they were / are. the illuminati were ruling the world pretty much unopposed and unidentified till i came on the scene. the illuminati were / are powerful sorcerers / mystics who engaged in much group ritual in there time. and they knew their stuff, esoterically speaking. just take a look at the sacred geometry contained in washington's public buildings fr'instance. indeed it was by esoteric / magickal means that, ultimately, the illuminati were able to first establish and then mainatain worldwide control. more information on this can be found in, for example, the emerald tablets of thoth.

however, the illuminati's time is over for my sorcery is *far* more powerful than theirs and my authority *far* greater. amongst other reasons...

all the best,
oazaki.