Skywatch - No 17 - 1971 06-08

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 17
Date: June/July/August, 1971
Publisher: Not specified
Country: South Africa
Language: English

Editorial: The Dawn of the Aquarian Age

The editorial posits that each age has its unique characteristics aligned with humanity's needs. The departing Piscean Age was characterized by mysteries and hidden truths, necessary because mankind was not yet ready. The incoming Aquarian Age, or Age of Light, signifies mankind coming of age and preparing for evolutionary progress. The rapid changes in the 20th century, particularly in transport and communication, have dramatically widened human horizons, making the Earth seem smaller and encompassing other planets. The editorial notes that discoveries like steam, gas, electricity, radio, and space travel require new levels of understanding and manipulation of governing laws. It suggests that as space travel advances, acceptance of other dimensions and planes of consciousness will become unavoidable. Materialization and de-materialization are presented as not new phenomena, with Jesus's materialization before his disciples cited as an example. The editorial also touches upon UFO sightings, with observers noting their appearance and disappearance as if transitioning between dimensions, possibly through changes in vibration rates. It laments that much of mankind has lost the 'gift of clear seeing' and is unable to perceive these phenomena, emphasizing the need for awareness of human potentiality. The editorial concludes by referencing biblical prophecies and the scientific pursuit of Truth, suggesting learning from the 'greatest Scientist of all' to understand our likeness to the Creator.

Special Report: A Recent Issue of "Contact" U.S.A.

This section details a report from Mrs. Ron Belvin, living in Ellet, Southeast of Akron, Ohio, around spring 1960. She observed a large orange-red sphere of light hovering at tree-top level. The object's appearance was intermittent, but its size remained consistent. On several occasions, a sweeping beam of light arced from the object to beneath her house, accompanied by a 'singing' sensation. The house, built on a cement slab foundation, did not have a basement. Over a month, Mrs. Belvin reported various objects and sensations, including odd odors, hair-prickling, dizziness, and a feeling of an invisible presence. Her sightings were reportedly validated by others in the area.

In September 1966, Mrs. Belvin experienced a more disturbing event. While in the bathroom around 10 p.m., she saw a tall, slender young man with long, wavy black hair leaning against the door of the opposite room in the mirror. He had his arms folded and was smiling. He wore a dull grey, drape-like material. When she turned to face him, he was gone. Confused, she went to the kitchen, where her husband found her in distress. Her husband, a post-office employee, suggested her interest in UFOs was causing imbalance and recommended psychiatric help. Mrs. Belvin contacted the magazine for assistance.

Fortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Davis were present with their Geiger Counter. Upon arriving at the Belvin home, the Geiger Counter, initially ticking rhythmically, suddenly registered its highest point (500) as they approached the back door. Inside the house, the needle returned to normal. When Art Davis stepped back outside, the chatter resumed, and the needle again shot to its highest register before gradually decreasing, suggesting the object was moving away. Art followed the high count into the driveway, noting a faster beat about 75 feet from the house. The signal led him through a grassy, weedy lot behind the house. Mrs. Belvin then realized the location of the readings corresponded to her daughter's room, where she had seen the man in the doorway. Inside the house, the Geiger Counter did not show further increases. However, back in the living room, a sudden flash of light on the wall caused the counter to rapidly register again, then slowly return to normal. Mr. Belvin, initially nonplussed, was sufficiently convinced by the Geiger Counter's reaction that something unusual had occurred.

Fred Hartline suggested that Mrs. Belvin's wide peripheral vision might have allowed her to see the figure behind her in the mirror, which she then 'erased' upon turning. The report mentions that psychiatrists use Moire Patterns to check conditions, and suggests that the pattern of light, wave-lengths of color, or vibration could explain what individuals perceive. It is theorized that Mrs. Belvin's extended vision, possibly created by the mirror, allowed her to see the man with a different wave-length of light radiation than was normally visible.

Sighting Report: Eshowe, Zululand

A single sighting is reported from Eshowe in Zululand. Towards the end of May, around 10:15 p.m., three individuals (wishing to remain anonymous) observed a large, bright object in the sky for approximately 45 minutes. The object hovered, stopping and starting at short intervals.

Telepathy: Extracts from Alice A. Bailey's Works

This section presents extracts from several books by Alice A. Bailey concerning telepathy.

• Treatise on Cosmic Fire (Page 978): Speech is noted as a diminishing mode of communication on physical levels, while intuitive perception and telepathic interplay will characterize interactions between aspirants and disciples. United effort and trust are crucial for the Master's work through groups.
• Education in the New Age (Page 35): Future education will focus on analyzing the laws of thought, recognizing the mind as the link between soul and brain. This will involve intuiting ideas, promulgating ideals, and constructing mental concepts that will impact minds telepathically.
• The Reappearance of The Christ (Page 154): Invocation is based on the power of thought and its telepathic nature. Unified thought from the masses and focused thought from the 'New Group of World Servers' create an outgoing stream of energy that reaches spiritual beings and, in turn, impacts humanity with inspiration and revelation.
• The Soul and Its Mechanism (Page 148): Experiments in telepathy are in their infancy, with distinctions made between mental telepathy (mind-to-mind) and the rarer soul-to-soul communication, termed inspiration. Telepathy and inspiration are dependent on the individual's etheric body and its relation to the universal ether.
• Discipleship in the New Age - Vol. I (Page 24): Those who follow the Divine Mind exist in graded orders. The planetary Brotherhood is in telepathic rapport with those responsible for planetary conditions, including the Great Council at Shamballa. The development of radio and television are seen as physical manifestations of perfected telepathic powers and the 'television' of the Masters of Wisdom.

