Brother of the third degree esoteric novel about secret societies higher initiation and final Enlightenment by Will Garver part one editor’s note I am an obsessive book Hunter and one of my great Joys is finding texts that have gone out of print or have been forgotten for decades
I found a rare hardback edition of will El garver’s 19th century novel brother of the third degree deeply buried behind a pile of old magazines at a secondhand book shop in Huntington Beach not far from my home although I had heard of the famous occult text I had never read it
Myself as I went through the pages I immediately became enthralled with gara’s esoteric story which focuses on the magic of Consciousness what surprised me the most though was how one of the essential themes in brother of the third degree dovetailed with my research on shabed yoga and its influence on mystical writings indeed
The very ending of gara’s book speaks directly about the spiritual sound current and how it can unlock the secret of being gara’s narrative is a moving one and what makes it still a valuable text is that he touches on themes still in Vogue today including Karma reincarnation meditation and how best to
Live in a world of chaos chapter one childhood there is a principle proof against all argument a bat against all progress and which if persisted in cannot but keep the mind in Everlasting ignorance and that is contempt prior to examination py accept nothing that is unreasonable discard nothing as unreasonable without proper examination
Buddha my name is Al fonso colono I am a Mexican of pure Spanish descent but was born in the city of Paris I am the only son but had a beautiful sister Esmeralda 3 years my junior my father Ferdinand colono was a direct descendant of the colonos of Granada who traced their
Ancestry back to the time of the Moors and who were known throughout the hispanian peninsula for their skill as Physicians my mother was of the noble Vesta family of sevil who were likewise most skilled Physicians father and mother first met while they were students in Paris after 10 years of the
Purest and most studious companionship and after they had both graduated with the highest honors they were married and I am the first Offspring of that Union after my birth my parents moved to the city of Mexico where my father’s parents had located early in the 19th century there had always been a mystery
Connected with their schooling a mystery I did not understand until late in life they were two of the most learned people of their time and strange to say they came from the very center of materialistic thought deeply imbued with mystic ideas upon his return to Mexico father immediately commenced to practice
As a physician and soon became known far and near for his wonderful success and skill in fact his Fame became so great that it was not confined to Mexico alone but extended throughout the entire West and he was offered almost fabulous salaries by the governing powers of the
South American states all these he respectfully declined and remained in the city administering to the rich and poor alike never refusing the low or the high as a result he was known and beloved by all and exerted a powerful influence both in governmental circles and among the masses mother scarcely
Less learned and most highly accomplished in art and music music possessed an influence equally as great as fathers but except on special occasions spent most of the time at home as the instructor of sister and myself considering it her special duty to be our tutor our home was beautifully
Located upon a hill in the suburbs of the city a two-story building with a classical exterior in Stucco and a large interior Court beautifully paved with many colored Pebbles and made Pleasant by a sparkling Fountain and trop iCal plants and trees many years have passed away since mother sat here in the cool
Of the evening and pointed out and explained to sister and I the starry constellations which shine so brightly in the clear sky of all tropical countries still do I remember with most Vivid clearness those evening lectures she did not consider the starry hosts as mere shining lights to dispel the Gloom
Of night but thought like her ancestors of Moorish times that all were filled with life The Dwelling Places of gods and spirits and had a most intimate relation with the children of Earth many years have passed away many vicisitudes have crossed my path since those evening
Talks and the bright sunny days when my beautiful mother would take Esmeralda and me to the neighboring mountain peak and cultivate our tastes for Nature’s Beauty as we gazed out upon the Placid mirror of the gulf and far away to the blue and Misty Mountains round about I
Still remember the pleasant lessons in geology and natural history we received upon these Journeys for many were the Curious Stones plants and animals we here found joy in studying I still recall the loving light that Shone from Mother’s dark bright eyes as she cautioned us not to harm the little
