] + +[118] Quoted by Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., +p. 197. + + +The fact seems evident that Confucius had not sufficient strength +of character to attempt a change in the social conditions of his +time. He had not that grandeur of soul which enabled him to +strike the key-note of reform. Monarchical institutions and +social distinctions he did not rebuke. The brotherhood of man +and the levelling processes in human society were probably never +thought of by him; certainly they were never attempted. + +By certain writers Confucius has been accused of insincerity in a +few minor matters; still, the wisdom contained in his religious +doctrines, the philosophical value of his teachings relative to +the regulation of human conduct, and, above all, his purity of +purpose, justly entitles his name to be enrolled among the great +reformers of the world. + +The lasting influence which this man exerted upon the minds of +his countrymen, and the appreciation in which his name and works +are still held, are shown by the fact that his descendants +constitute the only order of hereditary nobility in China. + +"He lived five hundred years before Christ; and yet to this day, +through all the changes and chances of time and of dynasties, the +descendants of Confucius remain the only hereditary noblemen and +national pensioners in the empire. Even the imperial blood +becomes diluted, degraded, and absorbed into the body politic +after the seventh generation; but the descendants of Confucius +remain separate, through all the mutations of time and of +government."[119] + +[119] Thomas Magee, in the Forum, vol. x., p. 204. + + +Laotse, the founder of the smallest of the three sects in China, +namely, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, was an old man when +Confucius was in his prime. The word Taou signifies reason, but +the doctrines believed by the Taoists prove their system to be +the most irrational of all the religions of the East. In an +article on The Taouist Religion, Warren Benton says: + +"The tendency in rationalism is toward the utter destruction of a +belief in the existence of unseen spirits of evil. Enlightened +reason dethrones devils; but Laotse created devils innumerable, +and the chief concern of the Taouist sect has always been to +manipulate these emissaries of evil. Modern rationalists deny +the existence of devils, and relegate them to the category of +myths and to personified ideas. Not so the rationalist of the +Orient. He finds his greatest pleasure in contemplating the very +atmosphere he breathes as filled with spirits constantly seeking +his injury; and to outwit his satanic majesty is the chief end of +life."[120] + +[120] Pop. Science, Jan. 1890. + + +At a time when a personal devil was gradually assuming shape, it +would have been singular, indeed, if there had not arisen one +who, by his peculiar temperament and natural disposition, was +exactly suited to the task of elaborating this doctrine in all +its grim seriousness. That such an one did arise in the person +of Laotse is evident from what is known regarding his history and +teachings. + +The growth of religious faith had long tended in this direction. +Typhon, "the wind that blasts," "Darkness," and the "cold of +winter," constituted the foundation of a belief in a personal +Devil; and, when the time was ripe for the appearance of his +satanic majesty, it required only a hypochondriac-- a disordered +mental organization--to formulate and project this gloomy and +unwholesome doctrine. + +There is little known of the life and character of Laotse except +that he labored assiduously through a long life-time for the +establishment of certain principles or tenets which he believed +to be essential to the well-being of humanity. In the twentieth +chapter of his work are found to be some hints of his personality +and of the gloomy cast of his character. He complains that while +other men are joyous and gay, he alone is despondent. He is +"calm like a child that does not yet smile." He is "like a +stupid fellow, so confused does he feel. Ordinary men are +enlightened; he is obscure and troubled in mind. Like the sea, +he is forgotten and driven about like one who has no certain +resting place. All other men are of use; he alone is clownish +like a peasant. He alone is unlike other men, but he honors the +nursing mother." + +Of all the various teachers which arose during the fifth, sixth, +and seventh centuries B.C., none of them were able to rise to the +position of moral grandeur occupied by Gotama Buddha. The +efforts put forth by this great teacher seem to have been humane +rather than religious. In his time, especially in India, society +had become encysted beneath a crust of seemingly impenetrable +conservatism, while religion, or priestcraft, riveted the chains +by which the masses of the people were enslaved. + +The mission of Buddha was to burst asunder the bonds of the +oppressed and to abolish all distinctions of caste. This was to +be accomplished through the awakening of the divine life in each +individual. The leading processes by which the lines of caste +were weakened were in direct opposition to the established order +of society. It was a blow at the old Brahminical social and +religious code which had grown up under the reign of +priest-craft. + +Notwithstanding the sex prejudice which had come to prevail in +India, it was directly stated by Buddha that any man or woman who +became his disciple, who renounced the world and by abstinence +from the lower indulgences of sense proclaimed her or his +adherence to the higher principles of life, "at once lost either +the privilege of a high caste or the degradation of a low one." +Earthly distinctions were of no consequence. Rank depended not +on the outward circumstance of birth, but on the ability of the +individual to resist evil, or, upon his capacity to receive the +higher truths enunciated by the new sun or savior--Buddha. + +In one of the canonical books he is represented as saying: + +"Since the doctrine which I teach is completely pure, it makes no +distinction between noble and common, between rich and poor. It +is, for example, like water, which washes both noblemen and +common people, both rich and poor, both good and bad, and +purifies all without distinction. It may, to take another +illustration, be compared to fire, which consumes mountains, +rocks, and all great and small objects between heaven and earth. +Again, my doctrine is like heaven, inasmuch as there is room +within it without exception, for whomsoever it may be; for men +and women, for boys and girls, for rich and poor."[121] + +[121] Viscount Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., +p. 216. + + +There is little doubt that the religion of Buddha was an attempt +to return to the almost forgotten principles of a past age of +spiritual and moral greatness. According to this ancient wisdom, +man is an immortal soul struggling for perfection. The growth of +the real man is a natural unfolding of the divine principle +within, such process of evolution being accomplished through the +power of the will. As every individual must work out his own +salvation, this will-force must ever be directed toward the +complete mastery of the body, or the lower self. In other words, +the development of the higher life depends upon the power of the +individual to overcome or conquer evil. The effect of every +thought, word, and deed is woven into the soul, and no one can +evade the consequences of his own acts. All sin is the result of +selfishness, so that only when one renounces self and begins to +live for others does the soul-life begin. No one who has arrived +at a state of soul-consciousness will lead a selfish or impure +life. On the contrary, every impulse of the devout Buddhist goes +out toward humanity and God, of whom he is a conscious part. + +Gotama Buddha was not a "savior" in the sense of bloody sacrifice +for the sins of the people. On the contrary, he was an example +to mankind--a man who through moral purification and a life of +self- abnegation had prepared himself for this holy office. +Mythologically, or astrologically, he was the new sun born at the +close of the cycle. He was the great Light which revealed the +way to eternal repose-- Nirvana. The mythical Buddha was the +prototype of the mythical Christ. His mother was Mai or Mary, +Queen of Heaven, or the Vernal Spring. He was a new incarnation +of the Sun--the Savior of the world. In process of time his many +miracles were offered as proof of his divine character. Although +he taught the existence of a great and universal Power, he made +no attempt to explain the unknowable. The Infinite is to be +contemplated only through its manifestations. Nirvana is not +annihilation, as has been erroneously taught by Christian +missionaries. As explained by Buddhists themselves, it +comprehends a state of absolute rest from human strife and +wretchedness. It is the absorption or relapsing into the great +First Principle, whence all life is derived--a state so pure that +the human is lost in the divine. + + "Lamp of the law! + I take my refuge in thy name and Thee! + I take my refuge in thy Law of Good! + I take my refuge in thy Order! Om! + The dew is on the Lotus!--rise, Great Sun! + And lift my leaf and mix me with the wave. + Om Mani Padme Hum, the Sunrise comes! + The Dewdrop slips into the shining Sea!"[122] + +[122] Arnold, Light of Asia. + + +From the Buddhist colleges at Nolanda went forth teachers who, +inspired with enthusiasm in the cause of human justice and +individual liberty, endeavored to abolish the abominations which +had grown up under Brahminical rule. The masses of the people, +however, were too deeply sunken in infamy, wretchedness, and +ignorance to accept, or even understand, the pure doctrines of +the great teacher, and, as might have been anticipated, priest- +craft soon assumed its wonted arrogance, and eventually the whole +paraphernalia of antiquated dogmas were tacked upon the new +system. + +Through the various efforts put forth for the elevation of +mankind during the six or seven hundred years which preceded the +advent of Christianity, sufficient strength had been given to the +moral impetus of humanity to create in many portions of the world +a strong desire for a return to purer principles, and to make the +appearance of a spiritual teacher like Christ possible. The +effects, however, of ages of moral and intellectual degradation, +in which the lowest faculties have been stimulated to the highest +degree, are not wiped out in a few centuries of struggle by the +few among the people who desire reform. As true reform means +growth, those who have reached a higher stage of development can +only point the way to others--they are powerless to effect +changes for which the masses are unprepared. + +Although through a partial revival of the ideas entertained by an +ancient people the attempt was made by Zoroaster, Confucius, +Gotama Buddha, Pythagoras, the Stoics, and other schools of +philosophy, to elevate the masses of the people, and, although +the unadulterated teachings of the man called Christ were +doubtless an outgrowth of this movement, yet the human mind had +not, even as late as the appearance of this last-named reformer, +sufficiently recovered from its thraldom to enable the masses to +grasp those higher truths which had been entertained by an +earlier civilized people. + +While there are doubtless many points of similarity between the +religious system elaborated by Gotama Buddha and that enunciated +by Christ, there is little likeness between the teachings of the +former and those set forth by the Romish Church, or by Paul. +Seven hundred years B.C., the Persians had grasped the idea that +virtue is its own reward, and that every soul is responsible for +its own growth. The fundamental doctrine of the Christian Church +to-day is that of a vicarious atonement--a belief which takes +away man's responsibility for his own misdeeds. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM. + +By comparing the sacred writings of the Persians with the history +of the events connected with the conception and birth of the +mythical Christ as recorded in the New Testament, the fact is +observed that the latter appears to be closely connected with the +central figure of Persian mythology. It has been found that the +visit of the Magi, who, following a star, were guided to the spot +where the young child lay, was the fulfilment of a Persian +prophecy, which is to be found in the life of Zarathustra as +recorded in the Zendavesta, while the subsequent history of the +same personage is seen to be almost identical with that of the +Hindoo Sun-god Chrishna. + +According to the sacred books of the Persians, three sons of the +great Zarathustra were to appear at three successive periods of +time. These sons were to be incarnations of the sun, and the +result of immaculate conceptions. + +"The first is named Oschederbami. He will appear in the last +millennium of the world. He will stop the sun for ten days and +ten nights, and the second part of the human race will embrace +the law, of which he will bring the 22d portion. + +"The second posthumous son of Zoroaster is Oschedermah. He will +appear four hundred years after Oschederbami. He will stop the +sun twenty days and twenty nights, and he will bring the 23d part +of the law, and the third part of the world will be converted. + +"The third is named Sosiosch. He will be born at the end of the +ages. He will bring the 24th part of the law; he will stay the +sun thirty days and thirty nights, and the whole earth will +embrace the law of Zoroaster. After him will be the +resurrection."[123] This last named son was to be born of a pure +and spotless virgin, whereupon a star would appear blazing even +at noonday with undiminished lustre. + +[123] Quoted by Waite, History of the Christian Religion, p. 168. + + +"You, my sons," exclaimed the seer, "will perceive its rising +before any other nation. As soon, therefore, as you shall behold +the star, follow it, withersoever it shall lead you; and adore +that mysterious child, offering your gifts to him, with profound +humility. He is the Almighty Word, which created the +heavens."[124] + +[124] Ibid., 169. + + +Waite notices the conclusion of Faber that this prediction was +long before the birth of Christ, and states that one of the +reasons for such a conclusion was, that in the old Irish history +a similar prophecy appears--a prophecy which was delivered by a +"Druid of Bokhara." The identity of this Irish prophecy with the +one in the East ascribed to Zarathustra or Zoroaster, is so +singular that Faber thinks it can be accounted for only on the +hypothesis "of an ancient emigration from Persia to Ireland by +the northwest passage, which carried the legend with it." + +By those who have investigated the origin of the early gospels, +it is stated that the story of the Magi and the star appeared in +the Gospel of the Infancy early in the second century, and was +subsequently incorporated into the preparatory chapters of Luke +and Matthew. According to Waite, there was a sect of Christians +called Prodiceans whose leader, Prodicus, about A.D. 120, boasted +that they had the sacred books of Zoroaster. From an extant +fragment of the Chronography of Africanus is the following: + +"Christ first of all became known from Persia. For nothing +escapes the learned jurists of that country, who investigated all +things with the utmost care. The facts, therefore, which are +inscribed upon the golden plates, and laid up in the royal +temples, I shall record; for it is from the temples there, and +the priests connected with them, that the name of Christ has been +heard of. Now, there is a temple there to Juno, surpassing the +royal palace, which temple Cyrus, that prince instructed in all +piety, built, and in which he dedicated, in honor of the gods, +golden and silver statues, and adorned them with precious stones. +. . . Now about that time [as the records on the plates +testify], the king having entered the temple, with the view of +getting an interpretation of certain dreams, was addressed by the +priest Prupupius thus: 'I congratulate thee, master: Juno has +conceived.' 'And the king, smiling, said to him: 'Has she who is +dead conceived?' And he said: 'Yes, she who was dead has come to +life again, and begets life.' And the king said: 'What is this? +explain it to me.' And he replied: 'In truth, master, the time +for these things is at hand. For during the whole night the +images, both of gods and goddesses, continued beating the ground, +saying to each other, Come, let us congratulate Juno. And they +say to me, Prophet, come forward, congratulate Juno, for she has +been embraced. And I said, How can she be embraced who no longer +exists? To which they reply, She has come to life again, and is +no longer called Juno, but Urama. For the mighty Sol has +embraced her.' "[125] + +[125] Hyppolytus, vol. ii., p. 196. + + +There is a tradition which asserts that during the early part of +the second century, St. Thomas went as a missionary to Parthia; +that after he had visited the various countries of the Parthian +Empire, tarrying for a time at Balkh, the capital of Bactria, and +the ancient residence of the Magi, he went to India. Soon after +the visit of Thomas to Persia and India, there appeared in +Palestine and the adjacent countries a gospel of Thomas, in which +were set forth various stories closely resembling the legends +found in the Hindoo sacred writings. After comparing various +passages of the Bhagavat Purana with those of the Infancy, and +after furnishing conclusive evidence that the latter must have +been copied from the former, Waite says: + +"The conclusion must be, that while for some of the salient +points of the Gospels of the Infancy, the authors were indebted +to Zoroaster, and the legends of Persia, the outline of the story +was largely filled up from the history of Crishna, as sent back +to Palestine, by the Apostle Thomas, from the land of the +Brahmins." + +Concerning the story of Herod and his order to slay all the male +infants, there has been discovered in a cavern at Elephanta, in +India, a sculptured representation of a huge and ferocious +figure, bearing a drawn sword and surrounded by slaughtered +children, while mothers appear weeping for their slain. This +figure is said to be of great antiquity. + +Mary, the Mother of Jesus, like Mai, the Mother of Gatama Buddha, +was regarded by certain sects in the earlier ages of Christianity +as an Immortal Virgin whose birth had been announced by an +angel.[126] She was in fact the ancient Virgin of the Sphere--the +Mother of the Gods--the Queen of Heaven. + +[126] See Gospels of Mary and the Protovangelion. + + +As soon as Christ was born he conversed with Mary, as did also +Crishna with his mother, informing her of his divine mission. + +Crishna was cradled among shepherds, so was Christ. Cansa, +fearing the loss of his kingdom, sought to destroy the life of +the divine infant in the same manner as did Herod in the case of +Christ. Both children are carried away by night, after which an +order is issued by the ruler of the country that all the young +children throughout the kingdom be slaughtered. + +When Joseph and Mary arrived in Egypt, they visited the temple of +Serapis, where "all the magistrates and priests of the idols were +assembled." Upon the image being interrogated concerning the +"consternation and dread which had fallen upon all our country," +it answered them as follows: "The unknown god has come hither, +who is truly God; nor is there anyone besides him, who is worthy +of divine worship; for he is truly the son of God." And at the +same instant this idol fell down, and at his fall all the +inhabitants of Egypt, besides others, ran together.[127] A +similar story is related of Crishna. This Indian god, the same +as Christ, cured a leper. A woman, after having poured a box of +precious ointment on the head of Crishna, was healed; so also a +woman anointed the head of Jesus. Crishna when but a lad +displayed remarkable mental powers and the most profound wisdom +before the tutor who was sent to instruct him. Christ astonished +the school-master Zaccheus with his great learning.[128] + +[127] Gospel of the Infancy, ch. iv. + +[128] Gospel of the Infancy, ch. xx. + + +Crishna had a terrible encounter with the serpent Calinaga; the +infant Christ had also a dreadful adventure with a serpent. Now +this Calinaga which Crishna encountered was a serpent goddess who +was worshipped by the sect in India which was opposed to the +adoration of the male principle. The early Christians, however, +being ignorant of the allegorical meaning of the legend, +transferred it to Christ literally. + +The mother of Crishna looked in his mouth and beheld all the +nations of the earth. The same story is reported of Christ and +his mother. Finally Christ, like Crishna, was crucified, and +like him was buried. He descended into hell and on the third day +arose and ascended into heaven.