Meyn Mamvro - No 095 - SpringSummer 2018

Magazine Overview

Meyn Mamvro, Issue 95, Spring-Summer 2018, is a magazine focused on ancient stones, sacred sites, and folklore in Cornwall. The cover features a striking image of a skull-like stone carving with three fish, and the main headline highlights 'A Fishy Tale of Bucca' by Andy Norfolk, alongside other articles on sun and moon at Boscawen-ûn, dowsing, folklore, and ancient tracks.

Editorial

The editorial announces a major development in late 2017: the Penwith Landscape Partnership (PLP) successfully secured a Heritage Lottery grant of over £2.5 million for the ancient Penwith landscape. The Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network (CASPN) is a key partner in the PLP and led the Ancient Penwith working party. This grant will fund a five-year programme to appoint an Ancient Penwith Project Officer (APPO) to oversee the restoration and better management of targeted ancient sites. The editorial expresses great satisfaction with this news, contrasting it with the usual reports of threats and destruction to ancient sites. It highlights CASPN's long-standing support for these aims and the opportunity to reclaim and restore Cornwall's heritage. The APPO will work with landowners and volunteers to implement conservation programmes, aiming to restore sites, monitor their condition, and create volunteering and training opportunities. The editor expresses hope for a bright future for Penwith's heritage and hints at retirement if plans succeed.

Dowsing News

The 'Dowsing News' section details several field trips and talks from Summer and Autumn 2017. Trencrom Dowsers visited Bartinney Hill, identifying circular features, a large enclosure, a blind spring, and underground water streams, concluding it was a major meeting place. A trip to Godolphin Hill revealed nine 16thC pillow mounds and a concentration of energies, suggesting a ceremonial centre. At Bosigran cliff castle, they found energy leys and a power centre, noting ritual use of a logan rock. A visit to Maen cliff castle, the oldest cliff castle, identified an energy line and a boulder feature, suggesting a ritual or meeting place. Indoor talks featured Cheryl Straffon on 'Encountering the Otherworld', Peter Knight on 'Dartmoor Mindscapes', and archaeologist Paul Bonnington on 'The Power of Place'. A talk by Jo May-Prussak on 'Fogou' recounted psychic events at Boleigh fogou. The section also notes the sad death of Danu Fox, a prominent figure in earth mysteries work.

Bart O'Farrell - Obituary

This section is an obituary for Bart O'Farrell (Aug 11th 1941 - Dec 24th 2017), a distinguished painter, teacher, and accomplished dowser. Born in Wales, he moved to Cornwall in 1986. He founded the West Cornwall Dowsers (WCD) in 2006, which was active for ten years. O'Farrell specialised in cleansing homes of geopathic stress and never charged for WCD membership or his services. He was known locally as 'The Wizard of the Lizard' and died in Truro. Cheryl Straffon writes a tribute, remembering him as a great character and friend, highlighting his deep understanding of ancient sites and his informed, reliable dowsing abilities.

Hendraburnick Stone Reveals Its Secrets

A photogrammetry survey by Tom Goskar on the Hendraburnick cupmarked stone in North Cornwall has revealed it to be even more heavily decorated than previously thought, with 47 grooved lines and 105 cupmarks. It is now described as 'the most decorated stone in southern Britain'. Dr. Andy Jones suggests the stone was moved onto a platform during the late Neolithic period, possibly carved before moving. Tom Goskar added that the site was likely important, with the 16-tonne stone dragged from the valley. The stone was used for grinding cup marks and grooves with quartz and appears to stand out under moonlight or low sunlight, suggesting ritual use during prehistoric ceremonies. Andy Jones was scheduled to give a talk on this and other rock art.

Wells Corner

This regular feature focuses on Cornwall's holy wells. The Trewoofe well, near Lamorna, is described as a healing well mentioned in 1667 for its metallic taste and efficacy against skin growths, kennels, gout, stone, and as a purgative. William Bottrell mentioned it as St Ann's Well. James Kitto, with the help of another resident, rediscovered the well, which is a stone-lined well at the base of a tree. Links to a Facebook page and an online map of Cornish holy wells are provided.

Ancient Tracks: 15 - Penzance - Lanyon spirit path

This article explores pathways to ancient sites in West Penwith. It discusses a churchpath line suggested by researcher Paul Devereux in 1994, running 3.5 miles northwest from Penzance's St.Mary's church. The path goes via Chapel Street towards Madron Church, then Madron well, and continues past a wayside cross at Boswarthen. An old legend states that walking three times around the cross and spitting prevents the devil from getting you. The track becomes a sunken lane and crosses fields to Lanyon Quoit. The article posits that this line, a vestige of churchways or coffin paths, may have originally been a spirit path across the land, dating back to the Neolithic period, long before churches were built.

