Folklore Frontiers - No 010

Magazine Overview

Title: Folklore Frontiers
Issue: No. 10
Publisher: Paul Screeton
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1
Cover Headline: Anthony Roberts (1940-1990)

This issue of Folklore Frontiers, an independent non-profit magazine dedicated to folklore, urban belief tales, and modern legends, is edited by Paul Screeton and published from Hartlepool, Cleveland. The cover prominently features Anthony Roberts, a significant figure in geomancy and folklore, who passed away in 1990.

The Editor's Foreword

The editor expresses gratitude for reader contributions and provides guidance for submitting articles, emphasizing A4 typed pages for easier paste-up. A new diary column is introduced as a feature to cover personal bits and pieces related to the magazine, friends, and folklore.

The Diary / Tales of Folk

This section includes a suggestion from retired folklorist Derek Froome regarding the organization of local branches for the Folklore Society and the potential for joint meetings between academic and non-academic individuals. It also congratulates John Michell on being named an honorary bard and quotes his statement on idealism. The section notes John Michell's pamphlet 'Rushdie's Insult' and mentions The Indie's coverage of him and other figures like Kelvin Mackenzie.

Fairies' Revenge?

By Paul Screeton, this article delves into the legend of Robert Kirk, a 17th-century minister who died mysteriously on a fairy hill in Aberfoyle, Scotland. Kirk, the seventh son of a minister, had written 'The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies,' expressing belief in the reality of fairy folk. His story suggests he was a captive in fairyland, with his spectral minister appearing to a relation to command a knife to be thrown over his head during his son's baptism to restore him to society. The article also touches upon Anthony Roberts' interest in Kirk and his own fiery pamphlet, 'The Fairies Revenge.' It recounts Roberts' death on Glastonbury Tor during a lunar eclipse in February 1990, linking it to the legend of Saint Collen and the king of fairies, Gwyn. The piece speculates on the 'revenge' of the fairies or other factors contributing to Roberts' demise, noting his physical condition and potential for mental instability.

I Could Eat You

This article by Paul Screeton explores the background of the song "La Folie" by Jean-Jacques Burnel, inspired by the real-life incident of Issei Sagawa. Sagawa, a Japanese student in Paris, murdered and cannibalized a Dutch student, Renee Hartevelt, in 1981. The article details Sagawa's background, his perceived arrogance, his relationship with Hartevelt, the murder, dismemberment, and consumption of her flesh. It notes that Sagawa was deemed mentally unbalanced under French law and could not be tried for the crime, though later reports suggest he may have served a prison sentence. The piece also references John Rudge's challenge to the idea that cannibalism only occurs in cases of extreme hardship.

Punch Lines

By Tony 'Doc' Shiels, this piece reflects on the author's experience at 'Invocational 89' in Chicago, a gathering of magicians and psychics. Shiels discusses a Punch and Judy show presented there and his lecture on the shamanic symbolism of the puppet, linking Punch to concepts like homunculus, Trickster figures, and Dionysian connections. He explores the etymology of 'Punch' and its potential sexual connotations, as well as its connection to 'ley lines' through John Masefield's 'The Box of Delights.' The article also touches upon the alcoholic drink 'panch' and the occult significance of the number five, referencing the logo of the Invocational event.

Mystery Hill

By Paul Screeton, this article describes mysterious carvings found in an old barn in South-East Durham, overlooking the North Sea. These carvings, of unknown age and purpose, include human heads, a scene of bathing, and a depiction of a sexual nature. The author notes the lack of professional or academic opinion on the carvings, suggesting possibilities ranging from Norse mythology to Celtic head cults. The mixture of pagan and Christian imagery, and the presence of glacial erratic stones, add to the mystery of Mickle Hill.

