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Published by Destiny Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
An esoteric and magical portrait of Elvis Presley
• 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.
• 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.
Excerpt
1
A Quick History of Elvis Presley
Black velvet and that little boy’s smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that’ ll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Alannah Myles, "Black Velvet"
THIS CHAPTER MUST BE DONE. I know that for many readers who are fans, having to go through the history of Elvis is like the obligatory viewing of the alley death of Thomas and Martha Wayne in a Batman flick, or yet another childhood bio of Clark Kent in a Superman narration. We get it—do we have to do it again?
This biography is micro, breaking down the life stages of the ever-reinventing King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. It will work as a reference once we go down the rabbit hole that is the magical side of his life.
CHILD ELVIS
Elvis Aron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. He was the only living child of Vernon and Gladys Presley. His twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was born thirty-five minutes earlier but was stillborn. The Presley family was poor, and Vernon worked odd jobs to support his family, from sharecropping to running moonshine. Gladys took small jobs when she was able.
Elvis was extremely close to his parents, especially his mother. The family attended the Assembly of God Church, where he found his initial musical inspiration. Elvis was shy and introverted as a young boy. His passion was music, reflected in often singing at school or church.
The Presleys continued to live in poverty during that time, with Vernon even spending time away in jail for altering a check from an employer. In 1948, when Elvis was thirteen, the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis was exposed to the sounds of blues, country, and gospel music there. As a teenager, he frequented Beale Street, an African-American music and culture hub. The music in that area had a profound impact on his musical style.
ROCKABILLY ELVIS
In 1953, with no formal music training and no ability to read music, working as a truck driver, Elvis paid four dollars to record two songs at the Memphis Recording Service, owned by Sun Records founder Sam Phillips. His first session was unremarkable. Nevertheless, Phillips saw potential in Elvis’s unique blend of country and blues. He invited the youth back to record a second time. During his second recording session, in July 1954, Elvis recorded his breakthrough hit, "That’s All Right (Mama)." The song became a local hit, leading to appearances on regional radio and television programs. Shortly after, Elvis signed a recording contract with RCA Records and released his first single, "Heartbreak Hotel," for the label in 1956. The song became an instant hit, reaching number one on the pop charts. Other chart-topping classics soon followed, like "Hound Dog," "All Shook Up," and "Don’t Be Cruel."
Elvis’s career skyrocketed in the following years, helping make rock music mainstream and ubiquitous. He became a cultural icon known for his suggestive dance moves and unique sound. His music mated several styles, including blues, country, and gospel. His charisma and sex appeal made him a favorite among teenagers and adults alike. Elvis’s popularity was further fueled by appearances on television programs like The Ed Sullivan Show, which introduced him to a national audience and made him a household name.
ARMY ELVIS
Elvis served in the army after being drafted in 1958. His two-year service stint was a significant interruption in his career, tragically marked by the sudden death of his mother Gladys. He also became interested in more unconventional spirituality, healing modalities, and martial arts. He returned to the music scene in 1960 with a renewed focus and passion.
MOVIE STAR ELVIS
Elvis’s first stint as an actor was in Love Me Tender, released in 1956. After leaving the army and as his music career cooled down in the 1960s, he went on to star in more than thirty films. Though his film career was not as impactful as his music career, his movies were extremely popular with his fans and cemented his status as a pop icon.
Despite releasing mostly campy musicals, Elvis was one of the highest-paid movie stars of his era. At one point, he earned a million dollars per picture plus a guarantee of 50 percent of the profit. His movies were mainly moneymakers.
During this time, Elvis expanded his spirituality, embracing an eclectic array of rituals and viewpoints.
VEGAS ELVIS
Elvis reinvented himself one last time after his 1968 Christmas television special (or ’68 Comeback Special, as it’s chiefly known). Once again, he became the most famous solo artist in the country. He focused on Las Vegas shows outside of touring, all monstrous successes, still releasing hit songs like "Suspicious Minds," "In the Ghetto," and "Burning Love."
FAT ELVIS
By 1975, Elvis’s growing drug consumption, unhealthy lifestyle, and mental disorders began to take their toll. He could not lose weight as in the past, and his behavior became erratic. From the greatest performer on Earth, he became a show curiosity and the epitome of the aged, decaying rock star, a parody of what once made him edgy and groundbreaking.
PERSONAL LIFE
As the greatest male star in the world, Elvis’s personal life was the continual subject of tabloid rumors and speculation. He dated several women, including actress Ann-Margret in the early 1960s. His most significant relationship was with Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he met when Priscilla was just fourteen years old while Elvis was serving in the army in Germany. The two continued corresponding, and she began dating Elvis after returning to the USA. They married in 1967, conceiving Lisa Marie Presley the following year. As with most celebrities, their marriage was challenging, ultimately ending in 1973.