Creatures as all life was sacred and from God that these small insects were in existence for a purpose and we could learn more by studying them in life than by pulling them to pieces in death after frequent Journeys to the mountain even the Birds seemed to learn we were not
Like most beings of our kind and became kind and friendly Lighting on our shoulders and perching on our hands even now I see Esmeralda with her long dark curls floating in the wind laughing and talking to the red breast on her hand ah these Recollections made me sad for many
Years I loved my beautiful mother and sister with a pure and holy love and I often wished I was a child again to enjoy the unalloyed happiness of those hours but now I know this was not wise you see dear friends what I have lost
But do you know what I have gained great were those Joys but still greater are those that come from the full unfoldment of our spirit natures and then it is not wise to dwell upon the past Beyond Rec call except in study that may better guide our Footsteps in the future father
While almost constantly administering to the sick never lost an opportunity to be at home and frequently accompanied us upon those Mountain Journeys or talked with us beside the fountain in the court mother and he would talk for hours upon philosophy and Science and Esmeralda and
I though young in years Sat by and took deep interest in their conversations which while we didn’t not fully comprehend seemed by some unknown and interior intuition strangely familiar the child knows more than we are won to give it credit knowledge does not come from the intellectual mind alone the
Pure uncontaminated Heart dwells close to the spirit wisdom and reflects its light in addition to his professional duties father taught what I at that time thought to be a school of medicine in his laboratory on the second floor he never allowed us to enter its only door
Of heavy Oak was locked with a peculiar and strange looking lock and its windows were covered with iron bars every Wednesday evening a number of men called and repaired with father and mother to this room this number I noticed to be almost invariably 12 and they generally came and went alone during these
Wednesday evening meetings sister and I remained with a tried and trusted servant who saw that we retired at the proper time thus things continued for 11 years and I was 14 and sister 11 all was love and kindness and year in and year out was a constant but Pleasant School mother was
An exceptional linguist and I while only 14 had become proficient in Spanish French English and Italian and was well along in the Natural Sciences philosophy and art Esmeralda was fully my equal but music was her forte and when her voice Rose in song crowds of peons gathered in
The street and listened in silent awe to the perfect beauty of her voice both of us were accomplished artists upon many instruments and while she played the harp I would accompany her upon the violin these family concerts in which father and mother often joined gave them much pleasure as also the wonderful
Resemblance we bore to them I becoming every day more like my father while Esmeralda was the perfect picture of her mother one evening father returned earlier than usual and he and mother took seats beside the fountain and were soon very earnestly in conversation sister and I were playing
With a large collection of fine sea shells beside the court and ordinarily would not have paid more than passing attention to their conversation but the absence of Father’s usual kiss and play together with the sad look upon his kind and handsome face attracted our attention and we stopped our play to
Listen Nina he said taking my mother’s hands and looking lovingly into her eyes do you know that our 20 years are almost up a momentary paleness came over mother’s face but it quickly gave place to an expression of serious calm as she answered yes ferda I have not overlooked
That fact and for some time past have been preparing for a change which I have a premonition is soon to come and I hope my dear husband you are doing likewise but my dear you look unusually sad this evening have you anything distressing on
Your mind if so let me share it and she gave him a fond and loving caress nah he answered kissing her I have been thinking that our love life must soon come to an end and give place to more serious Duty and while I Would Not For a
Moment Sherk the task laid down for us it fills me with unusual sadness to know that we must part you forget dear husband that while we may appear to separate our souls are always one our 20 years of pure love and unselfish labor have bound us inseparably together in
Our interior natures and unfolded our higher faculties until we are now fitted for a still more noble work we love as only pure unselfish Souls can love but we must not neglect our duties to those who all these years have overshadowed us with their loving protection neither
Should we forget that all things here on Earth are fleeting nothing but the real endures we have been instructed in the science which leads to the Eternal and for 20 years have enjoyed the highest happiness of Earth to Aid us to a dim perception of a still higher and eternal
