The occult history of the Third Reich is a subject that has fascinated many historians and researchers over the years. It delves into the esoteric beliefs and practices of the Nazi regime, shedding light on their motivations and actions. Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party, was known to have a keen interest in the occult. He surrounded himself with individuals who shared his fascination with mysticism, astrology, and the supernatural. One of the most prominent figures in Hitler's inner circle was Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS and one of the key architects of the Holocaust. Himmler was deeply involved in occult practices and sought to create a new Aryan religion, which would blend Nordic mythology, occultism, and Nazi ideology.
Reveals how Nazism was influenced by powerful occult sects that thrived in Germany and Austria almost fifty years before Hitler’s rise to power
These millenarian sects principally the Ariosophists espoused a mixture of popular nationalism, Aryan racism, and occultism to proclaim their advocacy of German world-rule. In the violent aftermath of the first World War, an increasing fascination with the mystical and esoteric had swept German aristocratic and educated classes.
Himmler was deeply involved in occult practices and sought to create a new Aryan religion, which would blend Nordic mythology, occultism, and Nazi ideology. The Nazi regime believed in the concept of "racial purity" and sought to create a superior Aryan race. To achieve this, they employed various occult rituals and practices.
Revisiting the "Nazi Occult"
Scholars have debated the role of the occult in Nazism since it first appeared on the German political landscape in the 1920s. After 1945, a consensus held that occultism - an ostensibly anti-modern, irrational blend of pseudo-religious and -scientific practices and ideas - had directly facilitated Nazism's rise. More recently, scholarly debate has denied the occult a role in shaping the Third Reich, emphasizing the Nazis' hostility to esoteric religion and alternative forms of knowledge. Bringing together cutting-edge scholarship on the topic, this volume calls for a fundamental reappraisal of these positions.
The book is divided into three chronological sections. The first,on the period 1890 to 1933, looks at the esoteric philosophies and occult movements that influenced both the leaders of the Nazi movement and ordinary Germans who became its adherents. The second, on the Third Reich in power, explores how the occult and alternative religious belief informed Nazism as an ideological, political, and cultural system. The third looks at Nazism's occult legacies. In emphasizing both continuities and disjunctures, this book promises to re-open and re-energize debate on the occult roots and legacies of Nazism, and with it our understanding of German cultural and intellectual history over the past century.
Contributors: Monica Black; Jeff Hayton; Oded Heilbronner; Eric Kurlander; Fabian Link and J. Laurence Hare; Anna Lux; Perry Myers; John Ondrovcik; Michael E. O'Sullivan; Jared Poley; Uwe Schellinger, Andreas Anton, and Michael T. Schetsche; Peter Staudenmaier.
Monica Black is Associate Professor and Associate Head of the Department of History at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Eric Kurlander is J. Ollie Edmunds Chair and Professor of Modern European History at Stetson University.
Introduction
Esoteric Alternatives in Imperial Germany: Science, Spirit, and the Modern Occult Revival
An Elite Class of Thinkers: Monism between Science and the Spiritual in Wilhelmine Germany
Max Hoelz Haunts the Vogtland: The Visible and the Invisible in Germany, 1914-21
Siegfried Kracauer, Spirit, and the Soul of Weimar Germany
Pseudoscience Reconsidered: SS Research and the Archaeology of Haithabu
Hitler's Supernatural Sciences: Astrology, Anthroposophy, and World Ice Theory in the Third Reich
Pragmatic Occultism in the Military History of the Third Reich
Disruptive Potential: Therese Neumann of Konnersreuth, National Socialism, and Democracy
A Messiah after Hitler, and His Miracles: Bruno Gröning and Popular Apocalypticism in Early West German History
On All Channels: Hans Bender, the Supernatural, and the Mass Media
Beyond Good and Evil: Nazis and the Supernatural in Video Games
The Wewelsburg Effect: Nazi Myth and Paganism in Postwar European Popular Music
Notes on Contributors
Index
"[I]lluminating and well conceived . . . sure to stimulate new debates on the topic. . . . [R]eopens the conversation about how the occult in Nazi Germany informs our understanding of cultural and intellectual history in twentieth-century Germany." GERMAN STUDIES REVIEW
By 1934, almost ten years after its creation, the SS was in the process of becoming Hitler's own brotherhood of templars. The handpicked, disciplined and fiercely loyal bodyguard of the Fuhrer, was being transformed into an Aryan Elite - a mystical order dedicated to the creation of an Empire.
