Category Archives: References to James’ work

These posts deal with what other authors have written about James’ works.

The Cosmic Diagram of the Land of Mu Part 2

Posted on July 8, 2015 | Comments Off

In the first part, the Cosmic Diagram was discussed that appeared in the 1926 Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and the 1931 Lost Continent of Mu. This posting covers the 1933 Sacred Symbols of Mu.

From 1933 Sacred Symbols of Mu page 40

And the accompanying description in the text:

MU’S COSMOGONIC DIAGRAM.–The Cosmogonic Diagram of Mu was the mother of all the various cosmogonic diagrams found throughout the world. All subsequent diagrams were based on that of the Motherland.

Inventions, alterations, additions in lines to adapt them to new meanings, made nightmares of them all.

One of the most prominent additions in the Hindu, Babylonian, Assyrian, Chaldean and Egyptian was the addition of a hell. This hell is shown in various diagrams as a small circle below the main figure, the outside of the circle symbolizing the Universe, which was putting it far away from the earth. As the devil was unknown in Mu, no hell appears in her cosmogonic diagram.

DECIPHERING MU’S DIAGRAM.–In Mu the novice was taught to learn the diagram thoroughly and repeat what was written upon it as his spiritual convictions. just as children are taught the Bible today, the children of lost Mu were instructed in this diagram.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DIAGRAM.–In the center is a circle within two crossed and interwoven triangles. Being interwoven or interlaced, these triangles form but one figure.

These two triangles are enclosed within a second circle, thus leaving twelve divisions.

Beyond this circle is a third, leaving a space between the two.

On the outside of this third circle are 12 scallops. Falling from the outside of the scallops is a ribbon which has 8 divisions.

THE MEANINGS OF THESE FIGURES.–The central circle is a picture of the Sun and the symbol of the Deity whose abode is Heaven.
The twelve divisions, formed by the crossing of the two triangles, are the gates to Heaven where dwells the Heavenly Father. These gates symbolize virtues, the twelve great earthly virtues, which man must possess before he can enter the gates, among them being Love, Hope, Charity, Chastity, Faith, et cetera. Love stands at the head of the list.

The space between the second and third circles is the world beyond, which the soul must pass through to reach the gates of Heaven.

The twelve scallops on the outside of the outer circle are the gates to the world beyond and symbolize the twelve great earthly temptations which must be overcome by the material body, before the soul can pass through these gates to the world beyond.

The ribbon with the eight divisions symbolizes the eight roads to Heaven and tells what man’s actions and thoughts must be to ascend to the gates of the world beyond. Put into present language the foregoing would read:

THE BELIEF.–I believe there are eight roads to travel to reach Heaven (mentioning them). My soul will first arrive after travelling these roads at the gates to the world beyond. To enter these my soul must show that my earthly body overcame the twelve great earthly temptations (mentioning them). Having shown that it had done so, my soul will be allowed to Pass into the world beyond. This I must traverse until I reach the gates of Heaven. Here my soul must prove that my earthly body possessed the twelve great virtues (mentioning them). Having shown that it did, my soul will then be passed through the gates into Heaven to the Throne of Glory, where sits the Heavenly Father waiting to receive it.

Have we anything today in any of our religions and religious sects that will compare with this beautiful conception so simply worded?

This was the Religion of Mu, the Motherland, and the First Religion of Man.

Comparing the differences between the versions:

*Lost Continent of Mu (1926 & 1931)*	Sacred Symbols of Mu
I believe there are eight roads which I must travel in order to reach Heaven.	I believe there are eight roads to travel to reach Heaven (mentioning them).
After having traveled the eight roads (mentioning them), I arrive at the twelve gates leading to the world beyond.	My soul will first arrive after travelling these roads at the gates to the world beyond.
Here I must prove that I have overcome the twelve earthly temptations (mentioning them)	To enter these my soul must show that my earthly body overcame the twelve great earthly temptations (mentioning them).
I shall then pass through into the world beyond and reach the gates of Heaven.	Having shown that it had done so, my soul will be allowed to Pass into the world beyond. This I must traverse until I reach the gates of Heaven
There I must show that I learned and practised the twelve virtues on earth (mentioning them).	Here my soul must prove that my earthly body possessed the twelve great virtues (mentioning them).
Then I am taken through the gates of Heaven to the throne of glory, where sits the Heavenly King.	Having shown that it did, my soul will then be passed through the gates into Heaven to the Throne of Glory, where sits the Heavenly Father waiting to receive it.

In part 1, both versions (1926 Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and the 1931 Lost Continent of Mu) supplied the following:

What the twelve temptations and the twelve virtues were I was never able to discover collectively.

However, in the 1933 Sacred Symbol of Mu it appears that he was able to discover some of the virtues:

the twelve great earthly virtues, which man must possess before he can enter the gates, among them being Love, Hope, Charity, Chastity, Faith, et cetera. Love stands at the head of the list.

