Editing Aetherius Society

{{Short description|New religious movement founded by George King in the 1950s}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Aetherius Society
| leader_title = Founder/President
| leader_name = [[George King (religious leader)|George King]] (1919–1997)
| image = Aetherius Society Logo.png
| formation = 1955
| type = {{ubl|[[Millenarian]]|[[Religious pluralism|Plural]]|[[UFO religion]]|[[New Age]]|[[Syncretism|Syncretic]]}}
| headquarters = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], California and [[London]], England
| membership = unknown
| website = {{URL |www.aetherius.org}}
}}
The '''Aetherius Society''' is a [[new religious movement]] founded by [[George King (religious leader)|George King]] in the mid-1950s<ref name=LS2003p124>{{cite book |editor-last=Lewis |editor-first=James R. |title=Encyclopedic Sourcebook of UFO religions |date=2003 |publisher=Prometheus Books |location=New York |isbn=1-57392-964-6 |page=124 |chapter=The Earth is a dangerous place: the world view of the Aetherius Society |first=John A. |last=Saliba}}, also in the "[[Marburg Journal of Religion]]": [https://archiv.ub.uni-marburg.de/ep/0004/article/view/3762/3578 link to the article]</ref><ref name="Landes">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4eVZaI20_mEC&q=aetherius%20society&pg=PA4 |title=Encyclopedia of Millennialism and Millennial Movements |editor-first=Richard Allen |editor-last=Landes |publisher=Taylor & Francis |location=USA |date=6 July 2000 |page=2 |chapter=Aetherius Society |first=Philip |last=Lamy|isbn=9780203009437 }}</ref><ref name="AtoZ">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hq988pEebSAC&q=aetherius%20society&pg=PA25 |title=The A to Z of New Religious Movements |first=George D. |last=Chryssides |publisher=Scarecrow Press |date=15 April 2006 |page=25|isbn=9780810855885 }}</ref> as the result of what King claimed were contacts with [[extraterrestrial intelligence]]s, whom he referred to as "Cosmic Masters".<ref name=LR2003p143>Rothstein Mikael (2003) p.143</ref><ref name=Sm2003p84>Smith, Simon G. (2003) p.84</ref><ref name=B2011p120>Barrett, David V. (2011) p120</ref> The main goal of the believer is to cooperate with these Cosmic Masters to help humanity solve its current Earthly problems and advance into the New Age.<ref name=Sa2003pp134-138>Saliba, John A. (2003) pp134-138</ref><ref name="Landes"/><ref name=B2011p124-6>Barrett, David V.(2011) p124-6</ref>
 
[[Mikael Rothstein]] describes it as a [[Syncretism|syncretic religion]], based primarily on [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)|theosophy]]<ref name="Rothstein 2021">{{cite book |author-last=Rothstein |author-first=Mikael |author-link=Mikael Rothstein |year=2021 |chapter=The Aetherius Society: A Ritual Perspective |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkswEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA452 |editor-last=Zeller |editor-first=Ben |editor-link=Benjamin E. Zeller |title=Handbook of UFO Religions |location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |series=Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion |volume=20 |doi=10.1163/9789004435537_023 |isbn=978-90-04-43437-0 |issn=1874-6691 |pages=452–471|s2cid=238055182 }}</ref> and incorporating [[millenarian]], [[New Age]], and [[UFO religion]] aspects.<ref name="Rothstein 2021"/><ref name=LR2003p144-5>{{cite book |editor-last=Lewis |editor-first=James R. |title=Encyclopedic sourcebook of UFO religions |date=2003 |publisher=Prometheus Books |location=New York |isbn=1-57392-964-6 |pages=144–145 |chapter=The idea of the past, the reality of the present, and the construction of the future: millenarianism in the Aetherius Society |first=Mikael |last=Rothstein}}</ref><ref name=PSm2003p84,90-91>{{cite book |editor-last=Partridge |editor-first=Christopher Hugh |year=2003 |title=UFO Religions |publisher=Routledge |chapter=Opening A Channel To The Stars: The Origins and Development of the Aetherius Society |first=Simon G. |last=Smith |pages=84, 90–91}}</ref><ref name="James R. Lewis (ed.)1995">{{cite book |editor-first=James R. |editor-last=Lewis |year=1995 |title=The Gods have landed: new religions from other worlds |location=Albany |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=0-7914-2330-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/godshavelandedne0000unse/page/28 28] |chapter=Religious dimensions of UFO phenomena |first=John A. |last=Saliba |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/godshavelandedne0000unse/page/28 }}</ref><ref name="OxHand72">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxCREXd3YKIC&q=aetherius%20society&pg=PA72 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Millennialism |editor-first=Catherine |editor-last=Wessinger |publisher=Oxford U.P. |date=17 October 2011 |pages=72–73 |chapter=Avertive Apocalypticism |first= Daniel |last=Wojcik|isbn=9780195301052 }}</ref>
Emphases of the religion include [[altruism]], [[community service]], [[nature worship]], [[energy medicine|spiritual healing]] and [[physical exercise]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pasztor |first1=Annalise |title=Talking to Aliens Is Their Religion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/18/opinion/gods-from-space-aetherius.html |website=www.nytimes.com |publisher=New York Times |access-date=10 December 2024}}</ref> Members meet in congregations like those of churches. [[John A. Saliba]] states that, unlike many other New Age or UFO religions, the Aetherius Society is for the most part considered uncontroversial, although its esoteric and millenarian aspects are sometimes questioned. The religion may be considered to have a relatively conventional [[Praxis (process)|praxis]], attracting members from mainstream society.<ref name="Saliba">{{cite book|author=John A. Saliba|title=Bulletin of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sa0lAQAAIAAJ|year=1999|publisher=The Institute|page=169|author-link=John A. Saliba}}</ref> The society's membership, although international, is relatively small. [[David V. Barrett]] suggested in 2011 that the worldwide membership was in the thousands, with the largest numbers in the United Kingdom, United States (particularly Southern California) and New Zealand.<ref name=B2011p122/><ref name="membership figure">{{Cite book |first=J. Gordon |last=Melton |title=Encyclopedia of American Religions |location=Detroit, MI |publisher=Gale Research, Inc. |edition=5th |year=1996 |page=677}}</ref>

