Photo by Adam Parfrey.
I believe it was through Cosmic Trigger that I became aware of James Shelby Downard (maybe), although Downard might have first popped up on my radar via Adam Parfrey’s seminal anthology Apocalypse Culture (1987), which I probably read around the same time I first sunk my teeth into Cosmic Trigger in the late 1980s, and which did a similar number to my head.
During the period RAW was experiencing all of his Sirius synchronicities, a Fortean researcher named William Grimstad sent him an audio cassette series entitled Sirius Rising, a recording with James Shelby Downing that “…set forth the most absurd, the most incredible, the most ridiculous Illuminati theory of them all…[that] the Illuminati were preparing Earth, in an occult manner, for extraterrestrial contact…. The only trouble is that, after the weird data we have already surveyed [in Cosmic Trigger], the Grimstad-Downard theory may not sound totally unbelievable to us….”
At the time, Downard was an obscure and little known figure outside the small circle of Fortean/Conspiracy researchers who gravitated around him that included Bill Grimstad, Michael Anthony Hoffman II and Charles Saunders.
Due in some measure to Downard’s influence, Grimstad (under the non-de-plume of Jim Brandon) authored the Fortean classics Weird America (1978) and The Rebirth of Pan (1983). In the “Dallas, Texas” section of Weird America, Brandon presented the theory that JFK was a “ceremonial king-who-must-die” killed by modern age alchemists following an ancient druidic tradition, a hypothesis arrived at by a “certain body of opinion, undoubtedly the farthest out brain wave of assassinology yet.” No direct mention was made, at this time, as to the theory’s originator: James Shelby Downard.
It was through “King Kill 33°: Masonic Symbolism in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy” (featured in Apocalypse Culture) that Downard first came to the attention of conspiratologists and over time rose to the status of a mythic figure who traveled across the country in his famous airstream trailer investigating Fortean mysteries and battling Freemasonic adversaries at every turn, his trusty Colt 45 always at his side.
- “King Kill 33°: Masonic Symbolism in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy”, co-written with Michael A. Hoffman II, Apocalypse Culture, edited by Adam Parfrey, Amok Press, 1987.
- “The Call to Chaos: From Adam to Atom by Way of the Jornada del Muerto”, Apocalypse Culture: Expanded and Revised, edited by Adam Parfrey, Feral House, 1990.
- “Sorcery, Sex, Assassination and the Science of Symbolism”, Secret and Suppressed: Banned Ideas and Hidden History, edited by Jim Keith, Feral House, 1993.
- “Skullduggery”, Independent History and Research, 1998.
- The Carnivals of Life and Death: My Profane Youth, 1913-1935, edited by Elana Freeland, Feral House, 2006.
As for unpublished works, Michael Hoffman informed me several years ago that Downard’s “…niece, Robbie Smith, had in her possession at his death, Mr. Downard’s locked suitcase files which neither Mr. Grimstad, this writer or Charles Saunders had ever seen. She told me about some of the contents. I was desperate to buy them but could not meet her price. She admitted to destroying some of his materials after his death! I found her difficult. God willing, she has preserved something and someone will be able to purchase these from her one day. If it’s all lost, it’s a tragedy.”
This news that the last remnants of Downard’s literary legacy might have knowingly or unknowingly been tossed into a dumpster was certainly a disappointing prospect, which is what would have happened to the Discordian Archives had not Dr. Bob Newport intervened and rescued them from Greyfaced oblivion.
In the intro to The Carnivals of Life and Death, Adam Parfrey noted that Downard died before he could write the second part of his biography and so the general consensus seemed to be that we’d probably never see any further Downardian writings—that is, until NOW…
During the course of writing James Shelby Downard’s Mystical War, I corresponded not only with Michael Hoffman, but also Bill Grimstad, and stayed in touch with Bill over the last decade. At the end of 2015, Grimstad informed me that he’d come into possession of what appeared to be Part 2 of Downard’s biography(!) and inquired if I was interested in publishing the material. Hell, yes, I responded.