Joy shall we now for thoughts of self as separate from the all renounce our blessed privilege and neglect our higher duties mother’s face was radiant and a Halo of light Shone around her head while her eyes were bright with a wondrous Beauty my darling wife responded my father you nobly represent
The Masters you do full Justice to the noble vestors you recall me to my duty truly how uncertain is this Earth’s existence when all is bright a cloud may be overhanging today we live in peace happiness and love tomorrow death May desolate our home Fortune change and wealth give
Place to rags we truly by being pledged to Masters have been overshadowed by their protecting love and we shall not now allow the joys that are but fleeting to lead us from the path of Duty and the Bliss that is eternal well spoken husband now both are strong what is the
News your face bespeaks I have this day received special news from France Santos has passed his initiation and will be here before long to relieve me of my charge he will be accompanied by Alvarez the meaning of which I know not but we may be sure it portends change true husband this is
Significant yet use not the word portend it implies evil and we may be assured that the presence of one so great can mean not but good but if this is the case it is time to give our children more advanced instructions yes answered father their knowledge together with their intuitions
Will enable them to Now understand I will join you and them in a ramble over the mountain tomorrow when we can speak with freedom on the subject which we have guarded for so long yet which will be of vast importance in their lives with this their conversation drifted
Into other channels and by and by sister and I tiring of our play got our instruments and all four joined in an evening concert the next morning lunch was prepared in anticipation of a whole day on the mountain the sad look on the face of Father the evening before had
Disappeared and he joined with Lively interest in our Rambles all the morning our geological hammers broke the rocks and many were the flowers and plants we analyzed the Mountaintop was covered with many sea shells and father took advantage of our inquiry concerning them to give a talk upon the ancient world
When what is now land was then the bottom of the sea and what is now sea was then the home of vast and mighty civilizations long since lost to history after partaking of our noon lunch and when all were seated upon the great poery rock that marked the summit father
Commenced the following talk children he said as mother took her seat between us the full meaning of what I have to to tell you will be made clear as you grow older and as it is surrounded with considerable mystery and what cannot at present be fully explained to you I must
Trust to your innate knowledge to make it plain your mother and I are members of a secret Brotherhood all of whose members are pledged to devote their lives in labor for mankind not only we but our parents and ancestors for many ages before us were or are identified
With this Secret order Esmeralda and I were now paying the closest attention and Father’s words had a strange Fascination for me this fraternity he continued has many degrees or grades of membership extending from those who work unselfishly in the humblest walks of life to those who Mark the highest
Possibilities of human development each degree has its peculiar duties and obligations and your mother and I belong to what is called the fourth degree as members of this degree and before we can pass on to the exalted third degree we must raise in pure love and through all
The paths of virtue and goodness two souls to take our places in the world when we pass on you dear children testify to the Fulfillment of that Duty and we trust and believe that you will be fully competent and willing to do your part as you grow older in addition
To this Duty we must live a loving and unselfish life for 20 years as ordinary members of the world during which time we are to teach and train you until you are able to proceed by yourselves if these Duties are Faithfully fulfilled if for all these
Years we are a living example of all that is pure and good it is our privilege to become members of the exalted third degree rise superior to the bonds of death and live Immortal in the purest love children our 20 years have now almost expired and the only
Unfulfilled condition is that you should be fit to fill our places we know for our life of study has not been for not that this is only a matter of time and that you both will be our superiors we tell you these things dear children because we have reasons to
Believe changes are soon to call us to new duties which may necessitate a sundering of the ties of love in explanation of this seeming cruelty we would say that while the love which has been ours is blissful it cannot compare with a still higher love which marks a
Higher life and remember children that whatever may come to pass if love bonds are broken and you appear to have no friends you are by right of birth and the brotherhood’s adoption surrounded by protecting powers that defy all opposition so long as you live a life of Purity and goodness and adhere strictly
