Ley Hunter - 1972 no 33

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: No. 33
Date: July 1972
Publisher: Paul Screeton

This issue of "The Ley Hunter" delves into a variety of topics related to ley lines, ancient sites, mythology, and UFO phenomena. The magazine maintains a focus on esoteric knowledge and provides a platform for readers to share information and discuss their findings.

Bits and Pieces

The "Bits and Pieces" section includes a note about Stephen Miller Patrick writing a master's thesis on Alfred Watkins' "The Old Straight Track" in the United States. The editor, Paul Screeton, also proposes a new service for readers to advertise books they wish to sell or exchange, with no charge for ads. He announces plans for the August issue to feature articles from readers, with upcoming book reviews by Wilhelm Reich, Peter Underwood, and C.A. Burland. A plug is given to "THE WAXING MOON," a journal of the Pagan Movement in Britain and Ireland. The section also mentions "WITCHCRAFT!" No. 4, highlighting its content on figures like Crowley, Gilles de Rais, and Joan of Arc, along with more sensationalist descriptions.

Some Remarks Upon "City of Revelation" by Al Cohen

Al Cohen offers a critical review of a book titled "City of Revelation." He praises the book's attempt to restore a holistic view of man, society, and the cosmos, but expresses frustration with the over-specialisation of modern study and ignorance of ancient thought. Cohen's criticisms are twofold: spiritual and political.

Spiritually, he questions the idea of an innate "Canon" and a historical golden age, suggesting that concepts like the New Jerusalem or the garden of paradise are spontaneous creations of the collective unconscious, not learned from extraterrestrials. He argues that the nostalgia for a golden age is mystical, stemming from an awareness of inner infinities and the "celestial city." The "fall" from a paradisal state is not a past event but an ongoing process in ego-consciousness. He believes that while lost civilizations may have existed, their fall would have been grafted onto a pre-existent mythic structure.

Politically, Cohen criticizes the book's glib treatment of the Nazis and its assertion that society is "inevitably hierarchical." He warns against presenting any social model as a "Perfect Society," as this can lead to totalitarianism. Cohen argues that society is not inevitably hierarchical, citing hunter-gatherer societies like the Eskimos and Australian Aborigines as examples of un-hierarchical groups. He posits that if the "canon" is innate, every person can be their own priest and temple. He concludes by advocating for a more spiritual, natural, and communitarian society, but rejects the idea of restoring an aristocratic order, emphasizing "All power to the people, ley hunters."

The Stone Alignments of Uffington by Mollie Carey

Mollie Carey discusses the famous White Horse of Uffington, Dragon Hill, and Uffington Castle, but focuses on stone alignments believed to have been in front of Ashdown House. She references James Fergusson's 1872 book "Rude Stone Monuments in Britain," which includes a drawing of Ashdown House with stone alignments. Fergusson's theories, linking stone and burial mounds to Danes and Saxons, are noted as outdated.

The book contains woodcuts of many stone alignments worldwide, some of which no longer exist. The Ashdown House alignments are described as potentially the largest in Britain, comparable to Stonehenge and Avebury, possibly consisting of two groups or stones used in a wall. The stones on one side of the wall were in rows, estimated at about 40, while the other side may have had a circular pattern. The stones covered an area of about 1,600 feet north-south. Many stones may have been used in the house's construction. The largest stones were about 10 feet high and 6-9 feet wide, with others ranging from 3-4 feet high and 2-4 feet in length.

Oxford Museum had no information on these stones, and they are believed to no longer exist, unless some are located in Ashdown Park. Carey mentions being aware of Uffington's importance and the lion's head carving at Wayland's Smithy. She publishes this information for ley hunters and asks if anyone can investigate the Ashdown Park site. She also notes the prevalence of "STONE" in place names around Ashdown Park and reminds readers they can borrow maps from public libraries.

A note mentions an article on Monk's Ford Ley in a past issue and a letter about its vandalism.

