Wonders - Vol 5 No 4 - 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: WONDERS
Issue: Vol. 5 No. 4
Date: December 1998
Publisher: MARK A. HALL PUBLICATIONS
Country: USA
Theme: Exploration of 'unseen forces' and mysteries.

Editorial: More Forecasts

The editorial by Mark A. Hall discusses the ongoing verification of his views through scientific discoveries. He reiterates his advocacy that the fossil primate Gigantopithecus is the ancestor of the historical and modern True Giants, including the Yeti and Bigfoot. This assertion is supported by the fact that Gigantopithecus has often been identified as the source of large, primate-like creatures. Hall references the December 1993 issue of Wonders for details on the Yeti and points to Dryopithecines as the origin of Asia's Yetis. He notes the recent discovery of postcranial bones of Dryopithecus laietanus in Spain, dated to 9.5 million years ago, which has led to disagreement about its placement. Hall believes this disagreement stems from Dryopithecus being an ancestor of the Yeti, describing the fossil ape as similar to the rock-climbing pongids reported in modern times. For further insights into surviving primates, Hall recommends "The Field Guide to Bigfoot, Yeti, and Other Mystery Primates Worldwide" by Loren Coleman and Patrick Huyghe.

Fung-Shui: Finding the Right Place

This section introduces Fung-shui (or Feng shui), a Chinese practice of geomancy that literally translates to 'wind and water.' It is used universally in China for determining the auspiciousness of a location for various purposes, including cities, houses, temples, and graves. Fung-shui also addresses overcoming inauspicious conditions by altering the surrounding landscape. The practice considers the 'geomantic conditions' of a place, which can involve remedial measures like building mounds or pagodas to avert misfortune. The article explains that a southern aspect is considered best, as good influences come from the south and evil from the north. Unfavorable features include straight lines, sharp peaks, and abrupt elevations, while gradual slopes and gentle curves are auspicious. Specific shapes of hills for building sites are deemed dangerous, such as a basket, plowshare, turtle, or eye of a horse. Building on a hill resembling a couch can lead to violent death for descendants, while a boat-shaped hill can result in sons going to prison, and a bell-shaped hill can lead to childlessness. The most auspicious spot for a grave is where the Yang and Yin principles meet, often forming a horseshoe shape. A side-hill is desirable, but an open plain or mountaintop is not. Properly chosen burial sites are believed to ensure wealth, honor, distinction, and long life for posterity. The article notes that foreigners have written little on the subject, but cites considerable native literature dating back to the first century CE, including works by Doolittle, Eitel, and Edkins.

The entry on Fung-shui was originally written by Robert Lilley for the 1895 edition of Johnson's Universal Cyclopaedia. It introduces the Chinese view of subtle natural powers affecting humans. The article emphasizes identifying the influence of nature, particularly wind and water, as a practical concept, acknowledging the benefits of a southern exposure. It categorizes 'unseen forces' into time, place, shape, color, artificial forces, and subtle forces. Subtle forces include natural phenomena like barometric pressure, temperature, and magnetism, while artificial forces are man-made, such as radio waves and power lines. 'Time' refers to celestial body positions and their influences, like ocean tides. 'Place' relates to the Earth's features, and 'shape' and 'color' refer to how building design or paint might affect human conduct. The article distinguishes itself from popular astrology, focusing instead on claims based on observation and practical reality. It then introduces upcoming articles discussing the Moon and Sun's daily influences.

The Solunar Theory by Mark A. Hall

This section introduces the Solunar Theory, a concept widely known through the syndicated Solunar Tables used by fishermen. Developed by John Alden Knight, a real estate broker from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the theory explores how the tidal influences of the Sun and Moon affect wildlife. Knight's initial inspiration came from a Florida fishing guide, Bob Wall, who shared folk wisdom about fish biting when the Moon was 'up' (overhead) or 'down' (on the opposite side of the Earth). Knight refined this by comparing calculated 'inland tide' times with his fishing success and observations of wildlife. He named this the Solunar Theory (sol + lunar).