==Overview==
The theology of the Aetherius Society is regarded as firmly based in [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)|theosophy]],<ref name="Rothstein 2021"/><ref name=B2011p122>{{cite book |last=Barrett |first=David V. |title=A brief guide to secret religions |date=2011 |publisher=Running Press |page=122}}</ref><ref name=LR2003p143/><ref name=Sm2003p96>Smith. Simon G. (2003) p.96</ref> the Aetherius Society combines [[UFO]] claims, [[yoga]], and [[Syncretism|ideas from various world religions]],<ref name="Landes" /><ref name="AtoZ" /> notably [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Christianity]].<ref name=B2011p128>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.122-3, 125</ref><ref name=Sa2003p128>Saliba, John A. (2003) p.128</ref> The society asserts itself as a [[Religious pluralism|plural or liberal religion]], stating "nor does God favor people of one religion over another – and certainly not people of one country or race over another".<ref name="ASGods">[https://www.aetherius.org/god-and-the-gods God and the Gods - The Aetherius Society]</ref> Stefan Isaksson notes that it has "become a complex religious belief system that includes an extraterrestrial hierarchy of various spiritual masters and such concepts as universal karma and religious healing."<ref name=I2000Aeth>Isaksson, Stefan (2000) [http://www.anthrobase.com/Txt/I/Isaksson_S_01.htm ''New religious UFO movements: extraterrestrial salvation in contemporary America''], section: "The Aetherius Society"</ref><ref>Saliba, John A. (2003) pp.126, 128-9</ref><ref>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.123-5</ref>  The religion's goal is to prevent worldly destruction by improving cooperation between humanity and various alien 'masters',<ref name="Landes" /><ref name=S2003p89-90>Smith, Simon G. (2003) pp.89-90</ref><ref>Rothstein, Mikael (2003), p.144</ref> and by using 'spiritual energy' to improve the spiritual calibre of the world.<ref name="OxHand72" /><ref name=S2003p89-90/><ref name=E1988pp126-7>{{cite book |last=Ellwood |first=Robert S. |title=Religious and spiritual groups in modern America |date=1988 |publisher=Prentice Hall |location=Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey |isbn=0-13-773045-4 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/religiousspiritu00ellw/page/126 126–7] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/religiousspiritu00ellw/page/126 }}</ref> The society has claimed that various disasters may be prevented or relieved by prayer, often aided by "Spiritual Energy Batteries" meant to store [[Energy medicine|healing psychic energy]]<ref name="OxHand72" /><ref name=LSm2003pp93-4>Smith, Simon G. (2003) pp.93-4</ref><ref name=B2011p125>Barrett, David V. (2011) p.125</ref>  The society also believes that it is to prepare the way for the "Next Master," a messianic figure who will descend upon Earth in a flying saucer, possessing "magic" more powerful than all the world's armies.<ref name=F2011p594>{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxCREXd3YKIC&q=aetherius%20society&pg=PA594 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Millennialism |editor-first=Catherine |editor-last=Wessinger |publisher=Oxford U.P. |date=17 October 2011 |page=594 |chapter=UFOs, ETs and the Millennial Imagination |first=Robert Pearson |last=Flaherty|isbn=9780195301052 }}</ref><ref name=B2011p124>Barrett, David V. (2011) p.124</ref><ref name=Sa2003p131>Saliba, John A. (2003) p.131</ref>  The society is named after Aetherius, a being King claims to have telepathically contacted and channelled. Aetherius is believed to be a Cosmic Master from [[Venus]], as are [[Buddha]] and [[Jesus]].<ref name=F2011p594/><ref>Saliba, John A. (2003) p.126</ref><ref>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.120, 124</ref>

