Doomsday Cult from the 1690s: Johannes Kelpius and Occult Monks in Philly

<p><strong>In the 1690s, a Transylvania-born mystic, occultist, musician, and writer named Johannes Kelpius led a group of 40 Rosicrucian monks to colonial Philadelphia to wait for the end of the world.</strong></p> <p>Though Kelpius and his group of highly-educated mystics were disappointed when the day of revelation didn't come, they made the best of their new home, building an observatory, a botanical garden, and an orchard. They also wrote poetry, composed music, and studied alchemy, divination, and conjuring.</p> <p>Records show that they experienced a number of paranormal events, including the sighting or a ghostly figure at the edge of the woods during a celebration around a bonfire, blue flames emerging from a fresh grave, and more. There are also stories of Kelpius' followers performing astral projection, and Kelpius himself possessed a magical stone that he guarded fiercely, but which has since vanished.</p> <p>Highlights include:<br /> • A ghost who appeared at a bonfire-lit celebration<br /> • Blue flames emerging from a fresh grave<br /> • A cave full of serpents<br /> • Astral projection into a London coffeehouse<br /> • The philosopher's stone?</p> <p>For the shownotes and sources, visit <a href= "https://buriedsecretspodcast.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">buriedsecretspodcast.com</a>.</p> <p>Follow on instagram <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/buriedsecretspodcast/">@buriedsecretspodcast</a></p> <p>E-mail at <a href= "mailto:buriedsecretspodcast@gmail.com">buriedsecretspodcast@gmail.com</a>. </p>