Touchstone - No 083 - 2008 10

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: October 2008 (Volume 83)
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group
Focus: Earth Mysteries, Ley Lines, Archaeology, Folklore, Megalithic Sites.

The Society of Leyhunters Cornish Moot September 2008

The issue details the Cornish Moot organized by the Society of Leyhunters in September 2008. The moot was based near St. Just, Cornwall, and focused on the 'E-line', a powerful ley identified by Eileen Roche. The E-line runs from the Isle of Sheppey to Cornwall, passing north of St. Just and off the coast at Cape Cornwall. Cape Cornwall is noted as one of only two capes in Britain where two bodies of water meet, and it features a Bronze Age burial site and an Iron Age hillfort.

During a visit prior to the moot, the author, accompanied by Alan Bowers and Rob Stephenson, found a hill resembling Glastonbury Tor, but with a mine chimney instead of a chapel. The site of St. Helen's Oratory, a 4th-century Christian chapel, is located at the bottom of the hill. An ancient chi-rho cross was found nearby, and a cemented cross on the building was discovered lying nearby. The E-line was dowsed to be 100 paces wide, with the chapel near its northern edge and extending to a drystone wall to the south, which pointed towards Cape Cornwall.

Initially, the author believed the E-line left the UK at Cape Cornwall, but a subsequent trip to the Isles of Scilly suggested it might pass through the northern part of the islands. By transferring map data, it was deduced that the ley likely passes through the hermitage and church on St. Helen's, King Charles's Castle on Tresco, and skirts the cliff fort at Shipman Head on Bryher. These locations were visited, but the E-line's presence was not realized at the time.

Sunday Morning Walk and St. Just

On Sunday morning, a walk followed a ley running to St. Just, found by Paul Devereux. The group passed a large pile of stones on the ley and then followed a track to St. Just Church. The ley was found to be eight paces wide in the churchyard, passing through a Celtic cross, though its original position was uncertain. A Masonic service was observed, attended by Mayors and officials.

St. Just features a banked enclosure, a 'plain-an-gwarry' or playing place, described as a distinctively Cornish monument. Originally seven feet high with stone steps, it was restored in the late nineteenth century and was used for various purposes, including sport and as a local meeting place, but is best known for miracle plays in the Cornish language.

Afternoon Visit to Tregeseal Stone Circle

In the afternoon, a minibus trip took the group to Tregeseal stone circle near Carn Kenidjack, known as the "Hooting Carn" due to strange noises reported there. Cheryl Straffon of the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group explained that it is a circle of nineteen stones, disturbed by mining, and possibly part of a larger complex. A second circle was found in a nearby field, and Cheryl had dowsed it twenty years prior. Some stones from this second circle were found in a bank, and there may have been a processional path to Carn Kenidjack. Sir Norman Lockyer identified a Mayday alignment to a standing stone on Boswens Common.

The E-line was found by dowsing to run near Carn Kenidjack, entering its northern edge and widening to about 100 paces, especially during sunrise/sunset periods.

Holed Stones and Chun Quoit

Cheryl Straffon then led the group to a row of holed stones, similar to "Odin stones" found elsewhere, with Men-an-Tol being a famous example in the area. These stones were not in their original positions, having been reset by a farmer. Holed stones were used for sealing bargains and handfasting. The group then visited Chun Quoit, a dolmen thought to have been covered with earth. The sun was observed to descend into a notch in Carn Kenidjack at midwinter sunset. Deposits of rich soils suggest energizing for burial chambers. A ley connects Chun Castle, Chun Quoit, and Carn Kenidjack.

Evening Talk and Ley Hunter's Perspective

Cheryl Straffon spoke in St. Just that evening, reflecting on the 18 years since the last ley hunters' moot. She emphasized the importance of understanding the mindset of ancestors and native peoples. The talk touched on Cornish folklore, Christianization, and the significance of leys as the "bedrock of earth mysteries." John Michell's survey of West Penwith found leys to have "rifle-barrel accuracy."

Several sites were examined, including Ballywellbarrow, Tregeseal, Boswen's Menhir, West Lanyon Quoit, and Carn Euny Courtyard House Settlement. The purpose of these stones is discussed, with many identified as having multiple leys passing through them, suggesting focal points. The Carfury Menhir is noted for having eight leys.

