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Hubbard befriended Parsons and soon became sexually involved with Parsons's 21-year-old girlfriend, Sara "Betty" Northrup. Hubbard, whom Parsons referred to in writing as "Frater H," became an enthusiastic collaborator in the Pasadena OTO. The two men visited [[Devil's Gate Dam]] and collaborated on the "[[Babalon Working]]", a [[sex magic]] ritual intended to summon an incarnation of [[Babalon]], the supreme [[Thelema|Thelemite]] Goddess. It was undertaken over several nights in February and March 1946 in order to summon an "elemental" who would participate in further sex magic. | Hubbard befriended Parsons and soon became sexually involved with Parsons's 21-year-old girlfriend, Sara "Betty" Northrup. Hubbard, whom Parsons referred to in writing as "Frater H," became an enthusiastic collaborator in the Pasadena OTO. The two men visited [[Devil's Gate Dam]] and collaborated on the "[[Babalon Working]]", a [[sex magic]] ritual intended to summon an incarnation of [[Babalon]], the supreme [[Thelema|Thelemite]] Goddess. It was undertaken over several nights in February and March 1946 in order to summon an "elemental" who would participate in further sex magic. | ||
The "elemental" arrived a few days later in the form of Marjorie Cameron, who agreed to participate in Parsons's rites. Soon afterwards, Parsons, Hubbard and Sara agreed to set up a business partnership, "Allied Enterprises", in which they invested nearly their entire savings—the vast majority contributed by Parsons. The plan was for Hubbard and Sara to buy yachts in Miami and sail them to the West Coast to sell for a profit. Hubbard had a different idea; he wrote to the U.S. Navy requesting permission to leave the country "to visit Central & South America & China" for the purposes of "collecting writing material"—in other words, undertaking a world cruise. | The "elemental" arrived a few days later in the form of [[Marjorie Cameron]], who agreed to participate in Parsons's rites. Soon afterwards, Parsons, Hubbard and Sara agreed to set up a business partnership, "Allied Enterprises", in which they invested nearly their entire savings—the vast majority contributed by Parsons. The plan was for Hubbard and Sara to buy yachts in Miami and sail them to the West Coast to sell for a profit. Hubbard had a different idea; he wrote to the U.S. Navy requesting permission to leave the country "to visit Central & South America & China" for the purposes of "collecting writing material"—in other words, undertaking a world cruise. | ||
Aleister Crowley strongly criticized Parsons's actions, writing: "Suspect Ron playing confidence trick—Jack Parsons weak fool—obvious victim prowling swindlers." Parsons attempted to recover his money by obtaining an injunction to prevent Hubbard and Sara leaving the country or disposing of the remnants of his assets. They attempted to sail anyway but were forced back to port by a storm. A week later, Allied Enterprises was dissolved. Parsons received only a $2,900 promissory note from Hubbard and returned home "shattered." He had to sell his mansion to developers soon afterwards to recoup his losses. | Aleister Crowley strongly criticized Parsons's actions, writing: "Suspect Ron playing confidence trick—Jack Parsons weak fool—obvious victim prowling swindlers." Parsons attempted to recover his money by obtaining an injunction to prevent Hubbard and Sara leaving the country or disposing of the remnants of his assets. They attempted to sail anyway but were forced back to port by a storm. A week later, Allied Enterprises was dissolved. Parsons received only a $2,900 promissory note from Hubbard and returned home "shattered." He had to sell his mansion to developers soon afterwards to recoup his losses. | ||
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Hubbard described ''Dianetics'' as "the hidden source of all psychosomatic ills and human aberration" when he introduced ''Dianetics'' to the world in the 1950s. He further claimed that "skills have been developed for their invariable cure." On May 9, Hubbard's book ''Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health'' was published by Hermitage House. Hubbard abandoned freelance writing in order to promote ''Dianetics'', writing several books about it in the next decade and delivering an estimated 4,000 lectures while founding Dianetics research organizations. | Hubbard described ''Dianetics'' as "the hidden source of all psychosomatic ills and human aberration" when he introduced ''Dianetics'' to the world in the 1950s. He further claimed that "skills have been developed for their invariable cure." On May 9, Hubbard's book ''Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health'' was published by Hermitage House. Hubbard abandoned freelance writing in order to promote ''Dianetics'', writing several books about it in the next decade and delivering an estimated 4,000 lectures while founding Dianetics research organizations. | ||
''Dianetics'' was an immediate commercial success and sparked what Martin Gardner calls "a nationwide cult of incredible proportions." By August 1950, Hubbard's book had sold 55,000 copies, was selling at the rate of 4,000 a week and was being translated into French, German and Japanese. Five hundred ''Dianetics'' auditing groups had been set up across the United States. | ''Dianetics'' was an immediate commercial success and sparked what Martin Gardner calls "a nationwide [[cult]] of incredible proportions." By August 1950, Hubbard's book had sold 55,000 copies, was selling at the rate of 4,000 a week and was being translated into French, German and Japanese. Five hundred ''Dianetics'' auditing groups had been set up across the United States. | ||
''Dianetics'' was poorly received by the press and the scientific and medical professions. The American Psychological Association criticized Hubbard's claims as "not supported by empirical evidence." ''Scientific American'' said that Hubbard's book contained "more promises and less evidence per page than any publication since the invention of printing." | ''Dianetics'' was poorly received by the press and the scientific and medical professions. The American Psychological Association criticized Hubbard's claims as "not supported by empirical evidence." ''Scientific American'' said that Hubbard's book contained "more promises and less evidence per page than any publication since the invention of printing." | ||