Ley Hunter - 1970 no 5

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: NUMBER FIVE
Date: MARCH 1970
Price: One shilling
Editor: Paul Screeton, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, County Durham.

This issue of The Ley Hunter, a publication dedicated to the study of ancient pathways and alignments, marks a resurgence of interest in ley hunting. The editorial highlights the republication of key historical texts and introduces a range of articles exploring the subject's past, present, and potential future.

Lead-In

The issue opens with a quote from Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To every thing there is a season," setting a reflective tone. The editor notes the growing momentum in ley hunting, evidenced by Sago Press's plans to republish Alfred Watkins's "The Old Straight Track" and Guy Underwood's "The Pattern of the Past." Additionally, John Michell's "The View Over Atlantis" was published the previous year. To provide historical context, the issue includes a retrospective article on ley hunting's history by Philip Heselton, an exploration of its connection to flying saucer phenomena by Tony Wedd, a local ley investigation by Circumlibra, and Barbara Crump's study of a section of The Fosse Way.

Fifty Years of Ley Hunting

Philip Heselton provides a comprehensive overview of ley hunting from the 1920s to the present day, marking significant "milestones" since the publication of Watkins's "Early British Trackways" in 1922. The subject gained public attention with Watkins's "The Old Straight Track" in 1925, leading to the formation of the Straight Track Club (S.T.C.) in 1926. The S.T.C. organized field meetings and collected research in postal folios. Major F.C. Tyler, the S.T.C. secretary, further developed alignment theories, proposing that sites were located on the circumferences of circles centered on significant locations like Stonehenge. Arthur Lawton related leys to a grid of "power" emanating from the Earth's center. The period from 1939 to 1945 saw a new generation discover leys independently.

The S.T.C. initiative was later taken over by the Avalon Society, with members like K.H. Koop and F.R. Watts conducting research. The 1950s are described as a dormant period for ley research. The modern era of ley hunting is considered to have begun in 1961 with Tony Wedd's booklet "Skyways and Landmarks," which connected leys with orthoteny. This period also saw the formation of a "Ley Hunters' Club" and the original publication of "The Ley Hunter" magazine, which ran until 1966 and has now been resumed.

The Path

Tony Wedd shares his personal journey into ley hunting, emphasizing the importance of field verification. He recounts discovering a solitary Scots pine tree on Hampstead Heath, which he identified as a "mark" and a potential ley marker, later finding a nearby tumulus that helped fix the ley's position. This ley was found to pass through Westminster Abbey. Wedd also notes a UFO sighting on Thorney Island in 1941, suggesting a possible connection between ancient markers and UFO activity. He posits that leys might have been marked by hawthorns or pines, and that their knowledge predates Roman times, possibly extending to prehistoric global cultures.

Wedd discusses the possibility that leys represent a lost global technology, perhaps even used by extraterrestrial visitors. He draws parallels with ancient practices in Hawaii and Siberia, and mentions historical artifacts like the Piri Reis Map and Asoka's Column. He also speculates that landscape architect Capability Brown might have intuitively incorporated ley principles in his designs.

Wedd recounts his investigation into UFO sightings, particularly those that altered course along ley lines. He mentions a sighting by Mrs. Everest in Kent in 1960, which moved along a ley line. He also notes UFO sightings at Keston, which has a crossroads named Keston Mark, leading him to suspect that UFO crews are aware of leys. He also details sightings by Mr. and Mrs. Holman and Miss Ginnie Lockhart. Wedd references Buck Nelson's account of "spacemen" identifying magnetic current crossings as "crossroads signs," aligning with Watkins's theories.

He expresses caution about projecting leys over vast distances, advocating for a more localized approach based on parallel systems or fields. Wedd suggests using instruments like Guy Underwood's pendulum to follow magnetic currents, which can form spirals and are influenced by underground springs. He proposes four types of marks corresponding to classic elements: air (trees), earth (stones and tumuli), fire (beacons and sunrises), and water (ponds and fords).

Wedd's investigation into Aime Michel's "Flying Saucers and the Straight-line Mystery" led him to France, where he found pine trees at a location where a UFO had been observed. He also found a shrine and a tree clump at Le Tertre, and noted Scots pines in a forest. He concludes that leys and orthotenies show promising similarities.

He reflects on the archetypal quest, comparing it to investigations into flying saucers, ancient religions, and the search for harmony with nature, suggesting that different paths ultimately lead in the same direction.

A Lost Net-Work of Ancient Ways

Barbara Crump examines "The Fosse Way," a Roman road, arguing that invisible straight tracks, similar to those identified by Alfred Watkins, were present in Britain during the Roman occupation. She notes that the Fosse Way progresses in short, straight stretches that deviate from a direct path, with several enigmatic points that have caused archaeological controversy. Crump identifies potential ley lines and cross-ways along the Fosse Way, suggesting that the Romans may have incorporated these ancient sites into their road network, though perhaps with a negative influence of war and materialism.

