Meyn Mamvro - No 097 - Winter 2019

Magazine Overview

Meyn Mamvro, issue 97, Winter 2018-19, is a magazine dedicated to exploring ancient stones, sacred sites, and earth mysteries in Cornwall. The cover features a stylized illustration of a stone circle and dolmen, with a subtitle highlighting 'ancient stones and sacred sites in cornwall'. Prominent articles on the cover include 'Mythic Pathways', 'Propped Stones', 'Re-visiting the Land of the Goddess', 'Dowsing', 'Folklore', and 'Wells Corner'. The magazine is published by Meyn Mamvro and costs £3.00.

Editorial: Heritage Champion Award and Penwith Landscape Partnership

The editor expresses honour at receiving the Sir Richard Trant Memorial Award for Heritage Champion 2018 from the Cornwall Heritage Trust (CHT). This award recognizes the editor's work with CASPN (Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network) over the past 15 years, with Meyn Mamvro also being cited. The CHT owns several ancient sites in Cornwall and works to protect heritage. The award, which includes a glass bowl and £500, has been given since 2009. The editor thanks those who nominated them and colleagues at CASPN, emphasizing that the award reflects the group's collective efforts.

The editorial also highlights CASPN's significant role in protecting ancient sites in West Penwith, in partnership with the Penwith Landscape Partnership (PLP). An Ancient Penwith Project Officer (APPO) was appointed, along with other staff, including an Access Officer and a Practical Tasks Officer. These individuals are working to establish trails to ancient sites and oversee clearance work at locations like Mulfra Vean, Chûn Downs, and Bosullow Trehyllys. This collaborative effort aims to make the Penwith landscape more accessible and preserve its ancient sites. The magazine, which has been campaigning for site protection and access for over 30 years, applauds this work.

Contents and Articles

The magazine features a diverse range of articles, including:

• Editorial: Discusses the Sir Richard Trant Award and the PLP project.
• Dowsing News: Reports on a talk by Carolyn Kennett and Brian Sheen about archaeo-astronomical research at prehistoric sites, and dowsing trips by Trencrom Dowsers to Zennor and Towednack.
• Dowsing News Extra: Investigates a mysterious stone structure dowsed at Carn Lês Boel in West Penwith, identified as a possible Bronze Age feature with Iron Age input.
• News from the Lizard: Details the ongoing excavation at the Boden Fogou site, revealing its complex history from the Bronze Age to the 6th century CE, and discusses the orientation of the Drytree menhir, noting its four faces align with solstice sunrises and sunsets.
• CASPN & LAN News Round-Up: Reports on CASPN receiving the Sir Richard Trant Heritage Champion award and their work with the PLP on clearing paths to ancient sites. It also announces the annual 'Pathways to the Past' weekend of walks and talks in May 2019.
• News from Tintagel: Describes the discovery of another inscribed slate at the Tintagel Castle site, similar to one found 20 years prior. The slate features a mix of Latin, Greek, and Christian symbols, suggesting a high level of literacy and international connections.
• Curious and Enigmatic Monuments: Features an article on the Showery Tor Ring Cairn on Bodmin Moor, a rare type of monument dating to the Early and Middle Bronze Age.
• A View of Some Propped Stones: David Shepherd provides an outsider's perspective on Cornish propped stones, detailing observations at Carn Galva 1 and Carn Galva 2 in West Penwith, noting linear grooves and possible prehistoric extraction methods.
• Mythic Pathways: 1 - The Fairy Master: (Mentioned in contents, page number not visible in OCR)
• Re-visiting the Land of the Goddess - Rupert White: (Mentioned in contents, page number not visible in OCR)
• Cornish Folklore: Winter customs - Alex Langstone: (Mentioned in contents, page number not visible in OCR)
• 20 years ago: Artognou slate at Tintagel: (Mentioned in contents, page number not visible in OCR)
• 30 years ago: Aeolian Songspell: (Mentioned in contents, page number not visible in OCR)
• The Pipers Tune: (Mentioned in contents, page number not visible in OCR)

Publications and Events

The magazine includes information on Meyn Mamvro Publications, featuring books like 'Pagan Cornwall: Land of the Goddess', 'Megalithic Mysteries of Cornwall', and 'Fentynyow Kernow'. It also lists 'Earth Mysteries Guides to Ancient Sites' for various regions of Cornwall.

Details are provided for the 'Pathways to the Past' weekend organized by CASPN, including guided walks and illustrated talks on topics such as Cornish Crosses, folklore, and industrial heritage. Contact information for CASPN and the Lizard Ancient Sites Network (LAN) is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the preservation and accessibility of ancient sites in Cornwall, the study of megalithic monuments, dowsing, folklore, and the intersection of archaeology with earth energies and archaeo-astronomy. The editorial stance is clearly in favour of protecting Cornwall's rich heritage and promoting research and understanding of its prehistoric and historical sites. The magazine actively supports and promotes organizations like CASPN and PLP that are involved in this work.

