Ancient Skies - Vol 18 No 5 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 18, Number 5
Date: November-December, 1991
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA

This issue of "Ancient Skies" delves into the theory of ancient astronauts, exploring how ancient myths, religions, and artifacts might be interpreted as evidence of extraterrestrial visitation. The central theme is "The Spaceman's Apotheosis," which posits that ancient deities were, in fact, advanced beings from other worlds.

The Spaceman's Apotheosis by George T. Sassoon

George T. Sassoon's article begins by reflecting on Nietzsche's declaration that "God is dead" and the subsequent philosophical need to invent God. Sassoon posits that there are two fundamental types of religion: shamanistic belief systems focused on nature spirits, and those centered around 'gods' of human appearance who possessed miraculous powers and appeared on Earth in the distant past. He questions why advanced societies might feel less need for religion, suggesting it's due to greater control over their environment. Sassoon argues that monotheistic religions evolved from earlier beliefs involving a host of angels and demons, and that these accounts are relics of factual events involving advanced beings.

He uses the example of cargo cults in New Guinea, where the arrival of American servicemen with modern goods led to the development of a religion centered around a deity named "John Frum." This illustrates how contact with a superior culture can create mystical beliefs. Sassoon draws parallels between these modern cults and ancient practices, suggesting that rituals involving 'magic wands' and 'words of power' might be imitations of ancient astronaut technology.

Sassoon examines various ancient cultures: the Greeks and Romans with their Olympian gods, the Egyptians with their animal-headed deities, and the ancient Hebrews. He notes the transition from physical gods to a more mystical, single God. He highlights the Chinese belief in 'celestials' arriving in fiery-tailed 'dragons' (spacecraft) and the sudden appearance of their complex ideographic writing as evidence of external influence. Similarly, the advanced civilization of the Egyptians is presented as having appeared from nowhere.

He discusses African myths where gods arrived from the skies in 'wagons,' bringing humans and animals. Sassoon suggests that the concept of original sin and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden might stem from the gods' departure to seed another planet. He also touches upon the Tower of Babel incident as a failed attempt to regain divine favor, leading to societal fragmentation.

Sassoon points to the ancient Hebrews as a source of detailed information about 'spacemen-gods' and their machines. He references Josef Blumrich's interpretation of Ezekiel's visions as an account of a helicopter-spacecraft. The Zohar is cited for its description of a 'manna-machine,' which Sassoon and Rodney Dale identified as the 'Ancient One' or 'Ancient of Days,' potentially a food-dispensing system aboard a spacecraft.

Further exploration of biblical history and paleovisitology is mentioned, including the prophet Isaiah's visions induced by starvation. Sassoon discusses the dualistic tradition in Hebrew beliefs, where 'Satan' is seen as a rival to Jehovah, possibly representing an opponent from a spacecraft.

He analyzes the description of 'heaven' in the book "The History of the Rechabites," where a family lives with angels. This 'heaven' is described as a controlled environment with artificial lighting, where basic needs are met without effort, and where reproduction involves sperm banks and population control. The recycling of water and the absorption of food without waste are also noted, all of which Sassoon argues are consistent with life aboard a spaceship.

Sassoon concludes that these legends, particularly from early Jewish texts, suggest that religions originate from visits by superior beings, and that the transformation of these 'spacemen' into 'Gods' is a historical process.

More on the Mystery of the Ark of the Covenant by Kalevi Mikkonen

Kalevi Mikkonen's article revisits the work of Finnish biblical scholar Dr. Valter H. Juvelius and Swedish engineer Johan Millen, who investigated the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem between 1909 and 1911. Millen, in his book "On Right Tracks," interpreted Ezekiel's vision of the "Glory of the Lord" as a description of a modern airplane, linking biblical truth to modern aeronautical technology.

The expedition's ultimate goal was to find the Ark, which Millen believed would signify the Millennium. The article notes that German Nazis also sought the Ark for their own purposes, a theme popularized by the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

The excavation crew reportedly found a system of tunnels and secret passages within the Temple Mount, sealed and disguised to look like natural rock. They encountered poisonous gas (possibly natural gas) and traps designed to protect the treasure. Artifacts found included vases, urns, and lamps bearing the royal seal of Solomon.

Millen and Juvelius believed Moses knew about radium or other radioactive substances used in the Ark. Juvelius's deciphered cipher confirmed this. The Levites, responsible for the Ark, wore special coveralls for protection. The article recounts biblical stories of the Ark's dangerous effects, such as the Philistines being smitten with emerods after capturing it, and the men of Beth-shemesh being killed for looking into it.

Millen suggested the Ark also possessed an electric current, citing the incident where Uzzah died for touching it when the oxen shook it.

The article details the disappearance of Juvelius's original maps and directions, with a spy allegedly informing an outside organization. An incited local riot forced the expedition to quit Jerusalem. Millen was pressured to omit details from his book, and his personal papers, supposedly left to a theosophical society, vanished from a safe deposit box, suggesting a deliberate effort by a secret society to prevent the Ark's discovery.

Dr. Valter Juvelius believed that numerous relics and exhibits of immense historical value were hidden under Jerusalem, crucial for understanding civilization.

Member Expedition to Mexico

The magazine announces a member expedition to Mexico from May 6-17, 1992, visiting archaeological sites like Merida, Uxmal, Kabah, Edzna, Palenque, Villahermosa, Oaxaca, Monte Alban, and Mitla, with a final rest on the Pacific Coast. The price is US$1,284 per person, double occupancy.

Other Notes

Erich von Däniken's new book, "Die Steinzeit War Ganz Anders," is available in German.

A Solar Calculator Membership Card is available for a US$15 contribution, featuring a Panasonic solar cell, LCD display, and various calculation functions.

Ancient Skies is published bi-monthly by the Ancient Astronaut Society, with contact information provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ancient astronaut hypothesis, the reinterpretation of religious myths and biblical accounts as evidence of extraterrestrial contact, and the investigation of ancient artifacts and sites for technological clues. The editorial stance strongly supports the idea that ancient civilizations were influenced or created by beings from other worlds, viewing traditional religious narratives through a scientific and technological lens. The magazine actively promotes research and expeditions related to this hypothesis, encouraging members to participate in such endeavors and to engage with the theories presented by authors like Sassoon, Mikkonen, and von Däniken.