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Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, February 10, 1944, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

Heinrich Harmjanz writes to Wolfram Sievers in 1944 to thank him for his holiday wishes and for thinking of him. Now in the military, he discusses former colleagues, whether or not to continue the Ahnenerbe folk studies journal, the protection of the Atlas of German Folklore materials during the war, and complexities of publishing.

Letter From Dr. Spengler To Wolfram Sievers, December 3, 1941, Wilhelm Spengler

Dowsing Research

In a letter to Obersturmbannführer Sievers, Dr. Spengler notes that dowsing rod researchers/users were not targeted in action taken against occult groups, but some may have been arrested if they were active in other occult activities. The letter states that the head of the security police and the SD want to meet with these groups to discuss scientific problems related to the occult. It was not expected that research of dowsing rods would be included in the planned work.

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 Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

Memo to Sievers from Wimmer stating that he is sending his opinions on a paper by Dr. Beyer and asking that the report be forwarded to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD, Reinhard Heydrich.

Letter From Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

Note from Josef Wimmer to Wolfram Sievers accompanying Wimmer's commentary on a paper from the Reich Association for Dowsing and a report from the SD. Wimmer asks that his assessment be forwarded to the Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler.

Letter From Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

Note from Josef Wimmer to Wolfram Sievers accompanying an assessment of 14 documents, with the request that the assessment be forwarded to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei, Reinhard Heydrich.

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).

Assessment Of Confiscated Astrology Literature By Josef Wimmer For Reinhard Heydrich, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

In a document sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD, Josef Wimmer provides an assessment of confiscated documents related to astrology. He recommends the release of two documents, Astronomical Ephemeris for the year 1940 and Abdias Trew's Layout plan for reformed astrology. The sequestration is recommended to be upheld for Planet Signatures by Thomas Ring and The New Planet Pluto by Fritz Brunhübner. Wimmer remained undecided about a final document, The Dynamics of the Cosmos by H.H. Reinsch.

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 …

Assessment Of Confiscated Dowsing And Pendulum Literature By Josef Wimmer For Reinhard Heydrich, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

In a document sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD, Josef Wimmer provides an assessment of confiscated documents related to dowsing rods and pendula. He describes nine documents and provides his own opinion on their value. He recommends the release of seven documents, the classification of one (Baron von Pohl's Earthly Radiations as Pathogen) and the sequestration of one (F. Kallenberg's "Revelations of the Sidereal Pendulum". He additionally comments on the state of dowsing rod research and the principles he used to assess the documents. Finally, he states that the Ahnenerbe should be consulted on all cases …

Letter From The Ahnenerbe To Walther Wüst, September 25, 1940, Ahnenerbe

Dowsing Research

In a letter written on behalf of Wolfram Sievers, it is requested that the requested assessment of dowsing rod documents be completed as soon as possible as the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD Reinhard Heydrich is eager to find a solution.

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.

Letter From Josef Wimmer To Reinhard Heydrich, August 5, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

Writing to Reinhard Heydrich, Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and of the SD, Josef Wimmer summarizes a letter from Paul Beyer of the Reich Association for Dowsing, in which Beyer states that dowsing is useful in many areas and offers examples from his own experience. Wimmer references his own response to a prior document. He states that the regulation of dowsing is planned for the period following the end of the war, but transitional provisions could be made in agreement with the Ahnenerbe for the time being to allow the use of dowsers for economic and military purposes.

Note From Rudolf Brandt Representing The Reichsführer-Ss Himmler To Reinhard Heydrich And The Ahnenerbe, July 23, 1940, Rudolf Brandt

Dowsing Research

In this note sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD and to the Ahnenerbe, Rudolf Brandt as a representative of the Reichsführer-SS states that he is sending to the recipients copies of a paper from the Reich Association for Dowsing regarding the confiscation of literature on dowsing and pendula. He mentions in particular works published by J. Huber in Diessen vor München as well as a book from Baron von Pohl on earth radiation as a pathogen. He conveys the opinion of the Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler, that the works should be released and the Ahnenerbe consulted on …

Letter From Paul Beyer To Heinrich Himmler, July 12, 1940, Paul Beyer

Dowsing Research

In this letter, Dr. Paul Beyer writes to Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer-SS and Head of the German Police regarding the confiscation of literature related to dowsing and pendula. He relates his attempts to address the confiscation with Dr. Koch of the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, who ordered the confiscation. He requests that Himmler abolish the program and proposes the creation of a department dealing specially with dowsing questions which would benefit from Himmler's protection.

Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Walther Wüst, June 4, 1940, Wolfram Sievers

Dowsing Research

A letter from Wolfram Sievers, managing director of the Ahnenerbe, to Walther Wüst, curator of the Ahnenerbe. Sievers states that he is forwarding a letter from the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD as well as a letter from Dr. Paul Beyer which includes the document "My Successes with Dowsing Rods". Sievers asks that Wüst take action in forwarding the documents to Josef Wimmer, as the meeting they had planned had not yet taken place. A handwritten note from Wüst confirms this transaction.

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

Dowsing Research

This letter, composed on behalf of the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD Reinhard Heydrich, was written to accompany a document forwarded to the Ahnenerbe. The document in question is Paul Beyer's "My Successes with Dowsing Rods". The writer notes that nothing is known of Baron von Leesen and the Ahnenerbe should deal with the document as circumstances require.

Letter From Paul Beyer To Heinrich Himmler On The Uses Of Dowsing Rods, April 3, 1940, Paul Beyer

Dowsing Research

Dr. P. Beyer explains to Himmler the uses for dowsing rods and offers examples of success using dowsing rods to locate oil and gas deposits, water, mineral deposits and to avoid lightning.

Memo From Wolfram Sievers, June 12, 1939; Forwarded To Josef Wimmer On August 3, 1939, Wolfram Sievers

Dowsing Research

In this memo, Wolfram Sievers reports changes to be made to proposals made in a report on dowsing based on a telephone conversation with SS-Sturmbannführer Ehlich. The note at the bottom forwards the memo to Josef Wimmer who is in possession of the paper 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 …

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 …