Assassins

The term "Assassin" likely derives from the Arabic "Hashishiyyin," referring to users of hashish, a cannabis extract. This appellation, possibly a pejorative, was applied to the Nizari Ismailis by their Sunni adversaries. The root may also connect to "Asas," meaning "foundation" or "basis," alluding to their esoteric interpretations of Islam.

A masonic and mystic order founded l)y Hassan Sabali in Persia, in the eleventh century. The word is a European perversion of "Hassan", which forms the chief part of the name. They w^re simply Sufis and addicted, according to the tradition, to hascheesh-catitig, in order to bring about celestial visions. As shown by our late brother Kenneth Mackenzie, "they were teachers of the secret doctrines of Islamism; they encouraged mathematics and philosophy, and produced many valuable works. The chief of the Order was called Sheikel-Jebel. translated the 'Old Man of the Mountains', and, as their Grand Master, he possessed power of life and death."

The popular image of the Assassins, conjured by medieval chroniclers and later romanticized in Western lore, tends to overshadow the intricate spiritual and philosophical underpinnings of the Nizari Ismaili movement. Blavatsky, in her characteristic fashion, points to a deeper, more esoteric dimension, suggesting a connection to "secret doctrines" and a tradition of learning that extended to mathematics and philosophy. This echoes Mircea Eliade's observations on the nature of initiatory societies, where outward actions, often perceived as violent or extreme, can be understood as expressions of a radical commitment to an inner truth or a higher spiritual order.

The association with "hascheesh-catitig" (hashish-eating) for "celestial visions" is a point of contention, with many scholars arguing it was propaganda rather than a core practice. However, even if exaggerated, it speaks to a historical preoccupation with altered states of consciousness as a pathway to divine knowledge, a theme resonant across many mystical traditions. The idea of "celestial visions" aligns with the ecstatic experiences sought by Sufis, or the contemplative states described by Christian mystics. The "Sheikel-Jebel," or Old Man of the Mountains, as the supreme leader, embodies the archetype of the hidden master, the one who holds the keys to esoteric knowledge and wields ultimate authority, a figure that resonates with the concept of the guru or the hidden adept found in various spiritual lineages.

The Assassins, in their historical context, represent a potent example of how political and religious power struggles can shape and distort the understanding of spiritual movements. Their story serves as a reminder that the most profound truths are often veiled, accessible only to those willing to look beyond the sensational and the superficial, seeking the underlying principles that animate seemingly disparate phenomena. The legacy of the Assassins, therefore, is not merely one of historical intrigue, but a continuing invitation to discern the hidden currents of spiritual endeavor beneath the surface of worldly events.