She details several sections of the Fosse Way, including a portion from Cirencester to Malmesbury, one towards Salisbury Hill, and another towards the Plymouth Estuary. Crump highlights problem points at Radstock with two important cross-ways, and discusses a way from Cannington Camp. She also notes a way south of Stratton-on-the-Fosse and the possibility that the Fosse Way's link near Shepton Mallet was a later Roman addition. Further sections are traced from the north-west and south-west, including connections to Wareham, Corfe Castle, and Cadbury Castle (Camelot).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical development of ley hunting, the potential connections between ancient alignments and UFO phenomena, and the enduring mystery of these ancient pathways. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the exploration of these subjects while grounding the discussion in historical research and personal field investigation. There is a clear respect for the pioneering work of Alfred Watkins and a willingness to consider unconventional theories, such as those linking leys to extraterrestrial intelligence or lost global technologies.

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, identified as issue number 15, is dated "Spring issue out now" and is priced at 2/- or 2/6 by post. The cover headline is "THE LEY ON WHICH I LIVE" by Circumlibra. The magazine is published by George King in the United Kingdom and is in English.

Ley Lines and Ancient Sites

The issue prominently features articles discussing ley lines, which are described as direct lines connecting ancient sites. The first part of the content details various ley routes across the UK, mentioning specific locations such as Bathampton Down, Ilchester, Lambert's Castle Hill, Lyme Regis, Stickle Br., Charlton Adam, North Devon, the Quantocks, Cranbourne Chase, Cissbury Ring in Sussex, Dartmoor, Five Dials Crossing, Lamyatt Peak, Bratton Castle, Westbury White Horse in Wilts, St. Michael's Hill at Montecute, Stonebarrow Hill, Radstock, Minchinhampton, Chalford near Stroud, Dinnington, Sidbury Castle, Avebury complex, Tyetherleigh Hill, Axminster, Seaton, Musbury Camp, Hawkesdown Camp near Axmouth, and Stanton Drew Circle. The author, Circumlibra, expresses skepticism about the Roman origin of these routes, suggesting an alternative reason for their existence.

Circumlibra then discusses their own ley, which commences at Robin Hood's Stride in Derbyshire, an ancient monument described as two square columns of rock. The ley is traced through various features, including Stanton Moor, a small stone circle, Queen Mary's Bower in Chatsworth Park, and eventually to the City of York. The article notes that leys can be marked by standing stones, shaped hills, stone circles, and clumps of trees, and that later usage often conforms to older patterns of siting.

Megalithic Mathematics

A section titled "MEGALITHIC MATHEMATICS" addresses a debate from The Listener concerning megalithic maths. It quotes Prof. R.J.C.Atkinson, who suggests that the 'Megalithic yard' requires more explanation than Mr. Brice's appeal to an "average pace." Atkinson argues that pace is proportional to stature, and prehistoric ancestors were shorter than modern humans. He notes that the standard Roman pace was 2.43ft., and that many ancient and modern units of measurement are derived from the human body. Prof. Thom's figures apparently show these natural prototypes as standardized units over a wide area.

Notices and Other Publications

Under "NOTICES," "FLYING SAUCER FACTS" is advertised, offering UFO news and views, a discussion on UFOs and the Bible, book reviews, and skywatch reports. Copies can be ordered for 2/- or 2/6 by post, with the spring issue available. The contact is Fred Gething of Thurcroft, Rotherham, Yorkshire.

"INSIGHT MAGAZINE" is also advertised, described as a journal dealing with deeper aspects of life for the spiritually aware. Its contents include witchcraft, ceremonial magic, The Quabalah, occult fraternities, and comparative religions. Subscriptions and single issues can be ordered from an address in Bournemouth, Hants.

Letters to the Editor

The "LETTERS" section features contributions from readers. Jimmy Goddard of Shepperton responds to a question from Dr. Cleary-Baker, expressing disbelief in advanced scientific secrets possessed by early Britons, though acknowledging their astronomical knowledge. He suggests that subconscious induction might explain the siting of barrows. Goddard agrees with Dr. Cleary-Baker and disagrees with Alfred Watkins regarding the direct walking of ancients along leys, proposing that high points were used for direction-finding and that alignments result from advanced science, possibly linked to UFO visitors.

Goddard also comments on Aime Michel's inclusion of a map showing the BAVIC line in relation to prehistoric cave paintings depicting UFOs, questioning if Michel still considers orthoteny valid. He finds the discovery interesting as it strengthens the idea of UFO-worship being partly responsible for the ley system. Goddard advocates for using intuition and logic in research, emphasizing that personal intellect alone can lead to wrong perspectives.

J.A.D. Wedd of Chiddingstone writes in response to a letter from Mr. Perrett. Wedd defends his factual assertions about "gigantic power network" and "magnetic currents" mentioned by other individuals. He contrasts this with Mr. Perrett's apparent dismissal of such concepts as "nonsense."

Another letter, likely from the same issue or a related context, discusses the term "magnetism" and scientific definitions. The author argues that the test for new ideas should be whether they fit the facts, not the respectability of the channel through which they are presented. The letter references Dino Kraspedon's writings on magnetic fields and "electric fluid" and criticizes a "diehard scientist" for suppressing claims of scientific information received from UFO crews. The author concludes by advocating for expanding horizons and questioning the definition of a "scientific whit."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ley lines, ancient sites, megalithic mathematics, and the potential connection between these phenomena and UFOs. There is a clear editorial stance that encourages exploration of alternative theories and challenges conventional scientific explanations. The magazine provides a platform for readers to share their research, opinions, and critiques, fostering a debate on topics that lie at the intersection of archaeology, history, ufology, and esoteric studies. The emphasis on intuition and the questioning of established scientific dogma are notable aspects of the editorial approach.