Magonia - No 71 - 2000 06

Magazine Overview

Title: Magonia
Issue: 71 (incorporating MUFOB 118)
Date: June 2000
Price: £1.25

This issue of Magonia, titled "Interpreting Contemporary Vision and Belief," delves into the enduring fascination with fairies, particularly through the lens of Victorian art and imagination, and explores its surprising connections to modern ufology. The cover story, "Fairyland, my Fairyland: David Sivier on fairies, art and the Victorian imagination," sets the tone for an exploration of how folklore and myth intersect with contemporary beliefs.

Editorial Notes

The editorial, by John Rimmer, discusses the concept of "Virtual Experience," where individuals perceive situations as real when they are not. Rimmer shares an anecdote about a colleague who experienced making a drink in a dream-like state, only to find the drink later, raising questions about the nature of memory and reality. This leads to a discussion on how such complex "virtual experiences" might relate to the mechanisms behind abduction reports, suggesting that "physical evidence" in these cases could be produced by similar processes.

The Limners of Faerie: David Sivier on fairies, art and the Victorian imagination

David Sivier's article examines the strong parallels between the European fairy cult and the UFO phenomenon, noting shared subtexts of sexuality, abduction, and substitution. He argues that the Victorian era was pivotal in shaping the modern perception of fairies, influencing art, music, and literature. The article traces the influence of artists like Edward Burne-Jones and the Pre-Raphaelites, and the broader movement of Symbolism, which celebrated the mystical and fantastic as a reaction against materialism and rationalism. Sivier highlights how Victorian fairy lore, influenced by figures like Andrew Lang, became a significant part of popular culture, providing inspiration for artists and writers.

The piece connects the Victorian fairy cult to a broader Romantic revolt against industrialization and mechanization, emphasizing a desire for magic and the supernatural. It discusses how fairy themes permeated various art forms, including ballet and literature, and how the genre offered an acceptable outlet for repressed Victorian sexuality. The article also touches upon the influence of fairy tales on modern fantasy literature, such as Tolkien's works, and the resurgence of interest in these themes in contemporary culture.

Edward Burne-Jones and the Victorian Fairy Cult

This section further explores the influence of Victorian fairy lore, particularly through the work of artists like Edward Burne-Jones and the Pre-Raphaelites. It discusses how their art, infused with a dream-like fantasy, contributed to the preservation and transmission of fairy traditions. The article links this to the broader Symbolist movement, which reacted against the utilitarianism and materialism of the age, celebrating the sublime, the fantastic, and the mystical. The impact of Darwinism and materialist science is noted as a factor that led to a questioning of traditional certainties, prompting a return to older beliefs and a fascination with the supernatural, including Gothic horror and vampire tales.

The rise of penny dreadfuls and the increasing accessibility of literature through new printing technologies are discussed. While horror and crime tales dominated early publications, fairy art and tales persisted longer, offering escapism. The article suggests that the adult fairy cult lingered until the First World War, eventually being replaced by cynicism and anti-artistic movements. However, the legacy of fairy lore is seen in modern fantasy literature and art.

Violence and Cruelty in Victorian Paintings and Tales

This section, accompanied by an image of Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market," notes that violence and cruelty were evident in many Victorian fairy paintings and tales, despite the genre's often perceived innocence. It suggests that fairy tales, particularly those cleaned up by Grimm and Perrault, contributed to children's mental health by allowing them to confront fears metaphorically. The decline of fairy painting in the late 19th century is attributed to the rise of spirit photography and the growing influence of social realism and modern art movements.

The article posits that the Victorian fairy cult represented a democratization of the fantastic, aligning with the values of the new industrial bourgeoisie. It was a peculiarly British phenomenon, offering an escape from the realities of industrialization and a celebration of nature and the mystical. The genre's broad appeal, accessible to the new middle class, and its suitability for themes of domesticity are highlighted. The democratization of the fantastic was further fueled by increased literacy and the availability of affordable magazines.

