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The Chemical Wedding of Occult Tradition and Hollywood
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Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 (CDT) by Thoth
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The news that Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is about to start filming a supernatural occult thriller called 'The Chemical Wedding' which is based on the work of Aleister Crowley has rekindled an interest in matters relating to the occult and to esoteric tradition. However, few people actually know what all the fuss is about.
Beyond the hype of the 'Wickedest man in the World' is a legacy of ritual, wisdom and knowledge that has endured for centuries, but can a rockstar do justice to occult tradition?
Secret societies devoted to esoteric wisdom and occult knowledge have always found inspiration in the writings of Johann Valentin Andreae (1589-1674); particularly the story of Christian Rosenkreuz and his exploration into the realms of alchemy, astrology and kabbalah in "The Chymical Wedding" of Christian Rosenkreutz.
The story was said by some to be the third of the original manifestos of the mysterious Fraternity of the Rose Cross, The Rosicrucians.
The original story of "The Chymical Wedding" is an allegoric story divided into Seven Days, or Seven Journeys and relates how the hero, Christian Rosenkreuz, was invited to go to a wonderful castle full of miracles, so as to assist in the Chymical Wedding of the king and the queen. The term "Chymical Wedding" in this sense refers to alchemy – for which the 'Sacred Marriage' or transformation of the consciousness was the goal.
The sacred marriage, often referred to as the ‘coniunctio’ or ‘coitus’, refers to the union of the trinity: the divine spirit, the soul and the physical body. Although a relationship of sorts exists between them, in common man, the spirit, soul and body are separated from each other. However it was thought that when the 'Great Work' had been completed, the divine spirit was finally brought ‘down’ to unify itself with the soul and the body, so that the three became one. This unification was the ultimate aim of all occultists; it was the Chymical Wedding.
The Chymical Wedding was achieved through a lengthy initiation ritual that consisted of a series of tests and purifications, symbolising death, resurrection, and ascension. In the original Rosicrucian story, it is this process that Rosenkreutz was invited to assist with. Some would say that it was there in early seventeenth century Germany that modern esoteric and occult tradition was founded and Rosicrucianism as we know it was born.
It should be noted though that according to a lesser known legend found in Masonic literature, the original Rosicrucian order dates back to 46 C.E. when an Alexandrian Gnostic sage named Ormus and his six followers were converted by Mark, one of Jesus' disciples. This conversion fused primitive Christianity with Egyptian mysteries, thus creating the Rosicrucian Order.
Among the philosophers, scholars and scientists who may have had Rosicrucian connections are such notable names as Francis Bacon, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Issac Newton and the notable occult scholar, Aleister Crowley. Crowley’s personal name for himself as a soul entity who had undergone the process of the Chymical Wedding was 'Perdurabo' which means 'I will endure' a veiled reference not only to his dedication and persistence but also to his soul continuance. For Crowley, like many occultists, the Chymical Wedding was seen as the goal of what he termed 'The Great Work'.
A long time student of the occult and admirer of Aleister Crowley, Bruce Dickinson had decided to branch out into into Hollywood with his new film, rather aptly called "Chemical Wedding". Crowley, who lived between 1875 and 1947, has been Bruce Dickinson's idol for many years, so is it possible that the inspiration to create a film based on his idol is a natural way of exploring and communicating the occult tradition and legacy that we inherited from Crowley? The Iron Maiden song "Revelations" is said to refer to Crowley's classic (many say misunderstood) claim that he was the "anti-christ 666" reincarnated, so this is not the first time Dickinson has introduced Crowley to his fans, but now he is seeking a far wider audience.
The movie will star "Four Weddings and a Funeral" actor Simon Callow as a shy Cambridge professor who becomes obsessed with occult knowledge and in particular with Crowley's soul after a failed experiment. Once he is under the influence of powerful energies that he lacks the experience to control, the professor goes on to wreck havoc around campus.
Dickinson, who wrote the screenplay, said the movie came about with director Julian Doyle while shooting an Iron Maiden video. According to Dickinson, people will enjoy the movie on several levels:
"I think it will be nice for them to see somebody from Iron Maiden doing something else that gets the band's name out there and also potentially gets a bit of respect for heavy metal and all the rest of it."
He added: "But, in addition, I think they'll just enjoy it. It's a rollicking good story."
