OVNI - 1995 07 - July

Magazine Overview

< OVNI > is a July 1995 newsletter from the Phenomenon Research Association, priced at £1. It covers topics related to UFOs and unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on crop circles and their potential connection to earth energies, as well as a report on a mysterious artifact from Guatemala.

Crop Circles 1995

The issue details several crop circle formations that appeared in Southern England during the summer of 1995. These include:

• Matterley Farm, near Winchester, Hampshire: A large formation with 32 circles, a quintuplet set that first appeared in 1985. The 1995 formation is in a wheatfield with an overall diameter of 150 feet, featuring a 30-foot center circle and smaller circles ranging from 15 to 6 feet.
• Reading, Berkshire: A 45-foot crop circle with a 140-foot outer 'trench'. The pattern is described as roughly made and situated in a wheatfield close to town, leading to the conclusion it was likely man-made and a hoax.
• West Stowell near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire: A quintuplet set appeared in late June, featuring an offset, asymmetrical design similar to one seen in Washington State, USA, the previous year. The center circle is 35 feet, with satellite circles of 12 feet and an outer trench of 14 feet, giving an overall diameter of 108 feet.
• Longwood Warren near Winchester: Part of the 'asteroid' series, this formation appeared in a wheat crop in late June. It is described as exquisite, with standing lines of wheat one foot across, forming a center orbital design representing four planets and their orbits. Small 'grapeshot' circles are also in the vicinity. The overall diameter is 140 feet.

All photographs of these formations were supplied by F.C.Taylor.

Dowsing and Earth Energy

The newsletter highlights the work of 'dowsers' such as Michael Newark, who investigate crop circles for 'Earth Energy'. Newark, aged 56, became interested in dowsing as a child and believes it opens up higher levels of reality and the exploration of unknown 'Earth Forces'. He posits that natural forces criss-cross the planet, active in some regions and disappearing in others, and that ancient sites store this 'earth force' which is carried by Ley Lines. According to Newark, the earth energy power in 1995 is double that of the previous year, with Ley Lines radiating energy across the country. Crop Circles often form where there is a 'spiders Web' of earth energy, a multi-dimensional joining of energy from above and below ground.

Newark first associated earth energy forces with crop circles in 1992, finding energy patterns at genuine sites but not at 'hoaxed' ones. He is currently collaborating with Jim Lyons of the CCCS to analyze energy distribution in crop circles. Newark believes the Earth is like a magnet drawing in energy and that humanity has much to learn from the past.

Farmers are reportedly annoyed by sightseers damaging their crops and are cutting wheat quickly to prevent further damage, sometimes calling the police.

UFO Incident Near Cheesefoot Head

Mrs Lorraine Maguire of the 'Southern Paranormal Investigation Group' reported a UFO incident near Cheesefoot Head, Winchester, on the night of June 26th. While on a barrow, she observed what appeared to be a stationary white ball in the sky. The ball, initially dull white, brightened and then moved slowly before shooting off at great speed. Lorraine Maguire's drawing of the incident is reproduced, showing the ball changing shape to a disk edge-on and spinning before moving off.

Late crop circle news from Tony Caldicott of CCCS East Midlands mentions new circles at Burrow Hill (near Melton Mowbray) and Woodhouse Heath.

Magnetic Engine Concept

John Brickstock presents a design for a 'Magnetic Engine' intended for powering long-distance spacecraft with an atomic reactor. The principle involves using electricity from the reactor to energize drive magnets. The design features a central atomic reactor, electricity generator, and cooling system, surrounded by magnets. A south magnet is free to slide towards a fixed north magnet, but a non-magnetic spring prevents contact, creating forces that can be used for propulsion. The forces generated are set up to create an imbalance, leading to motion. The design is also considered for short-distance applications like aircraft journeys.

The Evening Sky - July 1995

This section provides astronomical observations for July 1995:

• Earth's Position: On July 3rd, Earth was at 'aphelion', 94.5 million miles from the Sun.
• Interstellar Travel: Traveling on Concorde at twice the speed of sound would take about one year and two months to reach the Sun, and over 3 million years to reach Alpha Centauri.
• Planetary Visibility: Jupiter dominates the southern sky, Mars is visible in the southwest, and the Moon is a thick crescent below Mars on July 3rd.
• Morning Sky: Venus and Mercury may be visible in the northeast about 30 minutes before sunrise.
• Meteors: Several weak, long-lasting meteor showers are active, including the Delta Aquarid and Alpha Capricornid showers, with excellent observing conditions due to the New Moon.
• Space Shuttle and Mir: The US Space Shuttle Atlantis was scheduled to lift off around July 24th to dock with the Russian space station Mir, forming the largest artificial satellite. Mir has been continuously occupied for nine years, with visitors arriving via Soyuz spacecraft and supplies brought by Progress capsules. Mir orbits the Earth 15 times a day at an altitude of about 300 miles, with its orbit maintained by Progress capsules counteracting atmospheric drag.
• Apollo-Soyuz Mission: The 1975 Apollo-Soyuz mission is recalled as having borne little fruit for US-USSR collaboration, with a hope that the new Mir-Shuttle opportunity might foster cooperation.

UFOs Take a Holiday

This section reports on recent UFO sightings:

• Derby Sighting: A local Derby resident reported a multi-colored light hovering over a Toyota car factory. However, PRA investigator Peter Edwards confirmed it was a star low on the horizon, with the low viewing angle and wavering atmosphere accounting for the colors.
• Markeaton Park, Derby: A more promising report from fishermen who witnessed several lights behaving erratically at night.
• Cooperation with BUFOS: The Birmingham UFO Society (BUFOS) is keen to cooperate with the PRA in exchanging UFO reports. FTs (Flying Triangles) have been reported from Birmingham, Rugeley, and Liverpool, with a recent sighting in Stafford on June 15th, 1995.

