Biography. Demons of the Flesh: A Complete Guide to Left Hand Path Sex Magick Nicholas and Zina Shrek “Life is ugly and necessary, like a woman’s body.”

Aleister Crowley publicly declared himself a priest of a religion he called “Thelema,” which he learned during the change of centuries through communication with higher powers. Considering the orientation of this religion, it is easy to understand that the higher powers are creatures from the underworld. Crowley introduced the “Gnostic Mass” into the Order of the Eastern Templars, which outwardly takes the Catholic Mass as its basis, but is filled with occult content. The main role here is given to a naked woman sitting on the altar, and during the ceremony those gathered feel each other. Communion involves swallowing a “symbolic” seed.

Under the leadership of Aleister Crowley, the O.T.O. spread throughout the United States. In the USA, the Order of the Eastern Templars founded the Agape Lodge, headed by a peculiar man named Jack Parsons. He was an outstanding engineer, a pioneer of rocket science from the California Institute of Technology, who at the same time claimed to be the “Antichrist.” He is also known as Dr. John Whiteside Parsons, a big fan of science fiction, one of the first to claim encounters with unidentified flying objects. He was a friend of L. Ron Hubbard, who reportedly used elements of Thelema to create his own religion, Scientology.

John Whiteside's work on the possibility of space travel is based on developments in the field of rocket fuel. Parsons was a founding member of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and later founded the Aerojet Corporation. To build JPL, Parsons chose a site in the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena called "Devil's Gate." JPL opened on Halloween in 1936. At the suggestion of the International Union of Astronomers, a crater on the Moon was named in honor of Parsons. Parsons himself was a descendant of one of the founders of the English Hellfire Club.

Parsons was born in Los Angeles on October 2, 1914. His mother, Virginia Whiteside, was a wealthy woman with a passion for the occult. His father, Marvel H. Parsons, was from an Irish family that made lenses for telescopes. Parsons was given the name Marvel Whiteside Parsons at birth, but later became known as John. He grew up in Pasadena, California. In the O.T.O. he was called Father Belarion, Antichrist, Prince Consort Babalon. Parsons was found guilty of the most severe sexual vices. Despite this, he had top security clearance and worked for the National Defense Research Board, the US Navy, the US Army, the Los Angeles Supreme Court, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Israeli government. In 1950, employees of the Hughes Aircraft Engine Development and Research Laboratory caught Parsons transferring secret documents concerning US rocket technology and defense systems to the Israelis. However, he was not punished due to the intervention of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who was also a Freemason. Parsons, who was apparently haunted by the fame of Dr. Frankenstein, said that he was using “magic” to create life from non-living things. Parsons called what he was about to create a homunculus. In 1952, Parsons died at age 37 in a bombing in Pasadena.

There are facts indicating an invisible connection between the O.T.O. with space. Thus, the Order of the Eastern Templars built the first of their temples on Mount Palomar, where the observatory of the Institute of Computer Technologies with a 200-inch telescope was later built.

During World War II, the O.T.O. practically ceased its activities. Aleister Crowley fell ill and the leadership of the organization was taken over by Karl Germer, who declared that the Order of the Eastern Templars would no longer accept new members. Inside the O.T.O. civil strife flared up. Crowley died in 1947, and when Germer died in the 1960s, internal strife within the O.T.O. intensified even more.

Also known as Brother Saturnius X

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1914 – 1952

After the mission to the Moon in 1972, the International Astronomical Union named a lunar crater after Parsons. Needless to say, Parsons Crater is located on the dark side of the Moon.

D John Whiteside Parsons was born on October 2, 1914 in Los Angeles, California. His mother and father separated when he was very young, and as Parsons himself later said, this instilled in him “a hatred of authority and a revolutionary spirit.” He grew up as a withdrawn and unsociable child, and other children often bullied him. Parsons himself believed that all this instilled in him “the necessary contempt for crowds and sectarianism.” As Parsons himself said in his Book of the Antichrist, when he was 13 years old he called upon Satan, but “when he appeared, he was quite frightened.”

