Mysteria - Issue 25 - 1981 02

Magazine Overview

MYSTERIA is a German-language magazine dedicated to UFO research and pre-astronautics. This issue, Nr. 2/81, is the third volume and features a dramatic cover depicting an extraterrestrial abduction. The price is DM 3.50.

Table of Contents and Editorial Information

The magazine includes a detailed table of contents, listing articles on various UFO-related topics, personal accounts, and research. The editorial team includes Herbert Mohren (layout and author), Maria Antonietta De Muro (author), Michael Hesemann (author), Frank Bruns (author), Johannes von Buttlar (author), Axel Ertelt (Editor-in-Chief), and Hans-Werner Sachmann (Editor). The publisher is listed as 'Eigenverlag' (self-published).

Key Articles and Features

"VON AUSSERIRDISCHEN ENTFÜHRT" (Abducted by Extraterrestrials)

This feature, written by Maria Antonietta De Muro, details the case of Fortunato Zanfretta, a 27-year-old night watchman from Genova, Italy. Zanfretta reportedly disappeared twice, once in 1978 and again on the night of the article's writing. He claimed to have been taken by UFOs, describing a craft with a blinding light. After his first disappearance, he was found dazed and disoriented miles from his post. Medical examinations found him to be mentally sound. The article mentions that American professors from the Pentagon investigated the case and that Zanfretta was told the UFO occupants would return. The second disappearance occurred during a search operation, with Zanfretta's colleagues believing it was a 'fourth encounter'. He was later found in a ravine, in shock, with his car disabled.

"Sind UFOs lebende Wesen?" (Are UFOs Living Beings?)

Authored by Michael Hesemann, this article explores the theory that some UFOs might be living organisms, rather than conventional craft. Hesemann discusses the work of Trevor James Constable, a UFO researcher who claims to have photographed hundreds of these phenomena, which he calls 'Critters'. These are described as amoeba-like plasma forms, potentially part of a new branch of evolution, invisible to the naked eye but sometimes detected by radar. Constable's research suggests these 'Critters' are not spacecraft but living beings, varying in size and behavior.

"Operieren Extraterresten als Aquanauten?" (Do Extraterrestrials Operate as Aquanauts?)

This article by Frank Bruns delves into the possibility of extraterrestrials interacting with Earth's aquatic environments.

"AUS UNSEREM ARCHIV: I. Geschichte der UFOs; Zweite Folge des Artikels 'Prä-Astronautik vor Däniken "Untertassen und Bibel"'"

This archival piece, by Herbert Mohren, continues a series on pre-astronautics, examining the connections between ancient texts and potential extraterrestrial influence, referencing Erich von Däniken's work.

"Die Goten und ihre Rätsel" (The Goths and Their Mysteries)

This article by Herbert Mohren explores enigmatic aspects of the Goths, potentially linking them to ancient astronaut theories.

"Schlagzeile: Attentat auf Bestsellerautor; MYSTERIA-Dia-Serien (Neu: Serie 6: DAS ALTE ROM)"

This section includes a headline about an assassination attempt on a bestseller author and announces a new photo-series on Ancient Rome.

"DAS AKTUELLE BUCH: 'Die biologische Chance'"

A book review by Johannes von Buttlar.

"MYSTERIA-Privat/Wichtige Meldung: JUDENTEMPEL-STEINQUADER VERSCHWUNDEN!"

This news item reports the disappearance of a large stone cube from the 'Judentempel' (Jewish Temple) ruins near Srinagar, Kashmir. The cube is speculated to contain metallic material or be a radioactive source. The report references Erich von Däniken's book 'BEWEISE' and suggests a connection to Prophet Ezekiel's visions of extraterrestrial encounters.

Personal Accounts and Research

The Fortunato Zanfretta Case

Further details on the Zanfretta case are provided, including an interview with Zanfretta himself. He describes being taken into a circular spacecraft, subjected to examination with a helmet causing severe headaches, and being given an object he later discarded in fear. His account is presented with a degree of skepticism from some, attributed possibly to the psychological effects of repeated investigations. The article notes that Dr. Tutti, director of the Valbisagno Institute, seemed to possess more information than Zanfretta himself, mentioning at least five physical encounters.

