Amskaya - No 005 - 1987 01

Magazine Overview

Title: AMSKAYA
Issue: No. 5
Date: January 1986
Publisher: STAR Fellowship
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of AMSKAYA, the journal of the STAR Fellowship, is dedicated to exploring the life, ideas, and interests of Tony Wedd, the organization's founder. The cover features a pixelated abstract design with the magazine's title.

New Age Pioneer: The Biography of Tony Wedd

The issue begins by announcing the availability of a biography titled "Tony Wedd New Age Pioneer." This book is described as delving deeply into the various stages of Tony Wedd's life, with a particular focus on his time in Chiddingstone, where he developed ideas about flying saucers, space people, and communication. The biography reportedly includes detailed descriptions of free energy machines, a communication received on medicine and music, an account of the original STAR Fellowship, and an astrological profile of Tony Wedd. It is highly recommended for members of the Fellowship and anyone interested in new and challenging ideas.

What is the STAR Fellowship?

This section presents excerpts from Tony Wedd's writings to explain the concept of the STAR Fellowship. The original ideas were ambitious, and the current effort to run a magazine is presented as a challenge, highlighting the difficulty in generating sufficient interest. An excerpt from a letter to Eileen Buckle, published in "The Scoriton Mystery," describes the STAR Fellowship as a group of ufologists more interested in landings and communication between Earth and space beings than in mere sightings. The consistency of these stories, even if taken on trust, is noted. The article mentions agreements between ufologists like Buck Nelson and George Adamski regarding the magnetic currents used by saucers, and draws parallels between Bernard Byron's "space songs" and the language on Philip Rodgers' tapes, suggesting a potential interlingua of the Solar System.

A quote from the STAR Fellowship publicity leaflet suggests that unfriendliness may stem from our own side, proposing that wearing a "Star badge" could be a gesture of friendliness to welcome visitors.

Further excerpts from letters to Philip Heselton, published in "Tony Wedd New Age Pioneer," reveal Tony Wedd's aspirations for the Fellowship. These include lending out exhibition material for "Space Weeks," establishing a library to encourage detailed study of space people and their messages, and potentially opening a "Space Centre" in London. The success of these projects is linked to the interest generated by a travelling exhibition and the inclusion of free energy machines. Plans were also discussed for producing UFO-themed Christmas cards and Bernard Byron's songs on record. The realization of these hopes is contingent on finding a nucleus of dedicated people.

Rumbling Rooftops by David Taylor

This article explores the phenomenon of rumbling, droning, and other unusual sounds frequently reported in connection with haunted houses and UFO sightings. David Taylor, author of "The Warminster Mystery," relates how events in Warminster began with such noises. The article recounts several instances of these sounds:

• Christmas Day 1964: Postmaster Roger Rump was awakened by a drone and a sound of movement across his roof.
• Early 1965: Mr. and Mrs. Bill Marson reported an eerie sound like coal being tipped down their outside wall.
• 1953 onwards: Persistent humming sounds in Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks, began and grew louder.
• Reports also accumulated from Putney and later moved to Kent.
• In 1972, the Sunday Express published a news item about a hum bothering Bournemouth residents, with official organizations denying responsibility.
• In the 1970s, similar noises were heard over Somerset, followed by a moderate UFO flap.
• More recently, residents in Solihull reported strange humming sounds, and a UFO was sighted over nearby Selly Oak.

The article notes that all official organizations denied responsibility for these phenomena.

Martian Pyramids and Ancient Civilizations

This section discusses new studies of space photos of Mars, revealing "quadrangular pyramids" in the Elysium Highlands, which resemble South American structures. A nearby "stone head" and a large dark circle are also noted. The semicircular "head" is described as unlike natural Martian features. Soviet studies suggest a "pyramid" theory, linking these structures to large pyramids found near Bermuda and in Brazil's jungle. Some Martian structures are described as nearly a mile at base and half a mile high, with no Earthly comparison. The possibility of extinct pyramid-building civilizations on Mars and Earth, predating human civilization, is raised. The article also mentions futuristic designers envisioning pyramid-shaped living spaces and notes a Mars photo resembling a Sphinx, with a layout similar to Mexican structures at Teotinuacan.

