Skywatch - No 21 - 1972 06-08

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 21
Date: June/July/August, 1972
Publisher: Contact (S.A.)
Type: Quarterly magazine

Editorial

The editorial, titled "EDITORIAL," emphasizes the importance of positive thinking and the application of metaphysical laws for personal success and for facilitating divine intervention on a global scale. It highlights the "International Skywatch weekend" as an occasion to look for signs from extraterrestrial guardians of Earth. The author suggests that a "waiting" attitude within the community can be overcome by embracing positive thinking, drawing a parallel to Dr. Werner von Braun's statement about obeying the laws of physics. The editorial introduces the concept of an "etheric banking account" where positive thoughts are stored, enabling contact with higher dimensions when a sufficient amount is accumulated. It stresses that positive faith is key to opening the door to higher contact and assistance, and that by directing pleas heavenwards, humanity can help avert global calamities.

International U.F.O. Sighting Week

This section announces the "International U.F.O. Sighting Week," held from Saturday, July 15th to Saturday, July 22nd, 1972, as an extension of the usual Skywatching weekend. The change was made because weekend weather is not always favorable for sightings. Members are encouraged to actively participate in "skywatching" from windows or outdoors. The emphasis is on sending positive thoughts to "space people" to encourage signs of their presence. The article provides contact details for reporting sightings and paranormal incidents: Mrs. Natalie Banks and Mrs. Edna Smith in Durban.

Get Cracking

This short piece focuses on changing one's mental attitude to a positive one. It explains that the subconscious mind acts as a storehouse, and only the conscious mind, as the "store-keeper," can change its "feedbacks" by consistently introducing positive thoughts. It concludes that a mind filled with positive attitudes creates a "predictable power" and that determination is crucial for success.

U.F.O.'s ANONYMOUS

This article, by Graham Cowell, Editor of "Perception" Magazine, discusses the ongoing interest in UFOs despite official denials. It highlights two specific sightings:

Michael Oram's Sighting (November 26th, 1969)

Nineteen-year-old Michael Oram of Rainham, Essex, reported seeing a hovering UFO on a cold, clear morning. He had a premonition a week prior. The object was described as cigar-shaped, bright yellow, and stationary for two to three minutes over the Beckton Gas Works at East Ham, approximately a mile away. It moved off without a vapor trail. Michael recounted the experience as "terrible" and felt "eyes" watching him but no evil presence. He also mentioned having psychic premonitions, including one that helped him prevent a friend's suicide attempt.

Rev. William Gill's Sighting (June 26th, 1959)

This classic sighting occurred in the Goodenough Bay area, New Guinea. Rev. William Gill, an Anglican minister and free-lance journalist, along with 37 other witnesses, observed a flying saucer hovering about 300 feet from the Boianai mission. Rev. Gill, initially skeptical of UFOs, described the object as having "material substance." Four human-like figures were seen on the "deck" of the craft, and they waved back when Rev. Gill waved. The object was estimated to be 35-40 feet at the base and 20 feet at the top, with four legs underneath. An electric blue light shaft shone upwards from the craft. Rev. Gill described the figures' skin as yellow-grey and their expressions as indiscernible. The UFO reappeared on a subsequent night. The article notes that Rev. Gill is considered a rational witness, and the sighting remains "unidentified" after investigations.

The Mathematical Concept of God

This section briefly mentions that Russian cyberneticians have arrived at a concept of a Supreme Being through mathematical formulae. They found that human behavior probability curves indicated "Somebody is running the Show" with a beneficent attitude. This led to faith in a new spiritual awakening among Russian mathematicians. The section also references an article on E.S.P. in inter-planetary space from "PSYCHIC" magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a positive and proactive approach to understanding UFO phenomena and spiritual matters. It advocates for the application of metaphysical laws and positive thinking as tools for personal growth and for influencing cosmic events. The editorial stance is one of belief in extraterrestrial intelligence and the potential for contact, encouraging readers to actively participate in "skywatching" and to contribute to a global request for divine intervention. The publication appears to be a platform for disseminating information and fostering a community interested in UFOs, psychic phenomena, and spiritual advancement.

This issue of "Skywatch" magazine, dated 1971, delves into the realms of parapsychology and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). It features extracts from an interview with astronaut Captain Edgar D. Mitchell regarding his Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP) experiments conducted during the Apollo 14 mission to the moon. The magazine also reports on several UFO sightings in South Africa and discusses the growing interest in the subject, attributing it partly to new books by popular authors.

Extra-Sensory Perception in Space

The lead article details Captain Edgar D. Mitchell's pioneering ESP experiment conducted in outer space during the Apollo 14 flight (January 31st to February 9th, 1971). While the mission achieved several space program records, the ESP experiment, involving four individuals on Earth attempting to traverse the distance to Mitchell using ESP, remained largely unknown. Mitchell conducted four transmission sessions during the 200-odd hours of the flight. The targets, recorded on paper that bore evidence of the Pacific splashdown, were analyzed by Dr. J.B. Rhine of the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man and Dr. K. Osis of the American Society for Psychical Research.

Mitchell predicted that such tests could be as significant as space exploration itself, viewing humanity's paranormal experiences as important foundations for philosophies and ways of life. He believes these phenomena are natural, not supernatural, and represent valid human experiences. His interest in parapsychology stemmed from a feeling that traditional theology lacked answers. He hopes more scientific individuals will engage with parapsychology to understand clairvoyance, psychokinesis, and out-of-the-body experiences.

