Review:

SIGNS FOR A MESSIAH

The First and Last

Evidence for Jesus

By Rollan McCleary

Hazard Press

Paperback 440 Pages

B&W Illustrations

UK £17.95

US $24.95

AUS $49.95

For there is nothing hid except to

be made manifest; nor is anything

secret except to come to light.

— Jesus Christ (Mk 4.22)

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PUBLISHER’S NOTES:

Was Jesus a dissident Essene, a Magician, a Cynic teacher? Did he die on the cross, as many believe, or did he marry the Magdalene and die in France or India? Many of the modern quests for the truth about Jesus have resulted in increasing doubt and scepticism about him. Biblical claims that the earthly brother of James was born of a virgin and was the promised Messiah are now seen by some as only late adaptations of a growing faith. Is new information or any certainty possible here?

Signs for a Messiah suggests that it is. This is a wide ranging study of Jesus but with special emphasis on one form of evidence, the oldest and most recent: the signs the Magi knew but which have eluded scholarly inquiry for two millennia due partly to a hostility from ecclesiastical and scientific establishments only now beginning to weaken. Before the Gospels were written something in the skies was a first witness to Jesus and his destiny. Finally these signs can be known. They are illuminating and with much unexpected modern relevance since even the Magi, who understood the significance of the Bethlehem star and the era that it heralded, lacked the wider, sometimes remarkably precise and revealing picture available today with augmented data.

As this unique study reveals and explains the enlarged picture includes factors such as astronomy’s newcomers, the asteroids, and the so-called Arabic Parts (mathematically derived sensitive points of a horoscope). These are combined in statistically improbable patterns of significance at the time of Jesus’ birth. Beyond the original pattern for a Messiah it can be seen that at Christ’s nativity the asteroid James suitably conjuncted his “Part” of the Brothers. We also find that the asteroid Eternity conjuncted his “Part” of the Father, that the asteroids Maria and (the virgin associated) Vesta made conjunction in aspect to his “Part” of the Mother while the asteroid Magdalena stood in tense opposition to his “Part” of Marriage. But even these historically and theologically suggestive indications comprise only a small element within a dynamic, revealing pattern that worked accurately for Jesus’ life and registers vividly for Christ issues to this day.

The wisdom of the Magi has been found. A door has been opened to an understanding of Jesus that is both clearer and more mysterious than current interpretations. It becomes easier to appreciate who Jesus was and what he was actually like. The Magian knowledge that once troubled “all Jerusalem”, retains an unsettling, revolutionary dimension. It might still prove a source for prophecy also.

Rollan McCleary was born in London, England. After graduating in European languages and history from London University he worked in recording and broadcasting in Paris. He then spent over a decade in Asia, travelling widely but living mainly in Hong Kong where he taught. He also studied South East Asian drama at Fine Arts University, Bangkok. Rollan emigrated to Australia in 1987. A citizen of Australia and Ireland Rollan currently lives in Melbourne. As a writer he has composed poetry and drama, the latter broadcast on the ABC but his main concern has been with religion and philosophy. His The Expansion of God [SCM 1981/Orbis1982] about the indigenization of Christianity in Asia was a critical success. Rollan is also a qualified astrologer who since the mid eighties has periodically consulted, lectured and written on the subject, especially in The Australian Astrological Monthly Review; but his main interest in the subject, as in the current book, remains research. He has recently obtained a doctorate in religious studies from Queensland University in Brisbane, Australia and has just finished writing a commentary on the Nicene Creed.

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SIGNS FOR A MESSIAH by Dr. Rollan McCleary poses interesting challenges for readers, and certainly for a Gnostic Pagan Marxist reviewer.

This extraordinary book purports to be nothing less than a revelation of the astrological horoscope or natal chart of Joshua ben Joseph, better known to history as Jesus the Christ, the One and Only Son of God & Founder of Christianity. Dr. McCleary supports this astounding claim with a sort of astrological forensic examination of the cultural and astronomical evidence & events either implicitly or explicitly indicated in the Old Testament that led to the birth of Jesus as the Messiah. The author then casts and analyzes Joshua’s birth chart compared to the history of his life & teachings as described in the New Testament.

[NOTE: “Jesus” is the Greek rendition of the Aramaic “Joshua.”]

