An unlikely trio of the erudite Parabola, New Agey Magical Blend, and the gal-respecting Ms. have sported sex covers recently, and there's plenty in each that's provocative. In Parabola, Jacob Needleman ponders the much-hyped but illusive 'sacred sex,' and wonders whether the cultural obsession with sexuality has more to do with a cultural starvation 'for a certain kind of energy. . . . It has less to do with some other, indefinable attentiveness toward each other, even confrontation sometimes.' Among several sex features in Magical Blend virtual reality wizard Jaron Lanier disses virtual sex: it implies that sex is a 'media experience, as opposed to a mystical communication between people.' And in ' look at 'how women are redefining sensuality and pleasure,' Greta Christina explores the counting game (c'mon, we've all done it), and what qualifies as a notch. While hets have long debated whether oral sex 'counts,' Christina's notch might include a mutual lascivious grin. Or does it?

Parabola($20/yr., 4 issues) available from Box 3000, Denville, NJ 07834.

MAGICAL BLEND ($19.95/5 issues) available from 133 1/2 Broadway, Chico, CA 95928.

MS. ($45/yr., 6 issues) available from Box 57132,Boulder, CO 80322-7132.