Brotherhood of the Snake

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[[File:Copia de Enki.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Sumerian god Enki in modern copy of a seal from c. 2300 BCE]]{{ufology}}{{pseudohistorynav}}
The '''Brotherhood of the Snake''' or '''Brotherhood of the Serpent''' (not to be mistaken for [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6p5Q6_JBes the Union of the Snake, which is on the climb]) is a supposedly ancient [[secret society]], linked in with a varied of other myths including [[extraterrestrial]]s controlling [[human]] affairs, [[ancient astronauts]], [[ancient Egypt]]ian and [[Mesopotamia]]n [[mythology]], theories about the secret meanings of the [[Pyramid]]s, alleged pre-Jewish motifs in the [[Bible]], and up to [[Rosicrucianism]], the [[Knights Templar]], [[freemason]]ry, and the [[Illuminati]] of Adam Weishaupt. That's quite a long list, but the Brotherhood of the Snake functions as a kind of grand [[unified conspiracy theory]] linking almost everything in a long lineage of secret history from the ancient [[Middle East]] through the Egyptians and every secret society you've heard of (or not heard of, if they're really secret), possibly right up to our current [[reptilian]] overlords (including [[Barack Obama]]). All of this is chronicled in a variety of untrustworthy but grandiose books by the likes of William Bramley, {{wpl|Michael Tellinger||,}} {{wpl|Jan Udo Holey}} (aka Jan van Helsing), and Xaviant Haze, as well as many badly-designed websites.<ref name=colavitoaa/><ref>[https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-opinion-guest-authors/serpent-scion-mythic-traditions-and-brotherhood-snake-part-1 The Serpent Scion: Mythic Traditions and the Brotherhood of the Snake - Part 1], Ancient Origins, 8 Aug 2013</ref><ref>[http://vaticproject.blogspot.com/2012/04/brotherhood-of-snake-another-secret.html Brotherhood of the Snake - Another Secret Society], April 5, 2012</ref><ref>[https://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/sociopol_brotherhoodsnake05.htm Secret Societies and the Brotherhood of the Snake], Biblioteca Pleyades, accessed 24 Feb 2020</ref>

==Summary==
A basic list of ingredients includes:
* Founded in ancient Mesopotamia by {{wpl|Anu}} (or An) and the secret knowledge he communicated to his son {{wpl|Enki|Ea}} (or Enki). Both were worshipped as gods in [[Sumer]]ian, Akkadian, and other ancient Mesopotamian religion under various names. They are credited with founding the Brotherhood. Some versions say that they were aliens.
* [[Snake]]s are important, and this is reflected by motifs such as the serpent in the story of [[Adam and Eve]], which encodes a deeper [[truth]]. This possibly has something to do with Ea trying to free the human race with his secret snake knowledge.
* Most versions seem to involve a defeat of the snake forces, possibly with Ea/Enki being defeated himself and his knowledge lost (hypothetically reflected in the Biblical story of [[God]] striking down [[Satan]] after the latter's attempt to educate Adam and Eve), or the defeat of ancient Egyptian [[polytheism]] by {{wpl|Akhenaten||.}} This may be introduced to explain why we're not overtly ruled by snake overlords, or merely to add some narrative interest.
* This snake is linked with Satan, who may be identified with Ea or Enki, and the religion of [[Satanism]], which embodies hidden truths.<ref name=zagami>''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1SbwCwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA135&ots=-4e9dvoTu0&dq=%22brotherhood%20of%20the%20snake%22%20conspiracy%20theory&pg=PA135#v=onepage&q=%22brotherhood%20of%20the%20snake%22%20conspiracy%20theory&f=false Confessions of an Illuminati, VOLUME II: The Time of Revelation and Tribulation Leading Up to 2020]'', Leo Lyon Zagami, CCC Publishing, 11 Nov 2017</ref>
* The ancient Egyptian [[Pharaoh]]s were aliens, or space travellers or wannabe travellers who built their [[pyramid]]s for mythical purposes. These are connected to alleged pyramids on [[Mars]] and other astronomical bodies, possibly for navigation.
* This ancient teaching was passed up through history through a variety of secret brotherhoods such as Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, and the Illuminati.
* They're still around, probably doing something involving the [[Rothschilds]], the [[international Jewish conspiracy]], Freemasons, or [[David Icke|lizard people walking among us]].
* Snake symbolism can be found everywhere, indicating the influence of the Brotherhood. Obviously in the caduceus or staff of Hermes used as an emblem of physicians, but also in many other places (e.g. "Rx" on prescription bottles means "Rex" which links to the [[Eye of Horus]] which is a symbol of the Brotherhood of the Snake.)<ref name=haze>''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-1koDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA89&ots=OxK63xSV2o&dq=%22brotherhood%20of%20the%20snake%22%20conspiracy%20theory&pg=PA90#v=onepage&q=%22brotherhood%20of%20the%20snake%22%20conspiracy%20theory&f=false Aliens in Ancient Egypt: The Brotherhood of the Serpent and the Secrets of the Nile Civilization]'', Xaviant Haze, Simon and Schuster, 31 Oct 2013</ref>

One difference between versions is whether the snake-aliens should be revered as bringers of profound truth (like Satan in the Bible), or whether they are evil reptilian overlords intent on enslaving the human race (like Satan in the Bible). These different versions are explored below.

