1. Heinrich Himmler Had Bizarre Occult Beliefs
The Wolfenstein video game franchise and Indiana Jones films lead the viewer to believe the Nazis
engaged in bizarre occult ceremonies, which includes but is not limited to: practicing of odd spiritual
rituals, military recruiting through raising the dead, and search for hidden treasures like the Holy
Grail.
Castle Wolfenstein Occult from Videogame Modeled on Existing Wewelsburg Castle
While this may seem like pure science fiction, it is actually not far from the truth. For example, the
"Castle Wolfenstein" from Wolfenstein videogames is based on an actual castle in southern Europe
called Wewelsburg, which was originally built in 1609. The castle became a symbol of German unity
centuries earlier when German tribes formed an alliance and stood against the Roman army. When
the Nazis rose to power, the second most powerful Nazi leader, Heinrich Himmler hoped to radically
expand this castle into his personal "Camelot." The castle would further serve as a spiritual training
centre for the SS and foster Himmler's extreme theories on Aryan racial supremacy. An oaken round
table was brought inside, which seated the top twelve SS leaders. As the reader may have guessed,
Himmler intentionally modeled it after the legend of King Arthur and his knights. When SS leaders
died, their bodies would be placed in urns and their ashes worshipped. There were even rumors
Himmler attempted to converse with fallen SS through their severed heads.
Heinrich Himmler's Strange Fascination with Dead German King Heinrich I
Further playing a role in the Nazi/Wewelsburg occult is Himmler's own twisted theories of history,
which were reflected in the videogame Return to Castle Wolfenstein. In the final level of the game,
the player is attacked by a centuries deceased Saxon King Heinrich I, whom the Nazis had
resurrected from the grave. The player must kill him to win. As it turns out, Heinrich I actually
existed and founded the first German medieval state centuries earlier. Himmler believed he himself
was a modern reincarnation of Heinrich, and dedicated his personal chamber also known as
"Himmler's Crypt" to the dead King.
Himmler's Warlock Karl Wiligut's Twisted Influence on the Nazi Leader
2. Yet Himmler's strange fascinations did not end with Heinrich I. Other twisted individuals, with
whom Himmler associated with contributed to his warped view of the world. One noteworthy
personality was Karl Maria Wiligut, who received the peculiar nicknames "Himmler's Warlock" and
"Himmler's Rasputin." Wiligut was committed to an insane asylum in 1924 for his strange occult
beliefs before linking up with Himmler and the Nazi party. As an example of his bizarre theories,
Wiligut believed Germany was originally settled in 12,000 b.c. by people from the lost continent
Atlantis. He also believed Christianity was derived from a German god "Krist," founder of the Avatar
religion in 12500 bc.
Himmler Funds Mental Patient Maria Wiligut's Projects
Himmler and Wiligut became good friends, and Himmler grew increasingly fascinated with his
twisted theories. Eventually Wiligut was promoted to SS - Brigadefuhrer (General). A large vertical
underground tunnel complex was constructed in his name, and Himmler financed the project. The
purpose behind this tunnel was to allow Wiligut and Himmler access into some lost subterranean
kingdom named "Agharti."
Indiana Jones Movies Raiders of the Lost Ark and Last Crusade Are Not Entirely Fiction
Himmler and Wiligut were also interested in another artifact, which became a template for the third
Indiana Jones movie. In Stephen Spielberg's Last Crusade, Harrison Ford reaches "The Holy Grail"
and comes into contact with the cup of Christ. This seemingly unreal scenario is similar to actual
archaeological pursuits by Otto Rahn, one of Himmler's subordinates. Rahn sought after the Holy
Grail in Languedoc, a region in southern France. Like those ventures of Wiligut, Himmler financed
this trip. Rahn's interest in the grail was mentioned in one of his books titled: Crusade against the
Grail in 1933. Apparently Himmler had read Rahn's book earlier and was heavily influenced by it.
Rahn believed "there were two grails: an emerald cup and a stone tablet." He thought the tablet was
associated with pre-German "super men," a view which Himmler undoubtedly shared.
Wewelsburg Castle is Still a Mystery - We may never know what Really Happened
The full extent of bizarre activity occurring inside the Wewelsbug castle remains shrouded in
mystery. The Nazis ordered the castle burnt down before it fell into Allied hands, and much of the
contents were destroyed. What is clear though is the legacy of the Holocaust only scratched the
surface of the twisted underworld of the Nazis.
Sources:
Otto Rahn - Otto Skorenzy Raiders of the Found Ark?
Treasure Hunt: A New York Times Reporter Tracks the Quedlinburg Hoard.
Himmler's Fortress of Fear: the SS Headquarters at Wewelsburg Castle.
Coppens, Philip. The Wewelsburg: The Nazi Grail Castle.
Wiligut's Short Biography.
Jones' Celtic Encyclopedia: Otto Rahn. 2003, Mary Jones.
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