A Sceptical View of Dr French by Montague Keene

Montague Keene, a member of the Society for Psychical Research, reviews Dr. Chris French's work, criticizing its selectivity in dealing with paranormal claims. Keene argues that French focuses on weaker or fraudulent cases while ignoring more compelling evidence, such as Rupert Sheldrake's research on the dog Jaytee, or demonstrations of psychokinesis and remote viewing. Keene contends that French's approach, by avoiding direct confrontation with strong evidence, relies on accusations of fraud rather than engaging with the phenomena themselves.

Keene discusses the difficulty of debating paranormal topics, noting that in the Middle Ages, reasoned debates were possible due to accepted authorities like the Bible and Church councils. In contrast, modern debates, particularly in ufology, are hampered by a lack of common assumptions and differing initial axioms. He highlights the challenge of proving negative propositions (e.g., that aliens do not exist) and suggests that the burden of proof lies with those making extraordinary claims, a principle often applied by skeptics.

The article touches upon the plausibility argument in ufology, where skeptics might dismiss extraterrestrial hypotheses (ETH) as less likely than misidentification (e.g., mistaking Venus for a spacecraft). Keene contrasts this with the ETH proponents' assumption that alien monitoring is probable. He concludes that in the field of UFOs, reason often leads nowhere, and that neither the believer's nor the skeptic's viewpoint is strictly testable, making them unscientific.

Back Issues and Excalibur Books

The magazine offers a list of available back issues for sale, detailing the contents of specific editions. Additionally, an advertisement for Excalibur Books promotes a wide range of titles on UFOs, mysteries, and the paranormal, offering a booksearch service for elusive titles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia revolve around the intersection of folklore, art, and belief systems, particularly focusing on the Victorian era's engagement with fairies and its resonance with modern paranormal and ufological interests. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that encourages critical examination of paranormal claims, acknowledging the complexities of evidence and belief. While presenting skeptical viewpoints, it also highlights the limitations of pure skepticism when confronted with phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. The issue emphasizes the enduring power of myth and imagination in shaping human perception and belief, suggesting that these themes continue to be relevant in contemporary society and find expression in various cultural forms, from art and literature to science fiction and ufology.

There is a clear interest in exploring the historical roots of contemporary beliefs, drawing connections between past phenomena (like fairy lore) and present-day mysteries (like UFO sightings). The magazine seems to advocate for a nuanced approach, recognizing that while fraud and misinterpretation exist, dismissing all extraordinary claims outright may be premature. The editorial notes and articles by Keene and Sivier, in particular, suggest an editorial inclination towards exploring the psychological and cultural underpinnings of belief in the unusual, and questioning the absolute certainty often adopted by both proponents and detractors of paranormal phenomena.

This issue of Magonia, number 72, dated December 1999, with a cover price of £6.99, features a prominent article titled 'Scole for Scandal?' which critically examines the Scole physical mediumship case. The magazine delves into various aspects of ufology, parapsychology, and historical accounts of alleged paranormal phenomena, often with a skeptical viewpoint.

Articles and Reviews

Scole for Scandal?

The lead article, 'Scole for Scandal?', by Peter Rogerson, scrutinizes the claims made in 'The Scole Experiment' and 'The Scole Report'. Rogerson argues that despite the authors' attempts to present convincing evidence, the case is ultimately unimpressive and potentially fraudulent. He highlights issues such as the reliance on hearsay, the changing conditions for seances, and the spirits' apparent lack of knowledge, contrasting it with the investigators' apparent credulity. Rogerson points out that the investigators, including Arthur Ellison, David Fontana, and Montague Keen, seem to have overlooked obvious explanations and potential for deception, attributing the phenomena to 'mischievous boggarts' rather than fraud.

Skepticism vs. Belief: The Chris French Debate

An article discusses the approach of skeptics like Chris French, a psychology lecturer who teaches parapsychology. The author criticizes French and similar skeptics for dismissing or downplaying evidence that supports paranormal claims, often resorting to excuses or ignoring inconvenient data. The piece contrasts this with the rigorous scientific research into areas like psychokinesis and telepathy, where results are statistically significant and replicated, yet often suppressed by skeptical viewpoints.

