Quicksilver Messenger - No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Quicksilver Messenger
Issue: 1
Date: November 1979 (inferred from 'NR 1?' and content)
Publisher: Quicksilver Messenger
Country: UK
Price: 45 pence

This inaugural issue of Quicksilver Messenger, subtitled 'The South-East Magazine of Earth Mysteries', aims to explore a range of topics related to ancient sites, folklore, and esoteric practices, with a particular focus on the South-East of England.

Editorial and Contributions

The editor, Chris Ashton, thanks Paul Devereaux for encouragement and advice, and acknowledges the contributors, describing them as well-known researchers in their fields. Contributions and criticisms are welcomed, and material published remains copyright of the authors, with views expressed not necessarily those of the editor. Gerry Ashton and Barbara Wilson are thanked for typing. The next issue is planned for late summer and will include articles on misapplied Darwinism, Earth Mysteries, and book reviews.

Cover Features

The cover highlights several key themes: 'Druids Among the Fireworks (the 5th in Lewes as a Celtic Fire Festival)', 'The Alfriston Ley Line and Star Inn', 'Terrestrial Zodiacs and Leys - is it all waffle?', and 'Introduction to Ley Dowsing (Dowsing as a Path of Inner Development)'. It also poses the question, 'A Brighton Stone (Did Brighton have it's own Megalithic Stone Circle?)'. The cover art depicts a baby sitting on a stone circle with stylized celestial bodies in the background.

Article 1: Ley Lines and Ancient Sites

This section, likely an editorial or introductory piece by Chris Ashton, addresses the common skepticism surrounding ley lines. It suggests that genuine interest can be satisfied by simply mapping and walking these alignments. The piece argues that the ability of ancient peoples to lay out sites in straight lines and construct stone circles challenges the traditional view of them as primitive. It posits that the historical narrative has been distorted by a misapplication of Darwinism, using biological evolution to explain the development of civilizations, leading to a belief in the inherent superiority of the present materialistic phase.

Article 2: Introduction to Ley Dowsing

By Colin Bloy, this article introduces the practice of dowsing as a means to explore earth energies and ley lines. Bloy, who has broadcast on Spanish radio and addressed international conferences, describes dowsing as a faculty of perception akin to clairvoyance. He discusses the debate between physical field theories and the role of consciousness in dowsing. Bloy shares his personal journey, starting with dowsing for underground services and progressing to map dowsing. He emphasizes that dowsing is a state of mind and awareness, not solely a physical reaction, and that the ability to visualize what one is seeking is crucial for success, especially when exploring newer concepts like ley energies.

Article 3: A Brighton Stone

Authored by Mike Collier, a jazz musician and researcher, this piece investigates a stone located by the Clock Tower in Brighton. Collier suggests it may be an omphalos stone, possibly moved from a lost megalithic circle in the area. He references research indicating that Brighton's St. Nicholas Church site was originally a megalithic centre with a Bronze Age tumulus and avenues of stone. The article includes a psychometric interpretation by Miss Campbell, who describes the site as a former sun-worship location, a magnetic centre where people felt a connection to the solar deity and the earth's energies.

Article 4: Druids Among the Fireworks

Ward Rutherford's article explores the survival and influence of Druidism beyond its supposed demise in AD 62. He argues that Druidic practices and beliefs persisted in regions like Ireland and Scotland, and that figures like Merlin may represent Druidic traditions. Rutherford connects ancient Celtic deities like Dana/Ana and Brigantia to water sources and discusses the significance of Celtic festivals such as Samain and Beltine. He draws a parallel between Samain (late October/early November), the Celtic festival of the dead, and modern Hallowe'en. Furthermore, he links the bonfires and effigy burning of Guy Fawkes Night (November 5th) to these ancient traditions, suggesting that the event provided a convenient excuse to continue a practice rooted in pagan customs of fire, noise, and protection from spirits of the dead.

Article 5: Egerton Sykes: Critical Memories

This piece features reflections by Egerton Sykes, an 86-year-old engineer, diplomat, and writer, on the impact of Alfred Watkins' work on British archaeology. Sykes recounts how Watkins' 1923 book, 'The Old Straight Track', revolutionized the field by proposing that prehistoric sites were connected by trackways indicated by standing stones and barrows. Sykes notes that the purpose of these trackways, whether radiating from or leading to central points, remains unclear, but emphasizes that prehistoric monuments were generally considered holy sites. He also touches upon the early 20th-century doldrums in British archaeology following World War I.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the idea that ancient peoples possessed a sophisticated understanding of their environment and spiritual practices, challenging conventional historical narratives. There is a strong emphasis on the continuity of ancient traditions, particularly Celtic ones, into modern times, as seen in the discussions of ley lines, dowsing, and festivals like Samain and Hallowe'en. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into 'Earth Mysteries', encouraging readers to question established views and explore alternative interpretations of history and human capabilities. The magazine champions the idea that ancient sites and practices hold significant, often overlooked, wisdom and influence.

