Trying to Catch Up

Wilton Windmill, near Wilton, Wiltshire.
c.100 feet (30.48 m) wide, c. 200 feet (60.96) overall length.
image © StonehengeDronescapesPhotography

Dear Friends,
O dear, what happens to the time? It has an unfortunate tendency to go too fast - impossibly difficult to try and keep up with it at times. My profound apologies.

The Mayans had quite a different view on the subject and one to which I prescribe at times. Their concept is as follows.

 

They have an interesting belief that there is no such time as the present. It just does not exist. They recognise the past which is in front of them because they know about it and can thus ‘see’ it. The future is behind them because they cannot ‘see’ it. It is still to come and they don’t know anything about what it will bring. Once the future arrives they know all about it and then they can ‘see’ it; it is before them and immediately becomes the past.

What has happened this summer? To be honest, very little indeed. We have had a small sprinkling - a mere seven circles, plus an addition to an existing event.

What is the reason for this, people keep asking? I suspect we all have our own views on the subject - from a shortfall of rutting hedgehogs to an abandonment of UFOs.

I would love to hear from you and how you account for the shortage.

 

For what it is worth, my personal view is based on the premise that the circles were given to us as a form of spiritual advancement or education/understanding. They never force themselves on anyone; they talk to some but remain silent and uninteresting to others.

 

They started as simple circles, and over the past 30 plus years have steadily advanced in size and complexity - just as we evolve from childhood to adults - expanding our knowledge as we increase in age. How far we take this learning, and in which direction, is up to us.

 

We all know that many formations are man-made but there are others that have proved to be beyond the wit of man, either due to eye witness accounts or scientifically proven experiments. As retired chartered engineer James Lyons wrote, regarding the eye witness account of the enormous 1996 Julia Set fractal circle opposite Stonehenge: “However the more complex patterns have additional information contained in the sphere and who or what presses the button to make these is not within our present knowledge or understanding."

 

Some people are frightened by this phenomenon. For their comfort and self-preservation, they then pretend that all are man-made and join the ranks of similar people. Indeed they become quite vociferous and the more noise they make the safer they feel. Safety in numbers. I have met several such people who have made a ‘volte-face’ when it hits their ‘boggle threshold’, and they have to accept that not all are man-made. I believe that this troubled reaction is more common than we realise. Clearly there are certain ‘no go’ areas in deeply rooted belief systems and if these are threatened, they endanger the whole core of the person’s fundamental being.

When searching through some papers the other day I found notes I had made many years ago after chatting to a delightful and erudite old lady. I visited her regularly and we had endless fascinating discussions.

Discussing the troubled reaction of a certain young man to particular circles, she suggested “Maybe he could not accept this phenomenon is within the Mind of God? God is beyond all religion, and theology is like a library of religious beliefs and dogmas placed for the comfort and security of its readers.”

 

I am now going to give you a brief run through of this year’s happenings.

April came and went - the fields of oil seed rape (canola) remained untouched. May also swept by virtually un-noticed. June came and lo and behold, on the 12th, there was great rejoicing as a circle, similar to those of years gone by, was found at Wilton Windmill, near Wilton, Wiltshire.

I was asked to be one of several contributors to a programme filmed in the below circle. It was pouring with rain at the time and we kept shooting in between showers. https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/charlie-cooper-local-legends-new-series-bbc-three I am told that the series is currently being edited and the hope is for it to broadcast at the start of October. The dates haven't been confirmed yet by the BBC, but they will confirm when they know.

image © Hugh Newman

Next to grace the fields was a delightfully simple circle in young wheat

Oakley, near Clapham, Bedfordshire. Reported 30th June 2024
Wheat. c.60 foot (18m) diameter.
image © Kevin Constant 2024

And on the 30th June 2024, adjacent to the Stonehenge Visitor’s Car Park. Wiltshire.

Barley. 165 feet (50.29m) overall diameter.
image left © 2024 Stonehenge Dronescapes Photography
image right © Hugh Newman

July greeted us with a bordered square formation with circles at the centre of each side. A few more circles followed.

Normanton Down Barrows, near Stonehenge, Wiltshire.
Barley. c.90 feet (27.5m) overall.
Reported 14th July 2024.

image © StonehengeDronescapesPhotography
Side images © Sonya Julia

Roman Road, near Marten, Wiltshire.
23rd July 2024. c.90 feet (27.5m) Wheat.

Stoke Charity, near Sutton Scotney, Hampshire.
Reported 28th July 2024, Wheat. c.140 feet (c 43m) diameter

And lastly August arrived:

Lion’s Gate, Etchilhampton, near Devizes, Wiltshire
8th August 2024 Winter wheat c.210 feet (64m) diameter

When looking at this formation, a friend immediately saw ‘sixes and nines’.  On closer inspection, his thoughts were:

“A Kabbalistic reading of the circle might follow that great divine grammar, The Tree of Life.  Made up of 10 sephirot, often thought of as divine lights, the Tree of Life represents the manifestation of the divine.  Each sephirah is a divine aspect including wisdom, understanding, strength and mercy.  The crop circle seemed to me to speak of sixes and nines.  The sixth sephirah on the tree is divine beauty.  The ninth sephirah on the tree is divine foundation, the meta-physical structures prior to the physically manifest.  The sephirot of beauty and foundation both lie on the pillar of equilibrium, divine balance and harmony.  All this suggests to me the creative energies of balance, beauty and foundation which lie at the heart of an understanding of sacred geometry.”