The effects of divorce and the demands of his renewed fame were the main drivers of Elvis’s self-destruction in the following years.
DEATH AND LEGACY
On August 16, 1977, at forty-two, Elvis Presley died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Memphis. His death rocked the world. Fans around the globe mourned his passing. In the years since his death, Elvis’s popularity has only grown, and he is still considered one of the most impactful cultural figures in the history of popular music. He remains one of the highest-selling solo artists of all time with over a billion records sold worldwide.
That was simple. Thomas and Martha Wayne are forever being killed in some future screenplay, while Superman grows corn as a teen—and maybe we can include the spider biting Peter Parker for good measure—but Elvis lives forever in so many retellings. You drove here to see the freakshow, I assume. Now it’s time to witness the magician and his life.
Let’s start by finding the fonts from which the magic came, which would later crown the King, who was not really a king.
2
The Apocalyptical World That Created Elvis
At the Crossroads of Heaven and Hell
Tears obliterate upon a throne
Hills obliterate upon a throne
Wipe that seat, fan it down
Ripped and married and killed away
The King will walk on Tupelo
The King will walk on Tupelo
And carry the burden of Tupelo
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "Tupelo"
NOTHING HAPPENS IN A VACUUM—not even vacuums. To understand the magician, whether it’s Merlin or Circe, we must understand the forces of their time—their innate power and desires. A boy cannot retrieve a sword from a stone unless destiny writes some of his script.
LOST TWIN AND FOUND DAEMON
Straight out of the gate, Samsara welcomed Elvis with death and tragedy. When his identical twin, Jesse, died at birth at 4:35 a.m. on January 8, 1935, it took Elvis half an hour to come out into this world of temporality. The arduous labor occurred after a long and complicated pregnancy that forced Gladys to quit her job. Gladys let out a long, piercing wail while the midwife carried the dead infant to the back room. As for the once and future King, he was snugly wrapped in a shoebox. So worried were Glady and Vernon about the surviving newborn Elvis that they placed him in the warmest place in the house: the oven. After little Elvis was taken to the hospital, Gladys discovered that she would be unable to have another child. She later said, "When one twin died, the one that lived got all the strength of both."1
A Quick History of Elvis Presley
Black velvet and that little boy’s smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that’ ll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Alannah Myles, "Black Velvet"
THIS CHAPTER MUST BE DONE. I know that for many readers who are fans, having to go through the history of Elvis is like the obligatory viewing of the alley death of Thomas and Martha Wayne in a Batman flick, or yet another childhood bio of Clark Kent in a Superman narration. We get it—do we have to do it again?
This biography is micro, breaking down the life stages of the ever-reinventing King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. It will work as a reference once we go down the rabbit hole that is the magical side of his life.
CHILD ELVIS
Elvis Aron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. He was the only living child of Vernon and Gladys Presley. His twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was born thirty-five minutes earlier but was stillborn. The Presley family was poor, and Vernon worked odd jobs to support his family, from sharecropping to running moonshine. Gladys took small jobs when she was able.
Elvis was extremely close to his parents, especially his mother. The family attended the Assembly of God Church, where he found his initial musical inspiration. Elvis was shy and introverted as a young boy. His passion was music, reflected in often singing at school or church.
The Presleys continued to live in poverty during that time, with Vernon even spending time away in jail for altering a check from an employer. In 1948, when Elvis was thirteen, the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis was exposed to the sounds of blues, country, and gospel music there. As a teenager, he frequented Beale Street, an African-American music and culture hub. The music in that area had a profound impact on his musical style.
ROCKABILLY ELVIS
In 1953, with no formal music training and no ability to read music, working as a truck driver, Elvis paid four dollars to record two songs at the Memphis Recording Service, owned by Sun Records founder Sam Phillips. His first session was unremarkable. Nevertheless, Phillips saw potential in Elvis’s unique blend of country and blues. He invited the youth back to record a second time. During his second recording session, in July 1954, Elvis recorded his breakthrough hit, "That’s All Right (Mama)." The song became a local hit, leading to appearances on regional radio and television programs. Shortly after, Elvis signed a recording contract with RCA Records and released his first single, "Heartbreak Hotel," for the label in 1956. The song became an instant hit, reaching number one on the pop charts. Other chart-topping classics soon followed, like "Hound Dog," "All Shook Up," and "Don’t Be Cruel."
