Sign - No 23 - 1993 01-02

Magazine Overview

Title: SIGN
Issue: 23
Volume: 5
Date: January - February 1993
Publisher: Luc Bürgin
Country: Switzerland
Language: German
Price: 25.- Fr. / 30.- Dm

Cover Story: Glauben Sie an UFOs? (Do You Believe in UFOs?)

The cover of SIGN issue 23 prominently features the question "Glauben Sie an UFOs?" (Do You Believe in UFOs?), accompanied by an illustration of a classic disc-shaped UFO. The issue promises articles on this topic by Peter Krassa, "Insidernews" by Hans-Werner Sachmann, "Thoughts on the Turn of the Year" by Pat Delgado, and a discussion on a "New UFO Group in Germany?"

Editorial and Publisher Information

SIGN is published bi-monthly, with Redaktion and Herausgeber (Editor and Publisher) being Luc Bürgin. The annual subscription for 6 issues is 25 Swiss Francs or 30 German Marks, payable via bank transfer to specific Postcheckkonto Basel or Schweizerischer Bankverein accounts. Reprinting, even in part, requires the explicit permission of the publisher. Luc Bürgin's contact details are provided: Margarethenstr. 75, CH-4053 Basel, with telephone and fax numbers.

Page 2: GIGA AKTUELL (Current News)

This section provides a roundup of recent developments in the ufology and fringe science community.

• Michael Hesemann has written a book on crop circles, to be published by Silberschnur-Verlag.
• Rudolf Henke, a critic from the GWUP (Society for the Scientific Investigation of the Paranormal), is publishing articles in their journal 'Der Skeptiker'.
• Illobrand von Ludwiger held another internal MUFON-CES conference, with a new proceedings volume expected this year. He is also the German representative for the MUFON-CES.
• Erich von Däniken is scheduled to present his lecture 'Auf den Spuren der Allmächtigen' (On the Trail of the Almighty) at a space travel event in Basel on March 21, 1993.
• Ulrich Magin is announcing a new book on Fortean phenomena titled 'Trolle, Yetis, Tatzelwürmer' (Trolls, Yetis, Tatzelworms), to be published by C.H. Beck.
• Johannes von Buttlar has a new book, 'Abenteur Wissenschaft' (Adventure Science), published by Heyne-Verlag.
• Peter Krassa is in a dispute with IPE eV. His foreword for the new FIEBAG / SACHMANN book 'Gesandte des Alls' (Envoys from the Cosmos) was removed by IPE-Verlag without consultation, leading Krassa to resign from the relatively young association and cancel the contract for the re-publication of his book 'Gott kam von den Sternen' (God Came from the Stars).
• Budd Hopkins has reportedly found 14 witnesses to the controversial 'Linda Cortile' incident. The incident remains highly debated, and a forthcoming book by an American author is expected to provide more information.
• Filmmaker Christian Bauer is working on a TV documentary about CE-IV cases, compiling extensive material from America. Insiders suggest his report will be objective and competent.
• Psychiatrist John Mack wrote the introduction to David Jacobs' book 'Secret Life', a study on abduction phenomena published in the USA in 1992.
• The TREAT-Organisation, founded by Rima Laibow, is organizing another conference on abduction phenomena from March 17-21, 1993.
• The GEP has published its account of the 'Ronneburger CE-III Fall', which SIGN had previously published exclusively. Ironically, even GEP researchers like Gerald Mosbleck could not find a clear explanation for these incidents.

The section concludes with a greeting from Luc Bürgin.

Page 3 & 4: Glauben Sie an UFOs? (Do You Believe in UFOs?) by Peter Krassa

Peter Krassa, author of numerous books on UFOs and proto-astronautics, shares his personal experience of witnessing a UFO. He begins by questioning the reader's belief in UFOs as mere figments of imagination versus accepting reports from credible witnesses. Krassa acknowledges that even with a convincing witness, a degree of doubt often remains until one experiences such an event personally.

He recounts his own sighting, which occurred over ten years ago, on Friday, June 11, 1982, around 2:30 PM, near his workplace in Vienna. While working as an editor for the newspaper 'Kurier', he was distracted by his colleague Georg pointing out an object in the sky. Initially mistaking it for a large kite due to a trailing 'tail', Krassa and Georg quickly realized it was something else entirely. It was not a kite or a balloon, but a disc-shaped object with a dome-like structure, clearly made of metal as evidenced by sunlight reflecting off its surface. The 'tail' was identified as a cable or antenna. The object moved at a moderate speed, ascending and rotating slowly, allowing them to observe it for some time before it disappeared into the sky.

