The Nazi regime’s fascination with the occult has long captivated and horrified people in equal measure. The idea that one of history’s most brutal regimes actively pursued mystical artifacts and esoteric beliefs seems almost unfathomable. Yet, as this exploration reveals, occultism played a significant role in shaping Nazi ideology and propaganda efforts. From the völkisch movement’s embrace of Germanic paganism to Hitler’s occultism and quest for relics like the Spear of Destiny, the Nazis weaponized the supernatural to legitimize their hateful racial theories. This dark history serves as a chilling reminder of how fringe beliefs, when intertwined with political power, can be exploited to disastrous ends.
The Beginnings of Nazi Occultism
The fascination and obsession with the occult started in Germany long before Hitler’s rise to power. During the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a surge of interest in mysticism and esoteric beliefs. Secret societies and occult movements increased in popularity, often merging ancient Germanic myths with modern, often racist, ideologies.
One group that can be accredited with heavily influencing the Nazis is the Völkisch movement. Beginning in the late 19th century, the “Völkisch” can be defined as the “essence of the German nation” or the need to “purify the German race.” Inspired by this concept, Guido von List emerged — an Austrian occultist who blended Germanic paganism with nationalism.
After experiencing eleven months of temporary blindness after a cataract operation in 1902, List grew increasingly fascinated by occultism. He drew connections between the German language and alleged hidden meanings and messages within Germanic Hieroglyphics and the runic alphabet. List then went on to establish the List Society, which drew the attention of the völkisch, due to his belief that ancient Jewish rabbis stole Armanist teachings to create the Kabbalah, further incriminating the Jews. Though List passed years before the official creation of the Nazi party, his research and beliefs were held in high regard by members.
Another early figure that inspired the Nazis was Jörg Lanz von Liebenfels, who founded “Theozoology” and the Ordo Novi Templi, which combined occult ideas with racist views. Lanz’s central belief was that human races were the result of a breeding process by higher beings he called “Theozoa” and “Elektrozoa.” He suggested that these beings were superior electro-biotic machines with supernatural knowledge and powers.
According to Lanz, these beings’ knowledge extended beyond the physical universe into metaphysical dimensions, allowing them to perform miracles and possess divine powers. Hitler, among others, drew on these esoteric and racial theories. Lanz’s concept of secret, initiatory knowledge resonated with the Nazi leadership, who saw pure and applied science as almost exclusively Aryan achievements. The Nazis aimed to reassert Aryan dominance by eliminating the intelligentsia of occupied territories and fostering a submissive, unthinking population.
The Thule Society
One cannot talk about Nazi esoteric beliefs without discussing the Thule Society. The Thule Society was a secretive organization founded in Munich in 1918 as a study group for Germanic antiquity but quickly turned into a breeding ground for nationalist and anti-Semitic ideas that heavily influenced the early Nazi Party. The name Thule came from a mythical northern land that was believed to be the ancient homeland of the Germanic peoples.
The founder, Rudolf von Sebottendorff, was heavily influenced by Germanen Orden, a völkisch group dedicated to the revival of ancient Germanic traditions and the promotion of Aryan superiority. Sebottendorff recruited members by promoting an agenda combining occult mysticism with radical nationalist and anti-Semitic beliefs.
The Thule Society’s meetings often involved discussions on esoteric topics, ancient Germanic history, and the supposed Jewish threat to Germany. They propagated the idea that Jews were responsible for Germany’s misfortunes, including their defeat in World War I and the subsequent economic crises. The society also embraced the concept of an Aryan Atlantis, which they believed to be the cradle of a superior civilization that would eventually rise again and restore Germany’s greatness.
Himmler and the Wewelsburg Castle
Heinrich Himmler, one of the most powerful Nazi figures, and one of Hitler’s top lieutenants, was perhaps the most devoted to the occult to the point many would call obsession. Fascinated by Aryan myths and legends, he sought to revive ancient Germanic rituals and customs. Himmler transformed his personal castle, Wewelsburg, into a center for SS occult practices and rituals.
The Wewelsburg Castle was strategically chosen for its location near the site of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, an ancient place where German tribesmen defeated Roman armies dating all the way back to 9 BCE. The walls of the castle were covered in swastikas, and ancient Germanic runes and symbols. In one room, there were twelve large pillars, each representing SS leaders and paying homage to King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table.
Himmler issued important SS members with special rings, called Totenkopfrings or “Death’s Heads,” that were engraved with skulls, esoteric symbols, and Himmler’s name. Deceased SS members’ rings were kept in a casket inside of the castle. By the end of World War II, it is believed that Himmler had all remaining rings sealed inside a nearby mountain. Around 14,500 rings are believed to have been created, though many have been lost to time.