Newslines

This section contains several short news items:

• A police officer in Wincanton mistakenly arrests a dog owner for sheep worrying, only to discover the dog was stolen and the 'sheep worrying' was a ruse to keep foxes away.
• A piece from Police magazine discusses a case that sounds like a legend but may not be, referencing a dog named Tessa.
• An anecdote about a farmer's wife who rang to report her dog stolen, which turned out to be a trick.
• A humorous report from The Sun about the Queen Mother's corgi killing a pet dog, mentioning royal traditions of burying pets.
• A brief mention of a man who ate a domino, referencing a previous article and a joke from the Daily Mirror.

Book Reviews

This section features reviews of several books:

• Earth Lights Revelation by Paul Devereux et al.: Explores earth lights as a geophysical phenomenon and their connection to landscape, UFOs, and paranormal experiences.
• Frontiers of Reality by Hilary Evans and Alternate States of Consciousness by Hilary Evans: These books examine the boundaries between the real and unreal, covering topics like earth lights, healing, hypnosis, UFO abductions, and near-death experiences.
• The Ancient Stones of Wales by Chris Barber and John Godfrey Williams: A comprehensive photographic record of Welsh megaliths, including stone circles, standing stones, and dolmens.
• Practical Magic in the Northern Tradition by Nigel Pennick: An examination of the Northern Tradition of magic, drawing from Horse, Baltic, Germanic, and Celtic elements.
• Yorkshire Holy Wells and Sacred Springs by Edna Whelan and Ian Taylor: A guide to over 80 holy wells and sacred springs in Yorkshire, detailing their lore, legends, and significance.
• Haunted Churches of England by Graham J. McEwan: Explores hauntings in English churches, offering explanations for phenomena and discussing various types of spirits.
• Encyclopedia of Ghosts by Daniel Cohen: A reference book on ghosts and associated phenomena, covering haunted places, poltergeists, and various ghost stories.
• Fire Burn by Ken Radford: A collection of true tales of witchcraft from around the world, gathered from archives and personal memories.
• Lines on the Landscape by Nigel Pennick & Paul Devereux: Discusses prehistoric landscape alignments, including cursus monuments, stone rows, and the concept of 'ley lines.'
• The Elements of Shamanism, Natural Magic, The Celtic Tradition, and Pendulum Dowsing: A series of books covering shamanism, natural magic, Celtic mythology, and dowsing techniques.
• Encyclopedia of the Unexplained and The Arkana Dictionary of New Perspectives: Recommended reference books on parapsychology, magic, and New Age topics.
• Views from the Real World and Gurdjieff: An Approach to His Ideas: Books related to the philosophy of G.I. Gurdjieff.
• History and Astrology and Psychological Astrology: Books exploring the intersection of history and astrology, and Jungian psychology with astrology.
• The Historical Buddha and Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State: Books on Buddhism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of folklore, mythology, the paranormal, and unexplained phenomena, often with a focus on British traditions and legends. There is a clear interest in ancient sites, earth mysteries, and alternative explanations for historical events and contemporary occurrences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting diverse perspectives and encouraging reader participation. The inclusion of book reviews suggests a commitment to providing resources for those interested in these fields. The magazine also seems to have a particular interest in figures who challenge conventional thinking, such as Anthony Roberts and John Michell.

Title: Folklore Frontiers
Issue: 8
Date: January 1990
Publisher: Northern Arts Publishing

This issue of Folklore Frontiers offers a diverse range of content, from book reviews on esoteric subjects to discussions of folklore, urban legends, and UFO phenomena. The magazine maintains a critical and often skeptical approach, particularly towards sensational claims and established narratives.

Book Reviews

The issue begins with a series of book reviews covering a wide spectrum of interests. "The Mystics of Islam" by Reyhold A. Nicholson provides an accessible introduction to Islamic mysticism. Johannes Fabricius's "Alchemy" is noted for its extensive research and rare illustrations. Tom Graves's "The Dowser's Workbook" is presented as a practical guide to dowsing with numerous exercises. Caitlin Matthews' "Arthur and the Sovereignty of Britain" explores Celtic mythology. D. Scott Rogo's "The Return From Silence" examines near-death experiences, while Neil Philip's "The Cinderella Story" traces the motif across cultures. Kelvin Jones's "Conan Doyle and the Spirits" assesses the author's interest in spiritualism. A collection of books on self-help and psychology are also briefly mentioned, including works on meditation, intuition, crisis coping, sexuality, and relationships.