Knight published his ideas in outdoor magazines starting in 1935, receiving mixed reactions. He also included chapters on the theory in his books "The Modern Angler" (1936) and "Moon Up – Moon Down" (1942). The annual Solunar Tables became a financial success for the Knight family, proving useful to many fishermen and leading to reports of other applications.

The core of Knight's theory states that there are two major periods of activity (lasting 1.5 to 2 hours) and two minor periods each day. He observed that during full and new moons, the Sun and Moon function in unison, creating the true Solunar period. As the month progresses, their pulls diverge, with the Moon being the primary influence during first and third quarters. The timing of these periods is determined by averaging their occurrence between the four main lunar phases. The influence is observable not only in fish but also in other wildlife, which emerge to feed during these periods. Knight's book "Moon Up – Moon Down" details observations of birds, reptiles, rats, mice, squirrels, dogs, and cats responding to these periods.

The application of the Solunar Theory is individual. For example, people with fish in aquariums can optimize feeding times. The onset of a Solunar period's influence varies by animal size, with insects and fish affected first, followed by larger animals and humans on a more delayed schedule. Knight observed that "Dogs, cows, deer, the larger predatory animals and, finally, humans react even on a more delayed schedule than the lesser creatures such as birds and small game." The theory has immediate importance for understanding human behavior, suggesting an underlying natural force that influences necessity, habit, illness, drugs, and personality. The quality of sleep, mental acuity, and muscular coordination are believed to be heightened during major periods. One doctor reported a correlation between the onset of labor in maternity cases and Solunar periods. Workplaces could potentially improve by understanding moods associated with these periods. The author shares a personal experience where severe dental pain coincided with a major Solunar period, not alleviating the pain but providing an understanding of its timing and expected subsidence.

The mechanism behind the Solunar Theory remains uncertain, though comparisons to ocean tides are made, suggesting similar tidal effects within living organisms.

Moon-Shine: What It Means to You

This article explores the Moon's significance beyond being Earth's natural satellite. It highlights the Moon's role in shedding light on the night sky, causing ocean tides, and potentially influencing the daily cycle of Solunar periods. The article also touches upon the Moon's linkage to extremes of human behavior, such as lunacy and suicide.

The Flexing Crust

The Earth and Moon are described as a binary planet system, with the Moon exerting a significant, though often unappreciated, physical force on Earth's crust. The article references an Associated Press report from December 7, 1975, from East Lansing, Michigan, summarizing facts about this influence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of WONDERS revolve around the concept of 'unseen forces' that influence human life and the natural world. The magazine explores both ancient practices like Fung-Shui and scientific or pseudo-scientific theories like the Solunar Theory, seeking observable phenomena and practical applications. There is a clear editorial stance favoring the investigation of mysteries and phenomena that are not fully understood by conventional science, encouraging readers to observe and verify these influences in their own lives. The magazine bridges cryptozoology (Yeti, Bigfoot) with natural phenomena (geomancy, celestial influences), suggesting a holistic view of reality where the seemingly inexplicable can be studied and understood.

This issue of WONDERS, dated December 1998, issue number 107, delves into the multifaceted influences of the Moon on Earth and human behavior. The magazine explores scientific observations, historical accounts, and folklore, suggesting that celestial bodies play a significant role in terrestrial phenomena and human experiences.

Earth Tides and Lunar Gravity

The issue begins by detailing a discovery by David Shanabrook, a student at Michigan State University, under the direction of Professor Robert Carmichael. Shanabrook measured the Earth's movement underfoot, finding that it rises and falls twice daily by as much as three feet, though the usual variation is 12 to 18 inches. This phenomenon, similar to sea tides, is attributed to the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun. The effect is greatest at the equator, where the Earth moves about four feet every 10 hours. Shanabrook used a gravity meter for his measurements, conducting them at night to avoid interference from daytime traffic.

