Magonia - No 67 - 1999 06

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA 67, published in June 1999, is an issue dedicated to exploring the intersection of contemporary vision and belief, with a particular focus on conspiracy theories, ufology, and prophecy. The cover features a striking image of Nostradamus with the provocative headline, "If you're reading this, he must have got it wrong!", hinting at an investigation into the accuracy of his predictions. The issue includes contributions from Steven Woodbridge, who reviews the dark history of contemporary conspiracy theories, and Rory Lushman, who recounts a close encounter with a curious contactee.

Editorial

The editorial by John Rimmer reflects on the Fortean Times UnConvention, noting the predominantly sceptical yet informed audience. Rimmer contrasts the approaches of British and American ufology, observing a tendency for American ufologists to be labeled 'government agents' when they adopt a sceptical stance, while British sceptics often emerge from a background of UFO research. He also humorously notes a perceived difference in the appearance of British versus American ufologists.

Plots Against the World: The Disturbing Historical Background to Modern Conspiracy Theories

Steven Woodbridge's article delves into the historical roots of conspiracy theories, tracing them from the 1790s and the French Revolution. He discusses how fears of societal decline and secret plots have been perpetuated, often targeting groups like the Freemasons, Illuminati, and Jews. The article highlights the rise of extreme right-wing conspiracy theories, particularly in the wake of events like the Oklahoma City bombing and the Waco siege, which fueled distrust in government. Woodbridge examines the influence of figures like Nesta Webster, Arnold Leese, and Archibald Ramsay, whose works on secret societies and conspiracies continue to be reprinted. He also discusses the role of publications like Nexus magazine in popularizing these ideas, often by recycling extreme right-wing themes and presenting them in a broader esoteric or UFO context. The article points to David Icke as an example of someone who blends conspiracy theories with technological and UFO-related material, making his work attractive to the extreme right.

The Manchester Air Myth

Rory Lushman investigates the 'Manchester Air Miss' case, where British Airways pilots Roger Wills and Mark Stuart reported a UFO sighting on January 6th, 1995. Lushman focuses on a witness, Mark Lloyd, who claims to have seen a similar craft on the same night at the same altitude. Lloyd's account is presented as developing into a 'fairy-tale' after he initially reported being threatened not to speak about it. The narrative becomes bizarre as Lloyd explains his certainty that the man who threatened him was American due to him wearing a baseball cap, a logic that raises immediate questions.

Is This It, Then? Gareth Medway Reviews the Record of the World's Most Famous Prophet

Gareth Medway reviews the prophecies of Nostradamus, exploring his enduring reputation and the sheer volume of his works. Medway traces Nostradamus's life, from his studies in medicine and his work as a plague doctor to his publication of almanacs and the 'Centuries'. He discusses the challenges in interpreting Nostradamus's cryptic quatrains and how they have been adapted to fit various events throughout history, from the Great Fire of London to predictions about political figures. Medway notes the historical use of Nostradamus's prophecies for propaganda, particularly by the Nazis during World War II, and the subsequent British intelligence efforts to counter these interpretations. The article also touches upon the recent resurgence of interest in Nostradamus, driven by millenarian anxieties and the mass market for esoteric literature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores themes of hidden knowledge, secret plots, and alternative explanations for world events. There is a clear focus on the historical lineage of conspiracy theories and their modern manifestations, particularly within the context of ufology and fringe beliefs. The magazine appears to adopt a critical yet open-minded stance, presenting detailed analyses of these phenomena without necessarily endorsing them. The editorial suggests a distinction between British and American approaches to ufology, with a leaning towards scepticism informed by research in the British context. The overall tone is analytical, aiming to provide context and historical perspective on complex and often controversial subjects.

This issue of Magonia, identified as issue 66, delves into various aspects of ufology and paranormal phenomena. It features a cover story questioning how a witness identified a UFO as American, a detailed account of a witness named Mark's experiences, several book reviews, and a competition announcement.

Mark's UFO Encounter and Skepticism

The main narrative follows a witness named Mark, who claims to have had multiple encounters. Initially, he reported being woken by a legless Grey alien with red eyes. He later claimed to have seen a UFO, describing its size variably from that of an aircraft carrier to ten times the size of a ship. Mark also reported being followed and watched, with suspicions about British Telecom vans. Researchers Jenny Randles, Peter Hough, and Eric Morris were involved in investigating his claims. Mark's assertion that the UFO was American because a person associated with it wore a baseball cap is highlighted, immediately raising skepticism. The article details Mark's evolving descriptions of the object's location, shifting from over Manchester Airport to Knutsford, and the implausibility of such a large object going unnoticed.

