1976 04 00 SAGA - John Keel - Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries

Magazine Overview

Title: Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries
Issue: 14
Publisher: SAGA
Cover Headline: THE LUCIFER LEGEND AND UFOS

This issue delves into the intriguing 'Lucifer Legend,' a theory connecting ancient civilizations, planetary destruction, and modern UFO phenomena. It posits that a highly advanced civilization on a planet named Lucifer, situated between Mars and Jupiter, met its end through a devastating atomic war, leaving behind the asteroid belt as its remains. Survivors, known as 'Luciferians,' allegedly came to Earth, interbred with early humans, and passed down stories of their lost home, which became mythologized.

The Lucifer Legend and UFOs

The article begins by describing a hypothetical ancient civilization on Lucifer, which evolved from a primitive state to an atomic age. Despite conquering their hostile environment, they engaged in destructive wars, culminating in a doomsday weapon that vaporized seas and shattered continents. The planet split into thousands of pieces, forming the asteroid belt. A group of Luciferians, who had apparently been on a probe to Earth, reverted to a primitive state and became the first 'tellurians.' They crossbred with the native 'hairy bipeds' of Earth, passing down their origin stories, which eventually led to the planet's name becoming synonymous with evil.

Centuries later, during the 1940s, the resurgence of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) revived the legend. Contactees reported hearing stories from beings emerging from flying saucers, often referring to Lucifer, or similar names like Clarion or Neoposto. The core of the legend remained consistent: the asteroid belt was the debris of a planet destroyed by an atomic weapon, mirroring the nuclear capabilities of contemporary Earth.

The Asteroid Belt

The article discusses the scientific understanding of the asteroid belt, noting that while Ceres is the largest asteroid, thousands of smaller bodies exist. It explores the question of the belt's origin, acknowledging that some modern astronomers support the idea of it being the debris of an exploded or collided planet. Dr. S. Orlov of the Soviet Union is cited as estimating over a million asteroids of a mile or more in diameter, suggesting the original planet could have been larger than Earth. The sheer volume of these objects, with over 1,000 pieces impacting Earth annually, implies a substantial original mass.

Colliding Worlds and Planetary Origins

Further theories are presented regarding planetary formation and the asteroid belt. One theory suggests Jupiter is a decaying star with satellites that are remnants of a planetary system, and that UFOs might originate from Ganymede. Another proposes that the Sun and Jupiter once formed a binary star system, and Jupiter's later entry into orbit caused gravitational shifts that affected other planets. Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky's controversial theory that Venus was ejected from Jupiter is also mentioned.

A more radical theory suggests a 'super-planet' once occupied the area of the asteroid belt. When Jupiter entered the solar system, this super-planet exploded, with the largest fragment becoming Earth. This theory posits that Lucifer and Earth are essentially the same entity.

The article questions conventional explanations for planetary formation, noting that the Sun's nuclear process produces helium, not the heavy elements found in planets. It considers the possibility that planets are captured celestial bodies. The 'which came first' dilemma is raised: if Earth was originally Lucifer, where did Lucifer come from?

Historical and Future Implications

The issue touches upon the idea that ancient gods might have been astronauts from Lucifer, and that current human endeavors in space exploration and nuclear technology mirror past destructive patterns. It poses a chilling question: will future astronauts on Mars or Venus witness Earth meeting a similar fate to Lucifer, becoming a blackened crust observed by a new generation?

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ancient astronaut theory, the potential for catastrophic planetary destruction (particularly through nuclear means), and the enduring mystery of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one that entertains speculative theories linking ancient myths and astronomical phenomena with modern UFO reports, suggesting a cyclical pattern of creation, destruction, and potential extraterrestrial influence throughout cosmic history. The article highlights a sense of caution regarding humanity's current path, drawing parallels between past celestial catastrophes and present-day technological risks.