Meyn Mamvro - No 020 - Spring1993

Magazine Overview

Title: Meyn Mamvro
Issue: 20
Date: Winter-Spring 1993
Price: £1.50

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, a magazine focused on ancient stones, sacred sites, and earth mysteries in Cornwall, delves into several key topics. The cover features a stylized illustration of a stone circle with celestial elements and the magazine's title.

Editorial and Contents

The issue opens with an editorial and a table of contents listing articles on the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group, the Eathorne Menhir, holed stones, Stowe's Hill, inscribed stones, and the Goddess Wheel of the Year, among others. The magazine also notes its availability in various outlets across Cornwall and England.

Stones of our Motherland

This section discusses feedback from the previous issue, particularly concerning the "wilful uprooting" of the Eathorne Menhir. Professor Charles Thomas clarifies that the responsibility for scheduling ancient monuments lies with the Secretary of State for the Environment and English Heritage, not solely the Archaeological Unit (CAU). Despite the CAU's efforts, Cornwall has a large number of scheduled monuments, but a significant portion of standing stones remain unprotected. The article criticizes English Heritage's record, citing instances of neglect and damage to sites like Chapel Carn Brea and Chysauster fogou. It also notes the alteration of the Mên-an-Tol site due to gorse removal, changing its character from a secluded place to a picnic area.

The protection and exploitation of ancient sites are further explored through discussions on St. Nectan's Glen and Rocky Valley. Robin Ellis comments on the need for peaceful places and the potential for charging admission fees, drawing parallels with Glastonbury's Chalice Well. The strange beam of light at Rocky Valley and the positioning of labyrinths to align with a 'third eye' are also mentioned, with a query for further reader information.

Cornish Earth Mysteries Group - News Page

This section reports on a series of illustrated talks organized by the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group. The Winter season began with talks on the summer's activities and crop circle news, noting the significant number of circles found around Callington in Summer 1992. Other talks included "Arthur - Man and Myth" by Craig Weatherhill, exploring Arthurian legend sites and the search for a historical Arthur, and "Wyrd - weaving magic and technology" by Tom Graves, which discussed the concept of 'wyrd' and ancient sites as power points. Alan Bleakley presented on "Shamanic Fictions," emphasizing the connection between the personal soul and the soul of the land. The talks concluded with a Yuletide social and a walk to Chûn Quoit for the solstice sunset alignment.

Eathorne Menhir Replaced - In The Wrong Place!

This article details the controversy surrounding the Eathorne menhir, which was uprooted by farmer Philip Clemoes. Following public response and letters to Mr. Clemoe and heritage bodies, he agreed to have the stone re-erected. The Cornish Archaeological Unit organized the effort, but due to funding issues with English Heritage, the stone was placed about 15 yards from its original position. This relocation was criticized by earth mysteries followers like Andy Norfolk, who stressed the importance of a site's context and setting for understanding its significance. The process of moving and re-erecting the stone is described, noting that part of the menhir had been broken off. The event was filmed and shown at an Archaeology Alive Open Day in Truro.

Into Alignment

This article, following up on the Eathorne menhir, presents Andy Norfolk's analysis of possible alignments through the stone's original position. Using a computer program, several 3-point and multi-point leys were identified, suggesting the stone might have been part of an ancient grid of interconnected sites. The article lists specific alignments, grid bearings, and offsets, discussing the accuracy and potential significance of these connections. It also mentions possible alignments involving churches and other sites like Pixie's Hall fogou and the Tolvan holed stone, noting that some are not precise enough for ley alignment.

A map illustrates some of the ley lines in the West Penwith area, indicating the Eathorne Menhir and nearby sites.

Lost and Found

This piece reports on the rediscovery of a holed stone, known as Mên Frith, near the Merry Maidens area. This triangular stone, previously illustrated in 1864, was found lying next to a hedge. It is described as being in good condition, save for an iron catch indicating its use as a gatepost. The article discusses its potential original position within a network of holed stones near the Merry Maidens circle, noting that it may have been part of a straight alignment. Andy Norfolk's computer analysis of four holed stones in the vicinity confirms a very accurate "dead-straight alignment." The line's azimuth is also noted to be close to the midwinter moonrise, suggesting a possible connection to astronomical events.

