Meyn Mamvro - No 040 - Autumn1999

Magazine Overview

Title: Meyn Mamvro
Issue: 40
Date: Autumn 1999
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro Publications
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1.90

Meyn Mamvro is a magazine dedicated to "ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall." This issue, number 40 from Autumn 1999, covers a range of topics related to earth mysteries, paganism, and Cornish heritage, with a particular focus on the recent Total Solar Eclipse and ongoing issues at various sacred sites.

Editorial

The editorial section, titled "Eclipsed in Cornwall," reflects on the anticipation and events surrounding the Total Solar Eclipse. Despite fears of gridlock and civil unrest, Cornwall experienced a significant influx of visitors, though cloud cover obscured the full totality for many. The Isles of Scilly, particularly Samson, offered the best views. The article notes that preparations to protect open spaces and monuments were undertaken, sometimes controversially, such as the placement of boulders near Bronze Age barrows. The lead-up to the eclipse was marked by tension, possibly due to planetary configurations. The issue also highlights ongoing controversies at West Penwith wells and a retrospective look at the St. Agnes maze restoration. The magazine announces its move into cyberspace with a new website and its upcoming 15th year of publication, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group (CEMG).

Cornwall Eclipsed

This article provides a detailed report on the Total Solar Eclipse in Cornwall. It describes the intense media interest, including a 3-part TV series and numerous interviews. Despite forecasts of cloud, many people gathered at holy sites. The article mentions the efforts to protect sites and the controversy surrounding the Cornwall Archaeological Unit's booklet. It notes that while many saw only darkness, the event was considered a powerful ritual opportunity for pagans. The article also mentions the cancellation of some events and a police raid on an illegal gathering near Newquay. It compares the number of visitors to Cornwall for this eclipse with the 1927 eclipse in England.

Cornish Earth Mysteries Group (CEMG) News

This section details the activities of the CEMG throughout 1999. Events included talks by local astrologer Sheila Bright on cycles and the eclipse, John and Karen Attwood on purchasing stone circles, and Dennis and Chrissie Holwill on Egyptian pyramids and vibrations. Martin Matthews gave a talk on West Cornwall folklore. The group also held its 11th annual Maypole Dance and Three Wells Walk. Outdoor visits included a trip to Leskernick Ritual Landscape on Bodmin Moor, where members explored stone rows, circles, and settlement areas, and a visit to Lesser Known Sites of West Penwith, including Treen Common circle and Bosporthennis. The section concludes with a report on Lammas Day gathering on Trencrom Hill, emphasizing the sense of community.

An Unholy Row at Sancreed Well

This article details a conflict over access to Sancreed Well in West Penwith. The issue stems from the well's path not being officially recognized as a public right-of-way, leading to disputes with landowners, Mr. and Mrs. Hoskin. The article traces the history of the well's access, from its clearing in the 1870s to the erection of signs in the late 1980s. The Hoskins have reportedly stopped visitors and complained about noise. Attempts to resolve the conflict through a Stewardship Scheme failed, and the Hoskins threatened to close access. The Ramblers Association has applied for a Modification Order to establish the path as a public right-of-way, a process that could take up to two years. A permissive path has been negotiated, but signposting is lacking.

Not Well at Madron

Madron Baptistry well-chapel experienced vandalism and a reduction in its water supply during the summer. The stonework surrounding the well was knocked down multiple times, and the water flow ceased. While initial explanations suggested children's actions, later events pointed towards deliberate vandalism. Repairs were undertaken by the CAU/English Heritage and the Sacred Sites Working Party, but the site remained in a derelict state with ongoing investigations.

A Thorny Problem at Chapel Euny

Near Chapel Euny wells, a thorn tree was vandalized, with branches snapped off and clouties torn down. The landowner, Charles Tricker, suspected a Christian sect, while Mike Rosendale, Penwith's Countryside Officer, attributed it to "pre-millenial tension" and called it "outrageous and deplorable."

The St. Agnes Labyrinth

This section revisits the unique pebble maze at Troytown Farm on St. Agnes, following up on a previous letter. Peter Herring expresses his dismay and anger regarding the maze's current state, describing it as "sick and disturbed" with negative energy flows, contrasting it with his earlier experiences. He questions the restoration work done 10 years prior by Paul Broadhurst and others, suggesting it may have transformed a "sad neglected place" into something worse. Herring speculates on the cause, including potential vandalism or dowsing issues, and emphasizes the importance of the stones marking the energy field. He includes a photograph from 1885 showing the maze's integrity and calls for a rescue or solution.