Philip Rodgers' Letter on Ley Lines and Space People

An interesting letter from the late Philip Rodgers, former chairman of the original STAR Fellowship, is presented. Rodgers states that his "space contacts" did not provide detailed information about leys. However, during a pub conversation, he was told that thousands of years ago, when leys were first laid down, there were settlements on them, including "space people." He was informed that spacecraft followed the leys not due to magnetic power, but because the crews hoped to contact their own people as they travelled. Rodgers also mentions the "falling leaf" movement observed with space craft, attributing it to a change from one ley to another, though he is not permitted to disclose further details.

Rodgers is currently working on a book titled "The Saucerer's Apprentice," which will detail his experiences with flying saucers. He claims to have important recordings, some from space craft, and his book will discuss meetings with these beings. He asserts that space craft are physical and the beings are human-like, correcting misconceptions about astral entities and other dimensions. He emphasizes that his intimate terms with them allow him to know them in a different light, confirming that they are amazing people.

Jonathan Swift's Flying Saucer by Jimmy Goddard

This article by Jimmy Goddard explores an interesting aspect of Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels." While Tony Wedd previously mentioned Swift's description of Mars' moons, Goddard focuses on the astronomers in the story who were seated in a "flying island" called Laputa. This "flying island" is described as perfectly circular, immense in diameter, with a central "chasm" from which astronomers descend into a large dome. Inside this dome is a large "loadstone" shaped like a weaver's shuttle, mounted on a complex mechanism that controls the island's horizontal and vertical movement. Goddard argues that while not explicitly called a spacecraft, the description shares remarkable similarities with modern flying saucer accounts, particularly in its precise measurements and the control mechanism, which reminds him of descriptions by Adamski and other contactees. He contrasts this detailed description with other parts of "A Voyage to Laputa," which he considers to be nonsensical.

Amskaya Publication Details

AMSKAYA is identified as the journal of the STAR Fellowship, published quarterly. The annual subscription is £2 and includes a subscription to Amskaya. Cheques are payable to J. Goddard, with an address provided for subscriptions. A note indicates that if a subscription is due, the reader should follow a specific sentence.

Tony Wedd: New Age Pioneer (Book Advertisement)

A full-page advertisement promotes the book "Tony Wedd: New Age Pioneer" by Philip Heselton. It describes Tony Wedd (1919-1980) as a figure known for linking UFO sightings with ancient landmarks. His multifaceted life included roles as an artist, designer, RAF pilot, teacher, psychic, and writer, expounding a philosophy encompassing both the radical and the mystical. The advertisement highlights his founding of the STAR Fellowship, his work on "free energy" devices like the Wenceslas Boots and the Cosmic Coffee Pot, his pioneering work on leys, earth energies, Stonehenge, and the Glastonbury Zodiac, and his later years as a youth hostel warden in Australia. The book is presented as fascinating for those interested in the New Age and Alternative movements. It contains 27 photographs, is 160 pages long, and has ISBN 0 948635 01 0. The price is £3.00. An order form is included, requesting payment to Philip Heselton.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the legacy and ideas of Tony Wedd, the founder of the STAR Fellowship. There is a strong emphasis on ufology, particularly the investigation of landings and communication rather than just sightings. The concept of "free energy" machines is presented as a significant area of interest and research for the Fellowship. Ley lines and ancient sites like Stonehenge are also highlighted, suggesting a connection between terrestrial energies and extraterrestrial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unconventional ideas, encouraging members to study evidence and explore possibilities, even if they are not fully proven or realized. There is a sense of ambition and hope for future projects, contingent on dedicated individuals. The issue also reflects an interest in historical accounts that seem to anticipate modern discoveries, such as Jonathan Swift's description of a flying craft.