One final event arrived on the 29th August 2024 sporting additions to the original Lyon’s Gate circle of the 8th August 2024:

Lion's Gate, Etchilhampton, near Devizes, Wiltshire.
29th August 2024
Wheat. c.115 feet (35.052 m) overall diameter
image © Hugh Newman

In the past there have been years where a common theme has followed - such as in 2004 when there appeared to be an organic influence. Can you find one for this year?

Sadly, this has been a year of disappointment for many, especially for those you came from abroad in June to see the circles.

It seems that as always the circles can never run to plan, but those who venture further afield can find that the area around the wonderful Stone Complex at Avebury to be full of unexpected treasures. This whole sacred part of the ancient Isle of Albion, is now a World Heritage site.

For those who are energetic, I commend the

https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/the-ridgeway/  which will take you to many sacred places on the way.

I took my usual popular tours, one ending with the additional extra of the unique private entry to Stonehenge, allowing access to the inner circle and permission to go right up to the giant megaliths.

I plan to do a similar tour next year, but have not yet decided on the date. For those who are interested, the tour is normally towards the end of July.

At the beginning of August, I will take an equally popular day, ending with an optional extra of a flight over the circles and sacred places such as Silbury Hill, Avebury Stone Complex, West Kennet Long Barrow etc.

The smiles of people after they have landed, stretch from ear to ear!

The third tour I took was with a special group of people of all ages from the Munro Institute in America. They were people mainly from the US, but included others from Norway, China, Japan, Romania, Panama, the Virgin Islands, Colombia and a few from the UK.   A delightful day shared with people of enquiring minds.

I am hoping that my beautiful 2025 Classic Crop Circle will be ready soon after the middle of October.  Please place your order early so that there are no postal delays. Nobody believed what this horse did at night, until…

Pam Gregory

Cosmic Consciousness

Near Stonehenge Visitors Centre, Larkhill, Wiltshire.
Barley. 165 feet (50.29m) overall diameter.
30th June 2024
image © StonehengeDronescapesPhotography

Since I last wrote, we have had a second circle. It appeared close to the Stonehenge Centre on Sunday 30th June in barley.


Near Stonehenge Visitors Centre, Larkhill, Wiltshire.
Barley. 165 feet (50.29m) overall diameter.
30th June 2024
image © StonehengeDronescapesPhotography

I am sure many of you will have been asking ‘What has happened to the circles and why are they are so late?’

Recently much has been written about Artificial intelligence (AI) * which is the simulation of human intelligence processed by machines, especially computer systems. Knowing comparatively little about the subject, my automatic gut reaction is one of fear that we may be opening Pandora’s Box and may be tampering with something that once unleashed, may be difficult to control.

*The term artificial intelligence (AI) refers to a field of computer science that designs machines advanced enough to perform tasks that in the past required human intelligence to achieve. AI scientists develop algorithms and systems that acquire, process, and analyze data, recognize patterns, and make decisions.

Just as migrating birds are struggling to find their way along their normal energy gridlines, so we have to consider the influence of scientific exploration of Artificial Intelligence( AI) on ourselves and the natural world.

It has been found that when students and AI are given identical examination papers, AI scores higher marks.

Could we therefore conjecture that the Cosmic Brain or Consciousness is also being similarly affected by manipulating our basic energy system which is composed of two grid systems?

In my latest book, The Energies of Crop circles, the Science and Power of a Mysterious Intelligence, my co-author - James Lyons - a chartered engineer, specialising in aeronautical research, writes: ‘However the dramatic changes in mainstream science are again revealing the Concept of cosmic Consciousness. Crop circles are confirming that the human mind operates synonymously with the crop circle Consciousness. This is our link to the circles.’

So much of life is subject to open minded conjecture and the enjoyment of discussion between objective people.

My tours are coming nearer, one on the 25th July and the other on the 1st August. I have a few spaces left and one ticket for the special private evening entry to Stonehenge on the 25th July due to a cancellation.
You can now pay me online.

All indications are for a late summer so I feel hopeful that we will have good weather.

Ready Steady…

The crop circles remain a mystery and move in mysterious and teasing ways. I have always believed that they could be finite but despite their late arrival this summer, I do not feel in my heart or mind that that time has come.

As they keep us on the edge of our seats, they remind me that we should not take people or events for granted. My belief is that they will come with a flourish like an orchestra about to strike up when the conductor takes the stand.

I wanted to let you know that bookings for the special private entry to Stonehenge and all its wonderful and magical energy will close on Friday 21st June. No bookings can be taken after that date.

Since writing and sending this post I have received photos of a crop circle!

The First Crop Circle of 2024 ~ Image © StonehengeDronescapesPhotography

Bookings for my crop circle tours are coming in fast

The Waiting Game

For the last couple of weeks, I have been waiting to hear news of new crop circle, but nothing has appeared. I checked the date when the first circle came last year 2023 and found it was the 28th May.

It was at Winterbourne Bassett in barley and was in the vicinity of an ancient standing stone.

photo ~ near Winterbourne Bassett

Therefore, if the circles follow the same trend, we may have to try and possess our souls in patience for a few more days yet.

I understand from a farmer, that his wheat crop has taken well but he is not so happy about the barley due to the excessive amount of rain we have had from early spring up to the middle of May.

As I mentioned in my last letter, apart from oil seed rape (canola), barley is the next crop ready to accept a circle. The crop has to be of a certain height in order to retain an impression.

