SAGA

Magazine Overview

Title: SAGA
Issue Date: March 1971
Cover Headline: UFO MISSIONARY: Outer Space "Envoy" on Earth?

This issue of SAGA magazine delves into the extraordinary claims of Ted Owens, a self-proclaimed 'PK Man' and 'UFO Missionary.' The central theme revolves around his alleged contact with 'Saucer Intelligences' (SIs) from another dimension, who have bestowed upon him immense psychokinetic (PK) powers. The magazine presents Owens not merely as a predictor but as an active manipulator of events, particularly natural disasters and even technological failures.

Ted Owens: The UFO Missionary

The article, written by Otto O. Binder, introduces Ted Owens as a representative of the SIs, capable of controlling hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, influencing space probes, and making UFOs appear. It posits that he is not a sorcerer but a chosen agent to prove the existence of these extraterrestrial intelligences.

Owens' claims are supported by his private diaries and his practice of notifying the media in advance of his 'PK feats.' The magazine highlights a series of documented events, particularly those occurring in the summer of 1970 around Norfolk, Virginia, where Owens lives. These include predictions of unusual weather phenomena, such as a 'halo in the sky' and spectacular storms, lightning, and floods, which he claims to have orchestrated.

Documented PK Feats and Predictions

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to listing Owens' alleged accomplishments, spanning from 1966 to 1970. These include:

• Weather Control: Predicting and influencing major weather events like the East Coast drought, simultaneous hurricanes (Beulah, Chloe, Doris), and a severe winter storm dubbed the 'Blizzard of 1966.' He also claimed to have caused a hurricane to swing north and dump rains on the Virginia area.
• Space Mission Interference: Allegations of influencing or sabotaging space missions, such as the Mariner 4 probe to Mars (causing it to go 'wild'), the Apollo 12 spacecraft (predicting an SI lightning bolt strike), and the OAO-1 satellite (causing it to fail after launch).
• Natural Disasters: Predicting earthquakes, including a major one in Peru that caused 50,000 deaths, and a quake in Turkey that flattened a town and killed over 1,000 people. He also claimed to have put a 'whammy' on the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, leading to its bankruptcy.
• Social and Political Influence: Owens claimed to have used 'mighty unusual PK' on the tense racial conflict in Selma, Alabama, leading to a 'dramatic change of heart' from Sheriff Clark and Judge Thomas, which allowed a Negro march and pleased Martin Luther King.

The Role of the SIs

Owens emphasizes that his powers are not solely his own but are amplified and directed by the SIs. He describes using 'units of white PK,' 'red units,' and 'black units' for various purposes like protection, healing, creating storms, or blocking failures. He also mentions different types of PK powers, such as Space PK, Missile PK, and Hurricane PK. The SIs are portrayed as advanced beings who have 'operated' on his brain to charge it with enormous PK power and have chosen him as their spokesman.

Explaining the Phenomenon

The magazine explores potential explanations for Owens' claims. While acknowledging that some might dismiss them as 'dumb luck' or coincidence, it argues that the sheer consistency and accuracy of his predictions and interventions make such explanations improbable. The article contrasts Owens' abilities with the limited scope of precognition experiments conducted by parapsychologists like Dr. J. B. Rhine, suggesting that Owens' powers are far beyond mere foresight.

The Grand Purpose

The article hints at a profound and shocking purpose behind the SIs' mission on Earth, which Ted Owens has learned through his contact. This mission is described as being of 'colossal importance' and involves the fate of everyone on Earth. The full revelation of this mission is promised for Part II of the article in the next issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFOs, psychokinesis, ESP, paranormal phenomena, and the alleged manipulation of natural and man-made events by extraterrestrial intelligences. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting Ted Owens' claims as credible, challenging the reader to consider the possibility of his extraordinary powers and the existence of the SIs, rather than dismissing them outright. The magazine frames Owens' actions as part of a larger, significant plan orchestrated by advanced beings.