Quicksilver Messenger - No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: Quick Silver Messenger
Issue: Number Nine
Date: 1984 (implied by cover art and content)
Publisher: Quicksilver Messenger
Country: England
Language: English
Price: 75p

This issue of Quick Silver Messenger, edited by Chris Ashton, features a cover illustration by Chris Smedley and contributions including typing by Chris Ashton and Alison Marsland. The magazine is described as dealing with the intersection of landscape, myth, and consciousness, aiming to liberate imagination from orthodoxy.

Editorial

The editorial acknowledges the delay in publication due to financial pressures and the recession. The editor, Chris Ashton, expresses gratitude to subscribers and mentions his contemplation of moving to Southeast Asia, with plans to continue publishing QSM from there. He highlights a focus on the relationship between traditional cultures, land, and magical traditions, mentioning contact with the UPF parapsychological research unit in Jakarta and potential connections with magicians in Western Java.

Contents

The issue includes an interview with Robert Anton Wilson (Part 2), an article on Stonehenge and the destruction of Salisbury Plain, a review of John Michell's 'Ancient Metrology', letters from Nigel Pennick and Mike Howard, an article titled 'Celebrating Death' by Chris Ashton, an account of a 'Red Indian Apocalypse', and reviews. A note about the next issue indicates a hope to produce QSM 10 before the end of the summer.

Robert Anton Wilson Interview Part 2

Past Lives and LSD

Robert Anton Wilson discusses an experience where he perceived himself as a 'Grand Master' of the Bavarian Illuminati, which emerged during LSD trips and hypnotic regression. He recounts the name 'Hans Zenzer' and a supposed past life in Bavaria, expressing a desire to find evidence in Vienna. He maintains an agnostic stance on the reality of these experiences but acknowledges the creative power of the unconscious.

Blame and Dr. Leary

Wilson addresses the blame placed on Dr. Timothy Leary for the negative effects of LSD. He states that while LSD can be a powerful therapeutic tool, the underground culture's casual use by untrained individuals was unsafe. He notes Leary's shift from advocating scientific research to a more extreme position of universal right to experiment, which Wilson considers 'dumb'.

The 'Kill the Heretic Syndrome'

When asked about Leary's imprisonment as part of a 'kill the heretic syndrome', Wilson agrees that John Lennon might also have been a victim of a similar pattern, driven by individuals acting as personal enforcers.

Reichian Psychology and the Emotional Plague

Wilson explains Wilhelm Reich's concept of the 'emotional plague' as anxiety stemming from a fear of creativity and spontaneity, suppressed by cultural restrictions. He sees this as a force that attempts to stamp out heresy and free living, affecting both organized institutions and individuals.

Imprinting and Female Intuition

Discussing the concept of 'imprinting', Wilson explains it as a conditioning event that creates a permanent impression, often occurring during childbirth and early infancy. He suggests that women, due to their role in infant care, develop a greater sensitivity to non-verbal signals, leading to what is loosely termed 'intuition'. He believes men involved in child-rearing would become more intelligent in this broader sense.

The 'Planet of the Apes' and Human Behavior

Wilson reiterates his view that humanity lives on the 'Planet of the Apes', referencing Desmond Morris's 'The Naked Ape'. He explains that humans are primarily driven by bio-survival and emotional-territorial circuits, similar to other mammals. He believes that higher human characteristics emerge when individuals engage with higher circuits, and that movements like women's liberation, like other revolutionary movements, attract both visionaries and unbalanced individuals.

Fanaticism and Certitude

Wilson strongly condemns fanaticism, agreeing with H.R. Mentkin that religion is a major fermenter of hatred. He expresses concern about the rise of Muslim fanatics and fundamentalist Christianity, viewing certitude itself as dangerous because it discourages investigation and leads to fanaticism. He notes that politics has also become a significant source of fanaticism, comparable to religion.

