The Two Antichrists

by Peter Grey

The Two Antichrists is a monograph by Peter Grey on the figure of Antichrist in a post-Christian and progressive Thelemic context. Opening with considerations on the future of witchcraft and its relation to radical ecology, Grey returns to the Babalon Working of Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard, and considers a series of little examined texts from science fiction and the outer fringes of Scientology which form a ‘Babalon Apocrypha.’ By reading across these sources, the familiar story is revealed to have hidden depths and dimensions. Exploring the role of Antichrist in relation to Parsons and Hubbard, Grey provides insights into the initiatory drama of Thelema: of Satanic rites, Abyss and Angel. The Two Antichrists observes the long shadow cast by the monolith of Scientology, and Parsons’ eclipsed sodality The Witchcraft. Looking to the future, he envisions an emergent space witchcraft, infused with the spirit of Do What Thou Wilt. The book concludes with a series of non-denominational rituals and revised Antichrist workings. The work is a fusion of inspiration, research and ritual, from which Grey draws the first lines of his vision of witchcraft in the dusk of our world.

Genres: Occult, Magick

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Peter Grey is the co-founder of Scarlet Imprint with Alkistis Dimech. He is a devotee of Babalon and the author of The Red Goddess, which has become the standard work on the Goddess of Revelation. A deliberately provocative telling of her story, this has become essential reading for many.
 His controversial Apocalyptic Witchcraft has been called the most important modern book on Witchcraft, placing it in the context of the Sabbat and in a landscape suffering climate and ecological collapse. It stands in the tradition of the work done by Peter Redgrove, Ted Hughes and Robert Graves. His latest work is Lucifer: Princeps, a study of the origins of the figure of Lucifer. Further essays can be found in Howlings, Devoted, At the Crossroads and XVI. His work has also appeared in numerous small journals and collections, such as The Fenris Wolf, as well as online, though most of his work is now published through Scarlet Imprint.
 Peter Grey has spoken at public events and conferences in England, Scotland, Norway and the United States as well as closed gatherings. These have included Occulture, the Occult Conference in Glastonbury, Treadwell’s Bookshop, the Esoteric Book Conference in Seattle, Here to Go in Norway, and many Pagan Federation events. A long term supporter of the Museum of Witchcraft in his native Cornwall, his work on the Witches’ Sabbat was first given at the annual Friends of the Museum gathering.

Reviews

[Adonay Quetzal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting break down of the possible repercussions of Jack Parson’s Babalon Workings that he did along side of L. Ron Hubbard.

True Rating: 3.5 Stars

The book has quite a bit of the author’s personal opinions and I do believe his antivaxxer status is something that should NOT be looked to as a good thing nor a requirement for buying into the overall ideology. For a book about Science being the future of witchcraft, it’s odd to see him take such an anti-Science take.

CW: This is probably the first time I’ve really seen someone digest and explain the teachings of Hubbard in a non “Scientology is abusive, leave it all behind” type of manner. Grey clearly states he understands that the Church of Scientology is an abusive and manipulative organization that shouldn’t be idealized or joined in any capacity. But he does cite some interesting Hubbard quotes on his overall influence via Thelema, Crowley, and Parsons and Grey shows how even if the Church is a toxic organization, there really is truth in “All words are sacred and all prophets true; save only that they understand a little[.]” - AL I:56 and as shown by the author, Hubbard did at the very least understand a little.

The ending seemed a bit rushed. Like he had said all he needed to say but didn’t know how to restate his overall thesis so he opted for creating a grandiose melodramatic scene that honestly, left me with more questions than answers but perhaps that’s also the point.

Overall, a good read and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone more interested in the weird off-shoots of Thelema or the very least the 156 Current as food for thought.

[Sam Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating stuff; charlatanry and psychosis, space magick, the egregious shenanigans of L Ron Hubbard, and the tormented journey into mercurial immolation of poor old Jack Parsons. You couldn't make it up (except they did). Oh, what times.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well... if you're into a rather crazy offshoot of the OTO/Crowleys work which accidentally helped spawn Scientology, this will be a treat for you. The relationship between Parsons and Hubbard and basics of Scientology are explored in detail and with rigour. Some ritual instructions are to be found in the back. Peter of course writes as usual, imminently readable if not at times a little bit pretentious in a french way (looking at the introduction).

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really incredible book. Grey is an absolute master at both storytelling and research. this book dives deeply into the occult work of Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard. Placed within the context of his other writings this continues and compliments the work done in Songs of the Witch Woman and Lucifer Praxis among others. Highly recommended.

[Harry Allard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thelemic look at the relationship between Parsons and Hubbard. Pretty interesting stuff, but would be completely incomprehensible to anyone who doesn't have a decent understanding of the OTO, the Agape Lodge and Jack Parsons' life.