From Jill’s Journal, Looking Back

On the 26th of February this year, I received a WhatsApp message from Debra Stevens-Robins, Odyssey’s fourth publishing editor, which really warmed my heart
The previous editorial partnership was Chris and Silke Erasmus and when Silke told me that she was going to write a book and wanted to find someone to take over the magazine, I immediately thought of Debra, who was running the Energencia Academy in KZN. Debra flew down to Cape Town and, within a few days, she was already working on her first digital edition. After three monthly issues she announced, in the third one, that the winter 2019 magazine would be printed and back on the shelves by 7th July 2019 on Odyssey’s 42nd anniversary.

In her opening Editorial Note, which marked the first printed edition of the magazine in seven years, she wrote: “As I scribe this heartfelt note I am filled with immense gratitude to our readers and the Odyssey team both past and present for the opportunity to follow my path and my passion as the new custodian of Odyssey Magazine” Debra’s choice of the word ‘custodian’ made me consider the possibility that Odyssey has a life of its own?
Esoterically or metaphysically that could explain why I was enabled to launch the first edition on my father’s birthday 7.7.1977, with no funding and equipped physically with a light box and a typewriter… This means that I was not the founding editor but rather the divinely selected custodian of a magazine waiting to be propelled into the Aquarian Age; intended, I think, to help us embrace the necessary lifestyle changes we would need to protect the environment, our fellow creatures and of all humankind regardless language, culture or religious affiliations 

Since 1964, after completing an excellent course in Freelance Journalism by Fay Goldie in Durban, I became a member of the National Union of Journalists (N.U.J.) and was, at the time of launching Odyssey, a reasonably successful freelance journalist, having had my work published in mainstream South African Newspapers and magazines, including:  Women’s Argus, The Cape Times, Fair Lady, Drum, Sarie and Personality magazines. I used my maiden name, (Iggulden), when submitting personal preferences or, as was the case when I wrote material related to psychology, counselling or educational material. Depending on the readership, I also used pseudonyms when submitting work related to, for example: short stories, commentaries, advice columns and the like.

My life changed dramatically in 1974 when a very dear friend drowned. I was devastated and wanted to know what happens to us when we die.

I was introduced to Hazel Top’s Edgar Cayce Group in Tokai. Hazel was a member of the The Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E). Hazel’s Cayce group were also in close connection with the South African group membership of the Findhorn Foundation, in Scotland. In her home in Tokai, Hazel had a library with books related to New Age Living, Alternative Technology, World Religions, Vegetarianism and Caring for the Environment.

In October 1976 I wrote an article entitled New Age Living: Open Highway, which bypasses the rat-race and submitted it first to Women’s Argus, then, after rejection, seven days later, to The Cape Times. It was again rejected. The rejection by both of the newspapers that normally accepted my work, came as an unwelcome and inexplicable surprise.

I re-examined Fay Goldie’s section on marketing, as well as my current copy of The Writers and Artists Year Book, I then went on a search mission into the bookshops to find a newspaper or magazine which covered the type of articles which I wanted to read. There was nothing. There were specialised magazines on the environment and on science and vegetarianism, but nowhere on the shelves could one find a magazine similar to Resurgence, which covered ‘New Age’ articles.

After my ongoing unsuccessful search, I clearly remember thoughtfully looking out of the window, while standing in my former whaling house cottage in St James, Cape Town thinking… “Why don’t I start one”. During the next A.R.E. Meeting I put the idea to the group and they were enthused.

I then recalled my year in London, towards the end of 1953, where I held a part-time job working in the production studio of Cheiron Press in Berkley Square, which printed magazines and I was one of the production team. My job was to ‘spot and strip’ the negatives and get them ready to go to the print section.

So confident was I from my training and experience and encouraged by fellow members in the Cayce group, I decided to ‘set the ball rolling’… By the time Peter and Eileen Caddy arrived on their visit to Cape Town for a Findhorn Workshop, I was able to share my intentions with Peter Caddy during the lunch break, in this moment Odyssey emerged with a life of her own.

The rest is history and was covered in Chris Erasmus’s 30th birthday edition- June/July 2007 and then again in Geoff Dalglish’s article after interviewing me for Debra’s winter 2020 edition.

During the last 48 years, Odyssey has grown beyond all expectation. The content now includes major aspects which, I must confess are beyond my own experience, chakras, advanced energy healing methods sending healing telepathically, announcements of retreats and access to a growing number of qualified practitioners. 

My interests have been focussed on exploring the changes brought about by Quantum physics, with frequencies and ‘out of body’ experiences, reports on NDE’s and revelations during meditation. 

As Odyssey continues to move forward we may well learn how dimensions are becoming merged because in this 250th edition we will be presented with a really ‘mind boggling’ merger.

Odyssey’s choice of a fearless open-minded custodian with a wealth of experience is truly holistic.

In the words of Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”  As Odyssey continues its Voyage…

I wish our readers an inspiring Bon Voyage. Jill