Woodrew Update - Vol 2 No 2

Magazine Overview

The WOODREW Update, Volume 2, No. 2, published in November/December 1982, is a magazine focused on topics related to parapsychology, consciousness, survival, and environmental issues. The issue features articles on dowsing, the 'sixth sense,' consciousness, preparedness, and broader societal and environmental concerns.

On Dowsing: Our Magnetic Sense

This lead article recounts an experience in Mexico where a passenger accurately predicted the distance to their destination using dowsing. The article defines dowsing as a method to search for various hidden elements using a hand-held instrument, or even just one's hand. It suggests dowsing is a sensitivity to magnetic radiations, or 'radiesthesia,' and posits that dowsers may be highly sensitive magnetometers. The article notes that dowsing is accepted in the USSR as a scientific field, with major institutes researching it. It also shares an anecdote about Icelandic scientist Gudmundur Einarsson, who, on the suggestion of Dr. Puharich, enlisted the help of American psychic Francis Farrelly to locate geothermal pools in Reykjavik. Farrelly successfully dowsed the locations from maps in Florida, and Einarsson reported 100% success in drilling at the marked spots.

More on the "Sixth Sense"

This section explores the concept of the 'sixth sense,' originally coined by Emile Jarvel to describe how blind people navigate. It has also been applied to aboriginal navigation and, more recently, to the scientific community's understanding of the human ability to perceive the Earth's magnetic field. The article draws a parallel between human magnetic sense and the homing and migratory instincts of birds. Research by Robin Baker in 1980 is cited, suggesting humans possess a magnetic sense, often overridden by other senses. Unconscious magnetic signals are said to influence muscle movements. The article concludes that Homo Sapiens and homing pigeons sharing a magnetic sense prompts a reevaluation of species' understanding of the world.

On Consciousness: An Analogy

This piece discusses how the 'Ogatta group' used earthly analogies to explain complex concepts, particularly regarding the cosmos, due to a lack of shared vocabulary or framework. The authors found this method initially puzzling but later embraced it. The article highlights how words can limit thought and uses the analogy of a night-light in a dark room to explain consciousness. As the light's wattage increases, more of the room is revealed in detail, but the room itself remains unchanged. This is equated to raising one's consciousness and receptivity to vibration.

Update #2 Experiment

This section reports on a telepathic experiment where subscribers drew or described impressions. The results indicated that 15% achieved a 'hit' and 58% a 'near hit,' with 42% female and 58% male participants. The author apologizes for errors in time zones and dates in a previous experiment.

Author! Author!

This section features a visit from Elizabeth Van Buren, who is establishing a New Age survival center and a home for deprived children in Bolivia. The author also mentions spending time with Harold Sherman, an author on E.S.P., and his wife Martha, highlighting their octogenarian status and their contributions to the field of psi.

Pre-view a BEE-view

This short piece discusses the color perception of bees, noting their vision includes green, blue, and ultraviolet light, while they do not see red. It contrasts this with human perception, suggesting that what is considered 'normal' sensory perception varies greatly between species and influences their understanding of reality.

Survival Update

This article provides practical advice for food storage, recommending that certain items be used within six months (e.g., evaporated milk, dried fruit) and others within a year (e.g., dried milk, meats, vegetables). It suggests storing cans in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight to minimize rusting. The section also offers guidance on stockpiling winter clothing, emphasizing 'layering' for warmth and ventilation. It details the properties of various materials like wool, silk, synthetics (nylon, polyesters, polypropylene), and down. A comprehensive list of essential winter clothing items is provided, stressing preparedness for unpredictable weather.

Thomas Edison: A Nobel PSIentist

This piece discusses Thomas Edison's belief that life and death were fundamentally misunderstood. It reveals that Edison was working on an invention to communicate with the dead, believing a delicate apparatus could facilitate such communication. Although unsuccessful, Edison's efforts are presented as broadening man's view of the universe, with his quote, "I believe that life, like matter, is indestructible," highlighted.

