The Circular - 1991 Vol 2 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: The Circular
Issue: Volume 2, Number 3
Date: September 1991
Publisher: CCCS (Centre for Crop Circle Studies)
Type: Quarterly Crop Circle Magazine

This issue of The Circular magazine provides a comprehensive overview of the 1991 crop circle season, emphasizing the complexity and diversity of formations. It includes information from the CCCS and discusses ongoing research, theories, and reported events.

Introduction by Bob Kingsley

Bob Kingsley, the editor, introduces changes to the magazine's layout, including the use of CCCS logos to indicate CCCS-generated content. He clarifies that The Circular maintains editorial independence and does not necessarily align with CCCS policy. The issue is noted as being larger than usual, with 28 pages instead of 24, due to a significant news story regarding claims of hoaxing by Mr. Bower and Mr. Chorley. The CCCS has issued a statement addressing these claims, asserting that Mr. Delgado speaks only for himself and is not a member of the CCCS. The statement highlights that if the claims of hoaxing are accepted, approximately 1800 events remain unexplained, given that crop circles have been studied for 12 years since 1980, with around 2000 events recorded globally.

The article notes that crop circle events have been reported from various countries, with a significant cluster in the UK, particularly in Wiltshire and Hampshire. The complexity and scale of many formations are emphasized, suggesting that a hoax would have to be of gigantic proportions. The CCCS finds the hoax hypothesis implausible compared to other explanations and acknowledges that some hoaxing does occur, which complicates scientific study. They are interested in understanding hoaxing techniques to improve their ability to distinguish genuine events and have conducted experiments to develop diagnostic methods. The CCCS welcomes discussion with researchers who claim to replicate complex events, offering to cover costs for attempted replications under agreed terms.

Claims of Hoaxing and Media Response

The magazine addresses claims made by Mr. Bower and Mr. Chorley regarding hoaxing and criminal damage on farms. The CCCS states that if their claims are true, a large number of events remain unexplained. The article critiques the reporting by 'Today' newspaper, suggesting it presented the hoax claims as fact without sufficient evidence. It mentions that 'Today' was apparently shown several replicas before the publicized formation and that their investigation was brief. The media's role in publicizing these claims is discussed, with a contrast drawn to the Sunday Mirror's approach to 'explanations' of crop circles.

Crop Formations 1991

This section lists surveyed crop formations from 1991, including pictograms, insectograms, and other complex designs. It details the availability of scaled drawings of these formations, providing measurements and survey methods. The cost and ordering information for these survey sheets are also provided.

Statement from the CCCS

A statement from the CCCS addresses a fraudulent complaint made against a member, Mrs. Rita Lorraine-Goold. A caller, posing as 'Mrs. Robinson', falsely accused Mrs. Lorraine-Goold of trespassing on her farm. The CCCS investigated and found the complaint to be unsubstantiated, with the caller's telephone number not existing. They express regret for the trouble caused and dismiss rumors linking a UFOlogist to the fraudulent caller.

Can You Help?

Diana Clift of the CCCS Physiological & Psychological Research Panel seeks information from individuals who have experienced unusual physical or emotional states in crop circles. They are collecting data through questionnaires to assess potential effects.

Overview of 1991 by Ralph Noyes (Compiled by the CCCS)

Ralph Noyes provides a summary of the 1991 crop circle season, noting its late start due to cold and wet weather. Despite the conditions, numerous events occurred, many with complex and novel forms. The article highlights the 'insectogram' and 'laddergram' patterns observed near Winchester, and the 'dragon footprints' found near the Devon/Cornwall border. The season saw a concentration of events in a specific area of Wiltshire, defined by a polygon between Cherhill, Wroughton, Marlborough, Pewsey, and Devizes. This area experienced a high frequency of new and often startlingly novel events.

CCCS members were actively involved in documenting these events, with Beckhampton becoming a hub for crop circle studies. International observers were present, and local farmers and residents provided crucial information. The article notes the emergence of new formation types, including geometric patterns, 'fat and fishy' shapes, and an event resembling a mathematical symbol for infinity. The 'Mandelbrot Event' in Cambridgeshire, resembling computer-generated graphics, is singled out for its potential significance and is slated for a special booklet.

