Magonia - No 86 - 2004 11

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA
Issue: 86
Date: November 2004
Publisher: Magonia
Country: United Kingdom
Focus: Interpreting contemporary vision and belief.

Editorial Notes

The "Editorial Notes" section begins by referencing a letter from the "T.P.'s Post Bag" published in 1925, which featured a prize-winning letter from Charles Fort. This letter described two phenomena: a fleet of lights observed between Shanghai and Japan in 1893, and a "torpedo-shaped body" with "tongues of fire" seen over Burlington, Vermont in 1907. The editor expresses interest in learning more about Charles Fort's contribution to contemporary journals and seeks information to shed light on this historical anecdote.

The section then critically examines the American MUFON organization, questioning its credibility. The author criticizes MUFON's journal cover, which depicted a "Raechel" described as a potential alien-human hybrid, solely based on her lack of a boyfriend and unfamiliarity with Simon and Garfunkle. The editor argues that this portrayal, fueled by researchers like Budd Hopkins, marginalizes individuals with social difficulties and promotes a climate of fear, potentially leading to tragedy.

Visions Before Midnight: Witchcraft, Folklore and the Prehistory of the Abduction Phenomenon by David Sivier

David Sivier's article posits that the UFO phenomenon, particularly the abduction experience, is a modern variant of ancient paranormal encounters and visitations by supernatural entities. He argues that despite their technological guise, modern UFO sightings are expressions of deep religious and mystical impulses, akin to historical myths of encounters with angels, demons, elves, and ghosts.

Sivier contends that UFO visitations are not encounters with physical spacecraft but rather a "twentieth century technological religious experience." He draws parallels between contemporary abduction narratives and historical accounts of witchcraft, citing the similarities in the entities encountered and the psychological stresses experienced by those accused of witchcraft. The article highlights how historical figures like Nicholas of Remy and John Sterne documented cases of demonic encounters that mirror aspects of modern abduction experiences, including predatory sexual encounters.

The author further explores the similarities between the diminutive familiars of witches (imps, elves) and the "Greys" of abduction lore, noting their small stature and curiously asexual yet predatory nature. He references historical accounts of entities described as small, boy-like imps and the fairy king Oberon, who was depicted as short.

Sivier discusses the concept of "spectral evidence" in witchcraft trials, suggesting that some confessions may have arisen from psychological pressures and the desire to conform to the witchfinders' expectations. He links these to encounters with "sexually predatory incubi and succubi," which he equates to the "equally sexually predatory aliens" in abduction scenarios, albeit with modern technological settings.

The article examines the psychological states of both alleged witches and abductees, noting how vulnerability, sorrow, and social isolation can make individuals susceptible to believing they have been violated or entrapped by supernatural beings. Sivier critiques the methods of contemporary "Satan hunters" and abduction researchers, suggesting they recapitulate the aims and approaches of medieval witch hunters, albeit with different motivations.

He also touches upon the idea that some demonic phenomena were considered illusory by medieval theologians, such as the Canon Episcopi. This perspective is contrasted with the contemporary ufologist's insistence on the objective reality of extraterrestrial spacecraft. Sivier suggests that the illusory nature of some phenomena, whether demonic or UFO-related, might stem from dissociative states or psychological projections.

Finally, Sivier proposes that the contemporary abduction phenomenon, with its emphasis on victimhood and the experience of supernatural assault, shares similarities with the cult of medieval saints, whose sanctity was often vindicated by spiritual and psychological privations. He concludes that both historical and contemporary phenomena likely originate from internal experiences and hallucinations arising from dissociative mental states, rather than objective encounters with external entities.

Alien Mimicry in Popular Culture by Michael McHugh

Michael McHugh's article explores the theme of alien mimicry in science fiction and popular culture, questioning how aliens might disguise themselves to blend in with Earth's population or interact with humans. He suggests that aliens would likely employ disguises or hire locals as guides and interpreters, drawing a parallel to human behavior when operating in foreign countries.

McHugh notes that in science fiction, aliens attempting to mimic humans are rarely fully successful. Their deficiencies are often social and emotional, portraying them as highly intelligent but morally and emotionally deficient, lacking empathy and conscience, akin to "sociopathic career criminals." This portrayal reflects a societal fear of advanced, technocratic societies leading to a narrower, less individualistic human personality, evolving into "highly intelligent drones and automatons."

The article highlights three classic films that exemplify this theme: "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951), "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956), and "Village of the Damned" (1960). McHugh explains that these films, which reached a wide audience through television, used the alien theme as a hook to convey serious messages about societal issues.

"The Day the Earth Stood Still," released during the Korean War, conveyed a message about the dangers of war and the potential for humanity to self-destruct. The film's alien, Klattu, presents humanity with a choice: abandon aggressive warfare or face annihilation. This message resonated with the anxieties of the Cold War era, where the threat of nuclear weapons loomed large.

McHugh observes that in "The Day the Earth Stood Still," the human characters are often depicted as cynical, self-interested, paranoid, or militaristic, contrasting with the diplomatic and cultivated alien, Klattu. The film suggests that a higher authority might be needed to guide humanity away from self-destruction.

