Meyn Mamvro - No 016 - Autumn 1991

Magazine Overview

Meyn Mamvro, Issue 16, Autumn-Winter 1991-92, is a magazine focused on ancient stones, sacred sites, earth energies, and paganism, with a particular emphasis on Cornwall and its surrounding areas. The cover features a striking illustration of a woman with an elaborate headdress and jewelry, set against a backdrop of a spiral maze and ancient stone structures, hinting at the issue's themes of ancient spirituality and the divine feminine.

Contents

The issue is packed with articles covering a diverse range of topics. It begins with an editorial and news from the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group, followed by reports on crop circles and a special feature on the Scillies, exploring its connection to the Goddess, ancient sites, and pagan traditions. Other articles delve into the return of the Goddess, the landscape of the past, a guide to ancient sites on Scilly, ley lines, maypoles, mazes, and specific sites like St. Mary's Maypole and St. Agnes Maze. The magazine also includes articles on 'Sexing the Sun,' 'Dor Dama,' 'Thelemic Pulse,' and music reviews/pagan contacts. The 'visions and journeys' section highlights upcoming exhibitions and displays, and the 'The Quay Bookshop' in Penzance offers a selection of related literature.

Mazey Day and Paganism in Penzance

The magazine reports on the revival of Midsummer celebrations, specifically Mazey Day, in Penzance. This event, supported by Steve Hall and the Peninsular Project, aimed to recapture the spirit of old pagan midsummer solstice rituals, including blazing tar-barrels, bonfires, and a serpent-like dance. The revival sparked some controversy, with one resident expressing dismay at the 'grotesque sight' and 'paganism.' However, a published reply defended the celebrations as a genuine expression of summer's fertility and a time important to those following the Old Ways. The article emphasizes that Paganism is not anti-Christian but reveres the Earth and promotes harmony with nature. It also mentions the work of Kevin & Ingrid Carlyon on historical witchcraft and modern practices, and the activities of local pagan groups, including The Covenant of Earth Magic, which performs healing rituals.

Cornish Earth Mysteries Group Field Meetings

Reports from the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group detail their field meetings. The first meeting at Tregeseal circle on April 28th was met with mist, obscuring the Beltane sunrise. Cheryl Straffon provided a summary of the site, and investigations using a magnetometer yielded no significant results, though stones were slightly below background levels. Dowsing revealed six underground streams meeting near the circle's center. The group also explored holed stones and dowsed for the lost central circle. The second meeting at the Nine Maidens on May 19th was affected by thick fog. Dowsing at this site identified an energy centre and 49 radial energy lines. The discussion also touched upon earth-lights and the challenges of dowsing, referencing an article by Tom Graves on 'mare's nests.'

News from Tintagel and Boscastle

Excavations at Tintagel in Spring revealed significant findings, including thin pieces of slate with carvings of a bird, a leatherback turtle, and a Nine Men's Morris design, dating back to the 5th-6thC AD. Professor Charles Thomas disputes earlier suggestions of 2nd-3rdC AD occupation. The site was first occupied in the 5th-6thC, serving as a burial ground. Early Christian slate graves were found, and a stone marker may have been used from the Bronze Age. The Witchcraft Museum at Boscastle is set to close, with owner Cecil Williamson intending to sell his collection of witchcraft relics, library, and data files.

Crop Circle News

This section reports on crop circle appearances in Cornwall. A circle at Tebelzue farm near Newquay, appearing overnight on May 14th, had an estimated diameter of 60ft, with an inner flattened disc of 30-40ft. The article notes the field had been crop sprayed. A more unusual event occurred near Carharrack on June 23rd, where retired captain Mike King witnessed an oval-shaped, non-metallic object, like a gas bag, taking off from a field, accompanied by a whistling sound. This sighting coincided with the appearance of flattened corn patterns. A Ministry of Defence representative visited the site, and subsequently, Captain King was reportedly 'unexpectedly posted abroad,' a disappearance that surprised locals.

