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REVIEWS @ HUMAN DEVOLUTION: A Vedic beings; but when it relinquishes that connec- meaningful, the shallow and crass of the Alternative to Darwin's Theory tion to "devolve" into the world of form, the crop circle drama. But instead of focusing by Michael A. Cremo self becomes covered by the lower energies _ on the designs themselves (as he has done in Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, USA, 2003 of mind and matter. Yet Cremo assures that _ previous books, especially Vital Signs), ISBN 0-89213-334-1 (584pp he) the process of spiritual evolution will return Andy concentrates on aspects of the cultural Availability: Torchlight Publishing us to the source. The rich picture he paints history: the usual hoax claims, bizarre New http://www. torchlight.com; , is of a Universe teeming with life in gross Age beliefs, the Oliver's Castle crop circle : : ' : and subtle energy dimensions. He puts for- _ video controversy, scientific analyses, X- http:/Awww.humandevolution.com | De explanations for the origin and evolution of species cannot account for anomalous evidence or even lack of evi- ward convincing evidence for the existence Files comparisons and UFO anecdotes. of spirit worlds beyond this physical reality. There's a walk-in by retired rock star Reg If our scientific understanding is to expand __ Presley, run-ins with foreign investigators, dence of intermediate forms in the fossil in the 2st century, it will have to incorpo- and even a weird media set-up involving record, says Michael Cremo in his lone- rate knowledge about subtle energies. Marcus Allen of NEXUS UK Office and an » Says § tong Cremo's book will help shift the paradigm. elderly red-caped eccentric playing an alien- awaited sequel to Forbidden Archeology (1993; co-written with Richard Thompson). In the early chapters, Cremo summarises calling xylophone. Andy then transports us SWIRLED HARVEST: Views from the across the world to tease us with the still the evidence for human presence hundreds Crop Circle Frontline unsolved mystery of the Marree Man, the of millions of years ago, and for the exis- by Andy Thomas largest ove fond achat te fa human figure tence of flowering plants and insects 600 Vital Signs Publishing & $ B Publications, ‘nustrali on doses tt in 1998: a military opera. million years ago in the Salt Range area of East Sussex, UK, 2003 mm thi : : ny P what is now Pakistan—several hundred mil- _ ISBN 0-85770-272-7 (175pp tpb) aera white fare valati diay eee t lion years earlier than anywhere else. Availability: Vital Signs Publishing, d fon ‘ wd by Le ation CG nd Y's par d In his chapter on genes, Cremo says that http://www. vitalsignspublishing.co.uk ot a book that etends the boundaries. modern-day science cannot explain how life lhe crop circle mystery continues to con- : = came into existence and suggests there is found and thrill after all these years, and ae something more than DNA alone that sparks —_ in Swirled Harvest Andy Thomas shows that jswirled life into existence. Cremo then gets to the the investigation process can be filled with crux of what Human Devolution is all about: _ intrigue, exasperation and even fun. an alternative theory on human origins This is a collection of selected pieces writ- involving the devolution of humanity from ten by Andy over more than a decade and the realm of pure consciousness or spirit, previously published in his former Sussex according to the ancient Vedic scientific/ Circular newsletter and more recently on his philosophical tradition of India. Swirled News website. The exception is one Cremo asks us to contemplate not just previously unpublished article on the myste- where we come from but what a human rious silica dust that is sometimes found being is—and it certainly hasn't evolved within formations—perhaps the residue of from apes. His reply, based on the Vedic impacts from balls of light often seen during worldview, is that we are made up of three the creation of the pictograms? distinct substances: matter, mind and con- Apart from introducing the novice to the sciousness (or spirit). The true self is con- basics and landmarks in cerealogy, Andy nected with the source of all conscious takes us on a journey through the deep and beings; but when it relinquishes that connec- tion to "devolve" into the world of form, the self becomes covered by the lower energies of mind and matter. Yet Cremo assures that the process of spiritual evolution will return us to the source. The rich picture he paints is of a Universe teeming with life in gross and subtle energy dimensions. He puts for- ward convincing evidence for the existence of spirit worlds beyond this physical reality. If our scientific understanding is to expand in the 21st century, it will have to incorpo- rate knowledge about subtle energies. Cremo's book will help shift the paradigm. 68 = NEXUS meaningful, the shallow and crass of the crop circle drama. But instead of focusing on the designs themselves (as he has done in previous books, especially Vital Signs), Andy concentrates on aspects of the cultural history: the usual hoax claims, bizarre New Age beliefs, the Oliver's Castle crop circle video controversy, scientific analyses, X- Files comparisons and UFO anecdotes. There's a walk-in by retired rock star Reg Presley, run-ins with foreign investigators, and even a weird media set-up involving Marcus Allen of NEXUS UK Office and an elderly red-caped eccentric playing an alien- calling xylophone. Andy then transports us across the world to tease us with the still unsolved mystery of the Marree Man, the largest ever representation of a human figure which was found etched into the South Australian desert in 1998: a military opera- tion, or something more mysterious? A little bit of speculation on Andy's part and a foreword by Laurence Gardner round off a book that extends the boundaries. www.nexusmagazine.com DECEMBER 2003 — JANUARY 2004