As a youth, Parsons developed an interest in science, especially physics and chemistry, and went on to a distinguished scientific career in rocket fuel and explosives technology. It was largely inspired by the autobiographical book of the famous Russian aircraft designer Igor Sikorsky. According to his colleagues, Parsons was “an excellent chemist and a delightful madman.”

Parsons' scientific achievements can be judged by the fact that after his flight to the Moon in 1972, the International Astronomical Union named a lunar crater in his honor. Needless to say, Parsons Crater is located on the dark side of the Moon.

Parsons made contact with the O.T.O. and A.·. A.·. in December 1938, after visiting the Agape Lodge O.T.O. in California. At that time, the Agape Lodge was headed by Wilfred Tom Smith, an expatriate Englishman. Initially, Aleister Crowley thought highly of Smith and expected great things from him. But over the years, he became increasingly disillusioned with the Californian leader of the O.T.O. By the time Parsons and his wife Helen became members of the Lodge in February 1941, the relationship between Smith and Crowley had completely deteriorated, and Crowley was looking for a candidate to lead the Lodge.

Upon entering the O.T.O., Parsons, like many Thelemites, simultaneously became a member of the A.·. A.·. Parsons made his magical motto "Thelema Obtentum Procedero Amoris Nuptiae", an interesting hybrid phrase conveying the intention to achieve Thelema through marriage with love; If you transliterate the first letters of the motto into Hebrew, you get its magic number - 210.

Parsons' appearance seems to have made a strong impression on the other members of the lodge. At that time, Jane Wolf, an old acquaintance of Crowley's, who lived for some time in his abbey in Cefalu, took an active part in the work of the Agape Lodge. In her magical diary for December 1940, she writes: “Jack Parsons is like a child who “must see them all” (Book of the Law, 1:54-55, meaning secrets, must see the “magical child” of the Great Beast - approx. He is 26 years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall, full of life, bisexual, at least potentially. He travels on secret missions for the government. He writes poetry, which he says is “extremely sensual,” and loves music. , which he seems to be well versed in. I see him as a real successor to Therion."

Apparently, Parsons made a strong impression on Smith as well. In a letter to Crowley in March 1941, Smith wrote the following: “I think that at last I have met a truly excellent man, John Parsons. Starting next Tuesday, he begins negotiations with a view to expanding the scope of our activities. He has a superior mind, his intellect is sharper mine - yes, I, of course, understand that sharper than mine does not mean “very good” at all... I think John Parsons will be useful for us.”

Although Crowley became increasingly desperate about Smith and clearly recognized the need to replace him as head of the Agape Lodge, the important problem remained unresolved - how to get rid of Smith, and, moreover, with whom to replace him. In a letter to Crowley in March 1942, Jane Wolff made her own recommendations: "By the way, I believe that Jack Parsons, who is loyal to Wilfred, will become the new leader of the Lodge, with Wilfred acting as a consultant... Jack, by the way, joins us through inner experiences, but mainly, perhaps, thanks to science. The fact is that he was “captivated by the Book of the Law because it was predicted by Einstein and Heisenberg, the scientists who discovered quantum fields.”

At the same time, Helen Parsons began an affair with Smith. Jack was quite shocked, but still remained deeply devoted to the head of the lodge.

Crowley also appreciated Parsons' potential, but at the same time was acutely aware of his mistakes, which he hoped he would get rid of over the years and as he gained experience. In a letter to Jane Wolf, in December 1943, Crowley gives the following assessment: “Jack's problem is his weakness, and his desire for romance - he writes poetry - is rather a hindrance at the present time. He finds pleasure in reading some magazine hack or “occult” novels (if only he knew how they were cooked!) and he himself grabs the pen... I ask God that within six months - even three, if I really hurry - he would be next to me, so that I could teach him Will and discipline." However, Crowley's dream was not destined to come true.

Ultimately, Crowley devised a way to remove Smith: he declared that the leader of the Agape Lodge was a personification of a certain god, and must retire from magic until he understood his true nature. To this end, Crowley wrote a document of instructions for Smith, the so-called Book 132. Smith tried to apply this instruction, but did not receive the slightest pleasure from comprehending the depths of his divinity. At the same time, Parsons became master of the lodge.

