Grail Seekers Media Watch up to 13 May 08

Grail Seekers this since last time:

Needless to say the last couple of weeks have been action packed. My trip to New York wasn’t just taken up with the Bloodline Press conference; I got a chance to view the Poussin exhibit at the Met. I’ll be sharing some thoughts on Poussin and his art work later this week. I was also denied seeing the Antioch Chalice, again, while in the Big Apple. The powers at the Metropolitan Art Museum decided to move the piece again back to the Cloisters. Being on a short time table, I didn’t have the chance to visit the Cloisters again. So the Met is officially off my Christmas card list. Enough grouching, it’s time for a whole heap of news…

On Audio:

The Occult of Personality interviews Dr. Paul Clark is a renowned writer and lecturer, as well as the Steward of the Fraternity of the Hidden Light.

Oopa Loopa Café will interview Lloyd Pie on the 16^th.

Peter Gandy and Timothy Freke will be on the Laura Lee show on the 16^th and 17^th speaking on the secret teachings of Gnostics.

While not a Grail topic, physicist Michio Kaku was interviewed by Dreamlands on the 10^th. He’s fascinating to listen to and makes complex physics theories accessible to common folks like us. Ok, so I’m a geek…

In the News:

World Net Daily has an article entitled 'Ark of the Covenant altar' found in Sheba's palace. Its a little light on the evidence on the altar, but what is interesting is they figured out the palace was aligned with the star Sirus.

Add Prestwick, UK to the growing list of places the Holy Grail is thought to reside. I wouldn’t get too excited, the article only mentions “mysterious researchers” as making the claim.

An exhibit at Glastonbury Abby follows the life of Frederick Bligh Bond, who became the first official archeologist of the site in 1908.

Rosslyn Chapel has been linked to many things, but now there’s a Maya Temple lurking in the carvings.

The Archimedes Codex and has been somewhat unraveled.

Danny Penman reports on hypnotic regression that uncovered he died in Jerusalem in 1276. I’m not sure about reincarnation, but I do think there is something to genetic memory.

Viking sword fragments have been found on the Isle of Mann.

An intricate mosaic floor is being restored in Westminster Abby.

New Marian apparitions are “approved” by the Catholic Church

A new book claims Michelangelo painted hidden message in his art work.

On Film:

Well everyone and their brother have weighed in on the Bloodline documentary. From the good, the bad, to the ugly. I’ll reserve comment since I haven’t seen it yet…

Get out the wooden stakes and garlic, the Templars will be fighting vampires soon. I can imagine DeMolay is not amused from the great beyond.

Blog On:

Illuminati Under the Microscope blog links the Golden Ratio, to Poussin, to Thomas Jefferson.

Philip Coppens gives a history of St Edmund’s Church using Andy Marshall’s photography to tell the tale.

Was Elvis a secret Rosicrucian? Thank you very much…

Societe Perillos hits the high spots on Otto Rahn.

Grail Seekers Media Watch since 5 Apr 08

Grail Seekers this since last time:

With any luck, I should be returning to New York for the Bloodlines press conference at the Jewish Museum on 5 May 08. I’ve been in contact with Bruce Burgess and the folks at Cinema Libre Studios about getting a press pass to attend. So cross your fingers and throw some salt over your shoulder… If the trip does materialize, I’ll be doing audio blogs to keep everyone up to speed on the press conference.

On Audio:

Dreamlands was busy in the last week… Dr. Karen Ralls, author of the Templar Encyclopedia appeared on 19 Apr 08. Laurence Gardner appeared on 12 Apr 08 talking about his take on the bloodline of Jesus. Catch these interviews before they go into the archive vault.

Radio Rennessence has posted their interview with Henry Lincoln of Holy Blood, Holy Grail fame.

In the News:

A possible druid grave has been found in Colchester, UK.

Was Da Vinci of Arabic descent?

Could Gordon Brown open the way for Catholics to ascend the throne in England?

Viking artifacts have been found in Northern Scotland.

More news of illegal digs in Rennes-le-Chateau surface. You’ll need a translator or the ability to read French for this article.

The BBC follows the excavations inside the ring at Stonehenge. The article has embedded video of the dig.

On the Web:

The Alchemy Lab web site has a concise history of alchemy from Egypt to modern day.

Softpedia explores the monolithic Churches of Ethiopia. Check out the pictures in this article. It’s hard not to see the connections between the Templars, and Freemasonry of that matter, after seeing these images.

Sacred Texts posts Pike’s Morals and Dogma on line.

Blog On:

Bruce Burgess has been busy with around 20 entries into the Official Bloodlines blog in the last week.

