Woodrew Update - Vol 4 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: The Woodrew Update
Issue: Vol. 4, No. 1
Date: September/October 1984
Publisher: A S.T.A.R. Foundation publication
Country: U.S.A.

This issue of The Woodrew Update explores a diverse range of topics, from the nature of psychic sensitivity and alternative healing methods to global population dynamics, financial stability, and geological discoveries. The publication maintains a focus on unconventional perspectives and personal experiences.

On Being a “Sensitive”

The lead article, "On Being a 'Sensitive'," delves into the personal experience of being highly attuned to psychic forces and subtle energies. The author describes being sensitive to a degree that transcends the normal five senses, picking up on auras and electromagnetic waves. This sensitivity extends to acting as a 'channel' for communication from other beings in the universe. The author emphasizes that this is a natural aspect of existence, akin to brushing one's hair, and is particularly accepted when applied to healing. The article also touches upon the concept of life forms from other spaces and time slots, relating it to the cosmic cycle of stars and the elements that form life.

Population Update

This section provides an analysis of world population trends, contrasting UN projections with the authors' more conservative estimates. It highlights the uneven success in halting population growth, with developed European countries achieving zero growth through rising incomes and expanded opportunities for women, while many underdeveloped nations struggle. The article points out countries with high birth rates and notes that India and China contribute significantly to the global annual increase. It suggests that as world population approaches five billion, the per capita production of basic commodities is falling, and efforts to raise living standards are failing in many nations.

Old Wives Tales: Fact or Fiction?

This segment features a collection of traditional home remedies shared by correspondent Anne Marie DeLantey. It includes remedies for colds and sore throats using ingredients like butter, red onion, and lemon juice. It also mentions the use of aloe vera and raw eggwhite for burns, with a historical anecdote about placing burn victims in tubs of raw eggs. The article also introduces stinging nettle as a potential blood purifier and food source, noting its use in Sweden for textiles and its nutritional value.

Acupuncture

The article "Acupuncture" discusses the growing recognition of this ancient Chinese practice in Western medicine, particularly for pain management. It cites studies suggesting that stimulating nerve endings with needles releases endorphins, which block pain signals. The authors share their experience observing acupuncture anesthesia in China, where it is used for surgical procedures to provide pain relief without general anesthetics. The process involves stimulating needles to block the response of the cerebral cortex to pain. The article notes that recovery time is better with acupuncture anesthesia and that it can be used for a wide variety of operations.

Anesthesia

This section continues the discussion on acupuncture anesthesia, detailing the experience of observing a thyroidectomy at Hung-Hua Hospital in Shanghai. The patient remained awake and alert throughout the procedure, reporting only mild soreness from the removal of the thyroid tumor. The acupuncturist highlighted that recovery is faster with acupuncture anesthesia and that the choice of anesthesia rests with the patient. The article also mentions that acupuncture is used for healing various ailments, with patients receiving numerous needles for treatment.

Mountain Musings: Trapping a Spring

This piece details the process of trapping a natural spring at the S.T.A.R. House for water independence. The authors collaborated with Soil Conservation experts to estimate the required water pressure and developed a plan to channel the spring water via gravity through a 2-inch PVC pipe. The project involved excavating a basin, installing a plastic drain, and covering the area with stone and poly-plastic to maintain water purity. A bass fish pond was also created from the overflow.

On Multiple STAR Systems

This article explores the astronomical concept of multiple star systems. It begins with the Ogatta group's description of a binary star system with a 400-year eclipse cycle. The piece notes that over 50 percent of cataloged stars are part of multiple systems, citing Alpha Centauri as a triple-star system. It then discusses the theory that our solar system might be a two-star system, with a smaller companion star in an elliptical orbit that brings it close to the sun every 26 to 30 million years, potentially explaining extinction events in Earth's fossil record.

The Balance Sheet

This section offers a personal account of weight loss through a combination of diet and exercise. The author shares Dr. Gerard Musante's system, which involves aerobic walking (20-30 minutes daily) and a caloric reduction of 500 calories per day. The article explains how to calculate a target heart zone (THZ) based on age and resting pulse, emphasizing the importance of maintaining this zone during exercise for cardiovascular conditioning and weight reduction. It advises on warming up, cooling down, and checking pulse midway through the walk.

Man's Inhumanity to Man and Nature's Plan

This article critically examines the global debt structure, warning of a potential revision of the international monetary system. It highlights the immense dollar-denominated debt and the significant interest payments required, comparing the current situation to the pre-1929 market crash. The authors point to the escalating deficit financing of the welfare-warfare state and the imbalance between taxpayers and those receiving government checks. The piece suggests that the banking system is illiquid and loaded with bad loans, leading to a potential financial crisis.

On the Financial Position of the U.S.A.

This segment discusses the precarious financial position of the U.S.A., quoting Budget Director David Stockman's assessment that the country is in a similar situation to companies facing Chapter Eleven bankruptcy due to debt service costs. It notes the banking industry's public stance on not worrying about defaults on loans to underdeveloped countries, while privately working to avert an avalanche of defaults. The article stresses the need for continuity in planning and acting accordingly, despite evidence of impending change.

Geology Update

This update reports on recent geological discoveries, particularly concerning plate tectonics. Scientists have identified a large submarine valley in the Sagami Trough, where the Eurasian Plate meets the Philippine Plate. This area is geologically active and has been the site of major earthquakes. The discovery is expected to contribute significantly to future earthquake prediction studies, as part of a Japanese earthquake prediction program.

Psi Phenomena

This section discusses the increased interest in parapsychology research in Washington, D.C., citing a report by the Congressional Research Service that suggests psi phenomena can be applied in fields like education, medicine, and business. It also mentions Senator Claiborne's discussions with Soviet researchers, noting the significant difference in spending between the Soviet Union and the United States on 'psi research'. The article expresses satisfaction that the work of the S.T.A.R. Foundation and others dedicated to understanding psi phenomena is gaining recognition.

"Birth" Control

This brief article introduces Eugen Jonas, a Czechoslovakian psychiatrist who claims to predict the sex of a child with over 95% accuracy based on lunar rhythms and the moon's position in the sky at the time of conception. The method is linked to traditional astrology and zodiac zones. The article cites a clinic in Bratislava where Jonas's calculations for 8000 women resulted in a 95% success rate for having boys.

S.T.A.R. Activities

This section provides updates on the S.T.A.R. Foundation's activities. It mentions welcoming visitors to Reisha Way and the progress in bulldozing the site for the S.T.A.R. House. It also includes a call for subscribers to support S.T.A.R. by expanding its subscribership. The translation of the book "On A Slide of Light" into Japanese is announced, and Greta is mentioned as giving a presentation at the University of Maryland and lecturing in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of unconventional phenomena such as psychic sensitivity, channeling, and alternative healing methods like acupuncture. There is a consistent interest in scientific and pseudo-scientific topics, ranging from population studies and home remedies to astronomical theories and parapsychology. The publication also addresses broader societal concerns, including financial stability and the potential for global economic shifts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting diverse perspectives and personal experiences, often with a critical or analytical undertone towards mainstream views on finance and population. The S.T.A.R. Foundation's activities and mission are also a consistent element, promoting their work in understanding psi phenomena and related fields.