Skywatch - No 20 - 1972 03-05

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 20
Date: March/April/May, 1972

This issue of Skywatch magazine, a quarterly publication of 'Contact' (S.A.), explores themes of ancient civilizations, lost knowledge, and potential extraterrestrial contact. The content suggests that humanity's understanding of its past and the universe is incomplete, with evidence pointing to advanced civilizations and knowledge existing far earlier than conventionally accepted.

Editorial: The Great Forgetfulness

The editorial likens humanity to a person with amnesia, having lost its original meaning and purpose due to a "serious accident" or "fall." This event has isolated humanity from its "former cosmic environment," turning Earth into a "life's prison, a reformatory." The editorial posits that "advanced ones" have been guiding humanity, providing new directions and helping to restore lost abilities. It emphasizes the importance of "good friends" who help in remembering and regaining skills. The piece concludes by questioning humanity's readiness to "re-assume our spiritual status and abilities," urging sincere effort to apply faith and knowledge.

"Civilisation is Older Than We Suppose" by Andrew Tomas

This section features extracts from a book by Andrew Tomas, arguing that science has been largely rediscovered rather than discovered. Ancient civilizations like Babylon, India, Egypt, Greece, and China were cradles of science, and modern science has refined old ideas. The text highlights that the world is more ancient and vast than previously thought, with Space-Time frontiers pushed back significantly in the last 150 years. It notes the occasional appearance of knowledge without clear instrumentation, suggesting a need for unbiased approaches. An example cited is the 1933 excavation at Chou-kou-tien near Peking, where Dr. F. Weidenreich discovered skulls and skeletons of individuals with diverse origins (European, Melanesian, Eskimo, tropical, Arctic) dating back 30,000 years, posing a mystery as to how they arrived in China.

Ancient Knowledge and Technology

The magazine presents evidence of advanced knowledge in ancient times that seems to contradict the limitations of their presumed technology. Ancient Indian sacred writings, such as the Mausola Parva and Drona Parva, describe weapons resembling atomic bombs, causing widespread destruction and poisoning. The physicist Frederick Soddy questioned if ancient peoples possessed knowledge and power beyond our current understanding. A radioactive skeleton found in India, with radioactivity fifty times above normal, is cited as potential evidence for ancient atomic warfare. Furthermore, the text notes that ancient astronomy reached a high level, with no clear explanation for how people of antiquity obtained detailed information about celestial bodies and orbits (like the elliptical orbit of the Earth) without advanced instruments. References are made to solar parallax observations in classical sources and William Gascoigne's 1670 observation. The text questions how ancients knew the Earth's orbit was not round but elliptical and that its orbital plane did not coincide with its equator, citing Plutarch's mention of Aristarchus (3rd century B.C.) stating the Earth revolves in an oblique circle and rotates on its axis. Stone carvings in caves at Pierres Folles, La Filouzière, Vendie, and Brittany are identified as prehistoric astronomical charts depicting constellations. Ancient Mexico is highlighted for its precise astronomical knowledge, with the Maya calendar being more accurate than the Gregorian calendar.

Extraterrestrial Awareness in Antiquity

The hypothesis of contacts with galactic civilizations is proposed to explain unexpected knowledge in remote antiquity. This includes the ancients' awareness of Mars' two moons, the Chinese astronaut Hou Yih's description of the moon as "desolate, cold and glassy" centuries ago, Greek philosophers' awareness of vast stellar distances, and ancient thinkers' knowledge of planets beyond Saturn. Sanscrit texts are noted for estimating the universe's lifespan in billions of years, aligning with modern science. The "orthodox scientific view" is criticized for lacking provision for advanced prehistoric civilizations or "culture-bearers" from cosmic space. The issue poses a crucial question: did ancients receive a legacy from survivors of an older civilization destroyed by geological upheavals, or was primordial science brought by space visitors?

The "Contact" Organization and UFO Sightings

An extract from a newsletter by Brinsley Le Poer Trench, International Chairman of "Contact," describes the organization as the world's largest UFO movement. He foresees "Contact" becoming a strong lattice of "people of good-will" offering beacons of light. The newsletter includes an account from Carol Halford-Watkins of a Contact and Sighting Week-end in June 1971. During a Skywatch event on the night of June 19, no sightings were initially reported. However, around 2 a.m., an "inexplicable" oval-shaped pool of yellow light, about 20 feet in diameter, appeared on the ground of a vacant lot for two seconds before vanishing, producing no noise. This was distinguished from car lights or flashlights.

Telepathic Message from "Sky People"

Following the sighting, a telepathic message was received from the "Sky People." They welcomed invitations to meet, explaining that positive thoughts are stored in an "etheric 'banking account'" which, when sufficient, will enable contact without contravening "Cosmic Law." They urged continued "mass contact" efforts and individual regular contact to achieve the objective sooner. The message also stated that "Guardians of your Planet" are engaged in "Operation Earth Survival," rectifying man-created geophysical anomalies around polar regions caused by nuclear explosions and planetary overheating. This survival project is the prime target before wider contact can be made. The "Sky People" expressed pleasure in the expansion of "Contact" globally and urged efforts to unite countries into a "world-wide force of Light and Contact," especially during the "cleansing of Planet Earth," when guidance and protection will be offered. The message concluded with "Blessings and Spiritual Love."

