Ep.23 The Great Eleven

Listen to this episode from Hidden Cults on Spotify. In the 1920s, Los Angeles became home to a little-known but extraordinary cult led by May Otis Blackburn and her daughter Ruth. Claiming to receive visions from eleven angels, May declared herself the keeper of hidden scriptures that promised untold wealth and the coming of a new divine kingdom. Followers were drawn in with promises of prosperity and power, only to face bizarre rituals, fraudulent schemes, and disturbing reports of animal sacrifices and mysterious deaths. In this episode of Hidden Cults, we uncover how Blackburn built the Divine Order of the Royal Arms of the Great Eleven, how her apocalyptic visions collided with money and scandal, and how the group’s downfall revealed the strange intersection of faith, fraud, and spiritual experimentation in California’s roaring twenties. Survivor accounts, court documents, and sensational headlines tell the story of a cult that promised glory but left behind scandal and shadows.Part 1 – The Prophetess of Los AngelesPart 2 – Revelations on Bunker HillPart 3 – The Divine Order of the Royal Arms of the Great ElevenPart 4 – Wealth, Wonders, and WarningsPart 5 – Deaths, Disappearances, and ScandalPart 6 – Collapse of the Great ElevenFrom silent compounds to subway attacks, from charismatic prophets to catastrophic ends, Hidden Cults is a documentary-style podcast that digs deep into the world's most extreme, elusive, and explosive fringe groups. Each episode unpacks a different cult with investigative depth, emotional clarity, and gripping storytelling. You'll hear the full timeline: from the origins and ideology, to the rise of control, to the final descent into chaos. We're not here for the sensational. We're here for the truth. If you've ever wondered how ordinary people fall into extraordinary belief systems, and what happens when those systems implode, you're in the right place.New episodes weeklyListener stories always welcomeAnonymity guaranteed.Listener stories: [email protected] ResourcesInternational Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)https://www.icsahome.comProvides information, recovery support, referrals, and events for survivors and concerned families.Open Minds Foundationhttps://www.openmindsfoundation.orgOffers education and support about undue influence and manipulative organizations.The Hotline (USA – Domestic Abuse)https://www.thehotline.org📞 1-800-799-7233 — 24/7 support for victims of domestic, emotional, and religious abuse.Freedom of Mind Resource Center (Steven Hassan)https://freedomofmind.comResources on cult recovery, exit counseling, and mind control education.FaithTrust Institutehttps://www.faithtrustinstitute.orgSupport and resources for survivors of religious abuse, especially within faith communities.United StatesCult Recovery Hotline (ICSA)📞 1-239-514-3081Referral and support line for ex-members, families, and researchers.RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)https://www.rainn.org📞 1-800-656-4673 — Confidential support for trauma survivors.Canada Cult & Trauma Support Resources Info-Cult / Info-Secte (Montreal-based, Canada-wide) Website: https://infosecte.orgPhone: 📞 514-274-2333Email: [email protected]’s leading organization for individuals and families affected by cults, coercive groups, and spiritual abuse.Offers confidential support, referrals, and information in English and French.United KingdomThe Family Survival Trusthttps://familysurvivaltrust.orgSupport and advocacy for those affected by cults and coercive control.Cults Information Centre and Family Supporthttps://cults.org.ukUK-based information and guidance for cult survivors and families.Mind UK (Mental Health Support)https://www.mind.org.uk📞 0300 123 3393 — Non-judgmental mental health advice and support.AustraliaCult Information and Family Support (CIFS)https://www.cifs.org.auNational support for individuals and families affected by cults.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hidden-cults--6633392/support.