Who Are the Knights Templar?
One of the most enduring historical topics, one filled with mystery, drama, abuses of power and outright betrayal, is that of the Knights Templar, the guardians of King Solomon’s Temple and the champions of Christianity in Jerusalem. Chances are, you’ve seen the Templars portrayed in cinema, read about them in novels, or have followed them down alternative historical avenues. Nothing fiction can provide can come close to the truth of what started as a group of nine Knights and ended with one of the most powerful financial and military organizations ever created.
It has been implied through historical speculation, as well as dramatic fiction, that the Knights Templar protected great secrets, too dangerous for the public to discover, as they could disrupt the faith and stability of the Catholic Church, as well as every other religion that relies upon the story of Jesus Christ, as presented in the Bible.
Their connection with the Holy Grail has been implied time and time again, and the belief that they may have known of the offspring of Jesus is a popular theory that has been speculated upon for much longer than most people realize. For those with an interest in Tarot, spend some time with The Chariot card, from the Aleister Crowley Thoth deck. You will discover the theory of the blood lineage of Jesus present in that card if you are willing to look deeply enough.
Who Were the Knights Templar?
We all know that the Middle East is a source of tension, territorial disputes, and war. This fact is nothing new. The Crusades were fought in an effort to recover Jerusalem from the Muslim conquerors of that city. Jerusalem has such importance because it is a sacred focal point for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
It was believed that the ability to occupy Jerusalem and control it, was an indication of the divine right to rule and was coveted by both the East and the West. The Crusaders regained control of Jerusalem in 1099. The control of the city was extremely complicated and it was necessary that there be a military force engaged for policing, protective detail, guarding and other duties.
Hugues de Payens, a French knight and nobleman, became the first Grand Master of the Knights Templar. The group initially consisted of nine Knights, supported by a basic staff. Eventually, they would number in the thousands.
Why Were They Called the Knights Templar?
Their name was taken from the fact that they believed that they were camped in what used to be a part of King Solomon’s Temple, specifically the stables, which suited them just fine. Their name as known to us, Knights Templar, simply means the Knights of The Temple. A more correct name for the Knights would be, “Poor Comrades (Soldiers) Of Christ And Solomon’s Temple.”
Unlock the full-length episode Mystery of the Templars with Freddy Silva
What Did The Knights Templar Do?
In addition to maintaining control of the Holy Land, one of the main duties of the Knights was the safe transportation of pilgrims from Europe to Jerusalem and back again. Christian pilgrims were common and the journey was treacherous. The roads were infested with robbers, murderers, and abductors.
Pilgrims without official protection were easy pickings for thugs and were almost certain to fall victim to violence. The Templars were well-trained and honest to a fault. As a formidable fighting force, they were both feared and respected.
In addition to the transport of people and goods, they devised an ingenious plan to keep from moving great amounts of money needlessly through hostile territories. Some consider this to be the first step toward modern banking. The system was remarkably simple.
Money was given to the Templars, in the city of departure, by a pilgrim or family member. The Templar administrators within that city would issue a document stating that fact, so no money actually had to be transported.
Upon arrival in Jerusalem, or whatever city was the destination, the document would be received by a Templar administrator or accountant, and the funds would be released to the pilgrim. If this reminds you of modern checking, it’s for a good reason. The Templars charged an administrative fee for the services rendered.
It could not be called interest, as usury was considered to be a sin. These administrative fees help to build the wealth of the Templars, which would eventually become unparalleled, making them invaluable and yet despised at the same time.
How Else Did the Templars Become Wealthy?
As time went on, entrance into the Templars became exclusive and desirable. Whenever a nobleman joined, and only a nobleman could actually be an actual Knight, he would generally forfeit his properties and wealth to the order itself. Eventually, the order became so rich that they were able to fund armies for nations engaging in wars. It was this very fact that would lead to their eventual demise.
How Did the Templars Live?
Every Knight, and every member of the Templar order beneath the Knights, took an oath of poverty and celibacy. Members were discouraged from speaking to women, even members of their own family and only then when absolutely necessary. To touch a woman was unthinkable, except in the active protection of their safety.
They were said to have fed modestly, lived and slept communally, and shunned worldly pleasures. Their oath of celibacy was taken seriously with grave consequences for those who strayed. It was so strict, that it was not unheard of for members to leave and rejoin the secular world, just as it is now known for holy men and women of religion to leave their calling.
