Awareness - 1998-99 - Vol 23 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: Awareness
Issue: 23.1
Date: Winter 1998
Publisher: Contact International UFO Research
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Awareness, the journal of Contact International UFO Research (CIUFOR), delves into a range of topics related to UFO phenomena, alien contact, and unexplained events. The cover prominently features a classic flying saucer image and headlines about "Astrograms," alien contact claims, and crop circles from 1998. The magazine aims to provide a platform for objective investigation and discussion of these subjects.

Editorial: Evidence and "Anti-Evidence"

The editorial reflects on the turn of the millennium, noting political uncertainties and the potential for extreme trends. It addresses the increase in UFO reports, attributing it partly to delayed reporting by witnesses. The editorial highlights an upcoming solar eclipse in August 1999, drawing parallels to a similar event in Mexico in 1991 that was associated with a massive UFO sighting. It also critiques media coverage of events like the Leonid meteor shower and the Hale-Bopp comet, suggesting that the media can sometimes mislead the public. The editorial points out instances where astronomical events were misidentified or misrepresented in the press, contrasting them with genuine UFO reports that often arise from unexpected, unforecast events. A specific example is given of a BBC "Countryfile" program that presented hoaxed crop circles as genuine, featuring Doug Bower, one of the alleged hoaxers.

Contents Overview

The magazine features a diverse range of articles and reports:

• Editorial: Evidence and "Anti-Evidence"
• News in Brief: Updates on UFO-related news.
• Sighting Summaries - Data Research: A collection of reported UFO sightings.
• Material Earth - Spiritual Mars. Michael Joyce: Explores the connection between Mars and spiritual concepts, referencing ancient pyramids.
• The "Great Alien Debate" - Data Research: Discusses the nature of alien contact, focusing on telepathic experiences and abductions.
• Crop Circle Report 1998 - Geoff Ambler: Details the complex designs and distribution of crop circles in 1998.
• "Meteor Invasion" Update:
• Purple Blobs that Go Away. - Michael Soper:
• Underground in Wiltshire. - Data Research:
• 1999 - The Year of the Great King of Terror - Michael Joyce:
• Reviews:
• Advertisements:

Key Articles and Reports

Material Earth - Spiritual Mars

Michael Joyce explores the potential connection between the planet Mars and spiritual realms, drawing on information from an alien grey/human source named Oona. Oona suggests that beings who originally seeded Earth with humankind came from Mars. Joyce posits that ancient civilizations had contact with alien cultures, a knowledge largely lost to modern humans. He analyzes the significance of Mars' value of "58" in ancient Egyptian pyramids, correlating it with astronomical data and suggesting that Mars represents a spiritual or afterlife abode, contrasting it with Earth as the material plane.

The "Great Alien Debate"

This section examines the nature of alien contact, suggesting that it is increasingly telepathic or through abductions rather than physical encounters. A questionnaire was administered to three participants to identify common ground in their experiences. Participant A, who has had contact for 8 years, describes aliens as "merry prankster" types and admits to past psychedelic drug use. Participant B, a CIUFOR representative, claims contact for over 6.5 years, noting the visitors' fickle nature and denying any drug use or association with "hippie" culture. Participant C, who experienced physical attacks and homelessness, later retracted his testimony. The debate explores whether there is one group of aliens or several, or if contacts are "mind tricks." Common threads identified include the vast distance traveled by visitors and their immense age (billions of years), as well as the use of dowsing techniques for communication. The article also touches on environmental concerns like global warming, with differing views from the participants.

Crop Circle Report 1998

Geoff Ambler reports on the 1998 crop circle season, noting that formations were concentrated in the south of England, particularly near Avebury, Wiltshire. Designs became more complex, featuring "fractals" and pentagram shapes, with fewer simple circles. The report highlights the "7-fold geometry" identified in some designs. The article also discusses the ongoing debate about the origin of crop circles, presenting natural phenomena, hoaxes, and intelligent formation as possibilities. It critically examines the BBC's "Countryfile" program, which featured alleged hoaxers Doug Bower, Dickinson, and Lundberg, suggesting that the program may have blurred the lines between genuine phenomena and hoaxes. The report notes the involvement of media and corporate entities, such as Mitsubishi motors, in commissioning crop circle designs.

News in Brief

This section provides several short updates:

• "Noise Complaints" Hotline: Information on a special telephone number operated by the Airports Authority for aircraft noise complaints and potential UFO radar traces.
• More Paranormal Activity?: An account of a kitchen utensil reappearing after being missing for over a year, with the utensil emitting heat.
• Skywatch Washout: A report on a coordinated skywatch event that was hampered by adverse weather conditions.
• BUFORA Stalwarts Produce "Quest" Magazine: Mentions officers of BUFORA producing a magazine called "Quest."

