Occult Paris The Lost Magic Of The Belle Époque
Paris, the City of Light, has always been a beacon for artists, writers, and intellectuals. But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Paris was also a hotbed of occult activity. From secret societies to psychic experiments, the Belle Époque was a time of great fascination with the paranormal and the supernatural. In this article, we'll explore the lost magic of Occult Paris and the strange and mysterious figures who roamed its streets.
The Golden Dawn
One of the most notorious occult societies of the Belle Époque was the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Founded in London in the late 19th century, the Golden Dawn quickly spread to Paris and other European cities. The society was dedicated to the study of magic and the occult, and its members included some of the most famous writers and thinkers of the time.
One of the most famous members of the Golden Dawn was the Irish poet W.B. Yeats. Yeats was deeply interested in the occult and spent many years studying the ancient mystical systems of the East. He believed that the magical practices of the Golden Dawn could unlock the secrets of the universe and lead to a greater understanding of the world around us.
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley was another prominent figure in the occult scene of the Belle Époque. Crowley was a British occultist, mystic, and ceremonial magician who became infamous for his unconventional beliefs and practices. He founded his own occult order, the A∴A∴, and was known as "the wickedest man in the world."
Crowley spent much of his time in Paris during the early 20th century, where he engaged in a variety of occult practices and experiments. He claimed to have performed numerous magical rituals and even wrote a book about his experiences called "The Equinox of the Gods."
The Martineau Society
The Martineau Society was a secret society in Paris during the Belle Époque that was dedicated to the study of the occult and the paranormal. The society was founded by a group of wealthy Parisians who were fascinated by the supernatural and wanted to explore its mysteries.
The Martineau Society held regular meetings in a hidden location in Paris, where members would engage in magical practices and experiments. They believed that they could use the power of the occult to bend reality to their will and achieve their goals.
The Legacy of Occult Paris
Although the occult scene in Paris has faded away in the modern era, its legacy lives on. Many of the ideas and practices that were developed during the Belle Époque have had a lasting impact on modern spirituality and alternative thought.
Today, there are still many people who are fascinated by the occult and the paranormal, and who seek to unlock the secrets of the universe through magical practices and theories. And although the Golden Dawn, the Martineau Society, and other occult groups of the past may be gone, their ideas and influence still resonate in the world of alternative thought and spirituality today.
Conclusion
Paris has always been a city of mystery and intrigue, and the Belle Époque was no exception. The occult scene of the time was a reflection of the city's fascination with the unknown and the paranormal, and it attracted some of the most fascinating and unconventional figures of the era. Although the occult scene of Paris has faded away in the modern era, its legacy lives on in the world of alternative thought and spirituality today.