The 'Critter' Theory

Michael Hesemann's article extensively discusses Trevor James Constable's research. Constable's photographs and films from the 1950s allegedly captured 'Critters', described as biological entities resembling large amoebas or single-celled organisms. These phenomena were observed in the atmosphere and are distinct from traditional UFOs. The article also references earlier observations, such as those by Hugh Ruttledge during an Everest expedition in 1933, and by private pilot Don Wood Jr. in 1925, who described similar unusual aerial beings. The theory suggests these 'Critters' represent a new dimension in UFOlogy and may explain many plasma phenomena.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

MYSTERIA consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, ancient history, and speculative science, particularly the pre-astronautics theories popularized by Erich von Däniken. The magazine appears to favor in-depth case studies, personal testimonies, and alternative scientific interpretations. The editorial stance leans towards investigating unexplained phenomena with an open mind, presenting various theories and evidence, while also acknowledging the need for critical analysis. Recurring themes include extraterrestrial contact, ancient civilizations, and the search for evidence of non-human intelligence. The magazine encourages reader participation and submissions, as indicated by the 'MYSTERIA-Privat' section.

Title: UFO-Forschung
Issue Date: October 1956 (based on a cited article, though other dates are present)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "UFO-Forschung" (UFO Research) delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena, spanning underwater incidents, theories about biological extraterrestrial life, and interpretations of ancient texts through the lens of pre-astronautics.

Cover Story: USO Rams Queen Elizabeth

The cover prominently features an illustration depicting the cruise ship Queen Elizabeth being rammed by an Unidentified Submerged Object (USO) on September 5, 1976. The article, written by Frank Bruns, suggests that an underwater spacecraft may have caused the collision. The damage to the ship was significant, and the shipyard's initial assessment pointed to a U-boat of the Atlantis class, but no such submarine was present at the coordinates. This incident is highlighted as evidence that the objects involved in such collisions are substantial, ruling out explanations like confused whales or sawfish. The article also references other mysterious underwater incidents, including those involving divers in lakes and seas, suggesting that unknown underwater phenomena pose dangers beyond normal explanations.

The Critter Theory: Are UFOs Living Beings?

Authored by Michael Hesemann, this section explores the 'Critter' theory, which posits that some UFOs might be biological life forms rather than conventional spacecraft. Hesemann discusses various sightings and photographs, including the 'glowing spider of Leipzig' and objects resembling unicellular organisms. He notes the similarity to 'Critter' photos by Constable, suggesting he was not the sole observer of this form. The theory proposes that these beings might utilize their own 'life energy' for propulsion, potentially drawing on energies like orgon energy researched by Dr. Wilhelm Reich. While acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes or misidentifications (like water droplets or amebas on lenses), Hesemann presents the 'Critter' claims for discussion, emphasizing that they are not presented as established facts.

Pre-Astronautics: UFOs and Ancient Texts

Several articles explore the connection between UFO phenomena and ancient history, religion, and mythology, drawing heavily on the concept of pre-astronautics.

"Untertassen" and the Bible

This section, continuing from a previous issue, interprets biblical accounts as descriptions of extraterrestrial encounters. It suggests that biblical descriptions of angels and divine beings could refer to beings operating advanced craft. The text analyzes passages from the Book of Revelation, Ezekiel, and Isaiah, reinterpreting 'flying clouds' and 'wheels' as descriptions of spacecraft. The presence of copper, which is spectroscopically linked to UFO sightings, is noted in relation to descriptions of polished bronze or 'airain'. The article posits that these ancient accounts, when stripped of symbolic language, reveal a consistent pattern of advanced technology and beings interacting with humanity.

The Goths and Their Mysteries

Authored by Herbert Mohren, this part of the series investigates the Goths, a historical people, through the lens of pre-astronautics. Hesekiel's writings are cited, suggesting that the name 'Goths' might also refer to their deities, implying a potential extraterrestrial origin for them or their gods. The article references Jordanes, a 6th-century historian, who documented the Goths. It explores their claims of descent from gods and their advanced knowledge in various sciences. The text links the Goths to the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), suggesting a possible connection to the stars. The Goths' possession of the 'Seven-branched Menorah' (Bundeslade) is discussed, linking it to treasures and their mastery of architecture, exemplified by Gothic cathedrals. The article also touches upon the Roman conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent acquisition and loss of the Menorah, with the Goths eventually reclaiming it. Legends about the Menorah's hiding place are mentioned, including a story about a French parish priest.

