10 Most Mysterious Secret Societies

Who rules the world? The global elite, bankers, politicians, or religion? Well, the world is ruled by powerful and dangerous secret societies.

Powerful because their members occupy virtually every seat of power: from the corridors of government to the boardrooms of Wall Street. Dangerous because they carry out bizarre rituals and conduct their business behind closed doors.

While secret societies have existed for centuries – exerting a mysterious influence on the world – here are the top 10 most mysterious secret societies that actually hold the key to everything in today’s world:

#1. Skull And Bones

Founded in 1832 by Yale University students, Skull and Bones is surrounded by conspiracy theories; the most popular being that the CIA founders were members of this secret society and that they still control it. The society has been criticized for everything weird sexual acts, the Kennedy assassination, espionage and drug smuggling.

#2: The Bilderberg Group

The Bilderberg was started in 1954 in the Netherlands "to create an aristocracy of purpose," mainly in the United States and Europe. Its members include some of the most powerful and highly influential people in the world from the IMF’s top officials to presidents and EU leaders. The most famous conspiracy theories say the group is run by the Nazis, it is trying to impose a one world government, and it runs the US Republican party.

#3: The Freemasonry

The all-male group, formed in 1717 in London, has six million powerful members across the world. It is alleged that George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill, Mozart, and Harry Houdini were Freemasons. They are infamous for secret passwords, secret handshakes, designing the Pyramids, and plotting the French Revolution.

#4: The Knights Templar

In 1119, nine knights founded the Knights Templar: a Catholic military order created to protect pilgrims traveling through the Holy Land, as well as guard the most sacred Christian treasures. Its non-combatant members developed the earliest forms of banking throughout Christendom, and built fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land. Though it was disbanded in 1312, it is said that the Freemasons are keeping the flame alive for the Knights Templar.

#5: The Hashashin

The Hashashins, or the Assassins, one of the most fearsome of all the secret societies in the world, are known for assassinating their religious and political enemies, regardless of the number of security personnel guarding their targets. It is said that the group of legendary contract killers, formed in the late 11th century, were vanquished by the end of the 13th century but left its dangerous legacy in today’s Syria and Iran.

#6: The Cadaver Society

A secret society of students at Washington and Lee University. It is rumored that underground passageways which its members use to remain undetected span the campus. It is speculated that the Cadaver Society serves as a branch of the Illuminati, a group that has control over powerful systems like banks and governments.

#7: Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

Founded in the late 19th century, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was dedicated to the study of the occult, the paranormal, and metaphysics and everything considered magical. The order, also known as the “Golden Dawn”, has been one of the single biggest influences on 20th century western occultism such as Wicca.

#8: Ordo Templis Orientis

An international fraternal and religious society, Ordo Templis Orientis is modeled after the Freemasonry structure and centered on a degree of occultism. Many Ancient Egyptian Gods and the Devil are invoked during the rituals, which are sometimes performed naked, and use virgin priestesses, children, and priests.

#9: Rosicrucians

Founded by a group of German Protestants in the early 15th century, the philosophical secret society was perceived as very dangerous at the time, as they reportedly used occult practices to bring about a global transformation. It is claimed they are the guiding force behind every significant revolution in modern history.

#10: The Illuminati

Perhaps the most popular cult of modern society, the Illuminati was formed to end superstition, obscurantism, religious influence over public life, and abuses of state power. Made mostly of atheists, it is alleged that they conspire to establish a New World Order and gain political power by using the media to brainwash the masses.