MAGONIA

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA
Issue: 80
Date: January 2003
Price: £1.25

This issue of Magonia, subtitled 'interpreting contemporary vision and belief', features a cover story on 'Tangling with the Trickster', exploring the archetype's relevance to ufology and the enduring mystery of the Flatwoods Monster case. The editorial notes discuss the challenges of establishing a 'UK National UFO Authority' and the concept of 'peer-review' in ufology.

Editorial Notes

The editorial, penned by John Rimmer, addresses Joe McGonagle's proposal for a 'UK National UFO Authority'. Rimmer expresses skepticism, likening the endeavor to 'pushing a piece of string' and recalling past failed attempts by organizations like BUFORA. He questions the value of monitoring and accrediting ufologists, suggesting it would be useless and counterproductive. Rimmer also critiques the demand for 'peer-reviewed' publications in ufology, arguing that it often means approval by like-minded individuals rather than genuine scientific scrutiny. He asserts that ufology is not a coherent science but a collection of interests, and that attempts to control or monitor it would stifle imagination and progress.

The Flatwoods Monster: A Critical Re-examination

Buzz Brandt critically re-examines the infamous Flatwoods Monster case of September 12, 1952, in West Virginia. The incident, dubbed one of the 'most bizarre UFO encounters of all time', involved a group of boys witnessing a bright red, disc-shaped object that dropped behind a hill, followed by an eerie illumination. A search party, including Eugene Lemon and Neil Nunley, investigated and reported a large, man-like creature with glowing eyes and a foul-smelling mist.

Brandt details the various accounts, including those from Ivan Sanderson and Gray Barker, highlighting the numerous inconsistencies and contradictions that emerged between the actual event and the arrival of investigators. Sanderson, a naturalist, and Barker, a theatrical agent, both arrived a week after the incident and interviewed witnesses, but their reports differed significantly regarding the object's shape, color, and the presence of appendages on the creature.

Brandt questions the credibility of Sanderson and Barker, noting Sanderson's credulist tendencies and Barker's history as a hoaxer. He points out that many of the details, such as the 'skid marks' and the 'grease', were not immediately apparent and were later attributed to natural causes or the actions of searchers.

Astronomical Explanations

Brandt proposes that the strange aerial object observed was likely a fireball, a meteor that enters the Earth's atmosphere and becomes incandescent. He explains that fireballs can exhibit a range of colors, flare up and dim, and leave smoke trails, consistent with some witness descriptions. The perceived slow movement and changes in direction can be explained by optical illusions related to distance and perspective. The 'pulsating illumination' could be the natural flaring of the fireball or reflected sunlight.

The Creature and the Mist

Brandt suggests that the 'monster' itself was a product of misperception and imagination, possibly influenced by folklore and the cultural zeitgeist of the UFO 'flap' year of 1952. The 'foul-smelling mist' and 'grease' are attributed to natural sources like 'tar grass'. The creature's appearance, with its glowing eyes and dark, clothing-like folds, could have been influenced by the shape of an owl perched in a tree, combined with the witnesses' heightened emotional state and predisposition to believe in extraterrestrial visitors.

Hoaxes and Misperceptions

The article also touches upon other cases, such as the New Zealand Zeppelin sightings of 1909 and a reported alien spaceship crash in Suffolk, England, to illustrate how mass delusion, hoaxes, and misperception of natural phenomena contribute to UFO mythology. The case of D.S. Desvergers in West Palm Beach, Florida, is presented as an example of a hoax involving a scoutmaster and boys, where the burns were found to be easily manufactured.

Brandt concludes that while a hoax cannot be entirely dismissed, the Flatwoods incident is best explained by a combination of factors: the misidentification of a fireball, the psychological impact of the UFO 'flap' era, and the power of suggestion and folklore influencing eyewitness accounts.

Tangling with the Trickster

David Perkins reviews George P. Hansen's book, 'The Trickster and the Paranormal' (2001). Perkins notes that Hansen's 564-page work thoroughly examines the state of current UFO, psi, and paranormal research, addressing issues of deception, hoaxes, and fraud within these fields.

Hansen, who has a background in parapsychology and is also a magician, was intrigued by how deception has plagued these disciplines. He found that the 'trickster' archetype, a mythological figure embodying deception and challenging norms, provided a framework for understanding these phenomena. The book draws heavily on trickster mythology and Jungian psychology, with acknowledgments to Dennis Stillings and the Archaeus Project.

