Philip K. Dick’s Communication with Valis and the Evolution of Humanity
Valis, Philip K. Dick, and the Evolution of Humanity
When Philip K. Dick went to the dentist in February 1974, the acclaimed science fiction author did not know that his view of reality was about to change. He was in a lot of pain with what turned out to be an impacted wisdom tooth, and was sedated with sodium pentothal while the dentist removed the tooth. The pain afterwards was fairly severe, so the dentist ordered a painkiller, Darvon, for delivery to his patient’s home later that day.
When the courier arrived, Dick answered the door and was suddenly taken aback by a pendant she was wearing. It was a fish ornament, which she explained Christians adopted as a symbol of their religion. He saw a “red and gold plasmic entity” coming from the pendant and, as he reported it, immediately experienced “crystal clear” vision and “sudden exposure to a vast amount of knowledge.”
This was not his first experience with visions and hearing voices. The voice he heard was the same voice he had heard years before while in college. He also began channeling an alien presence he called “Vast Active Living Intelligence System,” or “Valis” for short. The intense visions lasted for two months, leading him to refer to this period of his life as “2-3-74,” for February and March 1974. During the next eight years, he wrote thousands of pages about his visions and voices. His novels were more autobiographical than they were science fiction.
Dick died suddenly in 1982, shortly before the release of the movie “Blade Runner” based on Dick’s book, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” Many of his other books are now movies, as well. He is now known as the “most influential writer of science fiction in the past half century.”
But, was it all science fiction? He received multiple communications from Valis, had dreams and visions about the future, and spent the rest of his life trying to understand why he gained such supreme knowledge. He claimed to have “total recall of the future.”
Philip K. Dick: The Pre-Valis Years
Philip Kindred Dick was born in December 1928 during the cold Chicago winter. He had a twin sister, Jane, who lived for only about eight weeks. She died mysteriously, some saying she had an allergy to her mother’s breast milk. Whatever happened, Dick went through his life always missing his sister and blaming his mother for her death. His father left the family when he was only 5 years old. Shortly after that, he and his mother moved to Berkeley, California, where he lived most of his life.
First published when he was just a teenager, his first short story marked the beginning of a prolific writing career. Although he successfully published a number of his stories, he was not such a success financially. He was always running out of money and seemed to live from advance to advance.
Dick’s life was not emotionally easy and he seemed troubled throughout his entire life: married five times with three children, thought to use drugs and experiment with LSD, and frequent visions of his own death. Despite drug use allegations, he was able to continue writing. By the time of his death, he had published more than 120 short stories and 44 novels.
As early as 1954, Dick wrote about precognition in his novel, “The World Jones Made.” Based on his own experiences, the main character in that book was a “precog” who could see one year into the future. His books often referenced precognition, and Dick believed he himself had this ability.
He also heard voices, or at least a voice. As a young man taking the physics portion of a college entrance exam, Dick found that he did not understand eight of the 10 questions. Suddenly, he heard the voice explain to him, in a completely understandable way, what he needed to know. As a result, he received a perfect score on the test.
He heard the same voice again years later, when it explained to him what was happening in a television documentary that he had had difficulty understanding. In 1974, the same voice returned when he had his life-changing vision in response to the fish-pendant worn by the pharmacy delivery girl and he began his regular communications with Valis.
Philip K. Dick: The Valis Years
Although Dick reported only sporadic communications with the voice until 1974, after that date, the communications became fairly frequent and routine. Valis gave him advice on improving his health, his appearance and his financial situation. Dick credited the voice with saving the life of his young son by describing the medical condition the boy suffered from and urging Dick to get the child immediately to a doctor. He convinced his wife of the need to take their seemingly healthy boy to the doctor where they discovered the child had the exact condition the voice described to Dick. Prompt surgery saved the boy’s life.
Dick believed the voice he heard was from God, or at least from some higher power. He wrote continuously about what he experienced. He ended up writing thousands of pages and hundreds of thousands of words in his attempt to make sense of it.
He intended his 1981 book “Valis” to be a trilogy. It was more of a biographical presentation of Dick’s visions and voices than it was a book that fit in the science fiction genre. As one reviewer put it, “He’s not looking for aliens; he’s looking for the meaning of life.” Due to his sudden death in 1982, at the age of 54, Dick never completed the trilogy.
