_Sinister Forces: A Grimoire of American Political Witchcraft: Book One: The Nine_ by Peter Levenda, author of _Unholy Alliance_ a book about the Nazis and the occult, published by Trine Day is an occult political history of America. This book is the first book in the trilogy of books _Sinister Forces_ put out by the author. The author traces the history of America from its earliest days up until the Kennedy assassination and the Manson murders, showing how sinister occult influences lie underneath the political fabric of this country. This book is a rather rambling account which attempts to piece together various obscure and occult articles of information that have remained hidden beneath the surface to other investigators. While many so-called "conspiracy theorists" have picked up on this underground knowledge, few others in the mainstream know of these occult synchronicities. Indeed, the notion of synchronicity of Carl Jung plays an important role in this book, which often borders on a stream of consciousness attempt to connect disparate elements within the American political historical landscape.
The book is divided into three sections entitled: "Deep Background", "Agents of the Devil", and "Crossfire". Each section provides a snapshot of various events within American history and their occult origins. The first section begins by discussing the writer of occult horror H. P. Lovecraft, whose incorporation of Native American elements, with ancient pagan religions brought over from old Europe, along with tales of New England witchcraft and sorcery into his stories provided such a unique understanding of the esoteric origins of America. The author also discusses Christopher Columbus and the role of Islamic mysticism, the Salem witch trials (making reference to the work _Wonders of the Invisible World_ of puritan divine Cotton Mather), and folk magic. Indeed, the author provides an interesting theory regarding the witch trials, echoing Dame Frances Yates and emphasizing the fact that among gentlemen of the puritan era alchemy and magical ceremony may have been popular avocations. This may have led to the accusation of a conspiracy at the highest levels attempting to uproot Christianity among the puritans. The author also discusses fully the history of Mormonism, emphasizing particularly the covered-up occult and freemasonic beliefs of Joseph Smith. Indeed, according to the author D. Michael Quinn, Mormonism was rooted in occult beliefs, folk magic, and ceremonial magic tracing its roots back to Renaissance magicians and ultimately the Jewish Cabbala. Of course the official Mormon interpreters of the church's history deny these allegations. The author next turns his attention to American prehistory. Here, the author notes the distinction between various theories proposed to explain who first discovered America. According to the "independent interventionist" school of thought, the Americas were peopled by a group of people who came across the land bridge from northern Asia. Later Christopher Columbus became the first European to discover America. However, according to more recent evidence and the "diffusionist" school of thought, America may have been visited many times before the advent of Columbus. In particular, evidence from the mounds prevalent throughout the United States indicate the presence of Viking, Welsh, and Celtic remains. One theory suggests that King Arthur may have come to the Americas. The author next turns his attention to "the Ashland tragedy". Here, he explains various things including the influences on Charles Manson (Scientology, Appalachia, and Dale Carnegie), the Mothman prophecies, and the death of Frank Olson, who committed suicide after being given LSD unknowingly by the CIA. Indeed, the Church of Scientology founded by science fiction writer and con-man L. Ron Hubbard represents a second American attempt to found a religion (similar to Mormonism), and like Mormonism Hubbard actively pursued ceremonial magic before his creation of Scientology. The second section of this book is entitled "Agents of the Devil". Here, the author begins by discussing the influence of the Nazis on various intelligence agencies. Indeed, as part of Project PAPERCLIP, Nazi scientists may have come to the United States to continue their research for the U.S. government. The author also discusses such strange occurrences as UFOs, the Nine, and the death of rocket scientist and occultist Jack Parsons. The author also discusses the CIA's Project BLUEBIRD and the various mind control projects of the CIA. The author has a strange theory about the origin of the name "Bluebird", arguing that it came from the play _Bluebird_ of occultist Maurice Maeterlinck. The author shows how the CIA sought to unlock the secrets to the land of memory, so as to continue America's success at war. The final section of this book is devoted to the John F. Kennedy assassination. Here, the author notes various obscure coincidences surrounding the Kennedy death. In particular, the influence of the occult on various individuals surrounding the Kennedy assassinations cannot be denied. The author also discusses the role of various "wandering bishops" (iterant bishops having attempted to attain valid orders who enter into schismatic churches) in the development of the intelligence community. In particular, various schismatic sects may have served as vehicles for spies of both the communists and the CIA as well as double agents. The book ends with an appendix entitled: "A Field Guide to Wandering Bishops", in which the author discusses the phenomenon of various schismatics in the futher development of occultism and the intelligence community.
This book makes for very fascinating reading although it is somewhat rambling in its account of the hidden and obscure. The author offers much food for thought even though he never really puts all the pieces together. One can only follow the string so far before the author has set off again in another direction. Nevertheless, the book is interesting and comprises the first part of a trilogy.
