Touchstone

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 82
Volume: 25th Anniversary Issue
Date: July 2008
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone, the newsletter of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, delves into various aspects of earth mysteries, ley lines, ancient sites, and unexplained phenomena. The cover highlights the Society of Ley Hunters Moot held in Banbury, featuring discussions on local history and ley connections.

Society of Ley Hunters Moot, Banbury

The moot took place at the Quaker meeting house in Banbury. The article touches upon the historical significance of Banbury's crosses, noting their destruction by Puritans and the erection of a new one in 1858. The field trip included visits to the King Stone at Rollright and sites related to the crosses. A talk by Adrian Hyde, in place of Colin Thornton, focused on the poet Edward Thomas, his life, works, and connection to the British countryside. Thomas, born in 1878, was killed in World War I in 1917. His works include 'The Woodland Life' and 'Icknield Way', and his poems captured the essence of rural life. The group planned to visit a ley connected to Adlestrop, a place mentioned in one of Thomas's poems.

Edward Thomas and Watkins' Country

The article elaborates on Edward Thomas's life, his struggles with depression, and his move to the country. His friendship with American poet Robert Frost is mentioned, as is his enlistment in the Artists Rifles Regiment and his death in France. His wife Helen's autobiographical works, 'As it Was' and 'Worlds without End', are also noted. The text connects Thomas's life to 'Watkins country', a term associated with the landscape explored by Alfred Watkins.

Phil Rickman's Novels and Earth Mysteries

Phil Rickman, an author whose novels incorporate earth mysteries material, is discussed. His early work focused on horror, but later novels explored legends of towns and supernatural occurrences. His book 'Wine of Angels' is set in Herefordshire and involves themes of exorcism and paganism, linking to earth mysteries. His second book dealt with leys between Dinedor and Hereford, and Dinedor Hill is presented as a site of national controversy due to road construction that uncovered ancient pathways.

Alfred Watkins and Ley Lines

The concept of leys, as explored by Alfred Watkins, is a recurring theme. The composer Elgar's proximity to Watkins in Hereford is noted, suggesting a potential shared interest in photography and leys, though Watkins remains largely unacknowledged in historical accounts of Elgar. The article mentions the 'Dinedor serpent' and the council's road construction over it.

Michael Dames on Ley Lines and Sacred Sites

Michael Dames discussed the nature of ley lines, linking them to prehistoric trackways and the etymology of the word 'ley'. He suggested that leys represent an interweaving of physical monuments and narrative, drawing parallels with Greek 'myth' and 'cosmogany'. The Banbury moot's focus on the return of the sacred, symbolized by the rebuilt cross, was highlighted. Dames also spoke about the cyclical nature of the goddess and the concept of journeys creating personal change.

Christine Rhone on Ancient Florida

Christine Rhone presented on the mounds and earthworks of ancient Florida. She described art depicting panther shamans and the unique landscape of the Everglades. The history of European colonization is mentioned, alongside the extensive artificial islands and mounds built by indigenous peoples, such as the Calusa and Tocobaga tribes. The Crystal River Mounds, a significant ceremonial centre and necropolis, and the two rare standing stones with a petroglyph are detailed. Mysterious earthworks in the Lake Okeechobee region, including linear ridges and circular ditches, are also discussed.

Alan Ereira and the Kogi People

Alan Ereira shared his experiences with the Kogi people of South America, who retreated to inaccessible mountains centuries ago. His film project, 'The Lost City', led him to discover the living culture of the people who built it. The Kogi conveyed a message to the 'younger brother' (representing modern humanity), lamenting the exploitation of natural resources, particularly gold, and the destruction of ecological balance. Their creation story involves 'Aluna', the primordial mother, and the creation of worlds and human beings tasked with caring for the planet. The Kogi philosophy emphasizes that behavior, not humanity itself, is the problem for the world.

