The Circular - 1996 No 24

Magazine Overview

'The Circular' Issue 24, published in Spring 1996, is the quarterly journal of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS). Priced at £2.75, it is free to members. The issue features a complex geometric diagram on its cover, hinting at the analytical and esoteric content within.

Editorial and Membership Updates

The editorial section addresses two key changes regarding CCCS membership. Firstly, membership renewal dates have been standardized to align with publication dates, ensuring members receive all four issues within their subscription year. This adjustment may result in some members receiving an extra issue as a one-off benefit. Secondly, new membership cards are being issued, featuring a coding prefix that clearly indicates the last issue a member will receive and their renewal date. Members are encouraged to check their mailing labels for accuracy.

The editorial also touches upon negative press from other crop circle journals, which the editor views as detrimental to the CCCS and potentially driven by commercial competition. The editor asserts that the CCCS has not paid for the editorial and has no commercial products being promoted.

A new hotline number, 01962-862707, is provided. The CCCS no longer accepts credit card payments, requiring all payments to be made via Sterling cheque, postal order, or bank draft.

Featured Articles and Content

Beltershausen: A Geometrical Surprise

This article by John Sayer details a crop circle formation discovered in Beltershausen, Germany, in June 1995. The formation, in a wheat field, featured a central circle, a standing ring, a flattened ring, and tramlines. Sayer's analysis highlights the geometrical relationships within the formation, particularly how points of intersection of geometric shapes (like triangles and squares) coincide with the tramlines, suggesting a deliberate design incorporating geometrical principles.

Spiritual Space: A Study of the Talas

Keith Wakelam explores the concept of 'Talas' from the Vedantic tradition, describing them as seven states of consciousness. Each Tala is associated with different sensory perceptions and corresponds to various spiritual hierarchies. The article explains Atala (no place), Vitala (better place), Sutala (good place), Karatala (tangible matter), Rasatala (place of taste), Mahatala (great place), and Patala (underfoot/fountain). It discusses how these states relate to consciousness, from the elementary to the Egoic, and touches upon the incarnation of Avatars from the Sutala state.

The article also connects these concepts to ancient world evidence, such as the construction of temples and shrines on specific sites, suggesting the presence of powerful Devas. It mentions the potential for energy lines and the influence of Dowsers. The author speculates on the connection between ancient 'sidereal weapons' and modern phenomena, and the possibility of elementals inhabiting crystals and emitting harmful rays.

Anomalous Photographic Images: Observations and Conclusions

Brian P. James presents his research into Anomalous Photographic Images (APIs), which are unexplained phenomena captured on film, often at night. Initially skeptical, James's research took a turn after capturing a sequence of photos on February 4th, 1995, which revealed anomalous objects, including a flat-topped disc. He discusses the possibility of these being lens flares or mundane causes like dust and moisture, but also considers other explanations, including 'Tesla Globes' and the influence of elementals or Devas.

James describes his attempts to reproduce these images using various cameras and conditions, including rain and snowfall. He recounts an experience at the Blewburton hillfort where he heard strange trilling noises and experienced unusual phenomena, including a bright flash and sonic boom. He speculates on the role of 'Devic' energy and the potential for these phenomena to affect human consciousness.

Other Articles and Sections

• Australian Crop Rings: A report on a claimed mystical appearance of a face on granite in Beverley, Australia, linked to an Aboriginal prediction and crop rings.
• Canadian UFO/Circles Connection?: A brief mention of a potential link between UFOs and crop circles in Canada.
• Reviews: Peter Sorenson and Simon Burton provide reviews of relevant books or materials.
• Readers' Letters: A section dedicated to correspondence from readers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of the physical and the esoteric, with a focus on crop circles as a phenomenon that may hold deeper geometrical, spiritual, or even extraterrestrial significance. The CCCS positions itself as a research organization dedicated to understanding these phenomena, while also navigating the challenges of public perception and inter-journal competition. The magazine emphasizes detailed analysis, from geometrical measurements of crop circles to the exploration of ancient spiritual traditions and the investigation of unexplained photographic evidence. There is a recurring theme of seeking rational explanations while remaining open to more profound and unusual possibilities.

The Circular, Spring 1996 (Issue 24)

This issue of The Circular magazine, published in Spring 1996, delves into the complex relationship between UFO sightings and crop circle phenomena, alongside regional reports and organizational discussions.

Photography and Anomalous Images

The issue begins with an exploration of photographic techniques for capturing anomalous images, particularly at night. The author discusses the use of flash photography and the potential for simple explanations like dust or insects reflecting light. However, the article also acknowledges more complex cases, such as 'luminous spirals' and personal photographs that defy easy explanation. The author stresses the importance of meticulous recording of camera settings and lens characteristics, as different cameras can produce unique distortions. The speed of these anomalous events, often captured at shutter speeds of approximately 1/100th of a second, is highlighted as a key factor.

