Ley Hunter - 1971 no 20

Magazine Overview

'The Ley Hunter' is a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to exploring the mysteries of ley lines, ancient sites, mythology, and related phenomena. This issue, Number 20, dated June 1971, marks a transition to the A4 paper size, a change the editor attributes to the 'alien metric system' and the eventual unobtainability of quarto-sized paper. The magazine's editor is Paul Screeton, located at 5 Egton Drive, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, Co. Durham. Subscription rates are provided, with single copies costing 10p (postage included) and a year's subscription at £1.20. For the USA, rates are 2.25 dollars for six months and 4.50 dollars for a year.

LEAD-IN: Format Change and Watkins' Views

The editorial section, titled 'LEAD-IN', explains the shift from quarto to A4 format. It humorously notes this change aligns with the 'alien metric system' and anticipates the obsolescence of older paper sizes. The editor also recalls Alfred Watkins' 1919 pamphlet, 'Must we Trade in Tenths', questioning whether Watkins would have approved of this metric-based format change.

Book Review Extract: Crawford and 'The Old Straight Track'

An extract from a book review by F.J. Salfeld in the Daily Telegraph (May 20, 1971) discusses the work of Osbery Guy Crawford, a pioneer in archaeological photography and founder of the journal 'Antiquity'. Crawford, who flew with the R.F.C. during WWI, became interested in archaeology early on. The review links Crawford and Glyn Daniel (Crawford's successor at 'Antiquity') to Dr Deuel's book and Alfred Watkins' seminal work, 'The Old Straight Track' (1925). Notably, Crawford reportedly refused an advertisement for 'The Old Straight Track', deeming it 'lunatic fringe' archaeology, a sentiment echoed by Dr Daniel who called its subject 'extravagant nonsense'. The review reiterates Watkins' theory of Britain being covered by a network of straight 'leys' marked by landscape features, suggesting they were aligned with celestial bodies. Salfeld concludes by questioning whether he himself has tested Watkins' argument.

Article: The Monk's Ford Ley (Somerset) by Anthony Roberts

This detailed article by Anthony Roberts describes a newly discovered ley in Somerset, running from East of the Mendips to the Quantock Hills, spanning 26 miles and featuring over 17 reference points. Roberts personally corroborated these points through fieldwork. He highlights the significance of finding a well-preserved section of a sacred processional path, locally known as 'Monk's Ford', where ancient cobbled stones are visible beneath the water. The path continues as an overgrown, raised embankment. Roberts explains his discovery process, emphasizing the geometric precision of the alignment. He shares his personal quest to link leys, prehistoric science, and mythology, viewing leys as the 'veins of the living planet' and UFOs as carrying 'descendants of the Sky People'.

Roberts details the alignment to the West, including Monk's Ford, Yarley Cross (a markstone oriented N-S-E-W), Henton Shaped Ridge with its dew pond and markstone, Brook Farm Bridge, Westhay Moor Track, Edington Moor Track, East Bower Alignments, Saint Mary the Virgin Church in Bridgwater (noted for its orientation and a serpent/dragon frieze), Durleigh Village, Lovedere Farm Track, and Broomfield Hill (the initial point on the Quantock Hills).

The alignment to the East includes Henley Hill (a pyramidical hill), Priors Hill (a rounded hill on the Mendips), and six barrows at Whitnell Corner forming triangular patterns, with the largest barrow containing a pond and aligned with another large barrow. Roberts stresses that true geomancy requires physical and emotional experience, not just map study.

He concludes by noting the ley runs across the 'realm of Logres', pointing West towards 'Atlantis', and believes this 'energising fire' could re-illuminate the earth, balancing cosmic patterns and natural power.

Advertisement: THE ATLANTEAN Magazine

A section promotes 'THE ATLANTEAN', a bi-monthly magazine covering diverse subjects from prehistory to metaphysics, esoteric sciences, and vegetarianism. It aims to be accessible to all readers and is described as an 'occult magazine that is different'. Sample copies are 15p, with annual subscriptions at £1 (UK) or 3.50 dollars (USA/Canada).

