Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The esoteric world is a mashup culture. You can mix and match whatever you want using the myths, religions, and histories of the past. And just so long as you sell it, you can get people to follow you." — Marcus Parks
"The Knights Templar looked super cool in a way that frankly appeals to nerds." — Henry Zebrowski
"It's not that I appreciate the work that Joe Demombro put in. But I will say there is an entrepreneurship discerning occult that I respect in a way." — Ben Kissel
This episode meticulously traces the origins of the Order of the Solar Temple, focusing on its two primary leaders: Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret. Di Mambro, a man with a background in esoteric societies like the Ancient and Mystic Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), is presented as the strategic mastermind who understood how to package and sell esoteric knowledge. His early ventures into "cults" and his arrest record for impersonating a psychologist and writing bad checks highlight his manipulative tendencies and entrepreneurial approach to occultism. The narrative then introduces Luc Jouret, a charismatic physician with a background in homeopathy and an obsession with the Knights Templar. Jouret's charisma and intellectual appeal, particularly his ability to blend New Age philosophies with apocalyptic warnings, made him an effective figurehead.
The episode emphasizes how Di Mambro and Jouret, despite their different approaches, shared a common fascination with the Knights Templar mythology. This historical order, with its mystique and perceived persecution, provided a potent narrative of victimhood and secret knowledge that could be leveraged to attract followers. The transition from Di Mambro's "Foundation of the Golden Way" and Jouret's followers from his "Renewed Order of the Temple" led to the formation of the Order of the Solar Temple. The structure of this new organization is detailed, revealing a tiered system (Amanta Club, Arcadia Club, International Nighthood) designed to extract increasing levels of commitment, knowledge, and financial resources from its members, often symbolized by progressively darker capes.
The episode highlights the calculated nature of the Order's formation, with Jouret serving as the public face and Di Mambro orchestrating the underlying mythology and control mechanisms. The blend of esoteric teachings, apocalyptic prophecies, and the allure of secret knowledge, all packaged with a compelling leadership, laid the groundwork for the cult's later, more sinister activities, which will be explored in subsequent episodes.