Ancient Skills and Wisdom Review - No 07

Magazine Overview

This issue, No. 7, of the Ancient Skills & Wisdom Review, edited and published by Paul Screeton from Seaton Carew, Cleveland, is dated August 1979. Single copies are priced at 50p, with a four-issue subscription costing £2. The magazine is dedicated to exploring themes of ufology, earth mysteries, paranormal phenomena, and occult subjects, featuring a comprehensive range of book and journal reviews.

Book Reviews

"Mysteries" by Colin Wilson

Paul Screeton reviews Colin Wilson's 600-plus word book, "Mysteries," noting that Wilson may have overworked himself, leading to "panic attacks." While Screeton found Wilson's argument that individuals are not "self" but rather a series of "selves" intriguing, he remained unconvinced. Despite his doubts about the complex theories connecting paranormal phenomena, Screeton found the book's encyclopedic nature inviting and invigorating. He highlights Wilson's sweep of subjects, including astral travel, UFOs, spoon bending, acupuncture, poltergeists, precognition, psychokinesis, and earth mysteries. Screeton recommends the book for its matter-of-fact approach to occult and paranormal matters and its conversational style.

"Don Juan, Mescalito & Modern Magic" by Nevill Drury

Screeton discusses Nevill Drury's book, which explores a Western variety of shamanism. The review touches upon the controversy surrounding Carlos Castaneda's work and the potential impact of Richard de Mille's exposé. Drury's book examines techniques of sorcery, meditation, and drug-taking, drawing parallels between LSD experiences and those of the Sixties psychedelics, as well as Western Mystery Tradition. Screeton suggests the book is a good starting point for those seeking religious frameworks and insights into inner consciousness, though he notes some sloppy writing and the high price for a paperback.

"Omens of Awareness" by David Tansley

This review introduces David Tansley, an esotericist, who suggests that UFO entities may be paralleling the efforts made to get Castaneda to "see" in his shamanic practices. Tansley posits that humanity's rigid thought processes might be undermined by UFO phenomena for an unknown purpose. Screeton finds Tansley's conclusions subjective and esoteric, but timely given the New Age slant.

"The Vanishing People" by Katharine M. Briggs

Screeton reviews Katharine M. Briggs's book, which explores folklore and fairy beliefs. He questions why folklorists often disbelieve the reality of what they research, citing W.Y. Evans Wentz as an example of a believer who gained access to experiences others might not. While acknowledging the book's competent commentary on fairytales, Screeton expresses frustration with the anthropological approach, advocating instead for examining contemporary encounters with elementals and UFO sightings. He finds the book's illustrations unappealing.

"Egyptian Magic" by E.A. Wallis Budge

This is a welcome paperback reprint of E.A. Wallis Budge's influential book, which argues that belief in magical names, spells, and ceremonies played a major role in ancient Egyptian religious life. Screeton notes its usefulness for those interested in Egyptian culture or comparative mythology.

"The English Mediaeval Town" by Colin Platt

Colin Platt's book is described as the "everyday archaeology of cities," exploring the origins of towns and cities, alignments of churches, and geometrical relationships. Screeton highlights the book's scholarly yet concise text, bringing to life the world of tradesmen and ecclesiastics, and showing how historical patterns still influence modern town layouts. The book is recommended as a starting point for more esoteric research.

"The New Waite's Compendium of Natal Astrology" by Colin Evans

This is presented as a standard, reasonably priced work on astrology, suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners. The new edition includes revisions to the Ephemeris up to 1980 and extra analysis of minor planets. Screeton shares a personal anecdote about the impact of having his horoscope read.

"Companion Thoughts" (Review of "The Ley Hunter's Companion")

This section reviews "The Ley Hunter's Companion," a practical guide to ley hunting. The reviewer, Philip Heselton, discusses the history of The Ley Hunter's Club and the challenges of creating a national ley index. He notes that the book contains records of 41 carefully researched leys with strong statistical backing, suggesting it is a valuable resource for those interested in the growing awareness of energies and patterns in the landscape.

Magazine Reviews

The issue also includes a backlog of reviews for various journals and newsletters:

• MUFOB: An independent UFO journal featuring articles on paranormal happenings, UFO statistics, airships, psychological aspects of UFO events, and critiques of UFO media coverage.
• UFO Insight: A publication from Federation UFO Research, covering interesting UFO cases, humanoid sightings, and various aspects of ufology.
• CHRYSIS 78: A publication from a local UFO group, including reviews of UFO books and historical ufological introductions.
• SKYWATCH: From the Manchester Aerial Phenomena Investigation Team, featuring articles on the Trickster archetype in ufology and personal experiences of UFO phenomena.
• BUFORA JOURNAL: A publication from the British UFO Research Association, covering UFO phenomena, ghosts, sightings, and close encounter cases.
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS: A newsletter acting as a liaison system for independent UFO organizations, providing summaries of investigations and interviews.
• QUEST: A journal of Western Mystery Tradition, featuring articles on magic, Qabalah, Tarot, psychic attack, alchemy, and various other esoteric topics.
• NEARA JOURNAL: A magazine for those interested in trans-oceanic contact, early culture, and archaeological sites, with articles on standing stones, runic inscriptions, and petroglyphs.
• WOOD AND WATER: A newsletter focused on sacred wells and streams, their rediscovery, care, and significance.
• PENDRAGON: A journal covering themes related to the Round Table, Arthurian legends, Celtic art, and various esoteric topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ufology, earth mysteries, paranormal phenomena, folklore, and various aspects of the occult and esoteric. The editorial stance, as reflected in the reviews, is one of critical engagement, encouraging readers to question, research, and consider multiple perspectives. While appreciating the effort to connect disparate fields of study, the editor often expresses a need for rigorous evidence and a healthy skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, particularly in the realm of ancient astronautology and some interpretations of UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and a desire to bridge the gap between traditional beliefs and contemporary occurrences.

