Ley Hunter - 1970 no 12

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: NUMBER TWELVE
Date: OCTOBER 1970
Price: 1s. 4d.

This issue of 'The Ley Hunter' presents a collection of articles exploring themes related to ancient sites, ley lines, symbolism, and esoteric knowledge. Edited by Paul Screeton, it offers a unique perspective on archaeology and the study of prehistoric phenomena.

The "Live" Archaeology

The editorial introduces 'The Ley Hunter's' distinctive approach to archaeology, termed "live" archaeology. This perspective moves beyond the traditional focus on collecting artifacts and instead delves into the study of the ley system and the understanding of a "live" force utilized by Megalithic Man. The aim is to re-trace and potentially re-apply this ancient science, challenging conventional archaeological views and honoring researchers like Alfred Watkins, Major F.C. Tyler, Arthur Lawton, Lewis Spence, James Churchward, John Foster Forbes, John Michell, and T.C. Lethbridge.

The Pendragon Society extends an invitation to a wine and cheese party in Bristol on November 14th, featuring a talk by Keith Critchlow on Glastonbury Abbey and its surrounding symbols.

Stone Circles and Patterns of Power

Authored by Jimmy Goddard, this article reports on a meeting of the Research Into Lost Knowledge Organisation (RILKO). The meeting featured speakers Andrew Davidson and Keith Critchlow. Davidson discussed how knowledge is transmitted through epochs via religion, architecture, myth, and symbolism, with symbolism being a concise yet experiential form of information.

Davidson's research into stone circles posits them as symbolic models of the universe, possessing both mundane and esoteric purposes. He critiqued modern science's single-line enquiry and presented his 20-year study, focusing on the past three years. He explained that dowsing can detect not only water but also electromagnetic vibrations. Diagrams of Stonehenge and the Fish Stone in Wales illustrated power centers and energy lines. Davidson also presented research on the Harold Stones, noting a complicated energy pattern. He shared his experience as a novice dowser, with results independently verified.

A film was shown featuring dowsers J. Williams and Lewis from Abergavenny being repelled by stones at specific power centers. Davidson then presented slides of a stone circle in Banffshire, Scotland, noting its ring cairn, mound, and leaning stones, suggesting intentional placement. He commented on the geometry of the site, including a 3-4-5 Pythagoras triangle in the inner curve and an elliptical outer circle, with stones marking double pentacles. He found stones to be predominantly positive or negative, creating a rhythmic polarity change.

Davidson highlighted that the geometry of the stone circle, though built before 1500 B.C., mirrored that of Gothic cathedrals like Amiens, France, suggesting a shared understanding of sacred geometry and cosmic models. He also discussed how builders may have manipulated the horizon for precise geometry and described a meridian bisecting sunrise and sunset angles.

Following Davidson's talk, Mr. Williams explained the force repelling people from stones as a spiral-like force. Davidson recounted a dowsing experience where a pendulum's movement indicated a seven-minute polarity change.

Keith Critchlow's presentation focused on geometry as a crystallization of energy patterns, illustrated with slides of nature and Glastonbury Abbey. He believed the Abbey's design contained precise, meaningful ancient geometry, not merely decorative elements.

Critchlow further presented findings on the vesica piscis and arcs as basic design elements in Glastonbury Abbey and other buildings, possessing sacred symbolic meanings. He noted that satellite-discovered magnetic centers on Earth were in precise geometrical relation, with many world religious centers near these lines.

Magnetism in Relation to Prehistoric Sites (& Others)

Authored by Iris Campbell, this article explores the magnetic properties of Earth and its connection to prehistoric sites. Campbell suggests that sites are magnetized from Earth's core and influenced by a magnetic belt, possibly symbolized by Orion's Belt. Mineral deposits emitting light and heat can be activated by solar system bodies, but some have lost this connection and require remagnetization. The article posits that the human race, with its physical substance, acts as a channel to link Earth with heavenly bodies, a process that could be used for good or ill.

Druidical rites are described as attempts to re-activate Earth's power and link it with cosmic powers. The decline of the Druids led to a lesser race and a debased priesthood, defiling sacred places. Campbell suggests these places need remagnetization by those who can correctly utilize the power.

Query Corner

Richard Waddington of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, inquires about investigations into leys in County Donegal, Ireland, seeking to compare results with other investigators.

