Strange Angel is a historical period drama that is being broadcast on CBS All Access. Currently, it is on its second season, which should provide interested individuals with some measure of assurance about whether it is worth watching or not. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about Strange Angel:
1. A Glimpse into the 1930s
Strange Angel transports viewers to the 1930s, a decade marked by the Great Depression, which caused immense suffering in the United States and beyond. The economic crisis also had a negative effect on popular confidence in existing institutions, contributing to the rise of fascism.
2. The Real-Life Protagonist
While some historical period dramas focus on fictional characters in non-fictional settings, Strange Angel is centered on a real person named Jack Parsons. The show’s faithfulness to the truth of Parsons’ life varies, but it provides an intriguing look into his story.
3. The Rocket Engineer
Jack Parsons is known for his significant contributions to rocket engineering. He was the first person to develop a rocket engine that used a castable, composite rocket propellant. Additionally, he co-founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Aerojet Engineering Corporation, among other achievements.
4. The Occultist
Parsons was also an occultist, which was not uncommon in the past. For example, Isaac Newton revolutionized our understanding of physics but was also an alchemist who took a serious interest in the philosopher’s stone. Parsons’ relatively recent existence makes his story even more fascinating for many people.
5. A Dual Passion for Science and Magic
Parsons developed an interest in both science and magic while still in school. He conducted numerous rocket experiments, leaving the backyard of his family home filled with craters. He also attempted to summon the Devil to his bedroom, an experience that temporarily halted his occult pursuits.
6. Embracing Thelema
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Parsons converted to Thelema, a new religion founded by British occultist Aleister Crowley. Thelema is highly individualistic, with practitioners seeking to understand and embrace their True Will, or ultimate purpose in life. The religion has deities, but opinions on their nature vary among followers.
7. Professional Consequences of Occultism
Parsons was ousted from both the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Aerojet Engineering Corporation due to his interest in the occult. At the time, Thelema had a poor reputation, and Parsons’ involvement with the Agape Lodge led to investigations by the FBI and the Pasadena Police Department, although no illegal activities were found.
8. The Sex Magician
One of the most sensational claims about Parsons’ life is that he was a sex magician. This is true, as he performed a series of magical ceremonies called the Babalon Working to summon a Thelemic goddess named Babalon to Earth, which included sex magic rituals.
9. Blacklisted During the Red Scare
During the Cold War, Parsons was blacklisted due to suspicions of Communist sympathies, resulting in the loss of his job and security clearance. He believed it was because he had disseminated one of Aleister Crowley’s tracts, but the FBI was more concerned about his membership in the ACLU and past connections with Marxists at Caltech. This had a significant negative impact on his life and relationships.
10. The Motto: “Per Aspera Ad Astra”
Parsons is known to have used the motto Per aspera ad astra, which translates to “through hardship to the stars.” Despite becoming a pariah in his lifetime, his scientific achievements are now recognized, and he is often considered one of the pioneers who made the U.S. space program possible.
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