Book and CD Reviews

The issue includes reviews of several booklets related to the eclipse: "Eclipse Curiosities" by Dionne Jones & Andy Norfolk, "The Day The Sun Went Out" by John Billingsley, and "Dance of the Sun and Moon" by Marjorianne Rowland. These are recommended as souvenirs of the eclipse event. A CD review and book reviews are also listed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Meyn Mamvro strongly emphasizes the intersection of earth mysteries, ancient sites, and pagan practices in Cornwall. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting and exploring these phenomena, while also highlighting conflicts and controversies surrounding their preservation and accessibility. The magazine champions the unique heritage of Cornwall, particularly its sacred sites and folklore, and serves as a platform for discussion and debate within the earth mysteries community. The move to a website indicates a commitment to broader dissemination of information and engagement with readers. The recurring themes include the spiritual significance of natural events like eclipses, the historical and energetic importance of stone circles and labyrinths, and the challenges of protecting these sites from modern pressures and vandalism.

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, number 40, published in Autumn 1999, features a cover story titled 'PROPER MAZED' by Paul Broadhurst. The magazine explores themes related to labyrinths, ancient sites, mythology, and earth energies, with a focus on sites in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Proper Mazed: The Troy Town Maze Controversy

Paul Broadhurst's article 'Proper Mazed' addresses the controversy surrounding the restoration of the Troy Town Maze on St. Agnes in November 1988. The author explains that the maze had become unrecognisable due to damage and neglect, with stones removed and debris present. A team, including Don Wilkins, Hamish Miller, and Ed Prynn, was asked by the owner to reconstruct the labyrinth. This restoration was controversial, with some in the Earth Mysteries and archaeological community reacting strongly to rumors of 'desecration.' Broadhurst defends the work, stating that the islanders specifically requested people aware of the labyrinth's energies, rather than traditional archaeologists, to undertake the task. He highlights that the islanders themselves were delighted with the restoration, seeing it as a spiritually transforming place. The article also notes that the restoration revealed remnants of previous mazes beneath the current one, suggesting the site was older than previously thought. The dowsers in the team, Don and Hamish, discovered that the precise shape of the labyrinth was impressed into the earth's biomagnetic field, and Don experienced an unusually strong reaction with his dowsing rod. The stones were carefully selected and bedded to prevent easy removal. Despite the team's efforts and the islanders' positive reception, the author expresses sadness over the criticisms, particularly from those who assumed a proprietary attitude towards the site.

Later in the issue, the article discusses the current state of the maze, noting that after over a decade, the stones have fallen over. The owner of Troytown Farm, Tim Hicks, explains that this erosion is not due to vandalism or weather but to the increased number of visitors. The maze's restoration made it more recognizable, leading more people to walk it, and the sheer volume of foot traffic has gradually dislodged the stones. The author poses the challenge of preserving ancient sites that are increasingly destroyed by the very visitors they attract, questioning whether solutions like barbed wire or strict access control are appropriate.

The Mystery of the Labyrinth

Robin Ellis's article, 'The Mystery of the Labyrinth,' delves into the mystical experiences of Geoffrey Russell. In 1944, Russell had a profound experience that led him to sketch a pattern of concentric circles. In 1962, he recognized this pattern in a photograph of Cretan Labyrinths at Rocky Valley, Cornwall. This discovery led him to Glastonbury, where he claimed to see the remains of a three-dimensional Cretan-style labyrinth around the Tor. Russell linked the mystery of Glastonbury with the Otherworld concept of 'Caer Sidi' or 'Spiral Castle,' citing Robert Graves as a source. Ellis notes that Russell's ideas significantly influenced the pre-New Age Glastonbury Movement, though the proofs he offered were considered untenable. The article highlights the mystery surrounding Russell's research at Rocky Valley, suggesting it cast a profound light on the Mystery of Glastonbury. It also explores the connection between Caer Sidi and Caer Arianrhod traditions, both representing a portal to the Land of Faery, and discusses Robert Graves' association of these concepts with oracular caves and 'true dreaming.' The Rocky Valley maze carvings are presented as a British survival of the Caer Sidi. The article questions the dating of the carvings, with some suggesting they are from the early Bronze Age (1800-1400 BCE) and others from the 17th century.

Further exploration into the Serpent Cult suggests it was active until 1958, with members carrying personal labyrinths carved in slate, known as 'serpent stones.' These stones were used with a 'galdr' (shamanic call) to induce an 'altered state of consciousness' or 'true dreaming.' The article links this to Virgil's 'The Gate of Horn' and suggests the Rocky Valley labyrinths might be described in it. The influence of the Serpent Cult is also traced to figures like C.G. Jung and his associates, such as Eleanor Bertine and Esther Harding, who explored concepts of the 'Virgin Goddess' and 'One-In-Herself.' The article concludes by questioning whether modern society, influenced by patriarchy, is still capable of using the labyrinth as sacred technology, suggesting that Jungian psychology might offer a modern tool to re-interpret its meaning.

The Sword in the Stones

This short piece reports on an intriguing find on the Isles of Scilly. Farmer Paul Jenkins of Bryher discovered an Iron Age sword, approximately 34 inches long and in its scabbard, within a burial cist in a potato field. The sword, made of iron with bronze elements, is estimated to date from the Iron Age period (5th-1st centuries BCE). Sarnia Butcher, a former English Heritage worker, stated that this is a significant find for Scilly, as no other metalwork of this date has been found there. The sword is in good condition and will be examined by the British Museum before being returned to the Museum on St. Mary's.

Mên-An-Tol - Vulva of the Goddess

Terence Meaden's article explores the traditions concerning healing and fertility properties at the Mên-an-Tol, a Neolithic megalithic site. The author proposes that the natural or artificial hole in such megaliths was equated with the vulva of the Earth Goddess or Earth Mother, and passing through it allowed participation in her benefits. Examples are cited from Euro-Asian lands, America, and Japan. Edwin C. Krupp's book 'Skywatchers, Shamans and Kings' is referenced for cases in Utah, where a rock slab hole was interpreted as a vulvar fertility sign, and in Southern California, where 'Womb Rock' had a tunnel used for initiation rituals. The article also discusses a Japanese ritual summer festival involving passing through a large vegetation ring, described as a 'passing ritual ceremony,' which is symbolically linked to birth and the boundary between worlds. The author notes the similarity between the Shinto Torii Gate and Stonehenge trilithons, representing a passage to another dimension. The article concludes by suggesting that the Sky God's Heel Stone shadow passing through the trilithon arch into the Earth Mother's womb signifies a marriage between the Sky God and Earth Mother.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the interpretation of ancient sites, particularly labyrinths, and their connection to earth energies, mythology, and spiritual practices. There is a clear interest in challenging conventional archaeological views and exploring alternative interpretations rooted in earth mysteries and ancient belief systems. The editorial stance appears to be one of defending the integrity of work done on ancient sites, particularly when it involves spiritual or energetic considerations, and advocating for a respectful and cooperative approach to preservation. The magazine also highlights the growing problem of sites being damaged by their own popularity, posing a significant challenge for the future of heritage preservation.

MEYN MAMVRO | 40 | Autumn 1999

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, a magazine focused on Earth Mysteries and folklore, features a diverse range of content including articles, book reviews, and event listings. The cover story speculates on the origins and spread of Neolithic traditions, particularly the symbolism of holes associated with female fertility, and their potential connections across different cultures.

Articles and Features

Neolithic Traditions and Symbolism

The opening article questions the likelihood of Neolithic traditions, such as associating holes with vulvas, spreading from Europe and India to China, Japan, and the New World. It posits that similar psychological impulses and basic human anxieties likely led to analogous interpretations of the universe and the establishment of similar rites and customs across different regions. The article references works by E.C. Krupp and G.T. Meaden, with artwork provided by John Dimery.

Book Reviews

The "BOOK NEWS & REVIEWS" section on page 2 provides detailed reviews of several relevant books:

• The Romance of the Stones (Cornwall's Pagan Past) by Robin Payne, with illustrations by Rosemarie Lewsey. This book is praised for its beautiful production, accurate text, and excellent overview of Cornwall's prehistory and megalithic monuments. While noting minor omissions, the reviewer considers it an essential addition for enthusiasts.
• Andrew Langdon's series on Cornish crosses: The 5th and final volume, "Stone Crosses in West Cornwall (including The Lizard)", is reviewed. The series is described as an indispensable illustrated guide. The first volume of a new series on Crosses and Churchway paths in the Land's End Peninsula by Ian McNeil Cooke is also mentioned.
• Christian Celts: Messages and Images by Charles Thomas. This book, which argues that inscribed standing stones of the early Christian period contain encoded acrostics and word-square puzzles, is described as intriguing and having caused a stir in academic circles. The reviewer notes its potential significance, comparing it to the theories of Alexander Thom.
• Great Stone Circles by Aubrey Burl. This book is lauded as beautiful and authoritative, with detailed site plans, drawings, and photographs of major stone circles in Britain, including a section on West Penwith circles. It is recommended for its comprehensive and readable survey.

