Skywatch - No 11 - 1969 12-19 70 01-02

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 11
Date: December 1969 - January/February 1970
Publisher: CONTACT (S.A)
Type: Quarterly publication

Editorial: Christmas and the Spirit of Unity

The editorial opens by wishing readers a joyous Christmas and reflects on the historical significance of this time of year. It notes that long before the Christian event, festivals celebrated the return of the Sun, marking endings and new beginnings, fostering hope for better conditions, harmony, peace, and understanding. The editorial contrasts the Northern Hemisphere's focus on thanksgiving with the Southern Hemisphere's celebration of the Sun's full strength, both physical and spiritual. It posits that humanity's existence is dependent on the physical sun, but an inner urge drives people towards the spiritual realms. This urge is seen manifesting as a break from outdated traditions and hypocrisy, with young people determined to find a better way, indicating a stimulation of the inner spirit. The editorial observes the formation of groups that span oceans, uniting people in a shared purpose. It expresses belief in a glorious future where nations can live in peace, anticipating open contact with beings from outer space. The editorial concludes by urging those who understand these concepts to work silently and diligently, focusing on positive thought and action, and to enter the New Year with hope, aiming for planetary unity and contact with "Brothers in Space," while maintaining an open mind and a quiet heart to receive guidance from "Great Teachers."

The Etheric or "4-D" Explanation of the Aeroforms

This section, an extract from the Foreword of "THE COMING OF THE GUARDIANS," delves into the nature of Aeroforms, commonly known as flying discs or saucers. These are described as "Emergents," meaning they emerge onto our plane of perception from a different space-time frame of reference. This process involves a conversion of energy and a change in vibratory rate, making the object visible and tangible. It is explained as a process of materialization and dematerialization. The text uses analogies like invisible steam becoming visible vapor, then liquid, and finally solid (ice), which can then "dematerialize" under heat. It draws parallels with electricity being a flow of invisible electrons produced by radiant energy, which our senses perceive as light, heat, color, sound, and motion. The article highlights that there are colors and sounds beyond human sensory perception, and that we live in a "sea of waves, radiations, emanations, vibrations."

It introduces the concept of a spectrum of tangibility, suggesting that matter can be too dense to be touched, even though it appears solid. The article explains that even dense materials like lead are essentially wide-open meshes of particles. It theorizes that a cubic inch of lead could theoretically be compressed to a pinpoint size, becoming invisible and untouchable, capable of passing through solid objects. The text suggests that Aeroforms might be composed of this extremely dense matter from invisible worlds, which equates with the "Ethers" and "Space." It challenges the notion of "Empty Space" as a void, proposing an "infinite" series of vibratory rates of dense substances. The concept of density is further explored, referencing mathematician Lindy Millard, who distinguishes between mass density, electron density, and energy density. The article emphasizes that the density of these objects is crucial to understanding their nature, as "Controls" assert that Discs "come out of worlds of substance a hundred thousand times more dense than the matter you perceive by your senses."

Essentials of Astrology: Star Clusters

Authored by Gregory Roberts, this article, the last in a series, discusses star clusters. Star Clusters are defined as assemblages of stars moving together, maintaining their identity over long periods. They are divided into two classes: open clusters and globular clusters.

Open Clusters: These are not highly concentrated towards their centers. Examples include the Pleiades (Seven Sisters), Hyades in Taurus, the double cluster in Perseus, the Praesepe cluster in Cancer, and the cluster of Coma Berenices. Many are visible to the naked eye, with over 400 known open clusters. They tend to predominate in the plane of the Milky Way, containing from a few to several thousand stars, with giant stars being scarce. Their visibility is limited to about 20,000 light years due to dust clouds. Some nearby clusters, like the Ursa Major group (over 40 members), show observable stellar movement, suggesting a common origin and allowing for the estimation of cluster lifetimes at around 10^10 years.

