Pegasus - 1993 Spring

Magazine Overview

PEGASUS, Spring 1993, published by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP), is a magazine dedicated to exploring UFO phenomena, ancient astronaut theories, and related mysteries. This issue, Volume 3, priced at £1.00, features a cover illustration of the mythical Pegasus and highlights articles on UK-based sightings, historical ufology, and the work of Zecharia Sitchin.

Editorial

The editorial section begins by questioning the claim that UFO sightings occur every three minutes, highlighting the discrepancy between such claims and the number of reports in databases like BUFORA. It expresses anticipation for the promised BUFORA database and suggests a special issue of 'UFO Times' to showcase fresh material. The editorial also introduces the issue's content, including reports on phenomena in the Hurt Wood/Pitch Hill area of Surrey and an account of Zecharia Sitchin's discoveries concerning Sumerians and Babylonians. A joint SIGAP/BUFORA meeting on March 17, 1993, featuring a lecture by Lionel Beer on ufology history, is also announced.

Tabloid Section

• This section presents a collection of unconfirmed rumours and brief news items, including:
• A totem pole in the Hopi reservation resembling Colin Andrews.
• The Archbishop of Canterbury's stance on Whitley Strieber receiving communion from an alien.
• Sidgwick & Jackson considering a manuscript from an alien abducted by Timothy Good.
• Michael Green's discovery of an ancient manuscript revealing the origin of crop circles, written in the secret language Senzar.
• A mention of 'Delgado' appearing overnight in alien corn near Little Rock, Arkansas, prompting FBI involvement.
• Doug and Dave finding a pictogram not of their making.
• Dr. Terence Meaden abandoning cereology for an antibiotic cure.
• An increase in the annual subscription to CCCS to £100.
• Jenny Randles channelling for BUFORA Ufocall.
• Gordon Creighton publishing reports of benevolent ufonauts.
• John Michell's potential explanation for 31,680 crop figures.
• Ralph being the 'Noyes that annoys an oyster'.
• The Mandelbrot Set being a group of hoaxers, including Paul Fuller.
• John Grace (Valdemar Valerian) stating, 'it is all over bar the screaming. THEY have already taken over!'

The Hurt Wood Happenings

Authored by Gordon Millington, this article explores the belief that certain places act as permeable barriers between realities. It focuses on Pitch Hill in the Hurt Wood area of Surrey, citing an incident in May 1966 where Philip Heselton and the Hurt Wood Ranger reportedly saw a strange circular object on legs. Millington recounts an interview with the ranger, who was evasive about the experience. The article also details a November 1967 incident where a young couple experienced a luminous face and a sulphurous odour near Pitch Hill. Millington then investigates a UFO sighting at Pitch Hill on November 5, 1988, involving witnesses Karen and Philip, who described a brilliant white light that transformed into an oval craft with red lights. The article emphasizes the 'cone of silence' effect experienced by witnesses, suggesting it might be a prelude to abduction. It also follows up on a 1982 sighting on the Dorking road (A25) near Westcott, involving Peter and Christine, who described a large, cigar-shaped object with glowing burners and experienced a similar 'cone of silence'.

Airmiss UFO Reports

This section details two incidents involving aircraft and unidentified objects:

Alitalia

On April 21, 1991, an Alitalia flight descending towards Heathrow encountered a light brown cylinder, approximately three metres long, passing 1,000 feet above the aircraft. The object was also seen by the co-pilot, and a radio call to air control confirmed an unknown target. The pilot described it as a missile without exhaust flame. Investigations by civil and military authorities could not identify the object, leading it to be listed as a UFO.

The Black Lozenge Again

On July 15, 1991, aircrew on a Boeing 737 inbound to Gatwick reported a small black lozenge-shaped object 500 metres ahead and at the same height. The object passed less than 100 yards from the aircraft's port side. London control confirmed radar contact. A working group concluded the object could not be identified as any known aircraft equipment. The report notes that such incidents are common and invariably on a controlled path, posing no undue risk.

Book Review: Secret Life by David M. Jacobs, Ph.D.

