Woodrew Update - Vol 6 No 5

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Woodrew Update, dated May/June 1987, delves into a variety of topics ranging from cosmic energies and personal well-being to societal issues and extraterrestrial encounters. The publication, from the A.S.T.A.R. Foundation, aims to inform its readers on subjects often considered outside the mainstream.

Understanding Cosmic Vibes

The lead article, "Understanding Cosmic Vibes," explores the concept of vibrations as energies emitted by cosmic bodies, likening the solar system's orbit around the Milky Way to a tug-of-war between gravity and electromagnetism. It suggests that changes in these cosmic energies can influence Earth, potentially leading to geological shifts and requiring species to adapt or face extinction. The article references Buckminster Fuller's concept of gravity as 'concentering' and discusses the need for species to evolve quickly to survive higher energy environments, citing Stephen J. Gould's theory of rapid evolutionary leaps.

The Love Note

This section defines love as a positive energy that can be directed through positive thinking and constructive thoughts. It emphasizes that true love involves freedom from conflict, fear, tensions, and stresses, requiring an openness from the heart. The author shares a personal anecdote about confronting a loved one, highlighting that love means allowing a dear one to follow their path without condemnation.

On Power and Free Will

This article stresses the cosmic rule of free will, urging readers not to abdicate responsibility for their lives. It criticizes bureaucratic overreach, where officials wield absolute authority in small areas, dictating individuals' lives. Citing Harry Schultz and historical figures like Eisenhower and Lord Acton, the piece warns against misplaced power and the need to mistrust those in authority, echoing James Madison's sentiment that 'all men having power ought to be mistrusted.'

The Mind/Body Connection

This section discusses the growing scientific understanding of the mind-body connection, moving it from the occult to the realm of science. It highlights the work of psychoneuroimmunology, which measures interreactions between the brain and the endocrine and immune systems. The article explains that during stress, the body primes the endocrine system for survival and depresses the immune system. Conversely, injecting hope can elicit a measurable response from the immune system. It introduces Dr. Hans Selye's concepts of 'catatoxic' (stress) and 'syntoxic' (calming) hormones, explaining how thoughts are transformed into these hormonal responses. The importance of positive thinking and 'joy juice' as an antidote to 'worry juice' is emphasized, with Norman Cousins' self-healing through laughter cited as an example.

A Gothic Tale

This personal narrative recounts an experience with a friend diagnosed with severe arthritis. Despite her crippled hands, the friend expressed a desire for specific typewriter fonts, believing that if someone showed they believed she could overcome her condition, she would try not to be crippled. The author, initially disbelieving, sent the fonts and, along with the friend, worked on a system of massaging her hands. The friend's arthritis improved, and she began typing and taking piano lessons.

King Hussein and the Grim Reaper

This short piece mentions King Hussein of Jordan's belief that he died and returned to life after an out-of-body experience during a health crisis in January 1984. It draws a parallel to 'tabloid stories' of near-death experiences.

Mountain Musings: A Real Dilemma

This section reflects on the author's dilemma regarding different perceptions of extraterrestrial entities. While the 'Ogatta Jorpah' visitors are described as benign, advanced, and promoting free will and change, other accounts, particularly those from Whitley Strieber's book "COMMUNION," portray aliens as 'bug-like' creatures that abduct humans against their will for examination. The author expresses concern that the fear-based narrative might overshadow the possibility of helpful ET civilizations.

Right-To-Die

This article discusses the growing public concern and legislative efforts surrounding the right-to-die. It notes that right-to-die legislation has been introduced in most U.S. states, with laws already enacted in 14. The piece explains the concept of a 'Living Will' as a binding document to control medical decisions in terminal conditions. It also references a University of Chicago survey indicating that a significant percentage of Americans have had contact with someone who has died, suggesting a disconnect between scientific belief and personal reality.

KGB Beams

This section reports on an article by Rowland Evans and Robert Novak concerning the death of former Ambassador Walter Stoessel from leukemia. It suggests that the U.S. government blamed illegal Soviet microwave beams, used to intercept communications, for inducing cancer in embassy personnel. The article notes that the KGB was ordered to stop these operations after U.S. protests, but it was too late for Stoessel.

Potassium Iodide Update

This brief update mentions the Tennessee Department of Public Health distributing potassium iodide pills to families living near the Sequoyah nuclear plant as a preventive measure against a potential nuclear accident.

Touch Power

This section explores the healing power of touch, referencing Dr. Norman and Chardy Shealy. It highlights that touch, whether physical or energetic, can renew passion for life. The article mentions Roger Jahnke's book "THE BODY THERAPIES" and the practice of Therapeutic Touch (TT), noting its effectiveness even without direct physical contact. It emphasizes the ethical responsibility of practitioners and the potential for harm if healing efforts are accompanied by negative emotions.

Not To Be Sniffed At

This piece discusses the medicinal properties of garlic, noting its use as an antibiotic, antiseptic, and antifungal agent, and its potential to counter blood clotting. It mentions that American scientists are working to create chemical drugs based on garlic constituents, while Europeans believe natural remedies require natural smells.

Mountain Wisdom

This section offers advice on planting based on lunar cycles, suggesting planting above-ground crops during the waxing moon and below-ground crops during the waning moon. It refers to this as an 'old wives' tale' but asserts its effectiveness.

A Broader View

This article discusses the increasing acceptance of the existence of multiple civilizations in the universe, driven by scientific progress and information from groups like the 'Ogatta group.' It mentions a paper presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Pasadena, which identified early stages of a new solar system formation, suggesting that stars with planets may be common. The article posits that humanity is at a lower end of the evolutionary scale compared to other life forms in the universe.

S.T.A.R. Activities

This section provides information on upcoming seminars and lectures hosted by S.T.A.R. House, including a "Month-In-A-Day" event in Minnesota and a "SLIDE OF LIGHT II Conference." It also invites organizers to set up workshops or lectures in their areas for 1988.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of unconventional energies and phenomena ('Cosmic Vibes,' UFOs, extraterrestrial life), the importance of personal well-being (mind-body connection, health, love), and the assertion of individual agency (free will, right-to-die). The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and inquisitive, presenting information from various sources, including scientific research, personal anecdotes, and speculative theories, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional understanding. There is a consistent emphasis on personal responsibility, positive thinking, and the potential for human evolution and adaptation in the face of changing environments and cosmic influences.