Just finished reading Knight's and Lomas' book Uriel's Machine. Thought I'd share some of the more interesting tidbits!
They take a similar approach to Laura in Secret History, positing a global catastrophe which destroyed a worldwide civilization, forcing members of that group to leave behind traces of their knowledge, in the hopes that future generations would re-learn the science that would allow them to predict future cometary cataclysms and take steps to protect themselves. The did this via what Gurdjieff would call legominisms, I think: myths, buildings, pottery, clothing, etc.
They give some evidence for a worldwide cataclysm in 7940 BC, but I think there's more evidence (from Firestone et al.) that this destruction took place closer to 10,500-11,000 BC. Perhaps the data they found to support the later date were from a later cataclysm. They give some frightening science supporting the idea of a massive worldwide Flood (basically massive tsunamis that would wipe out any signs of civilization, followed by heavy rains). Also present a bit of data for a cataclysm circa 3150 BC (just prior to the "unification" of Egypt), among other things.
As evidence for a worldwide civilization, they mention the Nostratic hypothesis, and incidentally, the dates they quote for its last use match up with the earlier date proposed for the Flood (10,000 to 15,000 years ago). One flaw: when presenting alternative human origin ideas (mentioning mitochondrial Eve in passing), they support the idea that Neanderthals were basically human, but the research Laura has presented puts that sacred cow to pasture.
The quote extensively from the Book of Enoch, and their analysis is really entertaining. They follow the clues to show that it was written in a certain northern region, right where the megaliths on the British isles exist, and it even contains descriptions that match up with the megaliths themselves (like Newgrange). Basically, the book describes the steps needed to create an "Uriel machine", an arrangement of stones which can serve as a calendar/computer, and predict cometary bombardments. The two "poles" in freemasonic rituals and the bible (asherah, Jachin and Boaz), and other myths, are actually the first step in its creation (the day when the shadows from the two poles at sunrise and sunset line up is the equinox, and from there the device can be constructed at any latitude).
The Book of Enoch repeatedly mentions giants, the watchers, and angels. Perhaps references to Nephilim, genetic mutations, and/or individuals who passed on the scientific knowledge after the cataclysm. (Interesting tidbit: in Aramaic, nephila means Orion.) I wonder if some instances of "Stalinization" can be discerned in the ancient texts. For example:
Seems possible to me that this was a post facto interpretation. If the northerners were the original "semites", then this seems like "keep the Jews pure" propaganda, designed to keep the genes isolated. And then there's the fear factor: the offspring are the evil giants (Nephilim)!
There's a neat bit on sin. According to K&L: "The Enochian concept of sin being an external factor inflicted on people was replaced by a concept of sin that was the individual's own fault." Could that mean "sin" was originally tied to cometary cataclysm? As in, comets brought evil. Later corrupted to: evil brings comets (as in, "you deserved it!").
The discussions on Skara Brae, Maes Howe, Newgrange are really fascinating. They give explanations for certain symbol-writing (spirals, lozenges, zig zags), uses for henges, tunnels, standing stones, describe effects on significant dates of the year, etc. Link to the Essenes at Qumran, the kings of Ireland/Scotland/England, bards, druids, freemasons, templars. Also some mention of the Tuatha de Danaan.
I found the bits on fertilization/birth/rebirth fascinating. It seems one of the uses of Newgrange was to determine the optimal time to make babies.
Apparently the light of Venus was important (also marked by Newgrange) and its 8-year cycle. They quote Rudolf Steiner as saying that, for the northern tribes, "only those people were regarded as worthy citizens of the earth who were born in certain weeks of the winter season ... the temple priests of the Mystery sites encouraged sexual union to take place only at a certain time in the first quarter of the year at the time of the full moon after the spring equinox." Around that time the "goddess" (light of Venus?) would fill the birthing chamber (mound), allegedly incarnating the soul. The description of Jesus' birth in the gospels matches this myth (in a cave, light of the star, mid winter).
On only 1 year out of 8 in its cycle, the light of Venus as a morning star passes through the tunnel of Newgrange, before the light of the winter solstice. And it just so happens that it shines at peak luminosity. Later on K&L write: "We know that Venus will be in its special position at the winter solstice in the year 2001, and it therefore was in the same position in the year AD 1 and 7 BC. As Herod the Great died in 4 BC, we can only conclude that Jesus was born in late December in 7 BC." Hmmm. Minus eight years from that and you get late December, 15 BC. And what's that the Cs said? That Jesus/Jesinavarah was born January 6, 14 BC. That's pretty darn close!
The Essenes were the group that wrote down the Book of Enoch in its current form (several copies/fragments were found at Qumran). Cs have said J was an Essene, as was his mother, if I remember correctly. Looks like J was conceived beginning of April (the time of Easter; first full moon after the equinox), and born after the winter solstice when this important Venus phenomenon took place. Very interesting connections!
One really fascinating part is the discussion on Sumeria. Apparently the writing that led to Sumerian had a lot in common with the megalithic symbols, suggesting they came from the same source. They hypothesize, as Laura does, that the Sumerians were a northern people that brought their intact to the group living in the Middle East.
I don't know enough about freemasonry to judge their claims in that department, but I agree with Laura that they need to get up to date regarding Judaism. They take a lot of it as a given, not taking into account that Judaism basically just rebranded northern myths and history as Judaic. There's a lot more in the book, and it's really entertaining, so if you get a chance, read it!