Globular Clusters: These are more compact and spherical, larger, more populous, and more distant than open clusters. About a hundred are recognized in the Milky Way, distinguished by their regular form and central concentration. Only a few are visible without a telescope. Omega Centauri is the brightest, appearing as a hazy star to the naked eye. 47 Tucanae is second brightest, resembling a giant comet. Messier 13 in Hercules is noted for Northern Hemisphere observers. Globular clusters typically have a diameter of about 100 light years, with a central condensation of 30 light years, and star spacing becoming more planetary than stellar. Nearest clusters contain at least 50,000 stars, with those near the center being too congested to be seen separately. These are often supergiants and bluer stars. Globular clusters are relatively scarce, with few existing within 18,000 light years. It's noted that globular clusters form a spherical system about 200,000 light years in diameter, centered 48,000 light years from the sun in the direction of Sagittarius.

The article concludes by hoping readers gain a better appreciation of astronomy, which is described as the oldest science but the least understood, with ideas and theories constantly evolving.

Telepathy

This section presents ideas taken from "Telepathy & the Etheric Vehicle" by A.A. Bailey. It discusses the growth of telepathic rapport as a harbinger of an era of universality and synthesis, a glory of the Aquarian Age. The text suggests that extraterrestrial beings, being more advanced, likely use telepathy for communication. It posits that mental communication is a crucial next step for humanity in the New Aquarian Age. The article notes that telepathy is often used unconsciously, but conscious and controlled telepathic communication requires study and practice. It defines telepathy as a wordless contact of mind to mind over any distance, a destined goal for humanity, with the immediate aim being mental interchange among friends, workers, and "brothers in space."

The common meeting ground for mental interplay is the etheric "body" or sheath, which interpenetrates and extends beyond the physical body and brain. This energy body is part of the planet's and solar system's synthetic energy, and is considered the "substantial" form of God by esotericists. The article explains that the etheric or energy body of every human being is integral to the planet and solar system, thus making telepathy possible.

Two main kinds of telepathy are described: vertical (contact with planetary Elder Brethren) and horizontal (communication among the Hierarchy as friends and workers).

Attitude: For successful telepathic work, a "non-attachment" attitude is recommended, avoiding intense desire or fear, as these can offset efforts. A spirit of "don't care" is considered helpful. Key factors for success include: no barriers between receiver and broadcaster, the broadcaster focusing on clarity of symbol/word/thought, the receiver thinking love and affection for the broadcaster, and then forgetting the personality. The receiver should work with detachment, regulated thoughts, and dispassion.

A "Simple Exercise" is provided, copied verbatim from the book: Choose a word, study its symbolic form, its beauty/quality/desire, its underlying purpose, and its very being, identifying with its divine idea. The exercise also involves holding consciousness steady, sending out the word with purpose and quality, and the receiver achieving alignment to be responsive.

The section concludes by referencing "A Treatise of White Magic" by the Tibetan Master (through Alice A. Bailey), which deals with vertical telepathy, its dangers, qualities, and possibilities.

Another Result of International Skywatch Week-End

This section reports a sighting from "CONTACT" in Puerto Rico, extracted from a letter by The Hon. Brinsley le Poer Trench. A young man and his girlfriend observed a craft for over two hours. During this time, small objects were seen emerging from and flying alongside the parent craft, with two objects on each side. The report notes that there have been no sightings reported in South Africa recently and encourages readers to send in any news of sightings or contacts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of UFOs, extraterrestrial contact, and spiritual evolution. There is a strong undercurrent of New Age philosophy, emphasizing unity, higher consciousness, and the potential for humanity to transcend its current materialist society. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into unexplained phenomena, coupled with a belief in spiritual guidance and the possibility of a more enlightened future for humanity, possibly involving interaction with advanced beings from space. The articles on Aeroforms and Telepathy, along with the mention of "Great Teachers" and "Ageless Wisdom," highlight a focus on esoteric and metaphysical subjects. The inclusion of an astronomy article suggests an attempt to bridge scientific understanding with more speculative or spiritual interpretations of the universe. The magazine actively seeks reader contributions regarding sightings and contacts, fostering a sense of community among its readership.

