Sussex Circular - 2000 no 91

Magazine Overview

The Bimonthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond, Issue 91 (July-August 2000)

This issue of The Bimonthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond, edited by Andy Thomas, delves into the phenomenon of crop circles with a strong focus on the events surrounding Silbury Hill in Wiltshire. The cover prominently features the headline "SILBURY HILL: THE HOLE STORY," indicating its central importance. Other key articles and features include "CIRCLES 2000: FULL LISTINGS," "CROP CIRCLE BEER," "KENT CIRCLE INTERACTION," and reviews of the "NASA UFO VIDEO & MICHAEL GLICKMAN BOOK REVIEWED."

Silbury Hill: The Hole Story

The lead article by Michael Glickman discusses the appearance of a mysterious, bottomless hole at the top of Silbury Hill in late May 2000. While English Heritage suggested it was the collapse of a vertical shaft dug in 1776 by the Duke of Northumberland, which was never properly filled but merely plugged, Glickman presents a parallel narrative. This narrative includes sightings of colored lights and anomalous phenomena around Silbury Hill prior to the hole's appearance, suggesting a connection to the 'energies' of the hill. The article also touches upon the historical context of the Duke's excavation and the possibility of a 'plug' failing after two centuries.

Crop Formations 2000: Report #2

Compiled by Andy Thomas, this section provides an extensive listing of crop formations reported in the summer of 2000. It covers numerous locations across England, including:

• Hampshire: Lippen Lane (Warnford), Owslebury, Pack Lane (East Oakley), Stephen Castle Down (Upham), Tichbourne.
• Hertfordshire: Cuffley.
• Kent: Eynsford, Wouldham, Wrotham.
• Leicestershire: Bringhurst.
• Northamptonshire: Wakerley, Market Harborough, Morcott, Seaton.
• Northumberland: Crossbanks (Acomb).
• Oxfordshire: Asthall.
• Somerset: East Compton.
• Bristol Area: Stantonbury Hill, Winsbury Hill.
• Tyne & Wear: Fawdon.
• Wiltshire: Alton Barnes (East Field), Alton Priors (South Field), Bishops Cannings, East Kennett, Lockeridge, Milk Hill, Silbury Hill.

Each entry includes the location, date of report, crop type, a description of the formation's geometry, and sometimes photographic references and details about visibility.

Medway Meditation

Graham Tucker writes about the formation of the Medway Crop Circle (MCC) group in Kent and their attempts to interact with the 'Circlemakers' through group meditation. They developed a logo (Fig. 1) and conducted meditations, hoping for a reciprocal response in the form of crop formations mirroring their logo. Tucker details two such meditations and notes the appearance of formations with similar geometric elements, such as the 'Celtic Knot' appearing near Wrotham, which he believes shares the underlying geometry of their logo.

Reviews

• The Secret NASA Transmissions: 'The Smoking Gun': Reviewed by Sonya Porter, this is a video by Martyn Stubbs featuring alleged anomalous objects filmed from space shuttles. Porter notes the presence of 'foo-fighter' like spherical objects and 'rods,' but criticizes the video for having too much talk and not enough footage. She questions whether the scientific community would accept this as definitive proof of extraterrestrial intelligence.
• Crop Circles by Michael Glickman: Reviewed by Marcus Allen, this book is a rewritten and updated edition covering formations from 1987 to 1999, with new illustrations by Glickman. Allen praises Glickman's understanding of the formations' geometry and sophistication, noting his view that the creators produce "a work of art larger than a jumbo jet."

Crop Circle Beer

Andy Thomas reviews several 'crop circle' themed beers. He discusses a US brewery using barley from crop circle fields and two UK beers: Hop Back Brewery's 'Crop Circle' (a pale ale) and Wychwood Brewery's 'Corn Circle' (an organic amber ale). He notes the Wiltshire connection for Hop Back's beer and the use of Kent-grown hops for Wychwood's, linking them to the crop circle phenomenon.