The summary also points out that complexity has spread beyond the traditional Wessex area, with events occurring across the country. Unlike previous years, simple formations were outnumbered by complex ones. The number of reported events in the USA and Canada decreased compared to 1990. The 'quality' press was slow to report on crop circles, possibly due to recent hoax claims. The article mentions a report in 'The Times' suggesting human creation of a formation for an entry fee, which the CCCS refuted.

Major Developments in Crop Circle Research 1990 by G.T. Meaden (CERES)

This article, reprinted from the Journal of Meteorology, discusses the theoretical implications of the 1990 crop circle season. G.T. Meaden of CERES (Circles Effect Research Group) presents findings on natural atmospheric origins, particularly vortex-line systems. The variety of formations in 1990, including the complex Alton Barnes circles, provided insights into the dynamics of vortex impacts with the ground. The article highlights the 'radially inward suction' circle found at Braishford, Hampshire, as a significant example of vortical spin-up. It also discusses Dr. Tokio Kikuchi's computer simulations of spiral vortex impacts, which revealed the appearance of counter-rotating rings.

The research also explored alignments of crop circles with tractor lines, suggesting a connection to electrical field anomalies caused by farm machinery. The concept of 'strange attractors' is introduced to explain the emergence of order in complex systems. The article posits that factors like soil compaction, altered sub-surface water flow, and increased solar activity (sunspot cycle) may contribute to these phenomena. It notes that modern agricultural practices, such as uniform seed production and the use of heavy machinery, make it easier to detect smaller circles and rings.

The article contrasts modern complex circles with simpler ones dating back to the agricultural era, suggesting that the former are a recent development linked to farm machinery and specific soil conditions. It also touches upon large-scale electrical currents observed in Australia and their potential relevance to crop circle effects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation into the nature and origin of crop circles. The CCCS maintains a strong stance favoring natural atmospheric explanations over hoax theories, while acknowledging the existence of hoaxes. The magazine emphasizes the scientific approach to research, the documentation of events, and the analysis of complex patterns. There is a clear editorial commitment to presenting detailed research findings and fostering discussion within the crop circle community. The magazine also highlights the importance of eyewitness accounts and the challenges of communicating findings through the media. The issue underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of crop circle research, with new formations and theories constantly emerging.

Title: The Circular
Issue: Volume 2, Number 3
Date: August 1991

This issue of The Circular, published by CCCS, delves into various aspects of the crop circle phenomenon, scientific inquiry, and paranormal research. It features articles exploring potential causes, witness accounts, and the broader implications of these events.

Potential Causes and Scientific Investigations

The issue begins by addressing the complexity of crop circle systems, suggesting that their appearance might be linked to the eleven-year sunspot cycle. George Nehls notes a potential correlation between power breakdowns and increased atmospheric ionization, while Professor Hiroshi Kikuchi's theoretical work on EHD vortices in the atmosphere is mentioned. The peak in crop circle activity is speculated to coincide with the sunspot cycle maximum around 1990-1991.

Professor Christopher Church has modeled the Cheesefoot Hill region using a wind-tunnel to demonstrate windflows, and Dr. Tokio Kikuchi has used computer simulations to prove that plasma vortices can create circles with outer rings. Sheldon Wernikoff has photographed quintuplet circles, and Professor Y. H. Ohtsuki's experiments show that plasma vortices impacting a charged plate produce circles with concentric rings. The article suggests that the complexity of these formations may be increasing.

Historical and Cultural Context

The chalk hills of Wessex are highlighted as a significant location for the crop circle phenomenon, drawing parallels to ancient sites like stone rings and round-barrows. The author's study into this phenomenon, initiated in 1980, is presented in two books: 'The Goddess of the Stones' and 'Circles from the Sky'. The work aims to establish that the circles effect has always occurred and will continue as long as suitable vegetation and witnesses are present.

