Membership Access

The Primal Diet – Research Archive

A carefully preserved, searchable archive of Aajonus Vonderplanitz’s original work. This archive is maintained for serious study and long-term reference rather than consumption. Membership supports its ongoing preservation and provides access to the full collection for research, review, and continued learning.

If you are not currently a member and would like to sign up: Membership options and sign-up

How this archive came to be

The material preserved in the members’ area did not originate in one place, nor was it created with the intention of becoming a single archive.

Over the years, Aajonus Vonderplanitz wrote newsletters, essays, and articles; he gave workshops in different countries; he answered questions in small groups and larger public settings; and he participated in interviews that ranged from carefully prepared to entirely spontaneous. Some of this material was formally published, some distributed privately, and some existed only as recordings retained by individuals.

After his death, it became clear that much of this work would remain scattered — or disappear — unless it was deliberately gathered, organized, and preserved. What you find here is the result of long-term efforts to collect original documents, recover recordings, transcribe spoken material, and organize it so that it can be searched and read in context.

This archive remains a work in progress. Material is added as it becomes available and as time and resources allow.

Purpose of membership

Membership provides access to a carefully preserved, searchable archive of Aajonus Vonderplanitz’s original work and supports its continued stewardship.

Existing members of the previous site may be eligible for a time-limited transition credit. Details are provided via email or during signup.

The members’ area exists to provide access to this archive for people who are genuinely interested in studying the material.

It is not intended as a content feed, a social platform, or a source of simplified guidance. The material is presented as historical and documentary in nature, allowing readers to engage with Aajonus’s words directly and form their own understanding.

How membership access works

Membership access is granted for a defined term (annual or lifetime, depending on the option selected).

Note: All memberships grant access in fixed one-year terms. Access extensions (“renewals”) are always requested manually and are administrative in nature; they do not automatically involve payment.

Annual memberships provide access for one year at a time. Access may be extended for an additional year at the standard annual rate if continued access is desired. We do not use automatic renewals; members remain in control of whether and when they request continued access. A reminder email is sent approximately one month before access expires.

Members who maintain an annual membership for three years are promoted to lifetime membership. From that point forward, no further access fees are required. This places a clear upper limit on the total cost for members who prefer annual access, and remains less expensive than a single year under the previously offered monthly subscription model.

Lifetime memberships provide ongoing access without renewal fees for as long as the archive remains available. Lifetime memberships never require additional access fees. Access is granted in one-year terms and may be extended upon request for as long as the archive remains available.

Voluntary donations are welcome. Donations help support transcription, proofreading, technical development, hosting, and content preservation, and are used to support both the people maintaining the site and those contributing content. Donations are optional and are not required for continued access. Donations are separate from membership fees and do not replace annual access fees or lifetime membership fees.

The nature of the archive

Within the members’ area is a growing collection of original material, organized to support search and reference.

This includes newsletters, articles, essays, interviews, workshop transcripts, and detailed question-and-answer sessions. Much of this material reflects spoken explanations that were never formally edited for publication.

The content is presented as primary source material. While transcription and formatting are applied for clarity, the intent is to preserve meaning and context rather than to revise or reinterpret the material.

Community and discussion

A private forum is available to members who wish to participate.

The forum is independent of social media platforms and is intended for thoughtful discussion rather than continuous activity. Participation is optional, and access to the archive does not require forum participation.

From the Archivists

This archive is maintained by a small group of people committed to preserving Aajonus Vonderplanitz’s work as faithfully as possible.

Much of the material required careful transcription from recordings, review for accuracy, and decisions about how best to present spoken language in written form without altering meaning. When uncertainty exists, it is acknowledged rather than concealed.

The archive is treated as a living record. As new material is discovered or existing material is improved, updates are made with care. Our role is stewardship rather than interpretation.

Why this matters

Before his death, Aajonus expressed a wish that people who were genuinely interested should be able to search and study his work without distortion or selective presentation.

Much of his material exists only in fragile or scattered form. Preserving it requires ongoing effort: locating original sources, transcribing recordings, reviewing material for accuracy, maintaining infrastructure, and keeping the archive accessible over time.

Membership access exists to support this work. It helps ensure that the material remains available, searchable, and presented in a way that preserves context rather than fragmenting it. Decisions about preservation, access, and presentation are made with the intent of stewardship rather than promotion.

The archive is maintained independently, with the aim of long-term continuity and responsible preservation of historical material.

Who this is for

This archive is intended for readers who value original sources and context and who understand that the material reflects one individual’s research, experience, and perspective.

The content is provided for study and informational purposes. Readers are encouraged to exercise their own judgment and discretion when engaging with the material.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a subscription?
Access is granted for a one-year term. There is no automatic renewal. Continued access may be renewed upon request. For lifetime memberships there is no charge for access extensions. Annual memberships are charged at the rate at the time of renewal.

Which membership option should I choose?
An annual membership is appropriate if you prefer flexibility or are exploring the archive.
A lifetime membership is intended for readers who know they will return to the material over time and prefer a one-time payment with no future renewals.
Both options provide the same access to the archive.

Why don’t you offer a monthly membership plan?
We intentionally do not offer monthly plans because they tend to cost members significantly more over time and are often unfair to those who are less familiar with pricing structures.

Under the previous system, monthly pricing meant that:
• 4 months of payments exceeded the cost of a full annual membership
• 7 months of payments equaled or exceeded the cost of lifetime access
• 12 months of monthly payments cost more than three years of annual membership.

In practice, this meant that members who chose monthly payments—often for convenience—ended up paying far more than those who chose annual or lifetime options, sometimes without realizing it.

Our goal is to keep pricing transparent, fair, and easy to compare, so members can make informed decisions without surprises. For this reason, we offer:
• An annual membership for those who prefer flexibility, and
• A lifetime membership for those who know they want long-term access

Both options clearly show their long-term value upfront.

What if I can’t afford the full annual or lifetime fee at once?
We understand that paying a larger amount at one time isn’t always convenient for everyone.
For this reason, we keep pricing simple and fair rather than offering monthly plans that often end up costing members more in the long run.
Some members choose to manage timing on their own through options already provided by their credit card company (such as statement timing or payment flexibility). Any such arrangements are entirely between you and your card provider, and we do not encourage carrying balances or taking on debt to join.
If neither option is right for you at the moment, you’re welcome to join at a later time when it makes sense for you.

What happens if I stay on an annual membership long-term?
Members who maintain an annual membership for three consecutive years are upgraded to lifetime access six months after their third consecutive annual payment.

This policy exists to avoid penalizing members who prefer to pay over time rather than make a single lifetime payment upfront. While annual members will have paid more in total, the upgrade recognizes long-term support and continued engagement with the archive.

Your membership options on the new site

We have simplified membership to make pricing fair, transparent, and easy to understand. You may choose the option that best fits your situation.

Annual Membership — $85

• Full access to the complete archive
• Access for one year
• No automatic renewal
• You may renew annually if continued access is desired

Lifetime Membership — $160 (one-time payment)

• Full access to the complete archive
• Access to all future updates and additions
• No renewal payments ever required (we will renew the membership upon request)
• Best value for long-term readers

We do not offer monthly plans, as these often cost members more over time and are not consistent with our commitment to fair pricing.