Alpha - No 08 - 1980 05-06

Magazine Overview

Title: ALPHA
Issue: 8
Date: May/June 1980
Subtitle: MYSTERIES OF MIND & MATTER

This issue of ALPHA magazine delves into a variety of paranormal and mysterious subjects, with a prominent feature on "THE SECRETS OF GLASTONBURY ABBEY". The magazine also covers a symposium for thinking people, UFO reports, and research into psychic phenomena.

Symposium for Thinking People

The "ONE-HESS" presents a symposium titled "THE RHYTHM OF LIFE" at the Hayes Centre, Swanwick, from August 29th to September 2nd, 1980. This event features five invited specialists, including Matthew Manning, Charles Bullen, and Win Wood, who are also organizers. The symposium aims to bring together talent in various fields, with a focus on holistic and ecological healing through "ONE-NESS", an organization described as free from internal politics and welcoming of all beliefs. The event includes a residential charge of £50 and offers workshops on Personal Development and Parapsychology.

Glastonbury Abbey Secrets

The cover story, "THE SECRETS OF GLASTONBURY ABBEY", highlights the work of Bligh Bond, considered the father of psychic archaeology. The article details how Bond made fresh finds at Glastonbury Abbey, suggesting a connection to psychic insights in uncovering historical secrets.

UFO Report

Lionel Beer, a founding member of British UFO Research Association, contributes a "UFO REPORT" focusing on 1979 as an "AMAZING YEAR" for UFO activity in the UK. Despite a general decrease in reports, significant events included the first UFO debate in the House of Lords and the First London International UFO Congress. The report details an "Alarming Scottish Close Encounter" involving Robert Taylor of Livingston, who reported an encounter with a large, ball-shaped object. Other reports include sightings in London and over the River Exe estuary, as well as a mass sighting in Palpa, Peru. The section also touches upon Russian interest in NLOs (the Russian equivalent of UFOs) and theories suggesting UFOs might be zones of ionized air and dust.

Parapsychology and Psychic Phenomena

Several articles explore the realm of parapsychology and psychic abilities:

• Intuition Brings Success: Professor Eugene Jennings' study on leadership suggests that intuition is vital for success, with President Jimmy Carter cited as lacking this ability. The article notes that intuition cannot be taught and is the basis of vision and creativity.
• Saved by Nightmare: A story recounts how a Spanish chef was saved from a ten-day captivity due to a widow's prophetic dream, highlighting the potential of intuition or premonition.
• Vehicle Interference Blamed on UFOs: The British UFO Research Association's "Vehicle Interference Project Report" is discussed, detailing numerous cases where UFO sightings coincided with vehicle malfunctions.
• Curses!: An anecdote from Penkill Castle, Ayrshire, tells of a man who died of a heart attack after disturbing a cursed portrait.
• Ears the News...: Reports from China suggest that some children can read with their ears, a phenomenon that has intrigued scientists.
• Strange Influences: Dr Carl Sargent's experiments at Cambridge University on extra-sensory perception (ESP) using the ganzfeld state are detailed. The research indicates a complex subject, with some experiments yielding positive results while others faced challenges, including the "experimenter effect".
• Is Mars to Blame?: Michel Gauquelin's work on astrological correlations and careers is examined, with a study by the CSICP finding no evidence of the "Mars effect" in American athletes.
• Vanishing Metal Bender: The investigation into a Solihull poltergeist case involving a 15-year-old named Peter M, who exhibits metal bending abilities, is presented. His abilities have been confirmed by Isaacs' equipment.
• Still Remote: An experiment attempting to replicate "remote viewing" claims by American researchers Puthoff and Targ is described, with results being poor.
• Can Television Tell It All?: Stewart Lamont, producer of a BBC TV series on the paranormal, discusses the challenges and limitations of using television to explore subjects like poltergeists, ghosts, reincarnation, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis. He highlights the difficulty of capturing genuine phenomena on film and the preference for visual content over detailed testimony.

Books and Letters

The "Books" section, now under the editorship of Hilary Evans, is mentioned. The "Letters" section features replies from Randi and others to Gooch's Open Letter from Issue 7.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

ALPHA magazine positions itself as a platform for exploring paranormal phenomena and mysteries that lie outside the acceptance of orthodox science. The magazine encourages viewers and readers to consider the evidence presented and form their own conclusions. There is a recurring theme of questioning the nature of reality, consciousness, and the limitations of human perception, particularly in relation to psychic abilities and unexplained events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting diverse viewpoints and research findings without necessarily endorsing them as absolute truth. The magazine emphasizes the importance of evidence, even when it challenges conventional understanding, and highlights the ongoing debate between skepticism and belief in the paranormal.

