LETTER TO THE EDITOR
by Attorney William G. Randall
Dear Sir:
February issue of Round Robin is received. I find it, as usual, filled with interesting matter. I am particularly impressed with your explosion of honest wrath over the dirty methods employed by Woman's Home Companion in its alleged "investigation" of pseudo-spiritualism. There is not one word in your excoriation of the foul tactics employed by W H C that is not richly deserved. The "agent provocateur" is the yellow dog of legal -- or quasi-legal -- procedure.
None the less I wish you had allowed a little more time for your closing prayer to be answered, before you sent your manuscript to the printer. I think you have put yourself in a false light before the readers of Round Robin, and before the public. I think it is generally going to be assumed by readers of your article that you have taken up the cudgels in defense of fake mediums. There is as much room for that interpretation of your review as there is for your complaint against this article in W H C of the "implication that spiritualism has been tested and overthrown." Of course the unthinking majority of the public will "draw the easy inference that all spiritualism is fraud" --- but the W H C people have not said so. It is an equally easy inference that in writing your critique your purpose was a defense of fake mediumship; though, in turn, you have not said so, and, as a matter of fact, God and you and I are agreed that the fake medium is the most contemptible animal that infests the earth --- with the exception of the yellow dog investigator above mentioned.
Reminding you of the elementary principle that the writer of any article is entitled to be judged by what he said and not by what you think he intended to infer (which is equally applicable to Mr Howard Whitman and to yourself), I want to call your attention to a few sentences in Mr Whitman's contribution to the gaiety of the period which, in my humble opinion, come pretty near to an accurate summing up of the situation as it exists.
"Each investigator presented the same 'facts'" (This is not the first time I have seen "facts" used as if synonym for "lies") "and asked the same questions. The mediums answered; and what they answered, in itself, proves that commercial spiritualism not only is a waste of money but dangerously harmful. The innocents who follow ill advice are harmed in a material way; and those who become addicted to the hockum, as they might to liquor or narcotics, are harmed psychologically, gradually losing their ability to cope with reality."
(Emphasis is mine.)
If we assume, for the sake of argument, that in the above quoted paragraph the writer meant exactly what he said, could you disagree with him? For my own part, the only ground of exception I can see is the well-worn counsel of caution, that twenty instances of fraud, even though scattered over sixteen cities, are a pretty slim foundation for a sweeping indictment, Yet, us far as it goes, all the evidence [17] shown on this report tends to support the writer's contention; and, as you yourself suggest, you could have supplied the gentleman with twice as much more for the asking. So could I. For present purposes let us not get tangled up with the unsolved problem of legal metaphysics; When is evidence sufficient to constitute proof? If Mr Whitman has not as yet proved his case, at least it could be proved, if there is any such thing as proof to be obtained through human testimony.
It is obvious from the charming naivete of Mr Whitman's concluding remarks that he doesn't know much about psychic research. However, he is correct in saying that there are sincere scientists engaged in extra-sensory research -- legitimate explorers of the "dark continent of the psychic". (I hope some of them are to be found in our universities and laboratories). I would not use the gentleman's phrase, "dark continent" here if I were not quoting his words; it is the right of any author to be quoted correctly if he is quoted at all. Of course, the field of super-physical phenomena is no more a dark continent than any other field of scientific investigation in which the student is compelled to deal with forces and phenomena which, as yet, are only partially understood. There are, also, honest and conscientious mediums of unquestionable psychic powers; but few of these are accessible to the general public.
One further point, before we abandon the dissection of this rather unsavory subject matter. There are two legitimate subjects of inquiry in the field of spiritualistic investigation; and only two:
First: Is there a sufficient body of credible testimony on record to justify a reasonable man in the conviction that the individual personality survives the death of the body?
It is obvious that little evidence on this point is imaginable except through some form of communication with persons known to have lived and to have died. If anyone really wants to satisfy himself as to whether or not there is such a body of credible evidence as I have here hinted, the complete answer is: Seek, and ye shall find!
