Sussex Circular - 2000 no 88

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE BIMONTHLY JOURNAL OF CROP CIRCLES AND BEYOND, issue number 88, dated January-February 2000, is published by Southern Circular Research (SCR) and edited by Andy Thomas. The cover features a prominent illustration of a crop circle formation, with headlines highlighting key articles such as 'REASSESSING THE ECLIPSE PICTOGRAM', 'CIRCLE DETECTIVE GOES A.W.O.L.', 'PHOTO ANOMALIES DEFENDED', 'LATEST BOOKS & VIDEOS REVIEWED', and 'OVERSEAS FORMATIONS 1999'. The price is £2.00.

Editorial and Personal Notes

Editor Andy Thomas opens the issue with reflections on the turn of the millennium, noting the absence of the predicted Millennium Bug effects and looking ahead to the May 5th planetary alignment. He acknowledges a couple of errors in the previous issue's calendar reviews and welcomes Michael Glickman back to England. Thomas highlights that SC is now eight years old and continues to influence the research community, encouraging submissions from readers.

The Detective's Disappearance

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the mysterious disappearance of a private detective hired by Colin Andrews to investigate crop circle hoaxers. The detective, funded by Laurance Rockefeller, reportedly uncovered evidence of unexplained money entering the accounts of alleged circlemakers. However, communication suddenly ceased, and the detective refused to share findings, leading to rumors of a payoff. Colin Andrews confirms the agency's communication breakdown and states that the contract was terminated. He clarifies that his investigation's objective was to discover who was making crop circles, not to engage in legal proceedings.

Overseas Formations 1999

This section provides a comprehensive list and description of crop circle formations reported globally in 1999. It notes a significant increase in formations in Canada, possibly due to increased research activity. Examples are detailed from Australia (Karoonda), Canada (Acadia Valley, Ardmore, Christopher Cross, Conquest, Edmonton, Hagersville, Lowville, Midale, Neilburg, Viscount, Weyburn), the Czech Republic (Bohuslavice, Kasovice, Krinec, Jindrichovice, Mokrosuky, Novy Jicin, Ruda, Vestec), Germany (Borchen, Burghasungen, Dorla, Ehlen, Gut Rangen-Zierenberg, Lindau), Israel (Betlekhem Hagalili), and the Netherlands (Beek, Berkel-Enschot, Eijs, s'Heerenberg, Hoeven, Nieuw Vossemeer, Nieuwerkerk, Schermerhorn, Sevenum, Wieringerwerf, Zeddam, Zeddamse Weg, Zutphen). Peru is also mentioned with formations at Cinochero and Lindera. The USA section covers formations in Tennessee (Brentwood), Washington (Cottonwood Canyon), and Minnesota (Hamel, Verona).

Reviews

Book Reviews

• Crop Circle Year Book 1999: A Pictorial Tour of Crop Circles and Their Landscapes by Steve Alexander & Karen Douglas is reviewed by Andy Thomas. Thomas praises the book's visual presentation and comprehensive coverage of 1999 formations, though he notes its focus is primarily on Wiltshire and Hampshire, with limited mention of international formations. He compares it favorably to a 'Beano comic annual' for its visual appeal and treasure-like quality.
• Crop Circles: The Greatest Mystery of Modern Times by Lucy Pringle is reviewed by Marcus Allen. Allen describes the book as a timely and valuable historical record, covering Pringle's 10 years of research. He highlights its personal and scientific accounts, witness testimonies, and extensive photographic content. The review notes Pringle's critical stance on media reporting of crop circles.

Video Reviews

• Crop Circles - The Research by Bert Janssen is reviewed by Jason Porthouse. Porthouse describes it as a well-packaged and informative documentary, covering various aspects of crop circle research, including anomalous substances and the work of the BLT Research team. He finds it enjoyable and informative, even for experienced 'croppies'.
• Crop Circle Update 1999 by Chris Everard is also reviewed by Jason Porthouse. Porthouse finds this video to be epic in length (three hours) but ultimately too long and unfocused, with uncut interviews and poor sound quality. He notes that while it features many 1999 formations and has good music, it fails to hold attention effectively.

Features and Letters

Legendary Landscapes: Secrets of Ancient Wiltshire Revealed

This book review by Andy Thomas discusses JD Wakefield's book, which explores the pagan history and landscape of the Vale of Pewsey and Avebury. While acknowledging its insightful research, the review notes the surprising absence of any mention of crop circles, despite the authors' previous involvement in the field.

A-NOT-ECLIPSE NOW

Doug Rogers offers an alternative interpretation of the 'Middle Wallop' formation from May 2nd, 1999. He argues that the design, with its nine elements, does not depict the August 11th solar eclipse but rather relates to the passage of Comet Lee. Rogers analyzes the visual cues in the formation, suggesting it conveys movement and a change in appearance, possibly linked to solar flare activity or Comet Lee's trajectory.