This issue of The Skeptical Inquirer, Volume III, Number 4, published in Summer 1979, focuses on the mysterious Hexham heads and delves into various aspects of paranormal research, skepticism, and alternative investigative methods.

The Hexham Heads

The lead article by Don Robins explores the history and possible origins of the two Hexham heads, discovered in 1971 in Hexham, Northumberland. Dr. Anne Ross, a Celtic scholar, described an immediate and instinctive dislike for the heads, which were later associated with a phantom apparition. The phantom, described as a 'dark like a shadow' figure, half man-half animal, was reportedly seen by Dr. Ross and her teenage daughter. The heads were initially thought to be ancient Celtic artifacts, but Desmond Craigie claimed to have made them in 1956 as toys. Despite this, Dr. Ross maintained that the stylistic features were indisputably Celtic, suggesting a sophisticated reference to original designs. The author's own investigation involved examining the heads, which he found to be disturbing, particularly the female head. He notes that the phantom phenomenon persisted even after the heads were removed from Dr. Ross's home, suggesting a 'lock-in' effect. The article touches upon the 'wolfman' legend and potential links to shamanistic practices. The author's personal experiences with the heads included car electrical failures and his dog's reaction. He also recounts an incident in the upstairs study that created an electric atmosphere. The heads were eventually lent to astrologer Frank Hyde, who met with an accident, leaving the story unresolved.

Psychic Archaeology: Bligh Bond and Glastonbury Abbey

David G. Bower reviews the work of Frederick Bligh Bond, a pioneer of psychic archaeology. In 1907, Bond, an ecclesiastical architect, began investigating the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Guided by automatic writing, primarily through his friend Captain John Bartlett, Bond uncovered lost chapels and discovered the use of gematria and sacred geometry by the Abbey builders. His work, detailed in books like 'The Gate of Remembrance,' provided accurate details about the Abbey's layout and history, often contradicting existing knowledge. Bond's methods involved combining intuitive faculty with scientific lines and applying it to archaeology. He faced opposition from church and archaeological authorities, leading to his dismissal and the banning of his books at the Abbey. The article highlights Bond's belief in a 'cosmic or universal memory' and his interpretation of spiritual realms as 'Paradise' and 'Purgatory.' It also mentions the system of gematria, where letters have numerical equivalents, and how Bond applied this to biblical phrases and the Abbey's architecture. The article concludes by calling Bond a brilliant archaeologist and the father of psychic archaeology.

For gullible sceptics?

Carl Sargent critically examines Professor C. E. M. Hansel's book 'ESP and Parapsychology: A Critical Re-evaluation.' Sargent argues that Hansel's work, despite claims of being comprehensive and dispassionate, exhibits a biased selection of evidence, a poor grasp of parapsychological literature, and a tendency to dismiss findings that contradict his preconceived skepticism. Sargent criticizes Hansel's treatment of experiments like those involving Stepanek and Schmidt, accusing him of misrepresenting or ignoring refutations of his earlier criticisms. He points out that Hansel's skepticism is so extreme that it dismisses even the possibility of psi, suggesting that any successful experiments would have to be explained by other factors. Sargent concludes that the book is a 'minor irritant' that will likely reinforce the skepticism of those already inclined to disbelieve in the paranormal.

Prejudice and the paranormal

This article scrutinizes the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICP) and its journal, The Skeptical Inquirer. The author suggests that the CSICP, despite its claims of scientific objectivity, often exhibits a zealous and prejudiced approach to paranormal research. The article notes that the committee's core members are primarily from backgrounds in humanism and materialism, with a strong emphasis on Marxist-Leninist doctrine. It highlights the CSICP's tendency to dismiss paranormal claims as mental illness or delusion, citing examples of their critiques of various paranormal phenomena and researchers. The article also questions the committee's expertise and impartiality, suggesting that their motivations may be political rather than purely scientific. It points out the committee's close ties to 'The Humanist' magazine and its founders' known philosophical leanings. The author contrasts the CSICP's approach with the need for open-minded investigation and replication of results in scientific research.

