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mischief making, actually have much in common. Instead of relying on debate and logic, some sceptics have constructed circles, to 'prove' that researchers are unscientific and credulous and that the phenomenon is only the result of human activity. It is the covert nature of their work, and the wish to have their work assessed as genuine, that connects them to the mischief-makers. Doug and Dave are perhaps the most obvious examples of these, although both men painted, and would probably claim some artistic intent. Their satisfaction lay chiefly in fooling others and this is evidenced by reports of their presence among researchers and visitors to circles, observing and questioning people's reactions to their creations. The motivation of those who produce circles as scientific experiment and those who do so as "land art’ are relatively easily understood, but from the psychological viewpoint, those who engage in circle- making as an act of communication or ritual are more interesting. In an article entitled "The Templemakers', Andrew Collins looks at ‘paranormal aspects' of human circlemakers' activities, suggesting that the act of swirling a circle can be equated with a ritual magician drawing down a 'cone of power' in a magic circle. From this idea, it is a short step to wondering what effect this may have on the circlemakers, and even to speculating that they may not always be aware of exactly what prompts their behaviour. Collins says that his enquiries revealed at least one group whose mode of operation he compares to automatic writing, a process during which a trance-like state is entered and the hand holding a pen is directed from beyond the conscious mind to produce messages. These circlemakers see their work as supernaturally directed and every bit the genuine article. Such individuals are deeply caught up in an obsession with the circles. Even mischief-makers like Doug and Dave have spoken of a sense of Any attempt to understand what is taking place in the continuing occurrence of the circles needs to take account of their effect on humans, both individually and collectively. This aspect of research is as References The concept of domains of intelligence comes from Steven Mithen's fascinating book, The Prehistory of the Mind. Rorschach tests were designed by Hermann Rorschach, a Swiss Psychiatrist, in 1921 and use a series of abstract inkblot pictures to reveal the subject's personality and unconscious motivation. Chris Kenworthy's confessions appeared in The Cerealogist No. 1 1. Wingfield's frustration is revealed in Harbingers of Change. A good introduction to Jung's ideas can be found in Introducing Jung. His thoughts on 'flying saucers’ can be found in his book Flying Saucers - a Modem Myth of Things Seen in the Sky. The events at Barmouth are described in Devereux's Earth Lights and Collins’ article appears in The Cerealogist No. 8. (See also Further Reading.) Practice The study of the psychology of the circles begins with your own interest in them! What interested you in them? Recall your first exposure to them and your reactions. Observe your family and friends' wonder at what had driven them on to create circles. important as fieldwork in the circles themselves.