Magonia - No 92 - 2006 06

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA 92, published in June 2006, is a contemporary vision and belief magazine focusing on UFOs and related phenomena. This issue prominently features an in-depth article by Joe McGonagle on Julian Hennessey, a British ufologist whose persistent efforts to obtain government UFO information significantly contributed to the available documentation. The issue also includes a piece by Kevin McClure examining the 'Spear of Destiny' legend.

Julian Hennessey: Portrait of a British UFO Pioneer

Joe McGonagle details the extraordinary efforts of Julian Hennessey, born in Scotland in 1946, whose interest in ufology began in childhood and was fueled by early sightings and press reports. By 1963, Hennessey was actively involved with the London UFO research organisation (LUFORO) and became a subscriber to NICAP's 'The UFO Investigator'. His correspondence with government bodies, including the Royal Canadian Air Force, Soviet Embassy, Jodrell Bank, and the British Air Ministry, began as early as 1963.

Hennessey's campaign of letter-writing, which lasted at least fifteen years, aimed to tease UFO information out of Whitehall. He was particularly active in the mid-1960s, with internal Ministry of Defence (MOD) memos from 1964 describing him as a 'nuisance' due to his frequent inquiries and attempts to gain access to UFO files. Despite being informed that investigations were not conducted or conclusions could not be formed, Hennessey persisted, often implying he was acting on behalf of the Prime Minister's office.

His efforts extended to contacting foreign embassies and canvassing members of the House of Lords. He also engaged with the Condon Committee in the US, offering to act as a 'go between' for MOD UFO files, an offer that was declined to avoid setting a precedent. Hennessey's work also involved attempting to influence the United Nations to undertake a scientific investigation into UFO phenomena.

Key incidents investigated by Hennessey include a 1967 sighting at Berry Head involving a conventional aircraft and a UFO, and a 1967 encounter by Capt. Underhill near Barcelona, which the MOD refused to investigate due to being outside British airspace. His persistent pressure led to a review of MOD UFO policy. A significant outcome of his efforts was the MOD's decision to retain UFO records from 1962 onwards, rather than destroying them after five years, a policy change that preserved vital information for researchers.

Hennessey also played a role in establishing a UK branch of NICAP, serving as its chairman. His correspondence continued into the late 1970s, focusing on issues like the 'Condign Report' and attempts to gain access to MOD files for organizations like CUFOS. Despite his involvement gradually decreasing due to family and employment commitments, Hennessey maintained a passive interest and was pleased to see the documentation he helped to uncover become available.

Editorial Notes and the 'Condign Report'

The editorial section discusses the 'Condign Report', a Ministry of Defence commissioned study from 1996 that aimed to assess the defense significance of UFO reports. The report, compiled by an unnamed researcher, suggested that puzzling UFO reports might be explained by atmospheric plasma phenomena and UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena). The report's findings were met with skepticism and accusations of a 'whitewash' from some ufologists, particularly in the US, though it was acknowledged for its existence and the author's research into the literature.

The editorial notes that the report's author had consulted works by John Michell and Paul Devereux, and included 'Top Secret' maps. It also highlights the report's conclusion that UFOs may have caused deaths due to aircraft attempting to avoid or connect with them, and that both Russian and American governments had investigated the UAP phenomenon.

Other Articles and Themes

Kevin McClure's article looks at the 'lies and fantasies behind the 'Spear of Destiny' legend'. The magazine also includes subscription details, contact information for the editor and associate editor, and notes on visiting Magonia's websites.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be one of critical inquiry into UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on historical research and the pursuit of official documentation. The detailed account of Julian Hennessey's persistent efforts highlights the challenges faced by researchers in accessing information from government bodies and the impact such persistence can have on policy. The magazine champions the idea that UFO reports, while often explained by mundane phenomena, may also involve an 'unknown phenomenon' that warrants serious investigation. There is a clear dedication to uncovering and preserving the history of UFO research and the efforts of individuals who contributed to it.

Magonia, issue 94, presents a critical examination of ufology, occultism, and conspiracy theories, with a focus on historical analyses and skeptical perspectives. The issue questions the decline in UFO reports over time and scrutinizes popular narratives surrounding UFOs and their alleged connection to historical figures and events.

"TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO..."

This section revisits an analysis by Peter Rogerson from 25 years prior, questioning the apparent decline in UFO reports and interest during a time of crisis, such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Cold War. Rogerson's analysis explored the social history of ufology and how beliefs in UFOs were grounded in educational background and class in Britain. The article highlights how some traditionalist writers viewed the rise of technical education as a surrender to "materialistic values," while others saw flying saucers as millenarian portents. In contrast, the American flying saucer/contactee myth relied more on mystical and metaphysical subcultures. The essay is noted as being thought-provoking and relevant for understanding the attitudes of some 'intellectuals' towards UFO research.

