SPI Enigmas - no 26

Magazine Overview

Title: ENIGMAS
Issue: 26
Volume: 2
Date: November/December 1991
Price: £1.50
Publisher: Strange Phenomena Investigations (SPI)

This issue of ENIGMAS, the journal of Strange Phenomena Investigations, offers a diverse range of articles exploring the unexplained. The cover features the SPI logo and the repeated word "ENIGMAS," accompanied by a festive holiday greeting and a stylized illustration. The editorial content highlights the magazine's commitment to unbiased accounts of unusual occurrences, undiscovered sciences, ghosts, UFOs, and other weird phenomena.

Editorial: The Challenge of Psychic Photography

The editorial, penned by Malcolm Robinson, addresses the increasing difficulty in verifying paranormal photographs due to advanced technology and special effects. It acknowledges the long history of 'spirit photography' and how it was used to exploit grief. While admitting that some paranormal photographs might be genuine, the editor notes that many have been debunked through computer analysis. The piece mentions the Peter Beard Barnsley UFO photograph and the Cottingly Fairy photographs as examples of hoaxes. The editorial also points to an upcoming assessment of a photograph purporting to be the Blessed Virgin Mary. It concludes by emphasizing SPI's commitment to investigating the 'why' behind such phenomena.

Articles

The Yeti by Malcolm Robinson

This article delves into the phenomenon of the Yeti, also known as the Abominable Snowman, and its North American counterpart, Bigfoot. It recounts historical reports and sightings, including the famous 1951 tracks found by Eric Shipton in the Himalayas. The article explores local legends and mentions the writings of Roger Bacon. It also details sightings by Polish prisoners of war and a Greek photographer, N.A. Tombazi. The piece highlights the difficulty in obtaining concrete proof, often relying on footprints and fleeting glimpses. It also touches upon the misinterpretation of other creatures as the Yeti and references an 18th-century Chinese manuscript depicting a similar creature.

Out Of The Fog by Anthony North

Anthony North's article critically examines the state of psychic research, noting the lack of proven phenomena since 1882. He suggests two possibilities: either psychic phenomena do not exist, or researchers are pursuing the wrong avenues. North argues that the supernatural is often excluded from normality, relegating it to a mere quirk. He criticizes science for focusing only on technologically and commercially advantageous areas. The article proposes that 'inherited memory' might be the unifying explanation for phenomena like re-incarnation, ghosts, and telepathy, rather than separate entities. It suggests that understanding this communal aspect of memory could lead to a deeper understanding of psychic research and its potential for promoting peace.

The Psychic And The UFO by Malcolm Robinson

Malcolm Robinson explores the connection between psychic ability and UFO sightings. He posits that individuals attuned to the 'psychic spectrum' are more likely to witness these strange objects. Citing research by Ken Philips, the article suggests that UFO witnesses often possess high psychic abilities. It recounts a specific sighting by Mrs. Middleton in Scotland in 1983, describing a 'huge starship' with distinct features. The article also references the famous UFO case of Betty and Barney Hill and the work of John Fuller, suggesting Betty Hill's psychic ability may have played a role in their encounter. The piece further draws parallels to the alleged visions of the Virgin Mary at Fatima and Garabandal, noting that these events were accompanied by observations of aerial phenomena, suggesting a possible psychic reception of UFO events.

Project Urquart. 1992.

This section details 'Project Urquart,' a comprehensive scientific investigation into the ecology of Loch Ness. Launched as a long-term initiative, it aims to understand the loch's biology, hydrography, and environmental conditions. The project is supported by major UK scientific institutions, including the Freshwater Biological Association and the Natural History Museum. Key objectives include surveying the loch's underwater contours and depth, examining its bed composition, and investigating pollution. The project also plans to involve youth education through maps, wall charts, and GIS systems. Sonar technology will be a primary tool for hydrographic surveys, fish population studies, and identifying unusual activity. The project is expected to take 3 to 4 years and is funded by commercial sponsorship.

Letters to the Editor

This section features correspondence from readers. Erik Fredriksson of Solna, Sweden, describes the activities of the Solna Astronomiska Forening (SAF), an association focused on astronomy, UFOs, and cosmology, which collects data and conducts skywatching from a cottage with towers. Another letter addresses a previous debate concerning Patrick Moore and an alleged UFO book, clarifying the author's stance and urging caution against jumping to conclusions.

The Experiences of Dirk Van Der Plas

This brief section introduces an account of an alleged abduction experience from Dirk Van Der Plas, who had previously shared his experiences at an SPI/SRUFO event.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of ENIGMAS firmly establishes its commitment to exploring the unexplained across multiple domains, including cryptozoology (Yeti, Bigfoot), UFOlogy, psychic phenomena, and unexplained historical events. The magazine adopts an open-minded yet critical approach, acknowledging the role of technology in debunking claims while also advocating for thorough investigation of all possibilities. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of research, the need to challenge conventional scientific paradigms, and the potential for uncovering deeper truths about reality through the study of these phenomena. The recurring theme is the pursuit of knowledge and understanding in areas that lie beyond mainstream scientific acceptance, encouraging readers to question and explore.

This issue of ENIGMAS, dated November-December 1991, focuses on strange phenomena, UFO sightings, and paranormal experiences. The cover features the title 'STRANGE PHENOMENA INVESTIGATIONS' with a graphic of a UFO and a figure.

