Fire & Ice: Magical Teachings of Germany's Greatest Secret Occult Order

by Stephen E. Flowers, Edred Thorsson, Jes Thorsen (Editor)

The Brotherhood of Saturn is one of Germany's most secret occult lodges and unknown to magicians of the English-speaking world. This is the first study of its inner documents and workings. Discover the fascinating histories of its founders and leaders. Witness the development of its magical beliefs and practices and its banishment by the Nazi government. The Saturnian path of initiation is revealed in full detail.

Genres: Occult, Nonfiction, Religion, Paganism, Magick, Magic, History

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

American Runologist and proponent of occultism and Germanic mysticism.

Flowers is an advocate of "Esoteric Runology" or "Odinism", an occultist version of Germanic Neopaganism

Flowers has graduated in Germanic and Celtic philology.

Reviews

[David Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book that describes teachings of the occult that has been practiced for generations by very well known figures in history. This book discuses the Brotherhood of Saturn which could be, or one of the most secret occult lodges. Flowers describes how this lodge is known for using sexual magic. The Brotherhood of Saturn has a mix of astrological cosmology, neo-Gnostic daemonology, sexual occultism, and Freemasonic principles.

I find myself with many questions after reading this book. Who is good and who is evil? There are so many layers for one to see through and it's not always easy to have good discernment. The rabbit hole goes so far deep. I feel there are forces both malevolent and benevolent working on this planet and beyond.

What I found interesting is that this book is not very easy to get. It cost's over $200 on Amazon, or about $100 used. I went to the LA County Library to check out this book and this book was only allowed as a reference and is not allowed to be checked-out. So why such difficulty in getting a little paperback book? I feel there are those who do not want this knowledge circulating through the public. However, I found this book very intriguing and I would recommend it.

[Mateusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite informative as a historical sketch with poor context, review of doctrines, examples of rituals, nevertheless to messy to be considered an insightful rigoristic text. Correspondence between the gentlemen was of interest.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, now thirty years old, was among the first to elucidate an occult tradition outside of the well-worn paths of the Golden Dawn, A:A:, and OTO. It takes the related German group Fraternitas Saturni (FS) as its subject matter, and builds upon published records of their work and German-language sources to create a fairly clear picture. Flowers has academic training, and the documentation in the back will help researchers locate other sources with more detail on specific points. It does lack an index (as a former indexer, I always have to note this), and most of the smattering of illustrations are pretty unhelpful, although the photograph of the Grand Master in full regalia contains a surprising amount of information – if only 1990s publishers could have afforded better quality image reproduction.

Several appendices reproduce original documents, which are especially interesting in tracing the connections between FS and Aleister Crowley. FS accepted Crowley’s “magical Word” Thelema as their guidepost as well as his Aeon or Age of Aquarius, but they did not submit themselves to his leadership, which may explain their relative success within Germany at a time when “foreign” influences were under attack. However, the final appendix is a bit of a puzzle. It is original to Flowers, and claims to be a general introduction to sex magic for the uninitiated, but would offer little help for most. Here, a lack of documentation makes it even less useful for a newcomer – at one point Flowers tosses off a reference to the “Ritual of the Pentagram” without further explanation.

In general, the most interesting material in the book comes from its explanation of the history and structure of the FS, not from any secret magical rituals that are revealed. Most of the practices would be valueless outside of the context of a working group exploring the “Saturnian” current, and the descriptions of esoteric or exotic (ie sexual) activities are more sensational than practical.

[Äsruþr Cyneaþsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great study from Flowers which addresses some of the common ill conceived perceptions of anything occult and German. A fantastic lead in to Flowers' later work 'the Secret King'. A complimentary reading of both works will provide a greater understanding beyond the common views of Nazi's and the occult and a realisation of how the Fraternitas Saturnae were persecuted by the Nazi's -perhaps indicative of their power. One look at GOTOS is enough to convince many of the groups adepthood.

[Todd R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book that details one of the premiere magical orders of Germany's not so distant past. If you are interested in the evolution of modern magic(k) this book is a must read.

[Faustus Akausal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fascinating look at one of the most influential
Secret societies of our age.

[Sue Dounim · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Fraternitas Saturni" by the same author is essentially an updated version of this book.