[129] + +[129] It will doubtless be urged that I am quoting from the +Apocryphal Gospels--that the genuine books of the New Testament +are silent concerning many of these Eastern legends. We must +bear in mind, however, that during the earlier ages of +Christianity, these finally rejected gospels were, equally with +the canonical books, considered as the word of God. The Infancy +is thought to be one of the earliest gospels. Justin Martyr was +acquainted with it, A.D. 150 to 160. It is referred to by +Irenaeus, A.D. 190. + + +In the poetical myths of the ancients the sun is yearly +overpowered by cold or by the destructive agencies in Nature. +Astronomically, or astrologically, it wanders in darkness and +desolation during the winter months; in fact dies, and descends +into hell in order that he may rise at the Easter season to +gladden and make all things new again. Mythologically, this new +sun becomes incarnate; enters again his mother's womb, and is +born into the world in the form of a man whose mission is to +renew human life. Hence we have an explanation of the Eastern +Buddhas and Crishnas, all of which were born of virgins at the +winter solstice. + +The new sun which at the close of each cycle was believed by the +more ancient people of the globe to "issue forth from the womb of +Nature to renew the world," now that the truths underlying +Nature-worship were lost, became a redeemer or mediator between +earth and heaven, or between spirit and matter. It is stated +that at the time of the appearance of Christ not alone the Jews, +but the Persians, the Romans, the ancient Irish, and in fact all +the nations of the globe, were anxiously awaiting the event of +another incarnation of the solar Deity; and that maidens of all +classes and conditions were in a state of eager expectation, the +more pious, or at least the more ambitious among them, being in +almost constant attendance at the temples and sacred shrines, +whither they went to pay homage to the male emblem of generation, +thereby hoping to be honored as a Mai or Mary. + +On the wall of the temple at Luxor are a series of sculptures, + +"in which the miraculous annunciation, conception, birth, and +adoration of Amunoph III., the son of the Virgin Queen Mautmes, +is represented in a manner similar to what is described in St. +Luke's Gospel (ch. 1 and 2) of Jesus Christ, the son of the +Virgin Mary, and which is found also in the Gospel of St. +Matthew (ch. 1) as an addition not met with in the earliest +manuscripts,"[130] which fact has caused Sharpe, from whom the +above is quoted, to suggest that both accounts may have been of +Egyptian origin. + +[130] Barlow, Symbolism, p. 127. + + +The titles "lamb," "anointed," etc., which were applied to +Christ, all appear attached to former in- carnations of the sun, +the first named standing for the sun in Aries. The effigies of a +crucified savior found in Ireland and Scotland in connection with +the figure of a lamb, a bull, or an elephant, the latter of which +is not a native of those countries, shows that they do not +represent Christ, but a crucified sun-god worshipped by the +inhabitants of the British Islands ages before the birth of the +great Judean philosopher and teacher. + +It is plain that Crishna of India and the Persian Mithra +furnished the copy for the Jesus of the Romish Church, all of +whom mean one and the same thing--the second person in the Solar +Trinity. By the Jews, who attempted to ignore the female +principle, this God is called the "Lord of Hosts" and "God of +Sabaoth," which astronomically means God of the stars and +constellations, and astrologically the creator or producer of the +multitudes. Of this God, ieue, I H S, the author of Anacalypsis +says that he was the son of the celestial virgin, which she +carries in her arms; the Horus, Lux, of the Egyptians, the Lux of +St. John. + +"It is from this infant that Jesus took his origin; or at least +it is from the ceremonies and worship of this infant that this +religion came to be corrupted into what we have of it. This +infant is the seed of the woman who, according to Genesis, was to +bruise the head of the serpent, which, in return, was to bruise +his foot or heel, or the foot or heel of her seed as the figure +of the Hindoo Crishna proves. From the traditionary stories of +this god Iao, which was figured annually to be born at the winter +solstice, and to be put to death and raised to life on the third +day at the vernal equinox, the Roman searchers after the +evangelion or gospel made out their Jesus. The total destruction +of everything at Jerusalem and in Judea--buildings, records, +everything--prevented them from coming to any absolute certainty +respecting this person who, they were told by tradition, had come +to preach the gospel of peace, to be their savior, in fulfilment +of the prophecy which their sect of Israelites found in their +writings, and who had been put to death by the Jews. From all +these circumstances he came to have applied to him the monogram +of I H S. . . . and to him at last all the legendary stories +related of the god Iao were attributed."[131] + +[131] Godfrey Higgins, Anacalypsis, book vi., ch. iv., p. 455. + + +According to Faber, Jesus was not originally called Jesus Christ, +but Jescua Hammassiah--Jescua meaning Joshua, and Jesus, Savior. +Ham is the Om of India, and Messiah, the anointed. Commenting on +this Higgins remarks: "It will then be, The Savior Om the +Anointed, precisely as Isaiah had literally foretold; or reading +in the Hebrew made, The Anointed Om the Savior. This was the +name of Jesus of Bethlehem." + +We have observed the fact that at the time of the birth of Christ +the entire world was expecting a Savior--a new incarnation of the +sun. The end of a cycle had come and the entire earth was to +undergo a process of renovation. + +In a poem by Virgil, who was a Druid, the birth of a wonderful +child is celebrated, and the prophecy of a heathen Sibyl is seen +to be identical with that of Isaiah. + +"The last period sung by the Sibylline prophetess is now arrived; +and the grand series of ages. That Series which recurs again and +again in the course of our mundane revolution begins afresh. Now +the Virgin Astrea returns from heaven; and the primeval reign of +Saturn recommences; now a new race descends from the celestial +realms of holiness. Do thou, Lucina, smile propitious on the +birth of a boy who will bring to a close the present age of iron +and introduce throughout the whole world, a new age of gold. +Then shall the herds no longer dread the fury of the lion, nor +shall the poison of the serpent any longer be formidable. Every +venomous animal and every deleterious plant shell perish +together. The fields shall be yellow with corn, the grape shall +hang its ruddy clusters from the bramble, and honey shall distil +spontaneously from the rugged oak. The universal globe shall +enjoy the blessings of peace, secure under the mild sway of its +new and divine sovereign." + +There is no lack of evidence to prove that for several centuries +great numbers of Christians regarded Christ as a solar +incarnation similar to those which from time to time were born in +the valleys of the Nile and the Ganges. By the fathers in the +church Jesus Christ was named the New Sun, and in the early days +of Christianity the Egyptians struck a coin representing O. B. or +the holy Basilisk, with rays of light darting from his head, on +the reverse side of which was figured "Jesus Christ as the New +Solar Deity." + +The similarity if not the actual identity of the religion of +Christ and that of the pagans in the second century is shown by +various writers. The Emperor Hadrian writing to his friend +Servianus says: + +"Those who worship Serapis are also Christians; even those who +style themselves the Bishops of Christ are devoted to Serapis. . +. . There is but one God for them all; him do the Christians, +him do the Jews, him do all the Gentiles also worship." + +It has been said that the head of Serapis supplied the first idea +of the portrait of Christ. Before the figure of Serapis, in his +temple, used to stand Isis, the Celestial Virgin, with the +inscription "Immaculate is our Lady Isis." In her hand she bore +a sheaf of grain. + +As Serapis, or Pan, finally became Christ, so Isis, or the Queen +of Heaven, became his mother, and to the latter were transferred +all the titles, ceremonies, festivals, and seasons which from the +earliest time had belonged to the great Goddess of Nature. +Subsequently, probably about the close of the second century, +Christianity began slowly to emerge from the worship of Mithras +and Serapis, "changing the names but not the substance." + +Upon the coinage of Constantine appears Soli Invicto Comita--"To +the invincible sun my companion or guardian," and when the Greek +and Roman Christians finally separated themselves from the great +body of pagan worshippers they apologized for celebrating the +birthday of their Savior on the 25th of December, saying that +"they could better perform their rites when the heathen were busy +with theirs." We are assured that the early Christians no less +than the Maji acknowledged Mithras as the first emanation from +Ormuzd, or the God of Light. He was the Savior which in an +earlier age had represented returning life--that which follows +the cold of winter. It was doubtless while they worshipped the +Persian Mithras that many of the so-called Christians gathered +their first ideas concerning the immortality of the soul and of +future rewards and punishments. + +The analogy existing between the festivals, seasons, mythoses, +etc., of the various incarnations of the sun which were +worshipped by the early historic nations and those belonging to +Christianity is too striking to be the result of chance. + +Buddha originally represented the sun in Taurus. Crishna was the +sun in Aries. The laborings and sufferings of Hercules, a god +who was an incarnation of the latter, portrays the history of the +passage of the sun through the signs of the Zodiac. + +All the principal events of Christ's life correspond to certain +solar phases; or, in other words, all ecclesiastical calendars +are arranged with reference to the festivals which commemorate +the important events of his life from his conception and birth to +his ascension and reception in heaven. Each and every one of the +solar deities has been born at midnight, on the 25th of December, +at the time when the sun has reached its lowest position and +begins to ascend. Macrobius, a learned Roman writer, observes +that the early historic nations "believed that the sun comes +forth as a babe from its cradle at the winter solstice." Neith +is made to say, "The sun is the fruit of my womb." + +The 15th of August, assumption day, the time when Mary, the +mother of Jesus, ascends to heaven is the day when the Zodiacal +constellation Virgo, "the Greek Astrea, leaves the European +horizon," and the "8th of September, when Virgo emerges from the +sun's rays, is held sacred as the Nativity of the Queen of +Heaven." + +Of the mid-winter festival, Bede says: "The Pagans of these isles +began their year on the eighth of the Kalends of January, which +is now our Christmas Day. The night before that (24th Dec. eve) +was called by them the Medre-Nak, or Night of Mothers, because of +the ceremonies which were performed on that night."[132] + +[132] Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 430. + + +Among Christians as among Pagans the Christmas season was in +honor of "returning light," the vernal equinox of "growing light" +and St. John's day of "perfected light." + +In England, among pagan Saxons, the midwinter festival lasted +twelve days, during which time light, fire, the sun, huge stones +and other similar manifestations of the Deity were adored. +Christian and pagan alike worshipped these objects. They called +Christmas "the birthday of the god who is light." The Savior, or +the New Sun, was the true light which lighteth every man who +cometh into the world. According to the testimony of various +writers, the festival held by Christians on Christmas eve used to +resemble the Feast of Lights, celebrated in Egypt in honor of +Neith. The tokens distributed among friends were cakes made of +paste in the form of babies. These cakes were called yuledows. +Dow means to "grow bigger," or, "to increase." + +The Kalends of January at Rome were sacred to Janus and Juno to +whom sacrifices were offered. The Etruscans also worshipped +Janus who was the god (or goddess) of the year. Although this +Deity does not appear among the twelve gods it is said to be the +parent of them all. It was represented as having two faces. +Upon one were the letters representing 365, and upon the other +were the keys of life and death. According to Bryant this Deity +was called Junonius, from the goddess Juno, whose name resolves +itself into Juneh, a dove. In the Hebrew this name is identical +with Yoni or Yuni--the female principle. On the coins of this +god (which was subsequently regarded as male) is usually figured +a boat, although a dove with an olive branch is sometimes +observed.[133] + +[133] See Faber, Pagan Idolatry. + + +Juno is thought to be the same as Jana, which came from Jah of +the Hebrews. Diana was Diva Jana or "Dea Jana who is the same as +Astarte or Ashtaroth of the Sidonians." + +Regarding the transference of the mid-winter festival of the +pagans to the Christian calendar, Forlong says: + +"The early Christians undoubtedly selected this Roman Saturnalia +as an important period in the life of Christ, at first calling it +the time of his conception, and later of his birth, this last +best suiting the views and feelings of their Solo- Christian +flocks. The Jews called the day of the Winter Solstice The Fast +of Tebet. The previous time was one of darkness, and on the 28th +began their Feast of Lights."[134] + +[134] Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 430. + + +In France the ancient name for Christmas is Noel, a term which +until recently has baffled all antiquarian research. It is now +thought that it is formed from Nuadh and Vile which together mean +All Heal. + +Although every possible effort has been put forward to give to +this date (the 25th of December) the appearance of authenticity +as the birth of Christ, still, so far as I am able to find, no +one accredited with any degree of trustworthiness has ever been +rash enough to attempt its ratification as a matter of history. + +Tylor calls attention to the fact that in the religious symbolism +of the material and spiritual sun Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa +discourse on the "growing light and dwindling darkness that +follow the nativity," and cites the instance of Leo the Great +who, in a sermon, rebukes the "pestiferous persuasion, that this +solemn day is to be honored not for the birth of Christ, but for +the rising of the New Sun." + +On the authority of this same prelate it is found that in the +fifth century, the faithful, before entering the Basilica of St. +Peter, were wont to turn and salute the shining orb of day. + +The Roman winter solstice which was connected with the worship of +Mithra, and which was named the "Birthday of the Unconquered Om," +was adopted by the western churches some time during the fourth +century. From the west it passed to the eastern churches, where +it finally became "the solemn anniversary of the birth of +Christ." + +In Ireland the ceremonies attending the mid-winter festival were +formerly regarded as exceedingly important. A short time before +the approach of the winter solstice, voices were heard throughout +the island proclaiming: "The New Year is at hand! Gather the +Mistletoe!" The mistletoe wreaths which formed the principal +decorations of Venus' temple were at first proscribed by the +Christian preachers, but, in process of time they not only found +their way into the sanctuary, but were given a place over the +altars, their final signification being "good will to men."[135] + +[135] Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 81. + + +Although the tokens of friendship which were distributed by the +pagans at the season of the mid- winter festival differed +somewhat from those which at the present time are exchanged among +Christians at the same season of the year, still, there can be no +doubt that the Christmas tree, loaded with gifts, is a remnant of +that worship under which the sun was recognized as the source +whence all blessings flow. Down to a late date, fire was a +conspicuous element at the festival of the winter solstice. As +the yule-log blazed upon the hearth, our ancestors set up huge +stones and danced round them, thus worshipping the god of +fertility. + +On the 20th and 21st of March the sun illumines exactly half the +earth. At this time the Day has conquered the Night. Light has +dethroned Darkness, a complete victory has been gained over +Typhon and the new god comes forth "with healing in his wings." +On Lady's day, the 25th of March, the Virgin conceives. In +Phoenicia numerous fetes were instituted to rejoice with Astarte +in her conception. During the months preceding the birth of the +young sun-god the Queen of Heaven receives marked homage. + +In a former portion of this work we have observed that the +festival which celebrated the return of spring was instituted by +the inventors of the Neros thousands of years prior to the +beginning of the Christian era, to celebrate the vernal equinox +and to commemorate a return of Nature's bounties; but, after male +reproductive power began to be regarded as the creator, when +passion came to be considered as the moving force in the +universe, and when the operations of Nature began to be typified +by a dead man on a cross who was to rise again, Easter was +celebrated in commemoration of a risen savior or sun-god. + +The following is an account given in Ramsay's Travels of Cyrus, +concerning the vernal equinox festivals in the East. When Cyrus +entered the temples he found the public clad in mourning. In a +cavern lay the image of a young man (the dying savior) on a bed +of flowers and odoriferous herbs Nine days were spent in fasting, +prayers, and lamentations, after which the public sorrow ceased +and was changed into gladness. Songs of joy succeeded weeping +(for Tamuz), the whole assembly singing hymns: "Adonis is +returned to life, Urania weeps no more, he has ascended to +heaven, he will soon return to earth and banish hence all crimes +and miseries forever." This scene, it will be remembered, was +presented 500 years prior to the birth of Christ. In Rome, +throughout the months preceding the winter solstice, Hilaria or +Ceres, was especially honored. Apollo and Diana rose on the 7th +of the Julian April and on the 10th their religious festivals +began. + +On Easter morn, during the earlier ages of the church, the +observances of Christians were exactly the same as were those of +the so called pagans, all together hurried out long before the +break of day that they might behold the sun ascend, or "dance" as +they called it, for on this morning he was to "make the earth +laugh and sing." Pagan and Christian alike greeted each other +with the salutation "The Lord is risen," and the reply was "The +Lord is risen indeed." On Easter morning the peasants of Saxony +and Brandenburg still climb to the hilltops "to see the sun give +his three joyful leaps." + +In Buckland's Land and Water it is stated that on the first of +May all the choristers of Magdalene College, Oxford, still meet +on the summit of their tower, 150 feet high, and sing a Latin +hymn as the sun rises, during which time ten bells are rung "to +welcome the gracious Apollo." Formerly, high mass was celebrated +here and early mass for Sol was held in the College chapel, but, +as at the time of the Reformation this service was forbidden, "it +has since been performed on the top of the tower." After the +hymn is sung "boys blow loud blasts to Sol through bright new tin +horns." + +Perhaps none of the ideas which enter into present religious +rites and ceremonies proclaims its eastern origin more forcibly +than do those connected with the veneration of fire. The +testimony of all writers upon this subject agrees that in Europe, +down to a late date in the Christian era, fire was still adored, +and in some mysterious manner was connected with the Creator. + +Upon the subject of the continuation of sun and fire worship to +modern times, it is stated that the ancient bonfires with which +the North German hills used to be ablaze mile after mile are not +altogether given up by local custom. In Ireland as late as the +year 1829, the ancient Canaanitish and Jewish rite of passing +children through fire as a cleansing or regenerating process was +still in operation. It is related that at stated seasons great +fires were lighted in public places, on which occasions, fathers, +taking their children in their arms, would leap and run through +the flames. At the same time, two large fires were kindled a +short distance from each other through which the cattle were +driven. It was believed that by means of this ceremony, +fecundity is imparted both to man and beast. May, the month in +which all Nature revives, and in which life starts anew, is the +time selected for the lighting of those sacred fires. May is the +month of the fires of Baal. According to Maurice in his work on +the Antiquities of India, the festival and the May-pole of Great +Britain are the remnants of a religious ceremony once common in +Egypt, India, and Phoenicia, which nations all worshipping the +same Deity, celebrated the entrance of the sun into the sign of +Taurus at the vernal equinox, but which in consequence of the +precession of the equinoxes is removed far in the year from its +original situation. This festival is thought to be coeval with a +time when the equinox actually took place at that time. It was +formerly in honor of the goddess Bhavania, who, under various +names, was once worshipped in every country of the globe. "She +is identical with the Dea Syria of Chaldea, and the Venus Urania +of Persia." + +At the present time there is direct and indisputable evidence +that sacred fires once flamed over the whole of Britain. A few +days prior to Bealtine season, every flame was ordered +extinguished, to be relighted on the first of May by holy fire +drawn directly from the sun. Of fire-worship Toland observes: + +"On May-day the Druids made prodigious fires on these cairns, +which being every one in sight of some other could not but afford +a glorious show over a whole nation. These fires were in honor +of Beal, or Bealan, Latinized by the Roman writers into Belanus, +by which name the Gauls and their colonies understood the sun, +and therefore, to this hour, the first of May is, by the +aboriginal Irish, called la Bealtine, or the day of Belan's +fires. May-day is likewise called la Bealtine by the Highlanders +of Scotland, who are no contemptible part of the Celtic +offspring. So it is with the Isle of Man: and in Armorica a +priest is called Belee, or the servant of Bel, and the priesthood +Belegieth."