They take a similar approach to Laura in Secret History, positing a global catastrophe which destroyed a worldwide civilization, forcing members of that group to leave behind traces of their knowledge, in the hopes that future generations would re-learn the science that would allow them to predict future cometary cataclysms and take steps to protect themselves. The did this via what Gurdjieff would call legominisms, I think: myths, buildings, pottery, clothing, etc.
They give some evidence for a worldwide cataclysm in 7940 BC, but I think there's more evidence (from Firestone et al.) that this destruction took place closer to 10,500-11,000 BC. Perhaps the data they found to support the later date were from a later cataclysm. They give some frightening science supporting the idea of a massive worldwide Flood (basically massive tsunamis that would wipe out any signs of civilization, followed by heavy rains). Also present a bit of data for a cataclysm circa 3150 BC (just prior to the "unification" of Egypt), among other things.
As evidence for a worldwide civilization, they mention the Nostratic hypothesis, and incidentally, the dates they quote for its last use match up with the earlier date proposed for the Flood (10,000 to 15,000 years ago). One flaw: when presenting alternative human origin ideas (mentioning mitochondrial Eve in passing), they support the idea that Neanderthals were basically human, but the research Laura has presented puts that sacred cow to pasture.
The quote extensively from the Book of Enoch, and their analysis is really entertaining. They follow the clues to show that it was written in a certain northern region, right where the megaliths on the British isles exist, and it even contains descriptions that match up with the megaliths themselves (like Newgrange). Basically, the book describes the steps needed to create an "Uriel machine", an arrangement of stones which can serve as a calendar/computer, and predict cometary bombardments. The two "poles" in freemasonic rituals and the bible (asherah, Jachin and Boaz), and other myths, are actually the first step in its creation (the day when the shadows from the two poles at sunrise and sunset line up is the equinox, and from there the device can be constructed at any latitude).
The Book of Enoch repeatedly mentions giants, the watchers, and angels. Perhaps references to Nephilim, genetic mutations, and/or individuals who passed on the scientific knowledge after the cataclysm. (Interesting tidbit: in Aramaic, nephila means Orion.) I wonder if some instances of "Stalinization" can be discerned in the ancient texts. For example:
Seems possible to me that this was a post facto interpretation. If the northerners were the original "semites", then this seems like "keep the Jews pure" propaganda, designed to keep the genes isolated. And then there's the fear factor: the offspring are the evil giants (Nephilim)!
There's a neat bit on sin. According to K&L: "The Enochian concept of sin being an external factor inflicted on people was replaced by a concept of sin that was the individual's own fault." Could that mean "sin" was originally tied to cometary cataclysm? As in, comets brought evil. Later corrupted to: evil brings comets (as in, "you deserved it!").
The discussions on Skara Brae, Maes Howe, Newgrange are really fascinating. They give explanations for certain symbol-writing (spirals, lozenges, zig zags), uses for henges, tunnels, standing stones, describe effects on significant dates of the year, etc. Link to the Essenes at Qumran, the kings of Ireland/Scotland/England, bards, druids, freemasons, templars. Also some mention of the Tuatha de Danaan.
I found the bits on fertilization/birth/rebirth fascinating. It seems one of the uses of Newgrange was to determine the optimal time to make babies.
Apparently the light of Venus was important (also marked by Newgrange) and its 8-year cycle. They quote Rudolf Steiner as saying that, for the northern tribes, "only those people were regarded as worthy citizens of the earth who were born in certain weeks of the winter season ... the temple priests of the Mystery sites encouraged sexual union to take place only at a certain time in the first quarter of the year at the time of the full moon after the spring equinox." Around that time the "goddess" (light of Venus?) would fill the birthing chamber (mound), allegedly incarnating the soul. The description of Jesus' birth in the gospels matches this myth (in a cave, light of the star, mid winter).
On only 1 year out of 8 in its cycle, the light of Venus as a morning star passes through the tunnel of Newgrange, before the light of the winter solstice. And it just so happens that it shines at peak luminosity. Later on K&L write: "We know that Venus will be in its special position at the winter solstice in the year 2001, and it therefore was in the same position in the year AD 1 and 7 BC. As Herod the Great died in 4 BC, we can only conclude that Jesus was born in late December in 7 BC." Hmmm. Minus eight years from that and you get late December, 15 BC. And what's that the Cs said? That Jesus/Jesinavarah was born January 6, 14 BC. That's pretty darn close!
The Essenes were the group that wrote down the Book of Enoch in its current form (several copies/fragments were found at Qumran). Cs have said J was an Essene, as was his mother, if I remember correctly. Looks like J was conceived beginning of April (the time of Easter; first full moon after the equinox), and born after the winter solstice when this important Venus phenomenon took place. Very interesting connections!
One really fascinating part is the discussion on Sumeria. Apparently the writing that led to Sumerian had a lot in common with the megalithic symbols, suggesting they came from the same source. They hypothesize, as Laura does, that the Sumerians were a northern people that brought their intact to the group living in the Middle East.
I don't know enough about freemasonry to judge their claims in that department, but I agree with Laura that they need to get up to date regarding Judaism. They take a lot of it as a given, not taking into account that Judaism basically just rebranded northern myths and history as Judaic. There's a lot more in the book, and it's really entertaining, so if you get a chance, read it!