The text emphasizes that these powers are inherent in all men and that the inner group of Masters work telepathically with their disciples. It suggests that aspiration towards soul contact is a response to the 'television' of those guiding them. Personal response to stimulation and unselfish love can perfect a similar relation to other workers, working out in three directions. The establishment of a miniature replica of the Brotherhood on Earth is possible through working disciples and the New Group of World Servers, leading to the recognition of a universal power.

"The Spiritual Significance of U.F.O.'s" by Mr. Kees Beers

Mr. Kees Beers discusses the spiritual significance of UFOs, noting confusion regarding values and the struggle to regain divine expression. He suggests that Truth manifests differently in various periods and that life's message in the present time is unique. The editorial emphasizes that understanding the importance of our time and preparing for a goal requires knowledge and an attractive goal to strive for.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of spiritual evolution, the transition to a 'New Age' (Aquarian Age), and the significance of UFO phenomena within this context. There is a strong emphasis on the power of thought, telepathy, and higher consciousness as drivers of human progress. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs, and their potential connection to spiritual truths and future human development. The publication seems to advocate for a scientific yet spiritually-oriented approach to understanding these topics, drawing parallels between scientific discoveries and spiritual principles.

This issue of Skywatch, presented across pages 11-16, focuses on a deep exploration of the law of cause and effect as a fundamental principle governing existence. The content is primarily philosophical and spiritual, discussing the nature of knowledge, creation, and the soul's journey.

The Law of Cause and Effect

The articles begin by establishing that specialized knowledge requires a basic grounding, analogous to a medical practitioner's training. This principle is extended to spiritual understanding, which necessitates a general and wider field of comprehension. The core argument is that all knowledge is based on laws, with the paramount law of the universe being the law of cause and effect, which the author suggests is not deeply understood by humanity.

The phenomena of Life and Creation are presented as requiring form-building, applicable to both visible and invisible planes. All manifested life is governed by the immutable law of cause and effect, which brings forth all visible and invisible creations. Familiar examples, like planting a tulip bulb not yielding a carrot, illustrate this law in a basic sense. However, the text emphasizes that this law extends beyond the physical, operating within the 'inner dimension or kingdom' and governing thoughts as spiritual forces that manifest, often appearing as chance occurrences.

To understand the signs of the current times, a deeper comprehension of cause and effect is needed, extending beyond the lifespan of a physical body to encompass the 'earthly consciousness' of the soul. The article poses rhetorical questions about why individuals are born with different circumstances, abilities (like sight or extra-sensory perception), and inclinations, suggesting these are outcomes of past causes rather than arbitrary events or solely the will of God.

Reincarnation and the Soul's Journey

The higher understanding of cause and effect reveals that individuals are the result of their own past, and experiences of suffering or enjoyment are not caused by another, but are a return of what is due. The 'Book of Wisdom' is cited, stating that what is sown will be reaped, and eternal beings' actions will accompany them as effects, not bound to a single lifetime. The saying "the law grinds exceedingly fine" highlights its precise and unfailing nature. The harvest of thoughts and deeds shapes the soul's experiences, guiding it towards conscious action and eventually to act as a 'Law or Life giver'.

God is described as creating by 'becoming,' and humans are presented as co-creative beings, striving to elevate their dimension. The text posits that humans are God-beings with no beginning or end. A past 'fall from divine at-one-ment' is described, where souls ventured into outer dimensions on a mission of perfecting through identification, but became too engrossed in mortality and materiality, losing their inner attunement. This fall is now considered nearly past, with unseen realms prepared to guide humanity back to divine expression.

Cosmic Brotherhood and Divine Expression

The process of birth and rebirth is seen as a means for humanity to grow out of earthly limitations. Those who have achieved a satisfactory level of consciousness are offered the 'great helping hand of Cosmic Brotherhood.' The story of the prodigal son is used as an analogy for each individual's journey. The 'Plan' offers freedom from past memory, but the 'sum total' of past life experiences, influencing circumstances, health, character, and tendencies, is carried forward.

Life's understanding and experience are gained both while incarnate and discarnate. The sum total of past experiences determines an individual's nature in any given life, according to the law of cause and effect. The departure from the 'Father's house' is not seen as having lasting spiritual reality, as humans have always existed in and with the Father. The initial exploration of outer mansions as co-creators was done with a naivety regarding the knowledge required.

The Seven Aspects and Restoration

The journey away from the inner sphere of peace involved a lengthy process of learning. The Father provided sufficient spiritual awareness, but due to immaturity in the 'seven aspects of being a son of God,' this heritage was spent unwisely. The text uses the analogy of a ray of pure light passing through a prism, becoming seven beams of prismatic light. When obscured, these bands distort; only by returning to the unadulterated light can they regain strength. The 'seven precious gifts' from the Father, represented in John's Revelation and the messages to the seven churches, are mentioned. The restoration of inner attunement to the Christ-life within is seen as key to re-establishing divine attributes and cosmic beingness.

Meetings and Future Issues

The issue concludes with announcements for upcoming meetings in Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and East London, including details for 'International Sky Watch Day' in June. A correspondence address for the Secretary in Durban is provided. A continuation of this article is promised in the next issue of Skywatch.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are the pervasive nature of the law of cause and effect, the cyclical journey of the soul through reincarnation, the concept of divine co-creation, and the eventual restoration of humanity to its divine nature through spiritual understanding and attunement. The editorial stance appears to be one of spiritual enlightenment, advocating for a deeper understanding of universal laws and the soul's eternal journey beyond physical limitations. There is an emphasis on personal responsibility for one's experiences and a belief in a guiding spiritual plan and the eventual return to a state of divine unity.