Letters to the Editor

• Glickers Jitters: A letter from Colin Andrews in Connecticut addresses a previous letter from Michael Glickman regarding the 'Oliver's Castle' video. Andrews confirms the breakdown in communication with his hired detective and discusses the complexities of investigating alleged hoaxes.
• Not So Negative Negatives: David and Beryl Holyoake from the USA respond to a comment about light anomalies in a previous issue's calendar, suggesting that assumptions about causes should be avoided. They also reiterate their stance on the proper Millennium date being 2001.
• Porn Circles: A brief, humorous letter from Geoff Hinton in Godalming, Surrey, makes a lighthearted inquiry.

Cerealogy Glossary Entries

Several entries from 'Danny Sotham's A to Z Of Cerealogy' are included, defining terms such as 'I-SPY', 'ICE CIRCLES', 'INDIAN TRACKING SKILLS', 'THE INFORMER', 'INFRA-RED PHOTOGRAPHY', and 'INSECTOGRAMS'. These entries offer a satirical and critical perspective on crop circle research terminology and methodologies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the ongoing mystery and global nature of crop circles, while also critically examining research methods, media reporting, and alleged hoaxes. There's a clear stance against sensationalism and a call for rigorous, evidence-based investigation. The journal encourages reader participation and aims to provide a platform for diverse viewpoints within the crop circle community. The editorial tone is generally informative and analytical, with a touch of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a preference for detailed reporting of formations and research findings.

Title: Cornography
Issue: SC 88
Date: Jan/Feb 2000
Publisher: Colourfast
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue features a column by Michael Glickman, who has returned to live in Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, after spending time in California. He expresses a desire to spend the next hundred years in England, focusing on his health and continuing to write and lecture. The column touches upon his return to the UK, his reflections on his time in California, and his current focus on the Wiltshire area, known for its mysterious phenomena.

Column: Michael Glickman

Glickman begins by detailing his return to Wiltshire and his intention to reside there for an extended period. He acknowledges the productivity of his years in California but states that his health crisis last summer prompted a return to be closer to family and the circles themselves. He plans to continue writing and lecturing, with potential visits to the US for talks.

He comments on the disruptive noise from military exercises on Salisbury Plain, contrasting it with the 'mysterious, beautiful and optimistic events' that can be witnessed in the area. Glickman posits that this juxtaposition serves as a reminder of choice and freedom of thought on Planet Earth.

A significant portion of the column is dedicated to Glickman's critique of Colin Andrews and Peter Sorensen. He refers to a challenge he issued to them (mentioned in a letter on page 7) to view the Everard Oliver's Castle analysis footage and comment on it. Glickman believes this is important and reiterates his stance. He states that Andrews and Sorensen conducted a 'strident debunking' of the Oliver's Castle video, a move that carries responsibility. He accuses them of 'polluting public awareness' with efficiency akin to CIA spin doctors and insists they must acknowledge their obligations to defend their position. Peter Sorensen has not responded, while Colin Andrews, according to Glickman, continues to reiterate 'irrelevant detective, confession, Japanese film-crew nonsense,' failing to engage with the core question of commenting on new evidence.

Glickman expresses his frustration with Andrews' reply, which he finds 'amusing, exasperating and, as always, superficial and evasive.' He notes that while he has not yet been called a 'bloody a**hole,' he has been labeled 'not a rational person,' questioning what he needs to do to achieve such a status, presumably by agreeing with Colin.

He then broadens his commentary to discuss the human tendency towards fear and paranoia, particularly in the context of the millennium. Glickman describes a powerful industry in America that capitalized on fear, predicting widespread shortages and societal breakdown. He notes that despite the 'hollow fraud' of these predictions, many people were genuinely scared and are now considering their future, with no apologies offered or expected.

Glickman draws a parallel between this manufactured fear and the appeal of 'fearful tales' and 'scary myths,' suggesting that the human need to be scared makes storytellers of paranoia perpetually successful. He advises crop circle students to keep this in mind.

Reflecting on Wiltshire, Glickman notes how the area has become familiar and comforting through summer visits, likening it to beloved childhood holiday spots. He mentions that every road passes fields that have hosted significant formations or gatherings, suggesting each field carries a message.

He describes the winter landscape of Wiltshire, contrasting the green or gold of summer with the 'white of vigorous frost' that melts by lunchtime. He mentions Silbury Hill being virtually encircled by a frozen moat. A 'Millennial surprise' from Devizes Town Council is also noted: a new white horse, the eighth, has been cut into the hill overlooking Roundway.

Glickman concludes with an optimistic outlook, stating, 'The fields are pregnant. We are in for another amazing year.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue, as presented through Michael Glickman's column, include the critical examination of UFO and crop circle investigations, media analysis, and the psychology of belief and fear. Glickman adopts a skeptical yet open-minded stance, advocating for rigorous engagement with evidence and criticizing what he perceives as superficial debunking or sensationalism. He highlights the human susceptibility to fear-mongering and suggests that genuine inquiry requires a willingness to consider new data, rather than relying on pre-existing narratives or dismissive tactics. The editorial stance appears to encourage critical thinking and a direct confrontation with evidence in the study of unexplained phenomena.