Ley Hunter - 1974 no 58-59

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: No. 58/59
Date: August/September 1974
Editor/Publisher: Paul Screeton
Country: United Kingdom

This issue of THE LEY HUNTER delves into the world of ley lines, ancient sites, and related phenomena, blending personal experiences with historical and archaeological perspectives. The magazine serves as a platform for discussions on these esoteric subjects.

Editor's Announcement: Quicksilver Heritage

Paul Screeton, the editor and publisher, announces his forthcoming book, "QUICKSILVER HERITAGE," to be published by Thorsons at £4-50 on November 21st. The book is described as a new understanding of the ancient skills and wisdom of prehistoric society, offering a fresh appraisal of our forebears and our vision of tomorrow. It charts how key factors supporting the Neolithic "golden age" civilization continue to influence us and how they can be utilized in the future. The basis of the book is the ley system, described as "live" archaeology, a network of straight lines representing ages-old trackways and paths of subtle energy across Britain. These "mercurial lines of inspiration" are presented as granting access to the heart of Albion's enchantment. Screeton's work aims to balance antiquarian re-evaluation with a conception of spiritual physics, integrating mind, body, earth currents, and cosmic powers. The book is presented as a guide for those seeking to regain lost knowledge and strive towards cosmic consciousness, encouraging reader participation to fill in gaps in this study, which embraces leys, prehistoric monuments, terrestrial zodiacs, dragonlore, astronomy, astrology, alchemy, and spiritual physics.

Personal Experiences with Ley Lines

"How Do You Feel?" by Circumlibr

Circumlibr shares personal experiences related to ley lines, prompted by previous articles in THE LEY HUNTER. The author notes the lack of detailed maps for tracing leys and describes how they have identified potential ley centres based on place names and personal feelings. They recount an experience in Derbyshire where, on a bright moonlit night, they strongly felt the energy of a ley centre. Another experience on a Derbyshire hill involved feeling a ley crossed by a planet's light. The author suggests that the sun, moon, and planets contribute energy to leys. They also discuss the feeling of a "pull to Earth" near places like the Giant's Causeway and Maes Howe, speculating that these sites might have been used as seed stores due to their energy centres and careful tending.

"Ancient Paths & Islands" by Mollie Carey

Mollie Carey recounts childhood memories and personal feelings connected to ancient sites and landscapes. She recalls a carving of an elephant's head on a Norman church in Witney, Oxford, and the local legend that it might represent a totem sign from a time when the church was built on a site with a stone alignment. Carey describes spending happy childhood days camping near Newbridge, Oxford, and wandering along the river and meadows. As she grew older, she experienced a strong sense of connection to a "shadowy people" when cycling through certain areas, feeling a sense of belonging and experiencing blurred pictures in her mind. She also felt a similar pull when walking on chalk downs and old tracks. The sound of pipe music, particularly from a Scots band, would evoke a strong urge to go to the top of nearby hills, seeking "them." She later connects this to a desire to find places of wisdom, mentioning Avebury, Stonehenge, and Glastonbury. Carey also discusses the "Blue Sky God" of Cley Hill and a ceremony involving Irish Rangers, which evoked images of past events. She explores the idea of Witney being "Wicca's Island" or the "Isle of the Wise," linking it to ancient settlements and potential ley centres. The author expresses regret for not pursuing her interest in archaeology earlier.

Review: "The Druids" by Stuart Piggott

This section features a review by Eric Ratcliffe of Stuart Piggott's book, "The Druids." Ratcliffe criticizes Piggott's work for its "antipathy to Druidism" and its reliance solely on an archaeological viewpoint, dismissing anything not considered "plain fact." The review highlights Piggott's focus on perceived weaknesses in modern Druidism, such as lack of continuity and divergences of groups. Ratcliffe argues that Piggott's approach is overly rigid and dismissive of the symbolic, inspired vision, and semi-philosophical aspects associated with Druidism. The reviewer suggests that Piggott's "archaeological straitjacket" prevents him from understanding the broader context of Druidic practices and beliefs, contrasting it with the more open-minded approaches of other scholars and the potential for modern Druids to be in touch with ultimate reality.

Customs: The Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance

John Radford looks at the Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance, a traditional event held annually in Staffordshire. The dance, which has an unbroken link with the past, is a processional event covering about 20 miles. Six dancers, dressed in pseudo-mediaeval costumes designed in the late 19th century, carry impressive sets of horns weighing between 16 and 25lb. The origin of these reindeer horns is a mystery, with speculation that they might be ancient or imported. The dance also involves other characters like a fool, a hobby horse, and musicians. Radford suggests that the dance may have originated as a hunting ceremony and that the early Christian church may have taken over and adapted pagan rituals. The horns and gear are kept in the church of St Nicholas. The name "Bromley" is thought to mean "the grove where broom grows," with broom being a magic plant. The article notes that money collected during the dance goes to the upkeep of the church. A verse from the Hal-an-Tow song is included, linking the Horn Dance to ancient traditions and possibly Neolithic origins.

