The Circular - 1996 No 25

Magazine Overview

Title: THE CIRCULAR
Issue: 25
Date: Summer 1996
Publisher: CENTRE FOR CROP CIRCLE STUDIES
Price: £2.75

This issue of The Circular is a quarterly journal dedicated to crop circle studies. It features a tribute to Ron Baskerville, early reports and photos from the 1996 season, organizational updates, and various articles on crop circle phenomena.

Tribute to Ron Baskerville

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Ron Baskerville, a member of the CCCS. Paul Whitehead provides a tribute, describing Baskerville as a funny, warm, wise, and caring individual. Baskerville, an artist, began studying crop circles in 1986 and was interested in their mystical and artistic qualities. He passed away around May 14th, 1996. The tribute recounts his visits to formations, his appreciation for humour among researchers, his involvement in UFO watch groups, and his work as an artist using visual arts for therapy. He was also a musician and a founder member of the Guildford Metaphysical Society (GMS). He contributed cartoons to Flying Saucer Review and Pegasus. His philosophy, as quoted by Jo Calvert, was to 'Look at everything that's beautiful, and forget the rest.'

Contents and Articles

The issue lists a comprehensive table of contents, including:

• Tribute to Ron Baskerville (Page 3)
• Notices & Editorial (Page 5)
• Early Reports 1996 (Page 7)
• Chairman's Address (Page 10)
• How Do They Do That? by Jim Lyons (Page 12)
• The FGK by Hans Herbert Beier (Page 14)
• The Inman, Kansas Crop Circles by Stace Tussel (Page 17)
• Mother Earth by Reg Presley (Page 18)
• 1995 Northeast Maryland Formations by Larry Newnam (Page 19)
• Letters (Page 21)
• Reviews (Page 24)
• Special Meeting & AGM Motions (Page 26)
• The Milk Hill Script by Simon Burton & Wallace Binns (Page 28)
• For Whom the Bell Tolls by John Sayer (Page 30)

Early Reports 1996

This section details early crop circle formations reported in 1996:

• Laguna Canyon, USA: A formation noticed on March 9th, featuring three glyphs on a steep, weed-covered embankment. The plants were bent at 90° without damage. Dr. W. C. Levengood noted the bending and the presence of English Plantain, a dicot similar to Canola.
• Girton, Cambridgeshire, UK: Reported on May 14th, this formation was in oilseed rape near the M11. The survey revealed a spider's web of concentric and radial earth energy. The formation had a strange middle pattern and a semicircular path. Stalks were laid anticlockwise, with some broken and bent.
• Germany: On May 23rd, a pilot discovered three circles between Schleswig and Kappeln, in barley and oilseed rape.
• Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK: Two formations appeared on May 25th. One was a standing crescent (62' x 71') and the other a ringed version (84' diameter). The stalks were broken, split, or snapped, with scraping and bruising evident. All crop was laid anticlockwise.

Chairman's Address 1996

Michael Green's address reflects on the challenges faced by the CCCS, attributing some to 'rampant radicalism' and an 'anarchic element'. He notes that the organization is justifying its claim as a research body, but faces forces that might wish to see it dissolved. He praises the 'decent common sense' of the membership and convenors. The 1995 season is described as the most 'spectacularly successful' since the CCCS was founded in 1990, with outstanding quality and quantity of reports. He thanks field workers for their hard work and contributions. Aerial photography is crucial, and the need for a nominated flyer or a new system is mentioned. The address also touches on the 'Human/Animal Effects' and 'Anomalous effects' research areas, and the work of Mike Newark in dowsing formations. Green acknowledges grumbles at the Hotline level and thanks Carol Cochrane for her assistance. He mentions arrangements with ADAS for soil and crop sample examination, and Jim Lyons' work on a 'general theory' for crop formations. Preliminary findings suggest a real difference between man-made and non-human crop circles, with changes in soil constituents and bacterial life.

