Helena Blavatsky & the figure of Baphomet

This topic might fit better in "Paranormal Studies," but I'm going to be mentioning things that maybe the people at this forum could give me more information on...

I am wondering if anybody here has information on the connection between Helena Blavatsky & the figure of Baphomet--also, if anybody has any specific info about Baphomet, and what secret societies might worship/have worshipped him.

I had a dream last night that I attended this function of this certain society & Helena Blavatsky was sitting there. There was an empty seat next to her, and I felt I should sit down, but I didn't know if I had the right to sit next to such an important figure. But I did, and she pointed out something to me: there was a goat's skull with flowers decorating it on a table. She called the skull "Baphomet," and said that "it seems like everybody is worshipping him nowadays." She made it clear that the skull was hers, and she invited me to go near it. As I did so, I could feel energy filling up my hands so much they felt as if they'd burst.

This is not the first dream I have had about Blavatsky. A year ago, I had a dream that she offered me this piece of paper that if I signed it would qualify me to join this secret society. And several months ago I dreamt that the path of my life and Annie Besant's was going to be similar. I am not very familiar with Blavatsky other than that she believed in Theosophy & a race of "Enlightened Ones" somewhere in Tibet. I have a book about her theories but it seemed really dense & I couldn't get through the first couple of pages.

Originally posted by Cassie Clay
I am wondering if anybody here has information on the connection between Helena Blavatsky & the figure of Baphomet--also, if anybody has any specific info about Baphomet, and what secret societies might worship/have worshipped him.

Baphomet is a symbol of a certain occult principle. The symbol of Baphomet is not "worshiped", but it is sometimes used by several mystery schools as a pictorial allegory. The symbol was created by Eliphas Levi Zahed. Blavatsky was an admirer of Levi's, and possibly employed the symbol of Baphomet.

Fiat Lvx.

you might google Baphomet there are several pages how useful they will
be is another story.

my understanding at this point is Baphomet could be a demon/ demigod who's
charge is knowledge and wisdom, similar to Sofia.
it is also possible that Baphomet is a corrupted pronounciation of Mohammad.

there are several possibilities, i am not aware of any conclusive answers to
this point.

Baphomet is a god that encompasses both female and male components and is quite prevelent in many early pagen religions as well as the neo-pagen or new age cults that have sprung up in the last 200 years.
It was charged that the Knight's Templar amongst their many perversions had assembeled an Idol to this god and were worshiping it.
Pike accounts this in Morals & Dogma but insists they weren't worshipping it, just realising its ritual meaning (potato, potato, tomato, tomato).
Blavatsky is pretty kooky - I read "The Secret Doctrine" from time to time and can never quike work out why so many people take her so seriously.
But her unique blend ultra right-wing psudeo-scientific neo-pagenism seems to strike a chord with many women.

Oh, in case you're unaware of it she was Hitler's favorite author and large chunks of "Mein Kampf" border on being plagerisms from both "Isis Unveiled" and "The Secret Doctrine".

Blavatsky's connection to Baphomet may be via Freemasonry.

I have seen claims in various places that she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, but I do not know if that is true.

As mentioned above, there are some possible links between Freemasonry and Baphomet, aka the Goat of Mendes.

Certainly, your dream was rich with symbolism.

Originally posted by Majic
Blavatsky's connection to Baphomet may be via Freemasonry.

Baphomet is not a symbol used in Freemasonry. Any use of the symbol by Blavatsky would have been drawn directly from the symbol's originator, Eliphas Levi, whom she studied diligently.

On a side note, Necros' claim that Hitler's "Mein Kampf" had anything to do with Blavatsky or Theosophy is absurd beyond belief. "Mein Kampf" can be read online to verify this. It is also worth noting that the Nazi Party (which was an organization of anti-Zionist, anti-Masonic conspiracy theorists) outlawed Blavatsky's Theosophical Society and all Masonic Lodges.

I have seen claims in various places that she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, but I do not know if that is true.

