Travis Simpkins: "Bloodline of the Holy Grail" by Laurence Gardner

Bloodline of the Holy Grail

The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed

by Laurence Gardner

Barnes & Noble Books, 1997

Notes by Travis Simpkins

In the opening pages of Bloodline of the Holy Grail by Laurence Gardner, the author lays out a very specific premise, "During the course of this book, we shall study the compelling story of this sovereign lineage by unfolding a detailed genealogical account of the Messianic Blood Royal (the Sangreal) in direct descent from Jesus and his brother James." He then gets much more cryptic in saying, "these pages hold the key to the essential Grail Code- the key not only to a historical mystery but to a way of life." He goes on to discuss various aspects of the Grail Code: "In esoteric Grail lore, the chalice and vine support the ideal of service, whereas the blood and wine correspond to the eternal spirit of fulfillment. The spiritual Quest of the Grail is , therefore, a desire for fulfillment through giving and receiving service. That which is called the 'Grail Code' is itself a parable for the human condition, in that it is the quest of us all to serve and, by serving, to achieve." The remainder of the 350-page text explores all these ideas in depth and really should be experienced firsthand. Mary Magdalene is featured just as prominently within the text as Jesus. Suffice to say, some parts can seem a bit implausible or obtuse, and many sections are slow-going, but the open-minded reader will be rewarded with some valuable insights along the way.