Organizational Matters

• Conference: The 1996 CCCS Conference is scheduled for Saturday, September 14th, at the Cricklade Theatre, Andover, with sessions on 'scientific' aspects, branch reports, and an open forum. Tickets are £15.00 for members and £20.00 for non-members.
• Aerial Photographs: The CCCS is unable to fund coordinated flights and appeals for donations of photographs.
• Special Meeting/AGM: The minutes of the Special Meeting and AGM held on April 20th are to be made available. A key motion passed was that 'The Circular' should not publish personal attacks but maintain a proper letters page for constructive criticism.
• Human Effects Research: Lucy Pringle, who collected Human Effects questionnaires, resigned from Council. Members wishing for their contributions to go into the CCCS Archives should contact her.
• BLT: Nancy Talbott of BLT requested a retraction of a comment regarding CCCS members' involvement in research teams, clarifying that some individuals were not members.
• Elections: The recent election for Council was declared null and void. A new code-numbering system for ballots has been designed.
• Council: The issue discusses internal issues within the Council, with differing views on the study of the phenomenon and administration. It highlights concerns about individuals using their positions for personal gain.
• Patron and President: The Patron, John Haddington, and President, Archie Roy, resigned due to unmet conditions related to the CCCS moving away from its primary purpose of recording data on crop circles.
• Data Protection Act: Members are being informed that their details are held on computer and asked for consent regarding their use and sharing with Branch Convenors.
• Thanks: The author expresses thanks to various individuals for their contributions to the journal and its distribution.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal emphasizes a commitment to research and data collection regarding crop circles. The editorial stance, particularly in the Chairman's Address and the discussion on Council, highlights a concern about the organization's direction, the potential for personal agendas to influence its image, and the importance of maintaining a focus on objective research rather than 'crop circle worship'. The publication aims to present diverse viewpoints, stating that articles express individual views, not a corporate CCCS viewpoint. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between man-made and potentially non-human formations through scientific investigation.

The Circular, Issue 25 (Summer 1996)

This issue of The Circular focuses on the ongoing study and debate surrounding the crop circle phenomenon, presenting a mix of scientific inquiry, personal accounts, and organizational updates. It highlights the challenges of distinguishing genuine formations from hoaxes, the scientific methods being employed, and the broader implications for understanding intelligence and reality.

Editorial and Organizational Updates

The editorial section reflects on the turbulent period the organization has experienced, with resignations and internal disagreements impacting its operations. The author expresses a desire for a fresh start, emphasizing the need for a systematic approach to research and a healthy influx of new members. The issue also details the work of the FGK (Forschungsgesellschaft Kornkreise e.V.), a German organization dedicated to the scientific investigation of crop circles. The FGK's structure, membership, projects (such as Project Gamma for radioactivity measurement and Project Sling for electromagnetic fields), and its aim to provide a scientifically justifiable explanation are outlined. The article "How Do They Do That?" by Jim Lyons proposes a theoretical model for crop circle formation based on atmospheric vortices and Earth energy grids, suggesting that the patterns are created by manipulating these energies.

Scientific Investigations and Findings

The issue features reports on scientific investigations, including preliminary results from soil tests conducted by ADAS and BLT, which are presented as a potential "litmus test" for genuine formations. The article "1995 Northeast Maryland Formations" by Larry Newnam details investigations into crop circles in Maryland, including sites at Churchville, Blueball, and Cherry Hill. These investigations involved extensive crop and soil sampling, measurements of energies, and documentation of physical effects. Samples were sent to Dr. W. C. Levengood for analysis, with findings indicating significant node length increases and altered growth rates in wheat samples from the Inman, Kansas formation. The article also touches upon reports of "blue lights" and other anomalous phenomena associated with these sites.

Case Studies and Personal Accounts

"The Inman, Kansas Crop Circles" by Stace Tussel provides a personal account of investigating a double-circle formation. The author describes the experience of entering the formation, noting its beauty and the unusual physical sensations and electronic disturbances reported by visitors. The article also includes an interview with a farmer who witnessed a strange row of lights prior to the formation's discovery. "Mother Earth" by Reg Presley offers a more poetic and philosophical perspective on the crop circle phenomenon, suggesting it is a message from nature about environmental problems and the need for balance and harmony.

Analysis of "Bright Spots" and Other Phenomena

An analysis by Waldemar Czarnetzki discusses "bright spots" observed in photographs taken in crop circle areas, suggesting they may be unidentified aerial objects. The issue also mentions the "EBE Award" presented to Busty Taylor, Colin Andrews, and Reg Presley for their video on UFOs, Crop Formations & the Paranormal. The FGK's research projects, such as measuring low-frequency electromagnetic fields and analyzing photographic anomalies, are also detailed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific pursuit of understanding the crop circle phenomenon, the ongoing debate between genuine formations and hoaxes, the potential for non-human intelligence, and the broader implications for our understanding of reality. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous scientific investigation while acknowledging the limitations of conventional science in accepting phenomena that challenge established paradigms. There is an emphasis on the need for methodical research, data collection, and the development of reliable methods for distinguishing genuine formations from artificial ones. The magazine also seems to encourage a widening of perceptions to accept "other levels of reality" and intelligences.

