J.B. Prescott's Sojourn at the Parsonage¶
A Dance with Rocketry and the Occult (1945-1946)¶
In the sweltering summer of 1945, J.B. Prescott found himself once again in Southern California, this time drawn not by the allure of Hollywood, but by an invitation from an old acquaintance in Pasadena. Little did he know that this visit would lead him into the orbit of one of the most enigmatic figures of the 20th century: John Whiteside "Jack" Parsons.
First Encounter¶
Prescott's first encounter with Parsons occurred at a soirée held at 1003 Orange Grove Avenue, a stately Victorian mansion known to its eclectic inhabitants as "the Parsonage." The house, with its sprawling gardens and bohemian atmosphere, seemed to exist in a world of its own, set apart from the manicured lawns and conservative values of Pasadena.
As Prescott stepped into the parlor, the air thick with incense and intellectual discourse, he was immediately struck by the magnetic presence of Jack Parsons. Tall, dark-haired, and possessed of an intense gaze, Parsons held court among a diverse group of artists, scientists, and free-thinkers. Prescott watched, fascinated, as Parsons effortlessly shifted from discussing the intricacies of solid-fuel rocketry to expounding on the esoteric teachings of Aleister Crowley.
Life at the Parsonage¶
Over the next few weeks, Prescott found himself drawn deeper into Parsons' world. By day, he would accompany Parsons to the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at Caltech, where he witnessed firsthand the groundbreaking work that would later form the basis of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Prescott marveled at the juxtaposition of Parsons' scientific rigour and his unorthodox spiritual beliefs.
Evening Rituals¶
Evenings at the Parsonage were a whirlwind of intellectual stimulation and sensory overload. Prescott observed, with equal parts fascination and trepidation, the occult rituals performed by Parsons and his followers. He never fully participated, maintaining the role of an interested outsider, but the power and conviction of these ceremonies left an indelible mark on his psyche.
The Collaboration¶
It was during one such evening that Parsons, recognizing Prescott's literary talents, proposed a collaboration. Parsons needed compelling narratives to attract investors to his rocketry ventures, and who better to craft these than a master storyteller? Prescott, intrigued by the challenge and the opportunity to delve deeper into Parsons' world, agreed.
Visions of the Cosmos¶
Over the next several months, Prescott produced a series of science fiction stories that would later be collected as "Visions of the Cosmos." These tales were unlike anything he had written before, blending hard science with mystical undertones and a sense of cosmic wonder that clearly reflected Parsons' influence.
The Writing Space¶
Prescott's workspace at the Parsonage was a small, book-lined study overlooking the garden. Here, surrounded by arcane tomes and technical manuals, he would write late into the night, the scratch of his pen occasionally drowned out by the sounds of chanting or heated philosophical debates from the rooms below.
The Babalon Working¶
One particularly memorable night, as Prescott was putting the finishing touches on "The Venusian Voyage," a story of first contact infused with themes of transcendence, he was interrupted by an agitated Parsons. The rocket scientist was in the midst of planning his infamous "Babalon Working," a series of rituals aimed at incarnating a divine feminine force.
As Parsons excitedly outlined his plans, Prescott found himself both disturbed and oddly inspired, elements of their conversation finding their way into his story in subtle, transmuted forms.
L. Ron Hubbard¶
It was also during this period that Prescott first encountered L. Ron Hubbard, who arrived at the Parsonage in August 1945. Prescott was initially impressed by Hubbard's charisma and storytelling ability, but soon grew wary of the man's influence over Parsons.
He watched with growing concern as the dynamic between Parsons and Hubbard shifted from friendship to a complex web of rivalry and betrayal.
Departure¶
As the summer of 1946 drew to a close, Prescott sensed that his time at the Parsonage was coming to an end. The atmosphere had changed, tensions were rising, and the once-vibrant intellectual community was fracturing.
Final Conversation¶
In his final days there, Prescott had a long, intimate conversation with Parsons in the garden. As the California sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, Parsons spoke of his dreams for humanity's future among the stars, his voice filled with a conviction that Prescott found both inspiring and terrifying.
Return to New York¶
Prescott left the Parsonage in September 1946, carrying with him: - A manuscript of "Visions of the Cosmos" - A head full of experiences that would take years to fully process
As he boarded the train back to New York, he felt as if he were leaving not just a place, but a different reality altogether.
Lasting Impact¶
In the years that followed, Prescott would often reflect on his time with Parsons, marveling at how those months had expanded his understanding of the possible and the impossible. The influence of this period would seep into his later works, most notably in "Challengers of the Secret Tree," where themes of cosmic consciousness and the merging of science and spirituality would play a central role.
A Closely Guarded Chapter¶
Prescott's sojourn at the Parsonage remained a closely guarded chapter of his life, one he rarely discussed in interviews. But those who knew him well could see its impact in: - The gleam in his eye whenever the conversation turned to the mysteries of the universe - The way he would sometimes pause in his writing, as if listening for echoes of those long-ago nights in Pasadena
Modern Perspective: The LA Times Article¶
The Los Angeles Times, Sunday, August 18, 2024
"California Dreaming: How Sci-Fi and Science Shaped the Golden State"¶
By Emma Rodriguez, Staff Writer
In the annals of California's rich history, few periods are as captivating as the convergence of Hollywood's Golden Age and the dawn of the Space Age. At the heart of this fascinating intersection stood figures like J.B. Prescott, a writer whose journey from the glitz of Tinseltown to the fringes of rocketry exemplifies the state's unique blend of dreams and innovation.
Prescott, best known for his epic "Challengers of the Secret Tree," spent two tumultuous years in Hollywood from 1938 to 1940. His experiences in the film industry, marked by frustration and disillusionment, later fueled his creation of the "Celluloid Casefiles," a series of noir stories that peeled back Hollywood's glamorous veneer to reveal a darker underbelly.
But it was Prescott's later association with Jack Parsons, the enigmatic rocket scientist and occultist, that truly showcases California's role as a crucible of imagination and scientific advancement. In 1945, Prescott spent several months at Parsons' Pasadena mansion, known as "the Parsonage," where he wrote a series of science fiction stories to help Parsons attract investors for his rocketry ventures.
This collaboration between a sci-fi writer and a pioneering scientist was not unique. Throughout the 20th century, California fostered a symbiotic relationship between speculative fiction and scientific innovation. From the rocket test stands of the Mojave Desert to the computer labs of Silicon Valley, the state has long been a place where imagination fuels progress.
"Science fiction has always been a catalyst for scientific advancement," explains Dr. Marcus Webb, professor of Science and Technology Studies at UC Berkeley. "Writers like Prescott didn't just predict the future; they inspired it. Their visions of space travel and advanced technology motivated a generation of scientists and engineers."
Indeed, Parsons himself credited science fiction as a major influence on his work in rocketry. The stories Prescott wrote for him, collected as "Visions of the Cosmos," painted vivid pictures of humanity's future in space, helping to drum up support and funding for Parsons' ventures.
As California continues to lead the way in technological innovation, from SpaceX's reusable rockets to Google's AI advancements, the legacy of figures like Prescott and Parsons remains relevant. Their stories remind us of the power of imagination to shape the future and the unique role California has played as a meeting ground for dreamers and doers.
In an age where the lines between science fiction and science fact continue to blur, perhaps we would do well to remember Prescott's words from "Challengers of the Secret Tree": "The future is not a destination, but a journey we create with every step forward."