Ancient Skills and Wisdom Review - No 09

Magazine Overview

This issue, No. 9, of the Ancient Skills & Wisdom Review was published in January 1980. Edited and published by Paul Screeton from Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, it features a mix of book reviews and articles on subjects ranging from earth mysteries and archaeology to paganism and anarchism. The cover, with its stenciled lettering, sets a tone of historical and esoteric interest.

Book Reviews

"East Anglia: Walking the Ley Lines and Ancient Tracks" by Shirley Toulson

This review discusses Shirley Toulson's guide to East Anglia, which focuses on walking ancient paths and ley lines. The reviewer notes that while it's a useful guide for the general public, it might not fully satisfy the specialist needs of earth mysteries students. The book is praised for its genial style and detailed topographical information, offering alternative routes and encouraging exploration of historical sites.

"Stonehenge and Its Mysteries" by Michael Balfour

Michael Balfour's book is presented as a sober yet evocative exploration of Stonehenge. The review highlights the book's comprehensive detail, covering speculation on Stonehenge's purpose, its petrology, construction methods, astro-archaeological advances, and public reaction. It also discusses 12 nearby sites and includes a chronological listing and bibliography. The reviewer finds it a worthy alternative to highly technical or purely speculative literature, though notes Balfour's soft-pedalling of the ley angle and his paradoxical stance on certain beliefs.

"Rings of Stone: The Prehistoric Stone Circles of Britain and Ireland" and "Prehistoric Avebury" by Aubrey Burl

These two books by Aubrey Burl are reviewed, with particular attention to the photography by Edward Piper in "Rings of Stone." The reviewer praises Piper's evocative scenes but is critical of Burl's authorial approach, describing it as "conservative" and "vicious" in its dismissal of earth mysteries proponents and ley-line theories. While Burl's work on Avebury is critiqued for its portrayal of builders as having "brief, savage and fearful" lives, Michael Dames's "The Avebury Cycle" is recommended as a more thought-provoking alternative.

"Basic Paganism: Four Views"

This booklet from The Society for Promoting Pagan Knowledge is described as demonstrating diverse views on paganism, defined as a nature religion bound by reverence for the Earth Mother. The essays cover themes of human-nature unity, revival movements, the ritual aspect of paganism, and blending ancient ideals with modern thinking.

"A History of White Magic" by Gareth Knight

Gareth Knight's book is reviewed as a history of white magic, tracing its development through various traditions including the Old Testament, Mithraism, Christianity, Gnosticism, Rosicrucians, and the work of C.G. Jung. The reviewer notes that the book covers important matters but gives brief attention to neo-paganism and ley lines. Despite some reservations, it is seen as fulfilling its brief in exploring magic's potential for regeneration.

"Pennick's Endsville Pagan Almanack" by Nigel Pennick

This pagan revival almanac is welcomed for its edification and amusement, containing information on pagan festivals, holy days, astronomical events, and various calendars.

"The Golden Section Order" and "Albion"

"The Golden Section Order" is an anthology of hand-drawn articles on topics like Druidism, Ogham, and Celtic calendars. "Albion" is described as an unorthodox magazine of pagan enquiry, featuring diverse opinions on religious choices, Arthurian names, and various esoteric topics.

"Occult World"

This publication aims to serve as a general introduction to occultism, with articles on reincarnation, ufology, communications services, astrology, and herbs.

"The Cauldron"

A pagan journal offering insights into how pagan beliefs can benefit the New Age, with discussions on Alex Sanders, ley lines, and groups like The Regency.

"Quest"

This journal focuses on magic and witchcraft in the Western Mystery Tradition, providing guidance for beginners and exploring various traditions, including relationships between psi and the occult, and meditation.

"Rosicrucian Thoughts on the Ever-Burning Lamps of the Ancients" by W. Wynn Westcott

This pamphlet reprints an 1885 article discussing tales of ancient lamps that remained alight for centuries, exploring the evidence and the author's conviction of an unknown method.

"Megaliths and Masterminds" by Peter Lancaster Brown

The reviewer is critical of this book, accusing Brown of a "scissors and paste mentality" and of failing to acknowledge previous works. The review highlights the book's lack of evocative feel for megalithic sites and its petty criticism of other researchers. The bibliography is noted as being outdated.

"Archaeoastronomy" No. 1, 1979

This booklet is a supplement to "Journal for the History of Astronomy." It features articles on astronomical alignments in rock art, particularly a spectacular event in 1054 AD. It also includes a discussion on the Kilmartin Stones and critiques of Prof. Alexander Thom's work.

"Stonehenge Planetarium" and "Wiltshire Galaxy, Part 1" by Mike Saunders

Mike Saunders proposes that Stonehenge can be viewed as a planetarium, with its Avenue potentially representing the mean sun distance of Pluto. "Wiltshire Galaxy" extends this hypothesis to other sites, suggesting they represent celestial distances. The reviewer finds these concepts challenging and potentially groundbreaking.

Anarchist Publications

Several anarchist publications are reviewed: "Anarchist Review" (No. 4), "The Full and True Text of a Notorious, Remarkable and Visionary Speech Made by John, Viscount Amberley," "Margarine the Leaderine," and "Three Essays in Anarchism" by Charlotte Wilson. The reviews discuss themes of individual freedom, authority, state crime, and the philosophy of anarchism. The editorial stance acknowledges the relevance of politics to the magazine's scope and expresses sympathy for anarchism within the earth mysteries community.