Last weekend, my son who is over from Sydney and my sister visited Wells cathedral. Of all the cathedrals I have visited - I love visiting cathedrals and churches, especially the tiny ancient shepherd churches; they are tucked away deep inside the hills and dales of the countryside. They have a special simplicity, but possess a rare peace - Wells cathedral is my favourite.

It was a long drive down to Somerset from Hampshire, made longer due to a strip of road passing Stonehenge being temporarily closed, hence a rather tortuous diversion. This closure is due to laying the electrics for the proposed tunnel. The road (A303) will be open in mid-July.

Built in 1175, Wells Cathedral is one of the first and finest examples of Gothic architecture of its kind, the style of architecture being brought over from France.

We were late entering the cathedral, and as a result we only had a very short time to look around as Evensong was due to start at 3pm to commemorate the life of Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) ‘who was one of the leading musicians of his generation and had profound effect on the development and history of English music as a performer, conductor, composer.’

He was a prolific writer of music. He wrote several symphonies, also chamber music and songs. He also wrote many works for the organ and is often remembered for his religious music. He played a large part in the Royal School of Music and was their Professor of Music for over forty years.

It was a wonderful service with a full choir, the music still ringing in my ears several days later.

Before the service started, we just had time to climb the steep stone steps up to the Chapter House. It is surrounded by the arms of the diocese chapters. This is my very favourite place in the whole cathedral. I could spend hours just sitting quietly on one of the surrounding stone seats. It is an octagonal room, and the harmony I feel may be due to that fact. Indeed we are told by Plato that music and number are related and this is a good example. Silence has a music of its own. The octagon represents not only the passage from the earthly plane (square), to the celestial plane (circle) - a symbol of protection to ward off negative spiritual activity and a bridge between heaven and earth.

As you can see from the photograph, the architecture is one of outstanding beauty. The carving of the middle column commands the rest of the stations, each displaying carvings of similar quality. It was built between 1275 and 1310 by unknown architects.

photo ~ Wells Cathedral

photo ~ Steps to the Chapter House

photo ~ The Chapter House ~ © unknown

Amongst many other unique features, is the famous clock. We are told that the clock is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism in Britain, and probably in the world, to survive in its original condition and still in use. The original works were made about 1390 and the clock face is the oldest surviving original of its kind anywhere.

photo ~ The Clock ~ © unknown

The weather was perfect. A wonderful day. I found it difficult to come down to earth and be a part of our modern and tumultuous world once more.

Bookings for my crop circle tours are coming in fast

Waiting With Anticipation

As I walk and drive through the countryside, I see that the oilseed rape (canola) fields are a glorious yellow. As I have mentioned before, there were years when the circles used to appear in this brilliantly coloured crop during April and May. Will it happen again this year?

Oil seed rape is the crop in which sleuths can most easily detect man-made circles, because it has stalks that break if bent to an angle of 40° or more. They also bruise easily and crack underfoot.

I am going to tell you about one such circle from 2015.

In May of that year, a valuable experiment was conducted. It was later shown on the History Channel called ‘Circles from the Sky’. This event was organised by the far-sighted American based Prometheus Studios, Inc. When the company first told me of their idea of making a crop circle, I was sceptical, as so many programmes made on this topic had not served it well. However, after several conversations and emails I felt reassured that they were well-intentioned and ethical - so I was happy to take part and to be interviewed.

The aim of the programme was to interview several researchers and to obtain permission for a circle to be constructed in a farmer’s field.

The experiment would be done in daylight in oilseed rape. The people making the circle would be asked to copy a particular previous circle that had shown no evidence of human involvement.

The circle chosen was one that had appeared on the 1st of May 2005 at Alton Priors. I recall visiting this, and after careful scrutiny could find no broken, crushed, or bruised stems. It was perfect.

The filming was to take place over two days. The circle was made by the ‘A team’ - Circlemakers.org - and the weather was good. The crop stood between 3 and 4 feet high (1 - 1.3 metres) though not as tall as it had been in 2005 when the crop often reached a height of between six and seven feet (1.8 - 2.1 metres). Indeed, I can remember getting completely lost in one field, the crop was so high!

It took Circlemakers three and a half hours to make the circle. You can see from the first image that they are holding a rope across one of the sections. You will notice that the bottom right hand crescent doesn’t have a ‘bite’ out of it, as does the original.

You will see that they also had a ladder - it is outside the circle in a tramline below the circle.

The farmer had forbidden anyone to go into the field, but as part of the film production programme I was allowed in. I don’t know if any of you have ever walked in a field of oilseed rape when it is in full flower? All I can tell you is that it is not a pleasant experience. The smell is pungent - really quite nasty - and the pollen from the flowers gets everywhere: up your nose, in your eyes, ears, hair and all over your clothes. So I took off my hat to the Circlemakers.org for gallantly trying to replicate the Alton Priors circle in the most disagreeable and uncongenial of circumstances.


photo ~ snapped stem


photo ~ bruised stalk


photo ~ crushed stalk

It is a well-known fact that due to the crop having a hollow based stem, it snaps when bent at an angle of more than 40 degrees. As a result, they were not able to make the circle without breaking, snapping and bruising the crop - as the images show - but it was a task not many people would have tackled and the damage was not as extensive as I have seen in many oilseed rape circles.

