Awareness - 1974 - Vol 03 No 4 - Winter

Magazine Overview

AWARENESS (A Contact (UK) publication), Winter 1974, Volume 3, no: 4. This issue features a range of articles on UFO phenomena, including detailed reports from Puerto Rico, theoretical discussions on extraterrestrial origins, and commentary on the organization's activities.

Editorial and Organization News

The editorial section, written by Editor J.B.Delair, addresses recent events for CONTACT (UK), including the Annual General Meeting and London Lectures held on November 16th. A significant outcome was the unanimous adoption of a proposal to increase annual subscriptions from £2.00p to £2.50p for adult members and from £1.00p to £1.50p for junior members, effective April 1st, 1975, to offset inflation. Old age pensioners would maintain the £2.00p rate until April 1st, 1976. This increase was deemed possible due to a healthy influx of new members over the preceding fifteen months.

The committee also saw changes. Three additional National Committee members were elected to strengthen the administrative personnel. However, Anthony Riebold (General Secretary) and David Baxter (Public Relations Officer) soon resigned due to business commitments, nullifying the intended strengthening. The surviving committee members have since reorganized to cover these duties, though further reorganization may be necessary.

The editorial notes the disappointment that Brinsley Le Poer Trench was indisposed and unable to give a scheduled lecture. Mark Stenhoff, a younger ufologist, stepped in with a talk that was described as an exceptionally penetrating appraisal of the shortcomings of scientific methodology when applied to the UFO phenomenon. The editor also delivered the second lecture, which was well-received, with many interesting questions from the audience.

Exhibitions of unpublished UFO photographs and recent UFO publications were also features of the meeting, which was generally enjoyed by attendees.

Articles

FURTHER NEWS FROM PUERTO RICO by Noel Rigau

This article supplements a previous report on UFO incidents in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. It presents new details on previously reported cases and a firsthand account of a March 1974 sighting with a notable sequel. Drawings of UFOs seen over Puerto Rico are included as supplementary material, showing shapes similar to those reported internationally. Notably, two of the UFOs (Figures 2 and 3) featured 'antennae' or antennae-like structures. Eyewitness sketches of UFO occupants from the Arecibo (June 1973) and El Yunque (October 1973) incidents are also presented (Figures 5 and 6), depicting dissimilar entities that are unlikely to be variations of a single type.

A detailed account of a hitherto unrecorded UFO manifestation on March 24th, 1974, at 8:35 pm, is provided. Witnesses Gabriel Ferrer (architect), William Santana (architect), and the writer observed an unusually bright spot in the sky. The object was described as cigar-shaped, attached to an intense bluish light, with a wide golden-hued stripe estimated to be 10-15 miles in length. Santana observed portholes on the object, and up to 20 luminous spheres issued from the light, trailing the main object at an estimated speed of 3,000 miles per hour. The entire phenomenon crossed the 35-mile wide island in less than a minute. The spectacle faded, leaving a cloud where the light was last seen.

Further accounts of the same object were received from other observers, including Mr and Mrs Garcia and Mr and Mrs Pedro Izquierdo. The observation was telephoned to the Associated Press, which had received similar reports from various locations in Puerto Rico and even the Dominican Republic.

Early the following morning, local radio stations broadcast the report. However, the newspaper "El Mundo" published a press release from the San Juan Weather Bureau attributing the sighting to a luminous meteorological balloon. This explanation was met with dismay. Later, the writer, along with Santana and technical advisor Sebastian Robiou, issued a statement to the Associated Press, sarcastically requesting the Weather Bureau to repeat the balloon release at a specific date and time so that everyone could enjoy the 'fantastic show'. This statement was broadcast, but the witnesses remained convinced that no balloon could travel at such speeds.

THE SPACESHIP EARTH by John A. Keel

This article explores alternative theories about the origin of humanity and Earth. It dismisses the scientific theory of evolution from primordial chemicals and the concept of supernatural creation. Instead, it presents a third theory, gaining traction, which posits that mankind originated from colonists or 'Spacemen' from a distant world. According to this hypothesis, the 'aerial gods' of early earthmen were actually scientists from their home planet, overseeing the development of their 'planted colonists'.

