Spencer Kansa – Wormwood Star – Review

 

While looking through old notes, particularly my research into Aleister Crowley and the American pioneer of rocket science, Jack Parsons, the name Marjorie Cameron came up, leading to this fine biography. Cameron was Parson's second wife, who met at his infamous house in Pasadena, California. It was here Parson introduced her to Crowley's occult religion OTO. Cameron immersed herself into the cult's rituals and magic. Later becoming an American Occult icon.

Cameron is best known for her art and film appearances in underground circles.

Parson's and Cameron's marriage was relatively short-lived, as Jack Parson's died in his garage from a chemical explosion at 36. Conspiracy theories around Parson's death abound, from suicide to a government assassination. As co-founder of JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and given a high-security clearance, his cult activities were highly scrutinized by the government. At his death, Jack was working on a deal with the Israeli government and a promise to work in the new Jewish State. As a result, the end was deemed an accident. But even Cameron, though quite late in her life, still believed the conspiracies surrounding his death. She was left bereft and financially insecure, without any way to make a living.

For most of her life, Cameron depended on friends and members of the OTO. The woman's survival skill is quite astonishing, using her charm and talent as an artist. People commented on her presence, her undeniable "witchy" aura, and her power of personality. Cameron remained in California, eventually marrying again and having children and grandchildren. 

Although Kansa paints her life as a mysterious, whole existence, practicing her religion and pursuing other spiritual paths, her life was a constant battle and ultimately a sad one.

Cameron met many Hollywood luminaries working with Denise Hopper and the avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger.

Only after she died in 1995 did her artwork receive critical acclaim. Her work, of course, is otherworldly, reflecting her astral and inner-spiritual world.

After reading this biography, I found it challenging to place Marjorie Cameron into any distinct category: artist, actor, medium, occult practitioner, poet, beat poet, hippy, magi, witch, insane or insane – she defies any classification, though she can be all these things.

If you're curious about America's occult history beginning with the OTO in California and the many interesting people involved, Kansa's biography of this fascinating individual will not go astray.