Quotes

The issue includes two notable quotes:

• "There is beauty in space and it is orderly. There is regularity. It is predictable. Everything in space obeys the laws of physics. If you know these laws and obey them, space will treat you kindly." - Dr. Werner von Braun.
• "I cannot say I believe that there is life out there. All I can say is that there are a number of reasons to think it is possible and that we have at our command the means of finding out. Those two things being the case, I would be very ashamed of my civilisation if we did not try to find out." - Astronomer Carl Sagan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the re-evaluation of ancient history and knowledge, the existence of advanced civilizations in the past, the potential for extraterrestrial contact, and the importance of spiritual and cosmic awareness. The editorial stance appears to be one that challenges orthodox scientific and historical paradigms, advocating for an open mind towards unexplained phenomena, ancient mysteries, and the possibility of non-human intelligence influencing human development. The publication strongly supports the "Contact" organization's mission and promotes a worldview where humanity is part of a larger cosmic community.

This document, issue number 11, contains reports of UFO sightings in South Africa, discussions on space exploration and extraterrestrial intelligence, and information about a book and a radio program related to UFOs.

Sightings in South Africa

Cornelia, Orange Free State: On Christmas night, a prominent Pretoria businessman and his relatives witnessed a "flying saucer" for six minutes at close range. Among the observers was Captain J. Jacobs, deputy commander of the Odendaalsrus police station. Mr. Hattingh, who reported the sighting, stated that the object appeared suddenly from the north and hovered over the cooperative store. It was described as cigar-shaped and glowing brightly in the middle, completely silent, and approximately 10 metres wide.

Randburg: Also on Christmas night, Mr. Frank Muller observed three unidentified flying objects in his garden with his family. Mr. Muller had seen similar lights before, but this time his mother, wife, and three children also witnessed them. He described the lights as appearing like large, very bright stars to the naked eye, but when viewed through binoculars, they were shaped like tennis-balls. The objects were flying towards the east.

In Passing This section discusses recent interest in space news, noting the attempts by Russia and America to explore Mars. An article in a Moscow newspaper suggests their efforts mutually complement each other, and a special "hot line" has been established for data exchange between California and a Soviet data compilation centre. The author questions if this indicates a hand of friendship in the quest for knowledge about outer space.

An international conference on Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence was held in Soviet Armenia. Fears were expressed that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations might be undetectable due to their efficiency in conserving energy, meaning they would radiate little energy into space for detection. This conference was attended by two Nobel prize winners, and is seen as a positive development for the future. The author suggests that accepting the existence of life elsewhere should lead to greater human understanding and social benefits.

Radix: In Search of Truth This section reviews the book "Radix" by C. d'Oultremont I.C.M. from Contact Belgium. The book is about Bill Looney, whose quest for Truth attracted "Space People" who prepared him to share knowledge about their presence. Bill Looney's background is described, including his youth on a Texas farm, university years, and a twelve-year career in the oil business that allowed him to travel globally in search of "Truth", "Greater Understanding", and "Awareness".

A telepathic contact was established between Bill Looney and his "guides", the Light Angels, leading him to the Negev Desert in Israel in 1967. There, he witnessed a display of brilliant moving lights, similar to those guiding Moses. The book presents these "Light Angels" as teachers with Power, Love, and Intelligence, described as celestial beings from other worlds or dimensions.

The author of "Radix" categorizes celestial beings into three groups: the Light Angels (following Christ, watching humanity), Satan's Angels (seeking to destroy and create confusion), and a third Conglomerate group of adventurers and curiosity seekers from various planets. The reviewer expresses a sentiment shared by many ufologists that there is an over-infatuation with diverse outer space beings and the adventure of sightings, rather than understanding their background and purpose. The hope is expressed that more information will be released to the public about "Space People", particularly the Light Angels, and that a thorough search into the Bible and biblical prophecy, along with a modern scientific explanation, would clarify errors and aid understanding.

Radix Information and U.F.O. Radio Time Information is provided for readers interested in the book "Radix", with a contact address for Bill Looney at Radix Research in Abilene, Texas, U.S.A.

Additionally, the editor of "Spaceview", a New Zealand quarterly journal on UFO topics, Mr. Henk J. Hinfelaar, was offered radio time on "Radio I" in New Zealand. The program, "U.F.O. Radio Time", consists of an hour-long segment, with the first half hour dedicated to a topical talk on UFOs and the remainder for listener call-in questions. This program has generated considerable interest, with an estimated audience of 25,000 people. Unusual UFO cases have been brought to light through this medium and are being investigated.

Meetings for the Next Few Months This section provides details for upcoming meetings in Durban, Johannesburg, and East London. Specific dates and times are listed for March, April, and May. Contact persons are provided for each city: Mrs. Elizabeth Klarer for Johannesburg and Mr. Harold Baudach for East London. A general correspondence address for the Secretary in Durban is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the exploration of space, and the nature of extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, while also seeking to ground the discussion in scientific understanding and, in the case of "Radix", in biblical interpretation. There is a clear interest in distinguishing between sensationalism and genuine understanding of potential non-human intelligences and their purpose.