NM MUFON News - no 29 - 1995 10

Magazine Overview

Title: NM MUFON NEWS
Issue: Number 29
Compiled: October 22, 1995
Editor: Carolyn Duce-Ashe
Producer: Debby Stark

This issue of the NM MUFON NEWS newsletter, dated October 22, 1995, focuses on the intersection of creativity, paranormal experiences, and UFO phenomena. It includes a report on a survey conducted by the editor, a discussion on Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), personal accounts of spiritual communication, and an article about a mysterious artifact.

Report on the Duce-Ashe Survey #1

This section, reprinted from 'The View From Hermit's Peak' (September 1995), details Carolyn Duce-Ashe's survey. The survey was inspired by an article in Omni Magazine titled "Mental Telepathy in the Lab" by Lorrin Harvey, which suggested a link between artistic ability and telepathy. Harvey's research indicated that Julliard School music and drama students scored significantly higher in telepathy tests.

Duce-Ashe's own informal survey of thirty creative, artistic, or musical individuals in August 1995 aimed to see if a similar correlation existed and if there was a high incidence of claimed UFO abduction among them. The results showed that one-sixth (five out of thirty) claimed abduction, with four of these reporting multiple abductions and three having undergone regressive hypnosis. Notably, four of the five abductees were unusually talented in multiple artistic disciplines. Additionally, five others thought they might have been abducted, and two of those had regressive hypnosis. Of this group, two were talented artists, and the other three had considerable talent in art or writing.

A more significant correlation found was between creativity and psychic/paranormal activity. Of the ten people claiming to be abductees or possible abductees, eight reported strong, multiple psychic abilities and listed numerous paranormal experiences, including NDEs, OBEs, lucid dreams, seeing auras, and healing ability.

Duce-Ashe also noted that 28 out of 30 surveyed claimed multiple paranormal experiences, questioning if creative people are more psychic or open to the paranormal. She acknowledges her survey was not scientific and that constructing questionnaires on subjective topics like UFOs, psi, and the paranormal is difficult. Twenty-seven of the thirty claimed to have seen a strange light in the sky, though she suggests a prosaic explanation might exist for most UFO sightings. She also notes that 27 out of 30 claimed psychic ability, possibly reflecting a general belief in intuition, which she considers essential to creativity.

In summary, Duce-Ashe believes her survey indicates a correlation between high creative/artistic ability and psychic/paranormal occurrences, with the abduction phenomenon being particularly significant. She has sent copies of her survey to known abductees and hopes to report general findings later. Readers interested in the questionnaire or participating in 'Duce-Ashe Survey #2' are directed to contact her via mail.

Helen Bierstein Speaks at NM MUFON: "The Near-Death Experience"

This section reports on a talk given by Helen Bierstein at a regular NM MUFON meeting on September 28. Bierstein, affiliated with the International Association of Near Death Studies and the Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship International, discussed her lifelong interest in life after death and how NDEs can confirm this interest.

• She mentioned working with psychic Arthur Ford, who also believed in life after death and saw connections between healings, dreams, psychic phenomena, and NDEs. Bierstein outlined the typical NDE scenario and shared personal accounts, including:
• A woman told, "There are no sins as you think of sins."
• An experiencer stating, "God is the universe, intelligence, energy. Unconditional love filled me."
• An unhappy experiencer told, "No. Life is more like a learning experience--learning to forgive."
• An individual who saw lights and a rainbow radiance and realized, "I get to go to Heaven!"

Bierstein noted that most NDE experiencers report a positive change in their life concept, lose their fear of death, and emphasize that "Love is the most important thing" and "Service is the way you show love."

Other effects of NDEs include electrical changes in the body, such as watches stopping. She highlighted documented cases of people blind from birth who reported seeing during their NDEs, suggesting that sight is not solely a physical sense. While acknowledging apparent similarities between NDEs and UFO/abduction experiences, Bierstein stated she was not as well-acquainted with the UFO field to elaborate. Her talk concluded with the memorable statement: "The Universe is in all of us whether we have feathers, foliage or skin. We're all connected through love."

A book list on NDEs and related subjects compiled by Boyce Batey is also mentioned.

Voices from the Other Side

Written by Ivy Dunn, this article recounts experiences with the Ouija board and near-death experiences. Dunn notes that Helen Bierstein's talk on NDEs captivated the audience, and while Bierstein couldn't directly correlate NDEs with UFO abductions, some suggest a relevance.

Dunn discusses various methods people use to contact the unknown, including psychics, mediums, card readers, automatic writing, tea leaves, pendulums, and the Ouija board. The Ouija board, despite its sinister reputation, is described as a form of spirit communication. Dunn theorizes its working as a vector sum of two subconscious forces, with the more mature force acting as a guide.

The author shares a personal experience using the Ouija board with his wife and daughter. He recounts a session where the board identified his daughter as an "OLD SOUL" and himself as a "NEW SOUL." In another instance, the board responded "HELL, I don't know" to a question, which embarrassed him as he had never used such language.

