Sussex Circular - 1998 no 72

Magazine Overview

SC, The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond, issue 7.2, dated January 1998, is a 12-page publication focused on the phenomenon of crop circles and related topics such as UFOs and consciousness. The issue features articles by Andy Thomas, Michael Glickman, and others, exploring the symbolism, evolution, and potential meaning behind crop circle formations, as well as media commentary and book reviews.

Articles

The Evolution of Consciousness

This extensive feature, primarily authored by Andy Thomas, delves into the symbolic progression of crop circle formations from the 1980s to the late 1990s. It posits that these patterns may reflect the evolution of human consciousness. The article traces the development from simple circles to more complex designs like pictograms, triangles, spirals, and fractal patterns such as the Mandelbrot and Koch curves. It discusses the symbolism associated with these shapes, drawing on interpretations of ancient wisdom and modern science, including quantum physics and chaos theory. The author highlights the significance of formations appearing near ancient sites and the concept of 'archetypes' as invisible templates for reality. The article concludes that the unity underlying these phenomena suggests that contemplating them aids in the spiritual evolution of humanity.

Red Cape

This investigative report by Andy Thomas details an experience attending a PR event for a new hi-fi shop called The Sony Centre. The event, marketed as a meeting about 'alien technology' and crop circles, attracted significant media attention, including BBC Breakfast News and Meridian ITV. However, the event was revealed to be a marketing stunt, with the 'alien technology' referring to the quality of the Sony hi-fi. The report humorously describes the media's focus on a man calling himself the 'Master of Pendulums', who claimed to communicate with aliens, overshadowing any genuine discussion of the phenomenon. Thomas and his colleagues, Martin Noakes and Marcus Allen, managed to get a brief mention on BBC Breakfast News, but the overall media coverage was sensationalized and played for comedy.

Circles Gallery

This section presents a collection of less familiar crop formations from 1997, with photographs and brief descriptions. Featured formations include a fractal formation in Cuxton, Kent; a 'fried egg' shape in Cosford, Warwickshire; three circles in Sevington, Kent; and a pictogram at West Clandon, Surrey. The 'Flower of Life' formation at East Field, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, is also shown, with a speculative interpretation suggesting it was an abortive collaboration between 'Nordic' ETs and humans.

Cornography

Written by Michael Glickman, this piece humorously recounts an encounter with actor Nicolas Cage at an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles. Glickman offered Cage a crop circle calendar, which was subsequently used by a biker companion to wipe food from his lap. Glickman reflects on the incident, presenting several humorous hypothetical scenarios for Cage's reaction and ultimately admitting to a deliberate mistake in a previous article regarding the 'calendar grid' formation at Etchilhampton, where he miscounted the squares.

Reviews / Plugs

#### Quest For Contact: A True Story of Crop Circles, Psychics and UFOs

This section reviews the book 'Quest For Contact' by Andy Thomas and Paul Bura. The book details a four-year project by crop circle enthusiasts, working with psychic Paul Bura, to attempt to trigger and communicate with crop circle formations. The review highlights the book's narrative of encounters with the uncanny, aerial phenomena, and psychic entities, describing it as a grounded adventure story. The book is available for purchase through various channels, including direct order from Andy Thomas.

#### Mediawatch: New Hoaxer Exposed

This piece by Andy Thomas discusses the integration of crop circles into popular culture, citing their appearance in 'The Beano' comic as a fictional crop circle hoax created by the character 'Roger The Dodger'. Thomas notes that this signifies how crop circles are now a commonly understood concept, even for children. He reflects on how future generations, having grown up with the phenomenon, may react differently to explanations, potentially questioning non-man-made origins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the symbolic and potentially spiritual dimensions of crop circles, suggesting they are more than just random formations. There is a strong emphasis on the idea that these patterns may be linked to the evolution of human consciousness and a deeper understanding of existence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging both the mystery and the potential significance of the phenomenon, while also critically examining media coverage and debunking hoaxes. The publication also highlights the importance of research and the sharing of information within the crop circle community.