Pulsar - 1977 No 3

Magazine Overview

PULSAR, Volume 1, Issue 3, dated October 1977, is a publication from Pulse Publications, printed and published in Preston, England. The cover features a hand-drawn illustration of a UFO with the prominent headlines 'U.F.O.s', 'TERRESTRIAL ZODIACS', and 'ANCIENT MYSTERIES'. The issue is priced at 20 pence.

Editorial

The editorial apologizes for a slight, temporary drop in printing quality due to the use of a spirit duplicator for this issue. However, it assures readers that the quality of the contents remains high. The purchase of the spirit duplicator has reduced costs, leading to an increase in the publication's frequency from quarterly to bi-monthly, effective after this issue. Some regular features are being omitted, while new ones are being introduced, including 'Astronomical Notes', a 'Jenny Randles UFO Page', and a Crossword. The 'Letters Page' is being dropped due to lack of response but may be reintroduced later. Book reviews are also omitted for now, but lists of suggested reading will be included periodically. 'Astronomical Notes' aims to help ufologists by providing details of celestial object positions to prevent misidentification with UFOs, with future plans to include satellite details. The 'Jenny Randles UFO Page' will be a flexible feature allowing her creative freedom. To improve publication quality and income, PULSAR will begin carrying advertisements with classified and block rates. The goal is to increase frequency to monthly by April 1978, PULSAR's first birthday, without a significant price increase. An error in printing is noted, with pages 12 and 13 transposed, and the editor hopes this will not spoil the reader's enjoyment. A new publication, 'THE LAY HUNTER', is added to the list of exchange publications.

Contents

The issue features a variety of articles and regular sections:

• Editorial (Page 2)
• Exchange Publications (Page 3)
• Report on the HUFON Conference 1977 (Page 4)
• The Ongar Zodiac by Jin Kimmis (Page 5)
• Details of Next Issue (December 1977) (Page 7)
• Crossword (Page 8)
• Jenny Randles: Page(s) (Page 9)
• Rum Page (Page 11)
• Astronomical Notes (Page 12)
• Last Words (Page 13)

HUFON Conference 1977 Report

The report details the HUFON Conference held in Nottingham on September 10th. The conference was opened by Jenny Randles, secretary of HUFON. Bob Horrell, head of TUZUIS, gave the first talk on research methods in Nottingham. Kathryn Preston, president of DLS and editor of PULSAR, spoke on the Lamanche Zodiac but was cut off after 20 minutes. A recording of a 1975 '5302 Open Door' programme was shown, described as ancient and a waste of time. Darry King, the next speaker, reportedly disappeared, believed to have been abducted by a UFO, though his slides were shown. A home movie made by the Scunthorpe group, SUFONS, about UFO research groups was also shown. The morning session was aimed at the general public.

The afternoon session, for more 'serious' ufologists, began late with a talk by Bernard Delair of Contact UK on unusual cloud formations resembling UFOs, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries. John Hind of the Irish UFO Centre presented 'The Myth of the UFO', suggesting UFOs might not exist. Charles Bowen, editor of Flying Saucer Review, discussed the growth of UFO reports in the UK and the DUFORA case, mentioning his and Jenny Randles' role in setting up UFO TK (UFO Investigators Network). Bob Horrell spoke on 'Rationality in UFO Research', stating ufologists should not keep an open mind when asked by an Essex UFO Research Group representative. Ian Sanderson, co-ordinator of national skywatches, discussed the August skywatch and plans to publish recommended equipment and procedures.

Jenny Randles closed the meeting, and an exhibition was taken down. Some attendees went for dinner, followed by an informal discussion. A FOIN meeting was scheduled for Sunday.

The Ongar Zodiac: A Lightning Tour

This article by Jim Kimmis explores the terrestrial zodiac located near Chipping Ongar, England. It describes the zodiac as a circle approximately 10 miles in diameter, with figures generally similar to those found in Glastonbury and other locations. The article suggests a possible unified culture extending throughout Britain, which has implications for dating these structures. The Ongar Zodiac is noted to have a Leo/north - Capricorn/south orientation. The article details the individual figures of the zodiac:

• Aries: A crouching, hornless ram outlined by motor roads.
• Taurus: A bull's head, possibly hornless, outlined by roads and lanes.
• Gemini: Not yet satisfactorily determined, possibly linked to Willingale.
• Cancer: Missing from this zodiac.
• Leo: A 'heraldic' lion, with body marked by lanes and paths.
• Virgo: Resembles a dancing woman, outlined by streams and roads.
• Libra: A bird, possibly a dove or hawk, outlined by streams and a Roman road.
• Scorpio: An unsatisfactory figure, with body and claws in woods east of Epping.
• Sagittarius: Appears more like a centaur, with the rider's head bisected by a railway line.
• Capricorn: A goat/unicorn, outlined by a road and village.
• Aquarius: Represented by a jug, with sides and lip marked by lanes and springs.
• Pisces: Two fish, head to tail, outlined by roads and lanes.
• The Whale: The tail touches Pisces, and the figure extends towards Chipping Ongar.

The article notes the absence of a guardian dog figure, but mentions a Gogmagog-type tradition in Hainhault Forest. It also discusses 'digates' represented by place names around the perimeter. The author briefly touches upon UFO activity in the zodiac area, citing two sightings in Loughton (1975-1976), one at Woodford Green (1976), one at Chingford (1977), and a series of sightings at Harlow (1976). The article concludes that there are no reports of sightings within the zodiac area itself, but acknowledges this may not be conclusive.