The author suggests that myths and traditions from all cultures, including modern flying saucer lore, indicate that these 'Sky People' have maintained contact with Earth throughout history, 'inspecting' humanity like a farmer inspects his herd. The hypothesis frames Earth as a 'huge farm', and the gods, as described in myths, provided tools for survival, taught agriculture, and warned of catastrophes. They also allegedly intervened in the 1950s, ordering humans to cease atomic bomb development, perhaps due to their own plans for humanity.

The article then addresses the question of where these 'Flying Saucers' come from. It dismisses Mars and Venus as likely origins due to their extreme conditions, as discovered by space probes. The author argues that despite the apparent lack of life in our solar system, UFO reports suggest intelligent beings with advanced technology are visiting Earth.

Keel proposes that the answer to the origin of these beings might be found in ancient myths. He identifies the Pleiades star cluster as the pinpointed location of origin for the 'Sky People'. The article notes that ancient peoples across diverse cultures placed special importance on the Pleiades, and modern scientists have found alignments in structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza with this star group. The author explains that the Pleiades are considered 'dying worlds' due to their disintegration rate and the presence of gas clouds, suggesting that any advanced civilization there would be aware of their impending doom and might seek refuge or new worlds.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts, photographic evidence, and theoretical discussions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO mystery, with a critical view of official explanations that dismiss sightings. The publication also engages with broader themes of ancient astronaut theories and the potential origins of humanity, drawing connections between modern UFOlogy and ancient myths and legends. The organization CONTACT (UK) is presented as actively involved in collecting and disseminating information on these topics, despite facing challenges like inflation and committee changes.

This issue of UFO TIMES, identified as Volume 4, Issue 16, published in 1975, focuses on speculative theories about extraterrestrial origins of humanity and UFO phenomena. It includes extensive book reviews and a compilation of UFO sighting reports from 1974 and early 1975. The magazine's price is listed as £2.60p, and its ISSN is 0305-1845.

The Pleiades and Human Origins

The lead article speculates that humanity might be descended from colonists sent from the Pleiades star cluster. It posits that a super-technological race in the Pleiades, facing extinction, might have initiated a massive project to find new homes, sending out probes and then explorers and colonists to habitable planets. Over generations, these colonists would lose memory of their origins, preserving only vague myths of 'Sky People' or 'gods.' The article suggests that if humans are such descendants, their evolution is not due to supernatural forces but to this ancient seeding process. This 'project' could involve not just colonization but also the deposition of other life forms on various planets, turning half the universe into an 'experimental farm.' The author draws a parallel to the Biblical passage, 'There are Many Mansions in My Father's House.'

The article further explores the idea that such a race might ruthlessly destroy failing colonies or sift off excess population to other worlds. It questions whether UFO activity and the disappearances of individuals and groups could be instances of this population management. The text also touches upon the baffling nature of racial memories and ancient traditions, such as the Eskimo legend of being flown in 'metal birds,' suggesting these might be echoes of such experiments.

The Origin of Earth

Challenging conventional scientific explanations, the article dismisses the popular theory of Earth's creation as 'rubbish.' It argues that a chunk of the Sun would not solidify but dissipate into energy and gas. Furthermore, it questions the composition of Earth's atmosphere, particularly the presence of helium, which is rare on Earth but would be expected if Earth originated from the Sun. The article notes that the Moon is now considered older than the Earth, and that other planets in the Solar System are predominantly gaseous, raising questions about how the planets were created.

Book Reviews

This issue features several book reviews related to UFOs and ancient mysteries:

• IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT GODS by Erich von Daniken: Published by Souvenir Press at £2.95p, this 249-page book is praised for its value, with 154 pages of monochrome photographs and 24 pages of full-colour plates. The illustrations, though of uneven quality, are considered the largest collection of 'ancient astronaut' imagery. The book's commentary is minimal, letting the pictures speak for themselves. Minor criticisms include the odd placement of folio numbers and the absence of a contents list, but a useful bibliography is noted. The book is recommended for its pictorial impressiveness and price.