The caveat, though, was that the manuscript was in microfiche format (circa 1980s) and would need to be converted into tiffs. I agreed to split the costs for this process, and then afterwards began sorting through the material, which in itself proved a somewhat daunting task due to the fact that it consisted of a staggering 799 pages, a combination of biographical material as well as Downard hashing out his central themes and theories in a manner that only he could do.
Phase two of the project entailed converting the manuscript to PDF and getting it into proper chronological order, but this as well was somewhat challenging and was making my head hurt a bit; it seemed the only way to review it and make sure I had all the pages in correct order was to print out the beast, maybe a few pages at a time. After printing out a dozen or so pages, I realized that about 2/3rds of my black ink cartridge had been sucked dry due to the black margins on the pages that were a by-product of the microfiche conversion. A visit to FedEx-Kinko’s and $150 later, I had a printed version in my hot little hands, which was a lot less expensive than sinking several hundred dollars into black ink cartridges. (Yes, I realize this is a first world problem!)
The plan from there was to OCR the beast and just edit as I go. Unfortunately, the first test OCR revealed that each page would take more time correcting the OCR errors than it would take to just retype the whole enchilada fresh—which is exactly what I’m doing now, a few pages here and a few pages there—in between other projects I’m currently working on.
If there are any volunteers out there who would like to assist me in the typing drudgery, say 50 pages at a pop, drop me a line and this will allow you a sneak peak at a portion of Downard’s missing magnum opus—not to mention a gratis copy after it’s published!
To be continued…
54 replies on “When Downard Met Discordia”
Hi
Cannot wait to read this book! JSD was a very interesting man. Tell me this, is it possible to listen to the full Sirius Rising tape anywhere? I’ve only ever heard the 1 hour version but cannot find the rest. One guy has told me he has it but can’t release the rest due to someone’s wishes. If that’s the case, I respect that. But I’m dying to hear it.
Looking forward to the book.
Gary
Is that the Hoffman JSD interview that he was selling awhile back your talking about? I think its from the Sirius Rising Tapes. I’m surprised Adam doesn’t have a copy of those tapes yet. Must be a well kept secret and what’s the point keeping it a secret you tell me. I thought putting out this info is the whole purpose. At least there is a second JSD book or books in the making we should be thankful for that at least.
All the best to Adam Gorightly hope this book does better then the Feral House one. Cheers!
It’s my understanding that the Hoffman tape contains excerpts from the Sirius Rising tapes.
Hi STEAMFIGHTER
No, I don’t think they’re the same thing. The CD I’ve listened to is one hour long, I think the interview you’re talking about is about 20 mins or so, though I haven’t seen that one. Apparently the Sirius Rising tapes are roughly 4 hours of stuff – I know one guy who says he has the full 4hr version but can’t release his copy as someone has asked him not to – that’s ok, I have to respect the man for keeping his word – but I too wonder why it must be kept secret, it “kinda” doesn’t seem to make sense. The one hour cd is very interesting and quite creepy to me, so I can only guess at the full versions’ contents. Mr Downard’s next book, I’ll be buying. Good luck with getting the book out Adam, genuinely can’t wait.
Gary
Geez Louise 20 mins I know I paid an arm n a leg for that cd from Hoffman. Oh well he needs support I guess. Hopefully he comes out with a sequel to Secret Societies Psy Warfare soon too. Great book. So GARY you are not in possession of that CD you listened to or you can’t release it too? I assume it’s Grimstad that told your buddy not to release them. Well I hope Adam Gorightly gets a copy of those tapes soon he could write a small book on them sounds like a future project in the making eh keep on bugging Grimstad Adam squeaky wheel gets the grease. Anyways what grabbed my attn about those tapes was what Robert Anton Wilson mentioned about them how JDS talked about the so called illuminati was preparing earth in some occult manner for ET contact??? Nobody has explained what that is all about and as you mentioned this stuff is creepy and the JDS stuff is very CREEPY man that’s why it is good stuff and it’s GOLD anyways that’s my 2 cents.
