Wild Places - No 3

Magazine Overview

'The Wild Places' No.3 is a quarterly publication focusing on ufology, New Age topics, magick, and fringe publications. This issue, dated implicitly around 1991 based on publication dates of reviewed materials, features a diverse range of articles and reviews, with a strong emphasis on the nature of belief and its role in interpreting extraordinary phenomena.

Contents and Key Articles

Editorial: Talking to Strangers

The editorial, titled 'Talking to Strangers,' posits the 'Myth of Intervention' as a recurring theme in human belief systems. The author argues that people tend to create elaborate narratives around intriguing circumstances, driven by a desire for order and a fear of the unknown. This is illustrated through examples from Christianity, crop circles, and UFO phenomena, where evidence is often secondary to the 'will to believe.' The piece critiques the tendency to seek external validation and intervention, advocating for detachment from belief systems that foster judgment and retribution.

Reviews: Sleeping with the Enemy by David Langford and John Grant

This section features reviews of 'Abduction: the UFO Conspiracy' by David Bischoff, reviewed by Dave Langford, and 'The Alien Tide' by Tom Dongo and 'The Ultimate Deception' by Commander X, reviewed by John Grant. Langford dismisses Bischoff's book as poorly executed fiction, despite its thriller elements and research. Grant, in his review, uses textual analysis to identify 'The Alien Tide' and 'The Ultimate Deception' as potentially fabricated works, criticizing Dongo's book for its unsubstantiated claims about UFOs and Commander X's for its sensationalism and questionable sources, particularly the 'Val Thor' account.

Cross Talk: The Religious Press

This segment critically examines publications from Christian Fundamentalism and the New Age movement. It highlights the 'us vs. them' mentality of Christian Fundamentalism, their paranoia about Satan, and their misinterpretations of paganism and feminism. The review also touches upon a testimony from 'From Occult to Christ,' detailing a personal journey through occult practices and subsequent Christian deliverance, noting the unusual provision of the author's full name and address. The segment also critiques an article from 'Prophecy Today' for its anti-Islamic bigotry.

Belief: A Key to Magick by Phil Hine

Phil Hine's essay argues that magick is fundamentally reliant on a belief system. He contends that the intensity of belief is the crucial factor for magical success, regardless of whether the system is based on traditional history, mythology, or even fiction. Hine uses examples like the Cthulhu Mythos and C.S. Lewis's 'Narnia' books to illustrate how adopting a belief system, even temporarily, can facilitate magical work. He emphasizes the importance of 'veracity of belief' and the ability to be emotionally moved by the chosen system.

News from the Front

This section provides brief reviews of various fringe publications. Notable mentions include the cessation of 'Pagan News' and 'Caveat Emptor,' and the crop circle revelations reported in the 'TODAY' newspaper, which are largely attributed to hoaxing. Reviews of 'Annals of the Enquiring,' 'The Cerealogist,' 'Northern Earth Mysteries,' 'Northern UFO News,' 'Pendragon,' 'The Skeptic,' 'SPI,' 'UFO Brigantia,' and 'The UFO Debate' offer insights into their content and editorial stances. The section also includes 'Late Arrivals' reviews of 'International UFO Reporter' and 'UFO - A Forum on Extraordinary Theories and Phenomena.'

Other Sections

'The Wild Places' also includes a 'Journal Listings' section and a 'Subscription Details' section providing contact information and pricing for the magazine. The issue also features a 'Light magazine, August 1947' excerpt about a witchcraft case and a brief mention of 'The New Age Column' and 'End Times Bulletin.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in 'The Wild Places' No.3 revolve around the critical examination of belief systems, particularly in relation to paranormal phenomena, ufology, and esoteric practices. The magazine adopts a skeptical yet open-minded stance, questioning sensational claims while acknowledging the human need for meaning and explanation. There is a clear critique of unsubstantiated theories, hoaxes, and the manipulative aspects of certain religious and New Age movements. The editorial stance appears to favor critical analysis, intellectual rigor, and a balanced approach to extraordinary claims, encouraging readers to question rather than blindly accept.

This issue of MYSTERY magazine, identified as issue 19 and dated 1991, presents a collection of articles under the broad theme of 'Mixed Messages,' exploring various facets of paranormal beliefs, psychological interpretations, and historical accounts.