This issue of "Flying Saucers through the Ages" (Issue 11) presents a collection of intriguing accounts related to UFO phenomena, ancient mysteries, and unexplained events. The content draws from various sources, including a book by Paul Thomas and articles from "Weekend" magazine and "SPUTNIK" periodical.

Pope Pius XII's Vision

The lead story recounts an extraordinary event from 1950, where Pope Pius XII reportedly witnessed a unique celestial phenomenon while walking in the Vatican gardens. Cardinal Tedeschini, relaying the Pope's experience, described how the Sovereign Pontiff, visibly moved, spoke of a "wonder which made a great impression on me." The phenomenon, observed on October 30th, 1950, and repeated on October 31st and November 1st, involved the sun appearing as an "opaque globe, a pale yellow, completely surrounded by a circle of light." The edge of this globe was seen to move slightly, while its center moved clearly and without interruption. The Pope attempted to replicate the observation on other days under identical atmospheric conditions but was unsuccessful, seeing only the sun's usual brightness. The article speculates that this effect could be achieved by a disc-shaped spaceship positioning itself on the Sun-Earth axis, creating a temporary, artificial eclipse that substitutes the sun's luminous surface with its own, appearing as a pale, non-blinding star.

Ancient Visitors: Cavemen from Another World

Another significant section, drawn from "Weekend" magazine (February 5-11, 1969), explores the "five weirdest wonders" that defy scientific explanation, focusing on "Cavemen" from another world. It details a discovery made by Chinese scientists in mountain caves bordering China and Tibet: hundreds of strange, disc-like objects with holes in the center, engraved with an account of how creatures from outer space arrived on Earth 12,000 years ago. Russian scientists reportedly deciphered these inscriptions, revealing the story of two groups of extraterrestrial visitors, the Ham and the Dropa, who landed in Eurasia. The article also mentions the discovery of tiny people, about four-feet tall, living in these caves, who called themselves the Ham and the Dropa. These Ham people told scientists that after their spaceship crashed, other ships arrived with the Dropa. The "records" found, though made of stone, contain metal and vibrate at certain frequencies, suggesting an electric charge.

A Civilization Under the Sea?

This section delves into the theory of humanoids living among us, potentially originating from outer space or being descendants of ancient civilizations. One theory posits their headquarters could be at the bottom of the sea. Support for this idea comes from a 1965 incident where U.S. naval vessels on anti-submarine maneuvers located a mysterious object in the Atlantic at a depth of over 20,000 feet. This object was tracked for four days and was observed to be driven by a single propeller, traveling at approximately 150 knots (175 miles per hour). The article highlights that no known vessel can travel at such speeds underwater, and even modern seabed scientists struggle to reach such depths, with the fastest travel at that depth being a mere two knots. Ivan Sanderson is quoted stating this is "one of a mass of reports that looks like evidence of a super-civilisation at the bottom of the sea."

Tape Library

The magazine announces the availability of a tape library for its members. Tapes can be borrowed for one rand for a fortnight, with an additional fifty cents charged for each subsequent week after fourteen days. A list of available tapes is provided, including talks on "The Progress of Man on the Planet in relation to U.F.O.'s" by Denis Montgomery, a Springbok radio broadcast on "Flying Saucers," "Esoteric significance of Flying Saucers" by Rex Dutta, discussions involving Rex Dutta, Frank Coulston, and Keith Robertson, an interview with Waverney Girvan by Elizabeth Webb, and a contact from "Monka from Mars and Jim Deacove."

Meetings for the Next Few Months

Details are provided for upcoming meetings in Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and East London. Each location lists specific dates and meeting places, along with contact information for organizers or chairmen. For Durban, meetings are scheduled for January 30th, February 27th, and March 27th. Johannesburg has meetings on the first Monday of December, the second Monday of February and March. Pretoria's meetings are on February 6th and April 3rd. East London meetings are held at irregular intervals, with contact information for the chairman provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation to Earth in ancient times, and the existence of unknown civilizations, potentially underwater. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and possibilities. The magazine acts as a platform for disseminating information on these subjects to its members and the wider public interested in the unexplained.