Anthony North asks, Does the Devil have a Halo? I know the Devil plays Halo 3, and he’s running around with an energy sword which he commonly skewers me with…

The Truth Will Set You Free blog digs up the theory that Stanley Kubrick was killed by the Illuminati for making Eyes Wide Shut.

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the week ending 5 Apr 08

Grail Seekers this week:

Time and tide changes all things, or so my fortune cookie from last night’s dinner said…. Maybe my outlook on life, the universe and everything will change this week.

On Audio:

The Oopa Loopa Café will have a show on Oz’s visit to the Kensington Rune Stone on the 10^th.

The Laura Lee show will have Michael Heiser on ancient Semitic languages on the 10^th; and Michael Cremo on the 12^th.

In the News:

Well Jimmy Page’s Grail tapestry didn’t sell at auction this week. I wonder if it will show up on Ebay?

Well we now know the Achesons from Hertford aren’t part of the “Ancient & Noble Order of the Knights Templar”. I had a feeling they would denounce the group.

A North Fort Myers Masonic Lodge was broken into and $49,000 worth of “relics” were taken.

Two Israeli Rabbis think the Ark of the Covenant is still in Jerusalem.

The Times Online opens up the English HQ of the Hospitilars.

Was Sodom and Gomorrah hit by a comet?

The BBC reports excavations inside the Stonehenge ring will start soon.

On Film:

Movie Vine reviews Philip Gardiner's The Bond Code. Who knew Flemming was into alchemy?

On the Web:

Priory of Sion.com examines André Bonhomme’s role in the formation of the POS.

Red Ice Creations posted all of the Occult History of the Third Reich documentary.

Live Science takes us back to the Council of Nicea

Blog On:

The “to be continued” blog has a concise history of the Oak Island mysteries.

Numerologist Gary Van Tenuta has an open letter on Tracy Twyman’s blog on some intriguing gematria.

The Kemo’s Journal blog explains the Templar’s greatest secret…

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 29 Mar 08

I'm giving up on the update for this week. There's only a couple of items that are noteworthy in the Holy Grail related world. Those I'll mention in next week's post. Besides, the one that really interested me this week has disappeared off the AP website. It was a report on secret Israeli tunneling under the Temple Mount. I've never seen an AP article drop off that quickly....

Tomorrow, I'm headed to Lambuth University in Jackson, TN tomorrow to view a copy of the Proceedings Against the Knights Templar from the Vatican Press. The University unveiled its copy on Friday and is holding a sort of Templar week on campus. More on this when I get back tomorrow night.

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 22 Mar 08

Grail Seekers this week:

Sorry for the update being a few days late this week. With Easter, work, family, and other such “real world” things going on; I’ve been a little hampered in my writing. But then again, isn’t that always the case?

There’s not a ton of news out there this week, by the first two headlines in this week’s mix do raise some interesting questions. The first is about a neo-Templar movement that has taken out an ad in a UK newspaper, and the second is about the disappearance of Tudor Parfitt’s Ark of the Covenant. Interesting times indeed…

And finally, for those who already miss Arthur C Clark. Grail Seekers graphics guru Barry Edwards has created a memorial shirt for the sci-fi visionary.

On Audio:

Nothing out there this week trips my trigger…

In the News:

A new Templar organization that has popped up on the grid with the aims of restoring the good name of the Templars. I can get behind that.

Evidently, Tudor Parfitt’s Ark of the Covenant has disappeared from the Museum that was holding it in Zimbabwe.

Jimmy Page has sold his Holy Grail tapestry. Luckily, he’s not selling his photo album just yet.

The BBC asks why the controversy over the Shroud of Turin will be explained away easily.

On Film:

The Danish film, The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar will be released in Malta later this month.

Blog On:

Atlantean Times blog has ferreted out a connection between Heath Ledger and Rennes-le-Chateau

Ars Latomorum has a very brief piece on Freemasonry and Alchemy

The Burning Taper blog has won a Sunshine Award; Huzzah!

Tracy Twyman wonders why Marc Dutroux and the Priory of Sion are linked in the following video. I guess my 3 years of German in high school isn’t cutting it on this one. If you can shed some light on this one, Tracy would appreciate it.

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 16 Mar 08

Grail Seekers this week:

I was on vacation this week from my “real job” and haven’t been home too much since last Sunday. The first part of the week I went to New York City to do some research on John Steinbeck and play the “country come to town” tourist. The second part of the week was a family vacation to Memphis for BBQ and a visit to the Memphis zoo. I hate to say it, but I’ll be glad to get back to work so I can get some rest. I did a ton of audio blogs on my other goofy blog, if you’re inclined to follow along with my adventures.

