Medlemsblad 27

Magazine Overview

Title: BREVCIRKELN
Issue: 27
Volume: 3.66
Date: January 1966 (estimated from '3.66' and context of articles)
Publisher: BREVCIRKELN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Brevcirkeln, a Swedish periodical, delves into several intriguing topics, including the ongoing scientific debate about the possibility of life on Mars, the influence of celestial bodies on terrestrial activities like gardening, and profound philosophical questions regarding the nature of the soul and existence.

The Mystery of Mars Remains Unsolved

The lead article, "GATAN OM MARS ÄNNU OLÖST" (The Street of Mars Still Unsolved), addresses the scientific community's initial conclusions about Mars based on the images sent back by the Mariner 4 satellite in 1965. These images, taken from approximately 1000 miles away, led experts to believe that Mars was a desolate, sterile, and uninhabitable planet, devoid of any life.

However, the article highlights the dissenting view of Carl Sagan, an astronomer at Harvard University. Sagan, after studying hundreds of images of Earth taken from Nimbus and Tiros satellites, noted that Earth, from a similar distance, appeared just as barren and deserted as Mars did in the Mariner 4 photos. He argued that if Mariner 4 had passed Earth at the same distance and taken comparable photos, no signs of civilization, such as roads, bridges, dams, or cities, would have been discernible. Therefore, Sagan contended that it was premature to draw definitive conclusions about Mars's habitability.

While Sagan did not believe in 'intelligent life' on Mars, suggesting that such beings would have attempted to communicate, he did not rule out the possibility of organic life in many forms still existing there. He posited that if cities, canals, or other signs of advanced life were present, they would not have been revealed by the Mariner 4 images.

The article references "FRÅN AKTUELLT NR 5, 1966" (From Current Affairs No. 5, 1966) as the source for this information.

The Lost Continent

Another section mentions a series of articles in the weekly magazine "Allers" titled "DEN FÖRSVUNNA VÄRLDEN" (The Lost World). The magazine's correspondent, Mogens Chr Norlund, aims to investigate the extent to which James Churchward's theories about a lost continent might be substantiated.

Gardening and Astronomy

The article "TRÄDGÅRDSODLING OCH ASTRONOMI" (Gardening and Astronomy) explores the connection between gardening and celestial phenomena, particularly the Sun and Moon. It suggests that while the Sun provides life-giving rays and sterilizes the soil, the Moon also plays a significant role in plant growth.

The author argues that when harvests are poor, gardeners often blame the weather or poor seeds, but they may be overlooking the influence of the Moon. By observing nature, one can learn to harness this influence. For instance, a gardener can observe that the stem of a thistle or dandelion, when pulled during the waning moon (nedan), grows slowly, whereas planting a seed five days before the full moon is said to result in faster growth and a more abundant harvest.

This is attributed to the Moon's effect on plant sap. To achieve a rich harvest of crops like wheat, tomatoes, or beans, it is advised to sow and plant them five days before the full moon. The days leading up to the full moon are particularly influential because the Moon acts as a reflector for the Sun's rays, and moonlight imparts a mild, energizing effect on plants. The article contrasts the composition of moonlight with direct sunlight, suggesting that moonlight has a different quality that aids growth.

It further suggests an experiment: planting a sunflower seed in the 'unfruitful' phase of the Moon (waning) and another seed five days before the full moon. The seed planted during the waning phase will grow slowly, while the other will grow quickly and yield a richer harvest. This section draws from "FRÅN 'THE RACE TO THE MOON'" (From 'The Race to the Moon').

Notiser (Notices)

Sökaren (The Seeker)

This is a brief advertisement for a publication titled "TIDSKRIFT FÖR EXPERIMENT MED SANNINGEN" (Journal for Experiments with Truth). Readers are encouraged to request a sample copy from Sökaren, Box 3063, Stockholm 3.

The Soul's Immortality

The article "SJÄLENS ODÖDLIGHET" (The Soul's Immortality) delves into metaphysical and philosophical questions about the origin, nature, and destiny of the human soul.

Origin and Destination of the Soul

It posits that the human soul originates from astral and mental planes, where it resides before the death of the physical body. When the soul leaves the celestial plane to attach itself to an embryo in a mother's womb, this is considered its 'death' from the celestial perspective. Conversely, when the soul, united with the infant, leaves the mother's body and enters the physical world as an independent being, this is its 'birth' from the physical perspective.

The article explains that 'death' and 'birth' are two aspects of the same phenomenon, depending on the soul's plane of manifestation at the time of completing its cycle of existence on Earth. The concept of 'death' is presented as an illusion stemming from the limited intellect and the veil of the physical body. The soul, as an intelligent, individual force, manifests on Earth through its material, physical form.

The Soul's Journey

A diagram illustrates the soul's pilgrimage between two cosmic existence planes: Plan A (Andligt Plan/Spiritual Plane/Heaven) and Plan B (Fysiskt Plan/Physical Plane/Earth). The soul is born on Plan B and dies on Plan B, and also is born on Plan A and dies on Plan A. The conclusion drawn is that 'birth' equals 'death' (Födelse = Död), implying a cyclical nature of existence. The text states that the soul's journey is between these two planes, and it is only through the physical form that the soul can manifest as an intelligent individual force on Earth.

Rejection of Dogma

The article advocates for the Pythagorean philosophy, encouraging individuals to seek knowledge about things rather than blindly adhering to dogmas. It suggests that the limitations of the human senses prevent us from seeing beyond the physical veil. Death is described as merely falling asleep for many years and then awakening in a new, fresh body, whereas sleep is a temporary state of dying for a few hours and then awakening in the same physical body.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Brevcirkeln exhibits a strong interest in the unexplained and the philosophical. The magazine appears to encourage critical thinking and empirical observation, as seen in the discussion of Mars and the gardening advice. There's a clear leaning towards exploring alternative perspectives beyond mainstream scientific or societal beliefs, particularly in the metaphysical and spiritual realms. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, challenging established notions and inviting readers to consider deeper, perhaps unconventional, truths about existence, the universe, and the human condition.