Magonia - No 14 - 1983

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA issue 14, published in 1983, is an independent journal dedicated to a broad examination of the UFO phenomenon and its interaction with society and the individual. It is edited by John Rimmer and features an editorial panel including John Harney, Peter Rogerson, Roger Sandell, and Nigel Watson, with Thierry Pinvidic serving as the French Editor. The magazine is available via subscription and exchange.

Editorial: The Woodbridge (Rendleshain) UFO Case

The editorial addresses the Woodbridge UFO case and recent activities by Leonard Springfield and CAUS in America, highlighting the evidence of government cover-ups regarding UFO reports. However, it questions the common ufological conclusion that this cover-up exists solely to hide 'the truth' from a panicking public. The editorial suggests that the secrecy might stem from bureaucratic inertia and the natural tendency of large organizations, including military establishments, to maintain secrecy. It posits that while a cover-up exists, its significance from a ufological viewpoint might be less than from a political or civil-liberties perspective.

The World of Ufology: An Algerian Case Study

This article by Thierry Pinvidic explores the influence of the UFO stereotype in non-Western countries, using Algeria as an experimental field. It notes that Algeria's Islamic revival influences the cultural context, blurring distinctions between natural and supernatural events. The article discusses how the concept of 'flight' exists in Algerian mythology and that terms like 'sohone taira' (flying saucer) and 'djenoun' (djinn) describe realities more accessible to the average Algerian than alleged UFO experiences. The local media's limited attention to UFOs and the influence of Western media are also examined. Interviews with 'fellahs' (peasants) and students reveal that while the specific 'flying saucer' concept is largely unknown, many people have witnessed inexplicable phenomena in the sky, often interpreted through local folklore or religious beliefs.

The author's hypothesis is that the association of Western 'technological' imagery with local folklore, combined with mass sensitization to the UFO motif, accounts for UFO experiences worldwide. The article concludes that understanding UFO cases from non-Western countries requires studying local ethnology and sociology, suggesting that the influence of the UFO stereotype is a direct function of the absence of other local readings of these experiences.

The Pennine UFO Controversy

This section features a response from Peter Rogerson to a review of his book, 'The Pennine UFO Mystery'. Rogerson defends his work against criticisms regarding its structure, referencing, and the alleged sensationalism. He addresses specific points raised by the reviewer, including the case of Zigmund Adamski, clarifying his approach to presenting facts and the limitations of his knowledge. Rogerson emphasizes his commitment to serious investigation and his aim to present complex UFO topics in an accessible way for the general reader, distinguishing his work from 'entertainment industry' ufology.

The Woodbridge UFO: An Explanation

Ian Ridpath provides an explanation for the alleged UFO landing at RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk in December 1980. He debunks the official account by presenting factual evidence, including police records and astronomical data. Ridpath suggests that the reported lights and object were likely caused by a brilliant fireball (meteor), the pulsating beam of the Orford lighthouse, and the re-entry of a Russian rocket. He also attributes indentations in the ground to rabbits and notes that local police found nothing untoward, only the lighthouse beam.

Northern Lights: Hilary Evans

Hilary Evans discusses UFO sightings in Norway, focusing on the 'ghost-rocket' wave of 1946 and more recent clusters of sightings in Arendal and Hessdalen. The Arendal sightings yielded 78 successful photos of complex light forms, while Hessdalen reported numerous witness accounts of structured objects and anomalous aerial phenomena. Evans notes the challenges of investigating in Norway due to its vast, sparsely populated terrain and limited infrastructure. He highlights that while the phenomena are puzzling, they resist conventional explanations and suggest a controlled, purposive intelligence, possibly linked to the region's geophysical characteristics.

