Sokaren - 1968 No 06

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Sökaren" (The Seeker), volume 5, number 6, dated June 1968, published by ARKIVET FÖR UFO-FORSKNING in Sweden, focuses on paranormal phenomena, spiritual healing, and mysterious cases. The cover prominently features the "Watseka-fallet" (The Watseka Case), an article by Susy Smith, alongside other compelling topics.

The Watseka Case

Professor Ducasse is presented as an opponent who, upon closer examination, agrees that the Watseka case is a prime example of out-of-body experiences. The article details the story of Mary Lurancy Vennum, a thirteen-year-old girl in Watseka, Illinois, who, in 1878, began experiencing what appeared to be seizures. During these episodes, she spoke in different voices and exhibited behavior attributed to another entity. Dr. E. Winchester Stevens, a spiritualist physician, investigated the case. Lurancy identified the spirit as Mary Roff, a girl who had died at 18 years old when Lurancy was only 15 months. Following this, Lurancy's consciousness reportedly vanished for three months, replaced by Mary Roff's personality, memories, and intellect. Mary Roff, inhabiting Lurancy's body, displayed knowledge of Mary's life and relationships, even recalling specific details like a treasured velvet cap and a box of letters. Dr. Richard Hodgson of the Society for Psychical Research also investigated the case twelve years later and concluded there was a strong probability that the events had occurred as reported. The article recounts specific instances, such as Lurancy-Mary recognizing a cousin's action with a chicken's eye and identifying the burial place of a family dog, demonstrating knowledge beyond Lurancy's own experience. Professor Ducasse notes that the case is unique because Mary Roff's personality and memories were fully intact, unlike typical cases of split or multiple personalities. He argues that the only way to avoid the conclusion of a spirit possession is to dismiss the facts or invent explanations, a method he finds inadequate for the Watseka case.

Faith Healing and Criticism

An article titled "EN HELARE GÅR I SVAROMÅL" (A Healer Answers Back) presents a defense of faith healing by Harry Edwards against criticisms from Dr. Louis Rose, an English author who questions the efficacy of 'faith healing.' Edwards refutes Rose's claims about the volume of mail and patients he receives, stating his actual figures are significantly lower. He argues that his large correspondence is proof of the effectiveness of spiritual healing, as people only seek it when conventional medicine has given up. Edwards provides three cases to support his argument: a man with severe spondylitis who was completely healed, a woman blind for 40 years who regained her sight, and a man with throat cancer who recovered without surgery. Dr. Rose, however, dismisses these cases with explanations like 'intensive treatment,' 'suggestion,' or 'coincidence,' which Edwards finds to be 'ridiculous explanations' and 'evasive tactics' to avoid acknowledging spiritual healing.

Children and Healing

Rachel Johnson's article, "BARN OCH HEALING" (Children and Healing), explores the receptivity of children to spiritual healing. She notes that children, including infants, often respond positively and immediately to healing energy, showing signs like smiling and a return of color to their cheeks. Johnson suggests that children's innate connection to the divine spark makes them particularly open to healing, unburdened by dogma or preconceived notions of faith. She posits that the divine love flowing through the healer resonates with the child's spiritual essence, creating a harmonious response.

The Miracles of Fatima

"MIRAKLET I FATIMA" (The Miracle of Fatima) by Aage Slomann recounts the famous Marian apparitions that occurred in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. The story begins with three children – Lucia dos Santos, Francisco Marto, and Jacinta Marto – witnessing a bright light in Cova da Iria, which they initially mistook for an approaching storm. This light revealed a figure of a woman in white, who identified herself as the Virgin Mary and asked the children to return on the 13th of each month. She also requested prayers for peace and atonement for sins. The children's accounts were met with skepticism from their families and the local community, and even the parish priest. Despite attempts by the local administrator, Arturo Santos, to suppress the apparitions and detain the children, the events continued. The article describes the growing crowds at Cova da Iria, with tens of thousands gathering by October 13th. On this final apparition, the Virgin Mary, accompanied by visions of St. Joseph and the Child Jesus, performed a 'miracle of the sun.' The sun appeared to dance, change colors, and descend towards the earth, causing panic among the onlookers. After this event, the rain stopped, and the clothes of those present were found to be dry. The article notes that while the 'sun miracle' was not observed by astronomical observatories, the Catholic Church, after a canonical process, declared the visions 'worthy of belief' in 1930, and Fatima became a major pilgrimage site.

Eckankar and Spiritual Journeys

An article introduces Paul Twitchell, described as a leading authority on Eckankar, who is scheduled to visit Stockholm. Eckankar is defined as the ancient knowledge of the soul's journeys, involving the projection of inner consciousness to higher spiritual planes. Twitchell explains that Eckankar is not a philosophy or religion but a path to God, accessible to most people who can learn to leave their bodies consciously. He mentions his studies under Sudar Singh and Rebazar Tarzs, a Tibetan lama known for his ability to be in multiple places simultaneously.

Dowsing and Pendulums

"HUR MAN PENDLAR" (How to Pendulum) by Mats Sperlings provides practical advice on using pendulums for dowsing. It discusses suitable materials for pendulums (metals, minerals like gold, silver, copper, glass, amber), the preference for conical shapes for detailed investigations, and the use of heavier pendulums for beginners. The article emphasizes the importance of using the same pendulum for consistent results and suggests materials like horsehair, metal wire, or silk for the pendulum thread to avoid interference. It also touches upon the polarity of fingers and how it affects pendulum readings, as well as techniques for holding the pendulum and avoiding external influences. The author notes that each person has unique pendulum signs for different substances and that the ability to dowse is not uncommon but requires practice and sensitivity.

Other Articles and Features

The issue also includes a section on "AFORISMER OCH SENTENSER" (Aphorisms and Sentences) featuring quotes from figures like Sverre Holmsen, Herman Stolpe, and Turkish wisdom. There's a brief mention of "HAN SÅG PÅ HENNE..." (He Looked at Her...) and "EN FÖRFATTARES HUSTRU" (A Writer's Wife), highlighting the importance of wives in the lives of notable men like Alexis de Tocqueville and John Stuart Mill. A piece titled "POLTERGEISTFENOMEN SOM UTTRYCK FÖR EN DJUPARE BINDNING MELLAN LÄKARE OCH PATIENT" (Poltergeist Phenomena as an Expression of a Deeper Bond Between Doctor and Patient) by a psychiatrist describes a personal experience with a poltergeist-like event that seemed to be connected to a patient's emotional distress. The magazine also features book reviews on health and spirituality, including works by Norman Vincent Peale, Florence Scovel Shinn, and Ernest Dimnet. A short piece on "LINDA MARTEL" discusses a child healer with remarkable abilities. The issue concludes with a section on "KORHONEN IGEN" (Korhonen Again), detailing the use of prism glasses for various ailments, and a brief mention of the "DET FÖRHÄXADE SLOTTET" (The Bewitched Castle), continuing a story from a previous issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Sökaren" revolve around the exploration of the unexplained, the spiritual, and the paranormal. The magazine demonstrates an open-minded approach to phenomena that lie beyond conventional scientific understanding, including UFO sightings, spiritual healing, psychic abilities, and alleged miracles. The editorial stance appears to be one of seeking evidence and understanding for these phenomena, often presenting cases and personal testimonies that challenge materialistic worldviews. There is a clear interest in spiritualism, parapsychology, and alternative healing methods, with a willingness to question established scientific and medical paradigms. The magazine aims to inform its readers about these subjects, providing detailed accounts of cases and theories, and encouraging further investigation and open-mindedness.