TheStarsAreRight:EllisMailingIntro

Package One.

NOTE: Compiled during November and December 1930. The terminology used in these documents is somewhat different than "typical Ellis stuff," in that Carl's own personal names for things have been removed and the usages are more traditional. Magical energy is referred to throughout as "psi energy." These energies are not the thrust of the work, which focuses on larger issues as will be seen below.

Most of the package is material of direct interest in its efforts to identify 'real' supernatural phenomena and predict their behavior. This material goes into details of phenomena and explanation, and mechanisms are discussed for measuring and directing the flux.. Sources given are all natural, eg., wellsprings and ley lines.

Discussion of psi energy

 Psi energy, or psi flux, is a form of energy generated by, 
 and contained in, living things.  It also exists under certain 
 circumstances in forms not associated with living things.  These
 will be discussed later. (Chaz note; there is a lot of math in 
 here.  I'm leaving out the numbers, as I'm adding the details
 during lunch at work.  If anyone ever needs them I can dig them 
 up from old documents at home.)

its radiation from the body

 A living body generates and contains a certain amount of psi 
 energy.  This energy bleeds off into the surrounding environment
 at all times, and is replenished by the body's normal processes.
 The body thus gives off a radiant "aura" of psi flux which can 
 be detected and measured.  A typical person's aura radiates at
 about one-tenth the energy level contained by that person's body.

its sensitivity to 'events'

 One notable property of psi flux is that it is sensitive to, and 
 tropic towards, certain external events.  Such events include
 the presence of other concentrations of psi energy, as well as 
 certain high-energy transitions of other sorts such as rapidly 
 alternating electric currents, intense thermal or chemical 
 reactions, etc.  Psi flux therefore tends to concentrate around 
 such events.  Its range of sensitivity is quite short, however
 that range increases as the charge accumulates.  As a result, 
 smaller charges accumulate readily, while larger ones are sensitive 
 to more and more remote events and tend to behave less predictably.

its normal behavior when not influenced

 If released into free space, psi flux moves in straight lines at
 high speed. It remains in one place only when "attracted" there 
 by a flux "charge" or other event (see above.)  Moving flux 
 travels at a very high rate of speed; variants of the Michelson/
 Morley experiment conducted with flux could not measure its velocity, 
 indicating it is much higher than that of light, if it is measurable
 at all.

 Free flux can, however, be directed using its affinities.  A concen-
 trated charge tends to be self-defining; the psi flux is attracted
 itself and readily builds charges and moves in streams, until the 
 overall charge gets large.  Flux therefore can be constrained to 
 move in predictable ways.

• motion through lines and circles

 Psi flux tends to travel in straight lines, however it can be bent
 into circles using suitable conduits.  The degree to which a flux
 will bend depends upon its charge and upon the conduit used. Flux
 will not usually traverse a sharp corner, radiating outwards instead.
 Radially symmetric patterns of corners are an exception; the state
 change from constrained to unconstrained is enough to maintain an 
 aggregate charge in some cases.

• affinity for silver (copper, gold)

 Psi flux has an affinity for elemental metals in the IB column of 
 the periodic table, and these materials serve as good conduits for
 flux.  Silver shows the strongest affinity, gold is next, and 
 copper is weakest.  Shapes constructed of these materials can be 
 formed to constrain low flux charges.

 Note that silver may get quite warm when conducting psi flux; an 
 unexpected change in the temperature of a silver object is often 
 a useful way to tell when one encounters a high flux charge.

• disruptive properties of iron (ruthenium, osmium)

 Elemental metals in the VIIB column are antithetic to psi flux.
 These metals tend to disrupt psi charges and block flux passage.
 Iron and osmium both show this behavior; this writer has not had
 the opportunity to experiment on ruthenium.

 Note that, like silver, iron gets very hot when disrupting flux.
 Sometimes other effects are visible. These vary widely and can be 
 unexpectedly large or violent.

• disruptive properties of rapidly varying electric fields

 Rapidly varying electromagnetic fields have an effect on free flux
 similar to that of iron sheeting.  The effect becomes measurable
 at frequencies above 20 Hz; above 120 Hz the blockage is nearly 
 total.  The flux in this case behaves as if it had hit an iron sheet, 
 and may cause random effects as above.

its ability to accept and retain 'commands' and 'impressions' both of physical and mental environments, especially in cases of extreme emotion or stress

 Psi flux is more complex than electricity, in that the energy 
 exhibits the ability to take with it some qualities or "memories"
 of the environment through which it passes.  The energy radiated 
 from an individual, for instance, carries a unique signature or
 psychic "scent" distinct to that person.  That signature mixes
 with the general ambient until it is eventually lost to entropy.
 