The Work Ethic and Future Unemployment

Wilson differentiates between the 'work ethic' (rooted in Protestantism) and the 'work esthetic' (the natural human need for activity). He argues that technology is leading to increasing unemployment, and governments cannot solve this by creating jobs. He advocates for a societal shift to recognize unemployment not as a disgrace but as a reality, with a focus on educating people for more cerebral occupations and ensuring they have enough money to survive.

Doubt and Evolution

Wilson describes his statement about doubt, hope, and charity being key to evolution as a witticism, but emphasizes his dread of fanaticism. He sees doubt as a crucial tool for an intelligent mind, essential for progress, while acknowledging that faith also plays a role.

Neurological Mutation and Cryonics

He discusses neurological mutation, suggesting that significant cultural contributors were 'neurological mutants' who often experienced traumatic events. Wilson also explains his involvement with the cryonics movement, which aims for life extension through freezing, and the broader interest in techniques for extending human lifespan, predicting significant breakthroughs in the near future.

The World Energy Grid

In his final thoughts, Wilson highlights the importance of the World Energy Grid, designed by Buckminster Fuller, as a project that could foster cooperation between major powers like the U.S., China, and Russia, thereby increasing the chances for peace.

Patriarch's Corner

This new section aims to redress the perceived imbalance in the media, particularly the 'male apology' prevalent in liberal and radical press. It rejects 'vicious mindless accusations and masochistic confessions' and criticizes the bending of earth mysteries research to fit ideological perspectives. It includes a quote from Herb Goldberg's 'The Hazards of Being Male' highlighting statistics that show a disproportionately higher male rate in areas like longevity, disease, crime, and accidents.

Exchange List

The magazine provides a list of other independent publications and journals, encouraging readers to mention QSM in their correspondence and to send a stamped, self-addressed envelope (SAE) when writing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Quick Silver Messenger strongly emphasizes the exploration of consciousness, myth, and landscape, often challenging conventional societal norms and orthodoxies. The interview with Robert Anton Wilson forms the core of the issue, delving into his philosophical and psychological perspectives on topics ranging from past lives and drug experiences to the nature of intelligence, fanaticism, and the future of humanity. The editorial stance appears to be one of intellectual curiosity, a critique of societal restrictions and dogmatism, and an openness to unconventional ideas and research. The introduction of 'Patriarch's Corner' suggests a desire to balance perceived biases in contemporary discourse, particularly concerning gender roles and masculinity.

This issue of "CELEBRATING DEATH" features a collection of articles exploring ancient traditions, particularly those surrounding death and mourning, alongside a review of a book on ancient metrology and a discussion of a new martial art. The central theme of "Celebrating Death" is the contrast between modern, repressed attitudes towards death and historical practices that embraced it as a part of life.

A Tradition Worth Resuscitating

Chris Ashton's article, "A Tradition Worth Resuscitating," begins with a personal anecdote about the death of a 25-year-old friend in 1974. The author describes the stark reality of his friend's emaciated body after a long illness and subsequent treatments. Following the funeral, Ashton and his friends organized a lively party, which he describes as a "celebration of life in the face of death." This experience led him to reflect on the historical tradition of "wakes," which he posits as a more natural and healthy response to bereavement than the modern Christian tradition of "repressed morbidity and sadness."

Ashton traces the tradition of exaggerated lamentation and feasting at funerals back to ancient Greece and notes its presence in Ireland into the 20th century. He recounts instances of hired mourners, whose "simulated howlings" increased with alcohol, and the church's opposition to these practices, citing an incident in South Kerry where a priest physically attacked female mourners. The traditional wake, as celebrated throughout Europe and among indigenous cultures like certain Red Indians and South Sea Islanders, involved singing, dancing, games, feasting, and drinking. Ashton highlights the social and courtship aspects of these wakes, suggesting they fostered a greater awareness of life and its continuity.

