Mysteria - Issue 55

Magazine Overview

This issue of MYSTERIA, titled "MYSTERIA Fachzeitschrift für UFO-Forschung und Prä-Astronautik," is issue number 55 and marks the 7th year of publication. The cover features a caricature by Reinhard Habeck depicting authors of the book "Die Entdeckung des Heiligen Grals" (The Discovery of the Holy Grail). The price is DM 3.50.

Editorial and Publisher Information

The magazine is a private publication that generally appears bimonthly, aiming for publication in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Due to its part-time production, punctual release is not always guaranteed. The editorial team acknowledges delays in this issue, partly due to an expanded scope to compensate for previous gaps and personal time constraints of the editor-in-chief, Axel Ertelt. The publisher is MYSTERIA, with Axel Ertelt serving as the editor-in-chief based in Halver, Germany. Hans-Werner Sachmann is the editor for Dortmund. The magazine is printed by Druckerei H. Sperl in Forchheim.

Contents Overview

The issue covers a wide range of topics related to UFO research and pre-astronautics:

• Cover Story: Reinhard Habeck's caricature of authors discussing "The Discovery of the Holy Grail."
• "MYSTERIA - privat" by Axel Ertelt: An editorial discussing the magazine's delayed publication, reasons for it, and future plans.
• "The Star of Bethlehem - Legend or Reality?" by Wolfgang Schröder: Examines the biblical account of the Star of Bethlehem, exploring astronomical explanations, and drawing parallels with ancient myths like the Krishna myth.
• "4. AAS-Meeting, Freiburg 1984" by Hans-Werner Sachmann: A report on the Ancient Astronaut Society (AAS) meeting in Freiburg, detailing the presentations and attendees.
• "CENAPS UFO-Meeting in Heilbronn" by Axel Ertelt: A report on a UFO meeting organized by CENAP in Heilbronn, highlighting organizational issues and speaker absences.
• "UFO over the BAB Wuppertal - Düsseldorf": A brief report on a UFO sighting.
• "Pre-Astronautics and the Theory of Morphogenetic Fields" by Robert Schwarzbauer: Discusses Rupert Sheldrake's theory of morphogenetic fields as a potential explanation for phenomena related to pre-astronautics.
• "The Chronicle of Akakor is Falsified!" by Ingo Runde: Argues that the 'Chronicle of Akakor' is a fabrication, pointing out parallels with existing myths and evidence of the narrator's German background.
• "Whirlwind about a UFO Landing in England!" by Hellmuth Hoffmann: Continues the debate about a reported UFO landing in England, presenting further evidence and counterarguments.
• "Are UFOs Effects of Geophysical Phenomena?" by Hellmuth Hoffmann: Explores the possibility that UFO sightings might be explained by terrestrial geophysical phenomena rather than extraterrestrial origins.
• "Menhirs - Stone Symbols for Tianas?" by Jakob Vorberger: Proposes a new interpretation of menhirs, linking them to ancient myths and celestial events.

Key Articles and Themes

The Star of Bethlehem - Legend or Reality?
Wolfgang Schröder delves into the historical and astronomical interpretations of the Star of Bethlehem. He questions whether it was a real celestial event or a legend, citing biblical passages and comparing the narrative to the birth myth of Krishna. The article also touches upon the idea of Jesus being an extraterrestrial being, a concept explored by some researchers, and notes discrepancies in historical dating related to King Herod.

AAS Meeting in Freiburg (1984)
Hans-Werner Sachmann reports on the 4th AAS meeting in Freiburg. The event featured presentations by various researchers on topics such as ancient communication systems, extraterrestrial genetics, pre-astronautic methodology, and ancient technologies. Notable speakers included Walter-Jörg Langbein, Viktor Farkas, Peter Fiebag, and Reinhard Habeck. The report highlights both the positive aspects of the meeting, like the diverse audience and engaging discussions, and some organizational shortcomings, such as the lack of a planned panel discussion and a disorganized informal dinner.

