Espionage

British Intelligence Recruited Aleister Crowley Before He Joined Occult Order, Historian Claims

The Duran · How Occultists and Bankers Manufactured WW2 Germany w/ Matthew Ehret · July 5, 2026

The Duran

How Occultists and Bankers Manufactured WW2 Germany w/ Matthew Ehret

"There's this book by Richard Spence called Secret Agent 666 on Crowley and British intelligence, uh, which appears that there's there's some good evidence that he was recruited to British intelligence by Lord Glascoin Cecil in the 18 right before he became a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Um, and he was deployed first into Russia to set up networks there...then went went into to the United States...Crowley was largely the one responsible for the propag for the sinking of the Lucadia the actual like false flag where this passenger ship was laden with with weapons which would have broken America's neutrality in World War I."

Matthew Ehret cites historian Richard Spence's research claiming Aleister Crowley was recruited by British intelligence before joining the Golden Dawn occult order and deployed to establish intelligence networks in Russia and the United States. Most controversially, Ehret claims Crowley orchestrated the false flag sinking of the Lusitania by ensuring German intelligence learned the passenger ship carried weapons, creating the emotional trigger to draw America into WWI. Alexander Mercouris confirms Crowley's establishment connections and intelligence role.

About this episode

The Duran hosts Alexander Mercouris and a co-host interview historian Matthew Ehret about the rehabilitation of Nazi ideology in conspiracy-minded communities and the deep historical connections between occultism, intelligence agencies, and political power from the late 19th century through today. Ehret discusses his new documentary 'Black Sun Rising' and accompanying 200-page report examining how figures like Nick Fuentes and films like 'Europa' are reframing Hitler as heroic while portraying Stalin and Russia as villains. The conversation traces intellectual and occult movements from the 1870s onward, examining how Bismarck's rational, peace-oriented German leadership was displaced by mystical nationalist movements including Theosophy, New Templarism, and various occult orders. Ehret and Mercouris explore how British intelligence, particularly through figures like Aleister Crowley, weaponized occult networks for espionage and political manipulation, including alleged involvement in the Lusitania sinking. Mercouris reveals firsthand knowledge from his time at the Royal Courts of Justice about contemporary neo-Nazi occult groups operating in Britain with police awareness but without intervention, often led by former army officers. The discussion extends to post-Vietnam occult activity, connecting CIA Operation Phoenix commander Colonel Michael Aquino to both the Church of Satan and later US Army Intelligence programs that incorporated occult ideology into elite military training. Ehret raises concerns about Palantir's growing control over Western military AI and surveillance, noting CEO Alex Karp hired the grandson of British fascist leader Oswald Mosley after reciting a 1939 Mosley speech from memory. Throughout, both emphasize how trauma, elitism, and flights from reality enable occult ideologies to penetrate power structures, with direct continuities between early 20th century movements and contemporary tech and military leadership.

Key takeaways

Matthew Ehret warns that conspiracy communities are increasingly rehabilitating Hitler and Nazi ideology through content portraying him as heroic and Russia as the true villain of WWII.
Alexander Mercouris reveals from his Royal Courts experience that neo-Nazi occult groups led by former British army officers actively operate in Britain with police knowledge but without intervention.
Palantir UK CEO Louis Mosley, grandson of fascist leader Oswald Mosley, was hired after CEO Alex Karp recited a 1939 fascist speech from memory, raising concerns about ideology in surveillance tech leadership.
Historian claims Aleister Crowley was British intelligence operative who orchestrated Lusitania sinking as false flag to draw America into WWI by ensuring Germans learned ship carried weapons.
Colonel Michael Aquino, Church of Satan second-in-command who led CIA Operation Phoenix killing 40,000 Vietnamese civilians, later shaped US Army Intelligence occult training programs in the 1980s.
Both speakers trace continuity from late 19th century occult movements like Theosophy and New Templarism through intelligence agencies to contemporary power structures in military and technology sectors.
Bismarck's rational, peace-oriented leadership of Germany was displaced by mystical nationalist movements that helped create conditions for WWI, a pattern both see recurring today.