Second subject of inquiry is: What, if any, information is to be had concerning the conditions of the future life?
As to this, also, there is gradually accumulating a body of evidence, far less in quantity than that which is responsive to the first question, but well worthy of careful study.
(Attorney Randall closes his letter by pointing out that "survival" and "immortality" are entirely different concepts, though they are constantly in "sloppy misuse" - and also, that fortune-telling has no place whatever in psychic or spiritistic studies).
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"Several incidents in my life have convinced me of spiritual interposition -- of the promptings of some beneficent force outside ourselves, which tries to help us where it can."
Through the Magic Door (1908)
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
****
WITH THE PERIODICALS
CHIMES for February reprints the photostat of the affidavit made by Beatrice Houdini, in which she asserts that she received the agreed on message from her deceased husband. Every time this is reprinted, Round Robin takes note of it - since so far as we know, the affidavit has never been proven false, or even seriously questioned; anti-spiritualist tactics are simply to ignore its existence . . . For our spiritualist readers we add that Mrs P. of our city has a phonograph record of certain post-mortem remarks by Harry H. himself, in which he admits he did dirt to Walter in the Margery seances, and that he knew his time was up when Walter accused him and predicted his early demise. Can we prove it's Houdini talking? Nope! But when all facts and circumstances favor an affirmative, it's the objector who has to bring up his reasons. The real problem of psychic research has become simply: is there any good alternative to the spiritistic explanation? The real problem of spiritualism is, how to get this idea into the heads of spiritualists.
(Chimes, box 157, Brea, Calif.)
MIND DIGEST, February, has its usual 90 - odd pages, some 35 articles, book reviews and suggestions, excerpts from the work of Edgar Cayce. C.T. Hubbard (Magic and Metaphysics) objects to the mixing of these two elements, apparently without having the faintest idea of how either of these terms is properly defined, by occultists and philosophers . . . John Davis has a worthwhile article, called Science Discovers Palmistry. What he means by his title is, that some scientists have found hand analysis worth while. Clarence Edwin Flynn defines religion as "the relating of any human heart to the Divine" (in What is Religion) M.L. makes a hopeless attempt at historical summary (Wanted - an Historian). But there must be a lot of good stuff in this magazine, since it keeps on growing, and evidently meets a real need in thousands of minds.
(Mind Digest, York, Pa.)
Phantom ships, armies, horsemen, apparitions in the sky and many similar appearances, witnessed by a great number of persons and full of vivid detail, may perhaps be traceable to the reflecting properties of the astral light. So thinks Dr. Charles J. Ryan, writing in The Theosophical Forum for February. There's an enormous mass of such phenomena, and people who reject them off-hand as 'merely' delusions, hallucinations, suggestion, or what-have-you are simply too ignorant to waste time on. They are neither more nor less unreal, probably, than one's own image in a mirror; and there's nothing unscientific or unphilosophical in Dr Ryan's point of view . . . But everything in this issue is good, and not over-colored by Theosophical propaganda.
(Theosophical Univ. Press. Covina, Cal.)
Psychic Observer (Feb. 10) carries a two column article by Ernest Oaten, called Threshold Problems - a Puzzling Case. The author presents notes taken at six seances, "not all with the same medium". A spirit named Cole was named and described by each of three different mediums, and a Henry Fairburn was described by two. These descriptions were correct, as were also the facts concerning these two persons. But it then turned out that both Cole and Fairburn are still alive. The question, of course, is the origin of this error. "Who made the mistake? The father, the guide, or the medium?" asks Mr Oaten. Such cases greatly complicate spiritualist theory, and every effort should be made to get at the right explanation.
"There is probably no religion in the world that is so misunderstood as is spiritualism. After 3000 years one might expect that everyone would agree that 'he that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is a folly and a shame unto him.' But many people ridicule spiritualism without knowing what they are talking about . . . " - Rev. Victoria Barnes, M.D., in National Spiritualist. (Oakwood Blvd., Chicago 15).