C.A.S.P.N & LAN News Round-Up

This section provides an update on the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network (CASPN), founded in October 1997 by Andy Norfolk. It celebrates CASPN's 20th anniversary and the £2.5 million grant awarded to the PLP. The news also notes the death of Bart O'Farrell, a founder of LAN. John Moss is introduced as the new Director of CASPN, with Cheryl Straffon as Deputy. The annual 'Pathways to the Past' weekend of walks and talks is announced for the end of May, featuring various speakers and locations, including Trencrom Hill, Chapel Carn Brea, Hendraburnick Quoit, and St.Levan. Contact details for CASPN and LAN, including addresses, websites, and email contacts for membership, Adopt-a-Site, and Clear-Ups, are provided.

Meyn Mamvro Publications

This section advertises several publications by Meyn Mamvro, including 'Pagan Cornwall: land of the Goddess' (revised 2012, 120pp, £11.95), 'Megalithic Mysteries of Cornwall' (published 2004, 88pp, £9.95), and 'Fentynow Kernow: In Search of Cornwall's Holy Wells' (revised 2005, 76pp, £7.50). It also lists the 'Earth Mysteries Guides to Ancient Sites' series: Vol 1: West Penwith (£5.95), Vol 2: Bodmin Moor & North Cornwall (£4.00, photocopy available), Vol 3: Mid-Cornwall & the Lizard (£4.00, photocopy available), and Vol 4: Isles of Scilly (£2.95). Prices include postage and packing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Meyn Mamvro are the preservation and celebration of Cornwall's ancient heritage, particularly the prehistoric and sacred sites of West Penwith. Dowsing and earth mysteries are prominent, with detailed accounts of field trips and talks exploring the energetic and spiritual significance of landscapes. Folklore, mythology, and local traditions are woven throughout the articles, connecting the past with the present. The editorial stance is strongly in favour of protecting these sites from development and misuse, advocating for their restoration and appreciation. The magazine serves as a platform for researchers, dowsers, and enthusiasts to share their findings and promote awareness of Cornwall's unique historical and cultural landscape.

This issue of MEYN MAMVRO, number 95, published in Spring-Summer 2018, features articles on archaeoastronomy and Cornish folklore. The cover story, 'SUN AND MOON AT BOSCAWEN-ÛN' by Carolyn Kennett, explores the astronomical significance of the Boscawen-ûn stone circle. The magazine also includes a regular column on Cornish Folklore by Alex Langstone, focusing on East Cornwall May-day traditions, and an article discussing the folklore of the sea god 'Bucca'.

Sun and Moon at Boscawen-ûn by Carolyn Kennett

Carolyn Kennett, an astronomer and researcher based in Cornwall, shares her extensive research and personal experiences at the Boscawen-ûn stone circle. She describes the site as a 'second home' and highlights its enduring tranquillity, noting that she often spent time there alone, sometimes for hours on end, particularly during sunrises, sunsets, and at night.

Kennett recounts a specific visit on June 25th, 2016, where she observed a 'double sunrise'. She first viewed the sunrise from the vantage point of Creeg Tol, then descended to the circle itself, only to see the sun appear to rise again from behind the hill it had just cleared. She hypothesizes that this 'double sunrise' phenomenon, and its reverse 'double sunset', is one of the most visually beautiful aspects of the circle. She notes that the local settlement of Goldherring is to the north, with access to the circle from Creeg Tol.

The article delves into the archaeoastronomical significance of Boscawen-ûn, considering the circle's placement within the landscape, its potential visibility of celestial events, and how humans have shaped the site over time. Kennett sought to answer questions about potential lunar links and whether carvings on the central stone might align with the summer solstice.

Her research involved mapping natural and man-made features around the circle, identifying 48 'targets'. To make the analysis more robust, she reduced this to 7 key targets visible from the site and proud against the horizon: The Lamorna Gap, a smaller sea gap, Creeg Tol rocky outcrop, a destroyed barrow west of Creeg Tol, Chapel Carn Brea, the Boscawen-ûn field menhir, and Bunkers Hill menhir (east, also destroyed).

Kennett then examined five astronomical events, resulting in 14 positions (7 rising, 7 setting), focusing on solar calendar extremes (solstices and equinoxes) and lunar standstill positions for a date of 2500BCE. She calculated the declinations for these events and compared them to her identified targets. She found that four of her seven targets matched with one of the fourteen identified events within an error margin of 1.04 degrees.