Whether Dickinson can perform his own brand of Alchemy and successfully meld esoteric tradition, occult knowledge and Hollywood remains to be seen, but few would doubt that one way or the other, Crowley would be watching with a wry smile.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 (CDT) by Thoth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The news that Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is about to start filming a supernatural occult thriller called 'The Chemical Wedding' which is based on the work of Aleister Crowley has rekindled an interest in matters relating to the occult and to esoteric tradition. However, few people actually know what all the fuss is about.
Beyond the hype of the 'Wickedest man in the World' is a legacy of ritual, wisdom and knowledge that has endured for centuries, but can a rockstar do justice to occult tradition?
Secret societies devoted to esoteric wisdom and occult knowledge have always found inspiration in the writings of Johann Valentin Andreae (1589-1674); particularly the story of Christian Rosenkreuz and his exploration into the realms of alchemy, astrology and kabbalah in "The Chymical Wedding" of Christian Rosenkreutz.
The story was said by some to be the third of the original manifestos of the mysterious Fraternity of the Rose Cross, The Rosicrucians.
The original story of "The Chymical Wedding" is an allegoric story divided into Seven Days, or Seven Journeys and relates how the hero, Christian Rosenkreuz, was invited to go to a wonderful castle full of miracles, so as to assist in the Chymical Wedding of the king and the queen. The term "Chymical Wedding" in this sense refers to alchemy – for which the 'Sacred Marriage' or transformation of the consciousness was the goal.
The sacred marriage, often referred to as the ‘coniunctio’ or ‘coitus’, refers to the union of the trinity: the divine spirit, the soul and the physical body. Although a relationship of sorts exists between them, in common man, the spirit, soul and body are separated from each other. However it was thought that when the 'Great Work' had been completed, the divine spirit was finally brought ‘down’ to unify itself with the soul and the body, so that the three became one. This unification was the ultimate aim of all occultists; it was the Chymical Wedding.
The Chymical Wedding was achieved through a lengthy initiation ritual that consisted of a series of tests and purifications, symbolising death, resurrection, and ascension. In the original Rosicrucian story, it is this process that Rosenkreutz was invited to assist with. Some would say that it was there in early seventeenth century Germany that modern esoteric and occult tradition was founded and Rosicrucianism as we know it was born.
It should be noted though that according to a lesser known legend found in Masonic literature, the original Rosicrucian order dates back to 46 C.E. when an Alexandrian Gnostic sage named Ormus and his six followers were converted by Mark, one of Jesus' disciples. This conversion fused primitive Christianity with Egyptian mysteries, thus creating the Rosicrucian Order.
Among the philosophers, scholars and scientists who may have had Rosicrucian connections are such notable names as Francis Bacon, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Issac Newton and the notable occult scholar, Aleister Crowley. Crowley’s personal name for himself as a soul entity who had undergone the process of the Chymical Wedding was 'Perdurabo' which means 'I will endure' a veiled reference not only to his dedication and persistence but also to his soul continuance. For Crowley, like many occultists, the Chymical Wedding was seen as the goal of what he termed 'The Great Work'.
A long time student of the occult and admirer of Aleister Crowley, Bruce Dickinson had decided to branch out into into Hollywood with his new film, rather aptly called "Chemical Wedding". Crowley, who lived between 1875 and 1947, has been Bruce Dickinson's idol for many years, so is it possible that the inspiration to create a film based on his idol is a natural way of exploring and communicating the occult tradition and legacy that we inherited from Crowley? The Iron Maiden song "Revelations" is said to refer to Crowley's classic (many say misunderstood) claim that he was the "anti-christ 666" reincarnated, so this is not the first time Dickinson has introduced Crowley to his fans, but now he is seeking a far wider audience.
The movie will star "Four Weddings and a Funeral" actor Simon Callow as a shy Cambridge professor who becomes obsessed with occult knowledge and in particular with Crowley's soul after a failed experiment. Once he is under the influence of powerful energies that he lacks the experience to control, the professor goes on to wreck havoc around campus.
Dickinson, who wrote the screenplay, said the movie came about with director Julian Doyle while shooting an Iron Maiden video. According to Dickinson, people will enjoy the movie on several levels:
"I think it will be nice for them to see somebody from Iron Maiden doing something else that gets the band's name out there and also potentially gets a bit of respect for heavy metal and all the rest of it."
He added: "But, in addition, I think they'll just enjoy it. It's a rollicking good story."
Whether Dickinson can perform his own brand of Alchemy and successfully meld esoteric tradition, occult knowledge and Hollywood remains to be seen, but few would doubt that one way or the other, Crowley would be watching with a wry smile.