Earth - No 02 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: EARTH 2
Issue: 2
Volume: 1
Date: August/September 1986
Publisher: Paul Bennett
Price: 60p
Focus: Bi-monthly magazine on Paganism, ufology, mysticism, etc.

Editor's Introduction and Notes

The editor, Paul Bennett, announces a change of address and an increase in pagination to twenty-four pages, maintaining the price. He encourages readers to submit articles and reports, emphasizing that all material is treated with utmost confidence and that opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. The magazine is dedicated to Jonathon Livingston Seagulls.

Bennett reflects on the recent BBC film "Hangar 18" and "The Real World," discussing the concept of extraterrestrial intervention and the biological and psychic development of potential alien species. He also highlights "The Healing Arts" series on alternative health, noting its similarities to geomantic activities and encouraging a return to natural healing methods.

The editor introduces the "Comment from the Wizard" section, which will explore UFO-related matters and their connections to occult and mystical points. He defends the objective and evidential nature of these comments, aiming to illustrate known facts and potential errors, while acknowledging that critics might perceive them as dictatorial.

He recommends the "Art & Imagination" series of books edited by Jill Purce for grounding in various esoteric subjects, regretting that ufology was not included. He also thanks readers for their feedback on the previous issue, mentioning a review that called it "excellent."

Reviews

Northern UFO News, No.119, May-June 1986: This bi-monthly UFO magazine, produced by Jenny Randles, co-ordinator of the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), features UFO reports from various regional groups. The review highlights an interesting account from Shipley, West Yorkshire, and provides contact information for NUFON subscriptions.

Availability of Back Issues: The magazine notes that back issues of "Earth" No.1 are still available.

Events and Conferences

The Psychic Questing Conference: Presented by the Centre For Earth Mysteries Studies, this conference was scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 1986, at the Polytechnic of North London. It featured speakers like Jenny Randles, Marion Sunderland, Andrew Collins, and Graham Phillips, discussing UFO experiences, psychic phenomena, and the discovery of ancient artifacts.

Articles and Features

"The creature feature... Or Tales from the Black Lagoon; Being a True Account of the Vampire-Figures who Intruded Upon a Shipley Home, Circa 1977."

This article details a series of paranormal events experienced by the Park family in Shipley during the "JASON77" flap. The family reported strange shuffling and scraping noises emanating from a cupboard, which later escalated to similar sounds from a wardrobe. A tall, cloaked, and hooded figure with glowing red eyes, dubbed the "vampire," was repeatedly seen by family members. The phenomena seemed to occur in conjunction with lunar phases and were classified as "emission of blackstream radiation."

"Remarkable Visions - 2"

This section recounts an experience of Paul McFadyen on the Isle of Mull in the summer of 1976. While meditating near a stone circle, he encountered a tall, expanding figure with glowing red eyes that vanished after touching him. The article also touches upon the influence of lunar phases and mentions other similar cases.

"Strange Goings-On at Number 11 - Article by Sylvia Ross"

This piece describes a series of unexplained events in a flat in Bolton Woods, Bradford, shared by Paul Bennett, Sylvia Ross, and Eddie. These included ghostly shakings of a bed, strange noises from a wardrobe, and the loft door opening by itself. The phenomena were more prevalent in odd-numbered flats.

"A Brief Anatomy of Leys, and a Ley!"

This article by John Michell discusses the concept of leys and ancient stone sites. It examines cup and ring markings found in West Yorkshire, particularly on Baildon Moor, and attempts to align them with astronomical events like the Beltane sunrise. The author uses Alexander Thom's megalithic inch to analyze the geometric properties of these carvings and suggests a potential connection to the number two and three in localized designs.

"The Undiscovered Old Stones of Calverley Woods."

This feature details the discovery of cup and ring carvings in Calverley Woods, West Yorkshire. The author, Brian Hughes, analyzes a specific carving using Thom's megalithic inch and notes its geometric properties, suggesting it may be related to ley lines or astronomical alignments. The article also mentions the "Hanging Stone" and its potential significance.

"A CEZ in Esholt from 1967?"

This short piece investigates a report of a supposed UFO landing in Esholt Woods, West Yorkshire, in 1967 or 1968. Witnesses reported seeing a white light and humanoid figures collecting samples. The author is seeking further information and corroborating material.

Interlude

This section presents a poetic, spiritual narrative titled "A New Year's Day," written on July 23, 1985, on the Isle of Arran. It describes a mystical awakening and the birth of a new cycle, emphasizing themes of compassion, unity, and divine presence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of ufology, paganism, mysticism, and earth mysteries. There is a strong emphasis on personal experiences, anecdotal evidence, and alternative explanations for phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of unusual reports. The publication also shows an interest in ancient sites, folklore, and esoteric knowledge, often linking these to UFO phenomena and paranormal events. The "Comment from the Wizard" section indicates a willingness to connect UFOlogy with broader occult and mystical traditions.

"UFO Brigantia" Magazine, No. 21, dated July-August 1986, is a 32-page publication from the West Yorkshire UFO Research Group. This issue is described as a historical edition containing "quite interesting stuff." The price for a single copy is 90p, with an annual subscription for 6 issues costing £5.50.

