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Correspondence from Jane Wolfe to Karl Germer
1746 N. Winona Boulevard Los Angeles, California
April 20, 1941
Dear Karl:
93
P.O. Box 231, Altadena, California, will reach Max [Max Schneider]. This attractive little rambling city adjoins Pasadena on the North.
Wilfred [Wilfred T. Smith] wrote A.C.: "We have the valley in the bag." When the property had not been passed, no agreement decided upon, etc., etc. His wishful thinking saw it as a fact; and while some of us sat back, and regretfully watched the performance, he announced here on two or three occasions: "We have the valley." So dear to his heart was this project.
And the Leffingwells [Roy and Rhea]—people who had to be helped more or less all their lives, and who left the Order disgruntles—swapped their commercial acres in El Monte with a good house and chicken-raising apparatus, for 130 acres up toward Barstow with 2 houses, water, etc. Reclaimed desert, I understand. This was a bit of a blow to Wilfred, who said: "I talk—Leffingwell goes out and accomplishes." Max lived out there for a time, and could give you more information about them, if you wish.
Here at Winona we have kept the Mass [Gnostic Mass] going since its inception March 1933. Also Thursday nights we have a study class, which has brought two of our suckling babes to adolescence, anyway; and John Eller, a tractor driver for the County in its road building, and his wife Thelma, are excellent people.
In Pasadena Jack Parsons is holding his bi-weekly discussion groups, and last night we had a "board meeting", so to say, regarding subjects for continuing these groups, etc. Also what each individual member of the Order can do to further its progress.
Now 8 years ago Jack was writing matters Thelemic, and looked forward to giving a series of radio talks, at the end of which he intended to announce the Word of the Aeon! He was thoroughly surprised, if not a bit shocked, to learn on coming to Winona some 2 years ago, that the word had been pronounced. All of which he promptly accepted. I tell you this that you may have some idea of him.
Education: University of Southern Cal., California Institute of Technology. His teachers all said, "Literature for you." No sir; said he; "Science!" And this he now works on—although the literature will follow more or less shortly. His talks are rattling good, but hampered with poor delivery. He can talk with scientist, physicist, mathematician in their own language—all 3 of which W[ilfred T. Smith] lacks. Writes good poetry, too. 26 years of age, 6'2" in height, dark hair & eyes, fine looking; passionate & a warrior, boyish, simple, shy, hierarchical in belief but proper sense of equality as a result of his mystic experiences, he says. Born in him, no doubt. And this sense of equality gives him a poise I have found lacking in many places. Not the least bit pretentious. Altogether most fortunate in his birth and general set-up.
You now see why I likened his general attainment with Crowley's original nake-up.
Heretofore I refused to go into any detail about things out here—wrong impressions can so easily be given—and I know what difficulties arose because Max indulged in what I consider "scribbling" from this end.
Letters are dangerous, and we some times fail to see the strength and good points if weaknesses are brought out through a momentary peeve or00worse--unrecognized jealousies. I know I would just chatter away by the hour, my European connections and love for all you all affording a kind of intimacy that would/might make you slam and bar the doors.
After posting my last to you, I realized that it was Cora [Cora Eaton], of course, who was a prime mover in your release, etc. Please give her my love, I think, too, it would rather scrumptious if you folks were out here. Perhaps you are more needed in New York but. . . how about it? I don't know anything about the job market here, however; but assume one piece is as good as another for that.
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Fraternally,
Jane
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