There was a specific hierarchy within the order itself. One could only become a Knight if that station had been held before entering the Templar system. Nobility remained nobility. The Knights were the only fighters to ride horses. Each Knight had squires who saw to his needs and to the needs of his horses. There were servants who took care of most of the menial chores, as well as administrator Knights who ruled over everyone.
At the very top of the order was the Grand Master. He was the ultimate authority, directly below the Pope and, to some extent, the monarch of the kingdom in which the Grand Master lived. The Grand Master’s power was vast and influential, as he held the office for the duration of his life.
As the pinnacle of the Pope’s personal army, so to speak, the Grand Master became a holder of great power and was someone to be reckoned with.
What Brought the Templars to Their Demise?
By the early 1300s, the Templars had become massively wealthy and the funders of war. They had nearly unquestioned power and had been given immunity from the laws of whatever land they lived in, as well as the ability to pass through any border at their whim, without consequence. This latitude gave them the autonomy that some asserted led to corruption and the basic erosion of their original ideals as simple monks with a sacred duty.
The last Grand Master of the Knights Templar was named Jacques DeMolay. It is said that his imperative was to reform the order and attempt to bring it back to its humble roots. It’s probable that DeMolay wasn’t prone to “looking the other way,” when it came to dealing with corrupt monarchs and officials of nations. As a reformer, he would have shaken the web of corruption that seems to follow in the path of government.
Philip IV of France, also known as Philip the Fair, became increasingly intimidated by the power of DeMolay and the Templars. He was also massively in debt to the Knights, as they had funded his war against England. Philip sought to turn France into the undisputed center of power in Europe. To do this, he needed to subjugate and conquer. This took the money and one of his strategies was to expel all the Jews out of France and make what was theirs his, annexing properties and seizing wealth. This wasn’t enough for his plan, so he borrowed from the Templars, perhaps with no intent to repay his debt.
Reformers often face harsh retaliation for their attempt to remove the corruption that stifles the progress of a society or civilization. Jacques DeMolay was no exception to this trend.
On Friday, October 13, 1307, (yes, that’s exactly why) Philip IV of France, in coordination with Pope Clement V, a pontiff put in power by Philip, had all the Knights Templar, no matter where located, excommunicated, arrested and imprisoned on charges of heresy, blasphemy, the worship of unholy idols, sodomy, usury, trampling and spitting upon the cross, and other serious accusations. Jacques DeMolay was imprisoned, tortured, ordered to give up the names and locations of other Templars, all to no avail. He refused to betray those who looked to him for guidance and trusted him with their lives.
Not all Templars were as strong as DeMolay. Some gave up their brethren and were allowed freedom. Others evaded capture and went underground. Others were assessed to be of no threat and were assimilated into other orders, or worked in new capacities, or simply entered monastic orders. It is said that the only country that did not actively seek to eradicate the Knights Templar was Scotland.
In the year 1314, after seven years of torture and inhumane treatment, Jacques DeMolay was publicly executed by being roasted to death. He never gave up his convictions, never admitted to the charges of which he and his brothers were accused, and was defiant to the very end. Before he perished, he pronounced with great certainty that within the year, both Philip IV and Clement V would join him in death. Both men were dead by the end of the year. This brought the formal end to the Knights Templar, or did it?
What Is the Legacy of the Knights Templar?
The interest in the Knights has done anything but diminish. Mysteries abound as to what they actually were up to. What was the mysterious head that they supposedly worshiped, said to be named Baphomet? Some said it was the handkerchief of Veronica, used to wipe the face of Jesus as he carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem. Some point to the head of John the Baptist, mummified and held as a sacred relic.
The most famous representation of Baphomet is the rendition created by the Eliphas Levi, the great French occultist. This drawing has been misinterpreted, perhaps more than any other graphic representation in the mysteries, and is often mistaken for the devil. It is also known as The Goat of Mendes.
To this day, no one knows exactly what, or if, Baphomet was to the Templars. As to the charge of trampling and spitting upon the cross, there are actually excellent reasons why the Templars might have done such things, in specific initiation rituals. Their meaning would’ve been misconstrued by those who heard of them, just as many of the rituals of secret societies today are completely misunderstood.
The legacy of the Templars, at least in spirit, goes on in the ideals of the unity of cause and an unwillingness to lower one’s ethical standards for any reason whatsoever.
