Paschal Beverly Randolph

Paschal Beverly Randolph (October 8, 1825 - July 29, 1875) was born according to conflicting sources in New York or Virginia, a free man of mixed-race ancestry.

Related Topics:
October 8 - 1825 - July 29 - 1875 - New York - Virginia

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His background led naturally to his being a spokesman for the abolition of slavery, and he trained as a doctor of medicine. However, Randolph was also a spiritualist, and an advocate of the use of hashish to create trances. After initiation by Eliphas Levi, Randolph founded the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis, the oldest Rosicrucian organization in the United States, which today avoids mention of Randolph's assiduous interest in sex-magic.

Related Topics:
Slavery - Medicine - Hashish - Eliphas Levi - Fraternitas Rosae Crucis - Rosicrucian - United States

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His magico-sexual theories and techniques formed the basis of much of the teachings of The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor although it is not clear whether or not Randolph himself was ever actually associated with the Order (Godwin et al 1995).

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Famous occultists and practitioners of sex magic Theodor Reuss and Aleister Crowley were heavily influenced by Randolph in both organizing the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) and in their sex magic rituals. However, the major difference between Randolph's sex magic and that of Reuss and Crowley is that Randoplh was working from a standpoint of gender parity and the latter were male-centered exclusively. In practical terms, this means that Randolph sought to produce spiritual and magical effects through prayers or invocations agreed upon prior to the mutual orgasm of both partners ("the nuptive moment"), whereas Reuss and Crowley believed that women were little more than passive vehicles for male spiritual attainment and the male orgasm.

Related Topics:
Sex magic - Theodor Reuss - Aleister Crowley - Ordo Templi Orientis

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In 1875 Randolph committed suicide at the age of 49 and was succeeded as Supreme Grand Master of the Fraternitas, and in other titles, by his chosen successor Freeman B. Dowd.

Related Topics:
Suicide - Freeman B. Dowd

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In 1996 the biography ' by John Patrick Devaney and Franklin Rosemont was published (ISBN 0791431207).

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