Cos-Mos - Vol 1 No 02 - 1969

Magazine Overview

COS-MOS, Issue Number 2, dated March 1969, is a publication affiliated with SAUCERS - The Saucer And Unexplained, and is part of the Celestial Events Research Society, U.S.A. The magazine's stated aim is to 'Contact Space-Men Or Saucers'. The cover prominently features the title 'COS-MOS' with the tagline 'aims to Contact Space-Men Or Saucers'. The editorial team includes Norman Oliver as Director, Brian Simmonds as Group Organizer/Information, Sylvia Shaw as Membership Secretary, E. Blandford as Journal Editor, Janet Gregory for Journal Exchange, Brian French for Research, Len Reid for Publicity, and J. Saunderson for Meetings Organization. The annual subscription for individual members is £1.1.-, with a $3.00 subscription for USA & Canada. Membership is open to all who support the organization's aims.

That Report

This section discusses the Condon Committee Report, noting that while a copy was not yet available, its findings had received significant press coverage. The report's headlines suggested that Flying Saucers and 'little green men' do not exist and that the subject is not worth investigating. However, the article clarifies that the report itself stated there was 'no evidence, a few remaining puzzles aside, that UFOs are space-ships from extraterrestrial civilisations.' These 'few remaining puzzles' reportedly include radar sightings, photographs, and ordinary sighting reports. The report also apparently went to considerable lengths to disprove the existence of the planet Clarion, mentioned in Truman Bethurum's contact tale, by citing scientific calculations. The article questions 'Time' magazine's interpretation and Bethurum's own quote about Clarion being on the other side of the moon. The author, Norman Oliver, concludes that regardless of opinions, saucer sightings and contacts will continue despite the report's publication.

The Experiences of Eliot Bliss

COS-MOS acknowledges Mrs. Bliss for allowing the publication of her experiences. The section details two specific sightings by Eliot Bliss.

Sighting No. 1 (1952, September, 5.15 p.m.)

While walking down a street in Hertfordshire, the narrator and his cousin observed two luminous, semi-transparent craft, described as slightly pink with wavy edges, dancing at high speed (4-5,000 feet) and making sudden odd turns near a station. The experience evoked a feeling of awe.

Sighting No. 2 (1967, December 13th, 9 p.m.)

While looking out of a flat window, the narrator saw a large, black or dark brown metallic-looking, tent-shaped object move sideways against the moon. The object, described as being made in a mould like a metallic blancmange and approximately fifty feet long, descended steadily and smoothly to a spot about a quarter of a mile away where there is open country. It had no lights and was soundless. It descended fairly rapidly and was hidden by a tree. The narrator was unwell and unable to investigate further.

1st. 'Experience'

On October 22nd, 1967, after attempting telepathic contact, the narrator heard the words 'We will come' and then saw a 'face' appear on a shelf where a clock usually was. The face was described as dead white like a mask, solid, with a flat cap, delicate features, and penetrating blue eyes. The narrator believes this 'image' was a reply and lasted for about a minute.

2nd. 'Experience'

On October 27th, 1967, while reading in bed, a full-length visual image of a figure was projected onto the curtain. The figure was slight, sturdy, about five feet tall, dressed in a grey-white close-fitting suit, and hovered off the floor outside the door. The narrator, feeling frightened, asked it to go away. The figure left, but the narrator felt its presence for about a week afterwards. During this period (October/November 1967), UFOs were being seen all over the country, though not by the narrator outdoors.

Mrs. Bliss notes that during these experiences, she was in an 'open' state to receive telepathic experiences. She believes Space People use telepathy and may be time-travellers. She also remarks on the similarity of her second experience to those of Mrs. Cynthia Appleton in 1957. COS-MOS has omitted the town name at Mrs. Bliss's request.

More Useful Than Those Ice-Blocks!

This section presents two intriguing newspaper items coupled by Janet Gregory, potentially related to UFOs.

On December 3rd, 1968, in Ramsgate, approximately 50 dented pennies fell from the sky over about 15 minutes, appearing to come from a great height. They fell on the pavement outside a local co-op, with no planes in sight.

On September 21st, 1967, about 100 pennies 'fell from heaven' in Margate, also appearing to have fallen from a great height. A shop owner reported the pennies suddenly began bouncing into the road. A priest and a local police spokesman considered it the work of a practical joker but could not explain how it was managed. The article notes the proximity of these two towns and speculates on the impact of decimal currency.

Have You Heard?

This section provides brief news items:

• BEDFORD UFO SOCIETY - BUFOS - has commenced work on their Project Mobile Laboratory (PML), designed to detect various types of UFOs based on their electrical charge, magnetic field, gravitational operation, or ionised air emissions. A small radar unit is also planned.
• Men In Black: Rumour has it that photographs of Men In Black have been taken in London.
• UFO Convention: A UFO Convention, possibly including American groups, is planned for Woburn Abbey on August 15th/17th.
• Welcome: COS-MOS welcomes new members, including Miss Lou Zinstagg and the Hon. Brinsley le Poer Trench.
• UFO Publications: Available from Miss Susan Stebbing.
• Reader Contributions: COS-MOS thanks readers for their letters and encourages them to continue sending details of sightings and experiences for their records.