The upshot is historic - it proves conclusively that it is NOT possible for humans to make a crop circle in oilseed rape. Hence the importance of the circle that appeared on the 7th June 2023 at Potterne Hill, near Devizes, Wiltshire. I put it on the front of my 2024 calendar.


photo ~ circle with no centre

Stonehenge

It is with a feeling of great sorrow that I learn that a tunnel will soon be built close to Stonehenge, despite much protest. This would effectively prevent us seeing a perfect view of Stonehenge, except by entering the Visitor Centre. This will hide the stones from view forever. Sadly, this is inevitable as the A303 becomes increasingly more and more congested by traffic.

There is evidence that this whole area was once densely populated. Wherever you tread, you are treading on a piece of sacred land. This whole area around Stonehenge and beyond is of enormous importance - spiritually and scientifically - and is more significant than recently realised. There is much more to be discovered.

Campaigners are returning to court in a final effort to challenge the decision. I wish them every possible good fortune, but something tells me that this is the end of the fight.

The A303 is being closed for three months from April.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/26/revival-of-stonehenge-road-tunnel-plan-triggers-new-legal-challenge

There are so many different pictures of where the tunnel might be placed in the landscape, that I am not including any until a firm decision has been made.

We are told that ‘The installation of an electricity supply will require a temporary closure of a section of the A360 between April and July this year. The A303 Stonehenge project needs an electricity supply for construction and for the tunnel once built.’

On a much more cheerful subject, the bluebells are in bloom and the birds are nesting - one of the most exciting times of year.

Bookings for my crop circle tours are coming in fast.

Crop Circle Tours 2024

The first tour is on Thursday, July 25th. This comes with a special private evening entry into Stonehenge. It allows you to enter the inner circle, go right up to the stones, and feel the energy radiating from them. This is an optional extra to the cost of the crop circle tour.

My second tour is on Thursday, August 1st. After visiting the circles, there is an optional extra of flying over the circles and the sacred places nearby, such as the unique Avebury stone complex, Silbury Hill, and West Kennet Long Barrow. This is very popular; people return with smiles stretching from ear to ear.

Crop Circle Tour page on website 

The Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrel infestation. After much prayer and consideration, they concluded that the squirrels were predestined to be there, and they should not interfere with God’s divine will.

At the Baptist church, the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a water-slide on the baptistery and let the squirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the slide and, unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim, so twice as many squirrels showed up the following week.

The Lutheran church decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God’s creatures. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the Baptist church. Two weeks later, the squirrels were back when the Baptists took down the water-slide.

The Episcopalians tried a much more unique path by setting out pans of whiskey around their church in an effort to kill the squirrels with alcohol poisoning. They sadly learned how much damage a band of drunk squirrels can do.

But the Catholic church came up with a more creative strategy! They baptized all the squirrels and made them members of the church. Now they only see them at Christmas and Easter.

Not much was heard from the Jewish synagogue. They took the first squirrel and circumcised him. They haven’t seen a squirrel since.

Anonymous

With my love and best wishes,

Lucy.

Please remember to check on my calendar and shop (https://cropcirclephotographs.co.uk/lucy-pringles-crop-circle-shop-photographs-puzzles-calendars/) .

Pam Gregory

There Was No Bump

It is now spring – according to the Metrological Calendar – which is based on the Gregorian Calendar. The Gregorian Calendar took over from the less reliable Julian Calendar on Friday 15th October 1582. However, Wikipedia tells us the most reliable calendar of all is the Solar Hijri calendar. ‘As one of the most accurate calendar systems in the world, the Solar Hijri calendar is also known as Persian Calendar, Iranian Calendar, and SH Calendar. Solar Hijri calendars rely on the movement of the Earth around the Sun to calculate time.’

The mornings are definitely getting lighter and the evenings longer, and I am overjoyed. There is no doubt that this lengthening of daylight lifts the spirits.

As we are only at the beginning of March, nothing is happening in the fields, and as so many strange events have happened in the circles over the years, I thought I would delve back and tell you the story of something that occurred to one of my friends in 2001.

The earliest crop crop circles appear April in oil seed rape (canola) and this particular event was no exception.

The second formation I visited in 2001 was the Corhampton event. The farmer and his wife, Richard and Susanne Hall were most gracious hosts and accompanied us into the field with their baby Isaac. With us was a Japanese healer – Hirokazu Kobayashi, over on a brief visit and staying at the Buddhist monastery at Chithurs – together with my old friends David and Colette Ardagh. Hirokazu had longed to visit and experience a crop formation, so together we entered the formation.

It was a perfect morning, the air was clear and fresh and the sun had by now gained strength and warmth. The Halls could not stay long, so we proceeded with our examination and I buried the water bottles for my experiment*. It seemed a special place and Hirokazu conducted a mediation and healing ceremony. He was a unique person who radiated infectious happiness, peace and love. He gave all three of us healing, and such was our enjoyment we were loath to leave this magical place and return to the normal world.

Shortly before our Corhampton visit, Colette Ardagh had broken her collarbone and was having regular physiotherapy treatment. Whilst in the field, and without thinking that Colette might have a problem, I asked everyone to collect a few stones to mark where I had buried my bottles. To her amazement she was able to stretch out her damaged shoulder quite easily.

A few days later she attended her physiotherapy appointment. Her regular physiotherapist was on holiday, so she was seen by a locum who on examining her shoulder looked puzzled and asked Colette if she had really broken her collarbone as the usually permanent bump – marking where the bone mends – was not present! The physiotherapist was astonished as she had never seen this effect before.