The Isles of the Goddess

This extensive feature by Cheryl Straffon explores the evidence for Goddess-worship in the Scilly Isles. It posits that prehistoric societies in Old Europe were largely matrifocal and Goddess-worshipping, characterized by peace, cooperation, and reverence for the divine feminine. The article contrasts this with patriarchal societies. While evidence for such worship in Cornwall has been scarce, Straffon suggests that a small community in the Scillies may have preserved this tradition. The Scillies are described as 'blessed isles' where the memory of the Goddess was kept alive long after it faded on the mainland. The evidence includes the egalitarian nature of Scilly society, the absence of hierarchy-betraying monuments, and the building of chambered cairns as sacred spaces for communion with the Earth Mother and Goddess. Excavations have yielded remains of domestic animals, reared cattle, cultivated cereals, querns, and corn-drying ovens, indicative of a settled, peaceful society where women likely played a leading role. Findings like bracelets, beads, a quartz pendant, and a greenstone axe are interpreted as offerings to the Goddess. Further evidence comes from Nornour island, where a settlement dating from the earliest times of Scilly through the Roman period yielded clay figurines of Venus and mother-nurturing goddesses, suggesting a cult site. The triple peaks of Nornour might have influenced the siting of a shrine. Bronze brooches found at Nornour suggest a shrine dedicated to a sea goddess, possibly related to Sulis Minerva, who may have given her name to the Scillies. The custom of releasing paper boats on Good Friday is also linked to a votive offering to a sea goddess. The article concludes that the Scillies were a special sacred place to the Goddess, dominated by a native marine Goddess.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes an interest in earth mysteries, ancient sites, paganism, and alternative spiritualities, with a strong focus on Cornwall. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting research, news, and personal accounts from various contributors. There is a clear appreciation for the historical and spiritual significance of ancient sites and traditions, particularly those related to Goddess worship and pre-Christian beliefs. The magazine also engages with contemporary phenomena like crop circles and UFO sightings, framing them within a broader context of earth mysteries. The emphasis on community and shared exploration is evident through the reporting of group activities and the encouragement of contributions from readers.

This issue of MEYN MAMVRO, number 16, published in Autumn-Winter 1991-92, features a cover story titled "THE RETURN OF THE GODDESS" by Lynneth Brampton. The magazine focuses on the ancient history, mythology, and archaeological sites of the Scilly Isles, exploring legends, prehistoric remains, and potential spiritual connections.

The Return of the Goddess

Lynneth Brampton's article details a legend dating back to approximately 2000 BCE concerning the Eastern Isles of Scilly, particularly Nornour and Arthur. Archaeological evidence from a dig on Nornour, conducted 15 years prior to publication, reportedly supports this legend. Discoveries included remains of several huts, one identified as a workshop, on the shoreline. The archaeologist Vivien Russell found numerous small pottery altar vases, typical for offerings of oil and corn, along with fragments of jewellery, figurines of goddesses, and an altar stone. This altar stone is now located in Tresco gardens, with the findings displayed in the museum on St Mary's.

The legend speaks of women, referred to as "Sisters" by the Celts, who possessed healing abilities and clairvoyance. These women are said to have attended to warriors and chieftains, either healing them or preparing them for burial. The original names of the Scilly Isles are said to have been women's names. During the Romano-Celtic period, a shrine was built on Nornour dedicated to the goddess Minerva, whose name means "she who looks out." An oil light was maintained to guide ships.

On Arthur, another of the Eastern Isles, a dig 15 years prior also uncovered many tombs. The main tomb on Cairn Arthur, with a nearby "Dog Stone," is noted. The author compares these stones to those found near Chieftains' tombs in Ireland, linking them to a Celtic tradition of honour.

The article lists the number of tombs on Arthur as 6 on Little Arthur, 2 on Middle Arthur, and 5 on Great Arthur. It also touches upon the submergence of the Isles, suggesting that much of the land now underwater was once fields and forests, with the current Scilly Isles being the hilltops of a submerged land.

Further research into the tombs revealed mainly sherds of pottery from funeral vases. The high number of tombs on such a small landmass suggests a long period of habitation by the Celts, possibly indicating the "Isles of the Dead" legend. The author is preparing this legend in art form, including paintings, poems, and sculptures.

A significant discovery from a large tomb on Arthur, identified by archaeologist David Tomalin, yielded bones and pottery sherds dating to 1000-2000 BCE. Analysis of a femur suggested the burial was of a female, prompting speculation about her identity: a warrior, a Celtic Queen, or a priestess.

