Meyn Mamvro - No 063 - Summer 2007

Magazine Overview

Title: Meyn Mamvro
Issue: 63
Date: Summer 2007
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £2.40

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, a magazine dedicated to ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall, delves into various aspects of Cornish earth mysteries, archaeology, and pagan traditions. The cover features a striking illustration of a hare and the Latin palindrome 'SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS', hinting at the mystical and historical themes within.

Contents and Key Articles

Editorial and Group News

The issue begins with an editorial and news from the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group, followed by updates on Dowsing News and a CASPN (Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network) News Round-up. The Penwith Pagan Moot also shares its recent activities.

Archaeology and Site Rediscoveries

Repair Work at Trippets Stone Circle: The Trippets Stone Circle on Bodmin Moor, suffering from decay and erosion, has undergone significant repair and restoration thanks to funding from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Work included filling water accumulation holes and re-erecting a fallen stone.

Golden Roman Child's Ring Found in North Cornwall: Metal detectorist Jonathan Clemes discovered a Roman gold child's ring, believed to date from the first century CE, near St.Austell. The ring, featuring a palm branch motif, is considered a significant find and a direct link to the past, with plans for its return to the Royal Cornwall Museum.

Rocky Valley Site Bought by Dandelion Trust: The Rocky Valley site, known for its ruined Mill and labyrinth carvings near Boscastle, has been purchased by the Dandelion Trust, an organization focused on protecting threatened sites. The Trust plans no development and will work with CASPN to preserve the carvings.

St.Senara's Well Rediscovered: A project to reclaim and restore Holy Wells in Cornwall led to the rediscovery and restoration of St.Senara's Well in Zennor. The well, associated with the matron saint of Zennor Church, has a legend linked to a pagan 'princess' and an ancient sea-goddess.

Remote and Ancient Places

Remote & Ancient Places in W.Penwith: 1 - Strange Trevear: This article, the first in a series by Raymond Cox, explores the unique and atmospheric valley of Trevear in West Penwith. It describes the landscape, the former locations of a standing stone and a wayside cross, and discusses alignments with other ancient sites in the region, referencing research by John Michell.

Dowsing and Earth Energies

Dowsing News: This section details recent talks and site visits by various dowsing groups. Tamar Dowsers hosted talks on earth mysteries and visited an archaeological dig. Celtic Dowsers are planning events, and West Cornwall Dowsers reported on visits to sites like the Nine Maidens Stone Row, St Dennis Church, Carn Brea, Piskey Hall Fogou, Merthen Enclosures, and Godolphin Hill, noting findings related to energy lines and ancient structures.

Paganism and Rituals

Penwith Pagan Moot: Gemma Gary reports on the recent Yule, Imbolc, and Spring Equinox celebrations held by the Penwith Pagan Moot. These events involved rituals, storytelling, and community gatherings, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the year and connection to the land.

CASPN Activities

C.A.S.P.N NEWS ROUND-UP: CASPN has launched an improved website featuring a comprehensive guide to ancient sites in West Penwith, including maps and downloadable leaflets. The Adopt-a-Site archaeological monitoring scheme continues to grow, with volunteers assessing sites for disturbances. A 'Pathways to the Past' weekend event for FOCAS members is also announced.

Other Features

Songlines - Legends in the Landscape: This article, part two of a series, explores legends connected to the landscape. Pathways to the Past: The Saints' Way: 2 continues the exploration of ancient routes. Full Moon Standstill at Balowall Barrow and The Goddess in Cornwall Event are also mentioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes an interest in Cornwall's ancient heritage, focusing on megalithic sites, folklore, pagan traditions, and earth energies. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of preserving these sites, as evidenced by the CASPN and FOCAS initiatives. The editorial stance appears to be one of appreciation for the mystical and historical layers of Cornwall, encouraging exploration and understanding of its unique landscape and cultural past. The magazine also highlights the intersection of archaeology, folklore, and contemporary spiritual practices.

