Meyn Mamvro - No 017 - Spring 1992

Magazine Overview

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, number 17, from Winter-Spring 1992, is dedicated to exploring ancient stones, sacred sites in Cornwall, and Celtic mythology. The cover features an illustration of a woman crowned with candles, symbolizing goddesses and gods of the Celts, alongside themes of holed and cup-marked stones, paganism, serpent power, and earth mysteries. The magazine is published by Meyn Mamvro and costs £1.50.

Contents

The issue includes an editorial, reports on the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group (CEMG) and their events, crop circle news, and articles on goddesses and gods of the Celts, guide to holed and cup-marked stones, and serpent power. It also features book reviews and a piece titled 'The Piper's Tune'. The contents page also thanks artists Barry Millard, Bobbie Rubin, and photographer Paul Broadhurst. It notes that all articles are copyright Meyn Mamvro or the authors and welcomes contributions to Cheryl Straffon in St Just, Penzance.

This edition also highlights three Cornish books available to readers, including Paul Broadhurst's new book "Tintagel and the Arthurian Mythos" and his paperback "Secret Shrines". Meyn Mamvro is also publishing an "Earth Mysteries Guide to Ancient Sites in West Penwith".

A 1992 Calendar of Celebrations at Harmony Pottery, Wheal Rose, Scorrier is also listed, with events for Imbolc, Spring Equinox, and Beltane.

Editorial: Samhain and Religious Intolerance

The editorial addresses the attacks on Hallowe'en (Samhain) celebrations in Cornwall, contrasting the pagan honouring of ancestors with what it terms 'fundimentalist religious intolerance'. It quotes the Rev. David Wheeler of Cornwall Methodist Church, who warned against the Oct 31st celebration, and the editor's response, which suggests this intolerance stems from a fear of the re-growth of interest in ancient pagan faiths. The article discusses how attacks on Hallowe'en often lead to general 'pagan bashing', lumping together witchcraft, black magic, and devil worship. It emphasizes the need to clarify the nature of neo-paganism and wicca, arguing that attacks on perceived 'evil side of life' celebrations do not help.

The "Sunday Independent" is mentioned for its debate on the "dangers" of the festival, associating it with "satanism". Marina Boyd is quoted defending paganism as a gentle, tolerant religion revering the Earth. Phillip Mawson of Reachout Trust is criticized for his vituperative reply, claiming "there is no neutral ground in the spirit world – it is either divine or demonic." Craig Weatherhill's incisive reply is highlighted, criticizing this "uninformed spiritual arrogance" and the desire to eliminate beliefs that do not align with a singular religious view.

Cornish Earth Mysteries Group News Page

This section details a visit by the Earth Mysteries Group to the Boscawen-un stone circle on Sunday, July 28th. Investigations included checking stones for anomalous compass and ultrasound readings. A key observation was that the quartz stone gave lower radiation readings than granite stones, leading to speculation that the centre and quartz stones might act together as a transmitter-receiver of cosmic energy. The possibility of the quartz stone being used for visionary and trance work through electro-magnetic mind change by ancient people is explored.

In the afternoon, dowsing revealed numerous energy lines, including radial lines, lines through the gap stones, and lines around the centre stone. Some participants experienced dowsing reactions between stones and around the circle, leading to confusion. The section also mentions Peter Pool's work maintaining the pathways to the circle and an encounter with a visitor who had seen approximately 200 circles in Britain. The visit was considered a day of good conversation, speculation, and investigation, suggesting the site would repay further visits.

Merry Maidens Stone Circle Visit

This report details a field trip to the Merry Maidens stone circle on August 25th, 1991. Twenty people attended, including some bemused German tourists. Measurements of the earth's magnetic field showed variations, with stones 7-11 measuring low (25-28 µt) and subsequent stones rising to a high of 45.6 µt. Radiation readings on the stones were high (average 18 cpm) compared to the background (12 cpm). The centre of the circle had a lower count (12 cpm). Some stones appeared to deflect a compass marginally. Ultrasound testing yielded only a few clicks and bangs. One person reported impressions of a wild pig, a blue triangle, and a goosefoot shape, and felt the circle was pulsing at 120 beats per minute.

Dowsers found twenty radial lines, with stones 1 & 7 possibly being in the wrong place, and one line running through the gap between stones 4 & 5. Eight concentric circles were also noted. Five energy lines were found, though they might differ from those found by others. A significant finding was Arthur Straffon following a northwesterly line to a large, previously unremarked stone in a hedge. The plotted energy lines are noted to correspond to some known alignments.

Full detailed copies of the Boscawen-un and Merry Maidens radiation/magnetic & dowsing maps are available from CEMG or Meyn Mamvro.

