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first real masterpiece of the season to emerge. A twin "time tunnel" of radiating off-centre rings at Avebury Trusloe, Wiltshire, on 30th June gave a striking optical illusion effect. It set the theme for a number of formations with similar motifs which would soon follow, most notably at Savernake Forest on 8th July, Aldbourne on 11th July and Straight Soley on 20th July, again all in Wiltshire. Among several other July entries, three powerful designs all impressively conspired to appear on the one night of 8th July: a "Koch fractal" type of design at Boxley, Kent—probably the finest crop glyph to appear in that county to date; a feathery-looking "dreamcatcher" emblem not far from the famous White Horse chalk carving at Uffington in Oxfordshire; and within a mile of that, at Waylands Smithy (site of the best of the 2005 events), the formation which perhaps most caught the public's imagination this year—an astonishing array of radiating rectangular boxes (seen in perspective) around a jagged central star. Many speculated on the meaning of this very distinctive and unusual symbol, some fearing negative connotations (noting the resemblance to an explosion amongst tower blocks), while others found more inspirational readings. This formation was even reported in the Daily Mail (11th July) with awe and interest. How short the memories of newspapers are: just three weeks later, the same paper (29th July) sounded the death knell of the phenomenon with yet another piece on the apparently diminishing returns in the fields. As the summer drew on, further surprises continued to prove the press wrong. A ninefold floral pattern near the famous Rollright stone circle in Oxfordshire appeared on 2nd July, and the old 1980s circle-haunt of Cheesefoot Head in Hampshire produced a not dissimilar complex ninefold mandala on 23rd July. An unusual design style was explored on 6th August when a huge formation based on non-conventional curves (described by some, contentiously, as "parabolic") arrived at Blowingstone Hill near Kingston Lisle in Oxfordshire (a county which did unusually well for formations this year). This six-pointed affair, with its chequer- board centre, was strange to the eye and impressively difficult to draw. A simpler sequel came down at Etchilhampton in Wiltshire on 15th August—the last English formation at the time of writing. Avebury Trusloe, near Beckhampton, Wiltshire. Reported 30th June. Image: Nick Nicholson © 2006. The future of the phenomenon = The UK had just under 50 crop glyphs this year, about 20 down New Barn, near Aldbourne, Wiltshire. on the previous season—not as low in number as many have made Reported 11th July. Image: Crop Circle Connector © 2006. The future of the phenomenon PS | The UK had just under 50 crop glyphs this year, about 20 down New Barn, near Aldbourne, Wiltshire. on the previous season—not as low in number as many have made Reported 11th July. Image: Crop Circle Connector © 2006. out, yet still evidence of a general downward trend in recent years. Some of this year's glyphs do evidently stand out as masterpieces. 6, marking the completion of a phase? Some wondered at the start However, it must also be said that it is generally agreed that 2006 of 2006 if this was where things were heading, but later events was not a vintage year, with some formations being obviously — pjyrred away the ambiguity. A lull before a storm, heralding the beginning of something new somewhat geometrically challenged and others (a clear As yet, this mysterious, beautiful and frustrating phenomenon is representation of a cartoon pig, for instance!) hardly helping the far from dead. Still no definitive explanations are forthcoming, but cause of credibility—though it may simply be that reduced numbers __jtg presence and charm remain. co of what some might call "the real thing" more clearly expose the remaining human element. Germany, which in recent years has About the Author: been buoyant with crop formations, seemed to stall similarly. | Andy Thomas is one the world's leading crop circle researchers However, there have been disappointing seasons before, only to be and is author of five books on the phenomenon including Vital followed by renaissance times just a year later, so it is too early to Signs, considered by many to be the definitive guide (see start writing obituaries for the phenomenon just yet: another year —_ http://www.vitalsignspublishing.co.uk). Andy is also editor of will be needed to show the general trend more clearly, especially as the influential website http://www.swirlednews.com. He can collectively, in 2006, crop circle numbers in other countries actually be contacted by email at info@swirlednews.com. suggested an upward trend. Italy in particular continued its run of ambitious formations, and even France, Belgium, Slovenia and Image Credits and Contacts: Switzerland, among several other countries, got in on the act. = Steve Alexander: http://www.temporarytemples.co.uk/ Some have long speculated whether a year will one day come + Crop Circle Connector: http://www.cropcircleconnector.com with few or no circles. If such a notable dearth were ever to happen, + Andy Fowlds: http:/Avww.medwaycropcircle.co.uk/ this would in itself, of course, be a noteworthy wonder. Lucy Pringle: http:/www.lucypringle.co.uk/ A lull before a storm, heralding the beginning of something new or marking the completion of a phase? Some wondered at the start of 2006 if this was where things were heading, but later events blurred away the ambiguity. As yet, this mysterious, beautiful and frustrating phenomenon is far from dead. Still no definitive explanations are forthcoming, but its presence and charm remain. oo Image Credits and Contacts: = Steve Alexander: http://www.temporarytemples.co.uk/ = Crop Circle Connector: http://www.cropcircleconnector.com Andy Fowlds: http:/Avww.medwaycropcircle.co.uk/ Lucy Pringle: http:/www.lucypringle.co.uk/ NEXUS = 61 OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2006 www.nexusmagazine.com