A positive solution

David Harvey describes the Silva Mind Control Method founded by José Silva. The method aims to help individuals discover and develop their latent mental abilities by teaching techniques for relaxation, visualization, and achieving an 'alpha' state of mind. Silva's approach is presented as a way to improve health, learning, and problem-solving, making psychic abilities seem ordinary and natural. The article mentions how the course has helped individuals overcome habits, manage stress, and even assist in cancer treatment, as exemplified by Dr. Carl Simonton. The basic course, run over two weekends, covers core techniques and culminates in a 'psychic ability' test. The article concludes by suggesting that José Silva's vision of mental possibilities is becoming more accessible.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of unexplained phenomena, the nature of evidence, and the clash between skepticism and belief. The magazine features articles that explore alleged paranormal events (Hexham heads, Glastonbury Abbey), critical analyses of skeptical viewpoints (Professor Hansel, CSICP), and alternative methods of investigation (psychic archaeology, Silva Mind Control). The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting different perspectives while often leaning towards a skeptical interpretation of paranormal claims, particularly in the articles critiquing Hansel and the CSICP. However, the inclusion of the Hexham heads and Glastonbury Abbey pieces suggests an openness to exploring intriguing cases, even if definitive explanations remain elusive.

This issue of Alpha magazine, dated November/December 1979, is titled 'Breaking the attitude barrier' and features an article by Graham Lawrence that explores how our preconceived notions can hinder our acceptance of evidence, particularly in the realm of the paranormal.

Main Article: Breaking the Attitude Barrier

Graham Lawrence argues that orthodox scientific ideas and personal attitudes can act as barriers to believing what we observe. He uses the example of a writer who dismissed a group's sighting of a spirit dog as hallucination, suggesting that if the writer's perception was 'not tuned in', he was the one missing reality. Lawrence posits that the reality of phenomena, whether paranormal or not, is often less important than the attitudes with which the evidence is confronted. He illustrates this with the concept of invisibility, explaining that while physical impossibilities exist, consciousness can play a role in perception. He criticizes the tendency to dismiss unproven phenomena based on preconceived ideas of what is possible, rather than on actual evidence.

Lawrence discusses how scientific progress often involves building upon existing knowledge rather than destroying it, likening the relationship between Newtonian and Einsteinian physics. He highlights that scientific attitudes are not always open-minded, citing historical examples like the resistance to hand-washing in medicine and the dismissal of meteorite reports. He also questions the absolute acceptance of Einstein's theories, referencing the Michelson-Morley experiment and its subsequent duplications, which suggested light speed might not be constant relative to Earth's orbit. The article also touches on the debate surrounding neo-Darwinian evolution, suggesting that classical ideas have been challenged by biologists themselves.

Phenomena Reports

The magazine includes a section titled 'Phenomena' which presents various unusual reports from around the world:

• Fish and Ice Falls: Reports of fish falling on the M5 motorway in Somerset and 'ice-bombs' falling in Harold Wood, Essex, are presented. The ice falls predate aircraft, and the explanation for fish is questioned.
• News of Morgawr: The creature 'Morgawr', a cousin of Nessie, is reported to have surfaced in Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, with a photograph taken by Jeff Watson. Previous sightings in the Helford area dating back to the sixties are also mentioned.
• Highest Shoe in the World: A lady's high-heeled shoe was discovered at 25,700 feet on Mount Everest, found in an old British climbers' camp from the 1920s or 1930s. The discovery is deemed impossible by experts.
• Where's the Blood?: This report details several incidents involving drained bodies and mutilated livestock. It mentions cannibalism in New Guinea, the discovery of drained bodies of an artist and his mistress in New Jersey (suspected ritual sacrifice), and bloodless livestock in America. The article links these to 'tulpoid popouts' and witchcraft.
• A Time for Dying: This section compiles various unusual occurrences, including a vicar falling into a grave, a phantom hearse in Bavaria, a coffin falling from a lorry in Burundi, and a widow suing an undertaker because her husband's body fell through the coffin bottom. It also mentions workmen unearthing an ancient stone coffin at Winchester Cathedral.
• Tales of the Serpent: Reports include a snake found in an Alfa Romeo engine in Durban, a python dying after being eaten by a gerbil, and a baby girl chewing a venomous snake to death. Another incident describes a snake found in an egg in Long Island, and a snake found in a police car in Sydney.
• Quirks of Birth: The issue notes a case of possible human parthenogenesis in Ohio involving a 47-year-old hermaphrodite. It also recounts a Civil War incident where a bullet allegedly caused a pregnancy.

