Ley Hunter - 1975 no 66

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: No. 66
Date: June/July 1965
Editor: Paul Screeton

This issue of The Ley Hunter, dated June/July 1965, addresses the delay in publication and outlines plans for future issues, including extended articles from Paul Devereux and Andrew York. The magazine explores themes of ley lines, ancient sites, folklore, and nature spirits.

LEAD-IN

Editor Paul Screeton apologizes for the lateness of recent issues and states that future publications will be on a firmer basis. He announces that the current issue features the first of three pieces compiled by Paul Devereux from a larger work. This series will continue into issues 67 and 68. Messrs. Devereux and York have contributed financially to The Ley Hunter's costs, enabling the magazine to extend beyond its customary length. They have also discovered a church maze in Leicestershire in 1974, which is described as quite sensational.

FAIRY TALES

By Paul Screeton (Reprinted from The Atlantean No. 157)

Screeton shares a personal experience from about three years prior in Carlisle. While walking near The Redfern on the St Anne's Estate, he stepped on a glistening quartz crystal embedded in the grass. After touching it, he observed an object leap about a yard ahead. The object was described as amphibian-like, about 3ft tall, brown, with a hazy form, comparable to a television screen with interference. Screeton felt he had perceived an elemental, possibly an earth gnome, as described by Geoffrey Hodson. He notes that these beings are often described as lanky and sometimes solitary, and in England, they are typically black or peat-brown.

He then recounts a second 'fairy tale' from a journalist who had no prior experience with the occult and was skeptical. The journalist, a keen naturalist, observed an ambling, oblong, white 'thing' with vague legs in his coalshed around 8 p.m. one night in late February. The object was about 1' high and was visible for about 15 seconds. The journalist's reaction was shock, and he stated that had the creature not been moving away, he would have fled his house.

THE FORGOTTEN HEART OF ALBION: Some Aspects of Leicestershire Lore

By Paul Devereux

This section, prepared in collaboration with Andrew York of Leicester, details various ancient stones and folklore associated with Leicestershire. The authors utilized the O.S. 1" sheet 121 (1966 revised edition) for their fieldwork.

OLD STONES

• HOSTON or HUMBER STONE: Originally 8-10 feet tall, located on an eminence. The upper parts were broken off, and the fosse leveled. A tradition suggested the stone could rise from the ground. It was described as pentagonal with its northern face oriented. Today, only the fosse and stone remnants remain. The area was known as "Hell Hole".
• THE OAKS HANGING STONE: Located near the Oaks church, in an area called "The Grove". Described as a hanging stone (top portion overhanging the lower), about 15ft tall, and solitary. It is intimately bound up with local lore, with suggestions of rites of worship. The "Tin Meadows" are mentioned but not yet located.
• STONES ON LONG BUCK HILL: A large flat rock called "The Altar Stone" (6ft by 3ft) was noted, possibly showing signs of human dressing. A curious circle of stones on the crest of the hill above was also found, appearing to be the remains of a cairn or burial mound.
• THE BEAUMANOR STONE: A Hanging Stone existed at Beaumanor but fell in 1791. Its original position is not precisely known, but a 2½" map marked a Hanging Stone north of the Hangingstone Hills.
• THE "HANGMAN'S STONE": Located between Lub Cloud and Ives Head, near "Awain's Hill". It is a 3-4ft high stone standing near an old oak tree, creating a powerful impression. The area was once encircled by a drystone wall. The stone is described as unquestionably deliberately erected.
• ST JOHN'S STONE: This stone was about 7ft high before its destruction around 1840. It was visited on St. John's Day, June 24th, and was associated with fairies. Its original site was near Abbey Park in Leicester, now a backgarden.
• ALTAR STONE: An inscribed stone at the junction of Markfield and Newton Lindford parishes, known as the 'Altar Stone'. It was removed when cultivation began. The name Markfield is thought to relate to this stone.
• THE "WISHING STONE": A great boulder in Bradgate Park where people climb up, sit, meditate, and wish.
• ANSTEY STONE: A 5ft tall stone found in a field near Anstey, showing a clear visual alignment with the old church and a copse. It is thought to have as much of the stone below ground as above.

