SPI Enigmas - no 21

Magazine Overview

Title: ENIGMAS
Issue: No. 21
Date: August/September 1990
Publisher: Strange Phenomena Investigations (S.P.I.)
Price: £1.50

This issue of ENIGMAS, the journal of Strange Phenomena Investigations (S.P.I.), presents a diverse range of articles on paranormal and unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on UFOs. The magazine aims to collect, research, and publish accounts of strange phenomena, maintaining an open mind and encouraging public awareness.

Editorial: Gulf Breeze UFO Case Blown Wide Open?

The editorial section immediately addresses the controversy surrounding the Gulf Breeze UFO photographs, considered by some to be among the best on record. The discovery of a 9-inch model UFO, found in the attic of Edward Walters' former home, has cast significant doubt on the authenticity of his photographs. The model is described as being identical in shape to the UFOs depicted in Walters' images. Ed Walters vehemently denies any knowledge of the model, suggesting it was planted to discredit him. The editorial notes that this revelation comes at an inconvenient time for MUFON, which was preparing for its annual symposium. The article also mentions a witness named Chris who claims Ed Walters faked the photos using a double exposure method, with the alleged participation of his wife and son. Chris further states that Walters wanted him to act as another witness, but he refused, deeming it fraudulent. The editorial points out that Ed Walters was convicted of forgery in 1967. The author concludes by questioning whether the entire case is a hoax or a government cover-up, emphasizing that such controversies hinder the progress of ufology.

Mexico's Mysterious Zone of Silence

This article by Henry Tricks explores the enigmatic 'Zone of Silence' in Mexico's Mapimi Desert. This region is rumored to possess a strange force that causes clocks, radios, and cars to fail, and is located on the same latitude as the Bermuda Triangle. Local tales speak of flying saucers, ancient trees, falling meteorites, and sea shells turned to stone. While scientific explanations exist for some phenomena, farm workers recount bizarre experiences. Julian Lucero describes a flying saucer lighting up his farm in 1984, and Jose Trinidad Solis mentions meteorites routinely falling in the area. Dr. Alejandro Peschard, director of Durango's general hospital, suggests that the superstitions are a crude attempt to attract tourists and that the government-funded laboratory has discovered more impressive natural wonders, including a fossilized tree and fossilized sea shells. Peschard also raises a suspicion about a U.S. rocket crash in the Zone of Silence in July 1970, which led to the site being sealed off for months, possibly due to radioactive or nuclear material. He believes the fantasies surrounding the Zone of Silence began after this incident.

The Livingston UFO Landing Site to be Officially Recognised

This short piece announces that the Dechmont Woods UFO landing site near Livingston, Scotland, where forestry worker Robert Taylor reported an encounter in 1979, is to be officially recognized. SPI had previously spoken to the Livingston Development Corporation (LDC) about setting up a memorial in 1988, and it is now coming to fruition. The article highlights this as a potential first of its kind in the UK, aiming to raise awareness of the UFO enigma.

A Yorkshire Apparition

Authored by David Barclay, this article details an account of 'visions' that are suggested to be connected to UFOlogical phenomena. A witness in Menston, North Leeds, claimed to have seen a figure resembling the Blessed Virgin Mary on at least three occasions during the summer of 1976. The figure, described as being surrounded by a golden light and appearing to be in her early twenties, was seen projected against the gable end of a house. Unlike the event at Knock, the figure moved, smiled, and gestured. The witness, a Roman Catholic, was reluctant to identify the apparition as the BVM, leading the author to suspect there was more to the experience. The 'vision' was also witnessed by neighbors and a retired priest. The article notes that there seemed to be no immediate point to the apparition's appearance at that time and place, but suggests 'synchronicities' that would interest 'Earth Energy Buffs,' linking the location to underground streams, ley networks, and 'Marian' connections. On a subsequent visit, the witness described seeing a 'cross of light' and receiving a prophetic message in a dream, which she felt was connected to the overall UFO experience and suggested a significant event was imminent in 1991.

S.P.I.'s Loch Morar Project

Written by Ron Halliday, this article details the initial phase of the SPI's investigation into the Loch Morar 'monster' sightings, nicknamed 'Morag.' Loch Morar, located on Scotland's northwest coast, is described as the third deepest freshwater loch in Europe. The project, conducted in June-July 1990, focused on a 'psychic angle,' utilizing three psychic mediums, dowsing rods, pendulums, and a ouija board. The team comprised seven individuals with varying degrees of psychic ability. The investigation aimed to determine if peculiar or intense psychic energy emanated from the loch or its surroundings. The article notes that strong movements of the dowsing rods were evident, indicating magnetic forces in the area. The team also visited ancient sites nearby. The author promises further details in future articles, mentioning that fresh evidence has emerged since their departure.