Prediction for February has (int. al.) an article by Professor Soal on Telepathy, and Fire-Walking by L.F. Stockwell. March issue includes Limits of the Credible (Hon. Ralph Shirley) and Apports (Horace Leaf, F.R.G.S.). Always some very good stuff, along with some buncom, in this magazine (Link House, 24, Store St. Lon. W.C.1)
Prince Tuala B. Tamalelagi of Van Nuys, Calif. (13170 Magnolia Blvd.) sends us a copy of his latest publication, Pluto: The Transformer (price $1.00). This is a 22 page booklet discussing the nature of Pluto, and its function in the Signs and Houses, its Aspects, and concludes with an Ephemeris of the planet, 1850 to 1950. A larger edition is forthcoming. This should be useful to astrologers, as it gives a practical basis for evaluating Pluto in the horoscope.
We acknowledge with thanks: Golden Bays (101 E. Hanlin St., Eaton Rapids, Mich.) -- The Spiritual Digest (55 State Road, Hampton Manor, Rensselaer, N.Y.) -- New York Spiritualist Leader -- Spiritual Science (357 W. 60th, Los Angeles] -- The Rosicrucian Magazine (Oceanside, Calif.) -- Occult Review (68 Fleet St., Lon. E.C. 4) is near-indispensable. New Age Interpreter (Box 6133, Metropol. Sta. Los Angeles 55) is social, political and cultural, with an occult or semi-mystical slant, always well written.
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A letter from Mr O.S. Pinckney of Mariposa, which we wish we had space to reproduce. He's 'nearing three score and ten', has been a life-long student of things occult, and like many others is oppressed by a sense of impending disaster - not as an alarmist, but from signs of the times and the ways of an unregenerate humanity. 'Do not trifle with occult forces, whether atom bombs or Deros,' says Mr P. in effect, 'until or unless you know just what powers you are dealing with.'
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"Spiritualists look for the dawn of reason to some day enter the orthodox Church . . . but I have given serious consideration to this question and an fully convinced that the Church has never given this subject a moment's consideration. To me the reason is obvious - the whole organism would fall into pieces . . . the entire ecclesiastical organization would cease to function . . . since spiritualism does not depend on churches, clergymen, holy books, rites or ceremonies." Thus, Mr J. Arthur Findlay, in his Unfolding Universe. The 452 pages of this book are well worth consideration, by all who are not informed as to the spiritualist position.
- CLIPS AND QUIPS -
"Fiery warning or divine manifestation," the Cincinnati Enquirer calls it. A streak of fire, ball of fire, or a big flashlight going on and off. Electric lights became dim and houses quivered. The Weather Bureau denied that any weather phenomenon had occured . . . There was no accident or explosion. (Clip from Mr Erwin Krieger, Cincinnati)
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Frogs - and more frogs: Trobridge, Wiltshire, England. Rain with fall of thousands of living frogs, about the size of a large thumb tip. Great numbers fell on concrete paving - so did not "crawl out of holes". The usual 'whirlwind explanation' is mentioned, of course, but 'nobody has located the (formerly) frog-filled pond.' (Nor, we add, has anyone yet explained the curious fondness of whirlwinds for frogs - leaving fish, weeds, debris behind . . . The ghost of Charles Fort smiles ironically).
Hatfield, Mass, July, '45. Tobacco farmer, hoeing his field, caught in a heavy shower, found that "the row suddenly became full of tiny frogs . . . so numerous they covered the ground." (Northampton Gazette). (Both clips from Mrs H.L., Mass.)