Book Reviews

The magazine features several book reviews:

• FUTURE TENSE: A Prophetic Consensus for the Eighties by Francis Kinsman is reviewed as a compilation of interviews with fifteen psychics, offering a fascinating document for politicians and business leaders.
• RESEARCHES ON THE I CHING by Iulian K Shchutskii is described as a scholarly work for serious students of the I Ching.
• THE HANDBOOK OF CHINESE HOROSCOPES by Theodora Lau is presented as a fun and accessible guide.
• THE UFO HANDBOOK by Allan Hendry is highly recommended as an essential book for anyone with a serious interest in UFOs, despite its critical approach.
• Journal of UFO Studies is praised as a high-level scientific compilation that ufology has long lacked.
• BEYOND DEATH - THE GATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS by Stanislav and Christina Grof is reviewed alongside ZEN - DIRECT POINTING TO REALITY by Anne Bancroft, both noted for their illustrations and exploration of reality.
• THE HOUSE OF LORDS UFO DEBATE by John Michell is presented as a useful record of the parliamentary debate on UFOs.
• THE EARTHQUAKE GENERATION: a psychic, scientific prediction by Jeffery Goodman is reviewed as an attempt to test psychic predictions about earth changes.

Letters to the Editor

The letters section addresses several topics:

• Gooch versus Randi: A letter from Eric J. Dingwall defends James Randi against Stan Gooch's demands, questioning the reliability of parapsychological experiments and the attitude to truth displayed by some researchers.
• Unclaimed prize: James Randi responds to Stan Gooch, refuting claims that he must pay over his $10,000 prize and reiterating his stance on demanding verifiable evidence for psychic claims.
• Useless Efforts: A letter from Miss E. M. Wood agrees with Stan Gooch's criticism of James Randi but believes further attempts to make him admit he is mistaken are futile.
• Experiment is wrong: Derek Greatrex criticizes the use of vivisection in paranormal research, arguing that psychic healing should be investigated through field studies rather than animal experimentation.
• Terrified of the truth: A letter expresses gratitude to Stan Gooch for his critique of James Randi and echoes the sentiment that Randi is contemptuous of psychically gifted people.
• Drink problems: Marjorie Butterworth provides evidence regarding the alleged alcoholism of mediums, referencing autobiographies and biographies.
• The Geller miracles: James Randi claims that Dr Harold Puthoff has endorsed the 'Swann/magnetometer affair' as 'carefully verified' and 'well-documented', and states that this will be detailed in his forthcoming book.
• Tribute: B. R. Oldham praises issue number 7, particularly Stan Gooch's letter and Graham Lawrence's article, and suggests that the ease of statistical probability in experiments should be considered.
• It's a delusion: Chris Hall argues that modern man's view of being apart from Nature has led to a mechanistic worldview, suggesting a fusion of science and religion as a potential answer.
• Beyond the fringe: Andrew M. Green, President of the Borderline Science Investigation Group, requests that Alpha avoid publicity for spiritual organizations and 'gobbldey gook' to maintain its appeal to serious researchers.
• Theology and life elsewhere: Michael Perry, Archdeacon of Durham, suggests that Alpha should encourage speculation on the implications of extraterrestrial life for theology, referencing Dr Eric Mascall's work.
• Prophetic correction: A letter clarifies the prophecy of Mother Shipton, suggesting that the date 'nineteen hundred and eighty one' might be a misquote of 'nineteen hundred and ninety one' or even 'eighteen hundred and ninety-one', and notes that many prophecies attributed to her were likely written later.
• Kirlian photography: Brian Snellgrove comments on Stan Gooch's article, stating that Professor Tiller's Kirlian aura research is outdated. Gooch responds, asserting that Tiller's results, showing Kirlian photographs as by-products of electrical apparatus, remain unrefuted and that the paranormal aspect involves psychic intuition, not science.
• Dead-end for electromagneticism: Edgar A. Tooke argues that electromagnetism cannot explain all paranormal phenomena, particularly those that appear independent of distance and time, and suggests that a composite framework, possibly incorporating principles like complementarity, is needed for future understanding.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of scientific attitudes, the nature of evidence, and the acceptance of phenomena that lie outside conventional understanding. The magazine consistently promotes an open-minded approach to the paranormal, encouraging readers to question established beliefs and consider alternative explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, valuing both rigorous scientific investigation and the exploration of unexplained events, while cautioning against dogmatism and unquestioning acceptance of any single paradigm.