UFO's Wholesale & Retail

This article by V.D. Musinskij, translated from Russian, discusses the prevalence of UFO reports in the Soviet Union, particularly in the news media. The author criticizes the sensationalist reporting, likening it to a 'UFOlogical racket.' He cites examples of UFO sightings reported in Tbilisi and Moscow, suggesting that some reports might be misinterpretations or deliberate fabrications to mask technological experiments. The article then details several specific incidents: a luminous spherical object sighted in the Khvorostyanka District; a UFO landing in Vladimirovka village, leaving an elliptical hole; sightings of objects resembling Saturn in Cheboksary; and stars emitting intensive light over Dyushambe. A particularly striking incident in Dyushambe involved a scorching ball that hovered over a courtyard, burning fruits and branches, before descending and exploding, leaving behind burnt spinters with increased radioactivity. The author also recounts Gennadij's alleged encounter with a UFO near the Kolyvansky Lakes, where he claims to have interacted with four occupants of a flattened, drop-shaped apparatus. The contact lasted about half an hour, and Gennadij, who had kept it secret for over 20 years, believes he met representatives of a different intelligence.

'UFO' circles in grass baffle the boffins

Authored by Margaret Fry, this article reports on three circular crop formations that appeared overnight on Voel Farm, near Llanfair T.H., Clwyd, North Wales. Mrs. Patricia Coulson, the farm's owner, discovered the circles in mid-May 1990. The circles were distinct, with dark, burnt-out soil in the ring area and four semi-circles on the outer perimeters. Gary Rowe, an independent UFO investigator, examined the site and found no evidence of ancient dwellings or natural formations that could explain the rings. He noted that the soil depth was shallow and the underlying rock was solid. Mrs. Coulson, who has been farming the land for only three years, suspected a UFO as the cause, having read about similar phenomena. The article lists several other UFO sightings and landings reported in the Denbigh Moors area since 1979, suggesting a pattern. The author emphasizes that Mrs. Coulson is a credible witness and that the cause of the rings remains a mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ENIGMAS include UFO sightings, alleged hoaxes and cover-ups, and the investigation of paranormal phenomena through both conventional and unconventional (psychic) methods. The magazine maintains an open-minded stance, presenting various accounts and encouraging readers to form their own conclusions. There is a clear interest in debunking or scrutinizing claims, as seen in the lead editorial regarding the Gulf Breeze case, while also giving credence to other unexplained events. The publication appears to be a platform for enthusiasts and researchers in the field of strange phenomena, particularly UFOlogy, aiming to inform the public and contribute to the understanding of these mysteries.

Title: ENIGMAS
Issue: AUG-SEP 1990
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of ENIGMAS magazine delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena, with a significant focus on cryptozoology, UFOs, and paranormal events. It features a two-part report on the "Operation Congo" expedition, a review of the book "Earthlights Revelation," and accounts of ghostly encounters and strange occurrences.

Operation Congo: The First British/Congolese Mokele-Mbembe Expedition of 1985-86. Part Two.

This article, by Billy Gibbons, details the latter stages of an expedition to the Congo in search of the Mokele-Mbembe, a legendary creature said to inhabit Lake Telle. After establishing a rapport with the residents of Boha Village, the team, comprising twelve men and six guides, embarked on a challenging trek through the rainforest. The journey was physically taxing, with difficult terrain, ants, and termite colonies posing problems. The expedition paid the porters 7,000 CFA per day, and the village chief was gifted alcohol and sunglasses.

Upon reaching the vicinity of Lake Telle, the team was allowed to visit three small, sacred lakes where the Mokele-Mbembe was said to feed. While observation by three members yielded no monster sightings, fish and turtle life were abundant. Marcellin Agnagna reported seeing a fish with a shark-like fin. The final approach to Lake Telle involved navigating a waist-high swamp, with swarms of bees causing discomfort. Lake Telle itself is described as a shallow, oval lake, approximately 5km in circumference. Previous expeditions had reported magnetic disturbances on the north side, but this team detected none. The lake teems with fish, crocodiles, and pythons.

During their five-day stay, the team explored lobes of water leading into the forest, which the guides feared. An account from around 1959/60 describes pigmy fishermen spearing a Mokele-Mbembe to death after it attempted to break a barrier, with those who consumed its flesh reportedly dying afterward. The expedition collected numerous specimens, including members of the Caicelian family and an unidentified monkey subspecies.

