🕊️ Spiritualism −3%

The Cult of the Occult: Falling Down the Russian Rabbit Hole

✍️ Du Tertre, Nancy
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review) 15 sold
$18.39 $18.99 Save $0.60 (3%)
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An attorney turned psychic documents her surreal training with Russian psychokinesis experts in St. Petersburg.

This account follows Nancy du Tertre as she enters the unusual sphere of Russian psychokinesis instruction. Expecting to master physical metal bending through mental focus, she finds herself exposed to intense psychological manipulation by local authorities in the field. The text details her encounters within a setting reminiscent of Cold War scientific research, highlighting the fine line between rigorous psychic training and sinister mind alteration.

Key Themes
Russian psychokinesis training Psychological mind manipulation Psychic phenomena research
Literary Context

The narrative takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia, drawing on the country's unique history of psychokinesis research and state-adjacent psychic experiments reminiscent of the Cold War era.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Dion Fortune · Aleister Crowley · Sri Aurobindo · The Urantia Book
🕊️
Spiritualism
🏛 White Crow Books 📅 2026 📖 250 pages 🌐 en 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781786772923
Fun Fact
Nancy du Tertre's "The Cult of the Occult" is a compelling, unsettling dive into the murky waters of Russian psychic training. It excels as a personal narrative of disorientation and self-discovery, expertly blending memoir with psychological suspense. Readers seeking a straightforward "how-to" guide for psychokinesis will be disappointed, as its focus is on the *experience* of being trained, not the techniques themselves. It carves a unique niche as a non-fiction thriller, offering a rare, candid look into a world often shrouded in mystery.

📝 Description: The Cult of the Occult: Falling Down the Russian Rabbit Hole

Attorney turned psychic Nancy du Tertre details her voyage to St. Petersburg, where she sought instruction from the most renowned Russian experts in psychokinesis. Her goal was learning how to bend metal using only the power of the mind. Instead, she encountered an environment where those same instructors worked to bend her own mind. The account captures a surreal descent into Russian psychic training methods, bringing together elements of Cold War scientific experimentation and psychological thrillers. Du Tertre brings her background as a legal professional alongside her experience as a psychic practitioner to document this strange world. Her investigation covers psychokinesis, mind manipulation, psychic phenomena, and near death experiences. The material tracks her direct encounters with prominent Russian figures skilled in mental influence and psycho-physical training techniques. This volume suits readers interested in psychic research, psychokinesis, and unconventional Russian paranormal experiments. It will not suit readers looking for standard instructional manuals on spellwork or general historical overviews of European occultism, as the content centers on a personal, contemporary account of mind control and mental physics.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Du Tertre delivers a disorienting yet compelling narrative that questions the authenticity of psychic mastery. While it succeeds as a surreal account of cultural immersion, it may not suit readers seeking straightforward, dogmatic occult instruction or those who prefer clear distinctions between fact and fiction in esoteric literature. The book’s strength lies in its psychological depth rather than practical technique. Readers looking for simple spoon-bending tutorials will be disappointed, but those interested in the covert manipulation inherent in some spiritual lineages will find it thought-provoking and unsettling.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the blurred lines between genuine spiritual development and psychological manipulation will find this account deeply engaging. It is ideal for those intrigued by the history of Russian esotericism and the complex dynamics of psychic training. If you enjoy memoirs that challenge perceptions of reality and explore the mind's potential, this narrative offers a unique perspective on occult education. It appeals to skeptics and believers alike who want to understand how perception can be shaped in high-stakes spiritual environments.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
If you're fascinated by the human mind's hidden powers, enjoy non-fiction thrillers, or are curious about the shadowy intersections of psychic phenomena and Cold War intrigue, this book is for you. Prepare for a journey that challenges your assumptions about reality and control.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Du Tertre delivers a disorienting yet compelling narrative that questions the authenticity of psychic mastery. While it succeeds as a surreal account of cultural immersion, it may not suit readers seeking straightforward, dogmatic occult instruction or those who prefer clear distinctions between fact and fiction in esoteric literature. The book’s strength lies in its psychological depth rather than practical technique. Readers looking for simple spoon-bending tutorials will be disappointed, but those interested in the covert manipulation inherent in some spiritual lineages will find it thought-provoking and unsettling.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it describes psychic training, "The Cult of the Occult" is primarily a memoir and investigative narrative, not an instructional manual for acquiring abilities like psychokinesis.
This is a non-fiction account based on the author's actual experiences, blending elements of personal discovery with the suspense of a psychological thriller rooted in reality.

📖 Who should read this

If you're fascinated by the human mind's hidden powers, enjoy non-fiction thrillers, or are curious about the shadowy intersections of psychic phenomena and Cold War intrigue, this book is for you. Prepare for a journey that challenges your assumptions about reality and control.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Psychic Potential Unveiled

Explores the practical application and training methods for psychokinesis, detailing the author's attempts to cultivate abilities like metal bending. The narrative delves into both the scientific claims and the esoteric practices surrounding these extraordinary human faculties, challenging conventional understanding of the mind's power.