"The tree-frog in the high pool in the mountain cleft, had he been endowed with human reason, on finding a cigarette butt in the water night have said: 'Here is an impossibility. There is no tobacco hereabouts, or any paper. Here is evidence of fire and there has been no fire. This thing cannot fly nor crawl nor blow in the wind. In fact, this thing cannot be and I will deny it, for if I admit that this thing is here the whole world of frogs is in danger, and from there it is only one step to antifrogicentricism.' And so the frog will for the rest of his life try to forget that something that is, is." (Mrs H.L.) (John Steinbeck, in "The Sea of Cortez")
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Marginal note on Dr Haley's Spiritons (vitality globules). Attorney William Randall (Pasadena) obtained "an exceptionally clear and definite observation of the shower of darting, brilliant, silver-white sparks" but no blue lights or other variations. He was looking out of an office where the light was relatively dim, and toward a "clay-brindle colored wall strongly lighted by the mid-day sun." Also, he was able to see a few of the spiritons by artificial light, by looking up toward a light fixture in the center of a white ceiling . . . We at one time asked Professor Rhine if he knew what these appearances actually are; he replied that he would be glad to read a 'report' and evaluate the evidence - but apparently wouldn't look out of the window to make a little experiment of his own . . . The distinguished Editor of the ASPR Journal thought that (if they exist at all) the spiritons must be the product of California climate . . . Nine people out of ten can see these objects, but there's not a single reference to them (so far as we can learn) in the whole literature of optics . . . But in another place (or maybe in another issue of RR) we present the full account of this phenomenon, as expounded by Leadbeater and as accepted in the Orient.
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Restaurant operator, San Leandro, Calif., closed up at 4:45 a.m. and went hone, opened the screen door and found a man standing behind it - who promptly hit restaurant man on the head. Res. man, much annoyed, [21] puts three 45-caliber bullets through the intruders middle - but, just then, no intruder there, no corpse, no blood, but three bullet holes in the door. Our correspondent Mr W.C. Baker (San Francisco) sends the clip, makes a saturnine comment; probably it was the ghost of some unfortunate who had been poisoned by the restaurant man's bad meals. Maybe so, and it's an idea anyhow; we hope to work on a few cafe owners ourselves, post-mortem.
And Mr Baker has many other comments. He sends us a pamphlet of Notes and Data on the Oregon "House of Mystery"; interesting compilation but too technical to discuss here . . . and he doesn't think much of Ford's Reparations, says the cannon bell fell back into the mouth of the gun because the air rotates along with the earth (and so it does, but for us the mystery is not solved). Also, Mr Baker insists that the the earth is spherical, objects to the term 'astral projection' (and quite rightly), reminds us that some of the practises of Hatha Yoga result in this 'projection', ends by telling about a man who went insane from studying Oahpse; yet Mr Baker himself is going to study it and has no fears, being too busy with mundane concerns. (Many thanks to this correspondent).
WANTED by W.C. Baker, 119 Webster St. San Francisco 17, copies 1 to 5 (5 issues) of Round Robin.
WANTED by Mr Vincent Gaddis, some Robin nos. 1-2-3-5-7 (will pay $1.00 each unless already supplied). Bx. 296 Winona Lake, Ind.
WANTED by Round Robin Editor, January ('46) issues of this bulletin; will pay .50 each for a limited number.
WANTED: to remind you-all that a number of thrifty folk have been buying Round Robin at .25 a copy, then later getting .50 or $1.00 for them - so if you want to get in on the black market, don't put your RR in the incinerator . . . .
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- Acceptances -
Of days and nights reticulate
The immeasureable Net
Gathers all souls;
Too close is the let for the small,
Too strong for the great.
Too strong for behemoth
Or for Leviathan
The impassive Fisherman
Winds all, soon or late
From the waters of Mazloth.
Vexed is the Deep of Souls:
Time draws the net,
Hatred shall forget,
Grief be made whole
While toils the Fisherman.
