Seklet - 1943 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: Seklet
Issue: 1
Date: January 1943
Publisher: Litteraturförlaget
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

Contents Overview

This issue of Seklet, dated January 1943, offers a diverse range of articles, from personal analyses and esoteric practices to literary reviews, fictional narratives, and biographical sketches. The cover highlights key contents such as 'Is the future predetermined?', 'Can the pendulum give answers?', 'The Embrace of the Wilderness', 'Strange Books', 'Strange People', and sections for housewives and youth.

Articles and Features

Physiognomy and Character Analysis

'Vad säger detta ansikte?' (What does this face say?)
This article presents a physiognomic analysis of a woman's face based on a photograph. The analysis, drawing from various theories including phrenology and physiognomy, suggests a person with a strong emotional life, a need for self-care, and a potential inclination towards artistic or aesthetic pursuits. The author notes traits like a rounded chin indicating a somewhat childlike nature, and a broad forehead suggesting artistic talent. The analysis concludes that the person is likely an idealist who appreciates beauty and possesses a refined taste.

Dowsing and Subconscious Power

'Kan pendeln giva svar?' (Can the pendulum give answers?)
This piece delves into the practice of dowsing using a pendulum, particularly a needle pendulum, for experimental purposes. The author details how to conduct experiments, starting with living subjects and moving to inanimate objects and images. The article suggests that the pendulum's responses (circular for feminine, linear for masculine) can reveal the 'sex' of objects or even the 'thought' of the creator. It posits that these phenomena are not due to external forces but rather the subconscious mind's ability to access information. The author also touches upon the concept of 'thought-science' and the power of thoughts as forces.

Book Reviews

• 'Två nyheter.' (Two News Items.)
• This section reviews two books:
• 'Koncentration' by Ernest Wood: This book, now reissued, focuses on achieving success through concentration and meditation. It covers topics like the 'magic box,' controlling thoughts, concentration exercises, and various meditation methods, including mantra and symbolic meditation.
• 'Hur de små bli till' by C. B. Gaunitz: This book explains the process of life creation from a biological and spiritual perspective, tracing it from single-celled organisms to humans. It is written in a simple, natural style, intended for both parents and children.

• 'Märkliga böcker.' (Strange Books.)
• 'Universums Själ' by Gustav Strömberg: This review highlights Strömberg's book as a work that bridges past and future, offering a new worldview based on modern physics and biology. It emphasizes the concept of 'energy' and 'will' as fundamental forces, suggesting a universe with cosmic will and conscience. The reviewer notes that the book's dense content may be challenging for some readers but is accessible to those with general intelligence.

Fiction

'Vildmarkens Famntag' (The Embrace of the Wilderness) by Oscar Rönnbäck
This is the second chapter of a serialized story set in the Swedish Northland. It follows two men, Axel Ek and Kurt Almberg, during a harsh winter. The narrative depicts their daily life in a remote cabin, their struggle against the cold, and Axel's hunting expedition. The story also introduces elements of danger, such as the presence of wolves, and hints at the characters' differing personalities and pasts.

Biography

• 'Märkliga människor.' (Strange People.)
• 'Målaren Marcus Larsson' (The Painter Marcus Larsson): This biographical sketch details the life of the 19th-century Swedish painter Marcus Larsson. It covers his early life as a stable boy, his training as a saddlemaker, and his eventual transition to painting. The article describes his artistic style, his struggles with the art establishment, his travels, and his eccentricities, including his flamboyant lifestyle and the dramatic circumstances surrounding the burning of his atelier.

Poetry

'For de Sårede.' (For the Wounded.)
This poem, written by Björnstierne Björnson in 1871 during the Franco-Prussian War, is presented with a Danish translation. It is a reflection on universal love, compassion, and the suffering of humanity, urging for love to triumph over passion.

Health and Family

'Naturlig barnreglering.' (Natural Child Regulation.)
This is a review of K. A. Fejerstam's book on natural family planning. The book is based on the discoveries of scientists Dr. Ogino and Professor Knaus and presents a natural, harmless method for regulating childbirth or planning for desired children.

Philosophy and Predetermination

'Är framtiden förutbestämd?' (Is the future predetermined?)
This article explores the concept of predetermination, referencing philosophical ideas and citing examples of precognitive dreams. It discusses Swedenborg's predictions of death and other instances where individuals have foreseen future events. The author questions the extent of human free will in a potentially predetermined future, noting that while some events may be foreseen, the rarity of such occurrences might suggest otherwise.

