Annals of the Enquiring - 1994 No 22

Magazine Overview

ANNALS, Issue #22, published in October-December 1994, is a quarterly magazine focused on UFOs, Fortean phenomena, bizarre occurrences, paranormal topics, and cryptozoology. The cover features a striking illustration of a UFO hovering over a field with two small figures observing it, and the headline "UFOS • FORTEANA • BIZARRERIE PARANORMAL • CRYPTOZOOLOGY". The price was £1.50.

Editorial

The "First Word" editorial by Gerry Lovell reflects on his return from Canada and the USA, mentioning investigations into lake monsters and UFO sightings. He highlights the availability of 'X-Files' official files for PC owners and introduces SETIQuest, a periodical on bioastronomy. Lovell also discusses his compilation of UFO video footage, with "Tape One" available on loan and "Tape Two" nearing completion. He expresses gratitude to contributors and encourages continued support.

Contents

The issue includes a wide range of articles, covering topics from UFOs and paranormal events to historical mysteries and cryptozoology. Key articles include:

• First Word - Editorial
• UFO brief: Discusses the perennial mystery of Marilyn Monroe's death, linking it to UFOs and a supposed CIA memo. It also covers Jon Erik Beckjord's attempt to communicate with aliens via crop messages and betting odds on UFO-related events.
• Airborne Giant: A report on a massive object seen over Peasedown St John.
• Nocturnal Visitor: Campers near Wells observed a mysterious light in the sky.
• Canadian Abduction: A mother claims her son was abducted by aliens.
• Thing Show: A UFO exhibition based on Ken Rogers' files about Warminster's 'Thing' closes, with the UFO itself now considered a fake.
• UFO 3: Clarifies that 'UFO 3' refers to a US military defense satellite.
• Beckjord 'Alien' Photos: Erik Beckjord's photographs of alleged alien entities, taken over 14 years, are presented, including images of a long-armed creature and a flat-headed grey.
• Grindell-Matthews & His Death Ray: An in-depth look at the eccentric inventor Harry Grindell-Matthews, his work on an electronic beam nicknamed the 'Death Ray', robot boats, and a sky projector.
• Atlantis: South West?: A theory proposing that Atlantis was located in the South West of England, based on interpretations of ancient legends.
• Mystery of the Western Isle: Explores the legend of the enchanted island of Hy-Brasil, based on an 1684 account by Irish historian O'Flaherty.
• Crypto Corner: Features several reports on cryptid sightings, including a black panther in West Somerset, a lion or puma near Bridlington, a wild wallaby death in Devon, a large cat-like creature in Cambridgeshire, and the Cornish sea monster 'Morgawr'.
• Bodmin 'Beast' Now Breeding: Reports on sightings of a cub accompanying the 'Beast of Bodmin Moor' and claims of 30 confirmed sightings of large cats on Rosemary Rhodes' property.
• Ministry on Big Cat's Tail: Discusses the Ministry of Agriculture's increasing seriousness regarding big cat sightings in the UK, including potential early warning systems.
• The Toronto Blessing: Examines the controversial religious phenomenon involving ecstatic behaviour, uncontrollable laughter, and visions, labelled by some as mass hysteria.
• 'Weeping' Statue Miracle: Reports on a statue of the Virgin Mary in Co Wicklow, Ireland, that is said to be weeping blood and water, though a previous similar hoax is mentioned.
• Mount Olivat Miracles: Describes the 'miraculous' healing practices of Mrs Emiline Roberts at the Mount Olivat Deliverance Centre in Jamaica, where she claims to extract foreign objects from people's bodies.
• Voices from the Dead: Investigates the phenomenon of voices from deceased individuals appearing on blank recording tapes, citing research and experiments by scientists like Dr Konstantin Raudive.

Key Incidents and Reports

The issue details several specific incidents:

• A CIA memo allegedly links Marilyn Monroe's death to her knowledge of UFOs.
• A massive object with red and green lights was sighted over Somerset.
• Campers near Wells observed a mysterious light performing aerial manoeuvres.
• A Canadian woman reported her son's abduction by aliens.
• Sightings of cryptids like black panthers, a lion, a sea monster ('Morgawr'), and the 'Beast of Bodmin Moor' are documented.
• The 'Toronto Blessing' religious phenomenon is described, with reports of mass uncontrollable laughter and visions.
• A statue in Ireland was reported to be weeping blood and water.
• The phenomenon of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) is discussed, with numerous cases of alleged spirit voices on tape.

Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the unexplained, the paranormal, and the potentially extraterrestrial. It presents various theories, eyewitness accounts, and research findings without necessarily endorsing them, often including skeptical viewpoints or debunking efforts (e.g., the 'Thing' UFO being a fake, the 'weeping statue' hoax). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into phenomena that lie outside conventional scientific understanding, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond the mundane. The inclusion of cryptozoology, historical mysteries, and religious phenomena alongside UFO reports indicates a broad interest in anomalous events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

ANNALS maintains a consistent focus on UFOs, Fortean phenomena, and the paranormal, presenting a diverse range of accounts from eyewitness reports to historical investigations. The magazine appears to encourage critical thinking while remaining open to possibilities outside mainstream scientific consensus. The editorial team acknowledges the subjective nature of many reports and sometimes includes debunking or skeptical analyses, as seen with the Warminster 'Thing' and the 'weeping statue' incident. The publication serves as a platform for enthusiasts and researchers to share information on a wide spectrum of unexplained mysteries, from alleged alien encounters and cryptid sightings to purported supernatural events and historical enigmas.

ANNALS, Vol. 11 No. 3, published October-November 1994, is a magazine from The International Fortean Organization, focusing on paranormal phenomena, unexplained events, and fringe topics. This issue, with a cover headline of "MYSTICISM and DIAMONDS," delves into a variety of intriguing subjects.

Electronic Voice Phenomena and Mediumship

The issue opens with a discussion of electronic voice phenomena (EVP), detailing the case of Bob Stevenson, whose widow Victoria claimed to sense his presence after his death. A tape recording made during a seance with medium David Young allegedly captured Bob's voice saying, "I love you, darling." Further experiments with David Ellis were unsuccessful. The magazine also recounts a seance with medium Norah McGough, where a tape allegedly recorded the voice of a deceased mother speaking to her daughter, Miss Eunice Gregory. Despite initial skepticism and claims of electronic trickery, exhaustive tests on the McGough tape reportedly could not confirm tampering, leading to its consideration as convincing evidence of communication beyond the grave.

Diana's Healing Hands

A section titled "Diana's Healing Hands" reports on claims made by Raffaele Curi, an organiser of the International Festival of Spoleto in Italy. Curi asserts that Princess Diana possesses a natural healing talent, having cured him of painful arthritis and several sick children. He describes an instance where the Princess held her hands over his shoulders, resulting in the miraculous disappearance of his pain. The article notes the historical association of healing powers with royalty, referencing figures like Elizabeth I and James I.

Coincidence and Prophecy

The "FINAL CURTAIN - Coincidence" section, researched by Owen O'Shea, explores the human fascination with unusual coincidences. It presents the mathematical argument that in a world with billions of people and activities, strange events are bound to occur. A famous example cited is the story of actor Charles Francis Coghlan, whose lead-lined coffin, after his death in Galveston, Texas, was swept out to sea by a hurricane and eventually drifted back to Prince Edward Island, Canada, thousands of miles away.

The "LONG LIVE PLANET EARTH" section addresses the recurring theme of apocalyptic predictions. It mentions various groups and individuals who have predicted the end of the world, including Marina Tsuygun, the South Korean Christian Sect, Robert Reidt, and Sister Marie Gabriel. The article highlights how these predictions have consistently failed, often attributed to miscalculations or "technical hitches." It also notes the prediction of a comet impacting Jupiter and the subsequent lack of catastrophic events. The section concludes with a somber anecdote about an old man killed in Barcelona while reportedly carrying a sign predicting the end of the world.