Magazine and Journal Reviews

The magazine then reviews several other publications. "Northern Earth Mysteries" (Issues 40 & 41) covers topics like hill figure giants, ley lines, astroarchaeology, and UFO reports. "Mercian Mysteries" (Issue 1) features articles on dowsing, ancient crosses, and folklore events. "Amskaya" (Issues 15 & 16) includes discussions on UFOs and a piece on Uri Geller. "The Ley Hunter" (Issue 109) examines landscape calendars, Zurich alignments, and critiques various crop circle books. "Northern UFO News" (Issues 137-140) reports on UFO cases, defence issues, and calls for an end to the 'cover-up' narrative.

Update Section

The "Update" section addresses contemporary issues and urban legends. It touches upon the Cleveland child abuse scandal, questioning the separation of legend and truth, and the potential for widespread suspicion of adults. It highlights the role of social workers and sociological classes in potentially fostering fear of abuse. Julia Phillips, who strangled her children due to paranoid delusions, is mentioned as an example of a deeply disturbed individual. The section also critiques the censorship of soft porn magazines. A case of misdiagnosis of child abuse is discussed, along with a report on a supposed 'hole in the road' phenomenon. The section also includes brief anecdotes about a taxi driver in Lagos who believed he had carried a ghost, a Taj Mahal hotel designed backwards, and a sculptor who omitted stirrups from a statue.

Mystery of the Vanishing Hitch-Hiker

A prominent article details the "Mystery of the vanishing hitch-hiker," presenting a reader's account of seeing a ghost-like figure on the side of the road. The article also touches upon other related phenomena, such as the "Crying Boy" picture curse and alleged supernatural occurrences linked to specific individuals.

Other Short Features

Several shorter pieces cover various intriguing topics: "Cement Jackets" discusses hardened criminals and an incident where workmen fell into wet cement. "Corn Circles" notes the proliferation of books and media coverage on the subject, presenting both scientific and tractor-based explanations. "Kamikaze Pigeons" refers to reports of exploding pigeons and birds being targeted with poison. "Thatcher" clarifies a reader's doubt about a Heinz advert featuring the Prime Minister. The "Update" section also includes reports on monster fish, freak creatures linked to Chernobyl radiation, and unusual occurrences with autocash machines.

Readers' Letters

Readers' letters offer feedback and share personal anecdotes. One reader praises "Folklore Frontiers" for its condensed format. Another shares urban tales, including allegations about hidden messages on Beatles' records and the song "Temptation" by Wet Wet Wet. A reader recounts a puzzling car issue attributed to using the choke for a handbag. Other letters discuss rumors about Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and elaborate on masochistic beauty practices and apocryphal gospel stories. The letters also touch upon bizarre rumors concerning royal families, including artificial insemination and rudimentary tails.

Contributors

The "Contributors" section profiles key individuals involved in the issue. Tony 'Doc' Shiels is described as a Western shaman, author, and Fortean enthusiast. Paul Screeton, an obituary writer for this issue, is remembered for his strong will and belief in earth magic consciousness. The section also mentions Tony Roberts, a friend of the author and a tribute to The Stranglers' influence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of folklore, mythology, and esoteric traditions, alongside a critical examination of paranormal claims, particularly UFO phenomena and abduction narratives. The magazine appears to favor a skeptical approach, often seeking rational or folkloric explanations for reported anomalies, and questioning sensationalized accounts. There is a consistent interest in debunking or providing alternative perspectives on widely circulated stories and alleged mysteries. The editorial stance seems to lean towards a rationalist interpretation of events, while still acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and the enduring power of folklore and belief systems.