An overwhelming characteristic of the Crop Circle Phenomenon is its intractable mystery, its stubborn refusal to hold still for explanation.

The initial marks in the fields, during the 70s were simple and elegant swirled circles. These were to evolve in the following decade, first to include rings and second to form the enigmatic quintuplet or dice five-spot. The formations were - simultaneously - complex enough to persuade some observers that they were in the presence of the numinous unknown while yet simple enough to lead others to the conviction that a conventional scientific solution would reveal itself.

In July of 1990 the complexity of the programme was transformed by the arrival in East Field, Alton Barnes, of a gigantic linear formation. It incorporated completely novel geometries and design features and established East Field, then farmed by Tim and Polly Carson, as the symbolic centre of the phenomenon. There have been few seasons since 1990 when East Field has not received a major crop circle.

The seminal East Field formation marked a turning point. It became difficult after this remarkable apparition to give whirlwinds or incidents of fungal growth the credit for these elaborate events. The door was thrown open to what has unquestionably become the worlds most charming and puzzling annual exhibition.

Each summer, hundreds of enthusiasts from around the world gather to await the seasons show. They are rarely disappointed. They will discover, like children released into a gigantic enchanted toy emporium, an unlimited abundance of riches. But instead of train sets, dolls houses and Lego we are shown Barbury Castles, Windmill Hills and Crooked Soleys. We have learned that, while the toys can break and start to bore us, these elegant and enigmatic patterns will remain with us forever, like some enchanted thumb print on our consciousness.

And by the end of the season, each of these visitors will have collected their own set of prints. Each with its unique narrative, its own history of events witnessed, of meetings and of friendships, of endless conversations and speculations but, above all, of their personal confrontation with the inexplicable.

Perhaps most perplexing of all is that, when they recall finding their favourite formation, they often realise that it found them.

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Barbury Castle 1991 - © Bertold Zugelder

Windmill Hill 1996 - © Steve Alexander