CENAP UFO Meeting in Heilbronn (1984)
Axel Ertelt covers the CENAP UFO meeting in Heilbronn, which saw a larger turnout than previous events. However, the meeting faced issues with venue capacity and the absence of several international speakers from France and Norway. The report details presentations on topics like "Are UFOs Vehicles of Extraterrestrial Beings?" (Roland Gehardt), "Attempt to Define the UFO Phenomenon and Scientific Research in Amateur Associations" (Gilbert Schmitz), and "UFOs - A Secret?" (Werner Walter). Schmitz's presentation, which suggested UFO phenomena are psychological, was met with interruptions. Walter's presentation, which attempted to debunk certain UFO sightings, also led to audience protests.

The Chronicle of Akakor is Falsified!
Ingo Runde presents evidence suggesting that Tatunka Nara's "Chronicle of Akakor" is a fabrication. Runde points out striking similarities between the chronicle's narrative and South American myths, as well as references to figures like King Solomon and the biblical Ophir. He also reveals that Tatunka Nara, contrary to the portrayal of him as an uneducated indigenous chief, had lived in Germany for years and was well-read in pre-astronautic literature, including works by Erich von Däniken and James Churchward.

Are UFOs Effects of Geophysical Phenomena?
Hellmuth Hoffmann explores the theory that many UFO sightings might be explained by terrestrial geophysical phenomena. Citing research by British scientists, the article suggests that unusual lights and phenomena observed in the sky could be linked to continental drift, earth plate shifts, and electrical discharges within the Earth's crust. The report mentions specific locations in Wales where such phenomena were observed near geological fault lines. The case of Kenneth Arnold is also re-examined through this geophysical lens. The article also touches upon the idea that animals might sense geophysical variations preceding earthquakes.

Menhirs - Stone Symbols for Tianas?
Jakob Vorberger offers a new interpretation of the mysterious menhirs found in Brittany, France. He suggests that their solution lies within the myths of early peoples and proposes a new reading of these myths, linking the stones to celestial events and ancient deities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of ancient myths, historical anomalies, and modern scientific inquiry, particularly in the realm of UFOs and pre-astronautics. There's a clear editorial stance favoring critical examination of claims, whether they originate from traditional scholarship or alternative research. The magazine encourages rigorous methodology in pre-astronautic studies while remaining open to unconventional ideas. The recurring theme is the search for evidence and rational explanations, even when dealing with phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. The publication aims to be a serious platform for these discussions, despite the challenges of part-time production and the sometimes controversial nature of the topics.

This issue of MYSTERIA magazine, dated January 1985, focuses on ancient astronaut theories, UFO phenomena, and various paranormal and fringe science topics. The cover story, "MYSTERIA-AKTION: Rettet die Umwelt!" (MYSTERIA Action: Save the Environment!), highlights environmental concerns, specifically the cruel treatment of frogs for culinary purposes.

Ancient Astronauts and Mythological Craft

The main article, "Die Götter-Sagen" (The God-Sagas), by Peter Krassa, proposes that ancient myths are not mere legends but descriptions of extraterrestrial visitors and their technology. Krassa introduces the concept of the "Ananta," an egg-shaped mother spaceship that allegedly orbited Earth 18,000 years ago. He identifies the "Duku" as the space capsule of the gods, referred to as the "first heaven." Smaller landing craft, named "Tianas," are described as rocket-shaped vehicles used for transport between the Ananta and Earth. These Tianas, with their powerful atomic engines, are linked to phenomena like "holy winds" and are depicted as the means by which ancient peoples believed they could ascend to the heavens. The article connects these concepts to various ancient cultures, including Sumerian, Egyptian, and Indian myths, and suggests that the "world serpent" mentioned in some myths might be a description of the Ananta after it allegedly crashed.