At the same time, he was very upset by Smith’s ordeals, considering Crowley’s attitude towards the ex-head of the lodge to be unfair. At the end of 1943, he even wrote a letter to the Great Beast with accusations against him and a request for resignation. However, Crowley's respect for Parsons may have deterred him from accepting the resignation, and he asked Parsons to reconsider his decision. Ultimately, Parsons agreed to remain as head of the Lodge.

And yet, with Smith's departure, the oddities and misunderstandings did not end. At the end of 1945, Jane Wolf wrote to Crowley about the tense atmosphere in the box: “Something strange is happening besides Smith. Let us remember that Betty (Helen’s sister, who, after Jack and Helen separated, became Parsons’ lover) is now always present here. . comp.) who hates Smith. And our Jack is fascinated by Witchcraft, Voodoo. He always wanted to summon someone's spirit - and I am inclined to think he was not interested in whose - until he achieved a result. Yesterday he summoned an elemental with which he does not know what to do."

And one day a gentleman joined this whirlpool of events, who later played a fatal role in Parsons’ life. In August 1945, Parsons met Navy Lieutenant Ron Hubbard, the future founder of Scientology, then known only as a pulp writer and eccentric personality. At the time of his acquaintance with Parsons, he was a naval officer and on leave. Parsons invited him to spend the rest of his vacation at his house. They had a lot in common. Parsons was a science fiction fan, as was Hubbard. And he, in turn, was interested in problems related to the soul and magic.

However, for all his charm and originality, Hubbard was nothing more than a deceiver and a charlatan. In Parsons, he saw only another victim who could be used to his advantage. Parsons' enthusiasm was inexhaustible. At the end of 1945, in his letter to Crowley, he wrote: “Some of his experiences lead me to believe that he is in direct contact with some high entities, perhaps with his Guardian Angel... He is the most Thelemic man, none I've ever met."

In January 1946, Parsons conceived an Operation for which it was necessary, as he put it, "... to obtain the help of the elemental's wife." The main part of this Work consisted in the application of the Enochian Table of Air, or more precisely, its specific quadrant. This operation was to become a ritual of sexual-magical initiation into the VIII* degree, in order to obtain a means of summoning the elemental. Parsons continued the experiment for eleven days, summoning the elemental twice a day, every day. In his own words: “The feeling of tension and unease continued for four days. On January 18, at sunset, while the Scribe (Hubbard - ed.) and I were in the Moab Desert, the feeling of tension suddenly disappeared. I turned to him and said “it worked,” in full confidence that the Work had been accomplished. I returned home and found a young woman waiting for me, my ideal. She resembled hot air, her hair was bronze-red, she herself was fiery and refined, determined and stubborn. , sincere and depraved, endowed with extraordinary personality, talent and intelligence."

The more romantic among readers may be disappointed to learn that a "young woman" named Marjorie Cameron existed before Parsons' evocation of the elemental. She married Parsons in October 1946; and according to her birth certificate, she was 24 years old, born in Iowa, and profession as an artist. At one time she served in the American Navy. She came from New York, where her mother lived, for the duration of the Work, and returned some time after the Babalon Work.

It is unlikely that Parsons really believed that he had conjured Marjorie out of thin air, so to speak. However, her appearance could be considered synchronicity, apparent coincidence, magical manipulation of events, or anything else irrelevant.

At the end of February 1946, Hubbard left for several days. Parsons returned to the Moab desert and spent these days trying to summon Babalon. (It is curious that, as American UFO researcher George Adamski notes, in November 1952 it was in this area that he met a “beautiful humanoid” who had flown in on a spaceship from Venus. As is known, Babalon is one of the forms of Venus).

Unfortunately, he does not provide details of this appeal. Parsons says only that during the conversion, "... the presence of the Goddess descended upon me, and I was commanded to write down the following message ...". The message, which was implied to be the words of Babalon, consists of 77 short verses. Whether this was direct voice, trance, or inspiration, Parsons does not say. The answer was probably hidden in his Magical Report for this period, but these papers have not survived.

