Sokaren - 1968 No 07

Magazine Overview

This issue of Sökaren, dated Nr. 7, 1968, is the fifth volume of the publication. The cover prominently features the headline "FALLET IRIS FARCZADY: ETT OLÖST MYSTERIUM" (The Case of Iris Farczady: An Unsolved Mystery) by Cornelius Tabori, with an archive stamp from 'ARKIVET FOR UFO-FORSKNING'. The issue includes a quote from Albert Schweitzer stating that humanity has lost the ability to foresee and prevent, and will eventually destroy the earth.

Table of Contents

The table of contents lists several articles: Cornelius Tabori's "Fallet Iris Farczady"; Claude Thorlin's "Människa eller vålnad?" (Human or Phantom?); Are Waerland's "Ur Omvändelsen till livet" (From the Conversion to Life); Aage Slomann's "Edgar Cayce"; "O, Liv!"; "Två oförglömliga nätter" (Two Unforgettable Nights); "Brev från Tage Eriksson" (Letter from Tage Eriksson); and "Nya böcker" (New Books).

The Case of Iris Farczady: An Unsolved Mystery

By Cornelius Tabori, this article details the strange case of Iris Farczady, a 17-year-old Hungarian girl from Budapest. According to the account, Iris suddenly transformed into a Spanish woman named Lucia, claiming to be from Madrid and having died in 1933. Her mother, Mrs. Farczady, and sister, René, describe how Iris lost her Hungarian, German, and French languages, and began speaking only Spanish. They believe Iris is dead and Lucia's spirit has inhabited her body. Lucia recounts a difficult life in Madrid, working as a maid and having fourteen children, and expresses contentment in her new life in Budapest. The article explores the family's confusion and the challenges of accepting this transformation, noting that Iris's father, Geroe Farczady, is more reserved about the situation. The case is presented as a profound mystery, with the family struggling to understand and document the phenomenon.

Human or Phantom?

Claude Thorlin reports on a series of strange occurrences at a property near Gunnarskäl estate in Hällby, Sweden, during the summer and autumn of 1967. Residents reported a nocturnal "ghost" or "shadow" that caused fear and distress, leading to weight loss and nervous breakdowns. Despite efforts by police, hunters, and even trained police dogs, the entity could not be captured. The phenomenon included knocking, banging, screams, and sightings of a tall, shadowy figure. The article mentions that the entity seemed to "float" and disappear when approached. A letter from a Danish family, the Olesens, who previously lived in the same house, describes similar experiences of a "shadow" in the children's room. The author suggests that the phenomenon might be paranormal and beyond earthly explanation, proposing a spiritualist medium might be more effective than police.

From the Conversion to Life

This section, attributed to Are Waerland, discusses the concept of a "religion of life" and the human search for meaning and connection. It posits that true understanding comes from within, by recognizing oneself as part of a larger cosmic whole. The author critiques traditional religions for their dogmas and rituals, suggesting they hinder humanity's connection to the universal life force. The text emphasizes that understanding nature and oneself leads to recognizing the divine in all living things. It defines health as being a complete part of this universal harmony and sin as breaking this connection. The passage concludes with a prayer seeking divine guidance and knowledge.

Edgar Cayce

Authored by Aage Slomann, this article details the life and abilities of Edgar Cayce, an American psychic known as the "Sleeping Prophet." Cayce, who had limited formal education, could diagnose illnesses and suggest cures in a deep trance state, often referring to himself as "we." The article recounts how Cayce's abilities first manifested after a childhood accident, leading to a remarkable recovery. It describes his collaboration with osteopath Al C. Layne, where Cayce's trance diagnoses led to successful treatments for various ailments, including a severe case of dementia praecox. The article highlights the skepticism Cayce faced from the medical community but also mentions instances where doctors, like Wesley H. Ketchum, were convinced by his accurate diagnoses. Cayce's work led to the establishment of the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) and a hospital in Virginia Beach, Virginia, though it later closed due to financial difficulties.

Two Unforgettable Nights

This piece, by Carl A. Anderson, recounts two alleged encounters with UFOs in the Mojave Desert, California. In the first incident, in April 1954, Anderson and his family experienced their tent becoming invisible and themselves being paralyzed while a luminous disk hovered nearby. He interprets these beings as "God's angels." In the second incident in October 1955, while driving, Anderson's car was seemingly guided by a voice and stopped in a remote area. A bright, blue-white light appeared, and a craft descended. During this encounter, James E. Stewart sustained a severe burn from a flare, which miraculously healed instantly after the craft disappeared. Anderson attributes these events to divine intervention.

Letter from Tage Eriksson

This section contains a letter from Tage Eriksson of the Swedish Defence Research Establishment (FOA) in response to an inquiry about UFOs. Eriksson states that FOA's stance on UFO research is more positive than perceived by UFO organizations. However, he notes that the collected reports lack the quality for scientific analysis. He mentions that UFO phenomena are often difficult to investigate directly. The letter references the investigation of unexplained "wakes" in the ice of lakes Upprämmen and Hedenfjorden, which were attributed to water drainage. Eriksson also mentions FOA's contact with the US UFO committee led by Dr. Edward Condon and acknowledges that UFO observations should not be dismissed as mere fantasy, but rather investigated for real causes.

New Books

This section reviews several books:

• "Radio- och mikrofonkontakt med de döda" (Radio and Microphone Contact with the Dead) by Friedrich Jürgenson, discussing phenomena of disembodied voices on recordings and radio, and the concept of polyglot speech.
• "Vägen till Buddha" (The Way to Buddha) by Sunyata, Acarja, and Henning Sjöström, which compares Buddhism and Christianity, highlighting Buddhism's ethical teachings and adaptability to modern life.
• "Yoga hjälper" (Yoga Helps) by Gerlinde Fiedler.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include paranormal phenomena, UFO sightings, spiritualism, reincarnation, and the search for deeper meaning beyond conventional understanding. The magazine appears to present these topics with an open mind, often highlighting unexplained events and personal testimonies. While some articles express skepticism towards traditional religious dogma, there is an underlying search for spiritual truth and a belief in forces beyond the material world. The editorial stance seems to be one of encouraging investigation into the unknown and questioning established norms, particularly in the realms of science and religion. The inclusion of letters and book reviews suggests an effort to engage readers in ongoing discussions about these subjects.