Tag: DeMolay

Those ubiquitous Templars

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn magic

I’m re-reading for the second or third time Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Baigent, Leigh, and Lincoln because the subject matter is fascinating. I’ve lost track of all the Templar-related books I’ve read, not counting Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.

When I was twelve, I joined the DeMolay  Club affiliated with my school because I liked its values which are related to the values of the Masons. Unfortunately, I had to leave when their chosen meeting day conflicted with the meeting day of my Scout group. Jacques de Molay was the last grandmaster of the Knights Templar before the group was virtually destroyed by the French king and the Pope in 1307.

Prior to that, when visiting my grandparents in Illinois, I first heard those values from my grandfather who was the commander of the local Masons which were affiliated with The Knights Templar of North America. The commandery, the building of the local Ilinois chapter, was a wonderous place and I was tempted to become a Mason after hearing about the values of the group. I chose instead to join the Rosicrucian Order because of its strong commitment to esoteric teachings. I did not think I should also become a Mason, though they have my support.

History Channel Photo

Now as I watch the ongoing coverage of the treasure hunters on Oak Island, I find it interesting that the team doing the work there is excited about the possible Templar connection to the treasure that might have been hidden there. I have zero interest in treasure, but I’m drawn to this show because I’m curious about the potential connection between the Knights Templar and what, if anything, is ultimately found on this privately-owned island off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Re-reading this book brings back many memories of the research I did in the past into such subjects as the work of artist Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665), especially his two paintings labelled Et in Arcadia ego which are also mentioned in the books of the Francis Bacon Research Trust. Arcadia represents, is it said, heaven on earth and yet the coffin in the painting suggests the presence of a darker side. The prospective bloood line of Christ, notably in the French Merovingan dynasty and the Plantard family is also interesting.

How many of these mysteries are real and how many are pure fiction. I may never know. But I like delving into real or imagined secrets.

–Malcolm

Knights Templar in Illinois

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn writing

In my footnote to yesterday’s post about the Knights Templar, I mentioned that my grandfather was a commander in the Illinois Commandery of the Knights Templar in the United States. Since he was the boss, he could take us on tours of this building, including the basement where the pool tables were. (My two brothers and I could never beat Grandpa had pool or billiards.)

As an elementary student and a junior high school student, I was too young to understand the heritage of the organization or the goals of its current incarnation. The Knights Templar is a York Rite organization and, while it’s associated with the Freemasons now, it seems doubtful that there’s any provable direct link between the ancient Knights Templar and the modern-day Masons.

I joined DeMolay, associated with the Masons, while I was in junior high, and then had to drop out when its meetings conflicted with my Boy Scout activities to which I already had committed.

When my grandfather moved to Florida, he was disappointed in the Masonic organization there. I suspect they were a craft lodge, a level he would have already passed through and, therefore, quite different than what he was used to in Illinois.

My first crisis of conscience came when I left DeMolay for the Boy Scouts (which Grandfather approved of, reminding me I was already on that track). My second came when I was older and joined the Rosicrucian Order (a mystery school) rather than the Masons. I didn’t have time for both, and the “mysteries” seemed to be where I belonged.

Even now, I wonder. Would my life be different if I was a “Sir Knight” of the Knights Templar? I’m sure it would be. And yet, I have no excuses for the journey I chose. There are many routes leading to becoming oneself. And as Frost said, “I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”

My novels usually focus on the transformation of the main character. That’s my main focus because I have been there over and over–as have we all.

—Malcolm

Malcolm R. Campbell is the author of “The Sun Singer,” a hero’s journey novel.