Wild Places - No 7

Magazine Overview

Title: The Wild Places
Issue: 7
Subtitle: The Journal of Strange and Dangerous Beliefs
Publisher: Pregnant Elephant Press, Mount Charles, Cornwall, England.

This issue of The Wild Places, number 7, is subtitled 'The Journal of Strange and Dangerous Beliefs' and is published by the Pregnant Elephant Press. It features a range of articles exploring paranormal phenomena, conspiracy theories, and the nature of belief.

Contents

The issue includes the following articles:

• Shaman Disgrace by Kevin McClure (Page 2)
• Talking to Strangers - Editorial (Page 8)
• Conspiracies by Robin Ramsay (Page 9)
• Through A Glass, Darkly by Mervyn Gale (Page 14)
• What Really Happens? by Frank Dineen (Page 18)
• News From The Front - Abstracts and Reviews (Page 20)
• False Memory Syndrome by David Gotlib M.D. (Page 30)
• End Times Bulletin (Page 35)
• Cross Talk - the religious press (Page 36)

Shaman Disgrace by Kevin McClure

Kevin McClure's article, 'Shaman Disgrace,' critically examines the modern resurgence of interest in shamanism. He argues that the 'lost knowledge' hypothesis, which posits that ancient wisdom has been rediscovered, has been commercially exploited. McClure questions the objective assessment of psychic powers and healing abilities attributed to modern shamans, suggesting that much of it is framed within social anthropology or mysticism. He discusses Paul Devereux's work, 'Shamanism and the Mystery Lines,' which attempts to link ancient shamanism with modern claims and reinterprets ley-line theories. McClure expresses skepticism about the 'spirit line' theory, which posits that landscape lines are essentially spirit lines connected to shamanic flight. He also voices reservations about the use of hallucinogenic drugs in achieving shamanic experiences, citing personal experiences of friends suffering severe consequences. McClure is particularly critical of the concept of 'out-of-body experience' (OOBE) as a parallel to shamanic experience, questioning its objective reality and noting that even proponents like Sue Blackmore deny that anything left the body. He concludes that theories based on the objective reality of OOBEs are likely to be short-lived. The article also touches upon Andy Collins and his 'psychic questers' who view the earth as a shamanic landscape, engaging in occult experiences and quests, often based on information from psychics or serendipity.

Talking to Strangers (Editorial)

The editorial, 'Talking to Strangers,' by the Editor (Kevin McClure), discusses the nature of his post and correspondence, which often includes packages from UFO organizations. He notes that his post is rich and varied, a mixture of final demands and materials from UFO groups worldwide. McClure has been gathering material for the first issue of 'Alien Scripture,' a magazine investigating contact with Non-Human Intelligences. He describes receiving packages from the USA, often airmailed, containing volumes of material previously channeled from extraterrestrial sources. He also mentions his long-standing interest in strange beliefs and UFO cults, noting that UFO material typically derives from alleged physical encounters, while spiritualist material relates to communications from individuals. Channelling, however, involves messages from consciousnesses far more distant and non-human, with no claim of physical presence or contact, making objective assessment difficult. He sees this as related to the processes bringing about allegations of UFO/alien abductions, inter-breeding, and baby-farming, and states that there is much work to be done in organizing research in this area.

The editorial also introduces Robin Ramsay and his 'Conspiracies' column, noting that 'The Wild Places' is concerned with how accounts of paranormal phenomena affect people. Ramsay, who edits the magazine 'Lobster,' focuses on covert activities of nation-states, spooks, agents, plots, and conspiracies, highlighting the difficulty in establishing facts due to professional disinformers and state employees.

Conspiracies by Robin Ramsay

Robin Ramsay's column, 'Conspiracies,' delves into the complexities of disinformation, particularly concerning the AIDS epidemic. He presents the theory that AIDS is a U.S. germ warfare experiment gone wrong, a story that circulated in the mid-1980s. He contrasts this with the U.S. intelligence agencies' claim that the story is a fake, a piece of disinformation from the former USSR, which offers a different version tracing the story to Third World media sources known for Soviet disinformation. Ramsay also mentions a variant claim that the AIDS story was concocted in retaliation for a U.S. disinformation campaign that attributed the Pope's shooting to the KGB. He then discusses a photocopy of a document suggesting the U.S. military considered developing something like AIDS, but questions its authenticity. Ramsay concludes that it is difficult to determine the truth when faced with such conflicting narratives and the possibility of fabricated evidence.

