Folklore Frontiers - No 006

Magazine Overview

Title: Folklore Frontiers
Issue: No. 6
Document Type: Magazine Issue
Language: English

Content Summary

This issue of *Folklore Frontiers* is a deep dive into various urban legends, folklore, and peculiar news items, with a strong emphasis on the bizarre and the unexplained. The magazine features a striking cover image of a model in lingerie, holding a large key, hinting at themes that blend the provocative with the unusual.

Cover Story: Chastity Belts

The cover story challenges the notion that chastity belts are relics of the past. It highlights their continued relevance, citing a blacksmith who sells them and illustrating their use with a model. The article also presents grim real-life incidents, including a Peruvian woman who died from an infection caused by a rusty chastity belt padlock and a more lighthearted, albeit alarming, account of a man who had a padlock placed on his manhood by friends.

Newslines and Updates

This section compiles a series of short, often quirky, news items and anecdotes. These include tales of opera hooligans, a village renamed 'Dead Dog City' due to a misunderstanding, airline pilot gaffes, and unusual funerary rites like cementing a lager bottle as a memorial. It also touches upon the persistent 'alien big cats' phenomenon and reports on unusual animal sightings.

Folklore Meets Forteana: Michael Goss

Michael Goss explores the distinction between 'reports' and 'stories' in the context of folklore and Forteana. He discusses how newspapers often present fictional accounts as factual, blurring the lines between urban legends and genuine anomalous events. Goss references the 'entombed toad' and 'girl vomits snake' stories as examples of the kind of material that interests both folklorists and Forteans. The piece reflects on the 'Perspectives on Contemporary Legend Seminar', highlighting the ongoing debate about whether folklorists should investigate the potential reality of anomalous accounts or dismiss them as mere stories.

Urban Folklore of the London Underground by Nigel Pennick

Nigel Pennick examines the lore and misconceptions surrounding London's underground railway system. He categorizes urban legends into those concerning construction, operation, and other incidents. Tales include the 'circle and bar' motif as an alchemical symbol, ghostly apparitions during tunnel construction, and the engineering reasons behind sharp curves being explained by folklore such as avoiding 'plague pits'. The article also recounts the Moorgate tube disaster of 1975, linking it to urban lore about driver 'transfixion' and potential apparitions. It touches upon 'lost trains', pneumatic mail tube accidents, and secret tunnels, including the legend of the 'North End' station and its connection to a floodgate control center. The piece concludes by noting the cross-cultural nature of such urban legends and referencing various sources on London's underground history.

Sympathy for the Devil? (Must We Fling This Filth at Our Pop Kids) by Andy Roberts

Andy Roberts investigates the contemporary folklore surrounding 'backmasking' in the music industry, particularly the claims of hidden satanic messages on records. He traces the origin of this moral panic to the U.S. and the 'moral majority' movement, which targeted musicians perceived as rebellious. Roberts discusses specific examples, such as alleged messages on records by Jefferson Starship, Styx, and Led Zeppelin, while also noting that many artists are named coincidentally and that the phenomenon is often driven by a desire for publicity or to provoke controversy. He suggests that this folklore could lead to censorship, citing instances where music has been banned due to alleged links to youth suicides.

Monkey Business by Paul Screeton

Paul Screeton recounts the story of 'Sally', a supposed 'monkey fish' or mermaid exhibited in a Northumberland pub. He details its physical description and the conflicting accounts of its origin, suggesting it was likely a taxidermied fake, similar to those popularized by P.T. Barnum. The article touches upon the history of animal fakes and hoaxes, referencing Charles Darwin and the Piltdown Man hoax as examples of how evidence can be manipulated or misinterpreted. It also briefly mentions other theories, such as aquatic human origins and extraterrestrial connections.

Panic in Halifax by Paul Screeton

This article revisits the 'Halifax Slasher' panic of November 1938, a period of fear in West Yorkshire caused by reports of a mysterious assailant. Screeton, drawing from Michael Goss's book, explains how the panic was fueled by mass hysteria and rumors, with many of the reported assaults later revealed to be hoaxes. The piece highlights the sociological implications of such panics, where the 'mystery assailant' becomes a symbol of local unrest. It notes the involvement of women among those implicated and the role of the press in sensationalizing the events, including humorous taunts from opposing football fans.

Readers' Letters

A selection of letters from readers commenting on previous issues. Topics include urban legends about immigrants eating cat food, a 'biology student' hoax, and the 'telephone revenge' story. Other letters discuss the space shuttle disaster and the theory that it was entombed in concrete due to radioactivity, as well as legends about Nazi concentration camps and concrete structures concealing bodies or carthorses.