Parapsychology Publications

Several works on parapsychology are reviewed: "The Signet Handbook of Parapsychology" edited by Martin Ebon, "Parapsychology and Out-of-the-Body Experiences" by Susan Blackmore, "And the Life of the World to Come" by Rev Dr Martin Israel, "Spiritual Implications of Survival" by Michael Perry, and "The Christian Parapsychologist" (Vol. 2, No. 1). The reviews discuss the history and study of the paranormal, including out-of-body experiences and the challenges of scientific investigation in this field.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Ancient Skills & Wisdom Review demonstrates a strong interest in earth mysteries, archaeology, and alternative belief systems, particularly paganism. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, providing a platform for diverse viewpoints and critical reviews of publications in these fields. There is a clear engagement with the academic and esoteric communities, often highlighting the tension between established scientific views and more speculative or unconventional theories. The inclusion of anarchist publications suggests a broader interest in challenging established authority and exploring alternative societal structures. The magazine also seems to advocate for a more integrated understanding of the past and the present, connecting ancient knowledge with contemporary issues.

This issue of FATE magazine, dated October 1980, is identified by issue number 10 and volume 33. The cover prominently features the headline "PSYCHIC ARCHAEOLOGY" by Jeffrey Goodman, with a cover price of $1.25. The magazine is published by Clark Publishing and is in English.

Articles and Reviews

Survival After Death and Christian Parapsychology The issue begins with a discussion on the importance of ESP in explaining the concept of survival after death. It reviews "Christian Parapsychology Paper No. 1" by Rev Dr Israel, a Church of England priest, who traces the historical development of the concept of an afterlife, pre-existence of the soul, and reincarnation, referencing Jewish and heretical Christian sects. The paper notes that modern psychical research has made these hypotheses more respectable and urges the Church to consider them. Dr. Israel places this evidence within a Christian framework, stating "Christ redeems karma."

Michael Parry, Archdeacon of Durham and editor of "The Christian Parapsychologist," is also discussed. His work explores the wider implications of the afterlife for Christians, proposing a form of embodied survival in a state of health and activity, rather than a disembodied existence. Parry suggests that experiences in the next life are dependent on one's behavior in this life, and that deathbed visions bolster the idea of a real afterlife. He concludes that "Survival does have spiritual implications, because we want to escape survival and experience resurrection."

The magazine notes that "The Christian Parapsychologist" began as a 28-page publication in March 1978, with over half of its content dedicated to reviews, and has since grown to 40 pages. Two articles are highlighted: one by Emma Shackle, whose conclusion states, "An adequate understanding of human psychology is the prerequisite of a scientific yet theologically correct, analysis of the effect of the mystical process on the human being." Another article by Paul Beard on mediumship is also mentioned.

"True Experiences with Ghosts" by Martin Ebon This section reviews Martin Ebon's book, "True Experiences with Ghosts." The review suggests that the fear of death makes ghosts perpetually interesting, and despite scientific materialism, the belief in ghosts persists. Parapsychologists are noted for seeking rational explanations for these phenomena. The book is described as a collection of popular-style accounts from various contributors, offering a range of phenomena and attempts at demystification. The final entry in the book concerns cases collected by Dr. Louisa B. Rhine. The review highlights an introduction detailing mysterious happenings in the home of actress Elke Sommers and her husband Joe Hyams, concluding that the book offers an interesting series of true ghost stories from around the world.

"Psychic Archaeology" by Jeffrey Goodman Jeffrey Goodman's book, "Psychic Archaeology," is presented as a believable and remarkable work offering a radical approach to understanding the past. The review posits that ESP and the utilization of "entities" can be valuable tools for comprehending ancient civilizations. Goodman's pioneering work in this field is lauded, and he is credited with contextualizing his research alongside predecessors who faced similar resistance. An anecdote is shared about a historian friend who spontaneously sensed the foundations of a Roman fort along Hadrian's Wall, which excavation later confirmed. The reviewer also mentions personal experience using a psychometrist to probe the past, concluding that such methods can work, though they may have been abandoned prematurely.

Goodman's book is said to challenge the "intellectual honesty of all archaeologists" and directly confronts the "von Danikenesque" view of evolution from outer space. The book begins with acknowledgments of F. Bligh Bond's work at Glastonbury, Stefan Ossowiecki, and Edgar Cayce, and concludes with contemporary and future possibilities. The review suggests the book will be disliked by many academics but welcomed by those interested in the past from a spiritual perspective.

"STRANGE PHENOMENA" Magazine This section reviews "STRANGE PHENOMENA," described as an excellent new professional magazine for newsstand sales on paranormal matters, available by subscription. The magazine is glossy A4, well-illustrated, and offers a variety of content. It features Andy Collins on the UFO/psychism link, Barry King's account of the "Mrs X rape case," and Terry Shotton's work. Andrew M. Green discusses "crisis apparitions" and "Phantoms of the living," suggesting that many hauntings might involve living people. Jenny Randles provides examples of time anomaly types, and Andy Collins explores claims of a former Atlantis. The magazine also includes Soviet oceanographers' views, Green's writing on astral travel, and material on poltergeist phenomena, with speculation on sandstone as a trigger mechanism.

Issue No. 2 is noted for its editor Graham Phillips's piece on psygenetics and the power of megaliths, as well as "The Dartmoor Triangle." Andy Collins offers examples of people accessing an occult knowledge reservoir, and Jenny Randles writes informatively on "Aliens." The magazine also covers the Sanders, Druids in the C20, MIBs, and a ufologist's perspective on seance room phenomena. Despite some reservations, the reviewer considers it an intelligent journal of phenomenal happenings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of consciousness, survival after death, and the exploration of the paranormal through various lenses, including religious, scientific, and archaeological. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded stance towards unconventional research, presenting diverse perspectives and reviews of books and publications that challenge mainstream thought. There is a clear interest in bridging the gap between spiritual beliefs and empirical investigation, particularly in fields like parapsychology and psychic archaeology.