The most well-known example is the Ahnenerbe, an institute established by Himmler to research the Aryan ancestors and their connection to ancient Germanic tribes. The Ahnenerbe carried out archaeological excavations and conducted experiments in an attempt to prove the superiority of the Aryan race. Another aspect of the occult history of the Third Reich is the influence of individuals like Karl Maria Wiligut and Guido von List. Wiligut, also known as "Himmler's Rasputin," was a self-proclaimed mystic who claimed to have knowledge of ancient Germanic traditions and rituals. He was appointed as an official of the SS and had significant influence in shaping the rituals and symbols of the organization. Guido von List, on the other hand, was an Austrian occultist who advocated for the revival of ancient pagan beliefs and rituals. His ideas heavily influenced the völkisch movement, a nationalist movement that played a key role in the rise of the Nazi Party. The occult history of the Third Reich is not limited to mystical beliefs and practices. It also includes the search for esoteric knowledge and artifacts, such as the Holy Grail and the Spear of Destiny. Some believe that Hitler and the Nazi regime actively searched for these items, as they believed that possessing them would grant them supernatural powers and ensure their victory in World War II. It is important to note that the occult beliefs and practices of the Third Reich were not universally accepted within the Nazi Party. Many high-ranking officials, including Hermann Göring and Albert Speer, distanced themselves from the more esoteric aspects of the regime. Nevertheless, the influence of the occult on Nazi ideology and actions cannot be ignored. In conclusion, the occult history of the Third Reich is a complex and intriguing subject. It offers insights into the motivations and actions of the Nazi regime, shedding light on the role of mysticism, astrology, and esoteric beliefs in shaping their ideology. While not universally accepted, the occult played a significant role in the Nazi Party's quest for power and the establishment of a new Aryan order..
Reviews for "Occultism and Dark Magic: The Unholy Alliances of the Third Reich"
1. John - 1/5 - I was really excited to read "The Occult History of the Third Reich" because the topic sounded intriguing. However, I was sorely disappointed. The author seemed to focus more on sensationalism rather than providing well-researched and credible information. The writing style was sloppy and hard to follow, with constant tangents and unnecessary details. It felt like the book was more interested in shocking the reader rather than providing objective historical analysis. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a serious exploration of the occult in Nazi Germany.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - As a history buff, I was looking forward to delving into the occult practices of the Third Reich. Unfortunately, "The Occult History of the Third Reich" did not live up to my expectations. While there were some interesting anecdotes and stories, the book lacked a well-structured narrative and failed to provide in-depth analysis. The author relied on speculation and unsubstantiated claims, making it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, which made the reading experience quite tedious. Overall, this book could have been much better if it had focused on providing a more scholarly approach to the subject matter.
3. Emma - 2/5 - "The Occult History of the Third Reich" promised to uncover the hidden secrets of Nazi Germany, but it fell short of delivering a compelling narrative. While there were some intriguing aspects, such as the supposed involvement of high-ranking Nazi officials in occult practices, the book failed to provide sufficient evidence and supporting documentation. The author seemed to rely heavily on conspiracy theories and speculation, which made it difficult to take the information presented seriously. Furthermore, the writing style was overly sensationalized, often sacrificing historical accuracy for shock value. Overall, this book left me wanting more credible information and a less sensationalized approach to the subject matter.