Articles and Reports

The Experiences of Dirk Van Der Plas

Dirk Van Der Plas shares his personal experiences, which he believes align with theories of UFO abduction, particularly involuntary hypnosis. He recounts experiencing post-traumatic shock and unexplained scarring at the age of ten, possibly linked to a period in Perth, Western Australia, in 1971 or 1972. He describes a vivid memory of intense fear and trembling in class, which led him to be sent home. He also details a raw skin wound on his ribs, which he suspects might be a 'screen memory' for a physical mutilation. Van Der Plas also recounts dreams, including one about a large silver foil-covered Easter egg and another involving a teacher, a black sedan, and spotter planes. He describes a 'floating sensation' and looking at his house from the outside during the night. He expresses caution about pursuing psychic research due to potential 'malformulated preconceptions' from hypnotic suggestion.

Skin Wound and Dream Event

This section details Dirk Van Der Plas's memory of a diamond-shaped scar on his left side ribs, which he believes might be evidence of a physical alteration. He also recounts vivid dreams, including one about a large silver foil-covered Easter egg and another involving a schoolteacher, a black sedan, and friendly troops. He also describes a 'floating sensation' experienced one morning.

Editor's Note on Dirk Van Der Plas's Testimony

The editor notes that Dirk Van Der Plas's account shares similarities with other abductee claims, such as 'beings' beside the bed and small spherical objects. The editor mentions that Dirk has since met with abduction researcher Budd Hopkins.

Fireside Tales (but true)!

This section presents anecdotal accounts of paranormal experiences.

#### I Saw Her Brother's Ghost

Geraldine Evans from Mid Glamorgan recounts seeing the ghost of a soldier in a canteen. She later learned that the day she saw the apparition was the 25th anniversary of the soldier's death in a tank.

#### So Whose Voices Were They?

This report details a series of unexplained occurrences, including a 'burst of poltergeist phenomena' in Glasgow. Allan Murray from Hamilton, Scotland, describes witnessing a small black shape, the size of a large bluebottle, flying at his face, accompanied by a flash of light. He also experienced light flashing from his hip. He notes that the object seemed to travel through a wall.

When Is a Fly Not a Fly?

This section features an interview with Rosa Granville, a UFO witness from West Wales.

#### Interview with Rosa Granville

Rosa Granville recounts witnessing a large, pulsating light, described as the size of six moons, land near her hotel in 1977. She observed two tall, slender humanoids emerge from the flame-like emission of the craft. These beings, described as looking like 'made up men' or 'dummies', spoke to her briefly before returning to the craft, which then ascended rapidly. She also reported a 'crescent shaped mark' on the field where the object landed, which was burned. Over the following months, a similar bright light was frequently seen hovering over the hotel. She also describes two humanoids, looking like identical twins, who visited her hotel, asking to see her and stating they would return.

A Voyage to Atlantis?

By Jenny Randles, this article explores the legend of Atlantis and its potential connection to the Canary Islands. Randles discusses how the islands are believed to be the mountain tops of the lost continent. She also notes the physical characteristics of the native 'Guanches' (tall, fair-skinned, blue-eyed, blonde) which are similar to descriptions of 'God-like' aliens reported by UFO witnesses. The article highlights UFO sightings in the Canary Islands, including a case in 1979 where hundreds of witnesses observed an unusual sunset and a pyramid-shaped object. Another case from 1976 involved a Spanish Navy vessel observing a brilliant yellow/blue light rising from the sea.

UFOs Over West Lothian

By Ron Halliday, this report details UFO sightings in West Lothian, Scotland, in 1991. It focuses on an encounter by a retired lady and her husband who saw a pyramid-shaped object with white and red lights. The report also mentions a 'mysterious light' that swept through the witness's house the previous night. The article notes that SPI and SRUFO are cooperating to investigate these reports.

Virgin Mary Photograph?

This section presents a report by Lazlo Kiss regarding a photograph taken in Hungary that allegedly shows the Blessed Virgin Mary. The photograph, taken by a picture restorer, captured two figures surrounded by halos. The Hungarian Press Agency (MTI) certified the negative, stating it was unlikely to have been manipulated and that the light phenomenon was a secret. The Vicar of Karacsond confirmed there was no sculpture or picture in the church that could have caused such a phenomenon.

News Desh

This section provides brief updates:

• Nice One James?: Mentions the cover designers for the current and previous issues.
• NESS NEWSLETTER: A newsletter dedicated to the Loch Ness Monster is available by writing to Rip Hepple.
• YANKEE DOODLE SPI: SPI is to be listed in David Blevins' book, 'The Almanac Of UFO Organisations And Publications'.
• SRUFO IN THE NEWS AGAIN: Reports on SRUFO's press coverage regarding UFO sightings in Scotland.
• PSYCHIC SEARCH: An article from the Scottish Sunday Post about psychic Ann Anderson searching for a missing schoolgirl.
• HERE WE GO AGAIN?: A feature in 'Womans' magazine discusses the safety of dabbling in the paranormal, with opinions from an exorcist and a spiritual medium.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, abduction experiences, and paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting witness accounts and research findings without immediate dismissal, while also acknowledging the challenges of proving such phenomena and the potential for hoaxes. The recurring theme is the exploration of the unexplained and the possibility of phenomena beyond conventional understanding, from alien encounters to spiritual manifestations and ancient mysteries like Atlantis.