The article then details a story from 1959 when the author's family moved to Albuquerque. His wife's sister had died under mysterious circumstances, leaving four children. A Ouija board session was used to inquire about the children's fate. While attempts to contact the sister were futile, another voice emerged, urging the wife to return to Louisiana to check on the children's safety. This voice was identified as "GRANDMA," the grandmother of the wife and her sister. Grandma explained that the sister was too grief-stricken to communicate directly but wanted her mother to intercede.

Further Ouija board sessions revealed that the sister was in "A place of LIGHT and REST" and happy, despite the circumstances of her death, which involved a vicious and abusive husband who was never indicted. The author's wife inquired about Grandpa, who was reported as missing. When asked about his whereabouts, the board replied "H-O-T," leading to speculation about his location.

Marie, the author's wife, later traveled to Louisiana and found her sister's children in an orphanage, with their father having disappeared. The article concludes by stating that Grandpa is still missing.

Out of the Blue!

This section contains a letter from Jose and Karen Escamilla. They report on their recent activities, including attending the International Congress for the study of UFOs in Mexico City from August 23-28. During an interview with researcher Bob Baldwin, Jose captured a wisp-like apparition on video that neither he nor Baldwin saw at the time. They also took photos with still cameras that revealed strange phenomena.

Jose was a speaker on the Mufon forum on Compuserve on October 7 and was scheduled to lecture on "Rods Mysterious Objects Among Us" at the Colorado state MUFON meeting on October 28. They are also working with Colorado MUFON on paranormal photos, exploring a theory connecting UFOs and these photos. The Escamillas were also scheduled for an interview on the "Magic Mysteries and Miracles" TV show in Phoenix on October 18, focusing on rod-shaped UFOs.

Karen Escamilla addresses comments made by Becky Escamilla in the previous newsletter, emphasizing that the newsletter focuses on UFO research, not gossip. She corrects a statement about her and Jose not being married and clarifies a misunderstanding regarding an editor's statement.

Mysterious "glass skull" found

Authored by Christopher O'Brien, this article details the discovery of a highly unusual glass skull artifact in Saguache County in February 1996. The artifact was found on a fence line by a rancher's wife.

The skull is described as an exquisite glass artifact, partially covered by sand, with sunlight glinting off its form. It is six inches high and 3 1/2 inches wide, appearing to be made from a single piece of molten glass. Its form is highly stylized, with an elongated jaw and a protruding tongue. One unique feature is a hole in the front that extends over an inch into the interior, and an earring hole on the right side. The back of the skull has recessed indentations that resemble a second set of eyes.

Crystal skulls have typically been found in the Yucatan region of Mexico and Central America, believed to be used as healing tools by Mayan, Olmec, and Toltec priests. If authenticated as ancient, the San Luis Valley Skull could be the first glass skull artifact of its kind found outside these regions, making it an archeological find of historic importance.

Nick Nocerino, a renowned crystal skull expert, has been contacted and is intrigued, offering to help authenticate the artifact. The family who found the skull wishes to remain anonymous and keep the location confidential to prevent disturbances. The skull's discoverer's husband reported smelling a strong ladies' perfume near the skull, which could not be located.

A psychic reading advised the discoverer that the skull is "very old, It's not man-made and not of this earth," and cautioned her to be careful with it, recommending it be wrapped in silk and kept in an ionized box.

The article also briefly discusses famous crystal skulls like the "Mitchell-Hedges Skull" and "Max," and mentions speculation about their origins, possibly linked to the lost civilization of Atlantis. Edgar Cayce's prophecies about Atlantean crystal technology are also referenced.

Strange peripheral events have occurred since the skull's discovery, which the rancher family attributes to the artifact.

Jim's Jocund Jibes: Summer Tour

James J. Ashe writes humorously about his summer travel experiences. He compares riding Greyhound buses to encountering aliens, noting the strange sights and the feeling of being spaced out. He contrasts Greyhound with Amtrak, finding Amtrak more comfortable for longer journeys, despite the constant conversation from fellow passengers.

He reflects on the shrinking world and the ability to complain about everything while traveling. The piece concludes with the relief and comfort of returning home, being missed as a fixture.

Other Content

• Calendar: Announcements for regular NM MUFON meetings, a special meeting on October 26 featuring Carolyn Duce-Ashe discussing "Quantum Consciousness--Psi, Miracles, The UFO Experience and Creativity," and a conference on Intuition in Denver.
• Announcements: Information on "The View From Hermit's Peak" newsletter, condolences for Dan DeMar, marriage announcement for Jose and Karen Escamilla, details on "The Midway Sightings UFO Newsletter," and a paper competition in memory of Robert H. Ashby.
• Roswell Incident I-Beam Replica: An advertisement for a replica of the Roswell I-Beam, endorsed by Jesse Marcell, Jr., M.D.
• Subscription Information: Details on how to subscribe to the NM MUFON NEWS newsletter.
• Symbols on I-Beam Replica: An image displaying symbols related to the I-Beam replica.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of paranormal phenomena, particularly UFO abductions and near-death experiences, and their potential connections to creativity and psychic abilities. The newsletter adopts a stance of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting research, personal accounts, and discussions of unusual artifacts. There is a clear emphasis on reporting on the activities and findings of MUFON members and related researchers. The editorial tone is informative and investigative, encouraging reader participation and discussion on these often-unexplained topics.