Waldemar von Wasielewski
Encyclopedia
Waldemar von Wasielewski (1875–1959) was a German writer who specialized in the occult
, Goethe research
, and the history of music.
, history of literature
, History of art
, and philosophy
at the universities of Bonn and Berlin, earning a doctorate in Botany
in 1899. He habilitated
at the University of Rostock as a private lecturer
from 1899-1905.
As a freelance writer, his efforts fell on music historical themes, Goethe
, and especially the occult. The publisher Piper
issued a volume of his poetry in 1909.
His first encounters with the field of occultism may be dated to 1912, primarily to the symptoms of telepathy
reported in Sir Oliver Lodge's (1851–1940) book The Survival of Man. In Wasielewski's first writing on the subject, Wass muss jedermann vom Occultismus wissen (1915) [What everyone should know about the occult], the author tried to reconcile scientific methods to occult phenomena.
Wasielewski married Maria von Bloedau (1883–1963) in 1916, who's mediumship
led him to deepen his telepathic studies. In his main work on the subject, Telepathie und Hellsehen [Telepathy and clairvoyance] he attempted to prove the phenomena through scientific methods and testing, aided by his wife's telepathic abilities. Involved in these experiments was the doctor and parapsychologist
Rudolf Tischner
(1879–1961).
A correspondence between Wasielewski and the poet Ranier Maria Rilke developed from Rilke's reaction to Telepathie und Hellsehen, which the famous poet read shortly after completing the Duino Elegies
.
Wasielewski died on February 28, 1959 in Sondershausen.
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
, Goethe research
Goetheforschung
Goetheforschung is a German term originating in the 19th century for the Goethe Movement, centering on both amateur and academic study of the life of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Study and research is often done privately and facilitated through Goethe societies such as the Goethe-Institut...
, and the history of music.
Life
Wasielewski was born on December 10, 1875 in Bonn. His father, Wilhelm Joseph von Wasielewski (1822–1896), was a prominent violinist, conductor, and music editor. He studied natural scienceNatural science
The natural sciences are branches of science that seek to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world by using empirical and scientific methods...
, history of literature
History of literature
The history of literature is the historical development of writings in prose or poetry which attempts to provide entertainment, enlightenment, or instruction to the reader/hearer/observer, as well as the development of the literary techniques used in the communication of these pieces. Not all...
, History of art
History of art
The History of art refers to visual art which may be defined as any activity or product made by humans in a visual form for aesthetical or communicative purposes, expressing ideas, emotions or, in general, a worldview...
, and philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at the universities of Bonn and Berlin, earning a doctorate in Botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
in 1899. He habilitated
Habilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
at the University of Rostock as a private lecturer
Privatdozent
Privatdozent or Private lecturer is a title conferred in some European university systems, especially in German-speaking countries, for someone who pursues an academic career and holds all formal qualifications to become a tenured university professor...
from 1899-1905.
As a freelance writer, his efforts fell on music historical themes, Goethe
Goetheforschung
Goetheforschung is a German term originating in the 19th century for the Goethe Movement, centering on both amateur and academic study of the life of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Study and research is often done privately and facilitated through Goethe societies such as the Goethe-Institut...
, and especially the occult. The publisher Piper
Piper Verlag
Piper Verlag is a German publisher based in Munich, printing both fiction and non-fiction works. It currently prints over 200 new paperback titles per year. Authors published by the company include Andreas von Bülow and Sara Paretsky. It owned by the Swedish media conglomerate Bonnier. It was...
issued a volume of his poetry in 1909.
His first encounters with the field of occultism may be dated to 1912, primarily to the symptoms of telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
reported in Sir Oliver Lodge's (1851–1940) book The Survival of Man. In Wasielewski's first writing on the subject, Wass muss jedermann vom Occultismus wissen (1915) [What everyone should know about the occult], the author tried to reconcile scientific methods to occult phenomena.
Wasielewski married Maria von Bloedau (1883–1963) in 1916, who's mediumship
Mediumship
Mediumship is described as a form of communication with spirits. It is a practice in religious beliefs such as Spiritualism, Spiritism, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Voodoo and Umbanda.- Concept :...
led him to deepen his telepathic studies. In his main work on the subject, Telepathie und Hellsehen [Telepathy and clairvoyance] he attempted to prove the phenomena through scientific methods and testing, aided by his wife's telepathic abilities. Involved in these experiments was the doctor and parapsychologist
Parapsychology
The term parapsychology was coined in or around 1889 by philosopher Max Dessoir, and originates from para meaning "alongside", and psychology. The term was adopted by J.B. Rhine in the 1930s as a replacement for the term psychical research...
Rudolf Tischner
Rudolf Tischner
Rudolf Tischner was a German ophthalmologist and parapsychologist born in Hohenmölsen. After finishing his medical studies he practiced ophthalmology in Munich....
(1879–1961).
A correspondence between Wasielewski and the poet Ranier Maria Rilke developed from Rilke's reaction to Telepathie und Hellsehen, which the famous poet read shortly after completing the Duino Elegies
Duino Elegies
The Duino Elegies are a set of ten elegies written in German by the poet Rainer Maria Rilke from 1912 to 1922. They are frequently referred to as Rilke's most acclaimed poetic work.-Presentation:...
.
Wasielewski died on February 28, 1959 in Sondershausen.
Sondershausen
Sondershausen is a town in Thuringia, Germany, capital of the Kyffhäuserkreis district, situated about 50 km north of Erfurt. On 1 December 2007, the former municipality Schernberg was incorporated by Sondershausen....
Primary Works
- Theoretische und experimentelle Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Amitose , Leipzig (1902).
- Goethe und die Descendenzlehre , Frankfurt (1903).
- Robert Schumann, Eine Biographie , Leipzig (1906). (Revised edition of his father's biography of Schumann)
- Artur Volkmann, Eine Einführung in sein Werk , München Leipzig (1908).
- Der Regenbogen, Poems, Piper Munich (1909).
- Goethes meteorologische Studien , Leipzig (1910).
- Was muss jedermann vom Occultismus wissen , Leipzig (1915).
- Telepathie und Hellsehen, Versuche und Betrachtungen über ungewöhnliche seelische Fähigkeiten , Halle (1921).
- Einleitung zu Goethes naturwissenschaftlichen Schriften, Zur Farbenlehre in: Goethes Werke , Berlin (1927).
- Die Violine und ihre Meister , Leipzig (1927). (Revised edition of his father's work)
- Goethes Ehe, in: Goethes Ehe in Briefen , Potsdam (1936).
- Remote Viewing, Versuche und Betrachtungen zu Fähigkeiten wie Telepathie und Hellsehen , Leipzig (2006).ISBN 978-3-89094-491-3 (Republication of the title Telepathie und Hellsehen)