Miguel Serrano (1917–2009) was a Chilean diplomat, poet, and esoteric writer whose works blend spirituality, mythology, and controversial far-right ideologies. Over his lifetime, his writings evolved from literary and mystical explorations to deeply idiosyncratic theories fusing Nazi occultism, Hindu mysticism, and Aryan supremacist beliefs. His later works, often categorized under “Esoteric Hitlerism,” remain polarizing and widely criticized for their revisionist historical claims and extremist symbolism.
Key Themes in Serrano’s Works
- Esoteric Hitlerism:
Serrano’s most infamous concept, outlined in The Golden Thread: Esoteric Hitlerism (1978) and Adolf Hitler: The Ultimate Avatar (1984), posits Adolf Hitler as a divine, messianic figure. He claimed Hitler was an avatar of Vishnu sent to combat a materialistic world dominated by “demonic” forces (often coded as Jewish or “cosmopolitan” elites). Serrano framed Nazism as a transcendent spiritual movement, not merely political, tied to ancient Hyperborean (Aryan) traditions. - Syncretism of Eastern and Western Mysticism:
Influenced by his diplomatic postings in India and interactions with Hindu gurus, Serrano merged concepts from Tantra, Buddhism, and Jungian psychology into his worldview. In The Serpent of Paradise (1963), he recounts spiritual journeys in the Himalayas, blending travelogue with mystical allegory. - Hyperborean Mythology:
Serrano’s works, such as NOS: Book of the Resurrection (1980), describe a lost Arctic homeland (Hyperborea) as the origin of a superior Aryan race. He linked this myth to Nazi symbolism, asserting that the SS sought to revive this primordial tradition. - Anti-Semitic and Anti-Modernist Conspiracies:
His writings frequently promote anti-Semitic tropes, framing Jews as agents of chaos opposing the “Aryan spirit.” He also rejected modernity, democracy, and Christianity, which he viewed as corruptions of ancient pagan wisdom.
Major Works
- Literary Phase: Early works, such as Antología del verdadero cuento en Chile (1938) and poetry collections (La muerte del mago, 1942), reflect surrealist and existential themes.
- Spiritual Explorations: The Visits of the Queen of Sheba (1974) combines autobiography with esoteric musings, while C.G. Jung and Hermann Hesse: A Record of Two Friendships (1966) details his interactions with Jung and Hesse.
- Esoteric Hitlerism Trilogy:
- The Golden Thread (1978)
- Adolf Hitler: The Ultimate Avatar (1984)
- Manú: For the Man to Come (1991)
These texts systematize his belief in Hitler’s spiritual mission and the need for an Aryan resurrection.
Influences and Controversies
Serrano drew from thinkers like Julius Evola, Savitri Devi, and Carl Jung, though he reinterpreted their ideas through his extremist lens. His works gained a cult following among neo-Nazi and occult circles but are dismissed by scholars as pseudohistorical and dangerous propaganda. Critics note his distortion of Hindu and Buddhist concepts to fit Aryan supremacy narratives, as well as his reliance on conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial tropes.
Cultural Impact
Serrano’s writings influenced fringe far-right movements, particularly in South America and Europe. His fusion of mysticism and Nazism prefigured later “alt-right” esotericism, such as the “Traditionalist” movements online. However, mainstream academia and historians reject his ahistorical and ethically reprehensible claims.
Conclusion
Miguel Serrano’s works straddle the line between mystical poetry and extremist ideology. While his early literary contributions are recognized in Chilean cultural history, his later esoteric theories remain a cautionary example of how myth and spirituality can be weaponized for political extremism. Scholars urge critical engagement with his texts to dismantle their conspiratorial foundations and challenge their enduring appeal in marginalized ideological groups.
Key Points:
- Esoteric Hitlerism: Framed Nazism as a spiritual battle for Aryan resurrection.
- Syncretic Mysticism: Blended Eastern spirituality, Jungian psychology, and Nazi occultism.
- Hyperborean Myth: Promoted a lost Arctic homeland as the Aryan origin.
- Controversy: Works criticized as anti-Semitic, ahistorical, and foundational to far-right extremism.
Serrano’s legacy underscores the dark intersection of mysticism and fascist ideology, serving as a reminder of the dangers of mythologizing history.