Description
Book Synopsis• Examines the significant figures and groups of Finland’s occult world, including their esoteric practices and the secret societies to which they were connected
• Investigates the relationship of nationalism and esotericism in Finland as well as the history of Finnish parapsychology and the Finnish UFO craze
• Looks at the unique evolution of Freemasonry in Finland, showing how, when Finland was still part of Russia and the Masonic order was banned, adherents created a number of other secret societies
Finland has long been viewed as the land of sorcerers and shamans. Exploring the rich history of Finnish occultism, Perttu Häkkinen and Vesa Iitti examine the significant figures and groups of Finland’s occult world from the late 19th century to the present day. They begin with Pekka Ervast, known as the Rudolf Steiner of the North, who was a major figure in Theosophy before starting a Rosicrucian group called Ruusu-Risti, and they look at the Finnish disciples of G. I. Gurdjieff and the grim case of the cult of Tattarisuo.
Investigating the relationship of nationalism and esotericism in Finland, the authors tell the stories of Sigurd Wettenhovi-Aspa, who thought that Finns were the root of all Western civilization, and of Yrjö von Grönhagen, who became a close friend of Heinrich Himmler and Karl Maria Wiligut. They also explore the history of Finnish parapsychology, the Finnish UFO craze, and the unique evolution of Freemasonry in Finland, showing how, when the Masonic order was banned, adherents created a number of other secret societies, such as the Carpenter’s Order, the Hypotenuse Order, and the Brotherhood of February 17--which later became hubs for the OTO and AMORC.
Unveiling both the light and dark sides of modern esotericism in Finland, the authors show how, because of its unique position as partially European and partially Russian, Finland’s occult influence extends into the very heart of left-hand and right-hand occult groups and secret societies around the world.
Trade Review“A pioneering work, well-written, insightful, and darkly humorous,
Lightbringers of the North allows English language readers to delve for the first time into that shadow side of the Finnish soul, where they will find many marvelous, strange, and terrifying things--both tragic and majestic but perhaps also illuminations of the True North.” * Aki Cederberg, author of Journeys in the Kali Yuga *
“In any old Scandinavian ghost story, there’s always the ‘scary old Finn’ with the power of second sight. This stereotype from Finland’s neighbors reveals an archaic thread in Finnish culture that has made Finland a great place for the occult notions of the last three hundred years to grow and mutate into something rich and strange. Until this wonderful volume we had no idea how rich, how strange, and (in contrast) how useful and practical. This is a volume for every serious occultist and scholar’s shelf.” * Don Webb, author of Overthrowing the Old Gods and How to Become a Modern Magus *
“This well-researched and fascinating book is a real mind-opener— in many ways. Not only thanks to Finland’s unique history, containing so many larger-than-life individuals and events, but also on a general level in which we learn again and again that human beings will always gravitate toward the magical and miraculous in order to achieve genuine transformation. This particular Finnish prism or perspective is engaging as well as inspiring and provides a truly mesmerizing reading experience.” * Carl Abrahamsson, author of Occulture: The Unseen Forces That Drive Culture Forward *
“
Lightbringers of the North is among the rarest sorts of work a reader can expect to find. It reveals dark corners of knowledge and experience in a completely contemporary setting, yet one that is deeply embedded in the traditions of the Finnish north-world. The events described seem to stem from the most profound realm, yet the authors are able to bring this into the sphere of understanding of the discerning reader of today--a treasure trove of dark powers.” * Stephen E. Flowers, Ph.D., author of Lords of the Left-Hand Path *
“
Lightbringers of the North takes the reader on an informative, vivid, and exciting journey to the esoteric world that has often been forgotten in the Finnish history of religions and spirituality. The gallery of the lightbringers and their life stories are truly captivating. The book shows how the hunger for the spiritual and arcane knowledge can take various forms, expressing many aspects of human life, tragic, deep, sometimes even hilarious.” * Jussi Sohlberg, research coordinator at the Church Institute for Research and Advanced Training of F *
"The authors of
Lightbringers of the North cover a tremendous amount of occult Finnish history. They even delve into the background of Freemasony there, back when Finland was still part of Russia and the Masonic order was banned, causing adherents to create a number of secret societies like the Carpenter’s Order, the Hypotenuse Order, and the Brotherhood of February 17, including how following Finland’s independence from Russia in 1917, lodges began to reappear once again. Being heavily into UFO personalities, stories, and groups for well over half a century now, I was especially interested in reading about Finnish Ufology." * Brent, Raynes, Alternate Perceptions Magazine *
"The authors of
Lightbringers of the North have an ambitious goal of providing a thorough account of Finnish esotericism, mainly through individual histories. While this is virtually impossible within one book, the authors offer an impressive contribution to the discourse on esotericism and New Age movements in Finland. Although the book is aimed at a general audience, it is also likely to be useful for scholarly researchers." * ntti Savinainen, Quest: Journal of the Theosophical Society in America *
Table of ContentsIntroduction1 Pekka Ervast, the Light of the North
2 Gurdjieff and the Stjernvalls
3 The Hand in the Spring: The Mystery of Tattarisuo
4 The Clairvoyant of the Nation
5 “Demon est Deus inversus, Christus verus Luciferus”: The Infernal Life of Pekka Siitoin, the Archbishop of Lucifer
6 Occultism and Nationalism
7 Nightside of the Soul: Parapsychology, Hypnosis, and Strange Thrills
8 Jorma Elovaara, the Wellington Boot Prophet
9 “We Come From Everywhere”: The Esoteric History of Finnish Ufology
10 Kauko Nieminen, the Santa Claus of Kulosaari
11 Ior Bock, the Sperm Magician of Gumbostrand
12 Lin gHa-Rej, Alias Aswa Haidar el-Hayyat, Alias Reima Saarinen: The Sex Magick Soldier of Turku
13 The Initiation of Docent Hannu Rauhala
14 Tapio Kotkavuori, Escapee
15 Finland’s Lightbringers Today
Epilogue
In Memory of Perttu Häkkinen
Bibliography
Index
About the Authors
