The WOODREW Update

Magazine Overview

Title: The WOODREW Update
Issue Date: January/February 1985
Volume: 4, No. 3
Publisher: A S.T.A.R. FOUNDATION publication

This issue of The WOODREW Update delves into various topics ranging from the scientific and environmental to the philosophical and futuristic. It highlights the positive impact of negative ions on human health and well-being, discusses potential natural disasters like earthquakes and asteroid impacts, and explores concepts of human potential and cosmic phenomena.

The Negative Ion: A Positive Force

The lead article, "THE NEGATIVE ION: A POSITIVE FORCE," explains the nature and benefits of negative ions. These oxygen molecules, with an extra electron, are associated with increased energy, calmness, improved learning, and greater resistance to disease and infection. Conversely, environments with low negative ion counts and high positive ion counts can lead to depression, anxiety, and respiratory issues. Air ions were discovered independently in the late 19th century by English and German researchers, generated by natural forces like wind, lightning, and falling water. Dr. Albert Krueger's research in 1960 revealed that ions affect humans by altering the level of Serotonin, a neuro-hormone. Positive ions increase Serotonin, leading to hyperactivity and anxiety, while negative ions lower it, promoting calmness. Later research in 1978 by the University of Surrey demonstrated that negative ions enhance psychomotor task performance. The article notes that while natural environments like waterfalls and coastal areas are rich in negative ions, industrial pollution, cigarette smoke, modern offices, and closed vehicles deplete them. It suggests that plants and negative ion generators can help increase negative ion counts indoors.

Mountain Musings

This section reflects on a "camera" safari in Botswana's game reserves, emphasizing the delicate balances of nature and the concept of symbiosis. The author notes the changing weather conditions and their potential impact on species survival, referencing a previous article on the crisis caused by single-celled life overpopulating and polluting their environment. The piece touches upon the role of DNA in life's evolution and the necessity for life forms to adapt to changing conditions. It also includes a personal reflection on "Man's inhumanity to man...and Nature's plan," citing observations of drought and deforestation. The author expresses anticipation for a "golden age" but also a sadness for the potential loss of exotic species. A brief mention is made of the author's futurism regarding the South African rand, which unfortunately came to pass shortly after.

Cosmic Revelations

This section explores the connection between science and miracles, defining them as "COSMIC REVELATIONS." It highlights the early careers of great scientists like Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton, emphasizing their groundbreaking work despite humble beginnings. The article notes that scientists like Guglielmo Marconi, Thomas Edison, and Nicola Tesla spent years trying to develop devices to communicate with "the other side." The concept of channeling information through mental imagery projection is discussed, drawing parallels to invention and Greta's "destiny screen." The section also celebrates Jill Smolowe, editor of The Woodrew Update, winning a Page One Award for "Crusading Journalism" from The Newspaper Guild of New York.

Man's Inhumanity to Man & Nature's Plan

This segment discusses the intertwining of human actions and natural consequences, citing a Washington Post article by Boyce Rensberger. It highlights how severe drought in Ethiopia and flooding in Bangladesh are exacerbated by human activity, specifically deforestation and poverty-driven land misuse. The concept of "Mining the Soil" is introduced, describing how intensive agriculture and increasing populations are leading to soil erosion at rates far exceeding natural soil formation. The article points out that this global soil erosion problem is considered "epidemic in proportion," with significant erosion occurring in the U.S.S.R. and India. A World Bank report indicates a long-term decline in food production per person in 24 African countries, foreseeing potential famine. The section also includes a "PREDICTIONS" subsection, referencing a commodity newsletter that reported Soviet scientists' claim of a giant asteroid named 'Ivan the Terrible' potentially hitting Earth in February 1985, which could cause disastrous natural upheavals. Dr. Michael Grove, an astronomer, noted that such an impact would cause floods, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

Earthquake Predictions

This article focuses on earthquake predictions, noting that while the U.S. earthquake watch often centers on the San Andreas fault, a grant has been given to compile an emergency response plan for a major quake along the New Madrid fault. This fault directly affects states like Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The area experienced strong quakes in 1811-1812, and researchers anticipate another major quake, magnitude 7.5 or greater, before the end of the century. The rigidity of the eastern states' crust is expected to cause more intense and widespread damage compared to fragmented areas like California. The Richter scale is explained, noting that each whole-number increase represents a tenfold increase in magnitude and roughly 60 times more energy released.

