The Brief History of Baphomet; Or My First Occult Related Post

Before we begin, I need to say that I’m not a professional occultist, folklorist, or anyone who studies these subjects. I’m just a woman with an enthusiasm for the unknown… This is from my own research. I encourage you to do your own.  

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Makes you feel sorry for the gods and goddesses, doesn’t it? After their temples fall apart. I wonder what happens to them?

Some of them die. Some of them change. And some of them just keep going. Maybe some even get jobs as dancers.

– American Gods; Neil Gaiman

This post isn’t about Neil Gaiman’s book: American Gods, but I wouldn’t be able to speak about Baphomet without mentioning it. If you have ever read his book, you would understand why. Within the book, Gods and Goddesses exist because we [humans] believe in them.

Baphomet

What does this picture make you think of? For Christians, it is probably the Devil. For Satanists, it is the ultimate radical symbol of rebellion against theocracy. But for occultists and some pagans, this is a God.

But there are no records, or evidence, that this being existed–or was worshipped–before 1098. Though, there are some theories that Baphomet is based on a forgotten Hindu God.

In 1098, Anselm of Ribemont wrote a letter describing the Siege of Antioch, during the First Crusade. In his letter, he stated that the Turks would call out to Baphomet, which most scholars believe was a misunderstanding of them calling to Muhammad. This idea of Muslims worshipping something other than the Church’s God was one of the bases for more crusades, and later it was used against the Knights Templar.

The Knights Templar

The Knights Templar were a military order started in 1119 by seven French knights. They swore to defend Christian pilgrims in the Holy lands and had made monastic vows, living together in closed communities. Pope Honorius II (r. 1123-1130 CE) recognized them.

The Templars grew because of donations from the people; who recognized their importance in protecting small Christian states, and because of the donations, the Knights would pray for their souls.

Because of these donations, the Knights Templar became richer, in land and money, than most Royals, Nobles, and even the Church. Soon, the Church, and many Nobles and Royals, felt threatened. On Friday, October 13, 1307 CE, King Phillip IV of France ordered the arrest of all Templars in France. One accusation for the arrests is that they turned their back on Christ, and started worshipping a bearded male called Baphomet. Many Templars were burned at the stake.

This accusation was later used against the Freemasons in the 19th Century.

The Occult

The drawing used above (under the Baphomet section), was done by French occultist Éliphas Lévi. His book, Dogme et ritual de la haute magie (G. Baillière, Paris, 1861), is what made Baphomet the occult symbol it is. In his book, he describes the esoteric and dualistic symbolism in his drawing. From the five-pointed stars to the hermaphroditic nature of the drawing.

Éliphas Lévi was so influential that even British occultist, Aleister Crowley, used his image in his “Gnostic Mass.”

My Thoughts

Baphomet is a perfect example of how powerful our imaginations are. Their image was used against many groups of people, and no one questioned it. No matter what Baphomet was the original God of, I can see why many think it is Chaos.

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I want to thank you for reading this post! I hope you learned something new and were entertained. At least a little.

Do remember that this was a brief history, and I acknowledge that I might be wrong. Remember to sign up for blog updates and if you want, sign up for my newsletter, too!

Until next time!

L. A. Maciel