Belloc's Ley-Impulse

Written by Allen Watkins, this piece discusses Hilaire Belloc's "Path to Rome" and its theme of a pilgrimage in a straight line. Watkins relates this to his father's ley discoveries, noting remarkable confirmations in Belloc's book. He quotes passages from "Path to Rome" that describe the virtue of walking in a straight line, gaining a full picture of the way, and the presence of chapels marking supplication. The article highlights Belloc's observations of straight lines to Rome, cutting across landscapes and lakes, and mentions a smooth stone between two monoliths framing a notch on the skyline. Watkins concludes that Belloc, as an outdoor observer, possessed an ancestral "Ley-Impulse."

Some Memories of John Foster Forbes

Authored by Iris Campbell, this article shares personal recollections of John Foster Forbes (J.F.F.), known for his books on ancient sites. Forbes' family seat in Aberdeenshire held many notes about old circles, which seemed integral to his life, often appearing in his paintings. Campbell recounts meeting Forbes in London and persuading him to speak for charity. Their partnership involved travelling to psychometrize ancient stone sites in England and Scotland. Forbes' extensive knowledge of prehistory complemented Campbell's psychometry. They visited sites like Long Meg and her Daughters, and experienced a negative atmosphere at the Bass of Inverurie.

Campbell mentions Forbes' belief that the Druids' misuse of power led to the earth being "earthed over" at sites like Silbury Hill. Forbes was an earnest follower of Rev. John Todd Ferrier, founder of the Order of the Cross, and became a strict vegetarian. He died after a brief illness about 15 years prior to the article's writing. Forbes' financial management was poor, and his family seat was demolished. He married a wealthy, older woman, but the marriage later dissolved due to his peculiarities and financial habits. He outlived his wife and spent his later years traveling to prehistoric sites, though Campbell did not accompany him on these trips.

An unsolicited car sticker from Switzerland is mentioned, featuring a UFO supposedly photographed over Cassino, Italy, on May 18, 1968, and advertising vinyl stickers.

A Mysterious Alignment in the Western Desert of Egypt

Written by Dan Butcher, this article investigates a series of sites in Egypt's Western Desert. Fifty-five miles southwest of el-Hammam lies the remains of a Roman temple to Isis, excavated by G.W. Murray, known locally as 'Little Castle.' Further southwest is Quseir el-Husan, 'Little Castle of the Horse,' where two ruined houses, a cistern, and a stone disc were found. Another site, Quseir abu Tabaq, 'Little Castle of Tobacco,' is located a few miles east of the Matruh-Siwa track.

El-Hammam, the eastern starting point, is known for its ancient rock-cisterns and wells. The article suggests these 55-mile stages might have been staging points for Roman messengers traveling between Alexandria and the oracle of Ammon at Siwa. However, the line does not begin at Alexandria and misses Siwa if extended west. Murray found no trace of a road connecting the Quseirs, and the temple of Isis is dated A.D. 10, when the oracle's authority was waning. Murray admits uncertainty about linking the line to a Roman messenger track.

The article proposes that these Quseirs were localities of sacred import, and the Roman temple was built on an ancient site, possibly a cairn of stones erected by Bedouins experiencing strange dreams, similar to Jacob at Bethel.

It is suggested that travelers and pilgrims visited these sites for significant dreams. Cisterns were found at two points, and one Quseir is linked to the horse myth. The article draws parallels with the myth of Pegasus and Bellerophon, suggesting that experiences at these sites could be semi-lucid, out-of-the-body events. The "flying horse" is likened to a "phantom coach" or "headless horse," potentially representing a UFO with its "landing-gear extended." The projected vehicle of consciousness traveling in a straight line at high speed leads to the expectation of ecsomatic experiences when sleeping at mark-points on these lines.

The Western Desert line of Quseirs is described as leading from nowhere to nowhere on the horizontal plane, but a vertical, ecsomatic path leads upwards or downwards from each center. The stone disc at Quseir el-Husan is intriguing, resembling a quern stone used for grinding on ancient sites.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of 'The Ley Hunter' revolve around the exploration of ancient knowledge, particularly concerning ley lines, stone circles, and their associated energies and symbolism. The magazine champions a "live" or unconventional approach to archaeology, emphasizing the spiritual and energetic aspects of prehistoric sites over mere artifact collection. There is a strong focus on the interconnectedness of ancient sites, magnetic fields, and cosmic influences. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for the rediscovery and application of ancient wisdom, challenging mainstream scientific and archaeological paradigms, and celebrating the work of researchers who explore these less conventional fields. The inclusion of UFOs in the 'Query Corner' and the mention of a UFO sticker suggest an openness to a broader range of unexplained phenomena within the scope of esoteric investigation.