ATOMIC BOMB EXPERIMENTS:
Round Robin, which usually steers clear of political and social controversy, has nevertheless aided and abetted physicist Walter Graham, et al. in the campaign against the dangerous and premature experiments planned for next July. Mr Graham points out that a.b. explosions at or near the water surface have never been tried, that tidal waves 1000 feet or more in height may be raised, that vast quantities of water will be vaporized and fall as devastating floods throughout the world, and emphasizes the fact that other forces will be unleashed also, particularly violent earthquake action, followed by volcanic outbursts, in one of the most unstable areas of the world. And physicist Graham does not ask that all tests be abandoned, but only that preliminary experiments be made over isolated lakes, on a smaller scale, to collect data and study the whole situation.
In this eminently sensible proposal, Round Robin concurs heartily.
Radio commentator Drew Pearson lately discussed this matter, saying that many scientists were apprehensive of the results, some of them going so far as to predict the loss of the entire task force. The difficulty of getting accurate information about effects of the a.b. is illustrated by a half-column in TIME for February 18. The soil of New Mexico, says Time, is "still a-boil with radio activity, as are also fragments of steel and glass from the bombed area. Yet one reads repeatedly that there is no radio-activity in the bombed cities of Japan."
So long as this uncertainty exists, with contradictory reports, and so long as competent scientists are doubtful or apprehensive of the results (and how can they be otherwise, with an untried experiment) while some of them predict an overwhelming disaster - so long it would seem to be ordinary horse-sense to make a tentative experiment on a small scale. The eagerness of brass-hat adventurers to do things on a grand scale may just possibly bring on an unparalleled disaster, and it is criminal stupidity in the American public to permit this risk, under the present conditions of ignorance and contradictory opinions.
Copies of a letter addressed by Mr Graham to one of the Senators of the A.B.Committee, and summing up the views held by him, may be had from the Round Robin on request.
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ROUND ROBIN CALLS ATTENTION
to MAXIN 96, edited by David D. Dagmar. Maxin means The Unfed Fire (Phylos). This magazine affords an outlet for an active and adventurous type of mind, hitherto without means of expression. The subject matter is border-land science and psychism - Atlantis, Lemuria, Mt. Shasta, 4th dimension - practically all of it letters from readers. It's not easy to keep that sort of craft on even keel; our main point is that MAXIN gets better with every issue, and that its Editor (whom we know personally) is not at all 'on the make', but is deeply interested in the cause of psychic education and sane use of psychic and occult knowledge. (Bi-monthly, 1345 No. Hayworth Ave, Hollywood 46. $1.00 for 4 issues. Copy .25)
- WITH OUR CORRESPONDENTS -
(Address correspondents in care of the Round Robin)
"I would like to suggest that some kind of group be formed with special attempt being made to find out how to approach the problem of economics from an occult standpoint. Why not a group working together to find an answer? It calls for complete cooperation and not the lone wolf type of work."
(W.G.H., Montgomery, Ala.)
"You might note that February 18, 1946 is a date on the Pyramid. It is the half-way mark of the last hour, and right in line with dates for the starting and ending of wars . . . It could be the date of another war, and if so it will last until 1953 . . . One thing you have to look out for is that people who claim to be members of the White Brotherhood try to influence (the policy of publishers) by alleged psychic messages."
("d", Los Angeles, Calif.)
"It has been reliably stated that we have made greater progress in the last four years than in the sixty years preceding 1941. All of us are going to be left so far behind that we will be completely out of date" (unless some-plan is devised) . . . Books are out of date before they come off the press."
(W.G. Los Angeles, Calif.)
Mr. E.G. Krieger (RR contributor) lives in smoky Cincinnati, so sometimes snuffs up water, bends his head down and puffs it out again for cleanliness sake. "At the peak of the pressure, or shortly thereafter, I noticed by accident (?) that the vitality globules spring into great brilliance . . . are distinctly visible against any background . . . " "I would like to know more of those electric field materializations. It was stated that no medium was present - but there was, potentially the observer. Spiritualism is one concept. But suppose that the field represents a region of special conditions such that practically any weak thought or visualization may be reproduced in it -- "
(2321 Bohs St. Cincinnati, Ohio)
"Gerald Heard has a new book out, on The Gospel According to Gamaliel, and reviewer Reinhold Niebuhr gives it praise . . . " "The ghost town of Tombstone takes on new life through the activities of Dr. Zinn and his 14-chlorine machines, who is curing arthritics despite scepticism of other M.D.s . . . " H.L. of Northampton, Mass. includes these among many helpful clips, and adds that she approves of the Editor's In Defense of Magic (Rosicrucian Magazine).
