Amskaya - No 008 - 1987 10

Magazine Overview

AMSKAYA is the quarterly journal of the STAR Fellowship, published in October 1987. The cover features a striking illustration of flying saucers and the headline "Newsletter of the STAR Fellowship." The issue is numbered 8 and includes articles on UFO sightings, scientific perspectives on the phenomenon, and alternative theories.

Storm Watcher?

This personal account describes a potential UFO sighting on the morning of Friday, October 16th, shortly after a hurricane in southern England. The witness saw a small, white object above a factory roof that seemed to have no movement relative to the observer, ruling out conventional aircraft or balloons. The object was briefly obscured by clouds and then disappeared, leaving no mundane explanation immediately available.

Saucers and Science by Tony Wedd

Tony Wedd questions whether a true science of UFOs is possible, comparing it to the study of elusive phenomena like the yeti or ghosts. He notes that UFO reports, particularly from the 1954 French flap, show patterns, such as Aime Michel's focus on a straight line. Wedd argues that science's reluctance to accept extraterrestrial information is a waste of time, suggesting that such information might be the only objective data available. He criticizes the scientific community for dismissing alternative ideas and believes that the 'deus ex machina' is a reality, urging a shift from fear to faith and an awakening to spiritual life. Wedd touches upon the concept of auras and their relation to emotions like hate and fear, suggesting a mechanical principle inhibited by red auras might be linked to turquoise and gold colors. He concludes by stating that salvation is in humanity's own hands and that a spiritual science is needed to study psycho-mechanical interactions.

Cloudbusting by David Taylor

This article details the life and work of Wilhelm Reich, an Austrian-Austrian-Jewish psychiatrist and medical doctor who became interested in Sigmund Freud's work. Reich discovered what he called "Orgone," a basic life-force of the universe. He became convinced that certain clouds contained Deadly Orgone Energy (DOR), responsible for adverse planetary conditions. To combat this, he invented the "Cloudbuster," a device designed to draw DOR out of clouds. In 1954, Reich claimed to have made contact with UFOs, which he believed were "space ships" powered by Orgone energy, and referred to their occupants as "CORE" (Cosmic Orgone Engineering) men. Reich believed UFOs were either alerting humanity to Orgone Energy or attempting to make the planet radioactive. He became paranoid, pursued by the U.S. Food and Drug Authority (FDA) for marketing his "Orgone accumulator." He died in prison from a heart condition, convinced that powerful entities were against him. The article mentions Trevor James Constable and Jerome Eden as modern supporters of Reich's theories, with Constable viewing UFOs as invisible organisms capable of atmospheric changes.

Book Reviews

Out on a Limb and Dancing in the Light, by Shirley MacLaine

This book is highlighted as being of special interest to STAR Fellowship members, describing actress Shirley MacLaine's awakening to a spiritual dimension and its impact on her life. It mentions her trip to Peru, where UFO sightings are commonplace, and an encounter with an extraterrestrial who imparted philosophy. The reviewer notes an interesting account of an out-of-the-body experience but questions why MacLaine did not use it to investigate UFO bases.

UFOs 1947-1987, by Hilary Evans and John Spencer

This book is described as a compilation of articles covering the UFO subject since 1947. While it contains useful information, the reviewer finds its "bittiness" and varied styles detract from its value. A significant criticism is the "shabby treatment of contact claimants," with only brief mentions of figures like Adamski, and a perceived bias towards current fashion in UFO thought.

Jet Dodges Mystery Flying...

This article, by Harvey Elliott, Air Correspondent, reports on a British Airways Jumbo jet that made a mid-course diversion to avoid a mystery object over Russia. The five-member crew witnessed an unidentified flying object displaying twinkling lights that flew directly towards them at high speed before disappearing. Russian air traffic controllers reported no other aircraft in the vicinity. The First Officer described the object as having two white lights and a green light where a red port-side navigation light should be.

Star Rallies

This section provides accounts of STAR Rallies, including one from 1961 where Philip Heselton discussed the STAR Rally in "Tony Wedd - New Age Pioneer." The 1963 rally featured Jimmy Goddard, who reported contact from space people via a tape recorder with a mysterious voice. Tony Wedd discussed his research into "leys" ( ley lines) and ancient sites, and UFO sightings were discussed. The 1964 rally also included discussions on Adamski's trip to Saturn and other contactee accounts, with a mention of Dr. Randall and an "Asian" contactee. The article notes the difficulty in assessing the truthfulness of contactee claims and questions whether space people underestimate human difficulties in discerning fraud.

Alan Gill - takes a look at the mysteries surrounding U.F.Os. and asks ARE WE BEING SPIED ON?

This article, originally from the Surrey Comet in 1969, explores the possibility of extraterrestrial life and UFOs visiting Earth. It presents arguments based on the vastness of the universe and the potential for advanced civilizations to achieve inter-planetary travel. The article traces the origin of the term "flying saucer" to Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting and mentions historical accounts of similar phenomena. It discusses the "hot and cold" attitude of authorities towards UFOs, with investigations often followed by attempts to change evidence. The article also touches upon George Adamski's account of meeting saucer occupants and the subsequent proliferation of books on alien visitors. It notes that while some believe flying saucers are hostile, most researchers believe the reverse.

Dear Mr. Goddard, I Was Sceptical Until...

This section introduces James Goddard, a 23-year-old clerk and Surrey's "number one saucer spotter." Goddard is the secretary of Contact U.K. and a member of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, affiliated with Bufora. The article highlights the differing approaches of Contact U.K. (using telepathy) and Bufora (reporting and collating sightings). Goddard edits "Link-Up," a newsletter aiming to bridge the gap between these groups. His correspondence files reveal many people who were initially skeptical but became convinced after investigating sightings. Goddard's interest in UFOs began in school, and he has converted his father. His fiancée is also a sky-watcher. During an investigation, Goddard found a strange stone with a triangular inscription, possibly linked to the "Leys" theory.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Amskaya include personal UFO sightings, the scientific community's skepticism versus the acceptance of alternative explanations, the concept of extraterrestrial contact, and the exploration of theories beyond conventional science, such as Orgone energy and Leys. The STAR Fellowship, as the publisher, appears to adopt an open-minded stance, presenting various perspectives and encouraging readers to consider phenomena that challenge established scientific paradigms. There's a clear interest in bridging the gap between the spiritual and the scientific, and in exploring the implications of potential extraterrestrial contact for humanity.