Intellectual History Commons^™

Letter From Josef Wimmer To Walther Wüst Forwarded By Wolfram Sievers To Rudolf Brandt, July 22, 1941, Josef Wimmer, Wolfram Sievers

Dowsing Research

In this letter, Josef Wimmer asks for direction on whether or not to carry out dowsing studies on the mountain Hohenwehen in Hegau. Sievers forwards the note to Rudolf Brandt asking if there are objections and stating that he believes it fine for Wimmer to travel.

Letter From Reinhard Heydrich To Heinrich Himmler, March 29, 1941, Reinhard Heydrich

Dowsing Research

In this letter from Reinhard Heydrich to Heinrich Himmler, Heydrich summarizes the books confiscated from the publisher J. Huber and lists his recommendations based on the petition by the Reich Association for Dowsing and the assessment conducted by Josef Wimmer. The document includes notes on the side in response to the recommendations. It is also noted the Dr. Lutz of the Propaganda Ministry does not need to be involved in these discussions as a middleman.

Letter From The Ahnenerbe To Rudolf Brandt, November 25, 1940, Ahnenerbe

Dowsing Research

In this letter to Rudolf Brandt of the Reichsführer-SS's personal staff, the writer states that Ahnenerbe Curator Walther Wüst has spoken to Dr. Lutz regarding dowsing rods and pendula and therefore it is not necessary for Brandt to reply to Lutz himself. Additionally, it is stated that the attachment includes the Ahnenerbe position on the prohibition of documents on dowsing and pendula in a letter from 11/20/40 which was sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD.

Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Reinhard Heydrich, November 20, 1940, Wolfram Sievers

Dowsing Research

This letter from Wolfram Sievers to Reinhard Heydrich summarized the assessment of confiscated documents related to dowsing, pendula, and astrology by Josef Wimmer of the Department for Applied Geology. Sievers notes the principles used for assessment: first, that recent research has led to great progress on the dowsing question and physical causes related to the sidereal pendulum may also soon be understandable; second, the dowsing literature does contain false reports and mistakes, but also much that has been scientifically proven - the task at hand, therefore, is to sift the literature and separate out that which is valuable and prevent …

Letter From The Head Of The Sicherheits Polizei And The Sd To The Ahnenerbe, October 31, 1940, Head Of The Sicherheitspolizei And The Sd

Dowsing Research

A request from a representative of the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD (Reinhard Heydrich) to the Ahnenerbe for an update on the review of dowsing and pendulum documents expressing the hope that this activity can be completed shortly, as they must report to the Reichsführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler).

Report By Josef Wimmer On The Position Paper By The Reich Association For Dowsing And The S.D. Report, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

In this report, Josef Wimmer adds his opinion on first, the position paper by the Reich Association for Dowsing which defends dowsing and proposes official measures to protect the practice and empower the association and second, a report from the SD in response to the Reich Association petition. Wimmer responds to criticism of dowsing included in the SD report while also recognizing sources of error that the Reich Association training fails to address. He concludes with proposals that would reorganize the association and strengthen the training and oversight capacities, placing the association within the oversight of the Ahnenerbe and encouraging …

Letter From The Head Of The Sicherheits Polizei And The Sd To The Ahnenerbe, August 13, 1940, Head Of The Sicherheitspolizei And The Sd

Dowsing Research

This letter accompanies documents seized during the sequestration of occult literature. It is noted that the Reich Association for Dowsing requested the release of the books and the letter writer asks that the Ahnenerbe provide a statement of opinion on the documents in question.

Report On The Visit Of Dr. Wentzel On June 6, 1939, Unknown

Dowsing Research

This report on a visit to Berlin by Dr. Wetzel notes progress in scientifically determining physical causes for the dowsing rod phenomenon and laments the rejection of dowsing by experts due to activities by "dilettantes and frauds", whose activities should be stopped through official measures.

Wetzel expressed a desire for the Association for Dowsing to come under the umbrella of the German Police with the protection of the Reichsführer-SS, possibly within the Ahnenerbe. He compares dowsing research to World Ice Theory research, both facing opposition from government and party officials which could discourage researchers.

Wetzel additionally mentions his support for …

Letter From The Reich Main Security Office To The Ahnenerbe, May 26, 1939, Reich Main Security Office

Dowsing Research

This note from the Reich Main Security Office on behalf of the Reichsführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler) accompanied a report on dowsing rods which was submitted to Himmler. The note states that the report was being forwarded for information purposes.

Report Of The Sd Directed At Reichsführer Ss Heinrich Himmler, May 26, 1939, Sicherheitsdienst

Dowsing Research

This report from the SD responds to the petition by the Reich Association for Dowsing which defends dowsing and asks for measures to regulate dowsing and empower the association in its oversight capacities.

The SD response begins with a summary of the arguments made by the Reich Association for Dowsing which refers to dowsing successes and outlines obstacles in the form of hostility from the science community, lack of resources, and the detrimental effect of "wild dowsers" on the overall reputation of the practice.

The paper then explores the organization itself, noting that it is based on a system of …

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, February 23, 1939, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter from Heinrich Harmjanz to Wolfram Sievers in which Harmjanz requests a document related to the commissioning of the work for the Atlas of German Volkskunde by the Ahnenerbe. He indicates that it is needed for an upcoming meeting with the German Research Association.

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, January 5, 1939, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter from Heinrich Harmjanz to Wolfram Sievers asking for copies of letters from the German Research Association which Sievers had previously promised to share with Harmjanz. Harmjanz asks that they be sent as soon as possible, as they were necessary for making decisions about the staff and relocation of the Atlas of German Volkskunde.

