Ley Hunter - 1973 no 44

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: No. 44
Date: June 1973
Publisher: Non-profit magazine published monthly.
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of The Ley Hunter focuses on ancient sites, folklore, and unexplained phenomena, with a particular emphasis on ley lines and their potential connections to historical and mystical traditions.

Lead-In: Vandalism at Rollright Stones

The issue opens with a "LEAD-IN" section highlighting the "needless and often criminal" attack on prehistoric sites. The author draws attention to the desecration of Oxfordshire's Rollright Stones, which are owned by Pauline Flick. Ms. Flick is reportedly disturbed by the goings-on at the site and spends her weekends guarding the stones from her nearby cottage. A special watch was kept on Midsummer Night. Reports indicate that visitors hack off fragments from the limestone megaliths, and that black magic rites, including the sacrifice of a puppy, have taken place. The article notes that this idiocy is not isolated but that the stones' legendary importance and proximity to a main road make them particularly vulnerable. Those willing to help protect the stones are encouraged to contact Miss Flick.

The Dragons of Norwich by Doreen Valiente

Doreen Valiente explores the historical presence of dragons in Norwich, focusing on two "splendid effigies" that were once carried in festival processions. These dragons, known as "Snap," were officially accompanied by the Mayor and Corporation in earlier times, a tradition that ended with an Act of Parliament in 1835. However, the popularity of the dragon continued until at least the 1890s, with "Snap" performing tricks like taking hats from spectators, with the proceeds going to local charities. Valiente references "The Book of Days" by Robert Chambers (1869) for historical accounts. She notes that Norwich Castle Museum has two effigies, one being restored, and believes a fourth exists. The effigies are described as being worked by a man inside, painted red and green, and embellished with scales and fearsome heads. The article questions whether the persistence of the dragon symbol in Norwich is connected to "dragon-power" flowing along the leys, referencing Alfred Watkins' work on a ley running from Norwich. The city's civic regalia includes a jewelled mace ornamented with four dragons upholding a crown, which Valiente suggests might symbolically represent the four quarters of the compass. The article also touches upon the mound of Norwich Castle, described by George Borrow in "Lavengro" (1851), and speculates if its association with the dragon symbol is due to its central location.

All Around Stonehenge by Mollie Carey

Mollie Carey discusses the Stonehenge complex and lesser-known sites in the vicinity. She highlights Durrington Walls, a henge monument with an area larger than Avebury, and Woochenge, which she describes as a potential "two-storey observatory." Carey recounts a compelling urge to walk towards Durrington Walls from Woochenge, experiencing a feeling of people being present and hearing faint music. She describes the vastness of the earthworks at Durrington Walls, noting excavations in 1966-67 revealed a large ditch and bank, along with two smaller henges and approximately 1cwt of pottery sherds dating to circa 2,000 B.C. Carey feels drawn to this place and believes it should be fully excavated, suggesting it was the "nerve centre" of the complex. She mentions other earthworks like Robin Hood's Ball and Silk Hill, and discusses the "cursus" earthworks, theorizing they could be processional ways, game areas, or even landing strips for flying craft. The name "Robin Hood" is noted as appearing frequently in connection with ancient earthworks. Carey also describes the numerous burial mounds around Stonehenge, noting their variety and speculating on a scientific reason for their different types. She recounts a personal experience of watching the dawn at Stonehenge with filmmakers interested in potential UFO ties, describing a lovely dawn with a faint mist and good atmosphere. She also shares past experiences of spending nights at Stonehenge before burglar alarms, describing a "round light" appearing on one of the trilithons and strange clicking noises. She recounts an eerie experience where footsteps were heard but no one was seen, and a man's head and shoulders appeared on a trilithon when a torch was flashed. A headache vanished when a person was moved away from an upright. The most unsettling experience involved a sudden coldness and a clicking noise, prompting a hasty retreat. A figure of a woman in yellow, dressed in ancient Egyptian style, materialized in her kitchen upon returning home, leaving an impression of a struggle between good and evil.

Carey then describes the likely appearance of Stonehenge in its past, detailing the avenue, the heelstone, and the ditch. She speculates about other stones along the avenue, wooden posts carved with symbols, and an earthen wall with flowers or pots around the entrance area. She mentions the "slaughter stone" and a specially trained tree. Carey believes the stones would have sparkled in the sun, with pictures in color and possible picture writing on the lintels, and that the inner trilithons might have depicted "Sky Gods." She discusses the earth walls at Durrington Walls as an alternative to stones, and mentions psychic claims of extra circles around Stonehenge, noting the lack of archaeological evidence. She concludes by comparing Durrington Walls with Mount Pleasant, Stonehenge with Maumbury Ring, and Robin Hood's Ball with Maiden Castle and Windmill Hill, suggesting a common usage for gathering, pilgrimages, or ceremonies. She also mentions a connection to Cley Hill and Eggardon Hill as "Dragon Hills." Carey recalls an impression of people in blue and gold robes and a "blue sky god" at Stonehenge, believing the people had a unique blue dye.

