Overview
An esoteric and magical portrait of Elvis Presley “A lively new book.” —The Guardian “Spine-chilling exposé.” —The Daily Mail • Draws on firsthand accounts from Elvis’s wife, Priscilla, his friends and family, the Memphis Mafia, and his spiritual advisors • Looks at key teachers who influenced him, including Yogananda, H. P. Blavatsky, and Manly P. Hall • Examines Elvis’s efforts as a natural healer, the significance of his UFO encounters, and his telekinetic, psychic, and astral traveling abilities Elvis Presley, the most successful solo artist in history and an emblematic cultural figure of the Western world, has been widely perceived as a conservative Southern Christian. However, the truth about the man has been missed. Writer and researcher Miguel Conner reveals how Elvis was a profound mystic, occultist, and shaman. Beginning with the unusual circumstances of his birth—and his stillborn twin brother—Conner traces the diverse thread of mysticism that runs through Elvis Presley’s life, drawing on firsthand accounts from the people closest to him, including his wife, Priscilla, the Memphis Mafia, and his spiritual advisors. He shows how Elvis studied seminal 19th- and 20th-century occultists, including H. P. Blavatsky, Manly P. Hall, G. I. Gurdjieff, and P. D. Ouspensky, and was a devotee of Indian yogi Paramahansa Yogananda. Conner argues that Elvis was well-versed in the esoteric practices of sex magic, meditation, astrology, and numerology and had a deep familiarity with Kabbalah, Gnosticism, Theosophy, and Eastern traditions. He also reveals how Elvis was a natural healer, telekinetic, psychic, and astral traveler who had significant mystical experiences and UFO encounters. Looking at the conspiratorial and paranormal aspects of Elvis’s life, the author explores the ""Elvis visitations"" that have occurred since the King’s death and the general high weirdness of his life. As Conner convincingly argues, Elvis was not just a one-of-a-kind rock-and-roller. He was the greatest magician America ever produced.
Full Product Details
Author: Miguel Conner
Publisher: Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Imprint: Destiny Books,U.S.
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 2.00cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 0.342kg
ISBN: 9798888501351
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 22 May 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
“Miguel knows how to peer into overlooked corners, unearth vital references, and follow trails of meaning that other historians are unaware even exist. In plumbing Elvis’s spiritual search, the author uncovers all of our own—and finally discovers why Elvis means so much.” * Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award–winning author of Occult America, The Miracle Club, and Modern Occul * “This is the kind of book that shakes one to the core and gets one to see that things are not what they seem to be, especially with the King of rock ’n’ roll. Everything we thought we knew, we didn’t. The truth is way, way stranger.” * Jeffrey J. Kripal, author of How to Think Impossibly * “Miguel takes the ever-impressive depth of esoteric knowledge and insight he’s known for and applies it to a pop culture cornucopia of unexpected threads spiraling out from the King himself. It’s easy to forget that the magical fabric of reality can be found in unexpected places, and what we have here is a grand, bedazzled, suit-shaped reminder. Hallelujah!” * Greg Carlwood, host of The Higherside Chats * “Miguel writes with sincerity balanced by a sense of humor and pop sensibilities balanced by knowledge of esoteric traditions. Even well-read Elvis fans will find surprises in this romp of an informative read about a man many Americans still call the King.” * Ronnie Pontiac, astrologer and author of American Metaphysical Religion and coauthor of The Magic of * “Memphis, Egypt, was a center of the mystery cults of Osiris, which were the ancient world’s favorite venue for sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll. Given that Osiris was the King of the Gods and the God of Kings, it’s no accident that Memphis, Tennessee, would give rise to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. Who better than the knowledgeable Miguel Conner to rip the lid off the esoteric roots of these modern mysteries of Rock and its King? There have been tens of thousands of books written about Elvis and his lasting magic, but none that truly cut to the core of the King’s enduring appeal like this one!” * Christopher Knowles, author of The Secret History of Rock ’n’ Roll * “The Occult Elvis takes us on a thrilling and surprising journey of the wide range of occult, religious, and mystical subjects that greatly interested Elvis Presley throughout the different phases of his life. This is an important book to read, not only for fans wanting to learn more about his unstoppable drive to become somebody great and his remarkable triumph over the hardscrabble life that he was born into, but also for those who are spiritually awakening and want to know more about how Elvis discovered and