The Hissing of Summer Lawns by Paul Screeton

This piece focuses on the media's fascination with snakes during the summer of 1987, dubbing it the 'Year of the Snake'. It recounts several incidents, including a driver who heard a hissing sound from his car and found a poisonous snake in the dashboard. The article also details cases of adder bites in the UK, noting that while generally shy, adders can strike defensively. It lists various other snake-related stories from the press, such as pythons escaping and being found, a rat snake and cobra fight in India, and a story about a girl swallowing a snake.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of folklore, urban legends, and contemporary events, often with a focus on the sensational, the bizarre, and the potentially unexplained. There's a clear interest in debunking hoaxes while also acknowledging the power of belief and mass hysteria. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting strange tales and news items while encouraging readers to question their origins and veracity. The inclusion of 'Fortean' elements suggests an openness to anomalous phenomena, even while maintaining a folkloristic approach to analyzing their cultural significance. The magazine seems to champion the idea that even fabricated stories can reveal much about societal anxieties and beliefs.

This issue of 'BOOK REVIEWS' (Volume 24, Issue 24, dated November 1987) focuses on reviews of books related to UFOs, ancient mysteries, and earth sciences. The cover features an illustration for 'PRACTICAL CELTIC MAGIC' by Murry Hope.

Book Reviews

'The UFO Conspiracy - The First Forty Years' by Jenny Randles

This review discusses Jenny Randles' book, which chronicles the development of ufology over the past 40 years, starting from Kenneth Arnold's seminal 1947 sighting. The book examines alleged cover-ups, particularly in the United States, and the potential for a gradual release of information about the nature of UFOs. Randles suggests that the CIA may have infiltrated or created civilian UFO groups. The review also touches upon the idea of an 'education programme' to prepare the public for the truth about UFOs, potentially influenced by media like Spielberg films. It acknowledges the alternative 'cultural tracking' hypothesis, suggesting UFO developments might mirror societal progress, or that the phenomenon is psycho-sociological, existing in our minds rather than outer space. The book is praised for its well-argued case and its exploration of UFO confidentiality in other nations.

'UFOs 1947-1987 - The 40-Year Search for an Explanation' compiled by Hilary Evans and John Spencer

This compilation is presented as a comprehensive survey of the UFO enigma, marking the 40th anniversary of Arnold's sighting. It features an international spectrum of researchers exploring the complexity of the field and what has been learned. The book covers UFO phenomena before 1947, worldwide sightings, occupants, contactees, abductions, and retrievals. It also delves into the assessment of phenomena, including physical traces and witnesses, and explores various explanations such as extraterrestrial origin, natural forms, psychological and parapsychological phenomena, and concepts of reality. The impact of UFOs on society, including cults, folklore, public perception, and cover-ups, is also examined. The review highlights the book's chunky, well-illustrated format, making it suitable for reading cover-to-cover or dipping into as a reference work. The editors, Hilary Evans and John Spencer, acknowledge that while answers remain elusive, significant learning has occurred, particularly the realization that easy answers are unlikely and that the questions themselves may need re-evaluation.

'Earth Harmony' by Nigel Pennick

This review covers Nigel Pennick's book, which interprets 'Earth harmony' as a relationship between the earth, humans, their artifacts, actions, and celestial influences. It discusses how ancient traditions governed life through geomancy and how industrialism eroded this impulse. Pennick explains the importance of earth harmony and its application, referencing the Dragon Project's work on energies at megalithic sites. The review notes that the complexity of these energies makes them difficult for Western science to accept. Pennick provides practical advice on landscape, power points, and living traditions, including details on executing patterns in coloured chalks and the deeper meanings of symbols on household items, suggesting that a home can be made into a 'psychic castle'.

'The Unpolluted God' by Guy Ragland Phillips

This review of Guy Ragland Phillips' book argues that primitive peoples revered a single transcendent Great Spirit, and that religion has been polluted over millennia. Phillips contends that many churches are pagan shrines, incorporating pagan features and symbols on pagan sites, often predating Christianity. The book examines specific churches, highlighting sculptures like the 'Green man' and 'sheila-na-gig,' as well as concepts like consecration and skyclad practices. It also explores witchcraft and shamanism, suggesting shamans usurped or maintained powers. Phillips supports the Gaian Fourth World environmentalist movement and looks towards the future, offering a rewarding and enriching work that clarifies the past and provides guidance.