CCCS Research and Panel Reports

The CCCS Research Panelists are reported to be overwhelmed with work, leading to brief reports. Leonie Starr provides an update on the Non-Conventional Hypotheses Panel, noting the vast diversity of ideas and findings it receives. The panel categorizes information and dispatches it to relevant individuals or other panels. The process aims to be open and to avoid subjective filtering, with a focus on evaluating correspondence from those most open to new ideas.

Dr. Roger Taylor, from the Physical Phenomena panel, reports on his field investigations. While most instruments have yielded no significant signals, he has detected unusual sounds on an untuned UHF radio, described as a harsh buzz and a regular unmusical bleep, which he suspects might be man-made radar signals. He is appealing for recordings of such sounds.

Personal Accounts and Interpretations

Close Encounters - With Circular Readers

Several letters from readers offer diverse perspectives. One reader questions Jon Erik Beckjord's Tifinag translations of crop circle 'pictograms', arguing that his interpretations are subjective and lack linguistic rigor. The reader points out inconsistencies in Beckjord's decoding, particularly regarding the letter 'L' and the representation of circles and bars in Tifinag.

Another reader, Denis Stacy, also expresses reservations about Beckjord's Tifinag interpretations, particularly the translation of 'Orm' and 'R-D' as 'evil'. Stacy suggests alternative meanings based on English and Latin roots, proposing that 'dire' means 'fraught' or 'desperate' and 'road' or 'roadstead' refers to an open way or a sheltered anchorage.

George Staverton comments on the 'Paradigms' article by Jenny Randles, criticizing her perceived bias against theories involving alien visitors and her dismissal of alternative explanations as 'lunatic fringe' ideas. Staverton argues that Randles' approach is too rigid and detrimental to understanding crop circles.

Neil S. Rushton writes to express his appreciation for the magazine and to critique what he perceives as a 'bloody-minded' attitude among some researchers who rigidly adhere to scientific explanations and dismiss anything paranormal as 'artificial mythology'. He encourages open-mindedness and a willingness to consider diverse theories.

Craters

Peter Boughan recounts the 1963 Charlton crater incident, where a farmer discovered an eight-foot diameter crater with a central hole and radiating slot-marks. The Army Bomb Disposal Squad investigated but found no conclusive evidence, suggesting it might be a meteorite, though a local policeman reported seeing an orange object. Waveney Girvan considered it a mystery. The article also mentions similar mysterious holes and craters reported in other locations in the British Isles, including Flamborough Head, Dufton Fell, and Bristol, with no satisfactory explanations found.

Dowsing at Alton Barnes 1990

Keith Paull shares an experience connected with the Alton Barnes pictogram. As a dowser, he found strong dowsable signals at the center of each circle and around its perimeter, indicating the original shape. He also detected a narrow line along the center of the group. Paull suggests a link between crop circles and Bronze Age round barrows, proposing that the barrows might mark sites of similar phenomena from that era. He also shares a dowsed passage from the Bible (2 Chronicles 7:13-14) which he believes conveys a message about humility and seeking divine forgiveness.

CCCS Information and Activities

CCCS Branches: Information is provided on various CCCS branches across the UK, including their convenors and contact details. These branches serve as focal points for members to meet, exchange views, and engage in activities related to crop circle research.

CCCS Winter Workshops: Michael Green will be leading regional workshops to discuss the crop circle phenomenon. These meetings will include a review of local crop formations and have a charge of £10 per person.

Donations and Raffle: The CCCS thanks donors for their contributions and announces the winners of a raffle, including a flight over the 1991 crop circles.

CCCS Information: The section provides hotlines for reporting crop circle events and encourages the submission of newspaper cuttings. It also outlines proposed changes to membership subscriptions for 1992-93, with potential new rates for individual and family memberships. Information is also given on elections to the CCCS Council for 1992-93, with details on nomination procedures.

Publications and Events

Crop Circles - Harbingers of World Change: A new publication from Gateway Books is advertised, edited by Alick Bartholomew. It reports on the 1991 crop circle phenomenon and covers various ideas, including world ecological breakdown, shamanic interpretations, and sociological changes. The book is available in hardback and features numerous photographs and drawings.