The article discusses the church's long-standing campaign to discredit these traditions, citing synods and declarations from various periods, including the 14th century and the early 20th century. Ashton questions the Christian basis for such repression, suggesting it stemmed from a "dangerous mixture of ignorance and a lust for power and control." He argues that while lamenting and waking the dead might seem contradictory, they were integral parts of funerary custom, uniting communities and providing a cathartic effect, especially in rural settings where tragic experiences might otherwise be isolating.

Further parallels are drawn between individual wake customs and larger mythical levels, referencing Professor D.A. Binchy's work on the Fair of Tailtiu and the Feast of Tara, which involved funeral games for kings' heroes. Sean O'Suilleabhain is quoted as seeing a connection between these funeral games and the amusements at Irish wakes, suggesting a common ultimate source. The article also mentions annual dancing on burial mounds in ancient Greece and Britain, such as at Hove, Sussex, linking these practices to fertility rites and pagan traditions, particularly the Spring Festivals and Carnivals.

Ashton concludes by advocating for the revival of the wake tradition as a valuable custom for releasing and harmonizing strong emotions during times of stress, contrasting it with the modern taboo surrounding death in neo-Christian society.

Sun Bear Speaks!

This section features an interview or profile of "Sun Bear," described as a Native American medicine man who spent his early life living from the land. Sun Bear, who has appeared in films and on television, is presented as a down-to-earth individual with a strong connection to his cultural traditions. He has been an advisor for Indian employment projects and a representative of traditional culture. His beliefs about the future are apocalyptic, foreseeing a "great cleansing" in the 1990s involving natural disasters, famine, and war, leading to a decentralization of populations. Sun Bear advocates for a new spiritual relationship with the Earth, emphasizing love and sensitivity. He has visited sites like Stonehenge and Glastonbury and has established a tribal base in Washington State.

Reviews

The Lost Turf Mazes of Shropshire

Jonathon Mullard's essay is described as a "detection exercise" in rediscovering lost mazes in Shropshire. Using place name clues and research into old texts, Mullard identifies five mazes, detailing one in Shrewsbury and exploring potential connections between shoemakers' guilds and maze dancing, possibly linked to physical contact with shoes.

Stonehenge Complete

Christopher Chippindale's book, "Stonehenge Complete," is reviewed as a thorough, high-quality account of the famous British megalithic site. It covers the history from the "Medieval eye" to contemporary times, including material on druids and midsummer gatherings. The reviewer notes that the book is a roundup of existing knowledge rather than a source of new theories, but it is visually appealing and pleasant to browse.

SHINTAIDO: A New Art of Movement and Life Expression

This review discusses Hiroyuki Aoki's book on Shintaido, a Japanese martial art. The article explains that Shintaido emerged in response to Japan's post-WWII athletic humiliation, with a group of martial artists seeking to redeem Japanese martial arts by combining ancient warrior traditions with modern life. Aoki, a student of Karate, believed in an inseparable connection between martial arts ("budo") and art. Shintaido is described as an amalgam of Karate, Zen, Kendo, and even Christian elements, emphasizing a mind attuned to the environment and developing a heightened perception called "musoken." The book includes a history of Shintaido and a how-to manual with photo sequences.

The Magalithic Odyssey

Christian O'Brien's book is presented as an interesting new work on the scientific aspects of megalithic culture. It suggests that some sites, particularly on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, were larger and more complex than previously thought, and it touches upon the origins of megalithic building culture bearers.

Numbers of Revelation! A View Over John Michell's "ANCIENT METROLOGY"

Anthony Roberts reviews John Michell's book "ANCIENT METROLOGY," praising it as a "superbly condensed masterpiece" that has been "relegated to a curious oblivion." Roberts highlights Michell's exploration of the "canonical connectedness" of ancient metrology, particularly the English foot, and its connection to the Earth's dimensions. The book argues that a "Golden Age" civilization once mapped and measured the Earth, and that key sacred temples and monuments, including the Great Pyramid, the Parthenon, and Stonehenge, incorporate this knowledge. Michell's work is said to demonstrate how ancient metrology developed from geodesic figures into ratioed fractions of planetary dimensions, with English units providing a fixed standard.

