Sussex Circular

Magazine Overview

Title: Sussex Circular
Issue: 36
Date: December 1994
Publisher: Centre for Crop Circle Studies (Sussex Branch)
Country: United Kingdom
Cover Headline: THE END AND A BEGINNING...

This issue marks a significant transition for the magazine, being the last to be published as 'Sussex Circular' before its rebranding to 'SC'. The editorial by Andy Thomas expresses hope that the new look and technological upgrades (moving from an Actionwriter to DTP) will make the publication more accessible and visually appealing. The change in name reflects the magazine's broader scope, covering national and international crop circle events which now outnumber local Sussex coverage, though the Sussex team remains central.

Editorial and Letters

Andy Thomas's editorial reflects on the magazine's evolution and the positive reception to a previous 20-page survey issue. He also announces the upcoming 'Sussex Cerealogical Bonanza 1995', a major conference with limited places, promising a unique experience for attendees. He concludes with festive greetings.

The 'Letters' section features a contribution from Terry Wilson of Plymouth, Devon, who expresses congratulations on the magazine's content and raises concerns about the Criminal Justice Bill. He highlights clauses 65 and 66, which deal with trespassing assemblies and the power to prohibit gatherings, arguing that these laws could be used to restrict access to crop circle sites and infringe on people's rights.

Mediawatch: TV Times

Andy Thomas provides a critical review of recent television programmes that have covered crop circles. He notes the influence of Reg Presley and his band The Troggs in bringing crop circles to mainstream attention. However, he expresses disappointment with programmes like 'Schofield's Quest' (ITV, 6/11/94) and 'The Magic and Mystery Show' (ITV 10/11/94) for their superficiality and tendency to debunk the phenomenon. Thomas specifically critiques Philip Schofield's investigation, which heavily featured Doug Bower's claims of creating crop circles. He questions the presented timeline of Bower creating a formation in fifteen minutes, pointing out inconsistencies in the televised footage that suggest a longer duration and potentially more people involved than admitted. Thomas also criticizes the programme for not adequately addressing the complexity of many formations and for encouraging criminal damage by suggesting crop circles are easily made.

Features

Sheldrake and the Etheric

Stanley Messenger explores the perceived weakness in Rupert Sheldrake's theories on morphic resonance. Messenger argues that Sheldrake's vulnerability lies in his attempt to explain phenomena rooted in the 'organic' realm using concepts derived from the 'inorganic', and that he doesn't fully engage with the 'etheric' realm as described by Rudolf Steiner. Messenger posits that thinking itself is a form of perception that occurs in the etheric, and that morphic resonance is not a linear, causal event but rather an instantaneous, spatial relationship between etheric entities and manifest forms. He suggests that understanding these concepts requires a shift in mental discipline and an expansion of one's conceptual space, especially as paranormal events become more prevalent.

The Sky is Not the Limit

This report covers a lecture by Uri Geller at Haslemere Hall. The author, Barry Reynolds, expresses initial confusion regarding David Percy's book 'Two-Thirds' but notes the lecture's detailed presentation of concepts related to energy collection and transfer, including the 'Waldark hat' and a spinning concrete disk. Reynolds finds the evidence presented to be largely conjectural. The report then shifts to Uri Geller's talk, describing his youthful appearance and recounting his life history, including early UFO encounters and his interest in psychotronic weapons. Geller's future plans include mediating peace talks and a proposal for a global telekinetic disarmament at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The report also mentions an interaction with Doug Bower, who confronted Geller, claiming responsibility for crop circles since 1978, a claim Geller apparently dismissed.

The McKie to the Future?

Martin Noakes investigates the progress of Richard 'Scott' Mckie and his free energy device, the POD MOD. Mckie is reportedly close to releasing the device, with prototypes and confirmed orders from China and British Columbia. The project's funding is dependent on independent tests, with potential difficulties securing American funding. Mckie plans to set up a manufacturing plant in Scotland and is seeking expertise in 'impedance matching networks'. The article notes the broader context of free energy devices, mentioning a recent Sunday Express article on hydrogen power.

Reports

Half of Two Thirds

This section details a lecture by David Percy, co-author of the book 'Two-Thirds'. The lecture covered concepts of human-generated energy, the 'Waldark hat', and comparisons between Avebury and the Cydonia region on Mars, suggesting geometrical similarities. Percy also presented a calculation linking the dimensions of Stonehenge to the Earth's equator. The lecture received mixed reactions, but the quality of the slides was praised.

City Glickers

Andy Thomas reports on the resurrected Winter Lectures, featuring Michael Glickman. Glickman presented his analysis of crop circle geometry, focusing on the 'Froxfield Flower' and the 'Web' at Avebury. He highlighted the precise, non-linear design of these formations, arguing against simple hoax explanations. Glickman also discussed links between the Avebury Web and the 1993 Bythorn Mandala, noting a shared ten-fold geometry. The report mentions John Martineau's corroboration and the audience's engagement, despite some finding the technical details challenging.

Trivia: Randles Scandals

This brief news item reveals that ufologist Jenny Randles was originally born Christopher Paul Randles, having undergone a gender transformation in 1976. The article notes that this information was previously reported in the Sussex Circular.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Sussex Circular maintains its critical stance on media portrayals of the paranormal, particularly crop circles, emphasizing the need for deeper investigation beyond superficial debunking. The magazine champions alternative theories and research, as seen in the discussions on Sheldrake's morphic resonance and Glickman's geometrical analysis of crop circles. There is a clear interest in exploring phenomena that challenge conventional scientific paradigms, including free energy and psychic abilities. The editorial stance encourages readers to think critically and independently, as evidenced by the critique of media narratives and the promotion of in-depth research and conferences like the Sussex Cerealogical Bonanza.