Hermetic graffiti on Valladolid MS links to Priory of Sion

An excellent scholarly article was linked off these pages several days ago, with a deep and intelligent analysis of the possible origins of some very curious hermetic markings on a Valladolid Cathedral manuscript (http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeV/CURI...).

The writer makes several highly enlightening and original deductions, such as about the connection between the Masonic "Tri-Tau" cross and the IHS emblem, as well as many important observations upon the influence and interrelationship between esoteric schools of thought and arcane societies, and the article is a must-read for any serious aficionado of Medieval Alchemy.

I feel, however, that the author had misinterpreted the meaning of one of the ink-drawn symbols on the title page of the MS. Yet this apparent "misinterpretation" only leads to a further fascinating connection with an aspect of "the Holy Grail"!

I am referring to "Figure C" in the article, which was identified as the Sigil of Saturn. The alchemical "Sigil of Saturn" is invariably depicted diagonally, simply by drawing straight lines through "Saturn's Magic Square", which connect the digits 1-2-3, 4-5-6, and 7-8-9. The resulting figure forms two super-imposed opposing angles, called "a double lingam", which are crossed by a long diagonal line ( See at http://www.whisperingwood.homestead.com/...).

Professor Vogt has a very interesting analysis of this sign as being an encoding of the Seal of Solomon, and a proto-representation of the Masonic square-and-compass. And yet the symbol on the Valladolid MS, though similar in some respects, is clearly different - it is oriented horizontally, the diagonal line is greatly shortened, there are two flanking "pillars", and some curious markings on top.

The symbol in question is found elsewhere: it is in fact the "Auspice Maria" (http://altreligion.about.com/library/glo...), seen on some Catholic edifices and jewelry. The letter A is superimposed on an M as the initials of the above words, meaning "Under Maria's protection". And curiously enough, we find this symbol associated abundantly with the famed Priory of Sion, reputed "Guardians of the Grail".

Dr. Steven Mizrachs of FIU, who has several excellent articles on the priory, shows a very similar design as being the Seal of Dagobert II. As well as the logo of Saint Sulpice! (http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/pos-symbols...).

Indeed we find it said that "Auspice Maria ("Under Mary's Protection") is the motto of the Society of St. Sulpice (http://www.stmarysspiritualcenter.org/ab...). Mizrachs wonders on that page why that logo is missing the horizontal bar in the "A". But it's possible he hadn't looked far enough - because the actual logo DOES have the horizontal bar. As well as two little spheres on top of the side columns (http://www.sulpc.org/sigle_e.html).

A further image from the website of the Sulpician Order has a cross topping the A. (http://www.sulpicians.org/joinus/faq.html). This looks even more similar to the image on the Valladolid MS, which the writer says is topped with a "winged disk". Though it would be highly interesting to see the Egyptian winged disk here, I feel that the top part of this sign could be an ink-smudge, made as the artist tried to make a tiny cross with two spheres on its sides.

So what is the significance of this curious connection? There could be several. First, Vogt identification of the Masonic Square and Compass in the symbol is strengthened by the presence of the two spheres on top of the "side-columns", as that makes them look even more like the famous Masonic Two Pillars. Thus this representation can shed light on the esoteric origins of Freemasonry, as the drawing predates traditional dates of its founding by about three quarters of a century.

But more importantly, the Auspice Maria is a symbol deeply connected with facets of the "Sacred Feminine", the ancient legacy which the PoS were said to be perpetuating through the ages.

According to Papus (Gerard Encausse) in his "Traite Methodique De La Magie Pratique" from 1898, the "Auspice Maria" was a symbol used by devout Christians to counter the influence of Astarte, the Babylonian Ishtar, who was considered to be "the Demon of Friday" in Christian demonology.

Papus says that the symbol is a conjunction of the monogram of Mary and the name of the Angel Anael (and not the word "auspice"). Anael is a female angel high up in the angelic hierarchy, and is the "Guardian Angel of Friday".

Friday was the day ruled by the planet Venus, the Ultimate Female. Since the days of antiquity this day was used for various Sexual Rites, with Saturday after it being a day of rest. Manifestations of such sexual release can take on the form of the "evil" Astarte, or the "good" Anael, depending on one's beliefs and circumstances.

The "Auspice Maria" symbol used by the Sulpicians today testifies to their commitment to have "good sex", according to the Christian doctrines to which they are heirs. But the ancient associations of this symbol, as explained by Vogt, show that the Sulpicians may be carrying a much more ancient legacy than that. Whether any of them still remember what it originally meant, is a different question.

Edit: forgot to add one little detail, a nice coincidence for the conspiracy buffs. If we take the "Asupice Maria" symbol, and try to represent the underlying diagram in Roman numerals, we get IX-XI. No other than 9-11...