== History ==
[[File:18 Clifton Gardens.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.65|18 Clifton Gardens; George King's lodgings at initiation of the Aetherius Society.]]
[[File:Aetherius House, Fulham, London.jpg|thumb|upright=.65|757 Fulham Road; London Headquarters since 7 July 1958.]]
The society's founder [[George King (religious leader)|George King]] was born on 23 January 1919, in [[Wellington, Shropshire]], England and brought up in a protestant family with strong occult interests.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zuGoDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Aetherius+Society%22+%22george+king%22+%22anglican%22&pg=PT27|isbn=9781941482100|title=The King Who Came to Earth: A Biography|date=25 August 2019|publisher=The Aetherius Society}}</ref><ref name=I2000Aeth/><ref>Smith, Simon G. (2003) pp.84-5</ref>  Before founding the Aetherius Society, King had been deeply involved in spiritual healing<ref name=LR2003p143/><ref name=Sc2003p157>{{cite book |editor-last=Lewis |editor-first=James R. |title=Encyclopedic Sourcebook of UFO religions |date=2003 |publisher=Prometheus Books |location=New York |isbn=1-57392-964-6 |page=157 |chapter=Cosmic Intelligences and their terrestrial channel: a field report on the Aetherius Society |first1=Scott |last1=Scribner |first2=Gregory |last2=Wheeler}}</ref> and had joined various theosophically-based metaphysical groups in [[London]] that were a marginal part of the religious scene.<ref name=I2000Aeth/><ref>Smith, Simon G. (2003) p.85</ref>  In 1944, he took up yoga, allegedly mastering [[bhakti]], [[jnana|gnani]] and [[kundalini]] yogas and attaining the state of "[[samadhi]]"<ref name=B2011p120/><ref name=Sc2003p157/> and, according to the Aetherius Society, developed psychic powers that allowed him to learn many of the secrets of the universe.<ref name=B2011p120/>

King claimed that on 8th May 1954, whilst living in a modest [[bedsit]] at 18 Clifton Gardens, [[Maida Vale]], London, a voice told him "Prepare yourself!  You are to become the voice of Interplanetary Parliament."  A week later, an unnamed but supposedly world-famous [[swami]] (later declared to be [[Swami Sivananda]]<ref>{{cite web |title=A Biography of Dr. George King - Timeline |url=https://drgeorgeking.org/timeline/ |website=drgeorgeking.org |publisher=The Aetherius Society |access-date=13 December 2024}}</ref>) was reported to have entered King's locked apartment. King claims that the swami instructed him to form a group dedicated to helping the planet and that the swami further taught him yoga, prayer, and meditation. According to King, this training enabled him to receive telepathic messages from Venus, the first coming from a Cosmic Master named Aetherius. King rented space in [[Caxton Hall]] in London, in which he allegedly channeled Cosmic Masters and recorded their messages.  Based on his experiences and these messages, King founded on 2nd August 1956 the Aetherius Society.<ref name=B2011p120/><ref>Smith, Simon G. (2003) p.86</ref><ref>Saliba, John A. (2003) p.124-5</ref> Prior to, and during the early foundation of the society, King earned his living as a driver and security officer.<ref>Moore, Patrick, ''Can You Speak Venusian?'' (1972, London, Wyndham Publ'ns) page 96.</ref>

This version of events, however, is based solely on the Aetherius Society's [[hagiography]], and not on external sources.  [[Mikael Rothstein]] notes that a lack of objective, factual information is often a problem in studying religious leaders, even for new religious movements.  The story of King, according to Rothstein, is part of an attempt (common to all religions) to portray their founder as an extraordinary individual to legitimize the religion.<ref name="Hagiography">{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lteid47_0-kC&q=aetherius%20society&pg=PA3 |chapter=Hagiography and Text in the Aetherius Society |first=Mikael |last=Rothstein |title=Alien Worlds: Social and Religious Dimensions of Extraterrestrial Contact |editor-first=Diana G. |editor-last=Tumminia |publisher=Syracuse University Press |date=30 April 2007 |pages=3, 5, and 24|isbn=9780815608585 }}</ref>

According to the Aetherius Society, George King died in [[Santa Barbara, California]], on July 12, 1997, at the age of 78.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Barrett|first1=David|title=A Brief Guide to Secret Religions: A Complete Guide to Hermetic, Pagan and Esoteric Beliefs|date=May 26, 2011|publisher=Hachette UK|isbn=978-1849018111|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bbKeBAAAQBAJ|access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref> His death was not reported in major newspapers.