Parsons called this 77-verse message Book 49. He does not explain the title, and no doubt considers such an explanation unnecessary, since 49 is the sacred number of Babalon. Chapter 49 of Crowley's Book of Lies is a eulogy for Babalon. This connection also occurs in “Vision and Voice”. In the account of the 27th Aethyr, the symbol of Babalon appears as the blood-scarlet Rose of the 49 Petals - scarlet from the blood of the saints who poured every last drop of it into the Chalice of Babalon.

Parsons devoted the rest of his life to Babalon - one might even say that he was obsessed with Her. Book 49 contains instructions for the personification of Babalon in the earthly daughter or incarnation of Babalon that was to appear among us. Parsons seems to have expected a full embodiment of the goddess, not just a display of power. The second verse of the text declares that it will become the fourth chapter of the Book of the Law. In terminology, inspiration and style, Book 49 has nothing in common with the Book of the Law; and this alone makes many adherents wary of such claims.

In justifying the need for the fourth chapter of the Book of the Law, in one of his essays Parsons notes that Horus or Vau (the third letter in the Tetragrammaton) needs to be supplemented: “The name of God among the ancient Hebrews was... IHVH. This is probably the most amazing formula invented when -or, to display in symbolic form all the processes of nature and the highest secrets of magic “Yod” symbolizes God as the great father, the solar-phallic creative Will, or fire “Hey” symbolizes God as the mother, the female productive basis, the passive will. , or water. Vau symbolizes God as a son, a male child from a father and mother, the will to move, the air "Hey" final symbolizes God as a daughter, Babalon, She who is to come, the earth, the virgin who unites. with the father, encourages him to be active, and begins the productive process again and again. The cycle is closed, the process is eternal, and contains the source of all possibilities."

A few days after receiving Book 49, Parsons begins ritual preparations according to the directions given in the text. In his own words: "On March 1 and 2, 1946, I prepared the altar and equipment as directed in Book 49. Scribe Ron Hubbard was away for about a week and knew nothing of my BABALON invocation, which I kept completely secret. At night On March 2, he returned and described a vision he had that evening. He saw a wild and beautiful woman riding naked on a large cat-like animal. He felt an urgent need to give me information... Around eight o'clock in the evening. he began dictating, and I immediately wrote down everything I heard."

Hubbard's vision seems too glib. It sounds as if he were, in fact, contemplating Tarot card XI, "Lust" from the Book of Thoth, with the Harlot riding on the Beast depicted on it. It must be borne in mind that Hubbard is a “dark horse”, an uncertain and unknown personality. His entire career, both before and after his association with Parsons, was associated with fraud. This gives us the right to ask to what extent did Hubbard's undeniable talent for lies and self-deception leave its mark on the entire Work? But let us remember that Edward Kelly, according to some researchers, was not a man of very crystal reputation, but this does not negate the value of the Work that he carried out with John Dee.

The rituals of sex magic prescribed in Book 49 were performed by Jack Parsons and Marjorie Cameron over several nights, during which instructions for the following rites were received. These rituals were intended to facilitate the birth of Babalon. Some of the messages received from these Works have a touch of passionate, intense beauty.

It is quite obvious that Babalon is a specific aspect of Nuit. Verse 22 of the first chapter of the Book of the Law reads: “So I am known to you by my name Nuit, but I will tell him the secret name when he knows me at last.” This secret name was the correct pronunciation of the name Babalon, which was given to Crowley when he contemplated the 12th Aethyr; Until then, he used the Biblical form - "Babylon".

After The Work of Babalon was completed, all Parsons could do was wait. He was told that the Operation had been successful, that the "conception" had taken place, and that a duly created avatar or Daughter of Babalon would come to him bearing a secret sign, which Parsons alone would recognize, and which would prove her authenticity. In a letter to Crowley, Parsons reported that he and Marjorie had successfully completed work related to the IX degree of initiation. Its result was the establishment of “direct contact” with the One who, according to the Book of the Law, personifies Beauty and Holiness. Parsons also informed Crowley that he had conceived a "magical child" "who will be released into the world in 9 months."

