Under the apron

A review of "The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Societies" 

If you want to know what Masons have under their aprons, if OTO really practice sex magic (and how you can contribute to the ensuing melee), or how the Illuminati pulled off the Moon landing hoax, this is – I'm afraid – not the book for you. Rather, this is a relatively serious encyclopedia of (mostly Western) secret societies of all kinds: fraternal orders, conspiratorial political groups and esoteric “sects” and “cults”. The distinction isn't always clear cut. The grand mama of all secret societies, the Freemasons, has inspired groups of very different kinds!

If you're familiar with conspiracy theory, you will recognize many of the entries, but perhaps be surprised reading about the real background of the Illuminati, the Skull & Bones or Bohemian Grove. The author, John Michael Greer (who, curiously for a seeming skeptic, is an initiated member of several secret orders and an operative magician) has also included entries on “hidden history” and other “rejected knowledge” claims. Many of these are also fairly widespread, such as speculations about the lost world of Atlantis or the existence of aliens (from outer space). Other topics are more obscure. How many have heard of Rainbow City, a Martian city under the ice of Antarctica, made up of huge plastic blocs, and locked in combat with reptilian beings from Venus? While the author doesn't believe *this* outlandish scenario, he does suggest that Shakespeare may not have written his plays, or that somebody else than Vikings may have reached the New World before Columbus…

All in all, a good – but not always very objective! – reference work for your book shelf, if you're interested in esoterica or matters Masonic, and don't mind a somewhat more skeptical look than usual on the matter.