The review emphasizes that "ANCIENT METROLOGY" quantifies this philosophy with "exact proofs and definitions," suggesting that a civilization once mapped the Earth with remarkable accuracy. The book's analysis of Stonehenge reveals how its circular dimensions relate to the Earth's polar radius, mean radius, and meridian circumference, with exactness comparable to modern satellite measurements. Roberts posits that this metrology is a remnant of "Golden Age" learning, inherent in the human soul. The review concludes by stating that the book has been ignored due to the narrow focus of the current antiquarian/esoteric scene and calls for a broader consciousness to appreciate its significance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the re-evaluation of historical customs and beliefs, particularly concerning death and ancient civilizations. There is a clear editorial stance that favors a more open and celebratory approach to death, contrasting it with modern repression. The issue also champions the idea of lost ancient wisdom, particularly in the realm of metrology and its connection to sacred sites, suggesting a cyclical view of history and the enduring influence of ancient knowledge. The articles collectively advocate for a deeper understanding of humanity's connection to the past and to fundamental natural principles.

This issue of QsM (presumably 'Quest, Science and Mystery' or a similar publication) from November 1983, issue number 9, features a range of articles and reviews focused on esoteric subjects, archaeology, and the paranormal. The cover story, by Peter Durisch, highlights the alarming destruction of ancient Roman and scheduled monuments on Salisbury Plain by military exercises. Other content includes reviews of books on ancient astronaut theories, geomancy, and earth mysteries, as well as a letter discussing the nature of messianism and a critique of witchcraft origins.

Army Wrecks Ancient Sites on Salisbury Plain

By Peter Durisch, this article reports on the increasing damage to archaeological sites on Salisbury Plain due to army manoeuvres. Heavy tanks repeatedly cross ancient burial mounds and barrows, and there is evidence of troops digging slit trenches into historic sites. Archaeologists and conservationists are alarmed, suspecting that proposals to reduce protection for these sites will lead to further damage. The article cites examples like the destruction at Chisenbury Warren, a Romano-British settlement, where soldiers dug large holes into a scheduled monument. General Sir John Willoughby expresses disapproval but suggests the damage is due to ignorance rather than malice. The Salisbury Plain Training Area is vast, containing numerous scheduled monuments, including settlements, hill forts, and barrows. A report by Wiltshire County Council highlights the 'current crisis,' noting that only a fraction of identified round barrows survive reasonably preserved due to military activity and ploughing. Lt-Col. Mark Goodhart, commandant of the training area, acknowledges mistakes but states that military training remains the priority. The article is sourced from 'The Observer' dated 13 Nov. 1983.

Book Reviews

The Green Stone by G. Phillips and Martin Keatman

Reviewed by Cara Trimarco, this book is described as a novel about a quest for a mysterious jewel, the Meonia Stone, involving paranormal researchers and psychic messages. While acknowledged as an exciting and well-written story, Trimarco finds disturbing elements in its claim to be a 'true story of paranormal adventure.' The review points out discrepancies, such as the cover illustration being an artist's rendering when photographs of the jewel exist elsewhere. The mixing of novelistic style with factual information is seen as deceptive. The book's narrative, which involves warnings of great evil and negative phenomena, leads researchers to 'court evil' by obeying messages that seem to manipulate them into releasing a 'great force' at the 'Palace of Darkness.' Trimarco warns that the book could have serious repercussions if taken as fact and urges people within Earth Mysteries to wake up to its implications.

The New View Over Atlantis by John Michell

Reviewed by Anthony Roberts, this is a revised and expanded edition of Michell's influential 1969 book. Roberts praises the original for its spiritual enlightenment, fusing art, science, and philosophy, and its impact on New Age thinking. The new edition expands on themes of geomancy, astro-archeology, dowsing, dragon paths, earth spirit, and sacred geometry. It is divided into two parts: 'Landscape,' covering topographical data, and 'Number,' detailing a canonical system of mathematics and geometry. The book explores the 'geomythics' of earth myths and the mystical metrology of sites like Stonehenge and Glastonbury. Michell posits that earth was once a paradise and can be again if humanity embraces harmony. Roberts hopes the book will jolt the fragmented 'earth mysteries' field back to a true perspective, away from pseudo-mystics and dogmatists.

