In the Shadows of the Third Reich: The Thule Society and the Macabre Rituals of the Nazis
Nazism has long been associated with occult influences that have horrified historians, enthusiasts, students, etc., for years. Acting as the rough nexus of this shadowy narrative is the Thule Society, a secret society that has become almost mythic in its role in shaping Nazi metaphysics. The following article examines this society, the Thule Society, and discusses its roots in Europe to right up through today, examining how these rituals and beliefs ultimately made their way into the heart of Nazism.
The Thule Society
Founded in 1918 by Rudolf von Sebottendorff, the Thule Society was named after a mythical island called Ultima / Thule or Hyperborea (myth today misplaced nine miles east of Greenland.), from where it was believed that Aryan peoples originated. This appealed to members who held an interest in ancient Germanic folklore, secret societies, and nationalistic schools of thought.
From its inception, a mish-mash of esoteric mysticism and rabid nationalism camouflaged the ideology that would later provide fertile soil for what was soon to become wrapped in red - the blooming Nazi movement. The Thule Society had been consumed with finding ancient secrets, playing with magic. They based themselves on the myth of Aryan supremacy and a desire to resurrect what they considered prior greatness.
This obsession with racial purity and mysticism would be the foundation of their Nazi ideology - impacting policies, practices, and propaganda. Initiation into the ranks of Thule held a veil of mystery and ritual. The inclusion of new members involved complex initiation procedures intended to determine the degree of loyalty and faithfulness that they had toward their astute religious leader. The rituals were frequently configured as rites calling upon ancient deities, involving symbolic sacrifices, and pledging allegiance to the society's dark beliefs.
Thule Society and the Nazi Party
The Thule Society exerted great influence in the formative years of the Nazi party. Anton Drexler and Dietrich Eckart had important connections with Adolf Hitler to the nationalist political groups that became Thule as well. The groundwork for this melding of rabid nationalism with occult mysticism had been laid by these early associations in the mind (and I use that term generously) of Adolf Hitler.
Members of Thule were skilled in using mysticism and symbology to create various ritual codes. They thought these symbols could channel cosmic or telluric energies and act as a means of mass control. The power of symbolism was a cornerstone in the aesthetic language and overarching ideologies presented by Nazi propaganda, often utilized to obscure messages behind esoteric imagery.
But for the Nazi elite itself, occultism was not just symbolic. Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS, had an extreme interest in occult studies and created the Ahnenerbe, an organization dedicated to researching ancient Germanic traditions alongside mystical artifacts. Himmler became obsessed with the occult and to this end, he invented a great number of rituals and ceremonies, all inspired by what Himmler believed were his orders from Thule.