Ley Hunter - 1973 no 41

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: No. 41
Date: March 1973
Publisher: Paul Screeton
Country: United Kingdom
Price: 15p (retail)

This issue of The Ley Hunter, a non-profitmaking magazine, focuses on ancient sites, ley lines, and unexplained phenomena, with contributions from various researchers and writers.

Articles and Features

The Long Man of Willmington (An Occasional Column)

This section presents a series of short news items and anecdotes:

• Purple Haze: Mentions the controversial reprint of Durham University's rag mag, "Purple Patch," featuring a compromising dinosaur image, which was protested by Robert Jackson.
• Georgie Saint and the Dragons: A pop group with a medley of old hits.
• President Amin's UFO Sighting: President Amin of Uganda claimed to have seen a UFO descend into Lake Victoria and take off.
• Hill Leys: A four-year-old hurdler showing poor form.
• IT GIVES YOU THE NEEDLE: Reuben B. Amber of Queens, New York, was arrested for illegally practicing acupuncture.
• RAVISHING: Carl Eagle of Whitley Bay History Club is organizing a Viking battle re-enactment for August Bank Holiday, seeking bearded men and women to act as camp followers.
• WRITINGS ON THE WALL: Harry Battye, ex-president of Pontefract Archaeological Society, researches masons' marks and mediaeval graffiti, noting they differ from modern graffiti and often depict religious tracts or prisoner drawings.
• TOWERS OF STRENGTH: Peter Laurie's piece in The Sunday Times Magazine about secret towers across the country, often on sacred hills, is discussed. The article links these to theories of 'ley' lines and ancient magic power, suggesting they lead to a prehistoric country.

The Ancient Site of Brighton (with reference to the findings of J.F. Forbes) by Patrick Benham

This article explores the potential ancient significance of Brighton, based on the research of John Foster Forbes. Forbes, who died shortly after giving a lecture on the 'Spiritual Nature of Sussex,' was dedicated to finding local evidence of how humans once harmonized with universal powers.

• St Nicholas's Church: Identified as being on the site of a pagan holy ground, indicating a Christian takeover.
• Bostalmestune: The ancient name for Brighton, where "Bostal" means causeway and "mes" means sacred enclosure.
• Sarsen Stone: A large sarsen-type stone found near the Clock Tower in Air Street is believed to be part of an ancient avenue leading from the Old Steine to a Bronze Age tumulus and megalithic circle on the hill.
• Foster Forbes's Research: He was interested in this stone and had it written about in the local paper. The book "Old Brighton" by Harrison and North recognizes this ancient site.
• Psychometry Reading: Iris Campbell, a psychometrist, investigated the church site and felt it was a magnetic centre for sun worship, drawing people who felt the warmth of the Solar Deity.
• Megalithic Avenue: The article suggests a megalithic avenue that may have been used to conduct magnetism from the earth, particularly during ceremonial processions.
• St Anne's Well Gardens: Located west of the church, this site was once the original well of St Anne, known for its remedial properties. It is associated with the moon, possibly in polarity with the sun centre at the church site. A local tradition mentions a ghostly witch.
• Round Barrow: A destroyed round barrow in Hove Park (No. 13 Palmeira Avenue) yielded an unusual red amber cup, human remains, a stone axe hammer, and a bronze dagger.

The Gold Stone and Other Sussex Sites

This section continues the exploration of ancient sites in Sussex:

• Gold Stone: A massive conglomerate boulder in Hove Park, inscribed as a druidical holy stone, which influences the locality.
• Black Cap: A sarsen stone on a hill near Lewes, commemorated with a metal plate.
• Alfriston: A village noted for having many stones, some of which have disappeared.
• Brighton Area as a Magnetic Centre: The area is described as a "natural" magnetic centre, enhanced by ancient rituals and invocations, creating a stimulating atmosphere linked to past powers.
• Clifford Musgrave Quote: A quote from a guidebook describes the prehistoric ridgeway and the essential, remote, yet connected nature of Sussex.

A Look at Avebury by Mollie Carey

This article focuses on the Avebury complex and its associated sites:

• Avebury Complex: Visitors often only see the main circle and Silbury Hill, neglecting other sites like the Beckhampton longstones.
• Dr. Stukely's Research: He believed an avenue connected the main circle to the longstones, a detail preserved through his drawings.
• Avebury Name Origin: The name may derive from "AVE," possibly related to "Averis Latergus" or similar, with links to ancient towns in Egypt and Ethiopia, suggesting a serpent connection.
• Silbury Hill Impression: While on top of Silbury Hill, the author had an impression of "bright blue wings and a red ball of fire."
• Paraphyscial Laboratory Experiment: The author received a leaflet for an experiment to detect objects using sensitives but did not participate, later realizing her initial impression of "NOTHING NOTHING, STEPPED PYRAMID" was accurate regarding the mound's features.
• Silbury Hill Construction: The mound's construction involved horizontal layers and chalk blocks, with frost-weathering protection, demonstrating advanced civil engineering knowledge.
• West Kennet Longbarrow: Located opposite Silbury Hill, a stone in this barrow had a carving of a lion's head.
• Edith Wallis: A "sensitive" from Swindon, who, guided by the Swindon Psychic Research Society, touched stones at Avebury and sensed pictures, believing there was a story and hidden mysteries within them.