[136] + +[136] Quoted by Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids, ch. v., p. 181. + + +Down to a comparatively recent time, in the British Isles, the +youth of both sexes used to arise long before daybreak on +May-day, and in large companies set out for the woods, there to +gather flowers, boughs, and branches, which, on returning at +night, were used to decorate their homes. This festival is said +to be the most ancient of any known, and during the earlier and +purer ages of human faith was celebrated in honor of returning +spring. In later ages, however, after passion had become the +only recognized god, May-day was celebrated with "all manner of +obscenity and lewdness." + +Although the uneducated masses among the Gauls worshipped Apollo, +Mercury, and Mars without understanding their true significance, +the Druids, who are thought to be Pythagorians, invoked one great +power, the animating force which pervades the universe, the +essence of which they believed resides in fire. + +It is related that although after the introduction of Romish +Christianity, May fires still continued to be lighted on Bealtine +day, the more impressive ceremonies took place on the 23d of +June, on the eve of the nativity of St. John. The early +preachers, wishing to defer to the prejudices and usages of the +people, "yet not so as to interfere with the celebration of +Easter at the vernal equinox, retained the Bealtine ceremonial, +only transferring it to the saint's day." Of these fire +festivals and their adoption by the Christian church Tylor says: + +"The solar Christmas festival has its pendant at mid-summer. The +summer solstice was the great season of fire festivals throughout +Europe on the heights, of dancing round and leaping through the +fires, of sending blazing fire-wheels to roll down from the hills +into the valleys, in sign of the sun's descending course. These +ancient rites attached themselves in Christendom to St. John's +Eve. + +"It seems as though the same train of symbolism which had adapted +the mid-winter festival to the Nativity, may have suggested the +dedication of the mid-summer festival to John the Baptist, in +clear allusion to his words 'He must increase but I must +decrease.' "[137] + +[137] Tylor, Primitive Culture, vol. ii., p. 271. + + +In a description recently given of the "moral, religious, and +social disease" which broke out A.D. 1374, in the lower Rhine +region, and which was denominated as the "greatest, perhaps, of +all manifestations of possession," Andrew D. White says: "The +immediate origin of these manifestations seems to have been the +wild revels of St. John's Day."[138] + +[138] Pop. Science, vol. xxxv., p. 3. + + +Upon this subject Toland observes that he has seen the people of +Ireland running and leaping through the St. John's fire proud of +passing through it unsinged. Although ignorant of the origin of +this ceremony, they nevertheless regarded it as some kind of a +lustration by means of which they were to be specially blessed. + +To every domestic hearth was carried the seed of Bealtine, or St. +John's fire, which during the year was not permitted to go +out.[139] + +[139] Although the preservation of holy fire upon every hearth +was clearly a religious observance, still, as in those days there +were no matches, the material benefit to be derived from this +precaution doubtless had a significance apart from that connected +with worship. + + +According to the testimony of Tylor, the festival of John the +Baptist was celebrated in Germany down to a late date. This +writer quoting from a low German book of the year 1859, refers to +the "nod fire" which was sawed out of wood to light the St. +John's bonfire "through which the people leapt and ran and drove +their cattle." + +With regard to the worship of Fire and Light it is related that +in Jerusalem, at the present time, the Easter service is +performed by the bishop of the church emerging from a tomb with +lighted tapers "from which all crave lights." + +On the authority of Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria in the +third century, we are informed that the place in Egypt where +Christ was banished, which is called Maturea, a lamp is kept +constantly burning in remembrance of this event. Although the +story of this banishment is doubtless borrowed from the life of +the Hindoo god Crishna, the fact is evident that those who +appropriated it, and used it in furbishing the mythical history +of Christ, had no scruples against fire worship--a religion which +we have been taught to regard as belonging exclusively to the +pagans. + +In the ecclesiastical processions of the Church of Rome is +frequently to be observed the figure of a dragon, in the mouth of +which "holy and everlasting fire" is observed to be burning. A +boy follows the procession with a lighted taper, so that in case +the fire is extinguished it may be relighted. In referring to +this subject the Rev. J. B. Deane says: + +"The whole ceremony may be considered as a lively representation +of an ophite procession as it advanced through the sinuous +paralleiths of Karnak. So that no wonder the illiterate races +were deceived into thinking that there was no harm in calling +themselves Christians, for all their dear old faiths are +here--fire, arks, poles, and fire in an ark." + +Almost innumerable instances are given by various writers upon +this subject, showing that the sun worship of the ancients has +been continued to the present time by the so called followers of +Christ, in the shrines of the East, with no change even of names +to distinguish it from that of the Christian faith. By those who +have spent much time in investigating the Holy Land, it is +related that nearly all the spots in and about Jerusalem, sacred +to Greek and Romish Christians as connected with the life and +death of their risen Lord, are equally sacred to the pagans as +commemorating the life and death of their Savior--the New Sun. +Even Gethsemane is marked by characteristics which prove that it +is no less interesting to pagans, or, more properly speaking, to +the pagan followers of Christ, than it is to those of the Greek +and Romish churches. Here is a holy tree, and not far distant is +a cave of Mithras. There is also to be seen a trinity of stones +"those of Janus (Chemosh), Petros and Ion, all solar terms and +connected with the sitting or sinking down to rest of the Kuros." + +Messrs. Maundrell and Sandys, who in 1697 visited all the holy +places in and around Jerusalem, state that the entire city, but +especially the sites of Moriah, Zion, and suburbs were hotbeds of +fire and phallic worship as usually developed still in the East. + +The topography of ancient Delphi, on the site of which was built +the village of Kastri, and at which place excavations are now +being made under the direction of the American School of +Archaeology, has ever been a place of peculiar interest to the +mystic. Here are to be found all the natural features and +objects which gladden the heart and stimulate the imagination of +a solo-phallic worshipper. The holy Mt. Parnassus, the fountain +of Kastali, the deep cave said to be Pythian, and the remnants of +huge sepulchres hewn in the rocks all conspire to make of this +spot a perfect abode for the god, or goddess, of fertility. +Here, too, is a beautiful lake and near it a sacred fig-tree +which has been struck by lightning, or, "touched by holy fire." +Of this sacred place Forlong writes: + +"Christianity has never neglected this so-called Pagan shrine, +nor yet misunderstood it, if we may judge by the saint she has +located here, for Mr. Hobhouse found in the rocky chasm dipped in +the dews of Castaly, but safe in a rocky niche, a Christian +shrine; and close by a hut called the church of St. John; yea +verily of Ione, she who had once reigned here supreme; whilst on +a green plot a few yards below the basin, in a little grove of +olive trees, stood the monastery of Panhagia or Holy Virgin, so +that here we still have and beside her sacred form in the cleft, +men who have consecrated their manhood to the old Mother and +Queen of Heaven, just as if she of Syria had never been heard of. + +Doubtless they knew little of what civilized Europe calls +Christianity, for I have spent many days conversing with such +men, and seen little difference between them and those similarly +placed in the far East--fervid Christians though Greeks and +Syrians are." + +Perhaps nothing shows the extent to which the religion of the +pagans has been retained by Christianity more than does the +worship of the serpent. It has been said that this reptile +enters into every mythology extant. Ferguson is authority for +the statement that "he is to be found in the wilderness of Sinai, +the groves of Epidaurus, and in Samothracian huts." He +constitutes a prominent factor in the religious worship of India, +Assyria, Palestine, and Egypt, and, notwithstanding the fact that +he is not a native of Ireland, in an earlier age representations +of him appear in profusion among the symbols of that country. It +has been said that there is scarcely an Egyptian sculpture known +in which this reptile does not figure. The serpent whenever it +appears as a religious emblem always typifies desire--creative +energy--which, proceeding from the sun, is manifested in man and +in animals. Whether it be a veritable snake in a box, a serpent +connected with the figure of a woman, or as a carved +representation on monuments or stones, or as chains or wreaths on +columns, bas-reliefs or friezes, the signification is the same. + +The sacred character of this reptile among the Gnostics is shown +by the accounts given of their religious rites and ceremonies. +By many of these sects this holy creature was kept in a box, ark, +or chest, and when the eucharistic service was to be performed, +he was enticed forth from his resting- place by a bit of bread. +So soon as his holiness had wound himself about the offering, the +sacrifice was complete and the service was concluded by "singing +a hymn to Almighty God, and praying for acceptance in and through +the serpent." + +In later ages when the attempt was made to abolish serpent +worship from the Christian church, it was declared by the leaders +in the movement that Ophiolatry had been imported from +Persia--that it had been brought in by ignorant devotees who were +too weak to renounce their former faith.[140] + +[140] Forlong, Rivers of Life. + + +The extent to which the symbols representing Serpent, Sun, Tree, +and Plant worship are still retained as part and parcel of the +symbolism of Christianity is shown by the following report +regarding the adoption of a seal by the Presbyterian Church which +appeared in the daily press only a few years ago. + +"After the assembly opened, the committee for the selection of a +seal made a report recommending: That the general assembly hereby +adopts as its official seal the device of a serpent suspended +upon a cross, uplifted within a wilderness, in form as +represented upon the official seal of the trustees of the general +assembly, and displayed upon a circular field of the same +proportions. In addition thereto the figure of a rising sun +appearing above the margin of the wilderness, whose out-shooting +beams shall occupy the centre of the field. Further, the +decoration of a demi-wreath of two palm branches (in the form of +the wreath upon the seal of the Westminster assembly of divines), +placed around the margin of the upper hemisphere of the field; +and on the lower hemisphere of the field a demi-wreath composed +of a branch of oak united with an olive branch. Further, that the +words of the motto, 'Christus Exaltus Salvatar,' shall be +displayed in a semi-circle upon the upper part of the field, on +either side of the standard of the cross, and, encompassing the +whole in a bordure, the following words, in full or in proper +abbreviation thereof, 'The Seal of the General Assembly of the +Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.' " + +The origin of the rite of Baptism as performed at the present +time in Christian churches, may be traced directly to the worship +of the sun, within which were supposed to reside the reproductive +powers of Nature. All nations have had ceremonies corresponding +to our baptism and confirmation rites, such baptism being either +by fire or water. When we remember that for ages fertility, or +the power to reproduce, constituted the idea of the Deity, we are +not surprised to find that the original signification of the rite +of baptism had, and still has, in some of the oriental countries, +special reference to the child's sexual obligations. + +In India, the religious rites performed upon the individual occur +at birth or soon after; at betrothal, which takes place in +childhood; at puberty; at marriage, and at death. The fact will +be noticed that all sexual (spiritual) obligations and seasons +fall within the domain of priestly supervision and surveillance. +The child at baptism is dedicated to Vesta, or Hestia, the Queen +of Hearths and Homes, a divinity who is supposed to assist him in +securing the special evidence of divine favor, namely, +fruitfulness of body. + +Among Hindoos and Jews, excessive reproduction was the Lord's +mark of favor. In India there has been a special hell provided +for childless women, and with Jewesses no curse was equal to +barrenness. + +Baptism, or the ceremony connected with the naming of children in +Christian countries, is seen to be identical with that performed +in Mexico among the Aztecs. After the lips and bosom of the +infant had been sprinkled with water, the Lord was implored to +"permit the holy drops to wash away the sin that was given to it +before the foundation of the world, so that the child might be +born anew." + +Among the petitions which are offered to the Deity is the +following: "Impart to us, out of thy great mercy, thy gifts which +we are not worthy to receive through our own merit." In their +moral code appear these maxims: "Keep peace with all; bear +injuries with humility; God who sees, will avenge you." "He who +looks too curiously on a woman, commits adultery with his +eyes."[141] + +[141] Quoted by Prescott from Sahagun. Conquest of Mexico, book +i., chap 3. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM--(Continued). + +From the facts recorded in the foregoing pages, we have seen that +true Christianity was but a continuation of that great movement +which was begun in Persia seven or eight centuries before, and +whose gathering strength had been emphasized by the humane +doctrines set forth in the various schools of Greek philosophy. + +In the first century of the Christian era may be observed among +various sects, notably the Gnostics, a desire to popularize the +teachings of an ancient race, and to accentuate those principles +which had been taught by Buddha, Pythagoras, the Stoic +philosophers, the Roman jurisconsults and others. In other words +the object of the new religion was to stimulate the altruistic +characters which had been developed during the evolutionary +processes, and to strengthen and encourage the almost forgotten +principles of justice and personal liberty upon which early +society was founded, but which through ages of sensuality and +selfishness had been denied expression. + +When we remember the tenacity with which the human mind clings to +established beliefs and forms, it is not perhaps singular that in +a comparatively short time these principles were lost sight of, +and that the entire system of corrupt paganism, with Christ as +the New Solar Deity, was reinstated; neither is it remarkable, +when we reflect upon the length of time required to bring about +any appreciable change in human thought and action, that the +principles which this Great Teacher enunciated are at the present +time only just beginning to be understood. + +To one who carefully studies the history of Christianity by the +light of recently developed truths, the fact will doubtless be +discovered that the fundamental difference existing between +Catholic and Protestant sects is grounded in the old feud arising +out of the relative importance of the sex-principles. From the +days of Zoroaster to the final establishment of Christianity by +Paul, the tendency--although slight--had been toward the +elevation of woman, and consequently toward a greater +acknowledgment of the female element in the god-idea. +Considerable impetus was given to the cause of woman's +advancement through the doctrines of the various schools of +philosophy in Greece, and subsequently by the efforts put forth +by the Roman lawyers to establish their equality with men before +the law; hence, during the first hundred years of the Christian +era the "new religion" seems to have contained much of the spirit +of the ancient philosophy. + +By several of the early Christian sects, the second person in the +trinity was female, as was also the Holy Ghost. + +In a "fragment of a gospel preserved by St. Jerome, and believed +to have been from the original Aramaean Gospel of St. Matthew, +with additions, the Holy Ghost (ruach), which in Hebrew is +feminine, is called by the infant Savior, 'My Mother, the Holy +Ghost.' "[142] + +[142] Barlow, Essays on Symbolism, p. 135. + + +The mission of Christ was that of a Regenerator of mankind, an +office which had been symbolized by the powers of the sun. He +was to restore that which was lost. He attempted to teach to the +masses of the people the long neglected principles of purity and +peace. He did not condemn woman. He was baptized by John (Ion +or Yon) in water, the original symbol for the female element, and +while in the water; the Holy Ghost in form of a dove (female) +descended upon him. To those who have given attention to the +symbolism of the pagan worship these facts are not without +signification. + +Because of the peculiar tendency of Christ's teachings women soon +became active factors in their promulgation. If there were no +other evidence to show that they publicly taught the new +doctrines, the injunction of St. Paul, "I suffer not a woman to +teach," would seem to imply that they were not silent. + +The doctrines of the Gnostics were particularly favorable to +women. Marcellina, who belonged to this order, was the founder +of a sect called Marcelliens. Of her works Waite observes: "It +would scarcely be expected that the heretical writings of a woman +would be preserved amid such wholesale slaughter of the obnoxious +works of the opposite sex. The writings of Marcellina have +perished."[143] Not only did women teach publicly, and write, but +according to Bunsen they claimed the privilege of baptizing their +own sex. The reason for this is evident. Before baptism it was +customary for the newly-made converts to strip and be anointed +with oil. After the establishment of Paul's doctrines, however, +"the bishops and presbyters did not care to be relieved from the +pleasant duty of baptizing the female converts."