Magonia - No 93 - 2006 09

Magazine Overview

Title: Magonia
Issue: 93
Volume: Incorporating MUFOB 139
Date: September 2006

This issue of Magonia, titled "contemporary vision and belief," features a cover story on President Eisenhower's alleged meeting with "imaginary friends" (extraterrestrials) and the rise of exopolitics. The issue includes an editorial reflecting on the origins of ufology, an in-depth article exploring the Eisenhower encounter and its connection to conspiracy theories, and a piece on the phenomenon of imaginary friends in children.

Editorial Notes

The editorial, by John Rimmer, discusses Jerome Clark's identification of Charles Fort as the founding father of ufology. Rimmer agrees with Clark, noting that many contemporary ufologists dismiss Fort's work. He contrasts Fort's approach to anomalous phenomena with that of organizations like the Society for Psychical Research, which focused on survival after death or natural powers of the brain. Fort, however, incorporated his findings into a narrative of extraterrestrial visitors engaged in various activities. The editorial also mentions the role of Fate magazine in promoting early UFO stories and its indiscriminate approach to reporting various phenomena.

The Origins of Exopolitics: Ike and the Aliens

This extensive article by Curtis Peebles delves into the story of President Eisenhower's alleged 1954 encounter with extraterrestrials. The narrative begins with Eisenhower's unexplained absence during a Palm Springs vacation, which led to a retracted news report of his death. The story gained traction through a letter from Gerald Light to Meade Layne, describing a visit to Muroc (later Edwards Air Force Base) with other prominent figures, where they allegedly witnessed and interacted with "otherplane aeroforms."

The article traces the evolution of the story, highlighting key figures and publications:

• Charles Berlitz and William L. Moore's "The Roswell Incident" (1980): This book revived the Roswell crash story and contributed to the "Darkside mythology" and exopolitics. It focused on the recovery of strange debris, not a complete saucer.
• Meade Layne's accounts: Layne's writings, possibly influenced by Frank Scully's "Behind the Flying Saucers," described the saucer's appearance, its occupants, and strange writing.
• Wilbert B. Smith's memo (1950): This "Top Secret" memo classified UFOs as a highly sensitive subject.
• Milton William Cooper: Cooper promoted a "Darkside" conspiracy theory involving "large-nosed Gray aliens," a secret treaty with the U.S. government, and the MJ-12 organization. He claimed the treaty allowed aliens to abduct humans for medical examination in exchange for advanced technology, but was later violated.
• Michael Salla: Salla, a researcher in exopolitics, developed a "Leftist" theory of exopolitics, focusing on anti-war movements and environmentalism. His "Research Study #8" (2004) analyzed the Eisenhower meeting, suggesting it was to meet "Nordics" rather than sign a treaty, and that Eisenhower refused to give up nuclear weapons.

Salla's work also incorporated accounts from other "whistleblowers" like Dr. Michael Wolf and Phil Schneider, who claimed involvement with committees dealing with alien presence and underground bases, respectively. Colonel Phillip Corso also claimed the Eisenhower administration signed a treaty with aliens.

The article critically examines the evidence, noting that the "Ike and the Aliens" story relies on the unsupported claims of individuals like Light, Layne, Cooper, Wolf, Schneider, and Corso, whose backgrounds and experiences are not always verifiable. It highlights the inconsistencies in their accounts regarding dates, locations, and the nature of the encounter.

Carlson's investigation for The Washington Post is detailed, including his inquiry to the Eisenhower Library, which revealed numerous requests about the alleged incident and the library's assignment of an archivist specializing in transportation and UFOs.

Salla's later work is discussed, including his speculation that the addition of "under God" to the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance was a result of the Edwards meeting. The article also notes Salla's use of a second-hand account from Charles L. Suggs, whose father allegedly accompanied Eisenhower to Edwards.

Exopolitics as a Medieval Belief System

This section analyzes exopolitics as a modern manifestation of older belief systems, comparing it to medieval hearsay evidence and folklore. The article argues that exopolitics, like the "Ike and the Aliens" story, is based on the unverified claims of "whistleblowers" and lacks rigorous standards of evidence. It points out the selective use of information by exopolitics writers and the inconsistencies in the accounts provided by figures like John Lear and Milton William Cooper.

The article contrasts the origins of UFO beliefs during the Cold War with exopolitics, which is influenced by the anti-war movement, environmentalism, and conspiracy theories. It suggests that exopolitics may become a dominant force in shaping UFO beliefs or a short-lived fad, similar to the "psychic projection" concept of the 1970s.

Invizikids

This article by Mike Hallowell explores the phenomenon of "imaginary friends" in children. Hallowell questions the common psychological explanations that attribute these friends to a lack of siblings or a need for attention. He shares his research, which includes interviews with nearly one hundred people from various countries who had or have "imaginary" childhood friends. Hallowell refers to these as "non-corporeal companions" (NCCs) and suggests that they are not merely figments of a child's imagination, hinting at other, less conventional explanations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia revolve around the intersection of UFO phenomena, conspiracy theories, and political ideologies. The magazine appears to critically examine these narratives, particularly the "exopolitics" movement, by tracing their origins, analyzing the evidence (or lack thereof), and questioning the methodologies employed by proponents. The editorial stance seems to be one of cautious inquiry, presenting complex and often controversial claims while also highlighting inconsistencies and the reliance on anecdotal evidence. The magazine encourages readers to critically assess these phenomena and their potential influence on society.