The Ancients by Tessa Povey

This is a poem reflecting on ancient sites and the wisdom of past civilizations. It speaks of great stones, tombs, old tracks, and leys, suggesting a more enlightened time when people understood the logic of the skies and the magnetic power of the earth. The poem contrasts the ancient world with the modern, where relics are overlooked amidst new buildings. It evokes a sense of wonder about Avebury, Stonehenge, and a time when "mind was love and life sublime."

Dragonsteeth

This section is a call for contact from anyone with knowledge of dragon lore and mythology in Britain and China, specifically from Bill Porter, who is researching the topic. It also includes a request from Tyche Smith of "Springhead" for facts on sacred sites near the Clun Valley in Shropshire.

Isle of Man Primary Ley System by Philip Heselton

Philip Heselton describes a primary ley system in the Isle of Man that forms an irregular, symmetrical hexagon. He provides grid references for eight centres within this system and lists the primary leys by joining these centres. The Isle of Man is identified as Ordnance Survey No. 87.

Those Were The Days My Friend

This is a humorous, anonymous contribution reflecting on the changing meanings of words and slang associated with the hippie era, contrasting them with their original, more literal meanings. It laments the perceived degradation of language.

The Protection of G-String Cavemen

This article reports on the discovery of the Tasaday people, a primitive cave-dwelling group in the Philippines, by Manuel Elizalde. The discovery is highlighted for its scientific value, with a focus on protecting the people's way of life. Elizalde emphasizes the opportunity to observe man's essential goodness and harmony with his environment. He notes that the Tasaday have no knowledge of aggression, crime, or anger. Efforts have been made to declare a preserve for them against developers, and Elizalde states their purpose is to help people live as they choose, preventing the abuse that has affected other groups.

Reading Matter of Britain

This section provides brief reviews and mentions of other publications:

• TORC: Midsummer edition, featuring articles by notable authors.
• THE ATLANTEAN: Features an extract by R.C. Davison on "Britain as in China," discussing dragon pulse and leys, noted as derivative of John Michell's work.
• QUEST: A large-format magazine with occult leanings, including an article by Ley Hunter editor Paul Screeton on "For Whom Was The Web Woven?" It is described as having a refreshing sense of humour and appealing to a wide audience.

U.F.O. Miscellany

This section compiles UFO reports and related items:

• MAIL: HARTLEPOOL: Miss S. Kearney reports an incident on May 9, 1972, where she and companions saw what appeared to be a shooting star, followed by a larger object, moving at high speed.
• Mrs Marilyn Preston replied, assuring the writer that UFO folk were friendly.
• A brief mention of recent dreams of UFOs by the writer, his wife, and friends.
• MAIL: HARTLEPOOL - JUNE 9, 1972: A story titled "WINGATE RESIDENTS PUZZLED BY U.F.O." describes a mysterious "flying electric light bulb" that appeared after 10:30 p.m., causing residents to come out of their homes and motorists to stop. Eyewitnesses described a brilliant light, terrific noise, and the object flying along before stopping and shooting up vertically at great speed. One witness, Mr James Anderson, stated he now believed in flying saucers. Other reports mention the noise being loud and dogs going mad. Mr Richard Roberts described it as a brilliant spinning light with a centre and flare, disappearing upwards in a flash.
• A programme on Radio Solent discussing UFOs featured Rex Dutta and Fred Smith.
• "Warminster UFO Newsletter" is mentioned as reaching at least issue 5, including local legends and hauntings.

