Touchstone - No 035 - 1993 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 35
Date: January 1993
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries

This issue of Touchstone magazine delves into various aspects of earth mysteries, ufology, and paranormal phenomena, featuring articles on ley lines in Florence, antigravity experiments, and a tour of haunted locations in Guildford.

Leys in Florence

The lead article, "Leys in Florence," by Doris and the author, details their four-day visit to the city in late September. Using a dowsing instrument made from a ball-point pen, they identified several ley lines. Three leys were found to cross under the dome of the Santa Mariadel Fiore Cathedral (the Duomo). One of these leys was followed and found to pass through Giotto's Campanile, a detached bell tower. This line was approximately ten paces wide and detectable up to the top of the tower. The view from the Campanile was noted, though hampered by torrential rain.

In a south-westerly direction, this ley continues through Piazza Goldini, named after a dramatist, and crosses roads near the Ponte alla Carreia bridge over the River Arno. It then passes through the church of San Frediano in Costello. The alignment of the Duomo, Piazza Goldini, and San Frediano in Costello was confirmed by dowsing.

In the opposite direction from the cathedral, the theoretical ley appeared to miss two churches, but it was suggested that if the ley's width doubled at sunset, it might encompass them. However, time constraints prevented further investigation.

A second ley was discovered originating from the Cathedral, passing roughly south. This ley was found to align with the Ponte Vecchio, Florence's 'old bridge,' which miraculously survived the war. The ley passes south of the bridge, through several crossroads, including one in the Giardino dei Semplici. While not particularly clear on a map, this ley was described as powerful to dowse and encompassing the entire Ponte Vecchio within its width. The author found Florence to be a fascinating city and expressed a desire to investigate it further in better weather.

Ley on the Underground

An intriguing observation was made by the author while travelling to the National Gallery in London. A plan of Trafalgar Square in the Charing Cross Underground station revealed an alignment. The gap between two parts of the poster formed a straight line connecting the centre of the Gallery dome to Nelson's Column. This alignment was also seen to extend along Whitehall and visibly align with Big Ben. The line passed through the centre of the Gallery dome and its main entrance. The Imperial Standards of Length metal plates in Trafalgar Square were also noted to be on this line, dated 1876. The author regretted not having a dowsing rod to investigate this further.

Notes and News

Recent Field Trips: Information gained by the group is stored on video and available by request on tape, free of charge.

Earlier Videos: Mentions of videos titled 'Whirls of Energy' (Old Sarum and Winchester trip), 'The Pitch Hill Project,' and 'A Visit to Tony Wedd Country' (SEMG members' trip to Chiddingstone).

Surrey Earth Mysteries: An outline of the subject followed by an examination of the Ferry Lane ley from Chertsey to Horsell.

London Meetings: The London Earth Mysteries Circle holds meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at the Maria Assumpta Centre, London W8. A schedule of upcoming talks and events from January to April is provided, including topics like 'The Crossover Between Hidden Teachings and Earth Mysteries,' 'Free Energy,' 'Sacred Kingscross,' and 'UFOs.' A minibus trip to Essex is also planned.

TEMS Meetings: TEMS meetings are held on the last Sunday of each month at various venues. Contact Lionel Beer for details. TEMS now produces a newsletter.

TEMS Meetings Schedule: A list of upcoming TEMS meetings from January to March includes topics such as 'Telepathic Communication,' 'Experimental Group to Follow Above Talk,' 'Avebury and its Megacircle,' and a joint SEMG-TEMS meeting.

Antigravity Project

This section revisits experiments in natural antigravity based on the "Pyramid of Hands" phenomenon. Previously shelved due to the need for multiple participants, the project was revived after a meeting with the Borderland Investigation Group. An aim is to form a working group to continue the investigation. The results from previous work are summarized:

1. The "pyramid of hands" procedure was effective in lifting subjects.
2. A smaller effect was noted when only one finger was used per lifter, suggesting a circuit was effective.
3. The effect was observed with an inanimate object (a table), indicating the energy flow originates from the lifters.
4. Experiments with scales suggested an effect, but required repetition.
5. The effect was obtained when the pyramid was performed on a surface near the subject, confirming the energy source.
6. Linking hands in a circle seemed to produce a stronger effect, referencing a quote from "Earth Magic."

New findings from a London meeting included a tingling sensation reported by subjects and a reduced effect when a woman (Judi) was being lifted by men, suggesting a potential gender polarity effect.

Possible further experiments include testing the duration of the effect, exploring gender polarity with mixed-gender lifters, testing the effect at ley points, and determining the maximum weight that can be lifted.