Psychological Warfare

Unpacks the subtle and overt methods of mental manipulation employed by the Russian trainers. The book portrays a chilling narrative of how an individual's perception, trust, and even sanity can be systematically undermined, blurring the lines between instruction and coercive control in a high-stakes environment.

Russian Esoteric Traditions

Offers a unique glimpse into the secretive world of Russian psychic research and training, distinct from Western approaches. It highlights the cultural nuances and historical context that shaped these practices, providing insight into a little-known aspect of post-Soviet spiritual and scientific exploration.

📜 Historical context

This work situates itself within the long tradition of esoteric travelogues and accounts of psychic research, particularly those touching upon Cold War-era experimentation. It echoes the historical fascination with parapsychology in both the East and West, offering a personal narrative that highlights the often-unsettling realities of such pursuits beyond academic study.

📚 Glossary

Psychokinesis
Near-Death Experience (NDE)
Esotericism

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on a time you felt your perception of reality was challenged. How did you navigate that experience?
  2. Consider the ethical implications of advanced psychic training, especially when conducted by powerful, secretive organizations.
  3. How do cultural differences influence the understanding and pursuit of esoteric knowledge or psychic abilities?

✍️ More books by this author Du Tertre, Nancy

All books by this author →
How to Talk to an Alien -12%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Du Tertre, Nancy
How to Talk to an Alien
$13.99 $15.99
89
Psychic Intuition: Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask But Were Afraid to Know -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Du Tertre, Nancy
Psychic Intuition: Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask But Were Afraid to Know
$18.99 $21.95
83

🏛 Books from this publisher White Crow Books

All books from this publisher →
How To Understand Your Bible: A Philosopher's Interpretation of Obscure and Puzzling Passages -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Hall, Manly P
How To Understand Your Bible: A Philosopher's Interpretation of Obscure and Puzzling Passages
$21.99 $25.99
82
Passport to the Cosmos -11%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Mack, John E
Passport to the Cosmos
$30.99 $34.99
81
Passport to the Cosmos -6%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Mack, John E
Passport to the Cosmos
$21.49 $22.99
79
The Unobstructed Way: A True Account of the Exploration of Life After Death -3%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Pontiac, Ronnie
The Unobstructed Way: A True Account of the Exploration of Life After Death
$18.39 $18.99
81
Phone Calls From the Dead: The Results of a Two-Year Investigation into an Incredible Phenomenon -3%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Rogo, D Scott
Phone Calls From the Dead: The Results of a Two-Year Investigation into an Incredible Phenomenon
$18.39 $18.99
86
The Only Planet of Choice: Essential Briefings From Deep Space -7%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Schlemmer, Phyllis V
The Only Planet of Choice: Essential Briefings From Deep Space
$24.99 $27.00
82
No One's Dead: The Jesus Messages -4%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Beecher, Jonathan
No One's Dead: The Jesus Messages
$19.17 $19.99
87
Uri: A Journal of the Mystery of Uri Geller -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Puharich, Andrija
Uri: A Journal of the Mystery of Uri Geller
$16.99 $19.99
88

You might also like

See more →
How to Talk to an Alien -12%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Du Tertre, Nancy
How to Talk to an Alien
$13.99 $15.99
89
Psychic Intuition: Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask But Were Afraid to Know -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Du Tertre, Nancy
Psychic Intuition: Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask But Were Afraid to Know
$18.99 $21.95
83
Letters from a Living Dead Man -4%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Barker, Elsa
Letters from a Living Dead Man
$10.51 $10.99
91
The Book on Mediums -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Kardec, Allan
The Book on Mediums
$16.99 $19.99
90
A Glimpse of Heaven: The Remarkable World of Spiritually Transformative Experiences -12%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Wills-Brandon, Carla
A Glimpse of Heaven: The Remarkable World of Spiritually Transformative Experiences
$13.99 $15.99
90
The Afterlife Explorers: Vol. 1: The Pioneers of Psychical Research -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Tymn, Michael
The Afterlife Explorers: Vol. 1: The Pioneers of Psychical Research
$12.99 $14.99
90
The Spirits Book (Revised) Kardec, Allan -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Kardec, Allan
The Spirits Book (Revised) Kardec, Allan
$19.99 $22.99
89
When Spirits Come Calling: The Open-Minded Skeptic's Guide to After-Death Contacts -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Wright, Sylvia Hart
When Spirits Come Calling: The Open-Minded Skeptic's Guide to After-Death Contacts
$15.99 $18.99
89
Uri: A Journal of the Mystery of Uri Geller -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Puharich, Andrija
Uri: A Journal of the Mystery of Uri Geller
$16.99 $19.99
88
The Road to Immortality -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Cummins, Geraldine
The Road to Immortality
$12.99 $14.99
88
Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist