SPI Enigmas - no 37

Magazine Overview

Title: ENIGMAS
Subtitle: THE JOURNAL OF STRANGE PHENOMENA INVESTIGATIONS
Issue: 37
Volume: 5
Date: August-September 1994
Price: £2.00
Publisher: SPI (Strange Phenomena Investigations)
Editor: Malcolm Robinson
Address: 41 The Braes, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, FK10 2TT, Scotland.

Editorial

The editorial section, written by Editor Malcolm Robinson, reflects on a particularly busy period for SPI, which included a Scottish UFO Conference, a ghost bust in Stirling, and a visit from London Weekend Television (LWTV). Robinson expresses his naivete regarding the demands of television companies, noting how multiple companies approached him simultaneously. He explains that due to contractual obligations, he had to decline offers from other companies, including Michael Hurl TV, to work exclusively with LWTV. He mentions being impressed by Edward Venner of LWTV and their upcoming show "Strange But True," which will cover Scottish UFOlogy, Bonnybridge, and the Falkirk UFO Conference.

SPI Case Research Work: An Investigation Into a Haunted House in Stirling, Case Still Continuing

This section details an investigation by SPI into a haunted house in Stirling, Scotland, involving pensioner Elizabeth Harris. Mrs. Harris reported a history of paranormal experiences, starting in Manchester in 1963 with a prediction of President Kennedy's assassination and a ghost sighting. After moving to Edinburgh in 1970, she experienced psychic manifestations, including scratches on wallpaper, phantom doorbells, and sounds of fluttering wings. Upon moving to Stirling in 1981, the phenomena intensified, with scratching noises, feelings of presence, and the appearance of expressionless faces. She also reported hearing voices and conversations that ceased upon her entry. Her husband did not experience these phenomena. In 1983, she witnessed a red rose appear and fade on her wall, a snake-like apparition, and a vision of tortured faces descending from the ceiling. More recently, she reported being touched on the head and back, hearing voices, and seeing three men with evil faces. SPI's involvement included a visit with psychic medium Helen Walters and investigator Billy Devlin. During the investigation, they detected a presence in Mrs. Harris's bedroom, and Helen Walters reported seeing red lights. Malcolm Robinson reported a distinct sensation of being touched on his hand, which he described as a first-time experience.

Abduction Research in Australia: A New Catalogue and Analysis

Authored by Keith Basterfield, Research Director of UFO Research Australia, this article presents a catalogue and analysis of abduction cases in Australia and New Zealand. Basterfield notes that while UFOs are covered in the Australian media, abductions are rarely taken seriously. He defines an 'abduction' based on criteria from the 'Journal of UFO Studies,' requiring a witness to be taken against their will to a non-terrestrial space, where they undergo examinations or communication. The analysis of 83 reported 'missing time,' 'abduction like,' and abduction events was reduced to 39 cases using this definition. The article details witness demographics, common locations (suburban bedrooms and rural outside places), and descriptions of entities, which include human-like beings with oval heads and large, egg-shaped eyes, and shorter beings with chubby faces. Several case examples are provided, including a man who experienced missing time in Sydney, a woman in rural New South Wales who encountered slender beings, and a multi-witness report from Adelaide involving a man and his son encountering a greenish-white being. A typical bedroom intrusion case from Melbourne describes a man's journey through a tunnel and examination by beings. A rural event in Jindabyne involved two young men being examined by tall, grey beings after seeing a bright light.

Heather Woods And The Stigmata (Part Two)

This article, by John & Anne Spencer, continues the discussion on stigmata, focusing on the experiences of Heather Woods. It explores potential mechanisms for stigmata, including belief-based divine intervention, physical self-production, multiple personality syndrome (MPS), and psychosomatic responses. The authors suggest that Heather's experiences, including channeling and psychic abilities, align with MPS and a strong religious conviction. They discuss the case of Barney Hill, who manifested marks after believing he was examined by aliens, and other UFO abduction experiencers who report similar marks. The article highlights the connection between stigmata and religious imagery, particularly the crucifixion, and notes that stigmata is primarily associated with Christianity. It also touches upon the 'sweet smell of roses' phenomenon associated with some stigmatics and healers, linking it to Padre Pio and Father Eric Eades. The section on 'The Stigmata and Healing' explores the association between healing energy, heat, and stigmata, citing Heather's experiences and those of other healers. The role of the Holy Spirit is also discussed, with reference to a photograph showing a beam of light. The medical history of stigmatics is examined, noting patterns of suffering and illness, and drawing parallels with those who report alien abductions. The article concludes by discussing the 'highest hierarchy' of needs and how deeply religious people, including stigmatics, may seek personal development through spiritual connection, with stigmata potentially being a sign of becoming the person they are capable of becoming.

Letters

A letter from a reader describes an experience involving a Ouija board in early 1968 with two friends. They made contact with a being named 'Carantus Libius' who claimed to be from another planet in the Andromeda Galaxy. Carantus communicated telepathically and indicated he would fly over the next day. The reader and friends continued to make contact, learning about Carantus's planet 'Gramedia,' its red sky, methane atmosphere, and its size relative to Earth. They also learned about their crafts, which are controlled by the pilot's mind and are made of gas. The reader describes their physical appearance, social structure, and reproductive system. The experience involved an 'image implant' to build up understanding without shock. The reader expresses frustration at not remembering all the details of their journeys but believes there is a purpose. They mention that Carantus and Saunus piloted crafts that landed on the moon in 1969 and left an information device. The reader is seeking to know how the American NSA would react to this information and feels ignored by other organizations.

Recommended Books

Two book reviews are featured:

1. "HAS THE COUNTDOWN BEGUN ?" by Paco Rabane. This book discusses future world prophecies, warning of impending disasters due to resource depletion, deforestation, and potential celestial events like a comet impact or divine intervention. It suggests that a new Heaven and Earth will eventually follow these tribulations. The reviewer, Malcolm Robinson, finds the book harrowing and potentially depressive but notes its relevance given current global issues.

2. "ALLERGIES AND ALIENS" by Albert Budden. The reviewer expresses surprise and interest in Budden's theory, which expands on existing ideas and deserves serious attention from UFOlogists and the medical fraternity.

SPI Newsdesk

This section is not detailed in the provided OCR text but is listed in the table of contents.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores a wide range of paranormal and unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, hauntings, psychic experiences, and abduction accounts. The editorial stance, as expressed by Malcolm Robinson, is one of open-minded investigation, aiming to collect, research, and publish accounts without adhering to strict viewpoints. The magazine encourages reader submissions and aims to inform the public that there is a 'case to be answered' regarding these phenomena. There is a clear interest in UFOlogy, particularly in the Australian context, and a willingness to delve into controversial topics like stigmata and alleged alien contact.

ENIGMAS, August-September 1994 issue, published by SPI, is a comprehensive exploration of UFO phenomena and related mysteries. This issue is packed with reviews, personal accounts, and reports from conferences, reflecting a strong interest in skeptical analysis alongside anecdotal evidence.

Book Reviews

The UFO Mystery Solved by Steuart Campbell

Reviewed by Malcolm Robinson, this book challenges many established UFO cases, attributing them to natural explanations like mirages. Campbell's work is noted for its detailed research, though Robinson disagrees with his conclusions, emphasizing that 'probable' and 'likely' are not definitive proof. Cases like Socorro and Livingston are re-examined with skeptical interpretations.

The Turin Shroud is Genuine by Rodney Hoare

Reviewed by Billy Devlin, this book is criticized for its one-sided approach, focusing on evidence supporting the shroud's authenticity while downplaying contradictory evidence. Despite this bias, the review acknowledges the book's thorough research, particularly in its description of carbon dating and the history of the shroud.

Falkirk UFO Conference Report

Malcolm Robinson reports on Scotland's first major UFO Conference held in Falkirk Town Hall. The event was a sell-out, attracting significant media attention. The conference featured lectures by UFO researchers Philip Mantle and Malcolm Robinson himself, as well as performances by the UFO rock band CE IV. The report highlights the popularity of the event and the diverse audience.

Personal Accounts

Susan Young's Experiences

Susan Young shares a lifelong series of strange experiences, starting with lights in the sky at age nine. Her account includes waking with unexplained dirt and scratches, hearing droning noises, seeing apparitions, and experiencing electrical disturbances and time slips. She also mentions speaking in a language she doesn't understand.

Christine Ramsay's 'Bouncing Light'

Christine Ramsay recounts an incident from about 14 years prior where she encountered a 'bouncing light' phenomenon while walking her dog. The light, described as grapefruit-sized and white, hovered and moved towards her, appearing to survey her before disappearing. She questions whether it was a hallucination or ball lightning.

Nassif Isaac's Vision of Jesus

Nassif Isaac describes a profound experience in 1942 Egypt where he awoke to a voice announcing the Nazarene's visit. He then witnessed a figure he identified as Jesus, who held a wooden fork and passed an electric current through his body three times.

Deirdre Morris's Moving Cords

Deirdre Morris reports ongoing phenomena in her home, including moving objects and the formation of string and cords into intricate shapes. She believes these events, which began after her husband's death, may contain a message.

Vivienne Brocklehurst's Encounters

Vivienne Brocklehurst shares experiences of finding fairy houses as a child and later seeing her deceased kitten. She also describes a stem of corn moving inexplicably, suggesting the involvement of unseen spirits.

Magazine and Publication Reviews

The issue includes reviews of several other UFO and paranormal publications:

• IUFOPRA JOURNAL Vol 2 Issue 4: Praised for its informative content on topics like the 'Curse Of Kilakee' and 'The Bible And UFOs'.
• GHOST TRACKERS NEWSLETTER Vol 13 No 1: Focuses on ghost cases and legends.
• ANNALS April/June 1994: A collection of Fortean phenomena, including UFO sightings and weird occurrences.
• UFO REPORTER May 1994: Described as similar to ENIGMAS, featuring UFO cases and Earth Mysteries.
• GEM NO Number Or Date: A professionally produced magazine on Earth Mysteries, UFOs, and crop circles.
• The Ley Hunter: A publication on Ley Lines and earth mysteries, with a minor quibble about the lack of dates on the cover.
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS: A publication by Jenny Randle covering UFO case histories from the British Isles.
• WORLD UFO JOURNAL ISSUE 5 SPRING 1994: Features articles on 'Aliens In Puerto Rico' and alleged UFO crashes.
• SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP NEWSLETTER JUNE 1994: Covers UFO and crop circle related material.
• SKYLINK No's 6 & 7: Features articles on the 'Discovery Space Shuttle UFO Video' and 'Crop Circles for 1993', plus an interview with Jorge Martin.
• UFO TIMES No 30 Jly/Aug 1994: Includes articles on 'Alien Encounters' and 'The Final Secret of Free Energy'.

Update on the Craiglusker UFO Event

Malcolm Robinson provides an update on the Craiglusker UFO photographic case, noting the Ministry of Defence's slow response. He also includes a report from Kirsty Graham detailing strange electrical phenomena experienced in a car near the location, including dimming headlights and radio malfunction.

Loch Ness Submarine Trip

Malcolm Robinson recounts his experience diving in the Loch Ness Submarine. He describes the journey, the submarine's capabilities, and the underwater landscape. While he didn't see 'Nessie', he found the experience memorable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of ENIGMAS demonstrates a commitment to investigating UFO and paranormal phenomena from multiple angles. It balances skeptical analysis, as seen in the review of Steuart Campbell's book, with a willingness to publish personal accounts and reports from conferences. The magazine actively promotes other UFO and paranormal publications, fostering a community of interest. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to check sources and consider various explanations for anomalous events. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of thorough research and the value of both eyewitness testimony and critical evaluation.

This issue of ENIGMAS, dated August-September 1994, is a paranormal and UFO-focused publication. The cover prominently features Sir Arthur Conan Doyle under the headline "Doyle Wasn't Dumb," written by John Lawson, suggesting a re-evaluation of his stance on spiritualism and photography.

Doyle Wasn't Dumb by John Lawson

John Lawson's article challenges the perception of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as a naive believer in spiritualism. Lawson argues that Doyle, who held a doctorate in chemistry, was well aware of the potential for photographic fakery and that his promotion of "FAIRIES" was intended to keep the paranormal subject in the public eye. The article details Doyle's expertise in photography and his involvement with psychic phenomena, particularly his defense of William Hope and his book "The Case For Spirit Photography." It also touches upon the famous Cottingly Fairies photographs, noting that Doyle had written about "The Evidence For Fairies" before seeing these images. Lawson highlights that Doyle's belief in fairies was not considered abnormal in his era and that he was aware that many spirit photos could be subconscious projections of the photographer.

Vehicle Interference Cases

The magazine presents a testimony from Kirsty Graham of Craiglusker Farm, near Dunfermline, Fife, detailing a peculiar incident where her car's radio and electrical systems failed for approximately two minutes. This is presented in the context of the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA) vehicle interference project compiled by Geoffrey Falla in 1979, which documented numerous similar cases. The author, Malcolm Robinson, notes that while natural explanations may exist, such incidents are often associated with aerial phenomena.

The Cottingly Fairies

The article revisits the Cottingly Fairies photographs, taken in 1917 by a 16-year-old girl. These images, which appeared to show fairies, were eventually brought to the attention of E.L. Gardner, who then contacted Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Together, they prepared an article for The Strand in 1920, which was later expanded into the book "Coming Of The Fairies." The article notes the irony that Doyle had already written about "The Evidence For Fairies" for The Strand before learning of the Cottingly pictures.

Annals of the Enquiring

This section provides a brief glimpse into the world of UFOs and the paranormal. It mentions the BUFORA vehicle interference project and the strangeness described by those who experienced it. It also references a "staggering" UFO sighting and subsequent photograph that occurred around the same time as the vehicle interference case.

Physical Mediumship

A small advertisement invites inquiries to The Noah's Ark Society for Physical Mediumship, seeking individuals interested in phenomena such as ectoplasm, levitation, materialisation, and spirit voices.

News Desk

The "News Desk" section covers several brief paranormal and UFO-related items:

• Strange But True: London Weekend Television filmed witnesses to the Bonnybridge UFO wave and interviewed the magazine's editor. Other shows will cover ghosts and premonitions.
• Photos Needed: Brian McMullen (Snr) of the rock group CE IV is requesting photographs taken at the recent Falkirk UFO Conference, offering payment for copies.
• NATO and UFO Research: Eris Andys, a technologies interface analyst, claims NATO has been overseeing UFO research, specifically propulsion systems, for 40 years. With Russia revealing its saucer craft, she suggests a potential merging of terrestrial and alien technology.
• Ministry of Defence Response: SPI is awaiting a response from the Ministry of Defence regarding the Craiglusker Reservoir UFO photograph and the Larbert UFO video, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of information.
• Congress '95: The magazine's representative has been invited to speak at BUFORA's yearly UFO Congress in Manchester, alongside American UFO researcher Dr Leo Sprinkle.
• Livingston Case: The article discusses the famous Robert Taylor UFO case in Dechmont Woods, Livingston, suggesting that the recent experiences of Garry Wood and Colin Wright, involving hypnotic regression and potential abduction, might surpass it in notoriety.
• Weird Television: The BBC is seeking individuals with strange or unusual psychic experiences (ghosts, UFOs, Deja-Vu) for a new TV series.

The Enigmas Crossword

A crossword puzzle compiled by Hazel and Denise Hiley is presented, with the solution to be featured in the next issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, vehicle interference phenomena, and the broader spectrum of the paranormal. There is a clear interest in re-examining historical figures and events within the UFO and spiritualist communities, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to present a more nuanced perspective. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also acknowledging the need for critical evaluation and the possibility of natural explanations or hoaxes. The "News Desk" section indicates a proactive engagement with current events and ongoing investigations in the field.