Krassa concludes that due to its size, the object was likely unmanned. He states that he cannot determine if it was controlled from Earth or elsewhere, but he is certain he saw an "Unidentified Flying Object."

A brief author's note mentions that Peter Krassa has authored about ten books on UFO and proto-astronautics, and his current book 'Das Licht der Pharaonen' (The Light of the Pharaohs), co-authored with Rainhard Habeck, was published in 1992 by Herbig (Munich).

Page 5: Neues vom Büchermarkt (News from the Book Market) & Aktuelle TV-Berichte (Current TV Reports)

• Book Market News:
• Johannes Fiebag's 'Die Anderen' (The Others) is set to be released in March by Herbig.
• Rainer Holbe's companion book to his TV show will also be released in March.
• Ernst Meckelburg presents a new work, 'Traumsprung' (Leap of Dreams), from Langen-Müller, featuring unbelievable stories.
• Illobrand von Ludwiger's 'Der Stand der UFO-Fortschung' (The State of UFO Research) is entering its third edition.
• Zecharia Sitchin plans to release a new book in the autumn.

• Current TV Reports:
• UFOs are currently popular on television.
• Erich von Däniken's SAT1 series airs bi-weekly.
• The Swiss author recently gave a 45-minute interview on 3SAT.
• 3SAT also broadcast a segment from Rainer Holbe's series 'Phantastische Phänomene' (Fantastic Phenomena), featuring Dr. Johannes Fiebag discussing abduction issues.
• Holbe's series, which received mixed media reviews, is expected to feature more episodes, with a promise to exclude charlatans.
• Future segments will include UFO experts Timothy Good and Illobrand von Ludwiger.
• The talk show 'Einspruch' (Objection) also discussed UFOs, with guests including von Buttlar, Däniken, Magin, Hesemann, Dean, and Kaminski.
• The magazine notes that Holbe's series did not receive the best media reception, but he announced further installments.

Page 6: INSIDERNEWS by Hans-Werner Sachmann

This section provides updates on various books, events, and research in the field of proto-astronautics and related topics.

• Walter-Jörg Langbein's new book, "Die grossen Rätsel der letzten 2500 Jahre" (The Great Mysteries of the Last 2500 Years), published by Weltbild, has sold out its first print run in three months, with a second edition in preparation.
• Peter Krassa is visiting India in February/March 1993 with Holger Kersten to explore the 'Palmblattbibliothek' (Palm Leaf Library), a topic covered in Buttlar's books and Holbe's TV series 'Phantastische Phänomene'. Krassa is also working on a book about India, tentatively titled "Dein Schicksal ist vorherbestimmt" (Your Fate is Predetermined).
• Contrary to theories suggesting the 'Star of Bethlehem' was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, Ivor Bulmer-Thomas, in "Science and Technology News", argues it was solely the planet Jupiter on September 23, 5 BC. Bulmer-Thomas reviewed various hypotheses about the Christmas star and found them unsubstantiated, though his own conclusions remain debated.
• Erich von Däniken's new novel, "Das Erbe des Kukulkan" (The Legacy of Kukulkan), is expected to be released soon and is intended for a general audience, not just young adults.
• The "Ancient Astronaut Society" is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a three-day congress in Las Vegas, featuring American and German speakers. Ulrich Dopatka will lead the program.
• In addition to broadcasts on private channels, 'open channels' will also feature TV programs on the topic. The IPE eV will be active in the Essen area, and Gerald Börnsen and Hans-Werner Sachmann are producing content for the Dortmund area.

Page 7: UFO-Vortrag (UFO Lecture), Erich von Däniken, Forschungsfond (Research Fund), and Advertisement

• UFO Lecture Series: Frank Stranges is offering a lecture series presented by Liliane Bader on March 20/21 in Basel and March 27/28 in Zurich. Interested individuals should contact Liliane Bader directly.

• Erich von Däniken is currently in the spotlight. While Swiss media are publishing numerous articles about him, he is also writing the companion book to his TV series, which is expected to be published this year. His youth novel, 'Das Erbe des Kukulkan', is due out in spring.

