International Center of Parapsychology and Scientific Research of the New Age

The name "Horus" derives from ancient Egyptian mythology, referring to the falcon-headed god, a symbol of divine kingship and protection. The group adopted this emblem to signify their pursuit of higher knowledge and spiritual enlightenment through scientific inquiry.

The International Center of Parapsychology and Scientific Research of the New Age, generally known under the name of Horus (in reference to falcon-god Horus which was the emblem of the group), was a New Age-oriented new religious movement founded in France in 1989 by Marie-Thérèse Castano, and ended in April 1997. This group had about 300 members. The community of the group was located in La Coucourde, in the Drôme department. In the 1990s, the group was often the subject of strong criticisms in...

The International Center of Parapsychology and Scientific Research of the New Age, or "Horus," presents a fascinating, albeit brief, chapter in the ongoing human endeavor to reconcile the spectral with the tangible. Its very name, invoking the falcon-god of ancient Egypt, signals an ambition to ascend beyond ordinary perception, to gain a divine perspective on the mysteries of existence. This was not merely a gathering of enthusiasts; it was an organized attempt, however ephemeral, to establish a formal locus for the investigation of phenomena that lie beyond the purview of conventional science.

Mircea Eliade, in his seminal works on the history of religions, often highlighted humanity's persistent quest for the sacred, for experiences that transcend the mundane. The "Horus" group, with its emphasis on "scientific research" into parapsychology, can be seen as a modern manifestation of this ancient impulse, attempting to apply the rigorous methods of the laboratory to the elusive domain of consciousness and extrasensory perception. It echoes, in a curious way, the alchemical impulse to transmute base metals, here seeking to transmute the unproven into the demonstrable.

The adoption of the name Horus, a deity associated with kingship, protection, and the sky, suggests a desire for mastery and clarity. It implies a belief that through dedicated study and communal effort, one could achieve a higher state of understanding, much like the falcon soaring above the earth. This echoes the Jungian concept of the archetype, the universal patterns of the unconscious that manifest in symbols and myths, providing a framework for understanding the human psyche's engagement with the unknown.

The group's existence, rooted in the late 20th century, places it within a period of burgeoning interest in New Age philosophies, a time when individuals sought alternative spiritual paths and a deeper connection to the universe. The attempt to blend "parapsychology" with "scientific research" speaks to a desire to legitimize esoteric experiences within a rational framework, a challenge that continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about consciousness studies and the frontiers of physics. It was a microcosm of a larger cultural conversation, a fleeting experiment in the perennial human project of mapping the uncharted territories of the mind and spirit.