AMSKAYA

Magazine Overview

AMSKAYA is the newsletter of the STAR Fellowship, with this issue being No. 56, dated October 2003. The cover features a stylized landscape with a flying saucer, a shooting star, and mountains, under the title "AMSKAYA" and a star symbol. The subtitle indicates it is the "Newsletter of the STAR Fellowship."

Disputed Maturity: UFOlogy and Earth Mysteries

The issue opens with a piece reflecting on the 30th anniversary of Fortean Times and its articles on Earth Mysteries by Paul Devereux and UFOs by Jenny Randles. The author notes that both Devereux and Randles seem to dismiss earlier ideas, such as those of Tony Wedd regarding terrestrial energy networks and extraterrestrial visitors, implying a 'maturing' of the subjects. Paul Devereux is criticized for rejecting 'leys' and describing earth mysteries as a 'messy subject,' reinterpreting leys as routes for flying saucers and 'unspecified energies.' The author defends the traditional view of leys and mentions resources like 'The Ley Hunter' and personal journeys on the 'Old Straight Track.' Jenny Randles is also discussed for her 'maturity' perspective on the 'Extra-terrestrial Hypothesis,' which the author implies denies the existence of extraterrestrials and contact claims, focusing instead on terrestrial energy fields affecting brain waves. The article suggests alternative perspectives from 'Our Space Visitors Today' and 'All the Planets are Inhabited.'

Voices From The Sky: The Recordings of Philip Rodgers

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the experiences of Philip Rodgers, a musician who became blind and was known for his 'space voices.' Norman Oliver recounts meeting Rodgers in 1967 and details Rodgers's article written in 1969 for the magazine COS-MOS. Rodgers, initially a skeptic of UFOs, became convinced after reading George Adamski's books. He began recording anomalous sounds in 1956, including musical notes, whistling sounds, and what he described as a 'rising, double fundamental note' from outer space. His recordings included dulcimer-like bleeps, a child's voice saying 'Howdy,' and a mechanical voice stating 'ship is real, people.' Rodgers meticulously ruled out earthly explanations, noting that recordings were detected only on playback and that the best time for recording was around 9 pm. He described a variety of sounds, including instruments unknown to Earth, a woman's voice with a rich mezzo-contralto quality, and even a goose-like sound that resolved into a human voice. He also recorded children playing, animal noises, and words in unknown languages, some of which he submitted to the BBC. Rodgers believed these recordings were not random but often directed at him personally, suggesting an extraterrestrial intelligence.

One notable recording from June 1959 involved a composer, Colin Hand, practicing a sonatina. The recording captured the entire piece, with multiple sections playing simultaneously and growing fainter, astonishing both Rodgers and Hand. Rodgers also recounted an incident where a BBC engineer investigated his tapes, and later, a BBC producer attempted to convince him it was a hoax. Despite attempts by others, including the Reverend George King, to debunk his recordings, Rodgers maintained their authenticity.

Other Content and Publications

The issue also includes a brief mention of a UFO sighting on photographs taken at Fort Belvedere, where a strange object was visible on three images. A "Letters" section features a contribution from Norman Darwen discussing an unexplained aerial object seen by himself and David Jackson during their Atlantic row.

Several publications are advertised or reviewed:

• The Hidden Unity and Beginnings: Booklets by Jimmy Goddard, exploring ley points, subconscious siting, earth energy detection, and cognitive dissonance.
• Earth People, Space People: A booklet based on Tony Wedd's manuscript, detailing extraterrestrial contact claims, the history of the STAR Fellowship, and extraterrestrial language.
• The Legacy of Tony Wedd: A CD-ROM featuring Tony Wedd's research on flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.
• AMSKAYA: The newsletter itself, available for £2 for four quarterly issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the evolving nature of UFOlogy and Earth Mysteries, the investigation of anomalous auditory phenomena (specifically Philip Rodgers's 'space voices'), and the promotion of publications related to these subjects, particularly those associated with the STAR Fellowship and its founder, Tony Wedd. The editorial stance appears to support the investigation of unconventional phenomena and extraterrestrial contact, while critically examining how these subjects are presented in mainstream publications. There is a clear emphasis on personal experiences and anecdotal evidence, particularly in the detailed account of Philip Rodgers's recordings.