Mixed Messages: UFOs, Abduction, and Drama

Martin Kottmeyer contributes two excerpts reflecting on the psychological aspects of abduction fantasies and the broader purpose of drama. He posits that drama, like nightmares, may serve a function in conflict resolution, allowing individuals to process traumatic events metaphorically. He questions why humans seek dramatic fantasy, referencing Kim Newman's survey of horror films. Kottmeyer suggests that drama allows for the editing out of moral ambiguities and guilt associated with real-life traumas, providing an abreactive function, a concept also attributed to Aristotle.

He notes that UFO experiences might also have an abreactive function, citing Nigel Watson's work. However, he cautions against automatic belief, suggesting that abduction nightmares are often filled with elements from known cultural stereotypes, such as the flying saucer mythos and imagery from films and TV shows.

Kottmeyer also revisits the 1947 'flying saucer' phenomenon, proposing that Kenneth Arnold's drawing of his saucers may have been influenced by a drawing of the 'Flying Flapjack' plane featured in Mechanix Illustrated in May 1947, predating Arnold's sighting. This, he suggests, could have shaped Arnold's perception of tail-less craft and led to the expectation of 'flying saucers'.

Psychic News Transformation

A section highlights the transformation of the paranormal newspaper 'Psychic News.' Previously facing financial difficulties, it has acquired new DTP equipment, broadened its content, and improved its overall appearance. The author expresses pleasure at having a monthly column accepted, contributing diverse viewpoints. The article mentions reports of contact and psychic events, including a sequence of physical mediumship displays since 1978. It also notes the impending resignation of Editor Tony Ortzen after 19 years, who plans to return to mainstream journalism.

Reviews

Fire from Heaven by Michael Harrison: Reviewed by Gordon Keast, this book, originally published in 1976 and revised in 1990, deals with spontaneous human combustion (SHC). Keast finds the revision haphazard, with new examples tacked on and patchy reorganisation. He criticizes Harrison's tendency to quote secondary sources, leading to errors, and his diffuse style that attempts to link SHC with various paranormal phenomena like Kirlian photography and telekinesis. Keast is unconvinced by Harrison's attempts to prove links and finds his explanations unscientific. He notes Harrison's bias against 'experts' and his own admission of a lack of scientific training. The review mentions a conspiracy theory involving the CIA microwaving undesirables as a possible explanation for SHC. Harrison offers no final hypothesis, debunking the alcohol theory and suggesting victims are 'no-hopers.' Keast finds Harrison's other contentions, such as the significance of initial letters and links to water, laboured.

FRAGMENTS - Dreams from R'lyeh: This publication from the Esoteric Order of Dagon is described as a chunky, professionally produced A4 collation of Lovecraftian ritual, literature, and art, including reviews of the Necronomicon, poetry, dreams, and a Mythos Tarot.

Circles of Note: A Reader's Guide to the Crop Circle Phenomenon: Compiled by Michael Chorost and published by Dennis Stacy, this is a listing of over 100 books, newsletters, articles, and miscellanea on crop circles. Stacy is praised for sharing knowledge widely.

The Roswell Report - A Historical Perspective: Edited by George M. Eberhart, this 164-page softcover book collates material from the International UFO Reporter, including an introduction and a timeline of the Roswell incident. It features contributions from notable figures in the field.

Love & Money - The New Age Column

The author expresses a generally hostile view towards the New Age movement, finding it annoying due to the perceived arrogance of participants and the emphasis on money. The core proposition is seen as 'now' being a special moment in history, and the New Age believer being special. The author criticizes the concept of being 'chosen' and the idea that people can transform themselves significantly. He draws a parallel between the New Age movement and the historical scandal of indulgences in the Roman Catholic Church, where sins could be purchased. The movement is described as closed, precious, and requiring money to participate, a 'leisure activity for those who have the time and cash to indulge.' The column contrasts this with the reality of social security issues, poverty, and misery in third world countries, viewing New Age fantasies as escapism.

Reviews of New Age publications follow:

• Kindred Spirit: Described as beautifully presented with a dolphin cover, it contains a significant amount of advertising. Editorial content focuses on 'green' issues, cerealogy, and Avebury. It includes a letter about crop circles and an interview with Jonathon Porritt.
• Human Potential - Psychology for Today: A glossy magazine with a broad outlook, featuring an interview with medium Stephen O'Brien and a piece on Radical Affective Education.
• The Rainbow Ark: This publication features a diary of New Age activities in London and an interview with 'Visionary Paul Solomon.'
• Magical Blend: An impressive American magazine with high production qualities, focusing on 'transformation' and featuring lucid content and off-the-wall advertising.