Hi STEAMFIGHTER
I bought the cd – still have it! But was told by the seller not to broadcast or make copies!!!!!! The seller says he has the full version, but that the ‘owner’ of the tapes has asked them not to be released – he never mentioned who the owner is though. This fries my head to this day, I’m very interested in hearing the rest. Yep, I think Mr Downard’s stuff is gold to be honest, and it is quite frightening to think these guys are so in control and organised. The cd mentions tunnel networks in Washington, baby black markets, Fidel Castro’s freaky, and I mean FREAKY connection to the bad guys, and so much stuff that the level of organised skull duggery these guys get up to is unreal. And to think Mr Downard worked this out himself is fascinating. I think that the ‘ET contact’ thing is this – apparently to mentally prepare the world to accept something we shouldn’t. Michael Hoffman goes into this in his book “Secret Societies Psy Warfare” (great book, have that too!) – I think each wave of younger people are more accepting of things in general that rightly scared the legs off previous generations because of this mass effort at shaping the mind. I def think that Mr Downard observed something geared toward changing minds that scared him, and look at todays world – Mr Hoffman’s opinion about “Childhoods End” is right on the button, I don’t think the world would blink if ‘something’ visited us. Adam Gorightly – can you write about those tapes!!!!! Can you persuade the owners to release it! Can you persuade them just to say why not release them, just for my nosey mind to have some rest!!!!
Gary
Hi
OK, just read ‘Mystical War’ today – bit embarrassed, you already tell who owns the tapes and how the owner hasn’t got round to releasing them. Sorry Adam!
But it seems 14 years ago since the subject was last mentioned to the owner. Would you consider asking him again? Would he mind if I contacted him regarding the tapes? If not, I’d love his address to write him. Let me know if that’s possible Adam. Just out of curiosity, I’d love to know why the owner has ‘distanced’ himself from his recordings. Can you say?
Thanks for writing the book Adam, looking forward to the new Downard piece.
Gary
GARY your right Hoffman is right on the money in regards to Childhoods End. That book is so creepy I read it. I try to get people to read it no one cares. Anyways He said something about the open rule of Satan. Is Satan or Satans going to be walking down the street and nobody will even blink or stop to throw rocks at him or them (LOL) Hoffman always referred to Childhoods end being allegorical. So are we to interpret it as metaphorical you know not literally like we are going to be visited by demonic entities sort a like the Oannes the repulsive ones that originally came from SIRIUS??!! Well apparently the Vatican has a telescope in Arizona correct me if I am wrong and its built on Indian sacred land and guess what the acronym of their telescope spells LUC.I.F.E.R I shit you not they have a telescope called Lucifer. I don’t know if you remember the Hoffman Downard interview he went into the subject how these occult groups love spelling out acronyms to mean some thing like COYOTE the prostitute hooker labor union that Downward talked about. COYOTE is suppose to symbolize the devil like the goat or something. Anyways why is the Vatican watching the night sky on behalf of the Cryptocracy with the Lucifer telescope is something headed our way and is it coming from SIRIUS??? Weird shit indeed ain’t it
STEAMFIGHTER
Yeah, read about the telescope a while ago. Thought it a peculiar choice at least, not sure that name would have been tolerated in centuries past, but isn’t that the whole game – some sort of softening of the mind to tolerate/accept/give in to things that even on some instinctual level we feel are wrong.
If things keep going the way they are, eventually people will be so broken, so mentally tired, will have given in so much in the sense that ‘things have to be this way’ that if anything actually arrived it would feel almost inevitable, it will feel like the moment of truth and everyone will accept it. This moment of truth is slowly being oozed into our minds. The fact that these guys seem to have put it out there, to mock and to cause those who maybe see it to feel hopeless, is very sadistic.
Will it be a literal arrival? Mr Downard is supposed to have thought so (I haven’t heard the tapes though, friendly hint, friendly hint, Mr Grimstad), and I don’t think anyone has anywhere near as much experience as he. Just listened to an interview Adam Gorightly gave to two guys and one of the guys in the interview couldn’t get over how Downard hit everything, and Adam observed that Downard came first before a lot of guys went with his stuff. NEED THOSE TAPES!
I think it’s either gonna be a literal physical event or some kind of mass technological brain hack/wash/illusion. It really looks like we’re being prepped for something. I don’t know the Sirius answer yet – all I have is what’s out there – the guys are into it for some reason, those tapes will have more info. I’m just glad Messrs Downard/Grimstad/Hoffman and Gorightly have done what they’ve done.
