Reviews of the

  By Philip Gardiner and Gary Osborn

Watkins Publishing, London 2006

ISBN 10: 1-84293-150-4

Review by Lee. See here:

The Shining Ones is a surprising and intense introduction to the secret societies that have covertly moulded the development of humanity throughout history, starkly highlighting how a select few have held and wilfully kept hidden the secrets of the universe. This is a frightening notion, and it springs from the central premise that an elite group - the mythical Shining Ones - were and still are the holders of a knowledge that we have yet to rediscover.

The basis for this theory of a single shamanic origin for this group is compelling once it is gathered together as the authors of The Shining Ones have done. A thread of similarity runs through almost all religions of the world, a universal mythological symbolism that contains encoded knowledge designed to be transmitted and preserved through the ages. Symbolism that only members of the Shining Ones may be able to accurately decipher. This symbolism is complex and includes common archetypes such as the tree, the snake, the phoenix, the numbers three and seven, even the term 'Shining Ones' itself. These same beliefs are extant in numerous and geographically diverse cultures, a situation that cannot be, and in fact is not, adequately explained by the accepted history of this planet and its civilisations.

What the authors make abundantly clear is that the Shining Ones have appeared all over the planet at different times during humanity's development, and assert that this group were perhaps part of, or descended from, a great 'source' civilisation that preceded recorded human history, a civilisation that is now lost to us in time. Gardiner and Osborn posit that the Shining Ones did not emerge from the ruins of Atlantis or Lemuria, a common theory, but were a mobile priesthood that were born in Sumeria and spread outwards across Europe and Asia - a sophisticated culture that developed in isolation from the numerous indigenous peoples scattered across the globe.

The Shining Ones explores this early priesthood and their nomadic origins, the shamanic experience, altered states of consciousness, sun-worship and solar gods, the kundalini experience, alchemy, the relationship between the chakra and endocrine systems and their precise correspondences. The authors also reflect upon the widespread use of narcotic substances to induce states whereby the shaman or priest is able to enter another level of consciousness - a shamanic practice still extant today. They contend that the root of the knowledge base of the Shining Ones was the attainment of these higher states of consciousness and the ability to enter other realms. The Shining Ones may have been astral travellers, possibly the very first remote viewers.

Because the civilisation of Sumeria appeared so miraculously upon the Earth and in such a high state of development, many theories have been put forward as regards its true origins. Gardiner and Osborn provide yet another unique theory for the miraculous arrival of the Sumerians - not that they descended onto the Earth from places beyond our planet, but that they perhaps descended from higher realms within, and were attainees of an enlightened state. In other words, that they originated from inner, and not outer, space. The Shining Ones formed a coherent organisation of individuals who were not only spiritually enlightened but were also adepts in the physical sciences - mathematics, physiology, architecture and astronomy. Using these and their more esoteric abilities, the Shining Ones were able to take advantage of the Earth's magnetic fields - ley lines - and went on to found numerous civilisations across the planet.

These are the concepts that Gardiner and Osborn build upon as they explore the mysterious secret societies that currently dominate the modern world. The Shining Ones supposes that readers possess a basic knowledge of esotericism and ancient history before it launches headlong into an exploration of, among other things, geomancy, wave theory, trance states, snake mythology and sun worship. There is a sense that we are reviewing all this knowledge for a higher and greatly anticipated purpose, an overwhelmingly imminent sense of the grave secrets that Gardiner and Osborn are preparing to reveal. And there is indeed a purpose, for these concepts are precisely what the authors believe the precepts of the priestly Shining Ones and the current guardians of their knowledge was built upon.

The Shining Ones makes a genuine case for the notion of the 'primitive' shaman as an enlightened being and holder of great knowledge, and for the cult of the Shining Ones as guides and guardians of human development. This presents a wholly different approach to our history, one that is strangely simple in its reality and yet more complex than could be imagined. This theory delves into the spiritual as opposed to the physical and takes the mysteries of the Shining Ones from the distant past to the present day, to the secret societies that have upheld these arcane traditions despite history's best efforts to erase, or ignore, their reality.

What The Shining Ones demonstrates, and most succinctly, is that what we perceive as history, what we have been spoon-fed by a dogmatic academia and the history makers of our current paradigm, is a world that is predicated upon deliberate misinformation and manipulation. The Shining Ones gives us a closer look at such organisations as the Freemasons, the Bilderbergs, the Illuminati and the Rosicrucians to name a few. We are shown their histories, their interconnections and the influences that they may exert on the world today.

And that's where The Shining Ones challenges everything that we hold to be true. It demonstrates how our current societies and world events are manipulated on a global level by these societies and their influence in politics and religion. If knowledge is power, then the guardians of the knowledge of the Shining Ones have it all. It's about keeping the knowledge, and keeping the power, and keeping them both in the hands of a very elite minority.

