Ley Hunter - 1972 no 38

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: No. 38
Date: December 1972
Publisher: Paul Screeton
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1.20 for one year

This issue of THE LEY HUNTER, edited and published by Paul Screeton, delves into various aspects of ancient sites, mysticism, and contemporary spiritual movements, with a significant focus on Glastonbury.

LEAD-IN: Fulham 3 Glastonbury ?

This section, likely an editorial or introductory note, addresses the publication of a critical article by Anthony Roberts concerning the 'New Glastonbury Community'. The editor explains the decision to publish this 'diatribe' despite previous positive contributions to TORC magazine and correspondence with community members. The editor notes a 'certain paranoia' in the speculative archaeology field and expresses a personal preference to avoid 'idiotic feuds', suggesting the magazine's pages could be used more profitably. The editor quotes comments from Barbara Crump and Rollo Maughfling, which are highly critical of Anthony Roberts' work and suggest he abandon his literary career to focus on self-improvement and making peace with 'the guardian angel of the ancient wisdom'. The editor finds the emphasis on Glastonbury 'distasteful' but believes the article is important for highlighting 'bad vibes'. Janet Roberts, in a covering letter, states there is no 'Cambridge v Glastonbury feud' and that the article may not enhance her husband's reputation. A quote from Robert Zimmerman is included: "knows too much to argue or to judge."

THE DESCENT OF THE CANON by JOHN LEGON

John Legon's article explores the 'Canon', as propounded by John Michell, tracing its inheritance from the Middle Ages. He notes that interest has been revived through psychic revelation rather than purely intellectual pursuit, citing researchers like Alfred Watkins, Katherine Maltwood, and Bligh Bond. Legon aims to present passages from lesser-known books to form a coherent 'History of the Canon'. He quotes Edgar Cayce regarding an entity in the Holy Land around 2,100-1,600 B.C., possibly referring to Stonehenge. A script from Bligh Bond's 'The Company of Avalon' alludes to early Semitic immigrants and later groups from Crete, leading to the building of a Temple at Tintagel and a reproduction at Glastonbury. The article suggests that the 'New Philosophy' was 'wedded to the old monotheistic teachings of the Hebrews'. The 'Temple' is linked to the place name Temple on Bodmin Moor. The article further discusses the 'Co-Adamic Race' originating from 'Sons of God' marrying 'Daughters of Men' from Atlantis, with Israelites descending from those who left Atlantis before the cataclysm. Mizrahim, son of Ham, is credited with creating the Great Pyramid and Sphinx. The article posits that the Great Pyramid is the oldest manifestation of the Canon, built by Ancient Egyptian and Hebrew races, and that Atlantis was the source, with emigrants from Atlantis building it. The 'Osirian Scripts' from H.C. Randall-Stevens' book 'Atlantis to the Latter Days' are cited, referring to 'flying saucers' as forces from interpenetrating spiritual planes, akin to the 'Sons of God' who taught in Atlantis. The article concludes by referencing a script from 'The Hill of Vision' that describes the world as co-ordinated by spiritual lines and ganglia, with 'flying saucers' carrying out functions within Earth's magnetic envelope.

PIECES FOR THE JIGSAW PICTURE by CIRCUMLIBRA

This article by Circumlibra presents observations on ancient sites, framing them as pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The author notes recent surveys in Yorkshire revealing a considerable pre-Roman agricultural population. The focus then shifts to Corsica, highlighting the ancient site of Filitosa with its sculptured standing stones, some resembling human figures. The author draws a similarity between Corsican ruins and those in Orkney and Shetland, suggesting a migration to Sardinia and possibly further north. While wandering, the author encounters a curious stile made of forked branches, which prompts reflection on superstitions, particularly the belief that passing through a tree fork could cleanse one of evil influences. The author also describes finding two large, solid stone blocks in the hills, representing a man and a woman with distinct personalities, which they consider a key point in their attempts to understand faces and heads closer to home.

SHADOWS OVER GLASTONBURY by ANTHONY ROBERTS

Anthony Roberts' article is a warning about 'shadows' cast by human beings, not meteorological phenomena, in Glastonbury. He describes Glastonbury as a charismatic lodestone attracting various people since prehistory. The article asserts that artificially shaped centres on Earth possess inherent energising and spiritual qualities that link humanity to cosmic patterns. Roberts claims that in 1539 A.D., the 'Image of the Beast' manifested at Glastonbury with the devastation of sacred ground by King Henry VIII's forces, leading to the execution of Abbot Richard Whiting. This event, described as a 'cruelly inadvertant re-enaction of the Crucifixion', is seen as setting the seal on future human behaviour concerning Glastonbury's magic. The geomantically designed abbey became a ruin, and the ley system became disused and forgotten. The author states that the spiritual desolation of Glastonbury became almost total, clouded by moral and intellectual pollution. He asserts that the magic of Glastonbury is eternal and cannot be eradicated, springing from basic universal energies. However, for 400 years, 'forces of darkness and evil' have attacked Glastonbury's holy ground.

