| Knight and Butler believe that ancient peoples | | | | Newton and other scientists studied astrology. |
| possessed scientific knowledge. While this isn't news | | | | 2) The ancient British were more advanced in |
| to many who have read much of the history of our | | | | astronomy than the Egyptians. |
| distant past, the authors provide further evidence. | | | | 3) Sumerians, in the area that is now Iraq, arrived in |
| Stonehenge and certain other old structures, according | | | | approximately 3250 BC and no one seems to know |
| to the authors, are sacred observational ritual places. | | | | where these technologically and intellectually |
| After spending time in many Native American ruins in | | | | sophisticated peoples came from. |
| the US and seeing their knowledge of the planets and | | | | 4) Rosslyn, the chapel so often connected to the |
| stars, I find the fact that these were connected to the | | | | Freemasonry past and also prominent in Brown's The |
| stars to be a reasonable explanation. | | | | Da Vinci Code, is an observatory similar to |
| I read this book just after I read Dan Brown's The Lost | | | | Stonehenge and the pyramids, not a church. |
| Symbol, not realizing the close connection of some of | | | | 5) Washington DC is another observatory site similar |
| the material. I assume Brown knew of Knight and | | | | to Stonehenge, the pyramids, and Rosslyn. |
| Butler's research, since they mention that he used | | | | This book has much scientific data about a Megalithic |
| some of their work in his previous novel, The Da Vinci | | | | Yard that can be traced back to the pyramids and |
| Code. Whether he did or not does not detract from | | | | beyond. While one can get lost in the technical |
| either work, nor is the focus the same. What is striking, | | | | descriptions, they do provide validation to these ideas |
| however, are the similarities of both books seeing the | | | | that might otherwise be just interesting. Perhaps the |
| importance of Washington DC and some of the | | | | authors go too far when they suggest that all major |
| buildings within that city. | | | | sites in Washington, DC are linked by a web measured |
| What is just as fascinating is the importance of the | | | | in the Megalithic Yard, bringing the Freemasonry |
| past that permeates both books. Is there knowledge | | | | mystique to the United States. The authors suggest |
| we have simply forgotten that is gradually coming to | | | | the possibility "that Washington DC is a continuation of |
| light through these various books, both in fiction and | | | | knowledge held by an advanced culture from the |
| nonfiction? Do we need to go back to the past as we | | | | extreme past. And there is still an elite group of people |
| move forward? Signs seem to be pointing in that | | | | who fully understand this" (208). |
| direction. | | | | They claim that the Sphinx and other Egyptian standing |
| Knight and Butler mention the importance of the planet | | | | structures "prove beyond doubt that the emergence |
| Venus and the star Sirius to early civilizations. Are | | | | of civilization...took place long before orthodox history |
| there revelations we are to find that link our past to | | | | has ever considered" (209). And they suggest that |
| two of the most prominent lights in the sky? I won't be | | | | now is the time to "look again at ideas of the past" |
| surprised if further research finds that to be true. The | | | | (211). Are their conclusions correct? I don't believe there |
| Freemasons, the mysterious group that is receiving so | | | | is enough information available. But their findings pose |
| much press these days, seem to have a connection | | | | questions of a past far more exciting than any fiction, |
| to Venus and its relation to the Sun in their rituals. The | | | | and I do believe that the best is yet to come. |
| authors claim this shows an importance of the feminine | | | | This is not as easy reading as Brown's novel, yet it |
| and astrology in Freemasonry. Future research may | | | | poses related questions. How helpful, however, for |
| also confirm that. | | | | readers that these two books arrive on the market at |
| There are other observations in the book: | | | | same time, providing similar knowledge in varying |
| 1) The authors mention the importance of astrology, | | | | forms. Perhaps we need to pay attention. |
| not just astronomy in their findings. They point out that | | | | |