Wild Places - No 6

Magazine Overview

Title: The Wild Places
Issue: 6
Date: November/December 1992
Publisher: The Wild Places
Country: England
Language: English

This issue of 'The Wild Places: The Journal of Strange and Dangerous Beliefs' presents a collection of articles exploring paranormal phenomena, spiritualism, ufology, and the nature of belief. The cover features a stark orange background with the title and a black and white illustration of a figure in a four-poster bed.

Contents

The issue includes a diverse range of articles:

• Talking to Strangers - Editorial by Kevin McClure
• The Way Home by Tom Harrison
• End Times Bulletin
• The Endless Encounter by Kevin McClure
• News from the Front - Abstracts and Reviews
• Censorship and Belief by Catherine Groves
• Cross Talk - The religious press
• UFO Witnesses and Fantasy Proneness by Tom Ruffles

Editorial: Talking to Strangers

Kevin McClure, the editor, begins by reflecting on the human desire for certain beliefs to be true, particularly the possibility of physical materialisation mediumship. He discusses the activities of the Noah's Ark Society (NAS) and a controversial incident involving a medium named 'Lincoln' who was allegedly caught holding a trumpet while supposedly bound. The NAS's explanation of a 'mischievous earthbound spirit' named Daniel is met with skepticism.

The Way Home by Tom Harrison

This article recounts a fascinating investigation initiated by a spirit communication. Tom Harrison describes how a voice, identifying itself as James Andrew Fletcher, a boy who died at age 12 in 1941, contacted a spiritualist circle. Harrison's subsequent search led him to James's parents in Haverton Hill, England. Through a series of questions, he confirmed James's identity and the circumstances of his passing. The article highlights the emotional reunion of the Fletcher family with their son's spirit, facilitated by the mediumship circle, and the 'bright light' that served as a beacon for lost spirits.

End Times Bulletin

This section reflects on the growing interest in eschatological themes, particularly as the year 1999 approached. The author notes that current global crises, economic instability, and the rise of New Age thinking contribute to this fascination. The bulletin calls for contributions of relevant news, cuttings, and ideas to document end-times events.

The Endless Encounter by Kevin McClure

Kevin McClure argues that the field of ufology has reached a critical juncture. He contrasts UFOs with mundane objects like buses, highlighting the lack of concrete, verifiable data for UFOs. McClure suggests that the focus should shift from identifying physical objects to investigating the memories and subjective experiences of witnesses, drawing parallels with historical accounts of religious experiences. He posits that cultural and social factors play a significant role in shaping these perceptions, and that the study of 'religious experience' offers a more fruitful avenue for understanding these phenomena than traditional UFO investigation.

News from the Front - Abstracts and Reviews

This section provides brief reviews of various paranormal and esoteric publications:

• Ancient Skies (Nov/Dec 1992): Features articles on ancient astronauts and Thracian monuments.
• Anomaly (ASSAF Journal): Covers coincidences, EVP, and mediumship.
• Cambridge (Ontario) UFO Research Group Newsletter (Dec 1992): A substantial issue with reports, clippings, and cartoons.
• Catastrophism & Ancient History: Explores the implications of Velikovsky's work.
• The Cereologist (Harvest 1992): Discusses crop circles, with a shift towards other phenomena like 'luminous orange globes' and 'trilling'.
• Christian New Age Quarterly (Oct-Dec 1992): A journal covering a range of spiritual topics.
• Christian Parapsychologist (Dec 1992): Includes articles on Psychic News and the Noah's Ark Society.
• Cosmology Newslink: An international magazine focusing on UFOs and related subjects.
• The Crop Watcher (Issues 12 & 13): Praised for its objective reporting on crop circles and its editor's commitment to factual analysis.
• Dear Mr Thoms - A Folklore Miscellany (Nov 1992): Explores folklore related to Chesterfield, Satanism, and other unusual topics.
• Delve (No.7): Features articles on UFOs, underground life, and secret aircraft.
• Earthquest News (Vol.2, No.2): Reviewed in relation to 'The Circlemakers'.
• Elsewhen (No.13): Covers haunted airfields, Japanese monsters, and includes a crossword.
• Far Corner - The Bulletin of Obscure Research (Vol.1, No.5): A conspiracy-focused journal with contributions from notable figures.
• Far Out - The Unexplained, The Unusual and the Unreal: A glossy magazine from the USA, featuring topics like 'Killer Cults' and UFO hybridization.
• Fate Magazine: A consistently worthwhile read with regular columnists.
• Flying Saucer Digest (No.118/119): Features sighting reports and cryptozoology.
• Foaftale News (No.26): Praised for its articles on urban legends, Satanism, and child abductions.
• Folklore Frontiers (No.17): Focuses on the study of 'urban legends' and their connection to UFO abduction scenarios.
• Foresight (Jan-March 1993): Covers fringe science and paranormal subjects.
• Fortean Times (Issues 64, 65 & 66): Continues to improve with major articles and investigations.