The Death of Philip K. Dick
In February 1975, Dick wrote a letter to a friend telling her about a dream he had just had where he saw “a stark single horrifying scene, inert but not still; a man lay dead, on his face, in a living room between the coffee table and the couch.” He followed the letter with another one in May 1975 in which he said he was “scared.” He added, “What scares me most Claudia, is that I can often recall the future.”
Almost exactly seven years after the first letter, Philip K. Dick’s dead body was found face down in his living room, wedged between the coffee table and the couch. Without realizing it, he had accurately predicted the circumstances surrounding his own death. Some reports say he died of a stroke. Others claim it was congestive heart failure. Others regale in the mystery of why he died so young.
Philip K. Dick left behind, in addition to his short stories and novels, his influence on other sci-fi writers and pop culture, as well as many mind-bending films. Unfortunately, he did not live to see his work on the big screen. He died before the release of his first movie, “Blade Runner;” however he saw about 20 minutes of the finished product and seemed pleased that the filmmaker preserved Dick’s vision. Other movies based on his books that were made after his death include: “Minority Report,” “Total Recall,” “A Scanner Darkly” and several others.
He also left behind more than 8,000 pages about his experiences with Valis since his 1974 vision. The pages had narrow margins and were mostly single spaced with numerous handwritten journal entries. Dick referred to this body of work as his Exegesis. The papers were edited and published in 2011 as “The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick.”
Was Philip K. Dick more than just a legendary science fiction author? Check out Mysteries of the Solar System, part of Gaia’s Deep Space series, and watch the conversation between Open Mind’s host Regina Meredith and her guest, Anthony Peake, on Scanning the Future with Philip K. Dick.
Want more like this article?
Don’t miss Deep Space on Gaia for more on the long and hidden history of Earth’s secret space program.
About the Author
Dowsing: What It Is, How It Works, and What It’s Used For
Dowsing is a technique that allows one to detect vibrations or subtle fields present in people, objects, and places. It relies on the natural human ability to perceive energetic frequencies that escape the physical senses but can influence our well-being and our environment.
In this article, we explore what dowsing is, how it works, and how it can help us understand the relationship between mind, energy, and matter.
Table of Contents
- What Is Dowsing?
- Brief History and Evolution of Dowsing
- How Dowsing Works and What Energy It Detects
- Uri Geller and His Relationship With Dowsing
- Tools Used in Dowsing
- Applications of Dowsing in Everyday Life
- Everything Is Energy: Understanding the Basis of Dowsing
What Is Dowsing?
Dowsing is based on the idea that everything in the universe emits a vibrational frequency that can be perceived by the human body. Using tools like pendulums or rods, it is possible to translate this energetic information into physical movements that reveal data about the state of a person, a space, or a situation. This technique starts from the principle that we are sensitive receivers of subtle fields and that this perception can be trained for practical or introspective purposes.
The body acts as a bridge between the visible and the invisible: when it is in a receptive state, it can register signals that bypass logical reasoning and instead reach us through intuition. The movements generated in dowsing tools—such as spins, oscillations, or vibrations—are not caused by the object itself, but by an interaction between the energetic field of what is being consulted and the sensitivity of the dowser.
In addition to its use in the search for water, minerals, or lost objects, dowsing is also used to explore emotional, physical, or spiritual aspects of a person. It serves as a gateway to a more subtle dimension of reality, where mind, energy, and consciousness intertwine in a deep dialogue.
Brief History and Evolution of Dowsing
The use of dowsing dates back to ancient civilizations that used rods or Y-shaped branches to locate underground water or minerals. In cultures such as the Chinese, Egyptian, or Roman, it was acknowledged that the Earth emitted energetic currents that could influence people’s well-being and the harmony of spaces. Over time, this practice took on different approaches depending on the spiritual and scientific traditions of each era.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, dowsing began to be systematized and studied as an energetic discipline. More precise instruments were developed, such as the dowsing pendulum and vibrational measurement scales, which allowed the technique to be applied in fields as diverse as health, geobiology, and the exploration of natural resources. Today, it continues to be used as a complementary tool to explore the relationship between energy, consciousness, and matter.
How Dowsing Works and What Energy It Detects
Dowsing works through the interaction between the energetic field of the environment and the sensitivity of the dowser. When a person enters a relaxed state of attention and holds a tool such as a pendulum or a rod, their body acts as an amplifier that responds to subtle stimuli. The movements produced in the instruments are not random; they reflect an unconscious response that can be interpreted as “yes,” “no,” or as a direction to follow.