• Forschungsfond (Research Fund): The IPE (Interessengemeinschaft Prä-Astronautik Essen ev), a non-profit organization, is supporting Prä-Astronautik research projects. Proposals for 1993 can be submitted, with potential funding up to 1000 DM. Application forms are available directly from IPE, Wintgenstr. 26, W-4300 Essen 16.

• (Advertisement): 'Cheops', a magazine for the history of civilizations and the boundaries of science, is published by Thomas Mehner. Interested parties can obtain more information directly from the provided address.

• Editorial Note: The second part of the series 'UFOs über der Schweiz' (UFOs over Switzerland) will follow in a future issue.

Page 8 & 9 & 10: Pat Delgado: Gedanken zum Jahreswechsel (Thoughts on the Turn of the Year)

This section contains a letter from Pat Delgado, a well-known crop circle expert and author, originally written in English. The magazine presents the English text, stating that it is very interesting and keeps them updated on world events.

Delgado offers his perspective on the current state of crop circles and associated phenomena, emphasizing their interconnectedness. He notes significant changes in people, attitudes, and events over the past year.

He observed a pattern of events in the autumn of the previous year that led him to focus on crop circle sites during the current year, meeting both old and new acquaintances.

Delgado acknowledges that hoaxes have caused confusion but is amazed that many people view this as a natural progression. He asserts that beneath the superficiality of manual replication and insincerity, the true crop circle phenomenon persists serenely, as it likely has for millennia.

He highlights that the evolution of crop circles has kept pace with growing interest, leading to an expansion of human minds in various directions. This, he considers a minor miracle, elevating people's thinking capacity beyond mundane standards.

Regardless of their origin, crop circles have undeniably sparked a worldwide explosion of curiosity and lateral thinking, unparalleled in modern times. The latent desire for unity and communication about subjects beyond the scope of orthodox science has become evident.

Delgado suggests that the opening up of unexplained phenomena may concern religious, political, and security factions who fear a loss of 'control'.

He observes that some crop circle groups have disbanded, possibly due to an inability to look beyond crop circles or to embrace a wider scope of related mysteries. He believes that awareness of crop circles has, to some degree, expanded people's minds.

He notes the continued occurrence of inexplicable sights and sounds, both in connection with and away from crop circles. His analysis suggests that mysterious phenomena can happen anywhere, anytime, though certain categories may be linked to specific locations and expectancy. Photography continues to reveal anomalies, with reports of crop circle prints showing unusual color bands or blobs, and mysterious objects captured in the sky or at ground level. Tape recorders are also capturing strange sounds.

The most prevalent global sentiment is the expectation of a significant or even catastrophic event within the next few years. Delgado believes this has already begun, citing political turmoil, civil wars, droughts, floods, genocide, AIDS, global depression, and the perceived decline of orthodox religion and royalty in the UK.

On a positive note, he sees a massive opening up of minds and a growing desire for spiritual involvement, with people moving away from chaos towards "true knowledge and unity."

Delgado then lists five speculative changes that have been put forward:
1. A rapid relocation of the planet's energy forces, such as a flip of Earth's magnetic poles.
2. A shift in Earth's rotational axis or a wobble effect.
3. Rapid degradation of the Earth's protective ozone layer, causing climatic changes.
4. Large-scale depletion of social standards, wars, and famine following an exponential curve.
5. A rapid change in neighborly attitudes, leading to increased love, peace, and unity, possibly requiring 'control' by ruling bodies.

He concludes that mankind does not stand still and will progress either upwards or downwards, questioning whether humans have a choice in this direction.

Delgado also discusses the ongoing 'leakage' or orchestration of information regarding alien infiltration, animal mutilations, abductions, mind control, and genetic engineering. He suggests this information is being metered out to the public in manageable doses to prevent societal collapse from a sudden revelation of truth. He finds it suspicious that many former security officials are now 'violating' national security oaths, suggesting it might be part of an information or misinformation program designed to obscure the real truth.

He posits that if the current information is true, humanity and its governing bodies are undergoing purposeful modification and surveillance, aimed at raising human intelligence and discarding unnecessary elements to create replacement entities for those in control. He speculates that this could eventually lead to the creation of an all-powerful being of absolute intelligence.

Returning to a more grounded perspective, Delgado believes that where there is smoke, there is fire, and further revelations are expected, with 'leaked' information likely to continue. He wonders if any of it will be officially verified.