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, number 63, published in Summer 2007, features articles exploring Cornish folklore, ancient sites, and mythic journeys. The magazine's website is meynmamvro.co.uk/archive.

Penrose Manor and Local Legends

The first section discusses the area around Penrose Manor, which is thought to have been the site of a Sennen priory or monastery in Saxon times. The location is described as holding mysterious tales of ghostly experiences, smugglers, pirates, strange lights, unquiet spirits, spell-casting, divination, ghost ships, apparitions, prophetic dreams, and corpse-lights, as documented by William Bottrell in "Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall Vol 2, 1873". Bottrell describes the old mansion of Penrose as an antique, mysterious building with a gloomy air, conducive to supernatural stories. The farmhouse itself is noted to lie on an alignment with other ancient sites, including King Arthur's Table, the Gûn Rith menhir, and the circle at Boleigh.

Sightlines to the Tors and Stars: Stone Circles and the Pole Star

Part 1 of an article by Roger Farnworth examines the mystery of stone circles, focusing on the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor. The author recounts observing the pole star from a circle and realizing that stars appear to revolve around it. This experience led to the theory that ancient people used stone circles to observe the Pole Star phenomenon. The article explains the presence of three stone circles at the Hurlers, suggesting they were built sequentially to maintain accurate alignment with the Pole Star as the Earth's axis shifted over millennia. The first circle was built around 2780 BCE, pointing towards Thubon. Subsequent circles were advanced northward to avoid overlap and maintain accuracy. The author proposes that facing north from these sites, especially with a northern tor, allowed ancient cultures to observe stars emerging from the tor's side, possibly linking to beliefs about the spirit of the dead becoming a star and circling around a progenitor star, with stone circles serving as megalithic metaphors for this cosmic cycle.

Several other stone circles on Bodmin Moor are mentioned, including Craddock Moor circle, Leskernick Circles, Fernacre Circle, Stripple Stones Henge Circle, Louden Tor circles, and Stannon Circle, many of which are aligned with northern tors. The article suggests that these 'viewframes' on the sacred might have been used to honour or respect these tors.

Cornwall's Colourful Sites: Bodmin Moor Stone Circles

This section features colour photographs of various stone circles on Bodmin Moor, including Trippet Stones, Stripple Stones, Stannon Stone Circle, Fernacre Circle, Leaze Circle, King Arthur's Downs circles, Nine Stones circle, and Goodaver circle. The Hurlers stone circles are shown looking towards Stowe's Pound and the Cheesewring.

Songlines - Legends in the Landscape

Part 2, by Andy Norfolk, explores the connection between aboriginal songlines and Cornish legends. The author draws parallels between Australian aboriginal beliefs about ancestors shaping the land and Cornish folklore. The concept of songlines, described as mythological routes sung into existence by ancestors, is introduced, with reference to John Michell's "The View over Atlantis". The article examines Cornish legends that involve journeys with a magical or otherworldly character, suggesting they may be analogous to songlines or 'churchway routes' and 'corpse paths'.

Several specific legends are retold:

• An' Pee Tregear's Trip to Market on Hallan Eve: This story involves a journey home from Penzance after an encounter with a faery, potentially following a churchway route and alignments of sacred sites.
• The Fairy Master: Grace, a young girl, meets a fairy named Bob O' the Carn near Carn Kenidjack and goes to look after his son at Chypons. The story highlights an alignment connecting Tregeseal Circle, Boswens Common Menhir, West Lanyon Quoit, and Chypons.
• A Queen's visit to Baranhuel: This legend describes a mythic journey from Mousehole through Castallack Carn stone and the northeast Piper, aligning with sacred sites.
• One-eyed Joan's Tale: This story recounts a journey home from market where a horse bolts, leading to a shamanic flight that matches a known alignment from Mousehole, involving sites like St Clement's Isle and Boscawen-ûn circle.
• Tom Trenoweth's Sow in the story of the Witch of Buryan Church-town: A witch curses a sow, whose journey between Bojew Bottom and Leah aligns with a shamanic route passing through Boscawen-ûn circle.
• The Squire and Hare in Duffy and the Devil: A squire chases a hare from Lamorna Valley to Boleigh Fogou, described as a mythic journey to an ancient site.
• Nancy Trenoweth and Frank Lanyon in the Miller's Daughter of Alsia: Nancy's ghost lover carries her from Kimyel, past Boleigh Fogou, to St. Buryan Churchtown, following a route similar to the Squire and Hare story.
• The Changeling of Brea Vean: Janey Tregear's baby is revealed as a changeling during a journey over Chapel Carn Brea to St. Uny's well, following a straight alignment.