C.E.M.G Winter/Spring Events

This section outlines upcoming events for the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group (CEMG) for Winter/Spring 1992:

• October '91: Report on summer field trips by Andy Norfolk, confirming the position of the lost second Tregeseal Circle.
• November '91: Crop Circle '91 report by George Bishop.
• December '91: Annual social at Heather Farm and sunset alignment visit at Chûn Quoit.
• January '92: Talk on Cornish Holy Wells by Paul Broadhurst, coinciding with the publication of "Secret Shrines".
• February '92: Talk on The Ritual Use of Ancient Sites by Cheryl Straffon.
• March '92: Talk on Sacred Sleep by Paul Devereux.
• April '92: Talk on Holes in Space and other Fortean Items by Professor Charles Thomas.

These events take place at The Acorn in Penzance. Annual membership is £3, or £1 at the door. A Cornish Crop-Circle Group has also been formed, with upcoming events featuring George Wingfield.

Into Alignment on Scilly

This section lists additional ley line alignments calculated by Andy Norfolk for the Scillies, following a previous feature in MM (No.16). It provides coordinates and lengths for several alignments, including those involving Mount Flagon, Inisidgen Lower, St Martins figure, Halingey Down, and various wells and stones.

Crop Circle News

This article reports on the crop circles that appeared in Cornwall in the late summer of 1990 and throughout 1991. Cornwall may have had the most densely-occurring collection of circles in Britain, with dozens appearing within a 2000-yard circle near Callington. George Bishop investigated and photographed these formations, noting interesting phenomena.

Specific incidents include:

• Eastcott, St Dominic (July 1991): A dumb-bell circle (54ft joined to 30ft) in winter barley. Photos showed three unidentified black objects. The farmer suggested spirits from a nearby tumulus caused it.
• Downderry (July 1991): A 3-ringed circle, suspected to be a fake due to poor dowsing results.
• Westcott (July 1991): A large double-circle dumbell (120ft overall) where the strongest dowsing point was outside the circle, and the swirl's centre was offset. Ancient tumuli and a henge were nearby.
• Near Westcott (July 1991): A 40ft circle with a rippling effect, suggesting it was made from the outside inwards, along with a 20ft circle connected to an overlapping 12ft circle.
• August 1991 (windless conditions): A circle appeared in green wheat with no obvious entry. A second circle had corn twisted into a knot, with soil impressions visible.
• Near Kit Hill (August 1991): A triple circle with clockwise swirls, and another 50ft circle with an added anticlockwise piece.
• Near Kit Hill (August 1991): A circle with strange 'print' marks (8'x12'), dubbed "dragon's feet", with strong dowsing centres.

An additional phenomenon noted was the appearance of small globular lights (BOLs or earthlights) on photographs taken in crop circles, which were not visible at the time of photography.

Goddesses and Gods of the Celts

This article by Cheryl Straffon explores the significance of goddesses and gods in Celtic tribal society, viewing them as personifications of the spirituality of the Celtic world and the land. It highlights that while some deities were tribal, others had universal relevance. The article focuses on deities likely worshipped in Cornwall, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Gaul.

Key deities discussed include:

• Cailleach: A primal, cosmic goddess of earth, sky, moon, and sun, believed to be a pre-Celtic deity, remembered in tales and place-names. In Britain, she was known as Black Annis or Agnes.
• Anu: The original mother of the Irish gods, associated with the land's fertility, as seen in the "paps of Anu" in Kerry. A stone carving at St Anne's Well in Cornwall is suggested to be an effigy of Anu.
• The Morrighan: A triple war-goddess, comprising the Morrighan (phantom queen), Badhbh (crow/raven), and Nemhain (frenzy), or Macha. Macha has three aspects related to leadership, land, and supernatural marriage, all linked to land and fertility.
• Macha: Each of the three Machas is associated with land and fertility through female leadership. These goddesses embody war, maternity, youth, age, and fertility, representing life/death/protection symbolism.
• Dagda: An ancestor father-god linked to the land by marriage to the nature-goddess Boann.
• Covalentina: Goddess of sacred wells and springs, primarily in northern England but with a universal cult. Offerings of pins were thrown into her well.
• Sulis [Minerva]: A water goddess found at Bath, with votive offerings including carved ivory breasts. It's suggested Sulis and Minerva were separate goddesses worshipped together, and Sulis may have been known as Sillina on Nornour in the Scillies.
• Brigid: An important maiden goddess of divination and prophecy, later Christianised as St. Bride. She has many wells dedicated to her and is linked to the Imbolc festival. Her shrine at Kildare was guarded by 19 priestesses.
• Epona/Rhiannon: Celtic horse-goddesses revered for their connection to horses, fertility, and prosperity. Epona was a primary Celtic horse-deity, a protectress of mortal horses and the spiritual essence of the horse. In Cornwall, she may be remembered as Gwennap.