David Ardagh, who suffered from a bad back, also noted a definite subsequent improvement.

*In an effort to try and find out why I was getting so many reports telling me of the strange and unexpected results experienced by people when visiting crop circles and having long been interested in and having read articles on the qualities of water, I devised a plan - much to the ridicule of my peers apart from professional engineer James Lyons (now retired) who specialised in electronics. His main career was in the aerospace industry - to bury 20ml bottles of water from the same source, inside the circle and compare them with bottles but buried outside the circle. Electrical engineer Dr Cyril Smith (Electromagnetic Man) advised me to use Volvic water to ensure a consistent base. Volvic water does not go beyond 4 Hz. I sent him the bottles, and his results showed a noticeable difference between the water buried inside the circle and the control sample buried outside.

Over the years, with the invaluable help of James Lyons, buried bottles of water have been sent to many laboratories – some aboard – using different accredited techniques. On several occasions the results have been so marked that they had to be retested, only to return with identical results.

I am no longer continuing with this area of research as I was asked to use much larger bottles by the laboratory testing for trace minerals. I am now concentrating on the temporary relief of Parkinson’s conducted by neuroscientist Paul Gerry. The day starts by conducting control tests in Avebury Sports and Social Club. We then proceed into a circle and repeat the tests. Finally, we conduct a third identical test which is conducted some distance from the circle.The three identical tests can then be compared and analysed. See General Letters 2023 Interesting Results (https://cropcirclephotographs.co.uk/interesting-results/) .

Looking ahead, I am now taking bookings for my summer tours

Crop Circle Tours 2024

The first tour is on Thursday, July 25th. This comes with a special private evening entry into Stonehenge. It allows you to enter the inner circle, go right up to the stones, and feel the energy radiating from them. This is an optional extra to the cost of the crop circle tour.

My second tour is on Thursday, August 1st. After visiting the circles, there is an optional extra of flying over the circles and the sacred places nearby, such as the unique Avebury stone complex, Silbury Hill, and West Kennet Long Barrow. This is very popular; people return with smiles stretching from ear to ear.

I am ever curious to know what wonders we will be given this year – this is the ‘teasing’ time of using our imaginations. Will there be a theme? Whatever, they always leave us guessing!

Crop Circle Tour page on website (https://cropcirclephotographs.co.uk/crop-circle-tours-2024/)

Pam Gregory

Pilots and flight crew have some witty remarks:

I was on a crowded flight to Texas. A woman boarded with a very upset 3 year old who was crying and carrying on. You could tell she was already at her wits end. A flight attendant walked over and asked the baby’s name, which turned out to be Elias. A few moments later, a voice came out from the cockpit on the PA system.

“Elias? This is Santa.”

The little boy sat up, focused on the disembodied voice.

“Elias, I want you to be a good boy so I can bring you something really good at Christmas, so no crying or fussing, OK?”

The little boy was wide-eyed as he nodded. He was quiet the whole flight.

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The pilot had really banged the plane onto the runway and was dreading having to stand at the door and thank the passengers as they exited. He was certain someone would have a comment, but no one did. He started to relax when everyone had gotten off except a little, old lady with a walker. But when she finally made it up the aisle, she stopped and asked, “Did we land or were we shot down?”

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As a plane was flying it started shaking very badly and soon the pilot got on and announced I'm very sorry folks but we have just lost power to one of our engines we are going to try and restart it please remain calm .. a terrified man shouts out please tell us how far will one engine get us? Pilot pauses then answers the man, “All the way to the crash site. “

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I had a late-night Southwest flight to Rochester NY last week. It was the terminus for a long flight that had stopped twice. The pilot thanked the passengers and then said: “Now I want to tell you the same thing my father told me on my 18th birthday. Get your stuff and get out!” and for the children on-board, we are nearly there and will remain nearly there till we get there!

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This is your captain speaking. I’m working from home today. Have a safe flight!”

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About half way between London and Paris on Christmas Eve the pilot came on the PA with an announcement:

“Ladies, Gentlemen and especially children: I’ve just seen Santa and his reindeer pass by our aircraft and wave to me, if the children will look out your windows now you might still get to see him.”

I'm not a child but I still looked.

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We were waiting to take off at around midnight from LAX to New Zealand—a very long flight almost entirely over water with virtually no land in between. We were delayed because of a “malfunction.” The pilot came on the intercom and explained that he was waiting for a replacement part and that it would be arriving shortly. Groans were audible throughout the full 747. He then said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I share your disappointment. But we’re going on a long flight, and I can assure you that I would rather be on the ground wishing I were in the air, than in the air, wishing I were on the ground.” After a moment of stillness, applause erupted.

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It actually came from a flight attendant about 15 years ago. "We have a woman pilot and a woman co-pilot on this flight. You are flying in an unmanned plane.

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Years ago, there was a very low cost airline called PSA (Pacific Southwest Airlines). The other airlines hated the cheap competition. Once, I was on a United Airlines flight. As we flew over the Sacramento area, the pilot announced “If you look to your right, you will see PSA passengers deplaning from their flight.” Looking out the windows, we saw a group of skydivers jumping out of their plane.

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With my love and best wishes,

Lucy.

Looking Ahead

I am not sure how to communicate how I ‘feel inside’ without sounding heartless and callous.

Day after day, ever more and more horrific reports flood in, yet we get up every day to food, water and the other essentials in life, plus additional and readily available advantages and luxuries. It is impossible to fully understand the extremes of fear, hunger, dread, torture, cold, illness and sheer hopelessness that so many people are suffering particularly in the Middle East, also Ukraine and other parts of the world.