[144] + +[143] History of the Christian Religion, p. 405. + +[144] Ibid., p. 23. + + +Although the utmost care has been exercised to conceal the fact +that women equally with men, performed the offices connected with +the early church, yet by those who have paid attention to the +true history of this movement, there can be no doubt about the +matter. Notwithstanding the early tendencies of the "new +religion" toward the recognition of women, and toward the +restoration of the female principle in the Deity, the policy to +be pursued by the church was soon apparent, for Paul, the real +founder of the system calling itself Christian, and a man imbued +with Asiatic prejudices concerning women, arrogantly declared +that "man is the head of woman as Christ is the head of the +Church." Women were commanded to be under obedience. Neither +was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man; +thus was re-established and emphasized the absurd doctrine of the +Lingaites, that the male is an independent entity, that he is +spirit and superior to the female which is matter. After this +indication of the policy to be pursued under the new regime, it +would scarcely be expected that theefforts put forth by the +various sects among the Gnostics toreinstate the female element +either on the earth or in heavenwould be successful, and as might +be anticipated from the factsalready adduced, as early as the +year 325, at the council of Nice, a male trinity was formally +established, and soon thereafter, the Collylidians, a sect which +rigorously persisted in the adoration of the female principle, +were condemned. At the council of Laodicea, A.D. 365, the 11th +canon forbade the ordination of women for the ministry and the +44th canon prohibited them from entering the altar. + +The devotees of female worship, although for a time silenced, +were evidently not convinced, and to force their understanding +into conformity with the newly established order, the Nestorians, +in the year 430 A. D., reopened the old dispute, and formally +denied to Mary the title of Mother of God. Their efforts, +however, were of little avail, for in the year 451, at the +council of Ephesus, the third general council, the decision of +the Nestorians was reversed and the Virgin Mother reinstated. +Upon this subject Barlow remarks: "Well might those who made this +symbolical doctrine what it now is, at length desire to do tardy +justice to the female element, by promoting the mother to the +place once occupied by the Egyptian Neith, and crowning her Queen +of Heaven."[145] The fact will doubtless be observed, however, +that by the Romish Church the idea of the god-mother differs +widely from the Queen of Heaven--the original God of the +ancients. Mary the Mother of Jesus is not a Creator, but simply +a mediator between her Son and His earthly devotees--a doctrine +only a trifle less masculine in texture than that of an Almighty +Father and his victimized son. The worship of Mary was adopted +by the so-called Christians in response to a craving in the human +heart for a recognition of those characters developed in mankind +which may be said to contain the germ of the divine. The +masculine god of the Jews was feared not loved, and his son had +already been invested with his attributes. He was all powerful, +hence a mediator, a mother, was necessary to intercede in behalf +of fallen man, and this, too, notwithstanding the fact that woman +had become the "cause of evil in the world." + +[145] Essays on Symbolism, p. 134. + + +The Great Goddess of the ancients, Perceptive Wisdom, the Deity +of giving, she who represented the purely altruistic characters +developed in mankind, and whose worship involved a scientific +knowledge of the processes of Nature, when engrafted upon the +so-called Christian system, although indicating an important step +toward the recognition of the genuine creative principles, was +not understood. Although her effigies were brought from the East +and made to do duty as representations of Mary, the Mother of +Christ, a knowledge of her true significance lay hurled beneath +ages of sensuality and selfishness. + +By those who have made it their business to investigate this +subject, it is observed that there is scarcely an old church in +Italy in which there is not to be found a remnant of a black +virgin and child. In very many instances these black virgins +have been replaced by white ones, the older figures having been +retired to some secluded niche in the church where they are held +especially sacred by the ignorant devotees who know absolutely +nothing of their original significance. We are assured that many +of these images have been painted over, ostensibly in imitation +of bronze, but the whites of the eyes, the teeth, and colored +lips reveal the fact that they are really not intended to +represent bronze, but figures of a black virgin goddess and child +whose worship has been imported into Europe from the East. I had +been told that one of the oldest of these images extant was to be +found in Augsburg; a thorough search, however, in all the +churches and cathedrals of that city failed to reveal it, but in +the museum at Munich such a figure is to be seen. It is in a +state of decay, one arm of the mother and a portion of the +child's figure being worn away. Upon this subject Godfrey +Higgins remarks: + +"If the author had wished to invent a circumstance to corroborate +the assertion that the Romish Christ of Europe is the Crishna of +India, how could he have desired anything more striking than the +fact of the black virgin and child being so common in the Romish +countries of Europe? A black virgin and child among the white +Germans, Swiss, French, and Italians!!!"[146] + +[146] Anacalypsis, book iv., ch. i., p. 175. + + +We have observed that during an earlier age in the history of +religious worship, as the female was supposed to comprehend both +the female and male elements in creation, a belief in the +possible creative power of the female independently of the male +was everywhere entertained, and that after the schismatic faction +arose which endeavored to exalt the male, the production of a son +by a woman unaided by man, was among the Yonigas to be the sign +which would forever settle the question of the superior +importance of the female functions in the processes of +reproduction, and consequently, also, her claim to the greater +importance in the deity. + +The sacred books of India show that from a former belief in one +or the other of the two creative principles throughout Nature as +God, the people had come to accept both female and male as +necessary elements in reproduction, the latter being the more +important. In course of time this change seems to have been +universal and to have extended to all the countries of the globe. + +As the male could not create independently of the female, or, as +spirit was dependent on matter for its manifestations, there +arose a necessity for a Savior to redeem man from the evil +effects arising from his relations with woman who was regarded as +matter, and who in course of time became the cause of evil. + +Concerning the doctrines which prevailed in the earlier ages of +Christianity relative to the ancient dual principle in creation, +and regarding the offices which were performed by the two +elements, male and female, in the deity, we have the following +from Justinus, who is said to have been contemporary with Peter +and Paul: + +"When Elohim had prepared and created the world as a result from +joint pleasure, He wished to ascend up to the elevated parts of +heaven, and to see that not anything of what pertained to the +creation laboured under deficiency. And He took His Own angels +with Him, for His nature was to mount aloft, leaving Edem below; +for inasmuch as she was earth, she was not disposed to follow +upward her spouse. Elohim, then, coming to the highest part of +heaven above and beholding a light superior to that which He +himself had created, exclaimed: 'Open me the gates, that entering +in I may acknowledge the Lord.' " + +As he enters the Good One addresses him in the following manner: +"Sit thou on my right hand." Then the soaring male principle +says to the Good One "permit me Lord to overturn the world which +I have made, for my spirit is bound to men." To which the Good +One replies: "No evil canst thou do while thou art with me, for +both thou and Edem made the world as a result of conjugal joy. +Permit Edem then, to hold possession of the world as long as she +wishes; but you remain with me." While the father is drawn away +from earth to Heaven, Edem, in the meantime is bringing woes +innumerable upon man. Naas, who has received his evil nature +from her, and who is a child of the Devil, has debauched Eve, +"Henceforward vice and virtue are prevalent among men." The +Father seeing these things dispatches Baruch his third angel to +Moses, and through him spake to the children of Israel, that they +might be converted unto the Good One. But the third angel, Naas, +by the soul of which came from Edem upon Moses, as also upon all +men, observed the precepts of Baruch, and caused his own peculiar +injunctions to be hearkened unto. + +Again, after these occurrences Baruch, the angel of the Good One, +was sent to the prophets to warn them against the wiles of Edem, +but in the same manner Nass, the Devil, enticed them away, they +being allured by him to their own destruction. Again Elohim +selected Hercules, an uncircumcised prophet, and sent him to +quell the disturbance caused by Naas or Edem and to release the +Father from their power. + +"These are the twelve conflicts of Hercules which He underwent, +in order, from first to last, viz.: Lion, and Hydra, and Boar, +and the others successively. For they say that these are the +names of them among the Gentiles, and they have been derived, +with altered denomination, from the energy of the maternal +angels. When he seemed to have vanquished his antagonists, +Omphale (now she is Venus) clings to him and entices away +Hercules, and divests him of his power, viz.: the commands of +Baruch which Elohim issued. And in place of this power Babel, or +Venus, envelops him in her own peculiar robe, that is, in the +power of Edem, who is the power below; and in this way the +prophecy of Hercules remained unfulfilled and his work." + +As men were still bound by the power of Edem, or the Devil, in +the days of Herod the king, Baruch was again dispatched by +Elohim, and coming to Nazareth delivered his message to Jesus, +son of Joseph and Mary. Nass, who, as we have seen, was the evil +spirit in Edem, wished to entice away Jesus also. He was not, +however, disposed to listen but remained faithful to Baruch. +Naas, overcome by anger at not being able to seduce him, caused +him to be crucified. + +"He, leaving the body of Edem on the accursed tree, ascended to +the Good One; saying to Edem, 'Woman, thou retainest thy Son,' +that is, the natural and the earthly man. But Jesus himself +commending his spirit into the hands of the Father, ascended to +the Good One. Now the Good One is Priapus, and he it is who +antecedently caused the production of everything that exists. On +this account he is styled Priapus, because he previously +fashioned all things according to his design. For this reason, +he says, in every temple is preserved his statue, which is +revered by every creature; and there are images of him in the +highways carrying over his head ripened fruits, that is, the +produce of the creation, of which he is the cause, having in the +first instance formed, according to his design, the creation, +when as yet it had no existence."[147] + +[147] Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies, book v., p. 188. + + +Thus the fact is observed not only that in the time of Paul, +phallic worship still existed, but by the writings of Justinus +and others is shown the manner in which the doctrine that woman +is the cause of evil in the world became formulated and adopted +as part and parcel of the Christian belief. + +Staniland Wake, director of the anthropological society of +London, when commenting on the obscene myths upon which the +Christian religion rests, remarks: + +"The fundamental basis of Christianity is more purely phallic +than that of any other religion now existing, and its emotional +nature . . . shows how intimately it was related to the older +faiths which had a phallic basis." + +After stating that the myth of creation and that of the flood +have their exact counterpart in India, the Rev. Mr. Faber +remarks that "there is no rite or ceremony directed in the +Pentateuch of which there is not an exact copy in the rites of +the pagans." + +The Christian doctrines as established by Paul, and afterwards +formulated into a system by the Romish Church, were adopted by +the ignorant multitude who, being incapable of understanding the +higher principles involved, accepted the allegories beneath which +were veiled the ancient mysteries literally, and as the highest +expression of divine wisdom. Hence the comparatively recent +observation that the "new religion was eventually but the +gathering in of the superstitions of paganism" is a matter of +little surprise to those who have carefully examined the facts +connected with the growth of religious faith. + +Under the new regime Christ became the New Solar Deity and round +him were finally ranged all the myths of Solo-phallic worship +which had prevailed under the adoration of Crishna at a time when +the higher truths underlying pure Nature-worship had been +forgotten. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND. + +According to the accounts in the New Testament, the wise men of +the East, meaning Persia, had foretold the coming of Christ. The +fulfilment of the ancient Persian prophecy as applied to Jesus, +together with the reference to the "star" which the Maji saw, and +which went before them till it came and stood over where the +young child lay, furnishes a striking illustration of the manner +in which Eastern legends and ancient sacred writings are +interwoven with the doctrines relating to Christianity. + +In the sacred books of the East it is prophesied that "after +three thousand and one hundred years of the Caligula are elapsed, +will appear King Saca to remove wretchedness from the world." We +have seen that at the birth of Christ the time had arrived for a +new solar incarnation. + +Regarding the introduction of Christianity into Ireland it is +claimed by certain writers that the Irish did not receive the +"new religion" from Greek missionaries; but when at the close of +the cycle, a new solar deity, an avatar of Vishnu or Crishna was +announced, and when missionaries from the East proclaimed the +glad tidings of a risen Savior, the Irish people gladly accepted +their teachings, not, however, as a new system, but as the +fulfilment to them of the prophecy of the most ancient seers of +the East, and as part and parcel of the religion of their +forefathers. Therefore when the devotees of the Romish faith, +probably about the close of the fifth century of the Christian +era, attempted to "convert" Ireland, they found a religion +differing from their own only in the fact that it was not subject +to Rome, and was free from the many corruptions and superstitions +which through the extreme ignorance and misapprehension of its +Western adherents had been engrafted upon it. + +Concerning the form of religious worship in Great Britain, and +the fact that phallic worship prevailed there, Forlong writes: +"The generality of our countrymen have no conception of the +overruling prevalence of this faith, and the number of its +lingham gods throughout our Islands." These symbols were always +in the form of an obelisk or tower, thereby indicating the +worship of the male energy. Although emblems of the female +element in the deity were present, they were less pronounced and +of far less importance than those of the male. + +These monuments were erected on knolls, at crossroads and centers +of marts or villages, and were placed on platforms which were +usually raised from five to seven steps. A few years ago the +shires of Gloucester, Wilts, and Somerset still claimed over two +hundred of these crosses, though all of them were not at that +time in a perfect state of preservation. + +It would seem that in Britain and Ireland the seed of the "new" +doctrine, that which involved a recognition of the mother element +in the god-idea, had fallen on more congenial soil, for within +three centuries after the birth of Christ, the various original +monuments typifying the male principle had all been ornamented +with the symbols representing the female in the deity. The +ancient religious structures of the Lingaites still continued as +recognized faith shrines, changed only by the emblems of the new +religion which had been engrafted upon them. + +The earliest Greek and Roman missionaries knew full well the +significance of these symbols, and we are given to understand +that "a few of the more spiritual of the Christian sects made war +upon them and all their ephemeral substitutes, such as Maypoles, +holy-trees, real crosses, etc." It is declared also that, as +"later" Christians were unacquainted with the significance of +these emblems, "they adopted them as their own, employing them as +the mystic signs of their own faith." + +Although the earliest Greek and Roman missionaries understood the +signification of these faith shrines, the complaints against them +seem soon to have ceased, and the "fierce wars" waged over them +appear to have left little trace of their ravages, except that +the female emblems with which these monuments had been supplied +by those who had received the new faith direct from the East, +were all removed. As the male monuments and symbols were all +permitted to remain undisturbed, this fact of itself would seem +to indicate that the "pagan abominations" against which these +pious devotees of a "spiritual religion" thundered their +denunciations, included only the female emblems. + +The fact must be borne in mind that the Western Church, which was +rapidly usurping the ecclesiastical authority of Britain and +Ireland, had not itself at this time adopted the worship of the +Virgin Mary. + +A set of iconoclastic monks whom the Christian world is pleased +to designate as St. Patrick, and who probably early in the fifth +century of our era amused themselves by chiseling from the Irish +monuments many of the symbols of the female power, removed also +the figures of serpents which had for ages appeared in connection +with the emblems of woman, and by this act won the plaudits of an +admiring Christian world; chiefly, however, for the skill +manifested in "banishing snakes from Ireland." In addition to +this dignified amusement, we find that the same person or set of +persons ordered to be burned hundreds of volumes of the choicest +Irish literature, volumes which contained the annals of the +ancient Irish nation, and in which, it is believed, was stored +much actual information concerning the remote antiquity of the +human race. + +The extent to which the worship of the male emblems of generation +prevailed in the Christian Church even as late as the 16th +century, proves that it was not the particular symbols connected +with the worship of fertility upon which the Western Christian +missionaries made war, but, on the contrary, that it was the +recognition by them of that detested female element against +which, even before the erection of the Tower of Babel, there had +been almost a constant warfare. The rites of Potin, or Photin, +Bishop of Lyons, who was honored in Provence, Languedoc and the +Lyonais as St. Fontin, also the rites performed in many of the +Christian Churches as late as the 16th century, prove that the +devotees of the Christian system were not at this time a whit +behind their Pagan predecessors in their zeal for "heathen +abominations." The only difference being that the Druids, a +people who still retained a faint conception of ancient Nature +worship, had not become entirely divested of the purer ideas +which in an earlier age of the race had constituted a creative +force. + +That the war of the sexes was revived, and that for many +centuries much strife was engendered over the exact importance +which should be ascribed to the female element in the Deity may +not be doubted. + +An ancient homily on Trinity Sunday has the following: "At the +deth of a manne, three bells should be ronge as his kuyl in +worship of the Trinitie, and for a woman, who was the Second +Person of the Trinitie two bells should be ronge." Upon this +subject Hargrave Jennings remarks: "Here we have the source of +the emblematic difficulty among the master masons who constructed +the earlier cathedrals, as to the addition, and as to the precise +value of the second (or feminine) tower of the Western end or +Galilee of the Church."