Ley Lines - Their Nature and Properties: a Dowser's Investigation by J. Havelock Fidler

Reviewed by Christopher Ashton, this book is described as an interesting and thorough research into dowseable phenomena related to stones. However, Ashton notes confusion in Fidler's use of terms, particularly conflating Watkins' ley concept with dowseable energy. Fidler finds that 'ley energy' retards seedling growth and is 'inimical to certain forms of life,' speculating that trees like the Scots pine absorb this energy. The review draws parallels with the Oriental 'feng shui' system, where straight lines represent pathways of negative energy ('sha'), and pine trees are seen as protectors. The review also touches upon Baron von Reichenbach's 'Odic force.' Ashton emphasizes that 'ley energy' is not presented as a wholesome enhancer but potentially dangerous, and warns that it is undesirable to add to or alter the existing system until its potential power for good or evil is better understood. The review questions how the FOUNTAIN GROUP will incorporate this into their system and raises the issue of terminology.

Letters

Letter from Nigel Pennick

Nigel Pennick, editor of 'The Symbol,' comments on issues raised in previous QsM letters. He critiques the 'psychic collective ethos' and the retreat into spectacle in modern life, leading to a reduction of experience and will to manipulated action. He warns against messianism, whether from politicians, gurus, or 'alien entities,' and the reduction of individuals to passive consumers. Pennick discusses the concept of a 'desacralised cosmos' and the problems of seeking cut-and-dried solutions. He quotes Robert Hunter: 'my job is to shed light and not to master.' He argues that believing in a golden age ignores history and leads to a retreat into fantasy. Pennick also addresses the 'geomantic sphere,' noting how Alfred Watkins has been elevated to a 'founding father/messiah' by some. He contrasts this with the dangers of personality cults and the reduction of heroes to unchanging, external figures. Pennick concludes by discussing the electromagnetic environment and how modern radiations have made ancient geomancy and magic obsolete, advocating for a new geomantic awareness based on the present state of the world.

Letter from Mike Howard

Mike Howard, editor of 'The Cauldron,' responds to Roger Sandell's review of the book 'Earth Rites.' Howard corrects Sandell's assertion that Dr. Margaret Murray originated the concept of witchcraft as a survival of pre-Christian paganism. Howard states that Thomas Wright and Richard Payne Knight made similar observations in 1865, and Charles Godfrey Leland in the 1890s. He also mentions James Frazer's 'The Golden Bough' linking folk customs to the Pagan Old Religion. Howard argues that a continuity of religious belief from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages is evident, with a common pan-European pagan religion symbolised by nature deities. He suggests that even if debased, witchcraft followed a pagan religion. Howard defends Murray's central thesis, despite her 'over eagerness,' calling her first two books 'monuments to a grand dame of anthropology and archeology.' He concludes that the present-day revival of belief in the pagan worldview proves its survival in the human psyche.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of QsM appears to maintain a critical yet open stance towards alternative histories, ancient mysteries, and esoteric studies. There is a consistent theme of questioning claims to truth, particularly when presented with sensationalism or a lack of rigorous evidence, as seen in the reviews of 'The Green Stone' and the discussion of 'ley energy.' The magazine also engages with contemporary issues, such as the destruction of historical sites by military activities and the philosophical implications of modern society's relationship with belief systems and technology. The editorial stance seems to encourage critical examination, a grounding in current realities, and a rejection of uncritical acceptance of dogma, whether from ancient texts, modern gurus, or sensationalized paranormal accounts. There's a clear emphasis on the importance of historical accuracy and the potential dangers of misinterpreting or misusing esoteric knowledge.