Make It Yours – See Your Price On Amazon!
Your Sales Price $39.99 - $26.81
A quick rundown of this product’s key features:
An in-depth exploration of four centuries of American occult and spiritual history, from colonial-era alchemists to 20th-century teachers
• Details how, from the very beginning, America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world
• Looks at well-known figures such as Manly P. Hall and offers riveting portraits of many lesser known esoteric luminaries such as the Pagan Pilgrim, Tom Morton
• Reveals the Rosicrucians among the first settlers from England, the spiritual influence of enslaved people, the work of mystical abolitionists, and how Native Americans and Latinx people helped shape contemporary spirituality
Most Americans believe the United States was founded by pious Christians. However, as Ronnie Pontiac reveals, from the very beginning America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world.
Based on the latest research, with the assistance of leading scholars, this in-depth exploration of four centuries of American occult and spiritual history looks at everything from colonial-era alchemists, astrologers, and early spiritual collectives to Edgar Cayce, the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, and St. Germain on Mount Shasta. Pontiac shows that Rosicrucians were among the first settlers from England and explores how young women of the Shaker community fell into trances and gave messages from the dead. He details the spiritual influence of the African diaspora, the work of mystical abolitionists, and how Indigenous groups and Latinx people played a large role in the shaping of contemporary spirituality and healing practices.
The author looks at well-known figures such as Manly P. Hall and lesser known esoteric luminaries such as the Pagan Pilgrim, Tom Morton. He examines the Aquarian Gospel, the Sekhmet Revival, A Course in Miracles, the School of Ageless Wisdom, and mediumship in the early 20th century. He explores the profound influence of the Bodhi Tree Bookstore in Los Angeles and looks at the evolution of female roles in spirituality across the centuries. He also examines the right wing of American metaphysics from the Silver Legion to QAnon.
Revealing the diverse streams that run through America’s metaphysical landscape, Pontiac offers an encyclopedic examination of occult teachers, esotericists, and spiritual collectives almost no one has heard of but who were profoundly influential.
Our Top Reviews
Reviewer: K. Eastman
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Impressive
Review: I have only started reading this, but so far am quite impressed. I found the author on YouTube and wanted to support his work. It’s not often I find someone doing work under the radar that I find inspiring and beneficial to humanity. This author is the real deal. Check him out!
Reviewer: Chike
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: American history just got a lot more interesting.
Review: You know that time in your life when you’re a kid and you finally have a real conversation with your grandparents and they tell you their side of your family history and you had no idea that they had some seriously wild days in the past? Your parents may be pissed off that their sanitized history is kaput, but you feel more grounded, like you know yourself better.This book changed my whole idea of America. How come we weren’t ever taught any of this? It’s fun and lively w/great pace. An amusing tour guide tone. Some chapters are about people I never heard of. Like Thomas Morton the pagan pilgrim. That story and the chapter about John Winthrop the Younger will make you rethink what you know about the Pilgrims.I preferred the chapters that focused on one person but the others with many sections won me over. There are jokes to keep things moving. Each little story is interesting. Pontiac has a way of leaving the ironic fact for last. Sometimes you laugh. Other times you shake your head at the twists of fate.Other things I like about this book. The author shows how even sages can have a little con man about them, and visa versa. Lots of inspiring quotes. Clear concise writing. I thought it would be a good reference book, and it is. But it’s more than that. It reminds us of our humanity. And individuality. One reviewer described this book as cynical. I’m not sure what book he was reading. It sure wasn’t the one I read. Wit is not cynicism. Check out one of Pontiac’s many YouTube interview videos and you’ll see where he’s coming from.Amazon suggested this book because I bought Tamra Lucid’s book. Pontiac’s history with Manly P. Hall is told in that book. I gave it five stars, too.
Reviewer: Paul Williams
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Magnum Opus, but also Magnum Challenge
Review: Foremost: This book is a sumptuous feast through the mind of the scholar/author. I am deeply impressed and better for reading it.Two critiques: #1 This book is like listening to a scholar with ADHD; and, #2 Pontiac is so often snarky about everyone and everything, you walk away thinking he’s just a Nihilist– as if everyone and everything in spirituality is just a snake oil salesman joke.Feast: The research into this book is breathtaking. The book is literally thick. I felt I had a 7-course French meal after reading this book– no, a 24-course meal. This book is simply a Magnum Opus. I am blown way impressed by the scholarship.Critiques: Pontiac jumps from person to person and charlatan-to-charlatan so fast it’s a bit like watching a Movie Trailer, chapter after chapter. I would’ve liked fewer people and more depth per person.Secondly, the “snark” level is palpable. Pontiac presents some major historical figures of metaphysical world influence, but it seems they all got painted with the broad brush of his cynicism. Pontiac slips in sarcasm like mustard and ketchup on a hotdog– ever-present and dripping.However, all in all, I give it 4 stars– 4.5 if that category existed.This is a delicious, scrumptious book. But, you do have to ask Pontiac, “Dude, could you slow down? And, do you believe in ANYTHING?! Is everything a Carnival deception?!”
Reviewer: Don Webb
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Great History
Review: America has always had a tradition of metaphysics from the Rosicrucian ideals of the founders to modern neo-Egyptian religion. It has influenced art and letters and politics. If you have a friend that is fascinated by the history of ideas, buy this for them. If you have a friend that’s “into” the occult, but this for them. If you have a friend that’s tired of standard liberal or conservative narratives of American politics, buy this for them. There — I’ve care of your Christmas shopping. You’re Welcome.Don Webb_How to be a Modern Magus_
Reviewer: Kenneth Johnson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Major accomplishment and fun to read
Review: The breadth of coverage and depth of analysis make this a unique contribution to historical understanding. I was a fan before this was published so am biased (see endorsements on the product page), but the final product deserves five stars.
Reviewer: Monique Chapman
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: True American Religious history written in story form
Review: I recently read a remarkable book on American Metaphysical Religion by Pontiac. The author’s extensive research uncovers the truth about our founding fathers’ belief system, presented in great detail that keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages. As a history enthusiast, I highly recommend this must-read book. Listen to my intriguing interview with Ronnie on Get Over It! podcast.
Reviewer: LVX-Ray
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Great Read
Review: This book is no small offering and isn’t bogged down in slightest by being so densely packed with many of the famous names and various societies from American metaphysical history the title might suggest along with so many stories & an incredible cast of lesser-known characters that beg further exploration after reading.The huge amount of ground is covered quickly, is a pleasure to read and for those of us who had the good fortune to experience it ourselves or knew of the great good it did for so many, the Bodhi Tree Bookstore chapter alone is worth the price of admission.Highly recommended.
Reviewer: Samuel E. Wagar
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Focusing on the people in the metaphysical communities, their friendships, arguments, influences and mentoring relationships. Good history, good use of sources, and entertaining read.
Price effective as of Mar 23, 2025 15:24:41 UTC
As an Amazon Associate Dealors may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