Today's Dream of Tomorrow

This article recounts a conversation with an E.T. friend named Tauri during a trip to Tokyo and China in 1978. Tauri suggested that what was seen as 'yesterday's dream of today' in Japan would be 'today's dream of tomorrow' in China. She questioned the impact of technology on the environment, noting the absence of birds and the depletion of fish and plant life. A 1982 Newsweek article on soil erosion in the U.S. is cited, highlighting the loss of topsoil and the threat posed by petrochemical fertilizers. The article contrasts the rich soil of China, maintained for centuries, with the depleted soil of North America. It poses the question of how future generations will be fed given current technological trends and environmental degradation.

Spaceship Earth Revisited

This section uses a hypothetical global village of 100 people to illustrate global disparities in education, income, and housing. It highlights that 6 Americans would possess half the village's income, raising questions about how the wealthy would coexist peacefully with the less fortunate, potentially leading to increased military spending.

"Man's Inhumanity to Man and Nature's Plan"

A Balanced Budget

This part argues that industrial prosperity and consumption in Europe and North America are depleting Earth's resources and fertility. It suggests that technological revolution requires constant expansion, leading to more intensive exploitation of natural resources. A 'balanced budget' between society and nature is proposed, where society consumes no faster than nature can produce.

Revolting Conditions

This section presents statistics on global instability, noting 75 military coups in the Third World since 1960, along with numerous other attempts and international disputes across various continents. It points to mounting internal strains in several countries, indicating a planet in transition.

California Alert: Acid Fog

This alert discusses the phenomenon of 'acid fog' in California, which is described as corrosive to metal and harmful to people, plants, and property. It draws a parallel to the 'killer fog' of 1952 in London. The article criticizes the Environmental Protection Agency for its slow response to controlling acid rain and advises caution for those in affected areas.

Understanding Our Climate

This piece references a National Academy of Sciences report on climate change, noting that the current interglacial period has lasted about 10,000 years and is relatively rare. It questions whether humanity is on the brink of a colder climate, emphasizing the need for understanding, interpretation, and preparation regarding natural climate cycles.

The Balance Sheet

On "Holism"

This section defines 'holistic health' as an approach that integrates mind and matter for personal well-being. It emphasizes that physical and mental aspects are interconnected and influenced by diet, exercise, sleep, moods, thoughts, and emotions. The article suggests taking responsibility for one's own health through habits and practices that encourage physical and mental balance. It recommends three books on the topic and advises an open-minded skepticism towards both conventional and holistic health care.

A Conscious Effort

This part explores the possibility of trapping psi events in a laboratory setting, with the author sharing personal experiences as a 'guinea pig.' It notes that psi matters are not always repeatable, leading conventional scientists to reject psi-lab findings due to inconsistency. The article suggests that psi ability may be trapped in the unconscious and rises to conscious awareness in emotionally charged situations. It also proposes that people may consciously experience psi without being aware of it, and that tuning into these signals requires a conscious state.

S.T.A.R. ACTIVITIES

This section announces that Greta and the S.T.A.R. Foundation are reacquiring the rights to the book 'On A Slide Of Light' from Macmillan. They aim to broaden readership by making the book available in paperback and are offering hard-cover copies at a reduced price. They also seek assistance in publishing the paperback edition and mention that royalties will support the Foundation's research. The development of a 'S.T.A.R. HOUSE' is also mentioned.

A Postscript to my open letter

This postscript reflects on the concept of 'KNOW THYSELF,' referencing Pythagoras. The author expresses a growing uncertainty about 'absolute knowledge' as scientific discoveries challenge old theories. The piece acknowledges that change is stressful and discusses personal battles with the 'fear of the unknown' regarding a new house and future life. It concludes with a message of learning to know oneself and advising others.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes an open-minded approach to unconventional phenomena such as dowsing and psi abilities, often contrasting them with conventional scientific paradigms. There is a strong emphasis on personal responsibility for health and well-being, advocating for holistic approaches. Environmental consciousness and preparedness for potential future challenges, both societal and climatic, are recurring themes. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploration, questioning established norms, and encouraging readers to expand their understanding of reality and their own capabilities.