== Belief and activities ==
[[File:The Aetherius Society, explained by Richard Lawrence (Interview 1986).mp3|thumb|Richard Lawrence (London HQ of the Aetherius Society) describes the basic concept. (Interview 1986)]]
In Aetherius Society teachings, various religious figures come from different planets,<ref name=F2011p594/> and throughout history Cosmic Masters such as Buddha, Jesus and [[Lao Tzu]] have come to Earth to teach mankind the right way of living.<ref name=Sa2003p128-9>Saliba, John A. (2003) pp.128-9</ref><ref>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.122-4</ref>{{rp|122–124}}<ref name=Is2000TWATAeth>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section: "The World According to Aetherius"</ref>  They are regarded by the society as [[Avatars]].<ref>Saliba John A. (2003) p.127</ref>{{rp|127}}<ref name=B2011p121-2>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.121-2</ref><ref name=E1988p128>Ellwood, Robert S. (1988) p.128</ref> Krishna, for example, is from [[Saturn]], which is the home of a "Cosmic Hierarchy" or "Interplanetary Council", while Jesus and Buddha are from Venus.<ref name=F2011p594/><ref>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.123-4</ref><ref>Saliba, John A. (2003) p.129</ref>{{rp|129}} The society therefore claims that these religions sprang from the same source and their principles were identical.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=Is2000TWATAeth/><ref name=Sm2003p92>Smith, Smon G. (2003) p.92</ref> These beings are, however, spiritual beings on another dimension or plane, as the idea of corporeal intelligent life on the other planets was known to be unlikely in the 1950s.<ref name=B2011p123>Barrett, David V. (2011) p.123</ref> The society's concept is that these beings exist on a 'spiritual level' by maintaining a 'higher vibratory rate' which can be lowered, and this explains the reported blinking in and out of UFOs.<ref name=Is2000TWATAeth/><ref name=B2011p123/><ref name=Sm2003p95>Smith, Simon G, (2003) p.95</ref> The society also refers to the [[vimana]]s found in Vedic and Hindu texts, and to the [[Star of Bethlehem]], as UFOs and examples of peaceful aliens that have been visiting to teach humanity throughout history.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=Sm2003p95/><ref>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), sections: "Ancient Extraterrestrials" and "The Spacecraft and Their Crew"</ref>

King taught a belief in reincarnation based on the "Law of Karma" according to which humanity progresses life by life towards the goal of perfection. Everyone is destined eventually to become a Master and to continue evolving from there.<ref name=Sa2003p128/><ref name=Sm2003p92/><ref name=B2011p123/> The society claims that evolution also includes planet Earth, which is regarded as a living entity at a much higher state of evolution and importance than its inhabitants.<ref name=B2011p128/><ref name=Sm2003p92/><ref>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section: "Mountains and Operations"</ref> They allege that because of the backward evolution of humans, the Earth has been under frequent attacks from evil forces from other parts of the universe and that the Cosmic Masters of other planets are fighting off a number of evil alien invaders.<ref name="Smith, Simon G. 2003">Smith, Simon G. (2003)</ref>{{rp|92–93}}<ref>Saliba, John A. (2003) pp.132-3</ref><ref>Wojcik, Daniel (2011)</ref>{{rp|73}} In Aetherius Society literature, the cosmic battles with evil forces or intelligence "bear some resemblance to the fundamentalist Christian concept of '[[spiritual warfare]]', shorn of its imminent apocalyptic content."<ref name="Saliba, John A. 2003">Saliba, John A. (2003)</ref>{{rp|132}}

As in other New Age religions, [[alternative medicine]], [[spiritual healing]], [[yoga]], and [[dowsing]] are also accepted and practised by the Aetherius Society.<ref name="Barrett, David V. 2011">Barrett, David V. (2011)</ref>{{rp|124–125}} It has also launched initiatives against pollution and [[nuclear power]], and generally identifies with the ideals of the [[Green politics|Green Movement]]. However, the society believes that environmental and societal problems are only symptoms of a much larger spiritual problem that, once solved, would cure all other problems. This is the 'spiritual energy crisis'.<ref name="Barrett, David V. 2011"/>{{rp|126}} King designed many items of equipment intended to contain and redirect 'spiritual energy' for such purposes.<ref name=LSm2003pp93-4/><ref name=Sc2003p158>Scribner, Scott (2003) p.158</ref><ref name="Ellwood, Robert S. 1988">Ellwood, Robert S. (1988)</ref>{{rp|127, 129–130}}