Censorship and Belief by Catherine Groves

This article, mentioned in the context of the Christian New Age Quarterly, likely explores the relationship between belief systems and the suppression or control of information.

UFO Witnesses and Fantasy Proneness by Tom Ruffles

This piece examines the psychological characteristics of UFO witnesses, particularly the concept of 'fantasy proneness' and its potential influence on their reports and beliefs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of the unexplained, the nature of belief, and the challenges of investigating paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly from Kevin McClure, appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging a move beyond simplistic explanations and towards a more nuanced understanding of subjective experience and its cultural context. There is a clear interest in spiritualism, mediumship, and ufology, but with a critical eye towards evidence and methodology. The 'News from the Front' section indicates a broad interest in various fringe publications and research areas within the paranormal community.

This issue of 'Wild Places' (Issue 5) is a compilation of reviews of various paranormal and UFO-related magazines, primarily from late 1992. The magazine itself appears to be a UK-based publication focused on providing a critical and informed perspective on these subjects.

Reviews of Paranormal and UFO Magazines

The bulk of the issue is dedicated to detailed reviews of numerous magazines, offering insights into their content, editorial quality, and the perspectives they present. These reviews cover a wide spectrum of topics within the paranormal and UFO fields:

• THE GATE (Oct.1992 & Jan.1993): Praised for its short, informative pieces on anomalies, including spirit communication, crop circles, mutilations, Bigfoot, and aliens.
• GHOST TRACKERS NEWSLETTER (Oct.1992): Noted for its quality, first-hand investigation reports on ghosts, with reviews of relevant books.
• GLOUCESTERSHIRE EARTH MYSTERIES No.14: Described as beautifully designed and produced, with a provocative and intelligent range of material on local mysteries, including features on Gloucs leys, the Midhurst Triangle, and an interview with a Wessex Sceptic.
• INFO Journal No.67 (Oct.1992): Seen as having improved greatly, with perceptive editorial comments, well-chosen letters, and good features. It includes articles on 'A Church Alignment in Worms, Germany', 'UFOs reconsidered as a Fortean Phenomenon', and items relating to Charles Fort.
• INSIGHT Exploring the Occult No.41: A long-standing British occult/magick magazine featuring contributions from William Gray, Israel Regardie, and Dion Fortune, with contact ads.
• INTERNATIONAL UFO LIBRARY MAGAZINE Vol.1. No.3: A large, glossy US import with an elegant cover. While it contains some 'deluded UFO items' like 'Reticulian Extraterrestrials Misjudged' and discussions on Gulf Breeze and crop glyphs, the reviewer notes that 48½ pages are dedicated to advertising, suggesting profit as a prime motivation.
• INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER (July/August 1992): The lead article focuses on UK crop circles. The issue also features an editorial and an article by Randle/Schmitt critiquing claims made by Gerald Anderson and Stanton Friedman regarding the 'UFO Crash on the Plains of San Augustin'. It also includes discussions on abductions by John E. Mack and David A. Gotlib.
• JOURNAL OF BORDERLAND RESEARCH (Nov-Dec 1992): An interesting and professional issue, featuring an article on Chaco Canyon, 'Recording Telluric Signals', and 'Astronomical Correlations found in Crop Formations'.
• KINDRED SPIRIT (Winter 1992): Described as mostly glossy advertising and 'New Age taradiddle', but with illustrations of 1992 crop circles. It includes a report detailing an invisible force creating a dense grass pillar that moved and formed a circle.
• THE LEY HUNTER No.117: The reviewer notes receiving a rude letter after a previous review. This issue contains material supporting 'Spirit Line theory' and an article linking AIDS with voodoo and zombieism.