Article: An Unexpected Virgin by Jimmy Goddard

Jimmy Goddard reports on discovering what appears to be a 'Virgo' figure covering the Walton/Weybridge/Addlestone area. Initially thought to be part of the Kingston Zodiac, it was identified as separate by Mrs Caine, who noted a 'shadow zodiac' in the same circle. Goddard describes the figure formed by roads and landscape features, facing westwards. The head is at Walton, with St. Mary the Virgin church at Walton acting as a ley centre. Roads like Hersham Road and Queen's Road form a veil or sash. The body is formed by St. George's Hill (an Iron Age hill fort) and surrounding roads. The breast area is formed by roads in Weybridge, with a junction called 'The Quadrant' potentially being a ley point, near a pub named 'The Queen's Head', suggesting a link to Queen Elizabeth I, the 'Virgin Queen'.

Goddard also notes a 'Dragon Lane' on St. George's Hill and a 'dragon pulse' mentioned by John Michell. An octagon at Whiteley Village is noted, symbolizing rebirth. The figure's arm is formed by Addlestone Road, with a wheatsheaf at Addlestone and the Crouch Oak nearby, associated with love-charms and Queen Elizabeth I.

He mentions a nearby 'corn dolly' exhibition featuring a figure of 'Mother Earth' with a spiral form, possibly representing eternity and linked to the Virgo figures and builders of zodiacs and leys.

Article: Helen and Semiramus, Builders of Roads by Dan Butcher

Dan Butcher's article explores the mythology of Helen and Semiramus, linking them to road building and UFO lore. The Welsh tale of Macsen Vledig features Helen, who experiences out-of-the-body journeys and builds roads across Britain, known as the 'Roads of Helen'. These roads are seen as sacred paths protected by the spirit Elen. The article connects these names to 'Sarn Helen' and other place names across Britain, as well as to mark stones.

In Middle Eastern mythology, Queen Semiramus is presented as a counterpart to Helen, also credited with building roads and erecting artificial hills. The 'Hills of Semiramus' near Babylon are discussed, along with the city's name meaning 'Gate of Il'. Both Helen and Semiramus are associated with standing stones.

Butcher posits that Helen, as the 'leader of the Hosts', might be linked to the Germanic 'Holle' and Norse 'Odinn' of the Wild Hunt phenomenon. He cites Pliny's mention of a meteor called 'Helena' and a Russian fairy tale where Helen descends from the sky in a 'green chariot' drawn by snakes, suggesting a UFO. Modern UFO contactees' names like Elen, Zelas, Alna, and Lelando are noted, as well as George van Tassel's communicator Hulda, linked to Holle.

For Semiramus, the article suggests her marriage chariot could have been an 'aerial vehicle', drawing a parallel to Antonio Villas Boas' experience with a female UFO entity. The article implies these ancient tracks served as both terrestrial and aerial thoroughfares.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of ancient landscape features (leys, sacred sites), mythology, and modern phenomena like UFOs. There's a clear editorial stance favouring the investigation of these connections, presenting theories that link ancient beliefs and practices to potential extraterrestrial influences or advanced ancient technologies. The articles suggest a unified, underlying pattern in human history and belief systems, often drawing on esoteric and archaeological interpretations. The magazine appears to be a platform for unconventional theories, encouraging readers to consider alternative explanations for historical and contemporary mysteries.

This issue of The Ley Hunter, identified by page number 10 and 11, delves into the symbolic connections between ancient goddesses, astral projection, and modern UFO phenomena. The primary focus is on the theriomorphic forms of Helen and Semiramus, particularly their association with the dove, and how this relates to out-of-the-body experiences and aerial phenomena.

Astral Projection and Theriomorphic Forms

The article begins by discussing the concept of astral projection, drawing parallels with the out-of-the-body excursions described by Carlos Casteneda in 'The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge.' It highlights how ancient traditions and modern shamans utilize bird or animal forms for these experiences.

The focus then shifts to Helen and Semiramus. In the tale of 'Helen the Wise,' maidens are depicted striking a magic carpet and transforming into pigeons, taught by Helen, who descends in a green chariot. Helen is identified as the teacher of pigeons and out-of-body projectors. The Greek poet Lycophron referred to her as 'the Dove.' The word 'dove' is frequently linked to Helen, and also to the name John (Ione in Greek), who appears in stories involving Helen. The text notes that 'John' is a common term for apparitional phenomena, citing examples like the Breton Yann-An-Od.

Regarding Semiramus, Godfrey Higgins is cited as stating that her name means 'dove.' Her consort, Ninus, is also suggested to be a form of 'Ione' or 'John.' Semiramus is said to have been reared by doves and, in a battle on the River Indus, escaped in the form of a dove. This is interpreted as a reference to the release of the ecsomatic body at death, with the river symbolizing the River of Death.

