The Morning of the Magicians: Secret Societies, Conspiracies, and Vanished Civilizations [Paperback]

Louis Pauwels (Author), Jacques Bergier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 2008

The groundbreaking and classic study that first popularized occultism, alchemy, and paranormal phenomena in the 1960s

• Provides profound insights into our perceptions of reality, telepathy, mutants, and parallel universes

• Reveals the occult influences on the Nazis and introduces the alchemist Fulcanelli and the work of Charles Fort and Gurdjieff

• Over Half a Million Copies Sold

This groundbreaking, international bestseller, first published in 1960, couples profound insights into the hidden history of humanity and our perceptions of reality with the scientific evidence that supports the existence of paranormal activity, telepathy, and extraterrestrial communications. The first book to explore in depth the Nazi fascination with the occult, Pauwels and Bergier also broke new ground with their study of pyramidology, alchemy and its close kinship with atomic energy, and the possibility of a widespread mutation of humanity that would herald the dawn of a new age for the earth. Their study of secret societies, starting with the Rosicrucians, suggests that such changes are actively being pursued in the present day by a “conspiracy” of the most spiritually and intellectually advanced members of the human race.

The Morning of the Magicians also explores the anomalous events collected by Charles Fort, the work of Gurdjieff, and the history of the mysterious Fulcanelli, who was widely believed to have manufactured the philosopher’s stone--which provided the Nazis the motive for mounting an intensive search for him during their occupation of Paris. Much more than a collection of strange facts defying conventional wisdom, this book remains a sophisticated philosophical exploration of repressed phenomena and hidden histories that asks its readers to look at reality with ever “awakened eyes.”

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A must read . . . contains a lot of gems and wonderful food for thought." (
Institute for Hermetic Studies, Jan 2009 )

" . . . this is a book which I recommend for two very important reasons. First, because it brings to the attention of the average reader information which has probably not been seen before. And, second, because it is sure to inspire, at least some readers, to go further and learn more about the anomalies in our world and how they affect the world in which we live." (
Michael Gleason, Witchgrove.com, Jan 2009 )

“This modern alchemical manifesto has been inspiring thinkers for half a century. It illuminates the intersection between science and mysticism, proclaiming matter as a gateway of the spirit. The Morning of the Magicians declares that an objective appreciation of the material world is a means by which we may attain an awakened state of consciousness, the next step in human evolutionary destiny. This study of ‘fantastic realism’ is a look behind one of the many masks of God.”
(James Wasserman, author of The Secrets of Masonic Washington and An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar )

"The Morning of the Magicians is one of those books that you hate to see end. It is pure magic itself. I have not read anything quite like it . . . The New Cosmology that we are now living in is all about creating consciousness or self and this book will certainly assist you in that. There are several books that are jewels in the crown of literature and [this] is one of these. Do Not miss this read." (
Bonnie Lange, publisher/editor Truth Seeker Company, Oldest Freethought Publication since 1873, Feb 2009 )

"From masterminds behind early civilizations' growth to connections between alchemy and modern physics and Hitler's psychic potentials, The Morning of the Magicians offers a wide-ranging history. Both are fine new age library additions." (
The Midwest Book Review, March 2009 )

"Pauwels and Bergier employ an engaging writing style, coming across excitable, poetic, and authoritative. The Morning of the Magicians is a reference book with a soul, a treasure chest of information that can pay the ransom of modern societies' stagnant mental promises, and lo, it has just been re-released and is now all the easier to find. Enjoy having your mind blown." (
Chard Currie, New Dawn, No. 114, May-June 2009 )

From the Back Cover

ANCIENT MYSTERIES / SECRET SOCIETIES

“This modern alchemical manifesto has been inspiring thinkers for half a century. It illuminates the intersection between science and mysticism, proclaiming matter as a gateway of the spirit. The Morning of the Magicians declares that an objective appreciation of the material world is a means by which we may attain an awakened state of consciousness, the next step in human evolutionary destiny. This study of ‘fantastic realism’ is a look behind one of the many masks of God.”
--James Wasserman, author of The Secrets of Masonic Washington and An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar

This groundbreaking, international bestseller, first published in 1960, couples profound insights into the hidden history of humanity with scientific evidence that supports the existence of paranormal activity, telepathy, and extraterrestrial communications. The first book to explore in depth the Nazi fascination with the occult, Pauwels and Bergier also broke new ground with their study of pyramidology, alchemy and its close kinship with atomic energy, and the possibility of a widespread mutation of humanity that would herald a new age for the earth. Their study of secret societies, starting with the Rosicrucians, suggests that such changes are actively being pursued in the present day by a “conspiracy” of the most spiritually and intellectually advanced members of the human race.

The Morning of the Magicians will open your mind to questions that have previously gone unanswered:

-Were the masterminds behind the great civilizations of Central and South America from Mars?

-What connects the ancient art of alchemy and modern atomic physics?

-Was Hitler, during his mystical trances, in touch with the “Unknown Master”?

-Does extrasensory perception reveal that human consciousness has advanced beyond its currently accepted limits?