Other alignments mentioned include the Blind Fiddler on the A30, Trengreen Hill, and Bodmin Moor's Siblyback Stone. The connection between stones and hills, and potential processional pathways, are discussed. Andy Norfolk associates these with songlines. Tregeseal circle has a connection to Carn Kenidjack, and the Nine Maidens also has a significant alignment. The importance of solar and lunar positions is highlighted, with Newgrange tomb in Ireland cited as an example of solar illumination.

Further Sites and Research

Similar sites like Silliat Barrow and Carn Kenidjack are mentioned. The article discusses the E-line's connection to Trencrom Hill and the possibility of it being a sacred pathway or representing the Earth Mother. Moon alignments and their 18.6-year cycle are also noted.

Archaeologists have found evidence of original stone circles of 19 stones at Men-an-Tol, a site considered special and magical. The Dragon Project, overseen by Paul Devereux, tested radiation levels at sites, with higher readings found at quoits, possibly due to their being closed chambers. Tregiffin Barrow and Chun Quoit showed elevated counts, while Tregeseal Circle and Merry Maidens had lower readings, suggesting a sanctuary effect. Duloe circle, made of quartz, is noted for cows seeking shelter there for birth. Boscawen-un also has low radiation but reports of tingles and shocks.

Fogous, Iron Age passages, are discussed as possibly used for underground ceremonies and giving high radiation readings. They are found in West Cornwall, often with Romano-British courtyard houses like Carn Euny fogou, and may have represented the womb of the Earth Mother for altered states of consciousness.

Sound effects, such as the "earth song" and "hummadruz," are reported at some sites. Strange lights, like globes not visible to the naked eye, have been seen at Merry Maidens. Pinpricks of light and colored lights have been observed in fogous.

Churchway Ley and Lanyon Quoit

On Monday, a walk along the Churchway Ley, published by Paul Devereux, began at Madron Church. The ley was dowsed at 8 paces wide. The group visited a sacred spring and holy well, where the tree was festooned with cloth. Sick children were traditionally taken to the well structure three times anticlockwise and nine times clockwise. Pat Toms dowsed a geological feature by the well.

The next point on the ley was a Celtic cross. St. Michael's Mount became visible as the group ascended a field path. A stretch of road coincided with the ley, leading to Lanyon Quoit. Lanyon Quoit is described as considerably rebuilt and abused, with its capstone dislodged during a thunderstorm and later replaced in 1824 with funds raised by subscription.

Michell Line and Dingdong Mine

The Michell line was dowsed to Tregeseal circle, with a ley running northwards. Dingdong mine was also visible, with a legend of Joseph of Arimathea and Jesus visiting it. The E-line crossed the road here, found to be about 100 paces wide, with Pat Toms noting various bands and Laurence's compass swinging 90 degrees. An unrecorded standing stone aligned to the summer solstice sunset was found.

Men-an-Tol and Inscribed Stones

The group then visited Men-an-Tol, experiencing a heavy shower of rain. They also saw Men Scryfa, a standing stone with a 6th-century Romano-British inscription (RIALOBRAN CUNOVAL FIL), discovered by Captain Giddy RN. A similar inscribed stone is in St. Just Church. The Nine Maidens stone circle was visited, with a cairn visible between two large stones.

Cornish Songlines

Andy Norfolk spoke about Cornish Songlines, drawing parallels with Australian Aboriginal beliefs. He discussed how Aboriginal ancestors "sang their land into existence," and how beings in stories might be mythological versions of Aboriginal people. The Dreamtime is described as an ongoing event, with the Rainbow Serpent representing creative energy.

Isles of Scilly Trip

In 1994, a terrestrial zodiac was identified on the Isles of Scilly, with islands forming figures like Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Gemini, and Scorpio. The article details specific islands and their corresponding zodiac figures, such as Bryher as Cancer (a ship) and St. Martin's as Leo (a lion).

A group visited the Isles of Scilly, camping on the Garrison campsite on St. Mary's. Features on the campsite included a circular earthwork and a granite standing stone.