Stowe's Hill: A Ritual Centre

Written by Paul Broadhurst, this article explores Stowe's Hill on Bodmin Moor as an enigmatic and historically significant ritual centre. The name 'Stowe' itself means 'hill,' emphasizing its prominence. The article highlights The Cheesewring, a striking rock formation on the summit, which local folklore associates with Druidic sun and serpent worship. Stowe's Hill is situated on the St. Michael alignment, connecting it to other major prehistoric sites like Glastonbury Tor and Avebury. A computer survey by Robert Forrest indicates that Stowe's Hill is connected by a dead straight line to numerous other significant prehistoric worship centres.

Archaeological evidence suggests Stowe's Pound, located on the hill, was a place of considerable importance in remote times, likely used for peaceful ritual rather than defense. Its remains indicate it was considered a 'holy' mountain. The focal points, massive stone piles, would have provided a dramatic backdrop for ceremonies. The site appears to have been at its zenith during the megalithic era and was later forsaken. The conclusion is that Stowe's Pound was the Sacred Mountain of the area, a natural holy centre and a prominent landscape feature, potentially linking Cornwall with Dartmoor and southwest England.

The article posits that the holy mountain served a dual function: a focus for divine descent and human spiritual elevation. It was likely a centre of kingship, symbolizing the divine union between land and heavens. Before its desecration, the ritual complex on Stowe's Hill may have been a prehistoric royal centre.

Further Exploration of Stowe's Hill's Connections

This section expands on the geographical relationships of Stowe's Hill to other sites. It notes that several prehistoric places, royal castles, and landscape features appear equidistant from the hill, forming a circular pattern or sphere of influence with Stowe's Pound at its geometrical centre. Examples include Launceston Castle, Egloskerry Church, Tregearedown Beacon, and Roughtor, all approximately 83/4 miles away. Other sites like King Arthur's Hall and Greystone Bridge are also within this proximity.

A second circle, approximately 113/4 miles from Stowe's Hill, passes through or near four ancient castles (Restormel, Castle Canyke, Helsbury, and Warbstow Bury) and other significant sites like Tichbarrow barrow and Helstone crossroads. This circle also features several bridges at similar distances from the central hill.

A third circle, at a distance of 16 miles, includes two castles (Tintagel and St. Catherine's) and nine churches. This circle crosses the River Camel at Wadebridge, a historically important crossing point. The article suggests that Stowe's Pound may have been recognized as a natural pole or axis for the surrounding terrain, acting as a landscape temple that controlled the power within the land.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the interpretation and preservation of ancient sites in Cornwall, particularly megalithic structures and ritual centres. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of context, alignment, and the potential spiritual or energetic significance of these locations. The magazine appears to advocate for the study and appreciation of earth mysteries, folklore, and prehistoric cultures, while also highlighting concerns about the neglect and damage to these heritage sites. The editorial stance seems to be one of uncovering and sharing knowledge about Cornwall's ancient past and its connection to the landscape, often through the lens of earth mysteries and pagan beliefs.

MEYN MAMVRO, Issue 20, Winter-Spring 1993. This issue delves into ancient sites, inscriptions, and seasonal rituals primarily in Cornwall and surrounding areas.

Ancient Sites and Alignments

The article "Just over the brow of Bodmin Moor..." explores Roughtor, a prominent granite mass on Bodmin Moor, and its connection to Stowe's Pound. Roughtor features Neolithic remains, including hut villages, animal enclosures, field systems, and a stone circle with monoliths marking the sunrise. The text suggests that Roughtor and Stowe's Pound were significant in ancient times, possibly for their sanctity and astronomical alignments. The article highlights a straight road leading to Roughtor that, when viewed on a map, aligns with Stowe's Hill and, projected in the opposite direction, points to Tintagel. This alignment is interpreted as a remnant of an ancient link between these two significant sites.

Tintagel is discussed in relation to Stowe's Hill, forming an axis of the annual solar cycle. The line connecting them aligns with the Winter Solstice sunrise at Stowe's Hill and the Midsummer Solstice sunset at Tintagel. This celestial symmetry is linked to the concept of the royal Sun God's power, its height, and its eventual decline. The text also mentions the Plymouth Hoe, an area associated with the legend of the Cornish Giant Gogmagog and Brutus' general Corineus. A turf-cut figure of Gogmagog once existed on the Hoe, and similar figures, like the Cerne Abbas Giant, are noted for their association with solstitial axes and the Druidic sage Merlin.