Subliminal Clues: A letter from Keith Paull discusses a dowsed biblical passage that he believes conveys a message related to the crop circle phenomenon. He suggests that the passage implies a need for repentance and healing, potentially linked to environmental or societal issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the need for open-minded research into crop circles, encouraging the exploration of both scientific and unconventional hypotheses. There is a clear stance against rigid adherence to established scientific paradigms that dismiss phenomena without thorough investigation. The CCCS appears to foster a community where diverse viewpoints are welcomed, and members are encouraged to contribute to the collective understanding of these enigmatic events. The editorial tone is generally inquisitive and supportive of ongoing research, while also acknowledging the challenges of managing information and maintaining relationships with landowners.

Title: The Circular
Issue: Volume 2, Number 3
Date: July/August edition (1991)
Publisher: Bob Kingsley and John Brocks
Country: UK
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The Circular magazine focuses heavily on crop circles, exploring various theories, book reviews, and related phenomena. It features information on CCCS (Centre for Crop Circle Studies) tapes and merchandise, alongside in-depth reviews of books concerning crop circles and ancient mysteries.

CCCS Tapes and T-Shirts

The issue highlights the afternoon session of the CCCS AGM, featuring a talk by Rupert Sheldrake on 'Living Nature and the Crop Circles'. This talk is described as a potential turning point in understanding crop circles and the relationship between scientific and metaphysical insight. The CCCS has made an audio-cassette recording of this and other lectures available for purchase through Specialist Knowledge Services in Frome, Somerset. Additionally, the Centre for Crop Circle Studies is selling T-shirts featuring the Barbury Castle formation and the CCCS logo.

Book Reviews

Science of the Gods

Dave Probert reviews 'Science of the Gods' by David Ash and Peter Hewitt. The book explores the idea that matter, including atomic nuclei and electrons, might be formed by vortices of energy. It delves into concepts of 'super energy' vortices, UFOs, supernatural occurrences, and the power of the mind. The review notes the book's broad scope, touching on spirits of nature, the shortcomings of evolutionary theory, and the potential role of DNA as a receiver of electromagnetic frequencies. The authors, David Ash and Peter Hewitt, have backgrounds in physics, science, computer industry, marketing, and journalism.

The Goddess of the Stones

Kevin McClure reviews 'The Goddess of the Stones: The Language of the Megaliths' by George Terence Meaden, with a foreword by Dr. Marija Gimbutas. Meaden, a meteorologist interested in archaeology, proposes a hypothesis linking crop circles, henges, and barrows to Neolithic and Bronze Age peoples. He suggests that plasma vortices, visible or invisible whirlwinds, might have inspired ancient beliefs about gods and the 'Goddess'. The book examines carvings on monuments and the potential sacredness of crop circle sites for worship and burial. The reviewer notes that while Meaden's approach is methodical, his discussion of Neolithic myth might resemble speculation. He also points out perceived gaps in Meaden's hypothesis, such as the lack of explanation for recent pictograms and the absence of standing stones at many crop circle locations.

Circles from the Sky

James Chapman reviews 'Circles from the Sky', edited by Terence Meaden, which comprises proceedings from the first international conference on the circles effect. The book includes eyewitness accounts, theoretical and experimental results, and discussions on the 1990 circles season. Chapman is critical of Meaden's explanations for features like dumbbell shapes and rectangular 'boxes', finding them overly complex and unconvincing. He notes Meaden's tendency to label researchers who don't support his plasma vortex theory as 'non-scientific' or 'paranormal-flavoured'. The review acknowledges the book's value in presenting diagrams of circle complexes and Meaden's account of 1990 events but argues it rehashes an old, disproven explanation.

Magazines

The Crop Watcher

Issue number 6 (July/August edition) of 'The Crop Watcher', edited by Paul Fuller, is highlighted. It supports the meteorological hypothesis, including a part by David Reynolds on atmospheric vortices forming crop circles, and articles on hoaxes. Subscription details are provided.

The Cerealogist

The summer edition (No 4) of 'The Cerealogist' is praised for its photos and articles, including John Michell's analysis of the Barbury Castle event. It is noted that the magazine missed the Mandelbrot Event, which 'The Circular' covered. Subscription information is given, with a note that direct subscription through CCCS is no longer possible.

