Was The 1977 Southern Television Broadcast Interruption A Hoax?
Government agencies that regulate television and radio signals are pretty astute when it comes to maintaining the security of the airwaves. But just after 5 p.m. on Nov. 26, 1977, unsuspecting viewers in England who tuned into the nightly news experienced a Southern Television broadcast interruption by a ‘voice from space.’ To this day, no one knows for certain who was behind the interruption.
Southern Television Broadcast Interruption a Hoax?
On this particular Saturday evening, unbeknownst to those working at an independent television station in Southern England, thousands of viewers were subjected to a six-minute message from an entity referring to itself as Vrillon of the Ashtar Galactic Command.
During the broadcast, Vrillon warned his unassuming audience of the dangers humans were getting themselves into by using weapons of mass destruction. Vrillon also confirmed the UFO phenomenon and his race’s presence “seen as lights in the skies.” Vrillon warned humanity to be wary of false prophets and the evils of money, before imploring his audience to live in harmony and put down its weapons.
The transmission returned to the evening’s normally scheduled programming of Looney Tunes before viewers were assured by news broadcaster, Andrew Gardner, that everything was alright and that it was simply a hoax. But some began to panic, frantically phoning the station under the assumption that the apocalypse was upon them, despite Ashtar Command’s seemingly peaceful dispatch.
News stations distorted the story, reporting different names and versions of Vrillon’s message. This added to the confusion creating a War of the Worlds-type anxiety among those who couldn’t fathom the possibility of a hoax. Adding to the conspiracy is the fact that the culprit of the transmission has still never been discovered.
Many believed the broadcast to be the doing of the Raëlian community, the UFO church founded just four years earlier by Claude Vorilhon, whose name sounds and looks uncannily similar to the Ashtar Commander, Vrillon. Was the name Vrillon just a misconstrued pronunciation of Vorilhon?
The Southern Television broadcast is often compared to the Max Headroom Chicago broadcast interruption of 1987 or the Captain Midnight HBO interruption a year earlier. Though the culprit in the latter case turned out to be a disgruntled employee.
The particular broadcasting system that was being used by the Southern Television station was unusual in that it bounced one signal to another transmitter on the Isle of Wight, rather than using a direct landline like most television transmitters at the time. This allowed the signal to be interfered with, though it would take someone well-versed in the technology to intercept and interrupt it.
What is strange about the Ashtar Command broadcast is that not everyone heard the name “Vrillon” that night. Some say they heard the name “Asteron,” some heard “Gillon,” and others heard “Bramaha.” Adding to the intrigue is the fact that the only audio or video evidence of the message is a reenactment.
George Van Tassel
One of the originators of UFO religion was a man named George van Tassel. In the late 1940s, Van Tassel found himself living in an area of the Mojave Desert at the behest of an eccentric friend named Frank Critzer. Critzer had created a home for himself under a massive boulder, known as Giant Rock, that was sacred to local Native American tribes but would become the epicenter of one of the biggest UFO movements in North America.
Critzer dug out his home under this standalone, 70-foot rock and built a number of airstrips around it. Unsurprisingly, many people thought he was strange and avoided his subterranean digs. Then, under some odd circumstances, Critzer found himself in trouble with the government and was accused of being a spy, before being killed in 1942 during a police confrontation involving a box of dynamite.
Van Tassel worked for Douglas Aircraft and Lockheed as an aeronautical engineer and flight tester for experimental aircraft, before moving his family out to the desert where Critzer had lived. There, he built a café and received approval from the BLM to hold conventions and operate Critzer’s airstrips.
Soon the family started holding UFO conventions for thousands of people, with Van Tassel believing Giant Rock to be a source of electromagnetic energy that allowed him to contact extraterrestrial beings. He would hold meditation ceremonies under the rock to contact these entities, one of which resulted in a meeting with an alien who gave him the schema to build the “Integratron,” a structure supposedly capable of time travel that still stands there to this day.
The Integratron
One of the entities met by Van Tassel was a being called Ashtar, who said he was on a space station overseeing Earth. Ashtar gave a dire admonition of similar sentiment to the 1977 Southern Television interruption, involving warnings about nuclear weapons and destroying the planet, and spawning an entire UFO religiosity that still exists to this day.
While all of this seems fantastical and possibly the product of a wild imagination, there is one event tied to Van Tassel that adds an eerie layer to the story. In June of 1952, before the Washington, D.C. UFO incident, Van Tassel sent a series of letters to government agencies warning that spacecraft would soon fly over Washington. A few weeks later, one of the largest UFO events occurred, in which thousands witnessed what appeared to be a fleet of spacecraft hovering over the capitol building. That was the same year he claims he was contacted by Ashtar.
