Touchstone - No 017 - 1988 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 17
Date: April 1988
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone, a newsletter focused on Earth Mysteries, features articles on ley lines, historical healing practices, and archaeological discoveries. The cover art depicts a stylized rural landscape with a sun and village, setting a tone of mystery and ancient connections.

A NORFOLK LEY

The lead article, "A NORFOLK LEY," details the author's investigation into a ley line discovered by his wife, Doris, in Norfolk. Passing through the village of Caistor St. Edmund, the ley connects a Roman town earthwork with Norwich Cathedral. The author meticulously traces the ley's path, identifying fourteen significant points including churches, cross-roads, and coincident tracks. He notes that the ley runs along a straight edge of the Roman earthwork and suggests the existence of two other leys passing through the same church, one of which connects to a henge monument south of the city. The article emphasizes the validity of leys through junctions and coincident tracks.

HEALING SHRINES OF THE MIDDLE AGES

This section reports on a talk given by Mr. Eric Freeman at the Addlestone Historical Society. Freeman discussed the historical significance of healing shrines in the Middle Ages, explaining that travel for religious uplift and healing was common. He argues against dismissing claims of healing powers, given the arduous journeys undertaken by pilgrims. The article mentions various pilgrimage sites, including Philae in Egypt for healing, and Canterbury, where pilgrims sought healing from the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket. It highlights how Christianity often adapted pre-existing sacred sites, dedicating them to saints. The text notes that medieval medical treatments were often worse than the illnesses, making healing shrines a vital resource. It recounts the veneration of relics and mentions over 700 healing miracles recorded at Canterbury. The story of St. Thomas a Becket is detailed, including his assassination and the subsequent miracles attributed to his blood and shrine. Other less conventional healing sites are mentioned, such as "Battlewell" at the site of Simon de Montfort's death and miraculous cures before the tomb of Edmund, King of East Anglia, and Edward the Martyr. The article also touches upon the devout nature of Henry VI and the numerous miracles reported at Chertsey Abbey after his death. Other healing tombs mentioned include those of Thomas Cantelupe, Godric of Findhar, William of Norwich, and Wolson of Worcester. Edward the Confessor's intact shrine in Westminster Abbey is contrasted with the destruction of other shrines during the Reformation. The modern shrine at Walsingham is noted as lacking the powerful atmosphere of ancient churches.

NEW BRONZE AGE SITE DISCOVERED

Written by Chris Hall, this article reports on the discovery of a previously unknown Bronze Age site in rural Hampshire, prompted by oil industry exploration near Odiham. The site yielded evidence of Bronze Age field enclosures, pottery, and animal bones dating to approximately 700 B.C. Additionally, six graves from the late Roman period (around 300 A.D.) were found. The area, intensively farmed, had previously yielded no clues to its ancient history. The discovery is seen as filling a gap in the knowledge of prehistoric Hampshire. The Roman cemetery contained skeletons but no artefacts. The site is located on the downs linking the North Downs in Surrey with the Inkpen Ridgeway. Another ancient site in the vicinity is Odiham Firs, a former beacon site. A full report is expected in the Hampshire Field Club's Papers and Proceedings, with finds sent to Salisbury museum.

LETTERS

From Norman Darwen, Sidcup: Darwen writes about three slabs he encountered in Stirling, identified as "The Three Counties Stone." These slabs mark the meeting point of three ancient county boundaries (Stirlingshire, Clackmannanshire, Perthshire) and bear the letters 'S', 'P', and 'C'. He also mentions a road that once ran from Bridge of Allan to a church, which was closed in the 18th century, and questions if it might be a ley line. He notes the region's association with paganism and describes carvings of Green Men, Dragons, and Hares in Dunblane Cathedral, as well as a Pietish slab. He also recounts the legend of "The Bonnety Tree," an ancient Scots pine near Cambusbarron that no longer exists.

From Mike Collier, Brighton: Collier expresses his interest in "TZs" (presumably terrestrial or time anomalies) and regrets missing a Newcastle event. He believes that while many phenomena were investigated in the seventies, some lacked substance. He praises the accurate depiction of an Elephant figure, noting how its trunk is formed by a road and its tusk by a reservoir bank. He also points out the significance of sites being exactly 1 Km apart, a detail he has observed frequently, and suggests a measurement of 10800 miles. He concludes by mentioning that the Elephant figure is best observed from a specific viewpoint.