Also, I planned to send the petition to exonerate the Knights Templar to the Vatican off tomorrow on the anniversary of Jacque DeMolay being burned at the stake. I think I will hold of on that due to only 63 people signing until a later date. If sending this type of message to the Vatican interests you, check out the link and send it to a friend.

On Audio:

Stephen Defoe and Chris Hoodap will be on the X-Zone Radio Show talking about the anniversary of Jacque DeMolay’s death on the 17^th.

Allen Greenfield, Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis, visits the Occult of Personality Podcast.

In the News:

Rennes-le-Chateau researcher Jean-Luc Robin has passed away. Godspeed into the great beyond Jean-Luc, I hope you now have the answers to things we cannot on this side of the veil.

A US military Knights Templar Lodge has been accused of hazing. It makes me wonder how the media would have covered the initiation and training regiments of the Spartans…

On Freemasonry, a Lodge is opened up in Buckingham Palace.

Jeff Nisbet from Mythomorph sent in, “The Duke of Westminster, aka Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, close friend of Prince Charles, and English Grand Prior of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, is Client #6 of the Emperors Club.” Thanks Jeff.

The Knights of Malta elect a new leader from the UK this week.

First Temple era ruins are found 100 meters from the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. There’s also a video on the story at the top of the page. Funny this has happened on the heels of all other events that has been going on in Jerusalem this month, and allegations that the Israelis are ok with destruction of artifacts. Add in Islamic leaders, once again, deny that the Temple ever existed in the first place. What a hot mess.

Nazi treasure is found on the Czech border with Germany.

On the Web:

Looking for directions to the Skull and Bones building on Yale’s campus, look no further.

The RLC Research Site has done some major updates to their photo section.

What’s the skinny on Tarot Cards?

FSU classics professor exploring a 'lost' city of the Mycenaeans

Blog On:

BS Historian asks what the link between the Loch Ness Monster and Rosslyn Chapel is.

Bartholomew's Notes on Religion blog links Satanic Ritual Abuse, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and David Shayler

The Modern Knight Templar thinks that Rosslyn is a Monument to the Goddess

The Celestine Musings blog has a collection of photographs of doors and portals into esoteric related places.

The Templar Globe is hot on the Trail of the Grail.

Bob Freeman reports on a Grail tapestry that’s up for sale. I need to check my powerball ticket from last night.

Media Watch for the Week Ending 8 Mar 08

Grail Seekers this week:

The snow in Nashville must have made me a little salty this morning, given some of my quips in the news section this week. Or maybe it's because I have to go to work on my off day because people in the Athens of the South can't figure out how to drive in the snow. At any rate, here’s another week in the can from the Grail Seeker’s news desk.

On Audio:

Ann Masai will be on the Laura Lee Show on the 15^th discussing the Black Madonna.

In the News:

The Grand Master of Freemasons in Venezuela is shot during an apparent kidnapping attempt this week. My condolences go out to his family.

Eight Jewish students are killed during a terrorist attack near the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Once again, my thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

The Knights of Malta want you to know they hold no secrets. Other than the fact they have diplomatic immunity and passports that let them walk through walls.

Academics think Moses was smoking dope when he received the Ten Commandments.

Vandals hit the Trembling Rocks at Renne-le-Chateau. Folks, I’m all about looking for Grail related evidence. But for sites like this, if you’re not in the company of professionals you’re going to spoil a landmark for everyone else.

The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church (the same group that use to go under the name of the Inquisition…) rules that a feminist point of view in the Catholic Church is not kosher.

Mira Sorvino will reprise her role in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion in the NBC miniseries The Last Templar.

On the Web:

What’s down this shaft on Mount Cardou? The RLC team thinks there are Templar artifacts down the hole.

Opinions on why Tara Hill should be saved.

Ben Hammott’s site has a piece on the Archeological GRP investigation at Rennse-le-Chateau

Blog On:

Codex Celtica looks at the Arthurian graffiti 10 years after it’s discover.

How mysterious is the crypt in Rosslyn Chapel?

On Video:

The Secret Glory, a documentary about Otto Rahn is available as part of a collection of Richard Stanley’s works.

Grail Seekers Media Watch since last time until 1 Mar 08

Grail Seekers this week:

Well since the Grail Seekers web site is up and running now, maybe I can get back to writing more on the blog. It has been much too long…

On Audio:

Congratulations to the Oopa Loopa Café which just celebrated it’s first birthday. Huzzah!

John Hogue discusses the life of Nostradamus, 4 Mar 08, on the Laura Lee Show.

