Magonia Supplement - No 47 - 2003 06 16

Magazine Overview

This issue of Magonia Supplement, No. 47, dated 16 June 2003, titled 'Within the Magic Circle' by M. J. Graeber, delves into the complex and often controversial subject of crop circles and their perceived connection to UFO phenomena. The supplement also includes critical reviews of other UFO magazines and an analysis of UFO flaps in relation to geopolitical tensions.

Within the Magic Circle by M. J. Graeber

M. J. Graeber recounts his personal experience investigating a crop circle in Limerick, Pennsylvania, in 1992. He notes the growing complexity and size of crop formations over the years, and the persistent rumors linking them to UFO landing sites and even musical tones. Graeber and his colleague, Tom Carey, examined the wheat field, looking for physical evidence such as scorched or bent stalks, and conducted radiological surveys. They considered prankster involvement, noting that some formations appeared carelessly made, resembling a dinosaur or something dragged.

As ufologists, they were aware of the tentative links between crop circles and UFO sightings, particularly when circular formations appeared in areas with prior UFO activity. The article traces the history of reports of UFO landing marks back to the early 1950s, and the efforts of ufologists to find scientific proof of extraterrestrial craft. It also acknowledges the counter-arguments from skeptics who attribute these phenomena to natural causes like animals, weather, or fungi.

The 'new era' of crop circles, starting around 1978, is characterized by larger formations and the appearance of intelligently executed symbols or 'pictograms'. These often appear without corresponding UFO sightings, leading to a broader examination of their origins, which could be UFO-generated, atmospheric anomalies, or even extraterrestrial craft. Graeber emphasizes that the UFO phenomenon and crop circles excite human imagination, leading to speculation and fantasy, but also acknowledges the role of human experience and perception.

Graeber shares an anecdote about a psychic who claimed a strong impression of a helicopter landing at the Limerick site. He also mentions a witness who reported seeing several strange helicopters with men using 'jet packs'. While acknowledging these reports, Graeber expresses skepticism about military training exercises in civilian areas.

He discusses various theories for crop circle formation, including wind vortices, plasma, magnetic field changes, and tectonic events, noting that similar theories have been applied to UFO phenomena with inconclusive results. He also suggests that weakened crop stalks due to fertilizer saturation could contribute to damage during high winds.

Graeber categorizes crop circles as either 'intelligently made' or 'ill-formed'. He posits that intelligently made pictograms could be man-made pranks or specifically designed to provoke interest, potentially for religious, ideological, sociological, psychological, political, or artistic reasons. He likens them to graffiti, reflecting socio-economic conditions and the need for individuals to make their mark. If not man-made, he considers the possibility of extraterrestrial communication, though questions the choice of crop fields over more direct methods.

He touches upon the history of crop circles, noting reports dating back to the Middle Ages, and suggests that our understanding is shaped by contemporary beliefs. The article highlights the human factor in 'legend building' and the tendency to link crop circles to UFOs, creating a 'magic circle' or 'numinous place' for those seeking mystical experiences. Graeber also ponders if crop circle researchers themselves are influenced by their immersion in these phenomena.

Addressing the question of whether all crop circles are hoaxes, Graeber believes many are, but their real effect on individuals makes them significant. He suggests that studying them might lead to new energy sources if they are indeed produced by phenomena like vortex plasmas.

Graeber contrasts crop circles with typical UFO phenomena, which leave little trace evidence. He poses the question of why crop circles are appearing now. He also recounts a follow-up conversation with a crop formation researcher who cautioned against relying solely on UK experts' definitions, as American investigators might be more prone to misidentifying weather damage as crop circles.

He notes that crop circles can appear as ill-formed formations, not just precise circles, and that their appearance might reflect a society's collective physical, psychological, sociological, political, and/or economic state. Graeber explores the idea that Earth and its inhabitants are interconnected in subtle ways, and that the Earth communicates symbolically.

He questions why archetypal UFO symbols are now appearing in 'man's bread basket' when UFO sightings have decreased. Graeber and Carey were unimpressed by the Limerick damage, finding it unlike the precise formations seen elsewhere. They noted trails leading to and from the damage, contrary to assurances.

Graeber expresses skepticism about the direct link between crop circles and UFO phenomena, suggesting that the UFO enigma might simply attract other unusual events. He uses examples like cattle mutilations and Bermuda Triangle disappearances as phenomena often linked to UFOs but not necessarily caused by them.

He recounts the experience of Raymond Barnes in England, who witnessed a corn circle form rapidly with a humming wind. Other eyewitness accounts mention unusual misty whirlwinds. Graeber notes that the investigation of crop circles continues, as does the pursuit of understanding the UFO experience.

Reflecting on the Limerick incident ten years later, Graeber acknowledges the debate over its authenticity. While some believe something unusual occurred, skeptics attribute it to heavy weather and the crop's condition. He mentions a biologist who felt the wheat shafts were subjected to an unknown energy force, but refused to share samples for blind study.

Graeber describes the diverse group of people who visited the Limerick site, including families, students, officials, and media. He notes that the farmer's claims of similar events were dismissed. The farmer's reaction to a busload of sightseers suggests a weariness with the phenomenon.

Graeber concludes that while the exact cause and significance of the Limerick event may remain unknown, it represented a significant sociological phenomenon.

Looking for Hoaxes by Gareth J. Medway

Gareth J. Medway addresses criticisms regarding his previous article, particularly concerning his citation of Martin Gardner's book. He discusses the MJ-12 papers, questioning the motivation behind keeping a crashed flying saucer secret and the logic of imposing strict security if the technology could be back-engineered. Medway highlights potential anachronisms as evidence of hoaxes, citing the example of a document dated 1956 mentioning 'Lloyd's Bank European', which was only renamed in 1964.