Hubbard, however, was motivated by more worldly considerations, and a few weeks later, in April 1946, he and Betty absconded with a considerable amount of money stolen from Parsons. It was several thousand dollars, Parsons' contribution to a common enterprise: a foundation founded by Parsons, Betty and Hubbard. Parsons invested most of his savings in it. Ultimately, he was able to track down the fugitives and recover most of the money through a lawsuit. After this, Parsons had no contact with either Hubbard or Betty.

However, he began to have other problems. Absorbed in the "Work of Babalon," he neglected his responsibilities to the Agape Lodge and its members. And this was, perhaps, the last straw that overflowed the patience of other members of the lodge.

They never seemed to be shy about telling Crowley about each other, so he received reports of Jack Parsons' latest adventure from several sources. From these reports Crowley concluded that Parsons's shortcomings had finally outweighed his merits, and that he had proved himself to be an "incorrigible, gullible fool." In addition, Crowley was infuriated by Parsons' hints that, in the interests of secrecy, he could not make public a full account of the progress of the "Work of Babalon." Parsons was invited to a lodge meeting asking for an account of his recent magical work (including the "Work of Babalon"). It is unknown whether Parsons heeded this invitation, but he was reportedly suspended from his duties as head of the Lodge and left shortly thereafter. In October 1946, he formalized his marriage to Marjorie Cameron.

After breaking up with O.T.O. Parsons continued to consider himself a member of A.·. A.·. and remained on friendly terms with many of his colleagues. For example, he continued to correspond with Karl Germer (second in command of the O.T.O. after Crowley) until his death.

However, with Crowley it was different. He must have been bitterly disappointed in Parsons. Crowley appreciated his abilities, but at the same time was well aware of his shortcomings, such as impulsiveness and recklessness - shortcomings that, as Crowley now saw, led to his inevitable downfall. A short excerpt from a letter to Louis T. Culling (October 1946) reveals his deep disappointment: "Regarding D.V.P. - all I can say is that I'm sorry - I'm sure he has "He had great ideas, but he was led astray - first by Smith, and then by a swindler named Hubbard, who robbed him of his last penny."

Although Parsons and Hubbard parted ways after the court's decision, that was not the end of the story for Hubbard. In 1969, the Sunday Times published an article entitled "Scientology Founder Practices Black Magic" detailing the "Work of Babalon." Hubbard sued for libel, and the Sunday Times, for some reason of its own, decided not to defend its case. At the height of its activities, the Church of Scientology made a statement that Hubbard was assigned to the O.T.O. as an FBI agent to destroy a "black magic group" that included several prominent scientists. The operation was a success beyond all expectations: "He saved the girl they were 'using', the group was scattered and never recovered."

In December 1948, Parsons took the Oath of the Master of the Temple (a degree of initiation into the A.·. A.·.) and took the name Belarion Antichrist, and the following year he published "The Book of the Antichrist", dated "1949 during the reign of the Black Brotherhood called Christianity ". In it, he tells how he got rid of everything he had and was before, and then rededicated himself to Babalon. In the short Manifesto of Antichrist (included in the second part of the Book), Parsons calls for an end to Christian pretense and hypocrisy, the slave ethic and superstitious restrictions. He opposes state coercion, the tyranny of false laws, and military service. Parsons predicted that within the next seven years the Scarlet Wife Babalon Hilarion would appear to the world, and within nine years the entire American nation would accept the Law of the Beast 666.

In January 1952, Parsons was removed from scientific work. This was the end of his career in a specific scientific field. From some fragmentary essays that have survived since then, it appears that Parsons was working to create some kind of teaching Order with a Thelemic core, but also working with paganism and witchcraft, and preparing instructions for such an Order.