He further discusses the UFO field and the alleged disinformation spread by a group known as 'the Aviary,' composed of scientists and intelligence personnel. He notes the involvement of Harold Puthoff, who worked with Uri Geller, and intelligence officers like John Alexander, who wrote about the US military 'psi gap.' Ramsay also recounts the story of Martin Koski, who alleged having electronic devices forcibly planted in his head by the RCMP, and Harlan Girard, who claimed the CIA was monitoring his behavior using electromagnetic waves. Ramsay's own research has led him to investigate claims of microwave and implant persecution, and the formation of the International Network Against Mind Control (INMC).

Ramsay expresses skepticism about claims of mind control experiments, particularly those involving implanted devices. He references a 1970 NASA report on Implantable Biotelemetry Systems, confirming the existence of such technology. He concludes that it is increasingly difficult to discern who is 'crazy' and that sections of state apparatuses in the US, UK, Sweden, and the Soviet Union have engaged in 'mind control' experiments, starting with the search for 'truth drugs' and LSD testing. He notes that projects like MK Ultra and Delta are only parts of larger, classified programs. The article also mentions the impending collaboration between former Soviet and US mind control researchers, sponsored by Healthline Corp.

Through A Glass, Darkly by Mervyn Gale

Mervyn Gale's article, 'Through A Glass, Darkly,' reviews recent films that explore the concept of post-mortem survival and the afterlife. He begins by discussing the influence of media on perceptions of the paranormal. Gale analyzes films such as Blake Edwards' 'Switch,' which deals with reincarnation, and Adrian Lyne's 'Jacob's Ladder,' a psychodrama about a Vietnam veteran experiencing nightmarish visions and a descent into a world of nameless horror. He interprets 'Jacob's Ladder' as depicting a post-mortem realm designed by the characters' own expectations and emotions, a concept he links to 'ideoplastic' spheres from inter-war spirit communications. Gale also reviews Albert Brooks' 'Defending Your Life,' a film he praises for its modest production and expert acting, which explores a post-mortem judgment process. He contrasts this with the unsettling tone of Mike Figgis' 'Liebestraum,' which deals with themes of anomie, spiritual dread, and guilt, suggesting that the film illustrates a creeping spiritual malaise. Gale identifies two main strands in these films: comic films where death is a plot motif to resolve tensions, and dense psychodramas where death highlights a wider spiritual malaise. He concludes by noting the cinema's long-standing engagement with mystical exploration, tracing it back to early filmmakers like Alice Guy Blanche.

What Really Happens? by Frank Dineen

(This article is not present in the provided OCR text.)

News From The Front - Abstracts and Reviews

(This section is not detailed in the provided OCR text, but it is listed in the table of contents.)

False Memory Syndrome by David Gotlib M.D.

(This article is not present in the provided OCR text.)

End Times Bulletin

(This section is not detailed in the provided OCR text, but it is listed in the table of contents.)

Cross Talk - the religious press

(This section is not detailed in the provided OCR text, but it is listed in the table of contents.)

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Wild Places consistently explores the intersection of belief, perception, and the paranormal. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, particularly regarding claims of lost knowledge, shamanic powers, and conspiracy theories. While acknowledging the existence of paranormal phenomena and the human fascination with them, the magazine encourages a skeptical and analytical approach, questioning the evidence and motivations behind various beliefs. There is a clear interest in how media representations shape our understanding of the extraordinary, and a concern for distinguishing between genuine phenomena and disinformation or commercial exploitation. The magazine seems to advocate for a rigorous examination of evidence and a cautious approach to extraordinary claims, particularly those involving altered states of consciousness and alleged government experiments.

This issue of "The Way Home" (TWP 6) features a lead article by Frank Dineen titled "What Really Happens?" This piece critically examines the story "The Way Home" and its implications for understanding life after death. Dineen questions the narrative's elements of unfairness and the logic behind the obstacles faced by the child protagonist, James, in his attempt to return home.