Gina Cerminara, able editor of A.R.E. publications (Cayce Foundation) strongly approves of Round Robin . . . The ARE is anxious to get Thomas Sugrue's There is a River (life of Edgar Cayce) into all public libraries (and branches), and into large high schools, colleges and universities, veterans hospitals and similar institutions. Where there are no copies, A.R.E. headquarters will supply them while funds hold out, and members will help by making presentations. "River" is an extremely interesting book, as well as a good introduction to enlightened ways of thought, If you want to help, here's one way to do it.
Mr J.W.K. (Cathedral City, Calif.) comments on Vincent Gaddis's Electrical Ghosts (January RR), says the discouraging feature is that Eastman made these discoveries in 1930, and now after 16 years we do not hear of any further progress. "Another point I should like to know, is what serious study has been made of mediums; how are they different from ordinary humans." "Study of the transitional point between dream consciousness and waking consciousness might shed light on some problems of psychism . . . " "Another line of approach is through the psychic phenomena recorded in the New Testament or perhaps we should start some psychic tests over a recent battle-field." We regret that we cannot reproduce more of this suggestive letter.
The Ouija board is distinctly in bad repute, but we think that is partly (not wholly) because people play with it, take anything that comes through. Mrs H. M. Plemon (59 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, Calif.) is a Ouija Writer of long experience, says that "you invariably get what you ask for" and that the O.b. can be a safe and useful mode of communication if wisely handled.
Most people think it was just plain or distinguished stupidity that cost 2500 lives at Pearl Harbor, but Mr L. H. Smith (El Cajon, Calif.) has a theory; he thinks there was a "psychological anaesthetic" craftily administered, maybe by Japanese black magicians - or maybe no magic required. We'll go far enough with to say, that probably all really exceptional devilment has inspiration and aid from the Unseen Evil, to our way of thinking, is not merely inertia and negation, but also active, aggressive, and just as 'real' as are the powers of Righteousness - a necessary concomitant of the evolutionary process.
We have two pamphlets (48 and 88 pp.) from Mrs Mary R. Hyde, (Alexandria, Va.), The Misread Record and Eden's Flaming Sword, both by Isaac N. Vail, author of the Annular System. The main contention is that the earth was once covered by a cloud shell, or vapor shell, and with this hypothesis is bound up the whole geological history of our planet. We understand that the annular theory is regarded with respect by scientists, and Professor Vail's writings are worthy of very serious attention.
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Physicist Keith J. Hayes, writing from the psychological laboratories at Stanford, comments on the subject of VITIC. We quote his letter, with some necessary condensation:
"This problem" (Vitic) "is by no means simple. The outer surface of the skin is always slightly positive with respect to the inner tissues, and the potential is roughly the same in each hand. The small discrepancy is what causes the meter deflection. The amount of current and direction of deflection depend on pressure between skin and electrode, and on moisture (perspiration). The maximum deflection is not maintained, and the needle slowly returns toward original position, so that the reading depends on when it was taken . . . The gal. deflection is sensitive to suggestion, as the galvanic reflex registers emotional tension . . . " Under these difficulties, physicist Hayes finds it so far impossible to devise satisfactory experiments, and thinks there may be "simple explanations of previously reported results." We feel incompetent to comment, especially in lack of time and facilities for experiment, but hope to refer to the question later.