David Furlong on Landscape Surveying

David Furlong spoke about 'In the Footsteps of the Dodman', discussing prehistoric surveying techniques and Alfred Watkins' interpretation of the Long Man of Wilmington as a 'dodman' surveyor. He presented the Marlborough Downs circle, noting its alignment with seven churches and Avebury Henge, and discussed the significance of 'other quality' places.

Field Trips and Ley Discoveries

Several field trips are documented:

• Oxford Field Trip (July 6th, 1985): Reported in a previous issue, this trip followed a ley north of Oxford connecting various tumuli, stones, and burial chambers, including Wagborough Bush tumulus, Icomb Hill, Squires Clump, and the Hoar Stone burial chamber at Enstone. The trip also visited the Hawk Stone and Taston.
• Banbury Moot Field Trip: This trip revisited sites from a 1985 field trip. It included the Hoar Stone burial chamber at Enstone, the Thor Stone at Taston, and the Hawk Stone. The Hawk Stone is described as having a V-shaped notch and a tradition of being used to chain witches. Strange objects were photographed in the sky near the Hawk Stone, and participants reported tingles and a shimmering aura.
• A303 Field Trip (June 22nd, 2008): Led by Lionel Beer, this trip started at Countess Services near Amesbury and included visits to West Amesbury, the farmer's bridge over the River Avon, and Stonehenge, focusing on the Blue Stones and their association with healing. The group also visited Yarnbury Castle hillfort and a milestone.
• Mere Castle Field Trip: This trip explored Mere Castle, the Parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel, and noted Strip Lynchetts and medieval agricultural terraces. The castle's history and its connection to Richard Earl of Cornwall are mentioned. The church contains effigies and stained glass windows.

The Hoar Stones Alignment, Oxfordshire

This section details a significant alignment of sites in Oxfordshire, including the Hawk Stone at Dean and the Hoar Stone at Steeple Barton. The alignment passes through Squires Clump tumulus, the Hoar Stone Burial Chamber at Enstone, and other confirmatory points like road junctions and ancient crosses. Map references are provided for these sites.

Lundy Island Survey

Pat Toms' survey of Lundy Island revealed discrepancies in Lunation Triangle lines described by others. The island appears to have a complex system of ancient alignments marked by stones, including east-west and north-south lines that connect to Mesolithic post holes at Stonehenge and Caldey Island.

Orthoteny and UFO Sightings

The concept of 'orthoteny', developed by Aime Michel, is introduced, which suggests that UFO sightings can form alignments. Several sightings reported in 'The Sun' newspaper in June are discussed, including a display of multi-coloured objects at Tern Hill Barracks, a large object seen by police near St. Athan, a pursuit by a light near Shrewsbury, and seven lights seen over a Welsh village. These points are noted as potentially being in alignment.

Publications and Booklets

The magazine promotes several publications and a CD-ROM:

• The Hidden Unity and Beginnings: Explores subconscious siting of ley points, the necessity of worship, and includes an appendix on the significance of Pagan religion. It also covers earth energy detection and cognitive dissonance.
• Earth People, Space People: A booklet based on Tony Wedd's manuscript about extraterrestrial contact claims, the history of the STAR Fellowship, and extraterrestrial language.
• The Legacy of Tony Wedd: A CD-ROM featuring Tony Wedd's research on flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.
• Touchstone Newsletter: The Surrey Earth Mysteries Group's newsletter, available via subscription.

Notes and News

This section includes listings for upcoming meetings of the London Earth Mysteries Circle and TEMS (Theosophical Society), covering topics such as Big Cat Research, Ancient Mounds of Florida, Atlantis, and Alternative Energy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ley lines, ancient sites, earth energies, UFO phenomena, and the connection between landscape, history, and spirituality. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting research, field reports, and discussions from various contributors. There is a strong emphasis on historical research, archaeological findings, and personal experiences related to earth mysteries. The magazine also promotes a sense of community among those interested in these topics through its newsletter and meeting announcements.