Perkins highlights that Hansen's work is a significant contribution to the field, particularly in its exploration of the paranormal and its connection to ufology. The book is described as a tribute to Hansen's perseverance and a penetrating look at the various schisms within the research community.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Magonia consistently questions the methodology and claims within ufology, advocating for a critical and skeptical approach. The editorial explicitly dismisses the idea of a formal 'science of ufology' and expresses doubt about the efficacy of organized bodies or 'peer-review' processes within the field. The article on the Flatwoods Monster exemplifies this stance by offering rational, scientific explanations for a classic UFO case, attributing it to misidentification of natural phenomena and psychological factors rather than extraterrestrial visitation. The review of Hansen's book, while acknowledging its scholarly merit, also implicitly underscores the problematic nature of deception and fraud within paranormal research, suggesting that the 'trickster' archetype is a fitting metaphor for the field's inherent complexities and potential for illusion. The magazine appears to champion rigorous investigation and a grounded perspective, wary of unsubstantiated claims and the tendency towards sensationalism in the study of unexplained phenomena.

This issue of Magonia, dated Autumn 1977 (Issue 9), focuses on the work of George Hansen and his theory presented in "The Trickster and the Paranormal." The cover headline poses the question, "Is the Trickster still alive and vital in the modern world?" with Hansen proclaiming, "The Trickster is a living thing!"

The Trickster and the Paranormal: George Hansen's Thesis

The core of the issue delves into George Hansen's argument that science and reason alone are insufficient to understand UFOs and the paranormal. He posits that these phenomena are associated with processes of "destructuring," which include change, transition, disorder, marginality, the ephemeral, and the blurring of boundaries. These qualities stand in opposition to structure, order, routine, rigidity, and clear demarcation, which Hansen links to the "rationalisation" of society as described by sociologist Max Weber. This rationalization, according to Weber, is "the iron cage of modernity" and involves the elimination of "magic" from the social structure, a process he termed "the disenchantment of the world."

Hansen introduces the trickster as the "ultimate destructuring agent," a figure found in world mythologies. He cites Karl Kerényi, who called the trickster "a powerful life spirit," and Paul Radin, who described the trickster as "at one and the same time creator and destroyer, giver and negator, he who dupes others and is always duped himself." Radin noted that the trickster "knows neither good nor evil yet he is responsible for both. He possesses no values, moral or social, is at mercy of his passions and appetites, yet through his actions all values come into being."

Carl Jung viewed the trickster as "God, man and animal all at once," being both subhuman and superhuman, bestial and divine. Jung also noted the similarity between trickster antics and the "malicious tricks and fatuitous 'communications' of poltergeists." In Jungian terms, the trickster is a "root" archetype, a universal image shared by all humanity. Allan Combs and Mark Holland, in "Synchronicity: Science, Myth and the Trickster," refer to archetypes as "woven into the deepest fabric of the cosmos myths as expressions of archetypes might be expected to portray certain aspects of the objective world as well as depicting psychological realities." They describe root archetypes as amorphous "concentrations of psychic energy."

Parallels Between Tricksters and UFOs

Hansen draws significant parallels between trickster figures and UFOs and their "occupants." Tricksters are described as shape-shifters who can teleport, evade, and manipulate time. Their communications alternate between profound wisdom and nonsense. They are said to abduct people and animals, engage in sexual contact, and taunt human hierarchies. Trickster lore also includes instances of stealing livestock, creating patterns in crops, and being associated with "mystery helicopters." Hansen sees the trickster as the embodiment of paranormal, preternatural, and anti-structural forces that the rationalization process attempts to suppress.

Hansen warns that when the supernatural and irrational are banished from consciousness, they become "exceedingly dangerous." He cautions researchers against becoming too entangled with the trickster's domain, warning of personal destabilization, loss of judgment, and ruined lives.

Mythological and Cultural Context

The issue explores trickster figures in various mythologies, including Greek mythology (Hermes) and Native American lore (coyote and raven). It touches upon the idea that trickster figures are often associated with animals that are frequently cited by skeptics as explanations for animal mutilations.

The Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) and Rationalization

Hansen critiques the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH), suggesting it is a misnomer and a "foundational premise" that rationalizes phenomena by framing them as ET "flesh and blood" humanoids in "nuts and bolts" flying saucers, thus keeping them within the normal world and apart from the supernatural. He argues that researchers who avoid or downplay "high strangeness" cases miss vital clues.

The article notes that despite popular media interest in UFOs, funding for serious research remains minimal. It suggests that popular TV shows and movies, by portraying paranormal topics in fictional formats, make them "unreal" and therefore non-threatening, allowing the rationalization process to prevail.