The Morning of the Magicians explores the anomalous events collected by Charles Fort, the work of Gurdjieff, and the history of the mysterious Fulcanelli, who was widely believed to have manufactured the philosopher’s stone--which provided the Nazis the motive for mounting an intensive search for him during their occupation of Paris. Much more than a collection of strange facts defying conventional wisdom, this book remains a sophisticated philosophical exploration of repressed phenomena and hidden histories that asks its readers to look at reality with ever “awakened eyes.”

LOUIS PAUWELS (1920-1997) was a French journalist who founded the magazine Planète, an outgrowth of this book. JACQUES BERGIER (1912-1978) was a nuclear physicist and chemical engineer who was active in the French Resistance in World War II and helped destroy the German atomic plant at Peenemünde.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (December 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594772312
• ISBN-13: 978-1594772313
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing Speculations, September 27, 2009

By 

John D. Cofield - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Morning of the Magicians: Secret Societies, Conspiracies, and Vanished Civilizations (Paperback)

Morning of the Magicians is one of the original inspirations for writers like Colin Wilson, Erich von Daniken, and Graham Hancock. Originally published in French in 1960, it is an overview of numerous concepts that are now often lumped together as New Age.

Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier were young men during the German occupation of France in World War II, and this experience led them to pay particular attention to the Nazis' focus on the occult. I found the sections of their book dealing with Hitler and other Nazi leaders' fixation on Horbiger's ice moons theory and other similar ideas to be the most fascinating. But there is a wide variety of subjects included in this work, and most readers should find plenty of material to ponder, if not necessarily completely accept.

Like most books translated from other languages the phrasing may seem a bit odd from time to time, but Morning of the Magicians remains a work of great interest.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Offers insights into scientific evidence that supports the existence of paranormal activity, telepathy, & the occult in history, March 15, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Morning of the Magicians: Secret Societies, Conspiracies, and Vanished Civilizations (Paperback)

Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier's THE MORNING OF THE MAGICIANS: SECRET SOCIETIES, CONSPIRACIES, AND VANISHED CIVILIZATIONS was first published in 1960 and offers insights into scientific evidence that supports the existence of paranormal activity, telepathy, and the occult in human history. From masterminds behind early civilizations' growth to connections between alchemy and modern physics and Hitler's psychic potentials, THE MORNING OF THE MAGICIANS offers a wide-ranging history. A fine new age library addition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Realism: A Humble Book with Ambition, July 22, 2010

By 

Nick (Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Morning of the Magicians: Secret Societies, Conspiracies, and Vanished Civilizations (Paperback)

[This review is based on the original French.]

Quite an unusual book, and superbly written, Morning of the Magicians is around 600 pages about topics as varied as Nazi occultism, alchemy, ancient astronaut theory, and unknown human capacities.

Published first in 1960, the authors propose "fantastic realism" as a new paradigm. Fantastic realism is all about the idea that actual reality is far more fantastic than what we limit it to.

To demonstrate this, the authors begin by showing how, at the end of the 19th century, scientists were under the pression that their job was mostly done, and sciences like biology or physics were closed cases. Definitely not something I would have guessed on my own, but definitely what the late 1900's had in mind.

The book goes on to show how some famous inventions had been discovered centuries ago, such as gas lamps, which could have emerged in the 17th century (or earlier, I forget the exact date), if only scientists had paid more attention to ancient books. The authors complain that ancient books are almost exclusively read by literature and history scholars, and not by engineers. Had they read some of these ancient books, some technologies would have (re)seen the light of day 200 years earlier than they did.

Another part of the book deals with alchemy, showing the parallels between this ancient science and the process of nuclear production. The underlying idea is that, perhaps, alchemists were the owners of an ancient and somewhat incomplete knowledge. A very interesting part of the book, especially if you know next to nothing about alchemy.

Following this is a whole part about vanished civilisations, Atlantis and the likes.

And following this is my favourite part of the book: Nazi occultism. Of the entire book, this is what I preferred, and this is indeed why I bought said book. This part explains some of the beliefs held by prominent Nazis and their spiritual guides. You will learn about the cosmology of the "Eternal Ice", which Nazis opposed to "Jewish" cosmology of relativity and the rest. Absolutely fascinating.

The last part, about humanity's potential, is the part I liked least, but still worth reading. It tells of some humans' special capacities (without mentioning one of the author's own odd talent, photographic memory, which enabled him to read from 4 to 10 books a day; this is Bergier, who was a chemical engineer by formation, a journalist, a writer, and even a spy during the war!).

All in all, this book can be read selectively, as the authors claim in their introduction, although I read the whole thing from A to Z and didn't regret doing so. The authors' aim was to try and demonstrate that our reality is indeed much weirder than we are led to believe, and than we like to think. To do this, some truly astounding facts are laid before our eyes, and an important number of other writers are mentioned (Charles Fort, to name one). You even get to read three short stories in this book! Stories by Arthur C. Clarke, Arthur Machen (I think), and another by someone whose name I forget. All these stories help illustrate a point the authors discuss, a very welcome intermission of sorts.

Morning of the Magicians is a small door (still 600 pages!) onto an enormous universe of possibilities. From this volume alone, I probably wrote down the names of countless other authors and books I would like to read. Very recommended!