The Musicality of The Two-Way, Magnetic-Electric Thought-Wave Universe of Walter Russell

Universal Periodic Chart (detail)- Walter Russell
Universal Periodic Chart (detail)- Walter Russell

Outsider scientific-mystic Walter Russell developed a lifelong philosophy based on the unifying principles of forces within the cosmos – what seems like a kind of pseudo-scientifically framed offshoot of non-dualism. The most interesting elements his work are the diagrams and charts illustrating his books. They document an idiosyncratic understanding of natural phenomena such as light, magnetism, thermodynamics, waves and vibration.

Esa Ruoho has collected together many illustrations from Russell’s key works in Flickr sets – images from the books The Secret of Light, The Universal One and Atomic Suicide. The ‘In the Wave’ set contains charts with painted colour spectra and elliptical prismatic shapes denoting light waves, electrical vibrations and magnetism.

A strong theme running through Russell’s schematics, especially evident in his ‘Home Study Course’ is the correspondences of geometric equivalences and orders. The charts resemble sets of musical scales, denoting frameworks of periodicity and harmony within particular natural systems. Many of the diagrams, at first glance, might easily be be misinterpreted as modern musical notation. ‘Stages of Growth in the Nine pairs of Radar Mirrors’ is a prime example. The top half insinuates a time-line while the bottom half connotes a wiring schematic for a multi-channel electro-acoustic performance!

Controlled Power Multiplication Principle as Recorded by Gravity Bar - Walter Russell
Controlled Power Multiplication Principle as Recorded by Gravity Bar – Walter Russell

The pseudo-science and religious ideas served up by Russell, and his wife Lao, at the University of Science and Philosophy paint a patchwork pattern of fuzzy utopianism, idealism and at times naivety. As Art-Brut is to Art, so characters like Russell and Lao are to traditional mainstream science and so they are essential. It might just be the case that Walter Russell’s genius, and his diagrams, can only be decoded at a later moment in time. His friend Nikola Tesla had advised him to lock away his work in a safe for 1000 years – because humankind was not yet mature enough for it.

‘The glory of becoming a transcendent being is the only reason for living’ – Lao Russell

‘Mediocrity is self-inflicted and genius is self-bestowed’ – Walter Russell

7 Responses to “The Musicality of The Two-Way, Magnetic-Electric Thought-Wave Universe of Walter Russell”

  1. Rober Klein writes:

    I was a student of the Russells in the 70’s Spent much time with Lao

  2. Steve Azbill writes:

    I stumbled upon Walter Russell’s work about 2 years ago…I’ve been hooked since! He and I shared a revelation regarding the concept of the fulcrum.
    I would gladly communicate with others that are familiar with the Russell’s work. I have communicated some with Robert Otey, the creator of the website feandft.com, dedicated to Russell and others.

  3. Randy hiatt writes:

    I took the home study course in the early 70’s and corrisponded with Lao to my great delight. I even bought a trunkful of their books for selling to those interested. Walters connection to Tesla and their similar scientific understanding of resonance will prove to be the foundation of future science.

  4. pc writes:

    http://www.scribd.com/doc/76359437/Walter-and-Lao-Russell

  5. Brian Lindsay writes:

    I litteraly just stumbled across this and haven’t delved deep yt.. Always been fascinated with Tesla and curious what happened to all of his unpublished work… @Randy Hiatt… I would be interested in hearing more about these books… If you happen to see this msg PLZ email me. Entropies@hotmail.com. Thanks

  6. Ross writes:

    Hello, I have become very interested in the work of Walter Russell. If you have any information for me to read, I would appreciate it. My email address is cougarrcsnva@hotmail.com Thank you

  7. David Done writes:

    I have been a follower interested in The Russell’s work sine the 60’s. My son and I recently published a vol of poetry which was partly dedicated and inspired by them. The book is The Great Equinox available on Amazon and published by Albion-Andalus press.

Leave a Reply