[148] + +[148] Rosicrucians, vol. i., p. 206. + + +The fact that the religion of the ancient Irish, who, were +phallic worshippers, was modified but not radically changed by +the introduction of Christianity, is believed by at least one of +the Irish historians of that country. He says: + +"The church festivals themselves, in our Christian calendar, are +but the direct transfers from the Tuath-de-danaans' ritual. +Their very names in Irish are identically the same as those by +which they were distinguished by that early race. If, therefore, +surprise has heretofore been excited at the conformity observable +between our church institutions and those of the East, let it in +future subside at the explicit announcement that Christianity, +with us, was the revival of a religion imported amongst us many +ages before by the Tuath-de-danaans from the East, and not from +any chimerical inundation of Greek missionaries--a revival upon +which their hearts were lovingly riveted, and which Fiech, the +Bishop of Sletty, unconsciously registers in the following +couplet, viz.: + + "The Buddhists of Irin prophesied + That new times of peace would come."[149] + +[149] The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 493. + + +The conditions surrounding the ancient inhabitants of the "White +Island," or Ireland, a remnant of which people may be observed in +the Highlanders of Scotland, furnish an example of the fact that +a much higher standard of life had been preserved among them than +is known to have prevailed either among the Jews or the Greeks. +The comparatively advanced stage of progress which is now known +to have existed in Ireland at the beginning of the present era, +which even the bigotry and falsehood of Roman priestcraft have +not been able wholly to conceal, is seen to have been a somewhat +corrupted remnant of a civilization which followed closely on +ancient Nature worship.[150] + +[150] It is thought by certain writers that when the Tuath-de- +danaans emigrated from Persia to the "White Island" they found it +inhabited by the Fir-Bolgs, a colony of Celts. After conquering +the island they engrafted upon it the religion, laws, learning +and culture of the mother country. In a later age the Scythians, +whose religion was similar to that of the Fir-Bolgs, united with +them and succeeded in making themselves masters of the situation. + +Hence the intermingling of races and tongues among the ancient +Irish. The Druids adopted, or appropriated, the religion and +culture of the Tuath-de-danaans, who, it is claimed, were the +real Hibernians. The Scythians changed the name of Irin to +Scotia--the latter being retained until the 11th century. +According to the annals of the ancient Irish, Scotland was +formerly called Scotia Minor to distinguish it from Scotia Major, +or Ireland. + + +Because of their isolated position, or for some cause at present +unknown, these people do not seem to have degenerated into a +nation of sensualists. It is true they had departed a long +distance from the early conditions of mankind under which +altruism and the abstract principle of Light or Wisdom were +worshipped under the form of a Virgin Mother and her child, but +they never wholly rejected the female element in their god-idea, +nor never, so far as known, attempted to degrade womanhood. +Women were numbered among their legislators, at the same time +that they officiated as educators and priestesses. In fact +wherever the Druidical order prevailed women exerted a powerful +influence in all departments of human activity. Among the +Germans, Valleda, a Druidess, was for ages worshipped as a deity. + +It is recorded that St. Bridget planted a monastery for women at +Kildare and entrusted to its inmates the keeping of the sacred +fire, and that in later times the Asiatic missionaries founded +there a female monkish order. After the establishment of Western +Christianity, however, no woman was permitted to enter into the +monasteries, and we are assured that this ridiculous affectation +of purity was extended even to the grave. During the earlier +ages of Christianity, in many portions of Ireland there were +cemeteries for men and women distinct from each other. "It had +been a breach of chastity for monks and nuns to be interred +within the same enclosure. They should fly from temptations +which they could not resist." + +Although volumes have been written to prove that Christianity was +carried to Britain by Paul, and although the energies of scores +of Romish writers have been employed in attempting to prove that +Ireland was in heathen darkness prior to its conversion by the +priests of the Romish Church, yet these efforts so vigorously put +forward seem only to strengthen the evidence going to show that +the Christianity of the British Isles antedates that of either +Paul or Rome. + +According to Scripture, Claudia, the wife of the Senator Pudens +of Britain, was a Christian,[151] as was also Graecina, the wife +of Plautus, who was governor of Britain in the first century. +The latter, it is related, was accused before the Roman senate of +"practicing some foreign superstition." Although Lingard, in his +History and Antiquities of the Anglo-Saxon Church, has endeavored +to annul the force of the evidence which places two Christian +women from Britain in Rome during the first century of our era, +he is nevertheless constrained to use the following language: "We +are, indeed, told that history has preserved the names of two +British females, Claudia and Pomponia Graecina, both of them +Christians, and both living in the first century of our +era."[152] + +[151] 2 Timothy, iv., 21. + +[152] Vol. i., p. 1. + + + +According to the Romanists, between the years 177-181 of the +Christian era, a British king named Lucius sent a messenger to +the authorities at Rome, with a request that he with his people +be admitted into the bosom of the "Holy Catholic Church." By +those not prejudiced in favor of the Romish hierarchy, this bit +of amusing "evidence" shows the anxiety manifested lest the facts +concerning the religious history of the British Isles become +known. Regarding this embassy of King Lucius there is an extant +version which is far more in accordance with reason and with the +known facts concerning this people. + +When we remember the advanced stage of civilization which existed +in Ireland prior to the Christian era, and when we bear in mind +the fact that, as in the case of Abarras mentioned by various +Greek writers, the people of the British Isles were wont to send +emissaries abroad for the sole purpose of gathering information +relative to foreign laws, customs, usages, manners, and modes of +instruction, we are not surprised to learn that the message to +Rome sent by Lucius, instead of containing a request for +admission to a foreign church, embodied an enquiry into the +fundamental principles underlying Roman jurisprudence; and +especially does this appear reasonable when we remember that the +remodeling of the Roman code on principles of equity and justice +had for several centuries employed the energies of the best minds +in Rome. + +Concerning the planting of Christianity in Ireland, we have the +following from Ledwich: + +"Thus Bishop Lawrence in Bede tells us Pope Gregory sent him and +Austin to preach the Gospel in Britain, as if it never before had +been heard, whereas the latter met seven British Bishops who +nobly opposed him. In like manner Pope Adrian commissioned Henry +II. to enlarge the bounds of the church, and plant the faith in +Ireland, when it had already been evangelized for eight hundred +years. The faith to be planted was blind submission to Rome and +the annual payment of Peter's pence."[153] + +[153] Antiquities of Ireland, p. 78. + + +Of the exact time at which Romish and Greek missionaries first +went to Ireland we are not informed, but there is ample evidence +going to prove that a regular hierarchy had been established in +that island before the beginning of the fifth century, and that +this religion which had been brought in through the efforts of +missionaries from the East was, by the legendary writers of the +later Christian Church, ascribed to Romish monks. + +The Jealousy of the Romish priests, and the means employed by +them to usurp the ecclesiastical authority of the Irish people, +is shown in the history of their councils. The 5th canon of the +Council of Ceale-hythe requires + +"that none of Irish extraction be permitted to usurp to himself +the sacred ministry in any one's diocese, nor let it be allowed +such an one to touch anything which belongs to those of the holy +order. . . .; neither must he administer the eucharist to the +people because we are not certain how or by whom he was +ordained." + +After quoting the above Ledwich queries thus: If St. Patrick had +been a missionary of the Romish Church, would the Anglo-Saxon +clergy have abjured the spiritual children of that see? In the +year 670 Theodoret, Archbishop of Canterbury, decreed that they +who were consecrated by Irish or British Bishops should be +confirmed anew by Catholic ones.[154] + +[154] Ledwich, Antiquities of Ireland, p. 81. + + +It is observed that as early as the fourth century A.D. there +were three hundred bishops in Ireland, and to account for so +large a number, it is declared that ignorant legendary writers +had recourse to the fable of St. Patrick. + +The remarkable "conversion" of the Irish to Romish Christianity, +which it is said took place in the latter part of the fourth +century or the beginning of the fifth, is to be explained by the +fact that a number of Romish priests or monks which in later ages +came to be designated as St. Patrick, claimed all the +monasteries, bishops, and priests already there as a result of +the remarkable power and pious zeal of this miracle-working +saint. It is claimed that St. Patrick founded over three +thousand monasteries, consecrated three hundred bishops, and +ordained three thousand priests. + +According to Ledwich and other writers, this St. Patrick was not +heard of earlier than the ninth century A.D., and the legend +concerning him "was not accepted until the twelfth century, at +which time his miracles are set forth with great gusto." + +Nothing, perhaps, which is recorded of this monk will go farther +toward proving him a myth than the miracles ascribed to his +saintship. + +While yet an infant he raised the dead, brought forth fire from +ice, expelled a devil from a heifer, caused a new river to appear +from the earth, and changed water into honey. + +"These were but the infant sports of this wonder-working saint. +The miracles recorded in holy writ, even that of creation itself, +are paralleled, and, if possible, surpassed by those of our +spiritual hero."[155] + +[155] Ledwich, Antiquities of Ireland. + + +Concerning St. Patrick, Forlong writes: + +"Various Patricks followed from Britain and Armorika, but even +the Catholic priest, J. F. Shearman, writes that he is forced to +give up the idea that there ever was a real St. Patrick. Thus +the name must be accepted only in its Fatherly sense, and with +the fall of the man Patrick all the miraculous and sudden +conversions of the kings, lords, and commons of Ireland must +vanish."[156] + +[156] Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 417. + + +The Irish Church bishoprics differed from the Romish in that they +were held by hereditary succession, after the custom of ancient +nations. All bishops were married. + +Prior to the introduction of the Christian system in Ireland the +Sabian ceremonial had been succeeded by the Druidical, upon which +had been engrafted that of the Culdees, and notwithstanding the +fact that the Romish Church gradually usurped the ecclesiastical +functions in Ireland, the last named people who for ages had been +regarded as the depositaries of the ancient faith and the ancient +system of laws, were highly respected by the people for their +sanctity and learning. Many of the Greek and Roman writers who +have dealt with this subject agree in ascribing to the Druids a +high degree of scientific knowledge and mechanical skill. The +principles of justice set forth in their judicial system, their +love of learning, and the standard attained in the sciences and +arts, prove the early people of Ireland to have been equal if not +superior to any of the early historic nations. + +In referring to the number and magnitude of the monumental +remains in Ireland, and while commenting on the mechanical skill +of the Druids, the Rev. Smedley says: + +"I was present at the erection of the Luxor Obelisk in Paris, and +yet I think that I would have felt greater emotion if I had +witnessed the successful performance of the old Celtic engineer +who placed on its three pedestals of stone the enormous rock +which constitutes the Druidical altar here at Castle May." + +It is believed that this people understood the art of mining and +that they were acquainted with the use of iron. The following is +an extract from one of Hamilton's letters on the Antrim coast: + +"About the year 1770 the miners, in pushing forward an adit +toward the bed of coal, at an unexplored part of the Ballycastle +cliff, unexpectedly broke through the rock into a narrow passage, +so much contracted and choked up with various drippings and +deposits on its sides and bottom, as rendered it impossible for +any of the workmen to force through, that they might examine it +farther. Two lads were, therefore, made to creep in with +candles, for the purpose of exploring this subterranean avenue. +They accordingly pressed forward for a considerable time, with +much labor and difficulty, and at length entered into an +extensive labyrinth branching off into numerous apartments, in +the mazes and windings of which they were completely bewildered +and lost. After various vain attempts to return, their lights +were extinguished, their voices became hoarse, and, becoming +wearied and spiritless, they sat down together, in utter despair +of an escape from this miserable dungeon. In the meanwhile, the +workmen in the adit became alarmed for their safety, fresh hands +were incessantly employed, and, in the course of twenty-four +hours, the passage was so open as to admit the most active among +the miners . . . On examining this subterranean wonder, it was +found to be a complete gallery, which had been driven forward +many hundred yards to the bed of coal: that it branched off into +numerous chambers, where miners had carried on their different +works: that these chambers were dressed in a workmanlike manner: +that pillars were left at proper intervals to support the roof. +In short it was found to be an extensive mine, wrought by people +at least as expert in the business as the present generation. +Some remains of the tools, and even of the baskets used in the +works, were discovered, but in such a decayed state that, on +being touched, they immediately crumbled to pieces. From the +remains which were found, there is reason to believe that the +people who wrought these collieries anciently, were acquainted +with the use of iron, some small pieces of which were found; it +appeared as if some of their instruments had been thinly shod +with that metal." + +Through various means the fact has been ascertained that although +in the sixth century the buildings in Ireland were mean and +wholly without artistic merit or skilful design, in an earlier +age they were magnificent. Of the causes which produced the +decay of architecture, the extinction of the arts and sciences, +and the general degradation of the people of this island the +devotees of St. Paul and of the Romish Church are alike silent. + +For ages after the subjection of Ireland, in open defiance of the +English, the people continued to dispense justice, and to enforce +the old Brehon laws of the country. + +The lack of regard shown for English law in Ireland, even as late +as the sixteenth century, is set forth by Baron Fingles, who +wrote in the time of Henry VIII. He says: + +"It is a great abuse and reproach that the laws and statutes made +in this land are not observed nor kept after the making of them +eight days, while diverse Irishmen cloth abuse and keep such laws +and statutes which they make upon hills in this country, firm and +stable, without breaking them for any favor or reward." + +By a statute of Parliament enacted at Kilkenny, it was made high +treason to administer or observe these old Brehon laws. The two +enactments especially obnoxious to the English were Gahail Cinne, +and Eiric. The former of these enactments was that which in +opposition to the English law of primogeniture declared that the +estate of a parent should descend in equal proportion to all +members of the family. There was another law, or custom, among +this people, which provided that the chief of the tribe or people +should be elected by general suffrage. + +We have something more than a hint of the condition of ancient +Ireland and its people in a description given by the Greeks of +one of its inhabitants. Abarras, who visited Greece about six +hundred years before Christ, and who was called by the Greeks a +Hyperborean, was a priest of the Sun, who went abroad for the +purpose of study and observation, and to renew by his presence +and his gifts the old friendship which had long existed between +the Celts and the Greeks. Strabo remarks concerning Abarras that +he was much admired by the learned men of Greece. Himerius says +of him that he came + +"not clad in skins like a Scythian, but with a bow in his hand, +and a quiver on his shoulders and a plaid wrapped about his body, +a gilded belt encircled his loins, and trousers reaching from his +waist downward to the soles of his feet. He was easy in his +address, agreeable in conversation, active in dispatch and secret +in the management of great affairs; quick in judging of present +occurrences, and ready to take his part in any sudden emergency; +provident, withal, in guarding against futurity; diligent in +quest of wisdom, fond of friendship; trusting very little to +fortune; yet having the entire confidence of others, and trusted +with everything for his prudence. He spoke Greek with so much +fluency that you would have thought that he had been bred or +brought up in the Lyceum and had conversed all his life with the +Academy of Athens. He had frequent intercourse with Pythagoras +whom he astonished by the variety and extent of his knowledge." + +From the descriptions given of the native country of Abarras by +the Greeks, it is evident that it could have been none other than +Ireland. + +Although at this time in their history, Apollo the sun-god was +the Deity worshipped in Greece and in Ireland, still both nations +honored Latona his mother. The same as in the mother country +(Persia, or Phoenicia), the oracles, or sybils of Ireland, had +prophesied a "Savior," and three hundred years before Greek +emissaries visited that country, its people, through the +preaching of Eastern missionaries, had substituted for the +worship of Latona and Apollo that of the new solar +incarnation--the third son of Zarathustra, whose appearance had +been heralded by a star. + +The identity of the symbols used by the early people of Ireland +who were sun worshippers, and those employed in that country for +ages after the Romish Church had usurped the ecclesiastical +authority, has been a subject for much comment. After describing +the peculiar form of the early Christian Churches and the +attention paid to the placing of the windows which were to admit +the sun's rays, Smedley says: "It is possible, in an age of +allegory and figures, this combination and variety expressed some +sacred meaning with which we are unacquainted at present." + +The similarity observed in the sacred festivals and religious +seasons of the ancient inhabitants of Ireland and those of the +early Christians, the extent to which large stone crosses, +lighted candles, the yule log and the various other symbols +belonging to fertility, or sun worship, were retained by +Christianity, furnish strong evidence of the fact that the latter +system is but part and parcel of the former. + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +STONES OR COLUMNS AS THE DEITY. + +"Throughout all the world, the first object of idolatry seems to +have been a plain unwrought stone, placed in the ground as an +emblem of the generative or procreative powers of Nature."