Dr. McCleary, a self-described Protestant, poses two primary assumptions or premises upon which SIGNS is based: (1) Joshua ben Joseph was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament & Herald of the Aquarian Age or The New Dispensation, and (2) Astrology is a valid science with deep roots in ancient culture & religion. Certainly astrology is a practice that, in one form or another, has been embraced by all civilizations in the past—but today only astrologers & the millions of people who believe in astrology would consider it a bona fide science.

In the book’s Introduction McCleary expresses frustration that the views expressed in SIGNS FOR A MESSIAH were rebuffed by the Establishment Press & rejected by traditionalist Christian scholars. McCleary is stung by mainstream Christianity’s rejection of astrology and its historic relevance to the Story of Jesus. The author seems to reject Gnosticism as being at best an unnecessary aberration, and more or less defends the Council of Nicaea, the Apostle Paul’s interpretation of Christian doctrine, and other decidedly conservative issues. His core disagreement with Christianity is its almost unanimous condemnation of astrology (a trans-physical art form much valued by the Early Gnostics.) In the second section of SIGNS, however, McCleary raises questions concerning Jesus’ sexual orientation that, more than any astrological speculation, would in times past, cause the author to be burned at the stake.

The question presents itself: for what audience is SIGNS FOR A MESSIAH written? Christians who disapprove of astrology will consider the book heretical from page one (even though it validates the claim that Joshua was Messiah.) The scientific community that is probably even more hostile than Establishment Christianity to astrological theory will be scornful of the book’s premise and conclusions. Non-Christians may be offended by the author’s complex & intricate defense of the Messiah claim.

That leaves—who?

Certainly astrologers and readers interested in astrology will find the book both tantalizing & informative. Dr. McCleary knows his astrological craft very well indeed and his insights & conclusions must be invaluable to both advanced astrologers & students alike. Secondly, Rollan McCleary is a first rate scholar & his writing provides a window into the historic & psychological milieu.

Without some grasp of Jewish custom no writer can hope to be any guide to the mind of Christ.

That mind would necessarily interact with the possibilities of his situation and the values of his race.

Speculation must take some account of scholarship.

[P.11]

McCleary’s scholarship & its written form is vast & perceptive—and frankly we would have enjoyed to see more of his cultural commentary and less astrological exposition; unfortunately that would undermine the thesis of the book.

There is also a potential readers pool composed of people who are receptive to various interpretations of The Christ Mythos such as “New Age” advocates, self-styled Gnostics, and those Modern Pagans & Christo-Pagans who tend to be eclectic & open to diverse religious creeds (possibly because they have no established Church or Temple of their own to ideologically defend.)

Regarding this reviewer’s credentials to explore SIGNS FOR A MESSIAH, in consideration of the fact that astrology was such a fundamental experience for the Ancestors, The Gnostic Pagan School encourages its study, for historic reasons if nothing else. Additionally, the reviewer was a practicing professional astrologer for a number of years before converting to Marxist Historical Materialism & subsequently renouncing the pseudo-scientific claims of modern astrology promoted by “New Age” commercialism. However, understanding at least a little “astrology speak” is almost mandatory for any reader of McCleary’s text and it will enhance the exciting “whodunit” character of the book (notably in the first section where the author seeks scriptural & other evidence to validate information used to construct a natal chart for Joshua—whose actual date, time & place of birth remain in question). Despite spiritual & political reservations re: astrology, this reviewer found SIGNS so intriguing that he couldn’t put it down & stayed up most of one evening enjoying just a portion of its many expertly penned layers and wealth of historic facts.

Historically the “Language of Astrology” rests on the solid foundations of legitimate Earth Science, and it created the basis for modern Astronomy. The semantics of astrology is by its very nature allegorical—call it fantasy or fiction or intuitive understanding. Whatever the case may be, it is undeniable that astrology has touched a chord in human nature over the Aeons.

This review will focus more on the cultural & historic content of SIGNS FOR A NEW MESSIAH than on its astrological aspects (both literal & speculative).

Be that as it may, we can’t resist but reveal SIGNS’ answer to that old party & bar favorite: What Sign Are You?

According to Dr. McCleary, Joshua was a Virgo with a Gemini Moon & Ascendant.

