Otto Rahn, Grail Hunter - by Richard Stanley (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

An investigation into the Holy Grail and the Cathar legacy

- Traces the journey of Otto Rahn, the occultist and one-time SS member who sought the Holy Grail and traveled widely throughout Europe as a researcher until his mysterious death in 1939

- Explores the modern legacy of the officially heretical Christian sect known as the Cathars

- Follows the author's own investigations into the location of the Grail and Rahn's legacy, taking readers on a journey through occult Europe

Meticulously following controversial 20th-century occultist, historian, and partially Jewish SS member Otto Rahn's investigations into the Holy Grail and Catharism, author and filmmaker Richard Stanley enters into the occult world of Europe. On his quest, the author encounters esoteric traditions that have survived since the Crusades and the Inquisition, ultimately finding a new spiritual path in his own life. At Rahn's family home in the Black Forest of Germany, Stanley unearths a cache of maps, photographs, and unpublished manuscripts. His journey in pursuit of Rahn's legacy then takes him to Montségur, in southern France, a mystical stronghold and one-time home of the Cathars, the esoteric and Gnostic Christian sect that was decimated in the medieval Albigensian Crusade. There he sees the extraordinary summer solstice light phenomenon that reveals the mystical past of the fortress and encounters witnesses who insist Rahn is still alive.

Methodically visiting every site on Otto Rahn's esoteric path, from France to Iceland, the author untangles legend from truth as he looks at the connections between the Cathars, the Rosicrucians, Julius Evola, neo-Cathar and Freemason Déodat Roché, and the mystical bleeding stones known as Lapsit exillis. He also examines the prophecy of the return of Esclarmonde de Foix, the White Lady, medieval priestess of the Cathars who appeared to Rahn during his search for the Grail.

Review Quotes

"Otto Rahn, Grail Hunter is the story of one flawed man's quest for the ultimate and redeeming treasure. Based on decades of firsthand research, this book sheds much-needed light on a shadowy, fateful figure but also relates to a perennial theme of the European spiritual tradition: the perilous quest for the greatest of all nonearthly treasures, the ever-elusive and transcendent Grail. Richard Stanley is a natural-born storyteller who draws the reader into his intriguing, strange, and darkly humorous tale of wonder and tragedy, where the threads of his own life and those of his subject become irrevocably interwoven. Those who who follow in the footsteps of the Grail hunters may soon find themselves transformed from skeptics into seekers, sharing in the triumphs and trials of the quest."-- "Aki Cederberg, author of Holy Europe and Journeys in the Kali Yuga"

"As the foremost authority on Otto Rahn, Richard Stanley has crafted the definitive account of the true Indiana Jones! He is the only one capable of unraveling the legend of the greatest grail hunter in history. His unparalleled insight makes this an essential read for any seeker of truth."-- "Andrew Gough, history television presenter, author, and researcher"

"At once a carefully researched, multi-layered historical analysis that includes important interviews with surviving witnesses as well as a deeply personal engagement with the material, this will be the definitive text on what we know and what we can know about the enigmatic and ultimately tragic figure of Otto Rahn--seeker of the Holy Grail and SS officer on Himmler's personal staff whose career spanned archaeological investigations at the Cathar fortress of Montségur and a stint as a prison guard at Dachau. This is the story not only of Rahn's struggle to unravel the Cathar secret, but also of what would become Richard Stanley's own quest to understand this tortured, lonely German scholar and to follow in his footsteps into a startling, luminous reality. Well written, engrossing, and indispensable for seekers of Grail history and its mysteries"-- "Peter Levenda, author of The Secret Temple and Unholy Alliance"

"Richard Stanley takes us on a fascinating hike through past and present, with rich scenery that is equal parts personal journey and fascinating occult history. From the Cathar castles to following the quest of occult-minded Nazis, Stanley quenches our thirst with a drink from the Grail in a literary journey you will want to take."-- "Chris Bennett, historian of spiritual entheogen use, author of Liber 420: Cannabis, Magickal Herbs a"

"Richard Stanley's research on Otto Rahn is unique. He has immersed himself in Rahn's life for many years and is a leading authority on the subject. He is also a wonderful storyteller, and I highly recommend his book."-- "Joy Millar, cofounder of the Saunière Society"

About the Author

Richard Stanley is a filmmaker and anthropologist whose films include Dust Devil, Hardware, and Color Out of Space. As a journalist and documentarian, he has covered events in Afghanistan, Rwanda, and Haiti. A frequent contributor to publications including Fortean Times and the Sauniére Society Journal, he lives in Occitanie, France.