THE ORACLES OF BALAAM

The Oracles of Balaam

One of the oldest texts with allusions to the planetary triangles (or phoenix) is in the Bible (OT, Numbers 24), in the Oracles of Balaam, the Pagan seer. The Church links his prophecies to the coming of Christ, but our 854-year cycles indicate that they rather pertain to 860 BCE, the era of Elijah and Elisah. On the peak of Mount Peor, the spirit of God came upon Balaam and gave voice to these oracles (1):

Prostrate, but with eyes open:

How fine your tents are, O Jacob

Your dwellings, O Israel

Like far-stretched valleys,

Like gardens beside a river,

Like aloes planted by the LORD,

Like cedars beside a stream.

Water shall flow from their buckets,

And their seed shall have abundant water;

Their king shall be taller than Agag...

If we accept the invitation and prostrate before the vision, and really open our eyes, the fine tents of Jacob are like the above fiery triangle, and the valleys of Israel the watery triangle which is indeed as far-stretched as the wings of the Phoenix -- or the Star of David, as seen in perspective over Bethlehem. Their fusion into the hexagram is symbolized by the fertility of the gardens with “watery” aloes and “fiery” cedars. The abundance of water brings the "seed" to life and a king grows tall. And to reassure us that we interpret the oracle correctly, another follows:

A s t a r has come forth from Jacob,

A c o m e t has risen from Israel,

And has shattered the temples of Moab,

and the skulls of all the sons of Seth..."

This is one of the many examples from Antiquity that may have inspired the ambiguities of Chrétien de Troyes. Some will dismiss our interpretation of the vision as a stretch of the imagination, but it is a challenge to make our quest more interactive! Especially Jewish and Christian scholars are targeted, because the oracle cuts to the core of these religions! We should add that the above University of Chicago translation follows the German scholar Ideler (2) with the translation of the Aramaic schebet as “comet”, rather than the “scepter” of Martin Luther and the King James version. But it is important for our researches that we find Kepler's star in these oracles. Burke-Gaffney fails to mention it, although the Jesuit relies on Ideler, and Pritchard of Oxford, to dismiss the triangles of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in 6 BCE as meaningless as they allegedly were too close to the Sun to be visible for naked eye observers like the Magi. Kepler's fusion of both terms to a cometary star does not describe a comet, but rather a star that "phenomenized" as suddenly as a comet -- like, in fact, the planetary hexagram, because it was still unknown that comets move in predictable orbits.

The above shattered temples of Moab take us to the Biblical Book of Kings and the wars against Moab, where Elijah slays 450 evil prophets of Baal after another divine oracle with the familiar water-fire magic (1 K.18:38-39):

...the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the

burnt-offering (i.e. of Elijah) and the wood, the

stones and the dust, and licked up the water

that was in the trench. So when all the people

saw it, they fell upon their faces and said,

`The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God"...

In the next chapter (19:16), God tells Elijah (Elias) to anoint his successor Elisah (Eliseus) whom he finds (19:19) "plowing behind twelve yoke of oxen, he being with the twelfth." (A possible reference to his birth under the 12th sign: Pisces.)

In the "Second Book of Kings" (2:8-15), Elisah follows Elijah through the Jordan, and the latter is translated to heaven during much water and fire magic, after which Elisah succeeds him with "double his spirit". Then, during the "War between Israel and Moab" (3:15-27), Elisah asks for a minstrel, and "the power of the LORD came upon him", and he miraculously made water which led to the defeat of the Moabites.

Archeologists date the rule of king Ahab as 874-853 BCE, which covers the probable year of Elisah's birth. Hence, the appearance of the phoenix on March 20, 860 BCE, suggests that his birth was announced, like Christ’s, by a planetary hexagram in Pisces. The oldest image of an Israeli in history, and of the hexagram, is from this period. The detail (at left) of the "Black Obelisk" at the British Museum shows king Jehu paying tribute to king Shalmaneser III of Assyria (859-824 BCE). The bas-relief of black limestone shows a six-pointed star (at the right), and a large bird (above Shalmaneser) that could be the phoenix, but more research is needed. It is also a lesson what Balaam's prostrating means: Most archeologists identify the crouching figure as Jehu of Bit Omri, an Israeli, and the one that's barely visible above him as Sua of Gilzanu, a Persian -- two kings of very different cultures. Unless it was customary at the time for submissive kings to wear identical ceremonial caps, belts and clothes, we seem to be dealing with a mistaken identity. In that case, both are the same man, an Assyrian translator. Just compare them below, the one at right doesn't dare to look up at Shalmaneser, and Jehu is probably standing behind him under the star. The obelisk was created around 643 BCE, and discovered in Nimrud, northern Iraq, where it was erected in 825 BCE as a public monument. This identifies the period of Elisah, because he anointed king Jehu according to the Old Testament (2 Kings 9:1-10, 33).