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McCleary doesn’t waste any time turning up the controversial heat, commenting on the many speculations about Jesus—even including a reference to the notorious contemporary “Children of God” cult:

Whether drawing upon ancient or New Age sources, not since the Gnostics,

the first alternative gospel writers in the second and third centuries, has there been

quite so much speculation about the private relations and sexuality of Jesus. At one extreme

there has been Moses David (David Berg), founder of the “Children of God” sect, who averred [that]

it is unthinkable that Jesus surrounded by so many women…did not gratify himself freely with them. And improving upon even the antinomian Gnostics, who…turned theirsacraments into orgies,

David encouraged women of his sect to “flirty fish” for souls and thus become a

sort of sacred harlot in Jesus’ name.

[Pgs. 27-28]

The Gnostic orgy accusation was originally put forward by the Early Church Hierarchy—and was almost certainly true regarding some Gnostic splinter groups. Establishment authorities also accused them of sacrificing infants at these “orgies” which certainly was not true (these allegations may well have formed the basis of latter Inquisitional “Witch’s Sabbath” fantasies.) There are strong indications that at least one early Gnostic group employed female sexual charms in order to lure & convert horny men into their group. It has been alleged—and there is credible evidence to support the claim—that not only did the modern day Children of God (based on a warped personality cult rather than any expression of Gnosticism) abuse women in the same manner, but also utilized child pornography for this purpose.

[NOTE: In fairness to the Early Gnostics, the women in the Gnostic sect referred to above were probably not abused—in fact, their sexual enticements may have been a totally voluntary act replicating one of the central Gnostic Myths involving the Feminine Principle & her descent into matter. This myth told of Sophia’s devolution into increasingly denser spheres of material existence, to the degree that she was actually incarnated into the form of a mortal prostitute, later to be redeemed by the Masculine or Masculine/Feminine Savior who likewise had sacrificed his divine nature for the sake of humanity. It is completely plausible that this Gnostic doctrine was inspired by the ancient religious practice of temple prostitution. The Gnostic Pagan School views this as representing the Isis prototype myth that tells of that goddess’ journey over the earth (matter or Ma’at) in search of the corpse of her slain & dismembered brother & husband Osiris. She conceives Horus via a somewhat morbid form of virgin birth, that is, copulating with the dead god’s phallus (Viagra hadn’t been invented & presumably it wouldn’t work on a clinically dead man—even a god—anyway). The obvious implication of the myth was that Isis embodied Masculine Potency within her own self. The allegorical parallels between the gospel story of Joshua & Mary Magdalene & the Isis myth are clear. The Mary/Shakti (the receptive Female Spiritual Principle) of biblical lore, who was the first to proclaim the miracle of The Resurrection, found Christ/Shiva (the active Male Spiritual Principle) within her own self as well. Rather than refuting what we now know as traditional Christianity, Christo-Paganism reveals & expands its Mysteries.]

[NOTE: The Christo-Pagan spiritual view accepts the Christ as representing one incarnation in a succession of Sun Gods & Hero/Savior Deities.

Also in his Introduction, McCleary distances “oracular” or sacred astrology from its current popularized “New Age” form & its attendant shallow emphasis on “fortune-telling.”

The origins of the “karmic” approach lie less in any recently acquired New Age formulae

than the eighteenth century decline and nineteenth century revival of astrology.

[P.16]

The author goes on to describe how the “new” astrology was influenced by the works of Madame Blavatsky and her follower’s indebtedness to Vedic philosophy (and subsequent multifaceted interpretations of it)—and by the shady Spiritualist Movement (our term—Ed) of the latter part of the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Both these camps claimed that the Church had suppressed “true” Christianity and that, among other things, Joshua/Jesus preached the doctrine of reincarnation.

McCleary dismisses this claim:

All idea that Jesus supported karmic doctrines appears ruled out by statements like his denial

that the blind man he heals is blind because of any sin on his own or his parent’s part (Jn.9.1-2).

[P.17]

On the same page Rollan McCleary states:

No doubt…life’s difficulties can, with insight, be turned into something positive…

still less to make us atone for something…Yet paradoxically we also contribute to this fate

and we do have choices in relation to the level at which talent and opportunities are realized.

These choices influence the whole pattern, changing the gearing of all the cycles and bringing

new or secondary chart factors into place.

This is a splendid exposition on the ancient Greek/Hermetic view, namely that CHARACTER = FATE.

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On pages 31-32 author McCleary explains some of the monumental mythic dilemmas of attempting to analyze Joshua, the pop/religious icon of the last two millennia (i.e., Aeon of Osiris/The Father—Ed.):

That there is no physical description is notorious, but neither is there character analysis.