Research: "How Straight Is The 'Old Straight Track'?"

Peter Mabey discusses his exploration of ley lines as part of an Open University course on "New Trends in Geography." He aims to use mathematical and statistical methods to prove or disprove the existence of alignments that form the basis of Alfred Watkins' theory of ley-lines. Mabey wonders if it's possible to statistically analyze the evidence for these alignments.

Readers' Forum

K. J. Kell from Northants expresses a desire to understand the phenomena discussed in THE LEY HUNTER more fully. He describes his area in Central Wales as having unusual archaeological features but states he cannot find any evidence of ley systems. He asks readers for advice on the area.

Another reader discusses "The View Over Atlantis," questioning why Stonehenge cannot be accepted as a Bronze Age religious monument. They argue that religious expression is not necessarily impractical and suggest considering the practices of ancient peoples like the Romans and Greeks, who engaged in seemingly irrational rituals. The reader also touches upon the pyramids and the possibility of the "bluestone" monoliths being deposited by glaciers. Regarding UFOs, the reader mentions the Angelic appearances at Fatima and Pius XII's alleged observation of the sun behaving similarly. They suggest that alien intelligence may have visited Earth and that more attention should be paid to the impact of these phenomena on human thought and the collective unconscious, pondering a potential connection to ley systems.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ley hunting, ancient sites, prehistoric beliefs, folklore, and the intersection of archaeology with spiritual and esoteric interpretations. The editorial stance, as represented by Paul Screeton's work and the content of the magazine, appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging personal experience and a broader understanding beyond conventional scientific or archaeological viewpoints. There is a clear interest in uncovering lost knowledge and exploring the subtle energies and connections within the landscape and human consciousness.

Title: The Ley Hunter
Issue: 54
Volume: 4
Date: July 1975
Publisher: Borderline Science Investigation Group
Price: 25p

This issue of The Ley Hunter focuses on the intersection of technology and ancient mysteries, featuring a lead article on using a computer to analyze ley-line alignments, alongside extensive discussions on ancient metrology and reviews of various books on related subjects.

Computer Checks Ley-Lines

The main article details a project initiated by the author and his partner, Hugh Burnett, an expert in computer programming. Their idea is to use a computer to analyze Ordnance Survey (O.S.) references of points identified as potentially lying on ley-lines, as per Watkins' theory. The computer program would identify grid references that align with at least three other points. The challenge lies in defining the 'latitude' for alignment, balancing strictness against allowing for potential inaccuracies in map pinpointing. A key advantage highlighted is the objectivity of the computer method, avoiding the subjective bias that can occur with manual map pin methods. The project aims to prove or disprove the existence of alignments, initially in the Somerset-Dorset area, using 8-figure grid references. They also plan to develop a program to determine inter-visibility between points, a crucial aspect if ley-lines are indeed signposts or landmarks. The project was entered into the Honeywell 'Dial-a-Computer' competition and won, granting them a teleprinter-type terminal for a year.

Ancient Metrology

An article by R.D.Y. Perrett, titled 'Ancient Metrology', explores various units of length and their potential origins and relationships. It discusses Prof. A. Thom's extraction of the 'megalithic yard' (2.72 feet) from British Megalithic circles and its possible link to the Spanish vara. Perrett shares his own findings from surveying local ancient monuments, relating the 'span' (distance between thumb and little finger) to the rail gauge (4ft. 8.55in) and suggesting that English measures might have been built up from the span, with the factor 22 relating to approximations of pi. He also notes the significance of the number 7 in ancient contexts. The article touches upon C.S. Hay's research into sites separated by 11.12 kilometers (1/10 of a degree on a great circle) and his own statistical analysis of 19 sites in Scotland, which revealed peaks corresponding to lengths like 10,000 megalithic yards or 6000 rail gauges. David Aspinall's discovery of a 24,327-foot unit, related to 1/15 of a degree of longitude, is also mentioned.