Contents and Articles

Historical UFO Accounts and Anomalies

The magazine opens with a review of historical UFO-related phenomena. David Clarke contributes a piece on "weird-balloons" seen floating around North America in 1897. Andy Robert examines the "the Grafton Street Freak" from the 1920s. Nigel Watson recounts sightings of a zeppelin-like dirigible floating off the East Yorkshire coast in 1913. Jenny Randles provides a brief overview of UFO accounts on file from the mid-seventies. The issue also touches upon a mythical UFO from 1905 and a dirigible from 1868. Paul Screeton, former editor of "Ley Hunter," offers his perspective in "Ancient Astronaut Reflections," questioning the validity of the von Däniken menagerie.

A Plea to All Readers and the 1984 West Yorkshire UFO Flap

A section titled "A Plea to All Readers" announces the upcoming publication of a small booklet or Report on the UFO activities that occurred in West Yorkshire two years prior, specifically on July 23, 1984. This event involved numerous witnesses reporting "blobs of light" in the sky. The author notes that a previous report detailed some aspects but missed crucial factors. The booklet aims to rectify these omissions and will explore the probable reality of the flap being "earth lights." It will also feature previously unpublished UFO reports and is intended to be of interest to students of both the EM field and ufology. The author, Paul Devereux, is promoting his "earth light's hypothesis" on a practical and scientific level. Readers are asked to indicate their interest in purchasing the booklet, estimated to cost around £1 for approximately forty pages, to help gauge print numbers. The booklet is expected to be available within two to three months.

"A Comment from the Wizard, On UFOs...Perhaps."

This commentary section, written by "The Wizard," explores the evolving landscape of ufology, noting its branching into parapsychology and occultism. The author questions the boundaries of ufological study, particularly when it intersects with magick. The piece discusses the terminology used and the concept of "evoking" a UFO, linking it to astrological and geomantic influences and the harnessing of "earth energy." The author suggests that many modern ufologists recognize that phenomena previously attributed to demons or fairies are now understood as part of the UFO phenomenon. Conversely, occultists and magickal practitioners are beginning to see connections between the entities they conjure and UFOs. The commentary references Kenneth Grant's work on "Cults of the Shadow" and C.V. Leadbeater's statement to the Theosophical Society in 1894 regarding the terrestrial manifestation of non-human intelligences. It highlights Aleister Crowley's views on communicating with higher intelligences and his operation described in "Magick Without Tears." The author posits that ufology may need to incorporate explorations into evocations of demons or UFOs to truly understand the phenomenon, referencing Crowley's literary theophany "Liber DCCCXIII Vel Ararita Sub Figura DLXX." The piece concludes by emphasizing the importance of exploring every conceivable avenue and experiencing things that may seem inconceivable, suggesting that understanding the phenomenon is a personal journey.

UFO Associations and Misinformation

The "Wizard's" commentary also touches upon common UFO associations, such as their connection with water (approximately a third of reports), hovering over trees, standing stones, sacred sites, geological fault lines, and fissures. However, the author cautions against generalizing these associations, deeming some claims misleading. The piece criticizes works that present unsubstantiated "facts" and criticizes the "von-Danikenitis menagerie" for spreading misinformation.

Advertising Features

The latter part of the magazine includes several advertising features:

• The Sorcerer's Apprentice: A dealer in occult/magick regalia and books, located in Leeds.
• Spooks Bookshop: Specializing in occult, pagan, paranormal, and UFO books, located in Haworth, Keighley.
• Falcon Books of Saltaire: Offers second-hand books on parapsychology, mysticism, occultism, archaeology, and local history, located in Saltaire.
• The Lamp of Thoth: A magazine published by The Sorcerer's Apprentice, described as a good occult and Pagan magazine.
• The Ley Hunter: A publication on earth mysteries and Paganism, edited by Paul Devereux.
• Northern Earth Mysteries: A magazine from a group of the same name, focusing on Pagan activities and sites in Northern England.
• Fortean Times: Declared as "The Foremost Journal of Strange Phenomena."
• UFO Brigantia Magazine: The publication itself, from the West Yorkshire UFO Research Group.
• Yorkshire UFO Society: Also publishes a bi-monthly magazine called "Quest."
• Inspiration Boutique: A shop in Bradford selling clothes, incense, and fancy goods.
• Occult Books ASTON: A seller of a large collection of occult books, including subjects like EM, UFOs, magick, ESP, parapsychology, and mythology, located in Ravenscliffe, Bradford.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to have a strong interest in the intersection of ufology with occultism, magick, and earth mysteries. The editorial stance, as represented by "The Wizard's" commentary, encourages open-minded exploration of the phenomenon, even into seemingly unconventional areas like magickal evocation, while also cautioning against misinformation and unsubstantiated claims. The publication actively seeks reader contributions and feedback, as indicated by the "Feed the Earth!" call to action and the request for anonymous reports of strange occurrences. The recurring theme is the exploration of the paranormal and the unexplained from a perspective that integrates various esoteric and historical viewpoints.