Government Disinformation and UFO Research

Hansen's chapter on "Government Disinformation" highlights that government intelligence agencies have provided funding for paranormal and psi-related research, possibly to promote "mythological beliefs" that serve their agenda. He suggests these agencies have a strong interest in the link between UFOs and parapsychology, citing a 1997 article by Gerald Haines. Hansen questions the links between prominent UFO/paranormal researchers and intelligence services.

The article references Hansen's controversial investigation into the Budd Hopkins/Linda Napolitano "Brooklyn Bridge UFO Abductions" case, which he concluded was a hoax. This led to him being referred to as "Torquemada" by some ufologists.

Hansen's critique of CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) is described as one of the most blistering, calling them "aggressive agents for the rationalisation and disenchantment of the world."

The Trickster's Role in Society

The issue discusses the idea that trickster figures, while deconstructive, often bring benefit by challenging rigid social structures and introducing novelty. The example of Hermes inventing the first musical instrument and Native American tricksters introducing fire and fish hooks is mentioned. The concept of "social inversions" temporarily subverting hierarchies is seen as leading to a revitalized social order.

Researchers Jacques Vallée and Terence McKenna's "cultural thermostat" theory of UFOs is mentioned, suggesting that flying saucers appear to break the control of dominant ideas that arise at the expense of ethics, particularly "scientism."

The Nature of UFO Evidence and Skepticism

The article touches upon the debate surrounding UFO evidence, with some researchers like David Jacobs refuting the paranormal explanation for abductions. It also discusses the difficulty in distinguishing between genuine phenomena and psychological manipulation or misidentification. The Las Vegas case is presented as an example of an incident that, upon critical examination, appears to be a meteor, despite initial claims of unusual behavior.

Book Reviews

The issue includes several book reviews:

• "Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism and the Politics of Identity" by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke: This review discusses the book's analysis of neo-Nazi movements and their connection to esoteric traditions, noting themes of radical paganism and the supernaturalization of the Nazi Party. It also touches upon the connections between esoteric Nazism and figures like Guy Ballard and the broader New Age movement.
• "Psi: what it is and how it works" by Keith Chandler: This review criticizes the book for its use of jargon without conveying clear meaning, highlighting Chandler's rejection of scientific naturalism in favor of a worldview where individual minds are refractions of a Cosmic Mind.
• "Skeptical Odysseys: personal accounts by the world's leading paranormal inquirers" edited by Paul Kurtz: This review describes the book as a collection of accounts from individuals who encountered skepticism, often from organizations like CSICOP. It notes the common theme of people losing religious faith and finding a new community in skepticism.
• "Secret Weapons: how two sisters were brainwashed to kill for their country" by Cheryl and Lynn Hersha with Ted Schwarz: This review discusses the book's claims of CIA conspiracies and mind control, linking it to the "recovered memory" community and MKULTRA.
• "The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Extraterrestrial encounters" edited by Ronald D. Story: This review finds the book disappointing, noting its American bias and reliance on previously published material, though it acknowledges the value of some essays.
• "Patterns in the Void: why nothing is important" by Cheryl and Lyn Sten F Oldenwald: This review explores the book's examination of the concept of the vacuum and the author's personal confrontation with darkness and mortality. It suggests the book reflects a yearning for a magical, pre-rational world.
• "Evolving the alien: the science of extraterrestrial life" by Jack Cohen and Ian Stewart: This review discusses the book's argument for a more radical approach to xenoscience and xenobiology, suggesting that alien life may be vastly different from terrestrial forms and not necessarily biological.
• "Demons of the modern world" by Malcolm McGrath: This review analyzes the book's exploration of the Great Satanism Panic and its connection to earlier witchcraft beliefs, arguing that the separation of the physical and symbolic worlds led to the demonic being associated with children. It also discusses the concept of the "alien abduction fantasy" and its relation to ideas of the oppressed and Western advertising.

Reader's Letters

The "Reader's Letters" section includes correspondence from Karl T. Pflock, John Koopman, Martin Kottmeyer, Matt Graeber, and others. These letters discuss book reviews, the reception of specific books, and various UFO-related topics, including the Mothman phenomenon and the nature of UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of reality, the conflict between rationalism and the paranormal, the role of archetypes (particularly the trickster), and the critique of skepticism and government disinformation. The editorial stance appears to favor a more open-minded approach to investigating anomalous phenomena, while also being critical of unsubstantiated claims and the methods of debunking organizations. There is a clear emphasis on the psychological and mythological dimensions of UFO experiences, moving beyond purely materialistic explanations.