The Circular Magazine - Issue 25 (Summer 1996)

This issue of The Circular magazine, dated Summer 1996, delves into various aspects of crop circle phenomena, UFO sightings, and related research. It features articles, letters, reviews, and internal organizational updates, with a strong focus on interpreting the meaning and origin of crop circles.

Articles and Features

"Earth Lights" and Crop Circles

The issue discusses the possibility that some crop circle formations might be related to "earth lights," a category of phenomena involving lights with natural causes linked to geo-magnetic forces and underground faults. The suggestion is that UFO sightings might be more prevalent in areas with earth lights sightings. The article references Paul Devereux's book "Earth Lights Revelation" and Andrew Collins' "The Circlemakers."

Blueball and Cherry Hill Formations

Analysis of crop formations at Blueball and Cherry Hill in the USA is presented, with a discussion of alternative explanations such as wind damage. However, the article notes that the precise shapes, symmetries, and the appearance of formations while observers were present argue against simple wind damage. The possibility of these formations being "hoaxed" is also considered unlikely due to their proximity to residences and the difficulty of access.

The "Milk Hill Script"

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to deciphering a crop formation at Milk Hill, Wiltshire, from 1991. The "Smaragdina Protocol" is introduced as a method for interpretation, emphasizing looking for the obvious and the "secret in plain view." The script is analyzed as being composed of letters, possibly in an angular script resembling an LCD display. The language is identified as Latin, specifically Vulgar Latin, with the translated message "Oppono Astos" interpreted as "I oppose acts of cunning or deceit." The article speculates about the identity of the "Circlemaker" and suggests the message might be a warning or instructions.

Linguistic Analysis of Crop Circle Messages

Further discussion on the linguistic aspects of crop circle messages is presented, particularly concerning the translation of "Oppono Astos." The article contrasts Classical Latin (C.L.) with Vulgar Latin (V.L.), explaining how V.L. evolved and how certain grammatical features were simplified. The author argues that "Oppono Astos" is a correct form of Vulgar Latin and fits the context of crop circle phenomena, suggesting a connection to ancient civilizations and potential warnings.

Video and Book Reviews

CIRCULAR SUSSEX - Video by Andy Thomas: This review critiques a 27-minute video on crop formations in Sussex, finding it visually appealing but lacking in substantial content. While it shows aerial and ground-level footage, it fails to explain unanswered questions about phenomena like bird-damage at Birling Gap or the properties sought by Dr. Levengood in other formations.

The GIFT; The Crop Circle Deciphered by Doug Ruby: This book review examines Doug Ruby's work, which proposes that crop circles teach us about the design of UFOs. The reviewer notes the book's unique methodology, involving wooden models and photography, but finds it lacks a definitive answer to the real questions and doesn't fully recognize the physics involved. The book is seen as appealing to those convinced of a UFO connection.

We Are Definitely Not Alone (Part One) - Video by Roy Dutton: This review praises Roy Dutton's video, which suggests that Earth is under constant surveillance by non-human spacecraft. Dutton's theory involves "parking orbits" for spacecraft and the release of smaller aerial devices. The video reportedly demonstrates how his calculations of sightings align with ancient sites and transport systems, suggesting human activity is being monitored. The review highlights the video's potential importance for UFO and crop circle research.

Letters to the Editor

Daniel Lobb writes about a crop formation near Andover, detailing a unique fractured stone found at its center. He speculates that the stone might be related to microwave energy imprinting the formation.

Doug Rogers questions the likelihood of crop circle hoaxes, particularly those that are nonsensical and close to roadways, suggesting a deeper purpose behind them.

C.J. Gangemi suggests a connection between crop circles and a shift in Earth's magnetism, proposing that crop circles are a message from an ancient Earth civilization, possibly a warning about a world-wide disaster around May 5, 2000, and recommends Graham Hancock's book "The Fingerprints of the Gods."

Organizational Matters (CCCS)

John Haddington's Resignation: John Haddington resigns as President of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS), citing internal divisions and a shift in the organization's focus away from scientific research. He expresses concern that the main objectives of recording crop circle occurrences have been superseded by internal conflicts.

Archie Roy's Letter: Archie Roy also writes to the CCCS Council and members, echoing Haddington's sentiments about frustration with internal problems and the organization's direction. He emphasizes the importance of scientific observation and data collection.

Special Meeting & AGM Motions: This section details constitutional changes and motions passed at a Special Meeting and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the CCCS. Key changes include reducing the tenure of Council membership to one year, establishing new election procedures for Council members and regional representatives, and outlining the responsibilities of the Council and its sub-committees.

