Skywatch - No 32 - 1975 06-11

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 32
Date: June - November, 1975
Publisher: Contact
Country: South Africa
Language: English

This issue of 'Skywatch' announces its amalgamation with another publication called 'Aquarian News' to feature 'Aquarian Estates'. This is described as a new publication giving news of Aquarian Estates, a farm bought eighteen months prior by hardy pioneers to implement an ideal life combining spiritual ideals with practical work. The farm, located at Thornville Junction near Pietermaritzburg, Natal, spans 280 acres with three dams, two farm houses, and sheds. Durban members of Contact have been actively involved in its development as a Peace Retreat, with more details promised in the next issue.

Editorial Content

The editorial highlights the current issue's feature on Peter and Frances's experience with a U.F.O. from Fort Victoria to Beit Bridge, which has been taken in its entirety from 'Flying Saucer Review' (published in London). The editors express their high regard for 'Flying Saucer Review', calling it the best U.F.O. magazine globally, and recommend subscribing to it for comprehensive accounts of U.F.O. incidents worldwide.

Mrs. Elizabeth Klarer, identified as the Johannesburg leader, is noted for her upcoming attendance at a highly scientific conference in West Germany on the subject of U.F.O.s. She has been invited to speak at the conference and is the only woman scheduled to present a paper among the world's top scientists. The magazine expresses good wishes for her and awaits news of her return to South Africa to share details of the conference.

Durban Contact Group Article

An article titled "DURBAN CONTACT GROUP" by Elesa Willies reports on the group's new Chairman and Committee, along with exciting plans for the coming year. Elesa Willies, writing as the Secretary, reflects on the word "CONTACT!", describing it as having a living ring of excitement and activity, representing events happening "NOW!". She contrasts this with the distant past or future, emphasizing the immediate impact of discoveries on our lives. Willies expresses a personal awe for astronomy but notes its detached quality. She then pivots to ufology, suggesting it provides a jolt to conventional thinking, shaking pre-conceived notions. The article posits the possibility of other forms of intelligence in the universe, leading to a sense of expanded consciousness and a yearning for exploration. It concludes by defining "Contact" as what is happening now, characterized by subtle shades of grey rather than black and white.

UFO Encounter: Escorted by UFOs from Umvuma to Beit Bridge

The issue features a detailed account of a Rhodesian UFO encounter and apparent teleportation experienced by Peter and Frances, prepared from report forms and a taped interview by Carl van Vlierden, with transcription and editing by Charles Bowen of 'Flying Saucer Review'.

The incident occurred on the night of May 30-31, 1974, during a journey from Salisbury via Fort Victoria and Beit Bridge to Durban. Initially, Peter and Frances, who had little prior thought about UFOs, encountered what they initially believed to be a policeman sitting by the roadside. They noted his metallic-looking, 'plasticky' suit, which seemed unusual for a policeman.

At 2:30 a.m., a UFO appeared as a revolving light, described as a spotlight, with a bluish tinge, on for 5 seconds and off for 2 seconds. It kept pace with their vehicle.

Subsequently, the car lights began to fade, both inside and outside, despite driving at 140 km.h. The radio, however, continued to function perfectly. An immense light surrounded the car, casting shadows. The temperature inside the car dropped drastically, estimated at 20°-30°F, requiring them to wear coats and use the electric heater. Unusually, the car continued to move at 150 km.h even after Peter took his foot off the accelerator, with no loss of control over speed or steering, leading Peter to describe it as being on an "automatic pilot". He felt petrified, while Frances was on the verge of hysteria.

During the journey, they passed three empty African buses parked unusually at the roadside, with lights on and engines running, which was considered very strange as such parking is illegal and buses are usually crowded. The buses bore the livery of a firm related to Frances's work.

A beam of light was observed from the UFO to the horizon. The UFO then shot off like a shooting star about 10 km. from Fort Victoria. Upon reaching Fort Victoria garage at 4:30 a.m., the car's headlights initially failed but then responded normally after the engine was restarted an hour later. The petrol pump attendant noted something wrong with their headlights.

Later, about 10 km. out of Fort Victoria, two more UFOs were sighted, one on the left and another above the car, travelling at the same speed. Their lights were steady and did not twinkle.

Another strange aspect was the absence of people on the road, apart from the initial 'policeman' and a native attendant at the filling station. Peter noted that this was normally a busy route.

They then encountered unusual terrain described as swampy with water reflecting light, despite the road being dry. The vegetation was lush and tropical, unlike the sparse dry ground usually found in the region. There was a complete absence of normal sounds like crickets and cicadas, creating a dream-like atmosphere.