Jesus’ everyday life and likes are no concern of the gospel writers. The believer can generalize

and say that Jesus was good, loving…but beyond the main events of the life…personal motivation is lacking…

Such is the problem. But what if there were more evidence…beyond Gnostic fantasies…

In this book I explore the possibility that there is a form of evidence, almost the only…at this

late date in history we are ever likely to obtain…namely that of the…astrological signs

known only to the Magi.

But unless, beyond homage and gift giving, the Magi’s aim in searching for the new “king”

was to certify his birthplace in order to erect a natal chart could they hope the mother would

supply them a sufficiently accurate birth time?

It’s refreshing that Rollan McCleary raises questions like what effect did Joshua’s parents have on his character & personality. Establishment Christianity is generally incapable & unwilling to pose questions regarding the social & sexual development of Christ & such questions tend to freak them out. They either hide behind an a-sexual façade or claim that Joshua’s childhood development is one of those mysteries the reality of which we will just never know, and that such speculations are best left alone. Nonetheless, archaeology is making new discoveries in the Middle East all the time (in spite of the violence there & demonstrating the tenacity of scientific inquiry), bringing to light anthropological facts buried for thousands of years. Orthodox Christians shouldn’t mind that we now know for certain that the traditional depictions of The Virgin Mary’s mode of dress, for example, is completely at variance with the historic cultural reality—just as they shouldn’t mind that the Hebrew Jesus did not resemble a bleach-blond, blue-eyed surfer or Malibu valet parking lot attendant.

Television’s The Discovery Channel has produced an interesting series dramatizing the recent archaeological finds in the so-called “Holy Land” including a reassessment of Mary Magdalene (rehabilitating her unjustly tarnished image) and even Joshua himself. Also, it’s really nice to see real Hebrew actors playing Hebrew roles—AND speaking Aramaic.

In Chapter 2 THE STAR AND THE SIGN McCleary begins the crucial exploration of the “Star” over Bethlehem and Joshua’s Sun Sign.

Any dates in the life of Christ would have more curiosity value for Gentiles than

for Jewish Christians [Remember, this was long before the “Jews for Jesus” claptrap—Ed.]

The Magi…were simply never considered…subjects for pious reflection.

[P. 35]

Well, so much for “We three kings of Orient are.”

“We three astrologers” would have been more appropriate; even “We three magicians…” but then Establishment Religion has always considered the common folk incapable of understanding the complexity of historic reality. It would take 1500 years before both the Old & New Testament would be translated from Latin into the vernacular of every day people.

On the same page McCleary continues:

The Greek bishop St .John Chrysostom…at the 25 December feast of Christmas

in 376AD, felt that astrology was so pernicious it would have been better if the Magi

had never visited Jesus…

Assuming that the Bethlehem Star of gospel fame existed as an astronomical reality, the author examines pertinent facts relating to the actual birth date of Joshua—after all, a natal chart could not possibly be cast without that vital information.

Some of the traditional datings of Christ’s birth like 2 and 3BC represent faulty

historiography…The Nativity will need to be dated before the death of Herod which

occurred in early 4BC…and not earlier than the reported census which…began in 8BC…

Each census might take…over a year to complete and 7BC could…tally…to a

controversial oath imposed by Augustus upon Jews in that year which might

bear relation to the family registration in…Bethlehem. Thus 7BC…is

historically appropriate for the birth.

…the only reason a census of 8BC

would not have been a landmark in Jewish history

and provoked no nationalist outburst is if it was conducted

in a way satisfactory to Jewish feeling, namely one that would have taken

Mary and Joseph back to their ancestral home.

[Pgs. 35-37]

The conclusion—

…8BC is likely to be the year preceding Jesus’ birth and 7BC is the only year

that makes sense of the Bethlehem star astrologically. And astrology supplies the only credible

explanation. The alternative is theories having recourse to comets, novas or fire balls which would

surely have evoked quite different reactions among witnesses. That, according to Matthew, Herod and Jerusalem had neither foreseen nor observed what concerned the Magi implies that some superficially unremarkable sign requiring specialised interpretation was required.

[P. 38]

The author continues by explaining that in ancient times no astrological distinction was made between the sightings of a star versus that of a planet. Since no extraordinary star, comet or other phenomena was recorded at the divine birth, only a planet was left as main contender for the fabled Star of Bethlehem.

Jupiter…was highlighted during 7BC due to its triple conjunction with Saturn.

…

…important for the Magi would be the accepted symbolism of Jupiter.