Probably the best known of these is the "Spiritual Energy Battery".  Its precise design and composition are not in the public domain. Its purpose is to hold a 'charge of spiritual energy for an indefinite period'. When connected to a "Spiritual Energy Radiator" (again designed by King), it can be 'discharged'.<ref name=LSm2003pp93-4/><ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="ReferenceA">''Out Of This World'' UFO contactee documentary, BBC May 1977</ref> 'Spiritual workers' pray, chant mantras, and 'focus the energy' into the battery where it is 'stored'. The society's belief is that in times of crisis the energy can be released in a concentrated form and manipulated by cooperating Masters to the area in need. King named this activity "Operation Prayer Power".<ref name=LSm2003pp93-4/><ref name=B2011p125/><ref name=Sc2003p158/> The Aetherius Society claims that under the guidance of the Cosmic Masters and with the aid of Spiritual Energy Batteries, they have prevented wars, and relieved the effects of natural disasters. King taught that these spiritual exercises help to prevent worldly destruction.<ref name=LSm2003pp93-4/><ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="Saliba, John A. 2003"/>{{rp|135}}

To help with this, the Aetherius Society regularly engages in "Spiritual Pushes" in which they pray and meditate to draw [[Prana]] to Earth from an orbiting spaceship known as "Satellite Number Three" which increases the amount of spiritual energy available. They claim that this satellite is shielded from telescopes and radar.<ref name=S2003p89-90/><ref name=B2011p125/><ref>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section: "Sacred Days - Spiritual Pushes"</ref> In "Operation Starlight", between the years 1958 and 1961, King and various members climbed eighteen mountains throughout the world, so that the mountains could be 'spiritually charged' by the Cosmic Masters using King as the link.<ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="Smith, Simon G. 2003"/>{{rp|89}}<ref>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section: "Operation Starlight"</ref> Members often make pilgrimages to these mountains where they have painted the movement's symbol, believing they receive more power than they can send out to the world through prayer.<ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="Ellwood, Robert S. 1988"/>{{rp|127}}<ref name="Saliba, John A. 2003"/>{{rp|134}} They believe that service to mankind is the most essential yoga or religion in the modern day.<ref name=B2011p125/><ref name=Sm2003p92/>

King is now regarded by the Aetherius Society as an Avatar and Cosmic Master, though he did not make any claim to being either in his lifetime.<ref name=LS2003p124/><ref name=B2011p121-2/> The Aetherius Society also believes that King was the only person in the society to receive mental transmissions.<ref name="Barrett, David V. 2011"/>{{rp|121}}<ref name=Smith2003p98>Smith, Simon G. (2003) p.98</ref>

=== Eschatology ===
King claimed to have been contacted by many aliens, including [[Venusians]], [[Martians]], [[Deva (Buddhism)|Devas]], and the [[Great White Brotherhood]] to spread a message to aid humanity.  This message exalted the promising future humanity has should Earthlings turn to better ways of living, while warning of the possible consequences otherwise.<ref name=Zeller2009p331>Zeller, Benjamin E. (2009). "Apocalyptic Thought in UFO-Based Religions". In {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_UoNsXawpSIC&q=aetherius%20society&pg=PA331 |title=End of Days: Essays on the Apocalypse from Antiquity to Modernity |first1=Karolyn |last1=Kinane |first2=Michael A. |last2=Ryan |publisher=McFarland |page=331|isbn=9780786453597 |date=2014-01-10 }}</ref> King taught that humans had the choice of self-destruction or the enjoyment of a New Age that was coming to Earth. He also taught that the Cosmic Masters had intervened via the Aetherius Society to help humanity into the New Age.<ref name=LR2003p144-5/><ref name=S2003p89-90/><ref name=Sa2003p131/>

As Zeller notes in his chapter "Apocalyptic Thought in UFO Religions," King believed there would not be a catastrophic end to the world, but that the planet was on the verge of a new millennium of peace and enlightenment and the Age of Aquarius; King believed that this would also require human effort.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=Zeller2009p331/><ref name=LR2003p153>Rothstein, Mikael (2003), p153</ref> The Aetherius Society's teachings share the individualism of not only other New Age teachings of the era, but of the [[Protestantism]] King grew up in, i.e. individual humans face the decision of whether to join the millennial kingdom.<ref name=Sa2003p131/><ref name=Zeller2009p331/><ref name=LR2003p153/>

The society also predicts the coming of 'the next Master' from space at an indefinite time, which is said to depend on the advancement of humans and the balance of karma.<ref name=LR2003p144-5/><ref name=E1988p128/><ref>Smith, Simon G. (2003)p97</ref> It is claimed he will arrive in a spacecraft with great power, and present his credentials to the leaders of Earth.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=Sa2003p131/> Those who engage in war or ignore the 'Divine Law', will be removed from the Earth and reborn upon another planet where they will continue their progress. Those who understand the law will be left on Earth to enjoy the new millennium.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref>Zeller, Benjamin E. (2009) pp331-2</ref><ref name="Saliba, John A. 2003"/>{{rp|130–132}}<ref>Rothstein, Mikael (2003)</ref>{{rp|148}}