Leaving Fort Victoria, the car's speed reached or exceeded 190 km.h. Peter stated he had no control, feeling as though someone else was operating the car. He described the road as unnaturally straight, like a ribbon, until about 3 km. before Beit Bridge.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes ufology and the concept of "Contact" with potential extraterrestrial intelligence. It advocates for an open mind, revising conventional thinking, and exploring the unknown. The editorial stance is supportive of serious students and investigators of the U.F.O. phenomenon, recommending resources like 'Flying Saucer Review'. There is also an interest in alternative lifestyles and spiritual retreats, as indicated by the coverage of 'Aquarian Estates'. The magazine appears to be a platform for sharing personal experiences and fostering a community interested in these subjects.

This document, likely an issue of "UFO TIMES" identified by page number 11, details a remarkable encounter experienced by a couple, Peter and Frances. The primary focus is on a night drive where their vehicle was allegedly influenced and controlled by two unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The narrative also delves into Peter's past experiences with UFOs and his abilities in astral travel and telepathy, as well as the subsequent investigation into the event through hypnosis.

The Encounter: Sleep and Strange Phenomena

The account begins with Peter and Frances recalling the unusual absence of a normal sunrise, replaced by a grey overcast sky. As daylight broke, they observed two UFOs that remained visible. The narrative then shifts to their subjective experiences during the drive. Frances reports falling asleep around 6:15 a.m., noting an unusual loss of radio signal for about half an hour prior. Peter describes a period of lost time from 5:30 a.m., feeling as though he was in a coma and mesmerized by the road, likening it to 'drivers' hypnosis'.

During an interview, Peter suggested the objects might have been solar-energized because there was no sun. Frances elaborated, stating the light came from the horizon where the sun had set, leading them to believe the UFOs were absorbing sunlight. This realization caused them distress, making them question if they were still on Earth. Peter confirmed they were still in swampy terrain.

At the Border and Missing Kilometres

Frances awoke near Beit Bridge around 7 a.m., with the two objects still visible. At the border post, she did not draw attention to the UFOs. A discrepancy in time was noted: the Rhodesian post clock showed 8:30 a.m., the South African post clock also showed 8:30 a.m., while their car clock and watches indicated nearly 7:30 a.m. They encountered Rhodesian officials, who were surprised by their appearance and asked if they had come from the North Pole. A radio time-check confirmed 7:30 a.m. The UFOs had disappeared, and the sunlight was normal, but they could not recall seeing the sunrise.

Peter was surprised to find his speedo trip meter, reset at Fort Victoria, registered only 17 km to Beit Bridge, a distance of 288 km. He had filled his tank at Fort Victoria and expected to refuel at Beit Bridge, but the tank only took a small amount, suggesting minimal fuel consumption, which was inconsistent with the actual distance.

Strange Experiences in the Past: Astral Travel and Telepathy

The document explores Peter and Frances's past experiences with phenomena beyond the norm. Peter had a history of astral travelling from age 14 to 19, which he stopped because Frances disliked it. Frances recounted a terrifying incident where she thought Peter had died during astral travel, as he stopped breathing and his skin became transparent. Peter confirmed that the sensation of the recent UFO experience was similar to the initial stages of astral travel.

Peter also stated that his mental telepathic powers were fading since a May 30-31, 1974 experience, though his concentration had improved. He first realized his telepathic abilities around age 14, along with astral travel and self-hypnosis. He used telepathy casually but never perfected it. Both Peter and Frances noted that their extraordinary memories had diminished.

Another Saucer: The 1964 Sighting

Peter reported a significant past encounter from July 1964, where he saw a flying saucer outside Shabani while travelling with his father. The object, described as gun-metal grey with black sections, was about 5 feet off the road and 60-70 feet across. As it took off, it kicked up hot red dust. Peter's father, though present, was advised to forget the experience. The encounter left a strong impression on Peter, and he noted that after the incident, all the electronic tuning equipment they were transporting had its valves and diodes 'blown', requiring replacement.

The Car and Its Remarkable Condition

Following the 1974 experience, Peter noted a remarkable lack of wear on his car's tires, which he had purchased as cheap retreads. Despite driving them extensively (7,000-8,000 km), they showed minimal wear, leading Frances to remark they were 'like new'. Peter, who engages in motor sport, had even tried to 'punish' the tires, but they remained intact. This led to speculation that the car might be 'indestructible'. However, they were experiencing issues with the electrically-assisted clutch and the alternator.