To the path of Duty Beauty the great ones called Protectors will protect you from all harm Grand and Noble were the words of father as he continued upon this subject which seemed to possess his entire soul but still more so were the beautiful and eloquent words of mother who followed
Him with a description of the great Souls who were members of the third degree with full confidence they outlined the possibilities that now lay before them and us their children and when they had finished Esmeralda and I although young in years were filled with an enthusiasm like their own now
Children said father in conclusion we have taken you into our full confidence that you may in the future more fully understand our actions and while we impose no solemn pledge upon you you will keep secret all we have spoken until it is permitted You by proper authority to reveal mother’s description of the
Members of the Brotherhood with their great great knowledge powers and wondrous Beauty filled us with desires to be like them and to know more of their relations with our parents evening having now arrived we returned to our home as meralda and I walking on ahead with the brothers the sole theme of our
Conversation nothing unusual occurred until next Wednesday evening the regular night for the meeting in the laboratory which meetings we now knew from Father’s talk were of a masonic lodge of which father father was Grand preceptor upon this evening father returned accompanied by a stranger he was a tall lie agile
Looking man with brown curly hair rather long and thin curly whiskers and mustache of the same color his eyes were of a steel blue wide open and very penetrating in their look his features were pale and somewhat angular in Contour his form was almost completely enveloped by a long long Indigo colored
Cloak which hung Loosely from his shoulders to his knees upon his hands he wore gloves which I noticed he never removed and he always spoke in a low suppressed tone which seemed to have a power unknown as it sense Shivers through us when we heard it I noticed
Also that the stranger avoided personal contact with anyone and immediately upon his arrival he proceeded to the laboratory from which he never departed not even for meals which were prepared especially by mother and delivered in person upon the arrival of this stranger mother came to us and said that she and
Father had a very difficult work to perform that night and we must not be alarmed if they did not come down until late the next day then kissing us good night she repaired to the laboratory father remaining below until the usual time about 8:00 the weekly callers
Arrived but this time they were all in a body and led by another stranger Esmeralda and I were now left with Wanita the maid and father with the others proceeded to the laboratory after retiring to my bed the mysteries of the last few days commenced
To crowd upon me and it was only after a long and Restless evening that I fell asleep sleep strange mystery who knows thy meaning and the wondrous powers that in thee find full play I fell asleep to dream I was carried far off into a wild wild and mountainous country where on
The Steep and rocky side of a lofty range encompassed around by peaks of snow was a large monastic looking building next by The Marvelous Transformations which characterize the dream I found myself in an interior Court surrounded by cyclopian columns and thronged with white robed priests upon a large white Cube which served as
A throne at one end of the Court sat a robe figure in a chair of pearl or Ivory his head was uncovered and he wore long golden curls his face was young his eyes mild and blue as I looked his form became surrounded with a Halo of light
And as I gazed more intently I saw that his form was transparent like crystal and a golden light emanated through the light blue robe of Gau that enveloped it then his features changed and from the kind and gentle look that had at first marked his face it became Stern and
Awful a radiant light Shone from his eyes and violet scintillations filled the air around with eyes fixed in awe and wonder on the scene I saw the white robed throng draw back and 12 figures transparent but not golden like the first robed in gors of yellow come
Forward and stand in a circle around the throne then I noticed for the first time a golden zodiac upon the white marble floor around the throne and each figure stood within a sign the court was flooded with radiant light from no Apparent Source and now behold 12 figures robed in Indigo LED forward
Another figure in light garments a beautiful form of pearly white shines through its transparent folds and two as i gaze I recognize my mother upon her Broad and Noble brow now Ivory Pearl in color shines with brilliant luster a five-pointed golden star oh how beautiful her face how calm and Grand
Her features her 12 robed conductors separate in front six take each side and join behind to form a triangle around her she advances then a fog came over the scene and I became lost in deep and dreamless sleep oh Soul untrammeled by the chain of matter where did you in