As for his immediate profession, he is now engaged in private practice in the manufacture of chemicals. Even before this, Parsons sold the main part of his property - the mansion - for reconstruction, and lived in a campervan. He stocked the garage, converted into a laboratory, with chemicals and equipment. For some time, Parsons planned to move to Mexico to engage in mystical and magical research and continue the production of chemicals. He and Marjorie actually vacated the camper, and for several days Parsons went back and forth, transferring his chemicals to the trailer. On one of his visits, at noon on June 17, 1952, he dropped a container of mercury fulminate, an extremely unstable explosive. A powerful, destructive explosion occurred, almost destroying the van. Parsons was seriously injured. But when rescuers arrived, he was still conscious. He died an hour later, already in the hospital. After news of Parsons' death, his mother committed suicide.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Joan Price called on Parsons, but he was busy mixing chemicals. Half an hour later Sal Ganci came to see him; They chatted for a bit while Jack heated the compound in the oven. In parting, Hansi joked: “Look, Jack, don’t blow us all up here!” Jack chuckled and said there was nothing to worry about. Then, at approximately 5:08 p.m., Parsons accidentally dropped the coffee can in which he was mixing mercury fulminate. Instinctively, he bent down to pick up the tin, but missed. The tin fell to the floor and exploded on impact; Parsons' right arm was blown off. A deafening explosion thundered throughout Pasadena, and was soon followed by a second - other explosives stored in the laboratory detonated. Sal Gansey, who was in his room on the top floor of the house, was thrown up by the blast wave. Despite the shell shock, he immediately understood what had happened. Pulling himself together, he somehow went down the stairs, and a monstrous picture was revealed to his gaze.

There was real chaos in Jack's laboratory. The acrid smell of chemicals hung in the air. Gansey risked going inside and began looking for Jack - he was not visible from the threshold. Walking around a hole in the middle of the rubble-strewn floor, Hansey discovered that Jack had been crushed under a large, overturned bathtub. Hansi lifted the bathtub and saw a burned and mutilated body underneath. The right arm was torn off at the elbow; The skin on the right side of his face had been torn off, exposing his teeth and jawbone. Jack was half-conscious, but he was making terrible moans: he could not speak due to facial injuries. Hansi, with the help of his girlfriend's mother, lifted him up, and Martin Voschog called an ambulance.

The first thing Gansey decided to do was notify Marjorie Cameron about what had happened; he went to Arroyo Terrace, but found only Ruth at home. At first, he tried to downplay the severity of the incident so as not to shock Jack’s mother, but after a while he admitted that her son was in extremely serious condition and might not survive. Hearing this, Ruth fell into a chair. Gansey tried to console her, but then left, promising that he would return as soon as he could tell her more. When he arrived at the house, it turned out that the ambulance had already taken Jack to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he died. Death was recorded at 17:45.

(from the book Wormwood Star. The Magickal Life of Marjorie Cameron. 2011)

The controversy continued after his death. Many considered it incredible that a scientist with such experience could make a mistake when working with a powerful explosive.

Parsons' death brings to mind Babalon's association with flame. The idea of flame is developed both in Crowley's The Vision and the Voice and in material obtained during the Babalon Work. The passage “...since She must consume you, and you will become a living flame before She incarnates…” comes to mind especially often. In his letters written in the years following the Babalon Work, Parsons seemed to expect a violent death, and it is almost certain that this and similar passages stuck in his mind. In this connection, a surviving fragment from an earlier version of the Book of Babalon is of interest: “...by this mystery BABALON is incarnated on earth today, awaiting the proper hour for Her manifestation. And this book of mine, which is dedicated to Her, is a preparation and a foreshadowing of that day. And on that day when my work is done, the Breath of the Father is prophesied to go out of me And so I toil - lonely, outcast and disgusting, I am a male goat on the rot of the world And yet I am content with my lot. because even though I am in rags, I will come to power and walk in purple, and that is why I am proud. Yes, I am proud.”

When compiling Parsons' biography, materials were used from Michael Staley's article "The Work of Babalon", published in the magazine "STARFIRE", 1989, London, the book "Sex and Rockets. The Occult World of Jack Parsons" by John Carter, 1999, Feral House, etc.

The next key character in my Boxes.

Article from http://apokrif93.com/blog/2012/03/05/parsons-dzhek/

Name: John Whiteside (Jack) Parsons.

Historicity: Historical character.

Activity: Occultist, physicist, chemist, rocket scientist, inventor.

Reverence: Holy Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis.