The Milk Hill Script - Further Analysis: This section presents additional interpretations of the Milk Hill formation, with comments from Simon Burton and Wallace Binns. Burton focuses on the alchemical wisdom behind the script, while Binns discusses the linguistic aspects, particularly the use of Latin and its potential meaning.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS - John Sayer: This piece critically examines the process by which a Special Meeting was instigated within the CCCS, questioning the motives and sequence of events. It suggests that manipulators may have created circumstances to push for specific "solutions" that served their own agenda, leading to potential disarray within the organization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the mystery of crop circles, their potential origins (natural, human, or extraterrestrial), and the interpretation of their messages. There is a strong emphasis on scientific investigation, linguistic analysis, and the search for underlying patterns and intelligence. The issue also highlights internal organizational challenges within the Centre for Crop Circle Studies, reflecting a tension between maintaining scientific rigor and dealing with internal politics. The editorial stance appears to favor open inquiry and critical analysis, while also acknowledging the limitations of current understanding and the potential for misinterpretation or manipulation.

Title: The Circular
Issue: 25
Date: Summer 1996
Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of *The Circular* delves deeply into the internal politics and public perception of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS), alongside critiques of media coverage and announcements of upcoming events.

Internal Politics and Media Criticism

The editorial section is dominated by a detailed account of events surrounding a CCCS Review Body meeting on February 25th, 1996. The results of a survey on Council satisfaction were presented, with a significant number of 'Don't know' responses leading to differing interpretations. Barry Reynolds, the Review Body Coordinator, is central to the narrative, accused of misleading the membership and orchestrating the call for a Special Meeting.

A major focus is the perceived negative portrayal of the CCCS by *SC* magazine. The author argues that *SC* has consistently published articles that create an impression of disarray, infighting, and potential censorship within the CCCS. Specific examples include articles discussing 'bitter in-fighting,' 'personal squabbles,' and the 'potential misappropriation of funds.' The magazine also criticizes *SC* for its handling of the CCCS calendar project, suggesting *SC* implied the CCCS was censoring formations, while the article clarifies the project's financial and organizational background.

The editorial questions the source of the CCCS's alleged 'bad reputation,' suggesting that the negative press from publications like *SC* is a significant contributing factor. It highlights how *SC*'s reporting on events like the potential 'hijacking' of the calendar project and the resignation of Lucy Pringle as Hampshire Branch Convenor (clarified as a resignation, not removal) fuels public doubt.

The article also touches upon the West Stowell 'quintuplet' formation being labeled a hoax in *SC*, with the implication that this was part of the CCCS's 'pronouncing' on formations, which *SC* views as censorship.

Organizational Structure and Function

Despite the internal conflicts and external criticism, the editorial asserts that the CCCS has continued to function and improve. The core mission of studying crop circles and disseminating findings is emphasized, contrasting this with the idea of a 'mutual-admiration society' of 'crop circle celebrities.' The author argues that the scare-mongering about the 'brink of disaster' has not helped the organization but has instead created circumstances where 'manipulators' can offer 'solutions' they previously desired.

Council and Branch Convenor Elections 1996

An update on the 1996 Council and Branch Convenor elections is provided. For the Council, there were 6 vacancies and 6 candidates, all of whom were returned unopposed. Similarly, 14 candidates stood for Branch Convenorships and were also returned unopposed. The list of elected Council members and Branch Convenors is included.

Events and Publications

Several upcoming events and publications are advertised:

• "FIELDS OF MYSTERY" by Andy Thomas: A new book focusing on the crop circle phenomenon in Sussex and East/West Sussex, published by S B Publications.
• Glastonbury Symposium: Scheduled for July 26th-28th, featuring speakers like Colin Andrews, Michael Glickman, and a special guest channeling 'Bashar.'
• "CIRCLES 96" Conference: To be held on September 14th, 1996, at The Cricklade Theatre, Andover, Hants., with contributions from Richard Andrews, Jim Lyons, Busty Taylor, and George Wingfield.
• "CREAM TEAS & CROP CIRCLES" Event: Presented by Cornwall & Devon Crop Circle Groups on November 2nd, 1996, in Bodmin, featuring speakers like Hamish Miller, Roy Dutton, and Shirley Wallis.

German Circles

Brief information is provided about three more crop circles discovered near Schleswig, Germany, in rye fields. This follows earlier discoveries in the same region.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for the integrity and continued function of the CCCS despite internal disagreements and external media pressure. The editorial stance is one of defense against what it perceives as unfair and sensationalist reporting, particularly from *SC* magazine. It emphasizes the organization's core mission and criticizes those who engage in 'mud-slinging' or 'scare-mongering.' The recurring theme is the struggle to maintain the CCCS's reputation and operational effectiveness amidst internal challenges and media scrutiny.