1973 10 00 SAGA - John Keel - Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries" (Issue 31) explores the perplexing phenomenon of time distortions and unexplained disappearances, drawing parallels between historical accounts, modern UFO encounters, and theoretical physics. The magazine posits that time may not be a constant, linear progression but rather a fluid dimension with potential for anomalies and travel.

Disappearing Act: The Rudolph Fentz Case

The lead article, "Disappearing Act," details the mysterious case of Rudolph Fentz. In 1876, Fentz vanished from his New York home for a stroll and never returned. Decades later, in 1950, a man matching his description, dressed in 19th-century attire and carrying dated items, appeared in Times Square and was instantly killed by a taxicab. Investigations by the Missing Persons Bureau confirmed the man was indeed Rudolph Fentz, who had seemingly traveled through time.

Historical and Mythological Accounts of Time Anomalies

The magazine draws upon various historical and mythological sources to illustrate that Fentz's experience is not unique. It references biblical stories, such as the Sun standing still, and ancient lore about people visiting underground realms or fairies, only to return and find that years had passed. These accounts suggest that human beings have long experienced strange distortions of space and time, predating modern scientific theories.

Time as a Relative Concept

Referencing Albert Einstein's theories, the article explains that time is not a constant factor and can be relative. It notes that astronauts traveling at high speeds age more slowly than those on Earth, illustrating time's elasticity. The concept of time being a convenient measurement rather than an absolute is explored, with the possibility that different parts of the universe might operate on different time scales.

Modern Day Time Warps and UFO Encounters

The issue highlights numerous modern instances where ordinary people have experienced time warps, often in conjunction with witnessing unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or undergoing "supernatural" experiences. A recurring phenomenon is the inexplicable stopping or slowing of witnesses' clocks and watches. These timepieces, often modern and anti-magnetic, are found to be several minutes or even hours behind, despite the witness's subjective experience of only a short duration.

Theories on Time Distortions

One theory proposed is that witnesses might temporarily enter another time cycle or dimension. During this period, their watches continue to function, but they are outside the normal flow of Earth time. Upon re-entering Earth's time field, their watches appear to have fallen behind. Psychic and occult literature is cited as containing many descriptions of such events.

An example is given of a man named Smallridge who, in 1967, experienced what seemed like a two-hour conversation with strange beings after being engulfed by a blue light, only to find that barely any time had passed on his clock upon returning to normal.

The 'Ashtar' Phenomenon and Future Knowledge

The article touches upon the idea of UFO pilots being time travelers from the future, observing humanity. The entity known as "Ashtar" is mentioned, with claims that this name appears in ancient mythology and that Ashtar has a long history of contacting people. A particularly uncanny aspect highlighted is the alleged infallible knowledge of the future possessed by these entities, citing claims that they accurately predicted the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

Philosophical Implications of Foreknowledge

The possibility of seeing the future raises profound philosophical questions about destiny and whether the future is unchangeable. Astronomer Fred Hoyle is mentioned for discussing the idea that the future might control the present, offering a new perspective on understanding historical events.

The Bermuda Triangle and Unexplained Disappearances

The issue briefly mentions the Bermuda Triangle as a notorious area for distortions of space and time, where planes and ships have disappeared without a trace. It speculates whether these individuals might reappear in the future, similar to the Fentz case.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are time travel, UFO phenomena, paranormal experiences, and the nature of reality. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting these mysterious phenomena and theoretical possibilities without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider that our understanding of time and space may be incomplete. The magazine emphasizes that time is a crucial element in paranormal experiences and suggests that the universe may operate under laws not yet fully understood by science.