Tresco and King Charles' Castle

On Thursday, a boat trip to Tresco revealed its dual nature. The Abbey Gardens and the ruins of the twelfth-century Abbey were visited. A sixth-century inscribed stone and a prehistoric holed stone were noted. A Roman altar and part of an original lighthouse were also seen.

A ley was identified through the Abbey, with two entrance graves on Samson Hill aligning with it. The E-line appears to go through King Charles' Castle, built in the sixteenth century, and entrance graves on Tregarthen Hill.

Bant's Carn and Halangy Down

Returning to St. Mary's, Bant's Carn entrance grave was visited, aligning with the Mayday sunrise. Adjacent to it is the Iron Age village on Halangy Down.

St. Martin's and the Zodiac Figure

On Friday, St. Martin's, the Leo figure of the Zodiac, was explored. A stone row on the beach aligns with a notch on Little Ganilly. Bronze Age peat beds were found, and a possible fallen menhir was nearby.

Daymark and Burnt Hill

The prominent red and white Daymark and ruins of a signal station were visited. Burnt Hill, a possible cliffcastle, was thought by Laurence to indicate a beacon. A ley from here to Nornour is suggested, as is another ley involving Tresco, St. Mary's, and the Cloudesley Shovell monument.

Long Rock and Innisidgen Entrance Grave

The group returned to St. Mary's to see the Long Rock, a standing stone resembling a dolphin. Laurence felt a ley running at an angle from it. The Lower Innisidgen entrance grave was visited, pointing towards Cornwall. Strange "orbs" were reported in a photograph of its interior.

Bryher and Samson

Saturday brought a trip to Bryher, the Cancer figure. Two entrance cairns aligned with North Hill and Samson, and a chambered cairn aligned with Bishop Rock were noted. Several stone mazes were found on Popplestone Neck.

On St. Mary's, the Buzza Hill burial chamber was visited. The group then took an archaeological guided tour of the uninhabited island of Samson. Harry's Walls, an unfinished fort, and a Bronze Age menhir were seen. Lower Innisidgen entrance grave was visited, pointing towards Cornwall. Samson's twin hills are rich in Bronze Age entrance graves, cairns, and cists.

St. Agnes and the Libra Dove

St. Agnes, the Libra dove of the Zodiac, was visited on Monday. The island's Celtic character is noted. A standing stone, the Old Man of Gugh, is on a ley identified by Andy Norfolk. A rock formation resembling a dove and a stone row to Obadiah's Barrow were also seen.

Troy Town Maze and St. Warna's Well

The Troy Town maze was visited, with its age uncertain. A line from the maze to the Old Man of Gugh is suggested to represent the Dove's flight. St. Warna's Well, a holy well, was also visited.

Eastern Isles and Nornour

On Tuesday, the group visited Tean and viewed the Eastern Isles from the sea, including Nornour, a religious centre in Roman times with goddess figurines and bronze objects. St. Helen's, resembling the Taurus bull's head, has the E-line skimming its southern coast, passing through the hermitage church remains.

An early Christian chapel, an 11th-century church, and a round hermit's cell are on St. Helen's. A building called the Pest House, an isolation hospital, is also present.

Tean has an early Christian chapel of St. Theona and an entrance grave. A line from an unmarked centre on the E-line passes through Burnt Hill on St. Martin's, Nornour, and a cairn on Menawethan.

Nornour Findings and Old Town Church

At the Isles of Scilly Museum, a display on Nornour findings included goddess figurines made of fine white clay from the Allier region of France, dating to the second century AD. These included 'pseudo-Venus' and 'Dea Nuitrix' figures.

The Old Town Church, Scilly's oldest, dating from the 11th century, was visited. Victims of shipwrecks are buried in its churchyard.

Ley Lines and Alignments

Several ley lines and alignments are discussed, including one from Buzza Hill entrance grave to Castle Bryher, and another passing through the Cloudesley Shovell memorial and the Great Tomb on St. Mary's. Alignments of entrance graves meeting at the Great Tomb are noted.