This issue of Magonia, identified as issue 92, is primarily a collection of book reviews covering a range of topics within the paranormal, ufology, folklore, and cryptozoology fields. The content is presented in English and appears to be from the early to mid-2000s, based on the publication dates of the reviewed books.

Non-Corporeal Companions (NCCs)

The issue delves into the concept of Non-Corporeal Companions (NCCs), described as entities that appear to individuals, particularly children. These NCCs are categorized into four distinct types:

• Type 1: The Invizikids: These are described as invisible children who appear and disappear at will, often playing with and interacting with the experient. They are typically indistinguishable from normal children except for their invisibility and vague answers about their origins.
• Type 2: The Elementals: These NCCs are typically found outdoors in remote areas and are described as small, goblin-like or pixie-like beings, usually between 30-50cm in height. They are often named with double-barrelled or bizarre titles and tend to be more distant than Invizikids.
• Type 3: The Animals: These NCCs resemble conventional animals and are proportionately sized. A unique characteristic is their ability to speak the experient's language and engage in conversation, and they can sometimes be heard by others, suggesting a potential objective reality.
• Type 4: The Wackies: This category includes the most bizarre NCCs, which can appear as everyday household objects that gain arms and legs, or as human-like figures dressed in exotic attire (Sages) or as animated objects (Animates). They often appear during times of psychological distress for the experient.

The article notes that NCCs often have peculiar names, sometimes double-barrelled or unusual, and that they tend to be place-centered, remaining with the experient if they relocate.

Witchcraft and Cunning Folk

One section reviews Emma Wilby's work on witchcraft trials, suggesting that many accused individuals were 'cunning folk' – local healers and magicians who possessed skills in herbal cures and divination. The text draws parallels to the global shamanic tradition, where shamans can be both healers and ambiguous figures. It argues that these historical accounts may reflect genuine mystical traditions and visionary experiences, rather than solely elite cultural obsessions or torture-induced confessions. The familiars associated with witches are also discussed as akin to shamanic spirit guides or modern mediums' spirit guides.

Cryptozoology and Folklore

Several reviews focus on cryptozoology and folklore. Michael Newton's "Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology" is described as a massive survey of alleged cryptids, with many entries pointing to the absurdity of the approach when dealing with creatures like lake monsters and alien big cats. The review suggests that many entries relate to 'petty supernaturals' or 'trickster' figures, belonging to the 'goblin world' of the human imagination, symbolizing the 'otherness' of wild nature. The book "The Lore of the Land" by Jennifer Westwood and Jacqueline Simpson is presented as a comprehensive guide to English legends, tracing stories of ghosts, boggarts, witches, and fairies. However, it is noted that the coverage of modern folklore, particularly UFO stories, is light.

Paul Screeton's "Crossing the Line: Trespassing on Railway Weirdness" is highlighted as a survey of railway folklore, noting parallels between conventional folklore and railway-specific legends. The review suggests that while some folklore is presented as quaint and remote, there is a need to acknowledge folklore based in modern, industrial, and urban backgrounds.

Ufology and the 'Core Phenomenon'

The issue touches upon ufology, discussing the concept of the 'core phenomenon' – often defined as structured craft with extraordinary performance characteristics and humanlike crews. The article "The Terror that Comes in the Night" by David J. Hufford is mentioned for its study of supernatural assault traditions, linking experiences like the 'Old Hag' phenomenon to sleep paralysis and suggesting that such experiences, while mysterious, may have a broad causative principle. The discussion questions whether UFO phenomena are fundamentally different from other puzzling experiential phenomena, such as non-corporeal childhood companions.

Spirit Photography and Ectoplasm

Martyn Jolly's "Faces of the Living Dead: the belief in spirit photography" is reviewed, noting that spirit photographs, once dismissed as fraud, are now increasingly viewed as works of art and social documents. The book explores photographs of 'materialisations' and 'ectoplasms' that manifested in séance rooms, highlighting their often grotesque nature and their subversion of photography's role as a documentary record.

Other Reviews

Reviews also cover "Mysterious Sky: Soviet UFO Phenomenon" by Philip Mantle and Paul Stonehill, which explores the mystical and occult beliefs that flourished beneath the surface of the officially atheist Soviet Union. Garrett G. Fagan's "Archaeological Fantasies" critiques 'fantastic archaeology' associated with authors like Graham Hancock, warning against the use of pseudoscience for nationalistic and racist causes. Richard Freeman's "Explore Dragons, Heart of Albion Press" examines dragon legends, suggesting they may have origins in actual experiences rather than solely being literary constructs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

A recurring theme throughout the reviews is the questioning of purely psychological explanations for paranormal phenomena. The magazine seems to advocate for a more open-minded approach to investigating these experiences, acknowledging their complexity and potential for objective reality, while also being critical of unsubstantiated claims and the misuse of folklore or pseudoscience. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, exploring the edges of conventional understanding and encouraging readers to consider alternative interpretations of anomalous events and beliefs. There is an emphasis on the historical and cultural context of these phenomena, suggesting that they often reflect deeper human needs and societal influences.