The Circular - 1995 No 20

Magazine Overview

Title: THE CIRCULAR
Issue: 20
Volume: 5:4
Date: Spring 1995
Publisher: The Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS)
Price: £2.50

This issue of The Circular, the quarterly magazine of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies, focuses on crop circle research, dowsing, and the potential effects of these phenomena on humans. It features articles by various researchers and members of the CCCS, offering updates on ongoing projects and discussions on the nature of crop circles.

Editorial and Updates

Barbara Davies, the outgoing editor, expresses a need for rest and announces that John Sayer will be taking over the editorship. She highlights her interest in Wolfgang Schindler's 'Dragon' insights and Peter Mearns' dowsing work. She also thanks Nancy Hill for layout assistance and Claire Upton and Steve Jones for typing.

Michael Green, re-elected Chairman, provides an upbeat report at the CCCS AGM, acknowledging Barbara Davies's work and taking over the hotline and data-collating. He mentions the success of the 1995 Calendar and plans for another, as well as a set of postcards.

Updates on CCCS activities include the new hotline number, the archiving of reports by John Sayer, and the ongoing work of the computer database managed by Paul Vigay. Jim Lyons is preparing an updated 'fieldguide' for Convenors, outlining a systematic approach to data-gathering including dowsing, photography, and testing. The 'Hit Squads' are established for in-depth surveys.

Aviation costs for surveying formations from the air are covered by a budget, with requests needing to go through Treasurer Richard Smith.

Project Sky is being organized by Karen Douglas with specific dates in June and July. CCCS plans to produce another calendar and possibly postcards. The CCCS Council has seen some changes, with members stepping down and new ones joining.

Research Articles and Reports

Serpents and Dragons: Wolfgang Schindler's research, continued from the previous issue, explores a sequence of patterns that provide clues for understanding crop circle formations.

Energy Lines & Dowsing: Peter Mearns and Michael Newark suggest predictions based on energy lines and dowsing.

Carpet-circles & other Truly Strange Things: John Sayer describes carpet-circles and other unusual formations.

Bottles and Brainwaves: Lucy Pringle reports on progress in her research, which includes experiments with water in bottles placed in formations, and Anne Silk discusses human reactions to these phenomena.

The Sequence and How I Found It (Dragontext Part 1): Wolfgang Schindler details his method of sequencing crop circle formations based on shape and chronological appearance, identifying a 'dragontext' pattern.

Dowsing Crop Circles Part 2: Peter Mearns continues his discussion on dowsing crop circles, building on the previous issue's content.

Crop Circles, Carpets, Clues, Coincidences & Common Sense: John Sayer offers his perspective on crop circles, linking various elements and observations.

Ray's Column: Ray Cox contributes his regular column, illustrated by Barbara Davies.

Humans in Black: Chris Kenworthy presents an article, possibly related to UFO sightings or encounters.

Offending the Spirits: Simon Burton discusses the concept of respecting sacred space within crop formations.

Predicting crop lay: Michael Newark explores methods for predicting how crop stems will lay in formations.

Let's Keep it positive: Chad Deetken offers an encouraging perspective.

Simple Circles: Bob Boyd discusses simple circular crop formations.

Review: The Warminster triangle: Ray Cox reviews a topic related to the Warminster phenomenon.

Poem: Steve Jones contributes a poem.

Anomalous Effects Report Form: A form is provided for reporting non-human effects observed in crop circles.

The Memory of Water: Lucy Pringle details her ongoing research into whether water stored in bottles within crop formations exhibits measurable differences compared to control samples. She describes the procedure, the challenges of retrieval, and the dowsing experiments conducted. The project aims to test if water possesses 'homeopathic properties' and has involved Dr. Julian Kenyon for testing using laser beam analysis, though technical difficulties have delayed results.

Signature of Water: This section discusses the potential for water to hold information, referencing Dr. Justa Smith's work and the proposed testing of water samples using laser beam and electronic signature analysis. Despite initial technical hurdles, there is hope for future testing.

Wavelengths of Water: Lucy Pringle has enlisted Dr. Cyril Smith to blind-test water samples. Preliminary results suggest measurable differences between water from formations and control samples, using a radiesthesia technique.

ESR & EEG tests continued: Peter Staples and Isobel Maxwell-Cade continued their tests on crop circle sites, monitoring Electrical Skin Resistance (ESR) and brain rhythms (EEG). The results of the 1994 tests are to be published in the next issue.

A matter of taste: This section explores the subjective experience of a metallic or cloying taste reported by visitors to crop formations, suggesting it might be a 'litmus test' for genuine formations.

Health care for croppies: Advice is given to monitor general health when visiting crop formations, with suggestions for dietary practices and health tests. Anne Silk and Lucy Pringle discuss the potential effects of magnetic fields on blood cells and recommend antioxidant supplements to combat free radicals.

EM fields and the mind: Anne C Silk discusses the correlation between exposure to unusual ambient electromagnetic fields and atypical systemic effects reported by crop circle visitors, including visual, auditory, and mental effects.

