Magonia - No 84 - 2004 03

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA
Issue: Number 84
Date: March 2004
Price: £1.75

This issue of Magonia, subtitled 'interpreting contemporary vision and belief', features articles on 'Mindscapes' by David Sivier and 'The Alien Carried Paperwork' by Martin Kottmeyer. The cover art depicts a large, brick-like sculpture of a human head.

Editorial Notes

The editorial, by John Rimmer, begins by drawing a parallel between a hypothetical statement about Jewish infiltration and a real quote from Walt Andrus of MUFON, substituting 'alien' for 'Jew'. Rimmer argues that this substitution highlights how certain ufological narratives can mirror historical antisemitic tropes, focusing on fears of an 'other' taking over society, jobs, and women. He connects this to the post-9/11 climate and the rise of abduction narratives, suggesting that these fears are sublimated onto aliens. Rimmer also references Budd Hopkins' latest book and the potential for such rhetoric to target real individuals, citing the historical example of the magazine 'Magic Saucer' and its portrayal of children with Infantile Hypercalcaemia as 'Pixie People'. The editorial concludes by warning that the current direction of abduction research puts real people in danger.

Mindscapes: David Sivier

This article by David Sivier explores the historical exclusion of the 'weird and the bizarre' from rationalistic thought, tracing its origins not to the rise of institutional science in the 17th century, as often claimed, but to changes in historiography in the 16th century, pioneered by writers like Machiavelli and Guicciardini. These early humanist historians sought political and human reasons for events, moving away from the medieval chronicle's focus on divine will and supernatural occurrences. Sivier argues that this shift, coupled with class prejudice, led to the marginalization of Fortean phenomena. The article discusses how this approach influenced later historical writing, including the academic study of landscapes and urban spaces, and how it contrasts with the more mystical explorations found in counterculture movements.

Sivier traces the development of historiography from the medieval chronicle, which recorded events with less emphasis on causation, to the humanist monograph. He notes how early historians like Erasmus and the Bollandists began to critically examine hagiography, focusing on contemporary descriptions. The discrediting of national myths, such as Geoffrey of Monmouth's account of the British origins, by historians like John Major and Polydore Vergil, is presented as an example of this emerging skepticism. The article highlights the 'Historical Revolution' of the later 16th century as a key period in the banishment of Fortean phenomena to the intellectual margins, facilitated by the rise of experimental science and a class-based prejudice against popular literature.

The Alien Carried Paperwork: Martin Kottmeyer

While the full text of this article is not provided in the scanned pages, its title and its placement alongside the editorial suggest it likely elaborates on the themes of alien narratives mirroring historical prejudices and scapegoating. The editorial's direct reference to Kottmeyer's work in relation to the 'alien' vs. 'Jew' comparison implies that his article will further explore how contemporary ufological discourse might be influenced by or echo older patterns of fear and exclusion.

Other Content and Themes

The magazine also features subscription details, contact information for the editorial team, and mentions of other publications and authors. The articles collectively explore themes of:

• Psychogeography: The study of the influence of a location on the emotions and behavior of individuals, often exploring the mystical or occult aspects of urban environments and landscapes.
• History and Historiography: The evolution of historical writing, from medieval chronicles to modern academic approaches, and the ways in which certain phenomena have been excluded or marginalized.
• Folklore and Mythology: The role of legends, myths, and local traditions in shaping cultural identity and understanding the past.
• Ufology and Conspiracy: The examination of UFO sightings, alien abduction narratives, and their potential connections to broader societal fears and historical patterns of prejudice.
• Counterculture and Alternative Beliefs: The influence of 1960s counterculture on contemporary explorations of the weird, the paranormal, and alternative ways of understanding the world.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of how contemporary beliefs, particularly in ufology and the paranormal, can be influenced by or echo historical patterns of prejudice, scapegoating, and the marginalization of the 'other'. The editorial stance is clearly critical of ufological narratives that mirror xenophobic or discriminatory rhetoric, warning of the potential real-world consequences of such discourse. There is a strong emphasis on the historical context of these phenomena, tracing their roots in shifts in historiography and cultural attitudes. The magazine appears to advocate for a more nuanced and critical approach to understanding the 'weird' and its place in contemporary society, distinguishing between genuine historical or cultural exploration and potentially harmful or prejudiced narratives.