Zeller also compares King's call to correct living (with threats of suffering otherwise) to many forms of Christian apocalypticism, with King's claimed mental transmissions replacing the [[Bible]] as the standard for what that moral living is.<ref name=Zeller2009p331/> The Aetherius Society's eschatology is millenarian and, like Christian apocalypticism and [[Manichaeism]], features a strong [[Dualistic cosmology#Moral dualism|moral dualism]] in that the society seeks to follow the positive forces of the white magicians, rejecting the opposing evil forces.<ref>Zeller, Benjamin E. (2009)</ref>{{rp|329, 333–334}}

=== The "silence group" ===
The Aetherius Society claims that 'space beings' have contacted the leading governments of the world in many ways, but a group of individuals described by UFO researcher [[Donald Keyhoe]] in ''[[The Flying Saucer Conspiracy]]'' as "the silence group"<ref>{{cite book |last=Keyhoe |first=Donald E. |title=The Flying Saucer Conspiracy |year=1955 |publisher=Holt |isbn=978-1-122-70944-6 |pages=1–315}}</ref> have been deliberately suppressing this information so as to keep people uninformed, or misinformed, as to their true nature.<ref>{{cite journal |title=none|last=King |first=George |year=1957 |journal=Cosmic Voice |volume=2 |publisher=Aetherius Society |pages=37–38}}</ref> According to King, "the silence group" uses fear and ignorance to control humanity.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

=== Theology ===
The Aetherius Society's theology is theosophical<ref name=B2011p122/><ref name=Sm2003p96/><ref name=Is2000TWATAeth/> and is also based on the continual evolution of all beings back to the source which is God.<ref name=B2011p128/><ref name=Sm2003p92/> The society also refers to God as being "All in All, and All in All That," and the highest aspect of God as "The Absolute." The society believes that other beings exist that are so evolved compared to humanity that they are sometimes referred to as 'Gods' to distinguish them.<ref name=LR2003p143/><ref>{{cite book |last=King |first=George |title=The Twelve Blessings |year=1958 |publisher=The Aetherius Society |location=U.S. |isbn=0-937249-02-5 |pages=1–63 |url=http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&SectionID=67&PageID=110}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=The Aetherius Society |title=The 50th Anniversary Twelve Blessings Podcast |url=http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&SectionID=62&PageID=524 |publisher=Aetherius.org |access-date=2011-05-04}}</ref> "There is nothing but God in the cosmos, in varying stages of evolution. Everyone will eventually become a Master and will continue evolving from there."<ref name=Sa2003p128/><ref name=B2011p123/> The society regards itself as a spiritual path rather than a religious movement per se.<ref name=Sm2003p84/><ref>Scribner, Scott (2003)</ref>{{rp|168}} Its path contains various stages of spiritual evolution from earthly to cosmic.<ref name=Sa2003p128-9/><ref name=I2000NineFreedoms>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section "The Nine Freedoms"</ref> Karma and reincarnation are accepted by the religion as laws of nature.<ref name=Sm2003p92/><ref>{{cite book |last=King |first=George |title=Karma and Reincarnation |publisher=The Aetherius Society |location=U.S. |pages=1–22 |url=http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&SectionID=67&PageID=107}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=The Aetherius Society |title=Karma |url=http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&SectionID=45&PageID=66 |access-date=2011-05-04}}</ref>  The society claims it is "not out to change existing religions so much as to add a cosmic dimension to them".<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=I2000NineFreedoms/> Its religious services use both Christian prayers and Eastern mantras.<ref name=B2011p123/><ref>Scribner, Scott (2003) p163</ref>

===Criticism===
Many of King's claims, particularly claims to various titles and honors, have been shown to be questionable at best.<ref name=B2011pp119-120>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp119-120</ref><ref name=Smith2003pp94-5>Smith, Simon (2003) pp.94-5</ref>

Simon Smith states that the Aetherius Society has to bridge a number of credibility gaps exacerbated by scientific and technological advances, and mentions some seemingly insurmountable problems facing its world view, such as the non-existence of life on the other planets of the Solar System, and scarce evidence of spacecraft visiting Earth. The society uses the concepts of 'higher spheres of existence' to explain life on the other planets, and the 'lowly karmic position' of mankind to explain why extraterrestrials do not land openly.<ref name=Smith2003pp94-5/> Hence the movement, while failing to keep pace with science and technology, has tried to explain consequent incompatibilities. However, explanation has become increasingly unnecessary for adherents due to their growing acceptance of King's charismatic authority.<ref name=Smith2003p98/>

Rothstein suggests that the Aetherius Society touted a 1959 BBC television appearance of King <ref>{{cite web |title=Lifeline: Mars and Venus speak to Earth |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e0d931fe04cb41eb8b9e0f787abfdb57 |website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> as a momentous event, whilst in fact contemporary media coverage of King was mostly negative.<ref name="Rothstein, Mikael 2007">Rothstein, Mikael (2007)</ref>{{rp|18}}

