Many are puzzled by the mysterious swirled circles and patterns that have been appearing for some ten years in the cornfields of Southern England, and which have attracted growing media coverage. IN 1989, 305 circles of various sizes were formed, usually in beautiful geometric arrangements. In 1990 brought not only a great increase in that number, but the patterns changed into figures like ancient cave paintings.
The most fascinating features of the circles - their unpredictability and their complexity increasing form year to year - make the previous year's findings and theories inadequate for the new season. i the earlier years most of the researchers were looking for a wholly physicial explanation of how they are formed, ranging from hoaxes by jokers to fungai, from fickle wind patters to unidentified aerial phenomena. (Yes, there have been a few hoaxes - buy any serious researcher identifies them immediately.)
Physical causes are sought first because of the way modern science had developed. However, a few of the researchers started to look for energy causes rather than the physical (similar to the way Eastern medicine differs from Western), and towards symbol and meaning. There have been authenticated observations of strange sights and sounds that are not easy to explain. Many of the researchers in the field now believing that whatever agency is behind the phenomenon is sensitive to location, to timing, to human presence and to landforms. As the new "varieties" are "released" each year, there is more concern with meaning; If there is an intelligence behind them, what are the circles trying to tell us?
It was to pool the resources of the researchers, and to bring a more interdisciplinary approach to the phenomenon that, at Easter 1990, the Centre for Crop Circles Studies was formed. This volume is the first body of research to come form the Centre, and represents the state of the art in `990. While the reader may not find that the cause and meaning of the circles has been conclusively unveiled, in this volume the research offers stimulating insights into the hidden side of nature, more than he (or she) has probably conceived.
The contributors include a professor of astronomy, an atmospheric physicist, an archaeologist, an engineer, a farmer, a dowser, a paleo-historian, and a pilot. And there are some 60 marvelous photographs by Busy Taylor. the first past deals with the history of the circles, with their superstitions, fantasies and strange solutions.
Part two looks at the evidence for their formation with alternative views form physics to energy effects to UFO connections.
Part Three discusses symbolism and meaning, and the last part displays the amazing developments of the 1990 season, anticipating what the future developments might bring.