Exchange Publications

The magazine lists several other publications with which PULSAR exchanges, providing brief descriptions:

• LANTERN: Organ of the Borderline Science Investigation Group, quarterly.
• AVAR JESS: Published by Contact UK, quarterly.
• ESSEX UFO STUDY GROUP JOURNAL: Quarterly, mainly deals with UFO reports in Essex.
• IRISH UFO NEWS: Ireland's major UFO publication.
• PYRAMID GUIDE: American magazine on Pyramidology.
• HAPIT/SKYWATCH: Carries UFO reports and general interest articles.
• UFO RESEARCH REVIEW: Published by the Nottingham UFO Investigation Society, quarterly.
• WARWICKSHIRE JOURNAL: Small magazine with photographs and UFO articles.
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS: Published monthly by the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), covering a wide area.
• ANCIENT SKILLS & WISDOM REVIEW: Two new publications by Paul Screeton.
• TERRESTRIAL ZODIAC NEWSLETTER: Gives insight into terrestrial zodiacs.
• STONEHENGE VIEWPOINT: Newspaper style publication from Santa Barbara, California.
• UFO INFO EXCHANGE LIBRARY / WATSUP JOURNAL: Occasional publications dealing with UFO reports in Southern England.

Features of the Next Issue (Christmas Issue)

The next issue will include:

• Beasts Of The Field: Another terrestrial zodiac, completing the Bolton/Blackburn/Halifax triangle, with notes on the Hebden Bridge Zodiac.
• The UFO That Wasn't: A 'tongue-in-cheek' article by Jenny Randles on exotic explanations of UFOs.
• Recommended Books On UFOs and other subjects.
• Predictions Which Didn't Come True: Based on a letter about predictions by American Clairvoyants.
• Glastonbury: Ancient Avalon: Excerpts from a publication by Patricia Villiers-Stuart.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFOs, terrestrial zodiacs, and ancient mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting ufology, encouraging detailed investigation, and providing a platform for various perspectives within the field, including the exploration of potential connections between UFO phenomena and ancient sites or symbols. The magazine also aims to improve its production quality and frequency through increased advertising and efficient printing methods. The inclusion of 'Astronomical Notes' suggests a desire to ground UFO investigations in scientific observation where possible, while the 'Jenny Randles UFO Page' indicates a commitment to featuring prominent figures in the ufology community.

PULSAR is a magazine focused on UFO phenomena, paranormal events, and related topics. This issue, Volume 3, Number 12, dated December 1977, includes a lead story on a UFO sighting with potential ley-line connections, astronomical notes, and news on science fiction films and authors.

A UFO Sighting with Ley-line Connections?

The main article details a report received by the Irish UFO Centre from Hiles Johnson and John Hind concerning a sighting by student Joanne Oliver in Donaghadoe, Ireland, during the winter of 1975/6. Oliver was walking home at midnight when she observed a stationary, oval-shaped object with sharp edges, described as having a translucent "ground glass" shimmer. The object remained visible for 30 minutes and was reportedly twice the size of a full moon. The article highlights the significance of the location, known as "Fairy Folk," an area with alleged fairy cattle-ment in a thicket on a stony outcrop. The region is steeped in folklore, ancient settlements, and traditions of witchcraft, making it an area of interest for "Leyographical research." The described object is noted to be remarkably similar to one encountered on Lessenden Head Moor in August 1975, which was featured in Uil (December 1976) and was to be featured in TSR.

Astronomical Notes

This issue introduces a new feature, "Astronomical Notes," designed to help ufologists discount natural phenomena. For November, it notes that Mercury will be low in the evening sky, Venus will be unobservable as it moves closer to the sun, and Mars will be fairly high in the east. Jupiter will be stationary in Gemini, and Saturn will be close to Regulus. The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak on the 13th/14th, radiating from near Castor Gemini. For December, Mercury will be close to the Sun, Venus unobservable, and Mars moving closer to Earth. Jupiter will be at opposition and closest on the 23rd. The Leonids meteor shower is expected to peak around the 17th/18th, radiating from the head of Leo.

Science Fiction and Other Features

The magazine also touches on science fiction, mentioning "Star Wars" as the biggest selling movie ever, due for release in Britain on December 27th, and noting its Irish production and positive reception. Further news is provided on the film "Close Encounter of the Third Kind," an investigation into UFOs, scheduled for release in early 1978. The work of Erich Von Daniken, who expounds theories of extraterrestrial ancestors, is also mentioned, with a TV program based on his theories to be broadcast on BBC on November 19th. A "skywatch" holiday package is advertised by the Wales Tourist Board, offering weekends with UFO spotting near Milford Haven, an area that had several UFO sightings in 1977. The article also discusses the "Lamanche Zodiac," mentioning the "Fylde Whale" and its connection to the Ribble Estuary, and the "Hare representation of Aquarius," linking it to enlightenment and the dawn.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO sightings with folklore, ancient sites, and potential energetic lines (ley lines). There is an emphasis on providing factual reporting while also acknowledging the mysterious and unexplained aspects of these phenomena. The inclusion of astronomical data suggests a scientific approach to debunking natural explanations for UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be open to investigating paranormal and extraterrestrial claims, encouraging reader contributions and research.