F. P. Dorchak

Speculative Fiction (New Weird) Author

Esoterica

Synchronicities

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Adirondack Chair
Adirondack Chair (Photo credit: milletre)

The other day, while working on my newest manuscript (mss), I came upon some cool synchronicities. You will note on that webpage, I write up one that dealt with France. It just so happens, in my mss I actually am “in France,” but that’s not what I’m getting at.

What had happened was that I had been writing about a character, whose last name was “Morgan.” That name came up in a TV show. No big shakes, right?

But earlier that day, I had been looking at “an item ” (can’t say, cause it revolves around Christmas gifts), one of which was an Adirondack chair.  Also on TV that night, a character gave an example to something citing an “Adirondack chair.” To the character, to the show, and quite so to me, all of that reference was “out of character. I found that quite interesting.

Now, there was another instance that same day (three in a row), but I couldn’t get around to writing it down, and had since lost it. But no matter. It was good enough that I just identified the instances, became aware of them. All things are related, in some way, and I like it when things like this happen. It reminds me that not all is as it seems…that there is more than just what we see.

I hope I remember what that third thing was. I almost had it, just now—actually felt it—but it slipped away….

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The Vision—One Step Beyond

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“…and the gun in my hand suddenly felt obscene. Obscene…”

November 14, 1915. 22:30 hours, local, European, time.

This event may have “haunted the minds of men for 40 years,” when it was produced for One Step Beyond, in 1959, but it has haunted me for probably the same amount of time, since I last saw this episode. I often marveled at the fact that if this had really happened, why hadn’t more—so much more—been “made” of it?!

See, I haven’t seen this show in I don’t know how long…but it surely must have been about the same amount of time. I’ve thought of this episode for years, wondering if I’d made it up or what, about a bright light or flash in the sky over a battlefield, where everyone just stopped fighting, with some even walking off the battlefield—unharmed.

They didn’t run. And they weren’t fired upon.

I did a couple searches for this event, and this was the first link I found. I did a second look and this was the second link I found. It’s too bad there isn’t more information to this extreme paranormal event from WWI Europe, since it had been witnessed from all corners of the WWI European theater. I’d love to see the research material on this OSB used in creating their episode. What happened to those who left the battlefields? How did they fare after the war?

And was it really true that the French placed a call to their enemy to stay their enemy’s execution of similarly affected soldiers?

But…I had finally seen this episode this past weekend…the episode that had haunted me for most of my life. I thought that has got to have been one of the most coolest paranormal events to have ever happened on such a large scale.

But what was it? A UFO? A more mystical event? It even boggles my mind. It obviously didn’t end the war, nor any other wars that followed. But it still had a massive, immediate impact on many who saw it, disgusted by their own violent actions. Even for those who didn’t walk off the battlefield, for a brief moment in time, for everyone fighting in Europe, it actually ended current fighting.

I did a little more searching a day or two later, and found this rather interesting, Rosicrucian newsletter article. It’s a Rosicrucian newsletter, titled, “Rays from the Rose Cross, A Magazine of Mystic Light,” and is dated November 1915, Vol. 4, No. 1, out of Oceanside, California. Now, if you read the first section (titled, “The Occult Side of the War! AN OPERATION FOR SPIRITUAL CATARACT“), the first couple pages of the above newsletter link, another WWI battle scene is described from different viewpoints, involving several accounts of the Allies’ retreat from Mons, in which a “strange cloud” came between the Germans and the British. There are three different versions of what was in that cloud. There’s nothing about the OSB incident, given it occurred on the date of the posted newsletter, but this newsletter talked about another paranormal occurrence during WWI. I didn’t read the entire newsletter (it’s 38 pages), but did skim it. Interesting information and a view into another secret society, but I was interested in the paranormal rout at Mons. I briefly searched a little more but didn’t find anything else—I know not everything is out on the Internet, but really hope to research more of “The Vision” incident OSB wrote about, some time in the future. It fascinates me!

So, this is my request: whatever that bright light was…come back.

Do it again.

Only this time…make it have a lasting effect. We really need it. Reach the hearts of those who actually want war. Create war. Reach them, this time. Make them stop.

But, I know, nothing external will save us from each other, make us stop fighting each other. We have to learn that for ourselves. But I so long for us all to once again, make the feel of holding a rifle—or anything else—in one’s hand to harm another…obscene.

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One Step Beyond!

