OCCULT CONSPIRACY

by Michael Howard

It is a little-known fact that for thousands of years secret societies and occult groups--guardians of ancient esoteric wisdom--have exercised a strong and often crucial influence on the destiny of nations. As Freemasons, Knights Templar, and Rosicrucians they affected the course of the French and American revolutions as well as the overthrow of the medieval order. Inevitably, the true ideals and esoteric practices of these societies have at times been perverted by self-serving individuals. The Nazis, of course, but also the British security forces, the founding fathers of America, and the Vatican have all had a part--for good or ill--in the occult conspiracyThe author explores these connections, tracing occult influences in politics and statecraft from the time of ancient Egypt to the present. He sheds light on these influences in government and in the lives of many well-known figures, including Frederick the Great, John Dee, Francis Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, Comte Cagliostro, Helen Blavatsky, Rasputin, and Woodrow Wilson. Reading The Occult Conspiracy , we are left with little doubt that the secret societies--largely ignored by orthodox historians and persecuted throughout history--have survived and continue to operate powerfully in world affairs today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Conspiracy Theories, Occult, Politics, Esoterica, Reference

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael Howard (United Kingdom) was the editor of The Cauldron magazine from 1976 to his death in 2015. He has written numerous articles for other occult and neo-pagan magazines and since the 1970s has had over thirty-five books published on the runes, witchcraft, angelic magic, folklore, herbal remedies, and occult parapolitics.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this rather short book, at 178 pages. The idea of secret societies influencing major events of world history is an intriguing one. I'm not sure that the secret societies have controlled events but certainly individuals connected with secret societies have had some influence.
I'm particularly interested in the Freemasons and their effect on bringing about the American and French Revolutions. As Howard points out, George Washington was a high-ranking Mason. Among the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence only six were NOT members of the Masonic Order. And the influence of the Masons and Rosicrucians is shown by the occult symbolism of the American flag and the Great Seal.
As a diplomat in Paris, Benjamin Franklin, a Mason ( of course!) used his Masonic contacts to raise funds to buy arms for the American rebels. He had been a Grand Master in Philadelphia and was made Grand Master of a Freemason lodge in Paris. Members of that lodge included the Marquis de Lafayette and Danton, who would become one of the leaders of the French Revolution.
Michael Howard traces the development of the Knights Templar, the Freemasons, the Rosicrucians, the Illuminati, the Thulists, and others, tracing back to the origins of occultism in Ancient Egypt. The Thulists were of particular interest as they were involved in the rise of Nazism. The Thule Society in Germany took its name from a mythical island located in the Arctic. The Thulists believed that island was the source of occult wisdom. They opposed Communism and started the German Workers' Party to attract the German workers away from the left wing and in support of nationalism--and "Aryan" racial superiority. This was the party that Hitler took over and had renamed as the National Socialist Party. When Hitler was sent to prison ( where he wrote "Mein Kampf"), the occultist Alfred Rosenberg became the active leader of the Party. Rosenberg was interested in reviving Germanic paganism. When Hitler was released from prison, he rejected Rosenberg's idea of a new German religion. Hitler felt too many Germans took comfort from the Christian religion and would oppose him if he tried to do away with Christianity ( of course, for Hitler, Jesus was an Aryan, not a Jew). Later, after Hitler took power, Heinrich Himmler supported occult ideas and wanted to build the SS as a vehicle to restore the racial purity of Germany and create the master race of supermen. Fortunately for the world, Hitler was defeated in World War II and so we will happily never know how Himmler's ideas would have worked out....
A fascinating little book and we are left with the idea that secret organizations continue to operate in world affairs today.

[Donald Losey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I doubt I could put into words how relieved I am that this didn't devolve into anti Semitism.
No lizard people, no ancient aliens, overall a grounded and informative piece of (speculative?) non fiction.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing look into secret societies. The Occult Conspiracy reads like a history book, which I enjoyed, as it was absent of opinions on the good or evil of the particular secret societies. This is a great place to start if you are looking to research The Templars or their predecessors.

[Jessica Sacino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concepts, especially the chapters on the Knights Templar and the one on Nazi occultism. it tended to ramble and go off on tangents, but the author stuck to dates and facts instead of conjecture and hyperbole.

[Thorsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good when taken with a large pinch of salt, but definitely interesting and i learned some stuff i wasn't aware of

[Iain Watson]

The Occult Conspiracy by Michael Howard