1974 01 00 SAGA - John Keel - Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries

Magazine Overview

Title: Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries
Issue: 8
Publisher: SAGA
Document Type: Magazine Issue
Date: Undetermined, but references 1973 as a significant year for Snallygaster sightings.

This issue of SAGA explores a range of unexplained phenomena, focusing on the mysterious "Snallygaster" sightings that gained prominence in 1973. The magazine posits that these creatures, along with other unexplained entities like dinosaurs, sea serpents, and UFOs, may share a common origin or be interconnected.

Snallygaster Sightings

The article begins by detailing "Snallygaster" sightings reported across the United States in 1973. The term is derived from the German "schnelle geeschter" (quick spirits) and describes a mythical creature, often depicted as tall, hairy, and red-eyed, which preys on livestock and, in folklore, children. Sightings in Sykesville, Maryland, described creatures 7 to 10 feet tall and covered in hair. A smaller, 4½-foot-tall Snallygaster with a grayish body was reported in Enfield, Illinois, leaving distinct footprints. In Durham, Maine, police pursued a "gorilla" that left footprints indicating a substantial weight. The article also references similar creatures reported in West Virginia (the "Mothman") and Texas.

How Extinct is the Dinosaur?

This section draws parallels between the Snallygaster and reports of dinosaur sightings. It recounts historical instances, including a dinosaur chased by police in France in the early 1930s, a dinosaur encounter in Texas in 1969, another in Italy in 1970, and an alleged dinosaur attack on sheep in South Dakota in 1934. The article questions how such large creatures could remain hidden, suggesting possibilities like caves or even psychic phenomena. It notes that many of these sightings, like those of the Snallygaster and UFOs, occur near bodies of water.

Naming the Unnameable

This part of the magazine delves into the phenomenon of sea monsters, particularly the Loch Ness Monster ("Nessie"). It references Harold T. Wilkins, who reported seeing "2 remarkable saurian" creatures in Cornwall, England, in 1949, likening them to plesiosaurs. The article lists numerous locations worldwide where similar bulky, long-necked creatures have been sighted, including Lake Champlain, Lake Catemaco, and Lake Iliamna. It also mentions a large earth mound in Peebles, Ohio, shaped like a water monster, described by F. W. Holiday as a "dragon-simulation."

Dragons and Discs

F. W. Holiday, an expert on sea monsters, is highlighted for his research linking water monsters with flying saucers. His book, "The Dragon and the Disc," explores the idea that Nessie might be connected to paranormal phenomena, possibly UFOs. Holiday observed that ancient "dragon" carvings in England often depicted figures resembling modern UFOs, suggesting a historical belief in a connection between dragons and aerial phenomena. The article also notes that ancient Chinese culture similarly linked dragons and UFOs. The section touches upon the difficulties faced by investigators at Loch Ness, including malfunctioning equipment and strange "mystery men" or "Men In Black" encounters, hinting at psychic influences.

Photographing the Unknown

This section addresses the challenge of obtaining concrete evidence, particularly photographs, of UFOs and cryptids. Despite numerous radar and sonar sightings of Nessie in Loch Ness, direct photographic evidence remains rare and controversial. The article notes that even when witnesses are present, these creatures often appear in blind spots or evade detection. It also mentions instances where cameras used by UFO photographers and cryptid hunters have malfunctioned or produced blank images during sightings, leading to speculation that these phenomena are protected by unknown psychic forces.

Sea Serpents from Outer Space

The article discusses the tendency to speculate about the origins of paranormal phenomena when solid evidence is lacking. It suggests that the frequent sightings of UFOs near bodies of water inhabited by sea serpents might indicate a connection. While acknowledging the lack of definitive proof, the author proposes that all unexplained phenomena might be interconnected, possibly involving temporal distortions or mass hallucinations. The article criticizes the compartmentalization of research, where UFO investigators ignore cryptid reports, and vice versa, hindering a holistic understanding.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the interconnectedness of various unexplained phenomena, including cryptids (Snallygaster, Nessie, dinosaurs), UFOs, and psychic events. The magazine suggests that these are not isolated incidents but rather manifestations of a deeper, possibly unified, mystery. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, exploring unconventional theories and encouraging a broader perspective that links folklore, eyewitness accounts, and modern paranormal research. The article concludes by stating that investigators of all these phenomena are, unknowingly, pursuing the same ancient curiosity about the unknown.