Wednesday 27 Feb 08, Coast to Coast AM will feature Walt Brown on Noah’s Ark.

In the News:

The Ark of the Covenant is showing up in all sorts of places all over Africa, this time it’s in Zimbabwe. The Daily Mail also has an article on Tudor Parfitt’s work.

I missed the Alchemy Fair in Moscow…

Cinema Libre Studios has gotten the rights to distribute The Bloodlines Documentary. I hear from a good source that it will be released on May 9^th. (Thanks John…)

A white stag is spotted in Scotland, what this means I’m not sure.

The Shroud of Turin is to undergo yet another round of tests.

Has a Druid grave been uncovered in the UK?

The Vatican tries to put a positive spin of the Inquisition by releasing “secret documents”. I wonder if they will sell this set for $10,000 with a bonus Happy Meal.

Blog On:

The Institute for Hermetic Studies blog has announced seminar for those wishing to learn the operative aspects of the Flamel Path of mineral alchemy.

Mark Amaru Pinkham’s Modern Templar blog asks, What’s Really in Rosslyn Chapel?”

The Future Cult blog remote views Thomas Plantard.

The Unam Sanctam Catholicam blog muses that Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia.

The Templar Globe explains how Candlemas is a Templar celebration.

Anthony North looks at some theories relating to Atlantis.

On Video:

The first volume of The Quest 12 part documentary on the link between the Knights Templar and Freemasonry will be available soon.

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 9 Feb 08

Grail Seekers this week:

I’ve been furiously working on the web site for the last few weeks, hence the lack of items on the blog. I’m going to shoot for next Monday publishing of www.grailseekers.com . The site is designed to bring you closer to some of the resources on the web to help your Grail Quest. Keep your eyes on the blog for the announcement of when the site will go live. Now for the news of the last two weeks, and maybe I can get back to doing some blog writing…

On Audio:

The Oopa Loopa Café had a show on archeological trends in 2008 on the 8^th.

Laura Lee will interview Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy about Christianity's Gnostic origins on the 15^th.

Red Ice Creation’s featured interview is with John Lash on Gnosticism and the Abrahamic religions.

In the News:

There was a meeting of the Knights Templar Croatia and Slovenia took place in Medjugorje during the last week-end of January.

The last episode of the TV series Miriana Coljerò, was filmed in Malta with a Templar battle scene this week.

More news from Iceland on the Grail hunt there. A knife found in 1990 has given the team some hope they are on the right track.

The double life of the Dead Sea Scrolls is traced on the CNRS site

Israeli archaeologist revises reading of ancient seal inscription

A new move to save ancient manuscripts in Timbuktu

A white stag is spotted in the Scottish Highlands.

Scottish Mason’s marks to be recorded (Thanks Bob)

On the Web:

The Thule Society wasn’t up to quite what you thought they were up to…

Blog On:

The Discover the Undiscovered Blog has an article and pictures of the Ethiopian Timket celebrations.

The Templar Globe spends 24 hours in Acre

On Video:

A Walking Tour of Rosicrucian Park

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 26 Jan 08

Grail Seekers this week:

I think the weather in a majority of the US has stymied the flow of news this week. It’s pretty dead on the wires this week. Work on the web site continues… And I thought I had written a lot of content for the site over the past year… No so much. I’ll keep you posted.

On Audio:

Michael Tsarion is interviewed on the Occult of Personality; Podcast #39 on the Occult History of Judeo–Christianity.

Laura Lee will interview Christopher Knight on 2 Feb 08 about the History of Freemasonry.

In the News:

Are Satanists responsible for stealing Holy Water from the Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio in Turin? Chalk this up to another odd occurrence in Italy.

It looks like the Bloodlines documentary will finally come out this Spring.

Is Dan Brown’s new novel even close to coming out?

National Geographic begins a nine part on line video presentation called Treasure Wars – Who Owns the Past?

The Biblical Archaeological Society gives some expanded coverage of the Jesus Tomb debates of the last few weeks.

On the Web:

What exactly is the Priory of Sion doing in American politics? I know they’re the ones that talked Fred Thompson to drop out of the race.

A 20 year old picture of odd engravings showed up this week on the Coast to Coast AM web site.

In Print:

The Times On Line reviews a new book that looks at the contributions of Islamic science in the Middle Ages.

Blog On:

The Odd Potato Blog gives us a look into Temket celebrations this year. (They promise pictures are to follow…)

The Templar Globe looks into Templar banking practices and their effect during the Crusades.