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Last year my mom gave me the first season of One Step Beyond (OSB). When we had been out visiting her, then, we watched a couple of episodes she had on her own discs, but now that I have my own DVDs, I’ve been watching them, and, man, how I’d forgotten about that show! OSB was created by Merwin Gerard, and the original series ran for three years on ABC, from 1959 to 1961, premiering on January 20, 1959. The Twilight Zone, by contrast, premiered on October 2, 1959. “Weird” didn’t just cover OSB—all its episodes were well-documented and real. They had all actually happened.

The host, John Newland (November 23, 1917 – January 10, 2000), was a director, actor, screenwriter, and TV producer. Very much like Rod Serling (December 25, 1924 – June 28, 1975), he introduced the episodes and closed them out. I wonder if there had been any (gentlemanly, I hope!) rivalries between the two. Anyway, and according to Wiki, once OSB was over, Newland had also hosted a short-lived counterpart, called The Next Step Beyond, in 1978. I think I actually remember something about this, as a kid. Following the termination of One Step Beyond, John Newland directed one of the early 1964 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. shows—I remember loving this show (seen in reruns by my très young self), starring Robert Vaughn.

The opening and closing themes (the opening theme, titled, “Fear,” above, the closing, titled, “Weird,” below) from One Step Beyond were both done by an orchestra conducted (and its music composed by) Harry Lubin. And if you like these, you gotta also listen to these two Science Fictiony efforts.

In the creation of these themes, Lubin used a Theremin, an electronic instrument invented in 1928 by its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, that is played by moving one’s hands around and near two antennas to control frequency oscillators with one hand and volume amplification with the other. One never actually touched the instrument when playing it.  What creepy atmosphere it creates!

While the “official” first season DVDs are available here, I was unable to find any of the remaining two seasons, yet. Since the first one was released in 2009, hopefully the remaining two years will be shortly released! One Step Beyond is also available on Hulu.com.

So, however you manage to catch and revisit the chronicles of One Step Beyond, enjoy!

Closing theme:

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In Memoriam to Jane Roberts (May 8, 1929 – September 5, 1984)

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Jane Roberts
Jane Roberts, 1929 – 1984 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today marks the 28th anniversary of the death of Jane Roberts, who, along with Rob Butts, compiled the Seth material. I didn’t personally know Jane, though had written to her when I was a kid (and, well, read most of her work). I did know her husband (he had responded to my youthful letters), and we’d corresponded for many years, until his death in 2008.

Here’s to remembering Jane and her work!