Roberts then discusses the impending 'New Astrological Age', the Age of Aquarius, characterized by the blending of intellect and spirit. He warns against 'grandiose schemes for instant Golden Ages' and 'easy Revelation', calling them 'tendentious' and inspired by 'incarnate evil'. The task for people of goodwill is to perceive and explain the patterns that shaped the past and will shape the future. Glastonbury is presented as a sanctuary where seeds of the New Age can take root, but only after the 'demons' are 'ruthlessly exorcised'. He notes that these demons are now manifesting in new ways, using human puppets who adopt the trappings of 'goodness' and 'light' but are symptomatic of national decadence. The 'Glastonbury mystical community' is described as consisting of 'dilettante dabblers in all forms of pseudo-mystical nonsense', serving as vehicles for 'subtle forces of diabolism'. Roberts claims this information is not hearsay but based on his nine years of observation.

The article criticizes the 'Overground-Occult Scene' for forming small 'spiritual elites' who proclaim themselves 'purveyors of all Truth' but are actually 'perverters of truth' and 'jealous hoarders of knowledge'. These groups are described as bigoted, fanatical, authoritarian, and inaccurate, similar to orthodox religions. Roberts states that as the Age of Pisces ends and the Age of Aquarius dawns, the human race ventures into a new era, but will be hindered if it drags the 'dead weight of misused authority, spiritual waffle and diseased mentality'. He suggests that the concerned reader examine the literature from various 'spiritual regeneration societies', 'New Age messiahs', and 'psychic masters'. The 'shadows' are not confined to Glastonbury but swirl over the whole of Britain. Glastonbury is seen as a microcosm of this problem, with elitist individuals driven by 'egocentric self-aggrandisement' rather than humility or charity. The philosophy of 'peace and love' is perverted into 'self-seeking cruelty'. Deep personal relationships are minimal, replaced by 'jealous feuding and character assassination'. The 'mystics' are seeking 'financial grants' and 'official recognition' from the local county council, wanting to be recognized as leaders of the New Glastonbury pilgrims.

Somerset County Council's support for these 'New Age revolutionary activities' is questioned, highlighting the hypocrisy of those advocating an 'alternative society' while pursuing 'Mammon'. The author notes that these individuals admit seeking 'image' and 'status', while ratepayers foot the bill. Glastonbury is described as a 'bubbling cauldron of conflicting opinion and cheap, secondhand dogma'. Audiences are told they will be a 'spiritual elite', though many cannot differentiate basic concepts. The diversity of religious and cultic groups is noted, including British Israelites, Catholics, Witches, Flying Saucerites, Jesus Freaks, Krishna Worshippers, Spiritualists, and Hippies. The Hippies are described as bringing 'desolation' along with 'lice and bugs, multifarious diseases and intellectual apathy'. These groups are seen as remnants of a decadent era, cavorting with 'disgusting self-indulgence', and serving as a warning that the future must not be patterned on their 'mindless millenarianism'.

Roberts concludes that the future will be created by struggle, dedication, knowledge, and compassion, qualities currently absent at Glastonbury. He believes the Keeper of the Grail must be weeping over the desecration of Britain's soil. The author admits his writing may lack compassion due to the dire situation and the perceived worthlessness of the people involved. He argues that the 'exorcism and defence of the Isle of Avalon' requires strong words and deeds. John Michell's assertion that Glastonbury's landscape patterns form the geometry of the New Jerusalem is mentioned, with a call for the Temple to be cleansed 'without mercy and without pity' from its current polluters.

The article reiterates its nature as a warning, stating that much information has been omitted but could fill a book. Readers are advised to 'tread softly at Glastonbury' as they tread on 'precious dreams'.

REFERENCES:

The article lists 14 references, primarily books and articles related to Arthurian legends, Atlantis, ley lines, and Glastonbury, including works by Geoffrey Ashe, John Michell, Katherine Maltwood, Alfred Watkins, Robert Panton, Anthony Roberts, John A. Keel, and TORC magazine.

MISCELLANY:

This section announces an exhibition titled "Auguries Portents and Visions" at the Royal Academy Schools, featuring paintings and sculpture inspired by prehistoric heritage. It also includes a request for anyone in the Lichfield area to share research related to Mrs C. Hogben's work on the Hopwas Wood leys and UFOs. Future articles planned include a series on Wilhelm Reich, an article by Mollie Carey, an introduction to ley hunting, and a guide to purchasing the magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of THE LEY HUNTER strongly emphasizes the mystical and historical significance of ancient sites, particularly Glastonbury. There is a recurring theme of a perceived spiritual decline and the manifestation of negative forces, framed within the context of a transition to a 'New Age'. The editorial stance, particularly in Anthony Roberts' article, is critical of contemporary spiritual movements and communities, viewing them as corrupted by ego, hypocrisy, and external negative influences. The magazine appears to advocate for a return to older, more authentic spiritual understandings rooted in ancient wisdom and the natural landscape, while warning against the dangers of modern pseudo-mysticism and self-proclaimed elites. The publication seems to align with a perspective that sees ley lines and ancient sites as conduits of spiritual energy and historical knowledge, threatened by modern societal and spiritual malaise.