The Wild Places

Kevin McClure edits 'The Wild Places', a journal of strange and dangerous beliefs. Issue 2 is mentioned, featuring articles on UFO contact cases, Spiritualism/Channelling, and a piece by Jenny Randles on 'Circular Logic', explaining BUFORA's involvement in circles investigation and why meteorologists don't engage in crop watches.

Newsletters

Several newsletters are mentioned:

• Circles Phenomenon Research (CPR) Newsletter: Produced by Pat Delgado and Colin Andrews. Details are scarce, but issue No. 3 (April 1991) is noted.
• UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE: Compiled by Lucius Farish, it combines UFO news from American and international newspapers, with crop circles also featured.
• Orbiter: Edited by Jim Melesciuc, this magazine analyzes UFO sightings. The May/June issue included content on Gulf Breeze and historic cases.
• Just Cause: Published by Lawrence Fawcett, it deals with alleged US government cover-ups of UFO-related incidents.
• Folklore Frontiers: A home-grown, non-profit magazine by Paul Screeton focusing on contemporary legends and urban belief tales.

A Natural Engagement - Phil Corker

Phil Corker, a writer who previously argued for natural explanations for crop circles, is featured. He emphasizes that while he doesn't belong to the CCCS, his enthusiasm was a reason for establishing 'The Circular' as a forum for discussion. Corker discusses Jenny Randles' advocacy for 'massive PK' (psycho-kinesis) as a cause for pictograms, linking it to Rupert Sheldrake's hypothesis of morphic resonance and subtle links between the human mind and the environment. Corker believes that human intelligence, rather than non-human intelligence, might be involved in the circle phenomenon, suggesting that our minds can affect the physical world.

He references Dr. Meaden's article in 'The Crop Circle Enigma' about luminous vortices potentially explaining religious visions, such as those at Fatima. Corker recounts the Fatima event of October 13th, 1917, where a rotating silver disc was witnessed by thousands, including journalists and distant observers, experiencing physical effects. He posits that this event, occurring six months after initial visions, could be seen as a 'luminous vortex' made-to-order, demonstrating the power of human expectation.

Corker suggests that crop circles might be expressions of our hidden lives, hopes, anxieties, and concerns, and that while they may have originated independently of human influence, they are now inextricably associated with the attention they receive. He questions how random thoughts could form discrete shapes and proposes that our influence might act as an impetus to a self-organising process.

Discussion on Pictograms and Meaden's Theory

An anonymous writer notes the shift from simple circles to pictograms, questioning how this aligns with Meaden's vortex principle. They argue that if pictograms are not new, as Meaden suggests, then his theory that ancient stone circles were built on crop circle sites is flawed, as it doesn't explain why stone circles don't feature pictogram shapes. The writer accepts that simple circles and ringed circles may have appeared thousands of years ago, but believes pictograms are a more recent development.

The writer discusses the Barbury Castle formation, calling it a 'masterpiece of landscape art' and noting its complexity. They also reflect on the relative sparsity of crop circle events in a poor summer, suggesting climate plays a role, but acknowledge that new patterns and features have emerged. The writer proposes that a combination theory, incorporating climate, geology, landscapes, and an unknown 'X' factor, might lead to a solution.

Winter Programme of Lectures

Details are provided for a winter lecture series hosted by the CCCS at Kensington Central Library, London, featuring speakers like George Wingfield, Patrick Palgrave-Moore, Montague Keen, and Leonie Starr, covering topics from the year's events to classification systems and research into non-conventional hypotheses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'The Circular' maintains its stance as a forum for open discussion, presenting a wide range of viewpoints on the crop circle phenomenon. It critically examines various theories, particularly George Terence Meaden's plasma vortex theory, while also exploring natural explanations, the role of human consciousness, and the possibility of hoaxes. The magazine encourages readers to engage with the mystery and form their own opinions, as evidenced by the book reviews and the editorial notes about readers submitting their own reviews. There's a clear emphasis on presenting diverse perspectives, even when critiquing specific hypotheses or authors.