I would be happy to help with the typing effort. Drop me a line.
Hey Gary did you enjoy these Dog Days of Summer? how’b that Lucifer Heat wave they had in Europe. Geez people don’t even blink anymore when all this weird stuff happens anymore. Hey read any of Kenneth Grants books? Hoffman mentions 2 that revealed secrets that were guard for 100s of yrs The Magical Revival and aleister crowley and the hidden god. I just finished The magical revival and there is an excerpt in the book on pg 220 he says something ominous like”……the next stage in the advancement of evolution upon this planet. It will be achieved by a willed congress with EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL entities of which in a sense Aiwas is the immediate messenger of humanity” end quote sounds like even though the OTO may be preparing for an evolutionary leap into a state of godhood those entities are probably preparing for dinner and we are the main course!! Here’s a quote from Circles of Time Kenneth Grant ….”Their main purpose is to devour, and since their structure is incompatible with our Universe’s physics, they can but eat by means of the life-forms native to our Universe.” WTF is he talking about ya lunch we are the main course. Hey gotta read some of his stuff man. It’s pretty far out
Hey Steamfighter
To be honest in the last few months I’ve been lying low. Where I come from things are just genuinely crazy. Things that my grandmother would never have even allowed to go on for 10 seconds are now the norm – behaviour that wouldn’t have been tolerated is now the norm – a way of dressing that wouldn’t have been tolerated is now the norm – an anti-nationalist mindset that wasn’t even on the go 20 years ago is now the norm – a level of casual drug use that would have been a horrific event years ago is now the norm – basically what was called evil/insane/counterproductive years ago is now all the rage. Whoever these bad guys really are I’m beginning to think they’re a hell of a lot smarter that I thought 6 months ago. Maybe I’m only catching on to how crazy things are, how really crazy things are – but I think the mind of the present young people is absolutely in a complete mess. A complete horrific mess. We are already living in ‘Logan’s Run’ over here in Ireland – Ireland has completely gone crazy when compared to only 2 generations ago and I have come to the conclusion it is too late for this country. It’s finished and is quickly becoming a real shithole to live in – because of the insanity of the minds in it. They wouldn’t even BLINK now if something where to arrive, they wouldn’t even BLINK. They’re ready for it – to be honest the whole country is beginning to behave in a batshit crazy way. Please excuse my language but it’s the language of a guy who has only recently TRULY caught on to how bad things are. Any word on the new book by the way, still want to read it but I will do so in a melancholy way – I’m very sad for my loved ones who’s minds are gone, my fellow countrymen who are acting like nutters, complete nutters. Sorry Steam for this moody post but the whole thing makes me sad now – there are genuinely genius level guys out there who have quite simply used what amounts to magic – to get sane people to behave insanely and to get humanity to turn against itself. And one day some piece of trash is gonna show up to help us all, and the whole place is gonna fall for it. It’s a disaster, it’s the worst movie ever but in real life. So so sad.
I heard there is a revised version of William N Grimstads Siruis Rising tapes entitled “Conspiricon” does anyone know if there is any truth to this. Just throwing this out there.
Grimstad informed me a while back that he was working on a reissue of Sirius Rising.
Well that sounds promising. Do you think he will ever reprint his Fortean classics Weird America and Rebirth of Pan? You still have to fork out quite a bit of pocket change if you want to own a copy of those books. I Still have not read them though
I don’t think Bill has any plans for reprints.
Hi Guys
Ok haven’t been here for a while so nice surprise to see the tapes mentioned – hope he does release them. Also wonder how’s Mr Downard’s book coming?
Probably mid or late 2019 on the Downard book.
Hey Gary it’s good to know your still alive and well. So what do you think of that movie “The Shape of Water” winning an Oscar? It’s about a deaf woman who “falls in love” with an alien fish-man and copulates with him. So what is this bestiality with a being from Sirius??? Remember the old Onassis myth from Sumerian lore how they came down from Sirius and brought civilization to us and they had a very repulsive appearance these half fishmen from Sirus but it didn’t stop that woman from doing it with him. Sirius isn’t rising anymore it’s totally eclipsed this planet!!
