Sussex Circular - 1997 no 66

Magazine Overview

Title: SC
Issue: 66
Date: July 1997
Price: £1.25

This issue of SC, 'The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond', provides a comprehensive update on crop circle activity in England during July 1997, alongside a report on the first Denver Circle Conference in the USA and ongoing scientific discussions. The cover highlights 'More SCB 97 Photos', 'The First Denver Circle Conference', and 'News On All The Latest Formations'.

Editorial Stance and Personal Reflections

Editor Andy Thomas addresses criticisms leveled against SC for perceived personal attacks, clarifying that the magazine focuses on issues rather than individuals' personal lives. He emphasizes SC's commitment to setting the record straight and defending its stance when necessary, while acknowledging that some early issues might have been too outspoken. Thomas also clarifies a misunderstanding regarding an accusation of SC waging a 'Holy War' against 'Busty Taylor', stating this is untrue and that he has offered Taylor a right of reply. He also apologizes for a scheduling error regarding a TV show and notes the cancellation of 'Dark Skies' in the US.

Crop Circle Reports from England

Devon: Three single circles were discovered on June 15th near Plymouth, appearing in wheat and barley. A bright yellow pulsating light was reportedly seen in the Plymouth area the same night.

Matford Barton, Exeter: A 38' circle with four emanating spurs appeared in oilseed rape around June 25th, in a field previously known for formations in 1991 and 1994.

Oxfordshire: An indistinct classic quintuplet formation was found in young wheat near Abingdon on June 24th.

Warwickshire: A '40 metre' circle with a 'fat ring' was reported near Lutterworth around June 27th.

West Midlands: Several circles with pathways appeared near Sutton Coldfield around June 25th, with digits '9-7' visible below the main complex.

Gloucestershire: A small 9' single circle was discovered near Chedworth, noted for its spiral lay. It was found on land owned by someone connected to UFO researchers but was not initially reported due to its small size.

Hampshire: A formation of three circles in a row, ringed by a perimeter path, was found near Southampton on June 15th. A crude diamond of thin lines was superimposed, linking the circles.

Kilmeston: A quintuplet formation with a ringed central circle, approximately 175' in diameter, appeared in long-eared wheat around June 25th.

Upham, Eastleigh: Three ringed circles, increasing in size and joined together, were discovered on June 15th. A dumbbell formation was also reported in the area.

Wiltshire: A 150' design of three circles linked by a triangular design appeared near Avebury around June 11-12th in barley. The circles were laid clockwise and grew up quickly. Straight lines leading into the central circle appeared later.

Silbury Hill: A single circle in oilseed rape was spotted from the air, located between the hill and the Sanctuary.

Stonehenge: A complex 'snowflake' formation in barley appeared on June 9th, noted for its hexagon and inscribed ice-crystal configuration, following a Fibonacci sequence. This formation is speculated to be related to the controversial Oliver's Castle design from the previous year.

Winterbourne Bassett: An astonishing 202' diameter 'Chinese puzzle' formation appeared on June 1st in barley. The design featured interlocking components with swept flat crop, lacking spiral swirls except in the central circle. A nearby broken down stone circle is noted.

Rumours and Other Reports

Unconfirmed reports mention formations in Cheshire and Surrey, and a double-ringed circle near Newbury. Other potential sightings include Liddington Castle, Danebury Ring, and Chute Mead, though some reported circles at Whittington were identified as fairy rings. The magazine also promises to round up international reports next month. The location of the 'Qabalah' formation is corrected to Burderop Down.

SCB '97 - The Video

Information is provided for purchasing a two-video set of SC's recent 'Sussex Cerealogical Bonanza' event, each 240 minutes long, for £15.00. Orders require several months for delivery.

Denver Circle Conference Report

The First Denver Circle Conference was held in Denver, Colorado, USA, on February 22, 1997. The event featured speakers Ron Russell, John Burke, John Martineau, Michael Glickman, and Stanley Messenger. The conference attracted 194 attendees and aimed to provide insights into crop circles.

Ron Russell opened the conference, expressing his belief that crop circles are a gift and not the work of a single artist. He presented comparisons of formations to other media and symbols, including a Mason's mark and the 'Wheel of Joy' mandala.

John Burke discussed the scientific approach to crop circles, highlighting the work of Dr. Levengood and the potential connection between crop circles and cattle mutilations.

John Martineau presented a historical perspective, showing a 1678 woodcut of a formation and tracing the evolution of designs. He also discussed the Michael line and the significance of Long Barrows in relation to aquifers.

Michael Glickman emphasized the importance of discernment and warned against those who would exploit the phenomenon for personal gain. He demonstrated the mathematics of the golden section and Fibonacci series, suggesting that circles indicate 'mind, intention, and will'. He also discussed circles as 'labyrinths' and 'gateways'.

Stanley Messenger urged attendees to focus on 'what' is happening rather than 'who' is creating the circles. He suggested that the phenomenon is part of a larger process and that humans play a role in it. He also advised attendees to 'breathe' during times of transformation.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion where speakers addressed questions from the audience. Topics included the formation of new ley lines due to electronic pollution and the possibility of humans influencing crop circle creation.

Scientific Research and Theories

Dr. Levengood and John Burke's research suggests that plasma descending from the ionosphere is responsible for crop circles. They highlight that plasma emits microwaves and that certain geological features, like chalk aquifers in England, act as plasma attractors. Their findings indicate that 90% of samples studied showed no results from human-induced effects, suggesting a non-human origin for the majority of formations. They also discussed the 'double blind' method of experimentation and its applicability to exploratory biology.

Yoshi-Hiko Ohtsuki's work on plasma physics is mentioned, with his ability to recreate crop circle-like shapes using plasma experiments. Similar shapes were found scorched on subway walls in Japan due to plasma arcs.

Personal Reflections and Editorial Notes

Michael Glickman expresses his disgust and shame over a new 'logo' for the magazine, which he believes is tasteless and disrespectful, featuring his head grafted onto a woman's body. He questions whether to negotiate with the 'SS Cerealogist' or continue under this new banner.

Glickman also notes the early start to the crop circle season in 1997, with a major formation appearing in mid-April. He quotes two rules from 'Comography's Guidance for the Perplexed Croppie': RULE 161, warning about the unreliability of the internet ('The Web is Full of Garbage'), and RULE 247, stating that anyone claiming a circle is hoaxed is a liar.

He announces that the 50th subscription to SC has been collected in the US, and encourages readers to send a congratulatory postcard to the new subscriber, Aaron Ford.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing reporting of new crop circle formations, the exploration of scientific explanations for their origin, and the community's engagement through conferences and publications. The editorial stance, as articulated by Andy Thomas, is one of critical inquiry and a commitment to addressing issues directly, while maintaining a focus on the phenomenon itself. Michael Glickman's contributions highlight the importance of discernment and the spiritual or personal development aspects of engaging with crop circles. The magazine appears to advocate for a serious, research-oriented approach to crop circles, while also acknowledging the more speculative and philosophical dimensions of the subject.