Magonia - No 89 - 2005 08

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA 89, dated August 2005, is an issue focused on interpreting contemporary vision and belief, with a particular emphasis on UFO phenomena and alternative spiritual communities. The cover highlights two main features: an investigation into the enduring Aztec, New Mexico UFO retrieval story by Matt Graeber, and a postcard from Andy Roberts about another town famous for UFO encounters. The issue also includes an editorial by John Rimmer, subscription details, and contact information for the editorial team.

Editorial Notes

John Rimmer's editorial, "EDITORIAL NOTES," addresses the ongoing controversy surrounding the nature of contactee and abduction experiences in ufology. He argues against rigidly dividing these experiences, suggesting that both are rooted in human experience and shaped by individual circumstances. Rimmer criticizes the tendency to dismiss certain accounts as 'not real ufology' or solely as 'literary criticism,' emphasizing the need for careful analysis of all witness accounts, similar to how traumatic events are studied. He also laments the decline of BUFORA's lecture series, marking the end of an era for British ufology.

In Advance of the Landing: Peter Caddy, Contactees and the Findhorn Community

This article by Andy Roberts delves into the origins of the Findhorn Community in Scotland, revealing its deep connection to the New Age movement and, more controversially, to flying saucer contactee beliefs. While Findhorn is known for its spiritual teachings, giant vegetables, and meetings with nature spirits, Roberts uncovers that its founders, Peter and Eileen Caddy and Dorothy Maclean, were heavily involved in the flying saucer contactee belief system in the 1950s and 60s. The article details Peter Caddy's spiritual journey, his involvement with esoteric orders, and his eventual focus on flying saucers, influenced by channeled messages from beings he called 'space brothers.' Caddy's belief in extraterrestrial contact and a potential evacuation of Earth was central to the early community. The article also touches upon the media's portrayal of Caddy and the community, including a Sunday Pictorial headline: 'The Martians Are Coming, He Says.' It notes how Findhorn has since shifted its focus, downplaying its saucer origins in favor of spiritual work with 'Devas' and God, marketing itself as a commercial venture.

Peter Caddy: "The Martians are coming, he says"

This section further elaborates on Peter Caddy's life and his deep involvement with flying saucer beliefs. It traces his early interest in esoteric subjects, his association with Dr. Sullivan of the Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship, and his spiritual marriage. Caddy's post-war life is described as a whirlwind of travel and spiritual exploration, including relationships with Sheena Gowan and Eileen Combe. The article highlights Caddy's belief in 'space brothers' and his efforts to compile a report on Unidentified Flying Objects, which he attempted to deliver to Prince Philip through Squadron Leader Peter Horsley. Caddy's involvement with the 'Nameless Ones' and their expectation of a saucer landing is detailed, as is his move to Findhorn Bay in 1962. The article also mentions the influence of Johan Quanjer, who was skeptical of Findhorn's claims but shared an interest in flying saucers.

The Pelican Writes

This piece, attributed to 'The Pelican,' critiques the field of ufology, proposing the slogan 'Make Ufology History.' The author argues that ufology, as a subject for scientific investigation, is false. The article suggests focusing on the social and psychological aspects of UFO reports while discouraging psychologists from over-simplifying the phenomenon. It calls for destroying the credibility of ufologists who promote hoaxes or unsubstantiated claims, particularly those in the 'American nuts-and-bolts school.' The author criticizes the media's role in promoting ufologists as entertainers rather than scientists and debunks the 'government secrecy' angle, suggesting it's a fantasy used to explain the lack of public evidence. The article concludes by inviting readers to join in reclassifying ufological studies as a branch of modern folklore.

Aztec, That Terribly Romantic Yet Horribly Aromatic Desert Flower is in Bloom Again

Written by Michael McClellan and Matt Graeber, this article revisits the 1948 Aztec, NM UFO retrieval story. It describes the incident as a legend that has repeatedly resurfaced, despite attempts to dismiss it as a hoax. The article notes that the story has been 'revised, fine-tuned and sporadically presented' to the public and media. It mentions that Aztec now has a festival and a library dedicated to the non-incident's anniversary. The authors dedicate the article to Michael McClellan, who investigated the Aztec incident as presented by Robert Spencer Carr. The piece includes McClellan's 1975 account, which details his investigation into Carr's claims of a crashed saucer and lifeless alien occupants. McClellan recounts Carr's public presentations and his own efforts to verify the story, noting similarities to the Roswell incident and mentioning alleged details about the aliens' physical characteristics and the subsequent handling of the craft and bodies by the military.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia include the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the intersection of spirituality and the paranormal, and the critique of established narratives within ufology and New Age movements. The magazine adopts a skeptical yet open-minded stance, questioning sensational claims while acknowledging the importance of personal experience and belief systems. There is a clear editorial leaning towards debunking unsubstantiated UFO stories and re-evaluating the field of ufology, suggesting it be treated as folklore. The issue also highlights the historical evolution of belief systems, particularly concerning the Findhorn Community's shift from saucer contactee origins to a more mainstream spiritual focus. The overall stance is one of rigorous investigation and a call for a more critical, evidence-based approach to understanding anomalous phenomena and alternative belief systems.

This issue of The Denver Post, dated Tuesday, October 14, 1952, is a 52-page edition that prominently features a front-page exposé titled "'Saucer Scientist' $50,000 Fraud." The publication also includes extensive coverage of UFO-related topics, drawing from various accounts and investigations.

