Once, long ago, there was a great city. It bore the proud name of the Eternal City, though the wise and well-traveled know today that this city fell many centuries ago, and its ruin shook the foundations of the world.

Let us immerse ourselves for a moment in the blissful memories of the gods who, during the long ages of its glory, walked its streets and dwelt in its palaces, while the people had their beauty, wisdom, and bliss constantly before their eyes.

The paving of its streets—that was opal; the noble temples and palaces—they were crystal, amber, and precious metals; the houses of ordinary folk—they were polished marble, mahogany, and ebony. Its sky sparkled with colors, for balloons, airships, and castles-in-the-air, resting upon floating clouds, drifted above the city. Its golden ziggurats and snow-white temples soared above the mists, glowing with diverse lights by night.

Legends tell that the city had four quarters ruled by four Lords, and that each quarter was dedicated to one element, one season, one cardinal direction, and so forth. The city itself was so vast that even from the highest-flying airships, one could not glimpse its end. Yet beyond its walls stretched suburbs and peaceful orchards, fields, and summer pavilions.

The Eternal City, however, was merely the capital of a primordial Empire, whose culture and enlightenment were like a glittering jewel. The understanding of their sages was close to the knowledge of the gods, yet it promised ever further discoveries and insights.

None today know why, ages ago, all that glory, beauty, power, and wisdom fell. Why did that which seemed so fortified and secure succumb? How could the guardians of wisdom fail? How could the proven tradition fail—that which for a thousand years had flawlessly resolved disputes, judged, and protected the people from danger and decay? We do not know. Some say it is precisely that flicker of ignorance, that momentary loss of memory, which caused the fall. That the reason for the fall is the Secret par excellence, because it is the single blind spot inherited from the Eternal City by all empires and all lands, and therefore they, too, are doomed to perish. Only when, at the end of ages, we uncover what truly transpired then—what turned bliss into destruction—will we finally understand and be saved from the toils and tribulations of this earthly life.

Then we shall be able, without fear, to pass through the dense primeval forests to the ancient hill where the central ziggurat of the old Eternal City once towered. We shall be able to uncover its hidden glory, restore its marbled beauty, awaken its murmuring fountains, and ignite the flames in countless shrines. Then the Eternal City shall rise again to its former power. Its inhabitants will see through the blind spot that brought about the city’s fall at the beginning of time, and they shall attain true and unwavering salvation in joy and peace. Amen, amen, amen!