In Greek mythology Jupiter is the son of Saturn in parallel to the Middle Eastern Baal

who was the son of El, the nearest Semitic equivalent to the Yahweh of the Hebrews.

It followed that to the extent the neighbours of Israel understood Yahweh to be God

both of the Sabbath (Saturday) and of natural Law (Saturn) and also the Ancient of

Days (Saturn), then his promised Messiah/messenger/priest/princely son,

would have to be Jupiter in contrast to Saturn.

…

That Jupiter was indeed [Joshua’s] “star” is further implied

by the fact that Herod…inquires when the “star” had first “appeared.”

…This is just what someone relying on popular lore would be liable immediately

to ask since heliacal (i.e. dawn) risings of a planet, especially of Jupiter, were associated

with auspicious births. Acronychal (sunset) risings were also accorded much significance in

existing political astrology and were calculated long in advance

for their important role in prediction.

[P.40]

[See also, GNOSTIC PAGAN PANTHEON]

Try as one might, we can’t ignore the astrological implications in SIGNS and its application to what The Gnostic Pagan School calls daimonic reality, that is, a trans-physical or multidimensional view of historical materialism.

On page 41 we find:

…the astrological age of Aries was giving way to the age of the fishes, Pisces.

If…Saturn in Gentile reckoning was the planet of Sabbath observance and by association Johovah,

Lord of the Sabbath, then Jupiter, along with Pisces which it ruled and the water element

of that sign, had come to be identified with the Jewish Messiah.

Not only as ruler of Pisces was Jupiter planetary ruler of an incoming era

that believers would subsequently designate fortunate…but a Jewish Messiah born

with the era ought…to have an international significance.

And as part of the astrological evidence supporting 15 September as the actual birth date:

The feature of acronychal rising of Jupiter is that it highlights

(for its day and in any horoscope) three planets; Saturn with which it is conjunct…

and the Sun to which it stands in opposition. The Nativity…becomes an event of…

three planets…The symbolic equations are as follows:

GOLD = Kingship and/or Divinity, Love = Sun

FRANKINCENSE = Priesthood/Messiahship, Knowledge = Jupiter

MYRRH = Suffering, Death, Duty = Saturn

[P. 53]

In other words, the Ram (Aries) that represented the Old Aeon of The Father was overcome by the extraordinary placement of Jupiter in Joshua’s natal chart, indicating the revolutionary overthrow of The Old Law and ushering in the New Aeon of the Son.

Sun = Horus (Christ) the God Reborn

Saturn = Set (Satan) the Old God ▲ Jupiter = Osiris (Jehovah) the Dying God

On page 56 McCleary demonstrates biblical symbolism equating Christ as “Lord of the harvest.” For example, Bethlehem = House of Bread. And Joshua himself proclaims: I am the bread of life. (John. 6.35)

There are many analogies in mythology between the Hebrew Christ & Gods associated both with the harvest season & fertility.

Rollan McCleary establishes the birth date as 15. September 7 C.E. (that is, 6 years into the Common Era). This proximity of 15 September to the Autumn Equinox is interesting. The cusp of Virgo-Libra indicates, among other aspects, a highly mutable sexuality, Sacrifice, Service (as Messenger for a New Aeon, Mercury-Virgo) & Love (Venus-Libra). This Equinox (Virgo-Libra) is ritually celebrated by Pagans as representing the Sacrifice (Fallen Harvest) of the God (Adonis, Dionysus, etc.) and observed by Jews as the Day of Atonement (Virgo). It also represents the time of year when Day and Night are equal (Libra). Central to Pagan symbolism of this sacred time is the image of The Goddess (Venus-Libra) mourning over the slain body of her brother-husband-son-God (Moon in Taurus???), as if prefiguring images of The Crucifixion (Earth).

Regarding the Magi, we find:

The Magi arose as a priestly group within Zoroastrianism where they

instructed a doctrine of fate linked to oracles and astrology and were also associated

the healing arts. That the biblical Magi were early believed to have been Persians is confirmed

by the Bethlehem Basilica of the Magi which dated from the reign of Constantine (fourth century).

One of the mosaics portrays the Magi dressed in Persian attire and, significantly, the basilica

was preserved by invading Persians in the seventh century.

[Pgs.46-47]

McCleary comments rather extensively on the mythology & various dates associated with the Nativity other than 15. September:

One reason for some churches to favour 25 December as the date of Christmas

was that it corresponded to the solstice birth of the Egyptian Osiris in the cult of Isis, his mother.