This issue of Magonia, identified as issue 12, features a prominent article titled "The Alien Carried Paperwork" by Martin S. Kottmeyer, detailing a UFO abduction experience. The magazine also includes discussions on fringe archaeology, psychogeography, book reviews on occult topics and superstitions, and letters to the editor.

The Alien Carried Paperwork

The lead article by Martin S. Kottmeyer recounts the experience of a young rural Pennsylvania couple, Frank and Alice, who were interviewed in March 1980 about an encounter with aliens aboard a craft. The couple had not contacted any UFO organizations, and no hypnosis was used during the interview. Frank had been interested in ESP and telepathically communicating with UFOs, often seeing lights in the sky. During the primary experience, they were compelled to go outside, saw a luminous object, and were taken aboard a craft. Inside, they met beings in silvery-blue suits. Frank engaged in conversation about star tracks and other dimensions, while Alice underwent a medical examination. She experienced a luminous room and a 6-foot tall being. They recall being on the porch with a white ground, and samples of rocks being collected. Alice remembers being decontaminated and wonders if they were being cleaned. She also recalls a medical-like clinic and a desk where an alien filled out forms.

Alice recounts being positioned on a table, with an instrument scanning her body and displaying her internal organs. She telepathically conveyed concerns about her ovaries, and the aliens offered a cure. After the examination, Alice was helped off the table. Frank and Alice recall conversations about ecological balance and fuel for cars, with the aliens expressing surprise at human advancement in correcting pollution. Alice perceived one alien as religious, like a priest, and saw a living star map. They both awoke the next day, initially thinking it was a dream. Alice experienced tingling in her ovaries for days, and months later, discovered she was pregnant, attributing her cured gynecological problems to the alien intervention. She later experienced a 45-minute missing time episode during pregnancy.

The article notes that this account was published in the Fall 1980 issue of Pursuit magazine. It is considered an alien abduction experience, ranking 50th on Eddie Bullard's list of Top 50 abduction experiences. The author points out that the story aligns with some abduction scenarios but also diverges from modern portrayals by Hopkins, Jacobs, and Mack, notably lacking elements like harvested eggs or hybrid children. The aliens are described as more human-like than Greys, with eyes, noses, and ears, but not pronounced mouths. The message about humans solving pollution problems is highlighted as unique and optimistic.

Fringe Archaeology and Psychogeography

An article titled "Fringe archaeology and psychogeography can continue to make a contribution to the investigation of the numinous power of place and explore the landscapes of the mind" discusses the value of these fields. It argues that while academic historians and archaeologists may bring their own biases, the concern for historical truth prevents them from automatically acting as conduits for specific social values. Magazines like "3rd Stone" and "Northern Earth" are noted for exploring the mythic and imaginal environment, filling a gap left by the demise of previous publications. Fringe archaeology has contributed ideas that have found wider acceptance, such as the alignment of ancient monuments with stars and the potential for monuments to channel sound for altered states of consciousness (archaeoacoustics). The article suggests that the former method of looking for patterns on a map is akin to an art form, linking disparate elements through geography and architecture. It is described as a form of "antiquarian Mornington Crescent with an undercurrent of occultism," akin to performance art or religion, where chance alignments are seen as "surrealist objets trouvés."

The article emphasizes that while Masonic and occult motifs may be present in urban environments, and cities generate their own folklore, it is crucial to separate the automatic reading of alignments as intentional conduits for occult forces from genuine historical investigation. The notion of 'leys' as channels of geomantic energy and Earth chakras are placed in the realm of religion, not history. By consciously separating these, fringe archaeology and psychogeography can contribute to understanding the numinous power of place and the imaginal landscapes of the human mind.

Book Reviews

Several book reviews are featured:

• A.E. Waite, Devil Worship in France with Diana Vaughan and the Question of Modern Palladism: This review discusses Arthur Edward Waite's examination of Leo Taxil's 19th-century hoax concerning alleged devil worship in France. Taxil, a former anti-clerical writer, claimed to have infiltrated a secret ruling body called the Palladian Order. Waite systematically debunked these claims, showing how Taxil borrowed material from existing occult texts and fabricated evidence. The review highlights the persistence of these myths, even being cited by fundamentalists.

