Touchstone - No 090 - 2010 07

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 90
Date: July 2010
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group
Focus: UFOs, Earth Mysteries, Ley Lines, Orthoteny.

LEYS AND ORTHOTENY

This article delves into the concept of 'orthoteny,' the alignment of UFO sightings in straight lines, a theory popularized by Aime Michel in the 1960s. Initially linked to 'ley hunters,' the concept of orthoteny had fallen out of favor but has seen renewed interest due to research by Ann Druffel in America. The article discusses a talk given at the MUFON Annual UFO Symposium in 1983, which presented findings from a Southern California study.

Southern California Study

The study involved plotting 57 UFO-related cases within an 18,000-square-mile area of Southern California. These cases included CE I and CE II events, landing reports, abduction scenarios, and reported contact with 'alien' entities. Additionally, nine cases of high strangeness were included. The study also plotted three comparison groups: 35 other events not related to orthoteny, four ancient Indian ritual sites, 14 UFOs, and 17 events of interest to psychic researchers. The purpose was to determine if UFO sightings and entity reports aligned with orthotenic lines.

Ann Druffel's initial interest stemmed from observing this straight-line phenomenon in France, the United States, South America, and the United Kingdom over 29 years. She also discovered an orthotenic line in Orange County, California, which stretched from Yorba Linda to Montrose. This line was composed of six points and was part of a larger study involving 25 sighting locations on an aeromagnetic map of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, initially focused on correlations between UFO sightings and magnetic anomalies.

Researchers like Coral and Jim Lorenzen of APRO found orthotenic lines in the United States and South America. Drs. David R. Saunders and Jacques Vallee also contributed by plotting great-circle lines and publishing their findings.

Orthoteny and Ley Lines

The article notes that orthoteny is not limited to sightings on a single date; orthotenic lines of UFO activity can span many years. The BAVIC line, originally six points from Bayonne to Vichy, France, is cited as an example, with later studies revealing high strangeness cases along it. The BAVIC line has been extended to include sites with Magdalenian cave art depicting UFO shapes.

Over the past decade, the study of 'ley lines' has gained popularity. Ley lines connect ancient sites of ceremonial and religious ritual, a theory first advanced by Alfred Watkins in the 1920s. Paul Devereux, editor of The Ley Hunter, and Ian Thomson, author of a book postulating a UFO-ancient sites link, are mentioned. While direct proof of association between ley lines and orthotenic lines is not yet established, UFOs are frequently seen over or near ley lines in the UK and Europe.

The article asserts that the evidence for ancient cultures building ceremonial sites along straight lines is well-established. One hypothesis suggests these sites were chosen for inherent telluric properties of the terrain. Ley lines are found on most continents, employed by numerous ancient cultures, and modern religious sites are often built on ancient ruins, thus lying on ley lines.

Southern California Indian Sites Study

During the past four years, the researcher became aware of four Southern California sites of ancient ceremonial interest used by American Indian tribes. These sites were included in the orthotenic study of UFO reports. Three of these sites—Tahquitz Rock, Eagle Rock, and Stony Point—lay in a straight line of 116 air miles. Castle Rock was located 5.5 miles southwest of Stony Point. This three-point alignment of Indian sites was considered preliminary evidence of a 'ley line.'

Results of UFO Study

After plotting the 57 UFO-related sites, a yardstick was used to determine straight-line routes. The criterion for ufological significance was four or more sites in a line. Sixteen straight lines of four or more points were discovered, ranging from 24 to 128 miles. Two lines had seven points, four had six, three had five, and seven had four points.

A deviation of five-eighths of a mile was deemed acceptable for orthotenic studies, with deviations up to a kilometer considered a 'good fit.' This suggests an energy field width. Approximately 3,500 feet was judged reasonable for the energy field width, with deviations of this distance being rare.

Of the 16 ufologically significant lines, three had Indian sites. The most striking line of Indian sites included Tahquitz Rock, Eagle Rock, and Stony Point.

Comparison Group Plotting

The addition of two comparison groups (IFOs and paranormal events) yielded interesting results. Nine out of 17 paranormal events lay on lines of ufological significance, and seven lay on 'combined interest' lines.

Ten of the IFO group lay along lines of ufological significance, and four lay along 'combined interest' lines. One IFO sighting, a misidentification of Venus, was located at the intersection of three lines, two of which were ufological. The article speculates that the terrain associated with orthotenic or ley lines contains an unidentified telluric energy that may influence human physiology, leading to misidentifications.

