PSI Bladet - 1977 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: PSI-BLADET
Issue: No. 4, 4th Year
Date: December 1977
Publisher: NORSK FORENING FOR PSYKISK STUDIUM OG INFORMASJON (Norwegian Society for Psychic Study and Information)
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of PSI-BLADET, dated December 1977, is the fourth volume of the year and serves as the official publication for the Norwegian Society for Psychic Study and Information. The cover features a woodcut illustration of a starry night over a village, accompanied by a poem, and prominently displays the magazine's title and organizational affiliation.

Contents Overview

The table of contents on page 2 reveals a diverse range of articles and literary contributions:

• Poetry: "OG NOTTI VART SO LANG..." (by Per Sivle), "LIKE FORAN VEISKILLET" (by I.S. Kolloen), and other poems related to Christmas and the winter solstice.
• Editorial: "REDAKSJONELT: FRED" (Editorial: Peace).
• Reflections: "ORD OG DIKT VED JUL OG SOLHVERV" (Words and Poetry for Christmas and Solstice), "ÅNDELIG ENSOMHET" (Spiritual Loneliness), "FRAGMENT AV EN ETTERTANKE" (Fragment of a Reflection), "VISDOMSORD" (Words of Wisdom).
• Specific Topics: "PARAPSYKOLOGIENS REVOLUSJON AV VERDENSBILDET" (Parapsychology's Revolution of the Worldview - likely a review or discussion), "MISBRUK AV NAVN" (Abuse of Names), "UFO-SIDENE" (UFO Pages), and "ASTROLOGI" (Astrology).
• Seasonal Content: "JULE-EVANGELIET" (Christmas Gospel) excerpts.

Key Articles and Features

Editorial: Peace (REDAKSJONELT: FRED)

This editorial, written by Rigmor E. A. Wig, reflects on the concept of peace, particularly in the context of Christmas and the New Year. It begins with a personal anecdote about a trip to Denmark and Belgium, where the author encountered discussions about peace. The editorial contrasts passive peace with an active struggle for ideals and values, referencing Bjørnson's quote, "Fred er ei det beste, men at man noget vil!" (Peace is not the best, but that one wills something!). It also touches upon the idea of the "Prince of Peace" bringing "fire" to the world, interpreting it as an inner, active struggle against destructive forces. The piece concludes with a New Year's wish for the readers to find peace.

Spiritual Loneliness (ÅNDELIG ENSOMHET)

This article, presented as a future pastor's New Year's address to the congregation, encourages individuals to embrace a form of voluntary solitude. It argues that while the Bible states "it is not good for man to be alone," this refers to physical aloneness. The author suggests that true spiritual growth requires stepping out of the "artificial security illusion" of dependence on external factors like groups, people, and opinions. Citing La Bruyère and Schopenhauer, the piece posits that loneliness can be a source of happiness and that historical reformers often came from solitary places. The author encourages readers to allow their spiritual core to grow, unhindered by the physical self, and to embrace the process of being "born anew."

Fragment of a Reflection (FRAGMENT AV EN ETTERTANKE)

This section reflects on a quote attributed to Jesus: "The birds have nests. And the foxes have dens. But the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head..." The author explores the concept of "nesting" and "dens" as places of security and belonging, contrasting them with the Son of Man's lack of a fixed abode. The text analyzes the fox's den as a negative space (excavated earth) and the bird's nest as a positive addition built upon a stable base. It concludes that the Son of Man must transcend both these patterns of seeking security, not by digging down or building up in the conventional sense, but by finding his true origin and place of rest in a spiritual sense.

Words of Wisdom (VISDOMSORD)

This section presents two sets of "words of wisdom." The first quotes Lao Tzu's "Three Treasures": 1. The greatest possible overview and insight into the inherent qualities of all things, both good and evil. 2. Frugality. 3. Relinquishing the urge to be the first and greatest among all creatures. The second quote, attributed to an unknown author, states: "Happy is the one who, in the spirit of truth, has found a higher life harmony, freed from the dangerous bonds of prosperity and the tyranny of a thousand things."

