Awareness - 2005-06 - Vol 27 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: Awareness
Issue: Volume 27, No 2
Date: Spring 2005 (May 2005)
Publisher: Contact International Research Publication
Country: England
Focus: UFO research, paranormal subjects, and critical analysis of official narratives.

Editorial: Science Versus Senses!

The editorial critiques Channel 4's investigations into paranormal subjects, particularly a program featuring a Russian schoolgirl with "X-ray vision" and an exorcism. The editor argues that scientific tests, like those used to evaluate the girl's abilities, often fail because they target the conscious mind, while paranormal phenomena may stem from the subconscious. The exorcism program is described as boring and inconclusive, with scientists unable to provide definitive evidence of spirit removal. The editor suggests that "alien abductions" might also originate from the subconscious and that "Hypnotic Regression" is used to access this realm. The piece concludes by questioning the effectiveness of purely scientific approaches to phenomena that may operate outside the conventional understanding of the mind.

News In Brief

"Rods" Unravelled?

This section discusses "rods," mysterious objects with tube-shaped bodies and fins or wings, seen on video stills, particularly from footage of men "skydiving" into a cave in Mexico. While recent TV programs suggest these are insects, the article notes that the "rod" appearance remains a mystery, possibly due to digital film artifacts or pixel bleed. It also references army footage from Thailand where "rods" were visible, alongside insects irritating the soldiers. The article acknowledges that this doesn't explain the identification of 10-20 feet long "rods" in other films, suggesting lens zooming might be a factor.

More Large Cat Sightings

Sightings of large cats have intensified, with reports of the "Beast of Burford" in west Oxfordshire, known for killing sheep without eating them. A reward of £5000 is offered for its capture. The article also mentions a national press report of another black cat sighting in Sydenham, London. The text questions whether these sightings are related to panthers or tree leopards, noting the lack of carcasses and the possibility of paranormal aspects influencing wildlife observations, drawing a parallel to "alien" reports.

"New Age" Nonsense

This piece debunks the concept of moving from the Piscean Age to the "Age of Aquarius," stating it is inaccurate in astronomical terms. The author explains that the actual shift will occur around 2600 AD, with approximately 23% of the Piscean Age remaining. The concept is linked to the 1967 rock opera "Hair" and its song "This is the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius." The article clarifies that astronomers use these alignments as markers, while astrologers define behavioral differences.

Secret Bases Website

This section highlights information found on the website www.secret-bases.co.uk, managed by Alan Turnbull. It details revelations about UK military bases, including alleged US Black Project aircraft trials at Boscombe Down in 1994, a possible crash landing, and RAF Rudloe Manor being a former UFO logging site, now possibly relocated to RAF Henlow. The Metropole building in London, used for logging UFOs in the 1950s, is reported to be closed. The article also mentions "missing" bases on Ordnance Survey maps and the Government Pipelines and Storage Systems (GPSS) network. It expresses surprise that this information does not infringe the Official Secrets Act.

UFO Holidays in Australia!

An advertisement suggests that visiting Wycliffe Wells, near Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, offers a high chance of a close encounter with UFOs. The area has reportedly been frequented by UFOs since World War II. UFO spotting is a popular activity at Wycliffe Wells Holiday Park. The article includes a quote from a local expert and mentions an aboriginal woman's encounter with "silvery extraterrestrials." Holiday package details and costs are provided.

Mr Derren Brown

This segment discusses the TV personality and illusionist Derren Brown, noting his recent exploits, including convincing audiences of paranormal abilities like healing through alien contact and evangelical conversions. His stunts, such as faking a haunted hospital, are mentioned. The article questions whether Channel 4 edits his programs to make them appear foolproof, implying that all paranormal activity could be dismissed as illusions.

Crop Circles Early in 2005

The first crop circle formation of 2005 was reported on April 17th at Ripley, Dorset, earlier than in the previous year. Other formations in rape fields across Yorkshire, Sussex, Oxon, and Lincolnshire are mentioned. The Oxfordshire formation is described as a "galaxy" with spiraling arms. A sophisticated rape formation in Wiltshire is noted for its similarity to a 2004 "dolphin" design, suggesting potential increases in design skills later in the season.

"War of the Worlds"

This brief note announces the upcoming Spielberg blockbuster based on H.G. Wells' novel, confirming its UK cinema release date as July 1st and describing the trailer footage as focusing on a family's experience, likely differing significantly from the 1950s film.