John Whiteside Parsons was born in Los Angeles, California. Being 13 years old, he called on Satan, but when he appeared, he was quite frightened. Parsons had an interest in science as a youth and went on to have a distinguished scientific career in rocket fuel and explosives technology. According to his colleagues, Parsons was “an excellent chemist and a delightful madman.”

In December 1938, Parsons visited Agape Lodge and subsequently joined the O.T.O. and A.·.A.·.. Crowley praised Parsons' potential and eventually declared that Wilfred Tom Smith, then leader of the lodge, was the personification of some kind of god and should retire from magical retirement until he understood his true nature, and appointed Parsons master of the lodge.

In August 1945, Parsons met Ron Hubbard, the future founder of Scientology, and recruited him to his magical work. In January 1946, Parsons conceived an operation that required the “assistance of an elemental spouse,” which resulted in his acquaintance with Marjorie Cameron, his future wife. In late February 1946, as a result of an operation to summon Babalon in the Moab Desert, Parsons received a message consisting of 77 short verses and called it Book 49, since 49 is the sacred number of Babalon. Book 49 contains instructions for bringing Babalon into our world. The second verse of the text declares that it will become the fourth chapter of the Book of the Law. In justifying the need for this, Parsons notes that Horus, or Vau (the third letter in the Tetragrammaton), needs a complement - the final letter Heh. However, in terms of terminology, intensity of inspiration and style, Book 49 has nothing in common with the Book of the Law, and this alone makes many wary of such claims.

After the Babalon Work was successfully completed, Hubbard tricked Parsons into obtaining a large sum of money and went into hiding. According to the lawsuit, Parsons was able to recover most of the money, but he began to have other problems. Absorbed in the Work, he neglected his duties to the Agape Lodge and was soon removed from them. After breaking up with O.T.O. Parsons continued to consider himself a member of the A.·.A.·. In December 1948, he took the oath of Master of the Temple and took the name Belarion Antichrist, and the following year he released the Book of the Antichrist, dated "1949 during the reign of the Black Brotherhood called Christianity." In a short manifesto, Parsons calls for an end to Christian pretense and hypocrisy, the slave ethic and superstitious restrictions, and opposes state coercion, the tyranny of false laws, and conscription.

Apparently Parsons was working on creating some kind of teaching Order with a thelemic core, but also working with paganism and witchcraft, and preparing instructions for such an Order. In January 1952, he was removed from scientific work and began private practice in the production of chemicals. At noon on June 17, while moving to a new place, he dropped a container of mercury fulminate. A powerful, destructive explosion occurred. Parsons was seriously injured and died in hospital an hour after the explosion. His death brings to mind Babalon's association with flame. The idea of flame is developed both in Crowley's The Vision and the Voice and in material obtained during the Babalon Work. The passage “...since She must consume you, and you will become a living flame before She incarnates…” comes to mind especially often.

1914 – 1952

After the mission to the Moon in 1972, the International Astronomical Union named a lunar crater after Parsons. Needless to say, Parsons Crater is located on the dark side of the Moon.

Parsons made contact with the O.T.O. and A.·. A.·. in December 1938, after visiting the Agape Lodge O.T.O. in California. At that time, the Agape Lodge was headed by Wilfred Tom Smith, an expatriate Englishman. Initially, he thought highly of Smith and expected great things from him. But over the years, he became increasingly disillusioned with the Californian leader of the O.T.O. By the time Parsons and his wife Helen became members of the Lodge in February 1941, the relationship between Smith and Crowley had completely deteriorated, and Crowley was looking for a candidate to lead the Lodge.

Parsons' appearance seems to have made a strong impression on the other members of the lodge. At that time, Jane Wolf, an old acquaintance of Crowley's, who lived for some time in his abbey in Cefalu, took an active part in the work of the Agape Lodge. In her magical diary for December 1940, she writes: “John Parsons is like a child who “must see them all” (Book of the Law, 1:54-55, meaning secrets, must see the “magical child” of the Great Beast - approx. He is 26 years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall, full of life, bisexual, at least potentially. He travels on secret missions for the government. He writes poetry, which he says is “extremely sensual,” and loves music. , which he seems to be well versed in. I see him as a real successor to Therion."