The article includes a quote: "And Celts cry out from cairned chambers, Minerva awake from your watery slumbers, It is time for the Return of the Goddess."

Scilly Landscape of the Past

This section, written by Sue Lewington, explores the landscape of Scilly as a living monument. Lewington, an artist living on St Martins, emphasizes that the land itself holds the history, with remnants of past inhabitants found through ploughing, such as pottery sherds and ancient pavements. She notes the continuity of human experience, with people in the past likely facing similar challenges of weather and sustenance as today.

Lewington's interest in archaeology was sparked by discoveries like middens of limpet shells and burial chambers. She highlights the ease with which the past can be felt in Scilly due to the presence of numerous, unmanicured remnants like burial chambers, standing stones, cliff castles, and ancient field systems. The power of the landscape, she argues, is pervasive and accessible to those who sit quietly and wait.

Ancient Sites on Scilly

This feature provides a guide to notable ancient sites on the more accessible islands, focusing on barrows and entrance graves/chambered tombs.

• St Martins:
• Cruther's Hill Chambered Tombs: Three tombs are described, including an oval barrow with a cist-like chamber and a well-preserved entrance grave with a long chamber facing northeast, aligned with the midsummer sunrise.
• Stone Row: Located on Higher Town beach, this is identified as the only positively identified stone row on the Scillies. It consists of three stones, one grooved, and may have natural cup marks, possibly pointing towards Chapel Downs.

• St Marys:
• Stone Figurine: A 3ft high stone idol or godlet, rediscovered in 1989, possibly the upper half of a statue-menhir, dating to early Celtic or even Neolithic/Bronze Age times. It is cemented into natural rock.
• Mount Flagon Menhir: An 8ft standing stone near a windmill-shaped daymark, possibly part of a complex of monoliths used as an early calendar.
• Halingey Down Settlement: A courtyard house settlement from the 4th to 2nd Century CE, similar to Chysauster and Carn Euny.
• Bants Carn Chambered Tomb: A round cairn dating from about 1500 years earlier than Halingey Down, with an entrance passage leading to a chamber roofed by four capstones, facing northeast towards the midsummer solstice sunrise.
• Long Rock Menhir: An impressive 8ft stone in a pine clearing, described as having a "mystic appearance." Its face is shaped towards the northeast, possibly aligning with the summer sunrise. It may have originally borne a schematic face representation or a vulva, suggesting a ritual site to the Earth Goddess.
• Innisidgen Chambered Tombs: Two tombs by the sea, one less preserved with a visible passage aligning North-South, and another in excellent condition with a mound and a long entrance facing Southwest, aligned with the winter solstice sunset. These are noted as similar to Bants Carn and may have been part of a ritual complex for celebrating the sun at opposite ends of the year.
• Porth Hellick Down Chambered Tomb: The largest and best-preserved barrow of a complex of eight, featuring a circular mound and a chamber roofed by four capstones. The entrance passage aligns Northwest, possibly concentrating the last rays of the midsummer solstice sunset into the tomb. These tombs are linked to significant solar events.

• St Agnes & Gugh:
• Obadiah's Barrow (Gugh): A chambered entrance grave on Kittern Hill, with collapsed capstones. Excavations in 1901 yielded a bronze offering. The hill has at least 8 other barrows in a line.
• The Old Man Menhir (Gugh): An impressive 9ft standing stone overlooking the sea, appearing on two ley lines. It stands on the southernmost point of the British Isles.
• Priests Rock (Periglis Stone) (Gugh): A 9ft stone on the seashore, felled by winter storms. Locals considered it "special," and its position on ley lines suggests megalithic status.
• St Warna's Well (St Agnes): A well with stone steps, located above St Warna's Cove, where the saint supposedly landed. Offerings were made here to encourage the sea to provide storm bounty.
• Nags Head rock formation: A prominent landmark on the hillside above St Warna's Well, possibly once surrounded by a stone circle.

Other Islands: Entrance graves are also mentioned on Samson, Bryher, and Tresco.