Inscribed Stones and Early Settlers

Professor Charles Thomas's guide, "GUIDE TO INSCRIBED STONES 2", focuses on the Ogam style of inscription introduced by Irish settlers from South Wales. These inscribed stones are described as personal memorials, mostly Christian, dating from the 4th to 6th centuries. The Ogam script, a long-and-short stroke alphabet, was used to write Primitive Irish names. The article notes that some inscriptions feature Roman personal names, and others show a distinctive Irish aspect. The migration of settlers from south-west Wales to Cornwall and Devon is discussed, with black dots on a map indicating repeated names in both areas. The 'angle-bar A' inscription fashion, introduced from the Continent, is also mentioned.

Several specific inscriptions are detailed. At Lewannick near Launceston, an early inscription from around 500 AD reads "INGEN/VI/MEM/ORIA" (Ingenuus' memorial), with an Ogam equivalent. Another stone from the same churchyard has "HIC IACIT VLCAGNI" (Here lies Ulcagnus), an Irish name. At Nanscowe, St Breoke, a memorial for 'Ulcagnus', son of 'Severus', is discussed, noting that Severus was likely an adopted Roman name. A similar inscription from Newchurch in Wales, "SEVERINI/FILI SEVERI", suggests a possible familial connection between the two individuals.

Other inscriptions mentioned include "QVENATAVC- IC/ DINVI FILIVS" from Gulval, dating to around 600 AD, with Irish names. An inscription discovered in the 1970s near St Columb, "DOVITH -C/ FILIVS DOCIDC-", is on a large granite pillar that may have been a prehistoric menhir, commemorating the dead in the late 6th century.

The Magic of Number Nine

Ian Cooke writes about the esoteric significance of the number nine. This number is frequently associated with healing, fertility, and divination rituals, implying supernatural powers or completeness. Rituals often involve water, stone, or natural apertures. The number nine is used to quantify items or actions in rituals. Legends use nine to signify 'wholeness' or 'many'. The article connects the number nine to the trinity, representing the three states of time (past, present, future) or life stages (birth, life, death), and the lunar cycle (waxing, full, waning moon), embodying the Goddess who governs creation and destruction.

Harmony's Celebrations: Seasonal Festivals

Geraldine Andrew details seasonal festival celebrations at Harmony Pottery. The article covers festivals from Beltane to the Autumn Equinox.

Beltane

This festival celebrates greenwood, love, and youth, marking the union of the maiden of spring and the lord of the waxing year. The event involved decorating barns, feasting, crowning 'Queens of the May', dancing around a bonfire and a maypole, and cleansing rituals. The celebration continued until midnight, emphasizing renewal and the joy of summer.

Summer Solstice

This festival marks the longest day and the transition from the Lord of the Waxing Year to the Lord of the Waning Year. Preparations included decorating the barn, creating a 'magic' circle, and placing effigies of the Sun God. A quiet wish-making ceremony took place. The ritual involved a meditation, drawing strength from internal fire, and a spiral dance around the bonfire. The evening concluded with circle dancing and music, attended by 33 people.

Lughnasad

This feast honours Lugh, the corn king, and the Earth Mother aspect of the Goddess. It signifies the ripened harvest and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The gathering included decorating a barn with harvest symbols, feasting, and a special welcome for guests. Rituals involved smudging with rosemary, meditation on the Moon's entry into Virgo, and projecting fears into bread men before throwing them into the fire. The celebration included a spiral dance, encircling a maze to explore the inner self and concepts of death and rebirth, and eating star-shaped biscuits imbued with wishes. The Bread Man was celebrated as the 'Grain of Life'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient landscapes and their symbolic meanings, the interpretation of historical inscriptions as evidence of cultural exchange and identity, and the significance of numbers and seasonal cycles in ritual and mythology. The magazine appears to adopt an academic yet accessible approach, presenting research on archaeology, linguistics, and folklore. The editorial stance seems to be one of uncovering and interpreting the layers of history and belief embedded in the landscape and its artifacts, suggesting a connection between ancient practices and a 'Natural Science' or deeper understanding of the world.