Although Crowley became increasingly desperate about Smith and clearly recognized the need to replace him as head of the Agape Lodge, the important problem remained unresolved - how to get rid of Smith, and, moreover, with whom to replace him. In a letter to Crowley in March 1942, Jane Wolff made her own recommendations: "By the way, I believe that John Parsons, who is loyal to Wilfred, will become the new leader of the Lodge, with Wilfred acting as a consultant...John, by the way, joins us through inner experiences, but mainly, perhaps, thanks to science. The fact is that he was “captivated by the Book of the Law because it was predicted by Einstein and Heisenberg, the scientists who discovered quantum fields.”

At the same time, Helen Parsons began an affair with Smith. John was quite shocked, but still remained deeply devoted to the head of the lodge.

Crowley also appreciated Parsons' potential, but at the same time was acutely aware of his mistakes, which he hoped he would get rid of over the years and as he gained experience. In a letter to Jane Wolf, in December 1943, Crowley gives the following assessment: “John's problem is his weakness, and his desire for romance - he writes poetry - is rather a hindrance at the present time. He finds pleasure in reading some magazine hack or “occult” novels (if only he knew how they were cooked!) and he himself grabs the pen... I ask God that within six months - even three, if I really hurry - he would be next to me, so that I could teach him Will and discipline." However, Crowley's dream was not destined to come true.

And yet, with Smith's departure, the oddities and misunderstandings did not end. At the end of 1945, Jane Wolf wrote to Crowley about the tense atmosphere in the lodge: “Something strange is happening besides Smith. Let us remember that Betty (Helen’s sister, who became Parsons’s lover after John and Helen separated) is now always present here. . comp.) who hates Smith. And our John is fascinated by Witchcraft, Voodoo. He always wanted to summon someone's spirit - and I am inclined to think he was not interested in whose - until he achieved a result. Yesterday he summoned an elemental with which he does not know what to do."

The rituals of sex magic prescribed in Book 49 were performed by John Parsons and Marjorie Cameron over several nights, during which instructions for the following rites were received. These rituals were intended to facilitate the birth of Babalon. Some of the messages received from these Works have a touch of passionate, intense beauty.

They never seemed to be shy about telling Crowley about each other, so he received reports of John Parsons' latest adventure from several sources. From these reports Crowley concluded that Parsons's shortcomings had finally outweighed his merits, and that he had proved himself to be an "incorrigible, gullible fool." In addition, Crowley was infuriated by Parsons' hints that, in the interests of secrecy, he could not make public a full account of the progress of the "Work of Babalon." Parsons was invited to a lodge meeting asking for an account of his recent magical work (including the "Work of Babalon"). It is unknown whether Parsons heeded this invitation, but he was reportedly suspended from his duties as head of the Lodge and left shortly thereafter. In October 1946, he formalized his marriage to Marjorie Cameron.

After breaking up with O.T.O. Parsons continued to consider himself a member of A.·. A.·. and remained on friendly terms with many of his colleagues. For example, he continued to correspond with (the second person in the O.T.O. after Crowley) until his death.

(from the book Wormwood Star. The Magickal Life of Marjorie Cameron. 2011)

The controversy continued after his death. Many considered it incredible that a scientist with such experience could make a mistake when working with a powerful explosive.

Parsons' death brings to mind Babalon's association with flame. The idea of flame is developed both in Crowley's The Vision and the Voice and in material obtained during the Babalon Work. Particularly memorable is the passage "...for She must consume thee, and thou shalt become a living flame before She is incarnate."... In his letters written in the years after the "Work of Babalon," Parsons seemed to expect a violent death, and almost certainly this and similar passages stuck in his memory. In this connection, a surviving fragment from an earlier version of the Book of Babalon is of interest: “...by this mystery BABALON is incarnated on earth today, awaiting the proper hour for Her manifestation. And this book of mine, which is dedicated to Her, is a preparation and a foreshadowing of that day. And on that day when my work is done, the Breath of the Father is prophesied to go forth from me And so I toil, alone, outcast and disgusting, a male goat in the rot of the world And yet I am content with my lot. because even though I am in rags, I will come to power and walk in purple, and that is why I am proud. Yes, I am proud.”