Touchstone

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 46
Date: January 1997
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone, the newsletter of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, features a lead article on 'The E-line in Nepal', exploring the concept of energy lines and their potential passage through significant geographical and spiritual locations in the Himalayan region. The magazine also delves into 'Power Centers' on Earth, discussing the interplay of ley lines, water springs, and human consciousness, and includes reports on various Earth Mysteries topics, Romany Gypsy folklore, and group events.

The E-Line in Nepal

The article "THE E-LINE IN NEPAL" by an unnamed author from the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group discusses the potential path of an 'E-line' around the world, specifically focusing on its passage through Nepal. The author surmised that this line might go through the summit of Mount Everest, but after watching a program about a hot-air balloon flight over Everest in 1990 and subsequent video-dowsing, now believes the line passes about fourteen miles west of the mountain, through a valley and other significant places. The article lists several locations on a 1:500,000 Nelles map of Nepal, including Karyolung, Gokyo Ri, Machermo, Phortse, Tengboche (Thyangboche), Transerku, Silingchok, Kusum Kangguru, two places called Phedi, Shyam Shila, Joisidhar, and Dharan. The E-line is described as passing through Mount Karyolung from Tibet to Nepal. Gokyo is highlighted as a beautiful place fourteen miles west of Everest, a small herding community situated beside three lakes, which tradition attributes to the god Shiva plunging his trident into the earth. Bathing in these lakes is said to bring fertility. Shiva is described as the Hindu god of energy and the 'Lord of the Beasts', guardian and protector of Nepal. Gokyo is also noted as the take-off point for the 1990 hot-air balloon flight over Everest. Machermo is mentioned as a village between Gokyo and Tengboche, visited by Scott Yost. Tengboche Monastery is described as being perched on a ridge, a cultural and religious center of the Khumbu region, which was almost destroyed by fire in 1989 but rebuilt. It is also noted as the first base camp for Edmund Hillary's ascent of Everest in 1953. The proposed course of the E-line is shown crossing from Tibet to Nepal over the peak Karyolung.

Power Centers

The article "POWER CENTERS" by the Geo Group, Seattle, explores the concept of Earth energies and power centers. It posits that at points where ley lines enter or leave the Earth, and at approximately 70% of their nodes, there is a water spring. The union of a water spring and a ley line is presented as the universal prerequisite for power centers, determining the site selection of monuments. Ley lines and water lines are described as having fundamental similarities and differences: both form networks of force fields, but ley lines originate from outside the Earth and travel in straight tracks, while water lines originate from inside and are circuitous. The power of ancient monument sites lies in the interaction of the telluric Earth field of water lines with the cosmic solar field of ley lines, creating a synergistic, holistic field that is greater than the sum of its parts, representing the fusion of yang and yin. Power centers radiate a universal energy that affects consciousness and can be influenced by it. Strong human emotions experienced at a power center can create layers of consciousness felt by future visitors. The author recounts a personal experience of visiting an underground chamber in Vermont, belonging to the New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA), which studies ancient monuments. This chamber, located over a water spring and ley-line power center, evoked a palpable presence and intense energy. The author felt the overhead lintel stones weighed approximately three tons and experienced an energy level too high for their tastes. The article notes that such sacred places, called 'tantrapieds' in India, facilitate deep meditation and contemplation. It also describes how a person standing on a water line or leyline can affect their own field or aura, which can be seen as a faint light or glow around the body under certain conditions.

Romany Gypsy Folklore and Healing

"Folk-Healing and the Romany Gypsies" by Micheal O' hAodha discusses the beliefs and practices of Romany people regarding magic, omens, and healing. It states that ancient beliefs attributed diseases to evil spirits that could be driven out by magic. Romany people are described as having a special faith in magic, omens, and talismans for preventative medicine and good luck. Examples include carrying a hedgehog's foot to prevent toothache, using necklaces of black nightshade for babies, and wearing antique gold coins to ward off tonsilitis. Good luck charms are placed in homes to prevent evil or on the person. The horseshoe is a well-known gypsy charm, associated with good fortune due to their affinity with horses and iron's traditional association with preventing evil spirits. Other charms include carrying three wild horse-chestnuts for good health, drawing three crosses on a bed, and using speedwell boiled in rainwater for cataract cures. A bunch of squilla tied to the door is said to protect against sorcery, and a rowan twig is used to keep witches away. Owl eggs in omelette form are believed to cure madness and alcoholism. The article also describes a Romany spell involving cutting down a willow tree on St. George's Eve, with pregnant women leaving a garment underneath it to ensure an easy childbirth. Old and sick people can spit on the tree and say, "You will soon die, but let me live".

Another Romany spell involves a wooden box with herbs and a dried snake carcass, carried from tent to tent, with everyone spitting on the snake. The box and snake are then thrown into a river to dispel illnesses for the year. If anyone finds and opens the box, they will suffer the illnesses. This ritual is performed on Easter Sunday night. The article concludes by mentioning the use of incantations and sympathetic magic, providing examples of charms for severe headaches and painful eyes, and a spell for curing a child's nose bleeding.