Wotan, the Astronaut?

This section continues the pre-astronautics theme, questioning if Wotan, a prominent figure in Germanic mythology, was an astronaut. The article connects the Goths to the constellation Ursa Major and the swan constellation, referencing ancient depictions and the Edda. It suggests that the Goths possessed advanced astronomical knowledge and that their myths might contain coded references to this understanding. The text also discusses the changing polar star and its astronomical significance. A report on Russian scientists studying a prehistoric turtle shell with an imprinted star map, where the stars were not in their correct positions, is presented as further evidence of ancient astronomical knowledge that deviates from current understanding.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of unexplained aerial and submerged phenomena (UFOs and USOs), the investigation of potential biological extraterrestrial life forms ('Critters'), and the reinterpretation of ancient texts and myths as evidence of extraterrestrial contact in antiquity (pre-astronautics). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and anecdotal evidence for the reader to consider, while often cautioning against definitive conclusions and acknowledging the possibility of misinterpretation or hoaxes. The magazine encourages further research and critical examination of these topics.

This issue of MYSTERIA magazine, dated March 20, 1980, delves into a variety of enigmatic subjects, ranging from astronomical anomalies and mysterious incidents to ancient civilizations and personal health.

Astronomical Anomalies and Ancient Maps

The issue begins by discussing a map with inaccuracies in star positions, attributed to shifts in the northern celestial hemisphere over the last 35,000 years. It also highlights two large, inscribed stars in the Big Dipper area, which have been reported on previously by MYSTERIA.

Attack on Bestselling Author

A report details an assassination attempt on Richard Winer, a prominent Bermuda Triangle researcher and author, who was critically injured by a bomb explosion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The article notes the police's apparent lack of urgency in apprehending the culprits and questions the motive behind the attack.

DIA-SERIES Offerings

MYSTERIA presents a series of DIA-SERIES, offering visual and textual information on various historical and archaeological topics. These include:

• Serie 1: The Externsteine in the Teutoburger Wald (detailed views).
• Serie 2: Megalithic Culture in Southern Ireland and England.
• Serie 3: Stonehenge - Observatory of the Stone Age.
• Serie 4: Megalithic Culture in France (I).
• Serie 5: Megalithic Culture in France (II).
• NEU!!! Serie 6: The Ancient Rome - Pyramids. This series showcases the Colosseum and other Roman monuments, inviting readers to explore the past.

Each series comprises twelve slides and costs DM 26,--, with an optional text and cassette available.

Book Review: 'Die Biologische Chance' by Johannes von Buttlar

The magazine features a review of Johannes von Buttlar's book, 'Die Biologische Chance: 100 Jahre vital und gesund' (100 Years Vital and Healthy). The book builds upon his previous bestseller, 'Der Menschheitstraum' (The Humanity Dream), shifting focus from extending life to combating the aging process. Von Buttlar argues that living to a hundred years, vital and healthy, is achievable and offers practical advice on maintaining health and vitality. The review highlights the book's exploration of vitamins, enzymes, trace elements, thymusextract, protelytic enzymes, and propolis, as well as geriatrics. It also mentions that the author, born in 1940, hails from an old European noble family and has a background in psychology, philosophy, mathematics, physics, and astronomy, with several published works on topics ranging from faster-than-light travel to UFO phenomena.

Upcoming Features and Reader Engagement

Future issues will include articles on 'The NOMMO-ARCHE: A Flying Boat' by Michael Appel, two articles by Walter Closs on prehistory and ancient peoples' knowledge of the prehistoric moon, and further installments of the series on the history of UFOs. The magazine also announces an extension of the deadline for the reader's poll 'BESTER BEITRAG 1980' (Best Contribution 1980) to March 20, 1980, encouraging participation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

MYSTERIA consistently explores themes of mystery, the unexplained, ancient history, and fringe science. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded yet critical stance, presenting intriguing phenomena and research while also engaging readers in polls and discussions. The editorial stance encourages exploration of the unknown and provides a platform for diverse perspectives on historical enigmas and scientific frontiers.