The story of George Van Tassel came to an oddly abrupt end when he suddenly died of a heart attack during his construction of the Integratron. Those who knew him said he was in good health and are skeptical about the ostensible cause of his passing. The Integratron was never fully completed as Van Tassel never shared the final details on the electromagnetic functions of his project.
A War of the Worlds Situation?
On the night before Halloween in 1938, Orson Welles’ narrated his sci-fi drama War of the Worlds over a radio broadcast that supposedly caused thousands to panic, presuming an alien invasion was in the midst of occurring.
The extent to which people were genuinely frightened and took to the streets is debatable, but some have proposed the idea that this type of dystopian broadcast could have been part of a government test, gauging the population’s susceptibility to a feigned extraterrestrial assault. Could it be possible that the 1977 Southern Television broadcast interruption was a test of the same ilk?
The long-held conspiracy, Project Blue Beam, suggests the idea that the government may someday stage an alien invasion as a means to control the population or garner support to fight an unseen enemy in a false flag event. The recent New York Times exposé on the clandestine Pentagon UFO program has left some uneasy, thinking this sudden disclosure could be just that.
That admission of a $22 million, black budget program to study UFOs came from the efforts of a team headed by pop rockstar, Tom Delonge – a strange choice to lead such a profound revelation. Meanwhile, his correspondence with government contacts and a cadre of high-level military and CIA agents sounds like a disinformation campaign in the making.
The U.S. government has been known to manipulate and toy with the minds of UFO believers, sometimes driving them to the brink of insanity in order to protect secrets. Would it be far-fetched to think this could be the latest?
Still, the question of whose voice created the Southern television broadcast interruption, claiming to be an extraterrestrial entity from the Ashtar Galactic Command remains. While it’s likely that the culprit was simply someone wanting to create a hoax, the sober tone of the message adds to the mystique of this signal from outer space. Was this the same Ashtar that George Van Tassel was in contact with? Or was it a test for a staged alien invasion to come?
About the Author
Praying Mantis Aliens: The Mysterious Insectoid Extraterrestrial Race
Table of Contents
- Mythology and Ancient Connections
- Origin Theories
- The Iranian Petroglyph
- Characteristics of Mantis Beings
- What are the Praying Mantis Aliens’ Intentions on Earth?
- Interdimensional or Higher-Dimensional Roles
- What Do Praying Mantis Aliens Really Want From Humanity?
Mantis aliens, also known as Praying Mantis aliens, are perhaps the most mysterious extraterrestrial creatures described in modern contact reports. These beings appear in numerous alien encounter accounts, with contactees often waking in the dead of night to find tall, insectoid figures looming beside their beds. While the Mantis is not as frequently reported as the Grey or Nordic alien, it holds an important and unsettling role in many alien abduction narratives and spiritual contact experiences.
Some researchers have even proposed that Mantids could represent an early form of intelligent life that once evolved on Earth, a hypothesis suggesting a hidden chapter of human evolution. Others view them as an advanced mantis race originating from distant star systems, weaving them into the same cosmic lore that includes Greys and Reptilians. Whatever their origin, the stories share a consistent fascination with their otherworldly appearance, telepathic abilities, and the powerful emotional impact they leave on witnesses.
These accounts raise questions about our place in the universe. Are Mantis beings ancient overseers, benevolent teachers, or enigmatic visitors with motives beyond our understanding? To explore this phenomenon, the sections below examine their mythological roots, physical traits, reported encounters, and the ongoing cultural fascination with these mantis beings.
Mythology and Ancient Connections
Insect beings appear within mythologies throughout the world, including Native American and African folklore. The Khoisan tribe of Africa specifically regards the mantis as the first living creature on the Earth. According to their legends, this primal figure:
- Granted life to animals and humans
- Invented language to help early people communicate
- Brought fire to humankind
- Created the moon, hurling a gallbladder into the night sky to guide hunters
Insects embody a quality of “otherness” in their demeanor and appearance, and this lack of mammalian attributes tends to alienate and upset human beings, a reaction that has led humans to kill insects despite their ecological importance. The praying mantis stands apart as the most human-like arthropod, yet it still inspires a deep, instinctive discomfort.
Could this human reaction explain the common experience of paralysis that Mantis beings induce when contacting Earthlings? The possibility of paralysis as a precautionary measure against the overwhelming human urge to destroy the “other” cannot be discounted.