• Key alignments identified include:
• Winter Solstice Sunrise: An observer in the circle at 2500BCE would have seen the winter solstice sunrise rising from the Lamorna Gap. This gap, though now obscured by hedgerows, would have offered a sea view.
• Summer Solstice Sunset: A now-destroyed barrow west of Creeg Tol would have been the position for the summer solstice sunset as observed from the circle. This barrow would also have offered a good vantage point for the winter solstice sunrise from the Lamorna Gap.
• Lunar Major Standstill: The position of Creeg Tol matched the lunar major sunset northernmost position. The Boscawen-ûn field menhir aligned with the lunar major sunrise position. Kennett suggests that another stone, now recumbent in the hedge, might have formed a pair with the field menhir to frame the rising moon at its extreme lunar major cycle.

Kennett also discusses the positioning of a quartz stone to the SW of the circle, which might signify the start or end of winter, and its alignment with a cist in the NE. This alignment, suggested by Norman Lockyer, could correspond to the summer solstice sunrise around 2500BCE.

She notes that lunar standstill links are not well documented in Cornwall but are found in East Scotland and Western Ireland. The discovery of two such points at Boscawen-ûn is intriguing. She also mentions the Merry Maidens as potentially having a Lunar Major Standstill Southern rising position.

Regarding 'rock art' carvings on the central stone, Kennett calculated that they would be illuminated in and around the summer solstice sunrise, with full illumination occurring for about 30 days either side of the solstice. Partial illumination occurs for a longer period, both morning and evening.

Kennett concludes that astronomical features were considered by the builders of Boscawen-ûn, with a strong eye for the solar calendar and an unusual knowledge of lunar cycles. Her project raised more questions than it answered, and she plans to continue investigating lunar alignments in Cornwall.

Carolyn Kennett is available for questions and will give an illustrated talk on "Cornwall's celestial stones: reflections of the sky in an ancient landscape". Her new book on the subject is reviewed on page 21.

A Fishy Tale of a Lost God by Andy Norfolk

This article explores the folklore surrounding a Cornish entity known as 'Bucca'. The name is linked to a "curious Cornish legend" mentioned by WS Lach-Szyrma in 1884, possibly representing a storm-spirit or the Cornish Neptune, and in the Middle Ages, the Devil.

The term 'bucca' first appears in Cornish literature in 'Gwreans an Bys' (The Creation of the World), written in 1611, where it is described as a hairy, quaint, and ugly night goblin. However, the article distinguishes this 'goblin tribe' from 'The Bucca', a more distinct entity. It is noted that there is no suggestion in old Cornish stories that the Bucca is goat-headed, a notion that may stem from Christianised versions conflating it with the devil.

Lach-Szyrma elaborated on Bottrell's 1873 comment that fishermen in Newlyn and Mousehal used to leave a portion of their catch on the sand at night for Bucka. Those who continued this practice were derided by their 'enlightened neighbours'.

Margaret Courtney wrote that 'Bucca' was a spirit that Cornish people once thought necessary to propitiate. Fishermen would leave a fish on the sands, and during harvest, a piece of bread was thrown over the left shoulder, with drops of beer spilled on the ground, to ensure good luck. This suggests Bucca was a god who looked after harvests on land as well as from the sea.

An area called No Man's Land near Bolenowe was considered land left unused as an act of sacrifice to the Bucca. There was a belief that the Bucca haunted the moors into the 19th century. John Harris, lost in 1825, reported "There is nobody here but I and the buckaw."

Henry Maddern, an architect, recounted a prevalent belief that this 'sea-strand pixy', called Bucca, had to be propitiated with a cast of three fish to ensure a good catch. This practice was still remembered in Newlyn in 1935, where fishermen placed fish at the foot of rocks near 'The Cross' to propitiate the Bucca, the sea-god.

The article mentions Tom Bawcock's Eve, celebrated on December 23rd, which commemorates a fisherman who caught enough fish to feed the starving village of Mousehole. This event is linked to the Bucca, suggesting he is a benevolent sea god and possibly a solar god due to the date's proximity to the solstice.

Bottrell's 'Legend of Tolcarn' tells of the devil stealing nets, but the article argues this is actually the Bucca, associated with 'Bucca's Rock'. Henry Maddern also spoke of the 'Tolcarne Troll', likely the Bucca, and an incantation to call it up. Tolcarn is described as a greenstone outcropping, a likely pre-Christian sacred spot for celebrating ancient rites, possibly honouring the Sun and for divination, further supporting a solar link.