This review discusses David M. Jacobs' book, which analyzes evidence from 60 UFO abductees. While confirming findings by Budd Hopkins and Whitley Streiber, the book offers little new material. Its merit lies in its systematic analysis and unsensational treatment of the subject. The reviewer notes irritation with the author's use of exclusively feminine pronouns for a mixed-sex sample and the lack of an index.

1992 - End of the Line

This brief section notes that after delivering the 'Ickleton mandala' in the previous year, the 'Circlemaker' left 1992 to the 'sophisticated creations of the hoaxers'. The Mandelbrot symbol is mentioned as representing eternal truths and God, implying that nothing more needed to be said.

Zecharia Sitchin and the Ancient Astronauts

Authored by Gordon Millington, this article delves into the work of Zecharia Sitchin, a scholar who proposes a novel interpretation of ancient texts and archaeology. Sitchin's magnum opus, 'The Earth Chronicles', suggests that the 'Nefilim' mentioned in Genesis were not giants but beings from the planet Nibiru. According to Sitchin, 600 Nefilim came to Earth 445,000 years ago to mine gold, essential for Nibiru's ecology. They created primitive slaves, 'The Adam', through genetic engineering, later developing fertile humans ('Homo sapiens'). The article explains Sitchin's account of a mutiny at the gold mines, Anu's intervention, and the creation of humans by Enki. It also touches upon the biblical flood narrative, suggesting it is a corrupted version of Sumerian accounts, with 'Elohim' referring to the plural Nefilim. The article further discusses Sitchin's theory that the final chapter of humanity's dealings with the Nefilim may involve android creations, possibly linked to the loss of the Soviet probe Phobos 2, which Sitchin suggests was shot down by aliens defending their Martian base.

Bob's Ghost Up on the Hill

This short piece, accompanied by a drawing by Chris Howkins, recounts the story of Bob Ware, the former ranger of the Hurtwood estate in Surrey. Ware, who worked on the estate for over 30 years, was known for his cheerful disposition. His employer, Mrs. Handa Bray, believes he will return as a friendly ghost to roam the hills. The article includes a quote from Bob Ware about finding happiness through interacting with horses and people on the common.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of PEGASUS consistently explores the intersection of unexplained aerial phenomena with ancient history and mythology. The 'cone of silence' phenomenon is presented as a recurring element in witness accounts, suggesting a potential link between UFOs and altered states of reality. The magazine strongly supports Zecharia Sitchin's 'Ancient Astronaut' theories, presenting them as a credible interpretation of human origins and ancient civilizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry into UFO claims, while also embracing speculative theories that connect UFOs to ancient texts and extraterrestrial intervention. There is a clear interest in documenting and analyzing witness testimonies, particularly those from the UK. The inclusion of 'Tabloid Section' suggests an awareness of the more sensational and unverified aspects of ufology, while the 'Airmiss' reports indicate a focus on credible sightings involving aviation.

This issue of the magazine, identified by page number (11) and (13) to (16), delves into a variety of topics including the esoteric concept of 'leys', UFO phenomena, evolutionary science, and conspiracy theories. The primary article, "WOKING MOSQUE - LEY CENTRE" by Jia Goddard, explores the connection between spiritual sites and perceived energy lines.

Woking Mosque - Ley Centre

Jia Goddard's article investigates 'leys,' described as bands of energy that can be detected by dowsing. The author focuses on the Woking Mosque in England, noting it as the largest mosque in the country and a center of Islamic life. The mosque is situated on two identified ley lines. One ley passes through the mosque and connects to various other sites, including an earthwork on Chobham Common, a standing stone on Horsell Common, a large multijunction, a moat, and a crossroads. Another ley passes through St. Nicholas' church in Pyrford, a Norman building, and also connects to the mosque via St. Paul's church. The author also found alignments connecting the mosque with the Friends' Meeting House, a Quaker center, and other locations. Goddard suggests that the presence of leys at sites of different religious faiths indicates a higher truth transcending doctrines, activating a 'life-giving grid' across the earth and highlighting the absurdity of inter-faith conflicts.