The article connects this lunar influence to the controversial subject of a periodically shifting Earth's crust, suggesting that the Moon's cumulative effect and other unappreciated influences might contribute to crustal displacements over tens of thousands of years. It posits that studying the Moon's physical forces on Earth is crucial for understanding crustal motion.

The Months of the Moon and Human Behavior

The magazine then explores various definitions of a "month" and their potential relevance to lunar influence on human lives. It introduces the sidereal month (approx. 27 days, 7 hours), which marks the Moon's return to a chosen point in the sky. The synodic month (29 days, 12 hours) is the period between two New Moons, and it is noted that Moon phases have long been associated with influencing "disturbed persons." While homicides and hospital admissions have been tenuously linked to Full and New Moons, there is no general acceptance of such a link. However, the persistent folk belief and occasional correlations suggest a possible connection.

The text explains lunar phases in relation to the Earth, Moon, and Sun, and how the Moon's gravitational pull, known to affect ocean tides, has been suggested to influence bodily fluids. The anomalistic month (approx. 27 days, 13 hours) is introduced, referring to the period between the Moon's closest approach (perigee) and farthest point (apogee) from Earth, with a distance difference of up to 31,247 miles. The ratio of the Moon's tide-raising power to the Sun's is 11 to 5.

Lunar Influence and Suicides

The article presents the author's own study from the mid-1970s, which compiled statistics on suicides and compared them with Moon positions. The study indicates that both apogeic and perigeal periods might be conducive to suicides. The greatest pull is expected at perigee and New Moon, while the least pull occurs at apogee and Full Moon. The author notes that when Neap tides and apogee coincide, resulting in a lesser gravitational pull, suicides seem to affect heavier people and animals like bears. Conversely, when Spring tides and perigee coincide, with greater gravitational pull, the influence appears to affect smaller individuals, teenagers, more women, and older, lighter people. A perigee coinciding with a Quarter Moon (Neap period) seems to negate the influence, while apogee coinciding with a Quarter Moon has a considerable influence toward suicide.

Another observation noted a grouping of suicides by elderly women around the autumnal equinox (September 22 or 23), unrelated to Moon positions. A practical rule is offered: "Don't camp in bear country at the quarter of the Moon."

The Two O'Clock Phenomenon

This section explores another alleged pattern of daily occurrence: a "stirring hour" around two o'clock in the morning, described as a time when a "wakeful influence goes abroad." This phenomenon was first reported in a letter to Nature Magazine in 1879 by E. Bonavia, who termed it a "Nightly Resurrection." The author recounts an observation from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes," describing an hour when outdoor creatures and even houseless men are active.

The author shares personal experiences of waking between one and two in the morning, feeling uncomfortable and hot, regardless of the season. This wakeful influence is speculated to be related to changes in terrestrial magnetism or subtle cosmical influences. A similar influence is noted during the day, between one and two p.m., affecting neuralgic pain. The article questions whether periodical exacerbations in fever and neuralgias might be due to similar cosmical influences.

Afternoon Shopping Spurt

An afternoon "two o'clock phenomenon" is also described, observed by the author while managing a small store. On some days, the store experienced a significant increase in shoppers and sales around two o'clock, lasting no longer than 60 minutes. This spurt was not attributable to local factors and was distinct from the predictable onset of the Christmas shopping season. The author suggests this activity might be solar-related rather than lunar.

A Period of Deep Sleep

The final section discusses a counter-influence to the Moon's stimulating effects: a period of inactivity and deep sleep. This is illustrated by an account of a "wild man" captured in Texas in the 1800s. This individual, an escaped slave, was known for his stealthy raids on homes and fields, during which even watchful dogs remained asleep. The article suggests that modern humans have become domesticated compared to ancestors and wild beings, who might be more attuned to natural rhythms and periods of deep sleep.