• ALIENS FROM SPACE...THE REAL STORY OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS by Donald E. Keyhoe: Published by Doubleday & Co. Inc. at $7.95c, this book is considered a significant UFO work by an author involved since the early years of UFO investigation (1947-1952). Keyhoe's material is described as 'dynamite,' detailing US government and military involvement with UFOs, Project Ozma, and evidence of UFO-originated power black-outs and heat-force technology. The reviewer strongly recommends it as mandatory reading for ufologists.

• COLONY: EARTH by Richard Mooney: This book, also from Souvenir Press, is presented as a distillation of ideas from von Daniken, Kolosimo, and Tomas. It explores the theory that ancient megalithic structures were erected under the supervision of space beings. Mooney questions whether global events like the Deluge were natural disasters or the result of advanced civilizations' scientific experiments gone wrong. The 251-page book lacks illustrations but is scholarly, readable, and features a comprehensive index. Its price is £2.80p.

• STRANGE PHENOMENA: A SOURCEBOOK OF UNUSUAL NATURAL PHENOMENA by William R. Corliss: Published privately, this book contains over 350 accounts of unexplained occurrences, including 'wheels of light' and 'ball-lightning,' culled from reputable scientific journals. The reviewer commends Corliss for his efforts in compiling this data, noting its timeliness and excellent index. It is available for $6.95c plus 50 cents for overseas orders.

• THE UTAH UFO DISPLAY: A Biologist's Report by Dr. Frank B. Salisbury: This book, subtitled 'A Biologist's Report,' is described as enormously impressive and a potential model for decades to come. It presents researched UFO experiences from the Uintah Basin in Utah, arguing that many UFO displays are staged for eyewitnesses. The nearly 300-page book includes maps, graphs, photographs, and eyewitness drawings, and debates various aspects of the UFO enigma, including evidence, psychological problems, and historical cases. It is available for $7.95c.

• SECRET OF THE AGES: UFOS FROM INSIDE THE EARTH by Brinsley Le Poer Trench: This book explores the theory of a hollow Earth, suggesting that UFOs originate from a race of beings descended from antediluvian times who inhabit the Earth's interior. These beings, referred to as Teros and Deros, allegedly use polar holes as entrances to their realm. The book links this to satellite photographs of the poles and suggests these beings plan to take over the Earth. While referencing many other publications, the 'evidence' is considered small, but the book is noted for presenting thought-provoking ideas. It is published by Souvenir Press at £2.60p.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of ancient astronauts, extraterrestrial intervention in human history, and the possibility of UFOs originating from within the Earth or other planets. The editorial stance appears to be open to speculative theories, presenting them as intellectual exercises and possibilities, while acknowledging the fragile premises upon which they are based. The reviews highlight the importance of ufology as a field of study, recommending key books and authors. The magazine also emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and scientific principles when dealing with UFO phenomena, as exemplified by Dr. Salisbury's approach. The recurring theme is the search for answers to humanity's origins and the nature of unidentified aerial phenomena, often linking them to ancient myths and legends.

UFO Reports

The issue includes a section titled 'SELECTED UFO REPORTS,' compiled by D.N. Mansell, presenting a chronological list of UFO sightings from various locations in the USA and UK during 1974 and early 1975. These reports detail descriptions of objects, witness accounts, and initial investigative findings. Notable reports include:

• January 2nd, Lamar, Missouri, USA: Farmers reported seeing a low-flying, glowing UFO with portholes.
• January (unrecorded date), Whitchurch and Chester, Cheshire, UK: An account of a silvery-hued cigar-shaped object seen by a mother and son.
• February 2nd, Ouzouer-sur-Loire, France: A UFO described as an inverted soup-plate was seen by two women and a gendarme.
• February 2nd, French airspace: A mushroom-shaped object was reportedly seen and photographed from a Concorde at high altitude.
• June (unrecorded date), Lode Hill, Downton, Hampshire, UK: A noiseless, blue-coloured light crossed the sky rapidly.
• June 17th, Winsford, Cheshire, UK: Two young men observed a brilliant white globular object that moved erratically.
• June 20th, Isle of Kvar, Yugoslavia: Two men reported a fast-moving, cross-shaped object at high altitude.
• July 27th (approximate date), between Swindon and Cheltenham, UK: A soldier witnessed an object performing unusual manoeuvres.
• August 2nd, Dursley, Gloucestershire, UK: A housewife reported a silvery, metallic ball or sphere.
• August 14th (approximate date), Near Abergavenny, Gwent, Wales: An elliptical object was seen, stationary for five minutes before vanishing.
• August 18th, Northwich, Cheshire, UK: A field investigator observed three distinct circular and diffuse objects.
• September 28th, Erdington, Birmingham, UK: A domed saucer-shaped object was photographed.

Other Features

• A PROPOSED NEW TAPE-RECORDINGS SERVICE: D.N. Mansell proposes a service offering 60-minute tape recordings describing new UFO sightings, costing about £2.60p each.
• UFO NEWS: The re-emergence of this periodical, edited by David T. Prockter, is noted with pleasure.
• UFO Slides: Information is provided about UFO slides available from Bob Beck of Color Control Company.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of ancient astronauts, extraterrestrial intervention in human history, and the possibility of UFOs originating from within the Earth or other planets. The editorial stance appears to be open to speculative theories, presenting them as intellectual exercises and possibilities, while acknowledging the fragile premises upon which they are based. The reviews highlight the importance of ufology as a field of study, recommending key books and authors. The magazine also emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and scientific principles when dealing with UFO phenomena, as exemplified by Dr. Salisbury's approach. The recurring theme is the search for answers to humanity's origins and the nature of unidentified aerial phenomena, often linking them to ancient myths and legends.

This document comprises pages 20, 21, and 22 of what appears to be the magazine "Awareness", issue number 20. The content focuses on UFO sightings, research efforts, and the availability of related publications and books.

UFO Sightings and Research

Page 20 begins with a description of photographs showing a circular shaped object viewed from below, resembling an upturned saucer or dinner plate, with a domelike structure and two to three "antennae". These photographs are noted to have a similarity to those taken by Paul Trent and George Stock and are currently being evaluated by photographic experts. The text expresses appreciation for the efforts of members and correspondents who have submitted hundreds of press-clippings from provincial newspapers relating to local UFO sightings to Data Research headquarters. It highlights the difficulty Data Research staff face in perusing newspapers beyond national dailies and emphasizes the significance of co-operative members acting as local listening posts. The article encourages members to actively search local newspapers and journals for UFO reports, suggesting that these publications are increasingly featuring such observations and that many valuable reports are otherwise unpublished.

UFOs and Space Age Publications

Page 21 is dedicated to "UFOS AND SPACE AGE PUBLICATIONS". It lists a comprehensive stock of books and magazines on UFOs and related topics. Examples include:

• SAGA's UFO REPORT No:3 (Collection of strange and documented articles, Illustrated, 50p)
• PSYCHIC Magazine (Editor: Dr.Edgar Mitchell of Apollo 14, Special Uri Geller issue, Illustrated, 50p)
• MORE THINGS by Ivan T.Sanderson (Stories of weird creatures and mysterious occurrences, 60p)
• OUR HAUNTED PLANET by John A.Keel (Weird happenings and "occupants", £2.35p)
• THE PROPHECIES OF NOSTRADAMUS translated and edited by Erika Cheetham (£2.75p)
• THE SECRET PLACES OF THE LION by George H.Williamson (Space visitors in ancient times, 55p)
• THE SPACESHIPS OF EZEKIEL by Josef F.Blumrich (Links the Bible with spacecraft visitations, 65p)
• FLYING SAUCER REVIEW (Various back issues, Illustrated, 40p each)
• THE FATIMA PROPHECY: Days of Darkness, Promise of Light by Ray Stanford (£3.75p)
• SUPERNATURE: Natural History of the Supernatural by Dr.Lyall Watson (£3.50p)
• URI by Dr. Andrija Puharich (Details of forces behind Uri Geller, £3.20p, paperback approx. 65p)