integrated that other reality into his life and music. Through his passionate and concise exploration of the inner world of rock music’s most iconic and influential artist, Connor tells a fascinating story—of how Elvis cultivated his deep desire to know and experience the mysterious in the name of serving his beloved family, the many people he cared about, and his fans across the world—and in doing so, successfully reminds us of how deeply connected the occult and the divine are to rock and roll.” * Paul Wyld, singer, songwriter, and author of Jim Morrison, Secret Teacher of the Occult * “The public never knew the complexity of Elvis, who spent seven years with members of the Memphis Mafia. If you want a sneak peek behind the cape, you must step inside this book. Once again, Elvis doesn’t disappoint his audience.” * Gail Lynn, executive producer of the film Protecting the King * “...a thoughtful look at the life of Elvis. Conner chronicles Elvis’ many quests and misadventures in being a spiritual seeker. In The Occult Elvis Miguel Conner shows us a multifaceted Elvis; one filled with amazing gifts and tragic flaws. In exploring all that was supernatural in the life of Elvis Presley, Conner succeeds in making Presley truly human.” * Rebecca Elson, The Magical Buffet *
“Miguel knows how to peer into overlooked corners, unearth vital references, and follow trails of meaning that other historians are unaware even exist. In plumbing Elvis’s spiritual search, the author uncovers all of our own—and finally discovers why Elvis means so much.” * Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award–winning author of Occult America, The Miracle Club, and Modern Occul * “This is the kind of book that shakes one to the core and gets one to see that things are not what they seem to be, especially with the King of rock ’n’ roll. Everything we thought we knew, we didn’t. The truth is way, way stranger.” * Jeffrey J. Kripal, author of How to Think Impossibly * “Miguel takes the ever-impressive depth of esoteric knowledge and insight he’s known for and applies it to a pop culture cornucopia of unexpected threads spiraling out from the King himself. It’s easy to forget that the magical fabric of reality can be found in unexpected places, and what we have here is a grand, bedazzled, suit-shaped reminder. Hallelujah!” * Greg Carlwood, host of The Higherside Chats * “Miguel writes with sincerity balanced by a sense of humor and pop sensibilities balanced by knowledge of esoteric traditions. Even well-read Elvis fans will find surprises in this romp of an informative read about a man many Americans still call the King.” * Ronnie Pontiac, astrologer and author of American Metaphysical Religion and coauthor of The Magic of * “Memphis, Egypt, was a center of the mystery cults of Osiris, which were the ancient world’s favorite venue for sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll. Given that Osiris was the King of the Gods and the God of Kings, it’s no accident that Memphis, Tennessee, would give rise to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. Who better than the knowledgeable Miguel Conner to rip the lid off the esoteric roots of these modern mysteries of Rock and its King? There have been tens of thousands of books written about Elvis and his lasting magic, but none that truly cut to the core of the King’s enduring appeal like this one!” * Christopher Knowles, author of The Secret History of Rock ’n’ Roll * “The Occult Elvis takes us on a thrilling and surprising journey of the wide range of occult, religious, and mystical subjects that greatly interested Elvis Presley throughout the different phases of his life. This is an important book to read, not only for fans wanting to learn more about his unstoppable drive to become somebody great and his remarkable triumph over the hardscrabble life that he was born into, but also for those who are spiritually awakening and want to know more about how Elvis discovered and integrated that other reality into his life and music. Through his passionate and concise exploration of the inner world of rock music’s most iconic and influential artist, Connor tells a fascinating story—of how Elvis cultivated his deep desire to know and experience the mysterious in the name of serving his beloved family, the many people he cared about, and his fans across the world—and in doing so, successfully reminds us of how deeply connected the occult and the divine are to rock and roll.” * Paul Wyld, singer, songwriter, and author of Jim Morrison, Secret Teacher of the Occult * “The public never knew the complexity of Elvis, who spent seven years with members of the Memphis Mafia. If you want a sneak peek behind the cape, you must step inside this book. Once again, Elvis doesn’t disappoint his audience.” * Gail Lynn, executive producer of the film Protecting the King *
Author Information
Miguel Conner is a writer, voiceover artist, and host of the popular podcast Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio. His books include Voices of Gnosticism, Stargazer, Heretic, and The Executioner’s Daughter. He lives in northern Illinois.