TEMS: Travel and Earth Mysteries Society

The "TEMS" section introduces the Travel and Earth Mysteries Society as a social and study group for people in Southwest London and Surrey. It arranges programs covering ancient sites, crop circles, dowsing, ghosts, healing, ley lines, old churches, sacred wells, UFOs, and anomalous animals. The group has hosted speakers such as Nick Pope, who discussed his time on the UFO Desk at the Ministry of Defence, and Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe, who spoke about the Oak Island Treasure Pit mystery and Rennes-Le-Chateau. Dr. Karl Shuker, an author on animal anomalies, myths, and monsters, is also mentioned as a potential speaker. TEMS is described as a friendly, open-minded group, not a cult. Contact information for Ann (Wimbledon) and Lionel (Hampton) is provided.

Notes and News

This section contains several short items:

• Those Basingstoke Circles: Reports on crop circles seen from a train, described on the Crop Circle Connector website. Two formations near Basingstoke are detailed: a back-to-back crescent and a ring. The crop height, circle diameter, and damage to the plants are noted. The formations were in poor condition, with many dead plants and significant damage to stem bases.
• The Man and his Meter: This refers to a letter and picture from the summer 1996 edition of the Beekeepers Quarterly. It discusses the 'Bee Meter', invented by Alfred Watkins, a founding member of the Herefordshire Beekeepers Association. The meter, though not related to bees, was a popular light meter for photographers and named for its small size and efficiency.
• London Earth Mysteries Circle: Lists the meeting schedule and upcoming talks for the London Earth Mysteries Circle, including topics like 'Threats to Sacred Sites', 'The orthodox-alternative divide', 'Holiness and Unity', and 'From the Ashes of Angels'.
• TEMS meetings and other events: A detailed schedule of upcoming events for TEMS, including talks on 'Healing Wells and Holy Wells', 'The Oak Island Mystery', 'Abductions, UFOs and Government Conspiracies', 'Remote Viewing', a 'Field Trip to Sussex' visiting Chanetonbury Ring, 'Physical Reality of UFOs and Paranormal', and an 'All-Night Skywatch on Pewley Down' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting.
• Blandford Publishing: Mentions Blandford as a prolific publishing firm specializing in Earth Mysteries, Arthurian legend, Celtic themes, and UFO books. Books like 'Arthurian Myth and Legend', 'The Unknown Arthur', 'UFO Visitation', and 'The Druid Source Book' are highlighted.
• Scots Pines marking Brian Boru's Fort: Notes that Eileen Roche photographed Scots Pines at Brian Boru's Fort and has made interesting findings at Pewley Down, Guildford, details of which are expected in the next issue.

Booklets Reviewed/Mentioned

• The Hidden Unity and Beginnings: This booklet explores the phenomenon of subconscious siting of ley points, noting the predominance of worship places on leys. It discusses environmental and philosophical implications and investigates two ley centers: the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking and the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Scunthorpe. It includes an appendix on the significance of the Pagan religion and is illustrated with photographs and drawings. 'Beginnings' covers potentially useful discoveries made over twenty years, including earth energy detection, natural antigravity, subconscious siting, and solar transition effects, with a chapter on cognitive dissonance.
• Earth People, Space People: This booklet is based on Tony Wedd's unpublished manuscript 'Earth Men, Space Men', detailing claims of extraterrestrial contact. It includes articles on the history of the STAR Fellowship, evidence for aliens in the Solar System, and extraterrestrial language.

Letters

• Ronald Hewson, New York: Appreciates the publication and inquires about transferring UK tapes to US format. He mentions a location in New York called Storm King, which he finds significant and wishes for his ashes to be scattered there.
• Nigel Mee, Hindhead: Enjoyed a video and inquired about accessing the crypt at Winchester Cathedral. He also mentioned dowsing activities and crop circles.
• Chris Moon, Merstham: Expresses interest in Touchstone and the group, mentioning learning dowsing and seeking Merstham locations. He compliments the quality of the web page and photography.
• Rowan, White Dragon website: Introduces White Dragon as a website covering Midlands-based Earth Mysteries, taking over coverage from Mercian Mysteries. He highlights the website's substantial growth and content, noting that EM content will increase over time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Touchstone are Earth energies, ley lines, ancient sites, and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and mysteries. There is a strong emphasis on the investigative and exploratory nature of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, encouraging members to feel and experience energy fields and to share their findings. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and research-oriented, presenting various theories and anecdotal evidence without necessarily endorsing them as definitive fact. The inclusion of diverse topics like Romany folklore and historical accounts of strange occurrences suggests a broad interest in the unusual and the hidden aspects of the world. The magazine also serves as a platform for group announcements, events, and member contributions, fostering a sense of community among enthusiasts.