'Combined Interest' Lines

In addition to the 16 ufological significance lines, seven additional lines were discovered. While none met the criterion of four or more ufological locations, six of these seven lines had four or more points when UFO sites, paranormal incidents, and Indian sites were combined.

AN ORTHOTENY AND THE TEWKESBURY TRIANGLE

This section discusses Aime Michel's concept of orthoteny and its connection to ley lines, as made by Tony Wedd. The article highlights a 'suspected orthoteny' in Britain with two UFO sightings near Cheltenham on September 22nd, 1965. These sightings occurred along what is believed to be a good ley, intersecting ley-orthotenic centers.

The author's original map showed a line passing through Tewkesbury. This line was traced and found to be a good ley, passing through Colesbourne Church, Charlton Kings Church, and other Cheltenham churches. It also passes near Holy Trinity Church in Tewkesbury.

The ley continues through the Black Bear pub, King John's Bridge, and 'King John's Castle' (likely an early minster church). It also passes through a church on Mythe Road, now converted into a house.

On a 1:50000 map, the line continues through Upton upon Severn, Hanley Castle, Madersfield Court, Great Malvern, and skirts earthworks at Berrow Green. Tewkesbury is described as being at the meeting point of the Severn and Warwickshire Avon, with its central area known as the Oldbury.

Tewkesbury Area Leys

Two other interesting leys cross Tewkesbury, forming a triangle at the Oldbury, similar to a site near Staines Bridge in Surrey. This triangle might represent a stone circle or henge monument.

One ley, 30 paces wide, links churches in Tewkesbury and two others three miles out. It connects to the Saxon parish church of Deerhurst, which has a font with spiral decoration and pits resembling cupmarks. The article mentions the 'Beast' at Deerhurst, similar to one on the Alfred Jewel, and Odda's Chapel at Deerhurst.

Another ley connects churches in Tewkesbury and is a monument to subconscious siting. It links two outlying Saxon churches, Deerhurst and another. The parish church of Deerhurst was originally a priory church.

Further Ley Investigations

The ley from St. Eadburga's Church, Broadway, runs through the Council Offices at Holm Hill, which are on the site of a Saxon hall. It then passes through the nineteenth-century Methodist church and the Cross (war memorial). It meets the orthoteny at Holy Trinity Church. The ley continues to Bredon Hill, with remains of an Iron Age hill fort and Roman earthworks.

A large stone on Bredon Hill, the Banbury Stone, is on the ley. Another pair of stones, the King and Queen Stones, are said to cure illness if passed between. Parsons Folly, a tower built in the mid-18th century, is also on the ley.

The ley continues to St. Michael's Church, Cropthorne, and through the crossroads at Iron Cross, Salford Priors.

A third ley, 23 paces wide, passes through various sites, including Eldersfield Church and Forthampton. It forms one side of the triangle in Tewkesbury, running along East Street. It then follows the A38, passing through Ashchurch church and reaching the Tibble Stone at Teddington Hands crossroads. This stone was recorded in history and rediscovered in 1948. Legend says it was thrown by a giant.

The ley passes through St. Michael's Church, Buckland, the Iron Age hillfort of Burhill, and St. Eadburga's Church south of Broadway.

NOTES AND NEWS

Storm at Somerset Barrow

An account of a walk to the Priddy Nine Barrows and Ashen Hill Barrows in Somerset, led by archaeologist Dr. Jodie Lewis. Excavations revealed barrows built in layers, with turf analysis showing origins from different regions. A burial cist was found, and upon lifting the capstone, thunder, lightning, and a rush of water occurred. The burial was of a young woman with rich grave goods.

Barrow cemeteries are often associated with earlier monuments like the Priddy Circles, three large ditch and bank circles dating to the middle Neolithic period (3000-2700 BC). The area is noted for its concentration of swallets (holes where water disappears underground).

MEYN MAMVRO

This section advertises "Meyn Mamvro," offering information on ancient stones, sacred sites, paganism, ley paths, pre-history, culture, megalithic mysteries, legends, and folklore in Cornwall. Subscription details and other available guides are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of ancient mysteries, earth energies, and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs. The editorial stance appears to favor investigating purported connections between these diverse subjects, often drawing on historical research, anecdotal evidence, and the work of dedicated researchers in the field. There is a clear interest in patterns, alignments, and potential extraterrestrial or unknown influences on human history and experience.