Touchstone - No 001

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group
Issue: #1
Date: Undetermined (occasional publication)
Content Focus: Earth mysteries, particularly in Surrey, with general interest articles.

Introduction and Editorial Stance

The inaugural issue of 'Touchstone' by the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group marks their first publication after operating for several years. The group, based in Addlestone, Surrey, notes a lack of local interest compared to groups in the north and south of England. This magazine aims to address this by publishing findings and articles to reach those unaware of earth mysteries in the county. The publication also intends to share small discoveries made by the group and articles of general interest within the broad field of earth mysteries. Meetings are held monthly in Addlestone, and anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Article 1: Ley Lines - Just a Coincidence?

By Richard Pywell, this article explores the concept of ley lines, suggesting that interesting features like churches lying on a straight line might indicate an underlying system rather than mere chance. Pywell outlines a statistical method to test this hypothesis. The method involves defining a 'line' with a certain width and counting the number of features (e.g., churches) within it, comparing this to the expected number based on random distribution and the density of features in the area. The article presents two case studies:

1. Line-up of two tumuli on Wisley Common: This line passes through 16 churches, with odds against this alignment occurring by chance calculated at 1 in 8250.
2. Line-up of St. Anne's Hill and Chertsey Abbey: This line passes through 9 churches out of 20 within half a kilometre, with odds against chance at 1 in 2410.

Pywell emphasizes that these odds are remarkably long, especially when compared to the scientific standard of 1 in 20 for eliminating pure chance. He offers to provide the mathematical formula to interested readers.

Article 2: Some Surrey Stones

By Jimmy Goddard, this article highlights enigmatic stones in Surrey that are often overlooked in the county's predominantly suburban image. Goddard discusses several stones:

1. The Pyrford stone: Originally in the middle of a road junction, it's now at the entrance to Pyrford Place. Local archaeologists believe it's an ancient standing stone, though no alignments have been found through it. It is incised with a cross, suggesting Christianisation of a pagan site.
2. The Wisley stone: A flat, irregularly-shaped stone at Wisley church. It is part of a ley alignment passing through St. Mary's, Byfleet, and Newark Priory. A Watkinsian alignment is noted, involving the church, stone, path, and St. Mary's, Byfleet. A theory suggests it might be a meteorite, but it appears to be sandstone.
3. The Horsell stone: A beautiful inclined stone near a stream on the path across Horsell Common. A possible, though not spectacular, alignment from Danewell Hill is mentioned. Its origins are unknown, and it's not marked on Ordnance Survey maps.
4. The Tolworth stone: Described as the biggest enigma, it's a rough block found during the construction of Tolworth Tower in 1964. It was erected in its current position because it 'looked nice'. Investigations revealed it was dug up on site. The article questions if it's an ancient stone that was buried and then rediscovered, suggesting subconscious siting. An alignment passes through several churches, some not ancient.
5. The Harlemere stone: A broken, recumbent stone in a churchyard in Haslemere, mentioned by group member Gordon Spinney. Flowers are still placed on it.

Article 3: The Mystery of the Dew Pond

By Paul Baines, this article examines dew ponds, a feature of the English countryside that is becoming extinct and is often neglected in earth mysteries studies. Dew ponds are primarily found in the chalk downs of Sussex and Wiltshire. The article notes controversy over their age, with some believing they originated in Neolithic times and others in the 18th-19th centuries. The purpose of dew ponds is generally considered to be watering places for cattle and sheep, but Baines suggests a more esoteric original intention.

He cites the student of Alchemy, who prized dew as being rich in 'etheric energy', collected and processed to produce an 'etheric medicine', as depicted in the 'Mutus Liber'. From a dowsing perspective, Guy Underwood states that dew ponds are strategically placed within 'primary spirals' and mark 'important blind springs'. The banks form an 'aquastat spiral', and the pond marks a water line terminal, suggesting a connection to concentrated 'Earth Force' and water rich in etheric qualities.

The main water source is rainfall, but the retention of water during dry summers puzzled investigators. Commander E. E. Martin's experiments in 1908, published in 'The Geographical Journal', are discussed. An experimental pond showed a rise in water level during fogs and mists, attributed to the electrical condition of the atmosphere causing deposition of aqueous vapour. However, Baines finds Martin's conclusions unsatisfactory, arguing they disregard findings of dowsers and are limited by orthodox physics. He suggests mechanisms yet to be discovered are at play.

The article concludes that the mystery of dew pond operation and purpose remains. It is possible they were components of an 'Earth Energy Network' for accumulating energy, with the water possessing healing powers, but further research is needed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine 'Touchstone' focuses on local earth mysteries within Surrey, including ley lines and enigmatic stones, while also embracing broader topics within the earth mysteries field, such as the esoteric properties of dew ponds and their potential connection to ancient energy networks. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging statistical analysis for phenomena like ley lines and questioning conventional explanations, particularly in favour of theories involving earth energies and ancient practices. The publication serves as a platform for sharing research and discoveries by the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group and its contributors.