Touchstone

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 21
Date: April 1989
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone delves into various aspects of earth mysteries, ancient civilizations, and emerging technological concepts. It features a planned field trip, reader contributions on local legends and historical puzzles, book reviews, and a significant archaeological report.

Coldrum Field Trip

The magazine announces an upcoming field trip on Saturday, August 12th, organized in conjunction with the Northern Earth Mysteries Circle. The trip will focus on several sites in Kent, including The White Horse Stone, Kit's Coty House, Lower Kit's Coty, Trottiscliffe Church, Addington Long Barrow, and The Chestnuts burial chamber. Coldrum is highlighted as being on a ley line described by Paul Devereux. The article also mentions that the group may visit places described in Tony Wedd's "Skyways and Landmarks" if time permits, noting the area is rich in historical interest.

Letters

From Richard Colborne, Pershore, Worcestershire:
Colborne expresses intrigue regarding the "Avebury plans business," hoping earth mysteries enthusiasts can solve the puzzle before traditional archaeologists. He speculates that John Aubrey's work might stem from a layman's misinterpretation, particularly concerning concentric circles and spatial descriptions. He notes common deficiencies in the speech and comprehension of ordinary people, who struggle with terms like 'horizontal' and 'vertical' and concepts of juxtaposition.

From Norman Darwen, Sidcup, Kent:
Darwen shares information about a local stone known as "The Witch's Stone" near Preston, Lancashire. He notes its presence beside a path in the churchyard of Saint Anne's church in Woodplumpton. According to local legend, a witch named Meg Shelton was buried there, and cracks appearing in the earth afterward were interpreted as her attempt to escape. The stone is said to substitute a grave marker. He also mentions that in 1705, a Margery Hilton was buried by torchlight and later reinterred head downwards, suggesting a date for the stone's (re)erection.

From Chris Hall, Fleet, Hampshire:
Hall contributes a note about a fine lunar rainbow observed at Reigate on the evening of October 9th, 1889. The moon was full, and the rainbow appeared as a perfect arch, accompanied by rain. He describes it as a brilliant and striking object, with visible prismatic colors.

Book Reviews

The Well of Our Lady, by Robert Smith:
Reviewed by Chris Hall, this book is praised as a fine example of historical research into a holy well in Ladywell, Lewisham. The research traces the well's existence from at least 1592 and its development through Victorian times. The book successfully relocated the well's site, and the Ladywell Village Society has marked it with a plaque. The review recommends it for those interested in the history of holy wells.

Mystery Animals of Britain and Ireland, by Graham J. McEwan:
This review highlights the book's ten-page account of the Surrey Puma episodes as particularly relevant. The reviewer commends McEwan for using local press reports rather than recycling national accounts. The book is described as a useful compilation of evidence for various mystery animals reported in Britain, including alien big cats, black dogs, and sea serpents, with some accounts published for the first time.

Notes and News

Postal folios reborn:
Chris Hall reports joining the Open University Graduate Research on Anomalous Phenomena, which uses a Watkins-type postal folio system. He contributed a copy of "Campus Lines" and will report on any interesting findings.

London meetings:
The London Earth Mysteries Circle has scheduled several meetings at the Maria Assumpta Centre in Kensington, covering topics such as traditional pilgrimage routes, Earthlights and UFOs, Jewish folklore, the significance of Midsummer, and the Gaia Hypothesis. They are also organizing field trips, including to Cornwall, Padstow, Dartmoor, and a Coldrum Field Trip.

Towards the Future: A wider context for allotechnology

By Philip Heselton:
Heselton discusses the concept of "allotechnology," linking it to free energy devices and the idea that motives and vibrational elements are crucial for their function. He suggests that time, place, and attunement to cosmic cycles are important. Allotechnology, he posits, may teach harmony by sensitizing users, similar to Kilner goggles. The devices are believed to be made of landscape materials and may work best at places of power. He contrasts this with orthodox technology, emphasizing the need for awareness of implications and the role of Gaia. Heselton argues that allotechnology aligns better with "alternative technology" (solar, wind, water power) than with current technologies, highlighting characteristics like renewability, human scale, decentralization, and non-exploitiveness. He concludes that the future of technology will likely integrate alternative technology and allotechnology, helping to build peace and cooperation.

British scientists unravel mystery of giant obelisks

By David Keys, Archaeology Correspondent:
This article reports on the work of British archaeologists, particularly Dr Stuart Munro-Hay, who are investigating a lost African empire centered in Axum, Ethiopia. The empire, which once spanned the northern half of Ethiopia and parts of Yemen, flourished from the first to the seventh century AD, predating earlier estimates. The main focus is on giant stone obelisks, some up to 100 feet high, which are believed to be vast tombstones for Axumite emperors. Excavations have also revealed subterranean royal tombs containing elaborate burial goods. The civilization of Axum is significant for its role in the early history of Christianity, having adopted it as its official religion in 330 AD, and for its sophisticated imperial coinage system, evidenced by a hoard of gold coins found in South Yemen.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores earth mysteries, ancient sites, and unexplained phenomena. There's a strong interest in archaeological discoveries that challenge conventional timelines or interpretations, as seen in the Axum article. The publication also engages with speculative concepts like ley lines, UFOs, and alternative technologies, suggesting a belief in interconnectedness and hidden histories. The editorial stance appears to favor independent research and critical examination of established narratives, encouraging reader participation through letters and field trips.