Mysticism and Diamonds

The main feature, "MYSTICISM and DIAMONDS" by Eric Bruton, explores the historical and spiritual beliefs associated with diamonds. It discusses ancient ideas of gemstones possessing powerful properties, capable of curing diseases, averting calamity, and warding off evil spirits. The article touches upon beliefs from ancient India, Egypt, Greece, and the influence of alchemists in the Middle Ages. Plato's view of precious stones as living beings and Theophrastus' division of stones into male and female specimens are mentioned. The text also covers astrological significations, beliefs about diamonds affecting teeth, aiding lunatics, repelling phantoms, and baffling magic arts. A curious belief is that diamonds could be used to settle lawsuits and protect property from lightning. The article notes the Roman belief in diamonds glowing in the dark after sunlight exposure and their supposed ability to counteract magnetism. It also discusses the practical demonstration of static electricity in diamonds and their early use in medicine, with a warning that while diamonds could resist poisons, taking them internally was considered deadly. St Hildegard's 10th-century views on healing with diamonds are presented, along with Pliny's account of the "Valley of Diamonds" legend involving Alexander the Great, snakes, and vultures.

Other Short Articles and Reviews

Several shorter articles cover diverse topics:

• DEADLY STRIKE: Reports on lightning strikes in Britain, including incidents where children were hurt, a girl died, and a man was struck twice. It notes the high temperatures of lightning strikes and the odds of being struck.
• JUST A TICK: Mentions the addition of one second to official time on June 30 to account for Earth's rotation fluctuations.
• INVASION OF THE INSECTS: Discusses the potential for exotic pests like black widow spiders and malaria-bearing mosquitoes to invade Britain due to rising temperatures from the greenhouse effect.
• HARD TO SWALLOW: A brief report about a woman charged with murder after her husband was allegedly eaten by a 20ft boa constrictor.
• UNDERWATER MYSTERY: The Swedish navy spent weeks searching for a mystery sound wave in their territorial waters, initially suspecting Russian intruders, but later concluding it might be caused by seals or otters.
• SCIENCE EYE: A collection of brief scientific notes, including the universe being estimated as 20 billion years old, new natural gas-powered airliners, a baby grown from a chicken's egg, and evidence of early German car technology exports.
• WEIRD BITS: A compilation of unusual news items, such as a Filipino seamstress snipping her husband's penis, a Chinese dwarf experiencing a growth spurt after a transplant, and a man keeping bodies in dry ice.
• Leftovers & Late Breakers: A series of bizarre anecdotes, including men eating a delivery boy in Buenos Aires, drunks killing and eating companions in Turkey, an angler dying after drinking a clairvoyant's potion, a man preserving bodies, an elderly woman found frozen in a freezer, and a cancer patient dying from laser surgery fire.
• Taunton UFO Sighting: Three students in Taunton, Somerset, reported seeing a bright, bowl-shaped object hovering over a road with humming and droning sounds.

Magazine Reviews

The "Exchange Magazine Review" section provides brief summaries and subscription details for several other publications:

• SPECTRAL: A new magazine from Wales focusing on ghosts, poltergeists, and hauntings.
• INFO JOURNAL: From the oldest Fortean organization, offering a quality production for Fortean enthusiasts.
• DELVE: Described as highly readable, often including nostalgic reprints from past decades of research.
• THE CROP WATCHER: A magazine dedicated to crop circles, promising to unmask what lies below the surface and detailing a new Scottish Ice Ring case.
• 3rd STONE: An upfront magazine covering ancient sacred sites, symbolic landscapes, folklore, ufology, and parascience.
• THE GATE: Features Fortean accounts, UFO articles, and artwork, including a piece on 'Allah And The Aliens'.
• MAGONIA: An erudite and incisive publication, with a 'Screen Memories' article re-investigating a UFO near-miss incident over Kent in April 1991.
• ENIGMAS: Focuses on strange phenomena investigations, with details of ongoing case research and reader contributions.
• THE CAMBRIDGE UFO RESEARCH GROUP: A publication that includes reports on meetings, articles, and clippings of broad interest, featuring a report on Anna Mitchell-Hedges' mysterious Crystal Skull. Sadly, this newsletter is ceasing with issue #49.
• FORESIGHT: Covers topics like rockets in the Middle Ages and Indian Vimanas, with an underlying theme of world transition and evolutionary change.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ANNALS include the exploration of the unexplained, the intersection of science and the paranormal, historical beliefs and folklore, and the human fascination with prophecy and coincidence. The magazine maintains a stance of investigating and reporting on these phenomena, often presenting evidence and claims that challenge conventional understanding, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes and the need for rigorous scientific scrutiny. The inclusion of various magazine reviews suggests an editorial aim to connect readers with a wider community of Fortean and paranormal researchers.