 Psi flux can therefore be used to carry information in many 
 useful ways.  People, for instance, do this naturally; at 
 moments of great stress their radiated energy carries something
 of their thoughts and emotions into the ambient, which can be
 detected later by sensitive individuals.  Impression of such
 memories on a place is one cause of "ghosts."

the means by which these impressions may propagate widely from place to place and person to person

 When two "particles" of psi flux touch or pass through one 
 another, they each take away something of the signature and 
 content carried by the other. information thus spreads widely 
 over time, in less and less distinct form.  Sensitive people
 can read and interpret this information.

the sensitivity of certain people to reading those impressions, and ways in which that sensitivity can manifest (clairvoyants, psychometrists, psychics and telepaths, etc.)

 Some people, by virtue of some accident of birth or birthright, 
 are naturally able to sense and interpret the psi flux.  Abilities
 and strengths vary widely.

 As the ambient level of psi energy in the world continues to rise, 
 individuals may notice impressions or discover abilities they did
 not previously possess.

• how 'legitimate' sensitives reacting to psi impressions in this way can often be identified by the strength and variation of their psi aura while they work, using tools described in a later section

 Regular exercise of abilities using psi flux seems to increase the
 level and flexibility of the user's energies.  As their innate 
 charge increases, so does the user's radiant aura.  This can be 
 measured.  Such measurement is not 100% effective however, as 
 some practitioners can learn to deliberately lower or mask their
 aura.

• • experimental details

  (Chaz note -- I wish I had time to write this up!)

• how some other animals such as dogs are well known for their sensitivity, and can be shown experimentally to be more sensitive to psi radiations than most people
  • experimental details

how stronger concentrations of the energy can result in phenomena detectable by anyone

• memory "ghosts"
• hot spots, cold spots, sourceless emotions and the like
• "psi poisoning" or symptoms of sickness caused by over-exposure to the psi flux

how these concentrations may be measured, dispersed or disrupted mechanically, and the consequences of same

• measuring devices (a simple 'psychogalvanometer' is described, with the note that these and similar devices are patented in the US and UK and available for sale over the counter in England)
• decanting or drawing off of flux using silver conduits
• mechanical disruption using iron-mesh "fly-swatters" or solid iron sheets/walls/objects
• electromagnetic disruption using rapid alternating currents (examples include protective suit and electric cages)
• side-effects, discussing photographic fogging, metal heating and random manifestations (the heating is easily explained as electromagnetic interaction, while the random effects are attributed to a 'mechanism that is not well understood and must be properly researched.') It is noted that in the majority of cases, these effects are limited in size and duration, and usually harmless

how psi energy is more present in densely inhabited places, but also gathers naturally in 'hot spots' and 'ley lines'.

• these locations may be used to experiment with the energy and/or to power the simple devices described
• these locations, and other spots with high levels of energy, are more likely to exhibit 'weird psychic' phenomena such as the stuff so oft in the papers of late -- so reports on or near the lines are more likely to have some measurable validity
• a copy of part of Carl's ley line map of northern Illinois is provided, along with instructions on how to use a psychogalvanometer to find the leys
• the level of psi energy, both at hot spots and in general, can be shown to be rising slowly nationwide. One possible cause, then, of the increased number of supernatural sightings in recent months may be related to this rise

some specific cases to illustrate the point, including

• Henry Peavey's ghost in Los Angeles, and how it can be detected/measured
• Photographic film fogging at a selected hot-spot or two
• similar things from the Houdini archives, interpreted in the light of psi

and lastly, importantly, how psi phenomena cannot be expected to explain everything.

Discussion of ritual magic, 'witchcraft', the power of patterns, and critters

This section deals mainly with categorizing observed and anecdotal phenomena into predictable models, without attempting to explain in detail why things are the way they are. The purpose of the document is to allow people to recognize what they see and predict the consequences, in much the same way as a traditional occult investigator might. Thus, this section has some light theory, but most of it is very pragmatic and focuses on the "what" of things without much of the "why."

