As an esoteric, I must say I am very much set in my ways. Ergo, I tend to ‘like what I like’ and not to stray from that path, whether it be one of least resistance or otherwise, my ‘mental’ compass is fixated on the subject ahead.
Without fail, my course is ‘set’ by the routine of my esoteric ‘conditioning’, which although well established long before now, is plum true to my instincts. With the subtle hues of the patina from said conditioning varying slightly from year to year!
Perhaps in some ways it might be presumed that I am very much internally focused when it comes to my esoteric pursuit of the arcane, and as such a bit of a ‘mental and cultural’ loner. It is true for all intents and purposes that I tend to subscribe to this mindset, not purposely mind you, but rather by default.
The fascination in the relentless pursuit of ‘subjects’ usually relegated to ‘footnote’ status, in spite of the advent of the internet and all its’ opportunities; often makes it slow going on the esoteric ‘highway’ and as a result, there are only a few other esoteric, not unlike solitary signposts, along a similar cerebral fact culling journey!
Authoring The Esoteric Curiosa as I do, has assuaged to a degree the rarefied existence that I believe most esoteric tend to dwell. Quite often the esoteric is ‘blinkered’ or hyper-focused on a particular subject at hand and usually determines, sometimes incorrectly, that either they are the only ‘source’ of said subject, or that no other esoteric is on a similar pursuit of same subject. Recently, or more to the point, in the recent past, I was to my utter satisfaction proven incorrect.
To be honest, my memory fades on this point, and that being said, I am not completely certain of the date as to when I first noticed the random postings of a fellow esoteric throughout the cyber-world. Yet there they were; simple queries really, seeking information on a certain subject. What set these queries for information apart, and made me realize that this was an esoteric of the first caliber; was the subject itself.
In first reading the query I was a tad-bit incredulous. For you see my fellow esoteric, the subject matter tendered for hopeful response dealt with a certain lady from the late 19th century, who lived well past the middle of the 20th, a shadow figure to most, even myself.
That being said, and in retrospect, somewhat prematurely, my mind registered a silent ‘good luck on your search’!!! However, I doubted very seriously if enough information could be garnered to warrant a full scale biography on this lady, no matter how tempting she seemed, always showcased within the pages of biographies where she was not the subject, hardly indicated she merited one of her own.
Don’t get me wrong, this lady by right; needs an adjective laden introduction. Beyond intriguing, she was beguiling, bewitching, captivating, charming, consuming enchanting, engaging, engrossing, enrapturing, enslaving, entrancing, gripping, hypnotizing, mesmerizing, riveting, seducing, spellbinding, tempting and vampish!
Amongst other things, in all likelihood she was illegitimate, an heiress to a famous banking family, a peeress of the realm by marriage and a fact unknown to most, a very real source behind one of the most famous discoveries of the 20th century. Lace this with her passion for the nursing profession and you have a lady who was in most ways a ‘one off’! At the very least, an ORGINAL! Her life is the remarkable story of a lost time.
I’ve digressed a bit with my verbal rant along the lines of Proust, however, I’ve realigned and back on point.
Rarely am I in awe of the endeavors of a fellow esoteric. My intent here is not to imply an over developed sense of hubris, rather a statement of how I approach my esoteric mindset. It is a coveted territory for me, underpinned by an overwhelming sense of possession; based on an alpha personality!
Notwithstanding, within the past month I’ve had the rare pleasure and distinct honor of meeting another esoteric with an eclectic approach to breathing life into this specific ‘character’ of history!
Deft handling of such a sensitive subject, which even in the early 21st century possesses aspects of the explosive, requires the subtlest of nuances, without affecting the allure of such a tantalizing heroine!
After all, who could resist a lady of such description; ‘every inch a Countess, every sinue a Lady, she gave generously to many causes, and to those in her own class, but she was also a bit of a monster......’!
Although esoteric by title and mindset, by name, he is known as William Cross. An esoteric of the first order, who finds no subject too arcane, or too challenging to research! It is not too far a stretch to imagine him in a book lined room, perusing forgotten diaries, ancient documents, or hand written entries, dusted by time; surrounded by faded photographs or cabinet cards, that draw him into the sitters’ presence, encouraging him to tell their story.
Indeed, Cross does this very thing; and magnificently so, as he pulls off an incredible tome about this barely five-foot ‘Pocket Venus’ with a direct connection to Egypt’s ‘Boy King,’ Tutankhamun!
The book; The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon; is a delicious romp, expertly told.
Presently, The Esoteric Curiosa will feature a full scale review of this book, as well as a fascinating interview with the author himself, as he recounts his ‘love affair’; albeit by proxy through the ages with the irresistible Almina.
NR
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