Ancient Skills and Wisdom Review - No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKILLS WISDOM REVIEW
Issue: No. 10
Date: March 1980
Publisher: Paul Screeton
Country: United Kingdom
Price: U.K. £2; U.S. 5 dollars

This issue of the "Ancient Skills Wisdom Review" is dedicated to exploring the work of Alfred Watkins, a significant figure in the study of prehistoric alignments, commonly known as leys. The magazine features a lead article by Paul Screeton, the editor, titled "A NEGLECTED MASTERPIECE: 'ANCIENT TRACKS ROUND CAMBRIDGE'", which delves into Watkins's seminal book and his contributions to the field.

A Neglected Masterpiece: "Ancient Tracks Round Cambridge"

Paul Screeton's article highlights the lack of attention Alfred Watkins's work received, despite his credibility as a businessman, magistrate, and former president of the Royal Photographic Society. Watkins, born in 1855, began presenting his findings on precisely aligned trackways dating from before the Roman invasion in 1921. His work was often met with opposition from the archaeological fraternity, who sometimes dismissed his supporters as "lunatics". Screeton proudly identifies himself as a supporter of Watkins's thesis, arguing that the intellect and topographical appreciation displayed in his work are based on commonsensical deductions, testable with ruler and pencil.

The article contrasts contemporary, more occult-oriented views of ley hunting with Watkins's more practical approach. Screeton recommends Watkins's own books, "The Old Straight Track" (available in paperback) and his own "Quicksilver Heritage" for those interested in learning about ley hunting.

Allen Watkins, Alfred Watkins's son, is quoted extensively, describing his father's book "Ancient Tracks Round Cambridge" as potentially his best and last work. Allen notes that his father's mind was mature and forward-looking, anticipating concepts like "cardinal point alignments" years before they were emphasized by others.

Sadly, Allen Watkins passed away the previous year. He was honored as a speaker at a meeting chaired by Screeton in 1971, celebrating the 50th anniversary of ley discoveries. Allen, educated at Cambridge, worked as a chartered accountant and was visited by his father, who was particularly excited by an obscure mound in urban Cambridge, which he identified as Cambridge Castle, spending his time ferreting around it.

Allen recounts his father's visit to Cambridge in 1931, which led to the completion of another book, "Archaic Tracks Round Cambridge" (published in 1932). This book, with its 60 pages, contained a staggering amount of local information, reflecting his father's appetite for such details.

Allen shares an anecdote about his father's ley research, where a chance encounter with a farm labourer near Strethall led to the discovery of a Roman road alignment. The labourer mentioned that older folk spoke of another Roman road that went straight from Strethall church towards Cambridge, which was only visible when the corn grew due to a poorer crop.

Allen emphasizes the importance of fieldwork and confirmatory evidence, noting how his father often received unsolicited, valuable information from unexpected sources, such as the casual memories of an elderly man. He states that these "coincidences" accumulated in ley hunters' notebooks, providing significant confidence.

Alfred Watkins himself stressed the need for fieldwork and noted that corroboration on the ground normally followed map evidence. He concluded "Ancient Tracks Round Cambridge" with the statement: "Adventure lies lurking in these lines where I point the way for younger feet than mine.....who will strike the trail?"

Book Reviews

The issue features several book reviews across various genres:

Fantasy

"SWORDS & DEVILTRY", "SWORDS AGAINST DEATH", "SWORDS IN THE MIST" and "SWORDS AGAINST WIZARDRY" by FRITZ LEIBER (Mayflower/Granada at 85p):
This review praises Fritz Leiber's swords and sorcery series featuring Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser as entertaining and distinguished. The reviewer highlights Leiber's wit, classy style, and ability to evoke emotions without excessive titillation. Leiber's pacing and storytelling are commended, noting his completion of a double Nebula and Hugo award with "Ill Met in Lankhmar". The series is described as encompassing six books, exploring the lives of cunning, anarchistic characters. The reviewer finds Leiber's work brings vivid pictures to mind and his characters believable.

Earth Mysteries and Folklore

"THE STRAIGHT TRACK CLUB PORTFOLIOS" by H.C. HARPER (Hereford Philosophical & Antiquarian Society, £6-50):
This review notes the growing interest in historical aspects of ley hunting. H.C. Harper has compiled a guide to the Straight Track Club folios held at Hereford City Library. The portfolios, originating from 1927 to 1937, contain findings related to Watkins's ideas, including speculations on Atlantis and pre-Columbian contact, as well as topics like black fog lines, Jacoh's pillow, and animal navigation. A brief history of the Straight Track Club and its summer meetings is included as an appendix by Paul Screeton. The price is considered steep but justified by rising photo-copying charges.