See Here

This book has a most enticing title and although it may not be exactly what the reader expects, it will deliver.

  Along with the majority of New Dawn readers, I am always keen to learn as much as I can about the hidden side of life in a metaphysical sense. Here the authors have drawn together a vast amount of research to trace the movement of an elite group that they term the ‘Shining Ones’.

  This is a grand tour through the metaphysical development of mankind, from pre-history to the present. Why esoteric knowledge remains in the ambit of secret societies or mystery schools is made quite clear by the authors and really highlights the dichotomy between the esoteric and exoteric.

  Both authors have spent years in specialist research of esoteric history and have also co-authored The Serpent Grail.

  The experienced reader in metaphysics will soon see the earmarks, and learn of the origins of the ‘perennial philosophy’ found in so many religions and cultures across the globe.

  In the present day we find these clues encoded in scripture, art, mythology, symbology, folkways, music, and language. Those new to metaphysics will easily understand the clear explanations and useful cross referencing found in the notes and bibliography. It may be slightly overwhelming at first, but endlessly fascinating.

  There are many common themes that run through the esoteric histories of all cultures. These include the flood, the serpent, the phoenix, the world tree, solar worship, and most of all the ever-present ‘Shining Ones’ themselves. Our mainstream religions with which we were brought up are no exceptions to the rule and exhibit the encoded knowledge for those who ‘have eyes to see’.

  The authors have presented the material in an easily understood way in three main sections. Have some bookmarks handy to keep in the appendix and notes section.

  The first part looks at the early shamanistic/tribal cultures. In this section evidence is shown through dated artefacts that mankind’s origins are far earlier than archaeology supposes.

  Shamanism and the concept of ‘walking between worlds’ or ‘winds’ is thoroughly examined. Despite the hugely diverse cultures and languages, the authors show that the common concepts are still present, but with different labels.

  Consider for a moment the symbolic concept of serpent. In India it is the Kundalini energy, in China it is the Dragon or Ch’i, and in parts of Europe it is the Worm Ouroborus. In all cases it represents wisdom and spiritual development.

  The concept of the Phoenix and the World Tree are also seen in their variety. Certainly it will be plain to many readers that the tree upon which Odin struggled is a parallel to the cross of Christianity, which is also seen so much in the Hermetic and Alchemical traditions.

  The re-occurring spiritual numbers of three and seven also feature heavily here, with an appendix devoted to showing how often they are used in our lives. I think that it just scratches the surface.

  Shapes and outer land features are critical and it is notable how much we see such things as hills, mountains, pyramids and other lofty places with a high value attached. This reflects the inner and outer worlds.

  Part two examines how we can look back and observe the Shining Ones in history and myth.

  In all religions and cultures there are groups of wise shamans or priests – often wandering – that are recorded in scripture, art or mythology. The extraterrestrial proponents like to think that these elite are originally from outer space. The readers can judge for themselves. The actual names of these beings, whether they were real people or condensed mythological figures, all translate to ‘shining’ or something very like it.

  From ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, from the Dogon of Africa, the Judaic ‘watchers’ and ‘nephilim’, the Australian Aboriginal Wandjina, the Hindu pantheon and the Buddhist saints, to the Christian saints, we see and read of the Shining Ones. The most common known to Westerners is, of course, the halo around the head of Jesus, Mary, the saints and angelic bands. This is an absorbing section.

  Part three deals with secret societies and looks at their links to the Shining Ones of ancient times. Organisations such as the Templars, Freemasons, the Illuminati, and Rosicrucians are but a few.

  Before you cry, “but if they are secret, how do we even know about them,” consider the nature of secret societies. A wide definition would be that the aspirant needs to be invited or sponsored to join, there is an initiation of some kind, and then secret knowledge is imparted in a hierarchical way when the member is ready. Even modern-day service organisations can fulfil at least two of these elements.

  The authors look at particular societies such as the Rosicrucians, the Knights of Malta, Opus Dei, the Bilderberg Group, P2, and others. With their rituals, symbology and hierarchy, their origins are shown clearly to stem from what is known of the Shining Ones.

  Some of the material here is quite provocative and the authors tell of not-so-veiled threats to them and their families against revealing certain information. It seems to me that present day secret societies are definitely all about power and control.

  As we hit our stride into the 21st century, more of us are accepting that we have a definite inner life that does not fit with the mainstream religious organisations. Some people do need the rituals, the rules and definite steps that give a desired result. Spiritual development comes in all shapes and sizes. Observe hermitages as opposed to cathedrals, mosques and synagogues.

  There also seems to be Shining Ones in all walks of life. I feel sure that I have reviewed the works of more than one of this ‘goodly company’ in New Dawn. This book will go a long way to explaining how to know these people when you meet them, and what they are about.

  “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still” – Chinese Proverb.

Jennifer Hoskins 2008