WATSUP Journal - No 4 - 1975

Magazine Overview

Title: WATSUP JOURNAL
Issue: No 4
Date: Spring 1975
Publisher: WESSEX ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA
Price: 15p

This issue marks the transition of the publication from a newsletter to a more ambitious "Journal," reflecting its growth in content and contributor strength. The journal aims to report on UFO sightings and other unexplained phenomena on a local basis, encouraging reader contributions.

Editorial

The editorial highlights the evolving nature of UFO investigation, which now incorporates a consideration of "past legacy" and the works of figures like Alfred Watkins, Guy Underwood, and John Michell. It discusses the emerging theory that UFOs might not be solely extraterrestrial but could be connected to ley lines and ancient pagan sites. This perspective has been explored in recent lectures given to the group, such as "The Geodetic Significance of Stonehenge" and "Good and Evil in Unexplained Phenomena." The editor notes that the journal will feature opinions from speakers of these lectures, including Pete Elbro's review of Gerald Hawkins' "Stonehenge Decoded" and Ron Weighell's expansion on "Good and Evil in Unexplained Phenomena."

Contents

The table of contents lists the following sections: Editorial, Preview of Eggardon Hill, Eggardon Hill Skywatch, Man in Black (front cover), Book Reviews, Articles, and Sighting Reports.

Preview of Eggardon Hill

This article details a visit to Eggardon Hill on April 6th, 1975, by Trevor J. Stafford and Peter A. Elbro. The site, previously mentioned in the January 1975 newsletter, is described as having steep, narrow access roads. The earthworks are extensive, forming a large fortification with concentric banks and ditches. Notable features observed included shallow circular depressions, two oval mounds forming a recognizable face looking skywards, an octagonal ditch formation, and a linear mound and ditch. The area also featured a levelled top resembling an "air-strip." The visit was cut short due to cold weather and fading light.

General Information on the Area (Eggardon Hill)

This section provides practical information about accessing Eggardon Hill. The track is narrow, with steep drops and limited passing places. Parking is scarce and potentially difficult, especially in adverse weather. The ground is muddy due to cattle grazing, making wellington boots essential. Despite initial expectations of seeing only earth mounds, the visitors were struck by the vast scale of the earthworks and the "tremendous atmosphere" of the site, deeming a return visit inevitable.

Eggardon Hill Skywatch

Following a report of a UFO sighting and vehicle interference at Eggardon Hill in September of the previous year, WATSUP organized a skywatch on May 10th, 1975. The event was attended by 18 members. However, adverse weather conditions, including an overcast sky and dense sea mist that enveloped the hilltop, made skywatching impossible. The vigil lasted six hours, but no UFO sightings occurred. Despite the lack of visual phenomena, participants remained in case of "psychic" events, but none were reported.

Man in Black (Cover Picture)

Malcolm Handley recounts an experience on January 21st, 1975, where he saw a figure standing about 8ft tall in his home. The figure, described as male, wore a long black robe with no visible opening. Its face was unclear, but white bushy eyebrows and white hair blown to one side were noticeable. The figure's right appendage was raised, and it then faded out. The entire experience lasted four minutes. Subsequent tests with a Geiger counter showed a normal reading, while dowsing rods initially showed a positive response before becoming negative.

A Similar Encounter

This section draws a parallel between Malcolm Handley's "Man in Black" sighting and a report from the Autumn 1974 issue of the B.U.F.O.R.A. Journal. The earlier report involved an investigator seeing a humanoid figure, possibly female, 5'-5" to 5'-9" tall, wearing a long black "dress" with no visible arms and a featureless face with long blonde-whitish hair. This figure remained motionless and disappeared when the witness looked away. A key difference noted is that Handley's figure moved its head.

Book Reviews

Quicksilver Heritage by P. Screeton

This review by Ron Weighell discusses P. Screeton's book, "Quicksilver Heritage," which explores "the mystic leys - their legacy of ancient wisdom." The book connects ancient site alignments, pagan and oriental myth, occult lore, and practices like Yoga and acupuncture with UFO phenomena. It covers Alfred Watkins' discovery of the ley system, its mystical significance, and its connection to the megalithic era. The reviewer notes Screeton's honest approach, admitting when knowledge is limited and encouraging contributions. The book is praised for providing groundwork and encouragement for those interested in the field, likening it to works by Dion Fortune and Arthur Machen.

Cults on Unreason by C. Evans

This review by Ron Weighell is highly critical of C. Evans' book. The reviewer describes Evans' work as hostile to unorthodox beliefs, using derogatory terms and lacking reasoned argument. Evans is accused of debunking UFO phenomena by selective example, dismissing reports from Warminster as military activity. The review disputes Evans' interpretation of Jung's work on UFOs and criticizes his shallow understanding of Yoga and Gurdjieff's philosophy, suggesting Evans is ill-informed and narrow-minded. The book is deemed overpriced, with its only value being a lesson in the struggle for "scientific respectability."

Stonehenge Decoded by Gerald S. Hawkins

This review discusses Gerald Hawkins' book, which proposes a theory for the original purpose of Stonehenge based on extensive research and computer analysis. The book covers legends and myths surrounding Stonehenge, a history of the site, and the people who constructed it. Hawkins utilized an IBM computer to discover significant alignments of the stones with the sun and moon, including equinox positions and a 56-year eclipse cycle. The review also mentions appendices discussing Callanish and includes a recommendation for the book's illustrations and photographs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs, with ancient history, paganism, and earth energies (ley lines, geodetic force). There is a clear editorial stance favoring a less orthodox, yet still scientific, approach to these subjects, encouraging open-minded investigation and a respect for ancient beliefs. The journal seems to position itself as a platform for exploring these connections, suggesting that the study of the unexplained can lead to a contemplation of mysteries once deemed "occult" and a renewed appreciation for ancient wisdom.