• LIGHTEN UP! (No.5): A genuine and cheering collection of channelled material offering guidance on intuition and planetary stewardship.
• LOBSTER No.23: Described as Britain's finest conspiracy/para-politics journal. This issue includes contributions from Armen Victorian on 'U.S. Army Intelligence mind control experiments' (LSD use on subjects) and a review that suggests much of Tim Good's 'Alien Liaison' has no factual basis, based on contact with a US Admiral.
• MAGONIA (October 1992): An important issue featuring Martin Kottmeyer on UFO hostility in the Fifties, Thomas E. Bullard on abduction reports, and Dennis Stacy's 'Alien Abortions, Avenging Angels', which attempts to answer the 'why' of abduction.
• MERCIAN MYSTERIES No.13: Now A4 format, this issue is praised for its focus on alternative studies of place and time, avoiding 'New Age' confusion. It includes contributions from the editor, Bob Trubshaw.
• MEYN MAMURO No.19: A magazine for those interested in Cornwall's earth mysteries, covering real events, and issues like the absurdity of a farmer uprooting a standing stone and problems with access to St. Nectan's Glen.
• THE MISSING LINK (June-October 1992): A quality US glossy that covers UFO material, including sighting reports and 'internal experiences'. The October issue highlights 'Close Encounter in Russia'.
• MUFON UFO JOURNAL (Sep & Oct 1992): A high-quality monthly journal edited by Dennis Stacy. The September issue covers Budd Hopkins' claim that two men saw a UFO abduct a woman in New York City, with police or CIA bodyguards present.
• PAGAN NEWS (No.35): Described as an unusually serious/mainstream issue with limited 'incisive zaniness'.
• PEGASUS (Journal of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena): Features articles on 'UFO Abduction Phenomena and Temporary Schizophrenia' and 'rictograms'.
• PENDRAGON (Nos.22 & 23): Includes an article on 'What Merlin Means to Me' and 'What Mankind Means to Me'.
• PERCEPTIONS (Issues 1 & 2): A brief, nicely presented monthly from Texas, focusing on psychic skills.
• PSI REVIEW (Summer 1992): A Californian magazine offering intelligent and approachable material on ghosts, crop circles, and Spirit Guides.
• PSYCHIC READER (October 1992): A newspaper-format publication with a wide collection of articles on channelling, healing, transformation, meditation, and UFO content.
• QUEST (No.91): Described as an appealing, very British pagan/wicca magazine, committed to a caring and concerned lifestyle.
• SAUCER SMEAR: An invaluable source of news and information on ufology.
• THE SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL NETWORK NEWSLETTER (No.50): A mix of features, correspondence, and reviews on philosophy, religion, esotericism, and transformation.
• SHAVERTRON (No.28): A look at the 'Shaver Mystery' concerning beings living beneath the earth.
• THE SKEPTIC (July/Aug & Sep/Oct 1992): Praised for its sound and intelligent criticisms of anomalous powers and phenomena, including a two-parter on 'Physics in the New Age'.
• THE STAR BEACON (Oct & Dec 1992): Features 'unusually fresh and first-hand' UFO sighting and contactee material.
• STRANGE PHENOMENA INVESTIGATIONS ENIGMAS (Nov/Dec 1992): A varied issue with an account of the Sheffield Conference and an attempt to explain the 'Dance of the Sun' at Fatima.
• THE UFO DEBATE (October 1992): Features articles on ufology and research into 'Artificial Intelligences' by Robert France.
• UFO MAGAZINE (Sep/Oct 1992): Lively and engaging, with a potentially important story by Armen Victorian on the MJ-12 story and alien government cooperation.
• UNICUS (Vol.2. No.2): A fascinating magazine covering extremes of the subject, with features on ancient Egyptian cities, dolphins, alien ships, and Jesus.
• VOICES FROM SPIRIT (November 1992): A challenging and original US Spiritist magazine with an interview with the Spirit of the Comte de Saint-Germain.
• WOOD & WATER (Winter 92/93): An intelligent magazine for pagans, with material on the Satanic Abuse Debate.
• WORLD UFO JOURNAL (No.1): Compiled by Edward Harris, featuring items on Roswell, crashed UFOs, and other pieces, mostly reprints.
• WOULD YOU BELIEVE? (No.42): A good read with features on Howard Menger and other unusual pieces.