The Psychology of Hoaxes and False Beliefs

Several pieces explore the psychological underpinnings of belief and deception. The 'Hold the Back Page' section discusses two cases in Britain (Chris Barton and Chris Cotter) where alleged racist attacks were later revealed to be hoaxes, demonstrating that people can undergo significant trauma for various motives, including financial gain or other obscure reasons. This is used to suggest that abduction experiences might also be fabrications, especially if subjected to rigorous investigation.

Book Reviews

The issue includes several book reviews:

• 'Rare Earth: why complex life is so uncommon in the universe' by Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee: This review highlights the book's argument that while simple organisms may be common, the conditions for complex multicellular life and technological intelligence are extremely restrictive, making such life potentially scarce. The reviewer notes the book's controversial nature and its potential implications for the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH).
• 'Secret Societies: from the ancient and arcane to the modern and clandestine' by David V. Barrett: The review suggests Barrett's book offers a wide-ranging look at secret societies, but perhaps too broad, dedicating insufficient space to the modern concept of subversive secret societies. It notes Barrett's focus on exploding myths about Freemasons but suggests he misses the point that many join for business networking rather than spiritual insight.
• 'The UFOs That Never Were' by Jenny Randles, Andy Roberts and David Clarke: This book is described as an important critical look at major British IFOs (Identified Flying Objects) over 30 years. The review highlights chapters on the 1897 airship, the 'phantom plane crashes' at the Isle of Lewis, the Howden Moor incident, and the Berwyn Mountain affair, showing how folklore, hoaxes, and expectancy can create UFO waves. It also discusses the Alex Birch case and the Peter Day film as examples of how ordinary events can be sensationalized.
• 'Reading Witchcraft: stories of early English witches' by Marion Gibson: This review focuses on Gibson's advice to historians on analyzing historical documents, particularly witchcraft accusations. It suggests applying similar critical reading to modern supernatural memorates, noting the commonality of layered authorship, interpretation, and the construction of narratives.
• 'UFOs; a beginner's guide' by Teresa Moorey: The reviewer finds Moorey's knowledge of UFOs sketchy, noting that a significant portion of the book is devoted to Roswell and the Philadelphia experiment, with obligatory references to animal mutilations and Zachariah Sitchin.
• 'Aliens amongst us: a beginner's guide' by Peter J. Morris: This review notes that Morris, unlike Moorey, knows more about the subject, but it remains unclear whether he considers aliens to be real or products of the imagination.

Readers' Letters

The 'Readers' Letters' section features correspondence from:

• Tim Matthews: Responding to a review of Larry O'Hara's 'At War With the Universe', Matthews defends himself against allegations of past involvement with extremist groups and claims of encouraging violence. He states his work focuses on exposing links between extremists and the USA, and he supports a strict code of conduct for UFO investigators.
• Stephen Booth: A brief letter from Stephen Booth, London, asking readers to think hard about the definition of 'Fascist' and apply it appropriately.
• Margaret Buckingham: Expresses dissatisfaction with Magonia's perceived 'predetermined disbelief' and 'inflexible attitude', finding the magazine tedious and boring. She challenges the magazine to answer two specific points regarding 'missing time' and waking up in unusual circumstances.
• Anthony R. Brown: Expresses concern about Magonia's editorial stance on suppressing UFO abduction material, questioning if the magazine is seeking censorship. He argues that UFO cases and abduction claims should be investigated.

Other Sections

• 'Pelicanitis': A limerick about the Pelican.
• 'Stole the Back Page': A complaint about plagiarism from the London Evening Standard's new column.
• 'Something's Up': Reports on recent difficulties faced by John Hutchison, a levitation expert, including police searches and examination of his equipment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of paranormal claims, particularly UFO sightings and mediumship, through a skeptical lens. The magazine consistently questions the evidence presented, highlighting potential fraud, misinterpretation, and psychological factors. There is a strong emphasis on distinguishing between genuine investigation and what the magazine perceives as 'ufological fantasists' or 'conspiracy-minded posturing'. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous, evidence-based analysis and is critical of what it views as uncritical acceptance of paranormal phenomena. The magazine also touches upon issues of racism and how such societal problems can intersect with or be mimicked in paranormal narratives.