The issue highlights the growing global interest in ufology and related fringe subjects, suggesting that where a minority leads, governments may eventually follow. The editorial emphasizes discerning consistent patterns across phenomena like ghosts, leys, dowsing, and UFOs, linking them to ancient beliefs. The influence of figures like Guy Underwood and their work on geodetic force is noted, along with the potential connections between serpent imagery, geodetic spirals, and ancient myths like Eden and the Hesperides.

Title: U.F.O. DATA
Issue: 9
Volume: 1
Date: September 1975
Publisher: F.S.R. Publications Ltd.
Country: UK
Price: £0.30

This issue of U.F.O. DATA delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena and related esoteric subjects. It features several detailed witness accounts of sightings, alongside an in-depth look at the Theosophical Society and its philosophical underpinnings.

Articles and Reports

Cigar Shape U.F.O. Over Saudi Arabia

This report, authored by Peter Hill, details a sighting by Dominic Peter Old in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August 1973. The object was described as cigar-shaped, with a single light, making no noise, and gliding very fast. It was observed by Dominic, his mother, and brother, and later confirmed by his father, a Hovercraft Commander, who stated it was definitely not a plane. Another couple also reported seeing the same object the following day. The object was later described as "blue-silver" with a light blue tail. The report's evaluation highlights the multiple witnesses, the father's experience with aircraft, the common attributes of the shape and lack of noise, and how the shape eliminates astronomical phenomena, concluding it was a "good sighting, well reported of a genuine unidentified object."

Bell-Shaped U.F.O. Over Gosport in 1965

Authored by Nick Maloret, this article recounts the sighting by Kenneth Williams near Gilkicker Point, Gosport, in early September 1965. Williams, a printer for the Ministry of Defence and keen photographer, observed a large, dull bronze, bell-shaped object with horizontal grooves. It rotated silently and at speed, then slowed down, revealing port holes emitting an intense fluorescent green light. The object appeared to have an inner structure that rotated in the opposite direction, creating a flashing effect. It hovered briefly before tilting away, increasing rotation, and disappearing vertically. The sighting lasted 2-3 minutes. Williams reported no feeling of apprehension, but noted peculiar phenomena such as an echoed tone and the temporary absence of ambient sounds. The report notes that other witnesses may have seen the object, but contact was not possible.

Another Solent Sighting

This report, submitted by Nick Maloret, details a sighting by Stephen Moth on December 16th, 1973, concerning an event in the early summer of 1967. Moth and five friends were fishing at Hayling Island when they saw a white flashing light which they initially mistook for aircraft navigation lights. The light moved towards them, appearing cigar-shaped, white in the middle with grey edges. It flew very low over their heads with no noise and accelerated away towards Portsdown Hill. The sighting lasted 10-15 minutes, and the object's apparent size was equivalent to the full moon as it passed overhead.

U.F.O. With Revolving Lights at Fareham?

This section, also by Nick Maloret, presents two related sightings from January 7th, 1975. Malcolm Handley, driving near Fareham, first saw an object with an exceptional number of lights, passing without noise. Later, he observed it again, noting a horizontal and semicircular row of red lights that seemed to be revolving or flashing in sequence. The object moved from the north-east, circled, and moved towards the south-east. Handley pursued it but lost sight of it. Simultaneously, in Paulsgrove, 15-year-old Trevor Slater and his brother Mark observed a vertical line of about 5 white lights arranged in a semicircle, moving slowly and appearing to revolve around an invisible circular object. The lights were described as red and moving horizontally by Handley, but white and arranged vertically by Slater.

Theosophy and Ancient Beliefs

An extensive article by Lilian Martin explores the Theosophical Society. She recounts her early experiences with the Society, its objects (Brotherhood of Man, Comparative Religions, Unexplained Laws of Nature), and its founders, Madame H.P. Blavatsky and Dr. Annie Besant. The article touches upon the Society's formation in 1875, its headquarters in Madras, and its focus on comparative religions, ancient cultures, and scientific investigation. It discusses concepts like reincarnation, Karma, and the idea of evolution towards perfection. The article also mentions the Theosophical Order of Service and its work in child welfare, education, and animal protection. The author connects Theosophical ideas to ancient pagan traditions, the concept of "orgone energy" described by Reich, and the symbolic significance of the vesica piscis, linking it to concepts of spirit and matter, or empirical and Universal consciousness. The article also references the idea of interdimensional travel as a theory for UFOs and their occupants.

Correspondence and Opinions

Patrick Moore, in a letter responding to an inquiry about UFOs, expresses a lighthearted view, stating that flying saucers are "great fun" but not to be taken too seriously. He acknowledges the existence of UFO believers, Flat Earthers, and astrologers, suggesting that life would be dull without them.

UFO Associations and Recommended Magazines

The issue concludes with a directory of UFO associations and recommended magazines, including Flying Saucer Review, BUFORA (British UFO Research Association), SCAN (Bournemouth Unexplained Phenomena Research Group), Wessex UFO Record, and N.U.F.O.I.S. (Nottingham UFO Investigation Society), providing subscription details and contact information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings with a focus on detailed witness accounts and attempts at rational evaluation. There is a strong undercurrent of interest in esoteric subjects, ancient beliefs, and comparative religion, particularly Theosophy, suggesting a view that UFO phenomena may be linked to deeper, perhaps spiritual or psychological, dimensions of human experience. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation, encouraging detailed reporting while acknowledging the subjective nature of perception and the potential for psychological interpretation.