Book Review: "Parapsychology's Revolution of the Worldview" ("PARAPSYKOLOGIENS REVOLUSJON AV VERDENSBILDET")

This article reviews Frank-Thore Nilsen's book, published by H. Aschehoug & Co. in Oslo in 1977. The reviewer, who met the author in Oslo, notes that Nilsen has become deeply involved in occult and parapsychological subjects, culminating in this book. The review highlights that the book is a significant contribution to the field of parapsychology in Norway, offering a broad and serious philosophical background and ideology for parapsychology as an object of research. The author praises Nilsen's extensive use of sources and references, as well as his precise and nuanced language. The book reportedly focuses on the pioneers of parapsychology, including J.B. Rhine, H. von Noorden, W. Heisenberg, A. Koestler, S. Krippner, G. Murphy, H. Bender, and J. Mischo. The reviewer notes that the book is intended for a discerning and initiated reader, rather than the uninitiated. A particular point of interest mentioned is the author's correspondence with J.B. Rhine.

UFO Pages (UFO-SIDENE)

This section is dedicated to UFOs, though the specific content is not detailed in the provided scans. It is listed as pages 11-14.

Astrology (ASTROLOGI)

This section covers astrology, spanning pages 15-18.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of PSI-BLADET revolve around spirituality, the nature of consciousness, and the exploration of phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding. There is a strong emphasis on personal growth, inner exploration, and the search for meaning, often framed within a spiritual or philosophical context. The magazine appears to provide a platform for diverse perspectives, including poetry, philosophical reflections, and discussions on parapsychology, UFOs, and astrology. The editorial stance, as suggested by the editorial on peace and the article on spiritual loneliness, leans towards encouraging active engagement with life's challenges and a deeper understanding of oneself and the universe, moving beyond purely material concerns.

This issue of the magazine, titled "misbruk av navn" (Misuse of Names), is dated December 1977 and appears to be the tenth issue of its first volume. It delves into various topics including the trivialization of significant names, UFO sightings, astrological analyses, and predictions of natural disasters.

Misuse of Names

The lead article, "misbruk av navn," laments the appropriation of names of great artists like Goethe, Wagner, Rembrandt, and Beethoven for high-speed trains, suggesting these names represent higher realities and should not be associated with mundane objects. The article notes that even the "Mona Lisa" has been used for a plastic bag and a self-watering flower pot. The name "Plato" is now associated with plastic building materials, and pipe systems are named after planets, which were originally names of gods. The misuse extends to religious concepts and figures, with "Nirvana" and "Paradise" used for mattresses, and Norse gods like Odin and Balder becoming names for animals. Even celestial bodies and mythological figures like Jupiter, Ra, and Apollo are used for names of boats and spacecraft, with Apollo being infamously used for a garbage can, which is seen as particularly detrimental to children's understanding of mythology.

UFO Sightings in Norway

Under the section "UFO-SIDENE" (UFO Pages) by Knut AAsheim, several UFO observations in Norway during October and November 1977 are detailed. The most significant event was an object landing in Ringerike on October 25th, which received widespread attention. Other sightings include a luminous object hovering near Grue, an object seen by two women near Gjelleråsen, fast-moving lights observed in Våler, and multiple luminous objects flying in formation over the Ringerike area on November 5th. A detailed report from Dag Heim of Norsk UFO Center describes an observation on October 25th involving three people who witnessed a brightly lit object with windows and a possible figure inside. The object moved horizontally, stopped, descended behind bushes, then ascended at a 40-degree angle. The report also includes measurements and a drawing of the object's approximate shape based on the observers' sketches, as well as an analysis of soil samples from the landing site which indicated unusual ph-values and were deemed not to be from known aircraft.

