Touchstone - No 049 - 1998 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 49
Date: April 1998
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone, the newsletter of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, delves into various aspects of earth mysteries, focusing on the "New Stones of Glastonbury" as its lead story. The magazine explores ancient sites, ley lines, healing wells, and the broader concept of earth energies.

The New Stones of Glastonbury

The main article discusses two new standing stones placed on roundabouts along the new Glastonbury by-pass. One is located near Wearyall Hill, and the other on the Wells road. The author notes that each roundabout has been made into a mound with a standing stone. Examination of the site of the Wells road roundabout suggests it is situated on a "Watkinsian-type ley" that aligns with other significant features such as roads, tumuli, and churches in the area, including those in Wells and Glastonbury. The ley line is traced from a tumulus near Chewton Mendip, offering a view of the village and church.

Ley Lines and Ancient Alignments

The article details the path of this ley line, noting its passage through various points of interest. It passes through a small mixed pine and deciduous clump at Nedge Hill, then continues to the main crossroads of Green Ore and a junction named Hill Grove. The ley then proceeds to a multijunction and tumulus below Pen Hill, before curving towards Wells. It goes through a wooded hill north of the city and then the tall landmark of St. Cuthbert's Church in Wells. The article describes St. Cuthbert's Church, highlighting its high tower and medieval architecture, and mentions its nave roof and pulpit.

Continuing south of Wells, the ley passes through Coxley and then the roundabout stone north of Glastonbury. It reaches St. John's Church in Glastonbury, originally Norman and largely rebuilt in the 15th century. The churchyard contains the Holy Thorn, a sprig of which is sent to the Queen each Christmas. The ley then proceeds through the main war memorial junction and over Wearyall Hill. The article suggests that traditionally, Joseph of Arimathea's staff took root here to become the Holy Thorn. The author emphasizes that the new stone on the bypass is placed exactly on this ancient alignment, suggesting subconscious siting.

Following Doulting Water

Another section explores "Doulting Water," a stream in Somerset. Its source is St. Aldhelm's Well in Doulting, a hillside spring near the church. The stream flows through Shepton Mallet and Croscombe before emptying into the River Brue. The area is noted for its system of "good leys of Watkinsian quality." Two stones near Doulting are mentioned: the Hundred Stone, a white stone that gave its name to Whitstone Hundred, and another stone on the southern side of the Old Wells Road. A line drawn through these stones passes through the Church of St. Aldhelm in Doulting, whose present building is mainly fifteenth century but has traces of earlier construction.

St. Aldhelm, who died in 709, is discussed as a scholar, Abbot of Malmesbury, and Bishop of Sherborne. Legends about him are recounted, including reciting the psalter at night and singing by the cascading waters of the Doulting well. The article also mentions the church at Croscombe, noting its striking position and 15th-century construction, financed by wool trade prosperity.

The TEMS Holy Wells & Healing Wells Project

This section, written by Lionel Beer, details the work of TEMS (The Travel & Earth Mysteries Society) in collecting information about special wells in their area (S.W. London, Middlesex, and Surrey). Wells are categorized into three types: those used before domestic plumbing, medicinal wells, and ancient holy wells that may predate local written records. Examples of wells visited by TEMS are listed with their locations and special features, including Anne Boleyn's Well, Clark's Well, St. Mary's Well (Dunsfold), Epsom Wells, and St. Mary's Well (Farnham).

Book Reviews and Booklets

The issue includes a book review of "The Coppull-Standish Ley" by J. A. Hilton, which examines ancient sites and leys in Lancashire. The review notes that profits from the booklet go to CREWS (Campaign for the Restoration of the Wells of Standish).

Several booklets are also advertised for sale from the Touchstone address:

• The Hidden Unity and Beginnings: Explores subconscious siting of ley points, places of worship on leys, and includes an appendix on the significance of the Pagan religion. It also covers discoveries related to earth energy detection, natural antigravity, and subconscious siting.
• Earth People, Space People: A booklet based on a manuscript by Tony Wedd detailing extraterrestrial contact claims, the history of the STAR Fellowship, evidence for life in the Solar System, and extraterrestrial language.

Notes and News

A section lists upcoming TEMS meetings and field trips, including events on Fatima's Final Secret, a Hertfordshire field trip, a trip to Tintagel, a talk on Ghosts, Geists & Spirits, a Sussex field trip, a Summer Garden Party, a visit to Painshill Park, and a talk on Spirits of the Forest. There are also listings for London Earth Mysteries Circle meetings and talks on various topics such as hauntings, ancient sites, Templars, Colchester, and Crowley.

Power Centers

This section, referencing the Geo Organisation website, discusses "Power Centers" which are identified as points where ley lines enter or leave the Earth, often coinciding with water springs. The union of ley lines and water springs is considered essential for the selection of monument sites. The article explains the interaction of telluric Earth fields (water lines) and cosmic solar fields (ley lines) creating a synergetic, holistic field. It also describes the experience of power at sacred sites and mentions the Ancient Sacred Landscape Network (ASLAN), a group focused on the care of ancient sacred sites.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the interconnectedness of ancient sites, ley lines, and earth energies. The magazine promotes the exploration of these phenomena, encouraging readers to investigate and experience the subtle energies of the landscape. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into earth mysteries, historical sites, and unexplained phenomena, with a focus on research and information sharing within the earth mysteries community.