Ley Lines on the Scillies

This section explores the possibility of ley lines, or alignments of ancient sites, on the Scilly Isles, drawing on theories about Bronze Age settlement and the work of John Michell. Due to the large number of burial sites, the focus is on menhirs and large chambered tombs. Four possible 3-point ley lines have been identified, primarily on the southern islands where menhirs are concentrated. These leys connect what are considered "important" and related sites, with thanks given to Andy Norfolk for computer analysis.

• Ley 1: Priest Rock (St Agnes) to Carn Valla Barrow (Gugh) to Old Man of Gugh menhir.
• Ley 2: Priest Rock (St Agnes) to Mount Flagon menhir (St Marys) to Maypole Mound (St Marys).
• Ley 3: Old Man of Gugh menhir to Mount Flagon menhir (St Marys) to Innisidgen Carn (St Marys).
• Ley 4: Long Rock menhir (St Marys) to Maypole Mound (St Marys) to Porth Hellick Down chambered tomb (St Marys).

Maypoles and Mazes

St Mary's Maypole: This place name on St Marys is considered the "omphalos of the island." While no direct written record of a maypole exists, oral tradition and circumstantial evidence, such as the name, location, and local customs of receiving bread and cream on May 1st, suggest it was a significant site, possibly linked to ancient pre-Christian sacred areas and the Beltane festival.

St Agnes Maze: The stone maze on St Agnes is described as one of the most enigmatic monuments. Its provenance is uncertain, possibly built by a lighthouse keeper in 1729, or a rebuilding of an earlier structure. Its unique design and seaside setting give it an "indefinable air of mystery." Similar boulder labyrinths in Scandinavia were used for fishermens' magic. The St Agnes maze, rebuilt in 1989 by dowsers, is seen as a place for connecting with natural forces and ancient spirits. The article notes the tendency on the islands to build mazes, suggesting they are a way to explore the "ancient drowned landscape replete with mystery."

Sexing the Sun

This section features a response by Monica Sjöö to an article by Ian Cooke. Sjöö critiques what she perceives as "phallic/patriarchal assumptions" in Cooke's description of the sun. She argues that in Scandinavian and Germanic languages, the sun is feminine ("She") and revered as a nurturing Mother. Sjöö recommends Janet McCrickard's "Eclipse of the Sun" and Alan Ereira's "The Heart of the World," which discuss universal myths and beliefs in the Sun Goddess and the reverence for the Great Mother, citing the Cogi people as an example of retained reverence for the Mother, who saw the sun dying and being reborn from the Mother's womb.

The section includes a drawing of Epona, the Celtic horse goddess, carrying a solar globe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the deep connection between mythology, archaeology, and the landscape of the Scilly Isles. The magazine presents a perspective that views these islands as a place steeped in ancient spiritual traditions, particularly related to goddesses, solar cycles, and the reverence for nature. The editorial stance appears to be one that values and seeks to uncover and preserve the ancient heritage of the Scilly Isles, highlighting the continuity of human experience and spiritual practices across millennia. There is a strong emphasis on the feminine divine, as seen in the cover story and Monica Sjöö's response, and a fascination with the mysterious and enigmatic aspects of the ancient sites, such as ley lines and mazes.

Meyn Mamvro, Issue 16, Autumn-Winter 1991-92, is a UK-based magazine focusing on paganism, spirituality, sacred sites, and related topics. The issue features articles, music reviews, and listings of pagan contacts.

Sexing the Sun: A Reply to Monica Sjöö's Letter

Ian Cooke addresses the symbolism of the sun and moon in various cultures, noting that while some cultures consider the sun female and the moon male, others have different interpretations, such as in contemporary rural China where the moon is thought of as male. He explains that the original concept of a bisexual divinity split into a female lunar goddess and a male deity associated with the sun. Cooke posits that as matriarchal societies transitioned to patriarchies, the old magical power symbolism was often appropriated by male leaders, leading to a shift where some cultures 'made the sun female and the moon male,' while others relegated feminine symbolism to favor an aggressive masculine sun-god. He emphasizes the importance of the interaction between 'complimentary opposites' like female/male and death/life, drawing parallels to the Chinese concept of Yin and Yang. Cooke addresses Ms. Sjöö's interpretation of his previous use of terms like 'receptive,' 'passive,' 'thrust,' and 'force' as potentially implying 'rape,' suggesting that she may have focused on phrases that align with her own feminist viewpoints. He dismisses her assumption that Iron Age builders of Cornish fogous shared the same beliefs as the New Stone Age people who created Newgrange, calling it unsubstantiated. Ultimately, Cooke concludes that personal attitudes towards the Earth are paramount and believes he and Monica Sjöö share common ground on this.

