Magonia - No 20 - 1985 08

Magazine Overview

Magonia, Number 20, August 1985, is an independent journal focused on anomalous phenomena and their societal impact. Published by John Rimmer, it features contributions from an editorial panel and corresponding editors across various countries.

Editorial Notes

The editorial section humorously notes the return of 'crop circles' with the British summer, likening the phenomenon to a primitive mating ritual of shy, furry creatures, and satirizing the dedicated watchers.

Articles

Once Upon a Time in the West or, the Mystery of the Aurora Graveyard by H. Michael Simmons

This article details the 1896-1897 'Great Airship Mystery' that swept across the United States, particularly focusing on the events in Aurora, Texas. It describes how newspapers covered the sightings, with the yellow press sensationalizing reports while more conservative papers were cautious or dismissive. The article highlights the Aurora incident of April 17, 1897, where an airship reportedly collided with a windmill, exploded, and scattered debris. It mentions the recovery of papers with unknown hieroglyphics and the supposed extraterrestrial origin of the pilot. The piece traces the investigation into the Aurora story, including the work of Frank Masquelette, who concluded it was 'pure fiction,' and later investigations by ufologists and the Flying Saucer Review, which also deemed it a hoax. The article also touches upon the town of Aurora's history and its decline.

Children of Another God by Peter Rogerson

This article explores the concept of children being perceived as 'divine' or 'alien' offspring, drawing parallels with mythological themes and modern ufological interpretations. It discusses writers who suggest children are being taught by non-human forces to raise their consciousness, viewing them as leaders of a new age. The piece references 'space babies' and the idea of a race of divine children as harbingers of transformation. It delves into historical and psychological explanations for these beliefs, including the concept of 'psychological eugenics' and the influence of societal anxieties. The article also touches upon the idea of 'changelings' and the darker aspects of childhood imagery in society, such as in films like Rosemary's Baby and The Omen.

A Haunted Man by Peter Hough

This case report details the experiences of Mr. Keith Sefton, a 68-year-old retired man from Wigan, England, who began experiencing paranormal phenomena in 1980. The experiences include seeing the apparition of his deceased mother, hearing his ex-wife's voice, and a series of 'out-of-body' experiences (OOBE). These OOBE episodes often began with a tiny blue light that expanded and transformed into vivid, panoramic visions of exotic landscapes, figures, and intense journeys through darkness. Mr. Sefton describes these events as highly lucid and real, distinct from normal dreams. The article notes similarities to other reported OOBE phenomena and discusses the potential for altered states of consciousness to facilitate such experiences.

A Dream of Nuts and Bolts by Nigel Watson

This column discusses the ongoing interest in UFO construction and attempts to build flying saucers, linking it to a broader cultural fascination with 'mystical stones' and ancient myths. It highlights engineers like Guillermo Jaimes Gonzalez, Basil van den Berg, John Searl, and Bob Dunn, who claim to be developing or have developed UFO-like craft based on alien technology or messages. The article also touches upon the cultural phenomenon of searching for magical jewels and stones in popular films and literature, suggesting a collective human desire for such artifacts. It concludes by noting the parallels between modern 'psychic quests' and fantasy games like 'Dungeons and Dragons'.

Other Sections

Letters & Reviews Columns

This section indicates the presence of regular features such as letters, reviews, and columns, though their specific content is not detailed on the cover.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores anomalous phenomena, UFO sightings, and related mysteries, often drawing connections to folklore, mythology, and societal beliefs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting diverse accounts and theories while occasionally employing satire and critical analysis, as seen in the editorial notes and the discussion of the Aurora hoax. The focus on the interaction between these phenomena and society is a recurring theme.

This issue of Magonia, dated May 1985, presents a collection of journal reviews, letters, and book reviews, focusing on ufology and related phenomena. The publication appears to be a UK-based magazine with a critical yet engaged perspective on the field.