"Martian" Field Trip

A field trip to Horsell Common, the site of H. G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" landing, is described. The trip included visits to a standing stone, Chobham Church, and Longcross Church. The Queen Victoria Monument was noted to have earthworks resembling a small camp or hillfort. A video of the trip, including readings from "War of the Worlds," is being prepared, with additional material about Mars.

Letters

Norman Darwen (Blackpool): Notes a recurring image on Granada Television, a pictogram in a cornfield with tramlines, which he wonders if it relates to crop circles, as the north-west has experienced few.

Simon Thioux (Long Stratton, Norwich): Comments on the previous issue's focus on his location. He mentions a proposal to excavate the Roman town at Caistor St. Edmund as a tourist attraction. He also confirms that a henge was visible as a circular depression in a field, with a footpath running through it.

Apology: An apology is made for the non-appearance of the October issue due to a daughter's wedding, assuring subscribers they will receive four issues.

Mysterious Guildford

This article by Eileen Grimshaw details a day trip by TEMS members to Guildford. The tour, based on research by Jimmy Goddard and local oral evidence, focused on the town's history, visual alignments, and unexplained phenomena. Reports of ghostly sightings and mysterious apparitions were investigated in various buildings along the High Street. These included the ghost of a murdered girl, a mischievous ghost in a shop, and a figure seen walking down an invisible staircase. The tour also visited two carparks where "Ladies in Grey" had reportedly frightened people, and explored the local hotel, The Angel, which is said to be haunted by three ghosts, including a military figure and a guard of Lord Nelson. The ancient crypt under the hotel was opened, revealing tunnels leading to the castle and a recent sighting of an anomalous shadow. The medieval undercroft of a nearby shop, now a Tourist Information Centre, was also admired. The destruction of the old Medieval Friary site was deplored. After lunch, the party walked along the River Wey, noting the town's continuous occupation for at least a thousand years and its connection to Lewis Carroll. The grassy area where blue woollen cloth was prepared for export was investigated, as were bricked-up passages in a chalk cliff. The Guildford Museum was visited, and archaeological artefacts admired. The castle grounds featured scenes from the turbulent seventeenth century as part of the Guildford Festival.

The castle ruins were explored, offering views of the countryside. The party then followed the towpath to the holy well and ruins of St. Catherine's chapel, situated on Dragon's Hill. Anomalous earth energy bands were discovered by dowsers. The tour highlighted the welcoming nature of local notables who shared information about ghosts, including the ghost of Lord Monmouth, a hotel ghost, a piano-playing ghost, and a seated horseman haunting an archway. The day concluded with a sudden downpour of rain.

A poem titled "Across the sodden midland plain" by A. J. Carr is included.

Publications Available from Jimmy Goddard

A list of publications is provided, including:

• SKYWAYS AND LANDMARKS REVISITED (re-examination of Tony Wedd's work)
• CAMPUS LINES (ley investigations around universities)
• COSMIC FRIENDS (communication with extraterrestrials)
• THE INHABITED SOLAR SYSTEM (evidence of life in our solar system)
• ENIGMAS OF THE PLAIN (Salisbury Plain mysteries)
• TOUCHSTONE (Surrey Earth Mysteries Group newsletter)
• AMSKAYA (STAR Fellowship newsletter)

All prices include postage.

The Hidden Unity and Beginnings

Two booklets recently released by the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group are described:

• The Hidden Unity: Explores subconscious siting of ley points, the predominance of worship places on leys, and the philosophical implications. It investigates two ley centres: the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking and the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Scunthorpe. Includes an appendix on the significance of Pagan religion and is illustrated with photos, maps, and drawings.
• Beginnings: Details discoveries made by Jimmy Goddard over twenty years, including earth energy detection, natural antigravity, subconscious siting, ley width, and the solar transition effect. It also discusses cognitive dissonance and concludes with Alfred Watkins' discovery of leys.

Each booklet costs £1 plus 30p p&p.

Exchange List

A list of publications with which Touchstone exchanges copies is provided, including FORTEAN TIMES, NORTHERN EARTH MYSTERIES, FOLKLORE FRONTIERS, THELEY HUNTER, MAGONIA, GLOUCESTERSHIRE EARTH MYSTERIES, MEYN MAMVRO, LONDON EARTH MYSTERIES, and MARKSTONE.

Touchstone Subscription

Touchstone is published by Surrey Earth Mysteries Group. Subscriptions are £2 for four issues. Cheques should be made payable to J. Goddard. Articles and meeting attendance are welcome.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Touchstone are the exploration of ley lines and their significance, investigations into paranormal phenomena such as ghosts and antigravity, and the reporting of field trips and group meetings related to earth mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging reader participation and sharing of information through articles, letters, and meetings. There is a clear focus on local and regional earth mysteries, with specific attention given to locations in Florence and Guildford, as well as broader topics like ufology and ancient energies.