[Aztlan] Cults and Harold D. Emerson and The Mayan

[Keith Dixon]

        John, you raise an interesting issue considering 
the ever-increasing popularity of the Maya and Maya 
archaeology in mystic cults and New Age religions, even 
aside from 2012.  It's useful to know something about them 
and their origins.  In my collection of curiosities I have 
two items published by "The Mayan Order" in San Antonio, 
Texas:  "The Mayans" newsletter and an introductory 
pamphlet.  Neither mentions "The Mayan" publication or 
Harold D. Emerson of Brooklyn.  Sources do not indicate 
either a relationship or a rivalry, or whether one 
inspired the other.
   
       Eric Thompson's description of "The Mayan" 
publication, which he said "flourished (?) from 1933 to 
1941," seems to be broadly similar to "The Mayans" of San 
Antonio.   A Google search for "Harold D. Anderson" (with 
quotes) leads to two particulary relevant references -- 
books by L. Sprague DeCamp and by Jesse Lerner.  The 
latter provides the full name of the Brooklyn 
organization:  "Mayan Temple and Alliance of American 
Aborigines of Brooklyn, New York, founded by Harold Davis 
Emerson, Ph.D., D.D., in 1928."  He also says, "The 
holdings of the Southwest Museum (Los Angeles) include 
copies of The Mayan, their newsletter, and their Mayan 
Temple Handbook."  (My guess is that these were part of 
the T.A. Willard donation and that some of "The Mayans" 
publications could be there too.)

         I also Googled for "Harold Davis Emerson" (with 
quotes) and found an intriguing reference to an article in 
the New England Film News / August 11, 1932:  ". . . 
enthusiastic and more than willing to co-operate in the 
novel and wholesome exploitation stunt which was arranged 
by Dr. Harold Davis Emerson, Ph. D."   I could not bring 
up a legible copy to discover the stunt, but perhaps 
another listero will have better luck
(http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/081132/11).

         The earliest item I have from the San Antonio 
organization is an issue of "The Mayans," a simple 12-page 
monthly mimeographed newsletter, Number 11 (for November), 
copyright 1936.  The cover is a red sheet, 8.5 by 11 
inches, printed in black ink with their logo and official 
emblem,  admonitions about confidentiality,  and their 
motto Vade Mecum, Volventibus Annis.   Members increase 
their knowledge and understanding by progressing through a 
series of lessons -- this issue invites the member into 
the Third Degree of Mayanry.  The Fifth Revelation is the 
Mayan Secret writing.  The Sixth is the first of the Three 
Mayan Passwords.  Much of it has to do with self help and 
preparation for the future, with stories and long quotes 
from the Bible, the Talmud, etc.  The structure, the 
lessons, goals, etc., have a general resemblance to other 
secret and fraternal organizations.

        When I Googled for the motto,  many interesting 
entries appeared.  One is a PDF copy of several pages from 
the The Mayans newsletter of October 1966 
 (http://www.wikileaks.com/leak/mayan-order-rev-10.1966.pdf). 
 It  includes a brief list of the contents for the 
November issue -- the same contents as in my November 1936 
issue, 30 years earlier.  (See also: 
 http://www.wikileaks.com/wiki/Talk:Texas_Mayan_Order_Sect_10th_Revelation%2C_1966)
   
        The second item I have is a 30-page pamphlet on 
coated paper, 5.5 by 8 inches, printed in color.  "Mayan 
Mysteries, The Way is Opened to You, Your Way to a Better 
Life," published by the Mayan Order in San Antonio.  It 
describes the organization and member benefits, including 
lessons featuring "applied psychology" combined with 
"ancient wisdom" revealed by Maya priests hidden in the 
jungle.   A photo of a sample newsletter cover dated 1952 
shows exactly the same format and embellishments as the 
early mimeographed version, but now in color;  it is still 
titled "The Mayans" and shows copyright by The Mayans, 
1944.  The invitation to membership in the Mayan Order 
refers to subscriptions as donations.  My pamphlet was 
printed sometime after 1963 when zip codes were 
introduced.   Amazon.com lists what must be essentially 
the same publication:  "Mayan Mysteries: Your Way to a 
Better Life by The Mayan Order (Pamphlet - 1944)";   one 
used copy is for sale at $98.81 US, which must be because 
it is rare, perhaps from the  first printing in the year 
of copyright.

        The Mayans of Brooklyn is apparently long extinct. 
 But the Mayan Order still exists after more than 73 years 
at the same address in San Antonio -- an impressive 
longevity.  Googling for "Mayan Order" (including quotes) 
finds numerous entries for this organization.   Some have 
comments by old and new members as recent as this year, 
often  very amusing.  A good history of the origin and 
character of the organization is by Mark Jones
  (http://www.sacurrent.com/dining/story.asp?id=67366). 
 One of the co-founders was Koran, "a turbaned mystic," 
and the other was Rose Dawn, astrologer and mystic, who 
was said to have been Bob Wills's original "San Antonio 
Rose."   She was an author and the leader of the Mayan 
Order;  though long deceased she allegedly still guides 
the organization.  John, to learn the ancient Maya wisdom 
you would have to join, but sadly the secrecy clause would 
prevent you from sharing the knowledge with the rest of 
us.


On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:31:38 -0500
  "Hoopes, John W" <hoopes at ku.edu> wrote:
> "I cannot leave the subject of the Maya priesthood 
>without mention of a Maya cult and its high priest which 
>flourished (?) from 1933 to 1941.  The high priest had 
>the slightly un-Maya name of Harold D. Emerson, and his 
>temple was located in the ceremonial center of Brooklyn, 
>New York, hard by Ebbers Field.  Ahau Can Mai Harold 
>edited for the Maya temple a periodical, The Mayan, 
>Devoted to Spiritual Enlightenment and Scientific Religion.
> 
> "The Mayan, as I recollect, was a queer hodgepodge of 
>astrology, divination with Maya day names, admonitions to 
>eat spinach and do "Maya" setting-up exercises, and a 
>section on the Maya calendar, not that used during the 
>Classic period or any of those still current in remote 
>villages of Guatemala but something sui generis, but 
>there, Brooklyn has always followed its own line.  My 
>memory of the divination section is hazy, so perhaps I am 
>at fault in supposing that '4 Caban. Buy General Motors; 
>unload Middle West Utilities' was the sort of advice the 
>days had for us.
> 
> "Yet Brooklyn should be proud of Halac Uinic Emerson; 
>with more than a touch of Concordian transcendentalism he 
>made of the Maya religion a scientific one, rendering the 
>incompatible compatible."
> 
> -- from J.E.S. Thompson, Maya History and Religion (1970)
> 
> I'd be most grateful for any additional information on 
>Mr. Emerson of Brooklyn, including information on where 
>copies of his obscure publication might be found.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> John Hoopes
> _______________________________________________