Analysis of 'The Way Home' and Life After Death

Dineen probes the story's portrayal of the afterlife, questioning the role of Catholicism and Spiritualism in the process. He highlights the Spiritualist view of 'lost souls' needing intervention and the Catholic concept of purgatory, both emphasizing the power of their respective churches. He contrasts this with the common understanding of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), where individuals are typically met by deceased relatives and drawn to a being of light. Dineen questions why James's experience deviates from this, asking if he had no family or if they were uninterested in helping him. He also ponders the impact of the 'being of light' and why some individuals have NDEs while others do not, suggesting a need for further research into the reasons behind these differences.

False Memory Syndrome and Abduction Research

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the False Memory Syndrome (FMS) and its impact on the field of anomalous experiences, particularly abduction research. The article, authored by David Gotlib M.D. and identified as being from the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, explains FMS as the recovery of repressed memories of childhood abuse that lack factual basis. It details how therapists might encourage these memories, leading to family rifts and legal disputes when other family members cannot recall the alleged events.

The False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) is presented as a group formed by individuals and professionals concerned about this phenomenon. The article notes that FMSF advocates challenge the unquestioning acceptance of all memories, especially those without corroboration, while not disputing the existence of abuse itself.

The FMS literature is described as attacking research and therapeutic efforts in anomalies, viewing practices like 'remembered' past lives, space alien abuse, and after-death experiences as 'diseases of the month.' The FMSF newsletter is quoted as calling for 'prudent therapy' and questioning the practice of age regression therapy for recovering memories of space alien abduction, suggesting it might encourage delusions.

The article draws parallels between the symptoms checklists for sexual abuse survivors and those for abduction experiences, noting the reliance on hypnotic regression in both fields. It raises the concern that the abduction field might inadvertently create 'abductees' through its investigative methods, potentially leading to a backlash against ufology and therapies based on fringe theories.

Other Articles and Reviews

The issue also includes a section titled "News From The Front," which provides brief reviews of various magazines and publications related to paranormal research, ufology, and alternative topics. These include "Ancient Skies," "Annals of the Enquiring," "Anomaly," "Artifex," "The Azrael Project Newsletter," "Bulletin of Anomalous Experience," "Borderlands," "Cambridge UFO Research Group Newsletter," "The Cerealogist," "Christian New Age Quarterly," "The Christian Parapsychologist," "Connecting Link," "Contamination Chronicle," "Cosmic Current News," "The Crop Watcher," "Dark Lily," "Dear Mr Thoms," "Delve," "Elsewhen," "Enigmas," "Fate," "Flying Saucer Digest," "Folklore Frontiers," "Foresight," "Fortean Times," "The Gate," "Ghost Trackers Newsletter," "Gloucestershire Earth Mysteries," "International UFO Library Magazine," "Lobster," "Magonia," "Mercian Mysteries," "Meyn Mamvro," "Millennial Times," "Missing Link," "New Worlds of Mind and Spirit," "Nexus New Times," "Noah's Ark Society Newsletter," "Northern UFO News," "The Occult Observer," "Ocular," "Orbiter," "OVNI," "Pegasus," "Pendragon," "Perceptions," "The Psi Researcher," "Psi Review," "Psychic World," "Rainbow Ark," "Saucer Smear," "SCAN," "The Scientific and Medical Network Newsletter," "The Skeptic," "Skull Briefing," "Skylink," "Spirit Voices," "The Star Beacon," "Star Love Network," "Strange Magazine," "UFO Brigantia," "UFO Magazine," "UFO Universe," "Voices From Spirit," "Wood and Water," and "World UFO Journal."

There is also a "Cross Talk" section, which discusses the "Alpha" method for religious conversion and draws parallels to 'alien abduction support groups.'

Finally, a review of "The SLI Effect - Street Lamp Interference: a Provisional Assessment" by Hilary Evans is included, praising its thorough research methodology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a critical and analytical approach to paranormal phenomena, particularly evident in the examination of "The Way Home" and the discussion of False Memory Syndrome. There is a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous research, questioning unsubstantiated claims, and exploring the ethical responsibilities of researchers and therapists in sensitive fields like abduction research. The editorial stance appears to favor a balanced perspective, acknowledging legitimate concerns while cautioning against uncritical acceptance of fringe theories or the potential for iatrogenic effects in therapeutic settings. The extensive reviews of other publications suggest an interest in a broad spectrum of anomalous phenomena and alternative viewpoints, but with a discerning eye for quality and methodology.