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many of the elements reported by observers or contactees had more in common with poltergeists, hauntings and other 'paranormal' experiences, than with ‘nuts and bolts’ flying saucers. These may occur repeatedly to some individuals. UFOs and crop circles share the same characteristic of these episodes of psychic connection occurring to researchers. The frequent occurrence of circles in proximity to ancient sites such as tumuli, long barrows and hill forts has given rise to theorizing about ‘earth energies' as a cause of events. The idea of such energies has a long history but has developed, in recent times, largely from the work of Alfred Watkins whose book, The Old Straight Track, described his theory of ley lines. Almost everyone is aware, in some way, of these ideas that ancient sites and natural features, such as hill tops, are connected in straight lines, to which he gave the name ‘leys'. During the 1960s, this concept was elaborated to include the idea that these lines were 'energy lines’, and could be detected by dowsing. Many dowsers have suggested that circle formations occur on ley lines and appear due to some sort of build-up of energy. Opinions differ as to whether this is a natural process, or occurs under some kind of intelligent direction. In outline, the earth energy theories about circles assume that genuine circles will prove to be connected by energy or ley lines to the network of ancient sites. Dowser Richard Andrews describes how they are joined: 'the three line ley is the main reference for the circle configuration, as the circles... are centrally between these lines’. Circles would have crossing ‘positive lines' at the centre. The actual process of formation is envisaged as a two stage process, with a 'plan' being directed from above, by an unknown intelligence, followed by a surge of earth energy, creating the circle, and establishing a link to the network. The ‘consciousness’ of the energy system might be equated with an ‘intelligence’ operating from above, to produce the circles. We have already seen that there are observations of UFOs or aerial phenomena in conjunction with the circles, and some writers have speculated that these aerial components may 'seed' a new design, or a new site, following which it becomes active. Colin Bloy, another dowser, described the network's energies as: 'subtle, universal, and an aspect of consciousness’.