Anthony Testa - The Key of the Abyss.pdf

keep in mind the fact that much of what these authors write is colored
– rightly or wrongly – by their hostility to Hubbard and Scientology.
As for Parsons, Sorcerer of the Apocalypse by Michael Staley , a
lengthy essay reprinted in the Feral House’s infamous Apocalypse
Culture 10 was one of the first biographical sketches of Jack Parsons to
reach a wider readership than the work of Kenneth Grant. Grant, who
undoubtedly is responsible for the interest the story has gained in
Thelemic circles over the last couple of decades, particularly his
Magical Revival devoted to Parsons in. Recently, a book length
biography of Parsons, focusing on his occult activities, was published
by Adam Parfrey’s Feral House, bearing the fitting title Sex and
Rockets 11 , the author a pseudonymous Jack Carter (of Mars?)
containing a great deal of interesting background and many salacious
bits of speculation but the detailed documenting of the peope and
events are the most valuable aspect of that book.
Finally, there is also a brief note penned by Hubbard when, (i)n 1969,
the London Sunday Times exposed Hubbard's magickal connections.
The Scientologists threatened legal action, and the Sunday Times,
unsure of its legal position, paid a small out-of-court settlement.
Without retracting their earlier article, they printed a statement
submitted by the Scientologists 12 . It is probable the statement was
written by Hubbard himself.
Leaving aside Hubbard’s apologia, it is useful to compare differing
accounts of what went on, particularly in regard to the author’s main
subject and his attitude towards it. Interestingly, while the occult
historians tend to be sympathetic to Parsons and the Scientologist
authors less so, neither have much good to say about Hubbard.
10 Adam Parfrey, editor, Apocalypse Culture Feral House
11
Jack Carter, Sex and Rockets, Feral House 1999. The author is clearly a magician (or
dilitante) and includes a useful “Introduction to Enochian Magic” as well as photos not seen
elsewhere.
12
John Atack, A Piece of Blue Sky, Electronic Edition, pp70
12