- THE HOLY TAROT -
"We meet with the Tarot cards at the outermost gates - amid the fritterings and debris of the so-called occult Arts, about which no one in his senses has suffered the smallest deception; and yet these cards belong in themselves to another region, for they contain a very high symbolism, which is interpreted according to the laws of Grace rather than by the pretexts and institutions of that which passes for divination. The pedagogues in the seats of the mighty will not be quick to perceive the likelihood or even the possibility of this proposition. The subject has been in the hands of cartomancists . . . I do not seek to persuade anyone outside my own circles that this is of much or no consequence, but on the historical and interpretative sides it has not fared better; it has been brought into utter contempt for those people who possess philosophical insight or faculties for the appreciation of evidence . . . Symbolism is the most catholic expression in concealment of things that are most profound . . . that have not been declared by the spoken Word . . . It is time that it (the Tarot) should be rescued, and this I propose to undertake once for all . . . "
A. E. Waite, Key to the Tarot - Being fragments of a secret tradition under the Veil of Divination.
Select the Significator. Shuffle and cut three times. Deal the other cards as shown, from top of pack.
CARD 1. "This covers" = influences affecting the Querent (or subject matter). Atmosphere in which the other forces are at work. CARD 2. "This crosses" = nature of the obstacles. If favorable, the opposition will not be serious. CARD 3. "This crowns" = aim or ideal of Querent; or the best which can be done under the circumstances, but not yet made actual. CARD 4. "This is beneath" = basis of the matter, already actual. CARD 5. "This is behind" = influence which has just passed, or is passing. CARD 6. "This is before" = influence coming into action in the near future. CARD 7. The Significator himself (or itself); his position and attitude. CARD 8. The House (astrological); factors in environment (friends, position, etc.) CARD 9. Hopes or/and fears of Querent. CARD 10. Culmination, more distant future. Result of all other forces shown on the spread. The cards of the future are thus 6 and 10, and these must be considered in their relationships.
- Our Own Experiment -
We inquired as to the outcome of the proposed July experiment with atomic bombs, if carried out, choosing the Significator at random from the bottom of the pack. Spread I. Sig. = Magician. Major Trumps only. Cards 1 to 10 were 16 - 15 - 9 - 18 - 3 - 12 - 5 - 0 - 8 - 6. Spread II. Sig. = Death. Cards 1 to 10 were 15 - 12 - 18 - 3 - 8 - 1 - 5 - 9 - 20 - 4.
SEND US YOUR OWN SPREAD - WE WILL PRINT THE RESULTS.
- ATTENTION PLEASE -
The Editor of RR is continually in receipt of inquiries about BOOKS - where to obtain certain books, or what books to read on given subjects. He tries to answer all such inquiries as best he can, but in the aggregate they take up a great deal of time - so please, kind friends - if or when you want a specific book, buy five cents worth of post cards and send out an inquiry to five book dealers or publishers - 'Have you got it? Can you get it? How much? Send me your catalogues' . . . And the next please is: either save this RR, or take out this page and save it for the addresses . . . If necessary, get a book dealer to advertise for your book in his weekly trade journal - the cost is small.
| The Gateway, 30 E. 60th St. N.Y. | Occult Book Service, 250 Manhattan Ave., N.Y. City |
| Church of Light, Box 1525 Los Angeles. | Macoy Pub. Co., 38 E. 32nd St. N.Y. |
| Rider & Co., Paternoster House, London, E.C.4. | Psychic Book Center, 127 E 39th St. N.Y. |
| The Aries Press, 501 Plymouth Court, Chicago, Ill. | Dale News, Inc. Lily Dale, N.Y. |
| Brentano's. 1 West 47th St. NY. | The Theosophical Press, Wheaton, Ill. |
| Seven Book Hunters. Sta. O Box 22, N.Y. 11. | Literary Mart. 8 E. 33rd St. N.Y. |
| J. Thompson. 1 Hillside, Pelham, N.Y. | Freeman Library Service. Dept. H. 3148 Bruckner Blvd. N.Y. 61 |
We have frequent inquiries for books on esoteric Qabalism, especially the works of Dr. Francis I. Regardie and of Dion Fortune. All books by the latter, and some by Regardie are published in England, but are usually to be had in this country - or your dealer will order for you. For English publications, get catalogues of Rider and Co., and of Michael Houghton, Publisher, Atlantis Book Shop, 49a Museum St., London, W.C.1.
