Touchstone - No 032 - 1992 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 32
Date: January 1992
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone, a publication focused on earth mysteries, addresses 'Disturbing Trends' within the community, particularly concerning what the editor perceives as an aggressive and fundamentalist strain of Paganism. The magazine explores various aspects of earth mysteries, including ley lines, sacred sites, ancient cultures, and the Gaia hypothesis, featuring reports from events and talks by various researchers and enthusiasts.

Disturbing Trends

The lead article, "Disturbing Trends," expresses concern over a growing element of aggressive, doctrinaire, and fundamentalist Paganism within the earth mysteries movement. The author notes instances at the Northern Earth Mysteries Moot and within group meetings where this attitude was evident, contrasting it with the message of unity suggested by the interconnectedness of religious sites via ley lines. The article posits that ley systems link various religious buildings, implying that all forms of worship are equally valid and that no single religion holds superior status. The author hopes that Paganism, being closely connected to earth mysteries, would recognize this principle of inclusivity.

The Ley Hunter Moot 1991

This section details the Ley Hunter Moot held in the village hall at Dinas Mawddwy, Wales. The event included several talks:

• Local Organiser's Tour: Laurence Main provided a tour of the area, highlighting its history, including its former independent status, connections to King Arthur's last battle, and its geographical significance as a border between North and South Wales. The area is noted for its ancient Celtic Church sites and natural features.
• Gaia Hypothesis: Peter Harper discussed James Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis, explaining its different degrees from the "self-evident" to the "outrageously speculative" and "beyond the pale" interpretations, which view the Earth as a living, regulating system.
• The Celts: Ann Ross, an authority on the Celts, explored their identity, the evolution of their beliefs, and their deep connection to the landscape. She discussed tribal gods, goddesses rooted in the land, and Celtic kings simulating marriage with the Earth Goddess. An anecdote about a couple and a ritual house in central Perthshire was shared, illustrating the enduring connection to the land.
• Archaeology and Celtic Studies: Archaeological discoveries, such as a Bronze Age barrow at Deal, Kent, with a man buried with bronze weapons and coral, and a ditch and bank enclosure near Armagh dating to 3000 BC, were presented as evidence supporting the importance of archaeology in conjunction with Celtic studies.
• Lost Lands: Nigel Pennick spoke about the concept of lost lands, referencing mythology and evidence for places like Lyonesse off Cornwall. He also touched upon the changing coastline and the idea that Land's End was not the end of the land in Arthurian times.
• Coastal and Megalithic Sites: The discussion extended to coastal features, including chambered cairns in Brittany and the Scillies, and submerged megalithic sites, indicating a significant drop in sea level in the past.
• Legends of Lost Towns: Legends of lost towns, such as one on the Goodwin Sands and spectral bells heard in East Anglia, were recounted, alongside the story of a sandbank in the Humber estuary that became a town before being washed away.
• Dragon Project Appeal: Paul Devereux appealed for support to purchase the Rollright Stones.
• German Ley Line: Nigel Pennick described a ley line discovered in Germany, running from a tree clump near Stuttgart to a hill with a castle, noting its focal point at a lookout tower and its connection to the Cave of the Sibyl.
• Pineal Gland and Psychic Sensitivity: Serena Roney-Dougal, a biochemist, presented research on the pineal gland's role in psychic sensitivity, distinguishing between active (poltergeists) and passive (telepathy, clairvoyance) types, and their potential links to environmental factors like fault lines and magnetic fields, as well as stone circles and barrows.
• Kogi Indians of Colombia: Alan Ereira discussed the Kogi Indians, a civilization that has maintained its traditions and metaphysical philosophy by living in isolation in the Colombian mountains. He shared their message about the damage being done to the world and their willingness to teach others to understand and change their behavior.
• Landscape Temple: Peter Dawkins spoke on England and Wales as a "landscape temple," believing that every place has a purpose and that myths relate to the energies and working of the land. He discussed the myth of Europa and the Bull and its connection to Europe's shape and Britain.
• Man-Made Caves of Nottingham: Paul Nix presented his exploration of man-made caves under Nottingham, detailing their various uses, including an underground tannery, a solicitor's hiding place, a slaughterhouse, wine stores, and a kiln.
• Owen Glyndwr Museum: The group visited the Owen Glyndwr Museum in Machynlleth.

Northern Moot 1991

This section reports on the Northern Earth Mysteries Moot held in Nottingham. Key talks included:

• Quest for the Omphalos: Bob Trubshaw discussed the concept of the omphalos, or world navel, as a central point of the world spirit, citing examples like Delphi, Mecca, and Jerusalem. He noted that in England, omphalos places were often at meeting points of boundaries or crossroads, sometimes referred to as "placeless places."
• Roman Roads and Crossing Points: Bob Trubshaw also spoke on Roman roads in Britain, highlighting how their crossing points were considered special, with several claimed to be the center of England, such as High Cross in Leicestershire.
• Sacred Sound: Bob Dickinson explored the significance of sound in sacred sites, suggesting that ancient peoples located sites based on natural sounds and created a synthesis through rituals. He mentioned the work of landscape artist Richard Long and phenomena like the "hummadruz" and humming heard at crop circles, linking sound to dialogue with hidden forces.
• Instruments and Divination: The use of sound in various cultures was discussed, including Australian Aboriginal instruments like the didgery-doo and bullroarer, and the use of shamanic drums in Lapland for divination. The similarity of sounds made by world faiths was also noted as potentially representing a hidden unity.
• Old Stones of Nottinghamshire: Frank Earp discussed the veneration of natural stones in Nottinghamshire, mentioning the Hemlock Stone and the Cat Stone. He noted how these stones fit into a geometrical arrangement with churches and discussed the removal of a standing stone from Selsdon Church.
• 'The Lady and her Ever Green Way': Liz Lipeatt's talk was described as an exhortation to live as custodians of the Earth.

Other Content

• London Meetings: A schedule of upcoming meetings for the London Earth Mysteries Circle is provided, covering topics such as "A Personal View of Earth Mysteries," "William Blake's New Jerusalem," and "Celtic Heads."
• Videos: Information is given about two available videos: "Whirls of Energy" and "The Pitch Hill Project."
• Talk to Guildford Metaphysical Society: An upcoming talk on Surrey Earth Mysteries is announced.
• Amskaya: A note mentions that Amskaya magazine, which contains earth mysteries content, will be sent to Touchstone subscribers.
• Booklets: "The Hidden Unity" and "Beginnings" are described. "The Hidden Unity" explores subconscious siting of ley points and the philosophical implications of worship, with examples like the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking and the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Scunthorpe. "Beginnings" covers discoveries in earth energy detection, natural antigravity, and subconscious siting, with a chapter on cognitive dissonance and the discovery of leys by Alfred Watkins.
• Exchange List: A list of publications for exchange is provided, including Fortean Times, Northern Earth Mysteries, and Magonia.
• Subscription Information: Details for subscribing to Touchstone are given.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the interconnectedness of sacred sites through ley lines, the validity of diverse spiritual beliefs, and the exploration of ancient landscapes and their associated myths and energies. The editorial stance, as expressed in the "Disturbing Trends" article, advocates for inclusivity and a non-dogmatic approach within the earth mysteries community, cautioning against fundamentalist attitudes. There is a strong emphasis on the spiritual significance of places, the natural world, and the potential for harmonious living through understanding these connections. The magazine also promotes research and discussion on a wide range of topics within the field, from archaeology and history to esoteric beliefs and indigenous wisdom.