Bohemian Grove: Weirdness Under Redwoods Transcript

 Here is the transcript for episode one: Weekly Weird • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters

Listener discretion is advised: Contains strong language and topics not suitable for children.

[Opening Music]

Host: Hello Weirdos and welcome to Weekly Weird. Where we explore the confounding, the strange and the just plain weird. I’m Jac, your tour guide or podcast host whatever you prefer and together we will be traversing the world of weird. New episodes will be posted every week. On this podcast we will explore everything weird from secret societies to mythical monsters. At the end of every episode, we will rate the weirdness of the topic, we're discussing. Our scale is one to ten, one not really weird, ten is crazy ass run for the hills weird.

 Get in weirdo we’re going to California. Today we dive into the enigmatic realm of Bohemian Grove. I’m sure you're as curious as I am to unravel its weirdness! So, let's get started!

[Transition Music]

Host: To begin, let's set the stage. Nestled deep within the towering redwood forests of Northern California lies a place shrouded in mystery – Bohemian Grove. This secluded campground covers over 2,700 acres, with 127 camps with funny names and serves as a gathering spot for many influential individuals from various fields.

But what really happens underneath the vast canopy of the red woods. Well a little hint it involves politicians, artists, titans of industry and some peeing on trees. I told you, it was going to get weird. But what happens at Bohemian Grove stays at Bohemian Grove. Just a quick note I’m not going to go through the whole history of the club.

[Background Ambience]

Host: Bohemian Grove has long been associated with a secret society known as the Bohemian Club. Founded in 1872, this exclusive men's club aims to promote arts, culture, and friendship. Yeah okay not so sure if I believe that. Membership is exclusive and now a days membership cost $25,000 a year. If you’re not recommended by at least two members, you will be on a 15 year waiting list. It is a chance for the elite all male membership to let their hair down a little. The grove is open all year round. But every July for two- weeks, the secretive all male membership descend on Bohemian Grove for a bacchanal including politicians, businessmen, and artists.

No women are allowed for this two week alleged retreat. There are plenty of cigars and scotch. A key feature of this event is that the members are encouraged to relieve themselves on the trees. There is a restroom in the dining room at the Grove but that largely seems to be neglected.

Over the years, members have included:

Herbert Hoover

Dick Cheney

Richard Nixon

Ronald Reagan

George H. W Bush

George W. Bush

Alan Greenspan

Jack London

Walter Cronkite

Justice Scalia

Colin Powell

Current associate Justice Clarence Thomas is rumored to have attended events and be a member.

It’s also rumored that George W. Bush made his decision to choose Dick Cheney as his Vice President at Bohemian Grove in the year 2000.

Some members of the Manhattan project were also members.

 Talks for the Manhattan project took place at Bohemian Grove on September 13, 1942. The Manhattan project meeting is a story that is passed down from older members to younger members.

But of course membership is secret. So we totally don’t know for sure, who is a member or a guest. According to the Washington Post in a April 2023 article, there are about 2,600 active current members.

[Transition Music]

Host: Now, let's address one of the weirdest aspects of Bohemian Grove – the Cremation of Care ceremony. This happens on night one of the two week July retreat. The cremation of care is an allegorical banishing of all cares. This is in keeping with the club’s motto “Weaving Spiders Come Not Here,” this means business should not be discussed in the grove.

  The ceremony takes place at the Owl shrine in the center of the grove. Historically owls are seen as being symbols of wisdom and witchcraft. So let’s talk more about this owl, it’s a 40 foot hallow statue. 40 feet. At the ceremony someone usually gives voice to the owl. Former member Walter Cronkite used to play the owl. Here are where things get really weird. The owl shrine is facing a river. A boat makes its way across the lake in the dark night. On the side of the owl shrine, members wearing dark hoods known as the ferrymen receive the boat. Inside the boat is a effigy called Care. The hooded figures take care out of the boat and place Care at an altar at the foot of the owl. High priests officiate the ceremony. You heard that right, high priests. The effigy is soon burned. Some of the words said at the ceremony are a little over the top:

O Owl! Prince of all mortal wisdom

Owl of Bohemia, we beseech thee

Grant us thy council

No fire

No fire

No fire

Let it be in the world

Where care is nourished

On the hates of men

And drive Him from this grove.

One flame alone must light this fire

One flame alone must light this fire

A pure eternal flame

At last, within the lamp of Fellowship

Upon the altar of Bohemia.

With these words, care is burned.

After care is burned celebration ensues. This includes fireworks, lots of drinking and urinating on trees. Yup. Again, these are Presidents and CEOs.

The cremation of care isn’t the only theatrical performance at the Grove. Throughout the two weeks members write, produce and put on plays. Titles of plays put on over the years are the Acorn Planter: A California Forest Play written by Jack London and the Triumph of Bohemia. All roles including female roles are performed by the male members.

[Background Ambience]

Host: It's important to note that secrecy surrounds many of the Grove’s activities. However, it's widely known that during these retreats, influential figures engage in panel discussions. These talks occur around noon and are called lakeside talks. Of course most of these talks are highly secretive but a few topics have leaked over the years. These leaked topics have included national defense, the stock market and technology and news.

[Transition Music]

Host: Now, let's address the question on many people's minds – why all the secrecy? One of the statues at the Grove is the club’s patron saint, St. John of Nepomuk. Legend has it St. John died a martyr because he refused to reveal the secrets of the Queen of Bohemia. St. John of Nepomuk really seems to highlight the fact that the group values it’s secrecy. While some argue that Bohemian Grove fosters an environment where privacy allows for open discussions, others believe that secretive behavior only fuels conspiracy theories. It's crucial to approach these theories with a critical mind, considering both evidence and alternative perspectives. Especially since these are the men that control our government, one can’t help but think the secrecy is encased in sinister motives. Many believe the group is connected to the new world order movement or Satanism. Some pretty creepy stuff but none of this can be confirmed. All we know is that every summer in July is that the elite men of the world go to California. They can relieve themselves wherever they please. They burn an effigy called Care and can talk about whatever they desire in private. Now let’s rate the weirdness of Bohemian Grove.

Host: As we draw our journey through the weirdness of Bohemian Grove to a close, it's important to remember that the secrecy and speculation surrounding this place often overshadows the more mundane reality. While it may be tempting to let our imagination run wild, it's crucial to approach these topics with a balanced perspective, embracing what we know and questioning what we don't. But, but but… Even if it is completely harmless, the fact has to be admitted that the whole thing is kinda weird. Grownass men running around burning effigies in the forest truly shows the axiom of their privilege. But especially when those men are Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, Jack London, Walter Cronkite, the whole thing takes a bizarre turn. Just thinking about these men who make decisions that affect our everyday lives sitting and watching an effigy burn while the world is in turmoil is largely unsettling. The cremation of Care is an over-the-top way to tell members to let their hair down for two weeks. The ceremony combined with the secrecy and the influential attendees makes it appear like something more is going on here. What? I don’t know. So as my weirdness rating, the words uttered at the cremation of care has me a little weirded out so I’m giving this a 7 out of ten. Do you agree with this rating?

[Closing Music]

Host: Thank you for joining me on this exploration of Bohemian Grove. Remember, it's through curiosity and open-mindedness that we can uncover the truth behind these enigmatic places. Stay tuned for more captivating episodes on our podcast, next week we’re going on another road trip to New Haven, Connecticut to check out the weirdness of the Skull and Bones society.

Please see the show notes for more information. Thank you for joining me today. Stay Weird. See you next week.