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 19 Jan 08

Grail Seekers this week:

Happy Blue Apples week to all! I’ve been pretty busy this week working on any number of things. One of the New Year’s resolutions I did make was to finish all the articles I mentioned or started last year. I’ve had some disjointed work on this work on that writing this week as a result. Also, for all of you who have ask for it, a Grail Seekers web site is officially in the works. There will be more to come on this in the following weeks. Stay tuned.

On Audio:

There’s nothing on the audio radar this week, unless you want to call me and I’ll talk to you about the Grail for a little while.

In the News:

A million Indian pilgrims witnessed a miraculous light at Kerala's famed Sabarimala temple.

A Turkish-Hong Kong exploration team believe they have found material evidence that Noah’s Ark is on Mount Ararat

Mona Lisa’s identity has been figured out, yet again.

Biblical experts met this week to discuss the Tomb of Jesus.

Ancient tomb art is found at Tara Hill

The Jesuits have a new leader.

On the Web:

RLC Research and Resource Page has added a video section this week.

Far Shores publishes a good picture of the New Mexico Mystery Stone.

Filip Coppens and André Douzet take on the secrets of the altar at RLC.

In Print:

Real2Can made an announcement about Phillip Gardner’s new book, DVD set Gateways to the Otherworld on a MySpace blog this week.

Blog On:

The Welsh Mysteries Blog considers Wales for the resting place of the Grail.

If the Ark of the Covenant is in Kenya, would it ever be moved back to Israel?

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 12 Jan 08

Grail Seekers this week:

Sorry for the late update this week. Working nine days straight will but the smack down on ye olde muse. I’m off today and I’ve fired up the coffee pot and the MP3 player, so watch out!

On Audio:

Templar fiction author Steven Berry’s interview has been posted on Radio Rennessence.

Robert Lomas will be on the Laura Lee show on 23 Jan 08 talking about Tesla.

Oopa Loopa Cafe will have an interview with John Anthony West on erosion patterns in the wall of the Sphinx's enclosure on 17 Jan 08.

In the News:

Da Vinci must have worked overtime to have hidden everything in his paintings that have come out in the last year. Now a Gloucester Mason has found a few more.

Martha Byrnes examines Templar banking practices and what happened in the wake of the events of 1307

Want to find archeological treasures from the comfort of your home? It’s not too far fetched as NASA satellites and Google Earth are used to do just that.

Photographers come out against the ban on snapping pics at Rosslyn Chapel.

A treasure trove of Islamic writings surfaces after 60 years of suppression.

If you’re an architect and would like to help with the conservation efforts at Rosslyn Chapel, click here. What a dream job that would be…

On the Web:

The Skeptical Inquirer takes a poke into Oak Island and Rennes-le-Chateau

In Print:

Ouroboros Press announced its Spring publishing line up on a My Space Blog this week.

Remember the guys that were walking from France to Jerusalem? They’ve written a book about their experiences that is called Along the Templar Trail and is available now.

Author Tracy Twyman is auctioning away a signed copy of The Merovingian Mythos and the Mystery Of Rennes-le-Chateau

Blog On:

Maxine’s Fikr page has some of pictures of Rosslyn Chapel right after Christmas. And the little barrier behind the Apprentice Pillar has been taken down…

The new blog Mary Magdalene – The Wife of Christ talks about the Rose Line of Mary Magdalene

Grail Seekers Media Watch ending 31 Dec 07

Grail Seekers this week:

I thought I’d hold off on doing the news until today this week. It seems appropriate to wrap up the year this way. Once again I’d like to thank everyone out there that has been so supportive of my work this year. I can only hope that next year is as interesting and productive as 2007 was.

I ask my wife yesterday what her New Year’s resolutions were. She, rather curtly, informed me that she did not believe in them. How could I have missed that small fact in the years we had been together? Obviously, I don’t listen as well as I should. So guess what my resolution is this year…

Don’t forget to eat your black-eyed peas, cabbage, hog jowl, and any other food that mystically will bring you good luck for the New Year. Myself, I’m going to warm up some haggis and wish I was in Edinburgh for Hogmanay.

On Audio:

Steven Mehler will talk about the waterways beneath Giza's Pyramids on 1 Jan 08 on the Laura Lee show.

Don’t forget to check out the Oopa Loopa Café interview with Michael Cremo which aired on the 27^th.

In the News:

The Royston Caves are in trouble of being damaged by truck traffic. Thanks to My Space friend Crint Eastwood for the heads up on this article.

The Kebra Negast is now available in French. Then again if you’re reading this blog you can read English and wouldn’t need a French version would you?

The “Temple” in London starts a four month celebration of the area’s history.

What exactly was the Star of Bethlehem?