Origin Theories
The true origin of Mantis aliens remains an open mystery. Researchers and experiencers propose a range of possibilities, each adding layers to the broader extraterrestrial narrative:
- Interstellar Hypothesis: Many accounts place them in distant star systems such as Draco or Orion. In this view, the mantis race works alongside the Reptilians, forming part of a far-reaching cosmic alliance that wields advanced technology and subtle influence over Earth.
- Ancient-Earth Hypothesis: A smaller group of theorists speculates that Mantids could represent an early branch of intelligent life native to our own planet, an evolutionary path that diverged long before humans appeared and perhaps resurfaced as a hidden species or interdimensional visitor.
- Hybrid Perspectives: Some experiencers suggest that the beings may move between physical and non-physical realms, blurring the line between extraterrestrial travelers and spiritual entities.
While concrete evidence remains elusive, these ideas contribute to the intriguing and complex narrative surrounding Mantis aliens and their place in the broader extraterrestrial landscape.
The Iranian Petroglyph
A remarkable archaeological find in Iran adds a striking visual layer to the lore of mantis beings. Between 2017 and 2018, a joint team of entomologists and archaeologists documented a unique rock carving at the Teymareh site in central Iran.
Discovery and Description
The carving shows a six-limbed figure with the unmistakable head and grasping arms of a praying mantis. Circles appear near the figure’s sides, echoing the well-known squatter man motif found in other ancient petroglyphs. Early estimates place the artwork anywhere between 4,000 and 40,000 years old, though precise dating remains difficult because international sanctions prevent the use of modern radioactive dating techniques.
Interpretations and Symbolism
Researchers note that prehistoric humans were fascinated by the praying mantis, often associating it with mysticism and transformation. The Iranian carving could represent:
- A shamanic figure channeling mantis energy during trance states
- An artistic depiction of the insect itself, celebrated for its eerie stillness and predatory power
- A symbolic connection to sky phenomena, given the circular shapes reminiscent of celestial objects
While some in the UFO community interpret the carving as evidence of ancient contact with mantis aliens, the scientific view remains open. Whether a spiritual emblem, an artistic marvel, or a prehistoric encounter with something beyond our understanding, the Teymareh petroglyph reinforces humanity’s long-standing fascination with mantid-like forms.
Characteristics of Mantis Beings
Mantis aliens are distinguished by their unique physical and behavioral characteristics, setting them apart from other ancient aliens. Their insectoid features and advanced cognitive abilities offer a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of life forms that may exist beyond Earth.
Physical Appearance
Accounts of these beings reveal a remarkable resemblance to the terrestrial praying mantis, but scaled to a daunting, human-sized frame. Common descriptions include:
- Height: Typically 6 to 7 feet tall, though some reports claim individuals as tall as 9 feet.
- Build: Slender, elongated torsos with long limbs and multiple joints at the neck, elbows, and fingers, giving them an unsettling flexibility.
- Head and Eyes: Distinctly triangular heads with large, slanted eyes ranging from deep brown to glossy black, sometimes reflecting faint inner light.
- Coloration: Most witnesses describe dark brown exoskeletons, but shades of green, black, or even pale gray have been reported.
- Surface Texture: A segmented exoskeleton that some say is coated with a thin, oily sheen that glistens under light.
- Clothing: Contactees frequently note flowing robes in muted or jewel-toned colors, perhaps indicating rank or function, while others describe beings entirely unclothed yet regal in posture.
- Facial Details: Some experiencers mention faint antennae or small horn-like protrusions near the brow, reinforcing the unmistakable mantid-like silhouette.
Communication Methods
Although the Mantis tend to communicate with human contactees using telepathic messages, they have also been witnessed engaging one another using auditory language. Several contactees describe the Mantis language as a series of clicking sounds exchanged between the creatures, rhythmic and deliberate rather than random noise. These clicks are sometimes accompanied by subtle trills or high-frequency tones, leading some to believe the sounds form a structured insectoid language with layers of meaning beyond human comprehension.
In their exchanges with humans, the telepathy is often described as calm, authoritative, and impossible to ignore, transmitting fully formed ideas or vivid mental images rather than spoken words. Many abductees also report that Mantis beings can influence physical and emotional states during contact, inducing a deep sense of calm or even temporary paralysis. Witnesses say they remain fully conscious yet unable to move or speak, a condition interpreted by some as a protective measure to prevent panic or resistance while communication takes place.
Abilities
Some experiencers state that Mantis aliens possess high-level telepathy that goes beyond simple thought transmission, allowing them to share complex images, concepts, and even multi-sensory impressions in a single instant. Witnesses often describe receiving entire scenarios or symbolic visions that feel more like direct downloads than ordinary communication.
