James Wasserman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Wasserman
Born	23 June 1948 New Jersey, United States
Died	18 November 2020 (aged 72)
Occupation	Author and occultist

James Wasserman (born June 23, 1948 – died November 18, 2020) was an American writer and book designer. He was interested in spiritual ideas and secret traditions. He wrote many books about freedom and spiritual growth. He was also a member of a spiritual group called Ordo Templi Orientis since 1976.

Working with Books and Publishing

James Wasserman started his career in 1973 at Weiser Books. This was a very large bookstore and publishing company. It specialized in books about spiritual and secret topics. While working there, he met interesting people like filmmakers Harry Smith and Alejandro Jodorowsky.

Important Books He Helped Publish

Wasserman helped publish several important books. In 1975, he worked with Marcelo Ramos Motta on Commentaries of AL. He also helped with a special edition of The Book of the Law in 1976. This was the first time the original handwritten pages were included with the printed text.

In 1977, James Wasserman helped improve the famous Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot deck. He arranged for the original paintings by Frieda Harris to be re-photographed. He also wrote the instruction booklet for the deck.

Starting His Own Studio

After leaving Weiser in 1977, Wasserman started his own company called Studio 31. There, he produced the Simon Necronomicon. This book was said to be the famous Necronomicon from the stories of H. P. Lovecraft. A new, high-quality version of this book was released in 2008.

In 1994, Wasserman put together a team to create a colorful version of The Egyptian Book of the Dead. This book featured the Papyrus of Ani, an ancient Egyptian scroll. A professor from the University of Oxford said his edition was very valuable. A new and improved version of this book came out in 2014.

His Role in Ordo Templi Orientis

James Wasserman joined the O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis) in 1976. This is a spiritual organization. In 1979, he started one of its oldest groups, called Tahuti Lodge, in New York City.

Publishing Works for the O.T.O.

He played a big part in publishing the writings of Aleister Crowley for the O.T.O. In 1983, he helped create The Holy Books of Thelema. This was a collection of Crowley's most important writings. In 2009, he and his wife Nancy published To Perfect This Feast. This book explained how to perform the Gnostic Mass, a special ceremony.

Sharing His Experiences

In 2012, Wasserman wrote In the Center of the Fire. This book shared his own experiences and how he helped the modern O.T.O. grow. In 2015, he helped create a book of essays called Success Is Your Proof. He also wrote an essay for this book.

His Ideas and Beliefs

James Wasserman's work and writings show his belief in individual freedom. He also believed that people could have a direct, personal experience with God or a higher power. This idea is part of what is called modern Gnosticism. It means that people can connect directly with the divine, without needing many rules or old traditions.

Public Talks and Appearances

James Wasserman also shared his knowledge with the public. In 2009, he talked about his book Secrets of Masonic Washington in Washington, D.C. In 2012, he was featured on The Discovery Channel in a show called Secrets of Secret Societies. He also gave talks about the history of the O.T.O. and performances of the Gnostic Mass, which were filmed and shared.

His Published Works

Books He Wrote

• "Introduction" in Motta, Marcelo (1975). The Commentaries of AL. New York, NY: Samuel Weiser. pp. ix-xi. ISBN: 0-87728-287-0.
• Instructions for Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot Deck. New York, NY: Samuel Weiser. 1978. ISBN 0-87728-444-X.
• “An Introduction to the History of the O.T.O.” in Crowley, Aleister (1986). The Equinox III, Vol. 3, No. 10. Samuel Weiser. p. 87. ISBN 0-87728-719-8.
• The Templars and the Assassins: The Militia of Heaven. Destiny Books, 2001. ISBN: 978-0-89281-859-4
• The Slaves Shall Serve: Meditations on Liberty. Sekmet Books. 2004.
• The Mystery Traditions: Secret Symbols & Sacred Art (a revised and expanded edition of Art & Symbols of the Occult, 1993). Destiny Books, 2005. ISBN: 978-1-59477-088-3
• An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar. Destiny Books, 2006. ISBN: 978-1-59477-117-0
• The Secrets of Masonic Washington: A Guidebook to Signs, Symbols, and Ceremonies at the Origin of America’s Capital. Destiny Books, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-59477-266-5
• Wasserman, James; Nancy Wasserman (2013). To Perfect This Feast: The Gnostic Mass (Revised third ed.). Sekmet Books. ISBN 978-0-9718870-3-9.
• The Temple of Solomon: From Ancient Israel to Secret Societies. Inner Traditions, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-59477-220-7
• In the Center of the Fire: A Memoir of the Occult 1966-1989. Ibis Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-89254-201-7
• The Book of Days: Perpetual Calendar. Intrinsic Books, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-9718870-8-4
• Templar Heresy: A Story of Gnostic Illumination. (with Keith W. Stump and Harvey Rochman) Destiny Books, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-62055-658-0

Books He Edited

• Crowley, Aleister (2006). Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary. Redwheel/Weiser. ISBN 978-1-57863-372-2. (originally published in 1993 by New Falcon Publications, new edition fully revised and expanded. With Frater Achad and J. Daniel Gunther)
• Birch, Una (2007). Secret Societies: Illuminati, Freemasons, and the French Revolution. Nicolas Hays. ISBN 978-0-89254-132-4.
• Regardie, Israel (2009). Healing Energy, Prayer, and Relaxation. New Falcon Publications. ISBN 978-1-56184-183-7. (with Colin Wilson, Christopher S. Hyatt, Ph.D. Lon Milo Duquette, AIMA)
• Stanley, Thomas (2010). Pythagoras: His Life and Teaching. Ibis Press. ISBN 978-0-89254-160-7.(with co-editor Daniel Gunther)
• The Weiser Concise Guide Series (5 titles) published by Redwheel/Weiser from 2006 to 2009
• Crowley, Aleister (2014). AHA! The Sevenfold Mystery of the Ineffable Love. New Falcon Publications. ISBN 978-1-56184-533-0. (Originally published in 1996, new edition fully revised and expanded. With J. Daniel Gunther, Frater Achad, and Israel Regardie.)

Books He Published

• Eva Von Dassow, ed. (2014). The Egyptian Book of the Dead: Twentieth Anniversary Edition. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 978-1-4521-4438-2.
• Simon, ed. (2008). The Necronomicon. Lake Worth, Florida: Ibis Press. ISBN 978-0-89254-146-1.
• Richard Kaczynski, ed. (2015). Success Is Your Proof: One Hundred Years of O.T.O. in North America. New York: Sekmet Books. ISBN 978-0-9863365-2-2.

See also

In Spanish: James Wasserman para niños

• William Breeze
• Lon Milo DuQuette
• Richard Kaczynski