Essential books for esoteric Qabalism are (1) The Mystical Qabalah, by Dion Fortune, and (2) the following books by Regardie: The Middle Pillar - The Tree of Life - The Garden of Pomegranates - The Golden Dawn (4 vols.). In conjunction, and for modern operative occultism from the 'inside', Dion Fortune's Psychic Self-Defense essential reading.
For the whole field of psychism, get Carrington's Story of Psychic Science. For Spiritualism, read Doyle's History of Spiritualism. Subscribe to a Weekly book review. The New York Herald Tribune Book Review is only $1.00 a year - and there are others as good or better at about the same price. Take a spiritualist periodical of the better sort, preferably one that carries book lists. Subscribe to the Occult Review, 37 Bedford Square, Lon. W.C.1, Eng., quarterly, $1.00 per yr - or some other good European periodical in the occult or psychic field ---- and to return to our theme.
When you want a book, buy a dime's worth of post cards - send out five or 10 inquiries - and you'll get your book before long, simply because there are scores who will want to sell it to you - once they know your needs.
- ANNOUNCEMENTS -
Mimeographed booklets, for sale by Talk of the Times, Box 128, San Diego 4, Calif.
GEOMANCY - The Art of Divination by the Element of Earth. The only separate treatise on this subject now in print. Compiled by the Editor of Round Robin. 8½ x 11", 24 pp. $2.00 postpaid.
LETTERS TO A SOLDIER, 4th printing. Not a war publication only. A simple explanation of what happens at the time of death, according to a consensus of esoteric knowledge; a summary of basic ideas found in occultism and spiritism, and a reading list. By the Round Robin Editor. 5 x 8", 35 pp. $1.00; 3 copies for $2.00.
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As a rule RR reviews only books in the field of Illuminism; how-ever we should have found place (and hope to next month) for a more extended notice of Thomas Sugrue's Starling of the White House. No esoteric connotations at all, but an admirably written conspectus of five administrations - and the author is well known in the occult field, particularly for his biography of Cayce (There is a River).
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Important notice (to the RR Editor, anyhow): the price of paper has gone up 20%, and cost of all other printing supplies seems likely to advance. Round Robin is not a commercial venture, but has to to break even - we have no ravens, no falls of manna, only bills payable, as a birthday present - but we do not want to increase the price of this Bulletin. How about adding a comic strip, or aid-to-the-lovelorn column? Any other suggestions?
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Heretofore we have not accepted paid advertising, but shall now devote one page, maybe more, to carefully selected announcements, preferably of books and other publications in the general field of Illuminism. Rates: 2 x 3½ (half the width of this page), each issue, one dollar; six issues, $5.00. Circulation small but very classy, creme de la creme and all that sort of thing!
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We recommend the BOBBITT AGENCY if you want sample copies of psychic and spiritistic publications, U.S. or foreign; they accept subscriptions, will send lists on request. 1609 - 10th Ave., Nashville 8, Tenn.
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Please send us your ZONE NO. if you haven't done so - and use ours in writing to us - Zone 4, San Diego, Calif. If you know anyone likely to take a real interest in RR subject matter, and will send us his name and address, we'll send a sample copy.
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Finally, our mid-March recommendation, of a good deed in a naughty world, is to send letters of vigorous protest to the Honorable Senators on the Hon. Ato-Bomb Committee, Hon. Senate Office Bldg. at Hon. Capitol - about proposed July experiment of exploding Hon. Ato-Bomb at or near surface of water. Otherwise Hon. Brass Hats may possibly kill some 33,000 personnel, maybe start earthquakes, volcanoes, floods or what-have-you. (We sound silly but don't feel that way)