A Report from Guatemala

Dr Oscar Rafael Padilla Lara, a Guatemalan lawyer, investigator for APRO, and consultant to MUFON, has provided an article on his investigation of strange artifacts found in the jungles of Guatemala. The article raises questions about former great civilizations and their achievements. The current lack of UFO activity allowed for the publication of this article, described as a 'first' for OVNI magazine. A future article will cover 50 years of sightings in Guatemala and explore the connection between the ancient Maya civilization and extraterrestrials.

Mysterious Gigantic Face from Guatemala

This article, dated March 17, 1994, discusses a carved face photographed around 1950. The face is 4 meters in circumference and 6 meters high, similar to Easter Island giants. It represents a civilization of the continent and has attracted worldwide interest. The author published it in the Ancient Astronaut Society magazine in 1987 after obtaining the photograph from a relative who found it on the Biener family's property. After a three-year investigation, the author located it 180 kilometers from Guatemala City, near finca Las Victorias in Los Encuentros, San Felipe Retalhuleu. The statue had been damaged by outlaws who used it for target practice, destroying its eyes, nose, and mouth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are crop circles, UFO sightings, and the exploration of unexplained phenomena through scientific and investigative approaches. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded stance, presenting various theories and reports, from dowsing and earth energies to potential extraterrestrial connections with ancient civilizations. The editorial stance seems to encourage further investigation and cooperation between different research groups, as evidenced by the collaboration with BUFOS and the publication of international reports.

This issue of OVNI delves into a fascinating archaeological mystery: a gigantic carved head discovered in Guatemala. The head, found in an uncultivated ravine, is sculpted on soft stone and possesses long, resting features with European-like characteristics, unlike typical Maya, Olmec, or proto-Maya art. The author expresses disappointment at the potential loss of this archaeological treasure and its historical mystery.

The Guatemalan Head: Origin and Mystery

The article details that an article in Life magazine in 1970 by American Archaeologist Lee A. Parsons reported that archaeologists A. Ledyard Smith and Francis B. Richardson of the Carnegie Institution of Washington found the head in 1941-42. They took pictures and were told by the plantation manager that it was carved in memory of his wife, with a plaque bearing the initials "E.G.M." dated April 16, 1936, indicating the carving date. However, the author questions this recent dating, noting that Maya-Quiché and Nahuas-Toltec Indians still visit the site to pray, suggesting it is not recent.

The owner of the plantation is described as being protective, with armed guards preventing outsiders from entering. He is a practicing Catholic who views the rites as pagan, which the author suggests might be related to the story and potential destruction of the statue. The owner does not like outsiders entering his property and has armed guards to prevent people from entering to worship the statue, but they go in even by force. The author also had trouble gaining access. The article notes that no one seems to remember the sculptor or details about the head since 1970, raising questions about whether the plaque was placed by the owner or an explorer.

In the vicinity, there are many megalithic complexes and evidence of giant statues, though they have different features. The author considers the head to be real and not recent, leaving the conclusions to the reader. Mr. Cuxeba mentions another similar head in the area, which the publication intends to investigate.

Comparisons to Other Ancient Sites

The text draws parallels between the Guatemalan head and statues from Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean. Easter Island is home to hundreds of MOAIS statues, some standing and some fallen, believed to be made by an advanced civilization, possibly related to the Mu continent. These statues were carved at the foot of a volcano called Rano Raraku and transported to the seashore. The Easter Island giants measure between 6 and 10 meters high, with the largest, "the Giant," measuring 22 meters. The author wonders if there is a connection between the mysterious nature and size of the Guatemalan head and the Easter Island statues.

Editors' Note and Other UFO Reports

An editors' note invites readers to speculate on the date of the statue, stating it is highly unlikely that local natives would worship a head as recent as 1936. They pose the question of what else might be hidden in the Guatemalan jungle awaiting discovery.

Tale Enders: UFO News and Events

The "Tale Enders" section provides updates on various UFO-related activities:

• PRA Meeting: Details for a meeting at the end of August are mentioned.
• Peter Robbins Speaking: Co-author of "Rendlesham Forest" and associate of Larry Warren will speak at the EMUFORA meeting on August 21st.
• Roswell Autopsy Film: The film is causing a stir, with Stanton Friedman calling it a fake. Video copies are being sold for £33, leading to speculation that someone is trying to make money from it. The film is described as gruesome, with the poor quality noted.
• BBC Pebble Mill UFO Programme: The editor, Omar Fowler, was featured on a UFO programme on July 11th, which also discussed Coventry University and Channel 4's plans to show the Roswell footage.
• Quest 2nd International UFO Conference: Scheduled for February 24th-25th, 1996, featuring Stanton Friedman, Graham Birdsall, Robert Dean, and Anthony Dodd.
• Dr. John E. Mack: Facing a panel at Harvard University to assess his public appearances and book "Abduction." His visit to the UK is mentioned, with some doubt about his schedule.
• Triangle Over the Solent: On February 26th, 1995, Lisa Williams observed a triangular series of bright orange/amber lights on a ferry between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. The lights formed a distinct pattern, with a larger triangular light on the nose. The object appeared to hang motionless before vanishing instantly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the enduring mysteries of ancient artifacts with unusual characteristics (like the Guatemalan head) and their potential connections to advanced civilizations or unknown origins. The magazine also actively reports on contemporary UFO phenomena, including controversial evidence like the Roswell autopsy film and eyewitness sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging reader speculation while presenting information from various sources and experts in the field of ufology and archaeology. There is a clear skepticism towards claims that are easily explained or appear to be commercially driven, as seen in the commentary on the Roswell film.