In the early 1970s, noted philosopher and mystic Oberon Zell was the first to propose and publish the radical idea that the biosphere of Earth is a single vast living organism. His initial article on the subject electrified the emerging modern movement of Earth-based spirituality.

The excitement was the result of a simple yet profound idea. Imagine for a moment that Earth is alive. Not just teeming with living things, but a living, vital organism. This is more than imagination or mere metaphor. GaeaGenesis is the first work to fully integrate the mythological, spiritual, biological, and social history of what has become known as the Gaea Thesis. It expands upon this history by exploring the profound implications of this pardigm, which is as significant to our understanding of the world and our place in it as Galileo’s heliocentric theory of the solar system and Darwin’s theory of evolution.

GaeaGenesis culminates five decades of work developing Zell's thesis, building on his own original ideas as well as those of renowned scientists, philosophers and spiritualists who preceded and followed him. Foundationally, GaeaGenesis builds upon the author's original paper: “TheaGenesis: The Birth of the Goddess,” which appeared in Green Egg magazine in June of 1971.

The present book takes the idea beyond the metaphorical realm postulated by James Lovelock in his “Gaia Hypothesis” and posits that the entire evolution of life on Earth is the literal embryology of a single vast living being — one replicating continuum of DNA and protoplasm. This distinction has significant implications for the subject of this book: the proposition that Mother Earth is a living, sentient being with a “soul” that humans can perceive if they are aware enough to sense it. In essence, the living beings that populate the Earth are cells within a greater macro-organism.

Reviews

A Wizard’s life’s work!

GaeaGenesis is a book for the historian, the seeker, the theologian, and the beginner. It is a complete work of science, biology, mythos, magic, theology, and research. Wizard and author, Oberon Zell left nothing out as I would expect of the Dumbledore of our time.

The foreword by Alex Vikoulov is fascinating. Alex meticulously tracks the correspondences between Oberon Zell and James Lovelock to demonstrate how the two literary titans lay out their theories about Gaea vs Gaia and when it all occurred. It may seem tedious to go over who was doing what and when, but it is important to know this background as you proceed through this expansive volume of work.

At the outset, Oberon states he is a wizard, not a scientist, yet throughout the book, Zell connects the Gaea thesis to spirituality and magic using a mix of science, and history equal to any scientist. The illustrations are a treat to the senses and even include some comics, which further explain Oberon’s creation story of Gaea. GaeaGenesis took Oberon Zell 50 years to complete and is his first hardbacked book. In this work, Zell includes an article by his beloved Morning Glory, where she speaks about emergent evolution. A concept she describes as “The Process of continuing unfolding and diversification of potential…the ongoing process not only of living beings but of spiritual entities as well.” MG closes this article by speaking about climate change. And you get all this before you even get to the first chapter!

Oberon Zell is a meticulous researcher and it shows. There are many discussions, articles and, citing’s, in GaeaGenesis. The Reader will discover that many cultures and philosophers have considered or written about the concept of Earth as a sentient being that begins with Plato. Oberon Zell takes us on a journey as he reveals “The Great Mother Earth” as seen throughout history and time.

The science and biology included in GaeaGenesis is thorough and comprehensive. This work includes the tardigrade, the tree of life, the microcosm, the Green Man, the Mother-Maiden-Crone mythos. You will discover how the rise of patriarchy and Christianity affected Paganism and other cultures, and even quantum physics and theology. When I say this is a complete work, I really mean it. GaeaGenesis reveals not just what or whom Gaea is, but all that emanates from and on Gaea. GaeaGenesis is simultaneously a valuable resource and a fascinating tale with appendices and bibliographies that would make Hermione Granger swoon!

~ Cat Gina Cole: Author of Psychic Skills for Magic and Witchcraft

An indepth and spiritual look at the living world

As with my review of any book, I tend to take my time. I find a comfortable spot in the parlor, have a go on my favorite pipe and take part in the occasional sip of Chateau Margaux Bordeaux Blend (1994). All of this, I believe, truly enhances the reading experience. What I have found in this most recent tome by Oberon Zell is the perfect accompaniment to such an environment. It's Smart, Funny, Insightful and most importantly, profound. Much like my favored wine, such works are not something which can simply come to be in the blink of an eye; rather they are a product of a long, and often eventful life.