Do these standing stones in the UK align with Orion’s Belt?

On the Web:

The Key of Solomon web site explores the temple and seal of the wisest man in the world.

Blog On:

Speculations about Archbishop Michael Lefebvre and the Priory of Zion just simply won’t die.

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 22 Dec 07

Grail Seekers this week:

Have a holly, jolly Christmas everyone. I hope Santa brings you all the goodies that your heart desires. I myself ask for a winning lottery ticket, but somehow I don’t think I’ve been that good this year. And please, don’t forget to go out and do something for your fellow man. Even if it’s just a random gesture of goodwill, do something. It’s not that hard to make a small difference in someone’s life.

On Audio:

Radio Rennessence is now presenting their year end RLC extravaganza. According to an e-mail I got from Corjan the special is: “Over an hour of hot debate of Andrew Gough, Philip Coppens, Corjan de Raaf (and his flu) giving an awful lot of details and background information you won't hear anywhere else.”

In the News:

Rosslyn Chapel bans photography in 2008.

On the Web:

Ray H Marr has done a video series on the history of the Knights of St. John. Thanks to Red Ice Creations for posting all the parts of the video in one place.

Blog On:

The Realtravel blog has a travel-log of a visit to Aksum

Codex Celtica takes a look back at this year in esoteric terms.

The La Bas blog asks if there’s a link between French Surrealism and Secret Societies

Futurecult takes a tongue and cheek investigation into the Priory of Sion in Springfield Missouri

EVS-Islands does an Enhanced Vector Shoreline study of Tana Island in Ethiopia

The Illumanati Conspiracy Journal wonders why Jacob Rothschild married into the Sinclair family.

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets Review

The allure of a seeing something on the silver screen is that you are mystically transported out of your everyday life. Reality is suspended and any numbers of worlds open up that are impossible to obtain for those munching on popcorn in the aisles. Our inner Indiana Jones is called to in National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. Nicholas Cage reprises his role as Benjamin Franklin Gates, finder of the lost Masonic/Templar treasure in the first film.

The hook this time is a little known group called the Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC). The KCG was a very real group of Southern sympathizers that operated as somewhat of a guerilla force during, and after, the Civil War. Modern day treasure hunters have long thought that the KGC horded gold and goods in secret locations throughout the country waiting until the time was right for the South to rise again.

The movie’s treasure trail begins with John Wilkes Booth and another member of the Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC) seeking the aid of Cage’s great-great-great grandfather Thomas Gates. Members of the KGC have planned the assignation of Lincoln and are hunting for a treasure that will fund a second Civil War. Gates is sucked into their plot by being asked to decrypt a cipher contained in John Wilkes Booth’s diary.

Granddaddy Gates cracks the code and realizes that he’s been duped by the seditious KGC members. Gates burns the relevant pages of Booth’s diary and is shot by a KGC agent for his trouble. Flash forward 140 years and bad guy Ed Harris presents a fragment of the diary to the world, naming the Gates family as the masterminds behind the Lincoln assignation. Feeling the only way to clear the family name, Cage and father Jon Voight is to find the treasure the KGC was looking for. After that the usual globe trotting, treasure hunting high jinx ensue.

National Treasure 2 follows the same formula of car chases, techomancy, and 30 second solutions to hidden history as its predecessor. The film is an easy on the mind, romp into finding lost loot. That’s my biggest problem with the whole endeavor, that it’s easy on the mind. I understand that the key to commercial success is to make a movie accessible to everyone. However, the script writers had a golden opportunity to plant Easter eggs for those historically minded folks out there.

There was a half hearted attempt to do so. The references to Albert Pike, the missing pages of Booth’s diary, and the fictional President’s book of Secrets did give me hope there would be more to sink my teeth into. But when dealing with a film that literally has our hero pull a lever and the entrance to the treasure appears, one gives up hope for any additional complexity. The biggest mystery left to ponder in the film is what’s on page 47 of the President’s Book of Secrets. Oh wait, I know… It’s the hook for National Treasure 3. I guess it is possible to solve some mysteries in less than 30 seconds.

There’s no real reason to pay for this instead of waiting to download it on Amazon Unboxed. That is unless you have nothing better to do this weekend and wish to be inspired to hunt for long lost gold…

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 15 Dec 07

Grail Seekers this week:

A big thanks goes out to Floyd Mann from the Lost Treasure USA site and Bill Gallagher of the Treasure Hunt Adventure site for the kind words and links to this week’s Templar Dig in Bulgaria article. Now on to the news…

On Audio:

Astraea Magazine’s latest audio interview is with Egyptologist Dr. Nabil Swelim, who says the Bosnian pyramids are real.

Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince will discuss their new book The Sion Revelation on Coast to Coast AM on 15 December 2007

In the News:

A Turkish soccer fan has sued the European soccer governing body, after Italian team Inter Milan’s uniform portrayed a red cross. His complaint was that it looked like a Templar Cross and offended him and other Muslims. I will withhold additional comments for obvious reasons.

The Christian Family Life Church has smashed a Compass and Square on a historical building they own in Eglin, IL. The Burning Taper has done a great job of keeping up with this story until its destructive end. I’ll write something about this after I stop being angry and start rational thought again.

BBC gives a historical perspective on Lisbon’s Jeronimos Monastery, that was built by the Poor Knights of Christ. Conspiracy theorists will note that this building will be used for the signing of the European Union’s Reformation Treaty.

Haaretz tells the story of Crusader’s Vadum Iacob fortress and the archeological work going on there.

An ancient stone circle is found in Sweden.

Why is Aleister Crowley’s disciple Jack Parsons file missing from the FBI’s publicly accessible website?

In Print:

Ouroboros Press announces it will be publishing a book by Masonic historian Angel Millar in the spring of 2008 on their My Space Blog.

On the Web:

The VRmag site has a panoramic virtual tour of Rosslyn Chapel.

On Film:

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets will be opening on the 21^st. I have been invited to a special sneak peak on the 19^th and will have an advance look at the film that night.

A little more English language news on the Scandinavian film Arn about the Templars.

Blog On:

The Templar Code for Dummies blog reviews Stephen Dafoe's Nobly Born: An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar

Anthony North’s Beyond the Blog asks Who was King Arthur?

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 8 Dec 07

Grail Seekers this week:

Oh, there’s just news at the present and the hope Santa Claus will bring me all the toys on my wish list…. And an appeal to Wally Temple. If you're still out there, drop me an e-mail. (Oh you know there's more to come on this one if I'm looking for a guy who calls himself Wally Temple...)

On Audio:

Coast to Coast AM, Wednesday, 12 Dec 07: Michael Tsarion will discuss his latest work on the Irish origins of civilization.

In the News:

More mirror image clamor in Da Vinci’s works. Is it an image of God or Darth Vader?

The Vatican finds more things in their closet than Fibber McGee. This time it’s a lost Michelangelo drawing.

The Library of Congress displays a 500 year old map that accurately displays South America. What the real mystery is that the map makers said they based their map on a 1300 year old map of Ptolemy’s.

Did the National Geographic Society screw up the translation of the Gospel of Judas?

Forget Nicholas Cage in National Treasure, Bob Brewer is the real deal.

On the Web:

Callum Jensen writes an article “The Lincoln Cathedral and Rennes-le-Chateau Synergic” on Ellis C Taylor’s site.

The On Line Catholic Encyclopedia looks at the link between the Abbey of Athelney and the monks of Glastonbury.

GNN reprints an excerpt from Jim Marrs’ book Rule by Secrecyabout Nazi occultism and the Protocols of Zion.

Blog On:

The BS Historian is searching for the Elusive Knights Templar

Bob Freeman kills time thinking about the Green Man in Rosslyn Chapel.

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 1 Dec 07

Grail Seekers since last time:

It’s been an interesting week. The Exonerate the Knights Templar petition has gotten off the ground this week. I’d like to thank RLC Research and Resource site and The Templar Globe for helping get the word out. If you haven’t seen the petition, please check out the above link and sign it if you are so inclined.

Big thanks to Henrik and Fredrik Palmgren from Red Ice Creations who were kind enough to post my review of Longevity and the Grail on their site. It’s a great documentary if you haven’t seen it yet.

And someone sent me a link to a “discovery” regarding sacred geometry this week. I have lost the e-mail. If it was you, please resend the link and I’ll be happy to check it out.

On Audio:

Dreamlands talked to William Henry and sindinologist James Barrett the Shroud of Turin on the 24^th.

In the News:

Looks like the folks at RLC Research and Resource site scooped the “mainstream media” on the news of Richard Leigh’s death. Our condolences go out to his friends and family. He will be missed.

A modern day Knights Templar group is funding excavation work in Bulgaria to find traces of the Templars that were once there. More to come on this…

Dan Brown’s new book will “unveil Washington’s Masonic past”. Really Dan, no one has ever thought of that one before…

The Smithsonian magazine follows up on Graham Hancock’s work on the Ark of the Covenant and Ethiopia.

On Film and TV:

September Films announced it is working on a two hour documentary for the History Channel on University of London professor Tudor Parfitt’s work on the Ark of the Covenant. The special should air next year.

