Sara Northrup Hollister, American occultist (d. 1997)

Sara Elizabeth Bruce Northrup Hollister, born on April 8, 1924, and passing away on December 19, 1997, was a figure whose life intertwined significantly with the early days of modern occultism and the nascent stages of what would become the global religious movement of Scientology. Known primarily as an occultist in her own right, she also held the distinction of being the second wife of L. Ron Hubbard, the controversial founder of Dianetics and subsequently the Church of Scientology. Her influence was not merely tangential; she played a foundational role in the creation of Dianetics, a system that would lay the groundwork for Hubbard's later religious endeavors.

Before her involvement with Hubbard, Northrup was deeply immersed in the esoteric world. She became a prominent member of the Pasadena branch of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), an international fraternal and religious organization often described as a secret society, which was then under the distant but firm leadership of the renowned English occultist, Aleister Crowley. Within this mystical circle, she was known by her ceremonial name, "Soror Cassap" (Sister Cassap), a designation that underscored her active participation and standing. She had joined the O.T.O. as a teenager, alongside her older sister, Helen, entering a world steeped in ritual and esoteric philosophy.

From 1941 to 1945, Sara Northrup found herself in a complex and often tempestuous relationship with John Whiteside Parsons, a brilliant and pioneering figure in liquid-fueled rocketry, whose scientific achievements were as notable as his leadership of the Pasadena O.T.O. lodge. Parsons was not only a scientific luminary but also her sister Helen's husband, adding a layer of personal drama to their association. Despite being a committed and well-regarded member of the O.T.O., Northrup developed a reputation for being disruptive. This characteristic eventually led to a rather dramatic denunciation by Aleister Crowley himself, who, from afar, famously labeled her a "vampire," highlighting the friction she could generate within the structured, albeit unconventional, environment of the O.T.O.

Her path crossed with L. Ron Hubbard in 1945, through their shared connections within the O.T.O. This encounter marked a pivotal turning point in both their lives. Their relationship quickly deepened, leading to a controversial elopement. During this period, Northrup and Hubbard absconded, taking with them a considerable sum of Parsons' life savings. A year later, their relationship was formalized in a marriage, which was legally problematic due to Hubbard still being married to his first wife, Margaret Grubb, making his union with Northrup bigamous in the eyes of the law.

Between 1948 and 1951, Sara Northrup became indispensable to Hubbard's ambitious project: the development of Dianetics. Hubbard famously promoted Dianetics as a "modern science of mental health," and Northrup was at the heart of its genesis. She served as Hubbard's personal auditor, a crucial role in Dianetics where an individual guides another through counseling sessions designed to address past traumas. Her strategic importance was further cemented by her position as one of the seven founding members of the Dianetics Foundation's Board of Directors, a clear indication of her integral role in establishing and propagating this new system.

However, the marriage between Sara Northrup and L. Ron Hubbard was fraught with profound difficulties and ultimately became deeply troubled. Historical accounts and legal records indicate a prolonged campaign of domestic violence against Northrup by Hubbard. The situation escalated to critical levels when Hubbard reportedly kidnapped both Northrup and their infant daughter, a terrifying ordeal that underscored the severity of their marital breakdown. In a series of increasingly bizarre and desperate actions, Hubbard began to spread sensational allegations, accusing Northrup of being a Communist secret agent and repeatedly reporting her to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI, however, found no merit in Hubbard's claims and, perhaps tellingly, characterized him in their internal documents as a "mental case." The contentious marriage finally dissolved in 1951, culminating in a divorce that generated lurid headlines across Los Angeles newspapers, bringing their private turmoil into the public eye.

After the dramatic conclusion of her marriage to Hubbard, Sara Northrup sought a new life. She subsequently married Miles Hollister, who had once been an employee of L. Ron Hubbard. Together, they relocated, first to the tranquil setting of Hawaii, and later to Massachusetts, where she eventually passed away in 1997, far removed from the controversial circles that had defined so much of her earlier life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sara Northrup Hollister

Who was Sara Northrup Hollister?

Sara Elizabeth Bruce Northrup Hollister was an American occultist and a significant figure in the early development of Dianetics. She is also widely known as the second wife of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, and for her earlier involvement with the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.).

What was her connection to L. Ron Hubbard?

Sara Northrup met L. Ron Hubbard through their shared involvement with the O.T.O. They began a relationship in 1945, eloped, and married bigamously in 1946 (as Hubbard was still married to his first wife). She was instrumental in the creation of Dianetics, but their marriage was marked by severe conflict, domestic violence, and eventually, a highly publicized divorce in 1951.

What role did she play in Dianetics and Scientology?

She played a major, foundational role in Dianetics. She served as L. Ron Hubbard's personal auditor—a key position in Dianetics counseling—and was one of the seven members of the Dianetics Foundation's Board of Directors. Her contributions were crucial during the system's development between 1948 and 1951, before it evolved into Scientology.

What was her involvement with the O.T.O.?

Sara Northrup was a prominent member of the Pasadena branch of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), an esoteric society led by Aleister Crowley. She joined as a teenager with her sister Helen and was known within the order as "Soror Cassap." She was also involved with Jack Parsons, the head of the Pasadena O.T.O. lodge.

What was her relationship with Jack Parsons?

From 1941 to 1945, she had a turbulent relationship with John Whiteside Parsons, a pioneering rocketry scientist and the leader of the Pasadena O.T.O. lodge. Parsons was also the husband of her sister, Helen. Their relationship was complicated, and she and Hubbard controversially took a substantial amount of Parsons' life savings when they eloped.

What led to her divorce from L. Ron Hubbard?

Their marriage was deeply troubled by Hubbard's alleged domestic violence against her and his kidnapping of Northrup and their infant daughter. Hubbard also spread baseless allegations that she was a Communist secret agent and repeatedly reported her to the FBI. These factors, combined with their bigamous marriage, led to a tumultuous divorce in 1951.

How did L. Ron Hubbard view her after their separation?

After their separation, L. Ron Hubbard launched a campaign of defamation against Sara Northrup, publicly accusing her of being a Communist secret agent and making repeated, unsubstantiated reports to the FBI. The FBI, however, dismissed his claims and reportedly characterized Hubbard himself as a "mental case."

What happened to Sara Northrup Hollister after her divorce from Hubbard?

Following her divorce from L. Ron Hubbard, Sara Northrup married Miles Hollister, a former employee of Hubbard's. She then moved away from California, residing first in Hawaii and later in Massachusetts, where she passed away in 1997, living a life outside the public controversies of her earlier years.