  • Roberts, Jane (1956). The Red Wagon, short story. Publisher: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, December edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1957). The Canvas Pyramid, short story. Publisher: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1957). First Communion, short story. Publisher: First Communion Fantastic Universe, March edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1957). The Chestnut Beads, novella, (Bundu series). Publisher: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, October edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1958). The Bundu, novella, (Bundu series). Publisher: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1958). A Demon at Devotions, short story. Publisher: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, September edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1959). Nightmare, short story. Publisher: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, April edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1959). Impasse , short story. Publisher: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, July edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1963). The Rebellers, novel. Publisher: Ace Books.
  • Roberts, Jane (1964). Three Times Around , short story. Publisher: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, May edition.
  • Roberts, Jane (1966). How To Develop Your ESP Power. Publisher: Federick Fell. (Later retitled and reprinted as The Coming of Seth.) ISBN 0-8119-0379-6.
  • Roberts, Jane (1970). The Seth Material. Reprinted, 2001 by New Awareness Network. ISBN 978-0-9711198-0-2 .
  • Roberts, Jane and Robert F. Butts (1972). Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul. Reprinted 1994 by Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN 1-878424-07-6.
  • Roberts, Jane (1974). The Nature of Personal Reality. Prentice-Hall. Reprinted 1994, Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN 1-878424-06-8.
  • Roberts, Jane (1975). Adventures in Consciousness: An Introduction to Aspect Psychology. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-013953-X.
  • Roberts, Jane (1975). Dialogues of the Soul and Mortal Self in Time. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-208538-0. Poetry.
  • Roberts, Jane (1976). Psychic Politics: An Aspect Psychology Book. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-731752-2.
  • Roberts, Jane (1977). The “Unknown” Reality Vol. 1. Prentice-Hall. Reprinted 1997, Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN 1-878424-25-4.
  • Roberts, Jane (1979). The “Unknown” Reality Vol. 2. Prentice-Hall. Reprinted 1997, Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN 1-878424-26-2.
  • Roberts, Jane (1977). The World View of Paul Cezanne: A Psychic Interpretation. ISBN 0-13-968859-5.
  • Roberts, Jane (1978). The Afterdeath Journal of An American Philosopher: The World View of William James. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-018515-9.
  • Roberts, Jane (1979). Emir’s Education in the Proper Use of Magical Powers. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 1-57174-142-9. Children’s literature.
  • Roberts, Jane (1979). The Nature of the Psyche: Its Human Expression. Prentice-Hall. Reprinted 1996, Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN 1-878424-22-X.
  • Roberts, Jane (1981). The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events. Prentice-Hall, ISBN 0134572599. Reprinted 1994, Amber-Allen Publishing, ISBN 1-878424-21-1.
  • Roberts, Jane (1995). The Oversoul Seven Trilogy. Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN 1-878424-17-3. Edition: Paperback; May 1, 1995 (originally published as three separate books: The Education of Oversoul 7 (1973); The Further Education of Oversoul Seven (1979); Oversoul Seven and the Museum of Time (1984).
  • Roberts, Jane (1981). The God of Jane: A Psychic Manifesto. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-01-335749-2. Reprinted 2000, Moment Point Press. ISBN 0-9661327-5-0.
  • Roberts, Jane (1982). If We Live Again, Or, Public Magic and Private Love. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-450619-7. Poetry.
  • Roberts, Jane (1986). Dreams, Evolution and Value Fulfillment. Prentice-Hall, two volumes, ISBN 0-13-219452-X and ISBN 0-13-219460-0.
  • (1993). A Seth Reader. Vernal Equinox Press. Compendium edited by Richard Roberts. ISBN 0-942380-15-0.
  • Roberts, Jane (1995). The Magical Approach : Seth Speaks About the Art of Creative Living. Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN 1-878424-09-2.
  • Roberts, Jane (1997). The Way Toward Health: A Seth. Robert F. Butts (Foreword), Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN 187842430.
  • Roberts, Jane (2006). The World View of Rembrandt. New Awareness Network. ISBN 0-9768978-2-2.
  • Roberts, Jane (1997 and after). The Early Sessions (Sessions 1 through 510 of the Seth Material). New Awareness Network. Edited by Robert Butts. Nine volumes. ISBN 0-9652855-0-2.
  • Roberts, Jane (2003). The Personal Sessions. New Awareness Network. Deleted session material. Seven volumes. ISBN 0-9711198-4-8.
  • Roberts. Jane. The Early Class Sessions. New Awareness Network. Two volumes.

Thanks to Wikipedia for a listing of Jane’s work (I have not cross-checked all references, so pardon for any omissions).

Cloud Atlas – The Book and The Movie

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Cover of "Cloud Atlas"
Cover of Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell

I just read an article about the novel, Cloud Atlas, being released as a movie this October, by the Wachowskis. I love what I’ve seen of the Wachowskis’ work, and with the premise of Cloud Atlas’s plot, I’m really look forward to this movie. In fact, I’ll have to try to read this book before the movie’s October release. There is just so much out there I want to read, but packing any more into my own timeline seems near impossible. It may not sound like a lot, but I’m working on a novel series idea (have the three synopses written, and am now writing the actual first manuscript), and also trying to finish up the final Hunger Games novel. Throw into that THE SUMMER, a day job, and any of a number of other “living life” items (like working out, sleeping, and eating…), and the daily timeline is packed.

But I’m not complaining!

I’d rather be busy than “bored” (of which I can’t ever remember being, though my mom tells me as a child I had a moment or two, but then just went and found something else to do….).

So, with the  the Wachowskis at the helm for this movie, I’m really excited about the outcome. I love how  the Wachowskis think. According to Wikipedia, Andy Wachowski is quoted as saying, “We think movies are fairly boring and predictable. We want to screw with audiences’ expectations.”

Love that!

I love the quirky and the thinky, the multilayered, and to be honest, I haven’t seen many films the past couple years, because of the lack of quality I’ve found being output. There may be something to be said for movies fraught with explosions and toilet humor, but I really prefer a little more well-constructed depth to my movies.

2012 – It’ll Be a GOOD Year

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NASA Watching Atlantic Tropics: Katia, Tropica...
(Photo credit: NASA Goddard Photo and Video)

Hey, read this article today. It just goes to show ya:  don’t believe everything you read in the media.

But, you already knew that, didn’t you.

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