Parapsychology and Worldview

Fru S. contributes an article discussing the revolution in worldview brought about by parapsychology. The author suggests that parapsychology is challenging the rationalist-materialist worldview, drawing a parallel to Galileo's telescope being rejected by the Inquisition. The article posits that the "Maya veil" is being lifted, potentially leading to a "cosmic shock" and an "Odyssey" beyond time and space. It notes the existence of parapsychological research centers in several countries, contrasting this with Norway's focus on oil.

International UFO Matters

An article from Aftenposten reports that Grenada's Prime Minister, Sir Eric M. Gairy, urged the UN to take UFOs seriously and proposed the creation of a dedicated UN committee. Gairy claimed support from scientists and mentioned President Carter's interest in UFOs, citing NASA's renewed research project. He also stated his belief that UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft and accused some nations of withholding information.

Film and Science Fiction

Another section discusses popular science fiction films, including "Star Wars" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," highlighting their appeal to UFO enthusiasts and mentioning Steven Spielberg and astrophysicist J. Allen Hynek's involvement.

Earthquake Predictions

Clarisa Bernhardt, an American woman with strong psychic abilities, is featured for her accurate earthquake predictions. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has officially credited her with three highly accurate predictions. Bernhardt predicts a series of devastating earthquakes in the coming year, including one on February 19th affecting northeastern Italy and Yugoslavia (magnitude 7.0), another in Imperial Valley, California, on March 8th, and several on March 23rd causing loss of life from Baja to Mexico City.

Astrological Analyses

The magazine includes astrological content, such as a winter sky map and an analysis of Sigrid Heggheim's horoscope. The analysis connects her horoscope to the tragic circumstances of her death, noting a strong emphasis on the eastern quadrant and the 10th house, suggesting a conscious and deliberate ordering of her environment. The article discusses the influence of Neptune and the Ascendant sign Scorpio in her chart, linking it to public scandal and destruction. It also notes a connection between her horoscope and that of another victim, Torunn, suggesting the murders may not have been committed by the same person.

Historical Dating

A brief article discusses a theory by British scientist David W. Hughes, who suggests that Jesus may have been born in October 7 BC, making the current year 1983 according to his calculations. This theory is based on biblical, archaeological, historical, and astronomical data, proposing that the Star of Bethlehem was a planetary conjunction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that challenge conventional scientific and materialist worldviews, including UFOs, parapsychology, and astrology. There is a recurring theme of questioning established norms and seeking deeper understanding beyond the mundane. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into these subjects, encouraging readers to consider alternative perspectives and the potential for extraordinary events and phenomena.

This document contains a text titled "Juleevangeliet" by Kaj Munk. The text is a retelling or interpretation of the Christmas Gospel.

Juleevangeliet by Kaj Munk The author, Kaj Munk, states that the "Juleevangeliet" (Christmas Gospel) is the only story he knows that encompasses everything beautiful, mentioning characters named Irmelin Rose, Irmelin Sol, and "Irmelin alt" (all of Irmelin).

He describes the story as featuring a young woman, who is the "loveliest on Earth," and a "little Child." It represents "humanity's faith and hope and love." The narrative includes shepherds in the field, music described as a "Thursday concert by the heavenly orchestra itself," and even a donkey that "brags." Munk emphasizes that the entire story takes place "here on Earth."

The text concludes by presenting what Munk calls the "most beautiful poem ever written," consisting of just three lines:

"Glory to God in the highest,
Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to men."

Munk suggests that anyone hearing these lines cannot help but be moved to tears.

An illustration accompanies the text, depicting a lion and a figure, possibly representing elements from the narrative or a symbolic representation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The text strongly emphasizes the themes of Christmas, the Nativity, hope, love, and peace. Kaj Munk's perspective is one of deep reverence and emotional connection to the Christmas story, highlighting its universal appeal and profound message. The editorial stance, as presented through Munk's writing, is one of spiritual appreciation and the celebration of the core tenets of the Christmas narrative.