Medway then turns his attention to Morris K. Jessup's 'The Case for the UFO', which was annotated by individuals claiming to be 'ufonauts'. He notes that the Office of Naval Research (ONR) republished the book with these annotations, and later editions were printed by Varo and Gray Barker's Saucerian Press. Medway recounts the story of Carl Allen (or Carlos Miguel Allende) claiming to have written the annotations himself.

The ONR's interest in the annotations stemmed from their implication of intimate knowledge of UFOs. Medway quotes Jack G. Smith, a former ONR official, who stated that the annotations made no sense and that the project likely cost a few hundred dollars. The annotations themselves are described as a mix of explanations for UFO phenomena, including 'Monthly-Ship-Cleaning' for a mysterious yellow substance and 'LMS' and 'S-Ms' (possibly 'Little-Men' and 'Space-Men') as non-alien relatives of humans living in bases under the sea, on the Moon, and in space.

Medway notes that the annotations discuss concepts like 'disc throwings' and the 'Oz effect' (before it was formally identified), and offer advice on avoiding abduction by maintaining a blank mind. He also mentions the Mary Celeste case in relation to mysterious disappearances.

DO UFO FLAPS EXPRESS COLD WAR KUNDALINI? by Martin S. Kottmeyer

Martin S. Kottmeyer critiques Thomas Bearden's theory that UFO flaps are tulpoidal manifestations of collective tension, directly linked to the pressures of the Cold War. Bearden's 'metapsychological species analysis' attempts to expand Jungian psychology to UFO studies.

Kottmeyer presents charts showing UFO activity in 1967, indicating that most activity occurred in the first half of the year, well before the Arab-Israeli War. He highlights that the Arab-Israeli War of 5-10 June 1967 showed a clear absence of UFO activity, contradicting Bearden's premise that such events would correlate with geopolitical crises.

Bearden's theory posits that UFO waves correlate with peaks in collective unconscious tension, linking events like the Korean War, Sputnik, the Cuban missile crisis, and the 1973 Arab-Israeli War to UFO waves in 1950, 1952, 1959/60, 1962, and 1973. Kottmeyer notes discrepancies, such as Sputnik occurring in 1957, not 1959, and the relative quietness of some years cited for major waves.

Kottmeyer points out that Bearden's 1980 book 'Excalibur Briefing' reiterates these ideas but omits discussion of the 1967 wave. Bearden suggests UFOs are precognitive indicators of Armageddon, leading to a 'great change of state' where humanity becomes 'one with God'.

Kottmeyer finds Bearden's major predictions unfulfilled, noting that the Soviet Union did not attack and the Cold War ended. He also criticizes the theory for failing to address major UFO waves in areas like France and South America, and for not accounting for the persistence of the UFO myth after the Cold War's end.

He questions the connection between the 1973 Wave and the Yom-Kippur War, finding the link to the 1967 Arab-Israeli War to be opposite to the theory's claims. Kottmeyer suggests that the Arab-Israeli War might have temporarily suppressed other news, such as the Vietnam War or race conflicts, which were major emotional issues in America at the time.

Kottmeyer concludes that while Bearden's theory has significant flaws, it directs attention to the curious gap in UFO activity during the 1967 period. He acknowledges that other 'crisis theories' of UFO flaps may exist with better pedigrees but feels Bearden's work offers valuable lessons.

Literary Criticism: John Harney submits some UFO magazines to a pelicanist analysis

John Harney reviews several UFO magazines, including 'UFO Magazine (USA)' and the UK 'UFO Magazine'. He criticizes 'UFO Magazine (USA)' for attempting to rehabilitate Immanuel Velikovsky and for featuring an uncritical article on the Raelians and an article on abductionist David Jacobs. Harney also discusses the concept of 'free energy' as presented in these magazines, which he equates with pseudoscientific drivel.

He highlights an article in the UK 'UFO Magazine' about Graham Ennis's predictions regarding Russian scientist Evgeny Podkletnov's work on gravitational energy. Harney expresses skepticism about these claims, noting that such information is shared 'off the record'.

Harney also reviews 'Flying Saucer Review', noting editor Gordon Creighton's reliance on Spanish-language translations and his self-description as 'deeply paranoid'. Harney concludes his review by calling a piece by Jerome Clark 'deeply paranoid' as well.

Editorial

The editorial criticizes 'cranks' who write about ancient astronauts and 'ether' energy, and discusses the Trindade Island case as a likely hoax. It notes that other notorious hoaxes include Trans-en-Provence, the Walton abduction, and the Linda Napolitano abduction. The editorial suggests that some ufologists, frustrated by a lack of evidence, attack skeptics. It mentions Linda Moulton Howe's support for a Brazilian cultist and UFO hoaxer as an example of people re-examining claims more critically.

The editorial asserts that Magonia has been publishing since 1968 and has never issued corrections or apologies for being too skeptical, stating that their skeptical assessments have never been proved wrong.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation and interpretation of crop circles, the potential links between crop circles and UFO phenomena, and the critical examination of UFO theories and their proponents. There is a strong emphasis on skepticism and the need for rigorous evidence, as demonstrated by the critical reviews of UFO magazines and the analysis of Bearden's theories. The editorial stance is clearly one of critical inquiry and a commitment to debunking what it perceives as pseudoscientific claims and hoaxes within the UFO community.