We are always raising all possible doubts, because it is the nature of our quest. But this ancient sculpture adds another dimension to our controversial hypothesis, which is not only supported by data from the Jet Propulsion Lab (Pasadena, USA), but by the Christian gospels themselves. If seen in this new light, the parallels are so numerous that a few examples can show that the mission of Jesus may have been, or was meant to be, a more "evolved" repetition of Elisah's:

John the Baptist preaches at the shores of the Jordan, and proclaims Get the Lord's way ready! (Mt.3: 3), "I am baptizing you in water... He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire." (Mt.3:11) Later, when Jesus arrives from Galilee and follows John into the Jordan, just as Elisah had followed Elijah before the "chariot of fire" came down from heaven, he is baptized and "went right out of the water, and the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God come down like a dove and light upon him." (Mt.3:16-17)

In addition to these similarities, both are said to have miraculous powers over water: In his first miracle, Elisah purifies the wells of Jericho (2 K.2:19-31) and Jesus changes water into wine (Jn.2:1-11). Later, Elisah makes an iron ax head float on water (2 K.6:6), and more dramatically, Jesus walks on it (Mt.14:22-26). Like Jesus, Elisah heals the sick, raises the dead, and achieves a miraculous "Multiplication": A man brings Elisah "twenty barley loaves" to feed a hundred men and "they ate and left some over according to the LORD." (2 K.4:42-44). More dramatically, Christ feeds five thousand with "five loaves and two fish" (Mt.14:19) and the leftovers "filled twelve baskets", and later, he feeds four thousand with seven loaves and fish, and the leftovers "filled seven baskets." (Mt.15:34-48). No wonder some rabbis and many Jews regard reports of such repeat performances a bit over the top! Who wouldn't?

Linked to Elisah's death is even a mysterious resurrection: During funeral services, a band of marauding Moabites appeared and the mourners threw the dead man "into the grave of Elisah" and fled in fear. But when he touched the bones of Elisah, he revived and arose and stood on his feet. (2K 13:20-21) Could this man have been Elisah, resurrected, but was not recognized by his friends at first, like Jesus? Or is it the contrary?

That the author of Matthew's Gospel believed in a cosmic succession is also apparent when John the Baptist is compared to Elijah, the teacher of Elisah. Jesus said to his disciples: For up to the time of John all the Prophets and the Law itself prophesied about it, and, if you are ready to accept the idea, he is himself Elijah who was to come (Mt.11:13-14). After the Transfiguration the disciples ask Jesus again: Then why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first? He answers: Elijah does come and is to reform everything, but I tell you, Elijah has come already, and they would not recognize him... Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist." (Mt.17:10-13) This is later reinforced by Matthew (27:46-49), following Mark (15:34-35), when Jesus cries out on the cross: Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? Some bystanders remark He is invoking Elijah, and even: Leave him alone. Let's see if Elisah comes to his rescue. The writer of the gospel insists that the last words were misunderstood, that Jesus called on God -- but Eli could have been Elijah or Elisah for short! (See footnote 3)

Evans-Wentz (1878-1965) was an anthropologist and expert on Eastern traditions. He says that the Eastern concept of reincarnation was quite common during the first centuries of Christianity, at least until Origen and Tertullian, and that it was finally suppressed at the Fifth Council (4):

As an examination of... `De Principiis' proves, Origen himself believed in the doctrine. But the theologians who created the Greek canons of the Fifth Council disagreed with Origen's views, and condemned Origen for believing, among other things called by them heresies, that Jesus Christ will be reincarnated and suffer on earth a second time...

Tertullian, contemporary with Origen, in his `de Anima' considers weather or not the doctrine of re-birth can be regarded as Christian in view of the declaration by Jesus Christ that John the Baptist was Elias (or Elijah), the old Jewish prophet, come again...

In the “Pistis Sophia”, an ancient Gnostic-Christian work, which contains what are alleged to be some of Christ's esoteric teachings to his disciples, it is clearly stated that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elias. The same work further expounds the doctrine of re-birth as a teaching of Jesus Christ which applies not to particular personages only, like Elias, but as a universal law governing the lives of all mankind."