Page 4 continues the book reviews, focusing on publications from Oakmagic Publications, which offers moderately-priced reprints and original folklore booklets on Cornwall. These include:

• *The Beehive Hut* by Baring-Gould
• *Antiquities of West Cornwall* by W.S. Lach-Szyrma
• *Signs Omens & Charms* by Thiselton Dyer
• *West Country Hobby Horses* by Herbert W. Kille
• *The Hobby Horse: an enigma?* by Kelvin I. Jones
• *The Hal-an-Tow* by Kelvin I. Jones
• *The Cornish Year* by A.A. Clinnick
• *Cornwall's Ancient Stones* by C.W. Dymond
• *King Arthur in Cornwall* (Millenium Calendar for 2000)

Oakmagic Publications can be contacted for a full catalogue.

CD Reviews

The "C.D REVIEW" section on page 5 highlights new music inspired by the ancient and mythic landscape of Cornwall:

• Sacred Landscapes by Sue Aston (Genius Loci Music). This album is described as gorgeous, beautiful, and moving, capturing the essence of sacred Cornwall.
• Water from the Well by THE SUN, THE MOON & THE STARS. This CD is inspired by Cornwall and features influences from Arabic and Celtic music, with a jazzy feel.
• Fly Before Dawn and 2020 Vision by Ed & Denyze Alleyne-Johnson. This songwriting duo draws inspiration from Cornwall's landscapes and sacred stones.
• Celtic Heart: The Story of Tristan and Iseult by Simon Cooper (Oreade Music). This musical interpretation of the myth uses traditional instruments and is responsive to the Cornish landscape.
• Spirit of the Rhino Drum by THELEMIC PULSE. This local West Penwith group plays ancient rhythms with a primal shamanistic feel, using drums made from Cornish Burr Elms.

News and Updates

Page 6 features "FAIR EXCHANGE", discussing the cessation of publication of "The Ley Hunter" magazine, described as influential but having lost its way. It announces the upcoming emergence of a new journal, "The Megalithic Magazine", edited by Terence Meaden, which will feature an article by Meyn Mamvro editor Cheryl Straffon. A booklet entitled "Ancient Sites in Kent" by Helen French is also mentioned.

"THE PIPERS TUNE" section on page 6 discusses a dispute between the Cornish Stannary Parliament and "English" Heritage regarding signs on ancient monuments. It also notes the political situation in Brittany, where a Druidic order sought British nationality.

Exchange Magazines and Directories

Page 7 lists "EXCHANGE MAGAZINES", providing subscription details and website information for various publications related to Earth Mysteries, Paganism, Celtic traditions, and Arthurian lore, including "3rd Stone", "Northern Earth", "The Right Times", "Touchstone", "FOGS", "Walking the Talk", "Source", "Caerdroia", "Rilko", "Dalriada", "Celtic Connections", "Pendragon", "The Dragon Chronicle", "The Cauldron", "Quest", "The Silver Wheel", "Beltane Fire", and "Wood and Water". Overseas listings include "Power Trips". Information on subscribing to Meyn Mamvro itself is also provided.

Noticeboard

The "NOTICEBOARD" on page 8 lists upcoming events and groups:

• Cornish Earth Mysteries: Talks on "Ancient sites and psycho-spiritual practices", "The Lost Gods of Albion", and "Celtic Shamanism", as well as a mid-winter sunset gathering at Chûn Quoit.
• Cornwall's New Age Festival: A four-day event with stalls, talks, and workshops.
• Pagan Moots: Regular meetings for the Penwith and Truro/Falmouth areas.
• The Phoenix Group: A mid-Cornwall group for study and teaching.
• Penwith Native American Circle: Meetings in Penzance.
• GEM (Cornwall General Earth Mysteries): Regular meetings in the Callington area.
• Wheel of the Year Celebrations: Events for Autumn Equinox and Samhain.
• Old Sunday School St.Just: Workshops including Halloween masks and a Celtic Celebration.
• The Wellbeing Centre: Regular workshops and events in Illogan.
• CAER: Courses and workshops including "Skydancing Tantra for Women" and "Untying the Cranebag".
• Earth, Health & Mystic Fayre: An event in Penzance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on Earth Mysteries, folklore, ancient sites, and Celtic traditions, with a particular emphasis on Cornwall. The editorial stance appears to be supportive of alternative archaeological interpretations and the preservation of cultural heritage, as evidenced by the reviews and the discussion on "English" Heritage. There is a clear interest in connecting ancient practices and beliefs with contemporary spiritual and cultural movements.