Synopses & Reviews
An investigation of the New Age movement in America that aims to understand its appeal to women and the self-proclaimed prophetesses, like Love Has Won's Amy Carlson, who've created kingdoms for themselves within it.
Known for deep dives into true crime, extremist ideologies and fringe subcultures, journalist Leah Sottile turns her investigative eye toward American New Age culture. Today, tarot cards, astrology and crystals are everywhere — from Instagram and TikTok, to upscale boutiques and pricey wellness retreats. Sottile investigates how the recent surge of interest in New Age ideas speaks to a culture that is woven into the very fabric of America, and how self-professed gurus like Love Has Won's Mother God and the mysterious channeler Ramtha have built devout followings because of it. For more than a century, this pastel-colored world of love, light and enlightenment has been built upon a foundation of conspiracies, antisemitism, nationalism and a rejection of science.
In Blazing Eye Sees All, Sottile seeks to understand the quest for New Age spirituality in an era of fear that has made us open to anything that claims to bring relief — from war, the climate crisis, COVID 19, or the myriad of other issues we face. At the same time, she attempts to draw a line between truly helpful, healing ideas and snake oil. The new New Age is everywhere, and Sottile helps us sort through the crystals to find true clarity.
Review
"Blazing Eye Sees All is a sweeping, well-researched account of the lineage of American New Age thought, from the Pre-American myths and superstitions that thrive in this country's peculiar psyche to the waves of spiritual charlatans who have repackaged this language and peddled religion — and prejudice — as product. Sottile excels at unpacking the historical link between the conspiracy theories, bigotry, and New Age spiritualism that are the foundation of today's toxic political soup."
Becky Cooper, bestselling author of We Keep the Dead Close
Review
"I have never read a better — or more entertaining — analysis of so-called New Age Spirituality and its self-anointed prophets than Lisa Sottile's Blazing Eye Sees All. In this book, even the infamous Love Has Won cult doesn't win, but readers do. See for yourself." Jeff Guinn, author of Manson, The Road to Jonestown, and Waco
Review
"Leah Sottile is one of our foremost chroniclers of American extremism, and in Blazing Eye Sees All she reveals the conspiracism, fakery, and abuses of power embedded in New Age culture. A fascinating, unsettling, and, yes, enlightening investigation of an extremist movement operating in plain sight."
Michelle Nijhuis, author of Beloved Beasts
About the Author
Leah Sottile is the author of When the Moon Turns to Blood: Lori Vallow Chad Daybell, and A Story of Murder, Wild Faith and End Times. Her investigations, features and essays have been published by The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, Playboy, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic and High Country News. She is the host of the investigative podcasts Hush, Burn Wild, Two Minutes Past Nine and Bundyville. She lives in Oregon.