Sussex Circular - 1996 no 52

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'SC: The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond', dated May 1996, issue number 52, focuses on recent developments in crop circle research and related phenomena. The cover highlights the internal restructuring of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS), Scandinavian crop formations, and an experiment called 'Project Maxim' involving a man-made formation.

CCCS: Back From The Brink...

This section details the significant internal struggles within the Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS) that threatened its existence. After months of 'bitter in-fighting', the organization was pulled back from the brink of 'squabble-induced self-destruction' through decisions made at a recent Extraordinary/Annual General Meeting. The article explains how proposals for a more open network, including regional representation and democratic election of council members, were put forward by a 'Review Body'. Despite initial resistance and threats of resignation from some council members, common sense prevailed at a meeting held on April 20th in Andover. The passing of the Review Body measures ensured CCCS's continued existence as a valuable society, moving forward with a new era of openness and positivity, though acknowledging potential teething problems.

Scandinavian Formations

This report by Barry Reynolds details the significant arrival of crop circles in Scandinavia in 1995. Prior to this, very few formations had been reported. The first was in Norway towards the end of August, consisting of two circles joined by a 'snake' line. Subsequently, a formation appeared in Holeby, Denmark, on the island of Lolland, featuring a dumbbell shape with a crossed-pathway, measuring approximately 9m in diameter for the circles and 33.6m in total length. Another formation, discovered near Stubberup on the island of Sjælland, Denmark, on July 16th, was described as a 'broken double-ringer' with crop laid clockwise and anticlockwise, measuring 39.95m across. A newspaper cutting from July 15th also reported extensive 'lodging-type damage' in a field in Odsherred, Denmark, which researchers suggested might be non-geometric crop formations rather than simple lodging.

Project Maxim: Experiments With A Man-Made Formation

This report, by Karen Douglas, details the 'Project Maxim' experiment conducted in 1995, involving the construction and examination of a man-made crop circle. The project was initiated because researchers Steve Alexander and Karen Douglas found it increasingly difficult to confidently assess the genuineness of formations without a tested, controlled comparison. The primary goals were to create a formation that would be accepted as 'genuine' by researchers, to monitor its recovery process, and to study environmental effects. The formation was constructed secretly by four team members using simple equipment, taking about an hour. Observations noted the difficulty in flattening young wheat, the effectiveness of light, and the lack of sound disturbance. Subsequent examinations revealed stem damage, bruise-like marks, and a disturbed silvery film on some stems. Nodal bending was observed, partly due to the plants' recovery and re-trampling. The experiment raised questions about the reliability of dowsing and suggested that 'genuine' nodal anomalies should only be sought in very new formations. The project also noted anomalous effects reported by visitors, including a 'trilling' sound and a compass needle spinning, and a strange 'mutation' of a previously visited formation to resemble the Project Maxim one, leading to speculation about formations acting as attractors for energies.

Reports - In The Bleak Mid-Winter

This section covers the Centre for Crop Circle Studies' (CCCS) Winter Lectures held in London during the 1995-96 season. Despite the organization's internal turmoil, the lectures, held at the Friends' International Centre, provided a sanctuary for 'croppies' to gather and discuss the phenomenon. The lectures, under the umbrella title 'A New Turn Of The Spiral', featured several speakers:

• Karen Douglas and Steve Alexander: Presented on their experiences and observations, with Steve Alexander's photographs noted as being of crucial value to research.
• Carole Cochrane: Discussed the possibility that crop circle location place names may hold encoded information through 'lexigramming' and psychic divination.
• Jim Lyons: Spoke about subtle energies, the human mind, and their combined effect on the environment, particularly focusing on energy 'vortices'.
• Andy Thomas: Recounted his experiences with Sussex circle communication experiments.
• John Sayer: Shared amusing tales of crop circle coincidences in his life, including the significance of the number 23 and carpet circles.
• Richard Andrews: A respected dowser, who is reportedly skeptical of most formations post-1991, presented his views.

The lectures were praised for their focus on the phenomenon rather than politics, creating a warm atmosphere. The report concludes by suggesting that the success of these lectures highlights what CCCS can achieve when focused on positive endeavors.

Circles USA 1996

This brief report announces the first US crop formations of 1996, discovered at Laguna Canyon, California. Three shapes were found in scrubland: a 50-foot multi-ringer around a 5-foot circle, a smaller similar design, and a 'Maltese Cross' or 'Medicine Wheel' configuration. The formations, though not ultra-distinct due to the vegetation, were described as reminiscent of the 'heart' formation at Lompoc in 1994, and researchers were enthusiastic about their quality.

Reports - Fingers, Chins And Numbers

This report covers a talk given by Jerome Whitney to a CCCS Sussex branch meeting, focusing on 'Astronumerology' and its application to personal characteristics. Whitney explained how fingers, chins, and birth dates could be interpreted using numbers associated with planets and symbols. He discussed the meanings of fingers (little finger for Mercury, fourth finger for the sun) and how their length and shape could indicate traits like creativity or psychic ability. The session also involved analyzing birth dates, where numbers were circled and summed to reveal personality traits. The audience actively participated, checking each other's features and discussing their interpretations, finding the talk fascinating and Jerome Whitney an enthusiastic speaker.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of rigorous research and open-minded investigation into crop circles, while also acknowledging the phenomenon's potential to challenge existing paradigms. There's a clear editorial stance supporting the continuation of CCCS as a vital organization for crop circle research, despite its internal challenges. The publication also highlights the growing international interest in crop circles, as evidenced by reports from Scandinavia and the US. The theme of distinguishing between genuine and man-made formations is a recurring concern, as explored in 'Project Maxim'. The magazine also touches upon the broader implications of the phenomenon, suggesting it may be an 'awakening' process.