Esoteric neo-Nazism

Understanding Esoteric Neo-Nazism

Esoteric neo-Nazism, sometimes called Esoteric Hitlerism, represents a curious and disturbing blend of Nazi ideology with mysticism, occultism, and ancient traditions. Unlike secular neo-Nazism, it frames racial supremacy and its political goals not just as earthly power struggles, but as a divinely ordained mission within a grand, cosmic narrative.

This belief system truly emerged in the aftermath of World War II, a period of profound disillusionment for many Nazi sympathizers. To reconcile the crushing defeat of the Third Reich, adherents sought to reinterpret and adapt Hitler's ideas, transforming them into a 'new religious movement' where defeat was merely a temporary setback in an eternal spiritual war.

Mystical Justifications

At its core, Esoteric Nazism emphasizes the mythical and spiritual dimensions of Aryan supremacy. It weaves together threads from diverse and often contradictory sources, including Theosophy, Ariosophy, and Gnostic dualism, all to construct a 'spiritual enlightenment' that justifies racist and supremacist ideologies.

Seeds of the Occult Reich

The roots of Esoteric Nazism reach back to early 20th-century occult movements and figures who were fascinated by the fusion of racial theories with mysticism. Visionaries like Guido von List and Jörg Lanz von Liebenfels were pivotal in laying this groundwork, shaping ideas that would later become central to Nazi esoteric thought.

List, a key figure in the völkisch movement, developed 'Ariosophy' — a mystical worldview blending Germanic paganism with racial theories. Liebenfels further amplified these concepts through his publication, Ostara, aggressively promoting Aryan superiority and anti-Semitic views through an occult lens. They envisioned an ancient Aryan race, endowed with divine qualities, destined to rule.

This notion of Aryan supremacy was significantly developed by the Thule Society, an occult group established in 1918. The society merged fervent German nationalism with mystical beliefs, particularly concerning a mythical Aryan homeland known as Hyperborea, and profoundly influenced the early Nazi movement.

Himmler's Occult SS

Intriguingly, mysticism wasn't confined to the fringe; Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, deeply integrated it into Nazi ideology itself. He envisioned the SS as a spiritual order, establishing its ideological center at Wewelsburg Castle, where esoteric and occult practices were conducted. Himmler's fascination with myths like the Holy Grail and King Arthur aimed to imbue the SS with a 'higher spiritual purpose'.

Sacred Symbols and Myths

Mythological and mystical beliefs were integral to Nazi ideology. The concept of Hyperborea, a mythical northern homeland, suggested Hyperboreans were divine beings who once ruled the earth. Symbols also played a crucial role: the swastika, an ancient cross-cultural symbol, became the Nazi emblem, signifying Aryan identity and cosmic order, while the 'Black Sun' represented hidden esoteric power.

The Rise of Esoteric Hitlerism

After the Third Reich's fall, Esoteric Nazism evolved, finding new proponents in figures like Savitri Devi and Miguel Serrano. These post-war esotericists took the deification of Hitler to new heights, often portraying him as an avatar or a messianic figure connected to divine forces.

Savitri Devi: Hitler as Avatar

The Greek writer Savitri Devi was a trailblazer in post-war Esoteric Hitlerism. She ingeniously integrated Nazi ideology with Hinduism, portraying Hitler as the ninth Avatar of Vishnu—a divine incarnation. For Devi, Aryan supremacy aligned perfectly with Hindu concepts of cosmic order, and the swastika symbolized a mystical unity between Hindus and Germans.

Devi held a particular fascination for the Indian caste system, which she saw as a pristine blueprint for racial laws. To her, it was the perfect system to segregate different races and preserve the 'pure blood' of fair-complexioned Aryans, with the Brahmins' survival for millennia serving as a powerful testament to its enduring value.

Within her cyclical framework of Hindu history, Devi viewed Hitler's defeat as a tragic, yet understandable, setback. She considered him 'too magnanimous, too trusting, too good'—lacking the absolute ruthlessness needed to fully manifest his vision, possessing 'too much 'sun' and not enough 'lightning'.' This perspective set the stage for her prophecy of a future, more merciless incarnation.

This coming incarnation, which Devi identified as 'Kalki,' would act with unprecedented ruthlessness. Unlike Hitler, Kalki would spare no one among the enemies of the 'divine Cause'—not the outspoken, nor the lukewarm, the opportunists, the ideologically heretical, the racially 'bastardised,' or the 'all-too-human.' It was a vision of absolute, total purification.

Miguel Serrano: Extraterrestrial Aryans

Miguel Serrano, a former Chilean diplomat, injected even more fantastical elements into Esoteric Nazism. He became a major proponent of the idea that 'Aryan blood' was not merely pure, but literally extraterrestrial in origin, a concept he explored in books like The Golden Ribbon: Esoteric Hitlerism.

Serrano wove together various myths, including the Nephilim (fallen angels) from the Book of Genesis, to support his claims. He theorized that the sudden appearance of Cro-Magnon Man, with their high culture, marked the arrival of a 'divya-descended race' — while Neanderthal Man was merely a 'demiurge's abomination.' Only Aryans, he argued, preserved the memory of their divine, extraterrestrial ancestors in their 'noble blood,' still mingled with the light of the 'Black Sun'.