In 1958, the society's publication ''Cosmic Voice'' claimed to give details transmitted by the Cosmic Masters of an atomic accident in Russia, i.e. the [[Kyshtym Disaster]], that was not known about in the West until 1976 when revealed by the ''[[New Scientist]]'' magazine.<ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="Scooped by a UFO">{{cite journal |title=Scooped by a UFO |journal=New Scientist |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YvpI6azxNaoC&pg=PA241 |date=27 April 1978 |publisher=Reed Business Information |volume=78 |issue=1100 |page=241 |issn=0262-4079 |access-date=4 August 2014}}{{dead link|date=December 2024}}</ref> The magazine, after receiving a claim about the transmission from the Aetherius Society, entered a two-paragraph item under the title "Scooped by a UFO!", next to other news items intended to be humorous, such as a report of a "Dolphin Embassy."<ref name=" Scooped by a UFO"/>{{dead link|date=December 2024}} The Aetherius Society, however, interprets the ''New Scientist'' coverage as recognition of King's integrity, and admission by the magazine that they had been scooped by a UFO.<ref>[http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&PageID=653] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430084852/http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&PageID=653|date=April 30, 2013}}</ref> The Cosmic Voice reported, early in its history, that King's mother was often a passenger in the flying saucers from various planets, was once in a Martian spaceship when she was introduced to a Venusian whom she recognized as "our dear Jesus", who solemnly declared of one of George King's books,{{efn|The Twelve Blessings (1958)}} "this book is now and forever will be – Holy."<ref>Nebel, Long John, ''The Way Out World'' (hardcover, 1961, NY, Prentice-Hall) page 53, (paperback, 1962, NY, Lancer) page 48.</ref>

King claimed that Aetherius enabled him "to speak all terrestrial languages"—although he seemed unable to respond when asked questions in [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]] and [[French language|French]].<ref>Moore, Patrick, ''Can You Speak Venusian?'' (1972, London, Wyndham Publ'ns) pages 97-98, also in Moore, Patrick, ''Countdown! or How Nigh is the End?'' (1983, rev. 2009, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, The History Press) pages 137-138.</ref>

==Holy mountains==
The Aetherius Society recognizes 19 [[sacred mountains|holy mountains]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Holy Mountains Of The World|website=The Aetherius Society, New Zealand Branch|date=2019-05-13|url=https://www.aetherius.org.nz/about/holy-mountains/|access-date=2024-06-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Holy Mountains|website=The Aetherius Society|date=2022-06-02|url=https://www.aetherius.org/pilgrimages-to-holy-mountains/|access-date=2024-06-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aetherius Society Holy Mountains|website=Peakbagger|date=2004-11-01|url=https://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=609|access-date=2024-06-06}}</ref>

*United Kingdom
**England
***[[Holdstone Down]] (in [[Devon]])
***[[Yes Tor]] (in [[Devon]])
***[[Brown Willy]] (in [[Cornwall]])
***[[Old Man of Coniston]] (in [[Lake District]])
***[[Kinder Scout]] (in [[Peak District]])
**Wales
***[[Pen y Fan]] (in [[Brecon Beacons National Park]])
***[[Carnedd Llewelyn]] (in [[Snowdonia]])
**Scotland
***[[Ben Hope]] (Scotland's most northerly [[Munro]])
***[[Creag an Leth-choin]] (in [[Cairngorms National Park]])
*France
**Le {{ill|Nid d'Aigle|fr|Nid d'Aigle (France)}}
*Switzerland
**[[Mederger Flue]]
*United States
**[[Mount San Antonio|Mount Baldy]], California
**[[Mount Tallac]], California
**[[Castle Peak (Colorado)|Castle Peak]], Colorado
**[[Mount Adams (New Hampshire)|Mount Adams]], New Hampshire
*Tanzania
**[[Mount Kilimanjaro]]
*Australia
**[[Mount Kosciuszko]] (in [[Kosciuszko National Park]])
**[[Rams Head]] (in [[Kosciuszko National Park]])
*New Zealand
**[[Mount Wakefield]] (in [[Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park]])