Journal Reviews

The issue begins with reviews of several ufology and paranormal journals. 'Anomalous Phenomenon Review' is noted for its perceived decline in quality, while 'APRO Bulletin' is reported to have ceased publication after 32 years. 'BUFORA Bulletin' is praised for its sound editorial direction, with potential to be a flagship publication. 'Fate' magazine is highlighted for its critical look at the intersection of new physics and mysticism, alongside articles on various fringe topics. 'Flying Saucer Review' (FSR) receives harsh criticism for its 'self-indulgent editorial foot-noting' and perceived alarmist stance, with the reviewer suggesting it does not represent British ufology. 'Ley Hunter' is noted for its larger format and improved readability, covering topics like radiation at megalithic sites. The 'SPR Journal' is critiqued for its focus on experimental prayer and a perceived lack of scientific rigor, with the reviewer suggesting only obituaries remain readable. 'Skeptical Enquirer' is commended for its combative approach to demolishing fringe beliefs, deemed essential reading for serious researchers.

Letters

The 'Letters' section features a significant discussion on the Rendlesham Forest radiation readings. Ian Ridpath addresses disputes between Willy Smith and Roger Sandell, stating that the significance of the readings cannot be evaluated without proper context regarding the monitor used and control readings. He questions the accuracy of the quoted figures and suggests that bursts of radiation could originate from natural background sources. Ridpath also comments on the reliability of Larry Warren, citing a MUFON statement about his embellishment of stories and failure of a voice stress analysis test. He further defends the presence of the lighthouse at the time of the event and discusses the editing of the Breakfast Time film.

Another letter from Michael Goss discusses the 'Maniac on the Platform' phenomenon, suggesting its origins might be linked to a similar psychosis in Paris and that British press accounts may have shaped the London rumour. Jean-Louis Brodu, Editor of Pogonip, Paris, also comments on the 'pousseurs de metro' affair in Paris, viewing it as a politically motivated use of the press to induce xenophobic fears.

Roger Sandell responds to Michael Goss's article, suggesting that the 'Maniac on the Platform' rumour might have been influenced by a reader's account in the London Standard of a man kicking a tramp at Leicester Square station.

Steuart Campbell engages with Hilary Evans, arguing that while he doesn't believe in alien craft (IFOs), he does not claim 'there are no UFOs'. He defines UFOs as objects initially unidentified but later recognized as conventional or natural phenomena. Campbell asserts his right to hold opinions and make assumptions, denying charges of being obtuse or engaging in trickery. He challenges the scientific validity of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) due to its inability to be disproved.

Manfred Cassirer criticizes Steuart Campbell's views on psychic phenomena, arguing that many such phenomena leave physical traces and that dismissing all researchers claiming positive results as deluded or dishonest is an oversimplification. Cassirer draws parallels with how medical research and psychology could be similarly discredited.

Hilary Evans writes about Mr. Rankin's 'discopunting' technique in Brentford, linking it to aerial phenomena and winged creatures rising from the Thames. He expresses hope for video records of this technique and suggests parallels between the sea serpent and sasquatch (pre-historic) and UFOs (post-historic).

Thierry Pinvidic provides an update on French ufology, mentioning the publication of 'Les OVNI' and the potential for radical thinking within the French ufology community. He also notes that in future issues, he will contribute a column on current developments in French ufology.