Editorial: Condign Report and UFO Desk

The editorial discusses the "Condign" report, which examined military implications of UFOs and potential military applications of plasmas. It notes that the "UFO Desk" in Whitehall was unaware of the report until its FOIA release, debunking claims that it was a "British Government's UFO Project." While acknowledging the report's importance, the editorial points out its limitations, including operational constraints and a tendency to promote a "one-size-fits-all explanation" for a heterogeneous range of events. It challenges ufologists to engage with the report rather than resorting to "government cover-up" arguments. The editorial also includes "Grovelling Apologies" to David Sivier, Steve Dewey, John Ries, and Patrick Huyghe for errors in previous reviews and acknowledgments.

"Making Hitler Magic: Unravelling the Spear of Destiny Hoax" by Kevin McClure

This lengthy article critically deconstructs Trevor Ravenscroft's influential book, "The Spear of Destiny," which posits Hitler's deep involvement with the occult and his possession of a magical spear. McClure argues that Ravenscroft's narrative is a "total fabrication" and that the historical background provided is unreliable. The article traces the origins of the 'Spear of Destiny' myth, suggesting it began with a 1960 Sunday Dispatch article by Max Caulfield, which itself used questionable information from Walter Johannes Stein's archives. McClure highlights that Stein's own writings do not support Ravenscroft's claims about Hitler's occult knowledge or his acquisition of the spear. The article also touches upon Ravenscroft's legal case against James Herbert and his claims of being a WWII intelligence agent. It further examines the 'Hofburg Spear,' dating its earliest component to the seventh century, and dismisses the idea of Hitler's occult powers being facilitated by it. The piece also critiques Ravenscroft's sensationalized and cruel descriptions of alleged occult rituals involving 'potentised ashes' of concentration-camp victims.

"The Pelican Writes" by The Pelican

This column critiques Michael Swords, a proponent of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) in ufology, who argues for the scientific validity of UFOs. The Pelican criticizes Swords for his lack of testable hypotheses and his tendency to accept unlikely UFO stories without sufficient evidence. The author argues that the ETH is often presented as a "rational hypothesis" but can be unscientific due to its broad applicability to any unexplained event and its resistance to critical examination. The column also discusses the Condon Committee's handling of UFO reports, particularly the Herbert Schirmer case, and contrasts it with the approach of figures like Budd Hopkins. The Pelican suggests that Swords's arguments are speculative and that the ETH relies on "show stopping magic-level technology" to explain away anomalies.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed:

• Philip Hoare. England's lost Eden: adventures in a Victorian utopia. This book chronicles the supernatural and spiritual movements in the New Forest during the Victorian era, focusing on Mary Ann Girling's cult and its followers.
• Diana G. Tumminia. When Prophecy Never Fails: myth and reality in a flying saucer group. This review discusses Tumminia's participant-observer study of the Unarius Academy of Science, a UFO-based new religious movement founded by Ernest and Ruth Norman.
• Louis Theroux. The Call of the Weird: travels in American Subcultures. This book is noted for raising questions about the purpose of "freak shows" and the nature of subcultures.
• Merrily Harpur. Mystery Big Cats. This book examines British mystery cat narratives, exploring folklore, mythology, and occultism, and suggests that these creatures symbolize the wildness of nature and the ambiguity of perception.
• Nick Redfern. On the Trail of the Saucer Spies: UFOs and government surveillance. Redfern claims that ufologists were spied on not for their UFO activities but because they might be using ufology as a cover for more sinister activities. The review notes the book's focus on government surveillance of ufologists and the potential for infiltration by extreme right-wing groups.
• Colm A. Kelleher and George Knapp. Hunt for the Skinwalker: science confronts the unexplained at a remote ranch in Utah. This review summarizes the book's account of paranormal events at a spooky farm, noting the lack of concrete evidence and the reliance on a "novelistic fashion" narrative.
• David S. Katz. The Occult Tradition from the Renaissance to the Present Day. Katz suggests that American fundamentalism shares roots with the Western occult tradition, particularly in its esoteric readings of the Bible and apocalyptic expectations.

Other Articles and Features

• "The Pelican is always happy to receive books for review..." This is a standard call for review submissions.
• "A. F. U." This section briefly mentions the National Institute of Discovery Science and its disappearance, and discusses the investigation of alleged paranormal events at a remote ranch, comparing it to the 'Ripperstone Farm affair' and Borley Rectory.
• Graham Hancock. Supernatural: meetings with the ancient teachers of mankind. This review discusses Hancock's exploration of prehistoric art, alien abductions, and the concept of 'interbreeding' with spirits or aliens, critiquing his reliance on 'the cult of the fact' and his tendency to replace difficult questions with impossible ones.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia include a critical and skeptical approach to ufology, a debunking of occult and conspiracy theories, and an examination of the historical and social contexts of paranormal beliefs. The magazine consistently questions unsubstantiated claims, particularly those involving historical figures like Hitler or sensationalized accounts of UFO encounters. There is a strong emphasis on scientific rigor and the need for testable hypotheses, as seen in the critique of the ETH and the analysis of the 'Spear of Destiny' hoax. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, favoring evidence-based analysis over speculative narratives, while also acknowledging the complex interplay of folklore, psychology, and cultural influences in shaping beliefs about the unexplained.