This document appears to be a promotional insert or a section from a magazine, likely 'Alpha', dating from August 1980. It focuses on subscription offers, upcoming events, and advertisements for related publications.

Alpha Special Offer

The primary focus of the first page is an 'Alpha Special Offer' designed to encourage existing subscribers to recruit new ones. For each new subscriber introduced, the current subscriber's subscription will be extended by one issue. Introducing six new subscribers will result in a year's worth of free issues. To qualify, the new subscriber must provide the existing subscriber's name and address when subscribing.

World Federation of Healing Seminar

An advertisement details a 'ONE DAY SEMINAR' on 'Healing therapies and health naturally' organized by the 'WORLD FEDERATION OF HEALING'. The seminar is scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd, 1980, from 10 am to 5:30 pm at DRYBURGH HALL, Upper Richmond Road, Putney, SW15. The fee is £10 per person, which includes lunch and teas. An application form is provided, requiring the applicant's name and address, and payment via cheque made payable to the World Federation of Healing.

Fortean Times Advertisement

An advertisement for 'Fortean Times' describes it as 'The Magazine of Earth Mysteries' and 'The leading journal in its field'. It covers a wide range of strange phenomena including poltergeists, sea-serpents, UFOs, freak weather, wildmen, visions, falls of stones, fairies, ancient astronauts, strange deaths, disappearances, mass-hysteria, ball-lightning, showers of fish, ghosts, and levitation. The journal is noted for carrying the latest research and studies on these topics, continuing the work of Charles Fort. It is recommended for those interested in exploring the frontiers of human knowledge. Subscription details are provided: £3.00 for one year, or a sample copy for 75p. The contact address is FORTEAN TIMES (A), 9-12 St Annes Court, London W1, UK.

The Ley Hunter Advertisement

Another advertisement promotes 'The Ley Hunter', described as 'The Magazine of Earth Mysteries'. It details the latest research and discoveries on ley lines, mysterious ancient sites, strange earth forces, phenomena, and geomancy. The magazine also features book reviews and readers' letters, with contributions from top writers and authorities. Readers can send for a free leaflet or subscribe for a 4-issue subscription at £3.00 (Europe: £4.00; Rest of World: £5.45/$11.50). The contact address is The Ley Hunter (A), PO Box 152, London N10.

Future Tense: A Prophetic Consensus for the 80s

The second page introduces 'Future Tense', a 40-page report by Francis Kinsman, an economics and business forecasting specialist. Kinsman conducted a 'unique psychic experiment' by asking leading clairvoyants, psychics, and sensitives, including Ruth White, Rose Gladden, and Don Galloway, to make predictions about UK and world events for the next decade. The report collates these into a consensus view. It addresses questions about inflation, the monarchy, potential wars, and Britain's role in world affairs, covering trends in politics, economics, technology, and society. The report is presented as a gripping read that allows comparison of its predictions with actual events. 'Future Tense' has reportedly received widespread comment on TV and radio, including features on BBC TV's 'Tomorrow's World', LBC's 'AM Programme', 'The Guardian', 'The Sun', and BBC Radio 2's 'John Dunne Programme'. An application form is provided to order the report from Pendulum Publishing Company Ltd., 20 Regent Street, Fleet, Hants GU13 9NR, at a cost of £1.70 (including postage and packing). Different prices are listed for European and overseas buyers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly promotes engagement with the paranormal, fringe topics, and future forecasting. The 'Alpha Special Offer' suggests a community-oriented approach to magazine growth. The inclusion of 'Fortean Times' and 'The Ley Hunter' indicates an editorial interest in unexplained phenomena, mysteries, and alternative perspectives on reality. The promotion of 'Future Tense' highlights an interest in predictive analysis and the exploration of potential future trends, particularly concerning socio-political and economic developments. The overall stance appears to be one that encourages curiosity, critical examination of the unknown, and engagement with speculative and unconventional ideas.