GET ON THE RIGHT TRACK

By Richard Colborne

Colborne discusses Alfred Watkins's work, particularly "The Old Straight Track" (1925), which introduced the concept of ley lines. He argues that these were functional roads used by an ancient civilization skilled in surveying, not necessarily mystical power lines or UFO trajectories. Colborne emphasizes that the Anglo-Saxon word "leah" meant meadow or clearing, and that the term "ley" has been misinterpreted. He suggests that ancient Britons possessed sophisticated communication systems and surveying skills, predating Roman influence, and that their roads were often built upon existing trackways.

Colborne believes that the accuracy of ancient surveying skills is evident in surviving structures. He posits that the pace of life was slower, with foot travel being the primary means of communication and transport. He argues that England had a civilized population before the Roman invasion, capable of surveying without external help. He notes that even orthodox archaeologists now acknowledge Britain was more organized than previously portrayed before the Romans arrived.

WIDER CONCEPTS OF LIFE LINES

By J.W. Foster

Foster proposes a broader interpretation of ley lines, viewing them as symbolic "life lines" that fulfill a fundamental human need for orientation and stability. He relates the concept to basic human symbols like the cross (North-South, Earth to God/Heaven) and the outstretched arms (East-West, Brotherhood of Man). He suggests that the desire to find roots and anchorage in a disruptive world leads people to cling to lifelines, whether religious, scientific, or pseudoscientific (like UFOs).

Foster connects these lines to a desire for connection with the Holy Land, Tibet, and everywhere. He sees them as part of a larger pattern, akin to a spirograph, and notes that the "Age of Patterns" is upon us. He references biblical events (Moses striking the rock, Elijah's chariots) as potential precursors to modern concepts. Foster emphasizes patience with those who do not yet understand these ideas and advises against upsetting the faithful. He suggests that leys might be our means of communication, and that squandering Earth's resources is causing fearful damage to the universe.

OBJECTIONS & OBSCURITIES ANSWERED

By J.R. PLOWMAN

Plowman responds to Michael Burgess's article from a previous issue, defending ley hunting as a useful archaeological technique. He states that his fieldwork in Scotland supports Alfred Watkins's findings. Plowman suggests that ley points are not single points but areas of importance, and leys are lines of sight rather than necessarily straight tracks. He theorizes that places like Stonehenge may have been positioned relative to an earlier navigation system, and that the "Slaughter Stone" might have been a flattened standing stone for astronomical observation. He proposes a time sequence for the development of sites: Convenient View Point, Solar/Lunar Observatory, Temple for Sun Worship, and Holy Place/Church. He notes that conventional map symbols can cover areas larger than the actual sites, but accurate compass bearings can still be taken.

Plowman also discusses the alignment of stones with nearby features and how plotting leys on maps can help locate sites of archaeological interest. He finds that farms often show alignments, suggesting a possible explanation for their placement. He emphasizes that natural landscape features are fundamental to the ley system, forming the framework for human works.

MISCELLANY

• Cover Depiction: The May issue of "Bike" magazine featured a Triumph and Norton motorcycle, with Stonehenge ambiguously in the background.
• Book Review: Richard Ingrams, in "Books & Bookmen", reviewed "The Oldest Road", discussing its author's views on Stonehenge and UFOs.
• BORDERLINE SCIENCE INVESTIGATION GROUP (B.S.I.G.): An East Anglian organization investigating ghosts, UFOs, leys, and ancient sites. They produce a quarterly magazine called "LANTERN" and offer membership for participation in activities and access to their files.
• COMPUTER PROGRAMMES: A list of burial mounds, megalithic monuments, and ritual sites in Yorkshire is available for readers who wish to input data into a computer.
• THE ATLANTEAN SOCIETY: A society focused on New Age philosophy based on Atlantean traditions, seeking awareness of universal oneness and wisdom. They offer details on healing, meditation courses, and their magazine "The Atlanteans".

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Ley Hunter are the exploration of ancient landscapes, particularly through the study of standing stones and ley lines. There is a strong emphasis on challenging orthodox archaeological views and proposing alternative interpretations of ancient sites and civilizations. The magazine promotes the idea that ancient peoples possessed advanced knowledge of surveying and astronomy. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into phenomena that lie outside mainstream scientific and historical understanding, encouraging readers to consider broader concepts of earth energies, ancient wisdom, and potential connections to unexplained phenomena like UFOs. The magazine advocates for a more holistic understanding of history and the landscape, integrating folklore, personal experience, and objective research.