Spiral Energies from the Earth Herself

Mike Woolf contributes an article detailing his experiences with spiral energy at sacred sites, particularly in West Penwith, Cornwall. He recounts how he has been inspired by the subtle energies of these sites, often permeating his music. Woolf describes an instinctive urge to spin in the centre of circles, such as at the Merry Maidens, which usually resulted in giddiness. However, on rare occasions, he experienced a sensation of being an instrument of projected force, with a feeling of impending 'lift-off' or a dimension shift. He shares a recent experience in September 1990 at Tregeseal Circle, where after spinning, his friend was thrown from the centre and stunned. Woolf also tried and found the power strong. The following day, they revisited the site and found a circle of lush green grass had appeared overnight in the dry centre. While spinning together, they experienced an exhilarating force and loss of control, feeling an intense inner radiance and a sense of fading reality. They believe this power surge was unlikely to be withstood. Woolf also notes a heightened sense of telepathy and merged minds during these experiences. He discusses four key considerations regarding these events: the Moon's phase (Last Quarter during their experience), the significance of polarities (Earth and Moon positions), the role of crystal activation, and the 'Human Factor' requiring rotation between polarized magnetism. Woolf concludes that spinning with a male/female balance produced drastically stronger results than spinning alone. He is convinced that with the right knowledge, this force will be central to communication with Mother Earth and may be related to crop circles. He advises caution, recommending that inexperienced individuals should not attempt this without a sympathetic partner to 'earth' them.

Music Review: Primal Obsession and Druid

The issue includes a review of "Primal Obsession" by THELEMIC PULSE, described as a beautiful concept album about protecting Mother Earth and awakening the earth spirit. The album blends instruments like drums, flute, didgeridoo, and keyboard with voices, drawing on American-Indian, African, and Egyptian influences. Proceeds from sales are intended to establish a community in West Penwith for art, music, woodcraft, and treeplanting. The reviewer praises the album as professional and unique. Another review covers "Druid" by Med Goodall, an album inspired by the ancient standing stones of Cornwall, featuring tracks like "Nine Maidens" and "Celtic Dawn," noted for its haunting and gentle new age sound. The cassette "Seekers of the Spiral" by AEOLIAN SONGSPELL is also mentioned as containing songs related to spiral energies.

Book Review: Earth Lights Revelation

A review of "Earth Lights Revelation" by Paul Devereux, David Clarke, Andy Roberts, and Paul McCartney is presented. The book is described as a unique work exploring exotic light phenomena produced by the planet, with worldwide scope and regional British details. It covers theories, research, and photos related to mysterious lights, UFO sightings, and ghostly figures, and is presented as well-researched, sane, and challenging. The book is 239 pages with 43 plates (many in colour), 22 line drawings, and a quality softcover. It is offered at a bargain price.

Pagan Contacts and Exchange Magazines

The magazine provides a directory of pagan contacts in Cornwall, including the Pan-Pagan School and local pagan activities in West Penwith. It also lists numerous exchange magazines from the UK and USA, covering topics such as Earth Mysteries, Paganism, and New Age interests. Information on subscribing to Meyn Mamvro and purchasing back issues is also included.

Ritual in Stonehenge

Kevin and Ingrid Carlyon were granted access to the Centre Circle of Stonehenge to perform a ritual, with details available in the latest issue of BELTANE FIRE.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of ancient beliefs, earth energies, pagan spirituality, and the intersection of these with music and personal experience. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that is open to exploring esoteric phenomena, personal spiritual quests, and alternative interpretations of history and symbolism, while maintaining a degree of critical inquiry, as seen in Ian Cooke's response. There is a clear focus on connecting with the Earth and its energies, and promoting a community around these interests.