Agassiz Crop Formation

This section details a crop formation discovered on September 14th, 1995, in Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada. The formation consisted of a central circle surrounded by a ring in a corn field. The farmers, Charlie and Leona Wynia, reported the ring appeared three days after the circle and initially suspected local kids due to footprints. The formation received attention from local newspapers, but the site was ploughed before it could be thoroughly investigated. While no other unusual phenomena were reported at the time, there was an increase in UFO reports in the Vancouver/Fraser Valley area.

The Stratford Pitch Shifter

Antony Harding investigates the Stratford-Upon-Avon crop formation, known as the 'Eye', discovered on July 10th, 1995. The formation was located opposite Long Marston Airfield, near where the 'Phoenix Festival' was to be held. Harding notes the formation's immaculate condition and a hidden, offset centre. He later discovered that the band 'Pitch Shifter', whose logo is a stylized 'Eye', was performing at the festival. Harding proposes a theory that the formation was created by fans of Pitch Shifter, possibly influenced by their music, as a tribute. The article also lists other bands and artists with connections to crop circles or UFOs, suggesting a growing influence of these phenomena on the modern music scene.

Canadian UFO/Circles Connection?

James Nicholls reports on a UFO sighting from February 1976, concerning an incident on July 20th, 1971, near Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. A farmer's wife witnessed five large red lights rotating around a dark object, which then separated and disappeared. The incident occurred during a period of numerous UFO sightings and power blackouts in the region. The following day, the farmer discovered circular ground markings, described as an 11-foot diameter circle with crops crushed and burned in the center, and another similar circle nearby. This is linked to a previous report of 'whirlpool patterns in oats' in Quebec in 1981.

Branches' News Roundup

This section provides updates from various CCCS branches. It acknowledges contributions from convenors and discusses the importance of local news for the organization's archives. Reports are included from Wiltshire, Lancashire, Berkshire, Utah, Maryland, and Canada. The Essex convenor, Peter Henden, reports on wheat samples sent to Michael Newark from a major formation near Colchester. The East Midlands, under Tony Caldicott, details three formations found in July 1995, including measurements and characteristics. Oregon, with Carol Pedersen, reports on a small circle in Lebanon with unusual crop damage and paranormal activity. The West Midlands, led by Ray Cox, discusses the Stratford 'Eye' formation and its energy patterns, as well as other formations in Shropshire and Warwickshire.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters address the internal workings and direction of the CCCS. One letter expresses concern about separatist elements within the organization weakening its collective input and research capabilities. Another letter defends the work of CCCS members in field research and data collection, emphasizing the importance of a singular forum for discussion and information dissemination. A letter from Georgia Pearson discusses the translation and interpretation of Latin inscriptions found in crop circles. Professor G. Hawkins offers a perspective on ley line structures and their potential connection to crop circles, predicting an increase in formations for the coming summer. A letter from Jeff King praises the CCCS's professionalism and its role as an information hub, while also highlighting the importance of interactive communication.

Book Reviews

Two book reviews are featured:

• A Book of Coincidence by John Martineau: Peter R. Sorensen reviews this book, which explores sacred geometry and its connection to crop circles. Sorensen highlights Martineau's computer program for analyzing formation dimensions and finding hidden geometric relationships, suggesting that this work provides evidence of a 'Divine' influence in crop circles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the interconnectedness of UFO phenomena and crop circles, exploring potential explanations ranging from natural phenomena to extraterrestrial or human agency. Photography is presented as a vital tool for documentation, with a call for meticulous recording of details. The importance of collective research and information sharing within organizations like the CCCS is a recurring theme, alongside discussions about the challenges and methodologies of studying these complex phenomena. The magazine advocates for an open mind, encouraging readers to engage with the subject matter and contribute to the collective understanding of crop circles and related mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of investigation and open inquiry, acknowledging both simple explanations and the possibility of profound, unexplained events.

This issue of The Circular, dated Spring 1996, is the 24th edition of Volume 4. It delves into the complex and often mysterious world of crop circles, exploring their potential origins, meanings, and connections to broader themes of cosmic order, extraterrestrial intelligence, and ancient knowledge. The magazine features a mix of book reviews, theoretical articles, and detailed accounts of specific events, all contributing to a multifaceted exploration of these enigmatic phenomena.

A Book of Coincidence

The issue opens with an enthusiastic review of 'A Book of Coincidence' by John, published by Gateway Books. The reviewer praises the book for its "astonishing new, clear, view of the Architecture of Creation" and its implication of a Supreme Architect. The book reportedly details over a hundred hidden geometric harmonies in the Solar System, many mirroring crop circle patterns, with precise measurements (99.8% to 99.9% accuracy) that refute claims of random chance. The reviewer highlights John's discovery that Kepler's intuition about planetary orbits was correct, using modern data. The book is described as a "delight for the eyes, a thrill for the spirit, and 'Eureka' for the intellect."

