Seeking the Strange: A Journey Through Sci-Fi, Magick, and Queer L.A.
I totally judge a book by its cover and this one felt like a spectral pull, hypnotized by its visual alchemy. I was mesmerized by the design, and once I saw the title, Sci-Fi, Magick, Queer L.A.: Sexual Science and the Imagi-nation, I knew it was right up my alley.
After chatting with one of the contributors, I was saddened to learn I’d missed the accompanying exhibition at the USC Fisher Museum of Art, hosted by USC’s ONE Archives. It sounded like an absolute dream, and I sincerely hope they host something similar again soon. If they do, I’m putting it out into the universe now: I want an invite!
A Local Find
This book had been sitting on my coffee table since last May, when I picked it up at the USC table during the Printed Matter’s Art Book Fair. For those who don't know, this is a phenomenal event you need to check out. Last year, I was ecstatic that it was held right here in our neighborhood at Pasadena’s ArtCenter College of Design. I actually walked there; it was a delightful afternoon of discovery. I highly recommend keeping up with their events, you never know what treasures you'll find.
Make sure to save the date, the fair returns to ArtCenter May 7-10, 2026.
The Spark of Inspiration
Upon entering my new era of funemployment, I created a very long list of "to-dos". The kind of things I never had the energy or time for while working. Number one on that list? READ BOOKS. I have a bad habit of skimming a book only for it to end up collecting dust or landing in a donation bin.
Well, not anymore.
On a rare rainy day in Pasadena, I decided to set the mood: I popped an edible, brewed some green tea, curled up with my cat, Tiger Lily Munster, and finally cracked this book open. It felt like a witch opening a book of spells for the first time. Within the first ten pages, a wave of inspiration crashed over me. I had to pull out my notes app immediately to jot down the ideas flowing through my head. Thanks to this book, a writing project I’ve been procrastinating on has finally exploded into life.
Chasing Ghosts in Pasadena
The coincidences I encountered while reading were honestly chilling. I’ve always had a deep interest in the occult and the hidden history of Los Angeles, specifically the era of Jack Parsons, the Agape Lodge, and the influence of Aleister Crowley.
I realized while reading that Jack Parsons' infamous home, where so many of these "magickal" events took place, is less than a mile from where I live now.
A Local Legend: Jack Parsons, the brilliant jet propulsion researcher and co-founder of JPL, lived at "The Parsonage" (1003 S. Orange Grove Ave). It was a bohemian commune where science met the occult. Parsons died tragically young in 1952 in a laboratory explosion in his home garage nearby. Today, the original mansion is gone, replaced by an apartment complex, but the energy of that era still feels woven into the Pasadena soil.
Finding My Coven
I’ve always known I’m a bit of a "strange" person, and I’ve found that I generally get along better with people who identify as queer. I’ve been welcomed and celebrated by that community far more than by "basic" society, so learning more about the history of queer art, publications (like Lisa Ben’s Vice Versa), and the secret history of groups like the Masons has always been fascinating.
Another "chills" moment? The book mentions the Philosophical Research Society (PRS).
The PRS: Founded in 1934 by Manly P. Hall in Los Feliz, the PRS is a stunning historic landmark dedicated to the study of ancient wisdom and philosophy.
Just as I reached that section, I realized I had just bought tickets for my very first event there, a night celebrating David Lynch. The timing felt like more than just a coincidence; it felt like synchronicity.
The Verdict
While you could easily finish this book in a day, I wanted to linger. I took my time over a couple of days, soaking in the artwork and the essays. I felt especially inspired by the women featured, particularly Marjorie Cameron, a fellow redhead who seemed to spark magic, attention, and jealousy in equal measure, and the legendary artwork of Margaret Brundage for Weird Tales.
Marjorie Cameron in Kenneth Anger's Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome, (1954)
The book is a beautiful summary of these intersecting worlds. It’s visually stunning, and the attention to detail is top-tier. My only complaint? I want more. I truly hope the editors, Kelly Filreis and Alexis Bard Johnson, continue this into a larger series.
If you’re looking for a portal into a side of L.A. history that is usually kept in the shadows, pick this up.
Grab your copy here:
You can also dive deeper into the history of the former exhibition at the ONE Archives website.
