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The Higherside Chats

Richard Stanley | The Suppressed History of The Cathars, Mystic Montségur, & The Nazi Grail Quest

Jan 15, 2024
Richard Stanley, a South African filmmaker known for his work in horror, discusses fascinating topics in this podcast. He explores the suppressed history of the Cathars, a group that rejected organized religion and emphasized direct spiritual communion. The podcast also delves into the Nazi obsession with the Holy Grail, the suppressed history of ancient high society and magical technology, and the blurring line between fiction and reality. There is also mention of an upcoming book on the controversial figure Otto Wilhelm Rahn and a discussion on uncovering lost history.
01:30:31

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Montsegur in the French Pyrenees holds mystical energies and functions as a portal place, attracting seekers of high strangeness and offering a sense of timelessness and altered states of consciousness.
  • Otto Rahn's obsession with the Holy Grail led him to investigate Montsegur and other sacred sites, intertwining with Nazi occult interests and the possibility of hidden realms and ancient artifacts.

Deep dives

The Mysteries of Montsegur and the Cathars

Montsegur was the last stronghold of the Cathars, a group of enlightened Christians persecuted by the Catholic Church in the 12th century. The Cathars practiced a form of Christianity that emphasized direct spiritual communion and rejected the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church. Montsegur and the surrounding areas in the French Pyrenees are believed to hold mystical energies and function as portal places. The rugged terrain and deep valleys of the region have preserved the secrets and legends of the Cathars, making it a beacon for pilgrims and seekers of high strangeness. The area is known for its UFO sightings, fairy encounters, and unexplained phenomena. Many people who visit Montsegur believe they are reincarnated Cathars and experience vivid memories of the events that transpired there. The power of the place can be overwhelming, leading to a sense of timelessness and altered states of consciousness.

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