U.F.O. Phenomena & Aircraft Accidents (Part I) by Ian B. Wright

This article, originally written in 1959 and updated in 1960, explores the connection between UFO phenomena and unexplained aircraft accidents.

• Author's Motivation: The author was motivated by friends involved in aircraft accidents and his interest in UFOs.
• Unexplained Accidents: The frequency of unexplained aircraft accidents raises questions, especially given advancements in aeronautical engineering.
• Cosmic Ray Theory: The article suggests that high-energy cosmic ray primaries entering the Earth's atmosphere could produce atmospheric phenomena, including electromagnetic disturbances or "vortices."
• Vortex Theory: A "magnetic whirlpool" or vortex in the atmosphere could increase barometric pressure and affect aircraft control, potentially leading to break-up or violent attitude changes.
• Atmospheric Disturbances: These disturbances, though invisible, could have material effects on aircraft, especially at high speeds or altitudes, causing structural stress or misleading altitude-sensing mechanisms.
• Pressure Cabin Implosion: In high-flying aircraft, a sudden increase in atmospheric density could lead to negative differential pressure, causing inward collapse of the pressure cabin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Ley Hunter consistently explores the intersection of ancient history, archaeology, folklore, and unexplained phenomena, particularly focusing on "ley lines" – invisible lines of power believed to connect ancient sites. The magazine adopts an investigative and open-minded stance, presenting research and theories from various contributors, encouraging further investigation into these mysterious aspects of the landscape and human history. The editorial stance appears to be one of curiosity and a desire to uncover hidden connections and meanings in the world around us.

This issue of The Ley Hunter (Issue 37) delves into a variety of topics, primarily focusing on potential explanations for unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP) and their effects, alongside articles on ley lines and ancient sites. The content includes theoretical discussions, reader correspondence, and updates on scholarly research.

Potential Causes of Aircraft Failure

The lead article explores the possibility that UAP might cause aircraft structural failure. It posits that electromagnetic disturbances associated with UAP could induce currents within an aircraft's airframe. These induced currents, even if not directly measurable, might alter the molecular structure of metallic alloys, leading to a cumulative weakening effect that could manifest as metal fatigue. The article also considers that intense electrical disturbances could cause normal electrical apparatus to fail and potentially lead to atmospheric heating, even igniting fuel.

Miscellany and Reader Contributions

A 'Miscellany' section addresses several reader-submitted items. Bill Porter is seeking a hardback copy of John Michell's "The Flying Saucer Vision." A reader named 'ley' is identified as being pronounced "lay." Mrs. M. Mills is looking for information on leys in the Greenwich and Blackheath areas. Contact details are provided for the "Companions to Save Our Wild Flowers." There's a note about a communication to Hans Lauritzen that was opened. A Christian community venture, Lee Abbey in North Devon, is mentioned as thriving. Finally, the "Ancient History Book Club" is announced, offering members selections of ancient history books at a discount.

Letters to the Editor

The 'Letters' section features several contributions. Mary le Masson writes in defense of intuition and psychic awareness, criticizing Phillip Jones's rejection of such concepts and arguing that truth lies within the subconscious. She contrasts physical world facts with inner world perceptions. The Editor addresses Lillian Chappelle's letter, defending the magazine against accusations of libel and clarifying that Tony Roberts was not paid for his articles. The Editor also responds to Simon Spencer-Farrish, who praised Tony's contributions but criticized an article on elementals. Simon's closing remark is quoted: "You are a cheap spiritual fascist; and the sooner you get to the astral plane the better!" A memo is directed to John Nicholson, suggesting he focus on running his shops rather than pointing out trivial mistakes. The Editor notes that readers appreciate The Ley Hunter and that not all material leads to abuse, thanking a Scandinavian PhD for praising Leslie Marr's article on orgonomy.

Professor Thom and Carnac Alignments

This section provides an update on the work of Professor Alexander Thom. Following his publications on megalithic sites and lunar observatories, Professor Thom has resumed his survey of the Carnac alignments. His recent surveys were published in "The Journal for the History of Astronomy." All his published papers are being compiled into a jacket reprint titled "The Carnac Alignments." More papers are in preparation, with one due for the June issue of "The Journal for the History of Astronomy." A significant project is also planned to publish all of Professor Thom's surveys of megalithic sites, many of which are not found on Ordnance Survey maps. The article expresses well wishes for Professor Thom's health and acknowledges his work as an inspiration.

Poetry

Two poems are included: "The Hawthorn Tree" by Bill Porter, which describes an ancient hawthorn tree with an unearthly glow and a fairy glade, and "Anon of Holt," which depicts a mystical encounter with a pixie-like figure. Another poem, "He does not speak," by Tessa Povey, explores a connection through thoughts and a peaceful, dreamlike state.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of unconventional explanations for phenomena, such as the UAP-related aircraft failure theory, and the investigation of ancient sites and their potential significance, as exemplified by Professor Thom's work. There is a strong emphasis on subjective experience and intuition, particularly in the letters section, contrasted with the pursuit of empirical evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one that encourages open discussion and the exploration of diverse viewpoints, while also defending the magazine's integrity and content against criticism. The inclusion of poetry suggests an appreciation for creative expression alongside research and analysis.