James also includes other Cosmogonic Diagrams in the Sacred Symbols of Mu, as shown below:

In the next installment, some possible sources for the Cosmogonic/Cosmic Diagrams will be examined.

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Posted in References to James' work, Symbols

The Cosmic Diagram of the Land of Mu Part 1

Posted on July 5, 2015 | 3 comments

Recently, I was asked in an email to provide further information about the “Cosmic/Cosmogonic Diagram.” I subsequently offered the individual the opportunity to place their research into the subject on the My-Mu.com Guest blog and this was followed up with a post to the My-Mu.com Guest blog entitled, “Ancient Pictograph Cypher.”

This post (and those following on the same subject) is a follow-up to examine the “Cosmogonic/Cosmic” Diagrams that James Churchward wrote about and some of their possible origins.

In the 1926 Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men the figure below was captioned:

"The First Book Ever Written

The Cosmic Diagram of the Land of Mu. Over 35,000 years old"

From the Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men page 141

From the 1926 Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men page 141

The text describes the Cosmic diagram as follows (text in red are differences between the 1926 and 1931 versions):

THE Cosmic Diagram of the land of Mu was the first book ever written by man. I have traced this diagram back to more than 35,000 years ago. Just how long it had been in use before that, no one can say or even estimate.

All of the ancient nations copied the Motherland’s diagram-the Mayas of Yucatan, the Naga-Mayas of India, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians and the Pueblo Indians of southwestern North America.

Only one retained its simple character with its original meanings: the Yucatan Mayas. The rest, except the Pueblos, added figures and introduced dogmas. They gave some of the original figures different meanings, so that the simple and beautiful symbol of the Motherland became sadly distorted. This was brought about by the unscrupulous Egyptian priesthood. They first invented the devil, then they had to find an abode for him, so they invented hell. Five thousand years ago the devil and hell were unknown. The priesthood of India, seeing the effects on the people of these inventions, were quick to follow Set with Siva.

In Mu the novice was taught to learn this book thoroughly and to repeat it as his belief in God and the hereafter. Just as children are taught their Bibles today, so was the child of this lost continent instructed in this book in ancient times. In Mu the novice was taught to learn this book thoroughly and to repeat it as his belief in God and the hereafter, just as children are taught their Bibles today.

In deciphering this cosmic diagram it will be seen that there is a central circle enclosed within two interlaced equilateral triangles. They form one single figure, having but one meaning. These two triangles are enclosed within an outer circle, which leaves twelve divisions between the two circles. Again, this outer circle is enclosed within twelve scallops. Falling from the main figure and downward is a ribbon that has eight divisions.

The central circle is a picture of the sun, Ra, who is the collective symbol of the Deity, and as the Deity is in Heaven, the Deity and Heaven are symbolized by this circle.The central circle is a picture of the sun, Ra, who is the collective symbol of the Deity, and as the Deity is in Heaven, the Deity and Heaven being symbolized by this circle.

The twelve divisions formed by the two interlaced triangles, between the two circles, symbolize the twelve gates to Heaven. Each gate symbolizes a virtue, so that the soul must possess the twelve virtues in order to enter the gates of Heaven.

The outer circle symbolizes the intermediate world, the world beyond, the Amenti of the Egyptians. The twelve scallops surrounding the intermediate world symbolize twelve temptations. The soul must prove that it has overcome the twelve earthly temptations before it can enter the twelve gates of the world beyond.

The ribbon falling downward symbolizes that the soul must ascend in order to reach Heaven. The ancient meaning of the word “ascend” as used here did not signify rising to an altitude. It meant to rise to a higher level towards perfection. The ribbon has eight divisions. These signify the eight roads that man must traverse before his soul may enter the world beyond.

I have given a description of what the eight roads to Heaven are in the previous chapter.

What the twelve temptations and the twelve virtues were I was never able to discover collectively.

This ancient religious belief of the people of Mu, freely given in modern language, would read:
“I believe there are eight roads which I must travel in order to reach Heaven. After having traveled the eight roads (mentioning them), I arrive at the twelve gates leading to the world beyond. Here I must prove that I have overcome the twelve earthly temptations (mentioning them). I shall then pass through into the world beyond and reach the gates of Heaven. There I must show that I learned and practised the twelve virtues on earth (mentioning them). Then I am taken through the gates of Heaven to the throne of glory, where sits the Heavenly King.”
Have we today among all our sects and religions any that is purer and more simple than this of the lost people of the Motherland of Man?

Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men pages 140-143

In the first edition of the 1931 Lost Continent of Mu, the first sentence was the same as the 1926 version, but in subsequent editions, the “Cosmic Diagram” was replaced by “Cosmogonic Diagram,” as seen in the paperback version today. Additionally, James added the following illustration immediately after the fifth paragraph.

Next, we’ll look at the 1933 Sacred Symbols of Mu, where the figure was captioned “Mu’s Cosmogonic Diagram.”
And in further posts, we’ll examine the roots of the “Cosmogonic Diagram.”