==Locations==
List of locations for the Aetherius Society:<ref>{{cite web|title=Locations & Events Worldwide|website=The Aetherius Society|url=https://www.aetherius.org/locations/|access-date=2024-06-18}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Type !! City !! Country
|-
| headquarters (American) || [[Los Angeles]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| headquarters (European) || [[London]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| branch (Eastern USA) || [[Royal Oak, Michigan]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| branch (Northern UK) || [[Barnsley]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| branch || [[Manchester]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| branch || [[Auckland]] || {{flag|New Zealand}}
|-
| branch (Eastern Nigeria) || [[Aba, Nigeria|Aba]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| branch || [[Warri]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| branch (Western Nigeria) || [[Lagos]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| branch || [[Accra]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| branch || [[Takoradi]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| group || [[Cantonments, Accra|Cantonments]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| group || [[Ho, Ghana|Ho]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| group || [[Kpando]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| group || [[Tarkwa]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| group || [[Tema]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| group || [[Benin City]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| group || [[Calabar]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| group || [[Festac Town|Festac]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| group || [[Ibadan]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| group || [[Owerri]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| group || [[Port Harcourt]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| group || [[Umuahia]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| group || [[Johannesburg]] || {{flag|South Africa}}
|-
| group || [[Lisbon]] || {{flag|Portugal}}
|-
| group || [[Berkshire]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Birmingham]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Bristol]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Derby]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Glasgow]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Llandudno]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Sussex]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Torquay]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Warrington]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| group || [[Toronto]] || {{flag|Canada}}
|-
| group || [[San Fernando Valley]], California || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| group || [[Miami]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| group || [[Bridgeton, New Jersey]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| group || [[Brisbane]] || {{flag|Australia}}
|-
| representative || [[Cape Coast]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| representative || [[Kasoa]] || {{flag|Ghana}}
|-
| representative || [[Abuja]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| representative || [[Kabba]] || {{flag|Nigeria}}
|-
| representative || [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Chesham]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Cornwall]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Kingston upon Hull]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Kent]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Leicester]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Liverpool]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Nottingham]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Portsmouth]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Surrey]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Swansea]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Tyne and Wear]] || {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
| representative || [[Ottawa]] || {{flag|Canada}}
|-
| representative || [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] || {{flag|Canada}}
|-
| representative || [[Arizona]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| representative || [[Carpinteria, California]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| representative || [[Santa Barbara, California]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| representative || [[Santa Cruz, California]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| representative || [[Tampa Bay area|Tampa metropolitan area]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| representative || [[New Mexico]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| representative || [[Nellysford, Virginia]] || {{flag|United States}}
|-
| representative ||  || {{flag|Mexico}}
|-
| representative ||  || {{flag|Japan}}
|-
| representative ||  || {{flag|Germany}}
|-
| representative ||  || {{flag|Italy}}
|-
| representative ||  || {{flag|Sweden}}
|-
|}

==Bibliography==

===Books===
By George King:
*''The Nine Freedoms''
*''The Twelve Blessing''
*''Visit to the Logos of Earth''
*''A Book of Sacred Prayers''
*''The Practices of Aetherius''
*''Jesus Comes Again''
*''You Too Can Heal''
*''Cosmic Voice'' (vol. 1)
*''Cosmic Voice'' (vol. 2)
*''Cosmic Voice'' (vol. 3)
*''Cosmic Voice'' (vol. 4)
*''Cosmic Voice'' (vol. 5)
*''Cosmic Voice'' (vol. 6)
*''Wisdom of the Planets''
*''This is The Hour of Truth''
*''Contact with a Lord of Karma''
*''Become a Builder of the New Age''
*''Operation Sunbeam - God's Magic in Action''
*''The Five Temples of God''
*''Join Your ship''
*''You Are Responsible!''
*''Karma and Reincarnation''
*''Contact Your Higher Self through Yoga''
*''The Importance of Commemoration - Spiritual Happiness''
*''Realize Your Inner Potential'' (with Richard Lawrence)
*''Contacts with the Gods from Space'' (with Richard Lawrence)

By Richard Lawrence:
*''UFOs and the Extraterrestrial Message''
*''Unlock Your Psychic Powers''
*''Prayer Energy''
*''The Magic of Healing''
*''Gods, Guides and Guardian Angels''
*''The King Who Came To Earth: A Biography'' (with Brian Keneipp)

Others:
*''The Holy Mountains of the World'' by Rev. Charles Abrahamson
*''Operation Earth Light'' by Brian C. Keneipp
*''Power Prayer'' by Chrissie Blaze and Gary Blaze
*''Workout for the Soul'' by Chrissie Blaze

===Periodicals===
*''Cosmic Voice''
*''Aetherius Society Newsletter''

==See also==
*[[List of UFO organizations]]
*[[New religious movement]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.aetherius.org/ The Aetherius Society] – official website of the movement
*[https://theninefreedoms.org/ The Nine Freedoms]
*[https://12blessings.org/ The Twelve Blessings]
*[https://wrldrels.org/2016/02/25/aetherius-society/ Page about the Aetherius Society at Religious Movements site] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20050728092817/http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/aetherius.html archived 2005 version])
* [http://www.uni-marburg.de/fb03/ivk/mjr/pdfs/1999/articles/saliba1999.pdf?searchterm=Saliba Scholarly article] by [[John A. Saliba]] in the ''[[Marburg Journal of Religion]]''
*[http://www.peakbagger.com/map/BigMap.aspx?miny=-43.692774&maxy=58.4134&minx=-120.099011&maxx=170.124127&t=L&d=609&c=0&bl=0 Peakbagger.com] (map showing the locations of the Aetherius Society Holy Mountains)

{{UFOs}}

[[Category:UFO religions]]
[[Category:Religious syncretism]]
[[Category:1955 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:New Age organizations]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 1950s]]