Conclusion

The issue concludes by emphasizing the existence of powerful, not easily understood forces at work on humans and other creatures. It suggests employing tools like Jack Knight's Solunar Tables to observe these links with time and celestial influences. The article encourages readers to make this knowledge work for them, to understand favorable and unfavorable times for activities, and to frame valid questions for future research into our natural place under the influence of the Moon and Sun. It stresses the importance of paying attention to the wisdom of knowledgeable ancestors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the profound and often subtle influences of celestial bodies, particularly the Moon, on Earthly phenomena and human behavior. The magazine adopts an investigative and open-minded stance, presenting scientific findings, anecdotal evidence, and historical accounts to explore these connections. While acknowledging the lack of general acceptance for some correlations, it encourages further observation and study, emphasizing the value of ancestral knowledge and the potential for understanding our place within natural cycles.

This issue of WONDERS magazine, dated December 1998, features an in-depth account of a performance by an "Indian Magician" in Fiji. The article, titled "The Indian Magician: A Master of Deception," details several seemingly supernatural feats witnessed by the author and other guests. The magazine's overall tone appears to be one of skeptical inquiry, aiming to demystify extraordinary claims through rational analysis.

The Magician's Feats

The narrative begins with the author's visit to the temple of Kali, where they witnessed the magician's performance in broad daylight, emphasizing its public nature unlike alleged spirit-mediums who perform in darkness. The magician, accompanied by a boy carrying his props, initially performed commonplace tricks. The first significant feat involved the audience writing messages on pieces of paper, which the magician then revealed, word-for-word, without seeing them. The author wrote a message in Fijian: "Sa ndro na Singa; malua marusa." To his astonishment, the Fijian words disappeared from the paper, replaced by the English translation, "The day is vanishing; procrastination is destruction -- (Fijian)," written in the author's own handwriting.

Further experiments were conducted. The author retired and wrote another phrase in what is identified as Maori: "Ika tonu taku ihi i runga i taku whenua." Upon unfolding the paper, the English translation appeared: "My fire has been kept burning upon my land." This phrase is explained as a common Maori expression signifying resilience against enemies. Other participants also wrote sentences in languages such as Russian, Persian, Turcoman, and Yakut, all of which were reportedly translated correctly into English.

A second dramatic feat involved a boy who was placed under a basket. The magician then took a sword, which had been examined by the audience, and plunged it repeatedly through the basket, while the boy's voice could be heard pleading. The sword emerged dripping with blood, but upon lifting the basket, the boy had vanished, and there was no blood on the white cloth used to cover the basket, nor any cuts on the basket itself. The boy later reappeared among the audience, having apparently escaped unnoticed.

The third feat involved a flower-pot. After confirming it was empty, the magician filled it with earth and planted a seed. He then covered the pot with a cloth and played a musical reed pipe. During the performance, a plant began to grow visibly under the cloth, eventually reaching about thirty inches in height with green leaves and colorful blossoms. Photographs were taken of the pot before and after the plant's appearance. The magician invited the audience to pick the flowers, which they did.

Analysis and Explanation

The article then delves into a critical analysis of these performances, suggesting that the magician was a "skillful practitioner of deception." The author acknowledges the amazement of the feats but posits that they were likely achieved through "clever artifice, assistance by confederates, and well-timed distraction." The article notes that such accounts often omit crucial details that would reveal the tricks.

The Fast-Growing Plant Trick

This trick is identified as a classic oriental trick, known as the "mango tree trick," which became popular outside of India. The explanation suggests it involves a hollow seed and switching pots, with the pots concealed on the magician's person. The rapid growth is attributed to the trick's setup rather than supernatural means.

The Boy Vanishing Trick

This trick is explained by the boy not being under the basket when the sword was plunged. Instead, he likely concealed himself under the magician's robe and then slipped away among the onlookers. The "blood" on the sword is suggested to be a red substance that dried quickly, and the ventriloquism of the magician could have produced the boy's screams.