More Reading Matter of Britain

This section reviews several books and magazines:

• THE BLACK AND WHITE BOOK by Sydney Cook and Garth Lean: Reviewed critically as "muddled thinking, woolly thinking and downright nonsense." The reviewer suggests it should be pulped, though it is noted that the book had already sold over 100,000 copies. Garth Lean responds, defending the book and quoting an archbishop's positive assessment.
• MOTHER GRUMBLE: A reference to an article "Mystic Northumbria" by the Ley Hunter editor, described as an elementary piece on leys and terrestrial zodiacs. It also mentions Dr Martin Cole and the Festival of Light.
• AZOTH: Issue No. 6 features a piece by Mary le Masson and Michael Magee entitled "Leys," attempting to relate leys to the Quabalistic Tree of Life. The magazine is noted for having interesting material.
• WALRUS 10 + THE ORACLE OF ALBION 1: The former is replaced by the latter, which focuses on skills/wisdom and esoteric knowledge. It covers geomancy, calendars, numerology, cosmology, ancient alphabets, archaic stones, geometry, druidism, and gothic symbolism, with reference to Albion. The Oracle of Albion is not for "Pyramid-freaks and Meditation-mongers." Issue 1 includes a bibliography of zodiacs, runes, and the Knights Templars by P. Screeton.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "The Ley Hunter" are ley lines, ancient sites (particularly stone alignments), UFO sightings, and esoteric/occult knowledge. The editorial stance, as expressed by Paul Screeton, is open to reader contributions and aims to provide a platform for diverse perspectives within the field of ley hunting and related subjects. There is a clear emphasis on exploring ancient mysteries, unexplained phenomena, and alternative views of history and society. The magazine also engages with contemporary issues, such as the protection of indigenous peoples, and critiques of established academic or societal norms. The tone is generally inquisitive and community-oriented, encouraging reader participation and discussion.

This issue of 'The Ley Line' (Issue 10) focuses on the concept of 'Magnetic Ley Lines' and their connection to radio-activity and extradimensional sources. The cover headline highlights 'LEY LINE LINKAGE OF RADIO-ACTIVITY AND THEIR CONTAINERS.' Copies are available for 25p from Fenton Goose in Truro, Cornwall.

Ley Line Linkage of Radio-Activity and Their Containers

The main article presents a message purportedly received from extradimensional sources, detailing a network of radio-active forces referred to as 'Magnetic Ley Lines.' These lines are described as a 'spider's web' of magnetic impulses that link and cross at 'junction points of energies.' The knowledge of this force and its uses is said to have been buried for centuries. The message suggests that these junction points were known and marked by early man, a practice that reduced or removed the possibility of power leakage, with soundwaves reassembling the force to its set flow being key to the thesis. The crossing points are described as having 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, or 12 energies crossing, all of which are radio-active. The article notes that the exact definition of ley power is not universally acceptable but posits that these lines are part of the cosmic New Age scheme of entry into the 4th dimension. Certain dire warnings are included, with eclipses being given prominence regarding their effect on solar and lunar energy. The article points out that a solar eclipse occurred on July 10 and a partial lunar eclipse is due on July 26 (not visible from Britain). The author encourages readers to comment on this document, with opinions potentially being published.

The View Over Albion

This section, a column by 'The Long Man of Wilmington,' covers several brief items:

Three Bull's Eyes

The National Trust is being urged to declare the Devil's Arrows, three menhirs near Boroughbridge, as national monuments. These structures, each 20 feet high, are reportedly being vandalized by sightseers chipping pieces off.

Stoned

This is a brief mention of an article titled 'The Stones of Stenness' by John Alldridge, published in the May 29 Manchester Evening News.

Written Off

This item recounts a reader's experience with the Post Office. The reader, Mrs. M. Close of Coddington, Ledbury, Herefordshire, received a letter from friends in Hartlepool, dated July 8, 1970, and postmarked July 9, 1970. The letter, sent with a 5d. stamp (first-class postage at the time), was returned with a demand for underpaid postage, with no apology from the Post Office.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around esoteric concepts like Ley Lines, radio-activity, and extradimensional communication, presented as part of a 'New Age' paradigm. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring these unconventional ideas, encouraging reader participation and commentary, while also reporting on related cultural and historical points of interest, such as ancient monuments and their preservation. The inclusion of a reader's complaint about postal services adds a touch of everyday reality to the more speculative content.