Other examples of sea spirits include the custom of sacrificing ale to a sea-god called Shony on the island of Lewis in the Hebrides.

In Somerset, fishermen at Worle would place a white stone on a 'fairy mound' and say "Ina pic winna / Send me a good dinner." The mound is called Peak Winnard.

In Penzance, a hollow booming noise during storms was attributed to Bucca calling, and fishermen believed they could hear his voice on the wind. Sir Humphry Davy investigated this. The Hooper at Sennen Cove was also linked to Bucca, with fishermen considering it good luck to see him working amongst crabs and lobsters, as it promised a fine catch. When mists rolled up, the noise of birds was interpreted as song, and the mist was called 'music', believed to be coming off the land.

Craig Weatherhill suggests Bucca was a sea spirit or the folk memory of an ancient sea-god. The place-name Izzacumpucca on St Mary's means 'the Bucca's chasm', and he was venerated as the traditional Cornish sea god. Weatherhill argues Bucca is not a hobgoblin and has no similarity to Welsh Pwca or English Puck. He is considered a lost sea god, possibly related to Barinthus, who in Arthurian tales took the wounded king to Avalon, a journey possibly to the Scillies/Lyonesse, the land of the dead. Barinthus is also suggested to be a god of the sea and sun.

The article concludes that Bucca was likely a local, benevolent sea god who provided good catches and warnings of storms, deserving respect as a god.

East Cornwall May-day Traditions by Alex Langstone

This article details the traditional May Day celebrations in East Cornwall, particularly focusing on the 'Maypole Battles'. These traditions involved villages choosing a stripped fir tree, typically 30-50 feet high, and fastening it to the highest chimney stack or tree in their parish at midnight on May Eve.

In the early hours of May Day, the pole was trimmed with streamers, flowers, and vegetables from neighbours' gardens. Once erected, each village became a fortress, with rival villages attempting to steal the Maypole. Some villages, like Merrymeet, cemented their poles, while others, like St Cleer, sawed them at the base to carry them away. At Trekernal, a man from North Hill climbed a tree, lowered a pole, and took it.

Maypoles were generally left in position and guarded throughout May. At the month's end, they were taken down and stored for the following year.

The most significant recorded Maypole battle occurred about 150 years ago between Altarnun and Trewen, where Altarnun stole Trewen's pole, leading to a fight described as villagers fighting "like Dragons". These East Cornwall maypoles differed from English ones, being bedecked with garlands and hoops of flowers rather than ribbons for dancing.

Other villages with similar traditions included Berriow, Middlewood, Menheniot, and North Hill. St Neot had a notable Maypole tradition, considered the most favoured festival. In one of the last observances, a large farm cut a pole and raised it in the village. Despite efforts to defend it, a large attack resulted in the pole being lost, with victors singing a song of victory. This custom died out around 1890.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of ancient sites, folklore, and natural phenomena in Cornwall. The articles highlight a deep respect for local history and mythology, presenting research and anecdotal evidence to support the enduring significance of these traditions and sites. The editorial stance appears to be one of scholarly curiosity and appreciation for the cultural heritage of Cornwall, encouraging further investigation and discussion, as evidenced by Carolyn Kennett's invitation for readers to contact her with questions.

Title: MEYN MAMVRO
Issue: 95
Date: Spring-Summer 2018
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 0966-5897

This issue of Meyn Mamvro delves into various aspects of Cornish culture, history, and esoteric interests, with a strong focus on local traditions, archaeology, and earth mysteries.

Maypole Traditions and Festivities

The issue begins with an exploration of the "greatest maypole battle celebration" centered on the village of Lanreath, a tradition stretching back at least six hundred years. This virility-focused event involved young men stealing large trees from local woods, with the poles reaching immense sizes, such as one recorded at 105 feet in 1973. The battles often occurred between Lanreath, Pelynt, and Lerryn, with other villages like Doublebois and Duloe also participating in raids. The maypole guard would defend the pole, and even the army from Bodmin's barracks was unsuccessful in taking it.

In contrast to the battles, more sedate forms of observance are also described, such as a may-pole erected on West Looe Quay on May 1st, featuring dancing and street processions with flower garlands. The 'May Frolics' followed in the evening, where young people would gather and dance until midnight, often in barns if the weather was poor. These festivities included various dances and were accompanied by music and traditional refreshments like Metheglin, Sloe and Elderberry wine, and junkets of cream. Similar events were common in Fowey and Polperro.