The energy detected in dowsing corresponds to vibrations present in everything that exists. These may be related to a person’s vital state, the geobiological energy of a piece of land, the vibrational quality of food, or even emotional imprints that persist in a space. The technique helps identify variations in these fields, aiding in more balanced and aligned decision-making.
The key to how dowsing works lies in its ability to translate the invisible into observable signals. It is not a form of divination, but rather an energetic reading based on a fundamental principle: everything is made of energy, and it is possible to tune into it by training perception and using the right tools.
Uri Geller and His Relationship With Dowsing
Uri Geller, world-renowned for his psychic abilities and telekinetic phenomena, also explored dowsing as a way to understand the energetic field that surrounds us. In the series Uri Geller’s Legacy of Paranormal Experiences, available on Gaia, his experiences with this practice are explored in depth—from its use in the search for deposits to its role in his spiritual transformation.
In the episode From Dowsing to Spirituality, Geller reveals how this technique was key to opening new dimensions of perception in his life.
Tools Used in Dowsing
Although energetic perception can be developed without instruments, many people use tools that amplify and translate subtle impulses into physical signals. These tools hold no inherent power but function as extensions of the operator’s field of consciousness. Each one serves a specific purpose and can be adapted to different types of energetic inquiry.
- Dowsing pendulum: A small mass suspended by a thread or chain. It moves according to the energetic vibrations of the environment and provides simple answers (yes, no, maybe).
- L-shaped rods: Two metal rods bent at right angles. They are used to explore physical spaces and detect energetic alterations in a location, such as geopathic stress or underground currents.
- Y-shaped rod (or forked stick): Traditionally used to find underground water. The tip lowers when the operator approaches a source or flow.
- Aurameter: A rod with a spiral or sphere at the tip. It is used to measure the energetic field (aura) of people, animals, or objects.
- Biometer or Bovis scale: A numerical scale that measures the “energetic vitality” of something. It helps determine whether an energy is high, low, or neutral.
- Witnesses or energetic samples: Objects or photographs that represent what is being searched for. They help focus the search by acting as a point of connection with the target’s energy.
- Dowsing charts or bases: Templates with symbols or geometric shapes. These are placed under the pendulum to guide and refine responses.
Applications of Dowsing in Everyday Life
Dowsing is not only used in spiritual or therapeutic contexts, but also in practical aspects of daily life. Thanks to its ability to detect energetic imbalances, it is used as a tool for guidance, diagnosis, and harmonization at both a personal and environmental level.
- Energetic health: It can be used to identify blockages or imbalances in a person’s energetic field. This helps guide complementary healing practices.
- Food selection: Dowsing helps evaluate the vibrational charge of foods before consuming them, allowing for choices that are more aligned with physical well-being.
- Space harmonization: It is used to detect areas with dense energy in the home or workplace. Measures can then be applied to restore balance to the environment.
- Searching for objects or water: Traditionally, it has been used to find lost objects or underground water sources. The tool acts as a sensor that responds to energetic traces.
- Decision-making: Some people consult dowsing when choosing between important options. The pendulum, for example, may reflect which alternative is more aligned with the person consulting.
- Evaluation of objects or crystals: Dowsing allows the energy of amulets, crystals, or ancient objects to be measured, helping determine whether their frequency is beneficial or needs cleansing.
Everything Is Energy: Understanding the Basis of Dowsing
The foundation of dowsing lies in a fundamental understanding of the universe: everything is made of energy. Beyond visible matter, every being, object, and place emits a unique frequency that can be perceived by those who refine their sensitivity. This energy is not mystical or exclusive to spirituality; it is part of the invisible fabric that sustains physical reality.
When a person trains their ability to perceive these subtle fields, they can access a deeper dimension of the world around them. Dowsing is a tool that facilitates this access, acting as a translator between the energetic and the tangible. By detecting vibrations, it allows for more conscious decision-making, the harmonization of environments, and a deeper understanding of the connections between body, mind, and surroundings.
In the series Superhuman: The Invisible Made Visible, available on Gaia, cases and experiments are presented that demonstrate the power of the mind to interact with energy. Through scientific research and real-life experiences, the series offers a fascinating look at our perceptual abilities and how they can be trained to expand our understanding of reality.