It seems while so many terrible events are happening, people are becoming hardened to the suffering of others. How I wish the world would wake up and see that enough was enough. When will the World leaders wake up to the sickening atrocities or the slow and painful death of a people by endless bombing and starving and the prevention of all the essentials needed for life to exist?

It is only when events reach such a stage of unspeakable horror that a realisation takes place: in physical terms such as when a boil reaches a certain point - it bursts releasing the poison and letting a cure take place.

Talking MUST start so that a lasting settlement can be found. An honest unbiased solution that can and will be recognised and agreed upon by both sides. I pray with all my heart that the international community can see that there has to be a solution. An acceptable solution. No matter how long it takes. Sometimes the hardest part is to get the ball rolling and to take the initiative, grasp the situation with both hands and make a start with the intention of finding a unilateral result - and not giving up until the process has succeeded.

As we approach 2024, I have a feeling of optimism, I feel that we WILL see a gradual improvement. There are times in our lives when not everything goes according to plan. First and foremost, I wish you a very happy and productive 2024. There is no doubt that we are living in tumultuous times. The media carries endless reports of desperate conditions in Ukraine and the Middle East as a whole.

It is easy to get drawn into feelings of despair and fear, not least feeling the pain of the daily dreadful suffering of all these horrors inflicted on helpless women and children on both sides. I hope that as events become increasingly severe and unstable, there might be a shift in thinking, resulting in the need to view this as a significant opportunity to sit down and talk. Using the power of speech rather than the power of deadly arms.

Some may see this as a forlorn formula, but it seems a possible reality to me. A time when the leaders realise that enough is enough. A time when people realise the futility of their actions and can discuss the future constructively. What a wonderful opportunity that could lead to a new and better understanding of the world in which we live.

The situation reminds me of the famous, haunting song written by Pete Seeger and sung by Marlena Dietrich ‘Where have all the young men gone?’

Marlene Dietrich: Where Have All the Flowers Gone? (Live TV, 1963)

Oblivious to the outside turmoil, our hearts are raised by the actions of the natural world – slowly, snowdrops started poking their heads through the soil and are now out and in total abundance. In some warmer parts of the country, crocus and even the odd daffodil are making their annual appearance. This is always a time of great excitement as early Spring heralds the future of longer days and warmer times.

The goldfinches, long-tailed tits, robins, blue tits, coal tits and bullfinches etc, are all devouring the sunflower hearts I put out for them.

I will give you the dates for my 2024 crop circle tours.

The first tour is on Thursday, July 25th. This comes with a special private evening entry into Stonehenge. It allows you to enter the inner circle, go right up to the stones, and feel the energy radiating from them. This is an optional extra to the cost of the crop circle tour.

My second tour is on Thursday, August 1st. After visiting the circles, there is an optional extra of flying over the circles and the sacred places nearby, such as the unique Avebury stone complex, Silbury Hill, and West Kennet Long Barrow. This is very popular; people return with smiles stretching from ear to ear.

I am ever curious to know what wonders we will be given this year – this is the ‘teasing’ time of using our imaginations. Will there be a theme? Whatever, they always leave us guessing!

With my love and best wishes,

Lucy.

P.S. Please remember to check on my calendar and shop

Crop Circle Tour page on website

MNOZIL BRASS lonley boy


Mnozil Brass Band

Thoughts and Themes for 2024

Pam Gregory

Bursting the Bubble

I am not sure how to communicate how I ‘feel inside’ without sounding heartless and callous.

Day after day, ever more and more horrific reports flood in, yet we get up every day to food, water and the other essentials in life, plus additional and readily available advantages and luxuries. It is impossible to fully understand the extremes of fear, hunger, dread, torture, cold, illness and sheer hopelessness that so many people are suffering particularly in the Middle East, also Ukraine and other parts of the world.

It seems while so many terrible events are happening, people are becoming hardened to the suffering of others. How I wish the world would wake up and see that enough was enough. When will the World leaders wake up to the sickening atrocities or the slow and painful death of a people by endless bombing and starving and the prevention of all the essentials needed for life to exist?

It is only when events reach such a stage of unspeakable horror that a realisation takes place: in physical terms such as when a boil reaches a certain point - it bursts releasing the poison and letting a cure take place.

Talking MUST start so that a lasting settlement can be found. An honest unbiased solution that can and will be recognised and agreed upon by both sides. I pray with all my heart that the international community can see that there has to be a solution. An acceptable solution. No matter how long it takes. Sometimes the hardest part is to get the ball rolling and to take the initiative, grasp the situation with both hands and make a start with the intention of finding a unilateral result - and not giving up until the process has succeeded.

As we approach 2024, I have a feeling of optimism, I feel that we WILL see a gradual improvement; the period of Advent signals a great event, it heralds a New Energy.

If we are lucky, we enjoy a gathering of family and friends - a special time that happens maybe only once a year.

However, there are many others who are not so fortunate and for some an unhappy time of accentuated loneliness and lack of friends. Where I live, there is a great awareness. People who need help, company, food and friendship are looked after so they too can have fun and food. No-one is left alone who wants to be with others.

The History of Christmas

I am going to be away from before Christmas to just after the New Year, so I wanted you to know that my last posting day will be Wednesday 13th December.

Things aren't always as they appear......