Ego Freakout and The Saucerers of Doom

This extensive article by Martin S. Kottmeyer explores the theme of world destruction fantasies within flying saucer literature. He notes that 85 examples of such fantasies have been identified, ranging from modest spectacles of cities destroyed to the complete ignition or destabilisation of the planet and even the universe. Kottmeyer links these fantasies to the ages-old obsession with apocalypse and suggests they reveal the psychology of doomsaying.

He argues that the mode of destruction varies widely, with common scenarios including fire, ice, floods, tidal waves, continental shifts, and axis tilting. He mentions specific prophets and their predictions, some of which are linked to biblical prophecies or science fiction tropes. Kottmeyer suggests that these fantasies are projections of an internal catastrophe, particularly in individuals prone to paranoia and ego disintegration, often triggered by events that cause shame or humiliation.

The article provides several case studies supporting this interpretation:

1. Kenneth Arnold (1947): His concern about aircraft being used for destruction and his subsequent ridicule by the press, leading to him being seen as a 'moron.'
2. Affa of Uranus via Francis Swan (1954): A prophecy of Earth's end, made shortly after Swan was pressured by Naval Intelligence regarding her alien connections.
3. Dorothy Martin (1954): Her prediction of Chicago's destruction by flood, analyzed by Leon Festinger, which appeared soon after a disappointing experience awaiting a spaceship landing.
4. William Herrmann (1981): An anti-nuclear jeremiad warning of an 'Eternal Firestorm,' written shortly after he was terminated as a church teacher.
5. Whitley Streiber (1986): A vision of the moon exploding and the earth's destruction, occurring after a negative experience at the World Affairs Conference where his alien experiences were met with skepticism and dismissal.

Kottmeyer also discusses the 'Angels' or 'Bowmen of Mons' reports from World War 1, suggesting they are archetypal figures and possibly internalisations of societal crises. He notes that these visions are often traditional figures and not from extraterrestrial sources. He also mentions a 1917 report of 'Peace Angels' at Grays Thurrock.

The article concludes by stating that while apocalyptic visions can be linked to the destruction of native cultures, they can also arise from individual psychological factors, and that the 'needle on Keel's phonograph in the sky is just gonna keep on skipping.'

Journal Listings

A list of publications covered in the magazine is provided, including 'Annals of the Enquiring,' 'The Cerealogist,' 'The Christian Parapsychologist,' 'The Circular,' 'Dark Lily,' 'Earth,' 'The Crop Watcher,' 'Foaftale News,' 'Folklore Frontiers,' 'Fortean Times,' 'Magonia,' 'Northern Earth Mysteries,' 'Northern UFO News,' 'Pendragon,' 'The Skeptic,' 'Strange Phenomena Investigations,' 'UFO Brigantia,' and 'The UFO Debate.'

Saints & Angels

Kevin McClure writes about historical research, focusing on the 'Angels' or 'Bowmen of Mons' from World War 1. He discusses other wartime visions and interventions reported by British and other nationalities, noting that these figures are traditional rather than extraterrestrial. He recounts a Russian vision of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Christ, and the appearance of a 'White Helper' figure, possibly Jesus Christ, who aided wounded soldiers. The article also mentions reports of horses refusing to turn down certain roads, possibly due to unseen barriers, and a dramatic rescue of a boy under German guns, described as a 'golden cloud' with a man on a horse.

Back Issues

Information is provided on available back issues of the magazine, detailing their contents. Issue 1 includes articles on possession, spirit guides, UFO experience, Satanic Child Abuse, and UFO Abductions. Issue 2 covers modern spiritualism, subterranean homesick greys, crop circles, the religious press, and alien contact. A special account of the 'Egryn Lights' from 1980 is also offered.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the psychological interpretation of paranormal phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and apocalyptic fantasies. There is a consistent skepticism towards literal interpretations, favoring explanations rooted in psychology, sociology, and cultural influences. The magazine appears to critically examine New Age beliefs, questioning their commercial aspects and perceived arrogance. The editorial stance leans towards a rational, evidence-based approach, while acknowledging the enduring human fascination with the unexplained and the extraordinary. The issue emphasizes the subjective nature of experience and the potential for internal factors to shape perceptions of external events.