In Blavatsky's lifetime, the Eastern Star only existed in a few towns in the United States, and she was not a member. Blavatsky was a member of a so-called "Co-Masonic" group which accepted females. This group is not recognized by legitimate Masonic organizations.

Fiat Lvx.

I don't buy into the defamatory arguments that masons "worship the devil" and am not aware of any current rites that so much as mention Baphomet, so please don't get me wrong on that.

My comment here was not intended to incite yet another round of masons-versus-FreemasonryWatch flaming, for which I have little taste and, for what it's worth, tend to side with masons in that arena (I know you have good reason to be touchy). Rather...

There are, for good or ill, and whether rightly or wrongly, claimed historical connections between Freemasonry and Baphomet via the Knights Templar.

Again, opinions vary regarding any actual connection between the KT and Baphomet, but historically, there are connections, and that -- along with unverified claims that M. Blavatsky was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (or co-Masonic group, or whatever) -- is what I was referring to.

Certainly not an unreasonable direction for investigation of Cassie's dreams, whatever the source of their imagery may be, and I am not tacitly claiming that these dreams represent anything factual.

Edit: Grammar and exposition.



[edit on 7/24/2004 by Majic]

Originally posted by Majic
There are, for good or ill, and whether rightly or wrongly, claimed historical connections between Freemasonry and Baphomet via the Knights Templar.

Again, opinions vary regarding any actual connection between the KT and Baphomet, but historically, there are connections, and that -- along with unverified claims that M. Blavatsky was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (or co-Masonic group, or whatever) -- is what I was referring to.

You are correct that Baphomet is associated with Templar history. One of the charges against them was that they worshiped an image (sometimes asserted to be a skull) that they called Baphomet.
This was almost certainly a trumped-up charge, but may contain at least a grain of truth. For example, it is possible that "Baphomet" may have been a pass word used by the Templars, due its rendering in Greek being similar to "sofia" ("wisdom"). It's also possible that "Baphomet" is a corrupted variation of name of the Islamic Prophet (which the French spelled "Mahomet"). If this were the case, the charge seemed to indicate the Templars' "heresy" stemmed from their supposed conversions to Islam, especially since most Westerners of that time falsely believed that Muslims worshiped Muhammed in the same manner they themselves worshiped Jesus.

But I was referring to the symbol invented by Levi in the 19th century. This depicts a figure with the head of Pan, sitting in the full lotus position. Between his horns is a lit torch, representing the Sahasrara Chakra. With one hand he points upward, the other points downward, expressing the Alchemical formulae "Solve et Coagula" and "As above, so below". Levi applied the name "Baphomet" to this image probably because of the name's association with Sofia.

Therefore, while the word dates back to at least the time of the Templars, the symbol now popularly known as Baphomet is only a century and a half old. Unfortunately, this symbol was adopted in the 1960's by Howard Levey (a/k/a Anton Szandor LaVey) as a trademark for his militant anti-Christian group, the Church of Satan. Since then this symbol, originally intended as a Hermetic cipher, has been associated with satanism.

Fiat Lvx.

The Levi angle doesn't seem to fit the imagery described.

What led me to the Baphomet-as-a-head association was Cassie's dream description, where Baphomet is described as the skull of a goat.

That seemed to play well to the skull-Baphomet and Goat of Mendes references, add to that the alleged Blavatsky-Freemasonry connection, and voila! At least, that's my take.

Symbols, symbols all.

I wonder if this might (d)evolve into a "Six Degress of Baphomet" thread.

Originally posted by Masonic Light
...With one hand he points upward, the other points downward, expressing the Alchemical formulae "Solve et Coagula" and "As above, so below"...

Fiat Lvx.

OK ML, this is a little off topic, but I must digress for a moment. What Is "Solve et Coagula"? I have heard this before, it is a title of a song, but also there is some wierd website about something with the same name. I'm sure it's not what you are referring to, but what does it mean in relation to what you wrote there?

Originally posted by The Axeman
OK ML, this is a little off topic, but I must digress for a moment. What Is "Solve et Coagula"? I have heard this before, it is a title of a song, but also there is some wierd website about something with the same name. I'm sure it's not what you are referring to, but what does it mean in relation to what you wrote there?