[157] + +[157] Celtic Druids, ch. vi., p. 209. + + +In the language of symbolism the upright stone prefigures either +a man, reproductive energy, or a god, all of which at a certain +stage in the human career had come to mean one and the same +thing; namely, the Creator. + +In the earlier ages of male worship, upright stones as emblems of +the Deity were plain unwrought shafts, but in process of time +they began to be carved into the form of a man--a man who usually +represented the ruler or chief of the people, and who, as he was +the source of all power and wisdom, was supposed by the ignorant +masses to be an incarnation of the sun. Thus arose the spiritual +power of monarchs, or the "divine right of kings." + +Wherever obelisks, columns, pillars, attenuated spires, upright +stones or crosses at the intersection of roads are found, they +always appear as sacred monuments, or as symbols of the Lingham +god. + +The Chaldean Tower of which there are extant traditions in Mexico +and in the South Sea Islands; the Round Towers of Ireland; the +remarkable group of stones known as Stonehenge, in England; the +wonderful circle at Abury through which the figure of a huge +serpent was passed; the monuments which throughout the nations of +the East were set up at the intersection of roads in the center +of market- places, and the bowing stones employed as oracles in +various portions of the world, have all the same signification, +and proclaim the peculiar religion of the people who worshipped +them. + +Whether as among the Jews in Egypt, a pillar is set up as a +"sign" and a "witness" to the Lord, or whether as with the +Mohammedans these figures appear as minarets with egg shaped +summits, or as among the Irish they stand forth as stately towers +defying time and the elements, or as among the Christians they +appear as the steeple which points towards heaven, the symbol +remains, and the original significance is the same. + +The Lord of the Israelites who was wont to manifest himself to +his chosen people in a "pillar of smoke by day" and a "pillar of +fire by night" is said to be none other than a reproductive +emblem, as was also the "Lord" which "reposed in the ark of the +covenant." Monuments set up to symbolize the religion of the +Parsees or fire-worshippers after they had succumbed to the +pressure brought to bear upon them by the adorers of the male +principle were each and all of them, like their great prototype +the tower of Babel, typical of the universal creative power which +was worshipped as male. + +Notwithstanding the fact that the male energy had come to be +recognized as the principal factor in reproduction, it is +observed that wherever these monuments or other symbols of +fertility appear, there is always to be found in close connection +with them certain emblems symbolical of the female power; thus +showing that although the people by whom they were erected had +become worshippers of the masculine principle, and although they +had persuaded themselves that it was the more important element +in the deity, they had not become so regardless of the truths of +Nature as to attempt to construct a Creator independently of its +most essential factor. + +Protestant Christianity, probably the most intensely masculine of +all religious schemes which have claimed the attention of man, +has not wittingly retained any of the detested female emblems, +yet so deeply has the older symbolism taken root, that even in +the architecture of the modern Protestant church with its +ark-shaped nave and its window toward the rising sun, may be +detected the remnants of that early worship which the devotees of +this more recently developed form of religious faith so piously +ignore. + +The large number of upright columns, circles of stone, cromlechs +and cairns still extant in the British Isles, bears testimony to +the peculiar character of the religious worship which once +prevailed in them. Of these shrines perhaps none is more +remarkable than that of Stonehenge, in England. Although during +the numberless ages which have passed since this temple was +erected many of the stones have fallen from their original +places, still by the light of more recently established facts +concerning religious symbolism, it has been possible, even under +its present condition of decay, for scholars to unravel the +hitherto mysterious significance of this remarkable structure. +Stonehenge is composed of four circles of mammoth upright shafts +twenty feet high, the one circle within the other, with immense +stones placed across them like architraves. + +In ancient symbolism the circle was the emblem of eternity, or of +the eternal female principle. Mountains were also sacred to the +gods. It has been said that a ring of mountains gave rise to +these circular temples. Faber assures us that a circular stone +temple was called the circle of the world or the circle of the +ark, that it represented at once the inclosure of the Noetic +Ship; the egg from which creation was produced; the earth, and +the zodiacal circle of the universe in which the sun performs its +annual revolutions through the signs. Stonehenge is said to be +the temple of the water god Noah, who, as we have seen, was first +worshipped as half woman and half fish or serpent, but who +finally came to be regarded as a man serpent (or fish) Deity. + +On approaching Stonehenge from the Northeast, the first object +which engages the attention is a rude boulder, sixteen feet high, +in a leaning posture. This stone has been named the Friar's +Heel, but until recently its signification has been wholly +unknown. + +Regarding the upright shaft which stands sentinel over the +mysterious circles of mammoth stones called Stonehenge, Forlong +says that it is no Friar's Heel, but an emblem of fertility +dedicated to the Friday divinity. It is represented as the +"Genius of Fire," not the genius of ordinary fire, "but of the +super-sensual Divinity, celestial fire." + +Regarding these remarkable stones to which the Lingham god is a +mere introduction, Forlong says: + +"No one who has studied phallic and solar worship in the East +could make any mistake as to the purport of the shrine at +Stonehenge . . . yet the indelicacy of the whole subject often +so shocks the ordinary reader, that, in spite of facts, he cannot +grant what he thinks shows so much debasement of the religious +mind; facts are facts, however, and it only remains for us to +account for them. Perhaps indeed in these later times an +artificial and lower phase of sensuality has taken the place of +the more natural indulgence of the passions, for procreative +purposes, which principally engrossed the thoughts of early +worshippers."[158] + +[158] Rivers of Life, vol. ii., p. 233. + + +Higgins is of the opinion that Stonehenge is the work of the same +era with the caves of India, the pyramids of Egypt, and the +stupendous monument at Carnac--a structure which, it is claimed, +must have required for its construction an amount of labor equal +to that of the pyramids. + +Undoubtedly there has never been a religious shrine which has +excited more curiosity than has Abury, of which, unfortunately, +nothing now remains, although in the early part of the eighteenth +century enough had been preserved to prove the identity of its +signification with other ancient religious monuments both in the +British Isles and in the countries of the East. Perhaps there is +no way by which this shrine can be better understood than by +quoting the exact language of those who have written upon the +subject. Especially is this true concerning the testimony of +those who, after personal investigation, have given to the public +the results of their research. + +In the History of Wiltshisre, published by Sir R. Colt Hoare, +Bart., appears the following from Dr. Stukeley: + +"The situation of Abury is finely chosen for the purpose it was +destined to, being the more elevated part of a plain, from whence +there is almost an imperceptible descent every way. But as the +religious work in Abury, though great in itself, is but a part of +the whole (the avenues stretching above a mile from it each way), +the situation of the whole design is projected with great +judgment, in a kind of large, separate plain, four or five miles +in diameter. Into this you descend on all sides from higher +ground. The whole Temple of Abury may be considered as a +picture, and it really is so. Therefore the founders wisely +contrived that a spectator have an advantageous prospect of it as +he appeared within view. When I frequented this place, which I +did for some years together, to take an exact account of it, +staying a fortnight at a time, I found out the entire work by +degrees. The second time I was here, an avenue was a new +amusement; the third year another. So that at length I +discovered the mystery of it, properly speaking, which was, that +the whole figure represented a snake transmitted through a +circle. This is an hieroglyphic or symbol of highest note and +antiquity. + +"In order to put this design in execution, the founders well +studied their ground; and to make their representation more +natural, they artfully carried it over a variety of elevations +and depressions, which, with the curvature of the avenues, +produces sufficiently the desired effect. To make it still more +elegant and picture-like, the head of the snake is carried up the +southern promontory of Hackpen Hill, toward the village of West +Kennet; nay, the very name of the hill is derived from the +circumstance. . . . Thus our antiquity divides itself into +three great parts, which will be our rule in describing this +work. The circle at Abury, the forepart of the snake leading +toward Kennet, which I call Kennet Avenue; the hinder part of the +snake leading toward Beckhampton, which I call Beckhampton +Avenue; for they may be well looked on as avenues to the great +temple at Abury, which part must be most eminently called the +Temple. + +"The plan on which Abury was built, is that sacred hierogram of +the Egyptians and other ancient nations, the circle and snake. +The whole figure is the circle, snake, and wings. By this they +meant to picture out, as well as they could, the nature of the +Divinity." + +The temple which represents the body of the snake is formed by a +circular agger of earth having its ditch withinside. As this is +contrary to the mode adopted in works of defence, it is thought +to prove the religious character of Abury. In a description +given of this shrine by Higgins is the following: + +"These ramparts inclose an area of 1400 feet in diameter, which +on the edge nearest the ditch was set round with a row of rough, +unhewn stones, and in the center was ornamented with two circular +temples, composed of the same native stones."[159] + +[159] Celtic Druids. Description of plates, p. xx. + + +The space of ground included within the vellum has been estimated +at twenty-two acres, and the outward circumvallation was computed +at 4800 feet. The number of stones that formed this outer circle +was originally one hundred, of which, in the year 1722, there +were eighteen standing, and twenty-seven thrown down. + +In the village of Rudstone in Yorkshire there stands a huge +stone, the significance of which, at the present time, is by +scholars clearly understood. Its depth below the surface of the +ground is said to be equal to its height above, which is +twenty-four feet. It is five feet ten inches broad, and two feet +thick, its weight being upwards of forty tons.[160] + +[160] See Rivers of Life. + + +The gigantic rocking stones found in nearly every quarter of the +globe are now known to be religious monuments of remote +antiquity. Not long ago I saw a description of one of these +oracles in Buenos-Ayres, South America, and a few months later +there appeared the following account of a similar stone found in +Sullivan Co., N. Y.: + +"At first sight it would scarcely attract attention, but a closer +observation reveals the remarkable position which it occupies. +The total weight of the immense boulder has been variously +estimated at from forty to fifty tons, and its bulk at from 500 +to 700 cubic feet. It is almost perfectly round, much resembling +a huge orange, and so nicely balanced on a table of stone as to +be easily set in motion by a single man, providing the operator +exerts his strength on the north or south sides. On either of +the other sides the combined strength of forty elephants would +not be sufficient to cause the least oscillation. Although it is +easily rocked, we are assured that as many men as could surround +it would be unable to dislodge it from the pivot on which it +rests."[161] + +[161] The St. Louis (Mo.) Republican. + + +The writer of the above, who was evidently ignorant of the extent +to which these monuments are scattered over the earth, seemed to +regard it as a singular freak of Nature with no significance +other than that of a natural curiosity. + +The round towers of Ireland, over the origin of which there has +in the past been so much controversy, are now pretty generally +admitted to be analogous in their use and design to Stonehenge, +Abury, and other extant monolithic structures. + +Many writers have endeavored to prove that these towers were +belfries used in connection with Christian churches; others that +they were purgatorial columns or penitential heights, similar in +design to the pillar of St. Simeon Stylites. Others again have +argued that they were used as beacons and others that they were +intended simply as receptacles for the sacred fire known to have +formerly been in use in the British Isles. Although numberless +arguments have been brought forward to refute these theories, it +is thought that the expensive architecture alone of the elegant +and stately columns known as Round Towers contradicts all these +"guesses," and that their grandeur and almost absolute +indestructibility proclaim for them a different origin from that +of the lowly and miserable huts which in a later age were erected +beside them for purposes of worship by the Romish Christians. +The same objection is made also against the theory that these +monuments were erected in memory of the several defeats of the +Danes. As an answer to the argument that they were erected by +the Danes to celebrate their victories, it is declared that such +is the character of the hieroglyphics upon them as to make this +theory worthless. Besides, throughout the country of the Danes +and Ostmen, there is nowhere to be found an example of +architectural splendor such as is displayed in the construction +of these columns. In the north of Scotland was one of these +monuments upon which were depicted war-like scenes, horses and +their riders, warriors brandishing their weapons, and troops +shouting for victory, while on the other side was a sumptuous +cross, beneath which were two figures, the one evidently female, +the other male. + +In Cordiner's Antiquities of Scotland is a description of an +elaborately carved obelisk. On one side of this column appears a +mammoth cross, and underneath it are figures of uncouth animals. +Among these carvings are to be seen the Bulbul of Iran, the Boar +of Vishnu, the elk, the fox, the lamb, and a number of dancing +human figures. In fact all the configurations are not only in +their nature and import essentially Eastern, but are actually the +symbols of the various animal forms under which "the people of +the East contemplated the properties of the Godhead." + +Carnac, in upper Egypt, is a monolith of the same symbolic +character. It is hewn from a solid block of black granite and is +eighty feet high. + +Henry O'Brien, a cultured Irishman, who when in London became, in +his own line of investigation, one of the chief contributors to +Fraser's Magazine while at its best, in response to a call by the +Royal Irish Academy for productions relating to the origin and +use of the Round Towers, declared that they were erected by a +colony of Tuath-de-danaans, or Lingham worshippers from Persia, +who had left their native land because of the victories gained +over them by their rivals--the Pish de-danaans--a sect of Yoni +worshippers; in other words, the sect which recognized the female +element as the superior agency in reproduction, and who, +therefore, worshipped it as divine. In the devastating wars +which swept over Persia and the other countries of antiquity +prior to the age of the later Zoroaster, the Pish-de danaans were +victorious, and, driving from the country the Tuath-de danaans, +or male worshippers, succeeded in re-establishing, and for a time +maintaining, the old form of worship. O'Brien claims that the +Tuath-de-danaans who were expelled from Persia emigrated to +Ireland, and there continued or preserved their favorite form of +worship, the Round Towers having been erected by them in +conformity to their peculiar religious views. This writer +assures us that the old Irish tongue bears unmistakable evidence +of the relation existing between these countries. In addition to +the similarity of language which is found to exist between +ancient Ireland or Iren, and Persia or Iran, the same writer +observes that in all their customs, religious observances, and +emblems, the resemblance is preserved. + +Much regret has been expressed by all the writers who have dealt +with this subject that at an earlier age when Stonehenge, Abury, +and various other of the ancient monumental shrines of the +British Isles were in a better state of preservation, and before +bigotry and religious hatred had been aroused against them, more +minute observations of their character and of all the details +surrounding them could not have been made; yet, notwithstanding +the late date at which these investigations were begun, it is +believed that a fair amount of success has crowned the efforts +which have been put forth to unravel the mysteries bound up in +them. + +When we remember that every detail connected with the sacred +monuments of the ancients was full of significance that their +religious ideas were all portrayed by means of symbols which +appeared in connection with their sacred edifices--the extent to +which a thorough understanding of these details would assist in +revealing the mysteries involved in the universal religious +conceptions may in a measure be realized. + +The identity of the symbols used to express religious ideas, and +the extent to which the conceptions of a creative force have been +connected in all portions of the globe, are set forth in the +following from Barlow: + +"A complete history of religious symbolism should embrace all the +religions of antiquity no less than the Christian, and it would +require as thorough a knowledge of their tenets as of our own to +explain satisfactorily its influence in regulating the practice +of art."[162] + +[162] Symbolism, p. 10. + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +SACRIFICES. + +Although the sun was formerly worshipped as the source of all +good, at a certain stage in the human career it came to be +regarded as the cause of all evil. When Typhon Seth comprehended +the powers of Nature, as the Destroyer and Regenerator she was +the author of all good; but later, after the truths underlying +Nature worship were lost, Typhon, the hot wind of the desert, was +feared rather than worshipped. + +In the history of an earlier age of existence, there is not to be +found the slightest trace of human sacrifice to atone for the +sins of the people, or to appease the wrath of an offended God. +On the contrary, throughout the traditions and monumental records +of the most ancient nations, sacrifices to the Deity-- the God of +Nature--consisted simply in the acknowledgment of earth's +benefits by means of a free-will offering of the bounties which +she had brought forth. + +That the sacrifice either of human beings or of animals was not +offered in an earlier age of religious faith is confidently +asserted and, I think, proved by various writers. Of this +Higgins says: "I think a time may be perceived when it did not +exist even among the Western nations." This writer states also +that it was not always practiced at Delphi. Mention is made of +the fact that among the Buddhists, to whom belongs the first book +of Genesis, no bloody sacrifices were ever offered. + +It was doubtless under the worship of Muth, Neith, or Minerva, +the first emanation from the deity and the original Buddha, that +the first book of Genesis or Wisdom was written. In this book +may be observed the fact that the slaughter of animals is +forbidden. It is thought that with Crishna, Hercules, and the +worshippers of the sun in Aries, the sacrifice of human beings +and animals began. In the second book of Genesis, which is said +to be a Brahmin work, animals are first used for sacrifice, and +in the third book, or the book of Generations or Re-generations +of the race of man or the Adam, which was written after the pure +doctrines connected with the worship of Wisdom had been +corrupted, they are first allowed to be eaten as food. + +It is supposed that the practice of sacrificing human beings and +animals took its rise in the western parts of the world after the +sun entered Aries, and that it subsequently extended even to the +followers of the Tauric worship, among whom it was carried to a +frightful extent. It is also thought that the history of Cain +and Abel is an allegory of the followers of Crishna to justify +their sacrifice of the yajna or lamb "in opposition to the +Buddhist offering of bread and wine, or water, made by Cain and +practiced by Melchizedek."[163] + +[163] Anacalypsis, vol. i., p. 101. + + +It is now positively known that all over the world, during a +certain stage of religious belief, either human beings or animals +were, at stated seasons, sacrificed to the Deity. Of the +universality of this practice Faber says: + +"Throughout the whole world we find a notion prevalent that the +gods could be appeased only by bloody sacrifices. Now this idea +is so thoroughly arbitrary, there being no obvious and necessary +connection, in the way of cause and effect, between slaughtering +a man or a beast, and recovering of the divine favor by the +slaughterers, that its very universality involves the necessity +of concluding that all nations have borrowed it from some common +source."