Review: An Incredible Story (Betty Luca Abduction)

A review, attributed to Rudolf Henke and translated by Gordon Millington, discusses Raymond E. Fowler's book about the abduction of Betty Luca (also known as Betty Andreasson). The review questions the extraterrestrial explanation for Luca's experiences, suggesting that her severe life misfortunes, including marital problems and the death of children, may have led to psychological issues or compensatory illusions. The review notes the explicit sexual references in Luca's account and suggests they might be repressed memories related to her hysterectomy or marital separation. The reviewer, referencing Alice Miller, posits that such memories, like other childhood traumas, may be suppressed. The article dismisses the pseudo-scientific claims made by Fowler and Luca regarding ETs saving mankind through experiments on foetuses, deeming it biologically nonsensical.

Prof Allan Wilson - An Obituary

This section, sourced from the Daily Telegraph, details the life and work of Prof Allan Wilson, a New Zealand-born biochemist who died at 56. Wilson held controversial views on evolution, proposing that the human race descended from a single female ancestor in Africa ('mitochondrial Eve') who lived over a hundred thousand years ago. He also developed the 'molecular clock' concept, suggesting that molecules evolve at a steady rate, which helped to revise the timeline for the divergence of human and ape ancestral lines. Wilson argued that evolution was not purely random but inevitable, leading to a dominant intelligent species. His work on mitochondrial DNA, inherited from the mother, was crucial in tracing human ancestry. Despite initial skepticism from the scientific establishment, Wilson's findings are now widely accepted. He was known for his infectious enthusiasm and wide interests.

Paranoia or Truth Absolute?

Authored by Paul Whitehead, this article examines the rise of conspiracy theories, drawing parallels to historical fears of the Devil. It discusses the emergence of a 'Grand Unified Conspiracy Theory' in 1992-1993, which posits that aliens control governments and the world's financial system. Whitehead expresses skepticism about such theories, suggesting they might be a product of 'fin de siècle' fantasy or collective subconscious archetypes. He notes the public's apparent indifference to these theories, as evidenced by low ticket sales for a related event. The article also touches upon warnings about aliens controlling lives and suppressing UFO literature. Whitehead questions the credibility of these ideas, contrasting them with the potential for a 'Golden Age' or alien manipulation. He concludes that he will only believe aliens are in control if they publicly announce their involvement in global problems.

Further Conspiracy and Abduction Accounts

Whitehead's article continues by linking conspiracy theories to the prediction industry and a morbid fascination with the future. He references Jacques Vallee's work, 'Dimensions,' which highlights how predictions of disaster often fail to materialize. The article mentions an alien grouping called 'The Nine,' allegedly influencing Uri Geller and Andria Puharich in the 1970s. It also notes the proliferation of predictions within the 'corn circles' community and a perceived conspiracy among publishers to favor established authors like Timothy Good and Jacques Vallee.

Another British Abduction?

This section reports on an ongoing investigation by BUFORA, conducted by Judith Jaafar and Ken Phillips, into a case resembling the Aveley case of 1974. The report details an incident involving Mr. and Mrs. Brown and their two daughters on August 8, 1992. While driving, they encountered a thick mist and silence, after which they found themselves 8 miles further on, experiencing disorientation and a feeling of temporal distortion. The family also reported a triangular red mark on Mrs. Brown's head. Mrs. Brown has a history of paranormal experiences, and regression hypnosis is being considered.

SIGAP Meeting and Social Gathering

A brief note mentions a SIGAP meeting on November 18th at the Stoke Hotel, Guildford, featuring a video on media treatment of paranormal topics, including crop circles, and recordings of energies from a crop circle. Additionally, a pre-Christmas gathering of members and others at the Stoke Hotel is mentioned, where the previous issue of 'PEGASUS' was discussed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of esoteric phenomena like 'leys' and their connection to spiritual sites, skepticism towards conventional explanations of UFO abduction cases in favor of psychological interpretations, and a critical examination of conspiracy theories. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that encourages critical thinking and questions sensational claims, while also acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and the potential for psychological factors to influence perceptions. The article on Prof Allan Wilson adds a scientific perspective on evolution, contrasting with the more speculative content elsewhere. The overall editorial approach seems to be one of open inquiry, balanced with a healthy dose of skepticism, particularly regarding unsubstantiated claims of alien influence and control.