Elements of Ritual magic

• rhythm and repetition gives power
• the rules of similarity and contagion hold true
• influences (personages, entities, etc) exist that are associated with certain shapes, patterns, substances or elements of nature and can be commanded or influenced to act for the practitioner
• blood has great power to unlock these forces
• sacrifice (of all kinds) has great power to unlock these forces

Most ritual magicians tie magic and religion closely together, however the essential mechanisms of pattern and sacrifice seem the same regardless of the faith of the practitioner; only the trappings change

Many witches etc are in it for themselves at the expense of others; be wary.

Psychic leys and hotspots are often preferred spots for ritual magic

• magic rituals performed in these places work better
• psi energy responds to closed shapes and repetitious movements
• psi energy is released by ritual participants and thus is a component in such rituals
  • give examples
• these rituals and their effects are also impressed upon the psi flux and may cause a site to be "tainted" by them more or less permanently.

Under some conditions psi hotspots may thus be trained through ritual (or, one presumes, natural causes) to evidence distinct persistent characteristics and even 'personalities'. Give examples

• the 'crow hotspot' in Nebraska
• the black altar stone in Ithaca NY
• others

Ritual magic results generally come in one of two forms, bodied or unbodied

• bodied results give the impression that a demon, angel, monster or servant has been brought forth to serve the will of the practitioner
  • such invocations almost always require blood sacrifice
  • the effects tend to be quite durable
• unbodied results (spells, curses) give the impression that the practitioner has caused an effect to occur through force of will
  • such invocations rarely require blood sacrifice, though some other form may be required
  • the effects tend to be transitory
• this correlation between sacrifice and embodiment is notable; though Carl does not attempt to explain the mechanism, several referenced sources (listed here) from historical texts note that the invoked creature is oft said to feed upon the sacrifice's life, needing that vitality in order to enter our world.

Carl notes here, in passing, that none of the trappings of spiritualists (horns, ectoplasm, knocks etc) seem to have any reality; that while there do appear to be real psychics none of them require these things -- such effects and the usual séance rigamarole seem thus far to be clear signs of fakery.

Practical occultist's guide

Some resources to go with the two sections above. Some of this is right out of Carl's class notes, some of it prepared for the occasion.

Equipment

Psychogalvanometer and how to use it

• As a meter
• As a ley-mapping device

Flyswatters and screens and how to use them

Hayes-Waite wards and the Seal of Solomon

Spirit loops and what they're good for

Baxt spices and what they're good for

Leys and hotspots

A map of the leys and charted hotspots in the US, with notes on them where information is available, especially if there is a known weirdness there (such as the "evil crows" at the Nebraska site.)

Brief description of the behavior of a ley, what it will do, and the dangers and benefits of messing with them

• Random effects, why not to be afraid, why to be careful

Spirits

Brief discussion of spirits (different from memory-traces) and their behavior

• How to identify them (doesn't work well)
• How to protect oneself (wards, spirit loops, baxt)

Dangers and limits of astral travel, for those who don't know how

Biggest danger from spirits is delusion

Magic Spells

Again rituals -- they take time, people, sacrifice and are easily disrupted

Even quick spells take time (examples of a few)

Spells can be protected against as they are usually psi phenomena

• Guard against them the same as you would psi flux
• Don't touch a so-called witch, priest, or their things

Critters

Disembodied things (see spirits)

Life eaters (demons, big and little -- descriptions and behavior)

• Can usually be distracted or lured with bowls of blood
• Not very smart but dangerous

Vampires

• Victims of a blood condition with various effects
• See George Parkhurst in Buffalo for more info

Other monsters -- manifestations that many independent eyewitnesses have agreed upon seeing, without explanation

• Lesser mythos nasties (shamblers, biyakhee, deep ones, nightgaunt, shantak, hunting horrors, knorri, ghouls, serpent men, Yig snakes), rough descriptions, and their habits and limitations.

Cults and Churches

Discussion of native American shamanism and its virtue

Discussion of some cult "warning signs" -- rites and activities that signal trouble, including a few Mythos names and symbols that may be encountered (include Cthulhu, Yog-Sothoth, and some others that are not "dangerous" to name)

Remind that the people in these cults are nutters and very dangerous, in the same way that some (not all) witches are.

What to Look For

What makes a place likely to have an occurrence

• Location
• Population sparse or occasional
• Proximity to line or spot
• Previous history

What makes a place unlikely

• Extreme crowding, or regular ordinary traffic

Ellis Disclosure Notes