The article also mentions triple mother (Matronae) goddesses who carry symbols of fertility and prosperity, and may represent the fates, linked with the goddess Fortuna.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient British and Celtic spirituality, particularly focusing on earth energies, sacred sites, and mythological figures. There is a strong emphasis on Cornwall as a significant location for these phenomena. The magazine also addresses the issue of religious intolerance towards pagan beliefs and practices, advocating for a more open and understanding approach. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting and defending paganism and earth mysteries, while critically examining societal and religious opposition to these beliefs. The magazine actively engages with its readership by reporting on group events, field trips, and book publications within the earth mysteries community.

Title: Meyn Mamvro
Issue: 17
Date: Winter-Spring 1992

This issue of Meyn Mamvro explores various aspects of Celtic mythology, ancient sites, and esoteric beliefs, with a particular focus on Cornwall and its unique heritage.

Celtic Deities and Figures

The magazine introduces several significant figures from Celtic mythology:

• Cerridwen: A probable mother and moon goddess from Welsh mythology, known for her magic cauldron of inspiration. Her legend involves shape-shifting and is connected to abundance and knowledge, possibly linking to the Arthurian Grail.
• Arianrhod: A Welsh goddess of the full moon and inspiration, whose name means 'silver wheel'. She is associated with the lunar year and a spider's web, and her legend concludes with the destruction of her island.
• Gwennar: Mentioned in a Cornish legend as a goddess of love, though this is suspected to be a later corruption of a courtly love concept or a garbled version of Guendoloena or Guinevere. She may represent an original primal goddess of life and death.
• Lugh: The hero-god of craftswork and the Celtic god of the corn. He is described as a master of many skills and is associated with the harvest and the sun god. His feast day, Lughnasad (August 1st), is linked to the 'Corn King' myth.
• Bel: The Celtic sun god, remembered at the festival of Beltane. Cornwall has a tradition of bonfires on hilltops for fertility and purification. The name 'Sul' or 'Sol' also means sun, with St. Michael's Mount originally named Din-Sol.
• Cernumnos: The stag-horned god, depicted on the Gundestrup cauldron, associated with boars and bulls, and symbolic of the chase, prosperity, and fertility. He is also linked to the underworld and was later Christianised into Satan.
• Manannán: A Celtic sun and sea-god, known as Manannan mac Lir in Irish and Manawydan fab Llŷr in Welsh, associated with the waters of the Irish Sea.
• Bran the Blessed: Another major Celtic god, who will be featured in a future issue.

Holed and Cup-Marked Stones of Cornwall

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a guide to holed and cup-marked stones in Cornwall, discussing their potential prehistoric origins and functions:

• Men-an-Tol: Cornwall's most famous holed stone site, consisting of a large holed stone and two uprights. Legends associate it with healing and divination, with rituals involving passing through the hole.
• Merry Maidens: Near this stone circle, several holed stones are noted, possibly used in ceremonies to channel earth energy.
• Tregeseal: Holed stones similar to those at Merry Maidens, found in a line, possibly part of an ancient ceremonial site.
• Other Sites: Numerous other holed and cup-marked stone sites are listed across West Penwith and other Cornish locations, including Tregiffian Barrow, Portheras Common Barrow, Castallack Standing Stone, and Tintagel Island Rock Outcrop.
• Cup Marks: Theories about cup marks include their use as mortars, maps, indicators of spirit resting places, or offerings to deities. The cup marks on the Tregiffian Barrow stone are suggested to represent lunar cycles.

Serpent Dreaming and Witchcraft

The magazine explores the mystical landscape of Cornwall, particularly West Penwith, and its connection to ancient beliefs:

• Rocky Valley: Described as a 'hidden valley' and an entrance to the Otherworld, it contains labyrinths carved on stones, known as 'Serpent Stones'. These were used by a 17th-century witch-cult for gaining higher states of consciousness and entering the 'True Dreaming'. The valley is considered sacred to the 'Serpent Goddess'.
• Zennor: Known as a 'Holy Place' and a centre for white witches. The area is associated with legends of mermaids and supernatural encounters.
• The Mermaid of Zennor: A mysterious woman, possibly a mermaid, lured Matty Trewhella, the Squire's son, away towards the sea, and they were never seen again.
• Mysterious Experience: An account of a man who stumbled upon a black stone in the Zennor area and felt an intense energy field, leading to a powerful dream about the Babylonian Goddess Ishtar.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the deep history, myth, and legend embedded in the Cornish landscape, particularly in West Penwith. It highlights the enduring presence of ancient beliefs, witchcraft, and esoteric practices, often linking them to natural sites like stones, valleys, and wells. The editorial stance appears to be one of reverence for these ancient traditions and a desire to document and explore their significance in the modern world, presenting them as integral to the numinous quality of the region. The magazine acts as a repository for folklore, archaeological findings, and accounts of unexplained phenomena, encouraging readers to engage with these mysteries.

