UFO

Magazine Overview

This issue of OMNI, dated April 1976 through February 1978, titled "UFO UPDATE" by Harry Lebelson, explores the psychological and sociological dimensions of UFO phenomena. It draws heavily on the work of psychologist Carl Jung and features interviews and case studies of individuals who claim contact with extraterrestrial or other-dimensional entities.

Jungian Psychology and UFOs

The article begins by referencing Carl Jung's 1959 book "Flying Saucers," where he proposed that UFOs could be understood as mandalas, or circular symbols of order, reflecting aspects of the human psyche. Jung's interpretation is linked to modern UFO abduction cases, where a typical scenario involves a UFO landing, an alien escorting a 'contactee' into the craft, and the interior of the vehicle appearing larger than its exterior dimensions.

Jung stated, "As our dreams show very clearly, UFOs come from the unconscious background, which always expresses itself in numinous ideas and images. This strange phenomenon suggests that consciousness has lost its balance, enabling a one-sided view to prevail." He believed that if consciousness loses its balance, individuals may reduce complex phenomena to a single principle involving a superior intelligence, mirroring primitive man's focus on gods and fate.

The 'Hidden Contactee' and Psychological Needs

Berthold Schwarz, a New Jersey psychiatrist, advocates for studying 'hidden contactees'—individuals not influenced by media who may have deeper psychological connections to UFO experiences. Schwarz believes that UFO sightings can fulfill deep-seated human wishes, particularly in times of perceived societal crisis. He notes that a significant percentage of the population believes in UFOs and has reported seeing them, suggesting a widespread psychological resonance with the phenomenon.

Case Studies of Contactees and Mediums

The issue presents several compelling case studies:

• Margaret Ludeman: An octogenarian medium from California who communicates with a spirit entity named Hilarion. Hilarion, described as the commander of a UFO fleet, warns of Earth's impending self-destruction due to atomic energy, urging humanity to cease its use. Ludeman has been communicating with Hilarion for ten years, sharing his messages without commercial exploitation.

• Lydia Stalnaker: A spirit medium, spiritual healer, and UFO contactee who appeared on the David Susskind show. Her spirit entity, Antron, speaks through her and reinforces her healing abilities. Stalnaker claims that an abduction experience at age eight is the source of her healing powers, which she used to help a member of Susskind's staff overcome a lung condition.

• Marcia Moore: Co-author of "Journeys into the Bright World," Moore describes experiences of higher consciousness induced by the hallucinogenic drug ketamine. Collaborating with her husband, Howard Altounian, M.D., she documented drug experiments conducted between April 1976 and February 1978. During one session, Moore described a place of 'wheels' where creation is based on rotary motion, and she concluded that the 'aliens' she encountered were essentially 'us,' or that humans were being used as tools for their reconnaissance. This experience aligns with Jung's interpretation of UFOs originating from the unconscious.

Scientific Perspectives on Psychic Phenomena

While Moore's experiments and other accounts suggest a psychological basis for UFO experiences, the article also touches upon differing scientific viewpoints. Desmond Morris, author of "The Naked Ape," disagrees with the notion that humans are developing new psychic properties, instead suggesting that ancient psychic abilities, dormant due to a focus on scientific and analytical thought, are being reawakened. Morris advocates for a scientific reevaluation of its significance and for advanced research into physics and biology to better understand psychic phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the psychological interpretation of UFOs, the concept of contactees and their experiences, and the exploration of altered states of consciousness. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives from psychology, psychiatry, and anecdotal accounts, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous scientific investigation into these phenomena. The issue suggests that UFO experiences may reflect a broader societal or individual need for meaning, order, or salvation in challenging times.