The author expresses significant skepticism regarding Mark's case, noting the lack of evidence and the tendency for such stories to change over time. The article warns other researchers about Mark's case, suggesting it might be an attempt to gain publicity. The piece also touches upon the commercialization of UFO stories, noting how 'aliens sell' more than factual research.

Animal Madness I & II

Two short articles under the heading 'Animal Madness' address unusual animal-related incidents. 'Animal Madness I' discusses a report from Robert A. Fairfax of WA MUFON concerning an elk abduction, where over 100 dead elk were found in the St. Helen's region. The article questions whether the elk were truly abducted or if their deaths were due to natural causes like starvation and exhaustion, while also noting MUFON's seemingly uncritical acceptance of the abduction claim.

'Animal Madness II' revisits the issue of alleged pet mutilations in Britain, particularly north of London. It reports that The Times revealed that after a 13-month investigation, the cats had mostly died in road accidents, with their bodies scavenged. The article critiques the tendency for some commentators to attribute such injuries to 'surgical precision,' suggesting that such claims should be viewed as confirmation of accidents or predator attacks.

Book Reviews

The issue includes several book reviews:

• Theo Paijmans's 'Free Energy Pioneer: John Worrell Keely': Reviewed by Mike Jay, this book is discussed as defending John Keely against accusations of fraud. The review contrasts the two main versions of Keely's life – as a huckster or a misunderstood genius – and explores the occult context of his work, linking it to traditions like Theosophy and New Age beliefs.
• Barbara Goldsmith's 'Other Powers: the age of suffrage, spiritualism, and the scandalous Victoria Woodhull': Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this book is an account of Victoria Woodhull's life, set against the backdrop of American abolitionism and feminism. The review notes the assimilation of folk beliefs into spiritualism and compares Woodhull's life to contemporary political figures.
• Jodi Dean's 'Aliens in America: conspiracy cultures from outer-space to cyberspace': Also reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this study focuses on the abduction subculture. The review highlights Dean's thesis that in the internet age, reality is privatized and fragmented, and abduction narratives can serve as metaphors for challenges to hegemonic reality. It touches upon themes of technology, security, and identity.
• Alan Baker's 'The Encyclopaedia of Alien Encounters': Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this is described as a flawed attempt at a UFO encyclopedia, noted for its Americocentric bias and lack of depth in British ufology. The reviewer finds the subject unsuitable for encyclopedic treatment due to the lack of agreed facts.
• Robert E. Bartholomew and George S. Howard's 'UFOs and Alien Contact: two centuries of mystery': Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this book is praised for its examination of historical UFO waves and their cultural contexts. It explores how sightings are interpreted through the lens of contemporary technology and fears, linking them to psychosocial hypotheses and the concept of 'fantasy proneness'.
• Hartwig Hausdorf's 'The Chinese Roswell: UFO encounters in the far east from ancient times to the present': This book is dismissed as 'utter rubbish' by the reviewer, characterized as a typical example of German ufology promoting ancient astronaut theories.
• Jenny Randles's 'The Paranormal Source Book': This new edition is noted for updating chapters and introducing new ones on environmental mysteries and ice bombs. The UFO section aims for even-handedness but is expected to please neither skeptics nor believers.
• Michael Kurland's 'The Complete Idiots Guide to Extraterrestrial Intelligence': Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this guide is criticized for its superficiality and factual errors, despite covering a wide range of topics from ancient astronauts to UFOs. It is noted for its skeptical stance but also for some questionable insights into alien intelligence.
• Steve Moore (editor)'s 'Fortean Studies, Volume 5': Reviewed by Jonathan Downes, this issue features articles on the Big Grey Man of Ben Macdhui, the mythology of roads, plagiarism in occult literature, and the interpretation of UFOs. The review highlights the academic quality of most papers, while noting a piece on dogmen and werewolves that appears to believe in the phenomenon.

Roger Sandell Memorial Essay Competition

The magazine announces the second Roger Sandell Memorial Essay Competition, with a broad theme of 'The Media, Vision and Belief'. Entries are invited to explore how media interacts with beliefs and anomalous phenomena. The competition has a £100 prize, and entries are due by September 31st, 1999.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of UFO and alien encounter claims, with a strong emphasis on skepticism and the need for evidence. The magazine appears to be wary of sensationalism and publicity-seeking individuals within the ufology community. There is also a focus on the cultural and psychological aspects of belief in the paranormal, as seen in the book reviews and the essay competition theme. The editorial stance leans towards a rational and evidence-based approach, while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and the diverse interpretations surrounding them.