Other Mentions

• Ron West: The death of Ron West, a founder member of the Essex UFO Research Group and a significant contributor to UFO data collection, is announced with regret.
• Roy Dutton and Edward Ashpole Honoured: Recognition for Roy Dutton and Edward Ashpole, who won a prize in a US competition for their scientific analysis of extraterrestrial intelligence.
• Giant Land Figure in Australia: A report on the discovery of a massive etched male figure, the "Marree Man," in the Australian outback, near the Woomera nuclear base, with speculation about its purpose and potential alien links.
• CIUFOR at the Oxford Union: Michael Soper is scheduled to address the Oxford Union on the topic of whether "we are not alone."
• Margaret Fry Honoured: Margaret Fry is made an Honorary Life Member of Contact International for her service.
• Errata: Corrections to dates for major sightings at Horspath, Oxon, in the previous issue.
• X-Ray Machines at Airport: A report on photographers' film being fogged by X-ray machines at airports, suggesting radiation other than light can affect film, potentially linking to UFO phenomena.
• "Tree Temple" Sensation: An archaeological discovery in Norfolk of a submerged oak trunk formation, potentially 4000 years old, is discussed in relation to a previous UFO sighting in the same area, raising questions about tidal adjustments and energy fields.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of evidence-based research and critical thinking, particularly in distinguishing genuine phenomena from hoaxes and media sensationalism. There is a clear stance against unsubstantiated claims and a dedication to objective investigation, as exemplified by CIUFOR's mission. The recurring themes include UFO sightings, crop circles, alien contact (increasingly viewed as telepathic), and the potential for ancient connections to extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial tone is cautious but open-minded, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions based on available information while being aware of potential misinterpretations and manipulations by the media.

This issue of Awareness magazine, dated May 1999, focuses on the theme "1999 LET BATTLE COMMENCE!", exploring potential disasters, alien invasions, and prophecies for the year. The magazine delves into crop circles, UFO phenomena, ancient astronaut theories, and book reviews.

Crop Circles: Hoaxes and Realities

The article "Elsewhere the writer was called upon to comment..." discusses the challenge of distinguishing genuine crop circles from hoaxes. The author recounts an experience with a 'smiley face' formation that was clearly a hoax, highlighting the unreliability of newspaper reporting and the subjective nature of detection methods like dowsing. The article introduces several individuals suspected of creating crop circles, including Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, Jim Schnabel, Rob Irving, Rod Dickinson, and John Lundberg. It also mentions "Bill Bailey" and Adrian Dexter, who were involved in faking formations. The author questions the persistence of the phenomenon over 19 years, suggesting it might be a test for humanity.

UFO Sightings: Purple Blobs and Meteor Invasions

Michael C. Soper's article "PURPLE BLOBS THAT GO AWAY" examines reports of purple luminescence seen on hilltops. Examples include sightings in West Virginia, Athens (Georgia), and Seattle (Washington). Soper explores possible explanations, ruling out some and considering Cerenkov radiation and nocturnal aerial chemical processes. Geoff Ambler's photograph of a purple blob is mentioned. The "METEOR INVASION UPDATE" section reports on UFO activity in the USA in September 1998, describing "green or blue-green fireballs" that exhibited unusual behavior like stopping, changing color, and becoming multiple. The article contrasts these with known characteristics of meteors.

Underground Facilities and Cold War Paranoia

The article "UNDERGROUND IN WILTSHIRE" discusses speculation about 'secret' underground facilities and installations, linking them to the MOD's UFO investigations. It mentions Monkton Farleigh and Rudloe Manor, questioning the relevance of Cold War-era bases to the UFO enigma. The author notes that many underground sites are being re-equipped, raising questions about security needs and a potential new Cold War.

Prophecies and Ancient Mysteries

"1999 - THE YEAR OF THE GREAT KING OF TERROR?" by Michael Joyce examines Nostradamus' Quatrain X, 72, which predicts events for July 1999 involving a "Great King of alarm." Joyce interprets this as potentially an evil being or Satan, or an alien invasion. The article also touches upon the theory that Cro-Magnon people were a genetic hybrid engineered by aliens, displacing Neanderthals, and references the Hopi prophecy of a "WW3" spiritual conflict.

Book Reviews

The magazine features several book reviews:

• The Alien Intent by Raymond A. Robinson is reviewed by Michael C. Soper, who finds it thought-provoking and well-organized, covering UFO phenomena, entities, and abduction accounts.
• The FBI Files by Nicholas Redfern is reviewed by Fran Copeland, highlighting its exposé of the FBI's involvement in Ufology and evidence of alien existence.
• The UFO Quest by Philip J. Pennington is reviewed by Malcolm Robinson, SPI. The book is described as technical, discussing UFO propulsion and materials, and speculates about advanced technology and alien reconnaissance missions.
• Electric UFOs, (Fireballs, Electromagnetic and Abnormal States) by Albert Budden is reviewed by Malcolm Robinson, SPI. This book proposes that electromagnetic pollution is the natural mechanism behind UFO sightings and paranormal experiences.
• The Day After Roswell by Philip J. Corso is reviewed by Fran Copeland, who finds it fascinating, detailing Alien artifacts and theories about alien suits and technology.

Other Features

• A "Letter to Editor" from D.G. Adams discusses a predicted monstrous black orb entering the solar system and a potential apocalypse.
• A "QUICK COVER UPS" section notes Mozambique's entry into the British Commonwealth and the marriage of Nelson Mandela to the widow of Mozambique's former president.
• Advertisements for UFO publications, back issues of Awareness magazine, and the Travel and Earth Mysteries Society (TEMS) are included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing mystery of UFOs, the debate between genuine phenomena and hoaxes (particularly in crop circles), the potential for alien intervention or invasion, and the exploration of ancient mysteries and prophecies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and evidence while acknowledging the speculative nature of much of the subject matter. There's a sense of urgency regarding the year 1999, framed as a potential turning point or period of significant events.