Carlos Castaneda

Carlos Castaneda, dubbed "godfather of the New Age movement," was born in Peru and came to the United States in 1951, originally hoping to make it as a sculptor. He worked a series of odd jobs and took classes in philosophy, literature and creative writing. While a graduate student in anthropology at UCLA, he interviewed and underwent an alleged apprenticeship with a Yaqui Sorcerer, don Juan Matus. His exploits into non-ordinary reality, including the ingestion of peyote and Castaneda's belief that he was "the chosen one" picked to receive teachings, became the basis for his 1968 classic "The Teachings of don Juan." Castaneda also claimed to be a Nagual, an individual with a specific energy configuration appropriate for leadership. As claimed in his books, don Juan recognized this configuration in Castaneda and thus began his apprenticeship as the last Nagual of don Juan's lineage. A total of four books earned Castaneda critical raves and world-renowned fame within the sorcerer community and the psychedelic counterculture. They also brought accusations, from Joyce Carol Oates, Richard de Mille and others, over the authenticity of his claims and sincerity of his character. In 1973, TIME Magazine found that Castaneda had lied about his background, such as his military service, his father's occupation, his age and his nation of birth. Critics also uncovered numerous instances of plagiarism, since don Juan's supposed quotations can be sourced to dozens of other writers and philosophers. To this day, there is literary debate whether Castaneda's books should be classified as fiction or nonfiction. Castaneda himself, however, lived in seclusion under a tight veil of secrecy. Rare interviewers were not allowed to photograph him or record his voice; he severed ties to his own family, including his wife and son. He used numerous aliases, and told his followers constantly-changing stories. He purchased a compound in Westwood with three women, known in his books as "the witches," who sported identical short, dyed blond haircuts, and all became Castaneda's lovers. Castaneda charged $1200 for classes at his compound. In 1998, Castaneda died at age 72. Even within his inner circle, few knew that he was dead; the media didn't learn of Castaneda's death for two months. He was cremated at the Culver City mortuary. No one knows what became of his ashes. Within days, his "witches" vanished and were never heard from again; a 2007 Salon.com article suggested that they took their own lives.