The Dual Nature of English Measuring Systems

Captain C.F.M. Stopani-Thomson discusses the survival of ancient weights and measures alongside the modern metric system. He posits that the basic measurement of the 'ancient' system was the distance of an arc subtended by one minute of latitude, equal to 5000 'remen'. A 'remen' is defined as 20 digits, making 100,000 digits in a minute of arc, which approximates the statute mile (6080 feet). The relationship between the remen and the foot is explored through geometric constructions, leading to the definition of a 'viscera' and the megalithic yard. The English system of weights is based on a cube of side one remen, weighing 112 pounds (one quintal) when filled with water at 93°F. Dry and liquid measures are based on a square prism with a base of 1 remen and a length of 1 Royal cubit (RC). The article highlights the potential for errors due to temperature variations and differences in the definition of the English foot. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of preserving knowledge of these ancient systems, citing examples like measurements related to Silbury Hill and the moon's diameter.

Sites in the Eston and Guisborough Area

C.S. Hay reports on five ancient sites in the Eston and Guisborough area of Cleveland County. By using the Earthwork at Eston Nab as a center, a circle described by other sites (St Helen's Church, St Ellen's Chapel, Court Green Howe, and Mount Pleasant) has a radius equivalent to 6,600 Roman feet (12.16 English inches), or 1' 06" / 1°10 British nautical miles. The writer notes the local interest due to the name 'Helen'.

UFOs Over Tyneside

A paraphrased news story from 'The Journal' reports on predictions by American mind-reader Kreskin regarding UFO sightings over Tyneside. Lights were observed moving from the Tyne Valley over the North Sea, described as a circle of lights. Professor A.C. Hardy of Newcastle University also reported seeing unexplained lights.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed:

• "Did Spacemen Colonise Earth?" by Robin Collyns: This book is noted for drawing attention to John G. Williams' work, though it is described as superficially reworking old ground.
• "The Cosmic Connection" by Carl Sagan: Reviewed critically by William Cooper for his use of 'concatentations' and 'lucubrations'.
• "Man and the Stars" by Duncan Lunan: Praised for its lucid writing on scientific hypotheses and speculative interest, despite a potentially misleading title. The thesis concerns radio signals from a 1920s space probe deciphered as star maps. Lunan is described as a UFO sceptic and SF writer.
• "The Sphinx and the Megaliths" by John Ivimy: Characterized as a speculative work that marries diffusionism with similarities between Egyptian culture and megalithic constructions. While acknowledging Ivimy's mastery of astronomical arguments, the reviewer finds his conclusions incorrect regarding prehistoric paradoxes.
• "The Canon" by William Stirling: Described as a difficult but rewarding book that mathematically proves a canonical scheme standardized arts and sciences. It emphasizes a spiritual vision and the importance of understanding the cosmic plan.
• "Standing Stones and Maeshowe of Stenness" by Magnus Spence: This book is noted for its poetic style and reasoned manner, discussing stone orientations and ancient tomb inscriptions. It is considered a worthy addition to material on ancient skills.
• "Uninvited Visitors" by Ivan Sanderson: An eminent biologist's opinions on UFOs, offering a wide spectrum of conjectural answers without dogmatic conclusions. The book is praised for avoiding regurgitations and providing solid speculation, particularly regarding the origin of Gypsies.

Reviews are also provided for "The Book of Demons" by Victoria Hyatt & Joseph W. Charles, and "The Book of Spells" by David Norris & Jacqueline Charrott-Lodwige, with the latter noted for its caution regarding hallucinogenic effects and alcoholic stimulation.

Miscellany

This section includes recommendations for other articles and publications:

• 'Glastonbury Pilgrims' by David White in New Society.
• 'Science Beyond the Fringe' editorial in Nature.
• 'The Search for the Straight Track' by M.W. Burgess in Lantern, covering East Anglian leys and haunted churches.
• A UFO encounter by Hans Lauritzen in 'The Atlantean'.
• Upcoming articles in The Ley Hunter on dowsing, Wyoming cairns, and more.
• Information on John Billingsley's research into Peddars Way.
• 'Other Scenes' covering the Cannes Film Festival and Linda Lovelace.
• Reports on earthquakes in Scotland.
• 'Ore' magazine, featuring articles on round towers.
• 'Turf' racing results.

It also mentions the Atlantean Society, its teachings, and its publications. A half-hour recorded interview on Radio Brighton with Mike Collier and Doreen Valiente on the subject of leys is also noted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the connection between ancient sites, measurement systems, and potential extraterrestrial or diffusionist influences. There's a clear interest in applying modern scientific and technological methods (like computer analysis) to ancient mysteries, while also valuing historical and anthropological perspectives. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting research and theories for consideration, and encouraging further investigation. The inclusion of book reviews and miscellany sections suggests an aim to provide a comprehensive overview of current thought and activity within the field of archaeoastronomy, ley-line research, and related esoteric studies.