Title: FATE
Issue: 10
Volume: 39
Date: October 1986
Publisher: L.W. MacGregor
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1.20
ISSN: 0014-9422

This issue of FATE magazine features a "Letters Forum" section that delves into etymological and folkloric connections, alongside a critical examination of Qabalistic concepts.

Letters Forum

"Buck - Bucca" etc.

This section begins with a letter from R.D.Y. Ferrett of Sheffield, responding to an article in the August issue. Ferrett notes that "Circumlibra" mentioned "Buck" and Bucca Hill, but not the stone circle on Bucca Hill. He shares extracts from letters exchanged with Dr. J.A. McEwen of Hoyland, near Barnsley, from 1960.

Dr. McEwen suggests that "Bucca" might be a variant of "Puck", with other related terms including "Pook(a)", "Pouke", "Puca", and in Welsh, "Pwca" and "Bwg". He highlights the ease of interchange between 'p' and 'b' across European languages, and notes that 'pater'/'vater' and 'mater'/'madre' share similar phonetic shifts. McEwen posits that "Puck" is the medieval prototype of ancient British gods or demons. He also draws a comparison between "Puck" and "Bug" (as in "Bugge Stone" or "Bugge Hill"), suggesting it relates to an "object of terror" and is possibly derived from the Middle English "bugge", akin to the Welsh "bwg", meaning "hobgoblin". He concludes that these names might be applied to locations associated with ancient rites or demonology.

Ferrett, in his reply to McEwen, speculates that "Bugbear" and "humbug" might also be connected to the same root word. He questions if "Robin Goodfellow" was another name for "Puck", and if this is related to "Robin Hood". Ferrett suggests that while a real "Robin Hood" might have existed, possibly Robert of Loxley, his reputation for moving between the forest and robbing the rich to pay the poor could have led to him being "Puckish". He theorizes that given the existing name Robert/Robin, it would be natural to associate him with a pagan deity like Robin Hood. Ferrett also mentions encountering "Robin Hood's Picking Rods" and "Robin Hood's Stride", finding these too numerous to be attributed to a single individual.

Ferrett then recounts meeting Dr. McEwen on a "Back Tor" (Grid ref. S.K. 200910 approx.). This tor features a faint carving of a man, distinct from the one on the Buck Stone. This location marks the Midsummer Solsticial Sunset at about 1600 B.C. when viewed from a stone structure 22 miles away. He notes another "Back Tor" nearby, which he suspects is also connected to ancient monuments of the same period, suggesting "Back" could be another version of "Puck".

Qabalah and the Shield of Solomon

Michael V. Magee of Leeds writes as a student of "Qabalah", responding to an article by John F. Neal in the August issue concerning the Shield of Solomon. Magee finds the Qabalah potentially interesting for "ley hunters" as it is based on a decimal system of 10 spheres or temples, connected by 22 paths.

Magee corrects Neal's assertion that "Among the Cabbalistic meanings of 8 are rhythm and flux". He states that rhythm and flux are associated with the number 9 in the Qabalistic system, while 8 signifies intellect and the sphere of mind. He mentions that the Rabbis of Israel attributed planets to these Sephiroth, from which the gods of other mythologies could be derived. Mercury is associated with 8, with Thoth and Nebo as its Egyptian and Assyrian representatives, respectively. The Moon is linked to the number 9 and is connected to the Etheric level, considered the foundation of the material world.

Magee also points out an error in Neal's attempt to translate the Egyptian Thoth using Hebrew numerology. He argues that this is not a valid method, as it can lead to arbitrary interpretations. Magee notes that such a trick would not yield 88, as Thoth would translate to Tan(400), Van(6), Tan(400). He concludes by mentioning that the number 888 is alleged to be special to Christ and invites Mr. Neal's observations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a strong interest in etymology, folklore, and the exploration of ancient beliefs and their potential connections to place names and historical figures. The "Letters Forum" format allows readers to engage in scholarly debate, questioning and expanding upon previously published material. There's a clear editorial stance that encourages such discourse and the investigation of esoteric subjects like Qabalah, ancient rites, and mythological figures. The magazine appears to cater to an audience interested in the intersection of history, mythology, and the unexplained.