A man was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. The plane had a layover in Sacramento. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft, the plane would re-board in one hour.

Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman who was blind.

Another man had noticed him as he walked by and could tell the gentleman was blind because his Guide Dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of him throughout the entire flight.

He could also tell he had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached him, and calling him by name, said, "Keith, we're in Sacramento for an hour, would you like to get off and stretch your legs?”

The blind man replied, "No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs."

Picture this:

All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a Guide Dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses.

People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!

True story....and just remember...

Things aren't always as they appear.

Branch Manager and Assistant

New Moon in Sagittarius
Pam Gregory ~ New Moon in Sagittarius

With my love and very best wishes and blessings for a wonderfully Happy Christmas and a greatly improved and peaceful New Year 2024.

Lucy.

Interesting Results

 

In my last letter, I promised to send you the results of our Scientific Research Day.

As I described in my previous letter, I will just run through the basic arrangements. The date decided upon was Sunday 23rd July; the weather forecast was unsettled, a mixture of rain and sun. The date is planned some months ahead in order for our plans to fall into place. Undaunted by the forecast (we have conducted tests in rain before now), we met at the Avebury Sports and Social Club. It is a wonderfully convenient venue with good private parking and ample electrical outlets for computers etc.  This is where we conduct the first control tests.

Advanced Clinical Physiologist Paul Gerry from the Devon and Exeter Hospital kindly joined us in order to conduct the tests. Our participants were Parkinson’s Disease sufferer Heidrun Warton. There are several types of Parkinson’s syndrome including one with no tremor such as happens in Heidrun’ case. Amongst the many other problems, sufferers are prone to mood disturbances such depression (sadness, loss of energy, decreased interest in activities) and anxiety (uncontrollable worry).

 

Other participants were long-time Essential Tremor sufferers Linda Daubney and Tina Martin. Aurele O’Malley acted as guinea pig.

 

Right from the start I knew it was going to be an unusual day. There were no circles. However, there was a field of barley in which the first circle of 2023 had appeared on the 28th May. By the 23rd July, over eight weeks later, the field had been harvested, leaving it in stubble. The remains of the circle were lying flat to the ground where the crop had been flattened. It was a very large field and wet underfoot after so much rain. This made walking more difficult, especially carrying all our equipment. We had been given the approximate site of the circle, which otherwise we would never have found except by a stroke of extraordinary good luck. Just imagine standing at the edge of a large field of stubble, a field so large that we could not see the far edge looking towards the distant horizon.

It was like searching for a needle in a haystack; trying to locate a flattened circle somewhere. It was below the height of the stubble, so impossible to see except from close to. All you could see would be the short stalks of the crop.

 

Aurele nimbly went ahead across the stubble and found the tramline that would take us straight into the flattened circle.

This is not completely new territory as in 2014 and 2018, we conducted our tests in circles that the farmer had mown out. Admittedly they were only a few days old and not like the one at Broad Hinton which was over eight weeks old. My hopes were not high. The results we had had from the tests conducted in 2014 https://cropcirclephotographs.co.uk/lucy-pringle-article-puzzles-a-plenty/
and 2018
https://cropcirclephotographs.co.uk/lucy-pringle-article-march-2019/
were quite remarkable.

Geometer Michael Glickman (sadly no longer with us) sent me an email which reads as follows: ‘I have been drawing the circles now for nearly thirty years and I was astonished by the skill and precision embodied in Martinsell Hill. It is, in my view, one of the top ten (maybe five!) formations we have received. But perhaps I am prejudiced!

It contains 28 pentagrams and 140 precisely formed isosceles triangles, each with a prime angle of 36 degrees which automatically generates the golden section.

Any suggestion that this meticulous and majestic crop formation might be man-made is bizarre to the point of lunacy.’

2023 Results

Sadly the 2023 results apart from the dramatic improvement in Tina Martin’s handwriting were not remarkable. Maybe it was too old?

Our research is centred around conducting tests relating to the temporary relief of Parkinson’s disease. It has been found that in Parkinsons sufferers, if the level of brain activity is raised to the gamma level of brain activity 30-100Hz it can inhibit dyskinesia (stop or reduce the tremor). The gamma wave originates in the thalamus and moves from the back of the brain to the front and back again 40 times per second in a rapid “full sweep” action. This makes the gamma state one of peak mental and physical performance. Gamma is the brainwave state of being ‘in the zone.' Gamma brain waves are associated with the “feeling of blessings” reported by experienced meditators.

Paul Gerry wrote: ‘Just a short note to show you a few graphs showing brain waves over time (attached). The left column is the beforehand, middle in the circle and right afterwards. Top graphs are the alpha frequencies (related to relaxed mind) and lower the gamma.

'I think you can see the steady increase in gamma during the time inside the circle which reduces afterwards.’

This initial possible interpretation of the brain activity tests showing the increase in gamma were on reflection not important.

Paul Gerry writes ‘I have spent several hours analysing the brain waves, heart beat, eye movements and the tremor recordings.

So far I can’t find any significant changes in the three recordings I took of each person.

The initial gamma frequency change I am afraid to say is likely to be just muscle tension.

I have been in touch with the MD of the company who makes the equipment and he says he will join the before/in/after recordings together so I can view them continuously to look for variations.’

I am attaching Paul’s full report herewith. It is quite lengthy, so you may want to skip it.