Embracing the Four Cardinal Virtues, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice, is a standard still held today by chivalrous orders worldwide.
The concept of giving one’s oath, swearing to adhere to a vow given, regardless of the penalties involved, or more importantly, even if no penalties are implicit, is a direct result of the strength of purpose of the Knights and those like them.
Perhaps the tales of grails and secrets that have disappeared into the fabric of time, protected by noble Knights, are popular because these are the very attributes that we need more than ever in our modern age. Sometimes we can find great comfort in the past.
Until next time, I wish you all peace and love.
About the Author
What Are the Earth’s Chakras and Where Are They Located
The Earth’s chakras are geographical points where planetary energy is concentrated and distributed. They act as centers of power that influence ecosystems and human consciousness. In this article, we explore what these centers are and where they are located from the perspective of Matías De Stefano, who offers an integrative interpretation of the Earth’s energetic map.
Table of Contents
- The Earth as a Living Being With Energetic Centers
- Planetary Chakras and Human Chakras: An Energetic Connection
- The 7 Main Chakras of the Earth
- First Chakra: Africa as the Planet’s Root Center
- Second Chakra: Asia and Oceania as Centers of Creative Energy
- Third Chakra: South America as the Solar Plexus and Center of Identity
- Fourth Chakra: Europe as the Planet’s Heart Center
- Fifth Chakra: North America as the Channel of Global Communication
- Sixth Chakra: The Andes and Andean Regions as the Planetary Third Eye
- Seventh Chakra: Antarctica as the Connection With the Divine
- Vortices, Ley Lines, and Energy Portals: The Planet’s Hidden Network
- Why Are the Earth’s Chakras Changing?
- How to Connect With the Energy of the Earth’s Chakras
The Earth as a Living Being With Energetic Centers
The idea that the Earth is a living organism is not new. Various ancient cultures already regarded it as a conscious entity, capable of feeling, transforming, and evolving. This view is compatible with an energetic understanding of the planet, in which each area fulfills a specific function within a greater system.
From this perspective, continents, mountain ranges, rivers, and oceans are not isolated elements, but interconnected parts of a body in motion. Just as a nervous system regulates the functioning of the human body, the Earth also possesses an energetic network that maintains balance among the planet’s different elements. This system is activated or weakened according to the state of consciousness of those who inhabit it.
The Earth’s chakras are points of high energetic concentration that regulate the planet’s vital flow. Through these centers circulate impulses that affect both ecosystems and human societies. Understanding the function of each one allows not only for honoring the territory, but also for aligning with a way of life that is more coherent with the environment.
Planetary Chakras and Human Chakras: An Energetic Connection
The relationship between human chakras and those of the Earth is not merely symbolic. Both systems share a structure of seven main centers, each associated with a specific function: survival, creativity, identity, love, expression, vision, and higher consciousness. This correspondence confirms that there is a direct resonance between the human body and the planetary body.
When a person works on their inner development, they also influence the collective energetic field. In the same way, changes in the planet’s chakras impact people’s emotional and spiritual states. This connection is strengthened when one consciously visits these energetic centers or participates in practices that activate them.
Living in a territory is not a casual fact. Each person is born in a zone with a specific energetic frequency that offers particular lessons and challenges. Connecting with the chakra corresponding to the place where one lives brings clarity about personal and collective purpose, while also strengthening the bond with the Earth.
The 7 Main Chakras of the Earth
Just like the human body, the Earth has seven main chakras that channel its vital energy. Each of these centers is manifested in a specific continent and fulfills a key role in planetary evolution. In this section, we explore the location and meaning of these chakras from the perspective of Matías De Stefano, who presents them in the series Initiation, available on Gaia.
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First Chakra: Africa as the Planet’s Root Center
The first chakra of the Earth is located in Africa, considered the point of origin of the planet’s vital energy. This root center represents the connection to matter, survival, and ancestral memory. Africa holds the energetic foundation of humanity and is the point from which the Earth’s kundalini begins to flow.
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Second Chakra: Asia and Oceania as Centers of Creative Energy
The second chakra is associated with Asia and Oceania, areas that act as centers of creative and emotional processing. This energy relates to movement, fertility, relationships, and the expression of life in its diversity. At this point, energy transforms and divides, generating momentum and expansion.
