Touchstone - No 003 - 1984 02

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 3
Date: February 1984
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone delves into various aspects of Earth Mysteries, featuring reports on gatherings, theoretical discussions, personal accounts, and local phenomena. The magazine is published by the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group and aims to explore topics usually ignored or explained away by conventional science.

A Medley of Moots

The issue opens with 'A Medley of Moots', detailing recent gatherings across the country. The Ley Hunters Moot in Lewes was attended by Michael de Styrcea and Chris Hall, featuring talks by Charles Brooker on his 'New Scientist' article, Michael Wysocki on lost serpent mounds, Brian Larkman on cup-and-ring marks and aborigine lore, Michael Bentine on spiritual experiences, and Alan Bleakley on symbolism and stone circles. The moot concluded with a slide show by John Glover.

The Northern Earth Mysteries Group held a weekend moot in Northumberland, hosted by Derrick and Anthea Wilbie-Chalk. This gathering included visits to local sites such as two churches, a holy well, a stone row, cup-marked stones, ancient settlement sites, and two hillforts.

An upcoming event is the London Earth Mysteries Moot scheduled for May 26-27th at Tufnell Park Hall, London. Tickets are available from Andy Collins in Wickford, Essex.
The editor, Jimmy Goddard, also invites readers to suggest locations for future weekend gatherings, mentioning Avebury as a potential popular choice.

Dowsing a Ley (Part 1)

Written by Gordon Spinney, this article begins an exploration into dowsing. Spinney defines dowsing as a general term for searching for a wide range of targets and distinguishes two forms: one that relies on physical components and spatial relationships (like water dowsing or metal detection), and another where targets are distant and space-time relationships are less influential, often involving abstract properties. The latter is exemplified by map dowsing and 'Lethbridge-type' dowsing, which can reveal information like the sex of a person who handled an object or its burial date. Spinney suggests that clairvoyance plays a significant role in both forms of dowsing, noting that the lack of expected physical effects like screening or inverse square law decreases in sensitivity challenges the idea that dowsing can be fully explained by current physics.

Spinney posits that dowsing codes are likely subjective, developed by the dowser and subconsciously expressed through muscular twitches. He notes that the belief in an objective physical source enhances the dowser's confidence. The article then touches upon Ley dowsing, differentiating it by the apparent absence of a physical object being sought, suggesting it is for an 'idea' or metaphysical object. This leads to a potential circular argument where the existence of a ley is judged by dowsing reactions, and vice versa. Spinney acknowledges the possibility that minds might detect faint signals beyond current instrument capabilities, especially given the recent surge of interest in paranormal phenomena.

The article proposes examining the pros and cons of extra-sensory perception, drawing parallels with Quantum Theory. It explains that Quantum Theory describes energy in two states: a condensed particulate state and a looser, ill-defined 'wave' state, with constant interchange between them. The 'collapse of wave' function, a transformation that defies mathematical treatment, is mentioned. Spinney emphasizes that the wave occupies a dimension profoundly different from the particle, and that particles obey the laws of physics while waves spread out and appear to enter a dimension where precise localization is lost.

The Old Straight Track in Surrey

Authored by Jimmy Goddard, this section details a specific ley line investigation in Surrey, focusing on 'Ferry Lane' in Chertsey. Chertsey is described as an ancient settlement, historically known for its Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter. The article traces the alignment of Ferry Lane, noting its connection to St. Peter's Church and a public footpath called 'Church Path'. The path leads past Abbey Green, Colonel's Lane, and across the Abbey River, eventually reaching Ferry Lane itself. The path is described as a long, straight track aligned with a ley, only bending to accommodate natural obstacles like the river. The 'Chertsey Coronation Seat', placed in 1902, is mentioned, as is the view across the river.

The ley continues across a golf course, through Mixnams Lane caravan park, and towards Staines Lane. It then proceeds through Laleham Church, across the river, along Ferry Lane, Church Path, and potentially parallel to Guildford Street, before coinciding with a stretch of the A320. The ley is noted to continue through Worplesden Church, which is part of another ley investigated by the group.