It is then, in good form that the course of Oberon's long life (eighty years and counting!) has been one of legend. He has tamed unicorns, swam with mermaids, brought wizardry to the modern world and, in tandem with his Soulmate Morning Glory, showed us what a real-life love story can look like (The Wizard and the Witch). This is to say, that he has led an inspiring and wonder-filled life. It is no surprise then that such a man would have an insight or two to share with his peers and fellows via the written word. As it happens, he has written a good many books which do well to delight the reader's desire to not only explore the world around them, but to learn and love as we travel along.

In this work, Oberon has organized and succinctly woven the fabric of a fifty year revelation into the pages of GaeaGenesis: Conception and Birth of the Living Earth. With-in the Reader embarks on a scholastic, and frankly spiritual, journey into the workings of our wondrous home, and the mother of all known life in the cosmos, Earth. I found myself delighted and intrigued as I sauntered my way through the pages, nearly each offering some interesting insight. One thing I found to be particularly intellectually satisfying was the way in which Oberon has managed to so gracefully craft the evolution of the subject matter. From the beginning pages and chapters covering more open concepts, to the later chapters covering truly in-depth and often quantum level concepts. This allows the reader, regardless of their foreknowledge, to follow the concepts expressed in the book succinctly and effectively, never causing the reader to become lost or otherwise confused in the reading.

If you've read some of Oberon's other works then you'll be familiar with his more whimsical and fun style of writing. While much of this same beloved style is on display in GaeaGenesis, it has also been refined and honed into a writing tone which seems as though it is speaking directly to the reader through his work, rather than lecturing past them. Think Clemens meets Pratchett with the underlining knowledgeable tone of Sagan and you've got a good mental image of what you can expect here. This tone helps the reader to engage with and better understand the growing impact of climate change as well as how that affects our shared systems as a whole.

In his writings, Zell references and builds off the work of several notable figures (Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Al Gore) and helps the reader to not only understand the concepts expressed by them, but also does well to present their understandings, as well as his own, as a meaningful expansion in the conversation of a Living Earth. I found the connections to the Syntellect Hypothesis by the Philosopher Alex M. Vikoulov to be particularly insightful and I enjoyed the sections of the book where Zell and Vikoulov's work played off each other.

In recent years conversations have begun to grow louder in the scientific fields relating to the nature of our world, and the very concept of Life continues to be explored in profound ways.

As a modern Shaman, and Spiritual Elder for the Communities which he serves, Oberon Zell is one of the few people alive today who have the perspective, insight and Wisdom necessary to contribute this point of view to the convention of ideas that point more and more towards the Earth being "more than just a dead thing you can claim" in the words of a certain Disney princess.

While this book is most certainly open and accessible to anyone, I would say that those who take part in the many earth-based spiritual practices should take special note. One of such stock will upon reading not but the first few pages find that this is a must have, and close at hand at that. Much in the way I feel when finishing off a glass of that aforementioned 94' I was sated, refreshed, and perhaps even a bit bubbly after reading the last page. Setting GaeaGenesis on the small table beside my chair after I had finished savoring it appropriately, I was left with the sensation of having learned and, perhaps most impressively, that I had grown. Such is the mark of a great work, and I am happy to say that this book is truly a Magnum Opus. I could not recommend it more highly.

~ Nicholas Kingsley, Headmaster Grey School of Wizardry

“The Earth is our Mother, we must take care of her.”

Within the pages of this groundbreaking compendium of Gaian lore, Oberon has masterfully woven together his 50+ years experience into a single, cohesive tapestry of science, spirit, and mythos. While the worlds of biology and magick are often cast into vastly different orbits, this book reconciles them- demonstrating their interconnectedness in easy-to-understand ways.

Consisting of richly illustrated “Cantos” that echo the wisdom found in such subjects as the “Anima Mundi” and “Nature of the Gods,” this terrestrial love story presents the seeker with a pure, unadulterated understanding of Gaia as a single, vast living organism- of whom we humans are living cells. You’ve no doubt heard of “evolution,” but have you ever seen a link drawn between evolution and embryology? I don’t want to give too much away, but I guarantee that the way in which you see the Earth will be entirely transformed after reading this tome. But don’t just take my word for it, read it and see!

In this age of re-awakening and awareness, this is a book that needs to be read. Indulging in its magick not only increases one’s ability to perceive the “soul” of Mother Earth, it helps one navigate their individual life-path within the macrocosm.

This book also preserves the teachings and art of numerous Pagan elders- both living and deceased, providing yet another reason as to why it belongs on every bookshelf.

“What is remembered lives.”

I can’t recommend “GaeaGenesis” highly enough, it truly is Oberon’s magnum opus!

Drink Deeply and Never Thirst,

~ Jim “Raven” Stefanowicz