Ecstasy and panic: Silk analyzes documented effects, noting parallels with exposure to electromagnetic fields and their impact on brain chemistry and neurotransmitters.

EM Hot-spots: The concept of 'Radio Frequency Hot Spots' is explained, where local electric and magnetic field strengths are significantly elevated, potentially triggered by seismic sources or communication transmitters.

Subtle energies - strange effects: The article notes that both adverse and beneficial effects are found in crop formations, and that magnetic fields can trigger brain cell discharges, leading to temporary paralysis.

Patterns of chaos: The 'Single Stalk phenomenon' is described as indicative of intense, short-duration vortices produced by the intermodulation of seismic and man-made energy, leading to turbulence.

WANTED: specialists: The article calls for specialists with expertise in EM analysis, seismic detection, and plant pathology to contribute to the study of crop circle phenomena.

The Sequence and How I Found It (Dragontext Part 1): Wolfgang Schindler details his research into sequencing crop formations, identifying a pattern he calls 'Dragontext'. He explains how he linked formations chronologically and by shape, creating a sequence of 27 to 33 different formations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of crop circles, moving beyond simple observation to detailed analysis and hypothesis testing. There is a strong emphasis on empirical evidence and the application of scientific methods, including dowsing, electromagnetic field measurement, and biological analysis. The journal also addresses the subjective and potentially psychological effects on humans, while maintaining a rational and investigative stance, aiming to distinguish genuine phenomena from hoaxes. The editorial stance encourages rigorous research and a willingness to explore unconventional ideas within a scientific framework, with a clear objective to understand the phenomenon objectively.

This issue of "The Circular" (Volume 5, Number 4, dated 1994) features a collection of articles and short pieces exploring the phenomenon of crop circles, dowsing, earth energies, and related paranormal topics. The content is primarily focused on investigations and personal experiences within the field, with contributions from Peter Mearns, John Sayer, Ray Cox, Simon Burton, and Michael Newark.

Key Articles and Themes

Peter Mearns: Dowsing Crop Circles - A Brief Summary (Part 2)

Mearns continues his detailed exploration of dowsing crop circle sites, focusing on the identification and mapping of various energy fields and lines. He describes his investigations in the Avebury area, identifying 'Earth fields', 'Neutral fields', and 'Positive fields' around the Michael Line, as well as 'bands of contraflow'. He also details findings at Barbury Castle, including 'The Hollow' and 'The Bowl Barrow', noting specific field configurations and line directions. Mearns discusses the 'Caduceus line' and its composition, as well as findings at East Field and Hallam. He introduces the concept of 'Ladders of stone' found in the Avebury stone avenue and discusses 'moving lines' and 'loops' in relation to crop formations, suggesting that the complexity of a formation is less important than the abstract idea in its pattern.

John Sayer: Crop Circles, Carpets, Clues, Coincidences and Common Sense

Sayer recounts his personal journey into crop circle investigation, starting with a mysterious experience in 1990 where he found three circular depressions in his carpet that mirrored crop circle formations. This led him to explore the phenomenon further, attending talks and joining the CCCS. He discusses the 'four dots on a dice' formation as a significant clue and the idea of 'intelligent control' behind crop circles. Sayer shares his experiences of dowsing and the development of his understanding, emphasizing the importance of communication and interaction with the phenomenon. He also details his experiences with crop circles in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, including a significant 'Teapot' formation and a personal encounter with a 'circle noise' and a spontaneous circle formation.

Ray Cox: Ray's Column

Cox addresses the polarized views on crop circles, contrasting the positive reception from those attuned to the paranormal with the skeptical stance of scientists. He discusses the idea that crop circles, like ancient sites, possess an energy and can induce wonder. Cox also touches upon the legal implications of crop circles, particularly the Criminal Justice Act and the concept of 'trespass', and how this might affect gatherings related to crop circles. He advocates for a positive approach, focusing on the phenomenon itself rather than solely on debunking or negative speculation.

Simon Burton: Offending the Spirits?

Burton draws parallels between John Holman's account of events at West Kennet Long Barrow and Laurens Van Der Post's book 'The Lost World of the Kalahari'. He highlights the theme of entering 'sacred space' without asking permission and the subsequent mishaps or punishments that follow, suggesting that an apology and respect for the place are crucial.

Michael Newark: Predicting Direction of Crop Lay

Newark presents a theory on how the 'crop lay' (the direction of the crop's fall) in a circle is dictated by its Earth Energy force. He outlines how formations with different energy force directions result in clockwise, anticlockwise, or radial crop lays. He also notes that dominant ley lines can influence the lay in formations connected by them. Newark also observes a shift in 1994 where 'hoaxed' patterns were later replicated with genuine patterns.

Chad Deetkin: Let's Keep It Positive

Deetkin appeals for a more positive and less ego-driven approach to discussing crop circle authenticity, urging readers to avoid negative statements based on personal opinion or ignorance.