Finally, he notes that personality changes are occurring, with some individuals finding new livelihoods in mystery subjects, while others are experiencing major life changes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SIGN are UFO sightings, crop circles, and broader unexplained or fringe phenomena, often referred to as 'grenzwissenschaft' (fringe science) or 'Prä-Astronautik' (proto-astronautics). The magazine appears to adopt an open, yet critical, stance, presenting personal accounts (like Krassa's UFO sighting) and news from the ufology community while also acknowledging skepticism (e.g., mentioning GWUP and Gerald Mosbleck's inability to explain the Ronneburg case).

The editorial stance, as represented by Luc Bürgin, is to provide a platform for interdisciplinary discussion on these topics, encouraging readers to engage with the material and form their own conclusions. The inclusion of news about books, TV programs, and conferences indicates a commitment to keeping readers informed about the latest developments in the field. The magazine seems to lean towards the belief that there are significant unexplained phenomena occurring, and that conventional science often fails to address them adequately.

This issue of UFO Nachrichten, dated 1993, focuses on the state of UFO research in German-speaking regions and the initiative to establish a new organization. The cover headline asks, "New UFO Group in the German-speaking Region?", and a subsequent text details a fax received on January 14, 1993, highlighting the fragmented nature of UFO research in these areas.

Article: The State of UFO Research in German-Speaking Areas

The fax message points out that the situation of UFO research in the German-speaking world is relatively unsatisfactory compared to other countries. There is no coordinating organization to bundle interests and address the issue. Apart from a few small, insignificant splinter groups, there is a lack of unified effort. To remedy this, there is an intention to found the 'Deutschsprachige Gesellschaft für UFO-Forschung' (German-Speaking Society for UFO Research). The goal is to create a numerically significant organization that can provide an adequate platform, both internally and externally, for the UFO problematic, and give the topic the recognition it already has in other countries.

Goals of the New Organization

• The stated goals for this new foundation include:
• Concrete research and analysis of UFO occurrences in the German-speaking region on a rational and scientifically verifiable basis.
• The creation of regional local groups and specialized groups.
• Collaboration with governmental bodies, the press, radio, and television.

Individuals interested in participating in the founding of such an organization are invited to contact the 'Deutschsprachige Gesellschaft für UFO-Forschung' directly at Postfach 2831, D-6650 ad Kreuznach.

Personal Reflections and Orgone Energy

The first page features a personal reflection, possibly an editorial or a letter, by Pat Delgato. The author discusses how people are finding new talents, becoming authors, joining lecture circuits, or engaging in areas of far-reaching spirituality. Some are researching inexplicable energies, extending their quest to infinity beyond the material world, finding it fun, exciting, and rewarding. New avenues of research are uncovering potentially valid information, with individuals' thoughts and revelations binding together the search for knowledge free from material world contamination.

The term 'orgone' is discussed, relating it to the source of inexplicable energies that manifest in some way, being the root of sensing or spiritual associations, and the driving power behind awareness. It is described as another name for controlled or manipulative universal energy, with Dr. Reich having published articles on it in the 1950s. The author notes that orgone energy is nebulous and universally chaotic, making it impossible to categorize with an orthodox scientific tag.

Talk at Southampton Technical College

The author, Pat Delgato, recounts being invited to give a talk to students at Southampton Technical College. The talk began with crop circles as a basis but quickly moved to questions about alternative energies, alternative thinking, sensitivities, and emotions associated with everyday activities. The author expresses delight at realizing these young individuals were open-minded and primed to explore the world with an expanded mind.

Conclusion and Outlook

The author reflects on the ongoing evolution of thought, acknowledging the presence of both open and closed minds, researchers and skeptics, communicators and listeners, honesty and dishonesty, love and hate. This balance of negatives and positives is seen as inevitable, leading to greater knowledge about ourselves and the phenomena we strive to understand. Each revelation is viewed as another historic step for mankind.

The piece concludes with "Best wishes and good health for 1993 and beyond," signed by Pat Delgato.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the need for organized and scientifically grounded UFO research, the exploration of unconventional energies like 'orgone', and the importance of open-mindedness and expanded thinking in understanding phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouragement for those pursuing knowledge beyond conventional boundaries and a proactive approach to establishing a more structured UFO research community in the German-speaking world. The publication advocates for rational inquiry while acknowledging the existence of phenomena that defy easy categorization.