Well, here it is kids…
https://copycateffect.blogspot.com/2018/03/Sirius-Rising.html
Hey Guys
!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaggggghhhhh! Mr Grimstad is not selling the CD overseas!!! Would he consider selling one to this Irishman? PLEASE!!!!
Hey KB
Haven’t seen the movie. Seen trailers and stuff but didn’t know she copulated with it. I think myself that type of film is only the surfacing of what is already going on all over the world. Norms are changing and disappearing. There are sites now that sell actual spirits for sexual relationships. I know of people in Ireland and UK who actually have access to what the world once would have called demons and once would have called ‘bad’ – but now, they are sold and conjured as sprit companions. Yep, sounds crazy, but for a few dollars you can have your own demon conjured, or so they say. Whether or not it’s real doesn’t matter, the mind has been re-wired to think it’s normal and ok. Like the mind will seemingly pay money to watch and award Oscars to a film where a woman sleeps with a non-human creature. Down the road things are going to be crazy. More and more spirit companions will be available, and then maybe what Mr Downard apparently warned us about – maybe we’ll get some corporeal visiting companions who the people will welcome with open arms. Mr Dwoanrd’s student, Mr Hoffman, pointed to the book ‘Childhood’s End’ as the result of the whole thing – I think the world has had their mind changed to accept something arriving as a good thing. Like sleeping with some slime creature in a movie.
ps:
forgot to ask – does anyone know the length of this new CD – I can’t comment on the copycateffect site so can’t ask there – maybe if someone could ask Loren Coleman the running time of the CD. I’m asking this because I have Mr Hoffman’s CD and it’s about 50 mins or so, but apparently the original recordings are over 3 hours. The topic list on the CD looks similar to Mr Hoffman’s with a couple of items I can’t recall hearing so maybe they are new, but overall it looks pretty similar. If the running time was longer then maybe those topics are dealt with in more detail.
I was pretty choked when I saw that too Gary as I reside in KANADA yes it’s a pretty stupid country to live in probably the most stupid of all the Western world.
Oh my the world is going in insane you just cannot keep up anymore with all the news stories its pure discordianism out there. I just want to find a rock and hide under it and never come out from it. Apparently Downard talks about CERN on those tapes. CERN gave us this internet we are using and that machine they built you know that hadron collider it reminds me of that movie Event Horizon where that Sam Neil character builds that machine to go into other dimensions…..”A dimension of pure chaos. Pure… evil” Wow man all this stuff is getting pretty far out man.
Hey Gary there is copy of that Sirius Rising Cd on ebay better get on it quick I think the guy will ship to you.
KB
Checked it out, contacted the guy and gonna wait to see the running time. Would feel kinda guilty though not buying one new from Mr Grimstad. Maybe Adam could ask him would he post to Ireland?
HEY GARY
Just got the CD it’s the same one Hoffman issued including his commentary. Only new thing it has the Grimstad intro. Well that was kind disappointing. I guess it’s time to find a new hobby. Well see ya on the flip side, I don’t even what that means nor do I care. Anyways TTYL
KB
I thought that but didn’t want to say it on here. I contacted the guy you mentioned on your previous message and he told me it was 50 mins or so, that’s kinda the same length as Mr Hoffman’s. I can only guess the unreleased stuff is unreleased for a reason. I’ve read that Robert Anton Wilson had a version that was 4 hours worth of stuff, but it’s nowhere to be found. Looks like it ain’t gonna happen. You know something, I think I would have loved to meet Mr Downard, not just to hear stuff, but to talk to him. From listening to him on Mr Hoffman’s cd I think he sounds like a nice man, a sincere man who really hated what was going down. Ah well, maybe some day.
Hello Adam do you still need help typing up part two of the James Shelby Downard book? I would be happy to help. I tried e-mailing you but it was returned undeliverable. My e-mail can be found on my blog: https://mrmarkreeve.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks, Mark, everything is typed up. Plan to begin work editing and pulling the book together next year.