More research needs to be done, especially in view of the newly discovered Gospel of Judas! It is possible that the Magi became teachers of Jesus, because it is very strange that thirty years of his life are unaccounted for! There seems to be only one brief mention at age twelve -- all other years are missing from the Gospels. Could this be some sort of cover up? It seems that the first Christians were unable to reconcile the story of the Magi with their negative depiction in the Book of Daniel, and wanted to avoid the alienation of their Jewish brothers and sisters. But it is known that some Magi were in the inner circle of the first Christians, Simon Magus for example. Even if Jesus was not initiated by Magi, nor in India and exposed to Buddhism, the Platonic concept of "transmigration of souls" could have opened the door to Eastern traditions, to the belief in the reincarnation of Jesus and the Elijah-John and Elisah-Jesus successions. This is supported by the so-called "oracles" of Matthew, the authentic title of the gospel that introduces the Magi (Mt.2:2) who may have been Babylonians or Persians from Media, and Zoroastrian priests. Many scholars have mentioned that Judaism and Christianity contain Zoroastrian elements, of which the symbolism of the "prince of darkness" and "children of light" are but one example. According to the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, even a famous Roman historian (Tacitus?) labeled Christianity "an Eastern superstition". The Catholic Church seems to downplay the Eastern aspect by changing the Magi to kings and/or astrologers from the three continents, including a black African.

An interesting symbolism -- until DNA-tests of their relics prove otherwise. They are allegedly enshrined in the cathedral of Cologne (Germany), where they are worshipped as the Holy Three Kings (Heiligen Drei Könige). Inspired by Albertus Magnus, a medieval alchemist in Cologne, we'll use this fission to attempt a bit of "alchemy" ourselves: The fusion of three different elements to their essence -- like the three planets of the hexagram. If successful, we'll also try to join the three broken pieces of Chrétien's Magic Sword -- and the three familiar grail symbols into the real grail. That leading Christian theologians in the Middle Ages, including popes, were alchemists is historically established, but rarely brought up these days. We hope that pope Sylvester II and Thomas Aquinas, both active alchemists, will help us solve part of these riddles, especially the Trinitarian mystery. But don't rely on the internet when you follow up on this, because monks don't illuminate manuscripts anymore. They are "under orders" to enrich the Wikipedias of the world with the Catholic point of view. Other interest groups, like the scientologists, got wise and are doing it as well!

Before we develop this shocking hypothesis any further, we should repeat that this website is dedicated to the search of the "Holy Grail", which is and will always remain free from external doctrines and influences. When we interpret religious texts, like the above Oracles of Balaam, we often prefer the unorthodox and controversial positions as a motivation for visitors to join our "quest". We know, of course, that Jewish and Christian theologians have studied the scriptures for millenniums and mean no disrespect of their wisdom, traditions, and beliefs. We are mere "outsiders" and hope that our attacks of traditional concepts are compared to the jousts of medieval knights! Like them, we rely on courage when we lack knowledge, and our "weapons" are theories like the 854-year cycles that give us some playroom for new ideas.

Tentative conclusions: Could the ancient sages have known of oral traditions that go back to earlier stages of the evolution? Plato's Timaeus implies something like that! From our Western point of view, which is influenced by the superstitions of Antiquity and the Judeo-Christian religions, we get the impression that early humanity needed a belief system to cope with the unknown, from thunder and lightening to the flooding of the Nile. Some individuals evolved faster and began to observe nature, and when they noticed some cyclical patters they impressed others with their predictions. Originally, when to plant and harvest, and later to announce lunar and solar eclipses, which bettered their social standing. They probably appeased the ignorant by deferring to some "higher power" or "divine intervention" which raised their status even higher as it implied a personal relationship with the above. That's probably when the threat of the "end times" was first used for the good of the faithful, to keep them united and make them follow the commandments. But when these pre-historic tribal chiefs were consumed by political problems and warfare, they had to delegate the spiritual leadership to their wise men. One of their first acts was to introduce animal sacrifice -- to provide them with good food. A practice that survived in Judaism until early Christianity, because Mary took young Jesus to Jerusalem (Luke 2:24) and sacrificed a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons as required by OT prophecies -- and quite a delicacy! The religious context is difficult to understand for us because we underestimate the psychological impact of rituals that lasted for at least a hundred thousand years. A residue may be the smoky backyard barbeques of today, which vegetarians could attribute to a genetic memory from the cave age.

