1976 02 00 SAGA - John Keel - Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries

Magazine Overview

This issue of SAGA magazine, titled "Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries," features an article by John A. Keel that explores the evolution of communication technology and its implications for understanding extraterrestrial life and consciousness.

The Evolution of Communication and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

The article begins by tracing the history of radio communication, starting with Marconi's early experiments eighty years prior. It highlights the progression from long waves to shortwaves and then to microwaves, noting how radar, developed during World War II, played a crucial role. The mid-20th century saw the rise of radio astronomy and the scientific endeavor to detect intelligent signals from outer space. Gigantic radio telescopes were built, and "exobiologists" received substantial funding, with the U.S. alone investing $500 million in the search. Soviet scientists also made notable claims of discovering cosmic radio beacons, though these were often attributed to natural phenomena like pulsars and quasars.

However, the article points out two significant challenges in using radio for interstellar communication: the speed of light limitation, which necessitates long delays for any exchange, and the rapid advancement of technology. The author posits that in 80 years, current communication methods, including radio telescopes, might be obsolete, rendering messages sent today unreceivable by future civilizations, just as old wire recorders are now useless.

Biological Radio and the Potential of ESP

Moving beyond conventional radio, the article introduces the concept of "biological radio," also referred to as ESP (Extrasensory Perception). This theory suggests that human brains might be capable of instantaneous communication, bypassing the limitations of space and time. Parapsychologists have been studying this phenomenon, proposing that it could enable mental broadcasting to distant planets or even allow extraterrestrial minds to influence human consciousness.

The article suggests that this biological radio operates on frequencies currently undefined and may have been utilized by select humans for thousands of years. It draws a parallel to the idea of leaving the physical body, a phenomenon known as astral projection or O.B.E. (out-of-body experience).

Astral Projection and the Nature of Consciousness

Astral projection is described as a process where consciousness detaches from the physical body. Individuals undertaking this experience sometimes report being guided by entities and describe subjective adventures in other dimensions. Time is distorted during O.B.E.s, with minutes feeling like hours or days. Some projectionists describe seeing Earth and other celestial bodies from a vast distance, feeling like an infinitesimal part of a larger cosmos.

The article notes that while astral projection is a dangerous process, with some individuals reportedly dying after attempting it, it has been a subject of study for centuries. One theory suggests that UFO phenomena might be related to astral projectionists from other planets visiting Earth. The author speculates that humanity may have lost this ability due to increasing materialism and technology, but is now gradually re-examining ancient ways.

Dr. Carl Jung, a renowned psychologist, visualized astral projections as swimming in the "cosmic sea of the collective unconsciousness," suggesting a link between all humans and a greater intelligent energy field. This field, separate from our physical reality, can be accessed by consciousness to escape the constraints of space and time.

The Future of Consciousness and Exploration

The article concludes by reflecting on humanity's rapid technological progress, from radio to space travel. It suggests that in the next 80 years, we might discover that intelligent life exists but remains beyond the reach of our current technologies, much like the deepest recesses of our own minds are beyond the reach of medical science. The author posits that the future of exploration might involve utilizing these biological frequencies of the "super-spectrum" and the process of consciousness abandoning the physical body, rather than relying solely on technological means like spaceships.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the limitations of current scientific understanding in the face of profound mysteries, the potential for consciousness to transcend physical boundaries, and the possibility of non-technological forms of communication and travel. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, exploring speculative theories about extraterrestrial contact, parapsychology, and the nature of consciousness, while acknowledging the rapid pace of technological change and its potential to render current methods obsolete.