Title: The Ley Hunter
Issue: 199
Volume: TV 59
Issue Date: Undetermined, but likely around the 1970s based on content and publication style.
Publisher: The Ley Hunter
Country: England
Language: English

This issue of The Ley Hunter focuses on the concept of ley lines and their connection to ancient sites, folklore, and symbolism, with a particular emphasis on the Alfriston Ley Line in Sussex, England.

Ley Lines and Ancient Sites

The article begins by presenting a theory that ancient trackways, or 'ley lines', often marked by standing stones, were used to guide travelers and that settlements like churches, monasteries, or inns often developed at crossroads. This theory is described as having significantly impacted amateur archaeological circles.

The Straight Track Club, active in the early 1930s, is mentioned as an organization dedicated to this research. Although the club eventually disbanded, its extensive collection of notes and research materials, compiled by members using maps and compasses, was eventually housed in the Hereford Reference Library.

The author notes that while several journals have emerged in the field since the club's folding, the research standard has not always been consistent. A key point is made that there is no direct relationship between ley lines and flying saucers, and that while ley lines may coincide with magnetic configurations, this does not prove their supernatural origin. The sheer number of potential ley lines across Britain is discussed, suggesting that many might be coincidental alignments rather than intentional constructions, especially considering the historical population sizes.

The article posits that the Romans, when building their extensive road system in Britain, likely followed and repaired existing tracks laid out by earlier inhabitants, possibly related to the ley system.

Zodiacs and Ancient Symbols

The author expresses dismay at the amount of 'emotional guff' surrounding ley lines and emphasizes the need for logical and common-sense archaeological research. The discovery of zodiacs, such as the one found near Glastonbury and another at Pumpisant in Wales, is discussed. The author questions the necessity and purpose of these vast zodiacs, noting that historical texts like Geoffrey of Monmouth's works and early French Romances do not mention them. Despite this, the existence of such zodiacs is acknowledged, though their immense construction effort remains unexplained.

It is noted that no zodiacs have been found that were built after the departure of the Romans. However, hill figures found across the landscape are attributed to adherents of fertility goddesses. The article points out a lack of documentation regarding the construction of zodiacs, leaving their origin as a mystery for future generations.

The Alfriston Ley Line

The main focus of the issue is the Alfriston Ley Line, described as a 7-mile alignment running approximately NW-SE, connecting sites like Alciston, Alfriston, and Friston. This line is said to incorporate classical features of the Watkins tradition and passes through typical Sussex countryside, rich in historical remnants.

• Key points along this line include:
• Alciston Church: The first ley mark from the NE, situated on a mound and possibly dating back to Norman times. It is noted for sarsen stones with ferrous deposits.
• Anglo-Saxon Burial Ground: Located near a gap in the Downs where the Cuckmere River flows. This site is adjacent to ancient trackways, possibly Roman or older, and has yielded a significant Saxon cemetery with armor, pottery, and beads.
• Cross Roads and Market Cross: A stone pillar, known locally as the Cross Stone, stands near a road junction. It was once surmounted by a cross, which was later damaged and reconstructed.
• St. Andrews Church, Alfriston: A 14th-century church built on a mound. A visiting antiquary described it as 'the cathedral of the Downs'. A dowser, Colin Bloy, detected concentric bands of energy flowing from the church, possibly related to a stone in the churchyard wall.
• The Star Inn: Located near the ley line, this inn is described as an enigma with medieval carvings. One carving depicts a man fighting a basilisk, which is linked to Christian symbolism of deadly sin and the spirit of evil. The inn's sign is a sixteen-pointed golden star, possibly connected to the Inn-holders Company of London.

Legends and Symbolism

A legend associated with the church site in Alfriston tells of stones miraculously moving overnight, eventually revealing four oxen forming a cross shape, interpreted as a divine instruction for building the church. This legend is compared to the Chinese concept of Feng Shui, emphasizing the importance of locating a site in the 'right place'.

The body of St. Lewinna, a martyred Sussex girl, was interred at a monastic church on the site of the present church, making it a place of pilgrimage until her remains were stolen in 1508.

Further along the ley line, the article mentions the long barrow near Litlington and Friston church as a terminal point. The Star Inn is highlighted for its carvings, including one depicting a man fighting a basilisk, and another showing two serpents moving in opposite directions, possibly representing the constellation Aquarius. The caduceus symbol, associated with Asklepios, the Greek god of healing, is also mentioned in relation to the carvings.

The author notes a recurring link between ley lines and dragon legends, with St. Michael and St. George being prominent dragon fighters. John Mitchell is quoted suggesting these figures represent an archetype related to 'dragon currents' and etherical electricity.

The article concludes by posing questions about the carvings on the Star Inn, wondering if they are mere doodles or if they reference traditions and activities connected to the place, suggesting that much remains to be discovered.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ley lines, ancient sites, folklore, symbolism (zodiacs, dragons, alchemical imagery), and the investigation of historical mysteries through amateur archaeology. The editorial stance emphasizes a need for logical, common-sense research, while acknowledging the intriguing nature of ancient legends and unexplained phenomena. There is a clear interest in connecting seemingly disparate elements, such as ley lines, religious sites, and symbolic art, to form a broader understanding of past cultures and beliefs.