The Brian Andrew Affair

This article details an interview with Mr. Brian Leathley-Andrew, who opened a UFO information centre in Coventry but closed it shortly afterwards due to unusual happenings. COS-MOS contacted him for details.

Mr. Leathley-Andrew's intention was to collect information on UFO sightings. He received about 12 genuine reports, along with some non-genuine ones. A significant event was a phone call on the second or third day the centre was open. The caller, speaking perfect English, insisted on knowing all the collected information and asked if a woman had reported seeing aliens working on a UFO or spacecraft in Coventry. The caller implied he had been observed working on his craft and wanted to know if this had come to the attention of authorities. The call ended with the caller stating, 'I will contact you in two days,' but he did not.

Another incident involved lights of varying intensity occurring during the third or fourth week the centre was open, while Mr. Leathley-Andrew was at the house of someone who had seen UFOs on multiple occasions. The mains electricity supply (240v) experienced a dimming of about 40 volts up and down, occurring 5 or 6 times in about half an hour.

A third incident occurred while Mr. Leathley-Andrew was repairing his car at his mother's house. He saw a 'man with the orange face' glowing and about one-third larger than normal. The face had eyes, nose, and mouth. As he watched, it appeared to 'melt', changing from orange/red to the appearance of an old man in about half a minute.

Mr. Andrew stated that only one call lasting three to five minutes was received, where the caller asked if anyone from COS-MOS or BUFORA had been in touch and mentioned CONTACT U.K. The caller did not ask Mr. Andrew to abandon his UFO activities. Regarding the electrical faults, Mr. Andrew confirmed that a variation of 40 volts up and down was possible.

At the time of his letter (January 10th, 1969), Mr. Andrew had experienced no further incidents. A subsequent letter requesting elaboration received no reply. The incidents are assumed to have occurred in October and November 1968. COS-MOS invites readers' opinions on these facts.

An article by Philip Rodgers on the Brian Andrew Affair has been held over.

Upcoming Events: A meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 20th, at 7.30 p.m. at The Tower, 55 Fitzjohns Avenue, N.W.3, for Sightings, Contacts, Recordings, and Discussion. A 1969/70 London meetings series is also being planned.

Book Review: "Warnings From Flying Friends"

This section reviews Arthur Shuttlewood's book, "Warnings From Flying Friends," published by Portway Press (26/-). The reviewer notes that the book is emotive and requires an open mind, but is difficult to put down. It covers 'sky sightings' of saucers, miniaturized discs, occupants, strange visitors, anonymous prophecies, and the author's comments. A key point is that the incidents described took place in Britain, not just America. Readers are encouraged to read the book and send their comments to COS-MOS for publication.

COS-MOS Group Organizers

A list of individuals who have accepted positions as group organizers is provided, including Mr. Jan French (Watford), Mr. Peter R. Newman (Berkhampstead), Mr. Peter Coverdale (South Shields), Mr. Brian French (Perivale), Mr. John West (London), and Mr. G.A. Cooper (Cambridge). Enquirers are advised to contact the nearest organizer.

Strange Sightings? by Brian Simmonds

Brian Simmonds recounts an experience from Christmas week 1968. While cycling up Brook Road, N.W.2, he saw a bright, constant white light moving slowly from West to North. There was no noise and no other coloured lights. He notes it was below stormy clouds. When he stopped and signalled with his bike lamp, the object stopped, then shot up above the clouds and disappeared. He asks readers what they think it was and mentions seeing similar lights over the past two years. He invites readers to send their thoughts to Ed. L. Blandford.

The Edgar Cayce Prophecies

This section explores the potential connection between UFO visits, earthquakes, and geophysical phenomena, referencing Edgar Cayce's prophecies. COS-MOS emphasizes an open and unbiased approach to the UFO enigma.

Cayce, a psychic who made over 14,000 individual 'readings,' including medical diagnoses, is mentioned. Gordon Creighton, a UFO researcher, reportedly benefited from one of Cayce's communications.

The article focuses on Cayce's prophecies about the future, including his ability to travel astrally and into the span of time. Cayce reportedly 'dreamt' or experienced being in a ruined city, which he identified as New York. He also foresaw the end of other American seaboard cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, with no indication that war was the cause.

The section connects this to recent revelations by a Soviet scientist regarding earthquakes and continental drift, noting that earthquake activity has increased fivefold since 1950. A tremor in Britain in 1967 is mentioned as being of surprising severity. The author questions if there's a connection between UFO calls, large-scale continental 're-mapping' through earthquakes, natural drift, or melting polar caps due to jetliner gases or H-Bomb tests. Jesse Stearn's book, "The Key To the Future," is recommended for further reading on Cayce.

TV Programme: A BBC TV programme about UFOs, filmed at Warminster and featuring Mr. Patrick Moore, is scheduled for Saturday, May 10th. The magazine expresses hope for an open attitude towards the programme.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of COS-MOS include personal UFO sighting reports, analysis of official reports like the Condon Committee, speculative connections between UFOs and other phenomena (geophysical events, psychic abilities), and the promotion of reader engagement through letters and contributions. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging members to explore all clues without prejudice, while also maintaining a critical perspective on claims and reports. There is a clear emphasis on UFOs and related unexplained phenomena as the central focus of the publication.