The article implies that the prevalence of such narratives in popular culture reflects the fears and disappointments of the 20th century, particularly the loss of faith in humanity following two world wars and atrocities like Auschwitz and Hiroshima. The depiction of aliens as potentially benevolent figures offering a path to salvation or a warning against self-destruction serves as a commentary on humanity's own struggles and anxieties.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Magonia consistently explores the intersection of the paranormal, folklore, and contemporary belief systems. The editorial stance appears critical of sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, particularly within organizations like MUFON, while also engaging deeply with historical and cultural parallels to understand phenomena like UFO abductions. The magazine champions a nuanced approach, suggesting that many experiences attributed to external, technological sources may have roots in psychological states, cultural archetypes, and the human psyche's interpretation of the unknown. The theme of "mimicry" is central, applied both to aliens in popular culture and to the way historical phenomena are reinterpreted through modern lenses. The magazine encourages critical thinking and a historical perspective when examining contemporary mysteries.

This issue of Magonia, identified by its content and the presence of a "HOLD THE BACK PAGE" section, appears to be a publication focused on anomalous phenomena, ufology, and related cultural critiques. The cover prominently features a statement about the American middle class's self-perception as portrayed in media, suggesting a theme of social commentary intertwined with the magazine's core subjects.

Cover Story Analysis

The cover headline, "The American middle class has always had a masochistic streak, and a seemingly endless appetite for books and movies that portray it as a bunch of stooges in service to the rich and powerful," sets a critical tone. The article elaborates on this, referencing popular books like David Riesman's "The Lonely Crowd" and William Whyte's "The Organization Man," which critiqued the loss of individuality and the rise of conformity in post-war American society. It suggests that this societal self-criticism was more impactful than anti-communist hysteria. The piece also touches upon the economic prosperity of the post-war years and the emerging generational anxieties.

Film and Media Analysis

The issue features an analysis of films like "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," and "Village of the Damned." The film "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is discussed in the context of the 1950s, exploring themes of conformity and the fear of losing individuality. The aliens in "Body Snatchers" are depicted as spores that take over human bodies, lacking emotion and driven solely by the instinct to survive and reproduce. The article notes that these films reflect contemporary societal concerns, such as the fear of nuclear annihilation and zombie-like conformity.

"Village of the Damned" is examined for its portrayal of genius children with telepathic abilities who are also described as sadists and sociopaths, representing a threat to the established social order. The article contrasts the aliens' lack of human emotion with the perceived flaws in their creators' societal structures. The film's sequels are also briefly mentioned, noting that in later versions, the aliens ultimately win.

Ufology and Skepticism

The magazine engages with ufology from various perspectives. It discusses the role of skepticism, highlighting figures like Donald Menzel and Philip Klass, who attempted to explain UFO reports through conventional means. The article criticizes Menzel's approach of explaining away evidence and Klass's tendency to focus on the motives of witnesses. Steuart Campbell's theory of ball lightning and mirages as explanations for UFO sightings is also mentioned, along with criticism of their limited applicability.

Albert Budden's electromagnetic theories of UFOs are presented, with a critique that the absence of quantification often indicates pseudo-scientific theories. The article suggests that many ufologists, whether believers or skeptics, can be considered "flaky."

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed:

• "Unleashed: Of poltergeists and murder, the curious story of Tina Resch" by William Roll and Valerie Storey: This review examines a poltergeist case involving Tina Resch, suggesting that alleged paranormal episodes should be read within a biographical context. The reviewer notes that the book portrays Tina as a victim of abuse and a scapegoat, and that the poltergeist activity could be interpreted as a cry for help.
• "Solving the 1897 Airship Mystery" by Michael Busby: The reviewer praises Busby for providing detailed transcripts of newspaper reports and folk tales about airships from 1897. However, the reviewer criticizes Busby for taking these stories at face value, including known hoaxes and satirical pieces, and constructing a narrative around them. The reviewer suggests that many of these stories were likely hoaxes or satire, rather than evidence of real airships.
• "The Angel of Mons. Phantom Soldiers and Ghostly Guardians" by David Clarke: This review discusses the legend of angels appearing to support British troops during the Battle of Mons in World War I. The reviewer notes that while the paranormal interpretation attributes the event to divine intervention, the rationalist view, championed by Arthur Machen, suggests it was a back-formation from his story "The Bowmen." The book is praised for tracing how folklore, propaganda, and actual events can combine to create a "fresh truth."
• "The place of Enchantment: British occultism and the culture of the modern" by Alex Owen and "A Science for the Soul: occultism and the genesis of the German Modern" by Corinna Treitel: These books are discussed as part of a trend to view the rise of occultism and spiritualism not as a regression, but as a response to modernity. Owen's focus on British occultism, particularly Theosophy and the Golden Dawn, is noted, as is her emphasis on the "New Woman." Treitel's work on German occultism is highlighted for its exploration of how spiritualist groups responded to the political climate and how some were persecuted by the Nazis.
• "SynchroFile: amazing personal encounters with synchronicity and other strange phenomena" by Raymond Fowler: This book is described as a collection of accounts of extraordinary coincidences and personal experiences. The reviewer suggests that these might be due to heightened vigilance or unconscious processing of information.

Fortean Times UnConvention Report

A report from the Fortean Times UnConvention details the event's relocation and its attendees. The report highlights Andy Roberts's talk on Cynthia Appleton and her "space baby" case, emphasizing the importance of contactee cases from the earlier years of ufology. It also touches upon the "UFO vicars" and the magazine's evolving audience, noting a prevalence of younger, skeptical attendees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of modern society, particularly the American middle class, through the lens of popular culture and media. Ufology is explored with a blend of reporting on specific cases and discussions on skepticism and the history of the field. The magazine also delves into historical accounts of anomalous phenomena, such as the "Angel of Mons" legend and the rise of occultism. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to question conventional narratives and explore unconventional ideas, while also acknowledging and analyzing skeptical viewpoints. There's a clear interest in how societal anxieties and cultural trends shape the interpretation of anomalous events and phenomena.