Letter From Rudolf Mentzel To Walther Wüst, November 30, 1938, Rudolf Mentzel

Atlas of German Folklore

A letter from Rudolf Mentzel to Walter Wüst agreeing to send the Atlas material to the Ahnenerbe for Harmjanz to use in ongoing work. The letter refers to a request for the material by Matthes Ziegler of the Professional Association for German Folk Studies, which was refused by Mentzel due to his verbal promise to Harmjanz.

Letter From Rudolf Mentzel To Matthes Ziegler, November 30, 1938, Rudolf Mentzel

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter from Rudolf Mentzel of the German Research Association to Matthes Ziegler of the Professional Association for German Folk Studies in response to Ziegler's request for the source material of the Atlas of German Volkskunde. Mentzel explains that the material has been sent to Heinrich Harmjanz of the Ahnenerbe for use in his work.

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, November 17, 1938, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

In this document, Heinrich Harmjanz writes to Wolfram Sievers regarding the source material for the Atlas of German Volkskunde. He reports that Matthes Ziegler had requested the material, stating that he'd heard the Atlas would cease to exist. Meanwhile, Harmjanz asks Sievers to reiterate the request to Rudolf Mentzel of the German Research Association that the material be provided to Harmjanz for further work, including a soon to be published Translyvanian atlas.

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Oberregierungsrat Zimmerman, November 17, 1938, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

A letter from Heinrich Harmjanz to Oberregierungsrat Zimmerman of the German Research Association discussing access to the Atlas source material. Harmjanz assures Zimmerman that Matthes Ziegler was incorrect in believing the Atlas work to complete. He details future plans and reasons the material was still needed. He notes that work would continue under the auspices of the Ahnenerbe. He also mentions that Rudolf Mentzel had verbally promised the loan of the material and assures Zimmerman there would be no financial cost to the German Research Association for this project.

Position Paper By The Reich Association For Dowsing Submitted To Heinrich Himmler, October 6, 1938, Reich Association For Dowsing

Dowsing Research

This position paper, directed at Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, from the Reich Association of Dowsing addresses the situation of dowsing and dowsing research and offers proposals for official actions.

The Association emphasises that a scientific explanation is urgently needed, but much progress had been made despite a crippling lack of resources. They cite evidence of dowsing successes (tens of thousands of cases) and note that failures occur in every profession and in dowsing they are not disproportionate.

They call attention to the obstacles of "wild" dowsers, not connected with the Association, as well as the hostility of the science community which …

Report On A Manuscript By Eduard Wildhagen Criticizing The Atlas Of German Folklore, June 1, 1938, Unknown

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter regarding a document by Wildhagen which is seen as an attack on the leadership of the Atlas and the German Research Association. The document was sent to several friends of Wildhagen and some scientists abroad. The writer sees the document as damaging to their interests and wants countermeasures to be taken. The author describes Wildhagen as a power-seeker who had caused great damage to the German humanities and folklore communities.

Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Walther Wüst, May 27, 1938, Wolfram Sievers

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter from Wolfram Sievers to Walther Wüst regarding Eduard Wildhagen's book concerning the Atlas of German Folklore. Sievers forwards relevant documents and asks for advice as to whether the matter should be addressed with Franz Six, Rudolf Mentzel and Heinrich Harmjanz.

Handwritten notes by Wüst and Sievers show that Wüst encouraged the meetings, which occurred on June 17-18, 1939.

Note From Karl Theodor Weigel About Eduard Wildhagen, May 27, 1938, Karl Theodor Weigel

Atlas of German Folklore

In this note for the files, Karl Theodor Weigel describes a letter from Eduard Wildhagen regarding a book by Wildhagen concerning the Atlas of German Volkskunde. Wildhagen sought approval from the Ahnenerbe and Reichsführer SS before publishing the book. Weigel noted that he advised Wildhagen to go through official channels. It is stated that Wildhagen was certain that Himmler was no longer hostile toward him, but Weigel had heard otherwise.

Excerpts From A Document By Eduard Wildhagen Discussing The Atlas Of German Folklore, May 21, 1938, Ahnenerbe, Eduard Wildhagen

Atlas of German Folklore

This document includes two excerpts from a 1932 work by Eduard Wildhagen discussing the Atlas of German Folklore, dealing particularly with its ineffective management.

Draft Of A Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Rudolf Mentzel, With Corrections, Undated, Wolfram Sievers

Atlas of German Folklore

Wolfram Sievers writes to Rudolf Mentzel of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft concerning the source material for the Atlas of German Folklore, asking that it be entrusted to the Ahnenerbe so that the work of Heinrich Harmjanz on the atlas can continue smoothly.

Note From Wolfram Sievers To Matthes Ziegler, Undated, Wolfram Sievers

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter to Matthes Ziegler of the Professional Association for German Folk Studies about negative comments made by Ziegler about Sievers and the Ahnenerbe. Sievers asks Ziegler to explain himself.

Meine Erfolge Mit Der Wünschelrute / My Successes With Dowsing Rods, Paul Beyer

Dowsing Research

A book by Dr. Paul Beyer, founder of the Reich Association for Dowsing, documenting his experiences using dowsing rods.

Contents:

Image 1 - A dowser from the 17th Century (from an old chalcography)

The practical value of dowsing for communities, landowners, manufacturers and miners.

Image 2 - A modern dowser: Dr. P. Beyer, Founder and Chair of the International Association for Dowsing Researchers on the search for Ore veins in Aue.

2. Successful findings of oil

Image 3 - Provision and reexamination of an oil drilling with the dowsing rod

3. Successful finding of lignites

4. Dowsing rod successes for …