Ley Lines and the Dove Symbol

The article connects the symbol of the dove to the 'traditional builders of the roads,' interpreted in the context of ley lines. The flight of birds, particularly the saying 'as straight as the crow flies,' is mentioned, with crows and ravens being considered further theriomorphs of the Dove Goddess. The homing pigeon is presented as an analogy for the mobile center of consciousness traveling in a phantom body.

An anecdote is recalled of a dove flying through a mountain, and Semiramus is credited with hollowing out mountains for her roads. The filling of valleys by her is seen as representing the undeviating flight of the astral projector at high speeds. The 'divine bird' or astral phantom, upon the 'death' or vacation of the physical body, is described as flying off on its own road. This entity, identified as Helen or Semiramus (UFO or light in the sky, symbolized as the moon, both being lunar deities), travels from 'castle to castle, from hill to hill, tumulus to tumulus, temple to temple.' This movement is described as occurring along an 'aerial road.'

Ancient Symbolism and Crossroads

Further ancient symbolism is explored, with the dove crucified to a four-spoked wheel being mentioned as a representation of human sacrifice at crossroads. This practice involved burying victims at these crossroads. The tradition of Helen states she died hanging on a tree, and the Australian myth of Orion chasing the Pleiades into a tree is also cited, with the Pleiades being the constellation of the dove in Greek myth.

The article notes that witches in the Middle Ages made out-of-body excursions to congregate at crossroads, and UFOs are frequently observed near such locations.

Oracles and Ley Lines

The legend of the founding of the oracle at Dodona is presented as a potential lead-in from the traditions of the Dove Goddess for researchers studying ley lines. Herodotus reported that a black dove flew from Thebes in Egypt, alighted in a tree, and spoke in a human voice, giving instructions for the oracle's establishment. Another black dove from Thebes founded the oracle at Siwa. The text suggests an opportunity to study the orthoteny (alignment) of a Thebes-Siwa and a Thebes-Dodona line, hoping someone with qualifications might undertake this research.

The possibility of 55-mile stages on the Siwa line, similar to those found by G.W. Murray in the same desert stretch, is raised. The article references a previous piece in The Ley Hunter on water symbolism in UFO encounters, noting Semiramis's ability to make the desert blossom through aqueducts, linking water trafficking to ecsomatic states and UFO encounters.

The Dodona line is mentioned as crossing the island of Crete, another center of the dove cult.

Devotees of the Dove Goddess

Overall, the impression is given of special devotees of the Dove Goddess undertaking out-of-body journeys to distant sites to establish 'sacerdotal colonies' and 'make the desert to blossom.' Their flight would be marked by luminous and ghostly aerial phenomena, accompanied by strange sounds like rushing wind and beating wings. Following this aerial reconnaissance, a physical journey would commence, with priests colonizing the land and following landmarks indicated by the astral projector, creating a straight track.

Along this path, cairns or mark stones would be set up at sites noted by the projector, forming a line of erections from 'castle' to 'castle' or 'hill' to 'hill.' In later times, temples or churches might be built near these markers. The article poses a future task for ley students to trace straight lines between sacred places of the Dove Goddess Helen (Semiramus) in the Middle East.

Hereford Meeting Announcement

A section details a change in date for a 'ley hunters' get-together' in Hereford, marking the 50th anniversary of Alfred Watkins's discovery of leys. The meeting was moved from June 30 to July 3 (a Saturday) to accommodate more people. The Woolhope Club room at Hereford City Library is booked for the event, and Old Straight Track Club papers will be available for examination. The itinerary includes a meeting, inspection of records, a talk by Allen Watkins on his father's work, and a picnic at the site of Alfred Watkins's first discovery of leys. Attendees are asked to contribute to the picnic and to inform the organizers about transportation needs and the number of chairs required.

A request is also mentioned for a lady in Cheltenham seeking a lift to Hereford. The editor intends to produce the next issue of the magazine about a week before the trip to include last-minute adjustments and news.

Future Content and Publications

An upcoming issue is planned to include material appropriate to the anniversary of Alfred Watkins's discovery of leys, featuring an article by John Michell. The article also mentions a contribution by the author to 'The Atlantean' magazine on Alfred Watkins, directing readers to an earlier page for subscription details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of ancient mythology, spirituality, and unexplained phenomena, specifically UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploring these connections through historical texts, folklore, and the concept of ley lines, suggesting a unified underlying reality or phenomenon. The magazine promotes research into these areas, encouraging readers to contribute their findings and participate in related events.