Meyn Mamvro, Issue 20, Winter-Spring 1993, is a magazine focused on Earth Mysteries, Paganism, and Cornish heritage. The issue features articles on seasonal festivals, ancient sites, and related spiritual practices.

Autumn Equinox Festival

The issue begins with an article by Geraldine Andrew detailing a celebration of the Autumn Equinox. This festival is described as a time of harvest, thanksgiving, and joy, marked by the equality of day and night. The author recounts a beach celebration involving a pentacle, natural elements, and a 'natural orchestra' of sounds. The experience is portrayed as a deep connection with nature, becoming 'as one with the atoms of the universe' and the waters. The article emphasizes that the external cycle of the year mirrors internal growth and that spiritual growth begins within one's own heart. It advocates for seeing the sacred in all aspects of life and healing the planet by addressing inner neglect. The author expresses gratitude to those who participated in the year's festivals and shared the experience of living in a 'beautiful and magical landscape.'

The Goddess Wheel of the Year

This section presents an article, contributed by 'Zelza,' which offers an interpretation of the 'Goddess Wheel of the Year' festivals. It challenges the common neo-pagan concept of balancing 'male and female' energies, suggesting that in pre-history, the Goddess was seen as the sole life-giving force. The article posits that the idea of gods emerged later, with the male god eventually dominating. It references books like 'The Chalice & the Blade' and 'When God was a Woman' that explore this theme. The author's pagan ritual group in Cornwall celebrates the Goddess as the complete and whole entity, with all participants being part of her. The article outlines the cycle of the year through the Goddess's aspects: Crone at Samhain, Maiden giving birth to the sun child at Winter Solstice, Maiden becoming the goddess of light at Spring Equinox (Eostre), fertility celebrated at Beltane, the sun goddess at her height at Summer Solstice, and the Earth Mother taking on her crone-like appearance by Autumn Equinox.

The article concludes by stating that the whole cycle reflects nature and the original meaning of festivals, where the Goddess was felt to be everything and everywhere, encompassing birth, growth, decay, death, and rebirth. The celebration is about understanding our place in this cycle, and the Goddess is seen as the whole, requiring no 'balance' but rather connection with her energies.

Book Reviews

The magazine includes reviews of several books related to Cornish ancient sites:

• 'STONE CROSSES IN NORTH CORNWALL' by Andrew Langdon: A 74-page guide to over 100 crosses north of Bodmin, detailing their provenance and whereabouts, with photographs or line drawings. It is described as an excellently comprehensive book, with a follow-up guide to Mid-Cornwall planned.
• 'SCILLYS ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE' by Jeanette Ratcliffe: A 52-page guide to the pre-history and history of the Scilly Isles, including a concise guide to 74 sites. It is well-illustrated with clear maps and considered excellent value.
• 'SECRETS OF ANCIENT AND SACRED PLACES' by Paul Devereux: A beautifully illustrated guide covering ancient mysteries of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including a chapter on West Penwith that mentions Meyn Mamvro's discovery of the winter solstice alignment from Chûn Quoit.

News Extra

This section provides several short news items concerning Cornish heritage and archaeology:

• Celtic Crosses Sold: Two ancient Celtic crosses from Tregaddick Manor at Blisland have been sold by a developer to private individuals, one going to a garden in Newquay and the other to Cot Valley near Land's End. Neither had been scheduled by English Heritage.
• Boskenna Cross Knocked Down: Another Celtic cross at Boskenna was knocked down by a traffic accident but was not broken. It was re-erected by Penwith Council. This is the second time it has been felled, the first being by the army in WWII.
• Cornwall's Sites Up For Grabs: English Heritage plans to transfer responsibility for many of its sites to management trusts. This includes sites in Cornwall like Carn Euny Courtyard House village, Halligye fogou, the Hurlers stone circle, Trethevey Quoit, St. Breock Downs menhir, Ballowall Barrow, and Scilly burial chambers. County Archaeologist Nick Johnston expressed concern about a potential 'loss of quality control.'
• Mên-an-Tol Stone Circle: Recent clearing around the Mên-an-Tol holed stone suggests it is part of a small stone circle, possibly originally comprising about 11 stones. If the holed stone was part of it, this would make it unique in Britain.
• Bosporthennis Quoit Capstone Removed: The capstone of the ruined Bosporthennis Quoit has been discovered in a field, having been removed previously. Although recommended for scheduling, English Heritage took no action. However, as the land is owned by the National Trust, it is hoped the capstone will be replaced.
• By-Passing Ancient Remains: The Cornwall Archaeological Unit has received £450,000 for excavations near Fraddon, Indian Queens, and St. Columb Road prior to a new by-pass. Areas of interest include an Iron Age homestead, Halloon, and a Bronze Age burial mound at Gaverigan.
• Vivien Russell Dies: Cornish Archaeologist Vivien Russell, aged 88, has died. She is remembered for her listing of West Penwith ancient sites and her assistance in excavating Carn Euny and Try menhir, as well as helping Meyn Mamvro research the Tregeseal circles.