The experiments involved transmitting columns of numbers and assigning ESP symbols (cross, square, wavy lines, circle, star) to four people on Earth. Two of these were described as competent professionals. Preliminary analysis suggested the results were precognitive, with most guesses preceding the target time. Subjects A and B achieved 51 correct guesses out of 200, a result with odds of about 1 in 40, which was comparable to preflight testing results. Interestingly, preflight tests were for telepathy, while flight tests initially appeared to indicate precognition.

Captain Mitchell intends to continue his experiments and promote parapsychology within the scientific community.

Sightings Over South Africa

The magazine reports several UFO sightings from South Africa:

• Hillcrest: On Sunday evening, February 6th, Mr. H. Kemp of Durban witnessed three orange, flaming objects moving at high speed, resembling sky-rockets with white tails in tight formation. His wife later reported seeing three glowing red objects with white tails.
• Pennington, Natal: Mr. and Mrs. J. Farrell reported seeing an unidentified flying object twice in February. One instance involved a yellow-mauvish light and a ball of flame with a smoke trail. Later that evening, they observed a huge ball of light, stationary for nearly half a minute before vanishing.
• Durban: Mrs. S. Dreier spotted a UFO on Saturday evening, February 12th, which she watched for about 1.5 hours. The object appeared solid, pulsating with a yellow and red glow, and moved over Durban before heading west. Her husband and a neighbor, Mrs. A. Kay, also witnessed this. The couple later saw another UFO on April 29th.
• Durban (Cont.): The UFO seen on April 29th was a large pulsating light, first noticed at 5:45 p.m. It moved at tremendous speed, appearing conic with a faint tail when moving, and oval with a bright glow when stationary. It traveled inland towards Pinetown and was last visible around 10:00 p.m. before being obscured by clouds.

Space Probe Does Not Negate God

Colonel James B. Irwin is quoted stating that his experiences on Apollo 15 and in space exploration have not diminished his faith in God. He felt a sense of inspiration and protection on the Moon, with tasks seeming impossible yet working out.

In Passing

This section notes the significant interest in Andrew Tomas's book "We are not the First," from which "Skywatch" had previously published extracts. Tomas, former editor of the "Australian U.F.O. Review," has extensively researched prehistoric civilizations and possible ancient space contacts, traveling widely and studying in major museums and libraries. He has written other books, including "Atlantis" and "Beyond the Time Barrier."

Another author, Erich von Daniken, is preparing a new book on ancient visitors to Earth. He recently visited New Zealand to seek evidence for his theories, studying the Moeraki boulders and items at the Auckland museum.

The article suggests a revival of interest in UFOs, with increased press coverage. This is partly attributed to the books by Tomas and von Daniken. Statistics indicate that UFO sightings increase every four years, and 1972 is anticipated to be a year with more sightings.

Answer to the Mystery of the Russian Astronauts?

This section presents a spiritual interpretation of the deaths of three Russian astronauts during re-entry in July 1971, based on answers provided by medium Les Harwood at a meeting attended by Mrs. S. Hart in Canada.

Harwood explains the event as having a three-fold significance. Firstly, the number three itself is symbolic of completion. The astronauts, in orbit, represented the hopes and aspirations of the Russian people. Their transition was seen as a spiritual upliftment, removing these aspirations from earthly vibrations and taking them to higher regions, symbolizing a sacrifice for the nation's spiritual progress.

Secondly, the astronauts represented the nation of Russia and its potential for upliftment, a sacrifice not of blood but of self, enabling spiritual growth. They were taken to higher regions, away from the "darkness and miasma of ignorance, fear and persecution" on Earth.

Thirdly, the astronauts encircled the globe, inscribing the symbol of God in the heavens on behalf of the Russian people, reflecting their dreams of rising above materialism. This event is seen as a step towards Russia's spiritual advancement, breaking bondage in figure and symbol.

Regarding the timing of the transition, Harwood believes it occurred at a high altitude, soon after re-entry but before entering denser atmosphere, aligning with the symbolism. The astronauts were described as being close to astral traveling even before re-entry, with one particularly being half out of his body. This made the transition easy.

Mechanical aspects were also involved, described as part of an overall plan to coincide with spiritual and metaphysical events. A mechanical failure was deemed incidental, as the astronauts were already partially transitioned. The prolonged period in orbit had caused weightlessness and difficulties in adjusting to Earth's gravity, potentially leading to distress if they had arrived without the transition.

Meetings for the Next Few Months, 1972

The magazine concludes with a schedule of meetings for UFO groups in Durban, Johannesburg, and East London during June, July, and August 1972. It also announces "International U.F.O. Sighting Week" from July 15th to July 22nd, 1972.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of science, spirituality, and the unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be open to paranormal phenomena, particularly ESP and UFOs, viewing them as legitimate areas of human experience worthy of scientific investigation. There is a clear interest in bridging the gap between scientific understanding and spiritual or metaphysical concepts, as exemplified by the interpretations of both the Apollo 14 ESP experiments and the Russian astronauts' deaths. The magazine promotes the idea that these phenomena are natural and significant aspects of human existence, encouraging further research and open-mindedness.