[164] + +[164] The Origin of Pagan Idolatry, vol. i., book 2, p. 465. + + +Dr. Shuckford is constrained to admit that the sacrifices and +ceremonies of purification practiced by Abraham and his +descendants and those of surrounding peoples, were identical, +with only "such trifling changes as distance of countries and +length of time might be expected to produce." The substitution +of a lamb in the place of Isaac would seem to indicate a change +from child-slaughter to that of animals. + +Sacrifices were offerings to the god of pro- creation. Certain +representatives of the life which he had bestowed must be +returned to him as a free-will gift. In many countries, the +victims offered to the deity were captives taken in war; but, as +prisoners of war and slaves were not permitted to join in the +battles of their captors, their lives were of little value; +hence, later, it is observed that the sacrificial victim must be +a prince or an individual whose life was of great importance to +the tribe. + +As in all hot countries the heat of the sun is the most +destructive agency against which mankind have to contend, it is +not perhaps singular, at a time when superstition had usurped the +functions of the reasoning powers, that the sun-god should have +been invested with the attributes inspired by terror, and that so +far as possible, mankind should have deemed it necessary to +propitiate its wrath, and, by rendering to it suitable offerings +and sacrifices, they should have hoped to avert the calamities +incident to its displeasure. Neither is it remarkable when we +remember the peculiar circumstances surrounding the Jews, and the +fact that the offerings demanded by their god was the life which +he had bestowed, that the sacrifices offered to Moloch, the fire +god, should have been the members of their own household--namely, +their children. + +We must not forget that the reward promised this people by +prophet, priest, and diviner for godliness was extreme +fruitfulness of body. We have seen that to obtain this mark of +godly favor, or, under pretense of serving their god, the form of +worship prescribed by their priests, and adopted both in their +households and in their temples was pre-eminently sensual, and +calculated to stimulate and encourage to the highest extent their +lower or animal nature. + +As the size of a man's family, or his power to reproduce, was an +index to his favor with the Almighty the pleasure of the "Lord" +in this matter being but the reflection of his own desires, the +result as might reasonably be expected was overpopulation to such +an extent that the means of subsistence within the small boundary +of Judea was inadequate to supply the demands of the swarming +masses of "God's children"--children which had been created for +his honor and glory. Surely some plan must be devised whereby +these difficulties might be adjusted, and that, too, to use a +modern expression, without flying in the face of Providence. As +the Lord had been honored and man blessed in the mere bringing +forth of offspring, what better scheme, so soon as such blessings +became too numerous, than to return a certain number of them to +the giver, the god of Moloch? It is true that by this process +children were born only to be delivered over to the ravages of +the fire- god, but by it, was not their deity both served and +appeased at the same time that population was kept within the +bounds of subsistence? That great numbers were thus sacrificed is +only too apparent from the accounts in the Jewish +scriptures--Abraham's acts and those of Jephtha being examples of +the manner in which this god was propitiated. + +In Micah, vi. chap., 7th verse, occurs an interrogation which +furnishes something more than a hint of the practice among the +Jews of child sacrifice. "Shall I give my first born for my +transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" + +Although there is sufficient evidence to prove the enormous +extent to which the practice of child sacrifice prevailed among +the Jews, it is believed that much more proof would be found, had +it not, in later times, with a view to concealing the extent of +this practice, been expunged from their sacred writings. Moloch +was to the Jews what Siva came to be to the Hindoos, namely, the +Terrible. It is plain, however, that Siva was not formerly +feared in India, but next to Vishnu was the best beloved of all +their gods. Siva was originally the androgyne god who was not +only the Destroyer, but the beneficent Regenerator and purifier. +It was the cold of winter and the heat of the sun. It was a +conception which was a direct outgrowth of Nature worship or of +that religious idea which was portrayed by a mother and her +child. + +The conception involved in sacrifice seems to be that of a +payment for services rendered, or desired. The Amazulus, when +going to battle, sacrifice to the manes of their ancestors, who, +as older branches of the tree of life, appear to constitute their +god-idea. This is done that their gods "may have no cause of +complaint, because they have made amends to them and made them +bright." On appearing before the enemy they say: "Can it be, +since we have made amends to the Amadhlozi, that they will say we +have wronged them by anything?"[165] + +[165] Viscount Amberley, Analysis of Religious Belief, vol. i., +p. 32. + + +At a certain stage in human history the various peoples of the +globe depended upon excessive numbers for their prosperity, hence +the most precious offering to the god of pro-creation was that of +human victims. + +In India, when a new colony or city was founded, in order to +insure its prosperity, large numbers of children were delivered +over as a bribe or offering of reconciliation to the god of +virility. The enormous extent to which human sacrifice has +prevailed in India, in Egypt, in Mexico, among the Carthaginians, +the Jews, the Druids, and even among the Greeks and Romans, is +well attested. + +From the records of extant history, it would seem that human +sacrifice usually accompanies a certain stage of sun-worship. +Among the Aztecs in Mexico, a country in which the sun was a +universal object of reverence and in which one of the prescribed +duties of the boys trained in the temple was that of keeping +alive the sacred fires, the immolation of victims became the most +prominent feature of their public worship. We are distinctly +told, however, that human sacrifice was not formerly practiced in +Mexico, but that finally here as elsewhere, the idea became +prevalent that by sacrificing human victims to the god of +Destruction, his wrath might be appeased and the people saved +from his vengeance. It is stated that human sacrifices were +adopted by the Aztecs early in the fourteenth century, about two +hundred years before the conquest. "Rare at first, they became +more frequent with the wider extent of their empire; till, at +length, almost every festival was closed with this cruel +abomination." + +Notwithstanding these atrocities, in their conceptions of a +future state of existence, and especially in their disposition of +the unregenerate after death, are to be observed certain traces +of human feeling and refined sensibility which are difficult to +reconcile with the cruelty practiced in their religious rites, +and which bear a striking contrast to the physical torture, to +which after death the wicked are subjected not only in Mexico, +but in countries professing a high stage of civilization and +culture. + +Of their religious observances, those which had doubtless been +inherited from an older civilization, Prescott, quoting from +Torquemada and Sahagun, says: + +"Many of their ceremonies were of a light and cheerful +complexion, consisting of the national songs and dances, in which +both sexes joined. Processions were made of women and children +crowned with garlands and bearing offerings of fruits, the +ripened maize, or the sweet incense of copal and other +odoriferous gums, while the altars of the deity were stained with +no blood save that of animals. These were the peaceful rites +derived from their Toltec predecessors."[166] + +[166] See Conquest of Mexico, book I, chap. iii., p. 74. + + +Prior to the days of Montezuma, the Aztec priests had engrafted +upon these simple ceremonies not only a burdensome ceremonial, +and a polytheism similar to that of Eastern nations, but, as we +have seen, human sacrifices and even cannibalism had become +prominent features in religious worship. Throughout the entire +ceremonial and religious conceptions of the Aztecs may be +observed a display of the savage and brutal elements in human +nature, in close connection with unmistakable evidence of a once +higher stage of culture and refinement. + +In the later ages of Aztec history their most exalted deity was +Huitzilopotchi, the Mexican Moses, the god of war. His temples +were the most costly and magnificent among the public edifices in +the country, and his image bedecked with ornaments was an +universal object of adoration. At the dedication of his temple +in the year 1486 more than seventy thousand captives are said to +have perished.[167] + +[167] Torquemada. + + +A Deity which occupied a conspicuous place in the mythology, and +which was probably an inheritance from more ancient times, was +Quetzalcoatl, doubtless the same as the Eastern Goddess of +Nature, or Wisdom. She was the "grain goddess," and "received +offerings of fruit and flowers at her two great festivals. She +also took care of the growth of corn. She was doubtless the same +as the Earth Mother of the Finns and Esths, she who "undertakes +the task of bringing forth the fruits." She is evidently the +Demeter of the Greeks, the Ceres of the Romans, etc. She is also +the goddess of Wisdom, for she had "instructed the nations in the +use of metals, in agriculture, and in the art of government." +Under this Deity the + +"Earth had teemed with fruits and flowers without the pains of +culture. An ear of Indian corn was as much as a single man could +carry. The cotton, as it grew, took, of its own accord, the rich +dies of human art. The air was filled with intoxicating perfumes +and the sweet melody of birds. In short, these were the halcyon +days, which find a place in the mythic systems of so many nations +throughout the world. It was the golden age of Anuhuac." + +We are given to understand that for some cause not explained the +beneficent god Quetzalcoatl was banished, that he (or she) was +deposed through the influence of some deity which had become more +popular, or, at least, more powerful; but that when Quetzalcoatl +departed from the country "in a winged skiff made of serpent +skins," it was with a promise to return to the faithful, which +promise was sacredly cherished down to the time of the Spanish +invasion. + +The Mexican Mars, Huitzilopotchi, was born of a virgin. His +mother, a devout person, while at her devotions in the temple saw +floating before her a bright colored feather ball, which she +seized and placed in her bosom. She soon became pregnant, her +offspring being a god, who like Minerva appeared full armed with +spear and helmet. + +Although the exact manner in which the Mexicans sacrificed to +their Deity to atone for the sins of the people differs somewhat +from the modus operandi employed in the Christian vicarious +atonement, still the likeness existing between them is sufficient +to indicate the fact of their common origin and the similar +manner of their development. + +The Mexicans were wont to select a young and handsome man from +their midst, whom they invested with the dignity of a god. After +having surrounded him with every luxury, and when they had +showered upon him every attention, crowning him with flowers and +worshipping him for a year or more as a Savior, they killed him, +offering him as an atonement or sacrifice, in order that the rest +of the people might escape the vengeance of their great Deity, +who, it was claimed, is pleased with such offerings, and who +demands sacrifices of this kind at the hands of his children. +Within blood was contained life, hence the offering of a bloody +victim was but the returning to their god, as a free-will gift +that which he had bestowed, such sacrifice being regarded as the +only acceptable means of grace or reconciliation. + +That the offering of a victim to the Jewish God was deemed +necessary to the fulfilment of Christian doctrine is a fact which +is clearly shown by numerous passages in the New Testament. "We +are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ +once for all." "By one offering he hath perfected forever them +that are sanctified."[168] "Christ was once offered to bear the +sins of many."[169] + +[168] Hebrews, x., 10, 14. + +[169] Ibid., ix., 28. + + +That the Jewish Paschal feasts and the Eucharistic rites of +Christians had their counterpart among the Mexicans is observed +in the fact that shortly after the death of their god, cakes +which had been prepared and blessed by the priests were offered +by them to the people to be eaten as the veritable body of their +sacrificed lord. + +The source whence the doctrine of an atonement --a bloody +sacrifice which lies at the foundation of Christian theology--has +proceeded is not at the present time difficult to determine, for +we shall presently see that it, like all the leading doctrines +contained in this later system, and which are regarded as +exclusively Christian, had its origin in the religion of past +ages, a religion which although originally pure, in course of +time degenerated into the grossest phallicism and even into human +sacrifice and cannibalism. + +Although among the Mexicans as among the Jews, human sacrifices +were offered to the Deity, no hint of gross and sensual rites +practiced in the temples of the latter is recorded. Hence, as +the Mexicans had not arrived at that stage of religious progress +(?) at which sensuality inculcated as a sacred duty, and at which +moral and physical debasement was encouraged both in public and +private life, we may reasonably conclude that their faith +represents a somewhat earlier stage of development than does that +of either Jew or Greek. In point of morality, as judged by the +most ancient standards, or by the more modern, the Mexicans +compare favorably with either of these nationalities. Indeed +when we compare the social, religious, and civil conditions of +Mexico as we find them under Montezuma with those of the Jews +under David or Solomon, or with those of the Greeks under Solon, +or even with those of the Christians during the Spanish +Inquisition when thousands upon thousands, not of captives taken +in war, but of the noblest and best of the land, were yearly +slaughtered for "the glory of God," there is quite as much to +meet the approval of an enlightened conscience under the first +named system as under that of any one of the other three. + +By priests the fact has long been understood that effects may be +produced through appeals to the religious or emotional nature +which under other circumstances would be impossible; and as, for +thousands of years, it has been the special business of this +class to formulate creeds for the ignorant masses, religious +belief and the ceremonies connected with "sacred" worship, during +certain periods of the world's history, have assumed a +grotesqueness in design unsurpassed by the most fanciful fairy +tales which the imagination has ever been able to create, at the +same time that they have portrayed a depth of sensual degradation +capable of being reached only by that order of creation which +alone has been able to develop a religion. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE CROSS AND A DYING SAVIOR. + +In Egypt, the cross when unaccompanied by any other symbol +signified simply creative energy both female and male, but +whenever a distinctively female emblem was present it denoted the +male power alone. The Ibis, which is represented with human +hands and feet, bears the staff of Isis in one hand and the cross +in the other. There is scarcely an obelisk or monument in Egypt +upon which this figure does not appear. The symbol or monogram +of Venus was a circle and a cross, that of Saturn was a cross and +a ram's horn. + +Plato declared that the son of God was expressed upon the +universe in the form of the letter X, and that the second power +of the supreme God was figured on the universe in the shape of a +cross. + +There is little doubt that the early Christians understood full +well the true meaning of the cross, and that it was no new +device. In later ages, however, every monument of antiquity +marked with this symbol was claimed by the Church and by it +believed to be of Christian origin. + +It is related that when the temple of Serapis at Alexandria was +overthrown by one of the Christian Emperors, beneath its +foundation was discovered the monogram of Christ. The Christians +made use of this circumstance to prove the divine origin of their +religion, "thereby making many converts." The Pagans, on the +contrary, were of the opinion that "it should forever silence the +claim put forward by the devotees of Christianity." It is +plain, however, that the Christians had the better of the +argument for "the cross being uneasy under the weight of the +temple overthrew it." + +On the coins of Decius, the great persecutor of the Christians, +is to be observed the monogram of Christ which is also the +monogram of Osiris and Jupiter Ammon. On a medal proved to be +Phoenician appear the cross, the rosary, and the lamb. There is +another form of the same monogram which signifies DCVIII. These +devices although in use hundreds of years prior to the Christian +era are all said to be monograms of Christ. At the present time +they may be seen in almost every church in Italy. + +In the cave of Elephanta, in India, appears the cross in +connection with the figure which represents male reproductive +power. Inman relates that a cross with a rosary attached has +been found in use among the religious emblems of the Japanese +Buddhists and the lamas of Thibet, and that in one of the +frescoes of Pompeii, published at Paris, 1840, is to be seen, +vol. v., plate 28, the representation of a phallic cross in +connection with two small figures of Hermes.