The article suggests that these stories, some of which may be Iron Age in origin, link ancient sites of Bronze Age date, possibly due to a taboo against naming them directly. The stories might have served as mnemonics for remembering these sites. The concept of 'ley-lines' or 'dragon paths', such as the Michael Line, is also discussed, linking high sites with dragon-killing saints and potentially extending to Australia as the Rainbow Serpent.

The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of celebrating Cornwall's cultural landscape and its connection to ancient legends.

An announcement is made for a "Songlines walk" led by Andy for CEMG on Sunday, August 12th, covering the route Janey Tregear took with her changeling baby, starting at Chapel Carn Brea carpark.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the deep connection between landscape and myth in Cornwall, the astronomical and spiritual significance of ancient sites (particularly stone circles), and the enduring power of folklore and legend. The editorial stance appears to be one of appreciation for these ancient mysteries and a desire to preserve and celebrate Cornwall's unique cultural heritage. The magazine encourages readers to explore these connections and understand how ancient beliefs and practices are reflected in the landscape and its stories.

This issue of MEYN MAMVRO, number 63, published in Summer 2007, focuses on "Pathways to the Past," specifically detailing the second part of the Saints' Way pilgrimage route from Lanivet to Fowey, a journey of 13.5 miles.

The Saints' Way: Lanivet to Fowey

The article begins by recounting the continuation of the Saints' Way from Lanivet. The path leads out of the village, under the A30, to Reperry Cross, where a restored Celtic wheel-headed wayside cross stands. This cross was the subject of an attempted theft in 1993. Further along, another wayside cross marks the route to St. Ingunger, noted for its ancient chapel and holy well, though little masonry remains due to the A30 construction. St. Ingunger, also known as St. Congar in Wales and Brittany, was a figure with healing powers and a strong following.

The route then passes through Fenton Pits, featuring another restored wayside cross. The path splits, with one fork leading to the Lesquite cross, described as a tall, well-preserved example, and nearby remains of Lesquite Quoit, a Neolithic chamber monument. Returning to the fork, the Way proceeds towards Trebell Green and Helman Tor Gate, where the route again divides, offering two options to reach Fowey: one via Lanlivery and Golant, the other via Luxulyan and Tywardreath.

The SE Branch: Lanlivery-Fowey

From Helman Tor Gate, the route skirts Helman Tor, which at 680ft is the second highest point of the journey. The summit offers views of the Atlantic coast and the English Channel. The Tor itself contains remains of a 6000-year-old Neolithic enclosure, hut circles, and a logan stone. The article suggests the granite-hedged ridgeway below may have been an ancient trade route. The path then leads into Lanlivery village, passing its church and Crown Inn, and continues through a wooded area to St. Bryvyth's Well, described as a holy well of peace and tranquility.

The SW Branch: Luxulyan-Fowey

This alternative route passes through Breney Common Nature Reserve, a stream, and a copse. It skirts a quarry and reaches Luxulyan, which has a holy well dedicated to St. Cyor, housed in a 15thC stone building. The Saints' Way then heads east towards Lostwithiel, passing No Man's Land with its Celtic cross. After a stretch on the A390, the route turns south down a bridleway to Castle and then a minor road to Milltown and Lantyn farmhouse, reputedly once the palace of King Mark of Cornwall. Castle Dor, an Iron Age circular enclosure associated with King Mark, lies to the west.