Blog On:

The Favorite Pastimes blog reviews the new novel Glastonbury Tor

The Seer blog gives an overview of “Modern Alchemy”.

Grail Seekers Media Watch 1 Nov to 23 Nov 07

Grail Seekers since last time:

The months of November and December are generally a blur to me. The industry that constitutes my “day job” is one of those that help everyone else get ready for their holiday festivities. Needless to say, the time, effort, and energy that I have to put in sucks the life out of my more “creative” endeavors. My blog and e-mail inbox have turned into a untended garden that needs to be tended. I apologize for my prolonged absence. With that, back to the business at hand. Some of the news and items might not be “in date”, but at least it will help me get back on track.

On Audio:

Rick from Oopa Loopa Café talks with Templar Church Bishop David Richarde on the 29^th.

Radio Rennessence has an interview posted with author Kate Mosse on her latest book Sepulchre

If you’re not checking out Red Ice Creations interview section twice a week, you should.

Binall of America interviews David Hennigar on Oak Island

In the News:

A press release claims that a Los Angeles diamond dealer has found a diamond with an Templar Cross in the center of it.

The Last Supper has been put to music, or at least there’s a claim music has been hidden in the fresco. Haven’t we been through this before?

A new documentary takes on a new view on the “Lost Tomb of Jesus”.

More news of cat napping in Britain.

The Scotsman features a number of videos on Rosslyn Chapel.

The Vatican has entered into talks with ending the rift with the Orthodox Church. Once again, this makes me wonder what the Papacy is up to.

On Film:

An X-Files sequel is on the way. I hope this time around they tie up those Twin Peaks like loose ends they left out the last time around.

The Hollywood writers strike is pushing back the production of Angels and Demons.

On the Web:

I received this note from Coran de Raaf from the RLC Research page this week:

“I am proud to announce that www.rlcresearch.com, Rennes-le-Château Research, has been completely overhauled. There's an entirely new website with tons of new content and photos.

It's much more user friendly and accessible than it was, items are linked and better navigable. All info has been updated with the very latest insights and discoveries. I don't think you'll find a more complete inventory of everything Rennes-le-Château.”

I couldn’t have put it better myself. Take the time to check out this valuable resource.

Andrew Gough puts his 17 questions to rocker and Grail Seeker Rat Scabies

Blog On:

The Humanities blog claims that the Ark of the Covenant is in Kenya, not Ethiopia.

The Golden Dawn blog explores the links between alchemy and the Golden Dawn.

The Square and Compass blog looks at the similarities of a carving at Rosslyn and Masonic ritual.

Grail Seekers Media Watch for the Week Ending 27 Oct 07

Grail Seekers this week:

You can’t swing a dead cat on a Goggle News search without hitting the story of the Templar Trial Documents being released this week. With that being said, I’m surprised there was as much going on in the Grail related world as there is.

Also, don’t forget if you know of a source that I might find interesting and am overlooking, drop me a line.

On Audio:

You won’t doubt that author Michael Tsarion has a lot on his mind about everything from Lay Lines to the Templars in this Red Ice Creations interview.

In the News:

National Geographic reports that artifacts from the ear of Solomon’s Temple have been found by Muslim workers on the Temple Mount.

The Last Supper is now available to view on line at 16 bazillion megaboom-booms, or whatever measure digital images on line use, at haltadefinizione.com Warning the server is slow.

The San Diego Natural History Museum beings it’s exhibit of some of the Dead Sea Scrolls this week.

Actor Brian Cox believes he was a guardian of the Holy Grail in a previous life.

The Mary Victrix blog makes the news for blasting the Acheson twins last week.

A recent UK television show blasts the Nanteos Cup story.

According to a death bed letter of a leading Israeli Rabbi and Cabalist, Jesus is the Messiah.

Aleister Crowley’s 1928 Diary is sold at auction for $45,000

Padre Pio’s stigmata could have been faked with carbolic acid. Looks like the Vatican is batting a thousand this week in the “we screwed up” category.

On the Web:

The In Rebus site has a rough translation of the Chinon Parchment in English. Well, that’s a start.

Blog On:

Thanks to the Templar Fellowship site for the link to the October 13^th article.

Fellow Tennessean Randall Carter Gray’s blog Moor’s Code deals with the theory that the Last Supper was depicting a Passover meal held in an John Mark's African home.

Susie’s Site blog has a description and pictures of the Magdalene Caves near Rennes-le-Chateau and a recollection of her chat with Henry Lincoln.

The Eternal Idol blog connects Stonehenge and the Vatican Observatory.