Other Sections

• 'Redaktör o. ansvarig utgivare: HARRY BLOM': Contact information for the editor and publisher.
• 'Utkommer en gång i månaden.': Information on the magazine's publication frequency.
• 'Annonspris': Advertising rates.
• 'Prenumerationspris': Subscription prices.
• 'Lösnummer': Price for a single issue.
• 'Kung Midas': A retelling of the myth of King Midas, used as a metaphor for greed and the corrupting influence of wealth in modern society.
• 'Vivos Voco.': A short, philosophical reflection on the nature of life and consciousness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine exhibits a strong interest in esoteric subjects, including physiognomy, dowsing, and the nature of consciousness and the future. There is a clear leaning towards spiritual and philosophical interpretations of phenomena, often contrasting with materialistic viewpoints. The reviews of books suggest an appreciation for works that explore deeper meanings, personal development, and alternative worldviews. The fictional narrative and biographical pieces add a human element, exploring themes of resilience, artistic struggle, and the wilderness. The editorial stance appears to be one that encourages critical thinking while remaining open to phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding, advocating for a balanced perspective that acknowledges both the material and the spiritual aspects of life.

This issue of Almas MATSIDA, dated November 1942, addresses the prevailing scarcity of animal-based foods and promotes a shift towards a vegetarian diet. The cover headline highlights this challenge, suggesting that while animal products are scarce, fruits and vegetables can still provide sustenance. The magazine offers practical solutions through recipes and articles.

Culinary Content

The issue presents a menu for a "simple" holiday dinner that avoids meat coupons, though some ingredients may still be difficult to obtain. This menu includes a "Soldryck" (Soldier's Drink) made from lingonberry juice, lemon, and water, or Gravensteiner apples. For "Råkost" (raw food salad), it suggests grated carrots, apples, cauliflower, onion, mixed with a thick cream sauce, lemon, and honey. Other dishes include a salad of cooked root vegetables, a soup of chestnut purée or French onion soup, and a "Nuttolene" or homemade nut roast with gravy and vegetables, optionally served with banana salad. For dessert, apple meringue or fruit compote with biscuits is recommended.

Several specific recipes are detailed:

• NÖTSTEK (Nut Roast): A highly nutritious recipe (275g ground nuts, 1/4 liter breadcrumbs, 1/4 liter vegetable broth, 275g cooked potato, 2 tbsp wheat flour, salt, Japanese soy, chopped onion, spices, 2 eggs) formed into a loaf, cooked in a water bath for 1.5 hours, and served with gravy and root vegetables.
• BANANSALLAD (Banana Salad): Sliced bananas rolled in ground nuts, served on lettuce leaves with cream mayonnaise.
• FRANSK LÖKSOPPA (French Onion Soup): Made from dozens of onions, fried in butter, simmered in water for 1.5 hours, seasoned, and thickened with egg yolks, served with fried bread cubes.
• FESTMIDDAG (Feast Dinner): A more elaborate menu featuring a smörgåsbord (sandwiches, bread, cheese, vegetable mayonnaise, gratinated tomatoes, tomato cocktail), a main course of braised kohlrabi with onion and a mushroom sauce, stuffed tomatoes with green nut mayonnaise, stewed white cabbage, stewed potatoes, and haricots verts with mushrooms. Dessert includes stirred blackberries with whipped cream and biscuits, coffee, and cake, followed by fruits, nuts, and vichy water.
• Bullar (Rolls): Made from beetroot, carrots, potatoes, and an egg yolk, mixed with breadcrumbs, fried in butter, and garnished with parsley.
• KALDOLMAR (Cold Dolmades): Cabbage leaves are blanched, and the core and small leaves are fried with onion and beetroot, then ground. Cooked rice porridge is mixed in, seasoned, and the mixture is formed into dolmades, wrapped in cabbage leaves, and cooked in a pan with oil or butter, then simmered in broth.
• KROPPKAKOR (Body Cakes): Potato-based dumplings mixed with flour, eggs, and onion, often served with dark bread fried in butter.

Additional recipes include "Råkostsallader" (raw food salads) with cooked beetroot, apples, and spaghetti or macaroni in mayonnaise, and another with asparagus and truffles in oil and lemon dressing. A recipe for a sweet dish involves chopped hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, oil, sugar, and parsley.