The Way then crosses fields to the church at Golant, overlooking the Fowey estuary. Behind the church is a holy well dedicated to St. Samson, who is said to have had a hermitage there in the 6th century. The route continues alongside the Fowey estuary, crosses stepping stones, and heads uphill to Penventinue Farm, eventually reaching Fowey via Bodinnick Ferry.

Further along the SW Branch

The route continues south, crossing a railway line and heading into a valley. It passes through Trevanney Wood to Great Prideaux Farm, near the Prideaux Iron Age Hillfort. The route then joins the A390 towards St. Blazey, before turning south again towards Tywardreath. It goes over a hill to Polmear, crosses a main road, and passes under a bridge. The path then turns east to Tregaminion Church, which has two Celtic crosses, before crossing fields into Menabilly Woods. It climbs to Lankelly Farm, meaning 'sacred enclosure in a grove'.

At Lankelly Farm, a diversion northwards leads to the Tristan Stone. This 9ft stone, moved from Castle Dor, is inscribed in Latinised Cornish and translates as 'Tristan, son of Cunomorus (King Mark), lies here'. It is considered a commemoration of Tristan and Iseult from the 6th century.

Returning to Lankelly Farm, the Way follows Love Lane, a pack-horse route to Readymoney Cove. On the nearby headland are the remains of the Chapel of St. Catherine, possibly replacing an earlier sun-Goddess site. From Readymoney Cove, a short walk along the Esplanade leads to Fowey, the end of the journey.

Full Moon Standstill Report

MM reader P.M. reports a sighting of the full moon standstill in September 2006 from Ballowall Barrow near St.Just. She observed the full moon rise over Chapel Carn Brea, a rare event occurring every 18.6 years. This southerly rising is seen as a linking of the dead and ancestors with the Moon Goddess, a powerful and magical sight. The report notes that Ballowall Barrow's position may have been chosen for this observation, as Chapel Carn Brea was a sacred hill. The maximum southerly moonrise at Ballowall Barrow is the mirror image of the maximum northerly moonrise seen from Mayon Cliff at Sennen.

Goddess in Cornwall Event

The issue also covers a successful three-day "Goddess in Cornwall" event held in September 2006 at Boswedden House near St.Just. The event included workshops on the Bee Goddess, making clay Goddesses, free therapies, rituals, ceremonies, and evening gatherings. Activities included a sweat lodge, a seashore ceremony, and the creation of a wicker Goddess. The event is organized by the Goddess in Cornwall team, including Cheryl Straffon, Heather Campbell, and Geraldine McCarthy. The next event is scheduled for September 5th-9th, featuring a range of workshops, therapies, and site visits.

Exchange Magazines and Other Listings

The magazine includes a section listing various "Exchange Magazines" related to Earth Mysteries, Paganism, and other esoteric interests, providing subscription prices and contact details. Organizations like the Society of Ley Hunters, FOGS, Caerdroia, RILKO, and Pristesses of Kernow are also mentioned, along with their activities and contact information. A "Noticeboard" section lists upcoming events such as Beltane Celebrations, Cornish Earth Mysteries events, West Cornwall Dowsers meetings, FOCAS (Friends of Cornwall's Ancient Sites) walks and talks, Ancient Sites Clear-Ups, Pagan Moots, and Summer Celebrations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are pilgrimage routes, ancient sites, folklore, paganism, and Goddess spirituality, particularly within the context of Cornwall. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting and documenting these aspects of local history, spirituality, and cultural heritage, encouraging readers to explore these pathways and participate in related events. The magazine serves as a platform for sharing information on these subjects and connecting like-minded individuals and groups.