A poetic description from the 'Old Cornwall Journal' (Summer 1930) recounts the late-night return home from the 'May frolicks' at Looe, painting a picture of happy parties keeping close together, with lanterns and apprehensive glances towards potential 'Phantom Horsemen'.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed, offering insights into Cornish history and esoteric subjects:

The Re-enchanted Landscape: Earth Mysteries, Paganism & Art in Cornwall 1950-2000

Reviewed by CS, this book by Rupert White is described as a comprehensive history of overlapping elements of social anthropology, cultural history, archaeology, mysticism, and earth mysteries in Cornwall. It covers figures like Ithell Colquhoun, Cecil Williamson, John Michell, Colin Wilson, Tony 'Doc' Shiels, Jill Bruce, Monica Sjöö, Sue & Alan Bleakley, Jo O'Cleirigh, Paul Devereux, Craig Weatherhill, Ian Cooke, Paul Broadhurst, Hamish Miller, and Andy Norfolk. The book details the rise of mysticism, feminism, Goddess studies, and the formation of the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group (CEMG). It concludes with the founding of the Penwith Pagan Moot and the symbolic end of an era with the Solar Eclipse.

Celestial Stone Circles of West Cornwall

Authored by Carolyn Kennett, this book is noted as a long-overdue work on astronomical alignments from West Penwith's stone circles. It examines the mathematics of solar, lunar, and stellar alignments and presents four case studies: Boscawen-ûn, Merry Maidens, Boskednan, and Tregeseal. The book offers original research and intriguing theories, such as the possibility of processing from the Lamorna gap to Boscawen-ûn for the winter solstice sunrise and then to Tregeseal for the sunset.

Cornish Saints and Holy Wells Vols 1 & 2

Helen Fox's two-volume guide to Cornish holy wells is reviewed. Each volume details 63 wells with photographs and directions. While acknowledging some minor inaccuracies in naming and location, the reviewer praises the books for their value and for introducing many previously unknown wells, encouraging readers to visit these places.

Looking Back: 20 and 30 Years Ago

20 Years Ago (Winter/Spring 1998)

This section revisits an article from MM 35 about the "Hummadruz," a strange humming sound heard in still summer weather. The phenomenon, described as being like a contented hive of bees, was reported by a CEMG visit to Zennor Quoit. The article notes historical mentions by Gilbert White and in 'The Ley Hunter' and John Michell's 'City of Revelation'. It discusses the sound's frequency (15-20 Hz, with higher harmonics) and its potential to induce altered states of consciousness by resonating with brainwaves. The area is noted as being on a 'ley' line.

30 Years Ago (February 1988)

This section looks back at MM issue 5, which featured an article by Hamish Miller on 'Dowsing the Earth Energies'. Miller describes his dowsing experiences, including a "violent electric type shock" from a stone, attributed to a piezo-electric effect from quartz. The issue also explored prehistoric menhirs, the 'Brittany-Penwith's French connection', cupmarked stones, stone rows, and solar alignments. A curious phenomenon at Boswens menhir, where snow melted in a circle around the base after a heavy snowfall, is discussed, with no definitive explanation provided. An article on mazes by Jeff & Deb Saward, referencing Rocky Valley and Troy Town labyrinths, is also mentioned.

Archaeology and Sites

The Piper's Tune: Cornwall's Newest Stone Circle

A new stone circle has appeared on the Pentillie Estate, near Saltash. The circle is the work of Pentillie's owner, Ted Coryton, who has a fascination with ancient monuments. He believes these sites held great spiritual or religious significance. The circle is situated within the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers commanding views. An outlying stone is aligned to the winter solstice.

Chysauster Archaeological Site

English Heritage has been reassessing Chysauster, a Romano-British village site. A new guidebook and interpretation panels have been produced. The reassessment suggests the core group of houses was influenced by an earlier agricultural landscape. The fogou's structure was examined using ground-penetrating radar, though unsuccessfully. Finds from previous excavations suggest occupation from the end of the 1st century to the end of the 3rd century CE.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Meyn Mamvro continues its focus on Cornish folklore, traditions, and esoteric interests, particularly within the realm of Earth Mysteries and archaeology. The magazine acts as a platform for historical accounts, contemporary research, and personal experiences related to these subjects. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploration and documentation of the unique cultural and spiritual landscape of Cornwall, encouraging engagement with its past and present mysteries. The inclusion of book reviews, retrospective articles, and event listings reinforces its role as a resource for enthusiasts in these fields.