Foreword author John Michell is quoted as saying that calling the book 'A Book of Coincidence' "avoids the question of meaning," but that the accumulation of examples suggests "the influence of some organizing principle." Martineau, in his introduction, notes that scientists dismiss such findings as coincidence, subtly hinting at a guiding principle. Michell further suggests that these discoveries illuminate a "different, older, more traditional view of things, in which the existence of a harmonious world-order is accepted as a fact of nature, explicable only in terms of myth."

Arthur C. Clarke's '2001' is referenced as a contemporary myth where a monolith leads to the discovery of intelligence. The article draws a parallel between the monolith and the Moon, noting its consistent facing of Earth and its perfect size to eclipse the Sun. It also points out that the Sun and Moon are the only celestial bodies that appear stationary in the sky, rotating with the same period as the Moon's orbit. The article concludes by suggesting the entire Solar System might be a "monolith" awaiting discovery.

The Cosmic Connection

Simon Burton reviews Michael Hesemann's 'The Cosmic Connection (Worldwide Crop Formations & ET Contacts)'. While initially wary of its debt to the "Erich Von Däniken" school, Burton finds the book proposes that crop circles are not landing marks but attempts by extraterrestrials (ETs) to "soften us up" by raising spiritual consciousness for open contact. Hesemann identifies these ETs as the Anunnaki of Sumerian myth, from the planet Niburu, who are reactivating "Watchers" (biological androids) as ambassadors. However, the book also details abductions and sexual abuse of humans and mutilation of cattle and horses by these beings. Burton notes the Anunnaki's dubious history, including interbreeding with local anthropoids to create Homo Sapiens, a mistake they allegedly regret. He questions how the desire to raise consciousness aligns with forcible abduction and experimentation, finding Hesemann offers no resolution to this "conflict of opposites." Despite this, Burton praises the book for its overview of the crop circle phenomenon, spectacular pictures, and a "no-nonsense rebuttal of the hoaxing problem," making it a "stimulating read and a visual feast."

The Forgotten "Circular" Energy

Jeff Whitear's article explores the connection between ancient sites, crop circles, and UFO encounters. He posits a link between the design of Atlantis's city of Metropolis and modern crop circles, suggesting that an "unknown energy" was harnessed in ancient times. This energy is theorized to originate from negative electron discharge from continental shelf fault lines, combined with piezo-electrical effects of crystals and solar/water energy, flowing along ley lines and discharging at specific points. Whitear relates this to grave markings at Newgrange, Ireland, and the patterns of mazes like Pimperne, Dorset, suggesting they indicate crystals, sine waves, and electron paths. He notes the uniform pattern of mazes and their triangular, outward-spiraling designs. The article discusses the sudden increase in crop circles coinciding with earthquakes along the Eurasian fault line, and mentions Mr. McMurray's encounter where he was given coordinates pointing to the major earthquake disaster in Armenia.

The "Fault lines" section explains how pressure on quartz crystals in fault lines can induce piezo-electrical effects, creating electrical polarization and potential differences. Ley lines are described as concentrating this energy, with stone circle sites and wheat fields acting as "capacitors." Experiments showing abnormal radio reception at ancient stone circles are cited, suggesting a strong electrical and magnetic field.

Whitear connects this energy to coils and ley lines, noting that the designs of some crop circles and mazes resemble non-inductive coils. He references the book by J. and C. Bord regarding the Turf Labyrinth Maze in Saffron Walden, Essex, suggesting its maze-like structure, with four turrets, creates three sine waves and a spiraling motion. He also examines a barley field circle pattern resembling a sine wave. The article questions whether ancient peoples knew how to collect and use this natural energy. The sudden increase in crop circles is presented as a potential sign of future disasters.

The Japanese Revelation

T. R. Dutton recounts the story of two Japanese boys who, on April 15, 1991, witnessed the creation of crop rings by a glowing orange object. The object, hovering at about 100 meters, projected a pillar of "transparent white steam or smoke" that flattened a 30cm wide ring in the grass. This "trumpet"-like phenomenon was retracted, and the object departed. A second event occurred later, producing two concentric rings. Dutton argues this provides tangible evidence that genuine crop circles are created by "UNIDENTIFIABLE flying devices" using unknown technology. He relates this to his previous analysis of crop lays, suggesting a "radiant beam scanner" or "beamed laser-like from above" was responsible. He proposes that the atmospheric phenomena are consistent with the projection of high-frequency gravitational radiation into a moist atmosphere, referencing physicist G. D. Palazzi. Dutton also connects the timing of these events to rules derived from UFO Close Encounters evidence, suggesting they are part of programmed, "ASTRONAUTICAL" activity from outer space. The article includes a table and diagrams analyzing the tracks and timings of these events in Aikawa, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, concluding they are consistent with programmed UFO activity.