This sleep wander on the following morning I learned from Wanita that after having been in session the entire night all had left before Dawn except the mysterious stranger who was still with father and mother in the laboratory and whispered the maid with a scared look upon her face the court was
Full of phantom Spirits all night for as I started to return to my room the full moon lighting up the court showed it full of white figures I said nothing in reply but could not help but relate her strange statement with my dream and determined to ask Mother concerning it
9:00 came and father came down with a pale and careworn look upon his face noon came father took a light dinner with us but in answer to our questions only said mother will come down later 3:00 came and at last mother appeared oh how how supremely beautiful
Was her face now a pearl white in color and radiant with Divine love she came to us and as she kissed me her touch thrilled my entire being a delightful fullness filled my heart I never felt so happy in answer to our questions she said that the stranger was a great
Master and that by his Aid she had gone far away and seen many of the Mysteries of the higher life when I told her of my dream she smiled smiled happily and kissing me said my dear son and brother you are wiser than you know and will
Sometime know more fully the meaning of your vision The Stranger did not appear until evening when he walked into the court where we were all sitting together and coming up in front of me uttered some strange Words which had a wonderful effect a white Mist formed in a cloud
Before my eyes The Vapor vibrating rapidly took form and a panoramic view spread out before me I saw a smooth mirror-like body of water surrounded by mountainous Hills and containing many islands a bright blue sky filled with floating Banks of snowy clouds was reflected on its Placid surface then a
Vast Fleet of ships full of armed men appeared and the land also became black with a surging mass of shielded Warriors how I knew not but I seemed to recognize the scene and the words Xerxes Persia Greece formed in my mind then the Mist took new shapes and I saw a plane
Covered with hosts of dark-faced turbaned men with short curved swords mounted upon Arabian steeds opposite this swy host was an army of men of giant size with long yellow hair immense battle axes and suits of mail I saw the turbaned hosts Rush forward with loud loud cries the two sides met in Wild
Tumultuous battle and I saw the words Martel potier then the Mist faded away and I heard the strange man say brother of yesterday and tomorrow your course is fixed then turning to Esmeralda he gazed at her long and intently as he gazed her features became fixed and her eyes took
A far away look but I could see no Mist then he uttered the words child sister of the Orient in Western form thou too shalt return he waved his hand and sister started up with a look of surprise upon her face as she turned inquiringly to me this strange
Performance had taken only a few moments of time and father and mother had been silent witnesses as the stranger stepped back from Esmeralda he turned and with a peculiar gesture and knowing look departed we both plied father and mother with questions but they had seen no Mists nor scenes they had only noticed
Our steady gaze and heard the words of the stranger whom they now said was a great Adept named albarez and that he had the most wonderful powers such as belong to all exalted men among which was that of recalling temporary to others their past existence four said
Father the soul is eternal and uncreated and passes from Life To Life life and Country to country no doubt what you beheld were scenes in your past existence and if you join the Brotherhood and pass through its higher courses the vast knowledge that is concealed within your soul from many
Lives gone by will be revealed and become a part of your Consciousness this is in reality the secret of the Master’s knowledge of whom we have so often spoken and it is within your power to become like them for they are but Men passed on to higher Plains of
Being yes children added mother you are Spirit Souls dwelling in bodies for the time being when you have purified trained and perfected your bodies and made them fit instruments for the manifestation of spirit it will bring to you all knowledge for it is the knowing power in
Man thus you see my early training from childhood my life had been full of mystery and at the early age of 14 I had formed ideals of perfect men called Masters like whom I wish to be if my life has been different from most men’s this will help explain it these Mystic
Teachings of my parents together with my strange experience with albarez made the Brotherhood a constant subject of my thought the presence of the Adept albarez had evidently caused a change for the next Wednesday evening there was no lodge meeting in answer to our questions father said his Duty had been
Performed and his charge had been transferred to Others
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