For Serrano, the mythical Hyperborea became the 'lost' Arctic continent and earthly center of Aryan migrations, a concept influenced by Bal Gangadhar Tilak's theories on an Arctic homeland for Indo-Aryans. His extraterrestrial gods were, in fact, these Hyperboreans, further solidifying the link between divine origins and this mythical northern land.

Serrano believed that the Hyperborean divyas — Sanskrit for 'god-men' — suffered a tragic setback. According to him, a renegade group committed 'miscegenation' with earthbound races, diluting their 'light-bearing blood' and diminishing divine awareness on the planet. This concept reinforced racial purity as a cosmic necessity.

In his most outlandish claims, Serrano posited that Hitler was alive and well in Shambhala, an underground center beneath Antarctica. From this hidden lair, Hitler was said to be in contact with the Hyperborean gods and would one day emerge with a fleet of UFOs to lead the forces of light — often associated with the mysterious 'Vril' energy — over the forces of darkness, initiating a Fourth Reich.

Serrano adopted a Gnostic tradition, identifying Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament, as an evil 'demiurge' or false god. This Gnostic dualism led him to portray Jews as 'devil worshipers,' the children of Satan, whose historical role was to obstruct the redemptive work of the 'High God's emissaries' on Earth. This theological framework provided a 'cosmic' justification for antisemitism.

In this context, Serrano regarded Hitler as one of the greatest emissaries of this 'High God.' He believed the SS, in their quest to recreate the ancient race of Aryan god-men, were above conventional morality, and their actions were therefore justified within this grander, cosmic struggle.

Core Tenets of Esoteric Nazism

Beyond individual interpretations, Esoteric Nazism is built on a foundation of several shared core beliefs, intricately weaving mystical, racial, and occult ideologies. These tenets distinguish it from other esoteric movements and firmly link it to Nazi ideology.

The Collective Aryan Unconscious

A central concept is the 'Collective Aryan Unconscious,' which warps Carl Jung's theory to suggest a shared racial memory specific to Aryans. This 'unconscious' is believed to carry innate wisdom and knowledge, connecting Aryans to their divine origins and the ancient Hyperborean homeland, guiding them in a unique spiritual and racial mission.

Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke notes that Carl Jung himself, in interviews between 1936 and 1939, described Hitler as 'possessed by the archetype of the collective Aryan unconscious,' a 'spiritual vessel' and 'myth.' Jung stated, 'The voice he hears is that of the collective unconscious of his race.' Miguel Serrano, fascinated by this, later concluded Jung was merely 'psychologizing' the ancient, sacred mystery of possession by metaphysical gods.

Gnostic Dualism: Light vs. Dark

Esoteric Nazism heavily incorporates Gnostic dualism, presenting a cosmic struggle between forces of light and darkness. In this worldview, the material world is seen as the flawed creation of a malevolent 'demiurge,' often identified with the Judeo-Christian God, who seeks to enslave humanity. Aryans, conversely, are the 'children of the divine light,' destined to oppose the demiurge and his earthly agents, typically identified as Jews and other non-Aryans.

The Black Sun and Extraterrestrial Theories

The 'Black Sun' is a profound symbol in Esoteric Nazism, representing a hidden, esoteric power guiding the Aryan race. Depicted as a mystical inner sun, it signifies the source of Aryan spiritual strength and cosmic support. This concept often intertwines with extraterrestrial theories, particularly Miguel Serrano's idea that Aryans are descendants of an ancient alien race from Hyperborea, poised to return and usher in a new 'Golden Age'.

This mystical narrative extends to other fantastical claims, including connections to 'Vril energy,' hidden underground civilizations like Shambhala and Agartha, and even underground UFO bases. Some beliefs suggest Hitler and the SS survived in subterranean Antarctic bases in New Swabia, or in alliance with Hyperboreans from the inner earth, waiting for their return.

Esoteric Nazism vs. Mainstream Neopaganism

It's crucial to distinguish Esoteric Nazism from mainstream neopaganism. While both may draw upon ancient myths and symbols, their core tenets are fundamentally opposed. Esoteric Nazism is built upon racial superiority and purity, overtly promoting racist doctrines and the dominance of the Aryan race, often distorting ancient lore to fit its agenda.

Fundamental Ideological Differences

Mainstream neopaganism, in stark contrast, generally rejects racial exclusivity, focusing instead on spirituality, cultural heritage, and inclusivity. Most neopagan groups actively denounce racism and strive to create diverse, welcoming communities, a direct counter to the authoritarian and supremacist policies advocated by Esoteric Nazism.

Even when using similar symbols like the swastika or runes, their interpretations diverge significantly. Esoteric Nazis imbue these symbols with racist and mystical meanings to propagate their ideology, while neopagans use them in a purely cultural or spiritual context, often working to reclaim their original, non-racist significance.

Counteractions and Inclusivity

Mainstream neopagan organizations actively denounce racism and white supremacy to distance themselves from Esoteric Nazism. Groups like the Asatru Folk Assembly have issued strong public statements rejecting racial exclusivity. Many also engage in educational initiatives and celebrate cultural and ethnic diversity, creating inclusive spiritual environments that directly oppose the harmful narratives of Esoteric Nazi groups.