Title: The Ley Hunter
Issue: 10
Volume: 1
Date: 1983
Publisher: The Ley Hunter
Price: £1.50

This issue of The Ley Hunter delves into the mysteries of ancient stones, sacred sites, and potential paranormal phenomena, with a particular focus on the concept of a 'Terrestrial Omphalos' and the experiences of Brigadier General William Sitwell at Carnac.

Articles

Stones and Sacred Sites in Leicestershire

The issue begins by detailing the search for and identification of various stones and earthworks in the Leicestershire area of England. The author describes finding stones along Braunstone Lane and the Lubbesthorpe bridle path, including a substantial markstone. The Swanimote Rock near Whitwick is noted for its unique 'squat tower' formation, as described by Nichols in 1800. The Huncote Stone, embedded in a tree trunk with the date '1755' crudely scratched on it, is also documented. In Belgrave, a markstone near an old oak on the former village green is mentioned, alongside the churchyard's reputation for being haunted by a white lady and the legend of a buried giant named Bel. The Raw Dykes, a double embankment earthwork leading into old Leicester, is noted for a surviving markstone. At Grimston, a large square stone on the village green is discussed, with local lore suggesting it was moved from the village church. A farmer recalls another stone outside the village that had reportedly 'fell off a star'. The article highlights the prevalence of 'ston' place-name endings in the west of the county as a potential indicator of forgotten stones.

Croft Hill: A Terrestrial Omphalos?

Croft Hill is presented as a significant ancient site, potentially the 'Terrestrial Omphalos' or sacred center of ancient Gaul, as suggested by T.L. Walker in 1879. The hill is described as an isolated eminence with smoothly sloping sides, featuring a 'sacred grove' with deliberately placed stones and encircling earthworks. The article notes that while modern OS maps mark it as a hill, earlier maps omitted it. The presence of a circular fosse with an oak tree on its northern slope and deep cracks on the summit rock are observed, possibly indicating subterranean water effects. The hill's importance is underscored by King Wiglaf of Mercia holding a council there in 836 AD. The text draws parallels between 'Shepherds Tables' near Croft Hill and 'Shepherd's Race' terminology associated with turf mazes, suggesting a possible connection to ancient rituals. The name 'Leire' village, located nearby, is explored as a potential 'river name' linked to 'Loire'. The article also mentions the possibility of Croft Hill being a 'warm spot' on its western slopes, the exact location of which is withheld to preserve the experience for researchers.

William Sitwell's Carnac Week-End

This section, reprinted from 'The Atlantean', focuses on the experiences of Brigadier General William Sitwell, an advocate of Atlantean civilization and diffusionist theory. Sitwell's book, "Stones of Northumberland and Other Lands", is referenced for his accounts of megalithic sites. The article highlights Sitwell's belief in the 'magnetic' properties of prehistoric stones, attributing this phenomenon to a flux between earth currents and cosmic power, recognizable by sensitive individuals. He was invited to Armorica (Brittany) by his friend Bernard Springett, coinciding his visit with April 30, considered an important day in Brittany. Sitwell's account of his visit to the Carnac stones is detailed, including a midnight excursion with Springett and another companion. During this visit, they witnessed a solemn procession of priests and observed strange 'Powers of Darkness' described as 'elemental monsters' and 'huge walking lizards'. Despite the unsettling presence, they felt no fear, attributing it to being on 'holy ground'. Following this, they saw a vision of a 'vast white city', which Sitwell interpreted as a possible representation of the New Jerusalem or an Eternal Temple.

The article also touches upon psychic experiences and solar orientations observed at other sites, such as the tumulus on Ile Longue. It encourages the production of more archaeological books that combine scientific scholarship with visionary perception.

Miscellany

A brief 'Miscellany' section addresses a few points: the potential danger of Croft Hill being quarried, a correction regarding a 'spitograph' being a 'pantograph' in a J.W. Foster article, and an announcement of an astroarchaeology weekend at Glasgow University featuring Prof. Thom.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient megalithic sites, their potential energetic properties (such as magnetism and vibration), and their connection to ancient belief systems, including concepts like the Omphalos and diffusionist theories of civilization. There is a strong undercurrent of interest in the paranormal and visionary experiences associated with these sites, as exemplified by Sitwell's account. The editorial stance appears to be open to alternative interpretations of history and archaeology, seeking to bridge the gap between scientific scholarship and visionary perception, while also acknowledging the need for verifiable evidence. The mention of UFO sightings in the Leicestershire area suggests an interest in contemporary unexplained phenomena as well.