Ley Hunter - 1971 no 22

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: 22
Date: August 1971
Publisher: Paul Screeton

This issue of The Ley Hunter magazine delves into the study of ley lines and ancient sites, presenting research and observations from various contributors. The publication aims to explore geographical features, historical alignments, and potential energies associated with these sites.

Summer Solstice Revelation

Paul Screeton reports on an event during the Summer Solstice in County Durham where a narrow, straight burst of rain created a gully and revealed a stone with a facial feature. Screeton emphasizes the importance of approaching the power associated with ley systems with caution, noting its varied and sometimes confusing effects on individuals. He suggests that humanity might need regeneration rather than the ley system, and that the power could be a guide if treated with respect.

Nine Weeks and Eighty Two Years

This section, also by Paul Screeton, recounts a meeting and picnic at Risbury Camp, marking the 50th anniversary of the rediscovery of leys by Alfred Watkins. The event brought together ley hunters from across the country. Highlights included a talk by Allen Watkins (Alfred Watkins's son), an unsuccessful attempt at dowsing, and interviews for a Harlech TV program. The following day, Screeton and others visited Alfred Watkins's former home, experiencing a violent thunderstorm.

The Yarley Cross Ley (Somerset)

Janet Roberts details a ley alignment stretching approximately 30 miles across Somerset. The ley passes through numerous ancient churches, prehistoric earthworks, crossroads, and mark stones, making it traceable. The article describes specific points along the ley, including Cadbury Camp, St. Nicholas' Church in Brockley, Holy Trinity Church in Burrington, and various earthworks on the Mendip Hills. The alignment is noted to pass through significant sites and is part of a potentially much larger network.

The Ley-Line Through Monk's Ford, Near Wells, Somerset (N.E. to S.W.)

Barbara Crump contributes an article exploring a ley-line from Monk's Ford towards Wells, Somerset. She references an article by Anthony Roberts from a previous issue and details her own exploration of a ley-line from Glastonbury Tor. Crump discusses the potential E-W track of a ley-line stretching from Avebury to Trevose Head, passing through numerous 'Castles' and 'Leigh' named locations. She also mentions ancient earthworks and archaeological findings, including hazel wattles preserved in peat.

A View on the South-West

Barbara Crump further explores ley-lines in the South-West of England, focusing on observations by Ross Nichols regarding cones of power around Brown Willy in Cornwall. Crump traces a line from Brown Willy to St. Michael's Mount and then to Yes Tor, noting its alignment with Glastonbury Tor. She hypothesizes that ley-lines might be radiating lines of magnetic force or the result of deep pulsations of the Earth. She suggests that early man understood and felt these pulses, using rites and customs to attune themselves. Crump identifies St. Michael's Mount as a significant center with main ley-lines radiating approximately 9° or 10° apart.

Ley-Lines Leaving St. Michael's Mount

This section lists five ley-lines originating from St. Michael's Mount, with their approximate bearings and key points along each line. It also notes parallel ley-lines running N-W and S-E at an approximate angle of 37°.

Straight Lines, Zodiacs and Antiquity: A Stimulant for Further Thought

Ian Wright discusses the study of leys and zodiacs, acknowledging the extensive fieldwork and theorizing involved. He highlights the challenges in understanding proportion, relationship, and the significance of geographical features, particularly concerning human perception and intelligence. Wright suggests re-evaluating humanity's place in the order of things and considering the size and scale of features in relation to Homo Sapiens. He briefly touches upon the potential connection of earthwork complexes like Stonehenge and Avebury with celestial measurement.

Quest

A brief note encourages subscriptions to the magazine, offering a discount for a year's subscription.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration and mapping of ley lines across the United Kingdom, particularly in Somerset and Cornwall. There is a strong emphasis on ancient sites, earthworks, churches, and geographical features as markers for these alignments. The magazine also touches upon the potential energetic or spiritual significance of these lines and the importance of approaching such phenomena with respect and caution. The editorial stance, as represented by Paul Screeton, appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging further research and thoughtful consideration of humanity's connection to the Earth's energies and ancient landscapes.

This issue, identified as number 12, features an article titled "Glastonbury Giants or Zodiac" and a review of Arthur Lawton's book "Mysteries of Ancient Man" by Philip Heselton. The content delves into theories about ancient geographical patterns, prehistoric sites, and the potential understanding of natural forces by early humans.