MEYN MAMVRO | 97 | Winter 2018-19 is an issue of a publication focused on folklore, earth mysteries, and paganism, with a particular emphasis on Cornwall. The issue features articles on ancient propped stones, Cornish folklore traditions, and the development of Goddess spirituality.

Propped Stones of Cornwall

The issue details several examples of 'Propped Stones' found in Cornwall, including sites at Zennor, Bodmin Moor (Leskernick), Kilmar Tor (Tony's Stone and High Rock), Carburrow (Cannon Stone), Showery Tor, and Little Rough Tor. Each entry provides grid references, descriptions of the stones' features (props, points of contact, crack-seal veins), and observations on their potential natural or anthropogenic origins. The article on Leskernick Propped Stone highlights its significance as the site that initiated the identification of such stones in Cornwall and notes its midsummer solstice sunset alignment. The description of Carburrow (Cannon Stone) includes a contribution from Peter Herring, who notes its local name and its potential as an entered stone with a view framed by the propping stones.

Wells Corner: Maudlin Well

This section, a regular feature on Cornwall's holy wells, reports on the rediscovery of Maudlin Well in SE Cornwall. John Litton studied historical documents and found mention of the well and a Chapel of Mary Magdalene. The well, located near the A390, is described as a holy well dating from at least the 17th century, with an intact well-surround.

Mythic Pathways: 'The Fairy Master'

This article introduces a new series on ancient pathways in West Penwith that may be on 'ley' lines and associated with myths and legends. The 'Fairy Master' story, collected by William Bottrell, is used to trace a path from Tregeseal stone circle, through Boswens menhir, to West Lanyon Quoit, and potentially to Mulfra Courtyard House settlement. The article discusses the identification of these alignments by John Michell and Norman Lockyer, and suggests a connection to a place called Booby's Castle, possibly named after a character in the story. The importance of this 'mythic ley line' is reinforced by the potential existence of a former standing stone at Chylasson.

Re-visiting the Land of the Goddess

This extensive piece by Rupert White explores the role of 'Goddess women' in the neo-pagan and earth mysteries movements in West Penwith. It recounts the history of a 'Ley Hunter Moot' in 1990, co-organised by Paul Devereux and Cheryl Straffon, which included Monica Sjöö. The article details the friendships and overlaps in beliefs between Straffon and Sjöö, and Sjöö's critical stance on patriarchal elements within the New Age movement, as expressed in her book 'New Age and Armageddon: The Goddess or the gurus?'. It also touches upon the influence of magazines like 'Womanspirit' and 'From the Flames', and the work of figures like Maria Gimbutas and Miriam Dexter in reclaiming Goddess cultures.

The article highlights the 'Goddess Tours' of Britain, initiated by Jamie George and later led by Cheryl Straffon and Monica Sjöö, focusing on sites of women's energy in Cornwall, such as Sancreed Well, Carn Euny, Merry Maidens, Madron Well, and Mên-an-Tol.

Monica Sjöö's book 'Pagan Cornwall: Land of the Goddess' is mentioned, with her expressing reservations about the 'Ley Moot' due to her complex relationship with the male-dominated Earth Mysteries movement.

Cheryl Straffon's motivations for writing about the Goddess in Cornwall are explained, stemming from frustrations with historical narratives that denied the Goddess and women's wisdom. She also discusses her role as editress of 'Meyn Mamvro' and 'Goddess Alive!', and her discovery of Maria Gimbutas's work, which revealed the ancient history of Goddess worship.

Cornish Folklore: Mid-Winter Traditions of Eastern Cornwall

This column by Alex Langstone focuses on Cornish folk traditions during the mid-winter period, specifically Guizing and Wassailing. Guizing is described as a tradition where people dress in disguise to perform, with a modern revival seen in Penzance's Montol festival. Historical accounts from Bodmin, Launceston, and Calstock detail practices such as blackened faces, animal disguises, and general mayhem. The practice of 'darkeying' in Calstock is mentioned, as is the continuation of guizing in Padstow.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores themes of ancient history, landscape, spirituality, and folklore, with a strong focus on Cornwall. There is a clear interest in uncovering and preserving local traditions and beliefs, particularly those related to pre-Christian or earth-based spirituality. The articles on 'Propped Stones' and 'Mythic Pathways' highlight an archaeological and historical perspective, while the 'Re-visiting the Land of the Goddess' and 'Cornish Folklore' sections delve into spiritual movements and cultural practices. The editorial stance appears to be one of valuing and documenting these often-overlooked aspects of history and culture, with a particular emphasis on the feminine divine and indigenous traditions. The publication seems to advocate for a deeper understanding of the landscape through its historical, mythological, and spiritual connections.