Isis had also given birth to a son, Aion, born on 6 January…From this background arose traditions

which…made 6 January both the time of the Magi’s following the…25 December birth date—the early

churches were agreed the Magi arrived after the birth and not with the shepherds—but also the date

of Jesus’ baptism, which…is not likely to have occurred in that month.

[P. 49]

While the basic inference of these remarks is accurate, the complex Pagan mythology is not quite correct. Osiris, as previously noted, was the brother & husband of Isis, and their son was Horus. The Lord of Darkness Set vanquished Osiris the Old God of Resurrection, who was avenged by Horus the Lord of Light. Aion was the name attributed to Horus during the Greco-Roman revival of the female-dominated Isis Cult (appx.1-200 CE). Aion was also a central figure associated with the mythology of the male-dominated warrior Cult of Mithra founded during the same era. The Winter Solstice was celebrated as “The Return of the Invincible Sun.” Christians adapted this festival as one of many attempts to co-opt Pagan celebrations. The Cult of Mithra (a Pagan Savior/Hero & Solar Deity like Horus) was Early Christianity’s primary religious competitor. From ancient times Isis had been depicted as a mother holding an infant (Horus) at her breast, sometimes even nursing him. In fact, the derivation of the Greek name Isis is from the ancient Egyptian word for “to nurse” and hieroglyphically represented by a birthing chair. It is perfectly logical to assume that the multi-cultural pre-Christian image of the Goddess and Child evolved into the Christian iconography of Madonna and Chid.

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The concluding sections of SIGNS focus primarily on post-nativity developments, including the social & astrological factors acting on Joshua, as well as metaphysical speculation & interpretations concerning Christianity.

On page 180 McCleary draws an interesting parallel between the provincial Galilee vis-à-vis the more sophisticated Jerusalem of the Roman Occupation with the status of the rural Scotland beteen the more cosmopolitan London Establishment:

To the extent one can speak of the conquered Israel of Jesus times in terms of prosperity,

Galilee was its most prosperous region…This apart, relations between Galilee and the Judean south with its centre, Jerusalem, home to the leaders of the religious establishment, could…be compared to the historical difference…between Highland Scotland and Southern England. The one has had fervor, claims to vision and second sight and a variety of religious denominations and disputes, while the cooler, rationalizing…south, to whom people in the Highlands have always seemed a bit “wild”, [and] has had the government and been centre of the Established Church. And just as records for the Highlands are often non-existent or lost as compared to the well documented south, so details for Galilee are sparse, the gospels having alluded to customs or derivations from them once common knowledge but now unclear to us though they were vital to the local ethos.

Regarding “The Probable Essene Connection”,

An Essene connection is to be suspected…It is…suggestive that John the Baptist…

performs his rite near to the Essene centre of Q’umran. Moreover there is record of an…

heretical sect of Mandaean – Nazoreans who honoured the Baptist as Messiah…which makes

it look as though the gulf between Essene and Christian custom through John was never too wide.

[P.183]

The Mandaeans were the famous Gnostic sect (apparently still in existence) who held the River Jordan and the eastern sun rising over it in high esteem. The Mandaeans’ association of the Demiurge (the evil or satanic creator of the material world) with Jehovah caused their Christian & later Islamic neighbors to call them Devil Worshippers. Actually, according to this Early Gnostic philosophy, it is the Fundamentalist Christian & Moslems who worship Satan!

On the same page McCleary addresses the popular idea that during that period of biblical time in which Jesus seems to “disappear” the young Christ was learning occult “secrets” in Egypt and/or India.

This simply wouldn’t be necessary. Education and expectation for the New Age

was quite sufficiently represented within the borders of Israel.

In other words, Joshua didn’t assume the lotus position or stand on his head.

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Rollan McCleary deftly develops the very plausible contention that the young Joshua was intimately associated with the monastic Essenes of Dead Sea Scroll fame.

The synagogue Jesus is recorded attending could have been the Essenean assembly hall

because…he would have been welcome there as a Reader and Teacher of the Law while still

unmarried—something scarcely to be countenanced among the Pharisees.

[P. 184]

The core of Essenism was monastic…more flexible than many…it seems

to have had a pragmatic approach to celibacy…members sought to perpetuate themselves

by adopting boys and educating them…with the idea they would eventually become fully initiate..

or…simply to diffuse their ideas and serve the community.