TEMS Meetings and Notes & News

Notices for upcoming TEMS (The Earth Mysteries Society) meetings in Wimbledon and Hampton are provided, along with details for London Earth Mysteries Circle and Research into Lost Knowledge Organisation meetings, featuring various speakers and topics.

Book and CD-ROM Reviews

The Hidden Unity and Beginnings: This booklet by J. Goddard explores subconscious siting of ley points, the significance of places of worship on leys, and environmental/philosophical implications. It includes investigations of the Shah Jehan Mosque and Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, and an appendix on the Pagan religion. It also covers earth energy detection, natural antigravity, subconscious siting, ley width, and the solar transition effect, concluding with Alfred Watkins' discovery of leys.

Earth People, Space People: A booklet prepared by Tony Wedd, detailing claims of extraterrestrial contact. It includes articles on the STAR Fellowship, evidence for life in the Solar System, and extraterrestrial language.

The Legacy of Tony Wedd: A CD-ROM of Tony Wedd's travelling exhibition, covering flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.

Touchstone Newsletter: Information on subscribing to the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group newsletter.

Specific Site Details and Research

Carn Brae: Features a monument and a folly, with a ley connecting it to other sites. It was vandalized by Parliamentarians due to a tradition linking a rocking stone to the monarchy. The area is noted for spirituality and peace, with a geological fault and UFO sightings.

Ancient Landscape: Discusses the area 7,000 years ago, with arable crops and wooded valleys. The Army teaches leys as lines of intent. Arrowheads found suggest possible battles or ritual closures.

Carn Brae Simulacrum: A smiling face simulacrum was seen. "Pots and Kettles" monument and the "Birthing Stone" are mentioned. Connections with Druids are noted.

Duloe Stone Circle: Made of quartz, forming a Lunation Triangle. A sense of peace is felt here.

Carn Euny Fogou: A beehive hut and courtyard settlement. A processional way leads to Chapel Carn Brae. Fogous were infilled from the front.

Fogous: Described as Iron Age passages possibly for underground ceremonies, giving high radiation readings. Theories on their use include keeping cheese or ritualistic practices.

St. Keverne Church: A 5th-century Celtic Christian standing stone with a direct line pointing up the church.

Goonhilly Down: Stations have a "nasty atmosphere." A ley near there has moved.

Isles of Scilly Zodiac: Further details on the terrestrial zodiac figures formed by the islands, including Cancer (Bryher), Leo (St. Martin's), Virgo (St. Mary's), Libra (St. Agnes), Gemini (Tresco and Samson), and Scorpio (Western Rocks).

Tresco Abbey: The dual nature of Tresco is noted. The Abbey Gardens and ruins are described. A 6th-century inscribed stone and a holed stone are present. A Roman altar and part of an original lighthouse are also mentioned.

King Charles' Castle: Apparent E-line site on Tresco.

Bant's Carn: Entrance grave aligning with Mayday sunrise.

St. Martin's Stone Row: Aligned with a notch on Little Ganilly.

Long Rock: A standing stone on St. Mary's, resembling a dolphin.

Innisidgen Entrance Grave: Pointing towards Cornwall.

Bryher: Cancer figure, two entrance cairns, and stone mazes.

Samson: Twin hills rich in Bronze Age features.

St. Agnes: Libra dove figure, Old Man of Gugh standing stone, rock formation like a dove, stone row to Obadiah's Barrow.

Troy Town Maze: Age uncertain, possibly related to the Dove's eye.

St. Warna's Well: Holy well.

Eastern Isles: Nornour as a religious centre, St. Helen's with hermitage remains.

Nornour Goddess Figurines: Made of fine white clay, second century AD.

Old Town Church: 11th-century Norman church.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the interconnectedness of ancient sites, landscape features, and earth energies, often through the lens of ley lines and dowsing. There is a strong emphasis on uncovering hidden histories, folklore, and the spiritual significance of place. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into earth mysteries, encouraging readers to investigate and share their own discoveries. The publication promotes a holistic view of the landscape, integrating archaeology, mythology, and personal experience. The recurring theme of ancient wisdom and its connection to modern understanding is evident throughout the articles, particularly in the exploration of Cornish heritage and its unique spiritual landscape.