Dr. Iben Browning's 1970s predictions are revisited, including the Soviet Union's future food shortages, financial difficulties for U.S. farmers, and Canada's reduced grain export capacity. The article also provides updates on the U.S. agricultural sector, noting a significant rise in farm debt and a slump in total farm income. A Canadian update reports reduced grain exports due to low stockpiles and a poor harvest. The section concludes by posing a question about how the planet will fare in a food-deficit condition in the late 1980s.

Thoughts on YOGA

This section shares insights from two decades of study with Yoga teacher Blanche DeVries. The core principles of Yoga are presented as uniting mind, body, and spirit, converting physical energy into mental power, and developing conscious awareness. The practice emphasizes self-surrender, concentration, and outer control of the body as a means to regulate inner functioning. The author describes learning to conserve energy through correct breathing, spinal posture, and abdominal muscle use, leading to a developed muscular and nervous system. The article mentions that psychologists believe a 90-day cycle is needed to establish a new habit pattern, and daily practice builds moral stamina. Yoga is described as a philosophy that leads to a life of philosophical inquiry, not a religion, requiring hard work and dedication.

A Cosmic Fairy Tale

This article discusses the discovery of a pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy, located 150,000 light years away. Pulsars are described as the remains of exploded stars, composed of neutrons in an incredibly dense ball. This particular pulsar is notable for emitting visible light and having an extremely strong magnetic field. The piece touches upon the idea that knowledge of the universe is available through tuning into the right frequency, suggesting that inventions are often channeled through mental imagery projection.

Toward a Finer Civilization

This section features thoughts from Leigh Donahue of the Centric Foundation, focusing on the importance of early childhood development. It argues that human effectiveness has not kept pace with technological progress and that a child's pattern of behavior and abilities are set between birth and age six. The article criticizes modern practices that thwart natural instincts, such as damaging infant eyes with bright lights, separating newborns from mothers, and restricting exploration through confinement and sterile toys. It suggests that these "structuring" practices, which have increased over the past sixty years, contribute to the characteristics seen in adults that lead to catastrophe. The work of The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia is highlighted for its revolutionary methods in freeing children from these restrictions.

...On Space Beings

This section addresses the increasing observation of UFOs and poses the question of why 'space beings' do not reveal themselves openly. Citing Andrija Puharich, it suggests that they do not want humanity to realize that what they struggle for is already known. Their role is described as unobtrusive, like a midwife assisting a child's birth, and acting as a catalyst to promote reactions without entering into them. The purpose of their presence is to stimulate humanity to transcend its materialistic way of life, aiding in a difficult birth process without exploiting humans or Earth.

An IRAS Viewpoint

This article discusses the Infra-Red Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) discovery of a peculiar galaxy, Arp-220, located 300 million light years away. This galaxy generates an immense amount of heat and light, estimated to be as much as 2 trillion suns. Astronomers find this discovery exciting, adding a "puzzling new member to the extra-galactic Zoo."

Reach Out and Touch Someone

This section reflects on the author's experience of receiving numerous letters and phone calls from readers of their book, "ON A SLIDE OF LIGHT." Many calls deal with healing and holistic approaches to physical problems. The author reiterates that they do not ask for specifics from the "Ogatta group" for healing cases, emphasizing that they cannot conjure up information. The author expresses trust that altered lifestyles will escalate differences for others. The section concludes with a quote from Schopenhauer about the stages of truth revelation: ridicule, resistance, and self-evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the interconnectedness of nature and human actions, the potential for both natural and man-made catastrophes, and the importance of human potential and consciousness expansion. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical observation, urging readers to consider the impact of their actions on the environment and society, while also maintaining a sense of hope for future progress and a deeper understanding of the universe. The publication promotes a holistic approach to well-being and encourages a questioning attitude towards established norms and scientific understanding.