Glastonbury Giants or Zodiac

The article explores a hypothetical geographical circle with a diameter of approximately 40 miles, derived from the scale relationships of Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and Avebury. When superimposed on a map, this circle's circumference shows a similarity to ancient "Roman Road" systems. Intriguingly, the center of this hypothetical circle is located at Wandlebury on the Gog Magog hills in Cambridgeshire. Minor features of the Avebury circle, such as probable original entrances and earthwork terminations, also show remarkable coincidences with locations on this larger scale circle. One similarity noted is the termination of an Avebury earthwork bank at the point of the winter solstice.

The article poses two questions regarding this geographical feature: whether man created it and how old it is. The age is addressed by relating districts with different "psychic atmospheres" to geological survey maps and fenland deposits from the last glaciation. Deductions suggest the great circle feature could have been established between 65,000 and 30,000 B.C.

Regarding who made the circle, the article suggests considering references to giants. While physical animal-like structures of giant proportions are deemed practically impossible, the possibility of other dimensions or evolutionary strains of beings, akin to nature spirits, is raised. These beings might have assisted in the construction and administration of material spheres. The article posits that ancient ancestors, lacking the vocabulary to describe such concepts, may have led to distorted remnants of tales, such as the Cerne Abbas giant or the Wandlebury Giants.

Ley Lines and Geographical Features

The discussion extends to other geographical features, including "ley structure systems" and hill figures. It is suggested that these features might have been laid out for man and his associates to read and use, rather than being solely formed by him. The article considers the possibility that ancient peoples, like those who created Stonehenge and Avebury, understood larger circles and created smaller models for study.

This behavior is compared to modern research methods, such as creating models of coastlines to study natural phenomena. The article then examines the White Horse of Uffington, noting its origins in antiquity and its stylized form with disarticulated legs and a long tail. It suggests that the figure might not represent a horse but a larger "dragon" type figure, with its curved lines potentially following lines of force complementary to straight ley lines.

The author acknowledges that much of this argument is conjecture, intended to stimulate broader consideration of "Leys." The effort involved in establishing ley and zodiac systems implies a profound use and meaning, possibly related to understanding the basic laws of nature.

Review of "Mysteries of Ancient Man"

The review by Philip Heselton discusses Arthur Lawton's book, "Mysteries of Ancient Man." Lawton builds upon Alfred Watkins' work, proposing that prehistoric man possessed a vision, termed "eustasia," of the worldwide system underlying leys and had the skills to translate this vision into monuments. These monuments were, according to Lawton, laid down in a specific geometric relationship to other sites.

Lawton's research includes patterns of tumuli on Beaulieu Heath, spaced according to multiples of ancient measurement units like the reed and cubit. His findings align with work by other members of the Straight Track Club, Major F. C. Tyler and G. M. Hayton. Lawton's unit of measurement is found at sites such as Avebury, Netley Abbey, and Old Sarum. He also offers new perspectives on Bligh Bond's work at Glastonbury Abbey and identifies a significant unit of 42 miles as a common distance between sites globally, noting its relevance to recently rediscovered zodiacs.

Lawton interprets these distances as evidence of design, postulating a "mesh of power" emanating from within the earth, manifesting in recurrent geometrical forms on the surface. He likens this force to that used by dowsers and believes it can be utilized for mankind's benefit, potentially allowing for the prediction of sites with specific qualities.

The review highlights Lawton's view that primitive peoples "crystallised their Gospel in the Earth itself for us to read into their remains today." He suggests that certain sites may be beneficial to dwell in, while others are not, a skill largely lost today but known in more enlightened times. The review concludes by stating that Arthur Lawton's book offers a valuable step towards regaining this lost vision.

Availability

"Mysteries of Ancient Man" is available from P. Screeton for 10p plus postage.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around ancient mysteries, particularly the interpretation of megalithic sites, earthworks, and hill figures as evidence of sophisticated prehistoric knowledge and potentially non-human intelligence or advanced understanding of natural forces. The editorial stance appears to favor exploring speculative theories about ancient civilizations, their measurement systems, and their connection to geological and possibly energetic phenomena, encouraging a broader consideration of these subjects.