"Solve et Coagula" means "dissolve and coagulate", a reference to the Operation of Alchemy. In Levi's drawing, the word "Salve" is written on Baphomet's right arm, and "et Coagula" on his left.

You can see Levi's famous drawing of Baphomet here:

www.twistedtree.org.uk...

Fiat Lvx.

Originally posted by Masonic Light


"Solve et Coagula" means "dissolve and coagulate", a reference to the Operation of Alchemy. In Levi's drawing, the word "Salve" is written on Baphomet's right arm, and "et Coagula" on his left.

You can see Levi's famous drawing of Baphomet here:

www.twistedtree.org.uk...

Fiat Lvx.

Not the best lookin' guy, that one.

I notice there is a staff or scepter with two snakes around it in his lap. Does Baphomet have a connection with the "Brotherhood of the Snake"?

Originally posted by The Axeman
I notice there is a staff or scepter with two snakes around it in his lap. Does Baphomet have a connection with the "Brotherhood of the Snake"?

I've never heard of the Brotherhood of the Snake, but serpents are frequently found in mystical symbolism for several reasons:

1. Serpents symbolize immortality. This probably comes from the fact that they shed their skins; when ancient people saw this, they presumed serpents were immortal.

2. Serpents are symbols of royalty, because they appeared on the thrones and headdresses of the Pharoahs.

3. In the orient, from which mystical doctrines have derived, serpents and dragons are symbols of good fortune.

4. Most importantly, serpents symbolize the so-called "Magical Agent", which is what the Hindus and Buddhists call "kundalini". Most western esoteric art shows this serpent devouring his own tail, which also symbolizes infinity. When in this position, it is called "ourobouros".

Fiat Lvx.

Originally posted by Masonic Light

Originally posted by The Axeman
I notice there is a staff or scepter with two snakes around it in his lap. Does Baphomet have a connection with the "Brotherhood of the Snake"?

I've never heard of the Brotherhood of the Snake, but serpents are frequently found in mystical symbolism for several reasons:

1. Serpents symbolize immortality. This probably comes from the fact that they shed their skins; when ancient people saw this, they presumed serpents were immortal.

2. Serpents are symbols of royalty, because they appeared on the thrones and headdresses of the Pharoahs.

3. In the orient, from which mystical doctrines have derived, serpents and dragons are symbols of good fortune.

4. Most importantly, serpents symbolize the so-called "Magical Agent", which is what the Hindus and Buddhists call "kundalini". Most western esoteric art shows this serpent devouring his own tail, which also symbolizes infinity. When in this position, it is called "ourobouros".

Fiat Lvx.

Heheh. I read about the "Brotherhood of the Snake" in my first week or two on ATS, following a link posted in some thread, I can't remember which, now. Anyway I went back and tried to find some info, but all the sites that mentioned it didn't even deserve posting here. I will post this one just so you can see where I got it in my head.

www.2012.com.au...

It seems a bit fishy, with regard to Atlantis and such, but it is what it is.

Blavatsky had nothing to do with the Nazi's?
She was the creator of the Aryan myth for crying out load and the neo pagen religion of the New Third Richt that was to replace Christianity.
Her personal crest was even selected as the symbol of the movement.
(ummm you have heard of the Swastika haven't you?)
Some times I get the feeling that the Freemasons on this board just feel an overpowering urge to just play devil's advocate on everything I post just in case it leads to Freemasonry.

Originally posted by MrNECROS
Blavatsky had nothing to do with the Nazi's?
She was the creator of the Aryan myth for crying out load and the neo pagen religion of the New Third Richt that was to replace Christianity.

It looks like your knowledge of history is about as profound as your knowledge of Freemasonry.

Blavatsky didn't create any "Aryan myth." She stated (correctly) that the Vedas predated Hinduism, and that they were expressions of the early Aryan religions. This isn't exactly rocket science, considering the Rig Veda itself proclaims its Aryan origin.
The "myth" you are no doubt referring to is the Nazis' claim that modern European white people are Aryans, which is false. In reality, the Aryans of the ancient world are now the Indians and Persians, not European whites.