The list also mentions other books on subjects like Atlantis, Gods and Spacemen, vanished civilizations, monsters, and the occult. Free lists are available on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope (s.a.e.) from Miss Susanne Stebbing.

For Sale or Trade

This section advertises an "Immense world-wide UFO newspaper clipping collection" (1,000 different clippings dating 1950-1972) available for trade or sale. It can be traded for Japanese samurai swords, gold coins, or hardcover UFO books and older UFO magazines. Enquiries are welcomed, and replies require a stamped addressed envelope or 3 international postal coupons. Contact Mr Albert Onori in Clifton, New Jersey, USA. Information about old UFO press clippings or UFO libraries for sale or exchange is also welcomed.

Books for Sale

Page 22 continues the list of "BOOKS FOR SALE" directly from stock:

• THE UFO EXPERIENCE by J.Allen Hynek (10 photos., 276 pages, £2.70p)
• UFOS FROM BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN by Ion Hobana and Julian Weverbergh (Numerous photos. and diagrams, 320 pages, £3.25p)
• UFOS HERE AND NOW by K.Gosta Rehn (12 photos., 200 pages, £3.15p)
• SECRET OF THE AGES by Brinsley Le Poer Trench (8 plates, 190 pages, £2.80p)

It also lists "Paperbacks":

• ANATOMY OF A PHENOMENON by Jacques Vallee (8 plates, 215 pages, 45p)
• CHALLENGE TO SCIENCE by Jacques Vallee (8 plates, 280 pages, 45p)
• INVISIBLE RESIDENTS by Ivan T.Sanderson (Underwater entities?, 50p)
• SPACESHIPS OF EZEKIEL by Josef Blumrich (Well illustrated, 60p)

Additional books by Fort, Keel, Le Poer Trench, Lorenzen, Steiger, and Velikovsky are also stocked. Prices include postage and packing. For free lists on UFOs, ancient mysteries, gods and spacemen, sea and lake monsters, and strange events, send a 9" x 42" s.a.e. to Lionel Beer in London.

The British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (BUFORA)

The British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (BUFORA) was founded in 1964 from an amalgamation of LUFORA (1959) and BUFOA (1962). The BUFORA JOURNAL is published quarterly. The current editor is Norman Oliver, who retired in October 1974. Exchange journals should be sent to the Hon. Secretary, Miss Betty Wood. The Association regrets it cannot exchange with every UFO publication due to economic reasons.

London Lectures are held on the first Saturday evening of the month, featuring distinguished speakers and providing a forum for exchange of information and ideas. Programme cards up to June 1975 are available on receipt of an s.a.e.

Research Headquarters are at Newchapel Observatory, Staffordshire. A Research Bulletin is published periodically for members by the Research Director, Anthony Pace, FRAS. Current UFO reports are notified to the National Investigation Co-ordinator, Ken Phillips, in London.

Membership is open to all persons supporting the Association's aims, subject to NEC approval. Reduced rates are available for students under 18 and old age pensioners. Information leaflets are available from Miss C. Henning, Publicity Secretary.

Important Notice

An important notice advises readers to notify Mr D.N.Mansell, the membership secretary, of any change of address to ensure prompt receipt of "Awareness" copies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the active pursuit of UFO evidence through member contributions (clippings), the cataloging and dissemination of UFO-related literature, and the organizational efforts of groups like Data Research and BUFORA. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging public participation in UFO research, valuing local observations, and promoting the availability of UFO literature. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of grassroots efforts in gathering and sharing information within the UFO community.