"Signs of the Times" Conference

The second conference on "Signs of the Times" was held in Oxford, featuring a section on "ORBS" and conspiracy theories. The event included "spirit release" workshops and a discussion of spiritual anecdotes. Digital photographs from the event reportedly showed "ORBS." The article regrets the low audience turnout despite the organizer's efforts and mentions plans for a third conference.

Agony Corner

A brief mention of "Agony Corner" as an "Anti-establishment comment on latest scares and cover-ups."

Cynical Computer Manipulation

A brief mention of "Cynical Computer Manipulation" in relation to the May 5th General Election in the UK.

Moon Landings - Or Moonshine!

This extensive article by Geoff Ambler critically examines the authenticity of the Apollo Moon landings. It begins by recalling Neil Armstrong's famous words and the date of the Apollo 11 landing. The author references the 1978 film "Capricorn One" as an early hint of faked space missions. The article details arguments by David Percy and Marcus Allen, who question the alignment of shadows in Moon photographs, suggesting artificial lighting was used. It discusses the challenge of flying through the Van Allen Belts and the political imperative for the US to beat the Soviet Union in the space race. The author notes that 9 of the 12 astronauts who walked on the Moon are still alive, and that their lives post-mission have not shown unusual patterns of premature death or mental instability, although some have experienced personal difficulties. The article also touches upon the lack of further manned Moon landings after Apollo 17 and the subsequent focus on the Space Shuttle program. It suggests that the Soviet Union, if aware of the impossibility of passing the Van Allen Belts, might not have attempted a manned Moon landing. The author also analyzes special "Moon Landing covers" (philatelic items), questioning the postmarks and the speed at which they were produced, implying simulations were used. The article concludes that while the evidence for fakery exists, the sheer scale and duration of the Apollo program (six successful landings over three years) make a complete hoax unlikely, but acknowledges the possibility of doctored photographs and simulations.

Freedom of Information Act - Test Runs

This section reports on Data Research members' experiences using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2005 to request information from state departments and local government offices. Requests were sent to Thames Valley Police, RAF Brize Norton, and RAF Fairford. The results were largely disappointing. Thames Valley Police stated they had no specific UFO category, and further requests were met with a polite refusal citing costs. RAF Brize Norton provided a single report that could potentially be a UFO. RAF Fairford found no evidence of the requested information. The authors suggest that future FOIA requests should reference specific dates and known UFO reports to yield better results and inquire about the duration of information storage.

Ancient UFO Cases and Similar Recent Events

This article by Michael Soper presents a chronological comparison of ancient and recent accounts of anomalous aerial phenomena.

Ancient Cases:

• BC90 (Spoletum, Italy): A golden globe of fire appeared, gyrated, and rose from the earth, obscuring the sun.
• BC22 (Ariminium, Italy): A great light shone at midnight, with three moons visible.
• BC216 (Italy): Objects resembling ships were seen in the sky. In Sardinia and Sicily, javelins in soldiers' hands burst into flames. At Arpi, a round shield was seen in the sky. At Faleris, the sky split, and at Capua, the sky was on fire with figures resembling ships.

Recent Cases:

• December 29th, 1980 (Near Houston, Texas, USA): Betty Cash and her grandson reported a searing, blazing object hovering over the road, described as diamond-shaped with blue dots. The object caused intense heat, softening plastic, and was escorted by black helicopters. The melted road area was removed intact.
• July 1st, 1954 (Walesville, New York State, USA): An object tracked on radar caused intense heat, forcing pilots of scrambled F94 Starfires to eject. The plane crashed, resulting in injuries and damage.

The article notes that the ancient accounts are similar to recent events, suggesting a continuity of anomalous aerial phenomena. It also mentions the difficulty in obtaining information from authorities regarding such incidents.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Awareness magazine revolve around questioning official narratives, particularly concerning the Moon landings and government transparency. The magazine advocates for critical thinking and the use of investigative methods, including the Freedom of Information Act, to uncover hidden truths. There is a consistent skepticism towards mainstream media portrayals of paranormal events and a belief that scientific methods may be insufficient to fully understand phenomena rooted in the subconscious or operating beyond conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to challenge established accounts and explore alternative explanations for unexplained phenomena.