Interstellar Transmissions: A Cosmic Approach

Carol Cochrane introduces a unique method called "Lexigramming" to decode messages from crop circle sites. She describes it as a combined method of Word Analysis and "intuitive channelling," which probes beyond anagrams to uncover higher knowledge. The "unsuspected source" of these communications is stated to be the actual place names of significant crop circle sites, such as Alton Barnes and Avebury. Cochrane explains that by reducing place names to a "letter bar" and creating new words, hidden messages are revealed. She presents examples of these messages, including "WE ARE NOT ALONE," "SHARE THE EARTH - OR - SHATTER THE EARTH," and "THIS AREA IS A STAR MAP - AN INTERSTELLAR SITE." The article emphasizes that these messages are direct communications from a "non-terrestrial source of almost incomprehensibly evolved intelligence."

Several "letter bars" and their derived messages are presented for different locations: Alton Barnes Wiltshire, Longbarrow Crossant Wiltshire, and Telegraph Hill Winchester Hampshire. The messages consistently convey themes of unity, healing the Earth, cosmic awareness, and the presence of extraterrestrial or angelic beings. The article notes the repetition and expansion of messages across different sites, even crossing the Atlantic.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Circular strongly emphasizes the interconnectedness of crop circles with broader cosmic and spiritual themes. There is a consistent exploration of the idea that these formations are not random but are evidence of an underlying order or intelligence, whether divine or extraterrestrial. The magazine presents theories linking crop circles to ancient knowledge, energy fields, and advanced technology. The articles advocate for a more open-minded approach to understanding these phenomena, moving beyond purely materialistic or skeptical viewpoints. The editorial stance appears to be one of seeking deeper meaning and understanding, encouraging readers to consider alternative explanations and the potential for contact with non-terrestrial intelligences. The recurring themes include sacred geometry, the possibility of ancient advanced civilizations, the analysis of UFO sightings and their potential connection to crop circles, and the idea of encoded messages within the landscape itself.

Title: The Circular
Issue: 24
Date: Spring 1996
Publisher: C.C.C.S.
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of The Circular features a prominent article titled "BUSTY'S BAMBOOZLER!" which details a challenge issued by Busty Taylor. In September and October of 1994, Taylor challenged well-known circlemakers to identify a crop circle he had photographed from the air in August of that year. The challenge required providing enough detail to convince him of authorship, with no clues given regarding location, time of discovery, or crop. As of eighteen months later, no one had come forward with the required information, leading to the publication of Busty's photograph in this issue. The magazine appeals to readers to identify the formation's location, date, and crop.

Conclusion: Extraterrestrial Communication

The "CONCLUSION" section discusses nine letters presented at the London Lectures, which are suggested to represent a genuine communication from an extraterrestrial source, possibly using a "brilliantly conceived cosmic, probably SIRIAN, approach." The author notes that this method is more tangible than medium trance channeling, and that many "channels" have previously claimed similar messages based solely on their word or taped sessions. The letters are presented not as definitive proof, but as a more plausible and less ambiguous "calling card" from these Beings. They aim to alert humanity to their existence and the urgency of acknowledging it, urging readers to remember their "galactic brothers and sisters" and the work being done for humanity and the planet Earth. The section concludes with a message of "love and light, Carol," and provides contact information for questions or responses through the journal or directly to Carol at 33, Walker House, Phoenix Road, London NW1 1EN.

C.C.C.S. Council and Branch Convenors (1995-1996)

The issue provides a comprehensive list of the C.C.C.S. Council members for the 1995-1996 period, including their roles and contact details. The President is Prof. Archie E. Roy, and the Patron is John Haddington. Michael Green serves as Chairman, with Lucy Pringle as Vice-Chairman (Human/Animal Effects) and Richard Smith as Treasurer. Other council members include Barbara Davies, John Holman, Ron Jones, Jim Lyons, John Sayer, Busty Taylor, Paul Vigay, and George Wingfield.

Following the council list, the magazine details the Branch Convenors across various regions in the United Kingdom, as well as in Scotland, Saskatchewan (Canada), Ontario (Canada), and several states in the United States (Washington, Oregon, Connecticut, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Virginia, and California). Each convenor's name, address, and contact telephone and fax numbers are provided.

Cover Art

The front cover is credited to Wolfgang Schindler, depicting "Barbury Castle, 17th. July 1991."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around crop circles, their identification, and the possibility of extraterrestrial communication. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting evidence and challenges to the readership for participation and investigation. The inclusion of detailed contact information for council members and branch convenors suggests a strong community-focused approach to UFO and crop circle research, encouraging engagement and information sharing.