The Pipers Tune

This section discusses 'spirit lines' or 'leys,' described as ancient paths for spirits of the dead and shamanic journeys. These paths may have become Christianized into medieval church paths or 'corpse ways.' The article highlights a specific spirit path identified by Gabrielle Hawkes and Tom Henderson-Smith, running from St.Just through various landmarks to St.Buryan Church and Boskenna. Other church paths are mentioned, such as the one from Sennen Church to St.Levan Church, and from Sancreed Church to Brane. The 'Saints Way' across mid-Cornwall is presented as another example, potentially following the route of early Celtic saints. A mention is made of a ghostly monk-like figure sighted near Padstow on a path known as the 'old priests path.'

Creating Ways Workshop

A 4-day residential workshop titled 'Creating Ways' is advertised, to be held at CAER (Centre for Alternative Education and Research) in West Penwith from May 31st to June 4th. Led by artists Claire Lucas and Gabrielle Hawkes, the workshop aims to help participants explore inner and outer landscapes through creative expression.

Listings and Advertisements

The magazine includes several pages of listings and advertisements:

• Exchange Magazines: A list of magazines available for annual subscription, including 'The Ley Hunter,' 'Northern Earth,' 'Mercian Mysteries,' and others focused on Earth Mysteries and Paganism.
• Paganism Magazines: A list of Paganism-related magazines such as 'The Cauldron,' 'Pandora's Jar,' 'Wood and Water,' 'Dalriada,' 'The Unicorn,' 'Deosil Dance,' 'Quest,' 'Moonshine,' 'Touchwood,' and 'The Silver Wheel.'
• Cornwall's New Age: An advertisement for a new magazine focusing on alternative therapies and spirituality, available from Newquay.
• Meyn Mamvro Subscription: Information on subscribing to Meyn Mamvro, with details on back numbers and photocopies.
• Noticeboard: This section contains various announcements:
• Cornish Earth Mysteries: Meetings and talks in Penzance and field visits in summer, with a schedule of speakers including Paul Devereux, Maggie Stewart, Paul Newman, and Colin Wilson.
• Harmony Pottery: Seasonal celebrations for 1993, including Imbolc, Spring Equinox, and Beltane festivals.
• Saturday Dayschools: A schedule of workshops in St. Austell and Falmouth covering topics like Ley line churches, Age of Aquarius, Cornish Pilgrimage, Holy Wells, Shrines, Symbols, UFOs, Corn Circles, Cathars, Albigensians, and Templars.
• Wellbeing Centre: Information on regular workshops and events at the Old School House, Illogan, including Goddess and Shamanic workshops.
• Research & Enlightenment Centre: Monthly talks and discussions in St. Austell.
• Centre for Inner Peace: Occasional workshops and courses in Mawnan Smith.
• Cornish Crop Circles Group: A talk by an expert and site visits in St. Austell.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Meyn Mamvro are Paganism, Earth Mysteries, ancient history and archaeology (particularly in Cornwall), spirituality, and the celebration of seasonal festivals. The editorial stance appears to be one that values ancient traditions, the natural world, and personal spiritual growth, often through a lens that reinterprets established religious and historical narratives from a Goddess-centric or Earth-focused perspective. There is a strong emphasis on local Cornish heritage and the promotion of related events, workshops, and publications. The magazine also serves as a platform for news and updates within the Earth Mysteries and Pagan communities.