==Proponents==
Its prehistory includes various snake cults such as the [[gnostic]] Ophites, who were called the Brotherhood of the Serpent in [[Helena Blavatsky]]'s classic theosophical text ''Secret Doctrine'' (1888).<ref name=colavitoaa/> Not much is known about the Ophites, but they appear to have worshipped a snake instead of Jesus or believing it to be Jesus; they don't seem to have done anything in terms of setting up a millennia-long conspiracy.<ref>{{wpa|Ophites}}</ref> Blavatsky added her own interpretation, linking the Ophites with the idea that the Serpent in the [[Garden of Eden]] had tried to communicate [[mystic]]al knowledge to Adam and Eve.<ref>[https://www.sacred-texts.com/the/sd/sd1-2-10.htm The Secret Doctrine], H. P. Blavatsky, Vol. 1 ch 10, online at Sacred Texts</ref>

Peter Tompkins in ''Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids'' (1987) mentions an extraterrestrial "Brotherhood of the Serpent" as living among the Mayans in pre-Columbian [[Central America]].<ref name=colavitoaa/> But the theory appears to have largely originated in William Bramley's ''The Gods of Eden'' (1989), which is widely cited as one of the chief sources by later proponents.<ref name=colavitoaa>[http://www.jasoncolavito.com/blog/review-of-ancient-aliens-s03e12-aliens-and-deadly-cults Review of Ancient Aliens S03E12: Aliens and Deadly Cults], Jason Colavito, 10/13/2011</ref><ref name=zagami/> He believes the Brotherhood is formed of aliens played a sinister role in shaping human history, from the ancient astronauts who intervened at the dawn of civilisation to contemporary [[alien abduction]]s and experiments, treating humans as no more than livestock.<ref>[https://www.ancient-origins.net/opinion-guest-authors-human-origins/very-interesting-interview-william-bramley-00273 A very interesting Interview with William Bramley], Ancient Origins, 27 Mar, 2013</ref> Reportedly his theories began as a way to explain why human beings, seemingly decent, spiritual creatures, are perpetually caught up in [[war]], conflict, and atrocities — the answer must be alien manipulation.<ref>[https://www.eyeofthepsychic.com/godsofeden/ From Eden to War], Philip Coppens, Eye of the Psychic, accessed Mar 5, 2020</ref> He isn't entirely clear on the motivations of the small [[gray aliens]] involved, suggesting it's partly to [[Slavery|enslave]] the human race and partly to keep "[[soul]]s imprisoned in this [[universe]]" and prevent our spiritual growth. He also claims that the aliens have used threats such as [[communism]] and [[Islam]] to keep the human race in conflict; Bramley suggested that aliens inserted [[apocalyptic]] warnings into [[religions]] for similar reasons, to cause strife and disorder.<ref name=bramleyc2c/> Bramley appeared on [[Coast to Coast AM]] on May 27, 2004 to outline his ideas.<ref name=bramleyc2c>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090427223728/http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2004/05/27 William Bramley: Show May 27, 2005], Coast to Coast AM, accessed Mar 5, 2020</ref>

Michael Tellinger has discussed in ''Slave Species of the Gods'' (2005) how most human civilisation and history is related to aliens called the Anunnaki who want our [[gold]].<ref>''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=clkoDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT128&ots=q0RuuFJyqH&dq=%22brotherhood%20of%20the%20snake%22%20conspiracy%20theory&pg=PT128#v=onepage&q=%22brotherhood%20of%20the%20snake%22%20conspiracy%20theory&f=false Slave Species of the Gods: The Secret History of the Anunnaki and Their Mission on Earth]'', Michael Tellinger, Simon and Schuster, 10 Sep 2012</ref> His work claims to draw on [[Zecharia Sitchin]]'s ideas to suggest that the human race was [[Panspermia#Directed panspermia|engineered by aliens]] rather than [[Evolution|evolving naturally]]. Bizarrely, he also claims that the Anunnaki established a civilization in southern Africa around 200,000 years ago; he also links this to ideas that we can realise the potential of our alien [[DNA]] and do cool shit.<ref>[https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Slave-Species-of-the-Gods/Michael-Tellinger/9781591431510 Slave Species of the Gods: The Secret History of the Anunnaki and Their Mission on Earth By Michael Tellinger], Simon and Schuster website, accessed Mar 5, 2020</ref>

[[David Icke]] is another other proponents of the theory, in ''The Biggest Secret'' (1999).<ref name=zagami/><ref name=colavitoaa/>

