On The Mysteries

In this fourth episode of Aetherica: The Astral Garden, Sky Mathis and Ike Baker open a contemplative discussion on the ancient roots and hidden continuity of Freemasonry and the Knights Templar, tracing their mythic and initiatory origins through the lens of ancient mystery cults. Inspired by The Origins of Freemasonry and the Knights Templar by John R. Bennett, the hosts explore how symbolic transmission, ritual architecture, and esoteric lineage connect the modern Masonic current to the Syrian and Adonisian mysteries of antiquity.

The episode begins with Sky introducing Bennett's book and its evocative table of contents, which sparks a conversation about the possible ritual and philosophical descent of Freemasonry from pre-Christian and Near Eastern initiatic schools. This opens the door to a broader reflection on how ancient rites — particularly those centered around Adonis, the dying-and-resurrecting god of fertility and beauty — may represent the mythic substratum from which later Western initiatic orders drew their allegories.

Ike expands upon these associations, contemplating the spiritual and symbolic continuity between the Templar chivalric mysteries, the Hermetic philosophy of the Renaissance, and the Masonic temple tradition that emerged in early modern Europe. Together, the hosts reflect on the Adonis myth as an archetype of death, renewal, and divine love, mirroring the initiatory journey at the heart of all genuine esoteric systems.

The tone of the episode is exploratory and reverent, blending historical curiosity with mythopoetic insight — the signature Aetherica atmosphere. The dialogue invites listeners to look beyond institutional narratives and consider the unbroken spiritual thread weaving through ancient temples, medieval orders, and modern initiatic societies — the perennial mystery tradition that speaks in symbols, geometry, and ritual.