Gates of Glory, Cupholes and Leys Near Dingle (Part I) by Ross Nichols

Ross Nichols begins a two-part exploration of Dingle, starting with "An Dungean" (Dingle), a village with a ringed harbour and a long stone jetty. He notes the picturesque houses against the headlands and the proximity to "Tir-fa-toun," the underwater land. The film "Ryan's Daughter" has made the area popular, but its facilities are limited. Nichols describes a tall stone pointing to the harbour, and mentions the "telefish" and the local scenery. He discusses the Gaelic culture and the local family he encountered, including a brother who is a student of Gaelic things and his son training for the priesthood, who engages in discussions about Boethius and Duns Scotus, finding Scotus more existentialist and modern.

Holy Stone and Possible Ley

Nichols then focuses on a large Neolithic "Holy Stone" with six cup-circles, located on the NW hill out of Dingle, which he found to be in the way of traffic. The stone is orientated SE and NW. He learns from a local elder that the stone has not been moved and that the site of the new main church was an ancient early cult-place. The council wanted to move the stone, but the local folk protested, deeming it a "holy stone." Nichols suggests that the NW side of the stone represents sacrifice and death (the goat-god), while the SE side represents new sun-birth and the Goddess as Mother of the new sun. He speculates if the hump on the stone has significance and if the stone is a model of the Ordnance Survey. He also notes the presence of a "Primitive Altar" in his diagram.

Nichols discusses the "Gates of Glory," two stones near Miltown, and Kilfountain Old churchyard with ogham stones. He interprets an ogham inscription as possibly relating to "God" and the stone. He mentions the "Five Forts," mounds given to Barley and other entities, and the legend of Bran the Raven-god. He also touches on the Catholic interpretation of the name Brandon.

Contacts and UFO Reports

The issue includes contact information for Andrew Chalke, who is interested in studying leys in the Salisbury and Shaftesbury areas. It also features a request from T.F.Thomas for anyone who saw UFOs reported in the Low Row area to write to him.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Ley Hunter are the exploration of ancient sites and their potential mystical significance, the investigation of folklore and mythology (particularly concerning dragons and ancient deities), and the reporting of unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings and unusual experiences at historical locations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of information. There is a clear interest in connecting ancient beliefs and practices with geographical locations and potential energetic lines (leys).

This document is a collection of book reviews from a magazine, likely focused on topics such as history, archaeology, ufology, and biography. The reviews are presented in a straightforward, critical manner, offering summaries and opinions on the content and authors' approaches.

Book Reviews

Megaliths in History by Glyn Daniel

This review discusses Glyn Daniel's book, which is based on his 1972 Walter Neurath Memorial Lecture. The book is described as a slim volume with a good selection of photographs, prints, and diagrams. It offers a detailed and reasoned argument about the resolution of paganism into Christianity, noting the addition of crosses to menhirs and churches built within stone circles and earthworks. The reviewer acknowledges Daniel's awareness of how sites were chosen and his deduction that megalith builders' faith survived into the Middle Ages. However, the reviewer notes that Daniel does not suggest this survival was due to the sanctity of the sites as power centers, a point often raised by 'ley hunters'. The review also mentions Daniel's swipe at Professor Lole (erroneously referred to as Leo!) Borst for his views on megaliths. The book includes pictures of dolmens used as barns, cowsheds, garages, and cafes, and notes the construction of artificial follies resembling prehistoric monuments. The reviewer finds Daniel's discussion on the potential connection between protohistoric Druids and the priesthood of megalithic religion intriguing, questioning why some megalithic sites might have been Christian occupations unless a tradition of their importance as special and sacred places persisted through various historical periods. The reviewer concludes by wishing Daniel would consider why such sites are special and sacred.

Can You Speak Venusian? by Patrick Moore

Patrick Moore's book is reviewed as being about "independent thinkers" rather than "cranks." The scope covers cosmology, aiming for objectivity and noting how independent thinkers have historically been dismissed but later recognized for their breakthroughs. The review highlights that the book spends considerable time relating theories of flat-earthers, hollow-earthers, and Velikovsky. It is noted that while these theories are disproven by astronomy, Moore does not label figures like Thom and Borst as "independent thinkers." The book is described as a "good romp" through crazy theories, including an account of the Aetgerius Society, Wilhelm Reich, George de la Warr, Adamski, von Daniken, Atlantis, and a man who claims to speak fluent Venusian. The reviewer expresses a willingness to subscribe to some "independent thinkers'" views and finds the juxtaposition of oddball and eccentric ideas with genuine truths disturbing.