The Next Step: Investigation Under Hypnosis

The interviewer suggested a hypnotic investigation to uncover more details, which Peter and Frances agreed to. The investigation was conducted in Durban on December 3, 1974, by Dr. Paul Obertik, MD, a member of the South African Society for Psychical Research. Dr. Obertik, who had studied in Czechoslovakia, used hypnotism in his work with psychic studies.

Peter was found to be an ideal subject for deep hypnosis. Dr. Obertik explained that in deep trance, nothing can be hidden. His conclusion, based on his experience, was that Peter had indeed experienced the events he described.

Transcript of Hypnotic Session

A transcript of the hypnosis session reveals Peter's account under Dr. Obertik's guidance. He described travelling about 12 km. outside Fort Victoria when two crafts appeared, one about 850 off and the other directly above. These objects sent down beams of light that gave the car a mind of its own, controlling its direction, speed, and even operating the radio. Peter fought this control throughout the journey, during which a 'simulated screen' was placed in front of the windscreens. They travelled completely off the road in a straight line.

Peter stated they were 'programmed' inside the car, and his wife fell asleep or was put to sleep by the 'voice of them'. The craft that beamed into the back seat told him he would see what he wanted to see. He described the entities as physical beings with a basic form similar to humans: large trunks, necks, hairless, with two arms and two legs. The interior of the UFO had three levels: a power unit, an engine room, and living quarters, including a flight deck and inter-astral control centre.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO/UAP encounters, the nature of memory and its manipulation, and the potential for altered states of consciousness such as astral travel and hypnosis to reveal hidden truths. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into anomalous phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and expert analysis (hypnosis) to explore the validity and implications of these experiences. The document emphasizes the unusual physical effects on the car and the psychological impact on the witnesses, suggesting a genuine and profound encounter.

This issue, identified as number 21 of "SKANDINAVISK UFO INFORMATION," presents a dialogue-heavy format exploring themes of extraterrestrial intelligence, time travel, and potential alien infiltration. The content is primarily a transcript of a conversation between 'Dr. O' and 'Peter,' interspersed with section titles and meeting announcements.

Time Travellers

The core of the magazine features an extensive Q&A session where 'Peter' describes advanced extraterrestrial beings. These beings are from "outer galaxies" and are characterized as "time travellers" rather than space travellers. They do not travel by light but by manipulating time, sending themselves back to reach destinations. They possess immense knowledge of the universe, understanding all languages perfectly, and are described as being "extremely advanced."

Key characteristics discussed include:

• Reproduction: They lack reproductive organs and their method of multiplication is unknown to Peter.
• Beliefs: They do not believe in God or gods. Their focus is on "infinite belief in immortality," though they are not immortal themselves and do die.
• Interaction with Humans: They are described as "friendly" but do not make direct contact because they believe humans would not understand them. They are hesitant to change the world directly, preferring indirect influence.
• Lifespan: They are mortals and do die, but their lifespan is unknown.
• Origin: They come from "twelve planets of the Milky Way" and are approximately 2,000 years ahead of Earth in development, having no wars.
• Impact on Earth: They are said to have influenced Earth's history, changing things by introducing their way of doing things, similar to how they changed the pyramids and wars.

Infiltrators

Another section, titled "INFILTRATORS," continues the discussion on extraterrestrial presence. Peter reveals that thousands of these beings are "among us, unnoticed." They are integrated into society, working as clerks, typists, businessmen, university students, lecturers, and even dustbin cleaners. Their method of operation is subtle: they make contact only when they want to and primarily through "influencing others." They avoid direct action that would make them a "figurehead" or "centre of attraction," acting instead as "influencers, the schemers, and directors."

Meetings for the Next Few Months

Following the main content, the magazine provides practical information for its readers. It lists scheduled meetings for "SKANDINAVISK UFO INFORMATION" in three South African cities:

• Durban: Fourth Wednesday of the month at 8:00 p.m. at The Centre, 3rd Floor, Progress House, Hermitage Street.
• Johannesburg: First Monday of the month. Contact Mrs. E. Klarer at 3, Cottage Place, 394 Rifle Range Road, Towerby.
• Cape Town: Last Friday of the month. Contact Mr. Andre Nestel at 9, Schoonvrught Lane, Weltevreden, Constantia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the nature of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, their methods of interaction with humanity, and the concept of alien infiltration. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting speculative information and facilitating discussion and community engagement through local meetings. The dialogue format suggests an approach that explores complex ideas through conversational inquiry, aiming to inform and engage readers interested in UFO phenomena and potential alien contact.