Burt Wonderstone Versus The Anti-Christ, Part One

Wonder-Stone The Sun God With Doves/Spirit

I've referred to Jim Carrey as a "Pop Culture Shaman" on this blog before, so it is no surprise to see him play another -- the self-mutilating Steve Grey -- in the movie "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone." His "Bruce Almighty" co-star Steve Carell is also on board in the film, as the magician title character. As you will see, the conflict between these two wielders of magic is as timeless as history itself, with Grey being a false prophet and Wonderstone having access to the true wisdom of the ancients.


Oh, Christ: Carrey as "Steve Grey"

A young Burt shows early promise as a magician -- like many of the hero archetype there is no biological father present in his life, and he is instead tutored by a "village wise man" (Alan Arkin as Rance Holloway) via video cassette in the ways of magic. Thus, The Great Tradition is passed on to the next generations, as it is meant to be (and we will delve a bit deeper into exactly what that Great Tradition might be in a little bit).

The "Great Tradition" is passed on by the Wise Man

While this movie is on the surface about "stage magic," many of the "tricks" here are clearly fantastic in nature, and it becomes quite obvious that this movie is about a lot more than performers in Las Vegas. In fact, in earlier drafts of the film's script, far more "Harry Potter" type magick -- rather than card-counting magic -- was supposed to be included.

Wonderstone and Sorcerer's (Philosopher's) Stone

While we are on the topic of Potter, it is interesting to note that Wonderstone's name is, literally, "Wonder Stone" -- like the fabled Philosopher's Stone, which was the most sought-after item in Western Alchemy and was fabled to have the power of transmutation. Wonderstone is thus linked to a very long tradition of magick -- the recipient of secret rituals (we all know the taboo against a magician revealing his "secrets") that Holloway has passed down to him on the boy's birthday (an initiation day of sorts).

A "worker of stone"

Burt is thus a wonder-worker of stone -- a worker of stone being also known as a "mason." Yes, I totally went there.

But if we regard Freemasonry as being the continuity of ancient metaphysical traditions and not simply the cause of every conspiracy on the planet, Burt's journey is placed in clearer context, and it will lend his conflict with the "Jesusy" Steve Grey far more meaning.

Anton & Burt: Anima & Animus

Like every good alchemist, Burt Wonderstone has to balance the animus and anima, which he does by having an effeminate assistant, Anton Marvelton. When the young Burt meets Anton at school, the latter claims to lack testosterone and thus has to take pills prescribed by his doctor. In contrast to his partner Anton is very passive, and thus takes on the anima/female role for the time being, until such Burt fully "matures" later in the film and is ready to take his magick to the next (tantric) level with an actual woman (leaving behind his childhood for good).

The concepts of Animus and Anima were crucial to the alchemists

We see this play of animus/anima -- transmutation of matter -- with Burt and Anton's "trick" where they switch the heads of a man and a woman.

Burt and Anton are soon very successful stage magicians, performing at the Aztec Casino. The use of the word Aztec is quite apt -- as the Aztecs worshipped the Sun, and Burt has styled himself as being a representative of the Sun in his dress. He wears a long blonde mane of hair (Sun=lion), a jumpsuit with Sun-like streaks on it, and a big Sun pendant on his chest.



Resonating the Sun

Aztec Sun God Tonatiuh

Before there was the worship of the Christ, there was worship of the Sun -- indeed, Jesus is the Son/Sun of God. More links, therefore, to the Old Traditions.

One more "sync" -- Carell and Arkin starred together in the film "Little Miss Sunshine."

Carell/Arkin reunited

Going back to the Freemasonry connection, Burt's centerpiece magical performance involves a simulated hooded hanging -- which just happens to be an actual Masonic ritual. It simulates death and resurrection -- just as the Sun "dies" when it sets and "resurrects" when it rises.

The "Hangman" stunt

Masonic hanging ritual

So Burt Wonderstone is literally the "Golden Boy" of the magic/magick circuit, the Sun God who periodically dies and is resurrected within an ancient ritual passed down through the generations-- until a masochistic bloody fanatical long-haired "magical messiah" comes on the scene, ready to "Brain Rape" (which is the actual name of his show) his awe-struck and adoring followers fans. Not since Simon Magus squared off against Saint Peter have we seen such a titanic battle of the mystics! Stay tuned for Part 2 of "Burt Wonderstone Versus the Anti-Christ!