Literary Reviews and Articles

"Missriktad kärlek - Missriktad stolthet" (Misdirected Love - Misdirected Pride) by Harry Ekenstad reviews J. A. Cronin's novel "Tre slags kärlek" (Three Loves). The review notes the book's length (532 pages) and initial slow pace, but praises Cronin's ability to create vivid characters. The novel centers on Lucy Moore, whose possessive love for her husband and son ultimately leads to her isolation. Her search for meaning takes her to a convent, where Cronin critically depicts the stifling and dehumanizing aspects of monastic life. The reviewer highlights Cronin's keen observation of human nature and his sympathetic yet critical portrayal of his characters.

"Är framtiden förutbestämd" (Is the Future Predetermined?) explores the concept of premonition and foresight. It recounts historical anecdotes, including Napoleon's reaction to the death of Steingel, and a detailed account from the newspaper "Times" about a dream predicting the assassination of Lord Spencer Perceval. The article also touches upon children's innate abilities to sense future events, citing examples of young children who spoke of Jesus's imminent return before their own deaths.

"Målaren Marcus Larsson" (The Painter Marcus Larsson) by Theodoros provides a biographical sketch of the Swedish painter Marcus Larsson. It describes his early life, his artistic development, his travels to Helsingfors and Petersburg, and his eventual decline into alcoholism and prolific, mass production of paintings. Larsson died young in London at the age of 39.

"Människokunskap" (Human Knowledge/Understanding) by V. Vallberg is presented with testimonials praising its depth and scientific approach to understanding human nature. The book covers topics such as phrenology, morphology, and different psychological types, emphasizing the importance of research and objective observation.

"Lappmarkens själ" (The Soul of Lappland) by V. Vallberg is described as a cultural monument, offering insights into life in Lappland through descriptions of home visits, baptisms, and deaths, as well as folklore and local traditions. The author's love for the landscape is evident.

"Kalle Svensk vid gränspolisen" (Kalle Svensk at the Border Police) by Oscar Rönnbäck is highlighted as an exciting adventure book for young readers, praised for its romantic and thrilling tales of wilderness expeditions.

Youth Section ('Ungdomens sida')

This section offers simple entertainment for children. "En skämtlek" (A Joke Game) involves blindfolded participants trying to drink milk from bottles with large nipples, leading to humorous situations. "En billig leksak" (A Cheap Toy) describes how to make a simple toy gun from a stick and a rubber band, capable of shooting paper targets.

Nature and Science

"Kan en växt ha feber?" (Can a Plant Have a Fever?) and "Har en växt känsel?" (Does a Plant Have Sensation?) explore basic botanical concepts. The former explains how to demonstrate temperature differences in peeled versus unpeeled potatoes, relating it to 'sårfeber' (wound fever). The latter discusses plant sensitivity, using examples like the Venus flytrap and acacia, and touches upon the question of whether plants feel pain.

"Hur är det fatt?" (What's the Matter?) is a Q&A section. "Gunke" asks why the magazine is not seen by the youth, and the answers explain scientific phenomena related to barometers and sailing terms ("Väderhatt"). It also poses questions for readers to answer, including why dogs and cats eat grass, the meaning of "tänjning" (stretching) in gymnastics, and the military formation used by "amazonmyran" (amazon ant).

The section also includes a riddle about a "Lappländsk gåta" (Lappish riddle).

Literature Publisher Section

LITTERATURFÖRLAGET (The Literature Publisher) presents a catalog of books available for purchase. Titles cover a wide range of topics including occultism, theosophy, mysticism, psychology, and history. Notable authors featured include Vallberg, Hülphers, Jinarajadasa, Leadbater, Rosenberg, and others. The publisher offers a book-finding service for any book from any publisher.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a wartime context, emphasizing resourcefulness and adaptation, particularly in food consumption. There's a strong focus on practical advice for the home, from recipes to simple toys. The magazine also engages with deeper philosophical and psychological themes, as seen in the book reviews and articles on human nature and foresight. The editorial stance appears to be one of providing both practical guidance and intellectual stimulation, with a particular interest in the human condition, spirituality, and the arts. The inclusion of a youth section indicates an effort to engage younger readers with educational and entertaining content.