 

CROP CIRCLE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DAY 2023

Abbreviations:

  • BVP – Blood volume pulse
  • ECG -Electrocardiograph (heart beat)
  • EEG - Electroencephalograph (brain wave)
  • EOG – Electro-oculograph (eye movements)
  • HRV – (Heart rate variability)
  • PD – Parkinson’s Disease
  • PSP - Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Background

It has been reported that being in a crop circle can -

  1. Give a feeling of wellbeing
  2. Alleviate symptoms of some conditions, especially Parkinson’s disease.
  3. Reduce the amount of hand tremor in subjects suffering from essential tremor and other pathologies.
  • 1. Environmental wellbeing refers to the mental, physiological and emotional states of people passing through certain places. In this context, wellbeing must be measurable and to some extent, susceptible to external influence within short time-spans. The Electroencephalograph (EEG) is an immediate representation of this concept. The variability of the time between each heart beat (Heart Rate Variability HRV) also is an indicator of physical and mental health.
  • 2. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder resulting from a loss of dopaminergic neurons. Recent advances in technology have enabled higher brainwave frequencies to be recorded, such 30 cycles per second and above (gamma-band activity GBA). These have correlation to such disorders as PD. The GBA has been shown to be related to PD binding of sensory integration. Also smooth eye movements can be impaired due to a condition called PSP. Therefore measurements of the Gamma brainwave frequency and eye movements could indicate degree of effect from PD .
  • 3. Using an app on the mobile that was developed for self monitoring tremor in Parkinson’s patients.

Aim

To record the various physiological signals and compare before and after being in the circle.

  1. States of mind- “wellbeing”.
  2. Parkinson’s Disease.
  3. Tremor

The equipment produced by Vilistus (www.vilistus.com) is ideal for recording suitable parameters. (Illustrated in graph below)

EEG (brainwave frequencies from right and left hemispheres) – looking at the various frequency

Bands

EOG (eye movements) Measurement of Ocular motility i.e. hypometric saccades in PD.

HRV (Heart Rate Variability) – Using a BVP sensor, HRV is a key indicator of physiological resiliency and ability to adapt effectively to stress and environmental demands.

Recording in the crop circle

Although the corn had been harvested it was felt there was a certain warmth and welcoming in the circle.

Electrodes were applied to the two sides of the head in specific places called T3, O2 and T3, O1 (according to the “10-20 system” with a conducting paste after the scalp was rubbed with a skin prep to reduce the electrical impedances.

      Below: The raw traces being viewed and stored on the equipment

above: top two traces are the EEG from right and left hemisphere

third trace EOG

bottom pulse (heart rate)

Method

There were two subjects, one with a diagnosis of PD and a “control”.

Recordings of the EEG and BVP along with EOG on the PD subject while she performed lateral eye movements to command were obtained, before in a study room, inside the crop circle and afterward outside the field.

Results

EOG (Lateral eye movements) in the Parkinson’s subject

The lateral eye movements were very similar apart from more facial muscle interference inside the circle. There was no sign of PSP so it could not be used to monitor any improvement.

Brain activity (EEG)

The EEG is an accurate measurement of the physiological state of the brain.

The alpha frequencies (8 – 13 waves or cycles a second), relates to level of relaxation while theta (5 – 7 c/s) is closer to mindfulness and a meditative state. Gamma oscillations are thought to be related to deep brain structures and even self-healing mechanisms.

The following graphs are the three recording sessions (length approx. 10 minutes before, five minutes inside and five minutes after).

Control

A slight increase of amplitude in the centre of this graph is seen during the time in the circle, suggesting deep relaxation, almost a meditative state.

Alpha frequency

The frequency fluctuates more during and after time in the circle relating to an altered mental state, alternating perhaps between reality and inner awareness of thoughts?

Parkinson’s Subject

Along with the fluctuations of the frequency the alpha amplitude slowly increases during the time in the circle, possibly due to being at peace.

Control

It would certainly appear that there is an increase in Gamma frequencies inside and after being in the circle. Could this be evidence of the circle having a healing effect?

Similar to the frequency graph, Gamma increases in amplitude once the subject is in the circle.

Parkinsons

Interestingly the Gamma frequencies in the Parkinson’s subject show increase after she was in the circle.

The Gamma amplitude decreases during time in the circle but increases again afterwards. This needs further investigation.

Tremor readings from Essential tremor sufferer

The interesting feature of the tremor measurements is that the frequency distribution alters showing that the tremor movements become less complex, however the method of measurement needs refining as simply extending the hand is not comparable to a complex task such as writing.

Control

This is perhaps the most striking graph showing significant variation in the heart rate inside the circle and also continuing afterwards.

High HRV is showing proper emotional regulation, decision making and attention. High HRV is illustrating increased parasympathetic activity.

Parkinsons

However, with the Parkinson’s subject, the HRV decreases.

This could be showing a sympathovagal imbalance – illustrating both sympathetic and vagal activities are decreased. Definitely more research is required.

Overall Conclusions

Tremor measurements using smartphone sensors were not suitable for recording a tremor that alters with intension.

Eye movements (EOG) are not always appropriate for assessing PD changes.

EEG amplitude is a sensitive index of the state of the mind, especially the theta, alpha and gamma bands.

Interbeat variability in the heart rate is the best way to monitor both physiological and mental changes.

Further studies of EEG and HRV are recommended.

My great thanks to neuroscientist Paul Gerry for continuing to conduct and devote his valuable time to record these important tests.

I find it interesting that both Heidron and Tina showed a marked difference after being in the circle.