Not quite a pillar in plain sight, now is it? OR is it?
Hmm... yes, I'd say so, the symbols used are certainly signposts and indicators revealing the central core of beliefs.
Washington DC & London for instance are draped in occult symbols. I'm not an expert in terms of being able to recall them in detail, but I've certainly had a look at the architecture and icons and then referenced them in research books/documenties to see where they utlimately point and often we find the distinguishing marks of secret orders.
The 'mystery school' teachings span the ages of mankind and whilst they may not hold the purity of form as they would have in Egypt, you will find a migration of concepts from group to group. The nature of these orders has meant that they remain 'out of sight' as the core teachings remain sacred to the adherents and unless one becomes initiated into the group, one can be considered profane or to coin another famous term - "a useless eater".
The ultimate aim of the original schools would have been to raise consciousness throughout life, whereby one can break free of this fleshly prison and transcend death; usually attaining a higher universal state or at one with the God head. In fact, it would seem that this was the sole reason for the Egyptians belief system. This spiritual school was one of total dedication and would have appeared to the outsider, as incredibly complex. But it was designed that way on purpose - as transcendance from one form to the next would have meant discipline of mind, body & spirit.
Now, I believe that this idea corrupted as we travel further down the timeline and secret orders or fraternities, have taken onboard the key principles, like initiation into the lower orders and then a slow movement upwards through the ranks through dedication to doctrine & ritual, but along with this 'religious system' has come a form of external control over the peons within society. We are sheperded according to the desires of those ones who hold power & influence and these ones just happen to be connected to groups like Freemasons / Skull & Bones etc
I believe that the higher ranks see themselves as being profoundly wiser and more noble than the rest of us and I think this has to be true when you study the hierarchical arrangement within many of these groups.... and yes, I accept what Mr Toe says, emblems like the cross & crown are found in other places along with the winged disk and other symbols. But they usually carry a similar concept, one of these concepts being a delusional idea of a "divine outpouring" through man upon the earth or to put it another way "God's will shall be expressed through man's earthly kingdoms" or even more crudely "we know the truth and we will set you free (well, enslave you!)". At least, this is what I see in operation and my analysis.
It is no coincidence that many members of the police force, military, judiciary system and politicians either link hands with groups like the Freemasons or are high ranking active members. Take a glance also at the Yale secret society, Skull & Bones, and see who you find there!
I really do not believe that these orders are as innocent as they are portrayed and I can see total injustice within the current worldy political system. One only has to look at the current efforts to dominate and slaughter in the Middle East to see that this is true. Surely, if these secret societies are good intentioned and working towards noble aspirations, they would activelty fight to break apart the power structures that exist certainly within the Western hemisphere?
... and the links are there. Freemasons, amongst other groups, operate at the high end within of our world pyramid of politics.
I will not go as far as to say they are under Satan's wing as others believe, but I do believe there is rank selfishness and gross misconduct taking place. There has to be - just take a look at the fruits of our world governments.
So yes, I do think these groups are in plain sight. You just have to study their methods, language and symbols, and they will appear out of the fog, right before your eyes.