Books

This section reviews several books:

• The Aquarian Conspiracy by Marilyn Ferguson: Criticized for its 'Californian mystic babble' and lack of engagement with contemporary political issues.
• George Adamski - The Untold Story by Lou Zinsstag and Timothy Good: Examined as an attempt to rehabilitate George Adamski, with the first half detailing Zinsstag's personal account of the Adamski cult and the second half by Good attempting a scientific rehabilitation, which is found unconvincing.
• Les Soleils de Simon Goulart; La Vague OVNI de 1500 a 1600 by J. L. Olivyer and J. F. Boedec: Praised for its novel approach to historical UFO reports, analyzing them through a Fortean lens and classifying them according to natural causes or otherwise. The book is noted for its detailed analysis and valuable base material.
• The Terror that Comes in the Night by David J. Hufford: Hailed as an important study of 'bedroom-invaders' or the 'old hag' phenomenon, exploring its characteristics, psychological basis, and connections to folklore and UFOs.
• The UFO-Anthropoid Catalogue by Marc Moravec: A catalogue of alleged connections between UFOs and bigfoot-like creatures, noted for its lack of source references.
• UFOs; African Encounters by Cynthia Hind: Criticized as an uncritical book that overlooks the presence of black people in Africa.
• Tornados, Dark Days, Anomalous Precipitation, and Related Weather Phenomenon. Sourcebook Project by William R. Corliss: Presented as an essential series of sourcebooks compiling scientific literature on strange natural phenomena, highly relevant to UFO research.
• The Green Stone by Graham Phillips and Martin Keatman: Critiqued as a 'belief-oriented' investigation that relies heavily on subjective impressions and coincidences, lacking evidence and offering a sensationalized narrative.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of MAGONIA include the cultural interpretation of UFO phenomena, the distinction between scientific ufology and sensationalism, the role of folklore and mythology in understanding anomalous experiences, and the critical examination of UFO cases and related literature. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking rational explanations while acknowledging the complexity and enduring mystery of the UFO phenomenon. The magazine aims to provide a platform for serious research and discussion, encouraging readers to approach the subject with an open yet discerning mind.

This issue of FATE magazine, dated May 1983, features a cover story on 'The Mystery of the Ghost Rockets' and includes reviews of books related to mysteries and ufology. The magazine is published by Clark Publishing and is priced at $1.50.

Book Reviews

The Search for the Golden Hare

The first article discusses Bamber Gascoigne's book, 'The Search for the Golden Hare,' which details the story of a golden hare jewel created by artist Kit Williams and hidden as a prize for deciphering clues in his book 'Masquerade.' The article highlights how participants, like the 'Masqueraders,' become deeply immersed in the puzzle, interpreting even mundane occurrences as significant evidence. It touches upon the psychological aspect of such quests, where individuals might seek a sense of importance or engage in a battle of wits with unseen forces. The reviewer suggests that the book offers a compelling narrative, whether read as fact, fiction, or a warning, and recommends reading it alongside 'The Green Stone.' The reviewer considers Gascoigne's book to be one of the most important on ufology and the paranormal, essential for evaluating 'belief-oriented' investigators.

The Mystery of the Ghost Rockets

Loren E. Gross's 'The Mystery of the Ghost Rockets' (second, enlarged edition, 1982) is presented as a major source on the 'ghost-rocket' panic in Scandinavia in August 1946. Gross's account suggests this panic, similar to earlier airship waves, was a self-contained event driven by international tensions. While acknowledging that many sightings might have been misidentified meteors, Gross does not rule out the possibility of genuine Russian rockets.

UFOs, a history. Volume 1, July 1947 to December 1948

This review covers Loren E. Gross's 'UFOs, a history. Volume 1,' published by Arcturus Book Service. The reviewer notes that Gross is undertaking a monumental task of documenting UFO reports year by year. While this volume covers a period and cases already discussed in older ufology literature, it is considered valuable for those without access to such historical material. Gross's approach, by quoting original sources, offers a different perspective than works written in the 1950s. The review points out that the book features 'sky-quakes' and exploding objects that were relevant to contemporary fears of Russian rockets, rather than fitting neatly into the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) at the time. The ETH reportedly gained traction after the Chiles-Whitted case in July 1948, which involved an object resembling a 'Buck Rogers rocket.' Gross expresses skepticism towards official explanations for the Chiles-Whitted and Gorman cases, but the reviewer cautions that he might be giving too much weight to the Roswell incident, whose details emerged decades later.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue focuses on historical mysteries and UFO phenomena, particularly the 'ghost-rocket' panic and early UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to favor in-depth research and the presentation of primary source material, as exemplified by the praise for Loren E. Gross's work. There is a clear interest in exploring the psychological and societal factors influencing belief in the paranormal and UFOs, as seen in the review of 'The Search for the Golden Hare.' The magazine seems to encourage critical evaluation of 'belief-oriented' investigators while acknowledging the importance of their contributions to the field.