It seems that our ancestors believed in their superstitions so strongly that they changed history to make them come true! This may have been continued by the early Christians and could explain why Jesus decided to ride into Jerusalem on an ass! According to Matthew (21:4) is was to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah (9:9). It is more difficult to determine if Jesus used similar dramatics when he fulfilled Malachi's prophecy (3:23-4) by saying that John the Baptist was Elijah, born again, but they would not recognize him? The Church interprets it in Messianic terms, but if we remain objective, it is possible that Jesus really considered himself the prophet Elisah, come again, as believed by some early "church fathers". Why else did he always insist that he was the "Son of Man", even when relating to the father in heaven? And finally, we must ask if Judas really committed a sin when he fulfilled a "divine prophecy" to betray Jesus? If we think about it, only Jews have a right to condemn him -- because if Judas had disobeyed God, Christianity would not exist!

Although incomprehensible for us today, we must consider the hypothesis that we are dealing with a phenomenon that may find a natural explanation some time in the future. It could relate to DNA-memory and an external force field that triggers "reincarnations" or "spiritual rebirths", which are more consciously experienced by highly evolved individuals (5). This would have even greater consequence: If two Jewish prophets were born again as John and Jesus -- Jesus was definitely not the expected Messiah! Something Christians and Jews would reject unanimously, because both religions would have misunderstood the mission of Jesus. The Jews are still waiting for Elijah's return by reserving an empty chair and a glass of wine for him at ceremonies! But if Jesus really said that Elijah had returned, as many Christians believe, other mysteries would finally have a simple explanation, from the resurrection to the second coming, and even the apocalypse. A good reason to spend more time with the 864-year cycles, especially the historical parallels, because we insult the faithful by raising doubts about the "supernatural" as long as there is no evidence to the contrary. That's why we apologize and admit sincerely that we are still far too ignorant to understand the mysteries we dare to challenge at this site -- a good reason for you to get involved and contribute your insights! Please send your comments and criticism to info@grailgate.com and join our interactive search for the Holy Grail!

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Notes

1. Complete Bible, University of Chicago, Illinois, 1947, p. 145

2. Ludwig Ideler, Historische Untersuchungen über die astronomischen Beobachtungen der Alten, Quren, Berlin, 1806, p. 408

3. The most interesting case of a misinformed "eyewitness" is recorded in 2 Kings 2:19-22 when Elisha allegedly uses salt to "heal" the polluted waters of Jericho. Everyone at the Med knows that quicklime is used every spring to whiten those picturesque houses -- which keeps the bugs away. It is also used to purify cisterns and wells, and for 4000 years as a mix with mortar. Elijah could have even used it (1 K.18:38-39) to ignite the fire in the water! It comes as small white crystals that any uninformed bystander would take for salt! Your gatekeeper used it regularly in a cistern in Spain, and once found a dead rat in his well at Rabos. A neighbor, who was working in his vineyard, brought a small can with quicklime, and after we removed the rat he threw a handful of these crystals into the water. He said that it would be potable in about 20 minutes.

The same Biblical "witness" heard probably that boys were attacked by a bear, and remembered they had teased Elisah by calling him baldhead. To distract the faithful from his salt-confusion, he followed up with Elisah's revenge in 2 Kings 2:23-25 when he had "forty-two of the children torn to pieces" by bears. Those who take the Bible literally have the consolation that the two prophets were no longer murderers when born again -- they had evolved to messengers of love and peace!

4. W.Y. Evans-Wentz, The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries, University Books, 1966, pp. 359-362

5. Consistent with the above, here is another idea that is a bit off-the-wall: Why not begin the search of DNA-memory with animal studies? It could be that brain waves are amplified by those "gut feelings", by the acids and gases in the intestines, and that the information is recorded by an external, gaseous reservoir. Such "waves" could explain the spectacular sight when millions of small fish move in perfect synch in the oceans, and large flocks of birds like curtains in the sky. This link between animals is subconscious, and may have become dormant in humans. It could account for ESP, for example, and relate to dreams. It may also be triggered by drug abuse! The research of this phenomenon may reveal that some patients at Mental Institutions, those that remember past lives, may actually be telling the truth. A great subject for a TV documentary -- and a chance to interview Napoleon in person!

In the context, we may even have to revise Darwin's revolutionary ideas. (Brief sample).