We all at some point have thought about the fictions of “secret societies” who always stay in the shadows and behind the curtains, who are powerful to control most things while staying hidden from the public eye, well today we take a look at some of the most powerful secret societies in history.
1. ORDER OF SKULLS AND BONES
Founded in 1832 by a community of students from Yale University, this group is famous for being a part of several conspiracy theories, the most popular perhaps being that founders of the CIA were members of this group.
As a part of their initiation ceremony, new members are asked to lie naked in coffins before telling others about their deepest and darkest sexual secrets.
2. THE GERMAN THULE SOCIETY
Probably the real inspiration of Nazism, founded in August 1919 in Munich. Thule believed in bringing upon the New World Order in a rather simple and effective way -killing people and reducing the population.
Apart from practicing sexual magic racist chants, and black magic, Thule members were often known to take part in ‘supernatural’ exhibitions where they would invite demons and ask for their guidance. Even Adolf Hitler was associated with society as a ‘visiting brother’.
3. THE BILDERBERG GROUP
Established in 1954, The Bilderberg Group is a secret society comprising the world’s elite. It is an annual private conference of 120-150 of the most influential people in the world. It is believed that the main purpose of this private party is to “create an aristocracy of purpose”. Due to the lack of accessibility and transparency of these meets, the Bilderberg Group has also been accused of several conspiracy theories around the world, including the Great Depression and most of the world’s biggest terrorist activities.
4. FREEMASONRY
According to Wikipedia, Freemasonry is a fraternal organization with a public-spirited existence since the 17th century. But there is a considerable chunk of the society that feels that they are more than the charitable work that the world knows them for
They say that Masonry is open to anyone of any faith. But all this is just to attract more people to join the community. The ‘G’ used in their signs stands for the Masonic gnosis or generation with Lucifer and God as the main enemy of Christendom.
5. ORDER OF NINE ANGELS
Established in the 60s, the Order of Nine Angles is a satanic cult group based out in the United Kingdom. They claim to be the followers of Satan and the members see it as a very individual pursuit of excellence by studying what Satan has to offer
ONA’s writings believe in human sacrifice as a way to eliminate weaknesses and claim that they are an important part of the strategy of the devil to carry out the mission to disrupt and ultimately conquer the common people.
6. ASSASSINS
Assassin, or Hashashin, is considered to be one of the most fearful of all the secret societies in the world. They are known for striking down their targets regardless of the number of security personnel that guards them.
Between 1090 and 1256 eight grand masters ruled the society of Assassins. Most of them were simple farmers during the day but became fearless assassins by the night.
7. KU KLUX KLAN
The American cult, KKK is a movement that advocates extremist reactions to topics like white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration. Whoever opposed them in the past has been dealt with through terrorism aimed at certain groups and individuals
Today, many sources classify the Klan as a “subversive or terrorist organization”, and it has since been reduced from 3-6 million members to less than 5 thousand across the State.
8. ILLUMINATI
The Bavarian Illuminati is an Enlightenment-era secret society, founded on May 1, 1776, that opposed superstition, obscurantism, religious influence over public life, and abuses of state power. It is often alleged to conspire and control world affairs by masterminding events and planting agents in government and corporations to establish a New World Order and gain further political power and influence.
Modern conspiracy theorists believe that the Illuminati are the ones who have been pulling the strings in most of the world’s major events, including the Battle of Waterloo, the French revolution, and President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
9. ASHOKA’S NINE UNKNOWN MEN
Some believe that this was the most powerful society in the world, especially because there were only 9 members in it. King Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty in 270 B.C., who had a change of heart after his conquest of Kalinga, formed a secret society of 9 men who would hold the key to everything in this world.
Members were given the responsibility to develop, preserve, and prevent the information that they found from getting into the hands of the people who were capable of misusing it.
10. ORDER OF CHAERONEA
Cecil Ives founded the group as a means to communicate without fear of persecution. He patterned the order like a true secret society, devising ceremonies and passwords for its members.
He also devised a strict set of rules, which kept members from using the society for sexual meet-ups. Many prominent gay intellectuals joined—Oscar Wilde was reportedly a member. The organization soon spread around the world, enabling Ives to promote gay rights through books and numerous lectures.
11. THE KNIGHTS OF THE APOCALYPSE
This group was formed in 1693 to protect the Catholic Church against the supposed coming of the Antichrist. Members were noted bringing swords to work and wearing clothing with an elaborately drawn star on the breast.
At his group’s founding the founder himself, Agostino Gabrino declared himself a “Monarch of the Holy Trinity” and devised a bizarre set of rules for his knights, which included the practice of polygamy and exclusive marriage to virgins. A year after the group began, one knight betrayed its existence to the Inquisition. The order was disbanded, and its knights were thrown into prison.
12. BOHEMIAN CLUB
When the club was founded in 1872, the term “bohemian” was meant to indicate cultured intellectuals. Today, the club is primarily known for its seemingly cult-like rituals, the most famous being the Cremation of Care ritual.
The club comprises some of the most powerful men in the world like prominent business leaders, senior media executives, government officials, and former American presidents. Women and children may visit the Bohemian Grove during the day but must leave its premises by evening.
13. THE ROSICRUCIANS
The Rosicrucians were purported to be using occult practices to bring about a global transformation in the 15th century. Two centuries later, the publication of three manifestos launched them into the popular consciousness.
They are believed by discerning conspiracy theorists to have founded the Freemasons, the Illuminati, the Invisible College, and to have been the guiding force behind every significant revolution in modern history.
14. THE KNIGHT’S TEMPLER
Early in the twelfth century, nine knights took a vow to protect pilgrims traveling through the Holy Land. More knights joined the cause and the organization grew, gathering wealth, fame, and power as their influence spread.
Popular culture has cast them in the role of funders of many other secret societies and guardians of the most sacred Christian treasures. But the members of the Knight’s Templer were eventually tortured and executed, and the society was disbanded.