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Posted in References to James' work, Symbols

The AMORC’s Lemuria Part 2

Posted on May 10, 2015 | Comments Off

A classic book on the subject of lost Pacific Ocean continents was originally published in 1931 and entitled, Lemuria The Lost Continent of the Pacific. The author’s name on the cover is “Wishar S. Cerve,” who is also known as “H. Spencer Lewis,” was the founder of the Ancient and Mystical Order of the Rosae Crucis (Rosicrucians) in the United States and it’s first Imperator from 1915 to 1939.

I found, in contrast with the works of my great-grandfather, that this book provides no references, or so it seems. In James Churchward’s books, names of famous authors and scientists, as well as scholarly books are dropped in support of the points in the narrative, however in Lemuria…, a passage near the front of the book relates that all the sources are listed together in an appendix. James’ first book was written in 1926 Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men with Lost Continent of Mu and Children of Mu following in 1931. The table below shows some of the similarities between the references. Note that the complete list of James Churchward’s references are not listed below, but are provided in Lifting the Veil on the Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men. Note that the version of Lemuria… used has a printed date of 1975.

Lemuria… Appendix II	Churchward
The researches and writings of Dr. Augustus le Plongeon	Augustus le Plongeon is frequently quoted in the Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and other books
Records of the Mayan people in Yucatan	Codex Cortesianus & Troano Manuscript (2 parts of the Madrid Codex) quoted in the Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and other books
The records of William Niven, archaeologist	the 2500 of the 2600 total tablets drawings that William Niven sent to James. Quoted in the Children of Mu and other books after 1926.
The records of Dr. Morley of the Carnegie Institute	–
The Codex Cortesianus, a Mayan book written 5,000 years ago from temple records and which can be found in some institutions of learning.	Codex Cortesianus (1 part of the Madrid Codex) [as above]
Manava Dharma Sastra, an ancient Hindu book	Quoted in the Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men (same quote as from Queen Moo and the Egyptian Sphinx by le Plongeon [page 9])
The writings of Lao-Tse	Lao-Tse is quoted in Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and other books
The writings of H.T. Colebrook concerning his researches in Asia	Colebrooke is not referenced directly, however le Plongeon’s quotes from Colebrooke are contained in James’ books (unattributed.)
The records of researches of Professor Ellis in Polynesia	Rev. William Ellis is referenced in Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men with unattributed quote from Queen Moo and the Egyptian Sphinx by le Plongeon [page 74])
The Egyptian Book of the Dead	A whole chapter in Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men(1926) and Lost Continent of Mu(1931) on the Book of the Dead
A study of the history of the Inca people and the Quiches.	James references the Popol Vuh in the Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and other books.
The researches of Leonard V. Dalton in Venezuela	–
Researches at Easter Island	Quotes Te Pito Te Henua or Easter Island by William J. Thompson in Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and other books
Plutarch‘s Life of Solon	Life of Solon is quoted in the Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and other books.
The researches of Dr. Henry Schliemann	Heinrich Schliemann is quoted in Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men (as well as his self identified grandson, Peter.)
The papyrus rolls from Egypt to be found in the museum in the city formerly known as St. Petersburg, Russia.	–
Osborn‘s book, Men of the Old Stone Age	–
The excavations at Yucatan and various parts of Central America.	Chapter 12 of Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men is entitled “YUCATAN’S PLACE AMONG THE ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS”
Richard Curle‘s book, Wonders of the Past	–
The writings of Valmiki, the ancient Hindu historian	Valmiki is quoted in Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men and other books
The book of Manu, containing ancient Hindu writings	The Book of Manu is quoted in Children of Mu and other books. Note that it is the same book as the Manava Dharma Sastra previously mentioned.
E.H. Parker‘s book on China	E.H. Parker is quoted in Children of Mu
Captain Cook‘s records of his trip around the world in 1770.	–
The National Geographic Magazine: “Our Global Ocean,” F. Barrows Colton, Jan. 1945 “Exploring the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,” Maurice Ewing, Sept. 1948 “New discoveries on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,” Maurice Ewing and Robert Sisson, Nov. 1949	–
Atlantean Research – Official organ of the Research Center group. This group is headed by Egerton Sykes, and part of the activity is devoted to research on the subject of the continent of Atlantis. In 1948, Mr. Sykes headed an expedition to the Atlantic to test scientifically some of the theories advanced regarding the submerged continent. In the publication abovementioned, a series of articles under the heading “Atlantis: The Atlantic Continent and Its Submersion,” appeared in 1948 by Dr. Rene Malaise. (ed. the Atlantis Research Center was formed in 1945)	–
The Atlantis Myth, by H. S. Bellamy [ed. book published in 1948]	–
The Rosicrusian records and historical writings	–
The records of the Essenes, and hundreds of others	–

At the bottom of the list printed in Appendix II of Lemuria… is the following:

The publishers cannot attempt to give information by correspondence as to where the foregoing books and others can be found by readers desiring them. Most of these books can be found in the larger of the principal libraries throughout the world. but any librarian or large publishing house will attempt to get these books for any reader or will state where and how they may be secured.