'Saucer Scientist' $50,000 Fraud

The lead story details a significant fraud case involving Silas M. Newton, a lecturer known for his flying saucer talks, and Dr. Leo A. Gebauer, a Phoenix radio parts merchant. District Attorney Bert M. Keating charged them with operating a $50,000 confidence game swindle. The scheme involved fraudulent oil well exploration tests using electronic "doxilebugs," one of which was represented as costing $800,000. Investigations revealed that similar machines were war surplus items worth about $50. Further background checks on Newton uncovered a record for larceny in New York and involvement in shady stock practices. The article also notes that Newton had previously been involved in bringing people out in big cars, related to the rediscovery of Rangely oil fields in Colorado, which was deemed "so much baloney."

The Frank Scully Account and 'Dr. Gee'

The issue revisits the story of a UFO crash, as related by Frank Scully in his 1949 book, "Behind the Flying Saucers." Scully's account centers on a scientist he pseudonymously identified as "Dr. Gee," who was allegedly involved in magnetic research and had degrees from several institutions. Dr. Gee recounted the story of a flying saucer that landed in the United States, east of Aztec, New Mexico. Scientists, including Dr. Gee, examined the craft and found sixteen alien bodies, described as being thirty-six to forty-two inches tall, with charred, dark skin. Their clothing was dark blue with metal buttons, and no insignia were present. Food wafers found in the ship were tested on guinea pigs, and the water was noted to be twice as heavy as normal water. The article also mentions that three UFOs landed, with one escaping before being photographed. The bodies were reportedly kept in cryonic suspension at Wright Patterson.

Silas Mason Newton's Role and Investigations

Silas Mason Newton, described as an associate of Dr. Gee and an oil millionaire, reportedly wanted to see the ships. However, government secrecy intervened. Newton allegedly secured a tubeless radio, small discs, and gears from the space ships. The article highlights the advanced nature of these artifacts, with gears defying engineering tests and an antenna constructed from the radio receiving a high "C" hourly. Newton's story was reportedly published in "True Magazine" and he spoke about Dr. Gee's discoveries to an elementary science class at the University of Denver in 1950. The Philadelphia Enquirer also carried an article on the Scully story in 1952.

Investigative journalist J. P. Cahn of the "San Francisco Chronicle," tasked by "True Magazine" to verify Newton's claims, found that Scully and Newton were acquainted and friends. Scully admitted his information was second-hand but believed Newton. During a meeting, Newton produced metal objects, including gears and discs, which were later analyzed. Cahn discovered that "Dr. Gee" was likely Dr. Leo A. Gebauer, who held only an electrical engineering degree and worked for AiResearch Co. in Phoenix and Los Angeles, not as a high-level scientist as claimed. The analysis of the discs revealed them to be plain aluminum, melting at a much lower temperature than claimed.

Local Perspectives on the Aztec Incident

Coral Lorenzen of the Aerial Phenomenon Research Organization (APRO) spoke with Sheriff Dan Sullivan of Aztec, New Mexico, who stated that his deputies found no information to support the crash claims. Bruce Sullivan, Dan's brother and deputy sheriff, who was a teenager at the time of the alleged incident, also reported hearing nothing about it. Lyle McWilliams, a long-time Aztec resident, treated the story as a joke. George Brown, the owner of the Aztec Newspaper in 1948, stated that such an event would have attracted significant attention and that no newsman would have passed up the story if it were true.

UFO Theories and Investigations

The article discusses various UFO theories and investigations. Robert Spencer Carr's story is presented as a recurring narrative that is re-packaged over time. The author notes that Carr's plan to lure UFOs to a landing site in New Mexico using decoy flying saucers and signal images is reminiscent of other UFO contactee efforts. The issue also touches upon the work of organizations like APRO and UFORIC, and critiques government-funded UFO research programs like Project Blue Book and the Condon Committee for perceived bias.

Book Reviews

The issue includes several book reviews:

• "Explore Phantom Black Dogs: Heart of Albion" by Bob Trubshaw et al.: This collection examines the phenomenology and folklore of phantom black dogs in England, suggesting that while based on actual experiences, the apparitions have become standardized over time.
• "Body Snatchers in the Desert: the horrible truth at the heart of the Roswell story" by Nick Redfern: Redfern argues that the Roswell crash involved a massive balloon based on Japanese technology carrying a manned glider with handicapped people used as human laboratory specimens, rather than a crashed flying saucer.
• "Cracks in the Great Wall: UFOs and traditional metaphysics" by Charles Upham: Upham views UFOs as "djinns/demons" and aligns with the Traditionalist Movement, which rejects modernity and democracy.
• "Is ET here: no politically but yes theologically and scientifically" by Robert Trundle: This work is described as a mishmash of ideas, including rants about liberals and feminism, and uncritically references figures like George Adamski and Philip Corso.
• "Mortal Minds" by G. M. Woerlee: A skeptical look at Near Death Experiences, concluding that their symptoms are caused by oxygen starvation.
• "Witchfinders: a seventeenth century English tragedy" by Malcolm Gaskill: A historical study of English civil war period witch-finders Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne.
• "Strange Attractor Journal 2" edited by Mark Pilkington: A collection of essays covering various topics, including the Halifax Slasher, folklore, and apocalyptic prophecies.

Phil Klass (1919-2005)

A tribute to Phil Klass, an influential UFO skeptic, is included. While acknowledging his dogmatic skepticism and sometimes confrontational style, the tribute also highlights his role in providing a "reality check" for the UFO community and his generous sharing of information. His contributions to ufology and his influence on the field are noted, with several colleagues sharing their experiences and opinions of him.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, the skepticism and debunking of claims, and the potential for fraud and misinformation within the UFO community. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories while also highlighting investigative journalism that seeks to uncover the truth, even if it leads to debunking sensational claims. There's a clear emphasis on distinguishing between credible research and unsubstantiated stories, particularly in the context of the Aztec and Roswell incidents. The publication also engages with broader cultural and historical phenomena, such as phantom black dogs and witch hunts, drawing parallels to contemporary UFO beliefs.