The Message-Divining Trick

This is considered the most difficult trick to explain, as it doesn't fit the pattern of the other "down-to-earth" magic tricks. The core elements are divining written expressions, translating them, and inscribing the translations. The article speculates that tablets for writing might have been provided by the host, and that carbon paper or similar methods could have been used to create copies of the messages. Confederates reading these messages could then signal the magician. For non-English messages, a signal would indicate the language is not English, and a confederate skilled in languages would provide the translation, aping the original handwriting to create the illusion that the magician knew the language. The appearance and disappearance of phrases might have been achieved using special inks, with heat from folding the paper potentially restoring the original message while disappearing ink was used for the translation.

Conclusion

The article concludes by stating that these tricks from a century ago were spectacular and mystifying, providing great entertainment. It suggests that while Captain Quinton was perplexed, modern audiences, with a century of magic development, might be able to understand them better. The issue includes a quote: "Today's Wonders are tomorrow's common knowledge."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of unexplained phenomena, particularly those presented as supernatural or psychic. The editorial stance is clearly one of skepticism and rational inquiry, aiming to debunk or explain seemingly miraculous events through logical analysis and an understanding of historical magic techniques. The magazine seeks to educate its readers by dissecting such phenomena, presenting them as clever illusions rather than genuine paranormal occurrences. The focus is on the "how" behind the "what," emphasizing that what appears inexplicable can often be understood through human ingenuity and trickery.

This document is the December 1998 issue of WONDERS magazine, identified as issue number 127 and part of Volume 5. The cover features a striking illustration and a descriptive tagline: "The world of MAHP Oddities and wonders, Iniquities and blunders, Omens dire, mystic fire, Strange customs, cranks, and freaks, With philosophy in streaks." The magazine is published by MAHP, with a listed address in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Content Highlights

The issue announces a compilation of the four issues from 1998, offering a comprehensive look at various phenomena. Key topics covered include:

• The story of Homo Gardarensis.
• The location of Vinland.
• The Kensington Runestone.
• Bigfoot.
• The Giant Owl.
• The mystery of the Woo-Woo.
• 20th Century Forteanism.
• The unseen forces that influence life.

The prices for this 1998 compilation are listed as US$20 for North America, US$23 for Europe, and US$25 for other regions.

Index Announcement

A significant announcement is made regarding a "COMING SOON" complete index to the five volumes of WONDERS, covering the period from 1992 through 1998. This index is intended to provide comprehensive access to the magazine's content over its initial years.

Featured Articles and References

Page 1 of the scan provides a list of references, likely articles or topics discussed within the magazine or related works. These include:

• Authors and Works: Thomas H. Webb (p. 48), Krystyna Weinstein (p. 70), Westviking (Mowat) (pp. 36, 49), Whiteman Land (p. 44), Wild Men in Texas (pp. 12-13, 114-115), Wild Men of Europe (pp. 21-22), Wild Women of Europe (pp. 21-22), Wishram Indians (p. 70), Woo-Woo (pp. 80-87), Woods Devils (p. 13), Wood-goblins (p. 22).
• Paranormal and Folklore Topics: World of the Paranormal (McGraw) (p. 81), Yag-Mort (p. 20), Yakima Indians (p. 12), Yeti (pp. 3, 26, 28, 98), Yeti, Bigfoot & True Giants (Hall) (pp. 3, 26, 98), Zana (p. 24), Zemlemer (p. 20).

These references suggest a broad scope of content, delving into folklore, cryptozoology, and unexplained phenomena from various cultures and historical periods.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's tagline and the listed topics indicate a strong focus on "Forteana" – phenomena that defy conventional scientific explanation, often associated with Charles Fort. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into oddities, wonders, and unexplained events, presented with a philosophical undercurrent. The content spans folklore, cryptozoology, historical mysteries, and paranormal accounts, suggesting an interest in the unusual and the unexplained aspects of human experience and the natural world.