The return trek took two days. The team spent three more days in Boha Village, where a shallow swamp hole, reportedly inhabited by a Mokele-Mbembe in 1984, was investigated without success. Billy Gibbons was honored by the villagers, consecrated as "President" of Lake Telle and presented with a ceremonial spear. The expedition concluded after 55 days, half the originally intended duration, with the team facing financial difficulties and health issues, including chronic diarrhea, dysentery, and malaria.

Results: Fauna and Flora of the Congo

The article notes that the fauna and flora of the Congo remain largely unstudied. During the trek, buffalo herds, wild forest pig, forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, fish eagles, black kites, and monkey colonies were observed. Chimpanzee families, Bay Duckier, and Congo stripper squirrels were common around Lake Telle. Reptile forms were present, including the Leopard, Gaboon viper, Rhinoceros viper, and green mamba. Specimens collected included the African lungfish, and an unidentified monkey was classified as a new subspecies of Cerocebus galeritus.

Earth Lights Revelation: UFOs and Mystery Lightform Phenomena

This section reviews the book "Earth Lights Revelation" by Paul Devereux, David Clarke, Andy Roberts, and Paul McCartney. The review, by Ralph Noyes, posits that mysterious lights, accounting for a proportion of UFO reports, may be linked to apparitions, hauntings, and 'mysterious animals.' The book suggests these phenomena have a relationship with human consciousness and intentions. The review highlights the book's serious contribution to science, its painstaking accumulation of facts, and its testable hypotheses. It discusses the concept of "Earthlights" as transient energy forms akin to electromagnetism, potentially interacting with human consciousness. The review also touches upon the book's exploration of geological factors, such as faulting and minerals, as potential sources for these phenomena, while acknowledging remaining uncertainties and the difficulty in distinguishing Earthlights from other luminous events.

The review contrasts "Earthlights Revelation" with other UFOlogy literature, emphasizing its rational inquiry. It mentions the work of Terence Meaden on crop circles and the challenges in assimilating phenomena like airliner sightings with small balls of light or poltergeist outbreaks.

Ghosts: The Phantom Monk of Soulseat Loch

This article by Billy Gibbons recounts the legend of a phantom monk haunting Soulseat Loch in Scotland. The loch is described as difficult to fish due to a slimy green weed that makes it almost impossible to access the trout. The area also has a history of suicides. The legend centers around an ancient monastery that once stood on the site of the current Manse House. The article details several sightings of a cowled and hooded figure near the loch, which vanishes into thin air. The Manse House itself has a bricked-up cellar from which unearthly noises and ghostly moans were reportedly heard.

Letters to the Editor

This section features several letters:

• Margaret Fry defends the authenticity of UFO sightings, particularly one from July 17, 1955, and questions Patrick Moore's skepticism.
• Dirk van der Plas comments on the controversy surrounding Stanton T. Friedman and Jenny Randles, noting a potential lawsuit against Randles for misquoted remarks.
• Alexander Jamieson concurs with Michael Roll's critique of the establishment and priesthood but disagrees with Roll's dismissal of Christian doctrines and the Bible.

News Desk

This section provides brief updates on various topics:

• Jean Smith Case: The concluding part of an article on the Jean Smith case is postponed to the next issue.
• UFO Congress 1991: Announcement of a UFO event in Sheffield on August 16-18, 1991, organized by BUFORA.
• Ogopogo: Reports of the Canadian lake creature being spotted twice in Lake Okanagan, with Japanese interest in its discovery.
• 'Long Life' in Hands: A report on doctors examining corpses to find a correlation between hand 'life-lines' and lifespan.
• Strange Circles in Blairgowrie: Two crop circles, one 70 feet in diameter and the other half that size, appeared in Scotland, with Professor Archie Roy investigating.
• Glasgow Satanist: A report on Henderson Lynn, who allegedly conducted psychic experiments with young children in Glasgow.
• Apologies: The editor apologizes for the lateness of the issue due to SPI commitments.

Famous Quotes

This section includes quotes from George Meek on the nature of reality and space-time, Michael Bentine on scientific inquiry and open-mindedness, and Professor Archie Roy on the rapid pace of scientific discovery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ENIGMAS are cryptozoology (Mokele-Mbembe, Ogopogo), UFO phenomena (Earthlights, Roswell Incident, general sightings), and paranormal events (ghosts, hauntings, psychic experiments). The editorial stance appears to favor rational inquiry into unexplained phenomena, with a willingness to explore unconventional explanations while maintaining a critical perspective. The magazine provides a platform for diverse viewpoints, including those of researchers, eyewitnesses, and critics within the UFO and paranormal communities.