'Shamanism' by Ward Rutherford

Ward Rutherford's book is described as a workmanlike examination of the shaman's role in primitive societies, focusing on their ability to mediate with gods, prophesy, and guard tribal myths. It details the shaman's training, trance, and use of drums. However, the reviewer feels the book lacks the actual experience of being a shaman. Rutherford's argument that pleasure from hot baths is a bid to return to the womb is contrasted with the reviewer's view that it's akin to a shaman's sweat lodge. The latter half of the book, which investigates shamanism as the foundation of magic, is found to be dry and academic. Rutherford speculates on 'supershamans' and diffusionism, dismissing similarities with epilepsy and schizophrenia. He concludes that shamans are naturally hyper-acute individuals who have trained their senses. The book is acknowledged as well-researched, fair, and fluid, with wide interest.

'London's Early Tube Railways' by Nigel Pennick

This review highlights Nigel Pennick's detailed book on the history of London's Underground railways, noting its thoroughness and the inclusion of rare drawings, diagrams, photographs, and maps. It mentions an anecdote about a proprietor claiming his galvanometer showed strong earth currents generated by City and South London Railway trains, which also disrupted continental telegraph instruments.

'Cosmic Friends' by Jimmy Goddard

This autobiographical booklet is described as a naive communication with extraterrestrials, with a dated feel. The reviewer, while acknowledging Goddard's sincerity, finds his trust in messages that seem like pseudo-science or conspiracy theories to be a sign of naivete. Goddard mentions Paul Screeton and the Gaia hypothesis, which the reviewer finds sensible when presented by Kit Pedler.

Short Reports

The 'Short Reports' section reviews several books:

• 'Improving One's Being': A collection of books from Aquarian on personal transformation, dreams, auras, palmistry, meditation, and t'ai-chi-ch'uan.
• 'Autohypnosis' and 'Self-Hypnosis': Two books by Ronald Shone.
• 'Rediscovering the I Ching' by Greg Whincup and 'The Alternative I Ching' by Derek Valters.
• 'Moon Signs' by Sasha Fenton, discussing the moon's effect on innermost needs.
• 'Practical Celtic Magic' by Murry Hope, which is described as revisionist regarding Jews in Germany.
• 'Timeless Wisdom': Arkana's paperback series, including 'Homage to the Sun' by Kyriacos C. Markides, 'Egyptian Religion' by E. A. Vallis Budge, and R.J. Stewart's 'The Mystic Life of Merlin'. It also mentions four novels by Xoyra Caldecott, Liz Greene, Z'ev Ben Shimon Halevi, and Arthur Versluis.

Magazine Reviews

This section reviews several journals:

• 'Northern Earth Mysteries': Discusses articles on the Wantley Dragon, Burton ley, and mysteries of East Riding churches.
• 'F.L.S. News': Covers folklore topics, including mermaid tales and suggestions for stamp collectors.
• 'The Ley Hunter': Features articles on Ethiopian megaliths, Japanese alignments, and a landed spacecraft in Yorkshire.
• 'Fortean Times': Includes features on yeti, sleep attacks, Japanese aliens, and natural rejuvenation.
• 'Pendragon': Focuses on Arthurian subjects and the Grail theme.
• 'Anomaly': Reports on psychic questing, phantom airships, and Helen Duncan's mediumship.
• 'Touchstone': Covers experiments in lifting people, alien big cat sightings, and the Dragon Project.
• 'Amskaya': Newsletter of the STAR Fellowship, discussing Martian pyramids and UFO articles.
• 'UFO Brigantia': Features articles on secret inventors, phantom airships, Men in Black, and Rendlesham revisited.

Update

This section notes several 'cross-correspondences' found as the issue was being typed:

• 'Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll': A connection between a micro-brewery, a record promotion, and leather bondage wear.
• 'Into Thin Air': A story about an Air Europe captain's greeting during a baggage handlers' dispute.
• 'Terrorpin': A tale of a terrapin surviving a journey through drains and sewage works.
• 'Chips Off New Blocks': A protest by two Latvians against Russian occupation by setting their legs in concrete.

Northern Lights Publishing House

This section advertises books published by Northern Lights on subjects like Geomancy, Folklore, and Esoteric Tradition, listing titles such as 'The Celtic Head Cult' and 'The Wise Men of Gotham'.

Contributors

Brief biographies are provided for Michael Goss (author of 'The Evidence for Phantom Hitch-Hikers'), Nigel Pennick (prolific author on mysteries and geomancy), Andy Roberts (ufology and folklore), and Paul Screeton (journalist and writer).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the 40-year anniversary of the UFO phenomenon, the exploration of ancient mysteries and earth sciences, and the critical review of books and journals within these fields. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into anomalous phenomena, acknowledging the complexity of UFOs and the need for rigorous research, while also being critical of unsubstantiated claims and naive interpretations. There is a clear interest in historical context, alleged cover-ups, and the intersection of folklore, psychology, and science in understanding these subjects.