Book Reviews

The issue includes several book reviews:

• 'The Dragon of Christchurch' by Jeremy Harte: A translation of a 12th-century account detailing portents, prodigies, and miracles, including a dragon incident, which is contextualized as a potential historical UFO sighting.
• 'Earth Mysteries: an exploratory introduction' by Brian Larkman and Philip Heselton: A brief summary of earth mysteries, covering topics like Alfred Watkins, folklore, archaeology, and scientific approaches, with a bibliography and glossary.
• 'A Secret Property' by Ralph Noyes: Reviewed as a fictionalized account set in a 'Bent-bridge' air base, it is noted for its author's knowledge of ufology and Whitehall, but not as a direct expose of government UFO interests.
• 'Circles of Silence' by Don Robins: Focuses on the Dragon Project's instrumented tests at megalithic sites to determine if detectable radiation causes anomalous properties. It notes preliminary findings of ultrasonic radiation at Rollright and suggests the project attempts to bring 'earth mysteries' research into the realm of replicable experiment.
• 'Dracula: the novel and the legend' by Clive Leatherdale: Explores Bram Stoker's work in the context of vampire legends, social settings, and psychoanalysis, examining its symbolism and contrasting interpretations.
• 'Perceiving Ordinary Magic: science and intuitive wisdom' by Jeremy W. Hayward: Inspired by Buddhist tradition, it discusses integrating meditation with modern science for personal upliftment and discovering one's unconditioned nature.
• 'Out of the Body Experiences' by Janet Lee Mitchell: Discusses Ingo Swann's claims of leaving his body and laboratory experiments, offering a concise introduction to OOBEs but criticized for its easy acceptance of the notion that people actually leave their bodies.
• 'Ghosts in the Mind's Machine: creating and using images in the brain' by Stephen Michael Kosslyn: An account of research into mental imagery, describing experiments on how people create and manipulate images, and their connection to words. The reviewer notes its relevance to UFO reports but quibbles with the author's claims about solving the mind-body problem.
• 'Science and the UFOs' by Jenny Randles and Peter Warrington: Critically examines the history of ufology and governmental investigations, arguing that UFO data should interest mainstream science. It analyzes abduction and contactee cases, suggesting they represent a strange part of human experience that social scientists should not neglect. The book's high price is noted as a limitation.
• 'Science and Unreason' by Daisie and Michael Radner: Examines fringe science topics and condemns unorthodox views as pseudo-science, outlining hallmarks of 'crank' pseudo-science. The authors are noted for their omnibus approach, lumping various phenomena together.
• 'The Great Sea Serpent Controversy: a cultural study' by Paul Lester: A brief summary of the history of sea serpent interest, emerging from folklore to a 19th-century controversy, and suggesting UFOs symbolize a post-historic future.
• 'Flying Saucers: magic in the skies, a psychohistory' by Otto Billig: Examines IFOs (Identified Flying Objects) and the psychological reasons people interpret lights as alien spaceships, drawing parallels with hypnogogic states and shamanic encounters. It analyzes abduction cases as occurring in marginality and sensory deprivation.
• 'Millennialism and Charisma' edited by Roy Wallis: A selection of papers on charismatic leadership in new religious movements, discussing the genesis of messianic impulses, the role of lifestyle collapse, and techniques of recruitment. It notes the connection between the cult's launch and public interest in ufology.
• 'Sociology of Scientific Knowledge: a sourcebook' edited by H.M. Collins: A selection of papers illustrating the 'strong programme' of the sociology of scientific knowledge, ignoring positivist distinctions between science and pseudoscience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a consistent theme of critically examining ufological claims and their relationship with mainstream science. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous investigation, questioning unsubstantiated assertions, and distinguishing between genuine phenomena and misperception or pseudoscience. The reviews often highlight the need for scientific methodology and evidence, while also acknowledging the potential significance of certain anomalous experiences. The magazine appears to advocate for a more rational and evidence-based approach to ufology, while remaining open to the possibility of genuine mysteries.

The editorial stance seems to lean towards skepticism regarding the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) as the sole explanation for UFOs, favoring more conventional or psychological explanations where possible, but not dismissing all anomalous data outright. The critique of 'Flying Saucer Review' suggests a preference for a less sensationalist and more grounded approach to reporting on UFO phenomena. The inclusion of reviews on topics like the sociology of science and 'earth mysteries' indicates a broad interest in the cultural and psychological aspects surrounding belief in the unexplained.