with strange images and scenes. The above picture is a small portion of an image taken of the back of Skully's head, using a basic 35mm camera and a simple flash. Its features do correspond very closely with the descriptions and drawings of extraterrestrial life forms -allegedly- in contact (through Skully) with the Sensitives. It also resembles many previously published pictures of -alleged- alien and spiritual creatures. Indeed, looking more closely at the face, it can be seen to contain a series of sub-images. Above the mouth, two stone pillars form the entrance to a dark passage that recedes into the distance. The nose comprises an eye-in-the-triangle motif enclosed within a pyramid-like structure and topped with a most curious pair of horns. The eyelids seem to be depicted as the head and mane of two lions, facing each other. Between these can be seen another, smaller pyramid structure. Above this a large hawk-like bird stretches its wings. Are all of these strange patterns really just tricks of the light? Or do they truly represent the features of an alien creature trying to speak to us across who knows how much time, space, or even dimensions?

My question is a restatement of the same dilemma which dogs all supernatural experiences. For example: Imagine that a Psychic or Medium tells me she can see my Spirit Guide standing next to me. Furthermore, she informs me that the spiritual being is giving her a message to pass on to me. Since I am unable to see or hear the spirit, I am obliged to accept her word. How can I be certain that she is not simply making it all up? After all, who would know? In the event of her actually being in contact with an alien being; what guarantee is there that the entity is what it claims to be. Is it telling the truth? The situation has a clear parallel with 'cyber-chat.' How do you tell if 'Sexyboy18' really is who he claims to be? Is the picture he e-mailed you really him? The deciding factor is surely to be judged in the clarity of the message delivered. But even this is not as straightforward as it may seem. Although the Sensitives were producing a range of pretty impressive facial contortions, odd vocal utterances, thought provoking visions and a sprinkling of profound messages and teachings; how could I be sure that any of it was for real? Even if I did not consider the question of deliberate falsehood, it was still possible that the visions were merely images dredged from the subconscious mind of the Sensitives and not received from an extraterrestrial source.

The shelves of our bookstores are crammed with magazines and books that describe a diverse range of magical practices and arts. All of which guarantee the seeker an unlimited supply of gold, power, sex and whatever else he, or she may require. For the extremely idle majority who can't even be bothered to complete the spells and rituals themselves, there are literally thousands of assorted witches and wizards who will do the necessary business for them; at a price! But where are the results? Let's face it; if you paid £25 for a super potent lottery winning spell... and it actually worked: What would you do? Well, after completing another three winning lines you'd ring your family, friends and work mates to let them in on the secret. They'd all win and would go on to tell their relatives and mates. Within a matter of weeks, everyone in the country would have won the lottery; would they not? And why, if the magician who advertises the spell is so powerful, does he need to charge £25 a time for it? Why not distribute it free-of-charge for the good of all?

As the number of Sensitives who Channelled Skully increased, it was becoming annoyingly clear that the sessions were raising far more questions than were being answered. Although the Sensitives were in complete agreement that 'Skully was a very powerful tool,' none were able to offer any coherent instructions as to how the power source may be switched on, or utilized in a useful manner. However, in some way and on some level I was gradually becoming aware of a sort of 'pattern.' Underneath the general background noise, occasionally, I was able to detect rare and fleeting glimpses of a curious and elusive thread which wove its way through everything connected with Skully. As time passed, these snatches and impressions developed and intermeshed with each other, like the pieces of a jigsaw gradually fitting together to reveal a complete picture. Unfortunately, the more of the picture I was able to see, the harder I fought against what it was showing me. Why? Because the inescapable conclusions tore apart every edifice of what I had been told, had read and had accepted as the 'Supernatural.'