"ATHANASIUS KIRCHER" by JOCELYN GODWIN, "THE DRAGON" by FRANCIS HUXLEY, "TIME: RHYTHM AND REPOSE" by MARIE-LOUISE VON FRANZ (Thames and Hudson, £2-95):
This section reviews three books in a colourful magazine style. Jocelyn Godwin's book on Athanasius Kircher is praised as a sympathetic study of a Renaissance polymath who championed a holistic view. Francis Huxley's "The Dragon" is criticized for its wishy-washy subtitle and being a formless hodge-podge, with prose that is difficult to follow and bears no resemblance to current language. The reviewer suggests Huxley failed to marshall his information coherently. Marie-Louise von Franz's "Time: Rhythm and Repose" is described as an equally complex book exploring ancient and modern beliefs about time through archetypal symbolism and aspects of godhead. It is noted that the book draws from various fields, including astrology and quantum physics, debating linear and cyclic time. The reviewer finds the book's illustrations, ranging from famous artists to ancient sculpture, to be a strong point.

"THE WORLD ATLAS OF MYSTERIES" by FRANCIS HITCHING (William Collins Sons, £6-95):
This book is described as a worthy attempt to present a broad spectrum of mysteries, showing the impermanence of scientific theory and offering readers choices. Hitching's work admits that unorthodox explanations often made the best sense of the unexplained. The atlas covers subjects like megalithic engineering, leys, dowsing, Atlantis, UFOs, Holy Grail, and spontaneous human combustion. The atlas approach is considered its weakest factor due to uneven pictorial material, but the book's fair-minded coverage is praised, making it a good source for dipping into.

"THE LEY HUNTER": This is described as a senior earth mysteries magazine dealing with leys, geomancy, folklore, and strange phenomena. Issue No. 87 is noted for its high quality contributions, including updates on the Dragon Project, discoveries of anomalous stone artefacts, and discussions on landscape geometry and alignments. It also features book reviews and an astrology column.

"NORTH EAST EARTH MYSTERIES GROUP NEWSLETTER": This newsletter provides information on local mysteries, including reports on entities, contact experiences, and archaeological findings. It also covers Australian aborigines' "ways of seeing", solstice sunsets, and cognitive dissonance.

"LANTERN": The magazine of East Anglian mysteries covers topics such as witchcraft, local leys, frog falls, and UFO sightings. Issue No. 28 includes an insert on "Spellthorn" and articles on various local phenomena.

"ALBION": This journal is described as a "paranoid final issue" featuring articles on shamanism, Roman roads, and pagan and libertarian thought.

Music and Culture

"BOB DYLAN IN HIS OWN WORDS" by MILES (Omnibus Press, £2-50):
This book is presented as a collection of Bob Dylan's comments on his life and work, compiled from interviews, radio and TV shows, and press conferences. The reviewer notes that the book allows Dylan to speak for himself, beginning with his origins in Hibbing, Minnesota, and his thoughts on traditional music and archetypal imagery. The book covers his early responses to journalists, his 1978 Playboy interview, and his thoughts on albums, his book "Tarantula", and the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. The reviewer, who had compiled a similar book, offers suggestions for organizing the content differently but acknowledges the book's value for general readers and Dylanologists.

"A BALLAD HISTORY OF ENGLAND" by ROY PALMER (B.T. Batsford, £6-50):
This book contains approximately 80 ballads illustrating themes from 1588 to the present, covering discontent, hardship, and social justice. It includes regional ballads like "Trimdon Grange Explosion" and songs related to law and order, from Dick Turpin to the Great Train Robbers. The book concludes with a plea to save Shotton steelworks.

Prediction and Divination

"THE COMPLETE HOME ASTROLOGER" by GWYN TURNER (Routledge & Kegan Paul, £3-95):
This book is described as easy to follow and suitable for beginners, providing guidance on casting horoscopes and tracing life features.

"ASTROLOGY: HOW TO CAST YOUR HOROSCOPE" by RONALD C. DAVISON (Mayflower, £1-50):
This is a standard reference work, revised and updated, explaining natal astrology and personal chart drawing.

"I CHING NUMEROLOGY" by DA LIU (Routledge & Kegan Paul, £2-95):
This paperback introduces Shao Yung's Plum Blossom numerology as "I Ching Numbrology" to Western readers, including an introduction to Shao Yung and selections from his predictive poems. It is noted that this book is for serious students and requires owning a copy of "I Ching" itself.

"RESEARCHES INTO THE I CHING" by JULTAN K. SHCHUTSKII (Routledge & Kegan Paul, £6-95):
This book looks back to the origins of the "I Ching" as a divinatory and philosophical work, seeking to understand the original text and terms. The reviewer notes its approach differs from European and American scholars, offering a new perspective on the "Book of Changes" and man's relationship with the cosmos.

"THE GRIMOIRE OF ARMADEL" (Routledge & Kegan Paul, £6-95):
This 17th-century work is described as fascinating for those interested in the magical revival. It is presented as a do-it-yourself textbook for astral travel, but the reviewer admits it is "way out of my depth".

New Publications and Journals

NEW CELTIC REVIEW: This publication, in a new format, covers topics such as Celtic lore, monuments, and antiquities, including a critical review of Barry Fell's claims and discussions on golden section harmonies and bardic genealogy.