Reports also attribute advanced technological or energetic skills to these beings. Contactees describe Mantids manipulating light or electromagnetic fields, operating craft silently, or appearing and disappearing without visible machinery. A few accounts even claim that Mantis beings can subtly alter human perception of time, creating the sense that minutes or hours pass in a compressed instant.
Some narratives include shapeshifting or projection abilities, where Mantids cloak their true insectoid appearance behind a human-like form or generate convincing holographic environments. These abilities, whether biological or technological, support the widespread belief in their role as master planners and overseers in UFO lore, echoing descriptions found in abduction stories and speculative studies of advanced alien intelligence.
What are the Praying Mantis Aliens’ Intentions on Earth?
The perceived motivation of the Mantis’s interest in humans remains just as mysterious as their appearance. Some contactees describe these creatures as positive, uplifting beings who seek to protect humanity and the Earth, presenting themselves as careful watchers rather than aggressors. One common thread reported in many abduction scenarios centers on the use of holographic projections as a means of education, with contactees often shown striking images of the destruction of planet Earth to illustrate the potential negative impact that our species could have on the planet.
Others have reported an increase in psychic abilities following contact, describing heightened intuition, clearer dreams, or an unexplained boost in creativity. Many experiencers also claim that the Mantis beings possess an uncanny ability to put contactees at ease, offering telepathic words of comfort that remove fear and create an unexpected sense of calm during an encounter.
Encounters and UFO Sightings of the Mantis Race
Mantis alien encounters and UFO sightings have been reported in locations all over the world, adding to the mystery surrounding these insectoid beings. In the United States, several claims come from Phoenix, Arizona, where residents reported seeing unexplained UFOs accompanied by descriptions of praying mantis aliens standing near or inside the craft. Similar accounts have emerged from rural areas of the United Kingdom, where witnesses describe strange lights in the sky followed by interactions with towering mantis-like figures. Other sightings span the Amazon region of Brazil and Canadian provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia, showing that these reports are not limited to one culture or continent.
During alleged abductions, Mantis aliens are often described as overseers or leaders, appearing to hold positions of power. They are typically accompanied by smaller Grey aliens, who seem to perform tasks under the Mantis’s direction. These smaller Greys are assumed to function as drones, controlled by a hive mind and utilized by various alien races.
The nature of these encounters often involves a mix of medical examinations, telepathic interrogation, and visual demonstrations meant to teach or warn the human subjects. Contactees consistently emphasize the mantid-like appearance of these beings as tall, jointed, and alien, yet strangely intelligent, which reinforces their reputation as calculated observers in the wider network of reported extraterrestrial races.
Human DNA Harvesting and Hybridization Theories
Some return from their experiences with the Mantis with a darker perspective, suggesting that the Mantis people may wish to conquer and control Earth, conducting long-term genetic experiments that involve harvesting human DNA. A recurring belief is that a Mantis-led hybridization program is underway, designed to create a new species that combines human and insectoid traits.
Among the most unsettling reports are sightings of the so-called Tall Blacks, creatures thought to be the result of such hybridization. Witnesses describe these beings as incredibly tall and more humanoid than insectoid, with black skin, extremely long limbs, and extra joints on their appendages. Their glowing red eyes and silent, deliberate movements are often compared to those of the Mantis beings themselves, reinforcing fears of a shared origin. Many of these encounters involve medical procedures or biological sampling, echoing themes found throughout broader alien abduction narratives.
Interdimensional or Higher-Dimensional Roles
Some reports describe Praying Mantis aliens not just as travelers from distant galaxies but as higher-dimensional beings. Witnesses claim they can shift between vibrational states, appearing as luminous or energy-based forms that move through physical barriers and materialize without warning. This perspective presents the Mantids as more than extraterrestrials, suggesting an intelligence that operates partly outside normal space and time.
Believers often connect this interdimensional quality to the Mantids’ environmental warnings and psychic teachings. Their telepathy, holographic visions, and subtle manipulation of energy are viewed as signs of a consciousness able to work across multiple planes. Whether taken literally or symbolically, these accounts portray the Mantis aliens’ mission on Earth as one of guidance and awakening rather than simple observation.
What Do Praying Mantis Aliens Really Want From Humanity?
Regardless of the true motivations behind the Mantis species, their fascination with human DNA and behavior is evident from countless abductee accounts. Across cultures and decades of reports, these beings are described as both benevolent overseers and unsettling experimenters, leaving their intentions open to interpretation.
Praying Mantis aliens continue to blur the lines between ancient mythology, modern UFO encounters, and theories of higher-dimensional intelligence. Are they guardians guiding humanity toward a greater purpose, or enigmatic figures conducting experiments beyond our understanding? Keep an open mind, as only time will truly tell.
