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Dowsing Research

Confiscation of literature

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Full-Text Articles in Intellectual History

Report By Josef Wimmer To The Ahnenerbe Regarding An Investigation In His Apartment By Criminal Police On June 10, 1941, Josef Wimmer Jun 1941

Report By Josef Wimmer To The Ahnenerbe Regarding An Investigation In His Apartment By Criminal Police On June 10, 1941, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

This letter from Josef Wimmer to Ahnenerbe Curator Walther Wüst reports on a visit to his apartment by the criminal police. The police interrupted his work day, seized all documents related to dowsing rod research, including his correspondence with the Ahnenerbe. They also confiscated his dowsing rods and magnetic theodolite. He then spent 2 1/2 hours in interrogation at the police station before a call to the state police in Munich led to his release.


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

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 Wolfram Sievers To Reinhard Heydrich, November 20, 1940, Wolfram Sievers Nov 1940

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 Oct 1940

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 Dowsing And Pendulum Literature By Josef Wimmer For Reinhard Heydrich, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer Oct 1940

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

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.


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

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 Jul 1940

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.