MAGONIA: This journal, now titled MUFOB 50, examines high-strangeness UFO cases, close encounters, and psychic phenomena from sociological and psychological perspectives. It includes articles on religious and secular millenarianism and ethical codes for investigating contactees.

BUFORA JOURNAL: This journal reports on UFO cases, including the Llanerchymedd entities and the Isle of Sheppey entity. It also covers U.S. UFO attacks and book reviews.

UFO RESEARCH REVIEW: This publication compiles ufological abstracts and features articles on "nuts and bolts" approaches.

NORTHERN UFO NEWS and NORTHERN UFOLOGY: These publications present personal research projects, case accounts, and discussions on ufology, including critiques of media coverage.

SKYWATCH: This magazine covers views of the 1st London International UFO Congress, sightings, and news snippets.

S.I.S. REVIEW: The journal of the Society for Interdisciplinary Studies includes articles on alternative prehistoric theories, radiocarbon dating, geomagnetic reversals, and Middle East chronology. It also features reviews and tributes.

"THE SWASTIKA" by NIGEL PENNICK: This monograph explores the ancient origins and diverse meanings of the swastika, distinguishing it from its Nazi appropriation. It highlights its presence across various cultures and historical periods.

"INNER DEVELOPMENT: THE YES! BOOKSHOP GUIDE" by CRIS POPENCE: This extensive guide is described as a definitive resource for alternative culture literature, covering a broad spectrum of esoteric knowledge. It provides introductions to various categories and recommends books for beginners.

"MIRACLES" by GEOFFREY ASHE: This book is reviewed with mixed feelings. While acknowledging Ashe's reputation, the reviewer found it unsatisfying, noting that commentators were disappointed by its lack of coverage of Fortean aspects of the miraculous. The book discusses the continuum between materialistic and metaphysical human experience, the concept of the tulpa, and the significance of anima-images in Jungian psychology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The "Ancient Skills Wisdom Review" consistently explores themes of ancient knowledge, earth mysteries, folklore, and unexplained phenomena. The magazine demonstrates a strong interest in the work of Alfred Watkins and the study of leys, advocating for a commonsensical and evidence-based approach to these subjects. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded towards alternative theories and historical research, while also providing critical reviews of contemporary publications across a wide range of esoteric and cultural topics. The publication serves as a platform for disseminating information and fostering discussion within these specialized fields.

This document is a review of the book "DISCOVERIES OF THE TRUTH" by Diane E. Wirth, published by the author from P.O. Box 945, Danville, CA, 94526. The issue number is 11, and the price is 4-95 dollars plus 1 dollar postage. The review is written in English and appears to be from a publication focused on historical and potentially fringe theories.

Book Review: "DISCOVERIES OF THE TRUTH"

The review focuses on Wirth's central thesis: that a persistent story of a white and bearded god throughout America might indicate Jesus Christ's ministry extending across the Atlantic, where he became known by various names, most notably Quetzalcoatl. The reviewer notes that some evidence, such as similarities in virgin birth and crucifixion stories (with Mexican depictions of crucified serpents), is 'tantalising.' However, this evidence is described as being mixed with 'Divine King theology' and other 'confusing aspects' that are 'hastily condemned.' The reviewer points out that the book's discussion of sun worship is brief and fails to reference 'astroarchaeology,' which is 'conveniently ignored.' The book also does not consider Atlantis.

The reviewer highlights that attempts to link deities like Jesus Christ and Quetzalcoatl are 'fraught with danger,' and Wirth does not explicitly address how deities such as the German/Incan Wotan/Votan or Irish/Mexican Cuchulain/Kukulkan shared similar attributes. The reviewer suggests that Wirth could have just as easily argued that Jesus Christ spent his twenties in Mesoamerica, given the perilous nature of the diffusionism concept.

The second part of Wirth's book is described as an argument for general diffusionism to explain the Christian message in pre-Columbian America. The author humbly requests that her evidence be read with an open mind, and the reviewer states they are offering their review in the same spirit.

Additional Content

Following the book review, there is a continuation note from 'Page 2' which refers to a story titled "Ill Met in Lankhmar." This story is described as a tale of 'great poignancy and bathos' from which guilt was created, shaping the personalities of the characters. The reviewer anticipates that by the time this review appears, the last two books of the series will have been published, hopefully enhancing 'Leiber's reputation even further.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme explored in this document is the concept of diffusionism, specifically in relation to religious and cultural influences between the Old World and the Americas. The review examines the book's attempt to link Christian narratives with indigenous American myths, particularly the figure of Quetzalcoatl. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism towards grand diffusionist theories, while acknowledging the intriguing nature of the presented evidence. The reviewer emphasizes the need for open-mindedness but also highlights the potential pitfalls and alternative interpretations of such historical connections. The mention of Fritz Leiber's work suggests a broader interest in literature and storytelling within the publication.