Terrestrial Zodiacs Newsletter - No 02

Magazine Overview

This issue, No. 2, of the Terrestrial Zodiacs Newsletter, published by Paul Screeton, focuses on the subject of terrestrial zodiacs (TZs), which are patterns of fields or earthworks that form zodiacal figures. The newsletter presents a response to a previous article, acknowledges the existence of skeptics, and highlights the ongoing research and discussion within the alternative archaeology community.

The Letwell Zodiac of South Yorkshire & Moat Ring

Authored by P. Reeder, this article details the Letwell Zodiac, a TZ based around a moat ring with five moated sites in circular alignment in South Yorkshire. The center of the ring is located at SK 549879 on O.S. map 111, approximately a mile from Letwell. The ring has a radius of about four miles.

The article then provides research on five specific moat sites:

1. Gateford Moat: Named after a family who built a hall there, the site has a traceable moat. The Lacelles family later built their hall on the same site.
2. Hodsock Priory Moat: Known as a holy site, it is associated with Bishop Odo. Roger de Busli found a fortified mound nearby, likely Tinkhill Castle.
3. Tinkhill Castle: A ruinous but still occupied motte and bailey castle, built on a sandstone knoll. It features a spiral path to the summit and a moat.
4. Braithwell Moat Hall: Described as a fortified earthwork and military castle, it has Gothic arches and a well, possibly the Holy Well.
5. Moat Farm: Located in Wickersley, this site has a visible moat trace and connections to Roche Abbey.

The article suggests the zodiac may be of a vesica piscis shape due to Capricorn's position, with the moat ring forming one of the circles.

Zodiac Figures of Letwell

The article then lists and describes the figures of the zodiac as they appear in the Letwell area:

• Aquarius: Depicted as an eagle or phoenix, similar to the Glastonbury figure but larger. Its head is on the Chalice Well and mouth on a Holy Well.
• Capricorn: A unicorn figure with its head tossed, horn formed by a field. It is similar to the Nuthampstead figure and outside the moat ring.
• Sagittarius: The largest figure, showing a man with a lance falling from his horse. The River Idle forms its tail, and a Roman road its back leg.
• Scorpio: Stings the horse of Sagittarius, with body segments formed by farm roads and the Great North Road.
• Libra: A dove figure, similar in size and shape to the Glastonbury Libra, with its body formed by Dyscarr Wood.
• Virgo: A large figure, similar to Glastonbury's. A road from Roman earthworks runs parallel to the Fosse Way. The back and feet are formed by the River Ryton.
• Leo: A figure centered on Netherthrope Moat, with the River Ryton forming part of its underside. It appears to be attacking Gemini figures.
• Cancer: This figure is absent.
• Gemini: Larger than the Glastonbury twins, one is sitting, the other has arms raised.
• Taurus: A bull's head figure, similar in size and shape to Glastonbury's, but with different horns. Its eye is formed by a road bend, and its mouth on the main street.
• Aries: Described as a ram, similar to Glastonbury's but harder to see, based around Maltby and Bromley.
• Pisces: Depicted as a huge whale and a small fish, with Maltby Dike forming the whale's underside.

An editor's note acknowledges the frustration of not having a map accompanying the article but excuses it due to the newsletter's limited circulation. It also mentions that P. Reeder has since provided additional placename connections.

Observations on the Holderness Zodiac

By Paul Screeton, this article offers commentary on Philip Heselton's work, 'The Holderness Zodiac'. Screeton lived for 13 months in the area he believes corresponds to the Scorpio figure of the Holderness TZ. He quotes Heselton's introduction, which emphasizes an intuitive, sensitive, and learning approach over a purely scientific or statistical one for understanding terrestrial zodiacs.

Heselton describes the Holderness TZ's location, leys, and general character, noting its unique aspect of being '150 different' to other TZs, with signs almost completely opposite. Screeton highlights Heselton's dual qualifications as a geographer and a student of Hermetic topography, which strengthen his arguments about subtle energies in the zodiac.

Heselton suggests other TZ locations and provides appendices on prehistoric sites, a bibliography, and a directory of organizations, including an O.S. map. Screeton encourages Heselton's publication and recalls suggesting the Leo figure should be prominent during the TZ's early inception.

Screeton reflects on the worrying fact that TZ figures differ across regions, but sees it as healthy that they are not all identical to the Glastonbury Zodiac. He suggests criteria for evaluating TZs, such as relating folklore to figures, checking village names, and using astrology to identify prominent trees associated with signs.

Other Mentions and Notes

• California Connection: A colleague showed Screeton a book, 'The Greatful Dead', which mentioned Glastonbury's mystique and Hank Harrison's research into Cathryn Maltwood, the discoverer of the Glastonbury Zodiac. Screeton inquires if anyone knows if this research was completed.
• T.Z. Bibliography: Continues from a previous issue, listing books and articles on TZs, including Heselton's 'The Holderness Zodiac', 'Terrestrial Zodiacs' by Ivor Challen, 'The Irish Zodiac' by Donald L. Cyr, and others.
• Fortena and a Tentative Elephantine Figure: The editor hopes Mike Collier will write about his Sussex TZ research. A story is shared about an elephantine shape near Arlington, where waterworks excavation uncovered a mammoth tusk, now in the British Museum. This is presented as a moral or interesting anecdote.
• Future Articles and Donations: The newsletter hopes to include articles on another Somerset zodiac and potentially photostats of Lewis Edwards's Pumpsaint Zodiac articles from the 1940s. The editor appeals for donations to cover reproduction costs and for general support of the newsletter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the study of terrestrial zodiacs as a valid area of research within alternative archaeology. It acknowledges the need for skepticism but encourages an open-minded, intuitive, and sensitive approach to interpretation, rather than strict scientific analysis. The editor, Paul Screeton, actively solicits contributions, shares research findings, and provides a platform for discussion and bibliography of related works. There is a clear emphasis on connecting ancient earthworks, folklore, and local history to these patterns. The editorial stance is one of enthusiastic exploration and community building around the subject of terrestrial zodiacs.