As offspring of a poor but well-descended family,

it is not unreasonable to suppose Jesus’ very thorough training in the Torah

could have owed something to semi-adoption…by a group of local Essenes.

[P. 185]

From this point Rollan McCleary expands on the sexual orientation theme.

Of particular interest to The Gnostic Pagan School:

Assuming that the words of the prophetess and anima figure, Diotima, in

The Symposium…reflect the Socratic/Platonic belief in the pederastic relation,

then the end of the Platonic ascent is a vision of divine Beauty made possible because

the lovers…are able to perceive a deity or at least or at least daimon (a…intermediary deity)

in the other’s eyes…The couple do not simply relate, they give birth to the spiritual in a process…

involving a degree of “feminine” action…this does possess affinity with certain Jewish/Kabbalistic concepts…

[P. 246]

The concept of the daimon (or daemon, the spelling we prefer) is a complex one.

The daemon is more a process than an entity, and the process can assume different masks or forms. The form mentioned in the passage above seems to reflect the sexual daemon as Anima or Animus. In the case of a heterosexual the Anima (female) & Animus (male) appears in the form of the opposite sex. Presumably in a homosexual relationship the Anima/Animus would appear as the same sex. However, strictly speaking, the daemon is more than or other than this. Psychologist Carl Jung, for example, experienced his daemon as a male philosopher, that is, an actual entity with a name from antiquity—and there is absolutely no evidence or even suggestion that Jung was gay. This form of daemon equates with what Aleister Crowely called “The Holy Guardian Angel” and is not necessarily involved in any sexually related practice, but rather is an individual inner process creatively externalized. Certain members of the Gnostic Pagan Collective have adopted the name of the daemon as their own in an initiatory ceremony equivalent to Jewish Bar-Mitzvah or the Christian sacrament of Confirmation.

McCleary expands on historic Jewish/Christian/Kabbalistic/Cultural themes & connections in an excellent section SHE WHO WAS AT THE BEGINNING (Pages 287-295) and THE FEMININE PRINCIPLE And The “FALL” of CHRIST (Pgs. 314-333). These sections are intellectually compelling & demonstrates the author’s superlative understanding of the subject:

…In short, Elohim is deity including the masculine and the feminine

and Elohim is deity associated with light, with the world, with manifestation.

The “God”…who utters the words “Let there be light” is Elohim …is also the “God”

who “In the beginning” creates.

…there are ten names or titles of God in the Pentateuch.

One must not automatically assume that the Elohim who creates light

and mankind is the aspect of God that…Kabbalists or Christians with their Trinity

would…think of as God the Father, or Keter…as First Cause, or Pure Being…

As far as Kabbalists are concerned, the answer is encoded in

the first…sentence of Genesis…It is that God created (or emanated) God(s),

who created the world. This idea bears sn interesting correspondence to the credo of

…the eastern Churches which teach that both Spirit and Son, and not just the son, eternally

proceed from the father…the fated filioque clause that eventually divided east from west. The

notion is also in line with St.Paul’s affirmation that God is “the head of Christ” (which can be compared to Keter, Head’s relation to Hokhmah and Binah), which hardly bespeaks a Trinity sharing

the absolute and “geometric “equality” of western formulation.

If the Greek churches have retained a quasi-subordinate divinity of Christ that is…because…the Greek text is more suggestive of it. For example,

noun complements preceding verbs lack the definitive article in Greek.

…”The Word was God” is thus an inverted phrase,

theos ein ho logos (literally, God/a god was the Word),

avoiding…ho logos ein ho theos (The Word was the God).

[Pgs. 294-295]

The final chapters of SIGNS continue to explore astrological relationship to the various dimensions of the Christ personality, contrasting it between the Apollonian (intellectual/introverted) & Dionysian (emotional/extroverted), for example. Rollan McCleary also discusses the many interpretations of Christianity and their social and cultural implications today.

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This review has touched upon only a few of concepts so well presented in SIGNS FOR A MESSIAH. Despite McCleary’s ambivalence towards Gnosticism (and it’s amazing the author seems not to realize just how Gnostic the second half of the book appears to be), we highly recommend the book as definitely representing a Modern Gnostic document.

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We conclude with Rollan McCleary’s poignant dedication:

This book is dedicated to

all for whom there is

“no room at the inn.”

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Review: JEFarrow
Updated 11/07