Secondly, the Nazis did not establish any "pagen (sic) religion." Like their fellow Fascists in Italy, the Nazis sought solidarity with the Roman See, hoping to accomplish this by first combining church and state. When the Vatican finally turned its back on Fascism, the Nazis declared war on religion, like the Communists in the east.
Adolf Hitler publicly declared himself a follower of the late German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who had said that "God is dead", and that all religion was "nonsense." The Nazis then became increasingly hostile to religion and metaphysics in all forms.

Her personal crest was even selected as the symbol of the movement.
(ummm you have heard of the Swastika haven't you?)

You apparently believe that the Swastika was an invention of the Nazi Party. To undeceive you, I will let you in on the following:

There was no such thing as Nazis during Blavatsky's lifetime. The Swastika has been a solar symbol for centuries, used in Hinduism and Buddhism. Blavatsky's Theosophical Society was based on both Hinduism and Buddhism, and thus she adopted their symbol.
In Nepal, Tibet, or any oriental country, one can enter a monastery, and see a statue of the Buddha in meditation, wearing the Swastika. In the east, this has always been a symbol of good fortune.

This symbol was appropriated by the Nazis not as a mystical symbol, but because they falsely believed they were descended from the Aryans, as previously mentioned, and attempted to use this as a symbol of the Aryan race. This profanation of the Swastika was derived from the Thule Society, a pseudo-occult organization turned right wing nationalist organization, that several early members of the Nazi Party (including Hess) had belonged to.
Blavatsky's use of the Swastika doesn't make her a "Nazi" any more than the Dalai Lama or Ganhdi were "Nazis", because of their theosophical beliefs based on ancient Aryan doctrine, which includes the Swastika symbol.

Fiat Lvx.

Thanks to all of you for such informative answers to my post!

I've done some independent research on Baphomet, and I am satisfied that Levi's symbolic rendering of him is not "evil," merely a bit of occult philosophy. However, the co-opting of this goat image by people associated with Satanism, and the further demonizing of it by Christians do lend a bit of a taint. Also, I am not completely convinced that in the "old days" the goat symbol & other aspects of witchcraft weren't used in a way that we would consider "Satanic"--I myself study magic but I freely admit its darker roots. So while I feel this dream is pointing out Baphomet as a symbol of personal power via Levi & Blavatsky, I don't know if I'm comfortable accepting it as my own power symbol.

However, as a resut of this and other Blavatsky/Annie Besant dreams, I have begun to study Theosophy. I find it, on the whole, a very valuable foundation for the study of metaphysical matters. There are certain "dated" topics like the "evolution of the races" that I take with a big grain of salt--I consider them to be more of relics of the time-period than "timeless wisdom." And I could see how people like Hitler could have twisted it around for his own agenda. But on the whole, I think Blavatsky has many good insights--yes, she did not so much think this stuff up herself as synthesize it and package it for the masses--but by doing so, she influenced/helped create not only Western Occultism but helped introduce Eastern philosophy/religion to the West. I think she is an important, often misunderstood figure.

And while the dreams I had were certainly packed with symbolism, I do feel they were "leading" me to research this stuff. That's not a fact...just my opinion.

the swastika was and is used by many SW tribes. as i recall the Hopi use it.
it is in essence a road map of the directions the clans went when they entered
this world(4th) from the 3rd.

There's a bit of topic drift to this post, but I just wanted to chime in on the swastika and its meanings. There are many of them. The symbol is very ancient and has appeared in nearly every culture in one context of or another.

For those who mistakenly believe the swastika (the word "swastika" is not German, but is derived from Sanskrit) is a symbol meaning only Naziism, I recommend reading:

Wikipedia: Swastika

That article is a great place to start, but by no means exhaustive. Prior to its adoption by the Nazis (as the "Hakenkreuz", or "hooked cross"), this symbol was used openly and without shame all over the world, including in the U.S.

A tangent to the thread topic (Blavatsky and Baphomet), but an interesting one.