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

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. 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. 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. Highlights include: • A ghost who appeared at a bonfire-lit celebration • Blue flames emerging from a fresh grave • A cave full of serpents • Astral projection into a London coffeehouse • The philosopher's stone? For the shownotes and sources, visit buriedsecretspodcast.com. Follow on instagram @buriedsecretspodcast E-mail at [email protected].