This document is an issue of 'THE INSTITUTE of GEOMANTIC RESEARCH', identified as 'P.1.' and dated 21/5/79. The publication is a press release detailing the organization's activities and publications. The Institute, founded in 1975 and headed by Nigel Pennick, aims to study and publish material relevant to geomancy.

The Cambridgeshire Ley Project - 1979

A significant focus of this issue is the 'Cambridgeshire Ley Project - 1979'. This project aims to study the ancient British mysteries, specifically the mysterious lines known as 'leys' that link ancient sites. These lines were first discovered by Alfred Watkins, who wrote 'Archaic Tracks Round Cambridge' in 1932, describing numerous leys in the Cambridge district. The I.G.R. intends to conduct accurate map and field work on these leys during the summer. A complete list of Watkins's leys will be published in the 'Journal of Geomancy', Vol. 3, No. 4. The I.G.R. welcomes offers of assistance, including financial help or fieldwork support. Nigel Pennick will coordinate the project, and progress reports will be published periodically.

Publications and Reviews

The issue also includes information on various related publications and reviews. The I.G.R. membership is £3 per annum, entitling subscribers to issues of 'JoG' (Journal of Geomancy) and other papers. Occasional papers are also available.

Reviewed Publications:

• JoG, Vol. 3, No. 4: This issue features the unveiling of the Cambs. Ley Project, an examination of Woden's swastika, a piece by E.W. Cox on Liverpool Cathedral, and contributions from Vince Russett and Steve Satchwell.
• I.G.R. paper No. 13. "STUDIES ON THE ARRANGEMENT OF SITES" by John M. Bullock: This paper discusses the challenges of using place names for geomantic evidence and explores the potential siting relationships between churches and places with the same name.
• "Troy Towns of Germany" by Freidrich Mossinger and Siegfried Sieber (translated by Michael Behrend): This paper discusses arguments that ancient 'troytowns' were used ritually and relate to the winning of the May bride, covering customs like ritual trees, dragons, and the sun's course.
• "Ritual Magic in the Church of England" by Nigel Pennick: This work explores the practice of geomancy by Christians and Freemasons, focusing on consecration rituals at Liverpool Cathedral and Masonic services, suggesting a link between Freemasonry and the Church of England.

Other Mentioned Publications and Newsletters

The document also lists and briefly describes several other publications, including:

• LANTERN: A quarterly magazine focusing on scientific investigation, including cases of phantom houses, UFO notes, and historical extracts.
• SUT ANUBIS: A quarterly magazine on esoteric subjects like Kabbalah, mysticism, and alternative living.
• THE ATLANTEAN: A quarterly magazine for a society with a spiritual philosophy of expansion, covering topics like the future, Atlantis, cycles, and occult aspects.
• IGNEWS: A bi-monthly occult/earth mysteries newsletter covering geomancy, with articles on terrestrial zodiacs, Satanism, and paganism.
• NESSLETTER: A publication from the Ness Information Service, featuring articles on the Loch Ness Monster, expeditions, and lake monsters.
• SANGREAL: A quarterly publication featuring articles on ley power centres, the Holy Grail, Wayland the Smith, Celtic harp, and the Aquarian Age.
• STONEHENGE VIEWPOINT: A newspaper format publication covering topics like Feng Shui, ancient stone circles, and 'Hidden Halos'.
• FORTEAN TIMES: A professional magazine covering earth mysteries, occult, UFO, phenomena, and related subjects, with articles on Cornish Owlman sightings, Oriental Forteana, and various strange phenomena.
• COVEN: A controversial occult magazine featuring articles on Satanism, astro-symbolism, Zen, and morality.
• UNDERCURRENTS: A democratic, non-profit magazine focused on alternative technology and radical viewpoints, covering food politics, ecology, nuclear power, and urban consciousness.
• THE BEAST: A magazine that opposes blood sports, vivisection, and factory farming, featuring articles on whaling and animal rights.
• GOLDEN SECTION ORDER NEWSLETTER: A handwritten publication on Celtic and Druidic matters, covering topics like Glastonbury, tree alphabets, and Bardic chairs.
• INTERNATIONAL TIMES: A publication featuring political commentary, paganism, and discussions on medicine and local history.
• ILLUMINATUS! LSITVLHOWWI by Heathcote Williams: A booklet based on interviews about conspiracies and cultural forms, exploring the nature of reality and the concept of a multi-circuit nervous system.
• OBITUARY -- OF SORTS: WARK: A review of small press publications in various fields, including earth mysteries and feminist magazines.
• S.I.S. REVIEW: The journal of the Society for Interdisciplinary Studies, featuring articles on revised chronology, solar system stability, and philosophy.
• ALBION: A pagan publication that critiques orthodox archaeologists and discusses topics like the 'Lambton Worm'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around geomancy, ancient mysteries, earth energies, occultism, and fringe science. The editorial stance, as represented by The Institute of Geomantic Research, is one of scholarly investigation and publication of material related to these subjects. There is a clear interest in historical research, particularly concerning ancient sites, ley lines, and esoteric traditions. The publication also serves as a platform for reviewing and promoting other related magazines and newsletters within these fields.