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Guardians of the Ancient Wisdom
Inner Traditions 1979, 1980, 2006 ISBN #159477093-X Stan Gooch's work includes "Total Man", "Personality and Evolution" (focused on the evolution and history of the brain), as well as "The Double Helix of the Mind", "Cities of Dreams", and "The Secret Life of Humans" (focused on paranormal influences and the Neanderthal culture). His writing is strong and clear, based on quality research, and easily understood. One of the points that Gooch brings up in his introduction is the current revival in occult thought and practice. he see this as a (sporadic) outward sign of a continuous (though hidden) tradition. After reading this book, I think many people will agree with him. He also acknowledges that this needs to be balanced with orthodox knowledge and history. In "The Dream Culture of the Neanderthals" Gooch attempts to offer strong evidence of a lost civilization. I found very interesting the manner in which Gooch shows the blending of the influences of the solar based, patriarchal Cro-Magnons, and the lunar based, matriarchal Neanderthals. A pivotal point in his theory is that the Neanderthals were not destroyed by the younger Cro-Magnon culture, but were incorporated into the culture through interbreeding. Gooch claims that in any public place we can see for ourselves the influence of Neanderthal man in the size and shape of t he population. He also presents evidence that the Neanderthal race may be alive today in Central Asia. Gooch discusses several aspects of our culture, beginning with numbers - specifically, the numbers thirteen and seven. In discussing the number thirteen, Gooch speaks of the thirteen full (or new) moons of the lunar calendar, and the thirteen members of Wiccan covens, amongst other things. He also discusses the commonly held belief that the number thirteen is unlucky. Gooch also brings the world of Tarot into the discussion of the number thirteen. Here I have to disagree with him, both in the presentation of Tarot history (that it originated in Egypt), and the current state of the four suits, which he presents as each suit being composed of thirteen cards, when a look at most decks currently in use will show each suit being composed of fourteen cards. In discussing the number seven, Gooch refers to its commonly accepted positive, or lucky nature. He talks about the seven colors in the rainbow, the seven ages of man, the seven wonders of the world, and the seven branched Jewish Menorah (candlestick). In discussing calendars, Gooch posits that Lunar (Moon) based calendars were used largely for religious purposes, while Solar (Sun) based calendars were used for civic events (i.e. everyday business purposes). This is also where Gooch discuses the practice of Christianity "overlaying" Pagan beliefs with their own - i.e. using the dates that local populations already honored in worship with Christian meaning. In this way, the ancient religions were able to remain "underground" (i.e. undetected) through time. Gooch does a very good job of defining both Neanderthal man and Cro-Magnon man (with an official definition, as well as his own!). This is also where he begins to present evidence for a hybrid man - an interbreeding of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon man. In his section on stone circles, Gooch notes that in many cases they are composed of twelve stones, with a thirteenth stone in the middle (which may have served as an alter). Of interest is Gooch's thought that the contradictory impulses and influences that have sparked human conflict over millennia may be traced to the combination of influences from the lunar, matriarchal-based Neanderthals and the solar, patriarchal-based Cro-Magnons. This is an excellent read for anyone who is interested in the influences that led to where our society is at this time, and where ancient wisdom can be found in our culture and customs.
Bonnie Cehovet
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