Next Issue: The Hurt Wood Track

Correspondence: Ball Lightning and Tachions

Jeff Saward, Co-editor Caerdroia, responds to an article by Paul Baines regarding 'Aspects of Ley Energy'. Saward specifically addresses Baines' statement that ball lightning is the result of high-density tachion pairs preventing collision. Saward, identifying himself as one of the few 'E.M. researchers' to have witnessed ball lightning, asserts that it *does* collide with objects, with dramatic and frightening results.

He recounts an incident from about fifteen years prior where a large ball lightning (12-18 inches in diameter) struck a neighbor's house. It hit the TV aerial, causing an explosion and imploding the TV set. It then fell from the chimney, scorching paint as it followed the gutter, destroying a lamp, and leaving a scorched image on the concrete before bouncing off. The ball subsequently hit another house about 500 yards away, making contact with a gas flue and causing severe burns to the owner, who was saved by her wellington boots. Saward emphasizes that this was clearly ball lightning, not a thunderbolt, and was witnessed by several people. He highlights its immense energy and ability to change speed and direction seemingly at will.

Saward questions the tachion pair theory, suggesting that if ball lightning is a rogue individual, it should be informed about tachions. He notes that this observation aligns with a published photo of ball lightning making contact with chimneys and TV aerials.

Paul Baines replies, thanking Jeff for his letter and acknowledging that the incident shows exceptions to established rules. He states that nature is above man-made laws and he will not attempt to 'scientifically' bend facts to fit a theory, but rather to discover if other similar incidents have been recorded. Baines also clarifies the spelling of 'tachion' versus 'tachyon', providing definitions for both terms, including their hypothesised origins and associated researchers.

Strange Surrey: Entombed Toads

Bob Skinner introduces his new series, 'Strange Surrey', which aims to record and discuss phenomena and anomalies in the county, often referred to as 'Forteana'. He encourages readers to report any strange phenomena they encounter in Surrey.

The first topic covered is 'Entombed Toads'. Skinner notes that for centuries, there have been reports of living frogs and toads found enclosed within rocks or tree trunks. While torpidity can explain survival without food for long periods, no single solution explains every case. Skinner has found two instances from Surrey.

The first Surrey case, from April 28, 1860, describes a letter in FIELD magazine detailing a toad found in the centre of a tree that had been cut down near Chertsey. The tree's hollow was used as a feature in a drawing room table, with the toad preserved under a crystal cover.

A more recent instance, from July 1933, is recorded in Gerald Wood's GUINNESS BOOK OF ANIMAL FACTS AND FEATS. At a greystone lime pit in Dorking, blasting operations revealed a live toad in the chalk, 50 feet below the surface. The toad, about 1.25 inches long, had a pink colour that darkened on exposure to air and appeared to have no mouth, possibly due to a membrane covering it to conserve fluids during torpidity. It was taken to the British Museum for examination.

Although not in Surrey, a case from August 1816 at Warminster, Wiltshire, is included. Workmen quarrying stone found a live toad and newt in a smooth cavity within a stratum of sandstone, nine feet below the ground, with no apparent aperture. Both animals changed colour after being found, and their mouths seemed sealed with a 'glutinous matter'. They revived but survived only about four hours.

Skinner mentions that he has collected about 250 similar stories over two years of research.

Publication Details and Contact

Touchstone is published by the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, located at 25, Albert Road, Addlestone, Weybridge, Surrey. The publication dates are not set. The editor is Jimmy Goddard, with production by Michael de Styrcea. A subscription costs £1 for four issues. Articles, letters, and contributions are welcome, as are attendees at the monthly meetings. Further information can be obtained by phoning Jimmy Goddard on 97-49505.

Exchange List

The issue concludes with an 'Exchange List' of other publications, including Quicksilver Messenger, Caerdrola, Earthquest News, Common Ground, Fortean Times, Northern Earth Mysteries, Stonehenge Viewpoint, Terrestrial Zodiac News, The Pipes of Pan, and The Shaman. The publishers thank these publications for mentioning them.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Touchstone are the exploration of Earth Mysteries, including gatherings (moots), dowsing, ley lines, and anomalous phenomena like ball lightning and entombed toads. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into subjects often dismissed by mainstream science, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of anecdotal evidence and research. There is a clear interest in connecting these phenomena to broader theoretical frameworks, such as Quantum Theory, while also valuing personal accounts and historical records. The publication acts as a platform for disseminating information and fostering a community around these interests.