The Ahnenerbe: Nazi Occult Research
The Ahnenerbe, or Ancestral Heritage, was an institute founded in 1935 by Heinrich Himmler, Hermann Wirth, and Richard Walther Darré to conduct research on the cultural history of the Aryan race. Himmler saw the Ahnenerbe as a way to uncover ancient Germanic traditions, strengthen Nazi ideology, and prove the tenacity of the Aryan race through their supposed Viking Heritage. The group conducted expeditions worldwide, including most famously to Tibet and Scandinavia, searching for any evidence of ancient Aryan civilizations and their mystical practices.
The lost civilization of Atlantis, written about by popular figures such as Plato, was believed to be the mystical refuge for the lost Aryan race. Hitler hypothesized that the “Aryan” Nordic people migrated into India from the north around 1,500 years ago and committed the “crime” of intermingling with the indigenous “non-Aryan” populations. This, he believed, resulted in the dilution of their superior racial attributes, but may prove their heritage nonetheless.
While in Tibet, the group measured skulls and physical features, made casts of heads, faces, hands, and ears, collected finger and hand prints, took over 40,000 photographs, and gathered 2,000 “ethnographic artifacts” during their stay. The group also studied Tibetan legends, claiming that Buddhism and the Japanese Samurai legend were both originally inspired by Nordic tribes that had come to East and South Asia. Himmler even claimed from their research that, “the Nordic race did not evolve, but came directly down from heaven to settle on the Atlantic continent.”
However, though the group had not made significant progress in gathering physical evidence to back Hitler’s theory, they subsequently were forced to return to Germany at the onset of World War II.
The Quest for the Spear of Destiny and the Holy Grail
It’s clear that the Nazis were obsessed with acquiring mystical artifacts that they believed could grant supernatural power. One such artifact was the Spear of Destiny, also called the Spear of Longinus, which was a mythical lance that is said to have pierced Jesus Christ’s side during His crucifixion. Legend claimed whoever possessed the spear would be invincible. Historians debate whether Hitler actually believed in its power, yet in 1938 when invading Vienna, Hitler’s first destination was the Kunsthistorisches Museum to retrieve the spear. This, along with other stolen artifacts, were to be displayed in Hitler’s proposed grand museum, the Führermuseum.
Another object the Nazis searched for was the Holy Grail, the chalice believed to be used by Christ during the Last Supper. Otto Rahn, a German historian and grail seeker, believed that the Cathars, a medieval Christian sect, had hidden the relic near Montségur Castle in France. However, upon his visit to the castle, all Rahn could find were underground tunnels and he was unsuccessful in finding the grail. After publishing his journey in his first book, Crusade Against the Grail, Himmler took special notice of Rahn, as he too had an obsession with the Grail, going as far as to have a special room dedicated to it once it was found.
Occultism in Nazi Propaganda
The Nazi regime skillfully used occult symbolism in its propaganda to create a sense of mystique and invincibility. Symbols like the swastika, an ancient symbol of good fortune, were repurposed to represent Nazi ideology and evoke a connection to an imagined glorious Aryan past.
The Nazis also used Norse mythology and imagery in their propaganda posters to promote the idea that the Nordic people were an expansion of the Vikings, and together they could fight against “Bolshevism,” and promote Nazi expansion.
Nazi architecture and art also reflected these occult influences. The grand designs of Albert Speer and the monumental buildings of the Third Reich aimed to convey a sense of timeless power and destiny and were greatly inspired by ancient styles and motifs. Speer’s designs, particularly the unbuilt Volkshalle, were inspired by ancient Roman architecture. The Volkshalle was envisioned as a colossal domed structure, drawing directly from the Roman Pantheon. This design was meant to symbolize an empire intended to last a thousand years, mirroring the endurance of the Roman Empire.
Speer’s theory of “ruin value” was another concept borrowed from the ancient world, where buildings were designed to leave aesthetically pleasing ruins. This was to ensure that the legacy of the Third Reich would persist for millennia, similar to the ruins of ancient Rome and Greece.
Nazi architecture often incorporated symbols from Germanic and Norse mythology. For instance, the Nuremberg Rally Grounds featured designs intended to evoke a sense of mysticism and power. Speer’s use of searchlights to create the “Cathedral of Light” was intended to imbue Nazi rallies with a sense of otherworldly significance, blending political power with mystical spectacle.
However, the Nazi regime’s defeat in 1945 meant that many of its architectural visions were abandoned. The extensive urban renewal plans, which included demolishing and rebuilding large parts of Berlin, were left unfinished as the war intensified and eventually led to Germany’s surrender.
Conclusion
The Nazi obsession with the occult was more than just a curiosity — it fueled their racist quest for power. Leaders such as Hitler and Himmler saw mystical artifacts and ancient Aryan myths as a way to legitimize their hateful ideology of racial supremacy. Their use of occult symbols and mythology in propaganda cloaked their abhorrent agenda in a veil of mystique. The Nazi embrace of the supernatural served their drive for domination, making their occult entanglements a chilling example of how fringe beliefs can be weaponized by evil regimes. This dark history underscores the importance of vigilance against extremist ideologies masquerading as destiny.