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Third Chakra: South America as the Solar Plexus and Center of Identity
South America represents the planet’s solar plexus, where energy becomes conscious of itself. This chakra is related to self-recognition, willpower, and personal strength. It is a key territory for developing a new collective identity based on connection with the Earth and spiritual awakening.
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Fourth Chakra: Europe as the Planet’s Heart Center
Europe represents the heart of the Earth, the point where both cultural expansion and processes of integration and conflict converge. This chakra is connected to love, empathy, and the ability to connect with others from a human place. From Europe emerged movements that promoted freedom, science, and cooperation, as well as structures that also imposed domination. Its energy reflects the duality of the heart: the power to unite or to divide.
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Fifth Chakra: North America as the Channel of Global Communication
The planet’s fifth chakra is located in North America and is related to expression, technology, and outward projection. It is the center of global communication, where messages, narratives, and innovations that influence the world are generated. Through this point, planetary energy is translated into action, speech, and collective impact. It also represents the challenge of finding an authentic voice amidst global noise.
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Sixth Chakra: The Andes and Andean Regions as the Planetary Third Eye
The sixth chakra, associated with the third eye, is manifested in the Andes and Andean regions of South America. This area is key for activating spiritual vision and deep perception of reality. In this territory, ancestral memory is preserved and knowledge is cultivated that connects the human with the sacred. It is a center of consciousness that invites us to see beyond the visible and awaken a new way of looking at the world.
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Seventh Chakra: Antarctica as the Connection With the Divine
Antarctica is the seventh chakra of the planet, the highest point on the energetic scale, where the connection with the divine and universal consciousness is anchored. Its isolation, purity, and natural silence make it a space of integration with the most subtle aspects of the cosmos. It is a land without ownership, without permanent population, which reinforces its role as a portal to the transcendent. There, energy is not expressed through form, but through presence.
Vortices, Ley Lines, and Energy Portals: The Planet’s Hidden Network
In addition to the main chakras, the planet is traversed by a subtle energy grid formed by ley lines and vortices. These lines are invisible routes that connect points of high vibration and intersect in areas considered energy portals. Throughout history, many cultures have built temples, pyramids, and ceremonial centers at these intersections, intuitively recognizing their power.
Energy vortices act as activation or amplification points for Earth’s energy. They are located in places where multiple ley lines converge and where energy flows more intensely. Some are widely known, such as Machu Picchu, Uluru, or the pyramids of Giza, and they are often surrounded by natural or spiritual phenomena that are difficult to explain through rational means.
Energy portals are not only linked to physical geography but also to collective consciousness. They are activated when people engage with them through intention, respect, and deep connection. These points function as bridges between dimensions, facilitating experiences of personal and collective transformation, as well as access to information or higher states of consciousness.
Why Are the Earth’s Chakras Changing?
According to Matías De Stefano, the Earth’s chakras are not static; they are undergoing reconfiguration due to shifts in the planet’s frequency. The energy that once circulated through certain regions is now moving to adapt to a new evolutionary stage. This adjustment is linked to the awakening of a global consciousness more aligned with cooperation, unity, and regeneration.
Energetic movement responds both to cosmic cycles and to human actions. When people become aware of the territory they inhabit and recognize it as part of a whole, they activate healing and transformation processes that directly impact the planet’s energy network. In this way, what happens in one specific place can have effects in other parts of the world.
This shift also calls for a new kind of relationship with the Earth. Instead of seeking to control the environment, the invitation is to listen to it, feel it, and collaborate with it. Understanding the relocation of the planetary chakras helps align with this transition, both personally and collectively.
How to Connect With the Energy of the Earth’s Chakras
Connecting with the Earth’s chakras doesn’t require physically traveling to each of them—although visiting them can enhance the experience. The key lies in developing a conscious relationship with the territory one inhabits: observing its geography, acknowledging its history, and feeling its vibration. Each place has a specific frequency and offers a particular teaching.
There are practices that can facilitate this connection: focused meditations, sound work, circular dances, ceremonies with the Earth, and symbolic acts of gratitude or healing. These actions not only activate the energy of the place but also awaken internal memories that have lain dormant. Simply bringing attention and presence to a site already creates an impact.
Matías De Stefano encourages each person to discover the energetic role of their territory and how they can contribute to the global process from there. This approach doesn’t arise from obligation but from recognition: by understanding the function of the place we inhabit, we can align our actions with the collective purpose of the planet. In this way, connecting with the Earth’s chakras becomes a path to the awakening of a new humanity.