Bob Boyd: The Simple Circle

Boyd suggests that the essence of the crop circle mystery lies in the smallest, most perfect circles, rather than in complex formations. He posits that these circles are created with a purpose and that the appearance of lights at circles might be a next step in the phenomenon. He also includes a poem titled 'Circles of Time'.

Other Short Pieces and Reviews

• Humans in Black (Chris Kenworthy): Kenworthy discusses the idea of contacting 'Circlemakers' and attracting crop circles, viewing it as a form of communication and interaction with earth energies.
• The Warminster Triangle (Review by Ray Cox): A review of Ken Rogers' book, which focuses on UFO sightings and paranormal events in the Warminster area during the late 1960s and 70s.
• Cornish barley circle (Hatt 1994 George Bishop): A brief mention of a specific crop circle.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of crop circles as a genuine phenomenon, the exploration of earth energies and dowsing as tools for understanding them, and the philosophical implications of interacting with the unexplained. There is a consistent emphasis on personal experience, observation, and a call for open-mindedness, while also acknowledging the role of skepticism when supported by evidence. The magazine appears to advocate for a respectful and interactive approach to crop circles, viewing them as a form of communication or a manifestation of unknown forces.

Title: The Circular
Issue: Volume 5, Number 4
Date: 1995
Publisher: Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Anomalous Effects Report Form

Page 21 features an 'Anomalous Effects Report Form' from the Centre for Crop Circle Studies. This form is designed for the public to report anomalous occurrences that are not related to physiological or psychological health effects. It requests details such as the reporter's name and address, the nature of the anomaly (photographic, heat, light, sound, aerial, animal behaviour, equipment malfunctioning), the date and duration of occurrence, location, and details of the nearest crop formation and its discovery date. It also provides space for detailed descriptions and encourages the attachment of drawings or photographs. The form is to be returned to Pat Palgrave-Moore at the Anomalous Effects department in Norwich, with contact phone and fax numbers provided.

CCCS Council 1995-1996

Page 22 lists the members of the CCCS Council for the 1995-1996 period. Professor Archie E. Roy is the President, based in Glasgow. John Haddington serves as Patron. Michael Green is the Chairman and also handles the Hotline. Barbara Davies is the Circular Editor. Other council members include John Holman, Ron Jones, Jim Lyons (Scientific Research Officer), Pat Palgrave-Moore (Secretary, Membership, Anomalous Effects), Lucy Pringle (Vice-Chairman, Human/Animal Effects), John Sayer (Assistant Secretary, Archives, Circular Assistant Editor), Richard Smith (Treasurer, Branch Liaison), Busty Taylor (Conferences), Paul Vigay (Computer Database), and George Wingfield. Contact details, including addresses and telephone numbers, are provided for most members.

Convenors

The same page also lists the CCCS Convenors for various regions across the United Kingdom, including Avon, Berkshire, Cambridgeshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, East Midlands, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, West Midlands, and Yorkshire. Contact information is provided for each regional convenor.

Glastonbury Symposium

Page 3 announces the 'Glastonbury Symposium: Investigating Crop Circles and Signs of Our Times', to be held at the Assembly Rooms Glastonbury on August 4th, 5th, and 6th. The event promises a programme of illustrated presentations, updates, debates, videos, musical entertainment, and a coach tour. Featured speakers include Colin Andrews, Hamish Miller, Graham Birdsall, Stanley Messenger, Michael Glickman, Michael Green, Anne Arnold-Silk, Michael Hesemann, John Martineau, Busty Taylor, Paul Bura, Paul Vigay, Andy Thomas, Palden Jenkins, David Kingston, Roland Pargeter, and special guest Geoff Boltwood. Music will be provided by the Avalonian Free State Choir. Ticket prices are £50.00 for the full weekend and £25.00 for a single day, with concessions available. Advanced booking and enquiries can be directed to Roland Pargeter.

CCCS International Conference 1995

Page 4 details the 'C.C.C.S. International Conference 1995: The Scientific Breakthrough'. This two-day conference, held on July 22nd and 23rd, 1995, at The Cricklade Theatre, Andover, Hants., was divided into two main sessions: 'The Scientific Evidence' (Day 1, £25) and 'The Metaphysical Evidence' (Day 2, £25). Contributions for the scientific evidence session came from Jim Lyons, Nancy Talbot, Lucy Pringle, and Barry Reynolds, focusing on formations and phenomena. The metaphysical evidence session featured contributions from Prof. Gerald Hawkins, ilyes, Michael Green, and John Haddington. Videos from Busty Taylor and Andy Thomas on 'Crop Circles in 1994' were also presented. The two-day ticket cost £40.00, with a 10% discount for CCCS members. Booking and details were handled by Carol Darcy Cochrane in London.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently focuses on the activities and organization of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies, highlighting its commitment to investigating crop circles and related anomalous phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of active research, information gathering (through the report form), and dissemination of findings through conferences, symposia, and its publication, 'The Circular'. The emphasis on both 'Scientific' and 'Metaphysical' evidence suggests an open-minded approach to the subject matter.