Jan Udo Holey aka Jan van Helsing, who claimed [[Hitler]] lived in [[New Swabia|Antarctica]] after [[World War Two]], and whose books have been banned in [[Europe]] for [[antisemitism]] is yet another fan; Holey chose his pseudonym because (according to skeptic [[Jason Colavito]]) "van Helsing believed [[Blood libel|Jews were bloodsuckers]] who used the Brotherhood of the Snake to control the world".<ref>''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=c_GIDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA22&ots=2UGc2Zh2Q1&dq=%22brotherhood%20of%20the%20snake%22%20conspiracy%20theory&pg=PA22#v=onepage&q=%22brotherhood%20of%20the%20snake%22%20conspiracy%20theory&f=false Conspiracies of Conspiracies: How Delusions Have Overrun America]'', Thomas Milan Konda, University of Chicago Press, 15 Mar 2019, p22</ref><ref>{{wpa|Jan Udo Holey}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jasoncolavito.com/blog/review-of-in-search-of-aliens-s01e02-nazi-time-travelers Review of In Search of Aliens S01E02 "Nazi Time Travelers"], Jason Colavito, 8/2/2014</ref> His book ''Secret Societies'' (1993) links aliens with secret Nazi technology; van Helsing suggests the aliens formed the cult as early as 300,000 years ago in Mesopotamia.<ref name=colavitoaa/>

Xaviant Haze goes all out. The Brotherhood's secretive rule in ancient Egypt was ended by Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV), who in history is known for ending polytheism and worshipping a single god, the sun-god Aten. Oh, and [[Barack Obama]] is his [[clone]]: Obama had the [[Sun]] as his logo, Akhenaten worshipped the sun, [[QED]].<ref name=haze/><ref>[https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ive-learned-copies-artist-maurizio-cattelan-barack-obamas-secret-pharaonic-past-1353121 What I've Learned About Copies: Artist Maurizio Cattelan on Barack Obama's Secret Pharaonic Past], Maurizio Cattelan, Art Net, September 25, 2018</ref> Although to some people this suggests that Obama is a reptilian — and it explains why Obama instituted a ban on human cloning.<ref>[https://steemit.com/donaldmarshall/@oluwoleolaide/world-leaders-clones-of-ancient-rulers-1-barack-obama WORLD LEADERS- CLONES OF ANCIENT RULERS; #1 BARACK OBAMA], steemit.com, accessed 24 Feb 2020</ref>

==Problems==
There are many obvious problems with this, over and above the patent nonsense (aliens? Did nobody notice?). One is that the supposed ancient secret societies that received the secret knowledge didn't exist until the last 1000 years, leaving a big gap for all the secrets to be lost between the pyramids being built (the main period was around 2700-2400 BCE, with a revival 2000-1700 BCE that may or may not have been an unconnected imitation) and the foundation of the Knights Templar in 1119 CE or Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry around the 17<sup>th</sup>-18<sup>th</sup> century CE. You would have to have a secret Brotherhood of the Snake existing in total secrecy for millennia.

Jason Colavito says of Bramley's introduction of the Brotherhood:
{{quotebox|Note that there is no evidence whatsoever presented for the group’s existence. The group is presented as an assertion in the first sentence, given a name without a source in the third, and only then is evidence marshaled to support the supposition — but this evidence, the Bible and Egyptian texts, says nothing about any brotherhood of the snake. Instead, these are mere mentions of snakes that Bramley has chosen to interpret as evidence of a unified snake cult. In other words, this is nothing but circular reasoning.<ref name=colavitoaa/>}}

There is plenty of evidence of people worshipping snakes and other people fearing snakes: they're often dangerous, often big, and research suggests humans may have an innate fear of them.<ref>[https://www.livescience.com/2348-fear-snakes.html Why We Fear Snakes], Clara Moskowitz, LiveScience, March 04, 2008</ref> But there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever of any Brotherhood of the Snake, and even if we uncovered proof that human history has been controlled by a secret conspiracy for over 5000 years, it would be many more crazy steps of [[extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence|extraordinary claims requiring extraordinary evidence]] before there would be the slightest possibility that the Brotherhood of the Snake theories are true.

==Cultural influence==
An obscure 1916 novel, ''The Boy Settler'' by adventure story writer {{wpl|Edwin L. Sabin||,}} mentions a fictional Brotherhood of the Snake.<ref name=colavitoaa/>

Carmen Caine and Madison Adler's Glass Wall series of young adult fantasy novels seem to feature elements of the myth; book 2 was called ''The Brotherhood of the Snake'' (2012): "What if humans were more powerful than they thought? What if an alien race had a reason to keep humanity entrenched in fear? And what if ancient beings that we've met before were still trying to protect us? And just what if the fate of Earth depended upon an average 17-year-old girl with a few secrets of her own?"<ref>[https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/carmen-caine/brotherhood-of-snake.htm The Brotherhood of the Snake (2012)], Fantastic Fiction, accessed Mar 5, 2020</ref>

American [[heavy metal|Thrash Metal]] band Testament released a 2016 album called {{wpl|Brotherhood of the Snake|''Brotherhood of the Snake''|.}} It has a very scary snake on the cover.

==See also==
*[[Problem of evil]]
*[[Nazi UFOs]]

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120627232059/http://thebrotherhoodofthesnake.com/ Their webpage?]

==References==
{{Reflist|2|90%}}

[[Category:Unified conspiracy theory]]

Categories: Unified conspiracy theory