Krassa also explores the idea of "Toten-Auferweckung im Himmel" (Resurrection in Heaven), suggesting that ancient accounts of people being brought back to life might refer to extraterrestrials abducting the sick or injured for medical treatment in their craft, with their return being perceived as a resurrection. The article touches upon the reverence for Tianas as "flying mountains" or "god-mountains" in various religions and connects them to megalithic structures like menhirs.

UFO Sightings and Theories

New UFO Sighting in the USSR

Peter Fiebag reports on a sighting by the crew of a Soviet TU-134A passenger jet in January 1985. The crew observed a large, radiant "star" emitting a beam of light to the ground, which illuminated houses and streets. The object then approached the aircraft, transformed into a "green cloud," and escorted the plane. This sighting was corroborated by other pilots and radar control.

UFOs and AAS Theory

Wilfried Briegel discusses the reality of UFOs, noting that the US Air Force has registered thousands of cases since 1948, including reports from pilots and officers. He dismisses many sightings as illusions or hoaxes but acknowledges the existence of unknown flying objects throughout history, citing Christopher Columbus's logbook. The article also touches upon the theory of a "twelfth planet" in our solar system, potentially inhabited by "Nefilim," as proposed by Zecharia Sitchin, suggesting it as a possible origin for UFOs.

Erich von Däniken Interviews Jeane Dixon

An excerpt from an interview with psychic Jeane Dixon in 1974 discusses her views on UFOs, suggesting they originate from an undiscovered planet and that humanity will soon make contact and learn from these beings.

The Bermuda Triangle and Other Mysteries

The Bermuda Triangle

The article "Das Bermuda-Dreieck" (The Bermuda Triangle) by Peter Krassa examines the persistent disappearances of aircraft and ships in this region. Krassa suggests a possible explanation rooted in ancient astronaut theories, positing that extraterrestrial commanders might use "world cities" or space stations to collect objects from Earth's history as a form of control or historical documentation.

Mysterious Radio Transmissions

Alan Holmes, a radio officer on the "Queen Elizabeth II," received a mysterious radio transmission from the "Queen Mary," a ship that had been out of service for 11 years. This incident, along with similar reports from other radio amateurs, raises questions about unknown entities receiving and retransmitting terrestrial radio signals.

Book Reviews and Editorials

Book Reviews

The issue features several book reviews:

• "Kabarett der Täuschungen" (Cabaret of Deceptions) by Martin Gardner, which debunks parapsychology and occult phenomena.
• "Geheimwaffe PSI" (Secret Weapon PSI) by Ernst Meckelburg, discussing the militarization of PSI research and potential PSI weapons.
• "UFO's – Die unmögliche Wahrheit?" (UFOs – The Impossible Truth?), edited by Matthias Engelhardt, a collection of scientific perspectives on UFOs.
• "Das Geheimnis der Hyperboreer" (The Secret of the Hyperboreers) by Victor K. Wendt, exploring the legend of the Hyperboreans.
• "Die rätselhaften Zufälle" (The Enigmatic Coincidences) by Volker Berg, examining synchronicity and coincidences.
• "Von den Göttern verlassen?" (Abandoned by the Gods?) by Peter Kaufhold, a critical review of a book challenging ancient astronaut theories.
• "Geheimnisse und Heilkräfte der Pflanzen" (Secrets and Healing Powers of Plants), a review of a book on herbal medicine.
• "Wer war Jesus? Der Essäer-Brief" (Who Was Jesus? The Essene Letter) by Hermann Kissener, discussing the historical Jesus.
• "Das verheimlichte Wissen" (The Hidden Knowledge) by Peter Andreas and Rose Lloyd Davies, exploring hidden knowledge about Jesus and ancient civilizations.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters to the editor are included:

• Wolfgang Schröder praises the magazine's presentation and content.
• Manfred Strack commends the magazine's clarity and organization.
• Walter Jörg Langbein expresses his enjoyment of the magazine's diverse content and its contribution to the UFO field.
• Wolfgang Schröder humorously describes how an article in a previous issue provided him with great amusement.
• Walter Walter raises a fundamental question about humanity's reaction if extraterrestrials deny the existence of God as understood by humans.
• Gottfried Bonn praises the magazine's improvement and diverse viewpoints.
• Ralf Sonnenberg defends his critical stance on the "Chronicle of Akakor" and criticizes Michael Appel's accusations.
• Peter Krassa refutes Michael Appel's claims regarding his involvement in a campaign against certain individuals and explains his research into the "Tatunca Nara" and "Karl Brugger" cases.
• Ralf Sonnenberg clarifies his position on the "Ugha Mongulala" tribe, stating that the scientific community does not recognize their existence.
• Jakob Vorberger thanks MYSTERIA for publishing his research on extraterrestrial spacecraft.
• Walter Schal notes that the theory of extraterrestrial spacecraft and landing craft has long been known.

Other Sections

• "Tonbandstimmen aus dem Jenseits?" (Tone Band Voices from the Beyond?) by Lothar Richter discusses the phenomenon of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), attributing such voices not to spirits of the deceased but to demons.
• "Nachruf" (Obituary) for John Fisch, publisher of "Magazin 2000."
• "Kurz notiert..." (Briefly Noted...) section presents several short news items, including the discovery of a "second Stonehenge," a lost city in Peru, a "fish rain" in San Diego, and a debunking of UFO photos.
• "Neue Scharrbilder bei Nazca entdeckt" (New Nazca Geoglyphs Discovered) reports on new discoveries of geoglyphs in Peru.
• "Sternensystem entdeckt?" (Star System Discovered?) discusses the potential discovery of a new planetary system.
• "CENAP ist CENAP ...und nichts dahinter" (CENAP is CENAP... and nothing behind it) addresses criticisms of the CENAP organization's stance on UFOs.
• "Das Universum ist noch größer" (The Universe is Even Bigger) reports on the discovery of new galaxies.
• "Neue Schelmenstreiche aus Berlin" (New Pranks from Berlin) details the alleged scams of Dieter Brügmann.
• "Challenger"-Rekordflug" (Challenger Record Flight) notes a space shuttle mission with a record number of crew members.
• "Brandstiftung als 'Zeichen für die UFOs'" (Arson as 'Signs for UFOs') reports on an arsonist claiming to signal UFOs.
• "Neues um die Steinkugelfunde" (News about the Stone Sphere Finds) requests information on stone sphere discoveries.
• "MYSTERIA-Aktion: Rettet die Umwelt!" (MYSTERIA Action: Save the Environment!) is a campaign against the consumption of frog legs due to animal cruelty and environmental impact.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of ancient astronauts, UFOs, and the paranormal, often presenting theories that challenge conventional scientific and historical narratives. There is a strong emphasis on ancient myths as evidence of extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be open to fringe theories, while also engaging in critical analysis and debunking of hoaxes or misinterpretations, as seen in the reviews and letters sections. The magazine also shows a concern for environmental issues and animal welfare, as highlighted by the "Save the Environment" campaign.

MYSTERIA, issue 55, is a German-language magazine focused on mysteries, ufology, and pre-astronautics. This issue features a prominent cover story titled "Sie kommen von anderen Welten" (They come from other worlds), exploring theories of extraterrestrial visitors and their influence on human history and culture.

Featured Articles and Content

"Sie kommen von anderen Welten" by Herbert Mohren & Axel Ertelt

This lead article, also presented as a book, aims to consolidate theories regarding extraterrestrial visits and interventions in human history. It broadens the scope beyond typical pre-astronautics and UFO research to encompass other unsolved mysteries, suggesting that the concept of 'angels' in biblical texts might refer to extraterrestrial astronauts. The authors emphasize that evidence for this can be found in commonly accessible biblical texts, not just apocryphal ones, and that these beings exhibited surprisingly human-like behaviors.