From Eric Freeman, Thorpe, Surrey: Freeman thanks the author for enjoying his talk to the Addlestone History Society. He shares details about the church of St. Mary in Thorpe, noting its Norman origins, circular churchyard indicating an ancient sacred site, and the discovery of a Roman cinerary urn dated to 180 A.D. He emphasizes the church's "atmosphere," which is frequently remarked upon by visitors.

NOTES AND NEWS

Tales of the Unexplained: This section briefly mentions a tongue-in-cheek article in the Sunday Express magazine about the work of Colin and Janet Bord, who are described as researchers of mysterious phenomena. Their books are said to be read by intelligent people, 'weirdos,' and vicars, and they aim to correct foreign perceptions of Britain.

London meetings: Information is provided for obtaining the current London programme and details for a joint field trip to the Aldershot area on Saturday, June 4th, organized by Rob Stephenson.

Guided walk: A guided archaeological walk in the Aldershot area is scheduled for Sunday, July 3rd, led by an archaeologist interested in leys. Contact Chris Hall for details.

Local stones: Interest has been expressed in a trip to see local stones, but a date has not yet been agreed upon. Readers interested in such a trip are asked to send weekend dates they are free.

TOWARDS THE FUTURE: A wider context for allotechnology

Authored by Philip Heselton, this article explores the concept of "allotechnology," a term coined by Tony Wedd in 1965. Allotechnology refers to devices received from 'space people' that differ from contemporary technology. Heselton outlines eight apparent principles of allotechnology: reception via thought communication (though other methods are not discounted), power from 'free energy' (akin to prana or ch'i), the importance of shape, the significance of number (especially seven), the use of specific materials (metals, woods, crystals), the need for a single maker to impregnate the device with their vibrations, the absence of significant moving parts, and the potential influence of location. Heselton suggests that Tony Wedd's interest was in the practical demonstration of space contact rather than just the philosophy. He notes that allotechnology was not solely discovered by Wedd and Philip Rodgers, but involved information from various contacts like Adamski, Dan Fry, and Buck Nelson. Heselton expresses concern about the brevity and second-hand nature of many accounts, urging for more original research into figures like John de Land and George Milner. He then broadens the definition of allotechnology to include devices like Wilhelm Reich's orgone motor, John Worrell Keely's "Dynaspheric Force" ship, and T. Henry Moray's "Radiant Energy Device," suggesting these share principles with allotechnology and represent a higher technology that could emerge in cultures with certain social and philosophical foundations. The article is marked "To be continued."

PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE FROM JIMMY GODDARD

This section lists several publications available for purchase, including "Skyways and Landmarks Revisited" (a re-examination of Tony Wedd's work), "Campus Lines" (investigating leys around universities), and "Cosmic Friends" (an account of communication with extraterrestrials). "Touchstone" itself is listed as a quarterly newsletter from the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, priced at £2 for four issues. "Amskaya," a newsletter from the STAR Fellowship concerning extraterrestrial communication, is also available.

EXCHANGE LIST

An exchange list provides contact details for various publications and groups, including Quicksilver Messenger (Jakarta), Caerdroia, Earthquest News, Common Ground, Fortean Times, Northern Earth Mysteries, Stonehenge Viewpoint, The Pipes of Pan, Folklore Frontiers, Word Spirit, The Ley Hunter, Circle, Magonia, and Earth Force. The magazine thanks these publications for mentioning Touchstone.

Subscription Information

Touchstone is published by Surrey Earth Mysteries Group. Subscriptions are £2 for four issues. Cheques should be made payable to J. Goddard. All articles are welcome, as are new members for monthly meetings in Addlestone. A subscription due is indicated by an "X" following the sentence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ley lines, ancient sites, earth mysteries, historical healing practices, and the concept of 'allotechnology' related to extraterrestrial contact and alternative energy. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting research, anecdotal evidence, and discussions from various contributors and speakers. There is a clear interest in connecting ancient history, folklore, and unexplained phenomena with modern-day investigations, encouraging readers to engage with the material and contribute their own findings.