Censorship and Belief by Catherine Groves

Catherine Groves, Editor of the Christian - New Age Quarterly, discusses the distinction between censorship and editing. She argues that publishers have the right to choose what they publish, but that rejecting material that contradicts a publisher's philosophical premise can be a form of censorship. Groves emphasizes the need for sensitivity to diverse viewpoints, particularly in a publication aiming for dialogue between Christians and New Agers. She prefers opinions stated as opinions rather than facts, especially when dealing with religious or spiritual belief. The article uses the example of translating the Bible and the NRSV's gender-neutral approach to illustrate how cultural perspectives can influence texts. Groves also recounts an experience with an author who threatened legal action if his work was criticized, highlighting the complexities of editorial decisions and the potential for authors to perceive any negative feedback as censorship.

UFO Witnesses and Fantasy Proneness by Tom Ruffles

Tom Ruffles explores the psychological status of UFO witnesses, noting a division between ufologists who see them as 'normal' and those who believe they are poorly socialized and prone to fantasy or hallucinations. The article discusses the concept of 'Fantasy Prone Personality' (FPP), which is linked to hypnotisability, imagination, and suggestibility. Research by Wilson & Barber, Lynn & Rhue, and Ross & Joshi is cited, suggesting a correlation between fantasy proneness, childhood trauma, and paranormal beliefs. Bartholomew et al.'s study of contactees found a high prevalence of fantasy proneness. The article questions the purpose of medical examinations in abduction accounts, suggesting they could be simulated or that the experiences might be fantasies. It concludes that while FPP may be a significant factor, the aetiology of fantasy proneness needs further exploration, cautioning against reductionist explanations.

Cross Talk

This section briefly touches upon several disparate topics:

• Right-wing Christian books: A critique of books promoting a ministry of financial prosperity, suggesting a zero-sum game where God's blessings for believers come at the expense of others.
• Alpha magazine (Jan.1993): Discusses the magazine's agonising over miracles and Hell, and the shift towards belief uninformed by scripture. It also touches on the concept of healing and the interpretation of Revelation, noting a 'marketing' element among preachers.
• UFO Witnesses and Fantasy Proneness: This is a summary of the main article by Tom Ruffles, reiterating the key points about the psychological status of witnesses and the role of fantasy proneness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical review of paranormal and UFO literature, with a particular emphasis on psychological explanations for reported phenomena. The editorial stance, as exemplified by Catherine Groves' article, leans towards a nuanced approach that distinguishes between genuine editorial judgment and undue censorship, advocating for clarity between belief and fact. The issue also demonstrates a skepticism towards profit-driven publications within the UFO field and a critical examination of the psychological underpinnings of belief in paranormal experiences, particularly UFO sightings and abductions. The reviews collectively suggest a landscape of paranormal publishing that ranges from serious research to sensationalism and commercialism.

This document is the cover of a 32-page illustrated booklet titled "VISIONS OF BOWMEN AND ANGELS". It focuses on "The true story of the Angels of Mons, and other visions of World War I". The booklet is available for purchase for £2, with an airmail price of $4.

Ordering Information

The booklet can be obtained from Kevin McClure, who resides at 42 Victoria Road, Mount Charles, St. Austell, Cornwall, FL25 4QD, ENGLAND. The publication is described as a 32-page illustrated booklet.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The central theme revolves around historical accounts of supernatural or unexplained phenomena during World War I, specifically mentioning the "Angels of Mons" incident. The tone suggests a factual presentation of these "true stories" and "visions."