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second to the UK) effectively tied on numbers this year, both with their own mix of sublime and less sublime designs. Switzerland, which has been a growing presence in the circle tables, managed to produce six interesting formations this year, and even France, not usually a circle-oriented country, recorded five. Other nations to report a few circles included the USA, Canada, The Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic and even South Korea, which came up with a massive and breathtaking pattern to rival many of its English cousins. Nonetheless, the UK is clearly the centre of circular activity and seems set to remain so. Much speculation has been made over the years as to why the fields of the UK—and England in particular—have so much to say, while other countries remain muted. Theories range from the geological to the philosophical, with some believing that the UK is the "heart chakra" of the world and that its people are for some reason the most suited to receive this type of universal wake-up call and help take it out to the world. Accusations of misplaced patriotism aside, with all the 2012 expectations growing it is certainly interesting that the United Kingdom will draw massive attention to itself in holding the Olympic Games in London that year, and even astrologically it seems that its profile will be raised hugely in what may be a momentous but difficult period for the nation (a highly interesting article on this subject, by astrologer Helen Sewell, can be found at www.diagnosis2012.co.uk/ astro.html). Perhaps, with all the mystifying and spectacular symbolism we have been seeing in the UK over the decades, the circle phenomenon is drawing our attention to the fact that, this time around in the ancient cycle, it is in places like the UK—such a prominent example of western culture— where the work has the most to be done. Whether this turns out to be a blessing or a curse remains to be seen, but, for many, the reception of so many awe-inspiring and life- changing gifts in the crops over the decades will have been a price worth paying. 20 Cherhill, near Calne, Wiltshire. Reported 7th August. Image: John Montgomery © 2008 Barton Le Clay, Barton Springs, Bedfordshire. Reported 14th August. Image: www.cropcircleconnector.com © 2008 About the Author: Andy Thomas is one of the world's leading crop circle researchers and is the author of five books on the phenomenon including Vital Signs, considered by many to be the definitive guide. His new book The Truth Agenda: Making Sense of Global Deception and Unexplained Mysteries is due out in late 2008. For more details, see http://www. vitalsignspublishing.co.uk. Andy Thomas can be contacted by email at info@vitalsignspublishing.co.uk. Image Credits and Contacts: * Steve Alexander: http:/www.temporarytemples.co.uk/ * Crop Circle Connector: http:/Avww.cropcircleconnector.com ¢ Frank Laumen: http:/Avww.franklaumen.de ¢ John Montgomery ¢ Janet Ossebaard * Lucy Pringle: http://www.lucypringle.co.uk/ ¢ Philippe Ullens Eastfield, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire. Reported 25th August. Image: Philippe Ullens © 2008 62 ¢ NEXUS www.nexusmagazine.com OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2008