Lecture on Nazism and the Occult

Introduction

• Speaker: Eric Kurlander, Professor of History at Stetson University, Florida.
• Topic: "Hitler's Monsters" - Nazism and the Occult.
• Venue: International Spy Museum.

Overview

• The lecture explores the links between Nazism and supernatural/occult ideas.
• The content is based on Kurlander's book which investigates Nazi beliefs in the occult, border science, and pagan religions.

Media and Popular Culture

• Captain America: Portrays Nazi supernaturalism elements such as occult forces, mad scientists, and fantastical weapons.
• Popular Culture: Movies, comics, and video games often depict Nazi occultism (e.g., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hellboy, Castle Wolfenstein).

Historical Context

• Early 20th-century fascination in Germany with occultism and border science.
• Alfred Rosenberg, a Nazi Party ideologue, acknowledged the German fascination with the occult.
• Various intellectuals and historians have linked Nazism to occult and esoteric thinking.

Nazi Occultism and Border Science

• Occultism: Encompasses beliefs like astrology, dowsing, theosophy.
• Border Science (Grenzwissenschaft): Practices that are on the edge of mainstream science.
  • Examples include clairvoyance, dowsing, and radiesthesia.
  • Differentiates from religious or sectarian beliefs.

Nazi Actions on Occultism

• Nazis pursued sectarian occult groups but were open to border science.
• 1941 Hess Action: Targeted occultists after Rudolf Hess's failed solo mission to negotiate peace with Britain.

Case Studies

Use of Occult in Military and Propaganda

1. Nostradamus and Astrology:

   • Utilized by Joseph Goebbels for propaganda during WWII.
   • Karl Kraft, a Swiss astrologer, predicted events used by Nazis for public manipulation.

2. Radiesthesia & Pendulum Dowsing:

   • Used by the German Navy to locate enemy ships.
   • The Pendulum Institute was established to use dowsing for military purposes.

3. Operation Mars:

   • Occultists were employed to find Mussolini during WWII.
   • Suggested that occult practices were used for intelligence operations.

Public and Leadership Beliefs

• Broad public interest in occult and border science in pre-WWII Germany.
• Nazis exploited these beliefs for propaganda and military advantage.
• Conflicting views on the authenticity and effectiveness of occult practices within Nazi ranks.

Conclusion

• Nazi regime utilized occult beliefs and border science to further their ideological and military objectives.
• These supernatural beliefs contributed to their racial policies and wartime strategies.

Questions & Discussion Topics

• Relationship between occultism and the Holocaust.
• Influence of border science on Nazi racial and military policies.