Hey Gorightly how’s the book coming along? Is there any spooky stuff about ET contact in the book? LOL . Did you ever mention the manuscript to Hoffman? I wonder what he has to say about it.
Also I would like to say Hi to Gary. HEY GARY YOU OUT THERE STILL HOW’S IT GOING?!
KB: The book is coming along, slowly but surely. I keep getting interrupted by other projects, but I think the manuscript should be completed this year, and then publication probably in 2020.
KB
I’m still on the go. You keeping alright? 2020 for the 2nd book then – I wonder myself about what Hoffman would think. I remember reading one time that Mr Hoffman tried to purchase entire boxes of Mr Downard’s collected writings etc but was being charged too much – God knows where it went. That sort of stuff is kinda tragic. Glad this book turned up.
GARY good know your alive and well. Ya I heard about that. Who would even want to make money off this stuff. It’s more of an obligation to put this stuff out there. Well this new Downard book is coming out I hope. That’s something to look forward to. Well Thnx Adam for taking the time and effort to make this Downard manuscript into an actual book. I really really appreciate it. Is it going to be a huge book?
Hey Gary one last thing there was a news story on CNN about people who think they are mermaids and mermans. These people actually dress up as mermaids and mermans in their houses. You should track down the article there’s even pics of these people. Bizarre eh? This stuff is becoming the norm for our society. It kinda reminded me of the old Onassis myth or the Dagon cult of the Philistines you know Bible stuff. Hey I’m still waiting for ET contact from the SIRIUS star system mates!! When is it coming LOL!!
Hello Adam, How is the aforementioned new James Shelby Downard book coming along? Is it still going to published?
Yes, still coming along. Hopefully I can get it done this year, or at least that’s what I’m shooting for.
will it be a massive tome? can you throw us some morsel bits as to it’s contents. you know OCCULT NWO DEVIL WORSHIPERS!!..etc.. the stuff we have come to expect from Downard’s world. Well Can’t wait for more tantalising Downard insanity being translated into book form.
CHEERS
It will be pretty massive. Weighing in at around 350 pages.
Sounds great. But it’s a shame Mr Grimstad doesn’t sell the ‘Sirius Rising’ disk to non-USA addresses.
Greetings – you may fwd me fifty pages, I will be glad to type it to help.
Got a handle on the typing, but thanks.
Glad the typing is covered – will look forward to updates, tho!
Mr. Gorightly, could you please contact me at the provided email address? I have questions I think you may be able to assist me with. Thanks!
YOOOOOO Gorightly! I hope all is well.
Is the Downard project still dropping soon?
Plugging away, GeeZeus, but still probably a couple years out.
Is there any way to get a copy of the Sirius Rising CD at this point?
How is this project progressing?
Perhaps about a year out from publication, Goddess willing!
Adam, I’m looking forward to the upcoming Downard book!
Any plans to do a second printing of “James Shelby Downard’s Mystical War”? I’d love to read it, but it’s going for $90.00+ on the secondhand market.
JF: I should have the new Downard book out later this year….As for Mystical War, that book was kind of garbage in some respects, so you probably aren’t missing much. I will probably do a better updated version of Mystical War at some point, as I’ve learned a lot more about Downard since I wrote it back in 2007.
Hello There
Just checking in to see if Downard’s second book is getting closer to being available! Know you’ve been busy working at it.
Mr. rightly how can I go wrongly?
Hi Chuckles
In case anybody else ends up here wondering about Adam’s new book on Downard. It’s been co-authored with Richard B. Spence, published independently, and is currently available for sale on Amazon as “Stalking The Great Whore: The Lost Writings of James Shelby Downard” (ISBN: 979-8678492722).
Hi
Hope all you guys are well. Just finished Downards’ book “Stalking The Great Whore” and I’d like to thank Adam and Richard for their work, it was a massive effort.
Is it possible to get a copy of the files pictured above in the article as is, without any editing at all? Also the ‘Rising’ tapes – has anyone out there got a full copy at all – about 10 or more years ago I bought a cd of an hour’s edited audio, but was told the rest is to be kept private. To this day I cannot fathom why but I guess the owners have the right to keep it and have their reasons.
Thanks again for the work involved in publsihing the book.