• Budd Hopkins & Carol Rainey, Sight Unseen: science, UFO invisibility and transgenic beings: This review is highly critical of Budd Hopkins' work, suggesting that his narratives of alien abduction are increasingly dangerous. The reviewer argues that Hopkins' focus on "hidden, invisible enemies" and "fifth columnists" can lead to persecution of individuals who are perceived as different or odd, likening it to a post-9/11 paranoia. The review criticizes the book for promoting the idea that people with conditions like Asperger's Syndrome might be alien enemies.

• Richard J. McNally, Remembering Trauma: This review discusses McNally's research into the reliability of repressed memories, particularly in cases of trauma and abuse. McNally finds little evidence for massive repression and suggests that many such memories may be created by therapists using techniques like guided imagery and hypnosis. The review notes that McNally's findings have implications for UFO abduction narratives, which often rely on recovered memories.

• Steve Roud, The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland: This review describes the book as a comprehensive dictionary of superstitions, noting that many have relatively recent origins rather than being ancient pagan survivals. It highlights the book's value for understanding the geographical spread and possible origins of superstitions.

• Bart Simon, Undead Science: science studies and the afterlife of cold fusion: This review discusses Simon's argument that cold fusion research continues in a "scientific halflife," akin to "undead science." The book examines how such "ghostly sciences" fit into the general theory of ghosts and haunting, involving the fragmentation of personal experience and the use of metaphors to contain historical impact.

• P. D. Rendall, Cereal Killers, the Memoirs of a Crop Circle Researcher: This review praises the book as informative and humorous, detailing the author's insider perspective on the crop circle phenomenon. It notes Rendall's initial support for Terence Meaden's "vortex theory" and his eventual retreat from it as he examined more evidence.

• Christopher Partridge (editor), UFO Religions: This collection of papers explores the religious aspects of UFO phenomena, examining groups like Heaven's Gate and the Raelians, as well as the development of ufology in different countries and the contemporary abduction movement. The review suggests that the essays, written before 9/11, might be somewhat dated and curiously omit discussion of UFO imagery in Steven Spielberg's work.

Reader's Letters

Letters to the editor discuss various points:

• Gareth J. Medway responds to a previous comment about air turbines, suggesting that some UFO stories might be garbled versions of real events, drawing a parallel to wartime rumors about Nazi radio transmitters.

• A letter from London SW7 discusses Dr. David Jacobs' writings on abductions and the classification of ufologists versus UFO researchers. It also touches on the capabilities of ET visitors, including invisibility and abduction.

• Christopher Allan from Stoke-on-Trent comments on the book "Necronomica," suggesting that the "Necronomicon" owned by Maxine Sanders was likely just typed pages rather than a complete work.

• A letter from Bradford discusses the nature of ufology and the potential for "psychosocial phenomenon" in abduction cases, questioning the reality of repressed memories and the creation of false memories by therapists.

Hold the Back Page

This section includes a letter from the Solomon Islands about UFO sightings in the region and the formation of the Quitales Society to investigate them. It also mentions a photograph of a UFO taken by Sri Ramon Jun Quitales. The section also features a note about Magonia's founder editor, John Harney, having a pub named after him in Lewes, Sussex, with a photograph of John Rimmer and Peter Rogerson outside the "John Harney Tavern."

Another item notes that "25 Years Ago" the first MUFOB of 1970 featured an article by Nigel Watson about Albert Figgis and his psychic contact with supernatural beings, and an article by Jenny Randles examining a UFO landing scenario.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include alien abduction experiences, the nature of belief in the paranormal, the intersection of science and pseudoscience, and the critical examination of UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to maintain a skeptical yet open-minded stance, encouraging rigorous investigation while acknowledging the persistence of unexplained phenomena and the psychological aspects of belief. There is a clear distinction made between academic research and the more speculative approaches of ufology. The book reviews, in particular, offer critical analyses of various works within the UFO and occult fields.