Ancient Skills and Wisdom Review - No 06B

Magazine Overview

This issue of Ancient Skills and Wisdom Review (A.S.W.R.), identified as No. 6B and Volume N.6, is published and edited by Paul Screeton, with a subscription price of £2 for four issues. The ISSN is 0140-9522. The cover prominently displays the title in stencil-like lettering.

Book Reviews

This issue features an extensive collection of book reviews, covering a wide range of topics related to ancient history, mythology, folklore, and alternative theories.

Astroarchaeology and Megalithic Monuments

Several books focus on astroarchaeology and megalithic structures:

• "Sun, Moon and Standing Stones" by John Edwin Wood is presented as a coherent and scholarly work that attempts to redress the impression that ancient populations were solely focused on computing heavenly bodies. It discusses the establishment of solar observatories as ceremonial and calendrical devices and touches upon diffusionism and the social order of megalithic societies. The reviewer notes that Wood's work might appeal to those often labeled as the "lunatic fringe."
• "Megaliths, Myths and Men" by Peter Lancaster Brown is reviewed less favorably, with the reviewer finding Brown's style anecdotal but his overview and motives mistrusted. The reviewer criticizes Brown for his treatment of John Michell.
• "Stone Circles of the Peak" by John Barnatt is described as a guide for visiting prehistoric remains in the Peak District, aiming to stimulate research. Barnatt's work explores speculative ideas beyond geometry and astronomy, considering a "priestly aspect" and the idea of a life force in the earth. It includes an appendix on numerology.
• "Circles and Standing Stones" by Evan Hadingham is presented as a popularization of Professor Thom's work, though the reviewer notes it is Hadingham's second book. It is described as "excellently mapped and illustrated" and a "promising debut."
• John Michell's "A Little History of Astro-Archaeology" is highlighted as a "sustained minor masterpiece full of antiquarian flavour," though the reviewer notes Michell is critical of topics like leys and extraterrestrial hypotheses.
• Alfred Watkins's "The Old Straight Track" is mentioned, with a correction regarding its publication history.

Folklore, Mythology, and Symbolism

Other reviews delve into folklore, mythology, and symbolic interpretations:

• "Sowers of Thunder" by Anthony Roberts explores "geomythics," a concept that uses folklore, legends, myth, and topography to illustrate geomantic formations. The book interweaves strands of physical and metaphysical giantism, hill figures, and terrestrial zodiac effigies.
• "The Myth of Invariance" by Ernest G. McClain attempts to find esoteric meaning in the "Book of Revelation" and India's "Rig Veda." It requires mathematical and musical understanding and explores how patterns remain the same across different contexts.
• "The Mordiford Dragon" by H.C. Harper retells a dragon legend from Herefordshire, based on an 1848 work by J. Dacres Devlin. The reviewer notes its "antiquarian" substance and period reproductions.

Sexuality and Psychology

• "Origins of the Sexual Impulse" by Colin Wilson is described as a stimulating and original read that examines the sexual impulse through various disciplines. It covers topics like sadism, fetishism, and masturbation, with a focus on existentialist psychology.
• "Androgyny: Towards a New Theory of Sexuality" by June Singer, a Jungian psychoanalyst, explores androgyny as a fundamental aspect of human nature. The book argues that male dominance is questionable and that suffering arises from the violation of interdependence between masculine and feminine principles. It connects androgyny to various spiritual traditions.

Prophecy and Historical Mysteries

• "Nixon the Cheshire Prophet" reviews the prophecies of Robert Nixon, comparing them to Nostradamus and Mother Shipton. The interpretative material is praised for making the verse comprehensible.
• "The Man Who Led Columbus to America" by Paul H. Chapman argues that Columbus was aware of St. Brendan's "Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis" and based his exploration on it. The reviewer notes that other reviews cast doubt on Chapman's conclusions.
• "God's Weapon" by David Medina proposes that the Ark of the Covenant was a nuclear generator of divine or extraterrestrial origin.

Encyclopedias and Regional Studies

• "Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Archaeology" edited by Glyn Daniel is reviewed as a thoroughly academic and valuable work, though the illustrations are considered predictable. It covers a wide range of archaeological topics.
• "The Urban and Industrial Songs of the Black Country and Birmingham" by Jon Raven is highly praised as a collection of songs from the oral folk tradition, tracing them back to early roots and including musical scores.
• "Ghosts of Northwest England" by Peter Underwood is presented as a localized book on ghosts, alphabetically arranged, covering spectral encounters across Merseyside, Lancashire, and Cheshire.
• "A Guide to Ancient Sites in Britain" by Janet & Colin Bord is welcomed in its paperback edition, noted for its photographic record of megalithic sites and clear, informative details for locating them.

