James Wasserman

James Wasserman (2007)

James Wasserman (born June 23, 1948 in New Jersey ) is an American author, publisher, editor and thelemite .

Publishing career

Wasserman started working at Weiser Books in 1973, then the world's largest bookstore and publishing company specializing in esoteric literature. While working at Weiser, he met filmmakers and occultists Harry Smith and Alejandro Jodorowsky . Wasserman worked with Brazilian occultist Marcelo Ramos Motta to publish The Commentaries of AL in 1975 , for which he wrote the introduction. In addition, he oversaw the 1976 Weiser publication Liber Al vel Legis , the first edition to add the autograph to the text of the sentence. In 1977 Wasserman arranged a re-photograph of Frieda Harris ' tarot paintings for use in an improved second edition of the Thoth tarot deck. Wasserman left Weiser in 1977 to start Studio 31 , where he published the Simon Necronomicon, a book supposedly the mythological Necronomicon made famous by HP Lovecraft . In 1994 Wasserman assembled a team of scientists, photographers and editors to publish a full-color version of the Egyptian Book of the Dead with the Papyrus of Ani. His edition of the Book of the Dead has been described by John Baines , professor of Egyptology at the University of Oxford , as "valuable in presentation, layout and commentary".

Ordo Templi Orientis

Wasserman has been a member of the Ordo Templi Orientis since 1976 and founded one of the oldest lodges, the Tahuti Lodge, in New York City in 1979. He played a key role within the Order in publishing the works of Aleister Crowley . Wasserman is described by Dan Burstein as "a co-founder of the modern Ordo Templi Orientis" in his guide Secrets of Angels and Demons to Dan Brown's novel Angels & Demons .

Basic philosophy

Wasserman's numerous writings point to a philosophy based on individual freedom and the possibility of direct personal experience of God within. This more modern conception of Gnosticism dispenses with the innumerable variations of the term, as they have long been used by numerous groups within the major religions. Modern Gnosticism presupposes the ability to establish a direct connection with the highest level of divinity . Wasserman develops the idea that political freedom offers mankind the best conditions for spiritual growth.

Public performances

Wasserman has appeared on several television networks including The History Channel , Discovery Channel , National Geographic Channel, and numerous radio shows including National Public Radio , Coast to Coast AM, and 21st Century Radio. In 2009 he discussed his book Secrets of Masonic Washington at the National Press Club in Washington, DC In 2012 his performance by Liber Israfel was broadcast on The Discovery on a show called Secrets of Secret Societies .

Works

As an author

• The Templars and the Assassins: The Militia of Heaven . Destiny Books, 2001. ISBN 978-0-89281-859-4
• The Slaves Shall Serve: Meditations on Liberty. Sekmet Books. 2004. ISBN 978-0971887015
• The Mystery Traditions: Secret Symbols & Sacred Art (a revised and expanded edition of Art & Symbols of the Occult, 1993). Destiny Books, 2005. ISBN 978-1-59477-088-3
• An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar. Destiny Books, 2006. ISBN 978-1-59477-117-0
• The Secrets of Masonic Washington: A Guidebook to Signs, Symbols, and Ceremonies at the Origin of America's Capital. Destiny Books, 2008. ISBN 978-1-59477-266-5
• To Perfect This Feast: The Gnostic Mass , Sekmet Books, 2013. ISBN 978-0-9718870-3-9
• The Temple of Solomon: From Ancient Israel to Secret Societies. Inner Traditions, 2011. ISBN 978-1-59477-220-7
• In the Center of the Fire: A Memoir of the Occult 1966-1989. Ibis Press, 2012. ISBN 978-0-89254-201-7
• The Book of Days: Perpetual Calendar. Intrinsic Books, 2014. ISBN 978-0-9718870-8-4
• Templar Heresy: A Story of Gnostic Illumination. (with Keith W. Stump and Harvey Rochman) Destiny Books, 2017. ISBN 978-1-62055-658-0

As editor

• Aleister Crowley , Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary , Redwheel / Weiser, 2006 ISBN 978-1-57863-372-2
• Una Birch , Secret Societies: Illuminati, Freemasons, and the French Revolution , Nicolas Hays, 2007 ISBN 978-0-89254-132-4
• Israel Regardie , Healing Energy, Prayer, and Relaxation , New Falcon Publications, 2009 ISBN 978-1-56184-183-7
• Thomas Stanley , Pythagoras: His Life and Teaching , Ibis Press, 2010 ISBN 978-0-89254-160-7
• The Weiser Concise Guide Series (5 titles) published by Redwheel / Weiser from 2006 to 2009
• Crowley Aleister, AHA! The Sevenfold Mystery of the Ineffable Love , New Falcon Publications, 2014 ISBN 978-1-56184-533-0

As a publisher

• The Egyptian Book of the Dead: Twentieth Anniversary , Edition: Eva Von Dassow, Chronicle Books in San Francisco, 2014 ISBN 978-1-4521-4438-2
• The Necronomicon , Edition: Simon, Ibis Press in Lake Worth, Florida, 2008 ISBN 978-0-89254-146-1
• Success Is Your Proof: One Hundred Years of OTO , Edition: Richard Kaczynski , Sekmet Books in North America, New York, 2015 ISBN 978-0-9863365-2-2

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Igliori, Paola (1996). American Magus: Harry Smith. New York, NY: Inandout Press. P. 275. ISBN 978-0962511998
2. ↑ Crowley, Aleister (1976). The Book of the Law. New York, NY: Samuel Weiser. ISBN 0-87728-334-6 .
3. ^ Wasserman, James (2012). In the Center of the Fire: A Memoir of the Occult 1966-1989. Lake Worth, FL: Ibis Press. P. 111. ISBN 978-0-89254-201-7
4. ↑ ustenergyradio.com
5. ↑ Simon, ed. (1977). The Necronomicon. New York, NY: Snake Force / Barnes Graphic
6. ^ Wasserman, James (2012). In the Center of the Fire: A Memoir of the Occult 1966-1989. Lake Worth, FL: Ibis Press. Pp. 145-147. ISBN 978-0-89254-201-7
7. ↑ timeshighereducation.com
8. ↑ timeshighereducation.com
9. ↑ Burstein, Dan (2004). Secrets of Angels and Demons. New York, NY: CDS Books. Pp. 140. 978-1593151409
10. ↑ Wasserman, James (2017). Divine Warriors: The Birth of Heresy. Destiny Books. P. 84
11. ^ Wasserman, James (2011). The Temple of Solomon: From Ancient Israel to Secret Societies. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-59477-220-7
12. ^ Political Liberty as a Spiritual Value
13. ↑ James Wasserman Media Page
14. ↑ James Wasserman at the National Press Club 2009 Part 1 YouTube

Web pages

• official website
• Studio 31, Inc.
• Wasserman podcasts at Thelema Now!
• Radio interviews with Hieronimus & Company, 21st Century Radio
• James Wasserman in the Internet Movie Database (English)