Bob Dylan by Anthony Scaduto

This review critiques Anthony Scaduto's biography of Bob Dylan. The reviewer states that Dylan, the "poet of the jukebox," only wanted to be Elvis Presley but was instead made into a "Christ revisited." The review suggests that while Zimmerman (Dylan) is not divine, his songs address people's fears and problems. The author of the biography is portrayed as sympathetic but failing to grasp the full value of Dylan's musical mastery, poetical maturity, and shrewd business sense. The reviewer believes Scaduto misses that Dylan is a mystic, noting similarities between his songs and magical practice, and his studies into Hebrew faith. The analysis of Dylan's songs is criticized for focusing solely on words and neglecting musical sensibility. Scaduto is also found disappointing as a song analyst. The book scores well in chronicling Dylan's formative years and his friends, but fails to convey the warmth found in Toby Thompson's "Positively Main Street" or the musical influences detailed in Michael Gray's "Song and Dance Man." The reviewer notes that Scaduto appears to have given up his reporting technique of interviewing Dylan's friends after 1965, suggesting boredom or time constraints. The period from 1967 onwards, when Dylan mellowed, is considered the most significant. The reviewer, a self-proclaimed "Dylanologist" since 1965, echoes Bob Dylan's own comment on the book: "I like your book. That's the weird thing."

The Flying Saucer Story by Brinsley le Poer Trench

The reviewer admits to disagreeing with a fair proportion of Brinsley le Poer Trench's views but agrees that he is a readable and least cranky ufology author. Trench is credited with keeping a calm finger on the pulse of ufology and giving every shade of opinion a fair hearing without being condescending or damning, overall presenting himself as a gentleman. The reviewer recommends the book as a primer for those not hardliners on UFOs, noting it provides a comprehensive account of the background to flying saucers and those who research them. It also supports the idea of spaceships from other worlds visiting Earth, although the reviewer personally remains a skeptic on extraterrestrial visitation. The book refers to leys, Glastonbury Zodiac, Nazca, orthoteny, and the properties of quartz. It highlights the work of 'Ley Hunters' and suggests they need more members. The review notes that the present interest in leys was spawned by ufology figures like Messrs. Wedd, Goddard, Heselton, Trench, and Michell, and that the two subjects have become separated in researchers' minds, with the answer likely lying in the occult. The reviewer acknowledges having previously implied that Trench gradually came to promote the occult side of ufology, noting that his earlier books from 1960, 1962, and 1964 dealt heavily with the occult.

The Dragon & The Disc by F. W. Holiday

This review criticizes F. W. Holiday's book, stating that if dragon and UFO research were left solely to him, progress would be slow. The reviewer quotes Holiday saying, "There ARE dragons; there ARE discs. In the fullness of time we may reach a state in which the truth about these things becomes plain." The reviewer suggests that Holiday's work sounds similar to John Michell's 1967 book, "The Flying Saucer Vision," which Holiday apparently has not read. Michell's book is described as a stimulus to ley research and allied phenomena, including dragons and UFOs, but now reads as dated. The review questions why Holiday is merely repeating the theme and viewpoint in 1973. Regarding leys, Holiday makes the claim that "The nature of the Bronze Age straight line mystery has hardly been scratched, let alone explored." The reviewer dismisses this, noting that leys are frequently mentioned in the media and that the bibliography and number of researchers are substantial. The review points out inaccuracies, such as the Pollard instead of Lambton Worm and the Spindleston Heugh tale. The reviewer finds the notion of organic dragons hard to swallow, noting Holiday's fluctuating stance on their solidity. Holiday is described as bemused, and his non-dogmatism leads to an unsatisfactory conclusion. The reviewer, having researched Northumbrian dragons, asserts there are many explanations for dragons and finds Holiday's accounts of expeditions to Scottish and Irish lakes to be the only worthwhile parts of the book, deeming it "the damp squib of the year."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of book reviews revolve around the intersection of history, archaeology, mythology, and speculative subjects like ufology and the occult. There's a clear editorial stance favoring critical analysis, distinguishing between rigorous research and unsubstantiated speculation. The reviewers often compare new works to existing literature, assess the authors' methodologies, and question the validity of their conclusions, particularly when they venture into areas like the occult or unproven theories. The reviews highlight the importance of historical context and evidence-based reasoning, while acknowledging the enduring fascination with mysteries and unconventional ideas. The overall tone is one of informed skepticism, encouraging readers to approach such topics with a discerning eye.