Elvis’s career skyrocketed in the following years, helping make rock music mainstream and ubiquitous. He became a cultural icon known for his suggestive dance moves and unique sound. His music mated several styles, including blues, country, and gospel. His charisma and sex appeal made him a favorite among teenagers and adults alike. Elvis’s popularity was further fueled by appearances on television programs like The Ed Sullivan Show, which introduced him to a national audience and made him a household name.
ARMY ELVIS
Elvis served in the army after being drafted in 1958. His two-year service stint was a significant interruption in his career, tragically marked by the sudden death of his mother Gladys. He also became interested in more unconventional spirituality, healing modalities, and martial arts. He returned to the music scene in 1960 with a renewed focus and passion.
MOVIE STAR ELVIS
Elvis’s first stint as an actor was in Love Me Tender, released in 1956. After leaving the army and as his music career cooled down in the 1960s, he went on to star in more than thirty films. Though his film career was not as impactful as his music career, his movies were extremely popular with his fans and cemented his status as a pop icon.
Despite releasing mostly campy musicals, Elvis was one of the highest-paid movie stars of his era. At one point, he earned a million dollars per picture plus a guarantee of 50 percent of the profit. His movies were mainly moneymakers.
During this time, Elvis expanded his spirituality, embracing an eclectic array of rituals and viewpoints.
VEGAS ELVIS
Elvis reinvented himself one last time after his 1968 Christmas television special (or ’68 Comeback Special, as it’s chiefly known). Once again, he became the most famous solo artist in the country. He focused on Las Vegas shows outside of touring, all monstrous successes, still releasing hit songs like "Suspicious Minds," "In the Ghetto," and "Burning Love."
FAT ELVIS
By 1975, Elvis’s growing drug consumption, unhealthy lifestyle, and mental disorders began to take their toll. He could not lose weight as in the past, and his behavior became erratic. From the greatest performer on Earth, he became a show curiosity and the epitome of the aged, decaying rock star, a parody of what once made him edgy and groundbreaking.
PERSONAL LIFE
As the greatest male star in the world, Elvis’s personal life was the continual subject of tabloid rumors and speculation. He dated several women, including actress Ann-Margret in the early 1960s. His most significant relationship was with Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he met when Priscilla was just fourteen years old while Elvis was serving in the army in Germany. The two continued corresponding, and she began dating Elvis after returning to the USA. They married in 1967, conceiving Lisa Marie Presley the following year. As with most celebrities, their marriage was challenging, ultimately ending in 1973.
The effects of divorce and the demands of his renewed fame were the main drivers of Elvis’s self-destruction in the following years.
DEATH AND LEGACY
On August 16, 1977, at forty-two, Elvis Presley died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Memphis. His death rocked the world. Fans around the globe mourned his passing. In the years since his death, Elvis’s popularity has only grown, and he is still considered one of the most impactful cultural figures in the history of popular music. He remains one of the highest-selling solo artists of all time with over a billion records sold worldwide.
That was simple. Thomas and Martha Wayne are forever being killed in some future screenplay, while Superman grows corn as a teen—and maybe we can include the spider biting Peter Parker for good measure—but Elvis lives forever in so many retellings. You drove here to see the freakshow, I assume. Now it’s time to witness the magician and his life.
Let’s start by finding the fonts from which the magic came, which would later crown the King, who was not really a king.
2
The Apocalyptical World That Created Elvis
At the Crossroads of Heaven and Hell
Tears obliterate upon a throne
Hills obliterate upon a throne
Wipe that seat, fan it down
Ripped and married and killed away
The King will walk on Tupelo
The King will walk on Tupelo
And carry the burden of Tupelo
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "Tupelo"
NOTHING HAPPENS IN A VACUUM—not even vacuums. To understand the magician, whether it’s Merlin or Circe, we must understand the forces of their time—their innate power and desires. A boy cannot retrieve a sword from a stone unless destiny writes some of his script.
LOST TWIN AND FOUND DAEMON
Straight out of the gate, Samsara welcomed Elvis with death and tragedy. When his identical twin, Jesse, died at birth at 4:35 a.m. on January 8, 1935, it took Elvis half an hour to come out into this world of temporality. The arduous labor occurred after a long and complicated pregnancy that forced Gladys to quit her job. Gladys let out a long, piercing wail while the midwife carried the dead infant to the back room. As for the once and future King, he was snugly wrapped in a shoebox. So worried were Glady and Vernon about the surviving newborn Elvis that they placed him in the warmest place in the house: the oven. After little Elvis was taken to the hospital, Gladys discovered that she would be unable to have another child. She later said, "When one twin died, the one that lived got all the strength of both."1
Product Details
- Publisher: Destiny Books (June 4, 2025)
- Length: 288 pages
- ISBN13: 9798888501351
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Raves and 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
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Occult Elvis Trade Paperback 9798888501351