MEYN MAMVRO | 97 | Winter 2018-19

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, a publication focused on folklore, earth mysteries, and Cornish culture, delves into various traditions and historical events. The magazine features articles on traditional customs, book reviews, and historical retrospectives.

Traditional Customs and Folklore

The issue begins by exploring traditional customs associated with the twelfth night, which in the early nineteenth century was still observed as Christmas day by some. These customs included beliefs about cattle and a special twelfth day cake. The article also touches upon the folk carol tradition in Cornwall, highlighting towns like Stratton, Bude, and Bodmin, and the practice of farmers singing carols and feasting between farms on Bodmin Moor.

A significant section is dedicated to 'Wassailing', describing the Bodmin Wassail as one of the oldest recorded wassails in Britain, dating back to a will from 1624. This custom was intended to foster love and charity. The article also mentions the apple wassail in East Cornwall and the 'Cornish Bunch' tradition, a midwinter custom involving decorated hoops with a candle and apple, performed during the Winter Solstice.

Book Reviews

Two book reviews are featured:

The Festivals Of Cornwall: Ritual, Revival, Re-Invention by Alan M. Kent

This review discusses Alan M. Kent's book, which explores the continuum of history and development of reverie, revelry, and customs in Cornwall. It examines ancient traditions through the lens of Ritual, noting the intensity of mythology and festival in the region. The book addresses the difficulty in tracing 'ancient and untraceable origins' and suggests that the 'Pagan Wheel of the Year' is largely derived from an Irish-Celtic model. It also highlights how some festivals have been revived and adapted, such as Padstow's Obby Oss and Helston's Hal-an-Tow, while others have been re-invented, like Penzance's Golowan and Montol events. The review emphasizes that the book argues for an indigenous Cornish ritual year, not imposed from elsewhere, and that the 'base rock' of Pagan influence is still evident in Cornish festive culture.

An Intellectual Adventurer in Archaeology: Reflections on the Work of Charles Thomas

This review covers a collection of papers celebrating the work of Professor Charles Thomas, a prominent figure in twentieth-century Cornish archaeology. The book features 23 chapters on diverse subjects, all infused with respect for Thomas's life and influence. It includes topics ranging from the early Neolithic period to archaeological fieldwork and the early Christian period in Cornwall. The review quotes Jacky Nowakowski describing working with Charles Thomas as an 'infinitely mind stretching' discovery.

20 Years Ago: The 'Arthur Stone' Debate

This section revisits an article from MM37 in Autumn 1998 concerning the discovery of the 'Arthur Stone' at Tintagel. The stone was inscribed with ARTOGNOU, which English Heritage claimed was Latin for 'Arthur'. Geoffrey Wainwright, chief archaeologist of EH, called it 'the find of a lifetime'. However, Professor Charles Thomas strongly refuted EH's interpretations in Meyn Mamvro [MM38], arguing that 'Artognou' was Late British, an ancestor of Cornish, and not Latin for Arthur. He explained that the legend of King Arthur was introduced in the 12th century by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Thomas criticized English Heritage for 'shameless hype' aimed at increasing visitor numbers and selling merchandise. The article notes that 20 years later, EH continues to develop Tintagel, including carving 'Merlin's face' and installing sculptures.

30 Years Ago: Aeolian Songspell

This retrospective looks back at an article in MM issue 6 (June 1988) about 'The Celtic Year' and a review of a pagan music cassette titled 'Ancient Dream' by Aeolian Songspell (Michael Woolf and Rachel Garcia). The songs were created for a local pagan group in West Penwith and were described as unique, coming 'from deep in the Earth herself'. The article notes that 30 years later, Aeolian Songspell (now including Zoe Martin) has re-recorded these songs using modern techniques, offering them as five albums.

The Piper's Tune: St. Ambrew's Well

This article discusses the well at St. Ambrew's, Crantock, which was moved in 2017 due to landscaping works. James Gossip of the CAU questioned the historical significance of the well and its site, suggesting it was not ancient. Andy Norfolk, however, disagreed, campaigning against the development and asserting the well's importance and historical value, even if rebuilt. The article also mentions a possible second well associated with the chapel and discusses the differing interpretations of its age and significance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on Cornish folklore, traditions, archaeology, and earth mysteries. It promotes local culture and historical research, often revisiting past articles and discoveries. The editorial stance appears to be one of championing authentic Cornish heritage and challenging interpretations that may be driven by commercial interests, as seen in the 'Arthur Stone' debate. The publication also serves as a platform for promoting related books, events, and other publications in the field.