Title: Awareness
Issue: Volume 26
Date: May 2003
Publisher: Contact International UFO Research
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 0961-5772

This issue of Awareness magazine, dated May 2003, presents a diverse collection of articles focusing on UFO phenomena, ancient anomalies, paranormal events, and astronomical observations. The cover story, "Who are they?" by Margaret-Ellen Fry, delves into UFO investigations, alien abductions, and paranormal events, drawing from personal experiences and research.

Ancient and Recent Sightings

The magazine compiles a chronological list of reported phenomena, starting with ancient accounts:

• BC213: In Hadria, Gulf of Venice, men in white clothing were seen in the skies around an altar.
• BC209: Near Rome, a thunderbolt fell, with flames emanating from the ground for a day and night.
• BC168: At Lanuvium and Anagnia, a torch-like object burned in the sky.
• BC129: At Terracina, a fire from the sky capsized a ship and burned its occupants.
• AD457: In Brittany, France, an immense globe emitted two beams, with a ball of fire attached.

Recent reports include:

• November 4th, 1957: At Fort Itaipu, Brazil, a 100-foot diameter disc plummeted, hovered, emitted heat, and caused severe burns to sentries.
• May 22nd, 1973: Near Catanduva, Brazil, a librarian reported a hovering craft, a blue light, and a large craft resembling two soup plates, resulting in a feeling of heat and suffocation, and a case of missing time.
• October 17th, 1952: At Oloron, France, a cigar-shaped object released red discs, from which fell 'angel hair'.
• November 6th, 1957: North of Ottawa, Canada, a bright sphere emitted beams, causing radio interference.

Astronomical Notes 2005

An article by Data Research provides a guide to visible celestial objects that might be confused with UFOs for the period May to December 2005. It details the visibility and magnitude of planets like Venus, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter, as well as the Moon and the star Sirius. Specific astronomical events such as meteor showers (Perseids, Leonids, Geminids) and a partial solar eclipse in October are also mentioned.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters discuss various topics:

• A.W. Bastick questions societal paranoia and mistrust, advocating for belief in paranormal gifts, referencing a Russian teenager with psychic abilities.
• The Editor notes that psychic power emanates from the subconscious mind and that scientific scrutiny can disrupt its manifestation.
• Ian Black laments the liquidation of UFO Magazine and suggests ways Awareness could increase its sales and reach, including selling at a higher price point and offering merchandise.
• Margaret Fry shares her personal experiences with UFOs and abductions, particularly a landing event in Bexleyheath, Kent, in July 1955, and invites witnesses to a commemorative meeting.
• Chris Carter (writing as 'RA') presents a theory about 'Ancient Codes', claiming the 22 Keys of Hermes Trismegistos correspond to the Phoenician Alphabet, which he links to the English language and ancient Greek, suggesting extraterrestrial origins.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) Records

A letter from the Ministry of Defence to Ian Black clarifies the MOD's stance on UFO reports. They examine sightings for defence significance only and do not attempt to identify them unless a threat is perceived. Files from before 1967 were generally destroyed after five years, but since 1967, files are routinely preserved. The letter also addresses the former 'Room 801' at the Metropole Hotel, identifying it as the location for the Flying Saucer Working Party, whose papers have been released to the Public Record Office.

Book Offers and Recent Stock

This section lists various books available for purchase, covering topics such as UFOs, conspiracies, ancient Egypt, psychic phenomena, and cryptids. Notable titles include "Cosmic Crashes" by Nicholas Redfern, "The Stargate Conspiracy" by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince, and "Who are they?" by Margaret Fry.

Archive Photographs

Page 7 displays a collage of UFO shapes and locations from various dates and places, including Bertie, Ontario; Arèches, France; Cam, Gloucestershire; Nr. Recife, Brazil; Kågsund, Norway; Trent, U.S.A.; Matlock, Derbyshire; Évillers, France; Hawke Bay, New Zealand; Hanley, Staffs; Nr. São Paulo, Brazil; Santa Anna, California; Wilmslow, Staffs; Queve, Angola; Majorca; Los Monegros, Saragoza, Spain; and Lawrenceville, Illinois.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, historical accounts, and scientific inquiry. There is a clear interest in ancient mysteries and their potential connection to modern UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be open to investigating paranormal claims and historical anomalies, while also acknowledging the official positions of government bodies like the MOD. The inclusion of reader letters and diverse articles suggests an aim to foster discussion and share information within the ufology and paranormal communities. The magazine also promotes its own publications and related works, acting as a hub for enthusiasts.