Letters

This section features correspondence from readers:

• Jack Sullivan discusses the 'Galaxy Legacy' article, focusing on the significance of the number 11, solar storms, and auroras, suggesting a predictive element in crop formations.
• Joan A Good shares her experience with seeing the number 11 repeatedly, linking it to crop circle formations and significant dates.
• Graham Tucker comments on a previous article about an astrogram, mentioning sightings of glowing objects and their potential connection to the planet's energy grid.
• Paul Bura connects crop circles to psychic phenomena and the idea of 'energy lines,' suggesting they are portents of change and possibly linked to the hole in the ozone layer.
• Ann Pedersen muses on the increasing number of crop circles in Kent and their proximity to infrastructure like the Channel Tunnel rail link and ancient sites, questioning if they are rebalancing negative energy.
• Geoff Stray provides a brief note on the 'Great Seal of America' and its potential connection to crop circle geometry.
• Pete Glastonbury dismisses some 'new-aged witterings' as 'Bollox'.

A to Z Of Cerealogy

This humorous glossary defines terms related to crop circles and their study, including 'LAYS' (a term for crop circles), 'LEVENGOOD' (a defensive mantra against skeptics), 'LEYS' (energy lines), 'LIVE TV' (a defunct TV station that covered crop circles), 'LOCKERIDGE' (a geographical area in Wiltshire known for formations), and 'LUMINOSITIES' (lights seen around crop circles).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of crop circles with broader themes of mystery, energy, consciousness, and potential extraterrestrial or unknown intelligence. There's a clear editorial stance that acknowledges the phenomenon's complexity, moving beyond simple explanations of hoaxes. The journal encourages critical thinking while remaining open to unconventional interpretations, as evidenced by the discussions on 'energies,' 'synchronicity,' and the 'Circlemakers.' The recurring emphasis on geometric precision, the scale of formations, and the ongoing debate about their origin suggests a commitment to documenting and analyzing the phenomenon from multiple perspectives.

Title: SC
Issue: 91
Date: July/Aug 2000
Publisher: SC
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of SC magazine features an article titled "cornography" by Michael Glickman, which delves into the phenomenon of crop circles, juxtaposed with observations on military activities and public perception.

Cornography: Crop Circles and Public Perception

Michael Glickman begins by humorously referencing his previous critiques of the military, promising to refrain from mentioning them again unless they cause significant disruption. He notes the increased military presence and artillery exercises on Salisbury Plain, describing the loud bangs that shake local residents' windows. He also touches upon a cost-saving measure by the Navy, which may be using blank shells in firing practice.

Glickman then shifts focus to the crop circle season, noting an "air of courageous acceptance" despite poor weather. He highlights the "triangle-in-the-ring" theme, which he believes is a follow-up to the previous year's Avebury triangle, asserting his conviction that it was not a hoax and that media reports might have been misleading.

He details the remarkable "Windmill Hill formation" that appeared on June 18th, describing it as the most assured graphic expression of three-dimensionality seen in crop circles. On the same day, another 3-D formation appeared on Bishop's Cannings Down, employing standard perspective drawing. Both formations were incomprehensible from the ground but revealed an implied solidity through aerial photographs, with the Bishop's Cannings formation likened to "three starfish clinging to a grapefruit."

The "South Field formation" is also described, noted for its sixteen spokes that narrowed precisely towards the center. Glickman laments that such formations are quickly pronounced hoaxes by what he calls "gullible buffoons" and "glib confidence tricksters," leading to thousands of people being misled.

He recounts an interaction with Farmer Naughton of Bishops Cannings, who, after a seven-fold 'basket' formation appeared in his field, decided to set up an honesty box instead of cutting it out. Glickman visited the farmer to thank him and present a drawing of the formation, which he considered a highly articulate geometrical design. Farmer Naughton, though initially wanting to cut it out, was persuaded by his wife to allow public access. He expressed his belief that the formations were the work of "vandals."

Glickman then proposed to Farmer Naughton that they visit the Wiltshire Constabulary Headquarters to inquire why, given the predictable nature of damage to property within a defined area and season, no arrests have ever been made. Glickman offered to supply names of individuals who claim responsibility and "researchers" who promote them, but the farmer seemed hesitant, leaving Glickman to wonder why.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the mystery and investigation of crop circles, the author's critical stance on the quick dismissal of formations as hoaxes, and a subtle commentary on military activities and their potential impact or comparison to unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance, as represented by Glickman's writing, is one of skepticism towards simplistic explanations and a call for more thorough investigation into the origins of crop circles, while also expressing a degree of exasperation with public gullibility and media sensationalism.