I Interview Michael Bertiaux

I recently interviewed Michael Bertiaux, author, philosopher and artist with special interest in metaphysics and occultism. Contrary to what some would tell you, Bertiaux had little to do with Aleister Crowley’s teachings. Bertiaux was introduced to Voudoun in Haiti when he was head of a Epicopalian Church Museum of Art and Archaeology. He met Dante when he was a secretary for the Theosophical Society, then based in the Fine Arts Building, where my offices are located today.

Mr. Bertiaux maintained close ties to the Haitian community in Chicago and was very involved with the African American Spiritualist Movement. He was acquainted with Henry Rucker of the Psychic Institute and Attorney George Adams, founder of the Mission of the Invisible Sciences that was located at 5200 S Kimbark in Chicago.

Mr. Bertiaux was a teacher of John Keehan Dante and has given me an interview replete with acccounts of his influences from movies, in alchemy, transformation and shamanism. He has told me that John Dante was initiated as a priest of Voudoun in Hyde Park in Chicago. He shared with me information that explained, in his opinion and from his memory of their many conversations, his core influences and interests. It is Steve Reeves who comes to Bertiaux’s mind as an influence on Keehan, rather than Errol Flynn.

Dante’s connection to Bertiaux came through a business partner and student, Marc Lully. Mr. Lully was in business with Dante dealing in adult bookstores. Mr. Lully used the monies earned from these stores to finance his occult bookstore, Atlantis. A very popular north side center for occult information in the 60s and 70s. Dante was taking a mail order course in the Monetary of the Seven Rays, the “Seven Rays” being the divine energy responsible for the evolution of all life and a “magical offshoot of Roman Catholicism.

Now this is a far cry from the warning I got from uniformed people who have no first hand knowledge of Mr Bertiaux and his studies or practices. Good research requires work.

There is more to report, much much more. But you will only see that in the film. I can’t tell everything online. New information keeps coming., fantastic information I need to vet carefully before I reveal it. I just have to keep putting in the work.