Manon Hedenborg White: From Chorazin to Carcosa? The Black Pilgrimage of Jack Parsons and Cameron

Rocketeer, poet, and polyamorous proto-feminist, John “Jack” Whiteside Parsons (1914–1952) was one of Aleister Crowley’s earliest and most legendary American followers. In 1946 Parsons performed the “Babalon Working” — a series of magical operations aimed at materializing the goddess Babalon on earth. He was aided in his efforts by L. Ron Hubbard, the future founder of Scientology, and the illustrator and artist Marjorie Cameron (1922–1995), whom Parsons would marry shortly thereafter. As part of these rituals, Parsons penned an inspired text — “Liber 49” — which makes ominous references a mystical journey entitled the “black pilgrimage”. In 1948, Parsons embarked on this dangerous quest, which culminated in his assumption of the title of Antichrist. Though initially unconcerned with the meaning of the Babalon Working, Cameron’s interest in esotericism, astrology, and comparative mythology grew over time. After Parsons’ premature death in an explosion, Cameron’s deepened explorations of magical ritual and visionary…