MEYN MAMVRO, Issue 17, Winter-Spring 1992, is a publication focused on Earth Mysteries, paganism, folklore, and ancient sites, with a particular emphasis on Cornwall and its surrounding regions.

St.Nectan's Glen and the Morgawr Legend

The issue delves into the mysteries of St.Nectan's Glen, a wooded valley in Cornwall. It describes a magnificent waterfall known as St.Nectan's Kieve, a place of natural beauty and historical significance, though somewhat commercialized by tourism. The glen is named after St.Nectan, a 6th-century Celtic monk who lived there. However, the article suggests that the name 'Nectan' has roots in pre-Christian water-shrines and the Celtic river god Nechtan. It further speculates that this location might be the origin of the 'Morgawr', the famous Cornish sea-serpent, proposing that powerful Shamans generated these legends as manifestations of nature's Dragon Spirit during the Dark Ages. The article notes that a powerful pagan presence underlies the Christian legends associated with the glen.

The Kachinas of the Lizard Peninsula

Another section explores the 'Kachinas', also known as 'Keepers of the Ancient Dream', who are described as mysterious offshoots of the Pellar from the Lizard Peninsula. These individuals are said to have a sacred Shamanic tradition stretching back to antiquity, linking the Lizard and West Penwith areas to a sacred landscape. They believe places like Rocky Valley and St.Nectan's Glen are powerful sites for accessing the Spirit of the Earth. The Kachinas are described as acting as 'Nest Guardians' to protect the genesis of new presences and powers, anticipating a future where the materialistic Western society will be overthrown.

Book Reviews and Earth Mysteries

The issue includes book reviews relevant to the magazine's themes. "The Ancient British Goddess - Her Myths, Legends and Sacred Sites" by Kathy Jones is reviewed as an inspirational work exploring primal and British goddesses, linking them to sacred sites. "The Celtic Tradition" by Caitlin Matthews is mentioned as part of a series on occult and alternative subjects. Paul Devereux's book "Earth Memory" is also highlighted, focusing on a holistic earth mysteries approach to decoding ancient sacred sites. These reviews indicate a growing interest in the spiritually-based approach to understanding ancient landscapes and the maturation of the Earth Mysteries (EM) field.

Personal Spiritual Journeys

The 'Earth Mother' column features Rose Lewis, who has lived in Cornwall for 18 months and is involved with local pagan and spiritual groups. She shares a profound personal journey, beginning with an Native American song that deeply affected her. Her experience in California, on the Point Reyes Peninsular, was a healing process that eventually led her to feel stuck, yearning to work for the earth. A call to return to Britain and a spiritual experience on 'Cnicht' mountain confirmed her calling, leading her to find a conservation job in Cornwall. She describes her connection to the land and her exploration of its energies through practices like tai-chi and rituals at sacred sites, particularly caves, which she finds deeply drawn to.

'The Pipers Tune' and Psychic Questing

A controversy in Penzance regarding the public presentation of 'ley-lines' is discussed. A local woman, Julie Cain, set up an 'open file' at the library, inviting accounts of strange experiences at ancient sites. This initiative reportedly lacked knowledge of previous work in the EM field and was criticized for its approach. Separately, the article mentions Andy Collins' new book "The Seventh Sword," which details a psychic quest for six identical swords possibly fashioned by Jacobite supporters, with a seventh sword still believed to be hidden in the country.

Exchange Magazines and Publications

The issue provides extensive listings of 'Exchange Magazines' and 'Paganism' related publications, including details on their focus, subscription costs, and contact information. This section serves as a resource for readers interested in exploring similar topics and communities. It also advertises a special Meyn Mamvro publication, "The Earth Mysteries Guide to Ancient Sites in West Penwith."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are Earth Mysteries, paganism, Celtic mythology, folklore, and the spiritual significance of ancient sites, particularly in Cornwall. The editorial stance appears to be one that encourages exploration of these themes, supports alternative spiritual perspectives, and provides a platform for personal experiences and research within these fields. There is a clear emphasis on the interconnectedness of the land, ancient traditions, and spiritual energies, often contrasting these with materialistic modern society.