Other Reviews

• "A Dictionary of Common Fallacies" by Philip Ward is critiqued for its "conformist" attitude, dismissing topics like poltergeists and reincarnation with a devotion to orthodoxy. The reviewer notes Ward's entry on astrology.
• "The Sword of Shannara" by Terry Brooks is reviewed as an epic fantasy, though the reviewer finds comparisons to Tolkien insulting and prefers simpler adventures.
• "Region 1" by Martin Spence covers local conspiracy theories and "security" services, sponsored by the Tyneside Aubrey, Berry, Campbell Defence Committee.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of ancient mysteries, alternative historical interpretations, folklore, mythology, and the esoteric. There is a clear interest in challenging mainstream academic views, particularly in archaeology and history. The reviews often engage with speculative theories, though they also offer critical perspectives on the books reviewed. The editorial stance appears to favor open-mindedness and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the past and present, while maintaining a critical eye on the quality of research and presentation.

Title: ASWR
Issue: Vol. 3, No. 6
Date: 1980

This issue of ASWR features reviews of several publications and a play, alongside commentary on contemporary societal and governmental issues.

Reviews

"Holy Wells and Ancient Crosses"

This publication by Michael W. Burgess, available from 21 Kirkley Gardens, Lowestoft, Suffolk for 50p (inc. p&p), is presented in a similar format to previous booklets on standing stones. It serves as a gazetteer in two parts. The first section details holy wells, ponds, and streams, organized alphabetically by location, and includes descriptions, history, folklore, and grid references. The second section covers ancient stone and wooden crosses, also with descriptions and notes. The booklet features illustrative drawings and includes notes and bibliographies, making it a valuable resource for those interested in East Anglia.

"Close Encounters of the Northern Kind"

Authored by Jenny Randles and printed by Nufois Press (443 Meadow Lane, Nottingham, NG2 3GB) for 30p, this small booklet aims to inform the general public about the factual background of UFO encounters, distinguishing them from film fiction. It is designed for the average reader, providing a basic grounding in ufology. In its 16 pages, the booklet covers various aspects of UFO encounters, including animal disturbance, vehicle interference, entities, official reactions, radar effects, and offers advice on how to react if a UFO is sighted. It also provides guidance on how to learn more about the subject and includes several summarized cases to illustrate the points made.

"The Immortalist"

This play by Heathcote Williams, published by John Calder for £1.50, is described as a potent elixir and a sustained black comedy. The central theme is death, or more specifically, the possibility of overcoming death and achieving everlasting life. The play features only two characters: a TV interviewer and a 278-year-old man. The dialogue is noted for its wit and ability to both deflate and edify the inquisitor. The play can be interpreted on multiple levels, potentially serving as a literal argument for life extension or as an allegory for the role of rumour and conspiracy within living folklore.

Commentary and Broader Themes

The issue begins with commentary on "seeming craziness of boundary changes," linking it to home defence contexts and planning permission anomalies, such as a refused factory development near the author's home. The writer notes the presence of food and regular inspections at a local sub-regional control centre, reportedly visited by a former "Spies for Peace" person. A recent Cleveland exercise involving local government, police, and military is mentioned, which dealt with the effects of an earthquake and tidal wave follow-up. The author expresses personal surprise at the activities of police in Hull and Hartlepool regarding journalists' information filing. Road block exercises at Scotch Corner are associated with the accessibility of the A1(M) for troop movement in case of widespread civil disobedience or revolutionary initiatives in the North East. The piece concludes with a stark warning about the potential for the State to create an emergency and resist an uprising with speed and force, suggesting that voting for a district councillor could have dire consequences.

Page 11 continues the discussion on time, its role in capitalism, and how it is perceived by workers clocking in and retiring. It highlights the relevance of underground/hippy/New Wave culture references in Williams' work and notes the coincidence of ecological concern with widespread Western drug taking. A conversation between the author and David Solomon, involved in the "Operation Juliedrug" operation, is mentioned. The dialogue in "The Immortalist" is characterized by swings between wisdom and vulgarity, with notable lines such as "Death is always suicide" and "DNA is a spiral to screw us." The piece encourages readers to remember "crackling ideas" and "Don't let Father Time kick sand in your face."

An extended section on magazines and journals is announced for "ASWR" No. 7, which will include features on Nigel Pennick, the I.G.R., and books by Colin Wilson, Aubrey Burl, Cris Popenoe, Nevill Drury, Miles, and others.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to focus on alternative culture, ufology, and critical commentary on societal structures and government actions. There is a consistent interest in the unusual, the unexplained, and the potential for hidden agendas or control mechanisms within society. The reviews suggest an appreciation for publications that provide factual information on fringe topics and for artistic works that explore profound themes like life, death, and immortality. The editorial stance seems to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to question authority and consider alternative perspectives on reality and governance.