[170] + +[170] Inman, Ancient Faiths Embodied in Ancient Names, vol. i., +p. 408. + + +The Rev. Mr. Maurice adds his testimony to that of other +investigators to show the universality of this emblem. He says +that the principal pagodas in India, viz., those of Bernares and +Mathura, are built in the form of a cross. + +In the museum of the London University is a mummy upon whose +breast is a cross "exactly in the shape of a cross upon Calvary." + +The true significance of this emblem, and the reason for its +adoration are not, at the present time, difficult to understand; +but whence comes the symbol of a dead man on a cross, and what is +its true meaning? + +Perhaps there is no problem connected with ancient symbolism, or +with mythical religion, which is more difficult to solve, than is +the representation of a dying Savior on a cross. It is stated by +those who have investigated this subject, that although the sun, +or the fructifying power within it, was adored by all the +historic nations, no hint of a cross is to be found amongst the +most ancient Nature worshippers. We must then look for a +solution of this problem to those ages in which the higher truths +of an older race were partially forgotten, and to a time when +phallic worship had supplanted the adoration of Light or Wisdom. +The cross doubtless came into use as a religious emblem at a time +when the sexes in union began to stand for the god-idea, the +lower end of the upright shaft being transfixed to the horizontal +bar. + +As soon as the male energy became god, the cross gradually grew +into the figure of a man with arms extended. It became the +original "life giver," it was Adam, the creator of the race. +Doubtless for ages Adam represented the god-man-phallus-Tree of +Life, or cross idea. He was the progenitor of the race. From +this same idea sprang ancestor worship, or the deification of the +past vital spark. The adoration paid to the Lares and Penates, +the household gods of the Romans, on the first of May, is an +example of this worship, as is also the homage paid by the +Chinese to their progenitors. + +Of religious emblems R. P. Knight says that one of the most +remarkable among them is a cross in the form of the letter T +which was used as an emblem of creation and generation before the +church adopted it as a sign of salvation. To this representation +of male reproductive power "was sometimes added a human head, +which gives it the appearance of a crucifix, as it has on the +medal of Cyzicus." + +Originally the figure of a dead man on a cross typified creation +and destruction or the operations of the creative forces in +Nature. Everything dies only to live again. Although man dies, +and although the individual man becomes but a dead branch on the +tree of life, still the tree lives. Through the cross- phallus +idea, or through man's power to create, existence on the earth +continues. Although the sun dies in winter, in spring it revives +again to quicken and enliven Nature and make all things new. + +There is much evidence to show that a dying figure on a cross was +no new conception at the advent of Christianity. Crishna, whose +history as we have seen is almost identical with that of Christ, +and Ballaji, from whom the thorn-crowned figures of Jesus have +doubtless been copied, are illustrations of this mythical figure +of a crucified savior in India. + +It seems altogether probable from the facts at hand that the +Romans worshipped a cross with a dying figure of a man upon it. +Minucius Felix, a Christian father, in defense of his religion, +has the following passage: + +"You certainly, who worship wooden gods, are the most likely +people to adore wooden crosses, as being parts with the same +substance as your deities. For what else are your ensigns, +flags, and standards but crosses gilt and purified? Your +victorious trophies not only represent a simple cross, but a +cross with a man upon it. When a pure worshipper adores the true +God with hands extended, he makes the figure of a cross. Thus +you see that the sign of the cross has either some foundation in +Nature, or in your own religion, and therefore not to be objected +against Christians." + +Higgins says that it is proved as completely as it is possible to +prove a fact of this kind that the Romans had a crucified object +of adoration, and that this could be no other than an incarnation +of the God Sol, represented in some way to have been crucified. + +An ancient medal found in Cyprus has upon one of its sides the +figure of a crucified man with the chaplet or rosary, the same as +those now in use by Romanists. From the style of workmanship it +is thought that this medal must have been anterior to the +Macedonian conquest. + +There is little doubt that the early fathers and the bishops in +the Christian church recognized in the cross the ancient emblem +of fertility, but as the idea of a spiritual life had begun to +take root, it was deemed proper to conceal its real significance; +hence from a symbol representing the continuity of existence on +the earth the cross now prefigured eternal life or existence +after death. Henceforward although man was dead in +transgressions, through the cross, or through the crucified +Christ, he received eternal life. + +That the original signification of this symbol was understood by +early Christians is apparent from the fact that the Emperor +Theodosius, between the years 378 and 395, issued a decree +prohibiting the sign of the cross being sculptured or painted on +the pavements of churches. Tertullian also, after declaring that +the devil made the sign of the cross on the foreheads of the +followers of the Persian Mithra, accused the Christians of +adoring the same emblem. + +In 280, A. C. Porphyry, referring to crosses, asked why +theologists give passions to the gods, erect Phalli and use +shameful language; to which the Christian Iamblichus in the year +336 replied: "Because Phalli and crosses are signs of productive +energy, and provocative to a continuance of the world." + +It was not until the second century, or until after the days of +Justin Martyr, that the instrument upon which Jesus was executed +was called a cross. But whatever may have been its form, as soon +as the myths of former religious worship began to attach +themselves to his history, he became the symbolical dead man on a +cross, the original sacrifice to Mahadeva. He portrayed the same +idea as did Crishna, Ballaji, the dying Osiris, and all the other +sun-gods. He, like each of these, represented a new sun at the +beginning of a new cycle. He was a risen savior, and to him were +finally transferred all the festivals, seasons, symbols, and +monograms of former solar deities. That the figure of a dead man +on a cross was a familiar emblem throughout Asia and various +portions of Europe, and that numberless crucified +gods--incarnations of the sun--have been worshipped throughout +the East, is a fact which it has been the aim of the initiated +among the Christian clergy to conceal, but one which no one who +has examined the evidence with a mind free from prejudice +attempts to deny. + +In Italy, on many of the earlier pictures of Christ, may be +observed the words Deo Soli, which inscription signifies either +"to the only God," or "to the God Sol." + +Of the various so-called Christian antiquities which cover the +walls of the Vatican, we are assured by those who have acquainted +themselves with the signification of pagan symbolism that "they +have no more reference to Christianity than they have to the +Emperor of China." The same may be said with reference to the +representations on the walls of the Catacombs. + +Crishna, who was the equinoctial sun in Aries, appeared 2160 +years after the first Buddha, who was the equinoctial sun in +Taurus. According to Plutarch they were both modern gods when +compared with the deities which gave names to the planets. +Buddha, or the sun in Taurus, was worshipped in the form of a +bull. Crishna, or the sun in Aries, was adored under the figure +of a ram with a man's head. The true significance of these +figures was the fructifying sun or reproductive energy as +manifested in animal life, and this meaning to those who +worshipped them was identical with the carved figures on the +caves of India, the Lares and Penates of the Romans, and the +stone pillars or crosses in the market-places and at the +intersection of roads in Brittany. + +Eusebius says that at Elephanta they adored a Deity in the figure +of a man in a sitting posture painted blue, having the head of a +ram with the horns of a goat encircling a disk. The Deity thus +described is said to be of astronomical origin, denoting the +power of the sun in Aries. + +This figure, which was one of the representations of the sun-god +Crishna, was worshipped both in India and in Egypt. In various +of the manifestations of this Deity he appears in the act of +killing a serpent. He was the dead man on a cross and also the +sun, which although continually dying is constantly being revived +again. Various incarnations of this God have appeared as +crucified saviors. + +Of the avatar of Crishna known as Ballaji or Baal-Jah little is +positively known. Indeed there seems to be some impenetrable +mystery surrounding this figure, which makes it impossible for +scholars to absolutely prove that which by means of the evidence +at hand amounts almost to a certainty. + +A print by Moore of this god represents him in the shape of a +Romish crucifix, but although there is a nail hole in his foot he +is not transfixed to a wooden cross. Instead of a crown of +thorns a Parthian coronet encircles his head. As all the avatars +of Crishna are represented with coronets, this fact has caused +several writers to observe that the effigies of Ballaji have +furnished the copies for the thorn-crowned Jesus. Through the +ignorance of the early Christians who in the second century +adopted the religion of Crishna, the true significance of this +coronet was not understood, hence the thorns upon the head of +Christ. In referring to the effigy of a crucified savior found +in Ireland the author of The Round Towers says that it was not +intended for our Savior for the reason that it wore the Iranian +regal crown, instead of the Jewish crown of thorns.[171] + +[171] The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 298. + + +Regarding this effigy, Higgins remarks that the crucified body +without the cross reminds one that "some of the ancient sects of +heretics held Jesus to have been crucified in the clouds." + +Moore, who has produced several prints of Ballaji, says he is +unable to account for the pierced foot of a crucified figure in +India. He endeavors to prove, however, that this crucifix cannot +be Hindoo "because there are duplicates of it from the same +model." As the mould is made of clay, he contends that only one +cast may be made from it. This argument falls to the ground, +however, so soon as it is found that duplicates, or copies of +these brass idols which may not be distinguished from the +originals, are seen in the museum at the India House, and also in +that of the Asiatic Society. + +The admission of Moore that "great influence was brought to bear +upon him to induce him not to publish the prints of Ballaji for +fear of giving offense," serves as a hint in determining the +cause for the lack of information respecting this god. + +It is believed that, were the development of truth upon this +subject rather than its concealment the object of Christian +missionaries, the temples of Ballaji would have furnished more +important information to the Christian world than would those of +any other of the Hindoo gods; but while numberless pilgrimages +have been made to Juggernaut and other shrines devoid of interest +to the student, we have heard little concerning the shrines of +this deity, although at the time Moore wrote, Terputty was in the +possession of the English who made a profit of L15,000 a year +from the temple. + +On the Brechin Tower in Ireland are two arches one within the +other in relief. At the top of the arch is a crucifix, and about +midway from top to bottom on either side are two figures which, +according to Romanist Christians, represent the Virgin Mary and +St. John. At the bottom of the outer arch are two couchant +beasts, the one an elephant and the other a bull. The figure on +the cross has a Parthian coronet. The appearance of a crucifix +on the towers of Britain and Ireland has in the past led many +writers to ascribe to these singular structures a Christian +origin. To the critical observer, however, the first question +which presents itself is whence comes the elephant--an animal not +found within these countries?--and again why should these beasts +have been placed here as Christian emblems? The facts in the case +as revealed by unprejudiced investigators are, that the towers in +Ireland are not Christian monuments, and that the crucifix found +on them is not that of Christ but of Ballaji, or of some one of +the avatars of Crishna. + +The fact that the figure of Crishna as a crucified god was found +in the ruins of a temple at Thebes in Egypt, is sufficient to +prove his antiquity; still, as we have seen, he represents the +god-idea at a much later date than did Buddha. Regarding the +evidence furnished by the Rev. Mr. Maurice of the ten avatars of +the Indian sun-god, Higgins observes: + +"The only fact worthy of notice here is, that Buddha was +universally allowed to be the first of the incarnations; that +Crishna was of later date; that, at the era of the birth of +Christ, eight of them had appeared on the earth, and that the +other two were expected to follow before the end of the Caliyug, +or of the present age." + +With reference to the fact that the Hindoo God originally +represented Wisdom or the Logos, the same writer says: + +"Then here is DIVINE WISDOM incarnate, of whom the Bull of the +Zodiac was the emblem. HERE he is the Protagonos, or first +begotten, the God or Goddess Mhtis of the Greeks, being, perhaps, +both male and female. Buddha, or the wise, if the word were not +merely the name of a doctrine, seems to have been an appellation +taken by several persons, or one person incarnate at several +periods, and from this circumstance much confusion has +arisen."[172] + +[172] Anacalypsis, book v., p. 201. + + +Concerning the religion of an ancient race the following facts +have been ascertained, namely: + +The first of the Buddhas or Incarnations of the Deity was +Minerva, and her mother, who was the sun, was the mother of all +the Buddhas. She was Mhtis, Mubt or Mai, "the universal genius +of Nature, who discriminated all things according to their +various kinds of species." + +In the earliest ages she comprehended not only matter but the +moving force in the universe. She was the Deity which by a very +ancient race was represented by the mother idea--Perceptive +Wisdom. She was the sun and the first emanation from the sun. +She was the Divine Word, the Logos, the Holy Ghost which in the +time of Christ was again by various sects recognized as female. +The allegory of the Greeks concerning Jupiter taking Mhtis +(Wisdom) to wife and from this union with her producing Minerva +from his head, is seen to be closely connected with the doctrine +of Buddha (Wisdom) or of the Rasit of Genesis. According to +Faber, the import of the Greek word Nous and of the Sanscrit Menu +is precisely the same: each denotes mind or intelligence, and to +the latter of them the Latin Mens is nearly allied. "Mens, Menu, +and perhaps our English mind are fundamentally one and the same +word." All these terms in an earlier age meant Buddha, Wisdom, +or Minerva. + +Later, with the worship of the sun in Aries, appeared a crucified +savior. During the earlier ages of Crishnaism, the ideas +typified by a dying savior were still those pertaining to the +processes of Nature. Matter was still believed to be +indestructible and seeming death but a preparation for renewed +life, or for birth into another state of existence Subsequently +this dying sun-god, which disappeared in winter only to return +again to re-animate Nature, became a veritable man--a man on a +cross who must be sacrificed to Mahadeva in order that humanity +might be saved. Here we have the origin of the doctrine of a +Vicarious Atonement. Later, under the system called +Christianity, woman, who had previously become identified with +the evil principle, became the Tempter. She was the cause of sin +in the world and wholly responsible for the evil results arising +from desire. Indeed, according to the doctrines annunciated by +the Christian Church, had woman, who was an after thought of the +Almighty, never been created, man would have lived forever in a +state of purity and bliss, free alike from the toils, pains, and +temptations of life, and from the crafts and assaults of the +Devil. + +Through the over-stimulation of the animal instincts man had +become wholly unable to overcome the evil in his constitution, +hence the adoption of the doctrine of Original Sin and the +necessity for an Atonement, or for a crucified savior, who would +take upon himself the sins of poor, weak human nature. By simply +believing on this crucified redeemer, man would be saved, not +from sin itself, but from the penalty of sin. To bolster up the +belief in original sin and the necessity for an atonement, the +allegory of the fruit tree and the serpent in Genesis was taken +literally. + +The more the religion of the past is studied the more plainly +will the fact appear, that not only have the ceremonies, symbols, +festivals, and seasons adopted by Christianity been copied from +India and Persia, but also that all the leading doctrines of the +so-called Christian Church originated in those countries. The +belief in a Trinity, the Incarnation of the Deity, a Crucified +Savior, Original Sin and a Vicarious Atonement, the last three +having been elaborated after the ancient natural truths +underlying sun worship had been forgotten, are all to be found in +the East. + +The doctrine of a Trinity is supposed to have been received +directly from the Platonists, who had learned it from the +Persians; while that of a Crucified Savior, and also that of the +seed of the woman bruising the serpent's head, belong, as we have +seen, to the religion of Crishna. + +Concerning Original Sin, which is the foundation of the doctrine +of the "Atonement," it is plain that it was not known to the +earlier followers of Christ, but that it was subsequently copied +from the corrupted religion of the Hindoos. + +The symbolical meaning of the serpent and the Tree of Life was +doubtless understood by the earliest adherents to the Christian +faith; it is not surprising, therefore, that by them there is no +mention of the doctrine of Original Sin. Their theory to account +for evil in the world was the same as that of an ancient and +almost forgotten race. The belief that the soul of man is a +spark from, or a part of the universal soul, that at the death of +the body it returns to its source, and in process of time appears +as the animating principle in other bodies, was believed by +Pythagoras, Aspasia, Socrates, and Plato and, in fact, for +thousands of years it was entertained by the best and wisest of +the human race. It was a part of the early Christian doctrine +and is still believed by the followers of Buddha and by the +Theosophists of Europe and America. + +Doubtless the doctrines of Re-incarnation and Karma were set +forth by those very ancient philosophers who were the near +descendants of the inventors of the Neros and the Metonic +cycle--those who believed in the indestructibility of matter, and +that spirit proceeds from or is evolved through it. It was an +effort on their part to solve the problem of the existence of +evil, and was far more satisfactory to the reasoning mind than +was the literal translation of the story of the woman, the +forbidden apple, and the talking serpent in Genesis. + +Original sin of which woman is said to be the cause, and the +necessity for a spiritual (male) savior to deliver man from the +wretchedness which she had produced, are doctrines which took +their rise in the grossest ignorance, and in an entire +misconception of the natural truths which had previously been set +forth by the figure of a dying sun-god. Original Sin and a +Vicarious Atonement--doctrines by means of which man has +attempted to evade moral responsibility and the legitimate +results of evil-doing--have, by weakening his moral sense, and by +shifting the responsibility of his deeds upon another, resulted +in greatly lowering the standard of human conduct. + +Science teaches that the penalty for sin is inherent in it, and +that virtue is its own reward; the so-called Christian doctrines +assert that although a man's sins be as scarlet, they may, simply +through a certain belief, become white as wool. It has been +claimed that a belief in original sin caused all the human +sacrifices in ancient times and that it "converted the Jews into +a nation of cannibals." + +That the system which has borne the name of Christianity is an +outgrowth of Sun, Serpent, and Phallic faiths is so plainly +proven by the facts brought out by later research as no longer to +be a matter of reasonable doubt to those who have given any +considerable degree of attention to this subject. The more +exalted ideas which from the time of Zoroaster to that of Jesus +had been struggling for existence, and which through various +means had been gradually gaining a foothold, were, by the influx +of Crishnaism, soon choked out, and mythical Christianity, which +was but a gathering in of the grosser forms of the prevailing +Hindoo faith, mounted the throne of the Roman Empire. + +During the nineteen hundred years that have elapsed since the +inauguration of this system, little has been understood +concerning the real philosophy of Christ--a philosophy which is +seen to be simply a recognition of those higher scientific truths +enunciated by an ancient race. + +The fact is observed in these later times that the altruistic +principles involved in these teachings contain the highest +wisdom--that they form the basis of a true social science, and +that a high stage of civilization will never be reached until +these principles are recognized as the foundation of human +conduct Unselfishness, purity of life, and the brotherhood of man +will never be realized so long as man shifts the responsibility +of his wrong-doing upon another. + +Quite recently the fact has been proved that the progressive +principle originated in the female constitution; that in +sympathy, a character which has its root in maternal affection, +lies the key to human progress. Conscience and the moral sense +are outgrowths of sympathy; therefore, that which distinguishes +man from the lower orders of life originated in and has been +developed through the female organization. + +When these plain scientific truths, which are so simple as +scarcely to need demonstration, become popularized, doubtless our +present god-idea will undergo a process of reconstruction, and +the later development will probably involve conceptions more in +keeping with science and human reason. Surely a scientific age +will tolerate no religious conception whose principles are not +founded on truth. The worship of a male god as the sole creator +and sustainer of the universe is as unphilosophical as it is +unreasonable and unscientific. + +As in many ways at the present time, mankind seems inclined to +retrace its steps, and as upon its onward march humanity is +beginning to manifest a willingness to return to truer and more +primitive methods of thought and action, it is not impossible +that in the not distant future, Perceptive Wisdom and the +altruistic principles, together with the power to give life, may +again be divinely enthroned in the place so long usurped by +physical force and virile might. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The God-Idea of the Ancients + diff --git a/old/gidan10.zip b/old/gidan10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f205c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/gidan10.zip |