Seklet - 1956 No 2

Magazine Overview

SEKLET, Issue No. 2, 1956, is a Swedish-language magazine published by Litteraturförlaget. Priced at 50 öre, this issue features a prominent cover story titled 'En orolig natt' (An Uneasy Night), alongside articles on natural cultivation and health.

An Uneasy Night: A Psychometric Experience

The issue begins with a detailed account of a peculiar experience by a chemical engineer, referred to as Ing. F. In 1951, he was given an old, disembodied skull. Upon bringing it home, he began to experience unsettling phenomena, including persistent bell-like ringing that intensified throughout the night. These auditory disturbances were accompanied by vivid visions and a powerful choir singing, described as surpassing even the Don Cossacks in its grandeur. The phenomena ceased when he was awake and returned when he tried to sleep. His roommate also heard the ringing. The engineer, exhausted, decided to dispose of the skull by burning it in the factory's incinerator. This act triggered an alarm system due to an oil supply issue, leading to a near-panic when the skull was discovered in the furnace. The incident was eventually resolved, and the skull was destroyed. The skull's origin was vaguely traced to a monk's skull found in a sand pit in Östergötland or Västergötland.

Natural Cultivation vs. Unnatural Crystallization

Another significant section contrasts natural and unnatural cultivation methods, illustrated by two photographic examples of potato crystallization. The article explains Pfeiffer's method, which uses a copper chloride additive to induce crystallization, allowing for analysis of substances like blood to detect diseases. The author criticizes the scientific community for potentially ignoring or downplaying such discoveries. The images show a distinct difference: the left image, from biodynamic potatoes grown in well-composted soil without chemical fertilizers, displays a fine, regular, artistic crystallization. In contrast, the right image, from potatoes grown in soil fertilized with chemicals, shows disorder and unnaturalness. The article urges readers to spread awareness about the issue, suggesting that buying and distributing copies of 'SEKLET' can help people understand why potatoes have become of poor quality.

Religion and Health: The Role of Fear and Love

This section explores the concept of fear in human nature and its relationship with religion and health. It references the Holy Scripture's repeated command to 'Fear not' while also emphasizing the importance of 'fearing God' as the beginning of wisdom. The article posits that fear is a natural and necessary part of the human psyche, acting as a corrective force. It contrasts modern psychology's view of fear as an impediment to be removed with older psychological approaches that used fear to facilitate liberation. The author argues that true freedom from fear comes through the 'overpowering force of love,' and that God's love is the ultimate liberating power. The text also touches upon the rising crime rate among the youth, attributing it to a lack of fear and societal failings in upbringing.

Contributions and Book Reviews

Several shorter pieces and reviews are included:

• 'Så har jag hört' (So I Have Heard) by Axel Fredenholm: A collection of profound thoughts on life, envy, and the human condition, emphasizing that true happiness comes from within and not from comparing oneself to others.
• 'Vi och våra dagar' (We and Our Days): A poetic reflection on Eastern spirituality and the contrast between the material world and spiritual pursuits. It questions the modern reliance on technology over traditional spiritual practices.
• 'Personfördubbling' (Person Doubling): A psychological puzzle describing a case of a woman in Pennsylvania who experienced repeated episodes of losing her memory and adopting a new personality upon waking, only to revert to her original state later.
• Book Reviews: Several books are reviewed, including 'Det spökar i Jämtland' (Ghosts in Jämtland), which is presented as evidence of life after death; 'Så har jag hört' by Axel Fredenholm, praised for its wisdom; 'Att söka det hinsides' (Seeking the Beyond) by Reginald M. Lester, an investigation into spiritualism; and 'Blickar in i evigheten' (Glimpses into Eternity) by V. Rudin, discussing spiritual realms.
• 'Hälsa och livsglädje' (Health and Joy of Living): This section promotes health products from Elkaverkens, Germany, including various herbal dragées for heart health, nerves, and general well-being. It also features 'Gröna kokboken' (Green Cookbook) by Vera Lindgren and 'Rakostätter' (Raw Food Dishes) by Charlotte Johnsson, promoting healthy eating.
• 'Liten studie i grafologi' (A Small Study in Graphology): An analysis of handwriting, suggesting that distinct characteristics like straight versus curved lines can reveal personality traits, such as masculinity/femininity, determination, and receptivity.

Scientific Propaganda and Health Concerns

An article titled 'Vetenskaplig propaganda' (Scientific Propaganda) criticizes the advancement of materialism, particularly within the medical and fertilizer industries. It argues that scientists, in their pursuit of knowledge, have provided advice with long-term consequences that they themselves may not fully understand. The author points to the pharmaceutical and fertilizer industries as examples, where academics allegedly promote products for commercial gain. The article questions whether Swedes are as susceptible to propaganda as Russians, suggesting a potential 'psychic dulling' in the population. It also raises concerns about the extensive use of chemical fertilizers, comparing the volume used annually to a staggering 80 million tons, and suggests that products grown with them should carry 'poison labels.' The author advocates for natural farming methods, such as using legumes for nitrogen fixation and composting, as a more sustainable approach.

The Tragic Life of an Inventor

'En uppfinnares tragik' (An Inventor's Tragedy) recounts the life of Josef Georg Madersperger, the inventor of the sewing machine. Born in 1768, he developed his first sewing machine in 1807, predating Elias Howe's American invention by 32 years. Madersperger faced immense bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining a patent, and the high fees made it impossible for him to secure it. After a period of despair, he reappeared 25 years later and received a bronze medal from a tailor's association, but no financial support to exploit his invention. By then over seventy, he donated his machine to a polytechnic institute. His invention was displayed at an exhibition in 1873, but Madersperger himself died in poverty in a Vienna asylum, with a memorial later erected near his grave.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a holistic view of health, emphasizing natural methods, spiritual well-being, and a critical stance towards materialism and unexamined scientific claims. There is a strong undercurrent of Christian spirituality and a belief in life beyond physical death. The editorial stance appears to be one of questioning established norms, advocating for natural living, and highlighting the importance of spiritual and psychological health. The magazine also seems to position itself as a source of alternative information, encouraging readers to think critically and seek deeper truths.