"Die Entdeckung des Heiligen Grals" by Johannes & Peter Fiebag

This book review and feature discusses the findings of the Fiebag brothers regarding the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, and the 'Manna Machine'. They propose that these legends are connected to a device of extraterrestrial origin, potentially linked to Atlantis and the Knights Templar. The book, published by Paul Zsolnay, is described as a comprehensive work that synthesizes evidence for the existence of a lost civilization.

"Die Epoche der ,Engel'" by Hans-Werner Sachmann

This book analyzes biblical claims about angels through the lens of pre-astronautic hypotheses. Sachmann argues that biblical accounts of angels, when read carefully, suggest they were extraterrestrial astronauts rather than purely divine beings. The book aims to provide insights and stimulate thought based on extensive studies of canonical biblical texts.

Abimelech's Journey Through Time

A detailed narrative recounts the story of Abimelech, who, according to ancient texts and Kabbalistic interpretations, was taken by time travelers to escape the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. The story highlights the concept of time dilation and the potential for advanced technology to manipulate time, questioning whether this was an extraterrestrial intervention or a natural phenomenon.

Book Reviews and New Releases

The magazine includes several book reviews and announcements of new releases, primarily in the science fiction and fantasy genres, from publishers like Bastei-Lübbe. Titles mentioned include works by Piers Anthony, Joan D. Vinge, Earl Mac Rauch, Andreas Weiler, Frank Herbert, Jack Vance, Robert Sheckley, E. E. "Doc" Smith, Robert E. Howard, John Varley, and Andreas Brandhorst.

Contact and Community Information

MYSTERIA serves as a hub for individuals interested in various fringe topics. It features advertisements for contact magazines, hobbyist groups, and personal ads. Specific sections include:

• FREIZEIT- und KONTAKTMAGAZIN: A contact magazine for various interests, including pen pals, collectors, and travel.
• MYSTERIÖSER ZIRKEL: A service providing contact addresses for unusual interests.
• BIO-QUELLE: A newsletter offering information on health and parapsychology.
• MAILBOX-EXTRA: An advertising paper for pen pals, hobbies, and mail order.
• ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY: Information on joining this organization dedicated to researching ancient astronaut theories.
• MYSTERIA Meetings: Announcements for upcoming meetings, including a planned large event in Horn/Bad Meinberg focusing on UFO research and pre-astronautics.
• Advertising and Classifieds: Various sections for private and commercial advertisements, including a "Kleinazeigen" (classifieds) section for MYSTERIA readers.

Reader Contributions and Letters

Several sections are dedicated to reader engagement:

• "WO IST WAS?" Contest: A recurring contest where readers identify a photo from a selection of options, with prizes of books.
• LESERBRIEFKASTEN (Reader Mailbox): Features letters from readers, including one discussing the history of pre-astronautic theories and mentioning early proponents like Helena Blavatsky and Charles Fort.
• "Eine Bitte an unsere Leser" (A request to our readers): The editorial team apologizes for delayed responses due to time constraints and asks for understanding.

Other Content

• "RÜSSEL-MOPS" and "ERICH": Comic strips with themes related to aliens and ancient civilizations.
• "Der Sonntagsforscher": A comic strip.
• DIE ANDERE REALITÄT: Information about a free bulletin offering insights into parapsychological experiences and life after death.
• Book Sales and Wants: A section listing books for sale at reduced prices and requests for specific titles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea of extraterrestrial influence on human history and culture, often referred to as pre-astronautics or ancient astronaut theory. It encourages readers to question conventional historical and scientific narratives and to explore alternative explanations for ancient mysteries, myths, and religious texts. The editorial stance is open to speculative interpretations, particularly those that connect ancient phenomena to advanced technology or extraterrestrial visitors. There is a strong emphasis on community building through contact magazines, reader participation in contests and surveys, and the organization of meetings and working groups.